Ashton-under-Hill
The
Parish
Magazine
April 2014
Beckford
Overbury
Alstone &
Teddington
50p
OH, to be in England now that April ’s there
And whoever wakes in England sees,
some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood
sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard
bough
In England—now!
From Home Thoughts from Abroad,
Robert Browning
Schedule of Services
The Parish of Overbury with Teddington, Alstone and Little Washbourne,
with Beckford and Ashton under Hill
APRIL
Ashton
Beckford
6th April
Passion
Sunday
6.00 pm
Songs of Praise
R Worsley
8.00 am
BCP HC
M Baynes
13th April
Palm
Sunday
9.30 am
Family CW HC
R Worsley
14th April
7.30 pm
Compline
15th April
16th April
17th April
18th April
Good
Friday
Overbury
11.00 am
Morning
Prayer
R Palmer
Alstone
6.00 pm
11.00 am
Evening
CW HC
Worship
S Renshaw
R Palmer
Holy Week Services
9.30 am
Morning
Prayer
D Oxley
Teddington
9.30 am
CW HC
M Baynes
7.30 pm
Compline
7.30 pm Lent Talk by Bishop Michael Hooper at Holy Trinity, Eckington
7.45 pm Passover Supper at St Giles, Bredon followed by
Watch of Prayer - Midnight
11.30 am The Liturgy of the Cross at Bredon’s Norton Church
with the Bishop of Worcester
2 – 3.00 pm
Meditations
2.45 pm Good Friday Pilgrimage on Bredon Hill with the Bishop of Worcester
19th April
Easter Eve
8.00 pm Easter Liturgy & Renewal of Baptism Promises at St Faith’s, Overbury
20th April
Easter Day
9.30 am
Family CW HC
with Easter Egg
Hunt and hot
cross buns
C Worsley
6.00 pm
CW HC
M Baynes
11.00 am
CW HC
C Parr
9.30 am
CW HC
C Parr
10.00 am
United CW
HC
M Baynes
27th April
1st Sunday
of Easter
MAY
4th May
2nd Sunday
of Easter
HC
6.00 pm
Evening Prayer
R Palmer
11.00 am
Family
Service
Lay Team
8.00 am
BCP HC
M Baynes
9.30 am
CW HC
M Baynes
BCP Book of Common Prayer
CW Book of Common Worship
Holy Communion
MP Morning Prayer
EP Evening Prayer
Morning Prayers will be said at 8.30 am Friday at Ashton.
Holy Communion is celebrated at 10.00 am on Wednesday in St Faith’s Church, Overbury.
Clergy
Revd Canon Matthew Baynes
Revd Canon Chris Worsley
Readers
Captain Dennis Oxley, Church Army
Revd Susan Renshaw Revd Richard Worsley
Revd Clive Parr
John Dodge
Page 2
Roger Palmer
Canon Matthew Baynes
Priest in Charge, Beckford Group Parish
Rector of Bredon with Bredon’s Norton
Signs of the Kingdom…..Bredon Hill Group Day
Saturday 10th May 10.30 am—2.30 pm: Little Comberton Village Hall
In 2013 the Bishop of Worcester launched his
‘Kingdom People’ vision. It was a response to a
report which he had commissioned several years
earlier, which sought to identify what might shape the
church in the future. In his introduction he said; ‘The
Church is God’s gift to the world. It is called to be an effective sign of God’s Kingdom.’
This is a statement of fact, but it is also a challenge. For it challenges us to explore
what we mean when we talk about ’God’s Kingdom’ and further how we live as a
church community so that we are ’an effective sign’ of that reality.
Our Bishop gives us a bit of help so that we can begin to answer that question for
ourselves and for our local church communities. ‘The Kingdom of God,’ he clarifies, can
be identified as a place ‘where Kingdom values prevail – values of love, compassion,
justice and freedom’. Like all good teachers though, Bishop John sets us on our way
but does not do the work for us. It is our task within the Bredon Hill Group, and in all the
churches and villages which make it up, to consider what we can do so that the
churches to which we belong can be recognized as communities with those core values
at their heart.
In order that we can explore this further, and establish our own priorities for the future
we are going to spend some time together at the beginning of May. We are planning to
do this as a whole group, so that we can support and encourage one another in this
task. The phrase ‘better together’ has come in for some criticism recently, as it has
been rather carelessly bandied about. However it is true, and when we come together
to reflect and pray we really are more effective at teasing out solutions to challenges,
which we very often discover are not unique to our own particular church/village.
If you want to look at some of the material, and watch a brief video by the Bishop you
can look online at http://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/AO/244. If you can join us on
10th May you will be very welcome to come and share your thoughts, and your hopes
as to what our church might look like in the future. It would be helpful, numbers wise, if
you let us know that you intend to come, but I really hope that many of you will.
Matthew Baynes
The crowds went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of
David!’ ‘Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!’
‘What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ Pilate asked.
They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’.
The angel said to Mary Magdalene, ‘Do not be afraid for I
know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he
has risen, just as he said’.
Page 3
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL ORGANISER
The Royal British Legion supports all injured servicemen and women
and helps their dependants. This work costs nearly £1,600,000 each
week. The appeal target this year is £37million. The annual Poppy
collection in the villages covered by our local Legion branch makes an
important contribution each year and we raised £3,500 last year.
We are looking for a new voluntary organiser to take over the
planning, distribution and collection of tins from our local villages. There is a well
established system and plenty of support in place to help with the accounting and
administration. The whole activity takes place over 3 weeks each November.
If you are interested in taking on this vital role could you please contact:
Mr Peter White, Secretary of the Beckford & Ashton-under-Hill Branch on
01386 881971
LENT LUNCHES - KEMERTON
ST BENETS CHURCH HALL - KEMERTON
FRIDAY 4TH APRIL, 12 -30 to 2pm
SOUP, ROLLS AND TRAIDCRAFT STALL
DONATIONS TO ST RICHARDS HOSPICE
St John the Baptist Beckford, Palm Sunday April 13th, 6.00 pm
Join us in procession from the war memorial for our service
(meet at 5.50pm weather permitting)
Refreshments after the service
All are welcome
Easter Holiday Activity Days
Wednesday 16th April ‘Nature Explorers’
Get wet & muddy, discovering the wonders all around us. Activities include;
 Pond dipping and lots more watery fun in the Park!
 Nature treasure hunts in the COCO orchard
 Den building in the woods
http://www.overburygrasshoppers.co.uk/2013/08/grashoppers-nature-explorers/
Out & About around Overbury Farm & Estate (drop off at nursery- bring wellies & waterproofs)
Thursday 24th April ‘Make and take’ Art and craft day - Easter themed;
On previous craft days parents have needed several bags to take home all of the masterpieces
created in just one day! Overbury Village Hall
Primary school children, (reception to year 5).
9am – 4pm £20 a day (bring a packed lunch)
First come, first served. Please contact the Nursery for information & to reserve places.
Email: [email protected] or phone: 01386 725755
Page 4
The Mikado
The Cotswold Savoyards, a Cheltenham based amateur operatic
society, was formed in 1962 to produce the works of Gilbert and
Sullivan. Over the past few years they have also staged more
modern shows such as ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘Titanic the Musical’
and, most recently, ‘Jekyll and Hyde the Musical’.
They are excited to be presenting their 100th show ‘The
Mikado’ from 20th - 24th May at the Everyman Theatre,
Cheltenham and should love to entertain large audiences. This
is perhaps one of the most popular of the G & S repertoire with songs such as ‘Three
Little Maids from school’ and ‘Tit-willow’ and will be the seventh time they have
performed it. The cast includes some longstanding, young, new and returning
members. Tickets are from £13 and there are discounts for groups of 10 or more.
Please call the box office: 01242 572573 or online www.everymantheatre.org.uk
‘The Last of the Line’. Tony Green who has lived most of
his life in Beckford has just produced a book about his life;
going to Beckford and Bredon schools, working on the
railway at Beckford, the Vale of Evesham, and playing
cricket for Ashton Under Hill. The book called "The Last of
the Line" is priced at £6 with £2 from each copy sold going to
Beckford church. The book can be obtained from Beckford
Shop, Ashton Cricket Club or from Mr Robbie Hawker,
tel 01386 881019 . Anybody interested in selling a few books
can contact Mr Tony Green on 01242 674929.
TOFF’S POTTERY MASTERCLASS - 10th April, 6.45pm
Have you always wanted to throw a pot? Now is your chance…………..
Please join us for this exclusive event. We plan a fun and informal evening in
the charming surrounds of Toff Milway’s showroom and studio in Conderton.
Toff will inspire, inform and enthuse as well as demonstrate his skill and
passion for making pots. Each ticket holder will have the opportunity to try
their hand at throwing a pot.
Tickets: £25 to include wine and canapés, materials and firing. Numbers are
limited so please call Lara Sweeting on 01386 725373 or 07979 950920 to
secure your place.
100% of ticket sales will go to Overbury First School’s fund to equip their new extension.
Teddington & Alstone Village Hall Lucky Numbers Club
The Winners of the first 2014 Lucky Numbers Draw held on Monday 10 th March are:
Number
40 £50.00
108 £40.00
63 £30.00
10 £20.00
32 £15.00
19 £15.00
122 £10.00
Prize
Winner
JULIE MORGAN
KAY MORRISON
PHILIP TAYLOR
J & G LAWRENCE
HELEN LAWSON
DEREK PEARCE
STUART PURVES
Page 5
CATCH
The South African Press reports renewed protests against domestic violence outside the trial
of Oscar Pistorius. Signs demand: “No violence against women” and “No to killing of women
and children”. Days before her shooting by Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp tweeted her support to
end violence against women after the brutal gang rape and killing of 17-year-old Anene
Booysen.
Child rape is a constant danger in Mzamomhle, (pronounced “Zhamonshlay”) an East London
township which is ministered to by CATCH, an organisation supported by Bredon Hill churches
for the last 8 years. Thanks partly to the continuing myth that sex with a virgin will cure a man
of HIV or AIDS, at least one child rape is reported in Mzamomhle every single week.
In Mzamomhle 40,000 people battle for survival. In 1994 the
government erected 500 small brick built homes there for the
growing number of residents. The houses are basic, but have
running water facilities outside. Each could sleep up to 8 people
side by side, like sardines, accommodating some 4000 people.
The other 36,000 live in tin shacks with no running water,
sewage system or electricity. Just 16 pumps located next to
poorly maintained public toilets supply water. These unsanitary
conditions create a community riddled with diseases such as TB
- but that may be the least of their worries. Over 65% of residents are HIV positive. ARVs can
keep an HIV sufferer reasonably healthy for years, but few receive the treatment needed. HIV
and AIDS are both still taboo topics within the Xhosa tribes so those affected often suffer in
silence, out of shame.
Massive unemployment breeds desperation. Alcoholism and drug abuse affect over half the
population. Robberies and assaults are a daily occurrence. Even the poorest of the shacks are
protected with metal bars. The streets are unsafe. The children of Mzamomhle witness
violence every day. Often they are targets, especially young girls.
CATCH Projects is an NGO that was set up in 2002 by an incredible woman called Sue
Davies. Sue gave up her high flying career with Mercedes Benz to dedicate her life to helping
the children affected by the desperate conditions in which they live.
Sue now includes community work in her vision. CATCH’s daily ‘fun clubs’ offer children safety
away from the dangerous streets of Mzamomhle. At these
free clubs children get a hot, nutritious meal - often their only
meal that day. 500 children a week are fed. HIV support
groups for affected adults work closely with influential
members of the community and there is training on domestic
violence, contraception and self defence. Six at risk girls,
aged between 4 and 14 have been given a foster home at the
project, but many more places for such youngsters are
needed.
The work that CATCH does is vital. The community know
CATCH and often go there for help. Hundreds of children
have been protected by CATCH over the years.
Now approaching 70, Sue Davies is about to hand over to a new General Manager, CJ Avery,
who will be visiting Beckford in May. She volunteered for 6 months, and was so affected by the
plight of the children that she decided to stay.
CJ will be giving an illustrated talk on progress at CATCH projects at Beckford Village
Hall on May 7th from 7.00 pm. If you want to hear more about a project supported by the
Bredon Hill Churches for many years, then come along.
You will be informed, moved, and uplifted!
Page 6
NEWS FROM OVERBURY
Lambing Live Day at Overbury Farms
On Sunday 13th April Overbury Farms will be holding their annual
Lambing Live Sunday. A day for the whole family begins at 10am,
with tractor and trailer rides taking you from the Village Hall up Bredon
Hill to Park Farm throughout the day. Here at the lambing sheds you
may have the opportunity to see their ewes lamb, feed new-borns and
learn about lambing. You can stay as long as you like until the last
tractor ride leaves at approx 3.30pm. Throughout the day in the Village Hall you can
enjoy Overbury Lamb casserole, tea, coffee and homemade cakes. Parking is free.
Entry is £5 per adult and free for children (all children must be accompanied). The
proceeds will go towards various education projects and Overbury Village Hall. Sadly
no pregnant ladies are allowed to visit the lambing sheds due to health and safety. For
more information visit http://www.overburyfarms.co.uk/events or call the Estate Office on
01386 725111
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Conderton and Overbury Community Orchard (COCO)
Easter Treasure Hunt - Saturday 19th April 2pm
Please put this date in your diary. There will be a treasure hunt
(chocolate-themed!) around the orchard for children. Tea and home
made cakes for sale for everyone.
Overbury Estate are delighted to support Jude Dayne, who is once again in training to run the
2014 Malvern Hills Ultra Marathon http://www.ultrarunningltd.co.uk/malvern-hills-ultra.html
Jude, a resident of Overbury, is well-known in the village, walking her dogs, riding her horse
and styling many of the local residents as a hairdresser. On Saturday May 3rd she will be
undertaking the 52 mile Ultra Run along the Malvern’s. The Malvern Hills Ultra is a test of
endurance as well as navigational skill. The total ascent of
the 52 mile race is over 8,000 ft.
This year Jude will be raising money for Maggies Cancer
Caring Centre, Cheltenham. Maggies offers a programme
of support with professional staff on hand to offer practical advice on benefits, dietary and
nutritional information, emotional support from qualified experts and importantly a friendly place
to meet others and a calming space to sit quietly with a cup of tea. The centres are available to
anyone with any type of cancer, their families and friends, offering a sanctuary with information
and support which is unconditional. Jude and Overbury Estate are keen to raise awareness of
Maggies Caring Centre to the local Bredon Hill community and to raise the profile of the many
services which they offer. We will be following Jude through her training programme of gruelling
gym sessions and long distant runs up and around Bredon Hill. If you pass her on the hill then
please cheer her along!
Please do join Overbury Estate in supporting Jude by visiting her MyDonate Page
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/judedayne where you can make a donation directly to
Maggies. Also take time to view the Maggie’s website where you can see first-hand all the
marvellous work they do.
OVERBURY CRICKET CLUB 2014 SEASON
The new season starts this month! New to the area ? Returning to cricket?
We should love to see you playing senior cricket at Overbury. All welcome.
Also, if you have children or grandchildren, please bring them along to use our
excellent youth coaching and net facilities on Friday evenings from 6.30 pm.
Registration night is on Friday 4th April. We also welcome social members.
For more information please contact Dave Devereux (OCC Chairman) on
01684 850329 / 07949 648372 http://overbury.play-cricket.com
Page 7
From Pastures new but still in GL20
Living in the Past, the Present and the Future – all in one!
On Friday 14th March (a day when many people’s thoughts were
magnetised toward The Gold Cup) I climbed to the heights of Flat 6,
Abbeyfield House at 7.30pm to sort myself out for the next hour or so
when my phone rang. I immediately thought “Oh good, that will be so
and so” and swiftly picked up a pen and a piece of paper to jot down
any important details. I was poised to make notes on developments
about the person’s situation that I anticipated was ringing me but it was not the person I
thought it would be.
At 86 years old, it takes some time to change gear from one’s thought to what actually
arrives. The voice at the other end said “I’m Philip, you probably will not know me”.
Then he added “Mrs Charlotte Braithwaite is a friend of mine and gave me your
telephone number in the hope you can help me find the information I am seeking”. My
mind was out of gear but two things came to mind as I struggled to focus. Mrs Charlotte
Braithwaite was my next but one neighbour on the Alstone side of St Nicholas’ Cottage,
a musically gifted lady and a member of the Church at Teddington since she moved
there a few years ago. I wondered if he was one of the gentlemen who met with
Charlotte to speak in Russian? Or perhaps he was a member of the golf club on the
road from Stoke Orchard where Mrs Braithwaite played a few holes to keep her strong
and active?
Philip asked if I could tell him where John Ginger was? He knew he moved to Colwall
with his father Kenneth Ginger but had lost contact with him. When I came to
Teddington, Ken and John lived in different parts of ‘Westville’, the last of the tall pointed
houses near to Beckford stores. John was an academic who spent hours each week at
the Bodlean library in Oxford doing research and writing learned tomes which I would
never read! Mrs Ginger, Ken’s wife, died before I came to Teddington.
Philip was a friend of John’s but the one thing he wanted to know I could not remember.
I had visited Ken at Colwall and the house ‘Timbrells’, which John had purchased ,
cried out for modernisation and improvements and the Captain of the bell ringers at
Ashton and Beckford, Mr Nick Hopkins, was the person who, by his skills, transformed
‘Timbrells’ to make it a very desirable residence for John and his father. John and Ken
always made me most welcome with tea, coffee and cakes with silver pots and beautiful
china.
My visiting records were in boxes which came with me to Abbeyfields, but I had left the
box containing cards for Beckford, Little Beckford and Grafton in St Nicholas’ cottage. I
then discovered that it had ended up at Canon Baynes Bredon Rectory office.
Eventually it reached me on Friday 14th March. I was very glad to have my record of
visits and information as it gave me one piece of information that Philip really needed to
know which was that John had died about a month before his father which happened in
February and March 2006. John’s funeral took place in Malvern Wells Roman Catholic
Church. Ken’s funeral was at Worcester Crematorium. I am almost sure that I conducted
Ken’s funeral and that his ashes were buried with his wife in Beckford Churchyard.
I have treasured memories of sincere conversations with Ken about the Christian faith
and rejoice to know that the Vicar of Colwall brought Holy Communion to him every
month and that John was pleased to be ensured that his father received the Sacrament
regularly.
Lent reminds us that we can be so concerned with the pleasure of this life that we miss
out on the pleasures that are eternal.
Dennis Oxley, March 2014
Page 8
NEWS FROM THE CHAPELRIES
Services in Teddington and Alstone in March
April 6th:
April 13th:
April 15th:
April 20th:
April 27th:
Teddington, Holy Communion with Matthew, 9.30am
Alstone Palm Sunday Morning Prayer with Dennis, 9.30am
Teddington, Compline, 7.30pm
Alstone, Easter Day Holy Communion with Clive, 9.30am
Teddington United Parish Holy Communion with Matthew, 10am,
and coffee afterwards.
Teddington and Alstone Annual Church Meeting , March 6th, 7.30pm
We had a good attendance at Teddington Village Hall for
our Annual Meeting. Our new committee will be Nick
Bentley, Chris Godfrey, Libby Hopkins (chairman),
Barbara Howell, Anne Kyle, David Marsh, Michael Miller,
Joan Perkins, Jane Rogers (secretary), Kieran Whelan, and
Mike Wignall (Treasurer); Anne Kyle and Kieran Whelan
were nominated as deputy churchwardens and will be on the Parochial Church
Council with Chris Godfrey, David Marsh, Michael Miller and Joan Perkins.
Visit to Sir Roy Strong’s Laskett Gardens on 29th April, 10.30am-12.30pm
We look forward to seeing all those joining us on this garden visit and let’s hope that
the weather is good. By the time you read this we hope to have more details about the
transport and lunch arrangements but do get in touch with Judith Hunter
(01386 8820870) or Anne Kyle (01242 620351) if you have any problems.
St. Margaret’s Holly Tree
The holly tree, Ilex aquifolium, which established itself in the
middle of a grave about 2 metres from the east chancel wall of
St Margaret’s around 20 years ago, has been causing
increasing concern for a number of reasons and its removal is
under active consideration following the architect Mark Evans’
comments in his September 2013 Quinquennial Report on the
fabric of the church and churchyard. He has recommended the
tree’s removal at least before the next quinquennial. The tree
does not have a local authority preservation order but because
of its size a diocesan faculty is required before it can be felled. The holly has a
25cm diameter trunk, is currently almost as high as the apex of the chancel roof,
and its branches spread to within a foot of the chancel wall. It currently completely
obscures the east window of the chancel, causing an excessively “dim religious
light” within. There is a risk that roots may cause problems to the church
foundations (such as they are in a building of that age). It is ironic that the grave
where the tree has taken root is that of the Peart family whose forebears came to
Alstone in the 16th century and who were masons involved in early additions to the
church fabric. In sum, the tree is becoming almost impossible to maintain so that it
doesn’t block light through the east window; it dominates the view of the east end
of this picturesque listed building; and its roots are a potential cause of structural
damage. It is stressed that this is not a simple arboriphile versus arboriphobe
question. There are sound practical, technical and aesthetic reasons for the tree’s
removal. Admittedly, it is a handsome tree and we do use its berries to decorate
the church at Christmas; but it is in the wrong place. Please address any
comments and views you may have to Matthew Baynes or Anne Kyle (contact
details at the back of the magazine).
Page 9
Do the JOG-LE ………..Day 8: Penrith to Bedale via the highest pub in England
Penrith was great and so was the Caledonia B&B. Sue and Ian looked after me exceedingly
well, Mr Kipling style. As an aside I found out there never was a
'Mr Kipling', total fabrication and I've never forgiven Rank Hovis
for this deception, anyway I digress.
I couldn't leave Penrith though without taking a photo of their
newish Sainsbury's which seems to have been designed by one
of Ceaușescu's Greek architects. Shockingly brutal on the eye.
OK, off to the Tan Hill Inn and at 1732 ft it’s Britain's highest pub and only 30 miles away. Now
the A66 is in no way similar to the much eulogised Route 66, indeed I think the A66 is missing a
6, the road of the Beast (recently the number of the beast has been challenged as really being
‘616’ and simply a mistranslation - flip add translators to the list of Rank Hovis as folk you can't
trust). The A66 was bad, I had two real close escapes. The most exciting involved a
premonition that I was going get squashed against the kerb, so I jumped off, just as a very big
HGV absorbed the space I was about to occupy on a sharp bend. The HGV had little choice
because another HGV was coming in the other direction and there simply wasn't enough room
for 2 HGVs and a Dawes Super Galaxy to pass!
As I gained altitude it got much colder and it was getting really
misty. When I got to the Tan Hill Inn I made my way to the bar
and asked for a pint of something local, that bit was fine.
Where it all went BADLY wrong was the food. Now I always
make things easy, I ask what's selling well. This gives the
purveyor 'wriggle room' to sell me what they can do best/
safely. It would be rare for me for instance to order lobster
thermidor unless of course they specialised in that dish. So
the barman suggested gammon and chips at a challenging £13.95 - OK I thought it's gotta be
good for that and I handed over my money…
I was directed to a table and there I sat, and sat, and sat. The seasons past, I had a birthday,
various Doctor Whos regenerated and still I sat and sat. I asked, pleaded and begged for my
lunch, various assurances were given, even the owner spotted me looking disconsolate and
went to investigate but nothing! I moved from dissatisfied through annoyed to ‘incandescent
with rage’ (remember ‘Five Boys’) and after 55 minutes I asked for my money back and left. A
deep gnawing dread overtook me whilst I was in the pub which grew rapidly as I left. I even
turned to 2 hikers who came in as I was leaving and said to them 'leave now while you can and
don't look back for anything...' Then I cycled away as quickly as I safely could mist permitting
etc.
I've had bad experiences before, I've been near (but not in) bar fights, I've been threatened,
been called very rude names, I've even arrested (as a special constable) people with hammers
(they had the hammers) but I have never had such a feeling of dread before…..Anyway I got to
Reeth (7 miles away) in record time where I had a cracking toasted sandwich and chatted to a
few 70+ year olds (they told me their age - shameless some people) about motorbikes. I asked
what they had (my brain flooded with names of pre-war British marques like BSA, AJS,
Matchless, etc). Shows you how easily I pigeon hole people because one had a 1300 Yamaha
and the other had a 1500 Honda Goldwing!
OK where was I going to stay? I couldn't contact HQ because I chose to go with O2 and their
coverage is as patchy as the National Trust's footprint in Afganistan. But I could Skype so
arranged for a safe house in Bedale where the Tan Hill Mob would never find me. All I had to do
was get there. Well, here I am in The Green Dragon in Bedale, listening to live music and
supping some quality ale. Bedale has a sense of life, in contrast to poor old Lockerbie. Full
marks to Martin (who looks like Ross Kemp) and his wife Catherine (who doesn’t) the owners of
the Green Dragon for their joie de vivre (hmm good name for a real ale).
Road kill at an all-time record today. I stopped counting at 30 - wow that's more than I have
seen in all the previous days put together and most of it was around the Tan Hill pub!
Kieran Whelan
Page 10
Follow Christ’s Journey to Easter at St Barbara’s Church, Ashton
with dramatised readings and music
Passion Sunday, Sunday 6th April at 6.00 pm
A Songs of Praise service of hymns and readings for Passion Sunday
led by Revd Richard Worsley
Palm Sunday, Sunday 13th April at 9.30 am
Family Communion service, led by Revd Richard Worsley, in which we follow
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Easter Sunday, Sunday 20th April at 9.30 am
Family Communion service celebrating Jesus’ glorious resurrection
led by Revd Chris Worsley
followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the children and hot cross buns
for everyone
You will be warmly welcome at all these services & to stay for refreshments
Latest news on Ashton roof repairs!
The work on the South Nave roof of St Barbara’s Church is scheduled to begin in April
or May, having been delayed by the extremes of wet and windy weather during the
winter. So watch out for scaffolding going up soon! We anticipate that services will
continue to be held in the church as normal, with piano accompaniment as the organ will
be wrapped to protect it against dust and debris from the roof. The cost is estimated to
be in the region of £26,000; if you feel you can make a donation towards the cost of
maintaining St Barbara’s for the present and future generations, whatever the amount
you can give, the churchwardens would be very glad to hear from you.
BECKFORD W.I.
Our President, Briony Coupe welcomed 24 members and 3 visitors to
the meeting on Monday 10th March. The annual dinner has been arranged
for 9th April at the Swan at Birlingham. On the 14th May there is a trip to see
the stained glass at Gloucester Cathedral following the enjoyable talk last
year. A trip to Blenheim Palace is proposed for August. Pam Grice reported that the
preparations for the Open Village event were going well and that there was to be a plant stall as
well as craft demonstrations, tombola and afternoon tea. Beckford W.I. has arranged for over
400 hedging plants, provided by the Woodland Trust, be given to Beckford Nature Reserve and
Briony read out a letter of thanks from the Chairman of Trustees of the Reserve expressing their
appreciation for this generous contribution. Welcome letters have been sent to newcomers to
the village.
After drawing attention to the variety of activities on offer in the current edition of the GFWI
newsletter, Briony introduced the speaker for the evening who was Jeff Ford. Jeff started by
giving us an introduction to the craft of enamelling. He showed us a number of beautiful dishes,
pieces of jewellery and inlaid boxes with exquisite pieces of enamel that he had made and then
described the process of hammering to shape the copper and heating and cooling to produce
the enamelwork. He then proceeded to take a piece of copper, apply glue and cover it with fine
coloured powdered silica in two layers. He then added some tiny pieces of frit, a kind of glass
fragment and using a blowtorch, heated this up to 700oC which melted the powder and glass
and allowed him to swirl the molten coloured materials together to produce the pattern. On
cooling, the colours change and the final pattern emerges. He then used some millefiori beads
to produce another amazing piece of enamel. Jeff then told us about his teaching career with
disadvantaged children and how encouraging them to develop their skills in this area helped
then gain confidence and self esteem. Finally he showed us photographs
of commissions he had made for people including a model of the White
Boar of Gloucester. At the end of the demonstration Angie Davies
thanked him for such an interesting and absorbing talk.
The next meeting is on Monday 14th April at 7.30pm and the subject is the
Regal Cinema in Evesham, the speaker being Rob Hemming. All visitors
are very welcome.
Clare Henderson, Meeting Secretary
Page 11
Message from the Editor
Many thanks to everyone who sends me articles for the magazine - to regular
contributors and also to those of you who send me one off items. It makes my job as
editor much easier - I’d rather be battling with the lack of space rather than having to
find additional items to fill the gaps.
However, can I ask that if you are sending copy, could you please try and get it to me
by the monthly deadline of the 16th. This is a great help as it is surprising how long it
takes to compile all the copy prior to printing
Many thanks, Chris
ASHTON UNDER HILL W.I.
The President welcomed everyone to the March meeting, including two new
members. The business included an appeal for some volunteers to come onto
Committee, as we have two members retiring in May. Federation outings and art days
were announced. Other exciting future visits are planned - in April we are attending a
bread making demonstration at Waitrose and a tour of the World War 1 VA Hospital at
Cheltenham with a possible trip to Madresfield Court, near Malvern in May.
Margaret Nicklin gave a brief update of the craft group, which has been organised by
Meg Archer with some of the young mums of the Village. This is held in the Chapel Hall
fortnightly. Several of our members have joined and it is hoped that at the next session
they will be printing on fabric and eventually making cushions, bags or even clothes.
Maggie Dunsby gave out the dates of the Vale skittles and Dianne Stephens
information on the next walk, which begins at Broadway Tower on Tuesday, 18 th March.
The N.F.W.I are encouraging each W.I. to prepare a page exploring local social history
from 1980 to 2015. This will mean delving into the Ashton WI archives and finding some
interesting information and pictures. This is for a publication to celebrate the centenary
of the National Federation of Women`s Institutes in 2015. Items of toiletry and daily
necessities were requested for the next meeting, to be donated to the Caring Hands in
the Vale.
The speaker for the evening was then introduced –
Helen Hurdman from “Working World”. This is a charitable
venture Helen runs in Evesham for young adults with special educational needs. When
realising that there was very little provision for adult clients who had reached the end of
their time in education, she formed a small group of eight clients at a base at
“Woodlands”, near Evesham Adventure Playground. She now has 32 clients who come
to her and her seven volunteer helpers for typically two days in the week. The project is
independent and mostly self-funding with grants from local government.
Activities are run from the centre and clients learn useful skills for a
home and work environment. These include cooking, shopping and
serving in their own little café based on site. One of the money raising
projects is packing, weighing and selling sweets, which can then be
placed in offices, businesses and supermarkets. Helen was
accompanied by Della and Sarah who enthusiastically told us of their social times and
all the activities they enjoy taking part, such as swimming, zumba, singing, and theatre
visits. It was obvious that the Centre is doing a sterling job in supporting, building
confidence and encouraging them to be more independent. We were all very admiring
of Helen’s dedication and work. She told us that the café is open to
anyone, Monday – Thursday from 10.0am to 2.0pm. Mollie Groom
thanked Helen, Pauline and her team for the wonderful insight into this
venture. Working World can be contacted on 07966 92223.
Next months meeting will be Tuesday 1st April and the speaker will be
Lynn Hackles on “The £2 that changed my Life”. Visitors are welcome.
Jen Creese
Page 12
Spring - and a New Year
It had been one year since Olly and I first got off the plane in South Korea, and
we found ourselves celebrating the anniversary by repeating the same plane journey.
After a three week holiday in England, we flew back to Korea to begin our second year
of teaching. Before we left Korea, we finished the school year with ‘Winter Camp’, a
two week program for new students. Olly taught science, which involved magic sand,
dry ice and smoke machine, while I created culinary delights such as pizza in my
cooking class. After two weeks of teaching excitable new students, we were ready for
a holiday and so happy to return home. Luckily the rain calmed down whilst we were
back, and we both enjoyed seeing friends and family, good
English food, and a proper cup of English tea! Nevertheless, it
was exciting to return to Korea for a new school year and some
more adventures. During February the weather had
dramatically improved in Korea, and as we stepped off the
plane into sunshine, it felt good to be back.
The first thing to do when we returned was to pick up our bunny rabbit, which
had been looked after by a friend, and then make the journey back to our flat in
Wonju. There was a slight hiccough when we arrived at our front door to find that the
lock had been replaced with an automatic keypad to which we did not know the code!
Luckily this was sorted quickly, and we could finally get inside and relax. The first
couple of weeks back at school were hectic but fun. Meeting the new students was
lovely, as they were on their best behaviour and very happy to
meet their new foreign teachers. It was also nice to see our
Korean co-workers: they were so happy with the English gifts
we brought back for them- our director loved his English toffee,
and our co-teacher Christina was so happy with her Malteser
Bunny (our favourite English chocolate), that she told all of her
Korean friends on Facebook about how good it was.
On Friday the 14th March, we celebrated ‘White Day’, which is a
second Valentine’s Day, where men give gifts to women: the rule is
that the man’s gift to the woman should cost three times the price of
the woman’s gift to the man on Valentine’s Day, which I thought was
great! In addition, it is traditional on this day to exchange lollipops
among loved ones too: we now have a pile of lollipops to get through
which were gifts from the students! White Day is a huge holiday in
Korea, and so on the Saturday after, when Olly and I went to a lights festival in the
evening, it was packed with couples! We were stuck in a stationary traffic jam for an
hour to get there, but luckily it was worth the wait!
When we arrived at the gardens, it was beautiful: there
were hundreds of lights covering the trees and light
sculptures everywhere.
We are now about to begin our third week at school
and have settled back into Korean life. We are enjoying
being back, and looking forward to spring. Since we’ve
been back we have been missing things from England.
However at the moment, our cravings are satisfied: our cupboards are full of English
treats which we crammed into our suitcases. Until we run out of these supplies, we are
content!
Kathryn Godfrey
Page 13
Beckford Church News
Beckford Open Village - Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June
Urgent Appeal for Volunteers
Plans for what promises to be a super event are really taking shape.
However, we are desperately short of volunteers who could spend an hour or two each
day assisting with a variety of tasks and attractions. If you have an hour or two to spare
to help with the smooth running of this village weekend please contact Canon Matthew
Baynes, or David Carvill. (Details at the back of this magazine).
Alternatively, there is a ‘sign-up sheet’ for you to add your name and ‘phone number to
with Sally & Geoff in Beckford Stores.
Anyone and everyone is very welcome to be involved in this weekend event no matter
how much or how little time they have to spare……
Beckford Open Village - Appeal for Tombola prizes.
If you can help with prizes, please contact Jayne and
Dave Allchurch on 01386 881282 to arrange drop off, or pick up.
Alternatively there will be a box in the Beckford Stores.
Beckford Open Village - Appeal for plants
I am having a Plant Stall in Lake House garden on both days of the
Open Village event and I should be grateful for any contributions
towards this - eg: shrubs, plants, including veg, garden tools,
decorative pots etc. - in fact, any garden related items.
Collection can be arranged if required.
Please ring Sandra Hall - 881522.
Church and Churchyard Tidy Up
In preparation for our Open Village Event we will be having a Church and
Churchyard tidy up on Saturday 17th May, 9.30am 'til 12 midday. All
are welcome to come along and lend a hand.
Refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own garden tools.
Important Event to discuss the future of Beckford Church
Beckford Church Open Saturday 3rd May 6pm
Please join Matthew Canon Baynes, Churchwarden David Carvill and members of
Beckford Church Committee at the beautiful historic St John The Baptist Church,
Beckford for drinks and nibbles on Saturday 3rd May at 6pm.
At this very important event you will have the opportunity to discuss the future of the
Church and its ministry in Beckford and how you could help contribute to its future. The
event is open to residents of Beckford, Little Beckford and Grafton and anyone else
who has an interest in the future success of our beautiful Church.
We look forward to welcoming you.
SWING THAT SONG! at Dumbleton Church on
Friday 2nd May at 7.30
Singalong and even dance to the music of the Big Bands
from the 30’s & 40’s with
The Alderton and Dumbleton Singers and Brass Ensemble
The team that brought you “It’s Showtime” and “60 Years
of Hits”.
All proceeds to the church
Tickets £10 to include refreshments
Page 14
PARISH DIRECTORY
Canon Matthew Baynes
01684 772237
[email protected]
Priest in Charge Beckford Group Parish
Pastoral Area of Responsibility: Beckford, Teddington and Alstone
Rector of Bredon with Bredon’s Norton,
Revd. Susan Renshaw
01386 750203
[email protected]
Associate Priest
Area of Responsibility: Overbury
Vicar of Eckington with Defford and Besford, Rural Dean of Pershore
Revd. Richard Worsley
01386 710394
[email protected]
Associate Priest
Area of Responsibility: Ashton under Hill
Priest in Charge of Elmley Castle with Bricklehampton and The Combertons &
Associate Priest in Overbury with Teddington, Alstone and Little Washbourne
with Beckford and Ashton-under-Hill
Revd. Clive Parr
01386 710700
[email protected]
Associate Priest part-time Non-Stipendiary Minister
Readers
Treasurer
Verger
Parish Enquiries
Capt. Dennis Oxley Flat 6, 49, Church St. Tewkesbury,
01684 850791
John Dodge
The Old Farmhouse, Ashton under Hill
01386 881487
Roger Palmer
5, Hill View Cottages, Cheltenham Road 01386 881746
Mike Sanger-Davies
01386 881910
Jim Wooldridge
01386 881049
via The Rectory, Bredon
01684 772237
Parish Secretary: Amanda Bath
[email protected]
Tues 9 - 12, The Rectory, Bredon
01684 772237
Fri 9 - 12, Parish Office, Beckford
01386 881349
Saint John The Baptist’s Church,
Beckford
Churchwardens
David Carvill
01386 882002
Secretary
Graham Galer
01386 882200
Treasurer
Jane McCauley
01386 882929
Organist
Mike Sanger Davies 01386 881910
Flowers
Doreen Byrd
01386 881360
Bell ringers
Nick Hopkins
01386 881711
Saint Faith’s Church, Overbury
Churchwarden
Faith Hallett
01386 725206
Secretary
Christine Clark
01386 725405
Treasurer
Derek Rooney
01386 725585
Organist
Anne Brown
01684 292231
Flowers
Nicky Sentance
01386 725309
Bell ringers
Ros Long
01386 725111
Saint Barbara’s Church,
Ashton-under-Hill
Churchwardens
Malcolm Nelson
01386 881778
Alex Dodge
01386 881487
Secretary
Alex Dodge
01386 881487
Treasurer
Robin Welton
01386 881959
Organist
Anthony Greenwood 01386 881278
Flowers
Judith Hunter
01386 882087
Bell ringers
Nick Hopkins
01386 881711
Saint Margaret’s Church, Alstone &
St. Nicholas’ Church, Teddington
Churchwardens
Anne Kyle,
01242 620351
Kieran Whelan
01242 620763
Secretary
Jane Rogers
01242 620592
Treasurer
Mike Wignall
01242 620031
Flowers
Teddington
Mary Healey
01242 620412
Alstone
Jane Rogers
01242 620592
Organist
Matthew Birch
01386 881980
Transport Co-ordinators
Overbury
Teddington
Alstone
Ashton
Beckford
Faith Hallett
Rosie Atkin
Betty Beckman
Ann Carnegie
Roger Palmer
01386
01242
01242
01386
01386
725206
620565
620289
882393
881746
Minibus
Andy Richmond
Andrew Barnett
01386 881237
01386 881145
Disability Awareness Representatives
Alex Dodge
Nicky Sentance
01386 881487
01386 725309
Magazine
Editor
Chris Godfrey
01242 620006
Email: [email protected]
Advertising
Shirley Ellis
01386 41400
E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer
Laurence Alexander
The Old Police Station
Beckford, Tewkesbury,
GL20 7AD
News Team
Beckford
Jessie Alexander
Chapelries Bill & Anne Kyle
Overbury
Ros Long
Ashton
Alastair Humphrey
Page 15
01386 881814
01386
01242
01386
01386
Web Sites
www.bredonhillgroup.org
881814
620351
725111
881479
1st
Ashton W.I. ‘The £2 that changed my life’, Ashton VH
7:30m
4th
Ashton Lunch Club, Cricket Pavillion
12:30 pm
10th
Lent Lunch, St Benet’s Church Hall, Kemerton
Toff’s Pottery Masterclass, Conderton
12:30pm
6:45pm
13th
Lambing Day Live, Overbury Farms
14th
Beckford W.I. ‘The Regal Cinema, Evesham’, Beckford V.H.
15th
16th
Simply Soup, Beckford Village Hall
Deadline for magazine entries for May issue
19th
COCO Easter Treasure Hunt
2:00pm
23rd
Beckford Gardening Club, ‘’Versatile Campanulas’, Beckford V.H.
7:30pm
25th
27th
Thanks Goodness it’s Friday Coffee Morning, Beckford Church
United Parish Worship, Teddington
from 10:00am
7:30pm
12:30pm
10:00am
10:00am
See inside front cover for details of Holy Week and Easter services
HOUSE WANTED:
Three bedroomed house wanted in or near to Teddington
To buy or rent
Please contact 01242 620803
APRIL: The Anglo Saxon name for the month of April was ‘Eastremonath'.
Why the Romans called it ‘Aprilis’ is not clear but it may be connected to the verb
‘aperire’, to open, referring to the opening of flowers and new growth in Springtime.
The birthstone of April is the diamond, and the flower is either
the daisy or the sweet pea.
The earliest known reference to ‘April Fools’ was in Congreve’s
play ‘The Old Bachelor’ in 1693.
Parish Minibus Shopping Trips
in April
4th and 18th Bishops Cleeve
11th and 25thWorcester
Picks up from all villages on
request.
Call Andy Richmond on 881237
or Andrew Barnett on 881145
Thank Goodness It's
Friday! Coffee Morning
25th April
10am 'til 11.30am
Beckford Church Chancel
Slice of cake & tea/coffee
for £2
All Welcome - proceeds to church funds