December 2018/January 2019 News

Byton News

Harvest Festival

This was held this year in the afternoon and was well attended with quite a few children present.

We were very pleased to welcome Anna and her family to her first service in Byton Church and to afternoon tea at the Court House Farm.

Carols by Candlelight

This will take place at 7pm on Monday, December 17th.

Tim is coming with his choir and we shall have mince pies and mulled wine.

All are welcome.

PCC Meeting

We are holding our next PCC meeting at Court House Farm at 8pm on Thursday, January 17th.

Burns Night Celebrations

These will be on Saturday January 26th at Kinsham Village Hall.

Details from Paul Segrott 01544 260075 or Margaret 01544 267430

Please come and support Byton Church.

Lyonshall News

Lyonshall Coffee Mornings

Join us at the Memorial Hall, Lyonshall, for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon.

The next two dates for your diaries include our Christmas special on Friday 14th December and then into the New Year, Friday 11th January, 2019.

Fundraising news…

In October we donated £100 to the Born Sleeping Appeal helping Hereford County Hospital create a dedicated maternity bereavement suite designed for mothers experiencing pregnancy loss.

In November, as part of the Memorial Hall Poppy Art Weekend, our Coffee Morning raised £200 which was given to the Memorial Hall floor renovation fund.

Thanks to all our dedicated supporters who have attended our Coffee Mornings throughout 2018 and raised well over £1000 for numerous charities!

Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new. Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and support a good cause at the same time.

For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.

Lyonshall Memorial Hall Poppy Art Weekend

Thank you to everyone who supported the three day event over Remembrance Weekend. The Hall was brought alive with poppies, artwork and historical memorabilia.

Monies raised will be put towards the financing of a much needed new floor in the Memorial Hall.

Christmas Craft Event

The Memorial Hall is holding a Christmas Craft Day on Saturday 8th December, 10 am – 5 pm

Coffee Morning, Light Lunches and Afternoon Tea.

Raffle, Christmas stalls and Craft Activities for children.

Everyone welcome.

Winners of the October Lyonshall Friends of the Church Draw

Keith Webb, Wendy Smith, Annie Baker, Jane E Burgoyne and Bev Mifflin

Sam Llewellyn

A very successful social evening was held at Castle Weir on November 21st.

Every seat was filled to hear Sam Llewellyn’s talk entitled ‘Britain and the Sea’ which was very enjoyable and entertaining and had the audience enthralled by Sam’s obvious great knowledge and love of the sea.

We then enjoyed a magnificent Finger Buffet and the opportunity to buy Sam’s new book, ‘Singlehand’, a great idea for Christmas presents!

Thank you to Andrew and Anto Morley for inviting us to Castle Weir and to everyone who helped and provided food and contributed in any way to make the evening a great success.

Pembridge News

Tapestry Group

Barbara Atkins

It was with great sadness that we lost Barbara in October at the age of 82.  She had been suffering from Parkinsons for some time.   Barbara previously worked on the Leominster tapestries and so it was she who persuaded me that we could and should record the history of Pembridge in stitches.  She went on to stitch three of our 12 (14) tapestries on her own.   She held a series of workshops at the beginning of the project to teach us new stitches and for some of us to even thread a needle!  She was highly gifted in so many ways and could always be relied on to come up with answers when we met with difficulties in our work.  Her attention to detail meant that when stitching The Leen Herefords tapestry, a visit to The Leen to collect hair from the coat of the bull was essential in order to stitch the exact colour into the tapestry.

She will be sadly missed by so many and our thoughts and prayers go to Haydn, Lizzie and her family.    Gill

“Sleeping Rough” in Burnley

As you may be aware, I recently took part in a “sleepout” to raise money for homeless people in an area of high social deprivation.   Here is a short extract from the official report:

Hosted at Turf Moor on 12^th October, more than 50 fundraisers from as far afield as Herefordshire and the Lake District bedded down in front of the Bob Lord Stand in the middle of Storm Callum, to raise awareness and funds for three charities supporting the homeless in Burnley.

Prior to making their way pitchside with just a piece of cardboard and a sleeping bag for comfort, presentations from the leaders of Burnley FC in the Community, Emmaus Burnley and SafeNet offered insight into how they are all, in different ways, supporting homeless people in the town.   Despite the seriousness of the issue,  we were all uplifted by the willingness and spirit of the fundraisers on what was a very wet and windy night.  All the money raised will go to fighting homelessness.

Thanks to the generous donations from family and friends and especially from the Arrowvale Community, I have been able to raise (to date) £873 ((£926 with Gift Aid), towards a grand total for the project approaching £30,000.   This is a fantastic amount and will make a huge difference to the charities concerned and hence the people they are helping.

Thank you all for your wonderful support.     Ian

Registers

Barbara Atkins  – A Celebration of her Life and burial on Friday 2nd November

Pembridge WI

Wednesday December 12^th at 2.00pm in the Village Hall – We shall be making a Christmas decoration with quizzes and seasonal refreshments as well.

Wednesday January 9^th lunch at The Corners Inn Kingsland.

A Christmassy outing is also being arranged.

The reading group will be meeting, we’ll be ten-pin bowling and meeting up in The Steppes for tea and chat.

Please contact Marguerite Fothergill for details (01544388279    margueritefothergill@gmail.com  )

Pembridge/ Arrowvale MU

We have changed our meeting days to the 4th Tuesday afternoons at 2.30, with occasional exceptions.

For our final meeting this year we are having a Christmas lunch party at Sally’s Pantry in Kington on December 11th. There will be no meeting in January.

One of MU’s main charities in our Diocese is CIF, the Crisis Intervention Fund, which is greatly in demand. It is in much need of duvets and bedding in good condition and also kitchen pots and pans and general kitchen equipment. Please bear this in mind if you are replacing suitable items.

Anthea Anderson 388 464

 Pembridge Primary School – A Local Good Cause

The Friends of Pembridge School (PTFA) have just been announced as a Co-op Local Good Cause for 2018/19.

This means that the School will receive 1% of all money spent by local Co-op Members on Co-op branded goods until November 2019. The money raised will be used to enhance the outdoor areas at School to create spaces where all the children can learn, play and interact in a safe and more stimulating environment.

If you are already a Co-op member you just need to login and select us as your cause and then shop as normal. If you are not a member please consider joining (www.coop.co.uk/membership), as it only costs £1 and you will also earn 5% on everything you spend on Co-op products – a win win situation!

Your membership will continue after the November 2019 deadline and you can spend the money earned on your weekly shop.

Please help us raise as much money as possible!

Pembridge PTFA

CHRISTMAS IS A’COMING …  catch this year’s Village Quire mid-winter show, Out With the Old during December ..

The festive season draweth nigh and The Village Quire bring a mellifluous mid-winter garland of delights for your delectation this Yuletide.  We are looking forward to the festive season with a melodious bouquet of new tales and songs; delight for both ear and mind.  But we are also delving back into the midwinter traditions of this isle with ditties and stories of mumming and wassailing, folklore and frolics, misrule and mirth with rousing West Gallery anthems and delicate harmonies to melt your heart.  Now the land is in thrall to the wind and the rain, the ice and the hail and the snow.  But here we are snug and warm and as our candle flames flicker we know that the time is now, and the time is right to cry, OUT WITH THE OLD!

Tickets available at The Olde Steppes or phone 01544 388279/01544 340381

Travelling Crib

If you would like to share in the Travelling Crib (Nativity set) in December please liaise with Sarah Norman (07989 978319) You can share with your children the story of Christmas, keep a woolly sheep and bring it along to the Service on Christmas Eve and re-unite it with the rest of the flock!  Starting on Dec 1^st and you can keep the Crib for 24 hours and then it will be passed to the next family all the way up until Dec 24^th .

Harvest in Pembridge.

Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate the harvest. The harvest supper was well attended and the evening was very enjoyable with very good food and company. A big Thank You to all who contributed food and help on the day. The service launched our appeal for the local food bank and people were very generous with their donations. There is now a permanent collection point at the back of the church, so please continue to support this over the coming months. The collection from both Moorcourt and Pembridge has been sent to The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute which supports people working in agriculture in times of need.

Talgarth Male Voice Choir.

The choir put on another evening of wonderful entertainment. Thank you to those who attended and to those who helped prepare for it.

Woodcock Fayre.

Thank you if you attended the Woodcock Craft Fayre. A lot of work has been put into preparing for this event so hopefully in the next magazine we will have an account of another successful event for Pembridge Church.

Pembridge Church and Churchyard.

Parishioners and visitors are always welcome to the church and churchyard but we would just like to send a reminder that the area is not a public playground or social space.

Reading Rota.

Dec         2nd         Communion         S Evan                   E Hardy

16th        Carol Service        TBA

24th        Christmas Eve      TBA

25th        Christmas Day     TBA

2019

Jan          6th          Communion         E Lynch                 R Scott

20th        Communion         L or M Boore       A Ingham

27th        Family Service     T Hollinghurst

Feb         3rd          Communion         C Price                   A Anderson

Thank you to all our readers. If anybody would like to join the rota please contact Jacqui Thomas on jacqui.pitfield@yahoo.co.uk

Shobdon News

We held a successful flower arranging workshop on the 25th October. We were all inspired to have a go ourselves using flowers and foliage from our gardens.

Remembrance

The Remembrance services were well supported with an 11 am service at the Airfield and 12 noon service on Hanbury Green followed by soup lunch at the Village Hall, it was enjoyed very much by everyone. Thank you those who helped with services and providing and serving lunch.

Christmas Tree

We are hoping to erect and decorate the Christmas Tree on 13^th December. Any help will be welcome, please see notice boards for details.

School Nativity

The infants of Shobdon School will be coming to Church on Friday 14^th December at 2.00 pm for their Nativity play.

Carol Service

Last year, due to heavy snow, we were unable to have our Carol Service. We hope for better weather this year!  The Carol Service will be held on Sunday 16^th December at 4pm.

Mince pies will be served afterwards. Please join us, everyone is welcome.

Crib Service

The travelling crib will begin its journey early in December. Its journey ends on Christmas Eve at 3.00 pm. During the service the children hear the Christmas Story and will have the opportunity to reunite their sheep with the rest of the flock. Everyone is welcome.

From our registers

21st October         Lily Evelyn May Beaumont       Baptism

31^st October          Joan Violet Morris                      Funeral

25th November   Max Edward Leonard Owen      Baptism

Staunton on Arrow News

Staunton on Arrow WI for December 2018 and January 2019

Our Joint meeting with Pembridge WI was very jolly, enlivened by the Sly Gin tasting led by Duncan Fox.  November brought our Annual Meeting with a new committee and officers for 2018/2019 and some very interesting short talks from members.  Sarah Westaby and Barbara Morgan are now our Joint Presidents.

Our programme continues as below.

Wednesday 12 December      Our own Debbie Weaver will be leading us in a Christmas crafting activity, and we shall also be celebrating the season.                                                   

Hostesses:  The Committee

Wednesday, 9 January 2019    Afternoon tea party and collection of subscriptions.  Start time 3pm.

Hostesses: To be announced

Please consider visiting us at our meetings with a view to joining us as a full member; visitors and new members of all ages are welcome.  £4 to include refreshments, 7.30 pm at Staunton on Arrow Hall, speaker at 8pm.

There is a lot more information about us, plus photos and reports of our meetings and other activities on our website, http://stauntononarrowwi.weebly.com

Alison Lord       Secretary            01544 340256

Christmas Market on Saturday 8^th December 2018 in the Village Hall starting at 11am. Stalls will include brocante, cakes, puddings and preserves, Christmas gifts, plants and crafts. Admission is free and festive refreshments will be available. Please deliver any contributions to the Village Hall on Friday 7^th Dec between 4pm & 6pm.

KINGTON U3A

The next meeting is on Thursday 13^th December, 2pm at the Football Club. This will be our Christmas Party. Lofty the Magician will be there to entertain us.

Members £1, visitors welcome £2.

Contact the secretary Barbara Johnston, 231401, for more information about U3A.

Please note there will be no meeting in January.

Oct/Nov 2018 News

Byton News

Harvest Festival

Sunday, October 7th  at 3pm at the church followed by food at The Court House Farm.

Details from Margaret Edwards 01544 267430

Pudding and Presents Evening

This will be held at the Arkwright Hall, Kinsham on Thursday, November 22nd 6.30pm

Details from Caroline Scatcherd  01544 260366

Forward Dates

Carols by Candlelight

Monday, December 17th at 7pm

Burns Night Celebrations

These will be held at Arkwright Hall, Kinsham on January 26th.

Lyonshall News

Lyonshall Coffee Mornings

Join us at the Memorial Hall, Lyonshall, for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon.

The next two dates for your diaries are Friday 12th October and Friday 9th November.

Fundraising news…

In August we donated £125 to Ray Richards’ Prudential London 100 cycling challenge raising funds for Anthony Nolan.

In September we held the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, which as always, was generously supported by our Community.

An impressive £355 was raised to support this worthwhile cause!

Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new.

Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and support a good cause at the same time.

For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.

Looking Forward…

Decorating for Christmas

We will decorate the church on Thursday 13th December. Please come along to help from 10.00 am.

Carol Service

This popular service will be on Thursday December 20th in the evening.

Titley Lunch 2019

This will be held on April 11th. Guest speaker to be announced later!

Church Clock

Many of you will have noticed that the church clock is not working at all at the present time. Malcolm Thompson, who looks after the clock and winds it weekly, has sought advice about mending it from two firms of experts on church clocks and it seems that the consensus is that it needs a complete rebuild. This is not good news and means that the clock will be out of action for some months to come while we try to obtain a grant to help us pay for the work.

Rest assured that we will get the clock chiming again and keeping its usual perfect time for us all!

Many thanks to Malcolm for all the work that he is doing towards this outcome.

Social Evening at Castle Weir

Sam Llewellin has kindly agreed to be the speaker at this event at Castle Weir on November 21st at 7.00 pm. Tickets are available from PCC members and cost £15 including finger buffet and a glass of wine.

Harvest Festival Lunch

Lyonshall Harvest Festival Lunch will be held in the Memorial Hall on October 7th following the Harvest Festival Service in church at 11.00 am. Everyone is very welcome. £10 per head. Children under 12 free.

Friends of Lyonshall Church Draw Winners

Lias’ grandchildren

Elaine Allen

Georgie Daniel

Jill Bradford

Kinsey Hern

Registers

Thomas Johnson and Jessica Tape                     Marriage                      August 4th

Stephen Lowe                                                  Burial                           September 18th

Pembridge News

Burial Register 

Friday 3^rd August –A Celebration for the life of Hilda Edwards followed by burial at Kington Cemetary.

Thank You

Gill and I would like to thank you all for your kind words and very generous gifts marking the end of the interregnum.  We  would in return like to say a thank you for all the support you have given us during this time.

“There but not There”

As some of you may have noticed there are three figure silhouettes placed in the church as a mark of remembrance for those soldiers that didn’t return to our parish after the First World War.  Thank you to Jane at The New Inn and the PCC for supporting this act of remembrance.

Gift Day

Members of the PCC will be in church on October 13^th from 10.00am – 2.00pm for the annual Gift Day. This is an opportunity to donate a one off donation towards the mission and upkeep of your local parish church or to come and discuss a more regular financial commitment. Please support us if you can. No donation is too small.

Harvest in Pembridge

The Harvest Festival service will take place on October 28^th at 11.00 in church. We are again asking for donations of dried products and tins etc. which will be sent to the local food banks. We would like to use this service to launch a regular appeal for food bank items. A container will be placed in the church in which items can be deposited at any time during the day and these will be taken to the Kington Food Bank.

Harvest Supper.

The Harvest Supper will be on the 27^th October, 7.30pm at the village hall. Tickets will be available at a cost of £7 which includes a hot supper and sweet. Soft drinks will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks. Please book your tickets either at the village shop or through any member of the PCC.

Please note this year the Moorcourt Harvest Festival Service will be on Thursday 11th October at 7pm & Auction of Produce followed by Cheese Ploughman’s at Moorcourt Farm.

Any salads, chutneys, or puddings would be gratefully received.  Most importantly, please bring yourselves.

For catering purposes, it would be very helpful if you could let Clare know if you are planning to come to the supper by phone on 340345 or by email: eandcprice@gmail.com

Talgarth Male Voice Choir.

Thank you to all who supported this event. Details will be listed in the next issue of the magazine.

Woodcock Fayre.

The Annual Woodcock Fayre will take place at the church on November 17^th 10.00am – 4.00pm.

Come and start your Christmas shopping early. We have a variety of stalls selling a large selection of items including jewellery, garden products, pottery, scarves/gloves plus much more. There will also be a bottle tombola, raffle and refreshments will be served all day with homemade soup and bread being served over the lunchtime period.

Pembridge Church and Churchyard.

Parishioners and visitors are always welcome to the church and churchyard but we would just like to send a reminder that the area is not a public playground or social space.    Please remove any spent flowers/ wreaths etc and take them home.   Please do not leave them in the corner of the churchyard.

Readers.               Oct       7th          Communion         R Scott                   E Lynch

21st        Communion         A Ingham             L or M Boore

28th        Family Service     T Hollinghurst

Nov        4th          Communion         A Anderson          C Price

11th        Remembrance Sunday       TBA

18th        Communion         S Ingham              C or M fothergill

25th        Family Service     S Ingham

Dec         2nd         Communion         S Evans                 E Hardy

Pembridge/Arrowvale Mother’s Union

The Mother’s Union wishes to extend a warm welcome to our new Rector, Anna, and wish you every blessing in your ministry in the Arrowvale group.

Our members have been very saddened by the death of Gwen Cox. She joined our group two years ago and it has been a privilege knowing her! We have been inspired by her courage facing her illness with great stoicism, and was still so bright and cheerful at our last meeting in July. Our deepest sympathy to her daughter, Sarah Westaby and all the family.

For more information about our MU meetings ring Anthea at 01544 388464

SLEEPING ROUGH!

Would you please support Ian!  No I haven’t kicked him out on the street!  He is proposing to sleep rough for one night at Turf Moor, Burnley, (football club) in support of the many rough sleepers, homeless people and women who are forced to escape an abusive home life.  The sleepover is to take place on Friday 12^th October and Ian has pledged to raise a minimum of £250.

Ian and I often visit Manchester and have been shocked at the number of people forced to sleep rough on the streets of this city and other towns in the North West – this area being one of the most socially deprived areas in the country.

Any donations will be gratefully received.

If you would like any further information about the Burnley Project please don’t hesitate to contact Ian (01544 388441).

Many thanks,Gill

Cheques or donations to Ian Smith

The Curl, Marston, Pembridge HR6 9JA

Pembridge WI will be meeting in Pembridge Village Hall on Wednesday 10th  October at 7.00pm. We are to have a gin tasting evening with Duncan Fox of Sly Gin. Staunton WI will be joining us for this. The November meeting is on Wednesday 14th November at 7.00pm also in the Village Hall. This will be our annual meeting when we revue the year and elect  the president and committee for next year. The book group will also be meeting and we will be ten pin bowling as well as havng tea in the Steppes on the last Tuesdays of October and November. contact Marguerite Fothergill 01544388279.   margueritefothergill@gmail.com Shobdon News

Messenger Delivery

Every house in the parish receives a copy of The Messenger. Over the years the village has grown and the delivery routes have increased.  If you could spare an hour every couple of months to help we would be very grateful. Please contact Heather Weale 01568708754    email heatherweale@me.com

Flower Arranging

We try to ensure that fresh flowers are placed in our beautiful church each week. Do you have an interest in flower arranging?  We are looking for more flower arrangers to join the rota; you don’t need to be an expert! We are holding a flower arranging demonstration and information evening in church on Thursday 25^th October at 7. 30 pm. Please come along, coffee and biscuits will be available.

Harvest Festival

The harvest festival will be held in church on 21^st October at 4.00 p.m. Bring and share food will be served in church after the service. Please come and join us, everyone is welcome.

There But Not There

Seated in the pews in the church are two outline figures of a soldier, Tommy, transparent and life sized. He represents all those whose names are on the Shobdon War Memorial. “There but not there”

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 2018 is the centenary of the end of the First World War and these  figures  have  been created by ‘Remembered’ as a tribute to the fallen.

For more information go to: www.therebutnotthere.org.uk

This year, our remembrance service will take place on the airfield on 11^th November  at 11.00 am. Communion  in church at 6.00 p.m.

Travelling Crib

During December, a basket filled with knitted nativity characters circulates via families in the village of Shobdon. Each family becomes custodian of the basket for one night; during their time with the basket, the children can play with the characters and read the accompanying books, the emphasis being on making the wonderful story of Christmas come alive. The basket also has a full flock of knitted sheep – each family keeps hold of one sheep before passing the basket on.  A contacts book will be inside the basket and all you need to do is to contact the next person on the list and arrange a handover for the following day. On 24^th December at 3.00pm, there will be a short service in Shobdon Church and everyone is invited to bring their sheep along, to be reunited with the rest of the flock. The children’s excitement and anticipation at having the basket for the night means that the list fills up quickly. Please contact me if you wish to look after the basket for one night in December, on 01568 709293. Alternatively, I am always at Shobdon School, drop-off and pick-up. The crib will begin its journey  on the 1^st December.  Cerian Stokes

Morning Prayer

There will be Morning  Prayer every Thursday in church at 9.00 am . Everyone is welcome.

From Our Registers 

15th  July  Ellie Jaques  Baptism

21^st August  Raymond Llewellyn Jones   Funeral and burial.

The Bible Study group is gradually going through the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which is a record of the setting up of the first branches of the early church, a period when there were no church buildings as we know of them today, and no set form of services.  Services might be on the bank of a river, or on the sea shore, or in the large room or courtyard of a wealthy house; there would have been prayers, readings from the part of the Bible which we now know of as The Old Testament, and witness of God’s power and teaching of His Word.  The young Christians were subjected to a lot of opposition and criticism, and even locked up when charged with disturbing the peace; most of the first eleven disciples were killed for their faith.  Without their courage Christianity would not have reached us.  Similar danger can be experienced today by Christians in the MiddleEast.  Is our faith that strong?

A small Prayer Group meets twice a month in the Methodist Chapel, Shobdon, to pray for the churches and people in our parishes, for those ill, those suffering or mourning, or undergoing other difficulties.  If you would like prayer, please let the Rector or us know, in strict confidence: we know that the Lord is faithful in answering the prayers of believers.   John Andrews (01568 708277) or Janice Moore (01544 387926).

After the dates in the diary section there will be no Bible studies or prayer meetings until mid January

John Andrews

Staunton on Arrow News

We were very pleased and honoured to receive Anna Branston for her first group communion service at St Peter’s, which was a memorable occasion. This was followed by a “bring and share” lunch in the village hall, and thanks go to all who contributed to the splendid array of refreshments.

The Staunton Summer Social BBQ at Jacobs Oak. We were incredibly lucky with  the weather and a good time was had by all, especially with the children’s races. Thanks to all who helped, donated and came along and made it a lovely evening, especially Will Burton and his family for providing a great venue and all the BBQ food. We raised £600 for the Village Hall and Defibrillator, and the PCC received £92 from the raffle. Spread the word and bring your friends next year!

Our Harvest Festival Service at St Peter’s this year is at 11am on Sunday 21^st October 2018. All are welcome to join in the celebration followed by refreshments in the village hall.

The “Village Art Club” starts again on Thursday 20th September, at 7pm in the Village Hall.  A full term of 10 weeks costs £100.  All those wishing to join, please contact Liz Watson on 07938563716.

“Craft and Cards” workshop. Rosemary Mayall is running sessions on Thursday 11th and 25th October in the Village hall from 2pm to around 4pm. Please contact her on 01544 340421 to confirm and check dates and times, as this may change.

Christmas Market on Saturday 8^th December 2018 in the Village Hall starting at 11am. Stalls will include brocante, cakes, puddings and preserves, Christmas gifts, plants and crafts. Admission is free and festive refreshments will be available. Please deliver any contributions to the Village Hall on Friday 7^th Dec between 4pm & 6pm.

Staunton on Arrow WI for October & November 2018

In August we welcomed a new member, Ruth Bozkurt from Shobdon.  Sadly another of our members, Mrs Gwendolyn Cox of Uphampton died at the beginning of September. We held a minute’s silence at the start of our September meeting in her memory.

Our programme continues into the Autumn as below; November brings our Annual meeting when we will be selecting a new committee and officers for 18/19.

Wednesday 10 October      Duncan Fox talking about his creation Sly Gin together with tasting.  This is a joint meeting with Pembridge WI and will be held in Pembridge.  Start 7 pm.

Wednesday  13 November     Annual Meeting  followed by ‘Just 3 Minutes’. Members to talk on their experiences, thoughts and passions                                                                        7.30pm

Hostesses: Noelle Gill and Sheila Futcher

Tickets now on sale  for the Harvest Supper, to be held on Friday 19 October.  Still very good value at £10 for meal and entertainment by ukelele.  Please contact Treasurer Gill Busby.

Please consider visiting us at our meetings with a view to joining us as a full member; visitors and new members of all ages are welcome.  £4 to include refreshments, 7.30 pm at Staunton on Arrow Hall, speaker at 8pm.

There is a lot more information about us, plus photos and reports of our meetings and other activities on our website, http://stauntononarrowwi.weebly.com   Alison Lord       Secretary            01544 340256

KINGTON Festive Foods from the Borders.

Saturday 1st December. 9.30am – 3.30pm. A Free event and lots of Free Parking. A Gastronomic inspiration from the Marches. Enquiries mppeek@btinternet.com

KINGTON U3A

The October meeting is on Thursday 11^th October, 2pm at the Football Club. Terence Clough and Elizabeth Eglund will be giving us an insight into “Life as an EU Interpreter”. The following meeting is on Thursday 8^th November, 2pm, Football Club. Richard Wood will tell us about “Rowing the Atlantic – Solo” (Wow!). Members £1, visitors welcome £2. Contact the secretary Barbara Johnston, 231401, for more information about U3A.

Aug/September news

Byton News

From the Registers

Sybil Edwards                                         Baptism       May 27th

Katie Smith and Daniel Bowen           Marriage      June 2nd

Hugo Edwards                                        Baptism        June 17th

PCC Meeting

Thursday September 6th 8pm at Court House Farm

Flowers and Cleaning

August    no service

September  Mrs D Stevenson

Lyonshall News

Dates for Your Diaries

Harvest Festival

This service will be on October 7th at 11.00 am followed by Harvest Lunch in the Memorial Hall.

On November 21st we are holding a Social Evening at Castle Weir by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Morley. We are very lucky that Sam Llewellin, well known local author, has agreed to be our speaker. More details to follow.

Lyonshall Coffee Mornings

Join us at the Memorial Hall, Lyonshall, for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon. The next two dates for your diaries are Friday 10th August and Friday 14th September.

Fundraising news…

In June and July we have supported the great work of two Herefordshire charities. June Coffee morning raised £80 which was donated to the Cart Shed, and then £100 benefitted the Echo charity in July.

Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new.

Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and support a good cause at the same time.

For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.

MACMILLAN WORLD’S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING

We will be holding our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning mid September on the 14th.

Come along and support this event with the usual stalls, raffle and delicious cakes, all in aid of the Macmillan charity.

Lyonshall Bridge Club –raising money for Charity

Another successful year was finalised at the AGM of Lyonshall Bridge Club. Following the 43^rd annual Round the Houses Knockout competition, £2,250.00 was raised and shared between the chosen charities of the West Midlands Air Ambulance service and the Samaritans. The club has also been able to support Lyonshall Memorial Hall in recent years, supplying 3 new exit doors to a value of £2,000.00. The club is always looking for new members and the new electronic scoring system, due this Autumn, will help give members immediate results. The club meets every Tuesday in the Hall at 6.45pm for 7.00 pm start. Full details available from the website at ‘lyonshallbridgeclub.org’.

Pembridge News

Burial Register

16th April                  Frederick Derick Dyer

19^th April                   Jennifer Ward

23^rd April                   Robert Bernard Davies

The PCC and congregation of St. Mary’s Church, Pembridge and Moorcourt chapel welcome Rev. Anna Branston and her family to the parish of Pembridge with Moorcourt and The Arrowvale Group of Parishes.

Harvest in Pembridge

Details of the Pembridge Harvest supper will be listed in the next magazine

Moorcourt harvest festival service will be on Thursday 11th October at 7 pm followed by an auction of produce.

This year the refreshments will be in the church.  All contributions of food would be welcome.

Please let Clare Price know before.  Most importantly, please come yourself.

Fete

Don’t forget the fete Saturday 4^th August. For full details see posters.

Talgarth Male Voice Choir.

Talgarth Male voice choir will be performing in Pembridge Church on Saturday 22^nd September. Please look out for posters and flyers at the time for full details.

Woodcock Fayre.

The Annual Woodcock Fayre will be at the church on November 18^th. This event will have the usual stalls and will also showcase a variety of additional craft stalls from which you will be able to purchase quality items.

Pembridge Tapestry Group

As a result of the Channel 4 “Village of the Year” competition earlier in the year we were pleased to welcome a group of 40 visitors from The Derbyshire Archaeological Society who had contacted us after seeing our Church and Tapestries on the programme!  They also heard about our latest project The Pembridge Map and although the map was only completed last week we were delighted to be able to display this for them also – although only temporarily – as the map is now off to be professionally mounted and framed before going on display permanently in church.

In the last two months we have also had visits from The Breinton History Group and The Ross Farm Women’s Club to see the tapestries, our church, belfry and other important buildings in the village.

Gill Smith

The Strawberry Tea and Open Garden

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the Strawberry Tea and Open Garden at The Curl, Marston, such a lovely event again this year. The weather was glorious and along with strawberries kindly donated once again by S&A Produce of Marden and a delicious array of cakes, we had a wonderful afternoon where we welcomed friends old and new.  We raised over £600 for St Mary’s Church, Pembridge. Again, many thanks to everyone who supported us.

Ian and Gill

Pembridge Christian Aid.

This year we raised £462.26 during the house to house collection. Very sincere thanks to all who collected and all who gave. I know many of our collectors have very busy lives. Thanks to Staunton Coffee Spot for their donation of £50 towards this total. Thanks also to Sam and her family and staff for once again being the drop off point for people who wish to give but miss their collectors. Thanks to Anne Ingham for organizing the Count Your Blessings initiative during Lent, while I was snowed under organizing a Mothers’ Union event. I must admit I’d never heard of this before Anne told me about it. Together we have helped some of the poorest people on earth.

Yours very sincerely, Janice Moore

Pembridge Church and Churchyard.

Parishioners and visitors are always welcome to the church and churchyard but we would just like to send a reminder that the area is not a public playground or social space.

Readers.

August   26^th         Family Communion                           To be arranged

Sept        2nd         Communion                                         C or M Fothergill                 S Ingham

16th        Communion                                         E Hardy                                 S Evans

23rd        Family Service                                     S Ingham

Oct          7th          Communion                                         R Scott                                   E Lynch

Pembridge WI meeting in August (Wed. 8th) is to be a trip out to Worcester to visit the Commandery and Grey Friars’ House and Garden.

Wednesday September 12th will be a talk on Offa’s Dyke 7.00pm in the village Hall.
We are going to Aberdovey on Wednesday 5th September. If anybody would like to join us on this trip please contact Marguerite.
Our reading group will be meeting and we will be walking along the canal at Brecon as well as meeting for tea and chat in the Steppes (Tuesday 28th August 3.00pm. Tuesday 25th September 3.00pm). A visit to the Monkland Cheese dairy is also being planned for Wednesday 19th September.
Contact Marguerite Fothergill 01544 388279    margueritefothergill@gmail.com

An informal Bible discussion group will meet at Rose Cottage, Market Square, Pembridge. on Wednesday 12th September 10.00am and on Wednesday 26th September same place, same time. (contact Marguerite Fothergill 01544 388279 if interested.)
Shobdon News

Open gardens

Despite the weather, the Easthampton open gardens were a great success and raised £430. A huge thank you to the talented gardeners and to everyone who helped with teas etc. We are hoping to hold this event again next year.

Food and Flying Festival

What a fantastic weekend! We were blessed with perfect weather and everyone enjoyed the event.

The tombola and book stall raised £456. Thank you to everyone who donated books, bottles and bought tickets.

Caroline “manned” the church over the weekend providing tea, coffee and cake and raised over £60.

The PCC would like to thank all the volunteers who unlock and lock the church each day ensuring that visitors from near and far are able to enjoy our beautiful church. If you would like to join the rota, please contact Caroline Jones 01568 708043

Shobdon Registers

Ethel Mary Arndt      Funeral  and Burial  8^th June

Gregory Hyde             Funeral and Burial  13^th June

Tori Dykes                  Baptism 10^th June

Ella Dykes                    Baptism  10^th June

Staunton on Arrow News

New Churchwarden: Clive Edwards was elected as Churchwarden at our APCM and has since been admitted and sworn in to his new post, and we wish him well. His contact details are as follows:

Tel. No: 01544 388831

Fish and Chip Supper fun quiz: Saturday 22nd September 2018 at 7pm in the Village Hall.

£8 per person to include your chip shop supper. Fish or sausage!
Teams of 4, or just come along and make up on the night as we are a friendly bunch.

For further details contact Debbie Stokes at debbie.stokes1@tiscali.co.uk

Staunton on Arrow WI for August & September 2018

Nine members of the WI had an entertaining outing to the Ledbury Rifle and Pistol Club in June where some proved to be very good shots.  Our own Di Sawyer stepped into the breach in July at our 71st birthday meeting to demonstrate her skills in encaustic art as the organised speaker was unable to attend.  Our programme continues as below:

Wednesday 8 August       My adventure into nakedness and hessian – Margaret Smith   7.30pm

Hostesses: Vicki Margetson and Sarah Westaby

Wednesday  12 September      Severn Freewheelers   7.30pm

Hostesses: Sandra Evans plus 1

Tickets will be on sale soon for the Harvest Supper, to be held on Friday 19 October.  Still very good value at £10 for meal and entertainment.

Please consider visiting us at our meetings with a view to joining us as a full member; visitors and new members of all ages are welcome.  £4 to include refreshments, 7.30 pm at Staunton on Arrow Hall, speaker at 8pm.

There is a lot more information about us, plus photos and reports of our meetings and other activities on our website, http://stauntononarrowwi.weebly.com

Alison Lord       Secretary            01544 340256

KINGTON U3A

There is no meeting in August. The September meeting is on Thursday 13^th September, 2pm at the Football Club. Angela Williams will give us “A Munitionettes View” of WW 1 and 2 at ROF Rotherwas. Everyone welcome, £1 for members, £2 for visitors. Contact the secretary Barbara Johnston, 231401, for more information about U3A.

June/July News

Byton News

We have a PCC Meeting at Court House Farm on Monday June 25th @ 8pm.

Paddy Benson, Archdeacon, will be taking the Group Service here at Byton on July 29th @ 11am followed by our Annual BBQ.

Lyonshall News

Lyonshall Coffee Mornings

Join us at the Memorial Hall, Lyonshall, for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon.

The next two dates for your diaries are Friday 8th June and Friday 13th July.

Fundraising news…In April we sponsored Andy Read £100 for his cycling marathon from London to Paris in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity, and in May we donated £110 to Sue Strachan in her fundraising challenge to run the London Marathon in aid of Alzheimers Research UK.

Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new.Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and support a good cause at the same time.

For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.

Lyonshall Registers

March 25th     Penny Davies     Baptism

May 2nd         Alison Smith       Funeral and Burial

May 5th          James Vernalls and Coral Matthews   Marriage

Pembridge News

New Lay Reader

On May 20^th Anne Ingham was licensed by the Rev. Preb.Dr. John Daniels as a lay reader affiliated to the Arrowvale Group of Parishes. This means that she will become part of the Ministry team and will be able to lead certain services throughout the group as and when required.

Fete

The annual church fete will take place on the 4^th August commencing at 2.30pm. The stalls will include cake and produce, bottle, bric a brac, plants, books and a raffle.. If you would like to donate items for any of these stalls they would be very much appreciated. Donated items can be left in the kitchen vestry the week before the event or brought to the church on the morning, from 10.30am onwards. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon. There will also be a variety of children’s activities inside and outside the church, depending on the weather.

Strawberry Tea and Cream Teas at St Mary’s Church

Our Summer Cream Teas start with a Strawberry Tea (and open garden) at The Curl, Marston on Sunday 24^th June from 3.00pm at the home of Gill and Ian Smith.   All are very welcome!

Our delicious Cream Teas in the church follow on each Sunday from 1^st July, through the summer until September –  starting at 3.00 pm until 5.30pm. Home-made scones and cakes are served with a choice of hot or cold drinks and are appreciated by travellers, holiday makers and local residents alike.

Readers.

June     3rd       Communion     S Evans            E Hardy

17th     Communion     E Lynch                       R Scott

24th     Family Service T Hollinghurst

July      1st        Communion     L or M Boore   A Ingham

15th     Communion     C Price             A Anderson

22nd    Family Service T Hollinghurst

August 5th       Group Service TBA

Pembridge WI
In June Pembridge WI will be hearing from Mike Williams who will give an illustrated talk “Wild on the Curl” This is an open meeting to which we invite anyone interested in the nature around the river Curl.
In July Mike Watkins will be telling us about “Conspiracies”.
These meetings take place in Pembridge Village Hall at 7.00pm (Wed. 13th June, Wed. 11th July.)
We are also planning a visit to Coughton Court in June – if you are interested in joining us please contact Marguerite Fothergill (01544388279 –  margueritefothergill@gmail.com) and about Pembridge WI in general.

Easter Lilies

Many thanks to all those who gave so generously towards the Easter Lilies to decorate the church this year. Also thanks to all those who helped to arrange the flowers once again.

Joyce Williams
Pembridge Mothers’ Union have lost their eldest member, Connie Hill, who would have been one hundred and five years old next August. We shall all miss her greatly as she has been inspirational in the seven years since she transferred to our group from Birmingham, when she moved here to live with her son, Ron, in Weston. She had an amazing memory, was still remarkably mobile and was an avid and skilful knitter, supporting various charities!  I believe it is quite possible she was the longest serving Mothers’ Union member having joined when she was a young mum in Birmingham, where she took a very active part. We were, indeed lucky to have these last seven years with her here, in our group. She so enjoyed our meetings and we will feel a great loss without her.

MU meetings are the 4th Wednesday each month. The June meeting will be on June 27 at 2.30 at Sandra Evans home in Staunton. The talk will be about the Retreat she is attending in Suffolk. On July 25th we will have an outing, details to follow.

Shobdon News

We welcomed Rt Rev Richard Frith Bishop of Hereford to take our Group Service in April.

Many people from the group joined us for the service.

Congratulations in Order

The Bishop of Hereford has appointed Mr. Andrew Teale as a Lay Canon and a member of the College of Canons at Hereford Cathedral. Andrew, who was born in Shobdon , attended Shobdon Primary School, Wigmore High School and Ludlow Sixth Form College, before graduating from University. Andrew served as Headteacher at Pembridge C.of E. Primary School  2003-2010 and since 2010 as Headteacher at St. Paul’s C. of E. Primary School, Tupsley. He has been a governor at Hereford Cathedral School since 2011 and is a governor for the three school federations – Aylestone School, Withington Primary and Broadlands Primary School. He has been a member of the Diocesan Board of Education since 2015 and in 2017 became a Director of the Bishop Anthony Education Trust. Andrew was installed at the Evensong Service in Hereford Cathedral on May 6th.

Food and Flying Festival

The festival will be taking place on 30^th June and 1st July.

During the festival Shobdon Church will be running a bottle tombola and a second-hand book stall. All donations will be gratefully received. Please contact Anne Walker 01568 708 712 or Marcia Lynch Staunton 01568 708360. Please come and support us by buying a book or a ticket for the tombola.

Almost a hundred of the region’s top food, drink and artisan craftspeople have also been assembled with visitors able to sample everything from local meats, cheeses, ales and wines to flavours from Thailand, Japan, India, the Middle East, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and more.

Sailboat rides on Discover Bestpark’s Pearl Lake will be running on both days of the Festival. A packed line up of demonstrating chefs including Great British Bake Off favourite, Val Stones, live music, children’s entertainment and a gala Rat Pack tribute evening starring ITV weather presenter Des Coleman complete the schedule of what promises to be a fantastic weekend.                                                                                          Tickets are £8 on the gate for adults with U16‘s £2 and U5’s free. Tickets to the Rat Pack Returns evening can be bought by emailing shobdonfoodfestival@gmail.com.

June 10th  

Presteigne Pop Choir will be giving a short concert under the direction of John Hymes at 3pm.Donations.

Tea and cakes will be served in Church.

Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th June. Six Easthampton Gardens will be” open”, all very different with their own particular interest! Tea and cakes will be available indoors if wet or on the terrace if sunny.  Do come along.

Tuesday July 17th,

The End of term/leavers service will be held in Shobdon Church at 10am.There will be a talk, songs and quiz in Church, followed by ice creams.

Thank You!A big thank you to Mike Evans for planting the daffodils alongside the footpath to the cemetery. We look forward to enjoying the blooms each spring.

 From the Registers

Burial

Frederick Allen (Sam) Bevan  11^th April

Donald Allen Jaques  9^th May

The Bible Study group is gradually going through the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which is a record of the setting up of the first branches of the early church, a period when there were no church buildings as we know of them today, and no set form of services.  Services might be on the bank of a river, or on the sea shore, or in the large room or courtyard of a wealthy house. The young Christians were subjected to a lot of opposition and criticism, and even locked up when charged with disturbing the peace; most of the first eleven disciples were killed for their faith.  Without their courage Christianity would not have reached us.  Similar danger can be experienced today by Christians in the Middle East.  Is our faith that strong?

A small Prayer Group meets twice a month in the Methodist Chapel, Shobdon, to pray for the churches and people in our parishes, for those ill, those suffering or mourning, or undergoing other difficulties.  If you would like prayer, please let us know, in strict confidence: we know that the Lord is faithful in answering the prayers of believers.   John Andrews (01568 708277) or Janice Moore (01544 387926).

Staunton on Arrow News

Village War Memorial:

Renovation of the War Memorial has finally been completed. The total amount of donations received has so far reached £1200.

Rhayader Male Voice Choir: The concert held at St Peter’s Church was a great success, and a total of £998 was raised through ticket sales and raffle for the benefit of the church.

Annual Village Clean Up Day: Thanks to the people who helped on Village Clean Up Day, sprucing up the village hall and car park. This is an annual event, hopefully we can spread further afield next time, see you all next year. Also thank you to the committee and helpers who volunteer to keep our great little hall going for the community to use.

Notes for your diaries:

The Fish and Chip Supper Quiz returns on Saturday 22nd September.

We are hoping to hold a village BBQ in the summer, date still being finalised, but it would be lovely to see villagers (and beyond) old and new, for a social occasion while raising a few funds to keep our hall
operational. Watch out for the posters!

Other events are the regular Film Nights, the new Art group and don’t forget the Coffee Spot first Saturday morning of the month!

***News Flash****
Staunton on Arrow is moving with the times and now has its own Facebook page.

Just search for Staunton on Arrow Community and like the page for all the news and events.

Staunton on Arrow WI

After a fun hands-on craft meeting in April followed by an entertaining Spanish cooking demonstration in May and a visit by 11 members from our paired WI in Hereford Wye Women, our WI meetings of 2018 continue with:

Wednesday 13 June       Evening at Ledbury Rifle Club

Wednesday  11 July      71st Birthday meeting                             Just Rachel Icecream and Desserts  7.30pm  

Hostesses: To be announced

Our lunch club meets every month.

Please consider visiting us at our meetings with a view to joining us as a full member; visitors and new members of all ages are welcome.  £4 to include refreshments, 7.30 pm at Staunton on Arrow Hall, speaker at 8pm.

There is a lot more information about us, plus photos and reports of our meetings and other activities on our website, http://stauntononarrowwi.weebly.com

Alison Lord       Secretary            01544 340256

KINGTON U3A JUNE & JULY MEETINGS

The next meeting of Kington U3A is the AGM on Thursday 14^th June, 2pm at the Football Club. This gives you a chance to find out from the leaders which Interest Groups are available and what they involve. You may discover a new activity or two.

The 12^th July meeting is Pam Davenport, Chilli Zoo, All About Chilli, with tastings. Everyone is welcome to either meeting, £1 for members, £2 for visitors, including refreshments. Contact the secretary Barbara Johnston, 231401, for more information about U3A.

Kington Community Choir

Traditional and Folk Songs from the Musicals and the Great War.

At the Burton hotel, Kington, on 6th July 2018, 7.30 pm. Doors open 7.15 pm.

Tickets £5 at Tom Bounds, the Burton or at the door.

Historic Huntington Fete announces details of this year’s event

Huntington village is once again preparing for its annual fete later this summer, on Saturday 21^st July.

The Fete, which raises money for Huntington’s two churches, village hall and other local charities, will be opened this year by Bronwen Bufton who has run the lucky dip stall at the event for over 40 years, a role previously performed by her mother-in-law since 1956.

The fete opens at 3pm, admission and parking is free.

There is also a community bus that leaves Kington for the event.

For more information contact Bev Perrin – bevperrin@icloud.com

Or 07855 300175

Friends of Huntington Church hold Popular Mid Summer Musical Event

On June 23^rd, The Friends of St Thomas a Becket Church, Huntington will be holding their popular Mid- Summer concert featuring accomplished local musical group – The Ethelbert Consort.

The programme will include the finest choral music by English composers together with a handful of madrigals and well known popular song arrangements.

A free party, in the grounds of the church, will follow the concert where wine and delicious homemade canapés will be served throughout the evening.

The Event, starting from 7.00 pm, will be held in St Thomas a Becket Church

Huntington HR5 3PY.   Entry is £10.

Tickets are available via website www.huntingtonchurch.co.uk or telephone

Fiona Shone on 01544 370391

April/May 2108 News

Byton News

Magic Evening and Bridge Afternoon.

Thanks to everyone who contributed in any way towards these events.

The food was delicious each time and everyone worked hard to make these fundraisers a success.

Thanks also for all donations and everyone who supported our church by attending.

AGM

This will be held on Monday, April 16th @ 8 pm at Court House Farm.

All are welcome.

Lyonshall News

Lyonshall Coffee Mornings

Join us at the Memorial Hall, Lyonshall, for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon.

The next two dates for your diaries are Friday April 13th and Friday May 11th.

Fundraising news…

In February we raised £100 which was shared between The British Heart Foundation and Lyonshall Church in memory of Ron Addis, and in March we donated £100 to Lyonshall Memorial Hall to their Refurbishment Fund.

Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new.

Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and support a good cause at the same time.

For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.

From the Registers

Hugh Seymour Davies  Memorial Service                January 20th

Cerys Williams             Baptism                                January 21st

Ann Lowe                     Funeral and Burial                February 7th

Ronald Addis                Funeral and Burial                February 10th

John Allan                     Funeral and Burial                February 13th

Ann Lowe

Ann was the wife of the Rev David Lowe who was the vicar of Lyonshall for 23 years from 1977. Ann assisted David in his ministry here in many ways, helping with Sunday School and at fund raising events and always welcoming visitors to the vicarage. David and Ann retired to Cornwall but Ann’s illness took them back to Gloucester to be near their family.

Many old friends and parishioners were pleased to see David, Richard, Peter and Stephen back in Lyonshall, although not under such sad circumstances.

Ron Addis

Ron and Pat came to live in Lyonshall over 30 years ago to the house where Ron had spent many childhood holidays, the home of his uncle, Horace Addis.

He soon took on the treasurer’s office of the PCC and held it until his death in January this year. His expertise and dedication will be sorely missed.

He supported Pat in her role of church warden and did countless other jobs around the church that went unnoticed and which we all took for granted.

He also helped the parish in many other roles, helping with the Neighbourhood Development Scheme and other local organisations. He did a lot of work for the Memorial Hall and helped local people in any way he could.

Ron was always cheerful and fair minded, looking for the good side in every situation.

John Allan

John was very well known and admired locally as he was landlord of The Royal George Inn for 16 years from 1976. Together with his wife Elaine, they ran a very successful business with a much respected restaurant and very busy Bed and Breakfast trade.

John and Elaine retired in Lyonshall and John worked as a volunteer hospital driver. He enjoyed fishing and worked as a ghillie on the river Wye.

Titley Lunch

This year’s lunch took place on March 8th with not a little worry about snow on the car park etc after the severe weather the weekend before! As usual, tickets were sold out and this year’s speaker was Deborah Moggach, the well known author who lives in Presteigne. We were enthralled by her most informative and humorous talk about some of the books she has written and how they have been made into films, the most famous of which has to be “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. The lunch was delicious and many thanks to Sue Davies for organising the event and all the helpers on the day and everyone who provided food or donated items to the Draw. We made over £2000 towards church funds.

Pembridge News

From the Registers

Rose Ellen Jane Jackson Pembridge                           5^th December 2017            Burial of Ashes

Diana H Novak                   Pembridge                           8^th March 2018                   Burial     

Annual Quiz.

Thank you to those you supported the annual quiz evening. Full details of winners and losers will be in the next issue.

PEMBRIDGE MOTHERS’ UNION

I would like to thank all those who braved the snow and made our open meeting on February 28th a success, in most cases travelling from Shobdon or Kington. Marcia gave a lovely talk; and everyone joined in with the work (cutting cake, washing up, moving furniture etc) The event raised £52, half for Marcia’s orphanage and half to the projects our MU branch supports, Bibles for children at Pembriddge school, the MU overseas fund and the MU crisis intervention fund.

Best wishes,

Janice Moore

Quiet Prayer

This service will be continuing on the first Thursday of the month in Moorcourt at 10.00am. It is a service of quiet reflection and prayer followed by refreshments. The dates are April 5^th, May 3^rd, June 7^th, July 5^th, August 2^nd and September 6^th with the intention of continuing after then.

Readers.

April       1st          Easter Sunday   TBA        TBA

15th       Communion       A Ingham             L or M Boore

22nd      Family Service   T Hollinghurst

May         6th         Communion       A Anderson        C Price

20th       Communion       S Ingham             C or M Fothergill

27th       Family Service   S Ingham

June      3rd         Communion       S Evans                 E Hardy

Tapestry Group

Since completing and displaying the Pembridge Tapestries two years ago the group has been working on the Pembridge Map – an intricately embroidered piece of work showing all the houses and other important buildings in the village.  The work is nearing completion and we hope to have it finished and on display in the church by the summer.  The group, being led by Mary Tyson and Shirley Percy, has worked tirelessly to produce this second outstanding piece of embroidery.

The Pembridge Tapestries themselves continue to draw a large number of people to the village.   They formed an important part in The Village of the Year competition on Channel 4 where they were described by the presenter Dr Alex Langlands as a unique and a wonderful way of telling the history of Pembridge – the village reaching the semi-finals in the competition. Watch this space! Gill Smith

Pembridge WI

Pembridge WI will be meeeting on Wed. 11th April (more Pilates) and Wed. 9th May (discussions and fish & chips) in the village hall at 7.00 pm.

We will be ten-pin Bowling, walking, lunching, taking tea in the Steppes and reading at some time during these months, as well.

On Saturday 12th May there is to be a Table-top sale in the Village Hall 10.30 – 1.30 pm.

The fee for taking a table is £5 so if you would like a table, please contact Marguerite Fothergill. Or perhaps you may just like to come along to the sale where delicious refreshments will be served.

If you are interested in joining us (we are a friendly lot!) please let Marguerite know.

01544 388279  margueritefothergill@gmail.com

Pembridge Primary School Coffee Morning

Friday 20th April after Celebration Worship at 9am.

Pembridge School Governors invite members of the Parish Council, friends, family and neighbours from the local community to join them in helping celebrate our school.

Come and see the school at work!

ALL WELCOME

For catering purposes, please reply on 01544388366 or office@pembridge.hereford.sch.uk if you would like to come.

Pembridge Village Hall has a new Booking Secretary:

Please contact Lizzie Sharp 01544 388488 after 6.00pm for all enquiries.

Shobdon News

Children of year one in Shobdon Primary School and their mothers/relatives enjoyed their annual “Mothering Sunday” service in Church on Thursday March 8th.

Wednesday 18th April St Michael’s Hospice are having an “Open Garden” at Shobdon Court and the Church, where there will be “guides” to offer some history and interesting facts about our unique building.

Sunday 29th April we will be welcoming the Rt Rev Richard Frith Bishop of Hereford to take our Group Service.

Friday 4th May “The Tyburn Trio” are coming to give a concert in Church, featuring works by Schubert, Mozart and Donizetti.

Drinks reception at 7pm, concert at 7.45pm.

June 16th and 17th six very different Easthampton gardens will be open for your enjoyment, and also delicious “home made teas”!

From our register

6th March 2018  Memorial Service  Ena Salt

Staunton on Arrow News

War Memorial Renovation:

We are still waiting for the weather to improve before renovation works can proceed. I had promised to write to everyone who contributed to this cause, but you are so many and quite a few are anonymous, so I would like to take this opportunity to say a very grateful thank you to all those villagers who have made donations. The total amount received has so far reached £1000. It is not too late if anyone wishes to make a donation, either cheque made payable to PCC of Staunton-on-Arrow or cash both through the door at Old School House for the attention of Liz Hewett / War Memorial.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting: Tuesday 10^th April 2018 at 7pm in the Village Hall. All villagers are welcome to attend and hear what’s going on in your local PCC.

Rhayader Male Voice Choir: A concert will be held at St Peter’s Church, Staunton-on-Arrow at 7pm on Saturday 14^th April. Refreshments will be provided and tickets are on sale @ £10 each from The Steppes at Pembridge and from Sandra Evans on 01544 388742.

Richard Bowen

A Memorial and Thanksgiving service for the life of Richard will be held on April 20^th 2018 at 3pm at St Peter’s Church, Staunton-on Arrow.

Village Hall AGM Monday 7th May 7pm. All welcome.
Annual Village Clean Up Day: Volunteers required for Saturday 12^th May. Meet at the village hall from 9am. It is an opportunity to give the hall and surrounding area a spring clean, and if we have enough help we will spread out to the Millennium Garden and churchyard. Please come armed with tools and a smile. We will have the kettle on! There may even be biscuits!! Also, it is a great opportunity to meet your fellow villagers! See you there.

Village Art Clubs are starting a new club in Staunton-on-Arrow next month! Our friendly art club will meet weekly in the village hall from Thursday April 26th from 7-9pm for ten weeks.  Here’s your chance to dust off your old paintbrushes or buy some new ones and come along for a relaxed two hours of tutored painting – all abilities are welcome, even if you’ve never held a brush before.  Call Liz for details on 07938 563716 or have a look at the website and see what our lovely painters have been up to – www.villageartclubs.co.uk .  Look forward to seeing you!  Best regards, Liz Watson

Staunton on Arrow WI for April and May 2018

Sadly we learnt recently of the deaths of two of our ex-members, Ena Salt, previously of Shobdon and Pauline May of Staunton on Arrow.  We send our condolences to their family.

Our WI meetings of 2018 continue with:

Wednesday 11 April   7.30pm   Peg Weaving – hands on                         Sue Mullins 

Hostesses: Catherine Perham and Ann Cleaver

Wednesday  9 May 7.30pm  Talk on food waste and cookery demonstration     Leon from Salty Dog Deli, Presteigne

Hostesses: Judy Davies and Marion Weaver

We are hoping to welcome members from our paired WI ‘Wye Women’ to this meeting.

We are also planning a visit to the Weeping Poppy exhibition at Hereford Cathedral during April.  Our lunch club meets every month.

Please consider visiting us at our meetings with a view to joining us as a full member; visitors and new members of all ages are welcome.  £4 to include refreshments, 7.30 pm at Staunton on Arrow Hall, speaker at 8pm.

There is a lot more information about us, plus photos and reports of our meetings and other activities on our website, http://stauntononarrowwi.weebly.com

Alison Lord       Secretary            01544 340256

KINGTON U3A MEETINGS

The next meeting of Kington U3A will be held at 2pm on Thursday 12^th April in the Kington Football Clubhouse. Duncan James will be giving his third talk on the Black and White Villages in Herefordshire. The following meeting is on the Thursday 10^th  May 2pm at the Football Club. Mike Watkins & Wilma Hayes will be telling us about Titanic, Which Ship Sank. Everyone is welcome, £1 for members, £2 for visitors, including refreshments. Contact the secretary Barbara Johnston, 231401, for more information about U3A.

Friends of Huntington Church

Saturday April 7th at 7.30pm at Huntington Village Hall – Felicity Jones “Our New Energy Systems”

Saturday May 12th at 7.30pm at Huntington Church William Moyle – the book launch of “The Assassination of the Archbishop: the story of St. Thomas ā Becket”.

Tickets from www.huntingtonchurch.co.uk or Fiona Shone 01544370391

Steve Tilston and Jez Lowe

Friday 27 April, 8pm (doors open 7.30)
Burton Hotel, Mill St, Kington, HR5 3BQ

Two of the UK acoustic/folk scene’s most popular award-winning singer-songwriters will be joining forces for a concert filled with songs and music, chat and banter. First paired together on tour a few years ago, Steve and Jez realised they were onto something special.  They embarked on their 2015 UK tour, sharing the stage and swapping songs, and have been delighting their audiences with their unique style ever since.

They work so well together – two of our best songwriters and singers, understanding and enriching each other’s songs. The audience loved them. Mike Harding BBC folk presenter

Tickets: £12 early-bird, £15 after 26 April.
From: Bopsoms Emporium Kington + Burton Hotel Kington.
Further information: 01544 231732 / 07790435411

Saturday 5th May – Bach’s “St John Passion” with the Marches Baroque Orchestra in St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne. This will be the first major concert KCS has put on in St Andrew’s and will be a really special event, bringing top professional soloists from Harry Christopher’s “The Sixteen” to perform with the KCS choir and Marches Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Robert Evans:

Evangelist:  Jeremy Budd.

Christus: Tim Jones.

Soprano: Julie Cooper.

Alto: Kim Porter.

Tenor: George Pooley.

Bass: Ben Davies.
Earlybird tickets will go on sale in April online from the KCS website www.kingtonchoral.org.uk, or from Border Bean (Kington), Tower House Gallery (Knighton), Central Stores (Eardisley), Ye Olde Steppes (Pembridge), and Winnie’s (Presteigne).

Don’t miss this one !!

February/March 2018 news

Byton News

From the Registers 2017

We had three weddings in the church this last year. They were:-

June 10th       Emily Scatcherd and David Oldershaw

July 22nd        Sarah Price and Giles Edwards

October 7th   Thea Rogers and Nicholas Jone

Carol Service

Thanks to all who attended this atmospheric service led by Anthony Mills.

Thanks must also go to the cleaners, decorators, organist and choir.

Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed by all afterwards.

February Service at Byton

This will be held in the church on February 4th at 9.30 am with Robin Rogers celebrating and Kate playing the organ.

Supper with Magic

On Saturday, February 17th @ 7pm at Kinsham Village Hall, the magician Mark Townsend will again entertain us.

There will be a hot supper. Tickets from PCC Members.

An Afternoon of Bridge

Thursday March 15th @ 2pm there will be Bridge and afternoon tea at Kinsham Hall. £8 per person. Details from Margaret Edwards 01544 267430.

All proceeds for Byton Church.

Cross Carrying on Good Friday

This will take the usual format starting at the church at 10.30 am. We will then walk up the hill behind the church with breaks for readings and hymns.

Hot X buns and coffee will be served afterwards. Children and dogs welcome.

Lyonshall News

Evening at The Barns

A very enjoyable evening was held here at the end of November by kind invitation of the Hern family.

We would like to thank Mrs Muriel Passey for giving us a very interesting talk on “The History and Mystery of Christmas”. This was followed by a delicious Finger Buffet and then an Auction of Promises, very ably conducted by Mr Richard Williams.

The magnificent sum of £3500 was raised for church funds and many thanks to all who helped in any way – getting the barns ready, preparing food, supplying chairs, helping on the night, etc.

Lyonshall Coffee Mornings

Join us at the Memorial Hall, Lyonshall, for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon.

The next two dates for your diaries are Friday February 9th and Friday March 9th.

Fundraising news…

In December we raised £125 which was donated to the Crisis at Christmas Appeal and in January, we raised £100 which was given to the Samaritans.
Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new. Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and support a good cause at the same time.

For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.

Pembridge News

Woodcock Fayre

Thank you to all who supported this event. It was a bigger event than last year and we hope for it to continue to grow again this coming year with a variety of different craft stalls attending. Financially it was a success for the PCC but the hope is that it also brings people into the village to support other local businesses and attractions.

Annual Quiz.

The quiz will take place on Saturday March 3^rd 7.30pm at the village hall. Teams of 6 can enter by phoning Meryl on 01544 340381 or just turn up if you haven’t got a team and we can make teams up on the night.  There will be an entry fee of £6 per person which will include a light supper.  There will also be a licenced bar.

Request for help when setting up church for events.

The PCC are asking if there is anybody who would like to offer their services to help set up the church or other venues for their events. We quite often need to move quite a bit of furniture to create the space required and wonder whether there is anybody who feels they could help with this. If you feel you could help, please contact any members of The PCC and we will contact you as and when required. Thank you.

PEMBRIDGE MOTHERS’ UNION

Pembridge Mothers’ Union will be holding an open meeting at Bearwood Chapel on Wednesday February 28th at 2-30pm. Marcia from Shobdon will be giving us a talk with slides about the orphanage she set up and runs, with others, in Kenya. There will be no charge for entry or light refreshments, but there will be a box for donations. Money received will be divided between the orphanage and MU funds. The MU half will either be used to buy Bibles for presentation to children at Pembridge school, for our life saving and enhancing overseas fund, our crisis intervention fund which I understand works within the diocese or a combination of the three. Everyone is very welcome.

The March meeting is an OPEN meeting at Bearwood Chapel with a guest speaker talking about her charity ‘Salt’. This will be followed by tea and we warmly welcome visitors from all the Arrowvale churches and any other friends. More details to follow in the churches.

Best wishes for 2018,  Janice Moore   01544 387926

Pembridge Memorial WW1 1918.

A bell will be tolled at 11.00am on the anniversary of their death, once for each year of their life.

THOMAS H DAVIES

Private 97580 31st Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

20/04/1918 Age 24

ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

Son of Thomas and Eliza Davies; husband of Elsie Davies

CHARLES DYKES

Private 203600 1st/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

15/06/1918 Age 28

MAGNABOSCHI BRITISH CEMETERY

Son of James and Martha Dykes, of Moseley House, Pembridge, Herefordshire

CHARLES R JAMES

Private 35758 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

23/10/1918 Age 19

BERLIN SOUTH-WESTERN CEMETERY

Son of Charles and Fanny James, of Moor Court Lodge, Kington, Herefordshire.

WILLIAM T JAY

Lance Corporal 39419 South Wales Borderers

25/05/1918 Age 31

PEMBRIDGE (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD

Son of Mr. T. Jay, of Noke Lane, Pembridge; husband of Mabel Jay

GEORGE T LILWALL

Private 236375 1st/1st Herefordshire Regiment

23/07/1918 Age 41

RAPERIE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLEMONTOIRE

Son of Richard and Eliza Lilwall; husband of Alice Lilwall, of Townsend Cottage, East St., Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire.

JOSEPH MORGAN

Private 8564 Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

04/11/1918 Age 32

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD BROXWOOD

Son of Thomas and Mary Morgan, of The Mere, Almeley, Hereford.

Readers.

Feb 4th      Communion       C Price                   G Smith

18^th     Communion       C or M Fothergill     S Ingham

25^th      Family Service    T Hollinghurst

Mar 4th       Communion      A Ingham                L or M Boore

18^th     Communion      R Scott                    E Lynch

25^th     Palm Sunday      TBA

Apr 1st    Easter Sunday      TBA                         TBA

Pembridge WI will be meeting on Wed. February 14^th at 2.00pm in The Village Hall for a fun afternoon. Anybody who may be thinking of joining Pembridge WI please come along and meet us.

The March meeting is in the evening on Wed.14^th March at 7.00pm in The Village Hall when we will be hearing about Pilates from Dawn Arkell.

The reading Group will also be meeting, some of us will gather in the Steppes for tea/coffee cakes and chat and there will also be 10-pin bowling. We may even go for a walk and then have lunch.

The details of these events will be made clear at the meetings.

If you are interested, please contact Marguerite Fothergill on 01544 388279 or margueritefothergill@gmail.com

From the Registers

Susan Margaret Price    Burial   Pembridge  4th December

Shobdon News

We were unable to hold our Carol Service because of the snow.

The Crib Service was held on Christmas Eve. It was wonderful to see so many children in church and to watch as they placed their knitted sheep in the crib with the other nativity figures. Our thanks go to Robin and Kate Rogers and Cerian Stokes for leading the service.

Flowers

Throughout the year a team of flower arrangers ensure that fresh flower arrangements are placed in church. If you have an interest in flower arranging and would like to join the rota, please contact Pearl Teale 01568708725

Church Opening 

Shobdon Church attracts visitors from far and wide and it is important that we are able to keep the church open to enable them to see our beautiful church. We have a group of volunteers who unlock and lock the church every day; if you feel you could help for a week please contact Caroline Jones 01568 708043

School Service for Mothering Sunday
On Thursday 8th March at 2.00 pm, we will be welcoming reception and year 1 to church for a short service. The children will receive a small gift to present to their mothers. All are welcome.

From our Registers

Funeral      11th December    Ian Preece

Baptism     26th November    Toby Frederick Costford

Marriage    28th December    Kevin James Harris and Joanne Olive Lloyd

Bible Studies

We (a small group of eight max.) are studying the Acts of the Apostles at present, which gives an account of how the early church started.  We could learn a lot for our churches today about support and action. Dates and venues for these Bible Studies are in the Diary section of the magazine.

Prayer meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Shobdon Methodist Chapel at 10.30 am, and last for about an hour.  We usually pray for people in the villages who are ill, sick, or in hospital, or in other sort of need, and for the schools and their staff.  Please let either John Andrews know (01568 708277), or Janice Moore (01544 387926) if you need prayer.  Alternatively, come and pray with us.  Prayer is powerful.

John Andrews

Staunton on Arrow News

 Christmas Market raised £548. Thanks go to everyone who provided produce and goods for the stalls, those who managed the stalls and the kitchen, and to those who turned up to enjoy the festive occasion.

War Memorial Renovation:

As previously stated, a faculty has now been granted and works will proceed as soon as weather permits. Thanks go to all those villagers who have already donated monies towards the cost of this work, which has so far reached £870 with more donations promised.

 From the Registers

It has been a sad few months for the village of Staunton-on-Arrow.

We sadly lost Richard Bowen on 20^th November 2017 after a long illness that was bravely fought. He was very much a stalwart of the village and his contribution as Churchwarden was very greatly appreciated. Richard was cremated at Hereford and there is to be a Memorial and Thanksgiving service on April 20^th 2018 at St Peter’s Church, Staunton-on Arrow.

Major (rtd) Bernard May died on 5^th December 2017. His funeral and burial were held on 11^th January 2018 at St Peter’s Church. He is remembered with great fondness in the village. He was also a central figure in village life during the latter decades, and a leading figure in Church life as Treasurer and Churchwarden.

Robert (Bob) Woodward of Forge Cottage died 29^th December 2017. His funeral service was held on 15^th January 2018 at St Peter’s followed by cremation on the following day. It was a privilege (not known by many) to have living in the village, a retired Fleet Air Arm Pilot who later captained Vickers Viscount and DH Comet airliners.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these who have left us.

Rhayader Male Voice Choir will be giving a concert in St Peter’s Church, Staunton-on-Arrow, on Saturday 14th April 2018 starting at 7pm. More details to follow.

Staunton on Arrow WI for February and March 2018

At our Annual Meeting in November we elected a committee of eight members for 2018. We have Joint Presidents Claire Burton and Barbara Morgan, Secretary Alison Lord, Treasurer Gill Busby, Raffle Manager Sarah Westaby and committee members Marion Weaver, Becky Bissell and Vanessa Woodward.

Due to the snowy weather our December meeting was cancelled but January started with a very successful afternoon tea party where we caught up with our friends after the Christmas and New Year break and paid our 2018 subscriptions.  So far this year we have welcomed three new members, Ann Cleaver, Ann Brisbane and Di Sawyer.

Our WI meetings of 2018 continue with

Wednesday 14 February 7.30pm  Gill Bullock from Wellington WI will be telling us about Lands End to John  O’Groats by bicycle.

Hostesses: Barbara Morgan and Gill Busby

Wednesday 14 March 7.30pm  Dr Joanne Raven will be telling us about Childbirth Abroad.

Hostesses: Becky Bissell and Debbie Weaver

Please consider visiting us at our meetings with a view to joining us as a full member; visitors and new members of all ages are welcome.  £4 to include refreshments, 7.30 pm at Staunton on Arrow Hall, speaker at 8pm.  There is a lot more information about us, plus photos and reports of our meetings and other activities on our website, http://stauntononarrowwi.weebly.com

Alison Lord       Secretary            01544 340256

KINGTON U3A MEETINGS

The next meeting of Kington U3A will be held at 2pm in the Kington Football Clubhouse on Thursday 8^th February. Richard Wood will be speaking about his adventures Rowing Solo Across The Atlantic.  Everyone is welcome, £1 for members, £2 for visitors, including refreshments. Contact Barbara Johnston, 231401, for more information about U3A.

The following meeting will be on Thursday 8^th March, 2pm at the Football Club. Richard Jordan will tell us about The Other Glenn Miller Story. Please note that this is a different speaker to the one advertised previously.