1. education
2. school

THE BACK PAGE
It’s been a frustrating couple of days. My car needed its first M.O.T. test
and I had booked it into the dealer. I did this in person at the garage in
question because the telephone system is a nightmare. It was fine until the
dealership was taken over by a large group - now all calls go through a
central switchboard for this national group. When you speak to the operator
and ask to be put through to the service department of a particular garage
you are asked why. It’s very tempting to reply that it’s because you want to
order a pizza! It ought to be pretty obvious why you want to speak to a car
servicing department. It gets worse. While the car was being tested I was
called to be told that it had failed its M.O.T. because it needed new brake
pads on the front wheels. Obviously I said that they should fit the new pads.
Simple. Oh no it isn’t - despite being a dealer in the make apparently they
don’t stock brake pads for my two litre model - and couldn’t get any until
the next day. It’s clearly my fault, because if I had bought the 1.6 litre
model they would have had brake pads in stock. That would never have
happened before the dealership was taken over by the current owners.
(As an aside, I won’t buy cars from this dealership, because they add an
administration charge to the car price. It’s like going to a supermarket and
£5 or £10 being added to your bill for administering the sale).
I related the story of my M.O.T. to a friend who had come to tell me about
a job interview and was reminded of an interview I had attended in 1972 for
the post of deputy headmaster in a Yorkshire Church of England secondary
school. I sat at one end of a very long table facing the largest interview
panel I have ever seen, most of them wearing clerical collars. The interview
seemed to be going quite well until I was asked the oddest question I’ve ever
been asked in that situation: ‘What would you be doing now if you knew that
this time tomorrow you would be dead?’ I replied that I didn’t know, but I
could be sure that I wouldn’t have been sitting there answering silly questions.
I’m still not sure why I didn’t get the job - though I wasn’t surprised that
it was offered to a gentleman wearing a clerical collar!
Items for the MAY edition should reach the editor (01746 780936, 16 Bridge Road or email
[email protected]) by 9 a.m. on Tuesday 14th April. For advertising please contact
David Hampson (780034).
34
The Rector writes
Rumours of news bad or good
Oh dear. Here’s the article I didn’t want to write.
True they’re often a challenge, but now it’s personal. Yet what a
time, what a season. You may be reading this as we start ‘Holy
Week’ – a time bursting with confusing rumours and feelings, the
more so without our hindsight benefit.
Perhaps like awaiting the outcome of a war or a desperate rescue
mission: layers of hope and dread must have covered the minds of
Jesus and his friends, as optimism saw the long-awaited King coming
to power, and pessimism heard a sickening undercurrent of hate.
Only Jesus could see that in fact both could be – had to be – woven
together in the impossible rescue of life through death.
When Alison and I moved here 18 years ago, at Easter 1997, with our
four small children in tow, we’d lived in four places since being
married, and nowhere more than three and a half years. So the
seven years we envisaged staying seemed in prospect… an eternity!
Well, as you may have heard, 18 years later, and after several times
we considered moving but were led clearly to stay, the time has
come to move on. To be honest it seems an almost impossible
wrench, and one we’d be unable to take without a clear conviction
of God’s calling again. The warm welcome that greeted us has
grown into fabulous support in and beyond two loving churches,
and friends we know we’ll never lose – both here and in Nepal (see
page 6).
I suppose one thing that is really helping me is getting it in perspective, with the help of Easter.
You see, without the literally* earth-shattering events marked at
Easter, there really would be little point to our time here; we (and
possibly you) would indeed be sad deluded people, and frankly I’d
be anxious about the future of our planet and species. An early
vicar thought the same!**
In truth, of course, it is neither our coming nor our going that provides
any cause for hope or rejoicing, but the wonderful truth that God is
loving and working in Alveley and Quatt. And we’ve seen plenty of
evidence!
And anyway, we’ll be here until the summer: let’s make it an extended Easter! Happy and Hope-filled Easter!
.
Nick
*See Matthew 27:51 and 28:2.
**1Corinthians 15:12-19
3
United Benefices of Alveley & Quatt
Rector
Associate Minister
Readers
Curate
Rev. Preb. Nick Armstrong, The Rectory, Alveley
(Rector’s email: [email protected])
Rev. Dr. Ruth Sims, Church Farm House, Alveley
Barrie Jenkins, 34 Birch Grove, Alveley
Sue Chidwick, 28 Greenway Avenue, Alveley
Rev. Dr. Wendy Rylance, Roughton Farmhouse
01746 780326
01746 780469
01746 780660
01746 781786
01746 716399
_________________________________________________________________________
Contacts for Alveley Methodists
Minister
Secretary
Rev. Philip Hoar M.A.
Mrs. Ann Smith, 3 Daddlebrook Road, Alveley
01299 826641
01746 780841
_____________________________________________________________
St. Mary the Virgin, Alveley, WV15 6ND
Churchwardens
Deputy Wardens
Secretary
Treasurer
Co-ordinator of
Children’s Work
Michael York, 23 Mallards Close, Alveley
Brian Kennedy, 21 The Croft, Kidderminster
Jenny Sirrell, 24 Golden Acres, Alveley
Dale Chidwick, 28 Greenway Avenue, Alveley
Jean Marshall, 1 Daddlebrook Road, Alveley
Andrea Hirons, Cypress Cottage, Low Lane, Alveley
01746 780144
01562 750559
01746 780369
01746 781786
01746 780500
01299 861234
Alison Armstrong,The Rectory, Alveley
01746 780326
____________________________________________________________________________________________
St. Andrew’s, Quatt
Churchwardens
Secretary
Ann Lee, Lodge Farm, Quatt
June Purchase, 22 Quatt
Steve Jones, 72 Manor Avenue South, Kidderminster
01746 780212
01746 781910
01562 744300
_____________________________________________________________
From the Benefice Registers
Baptism
1 March
‘I turn to Christ’… ‘Welcome to the fellowship of faith’.
Edie Violet Richards
St Andrew’s Quatt
Funerals ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’. Jesus in John 11
4 March
10 March
11 March
13 March
Frances Patricia Barnett, aged 65
Geoffrey Vere Corfield, aged 88
St Mary’s, Alveley
St Mary’s, Alveley &
Tasley
Eileen Anne Collier, aged 80 St Mary’s, Alveley & Crem.
Nancy Morton, aged 92
St Mary’s Alveley
COVER PICTURE
Did you know that Easter eggs represent Jesus’s empty tomb?
2015 DIARY
Mar 28(till April 12) Self led trail 11am-4pm SVCP (p 8)
Apr 1
Story time at SVCP, Olaf and the Snow Queen 10-12 & 1.30-3.30 (p 8)
1
W.I.: Afternoon tea, Pavilion 2.30-4.30pm (p 13)
2
Alveley Recreation Association AGM, Pavilion 7.30pm (p 5)
3
Geocache Easter Egg hunt, SVCP 10-12 (p 9)
4
St. Mary’s Church Easter decoration 9.30am-12 (p 7)
4
Whalebone, Quatt Village Hall (p 18)
5
Easter morning breakfast, Old Chapel 6.30am (p 7)
8
Spring has sprung, SVCP 10-12 & 1.30-3.30 (p 9)
8
Alveley W.I. Open Meeting, Pavilion 7.45pm (p 17)
9
Quattro Ladies’ lunch, Quatt Village Hall (p 19)
9
Medieval Bowman, SVCP 7.30pm (p 9)
10
Geocache Easter Egg hunt, SVCP 10-12 (p 9)
12
Easter egg walk, Quatt Village Hall 2pm(p 18)
14
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
15
Guided wlk, SVCP 9.30am (p 9)
16
Alveley Village Hall AGM and cheese and wine 8pm (p 16)
17
Alveley Entertainers’ murder mystery, Alveley Village Hall (p 15)
18
Alveley Entertainers’ murder mystery, Alveley Village Hall (p 15)
19
St. Mary’s APCM & bring and share lunch 11.45am (p 5)
20
St. Andrew’s APCM 7.30pm (p 5)
25
Music in St. Mary’s concert,The Coleman String Quartet, 7.30pm (p 14)
25
St. George’s Day event at Quatt Village Hall (p 18)
27
Alveley Music Club visit to Elgar birthplace museum (p 16)
27
Alveley Ladies’ Guild: Ken Arch on fuchsias, Arden Centre 8pm (p 14)
28
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
28
Evening with Martin Cavender & Alison Morgan, Bridgnorth, 7 for 7.30pm (p 23)
30
Poetry competition closing date for entries (p 13)
May 1 Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
9
Friends of Alveley School Fete 10am-1pm
12
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
13
Alveley W.I. ‘Coal spoil to Country Park’, Bill Watkins, Pavilion 7.45pm (p 17)
26
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
June 5 Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
6
‘Out of The Shadows’, in aid of Alveley First Responders, Alveley Sports Club
9
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
13
Music in St. Mary’s concert, The Sarah Smith Jazz Quartet,7.30pm
20-22
St. Mary’s Flower Festival (p 15)
20
Recreation Association Midsummer Barn Dance Alveley Village Hall 7.30pm
23
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
July 3
Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
7
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
18
Music in St. Mary’s: Alveley Village Band 25th anniversary concert,7.30pm
21
Chapel Crafters, Old Chapel, 10.30-12.30
Aug 1 Alveley Singers 40th year celebration concert, Aveley Village Hall.
7
Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
19
Free organ recital with Andrew Crabtree, St. Mary’s Church,2.30pm
Sept 4 Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
12
St Mary’s Church Auction of promises (p 16)
DIARY CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
4
33
"WHO'S WHO''
A Guide to Club Secretaries or Correspondents.
Age UK Pub lunch Coordinator
Alveley Bellringers
Alveley Bookworms
Alveley Camera Club
Alveley Charities
Alveley Cricket Club
Alveley Day Centre
Alveley Entertainers
Alveley First Responders
Alveley Flower Arranging Classes
Pat Bannister
780 482
Jean Marshall
780 500
Hilary Fleming
780 479
Bill Watkins
780 763
Sue Humphreys
01299 861 241
Richard Twigg
781 639
Pat Bannister
780 482
Pat Moreton
781 415
Martin Hill
780 794
Doreen Thomas
780 886
or Barbara Twigg
780 016
Alveley Historical Society
Pam Stanton
780 637
Alveley Ladies’ Guild
Doreen Thomas
780 886
Alveley Old Chapel
Alison Saad [email protected] 781 277
Alveley Parish Council
Graham Hurry
01562 886 756
Alveley Patient Group
Chris Noble
780 715
Alveley Recreation Assoc. Pavilion Margaret Shaw
780 459
Alveley School
Mrs. J. Cutcliffe
780 284
Alveley Singers
Penny Jenkins
780 660
Alveley Tennis Club
Jan Higgins
780 259
Alveley Village Band
Sue Williams
761 304
Alveley Village Hall
Norma Crabtree
780 478
Alveley Village Hall (Bookings)
Carol Hatfield
780 576
Alveley W. I.
Irene Orford
780 732
Arden Allotments Assoc.
Nikki Cheek
780 277
Chapel Crafters
Angela Lander 780041 & Jenny Sirrell
780369
Community Oil Scheme
Dave Dugmore
780 058
Howard Thompson Bequest
Andrea Hirons
01299 861 234
Quatt Cricket Club
Jim Williamson
07790033662
Quatt Malvern Parish Council Clerk Michael Massey
01562 751 411
Quatt Village Hall Bookings
Jackie Cooley
781 759
St. Mary’s Choir
Brenda York
780 144
St. Mary’s Flowers
Jayne Yarrington 780048 & Hilary Fleming 780 479
St. Mary's P.C.C.
Jean Marshall
780 500
Severn Strollers & Striders
Andrew Crabtree
780 478
Severn Valley Park Ranger
Ed Andrews
781 192
Squirrel Bowling Club
Margaret Pugh
01299 861 340
Sunshine Corner, Parents & Toddlers Alison Armstrong
780 326
Friends of Alveley School
Helen Rodenhurst
07973 678 301
Voluntary Car Scheme Coordinators Ruth Sims 780 469 & Pam Stanton
780 637
Whittall Meadows Trust
Neil Sollom
781 087
IF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION IS OUT OF DATE, PLEASE INFORM THE EDITOR
32
ALVELEY RECREATION ASSOCIATION
The AGM for Alveley Recreation Association is being held in the Pavilion on
Thursday 2nd April at 7.30pm. As the Recreation Ground is owned by the
villagers it would be lovely to see a lot of people attend.
(This item should have appeared in March magazine but was inadvertently
omitted. Apologies therefore for the late notice. Editor).
WHITTALL MEADOWS TRUST
The Trust’s next meeting will take place on the 13th May 2015 when the Trustees
will be pleased to consider requests from village organisations for financial
support. Applications should be made in writing to:
Neil Sollom, Clerk to the Whittall Meadows Trust
56 Bridge Road, Alveley WV15 6JU
Letters should arrive no later than the 6th. May 2015
Applicants should be aware that the Trustees favour grants which support
purchases of specific equipment or services rather than general running expenses and request that applications give full details of your project and its cost.
THE HOWARD THOMPSON BEQUEST
The Howard Thompson Bequest donates funds to local organisations (not individuals) for promoting Christian faith, education and training. The Trustees meet
twice yearly in May and November.
Applications (closing date 6th May 2015) should be made in writing to the
Secretary of the Trustees:
Andrea Hirons, Cypress Cottage, Lowe Lane, Alveley WV15 6HX
Trustees are: James Thompson, Nick Armstrong, Michael York and Brian Kennedy
BE THERE! – OR GO NOWHERE……
or somewhere you don’t want to go.
Yes, it’s vital that we all take our gift of free democracy seriously, and turn out
to vote on 7 May – otherwise our future is decided by those with extreme
positions.
The same is true for the future of St Mary’s and St Andrew’s: if you’re on their
church electoral rolls, you can vote or stand as an officer or PCC member.
Alveley’s APCM includes a Bring & Share lunch: Sunday 19 April from 11.45 a.m.
Quatt’s is on Monday 20 April at 7.30 p.m. Both are in church.
Nick Armstrong (Rector)
5
MY FIRST VISIT TO NEPAL
What a privilege and experience to have at last been to the country and
project that has so affected Nick’s ministry and my son Tim’s heart.
After a couple of days in Kathmandu it was a relief to fly, with the snow topped
peaks as a backdrop, across the country to New Life House. The orphanage
is on the flat ‘Terai’ in Dhangadhi in the far west of Nepal, right on the Indian
border. Pratiraksha and Gyanu welcomed us with flowers at the airport. We
arrived at the orphanage to an even greater welcome from the children. They
all know Nick well, but I was new! They were delighted by my lack of height
and my whiteness! Immediately, before we had had a chance to use the
bathroom, we were called to go and tour the clinic and see the church, and
more importantly visit the neighbours. Nepali hospitality requires you to
drink or eat something, but the hosts watch you enjoying it while talking to
you but not eating or drinking themselves, which I found slightly disconcerting
but humbling in its generosity.
While at the orphanage the children delighted us, entertained us, prayed for
us, played with us and laughed with us. Gyanu is struggling with her health
but the little ones absolutely adore her, they climb on her knee and gather
round her whenever she sits down, and her face lights up when they are near,
despite her overwhelming sadness over her oldest daughter’s and Bill Pryce’s
deaths last year. That is why I really wanted to go this time. Woman to woman
we could cry together, hug and talk together in a way that Nick can’t. It was
sobering to think of him having opened the orphanage 15 years ago, overseen
the 10th anniversary celebrations, and been all through development of the
clinic during his nine visits with lots of different people. He has to represent
the committee and talk finances, plans, maintenance etc.
So much happened in the week we were there. We attended a community
meeting to discuss the clinic. Pratiraksha organised a health camp with a local
doctor for diabetes and hypertension which 173 attended. Nick preached at
the church. We had an impromptu tour of the hospital, which was an eye
opener for me! We went to the Indian border and the town park, replaced
the broken plastic water tanks with a stainless steel one which arrived the
sameday by rickshaw, and watched as it was hauled up onto the roof by a
rope, two delivery guys, the help of the older children and the amusement of
the younger ones and us! I travelled into town on a rickshaw with Pratiraksha,
both dressed in celebration saris. We were visited by other pastors in the
area and continued to be given hospitality by the neighbours including seeing
a 16 year old’s paintings and sketches in his house, and later being given
6
Old Chapel
Bridgnorth IT
Alveley Sports Club
G J Knowles
B & R Motors
31
portraits he had sketched of us. It was a delight to see Pratiksha, Alan and their
precious new baby Gideon (3 weeks old). Pratiksha and Gideon will stay in New
Life house while Alan returns to his army posting. They are hoping to buy or rent
a house in Dhangadhi so that they can help Gyanu and Pratiraksha. There
is so much to reflect on and be thankful for.
New Life House is a very special place, and New Life Clinic has such potential to
affect so many lives. They want us to thank everyone in Alveley for your support.
Please contact Nick or John Raybould if you would like to know more.
Alison Armstrong
Tree care
Lawn cutting
EASTER FLOWERS AT ST. MARY’S
We will be decorating the church with Easter lilies on the morning of Easter
Saturday 4 April from 9.30 am until 12 noon. Everyone is cordially invited to help
with this simple decoration of the church and, if possible, to sponsor a lily at £2
each in remembrance of a loved one or to mark a special occasion. If you would
like to take part in this, please contact Jayne Yarrington (780048) or Hilary
Fleming (780479).
C M R Cookley Motor Repairs
EARLY BIRDS FOR EASTER MORNING!
On Easter morning, Sunday 5 April, Alveley Old Chapel and Garden will be the
place for early risers – to be the first to celebrate The Rising… of Jesus Christ
from the dead, just as the sun rises. And that’s at 6.30 a.m.
After a short outdoor praise, we’ll go inside for some warming breakfast together – all finishing by 8 a.m., Time to get back and wake your household with a nice
cup of tea!
See you there!
Nick Armstrong
Sore Feet
DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS
MISTED UP GLASS
LOCKS, HANDLES, HINGES
DOORS ADJUSTED
Telephone Fred Barnfield
Alveley 01746 781912
Mobile 07971 788489
BETH HOWELLS
ALCM, CT ABRSM
MUSIC TEACHER
Piano, Flute
Theory and Practical
01746 781267
30
7
SEVERN VALLEY COUNTRY PARK
It’s Easter time…but is it too early to talk about Christmas?
Bower Grange
Our rangers and volunteers have been recently preparing a small area of the
park in readiness for a delivery of Christmas trees. At the end of February, the
trees arrived and after a hard day’s work by our Tuesday team, over 100 trees
had been planted in the tree nursery.
The trees are Nordmann Firs, which are considered the ‘King of Christmas
Trees’. They have a lovely deep green foliage topside and a striking blue
underside. The needles are big and soft and are non-drop making them a
favourite choice for the home. Once the trees have matured, we do hope to
put them on sale…..so only 6 years left to wait!
We are always looking for new people to help with the varied work our
volunteers do. The group regularly meets each Tuesday between 9am-3pm.
If you would like more information, please call 01746 781 192.
Our Opening Hours
For the Easter school holidays the visitor centre and teashop will be open
every day from Wednesday 25th March to Sunday 12th April between 11am5pm.
Squirrel
Our Next Events
For more information or to book your place on any of our events, please call
01746 781 192.
Saturday 28th March—Sun. 12th April 11.00am-4.00pm
Self-led Trail—Help Olaf find the Snow Queen!
Follow the clues on the trail map and help Olaf find the Snow Queen and her
friends. The trail will involve a walk of 1 mile along woodland paths and
slopes. Trail maps available from the Visitor Centre daily throughout the
Easter holidays. Maps £2.00 each.
Wednesday 1st April 10am-12 noon & 1.30—3.30pm
Story time at Severn Valley - Olaf and the Snow Queen!
Join our Ranger for an exciting look at Snow Queen story. See if you can spot
Olaf, Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Elsa along the way! This event will involve a
walk of 1 mile along woodland paths and slopes. Come dressed as your
favourite character! Booking essential. £3.50 children, Adults free. Under 8s
must be accompanied by an adult.
8
Garden/Home clearance
Allsorts
29
M J Green
Elite Sweeps
Friday 3rd April 10am-12.00pm & Friday 10th April 10am-12.00pm &
1.30-3.30pm
Geocache Easter Egg Hunt
Working in teams, use the handheld GPS unit to navigate around the park
looking for treasure chests holding special eggs. Places very limited—booking essential. All children must be accompanied by an adult for this event.
Children £3.50, Adults free.
Wednesday 8th April 10am-12 noon & 1.30-3.30pm Spring has sprung!
Come along and celebrate spring in the Severn Valley. Make a grass head
bursting with green ‘hair’ and a spring collage to decorate Ethelfleda’s Well.
Booking essential. Children £3.50, Adults free. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
Language courses
Sue Holland
RDC Electrical
Alveley Village Hall
28
Thursday 9th April 7.30pm-9pm
The Medieval Bowman with Tudor and Medieval Re-enactor Kevin Goodman
Join us for a fascinating look at the weapons and techniques the Medieval
Bowman would use when in battle. Along with (up to 60) medieval arrow
heads, to illustrate his talk Kevin will have crossbows & crossbow quarrels,
a long bow, an early handgonne as well as many other weapons an archer
would use. Booking essential. Adults £4 Children £2. Suitable for ages 10 and
upwards. Ticket price includes a hot drink.
Wednesday 15th April 9.30am—4.00pm
Guided Walk - Kinlet Hall and New England (12.5 miles)
Join our ranger on this longer guided walk. Explore the parish of Kinlet &
Kinlet Hall and its parkland before returning to the Country Park through
New England. Please wear walking boots and bring a packed lunch and
drink. Well behaved dogs welcome. Booking essential.. Adults £3.50 Children £2.
Susie Comaish, Visitor Centre Manager
Severn Valley Country Park. Tel: 01746 781192
9
Bnorth Windows
Nightingales
Tennis
Harris
Causer
Beauty Therapist
cricket
Carpet Cleaning
Foster
Garden Supplies
Karen Simpson
10
27
HiFi repairs
Arbuckle
ALVELEY PATIENT GROUP
AED Volunteer Group.
In the time since the AEDs were installed thirty people have attended
training sessions run by Aimee Yarrington for the Patient Group to learn
how they work. Further training sessions are planned and will be open to
anyone. However, we now need a team of volunteers prepared to help us
get the best out of the AEDs by receiving extra training and being able to
assist in the event of a local emergency. If you would be prepared to be
part of our volunteer scheme please contact Barbara Smart on 780166 or
Aimee Yarrington on 780048.
Selling/renting property
Martin Pearson
Severn Edge
APG 100 Club February Winners
The February Draw was held on 24th February at Alveley Medical Practice
and the winning numbers were drawn by Dr Sylvie Poole.
1st. prize £60 Isley Jakeman - Ball 23
2nd. prize £36 Mr R Tweedie - Ball 46
Membership of the 100 Club is still open, Contact Neil Sollom on 0778 065
0491 for further details
Neil Sollom
VILLAGE TENNIS
With spring on its way, would you like your child to enjoy playing tennis?
Lots of coordination skills can be learnt which can be used in many other
activities.
Alveley Tennis Club has sessions at present on Thursdays for 5 to 11 year
olds from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. and for 10 to 16 year olds from 4.30 p.m.
to 5.30 p.m. The cost is £4 per session.
A brand new session is now available for 3 and 4 year olds which we call
TOTS TENNIS. It is a short session to introduce the very young to tennis fun
on the courts. The session is held on Thursdays from 2.50 p.m. to 3.20 p.m.
And costs £2.50.
Do contact our coach Jack Coton on 07958109986 or Janet Dawes on
01299 861478 for further details.
Janet Dawes
Haycox
26
11
ALVELEY STROLLERS & STRIDERS
Our walkers have many interests and talents and these often crop up in conversation as we walk. For instance one of our walk leaders Barry Drew is keen
on writing poetry and has quite an unusual way with words. As we were out
walking one Tuesday morning he told me about a poem he had written about
our walking groups, and I thought it would be nice to include it in this month’s
article. Here are Barry’s musings on our walks.
I’m a stroller a strider an O.A.P. bus rider
I like a glass of wine but I’m not keen on cider
I walk meadows and valleys by rivers and streams
On Tuesday morning there’s long walks and short walks
In two different teams and away walks to places I’ve never been
There are pub lunches that are fit for a queen
There’s pork pies and sandwiches and cakes filled with jam and cream
There are walk leaders and back stops with walkers in between
Bluebells daffodils snowdrops and wild birds sing
I feel the sun on my face March hares are boxing welcoming in the Spring
What a wonderful day knowing Summer is on the way
How lucky I am to witness all these marvellous things
And walk in God’s garden and watch nature grow
But none of these are as wonderful as friends and people you know.
I think there are many lovely images and thoughts in this poem and I would like
to thank Barry for letting me include it in the magazine this month. For details
of walks in April and throughout the year see the 2015 brochure, or contact
Norma Crabtree on 01746 780478
Masons Oil
McCartneys
Andrew Crabtree
ST. MARY’S PANCAKE MORNING
Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the Pancake Morning
held in the Pavilion and to those who helped either by giving their time or
donating cakes and items for sale.
It was a lovely morning enjoyed by all who attended. We raised a total of
£384.05 towards church funds.
Jenny Sirrell
12
25
5 Star carpets
Regis Roofing
I’m a stroller a strider an O.A.P. bus rider
SAY IT IN RHYME…..OR NOT
POETRY COMPETITION – open to all, including children.
Thank you for all the entries so far. Please keep them coming. I am still
hoping for one from the editor! You may submit as many as you like – a
sonnet or a limerick or a haiku. Each entry £1 and all proceeds to St. Mary’s
Church.
All contributers are invited to supper in the Barn on Thursday May 22nd at
7-30 pm, when the poems will be read and the audience will decide the
winners. Closing date – April 30th.
Andrew and Ruth Sims, Church Farm House.
Cricket Practice
Andrew Stark
ALVELEY W.I.
Castle Blinds
Invites you to a tea and coffee afternoon
to raise funds for ALVELEY FIRST RESPONDERS’
running costs and ALVELEY W.I.
Net proceeds to be split equally.
Wednesday April 1st 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Alveley Pavilion.
There will be light refreshments: tea, coffee, squash, cake.
Raffle. Cake stall. Preserves. Bric-a-brac stall.
Bring and buy stall.
Do join us - we need you to ensure a great success.
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13
MUSIC IN ST. MARY’S
What a wonderful concert we had to start the 2015 series! A full
and appreciative audience enjoyed a lovely evening of singing from the
Bridgnorth Male Voice Choir directed by Beth Howells and accompanied on
the piano by Anne Plant. The choir was joined in each half and complemented
by the beautiful singing of guest soprano Jenni Crawford-Rogers accompanied by myself.
An important feature of our concerts is variety and our second concert is
certainly very different to the first! I have been looking forward to having a
string quartet play in the church since the “Music in Saint Mary’s” concerts
began back in 2010. There is something really special about the sound of a
live string quartet - which is why they are so popular at weddings. The
Coleman Quartet are no strangers to playing for couples on their “special
day”, and they will include some wedding favourites in their programme on
25th April.
Do please come and support this concert if you are able to. Why travel for
miles when we have such high quality music on your doorstep here in the
village.
Tickets are only £7.50 for adults (admission free for under 16s and students)
from Alveley Post Office (or ring me on 780478) and include a glass of wine
during the interval.
Andrew Crabtree
ALVELEY LADIES’ GUILD
27th
The speaker at our April meeting on Monday
April at 8 p.m. at the Arden
Centre will be Ken Arch from Bridgnorth.
Ken is a keen gardener and specialises in growing fuchsias. He gives demonstrations of fuchsias and recently gave a presentation at Alveley School. He is
also an ambassador for Hope House Children’s Hospice for whom he does a
lot of fund raising.
Everyone welcome.
Barbara Twigg
‘I AM THE LORD WHO HEALS YOU’
An evening with
Martin Cavender and Alison Morgan
of ReSource
St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth
Tuesday 28th April 2015 at 7.30 pm
Refreshments will be served from 7pm
With worship, teaching and prayer
Admission free
Martin Cavender is the Director of ReSource. Alison Morgan is
a well known author and speaker. Martin and Alison work, with
other members of the ReSource team, all over the country,
bringing support and encouragement to local churches and
regional groupings.
ReSource is an Anglican charity which works for the renewal of
people and churches for mission in the power of the Holy Spirit:
www.resource-arm.net
Come and find out more about what God is doing among his
people today!
ALLSORTS
GARDEN AND HOME
CLEARANCE
Female handy women service
All aspects of handyman work done
by two females
Painting/decorating
Flat furniture/shelves put up
Garden maintenance
Cleaning/ironing - all household jobs
No job too small
Special rates for the elderly
Call us on 07803533011
Attic clearance
Cluttered shed
Remove rubbish around shed
and garage
Call KEN
07791181782
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23
U.S. VICAR COUNTS THE NUMBER OF WORDS IN THE BIBLE
SPOKEN BY WOMEN
A US vicar, the Revd Lindsay Hardin Freeman, has spent three years analysing and logging every time that a woman speaks in the Bible. Her research
found that 93 women speak in the Bible, but only 49 are named. About
14,000 words are spoken by women in the Bible.
ALVELEY FLOWER FESTIVAL 2015
St. Mary’s Church 20th - 22nd June
Thank you so much to all those who came to the meeting on 1 March, it was
so encouraging to see so many of you there. We are beginning to get excited
by the variety of musical subjects being tackled. The weekend will include
flower arrangements to celebrate music, a display of crafts and teddy bear
tombola by the Old Chapel Crafters, live music as well as refreshments.
Alison Armstrong
Our murder mystery, ‘The Alveley Manor Auction’, based on an idea by Kay
Yendole, will be performed on April 17th and 18th. Lord Parker-Smythe has
passed away, leaving considerable debts and the last of his possessions have
to be auctioned. But could there have been something suspicious about his
death? Tickets will be £10 to include a fish and chip supper and are available
from Una Coombs (780568) and Pat Moreton (781415).
Our A.G.M. this year will be at 7.30 p.m. On Tuesday April 28th at 7.30 p.m.
In Alveley Village Hall. Why not come along and perhaps help to shape our
programme for the coming year?
Pat Moreton
DIARY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
Sept 25
30
Oct 2
Nov 6
14
Dec 4
5
13
Fun Scrabble evening, Alveley Village Hall.
Free organ recital with Bernard Salter, St Mary’s Church 2.30pm
Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
Music in St. Mary’s concert, Charlton Baroque, 7.30pm
Alveley Music Club, Old Chapel 7.30pm
Alveley Christmas Market, Alveley Village Hall
Music in St. Mary’s concert, Village Band & Alveley Singers, 7.00pm
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15
ALVELEY MUSIC CLUB
St Mary's Alveley & St Andrew’s Quatt
The Music Club won’t be meeting at the Chapel this month, but
we do have our visit to Elgar’s Birthplace Museum on Monday
27th April. This is an organised visit, but is open to anyone who
would like to come along. I apologise if I previously gave the impression that it is for Music Club attendees only. Anyone can buy a ticket either
from me (780478) or from Ken Moreton (781415). Tickets are £8.00. The
visit, starting at 2.00pm, will include a talk about Elgar and his music, a short
video, tea/coffee and biscuits and a tour of the house where he was born.
People will make their own way there, but lifts may be arranged. There is
free parking on the site.
The next meeting at the Old Chapel will be on Friday 1st May. The Alveley
Music Club is a friendly, informal group of people who enjoy a glass of wine
while listening to music. No musical knowledge is required and there is no
membership fee, just a £3.00 donation at each meeting. Why not join us
and give it a try? Andrew Crabtree
Services for April
AUCTION OF PROMISES .....SEPTEMBER 12th
Please note this is a change of date from that on the web page, due to a
clash of events.
This will be the sixth auction of promises that we have held since 2000. Your
support throughout has been magnificent and we hope to make this our
best yet. Make a note in your diaries that we are looking for promises by the
end of July so that we can arrange for a catalogue to be available by mid
August.
Your promises can be of goods to sell, things you can make or services you
can provide for sale... you could provide a meal, take someone on a trip to
Dudley (yes, you must bring them back!) or even knit a jumper; so, get
thinking NOW. John Raybould
Alveley Village Hall
is holding it’s Annual General Meeting
on Thursday 16th April at 8.00pm.
followed by cheese and wine
Please come and join us
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Thursday 2
7.30 p.m.
Friday 3
7.30 p.m.
Sunday 5
6.30 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
11.00 a.m.
HOLY WEEK
Maundy Thursday
Celebration of the Lord's Supper including a
simple shared meal around the Lord’s Table.
Good Friday
Quiet by the Cross - a short meditation.
EASTER 1 …The beginning
Sunrise Service in Old Chapel Garden,
followed by breakfast inside! (Alveley)
Family Holy Communion,
with prayer ministry (Alveley)
Holy Communion (Quatt)
Sunday 12
8.00 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
Easter 2
Holy Communion (Alveley)
Family Worship (Alveley)
Sunday 19
10.00 a.m.
Easter 3
Holy Communion & prayer ministry & Sunday
Club(Alveley)
then Annual Meeting (APCM) and
Bring & Share LUNCH in church.
Teatime Praise starting with Tea & Cakes
(Quatt).
Easter 4
Holy Communion (Alveley)
20/20/20 A fresh expression of worship,
starting with breakfast. (Alveley)
11.45 a.m.
4.00 p.m.
Sunday 26
8.00 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
Each Wednesday 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion (Alveley)
Each Mon & Fri
Prayer (Alveley)
9.00 a.m.
Also see our website www.alveleychurch.org thanks to
- click the Events Calendar tab for full listing and details.
21
Pat Bannister
Pat Haw
Jean Marshall
June Davis
Diana Kennedy
Pam Stanton
Jackie Hampson
Carol Wall
John Raybould
Brenda York
David & Jackie
Hampson
Lynn Madden
Margaret & Henry
Childs
_
Dale Chidwick
Barrie Jenkins
_
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - ALL EVENTS TO BE HELD IN THE PAVILION:
John 15.1-8
Acts 8.26-end
Alison Saad
Kirsty Ritzenthaler
Brian Kennedy
3 May
20/20/20
Acts 4.1-12
_
Ralph Dunham
26 April
Luke 24.36b-48
Acts 3.12-19
_
Benoit Ritzenthaler
Andrew Sims
19 April
John 20.19-end
Alison Armstrong
12 April
ALVELEY W I NEWS
1st
Joan Thompson
_
Acts 10.34-43
John 20.1-18
_
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Mrs. Baker, a 67 year old housewife, had always wanted to go ice fishing.
She had read several books on the subject and gathered much information.
Finally, after getting the necessary equipment together, she made her way
out onto the ice. She positioned her comfy stool and started to cut a hole in
the ice. From up above came a frightening, booming voice “There are no fish
under the ice.”
Startled, she moved further down the ice, poured herself a large coffee and
started to cut another hole. Again, from the heavens, the voice bellowed
“There are no fish under the ice.” Mrs. Baker stopped, looked upward and
said “Is that you Lord?” and the voice replied “No, this is the ice rink
manager!”
Ben in the Med.
Jenny Sirrell
Michael York
Peter & Nita
Norcott
Pat Haw
Diana Kennedy
Jackie Hampson
Sarah Ritzenthaler
5 April
Jean Marshall
(& Chalice)
Liz Bullas
Brian Kennedy
Refreshments
Sidesmen
Offertory
Intercessions
2nd Reading
1st Reading
Date
St. Mary’s Church – Service Rota
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CARRY OUT YOUR DUTIES, PLEASE INFORM MICHAEL YORK (780144) OR
BRIAN KENNEDY (01562 750559)
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT ON THE ISLAND OF APHRODITE
April – 2.30pm to 4.30pm COFFEE/TEA AFTERNOON – Net proceeds will
be shared equally between Alveley First Responders and our W.I. Details can
be found on page 13. We hope we can deliver a good sum of money to the
First Responders as they need every penny to assist in running cars and
other costs BUT WE NEED YOU TO HELP US. We hope you will be able to
attend to help us achieve our aims.
8th April - 7.45pm OPEN MEETING for males/females – Wyre Forest Talking Newspapers. Entrance fee £3.50 to include light refreshments and NFWI
raffle ticket . One never knows but you may be the lucky one to win the top
prize or, perhaps, I might be the lucky one!!! What a jolly thought! I will
ponder on the endless ways of spending it!!! The draw will take place some
months hence. If you know someone who will be unlikely to have read this
but may benefit somewhat by attending this meeting, do please mention it
to them and bring them along.
13th May – 7.45 pm - Coal Spoil to Country Park – Speaker Bill Watkins.
This should be a good talk about the former mining activities here in our
village and the creation from scarred landscape to the beautiful Country
Park that we see today.
Christine Richards.
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NEWS FROM ST. ANDREW’S, QUATT
QUATTRO LADIES’ LUNCH
As I write this the tractors are busy on the farm, the birds are singing and
the grass is growing - a sure sign that spring has arrived!
Easter is very much earlier this year and hopefully we will still see many of
you on Easter Sunday at our usual time of 11 a.m.
Our Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting will be held in church on
Monday 20th April at 7.30pm. This meeting is open to all so please come
along and support us.
At this time our service pattern remains the same. Our less formal Tea-time
praise with the lovely voices of our resident music group has become very
popular .Thanks to all of you for sticking with us during the cold weather.
We look forward now to longer and warmer days.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter! Ann Lee
Quattro Ladies Lunch will be held on Thursday April 9th at Quatt Village Hall.
Our speaker will be Mrs. Rachael Orrell of Saltmine Trust for Creative Arts.
Please book your place with June Purchase Tel.781910 or Ruth Sims
Tel.780469.
QUATT VILLAGE HALL NEWS
Whalebone - Saturday 4th April. A Quatt EXCLUSIVE - ONE performance
ONLY! A dazzling performance by Whalebone and their friends and fellow
musicians Kelly McRae and Matt Castelein, visiting from the USA. Not to be
missed, booking essential. Tickets £10. Doors open at 7.00 for 7.30pm start.
Food available. Please bring your own drinks.
Easter Egg Walk - Sunday 12th April. Meet at the hall at 2.00pm. Entry £2
per person. Tea and cakes can be purchased afterwards.
St. George's Day - Saturday 25th April. YES, Quatt Players will be strutting
their stuff again! Details to be confirmed.
Quatt Photography club. The club usually meets first Thursday of every
month. £10 yearly membership and £3 subs each meeting. For further
information and to confirm date of next meeting please contact Mat on
07983 983493
The Quatt Strollers are going to be in action again at the Bridgnorth Walk
in May, this year raising money for an arthritis charity (tbc). Please get in
touch if you're interested in joining our walkers, want to sponsor us or
would like to become a Quatt Marshal at the event.
Further information can be found on our website www.quatt.info
Bookings can be made via the website or calling Jackie on 01746 781759.
The hall is also available for hire; please call Jackie to discuss your requirements. Jackie Cooley
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MAUNDY THURSDAY
Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, falls on April 2nd this year.
Maundy Thursday is famous for two things. The first is one of the final acts
that Jesus did before his death: the washing of his own disciples’ feet. (see
John 13) Jesus washed his disciples’ feet for a purpose: “A new command I
give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another.” His disciples were to love through service, not domination, of one
another. In Latin, the opening phrase of this sentence is ‘mandatum novum
do vobis’, and the word ‘maundy’ is a corruption of the Latin ‘mandatum’ (or
command). The ceremony of the ‘washing of the feet’ of members of the
congregation came to be an important part of the liturgy (regular worship)
of the medieval church, symbolising the humility of the clergy, in obedience
to the example of Christ.
Thursday was also important because it was on that night that Jesus first
introduced the Lord’s Supper, or what we nowadays call Holy Communion.
Jesus and his close friends had met in a secret upper room to share the
Passover meal together - for the last time. There Jesus transformed the
Passover into the Lord’s Supper, saying, ‘this is my body’ and ‘this is my
blood’ as he, the Lamb of God, prepared to die for the sins of the whole
world.
Every year at Easter Her Majesty The Queen presents special 'Maundy
Money' to local pensioners in a UK cathedral or abbey in recognition of the
service of elderly people to their community and their church. This year in
Sheffield The Queen will personally distribute a gift of Maundy Money to
178 individuals over the age of 70. According to ancient tradition, the
number of recipients and the amount of money are directly related to the
Sovereign’s age. Therefore, as Her Majesty is in her 89th year, 89 men and
89 women will receive 89 pence in specially minted Maundy Money, together with a further gift, in two specially made leather purses.
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