Issue 87 Pershore October 2023 - Flip eBook Pages 1-32 (2025)

Interest in wildlife and animal welfare is a regular topic in the media these days. We run our Country watch articles every month which are well read. Regular TV programmes on these subjects are very educational and so well produced. We live on a fabulous planet and need to look after it. This month we have a new contribution ‘Farming‘ by Mike Page which will be touching on some of these environmental issues in the months ahead. We have a full paper again this month with lots of interesting articles. We have been featuring ‘A Shropshire Lad’ in our poetry section for some months. A lovely new book has been produced, which is reviewed and we are offering a prize draw. Good luck! Remember! Clocks go back one hour on 29th October at 2am A free monthly newspaper for Pershore and surrounding villages Pumpkins © Peter Hodge, Worcestershire Issue 87 October 2023 FREE Pershore Times We have certainly moved into Autumn. The daylight is getting shorter, dark mornings and a nip in the air. Summer has gone; sometimes l wonder if it ever really came this year. The environment is in the news so much these days which is a good thing. A greater awareness and care is becoming the norm. Many voluntary clubs and organisations are springing up all over the place, like the Wetlands group here in Pershore. They have done a fantastic job. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9.00am till 4.30pm The ideal place to shop, as all stalls are under the same roof Customers can be assured of friendly, efficient and personal service Business as usual Business as usual Normal opening hours Normal opening hours To receive the Pershore Times by e-mail visit www.pershoretimes.co.uk enter your name and email address Daily online newspaper! 10,500 followers Free daily news items, which we are unable to cover in the monthly publication. www.pershoreonline.co.uk

2 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times October October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the sixth of seven months to have a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC, October retained its name (from Latin and Greek ôctõ meaning "eight") after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the Romans. Pershore Times Collection Points: Hughes & Co - CO-OP store - Tesco Express Acorns - Fruit Salad - Upper Crust Bakery - Pershore Library Riverside Fish Bar - St Richards Hospice Shop Drakes Broughton Village Shop - Eckington Village Shop Elmley Castle, The Queen Elizabeth - Peopleton Village Shop Upton Snodsbury Post Office & Shop Wick Club For the first time ever, Pershore hosted a prostate cancer (PC) PSA testing event at Wychavon Civic Centre. The event was organised by the Kidderminster and Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group (www.kwpcsg.co.uk) in conjunction with the Graham Fulford Trust, who provided the online booking system, the phlebotomists, results to all participants within 48 hours and analytical data. The event, which ran for almost four hours, was free to all men participating, thanks to generous donations from the Pershore PC Support Fund (formerly Mayoral designated charity), the Friends of Pershore Hospital and KWPCSG (the county’s PC support group and one of the largest in the UK with almost 500 members). One of the main features of the event was the gratitude shown by the participants in comments to the volunteers who ran the show and, in some cases, generous donations to the respective funds. The only disappointment was the no-show of fifteen bookedin participants, reducing the number of those tested to 155. Of these the results were as follows: - No fewer than 145 (93.55%) had results in the green zone i.e. they have normal PSA levels and no immediate action is needed. ∑- There were 4 (2.58%) in the amber zone i.e. slightly raised PSA levels where further tests with GPs would be advised. - Six, however, were recorded in the red zone (3.87%). Statistically, one out of three men with raised PSA levels will have cancer. Here GPs will arrange for these men to see a specialist for further tests It is hoped that the Primary Care Network will work together with the charities involved to make this an annual event. If so, this has the potential to offer an important contribution to men’s health and wellbeing in South Worcestershire in the continued absence of a national screening programme. Prostate testing success Gordon Kingston (left, South Worcestershire PCSG chairman) with former Pershore Mayor, Chris Parsons More than 540,000 journeys have been made from Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station in the space of twelve months – exceeding all expectations. Parkway opened in February 2020 and is already performing way ahead of schedule. In total, 544,270 journeys were made from the station between April 2022 and March 2023 – the kind of volume not expected to be achieved for at least another eleven years. A special event to celebrate Worcestershire Parkway, which is run by Great Western Railway (GWR), took place on Friday 8th September). Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier, West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire Beatrice Grant and Lord Faulkner of Worcester, Chair of the North Cotswold Line Task Force were all in attendance as well as Councillor Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcestershire County Council and many others. Parkway passengers exceed all expectations!

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 3 Flying the flag for Merchant Navy Day A special flag is flying proudly above the Civic Centre in Pershore in tribute to the nation’s merchant navy. The Red Ensign was raised by Wychavon’s Chairman Cllr Robert Raphael during a ceremony on Friday 1st September ahead of Merchant Navy Day, which takes place every year on 3rd September. It marks the anniversary of Britain’s entry into the Second World War when the merchant ship SS Athenia was torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, during which 26,000 merchant and 23,000 Royal Navy seafarers lost their lives. The merchant fleets suffered heavy losses during both the First and Second World War. More than 40,000 merchant seafarers were killed during both conflicts, but the bravery they showed was vital to keeping the country fed and supplied to support the war effort. Cllr Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon D.C. raises the Red Ensign. Residents have the chance to win £100 and influence Wychavon’s work by having their say on local services and where they live. The Wychavon Residents’ Survey is open until Sunday, 15th October 2023 and will ask people to give their views on everything from how satisfied they are with council services to how safe people feel in their local area. Residents will also be asked to rank the issues they think are priorities and where Wychavon should be focusing its resources. Feedback will be used to help set Wychavon’s new four-year plan, which sets the priority projects the council will focus on between 2024-28. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. As a thank you for taking part, everyone who completes the survey will have the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win £100 to spend with an independent local business of their choice. To take the survey visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/ consultations Chance to win £100 in Residents’ Survey A sensational mixture of Welsh male voices and songs captivated the hearts of all those lucky enough to hear and see Johns’ Boys perform at Pershore Abbey on Saturday 9th September. The event, organised by Pershore Rotary in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, had to be postponed for several months due to Johns’ Boys appearance on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ show this summer. But it was worth the wait because a packed-out Abbey cheered, clapped and gave the choir a standing ovation at the end of a memorable evening of songs from the opera, some traditional Welsh songs and a variety from musicals and films. Members of the choir sang solo pieces, a solo saxophone played, and we were entertained to a brilliant comedy version of ‘What shall we do with a drunken sailor?’. Speaking on behalf of everyone, Pershore Rotary President, Lucy Thornton, thanked conductor, Aled Phillips, accompanist Glian Llwyd and all 30 plus members of Johns’ Boys for a wonderful evening. She warmly thanked the Abbey staff for their support, Mark Hamer representing the Alzheimer’s Society for his contribution and especially all those local businesses that had sponsored the concert. Aled Phillips later said, “Thank you very much for having us and thank you for making us feel so at home at Pershore Abbey! I hope we’ll be invited to perform again at Pershore Abbey in the very near future!!”. Many of us will remember the night in 2023 when Johns’ Boys played Pershore Abbey. We were there and what a spectacular night it was! Come back again soon Boys. Thanks to the generosity of the audience through ticket sales and a collection in the Abbey, Pershore Rotary will be able to make a substantial donation to the Alzheimer’s Society’s research programme. Whether you support your own community or overseas, Pershore Rotary is here to help. If you can help us and want to know more, follow us on Facebook or check out our website at www.pershorerotary.club Rotary News South Worcestershire Archaeological Group SWAG is a group formed in 1981 to study landscape archaeology and has a programme of lectures, walks and fieldwork. We have now completed our summer walks which included a couple of walks exploring the history and development of Stourport dock followed by a guided tour of Gloucester docks and the link to the River Severn and an explanation of the reason for the development and the necessity for the building of the Sharpness canal. A very social afternoon with a walk on the Old Hills and a light hearted quiz was enjoyed by members who entered into the Coronation spirit. Our winter programme of talks: Saturday October 14th - with a talk by Dr Bob Ruffle on what tne Romans did for Malvern. Saturday November 4th - Stan Brotherton will talk on the archaeological history of Evesham. Both talks are held at Callow End Village Hall 1.30 for 2.00pm start. Saturday December 9th - Our Christmas social lunch and afternoon at the same venue where members are encouraged to bring any artifacts or photographs, which are often of much interest to all. A buffet lunch is provided by our superb caterers. (Cost to be advised). In the New Year we have a series of talks and walks which will be publicised nearer the time. We are always pleased to welcome new members either as a one off or to join us in our many activities. For more information, please contact Mike Ellison on 07738 995825 or email: [emailprotected] or [emailprotected] Follow us on Facebook South Worcestershire Archaeological Group.

4 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times k c Carpets Ltd Quality Carpets start here! • Choose at home or visit our showroom • Experienced advice • Modern and traditional floor coverings • Old fashioned personal service • Surprisingly competitive prices Start with a ‘no obligation’ quotation and finish with a beautifully carpeted home. 6 High Street, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 1BG Tel: 01386 552152 Need help with your computer or tablet? We help everyone, especially senior ones, to use their devices effectively. We offer to set‐up, speed up or fix any problems with your new or old devices, cheaper than retailers. We also: ‐ Build or update websites for business or personal use. ‐ Create 360º Virtual tours/walkthroughes. Are you interested? 01386 860470 / 07899 743854 [emailprotected] antonionardini.com

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 5 £200 Million NHS Winter Pressures Boost Harriett Baldwin MP has welcomed a £200 million boost to help the NHS deal with extra winter pressures. Health services face heightened demand in the winter months and the Government this week confirmed that extra funding is being made available to help the NHS to be more resilient. Locally, health chiefs have already been investing millions of pounds improving the local hospitals and adding extra capacity. This winter, the Worcestershire Royal Hospital is expected to open its £22 million new Emergency Department, which will also free up extra space to improve services. In previous years, the management team has used the winter pressures cash to improve admittance and discharge areas to improve the experience for patients. Harriett welcomed the news and added: “Our local NHS has been planning for this winter now for many years with significant investment already allocated to the impressive new Emergency Department. Over the years, we have seen the hospital get a new oncology department, a specialist breast centre and extra bed capacity. It is my hope that these capital investments will lead to a better experience for patients. I’m still encouraging people to get their flu and Covid jabs if asked. Both measures can themselves help to take the pressure off the NHS and I am looking forward to meeting with the new hospital chief executive, Glen Burley, to get more detail on his plans for improving our local hospitals further.” A few words from… Harriett Baldwin MP Harriett Baldwin MP has offered her support to the team which will be opening a new banking hub in Pershore when Lloyds closes its branch. Harriett met with Link – which runs the national cashpoint network and now has the responsibility to support communities which have been left without any high street bank. A senior director has already visited the town confirm that there is a clear need for a banking hub and has triggered the start of the process of locating a venue for the new service. Following the meeting, the MP wrote to Lloyds Bank, the Financial Conduct Authority and Cash Access – the company which is opening the hub – to ensure that the work is carried out at pace. Harriett has asked for a formal confirmation from Lloyds that it will not leave the town until the permanent replacement plan is operational and she has offered her support to Link and Cash Access to get a plan in place as quickly as possible. Harriett said: “I had a positive meeting with Link and was pleased to hear that the team has already visited Pershore and seen the importance of delivering face to face banking to this vibrant town’s residents and business people. I recently met with the Lloyds and TSB local management, and, in the room, they committed to keeping the bank open until the new banking hub is operational. To reinforce this pledge, I have also written to the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group for his commitment, which I understand is a requirement if every high street bank leaves an area. In other areas, the banking hub has taken a long time to get in place, so I have offered my full support to the team which is identifying a site and getting a hub up and running.” Link’s Chief Commercial Officer, Adrian Roberts, added: “I have now visited Pershore and agree that, with Lloyds Bank closing, the beautiful market town needs a banking hub.” Banking hub progress Daily online newspaper! 10,500 followers Free daily news items, which we are unable to cover in the monthly publication. www.pershoreonline.co.uk On Wednesday 20th September, the members of Pershore Flower Club were delighted to welcome Christine Barnes in person to Bishampton Villages Hall – she had given us a zoom demonstration during Covid. She is a florist living in Emley Castle operating from her garage! She called her demonstration “Tablescaping” as opposed to landscaping! She began by telling us about her work as a florist for weddings, especially for Asian ones. She apologised that she would be using floral foam. For use as a table decoration, she used a bricklike box with a container inside holding the foam, into which she inserted sprigs of seeded eucalyptus plus short stems of white zinnias and white statis. She nestled some baby boo pumpkins into the design. Next to suspend from the ceiling over the table, she had formed a cage of chicken wire into which she added many stems of ruscus which had been dyed white plus many stems of fluffy gypsophilia. For the third design, Christine produced a ring of floral foam with a clear glass jar containing a white candle inserted into the centre. Round the edge she used sprigs of ivy and skimmia and then stems of a pretty grass and deep coral pompom dahlias, pink cosmos and finally stems of dried billy button flowers and bunny tails. Next Christine produced a tube of plastic coated chicken wire extending to about four feet with floral foam at one end. She inserted stems of ruscus into the foam to lie along the tube with sprigs of soft pink statis. She added stems of dahlias in varying shades of red and then pink spray roses plus some pink achillea thus forming a beautiful floral cascade which she said would look very dramatic on the top table. Lastly a frame holding different sizes of glass jars, the smallest ones containing tealights. She formed small bunches of flowers – of dahlias, roses, gypsophilia, butterflylike ranunculus – bound together with floral tape and these were placed into the larger jars. This frame plus the jars were very popular as Christine had brought many for members to purchase! Our next Club evening will be on Wednesday 18th October and then we have our annual Open Meeting on Thursday 16th November at Number 8 in Pershore. Tickets available from Jenny Masser on 07704 722433 Flower Club News

6 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Steve & Sarah on 07389 180862 ONL £12.95 ONLY £12.95 CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS Celebrate the festive season with one of our ever popular party nights. Indulge in a delicious festive 4-course sit down meal and dance the night away to the sounds of our DJ. Dates available throughout December £45 per person | Booking essential FESTIVE LUNCHES Are you looking to organise a Christmas get together for your friends, family, local club or group? Our Christmas Lunches are available for bookings of 10 or more, with free ample parking, stunning wintery views and a delicious 4-course menu on offer. It’s the perfect choice for this years Christmas celebration 4-Courses £24.95 per person | Booking essential FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA What betterway to embrace the holiday season than by indulging in a selection of delicious, dainty sandwiches, scones, cakes and sweet treats with a festive twist! The ideal preChristmas catch up with friend or loved one. £15.95 per person or enjoy with Prosecco for £20.95 per person Available throughout December | Booking essential WWW.THEVALEGOLF.CO.UK | [emailprotected] | 01386 462781

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 7 King’s honoured to be finalists in school awards King’s Worcester’s outstanding co-educational provision has been recognised for the second year running in the prestigious Independent School Awards. The School has reached the final of the Independent School of the Year Awards 2023, which showcase the very best of independent school education. The highly regarded annual awards, which received over 1000 entries from UK independent schools, celebrate the extraordinary student experiences provided over the last year. All three of the King’s Schools, King’s Worcester and King’s Hawford and King’s St Alban’s Prep Schools, were shortlisted back in July for a total of four awards, and we were thrilled to hear this week that King’s Worcester has been named as finalists for the second year running in the Co-education Independent School of the Year categories. King’s sits alongside some of the most highly regarded leading independent boarding schools including Brighton College, Charterhouse and Royal Hospital School, and are the only day school to appear in the final. The finalist news is another fantastic achievement for King’s Worcester, alongside the recognition for a second year in The Sunday Times Top 10 West Midlands Independent Secondary School league. Gareth Doodes, Headmaster at King’s Worcester, said, “This is outstanding news for the start of our new academic year. We were over the moon earlier in the summer to hear that all three schools had been shortlisted in many categories, so this news that our Senior School, King’s Worcester is in the final is truly thrilling. “It is a great tribute to our ethos of inclusion and empowerment that our schools, staff and pupils have been recognized at a national level for our impressive co-educational provision. We are honoured that our inspiring and well-rounded provision has brought us to the final selection.” The winners of the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony in October. You can view the full list of finalists on the Independent Schools of the Year website. https://independentschoolsofthe year.telegraph.co.uk/finalists2023/ Why have one birthday party, when you can have two? This month, we celebrated the anniversaries of two of our craft and chat groups, with cakes and balloons and of course some art and craft! Pershore Craft and Chat was born out of the idea that no one needs to be an expert ‘art and crafter’ but that most people benefit from getting together with like-minded individuals over a cuppa and a simple activity. We seem to have blinked and our Monday afternoon group is now two years old and our Monday evening group, a year! Over the past year our groups have, amongst other things, decorated and lined wooden boxes, tried simple macrame, had a go at lino printing and painted using acrylics and watercolours. We have also invited local artists to lead sessions, such as glass fusion with Vicky from Kingcot Gallery in Flyford and gouache resist artist Bec Judge, and we have visited Worcester Porcelain Museum for a paint your own pottery workshop. Our greatest success has been to give our attendees a friendly, safe, supportive community where we chat and laugh and share successes (and some failures!) along the way. When you have time on your hands because you have retired or no longer have caring responsibilities; when you work from home and see few people in the day; when you work and have child care and desire a little bit of ‘me’ time; our groups can provide the motivation and the community that is so important to us all. We love our art and craft but what is much more important is how it makes us feel. Being absorbed in a craft, trying something out of your comfort zone or simply joining with others for a chat, is at the centre of our motivation for leading these groups. We have spaces in our ‘Bring your own craft’ group on a Wednesday afternoon and we are considering starting another group, where we would lead a simple drawing or painting activity. If you are interested in joining us, please do get in touch via a text or phone call (to Rachel) on 07891 866179 or via email: [emailprotected] As we are a completely voluntarily run group which makes no profit, we welcome any donations of refreshments or art materials. Do get in touch! Craft and Chat Birthday!

8 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Without an LPA (A lasting power of attorney) it becomes chaos and a significant burden on your closest family or friends We as a family have first hand experience of the issues that can prevail. Why?. Banks are frightened of their own shadow and when you phone you frequently find yourself speaking to a person in another country who is not fluent in the English language which can create misunderstanding for both individuals, that is after you have spoken to a machine asking questions The same goes for doctors and hospitals. There are two types of LPA health and welfare and property and finance. The LPA covers decisions about your financial affairs, or your health and care. It comes into effect if you lose mental capacity, or if you no longer want to make decisions for yourself. You get to choose who looks after your situation. Without an LPA, life can become stressful and expensive. A question is asked “ I am in my 30’s I don’t have dementia.” Yes, but what happens if you have a car accident are hit on the head with a cricket ball, playing rugby or football, or fall off a ladder, trip over and bang your head in a bad way or fall off a bike. These accident examples are not exhaustive so it is not just dementia it is anything that could make you lose capacity. What happens if a loved one loses capacity….disaster then you have to deal with the Court of Protection. Try phoning them ? The phone is never answered, they are shambolic and the legal decisions are at times to say the least BAD. The LPA forms are badly designed, hence you need an experienced person to deal with them. A word of caution, some lawyers fees are a rip off. Each LPA should not be more than £200. Another word of caution. A firm of solicitors charged £1600 for two wills after suggesting it would be a lot less, looking at the will at most it should have been £175 each. There is another trick that banks and solicitors try to do, is to write into the will that their firm or bank undertake the Probate, another rip off. The executors should decide at the time. Also remember that an LPA is for when you are alive and ceases at your death. LPA’s are the best insurance that you can have and let’s hope that you never need it. Advertisment Why do I need; Lasting Power of Attorney? Resolve Law Group is a team of experienced legal advisers who combine flexibility and dedication to provide a value for money approach to helping our clients with both personal and business matters. As an unregulated law firm we’ve shed all the unnecessary costs that make helping people so expensive. There’s no receptionist, pre-recorded voice messages, or bookcases just for show here; we offer a very personal approach that’s always honest, friendly and simple without compromising on expertise. 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Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 9 Pershore Town Council is pleased to announce the launch of their interactive mapping tool for Pershore Cemetery. The Town Council appointed Atlantic Geomatics to create a new, accurate and up-to-date map of Pershore Cemetery including photographs of memorials and headstones together with images and indexes of associated records. This is a free, secure and easyto-use, web-based map system which holds and protects burial records. Simple tools enable members of the public to search for family records in an instant without tracing historic written records. Councillor Julie Hemming, chair of the council's Cemetery Committee, says "The mammoth task of recording each interment and all the details from the records was completed by volunteers and staff from the Town Council and associates over many years." Town Clerk, Mrs Charlie MacIntyre, says “I am so pleased that this has now been launched. We have received many comments from members of the public regarding the simplicity and their delight at being able to trace family members. It’s really helping to administer the Cemetery records in the office too.” This interactive mapping system dates back to the first burial in Pershore Cemetery, taking place in November 1875. It shows 4,327 memorials, including 1,771 unmarked grave locations. The system has recorded over 10,000 burials in over 5,200 graves. To find a grave of a loved one, or to begin tracing your family history, please visit: https://pershore.burialgrounds. co.uk/mapmanagement/#/ There is a very helpful User Guide on the site, which will enable the user to fully explore the system. Click on “Help” to find the guide. Mrs Charlie MacIntyre Town Clerk Pershore Town Council - Cemetery burial records When I’m 64 - Pershore Civic Society - A retrospective John Alexander As a native of Pershore having lived here more than 70 years, I have always thought that’s its inhabitants have always been proud of their town and not taken it for granted. It is this that encouraged its residents of Bridge Street and Broad Street to improve its medieval streets with fashionable Georgian fronted houses. As part of this process of civic pride and wish to pass its beauty and environment to future generations, it is unsurprising to find that it was one of the first towns in the country to form its own civic society in 1959, of which I have been a member now for more than 50 years. The Society fulfils an important and effective speaking voice to its inhabitants, its shape and future, in the face of increasingly intrusive and often short term central and local government influences. Pershore Civic Society came into being on 12th November 1959. The inaugural meeting was attended by 43 people. It is not clear from the minutes where the meeting was held. To put the date in context, the first motorway had just been opened in the form of 8 1/4 miles of the Preston by-pass, later to become the M1. We have something to go on as to what Pershore looked like then in the form of an edition of Country Life dated 17th November 1960 in which Pershore featured prominently - viz: What were the issues for the first meeting which possibly led to its formation? There was no major issue but other than the election of a chairman, joint secretaries and treasurer , the main items for discussion were virtually identical to those discussed now: - Unsightly traffic signs and street furniture - The need to control the colour of front doors and paintwork (striped blinds in particular were mentioned ) - The need to record the interior of properties for future reference - To open gardens once a year especially during the time of the Festival in the summer The overall theme was for the residents to have some form of control over planning in the Town and the need to co-operate together for the public good. The impetus of that first meeting has never been allowed to dwindle this was largely due to the indefatigable efforts of its chairman for the first fifteen years years , Mercy Palmer . Diminutive in stature but like a lion she wrote endless letters to all and sundry including the highest in the land as well as letters and reminders to members and the committee. Lord Esher who was at the time President of the Royal Institution of British Architects and who she cajoled into being our President wrote about Bridge Street that it was: …not only one of the most beautiful Georgian entrances to a small country town in existence; but also perhaps the only one left almost entirely intact .. Pershore Civic Society continues to flourish and anyone can join and be part of its make – up for a very modest subscription. Don’t just sit back and admire the Town from a distance, join the Civic Society and help do something about it. Our membership secretary is Mrs D Rowley, Manor Farm, Pensham who will be pleased to let you have a membership application or call in at the Town Hall.

10 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Oct ctober Event ts at commun nity run OF VISIT Oct T WINNER TE ctober Event TheQueen OF VISIT WORCES OF THE YE ts at commun n Elizabet TERSHIRE PUB 23! nity run th Inn OF THE YEAR 2022/ 23! Who kn ,ĞƌĞ͛Ɛ Ă ƐŵĂůů ƚĂƐƚĞ ŽĨ o knew that a rural comm Ĩ ǁŚĂƚ ŝƐ ŐŽŝŶŐ ŽŶ ŝŶ K ommunity pub could be s ĐƚŽďĞƌ ͊͊ e so exciting !! Booking ad Open baps, advisable via www.elmle tĞ͛ƌĞ ĞdžĐŝƚĞĚ ƚŽ ǁĞůĐŽŵĞ Open Tuesdays-Sundays 09:30- s, a wide range of delicious cake cream teas, and great te .elmleycastle.com or by calling LJŽƵ ƚŽ ĞƐƐŝĞ͛Ɛ ƌĞĂŬĨĂƐƚ Θ 17:00, serving full breakfasts cakes, teacakes, scones, and tea and coffee. Eat in or take alling 01386 710251 Θ dĞĂƌŽŽŵ breakfasts and breakfast d crumpets, plus takeaway We are a multip Ă ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ ͚Ś All inf iple award winning, dog friendl ŚĞĂƌƚ͛ ĨŽƌ ffiůŵůĞLJ ĂƐƚůĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚ for visitors & tourists formation correct at tim dly, community-run, 16th Cent ŚĞ ƐƵƌƌŽƵŶĚŝŶŐ ǀŝůůĂŐĞƐ͕ ĂŶĚ Ă alike. Thank you for your sup time of printing, but please ch ntury Inn. We aim to provide ĨƌŝĞŶĚůLJ ĚĞƐƚŝŶĂƚŝŽŶ ǀĞŶƵĞ upport lease check for latest infor ormation at www.elmle The Qu Main Street 01386 qe@q www.elm eycastle.com or call us on Queen Elizabeth Inn Street, Elmley Castle WR10 3 6 710251 ueenelizabethinn.co.uk w.elmleycastle.com s on 01386 710251 3HS

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 11 Regular readers of this paper will be aware of the serialisation of A E Housman’s poetic saga ‘A Shropshire Lad’ over the past year. The enduring appeal of this lyrical English poem, first published in 1896, lies in its exploration of the universal themes of loss, nostalgia and love. Although composed over 100 years, ago it remains a work of relevance for today. The A E Housman Society champions this poet, born in Bromsgrove in 1859, and photographer John Hayward, who is originally from Shropshire, also pays homage to his work with a magnificently illustrated edition of this epic poem. This is the first photographically illustrated edition of ‘The Shropshire Lad’, timed to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the A E Housman Society, recently launched by the BBC television presenter, Nick Owen. Photographer John Hayward follows the different locations mentioned in the poem with stunning, full-colour plates. When the original edition was published in 1896 it is said that travellers to Shropshire ignored conventional guide books and simply followed their journey via the place names in housman’s poem. We may well see this kind of thing also occurring today. Hayward’s photo journey plus the poem’s stanzas are inspirational. This new edition not only contains the richly illustrated poem but also a succinct forward detailing the poet’s life and commenting on the influence of his work on society at the turn of the last century. This forward provides a useful, factual context and helps engender understanding between reader and poet. The forward also identifies some intriguing examples of poetic licence. For example; Hayward identifies several geographical or topographical inaccuracies; one being that Bredon Hill exists in Shropshire and that Hughley Church has a short tower and no steeple. But this is poetic licence and simply adds to the fascination of the saga. Author: John Hayward Published by: Merlin Unwin Books, Ludlow, Shropshire This beautifully produced book, priced at £20, (Postage £5) is available from: Hughes & Co 8 Church Street, Pershore Book Review Richard Catford War Memorials in St Thomas’s Church, Moor There is an unpretentious stained glass window in the south wall of St Thomas’s Church, Moor, which tells the story of a Second World War casualty and his family. This single-light war memorial window encapsulates the lives of the Payne family of Lower Moor. The window is composed of diamond quarries with a large clear diamond quarry in the lower half containing an inscription with a single engraved poppy. The poppy was originally red but the colour was not fired correctly and it is now white. The window is a memorial to Guardsman James Wilfred Payne and his parents James William and Florence Payne. The inscription reads ‘IN LOVING MEMORY of Gdns James W Payne 1923-1944, James William Payne 1889- 1976, Florence E Payne 1894- 1981’. The window is the work of Maria Teresa King of Malvern. It was given by Rose Petchey and Gwyneth Thomas in remembrance of their brother and their parents. James Wilfred Payne, Guardsman 2665854, served with the 3rd Battalion the Coldstream Guards in Italy in the Second World War. Allied forces invaded the Italian mainland from North Africa in September 1943. They progressed northwards taking Rome in June and Florence in August 1944. James Payne died in action near Florence on 15 th September 1944, aged 21 years. He is buried in Florence War Cemetery, which is located some three miles east of the city. The cemetery, one of the many in Europe maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, contains a total of 1616 graves of service personnel. James Payne is also remembered, together with Ronald Flyer, on a brass plaque on the north wall of the nave at St Thomas’s Church. This plaque was placed beneath a First World War memorial to eight named men who ‘Gave their lives for liberty and justice’ and thirtysix others who served in the same conflict. James Payne’s father, James William, who served in France in the First World War is named among those who returned home to Lower Moor after the War. The names of both father and son are also recorded on Fladbury War Memorial near to Fladbury Church (the mother church of St Thomas’s Church). The memorial has the names of those who died and those who served and returned home from the First World War. The names of the men who did not return from the Second World War, including James Wilfred Payne, were later added to the memorial. The simple memorial in stained glass at St Thomas’s Church conceals the story of the consequences of twentieth century conflicts on the lives of the Payne family of Lower Moor. We remember those who served in conflicts, and those who are still serving our country, on 11th November every year. ‘On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month we will remember them.’ Roy Albutt We will remember them The Housman Quiz Win a free copy of John Hayward’s the Shropshire Lad. 1. Where and in what year was A E Housman born? …………………………………………………………………… 2. What do the initials A E stand for? …………………………………………………………………… 3. In 1996, on the centenary of the publication of The Shropshire Lad, a national memorial was erected. Where is this memorial? …………………………………………………………………… Complete and return this form or email: [emailprotected] for your chance to win! Pershore Times closing date: 29th October 2023 Name: Telephone/email: Return to: Hughes & Company/Pershore Times 8 Church Street, Pershore Worcestershire WR10 1DT Enter the quiz below for a chance to win!

12 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Evesham 1 Port Street Independent Estate Agents 01386 556506 Barley Mews, Pershore Asking Price £260,000 **Three Bedroom end of terrace property** Located within close proximity to town centre with amenities. Easy access to Pershore train station, Worcester Parkways and excellent links to the motorway. Tenure: Freehold EPC: B Council Tax Band: C Nightingale Lodge, Defford Road, Pershore Asking Price: 235,000 **South Facing, Second Floor, One Bedroom Apartment with views to Bredon Hill** Includes communal sitting room and gardens. Within close proximity to town centre, with a bus stop immediately outside. NO CHAIN. Tenure Leasehold EPC: B Council Tax Band: C www.nigelpooleestateagents.co.uk Dowling Drive, Pershore Asking Price: £235,000 **Two Bedroom end terrace in a popular residential location close to Town Centre** Entrance hall, lounge, kitchen with utility area, two bedrooms - master with en-suite, family bathroom. Gardens to the front and rear. Allocated parking. Tenure: Freehold EPC: B Council Tax Band: B Fulbert Road, Pershore Asking Price: £265,000 **An Extended Family Home set in a corner plot with off road parking** Located on the popular Abbey Estate Tenure Freehold, EPC: TBC Council Tax Band: C Pershore 23 High Street 01386 556506 Mill Lane, Drakes Broughton Asking Price: £650,000 *Detached Two Bedroom Bungalow with views to surrounding Countryside* There is an outbuilding/workshop and storage sheds. Garage, carport and drive providing parking for several vehicles Tenure Freehold EPC: E Council Tax Band: D Field Barn Lane, Cropthorne Asking Price: £300,000 **Three Bedroom Terrace House with open views to the Countryside** Entrance hall, kitchen, utility, living/dining room with sliding doors to rear garden. First floor bedrooms and bathroom. En-bloc garage and parking. Tenure: Freehold EPC: D Council Tax Band: C

Pershore Times - September 2023 - Issue 86 13 The new chairman of Vale Harmony The A Cappella Fellas has made his first priority to increase the size of the chorus by 50%. Chris Dobbins was elected chair of the Pershorebased mens chorus at its AGM this month. He takes over as the chorus is struggling to survive with only thirteen regular singers. “We sing in four part harmony and we need to strengthen each of our four sections: bass, baritone, leads and tenors,” says Chris. “We’re just about to welcome a new tenor but we have to find more men in each section so that we can continue to perform well and raise money for charities” he added. Chris, who was born and bred in Pershore and still lives in the town, has sung with the chorus for 40 years. He guarantees any newcomer a warm welcome: “Whether you work in an office or factory or hospital or wherever, if you find yourself singing a tune to yourself then come and give us a try, singing with other guys making a beautiful sound.” The chorus rehearses every Wednesday evening at the St Andrews Centre in Pershore. For more information visit: www.valeharmony.co.uk and on Facebook or call PRO Colin Pemberton on 07766 524833 New Chairman pledges to recruit more singers Pershore Plum Festival is delighted to announce that they have been nominated as a “Finalist” in the Festival and Event category of the 2023/24 Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards. This is truly a great honour and testament to the hard work of the voluntary committee who work tirelessly every year to put Pershore on the map. Did you enjoy this years Festival? Do you think it deserves to win? If so – PLEASE vote for us through the link below: https://forms.office.com/ e/XXnr8SGBJb or use QR code Voting is open and will close on Monday 30th October – so plenty of time to get the word out to everyone that attended and enjoyed this year’s Silver Jubilee Festival. Please make sure you follow the Plum Festival on social media, tell your friends and family this wonderful news, get them to share the posts and LETS DO THIS for Pershore and the plums! Plumtastic Breaking News! Tim Hickson and I go back a long way as he taught me Physics at school. I was very interested to read his series of articles in Pershore Times on RAF Defford a little while back, as that brought back other memories. I contacted Tim to let him know that I too had a close association with the ’Drome, because both my grandfather and father had been tenants on the Croome Estate with farmland almost adjacent to Croome Court and the RAF buildings now housing the RAF Defford Museum. Talking to him one day I joked that I might become the agricultural correspondent for the Pershore Times, and he took this idea up with Alan Hughes, the Editor, who agreed. Farming is undergoing changes at the present time. With a high population and a relatively limited area of ‘good’ agricultural land, it became very obvious in both World War I and, especially, World War II, with food importation becoming difficult because of the U-boat menace, basic food production within the UK had to be a priority. That came about during WWI and by direct Goverment control of farming, through the setting up of County War Agricultural Executive Committees still known to some as the WarAg.. This was phased out gradually after the end of WWII, to be replaced by direct financial support in the form of grants and subsidies. Protecting the environment fell a very poor third to the aims of maximising output and of efficiency of production. That approach was to continue within the Common Market/EU as rural life (and agriculture especially) were in most European countries a far more important element of their society, in comparison with the more urbanised and industrialised Britain. However, by the early 2000s farming in the UK was starting to change in favour of practices that would have less detrimental climate and environmental impact. After leaving the EU, the financial support given to agriculture remained more or less at the same level but what was of increasing interest was use of the land giving better preservation of the environment and climate. However finding a balance between supporting food production and protecting the environment was never going to be easy. Providing financial incentives for removing hedges, removing trees, filling in ditches and pools, improving land drainage and water flow had caused wildlife densities in some areas to reduce dramatically and populations of many species to have decreased markedly. It would be easy for environmental considerations to be given top priority, with overall food production going down considerably but then the UK, even now, does not produce enough food, without imports, to feed itself. Also we would be yet more affected by conflicts such as that happening in Ukraine, with that country being one of the World’s larger exporters of both food and feed grains. However, if food production is given priority the environmental downturns, with effects including climate change, will not be reversed. Piggies-in-the-middle of all this are farmers. They have to be able to make a living from the land and to be able to generate enough income to invest in their farm. At present these matters are the subject of continuing, strong debate and it is important we get it right. Farming Mike Page The picture shows an example of ‘fallow crops’, grown as strips along field boundaries and planted with a wide variety of plant species to supply a wide range of habitat, protection and food for a wide range of land animal, insect and bird life.

14 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Autumn stock arriving now! Final reductions on Summer clothes 19 BROAD STREET PERSHORE Made-to-Measure Curtains & Blinds 61 High Street, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 1EU T: 01386 556 411 M: 07866 765686 GILES INTERIORS tulaso ing tinlphe tainur curl of olA ur homeoe y s in the w ve ars aindlnd bs atain p the heeeo knd tr aetins in the w y or worvith ile wblaaiv ut in the st oap the he umme gsininut lokclae bhity or w rumme ,gs Simon Coldbreath Home Improvements Repairs & Maintenance Painting & Decorating | Garden Maintenance 07933 632719 | [emailprotected] www.coldbreathhomeimprovements.com On Saturday 11th November, the WPO conducted by Joe Davies, presents a programme befitting Remembrance Day. The concert opens with A Shropshire Lad by George Butterworth. This piece was inspired by the war poems of A.E Housman. Butterworth was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme soon after being awarded the Military Cross. The concert ends with Vaughan Williams 5th Symphony, composed during WWII. It has been highly regarded and much loved since its first performance in 1943. Also represented on the programme is Gordon Jacob, who was taken prisoner in 1917, and began composing for his fellow prisoners after finding a book on harmony in the prison library! Our brilliant young soloist, Emily Hicks, will play Gordon Jacob’s Flute Concerto. She graduated in 2021with firstclass honours from her bachelor of music degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Emily is continuing her studies in flute and piccolo for a Master of Music degree. Most recently, Emily won the Ambache Prize for the Performance of Music by Women Composers (2023) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Woodwind Prize (2021). She was a finalist for the Sylvia Clever Prize, Ravel Introduction and Allegro (2022), Doris Newton Prize and Rollason Music Award (2022) and the Leamington Music Prize (2022) The concert starts at 2.30 in Pershore Abbey. Tickets £15 (free for accompanied under 16s) online at ticketsource.co.uk, Tourist Offices in Worcester, Malvern and Pershore*. Further details on our website. *cash or cheque only Armistice concert : : W &ůƵƚĞ ffiŵŝ ŽŶĚƵĐƚŽƌ Ğ ^ŽůŽŝƐƚ ůLJ ,ŝĐŬƐ :ŽĞ ĂǀŝĞƐ ^ĂƚƵƌ ƌĚ ŽŶĚƵĐƚŽƌ >ĞĂĚĞƌ 'ƌĂŚĂ :ŽĞ ĂǀŝĞƐ Ăŵ >ŽŶŐĮůƐ WĞƌƐŚŽ tZϭϬ ϭ Žƌ > ƵƩĞƌǁŽ - ^ŚƌŽƉ ZĂǀĞů ŽƌƚŚ ƉƐŚ - WĂǀĂŶĞ 'ŽƌĚŽŶ : - &ůƵƚĞ Ž sĂƵŐŚĂŶ ƉŽ ĂĐŽ ŽŶĐ t sĂƵŐŚĂŶ - ^LJŵƉŚŽ t ŽŶLJ dŽ K dŝĐŬĞƚƐ άϭϱ ;ƵŶ dŽƵƌŝƐƚ KĸĐĞƐ ŝŶ t dŝĐŬĞƚ ^Ğ KŶůŝŶĞ Ăƚ ǁǁǁ͘ƟĐ ΎĂƐŚ ŽŶůLJ͘ Z ŶĚĞƌ ϭϲƐ ĨƌĞĞͿ ĂǀĂ tŽƌĐĞƐƚĞƌ͕ WĞƌƐŚŽƌ ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌLJ ϬϭϵϬϱ ϯϱ ŬĞƚƐŽƵƌĐĞ͘ĐŽ͘ƵŬ; ZĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ ŚĂƌŝƚLJ EƵŵďĞ ĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨƌŽŵ͗ ƌĞΎ ĂŶĚ DĂůǀĞƌŶ ϱϯϬϭϯ ŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨĞĞƐ ĂƉƉůLJ ŽŶůŝŶĞͿ Ğƌ ϱϭϮϬϳϯ ƳőŏőœƳQ‰‰…Ƴ t¨‰¯…tÂÆ ÜÜÜƌµÂ…‰Âš¯tµáƌ€µ® ŐőƳƉ‰…Ƴ¿t€¦‰ÌÆƳơƳµ¯‰Ƴ̵ ƵÜƳ‰t€˜Ƴ®µ¯Ì˜ QµÜš¯”Ƴ”Ñš…‰ !š“ÌƳµá 9š¯šƳۉ””š‰Ƴ€µµ¦Ƴµµ¦ 9š¯šƳ“¨µÜ‰ÂƳ¿¨t¯Ìš¯”Ƴ¿¨t¯ ¨µÜ‰ÂƳǕƳd‰””š‰ ۉÂƚµ¯ÆƳtÛtš¨t¨‰ƌ '¯€¨Ñ…‰Æ ÑâƳ¯µÜƳ“µ®Ǝ

Reg Moule In addition to his award winning media work Reg is also available to speak at Gardening Societies and other organisations something that he has been doing regularly since 1972. If you would like Reg to visit your group please email [emailprotected] for further details and to check availability. Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 15 What a strange Summer we have had! Varying between lovely long, sunny days-not to say hot at times- then the minute schools broke up it was all change. Damp, dreary days for much of the time apart from a sudden return of the sun at the end of August. Those who had chosen camping holidays must have been disappointed and days on the beach were not for sun-bathing. For those who took to the air, there were some even more extreme weathers to deal with. There is a difference between enjoying temperatures in the high twenties, low thirties and the sweltering hot temperatures which made parts of Europe almost unbearable. We have had to give holidays abroad a miss this year but have managed to enjoy a few days in Wales during a warm, sunny spell and are looking forward to some time in Devon regardless of the weather. Now we have settled into September and the feel of Autumn arriving. Darker mornings and evenings will be the norm for the months ahead but there are still things to look forward to. The summer wardrobe is ready to be packed away. No more pretty, flimsy frocks, shorts or sandals. Time to dig out the warmer clothing and time for the wardrobe cull!! This will involve multi trips to the charity shops so, hopefully, someone else can enjoy my pre-loved clothes. Apparently Oxfam have even gone online with some real bargains but I had best not go there and be tempted! I don't like winter clothes and lots of layers but they will be necessary soon. So it's time to think of log fires and warming dishes. Soups and casseroles will replace summer salads. Rugby, football and many other sports together with ‘Strictly' and ‘Bake off’ will brighten our long evenings. The shops are already stocked with Halloween costumes and treats and come November 1st, it will be all about Christmas. The trees, lights and decorations are already lurking under covers in our local garden centre waiting to be unveiled. And in between, we have the prospect of Bonfire Night. It is no longer a few fireworks at the bottom of the garden but involves spectacular displays to light up the skies. It is a delightful night for adults and children to enjoy. Then it really is countdown to Christmas!! Our Summer may have been a mixed bag in terms of weather but with Autumn and Winter we can probably expect even more variation. Autumn will bring us the lovely colours of changing leaves and Winter some beautiful frosty mornings. There is always something to look forward to and to be grateful that we do not have the extreme weather that brings chaos and devastation in other parts of the world. So I will put on my winter woollies and embrace the chillier days as times they are a-changing! What happened to the sunshine? Why did it have to go? The holidays were started But little did we know That hiding behind clouds, It seemed it was the way That Summer had deserted us Not only for a day. Instead we had wet weather And greyness wasn't fun When really what we wanted Was just a bit of sun. Flip-flopping in the puddles Instead of in the sea, No nice cold wine or frothy beers But just a cup of tea. While temperatures were rising In places far and wide, We waited for the rain to stop So we could go outside. At least there was a benefit In helping things to grow. No need to water flower beds But grass we had to mow. As Brits we should be used to this, The changes in the weather. It didn't stop us doing things We still met up together. The festivals and barbecues May have been rather damp But even in the fields of mud They still preferred to camp. Now holidays have been and gone And Autumn days are here. The leaves are changing on the trees As Winter days draw near. We'll look back on the Summer, Remembering happy days, When we enjoyed the holidays Perhaps in different ways! Susan Catford Summer time blues Women’s Hour! Susan Catford ‘Thought Plants’ is Susan’s first book and is a new collection of writing and poems exploring ideas, events and everyday life. At times serious and thoughtful, at others enjoying the whimsical, lighter side of things. It has grown surprisingly well from early seeds and a fertile imagination. 120 pages A5 full colour illustrated by Susan Catford Available for £9.95 from: Hughes & Company 8 Church Street Pershore Tel: 01386 803803 [emailprotected] or [emailprotected] Published by Hughes & Company,Delivered by courier or post Times they are a-changing

16 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Country Watch ESPECIALL VETERINAR LLY FOR YOU! ARY ADVICE ESPECIALL taS y warm and dry near to roads • e gear oveflectise rU • Wrap up warm o e soe arerH me tips to help y vo er the winter peri fun of Christmas is o th shoiW rt days and l ter safinW ety ad U! y warm and dry ou ha e extra to ghr lie gear o t yts so tha ou and your pet ar n walks, especia ogs wiy dll th thin coa me tips to help your pet around firew od.ter peri f Christmas is o ce fvime ads so’eerer. Hv ts winghng nioys and l ter can seem to last a l r yoce fviety ad our pets LLY FOR YO els in the car f r drying off after wa our pet ar ele w l visible, and keep d th thin coa t suy faer bodwots and l ts:ghrks nioew r koce f eeping your pet happ ter can seem to last a long time, especia ff after walks, keep in a eep dogs on leads t su houndseych as gr our pet happy and hea y lth ng time, especia y oll nce the bedding material and pet saf • Check water bowls / bottles thr shed or outhouse w • Cover up rabbit / sma after them • oy frway ataS m fr • e a lividoPr tter tra keep them occupi • ys orter daSho ften means sta burns, excess salt left o • Check f r snooeet f oowarm r m after washing o • taS y warm and dry l and pet safe heat pads wls / bottles thr ghouou t the da thouse when tempera poes drtur / small furry hutches to protect fr m frozen ice and lakes, if your pet did fa y hall’t usuanoou dts if yr caoy ftter tra eep them occupied and adjust feeding if they ar ften means staying insid e, ensurre mo lt left on pads can ca titause irri r snow and grit stuck between toes, fr m after washing off y warm and dry e extra tovou hae y, ensur w t the day to ensure they are not frozen and pr otect from cold, move to a shelter our pet did fa r help, dol fll in cal o not a e ovy ha ne in the house eeding if they are not getting as m erch exu e, ensur f menty oe plenve they ha oti n and be danger ed ockous if li een toes, frozen snow stuck between toes can ca wels in the car for drying off after wa ozen and pr e extra vido e to a shelter tiocaed l on such as a o not attempt to go in ercise as normal es to tivil actitaf men ffed o een toes can ca ce use i ff after walks, keep in a Best wishes Eliza Enjoy the win eater w ne in a role them avlea • eep caK ts and inquisi to absorb the warm • ap yT our car bonnet bef lghourtho y cleaned up • efuBe car l using an • l pets klmaS ept ou bedding material and pet saf eep yt kther buea ourself and y ne in a room with them ts and inquisi oy frwaogs ae dvti m open hea rb the warmth ronnet bef e starting the engine, ca y cleaned up l using antifreeze, eth col is hiyylene gl ele like artsidept ou y to need extra f l and pet safe heat pads ourself and your pets safe and warm! pen heat sources such as fires and cand e starting the engine, cats like to crawl into engines and w c to caxiy tolghcol is hi ts so even mino y to need extra food to maintain their body w es and cand er les, nev to engines and wheel arches en mino ls shoulr spi ld be tgheiy w ‘In October dung your field And your land its wealth shall yield.’ In the Autumn we often see flocks of birds either flying in formation in the sky or gathering in the fields in preparation for their migration. Flying in flocks has advantages. There is safety in numbers from predators and finding food can be easier if birds forage together. We are familiar with seeing flocks of gulls, geese, swans and wild ducks which fly in a V formation. Birds grouped in this way have an aerodynamic advantage as a beating wing creates a slipstream for the following bird. Compared with flying solo, they can go farther and faster with the same output of energy. Some flocks of birds can be huge, particularly starlings. There can be as many as a million birds in a flock! They can be seen forming a ripple effect as they perform spectacular aerobatic displays. These flocks are called murmurations and can be seen in the evening before they drop suddenly to their roost. The ripple effect is caused by changes in direction by one bird then others follow suit and it spreads through the flock. It is a truly amazing sight!! We have many birds that migrate south including swallows, martins, nightingales, cuckoos, swifts, nightjars, ospreys to name just a few. We also have winter visitors such as fieldfares, redwings and many water birds which come where the weather is milder and food is easier to find. We will see a different population of birds in the coming months. So Autumn is here but the trees have not yet changed their colour and are hanging on to their leaves. We look forward to the multi-coloured display in the coming weeks before they are stripped to their bare skeletons which also have a beauty of their own. He said, “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live. Good Morning ...! Dalai Lama “When the game is over and the drinking has begun. Let us drink together boys as though we both had won!”

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 17 Early in the Month New lawns can still be seeded (soon) or turfed this month. This is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and soft fruit plants. Clear summer bedding from tubs and borders and replace it with plants which give colour through to spring. Garden Centres will have an extensive range of suitable species in their planterias including Winter Pansies, Violas, Wallflowers, Ornamental Cabbage etc. Don’t forget to add some colourful evergreen plants and spring flowering bulbs to your planting scheme. Osteospermums, Arctotis, Argyranthemums and other tender perennials should be lifted from the borders, potted and brought inside for the winter. Spray peaches and nectarines with Vitax Copper Mixture against peach leaf curl. Spring flowering bulbs of all kinds can be planted outdoors this month. Middle of the Month Rake up fallen leaves both for general hygiene and to use to make leaf mould – a valuable soil conditioner. Continue planting spring flowering bedding like Wallflowers, Brompton Stocks, Forget-MeNots and Sweet Williams. Allow the first frosts to blacken off Dahlia foliage before lifting and drying the tubers ready for winter storage. Treating the tubers with sulphur dust before storage helps to prevent rotting. If you have light soil consider leaving the tubers in the soil over winter, perhaps with a protective mulch of garden compost or bark over the root area. Gladioli corms should be lifted, dried and stored in a frost-free place until spring. Clean up dead foliage from the centres of Pampas Grass clumps, but wear strong gloves to avoid being cut by the razor sharp leaves. Lift and divide large clumps of early flowering perennials. Late flowers can be left until spring. Mow lawns less frequently and treat them with an autumn lawn fertiliser. Lawns also benefit from a good wire raking to clear “thatch” and spiking with a hollow tined aerator. Hardwood cuttings can be taken from now onwards but the sooner the better. Tidy up pond plants, removing the foliage from water lilies before they decompose in the water. Feed your fish less often as they begin to slow down for the winter. Remember to use a wheatgerm based food as these are much easier for the fish to digest. Prune blackcurrants, blackberries and hybrid berries e.g. loganberries, tayberries. Watering and ventilation need careful attention in greenhouses in order to avoid fungal diseases. Sow winter lettuce under cloches and frames. Plant lily bulbs in pots in a cold greenhouse to get early flowers. Sow sweet peas in pots in a cold frame. Protect against damage by mice. Pick apples and pears. Remember to remove any mummified fruits as these harbour brown rot disease. As houseplants slow down for the winter they will require less watering and feeding. If you wish to move any deciduous shrubs do the job now. Lift the plants with a good rootball intact and replant firmly. Late in the Month Tall deciduous shrubs – e.g. roses, Lavatera and Buddleia can be cut back by one third in order to prevent wind rock. Dead foliage on any herbaceous plants can be removed between now and next Spring. Sow broad bean Aquadulce Claudia in mild areas to crop next June. Plant Paperwhite Narcissi now for flowering in mid-December. Keep the planted containers in a light warm place. Perennial Tulips Nikki Hollier October gardening tips Reg Moule BBC Hereford & Worcester Aren’t all tulips perennial? Depending on who you talk to apparently not and it’s a bit of a myth. There are definitely tulips that will flower for a number of years; however, all plants are affected by growing conditions and there is no definitive path to successfully regrowing tulips. Once the flower has finished the bulb splits into many little bulblets. A tulip bulb will need to be at least 9 cm in circumference to produce a flower the next year. These little bulblets can often be far below the size they need to be to gain enough energy, and consequently only produce a few leaves. The best perennial tulips The following are the most reliable tulips to put on a repeat performance. - Species tulip - these are dwarf tulips such as ‘Little Beauty’. - Darwin Hybrid - are tall and imposing with their large, goblet shaped flowers which can measure up to 7 cm in diameter. The stems are very strong and hold very well in wind. Example ‘Apricot Delight’ - Fosterinana - were once known as Emperor Tulips and this connection can still be recognised in some of their regal names such as ‘Orange Emperor’. Fosteriana Tulips have large wide flowers up to 10 cm across - Viridiflora - or Green Tulips as they are sometimes called, flower on strong stems. Some are almost entirely green with a hint of colour on the edge of the petals. Others have green shading. Example ‘Greenland’ Top tips to improve your chances for tulips to flower next year - Remove seed heads - Let the leaves turn brown - Feed occasionally after flowering - Plant a little deeper (15 cm) - Use good quality soil Personally, all the bulbs I grow in pots/containers are replaced each year as I do like to have a variety of styles and colours. TOP TIP: When buying bulbs, make sure they are firm to touch (give them a bit of a squeeze!). This means they’re fresh and likely to bloom better. Soft and/or mouldy bulbs are unlikely to flower. Tulips can be planted from August onwards, but I prefer to wait until the colder weather arrives. This can also reduce the risk of Tulip Fire which is a fungus caused by Botrytis tulipae, which produces brown spots and twisted, withered and distorted leaves, and in severe cases it looks like the plant has been scorched by fire. This fungus spreads in two ways: 1. Small black seed-like structures (sclerotia) are produced in dead tissue. These can contaminate the soil for several years and also remain in the outer bulb scales. When the bulbs produce new growth in spring, the leaves may therefore be infected either from the sclerotia in the scales, or those in the soil. 2. The fungus also produces airborne spores from the fuzzy growth of grey mould. Destroy any diseased bulbs straight away and do not add them to the compost heap. Nikki Hollier [emailprotected] @borderinabox www.borderinabox.com

18 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times NOW OPEN IN BAKERS ARCADE! Craftypyro Unlimited Wood burning crafts ARCADE SWEETS Traditional & Fun sweets Open Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 3pm Tracy 07979 150093 Handy Man & Garden Services Loft insulation Insulating your loft attic or flat roof is an effective way to reduce your heating bills. Installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its 40 year lifetime. We recommend having your attic treated to prevent woodworm & rot. Internal Painting General Carpet Cleaning Pet stains and odour removal We can revive your carpets! Pruning and trimming shrubs & hedges Removing of dead & diseased trees Retaining walls, Patios & Paths - repaired or replaced with new If it is low maintenance you require, we do decorative barking. Any leaks on your out-buildings We can repair or replace with new. Please call for a free estimate Tel 01905 412485 Established over 30 years House and garden clearances Maintenance and repairs Window cleaning Fencing and landscape gardening Gutters - fascia - cladding Cleaning, repairs or renewals Driveways - patios - paths Power-washing or Installation Flat and rubber roofing / roofing repairs Re-pointing chimneys- walls- apex- ridges Chimney sweeping and cowl, bird guards, pot fitting services Rubbish removals, demolition and dismantling Tree work and hedge cutting Fully insured A-Y SERVICES Give me a call for a free no obligation quotation 07704 992938 | 07876 308058 Registered waste carrier No. CB DU 390692 PERSHORE PRIVATE HIRE TAXIS Short & Long Distance Call Luan: 07478 888685

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 19 River Crossings Tim Hickson These days we tend to cross rivers on bridges although there are still some ferries and even some fords. Before we all had motor vehicles, before the Second World War, there were many more ferries and fords. Furthermore in these places there was usually an inn. Sometimes these are still there. We should also remember that before the building of locks and weirs, our Worcestershire rivers were affected by the tides. So once, some fords became useable only at low tide. In 1849 from Stourport to Gloucester there were 26 fords used by men and animals.Sometimes steppingstones would have been added and, if the crossing was needed often, then a foot bridge might have been added though animals and carts would still need to use the ford. On major rivers these crossings were often quite significant. On the Wye, the name Hereford means, in Old English, ‘ford suitable for the passage of an army’. On the Severn, as another example, at Pixham near Kempsey, in 1265, Simon de Montfort crossed with his army and his prisoner, Henry III, heading to Evesham. There is still a road leading to the river on the west side but on the Kempsey side just a big field, Kempsey Ham. (Here, incidentally, the last duel in the County took place in 1827.) Navigation on the Severn was, of course, only possible when the tide was in and the fords were not popular with the boatmen. Also, in the summer the water was often particularly low and might become a series of pools. The increasing demand for goods to be transported by river led to the 1849 Admiralty Inquiry. Hence the building of weirs and locks. That led to the need for ferries at the old crossing places. People crossing the rivers now had to pay to use the ferry and that provided an income for the ferryman and for the owner of the ferry. There is an excellent booklet by H. W. Gwilliam titled Severn Ferries and Fords in Worcestershire but not yet one on the other major Worcestershire river, the Avon. Early ferries crossed the river by hauling on a rope stretched between anchor points on opposite banks. Later the ropes were replaced by more permanent chains. No need for motors when more appropriate technology could be used. By looking at old maps I have found fords and ferries still marked from surveys between 1791 and 1874. The sketch above shows these. The two pictures are of the places where once there were fords. Can you tell which is which? Why the ford is no longer there!

20 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Cooking for fun! Ailsa Craddock Try these first:- 1 Add a teaspoon or two of Marmite to meaty stews, Bolognese or French onion soup to add a deep, savoury umami flavour 2. Spread over roast chicken before cooking for gorgeously golden, salty skin, or mix into mince to make delicious burgers 3. Try it on toast topped with poached eggs (always) 4. Add to hot oil before roasting potatoes 5. Marmite is a perfect partner to cheese – add a twist to Welsh Rarebit, mix into cheesy puff pastry palmiers, or bake some cheese and Marmite scones 6. Roast with nuts to make a moreish snack Roast Potatoes with Marmite 250g floury potatoes (eg, Maris Piper, King Edward) 25g salted butter Large teaspoon Marmite Sea salt flakes and thyme leaves, to serve (optional) Preheat the oven to 200ºC (180ºC Fan) and bring a large pan of water to the boil. Peel potatoes and chop into chunks. Parboil potatoes for 10 mins. Drain, shake well to rough-up the edges and leave to steam-dry (approx 10 mins). Melt butter in a pan then whisk in the marmite. Heat until bubbling. Tip potatoes and marmite mixture into a baking tray and turn potatoes to coat. Season with freshly ground black pepper then roast for 1 hour, turning twice during cooking to ensure even browning. Serve scattered with salt flakes and thyme leaves. Marmite and Potato Frittata 2 large starchy potatoes, peeled, diced 1tbs olive oil 1 onion, peeled, finely chopped 3 free-range eggs, beaten 2 tbs plain unsweetened yoghurt 1 rounded dessertspoon Marmite 1 dessertspoon chives, finely chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, fresh chopped 30 - 40g Edam cheese, grated To serve, cherry tomatoes and baby spinach leaves. Preheat oven to 200°C. Parboil potatoes in salted water until just tender for 5 minutes. Drain and allow to cool. Heat an oven proof fry pan or cast-iron dish with olive oil. Add onions and cook until lightly browned. Add the drained potatoes and stir well. Mix the eggs, yoghurt, fresh herbs and Marmite together. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of salt. Mix the egg mixture into the cooked potatoes and onion. Push down to settle in the dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Place oven-proof fry pan or dish in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool before turning out of pan or taking slices out. Use a knife to run around the edge of the dish, to release the frittata. Serve with grilled tomatoes and baby spinach leaves. Marmite Marmite is a savoury spread, which was originally invented by German scientist Justus von Liebig in 1902. The scientist invented it in the UK when he discovered that brewers’ leftover yeast could be concentrated, bottled and eaten. So that’s beer and Marmite for everyone! In 1912, it was discovered that Marmite was a great source of vitamin B, so the British troops fighting in World War I were issued jars of the stuff as part of their rations. During the 1930s, English scientist, Lucy Wills, successfully used Marmite to treat anaemia in mill workers in Bombay and it was also used to treat malnutrition during the 1934–5 malaria epidemic in Sri Lanka. Basically, Marmite has super powers! However, despite all of the above, and the fact it is high in folic acid and very low in calories, it has always been - love it? or hate it? We are a Marmite household - and I’m hoping the recipes below may turn you if you aren’t. flffifflflfffflffl flfflfflfifi" #$fifififl fl%$#fi$#fi$' $()fl#ff$$ fi$*fl+$/)+$4 fiflfflffl) flffifflfffi"#ffl$%&'()*;fflfiffi<fflfi=>?D ffl&"flffl+,fiffl4%&)*()9;FGfflfiffiJfflfi :&&"flffl+,fiffl4%&)*()9;FGfflfiffiJfflfi ,fflfi"fl;$fl#ffl$%&<=>?GFGfiffi?Kfflfi =>KD +fflfifl?ff##ffl$%&)@()9FfflfiffiLfflfi fflfl#ffl$%&9=)9?GFGfiffi?FGfflfi ffl+fi&?,D&+#,&#+,"ffl44fi+Dffl"&##ff%Dfi&&fi"Gff?&JKffl?,Kfi&L ffi fl ffl fl fflffl # fifi$ fl % $ # $ #fl)( ff fl fflfflff fifi flfi fi $ fi# ff $ $ " fi '$ ff fi *fl$ + fi fflfl ff + /$ ) + 4$ ffl ) 4

On the Road Again It strikes me that across our many mirthful meetings, fellow reader, I seem to have left one conversation unresolved. What about the driving? Well, buckle up and hold onto your grab handles, because today is the day of my driving test. I booked it way back in March, thinking I had plenty of time to get my act together, only to blink and find it was September and that I really ought to conquer my fear of Sixways Roundabout and get out on the roads. It’s been a long time coming. I lifted my first clutch back in January 2021 and have been lifting them ever since – mostly remembering to add acceleration and avoid stalling. My biggest problem while driving was being sure of things. I stopped shaking ages ago, you’ll be glad to hear, but my general sense of what to do if a challenge presents itself hasn’t always been acute. My driving instructor told me I wasn’t giving him ‘an aura of confidence’ and even my learner plates have been known to jump ship, flying off the bonnet and spiralling into a hedge after losing faith in me. I was also advised not to mumble ‘Oh, Jesus’ when approaching a roundabout – which, it turns out, improves your own mood as well as the passenger’s. I’m mentioning this because to say I’ve always been a smooth driver wouldn’t just be wearing rose-tinted glasses, it would be wearing black-out goggles. If you’re reading this and you happen to hold the combo status of fellow reader and fellow learner driver, I hope this raises your spirits. If you’ve had a bad lesson (or five), it’s alright. Brush yourself off, close your instructor’s gaping mouth and – if it’s safe – go and search for the rogue learner plate in the nearby ditch, because we can do it. We’ll do it together. Promise. My test was scheduled in Worcester for 10:14 am – a good time, avoiding rush hour and, on the flip side, a day of twiddling my thumbs in anticipation. When we arrived at the test centre, my instructor and I took our seats inside with other duos of calm instructors and anxious learners; it reminded me of the Kingsman films, with each Kingsman agent bringing their chosen candidate to be tested to see if they have what it takes. “Gregory Sidaway.” My examiner entered the room and, as I have only nice things to say about him, his name was Trevor. I joined him and signed some things with one of those fiddly pens for writing on ipad screens. Then Trevor reached out to look at my provisional driving licence. I panicked and shook his hand instead. When we were both sure I was who I was claiming to be, he ushered me outside. “If you’d like to read the number plate, third from the right.” I’m pretty sure my eyes have got worse from reading so many pages of size ten font at uni, so I was relieved to discover I could successfully read a number plate from a distance. He then asked me a ‘tell me’ question about tyres – and I told him. I knew there would be a ‘show me’ question coming up, where I had to show I knew how to operate part of the car. I’d spent the day before having a thorough look under the bonnet, finding the different reservoirs and distinguishing each of them, learning how to measure the levels of oil, brake fluid and engine coolant. All morning, thoughts raced through my head: ‘the oil one has the dipstick’, ‘the header tank’s near the front’ etc. I couldn’t get them mixed up. I couldn’t, I – “Okay and now, I’d like you to show me how to open and close your window.” Seriously? That was my ‘show me’ question? Result! Needless to say, I nailed that part. Considering I expected to be racking up major fails, I was really pleased with my driving. I’d come a long way since the days of edging forward in first gear in the Abbey Estate car park. However, I did suffer one major fail; a misjudged turning into a junction, while moving away in second gear, caused a sudden stall across lanes. Trevor bounced in the passenger seat and it was soon clear I had failed the test. It would have been nice to give you a satisfying ending, but I realised it might be more important in this instance to write about a failure. I’m only calling it a failure because it’s the language of the test; in reality, I think I drove very well – save for the glaring error – and I’ve rebooked for December. I’ll need to brush up on a few things after returning from uni, but to quote the song: ‘I can’t wait to get on the road again.’ Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 21 Gregory’s World! Gregory Sidaway Exeter College, Oxford Hello wonderful people. We made it to my second issue in the Pershore Times! I feel that since I've started writing here, I've taken to noticing and appreciating everything a little bit more. I'll be picking apart every day and searching for things which I can tell you all about. One of these things I'm very excited to share! One thing you should know about me is that I love music. Since I was young my parents have taken me to see many different concerts, some of the most notable being Coldplay, Status Quo and Taylor Swift (all of which I loved) and I've finally got to the time in my life where I can carry on this tradition on my own, or at least with a few friends. The concert I attended most recently was Lovejoy in Bristol and it was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in ages. From the opening acts to the very end the entire event was amazing. A few friends and I got the train down to Bristol early on the Saturday morning and made our way through the city to the 02 Arena. The venue didn’t open until six thirty, yet when we got there at around four o’clock, there was already a queue creeping around the back of the building. So, we sat down on our jackets with our Tesco meal deals (which one of us fortunately had the hindsight to get) and waited for the doors to open. When we got in, we were all anxious about where we were going to be and how good the view would be and, in my opinion, we had one of the best views we could have had. We were on the floor near the back, but at the front of a raised section of the floor allowing for an amazing view. Luckily the venue was small enough that we were still close to the band and could see everything going on! I must sing my praises for the opening acts; I hadn't heard of either of them before this point but now I’ve got both artists at least once on my playlist and listen to them regularly. The first to go on stage was a group called Loupe and they were an amazing group to open with, adding such a magnificent energy to the crowd which created a lovely subtle contrast between themselves and Lovejoy. The second opening act was a group called Good Kid who had come over from Toronto and had a similar music style to Lovejoy and were just phenomenal. But soon it was time for the main act, the entire reason we were there and the people we had been anticipating for months to see to go on stage. They sang songs from all their EP’s including my favourite, The Fall, and gave snippets into the stories behind the songs. The energy throughout the concert was amazing, providing a thrilling experience. If you get the chance, I recommend listening to all three artists and if you get the opportunity to see them live, take it! Evie’s Teenage Focus Evie Aubin

Do you currently work for someone else but think you could do their job better or more efficiently than they do? Do you have a particular passion or skill that you believe would make money? If you are good at time management and decision making, are self-disciplined and forward thinking, are blessed with creative flair and a certain self-confidence then you could consider becoming self-employed. Self-employment means you work for yourself rather than anyone else. It gives you the flexibility to decide when you work and allows you the creativity to choose how to complete the jobs you do for the clients you have chosen to work for. Managed properly the result can be a much better work-life balance. While initially it can be difficult to become established and income is not guaranteed, there is the potential to earn more money than you may do working for someone else. There can be higher job satisfaction as success is due to the effort you have put in. New clients, jobs completed, and money made are all down to you and seeing an idea become reality can be enormously rewarding. While there are benefits there can also be disadvantages when compared to traditional employment. Income is not regular and is not guaranteed. At the beginning you are likely to need investment or at least a financial cushion until your business becomes established and even when it is, you will experience peaks and troughs in your income that you will need to manage. Being self-employed requires you to be self-reliant. You are responsible for the decisions you make, which can lead to extra pressure, and you may end up working more hours than you did as an employee to achieve the results you need to. Once you have taken everything into consideration, if you believe self-employment is the right course of action for you then register with HMRC to advise them you are SelfEmployed and take time to speak to an accountant to clarify the records you need to keep and ensure you understand the processes required. Carol Draper FCCA Clifton-Crick Sharp &Co Ltd 22 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Change Angela Johns So, September arrived didn’t it? Those misty, dewy mornings. Those statement dawns, red and fiery. They have always been there through the year of course but their timing starts to coincide with me getting up, so I see them out of my open landing window. They catch my breath and I pause to take it all in – the reflection of their colours on Bredon Hill, the quality of the air that holds the robin’s song as intricate as a Mozart concerto. By the time I get downstairs, the sky has changed, sometimes completely and I feel glad I caught the moment. As September rolls on the Equinox passes, where day equals night, then it’s a fast tumble into October when many rejoice the return of scarves, boots and jumpers. If we don’t embrace the changing of the seasons then we will forever be in the mourning of their coming or of their going. Change comes about and it is only noticed when it is done. Or it can be there in your face, shocking and brutal. Sometimes we beg for change, maybe out of boredom or to alleviate our pain. Other times we dearly wish it would go back to how it was, maybe out of boredom or to alleviate our pain. Physical or emotional, our pain and our joy can be expressed in our mind and our body. An intricate dance between them where the moves are so cleverly choreographed that it takes time and diligence to catch each element and understand what brought about a certain change. As subtle as a brick or as explosive as the division of a microscopic cell, our health and circumstance can change in an instant. We may not even feel the effects of that change for some time yet. The decision of a change that impacts your life may have happened on some Zoom call between nameless people you will never meet. Wonderful opportunities may come to you because someone else changed their mind or the changeable weather took a turn for the better. Change is inevitable, the only sure thing. How futile it is to think we are in control! All we have is right now in this moment. What will we do with it? Currently training as an Emotional Therapeutic Counsellor with the AETC, Angela is a qualified Reflexologist, Aromareflex Practitioner and Reiki Teacher/Practitioner. She is passionate about her therapies and spends quality time with her clients to facilitate their wellbeing. You can find her at angelajohns.co.uk Silver Fern Family Osteopaths Hands-on treatment for the whole family Offering... Osteopathy | Cranial Osteopathy | McTimoney Chiropractic Acupuncture | Scar Tissue massage therapy | Sports massage The Perrin Technique 65 High Street, Pershore WR10 1EU 01386 304128 Email: [emailprotected] www.silverfernfamilyosteopaths.co.uk CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND BUSINESS ADVISORS 40 High Street, Pershore, Worcestershire WR11 1DP Tel: 01386 561100 Fax: 01386 561040 Email: [emailprotected] www.accountantsworcestershire.co.uk Thinking about selfemployment? Carol Draper “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Colin Powell

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 23 Navigating Life’s Challenges: A Path to Balance and Joy Emily Papirnik Neck pain and walking. fascinating! Karen Harris The neck takes the brunt of many things, it has to cope with the weight of the head and the, generally, forward nature of the arms and shoulders. I’ve had neck issues since my 20’s, after doing something silly in the gym, so I can definitely empathise with those in pain. I have the privilege in my Body Alignment work, of meeting some great people who are motivated to improve their health at whatever age, from 18 yrs, to…….well, whenever! One such gentleman, well into his 80’s, also has neck issues, and a back and knee issue; he has lived a life that has changed his postural position, and compensations over the years have caused misalignments in the joints and vertebrae to get him where he is today. He comes in twice a month, rain or shine, and there is always an improvement, his posture has completely changed and his mobility and flexibility have massively improved. He can do things now that were impossible a couple of years, or even months, ago - which considering the body is meant to be rapidly ageing in the 8th decade, is remarkable! Walking without a stick is now normal, but he is still walking like he has a stick - short stride, no ankle movement, head forward, no arm swing. (I thought you were talking about necks, what’s this got to do with anything? Ed……wait and see!) Slightly stating the obvious here now……when one leg goes forward to propel you, the opposite shoulder and arm go into ‘flexion’ with the aim to counter balance the hip that has gone into ‘extension’. With the aforementioned stick and a compromised short stride pattern, there is no hip ‘extension’ and no arm swing. No arm swing, no stability; the upper body locks up, and so does the neck (aha! Back on track now). Recently, I used a little technique that involved, amongst other things, visualising walking to rewaken the brain and coordinate certain body movements with foot pressure - all this lying down! We then had a very entertaining ten minutes learning to walk again ‘properly’ with full hip extension and arm swing. ‘I find this fascinating,’ were his words as he concentrated on his coordination. (Don't ever take walking for granted!) I had never seen him walk so freely. And guess what, his shoulders dropped and levelled, and the tension ebbed out of his neck. Oh the joy and confidence this bought! Neck pain can be triggered by many things, jaw placement, teeth and bite issues (the jaw is more connected to the neck than the skull), foot placement, hip rotation, upper body posture, stress, and loads more. Most of the time it will be symptomatic of a problem elsewhere. As always, a holistic approach is best whatever age you are! Saturday 21st October Life is an intricate tapestry of experiences, a blend of joyous moments and challenges that can sometimes weigh us down. These challenges often manifest as problems, negative feelings or pains, prompting us to reflect on their significance and the actions we take to address them. Embracing Life’s Challenges When adversity knocks on our door, it’s essential to acknowledge its presence and understand the messages it carries. Each challenge is an invitation to delve into the depths of our emotions and thoughts, seeking to decipher what it is trying to teach us. The physical human experience is vast and complex; the negative feelings are part of this spectrum. They are like signposts, guiding us to areas of our life that require attention. Pain, anxiety and fear often point to unmet needs, unresolved issues or unexpressed emotions. The Importance of Mindful Focus on moments when various challenges converge and we feel the weight of the world upon us, it’s crucial to remind ourselves to take things one step at a time. Overwhelm is a common companion during such times; it can paralyse us, hindering progress and clouding our judgement. To navigate through these stormy waters, we must cultivate a mindful approach, focusing on one challenge at a time. This focused attention coupled with a light-hearted and gentle attitude towards ourselves, can be a beacon of hope, guiding us away from the grip of overwhelm. Seeking Balance and Joy In the pursuit of resolution and growth, finding balance becomes paramount. It’s the fulcrum on which our ability to deal with life’s tribulations rests. To achieve balance, we must first soothe ourselves, allowing a sense of calm. One powerful way to achieve this is by connecting with the natural world. Nature has an innate ability to ground us, infusing us with a sense of joy and wonder. The rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, or the gentle flow of a river – these simple pleasures remind us of the beauty that exists ALWAYS. Embracing Solutions and Letting Go From a state of balance and clarity, we can then discern potential solutions to the challenges that have taken centre stage in our lives. These solutions may range from talking proactive actions, to simply letting go when there’s nothing more to be done. The art of letting go is as important as taking action. Sometimes the most profound act of courage is releasing what we cannot change, freeing ourselves from unnecessary burdens. Join the Journey to Emotional Freedom and Growth Starting in November I will be hosting regular workshops. EFT (Tapping), Perspective change, Living Life to the full, Allowing change. This will be a paid group session (A maximum of 8 people). Prior booking essential. Get in touch if you would like to join me. First session is Saturday 18th November from 12 noon – 1pm PRIOR BOOKING ONLY - contact [emailprotected]

24 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times For the first few days of the trek, we did not come across any other western trekkers and very few locals travelling on the route up towards Everest. Most trekkers, as I have done on numerous occasions before, prefer to fly into Lukla, ‘the world’s most dangerous airport’, still to the north of where we were trekking. It is hardly surprising, as our days were tough with steep 1000m ascents to a ridge top, followed by a similarly long descent to the valley floor, often again followed by a significant ascent. Some days we walked as much as fourteen miles, which may not seem very much but on steep terrain at altitude, they are long, hot and humid days. We stopped off overnight in some lovely villages. Whilst they maintain their rural charm, they have adapted to the changes brought about by their encounters with the outside world, first by the building of schools and clinics by Ed Hilary’s Himalayan Trust, but more recently with the introduction of roads, electricity and improved communications. They have started to experience the world beyond their villages, and they want to be part of the global community. It is still pretty basic though. Roads are rough, little more than a wide path carved out on the hillsides. Electricity tends to be microhydro-electric schemes which can be temperamental. Larger schemes are being developed and in time there will be a more reliable source that will allow schools to make greater use of IT opportunities. Everybody now has a mobile phone, and in most villages where we stayed, we had access to Wi-Fi. When I first came to this region in the early nineties it was accepted back home that there would be no communication for the duration of the visit. One day, we were heading along the route, which was part of a new road. We were high up on the hillside overlooking the valley floor several hundred metres below. As we came to a corner, the road ahead was blocked by a mechanical digger, a couple of land cruisers and a soldier, who warned us that they were blasting the road. We did not have to wait long before a cloud of smoke, shortly followed by a boom, appeared a couple of hundred metres ahead. As the boom echoed around the hills an eagle, disturbed by the invasion of its peace, soared from the trees and circled around in front of us waiting for the dust to settle. We too were waiting and as soon as the cloud had dispersed the soldier waved us forward. Lakpa, myself and two others were the first on the scene, a jumble of shattered rocks precariously balanced before us. Gingerly, we picked our way across, dislodging rocks that then tumbled and rolled to the valley floor below. Three of the group were less comfortable with this so Padam guided them above and around the obstacle. Thinking about it afterwards, no person in authority had carried out a safety check, to remove the loose rocks, to create a safe passage. Then you have to remind yourself that this is Nepal, and everything is different. After several days of trekking on quiet paths we finally joined the main path linking Lukla, where the airstrip is, to Everest Base Camp. Suddenly there were many more people on the trail, but still relatively few western trekkers. Many of those heading downhill were Sherpas returning from Everest. It was easy to tell who they were because of their tanned, weather-beaten faces. They were very cheerful, knowing they had either successfully climbed Everest or survived several weeks on the mountain, helping others reach the summit, and because they had earned a very good wage for their work. The Nepalese Government issued 478 permits to mountaineers from all over the world, more than any other year and a far cry from 1953. These permits are a huge source of income for Nepal. Of those issued with permits, 250 successfully climbed to the summit, the remainder aborting at various stages on the mountain. Approximately 350 Sherpas reached the summit in support of their clients and fulfilling their own ambition. Summiting is important to the Sherpa community as it enables them to earn more money and, as their reputation grows, they can become financially secure for life. Despite the joy of so many successful ascents, it has been a terrible season on Everest. Seventeen climbers, including four Sherpas died, more than all previous seasons, apart from 2015 when the earthquake killed 29 climbers and Sherpas at base camp. This year weather was not an issue, nor was overcrowding on the mountain; teams agreed a timetable to avoid queuing issues that have occurred in previous years. The reason for so many deaths was the fact that there are more so called ‘climbers’ on the mountain with little or no experience and too much disposable income in their pockets. Also, some Nepalese are setting up low-cost companies that act as logistic providers but do not provide professional mountain guidance or safety. Until some form of regulation is imposed on who can guide and only climbers with the right credentials are allowed on the mountain, deaths are going to continue to occur. Such is the draw of Everest! Everest - 70th Anniversary Part 4 John Walton We rarely discuss non-alcoholic drinks in the Snug, our focus is elsewhere; after all the Snug is in a pub! One exception occurred when we discussed tea bags and how they have led to a new social etiquette of supplying your own preferred type of tea when visiting friends. Indeed, within our own small group preferences for Earl Grey, Camomile, mint and fruit flavoured tea over breakfast blends as a digestive, proved a point. Tentatively it was suggested we probably need to accept this new trend rather than take offence if one of our guests whipped out a tea bag and declined their host’s offer of ’builder’s tea’ or coffee. “Rude!” voiced one, “Sensible!” said another. However, one who had remained fairly quiet for most of the discourse refocussed the discussion. “Tea? Healthy? Bah! Beer can boost the immune system”, he announced and then went on to explain drinking beer may be good for your gut health and boost the immune system. “A review of various animal and human experiments acknowledged that purported health benefits of alcohol are controversial, but says sensible consumption has a positive effect on the human immune function. Researchers say supping a pint boosted the immune system thanks to healthy bacteria in the beer that benefits the gut.” “OK!” says another in the group. “It’s my round….One for the road, or perhaps one for the immune system?” “Definitely the latter!” was the collective response. Buddy Bach Thoughts from the Snug . . . Beverages

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 25 One of the blessings of living in this part of the world is that we’re virtually on the doorstep of lovely, living landscapes – and just about an hour’s drive away from that monumental folly called Offa’s Dyke. Despite all the hard labour involved, it never did, in fact, succeed in separating the Welsh from the English – but it has at least succeeded in providing a spine for a countryside of quietly understated excellence. We stayed recently in a lodge – a log cabin - at Arrow Bank Country Holiday Park, situated on the fringes of the bucolic Herefordshire village of Eardisland, and really enjoyed the experience. Firstly, the accommodation – clean, modern, stylish and very well equipped with everything we could possibly have wanted. As well as the usual TV and DVD it was nice to find working WI-FI and also to discover that the heating system was so easy to understand and operate... The kitchen was also well equipped – but I confess that we were rather tempted not only by the pubs and cafe down the road in the village but also by the rather nice restaurant called The Lakeside situated at Pearl Lake, Arrow Bank’s sister site, just ten minutes drive up the road. That’s a more activity oriented site and perhaps better for young families, but both sites offer free fishing, on the river at Arrow Bank and in lakes at both sites. There are also some pleasant walks to be had in the dedicated natural fields and a useful recreation field for ball games and suchlike. Eardisland village is just a short step away and has two rather nice looking pubs – the Cross Inn and the White Swan- as well as Rita’s Tea Rooms where we enjoyed some really delicious home made food. There’s also a small village shop – staffed by volunteers – and, would you believe, an original 1920’s AA Box – rescued and refurbished to mint condition! The village grew up around a castle – long gone, but the mound on which it stood still survives – built to guard the road between England and Wales where it crosses the River Arrow. So, on the English side, you can go back a bit to Leominster (and you’ll come to a big Morrison’s on the way in, which is very handy) or a bit further to Hereford or to Ludlow (which has a nice open air market on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Or turn the other way when you’ll soon cross the Dyke into Wales, although you may well want to stop in Kington, which straddles the Offa’s Dyke Path, and is a lovely little town to browse around for an hour or so. It’s only a hour and a half to the Welsh seaside, if the weather’s being kind and you fancy a paddle, or less than half that time to the Elan Valley lakes near the town of Rhayader with opportunities for cycle hire and watching giant red kites being fed. However, if entertaining the kids is your main objective, then the much nearer walk up to the prehistoric hill fort of Croft Ambrey above the National Trust’s Croft Castle will use up a lot of energy but don’t forget the other local NT property at Berrington Hall which is also well worth the visit. We certainly found plenty to see and do, with the bonus of a relaxed and luxurious base to return to. As I write this page there’s still some availability over this month’s half term holidays, see www.discoverparks.co.uk or phone them on 01568 708326 and talk to the team. Swinging Bishampton (not a headline I ever thought we’d use.....) This Friday night sees an ‘evening of Parisian flavoured jazz and Gipsy swing’ at Bishampton Villages Hall presented by the UK quartet Swing from Paris. Inspired by the great bands of the 1930’s and 40’s they will present their own versions of music by Gershwin, Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and others. Expect stylish jazz and vintage swing. Friday 6th October Door and bar open at 7pm. For details see www.swingfromparis.co.uk Criss-crossing the Dyke Brian Johnson-Thomas Of all towns in the USA with a strong jazz history most people will, of course, know of New Orleans, and many can recognise the connection of such towns as Chicago, New York or Kansas City but there seems to be little reference jazzwise to Savannah. Savannah, the epitome of the genteel Southern town with its green parks, cobbled streets and fine architecture, is proud to be known as “The Hostess City of the South” and entertains thousands of visitors each year. Like most southern cities, Savannah has a sullied history from the old slave owning days but nowadays, seems have made amends so much so that Martin Luther King Jr. described it as “the most desegregated city south of the Mason – Dixon Line” The level of integration is well illustrated by the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame with its multiracial complement of over forty inductees including bassist Ben Tucker who spent his final years in the city and opened the jazz venue “Hard hearted Hannah’s”. James Moody, bebop sax player, appears as does composer Johnny Mercer, famous for his “Moon River”, both born in Savannah. The Savannah Syncopators was a recording pseudonym for some of King Oliver’s bands and it is sad to note that Oliver was in Savannah when he died in terrible poverty. Also can be seen images and history of the Tybrisa Pavilion which hosted all the famous names in the big band era, and memorabilia from the acclaimed Savannah Jazz Festival which each September features an eclectic line up of contemporary musicians playing a range of jazz styles, all adding to the solid tradition of jazz in the city. This month we have Britain’s own Savannah Jazz Band bringing their driving New Orleans styled brand of jazz to the Club. The band’s forty plus years touring almost came to an end when drummer and leader John Meehan suffered a serious stroke. John is no longer able to play but the band have secured the services of our chairman and drummer, Graham Smith, whilst Brian Ellis (trombone) has assumed leadership and so they continue to delight fans as ever. Fun, excitement and raw good music on offer. Jazz News Peter Farrall The Savannah Jazz Band Wednesday 25th October The Function Room, Pershore Football Club Doors open at 7pm, music at 8 Admission £10 to include a raffle ticket. Book in advance and pay on arrival [emailprotected] tel: 01527 66692 find us on Facebook

26 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times 6 2 5 8 1 7 4 1 2 5 6 5 4 9 3 5 6 2 7 9 6 1 8 8 4 6 9 5 8 1 4 5 2 3 6 1 5 9 4 2 8 7 9 1 5 2 8 3 7 1 3 5 7 9 2 Wordsearch Across 7 Angolan capital (6) 8 Hibernian (5) 9 Thin layer (4) 10 Try to make someone believe they are going mad (8) 11 Thugs (5) 12 Propose (7) 15 Source of teenage angst (7) 17 Seventh sign of the zodiac (5) 20 Not non grata (8) 22 Move along in a stream (4) 23 Literary genre (3-2) 24 Mourn (6) Down 1 Erstwhile Peruvian President (8) 2 Kind of band (3-3) 3 Squads (5) 4 Topping the agenda (5,2) 5 Upholstery trim (6) 6 "Be quiet!" (4) 13 Overcome (8) 14 Stet (5,2) 16 Allow (6) 18 "A date which will live in ---" (6) 19 "Someone Like You" singer (5) 21 Mountain path (4) AIM BIG SHOT BOOK BRA ERGO GAZA GLAD GOA GOLLY JOE KID LAST LAY LEE LEWD LOGS LOW MOBILES N A T O O C D ORB ORGY PEW PING QUR'AN RARE RUDE SIR TEASED TRY UH-OH UNWED WALLER YEOMAN ZAIRE SeptemberAnswers Crossword Sudoku Coffee Break Each row and column must contain the numbers from one to nine, without repetitions. Crosswords Sudoku Wordsearches Jigsaw puzzles also available to play online for FREE visit: www.pershoreonline.co.uk/ coffeebreak Pershore Times today!

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 27 Poets’ Corner Fun Quiz! Complete and return this form or email: [emailprotected] for your chance to win! Pershore Times closing date: 29th October 2023 Answer: Name: Telephone/email: Return to: Hughes & Company/Pershore Times 8 Church Street, Pershore Worcestershire WR10 1DT This month’s anagram AFRICAN ANGEVIN OEL SPOT & SHOP! COMPETITION TIME! Take a look at the anagram The answer is the name of a business that is advertising in the Pershore Times this month This month’s prizes! 1st - £25 cash donated by Pershore Times 2nd Sunday Lunch for Two at The Jockey Inn, Baughton (Three course set menu, excluding drinks) 3rd £20 Food Voucher at Benvenuti Belle House, Pershore 4th £20 Food Voucher at The Queen Elizabeth, Elmley 5th £10 Voucher at Revills Farm Shop, Defford 6th £10 Voucher at Craftypyro, Bakers Arcade, Pershore 7th Reg Moule Gardening Book 8th Pat’s Pantry- Jar of home-made marmalade/jam Spot & Shop - September Winners 1) Julie Wooding 2) Wendy Melton 3) Diana Pavey 4) Margaret Dufty 5) Robert Hudson 6) Jacob Felton 7) Jean Birbeck 8) Aiden Goodchild 9) James Tait Last month’s answer: Arcade Sweets A Shropshire Lad XVIII Oh, when I was in love with you, Then I was clean and brave, And miles around the wonder grew How well did I behave. And now the fancy passes by, And nothing will remain, And miles around they'll say that I Am quite myself again. XIX To an athlete dying young The time you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place; Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high. To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town. Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields where glory does not stay And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honours out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man. So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup. And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl's. A. E. Housman 1859-1936 1) Florence Welch is the lead vocalist for which group? 2) In mythology who is the principal Greek God? 3) Blondie was the name of the dog belonging to which dictator? 4) Related to the llama, which South American mammal has long shaggy hair? 5) Which animal lives in a Formicary? 6) Cast, Company and Troupe are collective nouns for what? 7) Rory Graham apparently took his stage name from his love of Steptoe and Son. What is he known as? 8) Which Day, first held on 22 April 1970, is to celebrate the achievements of the environmental movement and raise awareness about protecting the world's natural resources for future generations? 9) According to the proverb, Necessity is the mother of… What? 10) Which statesman is quoted as saying “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent” 11) Which agreement was signed in Northern Ireland in 1998? 12) In April 2019 what did scientists manage to get an image of, at the centre of the M87 galaxy? 13) Born in 1963, which Russian chess grandmaster was the World Chess Champion from 1985 to 2000? 14) William Booth born in 1829 went on to found which international charitable organization? 15) Which Ugandan dictator was deposed in April 1979? 16) In 1981 a massive riot resulting in over 300 police casualties and 65 serious civilian injuries took place in which London Borough? 17) In 1937 in Rugby, England, Sir Frank Whittle ground tested the first what? 18) Who became the first human to travel to outer space when he orbited the earth in April 1961? 19) In 1997 who became the youngest golfer to win the US Masters? 20) April 1866 saw the birth of which famous outlaw and leader of the ‘’Wild Bunch’? Answers: 1) Florence and the Machine 2) Zeus 3) Hitler 4) Alpaca 5) Ant 6) Actors 7) Rag'N'Bone Man 8) Earth Day 9) Invention 10) Winston Churchill 11) The Good Friday Agreement 12) A Black Hole 13) Garry Kasparov 14) The Salvation Army 15) Idi Amin 16) Brixton 17) Jet Engine 18) Yuri Gagarin 19) Tiger Woods 20) Butch Cassidy

28 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times In memoriam Boulter. David William (Dave / Nerky) Passed away at home on 4th September 2023, aged 72 years. Son of the late Victor and Lillian, loved brother of Lorraine, Nicky, Lynda and Carol he will be very sadly missed by all his family, friends and colleagues. A service of Thanksgiving for his life was held at Pershore Abbey on Tuesday 26th September. Donations, if desired, for the Dogs Trust and Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Pershore may be sent to E Hill & Son Funeral Directors. Cave. Betty née Pratley Passed away peacefully on 8th September 2023, aged 89 years. Devoted wife to John, much loved mum to Adrian and Vikki, a loving nan and great nan. Betty will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Funeral service will take place at the Church of St Mary, Wick on Wednesday 4th October at 1pm followed by burial in the Churchyard. Please wear a splash of blue in memory of Betty. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, for Pershore & District Volunteer Centre and the Church of St Mary, Wick may be sent to E Hill & Son Funeral Directors. Barker. Avril Doreen Passed away on 4th September 2023 at the age of 89. Helen, William and Yvonne mourn the loss of a loving mother and sister. A farewell service will take place at the Church of St James the Great, Birlingham on Tuesday 3rd October at 1.30pm. This will be followed by a committal at The Vale Crematorium, Fladbury. Rather than flowers, please send any donations for Acorns Children’s Hospice or St Richard’s Hospice to E Hill & Son Funeral Directors. Parkes. David George Passed away peacefully at home on 30th August 2023, aged 76years. A Devoted husband, father and grandfather. David will be very sadly missed by his family and friends. Funeral service took place at the Vale Crematorium, Fladbury, on Friday 29th September. Donations, if desired, for Cancer Research UK and The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (cheques to NASS please) may be sent to E Hill & Son Funeral Directors. Wallen. Barbara Mary (Nee Odling - Smee) Passed away on 19th August 2023, aged 88 years. Much loved wife of the late Kaj Wallen, mother of Emma, Sarah, Simon, Caius and Anna and sister of William, David and John. Mary will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. A Funeral Service took place at Pershore Abbey on Tuesday 12th September. The Interment of her ashes will take place in Lappträsk, Finland in 2024. Donations, if desired, are invited for Christian Aid may be sent to: E Hill & Son Funeral Directors. Donations may be sent to: E Hill & Son Funeral Directors, Pershore WR10 1HZ Tel: 01386 552141 Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I read ‘Women’s Hour! Out of Date’ with interest in your September issue. The writer refers to ‘use by dates’ and suggests that she threw away many items. Nowhere was Best before (BBE) talked about. This food is still OK to eat - it may just be below its top notch quality. Most tins are BBE and are good to eat for months/years after the date. I hate hearing about food waste and hope that you can enlighten your readers about this important difference. Maggi Davis 100th Birthday! Mrs Joan Lloyd Celebrates her 100th Birthday on Thursday 5th October 2023 Mum to Pat, Lionel, Kevin, Jennifer, Janet and of the late June Nan to Lynda, Tracey, Nicholas, Jackie, Paul, Sandie and Luke Great-nan to Jack, Izzie, Tobie, Evie and Darcie Have a wonderful day, Love from all the family Could you spare some time to make a difference to the lives of patients with serious, progressive illnesses? St Richard’s Hospice needs volunteers at its shop at Billings House, Pershore, to help raise funds for its care. Whether serving customers, merchandising stock, or preparing donations for sale, many opportunities are available. Volunteering not only makes a difference, it can also be a great way to meet new friends and gain skills. Support is particularly needed on Saturdays, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Speak to the manager in store for details or to arrange a taster session. or, contact the hospice on 01905 763963 or volunteerservice@ strichards.org.uk St Richard’s Hospice needs volunteers! CHAIR BASED EXERCISE STANDING AND SEATED Low impact classes with music for everyone! Improve your balance, strength and agility Fun and friendly atmosphere No floor work!! Wednesdays at 10:30am Pershore Riverside Centre For more information call Linda on 07766 253077 or email: [emailprotected] Dear Maggi, I am pleased that you read my articles and always welcome feedback. You are quite right in that I probably should have included BBE but I was referring specifically to my own store cupboard and its contents. Please be assured that I only threw out things that were well and truly out of date ( hence the title of my article). I still have tins that have BBE dates which have passed. I did specify that pasta, rice and cake/bread mixes which were 2+ years out of date were consigned to the bin. I too hate waste which is probably why my cupboards are overfull! In the days before all these labels, we had to use our common sense; I think that is still true today. Best wishes Susan

Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 29 What’s On? Box Office Opening Hours In Person Bookings: Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm & from 6pm on performance evenings Telephone Bookings: Mon – Sat 4pm – 6pm High Street Pershore Worcestershire WR10 1BG Box Office: 01386 555488 Email: [emailprotected] www.number8.org Pershore Times Telephone 01386 803803 Proprietor/editor Alan Hughes To advertise email: [emailprotected] For editorial email: [emailprotected] Facebook: Pershore-Times Twitter: @PershoreTimes To receive the Pershore Times by email visit www.pershoretimes.co.uk enter your name and email address Published by Hughes & Company 8 Church Street, Pershore WR10 1DT email: [emailprotected] www.hughesprinters.co.uk Circulation 5000 printed copies, email edition for PC, iPad and smartphones and the online daily today! (10,500 followers) Opinions expressed in letters and articles published are not necessarily those held by the Editor or the Publishers of the Pershore Times. The Publishers of the Pershore Times hold no responsibility for the accuracy of any details contained within the advertisements. Copy Deadline November Issue - 23rd October 2023 Cinema Listings Scrapper (12A) Friday 6 October - 7.30pm Tickets: £9.001hr 24 mins Quartet (12A) Saturday 7 October - 7.30pm; Monday 9 October - 11.00am Tickets: £9.00, Daytime £8.00 1hr 38 mins, AD, 2012 L’immensità (12A) Thursday 12 October - 7.30pm Italian with subtitles Tickets: £9.00 1hr 39 mins My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (12A) Friday 13 October - 7.30pm; Monday 16 October - 11.00am & 7.30pm; Tuesday 17 October - 7.30pm Tickets: £9.00, Daytime £8.00 1hr 32 mins La Syndicaliste (15) Thursday 19 October - 7.30pm French with subtitles Tickets: £9.00 2hrs 2 mins The Miracle Club (12A) Saturday 21 October - 7.30pm; Monday 23 October - 11.00am & 7.30pm (ST); Tuesday 24 October - 7.30pm; Wednesday 25 October - 2.00pm; Thursday 26 October - 7.30pm; Friday 27 October - 4.00pm & 7.30pm Tickets: £9.00, Daytime £8.00 1hr 30 mins Just Super(U) Monday 30 October - 2.00pm; Wednesday 1 November - 11.00am Tickets: £6.00 1hr 16 mins Haunted Mansion (12A) Monday 30 October - 7.30pm; Tuesday 31 October - 11.00am; Friday 3 November - 2.00pm Tickets: £9.00, Daytime £8.00 2hrs 3 mins A Haunting in Venice (12A) Tuesday 31 October & Friday 3 November - 7.30pm; Monday 6 November - 11.00am & 7.30pm Tickets: £9.00, Daytime £8.00 1hr 43 mins Events Listings A Little Life Tuesday 10 October - 7.00pm Tickets: £16, Seniors £15, Students £10 3hrs 40 mins (inc. interval), Cert 18 Nureyev’s Don Quixote Saturday 14 October - 7.00pm Tickets: £12, Friends £11, Students/16 & under £10 2hrs 8 mins Discovering Antarctica: Heroic Tales of Shackleton, Crean & Scott Friday 20 October - 7.30pm Tickets: £13, Friends £12 1hr 15 mins The Fireballs Saturday 28 October - 7.30pm Tickets: £16 1hr 45mins (inc. interval) Sea Legs Puppet Theatre: The Ugly Duckling Thursday 2 November - 2.00pm Tickets: £8, 16 & under £6 45mins + meet the puppets, suitable for ages 3+ Farm Shop Assistant Required 4 days per week -Weekend availability Permanent - Driving licence required Revills Farmshop & Cafe Bourne Road, Defford WR8 9BS Tel: 01386 750466 Situations Vacant Cook & Bar Staff Required The Royal Oak Kinnersley WR8 9JR 01905 371482 [emailprotected] www.theroyaloakkinnersley.co.uk Thoughts from Churches of Pershore It’s Autumn. I love nature’s colours and the different weather, sun, rain, mist and wind – all in one day. But it also brings with it a ‘busy-ness’. Maybe it’s because the schools and colleges are back. Or because we know Christmas is round the corner. But, in that ‘busy-ness’ we must remember to find some quiet time. To make sure we find space for that peace that we still need so much. Time to reflect and to pray. Time to think of others and nourish ourselves. To thank God, and make sure we have time to do just that. Peter Stansbie Pershore Abbey Are you on the Organ Donation Register? Do your Family and Friends know your wishes? For further information telephone 0300 123 23 23 For enrolment information go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or email: [emailprotected] 07807 070249 Sponsored by: Hughes & Company

30 Issue 87 - October 2023 - Pershore Times Live Music Folk, Rock & Blues NUMBER 8, High St, Pershore Worcestershire WR10 1BG Tickets: £10 available from BOX OFFICE 01386 555488 number8.org Saturday 14th October 2023 8pm Dave Ellis & Boo Howard Dave ‘One of the six best guitarists in the world’ (Melody Maker), and Boo (Bass, Vocals) of The Dave Ellis Band fame, are a duo renowned for their powerful songwriting, exquisite guitar playing and beautiful harmonies. “As good as it gets…musicianship is second to none, vocals spot on, intelligent songs, stage presence” (The Bothy) October Monthly Meeting Tuesday 17th October 2023 at 2pm The English Civil War in Worcestershire Dressed in full costume Max Keen will enlighten us about the Civil War in Kidderminster, Bewdley, Worcester and Pershore! All monthly meetings held at Number 8 High Street Pershore WR10 1BG Everyone welcome, no need to book For more details contact Sally Whyte, Speaker Coordinator: email: [emailprotected] https://u3asites.org.uk/pershore An opportunity to buy many handcrafted gifts and treats for Christmas CHRISTMAS CRAFT & GIFT FAYRE Saturday 25th November 12.00 midday – 4.30pm ELMLEY CASTLE VILLAGE HALL Deer Park Wines Tilesford Cottage Pork Products Preserves, Honey, Chocolates, Sweets Artisan Woodcrafts and Resin Products Jewellery, Beauty, Bathroom Woollen Products Oscar Pet Foods Tombola and Refreshments and at 4.30pm Send Santa off to ‘The Queens’

The Seniors Section of The Vale Golf and Country Club held their final Open of 2023 played in a team format off 85% of their individual handicap with the best two Stableford scores to count. The competition attracted 100 players from 24 different clubs. The results were: 1st Ray Matthews, Brian Longmore, David Colewell, Mark Cox from Kidderminster GC with 89 points 2nd Phil Davis, Ian Macrae, Andy Vale, Vale GC and David Kent Worcestershire GC with 86 points 3rd Michael Edwards, David Davies, Heyrose GC, Adrian Noke Graham Palmer Whitney Lakes GC 85 points 4th Mike Collier, Mark Harris, Karl Murcott, Neil Thompson Vale GC 84 points. Nearest the pin on the 5th Mike Heard Vale GC Nearest the pin in 2 on the 17th John Eastoe Vale GC Thanks to members who donated prizes for the raffle which raised £510 for the Captains Charity Alzheimers UK. CAPTAINS HOME DAY The Captains Home Day was played on a beautiful sunny day contested by 65 players over the Cross Country Course. The day was expertly organised by John Milward who never fails to organise a very enjoyable day for all. The results were: 1st Mike Collier, Keith Nichols, Keith Round and Adrian Duggan 121 points 2ndNigel Smith, Ian Cutler, Phil Tilstone and Peter Gardener 120 points 3rd Steve Hampton, Brian Brumhead, Steve Peacock and Colin Powel 117 points on countback 4th Dalia Perla, Steve Addison, Neil Thompson and Bernard Rayner 117 points Nearest the pin on the 3rd Dave Millard Nearest the pin on the 5th Ian Geden Nearest the pin on the 11th Alan Wolverton Nearest the pin on the 14th John Nutman The next competition was the fourth round of five of the Eclectic which was held in a Stableford format with a 95% attracting 68 players. Results were: Div 1 1st Ian Geden 40 points 2nd Mike Roberts 39 points 3rd Steve Addison 38 points Div 2 1st Arthur Collingwood 42 points 2nd Chris Filus 41 points 3rd Will Reading 38 points Div 3 1st John Carr 44 points 2nd Peter Richards 39 points 3rd John Whale 39 points Pershore Rugby’s 15-aside “Phoenix” women’s team played their first league match on Sunday 17th September on the opening weekend for women’s Rugby Union fixtures. They travelled to play another new team, Kidderminster Carolians ladies, in the Women’s NC3 South West (North) league. Pershore, captained by Samantha Smedley, set out to put all their pre-season hard work and commitment to good effect. A hard-fought game ensued, with the first score going to Kidderminster. Pershore then came back with scrum half Mollie Dale setting up winger Laura Kelly to cross the whitewash for her first try for Pershore. The game continued with some crunching tackles from both teams, a score from Kidderminster and a second try for Pershore from the powerhouse Number 8, Immy James, which levelled the score to 10-10. Kidderminster’s pace, however, outdid Pershore, and the game finished 38-10. It was a great game for all involved, as well as the many spectators. Pershore’s forward-of-thematch was Nicola Hope, backof-the-match was Harriet Wright, who joined the team this year and had previously only played three games. Both put in massive efforts with numerous tackles and hard runs.Pershore Phoenix women host their first home game at Pershore Rugby, Wyre Piddle (WR10 2JF), against Luctonians women on Sunday 24th September at 14:00. Spectators are welcome and there will be free parking and the bar will be open. Training for any women interested in playing women’s Rugby Union at Pershore is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:30-19:30. Anyone is welcome, no experience necessary. Pershore Times - October 2023 - Issue 87 31 Vale Golf Club Seniors - Final Open of 2023 The Winning Team from Kidderminster G C being congratulated by Captain Will Reading Naomie wins the singles title at Wrexham Pershore's Naomie Tarver won the singles at the LTA National series wheelchair competition in Wrexham at the weekend. Naomie Tarver competed in the LTA National series wheelchair competition at Wrexham and won the women's Singles title. Naomie also entered the doubles competition but it wasn't played. Naomie said: "I did qualifying on day one and didn't drop a set, then went into the draw on the Sunday and again won in clear sets too!" Well done Naomie, go Pershore! www.pershoretennis.co.uk First match for Pershore women - A great game A great, first League-match for Pershore Phoenix women at Kidderminster

Pershore Times Printers - Publishers Bookbinders - Stationers 8 Church Street, Pershore WR10 1DT Tel: 01386 803803 Email: [emailprotected] www.hughesprinters.co.uk Four generations of printers Hughes & Company SPOT & SHOP! See Page 27 Success for Worcestershire wheelchair tennis player! Dan Pennington Bridges, who trains at the wheelchair tennis group at Pershore Tennis Centre as well as at Bewdley Tennis Club, has had a very successful summer in his wheelchair tennis career. Dan is currently studying for a psychology degree at Worcester University but travels across Worcestershire to Pershore and Bewdley for his coaching. In July, Dan was a runner up in the quad singles and winner of the quad doubles at the Futures Event at the British Wheelchair Open in Nottingham. In August, Dan competed in the Vilnius Open in Lithuania and reached the semi-finals in the quad singles. The quad doubles was a nail-biting final where they were one set down and teetering on the brink of losing the title in the second set but both players pulled it out of the bag winning the next six games to equalise and win the tie-break to become quad doubles champions. Sue, Dan's Mum, explains: "Dan was born with a rare genetic condition that affect his bones, he is unable to walk without the aid of crutches. After a serious spinal fusion operation to correct scoliosis Dan turned to wheelchair tennis. His first competition was when he was 15 and he has gone from strength-to-strength training at the Wheelchair Tennis group at Pershore and with his coach at Bewdley." Sue continues: "Dan was classified as a quad player by the International Tennis Federation when he was 18 – this means he has additional physical restrictions to his playing arm. He is currently ranked 74th in the World in the quad division. Steve Bauer, Pershore Tennis Centre’s Head Coach, says: “For Worcestershire to have a wheelchair tennis player competing internationally is brilliant! I am very proud of Dan's achievement, which is so well deserved.” Dan is looking for Worcestershire companies who might like to help him on his wheelchair journey as he is self-funded and would welcome any financial support towards his dream of competing in the Paralympics. Please contact Pershore Tennis Centre if you'd like to help: www.pershoretennis.co.uk Dan Pennington-Bridges (right) with his partner Oliver Cox at the Vilnius Open in Lithuania.


Issue 87 Pershore October 2023 - Flip eBook Pages 1-32 (2025)
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