The villager august 2013 upload by Betty-Ann Ambury

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Make September the month you do! St Richard’s Hospice Write a Will Month is back! Make a simple* Will during September for only £85 or £135 for a double. Participating solicitors will donate 100% of fees to St Richard’s Hospice. To take part – simply call your preferred solicitor and make an appointment quoting the “St Richard’s Hospice September Write a Will Scheme” For details of participating solicitors visit www.strichards.org.uk/writeawill Or telephone the Fundraising Department on 01905 763963 Or email rjones@strichards.org.uk StPlease Richard’s Wildwood Drive,toWorcester mentionHospice, THE VILLAGER when responding advertisers WR5 2QT

Hello and welcome to the August edition of

T he V illager

This month we welcome two new writers to the team, Gary Lloyd and Pamela Green. Look out for their articles, which I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did. Andrew

Brooks

from

The

Cheeseboard

in Malvern tells us about Shropshire Blue cheese,

which

having

tried

it,

can

personally recommend as being delicious! Brian Joyce has this month written the first in a series of articles about some of the villages where we deliver The Villager.

hope you find it interesting, and of course, if you know something about your village that you think would be of interest to our other readers, please give me a call, or email me about it. A couple of events to make a note of are the Pershore Rugby Club's Fun Day and the Peopleton Village Autumn Show. As always, Amy Marshall at ALM Fitness, Hilary Collins at Grafton Nursery and Jordan Massey of JM Paddock Maintenance give us the benefit of their expertise in each of

The Berkeley Arms Pub and Restaurant in Spetchley Worcester.

Serving home cooked food, real ales and ďŹ ne wine. We also have a 150 capacity seated function suite for Weddings & Events. Now taking bookings for 2013 & 2014. Evesham Road, Spetchley, Worcestershire WR7 4QL

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their special fields. And finally, we're still looking for distributors to deliver The Villager, so if you live in or near Inkberrow or Flyford Flavell and would like to earn "a few bob" whilst getting a little exercise, give me a call on 01684 833715.

BettyB e t

info@berkeleyarms.net www.berkeleyarms.net

To advertise call 0845 224 7061 or 07754 170286 or visit www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

The Villager August 2013

Issue No. 39

Publisher & Advertising

Grapevine Publications

3 Rye Street • Birtsmorton • WR13 6AS Tel: 0845 224 7061 • Mob: 07754 170286 info@grapevinepublications.co.uk www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

Editor

Betty-Ann Ambury Info@grapevinepublications.co.uk

Advertising & Editorial Betty-Ann Ambury

Contributors

Andrew Brooks Amy Marshall Brian Joyce Gary Lloyd Hilary Collins Jordan Massey Pamela Green

Front Cover Photography

(antirrhinum, snapdragon, bunny-rabbit flower)

Mike Ambury

Next Issue Copy Date 10th August 2013

contents 3

St Richard's Hospice

Villages Abound

Bishampton History Society

Pershore Rugby Club Fun Day

CET Plumbing & Property

Currant Thinking!

JM Paddock & Field

The Village Shop, Bishampton

Fifty Shades of Plum

Missing the Seasons

ALM Fitness

Events in August

Peopleton Autumn Show

Coffee Break

The Cheeseboard

Your Community Directory

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All artwork and copy appearing in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The right to refuse advertisements is reserved. The use of this publication for canvassing, direct marketing or any other activity apart from sourcing local goods and services is strictly prohibited. © 2013 DISCLAIMER. All information published is correct according to those who supplied it and no responsibility is taken if it is not. Please mention VILLAGERare when responding tois advertisers Care is taken to ensureTHE all advertisements truthful and no liability accepted for errors or emissions.

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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile! It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Paul Papandreou feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people

money, although that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’ Cloudy2Clear service the Malvern, Worcester & Hereford areas and Paul is finding that his approach is a major

factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people

I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Paul a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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Villages Abound:

a brief overview of some of the villages scattered around the Vale: by Brian Joyce

A common theme throughout history with rural towns and villages is the Church. It seems that most areas in the Vale have been under the control of The Church. Villages surrounding Bredon Hill and Pershore have a mixed history but a common heritage. Many, like The Combertons and Fladbury were mentioned in the Domesday Book and date back to Saxon times, though neither of these have much marking their evolution through the centuries other than the Church, market gardening, leather and glove making. Both Little Comberton (formerly Parva Cumbrintone) and Great Comberton (formerly Magna Cumbrintone) lie approximately 2 miles south-east of Pershore, in the shadow of Bredon Hill. Both are small, picturesque villages with a scattering of the black and white cottages which typifies this area. Great Comberton sits on the left bank of the River Avon where it loops eastward almost forming an oxbow and the village actually possesses a quay, though I’m unable to ascertain historical significance for this. Historically, ten manses at Comberton formed part of the original possessions of the Abbey of Pershore and they are said to have been restored by King Edgar in 972. Two estates at Comberton were held by St. Peter of Westminster at the date of the Domesday Survey as part of the great manor of Pershore, granted to the Abbey by Edward the Confessor. So it was over the centuries, where land and titles passed to or were gifted by various monarchs or Church Leaders, to distinguished dignitaries populating the various manors and manses in the locale. Fladbury (formerly Fledanburg) had both a convent and a monastery in Saxon times. The town was donated to Oftor, 2nd Bishop of Worcester by King Ethelred, in the 7th Century. In the 13th Century, the town was supposedly worth £29 6s . . . a princely sum for an entire town or village, although by 1535 it had almost doubled in value to £53 1s 2d! A unique feature of this town is the Mill which sits on the banks of the River Avon, a distinctive building which glows red in the Vale sunsets.

Hill, overlooking the Vale. The castle, built on the site of a 1st Century Iron Age fort, overlooks the village and the Vale, although little now remains other than the outline of fortifications and a moat. Few stones remain as many were taken to re-build the old river bridge over the Avon at Pershore in the 15th and 16th Centuries. The earthworks and remains of a curtain wall, built 100 years after the main construct, are still visible. The medieval Castle reputedly built by Robert Despenser following the Norman Conquest, was still habitable in the mid-16th Century, its demise was the increasing significance of Warwick Castle, as the Castle at Elmley became second seat to the Earls of Warwick. An Elizabethan stone mansion succeeded the castle on flatter ground and was built for William Savage (1554-1616) whose family tomb can be found in the Church. Elmley Castle has further distinctions, being the only village to have been visited by a monarch. Queen Elizabeth I visited the village and was supposedly presented with a hat, giving rise to the name 'Besscaps' for the rising slope in the village. The Queen’s Head public house commemorates this visit with the sign over the door.

Rich in history, mentioned in the Domesday, beautiful and picturesque; few of these villages have developed to any size when compared to Pershore or Evesham. This could be attributed to their non-strategic location . . . not on the main thoroughfare used throughout the centuries In marked contrast to most of these Saxon-based between London and Worcester. I daresay the villages, Elmley Castle has a more distinctive locals like it that way as the pace and way of life is history, by virtue of the strategic value of the moderate, peaceful, and generally uninterrupted castle and its position on the slopes of Bredon by traveling folks. 8 To advertise call 0845 224 7061 or 07754 170286 or visit www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

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Bishampton History Society

Photos by Charles Rigg Article by Lesley Miller & Mike Rickard

Bishampton War Memorial restored thanks to Darren Steele and his team

arly in July Worcester Cathedral’s stonemason, Darren Steele and his team were busy restoring Bishampton’s war memorial which has pride of place on what remains of the village green on Main Street.

The War Memorial, made of fragile Inkberrow sandstone, has been restored after 80 years, thanks to funding from Bishampton History Society and the War Memorial Trust. The memorial is unusual in that names featured on the memorial include those of soldiers who returned from the war as well as the six who died.

around the memorial, and reduce the micro-climate of dampness which Darren says with regular periodic maintenance, will delay for some time, the need for further major renovation.

Now the work has been completed, the names of those who died in both world wars and those who returned after the 1914/18 conflict are once again legible.

Mike Rickard, Chair of the Bishampton History Society, said: “We are very pleased that the Parish Council agreed to support the project and that the memorial is going to be restored by a professional stonemason of Darren’s stature and reputation. We are delighted and extremely honoured that Bishop John will be giving his blessing to the memorial and the men who served, especially at this time in history when the centenary of the Great War is approaching

Darren is kept busy throughout the year, in all weathers, maintaining the Cathedral’s structure and protecting its stonework from the ravages of weather and pollution. Occasionally, and when the Cathedral can spare him, he likes to help local community projects such as Bishampton’s. Landscaping work has already been done to clear the area around the War Memorial. This work, which does not qualify for funding through the War Memorial Trust, was financed by Bishampton & Throckmorton Parish Council together with funding from Wychavon District Council. This will provide more air and ventilation 10

The Right Reverend John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, has agreed to officially re-dedicate the memorial in the autumn when work is complete.

“Our members Peter Jesson and Charles Rigg have done painstaking work over the last year trying to trace the names which appear on the war memorial, and we are planning to have a booklet available for the anniversary in 2014.”

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Please mention THE VILLAGER when responding to advertisers

oys and girls of all ages can now try out any type of rugby, for free, thanks to Pershore Rugby Club, who are holding an open rugby fun day on Sunday 29th September.

There will be demonstration games, BBQ

bouncy and

castles,

refreshments

and free on-site parking for the event at the club’s riverside grounds in Mill Lane, Wyre Piddle.

And,

for any children who decide they would like to carry on

Any child can simply drop in to the club and try a range of rugby skill workshops for free, led by qualified

playing at Pershore after the fun day, the club are offering three free training sessions.

and get fit too, trying out rugby in a safe and friendly, family environment. We hope that they will enjoy it so much that they will want to come back for more, and come and join us for junior training, in whichever type of rugby they like best, on Sunday morning from 10am.” “We are proud to offer children a great start in

Free Rugby Fun Day for Children of All Ages coaches, at any time from 11am until 1pm. And a series of mini games will be staged to give them a taste of whichever type of rugby takes their fancy – tag rugby for the younger ones, or the increasingly popular, noncontact, touch rugby, (for which Pershore has been recognised as a centre by the RFU) or traditional rugby union (15-a-side or sevens). 12

Ben Andrews, chair of the Pershore Juniors section says that they want to continue to build on their success from last season, and offer more local children the opportunity to

any type of rugby and you never know, they may end up being a rugby world cup player of the future. Who knows where rugby might take these younger players later on in life!”

be part of this event: “We need to continue to inspire children to be active and healthy by participating in a sport that we all enjoy. This is an opportunity for all children to have fun

Anyone wanting further information please contact:

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prfc.juniors@hotmail.co.uk

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hen we asked Dale Firkin to tell us about CET Plumbing & Heating and CET Property Care, he said he would like to have some of his many satisfied customers do that. So here is a small selection of what some of them had to say about Dale and CET: “Very pleasant and reliable, came when he said he would. His problem-solving skills were good. He tidied up very well. Competitively priced; a very good experience overall; will use him again.” Mr Shiels - March 2012 "I had a number of relatively minor plumbing tasks that needed attention in the house and

was waiting to get a recommendation from friends rather than take the risk of calling a random plumber. A neighbour highly recommended (C E T) to me, so I gave them a call. They were friendly, prompt and did a good job. I will call them next time I need any plumbing and recommend others do the same." Amanda B - April 2012 “Completed excellent work over summer holidays in our school, fitting new classroom sink.” Andrea Kirk - October 2012 “I was very pleased with the work. It was done promptly, efficiently and it was clean and tidy. Dale is a very pleasant worker

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and I would recommend him to others.” Mr Womack - November 2012 “Thank you Dale, job well done, clean and tidy, no mess left behind. A very nice young man who I was happy to let into my home.” Trudi E - December 2012

534014

“Good company, really helpful and reasonable prices. I would definitely recommend CET.” Julie J - April 2013

“Thanks for all the work you have carried out for us. All to an excellent standard. We are very pleased with the way everything is turning out and how the extra space will Great service from Dale at CET Plumbing. make such a difference.” Chris & Sandra Saturday call-out, here within an hour to fix a May 2013 DIY plumbing job gone wrong. Professional, Landlord Certificates Boiler Replacement friendly and good value for money. Would Boiler and ApplianceAsServicing recommend.” Paul K -  January 2013 you can see, Dale and his team are

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Currant Thinking!

t’s all about ‘superfoods’: a 21st century nutrition revolution. Supplement your diet with Açaí and Goji berries . . . or should you? ‘They’ say these little berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, but research indicates that the health benefits remain scientifically unconfirmed. Global demand for the central and south American Açaí Palm fruit has produced a huge, destructive agribusiness, endangering rainforests and the habitat of indigenous people, not to mention the air-miles clocked up transporting highly processed pulp and lifeless dried fruits with negligible vitamin C. Now take the humble redcurrant bush, heavily bejewelled, midsummer, with dramatic clusters of glossy, ruby fruits; fresh, juicy, succulent and genuinely rich in magical antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Even better, they could be in your back garden, with no air-miles.

However, they are remarkably easy, low maintenance shrubs to grow and cheap to purchase: highly ornamental when in full fruit and great for those of a creative gourmet persuasion. Traditionally, redcurrants are deployed in pies, summer puddings, jams and jellies. Austrians make Linzer torte, whilst the Russians typically make the juice into wine! Redcurrants are also great eaten fresh with cheese and salads, the juice makes a vibrant vinaigrette. Strigs of fruit, frosted with egg white and caster sugar, dangling artfully from the edge of glasses, add style to summer drinks and smart cocktails. Redcurrant jelly makes a gorgeous glaze for fruit tarts and c h e e s e ca ke s , can be added to gravy and casseroles ( a d d i n g richness) and is a fabulous accompaniment to hearty roast meats, especially lamb.

Originally from Western Europe and Asia, the redcurrant is a member of the gooseberry family. It grows to a bush about 1.5m (5ft) in height and width, with bright, acid-green flowers in spring, loved by bees. At one time, it was a staple food in Europe and widely grown by the Victorians. I suspect the You can even freeze your precious harvest rise of convenience foods in post-war Britain (with or without sugar) to use later, in heralded the currant’s decline. Redcurrants combination with raspberries, crab-apples, are essentially culinary, with sharp, ‘grassy’ plums and other fruits in jellies or puddings. flavour, high acid and pectin content (the good healthy bits) and apt to produce an So having whetted your appetite for these alarming, contorted expression on the face of amazing plants, which varieties to grow? those brave enough to eat straight from the plant! Not widely grown commercially, you Unlike apple trees, there is limited choice may occasionally encounter these little gems with redcurrants; so selecting a good one is at a fruit farm, but rarely a greengrocers. important. Speaking to John Munday, manager 18 To advertise call 0845 224 7061 or 07754 170286 or visit www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

of the excellent Blackmoor Nurseries, he recommends the variety ‘Rovada’. A good one for beginners; reliable, heavy crops of large well-flavoured fruit, this disease-resistant Dutch variety is late flowering (so it misses the frosts) and crops early August. For very early season crops, John reckons ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ is number one, with very large fruit and a good old-fashioned redcurrant flavour.

Once cooked: Mash fruit well, strain through a clean jelly bag. Leave to drain, collecting all the juice. Don’t squeeze the bag, it will make your juice cloudy. Measure the juice (you can add a little water to make it up to the pint mark) and add 500g sugar to each 500ml of juice. Combine sugar and juice in a preserving or heavy bottomed pan and heat. Stir constantly until the mixture boils.

Growing tips: • Any reasonable garden soil in sun or part shade • Avoid boggy ground, frost pockets • Dig in plenty of compost at planting • Feed with Vitax Q4 fertiliser • Keep well watered in summer, so the fruits swell • Harvest when fruits are ripe, shiny and red • Grow as a free-standing ‘goblet-shaped’ bush or cordon on the fence • Yield - about 5kg fruit per year per plant • See RHS website for easy pruning http:// www.rhs.org.uk/Video/Redcurrant-pruning

Boil for 1 minute only, stirring all the time.

For top quality plants go to Blackmoor Nurseries: Blackmoor Nurseries Blackmoor Liss Hampshire GU 33 6BS Tel 01420 473576. www.blackmoor.co.uk

Enjoy!

Add ½ teaspoon of butter to reduce foaming. Quickly skim off any froth and discard. For extra interest add a slug of port or fruit liqueur at the time of bottling Pour jelly into warm jars immediately. Do this quickly; the concentration of pectin and acid is so great, the jelly tends to set in the pan, which could be a bit interesting! Note: If you are not keen on straining the fruit, make redcurrant jam by missing out the jelly bag stage and proceed straight to boiling up mashed fruit with sugar.

EASY REDCURRANT JELLY RECIPE Yield should be about 5 Kg of jelly per 3 Kg of sugar used

written by Hilary Collins BSc. (Hons)hort., M.I.Hort. Envisage...gardens by design Horticultural Consultant, Garden Writer, Prepare jam jars in advance: sterilised and Designer and Grower warmed; ready to use. Grafton Nursery Grafton Flyford, Worcester, WR7 4PW Prepare fruit: Using a fork, remove the fruit from the stalks For advice on garden design, landscape construction and planting contact: and wash in water. email: hilary@envisage-gardens.co.uk Place in a preserving/heavy bottomed pan. Heat gently until the currants are soft and www.envisage-gardens.co.uk www.grafton-nursery.co.uk tender (about 45 minutes) Please mention THE VILLAGER when responding to advertisers 19 For 3 Kg of fruit, use 500g of sugar per 500 ml of juice obtained

SIMON HAINES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LTD

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aving a lush green paddock is something we all aim to achieve for our animals to graze and for us to gaze on. There is no big secret to getting this other than looking after your land and don’t over graze it – something we all fall foul of from time to time. However, you can really give your land a boost by regular topping & harrowing, both of which help to prevent the growth of weeds. Why? Well topping (cutting the tops off the grass) maintains healthy grass; it ensures that the grass stays lush, sweet and nutritious. Harrowing works by detangling the weeds and the grass, pulls the dead plants out, scuffles & slits the ground to help loosen the soil and aerate (get oxygen in to) it, so producing better quality grass. When the grass is good there’s no room for weeds!

Using Agricultural ATVs and the most advanced Logic implements, Jordan provides what he describes as “compact farming at its best”.

Need some advice? JM Paddock & Field Maintenance, run by Jordan Massey, who holds a Diploma in Farm Mechanisation from Hartpury College offers a high quality and professional service to suit all your requirements, from one off jobs to monthly contracts.

“It’s quick, easy & affordable, minutes not hours & so many benefits! All our machinery is compact so small access to fields & paddocks with trees are easy to maintain. It’s time to treat yourself and your paddock to some TLC – it’s cheaper by contract.”

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Post Office Locally sourced fresh produce â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eggs, fruit, veg, meats, etc. Home-made freshly baked cakes daily from Karleneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cakes Award-winning ready-prepared meals by COOK Award-winning fresh fruit juices from Pershore College Computer repairs & service Dry Cleaning Free cash withdrawals & Foreign currency on request Ice cream, newspapers, personalised gifts Main Street, Bishampton, WR10 2LX Tel: 01386 462873 Opening Hours: 7am to 8pm Monday to Sunday

Award-winning ready-prepared meals which will be available in the shop from mid-July.

At COOK we make remarkable food for your freezer, prepared by hand at our Kitchen in Kent, using the same ingredients and techniques you would use at home. On every COOK dish you'll find the name of the chef who prepared your food. Our food looks and tastes homemade (maybe even a bit better!)

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Main Street, Bishampton, WR10 2LX Tel: 01386 462873 Opening Hours: 7am to 8pm Monday to Sunday

The Dolce in La Dolce Vita, Gelupo is the finest artisan gelato experience this side of the alps. We are the team behind bocca di lupo, and our chefs use choice English and Italian produce to make a careful selection of gelati (ice cream), sorbets and granitas (ice slushes) fresh every day.

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Fifty Shades of Plum

Article by Gary Lloyd

e are awash with festivals at this time of year. Music festivals, literary festivals, classic car festivals, comedy festivals. The list goes on. Most take place over the course of a weekend, and some last a while longer, but our little corner of the country plays host to one of the more unusual festivals of the summer – the Pershore Plum Festival. And it runs for an entire month. The Rolling Stones may have played Glastonbury this year, but far more stones will be on display in Pershore in August, albeit of a different variety.

Pershore Purple

Pershore Yellow Pershore Emblem And talking of variety, a surprising number of plum varieties originate from this area – The Pershore Plum Festival starts with the Pershore Purple, Pershore Yellow Egg and, the latest addition to the canon, Pershore crowning of this year’s Plum Princess at the Emblem. Plums grow best in a deep, heavy end of July. This is followed by the running loam, a sand/silt/clay combination with a high of The Land O’Plums Chase at Worcester level of nutrients, plenty of moisture – good Racecourse, with £100 of beauty treatments drainage is essential, and an abundance of up for grabs for the best purple outfit on humus (decomposed plant and animal matter, display. It continues throughout August, with not to be confused in any circumstances with tasting opportunities in Plum Alley, steam train the delicious creamy dip, which is blessed with rides through plum orchards and weekly coach a second m). This type of soil is abundant in tours (on Thursdays) hosted by a grandly-titled Pershore and the surrounding villages, much Plum Guide, before culminating with the Plum to the delight of jam-makers everywhere. Fayre on August Bank Holiday Monday. Purveyors of plum wine and plum jerkum, an alcoholic beverage not unlike cider, will also It seems entirely appropriate that plum is raise a glass to toast this fortuitous set of old slang for a large sum of money and now coincidences. describes the best of anything, the pick of the basket. This is adeptly illustrated by the Such is the long and fruitful association good fortune of Little Jack Horner, who every between Pershore and the humble plum, schoolchild knows picked out a plum while stretching back to the 19th century, that when eating his Christmas pie. A little-known aside the Co-operative Fruit Market was formed in to this tale of good fortune is that Little Jack 1909 by 400 growers, the baskets laden with Horner was reputed to have been the steward fruit destined for market had four ‘Ps’ painted to a medieval Bishop of Glastonbury, which on the sides. This stood for ‘Pershore Produce takes us rather neatly, if obliquely, back to Packed Properly’, so a fifth ‘P’ was deemed where we started, with the Stones headlining superfluous. And in 1927, Great Western at Glastonbury. So get your ya-yas out and go Railways even named one of its trains The bananas for plums and celebrate our proud purple heritage. Pershore Plum.

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Ice Cream Soda

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Millies Milk Bar

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The Pantry, Peopleton

as featured on the TV programme BBC Countryfile Fresh British & Continental Bread & Patisseries High Quality Meat & Cheeses Local Honey & Eggs • Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Pickles & Preserves Plants & Fresh Flowers • Gardening Supplies Flower & Vegetable Seeds

Traditional Upholsterers & French Polishers Cane and Rush work Loose covers and Replacement cushions Custom-made, renovation and repairs Choice of exquisite fabrics

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Missing the Seasons

n January 1993 I left Hereford for the warmer climates of United Arab Emirates. Living in a huge city was a bit daunting, but when I travelled to the desert it struck me with its stark beauty. I managed to visit Hereford once a year but my trips would only last two weeks and were very hectic.

In 2010, my life changed and I returned to the city of my birth. My first thought was to grab my camera and walk. I wanted to see if Hereford had changed but wherever I turned the city was still as I remembered.

was normally green changed into dazzling rich shades of yellow, orange, brown and red. Magnificent trees lined the edge of the pathways all dressed in their best colours, swaying in the breeze. As the

In the month of August the City centre was adorned with spectacular flower displays that took my breath away. My excitement grew with every direction I took; Hereford was a thrilling spectacle of glorious colour. When October arrived it brought with it the magic of autumn. Sumptuous rich colours filled the streets, parks and pathways. All that

winds began to blow flurries of leaves cascaded down from the trees and snuggled to the side of the paths, burrowing their way into the stalks of grass. My camera never stopped capturing these wonderful moments with Mother Nature at her most spectacular. Soon the trees were bare and winter had

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arrived. At first I thought this would be my dullest season, but no, the best was yet to come. I experienced spectacular scenes of winter in all their glory. A blanket of white covered everything. Ducks played on a frozen section of river just waiting for spring, and then we had the very essence of winter: the hoarfrost arrived in all its splendour changing everything in its path to ghostly white. It was as if Mother Nature had captivated me with her spectacular beauty. My fingers hurt so much with the cold as I captured each perfect moment in time. It was then I realised, being in the heat of the Middle East for seventeen years, I had missed the spectacular seasons we are so lucky to experience in England. Article & Photography by Pamela Green

Eleven Fat Loss Lessons from . . . Kids!! (Part 2)

ast month I gave you the first six of eleven lessons on weight loss that you can learn from your children. And here are the next five. As I said last month, many of the things you need to know about fitness and weight loss, can be learned from kids - and you don’t have to have any to learn from them! 7) your world should be full of colour— especially on your dinner plate! Fill your plate and overall diet with different colours and lots of variety. Again, it’s more fun and the chances are you will be eating an array of nutrients that will help your weight loss goals. 8) Adventures are found outside, not inside. Every kid knows that the good stuff is in the great outdoors: fresh air, wideopen spaces, and limitless possibilities. You can’t always find those things inside the gym, so it’s worth trying something different and getting outside to start your own adventures. 9) It’s important to use your imagination. This is the case on many levels: you can be Captain Fantastic, Superman or Wonder Woman any time you want. Give yourself permission to believe in your own super powers and let your mind take you wherever it wants to go. Next time you hit the gym or go for your outdoors workout, take on the characteristics of a super hero or persona that inspires you. This could give you an 28

extra edge in your workout, plus it’s a bit more fun! 10) Anything is possible. I love this about kids, their mentality is: no fear, no self-doubts, no negative self-talk, no self-criticism, no worries, no destructive anxieties or thoughts of failure. To a child, he/she can do anything. Guess what . . . they’re right. And do you know what? SO CAN YOU; so can anyone. This mind-set will accelerate your success in anything you do, especially fat loss & fitness related goals. 11) you have your whole life ahead of you. Here’s your chance to do it right. It does not matter what age you are; you still have the rest of your life ahead of you. The past has gone, you cannot change it, there is no point living in it. Make a change today, start a new healthier you NOW! For more information on Personal Training, Classes and other services I provide visit www.almfitness.co.uk or call Amy 07740 366419 or email info@almfitness.co.uk

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DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

Grapevine Publications are looking for distributors to deliver The Villager magazine in various villages near Pershore • Inkberrow • Flyford Flavell Interested? Please email your details to:

info@grapevinepublications.co.uk

sunflower soft furnishings

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Ledbury Focus

29 25

Avon Safe Home Ltd Electrical – lights, sockets, rewires, repairs etc Locksmith – locks fitted, repaired, opened Double glazing repairs - misted/broken glass, handles, hinges, locks, patio wheels.

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Recipe of the

month

3 hard-boiled eggs 175g rindless Stilton 150ml Greek yoghurt 12.5ml lemon juice 30g shelled walnuts 62.5ml dry cider 12.5ml powdered gelatine 62.5ml hot water 2 egg whites To garnish: walnut halves, lemon slices and 30g crumbled Stilton

Put eggs, Stilton, yoghurt, lemon juice, walnuts and cider in a blender and blend until smooth. Dissolve gelatine in the hot water; blend into Stilton mixture.

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whisk eggs whites until stiﬀ and fold into Stilton mixture. Pour mixture into a greased and lined loaf pan and chill until set. Turn out onto a serving dish and garnish with walnuts, lemon slices and crumbled Stilton. Cut into slices and serve with hot toast or warm crusty bread.

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Luke's Garden Maintenance & Elite Stoves ● Prompt, reliable & friendly service ● All types of flues & appliances cleaned. ● Cowls and bird guards fitted. ● Guild certificates issued after every sweep.

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Business Management & Insolvency Consultants

Professional Paws & Claws

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FABULOUS SELECTION OF FOOTWEAR FROM THE LEADING BRANDS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

MOST STYLES IN FULL AND HALF SIZES ~ SIZE 3 - 8 LADIES & SIZE 6 - 12 MENS

Childrens' main fitting centre in the area for both CLARKS & START-RITE at Redditch Our Alcester shop also has a large selection OUR STOW SHOP SPECIALISES IN LADIES & MENS FOOTWEAR Owned and run by a local family BRANDS INCLUDE: CLARKS, ECCO, RIEKER, HOTTER, LOTUS, LELLI KELLY, ROHDE, GABOR, ANATOMIC, LOAKE, BARKER, START-RITE, GEOX, MERRELL, SKECHERS, SEBAGO, VAN-DAL, EQUITY, TAMARIS, TIMBERLAND ~ HANDBAGS BY RADLEY & TULA

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What's on in

August

Thursday 1st August Den Building Days Use natural materials to create your own secret hiding place. 10.30am - 5pm. Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, B60 4JR. Tel: 01527 831363 Friday 2nd August Come Dancing: Learn the Argentine Tango This is the weekend to get your toes tripping across the ballroom floor. Phone: 0333 456 8580. Farncombe Estate, Broadway, WR12 7LJ Saturday 3rd August Dragon Boat Race Event Dragon boat race on the River Severn. Tel: 01905 620229. The Lenchford Inn, Shrawley, WR6 6TB. www.thelenchfordinn.co.uk Saturday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st August Callow End Club - August Music Events 3rd: The Delray Rockets - Rock 'n Roll, Rockabilly. 10th: The Who, Kinks, Jam, etc. 17th: The Emma Kotra Band - great covers band from Warwickshire. 24th: The Coalition - local covers young talent band. 31st: The Fingers - fantasic night of laughter and dancing Saturday 10th August A Summer Holiday event Old crafts Re-visited - come and try your hand at Spinning and Lace making. Guess the name of the Sheep and hear the dog's story. 10am - 4pm. Tudor House, Friar Street, Worcester,WR1 2NA. Tel: Judy 01386 553536 / 01905 612309 www.tudorhouseworcester.org.uk Tuesday 13th to Sunday 18th August The Circus is in Town The hugely popular John Lawson’s Circus makes its first appearance at Webbs, Wychbold. See www. webbsdirect.co.uk for more details. Phone: 01527 860000. Worcester Road, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, WR9 0DG Friday 16th August Quiristers Chorus Concert The culmination of a week of singing by people who meet together once a year to raise money for

charitable causes and have fun! 7.30 pm. Tel: 01386 710599. St Peter’s Church, Port Street, Bengeworth, Evesham, WR11 3NB Saturday 17th August Summer Gardening Show Bishampton & District Gardening Club's annual summer show at the Villages Hall. 2pm - 4pm. Bishampton Villages Hall, Bishampton, Pershore, WR10 2LY Tuesday 20th & Thursday 22nd August Pirate Adventure Days Come along me hearties! Be a pirate for the day at our pirate training camp. 10.30am - 5pm. Tel: 01527 831363. Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, B60 4JR Thursday 22nd August Plum Quiz at The Star Inn, Pershore Pub Quiz at The Star Inn Pershore. From 8pm – late. No children allowed in the pub after 7pm. Tel: 01386 553199. The Star Inn, 23 Bridge Street, Pershore, WR10 1AJ Monday 26th August Flea & Collectors Fair Up to 700 exhibitors offering anything from Antiques, Collectables and house clearance. 7.30am-3.30pm. Tel: 01636-676531. Three Counties Showground, Malvern, WR13 6NW Saturday 31st August Blue Cross Fete & Fun Dog Show 27th Annual Show featuring fun dog show, rock wall climbing, go karts and more. 12 noon till 4pm. Admission £1. All money raised will help the animals at the centre. Tel: 0121 453 3130 for more info. www.bluecross.org.uk. Blue Cross, Wildmoor Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 0RJ Saturday 31st August Gothic Tribal Bellydance: Black Sheep Style! A fun workshop that introduces the learner to Tribal Bellydance. 10:30am. Phone: 01905 617102. Free entry. Angel Place, Worcester, WR1 3QN.

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PLENTY OF FREE PARKING

Lydbury suite in Nearstone July offer £599.99

For Gas or Electric Fires

*Fire not included

■ Local company based in Worcestershire ■ Vast knowledge of felt, tile and rubber roofing systems ■ Fascias, sofit and rain water systems

Morton Hall Lane Holberrow Green Redditch Worcestershire B96 6SD

Call for any help and advice 01386 792638 01527 526207 07516 225321

■ Supplies to trade and public ■ Large stocks of roofing products including felt, tiles, lath and fixings ■ A good selection of reclaimed tiles and slate ■ All work fully guaranteed and insured ■ Free no obligation quotations

To advertise call 0845 224 7061 or 07754 170286 or visit www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

PEOPLETON

AUTUMNth SHOW

Saturday 7 September 12noon – 6pm

Peopleton Village Hall & Playing Field

Special guest Elliot Webb of BBC Hereford & Worcester will open the show.

Classic Car Show

Open Fruit & Flower Show Craft Fair – Village Fete Stalls

Traction Engines – Vintage Lorries Live Music – Great Food – Licensed Bar Tug o’ War and much more!

For General Enquiries call:

01905 840155 / 840626

SATNAV – WR10 2EG

JUST OFF THE A44 BETWEEN WORCESTER & EVESHAM NEAR PERSHORE Please mention THE VILLAGER when responding to advertisers

Sudoku

Trivia (answers on page 41)

Fill in the blank squares so that each line, each row and each mini square contains the numbers 1 - 9 without duplicating the same number in any row, line or square

What are the ﬁrst three Arabic numerals?

How many of King Henry VIII's wives were named Catherine?

Which element has the chemical symbol Sn?

What is above the sign in the Bronx Zoo that reads "The only creature that has ever killed oﬀ entire species of other animals"?

How many James Bond novels did Ian Flemming write?

What is the term for a plant that lives more than two years?

What country did Marco Polo call "Cathay"?

What does Yorkshire pudding traditionally accompany?

What is tofu made from?

2 4

7 7

1 3

1 8

5 8 9 10 12 13 15 17 19 21 22 23 24

Beat violently (of the heart) (5) Granny ____, apple variety (5) Former term for an Inuit (6) Telling whoppers (5) Complete reversal of direction (1-4) Rainbow colour (6) The Thomas _____ Affair, Pierce Brosnan film (5) Snort like a pig (5) Ready to work at short notice (2,4) Famous Florida holiday resort (5) Do very well (5) Cause to be beloved (6) Taking to court (5) Ulrika Jonsson or SvenGöran Eriksson, eg (5)

3 4 5 6

5 8

1 3

6 9

Coffee Break

DOWN

1 2

7 1

10. What sports arena has tramlines?

ACROSS

British ____, phone firm (7) Animal which likes to wallow in mud (5) Starting (9) Side-slip (on ice, eg) (4) People who import goods illegally (9) Engine (5)

14 16 18 20 4

Black road-surfacing material (3) ____ Imbruglia, soap-star turned singer (7) What ___ Want, Mel Gibson Film (5) Francis Ford Coppola's relationship to Nicholas Cage (5) Sir ____ Ferguson, soccer manager (4) Debt note (inits) (3) 5

8 9

12 13

14 17

18 21

22 23

To advertise call 0845 224 7061 or 07754 170286 or visit www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

Correction to July Sudoku Our apologies to anyone unable to complete the July sudodku due to an error in the grid. Here is the correct layout.

3 8

2 4

6 2

1 3 4

6 9

5 8

Rugs of all colours, shapes & sizes Doormats & Kitchenmats Curtain Accessories

3 9

Pershore Retail Market Cherry Road, Pershore WR10 1EY

Pershore Rugs

Tel: 01386 555588

For all your Trade & DIY needs! Over 15 years experience

From Roofing Systems to Screws YOU CAN FIND IT ALL HERE!

Tel: 01386 244042

Unit 2, Site 14, St Richards Road, Four Pools Ind Estate, Evesham, Worcs WR11 1XJ (Next to Howdens Joinery)

Please mention THE VILLAGER when responding to advertisers

01684 891900

The Cheeseboard 100 Barnard's Green, Malvern, WR14 3ND

Shropshire Blue

by Andrew Brooks

hropshire Blue is a blue cheese made from pasteurised cows’ milk and uses vegetable rennet. This cheese has been described as a cross between Stilton and Cheshire.

natural food colouring, and penicillium roqueforti produces the veining.

Made in a similar way to Stilton, it is a soft cheese with a sharp, strong ﬂavour and a slightly tangy aroma. It is slightly sour but sharper than Stilton and generally creamier.

The cheese has a deep orange-brown, natural rind and matures for a period of 10 to 12 weeks with a fat content of about 34 per cent. Makes a good change from stilton, adds colour to any cheesesboard and goes well with a nice fruity red wine.

The orange c o l o u r comes from the addition of annatto, a

www.cheeseboardmalvern.co.uk If you have an event where you think it would be suitable for us to sell scratch cards, or have a retail premises where you would like to act as an agent for us, please give us a call.

Hospices £ottery Scratch Cards

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To advertise call 0845 224 7061 or 07754 170286 or visit www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

Fern’s Cattery

o o k Ga r d

Windmill Hill Field Alcester Road Radford WR7 4LS

Are you planning a trip? Now your feline friends can have a luxurious time too...

• • • • • •

Imaginative High Quality Landscaping Patios & Garden Walls Pond & Patio Cleaning Ponds & Water Features Swimming Pools & Ponds Fibreglassed Fencing & Hedge Cutting

Local Friendly Service ~ References Available contact Glenn Baker 01905 380128 or 07792 613020 new our brand Complete SH CAR FOR CA SELL YOUR er for a simpl online form fe an of r e iv ce re way to hicle! for your ve k edirect.co.u ad rtr ca w. ww

- Purpose built cattery situated in beautiful countryside. - Our chalets are constructed to the highest standards using the most up-to-date materials to comply with the model license conditions. - All chalets are heated, secure, hygienic and designed to offer interested, comfortable accommodation. - Any medical conditions are catered for. - Collection and delivery service. - 24 hour veterinary care. - Fully qualified staff.

For more details contact Ayley on: Tel: 01386 792554 Email: ayley@fernscattery.co.uk www.fernscattery.co.uk

Gloucestershire Professional Car Buyers THE EASY WAY TO SELL YOUR CAR OR VAN TODAY

Coombe Hill Service Station, Tewkesbury Road, Coombe Hill, Glos GL19 4BD

WE MAKE OFFERS NOT VALUATIONS!

WE MAKE AN OFFER, NOT A VALUATION SELL YOUR VEHICLE TODAY! We will buy your car or van for cash, quick and simple. No online valuation which are not honoured or deflated. Just a fair price that we will purchase your vehicle for.

YOUR DRIVE-IN BUYING CENTRE

No appointment necessary, just pop into our office, telephone or fill in our selling form. If you like we can come to you. We have a full time appraiser in your area. No fees or charges and free collection.

CALL IN TODAY AND SELL YOUR VEHICLE

Open Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm. Sat 10am - 2pm. (Sunday by appointment)

Gloucestershir e Professional THE EASY WAY Car Buyers TO SELL YOUR CAR OR VAN TODAY

SELL YOU VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE WHERE YOU SEE THIS SIGN

01242 680063

www.cartradedirect.co.uk Please mention THE VILLAGER when responding to advertisers

DEDICATED TO THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLES FROM THE PUB LIC

VETS & ANIMAL CARE