Wye Valley and the Marches NOW February 2019

Wye Valley Now

COLOUR-POP KITCHENS CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING VENUE RECOVERING FROM A HEART ATTACK FEBRUARY 2019

ISSUE 86

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

AND THE MARCHES

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HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • WALKS • HEALTH & BEAUTY • WHAT’S ON • COMPETITIONS

Valid for one test booked on or before 24th March 2019 at a discounted price of only ÂŁ10. Present voucher at time of test. Cannot be exchanged for cash, used with other vouchers or redeemed by customers already entitled to a free NHS eye test. One per person, at named Specsavers stores only. CODE 2646

n 2 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

Wye Valley Now

06

AND THE MARCHES

Contents

12

FEBRUARY 2019

10

HOME & GARDEN 06

Colour-Pop Kitchen

10

Ten Pollution-Tolerant Plants and

How to Care For Them

12

Nature Notebook

HEALTH & BEAUTY 14

Be Mine...

WEDDINGS 16

How to Choose Your Wedding Venue

18

16

GOLDEN YEARS 18

Moving Forward After a Heart Attack

EDUCATION 20

25

Choosing the Right Primary School

OUR EVENTS DIARY 25

Keeping Active Cleobury Mortimer

to Hopton Wafers

26

What’s on this month?

WYE VALLEY

NOW 01905 723011

nowmagazine.co.uk 2nd Floor, Richardson House 24 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP

20

EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk

Daisy Bennett

ADVERTISING

Wendy Carter Glynis Dray

Marina Rae 01905 727904 marina@pw-media.co.uk

British Heart Foundation

DESIGN

COMPETITION WINNERS

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

Wyevale Garden Centre

West Midland Safari Park A. Peterson, Tenbury Wells

M. Reddard, Ludlow N. Stokes, Gloucester ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the Wye Valley Now magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

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THE LATE TOP TEN OFFENCES PEOPLE THINK SHOULD BE MADE ILLEGAL if it would serve as a warning to others. We’re willing to point out when someone crosses the line, with 40% of respondents saying they’d even tell their friends off if they misbehave. A further 16 % said they couldn’t be pals with someone who continually carried out any of these acts.

There were some splits nationally in the sexes, as being rude to waiters is viewed as a crime by 27% of women and only 21% of men, while a third of men believe using a phone in the cinema should be a crime compared to only 27% of women. Over-60s nationally are most particular when it comes to using public transport, with 40% of this age bracket eager to see noisy behaviour in the quiet train carriage punished, compared to a 21% response from 16 to 29 year-olds.

Researchers polled the nation to discover the everyday “crimes” we’d like to see people apprehended for, top picks from those in Herefordshire include playing music through phone speakers in public, sticking used chewing gum under tables, being rude to waiters and walking slowing in a group taking over the whole pavement.

Other “offences” we’d like to see outlawed include smelly food on public transport, excessive public displays of affection, and people cutting their nails in public. In fact, 62% of people believe that people who commit many of these “small crimes” don’t care about the world around them, and should be fined to teach them a lesson.

Some of us get so miffed about other people’s behaviour that we’d be willing to go further

and put offenders behind bars – even if just for one night – to teach them what is and isn’t acceptable. Despite wanting people punished for these offences, 60 % of those polled admit to having “committed” these types of antisocial acts themselves in the past.

Over three quarters (81%) of the local respondents surveyed by TV Channel CBS Justice said that driving in the middle lane of the motorway should be fined, while 18% said that the consequence of letting kids run riot in restaurants should be a night in prison.

The research from CBS Justice also reveals that 82 % of the people think people are less considerate now than they were in their parents’ day. In fact, three quarters (76%) of respondents said they’d happily pay their debts to society for these types of infractions,

n 4 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

“This study shows that the British population has an abiding love of law and order – and perhaps a bit of a sense of humour about it all too”, said a spokesperson of CBS Justice.

“Fortunately, UK viewers can see plenty of justice served on our new look channel, which boasts programmes such as “NCIS”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”, “CSI: Miami”, “Scorpion”, “Walker, Texas Ranger”, and “Gunsmoke”.

TOP TEN ACTS PEOPLE WOULD CONSIDER ‘CRIMINAL’ 1. Sticking used chewing gum to the underside of tables or desks 2. Queue jumping 3. Letting unruly kids run riot in restaurants 4. Using mobile phones in the cinema 5. Being rude to waiters 6. Noisy behaviour in the train’s quiet carriage 7. Not saying thank you when someone has held the door open for you 8. Walking slowly in a group taking over the whole pavement 9. Listening to music through phone speakers in a public places 10. Driving in the middle lane of a motorway n

EST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA The Larch Barn - The Best View In Cleobury A family owned and run business with a

7-days a week. The café has both indoor

passion for everything local, being local

and outdoor seating areas, perfect all year

people

Cleobury

round, with a log burner inside to warm the

Mortimer. In the summer of 2018 they began

colder days and picnic benches outside for

this exciting journey with a desire to offer

a true Shropshire feel. The outdoor plant

locals and visitors from near and afar a place

centre has a wide range of trees, shrubs and

to meet friends and family, to eat and drink

plants at affordable prices, some of which

in the café and explore the outdoor plant

are grown right next door in their wholesale

centre and all that it has to offer. The Larch

nursery. They have a fantastic team of staff

Barn is a new, purpose built development

who can’t wait to welcome you with a big

themselves

living

in

(built by local contractors of course) that benefits from the most wonderful view across the Shropshire countryside. The café serves

smile, so pop up, say hi and come sample a warm batch of scones! n

freshly baked cakes, scones and a delicious

Why not pop in and see them while on

lunch-time menu as well as offering thirst

this month’s walk? See page 25 for more

quenching soft drinks, teas and coffees,

information.

G.H Bowketts Supermarket for sale after 111 years of family ownership

THE CAFE The Best View In Cleobury

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, have been instructed to sell G.H Bowketts Supermarket in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, for the Bowkett family, who have operated the business for over 110 years.

The Bowkett family have decided to sell their supermarket as the two lead directors look to retire from the retail convenience sector. Bowkett’s have successfully run the business as a traditional family concern with two generations of the family involved in the day to day operations.

The supermarket offers a wide range of services including a post office, butchery counter and hot food to go. Bowkett’s also supplies a number of other retail outlets with their meat products, with other operators recognising the quality of their produce and keen to support the business.

THE PLANT CENTRE Trees, Shrubs & Plants

We aim to give you a wide range of quality trees, shrubs and plants at affordable prices. We’re lucky to benefit from our on-site wholesale nursery, where some of our stock is grown.

Our café is open daily, serving a delicious selection of homemade cakes, muffins and scones to accompany your hot drink, choose from a selection of speciality teas, coffees and hot chocolate. Our relaxed lunch menu presents a delightful selection of deli rolls, paninis and jacket potatoes. Not forgetting the little ones, we also offer a tasty children’s menu, cooked with mini requirements in mind.

Fancy a little treat? Why not try our cream tea, fresh scones, local cream and jam with a pot of tea or hot drink

Dave Morris, Director – Retail at Christie & Co comments, “The Bowkett family have worked incredibly hard to build their long-established family business, but now is the right time for the two lead directors to retire as they have worked in the business for most of their working life.

The supermarket is being advertised as either a going concern or a potential development site given the size and location of the property.”

The supermarket is currently supplied by the Nisa wholesale group and benefits from a large well fitted c.13,000 sq ft ground floor with c.2,700 sq ft of first floor office space. Further benefits include side access and a small rented car park opposite for customers.

SIX ASHES NURSERY, CLEOBURY MORTIMER, DY14 8JF | 9:30AM-4.30PM 7 DAYS A WEEK

E: HELLO@THELARCHBARN.CO.UK | WWW.THELARCHBARN.CO.UK

The Bowkett family are keen to thank the local residents of Tenbury Wells for their continued support for the supermarket that will continue to trade whilst a buyer is sought. n t @WyeValleyNow | G Wye Valley Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 5 n

HOME & GARDEN

C

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o p rn che t i k ur e yo v i G

n 6 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

i k p

lash p s a

to lour o c of

s n e h tc

p en u t h g bri

r.

Yea w r Ne you ED

NU

NTI

CO

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t @WyeValleyNow | G Wye Valley Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 7 n

HOME & GARDEN

Original BTC May Size 2 Pendant Light

New Biselado Sol Tile Available from www.tilechoice.co.uk

Give your kitchen a new

Pastel pinks

zest for life, by adding a few

For something a little more subdued, try pale

splashes of colour this coming

candy-coloured pinks for a playful twist when

spring.

brightening up your food preparation space.

As the winter months come to a close, pay

The faded blush tones of ‘Millenial Pink’ is

attention to the finer details and upgrade

also a popular shade to decorate your home

everything from your cabinets to utensils.

at the moment. From coasters and mugs

Breaking away from the simple monochrome style kitchen we’ve seen in recent years, it’s time to embrace a new colour scheme.

Spice it up Take inspiration from the spice rack and go for deep earthy reds. Amica’s new retro style fridge freezer combines good looks with practical features. At just 55cm wide, the model is ideal for smaller kitchens, but makes a quite statement in a fiery red hue.

The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Colors coffee pod machine has a unique and modern design.

With three interchangeable coloured back panels included with each machine, you can

to dinner plates and wine glasses, there is an abundance of appliances to give your kitchen a fresh and modern feel without going too bold.

The

Hampton

in

Vintage

Rose

from

Masterclass Kitchens. Available in a choice of 25 colours including the new Vibrant Colour Palette, Hampton is a ‘flat slab’ painted door with a tactile and super-smooth silk finish.

Go green Bring the outside in, and surround yourself with leafy greens. Pot plants or indoor herb planters will enhance your surroundings as well as provide a tasty addition to home cooking.

switch the colour depending on how you

Craven Dunnil’s new Maison wall tile

choose to decorate your kitchen.

collection is brave and exotic, fusing rich,

n 8 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

pooling pigments with Moorish and artisan, textured styling. Choose your mood and palette from mysterious inky blues to burnished gold or a lush moss green.

Finished with a gloss glaze, the colours are achieved with a special shaded application that creates depth and character.

Sunshine yellow Give your kitchen a fresh and exciting burst of colour with deep shades of yellow.

Bright yet simple additions to the kitchen like pendant lights by Original BTC. Manufactured in the UK, they make for a highly adaptable light, suitable for a wide range of interiors. Its striking hand-painted detail that extends to a complementary ceiling rose, adds a fresh and contemporary feel to this classic bone china.

The Biselado Sol is a brick shaped ceramic wall tile, with beveled and chamfered edges, yellow in colour with a gloss finish, which look These tiles are great when used in a kitchen or even bathroom setting. n

By Daisy Bennett

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Ten Pollution-Tolerant Plants

and How to Care For Them

Just like humans, plants that live in cities, industrial, or built-up areas are susceptible to pollution. As they rely on carbon dioxide in clean air for photosynthesis and to prevent fungal diseases, most plants struggle to thrive in polluted areas, however there are some species that will stand the smog, says Wyevale Garden Centres.

Platanus x hispanica, better known as the London plane tree is the city’s most common tree and it’s because it does so well in highly polluted areas. Other varieties that will also do perfectly well include the ornamental pear, an exceptionally good tree for small urban gardens, buddleja, well known for attracting butterflies and buxus sempervirens, the classic British native evergreen that has formed the backbone of formal planting schemes for hundreds of years.

David Mitchell, Buying Manager for Horticulture at Wyevale Garden Centres, says: “Plants do have a hard time with pollution. Since the leaves need to ‘breathe’,

anything that limits that exchange, such as airborne gasses or if the pores are blocked by dust and grime, will limit their potential.

Fruit trees in particular can struggle and yields can be as low as half of what they would be in cleaner air.

feeding.” Wyevale Garden Centres lists 10

Never water the leaves as if they are coated in grime, salts or pollutants it will get right into them, so always water from the base.

Every so often take time to wipe the leaves down and clean them to get the grime or dirt off. A good time to do it is when it’s raining heavily. You might not clean every leaf at every level but it will make a difference. I use an old paintbrush to do this. Time spent on this will be very worthwhile. Also, expect plants in pots in cities to need a bit more

upright, narrow shape and branches that

n 10 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

pollution-tolerant plants and how to care for them: 1. Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’: This ornamental pear is an exceptionally good tree for small urban gardens, with its are smothered with white blossom early in spring (April to May). The leaves turn a vibrant red and purple in the autumn before falling and some years, the tree will produce small inedible brown fruits. It does best in a moist but well drained soil (clay, sand or loam) and in full sun.

2. Buddleja: Known as the butterfly bush, Buddleja produces clusters of deep scented

HOME & GARDEN flowers from midsummer into autumn (July to September). Rich in nectar, this fast-growing, hardy deciduous shrub attracts butterflies, bees and other insects and thrives in any well-drained soil (chalk, loam or sand).

3. Camellia: Producing rich, colourful flowers with ruffled petals and golden stamens in late winter into spring (February to April), which are offset by glossy evergreen leaves, the Camellia proves that beautiful plants can also be tolerant to pollution. Plant in light shade and in shelter and in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, lime-free soil (loam) or in a container, in ericaceous (lime-free) compost.

4. Buxus sempervirens: This classic British native evergreen is ideal for low hedging, boundaries or divisions in formal gardens in both modern and traditional settings. It responds well to being trimmed and thrives in the shade and most well-drained soils (chalk, loam or sand).

It’s excellent for growing in containers, as topiary and for training as feature plants.

5. Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’: This honeysuckle flowers in summer (June to August) and bears tubular pink flowers with warm orange-yellow petals. It has a delicious fragrance and bees and butterflies

love it! It doesn’t have the twining branches that many other honeysuckles do, so needs to be supported. It’s best in moist but welldrained soil (chalk, loam or sand) in sun or partial shade and ideal for informal borders and cottage garden style planting.

6. Ginkgo biloba: This large deciduous tree will be too big for small urban gardens, but it’s worth mentioning, as it’s very tolerant to pollution.

It has fan-shaped leaves, which turn yellow in autumn and on female trees, produce yellow fruits which smell rather unpleasant! It will thrive in well-drained soil (chalk, loam, sand or clay).

7. Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’: This is a superb variety of viburnum as it has bright pink, sweetly scented flowers which open on dark stems from November to May. It’s a vigorous, upright shrub, that looks good all year and is easy to grow in moist but well-drained fertile soil (chalk, loam or sand), in sun or light shade and sheltered from cold winds.

8. Berberis: This easy to grow barberry has spiny shoots and simple leaves. Soft yellow or orange flowers appear in spring (April to May) and are

followed by small berries in the autumn. This deciduous or evergreen shrub will succeed in a wide range of conditions. Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained humusrich soil (chalk, loam or sand), although it will be tolerant of most soils as long as they are reasonably well-drained.

9. Chaenomeles: Chaenomeles flower in spring and produce edible fruits in autumn, which can be used for jelly-making. It provides early nectar for bees and thrives in any well-drained, fertile soil (chalk, loam or sand), in sun or light shade. It’s great for training under house windows or on low walls and fences.

10. Escallonia ‘Iveyi’: This is a handsome, vigorous, large evergreen shrub, quite different from other escallonias, with larger, glossy, rich green leaves and clusters of scented white flowers in mid and late summer (July to August).

Plant in well-drained, fertile soil (chalk, loam or sand) in full sun or partial shade, sheltered from cold winds. It can be grown in the open in mild areas, but it’s best grown against a south-facing wall in cold areas. n For more information Wyevale Garden Centres, www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk.

about visit

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NATURE NOTEBOOK © Mark Hamblin

The Hedgerow Exploring Herefordshire’s landscapes with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust...

Hedgerows are an important feature of our landscape for many reasons.

They provide shelter and protection in otherwise open areas for many small mammals, they provide nesting sites for birds, and the berries and nuts they produce in autumn are important food for all sorts of creatures as winter closes in.

bullfinch, chaffinch, fieldfare, redwing, yellowhammer, dunnock, house sparrow and blackbird. You may also spot sparrow hawk, which maintain an especially upright posture as they hold sentinel over the landscape and it can also be a good time of year to spot a tawny owl in large hedges as there are no leaves to help camouflage them.

Herefordshire’s countryside is rich in ancient and species-rich hedgerows. An ancient hedgerow is one which has been in existence since before the Enclosure Acts of the 18th and early19th centuries while a species-rich hedgerow is one in which five or more native woody species can be found in a 30-metre length. Hedgerows also act as wildlife corridors for many species. This means that they are used by animals to travel between habitats to find food, shelter, a territory or a mate. For example, a woodland species such as the dormouse, who does not venture out into open spaces, may travel from one pocket of woodland to another along a hedge.

Where to find them Despite many miles of hedgerow being lost across the UK since the middle of the last century, Herefordshire still has many miles criss-crossing the countryside.

Parts of the county that have high concentrations of hedgerows are (by this virtue) also typically areas containing small field patterns and are commonly rich in wildlife. The Golden Valley and the Woolhope Dome are good examples of where you can find this kind of landscape in Herefordshire; however, you should spot some wonderful examples on any country walk. Some of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves also contain great examples – see Common Hill, Lugg Meadow, the Parks and the Sturts. Details at www. herefordshirewt.org

Through the centuries, hedgerows have been planted (or left standing when a woodland was cleared) to keep in livestock, demarcate a boundary, provide wood for hurdles, tools or fuel, to be cut for stock fodder and to provide shelter from the elements for grazing sheep, cattle or horses.

KEEP UP TO DATE Herefordshire Wildlife Trust @HerefordshireWT t HerefordshireWT G www.herefordshirewt.org w

Wildlife to spot Hedgerows are a vital habitat for many species including butterflies and moths, farmland birds, bats and dormice. In fact, over 600 plant species, 1,500 insects, 65 birds and 20 mammals have been recorded in hedgerows in the UK! At this time of year, you will spot birds flitting in and out of hedges such as

n 12 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

Love your hedgerow Encourage wildlife to your garden by planting a hedgerow. Native species to plant include hawthorn, field maple, blackthorn (if you don’t mind spikes!), crap apple, hazel, dog rose and spindle. A traditionally laid hedgerow is wonderful for wildlife as well as beautiful.

Winter is the time to lay hedges before they begin to grow and the birds begin to nest. *Remember not to cut back or prune hedges between 1st September to 28th Feb when birds are nesting. n

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Be mine...

Take inspiration from our top gifts this Valentines Day.

Hot Pink Blush by English Mineral Makeup The top-grade mineral ingredients nourish the skin and provide a natural, flawless look. £25 www.englishmineralmakeup.co.uk

Glow 2 Go Duo Stick Contour, sculpt and highlight in just one twist with these double ended, multi use sticks. £26 www.clarins.com

n 14 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Parfum by Chanel A floral-fruity fragrance in a round bottle with soft and tender top notes.

Limited Edition Ready in a Flash Eye Palette Illumiate and sculpt the eyes in three easy steps. £32. www.clarins.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Ref Enzyme Peel Face Mask 100% Vegan self peeling mask, cleansing skin instantly. Availble at Mavericks Hair Salon, Alcester.

Hot Pink Eternal Blooms by Victoria Bespoke hat boxes filled with preserved roses. www.eternalbloomsbyvictoria.com

Instant Poreless A revolutionary poreblurring, mattifying primer. ÂŁ24 www.clarins.com

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm This powerful cleanser easily dissolves make up, for a soft and glowing complexion. www.elemis.com

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WEDDINGS

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n 16 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

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WEDDINGS Of course, this isn’t an easy task at all, so before you go rushing to see every possible wedding venue within a 100 mile radius, here are our top tips to help you with your search.

1. What suits you Nobody knows the type of wedding you want better than you! Deciding on the type of wedding you want and how your venue can reflect your tastes is all part of the fun.

Are you going for a church wedding? Do you want to have your ceremony and reception in the same place? If so, then you’ll need to find somewhere with a license for civil ceremonies.

Think about whether you would like a formal or traditional wedding, or whether you’re going to do something more unusual. If you are absolutely set on bringing your own suppliers, you’ll need to choose a venue that will allow you to do so. Logistical details aside, choosing a venue has much in common with falling in love,sometimes you just ‘find the one’, and that’s it.

2. Your wedding date If you have your heart set on getting married on a particular date like an anniversary, you’ll need to choose a venue that’s available on that day. It really depends on what’s more important to you: the time or the place.

Remember that some venues are incredibly popular during the summer months and can get booked up years in advance. High summer is also peak wedding season so venues are often priced accordingly. If you’re after some savings and are flexible about your dates, weddings on Sundays, weekdays or in the winter can offer a great reduction.

spend more on your food and less on your venue, or vice versa? Or treat your guests to some stunning entertainment? Decide how much in total you have to spend, add a contingency amount for unexpected costs and then be prepared to have some discussions about what to spend on each wedding element!

3. Size What comes first, the guest list or the venue?

In a chicken and egg conundrum, one can determine the other. If your plans are for a small wedding with a small guest list, it makes sense to choose a smaller venue.

However, if you fall in love with a venue but it can only cater for a party much smaller or larger than you’d planned, what will you do?

You can make your guest list first then shop around for a venue to fit, or find your venue first and compile your guest list to size both can work.

5. Location Whilst it used to be tradition for a bride to get married in her hometown or at least where the parents live, but this is increasingly impractical for many couples.

These days couples are more likely to choose a venue close to where they currently live, or a destination that is close to their hearts. One of the key decisions you have is choosing city or country. Both have their pros and cons: country weddings mean a good choice of venues and beautiful scenery for the photographs, but can be remote, inaccessible and have a lack of other amenities. Although your feelings about your venue are paramount, you may want to consider whether the location is a reasonable travel distance for your friends and family. If you have guests travelling from afar, is there plenty of other things to do in the area to allow them extend their wedding attendance into a mini break? n

4. Price Talking about the costs of a wedding is a very real part of choosing your wedding venue: knowing your wedding budget is key and can dictate your choice of venue to some degree. If you’re on a tighter budget, decide where you will splash out and where you will try to make savings. Do you want to

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GOLDEN YEARS

d r k a c w a r tt o A F t g r n i a e v o H M ter a Af “Aged 54, I felt at rock bottom,”

tightness in his chest. His wife, Heather,

much-needed reassurance. “It felt very

says Mark Bannan, who suffered

drove him to hospital.

supportive and safe, and I got advice about

a heart attack in May 2009. “But gradually, I treated it as an opportunity to build a new and different lifestyle.”

Mark was told he’d had a heart attack. He was given a clot-busting drug and an angiogram

lifestyle, dealing with stress, diet and lots of other health issues,” he says.

was performed. “The consultant said a stent

Although the sessions involved physical

Mark, from Plymouth, was once a keen

would be no good because I had a number

activity, Mark felt some anxiety about

sprinter. When he turned 50, he’d challenged

of blocked arteries,” Mark explains.

exercising alone. “I was quite nervous,”

himself to see how fast he could run. He became serious about the sport, reaching the 100m final of the British Veterans Athletics Championships.

But after his heart attack, Mark was no longer able to sprint. He now enjoys a slower pace of life, embracing hobbies that keep his mind and body active.

Two years after that 100m final, Mark was on a lunch break from his busy job as regional manager for a housing association. He took

“When he told me it was five, I couldn’t believe it.” After a week on the ward, Mark was given a quintuple heart bypass.

“I was quite weak when I came out of hospital,” Mark says. He felt uncertain about exercising again and feared sprinting had contributed to his heart attack. “It worried me,” says Mark. “I thought I’d been stupid.”

Mark’s doctor reassured him this was not the case; his fitness had likely helped him

he says. “It kind of throws you back to the experience. You have to rationalise it.”

Talking to people about how he felt helped Mark cope with these feelings. “If you keep it bottled up and try to be big about it, it doesn’t do you any good,” he says. “Talk to someone – whether it’s friends, family or, in my case, a cardiac nurse counsellor.”

Mark found yoga helped him cope with stress while staying fit.

survive the heart attack. But he was told he

Mark also began walking. “I started doing

may never sprint again. “I felt very sad,” says

short walks, down the garden and to the end

“I honestly had no idea that it was anything

Mark. “It was a loss, almost a grief. But, in the

of the road,” he says. “Before long I was doing

to do with my heart,” he says. “That’s the

bigger picture, it’s not a big deal because

half a mile.” He soon found solace in coastal

scary thing.”

I’m lucky to be alive.”

walks. “It gave me time to think and share the

The pains continued intermittently for a

Changing pace

couple of weeks. In the early hours of one

Mark took three months off work and a

This new pace of life shifted Mark’s priorities.

morning, Mark was woken by extreme

referral to cardiac rehabilitation provided

“I saw it as an opportunity to change things,”

a stroll and felt a tight sensation in his chest.

n 18 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

experience in a way sprinting never did.”

GOLDEN YEARS

he says. “I had become conscious that I was probably devoting too much time to work and sprinting.”

During time off work after surgery, Mark reflected on the stresses of his managerial job. He decided to hand in his notice and found a new part-time role placing people with mental health issues into volunteering.

“It was much more hands-on: dealing with people, rather than managing,” he says. “I found I had the most precious thing: time.

That was life-changing.”

Mark loved his new job. The part-time element made him think, for the first time, about retirement. This feeling intensified when, in 2010, Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“When you’ve both had a life-changing event, it makes you think,” he says. “Don’t take things for granted. Be open to change in your life.”

Adventure time Mark decided to retire when he turned 60.

“Once I’d stopped part-time work, I had a lot of time,” says Mark. “I started to take up all the things maybe I would’ve tried earlier.

The first thing I took up was yoga.

“It helps you to relax and helps with breathing,

Mark has also joined a poetry club and an

strength and flexibility. I do it once a week and

architecture group and has begun writing

try to do relaxation once a week on my own,

articles on subjects that interest him.

too. A piece of advice I would give to people is that something like yoga or relaxation

“It’s great if you can go out and run

exercises are a good thing if you have anxiety.”

marathons and do big stuff,” he says. “But

About a year after Mark retired, Heather also finished work. Soon, they were joining clubs and starting new hobbies together – a huge contrast to Mark’s race-training days.

for lots of people, doing smaller, low-key things is really good. That can be enough.”

Mark and Heather have plans beyond their new hobbies too. “Now that we’re both retired,

“I’d just go off and do my thing,” he says.

“Sprinting is very selfish; you’re not really thinking about anybody else apart from yourself and your own performance.

we feel freer and we’d like to do a bit more travelling, maybe visiting our three children more often and other family all around the country, and seeing old friends,” says Mark.

“Heather and I are doing a lot of things together now. It has brought us closer

“A heart attack is a horrible event, but if you

together in many ways. We’ve joined walking

come through it, it gives you the chance to

groups with the University of the Third Age,

rethink things. It’s the start of a new stage in

which is really nice and very sociable, in

our life.” n

beautiful countryside and by the sea.

“We also just joined a community choir in Plymouth. It takes a bit of courage to start, but it is good fun and quite therapeutic. At least, it’s therapeutic for us – I’m not sure about the audience!”

This article was first published in Heart Matters Magazine from the British Heart Foundation. Visit their website www.bhf.org.uk for a wealth of factual information and emotional support. You can also book collections of donated items on this website plus give a donation, no matter how small your money will help beat heartbreak forever.

t @WyeValleyNow | G Wye Valley Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 19 n

EDUCATION

Choosing the Right

Primary School

As the deadline has just past for the 2019 entry for state schools perhaps it is good time to start planning for 2020. It is not too late to visit private and fee paying schools as they have a more flexible approach for their 2019 entry.

After deciding to embark on

schools within the distance you want to take your

see lessons and trust your instincts on the

parenthood

major

child to and from school each day, to see them

atmosphere of the school. Children will only

the

next

decision is schools. For local

for yourself. Talking to other parents in the area

take the risks they need to – to learn and

state schools the application deadline is the 15

can also help give you a basic understanding of

push themselves – if they feel happy and

January. As your children must be in education

the pros and cons of the school that their child

secure in the environment.

from the term after their fifth birthday but can

attends, but what is right for them may not be

join reception class aged four. The application

right for you and your child.

needs to be in the January before you would like them to begin. In a lot of cases your local primary school or pre prep school will be the best option for you but what if you don’t think it is or you just want to find out if it is good match for your child before purchasing the uniform.

What can an Ofsted report tell you?

Ofsted reports are usually the first thing people

So how do you work out which is

reference when looking at a school. They can

best for your child?

be useful, but there are other considerations

As a parent you know what is best for your

too. For example, some schools that hold an

child, but people can often be swayed by a

‘outstanding’ status may have been given it

reputation. Before going to visit a potential

over six years ago under the old framework.

school write a list of questions that are

When reading a report, look at when it was

So where do you start?

important to you and don’t be afraid to

A good place to start is by going to visit the

ask them. On the visit, insist on going in to

n 20 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

EDUCATION

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EDUCATION

done and think about the things the report seems to be focusing on. In a two-day inspection, it is impossible for them to see all elements of the school and the school community. If you are concerned about an area that has been flagged up, go and visit the school and ask what has been put in place to tackle that area. Before inspectors visit a school, the first place they reference is the school’s website. Have a look at this to see how informative it is and what impression it gives you.

management. If you decide to visit have a look at these questions... only a few will suit your child but they are just to get you started with your planning:

OK, well what should ring alarm bells?

Lots of things can raise concerns about a school.

The first would be a school which is reluctant to have you visit or on a visit not wanting to let you in the classrooms. Another would be a school where there are no senior management present or available to meet potential new parents.

Additionally, when a school is unable to give you clear answers, for example, if your child has extra needs and you don’t feel they were able to give you a satisfactory explanation of how they would support their needs. Always do the drive pass in the morning as the children arrive and in the afternoon for home time. It is enlighting to see a school in Surrey I visited using their beautifully behaved children to steward the parking of wayward parents! Now that is good school

• If my child needs speech and language therapy, how would the school provide this?

n 22 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

• How many educational visits will they go on each term?

• What extra curricular activities are provided for younger children?

• What outdoor learning facilitates are available?

• What is a typical day for my child and how is the learning time distributed between the different areas of learning?

• What is your homework policy?

• What makes this school unique?

• If I have a concern what should I do?

• How can I get involved in the school?

• What before and after school care provision do you have?

This list is not exhustive and you may feel like a pushy parent but better this than having a child that has an unhappy school life. n

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EDUCATION

The Downs Malvern Preparatory School celebrates an “Excellent” Inspection Report Pupils, staff and parents at one of the West Midlands top independent schools are celebrating today after their school received a very positive inspection report.

Inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate found that The Downs Malvern Preparatory School meets its aim of “providing a first class education in a secure, caring and disciplined environment. It seeks to enable all pupils to fulfil their unique potential academically, creatively, physically, socially and spiritually”.

The four Independent Schools’ and Ofsted Inspectors judged the “quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements to be excellent” and that all pupils “make excellent progress from their starting points because of the impact leadership has on pupils’ achievement”. Inspectors determined that “pupils’ progress with knowledge and understanding is excellent” and that they are “highly effective in assimilating and applying significant levels of knowledge and understanding through study skills”.

As well as inspecting the academic side of The Downs Malvern, the inspectors reported on the children’s “excellent personal development” and felt that “as they progress through the school, pupils demonstrate a high level of maturity and a strong sense of pride in both the school and boarding communities.

They feel safe and happy and the pupils’ behaviour is excellent throughout the school.

The pupils demonstrate high levels of selfconfidence and self-awareness and have a clear understanding of right and wrong”.

n 24 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

Alastair Cook, Head of The Downs Malvern, said: “We are all delighted that the hard work of pupils, parents, teachers, governors and the wider school community has been acknowledged in this glowing Independent Schools Inspectorate Report on our school.

Particularly pleasing in these challenging times when there is a great deal of news and discussion about young people’s mental health and well-being, we are so pleased that the Inspectors found that our pupils here at The Downs Malvern benefit significantly from opportunities to develop resilience and self-reliance, finding new levels of determination and motivation and that they relish opportunities to work together, particularly in sports teams, drama productions and music ensembles”.

He added: “Amidst our celebrations, we are mindful of the need to build upon this success and our School Development Plan will help us to continue to thrive and become even stronger in the future.” n Alastair S Cook Headmaster

KEEPING ACTIVE Start / Finish: The walk starts and ends at the Parish Church.

Public Transport: Nearest Railway Stations are Kidderminster and Ludlow, linked by 2 hourly ‘292’ bus service. Please check ‘Traveline’ for current journey times. (Ask for ‘Talbot Inn’, Cleobury Mortimer).

Parking: There is parking in car parks and streets at Cleobury Mortimer. Please do not block drives or use ‘shopping’ car parks.

O/S Map: Explorer 203. Distance: 7.5 miles. Short Walk - Bus outward to Hopton Wafers (Crown Inn) and walk back (4 miles) or cut across from point 4 to point 9 via lane (5 miles - see sketch map). Time: Allow all day to enjoy main walk and a morning or afternoon for shorter ‘shorter’ walk using a bus for outward part of walk. Refreshments: Food is easily obtainable in Cleobury Mortimer but it is best to take a picnic.

Terrain: This walk is quite undulating with a few gentle climbs. There are gates, kiss-gates, steps, stiles, foot-bridges and some lane walking. This walk is unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs though Cleobury has some useful paths (but sloping) near the library and around the town. There is some necessary but pretty lane-walking. You will need strong walking boots or comfortable ‘Wellies’ for this ‘Winter Wellies Walk’.

History: The name, Cleobury Mortimer means a steep place and a fortified settlement, the castle being destroyed in 1155. It is the smallest town in Shropshire and is only just within the county and sadly no longer has a railway link. 12th Century St. Mary’s Church has a crooked spire, partly due to the warping of its oak timbers. Cleobury had temporary importance as an ironmaking town during the industrial revolution but clearly Agriculture now plays a more important part in this area. ‘Hopton Wafers’ is derived from the word ‘Hop’ which means ‘side valley’ and ‘tun’ meaning farm or settlement. The ‘Wafers’ part came from once Lord of the Manor ‘Robert de Wafre’. The Church was rebuilt in 1825 to replace a dilapidated Norman Church. In 17th and 18th centuries Hopton had a glass-making industry but its unusual claim to fame is that it was the last place in Shropshire to have its ‘sand-trap’ escape lane removed (2014) from the foot of Hopton Bank on A4117.

1. From St. Mary’s Church, walk up High Street to ‘Childe Road and turn right, turning left up Love Lane passing School and Library.

2. At corner walk into playing fields turning left to tennis courts, down ramp forking left to stream. Turn left to houses. Cross stile on right, walking diagonally to top left corner. Take footpath through kissing-gate opposite leading to Lea Farm. Turn left briefly, through to next field and immediately right up three steps. Walk with hedge on right through gate so hedge now on left. Walk up slope, through kissing-gate then via stile to reservoir on corner of Common Lane.

3. Cross to small gate opposite. Walk towards coppice, cross stile and turn left. At corner turn right to stream. Turn left to waymarker near tree. Look for gate in woodland on right, cross stream via ‘railwaysleeper’ bridge and walk diagonally left up bank to gate in hedge.

Walk diagonally right aiming for left end of woodland. Go through large gate then left over stile. Walk diagonally right across field (‘Shropshire Way’). Aim for large metal gate with stile to right. Cross next field to opening in hedge and ‘Sproseley’ is on right. Footpath to left of property). Pass end of pond and through large gate beyond.

Cross field to stile into wood then out of wood via metal gate and over planked footbridge onto lane.

Cleobury Mortimer

to Hopton Wafers

turn right (hedge on right). Walk up slope towards farm buildings on horizon. Follow way-markers inside field to stile onto lane at Upper Dudnill Farm. Turn right to corner.

8. Take stile to left of Lower Dudnill Farm, turning immediately right to follow hedge on right. At halfway point, walk diagonally left to stile marked with blue plastic pipes. Cross footbridge and walk up hillside, crossing 3 fields via two stiles towards black dutch barn and farmhouse.

Exit over stile and steps onto lane turning left to main road.

9. Cross to footpath almost opposite. Walk to junction in paths, turning right across two fields for half a mile to join A4117 (Ludlow Road).

10. Turn left along grass verge to pavement into Cleobury Mortimer.

Walk ends at Church. n Written and illustrated by Glynis Dray

4. (Note: Shorter walk goes left down lane for one mile and resumes ‘main walk’ from point 9.) To continue main walk, take lane opposite and walk past Hopton Court, across stone viaduct into small village of Hopton Wafers.

5. Opposite school take lane down to Crown Inn. (Bus back to Cleobury Mortimer as an alternative short walk).

6. Turn right to old drove road opposite. Keep to left hedge as far as gate then walk down to foot-bridge. Please keep to left of field to stile ahead. Take path left and downhill through gate into residential caravan park. Follow drive down to entrance. Turn left past Ditton Mill, over brook then up slope to corner.

7. (Note path currently diverted while water pipeline is being constructed). Cross stiles in and out of woodland then right along woodland boundary and up slope, round end of promontory and t @WyeValleyNow | G Wye Valley Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 25 n

What's On

FEBRUARY Tuesday 5th

to 16 stalls of quality collectables and antiques. To include, jewellery,

Young Picasso

Fairs”. Refreshments available in the adjoining Castle Kitchen from

Pablo Picasso is one of the greatest artists of all time - and right up until

9.30am. There is disabled access. Come and browse in the lovely and

his death in 1973 he was the most prolific of artists. Many films have dealt

historic surroundings of Ludlow Castle. Entry is only £1, children free. Well

with these later years - the art, the affairs and the wide circle of friends. But

behaved dogs are welcome. Call 07784485347 for more information.

where did this all begin? What made Picasso in the first place? Too long

Sunday 10th

ignored, it is time to look at the early years of Picasso; the upbringing and the learning that led to his extraordinary achievements. Three cities play a key role: Malaga, Barcelona and Paris. ‘Young Picasso’ visits each and explores their influence on Picasso, focusing on specific artworks from these early years. The film thus explains how this young artist acquired his craft. Looking carefully at two key early periods - the so-called Blue Period and Rose Period - the film takes us all the way to 1907 and the creation of a critical painting in the history of art - Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

It was a painting that shocked the art world but changed it irrevocably.

Working closely with all three Picasso Museums in Malaga, Barcelona and Paris this film explains how he rose to great heights. The event at the Market Theatre starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £12.50 (£11.50 concession).

silver, militaria, clocks, barometers, porcelain, pottery, treen, metalware, glass & indeed all curiosities and collectables. Facebook, “Century

Live Ballet Screening - Don Quixote Don Quixote and his servant Sancho Panza set out to have a chivalrous adventure. They meet Kitri and Basilio, a young couple who cannot marry because Kitris father is determined to marry her off to the wealthy Gamache. Don Quixote decides to intervene.With Don Quixotes help, Kitri and Basilio convince her father to let them marry. Don Quixote also persuades Gamache that he would prefer to marry the barmaid anyway.

Kitri and Basilio celebrate, and everyone cheers Don Quixote on his way.Don Quixote is one of Marius Petipas much-loved 19th-century classics - its story is drawn from Miguel de Cervantes classic novel and set to Ludwig Minkus score. The ballet has long been acclaimed for its virtuoso dancing, beautiful and technically demanding vision scene

Friday 8th

and the famously bravura and breath-taking Act IIIpas de deux. The

Robin Michael (Cello)

event starts at 7.15pm at the Market theatre in Ledbury. Tickets are

Starting at 7.30pm in Richard Booth’s Bookshop. Well known cellist Robin

priced between £12.50–£15. For more details, call 07967 517125.

Michael will play. Bach:Cello Suites No 1 and 3 Kodaly: solo cello sonata op 8. Tickets £12 (students £6) from Richard Booth’s Bookshop,Lion St, Hay in person, 01497 820322, online or at the door. Interval refreshments.

SIT! And Other Suggestions Poet Matt Harvey – known to Arts Alive audiences for his Wondermentalist show – returns with a collection of funny, mad, sad, strange drawings,

Saturday 9th

mostly of dogs, by artist Claudia Schmid. All embellished for your delight

Century Fairs Antiques and Collectibles

and delectation with poems, captions and observations by Matt. We start

Visit our intimate fair in the fabulous Beacon Rooms, Ludlow Castle.. Up

with dogs and then move, via other strange and interesting creatures,

n 26 | Wye Valley and the Marches Now | Issue 86 | February 2019

OUR EVENTS DIARY slowly back to dogs. A funny, heart-warming hour and a bit, wrapped around a truly awesome interval. The event at The Conquest Theatre in Bromyard starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10. For more details contact conquest@conquest-theatre.co.uk or call 01885 488575.

Thursday 14th - Saturday 23rd Conquest Productions Pantomime Beauty and the Beast A traditional family pantomime following the story of the cruel young prince punished by being turned into a monster until he can win true love.

Helped, or maybe hindered, by the usual cast of pantomime characters, the Conquest Panto is a riot of song, dance, laughter, and happy ever after enjoyment for everyone. Don’t miss it! All performances start at 7.30pm at the Conquest Theatre. There are two matinee showings on at 2.30pm on Saturday 16th and 23rd. Tickets: Adults £12,under 16s £8 family ticket £36.

Contact: conquest@conquest-theatre.co.uk or 01885 488575.

LUDLOW R A C E C O U R S E

Friday 15th Friday Live: Jacob & Drinkwater Tobias ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater - Alt folk duo. Devon based duo Jacob & Drinkwater have been called ‘stand out new folk’ by BBC6 music and ‘inventive and thrilling’ by R2 magazine. The duo’s dynamic and emotionally charged live show with all its energy, musical chemistry and spontaneity has drawn comparisons with the virtuosic pairing of John Martyn and Danny Thompson. Jacob’s sweeping vocals never fail to captivate. The event at the Globe in Hay starts at 8pm, tickets £5.

Sunday 17th Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival The music festical is at Bishop’s Palace, Hereford at 3pm with Frank Bridge Phantasie for Piano Quartet, Joe Cutler ‘Slippery Music’ for Piano Quartet, Howells ‘In Gloucestershire’ for String Quartet Fauré Piano Quartet in C minor, op. 15. For booking enquiries contact info@wyevalleyfestival.com or call 07891 697418. Tickets cost £17/or £5 for students.

Saturday 23rd Dave Brubeck Project For many people, the sound of Dave Brubecks Take 5 is the sound of jazz. This popular American pianist and composer who died just a few years ago did more than perhaps anyone to bring jazz into the popular mainstream. Now Totnes-based musician Neil Maya has put together a group of some of the finest musicians in the South West to authentically reproduce the best known Dave Brubeck recordings such as Its a Raggy Waltz, Blue Rondo a la Turk, Unsquare Dance and of course Take 5. The band has recently performed numerous sell-out shows including appearances at the Teignmouth Jazz Festival, and many shows throughout the South West of England.In association with Arts Alive.

The event takes place in the Market Theatre in Ledbury, 8pm. Tickets cost between £8–£14. For more information call 07967 517125.

FIXTURES • • • • • • •

Mon 28th Jan Wed 6th Feb Wed 20th Feb Thurs 28th Feb Thurs 21st March Mon 1st April Tues 23rd April

• • • • • • •

Sun 12th May Wed 9th Oct Thurs 24th Oct Thurs 14th Nov Mon 25th Nov Wed 4th Dec Wed 18th Dec

NON-RACEDAY EVENTS An ideal venue for your wedding reception, private party, exhibition or conference.

For full details with dates and costs please contact Diane on 07791 637259 or email dianethomas@ludlowracecourse.co.uk

Excellent function facilities available on non-race days, we have a room for every occasion.

Tel: 01584 856221

Email: mail@ludlowracecourse.co.uk

www.ludlowracecourse.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @LudlowRaceClub

t @WyeValleyNow | G Wye Valley Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 27 n

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