1. law, govt and politics
2. politics
3. elections

Harmonettes
‘Dorothy’s War’
th
Sunday 12 April 7.30pm
Aymestrey Parish Hall
Tickets £10/£5/£25 family 2
adults 2 children
tel 01568
709251/709031/770367
EASTER SERVICES
Good Friday
PARISH
Walking the Cross – followed by Hot
Chocolate and Hot Cross Buns at Leinthall
Earles Church at 10.30am
Easter Day
NOTICE
Holy Communion at Aymestrey at 11am
followed by the annual children’s Easter
Egg Hunt
BOARD
Holy Communion Leinthall Earles 3.30pm
see details on Parish Hall
Kingsland
Bowls
Club
News
page
12presents
Cor y Gyrlais
Male Voice Choir
Church Decorating for Easter at
Aymestrey
Saturday 4th April 10am.
All contributions of daffodils and
greenery will be much appreciated.
Saturday April 18 at 7.00pm
Coronation Hall, Kingsland
Tickets CONGRATULATIONS
£10 each to include supper
Malcolm and Helen Roberts
Tel: 01568 613466
on the recent celebration of their
Either leave the flowers in the porch or
THANK YOU
come along and join in!
The editors wish to thank John Smith
who has reliably delivered Aymestrey
Matters to the residents at Mortimers
Cross for the past 4 years
It’s been brought to our
attention recently that
there is a problem with
dog fouling in
Aymestrey.
PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE
AND CLEAN UP AFTER
YOUR DOG!!!
GOLDEN WEDDING
Village Tidy-up Day
Sunday 26 April
In Support of St Michael’s Hospice
If you would like to get involved with
tidying up the village/verges/pavements
etc
Tea Party
Meeting at the Parish hall 10.30
Welcome to Covenhope
(weather permitting)
Wednesday 17th June 2015
at
Gardens in the Wild 2015
“Tamarisk” North Road, Kingsland,
2pm to 4pm
June 20 and 21
Tea and cakes
celebrates the unique beauty of
Herefordshire’s landscape and gardens.
Hugh and Alison Milton who have moved into
Refreshments at the hall.
Hillhead House
See you there!!
and
Brian and Mandy Colley and their daughter
Lana who have moved to Oakwood Cottage
The festival will be held at Stagg Meadow,
Raffle
Admission £5
Titley
It will
feature
talksof
byAymestrey
well-known Matters
Summer
2015
Edition
plantsmen and garden writers along with
In conjunction with Kingsland andThe deadline
stalls selling plants, garden equipment
dates for contributions will be Monday 15 June
and Herefordshire produce. Ten private
Eardisland Hospice Friends
gardens will be open
Email: editor@aymestrey.org
Ellie Targett from Lucton has been collecting and
sending teddy bears to abused children in South
Africa for the past two years which are distributed by
Rotary International to suffering children in the
townships and they have brought the most enormous
comfort to suffering children in the townships.
Now through the Syrian Relief and Development organisation Ellie
has the opportunity of sending teddies to thousands of children in
Syria. We all know of the trauma and hardship that children in some
Middle Eastern countries are suffering and these teddies will bring
them comfort and perhaps some healing. With the help of churches
throughout the diocese Ellie hopes to send some 10,000teddies by the
end of July
Thank You
Last year John Black from NOTICE
Western Lye OF
FarmELECTION
suffered an accident and was airlifted by
Election of Parish Councillors
Air Ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
John has since made a full recovery, and at the end of January organised an event at the
Luctonians’ Club, Kingsland where a full audience enjoyed supper and were entertained by The
Shanty Singers.
The event was a great success and raised over £3,000 for the
Advanced
Notice
Air Ambulance
Aymestrey Matters
Marion, Mary and Jonathan
We have now been editing Aymestrey Matters for 5 years. It has been enjoyable, interesting,
at times stressful, but most of all really good fun and it has all been done with the most basic
of computer skills. However, we now all find that we have to give more time to family and
other commitments. We therefore wish to let you know that after the winter edition this year
we will be standing down.
for theto take over, and with 3 further editions to
We do hope that someone else will be prepared
come out this year (June, September, December) there is plenty of time for us to show
someone else the ropes.
Please get in touch – Tel: Marion 709398, Mary 709042
Aymestrey Parish
to be held on
Thursday, 7th May 2015
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT
An election is to be held for EIGHT Parish Councillors for the said Parish.
Nomination papers may be obtained, during normal office hours, from the Returning
Officer at the address shown below or from your Parish Clerk. The Returning Officer will,
at the request of an elector for any electoral area, prepare a nomination paper for signature.
Completed nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at the offices at
the address shown below, on any day after the date of this notice, between 10am and 4pm
by 4pm Thursday, 9th April 2015.
If the election is contested, the poll will take place on Thursday, 7th May 2015 between
the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm
Electors should take note that the deadline for new applications to vote by post or to change
existing postal or proxy arrangements e.g. cancellation or re-direction etc must reach the
Electoral Registration Officer at the address shown below by 5pm on Tuesday, 21st April
2015 if they are to be effective for this election.
New applications to vote by proxy must be received by the Electoral Registration Officer by
5pm on Tuesday, 28th April 2015.
The deadline for new applications to be received by the Electoral Registration Officer to vote
by proxy on grounds of occupation, service or employment or a medical condition, illness or
disability arising after 5pm on Tuesday, 28th April 2015 is not later than 5pm on Thursday,
7th May 2015
Dated: Monday, 23rd March 2015
Alistair Neill
Returning Officer
Electoral Services
Owen Street,
Hereford,
HR1 2PJ
Thursday 7 May 2015 Elections
Most people will be aware that the General Election is to be held on Thursday 7 May 2015.
However, in Herefordshire there will also be elections for the 53 seats on Herefordshire
Council and approximately 1200 seats on the 137 Town/Parish Councils. All existing
councillors must seek re-election if they wish to remain as a Councillor.
With regard to Town/Parish Councils anyone can stand as a Councillor if they are at least 18
years old, they are a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any
other member state of the European Union. In addition candidates must meet at least one of
the following qualifications:
 You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the
parish/community in which you wish to stand

You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the
parish/community during the whole 12 months before the day of your nomination and
the day of election

Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of nomination
and the day of election has been in the parish/community
 You have lived in the parish/community or within 3 miles of it during the whole 12
months before the day of nomination and the day of election
In addition to the qualifications to stand for election there are also a few reasons that would
disqualify someone seeking election and that is if you are employed by the Council, you are
the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order, you have been imprisoned for
3 months (including suspended sentence) and finally you have been found guilty of corrupt or
illegal election practices.
So, subject to the above qualifications/disqualification anyone with an interest in their local
community can seek election to their local Town/Parish Council.
If you are interested and would be comfortable in speaking at Council meetings that are open
to the public and have the time to attend meetings and support the work of your local
Town/Parish Council then why not put yourself forward. You only need 2 local people to
support your nomination. It really is as simple as that.
If there are more candidates than vacancies, then an election will be held on the same day as
the General Election and the Herefordshire Council Election. If there are less candidates than
there are vacancies you would be elected unopposed.
You do not need to belong to a political party to become a councillor.
You will find guidance about becoming a councillor on the Electoral Commission website
and the Clerk to your local Town/Parish Council can provide you with the appropriate
nomination paper. Alternatively you can contact the Elections Office at Herefordshire
Council on 01432 260107
Electoral Services Office
Your Vote Matters - Make Sure You’re in!
The way you register to vote has changed. Up until now, the head of a household has been
responsible for registering everyone who lives at an address. However, since June 2014 people in
England and Wales have needed to register as individuals.
In August 2014 we were able to move 86% of those registered voters in Herefordshire onto the new
register automatically after checking their details with the Department for Work and Pensions. But
for various reasons the remaining 14% of electors on the register did not match and all now have to
re-register to vote ahead of the General Election on May 7th 2015.
If you are one of those whose details did not match the information help by the Department for Work
and Pensions then you would have received a letter from the Elections Office at Herefordshire
Council asking you to register individually. If you have received a letter asking you to register
individually this means that you will need to re-register in order to be able to vote by post in the May
election.
If you have recently moved, you must register to vote at your new address. You are not registered at a
new property automatically, even if you pay council tax. The simplest way to register is online at:
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or to call 01432 260107.
Colours Quiz
1. In the 1997 song by Elvis Costello what
colour shoes do the angels want to wear?
2. What ball is worth three points in snooker?
3. Caroline Lucas is head of which organisation?
4. Amy Winehouse had a 2006 hit single
with ‘Back to ‘what’?
5. What is the longest river in South Africa?
6. What colour are the fields in the 1993
song by Sting?
7. Hyacinthoides is the scientific name for what spring
flowering plant?
8. What colour is the big taxi in the 1970
Joni Mitchell song?
9. What colour is Lily in the 1968 hit
single by The Scaffold?
10. Name the formula one Grand Prix circuit that
includes Maggot Corner
11. In a 1964 single by The Rolling Stones
what type of bird was Little and Red?
12. Who was the English king from 1688/9 – 1702?
13. Who had a 1972 hit single with ‘Song
Sung Blue’?
14. Name Frances Drake’s ship in which he
circumnavigated the globe.
15. Which singer released a 2013 song
called ‘Yellow Raincoat’?
Answers on page 24
Carole Price
Carole has lived
in Lower Lye since 1953
What do you most like about where you live?
My garden, especially in spring, the accessibility to amazing local walks and my wonderful
neighbours who make Lower Lye such a close-knit community.
Where would you spend your fantasy 24 hours with no travel restrictions?
Somewhere equidistant from Australia, USA, France and UK where a no-expenses-spared
reunion of all my cousins and their families could be organised.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I just don't have time to settle with a book these days! The most recent ones I read were "A
Street Cat Named Bob" and the sequel "The World According to Bob" by James Bowen.
What is your greatest regret?
A newly-acquired friend was diagnosed with cancer and turned up unexpectedly as we were
leaving the house to meet other friends.
I rushed her away with the promise that I'd see her soon. She died before I made that visit
and the awful feeling of guilt has never left me.
I have prioritised carefully ever since.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Loyalty, friendship and a witty (bordering on silly) sense of humour.
What talent would you most like to have?
To be able to sing. My voice is like a chainsaw
What is your most treasured possession?
A rose bush in my garden bearing fragrant pink flowers. I took a cutting from it after it
featured in the background of some of our wedding photographs in 1975 and it still flourishes
today.
What person has influenced you most?
My father who died suddenly in 1983.
What is the song that means the most to you?
"Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" by Don McLean and "Imagine" by John Lennon
What would you change about yourself?
My terribly sun-sensitive skin.
What living person do you most admire?
Malala Yousafzai.
What is your greatest extravagance?
The very best quality food and wine.
What is your greatest fear?
To be unable to walk and to have to depend upon other people.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing what would it be?
A cat, living with a feline friendly family so I would enjoy a life of luxury and rule the roost!
Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls Churches
Rev. Julie Read
It’s amazing what you can find in the
garden when you look. The children were
making posies for Mothering Sunday and
found all manner of colour and flower
hiding in the Rectory garden that I never
knew existed. Maybe that is the end of
winter, all seems cold and bleak still but if
you look hard enough you see signs of
spring and hope in abundance.
The beginning of April coincides this year
with Good Friday and the glory of Easter.
Good Friday is one of those days that on
the surface of it we would rather gloss
over, eat hot cross buns and watch the
bank holiday sport, but here lies the heart of the whole story of Jesus. Having been an
amazing teacher and living the life that was true to himself and to his heavenly Father, which
involved giving health and wholeness to those he encountered, Jesus faced up to the world in
all its negativity and sin. He stood up and did not walk away and it cost him his life, but in
that encounter something happened that has changed the world, he dealt with death and the
powers of darkness and overcame them and stands now to show us how to deal with these
things too!
Holy week (the week leading up to Easter) has some special services in it that help us visit
this special time: on Wednesday April 1st at 6pm in Aymestrey Church there is a Taize
service which is a space to sit and listen to beautiful music and readings and to light candles.
It lasts about 45 minutes and I think you will find it special. Then on Good Friday (3rd April)
at 10.30am starting at Leinthall Earles Church there is a service of “Walking with the Cross”.
Those who joined us for this last year will tell you how helpful this was. It is not far to walk,
just up the bank stopping from time to time for some verses from the Bible and a verse of a
hymn, but putting the cross in place and looking down over the valley and singing “were the
whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small, love so amazing so divine,
demands my life, my soul, my all” puts everything back into perspective again. There is a
story for the children and an arm on either side for those who are frail – so come and see,
I love the abundance of flowers and relief when the churches are decorated for Easter, and I
hope that the weather will be fair for our farmers (and the rest of us). Rogation Sunday this
year will be celebrated on May 17th – so put the date in your diary. This year we are coming
Aymestrey way and I’m grateful to John and Jane Black of Western Lye Farm for offering to
host our service. It is a time to ask God’s blessing on the land and those who farm so do
come and join us at 11am on that day.
Lots of things going on - it is both a blessing and a curse – we can fill our lives twice over
with good things to do. Try and make sure that you don’t miss out on the important things in
life. Jesus summarised what was important – love God with all your heart, and mind and soul
and strength and love your neighbour as yourself. Remember that and you won’t go wrong.
Every blessing Julie Read
Can you play the piano?
Would you like to join us playing a few hymns at Aymestrey Church maybe once every other
month?
The organ has a lovely tone (it is a Bevington) and there are no organ pedals.
We need support to keep up the tradition of music in our lovely Medieval Church.
Please ring Chrissie Lawson for more information 01568 770431
Sincere condolences go out to family and friends of Mark Pugh who moved into Ballsgate
Barn, Aymestrey in 2011 and who sadly passed away on Sunday 11th January 2015.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Community Wheels
Community Wheels was established over 21 years ago to meet the needs of transport users
who were unable to access public or private transport. The project serves Central and North
Herefordshire and covers over 100 parishes stretching from Leintwardine in the north to
Fownhope in the south. The scheme was born out of the idea that no one should be isolated
due to a lack of transport and that the service would be available to all who qualify.
Based in Leominster, we co-ordinate a team of over 85 dedicated drivers who simply wish to
make their community a better place to live.
Community Wheels has built up a reputation for providing an efficient, reliable and friendly
service to a large number of clients. For many, our scheme means the difference between
getting out and seeing friends, doing the shopping, visiting the doctor or simply staying at
home because there is no other choice.
There is a small charge made for using our service. Fares are subsidised by our funders who
include Hereford Council, and are similar to the cost of using a bus.
 Make a booking:
 Email communitywheels@hvoss.org.uk
 Address: Community Wheels, Unit 4, Brunel Rd. Leominster Enterprise Park.
Leominster, HR6 0LX. Tel: 01568 615785
 Booking line open Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm
 Journeys need to be booked 48 hours in advance

A one-off registration with Community Wheels is needed before booking can be
made.
We are currently looking for volunteer drivers living anywhere within Central or North
Herefordshire. If you have a car and some spare time then Community Wheels would love to
hear from you. Expenses are paid to cover the cost of fuel/travel. A few hours a week could
make a huge difference to someone without transport.
It’s not often that we get a best-selling author coming to stay in our village (twice) and
researching the area for the setting for a forthcoming novel which turns out to be a best
seller in a series of best sellers!
Below we review the resulting novel, “Foxglove Summer”. We hear from Pat and Lisa
(Mount Pleasant Lodge) of their experience of having Ben Aaronovitch staying with them
whilst doing his research and we also hear from Rachel Nelson from Lucton on her
experience of running through “Foxglove Summer” country
‘Foxglove Summer’
Ben Aaronovitch
(A supernatural story with a local setting)
I
n Foxglove Summer, the fifth book in the bestselling Rivers of London series, Ben
Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant, police constable and wizard in training, out of London and
to Rushpool, (Yarpole?) a small village in Herefordshire where the local police are reluctant
to admit that there might be a supernatural element to
the disappearance of two eleven-year-old local girls.
The search for them has captured the attention of the
national news media and Peter Grant is dispatched to
check on an elderly wizard living in the area, to
confirm that he is not involved in the girls’
disappearance.
Until now in the Rivers of London series Ben
Aaronovitch has kept Peter Grant close to home and
followed his encounters with the ghosts, mystical
creatures and magic that exist just beyond the public's
sight in contemporary London. In London, of course,
even things that go bump in the night are subject to the
Queen’s peace, and the Metropolitan Police has the
job of dealing with breaches of peace; even when they
involve wicked and vindictive spirits.
In Herefordshire, however Peter soon finds himself
having to tackle the local Leominster police and also
local gods, and what's more all the shops are closed by
four o’clock in the afternoon!
C
aught up in a deep mystery, and in his pursuit of solving the mystery of the missing girls
he bases himself in Rushpool, and all the action happens in and around local villages
and areas well known to us all – Pokehouse Wood, The Riverside Inn, the Mortimer Trail,
Aymestrey, Yatton, The Wylde, Bircher Common, Luston etc. The author’s narrative is so
descriptive of our area that local readers will be able to follow Peter’s travels from village to
village and along local footpaths and through our fields and woods as he meets with fae,
unicorns, hedge wizards and the media too!
“A very enjoyable blend of Crime, Fantasy and Folklore; a book made all the more
interesting and enjoyable by being firmly set in this area that we know and love.
It’s obvious that the author enjoyed himself while writing it too.”
Visit to Aymestrey of a Best Selling Author
Pat Westley and Lisa Sparks
ack in the summer of 2013 writer Ben Aaronovitch stayed in Aymestrey both at the
Riverside Inn and Mount Pleasant Lodge, the latter he liked so much he returned
bringing his sister and brother in law to help with his research. His family were really special
and liked to swim everywhere they visit, hence a swim in the Lugg early one morning was
undertaken.
B
The reason for his stay in rural Herefordshire was to research his next book in his Rivers of
London series, ‘Foxglove Summer’ with the eventual setting being in and around Aymestrey
and Pokehouse Wood. Ben has written a series of adventures about Police Detective Peter
Grant - police constable and apprentice wizard.
During his stay there were many discussions around local folklore and Pokehouse Wood.
Ben doesn’t drive so used a taxi for every trip he made from the house if he wasn’t on a walk
to a local beauty spot. The good author that he is, he picked the taxi drivers’ brains for local
history and interesting tips and quips to include in his book to make it as true to the area as
possible. Like all authors there is an element of guessing, depending on how easily it was to
obtain clarification on facts and figures from the powers that be. It seems strange to think
that some of this book was written in our house sitting at our dining room table.
After much waiting the book was finally published in mid-November last year, and Ben
undertook whirlwind series of promotional events to publicise the latest edition in his series.
We went to the book event in Ledbury and we obtained a specially doodled and signed
edition of Foxglove Summer from him. As he stated that night, he knew he was back in
Herefordshire because of all the potholes!
“Yarpole Lookalike”
Letter published in The Hereford Times February 5th 2015
from Rachel Nelson - Luston
t may not make Herefordshire as famous as ‘Heartbreak Country’ but Yarpole is firmly on
the map as “Rushpool” in the latest book by Ben Aaronovitch.
I
As a librarian I have been enjoying the Peter Grant series of books, and as a runner with the
Croft Ambrey Running Club I was highly entertained! (What are the chances of a book set in
north Herefordshire, let alone in this tiny corner which is so familiar?) His latest book in the
series is ‘Foxglove Summer’ and is set over the hills where the ‘Crofties’ train. It is a
strange reading experience to see such familiar places through a stranger’s eyes, but once you
know where he has placed the story it is very accurate.
Even the gates at Whiteway Head are correctly placed – I’ve run through them often enough!
While I have never been chased by unicorns from Whiteway Head or met a fae in Pokehouse
Wood, it has made daily travel and training sessions much more interesting.
Aymestrey Parish Hall
Ruth Scamp
Ken Holland
Steph Dunne
COMING SOON!!!
The Harmonettes
‘Dorothy’s War’
A bright clear day in 1919.
Two women arrive at a pre-arranged spot for a mysterious
assignation with a third woman they have never met.
Who is she?
What do they want with her?
And who is the man who connects them all?
This brilliant new show is told through the fabulous
songs of the period – ranging from much loved
favourites to forgotten gems – all sung I live close harmony. It is based on an extra-ordinary
and little known true story of daring and courage in the Great War
Dorothy’s War stars the stunning singer-actresses, The Harmonettes, fresh from the success
of their previous hit ‘The Harmonettes Go Into Orbit’ (5 stars at Edinburgh Fringe), also by
BAFTA nominated writer-director, Janys Chambers. The Harmonettes show was also a sellout when they appeared last year at Kingsland Coronation Hall.
At Aymestrey Parish Hall Sunday 12th April 7.30pm
Tickets £10/£5/£25 (family 2 adults 2 children) – suitable for all ages
Available from Kris Johnston 01568 709251 – Ruth Scamp 709031 – Ken Holland 770367.
___________________________________
____
During the past few months we have held several successful events
Soup and Pudding Night
This February event, held jointly with Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls Churches was a very
well attended. The Shanty Singers were in top form and got everyone in a good mood during
the first half, ready for the delicious soups and pudding that were served during the interval.
The Shanty Singers then gave
a rousing performance with audience participation to finish off a very enjoyable evening. All
proceeds from this night were divided between the parish hall and the churches.
Comedy Night
A full hall enjoyed another excellent Aymestrey Comedy Night, this time with comedian,
Joey Howard.. Joey appears at most of the Warner’s hotels on cruise ships and all over
Europe and above all in Aymestrey Parish Hall. Comedians appearing at Aymestrey tell us
that they just love the intimate atmosphere they have being close up to the audience and
our little ole hall has excellent acoustics.
Carpet Bowls:
On 5th March Aymestrey Carpet Bowlers travelled to Breinton Village Hall for the Finals and
Presentation night of the 2014 /2015 League. Well over 50 bowlers from all of the 6 villages
that take part in the League attended. Some very tight matches saw an exciting night of
finals from all of the League teams. Each team had a Doubles winning pair and a Singles
winner for the final play off. Aymestrey’s Singles winner was Pat Allport who was
unfortunately beaten by Breinton’s home player in the first round. The Doubles winners for
Aymestrey were Ruth Scamp and Colin Walters. They came through some strong opposition
to take the Doubles Trophy for 2014 /2015. The overall winner this year of the League
Trophy was Lingen. We look forward to the next league season which takes off in
November 2015. Carpet Bowls continues in the Hall every Monday night so if you would like
to give it a go then come along from 7pm and see what it is all about.
Sequence Dancing
Sequence Dancing continues every Thursday night all through the year (except on the last
Thursday in the month in March and April). This is a friendly night of dancing and gentle
exercise with about 30 or so people joining in. Mike will always welcome anyone who
would like to give this from of dancing a go so just introduce yourself to him and away you
go.
Nature Trust
The last Thursday of the month sees the meeting of the Nature Trust in March and April.
This is a very well attended night with some interesting local topics. Start time 8pm
Getting Quizzical @ AYMESTREY PARISH HALL
Steph Dunne
Slowly the small square tables dotted around the room filled up as old friends arrived and shook off
their other life personas. The warmth from the heaters giving encouragement to shed fleeces and
scarves and unpack the edible goodies and drinks of choice; the influx of latecomers creating a
crescendo of banter. Competitive comradeship that was what it was all about. A quick conflab
about team names and where to play the joker and then away. 80 bizarre questions in 8 quick fire
rounds numbing the senses with answers known in the depths but sometimes irretrievable, not
surfacing until the groan of recognition after the papers have been switched. More banter but the
quizmaster remains firm, “what it says ‘ere is what gets you a point”. Half time teas and coffees
accompany a choccy biscuit repleting the energy banks. Picking up the pen again, brain in gear the
end is almost in sight. Unveiling the runners up and the winners and not forgetting the Smarties.
Goodnights and farewells until the Autumn is here when we can get quizzical again.
DON’T MISS THE LAST QUIZ OF THE WINTER SEASON FRIDAY 10 th APRIL 8pm.
ALL WELCOME.
THE MORE THE MERRIER.
£5 a TEAM of 4
RAFFLE and REFRESHMENTS
NO DIRECTION
RAT BOWBOWLERS
NORTHERN LIGHTS
MIXED HERBS
WEE THREE
Parish Hall Extension
We had an open day in January where we invited all the people involved in building the
extension to come along and have a look at what has been achieved so far – we still have a lot
to do but more of that later.
The total cost paid out to suppliers and contractors in the process of
putting up the extension was £51,308.07
The list and chart below show
the value of all the
volunteered
work/hours/materials
contributed by people of the
parish. Without this we would
not have been able to have
achieved all that has been
done
Breakdown of the £51,308.07
64% - Hall Funds
20% - Severn Waste
Weclome to our Future
10% - Donation Marion
& Don Griffiths Allan &
Eilleen Gilmore
4% - Bredan Aggragates
(Leinthall Quarry)
2% - Parish Council
Items and services donated
Initial Plans and Planning Approval
Insulation
Handrail fabrication
Foundation concrete
Lorry-load of chippings
Tiles
Architect
Sub Total
£
1,500.00
1,000.00
1,500.00
1,000.00
150.00
400.00
800.00
Volunteers
Painting
Kitchen Fitting
Tiling
Cleaning/Tidying
Hours
82 hrs @ £20 hr.
126 hrs@ £20 hr
25 hrs @ £20 hr.
37 hrs @ £20 hr
Sub Totals
270 hrs
Total of all DONATED materials and labour
TOTAL TRUE COSTS
£
Donated by
Covenhope Construction
Kingspan, Shobdon
Philip Wilmett
Leinthall Quarry
Leinthall Quarry
Philip Leadham-Smith
Mr Savager
6,350.00
A lot of parishioners
Don, Michael, AJ, Joe
Don
The Committee
5,400.00
11,750.00
63,058.07
Parish Hall…..So what happens next? – Welcome to our future
Well the really good news is that we have been successful in applying for grants, but not just
one but two grants have been secured. Severn Waste Fund (a landfill tax scheme) are giving
us £4,000 to finish the new meeting room and to update the lighting to more energy efficient
system. They gave us £10,000 to do the kitchen while Awards for All (a lottery based grant
body) are giving us £10,000 to re-fit the ladies toilets.
However, the Parish Hall Committee are still putting on events that we hope you will support
as we still have to kit the kitchen out with a dish washer, food prep tables and various pieces
of equipment (if anyone can donate any kitchen equipment then please get in touch- it needs
to be robust and in good condition). We are also looking at installing storage racking in the
old meeting room.
Work has already started on the new meeting room with the wall between the main hall and
the room knocked out, a folding wall has been ordered and the whole thing should be finished
sometime around the end of March. The next job will be the setting up of the store room and
the ladies toilets, which hopefully will be finished by late June.
There is still the ongoing general up keep of the whole hall. We need to spray the outside of
the hall this year, repair the village notice board, replace one of the planters as well as install
proper racking into the old meeting room so that we can easily access items. Your support of
events goes towards all the improvements and upkeep.
Now we have a modern kitchen anyone who is interested in running events eg. Lunch Clubs,
Coffee Mornings etc. then please get in touch – the committee will give whatever help is
needed.
Thanks to Don Griffiths too for re-roofing the shed at the back of the hall (it is now water
tight), and for revamping the old “A” Boards which we use outside the hall they are a great
improvement and so much easier to read – Thank you !
Petanque
Bridget Batchelor
After a winter season which we will keep quiet about, the petanque team are looking forward
to the summer season, in a different league (we got promoted to Division 1) and at a different
home venue. All change, you could say!
We are going back to our original base, the Mortimer's Cross Inn. Action is in hand to
refurbish the piste (playing surface) in time for the first match of the season on Wednesday 15
April. As yet we are in blissful ignorance about whether we are playing at home or away, but
it's best to be prepared . . . Our thanks go to the Goodwin family for letting us back to our
original “home”.
Petanque is fun, sociable and easy to pick up. We get to visit some great pubs. Matches start
at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings. If you're interested in knowing more, please contact our
captain, Paul Blake on 07870 391953.
Thoughts from a Gardener
T
he first frogspawn has appeared in my pond, and more will follow during the next week.
It's mid-March, there is plenty of time yet for wintery weather, but the frogs are active so
I feel that it must be spring.
Our common frog, Rana Temperaria, is extremely hardy; it must be, to engage in sex in water
barely above freezing. The same species lives across all of the cooler parts of Eurasia.
When the sun warms their favoured shallows just slightly, there will be a frenzy of activity
amongst the previously laid spawn and fragments of water mint and cress stems, damaged by
flailing legs.
I
n this tapioca orgy are froggy faces, watchful faces that fall silent and submerge when I
approach. When the tadpoles hatch they will congregate in a gently pulsating dark mass on
the surface of the jelly and thus absorb solar energy, an animate solar panel. They become
surprisingly warm in that cold water and so develop quicker.
I admire the simplicity of frogs’ lives but don't envy them in that icy water with their slippery
naked bodies.
These frogs are direct descendants of those isolated here by rising sea levels after the last ice
age, true natives.
Who in this much invaded and colonised country could claim such lineage?
M
y bees are flying now, collecting pollen, orange from the crocuses and pale yellow
from the Hellebores. They are in passive competition with a few bumble bees.
The seasonal cycle of life rolls on.
Jim Logan
Gatley Farms
March 2015
Stuart Hutchings
T
he seasons tick around, and the hope is that spring will arrive by the 21st March with
grass growth for ewes and lambs, and warm soils to plant spring crops into. Our lambing
is later this year but well timed for a cooler March and the arrival of additional helpers
from earlier lambing flocks and the Glasgow vet school.
The choice of breed of beef cow to be the dam of our single suckled beef enterprise, has been
subject to much debate over the years. A first cross calf from the dairy herd has the
advantage of the good milk production of the dam, the beef characteristics of the sire and
good temperament from being bucket reared on milk by a kindly person. Thirty years ago we
had Hereford x Friesian cows that were of moderate size and could produce a Charolais cross
calf that grew well. The Holstein has now replaced most of the Friesians in the dairy herds,
and is substantially bigger and has poor muscling for beef character.
W
e have tried Simmental x and Belgian Blue x Holsteins, both produce good quality
calves, but require substantially more feed if they are to successfully rebreed each
spring. With the “Blue cows”, pelvic room is more limited and bull choice for calf size
is very important. This will be our second year calving a purpose bred beef composite cow
called the “Stabiliser”. This is a medium sized cow that produces small calves that have
excellent growth rates and maintains itself well on grass in the summer season, being housed
with a full brisket of fat covered muscle in the autumn. The
Stabiliser is a cross between the Simmental, Red Angus, Gelbvieh and Hereford. The
native British breeds ensure marbling and good eating quality for prime steak. They are not
always as quiet as the bucket reared cross breds!
The new agri support system is based on providing environmental gain. For arable land and
temporary grass we need to have five per cent of the land in Ecological Focus Areas. The
overall qualification for Countryside Stewardship will disappear with support centred on
pollinator areas, wild bird feed crops and water protection. We have planted field beans for
bee life as well as nitrogen fixing. Maintaining our hedges and protecting ditches also gives
credit areas.
O
ur manufactured fertilizer use is being much reduced with poultry manure from Shobdon
spread over all of the grassland in late winter, and in the autumn before planting oilseed
rape and milling wheat. Farmyard manure is waiting to be spread, before planting spring
barley and potatoes.
Mixed farming is good for the soil, it makes a lot of work, but gives a few more chances to
have a foodstuff in demand.
Medieval Aymestrey – ‘Frontier
Country’
Chrissie Lawson
This peaceful Parish experienced a very different
atmosphere in medieval times when the Marches were
literally ‘the frontline’ perhaps on a par with some of
today’s world trouble spots. Both ongoing acrimony with the Welsh and the battle for the
Crown resulted in Aymestrey village probably witnessing both fist to fist fighting and royal
glamour, being the direct route from Hereford Castle to Wigmore Castle where Kings and
Queens of the period may have travelled to socialise and display their wealth.
Life in Aymestrey must have felt precarious with the constant possibility of Welsh raids. The
magnitude of nearby King Offa’s Dyke symbolises the concern for centuries about the Welsh
boundary and periodically villagers must have been only too aware of nearby rebellions. In
1262 Grifudd Llywelyn the ruler of Wales sacked Presteigne and almost certainly ravaged the
Church and Manor at nearby Byton. In 1402 Owain Glyndwr’s long campaign saw the
destruction of many churches and manors including Pembridge and Limebrook Priory at
Upper Lye within our Parish.
Hereford featured prominently during the second Baron’s War. After the Battle of Lewes in
1264, Simon de Montfort imprisoned Henry111 and his son, Prince Edward in Hereford
Castle. Prince Edward, later Edward 1, (responsible for the building of the Castles of Wales)
took exercise on horseback on Widemarsh Common. He apparently persuaded his captors to
allow him to try one of their fast horses. He then galloped out of sight and made a chase with
the support of Hugh Croft from Croft Castle to the safety of Roger Mortimer locally in
Wigmore. Inevitably the direct route must have been through Aymestrey, over the River
Lugg Ford (still evident today above the bridge beside the Riverside Inn), and on to the
Mortimers at Wigmore Castle
The Mortimer’s were English noblemen and powerful Marcher Lords, and in 1316 another
Roger Mortimer took Edward 11’s wife Queen Isabella as his mistress. Edward was
subsequently deposed and Mortimer allegedly arranged his murder at Berkley Castle. For
three years Roger Mortimer was de facto ruler of England.
In 1329 there were reports of a lavish tournament at Wigmore Castle attended by the young
Edward 111 and his mother, Queen Isabella. It seems they divided their time between
Hereford Palace and Wigmore Castle, and must have regularly passed through Aymestrey
Village with their cortege. However, later Edward accused Roger Mortimer of assuming
royal power and had him executed at Tyburn.
In 1461 Aymestrey witnessed the most terrifying battle nearing the end of the Wars of the
Roses when 19 year old Edward Mortimer, Earl of March, for the House of York, based at
Wigmore Castle, defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross. It is rumoured
he stabled the horses in Aymestrey Church the night before the carnage during which 4000
men were killed and Owen Tudor was beheaded in Hereford’s High Town. The Yorkist
victory resulted in Edward being crowned King Edward 1V. Life in Aymestrey would have
been very frightening for those who experienced such terror. In 1642 Civil War broke out in
England when Charles 1 challenged his Parliament and attempted to rule in his own right.
Although Hereford was essentially a Royalist County there were several influential families
near to Aymestrey who joined with the Parliamentarians. Once again the Marches became an
area of conflict.
At Brampton Bryan Castle the Harley’s stood for Parliament and a siege took place whereby
Brilliana Harley in her husband’s absence held out against the Royalists for weeks resulting
in carnage, and the subsequent ruin of both Brampton Bryan and Wigmore Castle. All these
events are but a stone’s throw from Aymestrey where villagers if not involved must have
‘laid low’ to avoid the conflict.
‘How lucky we are these days to live in such a peaceful Parish’
Battlefields Trust
Battle of Mortimer’s Cross Walk and History Day
April 25th 2015
Amazing History on our doorstep
This famous ‘Wars of the Roses’ battle changed the face of English History and helped put
local man (Edward 1V) on the throne of England. The Battlefield Trust is organising a day to
tell the story of the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross, primarily, but not exclusively for local
people.
There will be two halves to the day and you are welcome to book for all day or for half a day.
Places will be limited so book early to avoid disappointment
There will be a morning and afternoon guided walk, both different, led by experts on the
battle. Lunch at the Corners Inn, Kingsland, is optional. A talk with armour and weapons in
the afternoon or a short guided walk around the medieval parts of Kingsland Village related
to the battle.

The walks are suitable for anyone able to undertake a 3 mile cross country walk at a
gentle pace. Children and well controlled dogs welcome.

The day will begin at 10.00am, lunch is at 12.45 and the afternoon begins at 14.00
with the talk and display or tour of Kingsland sites until 15.15, followed by the
afternoon walk which finished at 17.45.
The organisers reserve the right to amend the programme if necessary
Costs will be kept to a minimum, optional lunch choices £5 - £10 to pay on the day and a
voluntary donation to the Battlefields Trust, £10 per adult, to include tea and coffee at the
beginning and end of the day.
Further details and booking form to be sent in due course to those who register.
Contact to register: email
patricia@apothecary.net or phone 01568
7085
Mortimer Medical Practice
Andrew Batchelor brings the latest news from
Your Patients Participation Group
The practice would like to apologise for
the shortage of nursing appointments
lately. The situation should improve next
month.
The 2015 Annual Patients Survey was carried out in February. This was an opportunity for
patients to voice their opinions, good and bad, and to offer suggestions to improve the service
offered. We had 280 responses either by returned paper questionnaires or via the on-line
system. Thank you for all your input.
Lots of interesting questions and ideas have been raised and were discussed at the recent PPG
meeting. However, more study of the results is required and ideas need to be developed in
response to the comments made. We hope to be able to tell you more in May and will report
regularly on progress made throughout the year.
Representative: Andrew Batchelor, e-mail: ab.batchelor@btopenworld.com ,
Tel: 01568 780443.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Croft Ambrey Running Club
Rachel Nelson
Club Winter Social
The Club’s annual dinner was held on 27 February at the Luctonians Club. This evening which includes a meal, prize
giving and quiz is a fun event for members and their families and an opportunity to socialise without being out of
breath or covered in mud! In fact, we all scrub up really well!
Locals win gold
Croft Ambrey Runners came away with a haul of medals from the county cross-country league again this season. In
the team event the men won gold and the women silver, losing out on gold by only one point. Club members won
several medals in ten of the different age-group categories from ‘Senior’ to ‘65+’. Jo Marriott, Nicky Turvey (Yarpole)
and Liz Bowers (Luston) won gold in their age categories in the women’s competition.
Shobdon Wood Race
19 April 2015
11am
Free T-shirt, refreshments, prizes (individual and teams)
http://croftambreyrunningclub.co.uk/shobdon-wood-6/
This race has plenty of hills, fantastic views, and friendly atmosphere and – depending on the season- is sometimes
run through carpets of bluebells. I always feel a real sense of achievement each time I take this route on
and puff my way to the finish line!
Healing from Home
Lydia Sasse
S
pring is upon us and with it, all the new shoots and leaves are making their first appearance,
which not only warms my heart after a long cold winter, but reminds me that it is the perfect time
for harvesting plants to make into healing tinctures and vinegars.
Simple Nettle Vinegar:
Nettle is a nutrient-dense herb, rich in vitamins A, C, D and K, as well as calcium, potassium,
phosphorous, iron and sulphur.
It is well known as a uterine tonic and also strengthens kidneys and adrenals.
The calcium content makes it an excellent herb to take for easing leg cramps and muscle spasms.
Nettle is also a good home remedy for haemorrhoids: its astringency will help tighten and strengthen
blood vessels and reduce this problem, and it has also been known to treat arthritic joints with good
success.
This wondrous herb is also helpful in battling seasonal allergies and hay fever, which is thought to be
caused by the nettle’s anti-inflammatory properties and adrenal-supporting nutrients.
B
ecause of its acidity, vinegar is the best medium for extracting the minerals from these nutritious
wild plants.
Herbal vinegars are delicious in salad dressing, on cooked greens, in marinades, or in sauces. Some
people prefer to take a tablespoon in water as a daily tonic.
Our bodies are chronically depleted of minerals, contributing to many health
challenges, especially in the hormonal, nervous,
and immune systems.
It is much easier for the body to digest and
absorb minerals from a wild plant, than from a
pill!
N
ettle can be gathered with gloves anytime from when it peeks out of the ground until just before
it flowers.
How to Make Nettle Vinegar:
Tightly pack a jar full of nettles.
1. Fill the jar to the top with apple cider vinegar. (raw, organic vinegars give you beneficial
microorganisms much like yogurt does.)
2. Since vinegar rusts metal, a cork or plastic top is preferable. Placing a piece of waxed paper or
plastic between a metal lid and the jar works too.
3. Label your jar with the plant name and date harvested.
4. The next day, the plant may have absorbed enough liquid to end up uncovered, so refill the liquid
level. Check the liquid level once or twice over the next week.
5. Six weeks later, strain out the plant material, and you have your own wild herb vinegar!
Happy harvesting and enjoy!
Saturday 18 July 2015
ymestrey’ Summer Fete will be held as usual on the 3rd Saturday in July. As this will
be the 10th Summer Fete the organisers thought it would be a good idea to have a few
changes to help liven things up. We plan to still have the Fun Races, the Dog Show and
the Tug of War in the arena but we hope to have some new stalls and some changes in the
way we organise things. We shall be pleased and interested to hear ideas etc. from anyone.
The next meeting is on Wednesday May 6 at 7.30 in the Parish Hall. All are welcome.
A
Produce Competition
Once again, it's time to start planning your entries for this year’s Produce Competition.
There will be classes this year for tomatoes, potatoes, courgettes, mixed salad leaves and soft
fruits. Culinary classes will again include sweet and savoury preserves, a fruit or flower
alcohol and a loaf of bread. The cake class this year will be for a Swiss roll, so start finetuning your recipes now. There will also be floral classes for sweet peas, a single rose and an
arrangement of cottage garden flowers.
As this will be the 10th anniversary of Aymestrey Fete, we have also decided to try something
new. This year the competition for the best plant grown from the seeds supplied with
Aymestrey Matters will run independently of the Produce Competition and will instead be
judged by visitors to the Fete – the People's Choice. This year the seeds are nasturtiums and
you don’t need a greenhouse or a windowsill as nasturtiums prefer poor soils the more fertile
the soil the less blooms. Plant in pots half inch deep and leave in full sun outside - seedlings
should start appearing within 10 days. Don't forget to water them! Good luck!
Ken Holland and Heather Yesson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bunting Request
Ken Holland
T
o help brighten up the Parish Hall for any events
we are holding inside, the committee thought that
it would be a good idea to have bunting, but when
we saw the price of fabric bunting we thought that we
could make it, but as we are only a small committee
we are asking the community if they have any old
scraps of material lying around, the brighter the better,
to have a go at making some. An example is shown
below. The size would be 10inches long by 7 inches
wide at the top. Contact any of the committee to drop
the flags off. We will then attach them to the ribbon.
Notes from the Marsh
December 2014 – 10th March
Susanna Checketts, Melinda Crook, Helga Douthwaite
SIGNS of SPRING We have lift-off! The first frog-spawn was
spotted in a small pond on 3rd March and the first daffodil was
out in the same paddock, together with a single celandine. On
the whole though, daffodils and other blooms are a week or
more later this spring and mowing is not yet needed as the cold
nights have slowed the grass growth. Song-thrushes have
begun to sing most of the day; one of them continues to venture
onto one bird table and a yellowhammer has been a visitor to
another one. A pair of long-tailed tits is coming to feeders for
breakfast, lunch and tea; they twitter and flit in a field hedge
where they have nested twice before. The bullfinch is singing
its creaky little song. A first buff tailed bumblebee, a was
spotted on mahonia on 8th March; two days later, a tree bumble
bee appeared on heather where a few honeybees were also in
evidence.
Through autumn and since December, however, we have had a
few negative observations; neither a fox nor a hare have been
spotted and no one heard stags belling. Sightings of fallow and
roe deer have also been scarce; a single doe dithered across the
road outside Aymestrey one night. Winter thrushes have been
few and far between, while starlings have seemingly been
absent altogether, though some years we have had a hundred or
more.
The red kites have still circled over the slopes
around us, while buzzards are always nearby, one
particularly large one has been nicknamed Eric
Bloodaxe , he sits on the ground with the sun
reflecting on his bright white Scandinavian ‘yoke’
and is visible for a long way. A pair of redpolls
(the female only red above the beak, the male with a reddishpink chest flush) was seen in a bird-wave on a silver birch,
along with a goldfinch, a pair of bullfinches, and seven or eight
siskins. On a mild January morning, a heron flew low like
some pterodactyl and landed to prospect along a zigzag field
hedge. We have the usual pied wagtails swooping and calling
on the rooftops from time to time. Several red-legged
partridges have also been sighted.
A rather different sighting on 24th December was the Space
Station, sailing serenely and quite high west to east at about
5.15 pm. There was an exquisite golden sliver of new moon
low in the south-east with transparent blue-grey veils of tiny
cloud across it from time to time.
Tawny owls are hooting and flitting across the winter stars.
World War One Research Group
Ken Holland
The group met for the first time this year in late February when it was decided that the Horse
Trust would be our nominated
charity for this year. Last year we
raised over £300 which was
donated to The Blind Veterans
UK (originally St Dunstan’s).
We will continue our research for
more information of the men
from the Parish who lost their
lives, and now that Hereford
Archive is opening in April in
their new premises at Rotherwas,
we hope to unearth more
information. It would be great to find photographs of the men; so far we have photos of 5
out of the 14.
Another project planned for this year is the planting of poppies along the verges throughout
the parish with hopefully more success than last year – if anyone has any ideas where we can
plant some please get in touch.
We will hold another service at Aymestrey Church on 11th November and around that time
we plan to show another film in the Parish Hall, either War Horse or Testament of Youth. We
are now firming up the details of the plaque that we would like to erect in remembrance of all
those who went to war – there were over a 100 from the Parish. The plan is to have this
ready for 2018.
The display in the lady chapel of Aymestrey church will remain up for the
full four years, and as we are still continuing our research we will hopefully
keep adding to the display, so if anyone has further information on any of
the men or indeed what life was like in the parish around the time of the
war, then we would be glad to hear from you - especially any photographs.
Contacts: Ken Holland 01568 770367 and Meg Thorpe 01568 780384
Answers to Colours Quiz on page 6
1.
Red
DOG RULES
2.
Green
3. is not
Green
Party
1. The dog
allowed
in the house.
4.
Black
2. OK, the dog is allowed in the house,
5.
Orange
but only 6.
in certain
rooms.
Gold
7. is allowed
Bluebells
3. The dog
in all rooms, but
8.
Yellow
has to stay off the furniture.
9.
Pink
10.
Silverstone
11.
Rooster
12.
William of Orange
13.
Neil Diamond
DUST IF YOU MUST!!
14.
Golden Hind
Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
15
Justin Bieber
Clerk’s Corner
Linda Henry reports on Parish Council doings
and extracts from the Clerk’s postbag.
You may have noticed that we have an election
coming up! This includes Herefordshire
Council and parish councils. Please see other
articles in Aymestrey Matters for details.
Our Locality Steward, Rachel Dixon, has been working in the Mortimer Ward for a few
months now. Rachel is employed by Balfour Beatty and she is making a big difference to
getting things done in the parish. She sends a weekly report to Parish Councillors detailing
potholes, drainage and other works completed, forthcoming projects etc. and attends most of
our Parish Council meetings to discuss these issues and answer questions. Rachel will be
working closely with councillors and Brian Williams on the 2015-16 Lengthsman Scheme,
for which a management plan is currently being devised.
Balfour Beatty/Herefordshire Council have introduced a very simple and effective way of
reporting road defects online. Simply go to: https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/transportand-highways/maintenance/potholes/cg-report-a-pothole (or Google ‘Herefordshire
Council report a pothole’) and you can specify exactly where the problem is. There is a map
where you can see details and progress of what has
already been reported. If you leave your own contact
details, you will receive notification when the works
have been done.
Problems with dog fouling have been reported in
the village. Please remember that it is your
responsibility to clear up after your dog. It is a
fineable offence not to do so.
As part of the Parish Plan, it is hoped to devise
a circular walk based
on Aymestrey.
This will
"SPRING
CLEANING"
be printed and available in the village and
by Susan
Reiner
Tourist Information centres.
If you
would like
to be involved in this project, please contact
me.
March bustles in on windy feet
Andthe
sweeps
myCouncil
doorstepTax
andrates
my street.
Notices for
2015-16
have
She
washes
and
cleans
with
pounding
been sent out. Herefordshire Council, the Fire rains,
and Police
services the
have
keptoftheir
increases
Scrubbing
earth
winter
stains. on
average at
1.9%.
The
has gone
She
shakes
theparish
grimeprecept
from carpet
green
up a littleTill
more
this
year
to
enable
the
funding
naught but fresh new blades are seen.
of parish projects including equipment for the
Then, house in order, all neat as a pin,
parish hall, increased contribution to
She ushers
gentle springtime
in.
maintenance
of the churchyard
and appropriate
payment of the clerk.
Please note that the May meeting of the
Parish Council will be on Wednesday 13th May this year (and not the usual last Wednesday
of the month). This is because of election rules.
Don’t forget that you can find approved minutes of parish council meetings on the website
www.aymestrey.org . Alternatively, please ask for a copy.
Linda Henry
Clerk
Tel: 01584 878865
PARISH PEOPLE
Here are some details for people in the parish you might need to contact
PARISH COUNCIL
Chair
Mary Heale
709042
Vice-chair
Clerk
Heather Yesson
Linda Henry
708289
01584 878865
Clerk@aymestrey.org
Members
Robert Beavan 770571.
Nick Bohemia 770215
Mair Hardwick 770487
Marion Griffiths 709398
Domenica Dunne 770432
John Probert 708484
Ward Councillor (temporary) Roger Phillips 01544 340269 rjphillips@herefordshire.gov.uk
Footpath Officer
Don Griffiths 709398
Patient Rep. Mort. Med Practice Andrew Batchelor 770443 ab.batchelor@btopenworld.com
VILLAGE HALL
Bookings
Ken Holland 770367
Ruth Scamp 709031
Tickets
Ken Holland, Ruth Scamp, Helen Roberts 770486
CHURCH
Churchwardens
Stuart Hutchings 770536
Meg Thorpe 780384
AYMESTREY MATTERS
Editorial Team
editor@aymestrey.org
Marion Griffiths 709398
Mary Heale 709042
Art and graphics Jonathan Heale ©
Aymestrey Website www.aymestrey.org
DATES FOR DIARIES
When
Where
What
Mondays 7.30pm
Carpet bowls
VH
Thursdays 8.00pm
Sequence dancing
VH
March
25th 7.30pm
Parish Council Meeting
PH
26th 7.30pm
Nature Trust “A Bit about Lichens”
PH
Sunday 29th
British Summertime Begins
Sunday 29th 11am
Benefice Palm Sunday Service (with donkeys!!)
Kingsland
April
Wednesday 1st 6.pm
Taize Service
Aymestrey
Friday 3rd 10.30am
Walking the Cross
Leinthall Earles
Saturday 4th 10am
Decorating the church for Easter
Aymestrey
Sunday 5th 11am Easter Day
Holy Communion BCP followed by Easter Egg
Hunt
Aymestrey
Sunday 5th 3.30pm
Holy Communion CW
Leinthall Earles
Sunday 5th 7pm
Aymestrey Film Club “Paddington”
PH
Sunday 12th 9.30am
Holy Communion BCP
Aymestrey
Sunday 12th 7.30pm
Dorothy’s War with The Harmonettes
PH
Saturday 18th 7pm
Cor y Gyrlais Male Voice Choir
Coronation Hall Kingsland
Sunday 19th 3.30pm
Evensong
Leinthall Earles
Thursday 23rd
St George’s Day
Sunday 26th 10.30am
Village Clean-up Day
From PH
Wednesday 29th
Red Cross Spring Garden Event
Wormbridge
May
Sunday 3rd 11am
Holy Communion BCP
Aymestrey
Wednesday 6th 7.30pm
Fete organising meeting
PH
Thursday 7th
Elections
PH Polling Station
Sunday 10th 9.30am
Holy Communion with Baptism
Aymestrey
Wednesday 13th 7.30pm
Parish Council Meeting
PH
Sunday 17th 11am
Rogation Sunday Service (Benefice on farm
service)
Western Lye Farm
June
Sunday 7th 10.30am
Benefice Confirmation Service with the Bishop
of Ludlow
Kingsland
Sunday 14th 9.30am
Service to celebrate St John the Baptist (Patron
Saint of Aymestrey)
Aymestrey
Wednesday 17th 2pm to 4pm
Tea Party in aid of St Michael’s Hospice
Tamarisk, Kingsland
Sunday 21st 3.30pm
Holy Communion CW
Leinthall Earles
July
Saturday 18th from 1.00pm
Aymestrey’s 10th Summer Fete
Aymestrey
See the weekly Benefice Newssheet for up-to-date information and details of church services.
Ordinarily, the parish council meets every two months to discuss the full range of council business.
The intermediate meetings are only held if there is urgent business (usually a planning application)
to be considered that cannot wait until the next full meeting. See local notice boards