parish news - Churches of Arden

PARISH NEWS
A NEW YEAR !
A NEW START?
A GREAT START -
Alpha!
Printed by: Claridges Copy and Print
25 Market Place, Warwick
St. Michael and All Angels, Claverdon
Tel:
01926 492777
• All Saints, Preston Bagot
January/February 2011

MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CHURCH
Until a new Vicar is appointed, any enquiries should be made to
Mrs Gill Evans at the Parish Office at the Church Centre; on 01926 843234
www.churchesofarden.org.uk
Diocesan Reader
Mr James Holden
01926 843102
Ordinand
Mr Philip Hanson
01926 843421
Parish Administrator
Mrs Gill Evans
01926 843234
Church Office: Claverdon Church Centre, Church Road, Claverdon
Normal Office Hours: 9.30am – 11.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
At other times or in emergency, please see Village Contacts page 46
Claverdon Parochial Church Council
Church Wardens
PCC Minutes Secretary
PCC Treasurer
Mr Jonathan Evans
01926 842690
Mr David Markham
01926 843399
Mr Roderick Boswell; Mrs Gill Evans and Mrs Heather Howell
Mrs Nicky Arnott; Mr Richard Bonsall; Prof. Chris Dowson; Mrs
Pat Farmer; Mrs Penny Hanson; Mr David Hardy; Mrs Rosemary
Holding; Mr Roger Hughes; Mrs Sue Jacques; Mr John
Knightbridge and Mr Brian Ollis.
Mrs Sue Holt
Mr Roderick Boswell
01926 842365
Organists
Mr Jonathan Evans; Mr Brian Ollis
Members of Deanery Synod
Elected
Ministry Leadership Team
Members
James Holden; Phil Hanson; Gill Evans; Sue Jacques; Anne Perrin
and Liz Rayner
Preston Bagot Parochial Church Council
Church Wardens
Mr Hugh Carslake
Mrs Joy Cater
Member of Deanery Synod
Elected
PCC Secretary
PCC Treasurer
Organist
Advertising
01926 843023
01926 842149
Mr Tony Belcher; Mrs Ros Belcher, Mr John Cook; Mrs Jenny
Farrell; Mrs Sheila Goudge; Mrs Mary Herbert; Mrs Carol
Marrison; Mrs Norrie Moore; Cmdr Richard Onslow; Mrs Anne
Perrin; Mrs Geraldine Rowe and Mrs Hazel Steven
Mrs Carol Marrison
Mr John Cook
Mrs Olga Ananskikh
01564 792547
01926 843465
Contact Details for Claverdon Parish Magazine
Martin Pleasance, Songar Grange, Langley Rd, Wootton Wawen B95 6DP
Tel: 01926 842532
(e-mail: martin@rightangles.co.uk)
Distribution: Graham Burgoyne, Celliers, Langley Road, Claverdon CV35 8PU
Tel: 01926 842706
Editor:
Norrie Moore (Mrs), 2 Oakdene Crescent, Hatton, Warwick CV35 7BN
Tel: 01926 843045 (e-mail: norriemoore141@btinternet.com)
Material submission deadline:
12th of the preceding month
2
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47

Looking back - and forward
Get in touch with the Villages
Badminton
Bellringers
Benefice Housing Association
Church Centre Bookings
Church Centre Caretaker
Church Floodlighting
Clav. & Dist. Neighbourhood Watch
Roger Hughes
Roderick Boswell
Dawn Gazey-Lewis
Gill Evans
Geoff Gee
David and Heather Howell
Les Edwards
Tony Rodger
Vince Hammond
Charlie Waterworth
Trish Grant
June Hone
Robert Lees
Heather Sharp
Andy Hughes
Alan Conway
Kate Gover
Don Hanson
Donna Harrison
Alan Latter
07505 275154
01926 843234/842690
01926 842620
01926 843201
01926 843365
01926 842325
01926 842691
07875664771
01926 843143
01926 842917
01926 842474
01926 842557
07766 257534
01564 794675
01926 842403
01926 842331
01926 842216
01926 842417
Scramblers
(age 3 – Year R)
Climbers
(Year 1 - Year 2)
Explorers
(Year 3 – Year 6)
Pathfinders
(Year 7 upwards)
Dorothea Mitchell Hall Bookings
Embroidery
Men’s Breakfasts
Merry Widows Group
Parent/Teacher Association
Parish Magazine
Preston Bagot Parish Meeting
Rotary Club of Henley
Scout Group 1st Bearley & Snitterfield
Caroline Markham
Chris Dowson
Mandy Dowson /Richard Bonsall
Natasha Butler
Rod Peters
Tricia Hardy
Martin Pleasance
Sue Hollingsworth
Becky Muller
Norrie Moore
Stephen Perrin
David Burman
Mike Hayward
01926 843399
01926 843612
01926 843612/843474
01926 840013
01926 843587
01926 842351
01926 842532
01926 842041
01926 840371
01926 843045
01926 842638
01926 842451
01789 205953
Scout Group 1st Henley & Wootton
Stepping Stones Pre-School (age 3 – 5)
Caroline Daw
9.15pm – 12.15pm
Term Time at the Church Centre
Councillor John Horner
01564 792002
Natasha Butler
Councillor Richard Hobbs
01926 840013
01789 730331
Kath Kaveney
01926 843365
Clav. & Dist. British Legion
Claverdon Cricket Club
Claverdon Football Club
Claverdon Gardening Group
Claverdon Monday Club
Claverdon Parish Council
Claverdon Quilters
Claverdon Rugby Club
Claverdon Min. & Junior Rugby
Claverdon School
Claverdon Tennis Club
Claverdon Toddler Group
Conservative Association
THE SUNDAY CLUB
Stratford District Council
Three Parishes’ Church Library
WAP! (Youth Club)
Warwickshire County Council
Women’s Institute
46
01926 842387
01926 842365
01926 843353
01926 842068

It‘s some years since we had a dog, but many locals will remember our
‗rescue‘ dog, Jack – a ‗mess‘ some people would have said…with his
‗Borzoi‘ snout and legs, floppy Collie ears and tail, and his shaggy black, tan
and white coat! He loved his walks through sheep-filled fields – off his lead
and to heel, trained to ignore sheep but keenly interested in all the activity
around him.
One favourite path was across the fields beyond Breach Lane, along
the minor ‗ridge‘ where on a clear day the tower of Preston Bagot Church
could be seen, just visible through the trees. And that always brought back
memories of our youngest son‘s wedding there in 1989 (one of two sunny
days that year!)
Years before that we‘d known Fred and Cicely Timms, when he was
verger of Preston Bagot Church, cheerfully tolling the welcoming bell before
services, always smiling, but happy to hand over the bell rope if someone
offered to take over. As a couple they always supported fund-raising efforts
for the ‗new‘ Church Centre, joining in with great gusto. Jeanne and John
Carslake, parents of present Preston Bagot churchwarden, Hugh,
enthusiastically helped by providing a venue for the travelling supper (it used
to be considered a wonderful home to visit, with candlelit ‗silver‘ service in
the splendid dining room of The Old Rectory). In those days there would be
evening prayer every month in the little church on the hill, and in the summer
the congregation would sit in the choir stalls with the side door open to allow
the congregation to enjoy that fabulous view – all the way across the fields to
Claverdon!
Of course St Michael & All Angels has been our ‗home‘ church for
more than forty years, and we love being part of it – but it‘s been good to
have a choice of services and we‘re always made so welcome when we ‗visit‘
Preston Bagot.
In recent years too it‘s been a pleasure to go to Wootton Wawen
Church, particularly for the Celtic Services (the offshoot of one of those
enjoyable and stimulating parish week-ends, the last one this year at
Canterbury with friends from Claverdon, Preston Bagot and Wootton
Wawen).
So now we enter an exciting new chapter of life in our parishes –
waiting for the appointment of our new Vicar, and looking forward to the
unknown challenges that are in store for us all, but sure that together we can
see that ‗God is working his purpose out‘ in the three villages.
Tricia and David Hardy

3
11.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Claverdon
11.00am
Morning Prayer
CW
Wootton Wawen
3.00pm
Baptism
6.30pm
Evening Prayer
BCP
Claverdon
th
Sunday, 30 January (Fourth Sunday of Epiphany)
11.00am
Joint Holy Communion
6.30pm
Healing Service
BCP
Preston Bagot
-
Church Centre
-
Wootton Wawen
9.30am
Morning Prayer
CW
Preston Bagot
9.30am
Family Service/Christingle
-
Wootton Wawen
11.00am
Family Service
-
Claverdon
4
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27th February
Claverdon
8.00am
20 February
BCP
th
Holy Communion
th
8.00am
13th February
Sunday, 6 February (Fifth Sunday before Lent)
6 February
th
DATE
Celtic Service
TIME
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
7.30pm
Penny Tubbs
Jill Forsythe
Jennie Madden
Christopher Rowe
Wilf Harrison
Jenny Farrell
FLOWERS & BRASS
Joyce Whitehouse
George Cooper
CLEANING
Service Leader
George Cooper
nd
Sheila Goudge
Preston Bagot
CLEANING
BCP
Mary Herbert
Holy Communion
Christopher & Geraldine Rowe
9.30am
27th February
Wootton Wawen
Margaret Duke
CW
Hugh Carslake
Holy Communion
-
8.00am
Wilf Harrison
Sunday, 23 January (Third Sunday of Epiphany)
20th February
Claverdon
13th February
-
rd
SECOND READING
Third Sunday Service (Church Centre)
Terry Connolly
11.00am
FIRST READING
Wootton Wawen
Jane Connolly
CW
Joy Cater
Holy Communion
6th February
11.00am
PRESTON BAGOT (all at 9.30am)
Preston Bagot
SIDESPERSON
BCP
-
Morning Prayer
-
9.30am
-
Claverdon
-
BCP
Jenny Hinson
Holy Communion
CLAVERDON
Sunday, 16 January (2 Sunday of Epiphany)
8.00am
27th February
Wootton Wawen
nd
20th February
CW
th
Gina Graham & Geraldine Taylor
Morning Prayer
-
11.00am
-
Claverdon
Sylvia Knightbridge
CW
13th February
Holy Communion
6th February
11.00am
BRASSES
Preston Bagot
Memorial Window
BCP
Altar
Holy Communion
FLOWERS, BRASSES AND CHURCH CLEANING
9.30am
FLOWERS
Wootton Wawen
Joy Cater
CW
Karen Baker
Holy Communion
Reg Lilly
8.00am
FIRST READING
Sunday 9 January (Baptism of Christ)
6.30pm
Claverdon
Julia Seymour-Smith; David Hardy, Richard Anderson
th
Tony Archer; Bev Beaumont; Jenny Wilcox
Family
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
Wootton Wawen
Brian Ollis
-
Pat Farmer
Family Service
Norrie Moore
9.30am
Annie and Ian Willis, Pat Farmer
Jeanne Dorsett; Pat Humphreys
Preston Bagot
11.00am
CW
Clive Gummow
Morning Prayer
David Major
9.30am
George Cooper; Chris Thompson; Chris Lawson
Claverdon
Reg Lilly; Norrie Moore
BCP
11.00am
Holy Communion
8.00am
8.00am
SECOND READING
Sunday, 2nd January (Epiphany)
Roderick Boswell
Rotas - FEBRUARY 2011
CHURCH SERVICES - JANUARY/February 2011
SIDESPERSON

45
44
CLEANING
30th January
Norrie Moore
Wilf Harrison
Margaret Duke
Jane Connolly
FIRST READING
Jean Tarmey and Helen Haighton
-
-
Christopher Rowe
Mary Herbert
Hugh Carslake
Terry Connolly
SECOND READING
PRESTON BAGOT (all at 9.30am)
-
-
-
Rosemary Major
BRASSES
Joint Service of Holy Communion at Preston Bagot
Christopher & Geraldine Rowe
23rd January
Wilf Harrison
16th January
9th January
Joy Cater
SIDESPERSON
Rosemary Holding
-
-
-
-
Memorial Window
FLOWERS
CLEANING
Service Leader
Tricia Hardy
Vera Heyes
John Knightbridge
-
Heather Howell
SECOND READING
Mary Jean Onslow
Mary Jean Onslow
Mary Jean Onslow
Mary Jean Onslow
FLOWERS & BRASS
Rosemary Holding
George Cooper
Gina Graham & Geraldine Taylor
Rosemary Holding
David Hardy
Geoff Heyes
Sarah Breen
-
David Howell
FIRST READING
FLOWERS, BRASSES AND CHURCH CLEANING
Joint Service of Holy Communion at Preston Bagot
Reg Lilly
Julia Seymour-Smith; David Hardy; Richard Anderson
Tony Archer, Bev Beaumont, Jenny Wilcox
Annie and Ian Willis, Meryl Hopkins
Jeanne Dorsett; Pat Humphreys
George Cooper; Chris Thompson; Chris Lawson
Mavis Bara
-
CLAVERDON
SIDESPERSON
Reg Lilly; Norrie Moore
Pat Burgoyne
Altar
11.00am
6.30pm
11.00am
11.00am
8.00am
11.00am
11.00am
8.00am
TIME
2nd January
30th January
23rd January
16th January
9th January
2nd January
30th January
23rd January
16th January
9th January
2nd January
DATE
Rotas - January 2010



CHURCH SERVICES - February 2011
Sunday, 13th February (Fourth Sunday before Lent)
8.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Wootton Wawen
11.00am
Holy Communion
BCP
Preston Bagot
11.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Claverdon
11.00am
Morning Prayer
th
CW
Wootton Wawen
8.00am
Holy Communion
Sunday 20 February (Third Sunday before Lent)
BCP
Claverdon
9.30am
Morning Prayer
BCP
Preston Bagot
11.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Wootton Wawen
11.00am
Third Sunday Service (Church Centre)
th
2nd January
th
9 January
16 January
th
6 February
th
13 February
20th February
27th February
Claverdon
Sunday, 27 February (Second Sunday before Lent)
8.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Wootton Wawen
9.30am
Holy Communion
BCP
Preston Bagot
11.00am
Holy Communion with Baptism
CW
Claverdon
11.00am
Morning Prayer
CW
Wootton Wawen
6.30pm
Evening Prayer
Claverdon
BIBLE READINGS FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
Bible Readings for all Sunday morning services
Ephesians 3: 1-12
Matthew 2: 1-12
Acts 10: 34-43
Matthew 3: 13-17
th
1 Corinthians 1: 1-9
John 1: 29-42
rd
23 January
1 Corinthians 1: 10-18
Matthew 4: 12-23
30th January
1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
John 2: 1-11
1 Corinthians 2: 1-12
Matthew 5: 13-20
1 Corinthians 3: 1-9
1 Corinthians 3:
10-11; 16-23
Romans 8: 18-25
Matthew 5: 21-37
Matthew 5: 38-48
Matthew 6: 25-34
5

DIARY - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
Date
4th January
10th January
13th January
14th January
17th January
18th January
20th January
(and weekly
thereafter)
22nd January
31st January
1st February
6th February
11th February
14th February
14th February
15th February
22nd February
28th February
Event
Claverdon W.I. (see page 34)
Claverdon Parish Council meeting (see page 43)
Alpha Introductory Supper (see page 25)
Noah‘s Story Box (see page 6)
Claverdon Monday Club (see page 30)
Claverdon Gardening Group (see page 37)
Alpha (see page 25)
Community Shop ―Great British Quiz‖ (see page 38)
Claverdon Monday Club (see page 30)
Claverdon W.I. Meeting (see page 34)
Breakfast Club (see page 12)
Noah‘s Story Box (see page 6)
Claverdon Monday Club (see page 30)
Claverdon Parish Council meeting (see page 43)
Claverdon Gardening Group (see page 37(
Claverdon Patients Participation Group AGM (see page 37)
Claverdon Monday Club (see page 30)
Pre-school children and their carers are warmly invited to …………..
at Claverdon Church Centre
on the second Friday in the month at 2.00 pm
Join us for children‘s songs, a story and prayers with an activity for the children
followed by drinks and biscuits – tea & coffee and time for a chat for the grownups!
Next event Friday 14 January
Other dates this term: 11 February, 11 March
Special Good Friday Easter Workshop on 22 April:
please give Gill a ring for more details
For further information contact
GILL EVANS (01926 842690/843234)
6

CLAVERDON PARISH COUNCIL
By the time you read this the festive season
will be over and I trust your resolutions will now be
taking place.
This year could be an interesting one with respect to local government
and the role of the Parish Councils. We are already part of the government‘s
big society as voluntary organisations provide activities for a range of
interests and ages within our village.
The Parish Council have a concern that the number of people in the
parish is reducing and the population ageing. We must therefore plan for the
future. We will prepare a questionnaire in respect to our housing and other
needs early in the New Year. Kindly assist in completing the questionnaire
with your views. We will then be able to update the village plan.
With regard to planning matters we are awaiting the decision on the
Heart of England Farms application.
The application for a house at Longwood in Church Road has been
withdrawn.
The application for offices at Claverdon Hall Farm was refused by
Stratford District Council although we asked, with the agreement of the
applicant, that this matter be deferred for amendments to be considered. This
is a conspicuous site at the entrance to the village and we consider that the
design of any development should enhance the entrance to the village from
the north east.
Details of all planning applications and responses can be found on
Stratford upon Avon‘s web site.
Richard Hobbs has agreed to make an application for funding the
scheme to improve the safety for pedestrians in particular young children on
The Green and Lye Green Road. We have been advised that to assist in
obtaining this project a contribution from our funds would be appropriate.
Regarding funds we will not be restricted to a cap on our precept and
will be able to assist with the cost of the works if you agree.
The full meeting minutes, and more, can be found on the web at
www.ukvillages.co.uk and typing Claverdon, and also at the Post Office, the
Church Centre and the Community Shop. Please note the next meetings is on
Monday 10 January @ 7.30 pm in the Church Centre.
Please attend and have your say.
Best wishes for 2011
Alan Latter, Chairman

43
RCM Roofing & Building Ltd
The Sunday
Club
Registered Office: Oak Cottage,
204 Alcester Road
Hollywood
Nr. Birmingham B47 5HQ
Scramblers: Age 3 to Year R
Climbers: Years 1 to 2
Explorers: Years 3 to 6
TMB: Years 7 upwards
Telephone: 0121 247 0425
Fax: 0121 247 0425
email: rcmroofing@yahoo.com
Web Site: www.rcmroofing.co.uk
NEW & TRADITIONAL ROOFS COUNCIL GRANT
STRIP RETILING, SLATE
APPROVED
FLAT FELT ROOFING
REROOFING SPECIALISTS
COTTAGES ETC.
INSURANCE WORK WELCOME
NAVIGATION GARAGE
(E.L. Baughan Limited)
Stratford Road,
Wootton Wawen
Servicing carried out to
all makes of cars
M.O.T. Testing
Oils and Petrol
Tyres and Accessories
Wheel Balancing
Car Sales
Electronic Engine Testing
Telephone
01564 792629
42
The Sunday Club meets together every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday of the
month during term time. It runs from 11am to 12 noon in Claverdon Church
Centre. On a 3rd Sunday the children join the Church Service to begin with.
We have fun, games, look into the Bible, arts, crafts and friendship.
We try to think of others and support those in need. All children and young
adults are welcome. Just turn up at the Church Centre at 11am.
Family Services
Family services are designed to
accommodate all ages. They are
held on the 1st (11am in Claverdon
Church) and 3rd (11am Claverdon
Church Centre) Sundays of the
month
Church Crèche
0845
006 1277
07761
077167
Kyle Boyce
Former B.T. Engineer 26 years’ service
www.thetelephoneman.biz
There are crèche facilities in
Claverdon Church tower which are
manned on a first Sunday and
available for use during services on
other Sundays
Children are always encouraged at
worship and parents should feel
free to walk around
RESIDENTIAL ENGINEER
INTERNAL FAULTS
Every 2nd Friday of the Month
Year 7 upwards
7.30pm - 9.30pm
Claverdon Church Centre
ADSL ACTIVATION FAULTS
£3.00 per person per night
ADDITIONAL SOCKETS FOR PHONES,
SKY +, BROADBAND ETC.
Contact: Natasha Butler
01926 840013
QUALITY AT NO EXTRA COST
IT’S YOUR CALL.


7
ENTERPRIZE PLANT HIRE
Excavator Hire & Groundworks Specialist
MINI-DIGGER SELF-DRIVE HIRE
(WILL GO THROUGH DOORWAY)
LARGE EXCAVATORS (WITH OPERATIVES)
ALL TYPES OF GROUNDWORKS CARRIED OUT
CLAVERDON CHURCH
CENTRE
Superb Facilities
For Business, Educational
and Social Activities
Parking for 50 cars
For further information, contact
Mrs Gill Evans at the Parish Office
Tel: 01926 843234/842690
Stepping Stones
Pre-School
SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATIONS - SEWER PIPES
Pre-school skills developed through
free play and structured activities
Qualified staff
Established reputation
Modern facilities
Links with local schools
·
·
·
·
DITCH CLEARING—
LAND DRAINAGE SPECIALIST
LAND CLEARANCE POND EXCAVATION ETC.
Safe and stimulating environment
Parental involvement
Equal Opportunities
Lunch Club available
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
If you need earth moving, just ring Steve
for free advice and quote
Tel: 01926 484653
Mobile 07860 200488
Open Monday—Friday, 9.15am—12.15pm
Claverdon Church Centre, Church Road, Claverdon
Call 01926 843353 for a chat or to arrange an informal guided tour
and see what Stepping Stones Pre-School can offer your child
8


41
HEL’S KITCHEN
From the parish registers
Baked Eggs with Smoked Salmon Fillets
I chose this recipe as I thought you might appreciate a lighter meal, following
the festive season.
Serves 8 (as a starter, or light lunch)
The funeral of Alan Clark of Preston Bagot was
conducted by Revd. Paul Hunt at Claverdon, followed by
burial at All Saints Church, Preston Bagot.
FLOODLIGHTING
Claverdon Church was floodlit on
Wednesday, 8th December in loving memory of Anne Hooper, from
Karen, Kerry, Juliette and Natasha.
Monday, 13th December in memory of Gina Graham‘s mother , Robina
Scorgie of Aberdeen, who would have been 96 years old.
Monday, 20th December, in memory of the Heather Howell‘s mother, Edith
Spink, who would have been 100 years old.
Ingredients
1 kg (2lb 4oz) spinach, washed and destalked.
60gms (2oz) butter
450ml (16floz) Elmlea single cream
800gms (1lb 12ozs) smoked salmon fillets, broken into chunks.
8 medium free range eggs
2 tblsp dill (chopped)
Method
Put the spinach in a dry saucepan and cook gently, stirring frequently, for
about five minutes, until it has wilted. Drain off any water, and using a colander
squeeze out any remaining water, before chopping roughly. Then season and
sauté gently in half the butter.
Put to one side, to cool, then mix a little of the cream with the spinach
and divide between the eight small gratin dishes.
Place the salmon on the top and drizzle most of the cream over, saving
some of the cream. Make a space in the centre of each dish and drop an egg into
each. Then drizzle the remaining cream over the eggs, and top with a knob of
butter, followed by some dill and salt and pepper.
Place into a preheated oven 180C/350F Gas mark 4, and cook for
approximately 10 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are
runny.
Serve immediately.
Helen Archer
A nursery school teacher was teaching her class about living in a
democracy. She said: ―One of the things we should be happy about is
that, in this country, we are all free‖. One little boy stood up in protest.
―No‖, he cried indignantly. ―I‘m not free. I‘m FOUR‖
40
Deaths
21st December

LENT COURSES
A number of House Groups will be running Lent Courses during
March and April 2011. There will be courses at Wootton Wawen on a
Monday afternoon and Wednesday evening and there will also be courses at
Claverdon on a Tuesday and Thursday evening. A course for Ladies will be
taking place on a Friday lunchtime, starting on 4th March
If anyone would like to join a group for one of these courses, please
contact Gill in the Parish Office for further details.
MULLERS HOMES/CHRISTINGLE SERVICE
A tremendous thank you to all who came to the Christingle service, and
especially to the children who gave toys and gifts to be distributed by Mullers
Homes in Bristol.
Their work reaches out into local communities, through church
partnerships, to children, families and young people, especially the most
needy. Each toy or gift will be matched to the needs of an individual,
wrapped and named. For some it may be the only gift they receive. The staff
at Mullers were particularly thrilled by the quality of your gifts this year so
thank you for the care you took to find the right present to give.
The collection total was £547.89 which included an anonymous
donation. This was considerably more than last year and I am extremely
grateful for your generosity in these difficult financial times.
Blessings to you all.
Sue Hollingsworth

9
Want to get Fit and Look Better in 2011?
L. BROOKE JOYNSON
Cabinet Maker and Joiner
All aspects of woodworking undertaken
KITCHENS AND FURNITURE
JOINERY
ANTIQUES
ARCHITECTURAL ITEMS
BUILDING
GARDEN
REMOVALS
Designed, Made and Installed
Doors, Windows 1st and 2nd Fix
Restored
Bought and sold
General, Small Extensions and Roof Work
Fence Erection, Scrub Removal and Chainsaw Work
Van and Trailer Available – 3 ton max.
For further information and advice
please phone for a free quotation
One to one Personal Training tailored to your Needs
Luxury Private Gym including PowerPlate,
Life Fitness equipment and GTS (Gravity Training System)
Pilates, Boxercise and Power Plate sessions also available
£30 per hour or 6 lessons for the price of 4
C Pullin & Son
01926 843552
19A HIGH STREET LEAMINGTON SPA CV31 3AW
TELEPHONE: 01926 426435
MONUMENTAL MASONS
FIVE GENERATIONS OF
QUALITY MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE
ALL ASPECTS OF MONUMENTAL MASONRY
SHOWROOM AT:
Memorial Craftsmen
10
01926 842547
07909 901989
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Architectural Masons
39
CLAVERDON COMMUNITY SHOP
FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
Firstly, from everyone involved in our Community Shop,
we send our very best wishes for a very happy New Year to you
all. As I write this, I have done my official training and was
considered a suitably fit person and have now got my personal
alcohol licence. We are now eagerly waiting to hear if our
application for a Premises (shop) Licence has been successful to
permit the sale of wine.
The Black Country night was a great success, with everyone enjoying a
wonderful evening (except, possibly, the unfortunate guest who was
mercilessly the target for the comedian but who still came up laughing). A
great many thanks are due to everyone who worked so hard to make it such a
success and to all our guests for their support. The next event for your diary is
the ever popular Great British Quiz Night which takes place on the 22nd
January, in the Dorothea Mitchell Hall, so start recruiting your teams now as
tickets will be on sale soon.
The Coffee Corner is now, finally, in trouble-free (well, relatively)
operation and people are already starting to make use of it. Including one
magazine editor at around 7.45am one cold morning. You can now enjoy a
complimentary biscuit (no less) with your coffee in our Coffee Corner, and
browse through a magazine, especially if you need to wait at the Surgery for a
prescription. What better way to while away a few moments than with a
coffee, magazine and our staff to entertain you. And finally, with winter far
from over, and having suffered a real Siberian spell, we now have the means
to help keep you warm and cosy, Aahh!! Happy New Year
Barry Cleverdon
(Yes, Barry is quite right, I did drop in for coffee. It’s obviously the season for
your editor to be totally and utterly humiliated. I got my schedule all wrong one
morning, and would have had to wait for half an hour or so in the bitter cold had
it not been for the warm welcome - and the coffee - on offer at the Shop - Ed)
I would like to start by wishing you all a Happy New
Year and I hope you all had a very good Christmas. I would
also like to thank everyone for giving Alice, my fiancée, and
me a big welcome and making us both feel so at home here in
Claverdon.
It has been an amazing couple of months working here,
seeing God‘s hand at work in Claverdon and with the talks that
I have had with the young people at Henley High School. It is
so amazing to see the young people so very open to faith and to
God; it is a joy to teach and to show the love of Jesus Christ to
the young people in Claverdon and in Henley High School.
In Henley High School the Christian Union is now up
and running. I am running Henley Christian Union with Bethan, [Studley youth
worker] and I am helping her with Studley High School‘s Christian Union. This
means we have a male and female presence in the class room. We are getting a good
half a dozen to the Christian Union in both schools, so that is very good. I would like
to ask for your continued prayers for the Christian Union which meets at Henley High
School onThursdays at lunch time.
So what do we do at the Christian Union? Well, we meet in one of the class
rooms, where we have some biscuits to help with the conversations. We start with a
talk about how the week has been, and then have a game with a theme from the Bible.
The same is for Studley too.
In the New Year I will be looking at setting up a ‗cell group‘ here in
Claverdon. This is as requested by a group of girls in Claverdon youth club. I am
looking at meeting in the church and calling the cell group ‗Thoughts‘. The plan is to
start off with some games, then some time when the young people can come and ask
any questions they want on faith and then to have some Bible study. My plan is that
we will start on Wednesday 2nd February at about 7.30, so again I ask you all for
your prayers for these young people to come to know Jesus.
God Bless you all and happy New Year, David Benskin
THE HENLEY & BEAUDESERT SOCIETY
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
Year 6 upwards
Our next meeting is on Thursday, 20th January in the Baptist Church Hall at
8.00pm when Roger Cragg will give a talk on ―Historic Civil Engineering in
Warwickshire‖. Visitors and new members are very welcome. Further details
from Pat Kench on 01564 795419
38
Are you looking for an answer?
Have you got a question?
Join us in the Church Centre for breakfast, prayer and chat
Open to all,
To find out more, phone
Tash (01926 840013) or David (01926 843399)
Sundays, 6th February; 6th March; 3rd April
9.45am – 10.45am
Oh how I understand this……
Looking over the log book kept by computer support staff at the
office, I noticed several entries stating ―PICNIC‖, so I asked
what it meant.
―Problem In Chair, Not In Computer‖…….
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11
SAFETY FIRST (AND FOREMOST!)
CLAVERDON SCHOOL, AND LANGLEY ROAD
A number of residents in recent weeks have mentioned to me both the
speed of cars driving along Church Road and Langley Road at School drop-off
and pick-up times, along with the way in which cars have been parking along
Langley Road. With the added ice and snow we have had recently, this
culminated in a car crash on Tuesday, 30th November, where a four-wheel drive
car skidded into a parked car on Langley Road; fortunately no one was injured.
Can we please ask that drivers take extra care in hazardous driving
conditions and especially at School pick-up and drop-off times and adhere to the
voluntary one-way system in place at these times. Please park considerately, not
blocking residents‘ drives or parking on junctions and blind bends.
Please
remember the zigzags outside the School are there to provide a safe environment
for all of us; please do not park on them. It is much better to arrive safely and a
little later.
One accident is one too many.
Paul Johnson,
Claverdon Parish Council.
CLAVERDON Surgery
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
Annual general meeting
Forthcoming member meetings in 2011 include:18th January
Andy Penrik - ‖Sowing, Growing and Showing!‖ as well as
sales of plants.
15th February Derek Walton - ―Wild about the Garden‖
15th March
Annual General Meeting following by a Quiz with prizes
for the best and worst teams!
If you wish to join this friendly group, attend or participate in any events,
please contact Trish Grant on 01926 843143
Les Edwards
And because this magazine is also for February…..
The legend of the first Valentine card
This Group is represented by members of the Practice and volunteers
from the community and its purpose is to liaise between people using the
practice and the Surgery, and to improve facilities for everyone attending the
Surgery. A newsletter is published with news and views and is available
from the Surgery.
The AGM is to be held at the Surgery on 22nd February 2011 at
7.00pm. EVERYONE will be welcome to attend, so put this date in your
diaries and support the Group‘s work.
The Group is still seeking books to go into the Surgery to while
away waiting time and raise funds for the Group, so if you wish to clear out
a few books, bring them along to the Surgery!
12
At December‘s meeting of Claverdon Gardening Group, Valerie
Edmonds gave a talk and demonstration on ―The Use of Winter Foliage for
Christmas Decorations”. To keep the Christmas theme going, mince pies
and mulled wine were provided as well as a sales table and prize raffle,
which included Valerie‘s creations.
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The Roman Emperor Claudius II needed soldiers. He suspected that
marriage made men want to stay at home instead of fighting wars, so he
outlawed marriage.
A kind-hearted young priest named Valentine felt sorry for all the
couples who wanted to marry but couldn‘t. So secretly he married as many
couples as he could—until the Emperor found out and condemned him to
death. While he was in prison awaiting execution, Valentine showed love
and compassion to everyone around him, including his jailer.
The jailer had a young daughter who was blind, but through
Valentine‘s prayers, she was healed. Just before his death in Rome on
14th February, he wrote her a farewell message signed ―from your
Valentine‖.
So the very first Valentine card was not between lovers, but between
a priest about to die and a little girl, healed through his prayers.
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37
ART CLASSES
Daytime & Evening
Classes
at Norton Lindsey
Village Hall.
Complete beginners
welcome
Jan Freeman
FURTHER MOORS CATTERY
Snitterfield Lane, Norton Lindsey
The cattery which has been established
for over 20 years
Where your cat has every comfort and is
individually cared for by:
CMC PLUMBING AND
ELECTRICAL LTD
Emergency Call out
Bathrooms (Including Tiling), etc.
Part P Registered for domestic
Electrical work
Consumer unit, Sockets, lighting
etc.
Inspection Test / Certification of
Electrical Installations
Arthur’s Taxi
Licensed Hackney Carriage
Any Distance
Room Service at the
Sound of a Bark!
Ann Rawlinson:01926 842362
Boarding Kennels & Cattery
Est 2003 for Local, Reliable, Quality
work
Proprietor
A.H. Guest
Claverdon
842910
B. PORTMAN
Call Chris Chadaway
01564 793371 07870 829022
Internal and External Decorations
General Repairs
MRS ESTELLE JOYNSON
3 Grange Cottages, Preston Bagot
Tel: 01926 842580
Tel: Henley-in-Arden (01564)793335
Traditional Carpets Ltd
44 Warstock Road, Kings Heath, B14 4ST
Telephone 0121 436 6900
Quality - Experience - Expertise - available locally
Quality Carpets - All leading Brands
(Brintons, Axminster, Ryalux etc.)
Large carpet showroom, home samples
Amtico Flooring - in-store displays
Wood Floors - engineered and solid wood
Free Quotations, expert fitters, full service
(We move furniture, remove old carpets, trim doors and tidy up!)
www.traditionalcarpets.co.uk
Call Nigel Alley
07720 469184 or 0121 436 6900
A.L. SERVICES (MOBILE LOCKSMITHS)
is a subsidiary of Traditional Carpets Limited
36
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13
CLAVERDON
MAINTENANCE
SERVICES
Property maintenance and
home improvements undertaken:
Quotations or Advice
ALAN D. HANKS
01926 842602
Furry Friends Retreat
Curtains and Soft Furnishings
Going on holiday?
Let me look after your animals, worry and
hassle
free, anything from hamsters to horses.
Trustworthy and
reliable service.
Made to Order
by
The Window Dresser
Call
Phone Alison 01926 842672
or 07976 165085
Liz
01926 484682
ROLAND KAY WINES
Free wine tastings
Eyelet Headings available
for New or Re-Vamped Curtains
at the Claverdon Church Centre,
in May and November 2011.
About 30 wines available to
taste (minimum order 12 bottle
mixed case – delivery free).
To receive your invitation,
call 0121 440 7755 or email
rolandkay@tiscali.co.uk.
Roman Blinds, Pinch/Triple Pleat Headings,
Eyelet Headings, Interlined Curtains, Pelmets,
Swags and Tails, Curtain Alterations and
Cushions
Unit 7, The Mill, Mill Lane, Little Shrewley, Warwick
14
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35
CLAVERDON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
At the December meeting, three new members joined: Pat
Burgoyne; Tricia Hardy and Pearl Tustin - a warm welcome to
all three. Thank you to organist Eddie Dinshaw for leading the
Christmas Carol sing-along and to Father Christmas for handing out gifts to all the
―good girls‖.
The festivities continued the following day when we had our Christmas lunch
at Ingon Manor. Many thanks to Jean Broadbridge and Carol Mitchell for all the
arrangements.
The first W.I. meeting in 2011 is at the Dorothea Mitchell Hall on Tuesday,
4th January, from 1.00pm - 4.00pm. The theme is ―Getting to Know You‖ so if you
would like to ―get to know‖ Claverdon W.I., please contact Claverdon W.I.
Secretary, Carol Mitchell, on 01926 842685 or just come along.
Hope to see you all in 2011 - my last year as President!
Kath Kaveney
Claverdon WI President
COMMUNITY OIL PURCHASING
I seem to recall, quite a long time ago, Nigel Goodrich tried (or maybe he did!) to
set up a community heating oil purchase scheme to enable those who are use oil fired
central heating to purchase it a little cheaper. It never occurred to me, until recently, to
try to take advantage of this kind of arrangement. That is, until I needed to replace my
oil tank with a modern one, and restock the tank with heating oil. I was very lucky – the
servicing engineers who look after my boiler (Knight Errant) were able to help and then
they pointed me in the direction of an oil buying consortium. It turned out to be a bit
more than just cheaper oil (and we could all do with that, especially after the recent
prolonged spell of sub-zero temperatures).
So can I share it with you all? It‘s not just cheaper oil, it‘s a way of actually
helping your community as well. Rix Petroleum reckon that a Local Fuel Community
has several benefits – cheaper prices as you benefit from bulk purchasing; a cash
contribution towards your chosen local cause (the Community Shop? the Church? the
School for example?) based on litres of fuel supplied; reduced HGV movement in the
villages; a reduced carbon footprint; everyone gets the same price (without having to
ring around to find the cheapest) and the supplier will call you 4-5 times a year with no
contract or obligation to purchase at any time.
Paul Doherty of Rix tells me that members of a Local Fuel Community also get
the chance for discounted boiler maintenance. It‘s easy, (it has to be for me to be able
to deal with it) and they have made it very easy indeed as they do all the organising. I
thought I would pass this on to you all as I am now a member of a fuel community; it‘s
up to you. Telephone 01926 614001/01675 437557 or email midlands.sales@rix.co.uk.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Team meets regularly to offer prayers and support for those who are
sick, bereaved or in any kind of need. If you know of someone in the community who is
unwell, lonely or in need, who would like to be included in our prayers, please contact
us. Home visits can be arranged for the sick or housebound and all prayer requests
are treated in strictest confidence.
Pastoral Team: Tricia Hardy, Chris Lawson, Rosemary Major, Gill Evans, Anne Perrin,
Sheila Brown, Julia Seymour-Smith and Joy Cater. Contact Gill Evans at the Parish
Office (01926 843234 or 01926 842690).
Do you have new neighbours?
Believe it or not, sometimes it‘s possible to move into the village (or its environs)
without anyone knowing! So that no-one feels left out, please give Tricia Hardy a call
on 01926 842351 and she will be pleased to arrange delivery of a ―Welcome to
Claverdon‖ pack, then the new Claverdonians will know all about the activities of this
lively community!
THE SUNDAY CLUB LIBRARY
As promised we at last have a bookcase of children‘s books that have been catalogued
and are available for the children to take home. It is housed in Claverdon Church
Centre and will be brought out on a Sunday morning, with a small notebook for you to
write down the catalogue numbers of your chosen books. Just remind the Sunday Club
leaders if they forget.
First to get there can take out The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, perhaps the best of
C.S. Lewis‘s Narnia books, as a follow up to the film out late last year.
THE THREE PARISHES’ CHURCH LIBRARY
Why not discover the library and get a book out for the New Year?
The Three Parishes‘ Church Library is a great resource with some wonderful
books. It includes wide-ranging topics from answers to life‘s questions to relationships,
sickness and healing, meditation and prayer, Christian growth and bible studies. It‘s
just too good to not look into – just remind someone to open it up after a service!
The library is housed in Claverdon Church in the cupboards at the back on the right of
the bell tower and books can be borrowed when the church is open by signing the
record book. For further information phone Julia Seymour Smith (01789 731778) or
Mandy Dowson (01926 843612).
Got a reason to celebrate?
THEN CELEBRATE WITH LIGHT!
Did you know that special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays or any other
event can be marked by floodlighting Claverdon Church? And you can have the
occasion mentioned in the Parish Magazine by providing details (keep it BRIEF,
please - about 12 words). The cost is £5 per night with proceeds going towards the
upkeep of the floodlights. To book contact David and Heather Howell, on
01926 843201, ―Catchama Croft‖, 28 Station Road, Hatton.
Norrie
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15
STEPH AND GEOFF
Neighbourhood Watch
CAW (Church and World) gave a donation to Leamington Christian
Mission of £200, but wanted to give something tangible, rather than just
money. So Penny (Hanson) asked me to source something which they really
needed at this present time.
Given the current weather conditions, we need blankets, sleeping bags
and tents to keep people from freezing to death and so I researched sleeping
bags. After many telephone calls, found by trawling the internet, I stumbled
upon a caravan supply company in Great Malvern that had suitable grade
sleeping bags on sale for £7.99 each. So I phoned them to see if we could get
a better deal than 25 for our
£200.
Lee at ―Caravan Stuff 4
U‖ ended up giving us 40 for
our money and they were duly
collected and delivered to LCM
the same day and are now being
issued to those sleeping rough
who need them.
Steph and Geoff pass on a
huge thanks on behalf of those
who are sleeping rough for all
the support that they receive
from CAW.
Martin Pleasance
Steph and Geoff taking delivery of the boxes of sleeping bags
THE SEARCH goeS ON ...
SELECTION OF NEW VICAR
As we go to press, interviews have taken place and the next stages of the
selection process continue. By the time of the next magazine, we should
know the outcome!
Jonathan Evans
A dozen co-ordinators plus three visitors and three Police representatives
got together at December‘s meeting of Claverdon Area Neighbourhood Watch
at the Dorothea Mitchell Hall.
Sally Rolfe from Warwickshire Road Safety started proceeding by giving
a presentation on her unit‘s responsible areas, including the CSW (Community
Speed Watch) initiative. This initiative aims to reduce speeding drivers by the
following Police actions:
providing a laser speed gun and high visibility jackets for community
volunteers plus warning signs (that go at each end of the speed check area)
training community volunteers to use the speed gun to monitor vehicle
speeds in agreed speed check areas and times
receiving details of speeding vehicles from the Area Coordinator – Les
Edwards
issuing letters to owners of cars logged warning them of their recorded
speed.
actively following up owners of cars caught repeatedly speeding.
A minimum of six volunteers are needed to get a CSW initiative started
but the more volunteers we have, the less pressure there is on individuals.
Training could take place at the DM Hall or a local Police station. Volunteers
will be covered by Police insurance and will generally work in pairs - one using
the laser while the other is recording the registration plate details and speed.
There is a high demand for the equipment but if we can get enough
volunteers we should be able to get equipment for a short period in the early part
of the New Year. We just need a few more volunteers to be able to run the
scheme in Claverdon so please let me know if you‘d like to help.
As it was the last meeting before Christmas, mince pies and mulled wine
(plus fruit juice and water!) were provided and enjoyed.
Tristan Jelfs and David Martin then updated us on incidents around the
area and I warned attendees of the latest scams that had been brought to my
attention.
Following the use of ―Slow Down‖ Wheelie stickers in Langley Road,
Tristan provided me with a pack that I can give to other householders that wish
to register for the scheme.
If you want to become a co-ordinator, volunteer for the CSW scheme or
just find out more about any of the above topics, please contact me on (01926)
843365.
Les Edwards
Neighbourhood Watch Beat Chairman
16
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33
Ryan L. Bennett
PAINTING & DECORATING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
Local Service - Global Strength
FIRST CLASS WORK
 On site services
 Hardware and software repairs
 Software Upgrades, set up and
assistance
 Data back up and offsite storage
 Broadband, Internet, E-mail set-up
Telephone
Astwood Bank
(01527) 893162
FREE ESTIMATES
VISITING QUALIFIED
CHIROPODIST
Mrs. L. Hemmings
M.S.S.Ch., M.B.Ch.A
01926 842617
 Hardware upgrades, installation
and assistance and support
 Network installation, set up and
support
 Independent advice
 For business and home user
Tel: 01789 296642
E-mail douglas@comptroub.com
The Laurels, Pathlow,
Stratford upon Avon CV37 0ES
T H E OPEN DOOR
Fair Trade Shop and Café
(sponsored by St Michael’s Church, Budbrooke)
Trading hours – Monday to Friday – 9:00am-4:30pm
Fair-traded beverages, soft drinks for the youngsters, snacks and light-bites (and some rather nice cake!).
It’s a warm and welcoming place to catch up with your friends, with a “children’s corner” to keep the toddlers occupied. Fair-traded goods, cards and a selection of gift ideas including PULA @ THE OPEN DOOR – unique handcrafted gifts and exquisite wall hangings sourced directly from craftsmen and women in Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Uganda. . Pop in and give us a try!
3 Slade Hill, Hampton Magna Tel 01926 410446
THE WELL CHRISTIAN HEALING CENTRE
at the Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa
Prayer available every Tuesday afternoon 2.30pm-4.30pm
(last appointment 4.00pm)
Tuesday evening 8.00pm—9.30pm (last appointment 9.00pm)
Wednesday morning 10.00am—12 noon (last appointment 11.30am)
No appointment needed - please just come.
Contact 01926 888003
Email: contact@wellhealing.org
www.wellhealing.org
32
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17
Geoff’s Handyman Service
All property maintenance available including






Plumbing
Kitchen and Bathroom fitting and alteration
Appliances fitted
Flat Pack assembly
Tiling
Carpentry
Call Geoff Gee for enquiries and a free quote
Claverdon (01926 842620)
“…bringing ideas to life, beautifully…”
P. JONES
WINDOW CLEANER
TRADITIONAL & MODERN
CLEANING
Residential & Commercial undertaken
Architecture,
interior,
transportation,
industrial and graphic design
CONTACT
Carsten 07799263138
carsten@astheimerltd.com
www.astheimerltd.com
18
Quality Taxi Services for all occasions
Fully air-conditioned
Reaches those
inaccessible
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Introducing the latest
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technology for clean crystal clear
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Luxury 1 to 8 seaters with luggage capacity
All airport and station transfers
Local and Long Distance
For a free quote
call
Norton Lindsey
01926 842847
Mobile 07789 128128
Pete on
07914 323686
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31
THE PARISH PLAN...
WOMENS’ BREAKFAST
And why you should take an interest and contribute…… an explanation of
forthcoming Government policy by Stratford on Avon District Councillor,
John Horner.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF
our next Breakfast appointment with
―Since my election as District Councillor for Claverdon Ward I have become
increasingly concerned about the long term future of the communities in the ward.
The green belt, established in 1974and set up to stop urban sprawl creeping out of
Birmingham, has had a profound effect. since then housing development has been
severely restricted and at the time the effect of the green belt legislation on the
villages in that countryside was well thought out.
The improvement in people‘s life expectancy, changed relationships and limits on
new house development means that the population of the villages is getting older and
fewer in number. This means that there is nowhere for young villagers to live if they
want to stay in the village. scarcity has pushed up the price of houses on the market to
above average income levels. During this process, we have all got older and there are
less and less children still living in the village. less than 50% of the children at
Claverdon Primary School come from Claverdon ward. Children build their lives in
their new locations and rarely move back and so the demand for new local need
housing is declining. We are, I fear, in a downward spiral in population terms.
This will have a serious impact on services, because the fewer people the fewer
the services that are economic. I believe that we need to provide houses that young
people can afford to buy. Publicly owned housing does not meet the aspirations of
ownership that people must have if we are to succeed economically as a nation. If we
accept that new houses are needed to revitalise the village then we must decide where
to build them. I favour increased density in the village built up area and in abandoned
farm yards rather than in green fields.
We have a huge opportunity to influence development in our area through the
local parish plan and I hope everyone will contribute their views to the parish council.
The recently published localisation bill looks as if it could dramatically benefit all the
parishes in the ward as we are lucky in having all four of our parishes managed by
highly competent parish councils. Proposals like the "community right to buy" will
give parish councils legal rights to name assets like shops, pubs, libraries and leisure
centres on a council "most wanted list" - if it is put up for sale, local people will be
given time to prepare a business plan and raise the funds they need to bid for it. There
will also be a "community right to challenge" - giving parish councils the power to
challenge and take over a local service. The government says this could include
running children's centres, social care services and local transport links. Councils
would be obliged to respond to the proposal and if they turn it down, they must
publish the reasons. Local communities will also have a greater influence on planning
and development in their areas.
John Horner”
30
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CAMILLA SYMES
―ADVENTURES WITH GOD‖
Camilla is married to Andrew with two children, Robbie 15 and Becca 13. Born in
Chile, she became a Christian at school and has been in the field of international development since the late 80s. For 12½ years, she was a mission partner supported by Claverdon Church in South Africa, responding to the effects of the AIDS epidemic. Camilla
now lives and works in the UK for World Vision.
Don‘t leave getting your tickets until the last moment, make sure you are
at Claverdon Church Centre
Saturday, 19th March at 8.00am
Tickets £10.00 to include full English Breakfast
Information/tickets from Gill at the Church Centre.
THE WELL CHRISTIAN HEALING CENTRE
The Well Christian Healing Centre has three special events coming up; the
first two in January and the third in February:
―Listening to God‖ Quiet Day – Thursday 27th January and Saturday 29th
January, 10.00am – 4.00pm at Christ Church, Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa.
Creating a quiet place where people can encounter the healing power of God,
and these Quiet Days enable people to do just that. For those who want to retreat
for a few hours; those seeking God‘s healing; and those who want to go deeper in
their relationship with Father-God. Booking is essential; £20.00 per person with
lunch extra at £5 per person.
―Pathway Through Depression‖ Saturday, 12th February from 10.00am –
4.45pm at Leamington Spa Baptist Church, Chandos Street, Leamington Spa.
The day will be led by Revd. Anne Hibbert and Dr Mark Martin, offering a
Christian perspective and practical information to facilitate a better understanding
of depression and ways in which to deal with it.
Booking is essential £25 per person (£20 for students and senior citizens).
If you would like to attend these days, telephone 01926 888003 or email
samantha.lee@wellhealing.org or visit their website www.wellhealing.org

19
Christmas fair
THE MONDAY CLUB
This year‘s Fair proved to be another great success. There were many
of the traditional stalls, such as books, cakes and tombola and ,of course,
Santa came along to listen to the children‘s requests and, no doubt, tales of
good behaviour. It was lovely to have some
local groups, such as the WI, Claverdon
School and Stepping Stones represented on
different stalls. The beautiful Christmas cake,
made by Sue Bicknell was won by David
Phillips and, for the second year running,
Norrie, your VEGETARIAN editor won the
turkey! Will you be going for the hat trick
next year, Norrie?
We were very fortunate to have lovely
food to sell, kindly donated by the Red Lion,
and provided in very difficult conditions due
to them being let down by their supplier. We
were delighted with the abundance of plants
donated by the Beaumonts. The Community
Shop provided a scrumptious hamper for us
to raffle. The mulled wine (kindly provided
by the Ardencote) went down well, literally! The Handbell Ringers
performed to put us all in a Christmassy mood.
As always lots of people helped to make the Fair such an
enjoyable and successful event. In total, we raised just less than £2000 which
was great. So, our thanks go to everyone who helped either on the day or with
donations or the preparations.
Sue and Karen.
At our 15 November meeting, Bingo was the name of the game when we
enjoyed a not-too-serious session hosted by May and Jim Thomson. Our meeting
had a ―full house‖ and it was definitely ―eyes down‖ as we intently studied our
cards! Lucky winners could choose from a selection of prizes including a Dundee
cake, wine and baskets of colourful cyclamen.
A grey 29th November day was brightened as we retraced John Wilson‘s
journey across India‘s ―Golden Triangle‖ which covers the cities of Delhi, Agra and
Jaipur. With his collection of travel slides and information, yet relaxed style of
narrative, John is a frequent guest at the Monday Club and we are always assured of
an absorbing afternoon‘s ―viewing‖. His close-ups of native villagers were striking,
picturing young women in colourful saris and exotic jewellery and men with strong,
weathered features beneath colourful and often complicated turbans. The differing
styles of these indicate the area where the wearer is from and some of the turbans are
so long that, when unwound, they will double as a sleeping blanket if necessary. On
the downside, we saw thought-provoking images of a shanty town set alongside a
modern building development, where the children beg, not for sweets or money, but
for Biro-type pens.
John‘s pictures illustrated how, in this land of extremes, it’s possible to order
new dentures from a street vendor and to collect them next morning! And it’s
equally possible to dine in the regal splendour of an hotel that was formerly a
maharajah‘s palace. There were many photographs of impressive buildings. In an
ancient temple, an intricately Mogul ceiling, with a frieze of dancing figures, was
photographed to best advantage by John whilst lying on his back! His final shots,
taken before the throngs of daily visitors arrived, illustrated the pale, pearl-pink of
the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Memorable images to take away with us.
On 10th December we travelled by coach to Stratford College for our preChristmas lunch in the Academy Restaurant. Students from the Professional
Catering Course prepared and served an excellent selection of seasonal fare with
traditional accompaniments, all to the usual high standards. A very enjoyable
occasion.
On 15th December, Gertie Latter, a longstanding and much-loved Monday
Club member, celebrated her 99th birthday. Unfortunately, she has been unable to
attend recent meetings due to ill health – we miss her and wish her well. Many
congratulations, Gertie, on this very special occasion!
Dates for your new diary!
17th January A get together for tea, cakes and chat
31st January ―Little known Warwickshire‖ – a talk by Mr Alan Winterburn
14th February John Wilson with a slide show on his visit to central Italy
28th February ―Name that Theme‖ – a music quiz by Alan Luckett
Visitors and new members are always welcome. For details, please contact June
Hone on 01926 842917
With best wishes for a good New Year to everyone.
Hazel Luckett
(Thanks, Sue and Karen, for a
wonderful Christmas Fair – and no,
I won’t be entering the guess the
weight of the turkey competition
next year, I was absolutely
mortified. And the next nearest best
-guess owner declined to help me
out of my predicament – you know
who you are! – Ed)
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29
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& Sons Ltd
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562 Stratford Road
Shirley, Solihull B90 4AY
0121 744 1428
(Next to Our Lady of the Wayside Church)
Knowle Office
1682 High Street
Knowle, Solihull B93 0LY
01564 773610
(Opposite Knowle Parish Church)
ALL ASPECTS, INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE
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21
The Surgery
Church Road
Snitterfield
CV37 0LF
Tel. 01789 730189
Henley Tyres Ltd
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Onsite Patient Parking
Open Monday- Friday
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The practice offers a full range of dental treatments,
including general family care, cosmetic dentistry and tooth whitening.
Cars, Vans, 4 x 4s
Trailers & Caravans
―We have been patients of William Murphy for many years. Four generations
of our family now attend the surgery in Snitterfield. We have always been
looked after very well.‖ Mr Cleverley, Langley.
Tel: 01564 797 533
―People have complimented me on my teeth. William has looked after our
dentistry for 20 years and we have been more than pleased with his care
and attention.‖ Mrs Fellows, Claverdon
Mayswood Road, Wootton Wawen, Henley in Arden B95
www.henleytyres.co.uk
Jim the Joiner
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22
Est.1986
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Wide range of work undertaken
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27
CLAVERDON SCHOOL
stepping stones pre-school
The last two weeks of last term passed very quickly! Our Christmas
holidays seemed to start earlier this year. The weeks before Christmas seem to
speed up as we had two productions to present. Our youngest children performed
the story of ‗The Little Fir Tree‘ The story was about a small tree left alone in the
forest after all of the taller trees were cut down and used. Life changed for the little
tree when it was used as a Christmas tree and the story of the Nativity unfolded
around it. The angels were a surprise act who made us consider stereotypical
expectations… definitely angels with attitude!
Pupils in years 3 and 4 joined together to perform their ―Countdown to
Christmas‖, a variation on the theme of a family Christmas. Once again there were
a few surprising scenes and characters revealed as the family Christmas veers
away from traditional expectations. A seriously burnt turkey results in the family
having their Christmas lunch in a Greek restaurant. You may be surprised to hear
that the Christmas story was seamlessly interwoven into the plot!
Children and staff worked hard to produce these terrific shows. Parents and
families enjoyed seeing the children perform so well. We always make sure that all
children are included and, although we know the children well, we are always
impressed when children perform beyond our expectations and show previously
hidden talents and additional confidence
Our Christmas service at church involved our oldest and youngest pupils
particularly. Reception children presented a Nativity tableau while Year 6 pupils
read the Christmas story. We enjoyed singing few traditional and modern carols
during the service. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 performed a carol concert at the Church
Centre before returning to school for Christmas lunch.
The Spring term brings new challenges as we continue to focus on
developing as a learning focused school. We are working hard to improve the
quality of learning across the school and striving to ensure all pupils are active
learners enjoying lively, exciting learning experiences throughout the school day.
Our children are already successful learners and we want to continue to stretch all
pupils to achieve their full potential.
Kate Gover, Headteacher
December was a very busy time for everyone at
Stepping Stones, the last couple of weeks before the Christmas
holidays began was filled with lots of exciting events.
Our local MP Nadhim Zahawi came to visit us. He was
Charity Number pleased to see parents and community very involved in the
1040641179
group and recognised it‘s strong links within the village which
have remained for forty plus years. We felt both encouraged
and supported by his visit.
We had a wonderful trip to Umberslade Children‘s Farm where some
children dressed up and performed the Nativity in the barn surrounded by
animals. On a very chilly frosty morning we visited Claverdon School to watch
their infants Christmas production. It was lovely to see former Stepping Stones
children perform so confidently and there was also lots of waving by some of
our younger children to their older siblings on stage.
The children of Stepping Stones performed their own Nativity for a
large audience at the Church Centre, and there was also some beautiful singing
from the reception class children of Claverdon school who had come to watch
our play.
Then there was an enjoyable trip to the ice cream shop in Henley, we
have our own ‗play‘ ice-cream parlour at Stepping Stones and this was a good
opportunity for the children to experience the real thing for themselves as they
serve their own ice creams and
sprinkles.
Our Christmas party was fun
and was completed with a visit from
Father Christmas bearing gifts for all
the children.
In January we are also hoping
to pay a visit to Hillclose gardens in
Warwick for some bird watching –
weather permitting!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
A huge thank you to everyone who took time to pack a Christmas shoebox for
this year‘s campaign. We collected OVER 50 BOXES from our School and
village community! The gifts left the UK on 2nd December destined for
Romania, where I‘m sure they brought some real Christmas cheer to needy
children there. Thanks again for your generosity.
Jenny Wells
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Nadhim Zahawi on his visit to
Stepping Stones
www.claverdonsteppingstones.com
Find us at Claverdon Stepping
Stones on Facebook
or Twitter.com/clavstepstones
Rachel Clark Administrator
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THE MONTHLY HMM...
THE ALPHA BLOG
Stewards of a Wonderful Creation
Each month, there will be a short ―blog‖ by one of the
veterans of Alpha to give a flavour of what Alpha is all about.
―I had known about Alpha for many years, wasn't too
sure what it was all about until a friend mentioned that they
were running a weekly Alpha course at Claverdon. Now I have
to be very honest and tell you that I was playing Poker on the evening the
course was arranged so I decided to give it a miss. A year later I decided
that I would join Alpha, mainly out of curiosity, but the result for me was
spiritually fulfilling. I have always believed that there was a man called
Jesus who Christians called the Son of God; I wanted to know more about
him. Alpha tries to answer any and many questions about Christianity.
The evenings were very informative, friendly, not at all preachy, they even
provide an evening meal which was always superb so what more can I say
other than I enjoyed every evening, met some delightful people who, like
me, asked many searching questions about Christianity. For me it has
set me walking that path towards being a Christian.
It seems like no time since I got back from Madagascar. On one level, it‘s
been like stepping from a blast furnace into the deep freeze. Day time temperatures in
South East Madagascar were approaching 40 degrees Celsius whilst back here in
middle England it‘s been very close to double figures below. I guess what I‘m saying
is that it‘s been something of a physical shock – but nothing compared to the
emotional shock that seeing the ‗vanilla island‘ in person has given me.
I saw so much beauty, so much that was amazing. For example, I heard the
Indri deep in their pristine forest homes. The Indri is the largest lemur in the world
and its haunting calls echo round the forests for miles. They sound rather like the
contact calls of whales as they cruise the oceans. Each time they wail it‘s both a
surprise and a shock and somehow they
unearth an almost primeval sense of joy
and sorrow at the same time.
Then again, I had the amazing
experience of seeing Madagascar
Sandgrouse coming down to drink at a
tiny pool in the arid Southwest of the
island. A little like a partridge these
strong flying birds almost always come
down to drink at the same time. Our
guide Callen Cohen had us in position
right on schedule, but there was nothing
to see – not least because it looked as if there was no water left.
And then Callen heard them and told us that they were coming. I couldn‘t hear
or see a thing until suddenly they were over our heads and landed just a few yards
from where the water had been. They made no attempt to come in to drink (even
though there was a trickle left) and after a few minutes we thought our presence had
spooked them so we retreated.
In the same instant the two male birds both took flight and Callen took some
aerial photos as they fled. Later at the airport he downloaded the pictures to his
MacBook and tinkered with the focus. ―They‘d already drunk!‖ he said ―just look at
how wet the feathers on their chest and belly are.‖
I could see the evidence before me and remembered that the sandgrouse have
special feathers that are able to absorb water like blotting paper. It enables them to
take vital liquid back to their nest deep in waterless tracts of land to a thirsty mate and
young who would drink the water rather like puppies
suckling.
Even as I recollect these experiences now, I find
them awesome. What an astonishing creation we live in
and what, I ask myself, should our response be to the
work of such a creative and amazing God who has made
us the stewards of his creation?
Terence Smith
P.S. I still enjoy the odd game of Poker. .”
If you want to investigate Alpha for yourself, call Helen or Roger Hughes
on 01926 842387. The introductory supper is at 7.00pm on 13th
January. The meal starts around 7.30pm, and the evening finishes at
9.30pm. Subsequent evenings start at 7.15pm and we aim to finish for
9.30pm. You don‘t have to believe, bring your questions and discuss
them with other people who probably have the same
questions. And if you have experienced Alpha, who do you
love enough to invite and accompany to their first evening?
Invitations at the back of the churches.
For more information, talk to Helen or Roger.
This was the moment….
This was the moment when Before
turned into After …
when … three
members of an obscure Persian sect
walked haphazard by starlight straight
into the Kingdom of Heaven.
from a much longer poem by U.A. Fanthorpe (1929—2009)
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