Covering Pebworth and surrounding districts

Pebworth Piper February 2023

Pebworth Bells

Dining Alfresco

News from St Peter’s

Pebworth Past

Welcome!

Thank you to Yvonne Rose for our cover photo of the snowy visitor on The Close before Christmas, and to Jo Snape for this atmospheric shot.

Happy reading!

Please contact the editors with any contributions, photographs, news and announcements for the MARCH Piper on or before 17th FEBRUARY. Tracey Morley at [email protected] 1 The Old Barn, Back Lane 07443 461056 or Diana Beaumont at [email protected] Meon House, Friday Street.

In This Issue 3

12 News from St Peter’s Details of the recent break-in.

Pebworth Bells The ancient art of change ringing.

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A fund-raising appeal from1984

13 Pebworth in Bloom News of the wassail plus upcoming events.

Nature Notes

14 Local Elections, 4th May You now need photo-ID to vote.

Pebworth Past

Blue tit. 9

15 The Noticeboard News of events and other notices.

Pebworth and District WI All the latest news.

10 Dining Alfresco A balmy evening in Tuscany.

16 Village Hall Weekly groups.

11 Church Services – February

17 Pebworth Parish Council Minutes from the latest meeting.

2023 Services in the parish. 12 Update on replacement for

Rev Scott Watts A message from Rev Canon Craig Bishop.

Editors: Tracey Morley Diana Beaumont

Illustrator: Kevin Morley

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Online Distributors: Karen Pearson Ken Wood

by Neil Garner

Some History…

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ebworth is very fortunate in having a rather lovely ring of 10 bells. This is actually quite a large number for such a small village. There are very few 10 and 12 bell towers and most are in the larger towns and cities. As we move into 2023 and the year in which we crown our new king, you may have seen our ‘Ring for the King’ adverts. This is because we are looking to find a number of new team members - with ten ropes to man, we need a lot of ringers. The modern history of Pebworth’s bells starts in 1707, when Michael Bushell of Evesham cast a ring of five bells. Pebworth’s bells are the only ring to carry Michael’s name so are quite unique, although single bells by him survive elsewhere in the Vale. Skip forward to the 1980s and the bells were in a rather sorry state not well maintained, no ringers, unloved! However, the village rose to a challenge (see Pebworth Past) and raised funds to both rehang the old bells in a modern frame and augment to six (a more common and useful number of bells). The extra bell was acquired from a redundant church in Yorkshire, but it fitted in perfectly as a new ‘treble’ (the highest pitched bell). The village clearly had a penchant for its bells, because in the following 15 years, the bells were augmented twice more, firstly to eight and finally to 10, each time adding two more smaller, brand new bells.

The 10 bell installation was completed in time to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2002, so the village also has a history of celebrating the monarch! Of course, this year, we ‘did our bit’ again, at the request of the palace and government, ringing for both the Platinum Jubilee festivities and later for the events following her majesty’s passing. Ringing bells 1-6 for the late Queen...

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What is bell ringing all about….? When we talk about the new bells being smaller, this can be remarkably deceptive. Bells are not small! Our smallest bell, known as ‘the treble’, is 29 stone or 188kg… we also call that 3.5cwt (hundred weight). The largest, ‘the tenor’, is nearly 12cwt, so 95 stone or 601kg, and that is without a clapper or other fittings! When we ring the bells we swing them through a full circle - they start with the mouth of the bell pointing upwards and then turn through 370° until the mouth is upwards again. Because the bells are hung from a large axle fixed to the top of the bell (called a headstock), they effectively fall for the first part of the turn and then slow up as they return to the peak position again. The first rotation (as per the diagram) is called handstroke and the ringer uses the ‘Sally’ (the stripy, fluffy part of the rope) to tip the bell over the balance. For the return rotation, the rope will have gone up high above the ringers head and they will pull the ‘tail end’ of the rope to swing it back the other way. Although large and very heavy, in the hands of a trained ringer, bells can be controlled with very little effort and almost anyone can learn. However, just like a car, without training, the full force of this fast moving object can be quite terrifying!

Ringing the Changes… Perhaps you might have wondered where this everyday phrase came from? It refers to the music we create with the English church bells. Because they are so large and heavy, it would be quite difficult to get a bell to go much quicker or slower… so to provide interest and to make a form of music, we ring ‘changes’. Change Ringing is an art unique to our country (with a handful elsewhere) and steeped in history. We have been refining the art for more than 400 years! Normally, the bells start and finish ringing with a descending musical scale - high to low notes, smaller to larger bells. This repeats as the bells swing from hand to backstroke, over and over. This we call ‘Rounds’. Mixing the bells up is done by changing the order, but only one place at a time, so the second bell might move to ring first or third. Each move is called ‘a change’. We can then use different ‘methods’ to automate the changes, which is where names like Grandsire Doubles, Plain Bob Major and Stedman Triples come in. 4

In the 6-bell example opposite, the bells swaps position with an adjacent bell from change to change (row to row), so each bell will sequentially move one place later or earlier in the order. So for a tiny change in speed for each bell, we can mix things up and ‘ring the changes’. The example opposite is the simplest method and is called ‘Plain Hunt Minor’. Each row of numbers is a change and symbolises one strike of each bell. The odd bells start by ringing slightly slower and moving one place later each change. The even bells speed up, to move one place earlier. Only when they get to be first or last, do they alter speed and move back in the opposite direction. The pattern completes after 12 changes and is a bit like a musical round, everyone doing the same thing but starting at a different time. Ringers don’t learn the numbers, they follow the pattern, often referred to as a ‘Blue Line’, because of how they are printed. The method patterns can get very complicated and there are more to choose from than anyone could possibly learn!

Ring as a social activity… Bell ringing is a lovely pastime and it is practiced by a wide range of folks, old and young, men, women, children, and from diverse and varied backgrounds too. In addition to Sunday service ringing, practice night and the all-important visit to the Mason’s Arms afterwards, fellow ringers are made welcome at other towers (and probably their local too!), providing an instant social life on most nights of the week almost anywhere in the UK. In addition, local societies organise training events, competitions and practices where you can develop new skills and meet like-minded friends. At Pebworth, we are affiliated to the Fourshires Guild, (we won both the junior and senior striking competitions this year for the best ringing!), the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association and the Worcestershire and Districts Association. We also have close links to the Coventry Diocesan Guild who support our neighbouring towers to the North and East.

Fancy joining the team? If you would like to try ringing and join our team, we would love to see you! You will find us in the tower on most Friday evenings between 19.30 and 21.00. We also have our own website (http://pebworthbells.wxsite.com/website) where you can learn more about our ‘noble art’, or you can ring Neil Garner (Tower Captain) on 07786 702457. We are also holding an Open Day on Sunday 12th February between 14.30 and 16.30. Come and see how the bells work, find out more about change ringing and perhaps have a go at ringing a tower bell and/or hand bells.

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Pebworth Past

Thanks to Chris Cotton for this 1984 leaflet to raise funds for the restoration of the church bells and addition of the sixth bell.

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by Kevin Morley

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he inquisitive blue tit is already responding to the early days of spring, seeking out insects and spiders in the sprouting foliage, and exploring possible nesting sites. Blue tits have a reputation for setting up home in the most unusual places, from a hollow sign post to the exhaust pipe of an abandoned car - wherever there is a nest-sized cavity. And there is no other garden bird that will more readily adopt a nest box. Nest building begins in earnest at the end of March. It seems strange that this mischievous bundle of energy has also been named the Nun, though this was probably a reference to the bird’s blue cap and white cheeks - which perhaps resemble a nun’s wimple. Some of the blue tit’s other local names include Blue Bonnet, Blue Ox-eye, Tom Tit, Tree Babbler and Billy Biter. The latter arose due to its habit of hissing and biting if any creature dared to interfere with its nest. Blue tits are easy to observe in the garden, and I took the opportunity to create this painting from the comfort of my seat by the window. This particular bird, busy exploring our garden gate, always seemed to keep one eye on me as I sketched. As beautiful as the bird is, with its cobalt blue and lemon yellow plumage, I spent more time working on the roughness of the brickwork and the grain of the weather-beaten old timbers of the cottage and gate. These grainy textures, and the dark tones of the shadows in the background, make a perfect foil to the spritely and colourful bird.

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A tribute to the Blue Tit From ‘The Kitten and Falling Leaves’ by William Wordsworth Where is he that giddy Sprite, Blue-cap, with his colours bright, Who was blest as bird could be, Feeding in the apple-tree; Made such wanton spoil and rout, Turning blossoms inside out; Hung--head pointing towards the ground-Fluttered, perched, into a round Bound himself, and then unbound; Lithest, gaudiest Harlequin! Prettiest Tumbler ever seen! Light of heart and light of limb, What is now become of him?

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PEBWORTH AND DISTRICT WI by Jenny McLeish

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e had a jolly start to the new year with a glass of wine and a rowdy beetle drive which Julie eventually won. Even the most confused seemed to get the hang of throwing dice and drawing beetles in the end. Inspired by Nicole, several members had made their own Christmas cards and the follow up workshop on 14th proved just as popular. This time we learned how to make pop-up cards in time for Valentine’s Day.

echoed.

Ursula reported that the skittles team was competing well in the county competition with a few matches left to play, teams for the group and county quizzes were being organised and members were taking the chance to use the savings club in readiness for yearly subscriptions due in April. Please put Saturday 4th March in your diaries as we would love as many as possible to join in our annual litter pick – more details next month.

If you feel tempted to join our WI this year, please contact our president Jenny McLeish ([email protected]) for details. Guests are welcome for £4, which includes refreshments.

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Dining alfresco by Charles

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hink of a balmy evening in late summer. Think of a family of hills up behind you and a valley that falls away in front, until it meets more hills far away. Think of farmhouses that step up the far inclines, their lighted windows sharing their kitchen at supper. Think of an olive grove that fills the folding ground around you with close planted branches. They will be trimmed at the crown so the outer branches hang like those of a willow but laden with little green orbs of rich oil. They can spread over, and grow in, the thin soil because each has a tap root reaching deeply down for the moisture that will fatten their fruits. Within this grove tables jostle under a lace work of lanterns. Lovers slip into the dappled shadows. Couples gather around gingham cloths, smiling, talking, talking, as is the way in Tuscany. They are sipping the vino de casa. Cheerful, chatty waiters bring bottles of a very acceptable vino rosso. Ahh. It is fruity, somewhat chewy, with an after taste that lingers. The diners, sniff, sip, taste and are lost. This year’s vendemmia is better than last year’s – more sun, in a land that has hot but not ferocious weather and enough rain. Here, the ridge of hills invites rain to swell the fruit. This wine is made from the vines that grow in rows around the ristorante. Dusk settles on smiles and shining forks. All are poised to sample the food for which it is famous. Italians do not bother with foreign food, why should they? The courses come in prescribed order: antipasti – snippets of toast with paté perhaps, or maybe the thin slices of pork fat – all flavour. Pasta follows – bowls of wiggly yellow in an infinity of shapes with a touch of basil sauce. Next is lamb steak, cooked in quantities of oil and infused with rosemary seeds. Life can stop here. There is nowhere else to go. All is complete. Coffee is served as the diners lean back, sated and living in an other world. It has to be double strong and arrives in cups of half size. The hot black liquid wakens the mind and activates the inner parts. Where else should one be? 10

The Parishes of Aston sub Edge, Dorsington, Honeybourne, Pebworth, Weston sub Edge and Willersey with Saintbury Church Services – February 2023 Aston sub Edge February 12th, 2nd Sunday before Lent February 19th, Sunday next before Lent February 26th, Lent 1

4.00pm 4.00pm 4.00pm

Evensong Evensong Holy Communion (Traditional language)

Dorsington No services

Honeybourne February 5th, 3rd Sunday before Lent February 12th, 2nd Sunday before Lent February 19th, Sunday next before Lent February 22nd, Ash Wednesday

9.00am 11.00am 11.00am 7.30pm

Holy Communion (Traditional language) Family Service at the Village Hall Holy Communion (Modern language) Benefice Service

Pebworth February 12th, 2nd Sunday before Lent February 26th, Lent 1

11.00am 11.00an

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Holy Communion (Modern language) Family Service

Weston sub Edge February 5th, 3rd Sunday before Lent

10.00am

Muddy Church

Willersey February 5th, 3rd Sunday before Lent February 12th, 2nd Sunday before Lent February 19th, Sunday next before Lent February 26th, Lent 1

10.00am 9.00am 11.00am 10.00am

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Morning Prayer (Modern language) Holy Communion (Traditional language) All Age Service Morning Prayer (Modern language)

The Appointment of a Replacement for Rev Scott Watts Rev Canon Craig Bishop writes: We have been steadily working with Archdeacon Phil on the replacement of Revd Scott Watts, the team vicar based in Honeybourne. The Archdeacon has been impressed by the work we have done and the creative thinking we had undertaken to ensure the new Team Vicar would have time and space to engage with people outside of the current church congregations. There has already been an agreement in principle that the Team Vicar will be full-time and we await a meeting at the end of the month which make recommendations and hopefully begin the recruitment process. Please hold these conversations and the wider Vale and Cotswold Edge Team in your prayers.

News from St Peter’s St Peter’s churchwardens write: The churchwardens, Liz and Michael, were horrified to be alerted that the church had been broken into in the new year, the culprits damaging and gaining access though a very small leaded window on the south side of the church. After gaining entrance to the vestry they proceeded to ransack chests and cabinets. Finding nothing of monetary value, as all money and silverware is removed after every service, they continued to the belfry, removing glass from the door (what a draught that has caused) and even getting into the ringing chamber. The police response has been magnificent, with officers from Kidderminster Forensic team soon on the scene and a Heritage Specialist Crime Unit from Worcester has also been on site. The response from our lovely community has also been fantastic with volunteers spending all day cleaning up the mess and securing the broken window and offering support. Sadly, as well as being faced with bills for the chancel roof repairs and although the repairs are covered by insurance, the treasurer will have to fund the excess charge. The same night the nearby churches of Dorsington and Long Marston were also broken into, in a similar fashion. Let’s hope that evidence left by the culprits will lead to a conviction. 12 12

Saturday 4th March in your diary. It’s time for the WI annual litter pick again. Details in next Piper. There is an old saying: “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today”. We are fortunate in Pebworth that hundreds of trees were planted in the 1970s by a specially formed committee lead by Nigel Phillips and friends and how we now appreciate Eli Harrison’s beautiful lime trees, planted over 140 years ago in the churchyard for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The Shekell family must have planted the trees at The Manor which we see on the skyline when approaching the village, the silver birches opposite the pub were planted in remembrance of the men who lost their lives in world wars and the Queen’s Canopy on the recreation field has already become part of our landscape. In May we will be celebrating another royal occasion – the coronation of King Charles. We hope to plant some oak whips in public spaces to mark this, and have access to some locally grow oak whips, two foot high at present. If you have space (they will be about 12 foot high in about five years) we would be happy to give them away, perhaps for a very small donation to PIB but certainly not necessary. You may like to have a permanent reminder of the coronation or for more personal reasons – to celebrate a new baby, in memory of a loved one, to commemorate a special birthday or anniversary or just because you love trees. You will also be taking action against climate change and providing a habitat for butterflies, moths, insects and birds. How good is that? If you have a large enough space to plant one please contact Yvonne (720296 or [email protected]).

by Jenny McLeish

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s well as the noise from a variety of instruments there was also the sound of pouring rain and then, as that cleared, the sound of wellies squelching through the sodden ground. When did this happen and more importantly why? Well, it was the annual wassail on 8th January when we encourage the trees at the heritage orchard to bear fruit later in the year and so 20 hardy souls turned up to hang toast on the trees, to anoint the tree roots with mulled cider (and to sample some of course) and to light a fire whose smoke will drive evil spirits away, along with all the noise. Will it work? We won’t know until later but it was good fun!

Many residents regularly feed the garden birds and most take part in the annual Bird Watch. This year we will be spending an hour recording the species we see on 27th January and Yvonne would be delighted if you email her ([email protected]) with your results as well as submitting the formal results online. Good luck with your hour-long count!

Meanwhile Guy and Lesley Grainger have very generously donated a beautiful oak bench to replace the rickety one in the Golden Garden in the churchyard. This is about to be installed by volunteers when the weather improves. The Saturday Crew will be back in action on February 4th, 10am at Elm Close and the Village Hall – why not join us? And please put 13

Local Elections, Thursday 4th May 2023: Photo ID On Thursday 4th May, local elections are taking place across England. At these elections, you will need to bring photo ID to be able to vote at a polling station. A booklet is on the Parish Council website which will explain which forms of photo ID you can use to vote. It also explains how to apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if you need one.

Please visit www.pebworthparishcouncil.co.uk and click on News in the heading. 14

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Pebworth Village Hall Weekly Groups Jane Cromack

Sunday

YOGA 7pm with Jenny

Monday

YOGA 7pm with Jenny

Tuesday

BRIDGE CLASSES 2pm with Juanita

CHESS CLUB 6.30pm

Wednesday

KEEP FIT 9.30am with Aimi

YOGA 7pm with Jenny

Thursday

PILATES 9.30am with Nicky

SHORT MAT BOWLS 2pm

Friday

YOGA 10am with Nicki

First Monday MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL 7pm MONTHLY SEWING GROUP 1pm First Wednesday MONTHLY W.I. 7pm

Last Friday MONTHLY RURAL CINEMA 7.15pm

For more information please contact Jane Cromack on 01789 720319 and look at the advertising notices on the various Village noticeboards, Facebook and www.pebworth.org or just go along on the day and say hello! 16

Pebworth Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 9th January 2023. Edited by Diana Beaumont Next Meeting: 6th February 2023, 7pm at Pebworth Village Hall

Present: Councillors: Richard Weller (Chairman), Simon Shiers, Denise Meynell, John Hyde, Sam Parkins & David Cranage In attendance: District Councillor Thomas HavemannMart, Mrs D Bowles (Clerk) Also in attendance: four members of the public Apologies considered for absence: Cllr Pearson

the various options to object to this application. Members unanimously agreed to object. Cllr Cranage to draw up comments for Clerk to forward to Planning. Cllr Weller returned to the meeting. c) Land adj to Bramble Cottage, Dorsington Road, Dorsington, Pebworth: Residential conversion of barn including replacement roof and extension, to replace approved barn conversion. No comment. Responses to previous planning applications: d) New Buildings Farm, Priory Lane, Broad Marston, Pebworth: Pebworth Parish Council wish to raise objections to the planning application, principally regarding Housing Mix and Design Policy (particularly comparing the application to the most recently adopted local planning document), the Pebworth Neighbourhood Development Plan (PNDP) adopted September 2019, Housing Need and Flooding and Surface Water Run Off.

Open Forum Comments were made regarding the Dorsington Rd planning application, requesting the Parish Council to object to it. It was pointed out that the Conservation Officer had not been consulted despite the application being on the boundary. District Councillor Havemann-Mart to request they be consulted. He advised he cannot discuss any current applications as he sits on the Planning Committee. County Councillor Adams sent his apologies. The Chairman closed the open forum and reconvened the meeting at 19:20

e) Elm View, Chapel Road, Pebworth: Pebworth Parish Council wish to raise objections to the planning application, principally regarding Housing Mix, The Development Boundary, Design Policy, flooding and surface water run-off, the conservation area and road safety.

Ward Member’s Report: Warm Hubs are being set up around the Wychavon area. Planning Matters: Considered: a) Hawthorn House, Low Furrow Barns, Dorsington Road, Dorsington, Pebworth, CV37 8AP: Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing use of building as a dwellinghouse. Following consultation via email the Council responded with no comment. b) Paddock off Dorsington Road, Dorsington, Pebworth: Outline application for the erection of 4 self-build dwellings (Cllr Weller declared an interest and left the room). Cllr Shiers temporarily took over as Chair. This application has been looked at in detail and discussed with residents. Cllr Cranage discussed

Full objections for both the above applications can be found at pebworthparishcouncil.co.uk. Decisions: Broad Marston Manor, Broad Marston Road, Broad Marston, Pebworth, CV37 8XY: Repairs to west elevation wall and wall plate, new and replacement dormer windows, roof repairs and new roof covering. Approved subject to conditions. 17

Council & Community Matters: Cllr Weller reported more anti-social behaviour, with e-mail evidence being provided. It is unknown whether the resident has reported this to the police. The Close & Recreation Field: Three tenders were received in total for the regeneration of the play equipment on The Close. All came in on budget at £80,000. The proposals were presented to residents via social media who stated their preference. Following a detailed discussion, Members decided their preferred tenderer is Wicksteed (this was also the preference of the residents). This is subject to the completion date and a meeting to discuss the project plan. Streetlighting: a) Members noted streetlight 33 has now been installed. This completes the streetlight regeneration programme. There is still an issue with a part-night timer error on streetlight 21. Clerk will be fitting new stickers to place on all the streetlights when the weather has improved. Highway Matters: Members noted the two out of the three new VAS poles have now been installed. Clerk to query the third one on Back Lane. Lengthsman/Handyman Matters: VAS data for the month of December was much improved. This has now been moved to Honeybourne Rd. Members agreed for this to be moved every two weeks. Future Tasks: 1. Repair noticeboards at Town Pool Car Park and Broad Marston. Lock one half of the new noticeboard at Meon Way. 2. Clear overhang at Hill House. 3. Bollards on Front St to be re-installed and one replaced. Replacement golf net has now been received and will be installed shortly. Public Rights of Way: Members noted the public bridleway by the rail bridge had been blocked which was reported to local PROW officer. This has now been removed but it is unsure who by. WCC confirmed that this was an unofficial closure (probably by the fencing contractors working there - but no work had commenced). WCC are still trying to determine the full facts but it is likely an approved closure will take place at some time in the near future.

Matters Raised by Members: The following matters were raised by Council Members for consideration for future agendas: New volunteer needed for organising the Parish Games 23. Clerk to advertise through the Piper/Petrus. Date of Next Meeting: Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Monday 6th February 2023 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Pebworth. Dates also set were: Annual Parish meeting – proposed Monday 24th April. Annual Council meeting – proposed Monday 15th May. No Ordinary Parish Council meeting to be held in May. Closure of Meeting: The Chairman closed the meeting at 21:15 hrs Your District Councillor, Thomas Havemann-Mart, can be contacted on [email protected] or mobile 07817 873054.

Your County Councillor, Alastair Adams, can be contacted on [email protected] or mobile 07725 979 277 or www.alastairadams.org.

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