SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 31 JANUARY EPIPHANY BENEFICE Holy Communion Village Hall at Norbury

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1 ONNYCAMLAD PARISHES Rev. Prebendary Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington Rev. Carol Whittock Mission Priest at Churchstoke David Jelves, Reader Mette Wardle, Reader The Rector writes... Anniversaries how we or rather the media love them! I suppose they provide a focus for innumerable programmes and endless conversations! Royal ones are very popular and we've had thus century the remarkable Golden and Diamond Jubilees of her Majesty the Queen and this coming year we have her 90th birthday which will surely be a good occasion to celebrate. We must have a few good tea parties and a celebratory service, as the Queen is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and makes clear in her Christmas broadcasts how much her faith means to her. But during the year we also have the 90th anniversary of the General Strike of 1926 which is bound to lead to some reassessment of the place of Trade Unions in our country and then on 1 July it will be the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme of World War One which saw the largest loss of life on any day of conflict in British history - 50, 000 casualties puts into perspective today when our entire Army only has less than 100,000 soldiers! Quite a year ahead, reminding us of the highs and lows of life which the challenge of living itself. As I reflect on my time here as Rector, it's extraordinary how many families I've been associated with, sharing life's Joys and Sorrows - for me, and I know for many others, the constant presence of faith has been sustaining, especially at difficult times. Our country churches, so important and so worthwhile for our lives, are for me a constant and reassuring presence in our communities - places to celebrate happy times and places to find support when life is full of loss and it's hard to carry on. SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 31 JANUARY EPIPHANY BENEFICE Holy Communion Village Hall at Norbury SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY EPIPHANY Holy Communion Hyssington Chapel Rev Carol Whittock 9.45 Holy Communion Common Worship Ratlinghope Rev Jo Evans Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves Morning Praise Norbury Nigel Hirst 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor Barry Preston ASH WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY LENT Morning Praise Hyssington Julia Francis Holy Communion More (Common Worship) Rev Jo Evans George Baker plays 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury Mette Wardle & Nigel Hirst SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY LENT Holy Communion Wentnor (Common Worship) Rev Jo Evans Morning Praise Churchstoke Morning Praise Lydham Mette Wardle 6.30 Evening Prayer Ratlinghope David Jelves SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY LENT Holy Communion (Common Worship) Norbury Rev Jo Evans 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown (Common Worship ) Rev Jo Evans 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope Mette Wardle United Service Hyssington Chapel

2 6.30 Evening Prayer More Mette Wardle SUNDAY 6 MARCH LENT 4 MOTHERING SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham Mothering Sunday Service Hyssington Afrianne Jones 9.45 Mothering Sunday Service Ratlinghope Mothering Sunday Service Churchstoke Mothering Sunday Service Norbury 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches 5 Feb Churchstoke; 12 February Wentnor; 19 Febraury Lower Snead; 26 February Ratlinghope; 4 March Norbury. AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES: Thanks for all those who decorated our churches and made them so welcoming over the Christmas season! The MARCH copy for the magazine from the Wentnor parishes is being prepared by David Hardham. Please him with any material, please david hardham <dhardham@yahoo.co.uk> Lydham News; Lydham Church 100 Club Draw Congratulations to the winners- 1st Sara Ellison ticket ; 2nd John Brayford ticket ; 3rd Chris Semple ticket Cash prizes increased by 50% over previous months for December. Anybody wishing to join this worthwhile monthly draw contact Jimmy Garnier , Neil Hird ,Joyce Yapp,Tony Martin or Paula Brayford The Three Parish December Mince Pie Contest was pronounced a tremendous success, many folk enjoyed the afternoon and 168 raised for Lydham church' More December Draw ; 1st Steve Freeman; 2nd J Morrish; 3rd Rev N Morris Ratlinghope 200 Club: please continue to support or join by contacting Margaret or Janet to renew tickets for the forthcoming year. Many thanks to everyone who supports our More Church monthly draw Contact FUTURE EVENTS Joint Snead/Lydham/More Parishes Quiz evening Friday, 29th January 2016 at 7.00p.m. Lydham Village Hall. Four member teams invited at 8 per person, food included and Bar available. Bookings through , and Curry and Quiz night Friday 5th February 2016 at the Village Hall, Norbury Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale Quiz teams of up to 6 people - arrange your own or we can sort you out on the night! Raffle - the evening is a fund-raising event for the village hall organised by the new local arts and social group Ticket for one 8.00 and available from Valerie and Christine For more information please Valerie on valerie.woodmansey@btinternet.com Look forward to seeing you on the 5th February

3 Village Hall at Norbury Talk Time Talks at the Hall on the first Tuesday of every other month beginning 2 nd February 2016 Talks include: (subject to confirmation) Story of the Blues (with Music); The Aztecs; Buddhism; Managing the StiperStones; Bee Keeping; Military History Admission 3.50 at the door including refreshments Doors open Village Hall at Norbury Thursday Social Evenings Meet us at the Hall on the fourth Thursday of each month beginning 28th th January 2016 for an evening of socialising & playing games. These will include: Table Tennis Cards Dominoes Scrabble Admission 3.50 at the door including refreshments Doors open LENT GROUPS: FORWARD NOTICE Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 10 February. There will be a Lent Group as usual at Wentnor Rectory, taking place on the following Friday afternoons in MARCH at 4.00pm for about 90 minutes including refreshments! Five sessions Friday 4 March, Friday 11 March, Friday 18 March, Wednesday 23 March, & a Friday TBA. 2.30pm We will be doing the new York course on the The Psalms which looks really interesting! These sessions will be excellent and will take our faith further so do think of joining in even if you can t make all five. There will be a Lent course at Churchstoke details to follow. Local Ministry Development Group The group meets monthly to support one another and pray for the concerns of any who are in need. Please feel free to invite a member of the team to visit you, to pray in confidence, or bring Home Communion if you are unwell or can t get to Church easily. Requests can be made through Rev. Norman ( ) or Rev. Carol ( ). May God richly bless you in Filling Station The opening evening for this Fresh Expression exploring the Christian Faith - was at Newcastle, in the Clun Valley. There are many other 'Filling Stations' in the UK (about 40 according to their literature and website 'thefillingstation.org'). Meetings are on the 2nd Friday of the month from Please contact Rev Robert Payne for details AGE UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY IN THE MONTH NEXT WEDNESDAY LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY - to book please ring Margaret Cooke Mrs. Janet Brandon on is your Age UK Parish Link who will be pleased to help you. NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: VILLAGE HALL AT NORBURY THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY 7.30pm Speaker: Veg Patch Kitchen by Kathleen Corfield; Competition An unusual bread bin/or butter dish Hostesses: Mary Atkins, Jayne Godsman, Sue Pinches. Flowers: Kath Hughes. LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: LYDHAM VILLAGE HALL THURSDAY 18 FEBUARY 2.15pm Speaker: Sarah Hare How I came here ; Refreshments: Gill & Marion. ONNY VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at the New Village Hall at Norbury Club leader Eileen Ashley Tuesday 2 February Quiz Village Hall at Norbury 2.30pm Trips: Book with Richard & Wendy Edwards Wednesday 20 April Chester Zoo/Chester shopping; Wednesday 18 May Manchester/ Salford Quays. FROM THE REGISTERS FUNERALS: Joan Evelyn Bew (101) Shrewsbury Crematorium 5 December Monica Collins (88) Wentnor 19 December Alan Davies (84) Shrewsbury Crematorium FIFTEEN YEARS AGO - FROM THE 2001 FEBRUARY DEANERY MAGAZINE: Rural Dean wrote of the challenge of finding Parish Share of 150,000 (now over 200, 000); an Activities for Older People Day was planned at BC for March; Bishop s Castle was due to have a Pancakes & Pudding Shrove Tuesday evening and Re-pitching the Tent had a target of raising 47,000 for a new heating, lighting & Sound System; Chernobyl Children Lifeline was due to hold a Chopin Piano Recital at the Community College; a talk was being held at

4 Kempton about recent excavations at Wigmore Castle; Rev Norman Morris wrote of the effects of heavy snowfalls after Christmas cancelling the Myndtown Carol Service; a genuine schoolboy howler was reported Samson was a strong man who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah and Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles; Kaffe Fassett was due to hold a Workshop at More in June. TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Taking place Mondays at The Village Hall at Norbury pm 2 per session - for details contact The Rector BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Contact: The Rector BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone or visit the cathedral website Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.30AM 11.30am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: National Rail Enquires: Hall Bookings: Norbury Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris ) Lydham Hyssington Village Hall: do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet reductions for longer runs. Bishop s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring An edited Tribute to Henry Owen whose funeral took place at Wentnor recently. We have gathered here today to say Farewell and to pay our last respects to a highly thought of and much loved character of this area which is the Stiperstones and the Longmynd. Henry was born in 1918 at the end of the First World War when times were desperately hard. Henry s parents farmed at The Knolls in Frogs Gutter and it was here he grew up. He went to school at The Bog and left when he was 14, also at school, though a bit younger, was a lovely girl called Eleanor. Henry worked on the family s farm at The Knolls. Though work was hard, the only power being horses. He married Eleanor and was blessed with four children, Cyril, Mervyn, Carol and Merle. When first married, family lore has it that they earned the money to buy their first cow by picking whimberries. In 1948 they moved down the valley a bit to a bigger and better farm, the Great Woodhouse.He always loved shooting and got involved as much as time would permit, particularly the grouse shooting on the Long Mynd. He adored that range of hills. He loved nature and knew where rare plants and birds were to be found. As well as his love of shooting, while at The Woodhouse he liked to see a bit of hunting. He had been quite helpful to Mr Yeoward in his early years as Master and Huntsman of the United Pack. In the early 70 s the National Trust took over the management of the Long Mynd and offered Henry the job as Warden. How wise they were they couldn t have chosen a better man. Not only did he know the hill like the back of his hand, he would have been polite but firm with anyone misbehaving in any way. As much as Henry loved his farming, the temptation to take the job was great and in 1972 he had a farm sale at The Woodhouse and went to live at Brockhurst between Church Stretton and Little Stretton. Though he enjoyed his new way of life I know he had pangs of regret about leaving the old one. I remember him saying that when farmers were discussing the trade on lambs after market he felt out of it. He visited Merv and Dylis at the Cold Hill whenever he could, keeping in touch with farming. He always wanted to know what price livestock was. However, he enjoyed his time with the Trust, he did a good job, and they were lucky to have him. He still carried on with his part-time grouse keepering until the shoot finished. After 11 years with the National Trust he reached the age of 65 and, according to their policy he retired. Brockhurst had a few acres with it and together with Mrs Owen, they kept busy with a few sheep and gardening. Then 20 years ago they sold Brockhurst and moved to their nice bungalow in Church Stretton. Sadly three years ago Mrs Owen passed away and left a great void in his life. More important than anything else in Henry s life was his family. He adored

5 them all and they him. He had four children, seven grand-children, 11 great grand children and 2 great great grand children. How wonderful! In the last few years as Henry became frailer, Carol and Merle and carers did all they could to look after him and he was able to stay at his home.. We have lost Henry but the legend will live on and his friends and neighbours around these hills will talk of him for many years to come. John Truscott Church consultant and trainer in creative organisation for effective christian ministry Web: offers us An MOT for disciples of Jesus These notes take the principle of review or appraisal and apply it to Christian discipleship. There are fourteen tests, each with sample Bible verses followed by four questions. The idea is for this to act as a challenging review within a prayer triplet or similar group. These are the tests: Following; learning; love; character; temptation; community; service; witness; disciple-making; time; generosity; suffering; marriage; singleness LUDLOW LIFE & LEARNING Happy New Year - and a reminder as you update your 2016 diary that the current Life & Learning programme continues with: - on 28 January 'Putting Jesus in His (Rightful) Place: The Gospels in the light of recent research' - a lecture being given by the Revd Dr Chris Moore - on 11, 18, 25 February and 3 March 'Pilgrimage' - a series of talks which explores the theme of pilgrimage both spiritual and physical as viewed by the three Abrahamic faiths - on 14 April 'The Bishop's Ludlow Lecture' - Bishop Richard Frith reflects on some of the challenges facing the church both nationally and locally Further details and a booking form are available at With all good wishes for the New Year Barry Forrester