News
News
Village Show
The Village Show is set to return to Pembridge on Saturday 26th July.
There are classes for fruit, vegetables, preserves, baking, flower arranging, art, and handicrafts.
Entry forms are available online at www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/events and from the New Inn, Steppes, and Pembridge Primary School.
Free entries in the children’s section.
Entries staged by 11am. Open to the public from 1pm with prize giving at 5pm.
Pembridge Home to Endangered Species
Pembridge is the host of several rare species of plants and animals.
Tree Warden and farmer Tony Norman explains the importance of preserving the native black poplar. There are 6 of these trees in the parish out of 100 in the county and 6,000 in the country.
A planting scheme has produced 40 more trees from cuttings. Find out more and how you can help halt their decline.
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/learnaboutfarming
Crayfish are dying in the River Arrow due to a highly infectious disease. This particularly affects the stretch between Pembridge and Kington. The parish council has highlighted the problem and provided guidance from the Environment Agency on how we can help prevent this spreading. The disease isn’t transmissible to humans but threatens the white crayfish population.
Do not enter the river while this outbreak is ongoing and do not touch any dead fish but report findings to the Environment Agency.
For more information on this see the Parish Council website on
www.pembridgeparishcouncil.gov.uk
Footpath Group
The parish council are looking to set up a volunteer footpath group, to walk parish footpaths, maintain and report problems for action.
If interested contact Cllr Hancock 01544 340799 or Cllr Zagni 07360205777
War Memorial
The War Memorial is looking splendid thanks to maintenance and planting completed by Pride in Pembridge and members of the Royal British Legion.
The memorial now contains the names of all the Pembridge men who gave their lives and the link to www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/warmemorial which tells their stories is now accessible through a QR code on the bench installed at the site.
Defibrillators
Apologies for an error in our last edition which stated that a defibrillator was in Bearwood, this should have read Broxwood.
For clarity the four defibrillators in the parish are at:
The Parish Hall, Bearwood Lane, Pembridge;
East Street Car Park Toilets, Pembridge;
Telephone Box Broxwood;
The Leen Farm, HR6 9HN.
Marston Man Raises Over £2,000 for charity
Ian Smith of Marston recently completed the Netherlands Liberation Trail, which followed the route of cemeteries linked to Operation Market Garden when allied troops liberated the Netherlands at the end of WWII.
The ride of 200 miles was a poignant one for Ian whose father was killed serving in the war just before he was born.
Ian was given the honour at the end of the ride of laying a wreath on behalf of the Royal British Legion at the Grebbeberg Dutch War Cemetery.
Ian would like to thank all who supported him and helped raise over £2,000 for the Royal British Legion.
Pembridge Film Nights
Pembridge Film Nights will be back at the end of August and into September with a mini festival of arts films to include amongst others :” Mrs Lowry and Son” starring Timothy Spall, “ Memories of the St Ives Modernists” and “Eric Rivillious -Drawn to War”
You can find full details on our Community Groups page.
New Team Member
We are pleased to announce that Cllr Mark Clegg has recently joined our team and is working alongside Haydn Osborne-Brookes in designing and maintaining our website.
If you’d like to join our team of historians, researchers, writers, photographers, and website designers you would be most welcome. Please email us portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk
We Need You
Portrait of Pembridge is a volunteer run community resource. Please let us have your stories and news, share your expertise on topics ranging from local history, farming, the environment, events and fund raising.
Please email portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk or call Kay 07342 625796 or Barry 07711 406306 for a chat about what’s involved.
We are keen to reach as many parishioners as possible. If you know someone who doesn’t yet receive our blog and “Dates for your Diary” straight to their inbox, please encourage them to sign up for this free service on www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk
For updates follow us on Facebook or log on to our website: www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk
Save the Dates
16th July 7.30pm Parish Council Meeting at the Parish Hall
19th July 10.30am -12 noon Coffee Morning at the Parish Hall sponsored by Pride in Pembridge
26th July The Village Show at Pembridge Parish Hall. 9.30-11am staging of entries, 1pm-5pm open to the public. Entry forms from www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk
From local retailers.
2nd August Strawberry Fayre at St Mary’s Church, stalls, competitions, and cream teas
16th August 10.30am -12 noon. Coffee Morning at Pembridge Parish Hall, sponsored by Pembridge Active Ladies
30th August Pembridge Film Nights return with a special series of films about British Art to coincide with H-Art Week. https://sites.google.com/view/pembridgefilmnights/home
18th September 7pm “A History of the Suffrage Movement in Herefordshire” a talk by author Clare Wichbold, including an incident in Pembridge. Pembridge Parish Hall.
If you are organising an event or activity in Pembridge parish, please email details to portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk.
Weekly Events in Pembridge
Monday
Pembridge Auction at the parish Hall. Viewing from 10am bidding starts 3.30pm. see https://www.pembridgeauction.com/
Love to Sing Children’s Choir at Pembridge Primary School Hall. 5.30pm-6.30pm. £4 per session. Term time only.
Love to Sing Community Choir at Pembridge Primary School Hall. 7pm to 8.30pm. New members’ welcome. £5 per session payable half termly. Email Thisgirllovestosing76@gmail.com
Tuesday
Learn to Jive at Pembridge Parish Hall. Beginners welcome. 7.30-8.30pm starts 7th January. £6 per person. https://bookwhen.com/coolmoves
Wednesday
Forever Fun Fitness, exercise classes at Pembridge Parish Hall Beginners 10am, intermediate 11am. Free
Thursday
Pride in Pembridge meet Market Square 10am (weather permitting) to help keep Pembridge tidy and colourful. New members welcome. Contact Jan Williams, Secretary on 07485 703096 or email janetfwilliams@icloud.com. For more news about PIPs activities see our Community Groups Page https://www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/community-groups
Village Art Clubs at Pembridge Parish Hall. Beginners and experienced artists welcome, tutored classes. Book at www.villageartclubs.co.uk or call Liz 07938 563716
Friday
Forever Fun Fitness, exercise classes at Pembridge Parish Hall Beginners 10am, intermediate 11am starts. Free
Sunday
Pembridge Runners meet at the Parish Hall for a gentle 5km run. 8.45-9.00am start. Cyclists and well-behaved dogs welcome.
Cream Teas at St Mary’s Church 3pm -5pm.
Church Services
Bearwood Chapel
Evening Service 6.30 pm First, Third and Fifth Sunday of the Month. See our Community Groups page for more information on Bearwood Chapel (https://www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/community-groups)
St Mary’s Church, Pembridge
See https://arrowvalechurches.org.uk/ for all services. 11am 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday of the month.
Pembridge Tapestries Celebrated in Song
Andy Davies had not seen the Pembridge Tapestries until he moved to Pembridge in 2024. They left a lasting impression upon him, inspiring him to write 12 songs, each telling the story of each of the 12 tapestries.
The Tapestries tell the story of Pembridge from Norman times to the present day. They are on display in St Mary’s church, accompanied by explanations of each scene written by local historian Lindsy Anderson.
The songs were performed for the first time in a packed St Mary’s Church and delighted the audience with their catchy tunes and clever lyrics. A chorus of local singers started practising the songs in the New Year and were accompanied by the Eardisland Village Band and Haydn Osborne-Brookes on alto saxophone.
Here is an extract of the clever lyrics written by Andy:
The Market Hall
I am off to the hiring fair, in search of work and wages,
The market traders will be there, with stalls and stands and stages.
I’ll dress myself in all my best, to show that I am able,
To serve a master in good faith and sit at his own table.
During the concert each tapestry was projected on to a screen by Richard Goddard revealing all the detail in each piece. A group of narrators, many of them amongst the stitchers, told the story of each panel.
Leading up to the concert, a special exhibition of the tapestries, including original artwork by Kate Skelton, was on display in the church. It went on to form a highlight of the Portrait of Pembridge Photography and Art Exhibition in the Parish Hall.
The tapestries were stitched by a team of local needlewomen, many of whom had not attempted this craft before, but have gone on to create the Pembridge Map in 2019, and the Platinum Jubilee Tapestry in 2022 designed by artist Simon Toone. Their latest project has been the creation of an altar frontal for the Lady Chapel designated to the memory of Catherine Fothergill who had been one of the original stitchers.
Given the quality of the songs and the performance of them it’s hard to believe that Andy Davies isn’t a professional musician but pursues his music making as a hobby. On viewing the tapestries, he was struck by the coherence of the narrative they told collectively and yet each panel had its own distinct story. He sought to reflect this in his songwriting.
Judging from the response of the audience the concert was a great success. Proceeds of £700 were raised for the upkeep of St Mary’s church which delighted the church wardens.
Many Pembridge residents have expressed their disappointment that they missed this unique performance. However, it is highly likely that another performance will be scheduled later in the year. Look out for details on a Portrait of Pembridge Upcoming Events and the Arrowvale.
This year’s appeal will be launched at the Pembridge Parish Hall Coffee Morning on Saturday 19th October. Pembridge & Shobdon Royal British Legion will host the event from 10.30-12 noon.
As well as the usual coffee, cakes, and chat, there will be an opportunity to learn about the work of the RBL in supporting veterans and their families and to contribute to its work by making a donation.
The following Saturday 26th October the RBL will be at the Pembridge Tabletop Sale with a book stall to raise funds for the appeal between 9am and 12 noon. Donations of books are welcome and can be brought to the Hall on the day or contact Kay at ingramkay3@gmail.com or 07342 625796.
15/09/2024
A Pembridge woman, Sarah Steer, has been training since January in preparation for a fund-raising walk in aid of St Michael’s Hospice. Sarah is amongst a group of 19 who will tackle the Camino Way from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain, a distance of 93 km (57 miles) over four days in late October.
The Camino Way is a long-established Pilgrim’s route and will feature in the film “The Way” (12) to be shown by Pembridge Film Nights on 24th October. (See Events Calendar)
05/09/2024
Looking back at our coverage of events in Pembridge, we’ve had a wonderful summer, starting with the unveiling of the Verdun Oak sculpture, Love to Sing Community Choir, the Medieval Weekend, and D-Day 80 through to the Village Show and Strawberry Fayre.
29/08/2024
Dates for your Diary September 2024
Save The Date
In addition to our usual monthly “ Dates for your Diary” here are some events coming up over the next few weeks that you may wish to save the date for:-
Verdun Oak Sculpture Film
The Verdun Oak Project has made a film which tells the story of the Verdun Oak, how a WWI poem by Siegfried Sassoon inspired tree warden,Tony Norman, to resurrect the fallen tree.
The film charts the project from Tony’s initial inspiration, the selection of sculptor Ed Elliott and his representation of a country boy torn from his family to fight on foreign soil and the family he left behind, as did so many Pembridge men.
You can view it here https://vimeo.com/999042698/8dd28f797e
22/08/2024
Irene Causley 1923-2024
We are saddened to report the death of former Pembridge resident Irene (Rene) Causley at the age of 101.
Last year she celebrated her 100th birthday with a visit from the Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire and a guard of honour formed by members of Pembridge Royal British Legion. Deputy Lieutenant, Air Commodore Tim Howson, presented Mrs Causley with her wartime medals and a veteran’s pin, at her home in Leominster, watched by members of the Pembridge Royal British Legion who honoured the last surviving World War II veteran of the branch.
22/08/2024
Rare Opportunity, Allotments for rent!
Speak to Rosie or Anita as soon as possible to guarantee your plot.
11/08/2024
Success at the Strawberry Fayre
Gill and Jacqui would like to thank everyone from our wonderful local community who helped make our Strawberry Fayre such a lovely occasion.
Village Show Success
27/07/2024
Five years after the last Pembridge Village Show a new show committee was formed to reintroduce this annual event in the Pembridge calendar. The organisers, who chose the Parish Hall as the venue, had no idea how many entries they would attract after this gap, nor how many parishioners would support it on the day. Their planning required a leap of faith.
PEMBRIDGE RAILWAY STATION
CONSTRUCTION
Pembridge railway station was originally opened by the Leominster & Kington Railway Company (L&KR) formed by several local businessmen and led by the Chairman Lord Bateman of Shobdon Court. Their plans were to link Leominster station on the newly opened Shrewsbury & Hereford Railway to the town of Kington allowing rail access through the Arrow valley. The initial meeting took place at Shobdon Court on 24th October 1853.