1

2

3

ContentsAllotments p8Can You Help? p8Church Services p4Family Service p6Feckenham Flower Show p7FeckenOdeon p12Food Bank p9Gardening Club p18Lent Course p9Local Matters p6Mission Morogoro p15Newshound p5Parish Council p7Small Ads p5Square Management C. p13Super Sessions p18Thought for the month p8Village Hall p12Village Shop p7W.I. p18W.W.1 p14

Production TeamIan Bellion – What’s On

892130 whatson@feckenham.f9.co.ukChris Fletcher – Newshound

894568 cefletcher44@gmail.comAntonia Pulsford – Reviews

892268Jo Warrilow – Advertising, Mags by

post 892059Jane White – Editor 893281

jwhite@thewhites55.wanadoo.co.uk

www.feckenham.com

Many articles in FeckenhamNews are contributed by

members of the public. Theyremain the responsibility of the

writers and neither theproduction team nor the

publishers can be heldresponsible for the views andassertions contained therein.

Tues 2nd 12.30am Lunch Club Village Hall,Back Room

Wed 3rd 7.30pm Stock & BradleyGardening Club

BradleyVillage Hall

Sat 6th 7.30pm “End to End” Village Hall

Tues 9th 7.30pm Feckenham Forest FeckenhamHistory Society Village Hall

Wed 10th 2 - 4 pm Defibrillator Train- Back Rooming Village Hall

Thurs 11th 7.30pm Feckenham WI Back RoomVillage Hall

Fri 12th 8pm FeckenOdeon-2 Back RoomVillage Hall

Tues 16th 7.30pm -9pm

Lent Course Catholic Church,High St.

Sun 21st 10.30 am Allotment Open- 3.30pm Day

Moors Lane

Tues 23rd 7.30pm -9pm

Lent Course Catholic Church,High St.

Thurs 25th 7.30pm Flower ShowAGM

Village Hall

Sat 27th 7.30pm FeckenOdeon Village Hall

FEBUARY Diary

Front Cover

Crocuses on the Square.

Photo by Ian Bellion

4

Church ServicesFEBRUARY

PARISH CHURCHof ST. JOHNTHE BAPTIST

Readers & IntercessorsSunday 7th 11.00am Sung EucharistSunday next before Lent Exodus 34:29-end David Street

2 Corinthians 3: 12- 4:2 Angela FletcherIntercessions Erica Dilger

Wednesday 10th ASH WEDNESDAY Holy Communion with imposition of ashes10.30am Wychbold8.00pm Oddingley

Sunday14th 8.00am Holy Communion1st Sunday of Lent 2 Corinthians 6: 1-10 Antonia Pulsford

11.00am Family ServiceOpen the Book; Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Sunday 21st 6.30pm Evensong2nd Sunday of Lent Genesis15 :1-12, 17-18 Richard Hillman

Philippians 3: 17 – 4:1 Carol OnionsIntercessions Lin Preece

Sunday 28th 11.00am Family Eucharist3rd Sunday of Lent 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13 Fiona Carter

Intercessions Tony Mortimer

“Mixed Bag”Will be held in Church on Sunday 7th February - a group for young people and activities foryounger children. All children will be warmly welcomed.

Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 10.15am in the ChurchFr. Anthony Rohan, The Presbytery, Redditch. Tel. 01527 63096Local contact—Phyllis Mott, Feckenham. Tel. 01527 893898

Feckenham Roman Catholic ChurchSt John Fisher & St. Thomas More

Priest-in-Charge: Rev Wyn BeynonChurchwarden: Ann Matthews 01527 892180 Church website: www.feckenhamchurch.org.uk• • Email: info@feckenhamchurch.org.ukParish Office: Telephone: 01905 778181 Email: bowbrookgroup1@gmail.comOpen Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 10am-1pm & 2-5pm: Mon. & Fri. Closedat - The Bowbrook Group, The Parish Centre, St Andrew’s Street, DROITWICH, WR9 8DY

5

Newshound

Welcome to new residents

More Stylers move into Feckenham! Dave andSarah Styler, who come from longstandingRedditch families have recently moved to theHigh Street from Webheath. They have threechildren, Katie, Jake, and Sam, only Sam is stillat school. They also have three dogs! Saraworks part time for the NHS in Redditch andBromsgrove but has already volunteered tohelp in the shop and is currently being trained.Dave is Engineering Manager at a Redditchcompany. They are looking forward to life inFeckenham and we hope they will be veryhappy here.

Canal boat enthusiasts come to the HighStreet! Liz and Howard Bellaby, and Charliethe cat, have moved in to no 20 High Street,having downsized from Astwood Bank.Although their new house is fairly small theshrinkage is not quite so drastic when youfactor in the acquisition of a sixty foot narrowboat on the nearby Worcester and BirminghamCanal! Liz is a local and works in Housing. Shewas at the forefront of recent work to drivedown anti-social behavior in Redditch. Sheenjoys cooking, entertaining, Caribbeanbeaches and talking! Howard works inprocurement and supply chain managementallied to the construction equipment industry.He has travelled extensively and enjoys readingthe classics anything relating to history, politicsor biography. We wish them well in their newlife on land and water.

A belated but warm welcome to Erica and PhilGuise who moved into Bramley Cottage lastJuly having spent the previous 32 years in Fin-stall, Bromsgrove. They enjoyed their firstChristmas in Feckenham and are now lookingforward to getting more involved in what theydescribe as "a very friendly and vibrant commu-nity". Phil and Erica wish everyone a very happy2016.On Sunday January 17th, worshippers fromthe Roman Catholic chapel of St John Fisher

Small Ads.

Looking to buy 2 or 3 bed property withparking in Feckenham or surrounding

area. Alison 07714209463.

Can anyone help please? I am anxious tomove back to my grassroots so am

actively looking to buy a property inFeckenham. I am a cash buyer and wouldmuch appreciate a phone call if you arethinking of selling your property. I do need agarden. Many thanks 07812586530.

and St Thomas More were welcomed to a jointservice at Feckenham Parish church. This was atthe beginning of the week of prayer for Chris-tian unity 2016. The service was led by Rev SueBarratt and the preacher was Rev Fr DavidDoran. This year's liturgy was arranged by theChristians in Latvia and their theme was "Salt ofthe Earth". This was reflected in the choice ofreadings and hymns. The Catholic communitywould like to thank the Feckenham parishionersfor their hospitality and warm welcome.

Village HallImprovement Fund 2015/16

January Winners35 Phyllis Mott £2584 John & Sue May £1517 Katie Styler £10The February Draw will be held in the Village Hallat 8.00 pm on Tuesday 2nd February 2016

6

Local Matters

I am grateful to Jen Cary for updating us (inthe December News) on the projected

resurfacing of the B4090 through the village. Itcertainly needs doing but I would take someissue with Highways in their conceding that thered-brown surface was a mistake. The reasonfor the choice of this particular material waspart of an effort to reduce traffic speed - thecolour and texture gave the visual impressionof a 'lane', and this in combination with thedeliberate omission of a central white line wasto create a certain caution among drivers, thusinducing them to slow down. To some extent itworked but was then ruined by the addition ofwhite lines down each side. This had theadverse effect of making the road look longerand straighter again, cancelling out theadvantage gained (long straight roads means'put your foot down' to some people!). Theother big benefit of the red-brown surface(which has been pretty durable, given time (5 -6 years at least) and heavy usage) has been asignificant reduction in road noise (tyre noise)and I think most fellow Droitwich Roadresidents would agree that this should be asignificant factor in the choice of a replacementsurface. I would also make a plea that no whitelines of any kind will be used. Back in 2006 theformer Feckenham Traffic Group, of which Iwas a member, prepared detailed proposals tocalm traffic speed and generally improve roadsafety, but unfortunately these have beenlargely ignored by Worcestershire Highways.There is a suggestion that the FeckenhamTraffic Group should be reinstated to getsomething done about traffic nuisance throughthe Village. If anyone feels that they would liketo take part please communicate this to theEditor. • David Rowe

It's official, we're definitely getting fibre!It's been an interesting 2-year struggle but

WCC has now formally confirmed thatFeckenham is getting fibre. Cabinet 6 on theSquare is now definitely in the plans.Feckenham

are included, go tohttp://www.superfastworcestershire.com/when-where and put your full landline phonenumber into the search box. When we will getfibre though is a bit up in the air still but whenwe hear more we'll update you.Although getting fibre is great news for thevillage, with the added choice and enhancedperformance that it brings, unfortunately it'slikely that not everyone will be able to benefitas the technology stands at the moment. If youlive right at the end of line, as it were, it isunlikely that the signal will be able to reachyou. However, Openreach is developing newtechnology to effectively 'boost' the signal butthis will take time to roll out.As Q and I find out more, we'll be back intouch and in the meantime, if you have anyquestions about broadband either by landlineor over Airband, please do get in touch with usvia Parish Cllr Cary by this email addressquintus@28highstreet.co.uk<mailto:quintus@28highstreet.co.uk> or contact the ParishCouncil - we have put ourselves forward torepresent Feckenham on Worcestershire'sbroadband forum. Jen Cary

7

Parish Council

YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE!At the back of the Village Hall you’ll find adefibrillator - a device for resuscitating peoplewho have suffered a cardiac arrest. It’s a highlysophisticated piece of equipment that has thepotential to save lives. BUT it’s not much useunless people know how to use it.The Parish Council, which installed the machine,has arranged two training sessions which willshow you when the machine can be used andhow it should be used. It won’t take long, it’s notcomplicated but it will be of enormous value ifthere is a team of trained people in the village.On Wednesday, 10 February 2:00-4:00pmMatthew Dormer of H&W Fire & Rescue Servicewill be the trainer and on Tuesday, 15 March7:00-9:00pm Mr Lewis of West MidlandsAmbulance Service will be in charge. Bothsessions will be in the Back Room of the VillageHall.You don’t need to have any previous training -you just need to be willing to help in anemergency. The more people who know how tooperate the defibrillator, the more useful it willbe - and that might mean the difference betweenlife and death for someone.Please contact the Parish Council’s Clerk, SeanArble to book a place. Call 01789 490501 ore-mail clerk.feckenhampc@feckenham.com

The AGM will be held on Thursday 25thFebruary at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.• This willbe followed by a short committee meeting tofocus on the Spring Flower Show, which is onSaturday 9th April.

We are looking for new people to join ourmerry band so that these popular village eventscan continue.• If you are interested please docome along.

Feckenham Flower Show& Over 60’s Party Fund

Margaret Eost

Village ShopJeff Matthews

It’s gone cold now – logs, hot chocolate,cake…

You will find all creature comforts at the shop,we look forward to seeing you.

Hay Fever?As the years have gone by, my hay fever has gotworse. Actually, it’s not hay, it’s tree pollen.Bad news in it starts in January with Alder andgoes through to end of July.Comparing notes with fellow sufferers wecommiserate with one another, and get fed uptaking the anti-histamine. One idea, that I hadheard before, but never tried, is taking aspoonful of local honey. I know a few folk whoswear by this daily, natural remedy, so I’mtrying it.Saltway honey is stocked by the shop andcomes from a producer who has hives dottedaround Feckenham and down towardsHanbury. There are two of us sufferers trying it– my pal since mid November and so far sogood, it appears to be working.

Wine, Women &WisdomThursday 11th feb 7.30pmat:The Eagle and Sun,Hanbury Rd, Droitwich WR9 7DX

Order food and wine as you wish -Discuss current news, controversies& topics of interest in the companyof friends

For more informationRosie 01527 836307or Melissa 07891 779871

8

Thought for themonth Rev. Wyn Beynon

Dear Friends,

Health warning: I don’t usually preach in themagazine letter, but today… well… I have spentmost of the past 35 year quietly getting on withmy ministry. I’ve moved from one parish toanother and plodded away at what, for me, isthe best job in world. Though for me, course,it’s not a job, it’s a way of life. A farmer wouldsay the same, and, having grown up on farms,Rectory life and farmhouse life are surprisinglysimilar.

But I wasn’t always a dutiful chap who just kepthis head down and got on with it.

Once, when I was four I was in church, atSunday school. And bored brainless. So Iwandered over to the radiator and spotted thebleed tap. And turned it. It was my first baptism.A squirt of water shot up and sprayed theother children. I was told off. But I couldn’t seethe problem and was a bit niffed with theteacher.

Now I’m on General Sunday I feel like I have toreturn to my infancy. Once again I’m upsettingthe other children, because once again theyneed to be baptised, or at least put in mind oftheir baptism. Baptism is the sign that God’slove for us has no bounds, no limits, no if, butor maybes. But the Church, being made up ofhuman beings, doesn’t quite believe that so itinvents rules and regulations, insisting that Godcan’t love you if…. And the “if” has varied overthe centuries. “If you’re a women and don’t doas you’re told by men, if you’re the wrong race,if you’re disabled, if you’re gay, if you’re acommunist, if you’re different, if you’re not likeme”.

So, sometimes, people tell me, “I haven’t beensuch a bad chap”. I think,”So? It doesn’t botherme even if you have been bad, and you’d bepretty unique anyway. I’ve been a bad chap lots.But God will love you and me anyway.”

If your self worth comes from feeling you’vebeen successful, it is pretty worthless, in my

experience. My self worth comes from the factthat I’m made in God’s image. That’s it.Everything follows from that.

So I’m spraying you with water too. Notradiator water, but the water of life, the lifethat is our gift. The life that is God disguised,because, it turns out we’re his reflection! And Igot all that from just page 1 of the Bible!

Best wishes,

Wyn

Can You Help?

STAMPS for the Alexandra HospitalLeague of Friends.

If like us the only time you get many stamps isat Christmas, we hope you have been savingthem and will take them to• the Village Shopvery soon. The League of Friends usually makearound £2000pa from stamps, a total not to besneezed at. This is used to buy equipment andcomforts for the wards and help a littletowards saving our hospital.Carol and Pat Onions

Re. Request for news of the Brazier family inFeckenham from France.We have received a reply from Wales andpassed this on to the French gentleman. Wehave no further details to tell you but will letyou know if we do hear.Carol and Pat Onions.

ALLOTMENT OPEN DAYMoors Lane Allotments are holding anOpen Day on Sunday 21st Februaryfrom 10.30am until 3.30pm. If you thinkyou might like to take on a plot but arenot sure, come and have a chat over a cupof tea. You can have a look at what’savailable and meet some other plotholders. For more info ring Judy on892130.

9

SPECIAL FOOD BANKCOLLECTION FOR SYRIAN

REFUGEES IN CALAIS

Can you be kind enough to donateanything from the following list for theSPECIAL FOOD BANKCOLLECTION that is underway thismonth:-

· Tinned Tomatoes· Beans (Lentils, Chick Peas, kidney

beans and the like) not bakedbeans please

· Sugar =- small packets or cubes -or even "hotel" sachets

· Sachets of salt· Chilli flakes· Multi pack bars of chocolate (that

can be split)· Tinned Soup· Coffee sachets and tea bags -

again anything that can be split· Cereal Bars.  small UHT milk cartons -• smaller

the better.· Sealable medium or large freezer

or other storage bags (see below)

Our friends at The Bridge, St George &St Matthias in Astwood Bank andChurches in Studley are coming togetherto create individual food parcels insealable bags in order that these parcelscan be handed out easily when on site.The bags can then be used to put phonesand things in to keep them dry.

PLEASE LEAVE ANY DONATIONS INTHE FOOD BANK BOX IN CHURCH

Many thanksRevd. Gary Crellin.

LENT COURSE 2016Feckenham - St John the Baptist and

S’s John Fisher & Thomas More

“Living as Disciples”

At: Ss John Fisher & Thomas MoreOn: 16; 23 February; 01; 08; 15 MarchFrom: 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm

Our Lent Course this year, offers anopportunity to explore some key aspects ofdiscipleship. It will comprise five weeklysessions and draw upon a course recentlycompiled by the Revd Canon JonathanKimber, Director of Ministry & Discipleshipfor Worcester Diocese.Within the sessions, five different aspects ofdiscipleship are identified in the hope ofshedding fresh light on what it means to liveas a disciple of Jesus Christ in the 21stcentury.

· Disciples as Learners· Disciples as Followers· Disciples as Friends· Disciples as those who Serve· Gathering it together in the light of

the Resurrection

Particular attention will be paid to our:

understanding: helping to explain andexplore some of the concepts and rationaleof Christian living today;practices: how our following of Christinfluences what we do, and how what we doimpacts on our discipleship;disposition: following Christ is not solelyabout what we do, but also about themanner or the attitude with which we do it.How does our following of Christ influenceour posture and perspective on the world?

Everyone Welcome – we do hope youcan come

(coffee/tea available from 7.00 pm)

10

PILATESat FeckenhamVillage Hall

Every Thursday at7.30pm

11

12

The FeckenOdeonCinema Society

A WELSH FANTASY IN ENGLISHA brand new adaptation of Dylan Thomas’portrait of a fishing village “Under MilkWood” is a spicy, boisterous and funny versionof the much loved play for voices with Rhys Ifansand Charlotte Church. Dylan’s “play for voices”is brought to vivid life in a joyful and earthy way.It’s in English quite simply because the writerdidn’t speak Welsh! In FeckenOdeon 2 onFriday, 12th February at 8pm.

Tickets for FeckenOdeon shows are on sale atThe Village Shop and The Rose & Crown.

You can also book by phone (through TicketSource)on 0333 666 3366 or online atwww.feckenodeon.co.uk

If you get your magazine early we’re just in timeto remind you that “The Hundred-FootJourney” is showing at The FeckenOdeon on30th January at 7.30pm

EVERYBODY OUT!No matter which side of the political dividepeople were on, few could deny that industrialBritain in the late 1950s was a shambles. Bossesand workers clung to outdated attitudes andrules - petty corruption was the order of theday. In 1959 the Boulting Brothers could standno more and lashed out with a biting satire thatlambasted both sides. “I’m All Right Jack” is ahilarious comedy with a kick - Peter Sellers hasrarely been better as the stubborn union man,Ian Carmichael is the clueless toff - and there arecameos from an army of British character actorsof the 50s. Showing at 7.30pm on Saturday,27th February.

A BRISK STROLL FROM END TO ENDJoin us on an expedition! We’re going to travelfrom Lands End to John O’Groats ... all on abudget of £1 per day! Impossible? Not at all! It’sbeen done - and if you don’t believe it you cancome along and see it proved as the athleticthespians of The Gramophones TheatreCompany demonstrate exactly how it wasachieved. In April 2012 three women set off totravel from one end of Great Britain to theother. Trusting only to their resourcefulnessand the kindness of strangers they made the18-day, 874-mile journey from End to End ofthe UK. They completed their unusualexpedition on as many varieties of transport asthey possibly could.In “End to End” - we meet the characters theladies met on their epic journey and share theirremarkable and often hilarious experiences. Ifyou’ve ever wanted to take off on a greatadventure of your own this could be the nightyou decide to get up and go! A grand show tobrighten up a February night.“End to End” hikes into Feckenham VillageHall on Saturday, 6th February at 7.30pmThis show is brought to Feckenham by Shindig- the County Council’s scheme designed tobring top quality professional shows right toyour doorstep.Coming soon from Shindig:On Sunday, 13th March we’re visited by a highlyamusing and colourful version of “CanterburyTales” and on Sunday, 15th May The OperaDudes bring us their hilarious “Licensed to Trill”.

Tickets for all these show are on sale at The VillageShop and The Rose & Crown, by phone on 0333

666 3366 (local call rates) and online atwww.ticketsource.co.uk/feckenham

Village HallIan Bellion

13

A MERRY DING DONG!

The annual Carols on The Square onChristmas Eve attracted record numbers

and we’re delighted to report that £570 wascollected from revelers and that the entiresum will be donated to the County AirAmbulance. This year’s total is a record - thebest yet. This is the 12th of these popularevents and the records show that a total ofover £4,000 has been raised to keep the flyingrescuers aloft.

The event again provided a good start toChristmas proper with people enjoying a lighthearted sing with some warming punch andmince pies. Shirley Harman set theproceedings well and truly underway byswitching on the Christmas lights (with a bang)- thanks Shirley!

The Committee is most grateful to everyonewho helped - in particular the singers whomade up the impromptu choir, the good folkwho unbidden turned up with boxes of mincepies, Alan and Pat Moor who gave us freeelectricity, Max Melson who warmed 10 largevats of punch in her kitchen, Phil Tricklebankfor the rocket, Jane Bird who gave us the tree- and anyone else who helped make theevening so enjoyable.

Thanks to you, the people of Feckenham, foryour generosity and for joining in with thespirit of this ever popular event - and if you’regood boys and girls we’ll do it all again nextyear.

The Square Management Committee are : IanRidley (Chair), Barry Hamilton (Vice-Chair),Dawn Southwell (Treasurer), Ian Bellion(Secretary), Judy Hooker (Punchmaker), TimSmith (Rocketeer and Lumberjack), Alan Smith(Music and Snow Maker), Peter Masters (HeadBucketeer), Slade Arthur (Tree Logistics).

Square ManagementCommittee

25th

14

World War ICentenaryCommemoration

Jeff Matthews

2016 Anniversaries2016 marks the Centenary of one of the mostincomprehensible phases of the Great War –the Battle of the Somme.

It began on July 1st 1915 and dragged on for 4whole months. During this battle, the villagelost three of its young men, Pioneer JamesCrook, remembered on the ThiepvalMemorial, Somme, France. He fell in theopening days on 10th July. Then October 1st,Private Charles Newman, remembered onthe Thiepval Memorial, Somme area, France.And then, on what is regarded as the very lastday of the conflict, 18 Nov, Private EdgarDolphin, who is buried in Regina TrenchCemetery, Grandcourt, Somme area, France.

The first anniversary of the year is on March13th, that of Gunner Harry Hopcroft, buriedin Sussex (Roachville) Cemetery, Kings County,New Brunswick, Canada.

April 5th marks Private Arthur Watton,remembered on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

And the year ends with on Nov 5th PrivateFrank Owen, buried in Salonika (LembitRoad) Military Cemetery, Greece.

Each story will be told on a poster, displayedon an exhibition board in the Church and theirmemory will be marked by the placing of apoppy for each on the crown of barbwire in theChurch. An act of Remembrance will take placeon the Sunday nearest the anniversary.

Music Event UpdateYou may recall that a portion of the grantmoney obtained from the Heritage LotteryFund was assigned toward the composing of anoriginal piece of music. The groupcommissioned Shropshire based composer PhilMountford, who has been working with ClareFurey, Amanda Gordon and Kathy Gee toshape up the piece.

Kathy has been able to source original lettersfrom serving Worcestershire Regiment soldiersto put together a narrative theme with Philcomposing a significant piece of music in anumber of short movements. Clare has beenpulling together musicians to be involved and atthe moment has a range of voices from thethree choirs in the village – the Church, theCommunity and ARTS youth group. They willbe joined by children from the school, some yetto be cast spoken voices and up to fivemusicians.

Clare says, “it will be a significant village event inthe four year commemoration cycle. I amhoping to get a guest conductor to be part of it.The music is still being completed, but it is ofsome of highest quality I have heard. It will begreat piece to perform.”

Two distinct performances are planned, onegeared towards the schools involvement andwill be shorter and scheduled for June 18th. The2nd timed to coincide with Remembrance Day,11th Nov, which falls on a Friday and is plannedto be in the Church. Further details availablenearer the time, but hold the date.

What is also clear as that the group will needhelp. Anyone out there fancy getting involvedwith the performance? We are looking forvolunteers of all sorts, not least a ‘Director’ anda ‘Producer’. If you have experience of puttingon shows, building and designing sets or anyother part of production, we’d like to hear fromyou. Please contact either Jeff Matthews(892180) or Clare Furey (894849) if you canhelp in any way.

Other activities are planned during the year; anupgrade to the commemorative walk, in theform of an audio guide and commemorativemarkers to be displayed on village propertiesand sites that mark where the fallen lived in thevillage.

Work will also begin on developing the website,further.

We are always open and would welcome offersof support from anyone who would like to joinour group. It is proving to be a very interestingjourney. Give Jeff a call if you’d like to knowmore and get involved.

15

Upcoming event and latest newsWe would like to thank everyone whosupported our MM 2016 Calendar, sales ofwhich raised more than £500. This money isearmarked for patient toilets at Tunguli HealthCentre - we will report on progress in weeksto come.

Our next major event -

“An Evening With Don Maclean”Saturday, February 27, 2016 -

7:30pmNorbury Theatre, Droitwich

Don, the well-known and much-loved Midlandscomedian and all-round entertainer, hasgenerously agreed to appear in a special showlocally to support Mission Morogoro. This willbe a great way to brighten up a dark Februaryevening and we hope that we will see youthere. For full details see our website orcontact the Norbury Theatre (01905) 770154.(Tip - No booking fee if you book by ‘phone)

We are pleased to report that severalprojects are progressing well.

· Agriculture - Planting is under way usingnew seeds and better methods. Agovernment officer has been assigned toproject manage this work alongside villageleaders. This is a crucial step and we arevery pleased with progress.

· Internet - For patient care it is vital thatTunguli can communicate with the outsideworld. It is also important that we can planand monitor projects from the UK. We arecurrently investigating the possibility ofestablishing a basic, affordable Internetconnection at Tunguli.

· Sewing - The sewing machines shipped inthe container last summer were very

Mission MorogoroTony Mortimer

enthusiastically received. Training wasdelivered by the local Mothers’ Union andthe machines are now being used byvillagers and in the local schools. We areworking with another UK charity to send afurther batch of 12 sewing, and probablytwo knitting, machines this year. Also agovernment teacher has been assigned whowill provide training for young people.

· Ambulance - Thanks to a most generousbequest from the estate of a Redditchbusinessman we have been able to purchasea motorcycle ambulance for Tunguli HealthCentre. We are currently arrangingshipment and hope to have this in operationby summer 2016. More to follow.

As always we thank you greatly for yourencouragement and support.For more details please do look at our websiteand facebook pages.

www.missionmorogoro.org.ukwww.facebook.com/missionmorogoro

16

17

18

Feckenham W.I.Jane White

Do you have a wok lurking at theback of a kitchen cupboard?This month’s meeting is on Thursday 10th at7.30pm in the Back Room of the Village Hall.

We are going oriental for the evening, withBoon Yeng talking and cooking “A Feast foryour Senses: Spring Festival Traditions &Wok Magic”. There will be samples! Wehope to gain confidence with stretching ourcooking skills.

Visitors welcome, £3.50 including refreshments.

Stock & BradleyGardening Club

Rob Cole

Wednesday 3rd Feb 2016 at 7.30pm

Our speaker is Jeff Soulsby who runs anursery in nearby Harvington. His talk

is entitled 'Phenomenal Plants Old and New'and will cover a range of plants which may befamiliar to you, as well as some goodnewcomers.

The theme for the monthly competition is'Three flowers of a winter bulb'. To take part,just bring along an exhibit for judging by thespeaker. Every entry will win a point, and 1st,2nd, and 3rd will be awarded additionalpoints. The member with the most numberof points in the year will be awarded a prizeof a year's subscription to the GardeningClub, at the AGM in November.

The annual subscription for 2016 (due 1stJanuary 2016) should be paid at this meeting,please, if you haven't already renewed orjoined.

The following Club meeting -Wednesday 2nd March 2016 at7.30pm is a talk by Julie Ritchie of HooHouse Nursery near Tewkesbury, when shewill give a hands on demonstration of thetechniques and materials used in the'Propagation of Perennials and Alpines'.

Make a note in your diary now !

Club meetings are held on the first Wednesday ofeach month at the Village Hall, Church Road,Bradley Green starting at 7.30pm, and are freetomembers for an annual subscription of £10.00commencing on 1st January. Visitors are madevery welcome and may attend for £3.00 permeeting. If you require any further information,ring Dinny Pynsent (Secretary) on 01527

SUPER SESSIONSIf you walk down the High Street on thefirst Tuesday evening of the month a hint ofa melody or a rhythm might just reach youand entice you in the general direction ofThe Rose & Crown. Follow your instinctsand allow the music to draw you within...and you’ll find a very pleasing scene insidethe bar: As many as 20 musicians in a largecircle playing as if their lives (or next pint)depends on it. There are all manner ofinstruments - flutes, mandolins, guitars,squeeze boxes, lutes and bodrhans to namejust a few - not an amplifier between them- just the power of music - and what music!Joyful tunes that set your feet a-tapping,laments that tear your heart out and oldfavourites that that beg to be joined in with.It’s all completely spontaneous, if you playan instrument you’ll be welcome to join in- and if you don’t, you don’t have to.The Feckenham Sessions have to bethe best free entertainment on a Tuesdayevening in Feckenham - the next one’s onTuesday, 2nd February starting at8pm. No charge - everybodywelcome!

19

20© 2016. Published by Feckenham PCC - Printed by Sarum Graphics Ltd