parish news · 2014. 7. 16. · when we breed ignorance and prejudice, and religion can be...

THE UNITED BENEFICE OF ST OSWALD,

MALPAS WITH ST JOHN, THREAPWOOD

AND HOLY TRINITY, BICKERTON

Parish News July & August 2014

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS

2

WHO TO CONTACT IN THE BENEFICE

ST. OSWALD’S MALPAS & ST. JOHN’S THREAPWOOD

HOLY TRINITY BICKERTON

Church Wardens:

Dicken Cracroft 01829 720425

Brian Jeffcoat 01829 782311

PCC Treasurer & Gift Aid:

Andrew Higgins 01829 260885

Organist

Rachel Hall

PCC Secretary:

Anne Cracroft 01829 720425

Mothers Union:

Kate Holland 01829 261153

Flower Rota:

Anne Cracroft 01829 720425

ST. JOHN’S THREAPWOOD

The Threapwood Community Group: Sue Pickering 01948 770236

Rector :

Canon Ian Davenport

The Rectory, Church Street

Malpas. SY14 8PP

Telephone: 01948 860 922

Email:

[email protected].

Curate:

The Revd Antony Dutton

7, Barnmoore Close,

Malpas SY14 8HR

Telephone: 01948 861 226

Email: [email protected]

Reader Emeritus:

Brian Kimmitt 01948 860 309


Church Wardens:

Pauline Plumb 01948 861 345

Brian Fletcher 01948 861 152

PCC Secretary:

Carol Fletcher 01948 861 152

PCC Treasurer:

Louise Furnival 01948 820 440

Gift Aid Secretary:

Brian Fletcher 01948 861 152

Mothers Union:

Pauline Plumb 01948 861 345

Verger:

Bob Carter 01948 861 017

Director Of Music:

Stewart Smith c/o 01948 860 922

Tower Bell Ringing

Tower Captain:

Stan Lloyd 01948 860 637

Ringing Master

Ben Kellett 07742 976950

Friends of St. Oswald’s:

Lady Christine Bibby

Flower Rota:

Noreen Hodkinson 01948 860 371

Church Wardens: as above

PCC Rep:

Sir Jonathon Clark 01948 770205

The Friends of St John’s:

Gill Edwards 01948 770694

mailto:[email protected]

3

WORLD WAR ONE COMMEMORATIONS ACROSS THE BENEFICE

This year marks the centenary of the declaration of

World War One. It was the first truly global conflict

and caused an estimated 16 million deaths and another

20 million wounded. There are going to be many at-

tempts to pay due respect to those who served, both at a

local and a national level.

Here in the benefice we are keen to show our respect to

those who died from Malpas,

Threapwood and Bickerton and to those who fought

and witnessed the horrors of the war. We have already

begun collecting information about those men listed on

the war memorials, and others who went to fight, in or-

der to have a displays in our three churches. It is our

hope that we might be able to put faces to names, and

detail the stories behind the names.

We would like to hear from anyone who has photo-

graphs, letters, documents, or anything else relating to those who went to fight. It would

be great if we could make copies of these things for the display so that the villages are able

to remember and pay their respects. These displays will be at the heart of our commemora-

tions and allow us to genuinely remember these individuals at three special services.

3 August 6.30pm at St Oswald’s: Special Vigil Prayer Service on the eve

of the Declaration of War.

4 August 10.30 am Prayers at St Oswald's War Memorial

11.15 am Prayers at Threapwood War Memorial

12 noon Prayers at Bickerton War Memorial

14 September 6.30 pm Requiem Mass in St Oswald's Malpas (Faure's Requiem) to re-

member the fallen from the Benefice

9 November 10.45am Remembrance Sunday service at Holy Trinity

10.45 am Remembrance Sunday service at St Oswald's

11 November 10.55am Act of Remembrance at the Threapwood War Memorial

4

Letter for July and August 2014 Dear All,

Some 21 schools in Birmingham have been investigated by OFSTED in what has become

known as Operation Trojan Horse, after allegations that certain schools were being targeted by

Islamists and an extremist agenda was being implemented. The British Humanist Association

(BHA) immediately took the opportunity to say that this was an example of the risk of faith

schools. In actual fact none of the schools under investigation were faith schools.

Faith schools play an important part in the fabric of this country. The Church of England has a

long tradition of providing education for our young people, and they do so for those of faith,

other faiths, and no faith. There is a faith primary school in our benefice at Bickerton and the

clergy are involved in the life of the other primary school at Malpas, and they do a wonderful

job of nurturing an atmosphere of respect and understanding. Faith schools put religion in the

public domain – and this is vital, because if we sideline religion we do so at our peril. That is

when we breed ignorance and prejudice, and religion can be radicalized. Children need to

learn about faith so that they can make informed decisions and opinions, but also learn to re-

spect the beliefs of others, and this happens through encounter. Learning does not take place in

a vacuum, as though the secularism of the BHA were a value neutral position. Schools need to

take seriously the value of religious education, but all too often children leave schools with a

scant knowledge of religion. Religious education is seen as a second-class subject, usually

demonstrated by it being taught by people who were not trained or qualified to teach the sub-

ject. Children must leave school with a knowledge of religious beliefs and practices because

faith is not going to go away.

Difference is a fact of life. To genuinely tolerate something different is not to disengage with it

and say ‘I don’t agree with you, so keep your belief private, otherwise I will be offended’. Ra-

ther, it is to learn about it and live alongside it in the public sphere, in a climate of respect,

equality, and fairness, where all are afforded dignity.

Antony.

Fr Antony Dutton, Curate.

From the Registers around the Benefice

Baptisms 8th June Elsie-Mae Neeve Norgan

Weddings 25th May Michael J. F. Gibbs and Kimberley L. Woollam

Funerals. May they rest in peace. 29th May Maureen Crump

11th June Edith Jones

5

The United Benefice of St Oswald Malpas, St John Threapwood, and Holy Trinity Bickerton

Services for July & August 2014 Morning Prayer is usually said from Monday to Thursday at 8 30am at St Oswald's.

Holy Communion is celebrated each Tuesday at 7 00pm and on Wednesday at 10am

and on major feast days at St Oswald's.

JULY

Sunday 6th July The Third Sunday after Trinity

8 00am Holy Communion at St Oswald's

9 30am Holy Communion at St John's

11 00am Family Service at Holy Trinity

11 00am Parish Communion at St Oswald's

6 30pm Evening Prayer at St Oswald's

Sunday 13th July The Fourth Sunday after Trinity


9 30am Parish Communion at Holy Trinity

11 00am Family Service at St Oswald's

1 00pm Baptism at St Oswald's


Sunday 20th July The Fifth Sunday after Trinity

8 00 am Holy Communion at St Oswald's





Sunday 27th July The Sixth Sunday after Trinity



11 00am Parish Communion at St Oswald's for The Patronal Festival


AUGUST

Sunday 3rd August The Seventh Sunday after Trinity





6 30pm Vigil Service on The Eve of the start of The First World War at St Oswald's

Sunday 10th August The Eighth Sunday after Trinity





6

Brymbo Male Voice Choir, from North Wales are back once more

to sing in St Oswald’s Church.

They will be supported by our own Malpas Ladies Choir,

On Friday 18th July at 7.30pm

Tickets are £8 and

include a Glass of Wine & Nibbles.

Please ring

Noreen..01948 860371 , Mob..07809206536

or Marion. .01948860598

In aid of St Oswald’s Church, & Hope House Children’s Hospice.

Please come along, enjoy the music and support two worthy causes. .

Sunday 17th August The Ninth Sunday after Trinity

8 00 am Holy Communion at St Oswald's





Sunday 24th August The Feast of St Bartholomew The Apostle





Sunday 31st August The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity


9 30am Matins at Bickerton

11 00am Matins at St Oswald's

1.00pm & 3 00pm Baptisms at Holy Trinity


Sunday 7th September The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity



11 00am Family Service at Holy Trinity



11

APPLE TREE FLOWERS

Beautiful arrangements made with locally grown flowers Bouquets for a birthday surprise or a table arrangement for a party

Country style weddings

Parties at local venues or flowers for your business premises, country

inns / restaurants

Flowers brighten everyones day!

Prices start from £20.00

Ring Jean 01829 782438 or email [email protected]

www.appletreeflowers.co.uk


http://www.appletreeflowers.co.uk/

12

ST OSWALD’S AND ST JOHN’S NEWS

ST OSWALD’S PARISH DIARY-JULY & AUGUST

JULY

Sun 6th Choral Evensong at 6.30pm led by the Border Singers

Mon 7th Julian Prayer group meeting, 7.30pm at the Rectory (contact Brian Fletcher 01948

861152)

Fri 11th Recital in Church at 7pm, by Emily Burnett with St Oswalds Church Choir,

Malpas Youth choir and Bronington School Choir, conductor Stewart Smith.

Retiring collection in aid of the Church fabric fund.

Fri 18th Brymbo Male Voice Choir in concert with Malpas Ladies Choir at 7.30pm.

Tickets £8 or pay at the door. All money raised to be divided between Hope House

Children's Hospice and St Oswalds Church.

Mon 21st PCC meeting 7.30pm in the Jubilee Hall.

AUGUST Sun 3rd Special vigil service to mark the declaration of WW1 at 6.30pm

Mon 4th 10.30am Prayers at St Oswald’s War Memorial for the fallen from WW1

Julian Prayer group meeting, 7.30pm at the Rectory (contact Brian Fletcher

01948 861152)

St Oswald's Mothers’ Union JULY Tues 1st July Afternoon Tea in the Jubilee Hall at 2pm

Tues 9th Meeting in the Jubilee Hall at 2pm. The speaker is Ian Taylor - Operation

Christmas Child. (Contact Pauline Plumb 01948 861345)

St Oswald's Flower Rota for July/Aug

High Altar * Table/Memorial Shelf * Brereton Chapel

July 6th/13th Angela Witter Anne Proudlove Karen Kirk

July 18th Brymbo Male Choir & Malpas Ladies Choir

July 27th/Aug 3rd. Bronwen Guest Kath Ravenscroft Helen Ravenshill

August 9th Wedding

Aug 17th/24th Christine Bibby Sue Griffth Margaret Carter

Aug 29th Wedding

14

Julian Meeting June 2nd 2014

.

The story the New Testament tells is, of course, a love story.

Its claim is that because God loves and values his creation

“the Word is made flesh”. The implications may be mind-

blowing, but the principle is no different from my desire to

“give you my word” because I love you; no different from

what we have seen artists and writers attempting to do. It is

not enough simply to accept the reality of the transcendent

God but go no further. Just as I can use words like love or

beauty or pain with some confidence that you will understand

them, so it is possible for God to communicate with us be-

cause there is within us something that belongs to the same

order of being, what the Bible calls being made in “the im-

age” (or the likeness) of God. And like speaks to like.

I cannot “prove” this in any scientific sense. But I know without a shadow of doubt when at

those moments I experience that unselfish form of love we call compassion either in myself

or in others that I touch something which is as deeply rooted, as primary, in human nature as

selfishness and, I believe, is the more authentic and will ultimately prove the more powerful.

Wherever compassion shows itself, even for a moment, it is like the sun breaking through to

light up an object, and if it is not a sign of our “Godlikeness” it is quite inexplicable. St.

Augustine says ; “The Word is, in a way, the art of the almighty and wise God”. The Word –

Jesus Christ – is God’s supreme work of art: if you like, his self-portrait. Think of how an

artist uses the only available means – canvas, paint, stone, wood – to convey a truth through

form and colour. Every work of art is a form of incarnation: the spirit of the artist uniting

with matter. It is an attempt to find images that will tell us something true, something of

lasting value, about a person, a landscape or an object. It starts with the invisible: an idea, a

way of seeing, which is then enfleshed in something you can see and touch. In his mind’s

eye Michelangelo sees the completed perfection of a human body in the rough stone and

chisels away until it emerges. And, as we have seen, the mark of the greatest artists, novel-

ists, poets and composers, is to reduce us to a kind of silent wonder in face of some aspect of

beauty or truth about the human condition which we had not noticed or understood: a kind of

truth that seems to impinge on us from that which is outside and beyond us and yet speaks

directly to our hearts. I may stand in front of Rembrandt’s portrait of his son Titus, and un-

derstand truths about the unique value of this boy to his father, but also truths about human

vulnerability and the transient nature of beauty. Yet miraculously these truths are embodied

in a square of canvas and some dried paint: a word made flesh. Now if Rembrandt creating

round the heads of his portraits such an effect of light “as to suggest the divine potential in

every human being”, feels compelled to communicate what lies within them in this way,

God’s yearning to communicate something of himself to his creatures must be unimaginably

greater; especially if the true voice of God, is not revealed in the power of the whirlwind but

in acts of suffering, self-giving love. What we could never have guessed, however rich in

beauty the world may be, however troubled we are by our questing, mysterious spirits is now

revealed in a wordless, newborn child and in the man that child became.

The next Julian Meeting is on 7th July at 7.30pm in the Rectory.

15

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES BY AN EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED PRACTITIONER

16

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Telephone MALPAS 860433

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R Bowden 01948 860610

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...MOWING THE LAWN...

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JUST CALL MR B ON 07858 797606

FOR A QUOTE.

..MR B LOVES THE CHORES YOU HATE

17

PLEASE MENTION THAT YOU ARE RESPONDING TO AN AD IN THE PARISH NEWS

WHEN CONTACTING ADVERTISERS

THE BEECHES PRE-SCHOOL Edge Village Hall, Edge, Nr Malpas

We are a community-based pre-school in a wonderful rural setting, accepting children aged 2

-5 years for early years care and education, with a play-based, inclusive curriculum in a

friendly, safe and secure environment.

Open 8.30-3.00 Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday and till 1.00 Monday.

We have an experienced staff, led by a qualified teacher. Our children come from a wide

local area, and we feed into all the local schools.

For further information please contact Sue Anderson on 01948 820775 or 07506

994550 or feel free to call in for a visit at any time.

Inspect our “Good” OFSTED report at www.OFSTED.gov.uk

18

JENNY BROWNLEE MOBILE BEAUTY THERAPIST

07977 200929 OR 01948 861003

SPECIALISING IN:

SHELLAC NAILS

MANICURE, PEDICURE

WAXING

TINTING

MASSAGE

FACIALS

I AM BASED IN MALPAS BUT ALL

TREATMENTS CAN BE PER-

FORMED IN THE COMFORT OF

YOUR OWN HOME AND AT A TIME

TO SUIT YOU.

19

MALPAS & THREAPWOOD NEWS

MALPAS AMATEUR GARDENERS

MALPAS LADIES CHOIR

Malpas Ladies Choir will be performing with The Bymbro Male Voice Choir, Friday 18th Ju-

ly 7.30.pm at St Oswald’s. Tickets £8 available from Marion (01948 860598) and Noreen

(01948 860371). Proceeds to Hope House Hospice and St Oswald's Fabric Fund.

M.L.C. meets at The High Street Church during term time at 7pm Tuesday evenings.

Contacts musical director Steve Roberts (07787 860022) & Brenda Cappaert (01948 820388)

Malpas Amateur Gardeners July meeting is a

Members Mystery Tour with Doris

Bamforth, visiting two secret gardens in the

locality. We meet in Malpas at 7pm, proceed

to visit the gardens and return later in the

evening!

Our August meeting is back at the High

Street Church at 7.30pm, when Gorden Malt

will be giving a talk entitled Silver Foliage

Plants, this will be of great interest to all

those planning or thinking of changing their

gardens, using silver as part of a colour

scheme. Admission is only £1.00 members,

£2.00 non members, which includes a free

raffle and light refreshments. Please come

along and meet our friendly local group, do

not forget your flower of the Month and the

competition is a vintage floral cup and sau-

cer. We welcome all gardeners both novice

and with experience and we look forward to

meeting you. Additional information Alan

or Paul on 01948 770522.

The gardens at The Rowans in Oldcastle Lane, Threapwood, near

Malpas SY14 7AY, will be open under the National Gardens

scheme on the 12th and 13th of July from 2pm to 5.30pm. Admis-

sion is just £4.00 per adult, children free, refreshments and plants

will be for sale, proceeds will go the numerous NGS charities in-

cluding Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and

Help the Hospices, refreshment proceeds direct to Hope House

Hospice for Children. This award winning garden has featured in

Amateur Gardening Magazine, Garden News and Cheshire Life

this year, and this will be our eighth year of opening, having raised

over £11,000 to date, so please come along and give your support

for this charitable event. Donations of cakes or plants appreciated, additional information

Alan or Paul on 01948 770522.

GARDEN OPENING FOR NGS

20

MALPAS FLOWER CLUB

HIGH STREET CHURCH “Methodist and United Reformed”

Our Sunday morning services

are at 10.45am followed by coffee.

"Family Prayer and Praise Evening" at High Street

Church on Saturday 6th September starting at 6.00pm. This will be in café

style, including refreshments and in-house resources for children. Rev Kevin

Jones (Kev the Rev) will lead the evening with accompanying live music. Come

and join us for an uplifting evening!

"Bible Study on Tuesdays" 1.30 to 2.30pm, Led by Rev Rob Weir. Come and

enjoy a light hearted time of discussion and fellowship.

"Coffee mornings are held on the

1st Saturday of each month 10-11.30am. Why not make it part of your shopping trip?

“Cheeky Monkeys play group” meets on Wednesdays during term time

between 9.30am and 11.00am.

Contacts Rev. Rob Weir 01948 663936, Olwen Barnett 01948 820741

“A Touch of Romance” was certainly brought

to Flower Club by Lorena Dyer from Coventry

with her demonstration in May. Of this I am

reliably informed by members as it is the one

meeting that I missed! What do they call it –

Murphy’s Law? The demonstrator at the final

meeting of this programme will be Margaret

Rumens from Solihull on 23 June and her title

will be “Summer Wine”.

The AGM will take

place on 2nd July 2014

at Dearnford Lake in

Whitchurch and will be

followed by a strawber-

ry tea. Tickets will be

on sale at the next

meeting. We are looking forward to the visit to

Dublin from 16th to 20th June and a visit to

Anglesey on 7th July.

Before we know it we will be starting the

2014/2015 Programme which commences on

15th September 2014. Enrolments will take

place at the opening meeting but don’t worry if

you are on holiday as we can always squeeze

you in at a later date. We are always happy to

welcome new members so whether you wish to

watch the skill of the demonstrator or join in

one of the classes that our Chairman, Janet

Blake, runs for the less skilled from time to

time, do come along and see what we are all

about. You can come as a visitor to help you

decide before you commit to joining as a mem-

ber - it couldn’t be easier.

Wishing you all a good summer - look out for

our float in the Malpas Parade! Audrey Schofield

21

MALPAS PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

Traffic, Congestion and Parking Restrictions:

This controversial matter was considered again on the 9th June, however after a split vote and

low attendance of Parish Councillors, it was agreed to reconsider the restrictions at the next

meeting on the 14th July.

It was agreed to write to the trustees of the recreation ground to formally explore the potential

to develop part of their site as a car park. This could relieve some of the problems and dan-

gers of congestion at the primary school.

The Council will also explore the potential for the day time use of other private car parks in

the village.

Planning Matters:

Proposals for 35 houses on land at the bottom of Well Street have been re submitted. These

proposals are the same of before and are not supported by the Parish Council.

A new proposal for another 17 houses at Mount View Farm off Wrexham road has been sub-

mitted. These are on the same site as 19 previously approved. Again, the planning agent has

failed to consult the community or the Parish Council; however he will be invited to explain

this application, which comes so soon after the previous application. The Parish Council has

concerns about the cumulative impact of both pedestrian access to the village and the traffic

volumes on Church Street. Representation will be made to Cheshire West and Chester Bor-

ough Council (CWaC) accordingly.

Best Kept Village and Community Pride:

It was agreed to plan for a clear up day around the village. Cllr. Sue Griffith will explore the

potential for young people from the High School to be involved in this initiative.

Social Media: The Parish Council considered this matter at the May meeting and a draft policy has been

amended and circulated. However it is understood that CWaC have a social media policy

which may be more comprehensive. The Parish Council are very concerned that any individu-

al councillor who posts comments or seeks views on Facebook, Twitter or the like, may be

incorrectly assumed to be representing the council. Residents please note; all official commu-

nication from the Parish Council will come via the chairman or the clerk.

Allotments:

Progress with legal arrangements with the proposed site has been made and it is hoped that

plots will be available shortly.

Capital Schemes:

Cllr. Waddelove reported on the need to have the approval of the Secretary of State for any

work carried out on The Cross, However Cllr. Waddelove is following this up and

is developing a scheme for works to improve the area.

22

Malpas Cemetery Fees Resident Non Resident

New Grave Plot £455 £910

Internment £455 £910

Pre-Purchase of a Plot Premium £180 £360

Total cost of Purchase of Plot, 1st Internment & Pre-Purchase Premium.

£1,090 £2,180

Plot for Baby £180 £360

Burial of Cremated Remains

New Plot £310 £620

(Inclusive of cost of Plot &1st Internment)

Internment of Ashes into £155 £360

existing grave plot.

For Further Information Please contact the Clerk Mrs Sheila Whyte

Tel. 01948 820113 email:- [email protected]

A meeting will be held with CWaC to look at proposals to develop a Tourist information fa-

cility on the main car park.

Other Matters:

Saturday 12th July heralds the Malpas Summer Fair. From 12:30pm, roads in the village

centre will be closed for about 20 minutes as the parade passes through. This will be fol-

lowed by events and demonstrations on the Recreation Ground. The Parish Council is helping

to sponsor the event.

Following the dismissal of the legal challenge against the Tattenhall’s Neighbourhood Plan,

the local Steering Group will now press on with production the Malpas and Overton Neigh-

bourhood Plan. After some final minor adjustments, the aim is to formally submit the draft

to CWaC early in July.

Rumours are rife that Lloyds Bank is about to close following the de-merger with TSB. The

Bank staff have assured us that this is not the case, and they are actually looking to extend

opening hours as the village grows.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is Monday 14th July and the “drop in” surgery is

scheduled between 10:00am and 12:00pm at the Jubilee Hall on Saturday 5th July.

For further details of these or other matters please contact John Webb johnwebbmal-

[email protected]




26

June 22nd –June 29th was National Insect Week. Some are beautiful, others much less so, and

they are the most numerous and diverse species on the planet. Someone, I think it was Ghan-

di, once said “Anyone who thinks they are too small to matter has never been in bed with a

flea”, and I would definitely put fleas in the less than desirable class. The most lethal animal

on the planet is the equally undesirable mosquito, because of its ability to transmit human dis-

eases by biting an infected person and then carrying that infection to a healthy one. Malaria

alone kills 600,000 people a year compared with sharks who kill 10. On Spring Watch recent-

ly Iolo Williams was doing a report from Scotland, almost hidden in a cloud of midges, but he

apparently does not get bitten, whereas some people (including me) are midge-magnets. Ac-

cording to Edinburgh University's Centre for Tropical Medicine, midges respond to the com-

bination of chemicals - including lactic acid - present in the sweat of certain people, which

they detect via their highly sensitive antennae.

Bees are one of our most useful insects. We were very sad recently to loose from our garden

a whole hive of bees owned by our local bee man. The loss of honeybees in many countries in

the last decade has caused widespread concern because about three-quarters of the world's

food crops require pollination. Honeybees and wild bees need all the help they can get, and

we can provide this by growing bee-friendly flowers that they can feed on. The old fashioned

open type of flower found on many cottage garden plants is best, such as Aquilegia, Canter-

bury Bells, Foxgloves and Delphiniums. According to Spring Watch, our gardens take up an

area about the size of Oxfordshire, so we can make a substantial difference if we make our

gardens more wildlife friendly. Advice on this can be found at Cheshire Wildlife Trust at

Bickley Hall Farm (01948 820728), or visit their website. They have a Wildlife Friendly Gar-

den Award Scheme too.

Another recommendation for a wildlife friendly garden is not

to be too tidy. Insects, often near the bottom of the food chain,

love undisturbed places to hide from predators, such as long

grass or piles of wood. A good diversity of plants helps too, as

caterpillars for instance, will often only go for one type of

food plant. The caterpillar on the right (resident in Kate Hol-

land garden) is the Mullein Moth caterpillar. Nettles are loved

by the caterpillars of the small tortoiseshell butterfly, so it

doesn’t necessarily mean all your prize plants will be decimat-

ed, except possibly by slugs.

On the subject of slugs, I was amazed to see on Spring Watch, (you can guess I am a fan) how

many slugs were taken by a tawny owl to feed it’s chick, although it wasn’t a pretty sight! In

the event of humans having to find an alternative source of protein to meat, I think I will go

for insects every time.

NATURE NOTES

28

MALPAS FIELD CLUB

The Field Club will start its new season on Wednesday 10th September (7.45 pm) at Malpas

High Street Church, when Peter Boughton, Keeper of Art & Architecture at the Grosvenor

Museum, will present his illustrated talk ‘Fortifications in Cheshire and North Wales: A Rec-

ord in Art’. For information about membership and activities, or to receive details of the

2014/15 programme by post or email, please contact David Hayns (secretary) on

(01948 860486 ) [email protected]

You may have wondered why the hill on the A.534, at the point where the minor road from

Bickerton Church meets the main road, is known as Gallantry Bank. We know, from the day-

to-day chronicle of the Civil Wars written by Thomas Malbon, an attorney from near Hasling-

ton, that on March 19th 1645 Prince Rupert, the dashing young nephew of King Charles I,

hung twelve of his men at Bickerton ‘on a crabtree at Widow Fisher’s house’. The Prince

was on route from Beeston Castle, where he had tried unsuccessfully to raise the siege laid by

Parliamentarian troops around the Royalist garrison in the castle, to Holt Castle, another Roy-

alist stronghold. The twelve men were hung for mutiny, a not uncommon occurrence during

the conflict when funds were short on both sides and the troops were frequently not paid. It is

said that it was this incident that caused the area to become known as ‘Gallows Tree’ Bank.

The hangings obviously did not solve the Prince’s problem since the next day he hanged a

further twenty-four at Holt Castle ‘for that they were not so forward in performing of the

command as he expected’. Brutal times indeed!

However, if one examines the accounts surviving for the Bickerton copper mines at the end of

the 17th century they refer to work being carried out not at Gallantry Bank but at ‘Gallan Tree’

Bank (the well-known chimney by the side of the A.534 is the last visible evidence for these

mines). Many years ago, when I was searching through the files of Adams Weekly Courant,

an early Chester newspaper, I came across the following advertisement in the issue dated No-

vember 28th 1769: ‘Stolen or Stray’d, from Garland-Tree Bank in

the Township of Bickerton, A Black Horse, with a long dock’d Tail,

a few White Hairs under his Chin, full Aged, and upwards of Four-

teen Hands high. If any Person can give Intelligence of him to

James Gough, of Bickerton, or the Printer hereof, shall be hand-

somely rewarded.’ Records show that a Gough family did live in

the house which still stands at the top of Gallantry Bank (where the

Sandstone Trail crosses the A.534). Reference to a glossary of

Cheshire dialect terms explains that in former times the evergreen

yew was called the ‘garland tree’, due to the availability of its foli-

age for decorating churches at any season.

What does a visit to Gallantry Bank reveal? Right on the crown of the hill stands a magnifi-

cent yew tree, at least four hundred years old! So was it ‘Gallows Tree’ or ‘Garland Tree’?

WHY ‘GALLANTRY’ BANK?

David Hayns


29

The Whitchurch Podiatry Practice 7/8 Watergate Arcade, Whitchurch, SY13 1DP

Emma Coley BSc(Hons), M. Ch. S., S.R.Ch HPC Reg. Podiaist

General Chiropody, Nail Care, Ingrowing Toenail Surgery, Diabetic Footcare & Advice

Verruca Treatment, Gait Analysis & Orthosis

Home Visits Available Enquires Welcome

Tel. 07976 242 096 Give Your Feet A Treat. Call Today

30

YOUR BUSES IN MALPAS

MONDAY –SATURDAY

Malpas High Street, Jubilee Hall

TO CHESTER

07.19am

08.26am

09.36am

11.36am

13.36pm

15.36pm

17.36pm

18.36pm

TO WHITCHURCH

08.40am

10.34am

12.34pm

14.34pm

16.34pm

32

BICKERTON NEWS

COFFEE ROTA FOR 9.30 am. SERVICES

13th July Mary Butterworth 01829 720801

27th

July Joan Sharman 01829 720340

10th August Marjorie Dakin 01829 782423

24th August Janet Mitchell 01829 720549

31st August Sue Higgins 01829 260885

If any date is inconvenient it would be a great help if you could arrange to swap with some-

one else on the rota or contact Joan Sharman .(Tel 01829 720340) Many thanks.

CHURCH CLEANING & FLOWER ROTA

JULY Chris Latham/Rose Bourne 01829 720234

AUGUST Joan Sharman 01829 720340

BICKERTON CHURCH LOTTERY

CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Voisey who won £100 in the May draw

Annual Art Exhibition 26 July to 3 August

at Bickerton Village Hall

11.00am-6.00pm

Paintings, bookmarks, greetings cards for sale Refreshments available

Entry fee £1.50 per adult includes catalogue

33

BICKERTON MOTHERS’ UNION NOTES

The July meeting is on July 9th at 2pm in Holy Trinity church, it will be a slideshow about my

trip to the Gambia .

Our coffee morning is being held at Bank House on August 13th by kind invitation of Penny

Voisey. Cake & Produce Stalls etc. See notice below for details.

Kate Holland 01829 261153

Mothers’ Union Coffee Morning & Open Garden

at Bank House, Goldford Lane, Bickerton

on Wednesday, August 13th, 10am -12 noon

This lovely garden hasn’t been open in August before

so don’t miss the chance to see it !

In aid of M.U. Projects

BANK HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

The final Bank holiday luncheon this year will be at Bickerton Village Hall on August 25th.

12noon to 2.00pm £11, pay on the door.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Brenda Harvey and family would like to thank everybody for their kind messages of support

on the sad loss of Alf Harvey. It has helped them very much through this difficult time.

34

At Bickerton Village Hall

PROGRAMME FOR JULY AND AUGUST

On Saturday 18 July Bickerton Village Hall are welcoming a Cheshire Rural Touring Arts

event The Art of War. Adrian Sumner with examine the memorable and moving images

created by British Artists in the Great War and World War 2, as well as those of many other

countries. Lecturer, Adrian Sumner is an accomplished speaker having travelled the world

talking a groups, colleges, Universities and cruise ships. Adrian Sumner is also a practising

painter.

Tickets cost £8 to include Ploughmans. Doors open at 7pm – Lecture starts at 8pm. Li-

censed Bar. Please call 01829 782392 for tickets.

We are delighted that so many artists are taking part in The Bickerton Village Hall Annual

Art Exhibition. The Exhibition will be open from Saturday 26 July to Sunday 3 August

from 11am until 6pm (4pm on the last Sunday) This year, we have 500 original paintings

to view/purchase and some artists will also be selling cards and bookmarks. The Art Exhi-

bition is a wonderful outing for the whole family and you will be able to savour some amaz-

ing work, enjoy teas, coffee, homemade cakes and soft drinks and also watch some of our

artists at work in the Hall. Entry is £1.50 to include an Exhibition Catalogue.

For more information, please call Josie on 01829 782348 or email

[email protected].

GARDEN & PRODUCE SHOW – Bickerton & District

Saturday 23rd August at 2pm in Bickerton Village Hall. This is a wonderful event with

amazing floral displays, photography and produce to view. Children are encouraged to

take part in the Produce Show and there are various Classes for children aged 7 and under

and those aged 8-11 years. Please call Josie on 01829 782348 for more information about

junior entries.

Entries will be accepted between 9am and 12noon and the doors open to the public at 2pm.

Tea, coffee, homemade cakes on sale.

For an entry brochure and more information, please call Josie on 01829 782348 or email

[email protected].

On Saturday 27 September at 7.30pm we are hosting the annual Autumn Ball in Bicker-

ton Village Hall. This is a splendid occasion where the Hall is transformed for a fabulous

evening. Tickets are priced at £25 each to include a three course dinner, cheese course, cof-

fee & mints. When dinner has finished, you can dance the night away to a fantastic disco

and also try and win some amazing prizes in our raffle. There will also be a licensed bar

selling a selections of wines, beers and champagne. Please call Josie on 01829 782348 for

more information, to purchase tickets or secure a table for you and your friends (tables of 10

-12 can be catered for)



35

JULY

Monday 7th and 14th at 9am

Toddler and Pre-School Group

Monday 7th, 14th and 21st at 7pm

Whist Club

Monday 21st at 1pm

Monday Club

Tuesday 1st and 8th at 3.45pm

Ballet and Dance for young people. Please call 01829 782348 for class times and more

information.

Tuesday 8th and 15th at 7.30pm

Keep Fit

Wednesday 2nd, 9th and 16th at 10am

Yoga

Wednesday 2nd, 9th and 16th at 7pm

Bickerton Youth Music Group. Please call 01829 782392 for more information.

Thursday 3rd and 10th at 5.15pm

Pilates

Friday 18th at 10am

WI Art Class (non members welcome)

Friday 18th at 7pm

The Art of War – Adrian Sumner Lecture

Saturday 5th and 12th at 9am

Theatre School for young people. Please all 01829 782348 for more information.

Saturday 26th to Sunday 3rd August

Art Exhibition – Open to the public from 11am to 6pm daily (4pm on Sunday 3rd d)

AUGUST

Monday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th at 7pm

Whist Club

Thursday 7th – 9am to 3pm

Whist Club

Thursday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th at 5.15pm

Pilates

Saturday 23rd at 2pm

Bickerton & District Produce Show

The monthly programme of events can be seen on the website www.bickertonvillagehall.co.uk. Details of hiring charges for individual, party or conference functions are also on the website. Please call Josie on 01829 782348 or email [email protected]. for more information


37

Garden Delight Lawn Mowing - Hedge Trimming

Regular Maintenance or One Off Tidy

Lawn & Weed Treatment Patio/Drive Power Washing

Tree Work/ Fence panels

Peter 07868230662

39

Editor:

Joan Jeffcoat 01829 782311


Advertising:

Ben Kellett

Email:[email protected]

01948 780270

07742 976950

Distribution for Malpas : Helen Ravenhill:- 01948 861 166

Distribution for Bickerton :

Brenda Harvey:- 01829 260170

Printing:

Delmar Press (Colour Printers) Ltd.,

Wall Lane, Nantwich,

Cheshire CW5 5LS

Publicity Officers

Ann Welby 01948 861 475

Carol Fletcher 01948 861 152

Copy Deadline for :

September 2014 Edition

8.00am

12th August 2014

The Parish News has been produced under

the control of the Rector and the

Parochial Church Council who bear

ultimate responsibility for the contents.

Parish News Production Team

Malpas Bowling Club

& Social Institute

Bowling, Snooker and Social

Activities For further details contact Sue

Jones on 01948 770 482

Don’t forget to check out the web-

site, www.malpaschurch.co.uk. for

more information about the church-

es in the benefice. Editor.


parish news · 2014. 7. 16. · when we breed ignorance and prejudice, and religion can be...

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