Arley News
Winter 2009 Edition

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the Winter ’09 edition of Arley News.

Autumn saw the opening of the brand new Arley and St. Michael’s community centre, an exciting time as the articles within this edition of Arley News outline. Visit the new website to see pictures of the event. www.arleycommunitycentre.co.uk. There are many new initiatives and groups planned and the new Community Centre Manager provides full information about these further within this newsletter.

Since the Autumn edition of Arley News our chairman, Ron Brown sadly passed away. Ron made a massive contribution to the on-going publication of Arley News and his role and personality will be very much missed.

Thank you to the readers who have sent in letters/e-mails to Arley News – your input is very much appreciated. There is a response from North Warwickshire Council to a recent letter, it just highlights that your issues and thoughts do get read by a wide audience within this newsletter.

If you’d like to get involved in the editorial Arley News team and would like to learn more, let us know at the usual e-mail address.

Please let us know if there are any particular articles/items you’d like to see in your newsletter. You can e-mail us at arleynews@hotmail.com or place paper items in the box up at the new Arley and St. Michael’s community centre.

Warm regards
Emily & the Arley News Team

FAREWELL TO OUR CHAIRMAN -- RON BROWN

Ron Brown was 64 and lived in New Arley, where he was elected onto the local parish council three years ago and took on a number of roles in the community, including being the Chairman of this newsletter.

“He was very well thought of and did a lot of good work for the village,” said his wife Audrey.

“We only came to live here in 2001 but he took the place to his heart.”

The wake took place at the new Community Centre, which was a project Ron was very much involved with, and his ashes will be scattered at St Michael’s Church in the village.

Ron and Audrey first met in Coventry as children, lived in Folkestone before Ron’s job as a specialist engineer was re-located to North Warwickshire. Ron retired in 2006 and was then persuaded to become a parish councillor.

Ron was diagnosed with cancer in June. He also leaves two daughters, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren and his mother, who is almost 90.

Ron was instrumental in making Arley News what it is today, he will be sadly missed by all of the Arley News team and fondly remembered.

Arley Community Centre:
'One Building, One Community'

A BIG THANK YOU

What a wonderful day it was when we opened Arley and St. Michael's Community Centre. We had waited and worked so hard for this day! The opening service the dedications of the rooms, the afternoon activities and the Community Disco in the evening were wonderful. If you have not already seen them there are some pictures of the event on www.arleycommunitycentre.co.uk

So Thank You to:

Arley Parochial Church Council for their vision and support
All people, young and old, who through their use of St. Michael's Church paved the way for the new centre.
Our Funders the Big Lottery Fund, WREN, BIFFAWARD and SITA and to many others who have given money to make our hopes a reality.
Our architects Vagdia and Holmes and especially Paul Beasley who led the project. The main contractors Ian Neale Construction and especially Michael Gentry who managed the site.
Those who worked hard so hard to set up Arley and St. Michael's Community Centre as a legally recognised charitable community organisation to manage the whole building.
Those, who in readiness for the opening, prepared the Church and Centre, chose the names to dedicate the rooms and worked so hard before, during and after the opening day.
To all who have helped in so many ways not least to those who came to the opening in numbers beyond my wildest dreams.

THANK YOU!

But this is only the beginning...
Members of Arley Community Centre and St. Michael's Church are committed to working together for everyone in Arley. (This is what we want to do and that is the commitment we have made to our funders.) Everyone includes you! As you will see from the accompanying article from Gerry, our Centre Manager we already have a wide range of activities through the week and we long to do more. Whatever your age or interest we want you to enjoy the Centre. Do get in touch! Enjoy!

Peter Allan
(Chair, Arley and St. Michael's Community Centre)

Community Walks

Community walks have started. They are on Thursdays at 1pm. We meet at the Methodist hall in Old Arley. We go a short walk of about 30 minutes to an hour. Afterwards we have tea if you want. The idea is to improve your health and have company. Initially the walks run from the 5th of November to the 10th of December. We hope to continue it if there is a good response. It is approved by the council and leaders attend a course. Our first walk was a circular one round the wood looking at the autumn trees and berries. We spotted a jay collecting acorns and seeds. The wood ants were busy. We had a jolly time. It was not too muddy. Our second walk was across the fields to Ansley mill and along to Hoar park and back. We saw a lot of grouse, a siskin and someone described an odd bird that may have been a partridge. We looked at the new shops at Hoar Park and the ducks and the lorries making new fishing pools there. We enjoyed chatting together.

Philippa Yoka Stephanie Margaret and the other walkers

ARLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE

The new centre is now officially open and welcomes bookings for community groups, training and conference days, staff training days, weddings, funerals etc. We have very reasonable booking prices.

Contact: Arley & St. Michael’s Community Centre, Gun Hill, Arley, CV7 8HA. Manager: Gerry Koppenhagen on 01676 542753 or e-mail enquiries@arleycommunitycentre.co.uk.

I would like to draw your attention to the new Community café which is opening on Wednesday 2nd December at 9:30am. Breakfast batches will be served along with tea and coffee. Everyone is most welcome to come along, have a chat, meet others and surf the internet if you wish! The café will be run by volunteers so anyone wanting to volunteer contact Katrina on (mobile) 07769812262.

Another new exciting venture is the Link Café opening Friday 4th December 12 -2pm. This will be run by and for young people (16 – 21) who can come along to get support / information and learn CV writing skills as well as having internet access. There will also be cheap cooked breakfasts available! For more information contact Sarah (mobile) 07971772212

Also new is a craft group taking place at the centre on Monday 18th January at 10:30am everyone welcome, admission free! The group will show you new skills from card making, glass painting, beading, box making, sewing or knitting. Or if you have a skill you would like to share this would be welcomed.

Any other ideas for new initiatives or groups are most welcome!.

We have a brand new web site www.arleycommunitycentre.co.uk

The following are some of what is going on at the Centre:

Monday
Bumps N Babies (Surestart) 1 – 3pm
An exciting new group, bringing services closer to you, making it easier for you and your family to get the help, advice and information you need all in one go. If you are expecting a baby or have a newborn baby – this is for you! A health visitor will be on hand, as well as advice about the Family Information Service.

Martial arts 8 – 9:30pm
Learn Ju-jitsu and Karate – Jutsu

Tuesday
Stay N Play (Surestart) 1 – 3pm
An exciting new group in Arley! This group provides an opportunity to join a regular group of parents and children. You will be supported by staff who carefully plan activities for families to share and enjoy together.

Doorway (First Tuesday of every month) 4-6pm
Young people aged 16 - 25 who are facing homelessness or exploring their housing options in North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth. Come along if you need help and support.

Youth Club (7 – 16yrs) 6:30 – 8pm

Wednesday
Community Café (starting Wednesday 2nd December) 9:30 – 11:30am
All are welcome to this café. Come along for a cheap breakfast batch/ tea and coffee/toast. A chance to meet with others, have a chat and surf the internet. There will be adult education classes following the café for anybody who is interested. The café will be run on a not for profit basis by volunteers. Anybody interested in volunteering contact Katrina on (mobile) 07769812262

Adult Education Classes (to be confirmed) 1 -3pm
‘Bob’ Bus 10 – 1pm
The Branching Out Bus – bringing services to your area for you and your family. We can help with many different services – from finding a job, looking for a new home or a question about council services, training and education.

Thursday
Teen Parents – Time 4 U 10 – 12pm

Friday
Link Café (starting Friday 4th December) 12 – 2pm
Supported by young volunteers a café that is for young people aged 16 -21. You can come to the café to get support to write CV’s, look for a job, get information on further education and have a cheap cooked breakfast. Internet access and computers available.

In Memory of Jean Sunter

ACA was delighted that the hall at the new Community Centre was dedicated to the memory of Jean Sunter, Community Development Worker from Warwickshire Rural Community Council. Jean sadly passed away earlier this year and had an enormous affection for the community and people of Arley.

Jean came to work in Arley in 2003, forming and chairing the Action for Arley Group. The work the group did went some way to evidence the need in New Arley for a new community building which eventually resulted in the new hall being built at the rear of St Michael’s Church. She was tireless in her support for the New Arley Playground Association assisting on funding bids, instrumental in the formation of Arley Community Association, supported the formation of the present youth club at St Michael’s and to the readers of Arley News helped launch the local newsletter which eventually grew into the magazine you are now reading.

Jean was a calm and collected person who had an amazing talent of getting people with differing viewpoints to work for a common good. Without Jean and the sterling work she did, Arley would be a poorer place. It is such a shame Jean is no longer with us to enjoy the benefits of the new community centre.

Come along and join us at Arley & St Michael’s Community Centre Gun Hill Arley

Bored? Want to get out and meet new people? Would you like to learn something new or share your knowledge of skills like card making, glass painting, beading, box making, sewing and knitting?

On Monday 18th January
10.30am
Every one welcome
Admission free!
If you want to find out more please
Call Celia at the Volunteer Centre North Warwickshire on Tel No. 01827 717073.

The Christmas present for the person who has everything

Are you wondering what to buy friends and family for Christmas? Having difficulty deciding between buying an African goat or a bottle of favourite perfume or aftershave?

Following the successful launch of the scheme last year, Fillongley Scouts will again be offering 100+ Club gift vouchers. You can help a local good cause at the same time as giving your friends and family the chance of a cash prize – last year one of the recipients won over £70 – and the gift subscription only cost £12.

Here’s how it works. You buy a gift voucher for as many numbers and months as you want - from as little as £6 for one number for six months. You’ll need to tell us the name and address of the person you are buying for so they can be entered in the draw. We’ll send you a personalised gift voucher that you can give on the day – and if the number comes up then we’ll contact the winner direct. You have to be over 18 to join the 100+ club, but adults can hold numbers on behalf of a child.

There are three winners every month so the odds of winning are much better than the lottery – and if you don’t win, you know all your money has gone to a good cause.

If you’d like to know more please contact Jean Macdonald on 01676 542080 or email jean.macdonald@talktalk.net.

Green power for village homes

Eco-friendly technology being fitted in homes undergoing major refurbishment at Hill Top has received the thumbs up from local councillors Les Smith and Carol Fox.

The small village of Hill Top near Arley is being redeveloped by Waterloo Housing Association working in partnership with North Warwickshire Borough Council.

The £4.3 million development, backed by a £1.9 million grant from the Homes and Communities Agency, will transform 33 ex-Coal Board properties into modern family homes.

The first upgraded properties are being fitted with ground source heat pumps. Using pipes that travel 60 metres beneath the ground, the pumps will ‘harvest’ the earth’s natural heat to boost hot water and central heating systems, making a substantial saving on household bills.

Chris Jones, development and regeneration director at Waterloo, said: “After years of planning, it’s great that these old Edwardian houses will be given a new lease of life. The ground source heat pumps are a fantastic addition, by not only saving money but contributing to the fight against climate change.” Waterloo Housing Association expects the first phase to be completed by May 2010.

CHURCH NEWS

ST. WILFRID’S CHURCH & ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH

Join us every Sunday...
9 a.m. St. Wilfrid’s Holy Communion
10.30 a.m. St. Michael’s
1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays Holy Communion
2nd and 4th Sundays All-Age Worship
and every 4th Sunday...
10.30 a.m. The Old Barn Centre, Old Arley Children’s Club
For children aged 0-80+
Songs, prayers, drama, art & craft, refreshments, FUN.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

The Churches of St. Wilfrid Old Arley and St. Michael's New Arley welcome you to share with us in the Joy of Christmas.

December 13 10.30 am Carol Service St. Michael's
6.30pm Carols by Candlelight St. Wilfrid's

December 24 Christmas Eve 4 pm Jesus' Birthday St. Michael's
11.30pm Midnight Communion St. Wilfrid's

December 25 Christmas Day 10.30 am Communion and Carols St. Michael's

December 27 10.30am Communion and Carols St. John's Hall Ansley Common

Every Sunday (except Dec. 27th):
9am Holy Communion at St. Wifrid's
10.30 am Worship at St. Michael's ( Holy Communion on 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays)
10.30 am (4th Sunday of each month) Children's Club at The Old Barn beside St. Wilfrid's

Please note that with the opening of the new community centre services at St. Michael's are now at 10.30 am and we enter via the Community Centre door.

If you are interested in discovering more about the Christian faith please let me know. I am hoping to run two groups one of them particularly designed with younger adults in mind. If you show an interest there is no obligation to come and if you come there is no obligation to continue. So why not bring your questions and find out more?

For further details, to book a baptism or wedding or if you would like me to visit please telephone the Peter Allan (Rector) 02476-399070 peter@ansleychurch.org

Arley Wesley Hall Methodist Church

Family Service 2nd Sunday of each month at 10.30am

Other Sundays Sunday Club 10.30am

Evening Worship 6.00pm

Most Wednesday evenings Prayer Meeting at 7.30pm

To book a baptism, wedding or funeral, or if you would like a pastoral visit, contact Minister David Hunter on 02476 672148.

Forthcoming Services at Arley Methodist Chapel

Family Nativity Service - Sunday 13th December at 10.30am.
Family Christingle - Sunday 20th December at 4.00pm led by Rev David Hunter.
Carol Service - Sunday 27th December at 4.00pm.

News from Arley Methodist Chapel Our recent Fashion Show was a great success. The next one will be held at Ansley Club on Thursday 20th May 2010.

Please note that all the Surestart activities have moved to the new Community Centre in New Arley, where the majority of young families are based. We have had a request that some sort of Parent and Toddler group continue at the Chapel. If you are interested in helping to run such a group, please phone Joyce Lea on 02476 392376

Everyone is welcome to all of our services.

St Joseph’s Catholic Church

Spring Hill, New Arley, Sunday Mass 11.00 am

Priest: Fr Stephen Day 02476 392365 (Served by St Anne’s, Camp Hill Road, Chapel End, Nuneaton)

There is a great need for an Explorer Scout Unit in your area. The age range for Explorers is 14 - 18. The Unit will be meeting at Fillongley Scout Headquarters. The evening has yet to be decided. We have been notified of a number of young people wanting to join but we are unable to proceed without adult Leaders. This is an appeal for anyone who is 21+ and interested in seeing these young people have fun while learning, maturing and becoming responsible adults and joining in with the fun themselves.

Description of the requirements to be an Explorer Leader:
We are looking for people over the age of 21.
They will be required to complete a C.R.B. form.
Willingness to work with 14 – 18 year olds.
To accept the policies and aims of the Scout Association.
Required to do training to achieve the skills which are needed.
To be able to work in a team under the guidance of the District Explorer Scout Commissioner.
There will be some evenings and weekends involved.
Former membership of Scouting or Guiding not essential (but could be an advantage).

Yours in Scouting,
Mary Miller
E-mail – marymiller@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile - 07805305094

QUIZ TIME

WINTER QUESTIONS:

1 What were Felix Unger and Oscar Madison?
2 What do the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to?
3 What is a Comfrey?
4 Which famous leader had a dog called Paddy?
5 How many members of the beach boys were called Wilson?
6 If you land at the John Wayne airport which city are you in?
7 Which type of government runs Mexico?
8 The gulf of Carpentaria lies of which country?
9 Which part of the intestine is also a punctuation mark?
10 Which food is associated with Coventry?
11 Bonnie Tyler’s hit "Holding out for a hero" featured in which film?
12 Which football club started out as St Lukes?
13 Who had the nickname clockwork mouse?
14 Who’s black bears fetched £4600 at an auction in 1997?
15 What is a Bushbuck?
16 Why was the Miss World winner stripped of her title in 1974?
17 Which bird is also known as the Butcher bird?
18 What is a Mole’s habitat called?
19 Who was the first Pfa young player of the year?
20 At sea what is the watch between 8am and midday called?

AUTUMN ANSWERS:

1 Robert burns
2 Strong SE wind which blows on the South African coast
3 Paris 1765
4 9
5 Joseph
6 Fencing
7 Pink
8 Razor
9 Stone masons hammer
10 James Dean
11 Banana Splits
12 David Blunkett
13 18
14 36
15 Mr Ben
16 The Tornados
17 Decimalisation
18 Nevada
19 Superintendent Mullet
20 8

Reader’s Letters/E-mails

Please Note: The comments expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team.

North Warwickshire Council’s response to letters in the autumn issue on recycling

“First of all, thanks to the editors of Arley News for letting us include a response to the letters about recycling in the last issue.

Secondly, thanks to all the Arley residents who are supporting us in committing to the recycling effort. At the moment, North Warwickshire Borough Council recycles 30% through the kerbside service compared to other districts in Warwickshire, which recycle over 40%. Councillors and officers are looking at how we can improve but we still need everyone’s support to reach our target of 45%. At present, only a third of residents use the recycling service and we need to encourage more people to take part.

It’s worth bearing in mind, that, unlike some other Councils, we still have weekly refuse collections. Some Councils have reduced this to once a fortnight to help fund the collection of cardboard and plastics. We do have recycling banks for plastic and cardboard at Atherstone and Coleshill and they are so well used, they are overflowing on a Monday morning! The good news is that Arley will hopefully soon have plastic and cardboard recycling banks outside the Sports Centre.

Regarding garden waste, it just isn’t practical to collect weekly as the amount of waste varies throughout the year. This is why we reduce collections to every four weeks during the winter period. Using a composter is also a great way of recycling garden waste.

“We were concerned to hear that we hadn’t replied to a resident’s email – we do try and respond to every one but you can understand we receive hundreds every week.

We are very committed to recycling and are working to expand the information about recycling on our website – see www.northwarks.gov.uk/recycling. Or if you want to contact us for more information, ring our main number on 01827 715341.”

Allotment & Community Garden News

The allotment association held its second annual general meeting in early September. The meeting was an opportunity to review the highlights of the year and to focus on improvements that could be made for the forthcoming year. One of the key items on the agenda was the reorganisation of the committee structure of the association to encourage more people to come forward to take part in running the organisation. It was decided, by a unanimous vote of attendees of the meeting, that the association should split the day to day running of the allotments from the community wildlife garden and create separate sub committees to run each. A main committee overseeing the whole organisation is made up of members of the sub committees. This will enable each sub-committee to concentrate on the specific requirements of their area. As a result of these changes the association welcomes Brian Petty into the role as Chair, Finn Sherry-Brennan as Secretary and new committee members Tony Coleman and Tony Waddy. Karen Garland stays on in her role as Treasurer and Wendy Townsend and Joe Gosling continue as members of the committee. The association would like to thank John Whittle, Eric Fellows and Jo Lucas, who retired from the committee this year, for their hard work in getting the association off the ground and the allotments up and running. The association has been successful in its application for funds from the Heart of England Community Foundation. These funds will be used to erect a fence between the allotments and the wildlife garden. This will be installed in the near future and should allow us to open up the garden more frequently. We always welcome volunteers to help with the community wildlife garden as without volunteers we cannot open the garden to the public as often as we would like. If you are interested please contact the association at ghaa@hotmail.co.uk or on 01676541364. This is also how to contact us if you are interested in an allotment plot. At the time of writing we have one half plot available.

Mike O’Brien MP

Please make an appointment to see Mike at one of his Surgeries – see below.

To make an appointment please phone or write to me at my constituency office:
92 King Street, Bedworth, CV12 8JF
Telephone 024 7631 5084
Fax 024 7664 0139

First and Third Friday in each month:
Bedworth 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm Constituency Office, 92 King Street
First Saturday in each month:
Wood End 9.15 am – 10.00 am Village Hall, Main Road
Kingsbury 10.15 am – 11.00 am
Jubilee Court
Polesworth 11.15 am – 12.00 noon Tithe Barn
Dordon 12.15 pm – 1.00 pm Village Hall, Browns Lane
Atherstone 1.15 pm – 2.15 pm Memorial Hall

Third Saturday in each month:

Coleshill 9.00 am – 10.00 am Town Hall, High Street
Water Orton 10.15 am – 11.00 am Methodist
Church Hall, New Road
Baddesley 11.15 am – 12.00 noon Social Club, New Street
Hartshill 12.15 pm – 12.45 pm Friends Meeting House, Castle Road
Arley 1.00 pm – 1.45 pm Stuart Court Complex, Ransome Road

Local School Updates

News from Herbert Fowler Junior School By Linda Weyman

As I compile this entry for the Arley News, I am aware that the end of this term is only four weeks away and I reflect on the swift passage of time. The saying goes, ‘Time flies when you are having fun’ and we have certainly been doing just that in many different ways since the children returned to school at the beginning of September.

All the children have been involved in visits outside school to support the work they are undertaking in their project curriculum. Year 3 had a day experiencing Roman life at Lunt Roman Fort, Year 4 went further afield to Bosworth Battlefield to enhance their work on the Tudors and Years 5 and 6 found out more about the Egyptians at Birmingham Museum. On all occasions, the children were praised for their exemplary behaviour and their enthusiasm.

In addition to out of school activities, there have been many events in school that the children and their parents have enjoyed and supported. We held our annual coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care at the end of September raising in excess of £120. Before the half term holiday, a sponsored walk in aid of Action for Children took place around the school field. We walked for forty-five minutes on a lovely autumn day and raised at the last count over £500. A tremendous effort from everyone!

We had an entertaining afternoon when the County Music Service ‘Roots of Contemporary Music Ensemble’ came to play jazz, soul, rock and swing music to illustrate how the music of today has evolved. The County Music Service is currently working very successfully in school with all our children under the Wider Opportunities Funding Programme.

On 3rd November, we were delighted to have a visit from the renowned children’s author, Andrew Norriss. He kept the children enthralled with his stories of what inspires him to write, his favourite authors and with his tips to help the children become better writers themselves. He answered lots of the children’s questions, signed books and gave away signed bookmarks. He was most impressed with our children and with our school and wrote a lovely letter to us on his return home. A truly inspirational morning!

Hot on the heels of Andrew’s visit, we were well and truly entertained by the ‘Road Safety Education Show’ as designed by Richard Rozel. He used magic, mime, plate spinning and all manner of activities involving the children and the staff to put across a very serious message. This was thoroughly enjoyed by us all.

Our connection with St.Wilfrid’s Church is very important in terms of our links with the wider community. It was therefore very fitting that we should be celebrating St.Wilfrid’s day with drama and other activities led by Mrs. Whittle. The children learnt about his life and his journeys and took part in a church service to commemorate the event. I hope that at some time in the near future you will have the opportunity to use a kneeler in church that has been designed by one of our pupils in a competition run by Mrs.Whittle. Two of our Year 6 pupils represented the school at the Remembrance Day Service on 8th November when they laid our poppy wreath at the war memorial.

During the day and after school, the children have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of clubs, run by outside agencies, by the lunchtime supervisors or by the children themselves – multi-skills, football, Mad Science, ‘Playing for Success’, table tennis, art, cheerleading are just a few examples.

I am indebted to members of the Governing Body, in particular Mrs Gittings, for taking on the running of the School Council this year. They have already worked hard towards achieving Eco-school bronze status and have many other initiatives in the pipeline. The school is also working towards submitting a Travel Plan to secure some much needed funding and towards Enhanced Healthy Schools Status.

At the end of the first half term, we sadly bid farewell to Mrs Stella Stinton who had been our school caretaker for over 20 years. We gave her a good send off at her retirement party where many colleagues from days gone by came to wish her well. I am delighted to announce that Judith Griffin who lives locally took over the role at the beginning of November and we welcome her to the Herbert Fowler team.

We are now preparing for Children in Need this Friday when the children will be wearing their clothes back to front, buying cakes, raffle tickets, guessing the name of the tiger and identifying adults in the school from their baby photos – the results from that will be interesting!

We have lots of festive activities to look forward to – our Christmas Fair on 4th December, 5.30-7.30p.m. (all welcome), a visit to Warwick Arts Centre to see ‘Cinderella’, a concert for parents, Christmas dinner with the homemade hats competition, the Years 5 and 6 Business Enterprise Day and our Christmas Church Service at St.Wilfrid’s.

Phew! Never a dull moment! It only remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year 2010.

A BIT OF FUN!

Ode to the "Word" Spell Checker - what would we do without it?

I halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plane lee marques four my revue
Miss steaks aye ken knot sea

Eye ran this poem threw it
Your sure reel glad two no
It's vary polished in it's weigh
My chequer tolled me sew

A chequer is a bless sing
It freeze yew lodes of thyme
It helps me awl stiles two reed
And aides mi when aye rime

To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should be proud
And wee mussed dew the best wee can
Sew flaws are knot aloud

And now bee cause my spelling
is checked with such grate flare
Their are know faults with in my cite
Of nun eye am a wear

Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed to be a joule
The chequer poured o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule

That's why aye brake in two averse
My righting wants too pleas
Sow now ewe sea wye aye dew prays
Such soft wear for pea seas

ARLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS

Councillor Melanie Binks
Councillor E Fellows
Councillor P Cotterill
Councillor L Lusty
Councillor B Petty
Councillor P Reader
Councillor V Robinson
Councillor G Williams
Councillor G Guy
Mr G Brough (Clerk)
Councillor Mr C Hayfield (WCC Councillor)

Fillongley Scouts and Guides

Yet again we have had a fantastic Summer and Autumn of camps. The group camp to Gradbach in the White Peaks took many to an area of England, that before they have not visited. Climbing on The Roaches now makes climbing walls look small! Yes we did get wet, blown around, and hailed on, but we also enjoyed ice creams in sunshine –all on the same day!! Horse riding across such beautiful countryside was the highlight for many, as was equally, tea in the fish and chip shop in Buxton! During our Indian summer we ran a family camp in Nottinghamshire, when many short clad parents and children enjoyed kayaking, climbing, assault courses, and archery, not to mention the social BBQ on the Saturday, during which some of the Dads commandeered possession of the BBQ……

There’s not just camps and activities. We do lots of sport and learning too. The cubs have enjoyed a chess, draughts and dominoes tournament, a football tournament, cycle maintenance and personnel safety. Both scouts and cubs enjoyed a visit to the Sikh temple in Coventry, and the curry after! Scouts have been learning survival skills - very important when you camp in a field with just running water, even if it’s not very far from home!! They’ve also been progressing with pioneering skills, building rope bridges in trees and over water, and cooking…. One new “non cooking” scout was told at Easter that he would have to cook all of his food for 5 days on an open fire during summer camp if he wanted to eat….– he went home, started with simple BBQ food, then progressed to saucepans etc.

By the end of the camp he was one of the most competent chefs, and now cooks many family meals at home….Beavers have enjoyed learning life skills too, looking at health and fitness and healthy eating, and a trip to Bedworth fire station, and Twin Lakes adventure park near Melton Mowbray. All of our sections are proud to have participated in the Remembrance Day service in Fillongley, including the laying of a wreath. Following our involvement in the British Legion county parade in Arley in July, this year we marched from the scout hut to St Mary’s and All Saints church on 8th November.

The Group continues to grow. This year we’ve welcomed some great new leaders, each of whom are bringing new talent and enthusiasm to their section. We are still looking for regular help though with the cubs – an enthusiastic and lively bunch of 8-10 yr olds…. What could be more fun! Each section is nearing capacity, and it’s good to hear that the Brownies and newly formed Guides are doing so well too. The group started with adults, many of whom had no scouting experience who were prepared to give it a go and “do their best”. Scouting is for anyone aged 6 -66+ -why not come and join us?

Waiting / intent lists are maintained for all sections. The youngest on the intent list is just over 1! Enquiries from both boys and girls have been received via our website: http://www.fillongleyscoutsandguides.btik.com/ , or contact Lesley Gill on 01676 542698 for further details.

We would love to hear also from any adults that could spare a couple of hours each week to help support the various sections, or help with the administration associated with the group, or run the website? May be you’d like to come and just have fun? Hopefully you will have seen some more of our photos on our Christmas Tree in the festival in Fillongley.

Police Update - New Arley Drug Factory Raided!

Continuing their ongoing effort to halt the illegal cultivation of cannabis in North Warwickshire, officers from Coleshill Police Station raided a house in New Arley on Tuesday 06 October 2009. Through local intelligence gathered by officers, a warrant to search the premises was issued by magistrates. On gaining access to the property, one male occupant was arrested. After conducting an initial brief search of the address, the search officers were concerned that the rooms upstairs containing the cannabis factory may be "booby-trapped". PC 616 Nina Bowden said "There are many ways the people involved in this crime booby-trap their properties. One way is to connect the door handles in the property to the electrical supply, and we have to think of officer safety." Once the property was made secure by having the electrical supply switched off by a British Gas engineer, officers carried out a thorough search and discovered an extensive cultivation factory in the upstairs rooms of the property. Numerous cannabis plants were seized along with an elaborate hydroponics and lighting system, and will be destroyed at a later date. PC 616 Nina Bowden later said, "This has been one the most sophisticated cultivation set ups Warwickshire Police have discovered in the North Warwickshire area." Sergeant Ron Drake at Coleshill said that, "Thanks to the local intelligence and information, the majority being provided by vigilant local residents, Warwickshire Police has been able to shut down six cultivation factories in a five month period."

OTHER POLICE ITEMS

The police are carrying out targeted patrols in Springhill, Morgan Close and Fourfields Way due to many incidents regarding damage and if anyone has information please contact the local police (01675 464444). Note: PC Paul Vaughton is the new Officer for the Arley area. The police would like to remind drivers to de mist their vehicles of a morning before setting off on their journey and not to leave vehicles unattended.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

Midweek Activities at: Arley Wesley Hall Methodist Church and Community Centre

Monday 5.00pm – 7.00pm Exercise and relaxation based on Tai-Chi
Tuesday 10.00am – 12 noon Art Class
5.00pm – 6.00pm Sparkle Club for 4 to 7 year olds
6.00pm – 7.00pm Jaffa Club for 7-11 year olds
7.00pm – 9.00pm Youth Club for 11 years plus
Wednesday 5.45pm – 6.45pm Beginners/Intermediate Line Dancing
6.45pm – 7.45pm Intermediate Line Dancing
Friday 3.00pm – 4.30pm Sequence Dancing
3.00pm, the first Thursday of every month Pop-In for tea, cakes and a chat.

Activities at Rowlands Court, Old Arley

Mondays - Stroke Club 9.30am - 3 pm or Ray on 01676 540515 or Margaret on 02476 736803.
Tuesdays - Tenants Community Panel (meetings to be arranged), Thursday - Meals every 3rd Thursday in the month at Rowland Court.
Fridays - Bingo 6.30pm - 9 pm. Other functions every month, Meals, Outings, Buffets and many other things. Call Pat on 01676 541951 or Vera on 01676 541631

Activities at St. Wilfrids

Arley WI Meets on the first Tuesday of each month. 7.30pm at Meadowcroft. All welcome Tel. Pat 02476 395447

Activities at Arley Sports Centre:

Women’s netball practice fitness and fun Every Monday 8.15 – 9.15pm at Arley Sports Centre all ages 11 – 60 welcome, and all abilities. Times vary during summer but most Tuesdays 8.15pm. £2.50 per session. Tel. Hayley 01676 549032

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