Arley News Online

 

Welcome to the Winter ‘07 edition of Arley News.

 

We’ve a bumper issue for you this quarter, including invitations to events, important updates on the Arley Parish Plan, breaking news about Arley Allotment Association making links with the BBC, an Arley history article and another international message, this time from previous Arley residents now living in Australia!

 

The Arley Autumn Fayre was a big success, congratulations to all involved in making the day happen and to all those who came along in support. Following on from an advert in last Arley News, a donation of £50 has been gratefully received for the ladder provided by our treasurer Mike Williams – many thanks indeed.

 

As Christmas is coming up, I’m delighted to have been given permission to share this photo of Joyce Foster (nee Jackson) playing the part of Mary in a nativity play held in 1953 in St. Michael’s church in Arley – what a wonderful memory:

Finally, thank you very much indeed to everyone who has supported Arley News and provided donations during 2007. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year,

 

 

This was considered a great success with the following amounts raised: -Youth Club £75, Arley News £100, ACA £88 and the Tombola £110,   The Art in the Community stall was especially good for the children keeping several busy for long periods of time.   Thank you to everyone who supported the day.

The next meeting is set for Monday, 3rd December at 7pm at St. Michael’s Church, New Arley. All welcome.

 

 

To the people of Old and New Arley and surrounding villages who attended Arley Junior School or Herbert Fowler School, or lived in the villages during the 1940’s to come along and enjoy a social get together of old friends or acquaintances. To be held at the Old Arley Methodist Church rooms on Saturday 23rd February 2008 at 2.30pm – 5.30pm

 

Refreshments provided free

 

Your Host,

                  Margaret Lumley (Harness)

                  Who lived at 12 Rectory Cottages Old Arley

 

Please contact Margaret on 01676 549044 if you wish to attend 

NO! and YES!

 

NO preservatives!

NO artificial colouring!

NO salt!

NO sugar!

NO fat!

 

Funny how foods are advertised by what they don't have!

 

The idea is that by saying NO to preservatives, colours etc, we are saying YES to a healthy lifestyle and to feeling good about ourselves.

 

Generally speaking of course we don't like saying NO nor do we want people to say NO to us.

 

But sometimes especially if we really want to achieve something we have to say NO to achieve what we want - whether it be to pass an exam, to win a prize or to lose weight.

 

At Christmas we celebrate the God who said NO.

 

God said NO to status, riches and power to become a tiny baby.

Why? In order to say YES to his work of loving us and caring for us. To give us the opportunity to say NO to all that is wrong and YES to a new life with Him.

 

HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS   Peter Allan, Rector

I shall be off work, and for much of the time away, for three months from Easter next year. Clergy are allowed at least one such break and after 24 years in ministry it seemed a good time to get refreshed! If you need help or assistance during that time, please contact the churchwardens.  I shall be giving more detailed arrangements in the next edition of Arley News. The pattern of services will continue as normal.  Rev. Peter Allan

 

 

 

Join us every Sunday... 

 9 a.m.    St. Wilfrid's   Holy Communion

10.15 a.m. St. Michael's 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays Holy Communion

  2nd and 4th Sundays All-Age Worship

 

.... and through the week

Monday Fellowship Group 

Tuesday and Friday Minimikes (Parents and Toddlers) ( St. Michael's)

Tuesday Night Youth Club (St. Michael's)

 

Thursday St. Michael's Over 60's Group and New Way Credit Union (both at St. Michael's)

Thursday Fellowship Group

 

If you would like prayers to be said for you, please pass a note to any church member or drop in a request to the letter box at both churches. We should be delighted to include your name in our prayers on Sunday.

For further details, to book a baptism or wedding or if you would like me to visit please telephone the Rector Peter Allan 02476-399070

 

 

Christmas - St. Wilfrid, Arley with St. Michael, Gun Hill

 

We welcome you to join us this Christmas.

Sunday 9 December   6.30pm St. Wilfrid's, Carols by Candlelight

 

Monday 24 December Christmas Eve 4pm St. Michael's Jesus' Birthday (Informal celebration for all ages)

11.30pm St. Wilfrid's Midnight Communion

 

Tuesday 25 December Christmas Day   10.15 am St. Michael's Communion and Carols

Sunday 30 December 10.30am St. Michael's   Christmas Worship (no service at St.Wilfrid's)

 

 

 

As I write this I am surrounded by paper- information, letters, plans, policies. By the time you read this our Stage 2 application for over £400,000 to the Big Lottery (Community Buildings Programme) will be off.  Within six months we'll hear whether or not we are successful. If we are not its back to the drawing board. If we are, then by this time next year the builders will have started work on our new community centre to the rear of St. Michael's. It will include a large activity room and coffee lounge with welcome area, new toilets and an enlarged and refurbished kitchen. It will be accessible from outside or from within the church whatever each user group wishes.

 

There are so many groups meeting in St. Michael's who deserve better and many groups which can not come into New Arley because of the lack of suitable premises. For their sake I'll be hoping and praying for a successful outcome.

 

I know several of you have asked who will own the new building. The answer is Arley Parochial Church Council (NB not Coventry Diocese but the local church) They own the existing land and the application has been made in their name. Having said that, I can assure you that the new centre is for everyone. That's why I believe in the project. But it's not just me saying that. The Lottery grant places a legal obligation on the group receiving a grant to continue to provide open access for the next 40 years. Furthermore the centre will be managed by a separate group - Arley and St. Michael's Community Centre Ltd. who will include representatives of church and community bodies with a substantial number elected directly by the community. I would like to thank so many people who have done all they can in order to make this application a success. Thank you. I hope to bring good news by next May.  

Peter Allan (Rector)

 

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 Sue Fry on 02476 312367

 

 

 

Saturday December 8th Showing of the film ‘The Nativity’ at 3pm

Sunday December 9th Family Service 10.30am

Sunday December 16th Evening Service 6pm

Sunday December 23rd Christmas Carol Service at 4pm

Everyone welcome.

 

 

Spring Hill

New Arley

Sunday Mass 11.00am

Priest: Fr Stephen Day 02476 392365

(Served by St Anne’s, Camp Hill Road, Chapel End, Nuneaton)

Christmas Mass at St Joseph’s

Christmas Day 11.00am. Christmas Masses at St Anne’s, Camp Hill Road, Chapel End, Nuneaton

Christmas Eve 5pm and Midnight, Christmas Day 9.00am

 

This is just one of the names for the amazing plant that is aloe vera.  Others include the ‘Burns Plant’ and the ‘Miracle Plant’. The benefits of aloe vera were discovered centuries ago.  It was used by the ancient Egyptians for its skin healing properties, including Cleopatra to keep her youthful and beautiful.  The ancient Chinese used it, as well as Christopher Columbus, Alexander the Great and Ghandi. The benefits have now become recognised again and aloe vera is used these days in everything from toilet rolls and shaving gel to cosmetics and even stockings!

Aloe vera looks like a cactus, but is in fact a succulent and is a member of the garlic, onion and lily family.  There are over 300 species of aloe vera plant but only 4 have medicinal properties.  The most commonly used is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller as it has the most medicinal properties and is the easiest to cultivate. 

 

Aloe vera plants like hot, dry climates and there are many commercial plantations in Texas, Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia and South Africa.  Aloe vera must be grown organically without the need for chemicals, pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers.  It is harvested and processed by hand, which in turn, provides employment for the local community. 

 

So why is it good for you?

 

The gel from the inner leaf is that part that contains all of the goodness.  It has a potent cocktail of over 75 vitamins, minerals, nutrients and essential amino acids, all required by the body to function well and to keep healthy. There are a number of ways that aloe vera can help the body.  It has adoptogenic properties.  This means that each individual, whether human or animal, will draw the required ingredients from the aloe to help it heal itself.  This is why it is so good at treating a number of different conditions, as well as contradictory conditions, such as diarrhoea or constipation.

 

It helps to fine tune the immune system, leaving you with a feeling of increased energy and better general well being.  This may also be in part to the powerful antioxidant properties of the gel.  It contains vitamins A, C & E, which are three of the most potent chemicals in fighting free radicals within the body. It is a very effective cleanser, due to the natural saponins contained within the gel, making it powerful enough to remove grease and oil from a mechanics hands, but gentle enough to use on a newborn baby.  It won’t dry the skin as the aloe has a Ph of 5.5, which is almost identical to the skin’s natural Ph. 

 

Unlike many other topical products, aloe vera has a deep penetrating effect on the skin.

 

“On 30th September my husband and I, along with my sister Jean and her partner John from Leicester, attended the 80th. Anniversary of St. Michaels Church and what a wonderful time we had. It was a lovely service and we met so many people who we knew but had not seen for many years from Gun Hill and Old Arley. The most exciting part was meeting our neighbour from George Street (Maureen Cox nee Seymour) whom we had not seen for 50 years. We could have spent hours reminiscing; we had so much to talk about. There were lots of photos in the church and articles about Arley Colliery which were very interesting.

 

Thanks to Ken Steane, Sue Harte and everyone who helped to make this a memorable occasion. There was also a buffet and a lovely bookmarker given to everyone as a memento. Before the service we had a walk round the village taking a special interest in George Street where my sister, brother (Jim Jackson) and I were born. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

 

A lot of people are trying to make Arley and Gun Hill a nice interesting place to reside in and we wish you every success. Keep up the good work.”

 

Best wishes from Joyce Foster. (nee Jackson)

 

 

 

Wednesday 26th December 2007 - BOXING DAY RAMBLE 

After the Christmas excesses enjoy an escorted 4 mile ramble! 

TIME: 10am to 12noon 

MEET AT: The Visitor Centre 

COST: Adults: £1.50   Concessions: £1   Family: £3.50

Sunday 13th January 2008 - BUILD A BIRDBOX 

An opportunity to construct your very own 'ideal home' for the birds in your garden. Please bring your own hammer. 

TIME: 9.30am to 11.30am 

MEET AT: The Visitor Centre 

COST: £3 per bird box

Saturday 16th February 2008 - SNOWDROPS & SOUP WALK 

A guided walk to view the celebrated Hayes' snowdrops. Then enjoy a bowl of warm soup and a roll back at The Visitors Centre.

TIME: 2pm to 4pm 

MEET AT: The Visitor Centre 

COST: Adults: £2  Concessions: £1.50 (Includes soup and a roll)

Thursday 28th February 2008 - NIGHT WALK 

A 2 mile night walk with a Ranger, looking out for nocturnal wildlife. Please bring a torch. 

TIME: 8pm to 10pm 

MEET AT: The Visitor Centre 

COST: Adults: £1.50   Concessions: £1   Family: £3.50 

**BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS POPULAR EVENT

Please let me know if you would like to attend and if you require transport  Tel: 01827 719219 Email: ardentrail@northwarks.gov.uk

Saturday 29th March 2008 - EARLY SPRINGWATCH 

A 2 mile escorted walk seeking out the first signs of spring. 

TIME: 2pm to 4pm 

MEET AT: The Visitor Centre 

COST: Adults: £1.50  Concessions: £1  Family: £3.50

 

 

As winter approaches things are quietening down on the allotment, however it is all go in the wildlife garden. We recently had a visit from the newly formed committee of the Wharton Allotment Group; this brave group are about to revitalise their own allotment site following on from the success of the Arley project.

 

On our own site, we have invested in several loads of farmyard manure, supplied by one of local farmers, which is currently being dug into our plots in preparation for the new growing season. Several of us are looking forward to picking our own Brussels spouts on Christmas morning!

 

The Highways Agency and Severn Trent have been called in to investigate problems with the storm drains that run across the site. These collect the surface rainwater running down from Hill Top, Gun Hill and across from Sycamore Crescent. It appears that one of these pipes is either blocked or has collapsed causing drainage problems.

 

On the wildlife garden front things are moving apace; a new pedestrian gate has been installed thanks to a donation from the Parish Council. The Community Service guys have worked hard to clear a route through the scrub from the gate to the bottom of the site and we are now ready to dig out the footpath along that route. This will form the main entrance to the wildlife garden. A thousand plants have been ordered for a new native hedge to create a wildlife corridor around the site and to act as a boundary between the allotment plots and the wildlife garden. Planting will take place in December. Other activities in the pipeline include building new bird boxes to enhance those already in place and hedge laying parts or the old boundary hedge to rejuvenate it.

 

The BBC have been in touch and are looking to do a piece about the site; we were on the shortlist for a small feature on the BBC’s Autumn Watch programme but they felt we had a bigger story to tell. Instead they have asked us to do a video diary for them which we hope will form the basis for a bigger feature. Watch this space (or your TV!).

 

And finally, we have our fingers crossed, that the next time we report will have received good news regarding our grant application for funding for the site road and that work will be under way.

 

 

MIKE O'BRIEN MP

 

 

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

 

 

Arley Parish Council has been pleased to support the work of the Parish Plan Steering Group, and through it, the national initiative promoting Parish Plans

 

A Parish Plan is an essential way of finding out what the parishioners think about their community, and what they see the future of that community to be. The analysis of the questionnaires is nearly complete and a selection of some key early findings is shown below. Much more will become available as we begin work on the action plan, which is the next stage of the process.

 

This information will be used to influence the policies and decisions of the Borough and County Councils and other service providers. We will also use it to try to ensure that Arley is developed in a way that it is acceptable to its residents. We must, however, recognise that whilst the plan is an expression of Arley’s hopes and fears, it will have to fit in with other local and national plans and policies affecting the area.

 

It is of great benefit for the Parish Council to have facts and statistics to support comments on specific issues. Thank you for assisting us with this by completing and returning the questionnaires that were distributed earlier this year.

 

For your information an additional Business Survey has been drafted and will be distributed to the businesses in Arley, in order to complete the picture.

 

Next Steps:

 

We now need to start working on an action plan to address some of the issues that you have identified. A number of people have already volunteered to help us with this but if anyone else would like to be involved, please contact Mike Williams at mikerw@btinternet.com. As well as the action plan we aim to hold presentations to the villagers on the findings, when the analysis is complete. More information will appear in future editions of Arley News.

 

This was the first report produced from the Parish Plan Survey, and addressed the potential relocation of the medical centre.   A background article on this subject appeared in the Summer 2006 edition of Arley News and can be found on the Arley News website.

In all 237 people responded to the survey with over 330 individual comments being made.

 

A brief summary of the findings is as follows: -

 

Of the 237 respondents,

59% wanted the medical centre in the ‘Spring Hill area’

That is either the present site or the Jampot site.

33% considered the old miners site best.

4%. Favoured Bournebrook View

 

Of the individual comments,

42% wanted a central location.

35% required good parking/car/bus access.

11% considered elderly/disabled access important.

 

The conclusions drawn were: -

 

*           Have a central location convenient for villagers of both communities.

*           Cater for all groups of patients.

*           Provide adequate parking.

*           Have a nearby bus stop.

*           Make good use of waste/derelict/unsightly land.

*           Be on level ground.

These comments have been fed back to the medical centre.

 

The full report runs to 15 pages and can be obtained as an email attachment from Mike Williams at mikerw@btinternet.com.

Affordable Housing and New Housing

 

A majority (61%) of respondents feel there is no need for more housing (affordable or otherwise) in Arley for local Arley residents although 30% of respondents feel there is a need for more affordable housing.

 

The result indicated a desire for, or benefit from, 23 new homes, with a preferred location of around Old Arley.

 

A vast majority of comments were positive with people quoting: - the village and rural setting, country life, friendly people the countryside and open spaces. Having said that the responses were fairly divided on whether life in Arley had changed for the better or worse over the last few years.

Local Environment

 

This section concentrated on the services provided such as bin collections. It is pleasing to note that refuse, green bin and red box collection scored highly on satisfaction.

 

Of more concern was littering, fly tipping and control of dog fouling together with road and path maintenance. Since the questionnaires were sent out though a number of street cleaners have been in action so perceptions may have improved here.

 

A large number of people value the green spaces and consider that they should be protected from development.

 

Local Facilities and Services

 

Here the local shops, Mobile Library, Post Office and Post boxes were considered very important and well appreciated. These services scored the highest positive scores of the survey.

 

Arley news seemed to provide a majority of people their information about what’s going on in Arley. This was closely followed by word of mouth!

 

Local Government

 

A high majority thought the Parish Council represented their views and publicised its meetings well although this fell off when related to Borough Councillor representation.

 

Two thirds of the respondents were aware that they could attend Parish Council Meetings.

 

Road safety/traffic Management Measures

 

A lot of responses here calling for a variety measures relating to speeding, parking and public transport too numerous to list here. These along with other findings will be passed to the appropriate bodies.

 

A very high percentage of peoples entire transport needs were met by private transport.

Policing Crime and Disorder

 

The replies to this section were varied and many although the number of people who considered nuisance and anti-social behaviour a problem did stand out. Also prominent were the number of people willing to report an incident to the police, crime stoppers or neighbour watch.

 

A good number of you favoured an extension to the number of CCTV sites.

 

The perceived lack of Police presence was the biggest concern, with the need for Policing at night, in the evenings and in the school holidays being specifically identified.

Health and Well Being

 

Amongst the data collected here the doctors scored highly on friendliness, range of services and privacy although not well on the appointment system and disabled access.

 

The above has necessarily, because of space, been only a snapshot of some 200 pages of reports and 400 pages of spreadsheet analysis. Please be patient with us as the Steering Committee gets to grips with it all.

 

 1 Which creature has the most teeth?

2 What was banned on TV in 1965?

3 What is the most common place name in the world?

4 Queen Victoria banned what from her funeral?

5 How many countries drive on the left?

6 Which firm employs the most people with 2.4 million people working for them?

7 What did James Brucemason jnr invent in 1923?

8 What is a Pogonophile?

9 Who won the 1st football European Cup?

10 In music terms what is a Stave/Staff?

11 What job did Harry Enfields laodsamoney do?

12 Al Jumahiriyah Al Arabiyah Ah Libiyah Ash Shabiyah Al Ishtirakiyah Al Uzma is the country with the longest name what is it better known as?

13 What games room is found on a cludeo board?

14 What is the official language of Argentina?

15 Where was the first motorway restaurant located?

16 What nationality was Marie Curie?

17 Which explorer has the middle name Twistleton Wykeham?

18 What have John Travolta,Gary Newman and Nicholas Lyndhurst got in common?

19 What is a Stonechat?

20 What is the royal dog of China?

 

1 Dame Thora Herd

2 South Wales

3 Its the space between your eyebrows

4 Ray Brooks

5 Emmerdale

6 Pretty Flamingo

7 Rhine

8 Germany Russia

9 Clint Eastwood

10 1968

11 1969

12 Cook meat directly over a fire

13 July

14 Osmonds Boyzone

15 Idris the dragon

16 Aida

17 Taking photos of the sun

18 Hyacinth Bucket

19 Berlin Wall

20 Barry White Your my first last

     and everything

 

Quiz answers and Questions are

Kindly supplied by the

Merry Miner

Check your answers to Quiz 9

in: Arley News, Spring, 2008

 

On Saturday 4th August, the Ley Group young People's Project organised a community trip to Conkers in Derbyshire to celebrate a year since the project began its work in he area.

 

114 people from across the villages of the Ley Group attended, including a  number of families from Old and New Arley.

 

The weather was perfect and a great day out was had by all. The Conkers site provided so many opportunities for fun and exploration; the enchanted forest to learn more about how nature works, the giant assault course, mazes, trails, and of course the furry forest friends show in the amphitheatre were among the highlights of the day.

 

In addition to all this a number of people joined in the activities run especially for those from the Ley Group party. Some either got lost, or learnt to read a map on the orienteering course, others squealed in disgust at the slimey creatures they fished up in the pond dipping. The older children and young people took part in a competition to build the best shelter-some shelters even had camp fires and number plaques! There was also the kite making, and of course the mud monster sculpture making!

 

The Cookachoo train ferried everyone about between the exciting activities, and eventually bought everyone back to the coach home- only 3 nearly had to walk home!

 

All in all a great celebration and a lovely day out for all. Thanks to everyone who came and all those who helped out on the day.

 

 

What we've been up to...

 

After being up and running for over year now, we thought this would be a good opportunity to bring you up to speed with the work we've undertaken this year in Arley Parish.

 

The main new group that has been set up over the year is the Arley young Women's Group which meets in Ansley Village. Following a weekend trip to Wales in February the group has worked to develop their skills around self-esteem and self-defence as well as encouraging the group to be a source of support for one another. They have recently applied to the Youth Opportunity Fund to fund another residential to celebrate their achievemnets at the end of the year.

 

With the help of the Ley Group, New Arley Youth Club has also made strong steps forward over the last year. The club now has a strong team of committed volunteers including two young people from the village who give up their time to help provide activities for other children and young people. Over the summer the club ran a holiday programme of arts taster sessions including card-making, dance and photography- the graffiti sessions are still to be organised.

 

Sadly this will be my last contribution to the Arley News, as I am soon to move to a new post in Solihull. So I'd like to say a big thanks to everyone who has supported both the project and myself over the last year and a half, it's been great to meet and work alongside some of you. Watch this space for anouncements of the new Ley Group Youth Workers!

                                   

                                    Vicky Odams

 

Firstly I would like to introduce myself as the new youth worker for the Ley Group Young People’s Project. My Name is Sarah Tiffany (formerly Sarah Stephen) I have lived in New Arley for 21 Years. I am known to the young people of Arley and the surrounding villages, I have worked as a volunteer in New Arley since 2005, and I have also worked in Ansley, Ansley Common, and Fillongley.

 

Lots of exciting things have been happening in New Arley in the last two Months. There has been an extension of the Tuesday night youth club and there is now a Thursday night drop in for 11 – 19 years. The drop in is for young people to use the internet or computers for course work, research and job search. The drop in is also for young people seeking advice and guidance. We provide volunteers to help with course work, filling in application forms and surfing the net. Our staff are made up of 5 volunteers who currently work on the Tuesday night youth club. Two of our volunteers are young people that formally were members of New Arley youth club. We are very proud of them and I am sure they would not mind us mentioning there names, so a big WELL DONE and THANK YOU goes to Sarah Davies and Allan Harvey!!!!! The other volunteers are Abbee Mclatchie, who works as a Lecturer at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and Anne Dickins who is a local resident, without these people it could not happen.

 

Also we have recently had a trip to West Midland Safari Park where we took the younger and older members together. This was a lovely day out and it was fantastic to see the older members supporting the younger members by taking them on rides.

 

We had a Halloween fancy dress party and the costumes where fantastic, thank you to all those who took part.

 

The young women’s project went on a day trip to Warwick Crown Court, Where they learned about justice then and now. They got to sit and watch the court case of Guy Fawks how it would have been then and how it would be if it was present day. It was a fantastic day although very cold. We soon made up for it with a very large hot chocolate with marshmallows!!!      

 

Four Young people from New Arley also helped on a Millennium Volunteers painting and decorating project and helped down at St Wilfrid’s Church for the day; well done to Nathan Harvey, Rosie, Sarah Davies and Allan Harvey.

 

If You would like to offer your time, any advice or equipment then please call Sarah Tiffany or Abbee Mclatchie on 07971772212.

 

This term has been a busy one for us.  Parents have been very supportive of our fund raising activities to help charities and to boost our own school funds.  We exceeded our totals from last year by raising £200 for Macmillan Cancer Care and over £200 for Children in Need.  The £1200 raised from our Sponsored Walk certainly exceeded our expectations!  The Hallowe’en Disco was a huge success with all manner of ghosts, skeletons, mummies and other frightening characters “strutting their stuff” to the sounds of music selected by our resident DJ, George Jackson.  This event raised £150 for school. To support our revised project curriculum, our children will be enjoying visits to Lunt Roman Fort, Tamworth Castle and Birmingham Museum.  In the lead up to Christmas, Year 6 are looking forward to their Business Challenge Day on 14th December run by Warwickshire Education Business Partnership.

 

As Christmas approaches, we are planning our Christmas Fair which will take place on Friday, 7th December at 6.00 pm.  EVERYONE WELCOME!  The children are looking forward to a pantomime on 10th December, ‘Oh yes they are!’, followed  in the last week of term by Carol Services and Christmas dinner.

 

In conclusion, I am delighted to report that following our third HMI Review on 7th/8th November, the school is continuing to make good progress.  The report will be posted on the Ofsted website (www.ofsted.gov.uk) at the end of this week or a copy can be obtained from the school office. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year 2008 and to thank Governors, parents and members of the community for your continued support.

 

Linda Weyman, Head Teacher

 

 

We have just received our Ofsted report following a recent inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate. We were delighted with the report, which we feel acknowledges the hard work of everyone in school and celebrates our children’s academic achievements as well as their enthusiasm and enjoyment of being members of Gun Hill School.  Ofsted give 4 grades in their inspections (i.e. 1=Outstanding; 2=Good, 3=Satisfactory, 4=Inadequate). We were really pleased to be given an overall effectiveness grade of “GOOD” and even more pleased that some elements of our school were considered to be “OUTSTANDING”. If you would like to see a full copy of the report, we have copies in the School Office and it is also on the Ofsted website, http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports.

 

We very pleased to gain Healthy Schools Status earlier this term. This followed a lot of hard work by the staff, children and governors to meet a wide range of standards in Health Education, promoting healthy eating and lifestyles.

 

The children enjoyed a visit from a theatre company who performed “The Selfish Crocodile”. This gave the children the opportunity to see colourful scenery, skilful actors and a variety of puppets as well as hearing a wide range of music, dialects etc.

 

Our Year Two children were delighted to receive high visibility vests, donated by 3M. They all left school wearing them and I’m sure many of you will have seen them around the village! Our younger children received “cat’s eye pendants” to attach to their coats, bags etc. This fitted in with our on-going road safety programme, highlighting at this time of year the need to be seen on dull gloomy days.

 

All the children in Year One took part in an inter-schools Fundamental Skills workshop at Alderman Smith School. This gave them the opportunity to get fit, have fun and meet children from other schools.

 

We have decided to visit St. Michael’s Church for our Christmas “production” this year instead of performing a play in school. The children will be re-telling the Christmas Story in a simple way with lots of lovely bright, cheerful music. This will be at 9.45 on 13th December. We will also be having our usual Christmas assembly in school at 9.30 on 21st December. All members of the community are welcome to join us for any of these events. We are also planning parties, Christmas dinner and visits from Father Christmas……..but, of course, these all depend on the children’s behaviour !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Everyone at Gun Hill School would like to wish you all

a Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

 

Ann Pipe, Headteacher

 

 

It is very difficult for the older villagers of Arley to explain to the newcomers to our villages just how closeknit a community we were before the closure of the mine on March 28th, 1968.  This was all too apparent when on Tuesday 29th April, 1931 when during the day shift at the pit the “Bull” (The Pit Hooter) started up and just kept sounding.  To the villagers this meant only one thing, a dreaded disaster at the mine.

 

There had been a fall of coal and rock deep underground and four men were missing presumed dead.  Mr E Knox (managing director), Mr H Bailey (colliery manager) had been alerted and they led the rescue attempts along with the mine’s rescue team.

 

The people of the village flocked to the pit top and there were scenes of heartfelt grief as the news came through that the rescue teams had found four men all of which were unfortunately dead.  The silence was deafening as the four bodies were brought to the surface and the whole village became a place of mourning.  The following Sunday here were scenes of a most distressing character as the funerals of three of the four men, namely Ted Warmington, John Dingley and Sam Hickling.

 

The whole village from one end to the other was in mourning, blinds and curtains being drawn at every house, while the mournful procession made its way through the village to the Parish Church of St. Wilfrid’s.  Women mourners broke down and some men were in tears at the graveside.

 

The coffins containing the bodies of the men Messrs E Warmington, J I Dingley and SE Hickling were removed from their homes after the inquest on the previous day. During Sunday morning the respective families said their farewells, lots of workmates and friends also called to pay their last respects.

 

The whole village was full of miners from Nuneaton, Hinckley, Atherstone, Tamworth, Coventry and Bedworth; as well as the communities of Chapel End, Stockingford, Galley Common, Ansley Village and Ansley Common.  Every curtain and blind was drawn, showing the sympathy felt for the bereaved and outside the residence of each of the deceased large numbers of people had gathered.

 

 

Take the pecans, brazil nuts, walnuts, candied cherries and pineapple, and put them in a bowl.

Mix together the sugar, cream, corn syrup and salt in pan. Bring to a boil, and cook to soft ball stage.

Remove from heat and add the vanilla.

Beat, then pour over fruit and nut mixture.

Press into a long pan.

When set, cut into squares.

Christmas Fudge ingredients list:

3 cups of whole pecan halves.

3 cups of sugar.

1 ½ cups of heavy cream.

1 ½ cups of chopped Brazil nuts.

1 ½ cups of chopped walnuts.

1 cup of candied cherries.

1 cup of candied pineapple.

1 cup of white corn syrup.

1 teaspoon of salt.

1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Scattered to the four wings I reply – not all of us but certainly some of Arley’s sons and daughters have flown the coup.

 

So exactly where are the sons and daughters of Arley past ?How many of us believed, as children, that we would travel to the four corners of the world? The more I hear of where my friends are living the more I realize that many of us have moved from the village. Many of us have relocated around our fair isle or travelled across the seas but I’m sure all of us are still Arley kids at heart? I would love to map our travels, we Arley gypsies who have up and left but still carry the village, and its people, in or hearts. Memories shared by Elaine Martin reminded me of that old saying which, with some poetic license I have altered slightly, “You can take the kid out of Arley but you can’t take Arley out of the kid!!!” Could the readers I wonder help me track our travellers maybe running a ‘where are they now section?’ I have had contact with Peter Stinton and his family, Peter Flynn and Gail Flynn (nee  Brownshaw ) who live here in Brisbane, Australia. I chat on e-mail to Kelvin Brown in Canada and Karen Swift still in the UK but not in Arley and I know my  cousin Robert Stokoe is in Devon but there’s where it dries up for me. So if anyone could help me track down the travels of some of my friends from Gun Hill Arley and Herbert Fowler (from 1962 till the mid 70’s) I would really love to hear there stories of travel and what they remember of the village.

 

For me I remember the village differently from the Arley I visit today. It seemed cleaner and we were more aware of treating it with respect, the grass in the church yards were mowed (St Michael’s especially), there seemed a pride in the village, although reading your newsletter the village spirit isn’t dead.  This newsletter is a god send I’ll be logging in for every copy from now on. So please keep up the great work I’m sure you’re promoting the building of our cherished community, if you could get the churchyards cleaned up and the rubbish

picked up or better still placed in the bins not the floor even better!! Take care Elaine Painter payntersplace@hotmail.com

 

The use of off road motorcycles and quad bikes has become a problem particularly around Kingsbury including the MOD land at Kingsbury and Baggeridge Brick near Dosthill. This issue was identified at the recent Forum/Pact meeting and as a result Police activity has taken place to deal with it. Riding on land other than a road without the owners permission is an offence as well as being a nuisance to local people. The Warwickshire Police off road motor cycle team based at Coleshill have had some considerable success at deterring the use of these machines. At Baggeridge Brick, in the last few weeks, several Sec. 59 warnings have been issued to riders with the threat of seizing their machine if found again. As a result when the team re visited the location the following week, there were no such machines to be found. The team together with local Officers will continue to monitor and deal with the anti social use of these machines.  An Arley Parish Councillor has said that the council is in the process of adopting sec 59 for the local area so the police can act in and around Arley to stop the same nuisance continuing here.

 

 

Chairperson                 Cllr Mrs M Binks                     

Vice Chairperson         Cllr Mr E Fellows,

Councillors                  Cllr Mr R Brown, Cllr Mr B Petty, Cllr Mr R Mumford, Cllr Mr P Reader, Cllr Mrs V Robinson, Cllr Mr B E Franklin, Cllr Mrs P Cotterill, Cllr Mrs C Davies                

Clerk to Council           Mr G Brough      01676 542563                           

WCC Councillor           Cllr Mr C Hayfield          

 

 

Monday 5.00pm – 7.00pm Exercise and relaxation based on Tai-Chi

 

Tuesday 10.00am – 12 noon Art Class

               5.30pm – 6.30pm Sparkle Club for 4 to 7 year olds

               7.00pm – 9.00pm Youth Club for 12 years plus

 

Wednesday 1.00pm – 2.30pm   Parent and Toddlers

                     5.45pm – 6.45pm  Beginners Line Dancing

                     6.45pm – 7.45pm Line Dancing

 

Thursday  5.30pm – 6.30pm Jaffa Club for 7 to 12 year olds

 

Friday  3.00pm – 4.30pm Sequence Dancing

 

3.00pm, the first Thursday of every month Pop-In for tea, cakes and a chat.

 

Stroke Club, meets every Monday 10 – 3pm, All Welcome Tel. Ray on 01676 540515 or Margaret on 02476 736803

 

Arley WI Meets on the first Tuesday of each month. 7.30pm at St. Wilfred’s Church Vestry, Old Arley, All welcome Tel. Pat 02476 395447

 

Womens netball practice fitness and fun Every Monday 8.15 – 9.15pm at Arley Sports Centre all ages 11 – 60 welcome, and all abilities. £2.50 per session. Tel.Karen 01676 549035