Arley News Autumn 2009 Edition EDITORIAL Welcome to the Autumn ’09 edition of Arley News. This edition provides on-going details of the development of Arley and St.Michael’s Community Centre, including an open date (31st October, 2009), an update from the allotment and community gardens and details of the facelift undergone by Arley Sports Centre. We are also delighted to announce the details for a Christmas Fayre in Arley planned for the 28th November, 2009. Thank you to the readers who have sent in letters/e-mails to Arley News – your input is very much appreciated. 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. Warm regards Emily & the Arley News Team ARLEY & ST. MICHAEL’S COMMUNITY CENTRE UPDATE Our new Community Centre is now nearing completion and the good news is that The Charity Commission has now granted us charity status. Also by the time you read this we will be well on the way to appointing a part time manager for the Centre. Plans are being formulated for the opening day and we would very much like to have suggestions from readers for any events that could take place on the day. We are also starting to take bookings for the Community Centre especially from any groups who would like to use it on a regular basis. Also if anybody is planning a family or community event later in the year we would like to hear from you also. The kitchen will be well equipped and ready for use either by users or outside caterers. This will be a great community resource for all the people of Arley. An activity hall with a sound system (plus hearing loop), coffee lounge/meeting room (incorporating an IT suite of laptop computers), and a catering kitchen will make the best community centre in the area to be enjoyed by all. A Management Committee will be formed to manage the day to day running of the Community Centre. This will be made up of trustees and people elected from the membership list of ‘Friends of Arley & St. Michael’s Community Centre’. Anyone who would like to become a friend please get in touch with Mike Williams for further details and an application form. Lastly, we would like to thank all those people and organisations that have made donations to the Community Centre. Mike Williams,Treasurer (01676 540988) Arley Community Centre Grand Opening 31st October 2009 Festivities commence 2pm ACA / ARLEY NEWS CHRISTMAS FAYRE AT ARLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE NOVEMBER 28TH 2009 11 AM TILL 2 PM Calling all nature lovers! Imagine having a tranquil bit of green space on your doorstep, where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy nature and wildlife. Hopefully, this vision will become a reality and if funding is available, there could be five new local nature reserves in North Warwickshire. One of these proposed sites is Daffern’s Wood, New Arley. If you’re a local resident, you can get involved and influence how this project develops. There are a number of ways to get involved. • If you live near to Dafferns Woods you will receive a questionnaire through your door. • You can also fill in a questionnaire on the website at the address below or request a questionnaire by post. You can also contact Zoe Davies, Community Development Officer (Environment) at the Borough Council on 01827 715341 email: zoedavies@northwarks.gov.uk or go onto the website at www.northwarks.gov.uk/localnaturereserves The nature reserves project involves North Warwickshire Borough Council, Groundwork Coventry & Warwickshire, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. The team is hoping to bid for funding so you support could make all the difference! Facelift for Arley Sports Centre A North Warwickshire sports centre has had a £50,000 revamp to improve its fitness suite and provide disabled access. The gym at Arley Sports Centre at Old Arley has been transformed to provide a lighter, brighter environment, double the floor space and new changing rooms. An exterior ramp provides disabled access to the facility, whilst there are also 12 fitness stations, suitable for disabled people. Assistant Manager Dave Winter said: “We have a number of special needs schools which use the Sports Centre and previously, it was disappointing that they couldn’t benefit from everything on offer. Now we’ve resolved the access issue and have the new equipment, we are already welcoming more customers and we hope this will continue over the next 12 months.” The funding came from the Council’s Disability Access Improvement Fund and chartered architects, R. John Craddock Associates of Nuneaton worked on the designs. To visit the new Fitness Suite, call into the Sports Centre on Oak Avenue, Old Arley, ring 01676 541867 or have a look at www.northwarks.gov.uk/arleysportscentre We have had a very busy time in Brownies during the last few months. We have celebrated Burns night with Haggis and neeps, made bird feeders to help our feathered friends through the cold spell, we also made hurricane lamps for Mothers Day, and raised over £50 for an Asthma Charity with a sponsored walk. All the girls have recently completed their water safety badge. This was done in two phases. The first phase began back in the winter when during a spell of very bad weather we decided to inform the girls of the dangers of freezing water and the second phase we completed just last week when we learned about tides and safe swimming etc. We had a very able tutor in our parent helper Helen who is a qualified sailing instructor. We also took 6 of the Brownies on a pack holiday to Kenilworth. This years theme was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We had bags of fun making all things chocolatey and gooey. We even had chocolate cereals for breakfast!! In 2010 we will be celebrating 100 years of Girlguiding. It has been decided that the celebrations will last a whole year with the launch of the celebrations taking place on 6th September 2009. The celebrations will come to an end on 20/10(2010) at 20.10 pm. Because of this, in September/October we are hoping to reinstate the Guide Unit, as we will have several Brownies who will be getting ready to move on to Guides in the next year. These girls have all been excellent Brownies and have shown real commitment to the Guiding movement and so we are keen to provide them with the opportunity to stay in Girlguiding. If any girl aged 10 – 15 would like to join us in the Guides unit they can contact Gail Arnold on 07989 627 057. We would also like to hear from anyone who would like to come along as a Guide leader/Helper. We also have spaces for anyone aged 7 – 10 who would like to join Brownies or put their name down on our waiting list. And finally we took part in the Royal British Legion Parade through Old Arley on Sunday 5th July. It was a very busy day for us as we also attended Church Parade at St Mary’s and All Saints in the Morning. But it was a great day, many of the local residents lined the road and watched and waved as we all went by. Mary Elson was our Standard Bearer for this event with Catherine Elson and Bethany Conroy making up the Colour Party. Mary and all the other Brownies who were able to join in with the parade did a great job, and I’m sure that it will be a day they will remember for many years to come. BUS SERVICE CHANGE The 735 bus service serves various villages between Nuneaton and Coventry and is operated for WCC by A-Line Travel. Starting on 7 September 2009 the Schooldays journey starting at Ansley Turn Island at 0731 is is being retimed to start at 0715 to cater for earlier school starting times. Schoolchildren form a large percentage of the passengers travelling on this jourrney. The earlier time has been agreed with Mike De Courcey Travel, the operator of this schooldays journey. None of the daytime journeys operated by A-Line Travel are affected. Brief summary details are available on the public transport pages on the County Council website under Forthcoming & Recent Service Changes. Timetable leaflets showing the revised times will be made available in due course through our usual distribution outlets, e.g. libraries, tourist information centres, council offices and shops/post offices in key rural areas. If you have any queries regarding the above bus service please contact my colleague Helen Garratt on 01926 418620 (or by e-mail using helengarratt@warwickshire.gov.uk). CHURCH NEWS ST. WILFRID’S CHURCH & ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH Join us every Sunday... 9 a.m. St. Wilfrid’s Holy Communion 10.15 a.m. St. Michael’s (Stewart Court during building work) 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. HARVEST FESTIVAL Harvest Service at St. Wilfrid’s on 27 September at 9.00 a.m. ST. WILFRID’S 1300TH ANNIVERSARY The 12th October is the 1300th anniversary of St. Wilfrid’s death and we would like to find out more about him. It’s quite unusual for a church to be named after St. Wilfrid in these parts. We wonder why he was chosen. The children at Herbert Fowler and Gun Hill Schools will have the opportunity to find out more about our village saint in October and you are invited to a special service of celebration at St. Wilfrid’s on Sunday 11 October at 9.00 a.m. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY There will be services of Remembrance on 8 November at St. Wilfrid’s and St. Michael’s Churches at 10.15 a.m. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Carols by Candlelight, St. Wilfrid’s,12 December at 6.30 p.m. Carol Singing Evening, meet outside the Fir Tree, New Arley on 17 December at 7.00 p.m. Carol Service, St. Michael’s, 20 December at 10.15 a.m. Jesus’ Birthday Party, St. Michael’s, 24 December at 4.00 p.m. Midnight Communion, St. Wilfrid’s, 24 December at 11.30 p.m. 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 All Youth Clubs will start back on Tuesday 15th September. New members are welcome. Harvest Festival - Sunday 11th October at 10.30am, followed by lunch. Advent Service - Sunday 29th November at 6.00pm. 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. Everyone is welcome to all of our services. Our next Fashion Show is on Thursday 12th November at 7.30pm at Ansley Club.Come along and grab a bargain! 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) QUIZ TIME Thanks to those who missed my quiz in the last newsletter, I’m back so get your thinking hats on and your brain in gear: AUTUMN QUESTIONS: 1 What was the first video to be banned on MTV? 2 Who was the first country singer to win a grammy? 3 Which country is the thinnest? 4 Who was the first person to walk the tightrope over Niagara Falls? 5 Who invented the battery? 6 In world war two there was a secret program known as Habbakuk what was it for? 7 Which part of your body contains one quarter of all your bones? 8 Which book has been translated into 438 languages? 9 What is the longest running sitcom? 10 Why was the city of Prypiat abandoned? 11 What was built at the European Organization for Nuclear Research in 1991 that changed the world we live in forever? 12 In 1952 which was the first 3d film? 13 The earth’s atmosphere is divided into five layers what is the outer one called? 14 Which country has the largest school with 32,114 students? 15 Whose nickname was The Great Stone Face? 16 Opportunity Knocks had three presenters who was the last one? 17 Who was the first Royal Astronomer? 18 What year did the Farthing cease to be legal tender? 19 In which opera is there a character called Bussy? 20 Which country was the first to be European Capital of culture? SPRING ANSWERS: 1 28 2 Vietnam 3 1937 4 Procol Harlem 5 Rumpole of the bailey 6 Heavy and Clumsy 7 Bottle 8 London to York 9 Switzerland 10 Armadillo 11 Charlotte Brew 1977 12 3 seconds 13 Hendon 14 Conakry 15 Fiacre 16 Glasgow 17 Corporal Jones 18 The Queen 19 The golden shot 20 Slovenia Reader’s Letters/E-mails “Just to say how great was the letter from a "fed up resident". So many of us agree with him/her. We love this village and despair of some of the things going on to tarnish its image. We walked back from voting last night and were most dismayed by the amount of litter all over the rec. ground, whilst the local youth sat amongst it....I find myself picking up litter and popping it in bins whenever I walk to/from village shop. If only we could get just one of the local lads on side - to encourage peers to put it in the bins, not throw it down. Need yet more bins too ! Very hopeful I know..”... An Arley News Reader “Just in response to the latest edition of the Arley News regarding plastic and cardboard. I also collect everything and take it to the tip and would be very supportive of a kerbside collection. In addition I have complained to NWBC recently about the green bin collection only being fortnightly. E.g It was collected on Friday 12th June and full again by Saturday pm and I am stuck not being able to do anymore gardening for a fortnight or having to use my car to take green waste to the tip.” Resident - Old Arley “Hi, Just wanted to say in response to the article about recycling in the last edition of Arley news, that I would welcome plastic/cardboard kerbside collection, as at present I take it to the tip. I have previously e-mailed the council to see if they plan to introduce this but they didn't even bother to respond, so I guess that sums up their commitment to recycling! Even a local place (eg with the other recycling bins at Old Arley sports centre) to take plastic and cardboard to would help.” An Arley News Reader Allotment & Community Garden News On June 7th we held our first open day showcasing the allotments and formally opening the wildlife garden. The weather was atrocious. After heavy rain on Saturday followed by downpours and gusty winds on the day the site was somewhat muddy. However, we were not deterred. Several of the planned activities were moved undercover to the parish hall and those activities that couldn’t be moved continued on-site despite the rain. Steve Brookes, gardening correspondent on Wincey Willis’ Sunday radio show, broadcast a series of interviews from the parish rooms, talking to many local people about their involvement with the allotment association or the activities they were running for the open day. We had a brilliant face painter who, after being challenged by Wincey, painted Steve’s face in the form of a tiger. Pictures of the result appeared on the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire web site. During the day a series of nature based mosaics were created by visitors. These have now been turned into paving slabs and have been set into the footpath near the entrance to the wildlife garden. Come and take a look next time your passing – they are fantastic. NWBC Community Development team did a brilliant job keeping the kids busy doing lots of arty things such as making flowers to attract bees and butterflies and decorating stones and visitors also had the opportunity to make bird boxes. Despite the mud we managed to plant up the nectar bar and put in some pond plants – I don’t think the BBC intended their “dirty weekend” to be quite so filthy but we all had some fun. And, of course, the highlight of the day was the formal opening of the wildlife garden. The ceremony was performed by Fran Poole, former Health and Wellbeing officer of NWBC, who started the allotment regeneration and wildlife garden ball rolling in 2005. She and her son cut a ribbon tied across the willow arch. You can see pictures of the day on our new website: www.ghaa@btik.com The weather on the open day prevented Warwickshire Wildlife Trust from building their mini beast mansion – it was simply too wet to go hunting for materials around the site! So they agreed to come back on a better day to re-run the activity. On 19th August we ran a family fun day where, as well as building the mansion, pond dipping, bug hunts, and butterfly identification took place. NWBC also came back to do some more art activities and make fruity kebabs. This time the sun shone and a good time was had by all. Pond dipping was a particular favourite as the pond, despite only being in situ for 9 months, is teeming with wildlife. Thanks to all who helped make both the open day and the fun day so successful. Do come down and take a look around the garden - there is a lot to see and do. We aim to be open every Sunday but as we rely on volunteers to man the site we can’t always achieve this. If the wildlife garden gate is open we are open. Mike O’Brien MP Please make an appointment to see Mike at one of his Surgeries – see below. 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 The Royal British Legion – Arley Branch The Arley Branch of The Royal British Legion would like to thank everyone who attended the County Parade, 5th July 2009 in Old Arley, also Old Arley Old Folks Fund for loaning us the tables and The Wesleyan Chapel the chairs for the Reception, Pupils from Herbert Fowler School for manning the water coolers, Mrs. Hazel Fellows for the floral arrangements in the church, Reverend Peter Allan, Dr.J. Bland, Mr. Steven Edwards for the Service and the landlords and staff of the Wagon Load of Lime. We had a lovely day, the weather was kind to us and everyone enjoyed themselves at the Reception after the Service. The Collection, taken during the Church Service, in aid of Warwickshire County Benevolent Fund raised £199. Frederick Guy. Branch Secretary. Local School Updates News from Gun Hill Infant & Nursery School By Ann Pipe Well, it’s the first day of the school holiday and I thought I better “put pen to paper” now before I get into holiday mood fully. School is very quiet today with no staff or children…..all of whom are beginning their much deserved summer holiday. We say every year “It doesn’t seem long since our last summer holiday” or “What a hectic year, it’s been busier than ever”. When you read this article we will indeed be back, fully immersed into our new school year………but for now I will let you catch up with what has happened since the last edition of Arley News. Our Key Stage One children enjoyed a visit to Warwick Castle where they explored the site with great enthusiasm and came back with lots of interesting information (particularly about ancient toileting arrangements!). Our Reception children spent a day at Ash End Farm which they enjoyed very much. Nursery children did not go on a trip but had a special visitor “The Bug Man” who brought all sorts of creatures into school for the children to see, hold etc. All the children were entertained by the Jack & Jill Theatre Company to a performance of “King Midas and the Donkey Ears”. Several events were held in school for parents and friends of the school to enjoy. • Our Year Two children performed a super assembly “Down our Street” and everyone was very proud of the effort all the children put into this. • Parents were given the opportunity to hear some of the music the children have been working hard on over the past ten weeks, with a “Feel the Buzz” concert. All parents were invited to school for an Open Evening where children proudly shared their work, gave conducted tours around school and received their annual written reports. Sports Day……after two wet years we were really pleased to be able to hold our sports events as planned. Lots of spectators, lots of shouting and encouragement, lots of awards, lots of fun with lots of sunshine! •A final end of year assembly where we celebrated a brilliant year at Gun Hill and said goodbye to our Year Two children as they move on to new schools in September. Lots of certificates were awarded All Year One & Two for taking part in the School Sports Partnership event at Alderman Smith which was organised by Leicester City Football Club: • KerbSafe certificates for all our Year One children who had successfully completed a six week road safety course. • Attendance certificates were given to 15 children who achieved 100% attendance during the summer term • Two children received certificates for 100% attendance for the whole school year (well done, Robert & Jack!) • Thank you certificates to Mia, Ashley, James, Katie, Eve, Alfie, Maguire & Alice who have been our School Council representatives this year. We were really proud of our Year Two children’s achievements at the end of Key Stage One. Individually and collectively they achieved (and often exceeded) their targets through lots of hard work and tremendous effort. So well done Sophie, Paige, Rhys, Jade, Sam, Robert, Alice, Athit, Nicole, Katie, Ellie, Harry, Tia, Charlie, Christopher, Lily, Danny, Libby, Maguire, Kieran & Angel. We know they will all do very well at their new schools and we look forward to hearing their news in the future. A big thank you to all those who have collected tokens and vouchers for the school. We have ordered some programmable ICT equipment with our Tesco vouchers, lots of gardening equipment with our Sainsbury’s vouchers and thirty books for our library with our Times Books for School tokens. The Times tokens will continue throughout the autumn term so we would appreciate more of these if you have them. Many thanks. If you are interested in finding out a bit more about our school, our updated School Profile can be viewed at http://schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk/9372002/school-profile. If you have just moved to the area or have young children who are not, as yet, at school why don’t you pop in and find out a little more about our school. You will be made most welcome Ann Pipe Headteacher Memories of life down on the farm A year-long project aims to produce an oral history of North Warwickshire’s farming life. Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Warwickshire Rural Community Council will work with volunteers to record people’s memories of life on local farms Project Manager/Researcher, Fiona Henderson, says “It is important that these memories from the 20th century are not lost. There have been immense changes in rural life; farms used to rely on horse power and are now using satellite technology. Changes in wider society mean that we are losing touch with the people who work the land and produce our food.” The project “My Farming Life” is looking for • photographs that illustrate those changes and the impact on the countryside • potential interviewees willing to talk about their experiences of farming throughout the 20th Century • volunteers interested in being interviewers. Contact Fiona at Warwickshire Rural Community Council on 02476 217346; Email: fionah @ wrccrural .org.uk ARLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Councillors: Councillor Melanie Binks Councillor E Fellows Councillor R Brown 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) Police Update • A number of thefts recently occurred in Rectory Road in Arley, could all residents be vigilant. • Arley Cannabis Factory Raided. At around 1.00pm on Thursday 13 August, North Warwickshire Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers from both Atherstone and Coleshill police stations attended an address in Gun Hill, Arley. As a result of information received a warrant was issued by magistrates to search premises for drugs. After entry was made to the premises, a search by officers was conducted a large quantity of cannabis plants were found. The plants and the growing equipment including lighting, heating and watering systems were seized by the officers and transported back to Coleshill Police Station to be destroyed at a later date. The occupant/s of the house were arrested and charged with the cultivation of cannabis. • The successful prosecution has taken place of a number of people for theft of building material from the Arley and St. Michael’s community centre project. 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 1.00pm – 2.45pm Stay and Play Toddler Group ( Surestart) 5.45pm – 6.45pm Beginners Line Dancing 6.45pm – 7.45pm Line Dancing Thursday 9.30am - 11.30am Bumps and Babies (Surestart) 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