ALLESLEY
PARISH MAGAZINE
HARVEST 2011
2
3
Non-Emergency
To report
number 0345 113 5000
0800 555 111
Allesley
number 0844 477 3885
0500 834333 email coventrydirect@coventry.gov.uk
Rector
Rev Robin Trew
024 76402006
Curate
Rev Lynda Edwards
024 76713235
Readers
Colin and Fey Holtum
024 76729996
Reader
Muriel Stubbins
024 76334331
Churchwardens
Neil Howes
Michael Jones
024 76469045
024 76692734
Verger
Angela Taylor
024 76404032
PCC Secretary
Elly Williams
024 76279263
Age Concern
Friendship Group
Rev Robin Trew
Lesley Grove
024 76402006
024 76402067
Bereavement Group
Bill Newton
024 76402567
Toddler Group ( 0- 5 yrs)
All Saints Tots (am)
Mites and Minders (pm)
Children and Youth
Jane Evans
Alison Glover
024 76269974
024 76717971
Paul Payne
Louise Tandy
024 76402017
077 04900074
Bell Ringers
Ian Thompson
024 76411522
Church Hall Bookings
Angela Taylor
024 76404032
Rainbows
Sabrina Mower
024 76674901
Women’s Institute
Angela Taylor
024 76404032
Afternoon W I
Tina Eve
024 76402353
Saints Drama Society
Melody Makers
Vicky Bevan
Pauline Sutherland
07875 496037
024 76411850
Allesley & Coundon
Michael Faldon
Wedge Conservation Society
024 76403230
Village Hall Bookings
Romaine Wardle
024 76402618
Allesley Country Market
Judit Naughton
024 76334210
Allesley Flower Arrangers Dawn Reynolds
024 76405167
Parish Council Chairman
Clerk
Cllr. Mr W Shakespeare
Mrs Diane Weir
024 76332104
01564 782549
Allesley Literature Class
Jennifer Smith
024 76402030
Rummikub
Mavis Jeffery
024 76403797
Pilates
Lisa Reid
079 99425526
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Our mission is to worship God, make disciples and transform our
communities by demonstrating the life and love of Jesus
The Bible story, beloved by Sunday the 12 then 72 and in the end, all
Schools everywhere, is Noah's Ark believers. From these few His gospel
with its promise of “new beginning”.
spread throughout the world. ARK will
spread as long as there are people of
September, probably because of my good heart enough to outweigh those
growing up with it starting the school who think so little of themselves that
year, always seems more like a new they seek to live in a spoiled
year to me than January. How do we environment.
make the most of such new
beginnings?
New beginnings is the Big Bible Story.
The Gospel is the story of how God
One of our aims as a Church is to be loved the world so much that He sent
active in Transforming Community. His only Son to save us. The
There are many in Allesley who try to resurrection of Jesus assures us that
make things better, for example there is new beginning after death
through – Festival, Volunteers, itself. Forgiveness allows us to
Friendship
Group,
Bereavement experience new beginnings in our
Group, Schools, GP, Care Homes and relationships with God and one
individual A.R.K..
another here and now. God gives us
His Holy Spirit to renew us and
A.R.K.?
strengthen us for living His eternal life.
Acts of Random Kindness. Not just This is His promise from Revelation 21
great projects, centrally organised but “Behold I make all things new”. Even
daily, low level, individual decisions me. Even you.
that help one another. These often
pass unnoticed but do make a Want things to change? Want to
difference.
change yourself?
We can all be those who sow seed.
The popular version is that Noah sent
out animals two by two (not actually
what the Bible says though if you read
it in Genesis 7). Jesus sends out His
disciples two by two (Luke 10) – first
Try a few Acts of Random Kindness –
start today.
Robin Trew
Rector,
All Saints, Allesley.
5
Colin and Fey Holtum are lay readers
at All Saints Church who live in
Allesley but over the last five years
they have spent much longer periods
working as unpaid volunteers with SIM
UK in some of the poorest
areas in Kenya.
Their efforts have been
partly self-financed but with
active support from others
within the community.
This summer, Michael
Jones, one of the Church
Wardens
of
Allesley
Church,
undertook
a
pilgrimage. He walked the Camino
Mozarade or Via de la Plata from
Seville in Southern Spain to Santiago
de Compostela in Galicia, North West
Spain. It took 32 days to complete the
1000 km and at the Puerto de
Padornelo he climbed to 1368m,
which is slightly higher than Ben
Nevis, the highest mountain in the
British Isles.
Michael sought sponsorship to
support the work of Colin and Fey and
raised a total of £2,609.50.
Many thanks are offered to
all those people who gave
money to support this
worthy cause.
If you would like to learn
more about Michael’s
pilgrimage, he will be
talking about his journey in
the
at
on
. This will be
an opportunity to learn more about the
spiritual, historical, practical and
cultural challenges of the modern
Caminos.
Light refreshments will be offered and
everyone is welcome.
All Saints Church Allesley continue
to celebrate the 400th anniversary of
the translation of the King James Bible.
Large posters of familiar Bible stories
were displayed during Allesley Festival
week. These were taken from the
Scripture Union book “Essential 100”
which seeks to highlight the most
significant and influential stories from
both the Old and New Testaments.
The posters were beautiful illustrations
based around the stories. There were
ten posters in different garden
locations round the village. People
taking the garden walks could stop,
look at the poster and answer a simple
question about the picture. Many were
surprised how many stories they could
remember from their Sunday school
days. These included the Creation,
Moses in the bulrushes and Joseph's
coloured coat. Thank you to everyone
who allowed us to put a poster in their
garden and to everyone who took time
to look at them.
Before the summer holidays, stories
from the Old Testament were
discussed. Starting in September the
New Testament essential stories will
be the centre of our worship.
6
When we were choosing hymns for
our wedding 45 years ago, John
suggested his favourite: “We plough
the fields and scatter”. Since it was not
considered a “wedding hymn” we
decided against it.
I suppose then, because of my
Christian background, I
was, nominally, a believer.
However when I reflect on
those words now, as a bornagain Christian of 38 years,
they seem to offer a highly
appropriate message. They
speak not only to the farmer
on the land but to the
Christian sowing the seeds
of the Gospel message in the hearts of
people, whether at a wedding or
elsewhere.
Ploughing the fields is not just the
work of mechanical equipment turning
the soil. It is also the work of Christians
who are praying for those who God
lays on their hearts to come to know
Jesus Christ and be changed by the
Holy Spirit. Any farmer or gardener
knows that seeds cannot be sewn into
hard ground. It has first to be
prepared. Many hearts are hardened
through bad experiences in life which
those people feel a loving God just
cannot allow. Through the power of
prayer hearts can be changed,
although there is much in the working
of God’s ways that we do not
understand. Knowing Jesus not only
gives meaning and purpose to life but
also hope for the future in this world
and the next.
The “good seed” is the Word of God,
the Bible. The “land” is the heart of all
people who are “precious, honoured
and dearly loved” by God, made in His
image and for all of whom
Jesus gave His life.
Christians pray for the
ground to be prepared and
the Holy Spirit prompts us
to sow seeds in that ground
but it is the work of the Holy
Spirit of God to convert and
change lives. It is His work,
not ours.
Jesus talks of “the harvest being
plentiful” and urges His disciples “to
ask the Father to send more workers
into the harvest field”; many hear and
receive the message. As God feeds
and waters it we need to go out and
bring in those whom God has called
and is changing. Harvest is more than
potatoes and turnips in the ground, it
represents lives being saved and
changed so that God’s kingdom can
come “on earth as it is in heaven”.
Pentecost was the Jewish harvest
festival and was the time when lives
were changed by the Father’s
promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Enjoy
all the fruit of the earth that God gives
us at harvest time but remember there
is a harvest of souls to be reaped too.
7
In the Harvest 2010 magazine I told you how I became involved with Bill’s
runner ducks by providing and making various aids for their new home.
Last Thursday (22.4.2011) I “popped up” to take Bill a video of the All Saints
visit to John Taylor’s Bell Foundry at Loughborough.
I let myself into the garden via the garage door.
I walked up the slope of the garden to see Bill and son Dave putting the final
touches to the ducks’ run – new netting and bigger than the previous one.
Soon I was helping Dave driving stake supports for the run and putting in the
renowned zinc bath with its two ramps to assist them to drink.
To bring you up to date – last winter Bill re-housed his four runners in one of
his greenhouses to keep them nice and warm.
http://tinyurl.com/3vqff9a
Now here comes the tricky part. Aforesaid runners had to be moved back
home into their new run. Bill and David dressed up for the rescue operation
because there were lots of bird deposits on the greenhouse floor.
Bill and Dave donned wellington boots and Dave put on a white apron. He
looked a bit like a slaughter man about to go into the abattoir.
Dave had prepared everything ready for the job.
Dave let himself into the greenhouse armed with a big flattened cardboard box
to trap the ducks. They ran berserk as Dave tried to capture them.
Eventually, once Dave had caught each one and carried them up to their new
home, they were happily pecking about and learning to be back home.
Soon the four runners climbed up into the house - out they came and then
back in again – savouring their old home.
We then waited while they waddled up to the old zinc bath to drink
They were back home and soon seemed to be settling in.
A wonderful afternoon.
Job well done - would not have missed it for the world.
8
In 1986, to mark the 900th anniversary
of William the Conqueror’s original
Domesday Book, the BBC published
the Domesday Project. It was probably
the most ambitious attempt ever to
capture the essence of life in the
United Kingdom. Over a million people
contributed to this digital snapshot of
the country.
Allesley School, like many hundreds
throughout the UK, together with
community groups submitted more
than 147,819 pages of text and 23,225
photos. All this data painted a picture
of what it was like to live, work and
play in their communities.
The project used the cutting edge
technology of the day, a special type
of Laser-Disc. However the technology
did not catch on. The computers
proved too expensive for schools and
libraries to buy and the data was never
seen by those who had contributed.
Now, 25 years later, the archive can
finally be explored online and provides
some fascinating reading as can be
seen in the following three excerpts.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday
Two of Allesley’s senior residents,
Hubert Summers and Jack Taylor,
visited the school to explain to the
children what village life was like in
their own school days.
(Hubert and Jack both continued bell
ringing at Allesley for the remainder of their
lives. Hubert served 79 years until his
death in 1991 aged 92 and Jack 86 years
until his death in 2005 aged 95).
9
Jack Taylor and his fellow pupils, Allesley School 1920
In 1984/5 a dispute arose about
building a road across the stretch of
land known as Coundon Wedge. This
is a beautiful country area with a
brook, wild flowers, small animals,
birds, blackberries and strawberries.
Jaguar, a car firm producing world
famous executive cars, is planning an
expansion programme. This would
involve an increased traffic flow along
Browns Lane, a residential road which
is already suffering from excess traffic
and all its complications (noise, fumes
and
pedestrian
dangers).
The
proposed road would divert some of
this traffic much to the benefit of the
people of Browns Lane but at the
expense of destroying an area of
natural beauty.
Survey carried out June 17th 11.20 am
to 11.50 am on the A45 Coventry
bypass linking South Birmingham to
the M1.
Northbound:
195 cars, 71 lorries, 2 motorbikes,
42 vans, 1 bicycle, 1 coach, 3 others;
TOTAL 315.
Southbound:
175 cars, 40 lorries, 2 motorbikes,
45 vans, 5 coaches, 1 other;
TOTAL 268.
We consider the count to be made at
a period of average usage which
would be balanced by higher numbers
during peak periods and lower
numbers during the night. We
therefore estimate that on a normal
weekday 583 x 48 = 27,984 vehicles
would use this road.
10
The silence of Allesley bells over the
Summer months has been in no way a
reflection of the activity that has been
taking place in the tower.
On the 6th and 7th of June the bell
hangers from Taylor’s Foundry came
to commence the work. The clappers
were first removed from all the bells to
allow their transfer to the foundry for
refurbishment work.
The third and fourth bells were then
taken out from their positions in the
upper part of the bell frame. The fourth
bell was left on a temporary platform
on the frame in waiting for re-hanging
as our chiming bell. Meanwhile the
third was slowly coaxed through a
small trap door in the ceiling of the
ringing chamber. It was then finally
lowered through the main trap in the
floor of the ringing room down to the
church below.
This bell has now retired to
Llanfihangel Talyllyn in Wales to help
their existing four bells become a ring
of six.
The removal of the wheels from the
third and fourth required slightly more
creative thinking. They were finally
taken through the opening made by
removing a set of louvres at the base
of the spire. Each wheel was then
lowered in two halves from the summit
of the tower by means of a bell rope to
the churchyard beneath, taking care
not to become entangled with the
hands of the clock on their way down!
Whilst the bells were out Neil, Mike
and Jonathon made an excellent job of
the long overdue task of painting the
bell frame. The ringers have been
discussing the need for doing this for
at least thirty years so now that item
can be safely ticked off the agenda!
Whilst Allesley bells have been out of
action the ringers have been able to
keep up a weekly practice thanks to
the generosity of our neighbours at
Corley. We have kindly been allowed
to use their historic ring of five bells on
Tuesday evenings.
The two bells which we had witnessed
being cast at the foundry on 24th
March were delivered to Allesley on
29th July. It was astonishing to see the
beautiful objects that had emerged
from the heat and dust of that process.
The third has a reproduction of the
decorative border and the inscription
from the old bell which it replaces.
Taylor’s had taken a mould from the
original to replicate exactly the 18th
century design. The crisp outline of the
intricate pattern is a superb example of
the bell founders art.
11
The third also bears the inscription
It weighs 3 cwt 1 qr 21lbs
The 2011 fourth has the beautiful vine
leaf border pattern which is also
bourne by the fifth and tenor bells of
our octave. It carries the inscription
off” projects it threw up various
unforeseen problems, which were all
overcome
with
optimism
and
inventiveness. We also removed vast
amounts of dust, sand and cobwebs,
a “very sixties” carpet and some
serious felt underlay which must have
served for at least a hundred years.
Once all the maintenance work is
complete and the dust finally
eliminated a smart new carpet will be
laid and a new set of bell ropes
installed.
The practical side of the project has
been a real team effort. However it
would not have been possible at all
without the generous donations from
the people of Allesley and friends. The
tremendous support and interest
shown in the project has been greatly
appreciated by the ringers. The
knowledge that the ringing of the bells
of Allesley is still so valued is a great
encouragement.
The skills of bell ringing are not
learned quickly and accumulating the
knowledge of the various methods can
easily occupy a lifetime.
If anyone would like see what we do or
even to give campanology a go please
come up the tower on a Tuesday
evening and find out what it is all
about.
A Dedication Service for the new bells
will be arranged and details will be
announced in the near future.
A full photo record of the restoration
project can be viewed at
It weighs 3 cwt 3 qrs 21 lbs
Both bells have Taylor’s Foundry Mark
and the year of casting, 2011.
The two new bells were hung for
ringing and the old fourth bell installed
as a chiming bell which can be
operated from downstairs. This will be
the single bell heard for some
services. Maintenance work was
carried out on all the other bells,
including replacing some of the
bearings. The bell hanger was ably
assisted by volunteer ringers from
Allesley and beyond and the work was
completed during probably the hottest http://tinyurl.com/3dwocts
week of the summer. As with all “one-
12
The new 3rd bell in the tower is a
memorial to Frank Wilkins Perrens
(1891 to 1987) and his son Everard
George Perrens (1915 to 2010),
grandfather and father of Ruth
Hamilton who lives in Allesley.
Frank Wilkins Perrens was born in
Bloxwich in the Black Country. In
1920, with his wife Elsie and their two
small sons, he came from Sutton
Coldfield to Coventry. Here he was to
take up a post as a teacher of
mathematics at the Junior Technical
School in Earl Street which became
the Technical College in the Butts. In
1954 he was recruited to be one of the
founding Housemasters at the new
Woodlands School. He retired in 1957
Perrens House at the school was
named after him.
On arriving in Coventry the family
moved into a newly built house in
Engleton Road, Radford, then on the
edge of the built up area. After WWII
they moved to Earlsdon.
In 1910 a strike of bell-ringers in the
Black Country brought Frank into bellringing. It remained an abiding interest
and he became a ringer of national
renown. From 1927 to 1958 he
represented local ringers on the
Central Council of Bell-Ringers and
from 1956 to 1964 he was the first lay
President of the Coventry Diocesan
Guild. In 1929 he was admitted to
membership of the Ancient Society of
College Youths (the elite association
of ringers in the City of London). He
rang 497 peals in towers around the
country (and 148 peals on hand-bells).
He also rang in towers in Canada, New
Zealand and Australia. His home,
however, was always with the Allesley
Society of Change Ringers in which he
was active from 1921 until 1978 when
his eyesight began to fail. He was
Tower Captain from 1950 to 1963. He
never lost his interest in the band’s
activities and he is still remembered
up the tower.
Over many years he campaigned for
the restoration of the bells at Coventry
Cathedral. He rejoiced in the success
of the campaign but he did not live to
hear them: the bells were rung for the
first time on the day of his funeral.
In addition to his bell-ringing activities
Frank was a sportsman of some
ability. As a footballer he was offered
terms by Aston Villa. He also played
badminton and tennis (the latter
sometimes on courts situated on what
is now the upper part of Lion Fields
Avenue in Allesley). Known in tennis
circles as Peter, he was Secretary of
the Earlsdon Lawn Tennis Club and
played
competitive
tennis
for
Warwickshire.
He
umpired
at
Wimbledon and became a life-time
vice-president of the Warwickshire
Association of Lawn Tennis Clubs.
Described by those who knew him
well as friendly and gentle, Frank was
a demanding teacher. In an address at
his funeral in All Saints Church, the
Rector
(Reverend
Alan
Burn)
described his life as one of discipline,
dedication and striving for perfection.
Everard was the elder son of Frank
and Elsie. He was a Scholar, Head
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Boy and Captain of Cricket at Bablake
and then a Scholar at St Catharine’s
College, Cambridge. After graduating
with First Class Honours in Natural
Sciences he embarked on a career as
a physics teacher and then trained for
the ministry. He was ordained deacon
in 1942 and priest in 1943 and he
remained both teacher and priest to
the end of his life.
After serving as curate at St Andrew’s
Rugby, Everard became an army
chaplain. In 1945 he was Chaplain to
the Liberation Force which recovered
the Channel Islands from the
occupying German forces and then he
was posted to West Africa in the
expectation that his unit would be sent
to the Far East but the war in Japan
came to an end before they went.
This experience gave Everard an
abiding interest in Africa and led him
to volunteer for service with the
Church Missionary Society (as it was
called then). In 1947 he and his family
- comprising his wife Joan, a former
pupil and Head Girl of Stoke Park
School and also a Cambridge
graduate in Natural Sciences and their
first two children Stephen, aged three
Back Row. Ian Garvie, Kay Cooke, Gail Woollacott, Amanda Slater, Beverley Winter, Steven Dunn,
Janet Thompson, Jane Thompson, Tracey Dunn, Gaynor Winter, Ian Thompson
Middle Row. Harry Sear, Percy Stone, Frank Perrens, Hubert Summers, Jack Taylor, Ray Winter
Front Row. Johanna Cooke, Fiona Thompson, Guy Slater, Gareth Winter, Ingrid Dunn
14
and Ruth, aged one - sailed for
Mombasa bound for a school outside
Mbale in eastern Uganda. Their third
child, Catherine, was born in Kampala
two years later.
In 1959 Everard became Head Master
of Nyakasura School outside Fort
Portal in western Uganda (near the
Congo border). There was then no
secondary education for girls in
western Uganda. Recognising that the
new nation of Uganda could not afford
to waste the talent of its female
population, he introduced girls into a
school which had since its foundation
been exclusively for boys. In addition
to a teaching load and his duties as
Head Master, he raised funds back in
the UK for the construction of a chapel
and oversaw the work.
On his return to the UK in 1965
Everard took up a post as chaplain
and physics teacher at St Margaret’s
Clergy Orphan Foundation School at
Bushey in Hertfordshire. From there,
in 1974 he and Joan moved to
Coventry to look after Frank and Elsie
and he took up a post at King Henry
VIII School. With his experience he
was well-equipped to join a school
which was just taking its first female
pupils. He taught physics and was
Head of RE at King Henry’s until his
retirement in 1979.
Even after his formal retirement
Everard retained his interest in physics
and in the relationship between
physics and theology, including
developments in the scholarship of
the creation of the universe. He
became an enthusiastic exponent of
information technology. He was
keenly
interested
in
world
development issues and took great
pride in his six grandchildren (in
Australia, the USA and England) who
had grown up to be, as he put it,
“citizens of the world”.
Everard knew Allesley and All Saints
church from childhood through his
father’s bell-ringing and tennis. He
and his brother used to walk across
the fields from Engleton Road to
collect magazines from the shop in the
Birmingham Road kept by Hubert
Summers (also a bell-ringer). From
1974 onwards he became a familiar
figure in various parishes around
Coventry and he developed a ministry
to the visitors at Coventry Cathedral
which continued into his 94th year.
In July 2010 it was a very special
experience for Everard’s family and
friends to hear the Cathedral bells ring
out for a service of thanksgiving for his
life.
15
Janet Isolde was the daughter of
Esther May and George William Reid
and older sister to Roger; she had a
roaming childhood, one that followed
her father’s profession as a bronzefounder, manufacturing propellers
with Cammell Laird during
the Second World War. In
later years he was involved
in founding the statue of
Robert the Bruce which
stands on the site of the
Battle of Bannockburn and
managed the casting of
one of Henry Moore’s
famous sculptures. Janet
had a strong artistic
streak, which she inherited
from George. However she followed a
nursing career, a more reliable choice
than the art school of which she had
always dreamed. Her artistic talents
were later channelled into painting,
pottery, needlework and an amazing
cookery expertise. She also ensured
her offspring became proficient
musicians, actors and of course, bell
ringers.
Eventually, Janet’s parents settled in
the beautiful village of Prestbury in
Gloucestershire (ignoring the fact that
it is allegedly the most haunted village
in England). Janet loved the area, as
did we as children – much happy
laughter, many country walks and
bruised knees were enjoyed with the
Grandparents and Janet’s younger
brother, Roger.
Janet adored her younger brother; we
just thought he was a really cool Uncle
in his yellow Cortina GT.
Roger became another
father figure as Janet
enthusiastically ensured he
missed no family party or
occasion. Thanks to Janet,
Roger remains an essential
part of the family glue left
when Janet died and he is
now another much adored
“grandparent” to the next
generation. Roger is even
referred to as “Uncle Roger” by many
outside our family.
Janet met and nursed our father Ian
when he was suffering from influenza
during the pandemic of 1957. Janet
was a nurse and Ian a doctor at
Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham.
After marrying in Prestbury Church on
9 September 1961 Janet and Ian
moved to Sheffield. A year later they
were celebrating the arrival of Richard
Ian Marcus. I note, with interest, that
the most common recollection of
Sheffield from the family and
particularly Janet was that ‘Sheffield
was jolly cold’ – enough said.
16
In 1963 the family moved to the
‘relatively’ warmer climes of Coventry.
Jane Amanda followed very soon after
and I, Fiona Louise, arrived some time
later. I consider myself extraordinarily
lucky to have had the benefit and
protection of two older siblings
(leaving aside, that is, the Dreyfusian
miscarriage of justice surrounding the
theft of the last Toffo – I know and you
know who you are).
Janet’s love of Prestbury and the
English countryside lead to many
wonderful cottage holidays in idyllic
locations taking every family member
she could, a tradition Roger has
enthusiastically continued. Every year
the family (Roger, Ian, the children,
their spouses and grandchildren)
gather for an “Octoberfest” or
“Summerfest” or “Some-other-fest”.
During these occasions we all think of
Janet and quietly toast and thank her
for her profound influence on our daily
lives.
Janet supported all the family in their
many exploits. So when her daughter
Jane followed her own footsteps by
receiving the Queen’s Guide award
and later when we waved Jane into
Buckingham Palace to receive her
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award she
beamed with great pride. In fact, as a
Girl Guide, Janet was one of a chosen
few who in the mid-1950s went to the
Scout and Guide World Jamboree in
Sweden, which was a superb
recognition of her commitment to
Guiding
Janet gave me tremendous support in
many of my musical exploits. That was
no mean feat, including, as it did,
traipsing up to London every week for
music lessons. Her commitment
played a huge part in my gaining entry
into Oxford to read music. Equally, her
willingness to act as guinea pig for my
compositions probably saved the
world from untold aural pain.
I have (rather ‘green-eyed monster’)
memories of Janet’s loving baking
and careful ‘stuffing’ of Richard’s ‘tuck
box’ as he bounded off to boarding
school for another year of canoeing,
local beer pursuits and ‘techy-stuff’
that are still a mystery to me
Ian has been an avid bell ringer since
1948 and Janet took up the hobby by
his side, allowing her musicality to
show. Ian joined the Allesley bell
ringers in 1963 and became Tower
Captain in 1988. From Janet’s
perspective this meant a lot of “no
help with Sunday lunch”. That said,
the legendary lunches were perhaps
better for one less interruption.
As the youngest of three I am the
hopelessly bad bell-ringer in a family
of experts, including Emily, Janet’s
first grandchild. Thus I spent much of
my childhood sitting in the belfry at
Allesley pursuing the alternative
hobby of people watching and
reading. An abiding memory of Janet
was her ‘bell favouritism’. Many a time
I witnessed a ‘sprint for the fourth’. On
questioning, Janet would explain that
“the fourth is just so much nicer than
the treble” and that “it struck well”. In
17
fact, I cannot remember Janet ringing
any other bell in the tower!
Janet died in 1995 after a long illness,
which was a time of deep struggle for
us all. Looking back, however, it is not
the illness or the sadness that is our
lasting memory of Janet; it is Janet’s
love, vitality, patience, caring and
laughter that lingers. Janet’s legacy
lives on through her husband, Ian, her
brother Roger, son Richard, daughters
Jane and Fiona, daughter-in-law
Bronagh, sons-in-law Nigel and
Andrew and grandchildren Emily,
Kate, Pierce, Tristan and Rory – just
enough to squeeze into one house for
a good old party.
There is no doubt that Ian’s dedication
of the fourth bell to Janet’s memory is
the most touching demonstration not
only of just how wonderful Janet was
but also of the long lasting love that
remains in Ian’s and her family’s
hearts.
This has not been an entirely good
summer for the Village Hall. We have
had two separate wasp nests which
urgently required a pest control
expert. We also had a leak in our
external
water
supply
which
necessitated two costly excavations
and a re-routing of the supply to the
kitchen. Then, like everyone else, the
Trustees are concerned at the
proposed large increases in the
charges for gas, electricity and water.
Although we have managed to keep
our fees unaltered for several years it
looks as if we may have to increase
our hire charges for next year.
replaced with a more efficient low
energy system. Also the landscaping
at the rear had been completed, thus
cutting our maintenance costs.
Further, the fine weather has also
allowed us to paint the exterior of the
hall as well as the interior.
In addition to the main hall we now
have two rooms suitable for smaller
meetings. The hall continues to be
used every day, frequently by several
different organisations which in turn
enables us to keep our charges to a
minimum.
Our booking secretary, Romaine
However, the good news is that the Wardle, can be contacted on
lighting in the main hall has been 7640 2618.
18
Our aims are to
preserve
our
pleasant
countryside and
built environment,
now and for future
generations. We also hope to provide
a forum for discussion and action for
local residents. Membership of the
Society is only £3 per annum per
household or £12 for 5 years on our
offer. Please apply
through the above web site, at one of
our meetings, or by post to ACWCS,
c/o Allesley Village Hall, 118
Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry
CV5 9GX. All members receive four
free newsletters per year.
We hold monthly meetings, from
September to May, on the first
Wednesday of the month, at 7.45 p.m.
in Allesley Village Hall and all are
welcome. Look out for our posters on
the Village Hall and Post Office notice
boards or in the windows of local
shops. Light refreshments are served
after the talk providing an opportunity
for a chat with like-minded friends. We
invite a small donation (minimum £1
per person) to help cover the costs of
the evening.
Our programme is as follows:-
tours of the property. The trust is
responsible for a terrace of six
cottages built in 1455 that have been
brought back to life. One of these is
The Weaver’s House which has been
restored to how it would have looked in
1540 and shows how John Croke a
Coventry narrow-loom weaver and his
family would have lived and worked.
There is also a re-creation of the loom
that John Croke would have used.
This is an illustrated talk but perhaps
with its local appeal it will prompt
members to make a personal visit on
one of the open days run by the
Friends of the Weaver’s House.
(see www.sebpt.org.uk/ for more details)
by Mark Hope-Urwin
Mark is a Garden Bird Watch
Ambassador for the British Trust for
Ornithology and his illustrated talk is
about the benefits of gardens for both
birds and watchers of birds. He will tell
how the recording of observations by
such as ourselves, citizen scientists,
provide invaluable insights
into the birds we see every day.
by Barry James
Our speaker this evening is a volunteer
Barry
represents
The Midland Air
from the local Spon End Building
Museum,
which
is
based
at Coventry
Preservation Trust where she conducts
19
Airport in Baginton and no doubt he
will promote this during his talk. His
main topic this evening however is Air
Commodore Sir Frank Whittle the socalled “Father of the Jet Age” who was
born in Coventry in 1907. Sir Frank
had a most interesting life in the RAF
and the Commercial Aviation world,
gaining First Class Honours at
Cambridge and culminating in his
award of Knight Commander of the
Order of the British Empire in 1948.
He died in 1996 and a Memorial
Service was held for him at
Westminster Abbey.
Our aim is to help anyone who is
bereaved.
Join us for a cup of tea or coffee
and a friendly chat with people who
understand.
All are welcome - you do not have to
be a church member to attend.
26 November 2011
Coffee Mornings are held every
Friday from 10.30 to 11.30
at All Saints Church Hall, Allesley
Contact Bill Newton
024 76402567
will be held at
All Saints Church Allesley
on
Sunday 30 October
at
3.00 pm
Come and dance the night away in
aid of the ‘Raise The Roof’ appeal
Live Band – Hits from 60’s to 2000’s
Allesley Village Hall 7.30 pm
Tickets £5 in advance
or £6 on the door
Contact John 0797-102-1357
Nibbles provided…Bring your own
drinks
All Saints Church Hall
on
Friday 30 September
from
10.30 am to 11.30 am
20
On Sundays over summer children responded with enthusiasm and energy to
create a Big Book to illustrate the theme "The Keys of the Kingdom". There
was a Free Cafe afterwards where the grown ups had their turn to add to the
book as they enjoyed fellowship and good food together
21
Holiday Club took place every
morning during the week of 22nd to
26th August. We had 48 children aged
between five and eleven. They were
there to enjoy two hours of fun,
games, songs, challenges, secret
missions and importantly, learning
about God and the story of Moses.
The majority of the children attending
were from non-church backgrounds.
On the Wednesday afternoon the
children came back and enjoyed an
afternoon of craft activities. They
made cookies, candles, picture
frames, bead fish, designed their own
glass and decorated their own bags,
all of which could be taken home.
On Thursday evening we had a family
night which gave the children the
opportunity to bring along their
parents, carers and siblings. The
evening was designed to give the
families a taste of what the children
had been doing during the week.
Some of the parents even joined in the
challenges that the children had
enjoyed. We provided food and drink
for everyone.
All this was possible because we had
a group of over 35 volunteers,
including a number of young people,
who willingly gave up their time to run
this club. A very big “thank you” to
everyone who took part.
22
23
24
Members of All Saints church have
been helpful in contributing to two
books by Jim Currin about how we
share our Christian faith. Stories
from Anne, Debbie, Tracy, Linda,
June, Emma and Robin, have
been added to material tested out
on the whole congregation at All
Saints.
Last Spring, while the books were
merely a ‘writing project’, Robin
and Jim put together a six week
series of sermons and cell group
notes called
’. This used six of the
best known passages about
people who encountered Jesus.
One of the key points is that Jesus
crafted His message to meet the
specific and deepest needs of the
different people He met.
The top 50 ‘tailor-made’ messages of
Jesus are studied in the booklet
published by
www.grovebooks.co.uk.
How to share our faith is explored in
.
by www.brf.org.uk.
This paperback is where the stories
and sermon /cell series is to be found
– all of which is explained further in
www.jesus360.org.uk.
The message of Jesus is tailor-made Thank you everyone who helped with
to the individual.
this project.
25
The “Big Lunch” is an idea from the Eden
Project and aims to provide an excuse for
folk of all ages and
backgrounds to get
together.
In June we held a Big
Lunch
in
the
churchyard, where over
120 people, young and
old, got together to
share food, chat, make
or renew friendships and generally have
fun. These were not all church people
either, while many were friends and
acquaintances, there were also those who
just dropped by and ended up staying a
while. Everybody contributed in one way
or another with food, drink or impromptu
entertainment and there was quite a
community feel about the place.
This really was a great afternoon and a
real joint effort, a joy to organise and of
which to be a part. Watch out for next
year’s event on Sunday June 3rd!!
26
In the last edition of the Magazine we
ended our contribution with the words
“Praying for Peace, Justice and
Reconciliation is what sustains and
motivates the Allesley Community of
the Cross of Nails. These are the
fundamental prerequisites for securing
a world, which will happily sustain all
peoples in the troubled years that lie
ahead of us; a world that we can
happily bequeath to our children.”
The episodes of community violence
that recently broke out in London, and
other parts of the country well display
that our society is in urgent need of
buckets full of T.L.C. Calls from the
general public and certain elements of
the media immediately went up for the
use of water cannons and rubber
bullets (both suggestions roundly
rejected by the police). These were
soon followed by demands in the
press for long prison sentences for
those convicted of looting and even
polls by their readers for re-instating
the death penalty. It is demonstrably
true that violence begets violence.
The problem facing Christians is that
whilst no one can possibly condone or
excuse the violence that we saw on
our televisions or newspapers, as
soon as one tries to look
dispassionately at these outbreaks of
violence and looting you are
immediately condemned as being a
do-gooder (although surely that is
better than the opposite). However we
have to ask ourselves what would
have been Jesus’ response. Would he
have called for the equivalent of water
cannons or rubber bullets to be used,
would he have advocated throwing
people into prison or even executing
them? Emphatically not! Jesus
rejected the ‘eye for an eye’ solutions
to mending societies wounds. He
actually confronted the society of his
day and condemned much of what he
saw around him, the greed, the
violence and the overweening power
of those in authority both political and
religious. He wanted people to turn
away from their past and to follow him
in serving God and in treating their
fellow men with love as equals, no
matter whether rich or poor, male or
female, black or white. All were to be
one under the love of the Father.
One of the most telling cartoons
during
the
aftermath
of
the
disturbances was in the Financial
Times. It showed an MP running away
bearing a tray full of his illegal
expenses. He was followed closely by
a banker staggering along with his bag
full of bonuses and bringing up the
rear a scruffy young man stepping
through a broken shop window with a
box of Nike trainers. That cartoon
sadly sums up the negative aspects of
what we see around us.
Where do we look to find our role
models? Members of Parliament some
of whom have displayed greed and
criminality on a large scale? The
financial sector whose incompetence
and avarice have brought us to the
present state of national crisis? The
police service that we no longer feel
we can trust. The national press, some
27
elements of which have lied and
committed criminal acts which are a
disgrace to a civilised society? There
are not many among those who run
our country that would inspire us as
role models of probity.
Where do you start to begin to effect a
change in our society? The answer has
to be here with you and with me.
Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the
change that you want to see in the
world”. That change in ourselves or in
society can only start after the three
pre-conditions are brought about.
PEACE has to be restored and the
threats of violence and retribution have
to be removed. JUSTICE has to be
established
and
that
means
appropriate punishments, within the
law, for all wrong doers. Also the
provision of social justice has to be
established for those living on the
margins of society where the effects of
our present unequal system is so
manifest. Once PEACE and JUSTICE
are established RECONCILIATION can
be contemplated and we can
genuinely start to love our neighbours
as we love ourselves.
An impossible task you may say and
cross over to the other side. If each
one of us were to add just a small drop
into the pond of human love and
kindness then in no time it would
overflow and its subsequent flood
would bring refreshment to our world.
Christmas cards and gifts from various charities will be on sale.
Charities will include: - Leukaemia Research, Save the Children,
Scripture Union, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Lifeboats.
Coffee and tea will also be available while you make your choice.
make a note of the date and time and come to support these
worthwhile causes.
Many thanks Frances Seeley (7640 3809)
28
DOG GROOMING
I work from my home in Allesley
I only take one dog at a time
For stress free friendly grooming
Very competitive rates
Due to circumstances of premises
I can currently only take smaller
dogs
Tel :- Dawn on 07982499127
P. McFadden
Decorators
Interior and Exterior
also property repairs
Over 35 years
experience
Tel: 02476503377
Mob:07974203229
29
30
LUXURY APARTMENT FOR HIRE
COSTA BLANCA SPAIN
20 MINS DRIVE FROM MURCIA AIRPORT & MAR MENOR BEACHES
2 BEDROOMS (SLEEPS 4) LOUNGE, FULLY FITTED KITCHEN, SATELLITE TV
LARGE BALCONY OVERLOOKING GOLF COURSE
BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANT & BARS
TENNIS, OUTDOOR GYM, SWIMMING POOLS
IDEAL FOR COUPLES OR FAMILIES
(RATES FROM £200 PER WEEK)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
TEL 024 76 402301
31
10% Discount For
Parish Magazine
Readers
APC
ABSOLUTE
PRESTIGE
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Quick Drying Advanced Equipment
All types of Carpets Rugs & Suites Cleaned
Stain Removal, Deodorizing Included in price
02476 473113
Rosaville Crescent, Allesley Village
Domestic and Commercial Specialists
Scotchguard available
Quality at competitive prices
Covering Coventry & Warwickshire
family run business , find us in the yellow pages
Holiday Villa for Hire
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3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, own
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Lounge with satellite TV & Internet
Fully fitted kitchen, outside BBQ
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Convenient for all facilities
Good flights available from
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For further information contact
Mike Owen on 07855 424097
OLD COVENTRIANS
Rugby Football Club
Tile Hill Lane/A45
FUNCTION ROOM FOR HIRE
Ideal for Private Parties,
Christenings and Funerals
Suitable for 40 to 150 people, BBQ area
Bar service and catering available
For booking or further details phone
Mike Owen on 07855424097
or view www.oldcoventriansrfc.co.uk
32
33
34
HOLIDAY VILLA TO RENT
COSTA BLANCA SPAIN
25 MINS DRIVE FROM ALICANTE AIRPORT & BEACHES
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FULLY FITTED KITCHEN, SATELLITE TV OUTSIDE BBQ AREA
IDEAL FOR FAMILIES
TEL 07944034940
(RATES NOV-APRIL £275. MAY, JUNE, SEPT, OCT £400.
JULY, AUG £550 PER WEEK)
35
PETE THE GARDENER
GARDENS MAINTAINED TO YOUR
SPECIFICATIONS
LAWNS CUT
BORDERS MAINTAINED
PATIOS LAID
FENCES ERECTED
DECKING
CONSERVATORIES CLEANED
GARDEN CLEARANCE
FOR A FULL PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
TEL 07944034940
is delivered to 3,700 homes three times a year and also
appears on www.allesley-church.org.uk
for all three issues:Whole Page £120, Half Page £60, Quarter Page £30
Contact Annelie on 024 76692734 anneliejones@hotmail.com
36
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37
Celebrate the
Festive Season
at the
For festive fun, fabulous food
and fantastic entertainment
bring your party to our party!!!
It is sure to be a night to
remember. Guests are invited
to arrive from 7.00 pm and
dinner is served at 7.45 pm.
The price includes the festive
menu, novelties and disco
until the close of the party at
1.00 am (bar closes 12.45 am)
Why pay for the taxi home?
Take advantage of our special room
rates of only £24.50 per person
including VAT and full English
breakfast (based on 2 persons sharing)
Cream of leek and potato soup
Fillet of smoked mackerel
Fan of melon(v)
Roast supreme of turkey
Roast leg of lamb
Festive nut roast
Classic Christmas pudding
Baked vanilla cheesecake
Fresh fruit salad(v)
Freshly brewed coffee or tea and
chocolate mints
COVENTRY
COVENTRY
38
The Rainbows have been doing lots of Going on a Bear Hunt in the
Teddy and Bear activities to get their churchyard and reading the book
Teddytastic Badge this
“We’re Going on a Bear
summer.
Hunt”.
The activities included:Finding
out
about
Rainbows in South Africa
who are called Teddies.
Making a Winnie the Pooh
mobile and eating honey
sandwiches.
Making Gingerbread Men /
Bears!
Finally we had a Teddy
Bears’ Picnic and games in
Allesley Park and got the
Teddytastic Badge.
If you think your daughter would like to
join us, get her name down on the
Making a pocket-sized Teddy out of waiting list so that she can start when
pipe cleaners.
she is five.
Playing Teddy Drive (similar to a Phone Sabrina Mower on 7667 4901
Beetle Drive).
for more information.
39
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel guilty
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate
If children are encouraged, they learn confidence
If children live with fairness, they learn justice
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves
If children live with both acceptance and friendship,
they learn to find love in the world
40
Thank you to all donors who have kindly given their support towards the repairs
to the roof of All Saints Church, Allesley. Your generosity means that we have
now raised £14,811 plus an additional £1,850 in Gift Aid from donations made.
We regret that we are not able to thank everyone individually. There have been
a number of very generous gestures and we are hugely grateful and touched.
We had hoped to receive a grant from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental) but
have been unsuccessful. Furthermore we were knocked back again when
thieves struck for a third time at the beginning of August and stripped the lead
from the valley between the central and south aisle. The police were very
thorough and the Scene of Crimes Officer took details of the SmartWater that
had been used to mark the lead. They were hopeful that if the lead was taken
to a reputable scrap merchant the source of the lead could be identified and
the thieves apprehended.
With around £12,000 worth of lead needing replacement and a cap on any
insurance payment limited to £5,000 we were sorely disappointed. However we
have appealed to the authorities and we have just learnt that we can replace
the valleys with a synthetic material rather than lead. This is both cheaper to
purchase and fit and has no scrap value. Thus it is of no interest to thieves.
We have fitted temporary emergency protective sheeting on the roof but this
only provides protection against relatively light rainfall so tarpaulins and parts
of a marquee are protecting the pews in the church should a more violent storm
or driving rain occur.
However, on a more positive front, we have been offered an interest free loan
so that work on the roof can commence without undue delay. The Appeal will
need to continue until we have repaid the loan.
Naturally we would be delighted to receive further donations. If you would like
to help us to recover Gift Aid, please complete the form below. To review the
progress to our target, please look at the dedicated notice board at the back of
the church.
Thank you from the Raise the Roof Team
- - - - - - - - - cut here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Full Name:.............................................................
Address: ........................................................................................................
Post Code .....................
I am a UK Taxpayer intending tax to be reclaimed on the enclosed
donation to the Raise the Roof Appeal, made under the Gift Aid Scheme
Signed:.....................................................................Date...................................
41
In August some members of the
Friendship Group went by minibus to
the Evesham Country Park for a few
hours and a mini shopping spree. We
spent a lovely sunny day perusing the
sales, the shopping outlets and the
garden centre for ideas and useful
items. Some of us walked in the
gardens and two of us ventured on the
miniature train. We all enjoyed a nice
meal in one of the cafes. A good day
was had by everyone.
Perhaps next time others will join us.
The Friendship Group meet every
month the on the first Thursday at
10.30 am in Allesley Church Hall. That
will be Oct 6, Nov 3 and Dec 1. We
meet for coffee, tea, cakes, biscuits,
chat and some form of entertainment
which varies every month. We try to
have as much variety as possible
including quizzes, talks, vocalists and
games. We are open to new ideas or
suggestions. We charge £2.00 a
session, including the raffle and
everyone over 50 is very welcome.
We would welcome offers of help from
anyone who could assist with
transport, kitchen or welcoming
guests. If we have enough helpers we
can run a rota.
We welcome everyone and if you
know someone who may be alone
and in need of a friend please bring
them to meet us.
Any queries, please phone: Rev Robin Trew on 76402006
or Lesley Grove on 76402067.
A number of us have continued to
meet and tidy the churchyard during
the summer. Owing to the very dry
weather the grass has not grown as
much as in previous years, so it has
been easy to keep on top of the
mowing. Other jobs have included
trimming the holly hedge near the car
park and weeding and tidying the
flowerbeds.
The last planned ‘tidy’ of the year is
Saturday 15th October. Call in for half
an hour or all morning depending on
your time.
Do not forget brunch is served at
about 10.30 am.
Many thanks to everyone who has
given up their time to maintain the
churchyard, service the mowing
equipment or sweep the car park.
Look forward to seeing you.
42
750g Strong White Bread Flour
1 sachet Fast Action Yeast
2 tsp Salt
3 tbsp Mild Olive Oil
500ml Warm water
3-4 tbsp Rosemary Leaves
Rock Salt for sprinkling
1 Swiss Roll tin, lightly greased
Oven pre-heated to 220 C (210 Fan)
Mix all ingredients together to form
soft dough. Knead the dough on a
table working it until it is no longer
sticky. Leave to rest in a bowl covered
with a damp tea towel for 1 hour.
Tip the dough into the tin and drizzle a
little more oil over it. Gently push it out
towards the edges with fingertips. Try
not to stretch it. Cover and leave to
rise again for 30 minutes.
Prod the dough again with finger tips
and then sprinkle the Rosemary
leaves and Rock Salt over, pressing
into the dough gently.
Put immediately into the hot oven and
bake for 25/30 minutes until well risen
and golden.
is a network of
around 400 weekly local Markets
throughout England, Wales and the
Channel Islands. It is a co-operative
that was set up over 90 years ago to
help local producers sell their produce
to the public. The Markets sell a range
of home-made baked goods and
preserves and home-grown fruit,
vegetables, plants and crafts. Country
Markets Ltd has an annual turnover of
approximately £10m. Its success is
possibly one of Britain’s best kept
secrets! Country Markets producers
purchase a share in their local Country
Markets Society at the cost of just 5p
and can then choose to produce as
much or as little as they like to sell at
the weekly Market or now into retail
outlets. At the end of the month each
producer receives payment for their
sales minus a small commission to
cover the running costs and insurance.
Turn out onto a wire rack. Brush with
at Allesley
a little more oil whilst hot and then
Village
Hall,
open
every
Wednesday
leave to cool.
9.45 am - 11.00 am, admission free.
Delicious dipped in Olive Oil and please contact:02476 334 210 or 07859 230 237
Balsamic Vinegar.
43
After the resounding success of
, one of our greatest challenges
to date, we must congratulate and
thank Mark Smithers and his stalwart
cast and crew. They demonstrated
what the multi-talented Saints can
achieve when they set their minds to it.
In October everyone is invited to the
party! A strong cast of regulars,
directed by Bill Parkinson, is hard at
work rehearsing
the
well-loved black comedy by Mike
Leigh. Let us take you back to the
1970’s with hairstyles and costumes,
orange and brown décor, fibre optic
lamps, cheese & pineapple on sticks
and the music of Demis Roussos.
Do come along and join the Saints
from Tuesday 11th to Saturday 15th
October in Allesley Village Hall.
Tickets will be available from Marie
Hudson, telephone 76465012 when
booking opens on Monday 12th
September.
See you all there!
The title of our new course, starting
soon, is
and we
shall be reading novels in which the
writer has used real events and real
people as a basis for fiction.
The first meeting will be in the Church
Hall on Thursday 22 September with
coffee and enrolments from 6.30 pm
onwards. On subsequent Thursdays
we meet from 7.00 pm until 8.45 pm.
We shall be very pleased to welcome
new members: if you enjoy reading
and talking about books, do come and
join us.
For further details contact Elizabeth on
02476 402030
Following
the
election
and
subsequent
co-option
of
four
members, the Parish Council has now
sufficient members to enable it to
continue functioning without the need
for a further election.
The public are always welcome to
attend Parish Council meetings, which
are generally speaking held once a
month in the Bree Room, All Saints
Church Hall. The agenda for meetings
is displayed on the Parish Notice
Board which is situated in Oak Lane at
the junction with Brick Hill Lane,
Allesley.
Anyone wishing the Parish Council to
consider any issues, please contact
the Clerk.
The Council continues to monitor
planning applications and to forward
views thereon to Coventry City
Council.
Diane Weir, Clerk
Allesley Parish Council
Tel 01564 782549
Email: Allesleypc@hotmail.co.uk
44
Allesley Park Community Centre is
expanding the services on offer to the
Community from next month and
amongst these will be a programme of
unaccredited
classes.
Allesley Park Community Centre has,
since their request in 2008, been
closely involved with the development
of the Asset Transfer Policy that has
since been adopted by Coventry City
Council. The Asset Transfer Policy
enables community buildings to
“As we are all aware, there have been transfer into “community ownership”.
so many cuts in Government
expenditure lately and education is Lynne is pleased to announce that on
one area that has been affected 28th July 2011, with Cabinet Members’
badly”, said the Manager, Lynne approval, the Association was granted
Stanway. “We are aware that there is a 99 year lease on a peppercorn rent.
a demand for affordable courses The Asset Transfer and the ability to
where people can learn for leisure operate independently gives Allesley
rather than to gain qualifications. Park Community Association the
Government agencies no longer seem opportunity to provide those services
to be able to offer this. A good requested by the local community.
proportion of our local residents are
retired and want to keep learning new Amongst the courses on offer will be
things in order to keep them young Spanish, French, German, Card
but are not looking to get skilled up to Making and Papercraft, Photoshop,
find employment. Many want to keep Watercolour Painting, Guitar and
abreast of new technologies or have Digital Imagery. All courses will run in
the opportunities to learn something blocks of 10 weeks and will be taught
that they did not when they were by fully qualified tutors. There will be
younger, such as a foreign language”. a mixture of daytime and evening
classes to appeal to everyone and it is
Allesley Park Community Association not necessary to be resident of
has been in existence since 1962 and Allesley Park in order to attend.
has always operated as a ”Social
Enterprise”. Throughout the years it For more information telephone Lynne
has been entirely self-funded thanks Stanway on 024 7671 5150, email
to various enterprises and fundraising lynnestanway@hotmail.com
activities, enabling it to be financially
independent from the City Council. Our enrolments took place on Monday
is a 5th and Tuesday 6th September at
continuation of their services to the Allesley Park Community Centre,
community.
Winsford Avenue, CV5 9NG.
45
We have War Memorials in both All
Saints Church and Allesley Village
Hall. They list the names of those men 501 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer
of the Parish who gave their lives in the Reserve who died 06/09/1940 aged
two World Wars.
19. The son of Sidney Edward and
Alice Lilian Houghton, of Coventry.
What is perhaps
not so commonly
realised is the fact
that there are five
War Graves in All
42 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer
Saints Churchyard Extension. The Reserve who died 29/11/1941 aged
headstones were placed there and are 25. The son of Fred and Marion
still maintained by the Commonwealth Ogden, of Coventry; husband of Ethel
War Graves Commission. They mark Ogden.
the graves of five servicemen who died
on active service during World War II.
They commemorate:-
16th Warwickshire (Coventry) Bn.
Home Guard who died 23/10/1940
aged 26. The son of Charles William
and Emmie Swift, of Palmer's Green,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Middlesex; husband of Irene Swift. His
who died 10/05/1943 aged 27. The brother Robert Arthur William also
son of Joseph Douglas Shaw died on service.
Campbell and Elsie Campbell;
husband
of
Margaret
Beatrice
Campbell, of Hampton-in-Arden.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died 15/06/1941 aged 24. The
son of William and Kate Edginton, of
Coventry; husband of Ella Lucetta
Edginton, of Coventry.
www.cwgc.org/
www.twgpp.org/
46
The months have gone by so quickly
that it does not seem five minutes
since I was writing about the Summer
events of which we were looking
forward to being a part.
Our outing to The National Memorial
Arboretum and Lichfield was a
memorable and enjoyable one. We
are now looking towards our Autumn
events.
On 20th September Dr Chris Upton
will be talking to us about “The Best
Prime Minister We Never Had” and
our speaker for 18th October is Mary
Fry. Mary will be giving us a
“Chocolate
Demonstration
and
Tasting” - we like to get involved.
Please come along to the Village Hall
on the 24th September for coffee,
cake and a friendly get-together from
10.00 am to 12.00 noon. There will be
a preserve and cake stall and a raffle.
Our Annual Council Meeting is in
October at Sutton Coldfield Town
Hall. It is always a very interesting day
with guest speakers.
November 15th is our A.G.M. and our
December meeting, on the 20th, is our
Christmas Party - always a happy
evening when we have a “faith
supper” and entertainment (this is a
members only evening).
The little Café in Gardenia Avenue has
been the venue for our new initiative of
getting together one morning a
month, on a day other than that of our
evening meeting. July was our first
gathering. The August and September
get-togethers were a success and we
were looked after very well by the
Café owner Carl, who served good
coffee and delicious cakes. We hope
the group will grow.
Rummikub afternoons continue to be
popular. They are held in the Church
Hall on the first Monday each month
at 1.30pm.
Michelle Stamper, Artist and Teacher,
is holding another of her workshops
for our members in October. We are
so looking forward to her style of “One
Stroke Painting”.
Allesley W.I. meet in the Village Hall
on the 3rd Tuesday in the month at
7.30pm. We would be so pleased to
welcome new members. We are a
friendly group of ladies so come along
and meet us.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Every copy of the Allesley Parish Magazine is sent to the Coventry History
Centre for archiving. The History Centre hold a large collection of past Allesley
Parish Magazines under the catalogue number LJ 280.35. The first copies are
from 1951 when it was known as “The Allesleyan” (Allesley Parish Leaflet) and
consisted of four pages only. July 1958 saw the introduction of a new booklet
format. This had a yellow cover and took the title “Allesley Parish Magazine”.
The History Centre collection is, from this point, more or less complete and
provides an irreplaceable and fascinating snapshot of life in Allesley.
47
It is hard to believe that by the time
you read this autumn will be fast
approaching
and
this
year’s
programme will be in its final stretch.
The last three meetings of the year
provide a mix of business and
pleasure Stephen Ashpole will be
talking on “Organic Gardening –
Better for Wildlife?’”
is our AGM followed by
a fun activity?!
sees our members only
Christmas Lunch.
An exciting programme for 2012 is
almost finalised and our thanks go to
Christine Grady for all the work she
puts in to organise the speakers for
our meetings.
Thank you to everyone who supported
our ‘Bottle in the Bag’ stall at the
Allesley Festival. The profit is enabling
us to subsidise a day trip for our
members in October. We will visit
Denman College, the WI residential
training centre, near Oxford.
If you would like to join our group you
Our extra social meetings each month will be made very welcome. We meet
are proving increasingly popular and on the first Wednesday of the month
continue to provide for a wide variety at 1.45 pm in Allesley Village Hall.
of interests.
In the Christmas 2010 edition of this hours! I even had the energy for a last
magazine I wrote of my hope to run sprint up The Mall to the finish.
the London Marathon in April 2011. I
thought I had better report back.
You may remember I was running to
raise funds for Christian Aid and many
I did it and enjoyed myself.
people supported me through
sponsorship or by attending the Quiz
It was a blazing hot day, so I set off Night or Keep on Running Music
slowly - looking at the sights, watching Evening.
out for my friends and family
positioned on the roadside and The total we raised was £3,963, which
enjoying the carnival atmosphere. It is almost double my target. I am so
really gives a great experience of grateful to all who gave their time,
London.
money or encouragement to help
achieve this goal.
I was very fortunate not to hit ‘the wall’
but just kept jogging along – for 5½ Thank you
48
Global Care’s CEO John White has
just returned from a visit to the region,
where
he
met
the
charity’s
international partners in Kenya.
Funds raised by
will initially be directed
to poor communities in North-Eastern
Kenya who are already struggling and
now are also trying to cope with
refugees from Somalia.
Following John’s visit and discussions
with Global Care’s Kenyan partners, it
has been decided that funds donated
to Global Care’s appeal will be spent
in the following three ways:-
Please make a note of our FundRaising Evening:-
with BGT semi-finalists
and also featuring
a Classy Pop and Soul Duo
Jaguar Social Club
Chorley Way
Radford CV6 3LL
– only for pregnant women and
for children, with a particular focus on
open 7.30 pm
children aged under five.
– to those whom our
£5.00
partners judge to be most in need. (£4.00 concession or £15.00 family)
Our
partners
are
particularly
concerned about possible cholera Telephone Pat 07879740174 for more
outbreaks, as people struggle to find
information
clean water.
– many people are
struggling to access clean water as
water holes in the area dry up. Initially
Global Care will provide tankers of
water. However in the long-term, the
Charity hopes to provide more
permanent, reliable sources of clean
water.
Donations can be made via
www.globalcare.org.uk
or by phone on 02476 601800
49
One of the most memorable and oft
repeated catch phrases of my
childhood was “Keep Britain Tidy”.
This well known campaign was
endorsed by parents and teachers
alike and consequently we would
never dream of disposing of our litter
in anything other than an official bin. If
such a receptacle was not to be found
then we would carefully take the
rubbish home.
So what happened whilst I was not
looking?
It seems that rubbish may now be
thrown anywhere, particularly in
country lanes. Here, as well as looking
unsightly, it can compete with the wild
flowers, clog up the ditches and be a
potential hazard to wildlife or passing
children, dogs and horses.
Taking inspiration from the example of
our good neighbours in Oak Lane, I
decided that retirement had provided
me with just that extra time I needed to
do my bit for our local patch in Pikers
Lane. Thus armed with a litter picker,
supply of black bags and some stout
gardening gloves I set out to clean up
my own little part of Allesley.
The first sweep produced eight
bulging, large sized, heavy duty sacks
full of rubbish. Interestingly about 75%
of this consisted of foil crisp packets,
plastic bottles and ring-pull cans. Also
interestingly, in these straitened times,
I found many of the plastic bottles
were still half filled with their original
contents. Clearly when the immediate
thirst was quenched there was no
need to screw the cap back on and
take the remainder away for later
consumption!
I know that the residents of Allesley
Parish are most certainly not the ones
responsible for this sort of vandalism
but it is a local issue that somehow
needs to be addressed.
I am hoping that in future, a rubbishfree lane will discourage our passing
road users from throwing their
discarded lunch wrappings my way.
Perhaps if it has that effect on just one
or two it will have been worth the effort.
Watch out in our Christmas issue for
details of next year’s “Litter Pick”
which Mandy Davies will be
organising. Together we can help
keep Allesley tidy!
50
On December 4th at 4.00 pm in the
Butterworth Hall at Warwick Arts
Centre, the University of Warwick
Chorus
will
be
performing
Mendelssohn’s much loved oratorio
“Elijah”
Mendelssohn did much to revive the
music of Bach and to import to
Germany the thriving English tradition
of Handelian oratorio. “Elijah” was
composed for the Birmingham Festival
in 1846 and was first performed in the
Town Hall in that City.
For choirs both large and small this
oratorio was once one of the most
popular and often performed works. It
was one of the choral works chosen
for the recent BBC Proms Choral
Sundays Season to celebrate the
unique and inspiring amateur choral
tradition of this country. The series
reflected the passion and commitment
of the many thousands of singers who
give up their free time to work towards
the best performances they can
achieve.
The Warwick performance will be an
example of this, bringing together
some of the best of the country’s
young student talent together with a
band of very committed local singers,
some of whose faces you may well
recognise.
Tickets are available from the Warwick
Arts Centre Box Office 024 7652 4524
Oh dear, something has gone wrong
with the sprinkler system again this
year.
After the very dry Spring of 2010, I did
not expect another drought this year.
Records show Spring 2011 to be the
driest since 1893 and in addition the
23rd April was the warmest April day
since 1949. We had July’s weather in
April and April showers in July.
In the five months from 1st March to
31st July we only had 206 mm of rain.
The showers seem to have passed us
by in Allesley although, it seems, they
have had plenty of rain on all sides
beyond the parish boundary.
Whilst the early summer saw the
Midlands under threat of a hose-pipe
ban, Scotland was having flood
warnings. We are told that the unusual
weather is because the jet stream is
on the wrong track but no one has
explained why.
Tomatoes have been slow to ripen
whilst other vegetables have benefited
from the dull cool days. Potato crops
were forecast to be a disaster but
have, in fact, done remarkably well.
Other features of the weather have
been an unusual amount of wind and
cold nights; temperatures dropped as
low as 5.2 degrees Celsius in August!
Autumn can be a lovely season and
what I am hoping for are some golden
sunny days to give us a boost before
the winter.
51
There has been a school in Allesley
Village since 1705 when Martha Flynt,
widow of Thomas
Flynt conveyed a
cottage and some
land for the benefit
of a schoolmaster…
“to be appointed to
instruct
poor
children
in
the
principles of religion
and to teach them
to read and write.”
The
Victorian
school
building,
opened in 1874,
can still be seen on the Birmingham
Road. During the 1960s the school
moved to its current site in Antrim
Close. Many reading this will have
happy memories of a childhood spent
at the school. This year will see
significant changes taking place at the
school.
In order to meet the needs of a
growing population, Coventry City
Council has a rolling programme of
increasing pupil places in primary
schools across the city. Two years ago
Allesley was identified as a possible
site that could be expanded by half a
form entry (15 additional pupils per
year). The school saw this as an
opportunity to make some other
changes to the buildings that would
benefit staff, pupils and the wider
community.
During the summer, work began on
the buildings. The school was keen to
ensure that its
wonderful ‘green
spaces’ were left
untouched so that
the
numerous
extra
curricular
activities
and
events such as the
annual camp and
Summer fete could
still take place.
Over the next six
months
the
contractors
will
build a new Foundation Stage unit
(including a Nursery and two
Reception classrooms), an additional
multipurpose Hall, a new main
entrance and offices. There will also
be extensive internal remodelling of
the school to make greater use of the
space. The younger children will also
benefit
from
new
‘outdoor
classrooms’. A larger staff car park will
be built close to the school which will
alleviate many of the parking
problems around Antrim Close.
The children will no doubt be excited
(and a little distracted!) by the sights
and sounds of builders and diggers
over the next few months but when
they return to school in Easter 2012
they will have the use of an updated
and more spacious school fit for the
21st century.
52
(Please see page 55 for more of Joy’s photos)
is
located
on
the
Birmingham Road, Allesley Village,
next to All Saints Church. It is
dedicated to the memory of local
residents, Rob and Mollie Anderson,
who gardened there from 1960.
Mollie was one of the founder
members of the Allesley and Coundon
Wedge Conservation Society and it
was the Society who created the
Memorial Garden in 2003. There is a
plaque on the left hand side by the
entrance gate. The garden is now
maintained by dedicated volunteers.
The Lodge, during the Allesley
Festival open gardens in the 80’s and
90’s. The Lodge cottage garden was
filled with masses of flowers and
vegetables growing in every nook and
cranny. Each pathway up the sloping
site led to surprises such as big pots
in corners, a seat or two, small statues
and old mill stones set in the ground.
There was a small lawn at the top with
more flowers.
There were plants and hanging
baskets for sale and it was always
interesting to talk to Mollie. She had
immense gardening knowledge. Her
cat was not bothered by all the visitors
Despite its proximity to the main road and sometimes sat on Mollie’s
the space has a pleasing tranquility. It shoulders.
is full of trees, shrubs and flowers,
some of which would have been in the The Lodge, an 18th century
family garden of their nearby home. In residence, is, along with a number
early summer the perfume of the roses other nearby houses, included in the
City of Coventry Statutory List of
is wonderful.
buildings of special architectural or
I have happy memories of visiting historical interest.
Mollie and Rob’s delightful garden at
53
Every Monday 7.30 pm
Saints Amateur Dramatics
Village Hall
Every Monday 7.00 & 8.00pm Jujitsu
Allesley Primary School
1st Monday 1.30 - 3.00pm
Church Hall
Rummikub
Each except 3rd Monday 7.00 Pilates
to 8.00pm
Church Hall
3rd Monday 7.30 pm (winter)
Coventry Beekeepers
Church Hall
3rd Tuesday 7.30 pm
WI
Village Hall
Every Tuesday 7.30 pm
Melody Makers
Church Hall
Every Tuesday 7.30 pm
Bell Ringers
Church Bell Tower
Every Tuesday 5.15 pm
Brownies
Village Hall
1st Wednesday 1.45 pm
Afternoon WI
Village Hall
1st Wednesday 7.45 pm
ACW Conservation Society
Village Hall
Every Wednesday 9.45 am
Allesley Country Market
Village Hall
Term time Wednesday
10.00am & 1.15pm
All Saints Tots
Mites and Minders
Church Hall
1st Thursday 10.00 am
Allesley Friendship Group
Church Hall
Every Thursday 7.30 pm
Saints Amateur Dramatics
Village Hall
Every Thurs. 7.00 to 8.45 pm
Allesley Literature Class
Church Hall
Every Thurs. 7.00 & 8.00 pm
Jujitsu
Allesley Primary School
Every Thursday 7.00 pm
Allesley Flower Arrangers
Allesley Hotel
Every Friday 10.30 am
Bereavement Care Group
Church Hall
Every Friday 5.00 pm
Rainbows
Church Hall
Allesley Parish Magazine is published three times a year and is delivered free
to all homes in Allesley Parish. This and all past copies can be viewed on
www.allesley-church.org.uk
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editorial team.
The editor cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information submitted for
publication.
Your views, comments and contributions are always welcome.
Special thanks to our proof reader Juliet Amery.
Your Editorial Team:
Amanda Slater 024 76333117 pikerslanefarm@btopenworld.com
Annelie Jones 024 76692734 anneliejones@hotmail.com
Denise Littlewood 024 76598247 neeze37@talktalk.net
54
Scarlet Nursey
1 May 2011
Harry Nursey
1 May 2011
Jack Nursey
1 May 2011
Isla Grace Titcome
22 May 2011
Tyrik Tafara Mukwamba
22 May 2011
Lexi Kayleen Maye
26 June 2011
Christopher Cockerill & Toni Banks
Jonathan Morgan & Emily Smith
David Buckley & Rebecca Walker
Alan Horsley & Jane Birch
David Ross & April Finan
David Pearson & Angela Hatcher
Simon Morris & Jenna Ford
Matthew Wilson & Jolene Monger
16 April 2011
30 April 2011
11 June 2011
11 June 2011
1 July 2011
2 July 2011
22 July 2011
30 July 2011
.
Giles Taylor
Roderick Williams
Paul Green
Frank Bayliss
Horace Gilbert
Hazel Roseman
Neil Watkins
39
74
83
84
90
95
57
31 March 2011
12 April 2011
13 May 2011
19 May 2011
24 May 2011
10 June 2011
5 July 2011
55
56
My name is Jerome Murray and I live
in Allesley. As far back as I can
remember I have been interested in
our natural environment and native
wildlife.
I will on occasions sit in a hide waiting
for 'that' shot but overall I prefer
seeking out my own locations and
applying techniques to get close to
the subject with minimal disturbance.
This can be a much harder way of
Six years ago I bought my first digital
taking photographs but is much more
SLR camera. I initially concentrated on
rewarding when you succeed.
landscapes which combined well with
camping and walking. During these My favourite wildlife subjects are owls
trips I would sometimes have and raptors in particular the little owl.
wonderful wildlife encounters which They are our smallest owl and are full
would frustrate me as I would be of character. I would love to hear from
unable to photograph them with my anybody in the local area who thinks
wide angle lens. I decided to buy a they have little owls nearby, please
telephoto lens to get closer and soon email me at jeromemurray@btinternet.com
www.countyimages.co.uk
I was well and truly hooked.
Chesterton Windmill can be difficult to photograph when there are no crops in the
fields to 'enhance' the photo so I visited one morning in August 2009 before work! I
settled on this viewpoint to make sure I captured the rising sun in frame but had to use
a very wide angle lens to fit it all in and ND grad filters to hold the detail in the sky.
D300 with 12-24mm lens, ND9 grad filter, F20mm 1/15sec