NEWS & EVENTS

A few words from Ye Olde Steppes

On Saturday the 28th of January, Ye Olde Steppes - Pembridge Village shop once again re-opened its doors to a crowd of over 70 people following its closure for almost 16 months. Mark and I had been looking for a shared business venture for some time and when we first viewed "Steppes" back in July/August of last year, we felt that a building of such character had lots of potential. We'd recently finished a refurbishment of an old farmhouse cottage in West Sussex and felt ready to take on a different challenge.

Our aim is to provide a village shop that meets the needs of the parishioners as well as the seasonal tourist trade. We felt the property lent itself well to the traditional styling of a shop from time gone by. We have used apple crates as shelving, moved the counter back to its original position, exposed all of the hidden beams and had the old chimneys opened up and a wood burning stove installed. We moved into Steppes in mid-December and during this time we asked the parishioners what they would like stocked in their shop, using their thoughts and ideas as a guide to help focus our stock lists. The majority of the items requested included basic essentials, locally sourced produce, quality fruit and vegetables, and all at reasonable prices.

The first week of the shop has been a real success. Despite the newspapers being delayed by Smiths News, the villagers have been shopping and commenting on how pleased they are to have their shop back. The community spirit has felt vibrant with people stopping to chat and catch up. The most common thing heard across the counter is "I'm just in for a nosey"! The good thing is that they often come back for a second visit. Mark and I have both been overwhelmed by the well wishes and kind comments on how the shop has been refitted.

Next Saturday (February 11th) will see the opening of our Ye Olde Tearoom serving delicious home- made treats including daily baked scones, various cakes, freshly made sandwiches and a soup of the day. We will stock a wide variety of loose leaf tea served from bone china tea sets and quality Italian coffee. A few weeks later we will be opening another room in the house as a venue that can be used by the community as a meeting place or for local groups to use. We are both looking forward to welcoming you back into Ye Olde Steppes.

Gary Seaton & Mark Ratcliffe

Concert in memory of Simon Boosey

17th March 2012 (the second anniversary of his death)
7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Pembridge, Herefordshire.

The Alberni Quartet with Marcus Farnsworth baritone.
The programme will premier a new work by John McCabe, specially commissioned in memory of Simon.
Proceeds to be divided between Pembridge Church and the Presteigne Festival.

Tickets £25.00, from Robert Anderson, The Garth Pembridge Herefordshire HR6 9DX, Tel: 01544 388292
Cheques payable to Pembridge PCC and please enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope.

Pembridge "Past to Present" in Stitches

In Pembridge, we are working with the Community to develop the St. Mary's Community Heritage Centre. We see this amazing building as a centre for visitors to Pembridge to gain information about the village and to find out about the past of this uniquely historic village and parish.

A church family group has been formed and part of this group is embarking on recording Pembridge past to present in stitches, in a series of (Bayeaux-like) tapestries.

We have already started planning what to record from Doomsday to present. These ideas are now being transposed into artwork. We hope to start "stitching" in the near future. At the moment we are planning 10 tapestries.

To get us underway, we have to look at financing the project and we feel that it would make our tapestry special if funding was found from within our community or from those who have, or have had, connections with the parish of Pembridge.

So, would you like to sponsor our project? If you have any connection with the parish of Pembridge, we ask for your support. Were you, or a member of your family, married or Christened in Pembridge Church? Do you have someone you would like to have remembered who is buried in Pembridge Churchyard? Did any member of your family emigrate abroad (e.g. to Canada or Australia) and you wish them to retain a connection with Pembridge? Do you have a business in Pembridge or in the parish such as farming, engineering, retail or restaurant? If you have any connection with Pembridge, would you help sponsor us? Any amount of money will be gratefully received and your sponsorship will be recorded in stitches!

If you are able to help in any way by sponsoring the project, or with helping to stitch (beginners welcome!), please contact:-

Gill Smith Tel: 01544388441 - email ianandgillian@googlemail.com
or Amanda Cooper on 01544388804 - email amanda@planetcoops.com

Pembridge Good Neighbour Scheme

Good Neighbour schemes are run by a variety of voluntary and community organisations throughout the country and it is hoped that a scheme could be set up in Pembridge. The scheme would provide elderly, ill and isolated people a helping hand, it could also help a young mum or dad who needs the odd bit of help.

Just a few examples of how it could help are:

Transport - giving people lifts to doctors surgeries, shops or local social trips
Shopping/doing errands
Fetching prescription and library books
Walking the dog for someone who is ill
Changing a lightbulb, testing smoke alarms
Providing company for those living alone

Each scheme raises a team of volunteers who are willing to help others in their community. Volunteers can choose in which way or ways they would like to help so they don't feel over-burdened.

The scheme revolves around a mobile phone, which is held in turn by a core group of volunteers who match the need of a caller to a volunteer who has offered to help in that particular way. It is a system which spreads the load and does not put pressure on any volunteer to do everything on the list.

For more information click here.

"Every community has good-hearted people who automatically help their neighbours, but the aim of the Good Neighbour Scheme is to fill any gaps in this network of care in a community and to put help within the reach of every resident of a community"

Consultation Day for St Mary's Community Project

The recent SMCP open meeting, chaired by Rev Read heard the results of the analysis of the questionnaires from Bob Anderson. Major findings were the need for an effective heating system, toilets and a means of providing refreshments with the main proposed uses being a versatile performance/exhibition space and a Heritage Centre.

Sub committees are being formed to progress these ideas. If you would like to help please visit http://www.pembridgechurch.org.uk/ for more information.

The Church with everything taken out - what would you do with this space?