The mystery on the
agenda solved at the first meeting of the new council.
Photo courtesy of the Stratford
Herald
On May 8th 2015 all the newly elected Councillors
for Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden assembled a little nervously for
their first Joint Parish Council meeting. The out going Chairman Roger
Hubbocks opened the Annual General Meeting by calling for nominations
for chairman. Bill Leech was duly elected unopposed, signed the
declaration and took over the chair.
In his opening remarks the new chairman thanked
all the councillors for electing him and continued:
During my term of office I would like to
adopt the motto - Harmonious, Courteous and Service. I hope the new
council will be recognised by the residents as a Harmonious group
of councillors, conducting the affairs of the council in a
Courteous manner and delivering a quality of Service to the residents
which is second to none.
 Bill advised that residents who attended future meetings
would be welcome to contribute to the debate in two dedicated
discussion sessions at the beginning and the end of the meeting and
where appropriate, on occasions, during the meeting. The newly elected
Vice-chairman was Liz Jackson pictured right, demonstrating
that the next generation of public servants in Henley is already making
its mark.
The business proceeded and the question of the
numbering of the agenda using "VB" arose: no one seemed to know why
“VB” was used. The mystery was solved when a voice from the
gallery explained that in times gone by, the papers for the parish
council meeting were distributed from John Love’s shop, fondly
remembered by all chocoholics, called the Vanity Box. While we
all thought the numbering system was some directive buried deep in
Standing Orders, it turns out the numbers refer to the items lodged at
the Vanity Box. Such pure “Vicar of Dibley”
should be retained.
The business of the meeting, faithfully recorded
by the Parish Clerk Jenny Walsh, will soon be posted on the Parish
Council Web Site.
Sufficient to say there were no great dramas, no
disputes, no surprises, just mainly new councillors getting to grips
with how to turn the dreams, expressed by the residents during the
election, into reality. The general conclusion was that there is a long
journey through rules and regs, financial constraints and just pure
time to do the job before we will see the changes we all earnestly
desire.
The confident and friendly interaction between the
“public gallery” and the council and the willingness for
councillors and residents to step up to volunteer to help left most
with a very positive feeling about the future.
I suppose we cannot leave our reflections of this
first meeting without a thought for those who have retired from the
council who must wonder whether this “new lot” will cope,
but most of all for those who stood in the election and were not
successful, I am sure they will feel that they should have been sitting
in the council seats. I know that all the new team hopes that when the
disappointment has dissipated, those who were prepared to volunteer for
this time consuming job will accept invitations to join the push for
change by taking up membership of the working parties, particularly the
Neighbourhood Plan.
Finally, the town has to find a way to
encapsulate its proper appreciation of the exceptional service given by
those who have competed their terms of office and we should specially
mention Carsina Goodman and John Love.
The future’s bright, it’s Vanity Box!
The Personal Views of Peter Crathorne
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O2 Mobile Coverage
in Henley off-air since 11 May
 A Henley NEWS
reader has established that the O2 mobile base station that covers
Henley went off line on 11th May.
O2 have no idea how long it will be before it will
be fixed. O2 declined to comment saying that it was in the hands of a
third party.
A resident posted on Facebook: "So it's gone
from yesterday to a few weeks! Prob waiting for a spare part? V poor.
I'm sure it would have been fixed the same day if it was in central
London."
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The Henley-in-Arden
Civic Service
The High Bailiff John
Rutherford, and the retiring Chairman of the JPC, Cllr Roger Hubbocks,
leave church.
The annual Henley-In-Arden Civic Service took
place on Sunday 17th May at St John’s Church in the High Street.
It was organised by the High Bailiff, John Rutherford and Low Bailiff,
Norman Kench of Henley Court Leet and conducted by Chaplain to the
Court, John Ganjavi.
Members of the Court Leet in regalia and
representatives of other groups in the town, including Beavers, First
Responders, Warwickshire Fire Service, British Legion, Police as well
as the Henley & Beaudesert Joint Parish Council, met at 09.45 in
the Guildhall. We were also flattered that dignitaries from the
adjacent Courts of Alcester, Warwick and Bromsgrove were there, as was
Simon Jackson, Chairman of the District Council and Moira-Ann Grainer,
Mayor of Warwick.
At 09.50, Church wardens led the group into St
Johns Church. It was great to see the church was full and certainly
represented and gave thanks for all organisations in the town.
John Ganjavi, the Rector opened the service by
welcoming everyone together to celebrate our town, its history and all
who serve it through their employment or voluntary contribution.
Lessons were read by John Rutherford, High Bailiff
and Roger Hubbocks, Chairman of the JPC. In between the two sermons the
choir sang and Anthem “Lead Me Lord “ by Sam Wesley,
which certainly enhanced the message for the day.
The theme of the Rector’s sermon was based
on reconciliation and peace. He started by saying that church festivals
in the year vary according to the lunar calendar, whereas the Civic
Service is always the third Sunday in the month. He talked about the
analogy of the general public and their views on the police and also in
the way how we should feel about God. He suggested that when we see a
policeman, we sometimes feel re-assured about their presence, other
times nervous that we might have done something wrong or if we are
being followed by a police car, and broken the speed limit. He
suggested that we might have the same feelings about God, when in fact
God wants us to feel re-assured and at ease with each other. He
concluded his sermon by saying for him the key thought was for people
to go away from this service respecting and at peace with other people
in Henley.
The Service ended with a rousing rendition of God
Save The Queen, after which all were invited to take wine and snacks in
the adjacent Guildhall, provided by the Court Leet and their spouses..
Alistair Price reporting
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De Montfort Lodge support the Hub
Youth Club members show their
appreciation
De Montfort Lodge members donate over
£600 to the Hub to support its youth work. John Kisbey,
Jim Kisbey,
Roger Farr and
Graham Bull visited the Hub to present a
handsome cheque to the club stating that they were very pleased to be
supporting the work of this very important organisation.
Peter Crathorne the chairman said that without the
superb help given to the Hub by groups such as the Lodge the young
people of Henley would have nowhere to go and no one to support them
when they needed help.
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Young People do NOT
have to be members of the Hub
to take part in the following courses
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New Management at
Henley Vintage and Interiors
Henley Vintage and Interiors is a treasure
trove for the vintage and homeware lovers based in Henley-in- Arden.
 Having
been established for over 15 years the store is now under New
Management! Julie has come from a background in interior design and has
been transforming Henley's 'best kept secret' into a thriving vintage
destination. She is passionate about interiors and has put her heart
and soul into making Henley Vintage and Interiors a unique shopping
experience.
The store features a diverse range of wares with
something for everyone. We stock:
• Chalk Paint™ - a decorative paint
by Annie Sloan, fabrics and all accessories
• Vintage and new jewellery
• Lighting and candles
• Garden accessories
• Painted and natural furniture
• Vintage and handmade clothing
• Teapots and china
• Cards for all occasions
• Interior accessories plus lots more...
Why not join us for one of our Annie Sloan
'Essential Techniques' workshops where we will show you how
fantastically easy it is to transform your old furniture with Chalk
Paint™? These introductory and advanced workshops are run from
our dedicated on-site workspace - please call for dates and prices or
visit www.beatriceandclementine.co.uk
to book online.
NEW – Private workshops
are now available for groups of three or more people! Call Julie on
07956-173747 for more details.
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The Manor of
Henley-in-Arden Court Leet and Court Baron
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Court Circular
Published by Authority of the High
Bailiff
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The Annual Henley In Arden Ale Tasting
The annual Henley in Arden Ale Tasting organised by the Court Leet,
took place on Thursday evening 14th May. It was led by the High Bailiff
John Rutherford and Low Bailiff Norman Kench, as well as the organisers
Graham Smith and Laurence Marshall, Ale Tasters.
 Twelve robed members of Henley
Court Leet, and fifteen guests from Alcester, Bromsgrove and Warwick
Courts met in the Guildhall at 7pm. A professionally produced flyer was
handed out by the Ale Tasters to the group identifying where we would
be visiting and also descriptions of what ale we would be tasting.
The Henley Court
always feels flattered that so many senior visitors from other Courts
take time to join us. Their general comment was that they are always
made to feel welcome and very much enjoy the evening.
The Group set off
for their first stop at 7.15pm at the Nags Head. Peter Vanplew, Brook
Looker, was charged with making sure that the Ale was served and ready
to drink on arrival of the group. 27 half pints of ale were ready to
drink, which was split between Old Speckled Hen and Nag's Head own brew.
On arrival Gordon
Trinder, Town Crier, announced the entrance of the High Bailiff of
Henley, Ale Taster and guests. The High Bailiff then said their visit
was to make sure the ale in the tavern (in this case the Nag's Head)
was fit for consumption by the people of Henley. He then invited Graham
Smith and Laurence Marshall, Ale Tasters, to conduct the practical
tasting – after much consideration The Ale Taster would describe
the ale in an elegant way and always ask for a second opinion. He
normally invited one of the visiting Ale Tasters for their views, and
whether out of politeness or genuine belief, the ale was passed for
consumption for the people in Henley. In the recent past, there was one
occasion from a Pub now shut, which served ale from cans, that did not
pass! Interestingly this year Matricardi's was able to serve visitors
“real ale“ – Bombadier Bitter and Lawless –
Purity Bitter, whereas last year it was a “flavoured light lager
“.
At the end of the
proceedings, The High Bailiff pronounced the Ale good in the
Tavern and presented a Certificate to validate this position, together
with a fern to be displayed for people who couldn’t read.
After the Nags
Head, the group then proceeded on to the Three Tuns, Matricardi's, Blue
Bell, Black Swan and finally White Swan . At each of these public
houses, the High Bailiff of Henley would invite visiting Ale tasters
from the other Courts to give their opinions on what they were tasting.
All the ale in these five houses passed the “litmus test “
of a practical tasting.
In Medieval times,
ale to be tested would be poured on to a wooden stool and one of the
(unfortunate) ale tasters had to sit on it. If the stool stuck to the
Ale tasters posterior, the ale had not fermented properly and would not
pass the test. If the Ale taster found the stool came away, the ale was
fit to drink. I would hope at the time each Taster took it in turns to
action this test, otherwise one of them would have finished the job
with a very wet bum. In Henley at the time, there were at least 13
pubs, whereas now there are just six.
“It’s
a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
At around 9.15pm
at our final destination the White Swan, the Group was joined by
partners, wives and lovers, where Nigel and Maria provided a superb
meal in their meeting room on the first floor.
All who attended, agreed it was a most enjoyable and worthwhile evening
and it was good to know that the residents of Henley could be assured
about the quality of ale they drink in the town.
Click
Here for Photo Report
Alistair
Price, Chamberlain
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Mobile Devices
Provide Revision on the Go
Mobile devices in the classroom may well be
frowned upon from some quarters but for students at Henley-in-Arden
School, mobile devices are proving an incredibly useful revision tool
as they prepare for this year’s GCSE examinations.
Students at the school are putting their mobile
devices to good use and are swapping their playlists on music sharing
sites for GCSE revision play lists instead.
Henley-in-Arden School is providing its year 10
and year 11 students with access to GCSEPod - a comprehensive range of
revision podcasts which can be downloaded on to their devices, iPods
and iPads, to help them to brush up on their core knowledge even whilst
on the go.
And the students, many of whom travel by bus each
day, have enthusiastically embraced the new approach to revision,
downloading thousands of hours of revision podcasts as their final
exams approach.
According to the most recent Ofcom research
‘The Millennium Generation’ of 14 and 15 year olds are the
most technology savvy in the UK and spend more time using their smart
devices than they do sleeping so is it little wonder that they are now
turning to their devices for revision too?
Commenting on the new approach to revision,
Stephen Butt, assistant head at Henley-in-Arden School said:
“Given our semi-rural location our students are often sat on
buses or inside cars for a good chunk of their day and just like most
teenagers spend this time on their mobile devices. We were keen
therefore to explore ways to capitalise on their obsessions with their
phones so launched GCSEPod in to school to allow them to put their
mobile devices to good use.
“Students today consume information in a
very different way to previous generations. GCSEPod allows our students
to learn using the mobile technology they are familiar with and use
every day. Because the content is readily accessible and can be
downloaded easily on to iPods, iPads and mobile devices, the podcasts
can be listened to on the go and at any time of the day, great for
short and sharp bursts of revision known to be highly effective.”
He added: “We have been overwhelmed by just
how much some of our harder to reach students have engaged and our data
shows us that they are now using their phones to download revision
material and complete revision assignments.”
Helene Graham reporting
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Stoneaged
Restaurant opens at White Swan
 STONEAGED
restaurant at The White Swan is proving a hit! Full every night
since its launch on 17 April, it's worth booking well in advance.
Managers, Maria and Nigel and their staff have created a fun and
exciting social eating experience in the relaxed surroundings of the
refurbished restaurant at The White Swan Hotel on the High Street.
“It’s a good feeling to see people’s faces light up
as you present them with their food and we are so pleased that people
are having fun when they come to STONEAGED. We'd like to thank everyone
involved in getting this off the ground and to our customers for their
support".
STONEAGED is all about hot stone dining focusing
on top quality steaks sourced from happy cows in Devon and Cornwall.
You can also order stone baked pizzas and perfectly cooked pasta served
in hot stone bowls.
 At
STONEAGED, there are five different cuts of steak to choose from
including Chateaubriand and melt in the mouth fillet and the steaks are
served on hot stones made from volcanic lava which retain their heat
better than granite and have been used for cooking for thousands of
years. Every last mouthful is as hot as the first and the dry heat
sears in the flavour. And that’s not all, the succulent steaks
and fish or vegetarian stone options are served with a choice of
delicious flavour-infused Welsh butters from Melyn Mon, finalists of
The Food Awards Wales, and the best quality steak knives that Nigel and
Maria could find.
Diners get a free side order and a glass of
STONEAGED Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot with every steak stone meal
ordered. STONEAGED also boasts a wonderful wine list of fine wines to
accompany your meal.
“Just had the most
incredible dining experience on the STONEAGED Restaurant! Brilliant!
..... Well done the White Swan
Team! Got it right yet again!
STONEAGED is open Monday-Saturday 6pm-9pm
Phone 01564 792623 for Reservations www.thewhiteswanhotel.com
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News from the
Community First Responders
Henley-in-Arden CFR team is very pleased to
announce its latest sponsor, Victoria Jeffs, Stratford
Estate Agents, who have given a substantial donation this year.
We really value one off or on-going donations of
any size from both regular or new donors as it keeps our group of
volunteers on the road serving the community.
We are very pleased to bear the Victoria Jeffs
logo on our scheme car in recognition of their generosity.
For more information on sponsors, please visit our
website at www.henleycfr.org.uk
Jen Shearer reporting
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Alcester Male Voice
Choir to sing at Windsor Castle
Click
here for a 360° Virtual Tour of the Quire
The much travelled and in demand 80 strong Alcester
Male Voice Choir is preparing to give a lunch time recital to
tourists on July 2nd in St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle.
 The
music which will be performed "a cappella" will include mainly
sacred traditional male voice choir arrangements and includes: Sine
Nomine, Calon Lan, Te Deum, African Trilogy, Gwahoddiad, Morte Criste
and Divine Brahma.
Judith Land BEM, FRSA, choir founder and Director
of Music, said, "This is a very special engagement and a great
honour for us to sing in a chapel that is part of one of the most
famous Royal Castles in the world and we are all looking forward to it
with great enthusiasm.
"Since the choir's formation over 40 years ago,
we have appeared in the BBC Countryfile television programme, sung at
many prestigious venues including Town Hall, Birmingham, Worcester
Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, St Davids Hall Cardiff, The NEC and in the
last twelve months alone have appeared at Symphony Hall in Birmingham
and The Royal Albert Hall, London. In spite of having the opportunity
to sing at these wonderful venues we are also kept very busy with our
programme of monthly concerts which help local charities and
organisations raise much needed funds."
Rob Kingscott reporting
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Henley WI - April
Meeting
 During its 100 year existence, an important part of WI
life was and is successful campaigning. This last year has been no
exception. Home Secretary Theresa May attended our joint “Care
not Custody” event in Westminster with the Prison Reform Trust,
and the Environment Minister, Lord de Mauley met with NFWI’s
(National Federation of WIs) Public Affairs Committee Chair to discuss
our call for a strong Bee action plan.
The new organ donation campaign “Time to
Talk” has already generated discussion in the media and by our
members, and key findings in the research for the more midwives
campaign – “Support Overdue” has been used by the UK
Parliament’s Public Accounts Select Committee. These and many
more campaigns throughout the century have made important and useful
contributions to British life.
How does it all happen? From small beginnings.
Possible Resolutions are submitted by members for their Annual Spring
Meeting, from where NFWI select a short list. These Resolutions are
researched for their suitability and information circulated to WIs on
which they vote. Their delegate is then briefed to take their vote to
the Annual Meeting (this year at the Royal Albert Hall) on June 4th.
After further discussion a Resolution is proposed and the final vote
taken. NFWI then takes action to develop and pursue a campaign,
sometimes for many years. Only one Resolution is proposed this year,
the topic of which is “Failing to Care – assessment of
needs in long term care”.
Other matters at Henley’s May meeting were
Jan Wright’s report from the Warwickshire Federation’s
Annual Meeting at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, which had been
most enjoyable. Among the speakers had been John Johnson of
Johnson’s Coaches, well known to many, and Judith Hibbert, a very
funny actress/entertainer, who, talented in her own field is Eleanor
Tomlinson, Demelza’s mother from TV’s recent Poldark
production. Usual information about events to be sampled, including our
August outing which will now be to Hereford where we will have lunch,
followed by a visit to Hop Pocket, a small retail outlet, where
refreshments can be obtained.
On a more practical level, President Pat presented
allergy information to us to be used when catering. Cakes are promised
for Court Leet Day on 6th June.
Still on the subject of food we finished the
evening by tucking in to the promised Light Supper which had been
organised by the Committee.
The talk at the next meeting on June 2nd is
“From the Baltic to the Caspian” by Jenni Boyle at 7.30pm
at the Memorial Hall, visitors are welcome. Contact Pat Fyfe on 795 949.
Pam Allinson reporting
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Please click on this button
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Steve Gale's
Pictures of Warwickshire
Holy Trinity, Stratford upon Avon
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For the most Comprehensive
Information
about Henley-in-Arden
The
Henley Town Website
This website is sponsored by the
Henley War Memorial Trust
and receives no money from public funds.
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Top Marks for
Vic
John Latham, President
Henley Cricket Club, with Vic Marks and Andy Thompson, club treasurer.
One of the great characters in the last 30
years of English cricket, Vic Marks, came to entertain the cricket fans
of Henley and Warwickshire at last Friday's dinner at Henley Golf and
Country Club.
Vic is one half of that lovable duo that
entertains us so wonderfully well on Test Match Special (TMS) on Radio
4 throughout the summer. The other half of the TMS Little and Large act
- Jonathan Agnew - was our guest 2 years ago and what a memorable
evening that was.
Vic’s humour is warm, skittish and
gentle and was greatly enjoyed by all those present. He played 6 tests
and 34 ODIs for England. At Somerset he played alongside some of the
giants of 20th Century Cricket – Ian Botham, Viv Richards and
Joel Garner.
Mathew Engel, Editor of Wisden, describes
Vic as “a mild, nervy, self deprecating farm boy with an Oxford
degree and no enemies”.
We all thought that the only way any of us
would survive when sharing a dressing room with Beefy, Viv and Joel
would be to adopt the same strategy.
Apart from the “Tales from the
Changing Rooms”, Vic who is the Observer Cricket Correspondent
also gave us some insights in to the current controversies relating to
Kevin Petersen which are embroiling English cricket.
The dinner, which is the main fundraising
source for cricket in Henley, raised more than £1,700 for club
funds thanks to the hard work of club treasurer Andy Thompson who
dashed back from the England tour of the Caribbean to organise the
evening. This is obviously a great boost to the start of the season
which has also seen the club win its first 2 matches in the Cotswold
League.
The club extends its appreciation to all who
attended the dinner and supported the fundraising so generously.
John Latham, Henley Cricket Club President
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 Alcester North Safer
NEIGHBOURHOOD Team
David Malin reports on crime in our area
Incidents during the last
two weeks:
HENLEY IN ARDEN
David Malin
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- Theft / Making off without paying.
Hairdressers, High Street, Henley. Female received several hair
treatments then left salon without paying. Female was still wearing the
salon's robe and towel. 4pm Saturday 9th May.
- Damage. High Street, Henley. Panel in
vehicle damaged. Occurred between 23rd and 24th April. Reported to
police 5th May.
- Vehicle Crime - Theft of. Chingley Bank,
Henley. Ford Focus RS stolen off private driveway without keys. 3 males
seen on private CCTV to get into car after breaking drivers window.
Vehicle last seen at the end of Arden Road. 1.30am Sunday 17th May.
- Damage. Doctors Lane, Henley. Office
window smashed by golf ball. Seems to be ongoing problem. Issue being
investigated by the Team. 1pm Saturday 16th May.
- Anti Social Behaviour. Prince Harry Road,
Henley. Youths seen on the grassed area jumping up and down on a flat
screen TV. Police attended and found the TV. 7.15pm Tuesday 12th May.
- Anti Social Behaviour. Arden Road,
Henley. Damage being caused on a regular basis to the Association
garages. Youth seen to rip parts of the roofs off etc. Police attended.
The Team will monitor this on going issue. 6.15pm Tuesday 12th May.
- Damage. High Street, Henley. Damage to
Advertising 'A' board. Enquiries ongoing by Team. Reported at 2pm
Monday 11th May.
WOOTTON WAWEN
- Damage. Stratford Road, Wootton Wawen.
Car deliberately scratched along side. Scratched down to the undercoat.
Occurred between 23rd & 24th April. Reported to Police Friday 8th
May.
CLAVERDON
- Drugs. A4189 Claverdon. As a result of a
police stop check, cannabis was found in a car. Drugs seized and the
driver was issued with a Street Warning. 9.45pm Friday 8th May.
David Malin
SI 3121
Alcester Police SNT's
Further information can be found at: The
Safer NEIGHBOURHOODs - Alcester Area
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Henley NEWS
offers email alerts to advise readers, who have registered for the
service, when a new edition is published.
Join our
team of volunteers who assist West Midlands ambulance service to give
emergency medical services to our local communities. Full training will
be provided. If you can drive and can dedicate 4 hours a week, please
contact Sue on 01564 794299 or John on 01564 797949 web:
The
Society meets every third Third Thursday - September to April. In the
summer, there are normally two visits to historical sites.
At a recent meeting of
co-ordinators for the Stratford area, the chairman stressed how
important it is to contact residents quickly when crimes are reported
in the area and this is why co-ordinators are needed. Henley is covered
quite well with most roads but there are areas still in need of someone
to contact. If you are willing to have your name and telephone number
registered to receive calls from the Crime Officer when necessary
please let Annette Walker (792837) know.
HENLEY NEWS is
looking for additional correspondents to send in stories and pictures.
Why don't you become one of our correspondents and send in stories
about your area, your club, your school or events you have witnessed?
Please always try to include a photo in jpg or png format. Letters,
articles, pictures sent to the Editor are always welcome. Please do not
use the following file formats 'Publisher" or 'Serif'. 'Microsoft Word'
is the preferred format. Please send to
