February 2020 parish mag 2

PARISH NEWS
February 2020

WELCOME to the PARISH NEWS for FEBRUARY 2020
Kate Hart
katealexan@gmail.com
Tom Castle
castletom50@gmail.com
Rhoda Castle
rhoda.castle@outlook.com
Please be in touch with any news, articles or updates on your club or
organisation by email to Kate. No more than 425 words in length, please.
Advertisements, both for businesses and for village events, should be
sent to Tom. These will attract a small charge and a special deal for
repeat adverts by businesses is available. Please contact Tom for details.
is distributed by volunteers in the parishes of St John’s, Marchington Woodlands
and St Peter’s, Marchington. If you wish to receive a regular copy please contact our Head of
Distribution, Mike Williamson (01283 820407). Newcomers to the village are welcome to
have a complimentary copy, so if someone has moved in near to you please let Mike know.
St Peter’s Contacts
Rev Margaret Sherwin, Rector, Tel: 01889 560234
Maggie Hatchard, 1 Church Close Tel: 01283 820207
Thelma Brassington, Maggie Hatchard, Fiona Needs,
Liz Morgan, Ginny Odey.
Lynda Nicholson, Rose Cottage, Church Lane. Tel: 01283 821374
Sandy Halcrow, Coverdale, Allens Lane. Tel: 01283 820346
Tom Castle, 27 Woodland Views. Tel: 01283 820486
Amanda Shaw, Netherleigh, Church Lane.
Kate Hart
: www.stpetersmarchington.org.uk
2

Time to Look Forward
Rev John Lander writes that although we can learn from the past,
nostalgia is not always helpful in forwarding our Christian mission.
I don’t know how many of you remember
the dairy in Uttoxeter, but it was as
a fresh- faced school leaver that I started
my working career there in 1973.
Amongst all the other memories I have,
I clearly remember being invited to join
the company pension scheme pretty
much as soon as I had crossed the
threshold. Well, of course, I agreed and
when I saw that my then retirement
date would be 2020 it seemed to be
something out of science fiction. For
me 2020 was the year that would never
happen!
The trouble now is that, if I’m not careful,
I will keep thinking back to those
earlier times with that wonderful gift
‘nostalgia’. A gift that allows us to look
back with fondness and a desire to return
to all those great times we experienced.
When life was simpler, less
complicated, all together happier, and
we wish it were so today. That’s how it
can seem, but life was just as complex
and every bit as challenging (albeit
different challenges).
Yes, we can learn from the past but we
cannot live in it, neither can we expect
time to stand still. Look how quickly
Christmas had all but disappeared by
the 27th of December. And it’s not
only in our secular lives that we are
confronted by these emotions, which
influence our views on life today, but
also within the context of our faith and
its expression in our lives and within
church.
Within this Uttoxeter Area, we celebrate
our differences and similarities,
our strengths and opportunities, the
contexts in which we each minister
and, hopefully, support one another
through challenging times and change.
Having recently completed the ‘Statistics
for Mission’ there is one section
that looks at mission in local context
and that brought into sharp focus for
me, what much of our calling is about.
When I left school I had a sense of one
stage of my life finishing with the rest
full of excitement and hope – maybe
because schooling had helped to prepare
me. As we approach the season
of Lent, perhaps we could use this as a
time of preparation, of seeking forgiveness
for the accrued cynicisms and
3

bitterness acquired over the years, and
of letting go all those nostalgic things
which are not helpful in forwarding
mission.
May the Holy Spirit continue to
strengthen our unity and open our
hearts and minds to the possibilities
God has for this Area.
John
CHRISTMAS 2019 AT ST PETER’S
Our Christmas services were well attended and the collections more than we
expected. Thank you! Christmas is a very special time and we were delighted to
see so many old and new faces. We hope you all enjoyed our services and will
join us again in the future.
The church post day and bazaar was again very successful. The PCC would like
to thank all who bought raffle tickets or came along and supported us on the
day. The event was not only enjoyable but raised £1 775 for church funds which
is a much-needed help in meeting our commitments.
Each year we must fund our Parish Share (2020 £20 707) to the diocese to cover
clergy costs etc and our total annual expenditure is a little short of £30 000 which
for a small church like ours is not easy to find.
Gordon Marjoract St. Peter's Treasurer
A Happy New Year to you all.
Love and Peace from all at St. Peter’s
DEBORAH ANDERSON
The funeral of Deborah Anderson took place on December 23rd. May
Deborah rest in Peace.
.
4

St Peter’s Edward Bear Club
For birth to nursery aged children and mums, dads or carers.
We meet on Wednesdays at 9.00 am during term time to enjoy
coffee and a chat while the children play. This is followed by
craft activities and stories, ending with a short prayer.
This year as most of the children are tiny, we decided to go along to the Big
Top play area in Uttoxeter. We arrived at 10.00am and after a warm welcome
we settled in. We think the children enjoyed themselves as did some of the
parents who even played on the slides! The adults enjoyed very good bacon
sandwiches and tea whilst the children had plates of toast. It certainly got
Christmas off to a good start.
Thelma Brassington
Saturday February 15th
4.00 - 6.00 pm
St Peter’s Church
Bring a friend
Theme: St Valentine
Thought for
the Month
American poet, singer,writer ,and rights activist
5

ST PETER’S WALKING GROUP
Our short walk through Dimmingsdale in January was enjoyed by 9 walkers with wonderful
scenery and great views for all. And no rain!! All followed by a delicious lunch for 13
at the Rambler’s Retreat. A great day out!
Our next walk will take place on
starting from Hulme End at the top
of the Manifold Trail which follows the route of the Leek and Manifold Light Railway
which closed in 1935. We walk down the trail alongside the River Manifold as far as
Wetton Mill, walking in the lee of Ecton Hill, also known as the ‘Hollow Hill’ because of
the large amount of copper ore extracted from this small mountain which is now designated
a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In the late 18th century it was the deepest
mine in England with over 400 people employed there. In contrast it is now a place of
quiet and great beauty. After visiting Wetton Mill, a pretty spot popular for picnicking and
paddling in the summer, we return via ‘Back of Ecton’, an unusual name for another very
attractive area. Then maybe we’ll be visiting the ‘Tea Junction’ cafe at Hulme End for tea
and cake before returning home.
This is a great walk, about 5 to 6 miles long with a small number of stiles and few gradients.
Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring a packed lunch. Our
walks are open to everyone, you don’t have to be a church member, just come along and
enjoy yourself!
to share lifts, aiming to
return home by about 3.30pm. You are welcome to call one of us if you have any
questions, or just turn up on the day.
6

Marchington Village Hall
Tickets £10. Purchase from Lynda Nicholson 821374 or Village Shop
Bar will be available
7

Marchington Village Hall News February 2020
Exciting news to start with: for those of you seeking drastic solutions to a 2020 fitness
crisis – a 30-minute (how bad can that be?!) boot camp class will be run at 9.30 am,
7.30 pm and 8 pm on a Thursday. Carla Long from Balance Fitness and wellbeing
(balance.fitnesswellbeing@gmail.com) is your trainer. Tania Sketchley continues
with Flexercise on a Tuesday morning at 11am and Gill Hughes runs her very popular
Zumba class on Wednesday evenings at 6pm.
We are all set to install new doors between the kitchen and hall early this year. And
we are frantically saving our pennies (if only!) to resurface the car park in March.
To find out what else is going on in Marchington Village Hall, look at our calendar
on https://www.marchingtonvillagehall.org/calendar.html or Google us and click on
the Calendar tab. To book the hall, check availability as above and email or phone
Gill Williamson on 820407 or marchingtonvillagehallbookings@hotmail.com.
Geraldine Flavell
Saturday March 14th at Marchington Village Hall
7.30pm start. Doors open from 7.00pm
This 60 strong choir sings gospel to pop,
blues to musical theatre
Licensed bar
The concert will be supporting LATCH,
a charity supporting children undergoing
cancer treatment and their family.
Tickets £8 (£5 for under 16s)
Available from Community Shop
or from Phil Hodges 820583
Organised by Marchington Village Hall Development Committee
For a flavour follow the link
https://youtu.be/qJx9rBWOcM8?list=RDqJx9rBWOcM8
8

Uttoxeter Cricket Club – Winter Training
We would like to wish everyone in Marchington a very happy and prosperous
New Year!
Below are the details of our junior and senior winter training sessions. New
members are most welcome and all sessions will take place in the Sports Hall at
Thomas Alleyne’s High School, Uttoxeter, ST14 8DU.
● Friday Evenings
● Starting Friday 17th January
● Ending Friday 3rd April
● 5:30pm to 6:30pm Year 5 and below
● 6:30pm to 7:30pm Year 6 and above
● £3 per session
● Wednesday Evenings
● Starting Wednesday 29th January
● Ending Wednesday 1st April
● 6:00pm to 7:30pm
● £3 per session
If you have any questions about Uttoxeter Cricket Club, please contact James
Burton on 07961208354 or info@uttoxetercc.co.uk..
Winners of recent draws were:
December January
£5 - Jeannie Crow £5 - Louise Richardson
£10 - Mike Marrison £10 - Jeanniw Crow
£15 - Ian Morgan £15 - Kath Wood
£25 - Carolyn Blakemore
Thank you to all our members for your support.
9

IN FEBRUARY
From 5.30 pm
2 nd Feb: Sue Warren, singer/songwriter, ukulelist
9 th Feb: Junction, classic rockers
16 th Feb: Highball Devils, latest project from Cajon legend
Chris Hall
23 rd Feb: Emma Buckley, outstanding vocals
SUNDAY MUSIC CLUB AT THE DOG AND PARTRIDGE
For more details visit
https://www.dogandpartridgemarchington.co.uk/livemusic
The Dog & Partridge will be closed for food on Mondays and
Tuesdays. .
USEFUL CONTACTS
GAS - gas escapes - 0800 111999
ELECTRICITY supply emergencies - 0800 6783105 or call 105
SOUTH STAFFS WATER supply enquiries - 0800 389 1011
SEVERN TRENT WATER - for sewerage problems 0800 7834444
DOCTORS’ SURGERIES - Dove River Practice (Sudbury) 01283 585215
Northgate Surgery (Uttoxeter) 01889 562010
Balance Street (Uttoxeter) 01889 562145
QUEEN’S HOSPITAL Burton on Trent - switchboard 01283 566333
POLICE - non-emergency - 101, or textphone 18001 101
MOBILE LIBRARY - 0300 111 8000
FLOOD INFORMATION
https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE FLOOD WARNINGS BY PHONE, EMAIL OR TEXT -
FLOODLINE 0345 988 1188 or register at https://www.fws.environmentagency.gov.uk/app/olr/register
STAFFORDSHIRE HIGHWAYS
Out of hours emergencies 0300 111 8000
For advice on reporting problems visit
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Highways/Problems-with-roads/Report-
It-explained.aspx
10

11

MARCHINGTON VILLAGE SHOP
For the new decade, we have decided to make more effort to be more sustainable
in the way we run the shop and what we have on offer to customers.
So, there are a few things that we will be doing, starting this month:
We will be trialing selling glass bottles of milk, alongside our
plastic cartons, and from the same supplier. We will have a
crate for empties to be returned. Of course, the plastic cartons
are recyclable, in the blue bins that ESBC provide, but
some customers may prefer the complete reusability of
glass.
We will be charging customers 10p for both plastic and paper bags, to try to
encourage even more of you to bring your own reusable bags, or even buy a
Marchington Shop bag for £1, and to reuse that. The bag charges will be donated
to the Marchington Almshouses, a charity which runs the three houses in
Marchington Square.
In the shop itself, we will be briefing our volunteers about waste; what goes into
the blue bin, which we collect separately, and what goes into the blue ‘newspaper’
bag.
Other items that may be of interest for the winter and early spring:
We have a great selection of good value bird food, both peanuts and sunflower
seeds which are sourced by one of our volunteers so that we can help you feed
the birds.
And, thinking of dry cleaning, we have a superb service from local family
business, Cherringtons, who pick up and drop off every Tuesday and Friday. They
will also do minor repairs and take up hems of trousers and sleeves. For prices,
please ask in the shop.
We will be getting new card designs in over the next months, including for
Valentine’s Day on the 14th of this month, so please think of us first when you
have a card to send. There are some great designs to suit all tastes and ages and
our cards are great value for money compared to the chain stores in Uttoxeter.
Chair)
12

Do you love to sing?
Then why not come along and join like
minded people and sing just for fun?
The Singing for Fun
Group!
At
St John the Baptist Church,
Kingstone
Tuesdays 4 & 18 February
3 & 17 March
7.30-8.30pm
For further details
Email Mary Minor
maryminor@hotmail.co.uk
Or Phone
Isabel Wilson 01889 569411
Louise Taylor 01889 500687
The Marjorie
Centre
for
Complementary Health
Helping you to better
health in body, mind and
spirit – naturally!
Treatments from:
Acupuncture, Reflexology, Reiki,
Shiatsu, Counselling,
Hypnotherapy,
Cancer Touch Therapy,
Sports & Relaxing Massages
15 Market Street
Uttoxeter ST14 8JA
01889 567999
FRESH LOCAL CONVENIENT
www.marchingtonshop.co.uk phone 821248
Convenience foods, snacks, sweets and drinks, pastries, good
range of biscuits and cakes, local eggs and honey
Locally baked fresh bread, unique range of cards for all occasions
Parcel collection, dry cleaning service, logs and kindling
PLUS a great selection of wines from around the world.
13

Dear Parishioners
MARCHINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIR’S REPORT – FEBRUARY 2020
Happy New year to you all, if it isn’t too late to keep saying it (at least now we
are in February!). By the time you read this we will have held our Flooding
Meeting with the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water at Marchington
village hall which I hope you will have found useful. Precept Grants have also
been decided at January’s meeting and the recipients will have been notified.
We have received several complaints from Residents concerned with the Jack’s
Lane development and have forwarded these on to the developers directly to try
to resolve those issues. The weather has not helped the state of the road in recent
months but Chevin Homes are working with those concerned homeowners to try
to address issues.
We have also had correspondence from concerned residents regarding the
Industrial Estate and the noise/ lighting issues as well as vans and lorries ending
up in the village due to Sat Nav problems. We are booking a meeting with the
Estate owners to try to resolve these so we will keep you posted.
As many of you will have noticed we are experiencing flooding issues now at
Birch Cross just before the Smallwood Manor turning. This has been reported to
highways but if more residents wish to complain, this will only add strength to
our concerns about getting this situation resolved.
On a sad note, our Clerk Catherine Thompson has decided to leave Marchington
Parish Council and is moving on to a new job role elsewhere. Although she will
be with us until March, I would like to take the opportunity of thanking her for
all her hard work over the last few years. It has been greatly appreciated and she
will be missed. This now means that we have a job vacancy for Parish Clerk and
if you are interested or know someone who might be, could you please contact
Catherine on marchingtonpc@gmail.com with your CV.
Until next month!
Julia Hayhurst - Chair
14

Applications are invited for this part-time post, 40 hours per month. Starting
salary depending on qualifications and experience will be on Scale LC1 within
the range SCP 12 (currently £11.22 per hour). You will be working from home
but with attendance at council and committee meetings as required.
This is an active council serving a population of just over 1,000 residents in the
communities of Marchington and Marchington Woodlands
The Clerk plays an important role in the administration of the Council’s
business, both advising the Council, and ensuring that its statutory and
governance requirements are met. As such, the Council is seeking to appoint
an enthusiastic individual, who has the flexibility, knowledge and skills to
manage a substantial and varied workload, including preparing agenda, minutes,
handling correspondence, planning responses, upkeep of website and social
media, payment of accounts, prepare financial records for audit purposes and
VAT, submitting and payment to HMRC.
The successful candidate will also have experience of successfully working to
deadlines and of organising a varied workload, have excellent written and oral
communication and good IT skills.
On appointment, the new Clerk will be required, with the support of the Parish
Council, to undertake relevant training, which may involve some daytime
commitment, and obtain the CiLCA qualification if not already held.
If you are would like further information and or a job description please contact
Catherine Thompson marchingtonpc@gmail.com
Or if you are interested in applying for this position, please provide a written
application and/or C.V. with the name, address and telephone number of two
referees to: Catherine Thompson - marchingtonpc@gmail.com
15

Hall.
30.
What’s on in February?
- Wednesdays, 7.30 pm, Marchington Village
meets at Kingstone Village Hall on Thursday 10am-12noon. See page
- Wednesdays 6.00 pm at Marchington Village Hall.
- Tuesdays 8.00 pm.
will be run at 9.30am, 7.30pm and 8pm at Marchington Village Hall.
- Tuesday mornings at 11am , Marchington Village Hall.
- Fridays 5.30 pm for year 5 & below;
6.30 pm for year 6 and above. At Thomas Alleynes High School. See page 9.
- Wednesdays 6.00 to 7.30 pm. At Thomas
Alleynes High School. See page 9.
- every Sunday from 5.30 pm
onwards. See page 20 for programme.
- for pre-school children and parents / carers, every Wednesday,
9.00 am during term time at St Peter’s Church.
- first Thursday of each month, 10.30 in
the vestry.
February ………
Saturday 1 st “The Dead Secrets” and “Nathan & Ida” - a double-bill of
shows at Marchington Village Hall, 7.30 pm. Fundraiser for
Birmingham NHS Liver Unit and St Peter’s Church. See
page 7.
Tuesday 4 th
Singing for Fun group. 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Church
Kingstone. See pages 30 and 13.
Wednesday 5th Gathering Threads Textile Group, Marchington Village Hall.
4th Birthday Celebration. Activity- Modern twist on Broderie
Perse. Show and tell of Members work 10.00- 12.00 noon.
Contact Caroline Lindsay 01889 56920
Tuesday 11 th
Thursday 13 th
Friday 14th
Bible Study at 1 Church Close, 7.30 pm. For information
please contact Maggie Hatchard 01283 820207.
Woodlands WI, 7.00 pm, Marchington Woodlands Village
Hall. See page 26-27.
Valentines Party, Marchington Village Hall, 7.30pm.
16

Saturday 15 th
Monday 17 th
Tuesday 18 th
Tuesday 25 th
Messy Church, 4.00 to 6.00 pm at St Peter’s Church.
Marchington WI meet in Village Hall, 7.30 p.m.
Demonstration of napkin folding by Chris Bamford.
Competition “event shoes”.
Further details from Sheila Jones 01283 820576.
Singing for Fun group. 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Church
Kingstone. See pages 30 and 13.
Coffee Morning, 10.30 - 12.00, Woodlands Village
Hall. Includes short talk given by Gillian and Alan Talbot
about their new book. See page 29.
Bible Study at 1 Church Close, 7.30 pm. For information
please contact Maggie Hatchard 01283 820207.
7.00 pm Pre-AGM Meeting at St John’s Church.
Tuesday 3 rd
Friday 6 th
Saturday 14 th
Singing for Fun group. 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Church
Kingstone. See pages 30 and 13.
7.00 pm Women’s Day of Prayer at St Lawrence’s Church,
Bramshall. See page 31.
Gospel Choir Concert, Marchington Village Hall, 7.30pm. See
page 8.
Spring Supper, Woodlands Village Hall, 7.30pm. See page 28.
Tuesday 18 th
Singing for Fun group. 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Church
Kingstone. See pages 30 and 13.
Coming soon…Little Pips Childcare
Part-time places available. Flexible hours.
Friendly, family home in Marchington.
Former Early Years teachers now
childminders.
All enquiries welcome. Please see our Little Pips Childcare
Facebook page or contact Katie on 07762992336
17

Springfield, Stubby Lane, Marchington, Uttoxeter ST14 8LX
Free delivery within a 5 mile radius
OPENING TIMES
WEEKDAYS 5PM -10PM
WEEKENDS 5PM -11PM
CLOSED TUESDAYS
SUNDAYS BAR OPEN FROM 12.00 NOON
BUFFET SERVED LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY
MONTH 3PM - 10PM
01283 204431
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS. WE NO LONGER ACCEPT CHEQUES.
18

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN FEBRUARY
February is the month when the gardener needs to prepare the garden and
greenhouse for the coming growing season. Here are just a few things to
concentrate on:
Cut back stems of herbaceous perennials
and compost/ mulch around the plants.
Mulch or compost wherever possible. It
is cheaper in the long run if you compost
for yourself. Leaves make great compost.
Fill black plastic bags with leaves, tie
them up and leave for a year. You will
have great leaf mould for free.
Plan for the vegetable garden, with a seed
sowing plan. Chit potatoes in egg boxes.
Sow sweet peas in deep pots ready for
flowering in July. Sow hardy annuals in
seed trays. If you are overwintering patio
pot plants in the greenhouse, water
regularly but sparingly. Dahlia tubers in
compost in the greenhouse should be
watered now and then, just to keep some
moisture present.
Outside, plan a crop rotation. It is not too
late to plant garlic and onion sets.
If you have herbs in the ground or in pots,
scrape off the surface compost and add
new fresh compost. Incorporate grit into
the compost, as most herbs are from the
Mediterranean and do not like to have
water around their roots for too long.
Protect early fruit tree or bush blossom
from overnight frosts with hessian,
netting or fleece. Remove any old,
unpicked fruit and remove any wind
damaged twigs or branches with sharp
secateurs or loppers to make a clean cut.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY GARDENING.
NICK ADAMSON
Wainwright Rhodes Design Ltd
Your local Builders, Joiners, Roofers & Plumbers
01283 820286
19

MARCHINGTON VILLAGE HALL - A HISTORY
A comedy evening, a concert, and various exercise classes to help us shed the
pounds we gained over Christmas! And just a quick look at the diary on page 16
shows how many village organisations meet at the Village Hall. How would we
manage without it? And what does the Hall say about us as a village?
John Ellwood, who was editor of Parish News in the 1980s, addressed this when
he described his first memory of the Hall as a newcomer to the village:
“We were walking quietly down the road when we were
approached by an attractive young lady whom we didn’t know
then from Eve, and asked if we were going to the dance in the
Village Hall that night!
This has ever since summed up for me the Village Hall, the village
and its people.”
His words are taken from a special supplement to Parish News dating from 1985,
celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hall. Many thanks to Sheila Allen for
providing this.
But where did the people of Marchington get together we had a village hall?
This is the part of the story that we are covering this month, and the late John Gilbert
told us all about it in the 1985 magazine. We have reprinted his account below.
“In the Beginning
When I was young stories began with ‘A long time ago …… ‘, and it
does seem a long time ago since I was young in the 1920s, when one
of the ways my brother and I could earn a few coppers was when we
‘inherited’ from two older boys the job of collecting chairs for a village
whist drive. All social functions in those days took place in the school.
20

Lessons took place at long school desks which I think held five pupils,
but the number of chairs in school could be counted on one hand! So
it was our job to gather the chairs from certain good-natured
householders, which augmented the meagre dozen of so ‘village’ chairs
which were stored with some card tables across the road in the Malt
House. I suppose it was by ‘prior arrangement’, but we had to ask Mr
Tom Wainwright at the yard if we could borrow the handcart and we’d
fetch them after school on a Friday and take them back on Saturday
morning.
At that time a village with a village hall was certainly very lucky. Hanbury
was one, and they ………… had a reputation for very good dances.
Dancing in Marchington School was very much more down to earth,
or rather down to some very rough boarding. The floor was made a
little more acceptable by scraping candles all over it (no electricity then,
so plenty of candle ends!) Later I think we improved on that by
sprinkling Lux Soap Flakes about - the floor then getting something
like passable towards knocking off time at 2.00 am.
The limited accommodation in the School restricted our dances to no
more than a 3-piece band. Later, with the coming of electricity, we
moved into the radio era and along came the Radiogram. Other
changes too took place as dances like The Lancers and The Maxina
faded out and the Palais Glide, Quickstep and Foxtrot became more
popular.”
The next stage of the story is told by the late Freddie Williams and John
Gilbert, and describes the formation of the Marchington Men’s Club in
the old Malt House building.
“The Men’s Club
This was the brain-child of the then vicar, Rev L.. M. Charles-Edwardes
(later to become Bishop of Worcester) in 1934. He was anxious that
both youngsters and older people should have somewhere to go and
something with which to occupy themselves, particularly during the
winter months.
It was thought that the old Malt House building, adjacent to the house
now known as the Malt House and opposite the school, might prove
21

suitable, and the owner, the village tailor Mr George Wainwright (also
for 40 years the church organist) indicated that he was willing to let
the premises at a peppercorn rent: one shilling a year.
A committee was formed and an enthusiastic labour force recruited,
and the top floor was made useable. (The Secretary / Treasurer was Mr
Herbert Porter.)
The Malt House had originally been used in the last century for malting
grain, presumably for the local pubs which at that time would brew
their own beer….…….. The building consisted of an upper floor and a
basement, and for the first few years the upper floor was the one used
for club premises, with a half size billiards table and table tennis
table……… ‘The Club’ became a very popular venue and it was decided
to take out the upper floor and give more height and room. Again, this
was carried out by the locals. When ‘The Club’ was used by the Dramatic
Society for its many successful productions the stage was formed
(courtesy of ‘The Yard’) by boarding carried on trestles fitted above the
billiard table! One very popular event was the club supper, always well
attended up to the outbreak of war.
No-one at the time had visualised the war was only a few years away,
and when it came the old Malt House was pressed into service right
away as a school room. Evacuees from Manchester arrived on the Friday
night before war was declared on the Sunday.
After the War, the school itself became unsafe [due to the Fauld
explosion], and the Malt House was again used for a while to house the
school children. It was not, however, considered fit by the Education
Authorities and there were growing doubts about its safety. The
children were moved to the former officers’ mess at the Camp at Silver
Lane, pending the construction of a new (the present) school.
Whist drives, film shows, ‘hops’ and drama productions all reestablished
themselves, like swallows returning to an old nest after the
winter has passed. But then the blow fell.”
So what was this ‘blow’ that fell after the War, and how did the village get
its present Hall? All will be revealed in next month’s Parish News!
22

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01538 702201
Mob: 07979 942050
Email: Claire@curtainsup.co.uk
Chris Swinson Carpet & upholstery cleaning services
TEL: 01889 564021
Carpets bring luxury, comfort and softness to a room, reduce noise levels and provide
insulation and warmth. A thorough annual cleaning will help to keep your carpets looking
new, hygienically clean & extend their life.
We clean your carpets & upholstery without abrasion using our sophisticated 2 stage
injection extraction equipment which is far more effective compared to single stage
cleaning. All our cleaning is delivered at a safe low temperature providing you a
effective deep clean.
We never use low cost DIY or general purpose cleaning products e.g. soda crystals,
vinegar, washing-up liquid, spray foams etc. which will damage your carpet and bleach
colours. Our professional wool approved PH balanced cleaning does not damage or
degrade delicate fibers.
We use 100% natural cleaning solutions which are classified by the food and drinks
agency as safe to the environment, people & pets and contains no petrochemical
ingredients or other harsh chemicals.
Typical room prices - Lounges £55 - £75, Bedrooms £20 - £35, Stairs £25,
3 piece suites £105. StainGuard Protective Coating also available.
www.chrisswinson.co.uk - A family business since 1990 –
23

• DIAGNOSTICS
• SERVICING
• REPAIRS
• TYRES
• MOT
01889 562029
jsgarage@live.co.uk
24

High Class
Interior &
Exterior
City & Guilds
Bank Top Farmhouse
Draycott in the Clay
Ashbourne
Derbyshire DE6 5HD
Established 1972
UNLIMITED
ACCESS
Scaffolding
38 Warren Hill, Newhall,
Swadlincote DE11 0PY
Alex Graham
T:07521 685893
E:uascaffolding@yahoo.com
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Jane Knight RGN, MCFHP, MAFHP
• Corns
• Reduction of Thickened Nails
• Verrucae • Treatment of Fungal Nail Infections
• Ingrowing Toe Nails
• Nail Trimming and Filing
01889 590114 07791 625378
MARK JEFFREY
For a free estimate on all your plumbing,
heating and bathroom makeovers call Mark on
01889 564924 / 07791 476257
25

‘On Yer Bike’ at Woodlands WI
January 9 2020
What was this? A Yamaha FJR
1300 parked up outside Woodlands
village hall! Were we all going on
a motorbike ride? Unfortunately,
no, however splendid the beast
was, it was not for us. It was
merely a tantalising look at our
speaker’s mode of transport.
Getting out of our, by now,
seemingly boring cars, we went
inside to find a welcome sight of
the room ready for our January
meeting and the speaker setting up
for his talk.
Helen, the President, welcomed us
back after our Christmas and New
Year festivities and reminded us
that it was time for our renewal of
WI subscriptions. Apologies from
those members going on holiday or
otherwise engaged were read out.
Then Joyce told us of news from
County and the Homes and Garden
Day on April 21st with Diarmuid
Gavin, the TV presenter and Garden
designer as the main speaker.
Liz sold us the idea of supporting the
Staffs WI by buying a share in the 100
club but more importantly thanked us
for the subscription money we had
already given her, very promptly she
said! Good value the annual
subscription, £43 pounds a year
includes a monthly national WI
magazine and free entry to all our
meetings! What a bargain!
An important part of the WI has
always been its willingness to make
the Government aware of issues that
need their attention and this is done
through the Annual Resolution voted
for by each member, each year. So we
talked about the 5 proposed
resolutions sent by the National
Committee and secretly made our
minds up, giving Joyce the voting
26

slips so she could pass the result onto
the Federation Office. We wait to see
what will be the result of it nationally.
Patiently waiting in the gloom
behind us was the speaker in his full
riding gear, sadly not leathers but the
modern equivalent of safety wear.
How many times have
we seen them on the roads, speeding
somewhere but not actually realising
what a vital role they play! They are
the 4th unofficial emergency service
ferrying urgently needed supplies,
tissue samples, bone marrow,
donated breast milk and of course
donated blood around the hospitals
and other sites in Staffordshire,
Shropshire and Cheshire. No funding
is received from any official sources,
they rely purely on donations to keep
the service operating. A dedicated
group of people with the riders as the
seen volunteers but a huge backstage
team who man phones 24/7, organise
24/7 rotas, control the system to keep
it working smoothly and the
fundraisers who raise the money to
allow the deliveries to happen. An
inspiring group of volunteers that
provide an essential service and
deserve full support from the
community. It left us all thinking of
what we could do to help them.
Sitting down for our supper may
have seemed a let down after the talk
but no, it gave us all a chance to talk
more about it and wonder what we
could do to support them. Great
supper of homemade soup, cheese
and French
b r e a d ,
followed of
course by
CAKE!
Thanks, Helen, Geraldine and May.
Time to wash up, clear the hall and
depart for home. But not before we
were able to have another look at that
Bike sitting patiently outside the
village hall before the speaker rode
off to start his shift as a Blood Biker.
Now that’s dedication for you, going
on shift after doing a talk with
Woodlands WI.
If you fancy joining our group then
come along to our next meeting on
Thursday Feb,13th at 7pm. You’re
always welcome.
Grace Hodges
27

Marchington Woodlands Village Hall
Committee
invites you to a
“Spring Supper”
Main Course and Dessert
Saturday 14 th March
7.30 pm
PLEASE BRING OWN DRINKS & GLASSES
Tickets £14
For tickets call Brian Greensmith 01283 820416,
Karen Perrins 01889 568314, Pete Smith 01889
567447, Judy Slaney 01283 820306,
Isabel Wilson 01889 569411
28
.

Marchington Woodlands Village Hall
Woodlands Resolutions
Most people must surely be happy that 2019 is behind us. A huge amount of
valuable time was spent on Brexit and political argument and little was achieved.
But 2020 is here now and we should look to make the most of this new year and
new decade.
Indeed, the Committee is setting out with great purpose to raise the profile of the
Woodlands Village Hall, to keep the building and land well- maintained and to
encourage increased use of this lovely community facility.
The regular monthly coffee morning (3rd Tuesday) is
a very pleasant way to both support the hall and
socialise. At the coffee morning on 18 February,
Gillian and Alan Talbot will be giving a short talk on
their recently launched book –
As well as detailing the
stories of the men from our locality who died for their
country, the book also sheds light on community life
for those who were at home during this dark time.
Please come along to hear how Gillian and Alan went about completing this
interesting and challenging project and take a look at the work that has gone into
the book.
The Committee has decided to host a supper evening for the first main community
event of the year. A hot main course and delicious dessert are on the menu for
Saturday 14 March. It will be a relaxed occasion and an opportunity for plenty of
chat. Rather than cooking at home on that Saturday evening, why not make the
short trip to the village hall and enjoy supper there?
Last thing to mention in this update is that the Committee meets in the village
hall on the first Monday evening of every month at 8pm (with only occasional
change). If you are interested in hearing about the Committee’s future event and
hall upgrade plans first-hand, you are very welcome to attend.
29

Monthly coffee morning, everyone welcome 10.30 – 12.00
noon, with short talk given by Gillian and Alan Talbot about their new book.
‘Spring Supper’ evening, see Hall Update and separate poster
on page 28.
It is the ideal time to start organising that social event for 2020. To request
information about hiring the hall or to make a booking, please contact the
Bookings Secretary Joyce Salmon. Booking information and hall details are
available via Marchington Parish Council website (Woodlands Village Hall page).
K
There is an
which meets at Kingstone Village Hall on Thursday
10am-12noon. If you would like more details, please speak to Peter Vaflin 01889
500547 or Maggie Hatchard 01283 820207.
The
meets at St John’s Kingstone 7.30pm-8.30pm . Dates
are Feb 4th and 18th,, March 3rd and 17th March. If interested just turn up or email
or phone Mary Minor maryminor@hotmail.co.uk. Isabel Wilson 01889 569411 or
Louise Taylor 01889 500687
820207
Contacts for St John’s Church, Marchington Woodlands
Rev Margaret Sherwin, Rector, Tel: 01889 560234
Maggie Hatchard, 1 Church Close, Marchington, Tel. 01283
Graham Salt, Cherry Tree Cottage, Greaves Lane,
Draycott in the Clay, tel.01283 821587; Victor Read, Loxlie Garth, Bramshall
Road, Uttoxeter, Staffs, tel.01889 560860;
tel. 01889 562404.
John Bostock, The School House, Marchington Woodlands,
Robert Parkes, John & Pat Bostock, Graham & Pat
Salt, Victor Read, Anna Cadamy, Mike Cleaver, Derek Avery, Linda Beech and
Isabel Wilson.
John and Pat Bostock, Victor Read, Linda Beech
(01283 820209), Isabel Wilson (01889 569411) and Graham Salt
30

St John’s Church, Marchington Woodlands
Saturday 8 th February
Sunday 9th February
Sunday 16th February
Sunday 23rd February
Tuesday 25th February
Friday 6th March
Flowers: Carol Nixon
4.00 pm Ecumenical Service with St Peter’s Marchington
and Draycott Methodist Church
Readers: Linda Beech & John Bostock.
9.30 am BCP Communion
Reader: Victor Read
4.00 pm Celtic Communion
Readers: Pat Salt & Nigel Harman
7.00 pm Pre-AGM Meeting at St John’s Church
7.00 pm Women’s Day of Prayer
Two readers from Marchington
Woodlands will be required. Please speak to Isabel
Wilson if you wish to be involved. This year the
service is all about Zimbabwe.
There is a rota on the church noticeboard: if you
would like to choose a date convenient to you please complete or let Isabel Wilson
or Linda Beech know. Thank you for your continuing support.
is telling bible stories to first school children in local schools during
school term time. If anyone would like to help with this valuable work , please speak
to Valarie Laflin on 01889 500547 www.openthebook.net.
100 club winners:
November: George Potts, Pat Salt, G. Birkin & C Birkin.
December: Jean Smith, Marianne Backhouse, Karen Purcell, Joe Heath, & Maria
Charlesworth
31

ALSO MORNING PRAYER EVERY THURSDAY AT 9.15 am IN THE VESTRY.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CARRY OUT YOUR DUTY, PLEASE FIND A REPLACEMENT AND INFORM A CHURCH WARDEN.
23 February
9.30 am
Morning Worship
Exodus 24:12-18
2 Peter 1:16-21
Ginny
Valerie
Whitehead
Liz
Morgan
Rhoda Castle
Pat Wilson
Mandy
Shaw
Joyce
Halcrow Wendy
Scott
16 February
9.30 am
Sung Eucharist
Deuteronomy30:
15-20
1 Corinthians 3:
1-9
Liz
Kath
Wood
Maggie
Hatchard
Tim Scott
Thelma Brassington
Rhoda
Castle
Lynda Pat
Nicholson Wilson
Isaiah 58:
9 February 1-9a[9b-12]
9.30 am
Celtic Communion 1 Corinthians 2:
1-12 [13-16]
Ginny
Tim
Scott
Ginny
Odey
Liz Morgan
Wendy Scott
Wendy
Scott
Mary
Jeffrey
Kath
Wood
2 February
9.30 am
Sung Eucharist
Malachi 3: 1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18 Maggie Sheila
Jones
Gill
Williamson
Tony Butler
Mandy Shaw
Mandy
Sahaw
Gill
Williamson
Joyce
Halcrow
Service Readings Leader
Sidesperson
Intercessions Readers Organist Flowers Coffee
SERVICES AT ST PETER’S CHURCH, MARCHINGTON IN FEBRUARY 2020