Funeral of Val Bower (nee Sneyd) of Wolgarston Farm

I am posting this on Tuesday evening, 30 October.   Next Tuesday, 7 November 2017, at 1pm, there will be a Funeral Service at St. Michaels and All Angels Church, Penkridge, for Mrs. Val Bower (nee Sneyd).   Her husband, Peter, has asked if I can let all her friends in Penkridge know of this as she had many friends in this parish of Penkridge.

On that same day, there is also a Local History Meeting in the morning at Haling Dene but it will not clash with Val's funeral.  The meeting starts at 10.30am and will finish at approx. 12 noon so there will be time to get to the Church for her funeral.  After the service she will be buried in the Parish Burial Ground.   Peter Bower has asked that there is NO FLOWERS please - donations will be shared between Compton Hospice and Penkridge Church.

Are we going to allow outsiders to make Penkridge a "Commuter Town"?

2017 is already becoming a year which will not be one we must remember, but its looking like one that we hope we can forget!!!

Just to list a few things - not in any order or grouping but as they come into my mind.

There is something very important happening all over our Parish of Penkridge, which also covers of course, Pillaton, Congreve, Preston Vale, Longridge, Lower Drayton, Lyne Hill, Otherton, Rodbaston, Gailey, Water Eaton, Bickford, etc. etc.

What is happening you may ask?  Well, if I just mention words like "Strategic Rail Freight Hub" or "Lyne Hill "Affordable?" housing development" or "Riverside (Riverview!) "Hotel and Helicopter landing pads" or "Rodbaston Wind Turbines" or "Cannock Road Industrial Chicken Factory" or "proposed Church development in graveyard" or proposals for large housing development northwest  of the village or Persimmon wanting to building their HQ on our floodplain or .........  I could name more but you readers may be able to tell me of others.

It would appear to me that our community "village" or  "town" has been listed by all Councils and Planning Authorities, Developers and Strategic Planners, national and local, as THE place to turn into a ??????  Commuter town, sandwiched between our VERY NOISY, WIDENED, AND POLLUTING MOTORWAY - THE M6 and the RAILWAY LINE that Lord Hatherton allowed to be built over his land many years ago.

Isn't it about time that the people of Penkridge came up with some plans of their own to develop our community as WE WANT?

SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER

Two friends of mine are in Thailand watching and studying birds.   Today they found the very, very rare species - Spoon-billed Sandpiper - which winters there.  There are less than 200 pairs in the world and a big study is being conducted by a co-operative world team of Ornithologists and Ecologists to try and discover where they breed, feed and winter so they can conserve the habitat where they are found.   I saw my first at Mai Po marshes in Hong Kong many years ago when I was birdwatching there.   They breed in North Eastern Russia and winter in South East Asia.  This year three birds have been caught, ringed and satellite tracking devices attached to them and it is already telling us a lot about there habits and the places where they prefer to feed and rest outside the breeding season.   Peter Scott's Wildlife Trust at Slimbridge are involved and have set up a small breeding programme to try and breed these Sandpipers in captivity with a view to increasing the population in NE Russia.   For more information about this project click on this link. 

Gailey HUB - proposed NEW and ENLARGED plans

New and enlarged plans for the Gailey New Strategic Rail Hub have been released and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE

NEVER MIND

Never mind, it doesn't matter - words we hate to hear.
They're said to us so often, every day of every year.
Maybe from our loved ones, neighbours or a friend, the
butcher, baker, milkman, the names don't ever end.

Sometimes they ask a question, or maybe tell a joke,
Or start to tell a story about some other folk.
And, "oh, the topic of the day" are often things they start to
say.  But somehow, in between the chatter,
Say "never mind, it doesn't matter."

They realise we haven't heard, cause we look blank and
quite disturbed.  Perhaps they think they're being kind, when
they just tell us ~"never mind".

But mind we do, we want to hear,
Conversation is very dear, to people whose hearing is
impaired, we're grateful for the time you've spared.
To try to make us understand, we do think you are very
kind.
BUT PLEASE DON'T SAY "OH NEVER MIND!"

Our Queen's Official 90th Birthday

In Penkridge on Sunday 12 June, we celebrated our Queen's Official 90th Birthday at two Street Parties - one at the Haling Dene Centre with the Tutbury Band entertaining and other events and attractions.- organised by the Parish Council.  And at the Cross Keys Pub adjacent to the Canal, they organised a very successful Party under a marquee with all the trimmings, flags, bunting, food and drink.  Plus a Fancy Dress competition for the children.   The Town Crier gave the Royal Proclamation and opened both events.   A very good time was had by all, despite the torrential downpour in the middle of both events.

Penkridge Town Crier gives 90th Birthday Proclamation for QUEEN ELIZABETH II at Historic Penkridge Market

NINETIETH BIRTHDAY PROCLAMATION

OYEZ! OYEZ! OYEZ!

May it please your most Gracious Majesty,

That we, the members of the Loyal Company of Town Criers, as your most humble and obedient servants, do hereby make the following proclamation:

At 2-40am on Wednesday the 21st day of April 1926, at 17 Bruton street Mayfair, unbeknownst to the nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the member countries of the Commonwealth, and all colonies affiliated to the throne, there took place the birth of our future sovereign,

QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND.

As you celebrate your life of ninety full years, let every loyal subject be reminded of your influence, your graciousness, and your impact upon our lives. May the congratulations from each and every loyal personage demonstrate the affection in which you are held, as we wish you, our most regal and sovereign Queen, a joyous and happy ninetieth birthday.

Let us all, united loudly and proudly, proclaim together:

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

© JOHN ROBINSON BIDDULPH (ENGLAND) AND FUSIGNANO (ITALY) TOWN CRIER

LOYAL COMPANY OF TOWN CRIERS 90th BIRTHDAY CRY.