Issue No. 65 Winter 2007

For the residents of Mansel Lacy, Brinsop, Moorhampton, Upperton, Wormsley, Yarsop & Yazor.

Published by St. Michael’s Mansel Lacy Community Association With financial support from a Foxley Group Parish Council grant.

Printed by Cal & Weobley Printing Services

Merry Christmas

Foxley News 2

Foxley News Publication Dates and Copy Deadlines

2007/8 EditionsPublication date Copy deadline

Winter Monday Nov 26 Monday Nov 12 Spring Monday Feb 11 Monday Feb 25 Summer Monday May 26 Monday May 12

Foxley FlyerThe supplement to the Foxley News will be published at the beginningof the months when the Foxley News is resting. Viz. January, FebruaryApril, May, July, August, October, November. It is a single A5 sizedsheet. - Brief items of interest should be sent to Joyce Potts, editor, within the copy deadlines.

Editors Cal Edwards & Elaine HillierAll articles, letters or other items may be subject to editorial discretion.

The editors do not accept responsibility for articles printed in this magazine.Please send or deliver your copy to:-

Cal Edwards, Yew Tree Cottage, Mansel Lacy.Tel; 01981 590625

e-mail:- calan.edwards@btinternet.comWeb-site: www.mansellacy.org.uk

EditorialIt was nice to see John & Monica Stansbie back in Mansel Lacy for a few weeks inOctober. They hadn’t changed at all, in fact their sunny life style seems to have madethem younger.This is the 65th edition of Foxley News in the A5 format so it is ofpensionable age. All the previous copies are stored and can be copied if required.Contributions to the magazine are always welcome and many thanks are due to all thosewho already send in news and funny stories. At one time we had a letters to the editor’spage, but not enough letters were being sent. Now in the age of e-mails perhaps ane-mail to the editor would be more apt. The answer will be in your e-mail response.If you want an electronic copy of the Foxley News and you have a broadband webconnection you can go to www.mansellacy.org.uk and download a copy or if you haverelatives across the world pass on the web address to them.

3 Foxley NewsCommunity Association

Early in September the water meter monitoring the amount used in the CommunityHall/Church was changed. Whether this means higher or lower bills time will tell.On Friday 21st September the BBC came to interview Angie Deane and myself aboutthe re-ordering of the church, which had occurred over ten years ago. The BBC spentnearly two hours filming both interviews and location shots, sometimes asking us torepeat the shots three times before they were satisfied. This was because they hadbooked Sir Roy Strong to be interviewed live on the following Tuesday’s BBC1’sBreakfast Show, running from 6.30 am to 9 am. They ran the severely edited tape oftheir visit to Mansel Lacy at 6.23 am and then again at 8.20 am which was then followedby a 6 minute interview with Sir Roy Strong. Sir Roy, by the end of the interview, wassaying that Mansel Lacy church conversion was highly creditable and an example forthe rest of the country. So maybe our time with the crew was well spent. Thankfully wedidn’t have to wear make-up!!Richard Baugh did some more work in the shed, he has made and fitted some shelvingwhich will house the new marquees we have purchased.The Community Access Point was visited by Dr. Ashley Tucker, who leads the ICTmy.herefordshire.org.uk web site and department of the Herefordshire Council. Hepresented a short talk on help that was available to the CAP now that the original projectteam has disbanded.

The Horse Race Night on 26 October was entertaining and enjoyable but we were shortof punters. The Community Association subsidised the event by £6.34.The Village Bonfire and Firework display took place on the Foxley estate, with theHereford Caravan club in attendance making a successful & profitable event.(see page11)Looking to the future we had a CA Committee meeting on Thursday 15 November toagree what events to promote in the New Year and into the Spring.If you have a computer connected to the web why not have a look at our web site on:www.mansellacy.org.uk and if you want to add anything to that site contact me andtogether we’ll do it.Don’t forget the German Christmas Market on Saturday 8th December, starting at 6 pm.followed on Friday 15th December at Wormsley Golf Club by our own Christmas DinnerThis dinner is open to all local residents so give me a ring on 590625 and reserve yourplace. There is a choice of menu at £16 per meal. Vegetarians catered for. Cal

Brian RodenWe sadly report the death of Brian Roden on Sunday 11th November

2007. The funeral, at which very many of his relatives and friends attended took place on Friday 23 November at 12 noon.

On 24th October, Joyce Lewis, Cis Ed-wards, Ann Fairhurst and I went to Bish-opswood Village Hall to the awardceremony of ‘Calor Village of the Year’.Although the overall winners were Bish-opswood, Mansel Lacy received a plaquewhich indicated the village as winner of the‘Most Innovative Use’ category. We wereencouraged to enter again next year.

Foxley News 4This is a wonderful piece by Michael Gartner, editor of newspapers large andsmall and president of NBC News. In 1997, he won the Pulitzer Prize for editorialwriting. Well worth reading. And a few good laughs are guaranteed. I enjoyed it.My father never drove a car. Well, that's not quite right. I should say I never saw himdrive a car. He quit driving in 1927, when he was 25 years old, and the last car he drovewas a 1926 Whippet. "In those days," he told me when he was in his 90s, "to drive acar you had to do things with your hands, and do things with your feet, and look everywhich way, and I decided you could walk through life and enjoy it or drive through lifeand miss it. "At which point my mother, a sometimes salty Irishwoman, chimed in: "Oh,bull----!" she said. "He hit a horse." "Well," my father said, "there was that, too."So my brother and I grew up in a household without a car. The neighbours all had cars-- the Kollingses next door had a green 1941 Dodge, the Laninghams across the streeta 1936 Plymouth, the Hopsons two doors down a black 1941 Ford -- but we had none.

My father, a newspaperman in Des Moines, would take the streetcar to work and, oftenas not, walk the 3 miles home. If he took the streetcar home, my mother and brother andI would walk the three blocks to the streetcar stop, meet him and walk home together.My brother, David, was born in 1935, and I was born in 1938, and sometimes, at dinner,we'd ask how come all the neighbours had cars but we had none. "No one in the familydrives," my mother would explain, and that was that. But, sometimes, my father wouldsay, "But as soon as one of you boys turns 16, we'll get one." It was as if he wasn't surewhich one of us would turn16 first.

But, sure enough, my brother turned 16 before I did, so in 1951 my parents bought aused 1950 Chevrolet from a friend who ran the parts department at a Chevy dealershipdowntown. It was a four-door, white model, stick shift, fender skirts, loaded witheverything, and since my parents didn't drive, it more or less became my brother's car.

Having a car but not being able to drive didn't bother my father, but it didn't make senseto my mother. So in 1952, when she was 43 years old, she asked a friend to teach herto drive. She learned in a nearby cemetery, the place where I learned to drive thefollowing year and where, and a generation later, I took my two sons to practice driving.

The cemetery probably was my father's idea. "Who can your mother hurt in thecemetery?" I remember him saying once. For the next 45 years or so, until she was 90,my mother was the driver in the family. Neither she nor my father had any sense ofdirection, but he loaded up on maps -- though they seldom left the city limits -- andappointed himself navigator. It seemed to work. Still, they both continued to walk a lot.My mother was a devout Catholic, and my father an equally devout agnostic, anarrangement that didn't seem to bother either of them through their 75 years ofmarriage. (Yes, 75 years, and they were deeply in love the entire time.)

He retired when he was 70, and nearly every morning for the next 20 years or so, hewould walk with her the mile to St. Augustin's Church. She would walk down and sit inthe front pew, and he would wait in the back until he saw which of the parish's twopriests was on duty that morning. If it was the pastor, my father then would go out andtake a 2-mile walk, meeting my mother at the end of the service and walking her home.If it was the assistant pastor, he'd take just a 1-mile walk and then head back to thechurch. He called the priests "Father Fast" and "Father Slow." After he retired, my fatheralmost always accompanied my mother whenever she drove anywhere, even if he hadno reason to go along. If she was going to the beauty parlour, he'd sit in the car andread, or go take a stroll or, if it was summer, have her keep the engine running so hecould listen to the Cubs game on the radio. Continued on next page

5 Foxley NewsIn the evening, then, when I'd stop by, he'd explain: "The Cubs lost again. Themillionaire on second base made a bad throw to the millionaire on first base, so themultimillionaire on third base scored." If she were going to the grocery store, he wouldgo along to carry the bags out -- and to make sure she loaded up on ice cream

As I said, he was always the navigator, and once, when he was 95 and she was 88 andstill driving, he said to me, "Do you want to know the secret of a long life?" "I guess so,"I said, knowing it probably would be something bizarre. "No left turns," he said."What?" I asked. "No left turns," he repeated. "Several years ago, your mother and Iread an article that said most accidents that old people are in happen when they turnleft in front of oncoming traffic. As you get older, your eyesight worsens, and you canlose your depth perception, it said. So your mother and I decided never again to makea left turn." "What?" I said again. "No left turns," he said. "Think about it. Three rightsare the same as a left, and that's a lot safer. So we always make three rights." "You'rekidding!" I said, and I turned to my mother for support "No," she said, "your father isright. We make three rights. It works." But then she added: "Except when your fatherloses count." I was driving at the time, and I almost drove off the road as I startedlaughing. "Loses count?" I asked. "Yes," my father admitted, "that sometimes hap-pens. But it's not a problem. You just make seven rights, and you're okay again." Icouldn't resist. "Do you ever go for 11?" I asked. "No," he said. "If we miss it at seven,we just come home and call it a bad day. Besides, nothing in life is so important it can'tbe put off another day or another week." My mother was never in an accident, but oneevening she handed me her car keys and said she had decided to quit driving. That wasin 1999, when she was 90. She lived four more years, until 2003. My father died thenext year, at 102. They both died in the bungalow they had moved into in 1937 andbought a few years later for $3,000. (Sixty years later, my brother and I paid $8,000 tohave a shower put in the tiny bathroom -- the house had never had one. My father wouldhave died then and there if he knew the shower cost nearly three times what he paidfor the house.)He continued to walk daily -- he had me get him a treadmill when he was 101 becausehe was afraid he'd fall on the icy sidewalks but wanted to keep exercising -- and he wasof sound mind and sound body until the moment he died. One September afternoon in2004, he and my son went with me when I had to give a talk in a neighbouring town,and it was clear to all three of us that he was wearing out, though we had the usualwide-ranging conversation about politics and newspapers and things in the news. A fewweeks earlier, he had told my son, "You know, Mike, the first hundred years are a loteasier than the second hundred."

At one point in our drive that Saturday, he said, "You know, I'm probably not going tolive much longer." "You're probably right," I said. "Why would you say that?" hecountered, somewhat irritated. "Because you're 102 years old," I said. "Yes," he said,"you're right." He stayed in bed all the next day.That night, I suggested to my son and daughter that we sit up with him through the night.He appreciated it, he said, though at one point, apparently seeing us look gloomy, hesaid: "I would like to make an announcement. No one in this room is dead yet..

An hour or so later, he spoke his last words: "I want you to know," he said, clearly andlucidly, "that I am in no pain. I am very comfortable. And I have had as happy a life asanyone on this earth could ever have." A short time later, he died. I miss him a lot,and I think about him a lot. I've wondered now and then how it was that my family andI were so lucky that he lived so long. I can't figure out if it was because he walkedthrough life ...................Or because he quit taking left turns.

Foxley News 6

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Foxley News 8

Mansel Garden Club

Lacy Ladies August. Yvonne Mort and Pauline Blackburn visited us and gave a very interestingand amusing talk and demonstration on pressed - flower craft. Yvonne’s daughter gaveher a book on “pressed flowers”, her interest in pressing and creating began fromthere. They now make the most beautiful cards and pictures using the flowers theycollect and press, some of these we were able to buy.

September. Our meeting was entitled “ Gourmet Evening” and it really was. With a littlegentle persuasion Rosa and Noorji “volunteered” to cook a very enjoyable threecourse supper. We commenced with vegetable samosas followed by chicken and veg-etable curry and all the accompaniments, then lemon roulade and red berry salad,bucks fizz was served with the meal. To complete the meal tea, coffee and mints wereserved.. Scrumptious! Thank you Rosa and Noorji.

October. The members visited Breast Cancer Haven in Hereford. We were given avery interesting and informative presentation by Sharon and Jan. They told us that an-yone male or female affected by breast cancer (yes, men can have breast cancer) cancontact the Haven for support or to take advantage of the programme of the manycomplementary therapies on offer. The Haven programme is free of charge and can betaken before, during or after medical treatment, it is led by senior nurses and therapistswho have knowledge and expertise in both conventional and complementary breastcancer care. The Haven has no government funding but relies on voluntary fundrais-ing and donations. We are lucky to have a place like this in Hereford.

Coffee morning and bring and buy. A big thank you to everyone who held and support-ed this event. £207.56 was raised for funds Joyce Lewis (01981 590638)

A good number of members were able to get to our last garden visit of the year whichwas to Arrow Cottage at Ledgemoor. We were fortunate to have a warm, dry eveningand thoroughly enjoyed the late flowering perennials as we moved from ’room’ to‘room’ in the garden. The evening finished with splendid refreshments.October 5th was our AGM at Mansel Lacy Church. The current committee continued inoffice for a further year:-Chairman Raymond Jones Vice Chairman Malcolm AinslieSecretary Jean Loosemore Treasurer Peter Griffiths Social Secretary Viv GriffithsRaymond’s annual report reviewed another successful year with a thriving, activemembership enjoying an interesting and varied programme. Next year we look forwardto a local BBC Gardeners’ Question Time in February as well as a good variety of talksand visits on the first Monday in each month. The evening was rounded off with an ex-cellent talk on Peonies by Dr Anthony Evans who kindly donated some of his ownseeds for our draw.Our November meeting speaker was David Griffiths who, with his wife Janet, talked tous about vegetable growing, demonstrated double digging, and gave us the benefit ofhis experience of the most effective garden tools. ‘Try a new vegetable every year’ washis advice.Our next meeting in December will be the annual Christmas Dinner and carols.

Jean Loosemore 01432 870708 jean@loosemore.com

9 Foxley NewsIt all started on a lovely sunny day in June, It was the Soap Box Derby. Half way throughthe day two young ladies approached me saying would you like to buy a raffle ticket, asit was for a very good cause I bought a ticket. Later in the day, to my surprise I won theraffle, four 'First Class tickets' on Virgin Rail to go anywhere in the UK on their network,a truly fantastic prize. We decided to use the tickets to travel to Cornwall and visit theEden Project. The day started at Cheltenham Station, we arrived in good time for thetrain only to find the station car park full, we waited and waited and gave up, we spoketo the ticket office, they said park on the road ( for two days in Cheltenham ) no way, sowe waited for a space, parked and rushed for the train with 2 minutes to spare 'so wethought'. No train, this was the first of many problems, British Rail had given us thewrong times as we had missed the train by 10 minutes and had to wait an hour for thenext one, at a station with no working toilets. The next Virgin Train arrived on time andwe started our journey, we were well looked after in the first class carriages, rather likebeing on a plane, a lady came along with a trolley full of snacks. We arrived at PlymouthStation on time for our connection. The connection was 45 minutes late, the waitingroom was full and no available seats on a cold and draughty platform.Finally our connection arrived and we all rushed on, relieved to get in the warm and sitdown. Moving again, Lynne noticed something, the covers on the backs of the seatsdidn't say Virgin Rail, they said Great Western! At that moment the ticket inspectorshouted 'Tickets please'. He was actually very understanding as it was obvious thatBritish Rail had given me all the wrong information, I did tell British Rail Information thatI already had Virgin tickets and we only wanted to travel with that company. Dean theticket inspector graciously said we could stay on the train ( in first class ) until our stopat St Austell but said that we would then have a problem getting to Cheltenham the nextday if we caught the train the BR Information had told us we could, Dean said the onlyVirgin trains back the next day were VERY early in the morning ( we had already paidfor our tickets to the Eden Project ) Dean said that his friend was the Inspector on thelate train back the next day and to tell him the scenario 'he should let you travel' Deansaid. By this time we were starving, no restaurant car just a buffet car with very little forsale. Next evening came and we very gingerly got on the Gt. Western Train ( with 1st.Class Virgin tickets ). I sat there thinking will I have to pay for our travel home or will webe kicked off. The ticket inspector came and was very understanding, 'phew'! No buffetcar or restaurant car and this is first class. We were due to change at Bristol forCheltenham but only got as far as Taunton when the announcement came, we arewaiting for Buffet Car Steward to arrive ( He was on another train ). Food at last, the manarrived 30 minutes later and we set off, another announcement ' the Buffet Car will notopen until Bristol due to a stock take, by now we were starving and it was apparent thatwe were going to miss our connection. The train Manager came along to ascertain howmany people would miss there connections as she would arrange a coach. They weregoing to put a Marine in a Taxi all the way down to Bridgend ( his only weekend pass inmonths ). There must have been too many of us for coaches so Virgin Rail very kindlyheld there train for 15 minutes at Bristol so that a number of us could get this last train.On a Virgin Train again at last, great. When I asked the ticket collector about food on thistrain he said sorry no food after 7pm. After telling him what had gone on he went to hispersonal fridge and brought us all a small salad pack, we were very grateful. Dean theGt. Western inspector told us that the tickets would have cost around £750.00. Twothirds of our journey was spent on Gt. Western and one third on Virgin, Quite honestlyI cannot see what you pay your extra money for as our whole journey was not a pleasantone, memorable yes. None of this was Virgin Rail’s fault and we were very grateful forthe Free Tickets. Lynne has now complained to British Rail Information for ruining ourmini break, oh we thoroughly enjoyed the Eden Project. John and Lynne Smith

Foxley News 10

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The annual Bonfire Night was held on the FoxleyEstate and was a great success with the numbersup on last year, this was reflected in the food sales,which maintained it’s low price level, being fullysold out, big thanks to Tammy, Linda, Maggie andAnn for their hard work and a special thanks tocook of the day again Jim Fairhurst master of theBBQ.Brian Roden provided the special cider again thisyear for which we are very grateful.The pyrotechnics Ed Hadley, Mike Parsons andKevin Baylis who risk life and limb put on a showso big thanks to them.A thank you to Major Davenport for the use of thesite for which we are grateful.Finally a big thanks to all who attended and madedonations and we hoped you enjoyed this villageattraction, making it worthwhile and making it anannual event. Dave Gwynne

Bonfire Night 3rd November 2007

A Grays, Essex reader sent a letter to anewspaper quoting the late Dr Lincoln

Ralphs:- “While an infant in my pram and after I hadlearned to walk, I thought the earth wasflat. When I first went to school, however, Iwas told that it was round. Later in middleforms, I was told it was spherical and in thesixth form that it was an oblate spheroid.When I got to University I heard it de-scribed as geoid. I then looked this up inmy Greek dictionary and found that itmeant ‘ earth shaped’” The letter washeaded ............‘Learning in Circles’

On Thursday October 4th the Mansel LacySoap Box Committee Chairman, DaveGwynne, handed over a cheque for£3,772.61 to Dr Lisa Robinson of TheCharles Renton Unit of Hereford CountyHospital.The presentation took place outside theFred Bulmer Centre where next yearscharity, Home Start have their base.Gwynfor Benjamin (Treasure & Son III)was presented with the trophy for raising£300 the greatest amount by any of theteams, in sponsorship.

Neighbourhood Watch AssociationIs being reinvigorated in the Countywith a substantial financial grant.The strategic management of NHW isnow in the hands of a steering groupof 8 members. If you wish to be elect-ed to the new committee contact;-John Spinks, Apple Tree Cottage formore details Tel: 01981 590688

Foxley News 12

HOW DO YOU GET INTO HEAVEN?A woman was testing the children in her Sunday school class to see if theyunderstood the concept of getting to Heaven. She asked them, "If I sold myhouse and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to thechurch, would that get me into Heaven?" "NO!" the children answered. "If Icleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat andtidy, would that get me into Heaven?" Again, the answer was, "NO!"By now she was starting to smile. "Well, then, if I was kind to animals andgave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me intoHeaven?" she asked them again. Again, they all answered, "NO!"She was just bursting with pride for them.Well, she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?" A six-year-old boyshouted out, "YOU GOTTA BE BL**DY DEAD!

At the Annual General Meeting of the Weobley Branch of the Royal British Legion. Held on Monday 12 November. Mike Bedford was elected President,David Davenport, - Vice President, Cal Edwards - Chairman, Philip Gurden - ViceChairman, Peter Hereford - Secretary, Doug Thornton - Treasurer, Pat Shaw - PoppyAppeal Organiser, Edgar Wiliams - Standard Bearer. Branch Chaplain - Bob King.

'Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest, And all of us seniors werelooking our best. Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry; Our punch bowlheld prune juice plus three drops of sherry. A bedsock was taped to each walkerin hope, That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap. We surely were lucky to bethere with friends Secure in this residence and in our DEPENDS. Our grandkidshad sent us some Christmasy crafts, Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts.The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth, And from them she crafted a holidaywreath, The bedpans, so shiny, all stood in a row, Reflecting our candle's magnifi-cant glow. Our supper so festive --the joy wouldn't stop-- Was creamy warmoatmeal with sprinkles on top. Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great, Then pureeof fruitcake was spooned on each plate. The social director then had us play games,Like, "Where Are You Living?" and "What Are Your Names? Old GrandfatherLooper was feeling his oats, Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats. Ourresident wanderer was tied to her chair, In hopes that at bedtime, she still wouldbe there. Security lights on a new fallen snow Made outdoors seem noon to the oldfolks below. Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter (But we are so deafthat it just didn't matter). A strange little fellow flew in through the door, Thentripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor. 'Twas just our director, all togged outin red. He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head. We knew from the way thathe strutted and jived Our social security cheques had arrived. We sang--how wesang-- in a monotone croak, Till the clock tinkled out its soft eight PM stroke. Andsoon we were snuggling deep in our beds, While nurses distributed nocturnal meds. And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest. "Fore long you'll be with us. We wishyou the best!

13 Foxley News

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Foxley News 14

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Mansel Lacy Community AssociationAnnual Christmas Dinner

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Names please to Cal Edwards 590625

Up and away to go!On 7th September at 7.15 am we watched as swallows gathered on the telegraph wiresin the field opposite our house - ready to go - three to five hundred of them. They tookoff and alighted again and again, preening and chattering on the three parallel wires, thelength of half a field between the two poles.“Our” family, of two parent birds and three young, settled on their own usual wire slightlyapart from the crowd. They seemed quite excited. They joined the others in the end.The constant coming and going made counting difficult but a sample section, suitablymultiplied, gave me a minimum of 300 birds and a maximum of 500.7.45 am and they all took off in a dark cloud and were gone. Silence! And three crazilyswaying telegraph wires. Au revoir & Bon Voyage ! Jennifer Spinks

A sculptor is working on a large block of granite. He hacks away at the formless blockevery day. One day a little boy comes by and says “What are you looking for”. “ Wait andsee” answers the sculptor. After a few days the little boy comes back and now thesculptor has carved a beautiful horse out of the granite. The boy stares at it in amaze-ment, then he turns to the sculptor and says “How did you know it was in there?”

15 Foxley NewsBrinsop Church News

On September 28th Brinsop Church Harvest service was attended by 55 localsupporters, who sang lustily, admired the autumn decorations and partookof the refreshments. Having lulled them into a relaxed state Tom Bailey thenauctioned the produce which had been donated and used to decorate thechurch. This raised over £200 for Church funds and an enjoyable evening washad by all.In November a Coffee Morning was held at Mansel Lacy Community Centreand 40 local supporters came and bought generously from the cake, produceand Bric a Brac stalls. The money raised was £340. It was another friendlyevent and the pleasant weather encouraged people to come.Many thanks to all the people who support our ancient church in variousways, as PCC members and officers, as donators of goods, as attendees atevents and as visitors to the church.Our next event is a Carol Service on Sunday December 8th at 3 pm. Mulledwine and mince pies will reward the people who attend, warmly dressed, andprepared to sing loudly. It is not a full nine lessons and carols format andtherefore not too long a service. Penny Bailey

Another Train StoryWhen taking my grandson to the Railway Station to catch a train to Brighton via Newport, I took a littlelonger than I had expected. Cis and I loaded all Kris's luggage, consisting of two large backpacks plus asuitcase and a couple of smaller carrying bags into the boot of the car, and drove down and parked onthe 20 min free parking area in front of Hereford's railway station.Kris hoisted the two backpacks onto his shoulders and I carried his case. His ticket already purchased itwas onto the platform to catch the train which would be stopping on the other, over the bridge,platform. We discovered that the train was 13 minutes late, so there was time for a coffee. Cis decidedto stay on the near platform whilst Kris and I took his luggage up the steps and down the other side.The train drew into the station and the doors opened (all remotely controlled in modern trains). Krisstepped aboard and stacked his backpacks and I followed, raising the suitcase into the rack. I thenturned to give Kris a farewell hug and discovered that the train had started, moving very slowly at first…Although there a member of the train staff just by the door he was not able to stop the train nor openthe doors, to let me off. Whilst Kris and I had a laugh about the situation, it was necessary to tell Cis thatI would be some time before returning - the next stop being Abergavenny. Although both Kris and I hadswitched on, fully charged mobiles to hand - Cis did have her mobile but it was in the switched off mode. When Cis saw the train leave, she waved to Kris and expected to see me on the platform when the trainmoved out. When she didn't, she thought maybe that I was already on the stairs coming back to join her,then she thought maybe I had popped into the toilet, but after 10 minutes or so, with the help of a youngman she got chatting to, it was established that I was not in the toilet nor anywhere on the platform.Having been unable to contact Cis and thinking that the free parking for 20 minutes was running out andhaving the only key to the car in my pocket, it was time for the cavalry to come to the aid….. Our sonMark, happened to be home after doing his stint on Radio Sunshine, so I rang and asked him to go andrescue his Mum from her fate, which was a relief 'cos she then knew my fate.The journey to Abergavenny took about 25 mins and the Guard was sympathetic to my plight and didn'tcharge me. He explained that as the train had been 13 minutes late they were keen to make up some losttime and closed the doors as soon as possible in Hereford.At Abergavenny I was quick to alight as Newport was the next stop. At the ticket office I explained thesituation and was advised to get on the return train and tell the guard what had happened and that Iwouldn't be charged. 20 minutes later I was on board and enjoying the scenery on the way back.I had been travelling on Aviva trains and the staff were all very understanding, but I didn't get a freecoffee. When I collected the car, now 90 minutes over the limit, nobody had noticed and I wasn't telling.

Cal

Foxley News 16Mansel Lacy

Community AssociationFoxley Group Parish Council

Chairman - Cal Edwards Secretary - Mike Potts

Treasurer - Mike Jones Membership Registrar - Joyce Lewis

Hall Booking Agent - June Joiner Committee Members -

Dave Gwynne, Mike Joiner, Vera Cole, Joyce Lewis,Angie & Stuart Deane,

Ann Fairhurst, Elaine Hillier,Jane Cox, Joyce Potts,Viv Griffiths, Pat Shaw,

Jackie Jones.

Lacy Ladies Chair - Rosa Williams

Vice Chair - Vera Cole Treasurer andSocial Secretary - Joyce Lewis

Chairman - David DavenportCouncillors -

Tom Bailey, Edgar Davies, Mike Powell, Cal Edwards,

Eddie Williams Clerk - Rosemary Lancaster

Mansel Lacy P C CChairman - David Davenport

Vice Chairman - Morley SmithVicar - Rev. Clifford Knight

Rev Angie Deane Churchwardens:

Morley Smith & Jane Cox Secretary - Cal Edwards Treasurer - Stuart Deane

Deanery & Synod Rep.- Brian Barrett PCC Members - Joy Smith,

Lindy Davenport, Robin CoxNoorji Powell, Jennifer Spinks

Jackie Jones, Peter & Trixy GoodgerCaroline Barrett, Mike Bodkin

& Mike Wilkinson.Mansel Garden Club

Chair - Raymond JonesVice-Chair - Malcolm Ainsley Secretary - Jean Loosemore

Treasurer - Peter GriffithsSocial Secretary - Viv Griffiths

Brinsop with Wormsley P C C Chairman - Rev Cliff Knight Secretary - vacant Treasurer - Mrs P BaileyChurchwardens:Ms K Morris, vacancy PCC Members: Mrs D Davies, Mrs C Kingsland, Mr T Bailey, Mr D Filsell, Mr & Mrs Spreckley, Mrs P Reynolds & Mrs G Longford, Mrs M Winstanley, Mrs B Mills

Mansel LacyChurchyard Grass CuttersDave Gwynne, Cal Edwards, Mike Jones & Robin Cox.

Community Access PointFlash news: Latest purchase ordered - Wii console & sports

Steering Group Members:Bettina Brien, Angie Deane, Ann Fairhurst, Jason Hartley, Mike & Joyce Potts,Gol Hartley, Barbara Stevens, Mike Jones, Richard Jones, Cal Edwards.Equipment available includes almost everything you will need to make familytrees, communicate, make videos & show them, take photographs processthem and play games on a big screen!

Find out more - talk to the steering group.Open each Monday evening (bar the 1st Mon in the month) from 7.30-9pm

English National Concessionary Bus PassThe CAP can help you with your application form - the forms are available and a

photograph will be taken to go with the application. Apply to any of the steering group

17 Foxley News

A travel agent looked up from his desk to see an old lady and an oldgentleman peering in the shop window at the posters showing the glamorousdestinations around the world. The agent had had a good week and thedejected couple looking in the window gave him a rare feeling of generosity.He called them into his shop: "I know that on your pension you could neverhope to have a holiday, so I am sending you off to a fabulous resort at myexpense, and I won't take no for an answer".He took them inside and asked his secretary to write two flight tickets andbook a room in a five star hotel. They, as can be expected, gladly accepted,and were off! About a month later the little old lady came in to his shop."And how did you like your holiday?" he asked eagerly. "The flight wasexciting and the room was lovely," she said. "I've come to thank you. But,one thing puzzled me. Who was that old guy I had to share the room with?"ACTUALLY, SOME OF US ASK THE SAME QUESTION EVERY MORNING!

A young man shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following himaround. If he stopped, she stopped. Furthermore she kept staring at him. Shefinally overtook him at the checkout.She turned to him and said, 'I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it'sjust that you look so much like my late son.' He answered, 'That's okay.''I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, Itwould make me feel so happy.'She then went through the checkout, And as she was on her way out of thestore, the man called out, 'Goodbye, Mom.' The little old lady waved, andsmiled back at him. Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine intosomeone's day, he went to pay for his Groceries. 'That comes to £81.85,'said the cashier. 'How come so much ... I only bought 5 items..'The clerk replied, 'Yeah, but your Mother said you'd be paying for her things,too.' Don't trust little Old Ladies!!

Keep it under you hatLisa Burnett, 23, a resident of San Diego was visiting her in-laws, and while there, wentinto a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries. Several people noticed her sittingin her car with the windows rolled up and her eyes closed, with both hands behind theback of her head. One customer who had been at the store for some time becameconcerned and walked over to the car. He noticed that Lisa’s eyes were now open , andshe looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay and Lisa replied that she’d beenshot in the back of her head, and had been holding her brains in for over an hour. Theman called the Paramedics who broke into the car, because the doors were locked andLisa refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in they found thatLisa had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head. A Pillsbury biscuit canister hadexploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot and the wadof dough had hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what itwas, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, butquickly recovered and tried to hold her brains in for over an hour until someone noticedand came to her aid.

DidYouKnow

* Coca-Cola was originally green.* The most common name in the world is Mohammed.*The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.

Foxley News 18

Chimney SweepBrushes & Vacuum

N.A.C.S Registered

Tel: 01981 590404

Chris Lillington

“Book Early”. .J C EDGEFor Paint, Varnish, Paint Brushes, Rollers etc.-Garden Tools Potting Compost, - Tools and Ironmongery - String etc. Swish Curtain Rail and fittings - Household Goods etc.

The Spot to Shop Electrical goods - Kettles, Toasters, Irons, Fan Heaters

Radios, Light bulbs, Energy Saving Lamps, Hand Torches Telephones, Ex. Leads, TV cables, Plugs and Sockets

Junction Boxes, etc. etc.A large selection of Gift Ware, Birthday cards & lots more.

Also don’t forget our photocopying & Printing Service At J C EDGE - Hardware Store, Weobley, Herefords

Telephone 01544 318867

19 Foxley NewsThe Weobley & Staunton-on-Wye Surgeries

We now have the facility for on-line ordering of repeat prescriptions and appointmentbooking. Our website can be found on www.weobleyandstauntonsurgeries.nhs.ukIf you are registered with the practice then you can order your repeat prescriptions andmake appointments from this site. To use the facility you will need a pin number andaccess ID – just ask at reception and they will give you instructions and numbers.Once you are set up for the online facilities, booking an appointment is simple.Appointments can be made at your convenience with a doctor of your choice. Amaximum of 2 appointments can be made up to 3 weeks in advance. On-line appoint-ments are not yet available for our practice nurses and health care assistants but weexpect them to be in the future.Ordering repeat prescriptions online is done by viewing your repeat prescription list andselecting the items you need. Receiving prescription requests on-line reduces commu-nication errors and simplifies the process for our dispensers. We will eventually bediscontinuing the telephone ordering of repeat prescriptions in favour of the onlineordering.

The Priory HotelWe are the new owners of the Priory Hotel, Chris & Chris Rowbotham, having manyyears experience in the hospitality trade, our speciality being catering.At present, the hotel is closed for a complete refurbishment, re-opening Spring 2008.Our style will be a mix of traditional and contemporary throughout, offering en-suitebedrooms, restaurant, lounge bar and function/conference room.Our new restaurant, Hathaway’s, will serve first class food, freshly prepared in ourkitchen using homemade and locally sourced produce where possible, enjoyed in awarm and friendly atmosphere.Sample a glass of our exclusive wine or a pint of traditional ale, the bar and restaurantwill be open to all.Bookings are now being taken for Weddings in Spring 2008. Make an appointment andget the feel of what we can offer for your special day, wedding packs available.We are currently re-designing our web site which will show images of our new lookvenue. www.hotelpriory.co.uk / info@hotelpriory.co.uk

Drug awareness for Parents Session.Have you ever wondered what drugs your children may be offered, what they look like

and what the effects of them are? Would you know what to look for and how to dealwith the situation?

The festive season is approaching with a lot of temptationsForewarned is forearmed

If you are a parent or carer of a child/young person aged between 11 and 16 years andwould like to find out, then come along to this session by Trevor Machell from the

Zig Zag Young Persons Drug Service of Herefordshire.It’s on Tuesday 11th December 2007 in the Rookery, Weobley, High School.

from 6.30 pm no chargeYou can just turn up, but if I know numbers expected it will help with the refreshments.

Jane Denny, Extended Schools Co-ordinator on 07814 576386Or e-mail jdenny@weobley-pri.hereford.sch.uk

Foxley News 20A TOURIST’S PRAYER

Heavenly, Father, look kindly down on us your humble, obedient tourists whoare doomed to travel this earth in cars, trains, coaches and planes, takingphotographs, mailing postcards, buying souvenirs and walking round inmulti-purpose, non-crease clothes.We beseech you, O Lord, to see that our plane is not delayed, our luggage isnot lost and our overweight baggage goes un-noticed. Lead us, Dear Lord, togood, inexpensive restaurants where the food is superb, the waiters friendlyand the wine included in the price of the meal!Grant us the strength to visit the museums, the cathedrals, palaces and castleslisted as “musts” in our guidebooks wearing plastic macs and unsuitable shoes.And if perchance, we skip a historical monument to take a nap after lunch,Have mercy upon us for our ankles are weak. May our cameras never run outof film just when we are about to take the best shot of the holiday!! Andplease save us from double exposures, shaky shutters and immersion in water.Dear god, keep our wives from shopping sprees and protect them frombargains they don’t need and can’t afford. Lead them not into temptation, forthey know not what they do.Almighty Father, keep our husbands from looking at foreign women andcomparing them to us. Save them from making fools of themselves in barsand nightclubs. Above all, please do not forgive them their trespasses, forthey know exactly what they do. And when our voyage is over and we returnto our homes grant us the favour of finding someone who will look at ourvideo and photos and listen to our stories so that our lives as tourists will nothave been in vain. Amen

21 Foxley News

Normal Sunday Services as follows:Binsop 1st Sunday in month at 9 am( Holy Communion) Mansel Lacy 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sunday in the month at 9 am Bishopstone 4th Sunday in month at 10 am

Mansel Lacy Community Hall and Church Cleaning/ Flower RotaJan - Jane Cox/Viv Griffiths July - Ann Fairhurst/Jackie JonesFeb - Tammy Gwynne Aug -Geraldine Powell/Jennifer SpinksMar - Norma Hembrow/ Sept - Jane CoxApr - Lindy Davenport/Vera Cole Oct - Vera ColeMay - Pam Powell/Jackie Gardner Nov - Margaret Price/ Marion PowellJun - Sue Webb/ Caroline Winter Dec - Christmas decor All please!

Extra helpers always welcome please volunteer to Jane Cox 01981 590269

From: The Reverend Clifford Knight Tel 01432 760371Dear Friends,

Those of you who know me, are well aware that by nature I am reactive ratherthan proactive. Cal for example is used to chasing me for my article for theFoxley News.At this time, as we focus on events in the village, I wish to thank you for yoursupport for the Harvest Supper and Thanksgiving Service, and for those ofyou who supported our Service on Remembrance Sunday.Looking ahead you will be pleased to know that arrangements are in hand forthe 'German Christmas Market’ at Mansel beginning at 6pm on Saturday 8thDecember. Then on Sunday 16th December in St Michael's at 3pm we will beholding our Christmas Carol Service with music by the 'Mansel Singers' andon Christmas Day there will be a service of Holy Communion at 9am.We hope to see you at these events in the run up to Christmas and on Christ-mas Day. Your support of Church and Community events is valued and muchappreciated.Angie and I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Clifford Knight

‘Christingle’ Service at Bridge SollarsSaturday 1st Dec. at 3.30 pm.

Carol Service at Brinsop ChurchSunday 9th December at 3 pm

Carol Service at Mansel Lacy Church Sunday 16th Dec. at 3 pm

Foxley News 22

JAN BAKERfabrics & home

For all your interior design requirements A wide selection of well priced designer fabrics on the roll

Extensive range of pattern books Curtain making service

Gifts and accessories for the home

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff looking forwardto seeing you at

The Coach House, Brobury House, Bredwardine, HerefordTel: 01981 500777

Opening Times: Mon – Fri; 10am – 5pm & Sat 10am – 4pm

R J BAUGH PROPERTY MAINTENANCECARPENTER AND JOINER

No job too small !

Fencing KitchensRoof repairs Guttering Renovations

CONTACT : RICHARD BAUGHHOME : 01544 318900

MOBILE : 07946 817727

1 Hill Corner, Ledgemoor,Weobley, Hereford. HR4 8QG

Very professional service, reliable and flexible

23 Foxley News

c2itwebdesign

Need a Website?Affordable websites for businesses and individualsWe are a local and friendly company who provide

web designhosting

personalised domain name registrationemail setup

01544 318664email: info@c2itwebdesign.com

www.c2itwebdesign.com

We provide a very personal, professional and caring service, andcan be contacted at any time during the day or night.

Funeral arrangements can be made in thecomfort of your own home and in the presence of your family,

helping you through this sad time

Please contact: (day or night)Mr. Bill Rowlatt (Proprietor)

~Tel: 01544 327829 or 07974 387056

~Our promise is to care for you and those you love~

Oak Tree Funeral Services of Eardisley

Foxley News 24

CANON MOTORS (Rob Birch) NORTON CANON

Hereford HR4 7BH

Car SalesServiceRepairs

Oil & TyresM.O.T Tests while u wait

Hours of Business: Payment Terms: Monday - Friday 8 am - 6 pm Cash or Cheques Saturday 8 am - 1 pm Credit/Debit Card Closed Sunday & Bank Holidays Monthly Account

Telephone 01544 318317 Established 1984

Community Access Point in the HallOpen on Mondays from 7.30 pm to 9 pm

Steering group members will be there and show you how touse the equipment Other times by arrangement.