We would like to remind you that Birlingham News is sent out on the second and last Wednesdays of each month and items for inclusion should be sent to news@birlingham.org by the Sunday before publication. Thank you to all those who have submitted articles recently; these are very much appreciated.

In this issue:
  1. Snowdrop Teas, Saturday 3rd – Sunday 25th February
  2. St James’ Church Services – February
  3. Birlingham Photography Club, Tuesday 6th February
  4. Cuppa & Chat, Wednesday 7th February
  5. Bulb Sunday Service, Sunday 18th February
  6. Trip to Bristol Hippodrome, Friday 2nd February
  7. Clara’s Fundraising Challenge
  8. Burns Night Report
  9. Parish Council Report
  10. Planning Applications
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1. Snowdrop Teas, Saturday 3rd – Sunday 25th February

Caryl Mills writes:
The snowdrops are starting to look magical in the churchyard and the Snowdrop Teas in the Village Hall will start on Saturday 3rd February and continue each Saturday and Sunday in February between 11.00am and 4.00pm.

If I have not been able to speak to you and you are able to help serve teas either 11.00-1.30 or 1.30-4.00, please phone me on 01386 751748. Any donations of cakes will be gratefully received either at the Village Hall during opening hours or again phone me if you need a cake collected. Thank you for your all support as all the monies raised will go for the benefit of St James’ Church.

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2. St James’ Church Services – February

Services at St James’ Church during February will be held at the following times:

  • Sunday 4th: Family Service, 10.30am (with Angela Gerrard)
  • Sunday 11th: Holy Communion, 10.30am (with Ven Chris Liley)
  • Sunday 18th: Bulb Sunday, 3.00pm (with Revd Claire Lording)
  • Sunday 25th: Holy Communion, 9.00am (with Revd Claire Lording)
Please note the 3.00pm start for the Bulb Sunday Service and the new 9.00am time for Holy Communion on the last Sunday of the month.

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3. Birlingham Photography Club, Tuesday 6th February

Angela Fitch writes:
The next meeting of Birlingham Photography Club is on Tuesday 6th February, 7.00pm – 8.30pm in Birlingham Village Hall.

Everyone likes a landscape . . . but sometimes what we see isn’t what the camera captures. Geoff Moore and award-winning photographer, Mark Waidson, will bring to Club Members and visitors the art of getting landscape right. Composition, lighting, rule of thirds, lead-in lines and much, much more.

Everyone is welcome, under 18s to be accompanied by an adult. £3pp which includes tea/coffee and biscuits – a snip of a snap at BPC! More information is available at www.birlinghamphotography.co.uk.

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4. Cuppa & Chat, Wednesday 7th February

The next Cuppa & Chat takes place on Wednesday 7th February, from 3.00pm to 4.30pm. Come and enjoy tea, coffee and cake in Birlingham Village Hall – an opportunity to meet friends and catch up with the latest news.

ALL are welcome – both young and old! – and transport can be provided if required. For more information, please contact Adrianne Woodward on 01386 750936.

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5. Bulb Sunday Service, Sunday 18th February

The Bulb Sunday Service will be held in St James’ Church on Sunday 18th February at 3.00pm. The service will be conducted by Revd Claire Lording.

Tea and cake will be available in Birlingham Village Hall afterwards.

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6. Trip to Bristol Hippodrome, Friday 2nd February

Maxine Cook has 10 (returned) tickets to see Wicked at Bristol Hippodrome this Friday (2nd February). The coach leaves Evesham Arts Centre at 4.45pm. £60 per person. Paula Aston is happy to pick up and take/bring back from Evesham. If interested, please let Maxine know on 01386 751421.

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7. Clara’s Fundraising Challenge

Clara Salt is raising funds for St. Richard’s Hospice in memory of her grandmother, who received care at the hospice towards the end of her life.

Clara’s challenge involves a cake sale, which raised £119 the Sunday before last, followed by a sponsored walk along the length of the Malverns on Saturday 3rd March and then swimming fifty lengths of either Pershore or Evesham swimming pool a couple of weeks later.

Clara is hoping to raise £500 in total and has a ‘just-giving’ page open at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/clara-salt. Any support for Clara would be much appreciated.

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8. Burns Night Report

Angela Fitch writes:
Haggis and whisky: an excellent combination for a fabulous night out on 27th January in Birlingham Village Hall to celebrate the works of Robbie Burns. Marian New and her team, Steve New and Alan Williams, provided the most delicious feast of traditional Burns Night fayre, which was accompanied by fine wines and, thanks to the generosity of Linda and Alan Bradley, a wee dram!

Village Hall Chairman, Kelvin Hartshorne, made the Chairman’s welcome, which was followed by the piping in of the haggis. Local poet, Bob Woodroofe, made the traditional Address to the Haggis and Revd Claire Lording said the Selkirk Grace. Bob was later joined by his partner and fellow poet, Sue Johnson, when they entertained their audience with a selection from over 500 of the great man’s works, along with snippets of the life Robbie Burns led, and what a life that was!

Many thanks go to so many people (you know who you are!) who, led by Alan Bradley, made the evening a sell-out event and a terrific evening all round. Also, thank you to everyone who supported the event by being there on the night.

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9. Parish Council Report

John Hill writes:
At its meeting on 17th January, Birlingham Parish Council discussed a number of matters, including the following:

  • Agreement of 2018-19 budget, which results in a Band D increase of 69 pence for the year
  • Discussion of future projects, which included refurbishment of the telephone box and placement of additional rubbish bins within the village
  • Further meeting with Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator to be arranged to understand current position on vehicle speeding
  • Dates for village litter pick arranged: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March
  • Agreed a request from Birlingham Village Hall to assist with future maintenance costs of the defibrillator; these to be funded via the Community Fund
Full minutes of the Parish Council meeting will be available in due course.

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10. Planning Applications

The following planning application has been received by the Parish Council:

  • Peacock Cottage, Lower End: Two storey extension to Peacock Cottage similar to 06/00508 and 17/01046 but amalgamating some design aspects. Also proposed 3 dormer windows to the front elevation to blend with style of barn next door. (Case No. 17/02337). Awaiting decision by Wychavon District Council. (Consultation period ends on 22nd February.) Full details can be viewed on the Wychavon DC website at https://plan.wychavon.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=92717.
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