“The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden

This is a psychological thriller about a housemaid to what seems a normal family with
two children but the story had some interesting twists and turns. Most of the readers
thought it a very good book, well written and intriguing and they could not put it
down. It is recommended as a very good psychological thriller.
Jane

January Update

The Christmas festivities in the village hall went off well, beginning with the light fest in St. Michaels at the beginning of December. There was lovely singing, harmonising carols from those who know how to and lovely enthusiastic bell ringers! The mulled wine and mince pies cheered us on and a very happy opening to the festive season began. Thankyou to all who decorated their houses so delightfully, a great atmosphere began.

The following weekend we welcomed the Birmingham university singers again, next year is a special celebration. We fed and watered our lovely friends over the weekend in return for probably the best rendition of Christmas music we have had the pleasure to hear! Our Christmas meal was delicious, aided and abetted by Phil, Louis and Di plus the many hands to prepare the room and tables by the committee. Thankyou all!!

We enjoyed, the mums and tots Christmas party, the coffee morning and the Christmas cracker from the St Michaels singers, this year based on the nut cracker!

Much joy was spread through the village over Christmas and we welcomed new year with a party and a new years walk, with plenty of sunshine and plenty of mud!

Sadly we lost our Dear friend Bryan during this time and a few other wonderful village members, memories of them will never be forgotten.

Our new year is hopeful and reliant on you all. We will do our best to keep the house in order, but let us know if you have any new ideas you would like us or you to try?

There is now a new light over the defibulator which will come on if you are near.

Come along and support the classes and hirers on a weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis.

WE NEED YOU!!

Please join the friends of the  village hall what’s app group, we can then call on you  if there is any need of extra help at an event, if you are available. Thankyou

FUTURE Events coming up;

  • January 31st Beetle Drive, 7pm till 9 pm, Bar,  £2 a head
  • February 16th Valentines Brunch,10 till 12am Tickets £10 a head, child,£5 (To include bucks fizz)
  • March 22nd, Skittles night Tickets, to include a ploughman’s
  • April 5th Grand national
  • April 10th Live and Local— The Last Dance Saloon
  • May Fashion show, ladies and gents ( we are looking for models!!)
  • June 7th/8th OPEN GARDENS weekend

We are very interested in hearing from you about opening your garden and or your offers of help with teas, raffle, car parking marshalling and any extra ideas you may have?

  • July B B Q and treasure hunt
  • August , a holiday break
  • September 12th Quiz night
  • October Variety night
  • November Ceidhl
  • December 6th light fest
  • December 13th/14th Birmingham University singers visit
  • December 13th Christmas meal
  • New year

A very happy new year to you all and the many friends we bring along to the hall. Take care and keep well and keep in touch.

Ros and all the great team of hard working committee members.!

National Lottery Grant awarded

St Michaels Village Hall has been awarded a grant of £3,500  from the National Lottery Community Fund to clear and reinsulate the loft space making the hall a more energy efficient environment. Work will take place in the New Year. 

Our thanks to the National Lottery for funding this project which will benefit all of those who use the hall.

Concert Review

It’s the 5th July 2024. I’m in the newsroom of the St Michael’s Daily Sword, and it’s so quiet. Nothing is happening in the UK today, so we’re left with Dog shows and church repairs to report.

But then, it all changed. “I need a reporter for the St Michael’s Singers 25th Anniversary Concert, Bridget Thomas, their PR chief has asked for a review” says Julie Cook, our editor-in-chief.

I seized my chance and bundled my way to the front of the queue; I knew that they had a good reputation for their light suppers as well as the music, and they served a good warm Hock at the bar. So, Julie gave me the keys to her Maserati, and avoiding Tony Penn at the Church junction I arrived just in time.

The room was full, with audience and choir and tables and stages. I found my place in the corner and prepared for a good evening. Eric Hudson and Danny Thomas were running the bar, and the queue snaked through the tables.

The concert started with an ominous beat, from drummer, Dave Bunn, as he ushered in the two excerpts from “The Armed Man” by Karl Jenkins. As if by a signal the choir assembled in front of the stage, between the Choir musical director, Jacqui Cable, and Kath Ainsworth on keyboards. Kath got the music going, and we were off.

A lively interpretation of the Armed Man was followed by an introduction from Eric Hudson, wearing a fetching white apron, who welcomed us all to the Village Hall and reminded us where the facilities and escape hatches were. He also explained how the music was chosen to reflect the history of the choir and to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Concert.

Pat Mutton, the chair of the choir then provided the most moving part of the concert. She told us that the choir had started with a group of friends from St Michaels arranging themselves round a grand piano singing their hearts out. The choir was started by Bryan Fisher, who was a Methodist, serious choral singer, who followed Arsenal, and had a trial for the Baggies. Pat pointed out that there were still choir and audience members who had been at that inaugural meeting. Anne Fox, Pam Owen, Annie Young and Jan Holloway all took a bow.

Unfortunately, Bryan is very poorly, and couldn’t be at the concert. However, his daughter, Jane, was present and thanked his friends in St Michaels for their support and help for Bryan and Chris, both in the good times, and now in these difficult circumstances. Jane told us how important music was in their family life, and Bryan had brought his love of music, and in particular singing, to St Michaels and the choir.

The rest of the concert was a musical excursion through the 20th century. We started with the Jazz Age, with songs from Cole Porter and Irving Berlin echoing the first third of the century. We moved swiftly onto the blues with a small soloette from Pat Mutton, and the choir giving the audience a Harlemesque experience.

The Blues section ended well, and we were off into the sunshine and surf of the U S of A. Paul Simon’s 59th St Bridge song was certainly feeling groovy. This was followed by a medley by the Beach Boys including one of my favourites “In my room”. The choir did this section with heart and gusto, although I’m sure the choir wouldn’t mind me saying it was a bit more Barry Island than Malibu.

It was then time for the light supper, a melange of cheeses and charcuterie with condiments and pickles to be consumed with warm bread rolls and butter delivered to the hall tables by the members of the choir. Its reputation for a good light supper is well deserved.

The second half of the concert featured the last third of the 20th century. It started with an innovation. The choir stayed seated in their chairs as they sang Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. This worked very well. The sound picture spread round the room, which added to the impact of the song.

There was then a short break for the consumption of chocolate and cherry fudge made by Kath Ainsworth. It was a short break, but long enough for one choir member to eat four, yes four, pieces of this delicious confection.

The concert moved onto James Bond. Back in their original positions, the choir belted out a concoction of Bond Movie Themes, including solos from Margaret Morrell and Jacqui. The medley included Skyfall which is a notoriously difficult song to perform well, but the choir should be proud of their performance.

Before the last song, there were presentations to Jacqui and Kath, and the drummer, Dave, thanking them for their hard and rhythmic work. Jacqui invited us to attend the Christmas concert in December.

And so we were into the last song which was “The best day of our life” by the pop combo American Authors. The concert ended with a great flourish, and the audience went home with the songs of St Michael’s Singers playing in their memory.

Peter Cole
Cub Reporter
St Michaels Daily Sword

June Update

Black Country night

On May the 18th we were treated to a wonderful performance from the Rotundas! Around 8 years ago the rotundas performed here for one of their first evenings! We were always amazed at their songs and story telling in their own music and created songs. They have grown in wonderful material and entertainment which is especially professional! Who ever you are you would enjoy their performances! Emily and Matt have joined them adding extremely good quality voices and violin and instrumental additions!

The audience were captivated and found they learned a lot about industry and canals around the midlands esp the Black Country and Birmingham!

We had a most enjoyable supper of faggots/sausage and peas and a very cheerful audience who certainly left with happy faces and cries of ”when will they return?“

Thankyou for your support to a most successful evening!

Kite— ‘ the ten mile stretch’

Very recently, I took the train from Ludlow to Crewe to visit an old friend  from college days. In order to safely travel to and from the station without the added stress of parking all day or for longer I used the extended services of KITE!!

It made the day out so much more enjoyable with the comfort of knowing someone was dropping me off and collecting at the end of the journey day. This can be done  at Ludlow or Leominster.

At Ludlow there is an excellent privately owned ticket office, the three men who work there are so helpful, working your journey out to the last detail and getting you the best prices. Just before I alighted the train I bought a coffee from them at the very decent price of £1.00!!

Do consider this service in future whether for a day trip or a longer journey and use our wonderful KITE service further.

With our extension of a ten mile radius this year— KITE should be more in demand and more useful to you, this includes any need you may have to visit Leominster, Ludlow, Bromyard towns.

D DAY. BEACON

It was 6th June on a rather chilly evening, though bright and light, when a group of approx. 20 hardy souls arrived armed with chairs, bottles, glasses and sausage rolls to meet and cheer the 80th year of the Normandy  D Day landings.

We were on the common around the pond by the silver tree, sitting in the newly mowed pathways of our beautiful common. The view into the sunset and Clee hill was clear and glorious. We awaited for the lighting of the beacon, which had been announced for 9.15 pm.

Alas— it didn’t appear to us!! Whether it was in a small basket and we couldn’t make it out? BUT at 10.20 we decided we had raised our glasses to this memorable occasion and the warmth of our homes beckoned.

When things go well its great!! When they don’t go to plan — always good to look for someone to blame! So I’ll put my hands up to that! But add that it was so good to see you all and enjoy our friendly community spirit!

Only the previous day we received a visit from Natural Networks  / Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, who had popped in to see the pond. They reported seeing grass snakes curled up by the waters edge and some beautiful fauna surrounding. They were very complimentary on the up keep of the pond, it is an ongoing project, a place for us all to enjoy.! 

Midsummer Madness

The Midsummer Madness supper dance was held on a lovely evening for a change! We even had a fly past form the red arrows just before we began!!

The hall was decorated to its best summer style, with lovely flowers and balloons, candles lit lovely summery table settings and the room was filled with a great variety of friends and neighbours, old and new.

There was a delightful atmosphere and we welcomed a delicious supper, from Phil’s team! It was a first time in a long time to welcome Phil himself! After his winter accident.

John Bryan bought his wonderful band, Scratch along to play familiar tunes for sing along and dance. He set just the right balance and all 55 attendees enjoyed a summer supper dance to remember!

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

As guest gather on an island somewhere in West Ireland to celebrate the wedding of Jules and Will, secrets from the past arise. On the night of the wedding a storm leaves the island in a blackout.

When the lights finally come back on a distressed waitress screams that she has found a dead body. It has been described as evoking an Agatha Christie mystery but most of us didn’t think that was a good comparison. I though it rather slow to begin but when all the multiple character reveal themselves, the atmosphere builds, and the plot does come together in the end.

There are many storylines running through it and lots of detail. This is definitely one for mystery thriller fans but it’s not for young readers as it does have more ‘adult’ aspects of its plot.

we all enjoyed the book with minor reservations and thought it was well written and a good plot.

Follow the rabbit- Proof fence by Doris Pilkington

This short true story was given to me as I left Australia last year, it is the story of Doris Pilkington’s mother , Molly , who led her sisters on the escape route from the Moore river Native settlement in Perth. A settlement for Aboriginal children with white fathers!

These three girls had made a long and chaperoned journey from their home in Jigalong to this native settlement with many promises. Alas, they found this place cold, with bars at the windows and Molly believed they were in Marbu country which implies the presence of flesh eating spirits. Anyone trying to escape would be dealt with severely.

The girls decide to escape, Molly being the leader ,on their way to find the rabbit proof fence. They have rabbits to eat, many fears along the way. They hide from a search plane that is looking for them!. They eventually find the rabbit proof fence, their hope is renewed and after a total of 9 weeks they arrive at Jigalong and find their family.

To the modern reader, the fence is a symbol of humanity, misplaced trust in its ability to control nature. The fence is also a symbol of the racism that British colonial control uses to divide the country into whites and natives.

The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

This is a mystery/fantasy book. The story is quite complex with many threads, all necessary as the story evolves. The main character is a rookie PC heading for a dreary job until he sees a murder and meets a ghost. He then works with DCI Nightingale in the Special Assessment Unit. It is a fascinating story with weird and wonderful characters and slight overtones of Harry Potter.

Most of the group enjoyed the book, some even wanting to read more, whilst it was not to the liking of others.

A good start!

A very happy new year to one and all! Do hope the colds and bugs have done their rounds now and left you feeling refreshed and revitalised after a busy festive season!!

We began the year with a hearty ramble with a brave and enthusiastic group, sadly the planned walk was intensely boggy and after one field of mud over the tops of boots we settled for a good lane walk which did a circular 5 miles!! It was a good day and enjoyable views and company, we enjoyed snacks and drinks in the v hall after!

The usual activities began in the hall during the second week of the new year, following decorating of the hall, kitchen and foyer in the first week. This has freshened up the hall big time and now we await some dado rails being fixed in the half term week 12th to 16th feb to help with marking the walls from chairs.(we will let you know when this will take place)

Our first film of the year began with Supernova ,some great acting from Colin Firth and Stanley Lucci. The following morning we welcomed our community police lady and community builder to speak with us at the coffee morning (don’t forget to report anything you are worried about or feel is suspicious) and in the evening we held a rowdy warming beetle drive!

Thankyou for starting us off! We look forward to seeing you at the Skittles night,3rd feb, with sausage and chips(please get your tickets) the next film, Where the Crawdads sing, 15th feb and the following morning, the coffee morning.
Please put Friday 1st march in your diaries for a new event to us, St. Davids supper, tastes and sounds of Wales.
A lovely meal, 3 course and some welsh entertainment! Tickets on sale now!

Please see the programme for the rest of the year! Hopefully something for you all. Thankyou for your continued support, stay warm and well!

Ros and the committee

Book Review: “Choices” by Susan Sallis

This book came under the heading of romance and it is the story of the sole
survivor of a horrific car crash facing life in a wheel chair and her interaction with a
survivor of the other car in the crash. It deals with them both coming to terms with
what happened. There are several other story lines of the people in the health and
social services with whom the survivors are in contact.

The book made one think about people who suffer similarly and was enjoyed
by some but others had reservations. The general census was that it was an easy
holiday read.

Jane Yardley.

ST. MICHAEL’S READERS’ GROUP