Chairman’s Charity Christmas Fayre

Friday November 13th 10.00am 3.00pm
Committee Rooms, Civic Centre, Pershore

Organised by WDC Cllr Mrs Anna Mackison, the fayre has now become a firm fixture on the chairman’s fundraising list. It was a great day, very well supported, considering the weather was somewhat inclement and we raised a total of £237. Many thanks to Anna, my supported charities, Evesham shopmobility, Droitwich Canals Trust and Pershore Riverside Youth Centre are very appreciative.

Driving force Anna Mackison with husband George.
Anna produces amazing and unique jewellery.
Anna’s Jewellery Designs
Netherton Fields
Kersoe Lane
Elmley Castle
Pershore
Worcs WR10 3JE
01386 710351
www.annasjewellerydesigns.co.uk

Holding the fort, acting manager of Audrey’s Hats, is WDC Cllr Roma Kirke. With all hats at just a fiver on the day, this was very popular stall

‘Allo Vera’, well hallo Meena actually. Meena is the one on the right and all the products are produced from Aloe Vera, there was even a very tasty drink! I bought some after shave balm.
Dr S. Muthumeenakshi (Meena)
12 Waterloo Close
Wellesbourne
Warwick
CV35 9JG
01789 470894
www.aloemeena.myflpbiz.com

Adrian Nichols came with a fantastic range of Jamie Oliver cookware. He also had a squirrel nutcracker, which my granddaughter Holly just had to have!
Adrian Nichols
01386 710987
adrian.nichols@btinternet.com

Diana Wiseman-Clarke produced a range of books to shame many a bookseller. There was a lovely book called ‘Dear Father Christmas’ all about a little girl called Holly. Well, we had to buy that, didn’t we.
Ludlow Books
Barracks Farm
Lower Hayton
Ludlow
Shropshire SY8 2AH
01584 861620
www.ludlowbooks.co.uk

 

Hannah’s Gifts of Worcester, had a wonderful range of gifts for all occasions. Smellies, flowered mirrors and plant pot holders. Gorgeous bags, beautiful scarves from india, pashminas and shimmering shawls. Something for everyone. Manning the stand today was Nick Gregory, Hannah’s husband.
Hanna’s Gifts
Mealcheapen Street
Worcester
01905 380154
nick@hannah55.fsnet.co.uk

This is Cath Allen, who was selling greeting cards, and all types of wrapping paper and stationery from Phoenix Trading, the worlds number one direct selling greeting card company.
Cath Allen
23 Perscoran Way
Pershore
Worcs WR10 1QR
01386 550438
www.phoenixtrading.com

Skelding CNC is a company that produces fine wooden crafted items that come flat packed for home assembly and decoration. Individually designed by Vernon Skelding, that’s his wife in the picture, there is something for all occasions. One sale was 4 christmas trees to the same person. Happy days.
Skelding CNC
31 North Street Industrial Estate
Droitwich Spa
Worcs WR9 8JB
01905 798059
vskelding@btinternet.com

Our final stall was Chocolate Deli Handmade Chocolates. Individual chocolate to die for, rather sums up this stall. They also had some super gift ideas, all centred around chocolate. Lovely
Chocolate Deli
Jinney Ring Craft Centre
Hanbury Road
Hanbury B60 4BU
01527 821693
www.chocolatedeli.uk.com

And Finally

Wendy manning the raffle which raised £102 Prizes were a hamper, donated by Wendy and a soft cuddly deer, now named Spotty, donated by Tewkesbury Mop.

Thanks to everyone who came, stallholders, WDC staff and general public. I must also mention my secretary Karen Peters and our media team, who did all the posters, advertising, invitations, everything to help make this the success it was. Anna, you will have to do another one next year, you’re on a roll.

 

Pershore Branch of The Royal British Legion – Armistice Ceremony

November 11th 10.45am
Pershore Cemetery, Defford Road, Pershore

At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Picture by Trudy Burge

Picture by Trudy Burge

Picture Trudy Burge

Picture by Trudy Burge

This area of Pershore cemetery is looked after, like so many around the world, by the war graves commission.

The following pictures tell another story. Trudy Burge Explains.
“The niece of Joseph Ernest Dejardins (known as Ernie) contacted Pershore Town Council in 2005 asking for details on her Uncle’s grave on behalf of her Father (his brother) who had always wanted to come over to Pershore to see where his Brother was stationed and buried.  Ernie served at Pershore Airfield at Tilesford and unfortunately died in 1942 aged just 24 years.  Ann Dobbins ( Pershore Town Clerk) passed it to my Dad as nobody in the British Legion had the technology to investigate/correspond with the Desjardins family and hence I took it all on.  I videoed the area for them and posted it to Canada, together with the DVD of the VE60 parade.  Every year subsequently, we have put a plaque/wreath on the grave at Remembrance and at Christmas so I have “adopted” Ernie on behalf of Jill who still emails me regularly and we’ve become good friends”.

Civic dignitaries and representatives of the British Legion, witness the placing of a special poppy wreath with Canadian Major Michael Bernardo, pictured above and below.

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, 
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today

 

Roll of Honour – Pershore High School

Tuesday 10th November 10.10am
Pershore High School, Station Road, Pershore

Wendy and I arrived at the appointed hour and were met in the school car park by Jake, who escorted us to the library. Here, we were invited to partake in coffee and biscuits and meet with other invited guest’s, a number of whom we knew.

Civic dignitaries and members of Pershore British Legion and Royal Naval Association assemble for the service.

Headteacher Clive Corbett, opens the proceedings and explains that the service is one of remembrance for past students of Pershore High school, who gave their lives in defence of their country.

PERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL
ROLL OF HONOUR

Past students of the school who gave their lives for their country in World War II and subsequent conflicts

 Clarence Sidney Attwood of Wyre Piddle
Private 14740757, 3^rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment
Died 30^th November 1944, aged 19
Buried Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands

 Victor John Badger of Upton Snodsbury
Sergeant 1581501, 166 Squadron Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve
Died 26^th July 1944, aged 21
Buried Taingy Communal Cemetery, France

 Harvey Eric Ball
Sapper 1930196, Royal Engineers
Died 8^th January 1941, aged 25
Buried Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery

 Lester Harrison Barnes of Pershore
Private 5253691, 8^th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
Died 29^th May 1940, aged 21
Commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France

 Ronald Buckingham of Pershore
Lance Corporal 2616140, 3^rd Battalion Grenadier Guards
Died 28^th May 1944, aged 23
Commemorated on the Cassino Memorial, Italy

 Alfred Charles Brown of Pershore
Sergeant/Flight Engineer 1578712, Royal Air Force Bomber Command
Died 25 February 1944, aged 21
Buried Pershore Cemetery

 Percival William Collett of Wadborough
Private 5125386, 2^nd (Airbourne) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
Died 19^th September 1944, aged 21
Buried Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands

Michael Durkin of Pershore
Served on HMS Cornwall, sunk in the Indian Ocean on 5^th April 1942

 Donald Fryer of Lower Moor 

           Harvey Cyril Haines of Wyre Piddle
Private 5253721, 5^th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
Died 18^th August 1944, aged 25
Buried Bayeux War Cemetery, France

 George Cyril Ronald Ludlow of Pershore
Able Seaman P/JX327487, H.M.S. Puckeridge Royal Navy
Died 6^th September 1943
Died at sea, commemorated on the Portsmouth Navel Memorial, UK

 Michael John George Morgan of Cropthorne
Lance Corporal 5252733, Worcestershire Regiment
Died 14^th December 1941, aged 19
Buried Cropthorne (St Michael’s) Churchyard

 James Wilfred Payne of Lower Moor
Guardsman 2665854, 3^rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
Died 15^th September 1944, aged 21
Buried Florence War Cemetery, Italy

 Ronald Pinchin of Wyre Piddle
Fusilier 14201669, 6^th Battalion, Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers
Died 17^th January 1943, aged 20
Buried Medjez-El-Bab Cemetery, Tunisia

 Arthur William Pring of Birlingham
Corporal 5248109, 1^st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
Died 5^th May 1941, aged 29
Commemorated on the Kharthoum Memorial, Sudan

 William Leonard Reeves of Pinvin
Private 5260277, 5^th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, Notts. & Derby Regiment
Died 10^th September 1943, aged 21
Buried Cassino Memorial, Italy

 Kenneth Joseph Seabright of Bishampton

 Ronald Alfred Smith of Pinvin
Private 5350952, Pioneer Corps
Died 12^th June 1943, aged 19
Buried St Nicholas Churchyard, Pinvin

 Peter G Stubbs of Pershore
Able Seaman D/JX184644
H.M.S. Exeter, Royal Navy
Died 16^th July 1945, aged 20
Buried  Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia

 Lionel Allen Westcott (Teacher) of Pinvin
Leading Aircraftman 545537, 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Died 12 April 1940, aged 21
Buried Stavanger (Eiganes) Churchyard, Norway

 Ronald William Wood of Pershore 
Lieutenant in the Parachute Regiment
Died 23 September 1944, aged 28
Buried Utrecht 156^th Battalion (Soestbergen) Cemetery

 George Young of Pershore
Royal Navy
Died at sea 25^th November 1941
Commemorated in Westminster and Pershore Abbey

 

 

 

Pershore RNA Firework Display and Pig Roast

October 31st 6.30pm
Pershore Roy Naval Association Firework Display and Pig Roast
King Georges Field, Pershore

This is the third year the RNA has held it’s firework display and pig roast. Money raised during the year helps to pay for it. Generous donations, including fireworks supplied at trade prices and time given by all volunteers, including Pershore Town Mayor, Cllr Chris Parsons, make this a wonderful free show in Pershore.

The RNA club in Pershore town centre was the venue for the opening ceremony.

Mayor of Pershore, Cllr Chris Parsons, gives me instructions on ’lighting the blue touchpaper’, now done with two wires and a battery!

Brilliant, it works

It was a fabulous display and this rather feeble picture does not do it justice.
Well done All.

 

Pershore Plum Fair Debrief

October 28th 6.00pm
WDC Civic Service, Council chamber

The Pershore plum fair was a huge success and is well reported elsewhere in this blog. This meeting was to present an overview of all the statistics and review how the festival can be improved in the future.

While the festival is a partnership between WDC, Pershore Town Council, Pershore Market Town Partnership and many local people, it could not be run without the help of volunteers. The big message that came over to me from the meeting was that they are in need of more people to help with the organisation. If you can help or would like to find out more, contact me through this blog or ring Angela Tidmarsh on 01386 565373.

Pershore Civic Service

The Abbey Church of  Holy Cross, Pershore
Sunday 18th October 3.00pm

Wendy outside the main entrance

Picture courtesy Trudy Burge

after the service the congregation are invited to the Town Hall for refreshments

and the Mayor says his thank you’s.

Dinner that night a was curry from Shunarga Tandoori, which was excellent.

The following morning, we left Pershore heading for home. It is brighter and quite warm for the time of year. This is taken at te Pershore mooring’s and the trees and just on the turn.

There are some wonderful sights along the way

Including this gentleman, painting.

A really smashing trip back in glorious sunshine.

Cream Tea with Henry Sandon MBE

Pershore Town Hall
October 17th 2.00pm

Bring along your china and pictures for the experts to value and enjoy a talk and a cream tea.
Our day started at 9.00am on Nb Lord Toulouse setting off from Evesham heading Pershore way along the River Avon. We have two functions in Pershore over the weekend, so this is a good excuse to combine a river trip and civic duties . It was rather a grey, overcast day and not very photogenic. Coming back on Monday morning was quite different. See next posting.

Mayor of Pershore, Cllr Chris Parsons, opens the proceedings

The wonderful Henry Sandon MBE, talks about life and antiques. His wife Barbara, who is an expert herself, chips in with extra information.

Barbara, can be seen in the background, examining a ‘pot mark’, to find it’s age.

The charity event was very well attended by some of the ‘chain gang’ and local Pershore residents.

Of course, everyone who bought along items for valuation was hoping for Henry to confirm their item was worth millions. Alas, not today.
A very interesting and enjoyable afternoon.

Wendy and I ate at Whistlers in the evening and had a lovely meal with very good, attentive service. Back at the boat, moored on King Georges recreational ground, we slept soundly.

Presentation of Commemorative Badge

Friday 9th October 12.00 noon
Pershore Hospital, Civic Centre, Pershore.

Wendy and I, with Jack Hegarty, Managing Director of WDC, and the Mayor of Pershore, had the pleasure of attending the presentation of a commemorative badge to Mrs Jean Perrin, one of the last surviving ‘Dilly Girls’. Also present were a number of Mrs Perrins relatives. The presentation was made by Mr Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire.

 

 

Mr Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, presented Mrs Jean Perrins, with a Commemorative Badge on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, for her work at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. 

The following has been supplied by her relative, Sir John Lushington, covering her career during the war years.

Jean Perrin
Born November1921 Jean Hazlerigg, a niece of the then Lord Hazlerigg.

Whilst head girl at her school near Bognor Regis was invited by a former pupil to join her in her job.  This was the way they recruited the assistants.

 1940 January – went to Room 42 Home Office (official address for Bletchley Park)

 1940 March joined Bletchley Park.  Introduced to Professor Turing as his ‘new assistant’, with three or four others.  At that time just 100 working at BP.

Enigma machine being dismantled at this time.

Moved to Hut 6 her work was with large perforated sheets (Zygalski Sheets – a Polish invention) – lining them up so that rods could be passed through (rodding).

Then worked with Dillys Knocks – she is one of the last two surviving Dilly’s Girls

Part of the team who broke the Italian Codes, by using the rodding system, which broke the Italian message which told the Allies where the Italian Fleet were and thus helped the Allies to win the Battle of Matapan  .

Worked on the Abwehr Enigma machine to break the codes for German spies.  Almost all were captured as a result

Worked on the Bombe machines as a crypt analyst. Jean was assigned to work on preparing menus for the Bombes, being placed in charge of three machines.

She was attached to the Italian message breakers.  One night Jean received a very long message and was asked break the message. This she successfully completed before dawn.  She had broken a code that the Italians had spent three months in fruitless attempts.

At the end of the war Churchill and the head of GCHQ, Commander Travis, came to visit BP.  They drove round the complex –in Jean’s words “two rather portly gentlemen – they looked like Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum !”

After the War Jean continued to work for GCHQ, firstly at Eastcote and then Cheltenham.

She met her husband Kenneth Perrin at BP, was married in 1947 and retired shortly afterwards.

NB  There is a transcript of a taped interview held at Worcestershire Record Office, from which I have gleaned most of the above.

It is only in the last few years that the BP staff were released from their secrecy pledge.  After that Jean gave some talks on her time to local groups. 

Jean Perrin with me and the Mayor and Mayoress of Pershore

A very enjoyable ceremony, with much jollity from the invited guests.
With thanks to Christine Jefferson, Pershore Hospital for supplying the photographs for this post.

Wychavon Chairman’s, Macmillan Coffee Morning – September 25th

September 25th was a busy day – Function Two
Wychavon Chairman’s Macmillan Coffee Morning 11.30am
Wychavon Offices main entrance

A member of staff enters the Macmillan raffle

Coffee, cake and a chat away from the desk for a change

Expert service provided by Mandy Ladds and Karen Peters

All in good cause.
Mandy and Karen, who organised the event, raised £165. Well done girls. This will be put toward the amazing £8 million pounds, expected to raised during the day nationwide.

Pershore Mayor’s, Macmillan Coffee Morning – September 25th

September 25th was a busy day – Function One
Friday September 25th 10.00am
Pershore Mayor’s Macmillan Coffee Morning

 Mayor of Upton upon Severn and Chairman of Bromsgrove, chat fundraising with Macmillan fundraising manager (centre)

Supporting dignitaries from around the region

View of Pershore town council chamber being put to good use as venue. Chris Parsons, mayor of Pershore raise over £400