murder at the priory · murder at the priory rumours abound that there may yet be another murder...

When young nuns, monks and Tudor villagers made their way to their beloved Priory for Candlemas on a chilly February evening, once again, murder was in the air!

Making their way through the ancient monks’ pews towards the Chancel, the Prior (Robert Payne), the Choir Master (David Guy) and Brother Simeon (Jonathan Darnborough) were engaged in an impassioned debate about the future of the Priory, at risk of being sold by order of King Henry VIII. A plan to buy it for the people of Malvern was not universally popular, especially with the Brewer (Henry Winstanley). Upon his arrival, the much-loathed King’s Agent, Dr Lee (Revd Rod Corke) revealed that he suspected several precious and valuable items belonging to the Priory had been stolen!

And so the twisting and imaginative tale of greed, falsehood, deception and duplicity led the young Tudor monks, nuns and villagers alike, notebooks and pencils in hand, to search for clues in some most unexpected places around this most ancient of God’s Houses, while they sought out the missing treasures. Later, when Dr Lee was discovered missing, the Prior and Mistress Lucus (Claire Darnborough) organised a search—and shortly thereafter he was found DEAD in St Anne’s Chapel!

At the tolling of the bell, the investigators were called to a Medieval Feast to fortify them for the rest of their journey to uncover the author of this dastardly dead. The feast, organised by Mistress Babb (Hilary Babb) was heartily enjoyed by all, and mercifully the fayre on offer was slightly less medieval than the rest of the proceedings! Laughter and smiles mingled with discussions about the clues thus far, but who would prove themselves to be the master sleuths?

Following the feast, the young Tudor folk continued their task undaunted, discovering the most mysterious of clues, while accusations of villainous behaviour abounded. Nothing was what it seemed! Having returned to the monks’ stalls, it was time for careful reflection. At whom should the finger of guilt be pointed, and what was their motive?! Answers were submitted, and tearful confessions extracted from many tormented souls of secret and unworthy deeds—and the true identity of the wicked murderer was finally revealed!

Congratulations to Luke, Lily, Ana and Sam for correctly identifying killer and/or motive! A wonderful evening, engaging and fun for all. Special thanks to Hilary for coordinating the Feast, and of course to Claire Darnborough, assisted by Robert Payne, who once again painstakingly produced an original masterpiece of murder-mystery sleuthing for the Youth of Malvern Priory to enjoy. How very blessed we are to have so many talented people, young and old, willing to enthuse the youth of our church.

Julia Needham

ANOTHER YOMP-ING SUCCESS!

MURDER AT THE PRIORY

Rumours abound that there may yet be another murder mystery next Candlemas, set in the Medieval days of our founding father, Brother Aldwin. If you might be interested in being involved in the YOMP murder mystery 2020, please speak to Claire Darnborough in church or leave a note in her pigeon hole.

BUDDING SLEUTHS BEWARE!

The Parish Church of St. Mary & St. Michael

MARCH 2019 ISSUE

£1.00

2

VIEL GLÜCK, ALI…

GAYNOR-SMITHO W E N & C O.

S O L I C I T O R S

Solicitors andCommissionersfor Oaths

Opening Hours: 9.00 – 5.30pm,MON – FRI. Out of hours: Saturdaymornings by appointment

133, Barnards Green Road, Malvern Freephone: 0800 [email protected]

WE COVER MOST ASPECTS OF THE LAW

House Maintenance & Decorating Specialist

All forms of household maintenanceHonest and dependable

CALL PAUL ON01684 43972207597 272178

Free advice & quotation

10 years in the trade

[email protected]

SIL is a ‘not for profit’ organisationNominated for Herefordshire CareEmployer 2018

Do you want to work somewhere where every dayis different? Working with people livingindependently in their own homes.We currently have vacancies for shorter calls of afew hours, mornings/evenings as well as 24 hoursshifts and experience is not always essential.

TO APPLY PLEASE CONTACT:Gemma: 01568 616653 [email protected]

Support WorkersLedbury, HerefordshireRate of Pay: £8.00 per hour (up to£28,000 per annum)Location: LedburyHours: Various over 7 days, rota basis

“BY ALL MEANS”“May I come in?” “By all means!”: “Do you mind if I make myself a coffee?” “By all means!” It’s

a phrase we use without thinking, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense when there is only one obvious means—the door to come in by, and a jar of instant coffee! There is no alternative.

But when St Paul used the phrase he meant it. In 1 Corinthians 9:22 he writes: “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” These are frank and challenging words. Paul’s passion was to win people for Christ. And he—a Pharisee by background, and the son of a Pharisee, thoroughly Jewish and thoroughly conventional—was prepared to adapt in order to suit the culture of those he was witnessing to, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether Greek philosophers or Roman guards.

We too, in our post-Christian, secular culture, must be prepared to adapt our approach—not our message, but the way in which we present it—so that “by all means” we might win others for Christ. That is why Fresh Expressions of worship are important. For some the mystique, the numinous quality, of traditional Anglican worship speaks to them—the beautiful music, the rich language, speak of God. That is wonderful when they do, and cathedral congregations have increased in recent years for this reason. But for others they want to hear the message in language they speak and understand. They want informality in worship, and modern music, with words that are often personal, and speak of emotions rather than doctrines. We must listen to such people, and meet them in a cultural context that they can relate to. And so Messy Church, Café Church, services such as The Gathering, Open the Book, Surfers’ Church, Forest Church, Art Church, and many more, are important ways of bridging the gap between faith and modern, secular culture.

We need new ways of doing Church for a fast-changing world. Instead of sticking in our particular favourite groove, and dismissing all others, we need to welcome and encourage new ways of worship. In that way “by all means” some of this generation may be won for Christ.

David Webster

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

MURDER AT THE PRIORY

So many folk who come to the Priory can and our choirs sing beautifully under the direction of Piers Maxim and James Wall. I am particularly impressed with the choristers who not only sing tunefully but who also manage to smile, reflecting how much they enjoy singing praises to God. Sadly, I can’t sing very well. My deep voice is suited to radio broadcasts, and service-leading, but when it comes to singing... our sound team turn my microphone off! I’m really pleased they do. I think if my singing was broadcast through the sound system, the Priory would go into a steep decline!

This reminds me of the story about the little girl who wanted to learn the piano. Her friend had taught her to play Chopsticks but she didn’t seem to be progressing beyond this. Her parents decided to pay for piano lessons and fortunately, a local piano teacher with an international reputation had a space for a new pupil. So, the little girl was taken to his great mansion and in the middle of a reception

room there was a grand piano. Without asking, the little girl climbed onto the piano stool and played Chopsticks. Her parents blushed red with embarrassment when the teacher walked in. The maestro went over to the piano and, instead of telling the little girl to stop, he began to play with her, adding cords and arpeggios. The simple sound of Chopsticks was transformed into an amazing piece of music. Her parents couldn’t believe their ears. The two pianists smiled, enjoying the music they were playing together.

God knows our gifts and talents. Of course, some folk are especially gifted in music and art and, in comparison, we may feel quite inadequate. We may only be able to play, or draw, the equivalent of Chopsticks but God says, “Keep on going—and make some room on the bench for me.” God is able to take the little we can do and make it beautiful for Him.

I may not be able to sing but that doesn’t stop me singing. When the Spirit moves, I just want to worship my Lord with all my heart and soul. You have been warned!

To God Be the Glory!

FROM THE VICARAGE

Can you sing ?

Rod Corke,Vicar

Windows, Doors Conservatories

Repairs & Sealed Units 01905 841900 glassier.co.uk

Windows, Doors Conservatories

Repairs & Sealed Units 01905 841900 glassier.co.uk

CHOICE OF ROASTS AND FULL MENU ALSO AVAILABLE

The

Great Malvern

Bar and Bistro

SUNDAY ROASTONLY £8.95 EVERY SUNDAY 12 - 2PM

Sunday roast poster_Layout 1 21/06/2018 18:32 Page 1

…BUT IT’S ACTUALLY LUXURY RETIREMENT LIVING

AT AUDLEY ELLERSLIE, MALVERN.

Exceptional Retirement LivingCall us to request an information pack or book your private tour.

01684 491 002www.audleyvillages.co.uk

THIS MAY LOOK LIKE A BOUTIQUE HOTEL…

FRIENDS OF

MALVERN PRIORY

9160_Ellerslie_Malvern _PrioryAd_90x130_V1.indd 2 07/02/2019 17:29

SUBSCRIPTIONSPlease note that subscriptions [£10] are now due from those people who have the Priory magazine delivered. The money can be handed either to the person who delivers it or at the Parish Office.

Roger Sutton

House Maintenance & Decorating Specialist

All forms of household maintenanceHonest and dependable

CALL PAUL ON01684 43972207597 272178

Free advice & quotation

10 years in the trade

[email protected]

Last June 30th, Morgan Farrier joined Lee Abbey Community. Initially he was on the “House Team”, but now works in the Beacon Centre for Young People. He writes:

“At first it was very weird because usually you don’t live with your work colleagues, but after a few months you get used to it and eventually it just feels normal and natural. As of yet I haven’t found anything difficult as everyone helps you, and they are there for you. Being with 110 people from all over the world, and making new relationships, to me has been the main highlight of being at Lee Abbey.

“An unexpected surprise was meeting Sarah. I came to Lee Abbey because I was at a crossroads in my life, expecting only to get closer spiritually with God. But if there is one thing I’ve learnt here—and many others in the Community would agree—it’s that you don’t come with any expectation of what God will do. You may get what you expect, and

more; or you may not get anything you expected, but something completely different! I came here to grow spiritually, and make a few new friends along the way, and did not expect to meet a special someone—but God had other ideas!

“The best thing about Lee Abbey is that you can always rely on someone to help you in any and every situation, no matter what it is, and sometimes it’s not other Community members who help, but guests. I would definitely, 100%, recommend a time on Community at Lee Abbey to other young people who are at a crossroads in their life. It is the best decision I have ever made. I can’t imagine life if I hadn’t come to Lee Abbey. I feel I have a closer connection with God, and now can understand Him better in a way that I couldn’t before I came here.”

Morgan Farrier

Hello all! Having finished my A levels, I’m embarking on new adventures which will lead me to Lima, Peru in May to get involved with the work of Paul and Sarah Tester. I’ll be staying at Shalom, a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities in Lima, run by Pat Blanchard who helped set up Shalom to provide support for families and individuals living with disabilities. Shalom offers support in a variety of forms including physio and art therapy, as well as medical diagnosis and support. Shalom is a short walk from the Tester family’s church in Lima, San Juan Evangelista. I look forward to getting involved with youth work here alongside lending a hand at Shalom.

I’m delighted to be joining the Testers for this short but exciting couple of months in Lima, and have been blessed by support from the Priory, particularly the Witness Group who have helped me a great deal—thank you, everybody. If you would like to hear more about my trip, I’ll be chatting mission at ATW on Sunday, 14th April with Rod. Please pray for the Testers and Pat at Shalom as they continue to plant seeds and carry out their ministry in Peru.

Blessings, Bethany WolffShalom: https://churchmissionsociety.org/our-stories/

shame-shalom Paul and Sarah Tester: https://churchmissionsociety.org/

people-in-mission/paul-and-sarah-tester

PERU IN MAY

Every sixth year, a completely new Electoral Roll is compiled in every CoE church in the land and 2019 (although not divisible by six) is for this purpose a sixth year. So, whether you are or are not on the current Roll, if you want to be on the new Roll being compiled this year, you need to complete an application form (available at the back of the church) and return it to the Electoral Roll Officer, Anne Rich via the Parish Office or the ‘R’ pigeonhole at the back of the Church, before the deadline of 14 March.

Electoral rolls should provide a true indication of the real membership and strength of the Church, both locally and nationally. Putting your name on the Roll is a way of saying “I belong”; it is an act of commitment to your local church and to the Church as a whole. Joining the Electoral Roll opens up the way for greater involvement in the life of the Church, at deanery, diocesan and national levels. You become entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Church Meeting.

It is an important statement of witness, and step along the path of discipleship. With your name on the Electoral Roll, the strength of the Church can be seen in your area and across the county.

Anne Rich

CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL: NEW ROLL

BEING PART OF LEE ABBEY COMMUNITY

5

CHOICE OF ROASTS AND FULL MENU ALSO AVAILABLE

The

Great Malvern

Bar and Bistro

SUNDAY ROASTONLY £8.95 EVERY SUNDAY 12 - 2PM

MalvernGrounds & Gardens

Friendly, reliable and Fully insured proFessionals

Tree surgery • Hedge CuttingLawn maintenance • Fencing

Ponds • Landscaping

domestic & Commercialeverything your garden requires

Call for a free non- obligatory quote today!

Contact: sam staddon

Tel: 07521 389610

Email: [email protected]

THE SOUND OF ANCIENT MUSIC The Priory will soon be alive with the sound of ancient music. Lutenist Elizabeth Pallett, who is a professor of music at the Royal

Birmingham Conservatoire, will be performing with four of her pupils at a series of lunchtime concerts beginning on Tuesday, 20thNovember. Elizabeth, a professional musician for 20 years and who has taught at the Conservatoire for nine years, will play her lute andwill be joined by four pupils who will sing early music both in four-part harmony and as soloists. The concerts will run in the same wayas the LunchBox events, with the audience arriving at 12.30 to have their sandwiches and settling down at 1.00 for a 40-minuteperformance. The concerts will be free, with donations to help cover costs, and they will run on a monthly basis for up to six months.

The idea was conceived by Elizabeth and Church Manager, Anne Rich. “It is a way of the Priory offering a platform to the students,”said Anne, “and also of introducing people to a form of music they might not have come across. The music is very much in keepingwith the early history of the Priory.”

Elizabeth Pallett started playing the lute at the age of twelve and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She hasplayed at the BBC Proms, the Royal Albert Hall, St Martins in the Field, and the Southbank and has travelled in concert across Mexico,Israel, Japan and Singapore. “Thisis a way of keeping early musicalive and accessible,” she said.“My dream is to take the musicinto schools in the area. We helda very successful concert at thePriory in February to raise moneyfor the Pink Ribbon charity,which helps with breast cancer,and raised a thousand pounds.”The Royal BirminghamConservatoire Singers will beperforming songs from JohnDowland’s First Book of Songs1597. For more informationabout the performers please goto www.luteweb.com

Mary Rowswell

Our Annual Meeting on Thursday, 11th April at 7.30pm will be the first with our Vicar, Rod Corke, in the chair. We shall review with thankfulness the encouragements and challenges of the past, and look forward and pray together for the next chapter in the Priory’s life. More details next month.

The Parochial Church Council is the body that prayerfully considers how the Priory’s ministry and mission should develop. As well as attending PCC meetings, members will be asked to serve on a PCC Committee: Mission, Worship, Buildings & Grounds, or Finance. Five new PCC members will be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a three-year period of office. This year there are also two one-year vacancies for the Deanery Synod, and those elected also become members of the PCC. Nominees must be at least sixteen years of age; actual communicants; and on the Electoral Roll of this Parish for at least six months. The PCC is a registered charity, and PCC members are charity trustees. The nomination forms at the back of the church give more details of the declaration that nominees have to sign.

If you or someone you know is willing to be nominated to serve in this way, please talk to one of the Churchwardens.Christine Wells, PCC Secretary

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2019

If you didn’t go to their Far Horizons recital in January, you missed a real treat. Beautiful singing by Claire-Louise Lucas and sensitive accompanying by Jonathan Darnborough who also played three wonderful sets of solo piano music, took us on a musical

journey to Far Horizons via Debussy, Duparc, Poulenc, Bliss, Darnborough, Elgar, McCabe and Moeran.

However, you are in luck! Their second recital in this series will be on Sunday, 17th March at 3.00pm when they will take you in search of The Spirit of Vienna. I thoroughly recommend it—a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AT THREE

There’s a mystery in Malvern and it will finally be solved later in the Spring but in the meantime, dozens of Priory people are working on the solution and they need your help!

We are talking about the Mystery Play which is now all set to run from 24 April until 8 May. This is the modern version that director Robert Swinton has adapted and it is going to be fun. With a little gender bending to reflect current trends, Rob has got Adam eating the apple and Lucifer portrayed by a woman but she won’t be a stereo-typical devil with little red horns and a pointy face. She will be the temptress, encouraging characters in the play to sin and each time she takes on a new role, she will don a new and spectacular dress.

The rest of the cast will be in modern dress and the Priory will be transformed into an amazing and dramatic set for the greatest story of all time, which begins with the Garden of Eden and the creation of the world and ends with Armageddon. And this, of course, involves an enormous amount of work for the cast of almost 50 and the dozens of backstage people. Rob needs our help so if there is anything, however small, you can do please get in touch with him. We are looking for backstage help, ushers, people to assist with refreshments and lots of other roles. His email address is [email protected] and his phone number is 01684 564928.

Mary Rowswell

MYSTERY IN MALVERN

Margaret died on 22nd December 2018 aged 94. She was a regular supporter of Priory Lunch Box (amongst her many other activities) and a life member of the Friends of Malvern Priory. This poem was read at a service to celebrate her life at St. Matthias’ church on 9th February.

Grey Gothic houses hang like flagsOn flanks of homely, peaceful hills,Clothed in a mediaeval garb of bracken brown,Patterned with flashes of gold gorseAnd shifting sheep.History broods heavily, amid the softened foldsOf ancient camps.The flitting yellow-hammer’s wistful songRecalls the elegiac melodiesThat Elgar plucked from melting Malvern air.Magnolias magnanimousStand graciously in Priory ParkWith memories of grandeur and of Shaw.Mellowed as a russet apple, glows the Priory,Pink and purple in the flowering dusk.

Past tidy wall of mauve Malvern graniteOn wet Sundays in winterJerk brown crocodiles of schoolgirls.Schoolboys in grey battalionChatter like yellow-capped sparrows.Two walk alone, behind, eluding the patient master.School bells punctuate your promenadePast drowsy summer gardens,Peopled with tall and ancient trees.

Winter evenings: owls hoot warily in the copse.Summer evenings: woodpecker’s merry laughIs heard above the traffic’s whirr.An excited crowd emerges from the pulsing theatre,Chattering, flattering, scattering…Wisteria’s heavy perfume drifts around,A summer dawn… a blackbird’s woodwind notesAnd pigeons’ lulling melody…Along the sloping street a cheerful postman plods.A strident school bell greets the Malvern day.

MALVERN by Margaret Bramford (1924–2018)

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

01684 217 625brightandbeautifulhome.com/malvern-hills

We would like to introduce you to our brilliant Team Leaders and Housekeepers.

They provide an exceptional service to make sure that your home is cleaned from top to bottom exactly as you would like it.

Award winning eco-friendly cleaning, tidying, laundry & ironing service

The next Priory Sunday lunch will be after church on Sunday, 17th March—another opportunity to meet informally with other members of the Priory over lunch. Do come and join us at the Foley Arms from 12.30pm in the downstairs room.

Please give your name to Sue Pain (01684 564998 or [email protected]) or Anne Eglington (01684 567640 or [email protected]). There is a varied menu at all prices to suit everyone and it is a great way to get to know one another in a relaxed atmosphere.

NEXT PRIORY SUNDAY LUNCH

We are delighted to report that Great Malvern Priory has received a grant of £83,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help towards urgent stonework repairs needed to preserve parts of the building. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, work can begin soon on restoring the North Porch and other crucial repairs. In addition to the National Lottery Fund, a further £55,000 is in the pipeline from four other charitable trusts. The Garfield Weston Foundation has donated £25,000 and the Wolfson Foundation in association with Church Care, the Friends of Malvern Priory and the Droitwich Preservation Trust have each offered £10,000. With a further contribution of £27,000 from the Priory, work can begin.

“This is fantastic news for us,” said Revd Rod Corke. “I am thrilled with the generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The work we need to do is vital and represents the crucial first stage of a wider restoration and development plan. Without help from money raised by the National Lottery players and from the charitable trusts like this we would be struggling to keep this lovely building safe and welcoming.”

The work will stabilise the cracked pinnacles of the North Porch, restore and bring back to life the crumbling carved detail above the entrance (see photo) and clean the blackened stonework. This will lift the tone of the entrance and make the building more inviting. The work will also rebuild a section of the west wall behind the North Aisle which is bowing and make repairs to the wall behind the South Aisle. Significant cracks in the clerestory walls at the West End and in St Anne’s Chapel will be pointed with a flexible mortar which will help to prevent them getting larger. Work should start in July after we have selected a contractor through competitive tender.

Several activities, sponsored by Heritage Lottery Fund, will be held during the year in order to encourage visitors to come and enjoy the building and learn about its heritage and the repair programme. Among these will be the exciting prospect of a Mystery Play directed by Rob Swinton (see article in February magazine). In the summer, the Priory will hold an Open Day during which stonemasons will demonstrate stone carving and mortar repair techniques. Inside the building there will be guided tours, displays and musical recitals. “It is important for us to open our doors to visitors so that they can see the beauty of the building we so enjoy,” said Rod Corke. “We want as many people as possible to come and join us for musical events, lunchtime talks, entertainments and social activities in the church itself.”

Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF West Midlands, said “We have been delighted to support Great Malvern Priory to carry out urgent repairs and engage new audiences with this much-loved local landmark. Thank you to the National Lottery players who have made it possible.”

Howard Wells & Mary Rowswell

Discover independent living within a supportive community environment.

Whiston Court is a quality new assisted living development for the over 55s in Worcester, built for Abbeyfield Worcester Society Ltd, a charity dedicated to the needs of older people.

Tel: 01905 729 699 (on-site sales office)Email: [email protected]

Whiston Court, White Ladies Close, Worcester, WR1 1QA (Adjacent to the Royal Grammar School.)www.abbeyfieldworcester.co.uk

Not-for-profit assisted living, where people come first. Apartments from only £165,000

6

MY FRONT LINE: MEET PHIL WEATHERILL

Most of my workingtime is spent as aProbation ServiceOfficer in Hereford. Ihave been in this postfor twelve months, mymain role being thatof Duty Officer in theMagistrates’ Courtwhere I carry outoffender interviewsand offer themagistrates proposalsto help them withsentencing. When I’mnot in court I havevarious tasks in theoffice includingseeing offenders forappointments and assisting offender managers when needed. I am also involvedwith case allocation on the computer, which can be tedious at times but which isessential in order to link my work in court with that of the Probation Officers.

I greatly enjoy my work in court. Ultimately, I represent the Probation Service incourt which allows me to liaise with a range of different agencies, from defencesolicitors and prosecutors, to drug workers and police officers. Court is aninteresting place, especially for a Probation Officer, because it combines theformality of the courtroom with the more personal setting of interviews withoffenders, who are often in need of support. It can be very satisfying sitting incourt when the magistrates clearly have faith in my work and their sentencing isin line with my proposal. It is even more satisfying to see an offender, weeks oreven months after I have interviewed them, who has been attending sessions orprogrammes which have clearly led to a positive change in them. But sometimesit is nice to have a break from court work so, when I am asked to carry out homevisits or attend meetings such as homelessness forums and multi-agency groups,I am always happy to go along.

I mentioned how satisfying it is seeing a positive change in someone but myrole can also be challenging when I see offenders who haven’t shown anychange. There have been times where certain offenders have found themselvesin worse situations and I regularly see certain faces back in court. This is wheremy faith is most affected but also most important. I believe everyone deserves achance to change and put right their wrongs. Sometimes, though, I sit in courtand find it difficult to see where that change in an individual is coming from.After all, it is up to an offender to want to try and turn their life around and takeadvantage of the support that they are being offered. What the Probation Servicecan do, especially through my role in court, is to find out what aspects of anoffender’s life are linked to their offending behaviour and offer them as muchsupport as possible in addressing issues such as drug addictions, homelessness,family breakdown, etc. I should add that, although I have talked about how muchthe probation service seems to support the offender, our overall aim is to protectthe public by rehabilitating offenders and encouraging them away from crime.

I ask for people to pray for offenders who struggle with certain aspects of theirlife so that they not only get a chance to change but that they take that chance. Ialso ask you to pray for probation officers in their supervision of offenders, andpeople from other agencies who offer offenders regular support. If anyone hasany questions about my work for the Probation Service please feel free toapproach me in church.

Phil

whatley recordon solicitors

welcoming town centre offices12, worcester road, Malvern

tel (01684) 892939

Your local lawYerswith a positive approach to help you

FriendlY expertise






6






Phil



tel (01684) 892939


FriendlY expertise






6






Phil



tel (01684) 892939


FriendlY expertise

URGENT STONEWORK REPAIRS

GREAT MALVERN PRIORY WINS NATIONAL LOTTERY GRANT

Stephen Moore (Llandaff Cathedral)

MALVERN PRIORY ORGAN RECITALS 2019

Saturday, 30 March, 12.00 noon

Stephen Moore has been Director of Music at Llandaff Cathedral for over two years and has recorded a CD on the organ there. He has given recitals at notable venues in the UK and for the Priory he has chosen works by Mendelssohn, Whitlock, Franck, Karg-Elert and Ireland.

Look out for his full programme in publicity material and on the website: www.malvernprioryorgan.org.uk

Large screen video projection. Retiring collection for Priory funds

Tickets £12

Helen Wall 01684 562229 or Ros Ponting 01684 572165Dress: Smart evening wear

Announcing… BANQUET IN THE PRIORY

&MURDER MYSTERY

Saturday, 2nd March 6.45 for 7.00pm

Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent and is a day on which we recognise the importance of those who have cared for and mothered us throughout our lives. For many years, the Mothers’ Union has supported Mothering Sunday’s simple message of love and appreciation through their Make a Mother’s Day Appeal. People can purchase ethical gifts, to make a difference to mothers and communities around the world. This could be through enabling a mother to learn to read, become an entrepreneur or through learning new skills that will help her to improve her home. Donations are distributed across all areas of Mothers’ Union’s work, wherever the need is greatest.

On this day in the past, children would pick wild flowers, like violets, either to take to church, or to give to their mother as a gift. When people buy a Mothers’ Union gift, they receive a card featuring native flowers from one of the 80 countries in which the organisation works, in order that mothers still receive flowers on this special day. The Mothers’ Union is a Christian Mission Charity that seeks to support families worldwide, through sharing God’s love.

Further information about the Make a Mother’s Day Appeal is available on the following link: http://www.makeamothersday.org/

MOTHERING SUNDAY 31st MARCH

Shrove Tuesday will be celebrated on 5th March, in advance of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It is a day of penitence, to clean the soul and a last chance to celebrate and feast before the start of Lent.

Historically, Christians would undergo the ritual of shriving, where they confessed their sins and would receive forgiveness for them. Through receiving forgiveness for sins, people are released from the guilt of having caused them. It is believed that traditionally a ‘shriving bell’ was rung to call people to confession; today, in some places, it is still rung but it is called the ‘pancake bell’. This name arose from the story of a woman of Olney, Buckinghamshire who, in 1445, heard the shriving bell whilst making pancakes and ran to the church, still in her apron and clutching her frying pan.

Christians often celebrate and indulge in food on Shrove Tuesday because Lent is a time of abstinence with many Christians choosing to give up certain foods. In the past, in order that foods were not wasted, on Shrove Tuesday families would use up all the foods that would expire during the forty days of Lent. Pancakes became widely associated with Shrove Tuesday because they were a dish that could use up perishable items like eggs, milk and fat.

SHROVE TUESDAY

WORCESTER CONCERT CLUB 2018/19 SEASON

HUNTINGDON HALL, DEANSWAY, WORCESTER

24 March 2019 at 3.00pm FITZWILLIAM STRING QUARTET

Marcus Barcham Stevens, Lucy Russell (Violins); Alan George (Viola); Sally Pendlebury (Cello) Concert includes works by Purcell, Liz Johnson, John

Gibson and Schubert

GENERAL INFORMATION: Non-members are welcome to all events • Single-ticket prices for the main series of afternoon concerts are £16; Students £5.00 • Members may

bring one guest for £14 • Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01905 611427

PRIORY LUNCHBOX REVIEWS

Paul and Diana Hunt came to Lunch Box on Thursday, 17th January to talk about their experiences working in Iran as part of the Anglican church from 1974 to 1980, during the Islamic Revolution. They talked initially of the constant threat of invasion by different countries surrounding Iran for over 2,500 years and this helped to explain the feelings of insecurity which is hard for English people, as an `island’ nation, to understand. Persia had a vibrant Christian community even before the Arab invasions in the seventh century and took the Christian message right across India to China. In 1952 the democratically-elected Prime Minister, Mohammed Mosaddegh, was overthrown by the CIA and western power, and the pro-western Shah, replaced him. This explains much of the feeling that finally led to the Revolution in 1979 and his overthrow. Paul was chaplain to the Iranian bishop, Hassan Dehqani Tafti, who was from a Muslim background. The small Anglican church was persecuted by the Islamic Republic following the Revolution because many of its members were Muslim converts, and thus seen as a threat to the government.

With the arrival of Ayatollah Khomeini there was an attempt on the Bishop’s life, and then his son was shot in the uprisings, which was followed by the confiscation of the church’s institutions (hospital, schools and farms). Paul and Diana reminisced about this traumatic time of their lives and their own near escape when encountered by gunmen. They also shared how the effect of the Islamic Revolution has meant many thousands becoming Christians, often through dreams and visions, and the great growth of the underground church. Diana and Paul are now retired, living in Malvern and still taking a keen interest in events in Iran.

Their talk was introduced by Anne Eglington and a vote of thanks was given by Christine Sutton who presented the Hunts with some flowers and a book token. A retiring collection for Open Doors raised a total of £192.72.

Roger Sutton

FROM PERSIA TO IRAN 17 JANUARY

£21.95 per adultAvailable from 6pm - 7pm

Book on our website today!

Abbey Road, Great Malvern WR14 3ETt 01684 878248 e [email protected] w sarova.com

Two courses at The Priory View Restaurant

at The AbbeyPre Theatre Dinner

Terms and Conditions apply. Subject to availability.

27, Worcester Road, Malvern, WR14 4QYTel: 01684 891191 www.brantub.co.uk

Enjoy our range of gluten free,sugar free, wheat free,

dairy free and vegan foods.

We have fresh, ready to eat foods, tarts, wraps, pasties and

amazing vegan cakes!

Visit our website or come and see us for help and advice.

The Bran Tub Wholefoods.Stocking over 4500 lines.

We specialise in allergy and free from diets.

Central Mosque, Isfahan

Driving to church one Sunday morning recently I heard a report on the radio about ‘slow art’. Not something I had considered before, but I discovered there is a Slow Art Movement, and a Slow Art Day (6th April this year), with a mission to help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art.

Henry David Thoreau said, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” The idea of looking slowly is to make discoveries and experience creativity in new ways. Statistically visitors to galleries view art masterpieces for an average of just 17 seconds, which is perhaps unsurprising in our fast-paced, sound-bite society, and this movement is seeking to challenge that, to slow people down. This made me wonder if we might do well to embrace ‘slow prayer’ this Lent, and slow reading, and slow looking. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s oft-quoted words remind us of the need to look slowly:

“All of earth is crammed with heaven. And every bush aflame with God.But only those who see take off their shoes.”

What do we see each day? Do we see Jesus in the face of others? Do we glimpse anything new in a familiar Bible passage? Would we have recognised the Messiah for who he was when he was presented in the temple as the elderly Simeon and Anna did, or would we, like the remainder

of those about their business that day, simply not have noticed? Would we have pushed through the crowds to touch the robe of Jesus, or simply passed the throngs by, assuming the rabbi was another rabble-rouser? Do we see, and take off our shoes, because we are on holy ground, or do we miss opportunities because we don’t look slowly enough? Do we take time to make discoveries that bring us joy and make us love God more?

Lent is an opportunity to embrace the discipline of slow, that we might see “God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor 4:6) We might choose to take in some slow art too!

Nikki Groarke, Archdeacon of Dudley

LETTER FROM THE ARCHDEACON OF DUDLEY

Registered charity no 226064

Friends of the Elderly Malvern, providing residential, nursing and dementia care

Davenham - for residential care

www.fote.org.uk

Bradbury Court - for nursing care Perrins House - for dementia care

Please contact us today if we can help you:

0203 8564 211

[email protected]

You’ll know what I mean, I’m sure! There you are, getting on with whatever it is you’re doing when WHAM! from somewhere you hear that tune and back it all comes; memories flooding your mind, be they good or bad! Oh, if only…

So exactly WHAT am I getting at, you may wonder. Well, at our recent Magazine meeting, our Editorial Team decided that we’d like a new, occasional item included, based on information provided by YOU. It would be all about that piece of music that takes you back, pleasurably or otherwise, to a particular incident in your life. In my case, it’s the pop group Chicago’s 1976 hit “If you leave me now, you’ll take away the very heart of me…”, a beautiful song that immediately takes me back to a particular lunchtime in a Manchester pub in 1976 (the Welsh National Opera Co. were

on tour at the time) when I was telling a friend how my boyfriend of a couple of years had chucked me the previous evening. I was heart-broken and 42 years later, I still experience some of those gut-wrenching feelings whenever THAT song breaks into my consciousness!

Coincidentally, I know that Rod, our Vicar, goes through certain feelings every time he hears the same song—only he was the one who’d done the chucking!

Do, please, let us know your ‘special ear-worm’ and what emotions it conjures up. You can do it anonymously, if you prefer, or shout it out loud. I so look forward to hearing from YOU: [email protected] or marked ‘Magazine’ and placed in the ‘M’ pigeonhole at the back of church.

Editor

“MEM’RIES LIGHT THE CORNERS OF MY MIND…”

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONSPlease send all contributions for the magazine by email whenever possible to [email protected] with the deadline of the 10th of the previous month at the latest. Written articles should be clearly marked“Magazine” and placed in the “M” pigeonhole at the back of the Priory. The deadline for these is the 8th of the previous month. Contributions should be limited to a maximum of 500 words and, where accompanied by relevant photographs, reduced accordingly. Where photographs of young people are provided, please confirm that parental permission has been obtained to publish in this magazine. Articles will also be considered for inclusion on the Priory web site - if for any reason this is not acceptable, please mention when submitting articles. Some photographs, especially of young people, may not be published on the web pages.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission from Malvern Priory

PRIORY PARISH OFFICEChurch House, Church Street, Malvern WR14 2AY Parish Administrator: Mary WeatherillTel: (01684) 561020 (answerphone) Email: [email protected] Open to Public:Monday 11:00am-12:00 noon; Tuesday 10:00am-12:00 noon; Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9:30am-1:00pm

LYTTELTON WELL (Christian Centre at entrance to Priory)Tel: 01684 573702 Email: [email protected] about Priory bookings of the Lyttelton Rooms should be made at the Priory Parish Office (details above)

THE WELL COUNSELLING www.thewellcounselling.co.ukTel: 01684 563456 Email: [email protected]

GREAT MALVERN PRIORY WEBSITEwww.greatmalvernpriory.org.uk Webmaster:[email protected] For information on services, events, outreach, people, history and much more. Members’ section gives access to the notice sheet and other information not publicly available. Register or Login to access (link at top of all pages except the Home page).

C o u n s e l l o r , M B A C P

0 7 5 8 1 0 4 2 1 2 4 d c m s t o c k f o r d @ g m a i l . c o m w w w . m a l v e r n l i n k c o u n s e l l i n g . c o m

Diana Stockford

Attentive listening, supportive challenge, creative choices

01684 540809

Priory Magazine Design & Print by

The Lyttelton Well is to run a third Listening Course in April. The lifestyle courses are designed to help people communicate more effectively and to connect more easily. They are aimed at people working in the voluntary sector and any member of the public who feels they could benefit. ‘We live in a busy world,’ said course tutor, Frances Anderson. ‘Sometimes we don’t take the time to listen properly and connect with people but if you learn to listen you make the other person feel valued and accepted, and find out what is really going on in their lives.’

The April course runs during the daytime from 10.00am to 12.30pm, starting on 25th April and running for ten weeks. The course will cover topics like developing empathy, accepting others and giving and receiving feedback. The course costs £125.

Anyone interested in finding out more can go to the Well website www.thewellcounselling.co.uk or email on [email protected]. For more information, please contact Mary Johns on 01684 564050.

LISTEN AGAIN

Philip Robinson, Mary Campbell and Huw Foxall in the Great Malvern Hotel on Friday, 1st February. The occasion was a lunch for The Friends’ Shop volunteers to say thank you and farewell to Huw Foxall after five years as shop co-manager with Philip, and to welcome his successor, Mary Campbell. Rod Corke, our vicar, and Peter Chappell, Chairman of The Friends, also attended.

Peter Chappell

PRIORY PEOPLE

THE FRIENDS’ SHOP VOLUNTEERS SAY FAREWELL TO HUW AND WELCOME TO MARY

You are warmly invited to an Open House at the Chappells’ (6, Mathon Road, West Malvern, WR14 4BU) from 10.00am-12.00 noon on Saturday, 23rd March. No charge but donations to The Friends will be welcome (£3 suggested to cover the cost of coffee and cakes) and there will also be a raffle and home-made products on sale. This is not, however, primarily a fund-raising event so much as an opportunity to meet friends and, perhaps, new faces.

NB. Please keep the Chappells’ drive free for less mobile visitors and park either in West Malvern Road or in the lower part of Mathon Road.

OPEN HOUSESATURDAY, 23rd MARCH

The Friends of Malvern

Priory

www.drivingmissdaisyUK.co.uk

We’re family when family can’t be there

(Independently owned and operated franchise business)

Dementia FriendsFirst-Aid trained

Fully licensed

Call us and ride with a friend

(Independently owned and operated franchise business)

We offer a safe, friendly and reliable community companion driving

service for the elderly and anyone who is unable to drive but wishes to

remain independent.

• Would like to go shopping or have several stops to make

• Have a hospital, doctor’s or hairdressing appointment to keep

• Are visiting family or friends who live locally or a distance away

• Need an airport or train station drop off and collection

www.drivingmissdaisy.co.uk

For further information contact Katherine Eglington:

[email protected]

www.drivingmissdaisy.co.uk

Tel: 0333 014 6211Mob: 07525873089

• DBS checked

• Private-hire licensed

• First-aid trained

• Dementia Friends

Wheelchair accessible

vehicles

Project2_Layout 1 19/01/2017 13:55 Page 1

www.malvernstjames.co.uk [email protected] 01684 584624

The Leading Boarding and Day School for Girls aged 4 - 18

Contact us to arrange your personal visit or taster day

Who do you want to be?

Your story starts here...

HEALTH CLUB

with outstanding facilities

Based at Malvern College’s Sports Complex

www.malvernactive.co.uk

MONTHLY & ANNUALmemberships available

Gym | Swimming Pool | Squash CourtsGroup Exercise Classes

murder at the priory · murder at the priory rumours abound that there may yet be another murder...

Documents