Portrait of Pembridge Blog 8
May 2024
May is full of events in Pembridge with an emphasis on history and the arts.
Historical Pembridge
At the end of the month, we celebrate our medieval heritage. Leominster Medieval Society is staging a medieval encampment, with talks and displays on 25th / 26th May. Portrait of Pembridge is thrilled to host a talk by bestselling author, Anne O’Brien, on the life of Joan de Geneville, married, at 15, to Roger Mortimer in Pembridge Church. Their tempestuous marriage ended in Roger’s execution for treason, leaving Joan imprisoned and fighting for her life. “A Court of Betrayal “ will take place in Pembridge Church on 25th May. Please register for this free event at http://buytickets.at/pembridgeparishhall/1243382
Anne’s blog “Writing About the Mortimers” is on our History page. Those interested in history may wish to attend the inaugural meeting of a new Historical Society, 09.30 on 25th May. If you can’t make the date email: portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk
Enjoying the Arts
Throughout May, take advantage of new technology at the Parish Hall to access elite performances from the National Theatre “Nye”, Royal Ballet’s “ Winter’s Tale”, and the Met’s “Madama Butterfly” and Sadler’s Wells “ Message in a Bottle”.
The Old Chapel Gallery will open a new exhibition of garden sculpture on 11th May, alongside an exhibition of ceramics, glass, drawing, pastels, oils, jewelry, and textiles.
Parish Hall
The Parish Hall AGM saw the re-election of the trustees and the addition of Hayley Osborne as a new trustee. The regular monthly coffee mornings and bingo sessions are popular. The last coffee morning, sponsored by Pembridge Page Turners, raised £117 for St Michael’s Hospice with over 100 books also donated. Thank you to all who donated.
On 6th June Portrait of Pembridge will mount an exhibition “Pembridge at War”, part of D Day 80. It will include a collection of photos and stories of those Pembridgeans who survived WWII. If you had relatives who served, please share your memories with us as we honor them. We’ll hear from evacuees billeted in Pembridge, alongside the experience of our farmers.
Love to Sing Community Choir is preparing for performances and competitions. The choir is now 40-strong and remains open to new members. Come to D Day 80 to hear them and enjoy 40s music and dancing with Cool Moves dance tutors and a swing band.
Arts and Crafts
There’s lots to do for those who want to roll their sleeves up and try their hand at art with a new Village Arts Club. If keen to share or learn new skills the Repair and Share workshop is open on Friday and Saturday afternoons. See our News Pages.
If gardening or home crafts are your thing prepare for the upcoming Village Show on 27th July. We’re pleased to report that the missing trophies have now been found and will be up for grabs in the competition - updates to follow.
Foodies can look forward to the resumption of Cream Teas on Sunday afternoons at St Mary’s Church, starting 25th May at 3 pm, and the reopening of Townsend Farm Shop and Butchery. Updates to follow.
For all events news see our Upcoming Events Calendar and News Pages.
The Importance of Hedges and Trees in Conservation
The importance of hedges, a peculiarly British invention, in wildlife conservation and farming is explained by local farmer and tree warden Tony Norman. See our Farming page.
Verdun Oak
Last month saw the culmination of the Verdun Oak Project. The sculpture was unveiled on West Street. If you have photos of the ceremony, please do share them with us for our Past Events Gallery by emailing portraitpembridge@yahoo.co.uk For more information on this see Community Groups/ Verdun Oak Project.
Portrait of Pembridge
Is keen to reach as many parishioners as possible. If you know someone who hasn’t yet received our blog and “Dates for your Diary” straight to their inbox, please encourage them to sign up for this free service on www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk
For updates follow us on Facebook or log on to our website: www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk If you’d like to join our team of historians, researchers, writers, photographers, and website designers you would be most welcome. Please email us at portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk
Kay Ingram
