Linton & Bromsash News

News: Aston Ingham, Gorsley, Lea, Upton Bishop & Combined.

“Sunset on the Line” - Linton

NEWS FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH

Christmas services and Candlemas

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the various services over the Christmas Season. It was lovely to be able to welcome so many to the church and I hope you felt warmer than in previous years.

We were able to send substantial donations to the Salvation Army, the Children’s Society, and Herefordshire Homestart. The Christmas Season ends with Candlemas on 2nd February when the crib will be packed away and Christmas wreaths and any plastic flowers will be removed from the churchyard.

Lent and Lent Discussion Group

Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on 18th February. Following a very enjoyable Lent discussion group last year we will again be meeting on Friday evenings in February and March, starting on 20th February.

This year we will be using the book “A Beautiful Friendship: A Lent course based on the film Casablanca.” We will be looking at themes of sacrifice, repentance, suffering, loss and hope using clips from the film as a basis for the discussion. Everyone welcome, contact Charlotte if you want more details.

Church modernisation and improvement

We have applied for permission to pipe water into the church. There is also an intention to re-gravel and improve the path through the churchyard from the Village Hall.

Advance Notice

The Music at St Mary’s programme starts on April 18th when we welcome Northwick Baroque. This ensemble from Worcester is coming to Linton for the first time with music for strings, woodwind and harpsicord.

For up-to-date news on St Mary’s Church, please go to the website:

www.lintonvillage.com/st-marys-church

Carol singing

Despite only singing to the village on one night (due to the weather), we still managed to raise in the region of £250 which is a terrific amount for the Ross Community Larder. Many thanks to everyone who sang, played, listened and donated, and invited us into your homes and pub to sing carols.

Your kindness is much appreciated! Please remember that the Church is still accepting gifts towards the Community Larder.

WHAT’S COMING UP AT LINTON VILLAGE HALL

5 VILLAGES FILM FESTIVAL

As mentioned in previous Chimes, we are taking part in the first “Five Villages Film Festival” along with four other village halls. Together with Gorsley Village Hall, we will be crossing the border into the uncharted territories of Gloucestershire, including Pauntley, Huntley and Cliffords Mesne…

To fully experience the festival, you are invited to each village hall by purchasing a season ticket — a great way to meet new friends, support new film-makers and most importantly, get to see Cliffords Mesne’s new popcorn maker in action in different venues.

Isle of Dogs — Saturday 7th February. Doors 6.15 for 7pm

Linton is showing Isle of Dogs: Wes Anderson’s visually stunning animated story of loyalty and friendship between a boy and his lost dog, set in a dystopian Japan of the future. There will also be a short (or two) from students of the

BA(Hons) Film &TV Production course at the University of Gloucestershire.

We are really excited that Joseph Walker, an award-winning filmmaker, has accepted an invitation to come and introduce his short film and meet the audience.

There will be a bar, fresh homemade popcorn, cake and quite possibly ice-cream or some other sweet treats and snacks. So please come and support the festival and emerging film makers at the beginning of their careers.

To be certain of a ticket, please book in advance online using:

TicketSource.co.uk/FiveVillagesFilmFestival, Tickets are £5 (plus 42p fee).

Tickets may also be available at Gorsley Post Office. Any unsold tickets will be available on the door.

Please check Linton Village Hall website nearer the day for availability.

SARAH McQUAID Friday 24th April 7.30pm with Arts Alive

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality, and “brilliant musician-ship” on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” and choice of material, spanning genres and defying categorisation. All this is abundantly demonstrated by her new live album The St Buryan Sessions — but needs to be savoured in person to be fully appreciated.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/GDnPaW1ibKo

Tickets £12, child £6 available from Arts Alive https://artsalive.co.uk/events/sarah-mcquaid-in-concert/

Bar serving decent wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm.

VoLT - VILLAGE OF LINTON TRUST PRESENTS:

A SUNDAY MUSICAL AFTERNOON TEA

Sunday1st February from 2pm

Step into a past era of tea, food and gentle music.The entertainment will be provided by FidgetyFeet, a trad jazz band from the West Midlands. The eight piece band will play popular standards, such as ‘Mood Indigo’ and ‘Ain’t Misbehaving’, as well as many blues and ragtime numbers.

Doors open 2.00pm. Band playing from 2.15 - 4.15, with two short breaks.

Tickets cost £12 To secure your ticket, please email: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page

THE 7th ALMA SANTA RUN – A REVIEW

Despite heavy morning rain, Linton’s now traditional festive fun run took place

at the Alma Inn in somewhat drier conditions at lunchtime on 7th December last year.

Organisers were amazed at the turnout for the 1.8-mile course with all in festive fancy dress and many with their pet dogs. The overall winner was a very swift Drew Stafford with Ben Dive second and Kate Shuttle-wood the first lady runner home. All competitors enjoyed a hot mince pie at the finish and a post-run collection held in the Alma raised £142.34 for the Ross Community Larder.

A big thank you from the organisers to all the runners and to those who helped marshal the course. Please make a note in your diary that this year’s Santa Run is due to be held on Sunday 6th December 2026.

Gemma — and mince pies!

LINTON POUND - UPDATE

It has previously been reported that a formal complaint has been raised with Herefordshire Council about the senseless demolition of the Linton Pound. The initial Council response did not answer the facts and so the complaint has been escalated further under advice from the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Open Spaces.

Ultimately, we reserve the right for all aspects of the demolition to be independently scrutinised by the Local Government Ombudsman and to seek undisclosed information under the Freedom of Information Act. In the meantime, the enquiries made with DEFRA and the Herefordshire Commons Registration Office have thus far proved fruitless. Whilst the pound site was in the care of Linton Parish Council and its precursor body, the Vestry Meeting, for generations, it was never registered as common land and therefore may not come within the remit of the Commons Act of 2006.

There are other areas of legislation that are relevant eg the Overseers Order of 1927 and these are being explored. Linton residents will be kept informed through these pages.

Roger Davies

LINTON (SOUTH) PARISH COUNCIL REPORT

The parish council will continue to focus in 2026 on efforts to improve road safety in the parish. The introduction of a 30mph speed limit on the B4221 following resurfacing work scheduled for later this year, has been approved by Herefordshire Council. Other speed calming measures initiated by the parish council include village gateways and a speed indicator device.

The council is also conscious of the threat to safety posed by speeding traffic on the B4224 in Bromsash. It manages a speed indicator device there but will consider other options at its meeting in January.

In addition, the council has installed several road safety signs at Shutton Crossroads in Linton.

The council has also resolved to promote and encourage community litter picking in the parish and will agree action at the meeting in January.