EDITORIAL
WEBSITE ADDRESS: https://uptonbishop.gov.uk/
WHAT’S ON IN UPTON BISHOP
AT THE CHURCH:
Vicar - David Howell Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Curate – Ewan Gillings Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Church Warden - Jane Ayres Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
The Church is open every day, a quiet space for all to enjoy.
The Churchyard also offers a peaceful spot to walk or sit and enjoy nature
Dogs are welcome in the churchyard on a lead, but please clear up after them.
All Services at 10.30 unless shown otherwise
Services for February are shown on page 59
EVENSONG every Tuesday, 5.30pm at Graham and Ann Fowler’s House. Ring Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page for details
BCP Communion Every first Wednesday at 9.30am – Holy Communion followed by Prayer Group
THE CHURCH:
Some good things to look forward to:
February 17th – Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day –
Look out for posters and social media for details of this year’s celebrations.
Easter 2026 — 5th April
Thanks to everyone who made the church look so wonderful over the Christmas period.
The carol service and Midnight Mass were glorious with candle light and oil lamps and beautifully decorated tree and window ledges. We had a newcomer at the crib too in the person of a fabulous Inn Keeper crafted for us by Lou.
CHRISTMAS HAS COME AND GONE SO WHY ARE THE CHURCH DECORATIONS STILL UP?
The festival continues for 40 days after Christmas Day until 2nd February, when we celebrate the presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple. Here he was recognised as the Messiah by Anna and Simeon in the beautiful words of the Nunc Dimittis as, ‘a light to lighten the gentiles’ and ‘the glory of His people Israel.’
EPIPHANY 2026
Many of us enjoyed a special celebration to mark the coming of the Three Kings. Olivia, Alan and Fiona dressed for the part and arrived on horseback thanks to Lisa from Heart RDA. We discussed how the journey of the magi might influence our own lives, and enjoyed traditional Kings cakes from around the world. Lou and Ewan found the porcelain babies in their slices and were crowned King for the Day. A collection of around £50 was donated with thanks to Riding for the Disabled.Thank you to everyone who helped.
CAN YOU FIND MAURICE THE MOUSE?
Maurice arrived in Upton Bishop Church in December and has decided to stay. See if you can find him. He likes to move around the building, so if you spot him, please don’t say a word, but when no one is looking, just move him somewhere else in plain sight (he doesn’t like to be shut in a cupboard or covered up with anything).
AT THE MILLENNIUM HALL:
FOR THE YOUNG: LEGO@UB CLUB
There will be no Lego Club/Coffee morning in February. Please look out for further news on social media and in the Chimes. It is held on the first Saturday of each month at 10.30am.
BABY SENSORY
Monday mornings during term time. Call Annabel Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
LITTLE SWALLOWS
Friday mornings. Activities for under 5s. Call Nicky Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
FIT AND ACTIVE:
KEEP FIT Tuesdays, 10-11am. Call Jane Fray Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page or Michaela Johnson Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page The class is designed to help improve your fitness, strength, balance and co-ordination to some great music! You work at your own pace. The first session is free; after that, the cost is £6 per session for a block monthly booking and £8.00 per session pay as you go.
INDOOR SHORT-MAT BOWLS
Tuesday 17th 7-9pm £3 per person includes tea/coffee and biscuits. All abilities very welcome. Call Dave Powell Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page or just come along!
BADMINTON CLUB:
Thursdays 8-10pm all ages and skills. Call Steve Cracknell Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
TANGO: Fridays but not every Friday. Check with Beryl Kirk Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
SOCIAL:
SOCIAL AFTERNOON
Monday 16th 2.30pm-4.30pm. We look forward to seeing you all for cake and chat
QUILTERS:
3rd Thursday of the month, 2-4pm. Call Sue Jones Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
WOMEN’S CIRCLE:
Offering a safe, non-judgemental space for women to connect, heal and learn from each other. Open to all women. Please contact Amy to enquire: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
UPTON BISHOP WI: DECEMBER MEETING
Upton Bishop took part in the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church in Ross at the beginning of December. We decided on a Clean Rivers theme to highlight the WI's ongoing campaign, so members crafted felt fish and quilled paper animals as decorations. The festival was a huge success, raising over £6000 for the church.
Crafting was on the agenda again at our meeting. Members had their choice of a huge selection of inks and printing blocks to create printed tote bags, a slightly messy but very enjoyable activity. Even the members who consider themselves to be unartistic were pleased with their results. Afterwards, we enjoyed a shared pot-luck supper along with our usual raffle, and we rounded off the evening with the distribution of Secret Santa gifts.
We're now looking forward to our February meeting when Made In Ross will be coming to give us a silver-smithing demonstration. This will be an open meeting and anyone interested is welcome to attend for a £5 entry fee.
UBWI does not meet in January, our next meeting will be February 10th. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 7pm – 9pm at The Hub, St Mary’s Garden Village, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7WP. New members are always welcome, entry donation of £5, cake and raffle. We look forward to seeing you.
For details and to find out more about the numerous activities organised by the National and Herefordshire Federations of WIs contact Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
200 CLUB DRAW
DECEMBER.
Audrey Owen £20, Clive & Wendy Beavan £10, Steve & Sue Tommey £5.
JANUARY.
Mr D Lively & Mrs S Bateman £20, Nigel Misselbrook £10,
Linda & Martin Bromley £5.
WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS
Hugo and Hannah Tyers who were married just before Christmas at Monmouth.
BEST WISHES
Everyone who is not too well, or who is undergoing or waiting for treatment.
THE MILLENNIUM HALL
If you are interested in joining the Millennium Hall team, please get in touch: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
HIRING THE HALL
There is space in the diary for new events so please go online to book a date: www.uptonbishopvillagehall.co.uk or contact Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
UPTON BISHOP PARISH COUNCIL (UBPC)
Any parishioner can contact the UBPC at Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page Parish Council meeting minutes are available on the Parish Council website.
Five councillors, the clerk and nine members of the public attended the Parish Council meeting on December 2nd. Emily Misselbrook had registered an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor and was co-opted to fill the vacancy. She joined her fellow councillors after signing her declaration of acceptance of office. No issues were raised by the public. The ward councillor’s report is on the website. Councillors supported the planning applications by Ayltor Barn and the Threshing Barn.
The lengthsman has concentrated on grips, gulleys and general maintenance across the Parish and has filled all the salt and grit bins.
The Council has £30,039 in the bank and all invoices were approved for payment The 2025/26 budget process will be discussed at the next meeting. UB’s Neighbourhood Development Plan is valid for two more years. Councillors will consider the plan, how it can be refreshed and associated funding in September 2026.
Herefordshire Council is reviewing broadband provision across the county. Parishioners are urged to make the clerk aware of areas in the Parish which do not have access to high-speed broadband so the information can be passed on to Herefordshire Council.
The next meeting is on Tuesday February 3rd 2026.