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 March are shown on page 59
All Services at 10.30 unless shown otherwise
EVENSONG every Tuesday, 5.30pm at Graham and Ann Fowler’s House. Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
BCP Communion Every first Wednesday at 9.30am – Holy Communion followed by prayer group
THE CHURCH:
Some good things to look forward to:
EASTER 2026 — 5th April
St John’s will be hosting the dawn service at 6am.
This wonderfully atmospheric service begins in darkness and continues as the sun comes up and we celebrate the risen Christ. Breakfast is served after the service.
Patronal Festival for St John – Games, afternoon tea and choral evensong with visiting choir from St Mary’s Ross-on-Wye.
Easter Lilies
If you would like to make a donation to purchase a Lily in memory of a loved one, please contact: Pam Steadman
Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Heating at the Church
It has been very cold at St John’s during January and February so we have been worshipping at the Millennium Hall – We now have some very comfy heated pew cushions to keep you warm, and we will return to the church for a special St David’s Day Service on March 1st.
National Grid has upgraded our electricity supply so that we can safely have some heating in the winter months. Watch this space for more news of what is being installed and when this will be in place. Meanwhile, we apologise to everyone who was inconvenienced by the work, the disruption to your electricity supply and, of course, the mud. Thank you for your patience and support
Christian Aid Week
If you happen to be sowing your seeds this month or dividing established plants, whether for the joy of eating or the joy of looking, could you spare a thought for the Plant Stall in May and grow one or two extra? In past years there’s been a wonderful variety of fruit, veg and ornamentals donated and they raise much needed funds. Many thanks. Linda Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
WALK THE UPTON BISHOP CAMINO
Have you ever wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela? Why not join us on a virtual pilgrimage rather like the one to Jerusalem that some of us enjoyed during lockdown.
We’ll be starting out from Upton Bishop church on Feb 18th but it’s not too late to join in. We’ll be travelling the official St James’ Way via Southampton and on into Spain where ancient pilgrim paths take us through the Cantabrian mountains, and unspoilt regions of Asturias and Galicia until we reach Santiago. A total distance of 862 miles. All this without leaving the parish.
Who can join in?
It’s a communal challenge. Anyone can join in. You don’t have to be fit, wear Lycra or special clumpy boots and just like a real pilgrimage, it’s not a competition or a race. Just walk, run, swim, cycle, row, ride or dance the miles away and send your total weekly distance covered to us on a Friday night. We will work out how far the group has travelled by Monday each week and post our position, complete with photos, ‘fascinating facts’ about wherever we’ve got to, and any news from our walkers that they’d like to share.
Who knows how long it will take to cover the distance and what adventures we’ll have on the way, but we hope to ‘arrive’ in Santiago for Easter. And like the pilgrims who walk the real Camino, we’ll have a celebration in the church on arrival for those who would like to attend.
Why are we doing it?
For the fun of the challenge, to enjoy a little exercise, and make new friends… and while we’re at it we hope to raise some money for running repairs to the church roof and heating.
All we ask is an email address to send the weekly information to, and a donation of whatever you can afford (we suggest £5- £10pp).
Call Jane for more details Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
AT THE MILLENNIUM HALL:
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 on line to book a date: visit uptonbishop.gov.uk and click on ‘Millennium Hall’ for booking info, or Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
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
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
February was Upton Bishop WI's first meeting of the year so it was nice to be back together again on what turned out to be a reasonably dry evening for once.
We began the year with a demonstration of silver-smithing (see right and over), presented by Jackie Poulter from the Made In Ross group.
Jackie got into silver-smithing when she retired, and she competed a one year jewellery design course at Hatton Garden.
She showed us how metal casting in sand is done, using pewter instead of silver, because it melts at a lower temperature. A very competent instructor, she demonstrated casting an acorn, which could later become a key ring or pendant.
Then members were able to have a go themselves, making acorns and seashells under her expert guidance.
We rounded off a very enjoyable evening with our usual refreshments, raffle and a good catch-up chat.
UPTON BISHOP NEWS:
200 CLUB DRAW FOR February
Tessa McLean £20, Maurice Harper £10, Elaine Ives £5.
WELCOME A very warm welcome to Josh and Victoria Morgan who have recently moved to Crow Hill.
SYMPATHY We send our sympathy to Elaine, Tom and Sasha Ives on the very sad loss of Malcolm
To Jake and Rupe Simpson and family on the loss of their mum, Mandy
Also to the family of Sylvia Greer on the loss of their mum.
BEST WISHES to everyone who is not too well, or who is undergoing or waiting for treatment.
2025 Poppy Appeal – Very many thanks to Alice for her door to door collecting for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. A fantastic amount of £850.00 was raised. Many thanks also to everyone who so generously supported this charity.
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.
Upton Bishop Parish Council - February 3rd 2026
Six councillors, the clerk and seven members of the public attended the Parish Council meeting on February 3rd.
A member of the public raised concerns about Herefordshire Council not collecting volunteer litter picker waste bags. The clerk will contact Balfour Beatty and Herefordshire Council to clarify collection arrangements. The ward councillor was unable to attend due to illness, however his report is on the website.
Councillors objected to planning application 260038 to fell 10 trees at Woodley Gate. The Council has concerns over the number of trees proposed to be removed and is keen to retain as many trees as possible to maintain biodiversity within the parish, particularly given that this area is under a Tree Preservation Order.
Councillors supported planning application 260009 for a dog exercise area adjacent to Phocle Green Business Park as rural business diversification in line with the Neighbourhood Development Plan, but raised concerns about transport access from the south (Phocle Green crossroads) due to poor road quality and that this change of use should not be used as a precursor for future planning development of a different nature.
Councillors supported planning application 253130 for a two-storey extension to Harewood Cottage.
Lengthsman
The Lengthsman has completed maintenance works across the parish and cleared post-storm tree damage. The Phocle Green bus shelter guttering has been repaired.
Following a request from the ward councillor, the Parish Council submitted a comprehensive report on carriageway investment across the parish to help inform future highways works. The report and the previous flood risk report are accessible on the Parish Council website.
Invoicing
All invoices were approved for payment. The budget for 26/27 was approved and the precept was set at £20,090.34, an increase of 7.86% on the previous year.
The next scheduled meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday, March 3rd.