EDITORIAL
UPTON BISHOP 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. Services for September are shown on page 59
Church News
September sees the church move into the season of Creationtide, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. There will be a special all-ages service on Sunday, Sep 6th at 11am for the Festival of Creation in Christ, linking our worship with environmental responsibility and care for the earth based on faith and the promise of renewal in Christ rather than out of despair or guilt. Our traditional Harvest Festival will be held on Oct 18th at 11am. All are equally welcome at both services – do come along.
We will be starting to rehearse Christmas music with the choir very soon – we’re a very informal but enthusiastic group, and all are welcome to join us. If you think you’d like to sing with us please let Jane know Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
The Summer Funday was great fun. About thirty children and their mums and dads came along to enjoy all sorts of crafts, Lego, football, and refreshments. Thank you to all who came along and to those who helped make it such a success.
There’s lots more fun to be had at the Summer Fete on Sep 5th in the Millennium Hall. Doors open at 2pm for afternoon tea, a teddy tombola, Lolly Lottery, raffle, kids games and much more - there’s even a chance to soak your church warden with a wet sponge!
Another of our popular Quiz and Sausage Suppers will be held on October 30th at 6.30pm Tables of 4-6 players should book their tickets in advance for catering purposes/dietary requirements from Olivia Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Dates for the coming months
November 29th – Advent Service for the whole benefice at 10.30
December 13th – Christmas Carol Service
December 25th – Christmas Communion at 9.30 am
Some good things to look forward to:
AT THE MILLENNIUM HALL
SOCIAL
SOCIAL AFTERNOON: Monday, September 21st – 2.30pm- 4.30pm. We look forward to seeing you all for cake and chat.
QUILTERS 3rd Thursday of the month, 2-4pm. Beginners & experience quilters welcome. Each month is either a difficult project/workshop/guest speaker/quilting block. BYO sewing Machine accessories & tea mug. Subs are £4 per session £6 if all day workshop and a small yearly membership fee. Contact Sue on 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 15th September, 7-9 pm, £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
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: visit uptonbishop.gov.uk and click on ‘Millennium Hall’ for booking info, or contact Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
UPTON BISHOP WI July
Upton Bishop WI has been out and about in Ross-on-Wye. Making the most of the summer weather and light evenings, we met at the Market House for a walking tour of the town, guided by Mark Eardsley of Ross Civic Society, who has a whole wealth of knowledge and stories about the local area. We also loaded the Museum Without Walls app onto our phones, and Mark showed us how to make the most of the 3D images. We discovered lots of fascinating insights into the town's history, and many of us said that we would be using the app again when we had visitors. Afterwards, we adjourned to the Seven Seas Restaurant, where Caroline introduced us properly to UBWI's new members. We all then enjoyed a good chat over a fish and chip supper.
Out and about again this August!
Members met the Action Bus and Janet, the driver, at SMGV and set off for Llangrove Village Hall. The speaker, Heather Amos, of Amos Farm Partners arrived to give us an account of how they began their Great Trewen Milk Shed business. Receiving such a poor price for their milk, they were faced with either getting rid of their cows or doing something else and the milk shed idea seemed like a good option. Llangrove Village Hall Milk Shed was the first one to open in 2020, which coincided with the covid restrictions. This didn't prove to be a problem, however, and Heather found that people came from all the villages around to buy their milk, plus eggs, butter and cheese. The service has proved very popular and the business has grown, with several outlets now across South Herefordshire, all selling locally sourced produce and Great Trewen milk. Heather explained how the milk is not homogenised like supermarket milk, and is lightly pasteurised to preserve all the nutrients. She also showed us photos of her cows and explained how they are kept. After members' question time, we went outside to the Milk Shed for some shopping and found it all very easy to use. Refreshments followed, with the judging for our competition for the best milk-based dish. The Pruddah Cup was won by Gill Smith, with Janet Jordan in second place and Carol Connolly third. Heather Amos was thanked by the president and applauded by members. Returning home in the minibus, members commented on what a nice outing we'd had and, of course, a little sing-song ensued!
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 FOR WINNERS
July - Bruce Wemyss £20, Ann Sharland £10, Masrk Gooch £5
August - Clare Bell £20, Pam Steadman £10, Dr Michael Wallace £5
BEST WISHES to everyone who is not too well, or who is undergoing or waiting for treatment.
SYMPATHY – We send thoughts and prayers to Peter Fanshawe and family on their sad loss of Elisabeth, and also to Lilah Wainman and family on the loss of Richard.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON JULY 7th
Eight councillors, the clerk, the ward councillor, and ten members of the public attended the meeting. The minutes of the June meeting were approved. The ward councillor’s report is on the website. The Clerk’s report on close-out of the AGAR 2025/26; outstanding internal audit recommendations on VAT returns, the Acceptance of Office form and cheque stub initialling, GDPR data audits; the council’s position on committee structure; the annual review of internal audit effectiveness and auditor independence; and the Clerk’s standing disclosures were noted. Councillors resolved that the clerk’s performance should be reviewed annually by the chair under Standing Order 19(c). The Clerk’s redaction of councillors’ Register of Interests entries in line with the new Localism Act 32 requirement was noted. Redacted copies have been sent to Herefordshire Council’s Governance Support Team. Councillors agreed to stop publishing the register of interests on the parish website and to provide a link to the definitive register on the Herefordshire Council website.
Research on determining ownership of the allotment sheds is progressing slowly.
The lengthsman has been clearing vegetation, including the issue raised at the June meeting. The stile on UB15 has broken and will be replaced once funding has been identified. Councillors had no objection to the proposed Public Path Diversion Order for Footpath UB14.
Upcoming roadworks include resurfacing of the B4221 Upton Crews to Hill Top (16–24 July 2026) and A449 Woodredding Bends (23 July–3 August 2026).
The village defibrillator is due to be moved from the Moody Cow to Chicory Crops following the landlord’s retirement from the pub. It will be taken down from the Moody Cow on July 20th and installed at Chicory Crops as soon as possible.
The Council’s written question regarding broadband connectivity in Phocle Green will be forwarded to Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet for a response. It was agreed to submit a nomination for the Moody Cow pub to be registered as an Asset of Community Value with Herefordshire Council.
The Grants and Donations Policy was adopted. The Civility and Respect Pledge was adopted. The Council has £33,197.93 in the bank, and all the presented invoices were approved for payment. The next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, August 4th at 7.00pm at the Millennium Hall.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST 4th
Six councillors, the clerk, and 20 members of the public attended the Parish Council meeting. The ward councillor’s report is on the website. A member of the public talked about his use of and maintenance of the path leading from the B4224 to UB1 over many years. The website report covered the welcome arrival of new landlords of the Moody Cow.
The lengthsman has been strimming around grips and ditches and the path leading to the Millennium Hall. The Public Rights of Way grant from Herefordshire Council has been approved, and a plan of work will be put in place.
Five councillors declared an interest in the Definitive Map Modification Order, Footpath M538, and withdrew from the room. The meeting was no longer quorate, and the matter could not be discussed. The clerk will write to Herefordshire Council to explain the circumstances.
Residents have written to the council with safety concerns about the Old Gore junction. Councillors acknowledged their concerns. They were encouraged to talk to the ward councillor and ask him to raise it with Herefordshire Council.
The village defibrillator remains at the Moody Cow following the change of landlord. It was agreed to ratify the change from the 7th of July.
The Council has given the allotment holders permission to repair/replace the sheds at their own cost.
The Council has £31,403 in the bank, and all invoices were approved for payment. The next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, October 6th.
Parish Council meeting minutes are available on the Parish Council website. Any parishioner can contact the UBPC at Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page