News
News
h.Art Week Showcases Pembridge Artists
h.Art Week is back from 5th to 13th September with artists opening their studios and mounting exhibitions in 134 locations throughout the county. With so much to see in so little time, a good place to start would be those exhibitions on our doorstep which this year includes painting, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, and wood turning. Full details are in the h.ArtWeek brochure www.h-art.org.uk.
As always, The Old Chapel Gallery (55) will play host to artists working in a range of mediums. It’s h.Art week exhibition ‘When Soft was the Sun’ features artists Lynda Jones, Ann McCay, Helen Martino, Tamsin Abbot, Rachel Bailey Mary Griffin and more www.oldchapelgallery.co.uk.
Julie Cooper of Horseway Head Barn (57), midway between Titley and Staunton on Arrow, will be exhibiting drawings, collage and paintings in her studio. www.juliecooper.co.uk.
In Broxwood, Church House venue (70), nestled between Lower Broxwood and Broxwood Court. This former Roman Catholic church is the home of Chris the Paint Spreader who will exhibit an eclectic exhibition of oil, acrylic, watercolour and multimedia paintings together with an exhibition of handcrafted jewellery. Tel. 07920 684453 christhepaintspreader@gmail.com.
Coach House, Westonbury (56), uphill from the entrance to Westonbury Water Gardens, is the home of artist Nick Holmes. Nick is an h.Art Week veteran having taken part since 2015 when he moved to Herefordshire. Nick has a background in art teaching. His work includes paintings, prints, collages ranging from miniatures to large constructions. He says they are wry comments on our life and times. www.nickholmesart.co.uk.
New to h-Art week is venue (53) The Old Chapel, Shobdon, just west of the Bateman Arms. This newly refurbished community asset will play host to several local artists including Kate Skelton and Chris Sheath.
Further afield Verdun Oak sculptor, Ed Elliott, opens his studio at Trumpet with exhibitions of ceramics, jewellery and leather work at the neighbouring Sorrel & Sage Café. Venue (103) www.sorrel.square.site.
Lots to see and enjoy during this ten-day festival of art.
Village Show 2026
There was a record attendance at the Village Show at Pembridge Parish Hall. All classes were well supported with lots of competition for the silverware in the fruit and vegetable, flowers, flower arranging, home crafts, and art and photography sections.
Exhibitions of wood turning, classic cars, The Knighton Silver Band, delicious cream teas and hot dogs kept the crowds entertained.
The longest thistles in the parish came from Bearwood with Colin Piers entering a 9ft whopper pipping Andy Ball’s entry of 8ft to second place and Sandy Owens third.
Leominster Canine Society oversaw the dog show while inside the hall there was a chance to see the newly unveiled Pembridge Collage and Micro Museum. Some 98 old photos of Pembridge people and places have been assembled. The micro-Museum will house rotating exhibitions of artefacts, documents, and photos portraying a facet of Pembridge history. The current exhibition is of the Pembridge Tea set kindly donated by Rodney Jackson.
Councillor Roger Phillips OBE presented the prizes. These included many old hands but also some new faces with Ruth Davies and Caroline Stoker first time winners in the homecrafts and flower arranging sections.
The fierce rivalry in the flower section saw husband and wife team Janet and Phillip Bright triumph while Brian Priday scooped up the vegetable prizes. Seasoned competitors Barabara Goodey, Sue Wheeler and Sharon O’Hare all took home silverware.
Michele d’Lemos gained awards for her cakes and preserves in the homecrafts section and for her flowers. She was the overall winner of best exhibit with a show stopping basket of vegetables.
Winners
Janet Bright - President’s Perpetual Challenge Cup, Don Vaughan Perpetual Challenge Cup Flowers and Dahlias.
Sue Wheeler - John Hargest Perpetual Cup - Sweet Peas.
Michele d’ Lemos Perpetual Challenge Cup - Homecrafts, Jeff Stokes Perpetual Challenge Shield - Flowers, New Inn Trophy Best Exhibit in Show.
Ruth Davies - Anne Evans Perpetual Silver Salver Homecrafts, art photography and needlework.
Sharon O’Hare - Molly Thomas Silver Salver - Coffee Sandwich Cake
Barbara Goodey - F J Newman Perpetual Challenge Bowl- Flower Arranging
Caroline Stoker - John Bishop Perpetual Memorial Cup Best Exhibit Flower Arranging
Philip Bright - T G Exell Perpetual Challenge Bowl Vegetables, Karl Nordblom Shield – Onion Sets
Brian Priday - Eric Williams Silver Salver - Onions from seed, Sun Valley Perpetual Challenge Cup Flowers and Vegetables.
Children’s Section
Tommy Russell - Perpetual Challenge Cup - Charlie Fisher, Leo Pritchard, Albert Fletcher, Tommy Brittain, Ruby Brittain, Will Jacques.
Ruby Brittain - Mick Edwards Cup – Best overall exhibit
More photos of the day including winners and their exhibits are on the Past Events page of our website.
Congratulations to the Village Show Committee and the Parish Hall for staging yet another successful Village Show.
Dates for your Diary
September / October 2026
3rd September - ‘Turner and Constable’ Exhibition on Screen at Pembridge Parish Hall. Followed by Q&A with art historian Gillian Forrester. Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm. Tickets £10. www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
5th-13th September - h.Art Week Open studios and exhibitions throughout the county. Including The Old Chapel Gallery, local artists Nick Holmes at Westonbury, Chris the Paintspreader at Broxwood, and Ed Elliott creator of the Verdun Oak sculpture. 134 venues free to access. www.h.art.org.uk . See our blog for more information.
6th September - Open Gardens at Westonbury Water Gardens by kind permission of Mark and Debbie Constable in aid of Pembridge with Moorcourt Church.
9th September - ‘La Traviata’ Verdi’s opera performed on Sydney Harbour 6.30pm for 7pm at Pembridge Parish Hall. Tickets £10.00 www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
10th September - Ukraine Update, doors open 6.30pm, talk starts 7pm. Pembridge Parish Hall. Talk by Will Jackson Chair of Rotary’s work on Ukraine in GB and Ireland. Tickets £10. www.pembrdigeparishhall.co.uk/events
11th September - Quiz Night in support of St. Michael’s Hospice, Pembridge Parish Hall. Teams of up to 6; £10 per team. Pay on the door. Soft drinks and refreshments available, BYOB.
12th September - Hardy Plant Society ‘Rewild Your Garden’ talk by Sue Mabberly at Pembridge Parish Hall. 2pm to 4pm, non-members welcome. Tickets £5.00, pay on door, http://hmwhps.org.uk.
12th September - Kington Show, 9am-6pm. discounted prices for early booking; Adults £15.00, 10-17 years, £6.00, under 10 free. At the gate; Adults £17.00, 10-17 years, £8.00, under 10 free. www.kingtonshow.co.uk.
16th September – ‘Girl from the North Country’ Musical featuring the songs of Bob Dylan at Pembridge Parish Hall 6.30pm for 7pm. Tickets £10.00 www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
17th September - Village Art Clubs at Pembridge Parish Hall. New term starts 10am-12noon. www.villageartclubs.co.uk.
17th September - Pembridge Parish Council meeting 7.30pm at Pembridge Parish Hall. All residents welcome.
18th September – ‘The Lives of Medieval Women’ a talk by bestselling author Anne O’Brien at Pembridge Parish Hall. 6.30 for 7pm. Tickets £5 www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/events.
19th September - Coffee Morning at Pembridge Parish Hall. 10.30-12noon. Coffee, cakes and conversation. Free, donations welcome. Sponsored by The Allotments Society.
24th September - Harvest Festival at Moorcourt Chapel 6.30pm.
23rd September – ‘The Misanthrope’ National Theatre Live at Pembridge Parish Hall. 6.30pm for 7pm. Starring Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) in Moliere’s dark comedy. Tickets £10. www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
25th September – ‘Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas’ at Pembridge Parish Hall 6.30pm for 7pm. A greatest hits compilation of the screenings of live opera from the Met. Tickets £10.00 www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
27th September - Love to Sing Choir ‘Songs from Broadway’ 3.30pm at St Leonard’s Church, Yarpole. Tickets £10 (under 12s free).
3rd October - Opera the Met’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ at Pembridge Parish Hall. Doors open 5.30pm for 6pm Tickets £10. www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
9th October - Pembridge Parish Council 7.30pm at Pembridge Parish Hall. All residents welcome.
17th October - Coffee Morning at Pembridge Parish Hall. 10.30-12noon. Sponsored by the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Coffee, cakes and conversation. Free, donations invited.
21st October - Royal Opera ‘Macbeth’ at Pembridge Parish Hall. Doors open 5.30pm for 6pm. Tickets £10 www.pembriegeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
24th October - Autumn Supper at Pembridge Parish Hall. 6.30pm for 7pm with musical entertainment from Andy Davies.
28th October - Royal Ballet ‘Manon’ at Pembridge Parish Hall. Doors open 6.30pm for 7.15pm. Tickets £10 www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society.
21st November - Woodcock Fayre at Pembridge Church. A few spaces for stall holders please contact Meryl Griffiths on 01544 329760.
For more information on events in Pembridge see www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/events-calendar
If you are organising an event or activity in Pembridge parish, please email details to portraitofpembridge@yahoo.com
Weekly Events in Pembridge
Monday
Pembridge Auction at the Parish Hall. Viewing from 10am bidding starts 3.30pm. see www.pembridgeauction.com, (not Bank Holidays)
Love to Sing Children’s Choir at Pembridge Primary School Hall. 5.30pm-6.30pm £4 per session. Term time only.
Love to Sing Community Choir at Pembridge Primary School Hall 7pm to 8.30pm. New members’ welcome. £5 per session. Email: Thisgirllovestosing76@gmail.com
Tuesday
Fitness Classes at Pembridge Parish Hall 10am-11am. £7. Contact Mandy 07538 218273.
Learn to Jive at Pembridge Parish Hall. Beginners welcome. 7.30-8.30pm £6 per person. info@coolmovesdance.co.uk
Wednesday
Self-help Fitness at Pembridge Parish Hall for intermediate and advanced, 9:30am-10:30am.
Thursday
Pride in Pembridge meet Market Square 10am (weather permitting) to help keep Pembridge tidy and colourful. New members welcome. Contact Jan Williams, Secretary on 07485 703096 or email janetfwilliams@icloud.com. For more news about PIPs activities see our Community Groups Page www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/community-groups.
Village Art Clubs at Pembridge Parish Hall. Beginners and experienced artists welcome, tutored classes. Book at www.villageartclubs.co.uk or call Liz 07938 563716. New term starts 17th September.
Tai Chi 3.45-4.45pm at Pembridge Parish Hall, Booking Essential, hello@goldenthreads.com
Friday
Self-help Fitness at Pembridge Parish Hall for intermediate and advanced, 9:30am-10:30am.
Sunday
Pembridge Runners meet at the Parish Hall 8.45am for 9am. A gentle run to blow away the cobwebs. Cyclists and well behaved dogs welcome.
Church Services
Bearwood Chapel
Evening Service 6.30 pm First, Third and Fifth Sunday of the Month. See our Community Groups page for more information on Bearwood Chapel (https://www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/community-groups)
St Mary’s Church, Pembridge
See www.arrowvalechirches.org.uk for all services.
Services 11am on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday
Defibrillators
Apologies for an error in our last edition which stated that a defibrillator was in Bearwood, this should have read Broxwood.
For clarity the four defibrillators in the parish are at:
The Parish Hall, Bearwood Lane, Pembridge;
East Street Car Park Toilets, Pembridge;
Telephone Box Broxwood;
The Leen Farm, HR6 9HN.
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