Portrait of Pembridge Blog 17
April/ May 2025
Portrait of Pembridge Photography and Art Awards
It was with some trepidation that we launched this event and invited artists and photographers to submit their images of life in Pembridge, its people, countryside, and ancient buildings.
As a brand-new event in the Pembridge calendar, we had no idea how many entries would be received .
We need not have feared as Pembridge residents came up with the goods once more, showcasing the artistic and photographic talent in the parish, while also producing both a contemporary and historic portrait of Pembridge.
We’d like to thank all who took part for making this a success.
Overall winners were:
Artist of the Year - Anita Measey
Photographer of the Year – Roger Phillips
Historic Photography – Don and Carol Jackson
In the children’s section winners included:-
Leo Pritchard; Seth Capel; Imogen Burns -Price; Billie Pritchard; Arabella Williams; Ruby Pritchard; Logan; Eli and Eva Amos.
You can see some of the winning entries and photos from the day on our Past Events page.
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/past-events
Tapestries Celebrated in Song
Ten years after their creation the Pembridge Tapestries were celebrated in song at Pembridge Church.
Singer/songwriter Andy Davies brought the tapestries to life with 12 songs he wrote about each of the tapestries.
Accompanied by a choir, the Eardisland Village Band and Haydn Osborne-Brookes on alto saxophone, the audience were treated to clever lyrics and catchy tunes telling the history of Pembridge. High resolution projections of each tapestry brought out the detail in them and narrators, many of whom stitched the tapestries, explained their significance.
See www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/news
New Defibrillator Installed
A new defibrillator has been installed at The Leen.
This means that there are now four defibrillators available in the parish.
The other three are located at:-
East Street Car Park;
Parish Hall, Bearwood Lane;
Telephone Box, Bearwood
A recent informal survey at the Parish Hall revealed that a majority of those present were not aware of all these locations.
With the average response time of the emergency services in England now taking much longer than recommended, these devices could make a real difference to outcomes so it’s worth being aware of where they are and how to use them.
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/news
What 3 Words
Over 40 Pembridge residents have now attended an emergency first aid course organised by Ruth Davies with Herefordshire Heartstart.
One of the tips offered by the tutors was to install the app what 3 words. In a rural area just giving emergency services a postcode could lead to delays in help arriving. In many of our hamlets one postcode covers up to 20 homes spread across a wide area.
It’s free to download and enables emergency services to pinpoint a location. Each 3-metre area of the globe has a unique three word locator.
Triple Awards for Pembridge
Over the last few weeks several awards and accolades have been earned by Pembridge institutions.
Pembridge CE Primary School has already been graded Outstanding by OFSTED. It has now been recognised as one of the top four Primary schools in the County based on pupil attainment at the Key stages. Congratulations to the staff and pupils for this achievement.
The New Inn has been awarded Winner in the Herefordshire Campaign for Real Ale Spring 2025. Congratulations Jane and Rosie!
The love 2 Sing Community Choir won a GOLD Award at the Worcester Performing Arts Festival. They were then invited back to open the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival Gala Concert. This is their second GOLD Award. It’s hard to believe that this choir was only formed a little over a year ago. Congratulations to all the talented performers and their Musical Director, Hayley Osborne.
Ian’s Sponsored Ride
There’s still time to sponsor Ian Smith who will be tackling a 200-mile cycle ride in Holland in aid of the Royal British Legion
You can read Ian’s story here
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/news-1
To sponsor Ian:
https://royalbritishlegion.enthuse.com/pf/ian-smith-e07ff
Tabletop Sale
The Parish Hall Committee are now making this a monthly event at the Parish Hall on the last Saturday of the month.
New additions include a fresh fish stall and artisan bakery plus lots of bargains.
www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/events
VE 80 Day
Victory in Europe Day was on 8th May 1945 and this year we celebrate its 80th Anniversary. This will be marked by a service at the War Memorial in West Street.
It will include:- the installation of a bench kindly donated by a British Legion member; the unveiling of a plaque added to the War Memorial to include the names of men who gave their lives but were not previously listed.
The installation of a QR code on the bench will give a direct link to the War Memorial page of our website.
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/warmemorial
This contains the biographies of those listed on the memorial and was researched by our late friend and colleague Rory MacColl.
The pupils of Pembridge CE Primary School will be paying their own tribute to which parishioners are invited.
In readiness for this the area around the War memorial has been cleared by the Royal British Legion and PIPs and the flagpole has been restored.
On 5th May (Bank Holiday) the New Inn will be hosting a VE Day Street Party.
Quiz Nights
Like buses you miss one then three come along. Well two anyway. On 10th May Pembridge Church are hosting a quiz and on 16th May the Pembridge School PTFA are hosting a quiz at the school. Details in dates for your diary and on Facebook.
Medieval Weekend
The second Bank Holiday in May will be on 26th May and that weekend 24th/ 25th is when Leominster Medieval Society will be staging their encampment on the Millenium Meadow.
This is a free event with displays and re-enactments.
Members of the Society have already visited Pembridge Primary School to explain aspects of medieval life.
Pupils are being tasked with creating their family coats of arms.
That weekend will be a busy one in Pembridge with the ABBAlicious cabaret night at the Parish Hall sold out and the beginning of the Cream Tea Sundays at St Mary’s Church.
Old Chapel Gallery
Opens two new exhibitions on 17th May.
“Shadows on the Grass”
Features an ever-changing collection of unique sculptures for outdoor spaces by sculptors Rachel Rickets, Myles Mansfield, Angela Palmer, Helen Sinclair and more.
Hay Festival Exhibition
Features new work by Mary Griffin, Lynda Jones, Sue Hayden, Jemima Jameson, Adrift pottery.
We Need You
Portrait of Pembridge website is looking for someone to help with website design and maintenance. If you are familiar with this and can spare a couple of hours a week we would love to hear from you. Please email portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk or call Kay 07342 625796 or Barry 07711 406306 for a chat about what’s involved.
We are keen to reach as many parishioners as possible. If you know someone who doesn’t yet receive our blog and “Dates for your Diary” straight to their inbox, please encourage them to sign up for this free service on www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk
For updates follow us on Facebook or log on to our website: www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk
If you’d like to join our team of historians, researchers, writers, photographers, and website designers you would be most welcome. Please email us portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk
Kay Ingram
