Portrait of Pembridge Blog 25
March 2026
Use It or Lose It
Local businesswoman Jo Williams has issued a plea to Pembridge residents to support local businesses. Jo, owner of Bloom & Grind, is lobbying North Herefordshire MP, Ellie Chowns, to ask the Treasury to ease the tax burden on cafes, pubs, and retailers.
These small businesses are the lifeblood of the rural economy, bringing facilities to the area which attract visitors, create local jobs, and provide amenities for the resident community.
Many of these businesses took a big financial hit during the Covid lockdown and, despite help then, are now reeling from a perfect storm of cost increases.
These include a rise in employers’ national insurance, rising energy and food costs, an increase in the minimum wage and an end to business rates relief, together with revaluation of ratable values.
As an Opposition MP it is uncertain that Ms Chowns can achieve Treasury policy change, but if all of you reading this blog spend money with our local businesses they will be better placed to weather the storm.
Post Office Closures Stalled
As part of a review of the Post Office the Government was considering the closure of some rural post offices. This has now been paused following representations from rural councils, pressure groups, and MPs.
The Steppes used to house a Post Office, but we are now served by a mobile post office which originally visited three times a week.
It now appears at the East St Car Park on Wednesdays 2pm to 2.45pm.
With banks disappearing from the high street, (Lloyds Leominster closes on 3rd March), post offices offer some limited banking facilities as well as postal services.
Fortunately, there are excellent post office services in Kingsland and Shobdon.
Opening Hours are:
Kingsland Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm. Saturday 9am to 12.30pm
Shobdon Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm. Saturday 9am to 12.30pm
Fishing Rights for Parishioners
Local farmer and angler Tony Norman explains the rules and regulations around fishing in our rivers, the fish to be found, and some special privileges for parishioners of Pembridge.
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/farming
Copner Family Wills
In our History section Barbara Joss continues the story of the Copner family of Marston. Now in the late 18th century family members have moved further afield to Bath and London. John and joseph Copner remain in Herefordshire but for Pembridge the wealth and cottage industry jobs built on wool are under threat from growing industrialisation and cotton manufacture.
Pride in Pembridge
With Spring around the corner, the hard work of PIPs is literally blooming with crocuses, daffodils, and tulips all making a tentative appearance.
Less welcome is the deluge of litter, mostly thrown from passing cars. A recent litter pick by PIPs filled nine large sacks!
If you would like to join PIPs in keeping the village tidy and colourful they meet most Thursday mornings at the Market Hall 10-am to 12 noon. New members are welcome.
Buzzcrocks Triumph
The pop music quiz in aid of local charity Dementia Matters Herefordshire was hotly contested with only three points separating the winning teams. In a tense final The Buzzcrocks beat The Argonauts and last year’s winners The WestEnders (see the Buzzcrocks below).
Many local businesses and individuals donated prizes for the raffle for which the charity is very grateful.
The evening raised over £1,300 for the Dementia Bus. Martin Steer has now raised over £41,000, close to his target of the £50,000 needed to replace the bus.
The Bus delivers support for those in Herefordshire living with dementia.
Help Martin over the line
www.justgiving.com/page/martin-steer
Quizzers will have another opportunity to compete on 20th March when Pembridge Church hold their annual quiz at the Parish Hall. Full details in ‘Dates for your Diary’.
Trip to Malvern Spring Show
Pembridge and Shobdon Royal British Legion are visiting the Malvern Spring Show on 8th May. There are a few seats on the coach and non-members are warmly invited to join the trip. Tickets are £15 for the coach and £27.50 for show entry.
Tickets and further details from mistletoebough@gmail.com
Pembridge Parish Hall
There are a host of cultural events at Pembridge Parish Hall Footlights Society including Opera, Ballet, Theatre and Cinema.
The large screen and audio equipment give audiences the best seat in the house experience, at a fraction of the usual price, to enjoy productions from the National Theatre, Royal Ballet and Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera of New York.
Booking is essential as many performances sell out.
At £10 for opera, ballet, and theatre and £6 for films this is a great night out.
www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society
Upcoming highlights include Royal Ballet’s “Giselle”, Royal Opera “The Magic Flute” and Film “Hamnet” shot on location in Weobley.
Spread the Word
Portrait of Pembridge is run by volunteers for the benefit of the community. We seek to encourage participation in community events and to preserve the history of the parish of Pembridge.
If you know someone who would like to receive this blog and Dates for your Diary they may subscribe via our website www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk or email portraitofpembridge@yahoo.com
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. We welcome feedback. Keep in touch with us and if you have news or memories to share please email portraitofpembridge@yahoo.com.
