Portrait of Pembridge Blog 26
May 2026
Pembridge Woman Completes London Marathon
Congratulations to Issie Covey of Parson’s Walk, Pembridge who proudly displays her medal after completing the 2026 London Marathon.
All the family, Mum Vikki, Dad Simon and sister Grace went to London to cheer her on the way to her 5.5hour finish.
Issie did some of her training in Pembridge and overcame knee problems and shin splints to raise funds for Action for Children.
Her choice of this charity was inspired by her family’s experience of fostering and her time teaching in a deprived area of Portsmouth.
So far Issie has raised £2,035 for this cause. To help her reach her target of £2,500 visit:
https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/issie-covey
New Parcel Posting Service in Pembridge
The Post Box outside The Red Lion can now take small parcels as well as letters. The solar powered device allows payment to be made and a label to be printed to show postage has been paid. There is the facility to print a receipt as proof of posting with the Royal Mail app.
The mobile post office is in East Street Car Park Wednesdays 2pm to 2.45pm.
We would welcome feedback from anyone who has used this new posting service.
Wills of the Copner Family of Marston
Barbara Joss concludes her series on the fortunes of the Copner family through interpretation of their wills. Our story ends in 1857 with the death of Thomas Copner, the same year that Pembridge Railway station was opened.
We also recount the fate of two Rectors of Pembridge destined to become Archbishops and two who were the victims of murder.
www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/history
Spotlight on the History of Farming
Pembridge Parish Hall will be the venue for a talk on the History of Farming in Herefordshire since 1945 to be given by local landowner and conservationist, Tony Norman,
“Eighty Years of Farming in North Herefordshire, Evolution, Innovation, Community”
On 14th May 6.45pm for 7.15pm
Tickets from www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk/events
Art Appreciation
The Parish Hall Committee are introducing a series of films which give a curated tour of major art exhibitions.
The first of these will be on Wednesday 13th May 6.30pm for 7pm.
“John Singer Sargent Fashion & Swagger”.
This leading portrait artist captures the luxury of the Edwardian era.
On Friday 5th June the subjects are Turner and Constable.
The film will be followed by a Q&A with local resident and art historian Gillian Forrester who has kindly agreed to share her expertise on the works of these two popular English artists.
Tickets from www.pembriegeparishhall.co.uk/footlights-society
Parish Hall AGM
The well attended Parish Hall AGM was held on 29th April. The trustees reported on activities held throughout the year and their plans for the future of the hall which is now over 40 years old.
The hall committee hosts a range of events including live music, screening of films, opera, ballet, and theatre.
They have also sponsored keep fit classes for the last two years using Lottery funding to provide equipment and tuition.
The revival of the Village Show following closure during Covid and regular monthly coffee mornings are initiatives of the Hall Committee.
Talks on a range of subjects such as Farming, Conservation, Artificial Intelligence, Horse Racing, Cider Making and Local History have been well attended.
The Hall is also available for private bookings and includes an outdoor space for parties, weather permitting.
www.pembridgeparishhall.co.uk
The trustees have plans to improve facilities and applied for grants last year but were unsuccessful. New applications will be made this year but funding from Government is in short supply and a highly competitive process.
Trustees reappointed were Malcom Craig Chairman, Stanley Young Treasurer, Jeanette Owens Operations, Barry Temple-Purcell Marketing and Marguerite Fothergill Secretary. Committee members Sue Heelis, Sally Carvahlo and Philip Rogers all agreed to serve again and were joined by Judith Rogers and Lucy Botta
All present agreed that the trustees have done an excellent job in expanding activities and events at the hall following the disruption of lockdown. The Hall is run entirely by volunteers who welcome support and help from members of the community.
New Fitness Classes
The fitness classes held at the Parish Hall on Wednesdays and Fridays have now come to the end of the contract.
A new tutor Mandy has agreed to take over the classes which in future will be at 10am-11am on Tuesdays. The first session is a free taster session on Tuesday 5th May.
Friends of Pembridge Primary School
There is a new committee ready to take over the reins in helping to support our Outstanding Primary School.
First thanks to the outgoing committee Nancy, Grace and Sophia for all their hard work.
New committee members are :
Phil Stoker Chairman, Amber Littleworth Secretary, Lauran Jones Treasurer and Owen Weatherall Vice Chair.
Steve Capel, Jackie Connolly and Kirsten Howells have offered their time and expertise as trustees too.
The first event the committee are planning is a Summer Fete on Friday 3rd July. Please get in touch with any of them if you would like to support the event or have ideas to help the school.
Pembridge Church
On 9th May the church will be raising funds for the charity Christian Aid with an afternoon tea served in the church 2.30pm to 5.30pm
The Pembridge Tapestries telling the history of the village from Domesday to the present are on permanent display in church and are well worth a visit.
If you’re looking for a good read the church offers a wide selection of second-hand books for sale with the proceeds used to fund the upkeep of the building. Donations of books are also welcome.
On 6th and 7th June, the church will be hosting two wildlife events.
Bats and Birdsong will take place 8.30-10.30pm on 6th June and Moth Morning from 9.30am to 11am on 7th June.
For details see www.portraitofpembridge.co.uk/upcoming-events
Oral Histories
As part of our mission to preserve and record the history of Pembridge we are looking for long term residents to share their memories of life in the village in earlier times. Did you attend Pembridge School and have memories of your time there? Were there incidents in the village you remember, or stories handed down from older generations who are no longer with us?
What changes have you seen in the parish, in farming, in the jobs people do and the way they spend their leisure?
If you’d like to tell us about these, we can arrange a friendly chat so that we can create a lasting record for future generations of Pembridge residents.
Please call Kay 07342 625796 or Barry 07711 406306 or email portraitofpembridge@yahoo.com
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
You can also follow us on Facebook: A Portrait of Pembridge Community Board
We welcome feedback. Keep in touch with us and if you have news or memories to share, please email portraitofpembridge@yahoo.com
