Wyenot News was very sad to learn of the death of Edwin Deakin, who passed away on Friday, 4th November 2005. 'Eddie' as he was affectionately known, was proprietor of the grocer's shop at the junction of Cantilupe Road and Henry Street for the thirty years prior to his retirement. Funeral arrangements will be added here as soon as they are known.

The photograph below of Eddie standing in his shop doorway was taken on 29th July 2000, during the early stages of building this web site.

The principles of modern philosophy,
Were postulated by Descartes;
Discarding everything he wasn't certain of,
He said 'I THINK THEREFORE I AM A RHUBARB TART!'
(Cogito ergo sum amarus rheum.)

The second Potters Bar Reunion is fast approaching and will take place on Saturday, 26th November in the original Potters Bar venue. I think most of those who attended last year's event (the first meeting of the clan in 20 years) will agree that it has to go down in history of reunions as one of the best, ever!

I am pleased to announce that the football table is now definitely confirmed, courtesy of Tina and Ben. All the original records, with all the original crackles and pops associated with vinyl will be there, as will the original Potters Bar cocktail recipes, should Isobel or Irene fancy a 'Winky Woo' or a 'Creme de coconut shandy with a stick of celery and three maraschino cherries'.

PLEASE CLICK THE TICKET BELOW FOR A VERSION TO PRINT OR EMAIL TO ANY OLD POTTERS BAR FREQUENTERS YOU KNOW!

Children of Ross Pre-school Playgroup were given a special mug each to commemorate their 35th successful year on Thursday, 3rd November.

During the presentation, Joyce Thomas, Life President and Founder Member of the playgroup said, 'This year, we celebrate 35 very successful years as a Playgroup and we started the celebration with our summer fete and tea party.

We are a registered charity receiving no government or Council grants and rely upon the generosity of local organizations, trusts and individuals, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

Today is typical of one local company, 'Dawley Services' , who have financed the commemoration mugs which each child will receive and we welcome warmly Jill Parckar, who represents Dawley Services here today.

The efforts of the parents, friends and staff, past and present, is so much appreciated, for without them, we would not be the thriving, happy playgroup we enjoy today. Thank you all.'

Pictured below at the presentation are Joyce Thomas O.B.E., Vicki Page, Jill Parckar, Pauline Williams and Iris Price with Playgroup children, Maizie Bowers, Zac Bowers, Jack Waite, Harmani Foxwell, Holly Powell-Jones, Frank Pemberton, Jack Edwards. Ellis Dobson, Ethan Powell, Eve Rawlings, Harry Shepherd, Rosie Prosser and Aesha Kaddem.

Amy King, who is the happiest and by now, probably the most famous girl in Ross-on-Wye, celebrated her 10th birthday with a party for friends at the Hope & Anchor Conservatory on Sunday, 6th November.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Lots of love from

Alan and Tina

Jumpstart is a local children's charity based in and around Ross-on-Wye, which was set up nine years ago to address rural isolation and a lack of play facilities for children under five years old, their parents and carers. The group travel around the local area, taking soft-play sessions into village halls. In order to keep cost to users as low as possible, so that everybody can afford to come, Jump Start are grant maintained and offer a safe, fun, stimulating environment for young children and their parents / carers to meet, learn and have fun in and normally see over a hundred children a week coming to all our sessions.

Jump Start were therefore thrilled that the Big Lottery Fund has given the group a £35,000 grant over three years to run three main sessions and held a special celebration morning on Monday, 7th November at Upton Bishop Village Hall.

'Jumpstart Kidz Soft Play' is among hundreds of events planned across the UK to help celebrate National Lottery Day. National Lottery Day is a chance to celebrate the difference and amazing impact Lottery funding has had across the UK and recognizes the wonderful things people have done with their Lottery grants to make a difference to people's lives.

West Mercia Police Chief Constable West visited Ross-on-Wye on Tuesday, 1st November and went out on the streets, visiting Old Market Close with Beat Officer, PC Coyd.

Sergeant Welding of Ross Police said, ' It's a refreshing change to see a chief officer coming out and walking the streets with officers, at grass roots level'.

Pictured below, Chief Constable West and PC Coyd can be seen talking to Old Market Close residents, David Sanland, Alan Sosna, Lorraine Andrews, Stephen Coleman, Linda Reed and dog, Odie. Bottom photograph: Beat Officer Coyd, Chief Constable West and Sergeant Welding.

The first of a series of planned fortnightly fund raising performances held on Friday, 28th October in aid of next year's Unintentional Festival, was a great success and it is now hoped that they will continue throughout the year.

Summer Bullets and Dandelion Killers between them pulled in over seventy people which, along with a contribution by Richard & Helen Denby, raised £75 towards the festival fund.

The next fund-raising event will be featuring the 'Bitchpups', from Monmouth, who are back with a new line up and are now only a three piece band (although they are still performing some of their original punk-pop material). They have featured before at the Unintentional Festival during a successful spot on the main stage in 2004. Their support band, Mars Bonfire hail from Bromyard. This young four-piece band have influences which include Led Zeppelin and AC/DC and are all exceptional musicians. They have also performed at The Unintentional Festival, and more recently at the August Bank holiday 'Rock-on-Wye'.

Information on all kinds of events taking place in and around Ross-on-Wye and the local area can be found on the 'What's On?' page of Wyenot News.