Congratulations to Mike Johnson of Ross Cider and Perry Company on being presented with CAMRA's Silver award for his perry on Saturday.

Mike was informed that he had won the award back in May, but the actual presentation was held back until Saturday when several members of CAMRA visited Broome Farm. The large group sat down to some delicious ploughman's lunches, cream teas, cider and perry, before being given a demonstration of the cider making process by John Edwards.

There can't be many people who grew up in Ross-on-Wye who didn't know Brian Perks and this fact was reflected at his funeral which took place on Friday, 10th October. There was barely a vacant seat left in St. Mary's church where Brian's family and friends gathered together to pay their respects to this lovely man.

The service for Brian was beautiful and his life long friend, Phil Riches reminded everybody of Brian's great sense of humour by relating a few stories of the times they had shared together. I can remember Brian telling me some of those stories over a drink before he went home.

To work with Brian was an education. You soon learned how he did and didn't like things done. The kids who worked with him in the kitchen loved him and to those who showed aspirations of becoming a chef he gave encouragement. He often asked how my son Michael was getting on with his training, and always had a friendly word for him.

Brian often talked with Alan about the local wildlife, in which he had a keen interest and to this end Brian's family asked for donations to be made to the Wildlife Trust in lieu of flowers. The Wildlife Trust will be a little richer now, but not as rich as we are for having known Brian Perks.

To bring this tribute to a close, I would like to share my last conversation with Brian. A visiting friend of mine commented on how much Brian's 2nd chef Christo looked like Homer Simpson. Out came the familiar naughty giggle, accompanied by 'You should never have said that in front of me.' When the laughter subsided he added, as he always did, 'Well, I'll say goodnight to you all...'

Goodnight Brian. We all love and miss you. Rest in peace.

Dear Sir,

Top o' the morning to you. I was so pleased to see the picture that you published a few weeks ago (I have been unable to see the news for a couple of weeks).

Ever since I was a child, I have heard tell of the football picture but have never been lucky enough to see it. Our family 'legend' tells that it was taken by my great grandfather in the 1920's. The event was when a small town Irish football team came to Herefordshire to play against the local teams.

Our family, hailing from the Emerald Isle, were apparently the link for this sporting extravaganza. The best thing about the family story is the detail of the picture.

That is not an enormous football! it is a standard size ball that the matches were played with. The people surrounding the ball are the Irish leprachauns who came with the team for good luck. Their magic must have worked as they won every match that they played, even beating Hereford by 6 goals to nil.

I am so glad to have seen the photo at last as it was hidden away many years ago for fear of ridicule and then lost after several house moves around the country. I hope to travel to Ross on Wye in the near future, can you tell me where I can see the picture?.

Thank you for your sterling work on wyenot.com. It keeps many 'ex-pats' like me in touch with home.

Best wishes,

Norman O'Body

The Original Article

This photograph of a giant football has left staff at Herefordshire Council's museum perplexed. Mr Capstick, a dealer in old photographs, acquired the photograph and noticed it was printed in Commercial Road, Hereford, even though it may not have been taken in the city. Althea McKenzie, the museum's costume and textile curator, suggests the uniforms and clothing date the scene to around 1900-1910.

David Stevens, Hereford Museum's collections officer for social history, said, 'We would like to know whether anyone can shed any light on this true leather working curio and whether it was a Hereford team or a major event that needed such a giant football to be made. We have drawn a blank in the museum, apart from being able to give some idea of the date of the photograph, and would be grateful for any information'. If you are able to help, please contact David Stevens on 01432 383387.

The Potters Bar Party

Alan

May I say a big thank you for changing the Potters Bar date - I know that some might give you some stick for the late notification!

I wasn't able to come originally but November seems good. As someone who had his first purchased drink in the Potters, then first legal drink and also worked there in the mid-seventies it is about time I showed my face - looking forward to it!

Richard Barter

Thank you, Richard.

Most are finding the November date better, (though a few people, who did not see that particular week's news on time, did unfortunately turn up on 4th October. Hopefully not from too far away). As it turned out, last week being as it was, it is a good job we did change the date to 22nd November.

As I mentioned briefly last week, 'The Two Alans' - Alan Weston and I will be together in the Potters Bar this November for the first time since the well remembered 'Last Night' back in 1984. Andy Ward will also be coming along - possibly John Gardiner as well. If anybody knows the whereabouts of Pete Clarke, please let him know about the date. It would be good to get as many of the original bar staff together as possible, including the Australian contingent, if they happen to be around.

I for one am looking forward to us all being together again, along with many of the original regulars of the time, in the changed but still original venue, with the original records, including original scratches.

The Potters Bar was not only the best venue in Ross, it was the best for miles around and many relationships were formed. John Kyrle High School should be grateful for its past existence. Babies were born as a result of a night at the 'Potters'!

Dave and Jacqui Newman would like to welcome you to the White Lion 16th Century Riverside Inn. Situated right on the banks of the River Wye at Ross, the White Lion is a picturesque local inn with an interesting history and is noted for its spectacular river views. The White Lion has long been a favourite place to relax by both local people and tourists alike.

The White Lion's extensive and picturesque gardens reach right down to the river's edge and are a wonderful place to enjoy views of the river. It is a great spot to watch the local otters, nesting swans and other wildlife.

Accommodation

Log Fire

Old Gaol Restaurant

Meals served every lunch time
and evening in the bar and restaurant

CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2008

The absolute deadline for Wyenot News stories and other items is 12:00, midday on Tuesday, for inclusion in the following day's edition.

PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER: This is an absolute deadline and not the time I am asking for articles to be sent in. Mondays and Tuesdays here at 'Wyenot News' are Hell with by far, the most events I cover occurring at the weekend. The photography that the public sees happening is only one tiny part of the whole picture (please excuse the pun) of running this weekly news publication and the bits of prep that people do not see, are actually the most time consuming part of getting the story out.

If at all possible, please send your story in as early as you can, rather than wait until the very last minute, so that I can have at least a fighting chance of getting to bed before 3:00 am every Tuesday and Wednesday morning after what has lately become two 18 hour working days on the trot.

Thank you very much for your understanding and help.

Alan

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