BISHOP'S HULL PARISH MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2021 - A THRIVING VILLAGE COMMUNITY IN THE HEART OF SOMERSET - Bishops Hull
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
BISHOP’S HULL PARISH MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 2021
A THRIVING VILLAGE COMMUNITY
IN THE HEART OF SOMERSET
LIMITED EDITION
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
EDITOR POST VACANT - TREASURER &
Bob Coombs ADVERTISING MANAGER
2 Waterfield Close Please contact John Chidgey
Bishop’s Hull 26 Shutewater Close,
Taunton, Bishop’s Hull
TA1 5HB Taunton.
01823-253697 01823-972908
Email: robertcoombs@talktalk.net E-mail: jcchidgey@hotmail.com
MAGAZINE SUPPORT TEAM
Regular Helpers: (Clem & Val Pryer have now retired)
but Margaret Coombs continues to help.
Magazine Cover: Photographs by Bob Coombs & Bob Winn
Magazine Distributors in inwaiting
:
Margaret Baker 274542 Christine Chidgey 972908
Margaret Coombs 253697 Jane Gurr 272415
Pam Lloyd 251599 Kath Mogford 461735
Rosemary Lockley 275867 Jo Yeandle
John Prinsep 253740 Janet Reed
Mary Trevelyan 256406 Roger Farthing (Reserve)
Articles relating to all aspects of our village and community are welcome.
Final date for acceptance: Mid-day on 12th of the month.
Please help to make the magazine interesting by contributing material.
Magazines are delivered monthly to subscribers at a cost of £6.00 per annum.
(Please note: Individual copies are now priced at 60p)
Copies posted will attract a stamp fee (2nd class large) per copy .
Our magazine year starts on (TO BE DECIDED). Annual subscriptions
are due on this date or may be prepaid following delivery of the next
magazine. Complimentary copies are sent to the LMG, Hospices and the
local nursing and residential homes.
ADVERTISERS: Without the support of our advertisers this magazine
would not be financially viable. Please try to support them whenever
possible, and mention this magazine when doing so.
It is emphasised that the views expressed in this magazine are not
necessarily those of the the magazine editorial team,unless attributable,
or those sent in by identifiable contributors.
COVER PICTURE: THE FROST LINGERS IN THE WOODLAND
BELOW NETHERCLAY
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
The Frank Bond Centre
84 Mountway Road, Bishop’s Hull
All activities at The Frank Bond Centre, both inside
and outside, have been suspended, except croquet
where booking is essential, until greater clarification.
Over 50? Come and join us for fun, friendship & activities
Annual membership £22 (£20 if paid before 31st Jan)
Contact Carolyn 01823 283941
Find on on facebook (& ‘Like’ us)
Activities to be resumed in due course
Every Monday The Painting Group 10.00-12.00
Whist Club 1.30-4.00pm
Bridge Club 2.00-4.00pm (except first Monday in the month)
Every Tuesday Croquet 10.00-12.00 Games 2.00-4.00pm
Every Thursday Bridge Club 10.00-12.00
German conversation 10.00-12.00
Croquet 2.00-4.00pm
Every Friday Frank’s Café 10-00-12.00 Non members warmly welcomed
Monthly Activities
1st Monday in month Family History 2.00-4.00pm
2nd & 4th Tuesday. Parchment club for members 1.30-4.30pm
1st Wednesday Just for Singles social club 2.00-4.00pm
4th Wednesday Music Circle 2.00-4.00pm
3rd Thursday Monthly lunch
The Frank Bond Centre still remains closed to the public
following Government guidelines.
The Trustees will continue to review the situation on a monthly
basis.
A date cannot be set for the AGM but the accounts will be filed,
in-accordance with the correct legislation. This will be
communicated to members in the FBC newsletter.
Please keep safe and well and we hope we can re-open the FBC
soon. The FBC Trustees
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
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O.
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01823 432361 www.francechiropractic.co.uk
France Chiropractic LTD
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Amherst & Shapland
(Taunton and Wiveliscombe)
Chartered Accountants
A professional Accountancy and Taxation Service
For business and private clients.
Please telephone for a FREE, no obligation initial consultation.
Fixed quotes given.
Full time offices at:
Wiveliscombe 01984 622000
Taunton 01823 326555
Visiting:
Dulverton 01398 323135
Email: office@amshap.co.uk www.amshap.co.uk
‘Solution Focused Hypnotherapy’
nb computing solutions ‘Focused on the present and the
future leaving the past behind’
Friendly, reliable help for all Confidence
Phobias
your computer problems Addictions
IBS
✔ PC/laptop repairs and upgrades Weight issues
✔ New PC/laptop purchase and setup OCD
Self Harm
✔ Lost password retrieval PTSD
✔ Data backup and recovery Anger
Stress/anxiety
✔ Internet security Depression
✔ Virus detection and removal Panic Attacks
✔ Telephone and Internet wiring Hypnobirthing
And many more
Tel: 01823 277469
07766 250113
Mobile: 07917 333464 Sdhypnotherapy@yahoo.co.uk
Email:
nigelbroom@nbcomputingsolutions.
co.uk
Web: www.nbcomputingsolutions.co.uk
www.sdykehypnotherapy.co.uk
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
M.J.TOOZE
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m: 07746 104 838 ●
● Commercial & Residential
17 Queens Drive, Taunton, Contact:- 01823 252023
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www.englishgardenco.co.uk
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Call Colin Inder For Free Quotation
T: 01823 462972 M: 07831 108445
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Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
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11Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Vicar:
Reverend Philip Hughes ,
The Vicarage, Bishop's Hull Hill,
Bishop's Hull, TA1 5EB
01823-336102
Church Wardens:
Mr Will Osmond, 01823-461820
Mrs Jo George, 01823-331432
A s I write this editorial (in the middle of January) I hope and pray that by the
middle of February we will have reached the beginning of the end of the
longest lockdown we have ever known; that over 13 million of the most vulnerable
will have been vaccinated and the awful death toll has started to subside. I also
pray that the remaining millions of unvaccinated members of the population will
not have to wait months for their protective vaccinations and that the country will
be slowly returning to work and some kind of normal.
Every day we see ‘the plan’ being changed or tweaked to make it more efficient.
Every day the papers are full of hindsight criticisms by just about every one who
has been following the pandemic strategy rather than leading it.
It is true that there has been very little good news these past nine months but,
thankfully, the science has prevailed and new vaccines are now being distributed
world and nation wide.
However, something that has been puzzling me is the increasing number of people
catching the virus at the moment. Surely there isn’t anyone left in the country who
doesn’t know all about or understand the ‘keep safe’ rules. Because of the few, the
rest of us are having to endure even tighter restrictions. The pandemic has also
brought sharply into focus the feeling that life has never been ‘fair’ for many
people and now, even more so for the financially disadvantaged.
Those who know me will not be surprised by some of my views on this subject, and
the increasing (well intentioned I’m sure) interference in the lives of people by
successive ‘caring’ governments.
Heaven forbid that we should ever dream of returning to the days when there was
no National Health Service and very little, if any, financial help from the State.
Times were extremely hard for the whole population during and after WWII.
Almost every penny that came into the home then, had to be earned by the
breadwinner in the family. Somehow or other we managed, thanks mostly to Mum
and her budget. So, what has changed?
The answer is very complicated but one thing is for sure; money is still the main
concern of many. Financial help, once given (as of right) is almost impossible to
stop, or change. It would seem that more and more of us are to a lesser or greater
degree dependent on the money that the government gives us every week. And,
often it seems it isn’t enough even to feed the children in some families.
Over the past eight decades I have experienced the worst and the best in life. Like
many of my generation I worked hard but always with a watchful eye on the
future. Once this awful pandemic is over I hope and pray everyone will take back
more of the responsibility of running their lives more carefully and especially with
an eye on the ever uncertain future. ##
12Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
The Vicar Writes …….
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Another year, another month, another lockdown, an-
other cry for encouragement and wisdom. So, this
month I thought I would take the letters of the month
and see if there are any Bible verses that can offer us
encouragement and wisdom that start with those let-
ters. Turns out this is much harder than I thought it
would be, and I confess a little bit of imaginative in-
terpretation on just one or two in terms of where verses start! But if you
want to be encouraged and to be wise, read on…
F For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have…
E …eternal life. John 3:16
B “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will
soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will
walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
R “Rise up ... take courage.” Ezra 10:4
U ‘understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.’ John 10:38
A “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love
and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the hab-
it of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
R Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Philippians 4:4
Y “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is
my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My
salvation and my honour depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my ref-
uge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-8
Maybe one of these verses connected with you more than others. If so,
why not write it out in your own writing and put it on a kitchen cup-
board (maybe above the kettle) so it will remind you each time you see
it. Or maybe you would choose different verses. If so, do the same with
those!
Either way, I pray that we will keep on being encouraged by our Bible
reading and each other as we journey through February, into Lent and
onward into the Easter season.
God bless you
Rev Phil Hughes
Vicar and Chaplain
13Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
BISHOP’S HULL IN TIMES PAST
1812
M essrs White announced details of an auction for the sale of a
capital mansion house called Netherclay House, lately the
residence of Captain John Tyrwhitt RN, deceased. The property
consisted of an entrance hall, library, dining room, drawing room, five
very good bedrooms with dressing rooms, six attics, excellent cellars,
kitchen, laundry, servants’ hall, together with a large coach house and
stable, two gardens, a greenhouse and an orchard and plot of ground
adjoining. Also for sale at the same auction were various items of household
furniture, 200 volumes of books and a coach and harness and cart and harness.
1848
Herbert Winsloe Patton Esq, of Mount Nebo, second son of Thomas Patton Esq of
Bishop’s Hull House, was promoted to the rank of second captain in the Royal
Regiment of Artillery. He served in the Crimean War and died there at Balaclava in
1854. His memorial is in Stoke St Mary churchyard.
The small estate called Long Run was sold by auction for £6,400. The estate
comprised 67 acres with dwelling houses and outbuildings.
Mr John Newton, butcher, of Bishop’s Hull was married to Elizabeth, youngest
daughter of Mr Thomas, seedsman and florist, Wilton, Taunton.
1948
The funeral took place of Mr Ernest Charles Sibley, who died at his home in
Bridgwater Road, Taunton, aged 66. A native of Yeovil and son of the late Mr and
Mrs GH Sibley, he had, up to the time of his retirement ten years ago owing to ill
health, been in the employ of Messrs WT Maynard & Sons, North St, Taunton, as
chef, whose service he entered as a boy at Yeovil. A resident of Taunton for nearly
50 years, the late Mr Sibley had been an active member of the Congregational
Church at Bishop’s Hull and in recent years at Paul Street Congregational Church.
Prior to internment at St Mary’s Cemetery, a service was held at Paul Street Church,
at which the Minister, the Rev SW Dickinson officiated. Principal mourners were
Mrs N Sibley (wife), Mr and Mrs Cyril G Sibley (son and daughter-in-law), Mr and
Mrs George Fisher (son-in-law and daughter), Mr Charles Cridland (son-in-law), Mr
HG and Mr SR Sibley, Yeovil (brothers), Mr S Collinson (brother-in-law), Mrs
Walbutton (friend) and Mr W Maynard (jnr). Floral tributes included tokens from
the members of the Paul Street Congregational Church, the staff of Messrs
Maynard’s Ltd and Mr E Maynard.
Gwyneth Jones, of Bishop’s Hull Congregational Sunday School, was awarded
second prize in the Teachers’ Division 1 section of the National Sunday School Union
Scripture Examination 1948.
Mr Victor Collins MP, speaking at the annual meeting of Bishop’s Hull Labour Party,
said the murder of Mr Gandhi might well have its effect on every one of them and
prove as great a loss as the death of Franklin Roosevelt. Gandhi personified the
basic principles of Socialism, namely the search for truth and the giving of self. The
following officers and Committee were elected:- Chairman, Mr W Paterson; Vice-
Chairman, Mr EJ Horne; Secretary, Mr P Snow; Treasurer, Mr SG Smith;
Committee, Mesdames L Snow, L Paterson, D Page, L Davies, FE Gommo, Messrs
WG Burston, C Stone, W Clarke.
14Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Have you missed the sound of church bells during lockdown?
Here are a few bell tales from our past.
M any legends of saints include bells in one way or another. St. Catherine
was searching for a place to settle and received an angelic message that
she would find the place when she heard bells ringing – Ledbury was the place,
and the church of St. Martin and All Saints was where she settled and lived as
an anchorite. In Llandaff, the 6th century St. Odoceus asked some butter-
maids for water to slake his thirst; they had no cup so he took some butter,
fashioned a bell and drank from it. The bell turned into gold and was renowned
for its healing powers. Another bell known for its healing properties was that
owned by St. Mura, a 7th century Irish saint. This small silver hand-bell was
actually silent, for the legend tells us that it came down from heaven, and its
clapper was immediately taken back there. The bell is now in the Wallace
Collection in London.
Another bell known for its healing ability is mentioned in Sir John Sinclair’s
Statistical Account of Scotland, written in 1778. He noted that in St Fillan’s
Chapel, Perth, there was a bell which could cure depressions and madness. The
afflicted would first wash in the Saint’s Pool, which one assumes was a holy
well nearby, and then the bell would be placed on his head. One assumes that
this bell was of no great size. Sinclair noted that the bell was safely locked away
when not in use, but in older times it had lain quite openly in the graveyard, for
it was believed that if it were ever stolen it would come back on its own. In
Lancashire, the idea that bells had healing properties became part of local
custom. In the old days it was usual to give a new-born baby a bell made of
coral, blessed by a priest. Coral itself was thought to protect against witchcraft,
and the blessed bells would keep bad spirits at bay.
As evidence that the Devil hated the sound of church bells, it is said that
Towednack in Cornwall never did complete its bell-tower, for each night the
Devil destroyed the work that had been done that day. In Norfolk, the bell-
tower at West Walton stands at a little distance from the church because the
Devil moved it there.
A story from Tunstall in Yorkshire tells how the church bells were taken down
after a fire damaged the church. A fierce argument broke out over who actually
owned the bells, an argument which continued until the Devil himself
appeared and carried the bells off to a bottomless boggy pool called Hell-hole,
where he and the bells disappeared into the murky depths. Visit Hell-hole
today and you will see bubbles rising to the surface, sure evidence that the bells
are still slowly sinking…
Fairies, also, had a dislike of church bells, because they were so disturbingly
loud compared to their own tiny tinkling bells. At Inkberrow, Worcestershire,
the church was dismantled at some point in antiquity and rebuilt on a different
site, which was unfortunately inhabited by fairies. The fairies were so disturbed
by the idea of church bells ringing out so close to where they lived that they
tried in all manner of ways to prevent the work from going ahead, but they
were unsuccessful. The fairies were forced to move away, and were never seen
in that place again. ##
15Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
VACANCY NOTICE FOR PARISH MAGAZINE
TREASURER AND ADVERTISING MANAGER
O ur current Treasurer/Advertising Manager retired at the end of 2020.
We are therefore looking for volunteers to take on one, or both, of
these vital tasks at the beginning of 2021.
If you wish to volunteer, or find out more about the requirements/skills
required, then please contact our current manager, John Chidgey, who has
offered to give every assistance to the newcomer(s) to these posts.
Contact details can be found inside the front page of the magazine which,
currently, is available to view either on www.stpeterandstpaul.org.uk or
wwwbishopshull.org.uk web sites.
It is important that these two positions are filled as quickly as possible
before publication resumes in 2021.
Frank Bond Centre
T he Frank Bond Centre still remains closed to the public following
Government guidelines. The Trustees will continue to review the
situation on a monthly basis. A date cannot be set for the AGM but the
accounts will be filed, in-accordance with the correct legislation. This
will be communicated to members in the FBC newsletter. Please keep
safe and well and we hope we can re-open the FBC soon.
The FBC Trustees
16Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Wanted - Laptops For Home Learning
F or this month’s article, I wanted to highlight an
excellent new scheme called ‘Somerset
Computers for Home Office Learning’ (SCHOL). It
has been established to source, refurbish and
redistribute unwanted laptops to local families in
need, helping their children to learn from home
during this dreadful pandemic.
The scheme is the brainchild of Tim Finch from
Comeytrowe in Taunton, together with his friends
and colleagues Dan Taylor from Bridgwater and
Simon Sparks from Wellington.
During an interview with me on 10th January, Tim told me that his initial
priority is to ask residents to kindly donate their unwanted laptops. He
emphasised that it is only laptops he requires, not Tablets or Desktops.
These laptops should preferably be Windows or Apple, and no older than
2010.
Tim also put out a call for volunteers to collect and deliver the laptops.
So, if you live in the scheme’s target areas of Taunton, Bridgwater or
Wellington and would like to donate your unwanted laptop, volunteer to
collect and deliver these devices or receive your free laptop, please use the
link shown below. You'll see the clear instructions on what to do when you
arrive.
Finally, I’d like to thank Tim for accepting my offer to chat with me and
wish him, Dan and Simon all the very best in their selfless endeavour to
help those less fortunate.
To contact SCHOL, please enter
this link in your browser:
http://schol.tech
To watch my interview with Tim,
go to: BishopsHull.com/laptops
Take care, stay safe.
John Hunt
17Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Neighbourhood Beat Team
PCSO Lyndsay Smith 07802 874297
lyndsay.smith@avonandsomerset.police.uk
PCSO Marshall Bernhard 07849 305815
marshall.bernhard@avonandsomerset.police.uk
PCSO Catharine Richards 07710 026192
catherine.richards@avonandsomerset.police.uk
New measures to protect children online
T he Government is to give the communications regulator Ofcom new powers
to protect children and adults when they are using the Internet.
An Online Harms Bill will be
introduced later this year, with the
intention of allowing Ofcom to
block access to online services that
fail to properly protect children
and other users. Giants like
Facebook and Instagram could
also be fined large sums if they fail
to take proper action against posts
that were legal but still harmful.
That would include pornography
accessible to children, bullying,
and disinformation, such as fake claims about vaccinations.
The Digital Secretary, Oliver Dowden, says that the legislation should be in force
by 2022. He said: “A 13-year-old should no longer be able to access pornographic
images on Twitter; YouTube will not be allowed to recommend videos promoting
terrorist ideologies; and anti-Semitic hate crimes will need to be removed
without delay.”
Church Action on Poverty Sunday, 21st February
T his month you can join churches around the UK in prayer, giving and
action, on behalf of those who are struggling with poverty. Society
should be “founded on compassion and justice, where all people are able to
exercise dignity, agency and power,” says Church Action on Poverty.
For free resources to encourage prayer and fund-raising, go to: www.church-
poverty.org.uk/sunday/.
18Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
08/01/21 9788 Somerset: Covid Scam (Fake Text)
Covid-19 Scam
W e have been advised of a new scam that is doing the rounds, which
looks very believable and therefore highly dangerous. It starts with a
text, seemingly from the NHS,saying that they are now eligible to apply for
the new vaccine and to click on the link to apply. The link takes you to a
website, which looks genuine and asks the user to complete a form asking
for the following information.
Name Date of Birth Address Payment card details Proof of
address.
As you can see from the above, this should automatically ring alarm bells,
as we all know, the vaccine is FREE.
Please follow this advice:
Do NOT click on links in unknown texts–always check it first
NEVER give out your personal details.
With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these
types of scam attempts are likely to continue as fraudsters look
to take advantage of the rollout to so many people.
Cold calls regarding the vaccine are also beginning to take
place –we’ve already had reports of scammers asking people to
pay for it over the phone. If you receive one of these calls, hang
up.
REMEMBER: The Covid-19 Vaccine is FREE on the NHS–you
will NOT be asked to pay
19Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
14th February: The very first Valentine card, a legend
T he Roman Emperor Claudius II needed
soldiers. He suspected that marriage
made men want to stay at home with their
wives, instead of fighting wars, so he
outlawed marriage.
A kind-hearted young priest named
Valentine felt sorry for all the couples who
wanted to marry, but who couldn’t. So
secretly he married as many couples as he
could - until the Emperor found out and
condemned him to death. While he was in
prison awaiting execution, Valentine
showed love and compassion to everyone
around him, including his jailer. The jailer
had a young daughter who was blind, but through Valentine’s
prayers, she was healed. Just before his death in Rome on 14th
February, he wrote her a farewell message signed ‘From your
Valentine.’
So, the very first Valentine card was not between lovers, but
between a priest about to die, and a little girl, healed through his
prayers.
It is not enough to love – you need to be loved
S ometimes we can be inclined to give and give and give to others - without
asking anything in return. We may think that this is a sign of generosity - of
great strength. But it can also be one of pride - we want to be seen as the one
who does not need help. Or it can be a sign of very low self-esteem - we do not
think we are worth receiving anything from others.
Whatever the reason, when we keep giving, without also receiving, we put
ourselves in danger - we will burn out quickly. It is as important to know when
we need to TAKE attention and care, as when we need to give it to others. If
you do not pay careful attention to your own needs - whether physical,
emotional, mental or spiritual - you will not last the distance.
If you want to remain a joyful giver for years to come, you need also to be a
joyful taker and accept God’s love, given to you through other people. ##
20Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Shrove Tuesday: Who’s for pancakes?
by David Winter
W hy do we have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, as we call
it today? And what is Shrove Tuesday? And why do thousands of people
feel it rewarding to race along a street somewhere tossing pancakes from
their frying pans as they go?
Well, the answer to the first question is that it is the day before Lent begins
and for well over a thousand years that has meant it was the last chance to
enjoy meat, fat and other tasty dishes until Easter Day. The ‘Lent Fast’ was
widely and strictly observed. The food in the larder wouldn’t keep for six
weeks so it had to be eaten. With all these rich foods no wonder the French
call it ‘Fatty Tuesday’ – Mardi Gras.
So, what have pancake races got to do with all this solemnity? ‘Shrove’ is an
old word for ‘forgiven’ and in those days to prepare for the rigours of Lent
people would want to confess and seek forgiveness – not quite what you want
at a party. The answer is quite simply enjoying yourself while you can! So, on
Shrove Tuesday this year let’s have some fun and make it last as long as
possible.
The most convincing (and amusing) of the explanations of pancake races is of
outwitting the Sexton who rang the curfew bell that marked the start of Lent.
He was reluctant to do it while the race was unfinished. So, the revelry caused
by dropped pancakes, postponed the inevitable.
Since the Reformation it has not been so rigorously observed in Britain, but
still people will resolve to ‘give up something for Lent’. Six weeks is about
right as a duration and Sunday has always been exempt but make the most of
those pancakes. They may well not reappear until April 12th! ##
21Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Do me a favour?
I just had an email from a clergyman, saying,
“Hi” and asking me to do him “a favor”. I
replied to say yes, of course. I then began to
wonder why he had not said what sort of favour it
was, and why he was asking me.
I decided to telephone him and find why he had
not explained. His wife answered and said: “Is it
about the fake email?” I could tell from her tone
of voice that I was not the first caller.
This was a scam of some sort and probably the favour was to send money. The
same day someone else in the same parish had their accounts hacked. The
email addresses used were correct, but if I had looked carefully I would have
noticed he would not spell “favour” like that and not say “hi”.
This all makes me quite cross, because these scammers are playing on church
members’ kindness. A friend of mine also got the email and was upset that
someone else was in trouble. We need to be aware of the risks and look out for
messages of any kind which seem strange.
Criminals target churches and pretend to send emails from people in authority
such as clergy, churchwardens or treasurers. They prey on our credulity and
charity.
What should we do?
If you get a telephone call or email and you are not sure if it is genuine, use
another form of communication to check.
It is a crime, so report it to the authorities. If it is connected to a church, tell
your diocese or governing body.
The scammers must have got these addresses from somewhere. How easy
would it be to get a list of the names and addresses of your minister, leaders
and treasurer?
Lastly, carry on being generous and kind. These scammers should not stop us.
Disperse them
A young clergyman, fresh out of training, thought it would help him better
understand the harsh realities his future congregations faced if he first
took a job as a policeman for several months. He passed the physical
examination; then came the oral exam to test his ability to act quickly and
wisely in an emergency. Among other questions he was asked,
“What would you do to disperse a frenzied crowd?”
He thought for a moment and then said,
“I would pass an offering plate.”
He got the job.
22Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
Christian Aid report surveys climate breakdown
A new report by Christian Aid, Counting the cost 2020: a year of climate
breakdown, has identified 15 of the most destructive climate disasters of
the year.
Ten of those events cost $1.5 billion or more, with nine of them causing
damage worth at least $5 billion. Most of these estimates are based only on
insured losses, meaning the true financial costs are likely to be higher.
Among them is Storm Ciara which struck the UK, Ireland and other European
countries in February costing, $2.7 billion and killing 14. The UK’s
Environment Agency issued 251 flood warnings.
While the report focuses on financial costs, which are usually higher in richer
countries because they have more valuable property, some extreme weather
events in 2020 were devastating in poorer countries, even though the price tag
was lower. South Sudan, for example, experienced one of its worst floods on
record, which killed 138 people and destroyed the year’s crops.
Some of the disasters hit fast, like Cyclone Amphan, which struck the Bay of
Bengal in May and caused losses valued at $13 billion in just a few days. Other
events unfolded over months, like floods in China and India, which had an
estimated cost of $32 billion and $10 billion respectively.
Six of the ten most costly events took place in Asia, five of them associated
with an unusually rainy monsoon. And in Africa, huge locust swarms ravaged
crops and vegetation across several countries, causing damages estimated at
$8.5 billion. The outbreak has been linked to wet conditions brought about by
unusual rains fuelled by climate change.
But the impact of extreme weather was felt all over the world. In Europe, two
extra-tropical cyclones, Ciara and Alex, had a combined cost of almost $6
billion. And the US suffered from both a record-breaking hurricane season and
a record-breaking fire season adding up to more than $60 billion in damages.
Some less populated places also suffered the consequences of a warming
world. In Siberia, a heat wave during the first half of the year set a record in
the city of Verkhoyansk, with temperatures reaching 38°C. A few months later,
on the other side of the world, heat and drought drove the fires in Bolivia,
Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. While there were no human casualties
reported from these events, the destruction of these areas has a great impact
on biodiversity and the planet’s capacity to respond to a warmer world.
Christian Aid says that: “These extreme events highlight the need for urgent
climate action. The Paris Agreement, which set the goal of keeping
temperature rise ‘well below’ 2°C, and ideally 1.5°C, compared to pre-
industrial levels, has just turned five years old. It is critical that countries
commit to bold new targets ahead of the next climate conference, which will
take place in Glasgow, in November 2021.”
23Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
What does love require?
A message from John Davies, Dean of Wells
H aving heard the announcement about the latest lockdown, I
walked over to the Cathedral. I sat at the back and looked
up at the Cross in the Nave.
A question welled up as I sat:
‘What does love require in the
cold climate of Covid?’, with
empty streets, people shut in,
schools and businesses closed.
Like many clergy I have a list
of people to lift with a phone
call or email. Everyone can of
course ring neighbours and friends and family. And offer a
word, distanced, in the street; a wave to a window; a card
through a letterbox. My neighbour is those I know and care for.
But Christ teaches that my neighbour is also on the streets,
needy and destitute.
Foodbanks and charities need urgent assistance in a cold climate
where indifference is not unknown. It might be quite simple:
shopping, love taking us to the supermarket. It might be
conversation: love says listen as they pour it all out. It might be
a bit more complicated. My neighbour might be disabled – is
practical help needed? My neighbour might be held as a slave at
a car wash. How do I discreetly ask? When do I alert the Clewer
initiative? My neighbour may be gay, does love ask me to affirm
or keep a distance? My neighbours may be black. How do I show
my belief that black lives really matter?
Love becomes brittle and bossy if it is given but not received.
Love means that I must be open to others, for they may want to
love me and be a neighbour to me by loving me.
God is love, so in the cold climate of Covid, when community is
weakened, let us give and receive love. And the coldness will
vanish because love has come to stay.
John Davies, Dean of Wells
24Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
25Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
BOOK REVIEWS
Agents of Treachery: Never Pride and Prejudice
Before Published Spy Fiction
from Today's Most Exciting
Writers - by Otto Penzler
J ane Austen
arguably started
it all with her classic
F or the first
time ever,
legendary editor
romance novels set
in the early 1800s.
And her books are
Otto Penzler has timeless, still
handpicked attracting
some of the most contemporary
respected and readers in love with
best-selling details of British courtship, dancing,
thriller writers and ballgowns. Pride and Prejudice
working today follows the five Bennet sisters and
for a riveting their romantic entanglements as
collection of spy they try to make a good match. The
fiction. From chemistry between bold Elizabeth
first to last, this stellar collection and the egotistical Mr. Darcy makes
signals mission accomplished. epic love-hate sparks fly.
Including: *****
The Valley of Lost Secrets
* Lee Child with an incredible look
by Lesley Parr
at the formation of a special ops cell.
* James Grady writing about an
Arab undercover FBI agent with an S eptember 1939.
When Jimmy is
evacuated to a small
active cell.
village in Wales, it
* Joseph Finder riffing on a Boston couldn't be more
architect who's convinced his different from London.
Persian neighbours are up to no Green, quiet and full of
good. strangers, he instantly
* John Lawton concocting a Len feels out of place. But
Deighton-esque story about British then he finds a skull
intelligence. hidden in a tree, and suddenly the valley
* Stephen Hunter thrilling us with a is more frightening than the war. Who
can Jimmy trust? His brother is too
tale about a WWII brigade.
little; his best friend has changed.
Full list of Contributors: Finding an ally in someone he never
James Grady, Charles McCarry, Lee expects, they set out together to
Child, Joseph Finder, John Lawton, uncover the secrets that lie with the
John Weisman, Stephen Hunter, skull. What they discover will
Gayle Lynds, David Morrell, Andrew change Jimmy - and the village -
Klavan, Robert Wilson, Dan forever. A mesmerising mystery
Fesperman, Stella Rimington, Olen about bravery and brotherhood from
Steinhauer ### an outstanding new voice. ##
26Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
EAT WELL FOR LESS
Rack of lamb with a Gaelic coffee trifle
fresh mint crust
Ingredients
a packet of trifle sponges, about 8
2 tbsp coffee essence
4 tbsp whisky
Ingredients 75 gm/3 oz caster sugar
75 gm/3 oz cornflour
2 to 3 trimmed racks of lamb, 1 pint milk
about 900 gm/2 lb total weight 2 egg yolks
50 gm/2 oz butter, softened 25 gm/1 oz butter
50 gm/2 oz coarse breadcrumbs 275 ml/10 fl oz double cream walnut
4 level tbsp mint, chopped halves to decorate
salt and ground black pepper,
to taste Method
2 level tbsp grainy mustard Put trifle sponges in a glass bowl.
Method Mix half the coffee essence and 3
tablespoons of whisky and pour over
Trim the fat from the lamb. the sponges.
Combine the breadcrumbs with Heat the milk, sugar and cornflour
the softened butter, chopped mint, until it boils and thickens, stirring
salt and black pepper. continuously, then cook gently for
Spread the fat side of the lamb with three minutes.
the grainy mustard, then with the Remove from the heat and stir in the
breadcrumbs mixture, pressing it on egg yolks and remaining coffee
to the lamb. essence.
Pre-heat a roasting tin in the oven at Cook for a further minute.
220°C/425°F/Gas 7 and cook the Remove from heat, mix in the butter
lamb for 30 minutes, basting and remaining tablespoon of whisky.
frequently, allow a longer cooking Leave to cool
time if you want your lamb well Whip the cream until stiff but still
cooked. soft. Fold half into the coffee mixture.
Remove from the oven, cover with Spoon over the sponge. Spread the
foil and allow to stand for 10 minutes rest of the cream over the top and
to provide a juicier meat. decorate with walnuts.
Serve with seasonal vegetables.
Terry Curnow Fiona/Blain
27Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
A further extract from E W Hendy’s book (1943)
Somerset Birds and some other folk.
THE CHAFFINCH FURTHER CONSIDERED
A ll birds, and particularly the smaller passerines, are wayward and
spasmodic in their behaviour: they have multicoloured minds. And to
no bird, except perhaps tits, siskins and goldcrests, is this description
more appropriate than to chaffinches. The buoyancy of their flight, the
liveliness of their every movement, betoken vivacity. As I watch them on
the bird-table, they are 'everything by starts and nothing long’: greed,
pugnacity, fear, anger, suspicion, succeed each other in kaleidoscopic
succession, or even synchronise. In another chapter I have written of my
tame hen chaffinch, Gouty; she once flew from her nest to my hand for
food, but, half way on her journey remembered her maternal duties and
returned, still hungry, to her brooding. I could not quote a better instance
of mental instability. Other tame chaffinches when they trespass into my
bedroom are constantly torn between hunger (or greed), suspicion, and
fear that their retreat is cut off.
I can feel the varied impulses chasing each other in their minds, a mental
maelstrom. And all this has its mainspring in a skull which, stripped of
feathers, is as fragile as a skeleton leaf.
As a race, chaffinches are pugnacious. Cocks frequently fight their
reflections in a window pane. They quarrel venomously among
themselves; a male, lame from a bent leg, was at one time the bully of our
bird-table: a hen, with an injured and drooping wing was attacked by
another female who held her down on the ground and peeked her furiously
till I intervened. Another hen constantly chivvied a cock from the table. In
contests with other birds they usually come off a second best: I have seen
them ousted from the table and the bath by robin, cirl bunting, song
thrush and even blue tit. Yet at times they show great courage: I have notes
of them attacking mistle-thrushes and starlings and once even a kestrel.
Intimate acquaintance with chaffinches compels me to rate them low down
as regards intelligence. Their behaviour seems to be almost entirely
instinctive. Even those
which are now tame took a
long time to learn that it
was safe to come to my
hand for food. The young
naturally do not know that
glass is impenetrable, but
adults never seem to learn
the lesson. When they enter
any of our rooms they still
28Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
attempt to fly through shut
windows. One of our tamest
cocks, instead of walking round
a half-open casement to kernels
on the sill, spent the best part of
an hour trying to peck his way
through a pane. A rook or a
great tit will learn to haul up a
piece of fat attached to a string
so that he may feed upon it: a
chaffinch never advances
beyond trying to perch on the string or snatch beakfuls as
he flutters.
Chaffinches, as Mr. Eliot Howard has pointed out, have a strong sense of
territory in the mating and nesting season. As early as January or
February, according to season, males begin their morning song from
chosen stances, one from the elm, another from the rooftree, a third from a
cherry. Later, these challenges are continued throughout the day. Contests
between rival males are frequent in air or even on the ground. Nesting
sites are selected and guarded. Hens begin to visit last year’s nesting site
even in February. I have never yet found two chaffinches’ nests in close
proximity and I do not think I ever shall. Not only the male defends the
territory; hens drive off trespassing hens from the nesting area.
Nest building begins the first week in April; my earliest date for a
completed nest is the eleventh. It is in my experience constructed by the
hen only. I once saw a cock carrying nesting material but cannot say
whether the hen accepted it. Her methods are typically described in the
next chapter. Egg laying may be delayed for as long as a month in
inclement weather. Hen chaffinches are very sensitive to disturbance
during the nest-making period. I have known them to desert even after two
or three eggs have been laid, but when once incubation has begun they are
less fastidious. They sit very closely, only allowing themselves short
respites for food. So far I have never seen a cock sharing incubation nor
feeding the sitting hen though he is alleged to do both.
‘Decorated’ chaffinches nests are often recorded. In Wild Exmoor
Through the Year I mentioned several instances, and hazarded the
question whether these did not suggest that chaflinches possessed some
glimmering of an aesthetic sense. Since then I have read of another
chaffinch’s nest adorned with red, white and blue confetti, appropriately at
the time of the Silver Jubilee. However this may be, there is no doubt that
as an artificer the hen chaffinch is both aesthetically and practically in the
front rank among our British birds. Only the long-tailed tits ‘pendent bed
and procreant cradle’ can rival hers. ##
29Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
FEBRUARY IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
T HE work of this month is to be carried on as weather permits, but with
greater activity and more confidence, for the sun is fast gaining power.
Earnest digging, liberal manuring, and scrupulous cleansing are the tasks that
stand forward as of pre-eminent importance. Many weeds, groundsel especially,
will now be coming into flower, and if allowed to seed will make enormous work
later on. It is well, however, to remember—what few people do remember,
because the fact has not been pressed upon their attention —that weeds of all
kinds, so long as they are not in flower, are really useful as manure when dug
into the soil. Therefore a weedy patch is not of necessity going to ruin ; but if
the weeds are not stopped in time, they spread by their seeds and mar the
order of the garden. Dig them in, and their decay will nourish the next crop.
If early sowing is practised, and the earliest possible produce of everything is
aimed at, there must be always at hand the means of protection, such as litter,
spruce branches, mats, or other material, as circumstances require. The vigilant
gardener is not surprised by the weather, but is always armed for an emergency.
Frame Ground should be kept scrupulously clean and orderly. Many things
will require watering now, but water must not be carelessly given, because
damp is hurtful during frosty weather. Take care that the plants are not
crowding and starving, or they will come to no good.
Artichoke, Globe.—Plants from a sowing made now in a frame, and
transferred to the open at the end of April, will generally produce heads in the
following August, September, and October.
Artichokes, Jerusalem, may be planted this month where it has been
possible to prepare the ground. Use whole sets if convenient, or plant cut sets
with about three eyes in each.
Beans, Broad, may be sown both for early and main crops now, and with but
little risk of damage by spring frosts. The driest and warmest situation should
be selected for the early sorts, and the strongest land for the late ones. If
sowings were made in frames last month, take care to harden the plants
cautiously preparatory to planting out; if caught by a sharp frost, every one
will perish.
Beans, French.—To precede the outdoor crops make a sowing of Dwarf
French Beans in frames, and of the Climbing French varieties in orchard-houses
or other available spaces under glass.
Beet.—Sowings of the Globe variety may be made this month and in March, on
a gentle hot-bed under frames, to provide roots in advance of the outdoor
supplies.
Brussels Sprouts.—For an early gathering of large buttons a sowing should
be made now on the warm border. This vegetable requires a long period of
growth to attain perfection, and those who sow late rarely obtain such fine
buttons as the plant is capable of producing.
Cabbage may be sown in pans or boxes placed in a frame, to be planted out in
due time for summer use, and from a quick-growing variety tender hearts may
30Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
be cut almost as early as from autumn- sown plants. Where plantations stand
rather thick, draw as fast as possible from amongst them every alternate plant,
to allow the remainder ample space for hearting. It is well to remember that
the small loose hearts of immature Cabbages make a more delicate dish than
the most complete white hearts; but when grown for market, or to meet a large
demand, there must be bulk and substance. Cabbages are in constant request
to mend, and to provide stolen crops, or take the place of anything that fails
past recovery.
Cauliflower.—Another sowing should be made under glass to supply a
succession of plants.
Corn Salad thrives well in any soil not particularly heavy, the best being a
sandy fertile loam. Sow in drills six inches apart ; keep the hoe well at work,
and when ready thin the plants out to six inches apart. They should be eaten
young.
Garlic to be planted in rows, nine inches apart each way, and two inches deep
in rich mellow soil.
Lettuce.—Sow again on a warm border and in frames. Plant out in mild
weather any that are fit from frames and hot-beds, first making sure that they
are well hardened.
Onion.—There is still time for sowing seed in boxes preparatory to planting
out in April.
Parsley to be sown in the latter part of the month.
Parsnips should be sown as early as possible, on the deepest and best ground
as regards texture, but it need not be on the richest. If the roots can push down
they will get what they want from the subsoil, and therefore it is of great
importance to put this crop on ground that was dug twice in the autumn.
Pea,—Sow round-seeded sorts in quantity now, in accordance with probable
requirements; but there will be a loss rather than a gain of time if they are
sown on pasty ground or during very bad weather. There are now excellent
round and semi-round seeded sorts which under normal circumstances are
capable of withstanding the weather experienced at this period. There is time
yet for sowing mid-season and late Peas; but the sooner some of the first-
earlies are in, the better. It is customary to sow many rows in a plot rather
close together, but it is preferable to put them so far apart as to admit of two or
three rows of early Potatoes between every two rows of Peas. This ensures
abundance of light and air to the Peas, and the latter are of great value to
protect the Potatoes from May frosts that often kill down the rising haulm. A
warm, dry, fertile soil is needed for first-early Peas. Where early rows
are doing well put sticks to them at once, as the sticks afford
considerable protection, and the effect may be augmented by strewing
on the windward side small hedge clippings and other light dry stuff.
Rhubarb.—Roots which need dividing should be taken up and replanted in
rich moist soil, every separate piece to have only one good eye. Do not gather
this season from the new plantation, but always have a piece one year old to
supply the kitchen. This method will ensure sticks to be proud of, not only for
size, but for colour and flavour. ###
31Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
National Nestbox Week – time to help your garden birds
O ur birds are short of nesting
holes, and no wonder: gardens,
parks and woodland are much neater
than they used to be, and modern
homes offer few crannies for nest
building.
National Nestbox Week, which is
celebrated from 14th February each
year, aims to encourage us to put up
more nestboxes, and to consider
planting shrubs or trees with fruit that
birds eat. These can make all the
difference to birds struggling to survive, especially blue tits, great tits, house
sparrows, robins and starlings.
The British Trust for Ornithologiy (BTO) offers a variety of ideas for building
and placing nestboxes. Go to: https://www.nestboxweek.com
Tim Lenton looks back on a well-loved poet.
Remembering John Keats
I t was 200 years ago, on 23rd February 1821, that
John Keats, the Romantic poet, died in Rome of
tuberculosis, aged 25.
Keats was a generous, likeable and hard-working
man who had much experience of suffering in his
short life. He also had a love of civil and religious
liberty. Most of his best work was done during the
year 1819, when he was already sickening after an
exhausting walking tour of the Lakes and Scotland
the previous summer.
In that same year he had also been nursing his
brother Tom through tuberculosis – the disease that
killed their mother. But in 1819, after Tom’s death, he moved to Hampstead
and fell in love with a neighbour, Fanny Brawne, who was 18.
By this time Keats was devoting himself to poetry, having originally trained as
a surgeon following his mother’s early death. He is most famous for his Odes,
all of which (except the one to Autumn) were composed between March and
June 1819. All of them ponder the clash between eternal ideals and the
transience of the physical world.
His most famous lines: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty, – that is all / Ye know on
earth, and all ye need to know.” ##
32Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
All in the month of February
It was:
200 years ago, on 23rd Feb 1821 that John Keats, the poet, died of
tuberculosis, aged 25.
125 years ago, on 1st Feb 1896 that the premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s opera La
Boheme, took place in Turin, Italy.
75 years ago, on 11th Feb 1946 that The Revised Standard Version of the New
Testament was published. It was the first major English-language update of the
Bible since the King James version published in 1611.
70 years ago, on 27th Feb 1951 that the 22nd Amendment to the US
Constitution was ratified. It limits the President to two terms in office.
65 years ago, on 11th Feb 1956 that two members of the Cambridge spy ring,
British diplomats Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, announced that they had
defected to the Soviet Union. They had both vanished in mysterious
circumstances in 1951.
50 years ago, on 15th Feb 1971 that the UK’s currency was decimalised.
40 years ago, on 24th Feb 1981 that Buckingham Palace announced the
engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
30 years ago, on 28th Feb 1991 that the Gulf War ended at midnight when a
cease fire came into effect.
25 years ago, on 15th Feb 1996 that the oil tanker Sea Empress ran aground
near Milford Haven, Wales, causing a major oil spill along the coastlines of
Wales and Ireland.
20 years ago, on 19th Feb 2001 that the first case of foot-and-mouth disease in
the 2001 UK outbreak was detected at an abattoir in Essex. The EU
subsequently banned all British meat, milk and livestock exports.
10 years ago, on 22nd Feb 2011 that the Canterbury earthquake in New
Zealand took place. 185 people were killed and up to 2,000 injured., and there
was widespread damage across the city.
33Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
POINTS TO PONDER standard on new roads over 300
Leave them be miles in England, using low nutrient
soils which will be seeded with
T he National Trust has urged the
public to stay away from certain
areas during breeding season this
wildflowers or left to grow naturally.
A staggering 97 per cent of our
meadows have been destroyed since
Spring. the Thirties, due to modern
It hopes to mimic the effects of agriculture. This means that the
lockdown last year, which helped 238,000 hectares of road verges
more vulnerable species. across the UK could become a vital
The call follows the discovery last habitat for pollinators.
year that lockdown did our peregrine The Government has pledged to build
falcons, grey partridges and other 4,000 miles of new road by 2025.
species a real favour. **
The tern colony at Blakeney Point in Boom in unwanted pets
Norfolk had a bumper season, with
more than 200 little tern chicks
fledged, the most in 25 years. The
Peak District saw more curlew, and
the Llyn Peninsula saw more stoats,
weasels and rabbits emerging from
the woodlands of Plas yn Rhiw.
Meanwhile, the ruins of Corfe Castle
in Dorset became home to peregrine
falcons, and a cuckoo arrived in
Osterley, west London. Even Dartford
warblers were on the move, some to
as far as Shropshire.
W ill Covid-19 mean a large
increase in abandoned dogs
and cats?
** Battersea Dogs and Cats Home fear
The birds and bees so. In a recent study it found that a
third of the people who acquired a cat
or dog during the national lockdown
had not considered having a pet
before the pandemic, and had bought
one on impulse.
Battersea predicts that the number of
abandoned dogs could increase by 27
percent over the next five years,
based on data from previous
H
ere is some good news: all economic recessions. The report goes
new major roads will have on: “The impulse buying of pets
wildflower-friendly verges under lockdown conditions is likely to
that could boost our numbers of birds create long-term welfare problems for
and bees. these animals.
Highway England has said that “Many in this cohort are likely to be
vibrant road verges will be created as given up or abandoned as their
34Bishop's Hull Parish Magazine Edition 35/09 February 2021
owners become unable to cope – local road repairs as part of the
particularly as a result of behavioural biggest nationwide pothole
issues that develop after periods of programme ever announced.”
lockdown.” But as a transport spokesman for the
** Local Government Association said:
National survey finds our “Extra government funding has
favourite walks helped, but our local roads are
deteriorating at a faster rate than they
W here do we most like to walk? A
recent survey has found that
two places in the Lake District are
can be repaired by councils.”
**
clear winners. Smart bird
Top comes the gently accessible
Buttermere Circuit, with its rippling
silver water, mountain views, peace
and quiet. Second is the demanding
eight-hour climb up Helvellyn, which
is not for the faint-hearted.
Then comes the Rhossili Headland
walk in Gower, and the Solva to St
David’s route in Pembrokeshire, both
in Wales.
The survey was done by the consumer
champion group Which?
**
R avens have been found to be
among the cleverest animals in
the world. These largest members of
Potholes the crow family can even score as
high on intelligence tests as
chimpanzees.
Ravens can remember where food is
hidden, can use tools to get at it,
follow human faces with their eyes,
and understand what people mean
when they point. All in all,
researchers praise their “general,
sophisticated cognitive skills.”
The study was carried out at
Osnabruck University in Germany.
P otholes have proliferated during
the pandemic, and they are still
the top concern of nearly 40 per cent
**
The challenge to some over-60s
of all drivers.
The pandemic slowed down the L ast year saw a steep rise in
redundancies among the over-
60s, and a lack of proficiency with
maintenance of roads for many
councils. A spokesman for the digital work tools such as Zoom
Department for Transport said: helped contribute to the problem.
“We’ve committed £2.5billion for The number of workers over 60 who
were made redundant increased from
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