The Race to Infinity has begun...

Please help keep our villages connected to fast internet services:

Over the next 5 years BT is rolling out superfast fibre optic broadband across the UK. The Overbury/Kemerton exchange is not currently included in the rollout plan, however, BT have pledged that if 75% of the users on the exchange register their interest on BT's 'Race to Infinity' website http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com/ they will engage with our community to see what they can do in our area.

We are urging everyone in the Overbury, Kemerton and Conderton areas to vote; you don't need a telephone number to do this; the votes are counted for each relevant property/postcode address. Please let us know when you have voted (and your vote number) so we can keep track.

If you do not have an internet connection or need any help in order to vote, please do contact the Estate Office on 01386 725111 and speak to Clemmie or Suzie who will be pleased to assist or you can email us on infinity@bredonhillbroadband.co.uk

Overbury Cricket Club - Awards Night & President's Match

Overbury Cricket Club annual Awards Night was held on Friday 17th September, followed by The Presidents Match on Saturday afternoon. After a closely fought game with plenty of entertaining moments, the President's XI (Captained by Ben Holland-Martin)were bowled out still some 20 runs short of their target. Congratulations to the Overbury XI (captained by Adam Brookes) - victorious again!



The cricket club is a great way to get to know people in the village and the pavilion bar is open throughout the cricket season - May to September; annual social membership for a couple costs £20 per annum, but this is now free to new Overbury Estate tenants for the first year of membership and the atmosphere is friendly and informal; do come and join us for a drink or visit the club website at http://overbury.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp

Beckford Barn Dance

Our congratulations to the Evesham Round Table who hosted the Beckford Barn Dance last weekend. The evening was organised in memory of Rupert Ellis and they raised over £1500 towards a disabled hide for the Beckford Nature Reserve nearby.

If you would like to find out more about the local Round Table and what they get up to, do take a look at their website for further info: http://www.evesham295.com/




Sue Corbin and Nicky Griffiths from Overbury






David Broadie and his team spent quite a bit of time polishing up the old barn at Beckford Court Farm, with a sit-down hog roast before the dancing commenced.





Richard Ellis (Rupert's son) and his wife Tabitha








Richard Smith from Evesham Round Table handing out raffle
prizes

Iain McWilliams, Jonathan Peterson Jones (known as JP-J!) John Ward, Ali (from Overbury), Stewart Beach, and Glenn Lyons

Clipping our Yew hedges

George and Ted got stuck into our Yew hedges last week; it takes us about a month each year to trim the whole lot, culminating in us hiring a raised platform to do the tops at the end of September each year!

We used to sell the clippings for incorporation into medicines for chemotherapy, however, these drugs can now be made synthetically and the market for the yew seems to have largely disappeared - if anyone knows of companies who are still aquiring yew hedge clippings we would be pleased to hear from them.

Overbury Heritage Open Day - 11th & 12th September

We are pleased to invite you to visit Overbury on the weekend of Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th September any time between 12noon and 5pm - there will be a rare opportunity to climb the tower of St. Faith's Church and see the far reaching views from the top. (Please be aware that the steps to the top of the tower are very steep and narrow, so please wear suitable footwear).

There will also be an exhibition of old photographs of the village on show in the Village Hall, with tea, coffee and cakes being served from 2pm - 5pm. All proceeds will be going to the Village Hall and St Faiths Church.

In addition, we are also opening the doors of Sunnybank House. This fabulous 5 bedroom family home is currently available to rent through Overbury Estate. It has many period features, a walled garden and ample off road parking. The house was formerly the home of Didy Holland-Martin; Penelope's aunt and there will be some interesting visitors books dating back over 100 years as well as other photographs and family memorabilia on display.

We look forward to seeing you all.

Bank holiday bottleneck!

How do you get a ship into a bottle?...More importantly, how can we get the combine harvester and other farm machinery up through the village on a Bank Holiday weekend?

The same applies to parking across field gateways... and what if an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or fire engine needed to get through?

We are delighted that so many walkers, cyclists and riders derive enjoyment from visiting Bredon Hill, but please, do bear in mind that if you are leaving your vehicle parked in one of the villages for any period of time, we need to be able to get the farm machinery past you.

The Farms team have been very busy over the past week (and weekend) working well into the evenings harvesting against the clock before the weather breaks, so bottlenecks like this can be a real nuisance to them.

Welcome back to Alexandra Churchill

We are delighted to welcome the renowned artist, Alexandra Churchill, who has recently re-located her studio back from Chipping Campden to Overbury, although she has lived in the village for many years.

Alexandra has a passion for painting horses, dogs and hare and gets much inspiration from the village and surrounding fields and countryside.

Many of her past originals of flowers and animals have been reproduced and sold worldwide from country shops to Harrods and Fortnums in London; her images are also available for licensing.

Alexandra would be happy to discuss commissions. Please see her website for more details: http://www.alexandrachurchill.co.uk/

or contact Alexandra at The Bothy, Stocktons Courtyard, Overbury. Tel. 01386 725 385 or on email via alex@alexandrachurchill.co.uk