CHADRA

Now that the summer holidays are over and the darker evenings are upon us, clubs and organisations are preparing for their winter activities, details of some of these you will find in this newsletter.

Let us now look back at some of the highlights of the last three months. We had the Annual Sports Day, which was a very enjoyable day, even the weather was kind to us. We must thank everyone who worked so hard to make this event so successful – this year a record number of people came.

On the sporting front the Cricket Club have had a very successful year, finishing top of the league.

If anyone would like to write an article on any subject which would be of interest to the village, please let us know.

The publication date for the next newsletter will be Sunday 11th December.

Don Smith.

Two items under one heading on the agenda for the recent Parish Council meeting stand out from all the others. You are affected by it and You can do something about it.

VANDALISM in the village is costing a great deal of money and inconvenience. Have you noticed the state of the two seats in the central play area on the Old Manor Estate, repaired this year at a cost in excess of £140? This money comes from your pockets via the rates.

The District Council is considering closing the public conveniences at night but how ‘convenient’ is that? The Parish as a whole should be ashamed of the state of the building so recently erected. Again the cost of maintaining this facility is horrifying.

The Parish Council will PROSECUTE anyone found damaging village property but need your help. PLEASE keep your eyes open, notice your surroundings, and know what your children are doing.

Clerk to the Council

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Some of you will know that a few months ago (in May to be exact) we started a new-style Family Service. This is held on the second Sunday of the month (although by general agreement we had a month off in August, the peak holiday month). This service is held at 10.30 a.m. – later than our normal services – and is intended for people of all ages but with a bias towards the younger people who are very anxious to join in and help when called upon to do so. But those who follow carefully will realise that remarks do flow both towards younger and older people so that the service is not exclusively for either.

The attendance at this service has been very encouraging. It is certainly our best attended service of the month and it makes (as has been said before) an enormous difference to be TOGETHER in good numbers in this way. I think we can begin to learn what it means to be a parish family in this way: both getting to know one another and also learning to try and bring the best out of one another, and that is something that is greatly needed in the world, our country – and our parish!

This service is also what is called ‘unstructured’; that is, it does not follow any rigid form. It is free to develop with emphasis at one time on one thing and at another time on another. And it is free to have injections of ideas from others: the children are not slow to speak up.

Well we have it, this service, and we offer you to come and share it with us. Give it a try; or, much better, a series of tries because with nearly all new things it often takes a while to grow upon us and we do not at once see where things are leading. I hope, believe, pray that it will lead to greater understanding (of one another and of life), a greater sense of unity, a greater degree of love: surely the most important things of life. That is what we are trying to discover. Come and discover with us.

Sincerely,
Kenneth G. Grant.

WE ARE HOLDING A BAZAAR FOR MUCH-NEEDED CHURCH FUNDS ON SATURDAY THE 29TH OF OCTOBER AT 2.30 p.m. IN THE VILLAGE HALL. Gifts for sale and for prizes, cakes, produce etc. will be greatly appreciated. There will be jumble but it will not be just a jumble sale. Please make this known, come yourself, bring others. YOUR ACTIVE HELP at the Bazaar would also be most welcome. Please see Mrs. North who has kindly organised this event.

Sunday Services

Harvest Thanksgiving Services
Sunday October 2nd

3Gift Day – Saturday October 1st

Gifts of fruit, flowers and vegetables accepted, which will later be sent to the Salvation Army. Also gifts of money for Church funds.

Why not come and join us, and thus Praise and thank the Lord of the Harvest.

Any enquiries to Church Secretary: Miss M. Turner, xx The Green, Charfield. Tel. Falfield 8xxx.

Two months have elapsed since the event but what did you think of this year's Sports and Gala Day?

The Committee was disappointed that the Red Arrows had an alteration in their schedules and didn't fly past as promised. Other than that no major problems arose, although a catalogue of minor hitches could be written by all the many volunteers on the day – not the least of which would be the donkeys unwilling to be transported!

It takes six months of regular meetings and consistent effort by the Working Committee appointed by the Memorial Hall Management Committee, to arrange Charfield's biggest annual event. This year's Committee agreed at their first meeting that the aim of the day was fun for all, not a vast profit – approximately £200 was made on the day, which with an attendance of well over 2,000 was a good balance and shows the high cost of arranging the event. Added to this money was profit from the Dance, the Grand Draw and the Skittles Fortnight, so the Committee was pleased that a reasonable sum could be put towards improving the facilities of the Hall and Playing Field.

A long list of ‘thank yous’ could be made as almost every organisation in the village took part besides the many enlisted volunteers – this fact alone proves a successful ‘village effort’.

The date of 15th July 1978 has already been ringed for the 18th Gala. However it is only the date which is fixed and now is the time to put forward your views and ideas so that they may be incorporated in what is hoped to be the continuing success of Charfield Sports and Gala Day.

Secretary – Mrs. Jenny Hughes

At the TOILETS – The District Council has considered arranging to have the toilets closed at certain times because the problem of vandalism has grown to such monstrous proportions. All fixtures are in constant need of replacement, and water is left running.

Owing to the retirement of Mrs. Pam Smith, Booking Secretary for the Management Committee, as from October 1st Mrs. K. Dand, xx Berkeley Close, Tel. Falfield 5xx, will be taking over as Booking Secretary.

4The Committee would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to Mrs. Smith for all the good work she has done over the past 2 years.

J. Clothier,
Secretary.

Organisations participating: Filton Historical Research Group; Frampton Cotterell Local History Society; Chew Valley Local History Society; Charfield Local History Society; Bathford Local History Group; Thornbury Historical Society; The Sodbury and District Historical Society; Nailsea Local History Group; Olveston Parish Historical Association; Almondsbury Local History Society; Bath and Bristol Branches of the Historical Association; Gloucestershire and Bristol Record Offices; CPRE; National Trust; West Air Photography; Bristol and Avon Family History Association; Georges Bookshop; ABC Travel Guides; the American Museum; Northavon Society for Archaeology; John Indkin Memorial Museum.

The Venue is a modern building in an accessible part of Thornbury with good parking facilities. Follow the signs from the A38.

Programme

Admission 20p adults, Children under 16 free, if accompanied by an adult.

Refreshments will be on sale.

In previous years we have been fortunate in having our Playscheme organised by two members of the teaching staff, but this year they had to decline and so, as a member of the Feasibility Committee set up by the Parish Council, I wondered if we had insufficient time to organise anything comparable with the earlier functions, or whether we should return the Grant given us by the Northavon District Council.

We need not have worried for, thanks to the initiative of Don Smith and Mrs. J. Hadleigh in particular, much latent talent was forthcoming and the 5two separate weeks each proved successful.

Although I cannot speak first hand of all the sessions but only of those in which I participated, the spirit of enthusiasm was shared by children and helpers alike. It was good to see the leadership and encouragement engendered by the two 13 yr. old boys, John Quick and Mark Smith – with the organised games in particular, especially when my own reserves of energy began to ebb! We were sorry that Mark had a tumble and broke his arm, but we would thank him for the help he gave and wish him a speedy recovery.

On the whole, the weather was kind although one wet day on the second week necessitated a change of programme and our coach trip to the Yate Swimming Bath was brought forward.

The Parish Council has now agreed to the idea of forming a Standing Committee of Parish Councillors and interested residents to safeguard equipment needed for future years and also to allow more adequate time for onward planning. This idea will be developed further at a future Parish Council Meetings.

David Parker.

Play Leader – Anna Wood
Supervisors – Carol Booker, Carol Tarry, Rita Jones

Avon Education Authority's policy of not accepting children in school until after their fifth birthday has inevitably had its repercussions on Playgroup. In fact only one child left Playgroup at the end of the summer term to go to school and so we were rather limited in the places we could offer to new children, but we are doing our best to keep the waiting list as short as possible. Let's hope that Avon will soon think again and accept rising-5's in school.

This term we are holding a six-week course for mothers and would-be helpers, on Monday evenings in Playgroup. This course tries to give some idea of how Playgroups are run and suggests activities to amuse small children at home or in groups. So far the response amongst Charfield's mums has been most encouraging.

Like everyone else Playgroup has been hard hit by rising prices and in order to cover these increased costs we will have to put the fees up in the New Year. We hope, however, that this will not deter parents from sending their children to Playgroup as it does provide an excellent opportunity for the under 5's to mix with other children and to gain a measure of independence before they enter school.

In the near future we are hoping to hold another Balloon Race as this proved so successful last year and we hope everyone will support this event when it 6takes place. We will be holding our Xmas Party on Monday December 12th in the afternoon, so please make a note of this date in your diaries.

Anyone who wants to find out more about Playgroup or to put their child's name on the waiting list should either contact Mrs. Claire Haines, xx Horsford Road, Phone Wotton-under-Edge 2xxx, or visit the Chapel schoolroom whilst we are “in session” – mornings 9.30–12 noon; or Monday and Wednesday afternoons 1.30–3 pm.

to the SEATS on the Play Area. The Parish Council recently spent £146 to have the seats repaired and they have again been seriously damaged.

After the summer break during August, the ladies of the W.I. look forward to a busy winter full of interesting social and educational activities. Mrs. Pat White is to be our representative at the Autumn Council Meeting, four ladies are joining a ‘Walkabout’ tour of Bath in October, and several members are going to a party at Rangeworthy. Our W.I. Group, Little Avon, are holding an Autumn Social Evening on October 6th with Musical Entertainment, Trading stall and Speaker from County. We are looking forward to helping the Jubilee Committee with the Pensioners Supper Evening and hope that this event will be a truly successful one.

Next meeting:-

Our Annual Meeting takes place on November 10th – our VCO is to be Mrs. Flavell. This is really our most important meeting, so let's have a good attendance to bring this very busy year to a close.

Una Bohin
(President)

The London trip (open to anyone) will be on Saturday November 19th. We will be travelling by train (1½ hrs.) at a cost of £3.00. If you are interested in going, or would like further information, please contact: Julie Hillier, xx Manor Lane, Falfield 5xx, as soon as possible.

Other dates to remember

October's meeting was to be “The Sheepskin Industry”, but as you can see we have had to change our programme.

Coffee Morning – November 9th.

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Keep-Fit has started its weekly sessions at the Village Hall on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 am. New members will be very welcome whether you come for an active keep-fit session or you bring your children to play with the members' children in the extension and help supervise (the more supervision the better).

For your own comfort in doing some of the exercises I would recommend that you bring a small soft mat or blanket. What should you wear? A leotard and tights are most practical but a comfortable slacks and tee-shirt will do quite well. Feet should be bare to avoid accidents through slipping so bring an old towel to wipe feet afterwards, if you wish.

Everyone is required at some time to bring savouries or cakes etc. for sale with coffee after the keep-fit session and to wash up afterwards. Volunteers are also needed to make sure the hall is left tidy. Neither the catering nor the tidying is found to be a chore, for this is an opportunity for new acquaintances to be made.

I must thank Mrs. E. Grahame, Mrs. M. Burner and Mrs. V. Marshall for their continuous support in helping me run Keep-Fit. Many thanks also to Mrs. U. Bohin, who has been magnificent in rallying to the cause in crises. Mrs. Bohin has volunteered her help on a regular basis and will take Keep-Fit alternately with me.

If you have a query please phone Fal. 8xxx.

Pat Light.

If anyone has unwanted pudding plates or dishes LUNCHEON CLUB would be pleased to have them.

Sue Barrance
xxx Manor Lane.
Fal. 5xx.

The Friendship Club has enjoyed several coach outings this summer to various places. One was a full day at Swanage. It was a lovely day and a lovely place.

It is nice to see so many new friends at the club.

We are having our Bring & Buy on 26th October at 2.30 pm. and hope as many people as possible will come.

L.M. Derham.
Chairman

The Royal British Legion is always available to anybody wishing to become a new member. For further details please contact:-

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1977 has been a very successful season for Charfield NR Pigeon Club, with all members enjoying good racing even though some races were flown in extremely testing conditions.

This year we had four new members making the club very competitive, with some of the best fanciers in the W.E.N.R.C. flying with us.

Dinner and Presentation will again be at ‘Stokes Restaurant’, Wotton-under-Edge, only this year it will be combined with the Uley Pigeon Club; as most of our members fly with both Uley and Charfield this is a very convenient arrangement for all concerned.

It is hoped that Mr. A.J. King, Managing Director of Inchbrook Printers, will be Guest of Honour, to present the beautiful trophy given by his firm for competition in “FRASERBURGH” race, making 15 trophies in all to be competed for yearly.

Mr. & Mrs. K.A.W. Parker (Secretaries)
x Woodgate House, Newtown.

to YOUNG TREES – even areas of turf have been dug up.

to the BUS SHELTER disfigured with graffiti.

Charfield Cricket Club won Division 2 Gloucester Cricket League by a margin of over 50 points. Next season Charfield will be represented in the Senior Division and the team will be pleased to see more supporters at the Home matches.

An imaginative youth policy has been adopted and several teenagers have played in the senior side, so any young lads who fancy their chances (and their dads) make yourself known to us.

T. Wheeler,
Secretary.

Our Club seems to be popular, and the Mums and children enjoy themselves, and look forward to the next meeting, when they meet again for a coffee and cake (all for 15p). We are looking forward to our first anniversary, and anyone interested in joining us, please come to our next meeting on the 6th October. We also need toys, dinky cars, indoor games, and we should be grateful of any offers.

Judy Golding,
Fal. 5xx

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The following is a letter to the Chairman of the Silver Jubilee Committee which was sent to the Editor with a request that it should be published in the Newsletter. This has been sanctioned by the Silver Jubilee Committee.

Dear Sir,

Re: Queen's Silver Jubilee Celebrations

I read your report in the Charfield Newsletter and feel I must write and express how disappointed I was with the Jubilee celebrations. I wonder how you can claim that the event was a success, when I haven't heard one person who thought the village celebrations were successful.

The people of the village poured onto the field but I ask for what reason, surely not just to stand in queues! After the treasure hunt, and tea (which was not organised by the committee) people were walking around like lost sheep. There was no music, no microphone and worst of all no entertainment.

I think perhaps one committee member's husband had the right idea, he brought a kite to fly to entertain his own children or perhaps that was to entertain the whole village.

As you say the people of the village worked hard fund-raising to collect the money needed, but I think, in common with many others, that the complete lack of organisation resulted in a poor return on the money raised. Also how can it be justified to charge the children 11p each per coin case, surely the sum required was allocated from funds. I understand that some children have yet to receive their coins.

Will the villagers be provided with a formal committee report to show how the money was allocated? Out of the events which took place what did the committee organise? It appeared to me that all the events were run by the Youth Club or villagers independent of the committee. I have been told that only a few members of the committee did any work whilst the ‘Prima Donnas’ just made the rules and sought the credit for the efforts of others.

I can assure you that the vast majority of people to whom I have spoken strongly endorse my view that the celebrations were a fiasco and shameful.

In conclusion may I suggest that as the children were so poorly catered for on ‘the day’ that the permanent fixture should be an additional item to their existing play area.

Yours faithfully,
M.M. Ealey.

To the Editor

How Disgusting!! Yet again I see the wooden seats in the Play Area on the Manor Lane estate have been vandalised. Does this mean that they can only stay in one piece for a matter of months without destruction? After all it is only just over a year since they were repaired.

What would you, the residents, feel like if someone came into your house, initial your three-piece suite, or dining room furniture? Or even went into your bathroom and made the toilet either leak by unscrewing the trap or stuffed the pan so that the appliance no longer worked efficiently.

10What then, I ask, is the difference, and how much less value to all of us are the wooden seats and indeed the public conveniences outside our own four walls but yet still within our own community. Therefore shouldn't we all be trying to make life as pleasant as is humanly possible. How true that the minority always spoils life for the majority.

After all you as householders are paying a very high price for today's vandalism. It's our responsibility as citizens to see that these things don't go on any longer. Surely we should all be willing to stand up and be counted to show that we don't mind, and are not frightened, of speaking out when we see something that is disgraceful or displeasing.

If we could all take more responsibility on ourselves as far as these problems are concerned, I am sure that we would begin to get on top and make the village a village worthy of living in. If any of you feel you cannot tackle the problem yourselves, I am sure the Parish Council would do their best to look into information forwarded to them.

M.R. Smith.

As we mentioned in our last Newsletter, we proposed a Photographic (slide or picture) competition to be held in the Memorial Hall. We in CHADRA have to inform our readers that owing to a very poor response to our efforts we have had to cancel the idea. This is a great pity for it would have carried on that good feeling that had engulfed the whole village since our Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Also, those memories seem to have left us. However, we will try again, we'll not despair.

Has any of our readers ideas or views that would in some way give happiness to others in our village. If so why not come along to our meeting in the Memorial Hall on Thursday October 20th at 8 pm. We discuss various subjects – views – happenings. Why not join us? You will be welcome. Don't forget.

Thursday October 20th – 8 pm – Memorial Hall.

D. Isherwood.

We would like to welcome to the committee Mr. Robert Drewell of xxx Manor Lane who has now taken over as our secretary.

Following the long build-up to the 6th, 7th of June; the hectic weekend itself; the last few months have been quite pleasant. You have all received a voting form for the village permanent feature and if you have not read the results on the various notices, here they are again:-

1. A row of trees along the Playing Field.
2. Additions to the children's play area.
3. A large tree to be planted somewhere centrally.

We are now hard at work on what trees and where, and plans for the play area. Advice is being sought on times and ways of planting and a decision will soon be arrived at.

11Our other event is the Pensioners Supper on September 29th. Our guests are being collected, dined, entertained and returned home afterwards. Although the Jubilee Committee is the overall organiser the actual work is being done mainly by the ladies of the village via W.I. and Young Wives. A very big thank-you ladies.

As you know, we have had difficulties with the coins; so it is with relief I can say all coins have been received and delivered. If anyone wants any extras we have a few to spare. Please contact Mr. M. Morris on Fal. 6xx or Mrs. U. Bohin on Wotton-under-Edge 2xxx.

Unfortunately the coin cases have defeated us. After many delays we finally have been told that the Bank expect the coin cases “sometime” in January 1978. As a result of this, we have decided to cancel our order and return all monies paid so far. If anyone still wants a coin case will they contact National Westminster Bank in Wotton-under-Edge. Our apologies for this, but we felt it was dragging on too long and we would have to commit ourselves to buying a certain amount of cases without knowing the exact amount needed.

Finally, the thing that sometimes makes up for all the disappointments and frustrations: I would like to thank all those people who have shown their appreciation by speaking to members of the committee, phone calls and letters; also the two people who objected to the Committee's handling of the Jubilee events; we all know better than other people – ‘in hindsight’.

M.J. Morris,
Chairman.

We haven't forgotten the Nature Trails that the children did on the Holiday Playschemes. The details of these walks around the village will be duplicated shortly and will then be available for a small charge – proceeds of which will be donated to Avon Community Council. Watch out for a notice in the Post Office.

EXHIBITION of Children's Work done during Holiday Playscheme in St James Church, Old Charfield 5th–26th November

You will find it is well worth the walk up the hill to see the children's display and to have a look at the restoration work that has been done on the old church. Key for the church is obtainable from Mrs. K. Davies. Churchend (opposite church).

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It is now almost a year since the Citizen's Advice Bureau opened in Wotton-under-Edge and in that time it has been clearly shown that there is a need for such a service in the area.

Hundreds of cases have been dealt with and help has been given with all types of problems – family and personal, divorce, disabled pensions, income tax, rent and rate rebates, wills, to mention just a few. The advice given is impartial and confidential, and is available to everyone regardless of race, creed or politics.

The Wotton service has proved to be so necessary that it is possible that in the next few months the bureau may open for two days instead of one day per week.

Remember, the Citizens Advice Bureau is there for your use and if you have a problem it will guide and advise you. Your nearest bureau is at Berkeley House, Long street, Wotton-under-Edge, and is open every Thursday from 10–4; telephone No. Wotton 3xxx, and no appointment is necessary. At other times contact Stroud 2xxx.

All advice given is FREE and no appointment is necessary.

The Organiser.

The Autumn Session has started, and a lot of enthusiasm is already evident. Hiking is again popular (despite the colder weather!), and indoor activities continue to grow. Candle-making looks to be a sure-fire bit (whoops – sorry!) and pin-pictures seems to have hit the nail on the head (Oh Good Grief!). Seriously, though, both these projects have captured the imagination of members and when we have our “Open Day” Christmas Sale they should provide a boost to our funds.

Mr. Henry Shine's sponsorship of a Superstar Competition has also provoked interest, and after completion of two events the top three positions in the Senior Boys Section are held by:-

	Nicky Bennett	18 points
	Alan Husher	14 points
and	Chris Beresford	14 points

Our first DISCO this session is booked for WED. 19th OCTOBER – with the Ace of Clubs.

Alan Husher

The Annual General Meeting of the Parent Teacher Association was held on the 21st September 1977 when the following officers and committee were elected:-

Mrs. Rita Jones	– Chair-person
Mr. Colin Hall	– Vice-Chairman
Mrs. J. Hannigan	– Secretary
Mr. John Hatt	– Treasurer

The guest speaker for the night was Mr. Cromey-Hawke (County Councillor) who spoke very freely and openly regarding the education and future education of our children, and although I am sure amongst those there, there was some disagreement with his views, he certainly gave local parents food for thought.

Mrs. Rita Jones asked parents present at the meeting for suggestions regarding future speakers for the P.T.A. open evenings. Several suggestions came forward, but if any parents who could not or did not attend the meeting have any ideas on this perhaps they would contact me, or any member of the committee with their suggestions.

Also a request was made for any books which anybody feels that their own children have grown out of in order to form a school library. Any condition will do as we can renovate any that are in need of repair.

Once again I should like to thank everyone concerned, for a successful P.T.A. year, and wish the new committee good luck for 1977/78.

Jan Hannigan
Secretary.

Are you happy to turn a blind-eye and pay your rates? Or are you prepared to go out and stop the children swinging on the trees, carving their names on the seats or painting on the bus shelter?

It's over to YOU.

CHADRA was formed three years ago as a result of a fatal accident at Little Bristol. From this beginning the Association has tried to provide a service to the village in the following ways:-

Safety at Little Bristol
We (as well as the Parish Council) tried hard to persuade the authorities to provide a play area for the children and a footpath from Little Bristol to Charfield Green. However when eventually Northavon offered the money for the materials for a play area for a do-it-yourself scheme, insufficient interest was shown by the residents of Little Bristol. There is not much hope of a footpath either now.

Newsletter
This has been going for two years and provides a very successful means of communication in the village. It is published every three months and is delivered to each house.

Restarting the Youth Club
After a series of meetings with members of the old Youth Club (which had elapsed for two years) we were able to reform the club with a new leader.

Street Warden Scheme
This was started by CHADRA to provide a community service. It is run by its own committee and is independent of the Association.

Village Study^*
This was produced to provide an analysis of the village both in its history and as it is today. It also provided points for discussion and background information for the preparation of the Village Plan by Northavon District Council.

Northavon District Council Options and Village Plan
We held a number of meetings to discuss the options, and after circulating a questionnaire to all houses in the village the results were passed to Northavon. This played an important part in helping them to make their decision for Restricted Growth. Now our job is to keep them to it!

Information Sheet^*
This contains: maps of the village and surrounding area (inc. footpaths); details of emergency services; a list of organisations in the village (shortly to be updated).

As you will see from the above, CHADRA is trying to provide a service to the community. It keeps a watchful eye on all items such as planning and safety which are likely to affect the well-being of the residents of Charfield, So if you feel that there are any items that need attention, or you feel that you care for the community, why not join us on the 4th Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. at the Village Hall? Or contact: Don Smith, xx Avon Road. Falfield 8xxx.

^* These are available, for a small charge, to newcomers to the village.

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 14 sides of A4 paper.

Personal phone numbers and addresses have been redacted.

Minor typographical corrections and presentational changes have been made without comment.

Digitization by Brendan O'Connor.

Last update: 2016-11-23.