CHADRA

The inevitable has happened – an accident outside the Post Office. Fortunately it wasn't too serious, but nevertheless it has happened.

On the 15th July the Annual Sports and Gala Day takes place, and on looking at the programme it looks as if it is going to be a good day – details can be found in this newsletter.

We have decided again to include the Information Sheet. If you feel that there are any further details that should be included on this please let us know.

As some of you already know, this is my last time as editor of the newsletter as I shall be leaving the district shortly. I hope that the newsletter will continue to be a means of communication within the village. It has now been produced for over two years and during that time it has developed from a couple of sheets to the size it is today.

I hope that you will in the future continue to give your support to the CHADRA committee so that they can continue in their efforts to improve the community for you. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their help, and to you for your support in subscribing to the newsletter.

Jon Barrance is taking over as Chairman of CHADRA as from 1st September. He is a founder member of CHADRA and has the long term interest of the village at heart.

Articles for the next newsletter should be passed to Marion Smith, xxx Manor Lane, or Jon Barrance, xxx Manor Lane, not later than September 17th.

Don Smith

Parish Council meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday in the month at the primary school at 7.00 p.m. Notices of the meetings and the Agenda appear on the public notice boards.

2Residents can only attend these ordinary meetings as observers and take no part in the discussions. However, in the past year a number of people have come along and found the discussions and the business affairs of the village interesting.

Among the many items considered by the Parish Council recently have been the following:-

Holiday Playscheme Along the lines of last year's voluntary effort a Committee of Parish Councillors and Volunteers was set up early in the year. Mrs. J. Hadleigh is the Play Leader and the scheme will be run during weeks beginning 7th and 14th August. Volunteers well be requested for both day to day events and transport to and from projects.

Allotments The Council has made extensive enquiries into the possibility of obtaining an acre of land for lease or purchase for use as allotments. Unfortunately they have not been successful. As the Council is legally obliged to provide allotments once requests have been made, enquiries are being made at present regarding the cost of land. The allotment applicants will be asked to re-affirm their applications in the light of approximate costs before the drastic step of compulsory purchase is considered.

Car Licensing Service An approach was made to the Post Office to extend this service to the village sub post office but this request was unfortunately turned down.

Annual Parish Meeting held on 29th March. This is the one meeting of the year to which the residents of the parish are invited to attend and participate. 26 residents did attend and heard annual reports from village organisations and addresses from both District Councillor Mr. John Tully and County Councillor Mr. M. Cromey-Hawke.

Public Transport As part of the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Transport Review, the Bristol Omnibus Company has proposed that bus Service No. 315 be extended to include Rangeworthy in the route to Yate. The Parish Council has requested that this service be extended still further to give Charfield a public transport link to Yate. No decision has yet been made but the request will be considered in the County's Basic Fabric Survey Programme.

The Parish Council is very pleased with the effort being made by our village policeman P.C. Radburn to control vandalism. P.C. Radburn attends the Parish Council meetings and is always pleased to hear from residents and help in any way he can.

Footpath Review A review of all the public rights of way within the Parish will be carried out during the summer. The Parish Council is in contact with the County of Avon regarding the long outstanding repairs to the bridge on the footpath at Huntingford Mill Hotel. The Council is hopeful that the repairs will be carried out during this financial year. A further necessary repair to a footbridge has recently been passed to the County. The Council fears another long delay as it is the footpath to Elbury Hill and the footbridge forms the boundary between Charfield and Kingswood Parishes.

Silver Jubilee The Parish Council received at their last meeting a final balance sheet from the Committee and understand that a figure of £92.90 has been passed to the Memorial Hall Management Committee for the purchase 3of playground equipment. The Council has received from the Charfield Coronation Committee a cheque for £38.31, the amount remaining in their account, and this will be passed to the Memorial Hall Committee.

Clerk to the Council

Most people in Charfield, I understand, take a copy of this Chadra Newsletter. I wonder how many of you have made a special point of looking round your parish Church. Some of you come and join with us when we try to look at life and its meaning for human beings. We would like that number to increase because we believe that something important is happening when we do this. But I mentioned above no more than ‘looking round’, for even that can be of interest. If you have done this, you will agree, as many have told me, that the Church building is beautifully kept. It is dusted polished and has a sweet smell about it that is quite lacking in some Churches. A visitor from some distance mentioned to me that the Church did not smell ‘fousty’ which was not very complimentary to some Churches but was meant to be kind to ours.

This well-kept appearance is the result of the work of a small band of ladies whose average age, like that of all of us, is gradually increasing. They will not take this as a personal remark about them by me (come to think of it though they may!) – at any rate the point was made at a recent Church Council meeting by someone else. It was also thought that there may be some in the village who may like to help in this. There is no reason why it should not include men as well as ladies – it may even brighten the operation! At present the ladies work in teams of three and arrange among themselves when they will do the cleaning. At present the duty comes round about every four weeks but clearly the more helpers there are, the less frequently does the duty come round. The more there are, the less frequently does the duty come round. The more there are, the less work there is!

It also occurred to us that there may be those who would like to do flowers in Church from time to time. If you are interested in either of these activities you will find a sheet of paper on the table at the back of the Church for cleaning, and one for flowers. Please write your name down even if you would just like more information before committing yourself. If you take a look round the Church you may well want to help.

And, while we are at it, how many of you can play the piano well enough to play a simple hymn? I suspect that there are more than we realise. If you can, you could probably play them on OUR organ – not, perhaps on any organ for some are complicated. Ours is simple. If there are any interested, if only for an occasional service, please let me know. I should be very grateful so don't hide your talent. You may well be much better than you think! It is one of the problems you may well be able to help us with. I'm not going to say, “Think about it.” Don't THINK about it, just come and have a talk to me about it and we'll think about it together. Even if you could only help sometimes, please do so. I hope soon to be able to say, “Thank you.”

K.G. Grant.
(Rector)

4

Harvest Thanksgiving

Gift Day   Sat. September 30th

Any inquiries to Church Secretary: Miss M. Turner, xx The Green, Charfield. Tel. Falfield xxxx.

A Congregation of Twelve

There is a story told of a lady who found that her duties as a Christian mother in a busy family prevented her from doing many things for the Lord outside of the home. On one occasion she remarked, I wasn't always able to get involved in Church activities as much as others, but all of my children have come to know the Saviour, and some are now very active in serving Him. Though my contributions have been humble, I'll be supremely happy if someday I can hear Jesus say, “She hath done what she could!” Many faithful mothers whose testimony and example are leaving a wholesome influence upon their children may also expect to hear those words. Not everyone can be a missionary, a Sunday School teacher, or a Christian leader. Yet thousands find their highest level of service at the “home base”. And they shall be as richly rewarded as those who are engaged in spiritual warfare on the front lines of battle.

A woman once wrote Gipsy Smith after an evangelistic campaign to tell him she had been converted as a result of one of his messages. She said, I believe the Lord wants me to preach the Gospel, Brother Smith, but the trouble is that I have twelve children to raise! What shall I do? She received this letter in reply: “My dear lady, I am happy to hear that you have been saved and feel called to preach, but I am even more delighted to know that God has already provided you with a congregation of twelve!” The new convert got the point.

Yes, the Lord has many bright treasures
Laid up in His Mansions above,
To reward the works of a mother
Which she has performed in deep love!

5

The weeks rush past and the Village Event of the Year is almost here once again. The Committee is working hard to make the 18th Sports and Gala Day the best ever – a hard task without lots of support and volunteers.

Rob Hannigan has circulated all the village organisations regarding the side shows and games, asking for volunteers to run existing games and ideas for new ones. So far he has had only two replies … The Day can't be a Village Event without Village Support.

An extensive advertising campaign is being undertaken by the Committee and volunteers. 200 posters will be distributed over a wide area. Leaflets will be placed on cars in surrounding shopping centre car parks. Two displays in shop windows are planned. All this in an effort to attract more people to Charfield. The Committee has booked two main attractions: a demonstration of obedience, bravery and comedy by the nationally acclaimed and commended Securicor Guard Dogs and their Handlers: and an Air Display by the Tiger Club from Redhill, featuring synchronised flying and novelties, balloon bursting and flour bombing.

Although we shall no doubt miss Mike Smith on the Day, he has carried out all the background organisation for the Sports and the Committee has two willing volunteers to fill his place at the microphone on the day.

The day will start with a fancy dress parade and a chance to march with the Band (the Downend Church Lads Brigade). This event has been well supported in the past few years. The classes this year will be: – up to 7 – over 7 – decorated bikes –

Major John Berkeley (from Berkeley Castle) will officially open the Day and we hope help to judge the fancy dress parade and the ‘best turned out’ vintage vehicle.

The aim of the day is Fun for the Family not vast profits. This year costing has been an important aspect for the Committee to consider as costs for staging it have risen dramatically. Any profit realised will go towards improving the facilities of the Hall and Playing Field, but the Committee will be happy to ‘break-even’.

Tickets for the Grand Draw have been circulated for sale. Please buy or better still sell some tickets, Geoff Swallow, xx Manor Lane, is the organiser. The first prize is a weekend for two in Paris (sponsored by Phoenicia Travel, Thornbury) plus £20, the second prize a one hour flight for three (sponsored by the Staverton School of Flying) and many other prizes. The profit from a successful Grand Draw is insurance against a disastrous wet day. Support this event by buying or selling as many tickets as possible.

Jenny Hughes – Secretary

GUITAR INSTRUCTION REQUIRED
FOR PRIVATE TUITION.
CONTACT : MASTERS, FALFIELD xxx
EVENINGS ONLY.

6

The establishment of a central library in the school has now begun. In general, we are pleased with the standard of reading throughout the school but with so many distractions nowadays it is essential that children be encouraged to read more, not only for information but also for pleasure. We hope the library will help them to realise that a great deal of enjoyment can be obtained from books.

The school has again had a fair share of success at sport. The Dursley cross-country series ended with the boys team winning, and the girls team making up for their second place by winning the Avon schools girls championship, the Guy Henderson Cup, for the second year running, against very strong competition, with the boys team second in their race.

The boys football team won the Northavon (East) Primary League with an unbeaten run, but was knocked out of the Cup in the quarter-finals, 7–5, after trailing 6–1. You can't win them all! From now on through the summer, it is athletics, cricket and rounders in rather warmer weather, we hope, than at the time of writing.

Mr. D.A. Malpass

Dear Parent,

Since the last Chadra Newsletter the P.T.A. have raised approximately £310 for the School Funds. At the present time the library is going ahead, and will probably be officially opened at the Annual General Meeting in September.

Thanks must be extended to all the support received at the Spring Fayre and the “sponsored knit”.

The P.T.A. are holding a Folk Dance on Friday 14th July at Leyhill Prison Officer's Social Club. Dancing will be to the Packhorse Band and the evening will include a demonstration Clog Dance and a Caller. Tickets will be on sale shortly at 75p. from P.T.A. Committee members.

Jan Hannigan
Secretary.

Would you be interested in helping out the Holiday Playscheme Organisers for one or more sessions during the weeks commencing Monday August 7th 1978 and Monday August 14th 1978?

Earlier this year, a Committee was inaugurated by the Parish Council to examine the feasibility of a further Playscheme during the long school holidays.

Mrs. J. Hadleigh, herself a school teacher in Warmley, has kindly agreed to act as Playleader, with myself as deputy. Other members of the Committee will also play their part, though it is with regret that we shall not have Don Smith with us for much longer due to his forthcoming move from the District.

7The Committee members, for your guidance, are:-

Should you be interested to be of help, do contact one or other of the above names – even if it is only to wash up cups after the children have has their orange squash! Mothers, Fathers, interested residents, all would be welcome, but we would like the names soon please so that the Committee can set about identifying who can help when.

The venue will be at the School, using the Church Room, the Playing Area, the Adventure Playground, and of course, the toilets. Should the weather be bad, we would hope to use the Village Hall, provided there is no prior booking.

Activities will be varied, and the draft programme provides for both indoor and outdoor pursuits, rambles, coach trips, swimming at Yate and so on.

I do hope you can help us, to help the Village?

(Mr.) D.W. Parker
Chairman of the Playscheme Committee.
xx Durham Road, Charfield.

The Committee are pleased to inform mothers that we will shortly be purchasing some new equipment in the form of puzzles, blocks and a Wendy House. The age group has also been extended to include children up to three and one half years who have not managed to find a place at playschool.

On the 15th July at the Annual Sports and Gala Day our mothers will be manning the Find the Egg Stall. Hope to see a good turnout for this event!

An invitation is extended to all mothers of children 1–3½ years to join us at the Village Hall on the first and third Thursday of every month (except school holidays) between 10.15 a.m. and 11.45 a.m.

All welcome.

Playgroup Leader: Anna Wood, x Cotswold View, W.u.E. xxxx.
Supervisors: Carol Tarry, Carol Booker, Beryl Julian, Rita Jones.

Since the last Newsletter we have had an Open Day at Playgroup which was very successful. It was a non-profit making event aimed to give enjoyment to children and adults alike. The Maypole dancing, cleverly arranged by Mrs. Ruth Mott, was the main feature, with most of the children taking part. The May Hat competition revealed a high standard of handiwork among the mothers.

8Our A.G.M. will be held in September when a new committee will be elected from parents of Playgroup children. I would like to convey my thanks to all the members of the present committee who have worked hard and given a lot of time and support to Playgroup. A special thanks to Jeff Spencer who has been our Chairman for two years and Treasurer for a year before that, so we very reluctantly accept his retirement from the Chair in September.

We are doing our best to accept children as soon after their third birthday as possible. Mrs. Claire Haines, xx Horsford Road, Wotton-Under-Edge xxxx is our Secretary and has the unenviable task of looking after the waiting list and we will help you with any queries you may have regarding Playgroup as indeed will any of the supervisors.

We have had some profitable fund raising events and these have enabled us to buy a play tunnel and a selection of games and equipment recommended for preparation for school for the rising 5s.

A. Wood,
Playgroup Leader.

Many of you in the village may not be aware that the Scout Group exists, it does, but only just. We are desperate for helpers, particularly people who are willing to take a warrant. The main need is for help with Cub Pack on Thursday evening at Cromhall and the Scout Troop on Friday evening also at Cromhall. Although both these sections meet at Cromhall, they have boys from Charfield in them as there is no troop in Charfield and the Cub Pack cannot accept all the boys wishing to join.

If anyone is willing to help with the group either as a leader of lay helper, or would like further information, please contact the Group Scout Leader:-

Mr. A.J. Smith,
xxx Manor Lane,
Charfield. Tel: Falfield xxx.

If there is no help forthcoming, it may be necessary to close part of the group down, although this will be done only as a final desperate measure.

A.J. Smith, G.S.L.

If you are interested in joining the W.I. or would like to come as a visitor, we meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month in the Hall, at 7.15 pm.

Our outing will be on July 7th, to Burford, with a guided tour and a meal afterwards, and there will be a skittle evening at Newport Towers on July 19th – all friends and husbands welcome.

9Well done all those who helped us gain 3rd place in the Group Rally Competition – a close result with only 3 points separating the first 3 places. Also, best of luck to the W.I. Quiz Team who are in the quarter finals at Portishead on 17th July, we hope to see the Quiz Cup come to Charfield!

Una Bohin
President.

The Coffee Morning held recently was a great success and made a profit of £34. Our thanks to all those who supported us. We had a very interesting talk by Mrs. Pearce of the Dursley Flower Arranging Society at our June meeting and she then donated all her arrangements to the raffle.

A coach party went to Silver Blades Ice Rink on May 25th and everyone enjoyed the evening.

Our next talk is on July 20th, with Mrs. Janina Bolan giving a demonstration of Spinning and Weaving.

As you may already know Charfield Sports and Gala Day is on Saturday July 15th and the Young Wives would appreciate any help with the stalls, even if it is only a short while.

On Friday 21st July a coach will be leaving the village at 7.30pm to visit the World Wine Fair in Bristol. Further details from Julie Hillier, Tel: Falfield xxx

Chairman: Irene Wilson, x Gloucester Street W-U-E. Tel: W-U-E xxxx.
Secretary: Mary Hall, xx Durham Road, Charfield. Tel: Falfield xxx.

This is our quarterly Newsletter to all our Friends in the district. I am pleased to report an increase in the numbers of our Club; when I say “pleased” well, to some it means growing old too quickly, yet a few years ago we used to say Life begins at 40. Today it has to be 60, for like everything you hear of today its “Times have changed but not in Ways of Friendship” and that goes for your local Friendship Club, we are all friends together.

I say life begins at 60 for the simple reason that some of our members have just returned from a Spring Holiday in Clacton-on-Sea. Did they enjoy it? Well you should have been with me when walking along the Sea Front, there were the younger folk wrapped up in coats etc, and down on the beach there were our ladies enjoying a paddle, with all the beach to themselves. As I overheard one of the younger folk passing them remark “The over 60s certainly enjoy their holidays”. I must just add our ladies were really preparing for our Evenings Merriment and a jolly old Knees Up Session at our hotel.

Now that of course is the happy side of our Club, we have our dark times as well. We have I am sorry to say lost two or three of our much loved members this last six months, we shall miss them, we cannot deny that. Then there is our Sick List, too many here I'm afraid. To those in Hospital and those who are ill at home and unable to attend our 10Meetings, we say please hurry and get well soon, we will have your chairs for you on return to us.

We have some very good entertainment, especially from our Bristol Clubs, and have booked one or two for a return visit. This of course urges our own members to come up with their own show, and this I am pleased to say is showing good progress, more of this in our next Newsletter.

There you are folks, this is your Local Friendship Club, if you are over 60, why not pay us a visit. We have our Outing Secretary Mr. Sidney Smith who organises our monthly coach trips as well as a good working Committee who will ensure that you will be very welcome. Our Meetings are every Wednesday fortnight in the Village Hall. The next one is Wednesday July 5th. Come and give us a visit, you are welcome.

Cheerio, see you all soon.

R. Isherwood,
Chairman.

5 races have already been flown and most members have enjoyed good racing in these.

Some fanciers think the NE winds have made things just a bit too easy, and this could well be so, with the birds coming very fast, and only a few minutes separating the first 20 or so.

It is very nice to see the youngest member of the club Pip Jeffrey, from Leyhill and the oldest member Mr. R. Spill, 83 years young, from Wotton-U-Edge, both winning Prize Cards. Bob Organ, from Thornbury seems to be starting where he left off last season and from Northalerton 200 miles (May 26th) was 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 190 birds taking part.

Before signing off I must say how I agree with Miss Kendall (No. 11 Issue) re: Charfield Station, this always was a great asset to the Village of Charfield, not least to Pigeon Fanciers, who used the Railway almost daily for training purposes.

Mr. & Mrs. K. Parker,
(Secretary Charfield NRPC).
No. x Woodgate House, Newtown.
Tel: Falfield xxxx.

Since we opened at Wotton-Under-Edge just over 18 months ago, we have had over 1,000 enquires, and each month the number increases as our service is becoming widely known in the area. We have been able to give advice on all kinds of subjects arising from family and personal through to Income Tax and mortgages.

We have a comprehensive filing system which covers all legislation and this is continually brought up-to-date by our Headquarters in London as new acts go through Parliament. So we are in a position to give the most helpful information to any query on any subject.

11Remember that the Citizens Advice Bureau is a free, confidential and impartial service available to the whole community regardless of age, creed or colour.

As the number of queries from the Dursley, Cam area increases rapidly, we are opening an extension Citizens Advice Bureau at the end of June in the Royal British Legion Headquarters, May Lane, Dursley, and this service will be available every Friday from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm – commencing June 30th.

Charfield Friendship Club have expressed their appreciation of the help given to their members by the Citizens Advice Bureau which contacts the Social Services, Dept. of Health and Social Security and many other organisations on their behalf. The Organiser will be continuing the present practice of attending each Friendship Club meeting to advise members and to save them the trouble and expense of coming to the Wotton-under-Edge Bureau.

Remember the Citizens Advice Bureau is a service for all ages in the community. Do use it, we will be glad to help in any way and the service is free and CONFIDENTIAL.

J.K. McGonnigill.

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE?

Every year WRVS arrange holidays for children with special, sometimes desperate needs.

We need Hostesses to take a child or maybe two children into their homes for a week during August, to allow them to enjoy the stability, steady routine and kindliness of the average home.

Children are from 6–12 years and a small payment towards expenses can be made.

For further information please telephone MRS. AUDREY ATHERTON, Children's Officer, Thornbury 41xxxx.

Dear Sir,

I would like to bring to light the fact that there are no facilities in the immediate vicinity for Youths between the ages of 15 and 19. “Yes there are”, I hear you say, “There is a Youth Club” which, may I point out only opens on:

Tuesday	8 pm–10 pm.
and on Wednesday	7.30 pm–10 pm.

“Yes” I also hear you say, “but there are three Public Houses for the over 18's and not so over 18's”. But what may I ask does one do in the Pub seven nights a week except slowly become an alcoholic?

What we could do with is a hut (or an abode) which we could use for meetings, playing records and drinking coffee. You may well think to yourselves who in the world is this lunatic, but what do you and most other parents say when their child wishes to bring friends in for coffee and play records? You say “No!!” because you cannot hear the television or you cannot work. We between 12the ages of 15 and 19 may only be about 25 strong at the moment but how many (think about this one) will there be in 10 years?

You may well have a “small” vandalism problem in the village at the moment, but why do these ‘fiends’ do it? I will tell you why, because they have got nothing else to do and so have to resort to vandalism as a way of rejecting authority and saying “thanks for nothing”. If a person has something of interest happening around him or her, he or she will not have to look any further for excitement.

You may also say where and at what cost. To answer the first part of this very posing question; there are but few places to create such a place. True! Build one? No, that is too expensive. True. But are we all that blind and forgetful or is it that you people do not read the letters in the Newsletter. Here I am referring to the last edition of the Newsletter when Miss A. Kendall pointed out the fact that we have an excellent commodity on our door-step. “Well” you may say, “what is he rabbling on about now?”. Well I say the Railway Station. “No!” I hear you say, “The British Rail would not allow it”. Well OK, lets have some suggestions:-

Charfield Chapel (Playschool)
Empty Estate Office (empty for 2 years).
Any more?

Cost? Well the initial charge would be that of purchase or loan, but there “are” grants to help. Furnishing? Let the youths furnish and decorate the way they want it. All we need is the basic shell. Rates and electricity can be met by taking Subs, as it has been proved by many Scout Troops and Cub Packs.

If this letter does not spark ant reaction amongst you, well all I can say is “Good luck” to the parents who do not really care what their children do on a night or where to go. This is the beginning, will it

	End now?
	Be brought up at the next Parish Council Meeting?
or	Do we need to start a petition.

Yours sincerely,

C.P. Beresford,
xx Orchard Close,
Charfield.

Dear Sir,

I would like to ask the other Charfield residents their opinions about the lack of a gas supply. We recently contacted the Gas Board about the possibility of having gas installed only to be told there was no gas in the village, the nearest main being in Wickwar (which is only a stones throw away across the fields), and the cost to bring it to the village would be exorbitant for one individual. Now if there was sufficient favourable interest from the rest of the village (there are over 500 houses at the moment incidentally) I'm sure that a request to the Gas Board from the Village as a whole would have a better chance of action than an individual enquiry.

I am certain that there are other residents who would opt for gas if it were available. In this day and age we should have a full choice of heating and not have to accept second best, after all we should have “Freedom of Choice”.

Yours sincerely,

M.J. Hillman (Mrs)
xxx Station Road,
Charfield.

13My purpose in writing this letter is to say “Thank you” on behalf of my family and myself, to all those people known and unknown to us, who by their spontaneous reaction helped us through an agonising experience.

On May 2nd my daughter and her friend went missing from our home on Manor Estate: in a matter of minutes it seemed people came from all directions to help in searching the area. When the children were found over at Little Bristol it was so emotional that adequate thanks could not be conveyed to all involved.

So to all those who turned out we would like to say a big ‘thank you’ once again for your help.

Yours sincerely,

Jenny and Barry Copperthwaite,
x Orchard Close,
Charfield.

Water Survey

Answers to the questionnaire were obtained from 290 households. This compares with a total newsletter circulation of 395 and a total number of households in the village of about 580. Of the 290 replies, 128 never noticed an unusual taste in their drinking water, and 162 sometimes, often or always did. 113 of those who did notice a taste found it objectionable. The most common additional comment was about the oily scum which forms on the surface of cups of tea. The taste appeared to be equally noticeable in all parts of the village. These results have been passed on to the Wessex Water Authority for their comments.

Incidentally one resident had tried a passive water softening device as shown recently on television. It consists of no more than a permanent magnet against the rising main and is reported by that resident to be effective.

Community Associations

On the 27th April Mr. Norman Pratton, Hon. Secretary of the Avon Community Group, came and talked on the working of Community Associations. It was felt at the meeting that this thought of a community association should include not just organisations, but the whole community. To this end it was agreed to hold another meeting to discuss the needs of the village and the type or demand for such a community association.

Nature Conservation Week

CHADRA were very pleased to be hosts to the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation on Thursday May 25th. The meeting attracted a much larger than average audience who greatly enjoyed the three films shown. The first, about ponds, reminded us how few there are in Charfield now. The second, about rooks was only two years old, taken in Gloucestershire, and was notable for the number of elms compared with this year's stark landscape. However, we can be sure that the rook will be able to survive without the elms. The third showed how a forester (in Gloucestershire), by taking an interest in all he sees around him, can serve the cause of nature conservation and probably grow trees more successfully as well. The standard of photography was such that no one regretted staying 14indoors on what was a beautiful early summer's evening. A silver collection resulted in a good contribution to Nature Conservation Week.

Bus Service to Yate

You may remember that some of you signed a petition for a new bus service to Yate. This request has been sent to Northavon District Council and we have been told that it has been forwarded to Avon County Council for their consideration.

At the Annual Parish Council meeting a request was made by Mr. North for help to purchase a new lawn mower for the Old Church Yard. At the last committee meeting it was agreed that we donate some money to this request, as it was felt that this was something which would be of benefit to the village.

The CHADRA committee regretted that the Parish Council had yet again turned down a proposal for public participation at the end of Parish Council meetings.

Manor Court Developments – Planning Appeal

Many of you will have received recently notice from Northavon District Council of Manor Courts Development's appeal hearing at Thornbury on July 18th. Although we are reasonably confident that this appeal will be rejected, we intend to make representation to the appeal to state that the feeling of the great majority of village residents is firmly against this large development, which could mean the village doubling in size.

We shall be having an open meeting to discuss this appeal on the 10th July at the Church Room (School) at 8 p.m. Anyone interested is welcome to come.

We should very much like to hear your individual views before then and, of course, there is nothing to stop individuals writing directly to Northavon District Council, The Clerk & Chief Executive Officer, Council Offices, Thornbury, Bristol BS12 1HF.

There is an Asian man in Yate who needs a man to help him learn English. This would involve one hour's conversation and reading once a week. Travel expenses can be claimed. If anyone can help please contact:

Sue Hatt,
xxxx,
Charfield Hill.
Phone. Falfield xxx.

15

The following article is published by: The National Federation of Community Associations, 26 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3HU. Tel. 01 636 4066.

A Community Association
What it is

A Community Association brings together individuals, families and statutory and voluntary organisations in its area. It is non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion, and thus enables people of different interests, ideas, parties and creeds to think and act together for the common good of the local community and of each other.

Community Associations are to be found in both new and old urban areas, and although basically the same, each one may be different in emphasis, depending on the interests, imagination and sense of community in the people concerned with it. The association is usually responsible for a building, the community centre, which is the focal point of the social, recreational, educational and cultural interests of the neighbourhood. Such centres provide opportunities for discussion of neighbourhood affairs, and in them people may discover and develop their creative interests and plan their own ways of satisfying them.

The Community Association strengthens the work of existing groups, provides a means of consultation and partnership with statutory authorities and helps the establishment of community services. It creates the opportunities for people of all ages, fit and handicapped, gifted and ordinary, to develop their personalities in a community which they serve and which in turn serves them.

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Although we are very pleased to hear of anyone making a success of their life it is with a certain amount of sadness that we have to report that our very competent Chairman of the last 4 years is leaving Charfield and moving on to greater things. Our loss will be someone else's gain. Charfield will certainly find a gap which we will do our best to fill. Congratulations to Don and all best wishes to him and his family in their future life in Shrewsbury. Very many thanks to them for all they have done.

We can also report that as from September the committee have elected Mr. Jon Barrance to take over as our new Chairman. Needless to say we will always be more than pleased to welcome anyone who wishes to come along to any of our meetings held on the 4th Thursday of every month, except August, to see what we are up to. After all the more you put into a community the more you will get out of it.

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HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Doctors
Dr. Jones, Dr. Margerison & Dr. Roberts: 1, The Culverhay, W.U.E. General Calls : W.U.E. 3252, Appointments : W.U.E 3893.
Dr. R.J. Rowlands, Dr. M.P. Rowlands & Dr. Burrows: Chipping Manor, W.U.E. General calls : W.U.E 2214, Appointments : W.U.E. 2850.

Health Visitor
Mrs. F. Storey, Thornbury Health Centre. Thornbury 414477.
Health Clinic meets in Charfield Village Hall on 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings from 10.00 a.m. till 12.00 p.m.

Dentists
Mr. R.J. Heyluer & Mr. Kitchen: Carlton House, Long Street, W.U.E. Tel. W.U.E 2266.
There are several dentists in Thornbury or Dursley and their telephone numbers can be seen in the local directory.

Hospitals
Frenchay Hospital: All enquires Tel. Bristol 565656.
Southmead Hospital: Administrative Offices : Bristol 622821.
(Both hospitals have a Casualty Department.)

Chemists
D. Ivel Rees Ltd. 3 Long Street, W.U.E. : W.U.E 3171
R. Westons Ltd. 9 High Street, W.U.E. : 3230
These chemists are open until 6.30 p.m. during the week on a rota basis. In emergency after hours contact Mr. McKlusky, xx Parklands, W.U.E. : Tel. W.U.E. xxxx.

CHARFIELD PARISH COUNCILLORS
Clerk Mrs. J. Hughes, x Berkeley Close. Falfield xxx.
Chairman Mr. C. Goscombe, Northcliffe, xxx Merlin Haven, W.U.E.
Vice Chairman Mr. J. Poskett, xx Charfield Green.
Councillors
Mr. R. Baker, Manor Farm, Churchend.
Mrs. S. Barrance, xxx Manor Lane.
Mr. J.W. Clothier, xx Charfield Green.
Mr. S. Mussell, x Manor Lane.
Mr. P. Peaster, xxx Manor Lane.
Mr. D. Prately, xx Wotton Road.
Mr. D. Parker, xx Durham Road.
Should anybody have any queries or worries concerning the village the abovementioned will be only too pleased to try and do something about your problems. After all they were elected by you for the good of the whole village.

County Councillor Mr. Michael Cromey-Hawke, x The Plain, Thornbury.

District Councillor Mr. John Tulley, x Orchard View, Falfield.

W.U.E. CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Berkeley House, Long Street, W.U.E. W.U.E. 3210. Every Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

EARLY CLOSING DAYS
Wotton-under-Edge Wednesday
Thornbury & Dursley Thursday

DURSLEY CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU A new branch opening on June 30th at Dursley so you now have a choice of two Centres and two days. Dursley address is: Royal British Legion Headquarters, May Lane, Dursley. Times: Friday 10.30 am – 4.00 pm.

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Other Useful Information

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 18 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: 2016-11-26.