CHADRA

1987! – the beginning of another year, and therefore, I would like to record grateful thanks to all those who have helped me during the past year by getting copy to me on time, all those volunteers who deliver for us, John Butler for duplicating my stencils, Mike Cheskin for stapling and distribution. My part would be useless without you all. Many thanks, and please keep up the good work.

We have increased our sales over the years and hope to continue doing so. Newcomers to Charfield seem especially glad to purchase a copy, and if any of you have suggestions or views you would like to express please do not hesitate to let me have them. I would like to give a reminder that the first copy is a free one.

It was interesting to note at the Public Inquiry held in December last that on more than one occasion the Applicant's Q.C. made reference to Charfield Newsletter. I am not quite sure he made reference to the most important items, but at least it would appear he found it interesting reading!

It is almost five years since I offered to keep the Newsletter going for just one year! Any further offers yet for an unpaid privilege to serve the community?

Now that January is here again if our readers would like to pay 60p for the year it would be a great help to all concerned, particularly to those who deliver. Of course if you prefer to pay for each copy please feel free to do so, and then you will get a knock on your door 4 times a year.

Finally, remember it is your Newsletter and your views and contributions are necessary in order to make it alive and interesting. So please do send any items or comments, good, bad, or indifferent, to me –

The Editor, Rosa Gunning, xx Manor Lane, Charfield. Fal. 26xxxx.

for the next edition by April 7th.

LAST DAY FOR NEWSLETTER COPY TUESDAY 7th APRIL.

Please make a note in your diaries, although I will continue as far as possible to remind regular contributors a few days in advance.

Published by Charfield & District Residents' Association (CHADRA)

1

The Public Inquiry which considered this Appeal was concluded on Dec. 19th, after three and a half days in Session, and we shall have to wait a while before the result is made known. Thanks are due to all those residents who wrote letters, placed posters in their windows, attended the hearing and in some cases gave evidence on behalf of the Village. The vast majority of residents I am sure will wish to thank the Parish Council for their efforts in organising the Campaign against the development and maintaining the momentum in spite of such difficulties as the change in the scope of the application at a very late stage. Your Committee organised and paid for the Loud-Speaker System which went around the Village a few days prior to the Inquiry. If the decision should go against us it can surely be said that it did not do so by default.

Annual General Meeting.

The A.G.M. of the Association will be held in the National School Foundation Hall, Charfield School on WEDNESDAY 11th of FEBRUARY 1987, commencing at 7.30 p.m. the Agenda with a nomination form for Membership of the Committee (on which there are vacancies) will be found at the end of this Newsletter, so please come along if you have any suggestions to make or would like to help. The CHADRA General Committee has a minimum of four Meetings per annum, and its principal task is the production and distribution of the Charfield Newsletter every three months. The Committee also sees itself as having a “watching brief” and a role in bringing matters to the attention of the Parish Council or other appropriate authority involving the interests of residents. In this connection it is worth pointing out that the unanimity of view between CHADRA and the Parish Council, which is currently enjoyed, did not always exist in the past, and will not necessarily exist in the future. The time may well come when CHADRA will again have to ‘make the running’ as it did in the case of the first Inquiry.

Distribution of Newsletters.

The Committee offers its grateful thanks to our band of distributors for their help in getting the Newsletters to all quarters of the Village ‘come rain or shine’!!

WE ARE SHORT OF SOMEONE TO COVER PART OF CHARFIELD GREEN so if you are prepared to help please contact MIKE CHESKIN – DURSLEY 84xxxx.

BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR THE NEW YEAR.

Geoff Blower. Hon. Secretary.

SAT. 25th APRIL 1987, please pencil – better still INK in your diary – another feast of MALE VOICE SINGING.

COWBRIDGE MALE VOICE CHOIR – DURSLEY, PARISH CHURCH. Further details later.

Don't forget your old birthday and Christmas Cards are needed for re-cycling.

P. Ellis, xx Berkeley Close. Fal. 26xxxx.

2

In spite of some cold nights occurring as these words are being written, we begin to feel that we are heading towards lengthening days and, slowly but inevitably, warmer ones. Not that the warm ones are very near yet; although even in January we can have touches of brightness-and-mildness that, if we did not know the date, we would think they were a Spring day. Certainly the birds dance around and chatter excitedly as if they too were hopeful of better days to come. So, hope (in some form) seems an important factor in life. At times it enables us to carry on when doing so is difficult; inwardly ‘seeing’ what we cannot actually see, and in due course seeing the fulfilment of what we had hoped for. Certainly most, if not all, of us long for longer, warmer, sunnier days (though whether we shall get the latter this year there is no means of knowing).

As long as I can remember I have thought that there is not really a hard-and-fast division between life in the physical world in which we live, and the ‘inner’ life of human beings; what is sometimes called the ‘spiritual’ world or awareness, which I think we have all felt the pressure of at some time. I do not mean by this that everyone has come face to face with ‘God’; (there are all sorts of wrong ideas about what this word means). But I do believe that at some time or other all of us have wondered. Perhaps only momentarily and shallowly, perhaps at length and deeply, if anything lies ‘behind’ the things that we can see and experience physically. If they issue from a Creative Power and Purpose that lie beyond them, that brought them into being; not in any simplistic way, like a child playing with building blocks. Certainly whatever view one takes, the wonders of the Universe still lie beyond the exact, detailed understanding of all of us. This leads the majority of us not to bother about the matter at all but simply to grab what we can get of what there is and to make the most of it while we can. There is a certain logic in this … except (and this is the great snag) that this attitude is like a drug. It deadens our sensibility that we are going the wrong way, and it leads to what is scarcely recognised, namely that desire for more grows as more is obtained. There is no necessary relationship between having and happiness. This is not a ‘moralistic’ or ‘religious’ point; it is based upon the realistic analysis of the human heart, the human psychology.

The religions of the world are not anti-life or anti-this world. On the contrary, the assertion that ‘God’ started this wonder we call life is one way of saying that this life IS of very great importance. But it can only be truly and fully enjoyed when one views and accepts it, not as an end in itself, to be grasped and grabbed as much as I can, irrespective of the needs of others; but to recognise that I do not own anything absolutely (“you can't take it with you”!) but only to use, in moderation, and to share with a world that, through a sheer accident of geography, has much less of the necessities of life than I do.

What I believe about life (and what you believe) makes a great deal of difference to how we live it; and how we live it makes a great deal of difference to the sort of people we become. What we are and become, is the inevitable reflection of what we believe and do. For life, mine and yours, to be centred on living, loving power into whose love we can freely move, and whose love freely moves out to us, is to be living not merely in the world of physical objects. It is to be sharing the life of One from whom all those objects ultimately come and to which they ultimately return. This is the most enriching sort of life. It may take a bit of thinking about, but then so does anything really worthwhile. This is part of the reason the Christian community called the Church exists. Don't forget it, it exists for YOU.

Kenneth Grant. Rector.

3

Sunday	Family Service	11.00 a.m.
	Afternoon Worship (until the end of March.)	3.0 p.m.
Sunday April 5th.	Evening Worship	6.00 p.m.
Tuesday (fortnightly)	Bright Hour. All are welcome.	3.00 p.m.

On Saturday APRIL 4th, we are arranging a COFFEE MORNING with a Bring & Buy Stall, in the Congregational Church School Room, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00.

Do please come along and bring your friends; you will all be most welcome.

Any enquiries –
Miss. M. Turner, Fal. 26xxxx.

Only a little Sparrow.

I am only a little sparrow!
A bird of low degree
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.

He gave me a coat of feather,
(tis very plain I know)
With never a speck of crimson,
For it was not made for show.

But, it keeps me warm in winter
It shields me from the rain;
Were it bordered with gold and purple
Perhaps it would make me vain.

And now, when the spring-time cometh,
I will build me a little nest,
With many a chirp and flutter,
In the spot I love best.

I have no barn or storehouse;
I never sow nor reap,
God gives me a sparrow's portion –
But never a seed to keep.

If my meat is sometimes scanty
Close picking makes it sweet;
I have always enough to keep me, and
“Life is more than meat”.

I know there are many sparrows
All over the world they're found
But our Heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.

Though small we are never forgotten
Though weak, we are never afraid –
For we know that the dear Lord keepeth
The lives of the creatures He made.

I fly through the thickest forest –
I light on many a spray,
I have no chart or compass,
But, I never Jose my way.

(Sent to Newsletter by – Mrs. M. Turner.)

4

Families affected by unemployment, poverty and inadequate housing often feel hopeless and depressed, and their family life deteriorates. It is easy for them to feel forgotten and unwanted. But people do care about them; thousands of Church members – including people in this Parish – give their time, energy and money to help the Church of England Children's Society's work with families.

The Society has over 50 centres that provide bases for community groups and service, in addition to another 50 projects undertaking specialised work with youngsters and families in distress through family break-up, illness or deprivation. To do all this work the Society needs considerable funds. One of the ways in which we try to raise these is through house-to-house collections during an annual CHILDREN'S SOCIETY WEEK. This special week, being held from – APRIL 5–11 this year, is a time when the Society can gain new friends and funds – provided people are approached. It all depends on finding volunteers who will each deliver and collect envelopes from about 50 homes. If enough people volunteer for this task every home in England and Wales could be covered. Will you help us achieve our target? An envelope in every door! If you are willing to help, our local Children's Society's Week Organiser:-

Dr. Christine Temme,
xx Durham Road,
Charfield. Fal. 26xxxx.

will be delighted to hear from you. Please do your share to help the families that need us. Thank you.

C. Temme.

There will be a BUFFET LUNCH in aid of The Save the Children Fund, (Wotton Branch) at Under-Hill House, Wotton-under-Edge, on Wednesday 18th February. Tickets £2 obtainable from Rosa Gunning, xx Manor Lane, Charfield, who will be representing Charfield on the Wotton-under-Edge committee in future. Please support this worthy cause if you can and also enjoy a super Buffet Lunch. Wool for knitting blankets would also be appreciated.

Later in the year a Coffee Morning will be held at Watsome Farm (opposite S.N.S. works) Charfield, by kind permission of Mrs. E. Bennett. Cakes and Raffle Prizes would be much appreciated on this occasion. Date Wednesday 29th April.

National Save the Children Week commences Sat. 25th April, with a house-to-house collection and Street collection in Wotton.

Please don't forget MRS. MARION SMITH, xxx MANOR LANE, still wants your used postage stamp to pass on. She is also collecting old Christmas cards for Frenchay Occupational Centre.

Members and friends enjoyed a very successful Christmas Dinner and entertainment by the older children of Charfield Primary School. Our thanks to everyone who helped on the day. For your information – Luncheon Club dates for 1987:-

14th	January	11th	February	11th	March	8th	April
6th	May	3rd	June	1st	July	29th	July
26th	August	23rd	September	21st	October	18th	November
16th	December.

Jane Higgins.

5

We are entering 1987 with many of the current problems in Schools unresolved. One of the most important, and one about which least is said, is the size of classes. To be offered a pious hope that classes may be reduced to a maximum of 33, if finance is available, shows how little commitment there is to sound education.

On a more cheerful note, I can report on some very successful Christmas Concerts. Three classes in the middle of the School combined to stage “The Golden Goose”, much of the “egg-cellent” material coming from the fertile imaginations of their teachers. The infants were even younger for this year's concert, as many of the older infants were taking part in the “Golden Goose”, but they performed with commendable assurance. The older juniors had their Carol Concert in the Church, by kind permission of the Rector, and there was an air of serenity about it after the unpredictability of the infant's concert.

Much ingenuity is shown by the teachers adapting productions to the limitations of the very small hall. It seems likely that if our School is included in the Improvements Programme for 1988/98, this might result in a purpose built hall, and other modifications, to give much better facilities generally. Four or five Schools only will be improved and we are one of nine contenders. The Governors and Parent Teacher Association are ready to exert pressure for our inclusion in the programme and we have the support of our County Councillors. I am sure we have a good case, but it will, I think, be a political decision in the end. We have to try to ensure that we do not lose out by being in a rural area on the edge of the County.

This next year could be quite an eventful one. I hope that it will also be a happy and successful one for you all.

D.A. Malpass.
Headmaster.

As I write this note, the weather forecast looks gloomy! So first of all I would like to remind all parents that in the event of bad weather information on the closure and re-opening of School can be obtained from the P.T.A. Committee members who will be informed of the situation.

Before out-lining our early 1987 activities, some words on the events held during last term.

The Annual Handicraft & Cake Sale held in November was very successful. The Wine Tasting Evening has now also become an annual event and this year the evening also provided the opportunity to taste a wide selection of cheeses. Both events were well supported by Parents and friends. Now some dates for this term:

DISCO. Saturday 7th Feb. at 8.00 p.m. until midnight. Charfield Memorial Hall. The Dave Dean Roadshow will be playing music from the 60's/70's and the present 80's, so whatever your age come along. Tickets are available now from P.T.A. Committee members at £2.50, this includes a Buffet Supper, and the bar will be open.

An open evening on “SEX EDUCATION” will be held on the 11th MARCH at 8.00 p.m. at the School. The evening will include the viewing of the teaching films shown to our children as well as a frank and open discussion on the subject. This is also likely to be a popular event; admission is free, but by ticket only, again available from committee members.

Ed. Zapata.
Chairman.
Fal. 26xxxx.

6

Here we are at the start of yet another New Year. It doesn't seem five minutes since the start of 1986, that must be a sign of old age so I am told. Anyway, to all readers I hope 1987 will be a happy and prosperous Year.

To bring you up-to-date with your representatives on the Committee, they are:-

Mrs. Jacky Swallow, xx Station Road. Charfield. Dur. 84xxxx.
Mrs. Pat Waring, xxx Manor Lane, Charfield. Fal. 26xxxx.
Mrs. Barbara Wells, xxx Manor Lane, Charfield. Fal. 26xxxx.

A very enjoyable Christmas Concert was held on December 5th when we were entertained by Cam Brass Band. Our first function this year will be on March 13th, the nearest to the “Ides of March”, we could get, when we will be going Roman – complete with togas etc., Tickets will be on sale shortly for this “Roman Evening”.

On May 22nd, a Barn Dance with the Abbey Folk Group, with Martin Hewitt the caller. He has agreed to come all the way from Cheltenham for us, so please support this event.

On July 4th we are organising a Treasure Hunt to be followed by a Barbecue. More news about that in the next Newsletter.

We have a new list of requirements the School would like financial assistance with and we ask all parents to support some if not all the events the P.T.A. arrange. We do try to accommodate varying tastes but if there are any events or topics you would like to see put on, please do contact either myself or one of your representatives.

Margaret Clark.
Chair-lady.
Fal. 26xxxx.

Happy New Year!

Just one date for your diaries:- Our Annual General Meeting will be held on March 25th, at 8.30 p.m. at the Railway Tavern.

Anyone interested in joining will be most welcome – 1987 is going to be a good year for tennis! We hope!

We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at the A.G.M.

Heather Crowley. Secretary.

Just a short word of praise to the Parish Council and all who spoke as representatives at the recent Appeal. Although this time I was unable to spend as much time at the Appeal as I would have liked the little time I was there I was very impressed with the manner in which the Parish Council conducted their evidence. Well done! Let's just hope it's done some good. We all await now with baited breath for the pending result.

Marion Smith.

7

On behalf of all the members of the group, A Very Happy New Year to you all and thank you for the support you have given us over the past twelve months.

As reported in the last Newsletter we were hoping to start work on the new extension to our H.Q. Well, I am pleased to say we have done so, not as much as we had hoped, but at least the foundations have been dug. So, hopefully, the boys will have the extra space they need in the not too distant future.

We are still trying to raise money to pay for the extension and with that in mind we have organised various events. The first being an evenings entertainment by the Rangeworthy Court Players on February 28th. in the Memorial Hall. This will be followed by an Open Evening with Dr. Steven Harris of “Foxwatch”, there will be slides and a very interesting talk. This event will be held in the Drama Hall, at K.L.B. School on Wednesday 18th March.

The date of the Spring Fayre to be held in Scout H.Q. has still to be decided, but posters and slips will advertise the date.

A Sponsored Walk by the whole group, boys, leaders, parents and friends is being organised for sometime in April. Please support this event as hopefully it will raise the money we need to complete the extension. Tickets for this years 100 Club will be on sale during January and February, and the winners of the November draw were:-

First. £25. Anne Weston, W.u.E.
Second £15. I. Muirhead Wickwar Quarry.
Third £10. Tina Benton, Kingswood.
Fourth £6. C. Stokes, Charfield.
Fifth £6. Mrs. Henshaw, Kingswood.

and the December draw :-

First £25 T. Payne, Wickwar Quarry.
Second £15. Mrs. Bernard. Cromhall.
Third £10 Mrs. J. Simmons, Kingswood.
Fourth £6. Mrs. P. Edens, Cromhall.
5th Mr. C. Weston, W.u.E.

Our Waste Paper Collection is still continuing and if you have not been contacted and wish to have your old newspapers and magazines collected, please contact me and I will arrange for collection.

Margaret Clarke,
Group Secretary.
Fal. 26xxxx.

Due to the very cold weather we were not able to go back to our meeting for the first couple of weeks in January. Never mind as I write this report I have had a letter from Blue Peter office in London thanking us for our wonderful donation to the appeal which has far exceeded any of their expectations. Thank you all who contributed in anyway to what I felt was a very worthwhile evening. I paid in £218 which I am sure you will agree was a worthy amount. Considering the Guides had had a Jumble Sale on the previous Sat. making about £120 and Young Wives had had a Coffee Morning on the previous Wednesday. Not to mention the Village Hall Craft Fair the Sat. before that. We really are a very supportive Village – these results prove it.

Our new Year Programme will soon be under way and if we have anyone in the Village with a daughter between 7 yrs. and 10 yrs. who would like to be a Brownie, perhaps you would contact me –

Marion Smith.
Brown Owl.
Fal. 26xxxx.

8

Happy New Year to all our existing members and all our future ones too. As usual I will repeat myself “Toddlers” is held every Thursday morning during school term, at the Village Hall, between 10.15 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. where we have a chat, coffee and a piece of cake, while the little ones play with the toys, so do please come along – we are a friendly group, (we hope), and anyone who is tied to the home with a little one is very welcome.

A good night out was had at “The Portcullis”, Hillesley; the food and atmosphere were excellent, as I am sure all who went will agree.

The children's Christmas Party went very well and was well attended, all the little ones got to meet Father Christmas, and hopefully had a good time.

Once again the group will be looking for a new Committee as most of the present mums on Committee have children who have moved on, or who are shortly about to move to Play-Group, so please give it a thought. Committee Meetings are a very social event, and only meet once a month to discuss fund raising and outings for the forthcoming year.

Mary Clatworthy.
Secretary.

As promised a list of Streets and amounts collected from the house-to-house collection in September:-

making as I said in the last Newsletter the grand total of £214.81p. Many many thanks to all concerned.

Marion Smith.
Local Organiser.

9

As we look forward in 1987 to a fresh beginning we can look back on our achievements over the last year.

With a bit of an effort and enthusiasm our members successfully ran two “Bring & Buy” Sales, and a Spring and Christmas Draw, which will greatly help to offset our rising costs.

We enjoyed a visit to Cardiff Christmas Shopping which made a change from our usual trip to Swindon – with a change of scenery too. A Christmas Lunch at a neighbouring Hotel was another event catered for our members benefit, and to finish the festivities a tea party was held in the Village Hall.

We welcome new members to our meetings on Wednesday afternoons (fortnightly), where if you are a newcomer to Charfield you will meet those who have lived here a long time. A mini-bus can be arranged to pick you up and take you home again if you are unable to get to the hall, so do come and join us. We look forward to seeing you.

E.H. Orton.
Chairman.
Fal. 26xxxx.

For those of you in Charfield who do not already know Mr. Isherwood, past Chairman and keen supporter of the Friendship Club for many years, moved to Southampton to live just before Christmas.

We all wish him much happiness and good health in his new abode.

Mrs. Eileen North, another well-known and much loved lady who lived in Charfield for many years, passed away peacefully just after Christmas.

Both Mrs. North and her husband Carol, were devoted Church workers, and were members of several Village Clubs, including the Friendship Club and The Luncheon Club, where Mrs. North prepared and cooked the meals for several years. She was also an energetic member of the W.I.

After Carol's death Eileen remained in Charfield for a while before moving to Manchester to live with her daughter, but later through ill-health ended her days in a Private Nursing Home. However, she still regarded Charfield as her home, and her wish was for her remains to be returned to Charfield to rest with Carol's in St. James, Churchyard, Churchend. All those who knew this delightful couple will remember them with affection, and any donations in memory should be sent to –

Mrs. Kate Harvey (daughter)
75 Somerset Avenue,
Yate.

who will pass them to The Rheumatism & Arthritis Society, who Mrs. North supported.

R.G.

May every day of this Year
From January to December
Bring you, as you journey on,
Something lovely to remember.

PS. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 13 for further information regarding Mrs. North's internment.

10

Hello, everyone, Happy New Year. I'm sure you all had a great Christmas. We went back to London and I, very kindly allowed Keith to get drunk on all our visits out and I only had the minutest of G & Ts.

Not one London “bobby” took me up on my offer, when I shouted out of the car window “come and get me. I'm sober”!!

I'd like to welcome two new mums to the Circle, they are – Di. Wood, and Helen Brown. Di. lives at x Underhill Rd. Telephone 26xxxx, and Helen is at xx Orchard Close, Tel. 26xxxx.

There are forty of us in the Circle at the moment: should anyone new in the Village wish to join, just 'phone me, Marilyn on 26xxxx.

Have a great 1987, and see you soon!

Marilyn.

P.S. I'm desperate for washers.

This years Sport Day will be on JULY 11th with a mediaeval theme.

Would all the members of Clubs and Committees, put your heads together to come up with some rotas to make this yet another successful day.

If you have contacts with talented people who could, or would, like to take part on this day please let me know. As always we appreciate your help nearer the day (i.e. setting up the various stalls, managing the gates) so if you would like to offer your services please contact me on Falfield 26xxxx. Have a very Happy New Year. Best wishes.

Keith Smith.
Chairman Sports & Gala Day Cttee.

In May local elections for Parish Councillors will be with us again. Have you thought of giving some of your time to the Community by serving on Charfield Parish Council?

Nominations are required for the 9+ places. Perhaps you would like to consider standing for election, and if so, it will be necessary in due course to obtain nomination forms from the Parish Clerk – Mrs. J. Hughes, x Berkeley Close, or North Avon District Council, at Thornbury.

With regard to the Planning Inquiry held in Dec. last, the Parish Council wish to record thanks to all those who supported us. We shall now have to wait, in all probability, until March/April before hearing the Minister's decision after considering the Inspector's report.

S.C. Gunning.
Chairman Parish Council.

11

First of all may I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Just a flash back to 1986 – a very successful year enabling us on your behalf to donate to local charities, two in the Village, plus others, including The Stroud Meningitis Fund.

I hope ladies you enjoyed our efforts for the Christmas Dinner. A big thank you to our helpers who once again did a marvellous job serving and clearing away afterwards. Also a special thank you to John & Olly behind the Bar.

Future dates for 1987.

January 15th	Mrs. S. Hanman – “My own Monologues”.
February 19th	Talk & Demonstration on Self Defence. (hope we don't have to use it.)
March 19th	A.G.M. followed by a Supper of hot and cold dishes.

March brings us again to the end of another programme, and time for me to pass the title and keys to Margaret Tippers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Committee ladies for their help and support, and also With Margaret and her team every success for 87/88.

Sharon Vale.
Chair-lady.

I am sure Christmas seems a distant memory now, but as I am writing my report the Christmas tree needles are falling like rain and the dust is collecting nicely on the decorations!

A Happy New Year to all W.I. members and all prospective members who are wondering what to do in 1987. Let 1987 be the year when you make a resolution to do something new and different. If you are a W.I. member that is not too difficult. There are weekends when we can go water-skiing, day schools on alternative medicine and craft workshops, all within short travelling distance, but you do not have to travel to find something different. Every second Thursday in the month in the Village Hall the W.I. meet and enjoy a get-together with talks and demonstrations. How about trying your hand at painting, watching demonstrations on cake decorating, or taking part in our own antiques “road show”? Well they are just some of the events coming in the year ahead. So in 1987 come and try the W.I.

See you soon.
Susan Green.

The Keep Fit Class is held in the Memorial Hall every Tuesday morning 10.30–11.30 and all are welcome. Many thanks to Josie and Marilyn who supervised the class while Val. was away. We are all pleased she has recovered from her accident, and she hopes to be with us on Tuesday 13th Jan.

Best wishes for 1987 to you all.

A.M. Poskett.

12

When the temperature goes down, fuel bills go up, sometimes beyond our means. When your income leaves little or nothing to spare for emergencies, a cold spell can upset even the most carefully planned budget. The consequences of not having enough money to keep warm in the winter can be tragic. Last year, 571 people over 65 died of hypothermia. What help is there for people living on a tight budget?

On the 11th December, the Government introduced new rules which mean that in very cold weather some people can get an extra £5 a week to help pay their fuel bills. To claim the exceptionally severe weather payment, people must be claiming Supplementary Benefit, have less than £500 savings and have children under two, or people over 65, or sick or disabled people living in the home. Your local DHSS office and the Citizens Advice Bureau have more information on applying for this benefit.

If you are not eligible to claim the exceptionally severe weather payment, ask your C.A.B. about other sources of help available to meet the winter fuel costs. Making your home more ‘energy efficient’ is one way of cutting fuel costs. Local groups may offer money, materials or labour to help insulate your home and some people on Supplementary Benefit can claim money for draught-proofing materials, or to replace or repair a heater. Saving stamps, budget accounts with fuel Boards and paying with credit are options you could also discuss with the C.A.B.

Don't simply turn down the heat or wait for the final reminder before checking with the C.A.B. first about what help you can get for your winter fuel needs.

For this, or any other problem, that you may need help with, you will find us at The Council Office, in the Chippings, Wotton-under-Edge every Tuesday from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Dur. 84xxxx. Other times at Stroud, Tel. 2xxx.

We all wish Jean McGonnigill, a very happy retirement, but with her 20 years experience, common sense and good humour she is going to be sorely missed by us all at C.A.B. I feel most fortunate that I have had her help and guidance during my four years service, and shall be doing my very best to maintain her standards.

Barbara Adams.
Wotton C.A.B.

I would like to wish you all a happy new year on behalf of the 1st Woodend Lions. Our year starts off busy as always, seven of our boys are about to start their link badges.

In January we shall be holding an Orientating event at the District Camp Site, Woodhouse Park.

In February we are all going to the pantomime at Bristol. (Jim Davidson in Cinderella.) Also in February we have our District Handicraft Competition. The Pack is full at the moment but any boys who would like to join please come and put your names down now.

As I have said the Pack is full, and we find once again we are in great need of help, so if any mums or dads can spare 1 hr. on Tuesday nights please come along and have a chat with us.

At the end of last year the boys did very well with their badges. I gave out the following – 1. Swimmer. 4 Scientist. 1 Musicians. 11 Campers. 1 Cyclist. 2 Silver arrows. These were all done in Dec. so you can see the boys are working quite hard.

Audrey Chappell.

13

Some of you may remember my letter in the Newsletter last year, about supporting a third world community. Several people contacted me after that letter, and we found out more about the Malka Hidda refugee Camp in Somalia, that was mentioned. We were all impressed and felt that it was a project worth supporting.

It is a permanent camp that has been established since the late 1970's. It is well organised and not only manages to feed and clothe the permanent community there, but puts great emphasis on training them to irrigate, cultivate and produce crafts that can support them. These people were originally nomads, but the change in their environment makes this now impossible, so they are being helped to adapt to a new way of life in which they will eventually support themselves.

The camp is funded by Action Aid, and reports are continually being sent back by their representatives over there on its progress. We know where our money is going, and how it is spent.

I know many of you already support your own third world charities, but for those of you who, at the beginning of a new year, feel that you would like to support something, but where do you start, it is a very worthwhile project.

If every household in Charfield donated £5 for a year, (½ a pint of milk a week) we could raise a very useful sum of money. I know that this is not realistic, but if you feel that you would like to help, don't put the idea to one side – do it now. Contact me and let me know what you would like to donate (no sum too small). Thank you.

Pat Jeanes,
Fowler's Court,
Lt. Bristo1 Road.
Charfield. Fal. 26xxxx.

We are holding a COFFEE MORNING at the above address on WEDNESDAY 18th FEBRUARY, between 10 and 12, and will be delighted to see you, and tell you more about the scheme if you are interested. If you can't come but would still like to know more please 'phone me – Fal. 26xxxx.

P.J.

The dates of the Discos for the following months are –

16th January. 20th February. 13th March. 1st May.

6–11 yrs. 6.30–8.30 50p.
11 yrs+ 8.30–11.0 p.m. 60p.

It would be nice to see a few more at the younger sessions. I would like to say how well behaved the youngsters are who attend the Discos and also to say thank you to all the people who give their time to help organise these events; without them there would be no Discos.

The money raised by the Discos has enabled us to purchase much needed equipment for the Village Hall kitchen such as kettles, teapots, trays, plates, cutlery, etc., for the use of Clubs and other users of the Hall.

M. Ealey.

The interment of Mrs. Eileen North's casket will take place on February 1st (Sunday) at 11.20 a.m. following morning service at St. John's Church, Charfield, when family and friends are invited to attend.

Mrs. K. Harvey (daughter).

14

Some say that living in the past is a sign of old age, but to me it is impossible not to think of the past when I look around Charfield as it is today and compare it to the beautiful little Village of my youth.

Progress has to be accepted, but does it have to be so ugly and devoid of character that the word picturesque can never again be used to describe our Village? If dwelling in the past is a sign of ones age then I enjoy being as old as I am. Like many of the older residents of Charfield, I can remember how it looked before progress happened.

Many years ago the heart of Charfield was really vibrating with life, and a certain rural character that was evident then is sadly gone for ever. Never again will we see Village Cricket played behind our lovely Church, the setting of which would rival anything produced by film makers.

Also gone for ever from its central position in the Village is the old Cattle Market. What a centre of activity this was on Market days, with farmers bringing their livestock from all the surrounding Villages to be sold. With magnificent stallions being paraded around the market perimeter, the handlers or grooms trying to catch the eye of any farmer with a mare needing their services. The huge barrel shaped bodies of these giant animals shone like cherished violins; the gleaming brass medallions bedecking the heavily muscled and proudly arched neck, along with the coloured ribbons immaculately plaited into the mane and tail, strongly emphasised the beauty, power and grace of these noble creatures. What a shame those living monuments of Charfield's past history will never again be seen stamping their tremendous manicured hooves around our Village, to delight and impress us as they did four or five decades ago.

Two Banks had Offices in Charfield, namely, Lloyds and the National Provincial, these were open all day on Market days, as were the Public Houses. Some market traders and indeed some onlookers certainly took advantage of the amenities offered by these Institutions, and to say some were rendered legless would be an understatement.

Before the advent of cattle lorries all animals were walked to Market along, thankfully, not very busy roads. Walking cattle to the market although seemingly a simple task had one problem, open garden gates, these were an open invitation to any bunch of fat nosey steers being driven past. Being driven past however is not strictly true, steers just cannot pass an open gate, and although they would enter easily enough it was quite alien to their nature to come out until they were really satisfied that sufficient mayhem had been caused. Working in conjunction with the main market was the calf market, this was situated where the Police Station is now. Although it was known as the calf market, goats, ponies, and even the occasional sheep dog came under the auctioneers hammer, making this a very interesting area for all age groups, especially children brought along by their parents to see the smaller animals.

A very important and integral part of the market were the farm implement traders. The pavement in front of the Railway Hotel was used as a display counter by a couple of these gentlemen. This was in fact quite a desirable pitch, for the simple reason every one using the Hotel passed the implements on display thereby presenting a great temptation to buy, if not on the way in, it seemed to work on the way out. Almost everything a farmer needed could be purchased from these traders – buckets, ladders, brushes, harness, and even animal medicine and poisons used for pest control.

Bibby's (the cattle food manufacturers) had a large store at Charfield Station, and they certainly did a roaring trade on market days. The Bibby Area Manager worked long and hard on these days. 15The goods staff at Charfield Station who loaded Bibby's lorries, as well as serving the farmers who came for the odd bag of cattle food, had a very entertaining day but very few tips, which seems to prove the stories about farmers being like the Scots are true.

Prior to Bibby's using their own transport, the railway lorries at Charfield Station did deliveries for them in conjunction with their own normal service. I expect many of the older residents will remember seeing the old Dennis lorry grinding up the incline from the goods shed loaded with everything imaginable, cattle food, boxes of fish, barrels of beer, cartons of whisky, huge slabs of iron for the crushing plants at the local quarries, bags of smelly bones for the Bone Mill in the Village, cartons of pies and sausages, and so on, the list could go on for ever.

Nothing was refused that could be dealt with in reasonable safety. Containers weighing up to fifteen tons were handled almost daily. These containers incidentally were lifted on a crane with a maximum lifting capacity of ten tons. To apply the brake on this crane one or may be more porters, depending on the weight being lifted hung on to the brake lever pulling it downwards as hard as possible. This operation tightened a leather lined steel band around the fly-wheel masquerading as a brake drum. If this did not work, sand thrown onto the inside of the steel band helped considerably. This braking system was supposed to stop the load from being deposited where it was not required, and luckily it worked more often than not. For new residents to Charfield this crane was situated in the yard now occupied by coaches. For obvious reasons of safety, permission had always to be obtained from the signal man before lifting operations with the crane could begin. If no trains had been accepted by him (the signal man) into the Charfield section, unloading and loading could commence. If things did unfortunately go wrong with no trains in the section an accident involving main line traffic was almost impossible.

Sadly, Charfield Railway Station, like the Cattle Market, no longer exists. Though these two Institutions are gone for ever from our Village, they will never be forgotten by the people who were lucky enough to have been around during that period of time. One of the main features of attraction at Charfield Station, was the beautiful flower border; this ran the entire length of the eighty yard platform, and was all of six feet wide. This border was admired by every one who saw it. Prizes were won almost every year for the Best Kept Station, and there is little doubt that the immaculate rows of plants, and outstanding range of brilliant colours on view in this border must have had a great influence on the Judges decision when summing up time came.

K.A.W. Parker.

(To he continued in April.)

Many thanks to Mr. K.A.W. Parker, of Newtown, Charfield, for his contribution.

It is indeed sad to see the state of our Brunel Station, these days, after years of winning the Best Kept Station award. Now we can't even manage to come above the bottom line of the Best Kept Village competition. This does not say much for us “newcomers”! Shouldn't we be doing something about it?

R.G.

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I have lived in Charfield for over ten years. Since I was young my dad has taken my brother and I over the fields. I have now become very interested in nature and wildlife. However the future of these fields hangs in the balance.

I have written a poem to try and express what I feel will happen to Charfield if we don't ban the builders. My poem illustrates the harm to the wildlife and the Village community.

Yours sincerely,
Annabel Parfitt.

Colditz.

The blank windows of the houses
Stare blindly forward.
The high verticals stand
Where once green fields lay.

The dawn birdsong
No longer pierces the still,
Frost clothed trees.
Instead the harsh cough of an engine,
And coarse language
Shatter the solitude.

Those trees that remain,
Lone soldiers doomed to death
Disfigured by blatant louts
RH for MM engraved in aerosol spray.

The old pond where
We spent our childhood
Now iridescent rainbow waters
With rusty bike forks
The bones of our memories.

The community spirit of the Village
Was ripped apart as the first tree fell.
Now trust and security is replaced
By fear of corruption.

The high fences and synthetic trees
Form the barbed wire walls of
The concrete Colditz.

Annabel Parfitt.
Charfield 26.10.86.

NEWS “snippet” taken from National NEWSPAPER.

Why build houses when cows can be grazed NOT to provide milk BUT MANURE and at a good profit too!! £3.39 a growing bag – good for roses they tell me – saves having to mix cement, and making an artificial lake!!

P.E.

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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: 2016-12-14.