CHADRA

Was it just co-incidence, or was it our “moans” on the front page of the last issue?

Whatever – copy came in thick and fast for this issue and all within a week of the copy date – some much earlier! Many thanks for all the contributions; not only for the club reports but also the letters and articles received.

Good news! – You no longer have to drive to Thornbury or to Yate to get rid of your empty bottles. There is now a Bottle Bank in Charfield, situated in the car park of the Tavern. So let's all do our bit for re-cycling and make full use of it.

Finally, as this is the last issue of 1990, may we take this early opportunity of wishing all readers a Happy Christmas, and a Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

M.H.
J.P.

************** NEXT COPY DATE – 12th JANUARY 1991 *************

Joint Editors Mary Hall xx Durham Road Charfield Tel: Falfield 26xxxx	Distribution Mike Cheskin xx Farm Lees Charfield Tel: Dursley 84xxxx
Jenny Peaster xxx Manor Lane Charfield Tel: Falfield 26xxxx	Duplicating John Butler x Thames Close Tel: Falfield 26xxxx

Published by Charfield & District Residents' Association (CHADRA)

1

And so to the Christmas quarter (of the newsletter) once again.

We have just held the Harvest Supper in St. James's (the Old) Church. Previously we have been holding it every other year but it is clear that it has now met with sufficient support to be worth while doing it on an annual basis. There were close on eighty people who attended it and I have had enthusiastic reports of how much it was enjoyed. We had an opening session from the Avon Brass Ensemble and later in the evening further items from our local talent. The meal was magnificent, as usual – and all for £2.50!

By the time you receive this we shall probably be only a few weeks from Remembrance Sunday. This year it is on the 11th of November (which coincides with the date of the Armistice of the Great war: 11th November 1918). On that Sunday we hold a brief act of remembrance at the War Memorial, the area of which is being smartened up as I write this. Immediately after this we invite all present to a short service in Church. At this service some, or sometimes all, or our local young people's uniformed organisations are present. It is good to see them on these occasions, as it is also to welcome the British Legion and others who are interested. We have a lot to be thankful for in this country when we remember our past and it is good also to remind ourselves that the wisdom of right ways is the ultimate path to prosperity of the best sort. If you have not joined in this expression of village solidarity before you are invited to do so on this occasion.

Another occasion to which you are invited is our CHRISTINGLE Service. This has an accent on young people but it is a family occasion and therefore suitable for all. It looks towards Christmas and is, for that reason, in Advent, the season that is a preparation for Christmas. The service is at 10.15 on Sunday the 9th of December.

Some time ago the various organisations in the village were written to and invited to be present and join us for Carols round the Christmas tree (or near it) in and around the Church porch (so that passers by can see and hear us. We have received some replies to the letters. Some seem to think that they are asked to give items on this occasion. If any organisation has items, they are welcome to share in that way. But please do not stay away if you can't manage to do this. The main idea is to get together and have a sing together as a group of village organisations. If you do not belong to any organisation, come as an individual! This is being held on the evening of FRIDAY the 14th December from 7 p.m. Come when you can – children welcome. It is a get-together occasion of Christmas singing.

Two further events: Our annual Carol service is on Sunday the 23rd of December at 3 p.m.; and our Christmas Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve Monday 24th Dec. starting at 11.30 p.m. You are welcome to these and all services.

It is at this moment (early October) a bit premature but a happy Christmas to you all, and a prayer that you may know the joy of Christ all through the year.

KG.

2

If you do not attend a place of worship already please be assured of a very warm welcome at any of our meetings or services.

Harvest

By the time that these notes are read no doubt we shall all be contemplating Christmas. At the moment however, on this first weekend in October, we have just finished celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving at the Chapel, and in spite of yet another very dry summer when hardly a blade of grass would seem to grow, and even the weeds seemed wilted – the pulpit and window display of flowers and garden produce has once again been truly remarkable – reminding us so vividly of God's promise in Genesis 8 v 22 “While Earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

Salvation Army Envoy Paul Westlake of Swindon was our guest preacher for the occasion, and after the evening service he was able to take away a good car load of vegetables and other foodstuff for distribution amongst some of life's ‘drop outs’ who still daily seek food and shelter in Salvation Army hostels up and down our land. Our warmest thanks go to him for his much appreciated ministry, to all friends who made gifts of flowers or produce, to the ladies who decorated the Church so splendidly, and last but by no means least, a very sincere thank you to those who made special monetary contributions for our Gift Day which to date total £105. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kingswood ‘Musical’

Some of our ladies have recently been rehearsing along with the choir at Kingswood Congregational Church for the Musical Cantata by Roger Jones based on the well known Old Testament story of “David”. They are hoping to perform this in the very near future, on a date yet to be announced.

Remembrance ‘United’ Service The Vicar and friends of St John's will be joining with us at the Chapel for a United Service at 3 pm on Sunday 11th November which will be conducted by Pastor G Stephens. Please join us if you can.

Memo: Please remember that we change to afternoon services for the winter on Sunday 4th November.

Wayside Pulpit “All things were made by Him” John 1 v 3

E.L.

3

Hello every-one,

Well, what have the boys been doing since I last wrote to you? We have held two camps this year, the first was held at Selsley, Stroud. 1st Selsley Scouts have a lovely H.Q., but the ground out-side did not seem to fit the number of tents we had, the boys found themselves sleeping on a slight slope! The weekend was spent doing arrow work, all the boys made kites and we went out to the local common to try and fly them, any-one who knows about kite flying knows that you need a gentle breeze, not a howling gale. We were hanging on to kites left, right and centre, we walked back to H.Q. with a bag of broken kites and a team of tired but happy boys after all the running around they did.

Our second camp was the Severnvale District camp held at Woodhouse Park. The weekend was much more a fun weekend. On Saturday we all entered a space competition. One of the games was called Moon Rocks. The boys had to pick up sponges (moon rocks) with giant chopsticks and put them in a bucket with their feet tied together. (Confused? – so were the boys). The leaders also had a go – to find out what happened you will have to ask the boys to tell you. I won't say they cheat – but!! Back to the competition quickly … the result of that competition was that 1st Woodend Lions won, YES WON. The boys who went into the final race had sweets as prizes.

The moment of that competition must have been when the A.D.C. Mr R Jenkins changed the rules, instead of the boys doing the last race he wanted the leaders to run. Well now, just picture it, the last game is a sledge race. Akela was sat on the sledge with her two assistant leaders about to pull her around a line of poles, they were wearing over-sized wellies to make matters worse. With eyes firmly shut we took off around the course at a speed that nearly broke my neck, to arrive at the finish with me sliding across the field on my rear end to the delight of all my darling boys. We did it in record time – the fastest run in the whole competition, we didn't let the boys down (how could we).

While we are on our winning Streak we had a draw at football last week, this could be due to our new team manager – welcome to Mike Cheskin. Many thanks to Ray Johnson for doing his bit for the boys.

We are once again a full pack. If any boys are wishing to join us please contact me and I can put his name down on our waiting list.

Audrey Chappell
Akela

Tel: Falfield 26xxxx

Hello Mums and Dads

Another year has begun at Playgroup. The A.G.M. was held on Thursday 20th September 1990 and the new committee have now taken up their duties. (details of the new committee below) Thank you to all the mums and dads who attended the A.G.M. and a special thank-you to last years committee for all their hard work, not forgetting Sally, Cherry, Liz and Ros.

On Monday November 5th 1990 the photographer is coming to playgroup between 2.30 pm and 4 pm. Anyone who wishes to come down for photographs 4will be welcome as this is open to babies and children who do not attend playgroup. Last years photographs were excellent and very reasonable.

Our annual bazaar will held on Wednesday 14th November 1990, details of stalls will be given at a later date.

If you have a child who will be 3 years old in the coming playgroup year or if you are new to the village and your child is already 3 years old and would like to join our happy group please let me know as soon as possible.

1990/1991 Committee

Lyn Newman, 40 Underhill Road

Sally Griffiths, Dursley 84xxxx

Hello everyone,
I can't believe it's time to write my piece for the Newsletter already.

I hope you all had a good holiday, it certainly passed quickly and the weather was brilliant wasn't it?

Anyway, I'll tell you about the trip to Weston Super Mare first. It took place on 19th July. The weather as throughout most of the summer was hot and sunny. We all had a lovely time. The children on the beach, amusements and donkeys, and I think we all ate the customary sand sandwiches. We returned happy and glowing (or was that sunburnt!!)

We have arranged for the photographer to come along to a clinic/toddler session on Thursday 22nd November at 9.00, so if you would like your children photographed please feel free to attend.

The children's Christmas Party will be held in December, date yet to be arranged. So if you would like your children to come and join in the fun, pop down to toddlers any Thursday and find out the details. We always have a lovely time and even Father Christmas comes along.

We had a nice day for the Charfield Show. Our stall went very well, thanks for your support. Charlotte Saunders actually guessed the correct ‘name the moose’ name which was ‘Jonathan’, so she is now the proud owner of the ‘moose’.

I must just say how nice it is to see a few new faces at our toddler sessions, please keep coming along and bring your friends too.

Well, it only remains for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

See you next time,
Elaine
Secretary

5

How smart we look!

At the beginning of the September term we finally moved into our new hall and the old “hall” which has been converted into two classrooms and a resource area. The hall has already received many compliments with regard to the way in which it has been designed to blend with the original school building. We were delighted that Mr. Malpass agreed to perform the official opening earlier in October – a very appropriate choice, given his efforts over many years to secure improved facilities.

Moving into the new building and finding a home for everything has resulted in a busier than usual start to the year, but we have still managed to fit in other activities, not least of which was a Harvest Festival with a difference. Packets and tins of convenience and dried foods were donated by families for sending to Romania. The response was tremendous. We are hoping to hear something of the eventual destination of our efforts via our contact who has visited Romanian orphanages and is responsible for the transporting of supplies from the Bristol area.

Four classes have undertaken educational visits already this term – to Caldicot Castle and Gloucester Docks Museum – two very worthwhile ventures which tie in neatly with work on Castles and Shipping.

Finally – an appeal!
If there are any of our readers who are budding Landscape Gardeners or who have access to cheap timber supplies, we would love to hear from you! Two of the projects which we are hoping to fulfil this year involve creating a rockery/shrubbery adjacent to our new buildings and replacing timber in wooden structures which form part of the Adventure Playground. Any help with ideas or contacts will be gratefully received!

C.F. Sreeves
Headteacher

We shall soon be slipping into the winter season and with the alteration of the clocks and the evenings drawing in, this leaves us just two or three excursions before Christmas.

A visit to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley was enjoyed by our members and members of Wickwar W.R.V.S. The Autumn leaves were just turning colour, but a little more sunshine would have enhanced the colours more. Another of our activities was our “Harvest Home” with one of our members Rev. Parker who conducted the service and gave a short address. We were fortunate with the services of Mr. Ivor Tiley who auctioned the “harvest gifts”.

Our “Bring and Buy” Sale will be held on October 24th – another venture of our meetings thus helping to increase funds for the pleasures of our members. We still extend our invitation to new members – just ring Mrs. Amer on Falfield 26xxxx or myself on Falfield 26xxxx. A mini-bus will pick you up and take you home again. There is no problem for handicapped persons as a lift is operated on the bus. My Committee wish everyone a Happy Christmas and Good Fortune in the New Year.

Ernest H. Orton
Chairman

6

The Dursley and District Cancer Support Group meet in Wotton at Dryleaze House on the first Wednesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4'ish.

We have a nice cheerful afternoon, it differs each month, there are speakers on a variety of subjects and time for a chat and a cup of tea etc.

We hope that more people who have cancer will come and join us; you will find a friendly, understanding atmosphere. After all, we all suffer from the disease in one form or another. We can all help each other, even if it's just a friendly chat.

Don't be shy. Just come along. The age group is quite varied. The afternoon will cost you just 20p – 10p if you don't require raffle tickets.

The phone numbers of three of our Organisers are:-

Dr. Rachel Sillett, x Garns Close, Uley, Dursley, Glos. Tel: 0453 86xxxx
Mrs. Joan Hobbs, xx Tabernacle Road, Wotton-u-Edge. Tel: 0453 84xxxx
Mrs. Chapman, x Green Street, Cam, Dursley, Glos. Tel: 0453 54xxxx

Alternatively, you can contact me – Tel: 0453 84xxxx.
Transport can usually be arranged if required.

Peggie Wright

Thornbury & District Volunteer link holds its AGM in the Methodist Church, Thornbury, on Thursday 15th November at 7.30 p.m., and anyone interested in voluntary work is invited to attend this meeting.

The Volunteer Link celebrates its second birthday with some pride. Not only are new volunteers, both young and old, applying every week, but this year has seen the start of the new Sitting Service for the Relief of Carers.

This important development will be the main theme of the A.G.M, and speakers have been invited from caring organisations to speak on various aspects of Sitting In. With Care in the Community rapidly changing from being a concept to a reality the need for a Sitting Service is greater even than before. It is hoped that many people will take this opportunity to come and listen to those who have a wealth of experience to share.

Clare Fardell
Volunteer Coordinator.
24 Hour Answerphone 0454 41xxxx

Due to the exorbitant increase in the cost of petrol, we have had to increase the amount asked for each journey by 2p a mile, making it now 13p a mile. I would add that we have stayed at the old rate since May 1985.

We are gradually losing our drivers for various reasons and unless we have a few new volunteers, I feel that the scheme will gradually grind to a halt. All our drivers have other regular commitments so its is quite difficult to find a driver available at the time of an appointment.

7Hospitals in the centre of Bristol, e.g. B.R.I. and Bristol Eye Hospital are my worst headache due to lack of car parking space and the cost of National Car Parks and parking meters, if available. Also I have only one driver who is usually free to travel to the central Bristol hospitals. Can anyone help please? If so, please contact me.

Muriel Blower
Falfield 26xxxx

Mrs. Tonia Williams joined us at the end of July. She is keen to get her Campers licence, so hopefully the girls can then go camping again. Julie and myself both find it difficult to go away weekends as we both have children. We wish Tonia all the best in this venture.

September 15th was the day the Guides and 2nd Charfield Brownies went on their trip. We were going to Avebury Manor near Calne but, alas, 10 days before we were due to go I had a 'phone call to say the house, jousting and falconry would not be available! Vi and myself had to think very hard to try and find somewhere else at short notice. We both agreed on Prinknash Abbey. If you have never been there it is well worth a visit. The day was lovely and the highlight was to see the girls feeding the animals. After lunch we went to Gloucester Docks to the Package Museum. This is a very interesting place. Vi, John and myself could remember the old washing tubs and mangles! I would like to thank John MacLellan very much for driving the coach (with a bit of backseat driving from Vi), Thank you John.

All the girls are very busy learning songs from Oliver. On January 19th we are putting on a show at the Village Hall. Mrs. Holloway has offered to help us with this again. The last time we did a show was 5 years ago to celebrate 75 years of Guiding. Many thanks Olive for all your hard work and patience!

If anyone would like a ticket, please contact me in the last week of November – Price £1 adults; O.A.P's & children under 16 – 75 pence.

Guide Numbers are now 30 and by the end of the year will be 36. If your daughter is 10 and would like to join please contact me, unless, of course, your daughter is a Brownie, in which case I have a list of those girls due to come up to Guides.

At last I can say, the new uniform is on its way! Fiona for the Brownies has most of her new uniform and my daughter, Josephine, has part of the Guide's. I have nearly 300 orders from the District.

Lastly, the Guides wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

M. Westlake, Guide Guider

Well, our Brownies have done it again!

Let me explain. You will remember in the last Newsletter that our Brownies were each given a £1 coin and asked to make it grow. I have been absolutely staggered at their ingenuity and money raising abilities. To give you an example, our top money raiser was Tracy Butler with an astonishing £56.75 all from the sale of small cakes! Well done, Brownies, for all your hard work.

8At the beginning of the autumn term the Brownies and Guides had a day out at Prinknash Abbey, Painswick, followed by a visit to the Packaging Museum at Gloucester Docks. I am sure I speak for all when I say it was a wonderful day, the highlight of which was feeding the birds and deer at the Abbey.

Our next major event will be the Annual Remembrance Day Parade on 11th November.

Mrs. Richards has also agreed to join the pack as Assistant Guider, so hopefully 2nd Charfield Brownies will continue to go from strength to strength.

If you have a daughter who would like to join Brownies, please contact me on Falfield 26xxxx to have her name added to the waiting list.

Vi MacLellan

As we go into those long winter evenings and you sit at home wondering what to do with yourselves, pop along to the Village Hall on the third Thursday of every month and we will try to brighten up what could have been a boring evening. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those residents of Charfield who kindly contributed to our Tombola at the Autumn Show; we were able to donate just over £100 to the Village Hall.

By the time this Newsletter reaches you we will have had our Open Evening which this year, for those of you who were unable to get a ticket, took the form of a Fashion Show, with clothes being shown from McKays of Thornbury. The annual Autumn Coffee Morning is this year being held on Wednesday, November 7th, with the usual attractions, including Bingo. We are now planning our Christmas Dinner, tickets for which are available from Committee members. This is definitely not a night to be missed; the entertainment this year will certainly be different from all previous years, so get your tickets early.

1991 sees Charfield Young Wives in their 21st year, for which a 21st Birthday Party is well in hand; old members will be sought and cordially invited along with existing members.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and hope to see you all rocking around the village Christmas Tree.

Jenny Bell
Chairlady

The Foundation Room at Charfield School is available for hire.

For further details please contact Christine Temme – Falfield 26xxxx

9

Following on from Mr. Blower's (Residents Association) article in the last issue of this magazine, I, as a dog lover and dog owner, wholeheartedly agree with his comments about irresponsible owners walking their dogs through and around the children's play area.

It therefore came as a surprise to discover that a Dog Show was to be held on the Village Playing Fields, which is surely the most popular children's play area in the village.

Whilst I appreciate that this was staged as a fund raising event, could it not have been possible to hold this event in the car park? Not only would it then have been possible to clean up and disinfect the area afterwards, but our children would not have seen adults completely disregarding the “No Dogs Allowed” sign!

Vi MacLellan

The Editor,
Charfield Newsletter

Dear Sir/Madam

Why is it that every time I receive my copy of CHADRA I become depressed by the moans and groans of the committee, starting with the front page.

Do they repeatedly need to be complimented on how hard they work and what a good job they do “all for nothing”. We readers understand what is involved in producing, or rather compiling the newsletter, for that is what they seem to do. Out of 15 articles from 13 different clubs and groups theirs was one of the shortest and on their pet (no pun intended) dislike of dogs fouling public places.

Perhaps it is time for CHADRA to remind us residents of Charfield, what their precise function is and if it is only to compile the newsletter then maybe a re-vamp would help them to climb out of their doldrums and make the newsletter more interesting.

As most of the voluntary groups regularly contribute, would it not be possible to issue the newsletter bi-monthly instead of quarterly, thus keeping it up to date and in residents minds, and to open it to articles of general interest, plus “chit-chat” as per “Marilyn's Bit” instead of the dogmatic attitude voiced by the “Hon. Sec” insisting and I quote “the fundamental purpose of the newsletter is to keep residents informed of what is going on in the village.“

I once submitted an article of general interest whilst spending time abroad but as it was never acknowledged I didn't bother again, and now I understand why, the committee probably felt it was outside their self-imposed confines to print it.

I am, however, expecting a spirited reply to this letter.

Yours faithfully,
B.F. Saunderson

Editor: In ‘spirited reply’ – Mrs Saunderson's article was in fact published in July 1988, but unfortunately she did not receive a copy. We have taken steps to prevent this happening again; but if anyone has any more comments let us hear from you by 12th January 1991 for the next issue.

10

Charfield may be beautiful in the summer, but it can be boring for young people. When you have the urge to travel, don't let an overdraft stop you – holidays are much more fun when you can't afford them.

Moving about, covering distances is the first problem. Individual train rides can be very costly in rich countries, although quite affordable elsewhere. In Poland, five hundred miles overnight can cost less than one pound! In the third world prices can be lower still, but then so is the quality.

One common solution is an inter-rail. For £137 approximately someone under 26 years can use trains in 26 mainly European countries as often as they like, within a month. Most veterans of this type of holiday seem to enjoy it. Whenever you get bored, you can just hop on a train and visit another country. The only trouble is that getting value for money compels you to visit several countries in a short time; rather like visiting every shelf in a super-market without looking at the different types of food.

Even cheaper is hitch-hiking. Alone or in a pair, wearing clean clothes it can be quite fast, and not as dangerous as many a myth would tell. There is the occasional driver who isn't sober or who thinks you enjoy travelling at twice the speed limit. But drunks can easily be out-witted, and demon drivers usually know the limits of their vehicles. Hitching with horses and carts, or with a negotiator at the Vienna arms-reduction talks is what can really make a holiday. With funny signs like “Anywhere better than here, please” or “not far really”, hitch-hiking can be fun too. It's a great way of meeting local people, and the element of uncertainty can make it exciting.

As to earning money, casual jobs like being a waiter or cleaning boats can tie you too long in one place. Only on long holidays are they a real possibility, and even then there are other ways to earn more. Street drawings with chalk often earn £200 a day. One clown I met in Munich was earning about 250 DM (£85) for a single half-hour's performance. But he was a professional. Alone with my guitar I rarely earned £5 in an hour I had to play and sing standing on my head to earn more (about £5 in the 10 minutes before I got a headache).

If you've got the patience to stand still in a street wearing silly clothes you can earn quite a lot, and if you're good with crowds, three times as much. The great thing about this type of work is its versatility. Unlike grape-picking, you can earn in the street wherever there's a street, and there's nobody telling you to work harder.

This summer I've tried journalism. Finding out about student unions in Poland and cheap beer in Czechoslovakia is good fun (especially the beer!) I will never forget on Neo-Nazi in Berlin who, after I had introduced myself, replied “Is that a Jewish name?” It's rewarding to see your work printed in newspapers and parish magazines! If you're lucky, journalism can make your holiday self-financing too.

There are so many enjoyable ways to earn and travel – now more than ever. Do you think you'll get bored next summer?

Iain King
xxxx Cottage
Huntingford
Charfield
Glos GL12 8EX

Tel: 0453 84xxxx

11

Of all sportsmen, footballers must be the only people who really enjoy a good downpour of rain, after the long dry summer we have experienced again this year. Pre-season training saw more than the somewhat usual amount of skinned limbs.

However, now we are a couple of weeks into the season, and have had a shower or two, all's well in the world again.

The 1990/91 season is looking very exciting in the club, we have many new faces, some young and some not so young, who have given both teams the necessary strength in depth, enabling the managers Craig Halliday and Adrian Smith, the chance to experiment a little and develop two good sides.

Behind the scenes the club has also seen some change and the committee members are looking forward to making everyone welcome, both players and supporters alike, not only on the field but also in the Village Hall bar after every home fixture. A mini-bus has also recently been purchased and shortly we will be using this for our away fixtures, alternating between teams each week, to create a better club spirit, on our longer journeys.

Finance is always uppermost in our minds, and I must thank M.J. Fews Ltd once more for sponsoring the 1st Team again this season and C.A.D. Technical Services for their generous support of the reserve side.

With new people moving into the village all the time, there may still be a footballer out there who would enjoy playing for the village, if so please contact our Secretary Pete Kirby, Tel: 0454 31xxxx, who would welcome your call and direct you to our weekly training session at Katharine Lady Berkeley School each Wednesday evening, commencing at 7.30 pm.

Our League and Cup progress will be reported on in the next issue, until then I hope to meet more of you in the village hall bar. (See separate sheet for fixtures 1990/91)

Dean Saunders
Chairman

Calling all bathroom singers!!
In July we had a small concert when we did a very wide range of music, from Chattanooga Choo-Choo to some Beach Boys numbers, and some other less well-known pieces. We had a great time, and I think the audience did too! But now we desperately need more singers – particularly tenors. Not everyone can read music – it's not a requirement – enthusiasm is!! So please come along at 7.45 pm any Tuesday in term time (no audition necessary) and join us at KLB school.

Our next concert is February 15th 1991, the day after Valentine's Day, so the theme is ‘Romance through the ages’. We will be singing some madrigals, some negro spirituals including Oh! Susannah and De Campdown Races – which I am sure you all know and coming up to date with You are the sunshine of my life, by Stevie Wonder.

Come along and join us any Tuesday evening and join us – you won't regret it.

Trish Watts
KLB Singers

12

* all evening matches – 6.30 pm start

13

We were 10 miles from Membury Services when we ran out of petrol. The gauge told us we had a quarter of a tank left; it had stuck!

The R.A.C. was called and we sat and waited. It was 9.15 p.m.

It's amazing that even in the slow lane the cars seem to be going at about 100 mph and every time a lorry went past we sat and shook. But if you have ever broken down on a motorway you'd know all this. Lawrence was asleep, Sophie was crying. It was dark. I think she had visions of us sitting there all night. As the clock ticked by, so did I!

It was the Bank Holiday Monday (August) and the final of Come Dancing, which I had been following religiously, was due on at 10.30 p.m. It was 10.35 when the breakdown truck came. I was mad. All those sequins bobbing about without me!

The breakdown man took us to heaven-knows-where, in the middle of some industrial estate, where cars that break down on the M4-Membury area are taken. Thoughts of black tails and Angela Rippon in my head.

We were shepherded into this reception area where we had to give our details and told to sit down in the lounge bit and feel free to watch the tele! I couldn't believe it. There in front of me, some 50 miles from home, was London South doing their Cha-chas. It was brilliant!

At 11.10 the man said our car was ready for action, i.e. he had put some petrol in it and we could be on our way. “Oh, I can't leave yet!”, I cried, “Come Dancing hasn't finished”. He just smirked and carried on his way. Of course, London South won.

Do you remember the time I visited my friends in Bristol, the ones with tripwires in the garden and I didn't know and ended up in the hedge – well, it was their Ruby Wedding and Keith and I went to THE party.

Bev, whose real name is Donald but his surname is Beaven, so that explains it, is a retired commercial artist. There were a lot of crazy arty people at the party, it was great. I was in the middle of chatting to this doctor, who poured all his everythings into building six retirement homes and, of course, in the present climate, they are not selling, and also his partner, who has left the surgery and was suing for something or other, when this chap leaps up and tells the doctor that I was a nymphomaniac! Me! It took me a few minutes to work out whether I was pleased or not. Anyway, this poor doctor, full of financial panic, told this proclaimer that if he met a nymphomaniac he'd recommend hanging on to her! We left shortly after.

I asked Lawrence if he wanted Yorkshire puddings with his dinner. “Yes”, he replied, “but not flat ones”.

The other Sunday a 22½ mile walk took place round five valleys around the Stroud area for the Meningitis Trust. Keith and I volunteered our services to tick people through Point 11, at Dudbridge – some of you may know it.

There were 12 checking points altogether and walkers could walk all, or some, of the course.

Lawrence wanted to know – “Will I be having a day off school when we're Martians!”

You may think my social life has had a lift lately, but Keith and I were invited to another party the other Saturday. I won't mention where for obvious reasons.

14I was standing of course in the kitchen, where the bar was, when this tall chap appeared. “Ooh”, I said, “I didn't recognise you with your clothes on!”

To those of you following the progress of the Charfield Cricket Club your eyes may have been diverted from the game to a nude form on the playing field. What got me was, when this event was mentioned in the Gazette, it just said that this chap's clothes were strewn all over a garden. NOT the garden of xx Newtown. The first I knew was when I looked out of my bedroom window to see a couple of lads ferreting round my escallonias looking for his shoes! I soon shot out there. I know I'm not totally landscaped and I was a teeny bit chuffed that the Gazette had classed it as a garden, but even so I didn't want anyone trampling on anything that had a bit of life left in it. You could bet your life they wouldn't tread on the bramble!

I told them to buzz off. Well, they did 'cos I was brandishing the garden fork at the time.

Actually, only one of them got on my nerves because he kept leaping back over. The others were really quite sweet and I gather they were celebrating a 21st. So I mellowed a bit. Well, I didn't prod anyone with the fork is what I really mean to say.

Of course he nearly died when he saw me at this party. “Thought you were safe here”, I accused. And he had the missing shoes on because Sophie and Lawrence later found them and charged him £1 if he wanted them back! Shrewd, eh?

Well I'd better get this round to the Press Office.

All the best,
Marilyn.

Are we getting there? Only time and the village youth will tell, but we are trying. Villages without sufficient amenities, such as ours, need somewhere for young people to meet.

It's not school, as the only rules that apply are those of common decency and the law of the land. It's not Scouts or Guides, as there are no fixed activities or badges to earn, The only objective is to enable the members to meet where they can develop their personalities with the minimum amount of authority to maintain control. Members can come and go as they please. Some come to play snooker or Trivial Pursuits, some just to talk with their friends – it's up to them.

We, as leaders, try to listen to the members and guide them into organising the type of activities THEY want. We have been to the cinema, made model hot air balloons and played with a parachute (courtesy of Wotton Youth Club). Planned events for this term include trips to the Oasis and Alton Towers, Football Coaching, a bonfire and barbecue, Trivial Pursuits competition and a Christmas Party.

We still need more ideas, more leaders and part-time helpers. Please, if you feel you could spare the occasional Tuesday evening, or have a skill or hobby you think might interest young people, please, please, talk it over (without any commitment) with a leader.

Margaret Coomber
Steve Hake

15

The NFWI has now celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and if you can recall hearing church ringing out on September 11th, it was to mark this auspicious occasion. As near as possible to the date W.I.'s were asked to hold special tea-parties, (which were sponsored by Tetleys, who provided the tea-bags, milk and special tea towels printed with their ‘little man’ logo,) or to celebrate in their own original way.

We chose to celebrate by a group of us going to the Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagans (near Cardiff) – besides celebrating with a picnic lunch and the special tea-towel on display at our table. The aim too of our visit was to see the Exhibition staged by the W.I.'s of Wales, having a particular significance because the first W.I. in Britain was formed at Llanfairpwll in Anglesey. The outstanding feature of this exhibition was a most beautiful and colourful cottage made by Clwyd and Flint Federation, extending over 30 ft and depicting a village in Wales, portraying Resolutions passed at the A.G.M. through the years. A real ‘eye stopper’. The day was blessed with bright warm sunshine and will stay in our memories for a long while. For those who were unable to join with us in this way; they were able to enjoy an iced birthday cake with appropriate wording made by our member Mrs Claire Haines. This made our evening refreshments at our September meeting a time for celebration too.

Now to the month of October – we have been very thrilled to hear of the honour bestowed on one of our members – Mrs Susan Green. She has been made Vice-Chairman of Avon Federation. Susan works unstintingly for our W.I. and no less for the Federation, it's an honour which she well deserves. Well done Susan – we offer our heartiest congratulations!

November 8th will be our Annual meeting – when our years work will be reviewed – a new committee formed, and a V.C.O. (Voluntary County Organiser) to speak to us concerning some aspect of the W.I.

December 13th will be our Christmas Party when the members ‘wait’ upon the committee and we all have a grand time together.

How the year has flown, yet in spite of the N.F.W.I. being 75 years old, and we ourselves as a W.I. are 62 years old – we are still young at heart!

Why not come along and see for yourselves – we think you would be agreeably surprised. The W.I. has much to offer to both young and old alike.

A welcome awaits you.

Daphne Looker
President

We wish to thank all who contributed to the Autumn Flower and Vegetable Show. We were very pleased it turned out to be such a success, and hope to make it bigger and better next year. Apologies to Mr. Eacott who won the Perpetual Shield for Best Overall Entries in the Show – this fact was omitted from the report published in the Gazette – Sorry about this!

The Over 40's Club would like to see more people (of both sexes) coming to the alternate Thursday afternoon meetings. I am sure there must be a few newcomers to the village who would welcome the chance to make new friends and have an afternoon locally, so if you like to join in various activities, enjoy talks, board games, etc. do come along, you will be made most welcome.

16Our last outing was to Harveys Wine Cellars in Bristol. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent sampling the delights of their products before we all found our way back to the coach and a rather noisier return to Charfield!

To all our members – Chairman Fred and his very helpful wife Dorothy and the rest of the Committee thank you for supporting the Club and making it such a success.

See you,

Pat
Pres/Sec.

Next meeting 1st November and so on.

Another school year is now well under way and we are organising our activities in support of the school.

The P.T.A. is called on to provide various means of support and most people think of fund raising in connection with P.T.A.s

K.L.B.S.P.T.A. is no different and last year we were able to raise just over £4,000, £2,000 of which went to help purchase another mini bus for the use of the whole school, £500 to purchase library shelving; £500 for display boards and smaller amounts to help different areas of the school.

Many of you attended the A.G.M. on October 10th and Pam Stevens of xx Wotton Road was re-elected as your parish representative. So if you have any queries or ideas please contact her on 0453 84xxxx, or myself. We will be only too happy to help.

Our future events include a Christmas Grand Draw – 1st prize a Portable Colour Television, 2nd prize a Camera, and 3rd prize a Christmas Hamper. Tickets are available from any K.L.B.S. pupil or myself. The Draw will take place at our Traditional Christmas Party on December 14th and the week before will see us on our Sweet Stall – home-made ones of course – at Wotton's Dickensian Evening.

The ever popular Family Quiz Evening will take place next March. Keep your eyes open for posters, etc.

If you have any other ideas you would like us to use, please do contact me.

Margaret Clarke
Vice Chairman
K.L.B.S. P.T.A.
Tel. Falfield 26xxxx

17

Following the resurfacing of Wotton Road and the re-painting of the double yellow lines, it is appropriate to point out that there is a £16.00 fixed penalty fine for ignoring these parking restrictions.

The Parish Council argued for many years for the provision of the double yellow lines in the village because of their concerns with regard to road safety. The only area which continues to cause concern is in the vicinity of the Post Office and as there is adequate space for parking in the lay-by, hazardous and illegal parking is totally unnecessary. The Parish Council has asked P.C. Prosser to keep a watchful eye on the situation and to take appropriate action against offenders.

Thanks to the suggestion by Mr Scarborough at the Railway Tavern we now have bottle banks in Charfield. As they are not as visible as some in the area, spread the news and use them; they are on a six month trial and if not well used will be removed.

The design and size of some of the properties being built on the new estate has been changed by the builders in view of the economic climate, the variety of houses available will therefore cover a wider spectrum. However the Parish Council was not happy with the changes proposed by Magnus Homes for 60 dwellings on the site recently owned by Crest Homes. The Total number of houses on the site has already increased from the original permitted 182 to approximately 200. With no additional play or parking spaces planned, the Council feels that this new and significant increase is too much.

It's the time of year when every bicycle rider or parent of a bike rider, should check that the bike has working lights at both the front and rear. A two minute check could save a lot of heartache.

The Parish Council will be considering its budget for the year 1991/92 during December. Therefore any Clubs or Societies wishing to apply for a grant should apply in writing, enclosing a statement of account for the previous year, by 1st December 1990.

Jenny Hughes
Clerk to the Council

18

Advertising

[Advert for Manor Hair Fashions]

[Advert for Treetop Carpets]

[Advert for Dave Rumbold Carpentry Service]

[Advert for Travel Plan Taxis]

[Advert for Manor Fruiterers]

19

Please Note: If any of the above information is incorrect or requires amendment please contact the Editors as soon as possible so that it can be rectified before the next issue.

Telephone numbers commencing 84… use code 0453.
Numbers commencing 26…, 29… or 31… use code 0454.

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 20 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: 2017-01-16.