CHADRA

… that a monthly Police ‘surgery’ is being planned for Charfield now that the Police Station is closed.

… that Jones' diesel customers will soon be able to ‘tank up’ under cover – the canopy application has been approved.

… that speed monitoring has shown a marked reduction in the average velocity of traffic travelling through the village – so, though you cannot slow down all the people all the time, you may slow some of the people some of the time.

… that the Parish Council is already setting aside funds for the Millennium Celebrations – any ideas welcome.

… that local community groups who want a fun way of raising money are being offered the chance to walk the Second Severn Crossing at a special event on 12th May. The distance is three miles each way.

… that after ten years of campaigning, four years of legal wrangling, one year of construction, and six months of installation, the bridge is almost ready. The Second Severn Crossing bridge? – No, Charfield Railway Pedestrian Footbridge!

… that music has been heard in the area coming from the bowels of the Church during the week. The organist apologises for any disturbance and says he has now found the soft pedal.

… that the only person to fall over on the Boxing Day ramble was the Footpath Warden!

… that the ‘Crimestoppers’ number is 0800 555 111 [corrected] and that you may call any time (free); your personal identity and phone number will not be requested; you will not be required in court; the tip off will be completely anonymous; if an arrest or charge is made as a result of your information you may be rewarded; you will not be contacted by the Police, but you may contact them again having been given a code number.

… That Veronica Bruce has been nominated for the Gazette Good Neighbour of the Year Award, in the Animal welfare Carer category, for her work at the Wotton Animal Rescue.

… that the van used by the North Nibley Romania Team was broken into whilst at Stroud Technical College for repair. The two front seats were stolen and other minor damage done. It beggars belief.

2

Dear Charfield Residents:

We hope that you all survived the Saturday after Christmas when Charfield turned into an ice rink. Still, Spring is around the corner and the days are slowly getting longer.

CHADRA received quite a lively response to the letter printed in the previous issue submitted ‘On behalf of the Youth of Charfield’, but not in written form. It is sad, but understandable, that aggrieved villagers chose not to respond in writing, simply for fear of attracting more abuse.

CHADRA would like to emphasise that in any previous articles on this subject, criticism was very carefully aimed at the guilty few, and never at the youth of Charfield in general.

Some villagers also made the comment that the letter should not have been printed without the name of the writer being published. Do you agree? Do let us know.

Many thanks to all advertisers and contributors for their support, and, of course, the distributors who bring this to your doorstep. Do remember to smile as you hand over your subscription …

A belated wish for a safe, healthy, and happy 1996 to you all.

Julia O'Connor-Beach

Next Copy Date – 12th April 1996

Geoffrey Blower, xx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Copy – Geoff, our Secretary, co-ordinates all copy for the Newsletter.

Typesetting – is done by Jo Pearson and Julia O'Connor-Beach.

John Butler, xx Underhill Road
01454-26xxxx
Duplication – John handles physical production of the Newsletter.

Marion & Angela Smith, xxx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Distribution – Marion & Angela collate the Newsletter and organise distribution through a team of volunteers.

Julia O'Connor-Beach, xx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Payments – Julia is Treasurer and deals with subscriptions & advertising payments.

3[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

[Advert for Martin Farrell Garden Designs]

Following a series of fund raising events, these being the Autumn Bazaar, Christmas Carol Singing, raffle, photograph session and Wotton-under-Edge's Victorian evening, a sum of £485 has been raised. The monies will be spent during the coming year on new toys, equipment and repairs to the Playgroup premises. It is thanks to local support and generosity that this has been possible. A special thanks must go to Derek Bennett for the use of his tractor and trailer. Also thanks to Mr Slowly of Tangent Hire who each year lends the Playgroup generating equipment without hesitation. Without the support of these people and several others the events staged would not be possible. Times are hard and competition is great, especially against other charities and the Lottery, but it is so nice to see funds can still be raised at a local level from the community.

Father Christmas made an appearance at the Children's Party, thanks to an obliging grandparent. The excitement with which he was met had to be seen. The children enjoyed the visit to Father Christmas and a party feast. I do not know quite what parents thought upon collecting their over excited youngsters, who were covered in chocolate from the feast. In particular, I recall one little lad who came to the party in a beautiful cream coloured jumper. Despite everyone's efforts to coax him to eat things other than chocolate fingers, he would not do so. Hence he went home in a chocolate-brown sweater. I can only say thank heavens he was not mine!

A new term has begun and the popularity of the Playgroup is ever increasing, so please, if you have a child requiring placement within the next year advise us as soon as possible.

The Playgroup has arranged a Valentines' Disco at Leyhill Social Club on Saturday, 10 February. Tickets will be available from the Playgroup shortly at a cost of £5.00 per family. Please support the Playgroup and attend; a good evening will be had.

On a final note, I wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support, as without it the Playgroup would not exist.

Mrs Knowles

We are seriously considering setting up a Rainbow Unit in the village. Rainbows are for girls aged between 5 and 7 years old and is the stage before Brownies. There are many interesting activities, each session lasts an hour and will probably cost £1 per session.

To have some idea of numbers we would like to know approximately how many children would be interested. If this is the case, please contact Judith Wenman on 01454 26xxxx or Tonia Williams, District Commissioner, on 01453 84xxxx.

4

We are still meeting once a fortnight in the Village Hall at 2.30 pm on a Wednesday afternoon.

We have had some enjoyable outings this year, with visits to Wells, Paignton and Weymouth. We have joined Wickwar going to Minehead, Clarks Village and the Forest of Dean. We visited Moreton-in-the-Marsh market and Dudley for Christmas shopping and we go out in December for a Christmas dinner together. Members have been entertained with bingo and quizzes. Fancy napkin folding, songs and monologues and a humorous talk on things that go wrong on foreign holidays.

M J Ealey
Secretary

Another year gone – a new year to look forward to. Not long 'til the Millennium!

The last weeks of 1995 proved very enjoyable in school with plenty going on as you might expect.

We were very pleased with the response to the “Open Morning” when parents of children due to join us next September were invited to visit the school. Time was spent looking around the site, visiting classrooms, talking to teachers and children etc. A worthwhile exercise – one which we shall be looking to repeat.

Christmas began as early as late November when the whole school enjoyed a performance of “The Nativity” by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – a multi-talented group of students. We were grateful to the Parent Teacher Association for funding this visit.

The PTA themselves departed from tradition by holding their Christmas Fair on a Saturday afternoon – a move which was well rewarded by the numbers who turned up. Perhaps Santa's Grotto had something to do with it!

Each year we are glad to accept an invitation to entertain senior citizens at their Christmas lunch in the Memorial Hall. The 40 strong junior choir performed the Jonah Man Jazz, together with a couple of seasonal offerings – all well received as were the mince pies and Twix bars given to the children!

The infant classes enjoyed a visit from Postman Pat and Robin provided by the Royal Mail in Wotton to promote their “Robin” colouring competition. Many children entered and were delighted to receive individual envelopes containing a number of “goodies” as a reward for their efforts.

Even greater effort went into the production of “The Gigantic Star” a musical involving all infant children. The three performances filled the school hall with admiring audiences.

For the junior children we tempted fate by organising an outdoor carol concert, complete with Wotton Silver Band and illuminated Christmas Tree. We got away with it – just! The mince pies (made by the children) and hot fruit punch (made by the staff) served indoors proved a very appropriate finale to the evening.

As usual, the PTA Christmas Family Disco was sold out within days of tickets going on sale. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate all those who wanted to come.

Finally, class parties were enjoyed by children and staff alike. All that remained was to put away one Christmas, go home and prepare for another!

And what of 1996?

Two classes are inviting Grandparents to join them in school for an afternoon early in February. Children are hoping to learn about school in times past in addition to providing refreshments and entertainment for their guests.

Early in March, Avon's Community Education Unit will be running a course entitled “Leading to Learning” – aimed at parents who would like to find out more about how they can support and share in their children's learning. The initial course – completely free – will begin on Wednesday, 6th march 1996 at 1.15 pm in the Foundation Room at school and will continue for five further sessions on Wednesday afternoons.

This course is open to all parents of young children. You may contact us at school for further details, or simply turn up on the day if you are interested.

Perhaps the most significant event of the New Year will be the disappearance of the County of Avon and the emergence of South Gloucestershire (no connection whatsoever with the existing Gloucestershire) – then again, perhaps not – who knows?!

With best wishes for 1996 from your local Primary School.

C F Sreeves
Headteacher

5[Advert for The Pear Tree Inn]

Although our season is only halfway through we must already start to think of next year. With this in mind we would like to ask if there are any young boys (from 9 to 90) who would like to join the club and in doing so perhaps involve their parents or friends to help in some capacity.

We would also like to know of anyone who would be interested in managing any of the youth teams, taking weekly training and weekend matches.

Now for a cry of help – is there please any local referees who would be kind enough to volunteer their services, when required, as there appears to be a great shortage of such people in the Stroud League?

Anyone wishing for further information about the club is welcome to phone Mike Higgins on 01454 26xxxx or Cherry Buckley on 01453 84xxxx.

Cherry Buckley
Secretary

The SOFA Project celebrates its fifteenth birthday this year. SOFA accepts donations of household furniture and domestic appliances from donors throughout Avon. They are then safety checked and sold to low income households at the cheapest prices which will allow them to cover the Project's costs.

“SOFA recognises that those on low incomes need good quality furniture and appliances at prices that even second hand dealers cannot offer. By linking those that have surplus items with those in need, they offer a service to all sections of the community and protect the environment from unnecessary dumping.”

If you have unwanted, immediately reusable furniture and appliances (not necessarily perfect but functional) be generous – contact the SOFA Project on 0117 941 xxxx. If you are on low income and need affordable furniture and appliances contact the SOFA Project on 0117 941 xxxx.

DONATIONS AND CUSTOMERS THE SOFA PROJECT NEEDS THEM BOTH!

The Tennis Club apologises for the state of its hut and the surrounding area. This is due to mindless vandalism by some idiots. In order to try to prevent further damage taking place, the Tennis Club has boarded up the hut for the duration of the winter. Please carry on playing tennis as much as possible, and in the Spring we hope the hut will be refurbished and smartened up ready for the tournaments.

Our AGM is taking place on 20th March 1996 at 8 pm in the Railway Tavern. Everybody is very welcome to come along and join us for a pint, and perhaps come up with a solution as to how we can prevent further damage to the hut and the Court.

Claire Haines
Secretary

6

Garden Design Starts Here …

The winter months may not be the best time of year to spend a lot of time in the garden, but they are certainly the best time to think about the garden's design.

Time spent in a little armchair gardening will always pay dividends, as the winter garden reveals itself “warts and all” without its summer covering of leaves an flowers.

Now is the best time of year to see clearly what is happening in the garden and to set about putting right any faults.

In many gardens swathes of bare soil present a dismal scene right through the winter until the horticultural cavalry arrives in the form of the first daffodils of spring.

By looking carefully at problem areas of the garden things needn't be like this and a few well chosen evergreen plants can add shape and interest to the garden through even the bleakest months of the year.

Pay special attention to the areas of the garden you see most, such as the view from patio doors or kitchen window. It is easy to forget the importance of making the most of these views and a bright splash of foliage colour may be just the answer.

The Holly and the Ivy …

What two plant families could have a stronger association with the winter, or be a better starting point in the search for trouble free evergreen plants. Both are capable of growing in the most unpromising situations of poor soil and restricted light and yet will produce their glossy foliage in a variety of combinations of yellow or cream on otherwise green leaves.

There is certainly a holly to suit most gardens, with its slow rate of growth making it well suited to smaller sites. Hollies are happy to be regularly clipped, which allows them to be grown as a hedge or even a simple piece of topiary.

The basic native holly (Ilex aquifolium) not only makes a formidable burglar-proof hedge, but is the parent of many of the more commonly grown hollies.

Not all hollies have razor sharp spines on their leaves, indeed Ilex ‘Lawsoniana’ has almost spineless leaves with irregular central splashes of gold. and lighter green.

Many of the newer varieties of holly are self-fertile and do not need to be grown in mixed groups. A good example is Ilex aquifolium ‘J C Van Tol’ which has oval puckered green leaves, with few spines and good crops of red berries.

For those trend setters who crave something a little different, why not try one of the ‘blue’ hollies, such as Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ with greenish-blue spiny leaves and masses of red berries.

For those gardeners with a garage wall or fence to cover, ivy in its various guises takes some beating. Although it may need a little encouragement to start with, it will soon cling happily to most surfaces.

There is a popular myth that ivy can damage stone and brickwork, this is not the case, the sound walls of a new house will not be troubled. If the mortar pointing is in poor condition however, it would not be wise to plant any climber against such a wall.

If wall space cannot be found why not grow an ivy as evergreen ground-cover, beneath deciduous shrubs or a dark corner of the garden. Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’ with its central splash of yellow can bring a ray of sunshine into even the gloomiest spot in the garden.

The more subtle silver leaf margins of H. helix ‘Glacier’ have an altogether cooler effect and would make an interesting backdrop to a narrow border.

Gardeners with a taste for the rarer forms of ivy may like to track down ‘Avon’, with its cream speckled leaves and local association.

Richer colours still can be found in ‘Atropurpurea’ with leaves turning warm purple in winter.

Green leaved ivies are also popular with varieties such as ‘Ivalace’ having glossy green leaves with curled margins and ‘Green Ripple’ sharply pointed leaves. The arrow point leaves of ‘Sagittifolia’ could make an interesting horticultural present for those with a winter birthday.

It's Planting Time …

If adding evergreens is the answer to your garden's design faults, then now is a good time to think about planting.

Soil temperatures will soon begin to rise again with the onset of spring. As long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged, planting can take place at any time now and, with Mother Nature to take care of most of the watering, new plants should get off to a quick start.

Many nurseries and some garden centres will even carry “root-balled” evergreen shrubs, such as holly, viburnum and aucuba in larger sizes for immediate planting.

As their name suggests, root-balled shrubs come with their roots bundled in layers of hessian bound up with string. Both 7root-balled and the more commonly available bare-rooted plants are very prone to root damage, whether physical damage or because of drying out.

Handle them with care and plant at an angle of 45 degrees in a temporary home if they cannot be planted properly straight away.

The more pampering the plant gets just after planting, the happier it will be and the quicker it will grow. Time spent preparing a generous debris-tree planting hole with soil enriched with plenty of garden compost and a handful of bonemeal, will always be appreciated by young plants.

Water well after planting and again during dry, frost-free weather.

In exposed spots protection from the wind, by building a windbreak of canes and netting, will work wonders and stop scorching of tender young leaves. Special netting is sold by the metre at garden centres and DIY stores and doesn't look half as bad as a dead plant.

Open plan front gardens can be very breezy places therefore it is always wise to stake new shrubs planted there using an angled stake and small tree tie.

With those Christmas gift vouchers waiting to be spent and that glossy new garden design book sitting on the coffee table, there is no excuse at all not to start planning your new garden.

Martin Farrell is a Garden Designer & Lecturer who lives and gardens In Charfield

[Advert for Harlequin Homecall]

The garden is looking somewhat battered now, after the frosts and rain. The spinach and Swiss chard have been set back by frost – set back, but not killed. Their powers of recovery are quite remarkable and I shall be able to pick them again soon.

I haven't got as many greens growing this year as I usually do. Between them, the rabbits and pigeons had a feast in July when I put out the young plants. After the third planting I gave up and waited to see what would survive. Curly kale (probably my least favourite – a view presumably shared by the rabbits and pigeons – came through well and the spouting broccoli looks promising, but this is the first Christmas for many years I've not been able to pick our own sprouts to go with the turkey. Leeks are standing well and will be, for me, one of the great winter stand-bys, to be used for soup, as a vegetable, wrapped in ham and baked in a cheese sauce or baked in a tart. I like making things like this because you don't need to stick to a recipe and can use up the odd bits and pieces that seem to gather in the fridge. This is the basic recipe, though none of the quantities need to be exact.

1	8″ shortcrust pastry flan case, baked blind.
3	reasonable sized leeks
2	eggs beaten with a scant half pint of milk
2	oz grated Cheddar cheese
	Salt, pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg.

Wash and trim the leeks of any coarse green parts and slice finely. Fry gently in butter or margarine for a few minutes until softened. Put into the pastry case and season well. Pour the egg and milk mixture over the leeks until the level is just under the rim of the case and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Bake in a moderately hot oven for about 20 minutes until set and brown. Good hot, warm, or cold, and can be varied in all sorts of ways. Cream can replace part or all of the milk as can cream cheese, creme fraiche, or fromage frais – I often find I have a quarter of a tub that needs using up. Blue cheese can be added to the egg/milk mixture or crumbled over the leeks, a couple of rashers of bacon chopped and briefly fried, or sausages or finely chopped anchovies – they all make nice additions and the whole thing can be made more substantial by making it into a pie with a pastry lid – in which case brush the top with a little of the egg/milk mixture and bake for longer – 35–45 minutes.

For the past two years I've been growing celeriac. If you're not familiar with it, it's a large, white, whiskery root with a celery like 8[text missing] cooked but, whichever way it's done, it needs to be put into acidulated water (add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to about a pint of water) as soon as it's peeled because it will discolour very quickly if left exposed to the air. This doesn't affect the taste, but it might be hard to tempt anyone to try a grey vegetable …

To make a celeriac salad, quickly grate the peeled root and mix well with a tablespoon of lemon juice and salt and pepper. Leave for 30 minutes for it to soften then mix with a dressing made from a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise, the same of cream or creme fraiche and two teaspoons of mild French mustard. This can be varied by adding some crisp chopped apple, chopped celery, and/or walnuts.

If you like creamed potatoes, try cooking equal quantities of potato and celeriac (chopped into similar sized pieces) and creaming them in the same way – with hot milk and a good lump of butter, salt and fresh black pepper. This is especially good with a hearty winter casserole and sweet and sour red cabbage.

Sweet and sour red cabbage

1	red cabbage – about 2 lbs
2	oz butter
3	level tbsp soft brown sugar
1	level teasp caraway seeds
3	cloves
1	lb cooking or eating apples, peeled, cored, chopped
4	tbsp vinegar
¼	pint water
	salt and pepper

Having removed the core of the cabbage, cut the rest into fine shreds. Melt butter in a large saucepan, add cabbage and fry, briskly stirring, for a few minutes. Stir in sugar and spices and leave over a low heat. Add apples, vinegar, water, salt and pepper and simmer gently for about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally. This is a very good-tempered dish. It can be cooked in a casserole in a low oven, can be kept in the fridge for several days, or frozen, and, if warmed gently, will re-heat very well.

If you'd like a taste of summer in the middle of winter and perhaps got carried away at a PYO farm and have got bags of frozen strawberries, I can heartily recommend making a strawberry crumble.

In an ovenproof dish about 2–3″ deep, put a good layer of strawberries, still frozen, and a good sprinkling of sugar. Put into a moderately hot oven while you make a crumble topping – 1 part butter or margarine, 1 part granulated sugar, to 2 parts self raising flour. Rub the fat into the flour, but don't over-mix, stir in the sugar and sprinkle over the hot fruit, top with a little demerara sugar and cook for about 30 minutes at the top of the oven.

This recipe is also very versatile – try almost any fruit you can think of (blackberries are very good, as are tinned peaches, drained of most of their juice) and the topping can be varied by replacing some of the flour with ground almonds or porridge oats and using different types of sugar.

Barbara Adams

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Alan Hamer Driving]

9

For those of you in the village who don't already know, Charfield Ladies Club meet on the third Thursday of every month in the village hall and any lady of any age is welcome. We usually have a speaker, then a light tasty supper and catch up with village news with friends. The bar is open for those who prefer an alcoholic drink to tea and coffee. We try to organise a couple of trips a year, the first of which will be in June to The Three Choirs Vineyards.

We have some very interesting speakers booked, including Dr Molly Rowlands on homeopathic medicine on 15th February and a talk on local history in March. We are hoping to increase our membership so if you fancy a cheap night out please come along, I'm sure you'll find us a friendly bunch!

Margaret Gargett
Chairlady
01454 26xxxx

Whatever happened to the ‘Village Sing’ this year? I think two people asked me. Well, we decided not to have it this year. That doesn't mean that we won't have it again; or that we won't have something similar in the future.

For several years it was a very successful event and for two years (at least) we achieved “standing room only” status. But it became less well supported and we thought it best to have a clean break this time, hoping it might meet with renewed support next time. Any comments from you might be helpful!

Everyone likes music – of one sort or another. We'd find life impoverished without it. I am sure that it will be of interest to many in the village (and elsewhere) that we have a new organ in St John's Church – of interest not just to those who come to Church, but to others and especially the many music-lovers who live here. The previously used one has been here, probably since the Church was built (1881) and it was certainly built in the mid-1850s. It was good (of its kind) but was never capable of sufficient volume really to LEAD singing, to hold people together. Also, as it only had one manual (that is, one keyboard) and could therefore never make a new (or difficult) tune ‘stand out’ so that it could be learnt. The new organ has two manuals and a wide range of tones and “combinations” (nothing to do with underwear!), so that many interesting effects can be produced. John Butler, our organist, and myself are finding it very interesting, but we have a lot to learn about the new instrument, even though used to playing the organ. Every organ is a world of its own!

We hope to hold some kind of ‘recognition of its presence’ with us – or ‘opening’ of it, and, of course, you will hear about this in due course. We may well be able to have organ concerts (or recitals) on it; or musical functions of a wider kind; this could never have been possible with the preceding one.

We should never have had this organ if it had not come as a gift. On two previous occasions we tried to raise money in the parish for one and failed to do so. This fact is mentioned only because of the likely comments that “if the Church needs money so much to continue its work, why does it spend it (or waste it!) like this?” Well, having the money wasn't an option! The offer was an organ. And it is our hope that it will not only improve our worship; it will enable us to do things that will make St John's be more of an artistic centre for other things in this area. So rejoice with us, please, and come and ‘hear’ what is going on!

As for other days: well, there's something or other on every Sunday at St John's, and always at 10.15 am. The pattern is always a “Eucharist” (which means “thanks-giving”) on the first and third Sunday of the month; on the second Sunday it's “Family Service”, on the fourth Sunday “Morning Prayer” which can be structured in various ways. SEE YOU? I hope so!

Even now (10th January), on a fine day, the days are getting a bit longer. Some bulbs are pushing up through the soil. Can Spring be far away? At least the hope of it isn't!

With affectionate greetings,

Ken Grant
(Rector)

A timber haulier was stopped on the M4 heading East by the Police, who suggested that his 40′ load was over the allowed length. The driver replied, “I've got a chainsaw on board – and I'll be happy to cut the timber in half. But would you be kind enough to tell my client why her timber is 20′ too short?” The driver brandished a delivery note in the Policeman's face. Suffice to say, the delivery address was Windsor Castle … the timber was for the repair of the section burned in the Annus Horribilis. The driver was waved on his way …

10

Puzzle Page

11[Advert for Happy Shopper, Open All Hours]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

Following my previous article, I would like to say a big “thank you” to the many people who brought me items for the patients in the psychiatric hospital, or contributed generously in other ways. We are gradually amassing a sizeable quantity of nightwear, which will be of enormous use. Also needed are constant replacements of slippers or soft shoes – have you any to discard after receiving new ones at Christmas?). Soap and flannels are also an ongoing need to replace the rags and ‘Sunlight’ type soap used at present. The ladies in the hospital particularly appreciate this latter item.

The boot sales will continue through 1996. These are undertaken by two members of our group living at Severn Beach. Again very many thanks to all who have donated. As you can imagine this is an ongoing situation at the hospital, so anything you can provide will be sold for funds.

Plans are now going ahead for our work in the village of ‘Mina I Mai’ this summer. In April, three or four of our members will travel to Romania to discuss this year's projects. These include the equipping of a dental room at the hospital, painting of the dingy wards and encouraging occupational therapy. We hope also to involve local unemployed people in making garden furniture for the hospital. Another urgent problem is the bad structural state of the village school where we also hope to do some work.

A major problem before our April visit is to effect repairs to our van, which is currently off the road. Before Christmas, we managed to get it to Stroud Technical College where Gordon Williams of the Engineering & Technology Dept has kindly offered to work on it with his students as a project. Hopefully it will make a recovery during this term – we are indeed appreciative of their help.

Finally – does anyone know of any large lorries travelling to Romania? We have some large items of furniture for Vulcan Hospital that need transportation. Some of the larger companies in England do send supplies out from time to time and may have space to spare.

Once again, grateful thanks from our team for your contributions – remember your discarded items could be a luxury to one of these neglected patients! Do ring me if you have any queries.

Wendy Stevens
01453 84xxxx

12[Advert for Positive Pressure]

[Advert for JT Domestic Cleaning Service]

[Advert for Medway Designs]

Once again we had a very enjoyable and fun packed Christmas party to end the year at toddlers. With 130 babies, toddlers and their parents attending the party, it appeared to be a great success. Mind you it did get a bit noisy at times, but what do you expect at a children's party, especially when they know Father Christmas is about to enter the building.

With the amount of expectant mums and the ever increasing number of people attending our weekly toddler sessions, you can imagine the amount of war and tear our toys get. Throughout the year we arrange various fund raising events in order to replace the lost, damaged and broken toys. If you see one of our events advertised, please come along and support us, as all the money raised from these events is put back into our group to benefit the toddlers of Charfield. If you have any unwanted toys, in good condition, please contact me or bring them along to the Memorial Hall on a Thursday morning as we will always be greatly appreciated.

If you haven't already been to toddlers and you have a child under the age of three, why not pop along to one of our sessions. Toddlers is a great way of meeting new friends, especially if you have just moved to the village.

We meet every Thursday morning during term times at the Memorial Hall between 10.15 to 11.30 am. You will always be made to feel welcome. So why not make 1996 the year for making new friends.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of Charfield Mother and Toddler Group, to wish everyone a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing lots of new faces at Toddlers.

Jane Smith
Chairperson

NB: I would like to congratulate three of our committee mums on the births of their babies, all of which took place within a few weeks of each other. I can't remember a power cut so there must have been something in the Charfield water, so be warned!

13

Well here we are at the start of yet another New Year. Doesn't time fly, or am I getting old? Don't answer that one please. Anyway, Happy New Year to everyone and I hope you all had a good Christmas.

Our PTA members were busy in December organising our grand draw which took place on 8th December. The colour TV was won by a Y8 pupil from Pucklechurch. The second prize of the cordless 'phone went to Hawkesbury Upton and the third prize of the camera went to Susie Moore of Charfield. The various other prizes were spread around from Wotton to Wickwar, Berkeley to North Nibley, Yate and Dursley. Thank you to all who supported us and help raise nearly £900 profit.

The 8th December also saw Y7 and Y8 hold their Christmas disco with Malcom Watchman D T Department acting as DJ and PTA members manning the soft drinks bar. A good evening was enjoyed by all.

Monday, 18 December saw us take over the cinema in Wotton to watch “Golden Eye” – James Bond, very enjoyable. We will be hiring the cinema again so come along and support the PTA and your local cinema.

On to this years events, and planned so far are a pupils only quiz evening when there will be a range of questions from general knowledge to TV and video to music and sport. This will take place on Friday, 9th February at 7.30 pm.

On 1st March we will be trying our hand at roulette, blackjack or dice, to name but a few, at a fun casino night. Tickets will be £3.50 including a bag of playing chips. So come along, bring your friends and have some fun.

19th April we will see Roy Benham, Science Department, in the chair for another pub-style quiz evening. Teams of four will pit their wits against each other on questions from 50's/60's/70's.

The PTA has applied for the chance to walk the Second Severn Crossing on Sunday, 12th May. I understand from the press that charities will be limited to 50 walkers and if we are successful we will set off at 9.45 am and walk six miles there (Wales) and back. If you would like to sponsor anyone or even do the walk, please let me know. This will be the only chance to walk the Bridge as it will be vehicles only when it opens a few weeks later.

We are still collecting both old and new Esso vouchers for audio/visual equipment. If you have any spare please drop them through my letter box, xx Underhill Road. Thanks to those who dropped them through after my appeal in the last Newsletter. Please keep them coming.

If anyone would like any further information about any of the above events or anything connected with the PTA please give me a ring.

Margaret Clark
Chairman

December was a busy month for us. Our coffee morning raised £96, thanks to all who donated items for the stalls and also to those of you who joined us on the morning.

On the 19th our group met at Durham Road for the start of the Carol Singing evening. The weather was very unkind and despite ‘wellies and umbrellas’, after three hours of visiting many of the streets in the village, we made our way home soaked to the skin, with soggy song sheets, but in good spirits. Hot soup was the order of the day.

On counting the money, we were thrilled to have raised £126.25 – thank you to everyone who donated and thanks also to the lady who treated two of our young helpers to chocolate eggs.

We are hopeful that the coming of 1996 will inspire us to think up new ideas for fund raising events.

In the meantime, we have held a presentation evening in connection with last Autumn's Darts Marathon at the Pear Tree Inn. Jo Hearn, the regional co-ordinator, attended and was presented with a cheque for £1204.30. We also presented the players and the landlady with certificates to show our appreciation of everyone involved in the event. The evening included a talk by Jo and concluded with a buffet supper.

Unfortunately, two of our group members have left us – one family has moved to Dorset and the other is in Australia for the majority of 1996. Therefore we are looking for anyone who may be interested in giving some time to help with fund raising for the terminally ill children in the Southwest.

Please contact me if you would like to know more about our group, or the hospice, and how the charity helps both the children and their families.

Charfield Friends Group Co-ordinator
Hazel Stone
01454 26xxxx

14

Christmas for the Smith family commenced on Saturday 2nd December. The Meningitis Trust asked if I would dress up as Father Christmas. As I wasn't in a Ho, Ho, Ho mood, I convinced Keith he should do it. When the day arrived, I was overcome with goodwill and dressed up as Santa's Large Helper.

I climbed out of the car at Great Mills car park, Stroud, adorned in my tap dance leotard and swathed in blue netting. The netting was originally Margaret Shipton's Mum's from her ballroom dancing days. From this netting hung balls (sorry, baubles) and appropriate festive adornments. To staring faces, I shimmied into the store, where we were escorted into the staff room for Keith to be transformed.

Ten minutes later Keith was in his Grotto, which looked like one of those photo booths – you could only see his boots!

“At least no-one will see us here,” I said. I turned around to be spotted by Pam and Geoff from Thames Close!!

From then on, I leapt out on anyone and everyone. “Hello, I'm your Christmas Fairy.”

One elderly chap responded “Cor, Darling, wouldn't mind you in my stocking.” His wife promptly glared at him and dragged him off to the indoor plants.

It all went well, people were most generous, Keith ho-ho'd at the right places and we raised £50 in two hours, and didn't embarrass our son Lawrence too much.

I was in the hairdressers, being prepared for the forthcoming events, listening to the Christmas tape music. “Oh isn't that by the bloke who wrote Jugular Balls?” Of course, I was corrected. It was Tubular Bells.

Christmas is the time for giving and I had certainly been given plenty of delights.

On Tuesday, 12 December, Keith and I went to KLB School's Carol Service at St Mary's Church, Wotton. It was wonderful. The choirs and, in turn, congregation, singing, readings by pupils and Mr Law all created a magical evening. I do wish a space had been available for us all to applaud.

The New Year set off to a wonderful start. Mum, Dad, Lawrence and I went to see “Riverdance”. Most people are aware of these magical dancers. Whether you enjoy actually dancing or watching others perform, you could not fail but be in awe of their incredible talent. The speed of the Irish tap, the rhythm and timing they all keep and the crescendo of the music cannot fail to move your very soul. At the end, the whole of the theatre audience stood up, screamed, yelled, cheered, and applauded for more. What a sensational show and gift that each dancer had been blessed with.

Another fine gift is the ability to make people laugh. Last Wednesday, I saw the pantomime “Aladdin” at Wotton Town Hall. The whole cast was great.

The talented Anthony Young played Widow Twankey. As soon as he walked on, in the first of his wonderful costumes, you couldn't help but giggle. His glance, perfect timing of witty dialogue was superb and when he danced with Abanazar (Nick Tazewell), the audience just tell apart. Anthony, if you get to read this – you're brill! I feel privileged to know you.

I end by wishing you all a very Happy New Year and leave you with this thought – why does your ready-to-roll icing have to be used up by the following November?

Have fun.

Marilyn.

[Advert for Animal £xtras]

15

Christmas and New Year celebrations seem but a distant memory. By the time you read this they will be even more so, but I hope they are good memories.

We have reached the end of an era. Charfield no longer has a Police Station. It seems that ordinary generally law abiding citizens are to have very little contact with the police. Whilst hankering after the days when the local policeman was available to the public at his house on a daily basis may not be realistic these days, the police must be part of the community and as such have the trust and goodwill of the public. It is far more difficult to talk to strangers than friends and acquaintances. We live in a society where we have to be cautious of strangers. Personally I don't like talking on the telephone to people I have never met. I wonder how long it will take for those responsible for policing to get the message that we need police who are approachable and part of the community?

Discussions have taken place about having a regular police surgery. The parish Council has recently written to the police offering to pay for the hire of the sportsmans bar on a monthly basis. They have suggested the first Saturday morning of each month. Let us hope that the offer is taken up and a surgery can be run successfully.

Spring will soon be here and it will be time for yet another exciting AGM. The date has been set for Monday 11th March 1996 at 7.30 pm in the Sportsmans Bar.

We have not as yet decided on any special presentations so if you have any suggestions, please let us have them. I hope to have time to send out reminders for the meeting. No reminders were sent out for the contacts meeting in December, so I don't expect you will be surprised to hear that just five of us met! We are fortunate in Charfield that our crime rate is low, but I do feel there is a place for a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, so how about seeing some new faces at the AGM, with some new ideas. I know I keep nagging but there are still areas in the village with no contact, please come forward. It does not require a lot of time or effort, just an interest in your community.

Ilze Hicks
Administrator

PS Don't forget to postcode your Christmas presents!

Two months ago a Yate mother sought the media to warn other parents of the dangers of alcohol after her 15 year old schoolgirl daughter got so secretly drunk on her birthday, that she nearly died.

With birthday money gifts, the girl had persuaded an over-age friend to secretly buy for her a whole bottle of vodka, and the schoolgirl drank it neat, in just an hour!

Only quick thinking of her friends saved her and what started as a teenage bravado nearly proved fatal and until she regained consciousness in hospital no-one could tell whether she would develop kidney problems or even lasting brain damage.

As a member of the Avonwide area of the Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ACAD) we are as an agency concerned over the increase in underage drinkers who are ending up in hospital.

Alcohol is responsible for the deaths of a number of young people – either directly or indirectly, such as in road accidents, and alcohol is 10 times more likely to kill them than drugs. Yet it is the drug issue which gets the publicity.

ACAD is an advice, information and counselling service which offers free and confidential help to anyone concerned about their own or someone else's drinking and potential associated risks.

A few weeks ago, the Government announced its review of sensible drinking guidelines – and the review has confused everyone. After carefully reading the report, it is clear that drinking consistently above the existing recommended level carries progressive health risks.

ACAD will, therefore, continue to advise men not to drink more than 21 units a week (or 3 units a day) and women not more than 14 units a week (or more than 2 units a day).

One unit is that of a half pint of ordinary beer or lager; or a single pub measure of wine; or a single pub measure of spirits; or one small sherry.

ACAD is available at 14 Park Row, Bristol and also at Bath and Weston-super-Mare. Outpost centres are also available at Easton, Hartcliffe, Southmead, St Pauls and Cadbury Heath. Within the past year we have also established a half day session once a week at both the Thornbury and Yate Health Centres.

Rev David W Parker
ACAD Trustee

16

Puzzle Page Answers

17

Hi, as Mary Blundell (President) is very busy being a new Grandmother to twin boys I offered to write this article for her.

Did you know Charfield WI has been meeting regularly for the past 68 years come March? ‘Are they that old?’ I hear you say. No we are not the original ladies, but some are old enough its true.

We shall be celebrating with a party in March, when Mr D Elbury from Fishponds is bringing along his Victorian Magic Lantern Theatre Show to entertain us, when we shall endeavour to dress in Victorian costume, bustles, wigs and all, it should be a scream!

We are a thriving institute with members of all ages. It's nice to see a few newcomers to the village coming along to join us. We would like to see more, why not come along and bring a neighbour too?

Interested in sewing and the crafts? Then there is a very keen sewing group held weekly at a members home. They have made various patchwork quilts for local charities, spending many hours stitching these works of art. Many things that are made are of the most intricate and high quality and the group must be congratulated on finding new skills they never thought capable of.

We have a nice varied programme of speakers for 1996 with many subjects to stimulate interests, including positive pressure, numerology, water colour painting by a local artist, flowers by Charfield Flowers, financial planning, first aid, a walk in Nepal etc etc. There are also outings with other institutes, skittle matches, quiz evenings (we have a very good team), coach outings to other cities of interest, a college where members can stay and learn any subject. In May we will be holding our jumble sale when we would be grateful for any contributions.

Well that's all for now.

Pat White
Vice President

PS Bet you didn't know the Queen is an Institute Member.

It has been decided to go ahead with this year's Summer Fayre even though only 4 people attended the last public meeting. Members of the village hall committee will continue to support the organising of the day. The next meeting of the committee will be on 1 February at 7.30 pm in the Sportsman's Lounge. Anyone wishing to help on the committee or on the day are welcome to attend.

We have decided to hold the Fayre on Saturday, 13 July, and all clubs and societies in the village will be contacted very soon asking which stalls or events they would like to run on the day.

I hope everyone will join in and make the day worthwhile. I will keep you informed of the day's activities as the year progresses.

Jane Hall
01454 26xxxx

The budget meeting was held at the beginning of December when eight grant applications were received, six being awarded. A further three have since been considered. The date of the budget meeting is advertised as widely as possible, both in this magazine and on public notice boards, well in advance of the closing date, which is always the end of November. It would be most helpful and appreciated by Councillors if you could ensure in future instances that your applications are received before the closing date, as this information is needed when the Parish Council decides on the budget for the coming financial year. Late applications throw this procedure into chaos! I am often asked if the grant awarded can be paid immediately. Unfortunately, this is not possible as the money is not available to the Council until the beginning of April.

Since the Autumn issue of CHADRA, the pedestrian footbridge has been completed after much badgering from the Parish Council, a number of complaints about the antics of the contractors employed by Crest were received and passed to Avon County Council. An observation from a resident suggests that double buggies and wheelchairs cannot negotiate the entrance to the footbridge from the Wotton end. I have been unable to substantiate this, and would very much like you to contact me if you are the owner of either, and have experienced any difficulties negotiating the chicane.

Inspector Clarke from the Avon Police Authority attended a meeting in November to explain about the decommissioning of Charfield Police Station. He explained that this was at PC Stewart's request and that there will be very little change in the actual ‘policing’ of Charfield – PC James Stewart will continue to be our Community Beat Officer. 18What is being lost is the service of the office. Councillors expressed concern about losing the personal contact previously enjoyed and requested that a police ‘surgery’ is held on the first Saturday in every month, in the Sportsman's Lounge. between 10 and 11.30 am. This will operate on a trial basis and will obviously only continue if the service is used. Please keep an eye on the public notice boards for further details. Talking of notice boards, a new board has just been received and will be installed shortly on the wall of the Kiosk shop.

A number of complaints, observations, suggestions, together with some favourable comments, have been received in respect of the traffic calming scheme, all of which have been passed to Avon County Council for their attention. They have been requested to undertake a full survey of the scheme, special attention to be paid to the New Street/Wotton Road junction with regard to pedestrian safety. Although I expect this will take some time, you will be kept informed of the results.

Parish Councillors were extremely sorry to receive a letter of resignation by a long-standing member of the Council, Mr Bill Clothier. Bill left the area at short notice to live in Portishead to be closer to his relations. We all wish him well and thank him for his past services to the Council. This resignation has left a casual vacancy on the Parish Council. An election will only be held to fill this vacancy if any ten Local Government electors for the Parish submit such a request to the Returning Officer at Northavon District Council. If no such request is received by 23 January, it is up to the Parish Council to co-opt a replacement. By the time you read this, we should be up to the full complement of 9 members again.

Kath Holmes
Clerk to the Council

To all our friends and neighbours, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. In the summer issue of the Charfield newsletter, I read:

“Do you know, I sometimes think I am not very brave, or a Christian. Oh! Yes, I go to church, worship, take communion, sing hymns and enjoy them, but ought I to do more? yes – invite Charfield people to our church. I must admit to being rather doubtful myself on first joining the fellowship. What I am trying to say, however, is that it doesn't take bravery to come to church. All that is required is one hour on a Sunday evening. No armour needed!”

We are still mourning our loss, Ruth Williams, who passed away only a few weeks after writing the article. Her challenge however is as real now as when penned: “Knock and the door will be open. It is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens”.

“Although God feeds the birds, He does not put the food in the nest.”

C. Moore

[Advert for Taylor Made Services]

[Advert for Tree Top Carpets]

19

As a group we have had a busy few months. We have had some very successful fund-raising events, with the photographer who came in October, and the orders for the Early Learning Centre for toys for Christmas. We would like to give a very big thank you to all those who supported us. The money raised enabled us to give the children a lovely party and Father Christmas came with a large sack of gifts to visit the 40 very excited under 5's who attended.

By the time you read this we will have hosted two of Britain's leading professional young people's theatre companies “The Theatre Centre” and “The Sherman Theatre” in their presentation “A Spell of Cold Weather”. The play is suitable for children aged 2 to 7 years old. We are expecting an audience of 100 people. If it is successful we hope to host a show again.

During the half term and Easter holidays we have again booked the superbounce in Yate so the children can burn up some of their excess energy! This proved very successful when we did it during the summer holidays and autumn half term. During the Easter holidays we will also be doing badge making with the children.

Once again thank you to everyone who has supported our events.

Aileen Penman
Secretary

The house-to-house collection for the Children's Society is April 13–27. Volunteers are needed urgently to distribute and collect envelopes in Charfield. If you can help, and perhaps persuade a friend to cover an area, however small, please phone me on 01454 26xxxx or drop a message through no xx, Berkeley Close, Charfield, before March 1.

Thanks to our current helpers, we raised £300.79 in 1995. We need your help to beat that total. Thank you.

Marjorie Grantham.
01454 26xxxx

There were thirteen of us gathered in the car park on Boxing Day morning for the Amble – I should have cancelled it. Not that I am superstitious. Much. It was a lovely morning, frozen hard underfoot, super scenery, good company – what a treat. Until I was on the last 50 yards of footpath and my left welly boot decided to make a desperate bid for freedom. The resulting fall probably registered about 5.7 on the Richter scale. The ankle was more or less OK by the New Year …

Someone has been vandalising stiles. Anonymous tip-offs would be gratefully received, if anyone knows who the culprit is. Can all walkers please report back any stiles in the Parish that need attention? It's about time we had another work-day.

Julia O'Connor-Beach
Footpath Warden

[Advert for Charfield Flowers]

[Advert for Sue Trowell Chiropodist]

20

The following is the first of a series of extracts from “The CHADRA Study 1976”

Charfield is a parish of about 400 acres, smaller than the neighbouring parishes of Wickwar to the south, Kingswood to the east, Wotton-u-Edge, North Nibley and Alkington to the north and Tortworth and Cromhall to the west. It lies on the western slopes of the Little Avon valley, looking east to the Cotswold escarpment, and the Little Avon River forms almost the entire eastern boundary of the parish. The other boundaries are more difficult to define as they do not conform to any obvious physical feature or to roadways. Until 1935, when Huntingford was severed from Wotton, the boundary in the north followed the main stream of the Little Avon instead of turning back along its tributary towards Wotton to give the parish today its distinctive 3 pronged shape.

By the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, which is the earliest written record of Charfield, the village was already well established. The oldest settlement was probably at Churchend, high on the southwestern side of the valley where the valley clays meet the lighter and more easily worked soils of the hill top and there is a spring line. The walls of the nave and chancel of St James' at Churchend have been ascribed to the C12th and the church house opposite is probably the oldest building in the village Although there is no archaeological evidence, the present most recently restored mill building may well stand on the site of the Water mill mentioned in Domesday as worth 10 shillings.

In medieval times the ‘manor’ of Charfield probably never had a manor house with a resident Lord of the manor, although Manor Farm (not the current Manor Farm – the original, on the line of the footpath between Underhill Road and Manor Lane) may have been the home farm of the bailiff. The site of the ‘demense’ farm can still be distinguished on the Tithe Map surveyed and drawn between 1839 and 1843. Some of the surrounding field names, such as Long Park, Daisy Park, Ox Park, Green Park, Castle Leaze and Old House Grounds, suggest that they were part of the demense. The following is an assessment of the manor made about 1340 on the death of Peter de Veel:

“The said Peter was seized … of the manor of Charfield … by the service of one knights fee. There is in the said manor a capital messuage (ie a farm run by the Lord of the Manor) worth nothing beyond reprises; a garden the fruit and herbage of which is worth 6d per annum; 200 acres of arable land worth 33s 4d viz 2d per acre, and not more, because the land is hilly and stony. There are 10 acres of meadow, worth 10s. There are 17 free tenants, who pay £8 0s 2d at the said four terms … 2 customary tenants, whose rents and services are worth 2s 2d per annum; one park, the herbage of which is worth 6s per annum. The pleas and perquisites of the court there are worth 3s 4d per annum.”

The Domesday survey does not mention free tenants, only 7 villeins and 4 bordars who would have had to do services on the demense farm. By the 1340s when Peter de Veel died, there were 17 free tenants. Many of the sites of their farmsteads may be those of the farmhouses existing today and it is probable that even at this early date the present pattern of scattered farmsteads was established. Very possibly the reason for this in Charfield was the predominance of land better suited to grazing, rather than as a result of the profound economic change brought about by the decimation of the population in the severe plagues or the later C14th. Much later, in 1779, Samuel Rudder wrote “the greatest part of the parish is pasture” and the standard entry in Kellys' directories which began almost a century after the publication of Rudders' history, is that the Charfield area was ‘chiefly pasture’.

The intersection of the busy B4058 and the main Gloucester to Bristol railway line so dominates the physical layout of the village today that it is easy to forget that the origin and shape of the village has very little to do with these communication routes. From quite early in the middle ages, it was probably not entirely dependant on farming however, although outside the most famous rearing and cloth weaving areas, the woollen industry become important in the economy of the Little Avon valley. While weavers would also have been smallholders, there seems to have been more substantial clothiers in the parish whose income would have been derived from the wool trade rather than farming. At the beginning of the C17th, when John Smith, the steward of the Berkeleys, drew up the militia lists, only 4 out of 31 men did not work in the wool trade.

Late C18th maps of the village show a quite separate and well developed settlement north of Little Bristol Lane on the west side of the Wotton road. It was called Charfield Green, but was where Cotswold View, May Grove, Station Road, and Horsford Road are today, not on the site of the present flats. Many of the occupants of Charfield Green were probably spinners or weavers.

21

Please make use of this Diary – updated copies are posted in various places in the Village. Either telephone or drop a note of any additions and modifications to Brendan O'Connor (01454-26xxxx) xx Manor Lane.

KLB = Katharine Lady Berkeley School
MH = Memorial hall
FR = Foundation Room, Primary School
SL = Sportsman's lounge, Memorial hall

Why not put this on your fridge door or notice board?

22

British Legion
Mr J Poskett (Spokesman) 01454-26xxxx

CHADRA
Mr G Blower (Hon. Sec.) 01454-26xxxx

Charfield Primary School
C F Sreeves (Headteacher) 01454-26xxxx

Childminders
Pat Loveridge (vacancy coord.) 01454-26xxxx

Church – Congregational
Matilda Turner (Sec) xx Charfield Green

Church – St. John's C of E
Rev K Grant (Rector) 01454-26xxxx 01454-26xxxx

Council – Charfield Parish
Catherine Holmes (Clerk) 01453-84xxxx

Council – Northavon District
Mr E Gadsby (Councillor) 01454-26xxxx

Cricket Club
David S Bradley 01453-84xxxx

Football Club – Juniors
Mike Higgins 01454-26xxxx

Football Club – Seniors
Chris Somerton (Secretary) 01454-26xxxx

Friendship Club
Ernie Orton 01454-26xxxx

Keep Fit Club
Mrs C Parfit 01454-26xxxx

Ladies Club
Margaret Gargett 01454-26xxxx

Luncheon Club for the Elderly
Jane Higgins 01454-26xxxx

Memorial Hall
John Poskett 01454-26xxxx

Mother & Toddler Group
Jane Smith (Chairperson) 01454-26xxxx

Neighbourhood Watch
Rev D Parker (Co-ordinator) 01454-26xxxx