CHADRA

… that we dropped large clanger in the last newsletter when giving the ‘crimestoppers’ telephone number and had people ringing the Alliance & Leicester Building Society instead? Our humblest apologies – and the correct number is 0800 555 111.

… that Mr John Acton of New Street has joined the Parish Council, taking Mr Bill Clothier's place? Bill moved to Portishead to be nearer his family.

… that Tortworth school is celebrating its bicentenary this year? Happy birthday!

… that we will have to use it – or lose it? The monthly Charfield Police Surgery, that is.

… that Charfield Football Club has had a reasonable response to their appeal for football coaches? Some of the lads' Dads have come forward.

… that local rock band ‘Strummer’, one member of which lives in Charfield, is going from strength to strength with bookings flooding in, plus a demo disc in the making and a London Tour supported a Bristol based band? Two possible gigs to watch out for are one in Charfield and an open air event at North Nibley in the Summer.

… that a Leyhill prison inmate celebrated his birthday by escaping and then giving himself up twenty four hours later?

… that a Charfield resident who had missed the last bus from Bristol got a lift home in a Leyhill Prison bus which had been sent out to pick up the prisoners stranded at the same bus stop? That's style, for you.

… that Wotton Animal Rescue is holding a Garden Party at the Royal Oak, Wotton, in May to raise funds for the upgrading of its facilities? We hope the sun shines, Veronica!

… that parking tickets are descending almost like confetti on illegally parked vehicles outside the Post Office?

… that Mr Alan Pearn of Katherine Close ran in the London Marathon to raise money for the National Meningitis Trust? Let's hope he made the whole distance.

… that the long campaigned for extension of the footway between Woodlands Road and Little Bristol appears to be in jeopardy, as the landowner has been advised by the local authority that the land he donated for the construction of the path is no longer required? Curiouser and curiouser.

… that Bryant Homes are finally going to install the chainlink fencing behind the hedge between Jones garage and the railway, to block off the very dangerous short-cut on to the Wotton Road? Perhaps it just slipped their mind, that they had promised to install the fence …

2

Dear Charfield Residents:

Tempus fugit – at least between copy dates, anyway. If you are a regular contributor, do make a note in your diary to get the article to us BY 12 July. We make every effort to turn the newsletter round as quickly as possible, but it doesn't help if we have to chase up articles in the week after the deadline.

There must be dozens of computer experts in the village who could help by producing some graphics to liven up the newsletter or to make the adverts more striking. We would love to hear from you. The only limitation is our method of reproduction by means of cutting stencils – but there's still scope for some imagination. Please call us!

Apologies are offered in advance for errors in this edition – a WordPerfect imperfection meant that 50% of the newsletter had to be done twice, and time was running short …

Best regards

Jo and Julia

Next Copy Date – 12th July 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-Bond 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]

The 1st Woodend Scout Group will be holding its 19th annual clay pigeon shoot on Sunday 12 May, on the top fields of Reg Baker's Manor Farm (near the redundant church of St James). This event is the Groups single largest fund raiser; last year it contributed £1400 toward the cost of running the Group. However, its success depends on volunteer labour on the day (to man traps, to score, to serve food and drinks, etc) and on the following evenings (to clear up). I would ask all parents of group members, and any other willing volunteers, to come and help run this event. Further details can be obtained from Duncan Lamont (01453 84xxxx) or myself (01453 84xxxx).

Once again I would like to thank our President, Reg Baker, for the use of his land, and the organising sub-committee for all the hard work that is put into staging this event.

John Barnett

If you live in Charfield, are not helping or shooting, and do not like the sound of guns, you'd better arrange an awayday on the 12th!

The Wotton-under-Edge and District Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will be holding an Open Evening on Thursday 9 May at the Cotswold Edge Golf Club, starting at 7.30pm. The guest speaker will be Richard Spindler, who has recently retired from the crew of the Weston-super-Mare lifeboat. The new RNLI film “Call Out” will also be shown.

All are welcome to come and hear more about the Lifeboat Service, the activities of your local branch, and accounts of rescues carried out by the Weston s.Mare lifeboat. Further information can be obtained by contacting John Barnett (Branch Chairman) on 01453 84xxxx.

For those unable to attend the Open Evening, but wishing to know more about your local branch, the Branch will be holding its AGM at the Pear Tree, Charfield, on Wednesday 15 May starting at 7.30pm. Again, all are welcome.

Charfield Transport Scheme needs more volunteer drivers. We are now existing with a very skeleton staff and one of these days, I fear that I will be unable to provide transport for an urgent journey.

Is there anybody at home during the day who could drive a Charfield resident to a hospital, doctor, dentist, optician, chiropodist, or physiotherapist? If so, please get in touch with me. I try not to use drivers more than once a month, but nowadays I cannot promise this. At the moment, the allowance is 15p a mile but may increase if petrol gets more expensive.

Many thanks to our present drivers for their willingness and support.

Muriel Blower
01454 26xxxx

4

Last season Charfield completed its twenty second year in the C & G League, having been promoted into the top division in 1977. The 1995 Presentation Evening and Dinner was held in November when the awards for the season were presented. Club newcomer Mark Jones' batting had lit up the season, and included two centuries and an opening partnership of 200 with Tim Overton. Captain Simon Hutley took the honours for bowler and all rounder (including a 7 for 19). Michael Colbourn and Robin Burner led the way in the Sunday XI awards. There were Youth Awards presented to John Webber (U17) and Simon Fell (U15).

There was a successful and enjoyable President's XI fixture in July and the annual match v. Kingswood CC for the Del Gannon Trophy. CCC members have been attending the indoor cricket nets at KLB sports centre since January.

CCC will be playing in the ‘3D Cricket’ County League in 1996. Charfield had applied for this league in 1995, which was the first year in which it had operated. The league in 1995 was one division only, made up principally of the top teams in the Stroud and Swindon Building Society Championship (formerly Eagle Star, Whitbread, etc) and the 3D Country League (formerly Bablake). The original idea of a pyramid structure had been floated in the GCA's ‘A Future for League Cricket in the West 1985’ which had been an attempt to put League Cricket on a footing that would improve playing and facilities standards.

The enlargement of the league has now reached four divisions and Charfield will join Rockhampton CC (Stroud League Champions 1995) Cheltenham Saracens (PLJ League) and Hatherley and Reddings (South Park) in Division 4, alongside clubs from the 3D Country League. Above them will be the Stroud and Swindon BS League and last year's County League.

The club will run a second XI in the new County League 2nd XIs competition. The club also has a full Sunday fixture list featuring many local clubs, but also travelling to Bristol, Colwall, Ledbury and Cricklade.

Charfield CC play on the Memorial Hall Playing Field and take some responsibility for maintaining the field. The Cricket Club (and I'm sure the Football Club too) would like to record their thanks to the Village Hall Management Committee for making money available to lay an improved drainage system and to replace the cylinders and bottom blades on the gang mowers. The truth is that the ground takes considerable wear and tear from the sporting clubs, not to mention the casual games that take place. However, if the ground is played on when it is very wet the effects can take weeks or months to undo. The Cricket Club and the Football Club have sought to aerate the field by spiking and so facilitate the efficiency of the new drainage system.

In general terms, the facilities for players and officials are of a high standard. Charfield Cricket Club hope that the new season will see sight screens at both ends, an improved scoreboard and an outside clock. I hope this information will reach any resident, perhaps recently arrived, who enjoys cricket and has yet to find a club. CCC Would be very pleased to hear from you. Do not hesitate to contact us.

David Bradley

Two series of ‘Outside Edge’ should have villagers rushing to enjoy the cricket in their hundreds …

Since January, the committee has been really pleased to see so many new faces at meetings, leading to an increased membership list. However, there's always room for a few more so if you haven't already come along, we'd be very happy to see you soon!

We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month (except August) in the village hall at 8pm. The bar is open and tasty refreshments are served. There are some really interesting talks and demos coming up and there is a coach trip to the Three Choirs Vineyard (tour, wine tasting and supper) costing £10 on June 20th. There is also an all-day coach trip to London on Saturday 21 September costing £8 per adult and £4 per child. If you would like to reserve seats on either trip please ring Margaret on 26xxxx. You do NOT have to be a member to come on the trips or indeed to come to any of the meetings. Please see the Diary Page for future events. We hope to see you at some (or even all!) of these events and if anyone is uncomfortable about coming to the meetings alone, please ring Margaret on 26xxxx.

Ladies Club will also have a stall at the village sport day so we'll see you there too.

Have a lovely Summer!

Margaret Gargett
Chairlady F26xxxx.

5[Advert for The Pear Tree Inn]

The Summer Fayre is being held on the afternoon of 6 July, 1996 this year.

The main purpose of the Fayre this year will be to give parents and children an enjoyable afternoon out and an opportunity to meet other families. This is the time for the old villagers to get together with the new villagers, have a chat and watch the children enjoying themselves.

Children will be well occupied, a Sports Programme, ages 5 to 16 lasting nearly 3 hours, parents must bring their children along to enter the races. There's on the flat, skipping, beanbag, egg & spoon and sack races.

A Youth Trophy, one for boys and one for girls, a half mile open, and yes! a husband and wife race. The children's sports are organised by Mr Mike Smith, who has done this for many years now.

In addition to the races, a Tug of War contest, hopefully eight teams. This is very popular and the winners go away with a goodish quantity of the Sponsors Wickwar Beer, the runners up get a helping too!

The walls around the hall are usually filled with children's painting and photographs. They are all entered in competitions which are open to all.

The fancy dress attracts large numbers of entrants and the competition is really worth seeing.

For the children there is also ice cream, banger, lots of little side shows, not forgetting Punch & Judy, a magician, and a balloon blower.

A prize draw has been organised and tickets will be on sale in the village and on the field.

At the top end of the playing field car boots will be located. Car booters keep 6th July free – we expect a large crowd. Teas and cakes and bar facilities will be available in the hall during the afternoon. A family dance will be held in the hall in the evening.

Finally, we need helpers, male and female, not a lot! but a few, who would like to help make this a really good children's day. Please come to our next meeting on 2 May 1996, at 7.30 pm in the Sportsman's Lounge.

The Management Committee

The club is still going strong with Mr Orton as Chairman. We have survived the cold weather, having to cancel only one meeting. For entertainment, we have bingo and quizzes. We have had slides showing different waterways through the world and there are more speakers to come.

We have started to think about where to go on our outings during the rest of the year. Three members have offered to run their usual stall at the annual fayre on July 13. We'll see you there!

M J Ealey
Secretary

6

May is the best time of year to plan and plant up Hanging Baskets for a colourful display this Summer. The local Garden Centres are already filled with suitable plants, but do remember that Charfield can be quite a frosty place, so be prepared to shelter baskets in a garage or greenhouse when frost is forecast.

A few larger baskets will always have the maximum impact and need the least watering. Choose a good quality multi-purpose compost, avoiding soil based mixtures to reduce the basket's finished weight.

Line wired baskets with moss, conifer clippings – get your revenge on the neighbour's Leylandii – or even thatch from the lawn. Inside this decorative layer a further layer of black polythene will act as a reservoir.

Mix a slow release fertiliser, such as Osmocote, with the compost as you plant up the basket. Cut some slits in the sides of polythene to push plants through to give an all round ball of flowers and foliage.

A sheltered spot that gets at least some shade during the day is always best. Hotter spots will need watering two or three times a day in high summer if the basket is to do well.

Water, or rather lack of it, is the most common reason for plant failure. Some common plants are happier than others at coping with occasional neglect and knowing this the basket can be planted accordingly.

Pelargoniums (geraniums) are probably the best known example of plants which will recover quickly and well from lack of water. Their ivy-leaved trailing forms are especially useful. They will flower throughout the summer in a range of colours from white and soft pink to vivid purple. Most flowers are in the form of a simple star, but lavish pom-poms shapes can also be found for more extravagant planting schemes.

Another forgiving plant is Bidens ferulifolia, with trailing mossy green leaves studded with bright yellow flowers all summer. This is a good plant for any container and looks especially pleasing if planted on its own and allowed to tumble down the sides of a large terracotta pot.

Two foliage plants which also come in the virtually indestructible category are Helichrysum petiolare with spreading grey, yellow or variegated leaves and Cineraria martitima with sparkling silver foliage to add height to the basket.

With only a little more care and watering Begonias, Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) and Nasturtiums will all do well. The scented Heliotropes are a more unusual option and raising them in a basket to nose-height works especially well.

Another more unusual choice is Lotus berthelotii, with cascades of very finely textured grey green foliage. In hot weather this foliage plant gives the bonus of red claw shaped flowers.

Some popular hanging basket plants will suffer badly if you forget to water them, for example Campanula collapses and takes a long time to re-grow. Fuchsia usually revives, but may loose buds, flowers and even leaves. Lobelia can look very unsightly and need cutting back and Pansies stop flowering without regular water.

As baskets are mostly in obvious spots and at eye level, time should be spent picking off dead flowers and discoloured leaves. For this reason white flowers may be a thing to avoid as it only takes a few browning blooms to spoil the whole effect.

Before the rising tide of new growth swamps everything I like to take a last chance to tidy up some of the spring flowering shrubs. Straggly Berberis and spring flowering Spiraea arguta and S. thunbergii can have one in three of the older stems cut right out. This will keep the whole bush more compact and ensure that over the course of three years the plant is completely renewed.

One of the nicest tasks in the garden is to tidy up the herb garden, cutting back sage, santolina and curry plant to stop them becoming leggy. Cut back all of last year's growth, but always cut to above a new shoot near the base.

Tulips can be dead-headed as flowers fade, but leave the foliage to die down naturally. If you really need the space for summer bedding plants, then replant them temporarily in a shady spot before lifting and storing.

Now is also the time to take your shears to Clematis montana. They are very vigorous plants and can quickly out grow their allotted space unless they are trimmed after flowering has finished. Take care as birds like to nest in the dense growth; kinder gardeners will delay pruning until chicks have fledged.

It will also be your last chance to fix stakes and supports around herbaceous plants before they get too big.

Having tidied the garden, all that remains is to sit hack and admire your cleverly crafted hanging baskets.

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

7

Well, Easter is over and I hope you have enjoyed it. In one sense I haven't. For the first time in fifty years (not all of them in Charfield), I wasn't able to be present in Church on this important celebration in the Christian year. An unpleasant attach of food-poisoning (why did only I get it?) let to a very disturbed night and several days of feeling like ‘death warned up’, meant that I was unable to ‘appear’ either Good Friday or Easter Day.

Fortunately, I could be managed without, although it was a ‘near thing’ for the Sunday since all the clergy were already so busy; but we eventually managed to get a retired priest from Minchinhampton for the Eucharist. As for good Friday, well, I have always tried to develop the ministry of the unordained here. For a long time we've had lesson-readers, people help with taking part of the services, people lead in some of the prayers, three people are now authorised and publicly recognised as chalice-bearers for the serving of Communion. So, one way and another, quite a lot of lay-ministry activity was going on in Charfield, long before it was suggested by the diocese.

Well before Good Friday, I had completed the plan of the service in detail, and it needed only someone to read it. Well, Margaret Clarke stepped in on that occasion and all went well. In the absence of a priest, it is a Churchwarden's privilege (??!!) to read a service at public worship; though whether they regard this as an honour or a nightmare, I am not really clear. There's a case for both points of view! thanks to all concerned. The only? “hiccup” was myself: I missed being with them! and I wasn't enjoying myself!

We had our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on the 24th of March. This meeting is an absolute legal necessity in the Church of England, though the date is chosen locally. It is to elect two Churchwardens for the coming year, to elect a Parochial Church Council for the year, as well as a Secretary, and Treasurer. The Church accounts for the previous year have to be audited by one who is not an officer or member of the local Church (recent years it has been done by a Bristol Bank officer) and then must be open for discussion and questions at this meeting. These are the main and compulsory items, though other matters of interest may be raised.

The most interesting and promising of the latter was raised by one of our brand new Church Council members (although, as is correct procedure, I was apprised of it in advance of the meeting). It is that we produce a perhaps two or three monthly “handout” for the parish of our Church life and activities – in other words to “publish” ourselves more.

This meets with my total approval and all agreed. We had a Church magazine until a few years ago, that was one shared by the large group of Churches that makes up this “deanery”, but this gradually lost circulation until it disappeared. Ever since then – just a few years ago – I have felt the need for such a contact medium, but I simply had not (and have not) the time to do it myself. In parishes where thy have such a publication, or even a full-blown magazine, a group of lay-people produce it (Vicar-less!). The really great thing about this recent suggestion is that the person who suggested it also offered to produce it! Thank you, Lynda!

I'll close now by saying that a newly-elected Churchwarden is Bryan Grantham, already a member of the Church Council for many years and Vice-Chairman of the Council. We welcome him to this office: he lives at xx Berkeley Close. Phone 01454 26xxxx. Margaret Clarke continues as the other Warden, and we thank her for past services (including Good Friday!).

Bill Ramsay relinquished the post of warden after several years of faithful and devoted service, quietly doing many things in Church and for the Church. Fortunately for us, Bill has said that he'll continue helping in similar way, as needed, without getting in anyone's way; as if he could!

Happy Spring and early Summer, and don't forget we have services in Church – always at 10.15a.m.!

My love to you.

(Rector) Ken Grant

[Advert for Harlequin Homecall]

8

In his article in the Autumn 95 Newsletter, the self-appointed spokesman for this minority of Charfield Youth claimed that the objections to the activities on the footpath and residents' drives in Manor Lane were unjustified and in overreaction by a small number of residents. However there is one aspect of this problem which is not in dispute and is of interest to more then a minority of residents and that is the depositing of litter.

The footpath and the drive of 1 Thames Close in particular is strewn with cigarette ends, dead matches, cigarette packets and from time to time other items such as bottles, cans and plastic containers. The whole area is spotted with used chewing gum which is almost impossible to remove.

This morning (15 April) there were two used condoms by the entrance to the footpath. Is it too much to ask that litter be deposited in the bin which is provided just inside the play area?

My comments above relate to the particular area concerned and certain individuals who meet there, but similar considerations apply to all the public areas of the village. The path from the shops to the play area is particularly polluted with litter and I would ask the dog owner who allowed his animal to perform in the middle of the entrance to the play area from Manor Lane to take advantage of the bins provided for dog excrement.

G R Blower

There is a hefty fine for not clearing up after your dog. Do the decent thing and make use of the bins provided.

How many of you went out on the night of the full eclipse of the moon to have a gander at the comet in the North-Western sky? A good place from which to see it was on the Downs Road, where we stood, freezing to death, binoculars in a shaky grip, at half past midnight. Starting at the ‘Plough’, you moved across to the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia, and then down to the left again – and there it was! A blurred star. Well, that's what it looked like to the naked eye. You really did need binoculars to appreciate the sight. A dirty iceball it may be, but it looked far more romantic than that. Its tail streaked upwards from the comet and slightly to the left. Towards 11 o'clock, in a manner of speaking. It was a magical experience to have the eclipsed moon to your back, and a once in every 15000 years comet to the front.

You should have another chance to see the comet towards the end of April. According to Patrick Moore, the comet will be visible near the horizon at sunset and it will be much brighter than on the night of the eclipse because it will have been warmed by its passage closer to the sun, and therefore it will leave a larger vapour trail behind.

Don't miss it – you won't be here for its next visit …

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[Advert for Alan Hamer Driving]

9

There have been very few occasions during my almost seven years at Charfield School when children have enjoyed the chance to play in the snow! On one particular day in February it was possible, however, and parents and staff were able to join in the fun on the field. Alas, the following day we closed due to icy conditions posing safety hazards and by the next following day it was almost gone!

Despite these wintry conditions, many grandparents travelled to the school for our Grandparents Afternoon which was greatly appreciated by everyone. Our guests spent time with the children in their classrooms looking at displays of work and reliving their own school days before moving into the school hall where the children performed their entertainments, served refreshments and joined with their visitors in Country Dancing.

The weather restricted sporting activities during the term, but football and netball squads were able to represent us at Avon Tournaments in Wotton and Thornbury.

One ‘sport’ which is not influenced by the weather is chess. The annual tournament for Year 5 and Year 6 children began before Easter and is continuing into the summer term.

Each year, Charfield School involves itself in a major fund-raising event for charity. Currently we are raising money for Help the Aged by sponsoring Mr Ray Latham, one of our parents, who ran in the Boston Marathon. Co-incidentally his employers – Avon Ambulance Service – were also sponsoring Mr Latham in the same cause, therefore it seemed appropriate for the school to follow suit! Preparations began with Mr Latham talking at an Assembly about the history of the Marathon, together with his past experiences of running and training schedules.

The local organiser for Help the Aged spoke about the work of the charity and the Ambulance Service provided a fully staffed and fully equipped vehicle for the morning which the children visited in groups to hear all about how the equipment is used and the service in general.

The final week of the spring term included a disco for the junior children and a presentation to the whole school on the subject ‘Science is Fun’ by Tony Griffith, a well-known Bristol magician who used familiar household objects to demonstrate several basic scientific principles which could be thought of as magic!

Looking towards the summer, the Parent Teacher Association have already begun preparation for the Spring Fair (Saturday, 18 May) including the annual Grand Draw. Also planned is a Caribbean Evening on Saturday, 6 July – something different! We would be pleased to see local residents at these events – look out for posters!

C F Sreeves
Headteacher

Yet another fun packed year has come to the end at Charfield Toddler Group ready to begin more fun for 1996/97, including Teddy Bears Picnic, Summer outing and lots lots more.

We would like to say farewell and a big thank you to the old committee who ended the year with a fun packed Easter session which included a bouncy castle and clown for the children and cream cakes for all the mums.

The Toddler Group meets every Thursday morning during term time between 10.15 am and 11.30 am at Charfield Memorial Hall. It is a lively morning and enjoyed by all.

If you are new to the area or would like to find out more about the Toddler Group, or even if you have any ideas or changes you would like to see happen, then please do not hesitate to contact any of the committee members listed below.

Chairperson – Laura Cabry – F 26xxxx
Vice Chairperson – Noreen Berry – F 26xxxx
Secretary – Jennie Vick – F 26xxxx
Treasurer – Sylvia Rundle – F 26xxxx

Thursday Helpers

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to three ladies who have kindly offered their time each week to help us serve refreshments etc.

Unfortunately, Sue Bird has left us and Alison Rowan wishes to leave in July.

Rose Woodward has kindly offered to continue her services, but we desperately need replacements for the ladies who are leaving.

If anybody feels that they can offer some of their time to us on a Thursday morning then please contact Laura Cabry. Many thanks.

Laura Cabry

10

Puzzle Page

11[Advert for CHADRA Newsletter Advertising]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

The 1995–96 Table year ended in March and it has been a very busy and enjoyable year!

Although Wotton Table is concerned primarily with fellowship, we have had a very active year on community service. Our bonfire event raised nearly £3000 which is a record, and other events were the Pram Race and Dartathon, the latter in aid of Meningitis Research. National Round Table day on 16 March saw us manfully digging a long-jump pit at the British School! Table also contributed toward kneelers for St John's Church.

January was a very significant time for our Table as we moved into our new meeting room at the Star in Wotton, courtesy of Mark and Lit and the brewery. It is very impressive with all our regalia up on the walls and is a facility not many Tables are fortunate enough to have.

Fellowship and House have conspired to put together interesting programmes of activities, with the former concentrating on socialising, the latter speakers and outside visits for Table meetings on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in the month. A dinner meeting takes place when there is a 5th Tuesday. Such activities as 10 pin bowling, go-karting, Jim Davidson in ‘Sinderella’ (not for those easily offended!), sports quiz, clay pigeon shooting, Gadabout or progressive supper and a spoof on the ‘Krypton Factor’. Also some have attended National Conference at Eastbourne and National Sporting weekend at Bath, so life is not dull!

We concentrate on giving value for money in our Tabling so our membership from all walks of life stands at a healthy 26, but that is no excuse for being complacent. Guests are always welcome so if anyone reading this is interested, please contact me if you are between 18 and 40 years of age. A varied and interesting programme is vital in encouraging guests to come along and that is what we try to provide. Wotton Round Table now has 3 members from Charfield, flying the flag for the ‘District’ part of our name.

By the time you read this our AGM will have come and gone and we will be into another Table year. Many thanks to those who have supported Round table in our efforts in the past year and long may it continue.

John Francksen

12[Advert for Positive Pressure]

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If you thought that only ‘bad’ lads can do this, you were wrong. We have been doing it for years – for love, “we” being the grass cutters and gardeners of our Parish Church. Unfortunately there aren't as many of us as there used to be, and our turn on the grass-cutting rota comes round so often that we sometimes find it difficult to fit it in with work, holidays, family commitments and the like. So sometimes in the summer the grass around the Church may look a bit long and scruffy, and the flower borders a bit neglected.

If you would like to help us, you would be very welcome. We have all the tools: a Flymo hover mower, a petrol-driven strimmer, and the only wooden lawn mower in the world (very effective, crashes through long grass like a tank). Or some people even like to use their own mower.

It might be because you like to see a trim lawn around the Church, with neat colourful flower beds. Or perhaps you like gardening and grass-cutting (well some people do!). Or you might do it simply for love of God. Whatever the reason, if you would like to help, give me or Kate a ring on 01454 26xxxx.

Bill Ramsay

I would like to thank all those who have generously donated a kneeler for St John's Parish Church, whether as groups, firms or individuals.

The list of donors is too long to list and it would be only too easy to leave out a name, so I hope you will accept tins all inclusive thanks from all who attend for regular worship and/or special events.

Those who have been into the Church over the last few years must have noticed the growing number of these kneelers and seen how they help to make our lovely Church even more attractive.

We hope that eventually there will be enough to fill all the pews, so if you would like to make a donation, whether to celebrate a particular event or because you would just like to be represented, please contact me at xx Orchard Close, or on 01454 26xxxx.

Thank you again on behalf of us all.

Kate Ramsay

13

How long have you lived in the village?
26 years and I was one of the founder members of CHADRA, alongside Don Smith.

Where was home originally?
Innsworth in Gloucestershire.

So what brought you to Charfield?
A series of career moves around the country ended with a company in Cheltenham offering me a job controlling the sales force in the South West.

You are Managing Director of the Worktwice Group. Just what is it that you do?
Primarily the company is a contract stationer to the office supplies industry but the high profile is the recycling company of Worktwice Marketing Ltd which re-manufactures laser and inkjet toner cartridges. As you probably know, CLIC benefits from each one we recycle so much so that last year we contributed over £27,000 to the charity. So, we feel we're doing our bit first for the environment by controlling landfill with plastic and helping a very worthwhile cause.

Why CLIC?
Easy. Because it is local and I have supported them since my Round Table days.

What do you do for relaxation?
Gardening and golf – I play off 10 mainly at Cotswold Edge and I'm an avid war gamer!

What's that?
It's military manoeuvres in miniature, based on the equipment at the time of the 1944 European Front. I suppose it's a sort of fantasy based on fact as we create scenarios within the confines of the diarama, which is an 8′ square playing area which can be fully landscaped. The scope is endless and changes each time. Great fun?

What family do you have?
Pat and I have a son and a daughter. You may remember that Mark used to contribute to the newsletter as the Venture correspondent. He's now living in Plymouth with his wife Yvonne and our new granddaughter Daisy Grace, who was burn in march. Karen, like Mark, has her degree and still lives in the village, he works for Microprose in the statistical accounts department.

What do you like about Charfield?
I love its location here in the South Cotswolds. It is so serene but it has kept its character despite the growth in housing. I like the fact that the village is very well integrated – there are plenty of clubs and activities to fulfil anybody's wishes. Somebody told me that there are about 36 different organisations – I think that's great for such a relatively small village.

Anything you don't like?
The traffic calming scheme! I think it's misplaced and badly thought out. Consultation before implementation within the village would have been nice. I'd also like to see the Memorial Hall complex developed up to its full potential to meet the needs of the enlarged village. And we could do with a good restaurant!

What would you like to see in the Newsletter?
More about the village itself. At home I have a map of Charfield as it was in 1066 but I'd like to read more about the infrastructure – like how many farms are there; what are the predominant crops and livestock; what unusual businesses and professions are there, and so on. Backgrounds tend to get lost during everyday life. Maybe it's time to bring to bring them out again! there must be so much expertise within Charfield but it tends to be transient and insular.

What is your most treasured possession?
Difficult – I'm not materialistic so it would have to be 3 things – the Gold Badge from an Outward Bound Course, my Duke of Edinburgh's silver award, and a newspaper cutting telling how my grandfather died by a sniper's bullet in the First World War.

How would you like people to remember you?
With kindness as what you do now affects how people behave towards those left behind.

Interviewer:
Dave Woodhouse

Your wish is our command, Mike.

A local farmer has agreed to contribute articles on a regular basis, and Dave's ‘Village Profile’ will be a regular fixture.

Any other helpful comments will be very welcome from other readers.

14

I expect this will be short. The deadline looms and the longer evenings have arrived. Though apart from the odd day, it could hurry up and get warmer. Those or you who know me will be aware that I spend a lot of time messing about with plants, this leads me very neatly onto my first topic … OUCH! or, ‘To Scratch a Thief’. This was the headline of a recent article in the Filton News. Very simple. Use prickly plants to protect your boundaries and garden features to deter criminals. A prickly bush under a downstairs window perhaps? A hedge of pyracantha or if you wish to help nature hawthorn or blackthorn may better. But, if you don't want a hedge, climbing and rambling roses are very useful for protecting walls and fences. Berberis is also very useful and there are many different and interesting varieties. Also consider holly. Anyway … after you with the Elastoplast, Mr Thief.

Sheds and garages continue to be targets, the police continue to suggest that we consider whether some of the things we keep in garages may not be more securely held in the house. But wherever you keep it, POSTCODE IT. Photographs of valuable are also very useful.

Thank you to those who came to the annual NW meeting in March. I hope you found it useful and entertaining. Any suggestions for topics are always welcome.

Although we don't always seem a very active NW, we are continually told that it is very worthwhile having. Statistically, areas belonging to NW suffer less crime than those that don't belong. In fact, there is currently a campaign in Thornbury to publicise areas that are not part of a watch. When the question was asked “Won't this encourage criminals to target these areas?” the response was “Yes, organise a NW.” We have some streets in Charfield that don't belong. It would be a great help if some more people came forward as contacts. It is not necessary to come to meetings if you're not a meeting person. The most you'll have to do is deliver a few slips to about 15 houses in your street, perhaps no more than 3 or 4 times a year. Maybe you feel you all know each other anyway, and ask, “why should we?”, but maybe someone new moves in and does not feel as secure as you do. We are very fortunate that there is relatively little crime in Charfield and there is little tor NW to do. We do all want it to stay that way.

The topic of contacting the police was again raised at a recent coordinators' meeting. If you see anything that requires an immediate response, dial 999. Even if you feel it may be fairly minor, if it is happening now or especially if you believe a crime is about to be committed, let the police decide what priority it should have. If, however, you are phoning Staple Hill about something that happened days or weeks ago, you are likely to get a better response if you phone during the day. They get very, very busy early evening between 5 and 7 pm. They get some 4 million phone calls every year and they are not spread evenly during the day.

Ah well, this article has not turned out as short as I thought it would be.

I will have to confirm the date of the next contacts meeting, probably towards the end of June or early July.

Ilze Hicks

Our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Reverend David Parker, a regular contributor to CHADRA.

[Advert for Animal £xtras]

15

Daffs are out, sun's shining – yippee!

When I last wrote, I forgot to tell you about my artistically inspiring time in the Tate Gallery last November. I went to view the Exhibition, ‘One hundred years of Tudor and Jacobean Art’. It was breathtaking. Bearing in mind these paintings were done in 1530 plus I was totally in awe. I seem to think that with only modern-day products, could anything so artistic be produced.

Paintings of that era were of course of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The folds of each fabric of the beautiful dresses made you wish to reach out and touch the rich velvets and the ruffle and jewels of Elizabeth I were so delicate. One forgot that oils were involved.

Suddenly it was time to go to see Starlight Express. Darting out through the main hall I espied the name of Damien Hurst. Well I had to see the cow in formaldehyde. Well, as thought provoking as his exhibits were, it didn't move me half as much as the shine on Henry VIII's tights!

Now the vehicle saga. As I might like to think of myself as a staunch feminist – ha ha! When it comes to vehicles breaking down I definitely need a man around.

The first Volvo hiccup came when my two blessed children and I were travelling up to London in the heaviest of rain, it just cut out on the M4. We cruised over onto the hard shoulder and said a few gentle words. After a while ‘she’, yes I've said it, sparked into life – we arrived at mum's.

On the Sunday, due to go to my niece's 1st birthday, ‘Ruby’ (the car, not my niece) didn't even murmur. When the RAC man arrived he got to the plugs with a blowtorch and all was well.

The French were over. Not all of them, about thirty-odd students for an exchange trip. On my way over to Yate, to collect four girls, my accelerator pedal was suddenly on the floor. I was at Bagstone, cruising towards a hedge. I tore along the road breathing in all healthy smells when I arrived at the first set of welcoming lights I could see.

I knocked at the door. A lady who, I learned shortly after, was in the middle of a dinner party, welcomed me in.

‘Oh please may I use your phone, I've got to collect four girls from Yate’, etc etc, I gushed.

‘Oh come in, sit down, have a drink’ – she was so friendly.

My knights on white chargers came in the shape of Chris Lamont who tore through the villages, collected me, and we rescued the four young ladies.

On the final Sunday of the French visit travelling back from Gloucester, there was a dreadful sound coming from the base of the car. The exhaust was in two!

Sophie's street cred was shattered. Everyone we drove past turned around and stared.

The final straw came when I volunteered to drive Jane Higgins and Marilyn Shaw to ‘The Gables’ for a workout. We ended up working out before we arrived at the gym!

Travelling along the road past Tortworth School the car made an almighty bang. I thought the gear box had gone. We pushed the car into the side of the road and commenced the walk back. I was in a right old state, particularly as it was Jane's birthday night of fun. Puddles were everywhere and no road lights made our trek very tricky – leaping onto the grassy verges every time a car passed.

My knight on a white charger that evening was Andy Reynolds who rescued three mud splattered ladies. Andy – thank you. Hope this doesn't ruin his street cred.

We had great fun at the gum and when I got home at 12.30 am, gently broke the news to Keith that our car was outside the gate of the Leyhill Fruit and Veg Shop. Yes I know I should have phoned him when it happened, but I didn't. The prop shaft had sheared off). Anyway, I am now driving around in Ruby II. Feel free to wave – its the same colour.

So thank you to all my rescuers.

I will sign off now by recapping tonight's news. The reporter confirmed the divorce proceedings of Fergie and Prince Andrew. They took place in an 18th Century Room decorated in pale green – well that will make all the difference won't it?

By the time you read this Alan Pearn may still have his feet soaking after the challenge of the London Marathon. He is running for the Meningitis Trust. I wish him good luck.

Take care and have a good summer. I am now going to leap through the back gate and pop this in Jo's door.

Marilyn

Clay Pigeon Shoot 12th May Manor Farm

16

Puzzle Page Answers

17

I was beginning to think it would never be warm again, but the sunshine over Easter was enough to lift the spirits and start me planting again, and although it's still pretty chilly the recent rain has been very welcome.

It seems a long time since we've had such a cold, grey (and alarmingly dry) spring, when we've had to wait such a long time for the leaves to appear on the trees. Looking out of the window it's hard to believe it mid-April.

The spring cabbage that I planted last year in high hopes of being able to enter them in the Wotton Spring Show have hardly moved but the purple sprouting broccoli has been excellent.

Broccoli makes a very good salad either on its own or mixed with other vegetables. Divide the heads into smallish pieces and cook very briefly – 2 or 3 minutes at most. Drain and run quickly under the cold tap (to stop them cooking and keep their colour). Then toss in a vinaigrette dressing made with grainy mustard. My particular favourite combination is with avocado pear and good tomatoes (the Spanish ones available at the moment are excellent – small, deep red and full of flavour).

Young spinach leaves also make a good salad. The flavour is surprisingly mild though you must use very young, fresh leaves – about 2″–4″ long. Mix them with sorrel or lambs lettuce (both these are growing well now) or with any of the lettuces from the greengrocer, and stir in a hot vinaigrette dressing – very fashionable! – just before serving. Add croutons and crisply fried bacon, possibly a few small chunks of good cheese and it's almost a meal in itself – especially if it is followed a bowl of soup.

It took me years to find a really good vinaigrette recipe – I'd try all sorts of combinations but now this is the one I use most of all:

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt & freshly ground pepper
100 ml (3½ fl oz) ground nut oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
50 ml (about 5 tablespoons) warm water

Put the mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl and slowly whisk in a quarter of the oil. Add the wine vinegar (which will thin the mixture) then gradually add the rest of the oil and thin down with the warm water.

This will keep for a week or so in the fridge and can be varied by using different oils such as olive or sunflower. I often mix oils because although we like olive oil sometimes the flavour on its own is just too strong. I also add a pinch of sugar (though I think the French frown on that). If you want an altogether sturdier dressing use a grainy mustard and balsamic vinegar and mix to your own taste. Either of these dressings can be used hot – just heat gently to boiling point and use immediately.

The last of my onions in store are beginning to sprout now and need using up so it will be onions with everything for a while. Roast onions are good – peel them, (without cutting too much off the bottom otherwise they'll fall apart), boil for a good 5 minutes in salted water then either put them round the joint with potatoes, or roast them in lard, basting occasionally, at the top of the oven.

Fried onion rings are very easy to do. Slice a peeled onion into thin rings, push them out and soak in salted milk for about 20 minutes. Drain and toss in seasoned flour, a few at a time, (in a polythene bag is the easy way). Fry in batches in deep fat until crisp and brown. Spread out on kitchen paper to drain and keep warm till they're all cooked. Good with all sorts of dishes – bangers and mash, spinach salad etc. Then there is the onion tart, French onion soup, stuffed onions … it probably depends on how sturdy your digestion is, though onions are thought to be very good for you.

Lastly – nettles are just right for cooking now. They need to be young or the flavour is too coarse, but if you're feeling adventurous or in need of a spring tonic (the folklore is that if eaten in April and May they will purify the blood) arm yourself with rubber gloves and a pair of scissors and comb the hedgerows. Wash the leaves well and cook like spinach – briefly in their own juice. Drain well, add salt, pepper and a grating of fresh nutmeg. The sting goes with cooking, and there's something quite satisfying about picking wild food, though I have to be honest and admit I wouldn't want to eat nettles too often.

Barbara Adams
01454 26xxxx

Plant Sale 11 May, 10am St John's Church

18

Recent times to start, a classic example of moving on. Most of the elder members of the youth club seem to have discovered cars, pubs and clubs. However, the young generation seems to have had a boost, which evens it out nicely.

So anyway, what have we been up to lately? Well there's all the usual stuff, volleyball, snooker, music, crab football, to name but a few. As for excursions, we provided a disco, with the much needed help of Steve Payne, for a couple of youth clubs in Bristol. A minibus was provided, definitely not a prime example of modern technology, but it got us there, eventually! After an hour setup period it was no time at all before the disco was in full swing. We took a couple of younger familiar faces along for support, especially in the games. I nearly emptied their tuck shop by giving it all away in prizes. The best news was that we increased their attendance rating by 70 percent.

So once again, a big than you to Steve Payne for volunteering his time and equipment and of course to everyone else who helped. I was also thinking of advertising our trip to Alton Towers on the 26 April, but it probably will have happened by the time you receive your CHADRA.

Just as a reminder, any new members are welcome, 8.00 pm until 10.30 pm every Tuesday, age 10 and upwards. Please be assured that your young offspring will be supervised, so send your young adults along and the first session is free.

Future attractions: possible trips to Roller Arena in Speedwell, Bristol, so get your skates on, (of course this all depends if it reopens soon), possible trips to Legoland, Windsor. Please remember, if you have any suggestions for outings, don't hesitate to let us know.

Well that's about it apart from apologies for missing the last CHADRA deadline; a slight case of too much to do and not enough time to do it. Likely excuse, eh!

Goodbye all.

Dan Lane

The annual plant sale at St John's Church will be held this year on Saturday, 11 May 1996 at 10.00 am.

As usual, there will be a wide range of plants of many types; from Achimenes to Zinnias; from Alpines to shrubs and vegetables.

Thank you for your support over the years. Do take the opportunity again this year to buy all your plant requirements for 1996 at reasonable prices.

You will find most of the popular varieties as well as some unusual plants. I try to introduce something new each year, but would welcome comments if you particularly like or dislike some of the newer introductions.

If you have plants for sale, I should be grateful if you would label them and bring them before 9.00 am to give time for them to be priced and put in the correct section.

I should also be glad of any boxes you can collect as carriers for customers.

Let us hope for a fine day on the 11th; see you at about 10.00 am.

GKR

[Advert for Taylor Made Services]

[Advert for Tree Top Carpets]

19

It all started just over 10 years ago with Guides. The girls were putting on a stage-show and I was asked if I would help out. “Yes,” I said. After a great success I was asked by Rosemary if I would like to help at the meetings. It did not take long for me to say “Yes” again.

Over the last ten years I have seen many girls come and go. I used to find when one left you lost two more, mainly because they were friends. I only went on one camp which was in Badminton and a long weekend in Deer Park, Cowley. I had such a great time and many laughs. The Guides that went were a great group.

I have watched the girls cook outdoors. How they ate what they cooked, I shall never know. Also, pitching a tent can cause a few problems with. the girls being about my height [Mary is tres petite].

Over the years, we have had a few people in to talk on different topics, we have held meetings at KLB Sports Hall and played tenpin bowling in Bristol. Taking the girls out on outings is nerve-racking – for example, on a boat trip, and a treasure hunt.

It was one of my greatest pleasures to see Helen go to Mexico through the International Section, and Leeanne also, not forgetting Helen receiving her Baden Powell award.

I would like to thank Julie, Tonia and Jane, for helping me out as my assistants over the years.

Guides over the years has had its ups and downs, with a group of up to 40 girls at one time and then as few as 12. You sometimes feel it is not really worth going on, but you do, and all of a sudden the numbers rise.

I stepped down and left just before Easter. What a lovely surprise I had when I went back: the girls presented me with a card and sang a song to me. Thanks girls. I hope that whoever takes my place will have a great time with the Guides. I will miss not going out on Wednesday's.

Just one last thing for the girls that went to Cowley, do you remember the shoe horns in the slippers?

Mary Westlake
Ex-Guide Guider

The third village litter pick organised by the Parish Council (14 April) was not as well supported as the second, but thanks are due to some New Street residents who did their bit.

The play area between Manor Lane and Woodlands Road held some noxious treats in store for the Councillors who cleaned it up: an old battery which had already leaked its acid; an empty can of lighter fuel; an empty glue container … now how did these items come to be on a play area?

When a litter pick is organised, gloves, pickers, and bags are provided, and it makes it easy to clear up the street you live in. Next time, do join in for an hour – it isn't hard work and you can see the results of your efforts immediately.

Some kind residents clear up after other villagers all year round – a vote of thanks to them. They are saints.

[Advert for Charfield Flowers]

[Advert for Sue Trowell Chiropodist]

20

Thank you to Pat White for writing my column while I was in Hong Kong visiting my new grandchildren. Congratulations to two more members who've just become grandmothers, Pat Morris and Jean Strange. Don't get me wrong, we're not all that age – there are many younger members, some of whom have only just joined us, and they are very welcome.

I got back just in time for David Woodhouse's talk on Positive Pressure, which is a form of massage. Terry Pegg, our secretary, acted as guinea pig for his demonstration and found it most relaxing.

Our birthday party in March was a great success. Quite a number of the club came in Victorian costume – even gentlemen's evening clothes – and the prize was won by Ruth Joint, one of our new members, in a delightful dark green, full-skirted dress with matching bonnet and gloves. The buffet supper was up to the usual excellent WI standard and Pam Sowden and Beryl Walker had made a very fine birthday cake. Mr and Mrs Elbury entertained us with a splendid Magic Lantern Show with music and commentary and we all joined in the old music hall songs.

In April Mr Browning talked to us about a visit he had made to Nepal following in the footsteps of Hillary and Tensing to the base of Everest, 21 days walking and camping in the Himalayas, much of it at high altitude, was certainly a great adventure, visiting villages, monasteries and even helping celebrate a Nepalese wedding. He brought many beautiful slides and tapes of Nepalese sounds and music.

Member's have recently been to Portsmouth on a ‘know your cities’ day; sent several teams to the Group Quiz – we came top and bottom; attended the Avon Extraordinary General Meeting at Weston-super-Mare, and visited our Area President at her home. At the end of April members are going to a painting day at Thornbury and the Group Rally at Rangeworthy.

In the May meeting we will discuss and vote on the resolutions going forward to the National AGM at Cardiff. Also in May we hold our annual Jumble Sale – 2pm on 11th May in the Memorial Hall – we will try to collect as much as possible of your jumble if you have it ready on the 8th and 10th but, if we miss you, could you please drop it off at the hall on the morning of the 11th, from 10 am onwards.

The June meeting is Charfield Flowers demonstrating flower arranging and in July we hope to have someone from Tesco.

August is a break in our formal meetings but we shall no doubt meet for an informal chat and supper. We start formal meetings again in September with Roddy Kohm talking about financial affairs.

Don't forget if you would like to come to our meetings we always meet on the 2nd Thursday in the month in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

Mary Blundell
President

The season has started and new members are very welcome indeed. The subscription charges are unchanged from last year: Adults £15, Family membership £35, and Juniors £6.

The Club is obtaining quotations for the resurfacing of the court and hopes that this work will be carried out in the very near future. Funding is still being sought to enable the Club to install a second court.

Gill Fowler

Miss Turner has been unwell and sends greetings to her many friends and says she is making progress.

All are very welcome to join us at the Church for our regular services.

The Pastor Reverend Philip Hopes
01453 84xxxx

[Advert for Tortworth Estate Company Trout Fishing]

21Copy date 12th July

The second extract from “The CHADRA Study 1976”

The Tithe Map shows that the houses on the original Charfield Green (where Cotswold View and Horsford Road are today) were built on the edge of common land and the settlement may well have been begun in the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries.

The enclosure of the land by hedges probably took place over a much longer period of time than is general and must have been largely complete by the most popular period in the later eighteenth century and during the Napoleonic wars. There are a few fields on the Tithe Map called ‘lagnes’ which suggest such early enclosures.

The last remaining common land was divided up in 1846 just after the drawing of the Tithe Map.

RURAL INDUSTRY AND THE RAILWAY

For the nineteenth century, source material became more abundant and much easier, except in volume, to deal with. Two particularly good starting points are the Tithe Map with its schedule completed in 1842 and the original returns to the 1851 Census.

The first is a large scale field map with a list of owners and occupiers of each field and its use, whether pasture or arable. The Census returns name each individual in the parish on the night of the assessment, roughly where they lived, their family relationship, their age, place of birth and, most interesting, their occupation.

The Census shows even as late as the mid-nineteenth century, when there had been a severe decline in west country clothmaking, approximately 1 in 4 workers were still employed in the woollen trade compared with 1 in 3 engaged in agriculture.

Samuel Long and his brother William, whose family continued to live for a time at Charfield House in Mill Street (now New Street), built a complex of new mills between 1812 and 1829 on the much older mill site and they survived the years of depression by specialising in ‘doeskins’.

The following extract is from the ‘Report on the Handloom Weavers’ published in 1839:

‘There is a species of fabric recently made in the County of Gloucester called ‘doeskins’. It is 8 treadle work and different in some degree to plain felt work. It requires a greater degree of skill but less labour; and the weavers who are jealous of any alteration and unwilling to be ‘put out of their way’ have a dislike to undertake the work: in fact, a weaver in the woollen trade has no aptitude and he thinks that work must be found him of that sort to which he has been most accustomed.

“Messrs S & G Long of Charfield Mills state that they have been manufacturers for nearly two years; that they employ from 70 to 100 persons to weave this sort of work, which is a recently introduced fabric. The weavers now employed on this work were previously broad and casimere weavers. The doeskin work is more difficult and skillful than the common sort of fabric but is less laborious … the men could earn more on this work than any other.”

Another interesting point which arises from the Report is that the Longs had no power looms at that time and employed only 16 men and 7 children as handloom weavers at the mill premises.

Most weavers must have been outworkers long after water-driven machinery had brought the spinners into the factory and the introduction of gig mills had brought in those engaged in the finishing processes.

The weaving sheds were a later addition as was a steam driven beam engine in the ‘Bristol’ Mill, the block nearest the village.

To be continued …

[Advert for Kiosks]

22

[Map of Footpaths 1, 3, 4 & 6]

Start – Memorial Hall car park. Turn left to St John's Church.

2. Cross main road to footpath to left of bus shelter. Follow path past school playing fields. Turn right into lane and follow past Poolfield Farm between stone barn and pig sty to cattle grid and entrance to Underwood Farm.

3. Underwood Farm Walk along Farm Road to right of house and locate stile to right hand side in fence. Over stile follow hedge to left hand side for two fields.

4. Footbridge across Mill Stream. Children may wish to explore river for fossils. Over bridge turn right and follow riverbank and footbridge into paddock area. Follow path over Mill Pond to Huntingford Mill.

Over bridge turn right and right again onto lane towards railway bridge. – Beware of cars under the bridge. Cross road under bridge and locate stile on left hand side – over stile. A further stile is located under old apple tree adjacent to discarded farm machine. Head up the field towards chimney pots and farmhouse roof on horizon.

5. Huntingford Farm – Turn right onto lane and follow down hill. At bottom locate FP signpost and gate on left hand side of lane.

6. Over gate head up hill to tall trees on horizon. Over gate turn right along track and locate stile in left hand corner after 20 metres. Over stile head across field to FP sign on Swinhay Lane.

7. Cross over lane to stile opposite. Over stile head towards gap in hedge in opposite boundary. Through gap follow right hand hedge and down slope to gate onto farm track below.

8. Lower Barnes Farm – Pass along track over bridge to stile to right hand side. Over stile head across narrow field towards riverbank and stile with planks over ditch. – Beware of slippery planks if wet! Look for black roofs of Watsome Farm Barns on horizon and wire fence running across field to your left. Locate stile halfway along wire fence and head towards it.

9. Over stile head towards farm buildings and gate onto main road. Cross over road and turn right back towards village and Memorial Hall car park.

Tony Pearce – Tony is a footpath volunteer who lives in Woodlands Road
There are five more suggested routes to follow.

23

If you've dabbled from time to time
In matching words and making them rhyme
Then this could be just for you.
Don't despair don't get in a stew,
All that I ask
Is one simple task –
Please send me the poems you do.

They don't have to rhyme to be a budding poet
Let me be the judge before you throw it.
Large or small,
Limericks and all,
The best will be displayed for all to see –
Se don't delay, send them to me:-

D M Lane, 13 Avon Road, Charfield

Here's one to get you going:

The Cotswolds

Stood on the edge of the Cotswolds
Many textures of green
The views are panoramic
The best you've ever seen

Deep in the heart of the Cotswolds
I'm breathless don't know what to say
The only way to appreciate it
Is to follow the Cotswold Way

Thousands of little yellow arrows
On stiles all over the place
Stumble across a long barrow
There with the hills face to face

Traditional inns with traditional ales
The locals enjoy a brew
The Old English springers chasing their tails
Green hill in the skies oh so blue

With all these wonderful things on my doorstep
Who could ask for anything more
I'll leave it to your imagination
Now I've told you what I saw

D M Lane

We have had three meetings and an Annual Parish Meeting since the last copy date. John Acton was co-opted to the Parish Council (PC) – having regularly attended PC meetings as a member of the public, John was able to hit the ground running, to coin a phrase.

A Final Resting Place

The subject of the graveyard is still exercising the PC. To recap, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) currently has responsibility for the management of the graveyard at St James, but the PC has for some years paid a gardener to keep the area tidy.

The PCC has applied to have St James' graveyard closed, as they believe it is full. If closure is granted, ashes can still be interred or scattered, but there will be no further coffin burials.

This leaves two major problems – who is to maintain the closed churchyard? and where are future coffin burials to take place?

Maintaining the closed Churchyard

When closed, the PC can elect: a) to maintain the graveyard (not just a bit of grass cutting, but also maintenance of the boundary wall, dilapidated and dangerous listed chest tombs, etc), or b) to pass the responsibility to South Glos Council (SGC).

Who pays? If the PC chooses option ‘a’, Charfield parishioners will carry the entire cost directly through the precept (which is the Parish Council budget collected by SGC along with the council tax). Option ‘b’ means that SGC will fund the work out of the council tax pot of money. Your council tax payment currently funds the SGC-run cemeteries and graveyards in other parishes, in the same way.

Future Burials

Three options here:

a) The PC identifies and purchases a suitable plot of land within the parish boundary, if indeed this is possible, and manages the cemetery itself.

This would involve considerable cost. Land is not cheap, various land and drainage surveys are required, the area would have to be suitably fenced or walled, and then it would have to be properly managed to keep it in good order and to comply with the extensive regulations. How much of this cost 24(obviously running into £1,000s) would be recovered from those purchasing burial plots and how much would be charged to parishioners via the precept would have to be determined.

The managing body would stipulate whether burials of those from outside the parish could take place, or not. For example, Kingswood Parish runs its own cemetery, and allows the burial of ‘outsiders’, but charges double for the privilege.

b) The PC finds a suitable plot and elects to ask SGC to manage it. This option has the same problem of finding a suitable site, and has the down side that a SGC-run cemetery could be used for burial of anyone from any parish. Charfield Parish would have no influence on this.

c) No new cemetery within the parish is established, interment of ashes continues at St James', and those wishing to have a coffin burial are buried at a cemetery outside the parish – i.e., Kingswood, or another nearby location.

The above is a very brief overview to the practical side of a very complex problem and does not address the obvious emotional aspect of the subject. There are certainly no simple answers.

All villagers are invited to let the Parish Council know their views – this is a decision to be made only after careful thought and consideration of all aspects of the problem. Just drop a note to any of the councillors (names and addresses on the noticeboard on the wall of the Kiosk) or contact the clerk If you think it warrants a public meeting, let us know.

The Millennium

To a happier subject. The millennium looms, whether you think it should be celebrated in 1999, 2000, or 2001.

[To digress, there will be so many computer programme failures at midnight on 31 December 1999, as many programmers have neglected to anticipate the year ‘99’ being followed by the year ‘00’, that we will all start the year 2000 in sheer chaos.]

PC Chairman Dennis Booth has been the driving force in setting up a steering committee to coordinate Charfield's millennium activities. [Dennis did not actually volunteer to serve on the steering committee, however … we're still trying to work out how he managed that.] The idea is to generate ideas, involve as many people in the village as possible, and ensure that Charfield participates in the marking of the millennium as it sees fit. Input would be welcome from local businesses, individuals, and clubs and societies, Some ideas have been put forward for consideration – a bonfire party of some description, the making of a Charfield map recording the village as at the year 2000, a village aerial photograph with villagers gathered on the playing field, a Charfield ‘Domesday’ Book for the year 2000, … all suggestions are welcome.

If you are interested in being involved, let the PC know.

Information

Do remember that the new PC noticeboard is on the wall to the side of the Kiosk in Manor Lane. Information is also posted on the noticeboard by the Memorial Hall. Do keep an eye on the agenda for PC meetings – they are posted by the Friday before the monthly meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Come along to the meeting, let the Chairman know before the 7.30 start what your concern is, and you will have the opportunity to speak.

Dog Excrement Disposal Bins

If there is one subject which gets people angry enough to complain to the PC, it is fouled pavements and public areas. Surely everyone is agreed that it is not acceptable on health, environmental, or aesthetic grounds, to leave your dog's mess for others to tread in or worse. The bins have been provided at various points around the village and some dog owners are indeed making use of them. Others are not. Who is going to be the first to pay the fine and suffer the embarrassment of being caught? Much better to suffer the lesser inconvenience of bagging and binning the offending heap. Remember, it is an offence not to clear up after your dog anywhere on public land, verges, road gutters, pavements, etc.

In these days of furore about contamination of animal feed, it should also be remembered that dog mess has no place in farmer's fields, where cattle graze or silage is harvested. With the large number of dogs in the village using the same walks and routes, it is no wonder that certain footways and footpaths are literally covered in mess. So, can you afford to be seen with your dog, with no plastic bag in sight?

25The Site Hut, Corner of Manor Lane/Wotton Road

Another old chestnut, and, yes, what a ‘sight’ it is. No-one seems able to grasp this particular nettle. The PC has had the devil's own job establishing who the owners are, via the land registry. The Clerk has done a sterling job trying to find out the facts of the matter. Northavon District Council, as was, wasn't able to deal with it.

For those who don't know, the site hut was used during an earlier stage of the village's development for use by the construction company. It was connected to the usual services. On the same area of land, there is a redundant underground oil tank, which once supplied domestic heating oil to many of the houses built at that time. The PC cannot establish whether the tank was neutralised, filled with sand, sealed, whatever.

The PC was actually offered the plot as a gift at one stage. However, there was so much uncertainty about the condition of the site and the possible cost of making the site environmentally safe, that the option was not taken up. It is not simply a case of tearing down a rickety shed.

What would you like to happen? And who do you think should pay? Let us know.

Traffic Calming

The second phase of the traffic calming scheme will not have escaped your attention. The ‘gateway’ has been installed at the Wotton end of the village, the speed restriction notices have been erected, and there is a deal of white paint on the road. When the other remaining items have been completed, the PC hopes that the survey will be carried out to evaluate the effect of the measures on the average speed of vehicles through the village.

It seems that everybody has a strong opinion on the measures, and many took the trouble to attend the special meetings called nearly two years ago by the PC. Whatever your opinion, it is a fact that the initial survey established that there has been a reduction in the average speed of vehicles. The PC awaits the results of the final survey with interest.

Police Open Surgery

A 3 month trial of ‘Police Open Surgeries’ was held, to see if it was a facility which would be used by the villagers. This was by way of compensation for the closure of the office at Charfield Police Station. The Police are currently considering whether the level of use of the facility warrants the expense of continuing it. Any thoughts?

I'm beginning to think that walking is a very dangerous pastime. On Good Friday, I was so worried that a tabby cat was in danger of being run over, that I didn't watch where I was going, and put my foot down a large pothole on Little Bristol Lane. Two weeks later, my ankle still resembles a football and the cat is, of course, enjoying the best of good health. Many thanks to the kind motorist and the local resident who both asked if I needed help. A JCB to get me on my feet would have come in handy …

Elsewhere in this newsletter, I have included a suggested route for a walk, prepared by Tony Pearce, who is one of the footpath volunteers. Tony prepared several of these route descriptions some time ago, and I am sure you will find them helpful when you go out exploring this summer. Many thanks, Tony!

When the footpath volunteers met for the first time, they all said they didn't want lots of boring meetings and blether, so we agreed a very loose arrangement, whereby they each undertook to ‘adopt’ a right of way, walk it at least twice a year, undertake minor maintenance (e.g., trimming hedges at stiles) themselves, and report back any problems. Trouble is, I only ever hear from two of them! Are the rest of you out there? Are you still walking the footpath of your choice? I'd love to hear from you. If anyone else would like to be involved, do let me know.

May all your walks be dry underfoot, and free of pot holes …

Julia O'Connor-Beach
Footpath Warden (Volunteer)

Wouldn't it be a great traffic calming measure, if all Charfielders obeyed the 30 mph speed restriction in the village themselves?

It would solve 50% of the problem at a stroke, and slow down the through traffic as well …

26

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?

27

If you wish to alter the entries below, please telephone Julia on 01454 26xxxx

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
Rev Philip Hopes 01453 84xxxx

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

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

Council – South Gloucestershire
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
Laura Cabry 01454-26xxxx

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