CHADRA

It's a story for our times.

When the auction board was erected on the plot of land at the junction of Wotton Road and Little Bristol Lane, the Parish Council was interested.

It was a prominent plot in the village and could be acquired to provide an amenity for the villagers. The Millennium Committee could take it on as a project and we would have a pleasant spot, instead of an unkempt blot, on our landscape.

But how much would it cost?

Surely no one else would be interested in it – there were problems regarding access, topography, proximity to the railway, and highway safety considerations would surely mean that it was not a runner for development of any kind … so who would possibly want it, except perhaps the village?

So the Parish Council went about its task with determination. The sale details were obtained and studied. Under the terms of sale the purchaser would have to pay £250 towards the seller's legal costs, and erect a substantial fence around the site where it bordered railway land. This added to the purchaser's legal costs, made it a serious decision. The fence alone would cost thousands.

A valuation was obtained from the District Valuation Officer – a range of £1,000 to £2,500.

Soul-searching discussions took place, and the majority thought it worth a try. In secret session, with the public excluded (you can't let any other interested party know what your bid limit is), the Councillors agonised over their spending limit, which was set at £750. It was felt that, with the other expenses to be covered, no more could be justified.

So, the Clerk and two Councillors set off for the auction and discussed the plan of attack. John Acton would do the bidding, Cath Holmes and Julia O'Connor-B. would watch like hawks for other bidders or nefarious auctioneers' practice … bids off the wall, and so on. Oh yes, we'd done our homework …

We sat through the sale of some 20 other plots of land, none of which augured well for our cause. The most unprepossessing scraps of derelict plots were going for £1,000s. Never mind, never say say die.

So it came to our turn. Would the auctioneer find an opening bidder? How low would the entry level be? (I didn't think it would go for a penny over fifty quid.) Well, the bidding opened at a figure in excess of our purse – and went up in leaps and bounds, by the thousand.

John kept his hand firmly down, Cath and Julia strained to see which two parties were scrapping over such a meagre prize. As the bidding passed £15,000 our shock turned to high amusement. The hammer eventually came down at £26,600!!! The auctioneer was smiling broadly. No wonder.

So there you have it. We picked our jaws and pride up from the floor, and drove back to Charfield, howling with laughter at the absurdity of it all. What had we missed? What was so valuable? Time will tell.

The only sad thing is, the village has lost a potential amenity to a developer. But you can't say we didn't try for you!

Read on inside for further news …

2

Dear Reader:

There are some longer articles in this newsletter – don't pick up the Newsletter if you are looking for the printed equivalent of the soundbite! Fetch a cup of coffee and settle down for a read. At 12,287 words and 55,898 keystrokes, it's not bad value for 25p!

Many thanks to those of you who contributed copy to this edition and to the advertisers who support us – it is much appreciated. Extra Brownie points to those who made it for the copy date! Those who are missing this time – you've got three months before you are nagged again!

I'm still waiting for some other articles to be submitted by you all – some memories or anecdotes or any interesting snippets.

The CHADRA committee would welcome some new blood – we meet once every three months, so it's hardly onerous, and you can contribute to the production of the Newsletter in a variety of ways. Ring any of the contacts given below if you would like to chat about it.

Best regards, Julia O'C-B

Next Copy Date – 12th April 1998

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

Joan Crowfoot, xx Wotton Road 01453 84xxxx
Duplicating/Advertising – Joan co-ordinates adverts and runs the duplicator.

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

Barbara Adams, Warners Court, Wotton Rd 01454 26xxxx
Payments – Barbara is Treasurer and deals with subscriptions and advertising payments.

Julia O'Connor-Beach, xx Manor Lane 01454 26xxxx – types and cuts stencils.

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At a well-attended public meeting in the Memorial Hall on 16 January, the Renishaw management team and consultants explained their expansion proposals and answered questions from residents of Charfield, Kingswood and Wotton.

Welcome to 1998 and a Happy New Year to you all.

Since the last newsletter, the PTA have held a number of very successful events. First a wine tasting in October, most enjoyable, followed by a fun casino night at Leyhill in November – such a success, we have already booked for November this year. Also our Grand Draw, very profitable, prizes going to Wickwar, Bristol, Wotton and smaller prizes being scattered from Yate to Berkeley, North Nibley to Hawkesbury.

The final event of '97 was the Y7/Y8 disco, when the drama hall was bursting at the seams with over 180 youngsters, all thoroughly enjoying themselves and contributing to PTA funds.

On into 1998, the date of the murder mystery evening has been changed to 6 March and will start with a play, followed by a quiz to give you a chance to solve the murder in a fun way. Tickets are £5 a couple and nibbles will be provided.

20 March sees the return of the Glos Youth Jazz Orchestra with tickets available at £4 adults, £2 students.

The ever popular adults only pub style quiz takes place on 24 April at £2 per person and teams of 4.

As a change from wine, whisky, and ale, we are holding a lager evening and BBQ in the school grounds at 8pm on 20 June. Here we are once again grateful to Martin Coleman of Amphora Wines for promising to bring along a varied selection of lagers.

Looking further ahead, we have planned a car treasure hunt for Sunday, 5 July, a summer Disco for Y7/Y8 on 10 July, and a promises auction on 16 October.

Now an appeal to all you people who have an inkjet printer at home. Don't throw your cartridges away, please let me have them. The PTA has set up a scheme to recycle inkjet cartridges, helping PTA funds and the environment.

Just leave them, suitably wrapped, in my porch or on my doorstep, or get your child to take them to school and drop them in at reception.

Many thanks.

Margaret Clarke
Chairman

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Puzzle Page

6

Referring to financial aspects of the Parish Council, I am happy to report that the accounts for 1997/98 were audited by the District Auditor with no significant queries being raised.

New account and audit regulations were introduced in 1996, which has meant that double the time is spent producing the accounts and a large amount of paper work has been accumulated, for which the auditor charges double the fees for inspecting. All this for accounts which no-one really seems to understand! Well, this is progress for you!

At the budget meeting held in December 1997, a budget was set for the next financial year 1998/99 at £14,000. 13 grants were given to organisations totalling £2,525 (please note that grants will not be sent out until the money is received from SGC in May 1998).

I made reference in the last newsletter to a petition presented to the Council on behalf of residents for an additional post box to be installed outside the shops in Manor Lane. As a result of this, I have just heard that the Royal Mail will be installing a new box in February 1998.

The Parish Council will be organising a ‘Spring Clean’ during the month of April and will obviously be looking for volunteers to help. Notices will be displayed advising of the date in due course, so please keep your eyes open and turn up on the day.

Recent planning matters included a telecommunications tower and antenna to be erected on land at Hill House Farm (this did not need planning permission – it was purely advice of intention).

I have just received an outline application for 2 retail units on the 0.25 acre of land in Little Bristol Lane, at the junction with Wotton Road. At the time of writing members will not have seen the last application, but I have little doubt what the response will be.

Members of the Parish Council will shortly be delivering to every household a questionnaire entitled ‘A Station for Charfield?’ It is extremely important that your opinions are known, so please make the effort to complete the questionnaire and return it to any of the persons named by the closing date of 28 February 1998. Members spent a great deal of time deliberating on the contents and format and finally decided on the final (4th) draft at the last meeting – thanks to John Acton, Vice Chairman, for the large amount of hard work put into presenting it for the Council.

The Parish Council will be pleased to see you at any of the monthly meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of each month, commencing at 7.30pm in the Sportsmans Lounge, Charfield Memorial Hall.

Additional meetings are also held when necessary to discuss planning applications. Notifications of all meetings are posted on the public notice boards (Manor Lane shops and Memorial Hall car park).

Clerk to the Council

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

7

Hello everyone, I'm Ruth Joint, President of Charfield WI for 1998. Since the last newsletter, we have had a change of committee and Pat White has stood down from the presidency but, thank goodness, Pat is still very active in the WI.

We are looking forward to a very busy year and the main event is the 70th birthday on 12th March. Are there any original members or ex-members who could come and join us on that evening? We would love to see you. Also, if any ladies would like to join us on the second Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm in the village hall you will receive a very warm welcome.

We are a very caring and active organisation, not only locally but country- and nationwide. We are affiliated to the Association of Country Women of the World, who help to promote improvements in the third world countries. We also have WI members who serve on government committees.

So you see we are not all ‘hats and jam’, contrary to popular belief, or very elderly. You can join the WI at the age of 16 years.

Why not come and give us a try – you never know you may well enjoy it and make a lot more friends as well!!

Ruth Joint
President

I am still wondering how I managed to allow myself to become Chairman of the Committee. I should have seen it coming – no wonder Jane Hall was keen on having a Vice-Chair!

Anyway, having been elevated to this honoured position, I hope that I can encourage further growth and development, upon the efforts by many people to provide community facilities for the village.

We are awaiting the result of an appeal to the Lotteries Board for improvements to the hall and also expecting a report on the state of the playing field. Watch this space for further developments.

Robert Pestell

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

Did you know that ‘Crimestoppers’ is a registered charity, independent of the Police Force?

If you have any information relating to a crime which you wish to pass to the Police, but you are reluctant to call the Police direct, you can call ‘Crimestoppers’ on 0800 555 111.

The call costs you nothing, you give your information anonymously and, if the information you provide leads to a conviction, there is a reward.

You can't lose, really, can you?

(Information provided by Mr R Bennett)

8

Hello Luvvies! Happy New Year.

As you are aware, I do a little bit for the Meningitis Trust. This year was no exception. There was a carol concert at Gloucester Cathedral and the Stroud Support Group was asked to go along to ‘lend a hand’.

Well, talk about ‘Chiefs and Indians’. As well as the supporters, the Cathedral had its own helpers, too. Still, at least we were all useful selling programmes at the beginning, but the fun really started at the end.

Throughout the truly wonderful concert, my mate Deb, from Wotton, and I sat in the side aisle – couldn't see much, but handy for nipping up quick when necessary.

So when the Head Rev. was saying his final prayer and encouraging the congregation open their wallets, we tiptoed to the exit.

Well, what with helpers, vergers, and wardens, there were not enough plates to go around! Picture this if you can:

I go up to my ‘In Command’ and try to take a plate from him. He was holding two. He held on very tightly. One was for him and the other for another lady. I pulled again. He pulled back.

“Am I here to collect, or what!” I ask in a very loud whisper.

“Oh! Oh!” – large sigh. “Oh you have the plate. I'll step down.”

“Step down? Step down from what?” I ask.

The situation was getting more and more silly by the second.

“Look,” he said, “have the plate and go and stand behind that pillar.”

“BEHIND THE PILLAR! No-one will see me.”

Never let it be said that volunteers are all righteous. So I positioned myself near the six feet wide stone prop and willed all I could for the public to head my way.

I had quite a large sum of cash when this chap in a camel coat and large dangly thing on a wide, shiny red ribbon came up to me and said, “Put the cash in this bag.”

“Pardon?” I said. I was still fired up by the plate-grabbing incident. “Who are you?”

“You know who I am. Put the money in here.”

Well he could have been an opportunist, opportuning. So I emptied the plate and went home. What a do, eh.

Two days later, I'm Santa's Little Helper at Great Mills, Stroud. As Keith was away, I was standing at the entrance of the reindeer pen, waiting to see who I would assist.

And there appeared my Father Christmas, the image of ‘Uncle’ from ‘Only Fools and Horses’. John McCabe was a retired farmer, aged 78, and had his own costume! we had a right laugh, made a lot of little darlings very happy and when a grannie asked if she could see him, I said, “Give us £2 and you can sit on his lap!”

Do you know, I'm getting a bit worried about the millennium dome. What a lot of money and, even as I write this, the head designer chappie has resigned.

They ought to use the place where the Teletubbies live and the sun is always shining.

Well, I had better sign off. Now I shall quote a chap I heard on the radio last week. He said, “It's not that the weather is ghastly, it is that one is inappropriately dressed.”

No answer to that, is there!

Take care – have fun.

Marilyn

You make fund raising sound such an adventure, Marilyn! Just who was that camel-coated person demanding the money with menaces, I'd like to know?

[Advert for Kiosks]

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Puzzle Page Answers

10[Advert for Charfield Post Office]

I rather think my fears about lack of rain were unfounded! Each trip out to the vegetable garden requires wellies and waterproofs and a certain determination. I can't pretend that the rows of mud-free vegetables in brightly lit, dry, warm shops don't look extremely inviting, but as long as the vegetables are not frozen into the ground I shall stoutly avert my gaze!

By the time you read this, Christmas will be a distant memory – a good one I hope – and we'll all be needing good, sustaining food to get us through what for me are the longest months of the year. Soup – easy to make, adaptable delicious. Can't ask for much more, can you!

In the garden I can choose from leeks, sprouts, spinach and other winter greens, parsnip, carrots and celariac, all of which make splendid soups even if you do nothing else but gently cook a chopped onion in butter, with garlic if you like, till soft, add your chosen vegetable, cleaned and chopped, maybe a peeled, chopped potato for thickening, then add vegetable or good meat stock to cover and simmer till cooked. Add seasoning and either eat as it is, roughly mash with a potato masher or put through a blender, adding extra stock if you think it's too thick.

This is a basic recipe which can be adapted in all sorts of ways by mixing vegetables or adding different seasonings – Indian spices are good – fry a little mild curry powder with the onion but be gentle with the amount you use. Mustard, mild and grainy, added at the end; Lea and Perrins sauce; sun dried tomatoes or a tin of chopped tomatoes instead of – or as well as – stock. And, of course, cream, which will lift almost any soup from the ordinary to the special. Enhance, not overpower.

For vegetable stock I use Marigold Bouillon powder – available from health shops and some supermarkets (also good as a drink in its own right), and if I haven't got any home-made meat stock I sometimes use a stock cube though I'm picky about which ones I buy. Read the packet carefully – the list of ingredients will tell you all you need to know! And, of course, plenty of fresh chopped parsley to finish, along with a chunk of good bread.

The next recipe is for a soup that, whilst not heavy, is almost a main course in itself – in fact you could probably justify following it with a steamed syrup pudding and still feel you're not overdoing things! None of the measurements need to be exact and other vegetables can be added, including frozen French beans or broad beans and more herbs.

MINESTRONE SOUP Serves 4

1 medium leek
1 large onion
1 large carrot
2 celery stalks
6 ozs/175g White or green cabbage
14 ozs/400g can tomatoes
2 ozs/50g haricot beans, soaked overnight – or ½ can ready cooked ones.
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1–2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 level teaspoon sugar
1½ pints water
2 ozs/50g broken macaroni or other pasta
3 ozs/75g grated Cheddar – or other – cheese

Trim, halve, clean and finely slice the leek. Thinly slice onion, carrot and celery. Cut cabbage into thin strips. Put prepared vegetables into large pan. Add tomatoes, drained haricot beans (if using canned beans drain and add to soup with the macaroni), parsley, salt, pepper, 11sugar and water. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add macaroni, or other pasta, (and canned beans), check seasoning and simmer for further 15 mins – or until pasta is tender. Ladle into warm bowls and sprinkle thickly with cheese.

I've grown celariac for the last few years and find it a useful vegetable to have. After peeling it's best kept in acidulated water until you are ready to cook it because it goes brown very quickly. This doesn't affect the flavour at all but won't improve the appearance – especially if you are giving it to the family for the first time! Just cover with water to which you have added a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. It is good cooked with an equal quantity of potatoes, cut into even sized pieces, and mashed with milk and butter in the usual way.

And you can roast peeled chunks in the same way as potatoes – as you can swede, carrots, onions, leeks, turnip and parsnips though there is no need to blanch them first. Just baste from time to time and – apart from swede – cook for a little less time than potato.

And you can make chips with celariac but to do that you need to cook a whole peeled root the day before you need them. Drain and cool then next day cut into ¼″ chips or small dice and cook gently in butter until golden. Serve as a side dish, scattered with parsley, or put into a gratin dish top with a nice layer of Gruyere – or other cheese of your choice – and grill till melted and bubbling.

Incidentally, swede makes beautiful chips – cut them quite finely and cook in exactly the same way as potato chips. They are a lovely golden colour, with a nice texture and slightly sweet flavour.

Although I am very keen on seasonal food there is one fruit that definitely doesn't come from my garden and that I would really miss if they couldn't be imported from Spain and that is the Seville orange. They always look so nice – all shapes and sizes and not sprayed with wax.

I always buy 20 lbs, scrub them well, dry them and make one quantity of marmalade then freeze the rest. They freeze very well – in fact I think the marmalade I make with frozen fruit is possibly better than the fresh batch. If you are using frozen fruit there is no need to thaw – just add another 30 minutes initial cooking to the time given below. It isn't essential to use preserving sugar – granulated will do – I just tend to think the result is marginally better.

THICK ORANGE MARMALADE makes about 5lbs.

1½ lbs / 750 g Seville oranges
1¾ litres / 3 pints water
Juice of 1 lemon
3 lbs / 1½ kg preserving sugar
small lump of butter

Put whole oranges into a large pan, add the water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer very gently for 1½–2 hours until skins are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork. Leave to cool (can be left overnight).

Lift oranges out of the pan, halve and scoop out the pips into a bowl then chop the skins coarsely or finely – however you like. Return fruit to the pan along with the juice strained from the pips. Add the sugar, heat gently and stir till dissolved. Bring to boil and boil rapidly until setting point is reached – about 20 mins, though it can vary.

To test for a set take the pan off the heat, put a small spoonful on a cold plate, leave for a few minutes and see if it wrinkles when you push your finger through. If it does it's ready, if not boil for a bit longer.

Take off the heat, add the lemon juice and stir in the butter – this disperses any scum – leave for 15 mins, stir well, pot and cover.

I think this recipe is hard to beat for both flavour and easiness. I make small quantities throughout the year and might vary it by using other citrus fruits – tangerines or clementines are particularly good – with the oranges.

Well, I think that's more than enough to be going on with. If anyone would like to have a go at marmalade but is unsure about it I'm perfectly happy to be contacted to chat about it. One thing I'm sure of is that once you get used to your own home-made you'll never willingly go back to shop marmalade!

Barbara Adams 01454 26xxxx

Inspirational stuff – hand me down that can of haricot beans …

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I hope that you all had a pleasant Christmas. For this article I would like to mention a few points that I have written for the Marshfield Magazine.

Even though it is generally mild, I feel sure we are going to get caught out this winter with a few cold snaps. With this in mind, I must mention the story of a driver I had to report several weeks ago.

This driver had not left enough journey time to go to work and had cleaned a small letterbox-sized hole in the ice on his windscreen, and all the other windows were covered in ice. He was travelling onto the motorway at Tormarton when I stopped him and found, that he thought it was perfectly reasonable to drive like this.

The court didn't agree with him and he's just won 6 points for his trouble. The point is very clear – in adverse conditions give yourself more time and fully prepare your car for your journey, however short.

A Charfield villager has pointed out a security problem with some front doors, which has been well known to those of us in the trade for some time. If you have a front door with a letterbox and no opening handle on the outside, it is not enough just to pull it closed.

Did you realise that if you get a wire coat hanger, it is very easy to open the door by putting the wire hanger through the letterbox and pulling down the handle on the inside? This has been done many times and is a known method of entry. If you are going out, make sure you double lock your door with your key.

Once again, my full name is Ian Cousins, collar number 1612, and I may be contacted in several ways. You may either phone me on my voicemail which is [Graphic: telephone] 01275-81xxxx, then wait for a recorded voice. As soon as she speaks, dial 71612 and you will hear my voice. You may then leave a message for me.

I access these messages twice daily when I'm on duty and the message may change if I'm away. You may also contact me using the general number 0117-962xxxx. Ask for Chipping Sodbury and leave a message for me. I will soon have a mobile phone as well, and will let you know this number as soon as I have it.

Regards,

Ian Cousins

I was delighted last year with the response to my plea for help to grow plants for our annual sale in mid May.

Thank you again to all who helped in any way. I think some of you were surprised at how much you enjoyed it, especially those who were convinced that they were useless at growing anything.

Well, you have probably guessed it! It is time to start again. This year, family illness makes it even more urgent for me to get lots of help, so if you would like to have a go, please either phone me or just collect some seeds and a pot or tray from the back of the Church, but do remember to sign the list so that I can keep a track of things.

If you felt that you were not very successful last year, do have another go. You can always get advice if you are unsure.

Remember that you need only supply the compost. Pots and trays are available from me and all costs can be refunded if you wish.

On the other hand, if you wish to contribute the cost of the seeds or seedlings, it would help to maximise the profits for the Church. DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THIS. Your help is what is most needed.

Thank you in anticipation.

Kate Ramsay
01454 26xxxx

On behalf of the youth Club we would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. We ended last year with two events in December. First, a Christmas party at the hall, which was well attended. A big thank you to everyone involved, a good time was had by all, there were no complaints from the locals, and it ended promptly at 12.00. There was one slight mishap with a window being broken in the entrance door, but that has resolved itself and apart from that it was a “smashing night”.

The second event was a trip to Laser Quest in Bristol. This proved to be a great success with even the most feminine of our young ladies in the village shooting just about everything that moved! After 2 games we ended the 13night with a trip to Bristol's best chippy at the Christmas Steps.

We have already had requests for further trips to Laser Quest, Bowling, cinema, Oasis, Alton Towers, Ice Skating and further activity weekends and hope to achieve this and more this year.

We kick off with our first trip for 1998 with Euro Disney next month during half term. If there are any young people in the village who are interested, please come to club asap and talk to a leader for information. Total cost is £46 for under 18's and £52 for over 18s and will leave on Wednesday 18 February and return on Friday 20th. We will be travelling via the Euro Tunnel and it should prove to be quite an adventure.

Back to the general running of the club, we would be grateful to hear from volunteers to join the helpers rota, for donations of games, equipment, etc., and for any aluminium cans for recycling.

We have had some great news. Chipping Sodbury police are giving the club £350 towards new equipment. As you know, we are in desperate need and can't thank them enough. There will be an official press release together with photos etc., so keep your eyes peeled! A huge thank you to PC Ian Cousins for his efforts and continued support for the young people in the village.

Lastly, is there anybody in the village who would help us with our mini bus problem? We need to have seat-belted buses with a special licence to cover us taking young people under 18 on trips. The buses are usually cheapest in the Bristol area and cause all sorts of problems getting to and fro, plus the cost of approximately 45p per mile before we even pay to get in anywhere. We would be pleased to hear from you if you can help or point us in the right direction.

We thank you for your continued support.

The Team

Members had a final trip to Weston in October. Luckily the weather stayed fine until it was time for home.

The ‘Harvest Home’ went well with members bringing home-grown vegetables among other items. The Rev Parker acted as auctioneer after conducting a short service. A Christmas shopping trip to Swindon was arranged in November. Four brave souls stopped off at the new shopping complex outside Swindon and gave very good reports of their time there.

The Christmas dinner was arranged for the middle of December. The Rev. Robert Pestell gave a very interesting talk about his life and the events which led to his becoming a priest.

Do come and join us! You would be very welcome.

M Ealey

Happy New Year to everyone. Let's hope that 1998 brings peace and happiness not only in Charfield but everywhere.

In 1997 2nd Charfield Brownies were active in mind and body. They made plaster of Paris masks, pink pig pen-holders, and calendars. We visited Slimbridge for Brownies Revels and the Christmas Fancy Dress party was enjoyed by all.

1998 promises to be just as active. A District Arts Day is planned for March. This will take place in Wotton-under-Edge with a display of the girls' art work during the day and a concert in the evening.

Trips are also planned. The first one will be to ‘Castaways’ – a huge bouncy castle complex in the design of a desert island. I will also be taking the Brownies on Pack Holiday. This will, we hope, take place in June for a weekend.

Last but not least, I would like to say a huge thank you to Julie Terret (Assistant Guider) who has resigned due to work commitments. We will all miss her very much. Needless to say, I am looking for another assistant so, if anyone feels that they can help on a regular basis, I would be very pleased to hear from them.

If any little girls would like their name put on our waiting list, please give me a call.

We meet on Wednesdays from 5.45 pm to 7 pm.

Trish Cole
Brown Owl

14[Advert for Charfield Flowers]

Water Babies …

The old year has certainly gone out with a bang, throwing a combination of strong winds and rain and then a little more rain at the gardens of Charfield. It shows how trends of thought in gardening can so easily be upset by Mother Nature's own ideas. Recently suggestions for drought tolerant plants have been all the rage, but the tide has turned and the potting bench is now awash with planting plans to salvage several submerged gardens.

If your own garden has been caught out by falling rain and rising water levels, then the best thing to be done is to leave well alone. In this instance to do nothing is perfectly acceptable, indeed if a saturated garden is trampled under foot the remaining ability of the soil to drain naturally will be reduced and still more puddles will form.

Patience is the key to recovery, as although the drainage may take time, a few days of spring sunshine will soon dry the soil, at least enough to walk on without doing permanent damage. When the soil has dried out enough flower beds and borders will benefit from the addition of generous quantities of garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure.

Enthusiasm and a warm spring day will make the effort of digging an enjoyable part of any keep fit campaign, although if all else fails the resident earthworms will happily carry the work out for you if the compost is spread evenly across the borders.

Lawns on heavy soil are especially susceptible to damage and footprints left now in the softened turf may be visible for the rest of the year. It is always best to work from a plank or wooden board and to make temporary paths in the same way for wheel barrows.

Improve the lawn's drainage during next winter by making a series of deep holes in the lawn using a garden fork. Brush dry sand into the holes to keep them open as mini-drainage channels.

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud …

Just as many members of the village football team will tell you that a winter spent in close contact with the cold clay of Charfield is not such a bad thing, many plants will agree. Unfortunately some faint hearted plants (and players) do not thrive in these conditions, therefore careful team selection is important.

Seeking out local talent is always a good place to start as there is much to be learnt from spotting which shrubs grow well in neighbouring gardens. Two rightly popular families of plants are the cotoneasters and the viburnums, with most family members growing well in clay soils.

Cotoneaster franchetii is a graceful shrub with arching branches of grey-green foliage which it keeps through the year. Small summer flowers of pale pink are followed by masses of scarlet berries. Growing to between six and eight feet tall it will fit well at the back of a mixed border.

A fine shrub which is at its best at this time of year was first grown at the National Trust gardens of Bonant in Wales. Viburnum bodnantense is another slender shrub carrying clusters of richly scented rose pink flowers on its bare stems throughout the winter. As flowering ends new bronze foliage breaks through before maturing to dark green.

Some stars of the clay can be a little unexpected, many hebes for example revel in the conditions, with ‘Autumn Glory’ producing spikes of deep purple flowers from mid-summer until the first frosts. This compact plant perhaps two feet tall and three feet across, with evergreen leaves brightened by reddish stems could be paired with taller growing 15Hebe cupressoides in a sunny corner. The later is largely grown for its cypress-like soft green foliage, as only mature plants carry pale lilac flower spikes in early summer.

Just as it is useful to know what will enjoy the soil it is worth thinking about what not to plant in the stickier parts of the garden. As a rule of thumb plants with silver or grey leaves will not thrive as they are normally plants from hot dry climates. Similarly alpines and many bulbs need a free draining soil to thrive.

Playing for High Stakes …

Recent strong winds may have caused much unseen as well as seen damage, with newly planted trees and shrubs particularly at risk. Now is the time to check that trees are held securely in place against a firm wooden stake and rubber tree-tie – not a piece of wire or an old pair of tights, both of which can easily strangle a small tree.

A proprietary tree-tie will have a rubber block to hold the plant away the stake and thus stop damage to young bark. An adjustable buckle makes it simple to check that the tie's fit is secure but not too tight as the tree grows.

Gently firm the soil around the roots of all shrubs and trees that show signs of movement when carefully rocked by hand. It is important that all roots stay in close contact with the surrounding soil otherwise they will quickly succumb to summer droughts.

The rain rattling on the potting shed roof certainly does make the idea of a summer drought seem a little far fetched, but who knows what Mother Nature has up her horticultural sleeve. Maybe I should not have put my boots to dry by stuffing them with old copies of a planting plan for a Mediterranean Garden after all?

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

Next copy date 12 April 1998

[Advert for Positive Pressure]

You may have seen our posters, advertising our next concert, or read a review of our latest performance in the ‘Gazette’. You may have enjoyed singing at school or in your Church choir, but have not sung recently. Why not come along to a few rehearsals and see how you get on?

Tyndale Choral Society was formed in 1959 and takes its name from the Tyndale monument which overlooks North Nibley. There are about 65 members of all ages and backgrounds, from Wotton, Dursley, Cam and Uley. Rehearsals are held in Stinchcombe Village Hall on Monday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30 pm, between March and November. The conductor is Michael Power from Gloucester, who is a member of the Cathedral choir.

We perform two concerts a year – one in July featuring popular classical pieces, the other in November when we sing a major Choral work, with professional soloists and orchestra. In recent years, we have performed Handel's “Messiah” and Mendelssohn's “Elijah”, and this year we hope to put on “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff.

The 1998 season starts on Monday 23rd March, so if you are interested, no matter what your age or singing experience, why not get in touch with me, or just come along to Stinchcombe Village Hall and give it a try.

Mrs Wendy Richardson (Secretary)
xx New Street, 01453 84xxxx.

16[Advert for Barbara Ealey dressmaker]

I read with interest Julia O'Connor-Beach's article about her visit to Leyhill in the Autumn of '97. For once I was able to read a balanced, thoughtful piece without the sensationalism of normal press reports.

It was fairly clear from the response to the ‘Open Day’ that many more people from the vicinity would have wished to have the opportunity to come into the prison and see some of the work that we do. The ‘Open Day’ was put on in response to alarmist press coverage that resulted in many of our neighbours becoming concerned.

We offered everyone that visited the opportunity to see the work that takes place at Leyhill and to talk to staff and prisoners. Julia's conclusions are well worth repeating, particularly with reference that make our neighbours somewhat anxious.

“Remember – not every helicopter over Charfield with a search light at dead of night is after an absconder … The last two have been looking for lost children and car thieves. So, don't give a dog a bad name – Leyhill is an institution with a worthwhile job to do …”

Leyhill is one of only approximately 10 establishments in the country which offer open conditions to the selected few who are either coming to the end of long sentences or have committed offences which means their placement in open conditions is not a danger to the public. Many of the men who arrive at Leyhill have spent a long time in closed prisons and one of our main tasks is to prepare them for release and to re-acclimatise them to life on the ‘outside’.

Christmas in prison is always a miserable time. Prisoners are separated from their family and visits are not allowed over the immediate Christmas period. The general public are regaled with stories about the supposedly wonderful banquets that prisoners enjoy over this period – one local newspaper ran a two page spread on Christmas in prison. It is understandable that when faced with this sort of information, victims of crime are upset by the rather insensitive portrayal of life ‘inside’.

Whilst we ensure that prisoners at Leyhill receive a ‘normal’ Christmas meal we do not, contrary to much publicity, offer presents or bonuses over the period. Prisoners are also involved in ensuring that some local senior citizens are given a hot Christmas meal and are entertained.

This does not come about by accident. Staff at Leyhill are constantly concerned that those who have the opportunity to be in this establishment take stock of where they are and are constantly reminded about the need to take responsibility for their own lives and be ‘good citizens’.

My message to the prisoners for Christmas '97 did, I hope, get this across:

Scrooged!!!

A few years ago, Bill Murray the actor starred in a film called ‘Scrooged’. It was loosely based on the story by Charles Dickens. The Bill Murray version of the Dickens story referred to many people who were dealt with harshly by him, before the character played by Bill changed for the better – in other words, he ‘Scrooged’ them before he changed.

There are many victims in this country who feel that they have been badly treated – ‘Scrooged’ – and that those who have done bad things should be treated harshly. I want you to be aware that places like Leyhill are looked at closely around this time of the year because the press and some victims feel that prisoners are being treated lightly.

Any stupid behaviour by prisoners in 17this establishment is immediately picked upon and extremely bad publicity undoubtedly follows. Please pay heed to this and remember that we need to react sensitively to the feelings of the general public, particularly at this time of the year.

The Scrooge character created by Dickens had a complete change of heart and his life altered after that. I hope that the future for you and your families will be much better in the New Year and that any change you make from your past will be beneficial to them and to the community.

As Tiny Tim said, “God Bless us everyone”.

Best wishes at this Christmas time and for the New Year.

***

Dealing with people is not an exact science. We all know from our experiences that sometimes things go well and at other times there are problems. Leyhill has for over 50 years attempted to give prisoners the opportunity to look at what they have done in the past with a view to changing their lifestyle for the future.

Perhaps I could finish by once again quoting from Julia's Conclusion,

“So, don't give a dog a bad name, Leyhill is an institution with a worthwhile job to do and it is in our interest that they should be successful. Given the nature of the task there will inevitably be mishaps and failures – so have some tolerance and understanding.”

We don't know what the New Year will bring but may I, on behalf of all at Leyhill, wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.

D T Williams
Governor

Where did it go? All that rushing around, preparation, expending all that energy, thinking, worrying, presents, cards, – have I forgotten something? – visitors, travelling, parties, decorations, the tree, expense. Christmas I mean. Where did it go?

I'm sitting at my desk, the date January 9th, and I'm thinking “It's gone!” There was such a build-up. Carols, adverts on telly informing us of special Christmas programmes, nativity plays by the children, late night services. What does it all mean? Well, on Wednesday my wife helped me put the decorations, neatly packed, back in the loft until the next time, and I imagine many people did the same.

For many people, Christmas is just a celebration, an opportunity to do something different. It is special, it comes once a year, and focuses our attention on a remarkable happening, the birth of Christ. Shortly we will focus our attention on Good Friday and the cross on which He died. And then, wonder of wonders, Easter Sunday, death conquered, and the possibility of people like you and me to share in this new life with Jesus Christ, who was born on that first Christmas nearly 2000 years ago.

Although I was unable to attend the Christmas party in person, I understand it was a success, although there were a few minor hitches behind the scenes.

The latter part the year has been fairly disappointing, in that we have lost a few committee members and helpers. The remaining committee has a very hard job keeping up the successful running of the Group due to lack of support and attendance at the Toddlers sessions.

If you are interested in keeping the Toddlers sessions up and running, and the children happy and entertained, please let us have any suggestions and ideas for the future and tell us where you think we are going wrong.

To end on a more positive note, Usborne Books will be visiting us on 12 February at our Toddler Session.

Mel Millichap
Secretary

Has anyone out there got any photographs of the Watsome Bridge Factory (now SNFA) taken in the period from 1940 to 1960?

If you can help, please contact Russell Alway on 01453 84xxxx

18[Advert for The Farm Nursery Group]

Railway Land

Most of you will know that the railway land at the corner of Little Bristol Lane and Wotton Road was sold for an incredible amount of money, far beyond the Parish Council's available funds. That's the end of that project, unless the new owner would like to donate the land to the village?

Manor Lane Site Hut

At last the owners of the land at the Wotton Road end of Manor Lane met Parish Councillors on site to discuss improvements. The owners explained that they will be applying for planning permission, preferably to build a house. If South Gloucestershire Council refused permission, there could be an appeal. So it could be years before the final outcome is known. On the other hand, permission for a suitable house could result in the present eyesore being removed.

Either way, there is no prospect of this Committee getting permission to landscape the site and install a time capsule and plaque before the Millennium. We will have to think again about where we might put them.

Parish map

Good news of the Parish Map project. We have a keen group working on initial ideas and recruiting further helpers. See their article in this newsletter.

Millennium Calendar

It may seem a bit soon. but we would like to begin compiling a calendar of events for the Millennium. Any comments on these provisional dates would be welcome.

Friday 31 December 1999 – Bonfire
Easter 2000 – Joint Church Service
Saturday 17 June 2000 – Street Parties
Sunday 31 December 2000 – Bonfire

John Acton
Chairman, Charfield Millennium Committee

19

As one of a number of options for celebrating the Millennium it has been suggested that a map is produced representing as many features of the village as is practical. A working party of enthusiasts has met three times and the project is beginning to take shape.

Charfield Parish is long and thin extending from Huntingford in the north to just north of Wickwar in the south with the railway forming its north-south spine. As most of us live in the village in the centre, we propose to produce a map of the whole parish at a scale of 1:10 000 which is just over 6 inches to the mile and a more detailed one of the built-up area at a scale of 1:5 000 (12½ inches to the mile) or larger.

As many features as possible will be included; we are keen to have an accurate record of footpaths, woodlands, waterways and other natural features as well as some historical man-made sites of interest such as the brickworks and old quarries. We are hoping to surround the map with drawings of village features today and from the past.

So far we have obtained existing maps, aerial photographs and sketched out a plan for the final map, the original of which will be A1 size (about 33 by 23 inches). Smaller versions will be on sale at cost price. Now we need your help and suggestions. Nothing is set in stone and the working party would like to hear from anyone who has other ideas for the project or is interested in helping with the measuring and drawing and particularly anyone who has experience of such a similar project.

If you are interested, please contact me at The Limes, opposite The Plough.

Alan Bailey, 01453-84xxxx

If you think Christmas is too long, then try spending November and December in school!

Many households probably celebrate Christmas in much the same way, year in, year out. At Charfield School we try not to get stuck in a rut by trying something different each year. This results in more work for the staff but is, hopefully, more enjoyable for the children and their families.

For us, Christmas began in the first week of December when the Junior Choir entertained senior citizens at their Christmas lunch in the Memorial Hall. This was followed by a new departure – namely ‘Krypton Christmas’. Junior children and their families were invited to join in an evening of quizzes, hat and decoration making, a Christmas Sensory Room to name but a few of the activities. Visitors moved from room to room in groups, with a strict time limit in each venue! To round off the evening, everyone met together in the Hall for mince pies, solutions, and carol singing.

The infant children traditionally present a seasonal musical and this year it was the turn of “The Very Grumpy Sheep”. All the infants took part, delighting audiences with their singing, playing, dancing and story telling – not to mention all the costumes.

An evening of Christmas music performed by the Junior Choir, recorder players and violinists was enjoyed by a large audience of relations and friends.

When you add the Christmas Lunch, Class Parties, and the PTA Family Disco, everyone was glad to leave school behind, go home and start all over again!

Memories are made of this.

C F Sreeves
Headteacher

PS Holders of draw tickets BLUE 150 and 208 should present the counterfoils to the School Office to claim their prizes.

[Advert for The Railway Tavern]

20

Do you wonder what lies behind some of the planning decisions you read about in the papers? Or why you haven't been allowed to extend your house? Or why your neighbours have been allowed to extend theirs and block out some of your light? Do you think it all hangs on the whims of “The Planners”, whoever they may be? Do you think that “money talks” and big business always wins?

I'd like to explain some of the background. If you and the Editor think it's a good idea (and she'll tell me, even if you don't), this could be a mini-series. I'm going to try and get the dull bit out of the way first, and talk about the system. Yes, there really is a system!

The Law

The system's foundation stone was the 1947 Planning Act. In the public interest, our right to do what we like with our own land was taken away. Since then, the legal framework has become more and more complicated. It includes Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Case Law.

The law is all about the procedures and the rights of people. It gives us back some of our rights, so that normally for example we don't need anyone's permission to lay paths or put up sheds in our gardens. Remember I said normally: there are limits, and there may be special reasons why permission is needed in your garden. The law puts all kinds of restrictions on the development of land. But the law also lays down ways of applying for permission and appealing against decisions.

The important thing to remember about the law is that it doesn't tell you what the planning decision should be in a particular case. Newspaper reporters often don't understand this, and they can mislead the public and campaign groups. If a High Court Judge quashes a decision, it just means that the planning application has to be decided again. The Judge has no power to reverse the decision. he can only send the case back for reconsideration. In his judgement, he might make some pointed comments which would need to be taken into account!

National Guidance

Enough of that. I've run ahead of the story. We've got the law and it doesn't tell us what decisions to make. So what does? Surely there must be “Rules and Regulations”? Well, not exactly, not for that purpose. But there is no shortage of “guidance”. In England the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) produces Circulars and Planning Policy Guidance Notes. The latter are usually known as PPGs and when I last looked there were 24 of them. They cover General Policy and Principles and a range of special topics, for example Renewable Energy.

Regional Guidance

Then for each of the planning regions of England the DETR publishes Regional Planning Guidance. The Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG 10) applies to our area. It sets out the strategy for the region. One of the more contentious items is the number of additional dwellings that should be provided in each county of the region from 1991 to 2011. Avon was expected to provide an average of 2950 a year. These figures are out of date, because new national forecasts have been produced. That is one of the reasons why a revised RPG 10 is being drafted now.

The Development Plan

So we've got the law, national guidance and regional guidance. But one county is different from another and we need a greater level of detail. We need a Development Plan. in most places including South Gloucestershire, this comes in two parts. The upper level is the Structure Plan. In Charfield we are covered by the Avon County Structure Plan (incorporating the Third Alteration). A new Structure Plan is being 21prepared by the four unitary councils which have taken over from Avon and the former district councils. So South Gloucestershire Council will eventually be signing up to this new plan which will take into account the guidance which the DETR has issued.

The Structure Plan will be a very important document containing policies and strategies for this area. It will deal with all kinds of planning issues, not only housing but also the economy, the environment, transport and tourism, to mention but a few. What it will not generally do, is to propose precise locations for developments. That is a function of the next level, the Local or District Plan.

In Charfield the Northavon Rural Areas Local Plan still applies. However, there is now a requirement that local plans should cover the whole of a District or Unitary Council's area. Northavon District Council did an enormous amount of work and produced the draft of such a plan for Northavon. Published in September 1995, it went no further because it was torpedoed by the creation of South Gloucestershire. The new council is, you've guessed it, preparing a South Gloucestershire Local Plan. The draft should be published this Spring.

To quote from Northavon's draft: “The local plan sets out detailed policies and specific proposals for the development and use of land. It therefore forms the guide for most planning decisions.” Moreover the law says: “Where, in making any determination under the planning Acts, regard is to be had to the development plan, the determination shall be made in accordance with the plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise”. So there we have it at last. If a planning decision is needed, we just have to look at the development plan to find out what to do. Wrong again! What if the development plan doesn't say anything about the type of development proposed? What about those “material considerations”? We have a plan-led planning system, but it is still a discretionary system.

Influencing the System

Although the development plan is not the only thing to take into account, it is the basis for decisions on planning applications. Therefore, as I have stressed to the Parish Council before and after I became a member, it is vital for the public to get involved in the process of producing the Structure and Local Plans. Going back to the housing figures, the new Structure Plan will have to pick up the proportion of new dwellings allocated by the regional guidance. It will probably divide that proportion between the four unitary councils.

South Gloucestershire will have to decide how their share is to be provided, and where. The Local Plan will identify the locations of the larger sites. That's when local people are likely to have the biggest influence. It's no good complaining later when a site has been identified in the final plan and a developer, quite rightly, expects to get permission to build.

There will be exhibitions and meetings when South Gloucestershire publish the draft Local Plan – make sure you go to one.

Visit the Local Plan caravan which will be on the Memorial Hall car park
between 2.30 and 8.30 pm on Thursday 30 April.

So that's an outline of the planning system, and a sermon thrown in for nothing at the end! If I'm spared (by the Almighty and the Editor), I might write a bit about who operates the system at various levels. Or maybe you would be interested in what some of the terms such as “Green Belt” really mean to planners. Let me know.

John Acton

In the absence of an Editor, John, you write the article and I'll cut the stencil. The more Charfielders know about the planning process, the better. Knowledge empowers! – Julia.

22

By the time you read this, Christmas will seem just a distant memory. Hope you all had an enjoyable time. At our last contacts meeting we discussed how more Neighbourhood Watch information could be passed around the village. There were quite a few nodding heads when I suggested more people could give me information and snippets for this article. As it's been Christmas, I'll let you off, but please can I have something before April!!

We welcomed PC Ian Cousins to our meeting. It was the first time most of us had met him and we look forward to continuing mutual support. One of his main concerns and ours is the continuing problem of various unsocial activities around the village hall car park. There are suspicions that a white transit van is being used to sell alcohol. At the time of the meeting (November) the police still needed to know the van's registration. If you do see anything, please get in touch with PC Cousins (see his article elsewhere in the newsletter and the back page for his number).

At this point, we had an interesting discussion about the Data Protection Act. How strictly the Act is interpreted depends on each police force. Whereas some forces may give out very comprehensive information, Avon and Somerset would in the case of a vehicle say only the colour and type and not the registration and make.

Further to this, the crime prevention department is keen to get more information flowing through all Neighbourhood Watches and will be contacting co-ordinators every time a crime occurs. Together with this, the police will be asking the victims of crimes to get in touch with their NW contacts and coordinators. The victims will be able to give far more information than the police. So please get in touch with us direct, that way we can make better use of our Watch.

Finally, looking at the most recent set of crime statistics, we very definitely had the lowest recorded numbers. Keep watching!!

Hope to see you at the AGM in March – date to be arranged.

Ilze Hicks

Should the Signal be Red or Green?

We all need to weigh the possible repercussions of the opening of a railway station in Charfield.

Your Parish Council is to ask for your views by way of a questionnaire. This is to to allow the Parish Council to know the views held in the village on this topic.

Bear in mind that we are not being offered an integrated public transport system. There are no guaranteed connections to other public transport options.

Consider also whether a train will actually get you to where you want to go, when you want to be there, and at an affordable cost.

Filton Station is a long way from Aztec West business park, for instance.

How many trains a day would be available? Would they be at a convenient time for you?

What would the fares be? More than you might think, possibly?

How much extra traffic might it bring to the village? Will we need even more traffic calming? What other road developments might be required?

What would the fares be? More than you might think, possibly?

Finally consider that one of the major factors in preventing further development in the village has been the relative difficulty over access by road. A station would have the effect of reducing this problem – or so it would be argued, regardless of the actual usage of a station.

Crest Homes and their fellow developers will not have given up and will no doubt be looking to use any change in the status quo to re-apply for major development.

I imagine that all of us are committed to improving our environment and greater use of public transport will help – but PLEASE do think carefully when completing the questionnaire.

Bob Beavis

Whatever your opinion, the questionnaire deserves very careful consideration. The results are awaited with interest by not only the Parish Council but also South Glos Council, which plans to commission a report on the viability of a station at Charfield.

23

Playgroup has been very busy over the last few weeks. Our Christmas Bazaar was held at playgroup on 25 November. Thank you to everyone who supported this, it proved to be a great success.

The Christmas party party was on the last afternoon of term. The children enjoyed party food, singing Christmas songs and of course a visit from Father Christmas. Thank you to all the mums who helped.

Next in our diary was our annual carol singing float – I'm sure most of you hear us! All of us who took part thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were very grateful for the hot drinks and sherry stops that warmed us up no end! A big thank you to all those who joined in collecting, we raised nearly £400 for playgroup funds. We are sincerely grateful to all of you who donated so generously.

The committee would also like to say thank you to Sally and Liz for all their continued hard work at all our fund-raising events this year.

Thank you everyone for your continued support and we wish all a very happy New Year.

Judith Watkins
Secretary

From the events held before Christmas, the PTA has raised well over £1,500 for the benefit of our children. I would like to thank all who have supported these events.

As I detailed in my previous article, the PTA's main project for this year is to redevelop the playbark area in the school into an all-weather play area with a safety surface and climbing frame. We are also raising money for the development of the conservation area and additional books for the library.

The Christmas Family Disco was very well attended with plenty of popular music and games. Unfortunately, the Adults Only “Angels and Devils” Disco had to be cancelled owing to a number of problems beyond our control.

The PTA hired out the Town Cinema in Wotton for a special ‘Charfield only’ showing of ‘The Borrowers’. This showing was enjoyed by all ages and raised memories of bygone years of Saturday mornings at the pictures, ‘talkies’, or ‘flicks’.

On Friday 27 March we have arranged a ‘Race Night’. We are looking for local companies and individuals to sponsor races. We are also selling horses' names and horse ownership prior to the event. All sponsors will be published in the ‘Race Night’ program. This is a good opportunity for local companies to advertise their services.

There are also a number of future events, which we are in the process of planning – please see the Diary Page for the dates. Please come along and support your local school.

Nigel Smith
Chairman

Happy New Year from Wotton Round Table and a brief update on our activities. Our annual Firework Display suffered from poor weather for the second successive year but we still managed a good show despite the elements' best efforts! We will be planning a major revamp of the event for 1998 to improve it and, as the next Chairman, I will have a lot to do with it.

This Table year ends in March so we do not have much time to do other things such as tidying up Marchesi Walk in Wotton so that may be a community service project next year. Our meetings coming up include a quiz night, a talk about 74 Club of which Wotton is a member (a collection of European Round tables), a brewery visit, and a Chinese night when we sample oriental cuisine!

Tracy and I will be visiting Hanau in Germany in May as part of the Wotton party which will be hosted by German Tablers and Circlers. There is an international business meeting to discuss what we have done in our respective countries but the emphasis will be on the social aspects!

We are also planning a membership drive so some of you in Charfield may receive a leaflet though your door soon. If you are interested, please contact me for further details.

John Francksen
Vice-Chairman

24

On behalf of the group, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope you all had a good Christmas season.

Thank you to all those who came to see in the New Year at the family disco held in the Memorial Hall. It was packed out and a good night was had by all. Hopefully we will be having another one next New Year's Eve.

On to this year. The planning for the visit to Malta is well in hand and we leave Gatwick on 4th April and return on the 18th. Our base camp will be at Rinella, from there we shall explore other parts of the island and also visit the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino. Amongst the activities while we are there will be SCUBA diving, canoeing and rock climbing. We are also looking forward to making new friendships and renewing old ones. Fgura Scout Group will be paying a return visit to us on 10 August until the 24th.

Other events planned for this year start with the band ‘Footloose’ playing at a Valentine's dance on 14 February in the Memorial Hall at 8pm. Tickets are available from Wendy Bond (01453 84xxxx).

Our Jumble and Car Boot Sale will take place on 14 March starting at 1.30 for the car boot and 2.00 for the jumble sale. Ring me to book a car boot at £4 in advance or £5 on the day.

Some new ideas for this year include a “Beer Festival” on June 27th. Watch this space for further details.

A Safari Supper – What? I hear you ask. A number of people offer to cook either a starter, main course, or sweet and people move around from house to house, meeting new people and then all ending at one house for coffee. Would you be interested in taking part? Either by cooking one of the courses or just buying a ticket to go ‘on safari’. It should be great fun!

We also hope to organise a ‘Duck Race’ on September 12th. Again, more details later.

Well, I think that's all for now. For any further information or if you would like to help the group in any way, contact either myself or one of the leaders on the back page.

Margaret Clarke 01454 26xxxx
Chairman

Warmth is going to be an ‘in’ word at St John's over the next few weeks as the new heating system is completed to replace the far from adequate electric heaters in the pews.

Fortunately, we have enjoyed a fairly mild winter but I am reliably informed that during cold periods St John's has been a very uncomfortable place to be, for whilst your feet might be roasting the rest of you might be icy cold, especially if you sit in the back pews!

Well, all that is about to change and we will have a warm church to welcome visitors and newcomers.

Warmth, I hope, will not be restricted to mere physical comfort, for whilst it is nice to enter a warm building it is far more important for people to receive a warm welcome from those who are regular members. There was a real sense of warmth generated over the Christmas period as we saw the church full on a number of occasions. One day we very nearly ran out of Christingles for the children and on Christmas Eve a very busy Father Christmas only just had enough gifts to go around. How lovely it was to see so many people in church and thank you to everyone who helped in any way.

The procession along Churchend and Carols by Candlelight at St James' was particularly memorable. Shall we do it again this year?

Another important event in the life of the church takes place on Sunday 22nd February when Bishop David visits us to lead our Confirmation Service. A mixed group of 11 young people and adults are to be confirmed and we look forward to a warm and happy occasion when we hope to see many friends in church.

I hope that 1998 will prove to be a good year for you all, with warmest greetings.

The Revd. Robert Pestell

Does hearing too much from Spice Girls lead to incondiments?

From gas company Transco in reply to a complaint: “At no time when carrying out this work did Transco exceed its standards of service”

25

Please make use of this Diary. 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?

26

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

British Legion
John Poskett (Spokesman) 01454-26xxxx

CHADRA
Geoff 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
Rev Robert Pestell 01454 26xxxx

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

Council – South Gloucestershire
Eddie 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
Bert Carter 01454 26xxxx

Ladies Club
Margaret Gargett 01454 26xxxx

Luncheon Club for the Elderly
Jane Higgins 01454 26xxxx

Memorial Hall
Anne Thomas (bookings) 01454 26xxxx

Millennium Committee
John Acton 01453 84xxxx

Mother & Toddler Group
Mel Millichap 01454 26xxxx

Neighbourhood Watch
David Parker (Co-ordinator) 01454 26xxxx