CHADRA

… that the Parish Council is to ask South Glos Council if it has a policy regarding the number of car parking spaces required with relation to the number of bedrooms per house? It seems too many of us are parking on the road, making emergency vehicle access a potential problem.

… that David Drew, MP for Stroud, was disappointed at the number of Charfield residents who do not support the opening of a railway station, so much so that he indicated to the “Gazette” that those who are not in favour should “get out of the way”. A fax from CHADRA to Mr Drew at the House of Commons, inviting him to explain his remarks, has not yet elicited a response.

… that five young ladies who attend Charfield Primary School have raised the handsome sum of £83 for Wotton Animal Rescue Centre, run by Veronica Bruce? Congratulations, girls.

… that the netball team of ladies summoned from the ranks of Charfield Primary School Mums showed a team from Tesco's how to play hardball – and won 500 ‘Computers for Schools’ vouchers? We're proud of you.

… that the old site hut in Manor Lane might at last come down? A new proposal has been put forward to build a house on the site. Can the willow tree survive? Doubt it.

… that the Parochial Church Council are looking for a new burial ground? Rev. Pestell would be pleased to hear from anyone with a spare acre of ground to sell, or preferably donate, for the purpose.

… that Katherine Lady Berkeley's School will be having a new Headmaster in September? He is Mr Andrew Harris who lives at Worle near Weston-super-Mare. He says KLB is his dream school as it has done so well – a tribute to the current Headmaster, Mr John Law, who retires in August.

… that it has been proposed to build four fishing lakes behind houses in New Street, towards the Little Avon? Fish or foul?

… that you have until 8 May to make your comments to South Glos about the Draft Local Plan? You can visit the information caravan in the Memorial Hall car park on Thursday 30 April from 2.30–8.30 pm. Comments in support or suggestions for amendments can be made on forms available from the Council. Speak now, or hold your peace for 10 years.

… that the CHADRA duplicating machine got its gears in a twist and our heroine, Joan Crowfoot, had to hand-crank over 8000 pages for the last issue? For days after, Joan could be seen around the village with her left arm hanging limply by her side. Arnie Schwarzenegger? Pah.

Now read on inside for further news …

2

Dear Reader:

I've got a headache. Putting the newsletter together is like tackling a large puzzle. Trying to get the articles to fit onto the pages without running from an odd to an even page and not having any white space left is not easy. Then, when all appears tickety-boo, whilst running the index, I realise I've omitted the Parish Council's article. Honestly I very nearly cried. I couldn't leave it out – Cath Holmes would lynch me – so in at page 23 it went, leaving a whole glaring white page to fill, and nothing to fill it with. Hence the background to CHADRA – a joint effort from the team.

I'm sure there are some villagers who could make a better fist of it – are you? There must be a computer or two in nearly every household, so no excuses! If you can help out at all, especially with graphics to brighten up our presentation, for pity's sake ring me.

Yours in near desperation,

Julia O'C-B

PS: Listening to Led Zeppelin really makes the time pass quicker whilst waiting for the printer to work its way through the pages …

Next Copy Date – 12th July 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.

3

For those who are closely involved, the school community can often be viewed as a large family, experiencing highs and lows similar to any other family group. We feel good about successes and happy events whilst also feeling disappointment, frustration and sadness on other occasions.

The Spring Term, like any other term, contained a mixture of emotions. Like others who knew him, we in school were saddened by the sudden death of ‘Chas’ Lyle. In his role with the Community Link Unit at Leyhill Prison, Chas enabled several useful projects to be carried out in the school, the most notable of which was the creation of the landscaping at the front of the site – part of our Centenary celebrations. We shall miss the support and involvement of Chas but we are hopeful that the CLU will continue to provide much-needed assistance with projects within the school.

The sort of things which are usually remembered over time are those ‘extras’ which are enjoyed as additions or changes to the normal daily or weekly routine. Early in the terms we were visited by the Area Representative of SENSE, the Deafblind and Rubella Association.

Following informative sessions in Assemblies and within classrooms, children were invited to support SENSE by taking part in sponsored activities which included the learning of Finger-Spelling. The children, their families, friends, relatives and neighbours contributed to the grand total of £542 – a magnificent effort!

On a Thursday afternoon in February, we opened our doors to a different generation when hordes of grandparents descended on Charfield from many different areas of the country.

They had been invited by children in two of the Infant classes who wanted to show their work on the ‘Times Past’ topic and treat their guests to home-made refreshments and well-rehearsed entertainment. Both generations clearly enjoyed the occasion which was, among other things, a valuable learning experience for all involved.

At the other end of the generation scale we welcomed parents to an Infants Open Morning, the purpose of which was to meet with those whose children will be starting school for the first time in September. This was a valuable chance for staff and ‘new’ parents to meet and talk about children entering school and for parents to observe Infant classes working through a typical morning.

Sport has traditionally played an important part in the life of Charfield School. During the course of the Spring Term children took part in two tournaments – 7-a-side football in Wotton against other local schools and netball in Thornbury, hosted by the Castle School.

Our children acquitted themselves very well in these events, as did a team of Mums who rose to the challenge of a Netball match against a team from Tesco, who were offering additional Computer Vouchers to schools hosting such matches and bonus vouchers to host school teams who were victorious.

I am delighted to report that the Charfield Mums proved far too strong for a relatively inexperienced Tesco outfit and that our collection of Computer vouchers was boosted by 500!

Incidentally, if you have any such vouchers lying idle, please let us have them!

Also to be congratulated are five of our older girls – Rebecca Loveridge, Lisa Smith, Hollie Lewis, Cheryl Ruddy and Nicole Jones – who undertook a fund raising event for the Wotton Animal Rescue Centre. Veronica Bruce, who runs the Centre, spoke to the whole school about her work and future plans, following which the girls set about raising funds – in excess of £70 – through sales, quizzes, and a raffle.

Term ended on a definite ‘high’ when we congratulated Miss Fletcher, one of our Infant teachers, on her marriage. Children, parents and staff now have to get used to Mrs Windram. We have a long Summer Term ahead to get used to the idea!

C F Sreeves
Headteacher

Next Copy Date 12 July

4[Advert for Martin Farrell Garden Designs]

[Advert for Green line Tanks]

[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

Our letter to you this time is of sadness and much frustration. Just as the club was beginning to pick up, it was burgled in February and all new and old electrical equipment was stolen. Even penny sweets and cans of drinks were taken …

Should anyone have any information about the burglary, please ring one of the contact numbers [or Crimestoppers].

After much thought and discussion, it was decided to close the Youth Club until September when we will all begin a new school year. We have no funds to replace the equipment and were not covered on the hall's insurance policy. We will need to start from scratch.

The Club will be opening in a new way from September. There will be a ‘members only’ rule and a membership card will be required by all who use it. There will be more staff, a quarterly programme, activities and trips as usual. Please ring one of the contact numbers if you would like to help as a volunteer just once a month or quarter. We are going to keep a list, but will need volunteers or we will not be able to open.

We are asking local companies to support us and hope that all young people in the village who read this will give us their full support. This club is for you! What it is, and what it becomes, is up to you. It can be a huge success and you will all have a good time, or not.

We are planning to hold regular activities and trips with local clubs to enable young people to build their networks and meet other young people outside the village.

We would like to hold a meeting with young people in the village in the near future and start a committee to organise the re-vamping of the club together with ideas for the forthcoming programme. Date to be arranged and advertised throughout the village.

We are all very deflated by the news, but are confident that with the support of the village the new style club will take off.

Thank you.

Tina Griffin, Phil Ruddock, Chris Slowley

May the thieves be visited by a plague of facial boils. Commiserations to the Youth Club.

5

Puzzle Page

6

Hello – I hope everyone had a happy Easter despite the very wet weather!

We had a good time at our 70th birthday party and are looking forward to a bright future with the institute.

The next event is the Jumble Sale on Saturday May 16th and we shall be reminding you all with a note nearer the time, so keep your unwanted clothes, shoes, bric-a-brac books and toys etc. We hope to collect on Friday, 16 May in the evening.

We were very sorry to hear that the Charfield Ladies group had closed. Can I persuade some of you to come along and join us at one of our meetings – you would be made very welcome. We meet the second Thursday in the month at 7.30pm. We are a very friendly crowd of broad age range and are always very happy to have new members.

The institute is not just a once a month meeting – as I explained last time there is so much to do and you can be involved as little or as much as you like, going from institute level to County or National. Or attend our Denman College for academic courses or craft etc. There are hundreds of different courses to choose from. The college is situated in beautiful surroundings in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

I look forward to maybe meeting some of you in the near future.

Ruth Joint
President

The new season will be just beginning when you read this. Charfield Cricket Club play on the Memorial Playing Field and there are games every Saturday and Sunday from April 25 until September 13. If you play cricket, or maybe are new to the village, the club would be only too pleased to hear from you.

The First XI in 1997 won promotion to Division 3 of the ‘3D Cricket’ County League, under the captaincy of Nicky Bennett, whilst the Second XI narrowly missed promotion from their division.

There is a Youth Section also, offering games to players U17, U15, and U13 (on August 31st 1997), entered in the Bristol and District Youth League.

So, whatever your age, check the list of officers below and don't be afraid to give them a ring.

Let's all hope the weather is kinder to us than it was last season!

Secretary – Diane Bradley 01453 84xxxx

Chairman – R Alexander 01453 84xxxx

Team Captains:
1st XI – N Bennett	1 Wotton Rd.
2nd XI – K Bourne	01453 84xxxx
Sunday – S Turner	01454 26xxxx

Managers:
U 13	– R Newman	01454 26xxxx
	– P Nixon	01454 26xxxx
U 15	– C Davies	01454 26xxxx
U17	– D Bradley	01453 84xxxx

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

7

It is with great sadness that I write this piece so soon after being invited to contribute to your newsletter.

Charles James Lyle, known to his colleagues as ‘Chas’, died in hospital at the age of 51 on Sunday, 22 February.

Chas' funeral took place on Monday 2 March at St Michael's and all angels, HMP Leyhill, with full honours.

The Service for the celebration of the life of Chas was led by the Rev'd Vernon Lidstone, Chaplain at Leyhill. His family and friends were joined by staff, prisoners who worked with him and members of the local community. This was followed by a private cremation at Westerleigh Crematorium. At the request of the family, a donation in excess of £400 was made to the Stroke Association.

Chas joined the Service in 1975 from the forces and served at a number of prisons including Eastwood Park before he arrived at HMP Leyhill in early 1993. His record shows that he had been commended a number of times during his Service and particularly for his action during a fire in an establishment, where he was instrumental in the saving of life and minimising damage.

Staff at Leyhill take great pride in our contribution to the local community through our work for groups and individuals. During the years, this has been spear-headed by our Community Link Unit (CLU) who have worked with schools, hospitals, churches, village based groups and individuals. This has been the primary task for a Principal Officer at Leyhill and Chas Lyle had led this programme for many years.

Chas Lyle had responsibility for many areas of activities at the prison, including the Day Care Centre which offers facilities for disabled people. The Centre provides activities including exercise and also a meal for those who attend. Chas was passionately committed to the work and saw the value to the community, and his compassion and humour were always to the forefront.

Many people have come into contact with Mr Lyle over the years in his capacity as Community Link Officer, and have been shocked by his sudden death. One letter particularly sums up the reaction:

“I am writing to thank you for allowing the men to spend the last 10 days decorating our school. Mr Lyle had organised this work with my bursar and we were all very sad to hear of his premature death. He cared about the community and his work on these projects was very much appreciated in this area. Once again thank you for this work, and our sincere condolences on the loss of your colleague.”

When someone makes a significant and worthwhile contribution to his workplace and his community, the loss seems all the greater.

Chas had lived in Charfield for 16 years with his wife Pat and family. He will be deeply missed by all.

D T Williams
Governor

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

8[Advert for Cotswold Edge Carpets]

Are you holding a jumble sale, and need someone to collect the leftovers? Mrs Fletcher from the European Child Help Organisation (ECHO) on 0117 904 xxxx would be glad to help you out.

The Playgroup committee were grateful for her help at their recent sale!

ECHO is a registered charity dedicated to helping suffering children both at home and abroad. It can use all clothing, bedlinen, blankets, curtains, shoes, handbags, hats and scarves, and table linen.

Jan Bath

A reminder that the new season is underway and subscriptions are now due. Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Ilze Hicks on 01454 26xxxx.

Court bookings are made by contacting Roger Newman on 01454 26xxxx. For more information contact me on 01454 26xxxx (evenings).

Nicola Coleman
Club Secretary

First for the bad news, We are sad to report that at the end of January Liz Goulding left us after many years. We wish her all the very best for the future and thank her for all her hard work at playgroup. As I am sure most of you are aware, playgroup was closed for a while to enable the committee to interview and employ replacements.

The good news is that we would like to welcome Cathy Chinner who is due to complete her PATA certificate in childcare and education in June and Sue Bird who has just begun the same course. Cathy and Sue have joined Sally on the team at playgroup. I know we can rely on everyone to help and support them in their new roles.

We hope that those of you who visit playgroup on a regular basis will have noticed the improvements we have been trying to make over the last few months. We have replaced many toys including a new dolls house, garage, and painting easels. The play house has been moved and redecorated. The committee and staff have given many hours of their time to clean all the equipment and give the rooms a thorough clean. The kitchen is now much more organised as we have purchased stacking storage boxes for storing materials rather than the plastic carrier bags we used to have!

From 1 April playgroup has registered with the Local Education Authority, to be part of the new scheme which entitles all four year olds to free nursery education from the term after their fourth birthday. The LEA insists on a very high standard from the playgroup and we are working extremely hard as a team to ensure all our children receive the highest possible quality pre-school education.

Anyone who requires more information or details of spare places currently available at playgroup, please see the notice board in the lobby at playgroup or contact a member of the committee who will be only too pleased to try and help.

Last, a date for your diaries. The Annual Summer Family Disco at Leyhill Social Club is on Friday 8 May.

Thank you for your continued support.

Judith Watkins
Secretary

9

Puzzle Page Answers

10[Advert for Charfield Post Office]

One questionnaire was delivered to each of the 956 households in the Parish by the Parish Council. Completed forms were returned by 266 households. This is a response rate of 28%.

A considerable number of forms had additional responses which, where felt appropriate, have been counted as if there had been such a tickbox on the form. Categories created to cope with this situation are marked with an asterisk.

Raw survey results

Question 1.
Total number of return train trips members of the household would be likely to make:

Question 2.
If your household would be regular users, which would be the usual destination(s)?

Question 3.
If a station is built, where should it be?

Question 4.
If the station is built where your household prefer, what would be their means of getting there?

Question 5.
If the Parish Council contributed to the initial cost of the station, the money would be collected through extra Council Tax. How much would your household be willing to pay?

11Question 6.
Having considered the issues and questions, what is your household's overall view on a station at Charfield?

(It appears two households could not agree on a response, and each spouse voted – these were treated as half a vote each.)

Question 7.
Would one or more in your household want to come to a village meeting about the station?

Analysis of comments/ suggestions – favourable

Analysis of comments/ suggestions – unfavourable/ of concern/ qualification to vote cast

Explanation of Counting Methods

Questions 1, 5, 6, and 7: only one response was permitted.
Questions 2, 3, and 4: multiple responses were permitted.

Percentages relate to the 266 responses received.

Comments: these were analysed by making a list of the main keywords. A count was made of the number of times each was mentioned in a ‘favourable’ or ‘concerned’ context.

Not immediately relevant comments, e.g. complaints about the traffic calming measures, have been ignored for the purpose of the count.

All Questionnaires were numbered, filed, and are now lodged with the Clerk to the Parish Council.

Brendan M O'Connor

12[Advert for Martingales]

Inspired by a talk on herbs at the Horticultural Club in Wotton under Edge last month, I have been looking afresh at some recipes that, whilst not dominated by the flavour of the herbs, have certain herbs as the main flavouring ingredient, as opposed to the usual idea of them being a more subtle additive.

I also have, thanks to the mild winter, a flourishing crop of flat leaf parsley which I pick and nibble whilst I'm working in the vegetable garden – not, you understand, because of its reputation to enhance youthfulness and beauty (although anything that can help …) but because I love the taste. Parsley has been cultivated for thousands of years and is thought to be beneficial for all sorts of problems including kidney disorders, diabetes and JADED CEREBRAL CELLS. Is there anyone out there who couldn't do with a sprig or two to help with those?

Flat leaf or curly? If I had to decide in a blind tasting I really think I would find it impossible to tell the difference – despite what some ‘designer chefs’ say. I grow mainly flat leaf for the simple reason that it seeds itself freely and any useful plant that does that is most welcome.

Parsley Spread.
Large bunch of parsley, washed and well dried.
Mayonnaise.
Salt and freshly ground pepper.
Small quantity of grated onion.

Remove the leaves from the stems (use stems for flavouring soups etc.) and chop very finely. This is best done with a good sharp, large chef's knife and board. Hold both the handle and the tip of the knife and chop with a rocking motion. Mix with enough mayonnaise to make it nicely spreadable – no more. Add the onion and salt and pepper to taste. Keep in the fridge and use as a spread on savoury biscuits or in sandwiches – in place of butter if you are cutting down on fats – with chicken or other cold meats or pretty well anything else you like to put in bread.

Next is a recipe for fines herbes – a basic mixture that can be varied according to taste and supply.

3–4 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped chives or young spring onions stems
1 tablespoon chopped tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped watercress
1 large clove crushed garlic (optional)
grated rind ½ lemon (optional)

Mix and use to sprinkle generously on soups, mix with creamed potatoes, tomato and egg salads, potato salad, cold meats and fish with mayonnaise or cream or cottage cheese for a sandwich filling or a topping for a baked potato or add some to an omelette mixture and cook in the usual way.

It is a lovely mixture that will liven up anything including a simple cream and butter sauce. Melt ½ packet of unsalted butter till it bubbles. Add ½ pint of double cream. Stir over a low heat till well blended, add salt, pepper, lemon juice and about ½ the quantity of fine herbes above. Serve with Chicken or fish – it's very good with salmon.

Unashamedly rich and delicious – this is one of the best (and easiest) sauces you can ever have. In fact I may well have put it in one of my articles before but I shall make no apology – it's so good it deserves a reprint! Have the rest of the meal ready before you make it because it is better not to keep it waiting and vary the flavour by omitting the herbs and adding mustard or sun dried tomatoes or finely chopped leeks that have been simmered in butter, or anything else that takes your fancy.

It will also go well with the following recipe which is one that I sometimes turn to when we have visiting vegetarians and I don't want to cook a whole veggie meal. If you haven't used filo pastry before don't be put off. It really is very easy to use, will keep well in the freezer – you 13can put it back in when you've used the amount you want and it – and you – will come to no harm. It is only made from flour and water.

The instructions on the packet are easy to follow but the main thing to remember is to keep it covered at all times – it dries out and goes crisp very quickly if you don't.

Herb and Blue Cheese Parcels

1 medium onion, finely chopped
Walnut sized lump of butter
4 ozs/125g blue cheese, crumbled – slightly less if flavour is very strong
1 oz/30g fresh Parmesan cheese – finely grated. (Mr. Hale and the new deli in Wotton both stock it, and the flavour really is much better than ready grated.)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander (use dried herbs of your choice if you can't get hold of these)
8 ozs/250g cooked rice – long or short – about 3–4 ozs/125g raw
filo pastry and melted butter (or ready made flaky pastry will do)

Melt the butter and cook the onion gently till soft, without browning. Cool and combine with all the other ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Check the taste and add pepper but watch the salt – blue cheese can sometimes be quite salty.

Unroll the filo pastry and brush with butter. Lay another sheet of pastry on top and brush again. Cut the sheets in half lengthways, put a tablespoon of filling at one end and roll up like a cigar (or keep the sheet whole, use more filling, fold the sides in then roll up – rather like a Chinese spring roll). Brush with butter again and put onto a lightly buttered baking tray. Repeat till the filling is used up. Bake in a moderate oven for about 15 mins or until browned.

The rolls can be prepared several hours in advance and kept covered in the fridge or frozen uncooked but thaw before cooking. Serve hot or cold but don't cook too far in advance of when they are needed. If you use flaky pastry roll thinly and make into parcels without using too many layers and brush with beaten egg and milk before cooking.

This quantity should make about 8 largish rolls or up to 20 small ones for serving with drinks.

Finally it's already time to think about preserves – especially if your rhubarb is growing as fast as mine.

Rhubarb and ginger jam.

Wash and cut into small pieces 4lbs (1.8 kg) young rhubarb stalks.

Put into a large bowl layering it with the same quantity of sugar and the juice and finely grated rind of 2 lemons. Leave to stand overnight.

Next day put into large preserving pan, add 2 ozs (55g) bruised root ginger tied in a muslin bag, and simmer till you have a thick pulp, stirring carefully from time to time. (I remember, as a child, being terrified of this stage because the mixture can bloop in a very determined way – please take care.)

When it is very thick remove the ginger, add 2 ozs of chopped crystallised or preserved ginger if you like and pot into clean, hot jars. This isn't a set jam – more of a preserve – and don't forget that rhubarb will mix with all sorts of other fruit for very successful jams – strawberries, redcurrants, angelica and most exotic of all – rose petals – although that is one I've yet to try.

For anyone who is keen on gardening – whether doing it or hearing about it – and who doesn't know about Wotton Horticultural Society let me tell you what you are missing.

We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30 in the Club Room in Gloucester Street (opposite the Civic Centre car park) every month except June, July and August when we have outings. We have a varied programme during the year to cater for all interests and at £5 per year (£7.50 per couple) we reckon you have pretty good value for money!

The talk on May 19th is ‘How to Improve the Lock of your Garden’ given by Roger Turner and anyone is welcome to come along as a visitor for £1 per visit. We have several members in Charfield so if transport is a problem please get in touch and someone may be able to help.

Barbara Adams 01454 26xxxx

Copy Date 12th July

14

Well, Spring has sprung again, and it's the Easter holidays! I know this is so, not because of the daffodils or Easter eggs, but because it is pouring with rain! When I think back to last Easter, I remember that we were on Pack Holiday in Macaroni Woods and the weather was glorious. Pack holiday this year is booked for a weekend in August. We will be taking 2nd Charfield Brownies to Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre at Symonds Yat in the Royal Forest of Dean. I have taken some Brownies to this centre before and we had so much fun that I decided to take them again. Brownies will receive more details about this nearer the time.

I hope the Brownie mums liked their daffodils and padded picture frames. The girls do spend a lot of time and effort on trying to please. The girls also gave a lot of pleasure to a packed audience at KLB school recently when they took part in a District Arts Day Concert. Perhaps you might accuse me of being biased, but I thought that “The Ant Song” by Charfield Brownies was the best part of the show! A lot of money was raised that day, so thank you all very much.

Our trip to “Castaways” is booked for May and a District Pack Holiday is also planned for September/October this year. This is arranged so that some of the older girls from each pack within the district can meet and make new friends.

When weather becomes drier and warmer you will probably see us out and about within the village. If you do see us, please stop and say “hello”. After all, Brownies are ‘wide awake’, ‘healthy’ and ‘friendly’. They also have ‘fun out of doors’, they ‘lend a hand’, ‘make things’, ‘do their best’, and last but not least they ‘help at home’! Of course they do!!

If any little girls would like their name put on our waiting list, please give me a call. We meet on Wednesdays in the Memorial Hall from 5.45 pm to 7.00 pm.

Trish Cole
Brown Owl

[Advert for Charfield Flowers]

On Palm Sunday the children conducted their own service and invited parents, relations and friends. They had made their own props, dressed up and performed Jesus' procession into Jerusalem. Everyone in the congregation joined in too, waving large palm leaves.

Good Friday at 2.30 pm our service was led by the Kingswood choir, the programme was a mixture of Traditional, Country and Western and Spirituals; there were solos and duets by Jenny and Chris. The songs and the Bible reading by Rex reminded us how quickly people change.

On the Sunday of that week people were waving Palm branches and cheering as Jesus made His entrance into Jerusalem, on the Friday of that same week He was arrested, examined by four different tribunals, Annas, Caiphus, Pilate, Herod and back to Pilate, and now people were shouting crucify Him, crucify Him. From Pilate to the cross, death and burial in a borrowed tomb.

At our Family service on Easter Sunday morning, the children lead in a script about Mary at the tomb – with parents and friends shouting loudly and joining in at the right time! We were also reminded of one of Jesus' sayings whilst on the cross, “It is finished.” His work of redemption, for all who believe in Him, was finished, and on that first Sunday following His death and burial, the proof was an empty tomb, Jesus had conquered death.

A very special “Thank you” to all the ladies for refreshments following each service.

May God bless you all.

Philip

15

In July I shall be travelling with the N Nibley Romania Team to the little village of Mina 1 Mai in the Carpathian mountains. This will be the eighth year (my third) that the charity has been involved and again we shall be working with the patients at Vulcan Psychiatric Hospital and the children at the village school.

Although conditions generally in Romania have begun to improve, life there is still very difficult. After the election of a more democratic government in 1996 a new sense of freedom is developing, but with that comes very high inflation and our support is needed more than ever.

This year we hope to improve conditions at the village school. We shall begin to dig a cess-pit and hope to install indoor toilets eventually. The generally bad state of the building plus the odd broken window make learning conditions poor. Winter means snow and temperatures of -24°C.

There will also be daily meetings with the children involving many activities, culminating in a very popular sports day.

For the last two years we have provided a complete winter outfit for each child at the school. There are about ninety aged between 3 and 12 years. If you can help by donating good quality second-hand warm clothes, your kindness will be much appreciated by the ‘Mums’ in Mina ! Mai.

Other basic items needed at the school are coloured paper, colour pencils, Plasticine, drawing books, A4 size white paper, jigsaws, skipping ropes and any equipment normally used in a primary school. Any donations would be welcome.

At Vulcan Hospital, conditions have improved somewhat since 1990 but are still horrendous compared with western establishments. Just before Christmas, the fuel boiler at the hospital was finally commissioned, a project on which the charity has been working for three years. At last the patients have reasonable warmth during the severe winter conditions instead of being left shivering in bed all day.

This year we hope to finalise the establishment of a dental surgery. A lot of time and effort has gone into getting equipment donated and sent to Romania. There is no dental care in situ at the moment, so this will be a real boon to the patients.

As in previous years we shall work with the Romanian nurses doing patient care and also organise occupational therapy, games, and music sessions.

There is a constant demand at the hospital for night wear – most patients wear it all the time so if you have any pyjamas, nighties, dressing gowns, or slippers to spare, we would be pleased to have them. Also toiletries are much needed. There is a 7.5 ton truck going out in July and we hope to fill it to capacity.

I hope you have found this article interesting. If you have any ideas for fund raising, I shall be pleased to hear them. Meanwhile, can I say ‘thank you’ for any help you can give.

Wendy Stevens (New Street)
01453 84xxxx

[Advert for Positive Pressure]

Next copy date 12 July 1998

16[Advert for Barbara Ealey]

I know we are well away from thoughts of Rudolph, but I meant to tell you this in the last piece.

Two Christmas seasons ago we bought a tree in a pot. Suddenly last Christmas arrived and Keith was away, so Lawrence decided to be man of the house and deck the halls. “What about a tree?” he asked. “We've got that thing from last year,” I replied. Without further ado, it was on the corner table, being adorned. Two hours later the lounge resembled a Brazilian rain forest, without all the damp bits.

Any creepy-crawly, flying-thingy that had decided to over-winter itself in the tree, on feeling the cosy warmth of our lounge, decided to wake up. It was a mass of dive bombing wings and fluttery things.

Remind me, next Christmas, to give it a good old shake, outside, first.

Now I've a good old hotch-potch of stuff to tell you, so I shall be jumping about a bit.

I had an hour to kill to collect Sophie at college, so popped in Sainsbury's at Bradley Stoke. It was Pancake Day and not a lemon in sight.

An assistant advised me and a Victor Meldrew lookalike that a member of staff had gone to another branch to replenish stocks. I was idling by the dairy bits when my “old chappy” chased up to me saying, “Quick, the lemons are in – only six left!” Well, it was like a remake of Supermarket Sweep. I shot around the isles and dived at the citrus section. There were two little darlings nestling in the bottom of this box. I grabbed them quick. Driving back home up the A38, passing about a dozen fruit and veg shops, with lemons in abundance, made me think, at least I had the thrill of the chase.

I don't know if I should mention Radio 4 in view of the fact that their new controller chappy has changed all and sundry and the shipping forecast is now heaven knows where and the Archers five minutes early, which will get me all confused. However, I do hear some amazing bits of info which I feel could enrich all our lives, so, if you haven't heard, here are two bits.

One is that THE thing to eat is (excuse spelling) chino de rappé, which is turnip tops, and the other is that the Romans were heavily into body piercing. Apparently, they had their nipples pierced to tie back their togas!! OK, enough of that.

Now, I've had a bit of an exciting two weeks. I spent a wonderful weekend at Pontins, Burnham, tap dancing. There were workshops throughout the day of varying degrees of style and ability. The teachers were superb and one guy had been taught at the Cotton Club, New York, so you can guess how he shimmied about.

So I had all that excitement and then on the Tuesday went to see Gary Barlow (don't all say Who?) at Cardiff with “Supermarket Sweep” Mel and Deb from darts. I had already asked my sister if she thought I would be the oldest there and she replied, “Well?”.

We were queuing at the door to hand in our tickets when the chappie said to me, “Come on Mother – get a move on.” Well you can imagine what I replied, being in my fishwife mode. Anyway, I don't know why we paid for a seat because we stood up all night bopping and screaming, even if Deb and Mel kept calling me Mum.

Then the French arrived. It was exchange time at KLB. We had a lovely lad called Thomas come to stay. We'd planned various outings and had thought of taking him to the West Midland Safari Park.

Well, I was on such a high from all the 17bopping, Shimmying, screaming and planning menus for our guest, my brain was obviously not working in its correct manner so when people asked where we might take Thomas, I kept saying West Midland Farmers. You could tell by the looks on their faces – poor kid, he's got Euro Disney and she's taking him to a hard broom and welly boot shop!

Take care – happy Spring!

Marilyn

On Thursday, 7 May, the Annual General Meeting will take place at 7.30 pm in the Sportsman's Lounge. This will be an important meeting for users of both the hall and the playing field and I do hope that there will be a good attendance both by representatives of the various groups and by individuals. The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in community facilities.

After long and careful consideration I have decided that I will not be standing as Chairman for the forthcoming year having stepped into the gap created by Jane Hall's departure. There will also have to be a change in the secretary's post as Sarah Sparks has stood down after 18 months, having moved out of the village. Thank you Sarah, for all your work in support of the committee.

The other date to make a note of is the Annual Summer Fayre and Sports Gala on Saturday 16 July between 1 and 5.30pm. There is a planning meeting for this event on Thursday 30 April at 8pm in the Sportsman's Lounge when everyone will be welcome. The other major activity taking place this month is the relaunch of the “200 Club” which raises money to enable the hall to function. Whilst we cannot claim to be able to match the rewards of the National Lottery, the chances of winning are greater and you will, at the same time, be supporting an important community facility. Details about the Charfield Monthly Draw, as it has been renamed, including a modest increase of subscription to £1, will soon be available from group representatives and collectors. I do hope you will support this worthy cause.

The upkeep and maintenance of the hall continues to be a struggle although the committee has recently agreed to spend £5,500 on improvements. John Poskett continues to oversee the day to day running of the hall in his thorough way and the committee is indebted to Jim Gillett for his careful financial control and his skills as a fund raiser.

The recent break-ins at the hall have been very disappointing, particularly the effect upon the youth club, but I remain hopeful and positive that the hall and field can continue to fulfil a valuable role in the life of the village.

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive and don't forget those important dates …

Robert Pestell
Chairman

The committee has now prepared an outline map of the area to be used as a base reference and are soon to involve the wider community in the detail to be added to the map.

Contact has been made with KLB and it is possible that the school will base a project on the map. Any teenagers who are interested in helping with the content of the millennium village map would be welcome to our meetings. We would of course be delighted to hear from anyone who has suggestions for the map project.

Alan Bailey, 01453 – 84xxxx

[Advert for The Railway Tavern]

18

The publication of the long-awaited report on tuberculosis in cattle and the relationship with badgers (the Krebs Report) has particular importance for local farmers as the Thornbury and Cotswold Edge areas have historically seen a higher than average incidence of tuberculosis.

It may be helpful if I outline the routine procedures without getting too carried away with the controversial arguments on the rights and wrongs of badger culling.

All UK cattle are regularly tested for tuberculosis and, in high incidence areas such as this, it is done annually. This means that every livestock farm is visited by the local vet acting as agent for the Ministry of Agriculture and all cattle are injected with two inactivated tuberculin serums, one avian and one mammalian. At this time a measurement of skin thickness is taken at the sites of the injections.

Three days later, the vet inspects the animals for any reaction to the injections. It is only when the mammalian serum triggers a reaction of thickening or swelling around the site greater than any at the avian serum injection site that tuberculosis is suspected and the animal is regarded as being a ‘reactor’.

The reactor animal is taken by the Ministry, slaughtered, and further tests are done as the skin test is not conclusive. Sometimes post-slaughter tests reveal no evidence of disease.

Inconclusive reactors (where the vet has some doubt as to the skin reaction) are re-tested after six weeks.

That, unfortunately, is only the beginning of the farmer's problems. Although the Ministry pay for the reactor at 70% of market value, it is up to the farmer to consider insuring for the balance. A reactor means that livestock movement off the farm is prohibited, except with a special Ministry licence, until the farm has completed two further clear herd tests. It is not unusual to get further reactors at subsequent tests, prolonging restrictions.

With the natural cycle of births on a farm with breeding livestock, this can very quickly lead to a large increase in cattle numbers and pressure on space, feed, and cashflow. On beef fattening farms problems with timing and suitability for marketing becomes a problem.

The Krebs Report recommendation of a new series of trials over five years on the effect of different procedures for controlling the spread of tuberculosis in cattle and badgers seems to put little value on past experience and research. It appears to do little to help us now to cope with an increasing badger population and the increasing incidence and geographical spread of reactors.

Our ultimate goal must be both a healthy cattle and badger population.

A local farmer

Be on the lookout for any strange visitors in the area who at present appear to be picking on the elderly. There have been a few incidents where male offenders have entered unlocked houses in the Hawksbury Upton area and have demanded money for alleged work done, such as renewing telephone wiring and so on. Please take care not to let any of these people in who claim to be from any utility companies.

It is also worth knowing that these companies do not ask for cash payment at the time and will always bill later on proper headed letters or bills. Don't be conned!!

Also remember not to leave large amounts of money in your handbag at home – ask yourself if you really need it lying around and, if the answer is no, then hide it – preferably in a bank account.

Please remember to make a separate note of my contact numbers which are as follows:
Chipping Sodbury, 0117 945 xxxx.
Voicemail: dial 01275 81xxxx, wait, then dial 71612 on your phone.

I now have a mobile phone which will be on when I am on duty. This will soon receive sponsorship from a Charfield Villager who works for ‘Orange’. The number is 07970 36xxxx.

One final point to remember is that I like people to record car numbers for me if they see anything suspicious.

Best regards,

Ian Cousins

19

Pete ‘the Petrol’ Jones at Jones Brothers Garage, Wotton Road, has decided to move gracefully into semi-retirement and has sold on the business to a Charfielder, Mike Cheskin.

Pete, when asked, couldn't for the life of him remember just how many years he has owned and run the service station, but it certainly runs to decades.

He was too shy (!) to write something for the newsletter and no amount of cajoling (or threats) would move him.

We will all miss Pete at the garage – he is a great character and I am sure we all wish him all the best for a long and happy semi-retirement.

As from 27 April, it will he all hands to the pumps for Mike Cheskin and his family. Mike has lived in Charfield for 16 years, and long-standing readers of CHADRA will no doubt remember his wonderfully funny reports on the activities of the cub scouts.

Mike has run Esso sites in Gloucester and Bristol, the Patchway site on the A38 being the last. When Peter Jones informed him of his retirement, he quickly put in an offer which was accepted.

“I regard myself as being very blessed to acquire the service station at the end of my road,” says Mike. “The day to day operating will be very much a family concern with my wife Evie, my sons Matthew, Ammon and Darius, and Evie's sister Maureen assisting. Local staff will also be employed.”

Mike has decided to buy fuel on the open market, thus being able to offer the best retail price possible. City diesel will replace conventional diesel – it is more environmentally friendly and becomes available from Avonmouth in May.

Planning permission has already been granted to place a canopy over the diesel pumps and this work should commence in October, with the pumps being replaced in the next twelve months.

The site will open from 6.30 am until 9.00 pm Monday to Saturday, but in order to allow his family some rest, Mike has decided to go against modern trends and close on Sundays. “This is a move which I have wished to do for some time. Please support me in this,” he explains.

Mike has plans to change the range of goods and services on offer at the garage.

“My aim is to provide the village with a local, friendly, efficient Service Station. (The notice board will remain.) Please support me.

“My intention is to help the local voluntary organisations with donations based on the profitability of the site. I WILL support the village. Thank you.”

We are still meeting every other Wednesday in the village hall at 2.30 pm. We are in need of a few younger members who would be willing to help run the Club and keep the Club going. It would be a shame for it to fold up after 20+ years. Most of our existing members are rather elderly and not able to take on any responsibilities, but they enjoy their afternoon out and having a chat with their friends.

We play bingo, do quizzes, have had slides of Egypt and the Isles of Scilly, and been entertained twice by Gospel singers. We are now planning our day trips.

Do join us – you will be made very welcome.

M Ealey

… first you've got to throw it”.

So sang Charlie Drake in a record released in nineteen sixty-something. ‘My boomerang won't come back’ was a favourite song of mine – I think I was about six at the time, so have a heart – and I love its simple logic.

This is my unsubtle way of having another go at encouraging everyone to get involved in village life. The village community and quality of its life is the sum of the villagers and their efforts. The village is what we make it.

Most of us say we haven't the time in our busy lives to commit in any way, however modest, to any of the village organisations. The question is, can we afford not to find the time?

The Ladies Club had to close, the Youth Club is begging for volunteers so that it can re-open, the Friendship Club needs help as does the Memorial Hall, CHADRA needs new blood … If you are not already involved, don't just sit there – throw your boomerang!

J M O'Connor-Beach

20

Who are these people who tell us what we can and cannot do with our own property? Are they real people, or are they a bureaucratic myth? Is there a top person, a “Chief Planner”, controlling the whole business in England?

The Boss

Yes there is a “Chief Planner”. He's not the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, a senior Professor of Town and Country Planning, or a professional planner at all. He's a politician: the Secretary of State for the Environment, currently John Prescott. I'll call him the SoS.

What we've got in England is a planning system which is both democratic and bureaucratic. It's democratic because elected politicians set the agenda and can intervene at any level. It's bureaucratic because there is an army of administrators and professional planners doing the paperwork, giving advice and, when the politicians allow, making decisions.

The politicians are in charge, and the SoS can always get his way. If he doesn't like an adviser's recommendation, he can reject it. If he thinks that local councillors have got a policy wrong in their draft Local Plan, he can get it changed. If he wants to decide a planning application himself, he can take it out of the hands of the local councillors.

You and South Gloucestershire Council

Let's think about your planning application for a site in Charfield. You send your forms and plans to South Gloucestershire Council at Thornbury. They appoint a Case Officer. In all probability, he or she will be a graduate with planning training and either professionally qualified or working towards qualification. You can meet the Case Officer, who is one of a team of development control planners.

If there are no objections to your proposal, and it comes within the class of applications “delegated” by Councillors (potentially 70% of all applications), the officers can grant permission. Otherwise it goes with an officers' report to a sub-committee of councillors who take the decision.

You can go to the sub-committee meeting, say a few words about your proposal if you wish, and hear the discussion and decision. It's all done publicly. The officers may have recommended permission or refusal, but the councillors don't have to agree. They make their own assessment and may put different weights on some of the issues. If they do disagree with the officers, they should explain why. That will help you, and the officers, to know what to do next.

You and the SoS

If South Gloucestershire don't give you the permission you want, you can appeal to the SoS. Some people are happy to do this themselves, with the benefit of guidance in leaflets which are available. Most people prefer to get help from someone who knows the ropes.

The forms go to the Planning Inspectorate, a Government Agency which comes under the SoS. The Inspectorate is staffed by Civil Servants. One of them will be another Case Officer, but this time a person who deals with the administration and is not involved in the decision. Eventually the paperwork reaches the Inspector who will normally decide your appeal.

He or she decides it from the papers and a site visit, or after a public inquiry or a less formal hearing. You will meet the Inspector, unless you decide not to. The Inspector has special powers to make the decision as an individual. It is not a decision by a Committee or a Board or a Civil Servant senior to the Inspector. Yet it has the same status as if the SoS had made it personally.

“Hang on”, you say, “I thought the politicians were in control, not the Civil Servants”. That's right. If the SoS wants to, he can tell the Inspector to write a report instead of issuing a decision letter. The report, with the Inspector's recommendation, goes to the SoS. You can see the report, but only after the SoS has made his decision on your appeal.

The same kind of thing happens if the SoS takes an application away from South Gloucestershire: an Inspector will send a report and recommendation to the SoS.

21You and Charfield Parish Council

Can the Parish Council make decisions on planning applications? If not, how and why does it get involved? No, it has no power to decide applications. But it does have a statutory right to be consulted by South Gloucestershire, who are not allowed to decide the application until the Parish Council has commented or the consultation time has elapsed.

So we on the Parish Council see all applications in the parish. They are discussed at meetings which are open to the public. Before councillors consider an application, members of the public can make representations about it. You could tell us how good your proposal is! Mainly it's objectors who come, particularly when there's something controversial like the proposed fishing lakes off New Street.

We can tell South Gloucestershire that we support an application, or have no objection, or object for particular reasons, or wouldn't object if the permission were restricted in some way. South Gloucestershire have to take our comments into account, but the decision is theirs. Having made comments, the Parish Council has certain rights if an appeal is made, including the right to give evidence at a public inquiry.

Real People

So, yes, “The Planners” are real people. But they don't all have the same training, background or responsibilities. There are these important distinctions between politicians and advisers, and between councils and the Government. It's as well to remember that when you're tempted to lump them all together and, ten-to-one (it's Grand National Day), moan about them.

John Acton

As I write this preparations are well in hand for the Easter Services as Christians throughout the world once again greet the risen Lord. It is a time of joy and celebration and this year there will be extra cause for joy with the news of an agreement in Northern Ireland that moves forward the peace process. Such signs and symbols of peace and hope are an inspiration and encouragement to many but there are still people within our world who live with very little sense of peace or hope.

Some of the poorest nations in the world are faced with ever increasing debts and interest payments as a result of loans that they were encouraged to take out. Now, some years down the road, millions of pounds are owed to banks in the richest nations in the world and there is no hope of these loans ever being repaid. Instead, the interest payments continue to mount up, leaving the people more and more desperate and the countries and their economies crippled for the foreseeable future. One country, Zambia, has even resorted to setting aside some of its usual crop growing in order to grow roses, which can be sold to bring in foreign currency to pay off some of the debt. Land is sacrificed for this purpose leaving less land for growing food for the people.

‘Jubilee 2000’ is a movement that seeks to bring to an end the injustice of an economic system that favours the rich nations at the expense of those who can least afford it. The central aim of the movement is to cancel the debts of the poorer nations in order to give them the chance to re-establish their economies on a more sound footing and to allow trading to take place on a much fairer basis. We, at St John's, are supporting Jubilee 2000 and intend to send a petition, along with many others, to a meeting of finance ministers due to take place later in the year. It would be good to have the support of the village in this and the petition will, therefore, be made available for anyone to sign on the day of our Annual Plant Sale, Saturday 16 May from 10 till 4.

At a time when there is much celebration going on and much planned for the new millennium, let us try and bring a little hope to those who live in dreadful poverty. The cost to us is minimal, but the impact of cancelling debt could be incredible in the poorest nations of the world.

Revd Robert Pestell
Priest-in-Charge

22

First of all a vote of thanks to all of you who returned the questionnaires to the Parish Council.

Elsewhere in the Magazine you will find a summary of the main issues but the overriding fact is that the vast majority of Villagers were indifferent to the opening of the Station. Out of 956 Households replies were only received from 266!! It would appear at first glance that of these 266 Households 123 supported a Station for Charfield with 98 opposed. Of the respondents, a percentage figure of 46% for and 35% opposed, the balance made up of neutral or unanswered questions.

When you look a little closer, however, things look slightly different. You will recollect that one of the questions related to the use of the station. Of the completed 266 questionnaires only 42 households would be likely to use it 3 or more times a week (please note, this is the total number of journeys undertaken by the whole household). This hardly suggests a major demand from within the village for a Station.

One suggestion is that minibuses be used to bring passengers from the outlying areas to Charfield. No mention of how much demand there would be, the cost or the frequency. Are we to have a Bus station as well as a Rail station?

The conclusion must be that with little demand in Charfield then passengers will have to come from outside. This will surely mean an increase in traffic with all the noise and pollution that goes with it. It is a little difficult to see how Station Rd. in its present state could cope.

My feelings are that, from the results of this survey, a station is not wanted without being part of a properly integrated transport system whereby the passenger can easily get to where he/she wants to go rather than to the limited destinations now on offer. When the supporters of this scheme can demonstrate both demand and a user friendly service, then let's have another survey.

Recent reports in the local press from South Gloucestershire Council have stated that they are discouraging commercial applications in the north Bristol fringe because of the enormous amount of congestion in the area. A station in Charfield will solve none of South Glos' problems, but will certainly add to ours.

A final thought to those of you who will have seen the local plan and will have noted the development boundary drawn tightly around the village. Woodlands Road was outside the development boundary when it received the go-ahead on appeal.

In my opinion, with options already held by developers on land on the outskirts of the village, the developers will not be giving up yet. Without doubt, they will attempt to amend the Local Plan to allow for extensive house building.

As a Parish Councillor, I will, along with my Fellow Councillors, be keeping watch for any attempt to amend the village envelope in the Local Plan – but we may yet need your support.

Bob Beavis

I have recently been asked why there isn't a letters page in the newsletter.

Because you don't write any.

Also, why has no-one written in strong support of the proposed railway station?

You tell me.

There is the difficulty that the newsletter is published quarterly. In some instances, this time lag between issues makes debate a nonsense, because the hot item has either cooled or become irrelevant with the passage of 3 months.

Without a proper editor (I am not qualified for such a task, and insist on being called the typist) it is a struggle to get together sufficient copy to make for an interesting newsletter. What on earth would we do without the stalwart regulars? Bless them all.

It is YOUR newsletter, and it is what YOU make it. Don't be shy – give any of the team a ring if you'd like to be involved. We don't bite. And above all, if you have news which you think fellow villagers would like to hear (especially good news), think NEWSLETTER. Geoff and I are happy to receive copy at any time of year, and file it for the next issue.

Kindest personal regards to you all.

Julia O'C-B

23

In the beginning …

CHADRA – the Charfield and District Residents Association – was originally formed in 1974 for two reasons. One, to wage a safety campaign after a terrible road traffic accident which took the lives of two little village girls in Little Bristol Lane and, two, to look after the villagers' interests, particularly in planning/ development matters.

The newsletter was started to bring the village together and to provide a forum for villagers and organisations to reach the whole village.

CHADRA very soon became involved at the sharp end of planning issues, on one memorable occasion instructing Queen's Counsel to fight the residents' corner against developers – and winning. This was possible because the newsletter distributors knocked on every door and found that all were happy to donate towards a fighting fund. Because of the network, CHADRA's voice carried weight and had credibility.

It must be said that the Residents Association's activity has been limited in recent times to the production of the newsletter. However, the body is there, should the village need it again for any major campaign.

The committee …

The committee is dwindling in numbers (but not enthusiasm). Joan Crowfoot (Chair), Geoff Blower (Secretary), and Barbara Adams (Treasurer) are the officers, and Marion and Angela Smith, John Butler and Julia O'Connor-Beach are also committee members. Each has a role in the production of the newsletter and all but one are also distributors.

Meetings are held quarterly and are very relaxed, pleasant affairs. Quite painless.

The Distributors …

There is a large network of loyal distributors who deliver 800 newsletters four times a year, and collect the £1 annual subscription from each household. Without them, the newsletter just could not function, and we are indebted to them all.

The idea is to have distributors deliver to their own immediate area to build up contact between neighbours. In this day and age when many of us don't know the people who live three doors down, this is invaluable.

Newcomers to the village receive a free copy as a welcome, after which they are invited to subscribe.

Costs …

CHADRA's running costs are all incurred due to the production of the newsletter. There have been three duplicators, numerous typewriters, and a dot matrix printer, and the annual cost of the stencils, paper, and ink.

Advertising

It was only after CHADRA had to ask the Parish Council for a donation to cover the cost of a second-hand duplicator that it was felt prudent to include advertisements to help balance the books and to build a small nest egg. This would mean that funds would be available to kick-start any campaign that CHADRA might need to run, or to replace the duplicator at some stage.

The committee is very grateful to all advertisers for their support.

It is important, however, to keep the balance right – we do not wish the newsletter to become a mass of adverts and no news.

Subscription

The annual subscription has not changed since 1993 and we hope that we can keen it at £1 per annum. With our ‘fighting fund’ staying at the £2,500 level, we see no reason for this to change. It might seem a lot of money to you, but a replacement scanning duplicator would cost about £1,500 and any major campaign would quickly swallow the remainder.

Remember the duplicator is there for all village organisations to use – at cost.

Independence

CHADRA is independent – a secular organisation, it owes no allegiance to any political party or group. It is of the village, by the village, for the village.

So, do give us some feedback – it is difficult to work in a vacuum.

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

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Football Club – Juniors
Mike Higgins 01454 26xxxx

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

Friendship Club
Bert Carter 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