CHADRA

Welcome to our BIGGEST ever issue. This is as a direct result of all the contributions we have received this month – many thanks to you all for taking the time to be a part of the newsletter.

Have you made resolutions for 2005? If you have and they remain unbroken as yet I wish you all the very best with your continued success.

Not so much a new year's resolution but I have, for the last twenty years or so, wanted to be able to plaster a wall. Not entirely sure why – the satisfaction of making something look so smooth? The professionals always make it look so easy – and I know it isn't! I've never been particularly practical in the DIY world, I can wield a paintbrush quite effectively and am responsible enough to ‘hold the pencil’ when Geoff is wallpapering (more recently I was promoted to pasting duties, whilst Matthew, aged 2 at the time, held the pencil!). Anyway 2005 is the year for me to have a go. I have managed to find an evening course (you wouldn't believe how hard that was). I wanted to start last September but, no, places were filled until April. So, come the spring, armed with my float, trowel, hawk (what I use a bird of prey for I'm not sure?!) brush and bucket I will do my best to achieve smoothness. I can't wait!

Regards, Hilary

Next Copy Date – 12th April 2005

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A BIG THANK YOU to two children in the village who sent us pictures for this edition of the newsletter – our requests for pictures seem so often to fall on deaf ears.

It was a difficult decision but we have chosen the picture entitled “Wintertime in Charfield” for our cover, drawn for us by Katie Macnamara, age 8. Katie's brother Richard, age 10, sent us another great picture, called “A winter walk down to Huntingford Mill” – you will find it inside the back cover of this issue.

Thank you Katie and Richard, your prizes will be with you soon.

Please let this inspire you to have a go – send us your picture and you could be in print across the village in 2005.

To remind you, as always, the subject is “Me and My Village” – drawings should be in black and white and no bigger than 16cm square.

I missed the date for the last edition of CHADRA, and am still finding it hard to know what to write for this edition.

As many of you may already be aware, Andy's brother Pete died suddenly on October 13, at just 27 years old. There has been no medical explanation as to why Pete died. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) or Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) is an umbrella term used for many different causes of cardiac arrest in young people. Not all deaths can even be linked to heart problems however, as they are so hard to determine on a post-mortem. Unfortunately, the pathologists could find nothing to link Pete's death with.

It's so hard to come to terms with how Pete could just die, as he seemed such a fit and healthy young man – in fact, he prided himself on these things. He was a black-belt in Tae Kwon Do and trained at the Charfield club often. He enjoyed running, snowboarding, football, climbing and most of all weight-lifting.

We have discovered that these deaths are actually quite common, and as a family we are trying to raise as much awareness of such deaths as we can. There are symptoms that some people show, but because the syndrome is so unknown, they don't necessarily seem life-threatening.

We have had a lot of contact with the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) who dedicate all they can to raising awareness, offering screening, helping bereaved families, donating equipment, and medical research. They believe around 8 young people (under 35-year olds) die a week in the UK this way, but until the law is changed and coroners HAVE to refer hearts on to specialists we will not know the true figures.

With CRY's help we have set up a Memorial Fund in Pete's name, and if you wish to donate please visit www.c-r-y.org.uk and you will be able to do so there (please ensure you donate to Pete Reynolds' memorial fund). Please visit the site, even if it is just to find out more. If you click on the ‘my story’ link, you will be able to read more about Pete. Also, I am running a Half Marathon on March 13 in aid of Pete, as we both ran the Stroud Half in 2003. If you would like to sponsor me, rather than just donating, please visit www.justgiving.com/petereynolds. All of the money will go in the same pot, so it doesn't matter how you do it.

Once we have raised £5000, we can put the rest of the funds into any use we want. Andy has suggested getting a mobile ECG unit to one of the large Tae Kwon Do tournaments and offering free screening to whoever wants it. All the 4people who die this way are very fit, and enjoy sport and exercise, so we feel this would be very beneficial. It's just a thought, and any suggestions would be gratefully received, as would any fundraising ideas.

With regards to the Tae Kwon Do club, Ricci, Nick, Colin and Kayleigh have been running the show, and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Andy to thank them all for their help. Also, Congratulations to Colin, Kayleigh, Lisa Parker, Ben and Emily Waldron for earning their 1st Dan Black Belts in October. The hard work paid off!!!

Well, I will be using CHADRA in more ways than one from now on – to update on Tae Kwon Do, and to update on fundraising for Pete's memorial fund.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2005.

Rebecca Pring

It seemed like a long time ago when I casually entered the ballot for the 2004 New York City Marathon, not expecting to get in first time (thinking it to be like London). Imagine my surprise at getting a place then – so this was going to be the first “N” in my surname to go with Amsterdam and Edinburgh. Must be something to do with being an international entrant. So here I am flying to New York, the day after my television debut on “Bargain Hunt” with our illustrious captain Mark, to tackle the 26.2 mile monster again.

Tracy and I arrive at the hotel on Thursday night only to find they have messed up our booking and are expecting us in ten days time! Sit in reception for an hour while they sort it out (bet Paula doesn't get this) and we finally collapse into bed. Up early for a big breakfast (you can eat 24 hours a day in NY if you want to) and head off to register. Big queue outside the Expo but they are skilled at processing large numbers of people in the U.S. and I was soon clutching my goody bag and number, despite feeling somewhat like a laboratory rat with the queuing lines (you do keep moving though).

Although it was Friday, the exhibition was busy so we did not stay too long and we headed off to see Ground Zero. This was a sobering experience as it was a huge hole in the ground, so after some more shopping we headed back to the hotel. We did not like the room they had moved us to, so the rest of the evening was spent sorting that out and eating in a 24 hour deli around midnight after a walk (still jetlagged).

Saturday I was up early as it was the Friendship Run. This is a traditional pre-New York Marathon event that welcomes the international runners and takes them on a gentle 4 mile jog to the finish at Central Park, where you can meet up with others and have breakfast. I had teamed up at the hotel with a party from Tamar Trotters so I went round with them and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were many flags and costumes and also spectators, before the marathon had even started! We went shopping again afterwards and I was having doubts about spending so much time on my feet before the race, but it was NY so you couldn't miss out really. Spent Saturday evening watching telly and preparing, and so to bed …

Race day started early, like leaving the hotel at 6am sharp to get to the bus stop to take us to the start at Staten Island. It was very busy getting us there so when we got there at last, it was a quick change, deposit your bag and off to the green start for me. It was a great running moment to cross the famous Vicenzo Narrows Bridge to start the race to the sound of “New York, New York” 5on a bright clear morning that would get progressively warmer. I had a sub 4:30 schedule that I was keeping to quite well.

When the three starts came together after 4 miles it became very busy and I had to work to keep the same pace going. The numerous bridges to cross provided some interesting inclines and I was largely sightseeing as we passed through fascinating ethnic changes across the different boroughs. From Staten Island we passed into Queens then Brooklyn, where the huge crowds were waiting to greet you coming off the bridge which made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

First Avenue was straight and VERY long at around 16 miles, where I had a bad patch. Up to halfway and beyond I was still inside 4:30, but I lost some time on that road. It was getting warmer too, all the thermometers on the buildings was over 20 degrees C. I concentrated on getting more Gatorade and water into me and soldiered on, thinking of my Round Table Children's Wish sponsors.

At 20 miles we headed into the Bronx, the only NY borough on mainland USA and I was feeling better, with the enthusiastic crowds cheering us on. My name on my shirt was helping along with my Union flag shorts, so there was no doubt where I was from! We now turned back into Manhattan through Harlem and were soon heading down Fifth Avenue next to Central Park. The crowds were huge now and as we finally turned into the park, I was thinking I was almost there. Those last three miles in the park are the sting in the tail as they are quite rolling.

At last I could see the finish and sprinted over the line in 4:39:59 (barging a few in the process to get under 4:40!). I immediately felt drained but elated on such a marvellous experience. I was initially disappointed with my time as it was not a PB, but NY does not have the reputation as a fast course. Many runners were saying it was too warm a day. I met Tracy at the reunion area with my precious medal and hobbled back to the hotel. Tracy had a great view in the spectator area at the finish, seeing Paula win and me finish (in that order), and she had a good time watching and chatting to people. As many observed, “nice day to spectate, not so good to run”.

We had a rest at the hotel and meant to go out later, but awoke the next morning! Time for some more last-minute shopping and off to catch our flight home on Monday evening, me resplendent in my race tee-shirt and medal. We had a great time and would recommend it to anyone, even better if you get a group of you going. There was no rest for me as I had to change planes at Heathrow to fly on to Dublin, where I was working on Tuesday!

Thanks to everyone for their support of my charity which is Round Table Children's Wish (visit www.rtcw.org). The main thing is to enjoy your running and not worry about time for this race, just to remember a very special experience which I shall do for a long time.

I now have a place for the Flora London Marathon in April so that will be the “F”!

John Francksen

In the wrong hands, man's best friend can become a nuisance or even a danger. Fortunately, South Gloucestershire Council's Dog Wardens try to prevent this.

Most people know that Dog Wardens deal with lost and stray dogs, catching them and trying to return them to their owners. We deal with around 500 lost or 6stray dogs every year, of which 75% are returned to their owners. Where owners can't be found, we will always find new homes for the dogs.

As well as catching dogs, Wardens also work to prevent dogs getting lost in the first place. It's a legal requirement for all dogs to wear a collar and tag displaying the owner's name, address and phone number. You can be fined up to £5000 for not having a tag on your dog. To be extra safe it is advised that you have your dog microchipped as this means a dog is permanently identifiable.

Every year hundreds of South Glos. schoolchildren learn about how to care for dogs responsibly and how to behave safely around dogs through visits to primary schools by the Wardens.

Mission ImPOOsible

The Dog Wardens are continuously campaigning and patrolling to try and reduce the amount of dog fouling and to raise people's awareness of their responsibilities.

As most of you will be aware, there is a problem with dog fouling in the Charfield area. There are some dog owners who don't clean up after their dogs, spoiling things for responsible dog owners and others. We are all being encouraged to walk more frequently, but the state of some footpaths makes this unpleasant. There is also a potential health risk as some dog faeces contain the Toxocara worm, which can seriously endanger a child's health.

Allowing a dog to foul without cleaning up is a criminal offence under The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 for which we can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £50. If the offender refuses to give a name and address we have authority to follow the offender home, they can then be taken to court and fined up to £1000. We can also trace offenders through car registrations if they do not give their details. Last year we prosecuted two men for not cleaning up and they were each fined £220. We also prosecuted a lady in Staple Hill; she was fined £550.

Dog Waste bins are provided in the area but South Glos Council have no obligation to provide them. If you do not pass a dog bin on your walk, dog faeces should be wrapped in a bag and disposed of in a litter bin, or taken home.

As a resident of the community your co-operation can assist us Dog Wardens in our task. If you know of any regular offenders you can contact us confidentially with the details and we will investigate. If you are a dog walker, please respect your community and our school children and clear up after your dog, otherwise you are risking prosecution.

You can contact the Dog Wardens on 01454 86xxxx or email them at dog.wardens @ southglos.gov.uk.

Do you like to go for a walk in our lovely surrounding countryside? Would you like some company? How about forming a ladies walking group. Here are a few ideas for you to think about.

Meet once a month, perhaps at Memorial Hall car park
Last Wed/Thurs of the month (any other day ok)
Between 12.00 mid-day and 2.00pm. (earlier or later)
Walks between 2–4 miles
Around Charfield/Wotton
All above open to suggestions

Interested; then ring Heather on 01454 26xxxx
(I would like help with routes etc.)

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First of all, may I wish you all a very Happy New Year from all the staff and children at Charfield Primary School!

Here is a taster of the main happenings in our school life since September:

First – A Bit Of A Hitch!

Some good news at the start of the new school year – Rachelle Evans our Year 2 teacher, got married to Phil Norman, but to avoid any confusion with the name of another member of staff who shares the same surname, she will be called Mrs Evans in school!

And Now A Welcome …

We welcomed Mr Dan Norman for the year as our new teacher for Year 4. He has quickly settled in brilliantly and proved to be a capable and popular colleague.

School Improvements 1

Our Key Stage 1 SATs results were as follows:

Level 2 (L2) is the expected average level of attainment for Year 2 pupils. Level 3 is a grade that is well above average.

The results are particularly pleasing in Maths and Writing and thanks must go to Mrs Evans and Mrs Gainer Lane and the Key Stage 1 team for their part in achieving these results.

Our Key Stage 2 SATs results were as follows:

Level 4 (L4) is the expected average level of attainment for Year 6 pupils. Level 5 (L 5) is a grade that is well above average.

Likewise, the results are particularly pleasing in Maths and Science and thanks must go to Mrs Bradley and the Key Stage 2 team for their part in achieving these results.

10School Improvements 2

We have been updating our security systems in school. All the doors around the school are now on electronic access, meaning that the doors will only open from the outside using special electronic passes. We are about to increase security even further with the addition of two more security cameras, that will give us vision of key points around our school all day and night.

Further improvements have been made with the resurfacing of the top playground and the improvements to the disabled access to the front of the school. We now have a truly lovely school, one that everyone in Charfield should be proud of. It has taken the best part of 4 years to get here, but I think that after all the positive comments that were made by so many people on the Open Day in July, it has definitely been worth it!!

Our School Vision Statement

After a great deal of consultation and consideration about our School Vision Statement over the last few months, the steering group have finally decided on the new vision statement for our school. It is:

Striving for excellence – Learning for life

We feel that this really represents our aspiration for our whole school community from pupils and staff, through to parents and governors.

Special Sports Mention

A special big word of thanks must go to Mike Smith who has been supporting our school for many years with swimming and the cross country club. The cross country club had a great season last year and are doing terrifically well this season – thanks mainly to Mike's sheer energy, enthusiasm and dedication. Thanks, Mike!

Charity Work And Money Raising

At a recent Scholastic Bookfair, we raised over £475 worth of books in commission, which was spread equally throughout the classes in the school.

We had very generous donations of produce and money from pupils and parents for our Harvest Festival celebrations, and volunteers helped to set up the food stall and sell the produce. We raised £165, which went to the Samaritan's Purse International Relief a charity who helps the starving in other parts of the world. Our money went to the Sudan Darfur Emergency Relief Fund.

Exactly 100 Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas were brought in to school on Friday 12 November. They were full of lovely things for children who live abroad in far less privileged conditions than we do. Thanks go to Mrs Peer and Mrs Peaster for their work in this project.

A huge ‘THANK YOU’ was due to everyone who provided cakes and to all the children who bought them in aid of Children In Need. We raised a massive £67!! ☺

Through kindness and generosity with our Poppy Appeal, we raised £44.17 this year.

11We had a non-uniform day to raise money for victims of the tsunami in Asia – I am delighted to say that we were able to send off over £500!

Positive Parents Evenings

The staff and I received many very positive remarks from our parents during the week of our parents evenings. It was particularly rewarding to know that we have so many contented and supportive parents. ☺

Fantastic Friends

I would like to say an enormous thank you to the Friends of the school who continually work so hard for our school, to raise money to enrich the learning opportunities for our pupils. Recently they have bought an entire Guided Reading Scheme for the whole school, a video camera, and Handwriting and Spelling resources for the classes.

Year 6 Conway Residential Week Visit

During the last week of November our children and staff returned safely, somewhat tired, but having had a most brilliant time, from their residential visit to the Conway Centre. I would like to thank Mrs Gordon, Mr Norman, Mrs Tyler and Mr Gordon for all their work to make this residential visit so successful. I would especially like to say how I am so proud of our Year 6 pupils. The number of compliments paid to them about their behaviour, politeness and manners whilst they were away, has been nothing short of fantastic – from the coach driver, the staff at the Conway Centre and our own staff. They have been a real credit to themselves, to our parents and our school! ☺

Christmas At Charfield Primary School

We had a splendid Christmas this year! The Friends of the School bought us an enormous tree and with their help and each child who brought in a decoration for it, it looked spectacular, which got us off to a great start. Pupils and Staff enjoyed the superb Christmas lunch cooked by Mrs Smith and her team. The Friends then ran a brilliant Christmas Fair in the school hall, raising lots of money for the school! ☺

To really put the icing on the cake, we had two superb productions presented twice to our parents who packed out the school hall (for the Infants) and St. John's Church (for the Juniors) on both occasions. There were so many enthusiastic and highly complimentary comments about our productions this year. The children and staff had all worked so incredibly hard to make these such a truly enjoyable experience for everyone. I would like to thank all our parents for their amazing generosity, which raised £384 for Caring At Christmas, a local Bristol Charity that helps the homeless, especially at Christmas time.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our staff, parents, pupils and governors for all that they continually do to make our school the happy, caring place it is. Thank you.

Stefan Frontczak
Headteacher

12

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14

If you ever want a weekend away with your family or with a large group of friends try St Briavel's Castle Youth Hostel, just over the old Severn Bridge. We took the Cubs and Scouts, on Halloween weekend no less, to this 12th century hunting lodge to which King John was a frequent visitor. The building was used as a prison and court buildings during its history and the room names bore witness to their uses. The Hanging Room, the Priest's Room, the Guard Room and the female leaders can't forget The Oubliette Room where we slept. In this room, there was a hole in the floor where they dropped and left their less wealthy prisoners and then forgot about them. We didn't sleep much the first night – not the ghosts though, someone's mobile phone kept ringing! The Youth Hostel staff provided a medieval banquet on the Saturday night to which the Cubs and Scouts voted Boomer (Mike Rickwood) and Chil (Karen Muir) to be the Lord and Lady. Permission had to be granted before eating or leaving the room. Forfeits included songs and jokes and to one cheeky Scout the kissing of every lady's hand! Medieval costumes were provided and the dining hall was decorated accordingly. The Cubs and Scouts had to work out how to eat their soup, chicken, jacket potatoes and salad with only a knife! Activities – well, the Scouts went hiking around Symmonds Yat and deep caving down the Clearwell Caves, they all came out orange from the mud. The Cubs visited the Forest of Dean Heritage Centre, the Sculpture Trail and the upper Clearwell Caves, all wonderful places worth a second look. We had no problems getting them to sleep after all that. On the Sunday morning before leaving the Castle, we were given an excellent guided tour of the castle by the warden, which included a few ghost stories. Did any one see or hear any ghosts? now that would be telling! The Castle is very popular and needs to be booked well in advance but day visits are possible – try it, our Cubs and Scouts definitely want to go again.

Early December the Group gathered at St John's Church, Charfield for our Carol Service. Carols, prayers and a performance by the Signpost Theatre Company, who sang and told the meaning of Christmas with puppets similar to the Muppets, followed by mulled wine and mince pies, a lovely evening.

I haven't seen all of the section's programmes as yet for 2005 but can say that so far the Cubs have two District day events, a 5 a-side football competition, three camps planned and an additional party for those who couldn't attend the Christmas party due to their Charfield School Christmas commitments, and that's just up until September!

Have a good New Year

Yours in Scouting

Sandra Carnegie,
Group Scout Leader

For a few years I have grown vegetables for my own use on plots of land in gardens that were more than their owners could manage. One of the two properties that I use at the moment is likely to go on the market, so I shall have to leave it.

Does anyone else in the village (not Churchend, Huntingford or Little Bristol) have an area of garden that is a nuisance for them to keep tidy? Would you be happy to let me grow vegetables there? If so, please contact John Acton, xx New Street. Tel: 01453 84xxxx.

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[Graphic: Pinmill from the air]

RABBITT Recycling Limited

RABBITT is an acronym for
Recycle
All
Bulbs
Batteries
Inkjets
Toners
Telephones (mobiles)

New European legislation makes it unlawful for many of these items to be sent to landfill, so all large users will have an even bigger disposal problem than currently and predictably face an increase in disposal costs. By talking to Rabbitt Recycling Limited, these increases could be decreases.

Rabbitt Recycling also offers disposal of many other dry office waste materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, IT Equipment and many others.

Whilst this scheme is not currently aimed at the domestic or small user marketplace, the senior management at Rabbitt is in constant liaison with organisations such as the Chambers of Commerce and local councils. The redefining of current activities to meet identified customer needs and the aim for continuous improvement to the services offered is of paramount importance to everyone at Rabbitt.

More information on this scheme is available by calling freefone 0800 138 xxxx or by e-mail to xxxx @ rabbittrecycling.co.uk.

In the meantime, there is a collection box for your empty laser printer and inkjet cartridges in the foyer of the Pinmill. Please feel free to drop in your used cartridges or unwanted mobile phones whenever you're passing. The building is open from 0830 to 1730 Mondays to Thursdays and 0830 to 1630 Fridays. For large volumes of cartridges a free collection service is available by calling 01453 52xxxx.

Frank Gendall
Admin & IT Director
Rabbitt Recycling Limited

The past three months, including the run up to Christmas, have been fairly quiet as far as general crime in the village is concerned.

In mid October two attempted burglaries were reported in Woodlands Road, Charfield, whereby attempts were made to prise open the front doors of houses. Also, at the end of November, the front doors of several elderly people's bungalows were interfered with, either during attempted burglaries or possibly by drunken revellers.

In early November a large amount of obscene graffiti appeared over the Memorial Hall, toilets, play area and skate ramp. Two local girls were arrested and dealt with for this, subsequently cleaning off the vast majority of it.

More recently several drugs related arrests have occurred. In the first week of December two people were arrested in separate incidents for supplying drugs to fellow inmates at HMP Leyhill, whilst only last week two people were arrested for the large scale cultivation of cannabis on a premises in Charfield.

16Several cars in the village have recently been damaged, although these attacks would appear to be the consequence of vendettas rather then being random.

Finally a resident of New Street reported in late November that three teenagers and an adult were using an air rifle to shoot at songbirds in the vicinity of New Street. Should anyone witness such behaviour I would encourage them to call at the time, as such behaviour in a public or private place is not only dangerous but is likely to result in arrest for firearms or offences contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

PC 3799 Jones

I hate to nag, BUT – in 1992, when I asked you to ‘adopt’ a footpath (walk it every three months or so, trim back any brambles or branches around stiles, report any problems), about 15 good-hearted souls gave me a phone call and volunteered. Absolutely fabulous.

In 2004, just two villagers responded. Two out of 3000+. Bless you both, Richard Parker and Rachel Bailey. I have since shanghaied one or two dog walkers into service (Kim the collie's Mum, and Rosie and Charlie's Dad) and have my sights on several others … However, one volunteer is worth ten pressed men. In the hope that this truly disappointing initial result was caused by your shyness, procrastination, or forgetfulness, I shall have another go.

SO: If you enjoy walking the paths, why not ‘adopt’ one, and help to keep it in good order? If you are willing, please pick up the phone NOW. Thank you.

Since October, various stiles and footplates have received attention, for which I thank the landowners or tenants. It is much appreciated. Other works are still pending the fencing season and better ground conditions.

It was South Glos. Council's wish to make at least one footpath more accessible to those who cannot cope with stiles. OCH 9 (Watsome Bridge to the Mills) is on the flat and several of its stiles were in dire need of replacement, so SGC took the opportunity to install 5 kissing gates with the kind agreement of the landowners concerned. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, one landowner has so far withheld his permission regarding the gate at the Mill end, so we don't have the full set of kissing gates. His gate is not openable, has unstable rotting posts, and there is no footplate, either. Anita Walker, Field Officer/Rights of Way Section, is in contact with the landowner. I do so hope that he takes advantage of the offer of the installation of a kissing gate, to complete the set, and to save him the effort and expense of repairing the gate.

I shall leave the usual lecture on the country code for the next issue. Now THERE's something to look forward to!

With best regards,
Julia O'Connor-Beach (01454 26xxxx)
Voluntary Footpath Warden

The 18th edition of the newsletter was published in January 1980. It was the last edition to be edited by Jon Barrance, the second editor of the newsletter, who had taken over from Don Smith in 1978. Jon felt that as his wife was now Chair of the Parish Council, some would argue that the independence of the newsletter could be compromised. Sue Lapham would take over for issue 19, ably assisted by Marion Smith.

There was a call for villagers to ‘adopt’ footpaths, with a view to ensuring that 17they are kept clear and accessible – a scheme that is still going 25 years later.

A Blue Peter Bring and Buy had been held in the Memorial Hall to raise money for the Blue Peter Cambodia Appeal. Nick Barrett from Radio Bristol attended, and wrote a ‘day in the life’ article for the newsletter; editing in those days meant magnetic tape and a razor blade.

There was an article about Charfield Railway Station by Will Harris – some of which is reproduced below. The case for re-opening the station was as compelling then as it is today, and the problem of funding just as great.

As the fuel crisis progressed, there were cases of petrol being stolen from cars in the village, and the newsletter published advice on how to avoid being a victim.

Charfield Station.

The act for the construction of the Bristol and Gloucester railway was passed on July 1st 1839. The line engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel ran from Cuckolds Pill on the floating harbour, now Avon Street Wharf, to the junction at Stonehouse, a line run by the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway. A direct line into Bristol Temple Meads was subsequently authorised in 1843.

Construction commenced in 1841 and its opening on July 6th 1844 completed the through rail route from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Exeter. The line had been designed for standard gauge track but before its completion it was converted to broad gauge.

Agreement was reached on January 14th 1844 for the terms of a merger between the Bristol and Gloucester line and the Birmingham and Gloucester line, leading the Great Western Railway to suggest an extension of the broad gauge to Birmingham.

This was followed by a proposal to amalgamate the Bristol and Birmingham Railway with the Great Western. However, in a major strategic error the Great Western allowed itself to be outbid by the Midland Railway Company and control passed to the latter.

In 1958 control of the line passed from the Midland Region of British Rail (BR) to the Western Region.

The goods service at Charfield was withdrawn in October 1964 and the passenger service stopped in January 1965, just as development at Charfield, Wotton-under-Edge and Yate was starting to accelerate.

Of the seven stations on the line, Wickwar has been completely demolished whilst at Frocester, Berkeley Road, Mangotsfield and Stonehouse only the Station Masters' houses remain. At Yate, only the Station Master's house and the goods shed remain.

Charfield is, therefore, the only remaining station on the line which is essentially intact. At Charfield, which cost £1,428 to construct, there remains the main station block, an adjacent lavatory block, the Station Master's house (in ashlar), a water tank on a brick plinth and the road bridge. The water tank was fed originally by gravity from Wickwar tunnel. The road bridge was repaired following the accident on October 13th 1928, with little sensitivity using blue brick and concrete coping blocks.

After its closure two platform seats were removed by John Poskett, one of the signal men, and installed on the village playing field. The signal box of a later Midland design was removed by the Dean Forest Railway Preservation Society to Parkend. A market was opened adjacent to the station but only a post war building now remains of it. 18North of the lay-bys the line is carried across the valley of the Little Avon by a substantial embankment 750 metres long and 13 metres high. The line curves as it passes through Charfield, presumably to achieve the correct alignment for the embankment.

The accident on 13th October 1928 occurred when an express travelling south from Gloucester overran a signal at Huntingford and collided underneath the road bridge. A goods train was setting back from the down line into a refuge siding, and an up train from Bristol was also passing under the bridge at the same time. The situation was made worse by the presence of wooden carriages with gas lighting which piled up against the bridge and caught fire. Thirteen people were killed.

The station building was surveyed by the Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society survey unit on the 24th September 1977 and appeared at the time like the other buildings in the complex, to be structurally sound.

The case for preserving the complex rests on two primary grounds as one of the oldest surviving railway stations in the world and as a conspicuous and distinctive feature of the village. The completion of the London to Birmingham Railway in 1838 marks the start of the construction of a national rail network, as distinct from isolated experiments like the Manchester and Liverpool. Charfield is, therefore, within seven years of the earliest surviving stations and a contemporary of the first European lines Paris–Rouen, Berlin–Hamburg. The only other contemporary system was in North America where the early stations would have been of wooden construction, and therefore unlikely to have survived.

It is a salutary experience to reflect on that which has been lost. Apart from the train service itself, Griff Smith reflects on Football Specials to Birmingham in the 1950's where ten shillings (50p) covered the return rail fare, admission to the ground, choice of two First Division games, and transfer to and from the ground. (This was when the First Division was the equivalent of the Premiership.) Cliff Goscombe said that some goods ordered from Bristol by telephone before 3.30 pm would be delivered to Charfield Station by 6.00 pm. Bill Carter points out that until the station's closure, many local firms didn't need to maintain their own transport, except for local journeys, because of the comprehensive freight service offered by the station.

If John Poskett and his colleagues had been given a little more support in 1964 the service would never have been lost.

Edited from an article by Will Harris, writing in 1980

Minister – Rev. Philip Hopes
Tel: 01453 84xxxx

Morning worship and Kings Kids 11am every Sunday
1st Sunday of each month – Family Service at 11am

~Just Checking In~

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away.

19In the days that followed, each noon time – came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him, “What are you doing here?”

The old man said, he worked down the road – Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding faith, strength and power.

“I stay only moments, see, the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say:

“I just came again to tell you Lord, how happy I have been,
Since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin.

Don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you everyday.
So, Jesus, this is Jim – just checking in.”

The minister feeling foolish, told Jim that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome to come and pray anytime.

“Time to go”, Jim smiled, and said “thanks” as he hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the alter, he'd never done that before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:

“I just came again to tell you Lord, how happy I have been,
Since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin.

Don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you everyday.
So, Jesus, this is me – just checking in.”

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim had not come.
As more days passed with no sign of Jim, he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, but Jim had given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them, he brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious – changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by Jim's bed, he voiced the nurse's concern.
No friends came to show they cared, he had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile –
“The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while,

Everyday at noon – He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

“I just came again to tell you, Jim, how happy I have been,
Since we found this wonderful friendship, and I took away your sin.

I always love to hear you pray, and I think about you every day,
And so Jim, this is Jesus … checking in.”

Do you know Jesus as your friend?

20

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21[Advert for A Valentine Ball]

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22

Hello Residents of Charfield,

Do you have problems crossing our main Wotton Road on a regular basis? Does the volume and speed of traffic through the village annoy you? Do the traffic issues raise concern about the safety of your children going to the parks, schools, clubs or shops? Well these things have concerned me for about 18 months, so now I am trying to do something about it.

I have approached Charfield School's WALK team (Walk And Look Kool) to help compile a report to submit to South Gloucestershire Council. The report will be requesting the installation of two Pelican Crossings, 1) Outside School / St Johns Church 2) Crossing from Longs View / Fews Yard both on B3058 Wotton Road. We intend to build up a case in support of these two crossings.

Would you like to see the community have some safe ways of crossing the road? Do you support the above proposal? Then it would hugely help our cause if you could put pen to paper and write a letter of support. Address it to;

M Shearman
Senior Traffic Management Engineer
Network Services
South Gloucestershire Council
Broad Lane
Engine Common
YATE
BS37 7FY

You can send it directly there, drop it into Charfield School's reception for the attention of the WALK Team, or drop it through my letter box, the latter two will have it included in the report directly. Thank you for your time and help,

Debbie Riddle,
xx Manor Lane, Charfield.

Local Plan Inspector's Report

The big news is that we have received the report of the Planning Inspector who held the public inquiry into the South Gloucestershire Local Plan. So what? – you think. Well, here are two points that are important for Charfield.

• He supports the strategy of the Plan to concentrate development around the urban area of Bristol. He does not support the allocation of land for development around Yate, Thornbury or the villages. Therefore he does not accept any of the developments proposed by builders in and around Charfield.
• He accepts the safeguarding of land for Charfield Station pending the completion of assessments that will show whether the services which could be provided would in practice be sufficiently attractive, and whether the additional traffic in the locality of the station would be harmful to living conditions and highway safety. When dealing with individual proposals by builders, he makes a number of comments that indicate his doubts about the station and whether development would be justified if it opened. For example “There appear to be a number of issues, including funding and operational constraints, that must be addressed and satisfied before the re-opening could be assured … Even with the re-opened station this would give only a very limited service for local people … Without the achievement of the re-opening of the station, it is not realistic to treat the village as a node in a good public transport corridor. In my opinion there must be considerable uncertainty as to whether the re-opening can be achieved within the plan period. Even if it does, I am not persuaded that this would bring the village within the scope of [the 23relevant national policy] … Most residents would continue to be dependent on the car in order to meet their needs … Although employment provision may well increase in the area, this would help to redress the imbalance in the area. It is not a reason to provide significant amounts of new housing.”

These two points are in line with the approach that the Parish Council has taken: resisting major development and waiting for the results of full assessments before coming to a conclusion on the station. On some of the less crucial matters the Inspector does not agree with us. Nevertheless he makes some helpful comments (and a few not so helpful).

Community Speed Watch

Community Speed Watch operates in some neighbouring villages. By popular request, the police trained about 20 enthusiastic Charfield residents to measure the speeds of vehicles along Wotton Road. The police supplied all the equipment, agreed the measurement sites, and all was ready to go. But nothing happened! For some reason, enthusiasm waned. Not one speed check was carried out. Now the police have taken back the equipment so that it can be used elsewhere. What a waste of an opportunity.

Grants for Play Equipment

I have explained before that we need to replace some of the play equipment on the playing field. New equipment and the appropriate safety surfacing are very expensive. We have been researching the sources of grants and have come up against a constant problem. A lot of the sources will not give grants to parish councils. Understandably, they favour youth organisations and other groups of local people who want to provide facilities. So, are some of you willing to get together and apply for grants? The money raised can be added to the £10,000 that the parish council has earmarked. Please contact the Clerk (01453 84xxxx) if you can help. We can discuss our ideas and provide a list of organisations to contact.

Parking on Pavements

Be warned! I hear that the police are likely to be cracking down on people who obstruct pavements by parking vehicles on them. Remember that it is not enough to leave room for a pedestrian to squeeze past: there are double buggies, wheelchairs and even wheelbarrows!

John Acton
Chairman, Charfield Parish Council

At the mid-point of the season the senior club are having an ‘average’ campaign with all three teams in the lower half of their respective divisions. The first team despite being virtually bottom in the North Gloucestershire Senior League at the end of October, are beginning to put a revival together, and are now out of the relegation zone as I write. The Reserves under the managerial watchful eye of Ian Wakefield are looking to push up the league over the coming weeks, while the third team just need a win! All matches take place on a Saturday afternoon on the village playing field, kicking off at either 2.00/2.30 with the Sportsman Lounge open afterwards.

The junior club has enjoyed considerable success in both the league and cup competition, and on 9th January the under 12's reached the final of the League Cup beating a useful Tetbury Town team. While the under 13's play in their League Cup semi-final (30th January) away to Wotton Rovers. If successful they will both play in finals at Stonehouse Freeway's ground on 24th 24April. In the league competition only two matches have been lost (played fifteen), with over seventy goals scored. Top three finishes is the aim over the remainder of the seasons. At present thirty boys are involved on a regular basis with a strong backing from families and friends. Finally, the club held a Christmas raffle in the Sportsman Lounge on 19th December, and would like to thank everybody who supported this event.

Finally, if anybody would like to know more about either club, come and play or would like to get involved please call me on 01454 26xxxx.

Jeremy Lewis – Secretary.

When it comes to the seasonal moment, surely everyone has something they panic over, don't they? I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when that first Christmas card falls on the mat. I read this year that you should write a few a day. It makes the situation easier. I won't call it a task. I do enjoy adding little notes inside each glittery piece of art but when I fell madly in love with my Keith, I didn't give a thought to his surname!!!

After scrumptious celebration dinners, wonderful moving school plays and concerts, ballet shows, pantomimes, fantastic get-togethers with friends, it was suddenly 18th December. I'd already posted one batch, but still had more “to do”. Now the Royal Mail did say that at this time of year there was no point in using first class stamps as the post could not be guaranteed to arrive next day but to give yourself more time for delivery.

About 10ish on the recognised “last day of posting” I popped up to the post office and whispered to John through the glass that I would like 25 more second-class stamps. Whilst in the queue Sue Pestell joined me. We chatted about how quickly time was going by, about trying to fit everything in. Sue was armed with a big box of parcels that “should have gone earlier” and I revealed about my second-class stamp purchase. “Further more,” I said, “that under this big winter coat and my jogging pants, I've still got my nightie on.”

That Saturday afternoon we popped down to the Kent coast to see Keith's Mum and then on the Tuesday I went up to London to help celebrate my Dad's 80th Birthday. On my return it was Wednesday 22nd of December. Right. Action. I sat down and wrote the remaining festive endearments, drove up to Wotton and popped the said cards into the box. There, done it. It was quite obvious that as absolutely everyone else would be organised, the Royal Mail would only have my post to deal with. Therefore, on the morning of Thursday 23rd, my cards would be dispatched to arrive though everyone's letterbox on the morning of the 24th. Well that was my theory.

One of my dancing chums had been on about going to see Mary Poppins at the Hippodrome. I wasn't too bothered. However, another one of my tap chums had been in the opening week and said how fantastic the show was. Off I went to get two tickets for Sophie and me. As you've probably read in all the papers the show is a wonderful production.

The actor who plays George Banks is David Haig. He's been in Four Weddings And a Funeral and, apart from lots of other productions, I like him best as the CID chap in The Thin Blue Line with Rowan Atkinson. The Moody Blues were appearing at Colston Hall the same evening. We queued for ages to get our tickets to get out of the car park. Whilst we were waiting, having a good old chat about the show and 25singing “Lets Go Fly A Kite”, who should walk past but “Mr Banks”. Well you know how I get over anyone in showbiz? I told Sophie to ask him for his autograph, but she wouldn't so I grabbed her program and off I went. We had a good old chat about the show and he said that “I was a long way from home” (Will my accent ever change?) I said shouldn't he have a private, special Bristol car park space being so famous. He had a good laugh at that. I do suppose like my wonderful school job, acting is still another form of work. But I do get a bit daft over stardom!!!

Well folks, I'll end by wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year.

Best wishes, Maz.

We would like to wish everybody a Happy New Year and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

The committee would like to express sincere thanks to Steve's Shop, MTS and The Railway Tavern for their continuous support to Pre-school last year, and most recently their donations to our Christmas Raffle, which raised £88.00.

The Christmas Float around the village was a great success and very rewarding as the Pre-school children will now benefit from the purchase of new toys, books and outdoor play equipment, as well as educational items, an incredible £576 was collected and the committee extend their appreciation to all of the village for their generosity. We hope you all enjoyed the sight and sound of our fantastic float, especially the children, to which all credit must go to our Chair Lisa Burner and her family who worked so hard with all the preparations before, during and afterwards. We are also grateful to Barrie Williams, Geoff Wignall and Brian Collins for their very important roles, not forgetting our thanks to Hilary Wignall and Caroline and Mark Walters for much needed refreshments en route and last but not least all the parents/carers and dedicated staff (who certainly looked the part) who gave their time to help collect funds and hand out sweets as we made our way around the village. We also extend our thanks to Lloyds TSB Foundation for England & Wales for their generous donation of £400 via their staff ‘matched giving scheme’ (thanks again to Geoff Wignall) making the total raised a fantastic £976.

Parents/Grandparents experienced one of those “very proud moments” as they watched in joy at their little ones performing their Nativity Play and listened to their superb singing – Well Done to the children, and of course to Nicola, Sarah and Lynda for all their hard work in producing such a delight. The children's faces were beaming as a very special person made an appearance afterwards. A big THANK YOU must also go to Sarah Coleman's Dad.

The children had a lovely Christmas Party held at The Toddler Barn at Cattle Country, which finished off the year nicely.

We look forward to a great 2005 continuing to give the children a fun, educational and caring Pre-school they so deserve.

Just to remind you; Charfield Pre-school offers 5 morning sessions a week, 2 Rising 5's sessions in the afternoons and lunch club on Thursdays and Fridays. Please contact Nicola Bartrop on 01453 52xxxx for further information.

Many Thanks

On behalf of the Pre-School Committee Nicola Lanyi – Secretary

26

Happy New Year to you all. I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. We had a busy year fundraising in 2004 and hopefully we can do the same this year.

Last year our Fireworks Night was very well attended and we raised approximately £1500. Thanks must go to everybody who gave their support – with their time (committee members, teachers and parents), with donations and gifts and also to the public who came and supported the event that way.

Our Christmas Fair was also hugely successful. It was a very busy afternoon and I think it was enjoyed by all who spent time there. Father Christmas worked extremely hard for those two hours! We raised a massive £1200.

We have now had the privilege of being able to purchase for the school an entire new guided reading system. This would not have been possible without all of the hard work put in by all of the committee members from both last year and this. Thanks must also go to everyone who supports us – it makes us feel we are playing a very important part in our children's education when we can help to purchase such important items. We have also bought a video camera, furniture for the library plus handwriting and spelling resources.

EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

Spring Family Disco – Saturday 26 February
We decided that instead of having a Christmas Disco, as the children are always so tired and parents are busy with work Christmas parties, that it would be a good idea to have something to look forward to in the Spring. We will be holding a family disco on Saturday 26 February from 7 pm to 10 pm in the school hall. This will give the children something to look forward to and will be great fun with a bar for adults and refreshments for the children.

Quiz Night – Friday 18 March
Another wonderful evening arranged by Pete and Jo Tymms. At the last quiz night (September 2004) I had such a brilliant time and I laughed so much that I can't wait for this one!!

Other events to come this year are:

Saturday 14 May – Band in a Barn (details to be confirmed)

Friday 24 June – Cattle Country Family Fun Evening

Saturday 2 July – Summer Fair (date to be confirmed)

Friday 23 September – Quiz Night

Wednesday 12 October – Shopping Evening (including Chocoholics)

Friday 4 November – Firework Night

Saturday 3 December – Christmas Fair

I hope to see lots of you at all of these events. Many thanks again for all your support.

Karen Williams, Chairperson

Contrary to government statistics crime is on the increase not only in our major cities but in our rural areas as well; the drug culture gives rise to opportunist crime and there seems no easy answer or way to protect our families and property.

At this time of year, Christmas having just gone, new bikes in the garage, computers game consoles, games 27galore, how much did you spend? So having spent that hard earned money should you do something to try and protect your valuables?

As you drive around look how many bell boxes can be seen? If there is one on your house have you ever stopped to think?

1. Does it work?
2. How long since the batteries were changed?
3. How many people know the code?
4. Do objects obscure the detectors?
5. Have you stopped using it because you now have pets?
6. Have you altered your house since having the system installed?

the list is endless.

If you are unsure of the answers then you should consider checking your system.

1. Test it works correctly.
2. Read your manual.
3. Give your neighbours contact numbers.
4. Have your system serviced.

It is everyone's responsibility to ensure our community is safe and secure, don't sit back and rely on others.

If after reading this you are considering improving your security please remember the following points,

1. Advice can be obtained from the local Crime Prevention Officer.
2. Don't discuss your security with people who cold call.
3. Obtain at least two quotes for any work you require.
4. Check the company is reputable.
5. Ask to see callers ID Cards.
6. Report anything unusual to the police

C Williams
Armour Security Systems

The Charfield School WALK (Walk And Look Kool) Team has been working on the School Travel Plan (STP) now for over two years. We have had great successes and are still enthusiastic to get more done but there is a lot further to go yet!

A small group of teachers, governors and parents have worked with the South Glos Council look at how children travel to school and see how we could get more to walk. The STP is a live document that has captured this study and will be kept current as the work continues.

The School Travel Plan sets out that Charfield Primary School aims to:

• Promote walking to school, which will develop road safety awareness encourage a healthier lifestyle
• Reduce car use, to take traffic off the roads, lessen dependence the future – and to generally improve the environment
• Help to make travel to school safer

The School Travel Plan:

• Studies the existing school environment
• Establishes the current school travel modes
• Determines the key issues with travel to school
• Sets objectives and key targets
• Identifies an action plan for initiatives and their implementation

We have had successes. These include:

• Starting up informal Walking Buses – these are a great fun way to walk to school enjoyed by all children
• Highway improvements – we got agreement and funding for South Glos Council to widen the dangerous, narrow footways on Wotton Road to the east of the railway bridge and at Newtown, as 28well as got the new path built linking Longs View directly to Wotton Road
• Obtained a Grant of nearly £5,000 – to be spent at the school to provide covered areas for children
• Sponsorship by Fews – who have provided the school with smart “hi-viz” vests so that the children can be seen better
• Overgrown hedges and puddles – in liaison again with South Glos Council Highway Maintenance Dept we have got some of these dealt with

We have held Parents' Meetings which have been well attended where we have had to opportunity to explain the point of the STP and how it affects us all. We were pleased with the positive and helpful feedback about issues and barriers to walking, and more importantly possible solutions to overcoming these problems and obstacles.

Again, the main aim is to get parents and children out of their cars and to walk to school. We started encouraging this with the Walking Buses. The number of people who park away from the school (e.g. at the Memorial Hall) and walk the rest of the way (Park n Stride) is now also on the increase.

Best of all, our surveys over the years had shown that approximately 56% of you do already walk to school – and this is pretty good. We were therefore delighted with the results of a survey in Autumn that showed that almost 65% were now walking.

We have set out in the STP targets to continually improve this but we are very pleased with progress. One of the next objectives is to consider further the installation of zebra/pelican crossings outside the school and at the new path to Longs View. These would be of great benefit to the whole community as well as parents and children walking to school (see Debbie Riddle's article).

Remember – walking to school is:

• Healthier – good exercise
• Better for the environment – saves on non-renewable resources, and reduces emissions of poisonous and greenhouse gases
• Gets more cars off the road – helps reduce the congestion e.g. at the top of Manor Lane
• Is often quicker – about 50% of the village is within 10 minutes walk of the school

For further information, please contact the WALK team at the school or me direct on 01453 52xxxx and email (xxxx @ btinternet.com)

Paul Macnamara

With membership fast approaching the one thousand mark, Thornbury U3A offers fifty-seven different groups providing for a wide range of educational, social and leisure activities: see below. Membership costs £7 p.a., £12 for two people at the same address. Forms can be obtained from the Membership Secretary, Penny Withers, telephone 01454 63xxxx.

Archaeology
Art Appreciation
Astronomy
Bird Watching
Book Groups (2)
Bridge (2)
Beginners Bridge
Calligraphy
Catering for One
Church Visits
Cinema
Classical Studies
Computer Club: Beginners' & Support Group
Concert & Opera Visits
29Cooking for Husbands
The Cotswolds
Cycling
Discussions
Drawing
Etymology
Financial Planning
French Conversation
French Reading Group
French Conversation (elementary)
Garden Visits
German Conversation
History (2)
Investment Club
Italian
Jazz
Line Dancing
Lunch Clubs (2)
Mahjong
Modelling
Music (2)
Patchwork
Playreading
Poetry
Practical Help & DIY
Recorder
Science & Technology Forum
Scrabble
Short Slow Rambles
Spanish for Beginners
Spanish Conversation
Theatre Group
Travel & Tourism
Walking
Watercolour Painting
Wine Tasting
World Religions

A Happy New Year to all our Rainbows.

This term we are taking the Rainbows around the world for a tour of discovery and fun looking at Guiding and particularly Rainbows around the world. Did you know that Rainbows in Mexico are called Sunflowers or that the motto for Greek Rainbows is “Panda Fili” which means “Always friendly”?

We meet on Mondays during term time at the Memorial Hall from 4–5 pm. We have places available now so if your daughter would like to become a Rainbow please call.

Kathryn Schofield (01453 52xxxx)

Autumn Term
The children have been kept busy with a lot of different activities this term. With Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas there is tremendous creative scope for lots of fun. The children have been busy making model fireworks and rockets, doing activities around the festival of Diwali, making their own books and finding out about Thanksgiving.

Christmas Activities
What a fun time was had – by children and staff alike! With paper chains, Christmas boxes, glitter dough, home-made wrapping paper, pom-pom snowballs, Christmas mice, dangle decorations, antler headbands, holly boxes, 3-d cards, snowstorms and much more on offer for the children to make!

Hello and Goodbye
This autumn we have seen a few changes to our hardworking and enthusiastic team of staff and Voluntary Management Committee.

We would like to welcome two new members of staff Laura Pedley and Nicola Derrick. Laura is a student and will be working as a Play Assistant in the Club. Nicola has joined as our Book-keeper. We wish them both good luck and hope they enjoy their new roles.

It was with great regret and many good wishes that we said goodbye to Lynne Aston, who had been with the club for nearly 3 years. Lynne set all the Book-keeping systems up from scratch, ran around delivering bills and letters and 30doing all sorts of admin tasks, including chasing you to pay your bills and making sure the staff were paid correctly and on time! Lynne was an enormous support to the Voluntary Management Committee and we will really miss her. Thanks Lynne – you were a star!

We also said goodbye to Nicola Derrick, as the Voluntary Management Committee Treasurer, but we were pleased that we will still be working with her in her employed capacity as Book-keeper. Last but by no means least, we said goodbye to Janice Brett who has been on the Committee for over three years. Janice worked hard to help set the club up, helping to paint and decorate the Foundation Room ready to open, faithfully writing the CHADRA article each quarter, as well as doing numerous other creative jobs such as poster and ticket design and writing our newsletters. Thanks again Janice for all your time and hard work – you will be missed.

Valentine's Ball
Following the tremendous success of the May Ball in 2003, we and the Pre-School are planning another Ball to raise funds for the continued refurbishment and re-decoration of the Foundation Room. It will take place on Friday 11th February at the Bristol Inn, Falfield (formerly “The Gables”). For more details, see the advertisement on page 21. Tickets are selling fast – if you want to come along for a great evening out, contact Sandra Nute on 01453 52xxxx.

Admin
Club opening times. Breakfast club: 7:30am to 8:40am. After School Club: 3:10pm to 6:00pm. School holidays and Inset days: 7:30am to 6:00pm. Many term-time sessions are currently operating waiting lists and the Holiday Clubs are getting ever more popular, particularly on in-set days, so early booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

If you want to find out more information about the Club, contact the Club Manager, Pat Loveridge on 07816 23xxxx or 01454 26xxxx or call into the Club at The Foundation Room in the School grounds during opening hours.

Julie Macnamara

I am writing this whilst taking part in a clergy conference based at St George's House in Windsor Castle. In this place of privilege, history and tradition it is easy to feel separated from the outside world and indeed the worship in St George's Chapel, where we meet daily, is both beautiful and awe inspiring and yet its content and structure make it feel far removed from what takes place in our parish churches.

Even here though we are not immune from the effects and impact that the Tsunami has had in countries of the Indian Ocean. We feel senses of hopelessness and horror as we read, hear and see the results of the undersea earthquake which we have all come to accept as resulting from an event over which we have no control. It therefore becomes labelled as an “act of God”. This may be a helpful phrase in coming to terms with the practical implications of the disaster and dealing with insurance claims but it is less helpful when trying to answer the question, why? Firstly, it assumes the existence of a God and secondly, it assumes that God is responsible. Both these assumptions pose major problems. Not everyone believes in a God let alone one particular God who is in control of everything.

Even if we set aside the problem of belief and accept, at least for the moment, that there is a God then what 31kind of God is he or she? A God that allows such suffering to take place is, we may conclude, a God who has no concern for human suffering, a God without compassion who observes all that he has made from a distance and worse still may even gain some kind of pleasure from witnessing a tragedy that was not of our making. We could also look at the situation by asking the question is God in control? For if he is not then we could be in even bigger trouble and expect further tragedies to overtake us.

None of this sounds like the God I love and the God who I know loves me despite all my faults. My experience of God is that he is very much present within our world sharing all our experiences, as we suffer so he suffers, as we rejoice then so does he. How then, I hear you ask, does he still allow such suffering in the world? And we must not forget that alongside the victims of the Tsunami there are far more people dying and suffering from HIV/AIDS and starvation but they are further removed from our experience and in general not newsworthy. There is no easy and straight forward answer and it would be foolish to claim that there was, but this is where faith and trust come in. We do not have the answers otherwise we would be like God himself and I for one would rather let God deal with the issues that are beyond my understanding and influence instead of meddling in things that I cannot change.

If we say that our God is a God of love, as I believe him to be, and that he created the world and us in love then we can expect that there will be moments of trial, challenge and even pain because that is the nature of love. Even from our own experience we know the pain and hurt that someone whom we love can inflict upon us both consciously and unconsciously. That is the nature of love by loving someone else we make ourselves vulnerable and open to abuse. But equally we long for and hope to receive love and affection back from the person who has received from us. If this happens this is the most wonderful thing for each one of us. God can indeed experience our pain and suffering but he cannot intervene in the world that he made for it was made in love and love must be allowed to follow its own course. To intervene would be to manipulate and control a relationship. That would question and undermine the freedom of love with which we were created. This “act of God” was not a deliberate action on his part but rather an event taking place in an ever changing and evolving world. Our task is to try and live with all the events and changes taking place around us in the sure knowledge that God is with us, that he loves and cares for each one of us and that his work of love and creation is not complete. We need to remember that it is only when we remain in our loving relationships both through the good and the not so good that we recognise the value of our shared experiences and so our love develops and grows.

The amazing response and generosity of people following the Tsunami is not amazing at all it is a very natural response to a tragedy that has been brought close to us via the media and the knowledge that many people from our own country have been affected – it could have been us. It is a response based upon our natural concern for other human beings and it is a response based upon love – a love that comes from God and that we can share with God. God is in that kind of relationship with us and the world he is “in control” but in his love, he is not controlling the world or us and we still have the free will to recognise his presence or not and to love him or not.

Revd. Robert Pestell

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Massaging and touching the feet and body is a very ancient practice. In an Egyptian tomb, thought to be dated 2330 B.C., there were a series of pictures showing what appears to be a foot massage. In another picture a hand massage is taking place.

The Chinese have been using the application of pressure for over 5000 years, as a healing therapy. They use pressure on acupoints to help unblock energy and thus enable the body to heal itself.

The American Indians have always used foot massage as this was considered to be a method of maintaining physical, mental and spiritual balance. All these therapies have influenced the development of reflexology.

Reflexology is a holistic technique that aims to treat the body, mind and soul. The feet and hands are like mini-maps of the body's anatomy and any system of the body can be stimulated and accessed by applying pressure on the corresponding areas of the foot/hand. This helps promote the body's own healing process in order to keep it balanced.

What are the benefits of Reflexology:

• It releases trapped nervous energy
• It improves circulation and thus helps makes our organs more efficient
• It improves waste removal and elimination
• It relieves stress and tension
• It has a deep relaxing effect
• It activates the body's self healing.

It is estimated that 75% of all diseases are stress-related. Reflexology or other alternative therapies may be able to help. Why not give it a try?

Heather Joyner

Rehearsals start on Monday, 21st March, at 7.30pm in the Dursley Methodist Church for the Summer Concert on 16th July, which will include Partsongs (Percy Grainger), Birthday Madrigals (Rutter), and ‘A Grand Night for Singing’ – the songs of Richard Rodgers.

New members in all parts will be most welcome. If you are interested in joining, please contact the Chairman, Anne Shipton (01453 54xxxx), or the Secretary, Julia O'Connor-Beach (01454 26xxxx).

It is SUCH FUN – we have three Charfield members but there's room for more!

Later this year with our October issue the CHADRA newsletter will celebrate its 30th Birthday. Issue 1 was produced in the autumn of 1975 and we know that there have been many changes in the village in that time.

We would like to use issue 120 to mark this anniversary, so we will need a suitable picture for the cover and we would also be happy to publish pictures of Charfield's past to mark this occasion.

We will not be able to do this without your help. Please don't wait until October to let us have your photos, pictures, articles, postcards, your written memories – anything you think appropriate would be most welcome.

Let us have them right away – just bring them to us at x Berkeley Close. We will, of course, return any items lent to us if you provide your address / contact details.

Many thanks
Hilary & Geoff Wignall

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Have you moved here in the last year?

If so, we would like to interview you for the Charfield Newsletter.

We are interested in:

• your feelings about living here
• how you discovered Charfield
• where you came from.

Please contact Billie at xxxx @ yahoo.co.uk if you can talk to us!

We look forward to meeting you.

Why not make it your New Year's resolution to help a village organisation?

Village organisations are always looking for help. In some cases the people who have given their time over the years are now the ones who need the help themselves.

Here are specific requests from two, other requests you will have already seen as you read through the articles in this issue.

Luncheon Club

Can you spare some time on a Wednesday? Please say, yes! The Luncheon Club needs your help. Any time, any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

For more details, please contact Ros Neiober, 01453 52xxxx

Transport Scheme

We are always grateful to any drivers who can spare some time to give a lift to someone who needs it. May not be often, may not be far and drivers are reimbursed for journeys further than Wotton.

The more volunteer drivers we have the less often you will need to be called upon.

Please contact Marion Smith on 01454 26xxxx if you think can help in any way.

Many of you will be familiar with emails warning of harmful viruses your computer may contract. It made my day when I received this one …

If you receive an email entitled “Bedtimes” delete it IMMEDIATELY. Do not open it. Apparently this one is pretty nasty.

It will not only erase everything on your hard drive, but it will also delete anything on disks within 20 feet of your computer. It demagnetizes the strips on ALL of your credit cards. It reprograms your ATM access code, screws up the tracking on your VCR, and uses subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you attempt to play. It will program your phone auto dial to call only 0898 numbers. This virus will mix antifreeze into your fish tank.

34It will cause your toilet to flush while you are showering. It will drink ALL your beer. For goodness sake, are you listening?? It will leave dirty underwear on the coffee table when you are expecting company. It will replace your shampoo with Nair and your Nair with Rogaine.

If the “Bedtimes” message opened in a Windows 95/98 environment, it will leave the toilet seat up and leave your hair dryer plugged in dangerously close to a full bathtub. It will not only remove the forbidden tags from your mattresses and pillows, it will also refill your skim milk with whole milk.

Warn as many people as you can. And if you don't send this to 5000 people in 20 seconds, you'll sneeze so hard that your right leg will spasm and shoot straight out in front of you, sending sparks that will ignite the person nearest you.

And finally …

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. – Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests:

I decided to wash my car. As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the hall table. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the rubbish bin under the table, and notice that the bin is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the rubbish first. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the post box when I take out the rubbish anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my cheque book off the table, and see that there is only one cheque left. My extra cheques are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my cheques, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the coke a vase of flowers on the worktop catches my eye – they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the worktop, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the worktop, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realise that tonight when we go to watch TV, we will be looking for the remote, but nobody will remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the lounge where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the worktop, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one cheque in my cheque book, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired … and I still have to wash the car!

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[Graphic: A winter walk down to Huntingford Mill]

by Richard Macnamara

Why don't YOU draw for us for the next issue?

We wish all our readers a happy, healthy and prosperous 2005

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If you wish to alter the entries below, please telephone Geoff or Hilary on 01454 26xxxx

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 36 sides of A4 paper.

Personal phone numbers and addresses have been redacted.

Minor typographical corrections and presentational changes have been made without comment.

Digitization by Brendan O'Connor.

Last update: 2017-02-05.