CHADRA

Since our last Newsletter the Local Elections have taken place. We would, therefore, like to extend our congratulations to John Tully, (District Councillor, North Avon District Council) and the Parish Council on being elected and wish them well for the future.

We have interviewed most of the Parish Councillors and you will find brief details on each one in this issue which we hope you will find interesting.

An enjoyable evening's entertainment was provided by the Amateur Dramatic Society when they produced their three One-Act plays – well done!!

The Youth Club is well under way, meeting for two nights a week. We hope this will help to reduce the vandalism which has occurred in the Village.

The entries for the next Newsletter are required by 12 September, please.

Don Smith
Chairman – CHADRA
xx Avon Road.

The first meeting of the Parish Council was held recently following the elections at which the undermentioned Councillors were elected:

Mr. R.K. Baker	xxxx Farm, Churchend, Charfield
Mrs. S.C. Barrance	xxx Manor Lane, Charfield
Mr. J.W. Clothier	xx Charfield Green, Charfield
Mr. C.H.T. Goscombe	xxxx, xxx Merlin Haven, Wotton
Mr. S.A. Mussell	x Manor Lane, Charfield
Mr. D.W. Parker	xx Durham Road, Charfield
Mr. P. Peaster	xxx Manor Lane, Charfield
Mr. J.G. Poskett	xx Charfield Green, Charfield
Mr. D.G. Pratley	xx Wotton Road, Charfield

The meeting elected Mr. C.H.T. Goscombe as Chairman and Mr. J.G. Poskett as Vice-Chairman.

One of the problems raised at the meeting was that of vandalism to the public conveniences and it was thought that the residents in the Parish 2could help by being more vigilant. Someone's children are causing extensive and expensive damage to a public facility long awaited in the village – are those children yours??

The Parish Council is sponsoring a Summer Holiday Playtime Scheme to be held during the first two weeks of August. The Scheme will be run by Mr. & Mrs. Bradley at the Primary School and the Parish Council is grateful for their invaluable support.

Jenny Hughes
Clerk to the Council
x Berkeley Close

The football team completed a very successful season by winning the McKay Cup, defeating Longwell Green School 2–1 in an exciting final. The cricket season has, of course, begun and the Parent Teacher Association has provided us with a double cricket net which is proving valuable. Athletics are in full swing with children working hard for their Amateur Athletic Awards. Both boys and girls relay teams returned with shields for victories at the Slimbridge Sports and are looking forward to doing the same at the Charfield Sports. More awards for personal survival in water have been earned.

The older Juniors participated in a very interesting cruise along the River Avon, out towards Steep Holm and disembarking at Weston-super-Mare. Some of the younger children will be visiting Dodington House and the remainder the Cotswold Wild Life Park at Burford.

A party of 23 Juniors are spending a week in June camping at the P.G.L. Adventure Centre in Wales when they will be taking part in canoeing, sailing, pony trekking and other exciting activities.

The Annual P.T.A. Barbecue on 3rd. July, to which the whole village is very welcome, will again feature the Junior Department Sports. The Infants will be having their Sports on Tuesday, 20th July at 2.00 p.m.

A Holiday Play Scheme will be in operation for two weeks during the summer holiday, conducted by Mr. & Mrs. Bradley. Numbers will be strictly limited because of the availability of indoor accommodation in bad weather and admission to the Scheme will be confined to children attending this school.

D.A. Malpass
Headmaster
Charfield Primary School

There are a few parsons who are a little cynical about what they call “four-wheelers”. By this, as some of you may know, is meant those who come to Church on four wheels for those special occasions: Baptisms (the four wheels of a pram); Marriage (the four wheels of a chauffeur-driven well-polished car); and the final journey we all must make at some time. All of us know that there are many people who come to Church on the above-named occasions. We all know that many of them are absent from Church on most other occasions except these family occasions (or close-friends occasions).

I am glad to say that this fact does not make me feel cynical. Why interpret things cynically when you can treat them in a much more charitable fashion? Especially when, I think, you can often get nearer the truth with a charitable mind than you can with a cynical one.

3For what are these four-wheeler occasions? Isn't it true to say that they are the most significant occasions in human life and experience? Birth, Marriage and Death are surely three big things which are so “wedded” together as to form the main outline pattern of human existence. Certainly I know a number of people (don't I?) who thumb their way first of all to the Births, Marriages, and Death section in the local paper as soon as they get it. This underlines the point I am trying to make.

It seems to me important and significant that these important experiences of human life can be linked with something that happens in Church. The Church has not “cashed in” on these events (as commercial interests have, for example, cashed in on Christmas). The Church has always seen the significance of these experiences as the formative factors of human life. The Church has got something to say to us in life's major events.

That is why I am pleased (not cynical) that people do come on these occasions.

Of course, that does not stop me from wishing that they (that is you) would come on some other occasions too. To say that I'm pleased does not mean that I am perfectly satisfied.

Nor, I suspect, are you.

Sincerely, Kenneth G. Grant
(Rector)

New members are always welcome.

Miss M. Turner
xx Charfield Green

The Annual event which contributes so much in the way of funds for maintenance and extensions to the facilities of the Hall and Playing field will take place this year on 17th JULY 1976.

The Sports, which make up the greater part of the Day, in both time and attraction will be ably organised by Mr. Mike Smith. There will be Schools from a wide area taking part in the team events.

The main attraction this year will be ALL STAR WRESTLING including Mitzi Mueller, European Ladies Champion and seen many times on T.V.

The ‘Day’ is very much a community event with all the Clubs contributing time and effort in some way, but as in most voluntary events further help is needed and always welcomed by the present Committee.

The Memorial Hall is at present being decorated internally following the colour scheme suggested by the Crown Advisory Bureau. It will be seen that work is in progress to extend the present Car Park.

Jenny Hughes
x Berkeley Close.

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Meetings are held in the Memorial Hall starting at 7.15 p.m. New members are always welcome.

Programme for the next 3 months

Mrs. K. Jotcham
Secretary
The Old xxxx
Old Charfield

Meetings are held in the Memorial Hall starting at 8.00 p.m. New members are always welcome.

Programme for the next 3 months

Mrs. Ethel Graham
Chairman
x Underhill Road

Dear Sir,

I see that the four wooden seats situated around Manor Lane Estate have now been uprooted and, after about two weeks of sitting “in state” (you'll pardon the pun), have now been removed to be repaired. It is to be hoped that when returned to their rightful places, cleaned and repaired at great expense, the people responsible for the last lot of extensive damage will, indeed, feel perhaps, a little more respect for the property.

Indeed, not only the seats but, please, as a caring community, we hope, think of the older residents of the village who like to rest sometimes by the wayside on their way to the shops; or even, just stop to pass a pleasant few minutes watching the world go by.

By the way, may I also add that young Mums with toddlers, perhaps waiting for children from School, also use the seats quite frequently. This letter is sent by a resident who is very concerned by the unnecessary damage and trusting people's consciences that letters and expense of this kind will not happen again.

It's up to you!!

A Resident.

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Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, Badminton Club will recommence play at Katherine, Lady Berkeley School during September 1976.

Any experienced Badminton players are welcomed to the new season.

Mixed teams are run in 3 Divisions of the Mid. Glos. League.

Anyone interested in joining, please contact either:-

Mrs. S. Pritchard, Tel: W.U.E 2xxx or
Mr. A.J. Smith, xxx Manor Lane, Tel: Falfield 6xx

The Annual Presentation Evening took place at the Memorial Hall on Friday, 28th May when the Right Honourable, the Earl of Ducie presented the trophies.

There are two teams represented in the Village, one at the Railway Tavern and the other at the Pear Tree Inn.

The Pear Tree collected the wooden spoon and Mr. F. Smith of the Railway Tavern the individual Singles Cup.

Ivor C.P. Tilly
xx New Street
Charfield.

The Charfield & District Friendship Club was formed about 6 years ago with the help of the W.R.V.S. to bring together elderly members of Cromhall, Tortworth and Charfield. We have a thriving membership and we try to make the meetings as interesting as possible.

We also have about 4 Coach outings every summer. The Chairman of the Club is Mrs. L.M. Derham; Treasurer – Mr. S. Smith; Secretaries – Mrs. M. Woodlands and Mrs. E.L. Sheppard.

The meetings are held in the Memorial Hall every other Wednesday. New members will receive a warm welcome. The meeting starts at 2.30 p.m. and ends at 4.00 p.m.

Mrs. L.M. Derham
xx Charfield Green

This Club was started in 1966 when Mr. & Mrs. J. Cross introduced Bingo at the Railway Tavern on Friday evenings.

This proved very successful and it was decided to send vouchers to all the old age pensioners of the Village for Christmas 1967. Since that date some £1,200 has been distributed.

From the beginning of this year the Bingo night has been changed to Wednesday and it is looked upon as a Social evening especially by a small group of our Elder Citizens.

The Committee would welcome any new members and I am sure they would enjoy their evening.

Ivor C.P. Tilly
Chairman
xx New Street

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We would like to thank Frankie Owen for her work as Secretary and wish her well in the new house.

We are pleased to say that as a result of a request the Parish Council is now displaying notices of all Planning Applications and details of Planning Sub-Committee meetings. This notice will be found on the village notice-board which, in turn, can be found in the Memorial Hall Car Park.

The Village Study is now in the final stages, so soon we will be able to make comments as to the future of the Village.

Like other organisations in the Village we will be involved in Sports Day on 17th July.

A note on future activities:- We will be having meetings in the Memorial Hall, some of these will be Open Meetings, and details will be posted around the Village inviting everyone to attend, when all arrangements have been made.

Don Smith
Chairman
xx Avon Road

The Youth Club has completed its first month's activities and there seems to be much enthusiasm and interest among the youth of the village.

The attendance, on average, has been in the region of 60 on Wednesday Club nights and the Tuesday evenings have been filled with out-door activities, such as, Volley-ball and Tennis, (Our thanks to the Charfield Tennis Club) which are proving very popular.

Visits are being planned and teams organised to play in Rounders and Table Tennis Tournaments as well as matches against other Clubs. In the summer months we are planning to organise excursions and trips for swimming, skating, cinemas etc.

These activities are only possible if support is forth-coming from individuals or groups to act as chauffeurs – any volunteers please contact us.

Anyone possessing information as to the whereabouts of Sports equipment, etc., at favourable rates please do not hide it.

Alan Husher – Falfield 4xx
Peter Peaster – Falfield 5xx

1. Chairman – C.H.T. Goscombe, xxxx, Merlin Haven, Wotton-u-Edge.

Chairman of the Parish Council is Mr. C.H.T. Goscombe, who was born in Charfield and who has worked in and served the Parish, all his life. He was educated first in Charfield and then at Katherine, Lady Berkeley Grammar School, Wotton.

On leaving school he entered the family business of Builders and Undertakers, which, apart from a break for War service, has been his continuous occupation.

Although he has been Chairman for only a few years he has served 7on the Parish Council for over 15 years. He also served for over 10 years on the Thornbury District Council, becoming Chairman of the Planning Committee.

As a founder member of the Charfield, Cromhall & Tortworth Committee for the Elderly & Housebound he makes their activities a special concern.

Following his parents and grand-parents Mr. Goscombe attends the Congregational Church, of which he is now a Trustee. He is also a Trustee of the King's Hall and is on the Memorial Hall Management Committee.

Three years ago he and his wife moved to Wotton, but Mr. Goscombe is at work at his office in Charfield every day.

2. Vice-Chairman – J.G. Poskett, xx Charfield Green.

(Unfortunately, when interviews were being conducted Mr. Poskett was away on holiday so we were unable to contact him. Information on Mr. Poskett will be published in the September issue of the Newsletter. F. Owen – CHADRA.)

3. Susan Barrance, xxx Manor Lane.

At 32, Mrs. Barrance is the youngest? member of the Parish Council and the only woman member (in fact the first woman member for many years). Sue is married with 2 young children (3 years and 3 months) and has lived in the village for 5 years. A History Graduate, she was reluctant teacher before becoming a full-time housewife. Full-time, that is, apart from being Clerk to North Nibley Parish Council and Secretary to the Elderly and Housebound Committee (which runs the fortnightly luncheon Club, for which she is also chief cook).

Her other interests in the Village include the W.I. and CHADRA. Sue has done much research on the history of the Village for the Village Study being prepared by CHADRA.

Her husband, Jon, is a Structures Engineer for the Guided Weapons Division of B.A.C. at Filton.

4. Bill Clothier, xx Charfield Green.

Bill has been living in the Village for the last 4 years and has, in that time, developed an interest in a number of local organisations.

He is currently involved with CHADRA as Vice-Chairman, is a member of the Memorial Hall Management Committee and is on the British Legion Committee.

Before coming to Charfield he spent a number of years in Yorkshire where he was both a Parish and District Councillor. During that time he was involved with Old People's Clubs, Youth Clubs and Sports Halls. As part of his Council work and his interest in Education, he was appointed as a School Manager.

Each morning Bill travels to Bristol where he is a Butchery Manager for a national chain of retail grocers.

85. Stanley Mussell, x Manor Lane.

Mr. Mussell was born in Charfield which, he feels, gives him both an intimate knowledge of its past development and a genuine concern for the style of any future changes.

He does not see his role as being against change, per se, but he would view development within a perspective that encompasses such factors as the facilities available and the optimum size for the retention of an integrated population.

In his capacity as a Parish Councillor, Mr. Mussell would like to feel that anyone with a problem concerning the Village can consult him either for advice or to utilise his position as an avenue to the higher levels of Local Government. Following from this, the function of a Parish Council is, in Mr. Mussell's opinion, one of lobbying the District Council on matters pertaining directly to the Village. This can be done by means of direct, written communication, or through the more indirect mediation of our District Councillor, Mr. John Tully.

He feels, however, that this is not the easiest of tasks. Lobbying can be a long, laborious process where little overt result is produced. But, any Parish Council is vitally important as it does fulfil the function of being a constant monitor for future plans for an area. Mr. Mussell sees this as being of vital importance in a growing village such as Charfield.

6. David W. Parker, xx Durham Road.

My first real interest in Charfield was stimulated in 1956 when I had a flat at the Cromhall Rectory and it was an interest motivated by the presence of the Railway Station, which had a sudden upsurge of activity due to the re-introduction of petrol rationing during the Suez Crisis. In 1963 I took up residence in the Village and then Mr. Beeching decided to axe the Station!

Since leaving school in Gloucester I have been employed in Local Government work in one category or another. Firstly, in the Department of the Medical Officer of Health and, later, with the Social Services.

During World War II, I had Male Nurse training at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, and also qualified in Operating Theatre work. After various moves I eventually finished my Royal Naval career with the East Indies Fleet.

On demobilisation I resumed Administrative work with the Medical Officer of Health Dept., and studied for my Local Government Examinations and, on qualifying, I transferred to Social Work as a Trainee and, in due course, was seconded to Newcastle-upon-Tyne for full-time training.

Prior to my studying, I was very much involved with the Boy Scout Movement and became a District Scouter, also I was a member of the Gloucester Executive and the County Scout Council. During my leadership my Troop won the County Scout Swimming Cup. My interest still remains, but time is the problem with all the many other interests I now have and have had.

For many years I have been active in the Local Government Trade Union, NALGO, and was very much involved on Working Parties for the Local Government Re-organisation, but I did not seek further office after that task was complete.

9Occasionally I attend Charfield Parish Church but I have, for many years, been on the Tortworth Church Electoral Roll and Church Council, being one of their representatives, until recently, on the Hawkesbury Deanery Synod. Together with the Rev. Burlton of Cromhall & Tortworth I participated in the Church of England's Men's Society Meetings at Leyhill.

There have been many other voluntary Societies or Organisations in which I have been or still am an active member, all related in one way or another with Public service. But I have also enjoyed sports and I have the honour of serving, for a second year, as President of the Charfield Cricket Club.

Charfield, can, I feel, become a thriving social community, but it will require the effort of all of us to maintain progress.

7. Peter Peaster, xxx Manor Lane.

People become Parish Councillors for a variety of reasons. Mine is very simple.

Having been an ardent armchair critic of the community activities for 10 years I had a twinge of conscience that I was contributing nothing to the community where I lived and where my 2 children would grow up.

I am an Engineer by profession and hold the following Offices:-

a) Parish Councillor; b) Treasurer of CHADRA; c) Secretary to Charfield Youth Club; d) Club Captain for B.A.C. Hockey Club.

It is hoped to re-organise this Branch shortly, with new and younger officers.

A meeting is being arranged in the near future – those interested please contact me.

Mrs. North
x Station Road.

If you want to find out about Liberal policies and help the Liberal Party grow in Charfield please contact:-

David Grayson,
x Orchard Close,
Charfield.
FALfield 5xx

David is Liberal prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham and Opposed Anthony Wedgwood Benn in February 1974. He has also attended the House of Commons for meetings with the Parliamentary Party and has attended Northavon District Council Meetings as an observer.

David Grayson
x Orchard Close.

There will be a house-to-house collection for cash donations around the Village for the fortnight August 29th–September 12th.

Mrs. P. Thorn
New Street

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The names marked + on the above list are members of CHADRA Committee. Other committee members are:-

Mr. G. Clothier, xx Little Bristol
Mrs. W. Hughes, x Little Bristol

This list has been printed instead of the usual emergency services for your benefit. If you have any further comment regarding the Newsletter, or any queries about life or happenings in Charfield in the future, please feel free to contact any of the above-named people. We will do all in our power to help – no enquiries will be overlooked.

We have a Duplicator (which we use to run-off our Newsletters). Anyone wishing to avail themselves of this service should contact: Mrs. Daphne Williams, xx Durham Road, Tel. FALfield 8xxx. We also have stencils at 10p each; paper at cost; a small charge of 50p is made for the running-off.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Graham Clothier for his part in publishing the Newsletters. Graham does all the duplicating for the Association and a good job he makes of it – keep it up, Graham!

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The Committee is anxious to hear from anyone interested in helping both the Committee and the Village as a whole by taking on the position of Secretary. Expenses and a small honorarium are paid and our present Secretary, Mrs. Jenny Hughes, would be pleased to hear from anyone wishing to know more about it. x Berkeley Close, FALfield 6xx.

Sports Day starts at 1.15 p.m. with a Fancy Dress parade to be judged by the Rev. Awdry, who will also open the proceedings, Mrs. R. Smith, Chairman of WI, and Mrs. E. Graham, Chairman of Young Wives. The 3 groups for the Parade are:- a) Under 7; b) Over 7; c) Groups (2 or more children together).

Between the various races there will be 3 separate bouts of ALL STAR WRESTLING including a bout between MITZI MUELLER & LOLITA LOREN, plus music from the WOTTON SILVER BAND. Children will be catered for around the field with rides on a Model Railway, a Magic Show and the usual stalls such as Hook-a-Duck etc. There will be displays by the ARMY and R.A.F.; the model 'planes will also be demonstrated on the field. The BEER TENT will be making its usual appearance!! Also for the men to admire and envy will be a Rally Car.

In the Hall refreshments will be supplied and served by the W.I. The Rev. Awdry will be bringing his famous Mid-Sodor Railway layout, which will also be in the Hall, along with the Uplands Railway Museum.

CHADRA will be collecting all donations for Sports Day on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th July.

The Parish Council was pleased to hear from the Planning Dept. of Northavon District Council that provisional dates have been agreed for the Exhibition and Public Meeting for the Proposed Village Plan for Charfield. These dates are Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th September.

It was understood that the Memorial Hall was at present almost fully utilised but the Council felt sure that any Organisations with bookings on these dates would be able to re-arrange them or even forego them for such an important event as this.

Jenny Hughes
Clerk to the Council
x Berkeley Close

We would like to extend our apologies to the older residents who have co-operated with Sue and Jon Barrance on the article which they are writing, for not being able to include it in this Newsletter, but we expect to be able to publish it in September.

Following on from this, we would like to remind you that articles for the next Newsletter are due by September 12th, please! Articles have tended to be handed in at least a week after our closing date and, as we try to give a service by this Newsletter, we are correspondingly late with its distribution.

May we wish you all a good summer and we look forward to your support in the months ahead for your Association.

Frankie Owen, CHADRA.

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 6 sides of foolscap and 5 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: 2017-11-18.