CHADRA

The beginning of 1980 should provide a good excuse to look back to Charfield in 1970, but, like most of you, I did not live here then. In fact probably less than a quarter of the present population have lived here for more than ten years. And that is due only in part to the physical growth of the village. More it is due to the pressures of our society which cause people to move house on average once every seven years.

If, then, the greatest change in Charfield in the Seventies has been the population, one of the smaller changes has been the introduction of this Newsletter. But these two changes are not unrelated. I believe that the Newsletter makes a positive contribution to the community, not only by enabling the newcomers to more quickly know and become involved in all that is going on but also by keeping the established residents up to date with the changes that the newcomers and new situations, bring about.

The Newsletter itself has changed. Our first Editor was one of those whose stay in the Village was relatively short (thanks to him incidentally, for his letter from Shrewsbury in this issue). Now I too am stepping down from the job, but for a different reason. As readers will be aware, if I have done my job well, my wife has become Chairman of the Parish Council. While at this level of local government there should be little “them” and “us”, and indeed many Parish Councils themselves produce similar magazines, I do feel that the independence of our Newsletter is worth preserving. While I remain Editor that independence must be in doubt and people may feel constrained about expressing their views. Fortunately I have capable successors in Mrs. Sue Lapham and Mrs. Marion Smith who for some time now have been doing most of the hard work anyway. I know, however, that they would welcome new blood, and, if more help was forthcoming, we might see changes in the Newsletter in the Eighties, with perhaps more issues per year.

One of the most recent changes has been the winding up of the Charfield Drama Club. I do not feel despondent about local drama though. I particularly enjoyed the Wotton Players' production of Shaw's “You Never Can Tell”, with our own Joan Crowfoot, and the Christmas productions put on by Charfield School were extremely well received. Will some of those young players revive Charfield drama in the Eighties?

2A Happy New Year to all our readers. Copy date for the next Newsletter is 28th March.

Jon Barrance.

Please address letters to the Editor for the next issue to Mrs. S. Lapham, xx Wotton Road.

Articles and information sheet changes to the above or Mrs. M. Smith xxx Manor Lane.

The term has ended in a flurry of activity, as usual at Christmastime. The older juniors gave two performances of a musical play “Kings and Things”, which gave the audience a fresh look at the more outstanding monarchs from Boadicea to Queen Victoria. It was a striking production that seemed to be well received. We are grateful to the Hall Management Committee for the liberal use of the hall for rehearsal purposes as well as for the performances, and many other people who helped in various ways.

The younger infants had their own Carol Service, when they portrayed the Nativity Story in words and music. Christmas sacred and secular was the theme of the younger juniors Carol Service when, with every available seat filled, many had to stand at the back of the Church. We hope this did not spoil their enjoyment too much. We are grateful to the Rector and Churchwardens for allowing us so much time in the Church in preparation.

On all four occasions, our audiences were most generous with their donations to our nominated charity this year, “Action Research for the Crippled Child”, and when some expenses for the concerts have been deducted we should be able to make a worthwhile contribution to vital medical research.

We look forward to the New Year with foreboding as Education appears to be one of the areas earmarked for further cuts in expenditure but we wish you a happy New Year just the same.

D.A. Malpass,
Headmaster.

The Christmas decorations are down and the festive fare finished (although there might still be a bit of Christmas cake lingering in the tin, and perhaps even a Christmas pudding awaiting another mini-festive occasion. The memories of Christmas are fading and are, perhaps for some, of a bizarre, slightly tipsy nature! However, all, in our various ways and for various reasons, are glad to have had Christmas and I suspect that the children are beginning to plan for the next one. Those of us who are older are glad enough to BREATHE for a while before that happens and to occupy ourselves with something rather less strenuous; or strenuous in a rather different fashion.

This letter will be much too late to advertise an event to be held, but not too late to comment on the reasoning that lies behind it. We arranged to have in Church on Wednesday the 16th January, a “get-together” ( to avoid the formal expression “a meeting”) for parents and any others interested, including our Church Council, to come and discuss the importance of the spiritual realm of life and how we can best help our young people to enter into the enriching inheritance which is ours as 3human beings. Some of the old dogmatic ways of doing this are not the best way of learning, the techniques of which have radically changed since, for example, the early days of Sunday School of the last century.

There are some of course, who will question the value of this anyway. I speak for myself (although it is the opinion of many others too) when I say that I believe an experience and understanding of these things is a matter of great human importance for our children. We are aware of what happens to our children if we do not feed them a properly balanced diet. I think there is also, besides the physical, a spiritual dimension of human nature and that if this dimension is neglected we are not fully-rounded human beings – there is something missing. We are less fully human than we might, and should be. It is with this belief in view that we then have to ask ourselves how we can best impart this to our children, not as a bit of isolated information to be learned but as part of the experience of life, enriching and gladdening it. If something can do that for our children and for us, it is worth putting ourselves in touch with it. I hope that some of you will join us so that we may enter more fully into this inheritance – yours and your children's.

Kenneth G. Grant.

Open to men and women or anyone who would like to join us.

Sunday March 16th. Mothering Sunday (DV)
Family Service 11.00 am.
Evening Worship 6.00 pm. Preacher Mr. G. Wadsworth of Alveston.

Good Friday April 4th. (DV)
Mr. G. Stephens and group of Kingswood.

Easter Day, Sunday April 6th. (DV)
Family Service 11.00 am.
Evening Worship 6.00 pm.

Why not come and join us?

Any enquiries to Church Secretary, Miss M. Turner, xx The Green, Charfield. Tel: Falfield 8xxx.

4No Blankets for Betty.

I will bless the Lord at all times; this praise shall continually be in my mouth – Psalm 34-1.

The Christian should always be grateful to God for his many blessings. In fact, there should be times when he cannot keep from praising him with his tongue. John Linton tells of a Presbyterian Minister who lived in Scotland. The man was orthodox in belief but was unusually reserved in the pulpit. One woman in his congregation was exceptionally warm hearted and full of love for the Saviour. She was in the habit of saying “Praise the Lord” and “Hallelujah” whenever she was blessed by something he said in his message. This disturbed the minister, so one New Year's Day he went to see her. “Betty, I'll make you a promise” he said, “If you'll stop saying ‘Praise the Lord’ and ‘Hallelujah’ during my sermons this coming year, I'll give you the two woollen blankets I hear you've been wanting”. Betty was poor and his offer sounded so good she promised to try. Sunday after Sunday she kept quiet. One Lord's Day when the Pastor had laryngitis, he asked another preacher to deliver the sermon. This servant of God was bubbling over with zeal for the Lord. He preached on the forgiveness of sins and all the blessings that follow. As the joy of Betty's salvation grew brighter and brighter, her vision of the blankets began to fade. At last she could stand it no longer. Jumping to her feet she cried “Blankets or no blankets Hallelujah!”.

Some of us could never be that expressive in Church, but all of us can learn a valuable lesson from Betty: The joy of the Lord should be so real in our lives that His praise will continually be in our mouths.

O magnify the Lord with me,
Who on His mercy wait;
With heart and mouth let all proclaim
His blessings small and great.

We have a dance with Laurie Slade Sound in Friday 25th January in the Memorial Hall. Tickets can be obtained from Mr. John Poskett, xx Charfield Green. Our membership is increasing, but new members are welcome.

Membership forms from Mr. Stan Mussell, x Manor Lane. Happy New Year to you all.

The Council now has a replacement for the seat in the Central Play Area, damaged by vandalism. It has been decided to site the new seat in the Play Area again, although the precise position is yet to be agreed. Also to be re-sited is the post-box at Tafarn Bach (the top of Charfield Hill), since at the moment the access is rather slippery in wet weather.

Members of the Council were disturbed to learn that the School Crossing Warden is employed only on a day-to-day basis by the County of Avon and were pleased to support the School Managers in their action to safeguard this essential activity and to press for Flashing Warning Lights.

5The Council has also approached the District Council regarding a bye-law to prevent the riding of motor cycles in the Memorial Hall car park.

A letter was sent to the Editor of the Wotton-Under-Edge Gazette, inviting him to send a reporter to cover the proceedings of the Council's monthly meetings. Unfortunately, staff shortages make this impossible, and we have therefore requested that the Clerk's report of our proceedings be published on a regular basis.

Work on the War Memorial has now been completed and the resulting improvement to our village environment is to be applauded. Application has been made for grant assistance under the Tree Planting Scheme towards the cost of 4 trees on the Playing Fields.

At its December meeting, the Council agreed to make the following grants in 1980/81. Congregational Chapel – £15; Charfield Playgroup – £25; Mothers & Toddlers Club – £15; 1st Woodend Scout Group – £20; St. James Church Yard – £25. The rate precept for 1980/81 will be determined at the Council's January meeting, as well as further consideration of the question of allotments.

Clerk: Mrs. J.K. Hughes, x Berkeley Close. Fal: 6xx.

Mr. J. Hatt, on behalf of
the Parish Council.

A review of all footpaths within the Parish was carried out during the Summer. The Parish Council and Footpath Committee is grateful to the following people, who gave their time and energy to completing the survey: Mrs. G. Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. C. Gunning, Mrs. J. Hughes, Mrs. M. Jones, Mr. & Mrs. N Lapham, Mr. P. Mitchell, Mr. M. Morris, Mr. & Mrs. R. Pritchard, Mrs. P. Waring and members of the Footpath Committee. The resulting notes were helpful and informative.

The problems identified by the survey fell into the following categories:

1) Signs missing at road junctions.
2) Obstructions or lack of access (clearance or stile required).
3) Footpath not apparent or not reinstated.

A meeting was held with Mr. Ayling, the District Council Footpath Officer to discuss the various problems. Mr. Ayling undertook to inform the County Council of the signs missing at road junctions. He is also prepared to liaise with the Ramblers Association who will clear obstructions, replace stiles and organise way marking. It is also possible that the Planning Department of North Avon D.C. would be prepared to set up a Village Trail.

As regards signposting, clearing and way marking, the Footpath Committee feel that it would be most practical to consider a small number of footpaths each year. To this end, a priority list has been drawn up and well be given to Mr. Ayling for action as and when possible. Similarly, two possible routes for Village Trails will be presented to the District Council for further discussion.

It has also been decided to set up a permanent record for each footpath, giving information on the route, up-to-date notes on the state of the footpath, and details of any action required or taken.

6The Committee would be interested to hear from anyone who would be prepared to monitor particular footpaths on a reasonably regular basis.

Consideration is also being given to the possibility of co-opting members to assist the Committee; once again the Committee would like to hear from anyone interested in this.

A copy of the full report, and any other information can be obtained from Alison Beer, xx Cotswold View. Tel: W-U-E xxxx.

Dear Parents,

On behalf of the P.T.A. Committee, I would like to wish all parents a very happy and prosperous New Year and trust we can look forward to your continuing support in 1980.

I would like to thank Pat Norris and Judy Golding for representing the P.T.A. at a meeting last November between the Avon Federation of P.T.A's and Mr. G. Crump, Director of Education, and Ms. N. Reece, Chairman of the Education Committee. This meeting was called to discuss the Financial Policy in Education, which is affecting us at Charfield in our long wait for the provision of a hall and improvements to the junior toilet facilities.

Last December we held a meeting with an Educational Psychologist and a Social Service Welfare Officer which proved very interesting.

This year we start off with a Folk Dance to be held in the Memorial Hall on Friday February 15th. (Tickets available from all Committee Members).

We will be holding our Spring Fayre in April and we would be grateful for any donations for the various stalls. We also hope to have an open meeting on Conservation. Both these dates will be made known to you as soon as possible, and we hope you will give us your support at all the functions to be held in future.

Margaret Clarke,
P.T.A. Secretary,
xx Underhill Road.
Falfield xxx.

A Blue Peter Bring and Buy Sale was held on December 15th in the Memorial Hall.

The sale was opened by Nick Barrett of Radio Bristol who made purchases from several of the stalls. The Hall Management Committee donated the use of the Hall for the day, thus enabling a profit of £147 to be sent to Oxfam for the Blue Peter Cambodia Appeal.

Many thanks to all the children and adults who ran the stalls and brought support from their friends.

Monica Baker.

7

A Happy New Year to Playgroup families and friends. We are starting 1980 with a Grand Jumble Sale on Saturday 9th February, and look forward to your support. Door to door collections of Jumble, donations to Tombola etc. will be made the preceding week.

Our Carol Singing venture at Christmas was very enjoyable and we thank everyone for their contributions. A special thanks to the singers, musicians and of course Father Christmas. A percentage of the collection will be given to the Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood Fund, Bristol. The Christmas Hamper raffle was won by Mrs. Robson.

We are anxious to buy a garden shed for Playgroup for use during the summer months as a Playhouse and for storage. Please contact The Secretary, Mrs. Haines, Wotton-U-Edge xxxx if you know of one for sale.

On a smaller scale, we are always in need of useful sizes of paper or card.

Thank you parents for your support during 1979 – we look forward to working together for your children's playgroup in 1980.

Anna Wood,
Playgroup Leader.

Now that the Festive Season has passed once more and a New Year has been seen in, in true style, what better way to continue the welcome to the Eighties than by making the 20th Annual Sports and Gala Day a great occasion to remember … that unique opportunity for the whole village community to come together in one place at one time.

An array of sideshows to try your hand at, races of all types for children and adults alike, static displays topped off with a tantalising main act – two years ago “The Flying Tigers”, last year “The Hereford Sky Divers” … what will it be this year?? Watch this and other spaces, your local newspapers, notice-boards and your letterboxes!!

So pick up that 1980 diary from amongst your Christmas presents and mark in SATURDAY JULY 12th now as the day you'll be out on Charfield Playing Field along with all your family and friends to herald the first Gala Day of the new decade.

In the meantime, think how you can help:

• As a local business, why not advertise in the proposed new style programme?
• As a private individual, why not help distribute advance information, or pass the word around at coffee mornings, club meetings, society gatherings and in the pub?

If you feel you can add new ideas, assist in any way then have a friendly word with Gala Chairman, John Poskett, (tel: Falfield xxxx), Secretary Jenny Hughes (Tel: Falfield xxx) or the undersigned.

Tom Magner, (P.R.O) x Katherine Close.
Falfield xxxx.

8

Here we are in 1980, what does the future hold for us? We dread to think, but we will face up to it like all the others I'm certain. A Happy New Year to everyone.

I am pleased to inform all our readers of this Newsletter, that we in The Friendship Club (The over 60s) have had a very successful and happy year, our membership has increased, our meetings have brightened up and the health of our members has been very good throughout the year. I only hope it will continue like this.

We also have our own little Concert Party, I'm glad to say. They have been very active this past year, visiting clubs in the district as well as putting on a little show along with the Leyhill Choir in the Memorial Hall last May Day. They put on quite a good show for our members at our recent Christmas Tea Party, there were songs by our popular Mrs. Marklove and Mrs. Meaden, then some comedy acting by our up and coming Stars Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Amer, Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. R. Smith, and we were very fortunate in having the services of Mr. Ellis to entertain us on the electric organ. He very kindly accompanied our singers, which I must say went down exceedingly well with everyone present. (I would also like to thank Mr. Dick Goscombe who very kindly transported the organ to and from the Hall).

Whilst on the subject of parties, I have to express the wholehearted thanks of all of us in the Friendship Club to the Charfield Young Wives Club. Without their help and assistance in the kitchen and on table, we would not have been able to enjoy our annual Tea Party. They give their time to make us happy every year. I also include all our own members who help out regularly every year

With the coming of 1980 we face changes in our midst. For quite a few years now, one of our very hard working members has come along regularly, come wind, rain, snow and ice, to see that the kitchen is ready for the first arrivals to our meetings, that the china is just so, the tables just so, are there enough biscuits etc. Well from now on, we will miss her chatter at the serving hatch, for this week she handed over her duties to Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Merrett. I refer of course to Mrs. Olive Smith. This last year has not been at all kind to her with her health so quite rightly she decided she would resign from her duties. Well, we are sorry, but we readily agree with her. She should sit back and enjoy herself out in the Hall along with us. Thanks Olive for all your devotion to the Club, and may both yourself and Sidney enjoy better health in 1980.

Mr. Smith has arranged our first outing for 1980. As is customary, it is our regular trip to the Bristol Hippodrome on Wednesday February 6th. We look forward to this, our first of many outings. If you are wanting a seat, sorry, the coach is fully booked. You can put your name on the waiting list.

I would like to remind everyone that the Friendship Club (Over 60s) meets every alternate Wednesday in the Memorial Hall at 2.30 pm. Our next meeting is January 16th. If you are 60 or over, and would like to join us, come along, we'll be pleased to see you. Thank you for reading this Newsletter. “Be careful on the roads – watch that traffic”.

R. Isherwood.
Chairman.

9

MAY DAY MADNESS.

The Hall Management Committee are running the MAY DAY MADNESS again this year and hope that the village will join in with the enthusiasm that they showed last year. The attractions last year were:-

Crazy Football, Pets Corner, Leyhill Amusements and Refreshments.

We would like to add other events to the day and if anyone has any ideas or is willing to organise something, please let the Committee know.

Please start to think about teams for football or whatever team competition can be devised. More information of times and events will be in the next Newsletter.

Contact Falfield xxx (Mrs. J. Hall, Secretary) with ideas.

BAR PROJECT.

I am sorry to have to bring up this subject again, but we are still looking for licensees to run a bar in the Village Hall. Until someone can be found from the village, it is impossible for the Management Committee to go ahead and install the bar.

If you are interested, please ring Falfield xxx (Mrs. Hall, Secretary).

EXTENSION.

Now is the time for us all to start pulling together to raise the money for the new Hall Extension. Let's make 1980 the year that we really come up with ideas and enthusiasm to add to the £2,000 we have already raised. It is estimated that the village's share of the final costs well be approximately £7,000. So let's really get to work on this Project.

Thanks go to all who have already held sponsored events, discos etc. to raise the money in hand.

A prosperous New Year to all.

The Group has had a good year and are looking forward to the New Year. The next event will be the Spring Fair at the end of March, followed by our annual Clay Pigeon Shoot in May.

Once again we are looking for helpers. One of our Leaders has recently moved from the area leaving a gap to be filled in the Charfield Cub Pack.

Any help would be welcomed, either part time or full time, and there is no need for any helpers to go into uniform unless they really want to.

We are also looking for people who are willing to sit on the Executive Committee which consists of the Scouters and lay people and look after the fund raising and administration of the Group, thus leaving the Leaders free to concentrate on helping the boys.

10Anyone who is interested or would like further information should contact Alan Smith, xxx Manor Lane, Charfield. Telephone Falfield xxx.

If there is no response, it will be the boys who suffer, as a lack of Leaders means that activities have to be curtailed and lack of Committee members means there are no funds to support any activities that are planned.

Alan Smith,
Group Scout Leader.

We feel that we are now becoming known and accepted locally as a community organisation which is willing to listen, advise and offer help as required on any subject. It is part of our continuous training to keep up-to-date with all the latest government legislation and to be able to consult on-the-spot reference files to supply the answers.

A great deal of new and amended legislation has recently been passed on benefits, Supplementary, Pensions, Unemployment, Industrial Injury, Children, Tax Rebates among others and help can be given to explain the various categories concerned. Many people, especially the elderly, find Income Tax a most complex subject and we can offer assistance to explain demands or help fill in forms.

The Organiser will attend the Friendship Club meetings in the Village Hall to assist with any problems the Senior Citizens may have so they will not have the expense or inconvenience of travelling into Wotton-Under-Edge. This service has proved very popular and the Friendship Club officials have been most grateful for our help.

Remember C.A.B. is free, confidential and impartial, and provides a listening post whether the problem is little or large. We are there to help you – and a problem shared is a problem halved.

Your nearest C.A.B. is at Berkeley House, Long Street, Wotton-Under-Edge, and we are open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm. Telephone No. Wotton-Under-Edge 3210. At other times 'phone Stroud 2084 where the C.A.B. is open every day – Monday to Friday 10 am. to 4 pm. and Saturday 9.30 am to 11.30 am.

Jean K. McGonnigill,
Organiser.

The “200 Club” re-started at the beginning of December. The winners so far are:-

Week 1. No. 124 – Mrs. Scoble, xx Manor Lane. – £5.
Week 2. No. 292 – Mrs. E. Graham, x Underhill Rd. – £5.
Week 3. No. 288 – Mr. D. Jenkins, x Cotswold View. – £5.
Week 4. No. 263 – Mr. M. Golding, xxx Manor Lane. – £5.
Week 4. No. 226 – Mr. P. Booker, xxxx Hse, Newtown. – £10.
Week 5. No. 243 – Mrs. B. Cairns, xx Charfield Green. – £5.

At the moment we have the full 200 members, but if anyone would like to be put on the waiting list in case some members drop out, please let me know.

Sue Lapham, xx Wotton Rd.
Tel: Falfield xxx.

11

May I have all used postage stamps providing they have a small amount of paper around them. Don't throw them away, they can make money for Leukaemia Research. Those who feel this is a worthy way to help people far less fortunate than we, who take so much for granted, please let me, Mrs. Marion Smith have any contributions and I will make sure they are passed on to the correct person. Let's make 1980 a year in which we can do a little something to help somebody else. After all, nobody knows what lies round the corner for them.

Marion Smith,
xxx Manor Lane, Charfield.

Another evening of Male Voice singing – remember the last one? Make a note of the date – Saturday 7th June, 1980.

Don't throw away those used Christmas and Birthday cards, we can make good use of them.

GALES Lemon Curd jars – YELLOW lids – we too have a use for them. May I have them please?

Our Warden Miss E. Wyatt retired on 31st December 1979 and on the 1st January 1980 Mrs. Caygill took up her new duties.

FRIENDS of YERCOMBE – new members are always needed. 50p per year minimum subscription.

We aim to assist the Trustees to provide facilities at our home for short stay disabled people and those in our day centre.

Why not come and see what makes YERCOMBE tick? – phone call to me first please.

I shall be most happy to answer your queries, and receive your subscription.

Mr. P. Ellis, xx Berkeley Close.
Telephone Falfield xxx.

Fourteen year old Ruth Green of Horsford Road is a member of Bristol Athletic Club. She has been running for several years and has won many awards over the past four years at both school and club levels.

Already Ruth has achieved a National title. She was a member of the Avon County Cross Country team who won the gold medals in the National Inter-Counties Minor Girls event last year beating Surrey and Lancashire at Cannock. During the track season this year she emerged as the best Junior Lady 800 metre runner in the club and she won the Gloucestershire Schools 800 metre title. It is in this event where she excels and her main aim next season is to reach the English Schools National Junior 800 metre final at Kirkby in July. Ruth's hope is to better 2m 25.0 sec, which is the qualifying time for entry to English Schools event. She has already bettered this time at the end of last season by clocking 2m 22.0 sec, in London. With competition in the United Kingdom National League Div I, the top league in the country and a trip to Scotland in 1980 already arranged, much depends on completing a successful winter's training programme.

12During the last few months, Ruth has found herself well placed for individual and team medals in the Gwent League and she has just won both Cotswold Area and Gloucestershire Schools County Cross Country titles. She will almost certainly lead the County team next March in the English National Schools Championships in Shropshire. If she can gain release from a school competition in South West Championships, she will partner her four Bristol colleagues in an attempt to win the National Club Title for Junior Ladies and this would be a major achievement. Ruth has selected to represent the Gwent League in an Inter League match in Bolton on December 23rd. She came 32nd out of 65 competitors and was the 2nd home for the Gwent League. The League competed against the Southern, Northern, Midland and Scottish Leagues in one of Britain's biggest races where many international athletes ran over a tough Northern moorland course.

Living about 25 miles from the Whitchurch track means that much of Ruth's training involves trudging around Charfield this winter with her coach and club colleagues, though regular visits to the track are essential as a build-up for the next track season. The geographic position of Charfield, however, gives local athletes like Ruth the best of both worlds. She competes as Gloucestershire Schools, and, at Club level, as Avon County and so has won titles in both counties.

It is interesting to note that Ruth is following in her club colleague's footsteps, for Kim Smith has also won both Avon County and Gloucestershire Schools County titles as well as becoming Gloucestershire Schools Cross Country Champion back in 1975. Following behind Ruth is 12 year old Nicole Thurlow of Durham Road, who has just been placed 4th in Gloucestershire Schools County Championships, the highest placing for a local girl. This too, has gained Nicole recognition by being selected for the County Schools team.

During the next couple of years, Ruth has to choose whether to concentrate on cross country or track running, since competing at high level in both events is too demanding in modern athletics. If she kept up the intensive training programmes, her enthusiasm and strength could lead to higher recognition.

Michael K. Smith.
Coach & Bristol AC and Avon County Team Manager,
xx Durham Road.

Following our A.G.M. on 10th January, 1980 (a big thank you to all who attended) a new Committee has been elected.

Sorry to say our annual subscriptions are now due, but don't let that deter you from coming along to make each meeting both a social and 13financial success. In these days of high inflation, we are only just managing to remain solvent, so our continuation really does depend on YOU. The retiring committee thank you for your support in '79 and wish every success to the new committee.

H.P. Griffiths,
Retiring Secretary,
xx Underhill Road.

The Parish Council recently formed a committee to look into the feasibility of holding the 1980 Playscheme. There will shortly be a meeting. Further details will be published in the next copy of the Newsletter.

Mr. D. Parker.

The station building at Charfield may be in need of major repairs to the roof. If this is the case British Rail may not be able to justify the building's repair. Hence, if the building is to remain, external help will be needed to finance this work.

The act for the construction of the Bristol and Gloucester railway was passed on July 1st, 1839. The line engineered by I.K. Brunel ran from Cuckolds Pill on the floating harbour, now Avon Street Wharf, to the junction at Stonehouse with the then Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway. The act absorbed the Bristol and Gloucestershire Railway and made use of the alignment between Mangotsfield and The Pill. A direct line into 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 and the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway, 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. The extension of the Midland Railway to Bristol had important implications for the development of the adjacent railway network; the role of the Somerset and Dorset and the South Western Junction Railway from Cheltenham to Andover, Hampshire as satellites, the route of the Great Western Birmingham–Cardiff service and the decision of the Great Western to build its own direct line from Cheltenham to Birmingham in 1908. Conversely, the formation of British Railways on the 1st January, 1948 saw the progressive rationalization of these anomalies. In 1958 control of the line passed from the Midland Region of B.R. to the Western Region. The goods service at the station was withdrawn in October, 1964 and the passenger service in January, 1965, just as development at Charfield, Wotton-under-Edge and Yate was starting to accelerate. The case for restoring the passenger service through Yate, Coalpit Heath, Winterbourne, Bristol Parkway, Filton Junction and Horfield to Lawrence Hill and Temple Meads is becoming increasingly compelling.

14Of 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 £1,428.00 to construct, there remains the main station block, an adjacent lavatory block, the Station Master's house (is 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. An attractive feature of the station is the line of trees and wrought iron fence along the station approach. Two distinct kinds of Midland Railway wooden fencing also survive in places around the perimeter, and there is a stone built coal wharf to the south of the station. Two platform seats were removed by John Poskett, one of the signal men, and installed on the village playing field where they remain. What has been lost is the shelter and platform on the up-line, the canopy on the station building and the platform edge on the down-line. 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. North 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 with a goods train that was setting back from the down line into a refuge siding, and an up train from Bristol which 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 goods train had to set back into the siding as there were no facing points at the time; the refuge siding is still in use, but now trains run in at one end, proceed down to the signal and wait a clear road before leaving at the other end. The Great Western Railway installed a system of automatic train control from 1890, and had only one accident similar to Charfield – that at Norton Fitzwarren in 1940 – between 1890 and Nationalisation in 1948. However, this system of train control was not in use on any scale outside the Great Western until the coming of British Railways. Had the accident not occurred at 05.30, the death-roll would presumably have been higher.

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. However, subsequent inspections by British Rail suggest that the building's roof may need extensive repairs, but this was not determined until they had done a considerable amount of work on the station to raise the building to an appropriate standard as a work-base and restroom for the permanent way staff. Apart from removing the marble fireplace, which must have been one of the most handsome fireplaces to have graced any railway waiting room, the work in question has done much to restore the distinguished lines of the building, both externally and internally. Happily, the oak floor of the waiting room remains. Decay in the roof of the station building has occurred where the canopies have been removed because British Rail were unable to provide the necessary maintenance as a consequence of successive cuts in their Budget. If these predictions are correct, there must be considerable doubt as to whether British Rail can justify the building's repair in the context of the resources currently made available to the Board by the Department of Transport. British Rail's Board argue that the Department and its predecessors have failed, successively, to provide adequate funding to 15maintain the many hundreds of industrial monuments in the Board's possession. The complex has only remained in such a good state of repair because Mr. and Mrs. Carter continue to occupy the Station House, i.e. it has not been vandalised. Further, given the quality of workmanship and the choice of materials used in the complex's construction, its long run maintenance costs are likely to be substantially less than that of many modern buildings, e.g. the new station at Gloucester. The problem is the once and for all cost of restoring the building to the state it was in, in 1964, the form in which it had survived for 120 years. If this could be done, B.R. should have no difficulty in maintaining the building in the future. The most likely source of funding to help B.R. repair the Station is the Manpower Services Commission special programme division, but this assumes that certain technical problems can be resolved. What is certain is that without clear support from the people of Charfield, the Station's chances of survival are remote.

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 wood and are unlikely to have survived.

Every twist in the international energy spiral makes the case for re-opening the station more compelling. The service already exists, it is merely that trains are no longer able to stop at Charfield. What is required is the once and only cost of building a new station, two platforms with shelters and the necessary trackwork and signalling. Because the original station yard has been sold off, the new station, an un-manned halt would need to be sited in a different position, probably to the south of the former station. The cost of building the station is the clear responsibility of the County Council as part of their wider responsibilities for transportation within the county structure plan. With the diesel multiple unit service introduced in May 1957, trains for Bristol depart at 08.28, 11.07, 14.43, 17.50, 20.42 and for Gloucester and Cheltenham at 08.14, 10.08, 13.05, 15.56 and 18.00. Charfield is approximately 20 miles from Temple Meads, via Filton and 22 miles from Gloucester. The new second class single fare from Bristol to Weston-S-Mare is £1.49, and £1.75 return. Children under 14 and holders of Senior Citizen's, Disabled and Student rail cards half price. The new family rail card enables two adults and up to four children to travel for the price of one adult ticket and 50p each for the other members of the family. Bikes, prams and wheelchairs travel free. The journey would take approximately 30 minutes each way, but slightly longer if other stations were brought into use. Any revenue generated from Charfield Station would be a nett gain for B.R. and therefore help to offset the cost of providing the service. It is always open to the County Council to increase the frequency of the service and cut fares as other councils have done elsewhere, e.g. Birmingham and South Yorkshire. Any rail service should be related to the Charfield bus service to enable it to act as a feeder for the station. The return of the trains might enable the County Council to improve the bus service to less fortunate areas.

It is a salutary experience to reflect on what we have lost. Apart from the train service itself, Griff Smith recalls Football Specials to Birmingham in the 1950's where 50p covered the return rail fare, admission to the ground, choice of two First Division games, and the round trip to 16and from the ground. Cliff Goscombe said that some goods ordered by telephone from Bristol up to 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.

Will Harris,
x Station Road, Charfield.

Following up the problems with the water in the village, it would appear that our surveys and meetings of the past 2 years have had some effect. We recently received the following letter from the Bristol Waterworks Co.

I am able to tell you that we have definite plans to provide security of water supply to Charfield by (a) the installation of a remote monitoring system to indicate the water level of the reservoir direct to our Operations Room, and (b) by duplicating the water main between Cromhall and the reservoir. We consider that the reservoir is large enough for the demand on it, even when the Brickworks site is fully developed, since this is as large as the village is likely to grow for some time. There is land available adjacent to the reservoir for any future extension we might envisage.

As to water quality, we are also preparing a scheme to alter the water treatment at our Alderley spring source to make it compatible with Severn water treated at our Purton works. It is necessary for us to supplement the output from our Alderley source with water from Purton, as a consequence of which from time to time a mixture of the two waters reaches Charfield. The present tendency towards incompatibility has caused some taste problems.

These three items have been inserted into our New Works Programme and the work will be carried out within the next twelve months.

Further to his recent visit to Charfield to open the Blue Peter Bring and Buy Sale, it is with pleasure that we print the following article, sent to us by Mr. Nick Barrett of Radio Bristol:

A “Hopscotch” Week

My week really starts on a Friday when I'm beginning to set up interviews and reports for the following week's programme. On Saturday morning I listen to the “Hopscotch” transmission so I hear any glaring errors (hopefully there won't be any). The rest of the week-end is spent in thinking about the format of the programme. Will there be enough material, or too much? Is the plan balanced enough or does it lean towards one topic too heavily? Monday comes and I'm scouring the 17local newspapers for any potential stories. More ringing around, it's surprising how hard it is to contact some people! I might well be looking further ahead, preparing the monthly workshop, arranging guests and informing Spike and Ed, our resident songsters of topics so they can compose suitable songs. Tuesday I'll probably be out and about, doing interviews or the “I Want to Know” spot (it's a sort of local radio “Jim'll Fix It”). On Wednesday I've got to spend a lot of time in the Studio editing tapes with only a razor blade as company. Late Wednesday and Thursday morning I'm writing scripts, collecting any last bits of information and doing any final editing. All too soon 5 o'clock arrives and we're (that's Mary Saunders, Gareth Evans and myself), into the Studio to record the programme as if it were “live”. On second thoughts, perhaps it's just as well it isn't!! Anyway, at a quarter to six I'll start to edit down the master tape if it has any errors. There is also the trailer to be made for Friday's “Morning West” and “Head for Home” programmes. When all that's done, I can go home ready to prepare for another week.

Nick Barrett.

During the months of December and January, a number of thefts of petrol from private motor cars have occurred within the village of Charfield.

In an effort to prevent such thefts, all car owners are advised to:

a) Wherever possible, lock those vehicles away when not in use, particularly at night, and

b) if you have not already done so, do fit a locking petrol cap.

It is also requested that any person experiencing a theft of this nature, or who has any information likely to assist enquiries into the thefts, please contact P.C. Radburn at Charfield Police Station, telephone No. Wotton-U-Edge xxxx.

Dear Readers,

I want to thank all of you who supported our November Bazaar. What a great success it was, with Father Christmas and two little fairies, really making the day. Many thanks to such a willing and patient Santa, and Elizabeth Julian and Karen Morris for being such sweet little fairies. It really was worth all the day's hard work just to see the children's faces as they waited to speak to him, some even brought letters. I only hope they had all they wished for on Christmas morning.

Regards,

Pat White. President, W.I..

18

We've had a hectic time in the last few months but despite this we have been able to explore some of the surrounding countryside.

One area which was very interesting is the Ironbridge Gorge Museum which is about 15 miles from here. This museum is made up of a number of sites and old industrial works and comprises:

1. Coalbrookdale Museum and furnace site – this is where Abraham Darby perfected the technique of smelting iron ore using coke as a fuel. The museum illustrates the history of the Coalbrookdale Company.
2. Coalbrookdale – the ironmaking community. The Dale contains a number of important sites closely connected with the iron industry.
3. Severn Warehouse – this was built in 1840 and was used to store the products of the company. The warehouse is set on the side of the River Severn, and there is a wharf where the items were loaded into barges to be taken down the river.
4. Ironbridge – this is a landmark of the Industrial Revolution as it was the first bridge in the world to be built of iron, in 1779.
5. Blists Hill Open Air Museum – this is the largest of the museums and covers a 42 acre site. There are examples of iron, coal and clay industries. An inclined plane system was designed to haul barges up on trolleys from the river to the canal.
6. Coalport China Works Museum – china was made here from the late eighteenth century until 1926 when the company moved to Staffordshire. The old works have been restored showing techniques used and the products made.

These industrial areas are dotted around on the north side of the River Severn at Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale. In 1838 the largest iron foundry in the world was set up producing a varied range of products.

It is interesting to note that Ironbridge has two links with Bristol, the first being that the River Severn links them both and goods were transported in barges from here to Bristol to be exported. The second link is that the wrought iron plates used in the hull of the “SS. Great Britain”, which now rests at Bristol Docks, were made here.

Another interesting place near here is the remains of the Roman City of Uriconium which were discovered at Wroxeter. During the last two summers there have been organised archaeological digs and now one can see the foundations of many on the buildings. All the items they have found are on show in the museum.

As you can see, apart from enjoying the Shropshire countryside and our proximity to Wales, we also have a number of interesting historical places to visit.

We would like to wish everyone in Charfield a Happy New Year and hope that you will be able to preserve the village atmosphere throughout the 1980s.

Don and Pam Smith.

19

Our December meeting was thoroughly enjoyed, being Members' Night. We still would like to see more new faces; do come along and see how we spend our evenings, I'm sure you won't regret it.

As you all know, the Village Hall Management Committee have asked all Associations that use the Hall to help raise funds for the improvements.

We are hoping to hold a Coffee Morning / Whist Morning in March, details later. Please do come along and enjoy yourself as well as supporting this cause. With the price of petrol rocketing, improving the local amenities will benefit people of all ages. May I wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful New Year. See you soon?

Pat White, President.

May I introduce myself as the newly elected Chairman of the Residents' Association for 1980, following Mr. Michael Burfield. Our thanks are due to him for his year of able Chairmanship. I will do my best to continue to further the work of the Association.

At our A.G.M. in November the following Committee was elected:-

Unfortunately only a handful of people turned up, which was a great shame because after the formal business was over, we had an extremely interesting, informative and amusing talk on “Crime Prevention” given by Sgt. Cousins of Avon C.I.D.

The Residents' Association is committed to work for the good of the Village – not in opposition to anyone, but to help deal with village problems as they arise, in co-operation and discussion with all appropriate local and National bodies to seek satisfactory solutions to problems.

The production and distribution of the Newsletter is a very important part of our activities and provides the media to keep you informed of events and what the various Societies are doing. It also provides the media for you to express your views. So please write to the Editor. Our publishing staff of two hardworking and enthusiastic ladies Mrs. Marion Smith and Mrs. Sue Lapham will fit it into the next available Newsletter. Our thanks to our distributors who venture forth four times a year, knock on your door & sell you a copy.

You will see from the letter received from the Water Authority, published in this issue, that our public meeting with their representatives was very worthwhile. Also during last year the draft Village Plan for Charfield prepared by the North Avon District Council based on the wishes of the residents obtained by public participation, has now been officially adopted and will form the basis for considering all future planning applications. Although this is very satisfactory we shall still need to be vigilant.

20The Association will be represented at an Enquiry in February to consider objections to the proposed closure of the public footpath from Little Bristol to Old Charfield. If you have any views, please contact me.

We hope to arrange some interesting Public Meetings during the course of the year. The first one being on April 24th, on local broadcasting. Apart from being informative, these meetings give an opportunity for us to meet and exchange views about life in Charfield. So please do attend.

I wish you and your families a Very Happy New Year.

S. Clifford Gunning,
Chairman.
xx Manor Lane, Charfield.
Tel: Falfield xxxx.

21

Scene: The Antarctic Wastes of Charfield on the freezing evening of Wednesday the 16th January. A small company of intrepid, village travellers (though a few resorted to cars!) assembled in St. John's Church, Charfield to discuss the need for a team effort to help our young people find a way of life in a confusing world; to help them to do so in a modern and enjoyable way.

The result was a two hour discussion notable for its openness and agreement. Those present decided to constitute an activity group to forward plans for our young people in the near future, using Sunday mornings that had previously been used for young people's activities. That will NOT affect the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the month – our Eucharists. It would be premature to mention in this brief account, written just after the meeting, an adequate summary; not the plans finally decided at this time; while it would undermine the element of surprise that, we hope, will rouse interest if it is possible to implement our suggestions.

It says a lot for the keenness of those who came out on a freezing night and sat in Church for two hours – even though we did revive ourselves at one point with coffee and biscuits.

Kenneth G. Grant,
Rector.

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Other Useful Information

If any of the above information is incorrect, please contact Mrs. M. Smith, xxx Manor Lane, Fal xxx and we will rectify it for our next issue.

Charfield Newsletter is produced by the Charfield & District Residents Association (CHADRA).

[A leaflet describing the facilities of Yercombe Lodge was distributed with this issue of the Newsletter.]

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 22 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: 2016-11-30.