CHADRA

I hope you have not been worried by alarmist reports about the encouragement of large scale building on green field sites in the Countryside. Common Market food surpluses have reduced the need for agricultural land so The Government has issued a consultative paper (to which members of the public are invited to respond), suggesting ways in which surplus farmland and buildings might be used and new jobs created in the Countryside, e.g. Forestry and Leisure.

The paper stresses the need to avoid harm to the environment and emphasises that Green Belts and other sensitive areas will continue to be protected.

Northavon Council has informed the Government that it welcomes the general ideas but asks that it should be made clearer that open Countryside will continue to be protected.

The Countryside Commission (a Government sponsored body) is actively involved in creating Nation-wide policies to increase the public use and enjoyment of the Countryside both on local and large scales. Northavon Council are fully co-operating in this project and a copy of the paper “Recreation 2000”, may be seen at the Council Offices.

Incidentally the various Departments of the Council have been moving into the new Council Offices in Thornbury during the last few days. Although the rates have increased this year there are wage and salary increases to meet and we are increasing our expenditure at Yate and Thornbury Leisure Centres. We also have to increase our expenditure on Parks and Open Spaces. Costs of Planning Appeals are also going up. At the time of writing the result of Appeal at Hick's Common, Winterbourne, against large scale development, held last September has not yet been received. So I would not like to guess when Charfield's will be known.

I hope to see most of you during the next month!

Councillor Derek Pearson.

I have been approached by Mr. John Shapland, Chairman of the local committee for Cancer Research, who would like to include Charfield in their next collection at the end of June. If there are and Village Association or individuals who would be prepared to help him by recruiting collectors or taking part in a “door to door” he can be contacted on Dursley (0453) xxxx or I will pass on the names of any volunteers if requested.

G. Blower. Hon. Sec.
Res. Assoc.

LAST DATE FOR JULY NEWSLETTER COPY – Tuesday 8th July.

Editor, Rosa Gunning,
xx Manor Lane,
Charfield. Fal. 26xxxx

Published by Charfield & District Residents' Association (CHADRA)

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In the Editorial in the January Newsletter Rosa Gunning commented “it is almost five years since I offered to keep the Newsletter going for just one year”, and asked for a volunteer to take over!

Although Rosa is prepared to carry on until the end of this year (two more issues) you will appreciate that a new Editor/Typist will be required in the not too distant future.

The Newsletter has been produced for approximately eleven years now, and is generally regarded as a necessary channel of information to Charfield residents, as well as to some who have left the Village but like to receive a copy still four times a year. I, therefore, urge you to give the matter serious thought and if you are among those who wish to ensure that the Newsletter does continue, to contact Rosa Gunning, Falfield 26xxxx to find out what is involved, and how you can help. What about joining the Committee?

Street Warden Scheme.

The response to the announcement in the April 86 Newsletter suggests that this Village is fortunate in that there is little need for such a Scheme. The Transport Scheme run by Mrs. M. Blower, for the Committee of the Elderly & Housebound, is the most useful service and this has given rise to the collection of a couple of prescriptions as a “spin off”. However, the names and telephone numbers of the current Committee members are listed below and if any person requires help or knows of a neighbour who might require help they can contact the number in their immediate locality who will do his or her best to provide advice or assistance:-

Mr. M. Cheskin	xx Farm Lees.	Dursley 84xxxx
Mr. G. Blower	xx Manor Lane	Fal. 26xxxx
Mr. C. Gunning	xx Manor Lane	26xxxx
Mrs. J. Crowfoot	xx Wotton Rd.	Dursley 84xxxx
Mr. F. Denslow	xx Cotswold View	84xxxx
Mr. E. Gillard	xx Thames Close	Falfield 26xxxx
Mrs. M. Talbot & Mr. S. Talbot	x New Street.	Dursley 84xxxx

G. Blower. Hon. Secretary.

Water for DRINKING should be drawn ONLY from COLD WATER TAP.

Water from the hot tap is stagnant water. Drawn from a feeder tank as it is, it also contains drowned and decaying insects which can get through the smallest cracks even when the tank has a lid on it. There have been occasions when even small animals have got into such tanks and drowned. If the hot water tap is used for drinking, it is clear that one is drinking the decayed remains of whatever accidentally gets into such tanks – a quite appalling thought.

NEVER DRAW WATER FROM THE HOT TAP IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRINK IT.

Please note – Concern has been expressed recently because some people, mostly the elderly, have been known to use water to drink taken directly from the hot-water tap.

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Despite the weather we are probably thinking about Summer Holidays. When you go away please remember to lock your premises securely and cancel all the tell-tale signs of milk and newspapers. Try and get a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your premises during the period you are away. Please come and tell me you are on holiday. The information I require is your holiday dates, where you are going, and if contactable an address or telephone number, and who I can contact on your behalf if there are any problems with your property.

To go on from this, I would again like to speak to you about being a good neighbour. If you see ANYTHING which you consider suspicious please do not be afraid to contact the Police. If urgent action is required RING 999; if action is required but of a non-urgent nature please contact my Divisional Control Room at Staple Hill Police Station, telephone BRISTOL 56xxxx. If you are suspicious but no immediate action is required then please ring me at Charfield Police Station. Remember it has been proved in this Village that your help is invaluable in assisting the Police in bringing offenders to justice.

To assist in your protection I will again mention Crime Prevention. If you would like any advice in protecting your home from the CROOK please get in touch with me! I will make an appointment to come and see you and I can advise on Crime Prevention to fit your budget.

In addition to this if the elderly are concerned about Crime Prevention but consider it too expensive, my advice is to contact AGE CONCERN. They will fit security devices to your property merely for the cost of the device, with NO labour charges. This scheme is backed by the Crime Prevention Office of the Avon & Somerset Constabulary.

To change the subject completely I am still receiving complaints about certain people's parking habits in Charfield. It is an offence to park on the pavement. It is an offence to park within 15 yards of a junction during the hours of darkness and the obvious one, it is an offence to park on double yellow lines unless loading or unloading to make a delivery to a premise. Please think about where you are leaving your vehicle, or you may have to pay the penalty.

Again a complete change of subject, Summer is coming and I along with members of the P.T.A. from Charfield School are running the cycling proficiency courses for children over the age of 9 years. This course starts on Friday 1st May in the evening and will run until 26th June. The Course is free and the children will be trained in the arts of safer cycling, and if successful will receive an award. Please allow your children to come.

Finally, I would remind you if you have any problems you think the Police can help with don't hesitate to contact us.

Ian Williams.
Charfield Police Station.
Tele. 045384xxxx.

Other Nos. Chipping Sodbury 0454 31xxxx,
Staple Hill 0272 56xxxx.

HELD IN THE CHARFIELD MEMORIAL HALL TUESDAY AT 10.30–11.30 UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF –

Mrs. V. Jones, The Mill,
High Street,
Kingswood.
Tele. Dursley 84xxxx.

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Having just had our A.G.M. and having had to recall all that has happened over the past year and looking forward to the coming year, it seems a good time to let everyone into the secrets of what went on and what is going on in the Village Hall.

I say, secrets, not because we are trying to hide anything, but because lack of communication can sometimes be a great hindrance to community projects, and can even lead to misunderstandings. It is important to let people know what we are doing to provide the Village with a good community facility.

During the past year we have been very successful with fund-raising especially with children's Discos, Car Boot Sales, Craft Fairs, and Sports & Gala Day. Although these events are organised by Committee Members the helpers are generally not from the Committee and without them we could not function. These events helped us to raise enough money to complete several projects during the year as well as to keep up the general maintenance of the hall. Some of the projects completed were –

1. Refurbishment of the gents toilets.
2. Artexing all hall ceilings.
3. Replacing the heating system.
4. Installation of a scramble net on the playing field.
5. Purchasing a new tractor.

We are hoping that all the fund-raising activities will continue this year with a mind on the eventual extension to the hall. Much discussion is at present taking place about an extension and hopefully further details will be available by Sports Day. Although our balance sheets etc., are looking much healthier this year it must be pointed out that the income from general and club hire still does not cover the running costs of the hall, i.e. electricity, water, etc., and fund-raising must take place to help with this. In many ways the Bar has helped us a great deal to keep hire rates as low as they are. The Bar is also allowing up to keep up with many of the regular maintenance jobs which the committee have been unable to tackle in the past due to lack to funds. It is hoped, therefore, that we will reach a point when we can not only come up-to-date with repairs etc., but that because of continual maintenance jobs will be tackled before they become major problems.

The Village Hall is run on a charity basis and it is important that all the Village is involved in its upkeep, so please everyone support our fund-raising functions and if anyone has other ideas for raising money etc., please contact me! Thank you to everyone who has helped over the past year and may you and others continue to do so. Here are some dates for your diary:-

CAR BOOTS SALES – Sunday
MAY 10th 10.00 a.m.–3.00 p.m.,
JUNE 7th,
JULY 19th,
SEPT. 13th,
OCT. 11th.

SPORTS DAY
SAT. JULY 11th

CRAFT FAIR
NOV. 29th 10.00 a.m.–4.00 p.m.

If you would like any further information please contact me.

Jane Hall (Chair-lady)
Fal. 26xxxx.

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It seems a long way away; but by the time the next Newsletter comes out it will leave very little notice. So we'll have it now and hope you will use the intervening months not only deciding to come, but to let your friends, in and out of this area know.

It is six years since we have had a Flower Festival in this Parish. We have planned to have a further one this Year. Fuller details will be available later, but we can let you have an outline of our plans now. The flowers are being arranged by the Thornbury Flower Society, who served us so well last time. The weekend will begin with a special preview of the flower arrangements, together with a Wine and Cheese Party, on Thursday the 17th of September, for which there will be a charge, and tickets will be available for anyone in and beyond the Village. We would appreciate your help in encouraging attendance from a wide area. The Festival will continue when entrance will be free, on Friday the 18th, Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th September. There will be a Eucharist at 10.15 on the Sunday, but no further Service on that day, to leave the Church free for visitors.

Flowers, as you will know, are very expensive these days, but we do hope that this Festival will help in raising a large sum. The expenses of keeping a Church in the Village for the use of ANY who want it are quite enormous. (Currently about £6,000 a year). ALL of this has to be found within the Parish. There are many who make occasional use of the Church, and we are very glad for them to do so but it has to be kept going not just occasionally but ALL the time, and this creates great problems. I am very grateful to the small number of very faithful supporters and helpers who have done so much in the past, and continue to do what they can, to keep a large, expensive building in the heart of our Village.

It is always misleading, however, to speak only of buildings and expenses when speaking of the Church, here or anywhere. There was a “Church” before there were any buildings. (For several centuries the Church was either persecuted, forbidden; or from time to time vaguely tolerated). The Church is, and has always been, a Family. It is a family that, recognising the love of God, believes that life in this world can only achieve its maximum good by allowing the love of God to filter into human life. It is our joy to share with others all that this entails and we invite you to join us in this experience; or to enquire further (and privately if you wish) what this is all about.

Kenneth G. Grant (Rector)

I wonder how many of us when we pass the North Nibley Monument, or look up to it from Charfield, remember that it was erected in memory of William Tyndale (born in 1484) (built in 1866).

Tyndale translated the Bible into English, and suffered martyrdom for his efforts in October 1536.

Keep the best out of the past and do not let it go. Hold to that which Life has proved, for Time alone can show – what is real and what is fake. False doctrines have their day – But truth survives; God's word remains and shall not pass away.

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SUNDAY	FAMILY SERVICE	11.00 a.m.
	EVENING WORSHIP	6.00 p.m.
TUESDAY	BRIGHT HOUR (fortnightly)	3.00 p.m.

All are welcome. Do come and join us, any enquiries:- Miss. M. Turner, Fal. 26xxxx.

“Mine or His”

I owned a little boat a while ago –
and sailed a morning sea without a fear
And whither any breeze might fairly blow,
I steered my little craft afar or near,
Mine the sea; nor mine a care,
Mine was the boat; and mine the air.

My boat became my place of nightly toil,
I sailed at sunset to the fishing ground.
At morn the boat was freighted with the spoil
That my all conquering work and skill had found.
Mine was the boat, and mine the net,
And mine the skill and power to get.

One day there passed along the silent shore
While I my net was casting in the sea
A man, who spoke as never man before,
I followed Him – new life began in me.
Mine was the boat – but His the voice
And His the call; yet mine the choice.

Oh 'twas a fearful night out on the lake,
And all my skill availed not at the helm
Till Him asleep, I wakened, crying – Take,
Take thou command, lest water over-whelm.
This was the boat; and His the sea,
And His the peace o'er all and me.

Once from His boat He taught the curious throng,
Then bade me let down nets in the sea
I murmured, but obeyed; nor was it long
Before the catch amazed and humbled me
His was the boat – and His the skill
And His the catch, and His my will.

A special word of thanks from members and friends of the above Church for a very successful Coffee Morning with Bring & Buy Stall, held on April 4th. In spite of a very wet day, people came, and we had a happy time together. £115 was the amount raised for Church funds. So once again, thank you everyone.

Miss. Turner.

As there are only nine Candidates standing for election to Charfield Parish Council, and the complement of the Council is only nine, there will be no Election. Names of Councillors are as follows:-

Mr. P.J. Birt,	Mrs. M.C. Burden,	Mr. J.W. Clothier,
Mr. S.C. Gunning,	Mrs. J. Hall,	Mr. N.F. Haines,
Mrs. A. Hart,	Revd. D.W. Parker,	Mr. J.G. Poskett.

DON'T FORGET to VOTE ON THURSDAY MAY 7th, for the Candidate of your choice for this area, to serve on Northavon District Council.

We have received 56lbs of beef through the Parish Council which is being stored in the freezer. It must not be distributed raw so we have decided to have an open day when all pensioners may come for a meal at a nominal price. Any-body-else will be very welcome to come and participate in this lunch, but they will have to be charged a realistic price. The date for the Open Day will be – WEDNESDAY 1st JULY. Details at a later date. Any profit will be for our Club & Transport Scheme.

J. Higgins.

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I hope by now we have seen the back of Winter, for a few weeks at least! We had our usual problems of frozen pipes and failure of heating and we had to close for two days during the worst of the weather. We do try to prevent these problems arising whenever we have severe weather, but we are never wholly successful. It is mainly because we have so many individual buildings.

If the School was all under one roof, many of our difficulties would disappear. Perhaps, this may not be too far away, but the omens are not good. I did hear recently that funding for the Improvement Programme, in which we hoped to figure, may not be available from the Government.

At present, there seems to be a fight between National and Local Government to control Education. While the Government is accused by Local Authorities of improving central control on what has usually been considered a locally administered service, it is also handing over some power to the Schools own Governors.

The 1986 Education Act, for example, give Governors the duty to decide whether sex education should be taught in its School, bearing in mind the wishes of the parents. Governors now have to hold an Annual Meeting of parents, the first one due next term, at which they will present a report on their involvement with the School, and encourage parents to discuss the School and its activities. Whether this will provoke even more argument between National and Local Government remains to be seen. My experience is that when you pursue an important topic leading to a major improvement, the final answer from National and Local Government always seems to be “We haven't the money”.

One recent question that had parents, staff and Governors in agreement was whether to alter the School day in a somewhat similar way to that of Katherine Lady Berkeley School. The meeting called to discuss it expressed the almost unanimous view that the School day should remain as it is. Now it's up to Avon!

D.A. Malpass.
Headmaster.

If you have not already made a note of the SPRING FAYRE, 9th MAY, 2.30 p.m. here is another chance. We hope that we will be as fortunate as last year and enjoy a hot and sunny day. From a Fund Raising point of view this is our big day, and it is also an enjoyable afternoon for children, teachers, parents and friends.

A collection of Jumble and goods for our White Elephant, handicraft, cake, sweets and plant stalls, will be made during the week, and we would be grateful for your support. To all those gifted hands in Charfield – if you would like to help with handicrafts please let me know. We can provide materials, what we need is able hands!

As last year two free vouchers will be issued to School Children for use on the Side Shows. Bring the sunshine with you!

Our second parents “OPEN EVENING“ this year is a “Save a Life“ emergency first aid course. It will take place on the 14th MAY 7.30–9.30 p.m. Tickets are limited, so if interested contact me, as soon as possible. Finally, a reminder to all road users, and those using Manor Lane in particular. Friday evenings will soon see the start of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme.

Ed. Zapata.
Chairman.
Falfield 26xxxx.

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I would like to bring parents and anyone else who is interested up-to-date with what the money the P.T.A. raise is being spent on. Since the A.G.M. last October when we asked for a list of requirements the School would like financial assistance with, the following items have been purchased:-

A new work-top for the new Art Room.
£50 worth of Evo-stick for the Art Department.
2 Tenor Recorders for the Music Dept.,
F.S. & Slide Projector for the History Dept.,
Filing Cabinet for the General Education Dept.

These items total about £300, but there is still a lot left on the list which we hope we will be able to help with. On behalf of the P.T.A. Committee I would like to thank all parents and friends who came along and support the functions we arrange and invite others to do the same.

The next Event we are organising is on May 22nd – A Barn Dance with the Abbey Folk Group and Martin Hewitt as caller.

In the last Newsletter I mentioned a Treasure Hunt and Barbecue on July 4th, this has now changed to an afternoon of Fun Sports and Summer Fayre. There will be the usual Stalls and Side-shows, and Horsebag Races, Ankle Races, and many, many more fun races. So keep the date in your diary JULY 4th – American Independence Day.

For the past 18 months the P.T.A. has been trying to organise a meeting to deal with the problems of drug abuse. Two members of Staff, Mr. I. Unsworth and Miss D. Jordan have recently received special training relating to drug abuse, and the Lions Club in Wotton-u-Edge have helped finance the costs of publications and training. Mr. Unsworth has agreed to come and talk first to the P.T.A. and then at an introductory evening for parents. The date of this evening will come home with your child so keep a look-out in blazer pockets etc., for a note. I do not think the meeting will take place until late May early June.

Finally, a reminder that items of School uniform can still be taken into the second-hand department at School. Mrs. K. Johnston is in charge and would be willing to purchase any out-grown or unwanted items. If anyone has any difficulty in getting items to School, please contact me and I will arrange it.

Margaret Clarke.
Chair-lady.
Falfield 26xxxx.

1987 Programme of stops in Northavon.
Thursdays (fortnightly)
MAY 14th, 28th. JUNE 11th, 25th.
CHARFIELD POST OFFICE 9.30–10.15

Everything is free – please come and see!

8

FOXWATCH – To all those people who kindly purchased tickets to hear Dr. Steve Harris talk about foxes at Katherine Lady Berkeley School, thank you for your support, but we regret to say that a further arrangement cannot be made to hear this talk.

FORMATION OF A BEAVER COLONY – The 1st Woodend Scout Group are arranging for a Beaver Colony to be set up. A meeting at the Scout headquarters, Talbots End, Cromhall will be held soon for all adults interested in helping.

A colony is the name given to the young boys aged between six and eight years and their leaders, who will meet on a regular basis, carry out activities together, have fun and play games. There will also be organised trips arranged.

BEAVER COLONY WAITING LIST – As a maximum number of Beavers permitted in a colony is 24, I am opening a waiting list of boys. If your son is past his sixth birthday and hasn't yet had his eighth he can become a Beaver as soon as we open the colony.

If your son is coming up to six years and interested, his name should also be put on the list to secure a place when one becomes available.

IN BOTH CASES please 'phone Margaret Coomber, Fal. 26xxxx.

As no doubt anyone who has been along Talbots End lately has seen, work on the extension to the headquarters has started and is progressing well in spite of the severe gales that have just passed (at the time of writing).

Other changes that have taken place recently include Dennis Booth leaving due to pressure of his work. Dennis will be replaced by myself as Group Scout Leader.

Paul Leach, the Venture Leaders, unexpectedly handed in his resignation on 3rd March, and Jean Simmons kindly agreed to move from assistant to Venture Leader with effect from 20th March.

Roger Pickford will now become “Akela” for the Tiger Cub pack from 16th March, with Michael Hensman from Wickwar to help. Stewart Rayfield, a Venture has agreed to be a Cub Instructor for the Tigers also.

We shall be continuing with our efforts to raise money to pay for our new premises and for the running of the Group, and hope to receive your continued support to these events throughout the year.

The Group will attend the District Parade for St. Georges Day, being held at Thornbury on 26th April, let's hope for good weather.

We hope to see all parents and interested people at our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 30th April, in Charfield Memorial Hall. By the time you read this you will all have received your invitations I hope.

Margaret K. Coomber,
Group Scout Leader.
Falfield 26xxxx.

See over page more information about 1st. Woodend Scout Group, by Mrs. M. Clarke, Group Secretary.

9

1st Woodend Scout Group

I would like to thank everyone who donated goods, gave jumble or came along and purchased them at our recent Spring Fayre, held in Cromhall. The total raised was £230.

Also many thanks to all those who sponsored members of the Group for the Walk around Tortworth Lake in the snow on March 7th. The total amount raised was £1,177 which has been doubled by A.R.C. and an equal amount donated to Multiple Sclerosis by A.R.C's parent Company, Consolidated Gold.

Our next event is the Annual Clay Pigeon Shoot, which will be held by kind permission of Mr. Reg Baker, at Manor Farm, on Sunday May 10th from 10.00 a.m.

This will be followed by an Indoor Market and Car Boot Sale, in Kingswood Village Hall on Saturday May 16th, from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. If anyone is interested in having a Stall please contact Sue Jonas on Falfield 26xxxx.

On June 27th on the Jubilee Field in Cromhall, we will be holding our Annual Barbecue. We hope that this year the weather will be a lot kinder to us than it was last year!

The result of the 1st Draw of this year's 100 Club, as follows:-

1st.	£25.	Wendy Bond.	Charfield.
2nd.	£15.	Ian Wakefield	Charfield.
3rd.	£10.	J.J. O'Kane	Wickwar Quarry.
4th	£6.	Mr. & Mrs. Griffiths	Swindon.
5th	£6.	Mrs. Barnard	Cromhall.

If anyone is interested in helping the Group, please come along to our A.G.M. in the Memorial Hall, Charfield on Thursday April 30th, at 7.30 p.m. or get into touch with either myself or our new Group Scout Leader, Margaret Coomber, Falfield 26xxxx.

Margaret Clarke.
Group Secretary.
Falfield 26xxxx.

You will probably have read on another page that a new Editor/Typist will be required in the not too distant future, and perhaps I should give some idea of what is involved. The Newsletter as you all realise is produced 4 times a year – Jan., April, July and Oct. It is necessary to contact regular contributors in order to get most of the copy by a set date. Also of course to try to encourage individuals to send interesting items about Charfield, past or present! When all the copy is available it has to be read through and sometimes corrected. Some people hand in rough notes, and these have to be put into order and if requested enlarged upon. After this articles have to be arranged and typed onto stencils (supplied of course by the Assoc., as is the typewriter which is kept for this purpose).

Once the stencils are typed and numbered they go to Mr. Butler who puts them on our Roneo Machine and runs off 600+ copies, which in turn go to Mr. Cheskin, who with his helpers collate the pages and staple them ready for distribution. He then delivers appropriate number of copies to each volunteer who has agreed to deliver to our readers, and eventually hand the cash collected to the Hon. Treasurer, S.C. Gunning.

Over the past few months there have been many new residents in Charfield, and perhaps among them we can find a new Editor/Typist when the time eventually comes for me to relinquish the job, which I may add on the whole I find interesting and worthwhile. I am sure this will apply equally to any volunteer.

Rosa Gunning.
xx Manor Lane.
Falfield 26xxxx.

10

Happy Easter everyone – lets hope that by the time you read this Spring has sprung!

Everyone in the Village is invited to enter our Egg Rolling Competition – Decorate a hard-boiled egg, have it judged and then roll it down the hill. Simple, but fun! The field opposite the Pear-Tree Public House, has been kindly loaned to us so come along on APRIL 18th, 11.00 a.m. and have a roll!!

The efforts of this year's Committee know no bounds to raise much needed money for equipment. They have completed a 10 mile Sponsored Walk – remember that torrential rain a few Saturday's ago? You've guessed it – that was the day they had chosen to go.

I hope the London Marathon Sponsor forms are being circulated around the Village and beyond. Mrs. Diane Wood is running for us – good luck Diane, it's almost like owning a share in a Grand National runner!

Will anyone with a young child who hasn't put their name down for Play-Group, please do so. We are getting very popular and need to be able to plan our sessions around the number of children.

Well, I've rabbited on, but that's allowed at Easter isn't it? Hope to see you decorated and ready to roll on the 18th.

Glen Ellis.
Chair-women.

P.S. Anyone in the Village who isn't sponsoring a London Marathon Runner see a Play-Group mum and sponsor Diane.

Lord Baden-Powell was a brave and famous soldier who travelled the world. He taught his troops to follow tracks, to travel across country without being seen or getting lost, and to look after themselves whilst camping out. He called these soldiers – “Scouts”.

When Lord Baden-Powell returned to England he wrote a book called “Scouting for Boys”. Many boys saw the book and wanted to do the same things he had done. He started the first Scout Pack around 1916.

He later got married to Olave, who had her birthday on the same day as his own. Later around 1920 Olave started the first Guide Pack. From then on, on the 22nd of February each year we celebrate “Thinking Day”, when we think of Robert and Olave together.

Samantha Colla & Julie Spindler.

The New Year started with a most enjoyable District Party, followed in February by a Division Thinking Day Service at Dursley. In March six went to Wotton for the 2nd round of the district quiz and finished 2nd. We are at present busy preparing for the Pack holiday in June.

Would parents please let me have their child's name at 6 years of age who wish to join Brownies when they become 7, as we are only allowed 24 Brownies in a Pack, and already have a waiting list. This would save further disappointment. We meet on Tuesdays at 4.30–5.45 at the Village Hall.

J. Green. Dursley 84xxxx

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Hello Mums, Hope you are yours are all keeping well. I'm certainly a lot happier now. After “advertising” my body (sounds good doesn't it?) I had about 10 “sits” lined up in about three weeks and increased my washers rapidly from two!!

At the time of writing this I'm already 24 hours behind the deadline, but feel I have a justified excuse. Oh not again you all say, we've heard it all before, well hard luck here I go again.

My poor body is just getting over being “blobbed” by chicken-pox. We were in London at the time of the first discovery of “it” and the laugh was, my mum's stars said “a youngster in your family will need care and medical attention”. That was me alright. I just settled for a brandy and a calamine dab. But I would like to thank my pals, on this page, for their help and cheery words. Not only feeling dreadful I looked GHASTLY!

Back to business, the list of mums remains the same at the moment. However, if you know of anyone who would like to join just 'phone me. Anyway, all the best and keep well.

Marilyn. Falfield 26xxxx.

P.S. I would like to add that I had a lovely Monday at Joy's home, Farm Lees, when she organised a Coffee Morning for Action Aid. She raised a lot of money and made us realise how fortunate we are. Well done Joy. See you all soon.

M.S.

Now everyone – this is an important announcement and the last time I can write to you all before we all receive our Newsletter again.

PLEASE RING ROUND SATURDAY 11th JULY on YOUR CALENDARS.

“Oh no”, you cry, “We've booked to go to Outer Mongolia for our holidays then”. Well, please postpone the trip for 24 hours and come to our day.

It is held in the Village Shrine (sorry, Hall) and all over the playing field. It's all going to be a bit mediaeval so just think wenches and court jesters! That'll get you there. Have a great Summer and see you 11th July! This should be from Keith Smith but he's chomping on a pastie in St. Ives, so I've done it, and you know who I am

Alias The Chairman. Fal. 26xxxx.

There will soon be a “poop scoup” on your tail! New Bye-laws announced yesterday allowing local Councils to introduce their own anti-poop Bye-laws will mean millions of dog owners may soon have to clean up the mess their dogs make, or face a fine of £100.

There are more than 6 million dogs in the U.K. and the number is growing rapidly. They produce an estimated 1,000 tons of poop a day, and one million gallons of urine! Parents of young children have been increasingly worried about the risks to health from bacteria. So dog owners take note and have your poop scoups at the ready.

12

On Wednesday May 13th, we shall be holding our “Bring & Buy” Sale at 2.30 p.m. – just one of our fund raising efforts. Another venture in that direction is a “Spring Draw”, which we hope will be a success.

A member of the W.R.V.S. will visit us on April 13th, to receive the balance sheet for 1986/87, and supervise the election of our new Committee, after which our outdoor activities for the summer months will be decided.

We shall miss Mrs. Meodon (Millier) as we all know her. Millie has been our Sick Visitor, and often led our members in singing when entertainers were not available.

We have been pleased to welcome some new Members this year, and extend a welcome to all over “Sixties”. Remember none of you are too old to join us, so do come along to the Memorial Hall on the second Wednesday of every month.

I look forward to seeing you.

E.H. Orton,
Chairman.

First of all may I take this opportunity to thank Sharon and her retiring Committee for all their hard work during the last year, and an even bigger thank you to the new Committee.

We had a good attendance at the A.G.M. and I am sure that everyone who came enjoyed the delicious Supper. It was very nice to see some new faces and I hope those ladies who came, and more, will continue to attend future meetings.

Just a reminder, Young Wives meet every third Thursday in the month at 8.00 p.m. in the Memorial Hall. Our yearly subscription is £1.50, and monthly meetings 50p.

DATES TO REMEMBER.

May 20	COFFEE MORNING in Memorial Hall at 10.00 a.m. We shall have various Stalls, and PRIZE BINGO will commence at 11.0 a.m. Cakes, savouries, tombola prizes etc., will be requested from members during that week!
June 18	COACH TRIP. More details will be given about this nearer the date.

I look forward to seeing you all in the coming months, and I hope 1987 will be a successful year for Young Wives, as in 1986. I will try my best, with the help of a very valuable Committee.

Margaret Tippins.
Chair-lady.
Falfie1d 26xxxx.

We would welcome your support on Saturday 25th April 7.00 p.m. Dursley Parish Church, to hear 50 MALE (WELSH) VOICES, and 1 lady Conductor. You will have an opportunity to sing too! (Cwm Rhondda) in English. Tickets £2, £1.50 Senior Citizens, from

Percy Ellis.
Falfield 26xxxx.

13

Having the opportunity to present an article in the Newsletter gives me a chance to talk about the W.I. to a much wider audience than at our monthly meetings. It helps me to dispel a few myths and to give a better impression of what the W.I. really does.

The image of the W.I. as a whole has been changing for a long time, and as anyone who has been to one of our meetings knows we are not all “Jam and Jerusalem”.

You don't have to be a member to come to one of our meetings, so why not call in and see what is going on. We meet every second Thursday in the month at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall.

Our Speakers in the near future will include demonstrations of Cake Decorating, our own Antiques Roadshow, and Cane Work. A varied programme I'm sure you'll agree.

Every year we have fund raising events for a particular Charity, and this year we are raising money for the Thornbury Stroke Support Group, which as the name suggests is a local charity helping stroke victims within our area.

We are holding a Coffee Morning, on May 28th at The xxxx, Horsford Road, and I'm taking this opportunity to extend an invitation to you all who read this to come along and help the W.I. to support a worthwhile charity.

Keep an eye on the notice boards in the Village for news of our Meetings. I look forward to seeing some new faces in the months to come. You will be welcomed warmly and find out for yourselves the real secret of the W.I.

Susan Green.
President.

I would first like to thank the outgoing Committee for all their hard work they have put in over the last year in making Toddlers a success, and hopefully we will continue to do so.

As we are a new Committee we would like to introduce ourselves.

Liz Hill – Chairperson.	Sharon Lacey	Claire Saunders
Judy Reeves – Secretary.	Pam Compton	Sue Burden
Denise Mitchell – Treasurer.	Dawn Fox	Tina Crooks
Sue Somerton – Minutes Secretary.	Mary Linken	Rita Evans

The Group is run for all mothers and babies from 0–3 years old, every Thursday from 10.15 to 11.30 a.m. throughout the School year. Everyone is welcome to come along to chat and meet new friends while allowing children to play with others. You can still keep a careful eye on them while having coffee and cakes.

Any new mums who would like to join either come along or contact any of the above Committee members.

Our Health Visitor Mrs. Storey runs a Clinic every 2nd and 4th Thursday in the month; a doctor is in attendance too, which is most helpful.

We hope to make 1987–88 a very successful year, so please support us in fund-raising and Annual Events in the near future.

Judy Reeves.
Secretary.

14

Thank you drivers for helping me to organise this service. You are invariably willing (provided that I've remembered your “free times”!) and that makes my task so much easier.

Without drivers this scheme would not be viable and this would mean that some residents of Charfield would have great difficulty in keeping their appointments. As you know 'buses seldom run at suitable times and often don't go anywhere near the hospital, e.g. Frenchay. We have seventeen drivers and last year they made fifty-five journeys with elderly and/or housebound people to hospitals, clinics, dentists, etc.

As drivers cannot always be available due to other commitments I would welcome a few more volunteers, so please contact me if you would like to help with this valuable service.

Muriel Blower.
Falfield 26xxxx.

Just a short note to thank all those who came to my Coffee Morning, or donated money to the Action Aid Project at the Malka Hidda Camp.

We raised £140.53 and this goes to provide tools, seeds, fertilisers, irrigation pumps etc., for their farming production scheme. This enables the women there to feed themselves and their families, and produce a surplus for sale.

We hope to have a continuing connection with this project, and would welcome any new support. Once again thank you all.

Pat Jeanes.
Falfield 26xxxx

P.S. Since I wrote the above another Coffee Morning has been held by Joy Buxton, at Farm Lees and she raised another £100 for Action Aid. Please keep an eye open for forthcoming attractions. Joy is planning to organise a Summer Wine & Cheese Party.

P.J.

The house-to-house collection in Charfield will take place during the above mentioned week. So please give as generously as you can to the collectors who have kindly agreed to help. We all know that this is not one of the most pleasant tasks, knocking on doors asking for money! More especially, perhaps, as we do get quite a few collections during the course of the year. BUT, Save the Children is a very worthwhile cause, helping not only children in less fortunate countries but in our own too.

It is easy to forget sometimes children less fortunate than our own, especially living in this pleasant area, but please remember when a Collector calls with a collecting tin, and do the best you can.

COFFEE MORNING – Wednesday 29th APRIL, WATSOME FARM, Wotton Road, Charfield. (Opp. Bearings Factory) (by kind permission of Mrs. E. Bennett.

There will be a Cake Stall, Bring & Buy, plus Raffle! All the support you are able to give will be very much appreciated. Don't forget remember Wednesday 29th April, come along and bring your friends.

Rosa Gunning.
Charfield Rep. S. the C. Cttee.
Falfield 26xxxx.

15

Well, here we are at the start of a new Season, lets hope the weather this year will be better than last and allow us to make more use of the Court!

We hope to have more new members this year; anyone interested in joining please contact Anne Stoakes, Tel. Dursley 84xxxx.

Members will be pleased to hear subscriptions have stayed the same as in 1986.

The lock has now been changed on the gate; please return old keys (you have paid a 50p returnable deposit).

Due to last year's number of non-members playing we are issuing membership cards only on receipt of subscriptions. Please make sure you have your card with you when on Court as proof of membership.

Celia Zapata.
Secretary.
Fal. 26xxxx.

In 1986 Charfield Cricket Club had its best Season for some years with the 2nd XI gaining promotion from division three to division two as champions, only losing one Match out of thirteen played in the Season; while the 1st XI continued to improve in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Building Society League (Premier Division) finishing in their highest position of third place.

At the presentation evening the awards were shared among six members with Dave Bradley picking up the most with three awards for 1st XI Bowling, 1st XI, All-rounder and Clubman of the year. Alan Pearn 1st XI Batting and The Peter Dand Award and Terry Webb 2nd XI All rounder and most improved player. Each picked up a couple of awards with the others going to R. Alexander 2nd XI Batting, I. Downing 2nd XI Bowling and P. Bath Youth XI.

Are you a budding Cricket Star??, then why not join the Cricket Club to improve your game in either batting or bowling. New members are always welcome. For more information contact Ray Johnson 0454 26xxxx or Dave Bradley 0453 84xxxx.

Mike Green.
Secretary.

Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!

CHARFIELD CRICKET CLUB REQUIRE A TEA LADY OR TEA LADIES, FOR SUNDAY GAMES AT HOME ONLY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL – RAY JOHNSON 0454 26xxxx or DAVE BRADLEY 0453 84xxxx.

16

Once again this Season the football teams of Charfield have met with varying fortunes, however, both sides are still very much alive in the latter stages of a Cup Competition.

The reserves have made it to the final of the Berkeley Hospital cup, junior section and will play Frampton Cotterell “A” at Yate town ground on Friday May 1st 6.45 p.m. After a moderate start the reserves have won 13 out of their last 15 games but still only have an outside chance of promotion to Stroud Div. 3. Considering recent seasons near relegation battles, firstly Rob. Derham and then Dean Saunders, have done an excellent job in managing the Team.

The first team have also had good spells where they looked like making a challenge for promotion but have fallen back in the past few weeks. The team has reached the semi-final of the Stroud Charity Cup section A after a fine win against Tuffley Rovers from the Northern senior league first division and will play against Frampton or I.C.I. Fibres at home on a date to be arranged. Kev. Bath stepped into a difficult job as Player/Manager at the beginning of the season and has maintained the teams position in senior league division 2.

Top scorers for the Club this season are – Martyn Dean 20 goals then Simon Bamford, Paul Morgan and Paul Spill all making it into double figures so far. New faces and old are welcome as ever, both on the playing and organisation side of the Club. The A.G.M. date will be advertised when arranged and should take place in May. Anyone wishing to know more can contact either Managers mentioned previously, myself or any other Committee member.

Pete Kirby.
Secretary.
Tele. 0454 31xxxx.

Almost at the end of another Season I can report that it has been one of mixed fortunes for our 3 teams. The under 12's have played all their games and have finished in second position in the Stroud Youth League Div. 4B. The under 14's still have one more game to play at the time of writing this and they will end the season in at least 3rd position in their respective division. The under 16's have 3 more games to play, and as yet have failed to win a game, but all credit must go to their Manager Mr. Tony Bullock for persevering with the lads and to the boys themselves who have refused to get down-hearted and have turned up every week to training and to matches.

Our end of season Disco and presentation evening held on the 21st March, was enjoyed by all those who attended, and our grateful thanks to the Parents who supplied the food.

The A.G.M. will be held in the Plough P.H. at the end of May, the exact date will be announced later; I will then be handing over the Secretary's position to Mrs. Claire Bullock. I hope she enjoys her roll within the Club as much as I have over the past 8 yrs, 5 of which have been as Secretary. My own personal thanks to all Committee Members and Managers past and present for all the help they have given me, and I would like to wish all the boys within the Club and new boys thinking of joining a very happy and successful 1987/88 Season.

The new training Season will start on the Wed. evening following Sports & Gala Day in July, and anybody wishing to turn-up at the playing field will be more than welcome. Any boy wishing further information on any of the teams should contact – Under 16's Tony Bullock, Fal. 26xxxx. Under 14's Mike Colborn – Fal. 26xxxx. Under 12's Brian Lovegrove – Fal. 26xxxx. Finally, all the members of the Club would like to express grateful thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Lovegrove for agreeing to sponsor the Under 16 team next season, and to their Company Fullon Computers for providing a new football strip for the team.

Jenny Harvey.

17

(Continued from page 15 of January Newsletter.)

Completely relying on the Railway in Charfield was the old coal wharf, the bunkers or caves which houses the coal can still be seen in Station Road. In the days before the last war the coal was delivered by horse and cart unless of course you collected it your-self. A large hand-cart was provided for this purpose, the steel rimmed wheels of which must have weighed at least a half cwt. each. The name of the driver of the horse drawn coal cart was Charlie Wood and neither Charlie or horse had any respect for clothes lines. The row of six cottages where I lived in those days all had their own back yards and stretched across each yard was a clothes line, that was until Charlie and horse delivered the coal! The trouble was caused by two very long brass spikes sticking up from the large collar around the horses neck. If no-one was available to lift the lines up, or better still to take them down, Charlie and horse certainly did. Any lines that survived the drive in were really in trouble when Charlie backed his horse out. This attack from both directions was usually enough to put every line out of action for quite some time.

Another long departed amenity that helped to make Charfield different to other Villages around the County was the Produce and Poultry Sales that took place in the yard (now the Car Park) behind the Railway Tavern. A large open fronted shed contained row after row of pens filled with poultry of all kinds, including guinea fowl rarely seen these days, all coming under the Auctioneers hammer, most selling for a few shillings, or even pence if the buyers enthusiasm waned.

The produce sales were held in a large shed adjacent to the poultry pens. Almost everything in the vegetable line could be purchased, depending on the time of year of course. Day old chicks and ducklings were also available in the same shed; any that were off-colour, or not up to standard, were given to us lads, but they invariably died, as I expect the breeders knew they would.

The Village Smithy is yet another piece of Charfield's small but once very busy rural industrial heritage now almost gone forever. The Smithy's Forge was still standing long after the War on part of the site now occupied by the local Coal Merchant. Dray horses, hunters and ponies needing new shoes, or with hoof problems to sort out, were all expertly handled by the Smithy, Jim Lucas, who really knew his craft. For many people of my generation, the Smithy holds fond memories. The bustling activity, and the sights and sounds within those grimy walls, even now springs clearly to my mind. The ring of the hammer tapping the anvil, being followed by the dull thud of red hot metal being beaten into shape. Metal that was softened by the heat of white hot coals fanned into furry by air from a manually operated bellows. The rich pungent smell of burning hoof accompanied by a sound like frying bacon, was followed by a dry hollow rhythmic knocking sound, as the Smithy nailed one more shoe to yet another horse's hoof. Not only were horses attended to by Jim, but all sorts of farming implements were made, as well as the odd garden gate.

How can this piece of Village history ever be replaced? The simple answer is it cannot. Progress has arrived and with its arrival our Village's past traditional enterprises have all but disappeared.

Concerts or Socials, held in the Kings Hall, or the Y.M.C.A. Hut (on site of the Charfield Memorial Hall), were always sell outs, 18and a good evenings entertainment was always available at these functions for a few pence, tea and cakes were also on sale if required. The Artists were usually Village people. Each one showing off his or her prowess in the various forms of entertainment they had practised, and obviously enjoyed doing. On the odd occasion, however, Performers were brought in from outside the Village to increase the variation of entertainment. One of these, a Magician, was very impressive indeed. This gentleman had a gun fired at him from the back of the Kings Hall (he was on the stage) and supposedly caught the bullet in his mouth. The velocity of the bullet seemed to knock him several feet backwards across the stage! He then, after regaining his composure proceeded to drop the bullet from his mouth, amid tremendous applause and a great deal of relief on to a plate. Joe Hull, the unwilling volunteer marksman, who was the Baker of the Village by the way, (yes, we even had our own Bakery before progress happened), then confirmed that the bullet rolling around on the plate was the bullet he had marked before firing the gun. Obviously the whole thing was a trick, but a very well concealed one.

The old wooden Y.M.C.A Hut that has long since been replaced by our new Hall, had far greater entertainment value than its modern counterpart. Open most nights of the week with two full size Snooker tables and accessories, two Table Tennis tables, Darts, Draughts and Chess, etc., with light refreshments also available, there was something for all tastes. To take advantage of these amenities the cost was just a few shillings a year Membership Fee, plus a small charge of sixpence for half-an-hour on the Snooker Tables.

In front of the Y.M.C.A. Hut, on a concrete plinth, stood a First World War (1914–18) Field Gun. This gun had thousands of imaginary rounds fired from it by youngsters on their way to and from School. The last of these shells, or rounds, however, were fired on the commencement of the 1939–45 War, when it was taken away and melted down to help the war effort.

Inside the Y.M.C.A. a wooden moveable partition separated the two Snooker Tables from the main Hall. This enabled the Players to enjoy their Snooker or Billiards without being distracted by the sounds of other activities going on elsewhere. A large coke stove was the only heating available in the main hall, with a smaller one in the Snooker end. Although on today's standards this would seem inadequate no one complained about it being cold even with snow outside. If there was any discomfort from lack of all round heat, this was quickly forgotten when chestnuts on the stove started popping, and baked potatoes were ready for eating, Ah, Happy Days!

The lighting system before electric lights were installed in the Y.M.C.A. Hut was gas, yes gas! This was produced in its own miniature Power Station in a galvanised shed at the west facing end of the building.

K.A.W. Parker.
(Newtown, Charfield)

Once again Mr. Parker many thanks for your contribution. If you have still more to tell don't forget copy for our next Newsletter in October.

R.G.

19

The work covered by the Parish Council has descended to more mundane problems after the flurry of activity relating the the housing development public inquiry. On that subject the Parish Council was very pleased with the support and backing of the residents shown by the attendance at: two public meetings, the inquiry and by writing letters and erecting posters. The latest information is that the result of the inquiry will be made known in May.

The Annual Parish Meeting was held on 7th April, this is the one meeting a year which is an open meeting, although it follows a fairly formal agenda. Representatives from village clubs and organisations presented reports and a discussion on the possibility of introducing a Neighbourhood Watch scheme was held. P.C. Ian Williams informed the meeting that the purpose of a Neighbourhood Watch is to encourage public awareness and assistance to the police, both of which he felt are already present in Charfield. The subject will be discussed further at the next ordinary meeting of the Parish Council.

At the Annual meeting the Chairman Cliff Gunning, thanked John Hatt for his work on behalf of the Parish over the last 8 years. Mr Hatt is retiring from the Parish Council at the end of April. Nominations have recently been sought for membership of the Parish Council as the next four year term of office starts in May. Only nine names have been put forward and these will therefore be automatically elected (if there are no anomalies). The new Parish Councillor, replacing Mr Hatt will be Mrs Anna Hart of xx Avon Road. It is perhaps unfortunate that an election will not take place for Parish Councillors in order to encourage public awareness, but it would be a cost on the Parish rate and bearing in mind the large expense incurred by the Council last year, a saving would be useful.

The Parish Council is continuing its pressure on Avon County with regard to the improvements to the railway bridge and have reiterated that the suggestion of single file traffic, controlled by lights is not the best solution and second best will not be accepted.

A new project being investigated at present is a tree planting scheme on the grass verge and on BR land off Little Bristol Lane. A scheme is at present being drawn up, following which, the appropriate permissions will be sought and grant applied for.

The Parish Council has recently assisted with the distribution of free EEC butter, as they felt that distribution in rural areas was inadequate. 310 lbs. have been distributed and this in addition [to] that by the WRVS and other charities. 56 lbs. or meat was arranged for the Luncheon Club and efforts are being made to obtain supplies of any further “free offers”. Notices have been posted on this subject, so watch the notice boards for further information.

The Council Chairman has recently drawn designs for safety barriers suggested for the footpaths from the central play area where they exit onto Underhill Road and Manor Lane. These have been circulated to adjacent householders for comments before forwarding the proposals to the County Area Surveyor. These barriers are felt necessary in order to prevent children from running/riding into the path of oncoming cars.

A reminder that Council meetings are held in the Foundation Room at Charfield School at 7.30 p.m. every second Tuesday in the month (except August). Public Participation appears on every agenda and enables anyone attending the meeting to ‘have a say’. In addition Councillors or myself are always willing to put forward points on your behalf.

Jenny Hughes.
Clerk to the Council

20

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 21 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: 2016-12-15.