CHADRA

Many thanks to all the contributors to this issue, who very kindly provided interesting articles and submitted them by our ‘copy date’ of April 12th (or more or less!)

Although as new editors we are still getting organised, it is hoped to include a Diary Page in the next issue giving details of events ‘at a glance’, which could be detached for handy reference.

Please keep articles coming – letters would be particularly welcome. Grumbles aired or praise where due could do much to enhance the community spirit of the village especially as it will grow in size in the not too distant future.

J.P.
M.H.
Joint Editors.

* * * * *   DON'T FORGET NEXT COPY DATE 12th JULY   * * * * *

Joint Editors.		Distribution
Jenny Peaster		Mike Cheskin
xxx Manor Lane		xx Farm Lees
Charfield.		Charfield.
Falfield 26xxxx.		Dursley 84xxxx.
Mary Hall		Duplicating
xx Durham Road		J. Butler
Charfield		x Thames Close.
Falfield 26xxxx.		Charfield.

Published by Charfield & District Residents' Association (CHADRA)

2

Sundays	Sunday School	11.00 a.m.
	Evening Worship	6.00 p.m.
	(November to April) Afternoon Worship	3.00 p.m.
Tuesday	Bright Hour (fortnightly)	3.00 p.m.

Communion (The last Sunday of each month)

Refreshment

One hot day last summer, (yes we did have one) a certain lady was found sheltering from the heat in the shade of, (would you believe it), an old tombstone in the Chapel graveyard. A rare disease, so it seemed, made her skin extra sensitive to the sun's ultra violet rays – which left her, one might say, with few problems as far as our usual English summers are concerned!

On this particular, untypically warm day in question however, the lady, who must remain anonymous, gratefully accepted an invitation from one of our own lady members to enjoy the extra shade and comfort which the Chapel building afforded, and so stepping inside, she finally sat in one of the pews, quietly sipping a cup of tea, and listening to the organ.

She explained that she was on holiday (her home was in the Lake District) and that she felt completely exhausted from walking on such a hot day. She greatly admired the beautiful condition of our Chapel building and was especially entranced with our two manual pipe organ, and the exceptionally fine sound produced from it. Eventually she expressed her profuse thanks for the quiet time of rest and refreshment and departed happily on her way.

The sequel to the story is that, upon taking her leave, the lady left an envelope containing a £10 note and also a brief letter saying how very much she had enjoyed her brief sojourn in the Lord's house and that, to quote her own words, she was most grateful “for shelter, shade and music”. One of her favourite hymns was “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, which includes the verse:-

Drop Thy still dews of quietness
'Til all our striving cease,
Take from our hearts the strain and stress,
And may our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

We go to Church each Sunday for a similar time of quiet rest and refreshment from the presence of Almighty God. So why not step inside and join us next Sunday? If you don't know where to find us we are situated on the main road, betwixt “The Plough” and the “Police Station”. Need we say more!

Memo

Tuesday May 31st – Bright Hour Outing to Paignton.

Coach picks up at the Chapel at 9.30 a.m.

Enquiries:- Mrs Looker, xx Manor Lane. Tel: Falfield 26xxxx.

E.L.

3

First I would like to say how pleased I am that this village publication is to continue and to thank Mrs. Rosa Gunning for the years she spent directing its course. It is a most useful and excellent publication and I am sure that there are many, besides myself, who would be very sad to see its demise. Our thanks to those who have agreed to continue its life by their efforts!

I have some dates of various functions which are, of course, open to all (as are all our activities).

April 30th. Mini Jumble Sale. Commencing at 10 a.m. at Charfield School in the room known to some as the dining room: it has a green roof. This sale always has a good variety of things of interest. There may be something there to interest you. SATURDAY.

May 21st. PLANT sale. Commencing at 10 a.m. (until stocks last) in the Church porch and yard. This is a fine opportunity to get stock for your gardens. Flower and vegetable seedlings, individual plants for indoors and outdoors, raised with loving care and at reasonable prices! Your own horticultural supplier. SATURDAY.

June 25th. A Midsummer Feast/ June Fling. This is a new venture. At the moment plans for this have not been completed. What is in mind is, I think, a marquee and a good time to be had by all – at least by all those who COME! You will hear more of this later. In Church grounds and at 7.30 p.m. SATURDAY.

September 3rd. An Alcohol and Drug Abuse Exhibition in St. John's Church. This should help to create a local awareness of one of the problems of our modern world of concern to all of us and perhaps especially to parents. SATURDAY (& onwards).

September 17th. Our annual BAZAAR commencing at 2.30 at the Village Hall. SATURDAY.

Well, there is no reason now to say that you didn't know! Make a note of the above in your diary NOW and you will not look back in wistful disappointment!

… wistful disappointment: I wonder how many of us know the flavour of that. Sometimes we know disappointment through no fault of our own. Circumstances beyond our control conspire to disappoint us. About that there is little that we can do. But sometimes we create our own disappointment. Sometimes it is the result of our own actions. Sometimes it is the result of our inaction. “If only I hadn't done that.” “If only I had done that … how different things would have been.” On the whole disappointment is a pretty useless emotion. It doesn't change anything. Except that we can learn from it what the consequences of careless action may be.

One of the saddest things is looking back on a long life and regretting how it has been spent. We can lose things that we can never recapture. We were meant to find fullness of life. We have an instinct for it. But so often we look in the wrong direction for our fulfilment. We can become so ‘thing’ conscious, mistaking outer objects for inner satisfaction. If we check, we find that time and time again these outer things fail to satisfy. That is because our deepest satisfaction can only be found within and there, within our deepest satisfaction can only be found in Him Who holds us, and all things in life. This is the perennial message of the Church, tested and proved by those who walk in the ways of God.

Kenneth Grant.

4

Since last writing in the Newsletter, we have moved on a pace at the Village Hall.

We are having the interior re-decorated and updated, and even the serving area is to be sorted out at last. We are also having quotes for the exterior of the hall to be re-painted and repaired.

At our A.G.M. last week after the Committee was formed we still had some places available for co-opted members, so if anyone is interested please contact me.

The extension has now been approved by the magistrates and the plans are moving on to the planning permission stage. Then, if approved, will go out to tender and the work of raising money will really start.

Sports and Gala Day is to take place this year after all our doubts. Brian Lovegrove of Manor Lane is to chair the Committee so if anyone wishes to help or go onto the Sports Day Committee please contact him as soon as possible. The date for this years Sports Day is July 16th.

The problems in the car park etc. that I spoke of in the last Newsletter seem at last to have quietened down a little, although many cars and motorbikes are still parking in the car park without permission. Please remember parking is for people using the village hall or field only. It is NOT a public car park.

Any help with fund raising, including car boots, discos, etc. would be more than welcome. Please contact me on Falfield 26xxxx.

Jane Hall.

As in previous years it is the intention of the Parish Council to hold a Holiday Play Scheme for one week in August 1988 for children between the ages of 5 to 12 years. (Under 5's by arrangement with the organisers).

We would appreciate any suggestions for a suitable venue and volunteers available and willing to help monitor the children during one or more sessions between 1st and 5th August.

All replies to:-

Marilyn Burden, xx Avon Road, Charfield. Tel: Falfield 26xxxx.

Anna Hart, xx Avon Road, Charfield. Tel: Falfield 26xxxx.

Now that the days are lengthening we are preparing for another year of activities for our members. We still extend an invitation for new members to join us for a pleasant afternoon every fortnight.

Various local people give quite interesting talks on their different walks of life, whilst artistes of musical talent and voice make for varied entertainment. We shall, when the days get warmer, be pursuing half and full day trips to the sea, or cities for sight seeing or shopping.

5We hope to run another “Draw” and we would appreciate support for us in this fund raising effort.

E.H. Orton Chairman

We are again holding a mid-summer luncheon which this year will be on Wednesday, 29th June. This is open to everyone in the village, regardless of age, who would care to come along. The tickets will be on sale nearer the date so keep an eye open for posters.

Once again listed are the dates for Luncheon Club:-

4th May	27th July	19th October
1st June	24th August	23rd November
29th June	21st September	7th December

If for any reason you cannot make it to the Village Hall, we will be pleased to deliver a dinner to your home.

Best Wishes,
Jane Higgins.

This year being the Venture Scouts 21st, our bunch of slightly idiosyncratic (or for those of you with the I.Q. of a Venture Scout – weird) Ventures will have again lost their sanity (i.e. gone mad)!

For our 21st year, the award scheme for Venture Scouts has been updated and we have all been given nice new little books. We have also been given this ‘trendy’ new lego – “Venture Scouting works”. We have known it for 21 years so we thought it was about time we told everyone else.

The other logo is about “Sherpa 88”. A group of Venture Scouts with slightly less brains and a little more courage than us will be climbing Mount Everest in October this year. This has been organised by Sir Edmund Hilary, who has done a tremendous amount of work for the inhabitants of Nepal, the Sherpas. On the 1st October, Venture Units all ever the country will be climbing the equivalent height of Everest to raise funds to help the Sherpa. Our own idea is to climb up the inside of Hawkesbury Monument and, with the help of the Army, abseil down the outside!

In our 21st year we believe that “Venture Scouting Works” and we know it will for “Sherpa 88”.

By the way, if you are still out there and aged between 15 and 20, male or female, and want to join us then call me on Falfield 26xxxx.

Mark Morris,
Public Relations Officer.

6

First can we thank everyone who helped us to sort out all the Jumble. Also everyone who gave us support. The money raised went towards a new tent which was needed.

It was a great pity that the girls' Slimbridge walk was cancelled due to someone else booking the Youth Hostel before us. Still, the girls have enjoyed the walks that they had done ready for the hike.

Last half term about 14 girls and parents came with us to Wembley to see Holiday on Ice. The show was enjoyed by all. Hopefully we will do something like this again at the end of the year.

Camp this year is to take place at Westonbirt near Tetbury. Let's hope the weather stays good.

If there is any girl who is aged 10½, and would like to join, please see Mrs. Meek or myself.

From now until July we will be going to Avening Green, where it is hoped we will be cooking and teaching the girls to pitch a tent.

Mary Westlake,
Assistant Guider.

If you are a girl, nearly seven, tough and like wearing a bobble hat, get your Mum to put your name down on our waiting list now. Life in the Brownies is full of fun.

Over the past few months we have been to the Pantomime, made jewellery boxes, picture frames and puppets as well as passing our Crime Prevention Badge and learning how hard it is for disabled people to cope with day to day life.

We have lots of activities planned for the summer months, so look out for the Brownies in and around the village, or returning home tired but happy after an adventure.

Contact Mrs. Smith (Fal. 26xxxx) or Mrs. MacLellan (Fal. 26xxxx) if your daughter is ready to take up the challenge of life in the Brownies.

Charfield Reserves

The Reserves recorded a commendable season in Trinity League Division 4.

Early exits from all cup competition means manager Dean Saunders could fully concentrate on making the side promotion challengers. With defeat in the first game, the side changed round and swept aside the opposition to record eighteen matches unbeaten run which saw the side in six games score five goals or more and keep nine clean sheets out of the eighteen. The run eventually came to a close and in the last seven games the results were mixed with four wins and three defeats, with the two teams below too close for comfort. The team saw what might have been a promotion season start slipping away, for, with the reserves having played all three games, it was possible the clubs below who both had games in hand could leapfrog over the reserves so condemning them to 7another season in Division 4. After such a good season it would be a shame for the reserves not to gain promotion.

CHARFIELD 1ST XI

The First XI under the management of Kevin Bath also received early exits from all cup competitions and with the league all to chase for started well going eight games undefeated, before slumping to a mid-season crisis with the team picking up just one point from a possible sixteen, sending them sliding down the table. With the season coming to a close, the next ten games saw a complete turn around with seven wins and three draws (seven games being clean sheets), boosting the team back up the table and with three games still to be played (upon the publication of this newsletter), there is still an outside chance of promotion; but for the mid-season slump it could have been definite.

The full outcome of both teams will appear in the next newsletter.

The Club is looking forward to their Annual Dinner/Dance to be held at the Cotswold Edge Golf Club on Friday, 13th May.

Also, on behalf of the Club, I would like to tank two outgoing committee members, P. Kirby and J. Lloyd, for their contribution to the club in past years.

Mike Green
Secretary.

Charfield Cricket Club, for the first time in its history, will field two teams on a Sunday. It already enters two teams in the Cheltenham and Gloucester League on Saturdays, an Under 20 team in the John Macey League and an Under 18 team in the Bristol & District Youth League. The expansion of the club is in response to the increase in the demand for games of cricket, but we would be only too pleased to welcome anyone else interested in cricket to join our club. A full list of officers and team captains will appear at the end of this report, and do not hesitate to contact any of them.

The 1987 season contained many good performances, but here is a summary of the season.

First XI. Captain Ray Johnson. Premier Division.

8Averages

Simon Bamford was also judged to be the Most Improved Player of the season, and Mark Nixon received the Peter Dand Award for the Outstanding Individual Performance, scoring 50 in 15 balls against Redmarley C.C. and taking the score to 200.

Second XI. Captain Rod Alexander. Division 2.

Averages

The skill and experience of such as Ivor Morgan, Cliff Davis, Bob Sowden and Tony Gannon allowed the team to once more gain promotion.

Sunday XI. Captain Simon Bamford.

This team played 19 matches and fixtures include many local teams; Wotton-u-Edge, Kingswood, Cam and Stone, but also teams wider afield such as Swindon Village, Portishead, Pucklechurch and Newent. The team is always a mixture of youth and experience, but the Captain does not always have the luxury of the same players each week.

John Macey League. Under 20

Averages

Runners-up in 6 a-side competition, beaten by Stone C.C.

A very successful first season in this league, which it was hoped would encourage Youth Cricket in the villages in the Severn Valley. Many of the less successful clubs were trying to introduce teenagers into cricket, only to find the competition perhaps too strong. We hope their enthusiasm and interest has not been crushed and that they will be keen to play this season.

Bristol & District Youth League Under 18. Captain Robin Burner.

Charfield C.C. managed to reach the semi-finals of the Cup, only to be beaten by Clifton C.C. This, after beating Patchway C.C. and Imperial C.C. in the earlier rounds.

The Youth Player of the Year was Ashley Hannigan but Del Gannon, Sean Dix, Paul Ealey and Robin Burner all made valuable contributions. The majority of the team will still be available in 1988, providing an experienced nucleus to tackle what is, after all, a very strong League indeed.

In 1986 to mark their Centenary, Rockhampton C.C. ran a 6-aside competition featuring the best local teams. Charfield C.C. were beaten by Thornbury C.C. in the final. In 1987 the Competition was run again and this time Charfield went one better and lifted the Rockhampton 6-aside Challenge Shield. Simon Bamford captained the team including John Cliff, Kevin Morgan, Mark Nixon, Mark Young and Paul Bath.

9Award winners received their trophies at the club's annual Presentation Evening, this year held at the Royal Gloucester Hussars Hotel, Frocester. After a fairly disastrous start to the journey, the coach eventually carried 60 members and friends to a relaxed and entertaining evening. Our old friend and Gloucester League umpire, Rowley Gabb, spoke of the need to encourage young players to become involved in both playing and organising sport, especially in local communities.

Charfield C.C. also entered a team at the Cheltenham Cricket School, the 3-D Sports 6-aside League for the second year. Once again much of the administration fell on the shoulders of Ray Johnson. He noted a marked improvement in our performances compared to 1986, and this despite facing strong opponents such as Cam C.C. and Cheltenham C.C. Ray Johnson also reported a good turn out for indoor cricket net practice at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Monday evenings since January. The expanded cricket fixture card is now available, including details of our short tour to Devon and Somerset in May, with fixtures against Riverside C.C., Stoke Gabriel C.C. and West Pennard C.C.

I sincerely hope that if you read this report and are interested in joining Charfield Cricket Club, you will make note of one of the following addresses and telephone numbers. We will be only too pleased to hear from you.

President – I. Morgan.

Fixtures

The difficulties of running a Youth Club with only one leader should not be under-estimated, and we are therefore very pleased to welcome Mrs. Moira Waite who has joined the club, thus strengthening the leadership to two.

I wish her and Zbig Motkaluk all the best and hope that perhaps parents will visit the club from time to time and maybe contribute in some small way towards its running.

P. Peaster
Chairman.

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For those of you who support K.L.B.S., P.T.A. I would like to bring you up to date on what we have been spending our funds on. Since the A.G.M. last October, over £2,000 has been given to the school to purchase the following:-

Weights storage rack for the Gym.

Multi-Track Recorder for the Music Dept.

Various Art Materials for the Art Dept.

Skills for Adolescence Materials.

Video Recorder for the R.E. Dept.

Chess Prizes for Inter-Schools Competition.

2 Computers, Disk Drives and Printers for the Home Economics and English Depts.

On behalf of the school and the P.T.A. I would like to thank all the parents and friends who come along and support the events we arrange and help us to raise the money to enhance the education of all pupils at the school.

Twelve months ago, I wrote in the Newsletter about trying to organise an open evening on the problems of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. We have at last been successful in getting together four speakers to come along on Tuesday 10th May, at 7.30 p.m. in the Drama Hall. They will be prepared to answer any questions and to show you some of the ‘items’ which can cause problems. Do make a note of this in your diaries as I feel sure we can all benefit from what will be said during the course of the evening.

Prior to that, in conjunction with Wotton Arts Festival, we are holding a Jazz Evening with the Celebration Jazz Band On Friday, May 6th in the Drama Hall at 8.00 p.m. Tickets available now at £3.00 each.

July 9th will see once again an afternoon of Fun Sports and Summer Fayre. Stalls, sideshows, disco music, karate demonstration, Pet Show and much more along with our fun races. Keep the date in your diary and join us for an afternoon of fun.

Finally, to any parents whose children will be leaving school this summer, the school still has a second hand shop and any outgrown items will be most welcome.

Margaret Clarke
Chairman K.L.B.S. P.T.A.
Fal: 26xxxx.

I have not reported on extra-curricular activities for some time so here is a resume from the last four months.

Netball

The girls have worked hard send considerably improved their game. Fifteen to eighteen of them stay regularly after school and have had considerable success playing teams from schools in Dursley, Thornbury, Winterbourne and Wotton. They also played very well in the local tournaments – one held in October and the other in March. We are very grateful to those parents who help to transport the teams to and from matches.

11Chess

We have a Chess Tournament within the school each Spring term. This year nearly 40 children entered and the five finalists were Wayne Davies, Justin Stewart, Philip Davies, Daniel Colla and Philip Hobby. After some long, closely fought matches our 1988 champion was Philip Davies with Daniel Colla as runner-up. The winner holds a trophy for the year. This was given by Mr. Weaver many years ago when he was Official Correspondent to the Managers (as they were then known).

Seven or eight children have played, as a team, against other schools and are undefeated. We also participate in in various competitions at Katharine Lady Berkeley's School, organised by Mr. C. Penna. Quite a large group of children attended Mr. Penna's Primary Schools Chess Congress on April 9th and won the Team Trophy. Individual winners were:- Robert Devall, overall winner; Victoria Lovegrove, best girl; Wayne Davies, best Under 10; Philip Davies, best Under 11; best performance in a simultaneous match with Mr. Penna – Justin Stewart and Wayne Davies. Philip Davies also won a medal as best Under 11 player when he, and a few other players from our school, entered the Swiss section of a large Chess tournament held at K.L.B. School in March.

Table Tennis

A number of children play regularly at lunch time and we have a knockout tournament in the Summer term.

Swimming

We participated, very successfully also, in the District Primary Schools Swimming Gala, culminating in the winning of both boys and girls relay races.

Football

Darren Dixon has captained the school football team in its series of 12 matches against teams in the Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne areas. The team has practised and played with real enthusiasm, and whilst it has won 4 and drawn 2 so far, it has only been beaten convincingly once. The best performances were against Highcroft, Frampton Cotterell (4–0) and St. Michael's, Winterbourne (6–0). Brian Jater has been an excellent goalkeeper, David Newns a strong forward and Darren Dixon and Philip Hobby skilful in mid-field.

D.A. Malpass
Headmaster.

Once referred to as the “School Managers” until the 1981 and 1981 Education Acts, the Charfield School Governors have continued to meet regularly and press the Local Education Authority for improvements to the school premises.

Finance has been a big stumbling block though both the boys and girls toilets have been given a “facelift”. Major structural changes now await further draft plans by the County Architects staff and a feasibility study.

The Education (No 2) Act 1986 has emphasised even more responsibility upon School Governors and the current Education Reform Bill, which is still being debated in Parliament, underlines further requirements.

One of the aspects of the 1986 legislation, (namely Sections 30 & 31) provided for a duty upon School Governors to prepare once in every school year, a report to parents and containing:-

12a)	A Summary of steps taken in discharge of their duties
b)	Any other relevant information
c)	The names of the Governors and by whom nominated
d)	The name & address of the Chairman and the Clerk of the Governing body
e)	A financial statement (As from September 1987, the Local Education Authority is required to supply Governors with the financial information which is required).

The first report was for the academic year 1986/87 and was presented at a reasonably attended meeting held on July 15th 1987, whilst the second Report for the academic year 1987/88 was scheduled for April 14th 1988.

The meetings present an opportunity for parents to glean further information over Education Policy as well as physical requirements of the school and as such, the 1986 legislation is breaking new ground – hitherto only partially encountered at P.T.A. meetings. In fact, both the 1986 legislation and the current Education Reform Bill seek to include parents more fully in Governing Bodies.

To this effect new ‘Instruments of Government’ which come into operation in September 1988, has varied the proportion of representation whereby, as far as Charfield is concerned 3 Parent Governors will now be needed instead of 2. The Parish Council nomination is reduced from 2 to 1 and so too is the teacher representation. The Local Authority will continue to nominate 3 Governors, and the number the Governing Body can now co-opt, is increased from 1 to 3.

The Charfield School Governors will continue to have much to consider in the future particularly should the Education Reform Bill and the current Local Government Bill reach the Statute Book.

The Governors are also alert to a likely increase in pupil intake with the concept of the proposed housing development and so, in addition to the existing feasibility study, they are pressing the L.E.A. even further for improved facilities.

Rev. David W. Parker
Chairman.

13

Although there has been a lot of publicity about the changes in DHSS benefits, it is still pretty complicated. Supplementary Benefit has been replaced by Income Support and is for people on a very low income. Family Income Supplement is now called Family Credit & is to help families with low paid jobs. The cash limits are higher now than under the old rules so people who did not qualify before April 11th may well now do so. The Social Fund replaces the old Single Payments system for special needs. Grants for funeral expenses, some maternity benefits & repayable budget loans are made from this fund, but generally speaking you need to be receiving Income Support before you can claim from it.

Rules about Unemployment Benefit have also just changed. Anyone who chooses to give up their job (rather than being made redundant or being sacked) will not be able to claim benefit for 26 weeks unless they can prove there was a very good reason to do so.

This is just a brief summary of some of the changes. We have all the new details on file & if you would like to know more about how these changes might affect you we shall be happy to help. You'll find us in the Council Office in the Chipping car park in Wotton Tuesday mornings between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tel: Dursley 84xxxx. Help is also available from our Stroud office in the High St. every day between 10 a.m. & 4 p.m. (6 p.m. Tues) and 9.30 to 11.30 Saturday mornings. Tel: Stroud 2084.

Barbara Adams C.A.B.

April sees the start of a new Tennis Club year. Fees are now payable to Anne Stoakes, our Treasurer who lives at xx Horsford Road.

Seniors	– £10
Juniors	– £4
Families	– £24

We are holding an American Tournament during the weekend 7th & 8th May. The entrance fee for this is £1 per person. Please contact Jacky Swallow, our Tournament organiser, on Dursley 84xxxx if you would like to enter. The usual doubles and singles matches are also being held throughout the summer – assuming we have a “summer” in which to play!

Claire Haines,
Secretary

Tuesdays 10–11.00 am in Charfield Memorial Hall

We hold a friendly Class welcoming all abilities and ages. Close supervision is maintained and advice about weight, injury and general health is given when requested.

Keep Fit

If you find Aerobics on Tuesday is too much for you then come along on Wednesday and join our relaxing Keep Fit Class. Anyone is welcome and it is not expensive – only 60p per session.

Wednesdays 10–11.00 am in Charfield Memorial Hall

To whoever planted the daffodils (Parish Council?) many, many thanks. They have given a great deal of pleasure and a lovely cared for look to the village.

Barbara & Mike Adams.

Hear, hear! – but what a great pity some bright spark(s) saw fit to mutilate the ones at the top of Manor Lane. What WAS the point?

Eds.

14

I would like to start off by saying a big thank you to everyone in the village who contributed to our fill a Smarties Tube fund raiser. Over £100 was raised for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Wishing Well Appeal.

I must also say thank you to the outgoing committee for all their hard work over the last year in making Toddlers a success. Let me now introduce the new committee:-

Elaine Popham	– Chairperson
Sue Burden	– Vice Chairperson
Tina Crooks	– Secretary
Lynn Newman	– Treasurer
Rosemary Woodward	Mary Linkin
Angela Nixon	Liz Hill
Ilze Hicks	Shirley Smith
Cathy Phipps	Pat Loveridge
Sarah McNally	Denise Mitchell

If there are any new mothers who don't know about the group it is run on Thursday mornings from 10.15–11.30 in the village hall for mothers and babies from 0–3 years old. It is a good way for you and your children to meet new friends, have a coffee and chat as well as being able to keep a careful eye on the children. Any new mothers who would like to join would be most welcome to come along on any Thursday morning.

Also with Toddlers every 2nd and 4th Thursday in the month, there is a clinic run by our Health Visitor – Mrs Storey with a Doctor in attendance.

Hopefully 1988–89 will be another successful year for Mothers and Toddlers with lots of support for our fund-raising and annual events.

Tina Crooks
Secretary

15

First of all may I say a big thank you to Margaret Tippins and her retiring committee, for all their work in the last year, and an even bigger thank you to the new committee which was recently elected.

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday 18th May	Ploughman's Lunch with Young Wives 12–2 pm.
Thursday 19th May	Visit by Rowe Veterinary Clinic
Thursday 16th June	Coach Trip (more details later)

Just to remind you – Young Wives meet every third Thursday of the month, at 3.00 pm in Charfield Memorial Hall, when we have an interesting speaker followed by refreshments.

Our yearly subscription is £1.50 and each monthly meeting is 50p.

I look forward to seeing you all in the coming months.

Jeanette Halliday,
Chairlady.
Tel: Dursley 84xxxx

(a feature we hope to run in each issue – see the Editorial)

To any of our regular contributors who missed our deadline of April 12th – we had to ‘go to press’ on time due to our printer who is taking some much needed holiday.

16

The Egg Decorating and Rolling Contest on April 2nd was well attended despite the weather's efforts to put people off. We had some beautifully decorated eggs which must have taken people ages to do only to have them hurled down the hill later on. I think we all enjoyed ourselves and hope the next committee hold another contest next year.

Our next fund raising event will be a Family Disco and Bar-b-que which is to be held in a barn if all goes to plan! This should take place sometime in July so save your pennies and all come along for a good bop!

We will be holding an Open Day sometime in July for all parents and children who will be starting Playgroup next year. This will enable them to meet the staff and see the facilities available for the children. So, if you have a child who will be three years old during the next school year and you want them to attend Play-Group will you please give me a ring or drop me a line. I need to know their name, address, date of birth and telephone number if you have one. Thank You.

Wendy Homes (Secretary)
xx Farm Lees.
Tel: Dursley 84xxxx

If you would like any useful information published – or if anything in the Newsletter is not correct please let either of the editors know – Mrs M Hall 26xxxx or Mrs J Peaster 26xxxx

17

Dates to note for your diary are as follows:-

14th May – Cross Country, Blaise Castle
26th May – Group Annual General Meeting
31st May – Half Term – no Cubs meeting

We shall be holding a New Boys Pack Holiday, this will be for the boys who have not been away from home. We will let you know the dates later.

Due to the increasing assaults on children we have decided not to put our boys at risk this year so it is with regret that our yearly Bob-A-Job week will no longer take place. We shall be having some other kind of fund raising in the near future. So if the boys can't come to you, then please come and support us

I Look forward to seeing you all,

Audrey Chappell,
Akela

Since my last report Easter has come and gone and the weather over the past few keeps making me think summer is here already. “Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the birdies is?” – most are sitting outside my bedroom window at 5 a.m. shouting their heads off! For anyone who has not heard the dawn chorus its well worth making the effort to get up early and listen to it. It's the time of year that makes you feel alive and what to jump up and start doing things … a suitable cue to mention some forthcoming P.T.A. events.

Spring Fayre Saturday May 21st, starting at 2.30 p.m. – Our main fund raiser of the year providing lots of entertainment for children and grown-ups alike. There are all sorts of stalls to visit and its all good value – See you there!

Folk Dance Saturday 18th June 8 p.m.–midnight. The Abbey Folk Band will provide live music and their caller will guide you through all the steps of various country dances. Definitely an evening not to miss. Tickets will be available from mid May, but buy early as we are limited to 150 dancers.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable Spring, so until the next time T.T.F.N.

Steve Bennett,
Chairman, Charfield P.T.A.

18

Now that the continued publication of the Newsletter is assured, at any rate for the time being, I would ask readers to consider whether they have anything to contribute to the content. It greatly improves the interest if, in addition to the news of the various associations, there are articles or other features of general interest. Possible subjects might be interesting holidays or trips, projects or other activities by children, or just articles of local or indeed more general interest. If you have something to say, please send “copy” to Mrs Jenny Peaster, at xxx Manor Lane, or Mrs Mary Hall at xx Durham Road, by the closing dates given in the Newsletters. I should point out that these Joint Editors have absolute discretion as to what is published.

We are at present short of a distributor for Durham Road. If anyone is prepared to take this on would they please contact Mike Cheskin, xx Farm Leas. (Tel: Dursley (0453) 84xxxx.)

Geoff Blower,
Hon. Secretary.

During the year ending 31st March, our drivers have taken 82 passengers to their appointments at hospitals, doctors and clinics – an increase of 27 journeys on the previous year.

Thank you, drivers, for your continued support in between your part time jobs, children and other commitments. At times it amazes me how you manage to fit in these journeys. If there is anyone who would be willing to join these drivers (even for visits to Wotton doctors only), please get in touch with me for details. Payment for the journeys is calculated at 11p per mile.

It may not be realised that this Transport Scheme is organised by the Charfield, Cromhall and Tortworth Committee for the Elderly and Housebound, whose main purpose is to provide a lunch every 4 weeks for the elderly at the Memorial Hall. Without their financial assistance this scheme would not have survived, but now with the help of the Parish Council and sundry small donations, we are able to subsidise the payments made by the elderly. Anybody who is not elderly, but is housebound, can take advantage of the scheme but will be charged the full rate.

Muriel Blower.
Falfield 26xxxx.

On behalf of the Committee for Christian Aid in Wotton, I would like to bring to your notice the fact that during the week of 16th–20th May the Committee, made up of representatives from all the Churches in Wotton, use the Baptist School Room in Rope Walk to sell anything that people donate to us that is saleable. Last year we had a wonderful week and the shop realised £800. If anyone has anything that they would like to donate to us for sale please contact Mrs. Smith on Falfield 26xxxx.

Also, if you have any spare time when shopping in Wotton, come in and pay us a visit. If nothing else, you could have a cup of tea at a very nominal charge. Hope you will give us a try – You never know what you will find to buy.

Marion Smith.

19

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 19 sides of A4 paper.

Personal phone numbers and addresses have been redacted.

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

Digitization by Brendan O'Connor.

Last update: 2017-01-12.