CHADRA

That some of the youngsters in Charfield would like to use the old site hut in Manor Lane as a meeting place. However, the Parish Council cannot give permission for this because they are not the hut's owners …

That a proposed scheme, costing £30,000 to cut traffic speed through the Village may include:

• A roundabout at Tafern Bach;
• A gateway on Charfield Hill, giving the impression of a narrower road, with a red road surface and better speed limit signing;
• A traffic island just before Manor Lane junction, with a right turn lane, and wider pavements near the School with railings to guide children to a red surfaced crossing point;
• Maybe rumble strips or more road markings near the railway bridge;
• Road narrowing outside the Church giving Wotton-bound traffic priority;
• More road narrowing between Little Bristol Lane and the School – this time the Wotton-bound traffic will give way;
• A new footpath from New Street to a red-surfaced crossing point possibly near Station Road;
• The speed limit extended past SNFA Bearings – maybe into Gloucestershire! …

That the Fish and Chip van has been banned from the Village Hall car park due to an anonymous complaint and fears that it would attract people from miles around – maybe that is the reason for those gates! …

That a new tax was introduced on 1 October called Insurance Premium Tax (IPT). It applies to all General Insurances – motor, buildings, home contents, personal accident etc. If you are thinking this bit of news isn't relevant to Charfield, then remember most of us will be paying up … 2.5% at least;

That Renishaw is doing very well and recruiting more technical staff;

That a canine Friend who stayed briefly at Wotton Animal Rescue was the winner of a top dog photo competition.

John Butler

In This Issue:

• Local groups & clubs.
• Gardening
• Cookery & Recipes
• New ACF unit
• Church news
• Marilyn's Bit is back!
• Sports clubs' news
• Local History
• Local business adverts
• Scouts & Guides
• Letters To The Editor
• And lots more …

2

No-one in Charfield can ever really say they are bored, there are a lot of opportunities once outside your home to be involved in many things – either for pleasure or because you may like to be more committed. If you are new to the village – welcome and read the magazine – there are many openings if you are prepared to look for them.

It is the time of year for Remembrance, which seems to still raise thoughts of the awfulness of the experience of war. The War Memorial is now 75 years old and there is an interesting item which gives an insight to how this monument was first conceived.

Let us all hope we can think about peace.

After a great deal of thought I have decided to end my link with editing the Newsletter, it has been a very interesting and rewarding experience, but now for personal reasons it is time to move on. I would like to say an enormous thank you to all those who have given such a lot of support, from the early days on a typewriter with Jenny Peaster, and on to using a computer with the help of Carolyne Knibbs, and through all this my contact with Charfield, which I am sure is my spiritual home!

I will keep in touch with you all. Take care.
Mary

Next Copy Date 12 January 1995

Geoffrey Blower, xx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Copy – Geoff, our Secretary, co-ordinates all copy for the Newsletter.

John Butler, xx Underhill Road
01454-26xxxx
Duplication – John handles physical production of the Newsletter.

Mark Julian, xx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Typesetting – Mark is Chairman and does the typesetting and advertisements.

Julia O'Connor-Beach, xx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Payments – Julia is Treasurer and deals with subscriptions & advertising payments.

Marion & Angela Smith, xxx Manor Lane
01454-26xxxx
Distribution – Marion & Angela organise distribution through a team of volunteers.

If you have any ideas for the Newsletter, or would like to get involved with its editing, production, etc., please give any one of us a call – we'll be happy to hear from you!

3

Did you know that CHADRA is now 20 year's old? Wow – I bet that useful piece of news has changed your life!

Farewell

Mary Hall is leaving us as Editor, which she has been since 1986. As she says in her note opposite, Mary has seen many changes in the production of the Newsletter – from typewriting to word processing and now to desktop publishing! Farewell to Mary and thanks for her efforts over the years.

Front Page News

We've finally run out of the old pre-printed covers that you've grown used to over the last few years. What do you think of the cover for this issue? We've kept the old masthead and have added some features to make it look more ‘newsletterish’ – including some news! Your comments, ideas and suggestions are welcome, as ever.

Articles

The number and range of contributions to the Newsletter is increasing, which is great – thanks to all concerned. The size of articles seems to be growing too. To help keep the size of the newsletter (and the time it takes to produce) under control, some guidelines might help.

Guidelines

Club reports, group news, updates and the like are best at up to about 300 words length (about a column). Regular features can readily take up a full page – about 600 words. There's also room for a couple of special features in each issue of up to say 1200 words each (about 2 pages).

Copy Date

Copy date is the last date we can accept contributions. It would be a great help to have articles in early, especially long ones, then we could begin production early and get the Newsletter to you in a more timely fashion.

It's Good To Talk …

Members of the production team will always be happy to help with your articles and any other queries you might have. Please give one of us a ring.

Mark Julian

[Advert for Kiosks Newsagent]

4

Charfield Memorial Hall's 34th Annual Summer Fayre, a centenary celebration marking 100 years of Charfield Primary School and the Parish Council, was blessed with fantastic weather for the second year running. Mr George Carpenter, the Wotton Town Crier, introduced the Right Hon. the Earl of Ducie, who opened the fayre.

The intention was to provide a more traditional fayre this year and many thanks to all those who truly entered into the spirit of the day. Congratulations to the Ladies Club Committee, who won the best dressed stall prize, and to Mrs Dorothy Smith, Laura Hayward and Niall Bird, who won the spot prizes for best Victorian costumes.

The children of Charfield Primary School gave an enchanting display of country dancing in costume and their entries in the painting competition covered the walls of the Memorial Hall with light and colour:- Winners:

Also in the Hall, people browsed through the art exhibition, the centenary displays of the Parish Council and the Primary School, and the inaugural Photographic Competition sponsored by Snap Shack of Chipping Sodbury, the results of which were:- Winners:

On the field, PC James Stewart judged the children's fancy dress competition:- Winners:

The standard was very high indeed with many imaginative costumes.

The Small Pet Competition was won by Joanne Loveridge with Two Finches and later in the same tent the children thoroughly enjoyed the Punch and Judy Shows, sponsored by Jotcham and Kendall Ltd. Also on the field, the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ was not as busy as expected, and Mr Philip Taubenheim of Wotton Auction Rooms had a more relaxed time than was anticipated. There were displays of a threshing drum, tractors and stationary engines, and vintage bicycles and penny farthings to try and ride.

The Sports Programme, sponsored by M J Fews Ltd and organised by Mr Mike Smith, was very well supported and enjoyed by all. Winners of major events:-

The Tug of War, sponsored by the Wickwar Brewing Company, was won by the Hawthorn Close Harriers who beat the Railway Tavern in the final. The Harriers were presented with the Open Trophy and the Village Champions Shield by Jane Hall, Chairman of the Parish Council. The Manor Lane Maulers surprised themselves by coming third, beating the team from M J Fews. Thanks to all who joined in the fun.

Winners of the Skittles Competition, run by the Thomas family were:-

The weight of Farmer Ball's calf was 503kg (some calf, that!! approximately 80 stone!!) Mandy Bird's inspired guess of 505 kg won her the balloon flights donated by Bryant Homes. The first three prizes of the Grand Draw were won by Marc Cole, Mrs Rowe and Jackie Dench. The lucky programme wasn't claimed. Better luck next year!!

We are pleased to announce that the day raised in the region of £2000 for Hall and Playing Field funds. All the money raised goes towards meeting the ever-increasing running costs of the hall, play area & field.

Many thanks to all our supporters, sponsors, advertisers and those villagers who gave up their time and energy, both before and on the day, and all those who participated in the one event of the year which tries to bring all the village together for a family day – it just couldn't be done without you.
The Summer Fayre Subcommittee

5

Eighty years ago the Great War began. Of the hundred or so men from Charfield who left to fight, eleven were never to return. Seventy five years ago this year a memorial to those men was erected.

As we all know, casualties had been immense. With so many loved ones now lying in foreign fields, many in unmarked graves, it was natural for relatives to seek a memorial to them close at hand, on which to focus their grief. With the Armistice declared and servicemen returning many communities started movements to erect memorials. Charfield was no different.

The idea of a Charfield memorial was first raised by Joe Hughes in early February 1919, in a letter to the local newspaper. A soldier himself, he had lost two brothers killed on the same day. The Parish Council took up the idea and held a public meeting on 24th February.

With the Rector John Miller presiding over a reasonably well attended meeting, in true British tradition it was decided to form a War Memorial Committee. Agreeing to serve were the Reverend Miller (Chairman), Mr W.H. Barnes (Secretary), Mr G. Workman (Treasurer), Miss A. Witts, Mr H. Russell, Mr T. Goscombe, Mr T. Hignell and Mr T. Daniells. They were to consider what form the memorial should take. Interestingly, besides a permanent monument, also considered were a scholarship endowment to help pay for the education of the children of those killed or wounded and a display of war trophies, although this was later modified into a social club room, outside of which a captured German gun might be displayed.

Another public meeting was called for on 11th March and with interest aroused it attracted over a hundred people to the King's Hall. All the options were discussed and a permanent stone memorial was thought best. A debate then ensued as to where to site it, with the top of Charfield Hill and the grounds of St John's Church emerging as contenders. The meeting voted in favour of the Church grounds by a margin of 67–40. A Memorial Fund was opened and £40 subscribed on the night.

Despite the vote, many were unhappy with the Memorial being erected inside Church grounds, therefore a compromise was agreed. It would be in front of the Church, adjacent to the Wotton Road.

A London architect, Mr P. Tubbs, was commissioned to produce a design, to incorporate a Memorial that would be surrounded by a wall, which would continue along the whole length of the Church grounds. A scale model was made and exhibited in the window of King's Hall.

On 5th June another well attended public meeting considered the design, which the Committee considered was ‘in keeping with the object of the memorial’. The design was accepted, however, the provision of both a Memorial and wall had increased the estimated costs to £150 and with only £118 collected to date more funds would obviously be needed. In fact the final cost of the project was around £200 which was more than covered by subscriptions.

Work on building the Memorial commenced soon after, with Mr W. T. Goscombe, a local contractor being employed. The centre piece took the form of a Portland stone Gloucester Cross, with the names of the fallen inscribed at the base. Panels on the surrounding wall listed the names of others who served.

Although completed at the end of September 1919, the formal dedication did not take place until 2.45 pm on 28th February 1920. A large crowd gathered. Amongst it were many relatives of the fallen, who were later to place floral tributes. Over the Cross was draped a large Union Flag and the task of removing this was given to Frances Beatrice Neal, the only child of the village rendered fatherless by the War – her father went down with HMS Monmouth at the Battle of Coronel in November 1914.

Those assembled then sang “Oh God our help in ages past” and listened to a brief address by the Rector, on the theme of sacrifice. Following prayers of dedication and the singing of “Rock of Ages”, the Reverend Hardyman of Wotton-Under-Edge then reminded the crowd that the qualities of selflessness shown by those who gave their lives would now be needed in the new post war world. Prayers for the bereaved followed, then the blessing and what the Wotton-Under-Edge Gazette described as ‘a memorable and inspiring service’ ended.

Seventy five years on, the Memorial still stands and each year on Remembrance Sunday, a crowd gathers to remember those who fell and to hear the names of those to whom the Memorial was originally dedicated read out, joined by those who fell twenty years later, when hostilities recommenced. Long may it continue.
Graham Adams

6

An occasional series of jottings and seasonal thoughts from deep within the undergrowth of a Charfield cottage garden.

Mighty Oaks From Acorns Grow …

The news that my daughter has got a new tricycle may seem to have only a remote horticultural link. but its arrival has meant me spending much more of my time walking the highways and byways of Charfield in my role of “minder”.

What my travels have revealed is the interesting collection of trees the village gardens boast, ranging from exotic palms to the homely oak.

[Graphic: Shed with snow]

Looking at the existing vegetation of an area is always an excellent way to pick up clues as to what will grow well on local soils.

A more unfortunate outcome of the exercise has been to show how many people have planted trees which ultimately will become much too large for the size of their garden. Some of these trees can make their presence felt below, as well as above ground. The questing roots of poplar and willow can cause damage to drains and paths.

The best/worst example so far is a new house garden where you can find a Whitebeam, a Poplar and a Copper Beech. All are very fine trees, but as each of them can easily grown to 50 feet or more, they really do need a little more space.

Choosing an important element of a small garden, like a tree, can cause much heartache. After all, how do you balance the conflicting requirements of reasonably quick growth and a tree whose ultimate size will not make you a regular customer of the tree surgeon?

Two flowering cherries are worth considering, Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ makes a delicate tree with useful white flowers through the winter and yellow autumn leaves. The polished red ringed bark of the slightly more robust P. sargentii will make a year round contribution to the garden.

Crab apples are always useful trees for the smaller garden, as few spring sights can match the charm of apple blossom. Malus ‘John Downie’ bears bright red fruit later in the year, whilst M. ‘Golden Hornet’ would suit a cooler autumn colour scheme.

Both Sorbus vilmorinii and Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ will provide trees on a still smaller scale, growing to perhaps 10 or 12 feet tall after as many years.

The delicacy of the Sorbus belies its hardiness, as a member of the mountain ash or rowan family. Finely divided leaves with up to ten pairs of tiny leaflets per leaf, add to the overall air of daintiness.

The scent of its white spring blossom is a matter of personal taste, but soft pink ripening berries are outside the normal autumn colour range and often escape the worst ravages of hungry birds.

The Cornus is a truly choice tree with white blossom in late spring and cream variegations on oval leaves. Its tiered mature branches are perhaps its most striking feature giving rise to a common name of Wedding-cake Tree. As you may have gathered the word “choice” is horticultural-speak for “expensive”, but this slow grower will make an impact in the garden in direct relation to the amount spent – honestly.

Plant Propagation Made Easy …

The autumn it not only the best season to be planting new trees and shrubs, but is the time be thinking about increasing your plant stock. Taking Hardwood Cuttings is the easiest of the propagation techniques, no rooting powder, plastic bags or fungicide drenches, just a sharp knife or secateurs and a little patience.

Many popular shrubs can be treated in this way, giving transplantable plants next autumn. Success is virtually assured with any of the following: Buddleia, Dogwood (Cornus), Flowering Currant (Ribes), Forsythia and Mock Orange (Philadelphus).

First find a reasonably straight piece of stem from the current season's growth. Cut a section from its base 8 or 10″ long and ideally the thickness of a pencil. Avoid sappy growth which has not hardened off properly. Make a clean horizontal cut just 7 above a leaf joint and trim the bottom to just below a leaf joint.

Dig a V shaped trench to half the depth of your cuttings, fill the bottom with an inch of horticultural sharp sand. Stand the cuttings six inches apart on the sand, refill the trench and firm the soil. Choose a reasonably shady spot for your cuttings and remember to water them well next summer.

The spring should produce new growth and shoots, any cuttings not showing signs of life by midsummer can be removed.

I confidently expect a huge increase in the range of plants available at village plant sales next year.

Cold Weather, Summer Scents …

Flowering plants become increasingly rare as the winter wears on, but nature often compensates by enriching such winter gems with the most welcome of summer scents.

An ideal way to cheer the soul is to include a couple of scented plants near a path or door. Members of the Sweet Box family suit this job well, providing a group of small, upright, glossy leafed evergreens, with very sweetly scented flowers hidden beneath the foliage.

Look for them under their Latin name of Sarcoma, with both S.humilis and S.hookeriana becoming more widely available. Having flowered through the depths of winter it is not uncommon for them to produce a bonus crop of dark blue berries.

For a sheltered spot in the garden the winter flowering form of honeysuckle, Lonicera x purpusii really does recall warmer times, with its rich scent hanging on the air of still winter days.

Unfortunately a plant to be sniffed, but not seen. Although it freely bears unmistakable cream honeysuckle flowers, on bare branches from late winter to early spring, it is a dull twiggy plant at other times of the year – useful bulk at the back of the shrub border.
Martin Farrell is a Garden Designer & Lecturer who lives and gardens in Charfield

[Advert for Martin Farrell Garden Designs]

[Advert for The Pear Tree Inn]

8

Hello and Happy Autumn to you.

To those of you who said “Where were you?” in the last magazine, I do apologise.

The very week I thought copy had to be in, I was tap dancing on the stage at Wotton Town Hall, doing a wonderful number from “Crazy for you”, and whooshing about the stage in shimmery top and flowy trousers.

Mary telephoned, however, the following week, to say that the ‘in date’ had been held over to include the write-up about the Sports and Gala day. Truth to be told, I'd gone off the boil a bit and getting into the literary gear was a bit tricky, hence my absence.

Two weeks before the Bristol Balloon Fiesta takes place an event called the Night Glow happens. Having seen a few faces there from Charfield on that evening, you must know about it. It's still held at Ashton Court and in the Arena about 50–80 balloons lie in wait, deflated, for dusk.

About 9.15–9.30 pm, fantastic music of all kinds plays, modern and light classical, and the balloons are inflated and then, in turn to the music, light up. I was so impressed. Those magical billowing orbs of light filled the sky. The crowd cheered and sang.

In the centre of the arena but not yet lit, an oval shape rose into the sky. When it had reached beyond all the other balloons, although tethered to the ground – it burst into light. It was The Virgin Atlantic – A Galactic Spacecraft. I think it was the music from 2001 playing as the balloon slowly climbed upwards.

I couldn't really gauge how many people were in the crowds but the atmosphere was brilliant, everyone in such great spirits. As a finale the balloons slowly died down and a fireworks display ended the celebrations. It was so amazing, all we had to pay was £1 to a charity for our parking space. And, it took us two hours to leave – but so what?

A few months ago, KLB PTA held a Promises Auction. I promised myself as baby sitter. I was Lot 33. As it was a Promises Auction. I promised not to bash the babies. Bidding started at £10 – no takers! They had obviously heard I eat many biscuits. It dropped dawn to £5 – then slowly crept up to £6.50. So I suppose I did my bit for the funds. However I was very amused to see Margaret Clarke on the stage (not tap dancing) but taking down all the details of bids and prices etc., when our eyes met – how romantic! So she waved to me. I had my programme in my hand and waved back. I then heard the Auctioneer say “Oh, good, a starting bid for £5!” Well I nearly had a fit. I think I was bidding for one way ticket to Outer Clacton or somewhere as obscure. “Oh, no I'm not,” I exclaimed. “I'm waving to Margaret” and promptly left the school hall!

A friend had taken Sophie to the West Midland Safari Park last year, so we thought we'd all go this summer. It was my first visit to a park like this, having not even visited Longleat. We drove in of course, paid up and then set off, into the Wild Areas. I took the signs of Camels Bite, Monkeys Bite, Lions Bite, Everything Bites, very seriously.

Every time a creature appeared, let alone came near, out came the cry of “Close up your windows”, “Don't stick your fingers out”, etc., etc.

I will say that seeing these wonderful, graceful animals close up was a fantastic experience, so much so, we went around again.

Clearly, the camels act aloof, their heads deeming to bow down and peering into the vehicle making eye contact with the occupants.

The monkeys amazed me – for some reason they didn't leap onto our old four-wheeled wagon but any L-reg, BMW, Merc which they proceeded to tear to pieces. Windscreen wipers were ripped off, chunks bitten out of spoilers – I could not believe my eyes and despite being warned about this the drivers could not believe it either. The car owners would race forward and brake suddenly in the hope that the little rascals would fall off but they held on even tighter. It was great.

We travelled through zebra, bison, hippos and rhinos and came to the giraffes. Even though I had calmed down a bit regarding my open window panic, what did Keith do? – he opened the sun roof. I had a fit and a half. The next thing I know this foot long tongue is between Keith and I sucking up grapes off the dashboard!

I have now been licked and nudged by what appeared to be a 30 foot high gorgeous beast (no, not Keith) and can't wait till we go again.

I do a bit of fund raising for the Meningitis Trust at Stroud and the other week helped on a stall at the South Woodchester Show. You meet so many 9 different characters who are involved for many reasons. I met Sue Smith and her sister-in-law Eve, we were all together at the Leyhill Festival, and Sue had made some wonderful cookies out of a cook book the trust had compiled with recipes donated by famous people – you know the sort of thing.

Those cookies were gorgeous, being the foody that I am.

So I was getting louder and louder as the afternoon wore on, flogging these biscuits.

“Have a nibble – only 10p” – that sort of thing. Well, this chap came up and gave me a right telling off.

“Fancy a fully grown up lady like yourself shouting that out,” he said.

Well I agree I look like I've eaten a cookie too many but assured him that I was saying nibble and nothing else that sounded like it and he purchased a piece of carrot cake!

This next bit is sort of two in one.

Our sofas are six years old, dead squidgy and comfy but have stuffing poking out of any corner available. Action had to be taken and replacements were out of the question. I'll cover them I decided. On the basis of 54″ wide fabric, I calculated about thirty yards. Off we went to Eastville Market.

We drove down Ashley Down Road and passing Brunel College I yelled, “Pull up, they're filming.” To those of you unaware Casualty is filmed in the grounds, and I had my camera with me. Needless to say my family were not to be embarrassed and stayed in the car. I crept behind a tree. There was Ash and Josh the Ambulance Driver who now “gets on his bike”, standing about; wheeling in bodies; laughing with each other. I was snapping doing the David Bailey bit. I get so Star Struck.

When Keith did his course there two years ago, he swears he was in a shot with a passing sports car – so we all think he's famous! My family got fed up with waiting and we headed on down to the market.

We mooched about the stalls buying yummy things to eat and then came upon it. This fabulous material draped all over this metal frame – just right. It's sort of blues and deep pinks with a touch of sea green – all sort of ethnic like – which does go well with a late 19th century cottage!!

Knowing a bit about the business, having created a little something in my time – fabric like that comes in 54″, 72″ or 90″ wide. I'd got my tape measure around my neck so I looked quite the bizz.

“That's 72 inch, love, that is,” said this rather yummy bloke with a Brummy accent, “Oh, right” I said, “How much?”

“Three quid a yard” he replied.

They haven't quite gone metric yet at Eastville. I measured, just to check; it was 90″.

“That's 72″” he said again.

“Oh, right” I said, “£3 a yard, eh?”

I double checked the width, calculated what I needed and did the deal.

“This is 90″ you know” I told him.

“Oh, sausages” he said, or something beginning with ‘S’ “I've picked up the wrong batch”

“Still £3?” I bargained.

“Oh, all right” he said and ripped off my beautiful fabric.

That evening I was, now this is my favourite word of the moment, Swathed, in fabric. Sixteen yards of ninety inches wide.

I felt like Vivienne Westwood creating, and the sofas don't look too bad either.

Mary Hall, our Editor, gave me this tip, that had been passed on to her. Always have pen and paper to hand to jot down things you think of. That's what I have done and I've now come to the end of my list.

Thank you to you again, who asked “Where was I?” and I shall end by saying – “Did you know that Isaac Newton invented the cat flap?”

See you,
Marilyn

[Advert for Alan Hamer Driving]

10

I do hope that all of you have seen the recent publication ‘We Welcome You’

We certainly do and I can assure you that although gathered in church on a Sunday to worship Our Lord Jesus Christ, it is by no means a solemn occasion. First we catch up on the local gossip. A moment of hush follows as our secretary introduces our Preacher for the service. Then with any luck we sing a hymn which we all know!! Secondly, once in a while you may watch R. W. tripping down the aisle to collect the offerings (literally if one shoelace is undone!)

Thirdly you may all have a laugh when herself has regained her seat in the choir only to have nose bleed, trying to sing the next hymn with head and eyes gazing at the ceiling and handkerchief under nostrils.

I'm so pleased to note that there are other Christian people with a sense of humour. Take for instance the evening service of our Harvest Thanksgiving. We were so fortunate to have the presence of Mr and Mrs G Price from the Salvation Army, who gave us an extremely amusing address with puppet animation. The underlying reason was, however, to promote our belief in Jesus Christ.
R.W.

Think on this one:

The rank and file can't be too bad
For if I chance to be
Out shopping, and I smile at folk
They all smile back at me.
Anon

Sundays: Sunday School at 11.00 am
Family Church on the first Sunday of each month at 11.00 am
Communion is also observed after evening worship on the first Sunday of each month.
Tuesdays: Bright Hour fortnightly 2:30 pm

Preachers

Spring Bank Holiday (30 May 1994) was a very special day for the Children Hospice South West.

After only three years of fund raising the foundation stone for “Little Bridge House” was laid. It was said that the hospice would be a place of ‘tears and laughter’ and this has been brought about by the generosity of the West Country People.

Through our shops, restaurants, churches and schools public awareness is growing.

Children Hospice South West week was greatly supported during our first year of fund-raising in the Avon/Gloucestershire area. Collection boxes during that week raised a total of £25.

Locally the stall at Leyhill Vintage Harvest in August, organised by the Charfield Friends Group and with the support of our ‘face painting friends’, was a great success. It was lovely to see you all there.

Our next big event to end the year will be our Christmas dance on 10th December. With a live band, raffle festive ploughman's and mince pies all included in the price of entrance, it should be a great evening, tickets are available now, and we look forward to your support.

Our group will be celebrating its first birthday in November and our next meeting will be held at xxx Underhill Road on 9th November at 10.00 am, when Jo Hearn, our regional co-ordinator will join us. You are welcome to come along for a coffee and a chat to find out more about our charity.

Finally a Big Thank You to all our supporters during the past year.
Hazel Stone (01454 26xxxx)
Charfield Co-ordinator

11

A special meeting of the Parish Council took place on Tuesday 20th September to discuss traffic calming through the Village. Mr J. Fox, Section Engineer, Traffic Management, Avon County Council attended the meeting along with approximately twenty two residents. Draft consultation plans were available for inspection, and after listening to views of those present final plans are now being prepared. The Parish Council will again have an opportunity to comment, and if agreement is reached the scheme should be commenced before the end of this year. If anyone is interested in seeing either the draft, or final plans – when available – they can be inspected at my address.

The Parish Council is aware that funding of the Home to School Transport in respect of the Katherine Lady Berkeley School and children from Charfield has ceased. After much correspondence with Avon County Council a recent letter received states that ‘Parents in Charfield who wish to request the provision of free transport to Katherine Lady Berkeley School, where it is the nearest school and the three mile distance criteria is met, can do so by writing to the Client Services Unit (Transport Section) in this Department’ i.e. The Director of Education, Avon County Council, PO Box 57, Avon House North, St James Barton, Bristol BS99 7EB.

A number of complaints have been received about the condition of the former site hut and surrounds in Manor Lane. The current position is that Northavon District Council is investigating the possibility of taking over responsibility of the site, but have to identify whether any rights exist with respect to the building and also to ascertain whether the freehold owners wish to transfer the area to them. Unfortunately all this takes a great deal of time.

The Parish Council is invited to comment on planning applications within Charfield Parish and recently received one from Bryant Homes to demolish Tyndale House, New Street. Northavon District Council has just given permission, much against the Parish Council's recommendations, that the house can be demolished and replaced by one dwelling. The reason given – it was not of sufficient architectural/historical interest to be ‘listable’ and the dwelling does not relate to any other dwellings in the street scheme. Interestingly enough the Planning Department has stipulated that the stone tiles on the existing roof are to be saved.

The Council will be holding its budget meeting during December and any club or organisation within the Parish wishing to apply for a grant should send an application together with a written statement of the previous years accounts to the Clerk by the end of November. In return, if successful in obtaining a grant the Council expects a representative to attend the Annual General Meeting, held in May 1995 to inform the Council how the money has been/will be spent.

Anyone wishing to attend Parish Council meetings is very welcome, they are held in the Sportsman's Lounge commencing at 7.30 pm on the 2nd Tuesday in each month. Any resident is welcome to view planning applications/plans relating to Charfield Parish at the Clerk's address – keep an eye on the Public Notice Boards for the Agenda which will give details of those received.
Catherine Holmes, Clerk

The South West Blood Transfusion Service will be coming to the Memorial Hall Charfield on the 27th and 28th October 1994, The hours are 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 5.00pm to 7.30pm on both days. If you feel you would like to donate blood do come along.

The next opportunity will be on 25th and 26th May 1995. If you wish to be added to the list of donors, please contact the undersigned.
Jean Till (01454 26xxxx)
Local Organiser

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

12

Charfield Cricket Club has finished its fixtures for 1994 and is busily trying to assemble the bits and pieces necessary for 1995. Much of this is fund raising, but also includes making the square ready and assembling a willing committee. The 1994 season brought for the first XI, perhaps its hardest test for many years. Without its usual early season successes the team was made to battle till the very last match to ensure its survival in the Premier Division of Cheltenham and Gloucester League. The weather had led to 2 cancellations in the earlier part of the season, but the team could manage only 3 wins from the remaining 16 matches. David Bradley in scoring six 50's was the mainstay of the batting, although Tim Carter, Simon Hutley and Jonathan Davies all produced good innings. Simon Hutley and David Bradley took the greatest number of wickets, and Arran Turner proved that he could take wickets in difficult circumstances. Throughout the season skipper Tony Gannon was having to struggle with poor concentration on the part at his team, and luck that would not run his way.

The second XI's season got off to a disappointing start when it was announced that 2 teams had already left the division before the first match was played. This often left weeks and weeks with no cricket at all, especially when one takes into account the bad weather in May. There were good performances in the shortened season from Mark Nixon and Stephen Lovegrove, but the committee regretfully decided that in view of the small number of matches the Club would not award trophies for this team.

On Sundays the picture has seemed more promising and Tim Carter in his first year as Sunday Captain succeeded in inspiring his team with some consistent batting performances and customary skill as wicket keeper. Off spinner and vice-captain Robin Burner has been chosen as best bowler and the Youth XI skipper, Simon Walker made a successful transition to senior cricket. This, and in recognition of all his youth performances, has earned him the Fred Barton Trophy for top all rounder.

The Youth XI's with U13 and U15 boys turned in much more consistently competitive performances in the Bristol and District League. In the younger age group Mark Spill took the eye with his batting, while Philip Richards and Stuart Graham bowled accurately. Ben Vale and David Spill grew in confidence and experience as the season progressed. In the older age group, skipper Simon Walker bowled his allotted four overs in every game with commendable economy. The team has benefited from the arrival of new players (Peter Grey, John Webber, Matthew Legg) to go along side Nicky Clifton and David Sellick. The latter was chosen as Youth Player of the year for his all round performances. The Youth XI's would not run as smoothly as they do without the help of umpire John Cliff and a number of parents.

The notices have gone out for the AGM which will take place on October 20th at 7.30pm in the Sportsman's Lounge of Charfield Village Hall. All members and prospective members are most welcome and it is your chance to make your views on local cricket known to the committee. Needless to say we are always looking for cricket enthusiasts to help us run the club and new playing members to boost our performances.

The next date fixed for this year is the Presentation Evening and Buffet on November 11th at 8 pm in Charfield Village Hall. It will be a good chance to get to know members of the club, as will be the Winter Nets, which start on January 15th 1995 at 11.30am in the Wotton Sports Centre.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in joining Charfield Cricket Club. I can assure you that the committee of Charfield Cricket Club are seeking to develop the facilities of the club and the potential of its players of all ages. Even though teams do not always win trophies or win matches, cricket has many exciting moments of inspiration, brilliance, tension, dejection and defiance, which make it a rare game.
David S Bradley (01453 84xxxx)
Chairman

13

Although I have already submitted an article on the events leading up to the formation of Parish Councils, subsequent to the 1894 Local Government Act, it is an opportunity to reminisce on the events of that year.

The Local Government Act was passed on March 5th 1894.

It did not abolish the old Vestry Meeting system, but it did transfer their civil functions, in Rural Parishes, to Parish Meetings and Parish Councils.

Vestries survived as Ecclesiastical Bodies until the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1922 established a Parochial Church Council in every Ecclesiastical Parish. Now “Easter Vestries” are still held to appoint Church Wardens.

What then transpired in the village of Charfield? On December 4th 1894, a Charfield Parish Meeting was chaired. by the Reverend R.P. Davies – being as it were, the last of the erstwhile Parish/Vestry Meeting whereby the local Rector was the automatic chairman.

There were 10 nominations for the proposed 7 new Parish Councillors and on December 18th 1894 the undermentioned held the very first Charfield Parish Council Meeting and signed their Declaration of Office, as required by statute:-

John Morton, Augustus William King, Samuel Harwood Park (elected as chairman), William Fowles, George Allen, Algernon Roach, George Carter.

In March 1970, a Local Authority Order (i.e. the then Thornbury Rural District Council) was made to increase the number of Parish Councillors from 7 to 9 and on March 25th 1970 the Parish Council resolved that the Order be lodged in the Bank.

May 1995 will be the occasion for the next Parish Council Elections, and one hopes that electors will not only nominate candidates they wish to represent them, but will also turn out and vote.

The practice hitherto has been to blend the Polling Day with District Council elections and May 1995 was also originally earmarked by the Local Government Commission for elections to a shadow Unitary Authority which, in due course would have been the new South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority incorporating the present Northavon and Kingswood District Councils.

At the time of writing, the Secretary of State for the Environment is still to make a formal decision over the future of the County of Avon. There is still a rear guard campaign to retain the status quo and there is still a strong lobbying from Bristol to spread its boundary into the lucrative rateable valuable territory south of the M4 motorway. Who would have thought of all this in 1894?
David W. Parker
Chairman Northavon Area, Local Councils Association

The branch AGM was held in September at the Memorial Hall and the election of officers was as follows:- President, John Poskett; Chairman, Dennis Booth; Treasurer, John Poskett; Secretary, Peter Manley.

Remembrance Day parade and service will be on Sunday 13th November this year, the parade forming at 10.30 am in the Memorial Hall car park and marching to the church – weather permitting. This is usually a very well supported occasion and newcomers to Charfield are very welcome indeed.

The Charfield branch of Royal British Legion is only a small rural branch, and new members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining please approach any branch member. It won't cost you an arm and leg to join and don't forget that most RBL clubs will admit you to their facilities.

Branch meetings will be held monthly and all members are invited to take an active part in the branch. Any fund raising events organised by members of the branch will be publicised around the parish.

Finally from all members of our branch Seasonal greetings to everyone in Charfield and District.
Dennis Booth

14

Reading and enjoying ‘Notes from the Potting Shed’ in the Summer issue started me thinking about ‘From Garden to Kitchen’. As an enthusiastic (though not always diligent) cook and gardener it gives me real pleasure to gather vegetables straight from the garden and use them. I'm also beginning to feel that with most vegetables available all year round we're slightly losing the seasonal feel of cooking. I know I don't want to eat Brussels sprouts in July or strawberries in December – no Spanish strawberry tastes like the first English one (though I'm very grateful for mushrooms all the year round – and broccoli!)

So with seasons in mind, here are two recipes for good autumn soups which I hope some of you might enjoy. Both are for 6–8 servings.

The first is using Jerusalem Artichokes which came into Europe from Canada in the early 17th Century. They're very easy to grow and you get a lot of tubers on one plant – but they are tall. Mine have just come into flower – about 10 feet up. This year I'm trying the smooth ones – they taste as good as the knobbly ones but are easier to deal with. If you don't know where to find them Nick Tagewell in Market Street, Wotton usually has them.

1 lb Jerusalem Artichokes
4 ozs chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed (optional)
1 oz chopped celery
4 ozs butter
2 rashers unsmoked bacon – chopped
2½ pints light chicken stock (or water and 1 stock cube)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 ozs double cream
Salt, pepper, croutons

If using smooth artichokes, peel thinly. The knobbly ones are easier to peel if they are blanched in boiling water for 5 mins, then run under cold water till cool enough to handle. Cut into small even pieces. Cook onion, garlic and celery in half the butter till soft. Add the bacon, stir about for a few minutes then add the artichokes and 2 pints of the stock.

Simmer until the vegetables are cooked, about 30 minutes. Liquidise or sieve and add the remaining stock if you think the soup needs it. Stir in the remaining butter, salt and pepper to taste, cream and parsley. Re-heat but do not boil again.

Serve with croutons.

This recipe can easily be adapted for vegetarians by leaving out the bacon and using a vegetable stock.

The next recipe is for Curried Parsnip Soup

Don't be put off by its title – it's a wonderful soup with a delicate flavour. Parsnips, one of the few vegetables of British origin, are excellent in all sorts of ways, but whichever way they are cooked the flavour seems better if they've had a frost or two on them before being lifted.

3 ozs butter
1 large parsnip (a bit vague I know but exact quantity doesn't matter)
4 ozs chopped onion
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tablespoon flour
1 rounded teaspoon curry powder
2 pints hot beef stock
¼ pint cream
Chives

Peel and slice the parsnip. Put onion, parsnip and garlic into a heavy pan with the butter and cook slowly for 10 minutes, with the lid on. The vegetables must not brown, just gently absorb the butter (I'm afraid any of the butter substitutes, although they can be used, just won't taste the same)

Add the flour and curry powder to take up the fat and gradually blend in the hot beef stock. Simmer until the parsnip is cooked, about 20–30 minutes, then liquidise or sieve. Return to the pan, check the seasoning, add salt and pepper if needed, and a little more curry powder if you wish, but keep the flavour mild.

Add the cream – single, double, soured – whatever you like – or none at all if you prefer.

Add the chives. Serve with croutons or crisp toast.

Well, I hope I've remembered to put everything in! If anyone has any queries or would like some Jerusalem artichoke tubers for growing next year, please feel free to ring me.

Barbara Adams (01454 26xxxx)

Next Copy Date 12 January 1995

15

As it is 20 years since CHADRA was formed, Marion Smith has asked me to share with you a little of the history of the Association.

CHADRA was formed for two reasons. The first was due to a fatal accident at Little Bristol where two children were killed. This brought the people in the village together to try and do something about road safety in the Little Bristol area. The second reason was that many residents were greatly concerned about possible future housing development in the village and a number were thinking of starting a residents association to form a united front to fight this. I was involved in getting the two groups together to form one association to cover both issues.

A public meeting was called in the village hall and CHADRA was formed and a committee elected. At first there were two subcommittees to deal with the two specific issues, but after a while we became involved in any issue that the residents of Charfield required help with. We started by charging a membership fee but this was soon abolished so that all residents became automatic members. Funds were raised by an annual jumble sale in the village hall.

The Newsletter was started to bring the village together and we invited all the village organisations to contribute reports on their activities. The first edition was delivered to each house free, but after that there was a small charge. We produced 450 copies four times a year and they were delivered by a team of 14 who collected the money each time. This gave theme an opportunity to discuss topical issues with the residents and pass any feedback on to the committee. The early editions of the Newsletter were produced on a small hand-operated duplicator which took quite a time, but after a couple of years we were offered an electronic duplicator. At the time funds were low but the committee members were so keen to take up the offer that they guaranteed the shortfall until the next jumble sale.

In 1976 Northavon District Council produced a Village Plan for Charfield, using information based on a questionnaire that we had designed. Following this we produced our own village study entitled ‘Charfield – The Past, The Present and The Future?’. It was intended to be complementary to rather than contradictory of Northavon's ‘Alternative Development Options’. There were, naturally, differences of emphasis. Later CHADRA was involved in a planning appeal regarding future development up the hill behind Manor Lane, and we raised money to enable us to have legal representation for the four-day appeal. The result was that the development was not allowed to go ahead at that stage.

CHADRA was instrumental in restarting the Youth Club which had lapsed for a while. I am glad to hear that it is still running. We also produced an information sheet giving details of all the local facilities, which was delivered to all houses.

This is a little of the background to what we did during the early years. I am very pleased to hear that Marion Smith, who was also a founder member, is still very much involved and I must congratulate you all on 20 years service to the community.

Don Smith
Vice-Chairman 1973–4, Chairman 1974–8

[Advert for VideoSound Services]

16

I went on the Cotswold Jamboree at Selsley in July. Altogether 200 scouts and 300 guides attended, all from the Gloucestershire area. During the week we participated in various exciting activities like abseiling, climbing, caving and swimming. On site there were also plenty of things going on including a talent night, activity afternoons (where I made a kite that actually flies!), friendly sport competitions and a disco. Each day a camp newsletter was published which had all kinds of features. We were very lucky with the lovely weather and I'm sure everyone there had a wonderful time. I would like to thank everyone who organised the Jamboree.
Victoria Bartlett, 1st Charfield Guides.

‘That was the year that was!’

Following Centenary celebrations which seemed to last for longer than a year, we can look back on memorable events and enjoy improvements that have resulted from special Centenary Projects.

Although it involved many people in much extra work, we know that many Charfield residents, former pupils etc. appreciated visiting the school, especially the Anniversary Exhibition. The landscaped frontage to the school, once matured, will be an improvement which everyone will enjoy. The problem now is ensuring we have Brasso to keep the plaques shining!

We are indebted to so many people who supported the school during this special time, not least the Parent Teacher Association who work year on year to organise events and raise funds for the benefit of the children. There are so many organisations making worthy claims on people's time – and pockets – that we should count ourselves fortunate that we can enjoy such a level of support. There are many schools in other parts of the county that are not so fortunate.

Already this term a lot has happened in a short time! In September we welcomed 28 four-year olds starting school for the first time – some only just four. The transition from Playgroup, Nursery – or nothing at all – is a big step and a tiring one which is why the youngest children attend on a part-time basis for the first few weeks.

This year's Harvest Festival resulted in donations being passed in three different directions! A large collection of items for the care of infants in a Romanian orphanage was passed, via the local organiser, to the headquarters of ‘Children in Distress’ in Enfield, Middlesex, ready to join the next shipment to Romania. The more traditional Harvest donations were forwarded to the Yewcroft Home for E.S.N. Elderly in Wotton and the Methodist Centre for the Homeless in Bristol.

A collection week in aid of Children's Hospice South West raised over £9! Any collections and donations from this year's Christmas events will also benefit this very worthy cause.

As one of the foremost children's charities, the NSPCC is also well supported in school. The local organiser recently conducted Assemblies on their work and introduced a Sponsored Quiz which will doubtless have raised a considerable sum.

All of the above activities are of course in addition to the day-to-day working life of our school. In times when the ‘Market Economy’ is being applied to Education and when the curriculum seems to change from year to year, we try to keep our feet on the ground and provide what we feel are the ever-present needs of children – a caring environment and a good grounding in the basic skills.

Overseeing all of this is the Governing Body who is increasingly expected to assume greater responsibilities in the ‘self-managing’ school. Unfortunately they will soon be losing their Clerk who is moving across the bridge with her family. We are therefore seeking a new Clerk to the Governors – someone who could attend two or three evening meetings per term, take minutes, type a bit and deal with correspondence etc. and receive payment for doing so!

If you may be interested (you don't need to have connections with the school) then please give me a ring on 01454 26xxxx or pop in to school.
C.F. Sreeves, Headteacher

17

Puzzle Page

18

Hello everyone. Did you all have a good summer? We spent the summer mostly at Avening Green completing our outdoor programme, part of which was to make boats and sail them down the river. We also had summer camps which went very well – having good weather helped a lot. Try as I might, I can't understand why, at our Group camp, the boys spent all afternoon getting wet, wetter and even wetter – this included Trish, the Beaver leader, and any other leader who was daft enough get near the boys – yes, even the GSL. Poor Mr. Creeth only came to collect his son Graham and, if it wasn't for his quick action in winding up windows and closing the sunroof, he would not have escaped. Dare we delete from next year's programme, ‘The Water Fight’?

If anyone would like to make camp doughnuts, you can follow this recipe, I can assure you it has been well practised:

1. Make a jam sandwich, but without the butter.
2. Cut into quarters.
3. Make a thick batter.
4. Dip the sandwich pieces into the batter and then into sugar, covering both sides.
5. Fry in a frying pan until golden brown, or, even better, cook outside over an open fire.

Did you know that looks are deceiving? Reasoning with kids gives you something to do whilst discovering that you can't! Why is it that young scouters think old scouters are past it and old scouters think young scouters aren't up to it?

Lastly, remember one of the best things to be in the world is to be a boy or a girl – it requires no experience, but it needs practise to be a good one! Has that got you thinking? That's all for now folks. Yours in scouting.
Audrey Chappell, Akela

Hi, my name is Anna and I am writing to tell you about my experience on the Cotswold Jamboree, 1994, The camp was for a week – 23 July until 30 July. It was held on Selsley Common and there was a good turnout of Guides and Scouts with so many leaders, I lost count. The west division patrols were all named after herbs, ours was called fennel.

We had nice weather to put up our tents. Arriving at Sells at 12 o'clock, we managed to have them all up by half past two. Saturday and Sunday were spent setting up camp by making gadgets and preparing the site.

On Monday, we spent the day exploring other campsites, meeting new friends and finding where they were from. There were lots of different gateways into the campsites – some had aerial runways and one group had a big pig overhead!

On Tuesday, we all went to the Forest of Dean for caving, climbing and abseiling. I found the climbing quite hard, but I still enjoyed it. I didn't go abseiling because I couldn't face going over the edge. We had a talk about the caves which was interesting, even the ghost stories, which were a bit scary. We also went on a trip with Manchester and Selsley Scouts and we all got on very well (I bet you did! – Mum). We were able to play our radios until midnight, thanks to a big generator on the site.

On Wednesday, we walked into Stroud, where we went swimming at Straford Park. We also went shopping. The idea was that we were given £10.00 to buy food for our evening meal. We spent £3.55, which meant that we had £6.45 left over – this was given to local charity.

On our last visiting day, we went to the Forest of Dean Heritage Centre, which was interesting because of the old house which had lots of herbs in its back garden. In it, we found the Herb – fennel – that our patrol was named after.

On Thursday, we went to South Cerney to do some water sports. We had a choice of kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, rafting, or canoeing. I chose kayaking because it was quite easy to do. We all got soaking wet and the water was quite cold. That night, west division held a talent contest. Our patrol entered the contest by singing some songs. We came second – would you believe it?

On Saturday, we had to pack up and get ready to go home – shame. Our kit was put on a tractor and transported across fields to the car park where we met our parents and gave them a big hug – at which they recoiled because we had not had a bath for a week! Sadly, the time had come for us to say goodbye to our new friends and leaders. With promises to write and meet again, we left for home and a nice hot bath.

Yours in Guiding,
Anne-Marie Chappell, 1st Charfield Guides.

19

Now that the summer break is over the Group is getting back to its normal winter programme. During the holidays various activities were arranged but unfortunately due to the work commitments of the leaders the Scouts could not hold a Summer Camp. The Venture section had a very successful camp near Poole. “Come along and see what we get up to” they said, so I did!

The programme included mountain biking in the New Forest, sea fishing, wind surfing and a days working party on Brownsea Island (where Baden Powell held his first camp) clearing undergrowth. I won't go into details as to who did what to save any embarrassment except to mention that bikes are designed to leap rivers, and if anyone can tell Barry and I how to keep standing on the sail board we would be very grateful.

The Scouts were to be found last weekend on an overnight hike in the Wotton/North Nibley area. This went very well with the scouts learning just how different it is map-reading at night. Also on the agenda for the night was an intensive course of manoeuvring the large scout bus in the narrow lanes! Eventually the walkers and transport met and took the boys to the HQ for a bit of sleep before breakfast.

Both Cub packs are now into their winter programmes. I am most grateful to Rose Woodward and Andrew Brown who have agreed to take on the leadership of the Tiger pack together with Steve Dibden. Mike Cheskin has had to stand down due to work commitments and prior to Rose and Andrew coming forward there was a real danger that the pack would have to close. My thanks to Mike for all he has done for the boys and I hope we can call on your expertise from time to time.

The Cub Football teams are again in ‘training’ and a full fixture list is planned. Do I detect some slight rivalry between the Lions and Tigers??

The Beaver Colony is beavering away running a full and active programme for the youngest members of our group.

Future plans are now concentrating on the Scout/Venture trip to Malta at Easter 95. This will be the second time the group has been to Malta and we hope to renew our friendships with the Maltese Scout group who hosted our last visit. If all goes well it is hoped that they will visit us during the summer of 95 so we will be fully occupied.

Our next fund raising event will be a jumble sale and car boot on October 22nd and by popular request the return of the Jokers for another 50/60's night on November 12th. So start practising the jive, twist etc. and prepare for a good bop. Ticket numbers will be limited so get yours quickly.

Woodend Walk 9th October 1994

Once again we set the challenge of a 25Km or a 10Km walk using the footpaths in the area. The weather was perfect for the 118 people who took part. Happy groups of walkers set off from the school at 9.30am with both short and longer walkers setting off together on their chosen distances.

The routes took in Huntingford, Bradley Green, Wotton and Kingswood with the longer distance also passing by Nibley Monument, Conygres, Coombe and Wortley. The short walk was repeated in the afternoon for those who had other commitments in the morning. Checkpoints were scattered along the route dispensing drinks, encouragement and support, and to check that everybody was on the right track.

The only disappointment was the numbers from the village that took part. Every house in Charfield should have had a leaflet informing them of the event and living in this beautiful area it seems a pity that not more took the opportunity to take advantage of it. Next year perhaps more will take up our invitation – the planning has started already! My thanks to those who took part, I hope you agree with me that it was a good day.

Note: two entrants actually ran the routes!!

My thanks to those who gave up the chance to do the walks in order to man the checkpoints and also to Mr Sreeves for the use of the school for our base. Mike Hardwick who was at the North Nibley Monument checkpoint took the opportunity to open the tower and collect donations for the monument fund; a constant stream of visitors enabled him to collect a large amount for it.

As you can see the Woodend Scout Group is very active and as always is looking for more help. If you think you can offer help in any capacity you will be made very welcome. (You don't have to be mad but it helps!)

Duncan Lamont, Group Scout Leader

20

Just six weeks into a new season and already the four team's performance could not be more contrasting.

The under 12's lead their division having gained 5 out of a possible 6 points together with a comfortable win in the County Cup against St Briavels.

The under 16's are joint top with Pagenhill enjoying 100% league record of four straight wins. Their only upset to date was a 4–3 County Cup defeat after extra time against last season's losing finalists Hucclecote. Anyone who watched the game saw one of the best U16 games for a very long time played with the right spirit and a credit to both sides.

The under 14's on the other hand have [not] made the best of starts losing their opening 4 league and cup matches. However their new manager, George Eland has got a very young squad and he tells me that the spirit within the team is very good. If he could just tighten up a couple of key positions the results will soon begin to flow.

Our new team, the Junior Old Boys, who play in the Saturday Stroud Senior League have been likened by Manager Chris Buckley to Spurs, have no problem scoring goals, but concede more. To date the team has lost its opening 4 league and cup matches scoring 9 and conceding 19 goals. However with a couple of extra players now available, the old boys should soon end their losing streak.

If there is anyone who wants to play for the club either contact the team managers or myself on 01454 26xxxx
Tony Bullock, Chairman

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

Another football season kicked off at the beginning of September with the club in buoyant mood after last seasons success. The first team missing promotion to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League division one by only one point, and the reserves winning their section of the Stroud Charity Cup competition.

The first Northern Senior League game of the season saw the visit of Lydney Town, who like ourselves only just missed promotion last season. A hard fought game ended in a 1–1 draw, a creditable result as this was the first time the team had played together, several new faces blending nicely with the more familiar ones. This was followed by an impressive 5–1 win at Gala Wilton, a 2–0 home win over newly promoted Eastcombe and a 0–0 draw at Coleford, six points out of a possible eight and still unbeaten – a good start to the season leaving us well placed in the League table.

The reserves opened their Stroud League division 3 programme with a 3–3 draw against Gloucester Civil Service, though this was followed by a couple of disappointing defeats. However, the beginning of October brought a convincing 3–0 win over Woodchester which will hopefully be the kick-start for the form that brought last seasons success.

If there are any players out there who are interested in playing for Charfield Football Club either contact me on Dursley 84xxxx, come training at Katherine Lady Berkeley School on Wednesday evenings at 8.15 pm or come and introduce yourself on a Saturday afternoon at the playing field.

Lastly, we run a 200 club, for an outlay of 10p per week it is possible to win a cash prize ranging between £5 and £50. Last season nearly £400 was paid out in prizes and a small amount was raised to help meet the running costs of the Football Club. If anyone is interested in participating, could you please contact me on Dursley 84xxxx for further details – you may win a cash prize and help one of your local sports clubs at the same time.
Chris Somerton, Secretary

Next Copy Date 12 January 1995

21

Hello! It's the start of the new Playgroup year, and we would like to welcome any newcomers and thank the people who came to the AGM. It was a brilliant turn out, and we hope to see as much support during the year.

The new Committee is as follows:- Chairperson, Nick Sparks (01454 26xxxx); Treasurer, Penny Kelly (01454 26xxxx); Secretary, Michelle Brassington (01454 26xxxx); Admissions, Lesley Frankham (01453 84xxxx); Helpers, Mike Rowan (01454 26xxxx), Mark Burraston (01454 26xxxx), Teresa McCorkell (01454 26xxxx), Lynn Clarke (01453 84xxxx), Tracy Francksen (01453 84xxxx), Karen Parry (01454 26xxxx); Supervisors, Sally Griffiths (01453 84xxxx) – Playgroup Leader, Liz Goulding (01453 84xxxx) – Assistant Leader.

If you have any questions, queries or would just like some information don't hesitate to ask.

Dates for future events are as follows: Friday 4th November: The Photographer, Thursday 1st December: Autumn Bazaar 2–4 pm, Thursday 15th December: Christmas Trailer, Friday 16th December: Christmas Party, Saturday 21st January: 1995 Jumble Sale, Saturday 18th February: 1995 Family Disco. Hopefully we will also be arranging a trip to the theatre to see Playdays and Postman Pat if sufficient people are interested.

To put a stop to any rumours that may be circulating around Charfield, Playgroup is not full and does not turn any child away. Most children are offered two sessions a week, but as the year goes on we may only be able to offer one, this so each child has the opportunity to come at least once a week.

We hope this information will be useful and hope to see you at forthcoming events.
Michelle Brassington

The sun-blessed walk to Wickwar on August Bank Holiday Monday was a very jolly affair. The walk back from Wickwar was slower but even jollier after we imbibed one or two glasses of intoxicating liquor in the garden of the Buthay.

I will attempt to find an appropriate route for the Christmas Walk this year – meet in the Village Hall car park at 10.30 on Tuesday, 27 December. Remember that in our parish WELLIES ARE A MUST. As long as it is not pouring with rain, the walk will go ahead, so come along and work off some Christmas pud. For further details (when I have worked them out), look out for posters. Or telephone me.

Technical news – a bit complicated, but bear with me.

Path OCH 28: From Southend Farm, South to Bunsall Bridge. Eagle-eyed walkers may have noticed that a footpath sign has been removed from the post situated at the fork between Southend Farm and Uppergreen Farm. This was removed by Avon County Rights of Way personnel at the request of Mr Herbert, who drew attention to the fact that the definitive line of the path does not follow the signposted route alongside Uppergreen Farm, through the gate, across the stable yard, then across the next small paddock to the stile where OCH 27 forks away (OCH 27 runs through the paddock, over the railway at Black Bridge and continues to the B4060 Kingswood to Wickwar Road). The definitive route of OCH 28 is from Southend Farm, coinciding with OCH 29, and South East to OCH 27. The line of the definitive path has been obstructed by the construction of a fence and barn.

The removal of the sign is something of a hollow victory, as the following quote from a letter from the rights of Way section illustrates: “I can confirm that given the obstruction on Mr Herbert's land then the public are entitled to deviate around it on Mr Herbert's land.” In other words, we can continue to walk through the yard, as Mr Starkey of Uppergreen Farm tells me that he has done ‘man and boy’.

If Mr Herbert wishes to stop walkers crossing the yard, then there are two options: (1) clear the definitive route currently obstructed by a fence and barn, or (2) change the definitive route by legal means – a costly exercise indeed.

If you are unclear on all of that, do please give me a ring – I'll try to clarify it for you. The message is, basically, that the sign has disappeared from the post, but you are still entitled to use the route through the yard.

J O'Connor-Beach (01454 26xxxx)
Parish Footpath Warden

22

Well, it is here again already! This is the last opportunity to mention Christmas in this excellent publication and I'm sure that it surprises many how time bounces along.

It has been a pleasure to see some of you during the year, some in Church, some in your home, some at Baptisms and Weddings – sadly some of you at funerals. These events are important occasions in the life of all of us, and it is a privilege to be involved in them with you.

Let me remind you that for these, or any other, reasons, I am happy to help. What follows I have said before and I am sure it will be common sense to you and you scarcely need to be told. Like every one else with a job to do, only a part of my time is spent at home – I would say the most boring part! The inevitable ‘writing’ that falls to the lot of all of us these days – the answering of letters, the people who want to find out about ancestors who, they think, may have lived in this village, the statistical returns, the form-filling that goes – increasingly it seems – with most jobs today. But, to me, the most creative aspect of work is concerned with seeing people and talking with them with, or without, problems!

When I am out, I am not at home; I haven't solved that problem yet! If you phone me and I am out, try again by all means (I am usually home lunch time if I am out in the mornings). But if you don't find me at home, drop a note through my letterbox (it needn't be in an envelope). Put your name, address and phone number and perhaps a few words about the reason, so that I can be prepared. Then I can phone you back. Yes, I know there are things called ‘answer phones’ but I regularly have such problems with other people's, that I think it would not be useful for me: I won't detail reasons here.

Of course there is one way I can be easily met: I am in Church almost every Sunday of the year and can always be seen then! I am sure most of you will realise all this, but I write it for those who may not have thought about it, and to assure you that I am available for more hours a week than most. And, please, if you would just like a visit from me, do just let me know. It is increasingly difficult, with a constantly increasing population, to see everyone as one did in the old days when the village was just a few hundred. So please whoever you are – make yourself known to me, especially if I can help in any way.

Speaking just now of Christmas, brings me to special events at that time. But before that, a few other things.

Sunday 13th November is Remembrance Sunday, when our remembrance always begins at 10.55am at the Village War Memorial outside the Church, to be in time for the two minute silence at 11, and this is followed by a short service in Church.

On Saturday 19th November at 2.30 pm we have a Sale of Christmassy things called ‘Tea and Tinsel’ to which we invite you (and advise you!) to come. You'll find many interesting things there.

We have, mostly for the younger people, but a welcome for all – a Christingle Service on 11th December. If you don't know what this is, come and see – if you do know, come because you do!

Our annual Village Christmas Sing has proved very popular, with a chance for all Village organisations to unite for a happy occasion of pre-Christmas singing. This year it is on Wednesday 21st December beginning at 7 pm.

Then there is Christmas: our annual Carol Service and Lessons on Sunday 18th December at 3pm.

There is the usual Midnight Mass of Christmas, commencing at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, which is on Sunday this year, at 10 am there is a short service of Eucharist, shortened and simplified so that it is suitable for children (they often bring one of their Christmas presents to show me).

So that is all for now. May you all know joy and peace in your hearts and may you enjoy a ‘Happy Christmas’. My love to you,

Ken Grant, Rector

23

[Graphic: Army Cadet Force]

Following the demand for a detachment of cadets to be formed in the village, I am happy to say that the majority of minor hurdles has been overcome and the Charfield & District Platoon of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) will be on parade in early November. The Foundation Room will hopefully be our base, on Wednesday evenings, between 7:30 and 9:30pm: A firm first date has yet to be decided.

I hope that anyone between the ages of 13 to 18 will consider joining or supporting the unit in some way. There are many conflicting sources of information about the ACF, so, if you read on, the following is a taste of the facts in digestible form.

The ACF traces its origins back to 1860, when, due to the threat of French invasion, the counties raised volunteer battalions and, in many cases, boy's companies were also formed. The social benefits were realised and the ACF has full and comprehensive support from the Ministry of Defence as the Army's own youth organisation.

By its charter, the ACF is a voluntary youth group, sponsored by the Army, taking part in military and community activities. It is not part of the Army and has no emergency or mobilisation role. Membership implies no obligation to join the Services.

Every county in the UK maintains an ACF, the fundamental unit being the Detachment which contains Cadets led by an adult Officer or SNCO instructor. There are presently 62 County Forces with 207 Area HQs maintaining 1630 Detachments in total, parading some 40,000 plus Cadets – 6,000 of whom are girls.

There is no commitment as to how long a Cadet remains in the ACF but the training and other activities are designed to be progressive and full value comes from 3 to 4 years membership.

The leadership of the ACF is made up of some 2,800 Officers and 5,000 Adult Instructors who lead the detachments. Officers hold commissions in the Territorial Army (TA), drawing regular Army pay.

Most detachments parade once or twice a week, generally from 7:30 to 9:30pm. There is an opening roll-call parade, after which the Cadets split up for training. The time allows for two periods with a canteen (NAAFI) break and a final muster at the end of the evening.

Training is based on the Army Proficiency Certificate, but will be combined with other recreation and adventure activities. Our county weekend training centre is in the Mendips and offers an outdoor shooting range as well as demanding terrain for fieldcraft and other outdoor activities. There is an annual camp for two weeks during the summer school holidays which takes place at an army establishment and is the high point of the year's activities.

All uniform, equipment and accommodation costs for a Cadet are met by the MOD, which also finances the training. Visits abroad will normally be funded by the hosts. All the Cadet has to pay is 20p on every parade night which goes towards Detachment facilities and outings not connected with the Army.

I hope that these words help to answer some of your questions about the ACF, what it does and how it goes about doing it. If you have children who fit the bill, or if you are reading this now and you are interested, then get in touch with me at the Police Station – your help is needed to get the Charfield Detachment off the ground. If you've already made enquiries, please return your registration forms to me at the Police Station as soon as possible.
PC James Stewart Permanent Staff Instructor (PSI)
Avon Army Cadet Force

24

Many thanks to all who attended Quiz Night V in aid of Playground Maintenance. We raised £84 (excluding bar profit) towards the next load of play bark. Only about another £900 to go!

We do hope that one Cricket Club team member now knows his New Mexico from his Arizona. Best regards
J O'Connor-Beach and loyal helpers

Next Copy Date 12 January 1995
Next Copy Date 12 January 1995
Next Copy Date 12 January 1995

In view of the fact that it was the first time a Photographic Competition was held as part of the Summer Fayre this year, the standard was very pleasing. We would like to thank all who took the trouble to enter and congratulate them on their efforts.

After such a good start, it has been decided to repeat the competition at next year's Summer Fayre (July 1995). Ace Cameras, of Yate, have very kindly offered prizes of framed enlargements for five classes for the 1995 Photographic Competition.

To give you enough advance warning to dust off the Box Brownies, we set out the details below:

Any number of entries may be made in any number of classes by any one person – entries may be made in colour, or monochrome – there are no age limits to the classes – the photograph MUST be your own work, taken since July 1994.

The classes are:

1. Portraiture (this may be a conventional portrait, bust or full length figure, or any life study, or any study of the human figure) 2. Street Life (this can be a town/city/village scene) 3. Abstract – this may be any non-representational photographic subject 4. Wildlife 5. Landscape

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: technical merit; compositional merit; creative/aesthetic merit. The judges would like to clarify that they are looking for creative use of the camera, rather than snapshots. Further details of how to enter will be in later newsletters.

The display of entries raised much comment and discussion this year, so we hope that, with this amount of warning, we will see an increase in the number of entries in 1995! Happy shooting!

J O'Connor-Beach (organizer) and anonymous judges.

We hope that everyone is enjoying the use of the new path from Katherine Close to the Memorial Hall car park. The only way to achieve fun funding for this path was to have it as part of a landscaping project, the full cost of which included a good deal of volunteer labour. The grants have been received. It only remains for the village to pitch in and do the planting of a hedge along the path and some shrubs near the car park fence.

The area has been sprayed with Roundup to kill the weeds and, by the time you read this, it will have been ‘ripped’ to turn over and loosen the ground.

On Saturday, 26 November, the hedging and shrubs will be delivered to the car park and they will have to be planted straight away. Can I please, on bended knee, beg you all to come along any time after 9.30 am with gardening gloves, etc., and plant one or two items each? If someone fancies making hot/cold drinks (raw materials will be provided!), they would be very welcome.

I am indebted to the half dozen people who have offered their help already, but, with 350 plants to be put in, we need a lot more environmentally friendly villagers to join in the fun! Perhaps parents would like to bring their children along and let them help plant a shrub which they can then ‘adopt’ as their own? Photographs will be taken as we have to provide proof of the community involvement and we also hope to have press coverage.

So, on SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER, take a stroll down to the field, and let's show the grant providers that the village can do its bit! If you wish to register your interest or have any questions, do please telephone me (01454 26xxxx).
J O'Connor-Beach

25

[Graphic: Christmas tree]

Bring your Christmas Trees to the Village Hall car park between 6 and 12 January.

The trees will be shredded and the resulting material will be used as a mulch on the newly planted landscaped area on the field. Please leave your tree stacked tidily in the place indicated. Many thanks for your support.

Hello Ladies. It was nice to see you all at the September meeting, the Ladies Club welcomed your support. For those considering joining let me tell you something about the club. We meet every third Thursday of the month (except August) and we have guest speakers, trips, etc. For the remainder of this year we will be having a Christmas Shopping trip, hopefully to Merry Hill in the West Midlands, a talk on ‘Life in Japan’ by Michelle Dimes on October 17th when there will also be a light supper and refreshments available from the bar thanks to the courtesy of Mr Poskett. ‘New Look’ will present a fashion show on November 17th and tickets cost £.50 to include supper and a glass of wine. All proceeds from the evening will go the Meningitis Trust.

We are looking for 4 members for our committee and urgently need a vice-chair or the club may fold next year. It has been running for 27 years so let's not see it end for the sake of a volunteer.

Now time for food. If you can help cook or prepare something for the Fashion Show please contact Julie on Falfield 26xxxx, help would be much appreciated. As Christmas is rapidly approaching, our meal this year will be held on 15th December at the Memorial Hall and tickets will be on sale shortly. Cost will be £0 for members and £2 for guests, to include a glass of wine and entertainment.

If anybody would like further details about the club please do not hesitate to contact me.
Julie

[Advert for Tree Top Carpets]

[Advert for Animal £xtras]

[Advert for Harlequin Homecall]

26

Darker evenings have arrived with less people about. Even walking round Charfield during the day, it seems very quiet. The other day however, there was a little more activity – the ringing of door bells – was I interested in buying some wet fish, fresh quayside fish. There were three young men running up Manor Lane in quite a rush, followed by a pale blue unmarked transit van. Not being quite sure what to make of this I decided that this might be my opportunity to do my bit as a neighbourhood watch contact. They were duly checked out and they had in fact driven down from Northumberland and were genuinely selling fish! Well, all I can say is I hope they didn't have too many customers and they sell their fish in more orthodox ways in the future somewhere else!

Don't know whether anyone noticed but in September there was a Card Crime Week. Well it almost passed me by too, but for getting some leaflets through the post. The message is Where Are They Now? Make sure you know where your cards are; around 5,000 plastic cards are either lost or stolen every day in the UK, of which 35% are taken from homes and cars during burglaries. Contacts have leaflets with information about how you can be more vigilant.

Hopefully the new houses being built in the Farm Lees/New Street area will soon be finished. Not only is the noise and mess an inconvenience but it also makes it much more difficult to keep track of any unwelcome visitors and their activities.

I had just decided I'd probably written enough when the post arrived and with it information about a Neighbourhood Watch Week 5–11th November 1994.

This will include the launch of 5 new ‘How To’ leaflets. They are called:

• How to keep young people out of trouble
• How to tackle vandalism in the neighbourhood
• How to improve personal security in the home
• How to improve personal safety among senior citizens
• How to improve safety outside the home

Hopefully these will contain some useful information.

Before I go – contacts – there are some areas without contacts, either because they have never had one or the contact has moved or given up. Being a contact is not difficult or time consuming – it is just being interested in keeping your area/street a safe and pleasant place to live. If you think you might be interested but are not sure, come to a contacts meeting and find out what you would have to do, there won't be a press gang waiting. Areas in particular need are – Durham Road, parts of Manor Lane and Underhill Road, Thames Close, Orchard Close, Station Road, outlying areas of Little Bristol Lane and the areas in Woodlands Road and Farm Lees with new housing.

So come to the next Contacts Meeting Monday 23rd January 1995 7.30 pm Sportsmans Lounge, Village Hall. With kind regards

Ilze Hicks

[Advert for Worktwice Limited]

27

Puzzle Page Answers

28

The Parish Council was recently invited to attend a site meeting at Tortworth Landfill to see what arrangements had been made for its management, now that the tip is no longer operational. Dennis Booth and I were joined by Mr Baldwin (Tortworth Estate Company) and two other residents and were given a guided tour of the site by Simon Steele-Perkins and Michael Longman of Terry Adams Ltd.

Many questions were asked and answered, but the only items obvious to the lay person's eye were (1) the surprisingly small trickle of leachate running into the treatment lagoon after very wet weather, (2) the drainage channels installed to prevent further soil erosion, and (3) the amount of small trees which had failed to thrive in some exposed parts of the woodland scheme, in spite of the hard work put in by the Tortworth Estate Company. I understand that replanting will occur to replace the failed trees.

When the landfill was originally proposed there was much local opposition, which suggests that a large number of Charfield residents might have an interest in how the site has been managed. I therefore invited Mr Steele-Perkins to write a brief explanation, which follows.
Julia O'Connor-Beach

Terry Adams Ltd. began infilling the old clay pit, Tortworth Copse, with controlled waste in May 1986 and have now recently restored the site and the Tortworth Estate Company has planted 13,000+ trees over 5.5 hectares of the site with 1.2 hectares due to be planted during autumn 1994.

Prior to any waste being deposited in the clay pit, Terry Adams Ltd. laid drainage and formed an engineering base in order that the leachate generated during the life of the site could easily be collected and safely disposed of to the mains sewer under a Discharge Consent from Wessex Water.

The waste deposited within the landfill was made up of predominantly industrial and commercial waste, along with builders' demolition and construction wastes. As the waste levels increased, landfill gas vents were installed so that any landfill gas, which consists largely of methane and carbon dioxide, could be released from the landfill in a controlled manner. An assessment of the quality of the gas has been made, but, due to the largely non-degradable nature of much of the landfill wastes, the quality of gas generated is not sufficient to burn and so is not suitable for running a flare or generator.

For the last six months of the operational phase of the site, clean excavated soil was accepted at the site. This was used to put a 6 feet deep capping layer over the wastes. This layer has two purposes. Firstly, it acts as a good restoration medium and, as visitors from Tortworth and Charfield witnessed on Monday, 5 September, only one year later the site now has a good covering of grass and many of the trees have become well established. Secondly, it acts as a barrier between surface water and the wastes within the site. Surface water is taken away off site by drainage ditches installed over the surface of the restored area. This means that the polluted water or leachate from wastes is always kept to a minimum.

Leachate will continue to be produced within the landfill for several years and therefore Terry Adams Ltd. have installed an automatic pumping system which constantly monitors the leachate levels within the landfill and in the storage and treatment lagoon. There is a telemetry link to head office in Exeter so that, if an alarm is triggered, this is immediately relayed to the technical staff. Terry Adams Ltd. expects the volumes of both leachate and landfill gas to gradually lessen as time goes on. They are responsible for the site for 5 years and then the responsibility reverts to the landowner, the Tortworth Estate Company. However, as an environmentally responsible company, it is likely that Terry Adams Ltd. will maintain an interest in the site, possibly through a management contract with the Tortworth Estate.

As to the long term future of the site, the Tortworth Estate Company has planted a very comprehensive woodland scheme including alder, oak, ash, gean, maple and beech which has been designed with commercial woodland management in mind and which will re-establish the ancient wood known as Tortworth Copse.
Simon Steele-Perkins, Terry Adams Ltd.

29[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

[Advert for Open All Hours]

[Advert for Mother and Toddler Group]

[Advert for Taylor Made Services]

[Advert for Travel Plan Taxis]

30

The real start to Ulster Hooley '94 was on 24 September 1993, when I was selected for the south-west region of Gloucestershire, where I had to give a three minute talk about myself and intermediate guiding.

Having been selected, I then had to attend an International Opportunities Weekend for Gloucestershire guides in October, which was used as a training session.

When I had been selected for the 1994 Ulster Hooley, I had to arrange fund-raising activities towards the cost. Amongst my activities, I reared plants from seed, sold stable manure and, with Mrs McLellan's help, organised a ‘Pop’ quiz – all of which were quite successful. I also wrote to several local organisations like Wotton Round Table & Ladies Circle and received donations from my guide troop as well as the district and county. It's quite surprising, the amount of total cost, with all the ‘little extras’ of equipment that are needed.

During May 1994, we held a ‘Hooley’ weekend in Somerset for the six guides from the south-west region, so we could get to know each other.

The time in Northern Ireland was almost two weeks. On Sunday evening, 24 July, my father drove me to Salisbury where we were meeting. We awoke early on Monday morning and, after a quick breakfast, we left by coach at 07:30 to be driven to Heathrow to catch our plane.

I have never flown before, but I really enjoyed the flight and wished it could have been longer! When we arrived at Belfast airport, another bus took us to our campsite at Larne, which is a permanent campsite for Northern Ireland. On arrival, the girls who were to be in the same tent were waiting for me, which was nice. The girls all came from Ireland, although it was an international camp with girls from lots of countries and I made friends with some Belgian guides. When we had made our introductions to each other and the leaders of our ‘sub-camp’, we settled in and took part in games.

On Tuesday, we went to Newtownardes and looked round the shops. Later, we went to the leisure centre where we took part in trampolining and archery, which I enjoyed.

Wednesday morning was crafts. The one I chose was printing a design on a T-shirt, which was fun. In the afternoon, I went horse riding, which I really enjoyed as it is one of my hobbies. A disco was held that evening at the bottom of the campsite, which didn't end until 23:00 hours.

Thursday was an ‘International Day’, held on the site, where we had visitors, some of them being ex-guides who had previously camped there. A TV crew also visited and I think I may have been filmed! I was selected to attend a reception for the international camp at Stormont Castle which was attended by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew – quite an honour. Later, we had a camp fire.

On Friday, a visit to Steam Vale farm was arranged to see their collection of animals. While we were there, I milked both the goats and sheep, which was rather different to milking cows. When we left the farm, we went ice skating, which I hadn't done very much before and which I liked a lot. In the evening, we had another camp fire with a singsong and I chatted with some of the other guides.

A visit to the Giants Causeway on Saturday was a real treat. It is quite amazing to see the formation which was caused by a volcano – I didn't notice any giants though! Afterwards, we had a snack at the local guides' meeting hall, which was protected by barbed wire – a reminder that possible trouble was never far away. That evening, we had a closing ceremony for the whole camp, at which we carried candles and had another singsong. The celebrations finally ended at about 1 o'clock in the morning – when we went to bed, we didn't need rocking to sleep!

Waking-up time on Sunday came all too soon and we had to break camp and prepare to go to the families that were very kindly going to have us to stay for a few days.

The camp had been very good, but a little tiring, partly due to some late nights. I met lots of other guides from different countries including Belgium, Japan and, of course, Ulster.

The family I went to stay with live on the outskirts of Belfast and their daughter was a member of our sub-camp. On Monday, we went on a tour of the countryside and we also visited a folk museum with cottages arranged as they were in the last century, showing how the families lived. In the evening, we went to a town called Hollywood, where we had a nice supper. Tuesday was spent touring another part of the district and we visited one of the large houses, which I enjoyed. In the evening, all 31the guides met once again and we had a barn dance. We all said our thank yous to our hosts for having us and to our leaders for all their hard work and we were each given a small gift to take home.

On Wednesday, we travelled by ferry to Portaferry, which is a very small town. The ferry was quicker than going by road and there were some interesting sights. In the evening, my friend Kathy (who I was staying with) and I went ice skating again.

Thursday, being my last day, we went into Belfast city, where you could really see the soldiers on patrol and where we were searched going into some of the shops. I bought presents to bring home and the family then drove me to the airport to catch my plane home. I had some presents for my host family including a video of our district and they gave me a super glass paperweight as a present. They were very kind and really generous to me during my stay.

We were collected from Heathrow by coach and, when we arrived back in Salisbury at about 7:30, I was quite pleased that my Dad was waiting for me. When I came home, I sent a bouquet of flowers to my hosts in Ulster, I also sent letters of thanks to the leaders who organised us so well.

It was really a very enjoyable experience in many ways. I thought flying was super. The day-to-day activities of the camp were a real experience and meeting girls from different countries was great and was what the camp was all about. If the opportunity occurs, I would certainly like to travel again with the guides and would recommend it to any guide (or scout) who has the chance. Last, but not least, I must thank the generosity of the sponsors who supported me, both financially and practically and helped to make it all possible.
Lee-Anne Millman

Dear Editor

I would like to thank P.C. James Stewart for his interesting article in the last edition of CHADRA.

Being given an insight into the villain's mind was, for me, quite an education, and helped confirm something I've always believed – that crime can happen anywhere.

John Butler
Underhill Road

32

We are still going strong with a membership of 30. New members are always welcome, so if you are 55 plus please come along. We meet once a fortnight in Charfield Hall on a Wednesday afternoon between 2.30 and 4 pm. We have had varied talks this year on Peru, Australia, History of the WRVS, Helping the Disabled, and an artist talking about his work, Welsh Love Spoons plus entertainment from a gospel singer, and a group of friends from Dursley singing and piano playing. We also have the odd quiz and bingo session. Our outings started with a mystery tour in April, a trip to Oxford in May with the Wickwar Club, Seaton and Sidmouth in June, Wells and Weston in July, another mystery tour in July, Paignton in August and Exmouth in September, with more trips to follow later in the year. If you are tempted to join us please come along to a meeting, you [will] be made very welcome.
M. J. Ealey Secretary

[Advert for Hamptons Leisure]

33

Please send additions and modifications to Brendan O'Connor (01454-26xxxx) xx Manor Lane.

KLB = Katharine Lady Berkeley School
MH = Memorial hall
PTA = Parent Teacher Association
SL = Sportsman's lounge, Memorial hall

34

Baby Sitting Circle
Lisa Tucker (Secretary) 01454-26xxxx

British Legion
Mr J Poskett (Spokesman) 01454-26xxxx

Brownies
See under Scouts & Guides

CHADRA
Mr G Blower (Hon. Sec.) 01454-26xxxx

Charfield Primary School
C F Sreeves (Headteacher) 01454-26xxxx

Childminders
Theresa Wildman (Secretary) 01454-26xxxx

Church – Congregational
Miss M Turner (Sec) xx Charfield Green

Church – St John's C of E
Rev K Grant (Rector) 01454-26xxxx

Council – Charfield Parish
Catherine Holmes (Clerk) 01453-84xxxx

Council – Northavon District
Mr E Gadsby (Councillor) 01454-26xxxx

Cubs
See under Scouts & Guides

Football Club – Juniors
Tony Bullock 01454-26xxxx

Football Club – Seniors
Chris Somerton (Secretary) 01453-84xxxx

Guides
See under Scouts & Guides

Keep Fit Club
Mrs C Parfit 01454-26xxxx

Ladies Club
Mrs J Ash 01454-26xxxx

Luncheon Club for the Elderly
Mrs J Higgins 01454-26xxxx

Mother & Toddler Group
Gill Brown (Secretary) 01454-26xxxx

Neighbourhood Watch
Rev D Parker (Co-ordinator) 01454-26xxxx