CHADRA

… that RMC's asphalt plant at Churchwood Quarry is moving across the Downs Road? With landscaping, we should see less of it than we do at present.

… that villagers should beware of a pot-bellied man who indecently exposed himself in Woodlands Road of late? Do report any incident to the Police IMMEDIATELY.

… that the saga of the Manor Lane site hut continues? There now appears to be a dispute between the current owners and South Gloucestershire Council over ownership of the area used as a lay-by. Who cares who owns it? It is of no value as a site – attempts to obtain planning permission for a house have failed in the past … in the name of sanity, let's get the eyesore cleared up for once and for all.

… that the trees along Little Bristol Lane adjacent to the playing field are to be replaced – yet again? Unfortunately, not all little Charfielders are environmentally friendly, and several plantings have been killed off by severe abuse by passers-by. It's a shame – an avenue of trees along there would be very attractive.

… that at 8.20 am one morning, a villager driving an expensive and powerful saloon car up Charfield Hill overtook another villager, who was observing the speed limit, on the short stretch by the post office before the red coloured road surface … The law-abiding villager got the registration number of the road hog, and will use it, if it happens again. Have some patience, and remember that the primary school children are milling around at that time of day. How can we complain about through traffic, if we can't drive carefully ourselves?

… that Renishaw has plans to develop their Mills site on a grand scale? See inside for details.

… that the Crimestoppers confidential phone service is being used more and more. People feel safe reporting crime anonymously as there is no danger of repercussions. Crimestoppers number is 0800 555 111. Use it.

… that CHADRA is gasping for articles and letters to print in the Newsletter? All submissions would be gratefully received! ‘Good news’ items would be particularly welcome …

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Dear Reader:

I was going to tell you all about my fun weekend away – but ran out of space. So, briefly, it was “Wheeeee! ha ha ha! what am I doing on a roller coaster 198 feet in the air in the front seat? and then later in the back seat? oh I do like to be beside the seaside … I can see the Isle of Man from here … what a beautiful day, missus, … and, finally what a great time, I say, what a great time we had … Got it yet? Blackpool Pleasure Beach (the Big One), the Tower, three hours of Ken Dodd, and a stroll down the hallowed cobbles of Corrie Street at Granada Studios. If you haven't been to Blackpool yet, don't knock it, try it!

Back to reality with a bump. The Newsletter team definitely needs some help – the committee is getting smaller, and we could do with more submissions for articles to liven up the Newsletter. So, come and join the band of merry helpers and/or write us some entertaining/informative letters/articles … the Newsletter is what you make it!

Best regards,   Julia O'C-B

Next Copy Date – 12th October 1997

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

Joan Crowfoot, xx Wotton Road 01453 84xxxx
Duplicating/Advertising – Joan co-ordinates adverts and runs the duplicator (from 1.1.98).

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

Barbara Adams, Warners Court, Wotton Rd 01454 26xxxx
Payments – Barbara is Treasurer and deals with subscriptions and advertising payments.

Julia O'Connor-Beach, xx Manor Lane 01454 26xxxx – types and cuts stencils.

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Remembrance Sunday

The Charfield Branch of the Legion is parading on Sunday 9 November. Most of the local youth organisations are joining in this parade – both the Lion and Tiger Packs, the 1st and 2nd Charfield Brownies and the Guides are marching. The Scouts from Cromhall join us again this year. The Rainbows and Beavers will be in attendance at the Memorial. The Rev Robert Pestell will conduct the service.

The parade will start from the village hall car park at 10.45 to arrive at the memorial for the remembrance service and laying of wreaths. You are welcome to join us afterwards at a service in St John's Church, but do join us at the Memorial for the 11 o'clock silence even if you do not wish to stay for the service.

We would request that motorists avoid the Wotton Road during the period 10.45 to 11.10 when the parade will be outside St John's Church and again at 12.00 to 12.20 when the parade returns to the car park. We ask for extra caution because of the number of the younger generation marching.

Once again we would like to point out that we are open to membership and associate members are welcome. If you think that we can be of any assistance to you or if you know anyone who may need our help, please get in touch. We have plenty of professional help within the Legion for you to use. All conversations are confidential and are not discussed locally.

Poppy Day is here, so please purchase your poppies locally – this is the main means of support for the Legion which goes to support their residential and convalescent homes, which may be available to you and yours.

Clive Thompson

On behalf of the Youth Club we would like to thank all those in the village who gave generously to the tombola stall at the summer fayre. The Club organised the delivery of notes and collection and many young people were involved.

We have just kicked off to a new start for the Autumn and would be very grateful if you could support us in any of the following ways:

• Volunteers (over 18) wanted to help on a rota basis to help with the general running of the club and on/off site activities.
• If you have a skill or interest we could organise as an activity night. You may be involved in a club and we could arrange an off-site visit. Please let us know.
• We save aluminium cans as a fund raiser. If you have any and would like to help us collect them please bring them along to club on a Tuesday evening or telephone us on one of the contact numbers. We also need a can crusher.
• We are in desperate need of funds and would be grateful for any financial support. We also ask that if you would like to donate any board games, indoor ball games/equipment, ie pool, table tennis accessories, etc, anything that you may feel we could use in the club, please contact us.
• Any budding DJs who would like to help us on a regular basis, again please contact us (see back page).

We are very fortunate to have the use of the hall in the village to run our club, as it offers much space and is easily accessible.

The hall is the nucleus of the teenage meeting place. We are trying to make many opportunities available to them, including dance nights, off-site activities, which this year included Laser Quest, Euro Disney and next month an activity weekend in Weymouth. We also now have a licence to run the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

To make the club a success, we need the support of the village. We all are either related to or know a young person in the village.

Please support us. Thank you.

Tina Griffin 01454 26xxxx

4[Advert for Martin Farrell Garden Designs]

[Advert for Greenline Tanks]

[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

The new school year began in September with 233 children on roll – a significant increase on twelve months ago. In addition to the 29 four and five year old reception class children, there were 10 other newcomers of various ages throughout the school.

We also welcomed two new members of staff in September. Mrs Deborah Marklove joined the Junior Teaching Staff following four years' experience in a Bristol School, whilst Mr Keith Owen succeeded Mrs Julie Burchell as Caretaker. Mr Owen also undertakes minor repair, maintenance, and DIY tasks around the site, making life easier for myself and saving on expenditure!

Highlights of the term so far include a visit from the School Photographer who snapped family groups and individuals in plenty of time for Christmas!

Two classes visited Bristol Zoo in connection with their ‘Hot and Cold’ topic. The children learned much from a talk on animals of hot and cold lands as well as viewing some of them.

It has been quite a while since the whole school has assembled in St John's church at one time. For this year's Harvest Festival however, we did just that – thanks to the Rev Pestell's invitation. Staff and children worked hard in preparing and presenting relevant contributions to the service. Donations of produce were taken across to the church by the children and later forwarded to the ‘Open House’ emergency refuge for the homeless in Gloucester. Proceeds from a sale of perishable items were passed to the charity ‘Farming Africa’.

During the course of the coming months we shall be pleased to receive any of the following which could be passed to our parents or children to add to our collection –

• Co-op vouchers for the ‘Music for Schools’ scheme which enables us to improve our stock of musical instruments.
• Weetabix vouchers which can be exchanged for atlases or dictionaries.
• Spent toner cartridges from printers, copiers, and fax machines which will earn both the school and CLIC up to £1 each.

If this issue of the newsletter reaches 5you before the event, we extend an invitation to all residents to join us for our Bonfire, Fireworks, and Barbecue Evening on Friday, 7 November at 6pm.

Frank Sreeves
Headteacher

(If you haven't yet been to a Charfield Primary School Guy Fawkes bash, you've missed out on a super evening. Try it this year! It is very professionally run and the display causes more ‘oohs and aahs’ than you can shake a very large hot dog at.)

This is the first entry from me for the Newsletter, so allow me to introduce myself and let you know how you can contact me.

I used to work from the old Kingswood (Bristol) Division and operated from Marshfield Police Station, which is on the Chippenham Road near the Wilts border. From April this year Marshfield Police Station closed and I took on the joint responsibility for all South Gloucestershire rural areas (the other officer being PC Adrian Farrell).

The area I cover includes all the villages from Marshfield and Cold Ashton right up to and including the Tortworth Estate. The area then drops down to Tockington and Cromhall. The area is large and you will realise we are not always in your village.

There are various ways to contact me which are as follows.

• The main exchange number is 01179 62xxxx and you have to ask for Chipping Sodbury.
• The other way is to use our new Voice-mail facility which is now available to you.
  What you need to do is dial 01275 81xxxx, wait for the announcement and then key in on your phone 71612, which will give you my secure Voice mailbox – just leave your message when asked to do so. You can be sure I will find the message when next on duty. I listen to the messages twice a day and respond usually the same day.

If I am on rest days or long weekend (I alter my Voicemail message accordingly), please assess whether you need a police officer in a shorter period.

If anyone wants to see me please call and leave me your address and phone number and I will contact you.

One final point for this first report, if I am able to provide a valuable service for any suspicious activity involving a car, remember the most important piece of information is the vehicle's registration plate number. I can do a significant amount of further enquiries from this small scrap of information.

Also remember that if you feel the activity does involve crime, don't be reluctant to dial 999. If it's going on at the time we would sooner know at that time and not an hour later via the switchboard.

PC Ian Cousins

I feel the very sound of the word ‘Institute’ conjures an image which could not be further from the reality of the WI.

We are a very active forward-looking group of all ages, interests and hobbies, ideas shared and friendships formed.

Members have donated the profits from this year's Jumble Sale to the Hall Management Committee to help towards a security system to help combat the vandalism.

Kath, one of our members, was invited to visit an ex member who recently moved to Canada and travelled to the place in Canada where the first WI was formed – Stoney Creek.

With this year being our 100th anniversary – quite an occasion – we shall also be celebrating next March the 70th birthday of Charfield WI. Continuously meeting all those years – must say something, don't you agree?

Our skittle team is again eager to do battle with other Institutes. Good luck Pam, our captain, and the team.

The sewing class with the valued help and hospitality of Mrs Dodd continually amaze us. Their latest achievement is a playmat, a very special one, for a local playgroup to help little ones learn while they play. Well done all those busy fingers!

May I take this opportunity to wish all a happy and peaceful Christmas and to all our members thanks for the support you have given me.

Pat White

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The main news is that we now have a new chairperson, Becky Lock, for which we are very grateful. However, the committee is still very low on numbers and it is increasingly difficult to keep the sessions running smoothly with so few people to help out.

The photo session went well, although we didn't have as many shoots as we would have liked. However, a big thank you to all those who put in the hard work to make sure of no hiccups.

Our next event is the Hallowe'en Fancy Dress Party on 6 November. If you haven't seen the posters, it will be starting at 10.15 and entrance will be free but limited to those in fancy dress only (toddlers, not parents – although you are welcome to dress up if you wish).

On a more serious note, we had a very disappointing response to our Autumn outing. So much so, that it had to be cancelled. It is such a shame far the toddlers when things like this happen. Please bear in mind that toddler sessions can only continue with the support of parents.

We would be delighted to have more people helping out at toddler sessions, ie, setting out toys, putting them away, laying out tables for drinks, etc. – you don't necessarily have to be a committee member. We have a rota system and the more people on the rota, the more ‘time off’ we get to play with our children.

Mel Millichap

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

Hello! Anybody out there?!

Neighbourhood Watch seems to have gone very quiet. Does this mean that everyone is living securely and safely? Or does it mean noone is interested? Your views would be appreciated. I wonder how many of you are filling in house contents insurance forms and ticking the box for membership of neighbourhood watch.

I've heard of a couple of attempts at garage break-ins but that's it. I've also heard that our appointed policeman has been seen but, at the time of writing this article, I have as yet not met him and so no date has been fixed for the next NW meeting. I hope to let you know a date in the near future.

There is still no volunteer for co-ordinator of Woodlands Road. Just a few new contacts would be appreciated. As contacts move from the village, now and again, very few are replaced.

Darker evenings are now here again – do be vigilant about who you open the door to.

Ilze Hicks

(Tortworth's NW has experienced several incidents of late – a stolen motorcycle and garden furniture, and a house burglary. The householder was out of the house for just over 2 hours in the early evening and came home to find the door kicked in, TV, video, fax, children's Christmas presents, etc, gone, and every drawer in the house turned out onto the floor. Be vigilant.)

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Members have enjoyed trips to Weymouth, Paignton, and Minehead since the last account from the Club. They have played bingo and puzzled their brains over quizzes. A very interesting talk was given by two ladies who help run a senior citizens' forum in Kingswood South Gloucestershire. They are supported jointly by Avon Health and S. Glos. social services and have been given a grant to set up these forums throughout the region, helping to sort out problems faced by the elderly.

Before the next newsletter, we will have had our harvest home.

Do join us, if only for the cup of tea and delicious home-made scones or cakes made by a couple of members.

M Ealey
Secretary

This season has seen an influx of young players to our club. Most of the credit for attracting them to Charfield lies with our new young player/managers and their assistants. We are hoping that the combination of the youngsters with some of our more experienced players will produce a well balanced team for the coming seasons.

After last season's disappointments, our 1st XI has made a steady start to this season's Campaign in the Stroud League Division 1. We are still in the County Cup competition, but unfortunately have been eliminated from the Stroud Charity Cup, losing a penalty shoot-out alter drawing 0–0 with a strong Whitminster side.

The 2nd XI had a late start to their league action this season and as yet have only played two games, both of which we unfortunately lost. It is very early days yet and the new players are still finding their feet. They have shown the potential to get onto a winning track.

We are always on the look-out for new players so, if anybody is interested in playing, please give me a ring. We train at Brimsham Green School over in Yate on Tuesday evenings. Transport to and from training is laid on.

Chris Somerton (01454 26xxxx)

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

Calling all netball players!

Do you want to play for a club? Are you 14+? then give Caroline a call on 01454 29xxxx.

We play at the Ridge in Yate during the winter then at King Edmond's School through the summer.

Training starts at 7pm every Thursday and finishes at 9pm. We have a range of standards from beginner to experienced and are part of the Bristol League.

So, don't delay – phone me today!

Caroline

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Hello – yes, I'm back, well and truly humbled by your comments at my absence from the last issue.

OK – excuses a-plenty.

Summer was building up in a great old frenzy. Sophie was doing her GCSEs and we were all pacing ourselves nicely when I was hit by a London bus! No, not me personally, but my poor car. It was my parents' Golden Wedding and I was driving over to my sister's to help prepare lunch. I pulled out of a side street into a four lane road in South London, when a bus driver (with no passengers!) decided to do a U-turn and ended up on my bonnet.

I feel I cannot say anything further at the moment as the claim is still being sorted out, but I will end by saying that the bus driver had green and pink hair and dreadlocks …

Next, the Polish arrived – an exchange group of Guides and Scouts. Sophie visited Poland last year and this was their return trip. We had a lovely girl, called Isabella, stay and she was the only one to speak English out of the group. But why is it when you want to impress, your pork chops go all tough?

I was strolling along Manor Lane in the lovely sunshine browsing through the ‘Gazette’ when, suddenly, I'm spreadeagled all over the pavement with a bleeding knee. There was a dip in the footway and my ankle fell in it. Was I in agony? and my knee was in a right old state.

Anyway, I phoned the Council and they sent out an Inspector. He phoned to state that there were in fact two holes in the pavement and which one did I fall in? Obviously, the Council can only run to one little blob of tarmac and they must still be saving up because three months later the holes are still there …

The Meningitis Trust had the chance to shake tins at the races at Worcester recently. So up I went. What hard work. I do appreciate that the punters were only there to read the form and shout and encourage our four legged friends, but the odd coin would have been welcome.

After deciding that my small rosette was not advertising enough, I re-appeared from the van in a three feet wide, bright yellow plastic tabard. I boldly approached a group of extremely smartly dressed gents and said, “If I let you read my chest, would you put something in my tin?”

I did not peek at their donations, but my tin got a bit heavier.

The sun shone and we raised a few bob.

After the announcement that we should eat less red meat I stuck an average sized bird in the oven, when the radio told me that some feathered friends are infected with something that can be passed onto us, giving worse stomach wrenching problems than salmonella!

Then apparently the head lice lotion is a bit dicky and the MDF stuff used on these do-up-your-horrible-kitchen-in-2-hours programmes is dangerous. What are are left with?

Just when you thought you would never listen to the radio again or even shop, the announcer tells you that coffee is alright and you can definitely pig out on chocolate. Yippee. Now where do they deep-fry Mars bars?

Well I shall sign off now. Take care, have a cosy Autumn.

Best wishes,
Marilyn

Well, the summer is nearly over and the autumn weather is upon us but as usual the court will remain open throughout the year.

During the summer we introduced a booking system for the court. The responsibility for this was held with Wendy Stevens and Roger Newman. It worked very well and Roger has kindly offered to continue with it throughout the winter.

To book a court, ring Roger on 01454 26xxxx. Bookings are for 1 hour and members are advised to have their club membership disc and booking ticket with them at all times.

Finally may I wish you all an enjoyable remainder of the season, together with a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year and I look forward to meeting as many members as possible in the New Year.

Nicola Coleman

9[Advert for Medway Designs]

[Advert for Kiosks]

NEW COMMITTEE

Welcome to our new committee members: Fred Carling, Carol Parton, Graham Parton, Robert Pestell and Tim Sansum.

To those who didn't stand for re-election, thanks for your work and support during the committee's first year: Bob Beavis, Paul Birt and Jane Hall. The other committee members were re-elected at the AGM.

NEW OPPORTUNITY

[Graphic: “2000”]

Have you seen the board advertising the auction of railway land at the corner of Little Bristol Lane and Wotton Road? This has revived our thoughts on an environmental improvement of this prominent site. The Parish Council is getting a valuation so that they can decide whether to bid. If the Parish Council were successful, the committee would like to take on responsibility for implementing an environmental scheme. I think there would be a very good chance of getting grants.

A new date for your diary: 19th November is the next committee meeting, 7.30 pm at Charfield School. Anyone living or working in the Parish is welcome to come and take part in the discussions.

John Acton
Chairman

1997 – surely to be remembered as the year of rain and success. The season was dogged by cancelled matches. The club, said by many to have both the best teas and pitches on the circuit, frequently had to say “sorry” to its tea ladies and groundsman as the weather blotted out yet another fixture. Indeed the Sunday season, due to start on 27 April, spluttered into life on 2 July.

However – against the odds – it was a good season for the club. The youth sides showed potential for the future. The senior 2nd XI did not lose a league match until the final, narrowly missing out on promotion. The 1st XI missed out by one point (out of over 200) from winning its division but as runner-up was assured promotion. The late starting Sunday side had sparkling moments – not least in trouncing Kingswood to retain the Del Gannon Trophy.

The Club always welcomes new members. It has three youth sides as well as 50-year-olds still contributing. Indoor nets start at KLB sports hall at 10.30 on Sunday, 15 February. All are welcome.

10

Puzzle Page

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The AGM was held on Thursday, 18 September. It was at the AGM that the official handover of the reins from Roger Bird to myself took place. My name is Nigel Smith and I have the pleasure of being the chair of the school PTA for the next 12 months.

I would first like to thank Roger and the other members of the Charfield School PTA for all their efforts over the past twelve months and their achievements in raising funds for the school.

One of the main objectives of the school PTA is to raise funds to provide additional facilities for education of the children in the school. Over the past few years, the PTA has provided the school with money for additional Library Books, Musical and IT Resources, school events and shows and the on-going development of a Conservation area within the school grounds.

This year the main project will be to redevelop the “playbark” area in the school into an all-weather play area with a safety surface and climbing frame.

We have also committed to continue with additional books for the library and the development of the conservation area. As I write this article, we are amidst the hectic organisation of our first event for this year. This is a Children's Fashion Show, and the children of the school will be acting as the models demonstrating the clothing at the show. The support from the children and parents has been overwhelming, it will be difficult not to use all the budding “Super Models”.

As this newsletter will be published after this event, I would like to thank all the children and parents who were involved for their support.

The Bonfire and Fireworks display on Friday 7th November will be our next event. This event is fast becoming the most popular of our calendar and is always enjoyed by all. There will be the traditional “Guy Fawkes” making competition for the children along with food from the Bar-B-Que. Members of the PTA will be selling tickets for this event, but as always tickets will be available on the night. The cost of tickets for this event are very reasonable at £3.00 for a family ticket. Please come along to support this event, but remember, for safety, do not bring along your own fireworks or sparklers.

We are also holding a Christmas Fair on the 29th November. There will be a large number of stalls to purchase those stocking fillers and get in the mood for Christmas. Please bring along all the younger members of the village as Father Christmas has promised to come and hand out presents.

As the finishing touches are being added to your Christmas cakes, please remember we would always appreciate any home baked contributions for our cake stall.

The final event of this year will be the ever popular “Family Disco”. This is to be held on Saturday 20th December. There will be plenty of seasonal party fun and games. (I'm afraid that this is the only event that we hold where priority is given to families whose children attend the school). On that note, it only leaves me to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Nigel Smith

My plea in the Summer Newsletter for volunteer drivers went unanswered. Since then we have had the summer holidays and I was unable to provide a driver for an appointment at Frenchay Hospital. As far as I can remember, this is the first time that all 6 drivers have been on holiday or unavailable. If this continues to happen, one day residents will find themselves without a Transport Scheme.

Please, has anyone a car and some spare time when they could help us? I would add that our drivers can't always arrange to help and for the last 3 years we have had under 30 journeys each year.

As predicted, our charges have been increased to 20p per mile, but the elderly have a reduced rate.

If someone thinks she/he could spare time occasionally, please let me know at xx Manor Lane or on 01454 26xxxx.

Muriel Blower

(Honestly now – couldn't you help out on the odd occasion? The service is a Godsend to those who find themselves in need of treatment but with no transport available.)

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HMP Leyhill has not had a good time of it lately. Reports have appeared in the press which may have had a grain of truth buried somewhere, but which have been so sensationalised, distorted and embellished as to render them nonsensical.

The Hollywood maxim ‘no publicity is bad publicity’ does not apply here. An institution with a serious and difficult job to do, on our behalf, is not helped by such cheap shots. Further, the local communities are unsettled and concerned by tales of absconders, drug abuse, smuggling, et al, and confidence of the locals in the management of the open prison has been damaged.

Thus it was that HMP Leyhill opened its doors to villagers from Cromhall and Tortworth in early October, when guided tours of the facilities were arranged, and questions were answered.

What follows is my impression of the visit and, if I have any of the facts slightly off beam, I trust that someone will correct me.

Leyhill is a well laid out, well equipped open prison, with facilities that the local villages are envious of. I have heard it described as a ‘holiday camp’, and inappropriate for law breakers – too comfortable, too free-and-easy, ‘better than being at home’. It isn't that simple.

Leyhill has a specific job to do. It takes prisoners who have served the bulk of their sentence in other jails under stricter regimes, where they have been kept under lock and key, told when to get up, when to eat, when to sleep, what to do – in other words, they have had all responsibility stripped from them, and have simply served time.

To turn these ‘lifers’ out of the door with a bus ticket at the end of their sentence with a cheery ‘and don't do it again’ would be a recipe for a return visit. They would be ill-equipped to face life in the community, particularly as life on the outside has changed considerably since they started their sentences.

So Leyhill gives back responsibility, and offers the inmate the opportunity to improve his lot, whatever his starting point. He might be illiterate, he might be a college graduate – criminals come from all backgrounds. Leyhill offers a broad choice and, although all are expected to work, it is the inmate's choice which avenue he takes.

So, Leyhill has a vegetable preparation plant which supplies other prisons with scrubbed potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, etc. (They use a converted B&Q cement mixer to mix the cole slaw! Ingenious!) There is a car valeting shop, a huge carpentry shop where work is done to supply other prisons (sash windows, doors, etc), all to a very high standard of workmanship. There is a print shop, and of course the glass houses where the tomatoes etc are grown.

The Leyhill medical centre found that it had no use for its bed ward (prisoners can go to local hospitals) so the space is now used for a day centre for the mentally handicapped. The day centre is open 5 days a week and over the week 70 clients arrive to join in many varied activities, ranging from painting to trampolining. The inmates who work in this area are working towards achieving their NVQs (I hope I have the acronym correct).

I'm sure there's more – I just can't remember everything.

Inmates are paid £8.50 a week for their work – it may not sound much, but they are reminded that they have free board and lodging …

In addition to the daily work, there is an education centre which offers a broad range of study opportunities, from the 3Rs to Open University courses, extensive sports facilities, a purpose built place of worship (which serves for all religions), and more besides.

Perhaps most important to the inmate, after serving time in other prisons, is the key to his own room. The rooms are small but adequate – the inmates are encouraged to join in activities, not to sit out their time in isolation in their rooms.

It was stressed that inmates are continuously risk assessed. Assessed before they are given the opportunity to come to Leyhill, assessed whilst they are there. If anyone is found not to be ready for the change, they ‘have their postcode changed’ – that is, they are bounced back to the previous regime until such time as they are deemed ready.

Remember – not every helicopter over Charfield with a searchlight at dead of night is after an ‘absconder’ (I prefer the expression ‘escaped prisoner’). The last two have been looking for lost children and car thieves.

So, don't give a dog a bad name – 13Leyhill is an institution with a worthwhile job to do, and it is in our interest that they should be successful. Given the nature of the task, there will inevitably be mishaps and failures – so have some tolerance and understanding.

The invitation to have a look around has not yet been extended to Charfielders – I managed to sneak in because I work in Tortworth – but if you would be interested, let me know and I'll pass on the request to the Governor, Mr Williams.

Julia O'Connor-Beach
(Yes, they did let me out again.)

After a restful summer for the Beavers and Cubs, successful camps for the Scout Troop and Venture Unit, September saw all sections plus a new Beaver Colony all ready for action. The new colony ‘Foxes’ is full with a waiting list as are the original ‘Beavers’. The Lion Cub pack is also full, but there are some vacancies in the Tiger Pack which operates in the Scout HQ at Cromhall.

The GSL Bryan Wright has just returned from a holiday in Malta where he met some old friends from the Fgura Scout Group with which the group will be visiting next Easter. Planning for this exchange is now well in hand and I feel very privileged to have been asked to join them. So, look out Malta, the 1st Woodend are on their way for the third time!

The Group Executive have also been busy. We had a successful Jumble Sale on September 20th and on September 13th a 50s/60s Disco with the group ‘Footloose’, which we have already booked for a Valentine's Disco on 14th February 1998. So book your tickets now!!!

The annual Woodend Walk took place on October 5th when a large number of walkers enjoyed the delights of the Cotswold countryside on a lovely autumn day.

If you have a son aged 6 or over, or a daughter 15½ to 21 who is interested in joining the group, please get in touch with one of the section leaders whose names appear on the back page.

Margaret Clarke
Group Chairman

Copy Date 12 January 1998

in the Village Hall
Friday 7th November and Friday 21st November
1.30–3.15 & 5.00–7.15 pm

Those of you who are already donors will be getting your reminders soon. Naturally it helps the sessions to go smoothly if you are able to come at the suggested time, but if that's not possible please come at one of the other times. We'll be delighted to take your blood whenever we can!

If you've never given blood and would like to either start, or know more about it come along to any of the sessions and talk about it with one of the team. It doesn't take much more than an hour of your time, is pretty painless and is of enormous value.

Barbara Adams   01454 26xxxx

[Advert for Charfield Post Office & Londis Latestore]

14[Advert for Charfield Flowers]

The beautiful September weather has given me a large crop of ripe tomatoes and very few green ones to come so, besides the usual batches of tomato sauce and pickle, we are eating a fair number of cooked tomato dishes right now. And this, I think, is a really good one.

Creamy Spiced Tomatoes.

1lb ripe but firm tomatoes
    1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons salt
    ½ teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon pepper
    1 oz butter
2 teaspoons sugar
    small carton double cream

Skin the tomatoes (dip in boiling water for a few seconds to loosen skin) and cut into thick slices.

Mix together salt, pepper and sugar and sprinkle over tomatoes, turning to flavour second side. Melt the butter in a large (preferably non stick) frying pan over a gentle heat. Mix the flour and curry powder. Dip the tomato slices into this mix, shake off surplus and fry in the butter, raising the heat to moderate. Turn carefully to brown the other side.

When they are cooked put in a shallow serving dish. Add the cream to the frying pan, stir in all the bits left from frying, heat thoroughly, add more seasoning if needed and pour over the tomatoes. Serve straight away – nice with a plain lamb chop, or fish, or sausage and mash, or on its own with some good bread.

The other glut of the moment is of apples. There are masses of things you can do with them – jellies, chutneys, puddings and pies – and this recipe is for an easy, slightly unusual tart with a light and slightly crunchy top. Its also good made with pears.

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Line a deep pie plate or tin, about 9″ diameter, with shortcrust pastry made with butter – or a sweet flan pastry. Fill well with thinly sliced sharp apples arranged neatly and overlapping. Mix 2oz (60g) plain flour with 3oz (90g) granulated sugar and a level teaspoon of cinnamon. Scatter this mixture thickly over the apples and pour over ¼ pint of soured cream (or double cream with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice). Don't worry if some of the sugar/flour mix isn't covered, just put the tart into a hot oven – preferably onto a hot baking sheet to set the pastry underneath – and cook for 15 mins. Turn the oven down to moderate and cook until top is nicely brown – about a further 30 mins.

Best served warm rather than hot but also good cold.

My beetroot has been very good this year – helped, no doubt. by the rain in August. I was amazed recently to find that there are people who have never heard of cheese and beetroot sandwiches so if that includes you, do try them – though not with the ready cooked roots that have been doused in vinegar. You need good bread, salted butter, well-flavoured Cheddar cheese – preferably grated – and freshly cooked beetroot, peeled and thickly sliced (with the slightest dash of vinegar if you like it that way). Not elegant, just delicious.

This next recipe, which comes from Philippa Davenport's excellent book ‘Country Cook’, uses beetroot as a hot vegetable and goes well with all sorts of dishes, especially roast lamb or beef.

Nutty, Spiced Beetroot

About 21bs of beetroot – not too large.
    16 hazelnut kernels.
15Good, tablespoon sesame seeds
    1 tspn cumin seeds.
2 tspn coriander seeds.
    Olive oil.

Cook the beetroot till tender – boil, bake, or steam – and as soon as they are cool enough to handle take the skins off. Cut into large chunks.

Toast the hazelnuts in a dry frying pan (much better than under the grill or in the oven – you can keep a watchful eye on them) until the papery skins are brown enough to rub off easily. Peel by rubbing them in a cloth. If you are using peeled nuts Just toast them for a few minutes to bring out the flavour. Add the cumin and coriander seeds and toast for a few more mins. shaking the pan frequently.

Put nuts and seeds into an electric grinder and reduce to a fairly coarse powder. Season the mixture generously with salt and pepper. Warm a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in the frying pan, add the prepared beetroot and sprinkle over the spices. Cook gently, shaking the pan, until thoroughly hot. Serve straight away.

The beautiful weather is continuing – though I'm getting anxious about the lack of rain again – so I shall get back to the garden and start some of the autumn tidy up, though not to the degree I used to. Leaves are only cleared away if they are making paths slippery or are really unsightly. Otherwise they are left where they fall – we have a lot of pleasure watching the birds turn them over looking for food – and I never seem to find many left in the spring. And deadheads are taken off only if they look really unsightly or are falling about too much – they create some lovely winter pictures with spiders webs and frost.

Barbara Adams.

P.S. I felt so virtuous at being early with my article and have just re-read it before delivering it. I'm still using tomatoes and apples but I'm not quite so anxious about the lack of rain now – especially after Saturday (Oct. 11th). It rained solidly pretty well all day and we had our seven grandsons visiting. I think I'll keep quiet in future!

[Advert for Positive Pressure]

First a big THANK YOU to all who helped to make this year's plant sale such a big success. Those who grew plants and helped to sell them and, of course, those who came to buy.

I was delighted with the way people volunteered to help grow the bedding plants, despite protesting their inability to grow anything! In the end, they all seemed to enjoy the process and were pleased with their own efforts.

We expect to run next year's plant sale on the same or similar pattern, so if you were afraid to offer your services this spring, this coming year is the time to be bold. If you already have rooted cuttings or are splitting your perennials, please pot them up and keep them safe until the middle of May.

I already have some seeds and will be ordering more plus seedlings soon. I shall be pleased to hear from anyone willing to have a go, so ring me soon before you forget.

Christmas Puddings and Cakes

I will be making puddings and cakes again this Autumn for sale at the TEA and TINSEL. If you wish to place an order to ensure that you get the number and sizes you want, you will find a list in the Church which you can sign, or ring me on 26xxxx.

Kate Ramsay

16

Puzzle Page Answers

17

Charfield Residents 1977–1997

We were delighted to receive a call asking us to pen a few words on the life and times of Jeff and Jane in Charfield, who by the time the Newsletter is read will have packed belongings and animals into a large van and led a wagon train of vehicles off to Berkeley.

One initial problem – when was it that they first arrived to be our neighbours? A call to Jane quickly established that it was the year Samantha was born in 1977 – on one hand where have all the years gone; on the other, loads of memories to recall.

During all these years, we have been not just neighbours but good friends, sharing a love of the outdoors and many camping trips, and the variety of interests in which the children were involved as they grew up. Even the late into the night ‘car preparation’, more normally perceived as car breaking, when Jeff was involved in banger racing, is fondly recalled with the memories of watching the racing on the Mendip Course.

But more important is the impression both Jeff and Jane have made on the village, becoming involved in the community spirit and using their separate skills of driving force and practical application to the best effect.

The “lets get on with it” maxim ensured the replacement of the old children's slide with ‘the mound’, still a major feature of the re-vamped children's play area.

There is a mound of other effects they have each had over the years with their involvement in the Village Hall Committee. Chairing a committee of people all with a distinct interest can be no easy matter and being available to pull the pints or manage the very profitable bar is more than most of us would commit.

That would be enough for normal folk, but Jane has also been a member of the Parish Council for many years (and Chair, here too) and both have been heavily involved in the Sports & Gala Day almost annually.

As we all go about our busy lives we are often unaware of the time, effort and commitment which goes on behind the scenes, particularly when events etc just appear to happen. The unstinting work by both Jeff and Jane will be hard to replace. Charfield's loss will be Berkeley's gain!

Good luck to all the family in the new venture.

Allan & Jenny Hughes

(Jane promised that as she left the village with the last load of goods and chattels, she would lasso the site hut and tow it away with her. I trust she has proved to be a woman of her word.)

[Advert for Tree Top Carpets]

The Xmas dinner on Thursday, 18 December will be our last ever event so it would be nice to see as many past members as possible, especially those who have served on the committee. Tickets will be available from Margaret (26xxxx) and will cost £11.

Before that, on 20 November, we are holding a craft/coffee/bingo evening. There will be lots of nice craft stalls, refreshments and good prizes to be won at bingo, so come along and do some Xmas shopping and bring as many friends as you like!

Finally, we would like to thank all past and present members for their support and wish you all a very happy Xmas and a peaceful and prosperous 1998.

Margaret, Pat, Sally, Mandy, Julia, Elaine, and Carolyn.

18

I'm told that Avon County Council (of blessed memory) had a Religious Education Syllabus entitled, ‘Mystery and Meaning’. It contained, said a local Headteacher, ‘plenty of mystery, but very little meaning!’ Actually, I think that it's rather a good title but, of course, the substance is the thing that matters and in this case it apparently left a lot to be desired even in the eyes of the OFSTED inspectors.

The season of Advent rapidly approaches and although we might see it as being the lead up to Christmas, it does have a purpose and a meaning of its own. During the season of Advent we are invited to think about and reflect upon the mystery and wonder of how God, in the person of Jesus, came into our world and shared in human life.

With all the materialism and commercialisation of Christmas, it is easy to forget what we are actually celebrating and yet the mystery and wonder of that first Christmas continues to inspire and excite young and old alike.

There is something special about Christmas, it's the celebration of a birthday, the birth of someone very special indeed. Advent gives us the time to prepare for that birthday, not by going out to buy presents and cards and food and drink, but by preparing, once again, to meet God in Baby Jesus.

By spending time quietly, waiting and hoping during Advent, we will find a deeper meaning to Christmas and still retain the mystery and wonder that is so attractive and stimulating to children.

So in the hustle and bustle prior to the festivities, try to find time to pause and reflect, not only will it be good for the mind and body, it will also aid the soul!

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Reverend Robert Pestell
Priest in Charge

We've now started our second year and the girls seem to be enjoying a variety of activities such as making kites, dancing rainbows and sea snakes out of doughnuts.

After our visit last summer to the Cotswold Wildlife Park, we have now sponsored a kookaburra for a year. We decided that its noisy nature suited our Rainbows very well!

We're making pictures of the natural world for the District Guides Association Arts Day, to be held on 7 February 1998 at Wotton-under-Edge Town Hall. There will be displays of work from the Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides in the District and a show in the evening. Everyone is welcome.

[Advert for Sue Trowell chiropodist]

Congregational Church

We have had so much fun and enjoyment together during our first year (we re-opened September '96) that at the end of the School term we decided to run a holiday club, so that we could meet during the week too!

Due to support from all the mums, it was a great success. Our theme was Air and Sound. We discovered and learned a lot through our experiments, crafts, and games – especially that we are a very noisy lot! We had our quiet times too, the computer games were very popular.

For the start of our second year, Rebecca Lock has joined us to teach the 3–5 year group. It's great to work with her and she has been very successful in encouraging the younger ones to contribute to and be part of our team.

Rebecca, Jo Palmer, or myself (Lyn Sargent) would be pleased to talk to anyone interested in joining us. We meet Sunday mornings 11–12 noon. You don't know what you are missing!

19

Sunday School: 11am every Sunday.
Family Service: 11am first Sunday each month.
Sunday Worship 3pm starting in November.
Ladies Bright Hour on alternate Tuesdays, prayer meeting and Bible study on Fridays at 6.45pm followed by group practice at 7.30.

The group is practising very hard in preparation for a youth service. Keep a look-out for posters etc with the details.

One special date already fixed is 21 December at 3pm, the Nativity with the children of the Sunday School, a very warm welcome awaits you at all of our services.

Well, nobody is more surprised than I am – I've become very interested in gardening. Now don't get me wrong, I've always enjoyed cutting the lawn, but now I find myself wanting to go to the garden centre, discovering what I can plant and there is such a variety to choose from. A friend gave me two trays of plants – Hollyhocks and Canterbury Bells. Pansies and primroses one planted are in flower. Daffodil and tulip bulbs have been buried, winter flowering heather and three fruit trees, two apple and one plum, and I've followed the instructions given with each. On the advice of a friend I have bought a propagator but I am not doing very well with the cuttings, nevertheless I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labour.

Christmas is a bit like that, isn't it? What with the shopping around for presents, stocking up the food cupboard, arranging this and that, making doubly sure you have not forgotten to buy a present for … well, you know what I mean … it is that time of year again, isn't it, and if we are not careful, we miss the Beauty of Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem nearly 2,000 years ago. What an amazing event. Angels announced it. Shepherds spoke about it. Wise men came to call. But, so many people were preoccupied with other things that they missed it.

Ah, yes, Christmas means many things: giving, sharing, loving, singing, parties and fellowship. But Christmas should also mean listening to the person whose birthday we celebrate.

May God bless you with a wonderful Christmas.

[Advert for Barbara Ealey designer]

Are you planning to return to work, or have you just moved into the village and are looking for a childminder? Then why not take the stress and strain out of looking for a childminder in one easy phone call. Give Pat Loveridge (Charfield Childminders vacancy co-ordinator) a call on 01454-26xxxx. Pat holds a full list of the registered Childminders and their vacancies.

I am pleased to report that our children's craft activity mornings, that are held at the village hall on a Monday morning, have turned out to be a great success. All the children and guardians who. have been coming along to our sessions over the past few months would agree that a good time is had by all.

Due to the new intake at the local playgroups and schools in the area a few vacancies have arisen. If you have a baby/child under the age of five at home on a Monday morning who enjoys making things and having fun, why not pop along to one of our morning sessions at the village hall between 10.00am and 12.00 noon. You will always be made to feel welcome.

Jane Smith
Secretary

20[Advert for DK Family Learning]

I always seem to be harping on about planning applications – but there has been a significant increase in the number received of late, and I must again emphasise that it is up to you to make your feelings known at the application stage. It is too late when your neighbour starts building an extension that you might not like!

If a near neighbour submits an application, you will be notified by South Glos Council (SGC) and asked for your comments. Please do not delay in sending a response, it would be appreciated if you can also send a copy to myself, which will be most helpful in assisting the Parish Council to make an informed response.

Every application received by SGC is posted on both public notice boards (at the village hall car park and by the shops in Manor Lane). You can inspect applications and plans either at the relevant Parish Council meeting, or at my home address, or at the SGC offices.

You are also entitled to attend, on notification, planning meeting held at SGC and to put your views directly to the planning committee (which decides the outcome) for consideration.

If you are unsure how to negotiate any of the above procedures, please contact me or any of the Councillors, who will be happy to help.

It is once again time to invite village organisations to submit grant applications for consideration at the budget meeting to be held in early December. These must:

• be received in writing by Friday 28 November 1997.
• set out clearly the purpose for which a grant is required (the Parish Council cannot donate towards general, non-specific expenditure)
• be accompanied by a copy of the latest audited accounts

Unless this information is received, it will not be possible for the PC to consider your application – very strict rules apply to giving away public funds.

I can confirm that the PC has now received formal notification that St James' Churchyard is officially closed for burials, this will not affect the interment of ashes, for which there is still space available, or graves which were reserved.

SGC has been requested to take over the responsibility for maintenance of the churchyard as from the end of October 1997, until this date the Parochial Church Council remains responsible.

It should be noted that the PC has been assisting with the maintenance by financing the cutting of grass, etc, since the beginning of 1994 and I thank on behalf of the Council of Mr W Taylor of Longs View for keeping the Churchyard looking neat and tidy during that time.

In July of this year a petition was presented to the Council on behalf of residents for an additional post box to be installed outside the main shopping area in Manor Lane. The Council supported this request and the Royal Mail has advised that the matter is being considered.

Catherine Holmes – Clerk to the Council

Just a reminder that the Mobile Library calls every two weeks and stops at the Pear Tree (1125), Marklove Cottage (1145), Station Approach (1300), Little Bristol (1315), Charfield Green (1330), and Manor Lane (1355). Please see the diary page for dates.

To join, simply fill in an application form on the library, Books can be reserved free of charge. You can also ask for information leaflets on various topics, 21– benefits, consumer rights, health and local issues.

The loan period for any item may be extended on request unless other readers are waiting to borrow it. Overdue charges are not made, but the cost of contacting you if you have not returned a book will be recovered.

The van has a lift to help people onto the vehicle.

Do make use of this very valuable and convenient service.

Yate Library 01454 86xxxx
Mobile Library – mobile phone – beware of higher call charges – 0860 57xxxx

Are there any budding/aspiring pétanquists or committed Francophiles in Charfield who would like to have a little fun next year?

We have a number of contacts in France and one group (Paris based) has expressed a desire to bring a coach party over to Charfield for a concours de pétanque and some general socialising.

Commitment from you would be to host a French couple for two or three nights and to receive, in return, a similar visit to France.

All options are open at present, but a telephone call to Jenny or Allan Hughes will enable us to assess feasibility.

Allan and Jenny Hughes
9 Berkeley Close (26xxxx)

Continuing the European theme, is there anyone who would like to dust off their Deutsche Sprachkenntnisse? Perhaps have the occasional Kaffeeklatsch? Nothing serious, just the chance to babbel in German from time to time.

If so, please contact me, before I forget what is left of my German …

Julia O'Connor-Beach (26xxxx)

A new school year has started and we warmly welcome the new Y7s and their parents. It was nice to see some of the parents accept the PTA's invitation to a social evening held on 18 September when they could get to know each other and some of the PTA committee members and to share in glass of wine.

The following week on the 25th the PTA held its AGM and a new committee was elected, those serving the Charfield area are Alan Bartlett (D 84xxxx), Trish Davies (F 26xxxx), Gill Hanratty (F 26xxxx) and Marilyn Smith (F 26xxxx).

The new committee has a number of events lined up for the coming year, the first being an evening of wine tasting (17 October) followed by a fun Casino Night to be held at Leyhill Social Club on Friday 28 November. Tickets are available at £5 a head to include a bag of playing chips and a ploughman's supper, evening dress is optional. There will be prizes for the overall winner, the best dressed male, best dressed female, and a wooden spoon for the most unlucky player of the evening. If you are interested in coming along, contact one of the committee members for tickets.

Our annual ‘Grand Draw’ tickets are now on sale and the draw will take place at the Casino Night. The prizes are 1st £100, 2nd £50, 3rd £25, plus other prizes.

On 12 December we will be holding the disco for Y7/8.

There are many other events in the pipeline – watch this space.

We hope there is ample choice for parents and friends to come along to at least one of the events planned. If you have any ideas which you think may be useful, please let the committee know.

Or, if you have any concerns or problems that you think the PTA may be able to help with, again let either myself or a committee member know and we will do our best to help.

Remember, the PTA is there to help the school, to help your child to get the best education possible.

Margaret Clarke

22

This year has again shown why the weather is a farmer's favourite topic of conversation.

The cereal harvest started gently with a period of dry hot weather and then steadily got worse. Crops that are ripe don't improve when subjected to continuous soakings, they eventually start to sprout while still in the ear, even sooner if flattened by storms, just like mustard and cress growing on blotting paper on the window sill.

This makes harvesting harder and storage more difficult. Grain needs to be below 16% moisture content for long term storage, and if the moisture content exceeds 16%, the grain value is reduced as it can really only be used for animal feed.

Oilseed rape can be equally frustrating to harvest in unsettled times. There are three normal ways of preparing the crop for combining as it ripens unevenly down each plant. First option is to cut and row up while still green and allow to dry in swathes. Second option is to spray the ripening crop with a desiccant about ten to fourteen days before expected harvest. The third option is to cross your fingers and allow it to ripen naturally with the risk that the most mature pods will become so brittle that they split open and you lose half your crop in a gale or thunder storm. The tiny black seeds are about half the size of a peppercorn and now through a hole in the ground like sand through an egg timer.

September eventually turned into an ‘Indian’ summer and allowed time to catch up with silage making as the grass hasn't stopped growing all year. We normally get a lean time in July and August most years.

As I write, a lot of next year's crops are already planted in good conditions and silaging forage maize is progressing.

BSE has never been far from our thoughts in the last few years, but we've just had a visit from the ministry vet to check birth records of the cohorts of the confirmed cases we've had. ‘Cohorts’ means any animals born at the time of, and up to six months after, a confirmed case. We've not actually had any confirmed cases in animals born after 1989. But we still have seven older cows, ie approximately eight years old, that are considered cohorts and, although they're all fit and healthy, they will in effect be bought by the ministry and killed and rendered as part of the price for sorting out the whole sorry mess and trying to lift the ban on beef exports.

From a local farmer

Literally.

John Butler has decided that, due to pressure of work and family commitments, he must hand over the printing of the newsletter to another volunteer.

John has duplicated the newsletter for the past 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) years, and has always done the job very professionally and never with a hint of complaint at such a chore.

The CHADRA committee offers its sincere and warm thanks to John for such service to the community, which is, we are sure, echoed by all subscribers.

Joan Crowfoot has nobly stepped into the breach and her maiden voyage with the duplicator will be the January issue.

Do thank them both personally, when you next see them!

The CHADRA Committee

Hello! It's the start of the new Playgroup year and we have just held our AGM to elect the new committee:

Chair	Val Williams (D) 84xxxx
Vice Chair	Steve Dally (F) 26xxxx
Treasurer	Anne Moseley (F) 26xxxx
Admissions	Allison Trueman (F) 26xxxx
Secretary	Judith Watkins (F) 26xxxx

Last but not least a date for your diary. Our Christmas Bazaar is being held at playgroup on Tuesday 25 November from 2 till 4 pm, so come along all mums, dads, grandparents, friends and neighbours. Support Sally, Liz and the committee in this fund-raising event.

Judith Watkins
Secretary

PS Don't forget to look and listen for the Christmas float!

23

Much has happened since I last wrote in the newsletter some two years ago. Others on the committee have kept you up to date since then but I felt that as this was my last chance to do so, we are moving to Berkeley on the 25th October, I had better take this opportunity to get you up to speed and say goodbye at the same time.

As most of you have been told, John Poskett has retired from the committee but has become a life co-opted member. This means he is still able to keep an eye on the Hall and report any problems back to the committee, and he is also still helping Jeff with the Bar.

A call to the bar …

As you can imagine, the hall committee is desperate for some extra licensees, preferably from clubs that use the hall. If anyone wishes to volunteer to help behind the bar or become a licensee please phone the number below.

Smile, you're on camera …

We have for most of this year been having real problems with vandalism at the hall. In the last 6 months this has cost us over £6,000. This money was originally set aside for improvements to the main hall but it has now been used to replace damaged windows, doors, roofs, etc. A sad reflection on today's society.

In order to counteract this problem the hall is looking into installing floodlights, cameras and various other security devices more in keeping with inner city areas than a country village. Do you know where your children are tonight?

In order to cover the high costs of this security project the hall have applied to the lottery for funding. Included in this application are costings for upgrading the main hall, toilets and small meeting room as well as additional hall furniture. We are all keeping our fingers crossed!

It could be you …

Talking of lotteries, how many people know about our very own lottery – the 200 Club – which has been run for many years by the management committee? For a meagre £10.50 a year you can join and have a chance to win up to £250 yearly and monthly prizes of £10 and £20. Please phone the number below if you wish to know more. This club brings into the hall a very useful regular income and adds to the fund raising efforts throughout the year.

A grand day out …

As you know the main fund raising event each year is the village “Summer Fair and Sports Day”. This year's event was no exception, even with the local Knights up in arms in Wotton, the turnout in the village was excellent. We managed to raise just under £2,000 towards hall funds and really appreciate the effort put in by clubs and individuals before and during the day. Even the sun shone on us and kept the bar busy with thirsty revellers until it was time for the evening disco.

Come to the fair …

Staying on the theme of fund raising, Anne Thomas, our new bookings secretary, is organising the Christmas Craft Fair in the Hall this year. It will be held on Sunday November the 23rd. Please support her efforts and come along to see the many stalls she has arranged for the day. There are always Christmas gifts and stocking fillers at reasonable prices.

Come and join us …

The hall needs fund raising events like this throughout the year. It helps to keep a high profile and more people involved in its use and its support. If people support the hall they may also wish to be members of the committee and help run it. The committee is desperately short of members at present and those that are left are slowly moving on. If you feel you can support us in any way please contact me on the phone number below.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen …

This seems an appropriate time to become more personal and say goodbye to all those in the village whom we have got to know over the last twenty years. In this time there have been many changes, some good and some bad, which have affected all our lives. My children have grown up here and enjoyed the relative 24safety of village and country life. It will be strange and sad to move on even if it is only to Berkeley. We have very many close friends here and I am determined not to lose touch. In fact in ten years time we might well be back to retire if you haven't all moved on by then!

Both Jeff and I will still be involved with the Village Hall until after Christmas and I will stay with the Parish Council until their next AGM.

Happy Christmas to everyone and a Happy and Peaceful New Year (chance will be a fine thing!).

Jane Hall (Village Hall Chairman)
01453 51xxxx

Renishaw, a local grown, high tech and very successful company with their headquarters at New Mills between Charfield and Wotton, are looking to expand.

Renishaw have, over the years, bought farmland between Wotton and Charfield. They wish to consolidate their operation at the New Mills site, moving work from Wotton town to the Mills. More significantly, they want to expand the site to around two and a half times its present size.

This would involve new office and factory accommodation, car parks a perimeter road, a new lake, and extensive landscaping. The new perimeter road would join the Wotton Road at the first Kingswood junction (from Charfield), with a roundabout. All of this would be accommodated on Renishaw's land.

We understand the increase in floorspace at New Mills over the three phases of the project would be 150% (starting point 13.660m², demolish 3.655m², add 24.147m²). The overall site would expand from 7 hectares to 19.5 hectares – an increase of 179%.

Renishaw have tackled the project very professionally and have carried out a well-planned lobby campaign at Stroud District Council (SDC).

Mr Peter Gilbert, Planning Strategy Manager at SDC, was invited to a recent Charfield Parish Council meeting to discuss the proposal. He explained that SDC is considering including the expansion in their Local Plan. This would be as an exception to normal policies.

The reasons for including it were given as follows: Renishaw have a good track record, having developed the New Mills site to a high quality standard and with sensitivity to the location. Renishaw is perceived as a major employer in SDC's southern area of sufficient importance to warrant special consideration.

The Parish Council has yet to consider its response to what it has recently learned. It may ask Renishaw's agents to come to a meeting.

The matter is of great importance to Charfield, and villagers would be well advised to learn more about the proposal, and ensure that their opinions are heard at the right time (sooner rather than later) and by the right authorities.

Consider the benefit of more employment on our doorstep.

Consider the impact on traffic movements through the village at commuter periods.

Consider what additional pressure there will be for more housing in Charfield.

Consider the size of the proposed development and how it will sit adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Consider how the open countryside between Charfield and Wotton will be affected.

Consider whether other firms might expect the same treatment as Renishaw.

You might ask why Stroud District Council is considering such a development on the southernmost border of their area – and yet not proposing local housing development in their area to match it.

Consider what SDC's response would be, if Renishaws were to decide to expand further, or perhaps sell the site and move elsewhere.

If the proposal did go into Stroud's Local Plan, what safeguards for Charfield should be included? At the moment, Renishaw, Stroud, and South Glos have proposed nothing.

Let the Parish Council have your questions and comments, or put them direct to Stroud with a copy to the PC.

Town and country planning is about appropriate development and balance in the public interest.

Make your views known.

25

Please make use of this Diary. Either telephone or drop a note of any additions and modifications to Brendan O'Connor (01454-26xxxx) xx Manor Lane.

KLB = Katharine Lady Berkeley School
MH = Memorial hall
FR = Foundation Room, Primary School
SL = Sportsman's lounge, Memorial hall

Why not put this on your fridge door or notice board?

26

If you wish to alter the entries below, please telephone Julia on 01454 26xxxx

British Legion
John Poskett (Spokesman) 01454-26xxxx

CHADRA
Geoff Blower (Hon Sec) 01454-26xxxx

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

Childminders
Pat Loveridge (vacancy coord.) 01454 26xxxx

Church – Congregational
Rev Philip Hopes 01453 84xxxx

Church – St John's
Rev Robert Pestell 01454 26xxxx

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

Council – South Gloucestershire
Eddie Gadsby (Councillor) 01454-26xxxx

Cricket Club
David S Bradley 01453-84xxxx

Football Club – Juniors
Mike Higgins 01454 26xxxx

Football Club – Seniors
Chris Somerton (Secretary) 01454 26xxxx

Friendship Club
Bert Carter 01454 26xxxx

Ladies Club
Margaret Gargett 01454 26xxxx

Luncheon Club for the Elderly
Jane Higgins 01454 26xxxx

Memorial Hall
Anne Thomas (bookings) 01454 26xxxx

Millennium Committee
John Acton 01453 84xxxx

Mother & Toddler Group
Mel Millichap 01454 26xxxx

Neighbourhood Watch
David Parker (Co-ordinator) 01454 26xxxx