CHADRA

… That the Village Spring Clean is to be held on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April. Please help.

… That John Poskett is retiring from the Memorial Hall Committee and a new licensee for the hall is needed.

… That a poll is running on the Internet to gauge reaction to the opening of the station.

… That the ‘Out Of School Hours Club’ should be opening in September.

… That the Normandy Twinning Association has asked if Charfield would like to be twinned with one of their villages.

… That Foot and Mouth Disease is affecting not only the farming community but many local organisations as you will see from the articles within this newsletter.

… That a new co-ordinator is needed for next years Village Fayre.

… That due to the lack of responses to the questionnaire in the last newsletter the proposed cycleway from the village to Wotton via Renishaw and KLB has now been abandoned.

… That the Village Spring Clean is to be held on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April – just checking!!

2

Happy Easter and thanks to all contributors for getting your copy to us a week earlier than usual – as requested in the last edition.

We make no apology for the frequent references to the Village Spring Clean throughout this issue. We are sure all of you take pride in the appearance of your own homes and would want the whole village to be as clean and tidy. If everybody could spare just half an hour on the weekend of 28th / 29th April we will very soon have pathways to be proud of. Please don't leave it to somebody else.

Thank you.

Next Copy Date – 12th July 2001

3

YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU, YES YOU,
TO ASSIST WITH THE BIG SPRING CLEAN

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 28TH AND 29TH APRIL.

Just turn up at the Village Hall car park on Saturday or Sunday between 10 a.m. & 12 noon and 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Even half an hour will really make a difference – and if you bring a friend or two just think what a HUGE difference that would be. Gloves and pickers will be provided so you don't even get your hands dirty. It can actually be quite good fun and you'll certainly feel you've earned your lunch / dinner afterwards! So please, if you can, join us. We really do need you.

PLEASE

We are currently running a poll, which can be reached from the opening page of www.charfieldvillage.co.uk, to gauge the reaction of the proposed train station at Charfield. The poll is conducted anonymously and only takes a few seconds to vote and will run until June. For anyone that is interested the vote is running slightly in favour for the station!

We have also added a message board, which can be accessed from a link on the opening page, where you can raise local issues or just post an opinion. Needless to say there is already a topic running regarding the proposed opening of the train station.

We received an E-mail from an official of the Normandy twinning association asking if Charfield would like to twin with a similar sized village on the outskirts of Normandy. This has been passed on to the chairman of Charfield Parish Council as we felt that we were not qualified or in a position to respond to a request that will inevitably take a lot of organisation.

We would, however, be interested to gauge the local feeling towards twinning and there is a message board running on the site to air your views, for those of you who would like to express an opinion, but do not have internet access, you can telephone us using the contact numbers at the end of this article and we will post a message for you. It would also be nice to know if anyone out there would like to take on the responsibility of running or helping with a twinning committee.

We had a massive response to the MSN Messenger Service that we launched last issue and we hope that the on-line help we have given has been of help to the people that have taken advantage of it. We had nearly forty E-mails requesting ICQ, so we have acted accordingly and you will find our ICQ number at the end of this article. The MSN messenger service is available from www.msn.com, and is free of charge.

As we all know the Foot and Mouth epidemic is devastating rural communities and we have posted a link on the front page to the Ministry of Agriculture. Here you will find a listing of all the local farms affected and up to date information on new outbreaks and government strategies. This link will stay in place until the end on the epidemic which, we hope, will not be too long.

There are many events that go on in this village and it would benefit local organisations to make more use of the “What's on” section which is still under used. All you need to do is phone, fax or e-mail us with your event and it will be posted accordingly.

You can contact us on:

Tel: 01453 84xxxx
Fax: 01453 52xxxx
E-mail: info @ charfieldvillage.co.uk
URL: www.charfieldvillage.co.uk
ICQ# 113784289
MSN Messenger Service: “Add” Charfield_On_Line@hotmail.com

4[Advert for Martingales]

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[Advert for Pat Jeanes reflexology]

After forty-seven years of dedicated service to the Charfield Memorial Hall it will come as a shock to many villagers to inform you that John Poskett has resigned his position as Chairman and licensee of the Memorial Hall with effect from June this year.

The Memorial Committee would like to express their sincere gratitude to John for his tireless efforts in the running and general upkeep of the hall. He will be sadly missed and finding a replacement, with the same commitment to duty, will be a difficult task and one the committee will sadly have to undertake.

Although John has not always seen eye to eye with the younger members of the village, it needs to be said that his commitment and dedication has been second to none. There has always been an element of people within the village willing to help but these often come and go where as John has been ever present. That kind of commitment from an individual is rare and finding a replacement with those qualities will be difficult.

I'm sure that members of the village would like to join the Memorial Hall Committee in wishing John and Dolly well for the future and thanking him for all his efforts.

Summing up forty-seven years of commitment is near on impossible and we felt that a quotation taken from the Charfield Domesday Book and written by Allan Hughes says it all.

“Without his constant endeavours the Hall would be less of a place than it is now.”

Thank you John.

The Baby & Toddler group AGM was held on 28th March and I came away as the new chairman not quite knowing what is expected but I'm sure I will find my footing along with the other new committee members who are Debbie Williams Vice-Chair, Nicky Lanyi Secretary and Pat Williams Treasurer and a supportive list of helpers.

5We are looking forward to the coming year to running the baby & toddler group and hope it will be as successful as last years.

A big thank you goes out to last years committee for all their wonderful ideas and commitment to the group. THANK YOU !!!!!!

To start with towards the end of July the group will be holding a teddy bears picnic, so all the babies and toddlers can bring their teddy bears along.

Just to finish off with a quick reminder that we meet Thursday mornings between 10 to 11.30 am in the Memorial Hall and would love to meet new people. The meetings are informal although it can be chaotic and the first visit is free. SO COME AND JOIN US !!!!!!

PLEASE HELP – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL

There's more to life than running The Marathon … I think!

At the time of writing, there are just over 4 weeks to go before John runs the London Marathon and the rest of the family feel that we have already run it for him AND got the T-shirt!!

Actually, the whole experience is very like childbirth in that once it's all over, you conveniently forget all the hassles and its only when it is far too late next time that you remember that you said “Never again!”

Our weekends once again revolve around The Long Run when John disappears for up to 3 hours and then needs another couple of hours to ‘rest’ on his return. Blister plasters and Complan now feature again on my shopping list and I buy more bananas than Bristol Zoo! When he went away for a week on business last month, there was more running gear in his case than work clothes!

John is asking all my (soon to be ex-) friends for sponsorship as he is running this year for The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and, slowly, the ‘London’ is taking over our lives again.

Nevertheless, we are looking forward to April 22nd and Elizabeth and I will be going to watch again. This year, we will be much better organized and have the benefit of being experienced Marathon Followers. I have read the magazines, the advice sheets and the Participants Booklet and will be taking plastic bags (to sit down on), extra rations for us both and power bars and drinks for John.

On a different note, have you ever entered a competition and then been dubious that it ever had a winner at all? Well – I entered a competition on the Net whilst booking a break in Scarborough with The UK Experience last October. Several weeks ago I got a letter to say I had won and enclosing £200 Hotel Gift Vouchers!!! I was thrilled and have spent lots of time looking through the brochure and planning where we could go. John's ears pricked up when he realized we could stay in London and suggested we use them after the Marathon … aagh!

As I was saying … there is more to life than running The Marathon … I think!

Tracy Francksen

Preparations for the 40th Village Fayre are well underway and by the next issue of CHADRA the day will have come and gone. As per last year the Village Day will start at 2 p.m. and finish roundabout midnight with, hopefully, another spectacular Firework Display at about 10 p.m. Just a little taster of what we have this year: Bouncy Castles, Rodeo Bull, Barfly, Bungee Run, Penalty Football, entertainment for the younger ones, Magician, Balloon Modelling, Easy Listening with Sure Foundation, Cam Silver Band and a jazz band. The usual Tug O War (get your teams together – men, women and children), Sumptuous food: Pig Roasts (hopefully), BBQ (any offers?), plus most things that were at the fair last year who are keen to return. Let's not forget the Sports on the day, from the egg and spoon race to the relay – good fun for all the children. Prizes will be given to winners and losers.

For all those dog lovers out there we will be holding an Exemption Dog Show, from the ‘Best in Show’ to the ‘Dog the Judge would like to take Home’. Rosettes will be given from 1st to 4th places.

6I'm sure the day will be sunny and full of fun. Entry will be by programme only, price £1.50 on sale at the beginning of June. Of you would like to run a stall, take part in anyway or help then please call Janice on 01454 26xxxx.

Anyone wishing to take over as coordinator for next years Village Fayre, please contact the Memorial Hall Committee. I will be standing down after this years event.

Janice Vardon-Smith

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Village Spring Clean

If it hasn't already happened when you read this, come along to the spring clean and help us pick up some of the litter around the village. Meet at the Memorial Hall car park to get your gloves, litter picker and sack. The times are 10am–12 noon and 2pm–4pm on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April. Even if you can only spare an hour, we would be grateful. Let's try to make a difference to the village.

Annual Parish Meeting

You all have a look at the Parish Council notice board each week, don't you? Or the notice board at the Memorial Hall car park? If so, you will have seen that the Annual Parish Meeting is (or was) at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1st May at Charfield School. This is the meeting when representatives come to tell us what their organisations are doing in and for the village, especially those organisations that have had grants from the Parish Council. You also get a report from the Chairman of the Parish Council! Finally, electors in the Parish can raise any matter for discussion. If you missed it this year, make a note to check the notice boards and come next year. If you read this in time, come along, find out what people are doing for the village and have your say.

Cycleway to KLB and Wotton

At our March meeting we considered the response to the cycleway questionnaire in the January Newsletter. We had 13 replies. Of those, 8 (7 from the parish) were in favour of us continuing to investigate the possibility of providing the cycleway to Wotton via Renishaw and KLB School. Only one or two people would use the cycleway daily. We decided that the response didn't justify continuing work on the project. To those who supported it, I'm sorry, but in the absence of enthusiasm from a much greater number of people we would not have been able to overcome the doubts of others. We certainly wouldn't have convinced funding organisations to come up with the money. Some replies have been received since. We now have 23, of which 18 are in favour and 7 indicate use several times a week. Only 4 respondents definitely say that they would let their children cycle to KLB.

7Charfield Station

A number of people have asked me about the station, probably because there have been reports in the newspapers. The short answer is that there is no change: South Gloucestershire Council is still carrying out their studies. One of the things they are doing (at last) is working out how they would get the road traffic in and out. I have said that the main concern in that respect is pedestrian safety. There are already a lot of conflicting traffic movements at the end of Station Road, with New Street, the garage forecourt, other accesses and of course a high volume of Wotton Road traffic at peak periods. Parents and children from New Street, Farm Lees and Longs View face difficulties, to say the least, when crossing Wotton Road before and after school.

One of the possibilities being investigated is traffic signals at the Station Road / Wotton Road junction. That is not an easy solution, as there might have to be linked signals at the Little Bristol Lane junction to stop traffic shooting over the bridge into the back of the traffic queue at the Station Road lights. Also it would be difficult to cope with the movements off the garage forecourt. Someone mentioned that the lights would result in pollution from standing vehicles, whereas we have just got rid of that problem at the “pinch points”. On the other hand the lights might have a pedestrian phase, which would have safety benefits.

My personal view remains that we need to see the full proposals for the station, including the train service, parking provision, security and access details, before coming to a conclusion on whether or not to support the provision of a new station in Charfield. The Parish Council has taken the same view so far. At our meeting on 10th April, after the copy date for this Newsletter, we shall be discussing a list of questions that we might send to South Gloucestershire. But in my opinion we have to let them work out what they think is the best scheme. Then we can have a public meeting about it, if indeed South Gloucestershire think the scheme is worth taking forward.

Special Expenses

You know all that stuff that came with the Council Tax bill last month? Did you read it? Did you notice that the “special expenses” that South Gloucestershire charge to us in Charfield have gone up from £6,524 last year to £10,851 this year? We asked for a breakdown of the figures, and now we are asking for a justification. Maybe there are good reasons, but we need to know. There may be things we can do to reduce the expenses.

A New Chairman

At the Parish Council meeting on 8th May we shall elect a new Chairman. I shall not be standing, although I would be prepared to be Vice-Chairman for a year. Having completed three years as Chairman, I think it's time to step aside. Whether or not I write the Parish Council's article in the next Newsletter remains to be seen!

John E Acton
Chairman, Charfield Parish Council

Editors Note:
We'd like to extend our thanks to John for always getting his copy to us on time and on disk. If someone else is going to be doing it in the future can they be as fab as you please!!

There is only a month or so left of the 2000/20001 season though it is going to be our busiest period of this season's campaign. The very wet winter led to many fixture postponements and now the evenings are getting longer these games will be taking place midweek.

The first team are again well placed in Stroud league division 1. Until the end of January we were neck and neck with the Gloucester side ICI at the top of the table, however heavy pitches and an indifferent patch of form has led to some points being dropped. The league championship is by no means out of the question, all we can do is win as many games as possible and hope the fates are smiling on us – you never know what might happen.

The performance of the reserves is now much better than earlier in the season. After gaining promotion last year, for most of this season they have been struggling a bit in division 4, picking up points here and there and flitting in and out of the relegation places. Several new players joined the club last season and they 8seemed to take a while to get used to each other's game. During this period the confidence and determination have rarely wavered and some reward for the hard work is now being reaped. Only one defeat in the last six games has seen the reserves climb the table and if the current form can be maintained they should finish comfortably in mid-table.

DON'T FORGET THE VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN ON SAT 28 AND SUN 29 APRIL. – YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU

Complementary Healthcare from Harlequin Therapy Equipment

How frequently do you go to the doctor with an ailing child to come back with yet more pills and potions? So many times their ailments (and yours) can be helped by using natural remedies, which do not create other problems in the body. Essential oils are ideal to use for so many problems. A drop or two is often all that is needed mixed with a carrier cream or oil in the bath or a burner. The oils are all very high quality and very little is required. If you buy cheaper oils they will not be so pure and therefore less effective.

If you suffer from eczema try Frankincense, Lavender and Chamomile mixed with your carrier oil and rub into affected areas. This will calm the skin down in three or four days – for use at any time and for all ages. Why not try it rather than going straight for that pill? Safety point – If unsure about its use do seek qualified advice before using.

Chamomile and Lavender are both extremely soothing for skin problems, cuts and grazes. A ready-made Lavender Cream is the ideal first aid kit for so many problems as is Bach Rescue Remedy Cream. Combined with gentle massage, oils can have a powerful effect on children. Babies become accustomed to touch and smell and a drop of lavender can often settle grumpy small children or a little Fennel rubbed into the area if there are stomach pains. Small children love their feet being gently rubbed and this in itself is relaxing – it can also lead to Reflexology, a Holistic approach to treating everyone.

Tea Tree is also available for colds, sore throats, head lice and bites. Eucalyptus is also used for colds, clearing headaches, catarrh and fever.

There are lots more oils that can help but the above are so useful to keep handy.

We find that in the village people are still unsure what Harlequin Therapy Equipment is or does! Comments like “I'm not going in that place, I don't want a massage in full view of everyone!” – You won't! These are done in our therapy room at home with total confidentiality.

We supply a range of massage equipment and ancillary products to professional therapists and hospitals. Sports people, TV stars, Royalty and Models number also amongst our clients. However, we are here to help you with your complementary therapy needs, last minute presents, gift vouchers, treatments and much, much more.

To celebrate our very successful first year of trading we are holding and open day on Friday May 4th from 2–7 p.m. Free raffle. Come and see us, 10% off purchases or treatments booked. Wine and nibbles.

Rural Dial-a-Ride services run by Vale Link Community Transport have now won funding for another year. Government funding to South Gloucestershire Council (through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant) will be enough to continue services until March 2002. During the coming year, the Council will work with local community transport groups to bid for longer term funding.

The Government has also given South Gloucestershire Council extra money to expand Dial-a-Ride services. Local community transport groups are starting to plan how they might do this in the autumn, and are looking at the feasibility of running Dial-a-Ride services earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon and early evening in some areas. The idea is to enable people who cannot use public transport to get to jobs, training and education (for over 16's) and possible early or late hospital or clinic appointments. For people who can use public transport, but do not have a local bus service at those times, it is hoped to provide links from outlying villages into towns 9to connect with main bus routes. If anyone is interested in this sort of journey and would like to find out more, please contact your local community transport scheme.

For further information, contact: Peter Randall at Vale Link Community Transport, The Chantry, 52 Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HB. Tel: 01454 856612.

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[Advert for Kingswood Playgroup & Toddlers]

SATURDAY 28TH AND SUNDAY 29TH APRIL – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – DON'T MISS IT

As I write this, there are just under 3 weeks to go before I run in the London Marathon again. My training is going well and mentally at least, I have the great advantage of having done the whole thing once before! This time last year I was anxious just to complete the 26.2 miles but this year I am hoping to better my time.

I am running for The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, and have been really pleased with the amount of sponsorship that friends and colleagues have been prepared to offer. I did not expect to get anywhere near my £2300 total of last year – if only because the ‘novelty’ factor wasn't there – but I am heading towards £1000 this year and still open to offers!!

The charity ‘Children's Wish’ was the beneficiary last year and I then became a ‘network’ person for this area. I was called upon to perform my first task in February when I received a call from Wendy at Headquarters in Bournemouth. A small boy named Matthew with a form of Leukaemia had fallen in love with the rocking horse at the hospice where he was being cared for. He was now in remission and had been allowed home to Castle Cary but his family contacted Children's Wish to see if they could provide a similar rocking horse. After the various medical criteria checks had been done, CW then contacted several makers of traditional rocking horses and finally narrowed their choice to a gentleman in Wiltshire. The trouble was a brochure can only tell you so much and my job was to visit this man and ‘view’ the product before placing an order.

I rang this lovely man and made an appointment to see him at his workshop the next Saturday afternoon (as Wendy gently reminded me – time was quite literally running out!). I spent a wonderful afternoon with Bob Mullis and his wife and the rocking horses are absolutely beautiful – true works of art lovingly crafted by hand to individual specifications by Mr Mullis. I was happy to report back that they were worth every penny of the £800 plus that they retail at and Mr Mullis promised to push us to the top of his list. Only 3 weeks later Wendy rang me again and asked if this time I wanted to present it to Matthew! I was thrilled and was able to take Elizabeth with me (we felt if we all went to Matthew's house where he lives with his 10younger brother and parents it would be too much like rent-a-crowd!)

The look of deep, incredulous joy on Matthew's face and the gratitude of his courageous parents made every step of that 26.2 miles worthwhile and even Elizabeth was quiet and reflective on the way home!

John Francksen 01453 84xxxx

At the time of writing (April 2nd) Foot and Mouth Disease is very close to Charfield. We sincerely hope that by the time you read this it has got no closer. It is a terrible thing – not the disease itself, but the havoc that it is causing. It is very hard to know if the way it is being handled is right or wrong, but we do know that the effects are just dreadful for most farmers. We are more fortunate than most in that, although Mike has spent 15 years working on his breed improvement programme and would be devastated to see it end in smoke, our livelihood doesn't depend on it.

Most farmers that we know don't just look upon their animals as their livelihood – they mean far more to them than that (and yes, we know that a lot of them would end up being slaughtered anyway, but it is absolutely different). We also feel deeply for people who are not in farming but who nevertheless are being very badly affected by the situation – which perhaps proves that our countryside is very important to us all.

Generally, there are not many things in life that don't have more than one side and one of the few good things to come out of this is the number of friends and neighbours who have been most concerned for us. We would like to say thank you. Your concern has been greatly appreciated.

Barbara Adams

The 1st year of the real Millennium has had an inauspicious start with floods, freezing weather and Foot and Mouth Disease. I am sure that everyone in the village has the greatest sympathy for the farmers and I hope that everyone is following local guidelines on infection control! Being the eternal optimist I hope that life will improve for the better, on the grounds that it can't get any worse.

The Millennium Committee is now coming to the end of its reign and to put all the finances and outstanding business ‘to bed’, I have arranged a public meeting.

This will take place in the Sportsman Lounge at the Memorial Hall on May 16th from 7.30pm.

All villagers are welcome.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter and wish everyone the very best for the future.

Thank you to all helpers and members of the committee, this is Carol Parton, Chairperson signing off.

Hello. Doesn't time fly. Here I am struggling for words again. We have had a busy term at Playgroup. Demand for places has outstripped our ability to supply places. All our sessions are full. Unfortunately we have had no luck in recruiting a new member of staff and therefore have been unable to open up our Friday session. We still, however, have a few places in on our waiting list for September 2001 but places will be allocated on a “first come first served” basis. For more details please contact Karen Tranter Tel. 01453 84xxxx.

Good News! South Gloucestershire will now fund pre-school sessions a term earlier than was previously the case. Grants of up to £396 per term (for 5 part-time sessions) can now be claimed from the term that your child turns 4 rather than the following term. There is, however, a requirement that the Playgroup / Pre-school unit is located in South Gloucestershire. All you need to do is complete a claim form and return it to us with a copy of your child's birth certificate. Note: Children from families who are in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Working Families Tax Credit or are in “Social need” are still entitled to three free terms while the child is 3 year old plus the usual 4 year old grant (if applicable).

Fundraising – We are holding a Sponsored Bike Ride in late June. There will be a Sponsored Search for children during our 11extended half term fortnight. Your support is, as always, appreciated.

We have a hectic summer for the children (and their parents!):

• Photographer visiting Playgroup on June 27th
• Summer trip to Weston-Super-Mare on 21st June
• End of term social evening at Canon's Court – 20th July
• Leaver party 26th July
• Family Disco and Barbecue at Leyhill Prison Social Club – 27th July

Janice Brett, Secretary

PLEASE HELP – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL

Well, spring has sprung again and it's the Easter holidays! I know this is so, not because of the daffodils or Easter eggs, but because it is still pouring with rain! Will this rain ever stop!!

Last month the Brownies raised £160.00 for ‘comic relief’. I think you will all agree that the Brownies did really well to raise this much money. The Brownies were all sponsored to ‘dress up as tramps, (with their pants on the outside) and eat chips all night'. As you can imagine, this event was no hardship for them!

To raise money for Brownie funds we have had an Easter raffle again this year. Mandy Champion, again made a Simnel cake for us to raffle. We raised approx. £48.00. Thank you very much Mandy.

The Brownies have been working towards their Science Investigator Badge over the past few months. We had a visit to Oldbury Power Station. The guides there, set up several experiments for the girls to do. We had a great time and I would highly recommend it to anyone. And it's free! The highlight of the day, for the Brownies, was watching a video of a ‘train crash!’

Pack holiday this year is booked for 1st–3rd June 2001 at Woodhouse Park in Almondsbury. Because of the Foot and Mouth outbreak, there will be some restrictions on our movements on and off site, so the planning has yet to be finalised.

Because Charfield is again down to 1 Brownie Pack, can I please ask that any little girl who wants to become a Brownie has her name put on my waiting list a.s.a.p. please. A big thank you to Lesley Frankham for running 1st Charfield Brownies for the past year or so. It's a shame she had to give up.

If anyone else thinks they can give some of their time to Brownies, please let me know.

Well, lets hope we start getting some nice weather soon and we will all be out and about.

Trish Cole, Brown Owl

I was hoping to have the date of the Neighbourhood Watch AGM arranged by now, but having left it to the last minute, I find that PC Jones is on annual leave. As I believe he has a very valuable contribution to make, it would be silly to arrange a date he can't make. So apologies. Obviously I shall let all the contacts know, but I will also try and get the Gazette to publish the date.

Although those in Woodlands Road who have had cars broken into won't think so, I believe it has generally been quiet on the crime front. Or have I missed something? Perhaps as the weather has been so awful everyone has stayed indoors.

Having a look at what I wrote last time, particularly with regard to house numbers / names, can I again encourage people to make sure that they have a visible house number. I was delivering a few notes around the village and was amazed how poorly some groups of houses are identified. The emergency services cannot always tell for example whether the street has an odd and even side or is a close sequentially numbered.

Ilze Hicks

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Bouncy castle for hire £35.00
Charfield Memorial Hall
Contact Mark White for bookings
01454 26xxxx

It's that time again for me to write for the WI. Such a lot has happened since the last newsletter. Floods, train crashes – unforeseen tragedies that bring so much suffering. Foot and Mouth, I'm sure we all feel sorry for the farming community to see animals disappearing from the countryside is so very sad. Animals play a big part in our lives, be it a small hamster or a large bull. Let's hope everything soon gets back to normal.

Back to WI, in February we were pleased to welcome Mike Cheskin of Charfield Garage to talk about researching family history, telling us how to start our own family tree, a very consuming hobby – Thank you Mike!

We had a musical evening at home which we all enjoyed (we have pianist amongst us). Our 73rd party too was very successful, with entertainment by Joan Winters playing on her electronic keyboard.

In May we have an Essential Oils and Aromatherapy talk, so watch out for details on our posters if you are interested, why not bring your neighbour?

Sadly as most of you know, our very special member of some twenty five years, Ethel Dodd has passed away – Ethel was so well liked, always ready and willing to help and encourage us, knowledgeable in arts and crafts. We will miss her very much.

Finally it's our annual jumble on 12th May, we shall be around collecting – so see you

Pat White, Pres.

DON'T FORGET THE VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN ON SAT 28 AND SUN 29 APRIL. – YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU

13

The Easter season is a period of new life and new hope as we recall the amazing events of the first Easter some 2000 years ago. Of course, there are also signs of new life all around us as the trees, plants and bulbs wake from their winter slumber and begin to produce buds, leaves and flowers. This demonstrates the re-creation that goes on every year and we are indeed fortunate to live in a beautiful environment and to have the season of spring to appreciate and enjoy. Set alongside this, however, is the very distressing situation that faces the farming community at this time. The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease is yet another disaster to hit an industry that was trying to recover from a number of setbacks in recent years as well as adapting to the competitive nature of food production.

Living in a rural situation, as we do, brings the effect of this unpleasant disease so much closer and we can only hope and pray that there will be a swift end to this outbreak. In order to show support and solidarity with the farming community a regular weekly time of prayer has been organised on Tuesdays from 7.30–8.00 p.m. at St. John's. Everyone is most welcome to come and share in this open time of prayer which will continue for the foreseeable future.

As we remember the suffering of livestock and the farming community we also recall that Christ suffered for us all upon the cross. Through his suffering and then his resurrection he opened the gateway to new life and we hope and pray that out of the present suffering new life and growth will emerge for our farmers. It would also be good to see a settled spell of dry, sunny weather after all the rain that we have had for the last six months provided, of course, that we don't then have drought conditions! The boss and I are working on it!

Future Services and Events at St. John's
15th April – Easter Day – 9.30 a.m. Easter Family Communion
19th May – St. John's Annual Plant Sale 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
20th May – Rogation Day – 9.30 a.m. ‘Creation Communion’ as we pray for a good harvest and the farming community
3rd June – Pentecost – 9.30 a.m. Family Communion
Our regular worship on Sundays is at 9.30 a.m. and there is a service of Holy Communion on Wednesdays also at 9.30 a.m.
Mini Praise for pre-school children takes place once a month on the second Tuesday at 9.45 a.m.

Revd. Robert Pestell, Priest-in-Charge

14[Advert for Greenline Tanks]

[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

The Junior Discos have become very popular and are great fun. Cost £2.00 age 5–11 years. Fridays 6:30 p.m. Some dates for your diary: 19th April, 18th May, 22nd June. Contact Janice on 01454 26xxxx

We have now had two discos for our teenagers at the Memorial Hall, both went off well without any incidents and everyone seemed to have a great time. The next disco is on 4th May 7:30–10:00 p.m. for ages 12–14 years

Volunteers are always needed on these days. Please call Janice on 01454 26xxxx

A senior citizen is one who was here before the Pill, television, frozen foods, credit cards, ball point pens, jet engines and supersonic flight – and the moon was for doing your courting under, not walking on.

For us, time-sharing meant togetherness and chips were something that you ate with fish and bought in penn'orths. Hardware meant hard ware and there was no such word as software. We were before pantyhose and drip-dry clothes, and dishwashers were husbands not an electrical appliance, and we had hot water bottles not electric blankets.

We got married first and then lived together – how quaint! Girls wore liberty bodices and Peter Pan collars and cleavages were something to do with butchers.

We were before Batman, vitamin pills, disposable nappies, pizzas, instant coffee, chinese take-aways and supermarkets.

Soaps were for washing with. In our day cigarette smoking was fashionable, grass was for mowing and pot was for stew and dumplings. To be gay was to be the life and soul of the party whilst aids meant beauty creams, trusses and wigs.

Today's senior citizens are a hardy bunch when you think how much the world has changed and the adjustments they have had to make.

15[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Charfield Post Office]

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

Watsome Farm, Charfield, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos. GL12 8SP
Tel: 01453 84xxxx, Fax: 84xxxx
e-mail: xxxx @ aol.com

The Farm Nursery Group has enjoyed a busy, if unusual Spring Term.

It began with our second Ofsted Inspection in February, this is a summary of their opinion of us:

“offers a friendly and effective learning environment where children make good progress … provision in all six areas of curriculum is good … staff use skilful teaching methods to challenge children and expect the most from them … good use is made of the attractive and stimulation outside area … there is an excellent partnership with parents and carers”

They recommend re-inspection in 2 to 4 years and our action plan involves increasing the amount of free choice in line with new guidelines.

Our usual animal visitors were sadly missing this year, however we had a good blob of frog spawn and the tadpoles are growing fast. The bulbs and seeds we planted are also shooting, so Spring has been marked in a small way.

The term ended with a forced move away from the farm, with Foot and Mouth Disease less than 3 miles away at the time of writing. We were unable to get permission for alternative premises in Charfield, but were kindly offered the Chapel Schoolroom in Kingswood on a temporary basis, many thanks to Rev. Philip Hopes.

If all went to plan we missed only one day and finished the term in our new home.

These are very uncertain times and we have no long term plans, but our staff, equipment 16 and curriculum have transferred to Kingswood and will remain the same and we will be back at the Farm as soon as we can.

Nursery Grant

We had a minor victory with Nursery Grant for Three Year Olds thanks to parents' lobbying and letter writing skills! South Glos. have agreed to fund children in the term that they are four, i.e. for the Summer 2001 term for children born 01/04/1997–31/08/1997. They will do this across the county border for special cases in Charfield where there is no other provision available in the village – if the play group is full.

All children are still fully funded, wherever they live, for the terms after their fourth birthday.

SATURDAY 28TH AND SUNDAY 29TH APRIL – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – DON'T MISS IT

Having read the previous article relating to John Poskett's retirement we are desperately seeking a suitable replacement as licensee for the Memorial Hall. This is on voluntary basis and requires commitment, dedication and the ability to deal with various age groups within the village.

We are looking at the possibility of having a number of licensees to share the workload and to help with introducing fresh and new ideas. Volunteers from individual groups i.e. Football and the Cricket Clubs would prove to be beneficial.

Full training to include a day's course in Licensing laws will be provided by the Memorial Hall Committee to the successful applicant/s.

In the first instance contact:

John Poskett – 01454 26xxxx
Janice Vardon-Smith – 01454 26xxxx

The Governors of the Charity are extremely pleased to hear the good news of the grant from the New Opportunities Fund to set up an Out of School Hours Club in the Foundation Room. The parents group have put a lot of time and effort in putting together a business plan and completing all the various forms and it is great news to hear that they have been successful. This is also a massive boost to the plan to refurbish the Foundation Room, which has been neglected for such a long time.

The Governors of the Charity have secured a number of grants towards the cost of replacing the roof and the project now looks as if it will become a reality. Plans of the proposed work are being redrawn to include a larger extension which will provide additional toilets and increased storage space. A programme for the works has been prepared and we very much hope that the work will be completed in order to allow the Out of School Hours Club to open in September at the start of the new school year. The refurbished building will also provide additional community facilities that will benefit the school, the church and other groups. The Out of School Hours Club will also be able to operate during the school holidays.

We very much look forward to the successful completion of this project.

Robert Pestell.

[Advert for Martin Farrell garden Designs]

PLEASE HELP – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL

DON'T FORGET THE VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN ON SAT 28 AND SUN 29 APRIL. – YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU

17[Advert for Barbara Ealey]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

Chairman's Report

A Junior Disco was held on Saturday the 17th of March. Thanks to all who helped and to the children who attended. Even though turnout was poor a good time was had by all and £50.00 was raised.

A Promise's Auction, with the help of the Out of School Club, was held on the 31st of March at the Memorial Hall. Even though turnout could have been better, due to the number and quality of Promises from local businesses and parents the evening was a great success. A profit of approximately £1,000.00 (to be confirmed) was made. The TV/video room was very popular with all the children. Thanks to all the hard work put in by all concerned and to the people on the night who were determined to spend their money. Also to all the people who made a promise.

Future Events
A Plant Sale organised by Ilze Hicks will be held on the 12th of May in the front playground.

A Casino Evening is also being held on the 12th of May in the School Hall. An adult bar will be available and food will be included in the ticket price.

The Summer Fayre will be held on the 9th of June. If any local Club would like to put on a display please contact me – 01454 26xxxx.

All funds raised by the Committee help Charfield Primary School to purchase equipment for use by the children, which is not funded by the Local Education Authority. Purchases intended are outdoor play equipment, such as cones, jacks, skipping ropes, foam balls, draughts and snakes and ladders, as the fine weather approaches.

We do hope that you will be able to join us at some of the forthcoming events. Everyone is welcome.

Graham Pedley, Chairman

18

Saturday 14th July 2001
OPEN TO ALL

Judge Mrs Mary Larrassey

Entry Fee £1.00 per Dog Per Class

WITH KIND PERMISSION OF THE KENNEL CLUB
Contact Janice Vardon-Smith 01454 26xxxx

19

We are still managing to meet twice a month in spite of falling numbers. We enjoy our get-togethers where we can have a chat and meet up with friends we don't see in between.

Miss Cooksley visited us in January and gave a very interesting talk with slides about her visit to China. Her talks are very much appreciated as most of us don't have the opportunity to see these countries for ourselves. We still play bingo and do quizzes – not too hard, but they do keep the brains ticking over!

We are hoping to have a few outings this year if we can get enough people to cover the cost of the coach. Perhaps by the time this is in print the Foot and Mouth outbreak will be over and we can start making plans.

M. Ealey (Secretary)

I can't believe we are coming to the end of our fifth year – 1st Charfield Rainbows are still thriving and we still have a short waiting list.

This term we went around the world – we went to South America and Greece, to name a few, and we found that Rainbows have different names in these countries, but they still have the same ideas as us. We tasted different foods, and we think the Rainbows enjoyed this part the most!

During the next term we will be doing a lot of craft activities plus our end of term get together with the Wotton Rainbows.

If you would like your daughter to come to Rainbows please ring Judith Wenman on 01454 26xxxx.

Our season ended last month with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth in the area. The Gloucestershire Youth Football Association excluded the club along with ten others from playing home or away and then both the Stroud and District Youth League and Gloucestershire Mini League decided to suspend all fixtures throughout the remainder of this season.

Up to this point the under 16s were top of their league and had lost two semi-finals, under 13s were lying third and just lost in the quarter-finals of the League Cup, under 12s had won their first league match and reached the final of their League Cup, under 9s were in the top six and finally the under 8s had been flat-out playing friendlies in preparation for next season …

Whilst all teams are out of action they will continue to train until the end of April and hopefully play in a number of six-a-side tournaments locally over the summer months.

Plans have been confirmed for next season and the club will run the following five teams – under 14s, 13s, 12s, 10s, and 9s in League football. New players are always welcome, particularly the under 13s as they will be a new team being formed for the next season. Team Manager Steve Dally (01454 26xxxx) can offer more details to any footballer that may be interested.

The club has been successful in its planning application to create additional facilities on the Tortworth estate. Preparation will take place over the coming months (Foot and Mouth permitting) ready for the next season. As stated in the winter newsletter these facilities will complement what the club already enjoys at the Village Hall and Charfield Primary School.

The fund raising events – both Quiz Night and 60's and 70's Night were very well attended and the club would like to thank everybody who supported these occasions.

Jeremy Lewis (Fixtures Secretary)

PLEASE HELP – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – LAST WEEKEND IN APRIL

The year 2001 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Charfield and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and the 81st anniversary of the commemoration of the Charfield war memorial. It seems a good time for recollections!

20The idea of forming a Charfield branch of the British Legion as it was then called commenced with a meeting of ex-servicemen held in the Railway Hotel on the 29th June 1951 addressed by officers of the Gloucestershire County British Legion, and Group 2 which covered Charfield. The result was the formation of the Charfield and District Branch, with the following branch officials being elected: Mr J. O. Greene (President) Brig. J. D. E. Tiarks (Chairman) Mr S. A. Mussell (Hon Secretary) and Mr A. J. Drennan (Hon Treasurer).

The first meeting was held on Friday 13th July 1951 when all the necessary structures were put in place, including a branch annual subscription of five shillings. In 1952 the branch membership attending was 25 (which, incidentally is the approx. current membership of the branch) although at the A.G.M. held in 1953 the membership was 52. The branch continues to this day with meetings held the first Wednesday of each month, new members or associate members always welcome!

On the 10th September 1971 by ‘Supplementary Charter’ it was declared that the British Legion should henceforth be known as ‘The Royal British Legion’.

The Legion Standard was originally designed by Colonel E. C. Heath the first General Secretary of the Legion. It's colours being blue and gold – the blue indicates loyalty and fidelity, and the gold signifies service – ‘as gold is tried by fire’ – and remind us of those who gave their lives for our country.

A war memorial for the men of Charfield who were killed in the WW1 was first suggested by Joe Hughes in early February 1919, in a letter to the local newspaper, and a public meeting was held on 24th February. A committee was formed with Rev. Millar as chairman.

There were several suggestions for the location of the stone memorial, with the top of the Charfield Hill and in the grounds of the Parish Church being the favoured ones. The Parish Church site finally being agreed. Some residents were unhappy with the Parish Church site, but a compromise was agreed that it would stand in front of the church grounds, on the Wotton Road.

Mr P. Tubbs a London architect was commissioned to produce a design, incorporating a wall in front of the church, the final cost being £150.00. Although the memorial was completed in September 1919, the formal dedication did not take place until 28 February 1920. A Union Flag was placed over the memorial, and the honour of unveiling it was given to Francis Neal whose father was drowned when HMS Monmouth was sunk in November 1914.

On the memorial are the eleven names of the men who failed to return from WW1, with the four names of Charfield men who gave their lives in WW2.

Please Note: The annual ANZAC Day Parade and Service, due to be held at Leighterton has been reluctantly cancelled due to the continuing spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.

David Millman

SATURDAY 28TH AND SUNDAY 29TH APRIL – VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN – DON'T MISS IT

The third edition of CHADRA published in April 1976 reported on successes of villagers in many diverse competitions.

A pupil at the Primary School (Paul Gladding) won a cross country race organised by Dursley Athletic Club. The recently formed 1st Woodend Scouts won the competition at summer camp, and the Cubs picked up awards at the District Handicraft Exhibition.

With elections imminent in May, the main political parties had been asked to contribute articles, but none had been received.

The back page of issue three saw the advent of the information sheet, with phone numbers of local organisations, as well as contact numbers for emergency services.

21

Minister: Rev. Philip Hopes Tel: 01453 84xxxx
A warm welcome awaits you at all of our services.

Sunday School. Sunday 11am.
Family Service 1st Sunday of each month at 11am.
Worship 3pm.
Ladies Bright Hour Alternate Tuesday's 2.30pm.
Bible Study and Prayer Friday's 2.30pm.
Group Practice 7.30pm.

• Palm Sunday – visit of Robin Berks and Family from Tyne and Weir at 3pm.
• Please note we return to 6pm. Evening Worship on Easter Sunday 15th April
• Bristol Male Voice Choir May 13th 6:30pm.

It's Sunday, the sun has just come up. Three women are walking to the tomb of Jesus so that they could anoint His body. Things had happened so fast when He was crucified and buried. They were not able to properly prepare His body for burial. After His burial, the Jewish women rested on their Sabbath, and now, on Sunday morning, came to finish taking care of His body.

But they had forgotten something. How will they gain access to the tomb? They have forgotten that the tomb is sealed with a massive stone. They were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” The women arrive. The stone has been rolled away. The tomb is empty. The body of Jesus is gone. An angel tells them not to be alarmed you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He has risen!

My friends, the question that the women asked each other is still a good question for you and me. Who will roll the stone away? Who will roll the stone away from the places in our lives where death and decay have locked us in, and where we find ourselves trapped?

One of the great lessons of the Resurrection is that the solution to our problems does not depend on us. Thank God for that! The solution to our problems has risen!

The Resurrection teaches us that He still moves stones! Each of us faces our own tomb where our hopes and dreams seem to be buried and sealed. Listen, the Resurrection of Jesus teaches us that God will not forget us! He still moves stones. Remember what God said to Moses ‘Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today’ Ex. 14:13.

Deliverance. Salvation, Rescue. Redemption. Freedom. Those are the words and those are the themes that Christians think about at Easter and we do so because the tomb is empty. He still moves stones.

DON'T FORGET THE VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN ON SAT 28 AND SUN 29 APRIL. – YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU

Firstly, I will thank Caroline for phoning to remind me of the “must be in early” date. I get a bit big headed at this point and feel like Madonna with her PA. Come on Maz, get back to earth.

Right, what's been happening? Last month, Keith's place of work had a bit of a do and he couldn't attend. However, it was for other halves, too, and as I know quite a few people there, he said, “why didn't I go?” So there I was being picked up by coach at the Tavern ready for a lovely meal and a bit of a bop. Of course not driving allowed me to have a good old slurp of the vino and the evening progressed. We were being attended to by a charming chap and laughs and giggles progressed. Later on a waitress asked if everything was alright and I explained that we were being well looked after by this particular waiter and she said, “Well go easy with him, that's my husband!” Needless to say, my table companions had a good laugh and my wings were clipped for the rest of the evening.

Do you ever say things and they are the wrong way round? I was having a right old row with a past work colleague, many years ago and at the end said, “and you can stick that in your smipe and poke it.” Well last week I was in the middle of domestic bliss with the old vac and said, “try not to drop crumbs you'll encourage rice and mats.” We were also discussing songs that make you cry and I decided that the one that reduces me to tears is from Carousel and people sing at football matches, “You'll never walk again.”

22At this stage you are probably wondering whether to read on or go and scrub the bath. Personally, if I were you, hang in there, although it can be tricky to think of things to entertain you, my adoring public!

You know I like to keep you up to date with school snippets. I have changed the names in case of a libel action. Kelly said, “Miss, I've washed my hands.” “Oh good girl,” I respond. Little Joe asks, “Is she a girl?” “Of course she is,” I reply. “She can't be,” he says, “she's got straight hair.” Aren't 5 year olds cute?

Here's a bit of interesting info. Escalators were installed, in Harrods, in 1901 and the attendants were in standby with brandy and smelling salts, in case the ladies took a dizzy turn and had to be revived.

I visited the Bristol City Museum a few weeks ago to see an exhibition called Family Fortunes. A collection of paintings, including Stubbs, Gainsborough and Gaugin, were on loan from the National, in London. Around Bristol were several large posters, about a metre and a half tall advertising this event and I was particularly interested in seeing the original painting from which these were taken. I was admiring the work on display but nothing prepared me for the surprise I had. I turned a corner and there, under a powerful spotlight was this particular piece. It was called A Woman and Five Children, painted by Le Nain Brothers, in 1642. It was painted in oil on copper and this must have contributed to the clarity of the work. The children's ages ranged from about nine to fourteen. They appeared quite poorly dressed, compared to some of the other works of that period, however they were clothed in rich colours of green, red and orange. Their faces were all so different, one seeming quite shy, one not looking at the artists but away to the side, but one child, despite her young age seemed so defiant and worldly. But the most amazing thing of all was that this art was depicted in a space of 25.5 × 32 cm, 10″ × 12″. From the poster, I had expected something so vast and to be confronted with this tiny painting was absolutely breathtaking.

Happy Easter, folks.

Best Wishes, Marilyn, (Maz).

Yes you guessed it

VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN

SATURDAY 28TH AND SUNDAY 29TH APRIL

10 'TIL 12 AND 2 'TIL 4

MEET AT THE MEMORIAL HALL

THIS TIME DON'T LEAVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE TO DO

PLEASE COME AND HELP PUT IT IN THE BIN

HAPPY EASTER

23

Please make use of this diary. Either telephone or drop a note of any additions or modifications to Geoff or Hilary Wignall (01454 26xxxx, x Berkeley Close, or xxxx @ Breathemail.net)

KLB = Katharine Lady Berkeley School
FR = Foundation Room, Primary School
SH = Charfield School Hall
SL = Sportsman's Lounge, Memorial Hall
MH = Memorial Hall

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

24

If you wish to alter the entries below, please telephone Geoff or Hilary on 01454 26xxxx

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 24 sides of A4 paper.

Personal phone numbers and addresses have been redacted.

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

Digitization by Brendan O'Connor.

Last update: 2017-02-01.