CHADRA

… That the WI will not be closing down as Ruth Joint has agreed to take on Presidency once again.

… That Claire Adams is the new Chairperson of the Friends of Charfield Primary School.

… That the Football Club are doing well at the top of Stroud League Division 1.

… That the Football Club's Forecast 3 prize currently stands at £1000 – find out how to win it inside.

… That Lucie Bowyers Christmas Card design won a prize in the Glos. Early Years competition.

… That the Council is to provide a ‘litterpicker’.

… That a skateboard area has been approved for the village, subject to funding.

… That the funds required from council taxes by the Parish Council have reduced compared to last year – does this mean our council tax will go down?

… That the under 14 football team have scored 79 goals in 13 matches.

… That the North Nibley Romania Team still need your ‘smellies’.

… That PC Jones will be holding his first ‘beat surgery’ at the Memorial Hall on February 4th – “use it, or lose it!”

… That Playgroup is moving premises in February and are having an open day in March.

2

We hope you all had an excellent Christmas and New Year. Thanks to all our contributors for getting their articles to us so soon after the festivities.

Soon it will be time for traditional spring-cleaning. When you do yours, think about how the stuff you throw out could help others – there are plenty of appeals in this edition to give you ideas. If your small pet got a new hutch or cage for Christmas, Tracey White would love the old one. If the toiletries you got from granny aren't really ‘you’, why not pass them on to the North Nibley Romania Team. And if it's high time you replaced the toner in your printer, don't forget Worktwice need the old one.

Next Copy Date – 12th April 2002

3[Advert for Tree Top Carpets]

[Advert for Pat Jeanes reflexology]

[Advert for Isle of Wight Holiday Bungalow]

Hello Everyone,

Well Charfield have managed to get a committee and President once again. It was touch and go this year, if any one out there would like to join us and help us survive yet another year then we would be so pleased to see you.

Our W.I. has been going for 73 years and we can not let it fold after all that time. Thinking of all the women who have passed through the W.I. throughout the years, I just could not let these previous members down and had to say I would be President again this year although it is to be a busy year for me personally.

We look forward to a busy year and have a varied programme arranged. Last month we enjoyed our Christmas meal at the Buthay in Wickwar – we all ate too much before we even started on our own Christmas celebrations!!

I do hope that next year will be the one that we have more members so please think about it, we are a friendly crowd and you will be made most welcome.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2002

Ruth Joint.

The next Neighbourhood Watch Meeting will be held on Monday 4th February at 7.30pm in the Sportman's Bar of the Village Hall. It is mainly intended for contacts but all are very welcome to attend. Prior to the meeting PC Jones will be holding a surgery. There should be details about this in his article in this edition of CHADRA.

It has been distressing to read about and see on television the number of incidents where intruders have gained access to dwellings. The following information has 4been sent out by the Police Crime Reduction Unit on the 10th of January –

There have been eight incidents in South Gloucestershire since the beginning of January. Typically they will say they are from the police or from CID, that there have been burglaries in the building or area and that they need to check the person's doors and windows. They may even ask where money is kept so that they can check whether it has been stolen!

If a real police officer calls on an elderly person they will accept or even encourage them to call a neighbour or relative to be there for reassurance before they enter the premises and allow their ID to be examined.

Please warn your elderly residents and report any suspicious people to 01275 818181 unless an offence is taking place in which case call 999.

Over the last few months there have been some shed break ins and at least two burglaries since Christmas. So please if you see anything that is at all suspicious, call the police immediately. Don't wait until a day or two later when the scent will have gone cold.

Ilze Hicks

You know what it's like – you're in Hollywood, just received your Oscar, your head is buzzing, you make your speech and return to your seat to great applause. Then it dawns on you. You've forgotten somebody.

It was a bit like that when I last wrote to you. Do you recall? I hit the Merlot, fell over foot of bed, legs pointing north then partied up at Pear Tree with Mel, Tracey and Barb. BUT who did I forget? It was Terry's party of Terry and Barb. So apologies TERRY!

Now I have got two things I'd like to mention to Contessa or whatever the Post Office is called now? Firstly, thank you for the new peel-off stamps. I mean you could be in the middle of a yummy chocolate bar and have to post an urgent letter. The envelope is no problem, you could always use sellotape. Actually, on the subject of high-tech equipment, I dropped some marmalade on a cheque a while back, and it would not go through the banking machine. They had to do a manual transaction, so imagine what a chocolate crème egg could do to a stamp.

The second thing is, I really would like a 3-tier system for the Christmas Post. A second class, a first class and one for the very, very late! It doesn't help being married to a Smith (lots of relatives), and keeping in touch with folks for ever. So I must confess that on the night of Saturday 22 December having stuck 30 second class stamps on my post, screaming, “Yahoo!” as I shoved them in the box, thinking, “dear postman do your best”.

This may come as a shock to some, but I am having a bit of a clear out. The things I am getting rid of though, are quite sentimental. Although I don't want them any more I can't bear to put them in the wheely bin – so I have developed Ceremonial Burnings! Setting fire to 20-year-old birthday cards is most therapeutic. Oh yes – and the wedding dress went on too. Oh I know what you might be thinking, but it had gone all yellowy and was three sizes too small. There was no question. Mind you, it went up in about two seconds flat – makes you think, that.

Did you all have a good Christmas and New Year? You know after all the festivities, and “things return to normal”, I had to phone the Gas Board and car insurance company. Serious stuff. I couldn't string two sensible words together. 5I suppose after two weeks of saying, “where's the gin and would you like more sprouts, darling?” affects the most brilliant of brains!

Bye for now. Have a wonderful 2002.

Best wishes, Maz. (Marilyn)

Hello everyone. My name is Claire Adams, and if you don't already know me, I am the new Chairperson of the Friends of Charfield Primary School. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, and also let you know some details and dates of forthcoming events, which we are confident will provide some much needed funds for the school.

I have lived in the village for five and a half years and have two boys who attend Charfield School, Harrison (8) and Cameron (4). As of September this year, I took over the Chair from Graham Pedley, who has spent many years on the committee helping the school. I am looking forward to the challenge and hoping to raise as much money as possible for new equipment, books and redecoration where necessary.

This year I am lucky to have a very strong committee behind me, which includes members both old and new, who are all committed to helping the school, as well as many parents who have offered their help and support as and when needed. Thank you to all involved.

To date we have organised four events which have all been extremely successful. The ‘Chocoholics’ night in October raised over £170.00; Bonfire Night was a blazing success attracting a record number of spectators – many thanks to Charfield Post Office and Charfield Garage, who helped to sell a vast number of advance tickets; Christmas Fair, this was a good opportunity to buy stocking fillers and presents, and of course meet the man himself in Santa's Grotto; and lastly, the School Disco at the end of December, which was a fun way to round off this year's fund-raising activities.

Some of our planned events for 2002 are listed below, however, we are always interested in new ideas, and would welcome any input from Charfield residents regarding new fund-raising activities.

If you would like to contact me with any ideas, or for further information regarding any of the above events, please contact me on: 01453 52xxxx

Claire Adams

[Graphic: Flowers in flower pots]

Calling all gardeners … Advance Notice of the Charfield Church Plant Sale!!

The date for this year's Church Plant Sale at St John's Church has been fixed for

Saturday 18th May 2002.

Last year's sale was a great success and this year's is planned to be even better!!

The plant sale has built up a well-deserved reputation for quality and value and many ‘regular customers’ travel a considerable distance. If you are a gardener, then put the date in your diary now – you can't afford to miss it!

6[Advert for Kingswood Playgroup & Toddlers]

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[Advert for Martingales]

The first team have continued their winning ways since the start of the season. The long unbeaten record has now gone, but we are still in strong contention at the top of Stroud League Division 1. In the last couple of seasons we have been in a strong position at this stage, but have not quite been able to maintain form all season. The Stroud League has several good sides and is a hard league to win. Maybe it will be third time lucky and next season will see us promoted back to the Northern Senior League.

The cup competitions are also going well for the first team. In November we reached the semi-final of the Stroud Charity Cup with a 1–0 away win at Coaley. Last Saturday we went to Gloucester to play Kings F.C. in the quarter final of the County Cup and ran out 3–1 winners. The only problem is that we rarely seem to get drawn at home! Maybe our luck will change for the semi-finals.

After a reasonable start to the season the second team had a disappointing run of matches during which very few league points were picked up. The fixture list for December showed a succession of matches against teams near the top of the table, so expectations were not high. Strange things can happen in football, the side started to play much better and some good results were achieved against these sides. Admittedly many of them were draws, but one point is better than none and a continuation of this form in the New Year should see us climb up the table.

We run a weekly competition called Forecast 3 which is the clubs main source of income. It funds hire of the changing rooms, kit cleaning, referee's fee, pitch maintenance and all the other general run of the mill things necessary to keep the club solvent.

To enter Forecast 3 costs £1 per ticket and you have to predict 3 match scores 7(usually those of Rovers, City and Cheltenham). All the correct entries share an initial prize of £100. If there is no winner, the prize goes up to £200 for the next week and, until someone wins, it keeps incrementing by £100 per week to a maximum of £1000. When it is won, the prize fund starts again at £100. At the time of writing the prize fund stands at £1000 – not a bad return for a £1 stake. Last season we had 5 or 6 payouts ranging from a couple of hundred to £1000. If anyone reckons they have the powers of Mystic Meg why not have a go.

Lastly, we are on the look out for people to join the committee and help us run the club. We could certainly do with a little more help on match days. If anyone is interested ring me on 26xxxx for more information on this or Forecast 3.

Chris Somerton, Secretary.

The Farm Nursery is now into it's fifth year, with five morning sessions and a rising five's group on Monday afternoon.

Last term saw a visit from the Fire Service, complete with child sized uniforms, flashing lights, sirens and a chance for the children to spray the hose all over the lawn!

We are hoping the Police will be making an appearance this term.

Christmas was great fun and this year for the first time the children put on a Nativity play, the audience squashed in to watch and was rewarded with an absolutely beautiful performance by all the children.

The older children also entered a Christmas card competition run by Glos. Early Years and Lucie Bowyer's design was chosen. She was invited to Cheltenham to see the card produced and the Nursery received toy vouchers as a prize, so watch out for the new equipment this term – well done Lucie!

Contact Chris Bennett on 01453 84xxxx for information about the Nursery, unfortunately we have no places to offer at the moment but may add further sessions.

Well – that's it all over for another year. I always think that the festive season is a bit like a king size mars bar – very nice but a bit much to have all at once!

The trouble with Christmas is that it means visitors and, more especially, relatives and, like a lot of our friends, all of ours except my lovely mum live a long way away. (Although as my Yorkshire father bluntly points out – ‘it was YOU who moved away, Tracy!’)

I think that the perfect distance for your family to live is far enough to need a coat on but not so far that you need a suitcase – and my family arrived on Christmas Saturday with luggage!

We were 11 for Christmas lunch – a tight squeeze but, after all, we didn't need to set a place for me as my bottom hardly touched the chair as I shuttled back and forth to the kitchen seeing to everyone else … (martyr). I changed more beds than Tortworth Court and used a whole box of dishwasher tablets in five days!

In amongst this, we really tried to keep remembering the true meaning of Christmas, which explains why Andrew was riding his new bike inside church on Christmas morning. (He wouldn't go if the bike couldn't go too!)

Still so many rellies does mean lots of ‘help’ with the clearing and tidying away of each gargantuan meal although I have spent the first few days of January retrieving pots and pans that have been put back in the wrong cupboard and I am 8STILL looking for my favourite measuring jug without which I cannot make gravy!

It was lovely to see them and so good of them to travel so far to see us and we do appreciate them but …

Just as we were about to sit to lunch on Christmas Day, I announced that I MUST get changed (everyone else had) and dashed upstairs.

When I came down it was to find 2 Aunties, an Uncle and John standing over the sink peering forlornly down the plughole. Apparently, one Aunty had decided to ‘just wash the pans’ before we sat down to eat and on turning the knob to let the water out had lost her engagement ring down the plughole!

The male consensus was that we should eat and then look for it but Aunty was clearly upset so John and I got a bucket and unscrewed the waste ‘trap’. As the grungy water of heaven knows how old gushed in to the bucket and I sloshed around to find the ring, I was really glad that I had just been to get poshed up for Christmas lunch!

Alas – no ring! Undeterred, we got a large bowl and prepared to undo the half sink waste trap.

So – picture the scene – lunch is ready, John and I are both under the sink and I've got a bucket of dirty water at my knee. Suddenly a small low voice said ‘Actually – wait a minute, I may not have put that ring on this morning after all’. Further questioning revealed that she hadn't actually seen it slip down the plughole but had only noticed it wasn't there as she took her hands out of the water. (It was later found by her bed!)

As I say – God gives you your family – then he lets you choose your own friends!

Tracy Francksen

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[Advert for Claire Saunders]

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Litter

We are aiming to go ahead with a regular collection of litter in some roads, on the main paths in the village and around our play area. We now need someone to do the work. The person must be aged 13 or over and have two daylight hours to spare each week. A remuneration of £5 per hour will be paid. For more information and a job description please contact Mrs C Holmes, xxxx, Nind Lane, Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge; telephone/fax 01453 84xxxx or email xxxx @ nind1.freeserve.co.uk.

Skateboard Area

In the previous Newsletter I said that we had applied for planning permission for the construction of a skateboard area on the playing field. South Gloucestershire's Planning Officer had advised that we needed permission. Having seen the details, their (different) Planning Officer has advised that we don't need permission! Their Environmental Health Officer also appears to be content. We asked RoSPA for comments on the safety aspects and they have indicated that the proposals meet the relevant standards. We are continuing to look for ways to fund the project. I'm sorry that these things take so much time, but we have made progress and we shall work our way through the maze eventually.

The Budget

I'm talking about the Parish Council's budget for 2002–2003, not the Government's budget! At our special budget meeting in December, we agreed to provide for an expenditure of £38,715. This was confirmed at the subsequent regular monthly meeting. The biggest items of expenditure are public inquiries (£7,000), skateboard (£6,000), grants/donations (£5,000) and Clerk's salary (£4,800). Let me say a bit about each of these.

For some years we have earmarked funds for public inquiries, but we haven't had to spend any of the money. We need to make provision because an inquiry might be sprung on us and we are not allowed to borrow money for that purpose. Anyway, in the next financial year it is likely that the Local Plan inquiry will start. We made some objections to the Plan and we may need to be represented at the inquiry. Nearer the time, and depending on South Gloucestershire's final response to our objections, the Parish Council will have to decide whether to employ a professional planner or lawyer to present a case.

We have increased the money earmarked for the skateboard area, but it is only about a fifth of the expected total cost. The object is to show other grant organisations that the Parish Council is committed to the project. It is quite normal for organisations to expect “match funding”, so if and when we go ahead the funds are likely to come from a number of sources.

In my opinion the Parish Council's support of local clubs and efforts is vital for the well-being of the community. Put at its simplest, we get money from you through the council tax and distribute it in a way that we think benefits the community. Most of the grants are small, but they help local organisations that operate with volunteers and on the proverbial shoestring. The larger proposed grants in the next year are £2,000 to the Memorial Hall Committee for security and minor works and £1,500 to the Trustees of the Foundation Room for Phase 2 of the refurbishment, if that is commenced during the year.

We pay our Clerk for 11 hours a week on a national pay scale that we think is appropriate for the job. I am coming to the end of a five year spell during which I have been Vice-Chairman or Chairman of the Council, working closely with our very 11experienced Clerk Catherine Holmes. In my opinion the Parish Council certainly gets value for money from her.

When talking about the grants, I mentioned the council tax. That is where the Parish Council gets almost all of its money. We tell South Gloucestershire how much we need, they add it to the other components of the council tax and they charge the residents of this parish accordingly. The same happens in other parishes. This year our precept, as it is called, was £15,000. For next year we have reduced it to £14,000. Apart from this and some relatively small elements of income, mainly bank interest, the expenditure will be met from existing balances. If we fully spent our budget, the estimated balance of £29,123 would be reduced to £5,228 in the year. That would be if we spent all of the earmarked funds, which is possible but unlikely.

John E Acton
Vice-Chairman, Charfield Parish Council

With mid-term break upon us and what a difference a year makes – fixtures being fulfilled on a regular basis and our additional facilities at Tortworth beginning to take shape.

All five teams have enjoyed relative success so far this season. The three teams in the Stroud and District Youth League (under 12's, 14's and 16's) have either won or drawn over half their matches with the under 14's scoring a staggering seventy nine goals in thirteen games, whilst the under 16's have only conceded, out of twelve starts, more than one goal in a match on four occasions.

The two sides in the Mid Gloucestershire Mini League (under 9's and 10's) have only lost three league matches (played seventeen in total) all season, and are both in contention for League honours. As a note, all home matches are either played at the Village Playing Field on a Sunday for the older age group or on a Saturday morning at Charfield Primary School for the youngsters – more spectators are always welcome …

Tentative plans are beginning to be formulated for next season, and the clubs intentions are to run teams of all age groups, starting with under 8's for friendlies and League matches for under 9's going through to under 16's. This arrangement always depends on budding SG Erikssons coming forward and running a team for equally budding D Beckhams!! Committee members would be keen to hear from anybody interested.

Finally, the club would like to thank everybody who supported both the coffee morning in November and the New Year disco, whilst future fund raising events include a jumble sale at the Village Hall on February 23, and a Sixties evening, plus band at Leyhill Social Club on March 23 – further details to follow with everybody welcome, more the merrier …

Jeremy Lewis – Secretary.

Perhaps some of Chadra Newsletter readers will have seen the HTV coverage of our Charity in early December. Two of our members visited Romania for a week in December and went with our interpreter on St. Nicholas night to hand out our Christmas gifts to the patients at Vulcan hospital in Transylvania. Very picturesque but in fact the temperature was −16 degrees and in order to keep warm in hospital patients and nurses alike were wearing outdoor clothing in the poorly heated wards. About 150 patients received little parcels of toiletries and sweets.

At the time of writing it is even colder. You will have seen the reports of heavy snow and falling temperatures in eastern Europe in the press and on TV. I can only hope that the supply of boiler fuel for the hospital 12radiators has not run out and that staff can make the journey through the snow in the village. One of the cooks is a great friend of mine and each morning and evening she walks for three quarters of an hour over the hills each way to work, a pleasant enough journey through the woods in summer but a different story through the icy blast of winter. Incidentally, she takes her dog with her in winter in case she meets a hungry bear.

I want to thank all the people who have donated toiletries to either Allan Hughes or myself. We are gathering quite a large collection to send out in the spring. As usual it is soap, flannels, toothpaste, shampoos that we are after. Also bottles of disinfectant are very welcome. Please phone Allan (01454 26xxxx) or myself (01453 84xxxx) if you have any surplus supplies to donate. The delight seen on these patients faces when they receive a ‘smelly’ is reward enough for all our efforts.

Wendy Stevens

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I am in urgent need of hutches for my rescued guinea pigs. If anyone has any hutches or cages, regardless of condition, which they no longer need, please contact me.

I still have some chipmunks and iguanas that need new homes. If you think you can help, please get in touch. (Experienced homes only for the iguanas, please.)

Tracey White
01454 26xxxx (07811 89xxxx)
xxxx @ supanet.com

Having completed my first six months as the Memorial Hall's new licensee, I would like to thank all the people who have made me most welcome, in particular, Charfield's cricket and football teams.

I have had an eventful six months, starting with the village fayre, which was a huge success, due almost entirely to the tireless efforts of Janice Vardon-Smith.

There have been various events at the Hall, all of which have been well attended and enjoyed by all. The year ended with a great New Year's Eve Party. I was a little apprehensive, not knowing what I had let myself in for! But I needn't have worried. It was a brilliant night, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. I would like to say thank you to the organisers who tidied up afterwards and left nothing for me to do on New Year's Day. (Shame – my wife found me plenty to do when I got home!)

I am looking forward to serving the community of Charfield throughout 2002, and I wish you all a very happy and peaceful New Year.

Mark White
01454 26xxxx (07813 07xxxx)
xxxx @ supaman.com

13[Advert for Charfield Post Office]

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

You may recall our insert in the last CHADRA Newsletter in which we explained our staffing predicament and looked to the good people of Charfield for help.

Well, never in my imagination did I anticipate the sort of response we received. Whilst we couldn't accommodate everyone's needs, we did our best to see as many people as possible. A big sincere thank you is in order both to CHADRA for providing the medium and the people of Charfield for the letters, phone calls and e-mails.

We do have some further vacancies to fill and these are detailed below, so we look forward to hearing from you in due course:

Having enrolled people for our call centre and admin sides, my Brokerage and Warehousing Director tells me he needs one or two able bodied warehouse staff to sort the empty cartridges upon receipt and then assist with repacking ready for despatch.

Anyone interested, male or female, young or mature, should contact John Holmes by telephone on 01453 52xxxx, fax on 01453 52xxxx or by e-mail on xxxx @ worktwice.co.uk

We also have a vacancy in Sales Support covering maternity leave initially but I envisage it becoming a full time, permanent position in its own right. Some accounts background would be an obvious advantage.

Are you accounts trained with knowledge of Sage (Line 50 to be specific)? If so, fancy a challenge? A chance to show how good you are at sorting out a tangle. Even if you can work part time, please speak to me and save my sanity as well as my remaining hair.

14For these jobs contact Frank Gendall on 01453 84xxxx. Fax or e-mail as above.

Please note that the building is a total non-smoking area.

If you are interested in what we do, take a look at our web site at www.worktwice.co.uk

For us traditionally mid December to mid January is a very quiet period – somehow empty cartridges just don't feature in peoples' minds during the festive season – but December 2001 has been an extremely busy time for us so we start the new year with great optimism.

Thank you for your time in reading this.

Frank Gendall

Over the autumn half term, the Foundation Room was a hive of activity as the finishing touches were made to its interior. As funds are low, the Committee, along with a few parents, friends and relatives gave up their time to turn their hands to scrubbing, sanding, painting and decorating. It was hard work, but a great team spirit prevailed, despite one or two hitches and an inspection by Ofsted halfway through!

A special mention must go to Pat, Keith and Becky Loveridge, (don't be embarrassed Becky, you are a star painter!), who gave up an enormous amount of their holiday to help. Many thanks must also go to Tony Pearce who used his incredible woodworking skills to make shelves, benches, a suggestion box and more!

Having passed the rigorous Ofsted Inspection with flying colours, we opened as planned. We could never have done this without all the willing helpers and we want to thank everyone for their contribution – not matter how small – you know who you are … so thanks!

We have been open throughout the latter part of the autumn school term as well as four days during the Christmas break. So far, the Club appears to have been a big hit with all the children attending and many enjoyed an exciting, if not frantic Christmas Party on the last day of term! Thanks to Pat and her team for organising the event.

Parents and carers are welcome to look round the club during normal hours:
– 7:30am to 8:40am and 3:10pm to 6:00pm, and
– 7:30am to 6:00pm during most school holidays.

Can you help us?
We still have some wallpapering to do and anyone who is willing and able to help will be welcomed with open arms. We have all the equipment if you have the time and skill!

The Committee is continuing its fundraising work with Rev. Pestell and the Foundation Trustees. We hope to move on to Phase 2 of the renovation work sometime in the future as funds allow. We hope you will be able to support us and have some fun, by attending any fundraising events we organise.

News Just In:
The Staff and Committee are also looking forward to working with Playgroup as they hope to move into the premises later in the year. It will be good to have comprehensive childcare facilities on one site within the school grounds.

Thinking of going back to work? …
Then now that the Out of School Club is open why not use us?
To find out more details and/or book a place contact our Club Manager, Pat Loveridge 07816 23xxxx or 01454 26xxxx

Janice Brett

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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.
Revival Prayer Meeting Thursday 8:30pm.
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 2:45 pm.
*Please note we return to 6 pm. Evening Worship on Easter Sunday March 31st.

Easter

My favourite cartoon is of two Roman Soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb on the first Easter morning. Each has a mug of tea in his hand, and the sun is just rising above the horizon. On is encouraging the other. “Cheer up, it's Sunday morning. As I see it, we have one more day of guarding the tomb. By Monday the whole thing will blow over.”

A moment later Mary Magdalene and another woman called Mary came to check the tomb. As they arrived “suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightening, and his clothing was as white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised’” (Matthew 28:1–6).

The world is still astonished that millions of Christians celebrate Easter with such excitement. Like those guards at the tomb they assume that “By Monday the whole thing will blow over.” But it doesn't. You see the more we enjoy this life the more we enjoy Easter. Christians already have much to rejoice about in this life. God loves us, we are forgiven, and we find a strange 16power of the Holy Spirit that freed us to love others. Why make so much of Easter? Look at it this way. The more we enjoy the love of God, the more we sense that this world cannot be all that God has in mind for us. Not only is the world imperfect but watch our loved ones one by one grow old and die and we know that our turn is coming. If God really loves us, he must have something better in mind for our bodies. Even when we are healthy and we are frustrated because we are not free to attain what we would love to achieve. Now you can see the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is like a pilot project that enables us to picture what another world, another body, and another kind of freedom might feel like. So let me tell you one of my favourite Easter stories.

Once upon a time there were twins inside their mothers womb. Every day they argued about life after birth. One of them said, “How could there be another life?” There is nowhere to go. This world is all there is. Here in this womb we can hold each other's hand and kick our feet and turn around. But that's it. When we die that's the end of the road. The other twin said “There must be more to life than the two of us kicking each other in this place which is too tight for us already. And can you hear that music and those notes from out there?”

So they kept arguing about life after birth till the ninth month when the woman went in to labour. Suddenly they started getting squashed and squeezed to death. They said “This is the end of the world.” Then one of the twins disappeared, and the other said, “He's gone, I'll be dead next.” The he also was born, and the twins found themselves next to each other again, and the world, which they now began to discover, was infinitely bigger and more wonderful than they could possibly have imagined.

The interesting thing about this story is that in one sense the twins were as close as they could be to their mother. They were actually inside her, but they could never know her face till they were born. Although God is near to us we will never know the beautiful perfection of this love this side of life after death.

On that first Easter day the disciples saw the resurrection body of Jesus for the first time. And he showed himself to them in that form for forty days, so they could go out into all the world and proclaim that resurrection is not less but infinitely more that we can ever imagine. That is why we say, “The Lord is risen” and Christians all over the world reply “The Lord is risen indeed, Allelulia.”

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Puzzle Page Answers

18[Advert for Barbara Ealey]

I have been very busy not only supporting Wotton-Under-Edge & District Round Table but in my role as Chairman of Round Table Area 23 Severnvale from April 2001 to April 2002. I act as a co-coordinator for 24 tables from Worcester down to Wotton, and across from Hereford to Evesham so it is a large area!

I also act as a Regional Coordinator for Round Table Children's Wish, which is a charity specialising in organising last wishes for terminally ill children. As well as arranging a wooden rocking horse for a little boy, I have helped decorate a little girl's bedroom. They have been two of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had with Round Table.

I am continuing with my running. After raising £1500 for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust with my London Marathon exploits in April, I embarked on a leg of the CLIC “Le Jog” John O'Groats to Land's End relay run in September. I only had ten miles to run with the baton but the first two miles were uphill out of Frocester! Needless to say I finished and saw Olympic pentathlon champion Stephanie Cook take over at the finish of my leg near Tetbury! CLIC is a local charity and stands for Cancer and Leukaemia in Children. I raised a reasonable amount of sponsorship so I was pleased.

I also ran the Bristol half marathon in torrential rain raising more money for Diabetes UK. My goals for 2002 include the National 10K in London in July and the Great North Run in October.

Wotton Table continues to keep me busy with us running our annual Firework display and soon to help decorate the new Foundation room. If you would like to come along and see what we do please contact me – you will be made very welcome.

John Francksen

Since writing my last article for this magazine the management of South Gloucestershire District, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, have endorsed the idea of community beat officers holding ‘beat surgeries’ in their respective communities.

I would like to think that I maintain a fairly high profile presence in the village, and indeed I even do my paperwork in the car, parking up opposite Steve's shop, in the Memorial Hall car park or elsewhere in order to make myself more visible and approachable. For this reason I'd like to think that if anyone wants to speak to me it is not difficult to do so on my beat, or alternatively by contacting me using the telephone numbers printed on the back of CHADRA. Nevertheless I'm aware that some residents still insist that they never see a policeman and under pressure from my supervisor I've arranged to commence holding ‘beat surgeries’.

19The first beat surgery will be held in the Sportsman's Bar of the Memorial Hall between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday 4th February 2002, immediately prior to the Neighbourhood Watch meeting to be held that evening.

Should anyone wish to discuss any Police related matters with me they are welcome to attend the ‘surgery’.

I'm aware that my predecessor, PC Stewart, started holding beat surgeries upon the closure of Charfield Police Station. However, so few people attended that he very soon discontinued them. I am also of the opinion that should there be a lack of interest my time could be used more productively in patrolling so it will be a matter of “use it or lose it”!

On the crime front it's been quiet over the Christmas period, but we've had our fair share of thefts and domestic / commercial burglaries over the last three months.

Only yesterday (09.01.02) a house on Woodlands Road was burgled and an attempt was made to burgle a house on Charfield Hill. Both these incidents involved rear ground floor windows being forced and were almost certainly opportunist. Window locks are inexpensive and relatively easy to fit – they might have deterred the offender(s) had they been fitted.

Both these burglaries occurred between 10:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and seen nearby in both incidents was an ‘E’ or ‘F’ registered red Vauxhall Astra or Cavalier.

Other recent crimes include the theft of a mountain bike from an insecure garage overnight and the burgling of an insecure house overnight. Both of these crimes were again almost certainly opportunist and could have been prevented by the simple expedient of locking doors!

Finally, an elderly lady who has suffered previously from distraction type burglaries was visited by two men falsely trying to gain entry by purporting to be from Crimestoppers. Fortunately, on this occasion, she refused them entry.

Although this is the only recent example I know of in Charfield there has been a spate of similar burglaries in Bristol by persons purporting to be Police Officers or similar.

The message is – demand ID cards be presented and if in doubt keep them out! These people tend to target the elderly, who should always keep the door chain on when opening the door to strangers.

That's enough for now, but should the ‘beat surgery’ be deemed a success I'll announce further dates in the next edition of CHADRA and on the Parish Council notice board outside Steve's Shop.

PC 3799 Jones

What a great end to 2001 for Playgroup.

In November we hosted the Playgroup Bazaar and due to the great turn out we raised £106.76. We would like to say thank you to Charfield Post Office, Steve's Shop and the Wotton CO-OP for all their donations, for the helpers and committee members and the man himself, Father Christmas, for making it so successful.

In December we embarked on the annual Christmas Float. Father Christmas was able to visit most of the streets in the village and all who participated gained tremendous joy seeing the excitement on the faces of the children. The spirit of Christmas was alive in the village with a staggering £536 being raised! This will help towards the cost of new outdoor play equipment at our new location (see below).

20The committee would like to take this opportunity to thank Father Christmas, for fitting us into his busy schedule, Mark, who provided us with our original PA System, and also Mark and Caroline Davies for coming to our rescue with a second sound system to accompany Santa (and rescue the village from our carol singing) just hours before we were due to start.

Thanks also to Chappel & Dix, Mark (our driver) who successfully manoeuvred the truck around the streets for 5 hours and all our walkers & collectors.

Last but not least, a massive “thank you” to the people of Charfield for their wonderful generosity.

Charfield Playgroup is Moving

As of the 18th February, Charfield Playgroup is moving to the newly refurbished Foundation room, within the grounds of Charfield School. The Playgroup will be opening Monday to Friday, with extended hours.

When the 6 new committee members and the 2 new staff members took over their posts in September 2001, I'm sure none of them envisaged the tremendous changes that lay ahead. It was with both excitement and sadness that these same people came to realise that the future of the Playgroup lay in moving to the refurbished Foundation Room. The Playgroup would like to thank the Congregational Church for the use of its School Rooms for the past 34 years and many villagers will be sad at the passing of this era.

Through the active support of Playlink, the group has applied for and received funding from the South Gloucestershire Council to assist with the move and initial running costs. Consequently, Playgroup will be able to meet the needs of children from 2 years and 6 months until they go to school.

This move will be a tremendous asset to the Playgroup with closer links being forged with the school and children becoming accustomed to entering the school grounds. A real stepping-stone into school life. In addition to the sessions of 2¾ hours currently provided, the Playgroup will be increasing its hours so any one child over the age of 3 could stay for a total of 4 hours 15 minutes per day. The children who stay for this extra hour and a half will gain from the experience of eating lunch with other children away from home, especially beneficial for children preparing to go to school.

An Open Day will be held in the Foundation Rooms whilst a session is in progress on March the 15th from 9.30am to 11.30am. So come and meet the children, leaders and other parents.

Children born before 31 December 1998, will be eligible for a grant for five 2¾ hour sessions per week. Places for children under three will be limited to 4 per day. For information on the availability of places, or to book a place, please contact Sandra Nute (Admissions Secretary) on 01453 52xxxx. It is advised to put your child's name on the waiting list as soon as possible.

For the move to the Foundation Room to occur so quickly (a requirement for the grant), the committee would be appreciative of all offers of help. If you may be able to help in any way, contact Caroline Walters (Chairperson) on 01453 84xxxx.

When I reflect on last term, I can't believe what a busy term it was!

First of all, our new reception class of 40 pupils started with us in September and settled in very rapidly to school life. I am especially pleased that all the planning that the staff and myself did during the summer term to ensure that all our pupils were placed in the appropriate classes has proved again to be correct.

21We have had many events taking place especially in the sporting field. Mr Smith and Mrs Wintle have been instrumental in starting a cross-country club at our school. They run the club each week and the children have been having great fun and success in the various competitions that they have been entered into. Currently our junior boys from Years 3 and 4 are leading the Dursley District Primary Schools League and our senior boys from Years 5 and 6 are in second place in their league. In the Gloucestershire County Cross-Country League, which is for the boys under-11 age group, we are in first position, with one race to go. This is brilliant, considering our pupils are running against athletic clubs!

Back in mid October, our Year 5 and 6 boys and girls were given three short lessons about how to play tag rugby by a Thornbury Rugby Club player. Eleven of the children were picked to enter a competition for local area schools on Sunday 21 October. The team had great success in their own league and came top, which ensured them a place the semi-finals. We then played against St. Mary's, a much more experienced team than ourselves and beat them. In a very thrilling final, we beat Stone-with-Woodford and became the overall champions, much to the tremendous delight of our children and their proud parents who had turned up to support and cheer them on so well. It was a brilliant win for the children of our school.

On 4 October we held our Harvest Festival in St. John's Church. The children brought produce of all sorts including fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, tins and preserves. Much of the produce was sold to parents and carers at the end of the day in the school hall. Over £80 was raised which went to our nominated charity, Christian Aid and to help support a third world family and his villagers to improve the quality of their life. The unsold produce went to Redwood House, a shelter for the homeless in Bristol.

On 9 October the staff hosted a special literacy and numeracy workshop evening for parents and carers. This ran from 7.00–9.15 p.m. and demonstrated what their children would be experiencing at school during the Literacy Hour and the Numeracy Hour. Apart from being an educational evening, it also proved to be good fun for all those who attended.

During the autumn term, we received notice from Mrs Sue Hatt of her intention to stand down as Chair of Governors as her term of office was coming to an end, after having supported and helped the school to develop so successfully. Peter Beresford is now our new Chair of Governors. We also said goodbye to Mrs Bignall, another of our hard-working governors who had to resign due to increased work commitments. We welcomed Mr Trueman in her place and send our grateful thanks to both Mrs Hatt and Mrs Bignall and wish all the very best in the future.

In school, our Year 6 pupils started a mini-enterprise by selling apples to the pupils (and staff!) at break time. This was seen as a good opportunity to offer the pupils the chance to be able to buy a healthy break as an alternative to crisps and also to give parents the chance to buy fruit for their child if they wanted to. The children run the whole mini-enterprise themselves, from setting the stall up each day, preparing the fruit for sale, selling the fruit, recording and accounting for the sales, as well as ordering stock. They have even come up with a very nifty slogan: ‘Fruit in school is really cool!’ From someone who likes to have a piece of fruit at break time, currently bananas, I can only agree ☺.

Our Year 5 pupils had a visit from two representatives from the National Gallery who were interested in the artwork that was being undertaken in Mrs Marklove's class. They were very impressed with the quality of the work that they saw and there is now a possibility of some of the children's work being displayed there, some time in the future!

22We have a range of extra-curricular activities after school for the children, ranging from art, line dancing, choir, netball, football, recorders, cross country and newspaper clubs. The children who go to the newspaper club have produced copies of their own school newspaper called ‘The Primary Press’, which sells for 60p and always proves popular with all our pupils.

Just before Christmas, Mrs Champion managed to obtain a large amount of books from a local publishing firm in Bath. Most of these books have now gone into our library to enrich the reading and learning opportunities for all of our pupils. Many thanks to Mrs Champion for this splendid effort on behalf of the Friends of the School.

The Friends of the school ran a very successful Bonfire night and raised over £1500 pounds for the school. The evening was very well attended as usual, and there were plenty of side stalls and food and drinks for everyone. The Friends then followed this at the start of December with the Christmas Fair, which again, was very successful and enjoyable. The work of the Friends is, as ever, brilliant. The functions that they organise and the money that they raise means that the school community can have fun coming to these events and the school benefits enormously from the things that the Friends buy to enrich the work of the school for the children.

As we came into the Christmas month at school, things became very busy! All the teachers, support staff and children worked extremely hard rehearsing for the Christmas productions. The juniors performed their Christmas production in the church over two nights, to packed audiences, telling the story of Christmas around the world and how the traditions at Christmas form many of the traditions that we now have in our country. The infants performed their production, which was called “The Whos at Christmas“. Again the Hall was full to the brim on both mornings that they acted out the story of how two aliens land on our planet and come to understand why we celebrate Christmas in the way that we do.

Mrs Windram took the members of the school choir to sing and entertain the members of the Charfield Luncheon Club. The children (and Mrs Windram) were credit to the school and entertained the luncheon club members beautifully.

Mrs Peer organised a highly successful shoebox appeal for deprived children in Romania. The response was terrific, with over 80 shoeboxes containing toys, small gifts, sweets etc being collected for the children.

Towards the end of the term, the South Gloucestershire String Quartet, playing a variety of different tunes which highlighted each of the different instruments that the quartet played, entertained all the children in school. Apart from learning a great deal about the instruments, it was highly enjoyable for everyone to have real music happening in school.

During the final week we had the three parties, for our reception pupils, our infants and our juniors. The reception pupils and the infants had parties in the school hall and Santa Claus came to visit them and gave each child a present. The juniors went to the cinema at Wotton-Under-Edge to see the Disney film, “Shrek”. Once again, we were looked after really well by the owner and his helpers, who made sure that everyone had a great time.

I would like to thank all those parents and carers who have helped us throughout this past term, whether it has been to accompany children and staff on school trips or to walk our children to church or the local playground, or if the help has been of a more committed nature such as helping out in a classroom on regular basis. If there are any parents or carers (or grandparents for that matter) who would like to offer their time to help us in school 23we will be only too grateful to hear from you.

Since the summer holidays, work was started on the Foundation Room and during November, when the work had been completed, the after-school club started, which gave a much needed boost for some of our working parents who needed this sort of provision. Work has now started on moving the kitchen from the back of the school to what was the staffroom. The plan is to convert the room that is currently being used as the kitchen into an ICT room. The work should be finished on the kitchen by the end of March. The LEA catering officers are keen to see this vital upgrade completed as Charfield Primary School has the second highest uptake pro-rata of cooked school dinners in the county, due to the high quality of cooking from our cook Mrs Ealey and her team of helpers!

When I first came to this school, I was (and still am) impressed by the quality of care and teaching the staff provide to the pupils. I undertook a range of refurbishments that I felt were essential for the school. I felt that the school looked very tired, run down and poorly resourced in certain areas. I believe very much in making our school a quality-learning environment for the children who attend here. I want everyone to feel so proud of the school and enjoy coming here and being associated with it. With this in mind, the infant block classrooms were all painted and new desks and chairs were purchased for the three classrooms. The library was repainted and re-panelled. The infant toilets have been updated and one of the junior classrooms was repainted and a new carpet laid. A new secure play area for our under 5s will be constructed during the February half-term break. Also during the February half-term break another junior classroom will be decorated and new carpet will be laid, thanks to the commitment and support from the Friends of the school.

However, despite all this work, there is still an awful lot of work that needs to be done in order to make Charfield Primary School the school that I have in my vision. There are so many small jobs that need doing that I believe we can never really catch up on them unless we can have a major input of help from our parents and carers and the school community. So, in the summer term I am planning to have three weekends, where parents and carers and other volunteer helpers can come and help us to get the school right up to scratch, once and for all. Parts of the school do look quite tired, as I mentioned, and are in need of some Tender Loving Care. There are areas of the school that could do with some painting, some gardening, some cleaning, some small repairs, some sorting out, and reorganising.

If you feel you can help, no matter how little or how much, whether it is a couple of hours, a morning, a whole day, or even longer during these identified times, you will be helping to make our school look the way it really ought to. I will be writing to you later on with more details nearer the time after what jobs have been identified and what materials need purchasing to get them completed. I have been encouraged by the support already pledged by many of the Friends of the school, staff and governors, who are willing to give up their time with many of the jobs.

Thanking you all for your support so far and your continued support in the future.

Stefan Frontczak, Headteacher

The events of the 11th September in the USA are still having a considerable impact upon our lives and it would be good to think that there will be no repetition of such evil acts in 2002. Sadly, acts of violence and terrorism are never far from us, we only have to look at the renewed hostilities in Northern Ireland to know that, although we are somewhat cushioned from the 24effects in the pleasant and enjoyable part of the world in which we live. Charfield is a lovely place to live but that should not prevent us from recognising that there are many things that are wrong in the world and that we, as members of society today, have a responsibility to try and right some of those ills.

Is this an appeal to support some charity or other working with people living in poverty or overcoming the effects of warfare or injustice? Well, actually no, commendable and welcome though such support may be. I hope that this is something that you do already and will continue doing. My appeal is about the power of prayer and its ability to bring about change and improvement. Talking to God matters and it does make a difference! There is a phrase that says ‘powerful prayer is specific prayer’ and I believe that we have some evidence of that over the past year. I am not saying that God always gives us what we ask for, but I have no doubt that our prayers are always heard and answered.

Regular prayers were said during the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease by a small group of people at St. John's and mercifully the infection did not reach the village, although we were all affected by it in some way and farms not very far away were not so fortunate. I believe in the value of prayer and in a world where there are many situations beyond our control and understanding we need to have something to fall back on to give us hope and security for the future.

Prayer is something that can be done anywhere at anytime so I am not even seeking to boost attendances at our services – welcome as that may be. My real concern is for each one of you to have the same hope and encouragement for the future as I have. It is only when we open our lives to the possibility of a loving and caring God that we are actually able to recognise his existence and his desire for the best for each of us. May 2002 be a happy and prayerful, if not peaceful, year for us all.

Finally, I am pleased to say that the proposal to join the two parishes of Charfield and Kingswood has now been approved and I will become Rector of the new United Benefice from the 5th February. This is good news for the parishes as they are now seen by the Bishop and Diocese as being a viable unit and this will provide encouragement and stability for the future. I will be inducted into my new post at a service on the evening of Sunday 24th February at St. Mary's, Kingswood by the Archdeacon of Gloucester.

Revd. Robert Pestell, Priest-in-Charge

This annual event seeks to bring together people from all over the world to pray for issues affecting women. Men are also welcome to share in praying for concerns such as inequality, poverty, child care, abuse and violence. This day, held annually on the first Friday in March, is planned by the women of different countries thus reflecting difficult culture, language, status and background. This years material has been prepared by a group of women in Romania and it will be used at a special service to be held on Friday 1st March at 2 p.m. at St. John's. This will be the first time for many years that this day has been celebrated in Charfield and people will be coming from Cromhall, Tortworth and Tytherington to share in this event. We extend a very warm invitation to anyone who would like to join us. Refreshments will be available after the service.

Sue Pestell, Charfield Rectory

I am pleased to report that the planned work to the Foundation Room (Phase I) was completed in time for the Out of School Hours Club to open on the 5th 25November. There is still some decorating to be done but we now have a building that we can be proud of, warm and comfortable and a place that people want to use. It is hard to believe that it is the same building with its altered interior, new roof and remodelled entrance. My thanks go to all those who have supported the project both financially and practically and especially to the contractors, H.B. Lewis, who did an excellent job and the members of the Out of School Hours Committee who worked extremely hard with the decorating to make the building ready for use.

We are still in the early stages of getting things up and running and there is still a need to raise funds both to sustain what has been achieved and to prepare for Phase II – the extension with improved toilet and kitchen facilities and upstairs meeting room. A number of events have been planned and we would greatly value your support as the Charity that owns the building ensures the future upkeep and maintenance as well as being able to offer support for educational purposes for the young people of Charfield.

Planned events for the early part of the year:-

• Friday 8th February – 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday a ‘Charfield at Night Half-term Sleep Over’
• Friday 22nd February – 7.30 p.m. A fun ‘Bring and Bid Auction’ with the donation of saleable items £1 admission to include a glass of wine. Contributions for the sale can be dropped off in the week prior to the sale at the Foundation Room or the Massage Table Shop in Manor Lane.
• Friday 22nd March – 7 p.m. Family Quiz Evening – teams of between 4 and 6 to include children – £5 for adults £2.50 for children to include Ploughman's meal. Wine, beer and soft drinks available

I would like to thank all those who have responded to the appeal for Foreign Currency. I don't know how much money has come in but I have been amazed at what has so far been received – thank you so much!

The money will be divided equally between the Foundation 2000 Appeal and the Children's Society. If you still haven't handed in your old foreign currency it is not too late! We are collecting until the end of January. Please hand in your notes and coins to the Rectory at xx, Wotton Road or place in the jar at the Foundation Room or the Railway Tavern.

Revd. Robert Pestell
Chairman of the Governors

Issue number six of the CHADRA Newsletter was published in December 1976.

Despite gathering economic gloom (reflected in some of the articles) there was a sense of pioneering spirit in the newsletter. Many organisations had just, or were about to, try something new.

The Playgroup held a balloon race, with the winner going about 150 miles to Peterborough.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau had just opened in Wotton, and there was talk of forming a Street Warden Scheme.

The Pigeon Club held an event in the Memorial Hall, combining a quiz, a film show, and the sale of racing pigeons. By all accounts it was a big success, attracting a coach of fanciers from the Rhonda Valley, and raising money for charity.

The Memorial Hall, recently furnished with a new cooker, was also the location of a Victorian Evening. Again, it sounds as though it was a great success, with many local organisations helping with the ‘props’ for the evening, and everyone dressing for the occasion.

26Plans were afoot for the coming year – the Amateur Dramatic Society were rehearsing for a three act comedy called “Cock-a-Doodle Doo”, and there was a lot of discussion on how the village should celebrate the forthcoming Silver Jubilee.

That reminds me … any takers …?

Fire authorities in California found a corpse in a burned out section of forest while assessing the damage done by a forest fire. The deceased male was dressed in a full wet suit, complete with scuba tanks on his back, flippers, and facemask. A post-mortem revealed that the person died not from burns, but from massive internal injuries. Dental records provided a positive identification. Investigators then set about to determine how a fully clad diver ended up in the middle of a forest fire.

It was revealed that on the day of the fire, the person went for a diving trip off the coast some 20 miles from the forest. The fire-fighters, seeking to control the fire as quickly as possible, called in a fleet of helicopters with very large dip buckets. Water was dipped from the ocean and then flown to the forest fire and emptied.

You guessed it. One minute our diver was making like Flipper in the Pacific, the next he was doing the breaststroke in a fire dip bucket 300 feet in the air. Apparently he extinguished exactly 5′10″ of the fire. Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

This article was taken from the California Examiner, March 20, 1998

A man was working on his motorcycle on his patio and his wife was in the kitchen. The man was racing the engine on the motorcycle when it accidentally slipped into gear. The man, still holding onto the handlebars, was dragged through the glass patio doors and along with the motorcycle dumped onto the floor inside the house. The wife, hearing the crash, ran into the dining room and found her husband lying on the floor, cut and bleeding, the motorcycle lying next to him, and the shattered patio door. The wife ran to the phone and summoned the ambulance. Because they lived on a fairly large hill, the wife went down the several flights of stairs to the street to escort the paramedics to her husband.

After the ambulance arrived and transported the man to the hospital, the wife uprighted the motorcycle and pushed it outside. Seeing that gas was spilled on the floor, the wife got some paper towels, blotted up the gasoline, and threw the towels in the toilet. The man was treated and released to come home. Upon arriving home, he looked at the shattered patio door and the damage done to his motorcycle. He became despondent, went to the bathroom, sat down on the toilet and smoked a cigarette. After finishing the cigarette, he flipped it between his legs into the toilet bowl while seated. The wife, who was in the kitchen, heard the loud explosion and her husband screaming. She ran into the bathroom and found her husband lying on the floor. His trousers had been blown away and he was suffering burns on the buttocks, the back of his legs, and his groin. The wife again ran to the phone to call the ambulance.

The very same paramedic crew was dispatched and the wife met them at the street. The paramedics loaded the husband on to the stretcher and began carrying him to the street. While they were going down the stairs to the street accompanied by the wife, one of the paramedics asked the wife how the husband had burned himself. She told them and the paramedics started laughing so hard, one of them slipped and tipped the stretcher, dumping the husband out. He fell down the remaining stairs and broke his arm.

Taken from a Florida Newspaper.

27

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
SB = Sportsman's Bar, Memorial Hall
MH = Memorial Hall

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

28

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

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 28 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.