CHADRA

Thanks to everyone for contributions to this edition, especially as copy date was so near Easter. More and more items are coming in by email, which makes our job much easier. We acknowledge receipt of all articles, so if you are at all concerned about non-receipt feel free to give us a call. Contributions by any means are appreciated, and we would not want to deter anyone from writing an article just because they don't have email.

Thanks, too, to the production and delivery team who put in hours of their own time to bring this newsletter to your door.

Geoff and Hilary

Next Copy Date – 12th July 2003

3

The picture this quarter is entitled “walking to school” and has been drawn for us by Zak James (aged 5½). You can clearly see the school gates and building and the children crossing the road with the lollipop man. Thank you Zak, we will get your prize to you soon.

We would like to thank all of you who have given us pictures for the cover of the newsletter since we decided to change the look. At the moment we are only publishing one each issue and we carry any unused ones forward for the next issue. Please do continue to let us have your artwork. And those of you who have not yet been published – there's still time, and thanks for taking the time to put pen to paper.

Although it's generally been fairly quiet in the village recently a number of crimes occurred very soon after my last contribution to this newsletter.

The most despicable of these was a burglary at a house in which a lady in her nineties was present. What made this crime particularly abhorrent was not only the age of the victim but the fact that, having entered the house via a ground floor window, the burglar was then confronted by the elderly occupant and proceeded to rifle through the handbag which she was carrying.

Ultimately he left empty-handed but it doesn't take much imagination to imagine the mental trauma inflicted by this incident.

I think that on this occasion the burglar took advantage of the dark winter evenings, but nonetheless it is important that those of us who have elderly neighbours are particularly aware of visitors to their addresses and immediately report to us any suspicious prowlers or callers.

The elderly are often also subject to, what in Police jargon are called, distraction or artifice offences.

Artifice offences entail the offenders cold calling under the pretext of being some form of tradesman and offering to do work such as repairing UPVC cladding, replacing roof tiles or resurfacing a drive.

The suggested repair job is often unnecessary and the work, if completed at all, is shoddy. The victim is then charged and extortionate amount for the ‘work’ done.

Distraction offences entail bogus officials calling unannounced and, having persuaded the householder to let them indoors, they then distract them in order to steal from within.

There has recently been an increase in these types of offences in South Gloucestershire.

Although I am unaware of any successful such offences in Charfield recently I am aware of at least one apparent attempt where cold callers offered to repair UPVC fascia boards on a garage. Fortunately they were turned away.

All such callers should be treated with extreme suspicion and denied entry to premises unless they can prove unequivocally who they are and that their visit is bona fide.

Again, if in doubt please call us immediately and record descriptions and registration numbers if possible.

On the subject of telephoning us I am aware that there is often confusion as to which number to ring.

Despite the fact that Charfield has a Gloucestershire postal address the Constabulary which covers it is Avon and Somerset not Gloucestershire.

4Any non-urgent calls should be made to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary call handling centre on 01275 81xxxx.

Urgent calls, including those reporting an offence in progress or which you believe is about to be committed, should be made using the 999 systems. However, when giving your address it is worth emphasising that you are within the Avon and Somerset Constabulary jurisdiction.

Finally, two issues in brief: I'm aware that two or three months ago several cars were broken into in the vicinity of Charfield Green. These crimes were not reported to us. However, I'd encourage the reporting of all crimes to us, no matter how little evidence there might be as to the offender. If nothing else, it makes us aware of what is going on and where. Moreover, should somebody be arrested for a similar offence – and these people are arrested repeatedly – it allows us to interview them in relation to kindred offences.

The other issue, on which I'll end, is Neighbourhood Watch. Mrs Ilze Hicks, after many years of commitment, is resigning as the overall co-ordinator for Charfield. A replacement is keenly sought and any volunteers would be welcome at the next meeting, which is due to be held in the Sportsman's Bar of the Memorial Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 21st May 2003.

The Neighbourhood Watch meetings are currently attended by the same old stalwarts with little apparent enthusiasm from elsewhere in the community.

Whilst recognising that crime in Charfield is currently low and that it is therefore difficult to maintain a vigorous and active Neighbourhood Watch my first item in this article should demonstrate the potential for Neighbourhood Watch in helping to counter such crimes,

PC 3799 Jones

Did you know that if you took a walk (or drive) down New Street past Farm Lees you would find a little hive of commercial activity?

[Photo: Pinmill from the air]

One of the most interesting buildings there is the Pinmill, which is grade 2 listed and was the subject of a previous article in “Chadra”.

The Pinmill is home to companies like Burfield & Partners Asset Management, Cabot Design and Worktwice Marketing Limited. Of these, the focus here is on Worktwice Marketing Limited. Whilst a relatively small player in terms of employment levels and business turnover, Worktwice has always been innovative and industrious within the recycling industry.

Five facts about Worktwice Marketing limited:

• Owned by a husband and wife resident in Charfield
• For nearly 10 years has been an active player in the world of recycling
• Has raised over £250,000 for UK based charities in that time
• Supports over 60 hospices and charities from its activities
• Has just introduced a new waste stream initiative that is generating great interest from companies and organisations nation-wide called:

5

RABBITT

No I haven't spelt it wrongly.

[Graphic: RABBITT Recycling Scheme]

RABBITT is an acronym for

Recycling
All
Bulbs
Batteries
Inkjets
Toners
Telephones (mobiles)

Impending new European legislation will make it unlawful for many such items to be sent to landfill, so all large users will have an even bigger disposal problem than currently and predictably face an increase in disposal costs. By talking to Worktwice Marketing Limited, these increases could be decreases.

Worktwice have set up a tripartite agreement with two of the largest British companies who specialise in recycling bulbs / fluorescent tubes and batteries to create a one stop collection scheme to economically and efficiently deal with this waste problem. In the first six weeks since the scheme was put together companies such as Chrysalis Records, Kingston Communications, Land Rover and Smiths Industries (to name but a few) are already either signed up or in detailed negotiations with Worktwice. Each organisation has recognised the savings to be made by combining waste collection activities and getting the most favourable terms by being ahead of the legislation.

Whilst this scheme is not currently aimed at the domestic or small user marketplace, the senior management at Worktwice is in constant liaison with organisations such as the Chambers of Commerce and local councils. The redefining of current activities to meet identified customer needs and the aim for continuous improvement to the services offered is of paramount importance to everyone at Worktwice.

More information on this scheme is available by calling freefone number 0800 138 xxxx and asking for Mark Ambrose, or by e-mail to xxxx@rabbittrecycling.co.uk or fax to 01453 52xxxx.

For general information:
There is now a collection box for your empty laser printer and inkjet cartridges in the foyer of the Pinmill. Please feel free to drop in your used cartridges or unwanted mobile phones whenever you're passing. The building is open from 0830 to 1730 Mondays to Fridays. For large volumes of cartridges a free collection service is available by calling 01453 52xxxx.

[Graphic: “Once is not enough, make it work twice“]

Frank Gendall
Administration & IT Director
Worktwice Marketing Limited

Stop Press News

The Rabbitt scheme has been so successful in its initial setting up period that the project has become a company. Rabbitt Recycling Limited is now the operating company behind the scheme.

See www.rabbittrecycling.co.uk for more information.

6In view of the transfer of personnel to deal with Rabbitt, Worktwice Marketing Limited now have created vacancies for Campaign Advisors.

• If you would like employment which offers unique job satisfaction in that charities benefit from your efforts
• If you enjoy talking on the phone and building relations with people
• If you are computer literate, neat and orderly in what you do
• If you are a good team player

… then you should be talking to us regarding our Campaign Advisor jobs.

Although the vacancies are for full time workers, please feel free to contact us even if you are looking only for part time.
Your needs and ours may be flexible enough to fit.

Our hours are:
9–5:30 Monday to Thursday Inc.
9–4:30 on Friday.

Contact:
Sue Cripps, the Campaign Manager or Frank Gendall, the Admin & IT Director by phone, fax or email.
Phone 01453 52xxxx
Fax 01453 52xxxx
email xxx @ worktwice.co.uk

Well, at last we have managed to get through all the red tape in the NHS system and finally purchased the equipment that we set out to buy last March! Andrew, Lizzie, Tracy and I attended a presentation recently at the Bristol Eye Hospital to hand over the intravenous pump bought with funds raised from my efforts in the 13.1 mile Great North Run half marathon last October.

Andrew actually gave the pump to the ward staff but he needed some help as it was quite heavy! It also had a small plaque on its side so they will always know it was from Andrew. I said a few words to thank the staff for saving his sight and how much pleasure it gave us to be able to give something back to the hospital. In all, £2343 was raised which was more than enough to buy the pump, so the extra will go towards decorating a side ward to be more “child friendly” and the purchase of children's games. The pump was chosen as there is a shortage of them at the Eye Hospital, and one had to be borrowed from the Bristol Children's Hospital for Andrew when he was admitted last March.

For those who do not know, the then six-year old Andrew was playing in the garden when a garden cane snapped and piece shot into his eye, damaging the cornea and iris. He has been left with 30% vision in that eye after a series of seven gruelling operations to save the eye.

Andrew's consultant Jeremy Diamond came along, as did the Chairman of the Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital Drummond Forbes. The Ward Sister had also arranged for the two nurses who cared for Andrew the most to be present – Maria and Bronwyn. They said it was a treat to have a break and a drink in the middle of a busy shift – personally I think they deserved a medal as a frightened and pain racked Andrew was not the easiest or most co-operative of patients last year!!

There was time, after the photos with the local press, for a chat with a drink and sandwiches at a reception, which had kindly been laid on. Andrew will be back at the hospital in September for a check-up and is doing very well with his football and Tae Kwon Do. He even likes his trendy glasses! We would just like to thank everyone, especially our friends in Charfield and including the local Round Tables in the area, who contributed to the sponsorship and the car boot sales we ran in aid of the Appeal for one very brave little boy.

John Francksen

7

Puzzle Page

8

Advertising

[Advert for Greenline Tanks]

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

[Advert for Charfield Post Office]

9[Advert for Tree Top Carpets]

[Advert for Pat Jeanes reflexology]

[Advert for Claire Saunders]

[Advert for Surround Sounds]

[Advert for Skips]

[Advert for Littles Curtains]

10

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 17th May 2003.
10 o'clock start

Last year's sale was a great success and this year's is planned to be even better as we have stocked up on your favourites and introduced some unusual plants for you to try!!

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!

The summer term begins with a new committee, following our AGM in March. A big thank you goes to the old committee, who have worked hard to make Charfield Baby and Toddler Group successful and enjoyable over the past year. Our new committee consists of Sarah Coleman as Chairman, Jane Copeland as Treasurer and Liza Bullock as Secretary.

We meet on Thursday mornings in the Memorial Hail, during term time only, between 10.00 and 11.30am, and cater for 0 to 3 years with their parents or carers. Each session costs £1 per adult and 20p per child (your first visit is free) and refreshments are provided for both adults and children.

Liza Bullock

Charfield Neighbourhood Watch is now over 10 years old. Since the start I have been involved as administrator and then chair. It must now be time for some fresh and possibly younger blood to take charge.

Charfield is generally a quiet village as far as crime is concerned. Every now and again there is some unwelcome activity but not too often and even less frequently does this come from within the community. That being said there is a need and a role for Neighbourhood Watch.

During the last 10 years I have endeavoured to include the whole village but if there is no volunteer to run it then there will be no Neighbourhood Watch in Charfield. Maybe individuals will cover one or two streets but we will lose the overall coverage. It will also make it harder for PC Jones to do the excellent work he already does. All those who tick the ‘Do you belong to Neighbourhood Watch’ box on insurance forms will lose out.

An AGM meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 21st of May at 7:30 p.m. in the Sportsman's Bar of the Village Hall.

Please come along so that we may find a way forward. If you are unable to come but have any ideas as to how we could proceed please contact me or your Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator / Contact.

It will be very disappointing if there is no Neighbourhood Watch in Charfield. It is worthwhile and can play an important role in the village in the future, but this will only happen if there are new volunteers to run it.

Ilze Hicks

11

A date for your diary
Friday June 6th 6:30–9:00 pm
Evening opening for two village gardens – and more

As I'm sure many of you know, Lesley and Allan Rosser's garden at Urn Cottage is open on a regular basis and Barbara and Mike Adams's garden at Warners Court is open twice a year – once for the National Garden Scheme (the ‘Yellow Book’) and for the Autumn Plant Sale for Save the Children.

This year we are getting together and adding an open evening – with extras!

Castle School Steel Band are going to be playing at Warners Court, Urn Cottage is going to have an interesting display of outdoor sculpture and both gardens will be serving wine and nibbles. (Yes I know that a garden can't serve anything but you know what I mean.) Tickets will cost £6 and will take you into both gardens with a glass of wine in one garden – though there will be more for sale and if it's a nice evening you may feel like relaxing by the pond and listening to the band or watching Lesley's ducklings enjoying the water chute (Lesley thinks it's a miniature waterfall but they think differently) though I'm afraid there's no guarantee they'll perform.

Urn Cottage is in Station Road and Warners Court in Wotton Road. They'll be well sign-posted and we're hoping lots of you will come and bring your friends and relatives. If you can't make it then but would still like to see the gardens these are the other times they are open and both are happy to open for groups by appointment.

Warners Court: Sunday June 8th 2–6 (for NGS)
Urn Cottage: Fridays (2–4) and Sundays (2–5) May, June, July and August

Further details can be found in the Yellow Book or local Yellow Leaflet but if you'd like to talk to either of us please phone Lesley on 01453 84xxxx or Barbara on 01454 26xxxx.

So far 2003 has been really busy for us in Scouting. All of the sections are well into the new programme with all of the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts earning lots of the new badges. The Beavers have been recycling, the Cubs entertaining, making bird feeders and producing samples of art the Tate Modern would be proud of. The Scouts again have been entertaining, enjoyed visits to Quasar in Bristol and the climbing wall in Gloucester all in the last three months. Thank you to all our parents for their support.

In January the older Scouts (aged 14–18) from both 1st Woodend and 1st Falfield began to meet together as an ‘Explorer Unit’ adopting the unit name of ‘the Sharmans’ after the first British female astronaut. Run by the Explorer Leader, Alan Bartlett and his team, this is a new section in Scouting reporting to the Severnvale District although they still meet at the Cromhall HQ and at Avening Green under a Partnership Agreement with 1st Woodend. Good luck and happy Scouting to the Sharmans.

In February we lost Bryan Wright (Skip) as our postman and in March, after 6 years in the position, we lost him as our Group Scout Leader, happy retirement Bryan and Liz.

Looking ahead to the rest of this year 1st Woodend Scout Group will be taking part in section camps, the District 5-aside football competition, and a Group Camp and BBQ at Woodhouse Park saying goodbye to Skip and celebrating 1st Woodend's 30th anniversary.

Did anyone see the recent article in the Times newspaper, “Is Scouting Cool?“ The 12use of “cool” in this particular context is modern, to be cool, to be in fashion, fashion comes and goes. Scouting has been with us since 1907 and with the ongoing changes is still popular, perhaps not in the inner cities in which the media always seem to target.

Take a look at the rural areas like ours, what do the young people have? Youth clubs – sometimes and with age restrictions, martial art clubs – expensive, leisure centres – only in the towns. Where are the play areas with swings, roundabouts and slides that we used to play on? Why does each village have to save up thousands for a skateboarding facility? In 1st Woodend Scout Group we provide our members from age 6 to 14 with fun, activities, challenges, adventures and the rest all for only £10 per month (additional cost for camps, trips etc of course). The Leaders have all been security checked, they complete a series of award winning training packages provided by the Scouting Association, under go constant review and they don't get paid! A bargain! Let's get our kids names down.

Unfortunately we're full. We don't have enough Leaders. We have to turn away disappointed youngsters.

Traditionally in Scouting April/May was the time for Bob-a-job week, in modern times this is no longer as safe as it used to be, many Groups no longer support it including ours. Did you do bob-a-job? Or would you have liked to? Now's the time for you to do that good turn, to do your best, to do your duty, to become a leader, we need a new Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and more urgently a Scout Group. Please, please if you are interested give me a ring on 01454 26xxxx.

THE YOUNGSTERS OF THIS AREA NEED YOU.

Sandra Carnegie, Group Scout Leader

The club is still being held every fortnight in the Village Hall at 2:30 p.m. on a Wednesday.

We play bingo, do competitions to exercise our brains, and sometimes have a sing a long.

We were entertained one afternoon with a talk and slides of Australia and a visit to the war graves in Malaysia. This was much enjoyed. We are hoping to have a few half day trips now the days are getting lighter; alas not many of us can manage a full day, but we get the chance to join with Wickwar on their whole days so this way we please everyone.

Do join us for a cup of tea and a chat; we have a few laughs also. Just come along and introduce yourself, you will be most welcome.

M Ealey, Secretary.

Issue number 11, published in March 1978, had a report from an enterprising group of young girls who had started voluntarily doing odd jobs for local villagers.

The children's drama group put on a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the school PTA held a sponsored knit to raise funds for the new school library.

There was an item about increases in National Insurance contributions and the possibility of reopening Charfield Railway Station – 25 years later and these two items still remain relevant!

13

Puzzle Page Answers

14

Advertising

[Advert for Massage Table Store]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for Barbara Daw]

[Advert for Safeclean]

[Advert for Cotswold Edge Carpets]

15[Advert for Evergreen Computing]

[Advert for Worktwice Marketing Ltd]

The Foundation Room

The seven new double glazed windows mentioned as awaited in January have now been fitted and are, hopefully, making it a cosier place for the children of the Out-of-School and Pre-School groups, particularly during those very cold periods earlier this year. There still remain several windows of the original single glazed, metal-framed type to be replaced, in due course, when funds permit.

Talking of funds, the next fund-raising event in the calendar is the May Ball on Friday May the 2nd, which is being organised on behalf of the Foundation by the two user groups. It is hoped that should this opportunity for the ladies to wear their posh frocks and the gentlemen the full black tie penguin outfit, or their smartest suits, In the baronial splendour of Tortworth Court, be successful, then it could be repeated in subsequent years. As I write I know that ticket sales are well past the break-even point and hope that the evening lives up to its promise to be a lively and enjoyable social occasion. See you there!

Now I've got to rush off and, containing my excitement, polish my suit, press my shoes and starch my underwear ready for the big night but I just have time to add the following final paragraph.

If you have any enquiries regarding the use of the Foundation Room, or the availability of small support grants, which the Foundation may be able to make, to assist with a child's general educational needs (outside those provided by the state) please get in touch with Bryan Grantham on 01454 26xxxx or at xx Berkeley Close.

16

After the manic pace of events and activities we organised from September to December, things have been slightly quieter since January, however, we have still been busy.

We bought two new hardwood benches for the school. These are placed in the infant and junior playgrounds and are called ‘listening Benches’. It gives the children somewhere to sit and talk, either to playground supervisors or friends. Especially useful if someone has a problem they want to discuss. Many thanks to Jason Hadland for securing the benches for us.

Last year the school was keen for every child to have enough drinking water available to them, especially important during the Summer months. We contacted Bristol Water and were lucky to have coincided with a similar initiative being undertaken by them. As a result Bristol Water is providing us with 250 plastic water bottles (enough for every child) which can be re-filled during the day and kept in class.

A Sunday lunch was organised at the start of March and was a great success. Many thanks go to Phil Barnes for his fantastic cooking, Jake Barnes and Jo & Pete Tymms for all the organisation before and on the day, and all the Friends who helped with setting-up, waitressing and clearing away.

The school hall looked wonderful with bright tablecloths, lovely place-settings and fresh flowers kindly donated by Robinsons' in Wotton. We were further helped by the following companies who each sponsored a joint of beef: Green Moat Landscaping, J & S Decorating Services, Evergreen Computing, Massage Table Store, G H Specialist Cars and R & C Autos.

The money raised from the lunch allowed us to arrange some fun activities for the children.

We held Pancake Races and were very lucky with the weather – all the races went ahead, with the winner of each class receiving a certificate. Just over 400 ready-made pancakes were purchased, so that each child in the school had one to race with, and one to eat! Lots of lemons and sugar were needed.

We also organised an Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Parade. Eleven cardboard eggs were hidden around the school grounds, each with a different letter on, which, when put together spelt an Easter-related word/phrase. We purchased enough little eggs to ensure that every child went away with something from the Easter Bunny!

The Easter Bonnet Parade was fantastic. The children put such a lot of effort into creating some wonderful bonnets. We had one covered in mini-chocolate eggs, that somehow managed to last the day without being eaten!, and another entry which was an entire nest made from twigs, complete with eggs. A big thank you to everyone who entered. Mr Peter Beresford the chair of Governors, judged all entries. One boy & one girl from each class were awarded a prize, and the winners of the grand final were Daniella Young (Key Stage 1) and Lydia Barnes (Key Stage 2).

Our next fund-raising event is a children's Fashion Show on Friday, May 16th from 7pm. Tickets cost £1.00 and there will be refreshments available throughout the evening. The show is organised by two local ladies from Hawkesbury who will have great outfits from major high street stores, all costing far less than the recommended retail prices! There isn't an ordering system and therefore all the clothes are available to buy on this evening only.

17The cat-walk models will be willing volunteers from the school. Tickets will be on sale soon from committee members and the school office. If you would like further information/tickets please contact 01454 26xxxx or 26xxxx.

We have a Barbecue Evening at Cattle Country scheduled for Friday, 20th June, 6pm–9pm. This is a ‘bring-your-own barbecue and food night’. However, if you can't get hold of a barbecue (disposable ones are a good idea), we should have some extra gas barbecues available on the evening.

Entry costs £5.00 per person, and we get exclusive use of all the facilities Cattle Country has to offer – slide barn, bucking bronco, roller racers, bouncy castle, giant trampolines, zip wire, ball pits, willow maze, mini-golf, splash pool and infant/toddler play equipment. For tickets/more information contact 01454 26xxxx or 26xxxx.

The Village Fete organisation is very much up-and-running, and plans are looking great – Saturday, July 5th from 2pm.

Every house in the village will be getting a flyer very soon regarding the Horticultural Show, to give everyone as much notice as possible to prepare their entries. This is just one part of the Fete, as there will be various stalls and attractions, races, live music and sideshows going on throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

Attached to each Horticultural flyer will be a sunflower seed, kindly donated by Wyevale Garden Centre. This will give every child/family in the village a chance to enter the ‘Grow the tallest Sunflower Competition’. (If you haven't received a leaflet by the end of April please let me know and I will get one to you).

All clubs in the village have, or will be, contacted to see whether or not they want to run a stall – however, we still have time to allocate more if anyone has any other ideas.

We will be selling programmes (50p each) door-to-door as soon as they are ready. On the gate prices will be £1.00 (under 12's FREE).

Rounding off this academic year will be a Karaoke & Disco on the last day of the Summer term – Friday, July 18th from 7pm.

Last year's karaoke was extremely popular and great fun. This year we will again have competitions throughout the evening – best male/female; best group; best sound-a-like/look-a-like and ‘The People's Choice Award’ for the best all-rounder.

Tickets will be on sale from committee members and the school office in June/July, or you can pre-order by giving me a ring. Adults £4, children £2 and family tickets £10, (ticket price includes a buffet supper).

As this is held at the school we are restricted on numbers and it does sell-out fast. Come along and support the school – it's the one time we do want everyone to make a song and dance of it!

Regards
Jacqui Mitchell, Chairperson

In the last edition, we put recycle collection dates in the Charfield Diary. Sorry if this confused anyone – we hadn't realised the green box scheme was being introduced quite that quickly.

When the green box scheme did start, the council seemed surprised at the amount of waste put out for recycling – as we hadn't had a collection for six weeks, I don't know why it took them by surprise!

Our weekly wheelie bin is only half full these days. Not only are we using the green box, but we're also composting. Did 18you know that each household can get a free compost bin from the council?

As well as garden waste and vegetable trimmings, you can also compost rough cardboard (cereal packets and egg boxes) and even cotton (remove buttons and zips first!). If you mainly compost lawn mowings, and you find your compost is wet and slimy, adding cardboard will make all the difference.

The Centre for Alternative Technology (www.cat.org.uk) produce a very useful factsheet on composting, and there is also a good section in Alan Titchmarsh's book ‘How to be a Gardener – Book 1’.

If anyone has any other tips on recycling, we'd be happy to put them in future editions of the newsletter.

We are looking for volunteers to deliver this newsletter in Woodlands Road. If you fancy a walk around the houses four times a year please contact Marion Smith on 01454 26xxxx.

Where have the last three months gone? It's now Saturday 12th April at 2:20. I've just phoned Hilary to see if she can await my contribution. I said it was a good job I wasn't getting paid for this. I get in a flap at deadlines!

Right then, what have I been up to? Oh yes, exciting news, but I'll finish on that.

I went to two lovely parties yesterday. Last evening, I was invited to Jo Tymms' birthday bash. There was good food, excellent company, a great bop all night with Mel and Tracey and I met two new people. Anita and Helen, who knew me, because she delivers this magazine.

Now the second party, which happened earlier in the day, was at the Blood Doning session! The village hall was absolutely packed and more and more people came in whom I knew. Dear friends and neighbours were present and we all had a great laugh. Every time our numbers were called we all cheered. It was like playing bingo. I managed to trip over a large roll of bed paper sheeting. All we seemed to be doing was getting up and down. Names were being mispronounced, (not mine of course). We then got onto the subject of mobile phones. One person said that their signal was awful in Charfield. Another said that they could only get calls on the landing and another user said that they could only get it hanging out of the bedroom window!!! Needless to say, spirits were high and medical heads kept popping over the screens to see what all the fun was about.

The Anita, who I mentioned earlier, was at the hall and then we met again at the evening party. We both confirmed the fact that we should not have alcohol. I decided that one Gin would do no harm at all.

George Orwell said, “Never use two words when one will do. Always use a short word instead of a long one.” Well have you ever known me to use one word when two will definitely do?

Something wonderful and fulfilling has happened to me. I have got a new job. I still supervise the little darlings at lunchtimes, at the Primary School (to those of you who do not know), saying things like, “no strangling on a Wednesday”. Now I am a Teaching Assistant in the Infant class. This means that I get to sit on the carpet, read stories, play with bricks, do puzzles, get told by five year olds how to use a computer, make Easter bonnets, do finger painting AND GET PAID!!! I am working with great colleagues and to have the opportunity to help encourage 30 little people to read, glue, add, paint, dance, weigh, tidy and play is absolutely fantastic.

Happy Easter!

Maz

19

The local elections are fast approaching but there will be no contest for seats on the PC here in Charfield, as only six, out of the nine existing councillors, have decided to stay. Councillor Bob Beavis, Councillor Colin Adams and myself have decided, for various reasons, that it is time to stand down. I would like to express my thanks to and admiration for the remaining councillors and to those who are standing down.

I have found the time that I have spent on the council very interesting and rewarding. The new council are very keen to co-opt three other Charfield residents to fill the empty seats, so if you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please speak to the clerk (telephone number on back page) or speak to myself or indeed any of the other councillors.

The PC has been asked by South Glos. Council to identify measures to improve accessibility for mobility impaired people. If you can think of parts of the village (highways and footways) which need this type of improvement, please contact the clerk with your suggestions.

Every year the PC organises a village spring clean, usually during the month of April. In previous years residents have given an hour or so of their time to come along and help spruce up the village. Unfortunately last year we had a very poor response when only one resident turned up all weekend! The PC have therefore decided not to organise a spring clean this year. We were rather disappointed and saddened when we made this decision as in years gone by the village really did benefit from a good tidy-up.

Those of you who have recently travelled along Manor Lane will have noticed that the assortment of parked vehicles opposite Steve's Shop has at last been removed. The PC has been in contact with the owner of that land for several months and we have, after many letters, finally got a result. A temporary fence has been erected to prevent this situation happening again.

In one of my previous reports I wrote about the ideas that some residents had put forward for the development of the site hut area on Manor Lane. Some work has been carried out on the willow tree. This tree is subject to a tree preservation order and so we had to obtain the appropriate permission for trimming and tending to be carried out. The PC is also in the process of obtaining and following up quotes for other works to be carried out on this site.

Another project that the PC has been involved in, is the development of a new skateboard area, on the playing field. You will remember that in my previous report I said that members of the Charfield Youth Project have been assisting us in our attempts to raise enough funds in order to provide this much needed facility for our youngsters. I am delighted to report that we almost have sufficient funds available to us, thanks to several grants awarded to the project.

The Annual Parish Meeting is to be held on Tuesday 29th. April 7:30 p.m., in the Sportsman's Lounge – Memorial Hall. Many local organisations come along and report their activities over the past twelve months. The PC also provides an annual report, and all villagers are welcome to come along.

Those of you who saw the Gazette on Friday 11th April might have read about our Chairman, Councillor Gerry Thorn having been involved in an accident at Silverstone. Unfortunately, Gerry is still in hospital as I write this report. I speak for both myself and all the other members of the PC when I say that our thoughts and best wishes go to Gerry and his family.

To conclude my report I would like to thank the Clerk and the other Parish Councillors for all of their hard work and their friendship. I have enjoyed my time as a 20parish councillor serving the residents of Charfield and I wish the new council every success in the future.

Jayne Pedley – Vice Chair

Many people seem to lead very busy and hectic lives these days and finding space for peace and quiet is not easy or even encouraged. I'm told that if you want something done then you ask a busy person, presumably because they are in ‘doing mode’ and another task is neither here or there.

However, I'm finding that being busy all the time isn't good for me even though I am a doing person. There are times when we just need ‘to be’. This is not an excuse for laziness or avoiding what needs to be done but a recognition that we cannot constantly live our lives at today's frantic pace.

To have the opportunity to pause and reflect and renew mind and energy is a precious gift in today's busy world and sometimes something that we have to create for ourselves. Now you might think that, as a parish priest, I would have plenty of time to recharge my batteries, ‘The Rector only works on Sundays’, is still a phrase I hear now and again, but in truth my life has become just as busy as everyone else.

In all spheres of life people seem to be asked to work harder and work longer and I wonder what that is doing to our health and family life. Clergy are no exception, there are fewer of us and we are spread more thinly, hence my dual role of Rector of Charfield and Kingswood, and yet the demands and expectations seem to grow rather than diminish.

Daily prayers are said on behalf of the people in the parishes and individuals are remembered when they are ill or going through a time of bereavement. I have noticed, however, that praying in St. John's is increasingly difficult because of the noise of the traffic hurtling through our village. It has become increasingly intrusive and I can only hope that planned repairs to the church windows will help to restore what is intended to be an oasis of peace and quiet in a noisy world. I have my doubts, however, and I suspect that double glazing is out of the question!

I hope that you are able to find moments for peace and relaxation in this busy world of ours and remember, noisy or not, St. John's remains open for private prayer and reflection during the day.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who supported the Jumble Sale on the 15th March in any kind of way and especially Alison Truman and all her helpers. A staggering £500 was raised towards the cost of repairs to the windows at St. John's – thank you all very much.

Revd. Robert Pestell, Rector

From the registers:-
Baptisms:
26th January
Emily Holloway of Durham Road
Thomas Herbert of Horsford Road
Mollie Shipton of Old Manor Close
9th February
Emma Hall of Woodlands Road

Funerals:
7th January Ernest (Ric) Rix (95) of Berkeley Close
13th February Brian Platt (66) of Orchard Close
20th February Rose Williams (65) formerly of Charfield Green
12th March John Hawkins (64) of Newtown
13th March Charles (Bill) Carter (76) of Charfield Green
2nd April Joy Thompson (63) of Durham Road

21

The scheme goes from strength to strength. This year I have already organised 56 visits to doctors, dentist, physiotherapist, and hospital. Not a week goes by when I do not have at least one visit to be organised.

We now have two mobile phones, which the drivers can take with them to hospital visits. This gives the drivers more flexibility, allowing them to do other things while waiting for the customers, knowing that they can be reached when they are required.

We also have parking permits for the drivers going to Southmead and Frenchay hospitals, although sometimes it is still not easy to park.

If anyone in the village is interested in joining our driver force, I will be only too pleased to hear from them.

Marion Smith, Transport Organiser
01454 26xxxx
xxxx @ asmiths.freeserve.co.uk

Hello! I am Beth Ellis the new Brown Owl for 2nd Charfield Brownie Pack. I took over running the pack in January and I cannot believe how the time has gone by.

We have managed to cram quite a lot into our meetings over the last few months, here are a few of the things we have been up to:
We have had 4 new Brownies join, and they were all enrolled a couple of weeks ago, doing very well making their promises in front of parents and family. We have taken part in District Thinking Day at the Village Hall, made Valentines cards, planted bulbs and decorated pots for Mothers Day presents, and made Easter Goodies and decorated plates with Easter pictures.

Along with these activities we have been working on various badges to add to the girls' sashes. I think the girls have enjoyed the last few months as much as I have, and we will continue with lots more fun activities over the coming months.

If there are any girls in Charfield who are approaching seven years old and are interested in joining our pack please don't hesitate to contact me on 07870 69xxxx.

Beth Ellis

Well, we've had a busy few months with lots of successes.

Januarys grading

Around 40 students from the Charfield club took part in the January grading. All were successful in obtaining their grade promotions, and the standard was very commendable.

A big well done goes to Vicky West of Little Bristol, who achieved the grading award for her high standard and effort.

Aprils grading

As you may be aware, Andy also runs a club in Chipping Sodbury, which has around 60 students. To date, both clubs have had their gradings held alongside other clubs. There has been a split between children and adults grading at two different times, and therefore, all students of each club have never graded all together.

Because both of the clubs are expanding so rapidly, a new grading date has been given specifically for Charfield and Chipping Sodbury. Therefore all students will now grade together (kids and adults), which will bring the clubs closer, which is obviously a very positive move. The next grading will be held on April 24th.

22Tournaments

Two tournaments have recently been held; The West of England Championships and the Welsh Championships.

A number of students from the club took part in representing Wotton-under-Edge and they all performed well. Not everyone was successful in winning a trophy, but all showed good technique, effort, fitness and attitude.

All in all, a total of 17 trophies were brought home from both tournaments, which is an outstanding success.

A special congratulations goes to Colin Wise and Kayleigh Parker who doubled up and are now the 2003 West of England and 2003 Welsh Champions for their respective divisions (Blue Belt Lightweight and Blue Belt Cadet Heavy-weight). Also, Nick Smith brought Silver home from the West, after just missing out in the final. Curtis Mansell and Andrew Bryce, both of Woodlands Road also won medals.

Well done to everyone who entered and took part. Everyone represented Wotton-under-Edge Tae Kwon Do so well, and we appreciate your effort and attitudes.

The next tournament is one of the largest, and is being held on May 18th. The English Championships, which are often held in Kettering are on our doorstep this year. They will be held in Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol. I hope to have many more successes to report on in the next issue of Chadra!

New faces

We have many new faces at the club, in all three classes. Our youngest members have been joined by four new faces – Anthony Cawston, Jamie Hutton, Jamie Gosling and Max Visard. The Youth class and Adults class have also been joined by some new faces, and all are training hard for grade promotions. By the time this piece goes for print, those who have been training for three months will have hopefully been promoted to 9th kup!

Interested?

New faces are always very welcomed at the club. If you're interested in giving Tae Kwon Do a go, either just turn up, or give Andy a call on 07970 61xxxx. Within 3 months you could have some colour around your waist!

At the time of going to press the season is beginning to draw to a close. All matches will be played by the end of April, which will be a total of around one hundred and ten. The boys (and family and friends) have braved all types of weather and pitch conditions week in week out to play competitive football.

The under 10's, 11's and 15's are all still in the hunt for end of season honours, whilst the under 13's and 14's have enjoyed relative success.

Starting with the under 10's – they remained unbeaten until mid-February (twelve matches) and at this stage have a very good chance to finish in the top two. Local rivals Wotton Rovers and Wanswell have pushed them all season for the number one spot. The under 11's have completed all their matches – played twenty, won sixteen, drawn three and lost one. Another local rival, Wickwar are in contention, although a top two position guaranteed. This team will now step up into eleven a side football next season in the Stroud and District Youth League. The under 13's season has also been completed and have won more matches than last, an excellent achievement. While the under 14's, with three matches left are looking for a top half of the table finish. Considering this is their first season together, a pleasing performance. Finally, the under 15's lost their semi-final match to a very good team from Rodborough, but are still pushing for a top two finish. With 23four matches left and two of those against teams in the top four anything is still possible.

Next season the club will run any number of teams as long as managers are in position to take control of the boys. Up to the age of eleven years the boys play mini soccer in the Mid Glos. Mini League, and from twelve until sixteen in the Stroud and District Youth League. The club will supply all equipment/kit needed and matches will be played either in the village or at the Moreton Ground, Tortworth. For further details please call myself on 01454 26xxxx.

Finally, the recent fund raising 60's evening was a great success and the club would like to thank everybody who came along to support this event.

NB: Club AGM will be held in June, date to be confirmed.

Jeremy Lewis – Secretary.

Demand for the Club continues

We had a very busy half term holiday, full to capacity on many days during the Easter break and we even had to turn people away on the inset day in April. I almost didn't get a place for my children during half term. Early booking is recommended to ensure getting your children a place.

Summer Holiday Club

A lot of work has gone on already in preparation for the summer holiday club (previously referred to as the Summer Play scheme). We will be open to children from 21st July to 29th August from 7:30 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. Half day sessions, school day, working day and full day sessions will all be available starting from as little as £10.50. Places are open to all children from the ages of 4 to 12 year (inclusive). We are planning themed weeks packed full of activities. Keep your eyes open for more details. Booking forms will be available in June.

May Ball at Tortworth Court – 2nd May

The aim of this charity event is to raise money for continued improvements in the Foundation Room which is owned by Charfield National School Foundation.

Ball tickets have been selling like hot cakes, while tickets for the prize draw are working their way around the village, (and some further a field). The support for the event has been tremendous. Several local companies have generously sponsored the event. A lot of hard work has been going on by the organisers and I have no doubt it will be an enjoyable evening. Probably by the time some of you read this article the 2nd of May will be almost upon us.

Additional Staff

We are still looking for a relief worker to help cover sickness or holiday cover. We will also be recruiting students (male or female) as assistants for the Summer Holiday Club and for afternoon sessions from September. No qualification will be required. Candidates will be at least 17 year old and we are particularly interested in someone who is keen on outdoor games such as football. If you are interested in either of these jobs contact Pat for more details. Also see our advert on page 25.

Admin

The club opening times are: Breakfast club 7:30 to 8:40am, After school 3:10 to 6:00pm, School holidays and inset days 7:30am to 6:00pm. If you want to find out more details about the club contact the Club Manager, Pat Loveridge tel. 07816 23xxxx or 01454 26xxxx or call into the Club at the Foundation room during opening hours.

Janice Brett

24

As I am not standing as a candidate for the Charfield Ward at the local elections on the 1st May, a decision not easily taken after so many years as the Local Member, I should like to take this opportunity to bid a formal farewell to the residents of the parishes within the Ward – Charfield, Cromhall and Tortworth – and to thank them for the considerable support I have always received from them, thereby ensuring my success in the four elections I have contested over the last sixteen years.

Sixteen years is a considerable length of time in political terms and a lot has happened in that time. There has been a change of government at the top and also changes locally among the local authorities, with South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority, of which I had the honour to be elected its first Chairman, coming into being replacing Avon County and Northavon District Council and Kingswood Borough Council. Changes have also occurred at Ward level with parishes through reorganisation, being switched within Wards. Policies have also changed with the introduction of new Local Plans and planning concepts, especially towards the more rural communities. Large-scale development within local villages was a real threat in 1987 when I was first elected, with my own parish of Falfield threatened by a 1500 house development. There has been a change of attitude in this respect by central government since then, but whether this will continue, is anyone's guess.

Looking back over the years, I remember some very demanding occasions. I clearly remember, for example, the phone call I received only a couple of days after I had been first elected. A very anxious parent called to let me know that there had been an outbreak of meningitis at Charfield School, sadly with tragic results. There was to be a meeting at the school on the Monday and would I attend, and was there anything I could do? I did attend and I did what I could, but it really did introduce me to what representing a community was all about. Fortunately the outbreak, though very distressing, remained confined to two children, I believe, one of whom sadly died.

On another occasion, and on a very stormy night, I was phoned at 3 a.m. to be told there was severe flooding on the then very new Woodland estate. Would I come over and see? Because trees were being uprooted and branches broken off in the storm, my wife was very apprehensive about my turning out and travelling from Falfield to Charfield, but with my wellies in the car and a good waterproof on my back, I set out to be met in Charfield by the Chairman of the parish council, Jane Hall also in wellies and a Northavon District officer wading around in deep water in trainers because he had forgotten to bring his wellies! The fire brigade was in attendance, pumping furiously away, but not making much progress, until, fortunately, the rain eased and the water subsided. Flooding in parts of Charfield has been an issue over the years with severe flooding occurring near the industrial site in New Street and also in Little Bristol Close where Mrs Dorothy Fry had her home flooded on a number of occasions from the local stream. We were able to re-house her eventually, but not before she was caused much distress.

Planning issues have loomed large and controversially at times, with the proposed canopy at the garage a prime example, together with the question of slab levels and ridge heights of some houses on the Longs View development which caused a few problems requiring a tactful and sensitive approach. The construction of a pedestrian bridge alongside the railway bridge which formed part of the conditions imposed on Crest Homes, took an awful long time to resolve. And then there was the possible re-opening of the station itself, which still hasn't been resolved one way or the other. I could add more examples, but though there have some controversial issues requiring a solution, much of the 25time these have been resolved satisfactorily thanks to the Parish Council, the District Council and myself working in close collaboration.

This brings me to my penultimate point, which is to thank Charfield Parish Councillors and Cath Holmes their Clerk, for the very warm welcome I have always been shown over the years. I have tried to attend as many of their meetings as possible and this has kept me in touch with local events and issues. I have also been a firm believer in bringing together the councillors of the parishes within my Ward and these meetings have been to the benefit of all of us, I believe. I commend this procedure to my successor.

Lastly, I am grateful to Sandra who has agreed to stand as a local candidate and in doing so has allowed me the opportunity to step down and perhaps pursue a less active retirement, though I still will be kept busy in other ways. Whoever then is successful in the forthcoming election, I wish them well and entrust the responsibility of the Charfield Ward to them.

Cllr Eddie Gadsby

Minister – Rev. Philip Hopes Tel: 01453 84xxxx

Sunday School – 11 am
1st Sunday of each month Family Service – 11 am.
Afternoon Worship 3pm. 4th and 5th Sunday of each month – 6pm. Worship
Thursday 8:30pm. Prayer Meeting
Friday 2:30pm. Bible Study and Prayer
Please see Notice Board for change of Service times

Required by

CHARFIELD OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB

Relief Worker:
We are looking for a local person to help cover sickness or holiday cover. minimum qualifications are an NVQ2 or “Take 10 for Play”. Training might be available for the right person. Competitive rates of pay dependent upon experience and qualifications.

Students:
We are looking for students as assistants for the Summer Holiday Club and for afternoon sessions from September. No qualification will be required. Candidates will be at least 17 year old and we are particularly interested in someone who is keen on outdoor games such as football.

Charfield Out of School Club is located in The Foundation Room within the grounds of Charfield Primary School. It provides a safe and relaxing environment for children (4 to 12 years) before and after school and during school holidays.

For more details contact Pat Loveridge, Club Manager Tel. 07816 23xxxx or 01454 26xxxx

Or apply in writing to Matthew Fuller, Charfield out of School Club, Foundation Room, Charfield Primary School, Wotton Road, Charfield. GL12 8TG

26

To support
Charfield National School Foundation
(Registered charity No 311587)
At
Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel
On
Friday 2nd May 2003
7:30pm for 8:00pm til 12:30am

3 course dinner plus coffee
Dance featuring “Akoostic Rooster”
Hotel Rooms at reduced rate
Coach available from Charfield, £3 per person (return trip)
Dress Code: Smart

All for only £24 per ticket …

For more details or tickets contact:
Julie Macnamara Tel. 01453 52xxxx or Sandra Nute Tel. 01453 52xxxx

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: 2017-02-03.