CHADRA

Welcome to the first issue of the year and may we take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy 2004.

We would like to thank Stephen Drinkwater for volunteering to be Secretary for CHADRA and to take over from Caroline Davies and do the copy chasing for the newsletter. Having said that, our contributors out there did very well without telephone reminders this month. Those of you on our e-mail list will continue to get reminders by that means. Stephen will be calling the others that we have numbers for.

We welcome contributions to the newsletter from anyone in and around the village. Your article doesn't have to be for a village organisation. If you have something interesting to say and would like the village to hear it then let us have it and we will do the rest.

Hilary & Geoff

Next Copy Date – 12th April 2004

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The artwork for this issue comes to us from Derek Leahy. You may remember his artistic talent adorned the front cover of the July edition with his picture of St James's Church. This time Derek's picture is of the Pear Tree on Wotton Road and we are very grateful that he has taken the time to draw this for us. Thank you Derek, your prize will be with you soon.

Unfortunately the response to our requests for contributions for the front cover have been disappointing. But there is still time to change that. Next time the children tell you they are ‘bored’ get them to draw something for us! The requisites are, as always, black and white, 16cm (approx. 6″) square on the theme ‘me and my village’. In case we need to remind you there is a prize for every picture we publish. Drop it round to x Berkeley Close, along with your name, address, age and contact number and we'll do the rest.

As a result of a considerable amount of pressure being put on BT, a trigger level has been set to update the Falfield exchange to allow ADSL Internet broadband in Charfield. The trigger level has been set at 350.

What does this mean?

This means that if 350 people register with BT to indicate they want broadband Internet access then the exchange will be updated and broadband becomes available.

How do I register an interest?

Go to: www.btopenworld.com/votebroadband and enter your telephone number.

What is ADSL Broadband?

ADSL is a way of using your existing telephone line to have Internet access 10 to 12 times faster than a standard modem dialup, i.e. that file that took 2 hours to download on your old modem will be down loaded in 12 minutes with ADSL. Web pages appear instantly rather than waiting for them to load and the Internet access is ‘always on’ i.e. you are permanently connected.

Do I have to change my telephone number?

No, you keep your telephone number and can make and receive calls at the same time as using the internet, no more waiting for teenagers to finish their homework before you can make a call!

What does it cost?

Costs vary from provider to provider – the following are examples; BTOPENWORLD = £29.99 per month (free modem and installation), VIRGIN = £24.99 per month (free activation), TISCALI = £26.99 per month (free activation), AOL = £27.99 per month (free activation and modem)

If you need some more information then contact me at stuart @ connected-consultants.co.uk or 01454 26xxxx.

Stuart Pentland

Approximately 240 of the 760 members of Thornbury U3A attended the Annual General Meeting held last November in the Armstrong Hall, Thornbury. Following the meeting, members and prospective members had the opportunity to meet group leaders in order to discuss membership of existing and newly-formed groups.

4Below is a list of the various activities organised by the U3A Anyone interested in further information should contact the Membership Secretary on 01454 63xxxx or the Group Co-ordinator on 01454 61xxxx.

Archaeology
Astronomy
Art Appreciation
Bird Watching
Book Group
Bridge
Bridge for Beginners
Calligraphy
Church Visits
Cinema
Classical Studies
Computer Club
Cooking for Husbands
The Cotswolds
Cycling
Elementary French Conversation
French Conversation
First Wednesday Lunch Club
Garden Visits
German Conversation
History (2 Groups)
Introduction to Finance
Investment Club
Italian for Beginners
Jazz
Line Dancing
Mahjong
Music (2 Groups)
Painting
Patchwork
Play-reading
Poetry
Science and Technology Forum
Scrabble
Short Slow Rambles
Theatre Visits
Walking
Wine Tasting
World Religions

There is also a demand for a Spanish for Beginners Group but currently no-one is available to lead the group. Would anyone like to organise a small group of people who are keen to learn the language? Another group requiring a leader is a second Book Group or Reading Group. Again, if anyone would be willing to organise this it would be much appreciated. No special qualifications are needed and all groups meet in a very relaxed and friendly environment.

[Advert for Tree Top Carpets, Retiring]

200 Club results as follows:

5

Puzzle Page

6

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]

7[Advert for W.S. Franks Vehicle Repairs]

[Advert for Pat Jeanes Reflexology]

[Advert for Claire Saunders hairdressing]

[Advert for Surround Sounds]

[Advert for Skips]

[Advert for Littles Curtains]

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I've just got home from the first Pre School session after Christmas, we've had a lovely time, the sun has been out and all the children have enjoyed letting off some steam on the bikes in the garden.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas Float this year and a big thank you has to go to the committee who worked really hard both on the day and during the preparations.

We start this term with the majority of sessions full and another intake of new children. The children starting school in September are just about to start their Rising 5 sessions on a Tuesday afternoon. The main attraction seems to be having lunch with us at Pre-school, something I enjoy greatly as it is a really sociable event.

Sarah, our new deputy leader has settled in well and all the children enjoy her company. I know Lynda, Deborah and myself really appreciate her help, and it means the children are able to have a lot more individual attention.

This term looks as if it will be just as busy as the last, with lots of craft sessions planned, as we continue on our theme of Families.

We operate an ‘open house’ at Pre-school if your child is approaching 2 years and nine months please feel free to pop in and see us in all our glory!! We are open 9am–11.45am Monday–Friday and are found in the Foundation Room in the school grounds.

Sue Reynolds
Pre School Leader

Editors Note – unfortunately this article was submitted too late to be included in the last edition of the newsletter, but better late than never …

Thursday, 4th September will be indelibly inscribed in certain minds as the first official day of their children's school days. The term – for infants at least – was supposed to start two days earlier, but due to building work being incomplete, (thoughts of Bath Spa came to mind) we were notified during the holiday period that the date had changed; I thank the gallant soul who trudged round the Charfield area delivering all these missives to the complete infant classes. It would have been dreadful to arrive at the given time – together with the other half of her group that would attend mornings for the first week – and to be told to retrace our footsteps, and have a bewildered and upset daughter to deal with.

Actually, preparations had started for the children due to start school back in early summer when the tireless Mrs Peer, (their future teacher) visited the children in their Nurseries. Emily was delighted with meeting her. New parents were also invited to attend an evening at the school so that we had some idea of uniform, rules and other necessities of school life, followed by a drink and biscuits. (The melting moments were gorgeous!) The children were then invited to attend ‘story time’ for a short period in the afternoon, as well as also being asked to spend a longer period of time in the classroom on another date.

Our daughter Emily, therefore, was very well prepared for the start of her schooling. Having said that, I must mention the fantastic Farm Nursery (now Nibley Court Nursery) where she attended for two years previously, since that, I suppose, was the very start. 9Although might it have been us pointing out the red tomatoes in the supermarket, the leaves on the trees, the fact that Misty – dog says ‘woof’? The list is endless – quite when education starts could be discussed at length, and I want to get to the point of this article, so let's just say that she was prepared for the Official start of her schooling.

So, on this momentous day, off trots Emily, her face glowing with excitement and delight … and a smile that hasn't left her face since. The other children (arriving at intervals so that each would have time to settle) in her class were just as happy, even if a few of the Mothers did have tears in their eyes! Though obviously I cannot speak for the others outside her group, I haven't heard of any child not coping with it all, or, indeed, being unhappy about starting.

One sad thing about the fact that there were two separate groups, morning and afternoon, is that one misses seeing the other. At the beginning I was mystified as to how we would all fit onto the small space where we waited for our offspring, this problem has obviously been noted, and the collection area changed.

The only hiccup we had, if you can call it that, was concerned with Emily buying her ‘tooti-fruitys’, which, for those that don't know, are small amounts of fresh fruit in a cone that a child can purchase at break time for the princely sum of ten pence. She loved the idea of buying one for herself, so we gave her twenty pence on the Thursday, to enable her to purchase one for that day and have ten pence left over to purchase another for Friday. When I collected her on Thursday, she reported that yes, she'd bought her ‘tooti-fruity’ that morning and proceeded to tell me what it had contained. The following day however, she said that she hadn't been given one. Further questioning elicited the fact that she'd actually eaten two the previous morning since she'd handed over her money “to the big girl” and hadn't asked for change. We were relieved that she hadn't started on a Monday, and had been given fifty pence!

The point of this article is to thank Mr Frontczak, Mrs Peer and all the other staff involved for making Emily's school beginning so pleasant. Not only does she want to attend school but also enjoys what she does and has good feelings about going. The whole experience has been positive. She is eager, keen and enthusiastic about the whole pursuit, which is a testament to the efforts that the staff have taken and how carefully thought out the whole ‘starting school’ business has been. We can only hope that as much thought goes into her future schooling (and education) so that home and school can work together as a team with incomparable success.

Of course, Emily's enthusiasm may not last. There'll be days when I'll probably have to drag her up Charfield Hill, (!) but in the meantime we send heartfelt appreciation to all those who were involved in our child's new beginnings.

Veronica and Phil Norman

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

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 Pinmiil is home to companies like Burfield, Cabot Design and Worktwice Marketing Ltd. Of these the focus 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.

10Five facts about Worktwice Marketing Limited:

• Owned by a local Charfield couple
• For nearly 10 years has been an active player in the world of recycling
• Has raised nearly £250,000 for 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.

RABBITT
No I haven't spelt it wrongly.

RABBITT is an acronym for
Recycle
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 a even bigger disposal problem than currently and predictably increase in disposal costs unless they talk to Worktwice Marketing.

Worktwice have set up a tripartite agreement with two of the largest British recyclers of bulbs /fluorescent tubes and batteries to create a one stop collection scheme to economically and efficiently deal with this waste problem. In the first four weeks since the scheme was put together companies such as Chrysalis Records, Kingston Communications, BT and the Hilton Hotel Group (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 constantly liaising with the Chambers of Commerce and local councils, redefining their activities to meet identified customer needs and aiming for continuous improvements to the services they offer.

More information on this scheme is available by calling freefone number 0800 138 xxxx.

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
Commercial Director
Worktwice Marketing Limited

Since the last edition of CHADRA we have held some great fund-raising events.

Fantastic Fireworks!
We hosted a very successful firework evening in November. The combination 11of two fabulous firework displays and absolutely perfect weather conditions on the day resulted in record numbers of spectators.

People were queuing up for food even before the gates officially opened at 6pm. The steel band were fantastic and helped keep everyone entertained both before and during the two displays.

The lack of a bonfire, due to the temporary buildings on the school field, didn't deter the guy creators with eight entrants vying for a prize. The winners were the Williams' family, Rhiannon (8), Tyler (7) and Cameron (6) with their very devilish looking guy. Congratulations to everyone who entered.

The evening was certainly a success on the catering front; we sold out of the mulled wine, doughnuts, toffee apples and soft drinks, and the barbecue cooks (& servers) were in constant demand cooking-up hundreds of hot dogs and burgers.

Thank you to the whole of the P.T.A. who set-up, ran stalls and came back the following day to clean up, all the parent helpers who offered their support and assistance, the teachers who spent the whole evening serving the cooked food and to everyone who came along – making the event such a successful one, raising around £1,400.

Christmas Fair
Father Christmas put in an early appearance this year at our annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, 6th December. Not only did the children get to meet the man himself in his Grotto, there were lots of stalls for everyone to try their luck on, including the popular wine or water, lucky dip and tombola stalls.

Among the other attractions were face painting, cakes and refreshments, mulled wine and a raffle. The afternoon was a great success with a fantastic turn-out from the village enabling us to raise around £950 for the school.

Christmas Disco
A fun way to end the school year this event is always very popular – thank you to everyone who came along making this such a successful event.

English Country Pottery
Many thanks to all at the English Country Pottery in Wickwar who this year came up with a nice little fund-raising idea for us. Invitations were given to every child at the school inviting them along to one of the pottery's open days during December. The children could choose a pot, design and paint it and then have it fired and glazed ready for collection the following week. £1 from each pot sold came directly to the school funds – we don't yet know how much was raised from this, but it was a fun and easy way to help the school.

T-Towels & Nativity Videos
The Friends committee have been busy selling t-towels and nativity videos to boost school funds – many thanks to Sarah Edwards, Caroline Waiters and Liane Cope.

2004
We are still busy making plans for this year but we hope to hold a car-boot sale and are currently sorting out dates for a ‘band in the barn’, (possibly to be held on May 8th in Warners Court Barn with local band Kick The Cat).

Barbecue Evening at Cattle Country
Following its success last year it was an obvious choice to hold this event again.

The event is a ‘b-y-o’ evening, which means you bring your own food, drinks and barbecue, however there are a limited number of extra gas barbecues available if required.

12Entry costs last year were £5.00 per person (and I'm sure it will remain the same price this year), 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.

We already have a definite date booked – Saturday, 26th June 6pm–9pm. More details to follow in the next edition of CHADRA …

Promises Auction
This is due to be held on Saturday 20th March from 7. 30pm at the school. We didn't hold an auction last year, basically because we know other charities and schools in the area also hold them, and local businesses must get quite fed-up being contacted all the time for donations.

Our last auction in 2002 was a great fund-raiser so we're hoping this years will also have some fantastic promises on offer. For further details contact Mandy or Graham on 01453 52xxxx / 01454 26xxxx.

Amongst these and other events pencilled-in for 2004, our biggest will be the Village Fete on Saturday, 3rd July. Plans for this are still sketchy at this point, but as last year, the day will be one which we hope will be enjoyed by the whole village and which can benefit all the village clubs and organisations. There will also be a Horticultural Show on the morning of the Fete with all the usual categories, more details to follow in the next edition.

If you have any comments or would like further details of anything outlined here, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Happy New Year!

Jacqui Mitchell, Chairperson

Members enjoyed a very nice meal at The Buthay in October with a short coach drive afterwards. Rev. Hopes attended our harvest meeting. We sang a couple of harvest hymns and he gave a short talk after which the produce was auctioned. Mr Marchant came in November with a video and a talk about the Lifeboat Service. This was very interesting.

We have had our usual autumn bring and buy. Our December meeting consisted of carols and readings with Miss Cooksley, ending with the “Irish Blessing”. This was followed with christmas fayre which was much enjoyed by all.

Our next meeting will be on January 14th in the Sports Lounge, start 2:30 p.m. and every fortnight after.

M Ealey (sect)

At the end of 2002 Charfield WI was unable to form a committee and sadly had to close. This was regretted, particularly by long standing members, as 2003 would have been our 75th anniversary. However all was not lost!

Following discussions it was agreed to amalgamate with Cromhall and to be known as ‘Cromhall with Charfield’. Cromhall has warmly welcomed us and now, one year on, we look back on a successful year. Anyone interested in joining us on the first Wednesday of each month in Cromhall Village Hail at 7:30 p.m. can get further information by ringing the President, Ann Greenhalgh (01454 29xxxx), Secretary Ros Nieboer (01453 52xxxx) or committee member in Charfield Ruth Joint (01453 52xxxx).

Jean Acton, WI member.

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Advertising

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for Cotswold Edge Carpets]

[Advert for Barbara Daw]

[Advert for Safeclean]

14[Advert for Evergreen Computing]

[Advert for SM Consultancy]

[Advert for Laura Needham beauty]

[Advert for Massage Table Store]

15

Puzzle Page Answers

16

We're still recovering from the wonderfully hectic and chaotic run up to Christmas. The children had a great time getting ready for Christmas; making cards and decorations and they worked hard to learn a few songs for the Christmas party. Thanks to Sue, Sarah, Lynda, Deborah and Nicola for making the end of term so enjoyable for us all.

We also want to thank all of you who supported our stall at the school Christmas Fair and most especially our Santa float that was a great success again this year. It's a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Santa and his helpers were grateful for the mild weather. The monies raised (an impressive £527) will help us get much needed materials and toys to ensure the children enjoy a full and stimulating term. We should also like to give our thanks to the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales for their kind donation of £500.

Thank you too to Charfield Service Station and Cotswold Edge Carpets for their support.

This term we are starting our ‘rising fives’ group aimed at preparing the older children who are due to start school later this year and a lunch club session. Both of which look like being a real success.

Kate Scally
Chairperson

Since the last edition of CHADRA the Cubs and Scouts have attended a weekend full of activities at 3D Education and Adventure at Osmington Bay, Weymouth, activities included archery, rifle shooting, tunnelling, abseiling, climbing, quad biking and fencing – yes all in one weekend! We also invested two of our Assistant Scout Leaders and a Cub Helper.

On Remembrance Sunday the Group marched with the British Legion and the Brownies from the Charfield Memorial Hall to St John's Church. We had a really good turn out to this parade and we were all proud to see the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts marching through the village. Let's hope we can do the same for the St George's Day Parade on Sunday 25th April at Thornbury.

Our carol service was also well attended by the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and the District Explorers. The evening started with Rod Bell, the District Commissioner, presenting two of the Scout Leaders with their warrants and three of our Scouts with their Chief Scout Gold Awards. This award is the highest badge they can achieve as Scouts and has entailed a lot of hard work, they now move on to the Explorer Unit where they will be working on the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, the Chief Scout Platinum Award. Good luck to the three of you. The service continued with hymns and songs or plays led by each section, ending with mulled wine and mince pies.

A warning – over the next three months the Cub Pack are working on their Global Challenge Badge. The Cubs will be exploring conservation, recycling and the effects of pollution on their neighbourhood. They WILL be inspecting Charfield village for litter, occasions of “doggy doos” as we call them, vandalism, unsafe areas etc so watch this space – they WILL be reporting their findings in the next issue of CHADRA.

Yours in Scouting

Sandra Carnegie
Group Scout Leader

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Do you have Green Fingers??
Can you help us to grow our ‘stock’?

The Plant Sale at St John's Church is locally renowned for it's good value unusual plants and many people also rely on us for their bedding plants too!!

We would be delighted to hear from anyone who is willing to help by ‘growing on’ some plants or plugs in their greenhouse (or on a sunny windowsill!). The plants are usually delivered in February/March, we provide the trays, pots and compost etc – all we need from you is your time to tend the plants and we will collect them prior to the sale.

This year the Plant Sale is on Saturday 15th May 2004 at 10am

Please contact 01454 26xxxx if you can help or want to know more details.

Thank you!

The level of crime in Charfield during the preceding three months has been exceptionally low, which is particularly good news in that the Christmas and New Year period usually sees and increase in crime.

Not only have there been few burglaries and thefts but the amount of mindless damage in the vicinity of the Memorial Hall has dropped dramatically.

Nevertheless there have been crimes, the most serious being at the start of November when an elderly lady's bungalow was burgled whilst she was apparently inside watching television. Entry was gained via an insecure fanlight window.

The only other thefts which appear to have been reported in the village were the theft of a registration plate from a car parked in Station Road and theft from a car parked in Thames Close. These occurred in October and November respectively, so December appears to have been a crime free month – unless anyone knows better.

Earlier in the year, during May and June, an attempt burglary and a burglary occurred at The Plough public house. Since then somebody arrested in connection with other offences has admitted to the offences at The Plough and now has been dealt with accordingly.

Over the past six months there have been a number of incidents of violence and criminal damage in the village arising from drunkenness. As a result of this the Pubwatch Scheme, which has been running in Thornbury for some time, has been extended to cover Charfield.

The scheme allows, under certain circumstances, a person to be banned from all the pubs in the village should he be banned from one for misbehaving either inside or in the immediate vicinity.

Since the introduction of this scheme one local person has already fallen foul of it and has been banned from all three pubs in the village.

At the recent Parish Council meeting a substantial number of village residents showed an interest In starting a Community Speedwatch in order to combat excessive speeds through the village, especially in the vicinity of the School.

Seventeen volunteers have now been trained to use a speed gun and might be seen on the Wotton Road monitoring traffic speeds.

18The drivers of offending vehicles will be sent warning letters and should someone come to notice for repeat offending there is likely to be Police involvement in order to secure a prosecution.

Since the last edition of CHADRA appeared the skate park has been completed and appears to have been a great success. Even on dark and cold winter evenings I've noticed it being used regularly. Hopefully this is a better and more enjoyable venue for the local youngsters to hang out than the back of the Memorial Hall.

PC3799 Jones
Thornbury Police Station

Happy New Year to everyone from the Rainbows.

Last term we did lots of wonderful Christmas crafts and had an end of term party. This term we are working towards a new badge which explores different activities in the house. This sounds good fun and something completely new.

We have a very successful unit plus a good waiting list so it would be a terrible shame if it has to close down in July. Hopefully there is someone in the village who would like a very worthwhile challenge or perhaps someone who has had previous experience in guiding who would like to run the unit. We are very willing to give lots of advice.

In February there is a District Thinking event in Kingswood and in May we are entertaining all the Rainbows in the area for a fun afternoon.

Hope everyone has a good year.

Judith Wenman (01454 26xxxx)

Once again my thanks to all who helped with this years house to house collection. As usual the weather wasn't too bad although week two was worse than week one.

Unfortunately, we have to juggle our collection times with Halloween in the first week and Bonfire Nights in the second week.

In spite of all this we did manage to collect £1,326.41 on the house to house. Added to this amount we get the Church collections and the money for the wreaths, so all together we payed in £1,847.47. A very substantial amount I am sure you will agree.

We were also very honoured to have Mr Tim Merrit with us to help count this year. Tim was a great help and he is the County Field Officer.

Once again, many thanks to all my collectors, and also to you the householders, without you responding when the collector knocks on the door we wouldn't have collected nearly so much.

Happy New Year to you all

Marion Smith
Honorary Poppy Organiser

Wotton Under Edge & District, Handicraft Group invite you to join us at our weekly classes.

Held at Wotton Under Edge Civic Centre every Tuesday 9:30 a.m.–12 noon varied programme.

All abilities welcome. For further details please ring 01454 26xxxx.

19

The Charfield Tae Kwon Do club is still going strong, and we currently have around 65 students across the three classes, which run twice a week. It's been a busy few months, which is my excuse to missing October's edition of CHADRA!

The biggest of the news we have to report on is Nick Smith flying through his black-belt grading in October. Nick originally started Tae Kwon Do at a different club about 6 years ago, and after a short breakaway from it, he joined us at the opening of the Charfield club in November 2000. Three and a half years of hard work later, he stood in front of the 5 national grading examiners, all of who are 7th Dan Black-belts, and successfully completed his grading. Well done to Nick – black definitely suits him!

The end of each year brings the ‘student of the year’ awards. Just one person from each class receives this award, and who it is given to, is decided by a number of different reasons, such as attitude, performance, determination, dedication etc. This year, in the children's class, we whittled it down to two children who equally deserved the award, but for different reasons. For the first time ever, 2 awards were given. Jeri Holden received it mainly for her effort and technique throughout the year, and Elise Clements received it for pure determination and never giving up. The middle class saw Vicky West receive the award for effort in the classes and at gradings, and Kayleigh Parker received the award for the adults. It was given to Kayleigh for all of her hard work helping teach in the other classes, her attendance and trophy record at numerous tournaments over the past 3 years, her effort in classes and superb grading record. Kayleigh has a 100% A-pass grading record and was also awarded the ‘grading award’ at the October colour-belt grading. Kayleigh is now training hard for her black-belt grading which will be next October, along with Colin Wise, Lisa Parker and a few others if the hard work is put in.

The tournament scene has been quiet for the past few months, with just the British Championships being held in November. Colin Wise, Kayleigh Parker and Pete Reynolds all came home with well-earned trophies, and Nick missed out by a margin in the quarter-finals. The next tournament is the English Championships, and will be held on March 13th. Everyone is working hard at the moment for the next colour-belt grading, which is due to be held at the Tae Kwon Do Academy in Bristol, on January 22. There are five students who will be taking part in their first ever grading, so good luck to them. They will all be going for their ‘yellow-stripe’.

Most of you will have seen the leaflet through your door, advertising for new beginners, so please come along if you fancy giving it a go. January is the time for new-starts, resolutions and for fighting the Christmas flab!! What better place to do all of this, than in your own village – therefore, no excuses for having to travel too far!! As always, either just turn up, or give Andy a call on the number listed near the back of CHADRA.

Happy New Year to you all!!!
Rebecca Pring

Once again we have had a very successful year making 169 journeys in all to Wotton, Frenchay, Southmead, Bristol, Gloucester Cheltenham, Cossham and Yate.

20As you can see we run a very diverse scheme, trying to accommodate all requests as and when they come in.

We are always very pleased to hear from anyone out there who finds that they have a few spare hours and who would like to join the scheme as voluntary drivers. My aim is to use my drivers no more than once a month, but as you know best laid plans etc. When we have holidays or illness this does not always work.

If you do feel you can respond to the above request please don't hesitate to call me on 01454 26xxxx.

In anticipation

Marion Smith
Hospital transport Organiser

In November I went to the Stroud Conservatives' Environment Conference. On the way in I was given a copy of the following letter that I thought you might enjoy. Go Os …

Letter to the Editor – Stroud News and Journal

Seldom does a week go by without several invitations to attend a conference on Sustainable and Renewable Energy and the Environment.

The most recent are: Energy and the Environment, Olympia Oct 2003, Stroud Conservative Association, 4 Nov 2003

For me, there may be two reasons to attend: What can I learn? What can I contribute for the benefit of others and the planet?

Most conferences follow similar formats; well known public figures presenting information that has been prepared for them by speechwriters, followed by 10 minutes questions and answers.

Perhaps 100–1500 delegates attend these conferences and the opportunity to ask questions and debate issues is very limited. Less than 5% of delegates ever get an opportunity.

Typically the public figures may be Baroness Young and Sir John Harman, both of the Environment Agency, Lord Whitty, Michael Meacher, John Gummer, someone from Friends of the Earth and the Green Party or CPRE, English Nature etc. They are nearly always white-collar people with little or no hands-on experience. They witter on in reply to questions.

In my opinion it is these high profile public figures that should be made to pay and listen to well-informed practitioners as to the whys and wherefores of a sustainable and renewable lifestyle. The whole subject of Government bureaucracy and regulation needs standing on its head and reforming. Needless to say I rarely attend conferences.

I have lived with my wife and family at Coaley Mill since 1962. We generate our own three phase 415/250 volt electricity, grow some of our own produce, practice energy efficiency, ride a bicycle more often than using a car, encourage wildlife and try to promote looking after the planet but for 40 years few have been willing to listen – especially central and local Government.

There are 20,000 weirs and watermill sites in the British Isles that used to power our industry and could collectively be producing the output of a nuclear power station. In Gloucestershire we have more than 500 such sites plus the opportunity to develop the Severn barrage.

21I have no political axe to grind, all parties are the same all talk and no do. Our so-called regulators are perhaps the largest hurdle along with DEFRA and the DTI. In the final analysis we are all to blame for not holding central and local Government to account. They should encourage private investment, there is no such thing as Government money – it is taxpayers' money.

When last in office, all the Conservatives could dream up was the Millennium Dome, final cost unknown but probably in excess of £1 billion. The present labour administration is making a meal of things and achieving very little with over regulation and interference.

May I plead for a different format at conferences, less time spent listening to presentations, more time spent debating the issues.

I am assured that with their mini-conference on 4 November, the local Tories will be listening as well as talking. I remain to be convinced.

Osman Goring

Skate Project

At last we have a skate facility on the playing field. Thanks to the Memorial Hall Committee for letting us put it there, and to the many people who have helped the project forward over the years. A board will be erected on the site to acknowledge the various grants that have made it possible. I know the users appreciate it, and let's hope they deter others from damaging it.

Multi-Play Equipment

We have decided that the multi-play equipment (ramp, net, bridge, fireman's pole, etc) should be the priority for replacement. Although we haven't got any estimates yet, we are thinking in terms of about £30,000 and will have to seek some grants and donations. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Vandalism Continues

If it makes you tired to read about vandalism, think what it does to the Parish Council and the Memorial Hall Committee. Why did some people pull pieces out of a fence and use them to smash the Memorial Hall windows? Why did people break up two seats on the playing field and the one at the bus stop opposite the Railway Tavern? Might any member of your family be involved? Do you know or care? Information to PC Roger Jones please.

Council Tax

The Council Tax includes the requirements of South Gloucestershire Council, Avon and Somerset Police Authority and the Parish Council. The Parish Council has decided to keep its precept the same as last year. We are budgeting for a deficit again, nevertheless aiming for an adequate balance at the end of March 2005. Of course our proportion of the Council Tax is trivial compared with the demands of South Gloucestershire and the Police, so it is quite likely that the total will go up by around 6.8% in line with South Gloucestershire's proposals.

100+ houses for Charfield?

Yes, I've kept the big news until last. Redrow Homes and others are proposing development on land off Wotton Road. It would be on the site that used to be Newton Oils and the field behind. So it would be at the back of houses in Horsford Road, Elbury View and Wotton Road. They suggest some 100 houses and also commercial/industrial development. They have an idea that Fews might relocate to the site, although the area of 22land identified for commerce is tiny in comparison with Fews' existing land. Redrow would then like to build high-density housing on Fews' present site.

Redrow want to get the land allocated for development in the South Gloucestershire Local Plan that is going through its public local inquiry. They will be represented by a Barrister and 3 professional witnesses on 10 and 11 February. At the time of writing (11 January) I have just seen the proofs of evidence and written some corrections, clarifications and comments for the Parish Council to consider. I would like the Council to finalise and submit them to the inquiry as written evidence. We are not allowed to argue a case against the developers at the inquiry, because that is the job of South Gloucestershire Council. Let's hope they do it well!

John Acton
Chairman, Charfield Parish Council

At the half way stage of another season, this is an update on how the clubs three teams have been performing, along with off field activities.

The under 11's are having an excellent season to date, despite a slow start when league matches were not allowed to be played in September. They have played eight games, won seven, only lost one and have scored an impressive thirty-three goals and conceded only eight. The club expects this team to push on and finish in the top two. Next season this team will move into eleven a side football.

The next age group is the under 12's, and this team are aiming to win honours in both the League and League Cup. In the league it is a case of played six, won four, drawn one and lost only one, whilst in the cup they are looking forward to a semi-final at home (Moreton Ground – k.o. 2pm) on 18th January. Considering this is their first season playing eleven a side football they have acquitted themselves very well.

Last but not least the under 14's, who's aim is to win more matches than they did last season. The target is seven and so far they have two with twelve matches left – a real possibility …

Off the field an excellent Christmas Disco was held at the Memorial Hall to raise club funds, a Jumble Sale (January 24th) and 60's Night at Leyhill Club (March 20th) are also planned. The club would like to thank everybody who supported Christmas event, and welcome everybody to these future events.

Finally, anybody who is interested in getting involved with Junior football, maybe running a team next season, please get in touch with me on 01454 26xxxx.

Jeremy Lewis – Secretary.

The autumn term of 2003 was packed with activities. The children enjoyed making the bonfire night crafts, doing hand-prints for the ‘monster-mats], making christmas cards and having their photograph taken by photographer David Elam. Mums enjoyed their christmas meal at the Railway Tavern. The christmas party was a lot of fun, with lots of yummy food, singing time and Father Christmas giving out presents to all the children.

We have a lot to look forward to this term. On 18 March we will be making Mother's Day cards, and serving cakes as a treat for mums. We will also be doing Easter crafts on 1 April. A social evening for mums/carers is also being planned, date and time to be arranged.

23On the evening of 18 March, we will be holding our Annual General Meeting, at the Sportsman's Lounge. This is when the current Committee Members will be leaving their posts. We are urgently looking for volunteers to be on the new Committee, to keep Charfield Baby & Toddler Group going through to 2005.

We meet at the Memorial Hall on Thursday mornings, during term time only, between 10am and 11.30am. We cater for children aged 0 to 3 years with their parents/carers. Each session costs £1.10 per adult and 30p per child, your first visit is free. Tea/coffee/squash and biscuits are provided for adults and children. Our session ends with an enjoyable time of singing with the children.

Liza Bullock (secretary)

Success, success, success … The Club's popularity continues to increase with several afternoon sessions now fully booked. Holiday sessions are also in demand and prompt completion of holiday booking forms is essential to ensure your place. None of this success could have been achieved without the dedication and amazing enthusiasm of our staff; Pat, Georgina, Jennie, Jo, Hannah and Nicola. Brilliant work!

Relief Playleader – We are often on the look out for local people who could occasionally help cover sickness and/or provide holiday cover. Minimum qualifications are an NVQ3 or Equivalent. Training might be available for the right person. Interested? For more details contact Pat our Club Manager (see below) or apply in writing to Matthew Fuller, Charfield Out of School Club, Foundation Room, Charfield Primary School, Wotton Road, Charfield, GL12 8TG.

Are you 17 and would like to work with children after school and during the holidays? Well … crazy as it may sound the summer holidays are not too far away. It is generally a time when we recruit students to work as play assistants. The children particularly enjoy outside activities during the holidays. No qualifications are required. For more details contact Pat.

Finally … Many of you will remember the incredible success of last year's May Ball held at Tortworth Court. We hope to run a similar event (or perhaps something totally different!) some time in the future to raise money for the continued refurbishment of the Foundation room. Keep your eyes open for more details

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

It is a great joy and privilege for me to serve you as your parish priest. During February I celebrate my 50th Birthday (gulp!) and also the 7th anniversary of my licensing as priest-in-charge of St. John's. The years seem to have passed by very quickly but during this time I have come to know many people through all sorts of contacts and Sue, the boys and I have come to recognise many of you as friends.

One of the regular phrases that I hear as I meet people is the one that goes, 24‘You don't have to go to church to be a Christian!’

Now, whilst it is perfectly true that it is possible to behave and live out your life in a Christian way without ever setting your foot inside a church building it is equally true that you cannot be a true Christian unless you are a member of the church.

To be a Christian means being a follower of Christ and this is most clearly expressed in the sharing of corporate worship. Church buildings, beautiful as some of them may be, are secondary to the purpose for which they are used – that of God's people gathering together in prayer and worship. The true church is the people, not the building, and the church is the poorer, and they themselves, when people feel that they do not need to or cannot come to share together in worship. A Christian's true expression of their faith must include sharing in a corporate act of worship unless ill health or disability prevents this.

In our present day society there are so many conflicting interests and spending time with God and other Christians is so easily squeezed out by other things that seem more attractive and interesting. If something really matters, however, it is worth investing time and energy in it and certainly the time given and spent with God has its reward.

If you are one of those people who have allowed your ‘church going’ to slip then maybe 2004 is the time for you to renew your commitment to God and to be part of Christ's body on earth. You are warmly invited to any of our services and events, we shall be pleased to see you. A special invitation is given to come along on the 29th February when our United Service will be entitled, ‘A Leap of Faith’.

My best wishes to you all for a happy and blessed 2004.

Robert.

Revd. Robert Pestell
Rector of Charfield and Kingswood.

Forthcoming Services

Ash Wednesday 25th February
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion – start of Lent, also
7.30 p.m. Holy Communion at St. Mary's, Kingswood
Sunday 29th February 10.30 a.m.
United Service with Holy Communion ‘A Leap of Faith’
Sunday 21st March
9.30 a.m. Family Service for Mothering Sunday

Regular Services:
Sundays at 9.30 a.m.
Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m.
Mini Praise on the
2nd Tuesday of month at 9.45 a.m. and
4th Thursday at 2 p.m.

From the Registers
October – December 2003

Baptisms
21st December Chloe Howell Flynn of Woodlands Road

Weddings
6th December Huw Leyshon and Tamsin Hills of Willow Close

Funerals 24th October Kathleen Nash of Beaufort House, Hawkesbury
9th December Natalie Dibden (16) of Orchard Close

Confirmations
by the Bishop of Tewkesbury at St. Mary's, Kingswood
29th November, Sue Thorn, Lizzie Francksen, Fotoula Hilton.

25Can you help?

The Singing Group at St. John's Church is in need of someone to lead and train the group in preparation for singing at special services. If you have some musical ability and think that you could help either on a regular or occasional basis then the small but enthusiastic group would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact Robert Pestell (01454 26xxxx) or Kate Ramsay (01454 26xxxx).

Thank you, Robert.

Thursday 26th February 2004:

Ladies Pampering Evening. A chance to spoil yourself and try some treatments. Over 10 treatment types available: Indian Head Massage, Manicures, Reflexology, Style consultations, Facials … and many more!

Stalls selling clothes, jewellery, make-up, chocolates … and more!
Fitness class + evening 5.00 pm onwards £4.50 (includes drink)
Evening only 6.00 pm £3 (includes drink)
Treatments only £5 each!

For tickets and to pre-book treatments contact Carole Topping 01453 84xxxx or Suzanne Flye 01454 31xxxx, (KLB PTA)

Saturday 6th March

KLB School Quiz Night. £10 per team of 4. Bar opens at 7.30pm – quiz starts soon after!!

For tickets and details contact Martin Coleman 01453 520242 or Steve Watt-Boyd 01453 21xxxx. (KLB PTA)

I was invited to a very special party in October, to celebrate Muriel Smith's 85th birthday. Muriel lives in Wotton Road. Our friendship has developed since Sophie and Lawrence were at Charfield Primary School. We started waving as we walked past everyday and, as I still go to school, I'm still waving.

Martin and Shirley, in the Tavern, put on a wonderful buffet and we spent a fantastic evening celebrating with this lovely lady and her son, Rawdon. And, no, I was not wearing my designer slippers.

Trying to keep all the family happy, from different generations, and to get everything running smoothly over the Festive Season can be tricky. I did give a thought to the Queen on Christmas day, going to church with her daughter, and wondered about the atmosphere, “over the dog incident”.

I've discovered frozen roast potatoes. All these years I've been conditioned that it is acceptable to buy frozen peas but it's a true sign of domestic dedication to peel, par boil, test just right then drain. Never again!

It's official – Radio 4 news has just announced that it is good to gossip – Yippee!

Don't you feel daft when saying a word or words thinking they mean one thing when, in fact they mean the opposite and then learning your mistake. Spending a lovely evening at Anne's place, on New Years Eve and chatting to Heather, Dave and Ken, we were discussing mixing with “the Hoi Polloi”. This is the name of the restaurant in Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole's Cappuccino Years. I'd taken it to mean “up with the posh folk”. Well, in fact, as Ken had pointed out it's from the Greek meaning 26“the common people”. What phrase can I use now?

I've got an addiction. We had a lovely supply of scrumptious things. Two days after New Year, I could be found running around the house saying, “Hasn't anyone got just one After Eight Mint left?” I knew I should have taken longer over that Chocolate Orange.

On my last trip to London, to visit Mum and Dad, I wanted to play tourists. We hopped on the tube, went to Trafalgar Square, “did” the National and Portrait Galleries and travelled home on a good old London bus. We were discussing all the sights when Mum said, “that's the new MFI building and someone took a shot at it”. I had visions of a rogue designer not liking their kitchens. Dad leant forward and said “MI6 are in there and someone fired at them from over the river”. Well you can imagine my shrieks can't you? Mum said “if you write about this in that newsletter, I shall never speak to you again”. Well Mum, as making people laugh is the greatest gift, I shall take that chance!

Wishing you a Happy New Year
Best Wishes from Maz

Local Charity Benefits
From Court Players
Carol Singing

Although Friday 12th December was a very wet and windy evening it did not dampen the spirit or enthusiasm of members of The Court Players as they went carol singing around the streets of Wickwar. It was especially worthwhile as the Paediatric Neurosurgery Research Fund Charity benefited to the tune of £141.33.

Richard Lewis, secretary of The Court Players, who was issued the collection permit by South Gloucestershire Council, said “The Players regularly help local charities and this year we felt that, as one of our members grandchildren had undergone treatment by Mr Ian Pople at Frenchay Hospital, they should be the beneficiary. Everyone gave of their time and we are pleased to say that no expenses were incurred. The Fund is a Charity Fund set up to facilitate education and research into serious brain conditions affecting children. These include Hydrocephalus, brain tumours, strokes, head injury and congenital disorders.”

Minister – Rev. Philip Hopes Tel: 01453 84xxxx

Sunday School – 11 am
1st Sunday of each month Family Worship – 11 am.
Following Sunday's Worship – 3pm.

Edition 14 of the Newsletter was published in January 1979. It cost 7p for 16 pages, and had a print run of 450. The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal that year raised £98.53.

25 years later, the Newsletter costs 25p for 28 pages and a print run of about 900. As reported on page 18, the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal raised £1847.47.

Back to edition 14, and the big debate was about the name of the residents association. Should it be called CHADRA, or should the full name be used (Charfield and District Residents Association). I guess they decided to go with CHADRA!

Wishing you every happiness in 2004.

Geoff Wignall

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: 2017-02-04.