CHADRA

Unfortunately the timing of the Village Spring Clean, on the weekend of 23rd / 24th April, has not allowed us to help the Parish Council publicise it. By the time you read this it is very likely that the date will have passed. We have tried to get this issue together as quickly as possible so if you do read this in time, please come along and help (full details are in the Parish Council article).

The collation of this issue promises to be a little less organised than usual. With a house full of boxes, waiting for Angela's moving day, Marion and Angela do not have the space to carry out the job they do so well. Thanks to Joan we have a venue and the whole committee will be there to help. So, if you find pages upside down and staples not quite in the right place we apologise. Normal service will be resumed for the July issue! Angela, we wish you all the very best in your new home.

The time for my first evening at my plastering course is fast approaching. Having recently had a birthday I am now the proud owner of a float, a trowel, a hawk, a hammer, a brush, a bucket, a sponge and a bricklayer's bolster. A very kind friend has promised to lend me some safety boots (thanks Debs) so I am all tooled up. All I need now is someone to show me how to use it all!

I just hope my plastering ability proves to be better than my ability to ride my four year old's scooter – perhaps I should get some safety equipment for that too!

Regards, Hilary

Next Copy Date – 12th July 2005

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For this issue Joseph Hawkins, age ten, has drawn us “My School” and what a good job he has made of it – thank you very much Joseph, your prize will be with you soon.

Elsewhere within this issue is a picture from Grace Hannah Phipps, age six, all about the activities she gets up to at Rainbows. Thank you for another excellent contribution and you too will soon receive a prize.

If you're thinking “I could do that” why don't you. To remind you, as always, the subject is “Me and My Village” – drawings should be in black and white and no bigger than 16cm square.

Village Spring Clean
The village spring clean will be or was (depending on when you are reading this) on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April, 10am–12 noon and 2pm–4pm. Arrangements as usual: meet at the Memorial Hall car park to get your gloves and sack. Even if you could only spare an hour, it would be worthwhile. Anyone who walks around the village will have seen the disgraceful state of the verges recently, strewn with paper, bottles and cans.

Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th April in the Sportsman's Lounge at the Memorial Hall. Everyone is welcome. Electors in the Parish can raise any matter for discussion.

A Walk on the Depressing Side
Ten minutes' walk on a Monday morning in March left me depressed. Crossing Wotton Road I had to hurry because the approaching car was coming much faster than I realised, probably about 50mph. Without the necessary planning permission, someone was erecting a high fence adjacent to the highway (it now impinges on the visibility from an adjacent business access). A few yards further on two men without safety helmets were demolishing a building on a site surrounded by fencing that bore the legend “This is a hard hat area”. Passing the skate project I saw that the safety sign had been detached from its posts, defaced, and bent. The new steel seat facing the tennis court had disappeared (I knew someone had previously unbolted it, and we were in the process of getting it re-fixed). Part of the fencing around the toddlers' play area had been pushed over. Fortunately a man was nailing it back again. Because he had to spend time on that job, he hadn't been able to pick up the litter thrown around the rest of the play area during the weekend.

I noted all this on one morning. Many other acts of vandalism have occurred in recent months. Why has society become so lawless? Why do people unnecessarily risk the safety of themselves and others? Who do they think pays for repairs and medical treatment? Never mind the money, what about the suffering? What are we going to do about all this antisocial behaviour?

Allotments
Because I am personally looking for somewhere to grow vegetables, a local resident rang me to enquire about the possibility of allotments in Charfield. As I might have a conflict of interest, I would not take any part in decisions that the Parish Council might make on whether or not to try and provide allotments. However, I'm sure that the Council would not go ahead unless there was a strong demand from residents. So, if you want an allotment, please let the Clerk know now. She could then report to our June meeting.

John Acton, Chairman

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[Graphic: Charfield Rainbows, by Grace Hannah Phipps, age 6.]

We are exhausted!! We have been all around the world finding out about different Rainbows, what they do and what games they enjoy. This term we are staying at home and enjoying thinking about ourselves and the countryside around us.

We meet on Mondays during term time at the Memorial Hall from 4–5 pm. We have places available now so if your daughter would like to become a Rainbow please call.

Kathryn Schofield (01453 52xxxx)

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The Memorial Hall Committee is looking for a Secretary to take the Minutes at the Meetings and some minor administration in between. There is an Honorarium of £240.00 per annum for this role, plus expenses. If you are interested, please contact Patricia Brice on 01454 26xxxx.

October Draw
£25 179 Mrs P White
£10 139 Mrs M Taylor
£10 222 Mr Parfitt

June Re Draw
£10 181 Mrs Mealey

November
£25 215 Miss Farthing
£10 170 Mrs P Davies
£10 169 Mrs K Isaacs
£10 120 Mrs V Bateman

December
£100 209 Mrs G Bateman
£25 198 Mrs S Edwards
£10 175 Ms C Moneta
£10 227 Mrs P Beresford
£10 122 Mrs V Bateman

October Re Draw
172 Mr A Thomas

January
£25.00 144 Mrs V Wyer
£10.00 161 Mrs Poskett
£10.00 294 Mr J Russell
£10.00 162 Mrs P Snowden

February
£25.00 261 Mrs L Salter
£10.00 189 Mrs W Taylor
£10.00 168 Mr R Radford
£10.00 150 Mrs H Griffith

March Draw
129 Mr J O'Neill £25.00
198 Mrs S Edwards £10.00
145 Mrs C Smith £10.00
250 Mr J Poskett £10.00

Year End Draw
106 Mr A Hughes £100.00

April Draw
269 Mr J Poskett £25.00
201 Mr K Bourne £10.00
260 Mrs I Nicks £10.00
153 Mrs V Vlietstra £10.00

Charfield Baby and Toddler Group meet in the Memorial Hall every Thursday morning during term time from 9.45am until 11.15 am. We are open to children up to 3 years old with their parents or carers.

The children enjoy a variety of activities, including bikes, jigsaws and books. We also do crafts most weeks, including painting, glueing and generally getting in a mess! Coming up soon we are making finger puppets and having ‘peg fun’.

We have a special baby area with baby toys. The children enjoy playing with other children, and the adults enjoy chatting to other adults.

The new committee consists of Debbie Williams as Chair, Colette Walker as Vice-Chair, Jennie Burner as Secretary and myself as Treasurer, with eight general members.

Your first session is free and then it is £1.10 per adult and 30p per child. We love to see new faces so come and join us.

Yvonne Kershaw
Treasurer

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In the last issue of CHADRA I explained that I am putting together a case for the installation of two Pelican Crossings on Wotton Road in association with the Primary School's WALK team.

The artists' impressions, on this and the facing page, show how these crossings would look.

If you would like to know how we are progressing or think you would be able to help in any way, perhaps with our petition, please give me a call.

Debbie Riddle
01454 26xxxx

[Graphic: Pelican Crossing on Wotton Road at Charfield Primary School]

9[Graphic: Pelican Crossing on Wotton Road near the Railway Tavern]

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Much of my time during the past three months has been spent dealing with recurring problems on the Castle School bus to Charfield, which probably explains to some of you my regular presence at the school bus stop on Wotton Road.

As a result of these problems, mainly minor assaults, one local boy has been excluded from Castle School and I and my colleagues have made no fewer than seven arrests of people involved either directly or indirectly.

The village has also suffered a spate of criminal damage to motor cars, especially in the vicinity of Farm Lees, where several tyres have been punctured. Any information as to the culprits would be welcome.

Back in February we had a burglary in the village whereby somebody gained entry to a house using keys concealed under a brick. Fortunately nothing was stolen but it's not always as safe as you might think to conceal house keys around your premises.

There was also an attempted burglary at Tafarn Bach (top of Charfield Hill), where an offender was arrested at the scene and charged.

A number of local youths have recently acquired motor cycles and I have received numerous complaints regarding the behaviour of some of them including their carrying pillion passengers, riding on footpaths and riding on the Memorial Hall playing fields. In respect of this I have already visited several youths and their parents and given appropriate advice. However, should these problems continue, I will take appropriate action against any offenders whose registration numbers are noted and passed on to me.

PC3799 Jones (08 April 05)

Thank you once again for the wonderful response to the appeal for Jumble from the homes of the village and to all those who came along and bought items on the day. March 5th turned out to be a bitterly cold day and there was also the odd shower or two but many people came and made it another successful event. Over £400 was raised to help pay for new flooring in the vestry and organ chamber at St. John's.

Our grateful thanks for all those who helped and especially, Alison and Chris Truman and Russell, Ben and Charles.

Revd. Robert Pestell

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We've received some sad news in the Group. Elaine Popham, our Beaver Leader of nearly ten years, will be hanging up her kneckie at the end of July this year. She will be missed by all; however, she has offered to be part of the Executive Committee so we haven't lost her completely. This gives us a bit of a dilemma, we have one Assistant Leader currently going through her training but ideally we will need at least another two adults to keep the Colony strong. One of our Cub/Scout Leaders gave us a contact who is keen to join the Group so I will cross all fingers etc that he will enjoy the meetings enough to stay. Watch this space …

As a Group we held two good fundraisers over the past term. A bag pack at Morrisons raised £566 and the Wotton Charities Fair where we ran tombola and provided the catering raised £400. As the District was running an Adult Recruitment Campaign we put posters and leaflets up at both events to hopefully persuade people to join us, we were successful. At Morrisons, an ex-Beaver Leader who moved to Farm Lees several years ago said she might be interested in joining again, if you are that lady we would love to hear from you! At the Charities Fair we enlisted a grown-up Falfield Scout who now lives in Charfield, he's already attended his first Scout meeting.

On to the Sections, the lovely Beavers are off to Longleat for their summer treat, probably to scare the lions. The Cubs are working on their Caring Challenge, which includes the Home Help badge so there will be a lot of little helpers out there over the next few weeks. Working next on the Home Safety badge there will be a lot of bossy little Home Helps, telling you how safe your houses are; start checking your smoke alarms and planning your fire escape routes now! The Scouts are now meeting up at Avening Green, they'll be building up to their survival skills weekend planned for the summer, where they will be cooking food they have caught themselves. They also have a few nights where the Explorer Scouts take charge – these are very interesting!

At last we are making progress with the renovations on our HQ at Cromhall. The builders have lowered the ceiling in the upper hall and have fitted insulation, the place is already warmer. The next step, as the Sections move out to meet at Avening Green, is to install new windows and oil fired central heating. Lastly we will be revising the layout of toilet facilities to enable disabled access, we need a lot more money for this bit. What we do need is an artist. We have expanses of wall/ceiling which we would love to have scouting images on but none of us are artistic enough, anyone out there that can help? Until next time,

Yours in Scouting
Sandra Carnegie, Group Scout Leader

Hello again! We have had another busy couple of months.

The SPRING FAMILY DISCO went brilliantly and was well attended. Both the children and parents had a great time and thanks must go to Mr and Mrs Gainer-Lane for putting on such a superb disco.

The QUIZ NIGHT was enjoyed by all and was an instant sell-out. Pete Tymms was on great form and thanks to him, Jo (his wife) and to Phil Barnes for a truly yummy curry and Jake for her help too. The final result was tied and therefore the prize – of Sunday Dinner for four at the Bristol Inn (kindly donated) – was auctioned. My wonderful husband Barrie very generously put in a bid of £100!! and won!!! Although he was slightly 12inebriated at the time. Thank you to Yate Disposables for their kind donation of plates, knives and forks. The next Quiz Night is to be Friday 23 September 2005 and will be eagerly awaited.

BAND IN A BARN – Saturday 14 May. I am pleased to announce that this has now been confirmed. The band is to be Kick the Cat again this year as they were excellent last year. We are also having a pig roast as that too went down well. Again the venue is to be Warner's Court Barn with many thanks to the kind owners. Tickets this year are £12.50 per person (including pig roast) and are available from the school office or you can telephone me on 01454 26xxxx. They are selling out very fast though!

CATTLE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN EVENING – Friday 24 June 6pm to 9pm. Cattle Country has once again been kind enough to offer us this great attraction for our sole use. Tickets will be £5 per person with barbeques hopefully available (just bring your own firelighters, charcoal and food). The tickets will go on sale, again from the school office, on Monday 6 June 2005.

VILLAGE SUMMER FETE – Saturday 9 July. This has now been confirmed and will be organised by my fellow committee member Mr Graham Pedley with the support of the committee and many other people. Graham will say a few words later on and explain more about this event.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer and I can't wait to see lots of people at all of the above events. We are able to make a difference with the money we raise. Thank you for your continued support and also thank you to the entire committee too without whom I would be lost.

Karen Williams
Chairperson

The village fete will be held on Saturday the 9th of July, starting at 2.00pm. The event is being organised by the Friends of Charfield School. A horticultural show running from 10.00–12.00 on the Saturday morning is also being organised, more information will be put through your letterbox.

There will be fun races for all ages from 2.00pm. Other events include a mini-school football tournament, a chip pan fire display by the local fire brigade, tug of war, pony rides, lucky dip, miniature train rides and lots more. Many of the local clubs will also have their own stalls, there will be something for everyone.

As usual lots of help is required on the day to man different stalls, even half an hour is appreciated, so if you can spare any time please contact me, so a rota can be planned.

A live Band and disco will perform from 5.00pm until late and the Memorial Hall bar will be open all evening. As well as the usual burgers and hotdogs a curry meal will also be available. All proceeds from the ‘friends’ activities will go towards Charfield School funds, as the ‘friends’ is a registered charity.

Graham Pedley 01454 26xxxx

I am absolutely full of fresh air, having walked the Damery loop with the dog this afternoon. The yellow, white, and blue of Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemones, the first bluebells everywhere, and the whiff of the first wild garlic on the air – bliss.

To business: We have five adoptive parents of footpaths, but the following paths are still orphans: (please refer to the map provided in issue 117 of the newsletter) OCH 8, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 1321, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33. Just to remind you, all you are asked to do is walk the path each season, trim any bits of growth from around stiles, and report any problems back to me. Not onerous at all. If you enjoy walking the paths, why not do something towards their care? Be a sport and ring me on 01454 26xxxx. Thanks.

I promised you a lecture on the Country Code, but in the light of some recent unpleasantness in the village, I shall restrict myself to the vexed question of dogs. (Yes, I am a dog owner myself.)

Anita Walker, our South Glos Council Rights of Way Field Officer, recently confirmed the situation as follows:

When walking a Right of Way, your dog must be under ‘close control’. This means, essentially, by your side on the path. You have the right to take your dog with you, but you do NOT have the right to allow it to roam the field. The dog does not necessarily have to be on a lead at your side, just under ‘close control’.

If we have had the pleasure of letting our dogs run loose when walking the footpaths around Charfield, it has been with the benevolent tolerance of the farmers. However, this kindness is repaid with wire-cutting, damage to fencing and hedges, the trampling of crops (this includes grass for silage or hay), litter, disturbance of livestock (three spontaneous abortions to cattle on one farm alone last season due to dogs running round and causing havoc), and last, not least, tons of dog c**p over the fields. Lovely – lovely for us to walk in, lovely for the crops, lovely for the silage bales, lovely for the cattle to munch on. I don't think so, do you?

Why should the farmers do their bit to keep the footpaths in order, if we as neighbours can't treat their property with a bit of respect? It would be nice to think we could show a bit of common courtesy for each other. Do as we would be done by.

Please, if you don't already pick up after your dog in the fields adjacent to the village, have a think about it, and see if you don't agree that it would be a kindness to the farmer, and a kindness to the rest of us who walk the footpaths, to start doing so. The Parish Council has agreed to put in a couple more dog poo bins in the village – please make good use of them.

I hate to be a nag (although it does come naturally!), but with the problem getting worse with every new dog in the village, I have no alternative. So, if you are too posh to pick up the poop, don't purchase the pedigree pup!

Best regards,
Julia O'Connor-Beach
Voluntary Footpath Warden

[Graphic: Pinmill from the air]

RABBITT RECYCLING LIMITED

RABBITT is an acronym for
Recycle
All
Bulbs
Batteries
Inkjets
Toners
Telephones (mobiles)

New European legislation makes it unlawful for many of these items to be sent to landfill, so all large users will 14have an even bigger disposal problem than currently and predictably face an increase in disposal costs. By talking to Rabbitt Recycling Limited, these increases could be decreases.

Rabbitt Recycling also offers disposal of many other dry office waste materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, IT Equipment and many others.

Whilst this scheme is not currently aimed at the domestic or small user marketplace, the senior management at Rabbitt 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 Rabbitt.

More information on this scheme is available by calling freefone 0800 138 xxxx or by e-mail to xxxx @ rabbittrecycling.co.uk.

In the meantime, there is 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 Thursdays and 0830 to 1630 Fridays. For large volumes of cartridges a free collection service is available by calling 01453 52xxxx.

Frank Gendall, Admin & IT Director
Rabbitt Recycling Limited, April 2005

I am a Mum of three beautiful children, aged five, two and one. My life has changed completely in the last few years, and I wouldn't have it any other way. See how many of these symptoms of parenting you recognise:

• I call my husband ‘Daddy’ …
• I say things like, ‘look, tractor!’ automatically when driving, even when I am not with my children …
• I ask adult members of my party if they need the toilet before we leave the house. ‘Are you sure? Why don't you try anyway?’ …
• My house is child proof. When my brother comes to stay, he can't open the fridge, lift the loo seat, or, hardest of all, open the stairgate! …
• I always consider all packaging before I throw it in the green bin. A pringle tube could be a lighthouse, after all, and kitchen roll middles are trumpets. William has two boxes of empty packaging, surely that's enough? …
• William makes most of the decisions in our house, like where we will go on a day out, who sits where at the dinner table, etc …
• I often go out with baby dribble on my shoulders. Once upon I time I never would but now I just don't care anymore!
• My car is full of child seats (I need to move one if I have to transport an adult). Just like the house, there are toys all over the floor, horrible stains on the seats and crumbs everywhere. I always said I'd never let the children eat in the car in case they would choke …
• I think ‘Dick & Dom’ on Saturday morning TV is disgusting, but it also makes me smile as it reminds me of ‘TISWAS’ …
• I have lost my own identity, now I am known as ‘William's Mum’ …
• Whenever I get to go shopping on my own, ‘time for me’, somehow I always come back with an outfit for Jamie, some hair slides for Lauren and an Action Man accessory for William …
• When pouring wine for visitors, I spend time making sure they all get the same amount, so there is no ‘she's got more than me!’

Yvonne Kershaw

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Minister – Rev. Philip Hopes
Tel: 01453 84xxxx
Morning worship and Kings Kids 11am. every Sunday
1st Sunday of each month Family Service at 11am.

2000-02-11 – He Took My Place
Being replaced is one of the deepest pains the human heart is ever asked to bear. Perhaps you are in your 50's and have been “put out to pasture” at work, and your position filled by a younger colleague. Maybe you have been replaced in a friendship or a boyfriend no longer is in love with you, and there is a huge hole in your heart. Perhaps your children no longer look up to you as their hero, but instead look up to a teacher, Scout leader or someone else. Most often, being replaced is agonizing. If you are dealing with this type of pain, please don't keep it inside. Pour it out to God (see Psalms 62:8), and a trusted Christian friend or your pastor. God hurts with us and will heal our pain. But there is one instance for which we should be grateful that we had a replacement. I was listening to a Contemporary Christian song (I wish I could remember the title and singer), and was taken aback by the poignant words: “He took my place.” Think about it.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

I am the one who sins every day. But Jesus was the one Who died a tortuous death to pay for my sins.

I am the one who spouts out spiteful words, but Jesus is the one Who was spit on and mocked.

I am the one who evinces pride, but Jesus is the Humble Servant Who submitted Himself to a degrading death for me.

I am the one who is selfish, but Jesus is the Redeemer Who sacrificed ease and comfort to come to Earth and die in my place, so I could spend eternity with Him.

What can I possibly to do ever repay Him? There are not enough good deeds, money or sacrifices in the world to adequately repay Him. But what I owe Him, and what He desires, is my life – all of me.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”.

Charfield is an important part of the “district” catchment area of Wotton Table as it is a growing area with many potential members we would like to be in contact with! Round Table has been described as a “social club with a conscience” as we organise events and carry out tasks for the local community as well as having a good time socially ourselves! Our bonfire event was very successful and we have just given out nearly £2000 to a variety of causes such as the Red Cross and Wotton Cinema. In May we are running a clinic to put more potential donors on the Anthony Nolan register for bone marrow transplants and will be seen manning the gates at Charfield fete on 9th July.

We are always interested in having guests at our meetings and have a varied, interesting programme for this year. They do not cost very much as that is the Wotton philosophy and you will be made very welcome. We usually meet at the Star inn, Market Street in 18Wotton on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays but we may be out and about, particularly in the summer months. To get more of an idea of the kind of things we get up to see our excellent website at www.wotton-under-edge.net. So if you are between 18 and 45 and are interested, please give me a call on 01453 84xxxx if you would like to know more about Round Table or come along.

John Francksen

Striving for excellence
Learning for life

Such a lot has happened in what have been two relatively short terms – Term 3 and Term 4 as they are now called, but I will tell you of some of them that have touched our school.

Tsunami Appeal

We all came back to school safely to the terrible news of the tsunami. We held a non-uniform day and with the fantastic generosity from pupils, parents and staff, we raised over £500!!

Also a local person in the village contacted the school to ask for further help following the tsunami. As a hospital worker, she knew of many colleagues from Sri Lanka who had lost parents or children in the tsunami. A request was sent out asking for donations for the survivors. The school community responded brilliantly again donating toys, crayons, colouring books and so forth. Many thanks to you all for your positive support with this disaster.

Cross Country

Towards the end of January, our Cross Country Team of 30 pupils was in action at KLB for the last time for that season. Over 300 pupils competed on the day. I am delighted to say that out of all the schools, 6 of our team gained individual medals and we gained 10 team medals – meaning we came SECOND overall!! ☺ I would like to say that this was a terrific achievement and how proud I am of ALL the team, because they were ALL ‘Striving for Excellence.’ Finally a big ‘THANK YOU’ to their trainer and manager, Mike Smith for his dedication throughout the year.

Pancake Day

Pancake Day at Charfield Primary School was great fun! Many parents gave up their time to come in to school to help make the Pancake Day so successful for our children. I would like to thank Mrs Watkins, Mrs. Tymms, Mrs. James, Mrs. Walters and especially Mrs. Barnes, with their help in arranging the pancakes, the races and not forgetting of course, the tasting! It was also great to hear so many positive comments about the politeness of our pupils when they were sampling the pancakes – they were obviously Striving for excellence!! ☺

Theft From School

As I am sure you will have heard, we were victims to thieves who stole laptops and projectors from our school. This is one of the lowest things a thief can do – steal from a school, where ultimately the children suffer the consequences. So many people have worked so hard to get the standards up in this area of our work, but these thieves clearly have no regard to the damage they cause. The Police had been informed and I was told that we were the fifth school in the area to be targeted that week!

Book Week/Literacy Evening

On a happier note we had a very successful and enjoyable Book Week in March. We had an author in to talk to the children about writing books, a book 19character dressing up day, classes visiting each other for stories and a bring and buy book sale that raised over £20 for our library, whilst at the same time getting our pupils involved with books across the school. I would like to thank all those parents who turned up for our Literacy Presentation on helping parents to support reading at home. There were two very informative presentations from Mrs. Peer and Mrs. Gordon as well as an input from Claire Ridsdale, the LEA Literacy Consultant.

And Finally … Mrs Devall

As I am sure that many of you are all aware, Mrs Devall, our teaching assistant and our librarian, left us at the end of this term after many years of working at our school. She has been a fantastic colleague and has worked with probably all of our children in school at the moment, plus countless others in her preceding years! We had a big collection and bought Mrs Devall a leaving present as a big thank you and a memory of her time at our school. Enjoy your new found time Chris, but don't forget us!!!

Stefan Frontczak, Headteacher

Thank you to all who responded to my appeal to share experiences of marriage and relationship breakdown in preparation for a study presented at a training course at Windsor in January. I compiled a report based on information and comments received from a variety of sources which highlighted the concern about the large number of marriage breakdowns and the effects on those involved and other family members and friends. The report was well received by my group on the training course and I hope to make further use of it amongst local colleagues and other clergy in the Diocese. I made a number of recommendations about how the church could better support individuals and families who face marriage and relationship breakdown. If you would like to see a copy of the report then please let me know and I will be happy to lend you a copy.

The course itself was extremely good and I felt very privileged to be able to spend a fortnight in the wonderful setting of Windsor Castle and worshipping in St. George's Chapel – sadly the Royal Family were not in residence during my visit, their loss of course!

Robert Pestell

We have had a rather sad time this year with the loss of Mrs Powner and Mrs Bird. Mrs Powner had been a member for a long time and had worked hard while she was able, and Mrs Bird really enjoyed her afternoons and joined in with everything.

Since I wrote last in October we have been entertained by Mr Hopes; in December members were shown a variety of Christmas craft ideas with everyone trying their hands at an origami basket; we had a carol singing session with readings, and a few carols played on the harmonica by a member, followed by mince pies etc.; a lovely Christmas meal in January at the Railway Tavern; a reflexology talk and demonstration and a couple of interesting visits from the Rev. Robert Pestell.

We are hoping to have Mrs Pestell one afternoon, when the secretary gets round to ringing her and fixing a date! Anyone who would like to give us a talk or show slides etc. would be very welcome.

M J Ealey (secretary)

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21[Advert for Ecoflow]

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THANK YOU
to all our advertisers for supporting this newsletter

In the last issue we asked for your help to make Edition 121, October 2005, a 30th birthday edition.

As we mentioned we cannot do this without your help but so far we have heard nothing. Please don't wait until October to let us have your photos, pictures, articles, postcards, your written memories – anything you think appropriate would be most welcome.

Let us have them right away – just bring them to us at x Berkeley Close. We will, of course, return any items lent to us if you provide your address / contact details.

Many thanks
Hilary & Geoff Wignall

22

Good Morning! It's now 5.45 am on Wednesday 13th April, the deadline for this was Midnight last night and I'm making excuses again!!!!! Actually, I had some family stuff on my mind and my literary thoughts were blocked. I bet Hils and Geoff are sitting over their Rice Crispies saying, “Where is it?”

A water main burst in our garden and Keith looked like he was digging for Australia trying to find it. Every time I looked out of the kitchen window he seemed to get lower and lower into the earth's core. Dramatic or what? He'd discovered the burst pipe and fixed that. I then proceeded to cook tea, only to hear a drip, drip, drip. The central heating boiler had its innards corroded or eroded, either way it was leaking. More water saga. THEN, our bed collapsed, but not necessarily in that order

I would like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Sandra and John for 10 year's service in the Post Office. For the last two issues, of this super, brill Chadra, John has had a mention and is getting quite used to it. Autographs next.

Do you remember when my Mum threatened not to speak to me ever again if I mentioned her observations of the MFI (MI5) building in London? Well it's happened again. We were discussing whether to go to the Indian for a meal. Mum explained that my sister had bought in a takeaway and she confessed that she hadn't really enjoyed the Argie Bhajis!!

Have you been watching Grumpy Old Women on BBC2? It's quite frightening. You forget how old you are getting and people have made a TV programme discussing faults that you are finding with yourself. I'm not going to mention any, mind.

On that note of age, it's quite boosting when some encouraging comments are made. I bumped into Alan Hughes, in Wotton, recently and I'm sure “nubile” and “wench” were heard. A smashing looking young man stopped me, in Yate Shopping Centre recently, trying to convince me that I needed to take part in a certain activity. I gave him one of my “Oh really” looks and walked off. On my way back he said, “Oh, here comes that Gorgeous Sexpot.” Well you can imagine me, can't you? It was no good. A young lady was heading his way and I'd persuaded him that he'd have more luck convincing her to go on his Paint Balling Experience!!!

Latest news on our DJ son Lawrence. He is now on Rubi FM Radio Station, giving “Justice to the Nation”, they call him “The Law Man” and Rocking their Airwaves in the Dominican Republic.

Wishing you all a Happy Spring and when I write again we will all be lying in our gardens in the hot, balmy Summer.

Best Wishes, Maz.

Having a dog in the family means I have greater opportunity to get out and about and have some exercise. These moments of walking the dog also provide time for prayer and reflection and it was while I was out in the fields the other day that these thoughts came to mind. Gazing down on the village from Church End gives an overview of Charfield and its residents. It occurred to me that I had heard many tragic and sad stories recently and that there can be few people in the village who are untouched by the stresses and strains of life. Whether it be a death in the family, a marriage breakdown, a serious illness, disability, redundancy or concern over ageing parents or wayward teenagers, almost everyone will have had some challenge or tragedy to come to terms 23with, and often a whole series of seemingly unfortunate events.

This inevitably has its effect and our lives are altered, we become, in effect, ‘damaged people’ for our lives will never be the same again.

Adjustments have to be made, in some situations dreams are shattered, in others a whole new beginning has to take place.

Life, of course, is full of ups and downs, we must ‘take the rough with the smooth’, but there comes a time when we want to say let's not have any further problems or worries, why can't life just be simple and straight forward where everything turns out as we expect it to? The simple answer to that plea is no, for the unexpected can happen at any time and we all play our part in mucking up our own lives and the lives of others.

As your Parish Priest my concern must be for the well being of you all, from a physical, moral and spiritual point of view – a rather tall order! – but that is the role of the pastor.

In truth, I often feel a failure, feeling bad about the people I have let down, those who I have not helped and others who I have missed or neglected. I acknowledge my faults and short comings but at the same time want to express my sincere belief that together we can make this a community where people feel valued and cared for and that damaged lives can be healed and restored.

I offer two solutions which are not dependant upon one another but, I believe, work best together. Firstly, to find space for God in your lives – well, you would expect me to say that wouldn't you?, but I do honestly believe this to be the answer to so many of our difficulties and problems. Not that God will wave his magic wand and that everything will be alright again but that we will have his support and strength to help overcome the challenges that face us.

Secondly, that we demonstrate our care and concern for one another in practical support and encouragement that reaches out to those in need, especially to those outside our normal circle of family and friends. In this day and age when there is so much emphasis on us doing ‘our own thing’, we can become blind to the needs of those around us and miss out on the opportunities to make peoples lives better. There are many ways in which we can express and demonstrate our care and concern for those within our community and indeed many groups and individuals already do a great deal and long may this continue. However, more could be done and it is up to each one of us to play our part.

In this Easter Season we give thanks to God who sent His Son into the world to give new life and new hope, these are gifts that should be available to us all but all too often they are not offered or rejected.

Whether you believe in God or not I believe that the vast majority of us require healing in our lives. We are damaged people, life can be very cruel at times, but we do have the capacity for recovery with the help and support of others and I do believe that we can become a more caring and supportive community.

Thank you to all those who have given me support and encouragement and my sincere apologies to those I have hurt or let down. May Charfield be a place of care and healing and may the burdens that you carry be eased and lightened.

Revd. Robert Pestell.
Rector of Charfield and Kingswood.

24Monthly Pattern of Services in the Parishes
(you are most welcome to share in worship either at St. John's, Charfield or St. Mary's, Kingswood)

1st Sunday
9.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist with Sunday Club (St. John's)
11 a.m. Parish Communion (St. Mary's)
2nd Sunday
10.30 a.m. Family Service (St. John's)
11 a.m. Sung Matins (St. Mary's)
6 p.m. Holy Communion – BCP (St. Mary's)
3rd Sunday
9.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist with Sunday Club (St. John's)
11 a.m. Parish Communion (St. Mary's)
6 p.m. Evensong (St. Mary's)
4th Sunday
10.30 a.m. Morning Praise (St. John's)
10.30 a.m. Family Service (St. Mary's)
5th Sunday
10.30 a.m. United Communion Service at one of the churches
(During this three month period there is one 5th Sunday on 29th May and the service will be at St. John's)

There is a weekly service of Holy Communion at St. John's on Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m., and Mini Praise for Pre-School Children takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 9.45 a.m. and the 4th Thursday of the Month at 2 p.m. – dates for this period Tuesdays, 10th May, 14th June, 12th July and Thursdays, 28th April, 26th May, 23rd June.

In view of my earlier article you may like to come to one or more of our monthly services of Healing and Wholeness. These are normally held on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7.30 p.m. at St. John's although two dates are different for this period – 28th April, 19th May, 23rd June, 21st July.

Revd. Robert Pestell.
Rector of Charfield and Kingswood

As the season draws to a close the senior club can look back and reflect on their status being retained in all the respective divisions they have played in. Mid table positions for both the Reserves and Third team, while the first team managed to gain enough points to keep them out of the ‘drop zone’. All games will be completed by the end of April, when the cricket club commence their season.

The club would like to take this opportunity to ‘thank’ everybody who has sponsored or supported over the season and will look forward to a well earned break before pre-season training starts in early July!

For the junior club this season has been a real success. As I write, both teams are looking forward to a League Cup final and enjoyed success in the League

• Under 12's are playing in a final verses Kings Stanley on Friday 22nd April at Tetbury Rec – ko 6.30
• Under 13's are playing in a final against Golden Valley Rangers on Sunday 24th April at Shortwood United – ko 11.00
• Also, the Under 13's will ‘play off’ against Golden Valley, having won their league (Golden Valley won the other section). This match will decide the Champions at under 13's in the Stroud and District Youth League
• Finally, the under 12's stand a very good chance of finishing runners up in their league

Overall, the boys have scored over 150 goals, conceding less than 30, and winning twenty-four matches out of thirty played. A great achievement …

At this stage the club hopes to be running an extra team next season in the Mid Gloucestershire Mini League, 25and could accommodate more sides if managers and players came forward.

This club would also like to ‘thank you’ to its sponsors and supporters over the last nine months.

If anybody wants any details of either club please do not hesitate to contact me on 01454 26xxxx

Jeremy Lewis – Secretary.

I write further to the article in the last issue of the Charfield Newsletter regarding walking. We have arranged three walks in and around Charfield for the third Friday of each month. By the time you read this two will have already taken place but details for the third one are as follows:

• Meet in Memorial Hall car park to leave at 11.00a.m.
• Approximately 4–5 mile length walks
• Pub lunch after the walk or in summer a picnic.
• Fri. – May 20th

Please join us if you like walking. If you would like more information please ring Heather 01454 26xxxx

If you are interested in joining us but cannot make a Friday please let me know.

The children had a fun morning in November when we held a sponsored assault course, they climbed, crawled, jumped and generally raced around raising a very welcome £250 for our funds. The money will be used to replace some of the toys we use at our Dab Hands activity mornings, we are open every Monday (except for Bank Holidays) 10am–12 Midday, anyone with pre-school children are very welcome to come and join us.

Over the last few months we have had some training included in our Dab Hands mornings. We had a visit from a Dental Hygienist, took part in a Creative Movement workshop, sampled some unusual sandwich fillings created by the children and enjoyed a wide selection of fruit for our healthy eating session. Probably the best and messiest activity was sensory play, they all loved running their fingers through the gloop, shaving foam and jelly!

The theme for National Childminding week (18th–25th June) is “Childminders make chatter matter”. We will be encouraging all the children to talk, sing, recite rhymes, anything that will help in their speech and language skills, building confidence and developing their social skills.

If you are looking for childcare please give Teresa Wildman a ring on 01454 26xxxx, she will be able to give you a list of Ofsted Registered Childminders who have vacancies.

On Friday 8th April I asked my teenage daughter to take our two dogs for a walk whilst I went out. She chose to walk the public footpath OCH 9 route (from the Mills to Watsome Bridge) and back. On her return journey, before the wooden gate approaching the Mills, she saw a man on the other side of the metal gate alongside the road, watching her. She put the dogs on lead – the puppy did take a while to come – by which time the man was coming towards her.

He started shouting and generally haranguing her. Stating that he was the landowner he demanded of her whether she knew she was on a public footpath and that the dogs should be on leads. 26When she replied that she knew it was a public footpath but not that the dogs should be on leads he grew verbally abusive, demanded to know where she lived and threatened to shoot the younger dog. My daughter, obviously, was rather scared (who wouldn't be?) and on my return home related the entire incident to me.

I contacted the voluntary footpath warden and South Gloucestershire Council. The legality of whether a dog has to be on a lead in a public footpath is foggy. They do have to be ‘under control’ but you cannot just shoot a dog. (Even if they are attacking livestock, although it is more warranted, it still isn't particularly acceptable, which came as quite a surprise to me. But I digress.)

Having spoken to these people, I contacted the Police to learn what rights we had and with a view to having the landowner warned about his behaviour. (I do not like people verbally abusing my daughter, or scaring her half to death by threatening to shoot my dogs!) However, our local policeman was just going off duty so after discussing the incident I said I'd go round to the landowner's home, with my daughter, to find out why he'd been so abusive and threatening. After all, I sanely rationed, there were no livestock or crops in the field, perhaps the landowner was having a bad day, would apologise and that would be an end to the matter.

Never have I been so wrong. It was a total waste of time trying to talk to either the landowner, or his nineteen-year-old son, who also came to the door. Rather, they seemed amused by our visit.

Officially, the police cannot give a warning to landowners using foul language to anyone if it is done on private land, and though I did question our local policeman on the fact that the incident took place on a public footpath, apparently that is irrelevant! The threat of shooting isn't an offence either, so no police warning could apparently be given for either of my grievances.

I do sympathise with landowners annoyed with those dog walkers and such that use the public footpaths incorrectly, i.e., drop litter, fail to close gates, jump over fences and generally disrespect the land they are on, and can understand their grievances when these things occur.

However, I do object, very much, to having my young daughter bullied and scared by a man old enough to know better. His behaviour towards her, in a world where society constantly criticises the young and is supposed to show a good example towards them is absolutely appalling.

I shall endeavour to keep my dogs on leads when I cross this mans land – he also owns the next but one field – and thought that other dog walkers should know about this rather sorry, unnecessary incident.

V. Norman (Mrs)
Farm Lees.

Spring Term

The children have been very busy this term creating flower displays, planting sunflowers, and making bird food holders and their own bird food. They had lots of fun making some beautiful Mother's Day cards and presents – and made their Mums very happy!

We were very proud that the children and Staff managed to raise £65 for Red Nose Day – making red nose cakes and biscuits and selling the noses of course! They also had a competition to make a hat for the Simpsons and joined in a Talent Show. For St Patrick's Day they made shamrock badges and 27Leprechaun masks and in the week running up to Easter they made yummy bonnet biscuits, chocolate nests and some very impressive Easter baskets and Easter Egg Jigsaws.

Easter Holiday Activities

What a fun time was had – by children and Staff alike! They went on a tour around Europe – making flags, cooking, preparing and tasting some foreign food such as Dutch Rosti cakes, open sandwiches with German sausage, pizza, Italian ice cream and Austrian cream cakes. They took part in the Olympics, as well as joining in junk car making, having a go at making some very impressive windmills and gondolas, painting in the style of Van Gogh and making some beautiful mosaics. They also had the opportunity to learn how to play chess – a big thank you to Tony Field (Chris and Joe's Dad) for giving up some of his day off to run a session at the club.

The children had a great time over Easter – they were so busy the time just flew by and now they're back at school already!

Committee Changes

This spring we have seen a couple of changes to the Voluntary Management Committee. After five years of being the Club Secretary, seeing the club develop from a run-down old room with a leaky roof, into the thriving busy place it is today, I have decided to resign, although I am staying on the committee for now. It's been a fun five years and was a great challenge in the early days: getting the committee together, organising the funding bid we made to the New Opportunities Fund to refurbish and re-roof the Foundation Room and being involved planning and organising the recruitment of staff, writing the club policies and organising fund-raising events. I've taken up the challenge of running Le Club Français at Charfield School, which promises to be fun, and will certainly keep me busy!

Katy Ling has kindly agreed to step in as Secretary until our AGM in July, when we may well be looking for someone to take on the role. So if you think you might be interested in joining us, do let us know and look out for the date of the AGM in the next Chadra.

Valentine's Ball

The Ball took place on Friday 11th February at the Bristol Inn, Falfield and was a sell-out success. We were grateful to MJ Fews Land Rovers for sponsoring the event, to Pete Tymms of Safety Testing for sponsoring the printing of tickets and programmes, to Cotswold Fabric Warehouse for their generous prize and to many other local businesses for their contributions of prizes for the Grand Draw or cash donations. Dancing to Surround Sounds Disco went on into the early hours and from the feedback we've had everyone really did have a ball!

Admin

Club opening times – Breakfast club: 7:30am to 8:40am; After School Club: 3:10pm to 6:00pm; School holidays and Inset days: 7:30am to 6:00pm. Many term-time sessions are currently operating waiting lists and the Holiday Clubs are getting ever more popular, particularly on in-set days, so early booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

If you want to find out more information about the Club, contact the Club Manager, Pat Loveridge on 07816 23xxxx or 01454 26xxxx or call into the Club at The Foundation Room in the School grounds during opening hours.

Julie Macnamara

28

Issue 19 of the CHADRA Newsletter was published in March 1980, and cost 10p for 22 pages.

A major focus of the village at the time was building an extension to the Memorial Hall, and there were a few events in the coming year to raise funds for the project.

One of these events was May Day Madness, which was scheduled for the May Day Bank Holiday, and included Maypole dancing, fairground rides, and a fancy dress football competition. Activities were to be rounded off with a junior disco and a variety show.

Another event being planned was the Sports and Gala Day, which included the opportunity for villagers to compete in Camel Races, with the camels kindly provided by Mary Chipperfield.

Elsewhere in the newsletter, the Pigeon Club had held a very successful social evening, including presentations and the auction of some Grand Racing Pigeons.

1st Woodend Scouts won the district camping competition, and there was also a feature ‘A week in the life of a vet’.

This issue from 25 years ago also marked the start of the Memorial Hall 200 Club, and announced the first winners. In week 12, Mrs V Bateman collected a £10 prize. I only mention this because, as you will see elsewhere in this newsletter, that Mrs Bateman is still winning 25 years later!

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt!

29

FOR
SEPTEMBER 1982 STARTERS
17th SEPTEMBER 2005
AT
LEYHILL SOCIAL CLUB
DETAILS & TICKETS (£3.00)
CONTACT
CARRIE JONES (Nee PHILP)
01453 84xxxx / 07967 82xxxx
ANGELA SMITH 07803 10xxxx

30

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

Transcriber Notes

This issue was produced on 30 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: 2017-02-06.