CHADRA

We seem to have a bit of a bumper issue for you this edition. I'm not sure we've made 32 pages in the seven years I have been producing the newsletter. So apologies to Joan (who makes all the copies) and Marion and Angela (who collate them).

We have some articles this time from people other than our ‘regulars’. Much as we love our ‘regulars’ it is also nice to have ‘occasionals’ and ‘one offs’ too. As we always say, the newsletter is only what you make it. Do you have something to say? Do you know something that would interest our readers? Why not give it a go, send us an article for the next edition – we will be very pleased to receive it.

You may recall I mentioned I had laser eye surgery last summer. Still loving it! I should be on commission though for all my recommendations to friends and family. Geoff is having his done at the end of this month – I do hope he enjoys the success that I have.

The timing of this issue has meant that we are unable to promote the Village Spring Clean scheduled for the 22/23 April. If you did turn out for this event thank you very much. If you didn't why not pick up some rubbish next time you are out and put it in the bin? It doesn't matter when you do it, it will always help to make our village look better. If you are one of the people that drops the rubbish – please take it home with you. Wouldn't it be great if there was nothing for the ‘spring cleaners’ to find?

Regards, Hilary

Next Copy Date – 12th July 2006

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In the January newsletter, edition 122, the Chairman of the council asked for any information regarding Pounds and Keeps, saying that this would be very welcome. This doesn't refer to the pounds that are connected to our monetary system, or our weight, though that would probably be very interesting, as would the old saying, finders are “Keepers”. I am afraid I have no specific knowledge or information on the Pound at Churchend although I expect all the many Pounds, around the country served the same purpose. The following information will therefore, be of very little help to the chairman or the council. However, I sincerely trust it will be of interest to some of your many readers.

In the first quarter of the 1700's, a great deal of our agricultural land was made up of huge tracts of mainly unfenced land, such as, Commons, Moors, Downs and Greens etc, Charfield green for Instance, many years ago, covered over a quarter of the village. Very few small fields bounded by hedges, as we know them today existed. Men of high standing, Lords of the Manor, or Squires, as they wanted to be called, owned most of the land; but they did allow some cottagers the use of a few acres to farm on, enough to enable them to keep a couple of cows or sheep in order to scrape a very meagre living. These holdings had very little in the way of fences, and it was not until towards the end of the 1700's, that land owners decided it would be far more beneficial to reduce the size of their fields to make them more manageable. They then started to plant hedgerows, and build fences and stone walls, thereby enclosing small areas of land, not only for themselves, but also for their tenant farmers. It was probably around this time that compounds [Pounds] began to appear, but fixing an exact time or date for their first appearance would be virtually impossible. Over a hundred years or so ago, many villages had pockets of land known as Pounds, but as the years went by they gradually disappeared, until now, the only signs of their existence, is by referring to old maps. The owners of Pounds used them to house stray animals as well as other farming paraphernalia, but whether the Pound in Churchend was ever used to seriously house stray animals, is a matter of debate. There has always been a footpath, from the old Charfield green area, running diagonally through the fields towards Churchend, that goes right through the Pound, before coming out almost opposite Churchend Farm, so I cannot imagine that a legitimate, and supposedly secure Pound, would have a foot path running through it. This footpath is shown on quite old maps.

The Pound referred to in Churchend, lies approximately midway between Churchend Farm and Pound House farm, and on the same side of the road as the latter. The name, Pound House Farm, seems to suggest that the Churchend Pound once belonged to that farm, but maybe the name had no bearing what so ever on the original owners of the Pound. Perhaps the Limbricks, who farmed Churchend Farm, and the Gillmans, who farmed at Pound House Farm, during the 1800s, knowing the financial benefits that came from owning a Pound, had a joint profit and share scheme on any financial gains obtained from it, mainly to avoid any friction between the two families, this is only conjecture of course. The main benefit to owning a Pound was that a charge [Poundage] could be lawfully levied against the owner of the stray beasts that were confined in them; also, if no one claimed the stray animal after a certain amount of time, it became the Pound owner's property. Quite a bit of skulduggery was suspected by many farmers who were charged fees by Pound owners for the safe return of their supposedly errant animals, some even suggesting that the Pound owners were 4sometimes paying vagrants a few pennies in return for animals they [the vagrants] declared they had found wandering and lost, although in actual fact, these unscrupulous gentlemen had let these animals loose themselves. I would imagine the Parish administrators had many disputes to settle in the middle of the eighteen hundreds when the Pound owners were probably in their element.

During my school days, before the last war, a large windmill stood on a patch of land not too far away from Churchend Farm. This windmill, so I was told, enabled water to be pumped either, up to Churchend, or pump an excess of water away from Churchend, maybe it was used to pump water to the animals confined in the Pound; I am afraid I know not the answer to that conundrum. I would imagine that if the windmill was used to pump water for general use in Churchend, it came from an underground water source very close to the windmill. If this was not the case, water could have been pumped from, what the older generation of Charfieldiens called, the Withy bed; the distance involved in pipe laying from there to Churchend however, would probably have made that most unlikely. The Withy bed was a strip of low lying marshy land, situated approximately midway between Little Bristol Lane, and Churchend, where pruned [pollard] willow trees grew, the thin young bendy shoots were much sought after by local basket makers, who made a somewhat precarious living selling their wares at local markets and fairs. Lovely watercress also grew there, very much enjoyed by the appreciative villagers. Irises or flags, as they were more commonly called, were also growing wild in the Withy bed, making this a very interesting place, and an area of tranquillity, full of wild animals, birds and insects, including all types of dragon fly, also many other wild plants and flowers as well as the irises mentioned above, all grew there in abundance.

During the early part of the eighteen hundreds, the Withy bed also became the home of hydraulic rams, their position is still marked on quite modern maps, but this is another story, so I will not bore you with that. Sadly, very few willow trees are there now, except around the edge of a pond that was created, some years ago, by the owner of Churchend Farm.

Referring back to Keeps, these were somewhat different to Pounds. Keeps were almost exclusively found on the property of Kings, Earls, Lords, and other noblemen. Castles belonging to these people always had Keeps, these were usually the central tower, or chief stronghold of the castle. In some of the more important castles, Keeps were used as dungeons as well as more mundane things, such as, storing spare armour and weaponry, or indeed anything of major importance that could affect the well being of the establishment.

Keeps that weren't part of a main building, as they were in most castles, were probably very similar to pounds, but with much more elaborate perimeter boundaries, and were if possible built in close proximity to the main structure. This type of Keep was almost always part of an important land owner, or very rich mans semi-fortified house, and were usually controlled by, what we would call today, managers, but in all probability, were called in those far off days, Keepers. These men were well up in the hierarchy pecking order and lived in cottages provided for them, either within the shelter of the Keep, or very close by. These particular Keeps had much less significance than castle Keeps, but none the less were important to the safe and smooth running of the big house.

5I would imagine that very few of the original Keep cottages that were not adjoining the main building, are around to day. In all probability, lodges took the place of these cottages, of which, there are at least three in Tortworth, the nearest one is towards the Tortworth end of New Road.

In more modern times, these lodges were very often the domain of gamekeepers, or other important estate employees now, of course, they are available to almost any one who lives on the estate, not just gamekeepers or managers.

Ken Parker.

Editors Note: Thank you very much Ken for this interesting article. We will be happy to print your ‘hydraulic rams story’ in a future issue if you would like to tell it.

According to The Gazette last year, in a review of our Summer Concert by Donald Hollis:

“The Tyndale Choir are an impressive bunch and their 60 or so voices produced some excellent singing and sustained climaxes.”

Thank you, Mr Hollis! And with such an accolade, how can you, dear Reader, possibly resist either joining us in the ranks, or coming to hear us?

The TCS is always looking to recruit singers to all sections (soprano/alto/tenor/bass), although it must be said that tenors (who seem as rare as hen's teeth) would be particularly welcome.

A ‘choral apprenticeship’ scheme is being introduced this year for students still at school, Year 10 and above, to encourage young people to sample this country's fine choral tradition.

Our next performance will be at St Mary's, Wotton, on Saturday 1st July, entitled ‘A Tribute to Gloucester Cathedral’, featuring works by Sanders, Briggs, Sumsion, and others. Later in the year, we will have a workshop and performance of Brahms Requiem and Parry's Blest Pair of Sirens (30th September – all singers welcome) and the 11th November concert will be Mozart Requiem and Elgar's For the Fallen.

For further details on any of the above, please visit our website, www.tyndale-choral-society.org. Or do it the old fashioned way, and phone me!

Now, where's my practice tape?

Julia O'Connor-Beach
Hon Sec / 01454-26xxxx

Late May Bank Holiday Sunday, 28th May 2006, will see the second year of opening of a small garden in the village. Pemberley Lodge, which is on the edge of the village in Churchend Lane, will be open from 12.00am to 5.00pm in aid of the National Garden Scheme.

This garden is a very local venture being designed by Lesley Rosser whose garden at the Urn Cottage will be well known by many. It was designed and planted in 2002 so although a very young garden it is maturing well. It is very densely planted for all year round interest. The planting incorporates trees shrubs, perennials, bulbs, evergreens, ferns and grasses. There is a formal patio area incorporating a water feature, a more informal area which provides a link to the surrounding countryside and a small vegetable garden. One bed is planted with yellow and gold leafed plants to make most use of the setting sun when it becomes a brilliant and vibrant splash of gold. There are colour themes and subtle repetitions of planting 6which provide harmony and calmness to the garden. There are plenty of seats and benches and little surprises everywhere which gives the visitor opportunity for both curiosity and for taking it easy. The latest planned addition is a roof garden again designed by Lesley.

We will be serving teas and cakes. Last year the weather was just wonderful and teas were taken outside but there is room to move undercover if we are not so fortunate this year. There will be plants for sale and much more. The parking is very easy and there is a drop off point for disabled visitors. The garden is on a very flat site and there is wheelchair access to most of the garden. Sorry, no dogs.

Entry is only £3.00 per person with children under 16 free. We'd love to see you this year. Come and get some ideas for your little bit of Charfield heaven and support the various charities chosen by the NGS this year.

For other gardens open under the scheme in the area visit www.ngs.org.uk

The 2005–6 Season was the best the Club has had for some years with membership and active participation both significantly up but we hope to make 2006–7 even better!

We have recently introduced a Website and OnLine Booking facility found at charfieldtennisclub.ibooka.com Please note that we are not (yet!) on the worldwideweb so access should be obtained direct through your computer's http link rather than through any search facility such as Google.

All the information on our programme and tournaments and Contact Us details of the Club Officials can be accessed on the Home Page of the website and Club Members can use the OnLine Booking facility within the site.

The Club welcomes New Members of any standard and we now have Mens and Ladies Committees who will help to introduce new players to members of a similar standard and availability.

As well as KO Tournaments, the Club hopes to introduce Leagues this season and Coaching is available from an LTA Qualified Coach for those who might want to improve their game.

The Club would like to place on record its thanks to the Parish Council for a £100 Grant to set up our Website and to Charfield Service Station for Sponsoring the Family Tournament.

Pat Parfitt
Chairman, Charfield Tennis Club

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Hello! How are you? I wrote a list of “to do” things yesterday. Book a coach, do laundry, get my nephew a birthday present, Chadra Newsletter!!!! What you cry. It's only the 7th. Actually, it's now the 8th. Still, miraculously early. Here I am Saturday evening and typing away. I've just watched Deal or No Deal. Are you hooked? I am. But, I couldn't bear to be on it. I know that suffering with that slight streak of avarice, I would go just that little bit further and then chance blowing it all away. I just could not handle it. I couldn't believe that girl the other evening who had £75,000 and £250,000 left and the banker offered her £125,000 AND she said no deal and was left with £75,000, which is still a fantastic sum of money but even I would not have done that. When things start going a bit pear shaped, I say, “Turn over, I can't bear to watch.” Keith and Lawrence say, “It's only a programme.” (I hope you read that sentence in a sarcky tone). If you haven't watched it, it's after Countdown on Channel 4, each afternoon.

On the subject of television, why is it when a certain person gets a bit famous they're on everything. Firstly, Carole Smilie and Carole Vorderman. They front a programme and then are on all the adverts. Now it's that Ben Fogle, son of that actress from the film, Half a Sixpence with Tommy Steele. I see him on Country File, then he was on a Vets in Africa programme, then he was doing some Antiques thing AND THEN he was doing CRUFTS. I was getting right fed up with seeing him, as polite and gentle natured as he is, when I read today that he rowed across the Atlantic raising money for Children in Need, so I shall shut up.

Keith and I were in that newly done up garden centre near Gloucester, taken over by Blooms of Bressingham. They were the first nursery to produce the shrub Choisya Ternata, Sundance. I saw it many years ago when I went to Chelsea. Feel free to go “Oooh”. I thought this an ideal time to name drop, in case anyone thinks my garden could do with an attack! Yes I must get out there but I've been doing an assignment. More Ooohs. Anyway we bumped into the HILLS OF FARM LEES. They're looking forward to reading this literary piece. Anyway it was in the middle of the said assignment when I had a mad rush of ideas to write to you about. I scribbled it all down and put it by my bed. Do you think I can find it? Mind you I quite understand you thinking that if I'm carrying on in the same vein just as well I can't find it. I shall go off and search in case there's anything absolutely mindblowingly brill you should know about. Back in a jiff.

Hi, I'm back, found the paper. Yes, I no longer look like an aubergine around the head area, more like the top of a Bryant and May matchstick. I've had my hair dyed brown. My dear hairdresser, Nick, complies with all my fancies. For years I've been, as you all know, differing shades of reds. But when you get to tender years, your skin changes and my cheeks are going a bit blushed. To all the chaps reading this, feel free to go out for a pint. Anyway I decided I needed a change. So Nick dyed my hair as requested. It looked fab at the hairdressers, but, the next morning in the cold light of day with just opened eyes and at that point, no lipstick, I had a right old fright. Hence, the matchstick reference. Anyway it's all settled down and I love it.

Well I think I've covered most things. Do you know, I've just read back through this and I bet you'll all be thinking, flipping heck, what's she on? Just use this as an advert filler, I won't be offended.

Bye for now, Maz.
PS. I'm happier now the daffs are up.

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Many of you will have visited The Urn Cottage in Station Road during the last few years – the lovely garden belonging to Lesley and Alan Rosser.

Sadly, Lesley, who was only 51, died on April 2nd after a long battle with cancer, a battle she fought courageously, determinedly and with never an ounce of self pity.

She was a most skilled and innovative garden designer who has left a legacy of some wonderful gardens both locally and nationally as well as passing on these skills to many others through her years of teaching locally and in London.

We send our sympathy and condolences to her family.

Edition number 23 of the Newsletter was published in April 1981 at a cost of 12p. It was a bumper issue, running to 24 pages, largely as a response to the appeal in the previous edition for articles.

New items included an article on the declining bus service, a village calendar, a children's section (written by children for children) home security advice from the local police crime prevention officer, a gardening section and details of a four-mile walk around local footpaths.

Three pages of the newsletter were given over to Mayday Madness – a fun day on the playing field organised by the Memorial Hall committee, including fancy dress hockey, maypole dancing and a children's variety show.

Less than two weeks later, the Charfield School PTA were holding their Annual Spring Fayre – I hope that both events were well attended.

Also included were details of the planned Sports and Gala Day, which was scheduled to include the Mendinis (a circus act), a drop-in by the Badminton Parachute Club, and gymnastics from the Army Apprentice College in Chepstow. All this was being opened by Richard Wyatt, star of HTV.

On the back page was a copy of the Country Code – a useful reminder for anyone going on that four-mile walk.

[Graphic: Friends]

I hope you have all had an enjoyable Easter Break. The children are back at school and will now (hopefully) have the opportunity to use the new outdoor adventure play equipment.

We will be having a May Fair on Saturday 20 May – 1 pm to 4 pm – so that everyone will be able to have a look at the new play equipment. It is nice to be able to show off what all of our fundraising has achieved!! We will have a grand opening on the day, morris dancing, fire engine, teas and coffees, barbeque, cakes, raffle, tractors, children's music workshop and lots of fun stalls for the children to take part in. This will also be a great opportunity to see the school grounds as they are looking extremely good now that all of the building work is complete. Please come along and enjoy what will be a great day (just hope the weather is good!!).

Recently we had the Quiz Night which was a great success – thanks to Hilary and Geoff Wignall for the great questions 12and to Rosemary and Patrick Matthews for doing such a wonderful job with the lamb/vegetable hotpot. We will hopefully have another one as somebody has very kindly offered to do it! More on that at a later date.

We also held a Karaoke Night at the school. Many thanks to Karen Riley and all of her friends for their help arranging the evening. Unfortunately the evening wasn't particularly well attended but fun was had by all who were there.

Just a short bit from me this time. Hope to see you all at the May Fair.

Karen Williams
Co-Chairperson

Editors note: I should like to thank Karen for organising the Quiz Night, without her the questions and the food would have been fairly useless! Karen devotes a lot of time to the ‘Friends’ cause, but as she often writes the article for Chadra she so rarely gets thanked. Thank you Karen!

As the new Chairman of the Memorial Hall management committee, I would like to give you an update on what has been happening in and around the hall recently.

Following our AGM in March we have had a change of elected officers. Keith Smith (Chairman), Andrew Baird (Treasurer) and Kate Isaacs (Booking Secretary) have stood down and been replaced by myself, Colin Wadsworth and Karen Stainthorpe respectively.

I would like to express my thanks, and those of the whole committee to Keith, Andrew and Kate, for all their hard work and dedication. All have given a sterling service through some difficult times but have all stood down for a variety of reasons.

We now have a new and, I hope, energetic committee who all want to build on the work done by their predecessors in making the hall something we can all be proud of.

We have a brand new kitchen, the finishing touches of which have been completed in recent weeks. Our next targets for improvements are the bar areas and, if funding allows, the toilets. However, our capacity to make improvements is continuing to be stifled by the ongoing vandalism at the hall. This is a severe drain on our meagre resources and I would urge anyone who witnesses any antisocial or suspicious behaviour at the hall or indeed any vandalism to report it to the proper authorities.

We have a new phone number for bookings (0870 774 xxxx) and booking enquiries can also be made by email via xxxx @ virgin.net

We hope to stage another “Launch Party” (that's a disco if you're over thirty!) either in late May or early June and plans are continuing for the Summer Fete on 8th July.

There is also a summer ball being held at Bristol Golf Club on Friday 23rd June with proceeds going to the hall – for details of the event and ticket availability, please contact Julie McNamara on 01453 52xxxx. Please support if you can.

Finally, the hall is one of the few communal facilities that the village has and, as a charitable organisation, can only survive with the help and support of all Charfield residents. Please do what you can by supporting events held at the hall and, where possible, by using it for your own events. As the saying goes, use it or lose it!

Tim Hill

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This April sees my year as Chairman coming to a close there have been some changes within the Council membership and we have secured the services of a new clerk. I have found the duties interesting and although having previously spent a year as vice chair I have been amazed at the level of detail required in our dealings with local affairs and the consultations with South Gloucestershire Council. I would like at this point to thank my fellow councillors who have supported me throughout this year – it has been greatly appreciated.

As I write this in early April the village spring clean is a few weeks away however, because of copy dates for CHADRA it is likely that you will be reading this after the event has finished. So if you turned out on the weekend of 22/23rd April, thank you for giving up your time. I am aware that we have our critics who think we are wasting our time but it does make a difference and you never know we might even start a trend.

Also this month we held the Parish Annual Meeting, this is not, you may be surprised to know, a council meeting. It is intended as a meeting of the parish electors and as such is an opportunity to discuss local issues and celebrate the activities of local groups who provide for the parish. So thank you to those organisations who did attend to give a report on the years activities, these people who are generally volunteers give up valuable time to help others. Next year why not come along and take part, if you have something to say for the good and benefit of your village you will be most welcome and be given an opportunity to have your say.

Not to be confused with the above, May will see the Annual Meeting of the Council, this is where we elect the chairman, vice chairman and appoint representatives to other bodies for the coming year. If you find this confusing it may be helpful to think of this as our Annual General Meeting, unlike the Parish Annual this is a full meeting of the council.

Paul A Ashford, Chairman

The Group have had a really exciting term. As well as receiving grants from Charfield and Cromhall Parish Councils the group has been extremely lucky in receiving grants from the Lotto Awards for All and South Gloucestershire Council Small Awards, in all totalling nearly £8000. New windows are being installed in May and the heating is planned to be installed by this September. However, our fundraising doesn't stop, we have a similar amount to raise again for the conversion of the toilet facilities to disabled access and possibly (very high on my wish) a new kitchen. Our thanks go out to these bodies for their generosity.

A big thanks to the Allison Trueman our Assistant Group Scout Leader for organising the latest round of fundraising events and to those leaders, exec committee, parents and youngsters for helping on the day. A bag pack in March closely followed by the Wotton Charities Fair raised another £1000 towards coach hire and more new camping equipment. Some of our new purchases will be on show at the AGM to be held on Saturday 10th June at Avening Green.

As well as fundraising, these events are also an opportunity to raise the profile of Scouting encouraging more youngsters and hopefully adults to join the movement. At the Charity Fair we were encouraged by the number of positive comments raised by other stallholders and members of the public on how polite and helpful our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were on the day.

16We now have 3 new Assistant Scout Leaders in training which is wonderful, however we could do with at least two more Assistant Beaver Leaders and Cub Leaders to cope with our ever increasing waiting lists. Please contact any of the leaders if you think you can help even if only part-time.

On to the sections, we will all be gathering at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Sunday 23rd April to celebrate St George's Day. This year will be themed on birthdays, The Queen's 80th, the Beavers' 20th and the Cubs 90th. We have been asked if we can find the oldest member of Scouting to take part in the event, remember once invested in the Scout movement you are a member for life so you do not have to be attending meetings still! Please contact us if you can help. This year is the first time we will be meeting as our new District which covers us all the way down to Pucklechurch and from Chipping Sodbury to Severn Beach a total of 19 Groups in all, so will be quite an event marching through Thornbury. Please come along and support us. Our new District badge will be revealed at this event, all Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were asked to design the new badge that everyone will wear earlier in the year and I know I'm a little biased but I do think our entries were totally top class!

Scouts and Cubs have a number of camps booked in for the summer and we are looking forward to trying out the new tents. We are even planning a Beaver sleepover for those Beavers moving up to Cubs between Sept and Dec of this year, unfortunately Beaver rules are that we hold the sleepover indoors but I'm sure we can set some tents up indoors! There is plenty of badge work going on in all of the Sections and now we have lighter nights and warmer weather these will be themed on outdoor activities, navigation skills, camp fires, outdoor sports etc and all Sections will be attending the County five-a-side football competition this year at Woodhouse Park – must be the excitement of the World Cup?

Yours in Scouting

Sandra Carnegie, Cub Scout Leader

Minister Rev. Philip Hopes
Tel: 01453 84xxxx

Sunday Service 11am
Family Service 1st Sunday of each month at 11am.
Tuesday 8 pm. Prayer and Bible Study in the Schoolroom of the Chapel

Nothing Up His Sleeve …
Read John 4:1–42
I do enjoy watching a magician. I am not one of those who cares much about trying to catch the slight of hand, although I do wonder, “How do they do that?” I don't even care about huge “magic” productions. I would rather sit and watch artists perform their craft “up close and personal” with members of the audience.

One of my favourite tricks is one of the simplest, even though I still don't know how it is done. The magician takes a long length of rope, cuts it into several smaller sections, takes the damaged pieces in hand and then seemingly, restores them to their original form. “It's just a trick,” you might say, and I would have to agree. However, if you want to see something truly amazing, read the story of the woman at the well in John 4.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father 17Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:10–14)

To get a complete picture of the amazing feat Jesus performed, you need to read the entire story. The who, Jesus encountered, was a woman broken in many pieces. Five failed marriages – this woman was considered less than nothing in her hometown. She was the woman everyone whispered about as she walked by. She was the woman that no other woman would talk to, an outcast. Yet, Jesus spoke to her, was kind to her, and piece-by-piece put her back together on the inside.

The what He did – was consider her valuable. Imagine the Messiah caring enough to spend time with you and show that He wants you! What was broken pieces, making her daily, tedious, trip to the well, ran home restored. Running home, she shared with a broken world the Messiah who could fix their shattered pieces as well. Oh, by the way, He will undertake this same task in your life as well. No smoke or mirrors – nothing up His sleeve – just a broken life made whole.

We at Charfield Baby and Toddler Group had our AGM on 16th March. The attendance was very poor when you consider how well the sessions are attended on Thursday mornings. Thank you to those who did come to support the Group. The new committee are:

We would like to thank Alison Sims and all at Eclipse Hair Studio for a donation of £100 from the raffle that they did on our behalf. Thank you to all those who bought a raffle ticket. Thanks also to Ellen Perrett for a donation of baby toys.

Just as a reminder Charfield Baby and Toddler Group meet in the Memorial Hall every Thursday morning during term time from 10am until 11.30 am. We are open to children up to 3 years old with their parents or carers. The children enjoy a variety of activities, including crafts, bikes, jigsaws and books. We have a special baby area with baby toys. The children enjoy playing with other children, and the adults enjoy chatting to other adults.

Your first session is free and then it is £1.10 per adult and 50p per child.

Job Vacancy

We are looking for a helper to come along to each session to make the drinks and get the snacks ready for us. This is a very difficult job when you have a toddler clinging to your ankles! We pay £6 for 1¼ hours during term time only. This position might suit a person with children at school, or maybe a retired person. If you think you may be interested in this job, then either give me a ring on 01454 26xxxx or just come along to a session to meet the children and us.

Thank you very much to Michelle Burden who has held this position for the last few weeks; you have been a great asset!

Yvonne Kershaw, Treasurer

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Menu, 29th March –
Slow-cooked beef casserole, oven-roasted carrot and swede with lemon and herbs, creamed potatoes, steamed broccoli. To follow, hot lemon pudding with whipped double cream. Tea and coffee. All for £2. Beat that, Gordon Ramsay!

We meet every fourth Wednesday (26 April, 24 May, and so on) in the Memorial Hall. The Club also holds occasional coffee mornings, and a grand Christmas lunch each year. It is a fun, friendly social occasion for the over 60s, with currently about 18 regular diners. Would you care to join them? Can you resist the offer of good, freshly prepared food in good company? No, we didn't think so!

The Luncheon Club is run by villagers, for the villagers of Charfield, Cromhall, and Tortworth. It is not a charity. A Parish Council grant, subscriptions from members and coffee morning cover the cost of the food, the hall fees, insurance, utensils, consumables, and subsidise the transport scheme – so the more the merrier.

Don't be a retiring Violet or a bashful Brian and feel too shy to come along for the first time, just give us a ring and we'll make sure you are made welcome.

If you have transport problems, we can arrange to pick you up and deliver you home.

Have you a neighbour or family member of the correct vintage who might enjoy a lunch date every four weeks? Why not encourage them to give it a try?

If you wish to have a chat about it, or to book your place, please give Ros Nieboer a ring on 01453-52xxxx

Bon appetit!

[Photo: Charfield Mills from the air]

[Graphic: RABBITT Recycling Ltd]

1. The latest company to be set up by Rabbitt Recycling is Rural Rabbitt Recycling Limited. Based in South Wales, this company will specialise in the collection of Agricultural Waste, particularly farm plastics.

2. It is expected that several others will follow throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland to form the backbone of a national network for the collection of farm plastics for recycling. This is a result of legislation that will prohibit farmers from burying or burning their agricultural waste. The new laws, originally planned for late 2005, are expected to be effective from May 2006.

3. The additional Rabbitt companies will be supplemented by a significant number of collection centres who will take in materials from their local areas and will be contracted to deal directly with Rabbitt for the onward movement of the goods.

4. Rabbitt Recycling is currently recruiting at least two experienced Environmental Consultants / salespeople to deal with the growing level of business. One will cover the M4 corridor and south, the other to cover north of the M4, particularly the Midlands. Anyone interested in applying should contact Mel Millichap on 01453 84xxxx or email xxxx @ rabbittrecycling.co.uk

Frank Gendall,
Admin & IT Director

21

You might recall that in my last article I mentioned that Charfield had suffered a spate of vehicle crime, entry having been forced to a substantial number of cars and items stolen from within.

In early January a local youth was walking home in the early hours of the morning when he noticed two men acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the Railway Tavern. They then made off in a van which had been parked behind the filling station, the registration number of which he noted, immediately telephoning this information to the Police. As a consequence of this two men from Bristol were pulled over by a Police patrol and subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft.

Since then the spate of vehicle crime has dramatically tailed off, although there have been some isolated incidents, notably overnight on 6/7 March, when several cars were broken into and lap tops, cameras etc. stolen from within.

What I find incredible is that despite the publicity given to vehicle crime in the village and the posting of placards all over the village warning against leaving valuables in cars people persist in doing so.

I also mentioned in my last article that a resident of Willow Close had been subjected to persistent anti-social behaviour, his home having been stoned, ‘egged’ etc. Since then four youths have been arrested in respect of this; three of them having received formal reprimands and one having appeared in court.

There has been a spate of other incidents involving malicious criminal damage, primarily to unattended cars and also to the Memorial Hall.

Again a number of arrests have been made: one youth having been arrested and fined for throwing a brick through a car windscreen on Orchard Close; another youth having been arrested and dealt with for running over the top of a parked car on Little Bristol Lane, denting it; and a third youth having been arrested and released on bail on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a further two cars.

There is no excuse for this type of moronic behaviour anywhere, least of all in a village like Charfield.

At least one of the arrests above was made after we received information from a passing member of the public. Any further information regarding past or future incidents would be welcomed.

PC 3799 Jones

This message was sent from Police HQ regarding the recent confirmation of Avian Influenza in the UK.

If you find a dead swan, goose or duck or three or more dead wild, or garden birds together in the same place, please report this to Defra, via the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77. The current Defra helpline opening hours are Monday to Friday 6.00 am to 10.00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.

If the dead bird is a single, small garden or wild bird then you do not need to call Defra. You should either leave it alone, bury it or dispose of it in 2 plastic bags in the normal household refuse bin. Normal soap, household detergent and cleaner is suitable if contact has been made by hand, clothing or indoor surfaces.

More information is available on the Defra website: http://www.defra.gov.uk

22

Advertising

[Advert for Evergreen Computing]

[Advert for Frocks & Tails at Home]

[Advert for Laura Needham]

[Advert for Massage Table Store / Positive Pressure]

[Advert for Party From A Box]

23[Advert for MB Property Maintainance & Landscaping]

[Advert for Heather Joyner]

VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN
DID YOU HELP?
YES?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[Advert for Charfield memorial Hall]

24

The new Well-being Therapy Centre at The Ridings Sports Village, Winterbourne was well launched despite the Mothers Day downpour. A steady stream of people braved the elements to discover the benefits of Shiatsu, Reiki, Chiropractic, Thermo-Auricular Therapy and much more.

I was kept busy all afternoon giving taster sessions of seated acupressure massage, which were very appreciatively received and so was unavailable to enjoy my colleagues' displays and demonstrations. It also left no time for me to demonstrate acupuncture but a display board and models did initiate much interest about Western Medical Acupuncture.

With many years of varied nursing experience, I am committed to working in a caring and holistic manner. This has led to my interest in Complementary Therapies, especially acupuncture with its holistic approach. Western Medical Acupuncture, with its scientific slant on a well established Eastern Therapy allows a combination of knowledge and skills in Western medicine with those of Eastern practice. It is a privilege to be able to apply all of these skills to treat whole people, not just the symptoms. Seated Acupressure Massage also stimulates many of the acupuncture points, can prevent minor niggles becoming major problems, reduces both muscle and mental tension and has many other benefits, including just making you feel great.

The Sports Village is a new venture and we are delighted to be able to be part of this wonderful community amenity. Between us we have a wealth of experience in a wide range of holistic therapies and are all happy to discuss individual needs in a caring and confidential manner. The following table shows contact and therapy details of all the practitioners at the Centre. All also work from other venues. I am happy to see people in their own homes, at other suitable local venues or at the Well Being Centre. Opening offers are still available on some therapies. Please ring the relevant therapist for further details.

Judy

25

Many of you will have seen the notice in the Gazette recently that Geoff Blower, of Manor Lane, had died.

Geoff and Muriel retired to Charfield and he soon became involved in the Residents' Association. He took on the Secretary's job on the committee, which he held for many years.

Even after he resigned he continued to support us by delivering the Newsletter until just before his death.

He was a lovely man and we shall remember him with great affection.

We are still keeping going although sadly our numbers have dropped. However we enjoy our couple of hours together once a fortnight.

As I didn't write for January ‘Chadra’ we have some catching up to do.

We had a visit to Blooms garden centre in the autumn for lunch and a look around.

In November we had an exhibition of shell craft with members having a go afterwards.

The December meeting went well with handmade Christmas items for sale followed by carols and Christmas fare.

In February we had lunch at the Railway Tavern. We can recommend it, and we have just had a visit to a beautiful garden near Sheepscombe which was a delight. Loads of daffodils, pansies and other spring flowers and a superb collection of hellebores. This was followed by a ride into Nailsworth for lunch. We always seem to be eating, but it saves on the washing up!

We are hoping to have a visit to Gloucester docks later and the Wickwar people are planning a visit to Weston some time in July.

The club dates in the near future are May 3rd, 17th and 31st in the Sports Lounge from 2–4 p.m. Please give us a try, you will be very welcome.

M Ealey (Sect.)

I'm writing this on the Wednesday of Holy Week in the full knowledge that I'm not going to be able to take part or even attend the forthcoming Easter Services.

After a week of illness the doctor diagnosed viral pneumonia and I resigned myself to letting the virus take its course and missing the events of Holy Week. For me, as a Priest, the Holy Week and Easter Services are demanding and tiring. It is hard going, but it is also a most inspiring and uplifting week of the year ending in the wonderful celebration of Easter. As a Priest it is a privilege to share in and to bring to others the events of Holy Week, that are, for Christians, the most significant events in their faith.

As a 15 year old I remember kneeling down beside my bed and asking Jesus to come into my life, a decision that I have never regretted. I had always attended church and Sunday School, my parents ensuring that I progressed through the well organised system of Children's growth in the local Methodist Church. If this provided the foundation then it was the Youth Group at the Parish Church that provided the spark. Leading an evening youth service probably sowed the seeds of ordination without me realising it. There have been many key people who have helped and guided me on my spiritual journey, which is made truly meaningful by my personal relationship with Jesus. At 26Easter it makes no difference whether I am a Priest at the Altar or a Christian in the congregation as, along with many others, I remember with grateful thanks the pain and suffering that Jesus endured in his sacrifice of love upon the cross. I will be forever grateful for his death and resurrection that offers the opportunity of new life and new start for all.

I have been fortunate to grow up within the Christian Church where I have been encouraged and nurtured but I still had to find space for Jesus and invite him into my life. All this may sound vaguely familiar or be completely alien but whatever your situation I do urge you to find space for Jesus in your life. He is my constant friend and companion as well as my Lord and saviour. He knocks at the door of everyone's life in different ways but can only wait to be invited in. Will you open the door of your life to Jesus?

May God Bless you all at this time.

Rev'd Robert Pestell
Rector of Charfield and Kingswood

From the Registers January, February and March 2006.

Baptisms

8th January

James Lawrence William Brown

Funerals

22nd October 2005

Adam Williams (Aged 22) – followed by burial at Tytherington (with apologises to Adam's family for missing this out of the last edition – this was due to fact that I did not take the service)

15th November 2005

Iris Cartwright

6th January

Alice Maud Poskett (Aged 83)

27th January

Gwen Webb(Aged 79)

27th January

Hazel Margaret Benn

16th March

Irene Evelyn Jones (Aged 86)

22nd March

George Cartwright

24th March

Geoffrey Ralph Blower (Aged 87)

Forth Coming Events

13th May

Plant Sale

21st May

Tea Praise 4pm – a short informal service for all ages

7th June

7.30pm On the trail of the Grail – issues raised by the Da Vinci Code – A talk by Howard Peskitt

10th/11th June

Family and Gift Weekend at St John's Church celebrating the seasons of the Church – featuring events and activities over the whole weekend

18th June

Sandra from Bible Society to preach

Welcome to another term at Rainbows. We have been busy every week with lots of activities and games for the Rainbows to enjoy. Our new Rainbows have all settled in well and we will be having lots of promise parties as they become fully fledged Rainbows.

One of our highlights this term has to be the Treasure Boxes. We make the boxes during one session and decorated them. The girls then took them home to fill with items that were special or important to them. The following week every girl, without fail, brought her box to show. We let each Rainbow tell us about their treasures and why they were so special to them. It was great to listen to the girls that are sometimes shy talk so confidently to the 27others. Thanks to the parents who made the session happen.

Another excellent activity was making our flowers for Mothering Sunday. It's a tricky session as there are multiple stages to the project, but all the girls were patient, helpful and worked together. The super results speak for themselves.

Andrea and I are looking forward to another busy term with lots of exciting projects and activities. We will be at the summer fayre so come along and see us. If your daughter would like to join our happy team, please pop into any of our sessions on Mondays (4–5 pm), or call me – you will be made very welcome.

Kathryn Schofield (01453 52xxxx)

Striving for excellence – Learning for life

Extracts from our School Newsletters since the last Chadra!!

Exciting News!

Mrs. Gordon and Mrs Tylee were delighted to announce that they are both going to have babies later on during the year. ☺

RNLI – Save Our Soles Day

Great fun was had by all who took part in this day, where children and staff could wear their favourite trainers to school for a ‘fine’ of £1. I am delighted to say that we raised over £160 for this worthy cause!

Shoe Boxes

We have had a letter from Tallinding Central Nursery School in The Gambia to thank the pupils and parents for their kindness and generosity with the shoebox appeal. They even sent us a certificate of appreciation! ☺

Mrs Gainer Lane has put a display of photos the school sent to us, with pictures of all the children getting their boxes individually. This display is in the corridor leading down to the Infant classrooms. I am sure your child will want to show you which child got your particular box! Once again, many thanks for your generosity with this appeal.

School Council Toy Sale

We had a great donation of toys, books and puzzles for the School Council toy sale, so thank you for that!! The toys sale itself went brilliantly. The School Council priced up all the toys before the sale. The day of the sale went so well, that EVERYTHING (!) that was sent in was sold, raising £100 towards the playground improvements. A big THANK YOU to all who donated, bought and sold!! ☺

Parents Evening

Once again, many thanks to you, (and the school staff) for making parents evening such a successful event. Thank you for the very positive remarks made by you about the schooling we provide for your children. It is particularly rewarding to know that we have so many contented and supportive parents. If there is anything you feel that we should or could be doing to make these evenings or any school related matters more effective, please let me know. Please remember that we have the Suggestions Box and slips in the lobby by the school office. Thank you.

Healthy School Status – a letter from Mrs. Gainer-Lane

Hello, I am writing to you to ask for your support. As a school we are currently working towards achieving ‘Healthy 28School Status’. To become a healthy school we need to collect evidence of how we are going to meet specific criteria. To gain this government recognition we have to have a whole school approach and therefore need everyone's help.

The whole school approach aims to develop an ethos and environment that supports learning and promotes health and well-being of all.

If you would like to know more about this award or even become involved with helping us gain it, don't hesitate to speak to me, Mrs. Gainer-Lane. As I am sure you are aware schools are being encouraged to develop healthy menus, snacks and promote more physical activities as part of the government's initiative.

As a school we must demonstrate we have met each of the following:

• whole-school food policy developed through wide consultation
• a welcoming eating environment
• healthier options for food and drink available throughout the day
• tuck shops that are nutritious and healthy
• easy access to drinking water
• consulting pupils about food choices

[Graphic: FRUIT IS COOL]

Healthy Schools Update

A really big thank you to all of you who have returned your completed questionnaires. It is great to see that we can all work together to gain the best for the children. I am now going to collate the data and I will report back to you with my findings.

After discussions with the School Council and the whole school community, it has been decided that, at snack times, the children will now be offered pure fruit juice and fruit smoothies. Another popular recommendation was boxes of raisins, which I am currently looking in to purchasing. Therefore, after the Easter holidays the School Council hopes to have the new items added to the daily snack options. Watch this space for flavours and prices.

REMEMBER TO GET GROOVY WITH A SMOOTHY!!

Mrs. J. Gainer-Lane.

All in all, a very hard working term from pupils and staff alike. I hope everyone enjoyed time together at Easter and we can now look forward to the Summer term!

Stefan Frontczak
Headteacher

South Glos has started an exciting new wildlife project in the Charfield area. The project is called ‘Dormice on Your Doorstep!’ and is funded by the Heritage Lottery fund and the Aggregates Levy. The project will work with local people to look for dormice and improve dormice habitats.

Dormice are very rare with only 40,000 left in the UK. They need very wildlife rich places to live, with a good mix of trees and shrubs without too many gaps. There are 15 records of dormice in the area showing that Charfield is a real wildlife hot-spot. However the records are old and patchy and to help protect these rare creatures we need to know more about where they are. You are unlikely to have ever seen a dormouse – they hibernate for up to 6 29months, sleep all day and live in the tree canopy.

A free training event was run at Wickwar village hall on 30th March for people who may like to help with the survey which will use nest tubes. Charfield Primary School also got in on the act with some new tree planting on Friday 3rd March, which will benefit all wildlife including any dormice.

To help with long term habitat improvements, the project can offer farmers and landowners free site visits and advice on wildlife-friendly farming from FWAG (farming and wildlife advisory group). Full help and support can also be given to get land into the Environmental Stewardship Scheme which provides £30 per hectare for wildlife friendly management.

For more information about the project, for a landowner leaflet, or to book your free farm visit call 01454 86xxxx or 86xxxx, or email xxxx @ southglos.gov.uk

WE NEED YOU!!!!

Hi, well it's been a while since I have written anything for CHADRA – it shows how occupied the brownies keep me! On this occasion I'm writing for a specific reason rather than to update you on what we've been doing at Brownies.

I'm actually writing to ask for your help! Are you looking for a challenge?? Does anyone you know have some free time they would like to put to use??

The reason I ask is because 2nd Charfield Brownies are looking for a new leader (brown owl) to take over the running of the pack from this September onwards. We are also looking for anyone who might be interested in helping out with the running of the pack.

I have been running 2nd Charfield Brownies since January 2002 and have really enjoyed being Brown Owl, however I am looking for someone to take over from me as I am due to have a baby in September.

It is not imperative that you have previous experience of running such a group but experience would be useful.

If you are interested in finding out more about running or helping run our pack please call me on 0787069xxxx (anytime) or 01452 72xxxx (Thursday to Monday)

Thanks, Beth Ellis

What will you do when you're old?

When I'm old and I'm smelly, I shall not live alone
In a pensioner's flat or an old people's home
Or take an apartment on some distant shore,
I'll move in with my son and daughter-in-law.

I'll return all the joy that my son gave to me
When he sat as a child on his dear father's knee,
He will welcome me willingly into his home,
When I'm old and I'm smelly and all on my own.

I'll spill coffee on the carpet, leave marks on the wall,
I'll stagger home drunk and be sick in the hall,
I'll sing really loudly and slam every door,
When I live with my son and my daughter-in-law.

30I'll rise from my bed in the late afternoon,
Throw the sheets on the floor and mess up my room,
I'll play ear-splitting music well into the night,
Go down for a snack and leave on every light.

I'll rest my old feet on the new leather chairs,
I'll drape dirty underwear all down the stairs,
I'll talk to my friends for hours on the phone,
When I live with my son in his lovely new home.

I'll come in from the garden with mud on my shoes,
Flop on the settee for my afternoon snooze,
Expect that my tea will be ready by four,
When I live with my son and my daughter-in-law,

I'll leave all the dishes piled up in the sink
And invite all my noisy friends round for a drink,
I'll grumble and mumble, I'll complain and I'll moan,
When I'm old and I'm smelly and all on my own.

I'll watch television hour after hour,
I'll not flush the toilet or wash out the shower,
Oh bliss, what a future for me is in store,
When I move in with my son and my daughter-in-law.

Some Fascinating Facts …

Butterflies taste with their feet.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all of the world's nuclear weapons combined.

On average, 100 people choke to death on ball-point pens every year.

On average people fear spiders more than they do death.

Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.

Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.

It's possible to lead a cow upstairs … but not downstairs.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.

The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building.

A snail can sleep for three years.

No word in the English language rhymes with “MONTH.”

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

“Go,” is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.

If Barbie were life-size, her measurements would be 39-23-33. She would stand seven feet, two inches tall.

A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.

The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

Almost everyone who reads this will try to lick their elbow. You did, didn't you?

31

don't miss …

The Midsummer Ball

Friday June 23rd 2006
The Bristol Golf Club
Almondsbury
7.30 til late

Tickets £30 per person
Coach provided at extra cost

All proceeds will go to Charfield memorial Hall

For more information, or to reserve your table, please contact
Sandra 01453 52xxxx, Julie 01453 52xxxx or Deb 01454 26xxxx

32

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

Baby and Toddler Group
Yvonne Kershaw 01454 26xxxx

Bingo Club
Sue Scoble 01454 26xxxx

British Legion
David Millman (Hon Sec) 01454 26xxxx

Charfield Pre School
Clare Beland (Admissions) 01454 26xxxx
Krissy Gingell (Chairperson) 01454 26xxxx

Charfield Primary School
Stefan Frontczak 01454 26xxxx

Childminders
Teresa Wildman 01454 26xxxx

Church – Congregational
Rev Philip Hopes 01453 84xxxx

Church – St. John's
Rev Robert Pestell 01454 26xxxx
Email xxxx @ surefish.co.uk

Council – Charfield Parish
Sue Bailey (Clerk) 01453 51xxxx
Email clerk @ charfieldparishcouncil.co.uk

Council – South Gloucestershire
Sandra O'Neill 01454 26xxxx
Email xxxx @ southglos.gov.uk

Cricket Club
Diane Bradley 01453 84xxxx

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Football Club – Juniors
Jeremy Lewis 01454 26xxxx

Football Club – Seniors
Jeremy Lewis 01454 26xxxx

Friends of Charfield Primary School
Karen Williams 01454 26xxxx
Lisa Wiles 01454 26xxxx

Foundation Room
Bryan Grantham 01454 26xxxx

Friendship Club
Mrs. M Ealey 01454 29xxxx

Keep Fit Club
Christine Parfitt 01454 26xxxx

Luncheon Club for the Elderly
Jane Higgins 01454 26xxxx

Memorial Hall
Bookings 0870 774 xxxx
Email xxxx @ virgin.net
Tim Hill (Chair) 01454 26xxxx

Neighbourhood Watch
To be confirmed