CHADRA

Firstly I should like to say a big thank you to all our contributors for remembering to send their articles to our new email address. This issue has gone jolly smoothly compared to last time. Thanks, as always, for your articles. It is you who make this newsletter – without you it would be very thin!

Well, after the wettest June on record, at least the last few days have shown a bit more promise. I was not impressed, coming home after a week in France, to have to get out my waterproof coat and umbrella! Wasn't it brilliant that the sun shone on the village fair though. I certainly hadn't expected it to be so nice – only days before we had been caught in downpours of hailstones amidst thunderstorms. Unfortunately I couldn't make the fair as I was away but I am told it was a splendid day, enjoyed by all, so thank you to everyone who had a hand in organising and helping out on the day.

I hope that the weather continues to improve (though it's looking a bit grey outside today) and that you get the weather you would like over the summer.

Regards, Hilary

Next Copy Date – 6th October 2007

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This issues cover picture is another from the pen of Derek Leahy – many thanks Derek, your prize will be with you soon.

It shows cricket on the playing field – something which has been a rare sight over the last month what with all the rain we've had.

As always, if you fancy being a ‘published’ artist – all be it on the village newsletter – we are always pleased to receive your contributions. Pictures or photographs are always welcome – no more the 16cm square please and in black and white.

Introducing your new Police Community Support Officers:

Since April this year Charfield and its surrounding areas has had two additions to its neighbourhood policing team. PC Lee Bainbridge (beat officer for Charfield) now has two new community support officers working with her, they are Haley Harrison and Sean McKinnon.

This now means that the police presence in the area has increased threefold.

Our main role is to undertake high visibility patrol on foot or push bike on all areas of our beat. It is via this means of patrolling that we aim to meet the needs of Charfield residents. Haley and I will patrol Charfield targeting things such as underage drinking, fly tipping and vandalism.

Indeed Charfield Memorial Hall is being targeted as a point of gathering for underage drinkers in the village, and alcohol has been confiscated. We will continue this action until our message is made.

The other notable crimes over the summer period have taken place at the Huntingford Kennels and the industrial firm B.E.K., both on New Street. These were both burglaries in a fairly remote location. Both owners have since made even more stringent crime prevention methods to these properties.

These crime prevention methods are also advisable to the domestic home owner, as a house in a busy residential street was targeted by a burglar an goods of some value were taken.

The role of Haley and I is to be a contactable link between the Police Service and the public so please say hello to us when you see us, or contact us via the numbers on the back page of this newsletter with anything you think we can help you with – though these number should not be used when an urgent response is required or for reporting crime.

Kind regards
PCSO's Haley Harrison & Sean McKinnon

Wimbledon fortnight and with it the usual ups and downs. The ‘Down’ is that it is obviously raining! The ‘Up’ is that the Tennis Court is really busy with loads of juniors, youths and adults braving the weather and getting on court. We have recently had the court professionally cleaned so even in the recent deluges it has still been possible to play and not risk breaking a bone or two.

At our Open Day held in April and since, we have attracted over 180 members this year which is an amazing increase. We honoured the winners of the Junior Leagues from last year with medals. Well done to Joe Barnes, Archie Bennett & Harry Barnes. The online booking system is now very busy and 4there are days when the court is fully booked. We need another court!!! Which is why we are now pursuing this project with renewed energy and urgency. We have had a very positive meeting with the other sports organizations who use the playing fields and we are applying for planning permission this week. We hope to move the existing court right back to the fence alongside the pavement and then extend out onto the playing field enough to fit in the two new courts. We will be starting an extensive fund raising campaign in the autumn which will aid our applications for formal funding from various sources. We hope that you will support our activities and help us to provide a fabulous facility for our village which will present more opportunities for children and adults alike to play more sport for years to come. Our first event will be a Bingo & Chilli night to be held in the Memorial Hall on Friday 28th September. Look out for the posters nearer the time.

We have held a couple of tournaments this spring, a Junior one at the beginning of June which saw some fantastic doubles matches between children aged 9–13 who all umpired and ball collected (kind of!) themselves. The eventual winners after a thrilling Final were Ben Phipps & James Watkins, so well done to them and all who entered and enjoyed. We held a Mixed Doubles Day on 23rd June which saw 16 pairs competitively contesting matches from 8am until the Final finished after going to 3 sets at 7pm. Deb Pringle & Phil Barnes defeated Rob & Nicola Melville in a Final to remember. Many of the other matches were very exciting and worthy of a Final too. The players and spectators were all treated to Pimms & Strawberries and Cream, although by the end of the matches Hot Chocolate & rugs might have been more appropriate! Thanks to all who played, umpired and supported what is rapidly becoming an annual event. We are also in the midst of the annual Family Tournaments, the Finals to be held at the Fete, let's hope for some sun for the entire Village on that day!

The Tennis Club Committee has seen some changes recently with the resignation of Pat Parfitt as Club Chairman. We thank him for his enormous efforts over many years in helping to get the Club to where it is now. He is still very active in coaching juniors, youths and adults and is making great progress in encouraging older youths to take up and enjoy this fab sport. We welcome Chris Riley as our new Chairman and pledge our full support in helping to take the Club to even greater heights over the next few years. Chris has taken on the role of encouraging the men of the village and his formula of cajoling, forcing and bribing seems to be working with 18 players in two leagues competing for the chance to play in the Champion of Champions Final at the end of the season. If any of the men would like to put their new found enthusiasm for tennis to more use, we are looking for more men on the Committee to save Chris from being outvoted at every meeting.

The Ladies & Junior sections have Ladders this year which anyone can join at anytime. Players challenge each other and move up and down the ladder depending on the results. Keep an eye on the website: http://charfieldtennisclub.ibooka.com to see who is progressing up the ladders! Contact Rita Wadsworth 01454 26xxxx to join. We will be holding the Ladies Doubles Tournament in September / October, please contact Deb Pringle 01454 26xxxx to enter.

With such a strong start to the season, we hope that the summer months will see the court busy and keep the juniors and youths occupied throughout the summer holidays, when a number of Tennis Activity Days are planned with a 5Tournament Week to be held during the last week in August.

Contact Jake Barnes 01454 26xxxx for more info on coaching & tournaments and Kate Isaacs 01454 26xxxx for membership enquiries.

Here's to an active and fun-filled sunny summer.

Jake Barnes

I can't believe it's July, it's raining so hard and another school year bites the dust!

With no expense spared we took the Rainbows around the world. We made passports and boarded the airplane from Wotton International Airport. The girls were really excited and took turns to fly the plane! Each week we landed in a different country, one week China, next Hawaii, across to India and back to Italy. When we landed we sampled traditional food and made something unique to each country. We have now landed safely and are staying at home for a while.

We still have the fruit farm to visit (hope the weather hasn't ruined all the strawberries!) and our final session is to be swimming with the Wotton Rainbows (warm sun ordered!).

We now take a break and continue in September still celebrating 20 years of Rainbows.

If your daughter would like to join Rainbows and have loads of fun please contact me.

Kathryn Schofield
01453 52xxxx

Welcome to my last offering of news from St. John's, and there really is some great news! Yes, the appointment of a “house-for-duty” priest for the benefice of Charfield with Kingswood has been made! It is to be the Reverend Vivienne Kerner. We are delighted that she has accepted the appointment and hope to welcome her and her husband when they move into the Rectory. Her licensing will take place in a special service at 4pm on Sunday the 9th of September at St. Mary's in Kingswood. And, be warned, we are expecting a packed church.

After an introduction like that what else can there be to say? Well as I write there are still the months of July and August to pass before the “interregnum” or “vacancy” comes to an end. During July the current pattern of services will continue with a service in St. John's at 9.30am every Sunday until the 22nd of July. On the 29th of July there will be no service at St. John's but a “cluster” service at 10.30am at Holy Trinity Church, Wickwar.

During all of August Sunday services will be at 10.30am and will be either at St. John's or St. Mary's (Kingswood). On the 5th August it will be Kingswood's turn to host a combined service; on the 12th and the 19th August the services will be in Charfield, and on the 26th August the service will again be in Kingswood. On the final Sunday before the vacancy ends, the 2nd of September, we look forward to welcoming John, Bishop of Tewkesbury, to be the celebrant at our 9.30am Parish Eucharist in St. John's.

Some thanks now, and an apology; an apology for offering our thanks so very belatedly to Alison Trueman, and all who helped, for organising our, very successful, Jumble Sale back in early March (over £570 raised). Staying with fund raising events, another big thank 6you to everyone connected with the Plant Sale in May (nearly £430 raised). Staying on the subject of fund raising I should mention that the new (52 week) session for the “Friends of St. John's (Charfield)” began on the 30th June. For the modest outlay of £1 per week members have the chance of winning £30 each week. The winner is whoever has the number matching the National Lottery LOTTO bonus ball each Saturday. We still have space for new members and each has a one in forty nine chance of a win each week!

Now, what of the future? I've outlined above the pattern of Sunday services up to and including the 2nd September. With a new incumbent in place the presently established pattern may change, so keep an eye on the notice board. Dates have however been fixed for a Harvest Supper on Saturday the 6th October and a Harvest Festival service on the following Sunday, the 7th October. Meanwhile the eight-strong benefice Local Ministry Team continues in training and looks forward to becoming nine-strong after the 9th September.

As I think I've mentioned in previous editions of Chadra Newsletter the church is open everyday from early morning to late afternoon, so please feel free to use it to get away from it all, to offer a quiet prayer, or just to sit in quiet contemplation. And why not come along to one of our services, you'll be very welcome and we promise not to overwhelm you! If you need to make contact, for whatever purpose, the Churchwardens names and 'phone numbers are on the church notice board.

I notice that I'm nearly at the end of this little article of church news and I haven't mentioned God once. But of course that's what the church is for and about, for the worship of God and for the spreading of the good news, the Gospel of God's love for each and every individual. So if you should feel the need for more of a spiritual dimension in your life and the companionship of a group of like minded people you know where to find us – that's right, here in St. John's. See you soon!

Bryan Grantham on behalf of the churchwardens and PCC of St. John's.

Hello! Happy Summer! I'm writing this having just got indoors from the hailstones.

When Keith and I visited Lawrence, last October, I sat next to a fantastic American lady called Valentine. She is a scientist and had been in Bristol for two weeks, looking at many wild life films, linked with the BBC and in a committee of six or so people from all different countries, would choose which films would win awards. She told us that on December 8, she was going to fly to the southern most part of Chile, board a Swedish ice-breaker and travel to the South Pole. WOW! What jobs there are in the world! She told me an amazing piece of information. She once stood on a beach surrounded by hundreds of penguins. The beach was littered with their feathers. The feathers were all white. “Where are their black feathers?” she enquired. Her accompanying scientist explained that at the tip of each white feather was a very fine black edge. With such a dense plumage, to keep the birds warm, this is what gives the effect of parts of the penguins black areas. See, you can learn something new every day.

On the subject of learning something new, I have been to Tortworth Primary School, on two occasions, to observe Mandy Champion demonstrate some fairly new numeracy equipment. As I left, her last words were, “Don't mention me in the Chadra.” Well, Mandy, how could I resist?

7How do slugs and snails do it? I was hardening off some plants on an upturned plastic box, about 4 feet high. Several days later, they were all on my plants, chomping. I sent them on holiday in the wheelie bin.

Didn't the English cricketers play in some fabulous sounding places, Grenada, Barbados, St Kitts. I'd made a note that Australia won the World Cup by a Duckworth & Lewis calculation. Don't ask me what that's all about. Years ago, I was advised by Mary Hall, who I took over the running of the Baby Sitting Circle from, that you had to write in the Chadra who had joined and who had left. That's how I started writing this. Anyway she recommended making notes in between the Chadra articles. So I've got bits of paper all over the house with bits of stuff on to tell you about. Hence the cricket info. I love the coverage on Radio 4 with Blowers and Aggers, taking tea, etc. But I don't think I took all the details down, correctly.

For one of the craft afternoons, at school, I thought the children could make planes out of balsa wood. I made one at home. Keith said that it would not fly. It didn't. Plan B. I made a paper one, at school. Sadly, cut my finger whilst folding. I can't do that either, I thought. Twenty-seven or so little darlings times ten fingers. We could well run out of plasters. Health and Safety would never allow it. Anyway, I was practising flying my prototype in the school corridor, not realising that our Headmaster was having a meeting, in the library, with several other “highly professional people,” with my Concorde lookalike whooshing up and down.

I am now slowly getting back to normal. Is that possible, you ask? Our darling Sophie married lovely Bob, actually his real name is Paul, but that's another story, on Saturday 16 June. I woke up at 5 o'clock and could hear water running and it was more than just our pond trickling. It was bucketing down. Well I did say a prayer and asked God if he could just have it dry for their snaps. After their wedding ceremony, we held a fab party in our garden. An event like that just cannot happen without good mates. Dear, wonderful, Nicki, started our day off, at 8 o'clock with Bucks Fizz and nibbles and made us all look so glam at her salon. Chris and Duncan, and Isabel, who allowed her Peter at our place for many hours, helped put up marquees and magical lighting. Beryl and John appeared with gazebos, just at the required moment and Tracey arrived with donated garden table and chairs. We had fantastic caterers, Jane Gabb of Pat-a-Cakes, Cam. Wow, what delicious food. I can so recommend her. The day was just so happy. And it stopped raining. When I think of the weather we have had, before and since, my prayer was certainly answered.

Well, it's all happening. Lawrence had his Green Card interview and received an e-mail on Friday last, saying, that his Application for Permanent Residence had been approved and that they welcomed him to the United States of America.

Oh well, I'd better sign off now and send this to dear Hils and Geoff. Take care everyone. We are so lucky in this village. Isn't it a lovely place to live?

Love, Maz.

I have discovered a great website that I thought may be of interest to people. It is called www.freecycle.org. It is a non-profit group of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own area. Each local group is monitored by a local volunteer. Membership is free. If you have something to get rid of, whether it's a chair, a fax machine, or an old door, you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local 8Freecycle group. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

I have joined the South Gloucestershire group. We had an old tatty tumble dryer that we would not sell as it was a bit rusty in parts, but it worked just fine. So I advertised on this site and I had three responses and a woman came to collect it and was very grateful! It would have been such a shame to take it to the dump.

It is great for recycling so give it a go!

Yvonne Kershaw

On the face of it things have been relatively quiet at the village hall over the last few months. We had our AGM in May and as a result have had changes to some key officer positions. Keith Smith (Vice Chairman) and Karen Stainthorpe (Booking Secretary) have both taken the decision to stand down from their respective positions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Keith and Karen for their fantastic efforts in moving the hall forward over the last 18 months or so. We now have a new booking secretary in Steve Yeo. Steve can be contacted on our usual booking number and I would like to welcome Steve & thank him for stepping into Karen's shoes. We do not have a Vice Chairman yet and, despite repeated appeals, do not have “leaders” for our hall development, marketing and fundraising efforts. This continues to be a disappointment and a frustration to me that more people in the village do not seem to care about the hall. I bet there would be uproar should it close!

The occurrences of vandalism and general anti social behaviour around the hall have started to increase again with the lighter, longer evenings and this continues to be a drain on our meagre finances – another issue which continues to frustrate and annoy. The really sad thing is that we know who the culprits are but without the support of villagers in “shopping” these people to the police the problems will continue as the perpetrators think that they are “untouchable”. I would urge anyone with information regarding such incidents to inform the proper authorities.

On a more positive note, as I write this we are a few days away from the Summer Fayre. Let's hope that the weather improves for the day and that the whole village comes together to support the event, the hall and all the other village organisations with stalls at the Fayre. Maybe some people will be inspired enough by the day to become more involved with the day to day running of the hall.

We have upcoming events in the planning stages which include a Casino / Vegas night (Autumn 07), a jumble sale (again Autumn 07) and perhaps a race night early in 2008.

Our secretary, Angie Hill, and our grants co-ordinator, Isabel Davies, continue to work tirelessly to apply for grants to support our longer term plans to make the hall a more attractive and viable venue for all villagers. Again if you believe you have the time and/or the skills to support the grants process then please contact myself or any other committee member. We meet each month in the Sportsmans Lounge at the hall – normally on the first Thursday of the month – starting at 7.30pm. I look forward to maybe seeing some of you at forthcoming events and meetings.

Tim Hill, Chair

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Advertising

[Advert for Wedding cars]

[Advert for Rangeworthy pre-school]

10[Advert for Add Plant]

[Advert for Charfield Wet Trades]

[Advert for D.R. Vizard & Sons]

[Advert for At Home Curtains & Blinds]

11[Advert for Greenline Tanks]

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

[Advert for Charfield post Office]

12[Advert for W.S. Franks]

[Advert for Pat Jeanes reflexology]

[Advert for Claire Saunders]

[Advert for Colin Lane Carpet & Flooring]

[Advert for Littles Curtains]

[Advert for Learn Baby Massage]

13[Advert for Cotswold Edge Carpets]

[Advert for Barbara Daw]

[Advert for Severn Planning]

14[Advert for Terrys]

[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for RK Aerials]

[Advert for PC Repairs & Maintenance]

[Advert for Acucare]

15[Advert for Charfield Taxis]

[Advert for New Street Garage]

[Advert for Relax-ology]

16[Advert for Amy Bell Massage]

Thank you to all our advertisers

[Advert for Plumbtec]

[Advert for Charfield Memorial Hall]

17[Advert for Evergreen Computing]

[Advert for Frocks & Tails At Home]

[Advert for Party From A Box]

[Advert for Massage Table Store / Positive Pressure]

[Advert for Manor Garden Maintenance]

18

There seemed to be a never-ending stream of eccentric characters around during my school days, and one of these, through a strange liking for lard, was, as he grew up, affectionately known as “Lardy”. Lardy was just a normal quiet, hard working young farmhand until the commencement of the first world war, when, like millions of other young men, he volunteered to fight for his country.

Before he enlisted, Lardy and his girlfriend, who worked as a maid in a large house a couple of miles from Charfield, had been planning to get married and had been gradually getting various household items together in readiness for the big day, unfortunately, the war put a stop to their plans. During his time in the army, whenever possible, Lardy sent small amounts of money home to his girlfriend in readiness for what he thought, would be the happiest day of his life – getting married. Sadly, on his arrival home after the war, all his aspirations and dreams were to be shattered.

His girlfriend had disappeared, along with their small amount of savings, plus everything they had collected together for what he thought would be their future home. Lardy was completely devastated, to say he was heartbroken was an understatement, and he was never able to come to terms with his ex lady friend's dishonesty and deceit. From that moment on he became a completely different person having very little interest in anything except work, and when he wasn't working he was sleeping, when he wasn't working or sleeping, he spent his time in the local inns, much to his landlady's annoyance, she was however, well aware of his unhappy love affair, so treated his uncharacteristic behaviour with great tolerance.

Lardy's favourite drinking establishment was the Tavern, [Railway Hotel] and on the odd occasion, after a drink or three with his mate Tim, he would spend an hour or two sleeping amongst the Brussel sprouts at the bottom of the front garden, especially if his bicycle had refused to carry him, or even allow him to lean on it, as he tried in vain to surmount the gentle incline to his lodgings in Horseford Cottages. Lardy eventually gave up his attempts to rest in the shade of the sprouts, due to the attention given him by a near neighbours dog, who, balancing remarkably well on the uneven ground while standing on only three legs, tried to fill Lardy's left boot with the contents of an over full bladder, much to the amusement of us lads who were closely watching the proceedings.

On feeling the trickle of warm liquid on his leg, Lardy immediately sprang into action, his reflexes became needle sharp, and in less than five minutes, with the help of some sturdy Brussel sprouts, he was standing – well nearly standing – upright.

All this unexpected activity seemed to give Lardy the necessary balance required to help him reach his lodgings, but I have no doubt he was yellow carded by his landlady when he eventually got through the front door. Lardy had numerous yellow cards, but was never in danger of receiving a red one; the reason for this will be explained later. The dog with the built in water can, became known as Webb's Waterer by us youngsters, for the simple reason, its owner, who lived only one hundred yards or so from where Lardy was mistaken for a horizontal lamp post, was John Webb – better known to everyone as Jacky Webb. Webb's waterer must have had a bladder of monumental proportions, because daily, every post, tree, and bush within his territory, fell victim to his three legged water trick, his spraying accuracy was quite remarkable for a dog with such short stubby legs. Although Webb's Waterer gave most of his attention to things perpendicular, his thoughts sometimes wandered, and on the odd occasion he christened horizontal objects, as poor Lardy unfortunately found out.

19Lardy's mate, Tim, who lived in the Wye, [now May Grove] just a short distance from Lardy's lodgings, also relied on his cycle to get him home safely after a visit to the Tavern, but there was a problem with this, Tim's machine was almost completely devoid of any kind of mechanical braking device, therefore, when his brakes failed, [as they usually did], as he travelled down Horseford road on his way home, his emergency braking system came into play; in all probability this system was the forerunner of today's universally used foot brake, because that's exactly how Tim slowed his bike down, by using a foot brake. To operate this foot brake, Tim would lift his right foot off the right pedal, stick his leg forward towards the front wheel, and hanging grimly onto the handle bars would jam the inside of his foot as hard as possible onto the front wheel tyre, this sometimes had the desired effect, but more often than not, it failed miserably. When this happened a chain-linked fence that ran around a small grassy area [once part of Charfield Green] just beyond the entrance to the Wye, would thankfully stop Tim's headlong flight into the Brussel sprouts where Lardy once had the misfortune to fall foul of Webb's Waterer.

As previously mentioned, Lardy's nickname came about because of his great desire for lard, his toast always had a thick layer spread all over it, he always had lard in his sandwiches, whether they contained meat, cheese, or even on the odd occasion, strawberry jam, butter was never used. Lard was always used in his fry-ups, and he always put a large dollop on his cooked meals – he was also known to put a spoonful of lard into warmed up cider, and he swore that lard rubbed into his aches and pains gave him great relief. Lardy always maintained that his great use of lard was due to its medicinal values, and who's to say he was wrong, it even prevented his feet from getting wet, because when ever he had the opportunity, lardy would rub the stuff vigorously into his working boots ensuring his feet were kept dry even if everything else was wet.

We youngsters loved these goings on from our elders, it was great entertainment and entirely free. All these things were the material television programmes are made of today, but this was real life, a wonderful colourful tapestry, embroidered by the people who lived, played and worked in the village during my informative years, so, as such, will remain in the archives of my mind until long after the colours have faded with age.

Referring back for a moment to Lardy, some of you will be thinking, how come you know so much about his failed love affair when you weren't born when the First World War ended! – I will let you into a secret – my mother was Lardy's landlady she was also his sister, this of course made Lardy my uncle.

Although Lardy wasn't the best of role models, as my father died when I was only two, he was the nearest thing I had to a dad, and I know, in spite of all his problems, Uncle Lardy did his best.

Having just mentioned that Lardy wasn't a particularly good role model, maybe on reflection, I could be wrong. Lardy's sad way of coping with adversity, made me, as I grew up, determined not to follow in his footsteps, so it could be said that Lardy was a good role model – in an upside down kind of way – if you see what I mean!

Ken Parker

Students leaving
September is a time traditionally when the Out of School Club says a fond farewell to the students and welcomes in new faces as more students appear. At the end of the summer holidays we will be saying a sad good bye to Laura, Holly and Jackie who are going on to further education or new employment. Thank you for all your 20hard work. Your friendly faces will be missed especially by the children. We wish you well in the future. However we look forward to meeting the new students next term.

We are also saying good bye to our book keeper Karen Messer who has been working for the club for just under two years. Karen has been forced to give up due to work and family commitments. Thank you for all your help Karen.

Thanks also the Lisa and Lesley who are leaving employment with the Foundation. They have both done a great job clearing up after the kids. A challenge I am sure at times!

AGM – early in the autumn term we will be holding our Annual General Meeting. Any keen members wishing to join the existing set of Directors and wish to make a difference to the running of the club please keep your eyes peeled for a date. This should be announced at the end of the summer. Only “Members” of the club are currently able to vote (see box below). New ideas and blood are always welcome.

Vacancies
Are you are considering going back to work or would just like to put your child/children into the club for a break from time to time? If so I am delighted to tell you that we now have a few vacancies (but only a few) on Monday and Friday afternoons. Spaces are also available on most mornings.

For more details – pick up a leaflet from the club. For those who don't know the club runs in the Foundation room next to the Playground on the school premises.

Holiday Vacancies
Holiday forms for the school holidays are out!

I would urge people to book early to guarantee places. We now actively open up our doors to children from outside the village who attend other local schools. Posters (some of which have been designed by the children) promoting the holiday club have been displayed within the surrounding community. Leaflets have also been given to other “after school clubs” so that if they are not able to open their doors to their users they can point them in our direction.

If anyone has any further ideas how to advertise the club, then please speak to Pat or Nicola (Tel 07816 23xxxx)

21Date For Your Diaries …

Summer Disco and BBQ – Sadly we had to postpone our summer BBQ and disco. However we do hope to host a similar event in the new school year.

Admin
Club opening times –
Breakfast club: 7:30am to 8:40am
After School club: 3:10pm to 6:00pm
School Holidays/Inset days – 7:30am to 6:00pm

The Holiday clubs remain popular, particularly on inset days so early booking is essential.

If you want to find out more 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

Janice Brett

Local Elections

I reported in the last issue of CHADRA that there would be a number of vacancies on the Parish Council at the Elections held in early May. As there were insufficient candidates coming forward the 6 councillors standing for re-election were automatically elected without contest. This left 3 vacant seats, which we were able to fill by co-option. I am pleased to say that 5 people came forward and of these 3 have been co-opted, they are, Mr R Hancock, Mrs Y Lloyd and Mr M Rosher. I would like to welcome them to the Parish Council and look forward to their contribution.

Sadly we saw three very experienced councillors leave, John Acton, Sandra O'Neill and Jayne Pedley, we wish them well in their future ventures and thank them for their time effort and commitment to the village.

Land at end of Manor Lane

There has been ongoing work at the end of Manor Lane in an attempt to landscape the area and make it a more attractive feature in this busy part of the village. We have now received quotations from a number of landscaping companies and hope that we may be in a position to carry out some of the work in this financial year. We have also been looking into providing a notice board in this area that could be used to provide local information and would be available to all. Within this notice board it is hoped to provide a village map to provide essential local detail, we would welcome information from anyone who can advise on a suitable supplier of street/topographical maps. If you can recommend a supplier please contact the Clerk.

Wickwar Quarry

There cannot be many within the parish that have not heard of the applications by the quarry operators, CEMEX, to extend the area for limestone extraction northwards towards Churchend. The Parish Council has objected to the applications and believes that they are extremely controversial and at the last count had prompted a petition of objection, with approximately 400 signatures, and some 500 formal objections from about 160 households. The strength of local feeling cannot be underestimated, this was clearly apparent at a public meeting chaired by Steve Webb MP in the Memorial Hall back in June. At that meeting concerns were also expressed about the expertise of South Gloucestershire Council's newly appointed Development Control Committee to assess the applications, as some of the councillors allegedly had no experience of planning and had not yet had training. The Parish Council have therefore written to the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) asking that the applications be called-in for decision by the Secretary of State. It is not certain that the GOSW will 22act but they may direct S Glos not to issue a planning permission until they (GOSW) had looked at the circumstances.

South Glos Development Control West Committee was due to look at the applications this month but this has now been put off until probably September.

The PC will continue to monitor this issue.

Paul Ashford,
Chairman Charfield Parish Council.

[Graphic: Charfield Junior Football Club]

CHAMPIONS! I am very pleased to report that the Charfield Junior Football Club Under 15s has won the Stroud & District Youth Association Football League for their age group. With the Under 14s also coming second in their age group Managers Kevin Bath and Colin Wood can be proud of both their teams achievements. Next season the teams move up a year and both managers will be hopeful of similar success.

This coming season the village will also have two junior teams representing them in Mid Gloucestershire Mini Soccer League. The Under 10s recently made the final of a tournament in Tetbury before classically losing 2–1 on penalties! They hope to use this as a springboard for greater success in the league as they move up to become the Under 11s. Last years Under 11s have only been playing together for one year, and as they move up to the Under 12 age group, they are keen to build on their promising start and look forward to some more victories next season.

The now Under 16's team will play its forthcoming home matches at the Memorial Field in the village whilst the other 3 teams have the benefit of their own pitches and facilities at the Moreton Ground adjacent to Tortworth School. The football club is one of the only teams in the local area to have their own dedicated facilities. Although this provides many benefits the upkeep and maintenance also costs money.

Charfield Junior Football Club is a non-profit making organisation with all the funds raised through sponsorship, player subscriptions and match fees going back into the club to pay for equipment and improvements to the facilities. Although the Club puts on a number of fund raising events during the year, such as the now annual beer festival, we are always on the look out for new sponsors. If you have a bit of spare money available please get in touch!

The new season is fast approaching and we wish all the teams much success once again. We are also looking to attract new coaches, players and new boys and girls teams in different age groups. If you would like to join or help the Club in any capacity please contact me on 01454-26xxxx.

Thank You, Nigel Cloke
Club Secretary/Under 11s Coach

After the wettest June on record and July looking set to follow, the sun shone on us all day! What a relief! All those months of planning and then in the last week endless debates about whether we should cancel! We're really glad we didn't though, as lots of you turned up and had fun, lots of money was made for many of our village organisations and although the accounts are not yet finalised, we anticipate we have made well over £1,500 for the Memorial Hall and Playing Fields.

23The event was opened in a traditional fashion by Wotton Silver Band, creating a lovely village atmosphere – the lilt of the notes being carried across the field, bunting waving in the wind, teas and cakes courtesy of the Friends of Charfield School and THE SUN SHINING!

The KLB Samba Band had us all tapping our feet to the rhythm and Carol Parton's Belly Dancing display to Black Sabbath's “Paranoid” had some of us jiggling – or thinking about it!

Other memories of the day include the hilarity of kids Kangaroo Boxing, climbing on tanks, bouncing on the bouncy castle and riding on the pony and trap. Coconuts flying, burgers frying and lots of fun for all on a variety of stalls from tombolas, to jars, to wine and water and the Pimms and strawberries and cream from the Tennis Club lent a very civilised tone to the proceedings!

The races were as popular as ever and there were some lovely entries in the horticultural show. The gym display was a great spectacle – we all enjoyed their wonderful show in difficult conditions and congratulations must go to all the teams who took part in the football

The afternoon ended with the ever-popular Tug of War competition and the Grand Draw. The Tug of War drew in the crowds and teams of all ages had a go! The Railway Tavern were the winners for the fourth year in a row (so we're told!)

There are so many people who helped to make the day enjoyable and successful and, rather than name names and risk missing someone, we'd like to say a great big thank you to each and every one of you for giving your support and your time – either beforehand or on the day. Here's to the next one!

The Village Fair Organising Committee

Striving for excellence
Learning for Life

Here are some of the extracts from some of our newsletters, so far since April:

All Change
There have been a lot of staffing changes recently – so here they all are. Ms. Harper's contract with Year 1 came to an end at the end of Term 5, when Mrs. Tylee returned from maternity leave. Mrs. Tylee, however, has decided to resign from her post at the end of this academic year, due to family commitments.

I would like to extend my personal thanks to Ms. Harper for all the hard work, care and support that she has given to the children since September. It has really been appreciated. Ms. Harper will still be in school each Thursday continuing her work with Reception class, when Mrs. Gordon is not in on that day.

Mrs. Gainer Lane will be leaving at the end of this academic year to move with her family to Wales. She has been an exceptional teacher since she came to Charfield Primary School and we will miss her very much, but wish her all the very best in Wales.

Mrs. Pickford will also be leaving us after approximately 18 years of sterling service to the school and all those pupils!! We wish her well for the future and thank her for all she has done for the school and pupils during her time here.

Mrs. Bradley has requested that she would like to scale her hours down after 33 years and will be teaching 2 days a week from September.

I am very pleased to say that following interviews recently, we have appointed Mrs. Ruth Noall to teach one of our Year 5/6 classes and Mrs. Rebecca Rolfe to teach in Year 4 for 3 days of the week and 24to provide 1 day release time for those teachers with leadership responsibilities.

Healthy Schools Status
On Wednesday 23 May, we had a visit from the assessor for the Healthy Schools organisation. Various people from the school community were interviewed and a portfolio of work was presented. I am delighted to say that we passed with flying colours and have been awarded Healthy Schools status. We will be given an official Healthy Schools plaque in July, which will probably be put next to our Investor In People plaque at the front of our school.

I would especially like to say a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Gainer-Lane who has been at the front of this development.

Adventure Playground
The Friends have added another section into the middle of the existing play items and this now completes the project. The children love it!! We are delighted with this fantastic resource and can only thank the Friends so much for their continued support in enriching our school and the opportunities we can offer to our pupils.

Pear tree Raffle
The owners of the Pear Tree Pub have very kindly agreed to run a raffle and to present us with the proceeds. Every little helps, as they say, so if you are in the Pear Tree, don't forget to get your raffle ticket! ☺

Newspaper
A group of children produced our ‘Cool School News’ – a school newspaper. It costs just 20p a copy and was a huge success, needing a third reprint, due to demand!

Table Tennis Tables For Sale
We currently have two quality Dunlop Rollaway table tennis tables, in excellent condition, that are surplus to our needs and that need a good home. If you would like to buy one of them, please call in and see me or phone the school on 01454 26xxxx. Thank you.

Strategic Plan
We are currently in the process of writing our new Strategic Plan for 2008–2013. We have consulted with parents and pupils, staff and governors about the values that they believe should be to the fore when constructing the new plan. A steering group has been formed comprising of parents, staff, governors and the school Senior Leadership Team. Work has started and the group aims to have the plan ready to start in January 2008.

During the week starting Monday 16 July, we will be sending out a short questionnaire to our parents to gather their views of our school, to help us develop the Strategic Plan appropriately. We will also be asking the pupils the same questions in school so that they have an input.

SATs
After a lot of hard work from the pupils and the staff, we now have our unvalidated SATs results, Year 6 for 2007 are as follows:

Level 4 is the expected level for pupils at the end of Key Stage 2 – i.e. Year 6

1 pupil = 3.03%

Similarly, I am writing to inform you of our Year 2 SATs results. ☺

1 pupil = 3.6%

Level 2b is the expected level for pupils at the end of Key Stage 1 – i.e. Year 2

Finally …
What a busy two terms this has been. We still have our Music Evening, Sports Day and Year 6 production of Billy Elliott to do yet!!

From all at Charfield Primary School, I wish you an enjoyable summer break and look forward to the safe return of the children in September.

Stefan Frontczak, Headteacher

Only seems like yesterday I was sat here writing the last Chadra, Oh well here goes!

So far this year the friends have spent over £10,000 on play and learning equipment, which helps to make our children's time at Charfield Primary School more enjoyable and rewarding. The last few events have helped raised over £1500 which will go towards future projects. But this would not be possible without your generosity of bottles of wine, cakes and your ongoing attendance at our social events. But none of this would happen with out the few core friends members that make each and every event happen, people like Kate Scally and her team, who successfully organised and ran this years May Fair, it was a glorious and fun day. Thanks Kate.

Cattle Country was a little wet!!! but those same old faces that did attend had great fun. Indoor picnics, the deathslide enjoyed by parents and children alike, a great fun evening was had by all.

The Summer Fair was only yesterday, so the amount we raised is yet unknown but I am sure we did really well, if the amount of burgers we sold was anything to go by. First customer arrived at 12 noon and we all just kept going until well after 5pm. Wine and Water went well as always, the tea, coffee and cakes stall was well attended. To cover the 3 stalls over the 5 hours we had to have a large army of helpers so a BIG thanks to every one of you who volunteered.

We are hoping to organise a Car Boot in the school grounds during the summer holidays, but it will depend on the weather! This will be our last event before the AGM – date to be confirmed.

So it only leaves Collette and I to thank all those who supported us during the last year.

Bye for now.

Rosemarie Matthews, Co Chair

This is a really exciting time for the whole village. Many of you will have seen that maintenance of the Church buildings has been neglected for some years but now new Trustees have been appointed and have given the matter of revitalizing this lovely Victorian Church, top priority. A professional survey, by a surveyor specializing in Church buildings, has already been undertaken and the small kitchen, used by the Sunday School and the Playgroup, is in the process of being completely rebuilt. The next big step is for the Sanctuary ceiling to be removed for a 26more detailed inspection of the roof timbers. This is a massive job but it is hoped that it will be done shortly. Those of you who know the Church will be delighted to hear that the organ (which has not been played for some years) is, quite remarkably, still in good voice and a brief, but enthusiastic recital was given only the other week by Jean (who was in the area for a week-end visit and used to play the instrument regularly) for some of the Church Members who were working in the building.

Until the Sanctuary can be re-used, Sunday services are being held in the ante-room, access being at the rear of the Church, with visiting preachers most weeks. The Sunday School (which many of you will have attended in the past) is still thriving. Why not come along and see what is happening; it is truly amazing.

Sunday Services 11 a.m.
Sunday School 11 a.m.
Prayer and Bible Study Every Tuesday, starting at 8p.m.

We look forward to seeing you.

Issue 28 of the Newsletter was published in July 1982, and the village were looking forward to the Sports and Gala Day; the equivalent of the Village Fair.

To celebrate National Play Group Week that May, the Playgroup had held a Teddy bears' Picnic, featuring favourite cuddly toys, some as old as 30 years plus.

A raffle was held, and drawn at the Sports and Gala Day, in support of the Falklands Relief Fund.

The 1st Woodend Scouts did well at the District Camping Competition, coming 3rd, 4th and 6th.

In the Parish Council Report, a reply is eagerly awaited to the request for a safer pedestrian crossing over Charfield Railway Bridge.

The Cricket Club were enjoying a successful season, including a Devon Tour, and defeating the league champions RAF Innsworth.

Elsewhere in the Newsletter was a request for likeminded fans to form an Elvis Presley Club in Charfield. Did it ever get off the ground?

There was also a very informative article covering the history and current circumstances regarding the railway station, and the sequence of actions needed for its re-opening.

Finally, I thought you might like the following article entitled “All on a Summer Afternoon” contributed by P Waring, it rings as true today as it did then:

“What a beautiful afternoon it had been in Charfield, the warm sun was an added bonus after the chilly morning. An hour sitting in the garden was a real pleasure in the quiet afternoon sun. Then came the usual busy traffic, as workers and school children returned home. But it was more of a rush than usual, as the skies blackened and the first drops of rain began to fall. The spots soon turned to torrents as children who earlier had enjoyed the showers ran for cover. The climax came with a clap of thunder, so loud, it seemed to shake the whole village, and the few who had braved the storm ran for shelter to their homes.

Then, as quickly as it came, the storm passed, the skies brightened and the air seemed fresh and clean. The birds sang and the gardens were refreshed again. The traffic, which was so heavy before, slowly ceased and not a soul disturbed the peace. The whole village seemed to settle into a hush. “The lull after the storm” you might say. Yes, but not just that, they were all settling down to watch the replay of the FA Cup Final on television.”

27

Frocks & Tails at home offer exclusive men's formal wear with a personalized service from the comfort of a home-based showroom in Thornbury with appointment times to suit you, day or evening.

You can choose from a large selection of suits, accessories and waistcoat styles and colours including Highland wear and dinner suits.

Jayne's wealth of experience in the wedding trade and eye for detail means you can be assured that all you mens wear needs will be met. The final fitting / collection appointment up to 12 days before THE DAY means there is ample time for alterations or replacements so guaranteeing a perfect fit for the Big Event.

Early appointments are advised to ensure that you have the right attire for your wedding, school prom or special day.

For further details and prices call Jayne Wolstenholme on 01454 41xxxx.

Four Towns & Vale Link are keen to expand their Social Car scheme to more areas of South Gloucestershire. They already run a very successful Dial a Ride scheme covering an area from Severn Beach to Hill and from Charfield down to Winterbourne, and a Group Hire scheme for social groups within the area. The Social Car scheme complements these services. The Car scheme involves volunteers using their own vehicle to take one or two individuals to venues which are not so easily accessed by the scheme's minibuses. Many of the journeys that would be covered by the Social Car scheme would be to access medical appointments where it is important that the client arrives at a set time.

To make the service work best Four Towns & Vale Link are seeking to recruit more volunteers willing to use their own cars and who will receive a mileage allowance towards the cost of providing the journeys. To make things easier they can arrange to collect the contribution from the client to save anybody getting embarrassed.

Volunteers do not have to be available every day; we appreciate any time that you can volunteer for the scheme and even an hour can make a difference to someone who is in real need.

If you know of someone in your area who would benefit from this new type of service or would like some information on any of the schemes services, or if you know of someone who would be willing to volunteer, then please contact Four Towns & Vale Link on 01454 86xxxx

Editors Note: Don't forget that we also have the elderly and housebound transport scheme operating for Charfield residents, run by Marion Smith. Marion is in need of new drivers – if you can help please contact her on 01454 26xxxx.

Any time you can give to either of these organisations will be greatly appreciated.

A little humour …

I was in the jungle and there was a monkey with a tin opener. I said, “You don't need a tin opener to peel a banana.” He said, “No, this is for the custard.”

I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet ‘Best Before End’

A lorry full of tortoises collided with a van full of terrapins. It was a turtle disaster.

I went to buy a watch, and the man in the shop said “Analogue?” I said “No, just a watch.”

28

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

Baby and Toddler Group
Alex Montgomery 01453 84xxxx

Bingo Club
Sue Scoble 01454 26xxxx

British Legion
David Millman (Hon Sec) 01454 26xxxx

Charfield Pre-School
Joanne Loveridge (Chair) 07849 48xxxx
Becki Bishop (Vice Chair) 01454 26xxxx
Lisa Hancock (Admissions) 01454 26xxxx

Charfield Primary School
Stefan Frontczak 01454 26xxxx

Childminders
Sarah Gazzard 01454 26xxxx

Church – Congregational
Rev Philip Hopes 01453 84xxxx

Church – St. John's
Bryan Grantham 01454 26xxxx

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
Rosemarie Matthews 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