CHADRA

What a welcome spring is, all that new life starting, baby lambs in the fields, flowers bursting out from the ground and trees just starting to come into leaf. Oh at last, what a lovely time of year.

There is a very flowery theme to this issue of our magazine, there is news of the annual plant sale at St John's Church on 15 May, and open gardens around the village on 30th and 31st May to look forward to. In Marilyn's Bit there is a request for garden tools for the School's Gardening Club, everyone seems to be getting ready to enjoy the great outdoors.

Many thanks to all our contributors for their articles this issue.

Next Copy Date – 6 July 2010

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Our cover photograph this issue was taken on 6 April this year. It just encapsulates spring for me. In the picture there are daffodils, primroses, and hyacinths, the perfume was fabulous. All that would be needed to complete spring would be lambs.

… Well we've made it … we've survived Lent and for some of us it's been a long 40 days! We have enjoyed our Lent Lunches and the monies raised are going to good causes. For those of you who were present on Mothering Sunday we hope that your Anemone corms are still thriving and maybe showing signs of flower buds as well as the leaves. The children at Choir and club (Fridays) did a great job decorating the plant pots so a big thank you to them.

Our exhibition up at St James has now finished and we weren't able to tell you in the last edition of Chadra as it hadn't been planned … there were good things to be seen and the theme was loosely Resurrection to Hope. Included were some recycled objects as well as more artistic works at the other end of the ability scale. Moving on now we look forward to the plant sale in May (15th) … see local notices … and many of us are already nursing plantlings … if there is such a word… it's usually a great event and we manage to add to our Church funds.

We are very close to starting work on the Toilet and Water facilities and just await the Chancellor … no, not THE Chancellor … the Diocesan chancellor, to stamp the paper work. Lots of people have worked hard with both small and big events to raise funds and they have done really well. Do come along and join us … we don't only ‘work’ on Sundays … on Fridays from 2 there is always tea/coffee/biscuits and a warm place to sit and chat before school comes out … if there is anything we/I/The Church can do to make your life better then please tell us.

With best wishes for a warmer summer and a welcome anytime you come in to church.
Viv K.

The village is in for a treat during the late May Bank Holiday as on Sunday and Monday six gardens around the village will be opening their gates in aid of charity. Selected under the prestigious National Gardens Scheme, these gardens will show how widely different gardens can be – and how uniquely beautiful each one is. What a wonderful opportunity to see so many gardens all within the space of the village.

The gardens could not be more different – varying from a small but perfectly formed plot to a more spacious acre garden, incorporating a small lake, and thriving vegetable garden. Refreshments and delicious homemade cakes will be served in the village hall.

4Five of the gardens are situated within easy walking distance of one other – Warners Court on the main road through the village, xx Wotton Road (as you go out of the village towards Wotton), Merline House in Horsford Road, and the Urn Cottage in Station Road and the garden at xx Station Road. A good walk up the hill (or take the car!), turn right into Churchend Lane and the last garden is at Pemberley Lodge.

Opening Details:

Open 30th & 31st May 2010 from 12pm to 5pm.

Admission £6.00, children free with all proceeds going to the NGS sponsored charities.

Yvette Andrewartha

Wildlife Film Making
We started the year with an illustrated talk from James Bicknell (from the BBC in Bristol) that gave insights into wildlife film making – including the problems of filling out health and safety risk assessments for filming deadly venomous snakes at close quarters while up a tree! The evening was well attended and raised over £800. My thanks go not just to James for his very entertaining presentation and to those who attended, but also to the Cotswold Edge Golf Club for the free use of their clubhouse. This event followed on from an equally successful talk from Huw Cordey (BBC Producer) in 2009 and we hope that it will become a regular event – although we will spread our net to find speakers from a wider background!

Open Garden – Ozleworth – June
By kind permission of Mr Stone, we will hold an Open Garden at Ozleworth Park – on Sunday 27th June. This follows on from similar events in 2007 and 2008 – both of which were well attended and much enjoyed by all who came. For those who have never been, the gardens at Ozleworth Park are well worth visiting – so make a note of the date in your diaries and look out for the posters advertising this event from May onwards.

House-to House Collection – July
Our annual house-to-house collection will again take place in early July. This is our biggest fund-raising event; last year we raised £280 in Charfield, and over £2300 throughout the GL12 postal area. My thanks go to a small dedicated band of volunteer collectors. However:

• welcome as it is, the sum raised should be viewed against the £330,000 per day that it costs to provide the national lifeboat service plus the increasing use of trained lifeguards at beaches around the coast – and that all of this funding is raised through voluntary donation;
• there were several streets that we were unable to cover – particularly in Charfield;
• thus additional volunteers would be most welcome; please contact me if you are willing to spare an hour or two in early July to help.

Souvenir Stall
We will again take our souvenir stall to various local events. Last year we were at the Charfield Summer Fayre (for the first time for a few years) and I hope that we will be there again this year – so look out for us.

As well as raising funds, attendance at the local shows gives us a chance to promote some of the other activities of the RNLI (including what we can offer to schools and youth group), so please come and talk to us if you wish to learn more. People wanting to become Shoreline or Offshore members, and volunteers willing to help with branch activities (even if only for a few hours where additional help is needed to run occasional events) are also most welcome – but press gangs are a naval, not an RNLI tradition, so don't be put off if you just want to find out more about 5the RNLI or want to arrange for an illustrated talk – whether to a youth or adult audience (see below).

Education / Youth Activity Resources and Illustrated Talks
The RNLI provides free resources to teachers and to youth leaders and supports this with volunteer speakers who will visit schools and youth groups to talk about the activities of the RNLI and / or about safety at the seaside. The resources can be down-loaded from the RNLI website at: rnli.org.uk/shorething.

The resources for teachers have been prepared by teaching professionals and include lesson plans and whiteboard-based activities that can be used within the national curriculum for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.

As a volunteer education speaker, I have been into various local schools and a few local cub packs to talk about the activities of the RNLI (sometimes in support of the use of the free Citizenship resources) and / or about safety at the seaside. The school visits have included short illustrated talks at school assemblies and longer sessions with smaller groups / individual classes. I believe the latter work better, since they allow me to talk with the pupils rather than at them. For the last two years, I have also been on the RNLI education stand at the Education Show at the NEC Birmingham.

As with the resources provided from our website, there is no charge for a visit – although I would never refuse a donation, and would willingly help any school or youth group that wanted to organise a fund-raiser for the RNLI!

I also do illustrated talks on the RNLI to adult groups (which have included Probus, Women's Institute, etc).

Anyone interested in arranging a talk, or volunteering their help with the house-to-house collection or any other activity, or simply wanting to learn more about the RNLI, please contact me.

John Barnett – 01453 84xxxx (Charfield)

I love flowers; it fills me with joy to see them growing in gardens, or wild in the hedgerows. If there is a spare bit of money from the weekly shop I treat myself to a bunch of flowers for the home. I unwrap the precious package carefully and quickly ‘plonk’ them in a vase of water so as not to disturb the way they were arranged. Now I think quite a few people seem to be like me in that respect!!

Well a couple of weeks ago I went on a half day flower arranging workshop, with my dear friend Molly. The workshop was run by Julie Whitfield of Floriture and was held at her flower school in The Hamptons Deli at Chipping Sodbury. Julie is a lovely woman who is passionate about her gorgeous flowers. She began the day with a demonstration and some practical advise. Then it was our turn to recreate her masterpiece. Julie helped each step of the way with her encouragement, enthusiasm and individual attention. In no time at all we had created a display that not only looked good, but looked professional. Certainly not my normal ‘thrown together plonked in a vase’ look.

[Photo: Julie in the flower school at Chipping Sodbury.]

What a truly fabulous morning we had. The perfume from the flowers filled the room making you feel happy, and the satisfaction of creating something so beautiful just made you smile and brim with pride. I can't wait to book on another flower course, or maybe treat 6someone to an arrangement created by Julie.

If you want to take a look at some of her work, or maybe book a workshop for yourself pick up a leaflet for Floriture at The Hamptons Deli or check out the website at www.floriture.com. You really will have a lovely time.

Isabel Davies

[Graphic: Safer & Stronger Community Groups]

Your local Safer Stronger Community Group needs you!

South Gloucestershire's 20 Safer Stronger Community Groups are all about working together to improve your local community. The groups also enable you to have your say about the services that your community needs and receives.

These groups have been set up as part of the South Gloucestershire Council's Community Engagement initiative and the Neighbourhood Policing Model. Their members include people who live and work in the area and representatives from South Gloucestershire Council, the local police, Avon Fire & Rescue, Primary Care Trust, the Town & Parish Council and other local organisations. The aim is to:

• work together to ensure that local communities are safe and pleasant places to live, work and play
• give local people a greater voice and influence over local decisions and the priorities of the service providers
• support actions and initiatives that meet local needs

The next meeting of Charfield Safer Stronger Community Group is on Thursday 29th April, 7.30pm at Cromhall Hall, Talbots End, Cromhall, GL12 8AJ.

To find out more about your local Safer Stronger Community Group visit http://####.southglos.gov.uk. Here, you will be able to become a member of your local group, view agendas and minutes from meetings and gain access to more information about the issues and projects in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your Safer Stronger Communities Officer on 01454 86xxxx.

A resident of Charfield (Carol Parton) has temporarily moved to New Zealand, as her husband (Graham) has a job there for a couple of years. She has submitted a journal of her adventures so far, for publication in CHADRA. Another budding Bill Bryson maybe!!!

The great adventure began on a dull cool morning of October 21st 2009.

My brother and niece who had arrived the night before to drive us to Heathrow airport were up bright and early with myself and husband Graham for a quick breakfast. Shadow, one of our cats had spent his last night in his old home under the bed before we took him to his new home around the corner to our good friend Jenny. Unfortunately his mate Wizo was nowhere to be seen to go with him.

We finished packing our last bits and bobs, loaded up the car and we were very touched that our good friends and 7neighbours had all got up early to give us a good send off.

Our flight to Hong Kong was on time and uneventful and I even managed a few hours sleep! HK airport is awesome. Huge, clean and plenty of space. We picked up our luggage and decided to try public transport to our hotel. The hotel was fantastic with glorious views over the harbour, and a roof top swimming pool.

We managed the usual touristy stuff of HK mainland and going up the ‘Peak’ via the railway. Very cheap and efficient ferry service to HK island and Graham didn't even get sea sick! The Peak very touristy with lots of shops and restaurants but well worth a visit for the views which although hazy are still magnificent. (hazy = lots of pollution).

Our flight on to Auckland wasn't till the evening so we spent the next day going for a walk along the promenade outside the hotel and lazing by the pool. We'd arranged a late check out so after finishing packing we had a light snack then got on the hotel bus to Kowloon station where we could check in our luggage before getting on the train to the airport. How cool is that! Pity that can't happen at any of the stations in the UK!

We'd already pre-booked our seats on line, took a chance and went for middle bank as at 8.00pm previous day there were no other passengers there. Bad mistake, never go in the middle, choose the rows of 3 at the sides and if 2 of you go for the aisle and the middle, at least one of you can stretch their legs. Another tip is don't choose seats that are in the middle of the plane as by the time they serve food they've run out of choices … if you like vegetarian order in advance and you get served 1st. Despite being an evening flight didn't sleep at all on this leg.

Arrived at last in Auckland more or less on time despite an hours delay on the HK tarmac whilst a passenger's luggage (who was too ill to travel) was located and removed. Nikki, Grahams new boss in NZ very kindly came to pick us up to transport us to our temporary lodgings at the Takapuna Motor Lodge, North Shore.

After a few days recovering from jet lag, we hired a car to go exploring. Graham had 5 days before starting work so we needed to get a feel for the area and start looking for somewhere to live. Easier said than done.

We bought a highway code to learn because although most of the driving is similar, there are a few strange customs. Still haven't quite got to grips with the rule of if you are turning left into a road you give way to a person coming towards you turning right into the same road, got that? But rule doesn't apply if you have someone behind you.

Other things to note are that insurance isn't compulsory, the only people who observe the speed limits seem to be visitors (mostly UK ones) expat and those of a more mature age oh and driving age is 15 years! The death rates related to speeding and drink driving are quite high. Grahams idea of cycling to work was soon scuppered after reading the daily newspapers about injured cyclists. The good news is that as UK licence holders we don't have to take a driving test to obtain a NZ licence, just need to be at a permanent address for 2 months and because we're cautious Brits, we get a full 60% no claims on our car insurance.

Graham started work and it was left to me to find us somewhere to live without getting too lost in the process. I eventually found an agent who was helpful and took a liking to me and gave me the heads up on a property, which we are now in. A decent rental has cost 8a lot more than what we were anticipating but we have a nice place, no view which I was hoping for, but plenty of indoor and outdoor space.

Once the home was sorted, car hunting next, thought this would be easier, no, but it was more fun. It's a long time since I had to look for a car so I downloaded the AA guide to buying a car and off I went. The car salesmen were a bit disconcerted by a woman wanting to look under the bonnet, checking the oil, flashing a light under the wheel arches etc. Again cost of a car a lot more than we wanted to pay but hopefully we got a good deal after a lot of bartering! Once that was done we could start exploring on the weekends waiting to move in on Dec 12th

Next time … Xmas NZ style, glorious west coast, wine and weather.

REGULAR BIKE RIDES

[Graphic: Motorbike]

1ST & 3RD SUNDAY IN THE MONTH
10:30 AM, CAR PARK, RAILWAY TAVERN, CHARFIELD
(with kind permission of Martin)

The weather looks good (it's stopped raining!) and it's holiday weekend. What could be better than get some air on the bike. I have no doubt there'll be a lot out today.

Not that it's always this good, we've had some dates that were just too cold or dangerous with snow and ice on the roads but mostly we managed to get out over the winter. Ok, so one ride took us as far as Cleveden before the cold got to us and we had to take shelter and warmth in the cafe overlooking the channel. We managed to make it to Fowlers afterwards for more tea and an excuse to look around. The cold eventually defeated us and we had to call it a day.

Spring is now on the way so get the bike out of mouthballs, give it a clean and polish and join us every 1st & 3rd Sunday in the month 10:30am at the Tavern car park or email tavernriders @ xxxx.co.uk.

Hello folks. I want to headline this report with an invitation for the Annual Parish Meeting, but it may not get to you in time. Nevertheless, with posters in the parish notice boards and shop windows, and items in the Gazette and on the web site I hope you've already noticed it's that time again! Please do come along and hear what has gone on and what is planned for Charfield parish; this year we are fortunate enough to have two speakers from South Gloucestershire county council. We will receive an update from StreetCare on the village part-night lighting, which approaches the end of its year long trial, and from Safer Stronger Communities who will speak on the pros and cons of developing a Parish Plan, what it is and why it would be useful for Charfield. The meeting will commence at 19h30 on Tuesday 27th April in the Memorial Hall, and I'm sure there will be a cuppa and a biscuit on hand!

Now, to ongoing works … The toddler's play area is about to get a make-over! Between now and July you may find the area is barriered off. Please respect that and don't interfere with anything; the 9area will obviously be kept in a safe condition but construction sites are dangerous. The redevelopment will provide the young of our parish with an exciting new play environment. Not everything will get done straightaway – we only had thirty grand to play with! Nevertheless, we hope to continue expanding the play opportunities and move on to refurbishing the play equipment for the older children too in subsequent years.

The burial ground received planning permission earlier this month, and while we're really pleased to have crossed this hurdle, which allows us to move towards taking ownership of the land from the donating organisation – Tortworth Estate – we are faced with significant new challenges in the conditions of the permission, some of which are causing us to scratch our heads. However, we remain hopeful that we can meet with the planning authority and work out a way forward. In the meantime we are beginning to develop the ecological and landscaping plans which will enable us to create an environmentally valuable and beautiful facility. Still no firm dates on opening, but we are getting there!

After more than five years of terrific service to our community Sue Bailey, our Parish Clerk, is moving on to greater things at Tetbury Town Council. The whole Council wishes Sue all the best in her new life, and would like to thank her for all the work she's done for us – Tetbury are fortunate indeed. As I type this we are holding interviews for the position of Clerk, and by the time you read this I hope we'll have our new Clerk picking up the reins. It's a significant role being the one paid employee of the Parish Council, ensuring we operate effectively, within our constraints of authority and budget. We'll advise you all of our new Clerk once the role has been filled, but for now let me here welcome our new Clerk to Charfield Parish Council – whoever you are!

I would like to thank everyone who came out for the recent village litter pick. On 20th March we gave out bags gloves and pickers and filled another mini-skip with refuse, pulled from hedges and verges. We'd far rather the litter wasn't thrown into them in the first place, and shame upon you who do it, but we're indebted to those who take action to restore some semblance of tidiness to our roads and lanes and like those who drop the litter but for better reason, you know who you are too!

I'll leave with a call for more of you who are online to check in with the Parish web site at www.charfieldparishcouncil.org.uk and keep up with the work the Council does – it's all for you! And if you are not online please don't hesitate to get in touch via telephone if you wish to ask questions or offer comments, our current parish telephone number is 01453-51xxxx and I'm hoping that won't change! (If it has to we'll post it on the parish notice boards). See you at the Annual Parish Meeting!

Mark Rosher, Chairman Charfield Parish Council

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

CHARFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Date: Tuesday 27 April
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Charfield Memorial Hall

Guest speakers for the evening will be representatives from South Gloucestershire Council, who will be speaking on the Charfield Streetlighting Initiative, and the Charfield Parish Plan. All residents are welcome to attend.

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Advertising

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[Advert for At Home Curtains & Blinds]

[Advert for Kopperz]

[Advert for D.R. Vizard]

[Advert for Add Plant]

11[Advert for Charfield Memorial Hall]

[Advert for Wedding Cars]

[Advert for Plumbtec]

12[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]

13[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 T.W. Services]

14[Advert for Cotswold Edge Carpets]

[Advert for Barbara Daw]

[Advert for Evergreen Computing]

15[Advert for Acucare]

[Advert for RK Aerials]

[Advert for Manor Garden Maintenance]

[Advert for PC Repairs & Maintenance]

[Advert for Heritage Wine]

16[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for Christine Lamont]

[Advert for New Street Garage]

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You may have noticed that there are lots of comings and goings at the Hall these days, which is great as it means the Hall is being used, thereby serving the community and generating revenue.

So, in case you were wondering exactly what is going on, here is a summary of the regular activities during the week. Contacts for most of them can be found in CHADRA or via the Charfield web-site. There is plenty of scope for more, so if you are interested please visit our pages on the Charfield web-site for contact details.

Monday
Dab Hands Childminders Group 10–12
Rainbows 4.30–5.30 p.m.
Aerobics/Keep Fit with Claire Adams 6.30–7.30pm
Unfortunately Bingo, which was on Monday evenings, has now finished due to low numbers

Tuesday
Keep Fit 10–11am Brownies 5.15–7.15pm
Parish Council Meeting 1st Tuesday of every month 7.30pm
Youth Group 5.30–8.30pm (Sportsmans Lounge)

Wednesday
Luncheon Club 12–2.00 p.m. Every 4th Wednesday. Next meeting 28th April
Salsaflex 7–9pm

Thursday
Circuit Training with Claire Adams 6.30–7.30pm
Memorial Hall Meeting 1st Thursday of every month 7.30pm (Sportsmans Lounge)

Friday
Winterbourne Children's Stay and Play 10–12am

Saturday
Monster Car Boot 7.30am–1pm until 24th April. It will then return to the ‘big field’ in Wotton Road for the summer months.

Over the years there has been much of interest in the CHADRA Newsletter. However, if you don't have access to an archive library you will have difficulty reading the nuggets of history and pearls of wisdom, especially from the early numbers.

Until now, that is! Some of the earliest ones have started appearing on the web for anyone, anywhere in the world, to read. The project will take some time to replicate the output of some 35 years, so it will take a little while to complete, but a start has been made.

I have started digitising them, right from the very first issue; so no need to make a special trip to the library. They can be found at http://charfield.org/chadra/ without leaving the comfort of your own home. Evergreen Computing has agreed to host the reproduced records of CHADRA.

You can now read about the burning issues of the day in 1975. Who was a member of the parish council?; what measures were being taken to improve safety in Little Bristol?; how did the Tennis Club start?; which plays were performed by the Charfield Amateur Dramatic Society?; what was the problem with the church chimney?; how could the village tackle some mindless vandalism?; would anyone 18be interested in a Mothers and Toddlers Group?; who should you contact for advice on pigeons?; all human life is there!

Do have a look and see how much has changed, and how much has stayed exactly the same.

However, when the articles were originally written there was no web, and no expectation that the addresses and phone numbers would be made visible all over the world. Some of the people have moved on to pastures new, and many of the earliest names have passed away. So some of the information has been withheld; the reproduction has obscured personal phone number and addresses, but the rest of the text is intact.

So, how can you help? Please don't throw out old issues of the newsletter. The duplication of some of the earliest is now quite faded, and difficult to read. I'll be calling on villagers with old copies to help clarify some of the issues caused by the poor print reproduction. I am missing number 135 entirely, so if anyone has a copy I could borrow or keep I would appreciate it. Also January 1986 in my copy looks like it's missing the last page. I might be missing a page from number 48, and page 3 of my copy of number 56 is missing. Any help would be useful.

In the next Newsletter I shall be drawing attention to at least one of the other historical documents covering the history of the Parish of Charfield, with some details of the early economic life of the village; more next quarter.

Brendan O'Connor – xx Manor Lane – 01454-26xxxx – xxxx @ gmail.com

[Graphic: Let's Bike for Friends Raising Funds for an Outdoor Learning Area at Charfield Primary School]

CYCLING CHALLENGE
A number of parents are cycling a return journey from
Charfield to the Cotswold Water Park
a total of 60 miles
Saturday 3rd July 9am–5pm
Would you like to sponsor us?
Please contact Charfield Primary School on 01454 26xxxx
(every little helps!)

Friends of Charfield School Registered Charity Number 1041593

Over the last few months burglars targeting properties that are likely to contain quad bikes, small machinery, tools and similar items have hit our rural areas. These items are typically held in farm outbuildings, garages and rural commercial enterprises that hold large quantities of diesel. In response to this the police have been patrolling the areas and routes that these criminals would have to use and stopping vehicles that the criminals would typically use. The neighbourhood team also devoted a day in the last week of march stopping 19any such vehicles using the A38 near Falfield, around one hundred and fifty vehicles were stopped, checked and drivers informed to the purpose of this operation. It is planned that another operation will be scheduled soon. In the mean time I urge all people who own similar property to keep it out of sight, secure it to ground anchors, chains and security mark property that could be broken down and sold in parts.

Finishing on a lighter note I hope that with the longer daylight hours and with everyone's increased vigilance we can make our communities harder targets for the criminals. If something is very hard to take most criminals will look for an easier target! If any person would like to be visited and given crime prevention advice from the constabulary's crime prevention team please call the 0845 free phone number to arrange this. Thank you for your time in reading this piece.

Some True Stories from the past.

Soon after the last war, R.A, Listers, the large engineering firm, makers of the world famous Auto Trucks, began sending large consignments of engines etc from their Wotton-Under-Edge factory to various destinations throughout the Country, from Charfield Station.

One such consignment proved to me that brave men come in all shapes and sizes. This may sound strange to readers, but all will be explained as you read on. Pat was a leading porter on Charfield Station, and had been working there for many years. He was a very large man, weighing around 17–18 stone and every one enjoyed working with him. One day an extra large consignment of boxed engines arrived at the station from Listers, many of them for delivery to the north of the country, this meant they had to be taken over the level crossing to the up platform. A large metal framed platform truck with four solid iron wheels was used for this manoeuvre, when all the Lister boxes, plus the normal consignments, were loaded for the trip over the crossing the truck must have weighed nearly a ton.

Being a leading porter Pat was in charge and with a little help from his colleagues, plus a couple of us from the goods shed, we commenced to push and pull this large load over the crossing.

Once over the crossing a steep incline led up to the actual platform, at the top of the incline was a barrier with a hinged gate, this was to allow porters to collect tickets from travellers alighting at the station, but “not“ for four wheeled platform trucks to go through. Having said that, it was possible to get through the gate with this type of truck if loaded properly. Unfortunately, some of the boxes on the truck we were using were outside its perimeter, this resulted in some of the boxes becoming jammed on the end of the gate while others on the opposite side of the truck were hanging over the edge of the platform.

As we were struggling to release the truck, the inevitable happened, an express train that we all knew was due through Charfield at this time, could be seen speeding around the bend over the Little Bristol Lane under pass / subway. We all yelled at Pat to let go of the truck then ran as fast as we could to a place of safety – but big Pat 20stayed put, bracing himself for the moment when the express train, travelling at around 80 miles an hour, would, hopefully, scrape past the boxes. Pat knew that if he let go of the handle the vibration from the passing express would make the wheels of the truck slip over the edge of the platform where the momentum of the express would have dragged the truck, its boxes, and probably Pat, onto the track. This would have been catastrophic, another October 13th 1928 in fact.

Within seconds of having seen the express approaching, it was thundering past Pat, with protrusions of some sort, probably door handles, hitting some of the boxes sending splinters of wood flying through the air. The truck seemed to bounce off several carriages as the express went screaming past, taking what seemed to us who were looking on like ages, but in all reality was just a few seconds, yet with all this mayhem going on around him, Big Pat remained unmoved.

I don't think for one moment that Pat ever realised his action that day had probably averted a disaster; of course it could be said, the situation only arose because of the attempt he made to go through the small gate when it was plain to see, that the truck, loaded as it was, would never get through, and of course this is a valid point.

Someone once said, “Cometh the hour – Cometh the man” – this saying came true on the up platform that unforgettable day, that man was of course – Big Pat.

The time is long past when Pat could be admonished for the misjudgement he may have made, so his bravery and dogged determination to do what he knew he had to do can now be brought out into the open.

Even now, after all these years, I can't help thinking what would have happened if Pat had decided to run for it as his helpers did, but Pat really was a man amongst mice that day,

As I mentioned earlier, it was a pleasure working with Pat, and when heavy containers arrived at the station, weighing anything from five to ten tons, he was always ready to give a hand on the crane, and as soon as we grabbed the handles to offload the containers, Pat would start to sing, the song he always sung was, “There was a soldier a Scottish soldier who wandered far away etc”, and of course we would all start singing along with him, he was great to work with.

I believe, that if it were at all possible for anyone to spend a night in the now near derelict waiting room, or in the timber yard where the old crane once proudly stood, Big Pat would still be heard singing – “There was a soldier a Scottish soldier”.

I expect Pat has now met up with the wandering Scottish soldier, I wonder how they are getting on, perhaps he will teach Pat the rest of the song, he only knew the first couple of lines which we sang over and over again, but it was great for a laugh.

Ken Parker.

During my routine walks around Charfield, I am disgusted at the amount of litter that is thrown around by people who are old enough to know better. It is not children who do this, it is grown ups, people who should be setting an example to the youngsters in our community.

21I hope this little poem will make the people referred to, and they know who they are, think before throwing their unwanted trash around our village.

VILLAGE PRIDE.

Walking around the village I know I'll always find,
Piles and piles of rubbish that some ones left behind.
Some people use the hedgerows as council wheelie bins,
So that's where they dump their rubbish,
Plastic bottles, jars and tins.

So once a year good people clear up this awful mess,
Made by individuals who just could not care less.
Why can't we turn the clock back?
To the days when we all tried to keep our village tidy,
It was something we called — PRIDE.

K Parker.

[Graphic: Charfield Junior Football Club]

CLUB RAISES £1000 FOR CHARITY

Hello again from the villages Junior Football Club.

If you cast your minds back to the beginning of this year you may just remember the cold snap we had. Although it was nice weather for building snowmen it was not so good for football and as a result of that we, the Under 13s, are a little behind schedule on the games this season. The game against Thornbury on 28th March should have been the last game of the season, but due to the cancellations they still have another five to play. Beating Thornbury 9–2 would have been a nice conclusion to a very good season but the team have some tough games still ahead of them. The team are currently third in their league and have games against the top two to play as well as a couple against the team in fourth place. Those two will probably determine the team's final league position.

As proud as I am of the teams achievements this season I was also very impressed by their contribution to raising money for Sports Relief this year. On a damp Thursday evening in mid-March the Under 13 team, and some friends and family, ran between a mile and four miles to raise money for those in a less fortunate position. Two years ago we raised £441.00 for the charity and I had wondered if we would better that this time around. Our sponsors did us proud though and pledged £988.00 by the time of the run, which would increase, to over £1000.00 by the time the money had been collected. Well done to everyone who took part and a big thank you to the sponsors and lap counters on the night.

As mentioned above the Under 13 team is having their best season since the team was formed about 5 years ago. Since the end of February this year they have played well and won 6 out of the 8 league games, drawing one and only losing one. With 5 wins also last year the team currently finds itself third in the League. It is great to watch the kids play especially when things work out the way the manager planned them!

22What has also been good to see are the youngsters from the Village getting enjoyment from playing football on a Friday evening. A large number of 5 to 8 year olds have been getting together for training. The Under 8s will be taking part in their first “festival of football” tournament in May and we wish them all the best. It is sure to be fun for them.

If you would like to join in that fun or would like any information on the Club then please do not hesitate to contact me on 01454-26xxxx.

Thank You.
Nigel Cloke
Club Secretary/Under 13s Manager

Things have been very busy at Charfield Pre School. We have appointed two new members of staff to our team. Emily Lock and Georgina Parker. They join Debra, Lucy, Suki and Sarah.

The children have been learning about Chinese New Year. Tasting Chinese food and making wishes for the wish tree and receiving chocolate money in their lucky envelopes.

We have also been looking at being healthy and have taken advantage of resources from the local library. The healthy eating box and the hand washing machine. The children really enjoyed making use of these items.

We have had a visit from the dentists from Chipping Manor Dental Surgery in Wotton. They very kindly came and talked to the children about looking after their teeth and gave them a toothbrush to take home.

We have also celebrated Mother's day with a special morning dedicated to our Mums in which the children sang some beautiful songs and gave their Mums a card a trinket box and a flower.

We look forward to celebrating Easter and will be making cards, Easter baskets and chocolate nests.

The committee have recently held a quiz night, which was held in the Pear Tree and raised £175.50 for Pre School. A good time was had by all.

Also we have had a very kind donation from Renishaw, which has contributed to the purchase of a new kitchen set for the children.

We will be holding our annual open day on 24th April in the foundation room (Pre School Room) from 10–12. Families are welcome to come along and meet the team and register for 2010/11

Charfield Out of School Club has continued to enjoy a very busy and successful 2010. There are a number of new families and our numbers are currently very strong. The Club was open in the Half term holiday when the children experienced a range of activities related to Chinese New Year.

The staff have continued to work extremely hard planning for the children both before and after school. Over the last half term the children have enjoyed Book Week, Mother's day, spring and Easter. The children have recently had the opportunity to buy sock cakes made by Jo. These made lovely Mother's Day and Easter presents.

23As a non profit making organisation, we rely very much on fundraising, which thankfully has got off to a good start this year. With the experience and expertise of Martine Davies, the committee organised a Jumble Sale on 23 January in the school hall, which managed to raise £300.Thank you to everyone in the village who supported this event, either with donations or coming along to the sale itself. Thanks also to Philippa Popham who is doing a sponsored swim and donating half of the proceeds to the club. Finally, the staff organised an Easter Grand Draw, which made £94 Harry Barnes won the Hamper, Laura Tranter the big egg and Millie Adams the bunny. Thanks to the staff for organising this and to all of you who bought and sold tickets. The children will benefit from this fundraising and the club plans to invest in a photo printer. We have recently bought a new toaster for breakfast and snack time, a repair and update for the computer and new scooters. We also need a new snooker table in the near future.

The club will be open in the Easter holidays, when the theme will be Pirates and the Sea, and in the May half term week providing top quality child care for working parents as well as opportunities for children to play and socialise with their friends. The club also remains open 5 days a week before and after school until 6 pm. New members are always welcome. Please ask at the club for details.

Hello, folks, well firstly, I've just heard, from a reliable source, (Daily Mail), that we are all due a sizzling summer, this year!! How fab is that? Keith and I have had a few weeks of some family stuff to deal with and in 10 hours we shall be on a plane to visit Lawrence and celebrate Luca's first birthday, so I write with some speed and shortness, length of news, not breath. (I thought I'd better take Keith with me, this time).

I've just heard that Anish Kapoor the sculptor and artist has just been awarded the Turner prize and is due to create a piece for the London Olympics. I wonder if he was informed that one of his earlier pieces, the four giant black and blue balls had been gently touched by a Whitechapel Art Gallery visitor, (me).

I shall round off by a request. The Gardening Club, at school, is growing in popularity. If any of you, my lovely, loyal readers have any old garden tools that you no longer need, would you think of donating them to us? Don't worry if any prongs are not quite straight from toiling the soil, or any spades weary looking, we would be delighted with them to increase our stock. I would be willing to collect. I'm on 26xxxx.

Well, dear buddies, I must dash off now, got to route out my DVT socks.

Happy Springtime and best wishes

Love Maz

A POEM BY ROBERT BROWNING

O, to be in England
Now that Spring is there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
24While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England – now!

And after April, when May follows,
And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!
Hark, where my blossom'd pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops – at the bent spray's edge –
That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!
And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide wakes anew
The buttercups, the little children's dower
– Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!

[Graphic: Charfield School]

Striving for excellence …
Learning for life

Welcome to Charfield Primary's update CHADRA. We have had a very busy time since I last wrote to you.

STAFF NEWS

Since the last CHADRA we have had a few changes to our school staff. Firstly Mrs Peaster made the hard decision to retire at Easter. Mrs Peaster worked in the school for more than 20 years and saw off a number of Headteachers (only joking Jenny!). It is no secret in the school that the person who really runs the school is the school secretary! Mrs Peaster's retirement was very sad news to everyone in the school. Her final day was very emotional and the tears were flowing freely from all directions! I would like to publicly thank Jenny for all her hard work and dedication to the school. We all wish her a happy (and not too busy) retirement!

Secondly Mrs Smith's contract with the school ended in Easter. Mrs Smith did a superb job in Year 5 last year and with our Year 2's now. The children really benefited from her work and I would like to wish her all the best in the future.

Finally following the Easter break Mrs Noall will return to Charfield School and work with Miss Carroll in Year 2.

Classes for the Summer Term will be:

25SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS.

[Photo: Cloakroom]

This term has seen some exciting developments start and improvements made to school environment. Firstly the KS1 cloakroom was renovated. The area was plastered and painted. The coat hangers were rearranged to create a bigger space. The Friends kindly supplied bean bags for the area that let our parent readers have an area that is more relaxing to read in.

[Photo: Play pod]

Secondly our play pod has been created! With a lot of hard work from Scott Curtis (our caretaker) and a lot of support from Barrie Williams with planning for the building the pod is now waiting to be filled with items for the children. I would also like to thank Angus D'Arcy-Drake for securing a £500 grant to enable us to fill the Play-pod with items.

A further improvement outside has been made to our canopy area. A number of new benches have been bought to go under our canopies. The area looks very nice now and we will make the most it when the weather breaks. Again thank you to the Friends for their time and financial support in this project.

[Photo: Performance stage]

Our final outside improvement has been the creation of a performance stage. The children love the area and use it during lunch and for leading our Wake Up Shake up routines.

[Graphic: Congratulations! You have been spotted doing 10 fantastic things. Well Done!]

Within school we have begun a new reward system. Called ‘You've Been Spotted’ the system increases the ways we can reward children. Using our green behaviour system the children will receive a certificate when they are ‘spotted’ ten times. This now means that the school rewards children individually, as a class and as a team (Falcon, Kestrel or Merlin)

What's next for Charfield School?
Very soon South Gloucestershire will upgrade our school computer network. The upgrade will make our network more secure and will also enable us to have wireless connections around the school. Once we have this infrastructure we will invest in laptops that children can use around the school to enhance their learning. We have also begun a project to improve our Forest Schools Area. Plans have 26been created for an extension and enhancement. The area is being fenced off and a small amphitheatre with a fire pit in the centre is being created for the children's ‘Forest Schools’ lessons. Whilst working on this project we will also develop a new play area. As some ex-pupils fondly remember the area at the bottom of the field was an adventure play area. Sadly with new Health & Safety Regulations, the area was fenced off and quickly became overgrown. However we have removed the areas that were a concern (such as the tunnels and rope swing area). We now have plans to open this area and create a safer play area.

[Photo: Gardening area]

We have also started to create a Gardening Area. The area will wrap around the Parents Room and have raised beds and trellis for the children to grow vegetables and other plants.

I would also like to repaint the corridors in our Junior block. They have become a little worn and in need of a lick of paint.

If you would like to assist the school in any of these projects we would love to hear from you.

Dafydd Lawday Headteacher

a poem by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

[Photo: Daffodils]

27

If you wish to alter the entries below, please telephone Isabel on 01454 26xxxx

British Legion
David Millman (Hon Sec) 01454 26xxxx

Charfield Pre-School
Debra Davidson (Play Leader) 07866 04xxxx
Lucy Pass (Chair) 01454 26xxxx
Rachel Marlow (Admissions) 01453 54xxxx

Charfield Primary School
Dafydd Lawday 01454 26xxxx

Childminders
Elaine Godfrey 01454 26xxxx

Church – Congregational
Nicky Lanyi 01454 26xxxx

Church – St. John's
Vivienne Kerner 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
Chris Shearwood 01454 77xxxx

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Friends of Charfield Primary School
Scott Curtis 01454 26xxxx

Foundation Room
Bryan Grantham 01454 26xxxx

Friendship Club
Mrs. M Ealey 01454 29xxxx

Junior Football Club
Nigel Cloke 01454 26xxxx

Keep Fit Club
Christine Parfitt 01454 26xxxx

Luncheon Club for the Elderly
Jane Higgins 01454 26xxxx

Memorial Hall
Bookings 07774 41xxxx
Email www.charfield.org
(Chair) David Small