CHADRA

Hello dear reader, and welcome to your Autumn edition of our village magazine. Do have your diary at the ready when you go through this issue as it is packed full of events to attend in the village throughout the winter months. There is a Remembrance Service, Carol Services, Coffee Mornings and a new Games Club to name but a few. If you get time between reading this issue and attending some of those functions don't forget to get your daffs planted, and remember tulips need to be in next month to ensure a lovely colourful spring.

Next Copy Date – 12 January 2011

3

Our lovely cover picture this issue, was drawn for us by Derek Leahy. The CHADRA team asked Derek to come up with a drawing to tie in with the theme of Remembrance Sunday. Thank you Derek, your drawing is perfect.

In Aid Of Help For Heroes

[Photo: Were you there last year?]

“Help for Heroes” was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and Servicewomen returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. It is strictly non political and non critical; it simply wants to help. Those volunteering to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and some of them are living with the consequences of their service for life. We may not be able to prevent our soldiers from being wounded, but together we can help them get better. [quoted from the Help for Heroes website].

Dear Fellow Charfielders,

Last year you did yourselves proud.

You ate 135 bacon rolls, drank gallons of tea and coffee, and were able to pass £560 to Help for Heroes; this sum included many donations from those who couldn't attend on the day, and those who donated far more than the cost of the butties. That was fantastic in itself, but the resulting huge attendance at the Memorial for the two minute silence was deeply moving to witness. It was a real village event, and one which gave us a strong sense of our community.

The brunch was so enthusiastically supported, that CHADRA has decided to repeat the event this year. The scouts will be on parade at Cromhall this time, and we will miss their official presence; but perhaps they'll come along for a butty anyway! It just means that the rest of us will have to turn out in greater strength to make up the numbers and make the morning a success.

Sadly, as far as the news from Afghanistan is concerned, nothing has improved since last year; the distressing headlines and images involving the Afghan people and foreign military personnel alike do not abate. It is a sobering thought that whilst the repatriation of those killed in Afghanistan since 2001 (335) is reported dutifully and respectfully on 4the daily news bulletins, it is often overlooked that for each one killed on active service there are more than four who are injured (1485 – source MOD website), and the spectrum of severity of injury is huge, and appalling at its worst. On top of that, there are the long-term mental health issues for servicemen due to combat stress.

Sympathy is fine, but action is better. What can we do? Contribute to Help for Heroes. The charity's overheads are more than covered by sale of goods from the H4H online shop, so EVERY PENNY donated is passed on to help those in need.

H4H is doing fantastic work. It is really making a difference. You will have heard of Headley Court, the Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Complex opened in June this year. It is purpose-built, and the facilities include a 25m swimming pool with moveable floor to accommodate different treatment regimes, gait analysis, cardiovascular gym, and consulting rooms. H4H also contributes to BLESMA, St Dunstan's, Selly Oak Patients Welfare Fund, Combat Stress... the list goes on and on, and if you came to the village hall last year and ate a bacon butty, you contributed.

For Charfield's second brunch, nothing has changed, apart from the addition of snorkers (sausages) to the menu.

Last year we could have sold at least another 40 butties – if ONLY they'd been ordered! So PLEASE tell us if you are going to come along – we'd hate to disappoint you …

… either phone Sandra Lucket on 01454-26xxxx or Julia O'Connor-Beach on 01454-26xxxx … or drop an email to charfield.brunch @ gmail.com (any time) … or sign up on one of the lists in Charfield shops (from 1 November) Please leave your name, address, and phone number, and say how many bacon or snorker butties you wish to have. You will then be catered for, rain or shine, frost or snow, and we will require your £2 whether you turn up or not!

The event is supported by CHADRA, the Village Hall Committee, and Cam Family Butchers. Many, many thanks. Your CHADRA Committee

5

… Have you been inside lately? The Font has been moved and the Toilet is well under way.

The ‘room’ has been created and each time I pop in to see how Tim and Jake are doing, there's more to see … a big hole for the drainage pipes, smaller holes for the water inlet and even a toilet, wash basin, sink and heated towel rail … I'm a tiny bit ahead of the builders as I write but I know it's coming.

We had a WONDERFUL Fete … we're always happy to see even more people and those who came helped us to raise £1020. The sun eventually shone: it didn't rain; and the people who came in seemed to enjoy themselves … thank you all for your support.

Harvest is upon us now … over by the time you read this … and at Charfield's got (more) Talent (which will be held in Spring, date to be announced) we will see … or hear … amongst others, Steve Yeo. Steve came and sang at the Fete and has turned Professional. His single is available for down load and his album will be out in January. He really HAS got talent … and so have the youngsters who joined in …

Christmas looms too … I hope these dates will be made firm when we meet as a PCC …
St James Service of Carols by Candlelight … Saturday 18th December.
Carols at St John's Sunday 19th at 4.00 … NOT 3.00 an hour later … and the Christingle will be on December 12th, watch the noticeboard for details please.
The Scouts join us for their Carols on Monday 20th … wow we shall be busy.

We've had another wedding … that of no other than our Editor's daughter. Claire married Neil. We congratulate them and wish them well.

On October 31st Bishop Michael will be here to Confirm several adults and children … I hope that during this Episcopal Visit he will find a moment to bless the new facilities … and we will certainly be grateful for them.

You know where I am if you need me … and to all you mums/dads/carers who stand outside school in the cold … Fridays from 2.00 there is Tea/Coffee … no cost and a warm environment for you to chat in … we don't want to interfere but just offer you a warm(er) space in which to wait.

Take care,
Viv the Vicar 26xxxx

Overall we are making steady progress in all our objectives and although very little is visible to anyone; many hands are working steadily behind the scenes to reach our goal.

We are now actively fund-raising; we hold coffee mornings every last Saturday of the month, 10 till 12 noon, all are welcome. We also have our new recipe book on sale, which includes a variety of recipes supplied by local villagers; we have already sold over 60 copies.

In the near future we intend to hold a ‘Zion Club’, which is for primary school children, and a youth club aimed at secondary school children. We currently hold our services and activities in the room behind the Sanctuary until it is refurbished and any decoration 6completed. We are confident that it will all be worthwhile in the end.

We hold services every Sunday at 11am with tea/ coffee and biscuits afterwards, where a friendly welcome awaits. The first Sunday of every month is our family service and on other Sundays we hold our own Sunday School ‘King's Kidz’, where all primary school-age children are most welcome. The last Sunday in every month we hold our Communion service.

Our speakers for the next few months are:

A big thank you to all who came along and supported our Coffee Morning last month, we raised £98.00, which we donated to CRY (Care and Relief for the Young). CRY is a Christian charity dedicated to caring for disadvantaged, destitute and suffering children, young people and their families. If you would like more information about CRY, please feel free to contact Ray Avent on 01208 81xxxx, e-mail: xxxx @ hotmail.com or browse CRY's website http://www.cry.org.uk/

We have started to collect all our pennies, and so far we have raised £80.00 for Water Aid. Water Aid is an international non-governmental organisation, whose mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities.

Children's Christmas Shoe Boxes are now being feverishly filled by our willing helpers. These will be sent in mid November to orphanages in Eastern Europe. We are supporting a charity called Blythswood Care. If anyone would like to donate small items such as toiletries, small cuddly toys, woolly hats, gloves and scarves etc, please feel free to come along and drop them in. Empty shoe boxes most welcome!

Christmas is coming – oh yes it is! We have our Christmas carol service on the 19th December 11am, followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

Don't forget our Christmas Coffee Morning on 27th November 10am til 12 noon.

We look forward to seeing you sometime. For more information on any of our services or about our fund-raising events, please contact April on 01453 84xxxx and if unavailable, please leave a message.

April

The Village Gardens opening over the late May Bank Holiday was a tremendous success and we raised over £4000 for the various charities supported by the National Garden Scheme. The teas and cakes in the village hall raised another £900 for the 7two charities that organised these refreshments. So thanks to everyone in the village who contributed to its success. All of us involved in opening our gardens had a great time meeting so many local people and lots of other people who had travelled quite some distance to see our gardens. It was worth all the effort! We were so lucky with the weather – the sun shone for both days – having poured down the day before. We heard that the village was busy with all the activity over the two days and hope that this was seen as a fun thing for the village. Apologies to anyone that had some disruption to their Bank Holiday weekend – I hope the great amount of money raised shows that it was worthwhile.

We may consider doing it again and would welcome hearing from anyone who knows of more lovely gardens in the village

Yvette Andrewartha

I expect a lot of village residents became aware of a really unpleasant smell over the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th of July. There had been an earlier incident about 10 days earlier but I along with a lot of my neighbours put it down to various country smells! There had been an earlier complaint sent in to the Council from residents in Wickwar in late June about a persistent obnoxious smell. South Gloucestershire Council had tracked this down to the ‘fertiliser’ Cemex were applying to the huge red earth pile to the south east of the quarry works. You will perhaps have seen this huge red earth deposit (about 30ft high) when you have driven past.

Complaints were made to the Council about the continuing smell in Charfield over that July weekend. It has since been confirmed by the Council that it WAS caused by Cemex applying fertiliser to this bund and that the quarry has been told to stop this activity which it has agreed to do.

If you do notice this smell again, or any other health, noise or safety nuisance, it is worth bringing it to the attention of the Council. If they don't know something is causing a nuisance they can't do anything to stop it.

Hopefully the quarry will find a way to green up this prominent eyesore without such disruptive methods in the future. This mound apparently is a temporary structure which as such needs no planning permission but it could be twenty years before it is removed.

Yvette Andrewartha

[Graphic: School building]

Over the summer holidays Tortworth Primary School has been having a face lift. The first stage of the work concentrated on the main school building which dates back to 1796. The whole building has been rewired, ceiling tiles have been replaced and with the addition of new lighting the school is now a brighter and more welcoming place to work and learn. The school now has wireless internet connection and the 8purchase of new computer equipment means that the children's access to ICT, in this ever changing world of technology, has greatly increased and they love it!

Our next planned work will be to extend the wiring and lights to the other three buildings and then look towards redecoration. We will keep you posted on our developments.

At the end of the summer term Mrs Susan Bishop the Head Teacher at Tortworth for seven years, retired. Whilst she was at Tortworth Mrs Bishop dedicated herself to making the school an exciting, happy and enjoyable place for children to learn. I hope to continue her good work and make both children and parents proud and involved in their fantastic and unique school.

My name is Miss Carol Bowes and I took over as Head Teacher in September. Before joining Tortworth Primary I worked in various schools in Bristol, the most recent being Cabot in St Pauls, a very diverse and different setting from this school, but with children who are just as keen and excited to learn. I became a teacher in 1995 and before that I worked in education and social services as a nursery nurse in my home town of Hartlepool. I strongly believe that children will succeed if they are happy, well informed, know what they are learning, how this fits in with the wider curriculum of life and take time to be a child. I will therefore be looking towards our school community to support us in the development and drive of our values, vision and expectations.

I look forward to working with everyone in our community. So keep an eye open for our social events run by Tortworth School Association or book a visit and come and see for yourself what a fantastic school Tortworth Primary is.

Best Wishes Miss Carol Bowes

Just to let you know, we have been very lucky to find someone to take over Charfield Brownies from January '11. Nicki Brain will take over the Charfield side of Brownies and move it back, so it's in Charfield all year round. In the mean time we will still meet in Conygres Wotton until the weather gets colder, then return to Charfield Village hall. Nicki is going to join us from September to get to know the girls before we split the unit in January. At the moment we don't have anyone to take over the Wotton group, so anyone interested, please contact one of us, my e-mail is xxxx @ btinternet.com, home number 01453 84xxxx.

BT are holding what amounts to a competition for broadband, at http://www.####.bt.com. Basically, if enough of our residents vote, BT will upgrade our exchange to the latest and fastest broadband speeds. The voting carries on from now until the end of the year, and the top five exchanges get to be upgraded. Charfield is slightly odd, in that either side of the railway line are off of different exchanges (01454 and 01453). Nevertheless, whichever one you are connected to, vote now! One of us might win. I've got vote number 1 for the Falfield exchange (01454) and apparently there are 1453 of us (coincidence?). Let's see if we can get everyone involved.

Mark Rosher

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I guess one word that really leaps out at me this issue is “Community”, and I'm going to ramble around the various thoughts this word conjures up for me, and perhaps for you.

It started last month with a very successful ‘street party’ held with my neighbours, arranged by a new arrival in our road who wanted to touch base with their new Community. Street parties seem to have gone out of favour recently, following their inception after the First World War, but they do get folks talking. There's an interesting site http://www.streetparty.org.uk/ that has some ideas, and who knows what might develop over the winter in time for next summer … I was told by one insular resident a while back that his Community was all behind his front door and Charfield was simply a dormitory village, but I'm sure that's a rare perception. Isn't it?

As for our younger Community, I'm very glad to see them using the newly opened refurbished Play Area. Built around a train theme, reflecting the main line that runs alongside, it has a bridge, tunnels, railway-like sleepers and inlaid sand-pit, a hand carved locomotive with chat-space and new grassed mounds between which runs a talking tube designed around old fashioned railway whistles (or mushrooms, depending on your imagination!). In time we will start to look at the teenage area, including the Adventure Trail, which is coming to the end of its serviceable life. However, we have had some instances of serious vandalism which cannot help but cause our voluntary workforce of Councillors to ask if it's worth doing anything for the teenagers. One perpetrator has been identified and dealt with by the police, and I'm hopeful that this will bring a closure to the anti-social behaviour that some – and it is in truth only a few – of our teenage Community think appropriate.

I had a good chat with one of our longer established residents in one of our three (treasure them) pubs last week. He's been here some sixty years, and I was agog as the changes he's seen happen to Charfield. From a small self contained village, with shops, schools, pubs and workshops well able to cater for the needs of a Community that didn't tend to travel far, through the several expansions of the Manor, Long's View, and Woodlands estates, to the village we have now where so many people travel far and wide to work, play and shop. Life is change, and as a relative incomer living in a house only a decade old I am definitely a part of it. But where does it stop?

Last summer, at our Annual Parish Meeting, we invited the Community to form a Parish Plan working group. The attendance numbers were disappointing, and ultimately no one came forward to express an interest in forming this group. Parish Plans are the current tool with which a Community can make their preferences clear to the County Council and National Government bodies, as to how they wish their environment to develop. And so I ask, how large would you like Charfield to become? How much traffic do you think the roads can bear? How far would you like to send your children to school? These are not flippant questions; I have seen the developers' letters expressing serious interest in 10adding at least one more 250 home estate to your Community. Do you want Charfield to become a Town? Do let us know… especially if you are interested in constructing a Parish Plan.

Rounding up the rest of the news. The Autumn Litter Pick was successful, held on the same day we opened the play area, and thank you to all our Community minded folk who turned out to clear the verges and hedgerows of debris before the leaves fall. As winter approaches we hope to clear the conditions on the planning permission granted to the burial ground. The legal transfer of the land to the Parish Council took place in August, and once we've fully addressed the six conditions we can begin the civil works, which begin with the grading of the currently bumpy, rocky land, and the installation of hard standing and road gates. News, as ever, on the burial web site.

By now the planters should have been placed outside the Primary School. These were provided by South Gloucestershire Safer Stronger Communities Group with a view to preventing the illegal and dangerous parking that was taking place outside the school – some of it by the parents of the very children we are trying to protect! Also, the lovely Weeping Willow on the corner of Manor Lane and Wotton Road should have been slightly reduced in size too. Trees are a vital and valuable asset to our environment, and this particular tree is one of several which is subject to a Tree Preservation Order. We will be looking into identifying and protecting other significant trees around the Parish over the next year or so. Tell your local Tree Warden (um, that would be me) if you have any likely candidates.

As the days dwindle and winter approaches, do take extra care on the roads, especially if you jog early or late in the day. Hi-visibility vests are essential safety wear, and I've already encountered one dawn runner all dressed in dark blue and black.

Have a safe and enjoyable autumn.
Mark Rosher – Chairman, Charfield Parish Council

Charfield Parish Council wishes to invite applications for grants from village or voluntary organisations whose activities benefit the community of Charfield. The grant must be for a specific purpose or items, and the latest financial accounts must accompany the application.

The Council very much looks forward to seeing as many applications as possible before the strict deadline of November 30th. All grants will be discussed at the annual budget meeting early December and successful organisations will be notified in writing that a grant will be payable in May 2011.

Forward applications to clerk @ charfieldparishcouncil.org.uk

Or post to Clerk, xx Turnpike Gate, Wickwar, S Glos. GL12 8ND

[Graphic: Envelope: Clerk xx Turnpike Gate Wickwar. S Glos. GL12 8ND]

11

Charfield Parish Council must have thanked their lucky stars the day Hannah Saunders opened the Gazette and spotted their advert for a new Parish Clerk. Sue Bailey was leaving them for pastures new – to become Town Clerk in Tetbury – after 6 years of loyal service. Undoubtedly she would be much missed but into the breach stepped Hannah. With plenty of experience in the workplace but none in Parish Council work she was not at all sure she would be what the Council were looking for so was surprised and delighted when she was offered the job.

It couldn't have come at a better time. Since her son Daniel – now 7 years old – had started at Alexander Hosea School in Wickwar (where she lives with husband Martin) Hannah had tried her hand at a couple of part time jobs but hadn't found the right one. Now she has; 14 to 16 hours a week and working mainly from home.

“I just love it,” she said, smiling happily, “I've been doing it since April and it gets more and more interesting.” But what about the huge quantity of reading and all that PC language I wanted to know. ‘Reading is one of my hobbies’ she said, “but I am going to take a course in speed reading which I think will be useful. I do also have a photographic memory which helps” Getting to the stage in life when I'm beginning to forget my own name let alone anyone else's, I was deeply envious.

“My mother insisted I did a proper secretarial qualification. At 16 I hated the thought but did it anyway and my goodness, am I glad I did. She was right – it's stood me in such good stead”. This was before the gap year – spent learning a job with Bass Taverns (the brewery people) – and University when Hannah read business studies at Aston University in Birmingham. “I loved the job with Bass and seriously thought about not going to Uni but then I discovered the difference in pay between me and the graduates! That convinced me it was the right thing to do.” Hannah returned to Bass on their Graduation Scheme, during which time she met and married Martin and life, in Newbury, was good. When she had Daniel being a full time Mum was all she wanted until the day that Martin was made redundant and everything had to change.

“I had to go back to work full time and it made me ill” It was quite clearly an unhappy and traumatic time for her and then came the decision to move to Wickwar to be nearer her parents. “The best one we made” said Hannah, brightening up instantly. Martin found a new job with Avon Fire and Rescue. “He's not a fireman though, he's in the HR department (Human Resources, which us oldies used to call personnel) and the family settled down contentedly in Wickwar.

“Wickwar is similar to Charfield in many ways but I think it's quite an advantage to see Charfield from the outside”. We were discussing the intricacies of the Parish Clerk's job because although we probably all have a vague idea about the Parish Council's role I was curious to know more. Who, for instance, pays Hannah? “The Parish Council do” she told me. It comes out of the parish precept, as does routine maintenance for the village such as emptying dog bins, streetcare, etc. Then there are the ongoing projects such as the new burial ground and the revitalised play area. “The budget for the village needs to be set in December each year. All the 12figures for projects are investigated and prepared for submitting to South Glos Council by January. This December will be my first ‘Budget’ and I am planning to go on a budget setting course organised by the Society of Local Council Clerks.” In fact, Hannah told me, there are all sorts of courses she can go on which could lead to her becoming a fully qualified Clerk, and even a degree if she wants to go that far. I think she relishes the prospect.

What about village problems? “Yes, there are those as well – mainly vandalism and litter. Envirocrime, they call it. But we had a great turn out for the litter pick and that has really made a difference” “Only for a little while”, I say, sadly. The litter in our village drives me to despair. But Hannah is much more upbeat than me. “There are new ideas coming up” she says cheerfully. “The Safer Stronger Community Group have been following experiments in Bristol and are coming up with some interesting ways of dealing with these problems” Excellent.

Then there is the positive side; the parish council awards grants to village organisations. “They need to apply in writing by the end of November and send to PC via me along with their most recent set of accounts. Please can you remind organisations that these grants, not large, but certainly useful, are available.” (Note here that Isabel, who produces this newsletter is very happy to give guidance in filling in the required forms if anyone wants help – see her contact details inside the front cover.) A parish plan is also high on Hannah's list of things that would be beneficial, particularly with the Coalition's launch of ‘The Big Society’ and ‘Localism Bill’. “It would be such a good way of knowing what the community wants – short, medium or long term”, and she is hoping that it won't be too long before one is produced. “We all know cuts are going to have to happen but we will be fighting for the parish and a plan can only be of help.”

So, what does she do when she's not ‘clerking’ (and I find it quite hard to believe that she's not spending rather more than her allotted time on this job) and being a wife and mum? She has already told me that reading is a great pleasure. “Yes, I love books – and crosswords, sudoku, scrabble, jigsaws. I was delighted when Daniel was old enough for Lego. I couldn't wait to start building!” And cycling. “Before I had Daniel I did lots of cycle rides for charity and now that he's old enough to have his own bike I want to start again. I can't run for love nor money but I can walk and do.” Then there is the PTA and PCC. Not much time spent watching TV in this house, I feel.

“I like to think I get on well with everyone whatever they are doing and am very happy to be involved whether it's to roll up my sleeves or go to committee meetings”. Her enthusiasm is obvious and infectious and her love and commitment for her job unquestionable. I think we could be one of the most fortunate parishes in the area.

Barbara Adams

Time spent in the countryside for most of us is a pleasurable part of our day. For some it is to go for a training run, a bike ride, keep and ride horses and for others it is a walk with the dog at the end of a working day.

All of these pleasurable activities are recreational, they are not for monetary gain, they are part of our day that is ours, and we can choose whatever 13activity we like to enjoy this time! This enjoyment for many of us is carried out on land that is not owned by the State, it is privately owned. Being a crowded and small island the competition for land use is fierce from both commercial and recreational users, this being the point to which this article is leading to.

Public rights of way are an historic link to our past. Today they form many vital access routes that many of us use. One such public right of way footpath is accessed from the Wotton Road in Charfield and leads to the Sawmill at Huntingford.

The crux of this report is to bring to readers attention an ongoing frustration felt by a local resident who rents land in this area to keep horses on. These horses are kept in paddocks that run alongside the footpath; a boundary fence encloses them. Problems include the deliberate damage to property such as the removal and disposing of the electric perimeter fence power energizer, cutting of electrical boundary tape and the uprooting of fence posts.

These actions are criminal and have further animal and public safety implications! As with all animals that have been domesticated and confined there is a legal responsibility upon the landowner or tenant for any damage or injury sustained to the public. In this case the horse owner is fulfilling their obligations to ensure safety to both. Horses are animals and will act as such; this means that they can be spooked by a sudden movement from a walker or dog and then cause injury to both. As horses are large and powerful beasts, injuries sustained can be awful.

Let us all share the countryside with each other, let the farmer or landowner make a living, and let the landless enjoy spending there valuable recreation time in the beautiful English landscape. Keep to public rights of way, keep dogs under control and close all gates. If we all respect the land and others property, we can all share this special space.

PCSO Sean McKinnon

[Graphic: Safer & Stronger Community Groups]

Your local Safer Stronger Community Group needs you!

[Graphic: Safer & Stronger Community Groups]

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

14The next meeting for Charfield, Cromhall and Tortworth Group:

Thursday 28th October, 7.30pm Cromhall Village Hall, Talbots End, Cromhall

This meeting will include a short presentation about the 2011 census.

For meetings in other areas please visit, http://####.southglos.gov.uk to find out the dates. Here, you will be able to become a member of your local e-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.

I know what you're thinking surely it should be Neighbourhood Watch but alas no it appears that some of our villagers are, for want of a better word, snatching land they do not rightfully own.

I assume, as they haven't yet purchased the land they also haven't applied for permission to change the use from agricultural to residential. Perhaps they think that erecting sheds, building compost heaps and laying out trampolines and picnic tables is sufficient.

I wonder what sort of village we would have if everyone decided to just help themselves to their neighbours property. I hope I never have to find out.

Violet Maclellan

Hello, Happy October! And what fab weather at the moment. I'm still not in a cardi.

Well, I'm delighted to tell you about our gorgeous, beautiful and an absolute darling Granddaughter, Miss Emilia Beatrice Philpot, born on 18th August at 8.10am and 71b 50z. Ooh just thought, seven weeks old today. Mum and Dad are well except for a few sleepless nights!!!

Lawrence came home for three weeks, with his wife Kelsy and family of Kristie and Luca, so it was a truly eventful summer.

School's back in full force. I'd like to thank the lovely chap, who wishes to remain nameless, for more garden delights. Mrs Peer and I run a garden club and we are slowly accumulating garden tools. If you save Morrisons vouchers please bring them into the office at school as we have, in the past, exchanged them for absolutely fantastic quality children's size equipment.

Also, if you are clearing out your sheds or garages and have any ‘old junk’, obviously safe for children to play with e.g. tarpaulins, plastic tubing, old carpet, boxes, guttering of any length please let me, 26xxxx, or school 26xxxx, know. I can collect. We have a fantastic swanky ‘shed’ which I've called the Pandemonium, Every lunchtime the children make shelters, dens, tracks, for tennis balls etc, all out of junk, but to them it's fantastic fun.

Obviously my thoughts are totally with our new addition to the family but I'll end with the latest Victoria Coach Station Toilets drama. You remember the chap I was ‘helloing’ to in the loos, woolly hat 15and dripping in gold, well he's gone. Obviously put in for a transfer after I refused his attentions. Another chap was on duty. I just gave a nod and entered in. Then there were females on duty on my recent visits to Mum. I must explain, in case you have forgotten that there is quite a large office in between the ladies and gents toilets. This is where the attendant hangs out. I don't know what else they do but the office is full of stationery stuff, computer, etc. Anyway I went to see Mum a few weeks ago and the second chap I mentioned was there. “Oh hello,” he said, in a lovely accent, “a long time since I see you.” Play it safe, I thought, just smile. No conversation.

I'm just laughing to myself here. You must think, London Eye, Trafalgar Square and she only talks about the toilets. Perhaps it's an age thing.

I doesn't seem five minutes ago when I last wrote the sentence, ‘when I write again it will be New Year.’ So I shall end on that.

Take care and watch something funny on tele.

Love Maz xxx

Like many people who are getting on a bit I sometimes suffer from severe nostalgia; I have no intention of apologising for this, instead, I have written a little poem which may help to explain why we old uns can't help thinking of the past and sometimes let nostalgia take over our thoughts.

The poem is entitled “The Living Barn”. Sadly, the chances of young people ever seeing the inside of one of these “Great Barns”, or, “Farm Yard Cathedrals” as uncle Lardy, who worked on farms all his life called them, is pretty remote.

As we all know, this type of building doesn't fit in with today's modern farming techniques so many of them have been converted into homes or holiday accommodation.

THE LIVING BARN.

Walls of grey stone, large open door,
Roof of slate, hard stone floor.
Pine wood windows dusty panes,
Smell of horse and leather reins.
Clinging cobwebs hang from beams,
Bags of wheat with bursting seams.
Hay knife hanging from the wall,
Iron manger wooden stall.
Chickens laying in the hay,
Cockerels crowing every day.
Swallows nesting beneath the eaves,
Blackbird over turning leaves,
Looking for an insect meal,
With speed and unabated zeal.
Sparrows, Starlings, Cooing Dove,
Barn Owls in the loft above.
Blue tits nesting in the cracks,
Above the grunting Saddlebacks.
Lambs playing in the straw,
On the bench old crosscut saw.
Bantams, Turkeys, Ducks and geese,
Huge round sacks that hold the fleece.
Sheep and cattle, Butting Goats,
Farmer working crushing oats.
Field Mice, House Mice, Hedgehogs, Rats,
In dusty rafters hanging Bats.
Spiders large and Spiders small,
Some that jump and some that crawl.
Wasp nest high beneath the slates,
In a corner posts and gates.
Refuge used by Farmers cats,
Fast asleep on empty sacks.
Cider making at one end,
Each farm had its special blend.
Summer – Winter– all these abide,
Man and creature side by side.
A welcome home for large or small,
The Living Barn accepts them all.

16I AM A SEED

I give the sun its reason to shine,
The clouds their reason to rain,
For the snow I'm the reason to cover the Earth,
Without me – no flowers no grain.

There's no life without my existence,
No birds no fish in the streams,
The stars would shine on a barren world,
No children – no laughter – no dreams.

I can fly as on wings of an Angel,
Float on the lightest breeze,
I can live underground for decades,
Be at home on the roughest of seas.

I'm so small that no one can see me,
Though I am found all over the World,
I defy all imagination,
I am fat – I am thin – I am curled.

I seem dead, dried up and wrinkled,
Yet my life has no known span,
Though I am eaten I can be poison,
I am the procreator of man.

I'm the reason for the Earths existence,
From the forest to the tiny white dove,
I am the seed of all things beautiful,
I am the seed of compassion and love.

I've been here since times beginning,
For me there's an absolute need,
Without me all life would be ended,
Though to you – I am only a seed

Writing a poem about a seed/ seeds, was a challenge – but I enjoyed doing it

Ken Parker.

The system continues to be a huge benefit to people living in the village, who are unable to get to Doctors, Opticians, Dentist or hospital appointments by other means. It is well used by the elderly and also the not so old.

The success of the scheme is having a very good band of drivers, able and willing to drive to the appointments for our clients.

Because I don't like to use any one driver too often I sometimes find it a little tricky to allocate drivers with these essential journeys. Therefore my plea in this newsletter is for anyone who feels they could spare some time to join my team of drivers I would be very interested to hear from you.

If you would like to know more about the scheme, or are interested in becoming a driver I can be contacted on 01454 26xxxx.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Marion Smith
Transport Scheme Organiser

I am writing yet again to highlight the competent voluntary work of Mrs Marion Smith, Charfield Transport Scheme Organiser. Even when handicapped with a severe ligament problem in her leg, and more recently following surgery to relieve a very painful shoulder; she carried on arranging transport for the needy. Marion's husband Allen also helps with the organising so from us both thank you.

17Thanks too to the voluntary drivers who are pleasant and helpful. If you are new to the village, or recently retired and interested in the Elderly and Housebound Transport Scheme give Marion a call on 01454 26xxxx she would welcome new drivers.

Olwyn and Reg Perry

Reg and Olwyn also sent an anecdote, which they would like to share with like-minded people.

(for those born before 1940)

We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, videos and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens, before dish-washers, tumble driers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes … and before man walked on the moon.

We got married first and then lived together (how quaint can you be?). We thought ‘fast food’ was what you ate in Lent, a ‘Big Mac’ was an oversized raincoat and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We existed before house husbands, computer dating and sheltered accommodation was where you waited for a bus.

We were before day care centres, group homes and disposable nappies. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, artificial hearts, word processors, or young men wearing earrings. For us ‘time sharing’ meant togetherness, a ‘chip’ was a piece of wood or fried potato, ‘hardware’ meant nuts and bolts and ‘software’ wasn't a word.

Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ meant junk, the term ‘making out’ referred to how you did in your exams, ‘stud’ was something that fastened a collar to a shirt and ‘going all the way’ meant staying on a double-decker bus to the terminus. In our day, cigarette smoking was ‘fashionable’, ‘grass’ was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in the coal-house, a ‘joint’ was a piece of meat you ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ was something you cooked in. ‘Rock Music’ was a fond mother's lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice-cream, a ‘gay person’ was the life and soul of the party, while ‘aids’ just meant beauty treatment or help for someone in trouble.

We who were born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch when you think of the way in which the world has changed and the adjustments we have had to make. No wonder there is a generation gap today … But
By the grace of God … we have survived!

The village hall continues to be very well used and we are lucky to have such a facility for our community.

New curtains have been hung and they have made a tremendous difference to the hall

The refurbishment of the changing rooms is just about completed and awaits decoration, which the football club have agreed to do.

A new activity is the Games Club which is going to meet on a Sunday afternoon in the Sportsmans Lounge from 4pm–6.30pm. Come along and join in. You will be surprised at the games you can play e.g. Whist, Bridge, Scrabble, Cribbage, to name a few.

18The car boot sale is back at the village hall from 2nd October.

There has been some vandalism it is sad that some people cannot respect the property So all are asked to keep an eye out for any vandalism and report it to the police.

Dogs are still being exercised on the playing fields. Please keep dogs off them to minimise any health risk

We have such good facilities lets ensure that they are kept in good order.

David Small

How would you like to join a new informal

GAMES CLUB

Held weekly at Charfield Memorial Hall Sportsman's Lounge

While away the winter months playing games with friends old and new. Whether you are an expert or a learner, pop in and we'll see if we can find you a partner at a similar level. Games currently available include whist, cribbage, backgammon, bridge, scrabble, dominoes, chess and canasta.

Come along and join in the fun starting October 3rd
Sunday afternoons 4:00–6:30
£1.00 per person
Tea/Coffee available at the break

Charfielders and their friends were dressed up to the nines at a Charity Ball staged at The Gables Hotel, Falfield, on Friday 1st October.

Of the 103 guests, many travelled from Charfield on a coach laid on by the organising committee, showing the strong community spirit within the village. And what a night they had!

Planning the Ball since March, the committee were grateful to Renishaw for their generous donation and indebted to Pete Tymms of Safety Testing for yet again sponsoring the printing of tickets and programmes and for running the well supported “Heads and Tails” fund raiser at the Ball which alone raised over £200, thanks to the generosity of those there. Grateful thanks are also extended to John Scally for the delightful programmes, which he designed and printed.

Deborah Field, Vice Chair of the Memorial Hall and Playing Fields Committee said “We were overwhelmed by the generous support for our lovely community facilities from local companies and organisations”. This meant the committee was able to organise a Grand Draw, another excellent source of fund raising. Prizes included £100 cash, £50 Texaco Vouchers, Sunday Lunch for 4 at Tortworth Court, Steak for two at the Pear Tree, as well as a round of Golf at Cotswold Edge Golf Course and a meal for two at The Gables Hotel. Thanks must also go to the staff and parents at Charfield Primary School who supported the ball by buying Grand Draw tickets.

Graham Pedley from the committee added, “We spent a lot of time planning, to ensure the evening was a success 19and it has definitely paid off from all the positive feedback we have received.”

The ball is set to make in excess of £2,100, which will go towards the continued refurbishment of the Village Hall. Angie Hill another committee member was thrilled that the event was so successful and said “It's all down to careful planning and great team work – and we actually had fun as well!”

Many people commented on how lovely the tables looked, with a beautiful autumnal array, which was down to the artistic talents within the team and to Lisa Wiles' Mum, Bern Amor, to whom the Committee send their special thanks.

Guests enjoyed a delicious four course meal with classical accompaniment from FourTunes followed by dancing to Surround Sounds Disco which went on into the early hours. Everyone really did have a ball!

Julie Macnamara
on behalf of the Ball Organising Committee.

(Deborah Field, Vice Chair Charfield Memorial Hall & Playing Fields, Angie Hill, Tim Hill, Julie Macnamara, Sandra Nute and Graham Pedley)

On the 23rd September the Friends of Charfield School (formally known as the PTA) held their annual genera! meeting. Unlike previous years I am delighted to say that there were many new faces. At the meeting the out-going chair took the opportunity to thank everyone who had helped over the last 12 months to raise considerable funds for the school almost £5000. The Friends have supported an impressive purchase of laptops for the school this year, in addition to funding the regular commitments of computer software licences and maintenance of the adventure playground. Other purchases vary from small equipment for the children e.g. beanbags, right up to the large investments such as out door classrooms achieved in previous years. The Friends is not just about providing the school with additional funding but it also gives the village the opportunity to meet at social events. Planning for the fireworks night, Christmas fair and the Christmas tree sale all give people from the village and beyond the chance to have fun and support a great cause. Dates for your diary listed below.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the out-going committee who have done a fantastic job. Scott Curtis, Helen England and Jenny & Mark Ashby you have all contributed greatly to a successful year. I would also like to thank Chris and Allison Trueman who have done a great deal for the school over the years, but I would like to single them out for the support they give to the Friends, thank you all.

That brings me to the new committee which I am pleased to say seem like another keen bunch. I am lucky enough as the new chair to have not one but 2 vice chairs, 2 secretaries, and a treasurer. We also have lots of general members who came along to the AGM and will provide us with support. Without you, we can't succeed.

So, feel intrigued? curious? or would just like to do more for the community and the School? Then why not join us and help at the next event. We always need people to help, be it on the day or with the numerous activities leading up to the event. If you feel like lending support then drop your name and 20contact details (email) into the school reception or email me (xxxx @ btinternet.com) and I will contact you about future events.

Now those dates for your diary:

• Charfield School Fireworks Display, Friday 5 November: Gates open at 6pm BBQ and entertainment beforehand
• Charfield School Christmas Fair, Saturday 4 December
• Christmas Tree Sale, Saturday 11 December.

Rob Melville – Chairman, Friends of Charfield School

Registered Charity Number 1029832

[Graphic: Teddy bear]

Now the new school year is well under way and the children and new committee are settling in I'd like to take this chance to update you on life at Charfield Pre-School!

We had a great start to the year with the opening of our fantastic outdoor play area, funded by South Gloucestershire Council. We received Early Years Capital Grant Funding in association with the Early Years and Childcare Service. Our thanks go out to everyone involved in the planning in particular the staff at the Pre-School, Sue Woodward and Lucy Pass (our previous Chair Person). The producer of this wonderful play area was Mark Woodward (MW Groundworkers) from Cromhall. Tel: 01454 29xxxx

Events to look out for will be our annual Christmas Float … Father Christmas will be touring the village with his friends helping us to collect for the Pre-School in order to help fund raise for essential equipment and toys that help us provide such a great environment for the children. A Christmas raffle with lots of great prizes and a ladies Christmas night out will also be part of the festivities! In the New Year more fund-raising events will be coming along including a fun quiz night, which was enjoyed by all last year. We will be advertising all events in the village so look out for posters!

For further information on any of the above or enquiries regarding places for your children please do not hesitate to pop into the Pre-School and speak to Debra our Pre-School Manager or call me on 01454 26xxxx.

Katherine Edwards
Chair Person.

Hello again from the villages Junior Football Club.

A lot has happened since my last update but the most important thing is that we now have two teams playing league football, together with a large number of 6 to 9 year aids attending training on a Friday evening. It is great to have so many youngsters involved in the game and I believe that word is spreading of the friendly and encouraging philosophy that we have at our Club.

21We are also extremely pleased that Rio Pools are sponsoring a new kit for the Under 9 team. It is great that a local firm is helping the youth of our village.

The first week of September saw the newly formed Under 9s team have their first league game against a very competitive Painswick team. It was a bit of an eye opener for the team and managers. However in the weeks that followed parent involvement in the training, together with help from Toby and Sam from the Under 14s team, significantly increased and the change in the second game in which they drew 5–5 against Rodborough was quite amazing. We had all thought that the first year would very much be a learning experience, and it still will be, but the level of improvement from the boys and girls was quite impressive. With their third game also against Painswick it will be interesting to see the difference.

The U14s have also started their new season well and by winning 3 of the opening 4 games found them level on points with two other teams at the top of the league. It is early days still with another 16 games to go but with a stronger squad this season we are hopeful of a good league position at the end. Either way though the boys are enjoying playing and that is the most important part.

Since my last report we have had a change of Chairman and Treasurer at the Club. After 12 years with the Club Colin Wood has stepped down as Chairman and Mark Rowse has stepped up to the challenge to fill his boots! Sue Rowse has in turn taken Mark's place as Treasurer. Many thanks to both of them for their continued help. Colin had through the years been both a manager, committee member and finally for the last couple of years as Chairman. Over that time he has been involved with not only setting up the facilities at the Moreton Ground but ensuring that the local kids have the opportunity to enjoy the game that we all love so much. A big thank you to Colin and best wishes for the future.

Well it is time to stop and go and cut the grass with the ride on mower. This task is becoming very popular with the dads for some reason!

As always if you would like to join or help the Club in any capacity please, or require any information, then contact me on 01454-26xxxx.

Thank You.

Nigel Cloke
Club Secretary/Under 14s Manager

[Graphic: Charfield School]

Striving for excellence …
Learning for life

STAFF NEWS

Firstly in September Charfield Primary gained another Deputy Headteacher. Mrs Southwell and Mrs Gordon became joint Deputy Heads sharing the role. Mrs Gordon will act as Deputy Monday to Wednesday and Mrs Southwell Thursday & Friday

Secondly I would like to welcome Mrs Cornelius to Charfield. Mrs Cornelius joined us to partner Miss Carroll in Year 3 in place of Mrs Noall.

22Our current classes and teachers are:

Thank you Friends

The Friends have bought 16 laptops that our children can use in their learning. The money has been raised through events and sponsorship held last year. Thank you, your support. It is amazing!

If you would like to get involved with our Friends Group please contact the school office.

Helping in School.

We are always keen to get people into school to help us. If you would like to become a school volunteer please get in touch with us and can talk about the ways you could help.

What's next for Charfield School?

In the summer holidays the painting of the corridors began. However we still need to paint the Junior corridor and one cloakroom. We are going to need special equipment in one area as the walls are so high. If you are able to assist in anyway we would be very grateful.

Dafydd Lawday
Headteacher

Like everyone else in the village, the children and staff enjoyed our wonderful summer and made the most out of playing outside in the sunshine. The emphasis was on sports led activities and with Wimbledon and the World Cup on television, the children particularly enjoyed football and tennis.

Despite England's disappointing exit, the children also enjoyed completing their World Cup Wall Chart and there was also a competition to answer questions in a World Cup Trivia quiz.

The club was busy throughout the summer holidays where the theme was “Children around the world”. Everyday there were crafts and cooking from a different country and the children made the most of all the wonderful activities that the club organised for them.

Sadly, however, the Out of School Club has also been affected by the economic situation and the last few months have seen the club struggling to cover its running costs. This is partly due to falling numbers, and the fact that more people in the village are working more flexibly. However for many working parents, the club is a lifeline, both in term time and in the holidays, and the committee now has a challenge in ensuring the club has a secure future. The Out of School Club provides a safe and stimulating play environment for the children and it is important that this outstanding village facility continues.

Fund-raising is now essential, not just for the “extras” but to meet the essential running costs. The Club would like to thank everyone in the village who donated so generously to the Club's Tombola stall at the School Summer fair, and thanks too to all the club 23members who donated the Jam Jars. Furthermore, a special big thanks to Martine, Fern, Zoi and Mackenzie who pushed their wheelbarrow around Charfield collecting peoples' generous donations and also to the Committee and Staff who manned the stalls on the day. As a result of this effort a fabulous £253 was raised. Thank you!

Thank you also to Sandra Cook [sic], our councillor and Steve Webb, our MP, who have sent the club information about possible grants that the club may be eligible for. The Committee is currently investigating these and will follow this up in the coming months.

There is more fund-raising planned for the autumn, with a repeat of a Jumble Sale and a Promise Auction, so watch this space … And in the meantime, the club is looking for anyone in the village who can help with donations of equipment that can be used by the children in the club. The club is particularly keen to have any unwanted sports and outdoor equipment, trampolines, see saws and items for water play. Also anything that can be used for craft activities and old games that can be used inside too. If you are having a very late spring clean and have any items you wish to go to a good home, we would be very grateful!

The club is now taking bookings for the half term holidays and the INSET day on 1 November. Remember, the Club is not just for children of working parents but if your child wants an opportunity to play and make new friends, they are more than welcome. Every day there will be crafts, activities and cooking, as well as competitions and games. The children also enjoy having visitors come into the club to show them different activities and if there is anyone in the village who would like to come into the club and offer a cooking, craft or sport activity, we would love to see you. Please contact the club for further details.

Finally just a reminder that the Club is open term time from 7.30–8.30 am for breakfast and from 3.15–6 pm after school. In holidays we open every day, except Bank Holidays from 7.30am–6pm with a range of flexible options from morning or afternoon sessions only to extended days. Please pop into our club and talk to our staff if you require any information or would like to see our club at work.

The committee would like to thank Pat, Georgina, Anne, Paul and Jo for all their hard work over the last year and we hope that the coming months will see an improvement in our financial fortunes.

>MINI TENNIS
CHARFIELD MEMORIAL HALL

[Graphic]
TUESDAYS
3.30PM–4.15PM 5–6 YEARS
WEDNESDAYS
4PM–4.45PM 5–6 YEARS
4.45PM–5.30PM 7–9 YEARS

[Graphic]
COST per 4 week block £18.60
10% discount for referrals & family members.

Sign up for 4 sessions & your last session is HALF PRICE. (£2.32)
Payment at first session.

To reserve a place & for further details:
Tel: 01454 31xxxx or 0772516xxxx email xxxx @ homecall.co.uk Licensed LTA Tennis Coach

24

Advertising

[Advert for Greenline Tanks]

[Advert for Falcon Cottage B&B]

[Advert for Charfield Post Office]

[Advert for Eclipse Hair Studio]

[Advert for Bradley Garage]

[Advert for Alan Hamer driving]

25[Advert for Charfield Memorial Hall]

ADVERTS … ADVERTS
There are a number of new advertisers this issue be sure to check out their advertisements

[Advert for New Street Garage]

[Advert for Oak Tree Nursery]

[Advert for Tree Care]

26[Advert for Ashworthy Cattery]

[Advert for Cotswold Edge Carpets]

[Advert for Barbara Daw]

[Advert for At Home Curtains & Blinds]

27[Advert for Add Plant]

[Advert for Kopperz]

[Advert for Bridge]

[Advert for D.R. Vizard]

[Advert for Elcombe Firewood]

[Advert for Elite Financial]

28[Advert for Acucare]

[Advert for RK Aerials]

[Advert for Manor Garden Maintenance]

[Advert for PC Repairs & Maintenance]

[Advert for Heritage Wine]

29[Advert for W.S. Franks]

[Advert for Pat Jeanes Reflexology]

[Advert for ]

[Advert for Colin Lane Carpet & Flooring]

[Advert for Littles Curtains]

[Advert for T.W. Services]

30[Advert for Deborah Jayne Pringle]

[Advert for Relax-ology]

[Advert for Evergreen Computing]

31[Advert for Charfield Memorial Hall]

[Advert for Wedding Cars]

[Advert for Plumbtec]

32

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
Katherine Edwards (Chair) 01454 26xxxx
Debbie Hodge (Admissions) 0774947xxxx

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
Hannah C Saunders (Clerk) 01454 29xxxx
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