November 2009

Continued from Autumnal

Let misty Autumn be our part! The twilight of the year is sweet: Where shadow and the darkness meet Our love, a twilight of the heart Eludes a little time’s deceit.

Beyond the pearled horizons lie Winter and night: awaiting these We garner this poor hour of ease, Until love turn from us and die Beneath the drear November trees. Ernest Dawson 1867 - 1900

Magazine for Falfield, Oldbury

Rockhampton & Shepperdine.

EDITOR Mrs Maureen Bland.

Little Green Cottage, Ham, Berkeley, Glos. GL13 9QN

Tel: 01453 811004

PRINTED BY Oldbury Deckers. Tel: 01454 412153

4-ward is an independent community magazine

and material is published at the discretion of the editor.

Articles for next month's edition should reach the Editor

or Email 4ward@oos4ward.plus.com

NO LATER THAN 10^th OF THIS MONTH

4-ward Magazine Advertising Charges

Back Cover Whole page - £20 Half page - £10 Quarter page - £5

Inside Pages Whole page - £16 Half page - £8 Quarter page - £4

10% discount on all charges when paying for full year in advance.

Cheques should be made payable to “4-ward Magazine”

Advertising Contact Andrew Gazard 07831 849742

Naite Farm, Oldbury on Severn, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1RU

or Email 4ward@oos4ward.plus.com

Church Contacts :-

Thornbury & Oldbury.

Parish office 281900 Wed. Thurs. Fri. mornings

Revd David Primrose 01454 413209

Methodist Rev Peter Hatton 01454 412269

Rockhampton, Falfield, Tortworth, Tytherington & Cromhall

Hilary Legg 01454 413234

Christ The King Thornbury.

Father Alex 01454 412223

Local Village Web Links www.oldbury-on-severn.com www.falfield.org.uk

www.MyThornbury.com

Oldbury Memorial Hall – contact Peter Orford tel: 01454 415346

Oldbury Youth Club 07831 849742

2009/2010 CALENDAR DATES FOR OLDBURY

Sponsored by Ian Knapp Builders.

14^th Nov Sat Oldbury Sequence Dancing – American Supper

25^th Nov Wed Oldbury Sequence Dancing

12^th Dec Sat Oldbury Sequence Dancing – American Supper

15^th Dec Tues Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party

2010

12^th Jan Tues Playing Fields Meeting

20^th June Sun Oldbury Fun Run 2010

17^th July Sat Cricket Club Wurzels Night

Coffee mornings are held at the chapel on the 3^rd Saturday of each month in aid of charity.

A community library will be held in the Oldbury Chapel School Room on the 1^st & 3^rd Thursdays of each month 11.00 – 12.00 noon. Everybody is welcome to come along for a chat and a cup of coffee.

If you have any more fund raising or social events you would like to include in this diary, please contact Ian Knapp on 419332

Oldbury Deckers meet in the pavilion, West Marsh Lane-

Friday 5.00pm – 10.00pm

Primary age children have priority with all activities before 6.30pm

The contact number at club is 07831 849742

If unavailable contact – Barry 07732 637246 or Bob 411506

Whist Drives in Oldbury Chapel, 1^st & 3^rd Saturday of each month

Oldbury Deckers

Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party

This year’s Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party will be on December 15^th, If you are entitled to a state pension and live, or are connected to Oldbury, you are formally invited.

RSVP 412153

The Saturday night thing

Saturday November 14th

7pm – 9pm

This month’s Theme :

The Holy Spirit - Teacher/Reminder

Come and join us!

At the Chapel

(open to 11 – 16 year olds)

“The cost for each session is £2. This is to cover the cost of the craft

(which has turned out to be really popular) and also to cover other running costs.

Thank you!”

The Saturday night thing

Film Night

At the Chapel

Saturday 28^th November at 7pm

Cost £2

Please bring some food to share.

For more information contact Lucienne 416149

Oldbury Church Flowers

November 1^st Mrs L Lees

8^th Remembrance Sunday

15^th Mrs Gazard

22^nd Mrs Gazard

29^th Advent Sunday

December 6^th Advent

13^th Advent

Flower Clubs
THORNBURY & DISTRICT	SEVERN VALE
Meetings at Thornbury Methodist Church Hall 2^nd & 4^th Thursdays Demonstrations and Practice Classes at 7.30pm	Meetings at Armstrong Complex, Thornbury Demonstrations 3^rd Wednesday in the Month at 2.00pm
November 12th Demonstration ‘’Carols and Candles’ Sandra Snell November 26th Practice Class ‘At the Going Down of the Sun’	November 2^nd (Mon) Open Meeting Margaret Rumens with “Come Join The Jolly Wassail” Doors open 6.30pm for 7.30pm Refreshments, Wine, Raffle Charity, Sale November 25^th 10.30am Charity Coffee Morning

Oldbury Rain Fall

September 2009 September 2008 September 2007

25mm 152mm 28mm

1" 5.98" 1.1"

ST ARILDAS CHURCHYARD.

The whole churchyard is tidy at last! Many thanks to those who have worked so hard through the year —Lawrence and Don Riddle, John Wilson, Mike Burgess, Peter Keedwell, Richard Cornock and Andy Macdonald. Thanks also to the many people who look after graves of friends and family in the lower churchyard, keeping their plots so neat and attractive.

Martin Fardell

No French In Quebec?

“I was mystified.” Said Nigel. “The menu said ‘Soup’, the guy before me had ordered ‘soup’, the billboard outside said ‘Soup’ on it, but could she understand me when I ordered soup? Could she heck”.

We all chuckled at Nigel’s story. Our group had stopped for the night at a motel in Chambord, a small town on the highway that runs past beautiful Lac Saint Jean in northern Quebec. The province of Quebec is of course French speaking, but with a kind of strangulated dialect that left even Barbara, the competent French speaker among us, bemused. French, but not recognisable French all the time.

But the attitude of the people more than makes up for the unexpected language barrier; courteous, helpful and willing to go out of their way to help us out. No more so than in Quebec City a day later, where BMW dealer Moto Vanier changed our tyres to off road specification boots in preparation for The Labrador. They also changed some service parts on my GS which were starting to look a little tired.

After Kenora and our last rest day, where I last mailed you from, we headed south and then east into the southern woodlands of Ontario, where a Beaver floatplane is as regular a means of transport as the huge 4x4 trucks that are in these parts. A land of boreal forests, serene lakes, log cabins, moose and the ever elusive bear that we continue to keep an eye out for.

This was also a day of rain. An unexpected storm that left us soaked and bedraggled as we reached Kakabeka Falls in the Thunder Bay area for our night stop.

Our next ride was to Wawa, a small town by a very pretty lake. This was a tourist destination, where the Canada Goose was prominent on signs around the town, with a huge gander standing sentinel at the tourist office. ‘Wawa’ apparently means ‘wild goose’ in the local native dialect.

Then onto Quebec, which announced itself with a modest road sign and subtle changes in building design which gave a more ‘francophone’ look to the various properties that we saw as we rode.

The route between Val-D’or and Chambord was a highlight of the journey so far. This is a route that heads north from roads that are more populated than in other Canadian provinces and up to remote Jackpine forests, muskeg swamps and outcrops of smooth rock. A landscape carved by glaciers and exuding a sense of great age. The road weaved between the silent forests and followed the contours of the land, rising and falling; steep hills and swooping downhill runs. Lunch was taken at Chapais, a lonely and isolated town where the map showed nothing north of us except thousands of miles of forests and lakes which eventually give way to Arctic ice.

We are now in Forestville, eastern Quebec, and enjoying another day off. Another opportunity to prepare the bikes, wash clothes and catch up with emails. Forestville lies on the banks of the Gulf of St Lawrence, a beautiful shore with a large seal population and renowned for the number of whales which can even be viewed from the highway.

Reaching Forestville is another landmark moment. The Gulf feeds the Atlantic Ocean, so in seagoing terms we have ridden from the west to the east coast of Canada.

Before us lies the mighty Labrador, a forbidding land of lonely lakes, moose, legend and Jackpine which is traversed by Route 500 – The Trans-Labrador Highway. It’s a notoriousy difficult road, on which rental cars are not allowed to drive and where all vehicle insurance is nul and void. We leave the tarmac tomorrow at Manic 5, the huge Daniel Johnson Dam which holds the waters created by the world’s fifth largest meteorite crater. Our destination tomorrow is Labrador City, some nine hours from Manic. We’ve reached an area where distance is now measured in terms of time.

So we are all looking forward to a challenging, but hopefully inspiring section of our journey – as long as the rain stops! We have been lucky with the weather so far, but the tail end of a hurricane has caught us and after weeks of excellent conditions, it looks like there are damp times ahead.

Craig Carey-Clinch

Forestville, Golf du Saint-Laurent, Quebec.

Time to Think About the Future?

How would we cope if the oil for our tractors and lorries became too expensive to use? The cost of our food would increase as fuel prices increased. But what will happen when it finally runs out? Cuba faced this crisis when their oil supplies were cut off through sanctions. They found the answer in a renewal of their community life. Sustainable Thornbury invites you to a free showing at Oldbury Village Hall on Tuesday 24^th November of two short films. The first explaining the oil resource issue (Peak Oil – Imposed by Nature.) The second, an inspiring story of how Cuba responded to the lack of oil (The Power of Community). There will be an opportunity afterwards to discuss the films. Doors open 7 pm for 7.30 pm start. Free admission. This film is the third event of a monthly series of talks and films looking at our future prospects in a changing world. More details on www.sustainablethornbury.org or tel 416778.

Oldbury School Pigeon

Ahh... I have been remiss. I can't remember the last time I reported on the goings on at the school and there have been some great things going on.

We are already at the end of term 1 (mid-term break in old speak) How time flies and I haven't even introduced you to the new students.

Five new students were warmly welcomed into reception this year; Georgie McDonald, Megan Ponting, Karmelo Furness, Becky Burgess and Samet Doganci. They seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and the other children have welcomed them warmly. Year 4 was delighted to welcome Polly Weisman. For the first time in my memory, the numbers of boys and girls seems to be more balanced.

Speaking of year 4, we have only had the pleasure of Mrs Karen Millard for this term as she has now begun her maternity leave. We all wish her the best of luck and will report to you the arrival of her bundle of joy. Her class (year 3 and 4) will be taught by Miss Butter.

As usual, school started with a bang and we have already been on a few trips Class 3 went to the SS Great Britain, Class 2 to Bristol Cathedral. Year 2 & 5 went to Castle School for some orienteering. We have participated in a Netball tournament and tag rugby tournament. Musical instruments seem to go in an out on a regular basis ...l have seen and heard, violins, flutes, guitars and recorders. Wow. Performance assemblies are terrific. With a bit of luck we will all get to see some of this in the school Nativity Play....

This time of year we normally collect up the Yellow pages but South Gloucestershire Council are not collecting Yellow Pages any more as they can be recycled in your green sort it bags.

If you have any old cushions (or bean bags) that you don't need, please can you send them into school for our reading corners? Don't worry about covers if they need one we will make them in school. If we get too many for us, we will share them with the `Busy Bees'.

Now for your diary......

School Christmas Fayre is Saturday 5th December 2- 4 pm. You local school children are selling raffle tickets for the GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW with prizes including lunch for 2 at Thornbury Castle and a Christmas Hamper. This year, there is even a prize for the family who sells the most raffle tickets. Furthermore, Barclays Bank will match all the money raised through their Community Scheme. Essentially this means that for every £1 ticket the school receives £2. Really this is a win win for everyone..so search out your local Oldbury School family and purchase raffle tickets..think of it as an investment in your future - a great school produces great kids who produce a great(er) community.

I will let you know of any more dates as soon as I have them ...of course we all eagerly await the Nativity play...

Until next month, Take care,

THORNBURT CHORAL SOCIETY CELEBRATES

To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the death of Handel 1685-1759) Thornbury Choral Society is christening November “Messiah Month” Why you may ask? Well, we have two events to which you are warmly invited.

On Thursday November 12^th 2009 musician Philip Robinson will give an audio-visual presentation in the Cossham Hall (part of the Armstrong Hall complex) on Handel’s Messiah at 8 p.m. Philip will discuss Handel’s life, show images of the original score and examine Handel’s hand-writing as well as playing recordings going back over a century. Tickets cost £5 each and include a glass of wine or a soft drink.

Then on Saturday 28^th November 2009 the society will sing the work conducted by Steven Kings with soloists Siân Winstanley (soprano) and Niall Hoskin (baritone). Both of whom have sung with the Choral Society on previous occasions and have given memorable performances.

“Messiah” really needs little introduction. It contains hummable tunes, rousing choruses, virtuoso arias, deeply spiritual texts and expresses the central beliefs of Christianity. It speaks of life and death, good and evil, retribution and salvation, of the relationship between God and Mankind. Handel deals with all this in his distinctive style, in highly original music which is easy on the ear but is never banal.

Come and join in the celebrations. The concert will take place at The Castle School in Thornbury at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£9 concessions, under 16s £1)

Tickets for both events will be available from Thornbury Town Hall, from any member of Thornbury Choral Society, from Alison Makepeace (01454-415019) or from the Secretary Jos Gregson (01454-411652 or jos@josgregson.plus.com)

THORNBURY METHODIST PLAYERS PRESENT HOUSE GUEST

BY FRANCIS DURBRIDGE.

Imagine how you would feel. Your only child has been kidnapped but no ransom demanded. All the kidnapper wants is to stay in your home for 48 hours. If you go along with this request your child will be returned unharmed. That is the dilemma faced by Robert and Stella Drury when their nine year old son, Mike, is abducted in Francis Durbridge's thriller. Of course there is more to this than meets the eye. The Drurys find they do not know who they can trust and as the story unfold we discover the real reason behind the kidnapping.

This production runs from Wednesday November 18^th to Saturday November 21^st at Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (just off the High St). Curtain up is at 7.45pm and tickets can be obtained by phoning 414749 or 411813. Prices are £6 for adults and £5 concessions. See you there.

South Gloucestershire Local Involvement Network

Join the LINk

Help Make Small Changes and Have a Big Influence on

Your Health and Social Care Services

You can become part of the new way for local people to have their say about local health and social care services, and about the way they are run and developed by joining the South Gloucestershire Local Involvement Network.

You can participate in the LINk as much or as little as you wish from receiving information regularly to being involved in working groups. You can join the LINk as an individual or as a representative of a voluntary or community group.

If you belong to a community or voluntary group we can come and talk to you and let the LINk know about the issues you are facing.

The LINk can pass issues to the Care Quality Commission (the national watchdog for health and social care), the local Select Committee and on occasion can enter and view health or social care services.

For more information about the South Gloucestershire LINk contact:

Sarah Booker - Development and Information worker for South Gloucestershire LINk

0117 9589351/07896918205

Fax 0117 9650200

sarahbooker@linksouthglos.org.uk

www.linksouthglos.org.uk

Or write to the LINk at:

FREEPOST RSBG-GTHJ-JUKK, South Gloucestershire LINk, The Care Forum, The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Bristol BS16 2QQ

New Allotments

Have you always hankered after an allotment? Would you like to experience the freshness of home grown food straight from the garden to the plate? Would you like to exercise in the green gym, rather than indoors? The newly formed Eastwood Allotment Association is seeking potential gardeners. We have a potential site only 6 minutes from Thornbury, near the Eastwood Park Garden Centre with splendid views, good soil and a country outlook. If you are interested please contact allotments@sustainablethornbury.org

Thornbury Library

1. Thornbury Library - Computer Classes

We have two organisations offering basic computer courses in the library

Age Concern – Mondays/Tuesdays. Friendly and patient tutors from Age Concern are offering computer classes in Thornbury Library for the over 50s. Sessions are held on a one to one basis and there is a small charge. To book a session please call in at the library.

Filton College- 15 week FREE course on Thursday afternoons 1.00pm-3.30pm from January.2010. Enjoy learning how to use a computer while gaining an up to date English qualification. Brush up your skills through using Word to create typed documents and letters, using the internet to search for information and receiving and sending emails. Complete IT beginners welcome. To book a place please call in at the library.

2. Computers in the library

Did you know we offer free internet access and word processing in the library together with other software packages? You can also use our computers to access Ancestry free of charge to trace your family tree. In November our computers are being replaced with new ones.

3. Public rights of way – Saturday 14 November 10.00-12.00

Continuing with our Saturday morning demonstrations a colleague from our Public rights of way department will hand out leaflets and answer your enquiries.

As the highway authority for South Gloucestershire, we are responsible for 783 miles (1257km) of public rights of way. The council aims to help you make the most of the opportunities available to you, whether you're on foot, on pushbike, in the saddle or at the wheel

4 Don’t forget your Bookstart + pack!

If your two year old has not received one of these colourful canvas bags containing picture books, colouring books, crayons etc then please ask for one at the library.

5. Pensions surgeries

Pensions surgeries are held every Friday morning from 10am-12noon run by South Gloucestershire Pension Service.

6. Oral history tapes. We have a collection of over 40 tapes which were kindly donated to us by the Thornbury and District Oral History Society. These tapes contain personal memories of life in and around Thornbury in days gone by and are available for hire free of charge.

7. Funder Finder

Are you looking for the best source of funding for your club/organisation? If so, then this is the computer resource for you. Just fill in a few simple details and it will provide you with a list of the charities best able to help. Please ask for further details. Please note this package only applies to groups NOT individuals.

8. i-POINT

This careers advice service has just been set up on our library computers. It gives you quick, easy and free access to the best resources to help you:

• Write a CV

• Find a course

• Look at career profiles

• Get help with job-hunting

• Match your skills and interests to jobs

• Get careers and training advice by email

9. Thornbury Gazette

Back–copies are available on microfilm. In fact our microfilm copies go back to 1955 but the further back we go the more gaps we have. If you want to consult back copies please contact us first so that we can confirm we have the dates you require and can set up the micro-film reader. Please note it is rather old and does not print.

For more information on any of the above items please give the library a ring on 01454 868 006 (24 hour renewal line 08450 020 777) or visit our web-site on www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries.

Remember you can also access the web-site to renew your books, check the catalogue, reserve items and consult a wide range of on-line reference materials. You will need your borrower number and pin number (available from the library). We also offer a telephone enquiry service on 01454 866 900 or you can email your enquiry to askthelibrary@southglos.gov.uk

We also offer free internet access and word processing in the library.

Please note we can send your reservation and overdue notifications by text, email or voice message and we have also introduced pre-overdues for email contacts only

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?

GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.

ACT to the rescue!

Feeling lost without that friendly crowd of actors, musicians and tecchies? Sad, because you missed Thornbury's phenomenal community production, or perhaps stumped for ideas for Christmas presents? Well, dry your tears and plaster that smile back on your face, as ACT has the answer to all your problems!

We have not one, but TWO DVDs of The Wigan Girls available ~ one contains highlights and interviews taken during the exciting rehearsal period, while the other contains the stunning performance, witnessed by 2000 people in July, plus a CD of all the music! It seems too good to be true, but all three disks are available for a mere £15, while for only £7.50, ACT has produced a stunning calendar, featuring location, rehearsal and performance photographs of The Wigan Girls.

The calendars are on sale at Thornbury Town Hall, or for an extra £1, by post from Jackie Jackson, Bay Tree Cottage, Crossways Lane, Thornbury, BS35 3UE, or tel: 01454 416421 and Jackie is also the contact for the DVD package. All cheques should be made payable to ACT and remember that each memento sold counts towards another brick in the wall of the hoped for new theatre-based community complex, which will really put this area on the map!

To learn more about ACT's aims, activities and arts events, plus how to become a FACT [friend of ACT], visit www.ACTthornbury.org.uk or send us an email: ACT.Thornbury@yahoo.co.uk .

Christian Comment

See how these Christians love one another !

(Tertullian, 2nd century – and he was serious.)

One thing that struck me forcibly during our visit to Jerusalem at Easter this year was the wide variety of Christian traditions there were in the city. This has not always led to edifying results: the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are held by Muslim gatekeepers after several quarrels between Christian denominations led to fights inside the church. I was also intrigued to see a small ladder over the door of the same church – it seems it has been there for a long while because no-one can agree as to who has the right to take it down.

We shake our heads sadly over such goings-on, but it has to be said that our inter-church record in this country has left a lot to be desired, though physical fights are mercifully unknown today (I think). Oldbury Churches Together has been working quietly away locally, and now we join together for an Advent course in December, Christmas carols round the village, a Church Unity Week service, the Women’s World Day of Prayer, a Lent course, a Good Friday walk and service, Oldbury Quiet Day, and Songs of Praise at the fun run weekend, as well as various combined services for special occasions. This year we added a Sea Sunday service at the sailing club, and there are, or will be, three harvest festivals and at least three Christmas carol services.

All in all, it seemed about time that the informal covenant we have worked to for some years was formally ratified and signed. There will be a special service to do this on Sunday 22 November at 6 p.m. at St Arilda’s, and everyone is welcome to come, of whatever denomination or none. This is intended to lead on to further inter-church co-operation.

Here is the covenant that will be signed:

‘As fellow-Christians we commit ourselves as members of the Christian community in Oldbury on Severn to work, serve, witness and pray together, while remaining faithful to the discipline and heritage of our different traditions.’

Christmas shopping

by Richard Churchill

With Christmas next month, it seems like a good time to ask, “What is a good buy?”. The list of “technology” presents is so long it fills the catalogues of many good electrical retailers. So I'm going to focus on two popular presents. Here I'll focus on laptops and, in a special bonus article on our website, digital cameras. I have chosen these because they both are both heavily laden with acronyms which seem to be purely designed to confuse.

One of the questions I get asked most often by customers is what they should look for when buying a laptop or a desktop pc. The first consideration is the type of computer: 'Desktops' tend to give you more power per pound;

'Laptops' allow you to work anywhere; mini-laptops and netbooks are great for checking your email and surfing the web and will fit in almost any bag. The drawbacks to mini-laptops and netbooks are as the computers get smaller and more portable they either get much more expensive, or they become less powerful and versatile.

The next consideration is what goes inside your computer, you need to think about which processor you need, the amount very fast working memory (ram), and the amount of storage (Hard disk) space you need.

So, the processor - the bit that does the thinking. You will find people talk a lot about processor speed (often measured in “mega-hertz”,MHz), but I have found that even the slowest (around 1.5 mega-hertz) on the market will serve most family pc's well. Find out more about processors on the website.

Next is, “How much fast working memory (ram)?” The simple answer is normally as much as you can afford, but as a minimum I recommend 2048MB (2GB) for the computer to run well.

Finally, storage (Hard Disk Space). This is here all of your information is stored when the computer is turned off. The average storage for a new pc is 160GB (over 2700 hours of audio): this is should be enough for most home computers.

I have put some bonus articles on buying digital cameras and more on buying computers on my website. For this as well as an archive of past articles visit: http://yourpcguru.co.uk/articles/.

I welcome any ideas or questions you may have. 01454 616365 (ask for Richard) or email articles@yourpcguru.co.uk.

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '

MILLIE: I is..

TEACHER: No, Millie Always say, 'I am.'

MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'

Thornbury FM to Re-brand!

Echoing the metamorphosis earlier this year of GWR into Heart FM, it has been revealed that Thornbury FM, the highly successful community radio station based in Thornbury, has decided to re-brand itself.

The news comes hot on the heels of Thornbury FM’s announcement that it has expanded its coverage area to encompass most of the South Gloucestershire region. True to its community roots, Thornbury FM plans to involve listeners in suggesting new names through running an on-air competition.

David Primrose – Vicar of Thornbury and Chairman of Thornbury FM: “Our new extended coverage area means that we need to change to ensure we are relevant to our new listeners. We need to reach-out to more local organisations in the community, involve yet more budding local presenters, and appeal to people across the wider South Gloucestershire area. To do this effectively we think we need to find a new name that recognises that we now serve more than just Thornbury”

Glyn Roylance – Director and Station Engineer. “Since we started in 2005 we have always worked hard to invest wisely and uphold the highest technical standards. It was rewarding to have this recognised by Ofcom during a recent visit. This next step in our journey has been made possible by installing some extra equipment which permits us to move our transmitter to high ground near the A38. This means we will be heard from Bradley Stoke to Berkeley and Chipping Sodbury to Chepstow.

The station is also mulling a move to become a permanent radio station which broadcasts 365 days per year. There are expectations that the Government regulator Ofcom may invite applications for a permanent licence. In recent years Ofcom has granted over 200 such community radio licences, leading to a renaissance in true local radio whilst the commercial stations continue to merge into regional and semi-national stations.

Thornbury FM returns to the airwaves on 2 November on 87.7 FM. Meanwhile its webcast can be heard 365 days a year at www.thornburyfm.org.

Fed up with the same old Christmas Decorations

Are you fed up with the same old Christmas Decorations? Would you like some inspiration?

Thornbury and District Flower Club are holding a workshop for you to learn how to make some interesting and stylish Christmas arrangements, on Saturday 21st November from 10:30am till 1pm at Thornbury United Reformed Church Upper Hall, Chapel Street.

For further information please contact Penny Mackinnon on 01454 417387 or Margaret Gover on 01454 261281.

Falfield WI News – October 2009

Having returned from her travels, our President Judy Clark welcomed everyone to the October meeting especially new member Janice Leach and visitor Myrtle Lansdown. Gill Spiller gave a report on her entertaining trip to the Federation AGM at Weston and advised members that there is a 10% reduction on courses at Denman College taken before the end of 2009.

The Avon Room at Denman is looking good after refurbishment and Margaret Keast was congratulated for raising funds towards this with a coffee morning.

Our speaker was Philip Taubenheim from the Wotton Auction Rooms who gave us a humorous insight into his working day. Members had also brought along a selection of items for him to talk about.

For the November meeting members are asked to bring along a bought or homemade Christmas card and also a pair of scissors.

WHO SAID CHRISTMAS WAS HUMBUG?

"Marley was dead to begin with". "There is no doubt whatever about that". These are the first two lines of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol adapted by John Mortimer.

The story, first published in December 1843 became an instant success. It has been a great favourite ever since and adapted to suit all tastes from The Muppets to the RSC.

Thornbury Amateur Dramatic Society will be presenting A Christmas Carol at the Armstrong Hall from 25^th November to 28^th November 2009. Ebenezer Scrooge will be played by Ian Hamilton leading a cast of all ages with new young talent and excellent experienced performers.

This show has it all: Comedy, Pathos, Sentimentality and above all the belief in the possibility of Peace and Goodwill to all.

Book early to avoid disappointment. Bring your family, strangers, friends and enemies.

Tickets cost at £7 adults; £6 concessions; £20 family (2 adults, 2 children) and are available from Thornbury Garden Shop; by phone on 0798 567 5117 or by email on tads@drama-in-thombury.co.uk

We are looking forward to seeing you all,

Pam Davidson (director).

Castle School Autumn Fayre 2009

Friday 13th November 6.00 - 8.30pm

Come along to Castle School’s Autumn Fayre and have a festive evening buying your Christmas presents.

Art and craft stalls to suit all pockets! - Jewellery, cards, books, cakes, bags, candles, soaps, preserves, Fair Trade items and lots more! Plus award winning Christmas, Chocolate and Ginger Puddings on sale too!

Fun for all ages in our ‘Hall of Games’ thought up and run by our students. Some of our young musicians will entertain you whilst you sample some well-earned refreshments!

Take your chance on the Tombola and the Grand Draw:

‘The CSA Grand Draw’

The Castle School Association, Grand Draw will be drawn at 8pm at our Autumn Fayre on Friday 13th November

• 1st PRIZE – one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast for two at

Tortworth Court Hotel sponsored by Apex Recruitment South West Limited

• £100 shopping vouchers sponsored by Magnox North

• £50 Garden vouchers from Thornbury Garden Shop

• Plus many more prizes

Tickets can be purchased from: Thornbury Garden Shop (The Courtyard, High Street) or at the Fayre. You don’t have to attend the evening to win it! Please buy tickets to support the Castle School Association with all proceeds going towards supporting the students at Castle School.

Castle School values your support and looks forward to seeing you

Mothers' Union, Falfield, Oldbury and Rockhampton Branch.

There will be a meeting of the above Branch, on Wednesday November 25th,'09 at 7.30pm, at Naite Farm, Oldbury. Roger Howell will be the speaker on 'The skeleton in the tower'. All welcome. S.L.S

STOP PRESS Christmas cards

Hold off rushing out for Christmas cards! There will be lovely new ones for sale from St Arilda's church plus blank ones for your own messages too. The picture is taken from a watercolour of St Arilda's in Spring by Gloucestershire artist R.A. Brown. Details to follow....!

Community (Parish) Planning

Find out what a Parish Plan can do for you and YOUR community

I don’t propose to go too deeply in to the subject of Community Plans; for those who want to know more I would ask them to come and join other interested people in the Memorial Hall on Monday 23rd November where all will be revealed (well perhaps not all).

Many people will say why do we want a Parish Plan and anyway what is it? So in short, to at least try and answer the initial questions here goes:-

Why create a parish plan?

Parish planning has many benefits for local people that include:

• Providing clear evidence of the needs and priorities of your community to inform the community strategy, influence the service plans of the statutory agencies, highlight projects which would benefit from the involvement of other agencies and encourage partnership working

• Setting out a business plan for the parish and local council to adopt and take action on

• Providing easy to access evidence on which to base funding applications

• Creating a greater sense of community spirit

What is a parish plan?

A parish plan is, in short, a statement of how the community hopes to develop over the next few years. It:

• Reflects on the views of all sections of the community

• Identifies the social, economic and environmental characteristics that people value

• Detects local problems and explores opportunities to overcome them

• Draws out and indicates how the community wants to develop in the future

• Prepares a plan of action to achieve this vision and to determine who needs to be involved

Nb South Gloucestershire Council is supportive of parish plans as a means of community engagement and is keen to assist its town and parish councils to achieve the aspirations of the communities they represent.

So we hope that the outcome of the evening will be a better understanding of how Parish Planning can help to improve the future quality of life within the Parish as a whole and the realisation that within our community there are people with all sorts of skills to help in the formulation of a Plan for the Parish of Oldbury on Severn .

For anyone interested in details of Parish Planning I can recommend going to

http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/exeres/33a37e08-ed38-4c52-a277-c9461a33db54

It is South Gloucestershire Councils website, the read more section is very informative

Your Council look forward to seeing you on the night

Barry Turner (Chairman of Oldbury on Severn Parish Council)

Vernon Remembered

According to Martin Bland, his dad Vernon employed over one hundred people in his life and I was lucky enough to have been one of them. The call came from Vernon and Maureen when I was in my early twenties. They had heard I was living back at home at Cowhill and asked would I like to drive the Honeywagon and do some deliveries for them? No matter that my driving until that point had been limited to my mother’s battered Hillman – a quick lesson in reversing using wing mirrors around St Mary’s street car park and I was off!

I had a wonderful summer. Vernon had customers all over England, many in London but predominantly in attractive seaside towns in Cornwall and the South West, and it was fabulous fun driving around visiting all these places. Vernon was a brilliant employer. Many was the time that I phoned up to find out if there were any urgent deliveries waiting because the sun was shining and the surf was up and I fancied a few hours off. I was later to discover that my somewhat casual attitude to the working day did not go down so well with future employers!

Vernon was always calm and unruffled. No matter what problems I encountered, whether it was difficult customers, irate traffic wardens, me getting lost on the North Circular, or having a puncture in the wilds of Cornwall, Vernon would always be totally supportive and calmly work out a solution.

Vernon was always happy for me to take friends along for the ride and one of them, Imelda, ended up working with us. One week we were away delivering in Norfolk. To save money we often slept in the van over night. We found a quiet lay-by on the outskirts of a village and were enjoying a good night’s sleep when we were woken at dawn by a loud knocking on the windscreen. As you know villagers have eyes and ears and the local Bobby had been sent to investigate our strange white van. He took all our details down in his pocket book – Christabelle Pansy Jones and Imelda Grace Finnerty, delivering honey for the Honeybarn, Oldbury-on-Severn – without saying a word. Then he sighed deeply, picked up his bike and said mournfully, “When I get back to the station no one is going to believe me”.

In between deliveries Imelda and I helped out back at the Honeybarn, bottling honey and furthering our education listening to tales from the older ladies, Florrie, Pandora and the others, while Brenda ran the office. I still remember some of Florrie’s tales from her days of army service in the Second World War. If we were really lucky Vernon might tell us something of his time at sea, or one of his other businesses, but he was never still long enough. He was always on the go, looking out for new customers, products and projects.

The business expanded into wine-making and cider-making and Vernon employed many more people. He was always willing to give anyone a chance, young or old, school leaver or ex-offender, he treated everyone equally. I still think he was the best person I ever worked for.

Maureen told me at his funeral that his biodegradable coffin was made entirely from banana leaves. I think that would have fascinated him. I could just imagine him looking around for a similar local product to fill that gap in the market. CT

The Inner Wheel Club of Thornbury

Invite you to

Celebrate Christmas with Carols and Readings

Thursday 17^th December 2009.

St Marys Church

Olveston

At 7.00p.m

In support of

‘The Princess Royal Trust for Carers’

The aim of the project is to give help to carers living in South Gloucestershire.

THORNBURY FM IN OLDBURY

Listen in to Thornbury FM 87.7 on Tuesdays from 2.00pm – 3.00pm on November 10^th, 17^th and 24^th to hear memories, news and stories of Oldbury told by well known locals. Join me, Hugh Ferguson and enjoy news, music and good company on Tuesday afternoons. Continue to tune in to your local Community Radio Station and hear news, music and chat presented in lively and fun ways by a wide variety of presenters.

Oldbury School Christmas Fayre

Saturday 5th December, 2-4 p.m.

Lots of fun for everyone with games, competitions and stalls selling all sorts of things. There will be a raffle with the star prize of lunch for 2 at Thornbury Castle. Last but certainly not least, Santa will be visiting so that the children can meet him in his Grotto. Everyone is welcome, please come along and do some of your Christmas shopping. All proceeds will go to Oldbury School.

Anyone for Tennis?

Tennis lessons available for local residents at Oldbury Playing fields new courts.

£5 per session.

Fridays: 2-3pm: Ladies

Saturdays: 2-3pm: Senior school children (Age 11 – 18)

“ 3-4pm: Primary school children (Age 5 – 11)

NB. Times are flexible to suit requirements.

Further details from Lucy Tel: 07835845223

Oldbury School

CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Our beautiful handmade wreaths are 15 inches in diameter, trimmed with traditional foliage and bows. They provide an attractive festive welcome to your home and make lovely gifts. All proceeds will benefit the school.

Order now to avoid disappointment. They cost £8 each and can be ordered either by handing the attached slip to Sarah Hayden or by dropping it into Debbie Hall in the school office.

Your wreath can then be collected from Oldbury School on Monday 14th December between 3.30 - 4 p.m. or you can make alternative arrangements by calling the school on:

01454 414297

Thank you for your support.

…………………………………………………………………………

Christmas Wreath Order Form

Name:_____________________ No. of Wreaths:_____

Telephone:_________________ Total Cost: £________

(cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends of Oldbury School’)

Name:_____________________ No. of Wreaths:_____

Mrs Irene Worthing

The funeral of Mrs Irene Worthing took place on Monday 21^st September at Nympsfield Parish Church.

Residents of Falfield and Rockhampton may well remember Irene whose husband, George, was Vicar of the Parishes as long ago as the 1960s. After leaving Falfield they went to Kingscote before finally retiring.

We have known Irene for ten years, ever since 1999 when the then Bishop of Gloucester, David Bentley, asked us both to share the ministry of Clergy Widows' Officer for the Gloucester Archdeaconrv. We made our first visit to Irene in July 1999 and our last visit in July this year, only a few weeks before she died in Gloucester hospital. Our relationship was extra special because of our common link with Falfield and Rockhampton. We were able to talk about some of the local residents of the two Parishes whom she remembered with affection. Irene was a typical Clergy wife who devoted much of her life to supporting her husband, George.

Irene was a lovely lady, always with a smile, and always offering us a warm welcome on our visits. In recent years, her health deteriorated and she was eventually registered as blind. Nevertheless, she retained her high spirits and her lovely smile.

At her funeral, the Church was full, which was a token of the esteem in which she is held in Nympsfield. Ray was privileged to be asked by the Vicar to say a few words as one of the tributes to Irene.

We are so glad to have known Irene and pray that she may now Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

The Reverend Ray Martin and Mrs Sheila Martin.

Thank you.

Maureen Bland and her whole family wish to thank all those who remembered them in their thoughts and prayers. The good wishes and messages in all cards was great comfort. Thank you.

THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR POWER AT OLDBURY:

AN UPDATE FROM E.ON

We are holding a further round of exhibitions this autumn to update the public on the development of our plans for Oldbury.

Exhibition dates and venues: Autumn 2009

Oldbury: Saturday 21 November – from 10am – 6pm

Venue: Oldbury-on-Severn Memorial Hall, 13 Camp Road, Oldbury-on-Severn, BS35 1PT

Berkeley: Tuesday 24th November – from 12pm – 8pm

Venue: Town Hall, Salter Street, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9DB

Stroud: Thursday 26th November – from 12pm – 8pm

Venue: The Old Town Hall, High Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1AP

Thornbury: Saturday 28th November – from 10am – 6pm

Venue: Cossham Hall, Armstrong Hall complex, Chapel Street, Thornbury,

BS35 2BJ

Lydney: Tuesday 1st December – from 12pm – 8pm

Venue: Lydney Town Hall, High Street, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 5DY

Chepstow: Thursday 3rd December – from 12pm – 8pm

Venue: Drill Hall, Lower Church Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5HJ

The exhibitions will provide an update on the project and information on topics we intend to review as part of any future Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA becomes a key part of a document referred to as the ‘Environmental Statement’ which would be required to underpin any future planning application to the new Infrastructure Planning Commission for a new nuclear power station at Oldbury.

For more information please go to: eon-uk.com/oldbury or call our free phone number 0800 130 3125. You can also email us at: oldburyenquiries@eon-uk.com

Oldbury Harvest Barn Dance

Every year the villagers of Oldbury get the chance to dig out their old check shirts and old jeans because it’s time to grab your partner doesey-doe it’s the annual much awaited barn dance held at Naite Farm. Set in an authentic cow barn it’s the perfect setting for the night of family fun.

The music is playing and everyone is dancing, everyone from the three year old kids right up to they senior citizen. Everyone is involved and everyone is enjoying themselves. When they are waiting for the couples to join in for a group dance you can hear the laughs of the kids playing the much loved game of Oldbury man hunt. When the food is laid out it looks delicious and expertly presented. The Youth Club Bus is there to entertain and is fondly thought of by everyone. The decorations that have transformed a cow barn into a place of laughter and enjoyment makes the whole experience even grater. As the last dance of the evening is announced I feel happy and excited that we can experience this all again next year.

The Barn Dance could not be possible every year without the help from many people especially The Gazards and the ladies who serve us are beautiful meal. Personally I love the Barn Dance and it’s one of the dates in my diary I look forward too most and mostly I look forward to Mrs Gazard’s famous puddings.

Emily Jessop.