PARISH MAGAZINE The Edge, Pitchcombe,

Harescombe & Brookthorpe

November 2010 75p

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Jean Vaughan celebrated her 90th birthday on 20 September.

Joan Hoare’s 96th birthday on 23 September with members of her family.

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Events Around The Villages

Brookthorpe 2 November: Parish Council meeting at the Village Hall at 8.00pm. 9 November: CAMEO Meeting at the Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Edge 10 November: Autumn Quiz Night at the Village Hall at 7.30pm. 20 November: ‘Cinderella’ at the Village Hall at 7.30pm. 27 November: WI Christmas Coffee Morning at the Hall from 10.00am.

Harescombe 4 November: Ladies Meeting at Kath’s house (Old Mill) at 8.00pm. 5 November: Young Farmers BBQ & Bonfire Night from 7.00pm. 13 November: Casserole Supper at the Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Pitchcombe 10 November: Resthaven Coffee Morning at 9.30am. 14 November: Remembrance Service at 10.50am. 25 November: Pitchcombe Quiz Night at 7.30pm.

Mobile Library: Thursday, 11 & 25 November 10:40am - 11:00am Edge, near Bus Shelter, Whiteshill Road. 11:10am - 11:20am Four Mile House Inn, Brookthorpe.

Cover photograph: Poppies by Sevenleaze Lane

Anne Buckland-Smith. Other entries welcome.

For more news about Brookthorpe, visit www.brookthorpe-with-waddon.co.uk

To find more events in Edge or Pitchcombe, Check the online calendar at http://tiny.cc/diZcw

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Introduction As Army ‘brats’, we were fully conversant with the significance of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Indeed for me it had started before we joined our father on his various postings after the war. My brother and I were always privileged to accompany my grandfather to the Cenotaph and Memorial wall on the corner of Gloucester Park. We would first watch the march past of the Gloucestershire Regiment of which he had been a regular soldier in the early years of the 20th century, being discharged at the end of WW1 with an injury which kept him jobless for the next six years. As they passed, he would stand ramrod straight, his medals gleaming and salute, my brother doffing his school cap in respect. After the ceremony and the laying of the wreaths, he would take us to where all the names were inscribed on the wall and point out our great uncle’s name (he has no known grave as we discovered when we researched him in later years) and the names of comrades and friends, quietly describing a little pen picture of each of them. Then we joined our father in Germany. Remembrance Day, for a military family, becomes as important as Easter or Christmas. The service of remembrance was held in the camp cinema, with the families upstairs in the ‘gods’ and the regiments of the garrison downstairs. After the service there was a march past and salute before the units returned to barracks. All the regulars wore their campaign medals, which had been Brasso’d vigorously the night before. I have my father’s button stick to this day. We were expected to attend the parade and services wearing our poppies. My father suggested we try to put a persona to our poppy so that we would think more deeply about the significance of wearing it on this particular day, which is something as a family we all still do. He was very wise to suggest this to us children, as it made us look beyond an individual, to their lives and what they were fighting for. This was brought home to me during a visit to the wonderful ‘In

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Flanders Field’ Museum in Ypres. At the heart of the museum is a rotunda with very welcome seats around its edge. As you rest and think of all you have viewed up to that moment, you become aware of different photographs appearing on the walls around you. They are of young men, off to war, more often than not bidding farewell to their mothers, the German to ‘meine Mutte’, the Frenchman to ‘ma Mère’ and Tommy Atkins to his Ma. All could have been cousin to the other regardless of nationality and all were obviously adored by their mothers. This is the truth about remembrance. Behind every name who falls is a mother, father, wife, children, siblings or friends, to whom that person was or remains extremely precious. The United Kingdom did not repatriate her dead during the two world wars and even up to the Falklands conflict. Most families could not afford travel to where their loved ones had fallen. Now thanks to the British Legion, we have the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire, a year-round centre where families find comfort and pride in having the names of their sons and daughters who have died in more recent conflicts inscribed on the rolls of honour. There is a two minutes silence everyday and it is an extremely peaceful place, with beautiful, emotive memorials. It is a spot where our nation can remember. So on Remembrance Day on 11 November, we thank God and remember with pride those who have died to keep us free, but also those who bravely let them go.

Rosemary Alder

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon

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Brookthorpe Bugle The Parish Plan Team has now worked through the responses to all the completed questionnaires and will be presenting the draft Action Plan to the Brookthorpe-with-Whaddon community, so that prior to preparing the final plan everybody will have the opportunity to comment .

The Draft Action Plan presentation will be on Wednesday, 15 December 2010

at 7:00pm in Brookthorpe Village Hall. Along with tea and coffee, the evening will have the additional attraction of wine and a selection of cheeses, together with festive mince pies. Please turn up to support your Parish Plan Team who have put much effort into the work undertaken so far. What is a Parish Plan? A parish and community plan is a working document produced by a community. It sets out a community’s vision for the future and creates an action plan covering issues or aspects it wishes to develop, retain or strengthen. If you wish, you will be able to see information on the Parish Plan look on the Parish website if you are able to do so at www.brookthorpe-with-whaddon.co.uk.

Paul GAZE Parish Plan Team

Bookings for Brookthorpe Village Hall should be made to Nigel Bone on 01452 812628.

www.brookthorpe-with-waddon.co.uk

There will be a CAMEO meeting at Brookthorpe Village Hall on Tuesday, 9 November at 7.30pm. The Speaker will be Brian Draper on the subject of ‘Wildlife watching on the River Severn’.

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Harescombe Herald Congratulations to all the family on the christening of Jacob Gayle on 3 October, the son of Jason and Lorna Ractliffe, grandson of Gayle and Jane Ractliffe and a great grandson for Dorothy Ractliffe of Gravel Court Farm. Harvest Supper on 24 September was, as always, a well attended, happy occasion, very like the Harvest described by Laurie Lee in ‘Cider with Rosie’, which was one of our Harvest readings. Our produce and gifts went to Resthaven this year. Harescombe & Painwick Young Farmers Bonfire Night will be held on Friday, 5 November, at Fields End next to the Village Hall. Barbeque, bonfire and fireworks from 7.00pm. Bring your own drinks. Please call Laura Ractliffe for tickets on 01452 813514. A Casserole Supper will take place at the Village Hall on Saturday, 13 November, at 7.00pm. Come and share a yummy supper and catch up with the news. Entrance £6 - £3 for primary school age children. Please bring your own liquid refreshments. Ladies Meeting: the next meeting will be held at Kath’s house, The Old Mill, on Thursday, 4 November, at 8.00pm. The Christmas Quiz will be held at the Village Hall on Tuesday, 28 December.

Liz Hall

Bookings for Harescombe Village Hall should be made with Ann Bailey on 01452 813514. However, would residents please note that Ann has stepped down as the magazine’s Harescombe Correspondent, due to other pressing commitments. We are all grateful to Ann for her contribution. We welcome Liz Hall who has now taken over as Harescombe Correspondent.

Ed.

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Pete’s Periodical Posers Can you think of one word that can go with all these statements? 1. Preceded God... 2. Greater than God... 3. More Evil than the devil... 4. All poor people have it... 5. Wealthy people need it... 6. If you eat it, you will die… 7. Has seven letters. The reader with the first correct answer received at pm@aramis.demon.co.uk will be entered in the annual Prize Draw for Best Quizzard of the Year. Answers to October’s posers, first sent in correctly by John Luke, were: 1. A Lycanthrope is said to be able to transform into a wolf. 2. Tobacco was the crop which rescued the Virginia settlement in the early 1600s, contributing to Britain’s expanding wealth and power. 3. The Tordesillas Treaty was signed between Spain and Portugal in 1494, aiming to divide the entire world between them.

Pete Dickinson

Ann Kennett would like to hear from anyone who could lend her a data projector on occasions for use in Edge and Pitchcombe churches. If you could help, please contact her on 01452 812669 or a.kennett279@btinternet.com.

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Monthly Recipes This is the first of a series of recipes from the best cooks in the four villages. This one is for some of those surplus apples left over this autumn.

Ed. Canterbury Tart (serves 10) Pastry

100gr (4oz) butter cut into cubes 225gr (8oz) plain flour 25gr (1oz) icing sugar sifted 1 egg beaten Filling

4 eggs 225gr (8oz) caster sugar Grated rind and juice of 2 lemons 100gr (4oz) butter, melted 2 large cooking apples quartered, cored and peeled (about 350gr/12oz prepared weight) 2 dessert or cooking apples quartered, cored and thinly sliced 25 -50gr (1-2oz) demerara sugar Method

If making the pastry by hand, rub the butter into the flour and icing sugar until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in the beaten egg and bring together to form a dough. If made in a processor, combine the flour, butter and icing sugar in the bowl and process until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Pour in the beaten egg and pulse the blade until the dough starts to form a ball around the central stem. Form the pastry into a smooth ball, put into a plastic bag and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Roll out and line a round flan tin about 28 x 4cm (11 x 1½in) in the usual way, forming a small lip around the edge. Chill the tin for a further 30 minutes.

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2. To prepare the filling, beat the eggs, caster sugar, lemon rind and juice together in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the warm melted butter, then coarsely grate the cooking apples directly into the mixture and mix well. Have ready the thinly sliced dessert apples. 3. Remove the tart from the fridge and spread the runny lemon mixture in the base. Level the surface with the back of a spoon and arrange the dessert apples around the outside edge, neatly overlapping. Sprinkle the slices with Demerara sugar. 4. Put a heavy baking tray into the oven to preheat, then bake the tart at 200º C / 400º F / Gas mark 6, for about 40-50 minutes or until the centre feels firm to the touch and the apple slices are tinged brown. OR, in the Aga, slide the tart on to the floor of the roasting oven for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is golden. Then slide the plain cold shelf on the second set of runners and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until the apple slices are tinged brown. Transfer to the simmering oven for a further 10 minutes until the filling is set. 5. The tart can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw for about eight hours at room temperature. To reheat, put back into the metal flan tin and reheat on a pre-heated baking tray at 200C/400F/Gas mark 6 or on the grid shelf on the floor of the Aga roasting oven for about 15 minutes.

Viv Barrett

A man took his dog to the cinema to see ‘War and Peace’. The dog sat beside him and the audience was amazed to see the dog's reactions to the film. When the heroine was facing dire straits, the dog would whimper quietly and when things were going well he would wag his tail happily. After the film ended, a woman came up to the dog's owner and said “Wow, your dog's reactions to the film were amazing!” The man replied “I know, I'm really surprised. He hated the book!!”

Pete Dickinson

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Edge Express Happy Birthday to James Slinger who is 12 on 10 November and to Sam McCornack who is 9 on 28 November. Edge Church Harvest Breakfast on 26 September

The Church looked beautiful with all the windows decorated. The service was very well attended and we all enjoyed the Harvest Breakfast of rolls, croissant, jams, marmalade, cheese, sausages and fruit, with tea or coffee, all very kindly provided by Ann Kennett and her helpers. This was followed by an informal Family Service led by Elizabeth Ward. Mary Slinger read the lesson and we had a very interesting talk from Clarissa Mawdesley-Thomas about the Diocesan trip to India. Prayers were led by Ann Kennett with the children using the Harvest coloured candles. It was a lovely occasion enjoyed by all.

Joyce and Janet Ryan

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Edge Has Got Talent Night on Saturday, 16 October

It was a busy and noisy evening, with compère Mike Adlam doing a great job bringing the audience to some kind of order and introducing the long list of performers. We had poetry in the form of Paul Griffith’s tribute to Conway Mayo and rustic readings from Frank Mansell’s ‘Cotswold Ballads’ and Susan Silver’s refreshing offering of original poems. With our imaginations working overtime, Damon and Laurence acted out Mary Slinger’s ultimately innocent comedy skit, whilst in the best tradition of celebrity chefs, Elizabeth Ward had the spirit of Christmas (whisky in this case) flowing freely through her Christmas Cake recipe. Martin Slinger and Mike Adlam reminisced, whilst Hugh Barr’s magic show,

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assisted by Izzie Fowler, featured a disappearing eyeball of somewhat dubious origin! The most energetic act of the evening came from the Edge Ladies dance group, Di Ravenhill, Sarah Slinger, Andrea Robinson, Claire Fowler and Lynda Yates, who brought an exotic touch of Eastern promise to the proceedings with their Bhangra Dance. The Bleeding Hearts provided sound equipment for the evening, and performed a few numbers to open and close proceedings.

For colour pictures, see back inside cover. Ed.

The star turns were, of course, the children, who all bravely stepped up to the mark for their musical performances. We heard Ellie Yates on recorder, Lydia and Lucy Ravenhill as a violin duet, Jonty Ravenhill singing solo, Laura Slinger on flute, Lettie Robinson and Lydia Ravenhill on keyboard and violin, Izzie Fowler on violin, and our very own ‘Eric and Ernie’ (Eric Robinson and James Slinger) who punctuated the gaps between acts with their ‘I say, I say, I say …’ jokes.

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Here’s a separate note from Di Ravenhill: ‘I am so thrilled that we managed to raise £555.00 on the night, thanks to the generosity of everyone and a very successful raffle organised by Izzie Fowler! I have since been given a further donation of £100 bringing the total up to £655.00 for World Vision. The church benefice of Painswick, Sheepscombe, The Edge and Cranham undertook a commitment several years ago to support the village of Lideta in Ethiopia. As the Edge representative, I am delighted that our village has been able to make such a considerable contribution. Thank you to the Village Hall Committee for the use of the Hall, and to Andrea Robinson, Sarah Slinger, Stacey Hackett and Clare Fowler for all their hard work, encouragement and support. Also to all those wonderful Edge folk brave enough to entertain us so well, all the great cooks for the fabulous lasagnes and brownies and to all the lovely ladies who helped to wash and clear up’. ….. and finally, from the co-organisers, ‘… huge thanks go to Di Ravenhill who conceived the idea of the fundraiser, was tireless in her enthusiasm to encourage a wide variety of acts and put in so much hard work to make the evening such fun for everyone’.

Roger Barrett

The New Combined Family Praise Service on 17 October. Sixteen children and thirteen adults came to our First Joint Service following the amalgamation of Childrens’ Praise and Family Service - now called Family Praise. Mary Slinger led the service by welcoming everyone, followed by celebrating the birthdays of Ann and Andera. Ann Kennett introduced all the children by name as this was a new begining. She talked about the lesson that Di Ravenhill had read from Acts, and introduced childrens’ actions connected with the reading, walking, praying and listening. Mary took the children to each window in the church, where a coloured candle was lit and prayers said. The

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final hymn was ‘I danced in the morning’, during which William and Christopher Webb took the collection. Everyone then enjoyed the refreshments provided by Ann and Mary.

Joyce Ryan

This is a reminder that the Autumn Quiz will take place at Edge Village Hall on Wednesday, 10 November at 7.30pm. The theme will be the Internet, so teams should think of suitable names to reflect that. Questions will cover a broad range of subjects as usual, accompanied by laughs, snacks and wine for sale. There will be PRIZES! Pete Dickinson asks prospective team organisers to let him know as soon as possible and not leave this to the last minute, as he is having an ankle operation the week before and does not want to hobble back on crutches without everything already sorted. Pete can be contacted on 01452 812675 or by email to nosnikcid@gmail.com.

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Edge Women’s Institute

At this month’s meeting, Brian Bailey gave his much awaited talk 'From Source to Sea', on the River Severn, its trows (sailing barges) and other stories, which had had to be postponed earlier this year. Brian is a well-known local naturalist and BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s roving reporter on the countryside and nature. As expected, his talk was fascinating, with a wealth of interesting detail, accompanied by a slide show of the river throughout its length. Did you know that Severn flowed north into what is

now Liverpool Bay, before its course diverted south at the end of the last Ice Age? WI meetings take place on the third Thursday most months at the Village Hall. All welcome. £2 for non-members (no charge for potential members), including light refreshments. For details, please call Rosemary Ricketts on 01452 813910.

Edge Women’s Institute

CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING with

Bring & Buy Sale

Saturday, 27 November, 10.00-12.00am Edge Village Hall

Christmas produce, gifts, cakes and biscuits

Coffee or tea and biscuits £1.00

Do come and join us.

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Cinderella

John and Carolyn Luke are taking bookings for the production of Cinderella at Edge Village Hall on Saturday, 20 November at 7.30pm. Fairgame Theatre Company’s new production is set in the present day. Cinderella and Prince Charming, now older and bankrupt, are touring village halls with a cart, attempting to scratch a living with an ancient karaoke machine. Throughout the evening, with the wisdom of hindsight, they tell their well-loved story through re-enactment, dance and the rocking 70′s hits that brought them together. The evening draws to a romantic end, reminding us all that you’re never too old for love. From down-at-heart to the heart and soul of the party, Cinderella’s timeless story, combined with a lyrical script directed by Jo Bousfield, musical direction by Thomas Johnson, choreography by Naomi Said and design by ‘The Stand & Stare Collective’, all ensure a high-energy, moving and unforgettable night. Price £7 adults, £3.50 children. For tickets, contact John or Carolyn on 01452 814139.

For Village Hall bookings call Bobby Kay on 01452 813567. Compline A new service of Compline was held on 29 September at Edge Church. Ten people attended which was not a bad start. Although we are using the term Compline, the idea is to find a format attractive to both believers and non-believers, those who love the old liturgy and busy people needing a little tranquility at the end of a working day. The next service is at 8.00pm on Wednesday, 3 November. There will be no awkward singing or sermonizing. Instead, there will be time for some adult conversation with friends and neighbours over a glass or two of fine wine, followed by a prayer, a reading, maybe a poem and a period of quiet reflection for heart’s ease in a beautiful place.

Ed.

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Report of Painswick Parish Council (incl. Edge)

Your reporter attended October’s meeting of the Council, on behalf of the Beacon. There were no new planning applications of local interest. However, Councillors were critical of the poor attendance record of Painswick’s two District Councillors, Frances Roden and Barbara Tait, in contrast to Joan Nash, the area’s County Councillor. There was also concern that Barbara Tait had voted for the controversial proposal for a motorway service area near Brookthorpe, which has aroused so much local opposition, disregarding the Parish Council’s objections.

The proposal for allotments at the Mop Tree site, near the golf course, was discussed, as well as a plan to put Christmas lights on the churchyard yew trees along New Street. Joan Nash warned the Council that, due to cut-backs of £120 million for central government, with a freeze on Council Tax, many current services would have to be withdrawn or scaled back.

There was also a report about broadband speeds from the Painswick exchange, which serves over 2000 subscribers, including Edge, Harescombe and most of Pitchcombe (01452 81). Councillors understand that the exchange has now been equipped with the latest ADSL2+ upgrade, which could increase speeds significantly, with the usual caveats. However, no date had been set for its activation, unlike Stroud. The position is being taken up with Ministers and BT. Readers may also be interested in a current BT competition, Race to Infinity, to pick the first five exchanges in the country to receive full fibre-optic super-fast broadband. Councillors would like residents to vote on the BT website www.racetoinfinity.bt.com. Candidly, it is unlikely that Painswick could win the competition to be among those first five exchanges to be re-wired in 2012, because total numbers are too small. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile for both Painswick and Stroud exchange subscribers to vote, because BT has given an undertaking to engage with local communities to see what might be done to improve broadband speeds locally, once an exchange reaches 75% registered interest.

Ed.

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Pitchcombe Post Many Congratulations to Jean Vaughan whose 90th birthday was on 20 September and Joan Hoare who was 96 on September 23rd. Photographs of Jean at home and Joan with her two daughters and granddaughter are inside the front cover. Happy Birthday to Daniella Dyte who was 7 on 1 October. A Grateful Thank You from Mike and Joanne Foran. The kindness, support, practical giving and prayers of neighbours and friends have enabled us to face each day with courage and that in the coming days we are not alone. Mike believes that if anyone is ill stay in Pitchcombe. Village Poppy Collection

We shall be keeping fit calling at Lurks Lane, Halfway Pitch, Wragg Castle, round the village, Pincot Lane, Cheltenham Road and Catbrain, the week preceding Remembrance Sunday. Pincot Lane is due to be closed on 2 December for tree cutting to free overhead power cables. For further information, please contact 08000 514514. Posada

Again this year, families are invited to give a home to the nativity figures Mary and Joseph (made by Jane Mann) to celebrate the ‘waiting time’ before Christmas. On Advent Sunday, the nativity figures set off on their journey from home to home, arriving back in church for the Carol Service. A Family Service about Posada will take place on 21 November at Edge Church at 10.00am. If you and your family would like to take part, please contact: Sarah Slinger for Edge on 01452 812787; Rachael Boddington for Harescombe on 01452 813797; and Mary Morse for Pitchcombe on 01452 813824.

See footnote on page 31 to find out what Posada is about.

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Cappella Singers on 18 September

The concert by the Cappella Singers gave pleasure to an appreciative audience by its varied programme: the first half included madrigals by Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Tallis and sketches given by Peter Farley and Vernon Harwood. During the interval, drinks were served in the village hall before returning to the music of Ivor Novello; the settings of familiar pop songs ‘Love me tender’ and ‘Return to sender’, and an intriguing dialogue between God and Noah spoken by Peter and Vernorn. The concert ended with the choir’s rendering of ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’. The Rev. Mike Irving gave a vote of thanks to the choir and conductor Philip Colls, knowing both well through his priesthood at Minchinhampton. It was an enjoyable autumnal evening, the proceeds going towards the new self-locking church door.

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Harvest Supper on 9 October

Every seat was taken in the Village Hall for this ever-popular annual event. When we were all seated at the attractive tables with their pleasing flower decorations, John Turkington said grace, the signal for everyone to enjoy the good food, including jacket potatoes, cold meats, a variety of salads, a vegetarian option, wine, homemade apple pie, biscuits and cheese. Before Martin’s raffle, Rosemary Jones thanked the committee for its dedicated hard work, reviewed the busy year of events, including the popular Quiz, the New Year’s walk, the men’s curry evening, the paella/flower festival evening, the village fete, the August walk and cream tea. Rosemary asked Mike Foran to give Joanne our love and heartfelt wishes. John Miller, the president, thanked Rosemary for her dedicated dynamic service. No one was in a hurry to leave – the men though got on with their kitchen duties, all of them very experienced – Martin, Mike, Barry, Robert and Andy. Once again an enjoyable harvest supper, the weather remarkable for its warmth.

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Harvest Celebration on 10 October It was worthwhile to come into church just to enjoy nature’s bounty: the window sills decked with greenery, pumpkins, marrows, apples and carrots - no mean balancing act on a sloping sill and elsewhere lovely floral autumn pedestals. It was not a formal service - instead a joyful celebration of poems, readings and familiar harvest hymns to suit everyone. 11-year

old Scarlet’s delightful singing of Where the Deer pants; Sally, the poem Nature’s Way; Geoffrey reading John Betjeman’s poem Diary of a Church Mouse; the congregation and the Rev. Bill Robson shared Psalm 148; Ruth read the account of the harvest supper from Lark Rise to Candleford and Peggy the poem Autumn Morning. Tony read the famous poem by W.H. Davies, Leisure and Rev. Bill entered into the spirit of John Betjeman’s Blame the Vicar & The Visiting

Vicar, by reading them before his short talk. John read verses from St Matthew about ‘the lilies of the field surpassing the glory of Solomon’. We ploughed the fields and scattered the good seed everywhere, found out who put the colours in the rainbow and finished with a praiseworthy rendering of ‘Jerusalem’, quite a challenge.

Mary Morse

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For village hall bookings, call Mike Foran on 01453 763330

November and December Family Services

A service about Hermela from Ethiopia, the child we sponsor, will be held on Sunday, 7 November at 10.00am at Pitchcombe Church. Come and find out about Hermela and the work of World Vision. There is a Family Advent service with animals at Pitchcombe Church on Sunday, 5 December at

10.00pm. Decorating the Christmas tree will take place at Edge Church on Saturday, 18 December at 10.00am. A crib service will be held on Friday, 24 December in Harescombe Church at 3.00pm, followed by another Christmas crib service with a nativity play at Edge Church at 4.00pm. Please let either Mary Slinger or Ann Kennett know if you would like a part in the play, on 01452 812669.

Ann Kennett

Pitchcombe Quiz Night

Thursday 25th November at 7.30pm Pitchcombe Village Hall

4 person teams, £5/head

Register your team with Steve & Sheila Rowley

01453 763181 steve@artension.com

Do you want to see details about your group or event published in the magazine? Do you need more members? Are you organizing a charity event, an outing, a walk or do you have an interesting hobby? If you live in the villages, contact details are on page 33. For adverts, see page 37.

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You are invited to a Family Service in Pitchcombe Church

Sunday , 5 December at 10am

An informal service with donkeys, readings, prayers and hymns.

Refreshments

Come and see real donkeys and hear the story of

St. Nicholas Revolution at Resthaven? You will, I very much hope, have noticed the advertisement for Resthaven on the back page in this month’s Parish Magazine. This is part of a plan, led by Peter Hewlett, whom we have recently welcomed as one of our Trustees, to give Resthaven a rather higher profile in the local community. Times change and, with the emphasis on care in the community, more and more people are preserving their independence for as long as possible and thus postponing their entry to residential accommodation. Resthaven’s response has been to concentrate on meeting the need for nursing care in the later stages of life and the Trustees have felt it appropriate to reflect this by renaming the home to reflect its current activities and thus on 30 June this year we became Resthaven Nursing Home Limited.

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As a Registered Charity we do not seek to make a profit but we cannot afford to make a loss and therefore it is crucial that we keep our rooms fully occupied at all times. Until recently it was possible to achieve this largely on the basis of personal recommendation but we have to face determined competition from other larger and better-funded commercial operators and this has prompted us to commission a new informative brochure and website - both illustrated with beautiful photographs from Pitchcombe’s own Nick Darien-Jones. Please visit our new website at www.resthavenpitchcombe.co.uk or download our new brochure or, better still, please contact our Manager, Jayne Roberts, to arrange a visit to Resthaven to see for yourself what we can now offer. We are very keen to remain independent, voluntary and community based and this depends on maintaining a succession of local Trustees. If you have the inclination and experience to make a contribution please feel free to have a word with one of our present Trustees: Mrs. Pat Butts, Dr Jenny Chapman, Derek Grimsley, Peter Hewlett, Clive Jones, John West or me.

Michael Little 01452-813604 or littlemj@btinternet.com

Resthaven Nursing Home Coffee Morning

Wednesday 10th November 09.30am – 11.30am

All Welcome £1.50 for coffee or tea & a piece of cake

Homemade Cakes, Jams & Preserves available to buy on the morning

All money raised will go to the Residents Activities Fund    

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Pitchcombe Parish Council Meeting - 23 September A copy of the Minutes and of the Annual Parish Meeting is on the PPC website at www.Pitchcombe-pc.gov.uk .

After the Minutes of 20 June were approved, several items of correspondence were discussed, including the County’s request for confirmation of our Snow Warden’s name which is the same as last year, Martin Slinger. The deadline for responses to the Local Transport Plan consultation is 14 October. Councillors can respond to this on line. The Parish Council had received a letter about budget cuts relating to road safety improvements which had been noted. In response to the proposed County Council electoral review, the Parish Council decided they were happy with current arrangements. With regard to the County Council’s challenge to save £120 million, Councillors will submit comments individually, due to the short notice.

The Parish Council had received two planning applications recently. With regard to the application for Everest, Lurks Lane, a letter of objection had been sent to the District Council. The Parish Council had no comments to make with regard to the application for Bedcroft.

St John’s Ambulance are offering community first aid courses to Pitchcombe residents and the Parish Council will subsidise 50% of the cost of the three-hour emergency training for up to ten people. If you are interested, please contact our Clerk, Julie Shirley, on 01452 424245 for details.

A Parish Council working party has installed a new grit bin by Gable End and another large bin is being ordered to replace the one on the Pitch. There had been a suggestion from an Edge resident for closer links with Pitchcombe. The Parish Council agreed that a formal link was not required as they wish to keep the link informal. Councillor Little will respond to the letter.

Councillors were not impressed with the new anti-slip surface at the junction between the A4173 and A46, and felt that the vehicle activated sign was largely ignored. Councillor James felt

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that the right turn onto the Gloucester road from the A46 when travelling from Painswick should be clearly marked in some way. It was agreed to wait until the work has been finished before assessing the impact.

Philippa James 01452 812646

Police Matters

The magazine now liaises with Neighbourhood Watch. However, because it only comes out monthly, we shall aim to carry broad themes and not individual reports.

I have been asked to pass on a message intended principally for owners of horses and ponies, but which is also of more general relevance. An attempt was made on 13 October in the early hours to steal a horse from near Innsworth, using a van towing a horsebox trailer. The attempt was thwarted, leaving the horse loose in the lane. The Police advise all horse and pony owners and handlers to take extra care, to ensure that their animals are kept as secure as possible. Horse and pony owners may wish to be reminded of the Horsewatch website at www.gloucestershirehorsewatch.org.uk, which provides advice about marking horses and securing stables, paddocks and tack.

The Police have also reported that there is a quite high local incidence of thefts of expensive farm machinery, especially tractors. Martin Slinger tells me that, with the harvest now completed in the County, there is very little reason for any farm workers to be out working heavy farming machinery late at night, barring unforeseen emergencies. The police would like anyone who hears or sees tractors or farming machinery being operated or transported in our lanes late at night to call the non-emergency number 0845 090 1234. If the circumstances seem suspicious, the Police will investigate.

For any non-emergency police or crime matters, please contact Colin Drewett, our local Stroud Police Safer Community Team (SCT Rural) Co-coordinator on 0845 090 1234 or leave a message or email colin.drewett@gloucestershire.police.uk

Ed.

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Rural Jottings I was a little premature last month in remarking that harvesting was over, as the potato and maize harvest was still in full swing. One Sunday in late September, I looked across from ‘The Rudge’ to see Philip Berry combining the ‘Roman Villa’ field. However, he does tend to be half a season behind the rest! Martin Slinger’s comments last month reminded me of how my cattle, dear old Gretel (the black and white one) especially, now twenty years young, knows the sounds of our vehicles, but how she knows when I am on my pushbike goodness only knows! There has been a major clearance of small to medium birch around the centre of Rudge Hill Common by Natural England’s contractors, making it a little easier to spot the cattle, who are off for a few weeks to graze the autumn growth on my fields. Two fields have been cut and made into haylage to help with winter feed supplies. For those interested in locally produced food and recipes, there is a fairly new book out entitled ‘A Taste of Gloucestershire’, by Andrea Leeman: contact me for a copy at the reduced price of £10.

Paul Griffiths 01452 812163

We have recently moved the ewes onto some good grass to boost them up for putting the rams with them in a few weeks. We have a batch of cows now calving who are doing well. This good weather lately has certainly made the grass grow and a lot of local farmers have been making silage. Our big baler and wrapper has been very busy over the last few weeks. Whilst baling and wrapping silage opposite Pitchcombe Church, a buzzard came down and sat on an unwrapped bale in the field. I got on with getting the bales covered until there was only the one with the buzzard still on it, who had been calmly watching me. “Sorry Mate”, I said, “I need your bale” and it flew off landing in a nearby tree, only to take off again and catch a mouse or vole only some twenty yards away.

Martin Slinger

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The Beacon Service

If you enjoy a more informal type of service, great more-modern worship or would love to go to church every week with your children, come and give the Beacon Service a go. This is a more informal service which meets on Sunday evenings in the Church Rooms in Painswick. As the title suggests, it welcomes people from across the Beacon Benefice and beyond. At the moment, the Church Rooms are being revamped with a new heating system being installed, so it will definitely be warm this winter! The Beacon services take place the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month. On the 4th Sunday, we hope that the Beacon Service congregation will be supporting the family service in their own parishes. If you would like any more information about this, please contact Mike Campbell on 01452 812600, Victoria Soutar on 01452 813543 or John Longuet-Higgins on 01452 812334.

Victoria Soutar

An exciting new village project is looking for people with the following interests:

Countryside Food & Cookery Gardening Internet Local History Oral History Photography Walking Weather Wildlife

You need basic computing skills to take part, but training will be given. Contact: Steve Rowley on 01453 763181 or steve@artension.com

I am drafting some advisories, in consultation with the police, on coping with aggressive doorstep selling and recognising internet and telephone scams, to get address and credit card details. If you have experienced something like this or know someone who has, please call me on 01452 813202. Ed.

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Generations Past and Generations to come.... In an age of the ‘big society’ (a deliberate counter to the ‘big state’) and, one might add, in an age of ‘big cuts’ and ‘big debt’, Edmund Burke, that most quintessential English philosopher, is all the rage. He defined the big society in his Reflections. “To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ, as it were) of public affections.” Living in a village, we are fans of small platoons: the Beacon lists over 70 clubs in Painswick alone. And most of are in favour of localism, that is, decision making made at the lowest, most human, level. The present coalition government wants to promote Burke’s ‘little platoons’, suggesting that citizenship results from local affections, as much as through a contract with the state. However, just when voluntary bodies (the ‘third sector’) are acclaimed, funding for the voluntary sector is being curtailed. Another of Burke’s buzz words, ‘generation’, is also current. Burke believed there was a civil contract with the ‘living and the dead’. In other words, we have a civic obligation to the generation past and the generation unborn. For me this makes Burke the patron saint of Remembrance Sunday and of the ecology movement. He has something to say about the cost of war and the cost of global warming. We are foolish to ignore either. For both we work for a better world. At the Eucharist, we sense our fellowship horizontally with the world-wide church and with the world at large, and vertically with God and with the saints down the ages. All of us are citizens of the Kingdom of God and Holy Communion is our shared feast. For through Jesus, by his resurrection, we are one with the living and the dead, and with generations yet unborn. A state cannot do this, only Jesus can. Christians might therefore stake a strong claim for the church as the most adaptable of Burke’s ‘little platoons’.

John Longuet-Higgins

01452 812334

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Sunday Church Services 1st Sunday, 7 November: Pitchcombe Family Service, 10.00am Harescombe Family Communion, 11.00am 2nd Sunday, 14 November: Pitchcombe Remembrance Service, 10.50am 3rd Sunday, 21 November: Pitchcombe Holy Communion, 9.30am Edge Family Service, 10.00am Harescombe Morning Prayer, 11.00am 4th Sunday, 28 November: Pitchcombe 3 Parishes Communion, 10 am Weekday Services Wednesday, 3 November: Pitchcombe Holy Communion, 9.30am Wednesday, 3 November: Edge Compline, 8.00pm Monday, 8 November: Resthaven Holy Communion, 11.30am Tuesday, 16 November: Brookthorpe Hall HC, 11.00am Wednesday, 17 November: Edge Holy Communion, 9.00am Posada is an old Mexican tradition where young people dressed as Mary and Joseph travelled from house to house asking for a room for the night and telling people about the imminent arrival of Jesus in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve, they would visit the church to re-enact the nativity and place figures of Mary and joseph in the crib. Modern day Posada uses figures of Mary and Joseph. This gives each family the chance to create their own little celebration. As usual, this will happen in Edge, Harescombe and Pitchcombe and the figures of Mary and Joseph will be collected at the Advent Sunday service on 28 November.

Elizabeth Ward 01452 812188

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From the Editor

Our printers have told me that, now we have a colour front cover, we can also have colour on the inside page and back two pages free of charge. This is because magazines like this are printed four pages per sheet and then cut and folded. Moreover, colour is printed on a separate machine. This means we can also have a four-page colour insert in the middle, although this will cost more to produce. Unfortunately, it is normally difficult to juxtapose colour photographs with relevant articles, so inside photographs will continue in black and white.

Anyone is welcome to submit colour photographs for the front cover (which should not be of a person and must be in portrait mode) or standalone colour photographs in landscape mode for the inside cover pages, which can be of people (if you have their permission). In both cases, the subject should have some topical relevance to life in our villages, or display some interest or activity involving residents. Selected photographs will be included in the Prize Draw announced in the previous edition.

Provided subscriptions remain buoyant, we are also aiming to have four-page colour spreads in the two-monthly September and February editions, to cover the summer holidays and Christmas festivities respectively. We are also pleased to carry a new colour advertisement for Resthaven on the back page, specially produced for the magazine by the Trustees.

Please check your snaps before sending them. Regrettably, I cannot use out-of-focus shots, images of people’s backs or with obvious ‘red-eye’ (camera flash reflecting off people’s eyes). Most digital cameras have a setting to prevent this.

I am delighted to welcome Roger Barrett as Associate Editor and Edge Correspondent, and Shirley Carpenter as Recipes Editor. We are still needing someone with an interest in gardening to be our Gardening Correspondent. Any volunteers?

Michael Buckland-Smith 01452 813202

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Anne’s Photographic Competition

Carolyn Luke was the first reader to identify the stone cat on the left in last month’s edition as on the wall by Edge House. Lucky Carolyn wins a place in the annual Prize Draw announced in the previous edition! Do you know where the structure on the right is to be found? Answers by email to

me at: pm@aramis.demon.co.uk.

Anne Buckland-Smith Other mystery photos within the four villages gratefully received. Ed. Editorial Team Editor Michael Buckland-Smith 01452 813202 Associate Editor Roger Barrett 01452 814564 Village Correspondents: Edge Roger Barrett 01452 814564 Brookthorpe Chris Brent-Smith 01452 812258 Harescombe Liz Hall 01452 812018 Pitchcombe Mary Morse 01452 813824 Business Manager Rosemary Alder 01452 813997

Copy Deadline: 19 November to pm@aramis.demon.co.uk

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Rapport Curtains @ Blinds

Made to Measure Choose from a wide selections of designs and colours in the comfort of you own home. Call Karen on Tel: 01452 810736 Mob: 07884 185605

Dynamic Yoga Classes at Pitchcombe Village Hall

All ages and abilities welcome 7- 8.30pm

For more info contact Rob on 01452 503262

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BISLEY ROOFING PAUL BEER Craftsman Specialists in traditional Cotswold Stone roofing and building renovation

For a Free estimate call Paul Beer 01452 770646 Andrew Beer mob: 07879811287

Wayne Lee Painter and Decorator

Free estimates and advice All aspects of decoration Interior & Exterior Expert paperhanging No job too small For friendly profession service please call

01452813511 mobile O7721881445 wayne.lee12@btinternet.com

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For Adults, Children & Infants For Non-manipulative, non-invasive treatment options

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Injuries, Trauma, Stress, Anxiety, Autism Babies: Colic, Reflux, Allergies, Birth & Post Operative trauma

Millie Wood Swanepoel Craniosacral therapist & Reiki master

Information & bookings: Tel: 01452813837 or 07754182082 Email: info@milliewoodswanepoel.com /

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PROFESSIONAL CARER AVAILABLE

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Mini-ads maximum 50 words, payment £1 to be received with the advert to the editor at Rudge Hill House, Edge, Gloucestershire GL6 6PQ. Parish and local charity events no charge, space permitting. We cannot accept cheques for small amounts. For commercial advertising, please contact Rosemary Alder on 01452 813997.

Avoid small font sizes. House style is Arial size 16.

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158 Bodiam Avenue Tuffley GL4 0XL Tel / Fax: 01452 412275 Mobile: 07949 213946 Email: sberry@tesco.net

SAY YES TO FAST, FRIENDLY, EFFICIENT WORK WITH MODERATE FEES Limited Companies, Partnerships, Sole Traders, Individuals FOR ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING, TAX & BUSINESS ADVICE Contact Roland Boggon Chartered Accountant, Moorea, Pitchcombe, Stroud, Glos. GL6 6LJ Tel: 01452 812075 Phone now

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Building Creations working in partnership with J. S. Electrical Services

Excellent references and portfolio of works completed. Building and Electrical work. Kitchen and Bathrooms Complete Electrical Installations UPVC Windows and Doors Electrical Testing Complete Renovations Part P Registered All aspects of carpentry

Total Project Management Solutions Chris Saunders Tel: 0758 1550131 J.Buildingcreations@googlemail.com James Stewart Tel: 07816679576 J.S.Electrical.services@googlemail.com Hill Farm, Edge, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6PH Tel: 01452 812984

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N. T. Boothroyd Plumbing & Heating Engineer

Plumbing & Heating Engineer All Plumbing & Heating Work

Undertaken

Boiler & Fire Servicing Landlord Certificates & Safety Checks System Cleaning By Power Flushing Complete Central Heating Systems Radiators & Thermostatic Valves Tap Washers & Ball Valves Taps, Toilets, Baths, Basins & Sinks Shower Installations Leaks, Burst Pipes & Pipe Lagging

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Mobile: 07816 103709 Email: ntboothroyd@hotmail.co.uk

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Get free news about Edge and Pitchcombe by email, or advertise late changes to events and activities.

Contact edgenet@aramis.demon.co.uk

pitchcombe@yahoogroups.com

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Wow! The Edge Bhangra dancers, Andrea, Claire, Di, Lynda

and Sarah, but who is this shady character? Should be barred!

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