PARISH MAGAZINE The Edge, Pitchcombe, Harescombe and Brookthorpe

September 2010 75p

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Events around the Parish Harescombe: 8 September: Ladies Group meeting at ‘Greensleeves’ 24 September: Harvest Supper

Pitchcombe: 5 September: New Family Service at the Church 18 September: The Cappella Singers at the Church 9 October: Harvest Supper, Village Hall

Edge: 26 September: Harvest Festival 29 September: New Service of Compline (BCP) at the Church 16 October: ‘Edge has got talent!’ Competition, Village Hall 29 October: End of Summer Cheese & Wine Party, Village Hall Brookthorpe: None reported Mobile Library: Thursday, 2, 16 & 30 September 10:40 am - 11:00 am Edge, near Bus Shelter, Whiteshill Road 11:10 am - 11:20 am Four Mile House Inn, Brookthorpe Mobile Police Station: 2 & 21 September 14.15 pm - 14.40 am Edge Village Green 14.50 pm – 15.05 pm Brookthorpe Village Hall Other Local Events: 8 October: Cheltenham Literary Festival starts Cover photo: The Church of St. Mary’s Painswick, from Rudge Hill House, by Anne Buckland-Smith

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Editor’s Introduction I thought I should introduce myself as the new editor of the parish magazine. I have no qualifications, beyond running Edgenet and writing occasionally for the Beacon. I confess to having some misgivings, but we shall have to see how it goes. On behalf of all our readers, I wish thank my predecessor, Sandy Emery, for her tenure as editor. Like me, Sandy was fortunate in taking over a vibrant, successful magazine from her predecessors, including Geoffrey Bird, Stewart Ward, Stacey Hackett and Bob and Rosemary Alder. In her turn, Sandy made photographs regular features and encouraged more articles about events in our villages. We wish her every success in her new role as curate of the benefice of Minchinhampton with Box and Amberley. It is also good to know that Sandy and Glynnis are staying on in Edge and continuing to participate in village life. My own editorial policy will be a little different, because I think it is more in keeping with the times if the magazine cultivates a more broadly-based community approach. The magazine will not become wholly secular. I am happy to publish details of church services in the Benefice and articles about church events in the four villages. However, I have decided to drop the Diocesan insert, which I think breaks up the narrative of the magazine, as well as articles about church matters outside the four villages. I hope this does not disappoint too many of our readers. I am also hoping to promote some new regular features of interest to the wider community. Pete Dickinson has agreed to include some quiz questions each month and my wife, Anne, will be featuring a regular photographic competition. Would anyone like to set a monthly crossword or Su-Doku puzzle? I am also looking for more articles on local history, nature, farming and gardening. There will be some poetry by local poets, the occasional recipe and details about local walks. I am also planning to invite other members of the community to join Elizabeth Ward in writing the introduction. Other suggestions would be welcome.

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In addition, I am going to see how we might benefit from synergies between the magazine, Edgenet, Pitchcombe Net, the Edge and Pitchcombe on-line calendar and the prototype village website under development. Each fills a niche, but much material is common, so there may be scope for more cross-fertilisation. We could, for example, extend the on-line calendar to the other two villages, if there was sufficient interest. We could also, in due course, publish back-copies of the magazine on the website. However, I recognize that not everyone either has a computer or likes reading text on-line, so the printed magazine will remain.

Michael Buckland-Smith

To see the calendar, go to website http://tiny.cc/diZcw HARESCOMBE HERALD THANK YOU to Martin, Caroline, David and Laura for organising the Village Rounders and BBQ at Field End on 23 July. We had a great evening with over 70 people (young and old) enjoying themselves. WELCOME to William Fraser Winwood Hall, born on 22 June to Catherine and Fraser - a baby brother - Billy - for Jasper. CONGRATULATIONS to Amy Dowdeswell who has graduated from Leeds University with a degree in Geology. GOOD LUCK to David Ractcliffe, Simon Boddington, Clare Ractcliffe and Stephanie Pike who are all off to University in September. Laura Dowdeswell is taking a gap year. Gosh, its going to be quiet around here ! PROJECT BANGALORE: Clare Ractcliffe is at present in Bangalore, participating in the South India Project 2010, which is supported by the Gloucester Diocese. This project links the two communities in Gloucester and Bangalore, supporting and

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working with abandoned or orphaned street children. We look forward to hearing about it on her return at the end of August. Please note that Bangalore is in Southern India and far away from the disastrous flooding which is happening in Pakistan as I write this in August. HARVEST SUPPER: An early date for your diary. The Archdeacon will be joining us on Friday, 24 September, to celebrate Harvest. LADIES MEETING: The next meeting will be at 8 pm on Wednesday, 8 September at ‘Greensleeves’, which is Carol Normington’s home. HIRE OF VILLAGE HALL: Please contact Caroline Ractcliffe – 01452 813514

Anne Bailey REPORT OF HARESCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL Planning As you will have seen in the press, the application in Brookthorpe for the Motorway Service Area was marginally approved despite rejections from 90% of the local Parish Councils. Most Parish Councils, local MPs and competitors, including BP and Roadchef, who are opposed have called this application in for a Government review. The dispute is over the actual need for an MSA and the effect on this area being protected as an ANOB. I will keep you updated on this issue. Roads Following a number of requests, we have been looking into having mirrors put up at the junction by the Church Hall and also at the end of Styles Lane. Unfortunately, Highways regulations no longer allow mirrors to be part of highways as they are regarded as not an accurate measurement of vision! Even if we put up the

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mirrors ourselves they are not supported. We have also been in contact with BT regarding their post which is very close to the lane by the Dowdeswells’ house. The post is very close to the lane and has been damaged and even knocked over by lorries and agricultural traffic. BT can work with us to move the post but as usual there is a cost! We will continue to find a way that they or the Highways Department meet these costs as it is a danger. I am still pressing the Highways Department to have our two remaining lanes resurfaced. We are in a backlog which is moving towards Harescombe. I hope we can have this complete well before winter. Finally, we will be making sure all our grit bins are full and have the damaged bins replaced well before winter. Contact: If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me or any of the Parish Councillors. Remember this is your village! Help us to help you!

Brian Stanley Chairman, Harescombe Parish Council

01452 813753 07790 886307

Brians319@aol.com PITCHCOMBE POST Birthday Greetings: very special ones to Jean Vaughan of Halfway Pitch who is 90 on 20 September and to Joan Hoare of Rose Cottage who is 96 on 23 September. Saturday, 19 June the wedding took place of Troy Coles and Janni Skov Heriksen at Pitchcombe Church, conducted by the Rev. Elizabeth Ward and the organist was Mrs. Marjorie Bettley. The flower theme was a sunflower depicted on the order of service, the men’s yellow ties and button holes, the bride’s posy and a floral display. The bride, in a strapless cream flowing dress, entered the church on the arm of her Danish father, greeted by

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her family and friends from Denmark, with flower girl Maja. The marriage service included three readings: Clare Winter, a friend, read ‘Guess how much I love you’: Bekki and Jess, Troy’s sisters, ‘I will be here’: Margaret Court, Troy’s grandmother, 1 Corinthians 13 and guitarist Leone Daye played ‘Dream Catch Me’. The marriage service ended with the hymn ‘One more step along the world we go’, the Dismissal, a prayer for the newly wedded couple Troy and Janni, who were welcomed and applauded as they walked out into the sunshine. Rice in dainty lavender-like bags (the traditional Danish alternative to confetti) was scattered over them on their way to the gleaming white vintage car. We wish Troy, Janni and Maja joy and happiness in their new life.

Saturday June 19 a barbecue/paella evening took place on the grass outside the village hall, an opportunity to meet up with friends and savour the experience of a miniature Spanish Fiesta. The feast of St. John (June 24) is a Spanish festival, a holiday celebrated throughout Spain and France with music, dancing and feasting in the streets, villages and towns. At Pitchcombe, we had

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a taste of the food and music but not the dancing - next year? Chef Steve prepared and cooked the paella, a Spanish dish of rice, saffron, prawns, mussels, calamari (squid) and chicken and Chef Mike, the chorizo (Spanish sausages) and hamburgers, all accompanied by enticing English salads and there was a vegetarian option. The Spanish music was provided by Rob and Gillian Guest on pipe, tabor and hurdy-gurdy. Rosemary welcomed everyone, thanked the committee and announced forthcoming events: a very pleasant June evening. Sunday June 20 the church was open all day for the flower festival. The south door opened for the wonderful view across the valley and the vestry door for visitors to walk across the newly mown grass to the village hall for tea and homemade cakes and admire the paintings and photographs set up by Shirley. The window sills, font and pedestals were decorated with mostly familiar garden flowers: the ferns, hostas, alchimilla and mock orange with its beautiful scent - philadelphus - provided the backcloth for the rainbow displays. Walking around the church to linger and admire, the flowers highlighted the oft-ignored stained glass windows shown in all their beauty with the June sunlight streaming through. Congratulations to Hamish and Caroline who were married on the Isle of Arran on 19 June and live at Inglenook. Congratulations to Naomi Rothwell who has gained a 2.1 in Politics at Nottingham and is planning to study for a Master’s at UCL. Happy Birthday to baby Beatrice, daughter of Nick and Denise, who is one year old on 9 September. Congratulations to Sean Hackett who was one of the intrepid, tough group of cyclists who cycled the 1000 miles from Barcelona to Edge, cycling 80 miles every day and timing it excellently to arrive at Edge Fete on 3 July in aid of the Williams Syndrome Foundation.

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Welcome to Ben and Naomi who, with Ophelia and Isobel, have come to live in the Coach House. Ben deals in Art Works and Naomi is a designer of Smallbone Kitchens. A signed card and flowers was presented to Maidie Beardall, accompanied by Mike her son, to celebrate Maidie’s 90th birthday on 1 July.

Maidie has faithfully attended Pitchcombe Church and for ten years walked up to church every Friday morning to clean the communion vessels. Thank you Maidie: we miss you at church. Pitchcombe Fete July 10

The fete was once again held in the beautiful grounds of Pitchcombe House by kind permission of Michael and Joan Little on a perfect June day. The Colwell Arts Concert provided a feast

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of afternoon music and welcomed a steady stream of visitors, once the fete was opened by Nicky Kennedy, Rosemary Jones’s daughter and Robert at the gate received the 50p admission.

Jean’s refreshment team Carol, Pamela, Philippa and Trish not forgetting washer upper Jim were kept busy: likewise Lynne and Margaret cakes and groceries; Malcolm and Joan plants; Annabel face painting; Sally and Jan crafts and toys; David quoits; Martin skittles; Eugene pottery; Mike and George bottles; Tony, Peter and Geoffrey’s stall weighed down with books; Pete with ‘Splat the Rat’; Andy tombola; Michael croquet and Rosemary pursuing everyone to guess the weight of the cake. Rosemary thanked all for coming, giving and buying. The village hall committee greatly appreciated the help given before and after the fete. It is due to this cooperation and the giving of everyone in kind and money that the sum of £1,354 was raised for village funds.

Mary Morse

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In aid of Church funds

Pitchcombe WI Meetings Recently, Pitchcombe WI had a taster session of Tai Chi with an excellent instructor. Anyone interested in attending a weekly Tai Chi class, starting some time in September, please contact Sue Taylor on 01453 759826 Pitchcombe Village Hall Bookings – The Village Hall is often available for private bookings for that special party, birthday parties, wedding reception, workshop, or meeting. For details of rates (very reasonable too!), call Mike Foran on 01453 763330

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Wedding in Pitchcombe on 12 June

John and Jan Levell, their daughter Susan and Son-in-Law Steven would like to thank all the people who so kindly helped to make Susan and Steven’s day, so very special. Lynne Partridge, Margaret Court, Fiona and Becky for the delightful reception meal they provided, Sally Goodman and Mary Slinger for their help with the floral arrangements in the church, the Rev. Jeff James, Mary Morse and organist Marjorie Bettley for the beautiful service and all friends who gave their help and support. It was a day we will always remember. Pitchcombe Parish Council Meeting: 10 June 2010 A copy of the minutes of this meeting can be found on the PPC website at www.Pitchcombe-pc.gov.uk. This meeting of the Parish Council had been called because of the need to co-opt a replacement councillor after the resignation of Peter Hewlett. We are pleased to announce that Nick Hallard has been co-opted onto the Parish Council as of 10 June 2010. He was unanimously voted onto the parish council and was then able to join the meeting. The clerk reported that Stroud District Council is providing a year’s subscription (£10) to Parish Mapping Online. It was decided that we would evaluate the system and, if we found it useful, would subscribe £10 a year for its use. The meeting discussed the Cotswold Market Towns survey to which we will draft a response. Retrospective planning permission has been granted for internal works at Lovers Hall. Gloucestershire Highways have taken over responsibility for the trimming of the laurels by Old Weavers. The work will be done in the Autumn. The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at the Village Hall on Thursday, 23 September 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

Philippa James 01452 812646

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ARE YOU IN A HOUSE GROUP? WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER? WOULD YOU LIKE TO FORM ANOTHER? For all those who answered yes, and any who are remotely interested, please read on ... Having taken a summer break recently, members of our network of house groups around the Beacon Benefice will all be gathering together before the start of the Autumn meetings at a House Group Social evening on 7 September in Pitchcombe Village Hall at 7 pm. This event is an open evening for members and any non-members who are interested in joining a House Group and finding out what they are like. It is an opportunity to greet friends from our own groups and others who we may not have seen for a while, and to welcome and bring along anyone you know who has expressed a wish to find out more. Puddings and drinks will be served and each existing group will give a short description of when and where they meet and what they have been doing during the past few months. Essentially, House Groups meet regularly (usually weekly) in homes, for friendship and Bible study, discussions and sharing views and experiences, and prayer, with relaxation over coffee/tea and sometimes a meal. They could be said to be the ‘backbone’ of church fellowship, helping us to grow in our faith by studying God’s word and to deepen relationships in mutual support and care.

Pitchcombe Family Service A new Family Worship Service will start in September. What ? Worship for all the family. When? 5 September at 10 am. Where? Pitchcombe Church. And delicious refreshments and hospitality. All welcome. For information contact Ann Kennett on 01452 812669

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It has been agreed to follow a study course on St. Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians this coming term, and with the ‘Think Twice’ Mission events throughout the Benefice, and the Benefice Retreat in Langasty Centre in central Wales (2-4 November) there will be plenty of good things to see us through to Advent! ‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:23-25. At present, House Group Leaders are: Olive Freeman, Lindsay Gardiner, Barbara Gay, David Newell, Julian Reed, Jean Shaw, Attila Sipos, Frances Watson, John Watts. Any enquiries or comments, please do not hesitate to contact any of us: Lindsay Gardiner 01452 814282, Jean Shaw 812386 (House Group Coordinators), or Vicar John. EDGE EXPRESS You are invited to a Family Worship at 10 am at Edge Church on Sunday, 26 September

Please join us. Contact: Ann Kennett on 01452 812669 or Di Ravenhill on 01452 812302

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Watch out for an evening of fabulous food and sheer entertainment with our very own 'Edge has got Talent!!' Book the date in your diary, 16 October, for what will surely be a night to remember! We will be scouting for talent over the next few weeks, so dig out those dancing shoes, start singing in the shower and dust off your banjos. Don't be shy! For more details contact Di Ravenhill on 01452 812302 or Andrea Robinson on 01452 810882. All proceeds towards World Vision. Engagement: Michael and Valerie Adlam are very pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Melissa to Thomas Bridge of Shropshire. The wedding is planned for September 2011. Welcome to Clive and Caroline Richards, who have moved into Partridge House on the Green, and to the Sofer family, who have moved to Orchard House on Back Edge Lane. Happy Birthday to Laura Slinger, who is 9 on 5 September. Farewell to Malcolm Price, who has moved to Cheltenham, although we hope he will continue to keep in close touch with all his friends in Edge.

Edge WI 16 September meeting 7:30 pm Edge Village Hall. New members welcome. Talk will be the “Amazing Magic Lantern Show” by Mr. Patrick Furley

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The Summer Fete Dear friends, the Summer Fete is over for another year, but what a day we had! So many people have come forward to say what a wonderful day it was and the smiling faces said it all. One visitor was heard to remark that the village green resembled a scene from ‘The Darling Buds of May’ and others commented on how lucky we were as a village to able to run such a rewarding event. These are kind words indeed from visitors and friends, so well done and congratulations to everyone!

From the early stages of Fete planning, which involved several meetings and even more bottles of wine, we set out to have fun and encourage new people to join the Edge community, and by 4.30 pm the Village Green and the car park were all but full. We had even more attending this year, despite having competition from the World Cup semi-final, cricket against the Aussies and Wimbledon Ladies Final, all on the same day.

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This success could not have been achieved without a great deal of behind-the-scenes work: from setting up flags, bunting and tents; marmalade, lavender bag and card making; organising stalls; getting the police, the dog wardens and our various judges to take part; and preparing the Church for the photography and pie competitions.

We nearly drank the bar dry, we sold nearly all the sausages, nearly ran out of raffle tickets and the ladies in the Village Hall made more cups of tea than ever before, as well as curry which also went down well. And who can forget the evening when around 75 villagers, families and friends sat down together, shared good food, friendship and wine and then danced the night away under a starlit sky. It was indeed a very special evening and, of course, our thanks to the ‘Bleeding Hearts’ who put in a great performance after working hard all day! My legs were stiff for days after dancing on that slope! You will be pleased to know that the Fete raised a healthy profit of £1,600, which has

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been split between the Village Hall and the Church, with a third going to the Williams Syndrome Foundation to celebrate the return of the intrepid Barcelona to Edge Charity Cycle Ride, organized and led by Mike Adlam. What a spectacle it was seeing the riders arrive on the Green and, if you missed it, David Rogers has put together a DVD of the Fete pictures for display in the Hall, alongside the great cartoon prepared by Tony Milne. In addition, a donation has been made to Teckels Animal Sanctuary at Whitminster, for the help provided by the dog wardens in organizing the children’s’ dog show.

The Fete organising committee would like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ for your generosity in terms of the contributions of gifts, prizes and food, and also for your participation in the period leading up to the Fete and the commitment and sheer hard work on the day. There are so many people to thank and to recognise that the list would be miles long. Personally, I would like to thank everyone individually, but I think we can all agree

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that this really was a community effort and we should all be very proud of what we achieved: from the morning activities in the church, the Fete and afterwards at the evening picnic. Thank you again and here’s to another successful Fete on 2 July 2011!

Alan Bartlett

We aim to make David and Helen’s photographs of the fete available on the new village website, when this launches in November. In the meantime, let me know if anyone would like to see these pictures again. We can supply DVD copies, although a voluntary contribution to the Village Hall, Edge Church or the Williams Syndrome Foundation would be a welcome gesture. Ed. 1000-Mile Bike Ride from Barcelona to Edge Our great adventure is over and we did it. We left Barcelona on Sunday, 20 June, and arrived back home to Edge fourteen days later on Saturday, 3 July. We had had a rather inauspicious start. In Barcelona, a tyre was slashed on the backup van as we waited at traffic lights and, whilst changing the wheel, we had two bags stolen from the cab (a setup that happens several times a day in Barcelona, so be warned if you’re driving there in a vehicle with UK number plates). Prior to that, Malcolm had had a bag containing his passport stolen in Alicante, whilst en route for Barcelona. Once the cycling began, we were faced with gale force winds, temperatures of 100o F, melting tar on the roads, the Pyrenees Mountains and, of course, fourteen days of sitting on the bikes. But these challenges made the ride more special and any tough times we had along the way were more than compensated for by the sheer beauty of cycling through rural France. The fact that by our efforts we were raising money for a very good cause, the Williams Syndrome Foundation, spurred us on when the legs were tired. We arrived home to a fantastic welcome at Edge Fete and I’m sure there were tears in the eyes of some of the team as what seemed like hundreds of people cheered our safe return.

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On behalf of the team, a big Thank You to everyone who supported us, wished us well, sponsored us, logged onto the website to follow our progress, or were there to see us arrive home at Edge Fete. A very special Thank You to Chris for opening the Edgemore Inn just for us, so that we could enjoy a quiet drink and reflect on our adventure before cycling to the Fete, and finally, thank you to the Fete organisers and the village of Edge for arranging such a perfect welcome home – what a wonderful village we live in. We are still collecting the sponsorship contributions, but by the time we close the books at the end of August we should have comfortably reached our target of £25,000, which makes all the pain just about worthwhile! Best wishes from Mike, Valerie, Melissa, Paul, John, Sean, Mark, Malcolm and the rest of the team. Well done the team, even though most of the photos on the blog showed them all eating and drinking in passing tavernas! Ed.

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Photographic Competition

The photographic competition, ‘Seasons at the Edge’, was a great success with some excellent entries. All photographs entered were mounted and displayed in the church over the weekend of the fete. Very many congratulations to Sarah Slinger for the best single photograph and to Margery van Zyl for the best seasons sequence. The competition could not have taken place without the help, support and hard work of Kel Portman, who not only judged the entries but also held two free workshops in the village hall with advice not only on composition but also processing. Very many thanks, Kel. What was apparent in looking at all the photographs together, was that the use of good quality inks and high grade photographic paper helped enormously with the overall quality of the final print. We had some superb landscape photographs but very few with people or animals and no entries from children. I shall be organizing a separate competition for children for the next fete weekend with another for adults. Both competitions will be widened to include images taken with mobile phones. If anyone has ideas for subjects for the competition, could they get in touch.

Anne Buckland-Smith 01452 813202

abs@aramis.demon.co.uk Treats On Rudge Hill Common In mid June, there were two orchid walks on Rudge Hill Common, an evening one led by Paul Griffiths and a morning wander with Kate Gamez, the Natural England supervisor. Both leaders were so generous in sharing the best locations and those who participated will find, over the years, their pleasure in our Common enhanced by more knowledge of the various orchids and their characteristics. The Common Spotted is everywhere and the spotted leaves give it away, and this year the Twayblade with its two large leaves is more numerous than previously. In shade grows the lovely white Helleborine, the narrow-leaved and

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the broad, and in more overhung banks is the Birds Nest Orchid, yellowish brown, a saprophyte growing on its tangled nest of rotting material. On the open ground higher up can be found the Fragrant Orchid, taller than its relations and an Albino Orchid, pale and ghost-like. Not yet in evidence was the Bee Orchid and only the occasional Pyramidal was found, later than usual and not yet the brilliant reddish purple pyramids. On 3 August, Martin Slinger led a Historical Walk on Rudge Hill. His store of information was boundless, stretching from earliest times, as he pointed out, on the other side of the valley, the sites of medieval dwellings and a Roman Villa, up to present day management of such a precious limestone grassland. Ancient drove roads were indicated, as were former small council refuse tips. The quarries were worked until recent times. Illumination by glow worms was remembered, as was the sucking of pignut bulbs as sweets. There were tales of the war years, when the tanks built at Winget were put through their paces here and some fatal accidents were described not far away, including a Lancaster bomber which crashed into Ruscombe Pond. Painswick was bombed and an array of lights was erected near the escarpment edge to divert the German bombers away from Gloucester city. An evening walk to be remembered!

Margery Van Zyl. Girls’ Night Out It seems a long time ago that a group of us took part in a midnight walk around Cirencester Park on 25 June in aid of the Cotswold Care Hospice and in memory of our dear friend, Jenny Price. Some of the group set out with speed and walked the ten miles in under two hours, while the rest, including me, took our time and took a bit longer!! It was a splendid evening and it was such a delight to see women of all ages together walking with zest and enjoyment. The walk administrator in her ‘thank you’ letter tells me that altogether the walkers raised over £74,000 to be used for the important hospice work and we would like to thank everyone who so generously supported us financially. We would also like to

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thank the partners and husbands who stayed up all night as marshals allowing us to feel so secure en route. I must say that the whole thing was very well organised by the Hospice - it was such a worthwhile thing to do.

Elizabeth Ward Edge Village Hall The Village Hall Committee has been busy. There is a shiny new, stainless steel, wheeled food warmer, selected by Carole Eskell and John Luke, and trialled by Glynnis Mayes, Ann Kennett and the ladies of the WI serving curry during the summer fete. Observant visitors will have noticed new double-glazed windows and double-glazed, aluminium draught-proof doors, designed to facilitate wheelchair access and bulky loads. A new heating system is being installed for those chilly winter morning meetings and air-conditioning for balmy summer evenings, when we get any, when the Hall can get a bit stuffy. Thanks again to John Luke, our Treasurer, for getting grant funding for these improvements. And thanks as well to Tony Milne, whose delightful cartoon of the Barcelona-to-Edge bike ride has pride of place on the far wall.

Ed. PLEASE NOTE: Bookings for the Village Hall should be made through Bobby Kay at Edge Cottage, The Green: 01452 813567.

A date for the diary. Fairgame Theatre Company returns to Edge Village Hall on 20 November, with a new production of ‘Cinderella.’ Not your traditional panto but a beautifully rich tale of family relationships, grief and first love, all deliciously jumbled up with dangerously big flares and Disco. Cinderella’s timeless story, combined with a lyrical script, diamond-encrusted tunes and a live band on stage, all ensure a high-energy, moving and unforgettable night. Price £7 adults £3.50 children. For tickets, contact John or Carolyn Luke on 01452 814139.

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Bats and Moths Thank you to all the volunteers who came along to the Bats and Moths evening in Cranham in early August. The evening was a great success, although the bats unfortunately failed to put in an appearance until most people had gone home. The moths, however, stole the show and we recorded 25 species within just a few hours of setting up the traps. We have one very simple to use moth trap and three equally straightforward bat detectors which we would like to loan out to local residents living around Edge, Sheepscombe and Cranham Commons. The moth trap and bat detectors all come with ID guides to help with identification and instructions on how to use them. The moth trap is literally as simple to use as turning a light on in the evening and then examining the contents in the morning. All the moths can then be released the following evening. The bat detectors pick up the echo-location calls of any bats in the area and come with a CD to help you to identify what you are listening to. All that we ask in return is that you keep a record of anything you see or hear and give us a copy when you return the kit. In this way we hope to build up a better picture of the bats and moths that are found on and around the three commons. If you would like to borrow the moth trap or bat detectors or if you would like any further information, then please get in touch with me.

Kate Gamez, Reserve Manager, Natural England 0300 0602696 kate.gamez@naturalengland.org.uk.

A new service of Compline is being trialled at the Church on Wednesday, 29 September, at 8 pm, intended for everyone with busy jobs who prize their weekends, those who love the old liturgy and anyone else who would welcome a period of quiet reflection and adult conversation with friends over nibbles and a glass of wine. No hymns. No distractions. No pressure. Non-church-goers welcome. Thrill again to the sonorous, beautiful language of the King James Bible and Cranmer’s Prayer Book, listen to recitations of the Cotswold poets, or just enjoy the company. Further details via Edgenet. Ed.

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September News from your Village Agent It may seem early to think about the cold days ahead of us but, if we are to get the best value we can for our gas and electricity, we need to know what discounts, if any, the energy companies are offering to their customers. All energy providers have to offer social tariffs to help their most vulnerable customers cope with the high costs of gas and electricity. According to the new Ofgem rules, all social tariffs must equal the supplier’s cheapest deals. British Gas: Essentials Tariff is the UK’s largest social tariff. It offers the lowest standard gas and electricity price to those customers who are over 70 years of age, or who suffer a chronic illness, or who receive Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. In addition, customers applying for this tariff must be in receipt of two other benefits. Total family income must not exceed £15,000. The Essential Tariff also provides extra help to those who use Pay As You Go energy meters. To apply telephone: 0800 072 7100 E.ON: Stay Warm Tariff specifically designed to help customers over 60 years of age. This tariff is a fixed-price tariff that keeps energy costs the same as the previous 12 month consumption period. To apply telephone:0800 051 0760 E.ON also offers a Warm Assist Tariff for customers over 60 years of age who are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. Some customers over 80 years without benefits maybe entitled to a 15% discount on the standard unit prices of gas and electricity for a 12 month period. For more information telephone: 0800 015 4244. Npower: Spreading Warmth Tariff offers discounts to customers with household incomes of £13,500 or less, who have someone in their household aged 60 years or over, or have someone in the household who is disabled or suffering a chronic illness, or have a child under 16 years of age. Household income includes all benefit payments, except Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. To apply, telephone 0800 975 1373

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Scottish and Southern: Energy Plus Care Tariff offers two levels of discount to their customers experiencing fuel poverty. Customers who are spending 10% of their total income on energy costs per year will receive a credit of £50 each for gas and electricity each April. For those customers who are spending 15% of their total income on energy costs per year, a discount of 20% of the unit price of gas and electricity will be applied to their energy bills. To apply telephone: Careline Team 0800 622 838 EDF Energy: Energy Assist Tariff is aimed at those customers who are experiencing fuel poverty where they have to spend more than 10% of their household income on gas and electricity, or those customers who receive Income Support or Pension Credit Guarantee. The Energy Assist Tariff offers a 15% discount on EDF’s standard energy prices. To apply telephone: Priority Services 0800 096 2250 Scottish Power: Carefree Plus social tariff offers those customers aged 60 years or over, who receive certain benefits, a fuel cost based on the cheapest tariff price which allows a discount of £112 year. For details of the benefits required and to apply, telephone: Carefree Department 0800 2700 1122 Severn Trent Water: The Water Sure Scheme will fit a meter and put a limit on charges for water and sewerage charges as long as certain criteria are met. The person paying the metered bill receives benefits or tax credits and there are three children or more under 19 in the household for whom the person receiving the benefit also claims Child Benefit or someone in the household has a medical condition which requires the use of a lot of extra water (skin diseases, incontinence, Crones Disease etc). This year the reduced charges are; £159 for water and £142 for sewerage charges for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011. Even if you are not eligible for the Water Sure Scheme, water meters can be fitted for free and most customers use 10% less water once metered because they are conscious of what they use. It would be an advantage to be metered, especially if you live on your own and don’t use a great deal of water. For advice on

27

joining the scheme or other ways of reducing your bill, please call 08457 500 500.

Lou Kemp 07776245767

Stroud Deanery Vocations Group Our Deanery Vocations Group has now been meeting for one year, with members dropping in for as long as they need and new members joining at each meeting. It is a very special group where people are able to share some of the pull and push to respond to God’s call to all sorts of ministry – from Ordination to leading intercessions – each vocation an essential part of being part of God’s plan for the world. If you are interested, please contact Ann, Elizabeth or Mick below for more information. Meeting dates for 2010 are all on Tuesdays: 14 September and 16 November Ann Morris – Associate Priest in Amberley 01453 878515 ann.morris@amberley.org Mick Wright – Associate Priest in Brimscombe and Woodchester 01453 883027 - thetrumpet.antiques@virgin.net Elizabeth Ward – Assistant Curate in the Beacon Benefice 01452 812188 – elizabethward@talktalk.net

John Longuet-Higgins September Mid-Week Church Services Wed, 1 September, 9.00 am. HC. Revd. Elizabeth, Pitchcombe Mon, 13 September, 11.30 am. HC(XT). Sue Stanley, Resthaven Wed, 15 September, 9.00 am. HC. Revd. John, Edge Wed, 29 September, 8.00 pm. Compline. Revd. John, Edge

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Sunday Services - September 2010

5th September - 14th after Trinity 8am Communion Philemon 1-21 Luke 14.25-

33 Principal Service Jeremiah 18.1-11 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14.25-

33 Evensong Psalm 121 Isaiah 43.14 - 44.5 John 5.30-

47 8.00am Painswick Holy Communion (BCP) Canon

Michael Irving

10.00am Pitchcombe Family Service Ann Kennett/Di Ravenhill

9.30am Edge Holy Communion Revd.Elizabeth Ward/ Revd. Andrew Leach

10.00am Painswick Sung Eucharist Canon Michael Irving

11.00am Harescombe Family Communion Revd. David Newell/ Revd. Andrew Leach

11.00am Sheepscombe Holy Communion Revd. John L-H

11.00am Cranham Holy Communion Revd.Chris Garrett

4.00pm Painswick Choral Evensong (BCP) Revd. John L-H

5.00pm Painswick Rms Beacon Service

12th September – 15th after Trinity – Holy Cross Day 8am Communion Philippians 2.6-11 John 3.13-

17 Principal Service Numbers 21.4-9 Philippians 2.6-11 John 3.13-

17 Evening Prayer Psalm 110 Isaiah 63.1-16 1

Corinthians 1.18-25

8.00am Cranham Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. John L-H

9.30am Harescombe Holy Communion Revd. John L-H

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10.00am Painswick Sung Eucharist Revd. Jeff James/John Turkington(deacon)

10.00am Edge Childrenʼs Praise LMT 11.00am Pitchcombe Holy Communion Revd. Peter

Minall 11.00am Sheepscombe Matins (BCP) Revd. John

L-H 5.00pm Painswick Rms Beacon Service 6.30pm Cranham Evening Prayer (BCP) LMT/Revd.

Chris Garrett

19th September – 16th after Trinity – St. Matthew Painswick Feast(Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

8.00am 2 Corinthians 4.1-6 Matthew 9.9-13

Principal Service Proverbs 3.13-18

2 Corinthians 4.1-6 Matthew 9.9-13

Painswick Readings 10am

1 Chronicles 29.6-19

Ephesians 2.19-22 John 2.13-22

8.00am Painswick Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. David Newell

10.00am Painswick Shortened Communion Revd. John L-H/ Preacher: Revd. Andrew Leach

10.00am Harescombe 3 Parish Communion Revd. Jeff James

11.00am Sheepscombe Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. David Newell/ Preacher: JohnTurkington

11.00am Cranham Holy Communion - for Battle of Britain Sunday

Canon Michael Irving

3.00pm Painswick Clypping Service Revd.John L-H/Revd. Dr. Sandra Millar/Revd. Roly Bain

Friday 24th September

Harvest Readings Ps 100

Deuteronomy 26.1-11

Philippians 4.4-9 John 6.25-35

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7.00pm Harescombe Harvest Festival Archdeacon Geoffrey Sidaway

Saturday 25th September

4.30pm Gloucester Cathedral

Readers Annual Service of Admission and Licensing

Sue Hartley licenced as a Reader.

26th September – 17th after Trinity – Back to Church Sunday

8am Communion 1 Timothy 6.6-19 Luke 16.19-31

Principal Service Jeremiah 32.1-3a,6-15

1 Timothy 6.6-19 Luke 16.19-31

Harvest Readings – Edge (am) & Cranham(pm) Ps 100

Deuteronomy 26.1-11

Philippians 4.4-9 (John 6.25-35 )

8.00am Painswick Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. Jeff James

9.30am Pitchcombe Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. Jeff James

10.00am Painswick 4th Sunday Service of the Word - Think Twice Mission

Revd. John L-H/ Rev. Dr Alison Morgan

10.00am Edge Harvest Festival Worship Team/ Revd. Elizabeth Ward

11.00am Cranham Cranham Praise & Baptism Sue Hartley/Rev. Canon Graham Trasler

2.30pm Christ Church Final Service of Thanksgiving

Ecumenical

6.30pm Cranham Harvest Festival Evensong (BCP)

Revd. John L-H

6.00pm Nailsworth Mission Opening Service Bishop Michael

7.00pm Sheepscombe Compline Ken French

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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

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Mini-ads maximum 30 words, payment £1 to be received with the advert to the editor at Rudge Hill House, Edge, Gloucestershire GL6 6PQ. Parish events no charge. 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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Anne’s Photographic Competition

Do you know where and what this is? Email answers to the editor, please, by the copy deadline. The respondent with the earliest correct answer will be mentioned with modest ceremony in the next edition. Other mystery photos within the four villages gratefully received. Ed.

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39

Editor’s Update I wish to thank all who sent articles and pictures for this edition. The magazine is dependent on readers contributing material. Next edition is October, with copy deadline of 15 September The editor reserves the right to alter articles as necessary, although every attempt will be made to keep the general sense. I shall try very hard to make sure details are correct before going to print, but they can change. Please note that articles do not represent the opinions of the editor – only the writer!

Michael Buckland-Smith 01452 813202

pm@aramis.demon.co.uk DistributionAdvertisements: Rosemary Alder 01452 813997 Subscription: £7.50 per year Corrrespondents: Pitchcombe Mary Morse 01452 813824 Harescombe Ann Baily 01452 813393 Pete’s Periodical Posers 1. Plus or minus one year, when where substitutes first used in the English football league?

2. What is the name of the phenomenon when a person can, for example, hear colours or see sound?

3. Name the three song titles used in the film ‘An American Werewolf in London’.

Answers in the October edition.

Pete Dickinson

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Benefice Details Clergy Revd. John Longuet-Higgins 01452 812334

Revd. Jeff James 01453 882481 Revd. Elizabeth Ward 01452 812188 Readers: Stewart Ward 01452 812188

John Turkington 01494 677892 Churchwardens: The Edge Rod Carpenter 01452 812812 Pitchcombe Rosemary Jones 01452 813103 Mary Morse 01452 813824 Harescombe Jolyon Boddy 01452 812204 with Brookthorpe Kath Pritchard 01452 812831 Benefice Office: Andrew Leach, Parish Office 01452 814795

Other Useful Contacts Brookthorpe Parish Council 07575 623 044 Harescombe Parish Council 01452 813753 Painswick (Edge) Parish Council 01452 812722 Pitchcombe Parish Council 01452 424245 Stroud Police Non-Emergencies 0845 090 1234

Stroud District Council 01453 766321 Edgenet edgenet@aramis.demon.co.uk Pitchcombe Net pitchcombe@yahoogroups.com