Village Live no 73

(Text only edition)

February /March 2011

Published for the residents of Sevenhampton  and Brockhampton, Gloucestershire.
Sponsored  Sevenhampton Parish Council

EDITORIAL
At first I thought the smell by our front door was a symptom of my dodgy housekeeping but closer examination revealed an unsolicited doggy donation.  From some mutterings around it seems we’re not the only ones affected. 
We have a splendid range of mutts -       posh and otherwise - many with lots of freedom so if yours is a freestyle explorer, try to check their usual haunts and even if only 50% sure, scoop anyway!
Now for a project, let’s save BADS.  Many of us have taken it for granted that there would always be more performances each year but they’ve been going through a fallow period and need our help to revive their fortunes.  Can you help?  Let Julia (820629) or Mark (575750) know if you’d like to.
Don’t forget you can hire the Hall for your own events.  Ring Georgina on 820423 for details.  She can also tell you about lots of events including her new Patchwork Classes & Junior Quilters.

Items for the next Issue (April/May)  by 20th. March please
Bill & Anne Jenkin:    820338
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Annual Parish Meeting

Find out what
Sevenhampton Parish Council
has been doing over the year on
 Wednesday March 16th at 7.00pm
in The Reading Room. 
Followed by a Parish Council meeting.


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Jumble Sale

On Saturday 5th March at 2.15pm
In Rhodes Memorial Hall
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Last Curtain Call for Brockhampton's Amateur Dramatic Society?

BADS as it is affectionately known, performed annually for many years to ‘rave reviews’ and with much support from the local community.  However the society has lost its impetus and needs new members if it is to continue.

Volunteers Needed
Several newer residents have expressed interest, but we now need people to make a definite commitment to becoming actively involved.  We need volunteers of all ages with a range of skills, able either to take part or help behind the scenes. 
Excellent Facilities
Our bank balance is healthy  We have costumes, scenery, a stage, plus lighting and sound systems and a good base in the Rhodes Hall.  Please don’t let this be wasted.  Unless more people are willing to get involved, we feel we will have to wind BADS up.

Local Enthusiasm
Judging by the positive feedback when the Rain or Shine Theatre Company played here  in December, there’s a lot of enthusiasm for local theatre, so we hope you will help get BADS back to the thriving village institution it once was.

Please Register Your Support by contacting either
Mark Ovington on 01242 573730
or Julia Chandler on 01242 820629
And then we’ll arrange a meeting for everyone interested.

Last Chance to Keep BADS going
Sadly, unless we find new members to take things forward, we’ll have to formally close  with effect from the end of February 2011.  Don’t let this happen!


An Uncertain Future
We’re coming to the end of the phoney phase when we know some services will be lost under cuts in local government funds.  All that is known so far is the proposed ending of the Mobile Library Service and that the provision of our bus service is under review. 
Whether changes will be proposed to school buses is currently unclear. All are subsidised services which are under used but do give the option of living independently without personal transport in this rural location. 
Whether a local embrace of “The Big Society” can fill the gaps is as yet unknown.


Please Clean up after Your Dog
Please Clean up after Your Dog
Dog mess has been irritating quite a few people in the neighbourhood lately so please try to make sure you and yours are not the culprits. 
Under Cotswold bylaws you could get a £75 penalty notice or even £1000 fine.
Other  people’s dog mess isn’t so great to live with.
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Grass Cutting 2011
Tenders are invited for grass cutting services within Sevenhampton Parish  for a period of 12 months with effect from  05 April 2011
The full tender document may be obtained from the Parish Clerk at the address below,
TENDERS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE PARISH CLERK BY 15 MARCH 2011 The Old Shop, Brockhampton, GL54 5XG


Village Agent Update:
Life beyond Cancer

VILLAGE AGENT UPDATE: Life beyond Cancer
There are 2 million people living with cancer in the UK according to Macmillan Cancer Support .  The total rises by more than 3% a year.
Many people are living with a cancer diagnosis but, happily, increasingly they are cured or in remission.  The impact though continues even when the disease stops.
Macmillan are training Village & Community Agents in Gloucestershire to steer those who’ve recovered to appropriate resources and information.
If you think they could help you & yours, contact our Village Agent, Nick Bailey, on 07776 245740 or ring the Adult Helpdesk on 01452 426868.

VILLAGE DIARY

including church services
RMH = Rhodes Memorial Hall
RR = Reading Room, Rhodes Memorial Hall
CA = ‘Craven Arms’
VCh’A. = St Martin’s Church, Charlton Abbotts
VS’h. = St Andrew’s Church, Sevenhampton
VH = St. Edward’s Church, Hawling
VHm = Hawling Methodist Chapel.

Every Thursday 
10.30 - 11.30am in the Reading Rom - Coffee Club,
10.00 - 12.00 am  Reading Room - Village Agent.


February  
Thu 3rd   7.30pm  Craven Arms Quiz Night
Sun 6th   6.30pm  Sevenhampton Evensong
Mon 7th   7.30pm  Rhodes Hall W.I. 
Tue 8th   3.00pm  Rhodes Hall Century Club
Thu 10th  7.30pm  Rhodes Hall Film
Fri 11th  7.30pm  Rhodes Hall Garden Club
Sun 13th  11.00am Charlton Abbotts Matins
          6.00pm  Hawling Church Evening S
Sun 20th  11.00am Sevenhampton Holy Commn.
Sun 27th  11.00am Sevenhampton Family Srv.
         
6.00pm  Hawling Chpl All Age Srv

March
Thu 3rd  7.30pm  Craven Arms  Quiz Night
Sat 5th  2.15pm  RMH - Jumble Sale
Sun 6th  6.30pm  S’h – All Parish Evensong
Mon 7th  7.30pm  RMH - WI
Tue 8th  3.00pm  RMH - Century Club
Thu 10th 7.30pm  RMH - Film Show
Sun 13th 11.00am Ch’A – Holy Communion
         6.00pm  H - Evening Service
Wed 16th 7.00pm  RR - Annual Parish Mtng.
Fri 18th 7.30pm  RMH - Garden Club
Sun 20th 11.00am S’h – Holy Communion
Fri 25th 7.30pm  RMH Fish & Chip Supper
Sat 26th 10. - 4 RMH Sale of Garden Furn
Sun 27th 11.00am S’h – Family Service
         6.00pm  H - All Age Service

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Fish & Chip Supper
With Entertainment
On Friday 25th March
Tickets and details from
Georgina Oldham 820423
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 Thank You...
....from Cherrie and Carol
to everyone who supported the Christmas Cobalt fundraiser held in November. We raised a grand total of £795.50. Special thanks also to Jill, Penny, Mo, Rose and Wendy for their invaluable help on the day".
.... for ‘Canterville Ghost’
Many thanks to all who made the performances such a success on December 10th in spite of the icy conditions.  To all the helpers, cup cake bakers and snow clearers many thanks.
Special thanks to Julia Chandler who organised it and to Brian & Tania Smith, Victoria Logue, Bob & Barbara Price for the excellent draw prizes.
.... to a ‘Secret Santa’ 
Bob and Pookie Shaw at 3, Cotehay, would like to say thank you to the Secret Santa who gave them the delicious cake. It was greatly appreciated and much enjoyed.

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'Made in Dagenham' - cert 15
The 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual
discrimination.
THURSDAY 10TH FEBRUARY
7.30PM, RHODES  HALL, BROCKHAMPTON
ALL TICKETS £3.00 AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR
OR FROM  JULIA CHANDLER 01242 820629
There will be another film show on 10th March
Young Quilters
meet once a month on a Saturday morning from 10am to 12.30pm Open to boys and girls from age 5. A great opportunity to learn to sew and make fun things for only £1.50 each morning. All materials provided. Next meetings on 12th February 12th March and 2nd April. More details from Georgina 820423

Patchwork Classes
Starting on Thursday 3rd March. Would you like to learn a new hobby or take it up again. Why not come along and join a friendly group of ladies. All abilities catered for. A good way to make something to enter in the village show. I’ll even teach you to knit so you can enter the knitting class in the show.
Contact Georgina 820423
Having a Party?
Why not Book the Village Hall
Very reasonable hiring rates, warm, well equipped kitchen and newly refurbished toilets, plus off road parking at the rear of the hall.
We also hire out china, cutlery, glasses etc. If you are interested or would like to have a look around the hall please contact Georgina Oldham on 820423

Craven Arms Quiz Nights
Thursdays 3rd Feb & March
bookings 01242 820410
Century Club

The Century Club meets on the Second  Tuesday of the month in the village hall at 3.0 pm where a talk or activity is followed by a substantial tea.  We sometimes arrange lunchtime or afternoon outings  Anyone of retirement age is welcome to join.
Tuesday 8th February
Mr Ken Brightwell -
‘Experiences of a Town Cryer’
Tuesday 8th March - AGM
For further information contact
Iris Young 01242 583098

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SEVENHAMPTON & DISTRICT
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Although it was a wet windy and night, thirty-three ladies met in the village hall for the first meeting of 2011. It is a new year with a new treasurer, Rose Ballinger; a new secretary, Lynne Jackson and a new minutes secretary, Gill Lanfear, but the same ‘old’ president, Georgina Oldham!

Once the business part of the meeting was over, we welcomed one of our own members, Sharon Fitzsimmons, as the speaker for the evening. Her topic was Chinese Antique Furniture and what an interesting talk she gave! Not only did we see examples of exquisite workmanship in the pieces of furniture she had brought with her, but also we heard something of the Chinese history, culture and philosophy.

The first meeting of Sevenhampton WI was held in January seventy five years ago. To celebrate this milestone in our history, members and partners met in the village hall, with a delicious meal provided by Fiesta Foods from Wickhamford. They had made us a special celebration cake, which was cut by two of our longest serving members, sisters Val Smith and Gill Lanfear.

Meetings
Monday 7th February
Mr Michael Bates - Cleeve Common.
Monday 7th March
Miss Elizabeth Forbes - Pets as Therapy.

New members are always welcome, so why not come along for a visit?
Further information from Georgina Oldham 820423
The Garden Club of
Sevenhampton & District
Meetings
Friday 11th February
Julie Richie - Plants for Awkward Corners

Friday 18th March
Philip Aubury -
Conservatory and House Plants

7.30pm in Rhodes Memorial Hall
Non-members are welcome to attend our meetings for a fee of  £3
Further information from the Secretary,
Cindy Haines 820914


Good Neighbourhood Scheme
At the AGM it was decided to increase the charges for expenses by 50p per return journey.

If you need help with transport etc
ring a coordinator
Sheila Agius 820102
Di Brown 820271
Thora Corris 820242