Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
2
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.
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Introduction
4
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.
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 .
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.
6
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.
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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.
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.
8
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.
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
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Edge Has Got Talent Night on Saturday, 16 October
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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.
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:
Roger Barrett
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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
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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?
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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.
Compline
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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
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
20
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
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Pitchcombe Quiz Night
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You are invited to a Family Service
in Pitchcombe Church
Refreshments
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.
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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.
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Pitchcombe Parish Council Meeting - 23 September
26
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.
27
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
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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
29
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.
John Longuet-Higgins
01452 812334
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Sunday Church Services
Weekday Services
Wednesday, 3 November: Pitchcombe Holy Communion, 9.30am
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
Anne Buckland-Smith
Editorial Team
Village Correspondents:
33
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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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