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The Bisley News
Please recycle our village magazine by returning it to:
The George Stores, Holbrook Garage or Stancombe Beech Farm Shop so that someone else may read it. Thank you.
October / November 2015 www.bisleynews.co.uk
Incorporating ‘The Spire’
A glorious Fete and Flower Show as sunshine warmed the crowds
Story and pictures inside
The Bisley News Colin Hassall
[email protected] 01452 770335
This magazine is also available at www.bisleynews.co.uk
Copy DEADLINE December / January edition
Mon 16th November 2015 Or earlier if all space taken
BISLEY W.I. Admission £3.00
Meetings start at 7.30pm at the Bisley WI Village Hall
Thursday 8th October Kirsty Paraons -
A shared Passion for Tea Thursday 12th November
Iain Willox Tartan and Highland Dress
Guests Welcome
Printed by MDL Kelex 01453 791 400
Bisley Friendship Club
Bisley WI Village Hall 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Wednesday 21st October Craft Work
Wednesday 18th November Carols with Howard Beard
& his group
Delicious Homemade Teas Guests & newcomers very welcome
Susie Bromley 770232
OPEN HOUSE Coffee & biscuits 11am – noon
Thursday, 1st October, 2015
Gerald Revell, Througham Thursday 5th November
Ken Lucas, Vander Breen Street If you’d like to host a meeting
please contact Mo 770298
Open house is a good way to meet your neighbours & catch up with village activities
Everyone Welcome
Flicks In The Sticks Bisley WI Village Hall
7.30 for 8pm
Tues 13th October Selma with David Oyelowo,
Martin Luther Kings’ epic struggle for civil rights
Tues 10th November The 100 Foot Journey with Helen
Mirren, a gentle, uplifting comedy
Everyone Welcome
Cover photo courtesy of Sue Bradley: Selwyn Mills crowns Flower Queen Christy Stevens
Editor’s Notes
Fair Weather Fete & Show In the midst of a summer of uncertain weather we were most fortunate to have a glorious day for the Fete and Flower Show. You turned out in goodly numbers and were clearly enjoying the day, for which sincere thanks must go to Peter Thorp and his team and to Caroline Stephen and the Flower Show Committee for once again putting on a wonderful day to celebrate. Joliet Blues Band This blues brothers tribute band were just the tonic to round off a great day with a great party! Some 150 of you filled the marquee for dancing, drinking and general merrymaking. Intervillage Quiz The marquee hosted a more sedate evening on the Sunday (if that’s possible with Aubrey as the quizmaster!) where 20 teams took on the quiz challenge and enjoyed a yummy ploughman’s supper. France Lynch were the deserving winners leaving Bisley yet to win this contest. The gauntlet is thrown! Bisley Ladies Cricket Team 1939 The ‘Mystery lady’ of the cricket team has been revealed as Ruby Fewster. Well done to Pat Bashford for her keen investigative skills! Fibre Optic Broadband Well done to the Parish Council for seeing through the BT confusion about their own installations. They tell us that we are firmly embedded in the Fastershire project which will ensure
that Fibre Optics will be installed in Bisley in the near future. Hurray! Big Breakfast Autumn in Bisley, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness as the enticing smell of grilled bacon drifts across the Village Hall lawn… be thankful that we are allowed the occasional hearty breakfast without the washing up (unless your name is Peggy). Join the throng early for the first one on Saturday 17th October, and again on 7th November. Thankyou Glenda When Nick & Vanessa took over the Bear Inn 21 years ago it was Glenda (Vanessa’s Mum) who stepped in to prepare the food. She’s been cooking ever since as Landlords have come and gone. Now it’s time to hang up the apron and we all wish her well in her retirement and say ‘Thank You’ for those wonderful meals that we’ve enjoyed over the years. Puss in Boots If you missed the September 22nd ‘Open Evening’ in the Village Hall for the next Pantomime you’ve still got time to offer your services as a performer or helper. Give Peter a call on 770708. Flicks and Fun As the evenings draw in it’s time for communal entertainment. Flicks-in-the-Sticks is back on 13th October with the Martin Luther King story ‘Selma’. Then on 21st November a very funny Theatre Show ‘Gloriator’ is in the Village Hall: book early!
From Bisley Ward Parish Councillors
Fibre Optic Broadband: You may have seen an article in the Bisley News claiming that Bisley “has been led up the garden path” over the promised upgrade to fibre-optic broadband. The article quotes a letter
from the BT Fibre Enquiries Team which states that properties whose telephone lines are connected directly to their local exchange, instead of via a roadside cabinet (i.e. most of the houses in and around Bisley village), will not be included in the rollout of fibre-optic broadband We would like to clarify the information given. This appears to us to be a statement of BT’s policy relating to the company’s own fibre-optic rollout programme. It is NOT the policy of the Fastershire project, which is a joint undertaking by Gloucestershire and Herefordshire County Councils to bring fibre-optic broadband to at least 90% of homes in the two counties. We spoke to the Broadband Campaign Officer at Gloucestershire County Council to clarify this matter. He stated: “Fastershire has upgraded thousands of Exchange Only lines in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, and the project will be upgrading eligible Exchange Only lines in Milestone Area 8, the geographic area which includes Stroud, Nailsworth and Bisley among others.” The Fastershire website – www.fastershire.com – also deals with this subject: “Exchange Only lines are connected directly to the local telephone exchange rather than passing through a green cabinet that can be upgraded with a fibre broadband connection. These lines are generally either very close to the telephone exchange or very remote from it. Exchange Only lines can be fibre enabled by building a fibre cabinet close to the exchange…” We have been told that work to upgrade the Bisley telephone exchange is expected to begin in November this year and we see no reason to doubt this. Nor do we doubt that fibre-optic broadband will be made available to most properties in the locality. Parish Council Community Grant Policy: The Parish Council has introduced a new policy on Community Grants. The aim is to make relatively small grants (typically up to £200) to support and encourage a diverse range of community projects within the Parish, which includes the villages of Bisley, Eastcombe and Oakridge. Applications for grants will be considered on the following basis: • Grants will only be made to formally recognised or known organisations. • Preference will be given to local organisations or organisations that provide
services to local residents. • A specific sum of money must be requested. • Grants to purchase specific items will require proof of purchase. • Only one application may be made per year. • The application will have to show how the grant meets the needs of the local
community, how the group will ensure that the grant is used effectively, and must include realistic costings for the proposal.
• The Council will not make grants to individuals, animal charities or lobby groups.
Application forms are available from the Parish Clerk. The closing date for grants to be made in April 2016 is 1 November 2015. Footpaths and hedge cutting: Many of the Village’s footpaths have become overgrown as they always do during a wet and sunny summer. We have had a few requests from residents to keep them cut back especially in areas of greatest usage either for access to the village amenities, or for dog walking. We would like to remind everyone again that the Parish Council does not have this responsibility and therefore has no money to keep the overgrowth cut back, however much we would like to help the villagers. If you have a problem in the future, please let the Public Rights of Way department at Gloucestershire County Council www.gloucestershire.gov.uk know the details on the Public rights of way page in the “overgrown vegetation “slot. However, do keep us informed if you have problems getting some action! Speeding – It is noted that more vehicles are speeding down Stroud Road – please keep your speed down to the 30mph limit. Your Parish Councillors are: John Mulligan 01452 770214 Roger Utley 01452 770614 Shelagh Utley 01452 770614 Jane Walker 01452 770713 The parish clerk is Peter Morris email: [email protected] Please see our activities at www.bisley-with-lypiatt.gov.uk
Village Defibrillator update The WI agreed to take on procuring and installing the village defibrillator. Two of us together with Peter Thorp visited Rushworth and Highleadon WI who have already installed one at their local Village Hall. A meeting is being organised in the next fortnight to take this forward, and obviously this will not just be for WI Members but will include others we know to be interested. If anyone would like to join us, please telephone me on 770616 and I'll be sure to include them in any discussions we have.
Autumn LITTER-PICK
Volunteers are invited to tidy up our lanes and hedgerows on Saturday 10 October, 9.30 a.m.
Meet at Bisley WI Village Hall where all your equipment will be provided. Please let Peter know if you can help. [email protected] or 770708
‘Pension wise’ guidance from Citizen’s Advice Citizens Advice is delivering Pension Wise appointments giving people access to free and impartial pension guidance in their local area. People approaching retirement now have greater freedom over how they can use their pension pots. Pension Wise is a new Government service designed to help people make sense of their pension options, and empower them to make the right choices for them. To book a face to face 45 minute appointment telephone 0300 330 1001.
Guidance appointments are also available on the telephone, delivered by the Pensions Advisory Service. People can also get information and general guidance online at www.pensionwise.gov.uk.
Bisley Community Composting Scheme As part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, BCCS had a stall at the summer fete. (see photos at the Fete) We attracted a good deal of interest in our activities – peat-free compost, green manures, etc. – and in our tomato tasting experiment. We had two types of tomatoes; vine grown tomatoes from the Netherlands which we bought from a supermarket, and tomatoes grown by Liz Howlett in her allotment polytunnel using only our own compost. Forty eight people took part in the blind tasting – neither they nor those of us running the experiment knew which tomato was which – and 45 of the 48 participants said they preferred the compost-grown tomatoes. A triumph for Bisley compost! Thanks to all those who made the experiment possible. We have also had some mugs made with our logo on them and these are available at £4 each. We have a vacancy for someone to do some casual labouring at the site for three hours on Saturday mornings. We pay £10.00p.h. If you know of anyone who might be interested please let Liz Howlett (770689; [email protected]) or Hazel Saunders (770606; [email protected]) know, or contact any other member of the management committee whose phone numbers can be found on our website: www.bisleycommunitycompostscheme.org.uk.
Bisley’s Allotments and Community Orchard
CHESTERGATE ALLOTMENTS - The allotment holders held their annual ' get together' in August during National Allotments Week. Jane Bentley from the Charities of the Ancient Parish of Bisley that own the land told us all about the history of the allotments. Rob Stevens, who Sue Bradley featured in the ''Gloucester Echo" on 26 August, told us all about his family's long connection with the Chestergate allotments that began during or just after WW1. To all allotment holders who did so brilliantly in the Bisley Flower Show – CONGRATULATIONS!
There are plots available - call or email Allotment Warden Lesley Greene 770018 [email protected] More on www.bisleyallotments.co.uk
BISLEY COMMUNITY ORCHARD 21st October is Apple Day. Sadly Apple Day has not yet been declared an annual Bank Holiday so we will likely hold our community orchard mulching, weeding and sharing apple-y things on the nearest Sunday 2pm October 18th.
Visit to ‘Rough Banks’ Butterfly Conservation Nature Reserve near Camp Verity Trinder writes; On Sunday 16th August a group of people from the Bisley Community Orchard went to ‘Rough Banks’ near Camp for a guided walk with some Butterfly Conservation members. We were fortunate to see many different types of butterfly including; A Common Blue, a Marbled White, a Six-Spot Burnett Moth a Red Admiral and a Gatekeeper. It wasn’t as ‘rough’ as I thought it would be. We followed little paths along the slope but if you fell down you might get hurt. We were lucky to have sunny weather and the scenery was beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to take a peaceful walk (but not in the snow or rain!).
Bisley Fete 2015
Bisley Fete & Flower Show DAYS of drizzle made way for glimpses of sunshine prompting hundreds of people to turn out to make this year’s Bisley Fete and Flower Show one of the best supported for some time. Well-respected former Bisley resident Selwyn Mills returned to the village that had been his home for several years to formally crown the flower queen Christy Stevens, who was attended by Olivia Mohamed, Verity Trinder Olivia Taper and Freya Chambers. Over the following couple of hours people toured the flower show marquee, entered their animals into the pet show and children in the fancy dress competition, enjoyed the sound of Avening Silver Band, shopped for bargains, tried their luck at various games and a grand raffle, queued for ice cream and enjoyed tea and cake in the village hall. All in all it was a day when the village came together to celebrate the fruits of their hard work and share them with fellow residents and visitors, as well as help raise thousands of pounds towards the upkeep of All Saints Parish Church, a building that almost every resident has cause to visit throughout the year whether or not they’re regular worshippers. “Bisley’s Fete and Flower Show is a real highlight of the year and owes its success to all the hard working residents who roll up their sleeves and get involved,” says organiser Peter Thorp. “There’s a great atmosphere around Evans’ Field as preparations are taking place and it’s always great to see people’s efforts rewarded by crowds of visitors. “It’s still too early to say how much money was raised by the fete towards the upkeep of All Saints’ Church but I’d like to say a big thank you to everybody who took part, whether it was physically helping on the day or donating items for stalls or raffle prizes.” Report & photos: Sue Bradley
Another Bumper Flower Show (Photos on next page) Despite the summer's fickle weather which stunted some fruit and vegetables the marquee was packed with over 480 outstanding entries in categories of flowers, vegetables, baking, jams & chutneys and artistic creations. As well as entries from familiar names it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and skills of new and younger participants. The Vegetable awards were again dominated by allotment holder Robin Hicks, pictured with rival Robert Stevens. Also notable among the winners were Alyson MacLeod for her roses and Mary Richards for her chillies. Mary Richards presented the prizes including a magnificent new trophy for Best in Class Tomatoes, in memory of her husband, much-missed Flower Show stalwart and tomato grower, Darrell. Although Mary came close in the category the deserved winner was Alan Jones. The Men's Chocolate Cake attracted the usual strong entries. Winner Ben Beach, who was second last year, succeeded in maintaining the Bentley family tradition in this category. By the evening the marquee had been cleared and the dance floor laid for a marvellous show by The Joliet Blues Band. On Sunday night 20 tables-full took part in the Inter-Village Quiz, won this year by a team from France Lynch. Proceeds from these events help to defray the cost of the marquee. Your generous sponsorship of tables at The Flower Show is much appreciated. Many, many thanks to every entrant, to the judges and to all the wonderful helpers without whom the lower Show could not happen. Caroline Stephen
Flower Show 2015
News from Bisley Blue Coat School
New Term, New Baby: Congratulations to Mrs Butcher and her husband on the safe arrival of their baby daughter Daisy who arrived just a few days after the beginning of the new school year. Pupils and staff are looking forward to a visit in the not too distant future. There are no staff changes this year. Mrs Loly who has taken over Class 2 is a very familiar face, having been a member of staff for several years. Welcome: Eight new pupils joined the school in Reception, and two in other classes. We are sure that they will all settle in happily and have a successful time at Bisley School. At the start of this school year there are 78 pupils on the roll. After School and Breakfast Clubs: Working parents will be pleased to see that there are now clubs at school to look after children both before and after school. They can have something to eat and enjoy games and activities in safe and familiar surroundings. In the Classroom and Beyond: This term, as always, Bisley School provides all the children with a varied and exciting education. There always seems to be something new to try – this term German is on the curriculum, and Archery is being offered as an after school activity. Class 1 will be focussing on themselves in many different ways as they learn ‘All About Me’ for the next few weeks. Classes 2 and 3 are both using periods of history as their main theme – ‘Kings and Queens’ in Class 2. They are planning to visit Sudeley Castle to help them learn about the Tudors. ‘Conflict’ especially in The First World War is Class 3’s theme. Class 3 will be learning outside the classroom in two contrasting locations – at Copsegrove Farm and at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Year 2 and above can learn to play a range of instruments – violin, cello, piano, guitar and ukulele, and tuition is available in singing too. Football, Netball and Cross-Country Clubs are starting up this week as after-school activities, and pupils can try their hand at Archery with expert tuition form a local club. As always, thanks are due to the Staff and Parents who run and support the clubs. Vera Clouston
‘Learn by Play’ BRIDGE in Sheepscombe
If you would like to learn Bridge with friends, then try out Tuesday morning ‘Learn by Play’. Sessions are spent playing the cards but with a chance to discuss and ask questions. We even play some of the hands the bridge club played last week to see if we can do better. We meet every Tuesday morning 10am-12.00 and re-start Tuesday 15 September in Sheepscombe village hall. Cost is £6/session to include a cuppa/biscuit as long as I don’t wash up. Whist players who can pick things up fast may also want to give it a go. Please get in touch to know more or if you’d like to join us. Hugh Tarran 01452 814081 email [email protected] or at http://www.sheepscombe.org/#/bridge/4577954930
Lemon Dreams - recipe from Meals in 'Mo'ments
LEMON DREAMS - individual puddings, light in texture with a sauce beneath. (Makes 4-6 ramekins)
50g / 2oz butter - softened 25g / 1oz plain flour 50g / 2oz caster sugar 2 large eggs - separate whites from yolks 1 lemon - juice and rind 150ml / ¼ pint milk
Set oven at 3 / 300°F / 150°C / Aga simmering oven Put all ingredients (except the egg whites) into a food processor and process together. Whisk the egg whites until they are stiff, add the processed ingredients and stir together then spoon into the ramekins, put into a baking tin and pour warm water to come half way up each ramekin. Bake in the pre-set oven for 30-45mins. or until set. Serve hot from the oven or leave to become cold, if not serving that day cover each ramekin with foil and store in a fridge until required and serve within 3 days.
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BISLEY W.I VILLAGE HALL
YOUR Village Hall
Our Village Hall is run on your behalf by the Village Hall Management Committee, and we are responsible for spending all the money which you, as villagers, have either generously donated directly or indirectly by attending the various functions or hiring the Hall for whatever purpose. The Hall is always available for you to hire for almost any function which is legal! It is fully licensed so why would you go anywhere else? The money raised, with your generous help, has been used to carry out improvements to the Hall. This is ongoing. If you haven’t noticed, the front entrance doors have been replaced with the magnificent ‘Pink’ hardwood double glazed doors. These should easily outlive the rest of the Hall! All the old wooden (rotting) single glazed windows are about to be replaced and we have continued to maintain the building to a reasonably high standard. Annual running and maintenance costs still amount to around £12,000. pa which is where most of the money raised from lettings and fundraising events such as Shows, Flicks, Big Breakfasts, Panto etc. goes. The kitchen is our next priority. It will cost over £10,000 to completely refurbish and re-equip with new appliances and fittings and this is on top of our annual running costs. Our ‘Appeal’ is always open for those of you who can afford to make one-off or annual donations. There is no lower limit, but £1.00 per week (£50.00 pa) would be fantastic. Being a registered charity means that we can reclaim any income tax which you may have paid. Ask any committee member for an appropriate form.
Jeffrey Taylor – chairman 01452 770561
The Spire – All Saints’ Church
This is the time of year when we are very conscious of all the good things we
enjoy - a good harvest, a home, food on the table, education and health care, a place of peace and beauty to live in. As the harvest hymn puts it: "All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love" That is all thrown into sharp relief when compared to our newspaper front pages and our daily news bulletins. Across the world, many thousands live in makeshift camps, in their own or other nations; forced to flee their homes as a result of war or religious or ethnic persecution; trying to find a safe haven for themselves and their children, with perhaps the clothes they stand up in as their only possessions. Truly we are fortunate indeed and have much to be thankful for. But is breathing a sigh of relief that we are not in that situation enough? Is that really in the spirit of the harvest season? I would suggest not. One of the central messages of the Harvest Festival is about generosity - giving thanks for God's great generosity to us, and in response being generous to others. For us here in Bisley, that is often about supporting the Foodbank through our donations of food and toiletries - not just at harvest time but all year round. For many nations in Europe, it has involved taking in thousands of refugees - not (as I write) something Britain has been willing to do. There are of course understandable concerns about pressure on public services, employment, and the fear that those migrating for purely economic reasons will creep in alongside those who have desperately risked their lives in un-seaworthy boats across the Mediterranean and on foot and in lorries across Europe. But it is hard for us, who have so much, to hear accounts of people with so little, who are so frightened of what lies behind them that they think such risks are worth taking. As Christians, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who also became a refugee, fleeing for his life as a baby from King Herod. So we pray for those who become refugees today, and pray too for the leaders of our nations, lest in hardening our hearts we lose a little something of what makes us truly human.
Revd Rosie Woodall
Bellringing News
We have rung two noteworthy quarter peals recently.
First, we rang a 1260 Stedman Triples on Monday 10th
August in 47 minutes. This was to commemorate the deaths of
three men who perished at Gallipoli: Private Frank Christopher
Aldridge 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment who was killed in
action on 8th August 1915; Private Samuel P Gardiner 7th Battalion,
Gloucestershire Regiment killed in action 8th August; and, Private
George W Aldridge, South Wales Borderers killed in action 9th
August. Frank Christopher Aldridge 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire
Regiment who was killed in action on 8th August 1915.
Second, we rang a 1260 Plain Bob Minor on Sunday 30th August in
45 minutes as part of the Bisley Flower Show celebrations.
Please note that on the evening of Monday 5th October the bells
will be rung for an extended period of time starting at 6.00 pm. We
are attempting a full Peal of 5000 changes which, if successful, will
take about three hours; we apologise in advance if it takes a little
longer and we ring for a short while past 9.00pm. This is to mark the
centenary of the death of Lance Corporal Levison Thomas Ridler
Randall of 1st Battalion, Grenedier Guards. Levison (Levvy) Randall
died of his wounds on 5th October 1915. As you all know, we are
intending to ring Bisley bells for every Bisley boy who was killed in
WW1 but for Levvy we are ringing a Peal: he is remembered for his
contribution to Bisley – the School, Sunday School, Church Choir,
Cricket Team, Football Team and as a bell ringer.
Ian Bucknell
Benefice Social
Friday 23 October, 6.30pm, Bussage School
Light supper of soup and sandwiches followed by a quiz
A great chance to get to know each other better outside a church service!
Free tickets available from churchwardens
Bisley Fete
Despite any misgivings about
the weather in the run-up to
the fete, what a day we all had.
A few new items, including the
return of the stocks, joined our
usual stalls/attractions.
The Soft Toy Tombola provided
a prize for anyone who had a
go, whilst Rosie seems to have
an extra “calling” creating
animal balloons for children.
The Beer Tent and BBQ were
also popular.
Selwyn Mills’ brief return was
wonderful as he chatted with
Rosie before crowning this
year’s Queen, Christy Stevens.
This may have been our most
well-attended Fete for many
years. Our grateful thanks to
all who came and to all who
helped on the day. More on
this elsewhere in the Bisley
News.
Sheep Trail
As many as 100 people bought
maps to search out “woolly
wonders” as part of the All
Saints and School PTA Sheep
Trail. Many thanks to all our
sheep hosts. Anne & Rob
Eaton’s “Woolly Jumper” was
voted most popular by those
who entered the competition.
Rosie pulled two winners out of
the hat at the end of the great
Songs of Praise in the Marquee
on Sunday 30
August: Toby &
Wilfred Andrews
won the £50 first
prize and 8 year old Bude Hill
from Stroud won the short trail
and receives a trophy.
Inter-Village Quiz
This year 19 teams took part in
this fun fundraiser. We are just
awaiting final invoices before
we can announce the overall
financial total for the event
which is shared between the
Flower Show and All Saints.
Forthcoming special services
Sunday 4 October, 11am Sunday Praise
Sunday 25 October , 6.30pm Taize service with meditation
Sunday 1 November, 11am All Saints’ Sunday Praise
Sunday 1 November, 6pm All Souls’ Eucharist – remembering loved ones
Sunday 8 November, 11am Remembrance Sunday service
Sunday 29 November, 9.30am Benefice service for Advent Sunday at St Augustine’s Eastcombe
Sunday 29 November, 6pm Advent Carol Service
Sunday 6 December, 11am Sunday Praise
Sunday 20 December, 7pm Carol Service
From the registers:
12 September
Blessing of the marriage of Rebecca and Luke Hobbs
19 September Marriage of Lizzie Howard and Paul Watson
Harvest Supper
Friday 9 October, 6.30pm, Village Hall
Tickets £5
Harvest Family Communion
Sunday 11 October, 11am, All Saints Church, Bisley
Glenda says ‘Goodbye’ to The Bear Inn
Villagers and regulars at The Bear Inn in Bisley gathered in the masses on Friday the 7th of August to say goodbye to Chef Glenda Birch. Glenda, now 66, started at
the pub 21 years ago when her daughter took over the establishment as manager. “I remember the first day being mayhem,” Glenda said. “We took over in the morning and we were serving meals by the evening. My daughter Vanessa now lives with her family in the village.” Glenda says that now is the right time to step down and has handed over her spatula and spoon to new head chef Toby Oliver Refoy. “The Bear
Amanda & David say ‘Goodbye’ to Glenda is now in very capable hands and I have enjoyed working with Toby during the hand over, he is a great chef and the village will love him. I am not sure what I am going to do now but I have been looking into some charitable volunteer positions,” she added. David Terry has been landlord of the pub since December and thanked Glenda for all of her hard work. “It has been fantastic to have her around while we find our feet; the turn out for her was fantastic, so thanks also go to the locals.”
Bisley Village Hall presents “Gloriator” Theatre Show
What happens when a glamorous French actress and her hapless assistant stage their version of Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator? Gloria Delaneuf is well-versed in mime, mask and the mysteries of stage-craft. Her UK tour manager, Josephine Cunningham, is not. Together they have created Gloriator – an awe-
inspiring production of bravery, honour, and costumes made out of cardboard. Russell Crowe may not be available, but they are determined it will be a show you’ll never forget. Inventive, physical and very silly, Gloriator was created by the French/English female comedy duo Spitz & Co, and won the Critics’ Choice Award at Exeter Ignite. “Gloriator may be the funniest thing I’ve ever seen” – David Lockwood, Director of The Bike Shed Theatre in Exeter “I hooted. I snorted. I exploded with such mirth that the tears streamed down my face.” Stroud News & Journal
7pm for 7.45pm start SATURDAY 21ST November Tickets £10.00 - available from George Stores in October.
HOLBRO K GARAGE
CALL US on 01452 770272 or call in to reception
MOT, Service and RepairsAll makes and models, courtesy cars and sales
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Drop in to our
Murco Petrol Station and Shop on the Cheltenham road out of Bisley.
Hobbs bread, wholefoods, local honey and preserves Autogas and Calor gas, fire and stove fuels
Bisley Blue Coat School PTA Bonfire and Firework Spectacular!
Saturday 7 November 2015 At Bisley Pavilion and Sports Field
Gates open at 5.30pm Fireworks at 7.00pm
Tickets £4 per adult, £2 per child on the gate or available in advance at George
stores (Discounted family ticket in advance only)
Best Guy competition Delicious Food and Drink
Music and Fun! Please note that donations of wood only (please no
old furniture etc) for the bonfire can be left AT SITE from Saturday 24th October onwards
G R E E N S H P
Hobbs House Bakery bread, Plenty Pies, Overtown organic meat, ethical gifts,
eco products, seeds & gardening
Do you want to build a greener life? Then come and see us - GL6 7BX 1/4 mile from Bisley on the Cheltenham road to Birdlip, behind the Murco garage
01452 770629www.greenshop.co.uk
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News from your Village Agent
Lou Kemp 07776 245767 Some years ago it was suggested that you might like to have an idea of what I look like if we haven’t already met and so we included a picture which I hope didn’t scare too many of you off! Recently I have been told that some of you thought I was a man, so I thought it was time to put in another picture…..
I would like to begin this month’s article by reminding you of the county wide befriending scheme “Friends for You” that’s being managed by Sue Black, one of my colleagues at Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. Not surprisingly, we have plenty of people asking to be befriended but sadly in the area that I look after, can’t match them up with a volunteer befriender. It’s a sad fact that with an increasing ageing population, families scattered or no family at all, a lot of older people do not receive regular social contact. A reliable, local volunteer visitor calling regularly each week for an hour or two offering friendship and a listening ear has a positive impact on a person’s state of mind and sense of wellbeing. Their visits provide an opportunity for a chat, a chance to enjoy a cup of tea together or maybe go for a walk. Some contact may also be achieved through phone calls but the thrust of the scheme is to enable face to face contact where possible. The friendships that develop enrich the lives of both people. The overall aim is to reduce loneliness and isolation, which is the scourge of our modern society. Loneliness is a bigger problem than simply an emotional experience and can shorten someone’s life expectancy. Even if you don’t have the available time to make the commitment of regular visits, perhaps you may have the time to make one off visits to our clients? I will put Sue’s contact details at the end of this article. My second reminder is in regards to the “Memory Walks” held at Stratford park and organised by Fair Shares. They meet outside (or inside if the weather is bad) the Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Rd at 10.30am for a tea or coffee. The walks start at 11am, is wheelchair friendly and usually lasts between half an hour to an hour. There are usually have 2 walks, one shorter for those who have more difficulty with mobility and another longer walk that usually goes around the park. There is an opportunity to stop to feed the ducks, enjoy the scenery and the wildlife. Generally, after the walks you return to the Museum for another tea or coffee. People are welcome to pop in and out of the walks as they wish; they are very relaxed and gentle. They are designed to be accessible to anyone living with dementia. If a carer is required, could that person please attend? However the walks are also enjoyed by many people who are not living with dementia but enjoy or feel they benefit from a gentle walk. Disabled parking is available next to the Museum, go through the barrier at the top of the leisure centre car park, press the buzzer and the reception will open the gate. The Memory walks will continue every 2 weeks until the end of November on the following Fridays: 19th and 23rd October, 6th and 20th of November Fair Shares: Chris Moore - 01453 706555 [email protected] Friends for You: Sue Black - 07810 630167 / 01452 528491 [email protected]
News from our District Councillor
Council Meeting Thursday 16th July The full council meeting sought to discuss the recommended housing provision figures of 11,400 dwellings between 2006-2031. This was advised in the local plan by the inspectorate. Members of the council accepted and approved this motion. Dog Bins Although a rather unsavory subject I have an update following a decision by Stroud District Council in respect of dog-waste bins. By means of a little bit of context- there are currently some 415 dog waste bins provided across the District. Approximately 70% of those bins are owned by the Council, which currently meets the cost of emptying all of the bins, irrespective of their ownership. Last year the emptying cost exceeded £32,000. As the Council does not have a statutory responsibility to provide dog waste bins, a report was submitted to the Council to review available options to both reduce existing costs and to prevent rising costs in the future. The cost to the Council of emptying these bins approaches some £10,000. In these times of financial constraints, this is clearly a very significant sum. The cost to the Council of emptying an individual bin is £1.43 per bin per week, i.e. £74.36 per bin per annum. However, dependent on the overall response to the requests of voluntary contributions from local parish councils and other organizations, it is clear that the matter could need to be revisited in the future. For our ward, six bins will be affected, each owned by Bisley-with-Lypiatt Parish Council. It is important to note that, in addition to 415 dog waste bins, there are a further 1500 litter bins across the District. Following changes to waste legislation, it is now deemed acceptable for those litter bins to also be utilised for disposal of bagged dog waste. Furthermore, dog owners may also take bagged dog waste home with them and dispose of it in their normal household refuse. Where damaged or stolen Council-owned dog waste bins are reported, a review of the need for that bin will be undertaken. Where no absolute need for the bin exists, for example where a suitable litter bin is in close proximity, the dog waste bin may be removed from the location. The Council will not now be providing additional dog waste bins unless exceptional circumstances are identified. Where organisations may wish to provide additional dog waste bins, they will be advised that they will be required to cover the cost of both provision and emptying of the bin. Bulky Waste Items The District Council has decided to implement charges for bulk item collection at the cost of £15 for up to 3 items. Another alternative for members would be donate items or find alternative outputs that carry not charges. If you have any furniture or other large items that are in reasonably good condition, why not donate them to a charity so other people can make use of them; such as - Stroud Foodbank – tel: 01453 367 077 – email [email protected] British Heart Foundation – tel: 0808 250 0030 to book a collection Furniture Recycling Project - tel: 01452 302303 - email: [email protected] Emmaus - tel: 01452 413 095 – email: [email protected] Sue Ryder – tel: 0845 050 1953 – email: [email protected]. Recycling your bulky items: Small (no bigger than a toaster or kettle) electrical items can be taken to your local recycling site and placed in a WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) bank to be recycled If items are not in a reusable condition and you have your own transport, you can take them to the HRC (Household Recycling Centres) at Pyke Quarry Horsley or Hempstead Gloucester free of charge. Cllr Timothy Williams
Bisley – not as yellow as it used to be
Ah Bisley. Its timeless appearance scarcely changed in over a hundred years. Right? Wrong! Today, as we walk through the village, all we see is a swathe of exposed Cotswold stone but look a little closer, find a bit of wall that hasn't been repointed, and you'll almost certainly discover surviving patches of layer after layer of limewash paint. Some layers may be various shades of creamy whitewash but mostly they will be different tones of yellow - bright ochre yellow. Bisley has definitely changed. Bisley was not the only yellow village in the area. Cotswold vernacular buildings, like most of the cottages in Bisley, were built using locally dug limestone; some quarries, such as those at Minchinhampton, were famed for their good quality stone but most, including the quarries around Bisley, yielded more fragile stone, prone to attack from the weather. It
was discovered that the stone needed an additional outer layer to keep it from damage by rain and frost. Lime render was often used to protect and disguise the poor quality stone on grander houses, but it was expensive, so most of the inhabitants of less important buildings made do with limewash. The process of re-limewashing was often an annual or bi-annual affair, hence the multiple layers of paint you'll find. Why yellow? The range of colours used was generally dictated by local geology; in our limestone area, lighter yellow ochres and umbers are thrown out, whereas in The Forest of Dean, for example, darker shades of iron oxide are common. Corsham High Street (photo left) shows what
Bisley would have looked like. Imagine this interspersed with white limewashed properties and a range of darker shades of yellow This photo of The Bear Inn (circa 1900) shows how it looked when it was rendered and limewashed. The practice of limewashing appears to have died out just after the First World War, probably due to labour constraints. The passion for exposing stone took hold in the 60s and 70s, and we now think that this
is how villages should look. Our stone is undeniably beautiful but maybe we have lost something and made our buildings more vulnerable to decay than they once were. Imagine how Bisley must have glowed on summer evenings, and how it must have looked sunny even on the rainiest days. It would have been extremely beautiful, if you like yellow. Nick Miles
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Letters to the Editor (1)
Dear Editor I have just been listening to various minsters and health officials on Radio 4’s Today Programme discuss the drop in participation in sport and the longer term problems this develops for society as we become less active, more obese and ultimately end up costing the NHS more through our inactivity. So it seems very peculiar to me that some members of our Parish Council (government on a micro scale) seem to actively work against Bisley Cricket Club members staying active and sharing their enthusiasm for sport with the younger
generation of the community. This curious lack of support and actively making life difficult for the team to play include persistent refusal to open the pavilion when members are either practicing or running sessions for the junior team so they can go to the toilet or have a drink. Up until recently the access gate was locked and had there been an emergency no ambulance would have be able to access the pitch.
Checking the pavilion early on a Sunday and then complaining about the cleanliness (including ridiculously detailed descriptions of a toilet basin are not necessary) but then not allowing members to clean up and instead charging extortionate cleaning costs when the club already pay a hefty subscription to use the woeful facilities at the pavilion. Team sport is supposed to be enjoyable and bring together members of the community to share in a sport they love but instead BCC have to deal with a weekly bombardment of petty emails and gripes from people who clearly have very little else to do. The current cricket team is made of people who all have busy jobs and don’t have time to spend hours playing email ping pong. Lastly if your home surrounds the pitch I am sure you like the quintessentially English sound of leather on willow as a ball hurtles into the stingers or the patter of clapping as someone makes half a century. So please be mindful that the cricket pitch was there long before quite a few of the houses, so moaning about the odd ball landing on your lawn should have been considered before you purchased the property - if you want the village idyll you will have to put up with the idyllic cricket match as well. So Bisley and Bisley Parish Council I challenge you to support your local cricket team and some pretty fantastic players who on a weekly basis rack up scores that have recently matched those achieved in the Ashes. So pop up on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, come along for a game and please be supportive otherwise Bisley Cricket Club maybe become refugees or fat! Yours Sincerely, Jane Workman (wife of BCC’s captain)
George, Rosie & Esme’s THANK YOU
Dear Bisley,
Thank you for attending our highly successful sale supporting George, Rosie and
Esme’s compassion children. Although the weather was atrocious a large number
of people turned up at Paulmead for the sale. Thank you for your donations and
lovely company as the event was much fun and turned out to be very successful.
Our first year we raised £120, our second year we raised £210 and this year we
raised a huge sum of £255.45!
Ronald, Paulina and Tendo will much appreciate your kind donations.
(Editor – On behalf of Bisley ‘Thank you and Well Done George, Rosie and Esme’)
Letters to the Editor (2)
Dear Editor One cannot put into words, what happens here in front of the very eyes of the so-called civilized Christian world. The UK and America; and in particular the two war criminals Blair and Bush are directly responsible for what can only be called a human catastrophe. The systematic refusal to give asylum and therefore the wilful annihilation of refugees, who had to leave their country as a direct result of the unlawful invasion of Iraq, which destabilized the entire Middle East, can only be compared to what happened to the Jewish people during the Nazi occupation in Europe. Only very rich Jews were given Asylum by the British Government and the Yanks. The others were condemned to be massacred by the Nazis. The entire world knew about what happened to the Jews in Germany and Poland as early as 1941. Churchill knew it. The stupid Yanks knew it and Stalin, knew it. Even the Church knew it. Nobody lifted a single finger until 1945. But then it was too late. These atrocities; happening today, in front of the eyes of all western Governments and the entire Christian Church, must be stopped now, by blowing up the entire Assad regime and getting rid of ISIS at the same time. Send in the Gurkhas if necessary. The British and American government are directly responsible for this awful mess and the horrific death toll of innocent human beings. They should at least have the decency to clean up their mess and give asylum to a huge proportion of these poor and frightened refugees they created. The British government should clear out all churches and put in beds; in order to give these lost souls a temporary home. Where is the church anyway? Why don't they speak out? I don't hear a word. Not a single word. Reinhold Maria Binder
