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1 WITCOMBE & BENTHAM VILLAGE NEWS and What’s On Cover photograph taken by Robin Gilbert No 49 Summer 2012
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WITCOMBE & BENTHAM
VILLAGE NEWS and What’s On
Cover photograph taken by Robin Gilbert
No 49 Summer 2012
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WITCOMBE & BENTHAM VILLAGE ORGANISATION PHONE NUMBERS
Vicar Revd Canon Richard Mitchell 01242 702911
Parish council Clerk for Badgeworth Ward - (covering Bentham, Little
Witcombe & Badgeworth) Roy Balgobin 01452 621688
Chairman of above Jim Hunt 01452 863705
Parish Councillors Michael Howe 01242 862643
John Frewin 01452 862583
Chris Haines 01452 862235
Great Witcombe Parish Meeting
Chairman Colin Thompson 01452 862649
TBC Councillor Robert Vines 01242 863836
Village Hall Chairman John Millington 01452 622237
Village Hall Letting Pam Angell 01452 612258
Village Hall web site: www.villagehall.witcombeweb.co.uk
W & B Village News Caroline Hope 01452 862512
Witcombe Social Fundraisers Christine Dyer 01452 862399
Wide Valley Singers Muriel Cooper 01452 864650
Cricket Club Dave Pointon 01452 864689
Witcombe Under 5s Becky Coulthard [email protected]
Folk Dance Club Rowena Morgan 01242 527157
Thursday Friends Anne Vickery 01452 862040
Missed you out? Got it wrong? Please send your contact number to
Caroline 01452 862512
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HELP YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS HELP
OBJECTIVE:
TO RENOVATE AND REFURBISH OUR VILLAGE HALL AND PLAY AREA.
TARGET TWELVE TWELVE THOUSAND POUNDS TO BE RAISED IN
TWO THOUSAND and TWELVE by TWELVE EVENTS
PLEASE HELP OR COME TO ANY EVENT. AS A CHARITY WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT GIFT AID.
THE VILLAGE NEWS AND THE WEB SITE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED. http://villagehall.witcombeweb.co.uk
Remember:
Target 12 £12,000
2012 12 events
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IT’S THE ELECTRONIC AGE
Would you like to get reminders about village events by e-
mail?
If so, please send an e-mail to [email protected]
to add your e-mail address to the list. If at any time you
would like to be removed from the list, please let us know and
we will ensure it is removed within 28 days of notification.
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VILLAGE HALL TARGET 12 APPEAL
The following amounts have been raised as
at 12th
May, 2012
WSF fundraising 2011: £2,000
Rockology Concert: £424
Wide Valley Singers Concert £200
Russian Theme Evening: £580
Fashion Show: £1,003
Donations: £385
Open Gardens £825
Heart & Soul Concert £631
Total: £6,394
Do you use the Hall?
What can you do?
On the next page you will see a first proposal for plans to extend the
village hall to incorporate toilets for the disabled and larger storage,
kitchen and bar facilities.
Your views and opinions are most welcome. Please contact the
Chairman, John Millington on 01452 862237.
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I thought it worth reprinting, from the last issue, the
following letter of support for the current efforts to raise
money to update facilities at the Village Hall, from Reg
Cooper who spearheaded the initial fundraising to build a
community hall for the villages of Great Witcombe, Little
Witcombe and Bentham.
A word of support and encouragement: Re VILLAGE HALL
As a past chairman of the Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall
Committee, I am writing this letter in support of the present committee
in their efforts to raise money for a new roof, disabled toilets and other
things that require updating.
From 1969 to the opening of the Hall in 1974 villagers rallied round to
raise money. From local organisations such as the Ermin Street Guard
and the Flower Show to individuals opening their own homes for
cheese and wine parties and sherry evenings donations were made, as
well as a very good time had by all! With the help of several grants we
managed to raise £24,600 to build the Hall.
As a fellow villager told me many years ago ‘It goes to show what can
be achieved with sufficient determination and everyone pulling
together.’ Can we do it again to update the Hall? There are various
events arranged during the year, please do your best to support them.
Many thanks,
Reg Cooper
PLEASE NOTE:
The Village Hall is not run by the Church, Parish Council, County
Council, or even Central Government! But is a Charity, run by a
committee of local volunteers. Please support us.
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TO HIRE -
WITCOMBE & BENTHAM
VILLAGE HALL At competitive prices
FOR RECEPTIONS, DANCES, DISCOS, SALES,
CONFERENCES, MEETINGS ETC.
LICENCED BAR
http://villagehall.witcombeweb.co.uk
Phone Pam Angell 01452 612258
Figures Ballroom and Latin Classes
At Witcombe Village Hall
Improvers Class: Tuesdays 7.15 – 8.15 pm
New beginners classes start in January, 8.15 – 9.15
Contact Beverley Harwood,
01453 889394; Mob: 07764 857845
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Craft Painting Singing Floor Activities (cars, trains…) Dressing Up Bikes Blocks Baby Area And Lots More.
Every Tuesday 10 – 12pm
Babies Free, £2.50 Aged 1 and Over Varied Healthy Snack Included
Witcombe & Bentham Village Hall
For Further Information see contact list and [email protected]
FIRST SESSION FREE!!!
folk dancing Come to enjoy English country dancing with the
Square Folk Dance Club
at the Village Hall.
Beginners welcome, instruction given.
Every other Wednesday evening at 8pm
Please see Page 2 for contact number
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Some Village Hall Target 12 Fundraisers for 2012:
Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee Beacon Monday, June 4th on Crickley Hill. The beacon is part of the national chain
and will be lit at 10pm. Soft drinks and refreshments for sale. NB Fireworks are NOT permitted Geoff (01452 863634) or John (01452 862237) Proceeds from refreshments for The Witcombe & Bentham Village Hall Target 12 Appeal Saturday, June 23
rd Village Fete – WSF – See Page 10 - Geoff (01452 863634)
Sunday, September 2nd Picnic on the Hill
and Ermin
Street Guard.
It will be the 40th Anniversary of the Ermine Street Guard, which was formed originally to raise money for the building of the present Village Hall. Plans are for them to meet at the Village Hall and march to The Roman Villa. John Millington, 01452 862237
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VILLAGE FETE and
Olympic Races Proceeds to Witcombe & Bentham Village Hall
Target 12 Appeal
SATURDAY 23rd JUNE
2pm
Raffle drawn at 4pm At the
WITCOMBE & BENTHAM VILLAGE HALL An afternoon of family fun
BBQ ICE CREAMS TEAS
BOTTLE TOMBOLA CAKES PLANTS
PRODUCE WHITE ELEPHANT
BOUNCY CASTLE SKITTLES COCONUT SHY
FACE PAINTING PENALTY SHOOT OUT
SMASH A CROCK PETS
And a special attraction in
Witcombe’s Olympic Year:
Children’s Races
Enquiries and offers of help
to Christine 01452 862399
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WANTED BOTTLES
for the bottle stall- anything so long as it’s
full and unopened. Contact Christine 862399 to
arrange collection
Quality Items and Books for the White Elephant stall
Please don’t hand on your jumble or recycling –
what isn’t sold will be skipped.
Please deliver to Village Hall on the morning
Home-made cakes, buiscuits, jams,
chutneys, pies and edibles for the cakes and produce stall.
Bring on the morning.
Surplus plants contact Caroline Hope 07802 184103 to arrange
collection or deliver to the village hall on
23rd June morning
and finally
Top class raffle prizes contact Christine 862399 to arrange collection
or deliver to the Village Hall on the 23rd
morning
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From Russia with Love.....a personal view
The WSF (Witcombe Social Fund Raisers) organised theme evening, at Witcombe
Village Hall, this year comprised a Russian flavour.
It all kicked off with shots of vodka or apple juice (vodka for me) and Tartaletki (little
tarts filled with savoury mixture). In the background a Russian male voice choir
singing Vylinka or something like that (you know, the one that Uncle Mac used to
play on Children’s favourites on the radio on Saturday mornings in the 50’s).
This was followed by Russian cooked food Golubcy (stuffed cabbage rolls) with
Kartoshnik (potato/cheese cake) and black bread. We then served Medovic (honey
cake). I found the whole meal absolutely delicious, the best yet. I ate too much.
Alisha, who comes from Russia, supplied lots of advice as well as the recipes and also
wrote the Russian equivalent next to our UK names.
After the meal a David Cooper quiz about things Russian in which our team did OK
but didn’t win. The winners were, would you believe, a team comprising Russian-
speaking employees of Alexander and Angell Farms.
Then some were cajoled into a team type game called Rucheyok (which translates as
"little stream") where people run up and down an assembled line stealing others
partners. I felt it was just an excuse to get off with other peoples’ wives as may
happen on cold Russian evenings, but I could be wrong.
After this ‘the sing song’ organised by Musical Matt and Rachel based on Russian and
associated Russian themes. I found this bit not so good as usual probably cos of the
difficulty of the song’s tempo and all that jazz, but we did try.
Overall, a decent profit of £580 was made toward the renovation and refurbishment of
the Village Hall and Play Area.
АЛАН ЙОНИС –aka Alan Jones
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Decreasing Coffee/Tea Parties
I’m sure that many of you remember the Decreasing Coffee/Tea Parties that Paddy
Treasure organised back in 1998. In memory of Paddy and to raise funds for the
renovation and refurbishment of Witcombe with Bentham Village Hall and Play Area
we are doing it again.
How does it work? Well, I invite five people to coffee/tea and each of these five
people will hold a party inviting four people who, in turn, will have their own party
and invite three people until there’s a host/hostess who invites just one person! Each
guest pays £2 for their coffee/tea and the host/hostess returns the funds to me in the
envelope provided. If it all works out we should raise £650.
Any questions, please call me on 01452 862399 or email
With many thanks to everyone participating,
Christine Dyer
Can you recite a poem?
Do a monologue?
Sing a song – solo, duet, quartet, choir?
Play the piano, accordion,violin, trombone or triangle?
Do a skit, mime or mimic?
Dance a jig?
Pantomime Horse or Pig?
Having been closely involved with the Pantomime and a
Song and Poetry evening at the Church, over the past few
years, I’m now convinced
Witcome & Bentham’s Got Talent
Let’s keep it alive this winter by bringing our talents
together on stage.
Funny or serious, our own answer to Simon Cowell wants to
see what you’ve got.
Interested?
Please email or phone me, Caroline 07802184103,
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BADGEWORTH PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE FROM
ITS APRIL COUNCIL MEETING
Jubilee Celebrations. Events are being organized in regards to the Jubilee, a
formal barn do in Badgeworth and a Beacon on Crickley Hill being two of
the key events.
Witcombe & Bentham Village Hall. The Council have agreed to support
with the funding of both the Village Hall refurbishment project and also
with the replacement Play Equipment, the Council are to discuss further
the exact extent of the funding that is able to offer.
Badgeworth Village Hall Management Committee. Cllr Cottell updated the
Council on the works program in that the drawings for the Village Hall
improvement have been received and are now being finalised before applying
for planning consent. It is also hoped to purchase some land to extend the car
parking facilities.
Parish Plan. An Officer from the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council
has been invited to the next meeting to talk through the merits of proving a
Parish Plan,
The Wide Valley Singers. The Council approved a grant of £50.00 to the
Wide Valley Singers who do a lot of charity work in the area.
Bus Shelter. The Council is investigating the possible insertion of a window
in the brick bus shelter along Badgeworth Lane.
Bentham Church. The Council understands that a market garden and fruit
trees are being scheduled for Bentham Church.
Annual Assembly. The Annual Assembly is to take place in Badgeworth
Village Hall on Tuesday the 15th May 2012 at 7.30 pm all residents are
welcome to attend.
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ANNUAL ASSEMBLY - BADGEWORTH PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR
APRIL 2011 to MARCH 2012
Introduction
The annual report relates to the work of Badgeworth Parish Council for the year
2011/2012 and describes the principal activities which it has under taken over that
period.
The year 2011/2012 has been a relatively busy one for the Parish Council. As I have
stressed in previous years, although the Council’s budget is small its geographical area
is relatively large with much of it lying within the Green Belt and /or AONB (Area Of
Outstanding Natural Beauty). As is the case with many Parish Councils, Badgeworth
has an important role to play in ensuring that appropriate support and services are
provided in its area by the County and Tewkesbury Borough Councils. The Parish
Council is also an important point of contact for consultation with other agencies and
other tiers of local government. We have continued to maintain an effective working
relationship with such bodies.
Planning
In 2011/2012 the Parish Council was asked to comment on 26 planning applications.
It also provided a number of detailed responses to the Planning Inspectorate in respect
of 4 Planning Appeals.
During the year the Council approved its own policy for ‘Assessing and Responding
to Planning Applications’. This document was made public.
There are always difficulties and differences of opinion when determining planning
applications, particularly in an area covered by a Green Belt and AONB. The Parish
Council, with the support and involvement of local residents, will always ensure that
the Planning Authority is made aware immediately of any infringements of planning
policies and legislation.
In last year’s report I stated that the housing development in Cold Pool Lane had been
given Planning Permission, but still had some outstanding issues; these have now been
resolved and the development has already houses ready for sale and occupation. We
should soon be receiving our Section 106 money from the developers.
During the year the Council met with developers in respect of the Bentham works site
and Badgeworth Nurseries. The Council will reach its’ decisions on these proposed
housing developments when planning applications are received.
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Miscellaneous
There were a number of matters under this heading which required the attention of the
Council last year. Some of the more important issues dealt with are mentioned below:
The Council has been concerned about the general condition and state of the waste
recycling/stone crunching site opposite Endlseigh Insurance. We have asked the
County Council to ensure that the operator of this site complies with the planning
conditions granted when the licence was approved. We anticipate an improvement
particularly as this is within the Green Belt and the Gloucestershire Way runs across
the area of the Parish.
Regarding the Golf Course at Bentham, I did state in my report last year that we did
know the name of the owners as The Lighthouse (Bentham) Ltd. During the winter
they have carried out one ecology inspection and are due to carry out a further one in
the Spring. Once this has been carried out Tewkesbury Borough Council are then
going to have a site visit in order to take the matter further in relation to enforcing
planning conditions.
The annual inspection of the Council’s allotments confirmed that they were well
managed. It has continued with its policy of splitting large allotments when they fall
vacant. Unfortunately, the number of plot holders has dropped and we are looking
into ways to increase them, i.e. consider advertising outside of the Parish.
The Council, in conjunction funded with the Management Committee of Badgeworth
Village Hall, will deal with further improvements to the Hall when the Section 106
money from the M&G development becomes available. We are also looking into the
possibility of purchasing a piece of land opposite the Hall in order to give the building
some extra parking.
Highways and Environment
The Parish Council has been involved with a range of highway and
Environmental matters during the past year. Some examples of the matters dealt with
were:
Joint meeting on several occasions with County Highways staff concerning flooding,
culverts, ditches and water course problems.
Fly tipping at Bentham.
Church Lane, Badgeworth
Last year I reported the drain and road surface problems in Dark Lane Bentham and
am pleased to report that both these items have been dealt with.
Continued the condition survey, with the help of volunteers, of the Public Rights of
Way (footpaths) throughout the Parish.
The Parish Council is very fortunate in having an effective working relationship with
the staff at County Highways. It is not possible, due to workload and financial
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constraints, to rectify every highway, flooding and environmental problem
immediately but the Parish Council has been grateful for the immediate responses and
action it has received from them. However, some of the problems raised have been
earmarked for action during 2012/2013
Financial
At the end of this year 2011/2012 the accounts showed a healthy balance allowing the
Council, for the fourth year running, to approve a budget for 2012/2013 which
required no increase in the Parish precept (Council Tax). The annual accounts
continue to identify specific items of possible expenditure held in the reserve account
for such matters as the maintenance and improvements to our Village/Community
Halls and play equipment in Witcombe.
Appreciation
The Council would like to thank, once again, Councillor Robert Vines for his
continued interest in Parish Council affairs. Our thanks also extend to Roy Balgobin
the Clerk to the Council who has helped us through another year with his sound advice
and support.
Jim Hunt
Chairman
Badgeworth Parish Council
May, 2012.
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2013 Calendars Some readers will know that I produced a calendar of local Witcombe and Bentham scenes for 2012, copies of which were sold in aid of St Mary’s. It has been suggested that I might produce another for 2013. I’d expect the cost, as last year, to be £10, with about 30% of that going to St Mary’s, but that is on the assumption that there is no significant rise in production costs. It would be helpful to have some indication (without, of course, any commitment at this stage) of the extent of local interest. If you think you might be interested in buying such a calendar, please ring me on 01242.862284 or, better still, send me an e-mail to [email protected], copied to Chris Jeffs: [email protected], who has kindly agreed to help with “marketing”. Robin Gilbert
****************************
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Local friends and quilt enthusiasts, Jane Fenton and Christine Jeffs from Bentham, Elaine Keats from Cheltenham and Sharon Harper from Shurdington, otherwise known as QBN, have made a beautiful lap quilt to raffle in aid of the Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall Target Twelve Appeal. This unique handmade quilt is shown in the photo has a bright, fresh, colour scheme of green and purple with a modern star design
and will be a lovely addition to any home. You will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets at all the Target 12 functions throughout the year. Tickets are £2.00 each and the raffle for the quilt (and other prizes) will be drawn at the Annual Quiz night on Friday 19th October. If you cannot get to any of the Target 12 functions but would like a ticket, please contact Jane Fenton on 01452 863038.
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Do you enjoy The Village News?
Your comments, stories, poems, news, history and happenings are always welcome,
without them there will be no Village News. Please send them to me by post, hand or
preferably by email attachment to:
The Editor;
Caroline Hope
Court Farm House
Little Witcombe,
Gloucester, GL3 4TU
Tel: O1452 862512
Email: [email protected]
Copy for next edition to the editor by
7th
September, 2012 please
This copy of the Village News is funded by donations from the Witcombe Social
Fundraisers, the Great Witcombe Parish Council, the Parish Council, Badgeworth
Ward, and private donations, along with limited local advertising
360 copies of The Village News are printed 4 times a year, and are distributed to all
households in Great Witcombe, Little Witcombe and Bentham, free of charge, and
posted to 18 addresses outside this area, including the Gloucestershire Rural
Community Council.
It is now available to be read at www.villagehall.witcombeweb.co.uk
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Some Village Hall Target 12 Fundraisers for 2012:
Monday, June 4th Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacon on Crickley Hill. The beacon is part of the national chain
and will be lit at 10pm. (see page 9)
Saturday, June 23rd
Village Fete (See pages 10/11)
Sunday, September 2nd
Picnic on the Hill and Ermin Street Guard. (See page 9)
Friday, 21st September
Promise Auction and Auction of donated
items. 7.30pm at the Village Hall. Bar, food and fast, fun auction. (Keith
Bawden, 01452 863566)
Friday, 19th
October
QUIZ (and Quilt raffle draw). 7.30pm at the Village
Hall. (Christine Dyer 01452 862399). See page 18 for more information about the
Quilt
Friday 16th
November
Race Night. 7.30pm at the Village Hall. (Jane Wintle, Jane@primrose-
cottage.me.uk)
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