PARISH MAGAZINE

The Edge, Pitchcombe,

Harescombe & Brookthorpe

November 2010 75p

Jean Vaughan celebrated her 90th birthday on 20 September.

Joan Hoare’s 96th birthday on 23 September with members of her family.

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.

Mobile Library: Thursday, 11 & 25 November

10:40am - 11:00am Edge, near Bus Shelter, Whiteshill Road.
11:10am - 11:20am Four Mile House Inn, Brookthorpe.

For more news about Brookthorpe, visit

www.brookthorpe-with-waddon.co.uk
To find more events in Edge or Pitchcombe,
Check the online calendar at http://tiny.cc/diZcw

Cover photograph: Poppies by Sevenleaze Lane

Anne Buckland-Smith. Other entries welcome.

3
Introduction

As Army ‘brats’, we were fully conversant with the significance

of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Indeed for me it had started before we joined our father on his
various postings after the war. My brother and I were always
privileged to accompany my grandfather to the Cenotaph and
Memorial wall on the corner of Gloucester Park. We would first
watch the march past of the Gloucestershire Regiment of which
he had been a regular soldier in the early years of the 20th
century, being discharged at the end of WW1 with an injury
which kept him jobless for the next six years. As they passed,
he would stand ramrod straight, his medals gleaming and
salute, my brother doffing his school cap in respect. After the
ceremony and the laying of the wreaths, he would take us to
where all the names were inscribed on the wall and point out
our great uncle’s name (he has no known grave as we
discovered when we researched him in later years) and the
names of comrades and friends, quietly describing a little pen
picture of each of them.

Then we joined our father in Germany. Remembrance Day, for

a military family, becomes as important as Easter or Christmas.
The service of remembrance was held in the camp cinema, with
the families upstairs in the ‘gods’ and the regiments of the
garrison downstairs. After the service there was a march past
and salute before the units returned to barracks. All the regulars
wore their campaign medals, which had been Brasso’d
vigorously the night before. I have my father’s button stick to
this day. We were expected to attend the parade and services
wearing our poppies. My father suggested we try to put a
persona to our poppy so that we would think more deeply about
the significance of wearing it on this particular day, which is
something as a family we all still do. He was very wise to
suggest this to us children, as it made us look beyond an
individual, to their lives and what they were fighting for. This
was brought home to me during a visit to the wonderful ‘In

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.

So on Remembrance Day on 11 November, we thank God and

remember with pride those who have died to keep us free, but
also those who bravely let them go.
Rosemary Alder

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

5
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 .

The Draft Action Plan presentation will be on

Wednesday, 15 December 2010
at 7:00pm in Brookthorpe Village Hall.

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.

What is a Parish Plan? A parish and community plan is a

working document produced by a community. It sets out a
community’s vision for the future and creates an action plan
covering issues or aspects it wishes to develop, retain or
strengthen. If you wish, you will be able to see information on
the Parish Plan look on the Parish website if you are able to do
so at www.brookthorpe-with-whaddon.co.uk.
Paul GAZE
Parish Plan Team

There will be a CAMEO meeting at Brookthorpe Village Hall on

Tuesday, 9 November at 7.30pm. The Speaker will be Brian Draper
on the subject of ‘Wildlife watching on the River Severn’.

Bookings for Brookthorpe Village Hall should be made to

Nigel Bone on 01452 812628.
www.brookthorpe-with-waddon.co.uk

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.

Harvest Supper on 24 September was, as always, a well

attended, happy occasion, very like the Harvest described by
Laurie Lee in ‘Cider with Rosie’, which was one of our Harvest
readings. Our produce and gifts went to Resthaven this year.

Harescombe & Painwick Young Farmers Bonfire Night will

be held on Friday, 5 November, at Fields End next to the
Village Hall. Barbeque, bonfire and fireworks from 7.00pm.
Bring your own drinks. Please call Laura Ractliffe for tickets on
01452 813514.

A Casserole Supper will take place at the Village Hall on

Saturday, 13 November, at 7.00pm. Come and share a yummy
supper and catch up with the news. Entrance £6 - £3 for
primary school age children. Please bring your own liquid
refreshments.

Ladies Meeting: the next meeting will be held at Kath’s house,

The Old Mill, on Thursday, 4 November, at 8.00pm.

The Christmas Quiz will be held at the Village Hall on

Tuesday, 28 December.
Liz Hall

Bookings for Harescombe Village Hall should be made with Ann

Bailey on 01452 813514. However, would residents please note
that Ann has stepped down as the magazine’s Harescombe
Correspondent, due to other pressing commitments. We are all
grateful to Ann for her contribution. We welcome Liz Hall who
has now taken over as Harescombe Correspondent.
Ed.

7
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.

The reader with the first correct answer received at

pm@aramis.demon.co.uk will be entered in the annual Prize
Draw for Best Quizzard of the Year.

Answers to October’s posers, first sent in correctly by John

Luke, were:

1. A Lycanthrope is said to be able to transform into a wolf.

2. Tobacco was the crop which rescued the Virginia settlement

in the early 1600s, contributing to Britain’s expanding wealth
and power.

3. The Tordesillas Treaty was signed between Spain and

Portugal in 1494, aiming to divide the entire world between
them.

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.

9
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.

4. Put a heavy baking tray into the oven to preheat, then

bake the tart at 200º C / 400º F / Gas mark 6, for about 40-50
minutes or until the centre feels firm to the touch and the apple
slices are tinged brown. OR, in the Aga, slide the tart on to the
floor of the roasting oven for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is
golden. Then slide the plain cold shelf on the second set of
runners and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until the apple
slices are tinged brown. Transfer to the simmering oven for a
further 10 minutes until the filling is set.

5. The tart can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw for about

eight hours at room temperature. To reheat, put back into the
metal flan tin and reheat on a pre-heated baking tray at
200C/400F/Gas mark 6 or on the grid shelf on the floor of the
Aga roasting oven for about 15 minutes.
Viv Barrett

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
10
Edge Express

Happy Birthday to James Slinger who is 12 on 10 November

and to Sam McCornack who is 9 on 28 November.

Edge Church Harvest Breakfast on 26 September

The Church looked beautiful with all the windows decorated.

The service was very well attended and we all enjoyed the
Harvest Breakfast of rolls, croissant, jams, marmalade, cheese,
sausages and fruit, with tea or coffee, all very kindly provided
by Ann Kennett and her helpers. This was followed by an
informal Family Service led by Elizabeth Ward. Mary Slinger
read the lesson and we had a very interesting talk from Clarissa
Mawdesley-Thomas about the Diocesan trip to India. Prayers
were led by Ann Kennett with the children using the Harvest
coloured candles. It was a lovely occasion enjoyed by all.

Joyce and Janet Ryan

11
Edge Has Got Talent Night on Saturday, 16 October

It was a busy and noisy evening, with compère Mike Adlam

doing a great job bringing the audience to some kind of order
and introducing the long list of performers. We had poetry in the
form of Paul Griffith’s tribute to
Conway Mayo and rustic readings
from Frank Mansell’s ‘Cotswold
Ballads’ and Susan Silver’s refreshing
offering of original poems. With our
imaginations working overtime,
Damon and Laurence acted out Mary
Slinger’s ultimately innocent comedy
skit, whilst in the best tradition of
celebrity chefs, Elizabeth Ward had
the spirit of Christmas (whisky in this
case) flowing freely through her
Christmas Cake recipe. Martin Slinger
and Mike Adlam reminisced, whilst Hugh Barr’s magic show,

12
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.

For colour pictures, see back inside cover. Ed.

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.

13
Here’s a separate note from Di Ravenhill:

‘I am so thrilled that we managed to raise £555.00 on the night,

thanks to the generosity of everyone and a very successful
raffle organised by Izzie Fowler! I have since been given a
further donation of £100 bringing the total up to £655.00 for
World Vision. The church benefice of Painswick, Sheepscombe,
The Edge and Cranham undertook a commitment several years
ago to support the village of Lideta in Ethiopia. As the Edge
representative, I am delighted that our village has been able
to make such a considerable contribution. Thank you to the
Village Hall Committee for the use of the Hall, and to Andrea
Robinson, Sarah Slinger, Stacey Hackett and Clare Fowler for
all their hard work, encouragement and support. Also to all
those wonderful Edge folk brave enough to entertain us so well,
all the great cooks for the fabulous lasagnes and brownies and
to all the lovely ladies who helped to wash and clear up’.

….. and finally, from the co-organisers, ‘… huge thanks go to Di

Ravenhill who conceived the idea of the fundraiser, was tireless
in her enthusiasm to encourage a wide variety of acts and put in
so much hard work to make the evening such fun for everyone’.

Roger Barrett

The New Combined Family Praise Service on 17 October.

Sixteen children and thirteen adults came to our First Joint

Service following the amalgamation of Childrens’ Praise and
Family Service - now called Family Praise. Mary Slinger led the
service by welcoming everyone, followed by celebrating the
birthdays of Ann and Andera. Ann Kennett introduced all the
children by name as this was a new begining. She talked about
the lesson that Di Ravenhill had read from Acts, and introduced
childrens’ actions connected with the reading, walking, praying
and listening. Mary took the children to each window in the
church, where a coloured candle was lit and prayers said. The

14
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

This is a reminder that the Autumn Quiz will take place at

Edge Village Hall on Wednesday, 10 November at 7.30pm.
The theme will be the Internet, so teams should think of
suitable names to reflect that. Questions will cover a broad
range of subjects as usual, accompanied by laughs, snacks
and wine for sale. There will be PRIZES! Pete Dickinson asks
prospective team organisers to let him know as soon as
possible and not leave this to the last minute, as he is having
an ankle operation the week before and does not want to
hobble back on crutches without everything already sorted.
Pete can be contacted on 01452 812675 or by email to
nosnikcid@gmail.com.

15
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?

WI meetings take place on the third Thursday most months at

the Village Hall. All welcome. £2 for non-members (no charge
for potential members), including light refreshments. For details,
please call Rosemary Ricketts on 01452 813910.

Edge Women’s Institute

CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING

with
Bring & Buy Sale

Saturday, 27 November, 10.00-12.00am

Edge Village Hall

Christmas produce, gifts, cakes and biscuits

Coffee or tea and biscuits £1.00

Do come and join us.

16
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.

For Village Hall bookings call Bobby Kay on 01452 813567.

Compline

A new service of Compline was held on 29 September at Edge

Church. Ten people attended which was not a bad start.
Although we are using the term Compline, the idea is to find a
format attractive to both believers and non-believers, those who
love the old liturgy and busy people needing a little tranquility at
the end of a working day. The next service is at 8.00pm on
Wednesday, 3 November. There will be no awkward singing or
sermonizing. Instead, there will be time for some adult
conversation with friends and neighbours over a glass or two of
fine wine, followed by a prayer, a reading, maybe a poem and a
period of quiet reflection for heart’s ease in a beautiful place.
Ed.

17
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.
18
Pitchcombe Post

Many Congratulations to Jean Vaughan whose 90th birthday

was on 20 September and Joan Hoare who was 96 on
September 23rd. Photographs of Jean at home and Joan with
her two daughters and granddaughter are inside the front cover.

Happy Birthday to Daniella Dyte who was 7 on 1 October.

A Grateful Thank You from Mike and Joanne Foran. The

kindness, support, practical giving and prayers of neighbours
and friends have enabled us to face each day with courage and
that in the coming days we are not alone. Mike believes that if
anyone is ill stay in Pitchcombe.

Village Poppy Collection

We shall be keeping fit calling at Lurks Lane, Halfway Pitch,
Wragg Castle, round the village, Pincot Lane, Cheltenham
Road and Catbrain, the week preceding Remembrance
Sunday.

Pincot Lane is due to be closed on 2 December for tree cutting

to free overhead power cables. For further information, please
contact 08000 514514.

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.
19
Cappella Singers on 18 September

The concert by the Cappella Singers gave pleasure to an

appreciative audience by its varied programme: the first half
included madrigals by Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Tallis and
sketches given by Peter Farley and Vernon Harwood. During
the interval, drinks were served in the village hall before
returning to the music of Ivor Novello; the settings of familiar
pop songs ‘Love me tender’ and ‘Return to sender’, and an
intriguing dialogue between God and Noah spoken by Peter
and Vernorn. The concert ended with the choir’s rendering of
‘Goodnight Sweetheart’. The Rev. Mike Irving gave a vote of
thanks to the choir and conductor Philip Colls, knowing both
well through his priesthood at Minchinhampton. It was an
enjoyable autumnal evening, the proceeds going towards the
new self-locking church door.

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.

21
Harvest Celebration on 10 October

It was worthwhile to come into church just to enjoy nature’s

bounty: the window sills decked with greenery, pumpkins,
marrows, apples and carrots - no mean balancing act on a
sloping sill and elsewhere lovely floral autumn pedestals. It was
not a formal service - instead a joyful celebration of poems,
readings and familiar harvest hymns to suit everyone. 11-year
old Scarlet’s delightful
singing of Where the
Deer pants; Sally, the
poem Nature’s Way;
Geoffrey reading John
Betjeman’s poem Diary
of a Church Mouse; the
congregation and the
Rev. Bill Robson shared
Psalm 148; Ruth read
the account of the
harvest supper from
Lark Rise to Candleford
and Peggy the poem
Autumn Morning. Tony
read the famous poem
by W.H. Davies, Leisure
and Rev. Bill entered
into the spirit of John
Betjeman’s Blame the
Vicar & The Visiting
Vicar, by reading them before his short talk. John read verses
from St Matthew about ‘the lilies of the field surpassing the glory
of Solomon’. We ploughed the fields and scattered the good
seed everywhere, found out who put the colours in the rainbow
and finished with a praiseworthy rendering of ‘Jerusalem’, quite
a challenge.
Mary Morse

22
 Pitchcombe Quiz Night

Thursday 25th November at 7.30pm

Pitchcombe Village Hall

4 person teams, £5/head

Register your team with Steve & Sheila Rowley

01453 763181 steve@artension.com

For village hall bookings, call Mike Foran on 01453 763330

November and December Family Services

A service about Hermela from Ethiopia, the child we
sponsor, will be held on Sunday, 7 November at
10.00am at Pitchcombe Church. Come and find out
about Hermela and the work of World Vision. There
is a Family Advent service with animals at
Pitchcombe Church on Sunday, 5 December at
10.00pm. Decorating the Christmas tree will take place at Edge
Church on Saturday, 18 December at 10.00am. A crib service
will be held on Friday, 24 December in Harescombe Church at
3.00pm, followed by another Christmas crib service with a
nativity play at Edge Church at 4.00pm. Please let either Mary
Slinger or Ann Kennett know if you would like a part in the play,
on 01452 812669.
Ann Kennett

Do you want to see details about your group or event

published in the magazine? Do you need more members?
Are you organizing a charity event, an outing, a walk or do
you have an interesting hobby? If you live in the villages,
contact details are on page 33. For adverts, see page 37.

23
 You are invited to a Family Service
in Pitchcombe Church

Sunday , 5 December at 10am

An informal service with donkeys, readings, prayers and hymns.

Refreshments

Come and see real donkeys and hear the story of

St. Nicholas

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.

Times change and, with the emphasis on care in the

community, more and more people are preserving their
independence for as long as possible and thus postponing their
entry to residential accommodation. Resthaven’s response has
been to concentrate on meeting the need for nursing care in the
later stages of life and the Trustees have felt it appropriate to
reflect this by renaming the home to reflect its current activities
and thus on 30 June this year we became Resthaven Nursing
Home Limited.

24
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.

We are very keen to remain independent, voluntary and

community based and this depends on maintaining a
succession of local Trustees. If you have the inclination and
experience to make a contribution please feel free to have a
word with one of our present Trustees: Mrs. Pat Butts, Dr Jenny
Chapman, Derek Grimsley, Peter Hewlett, Clive Jones, John
West or me.
Michael Little
01452-813604 or littlemj@btinternet.com

Resthaven Nursing Home Coffee Morning

Wednesday 10th November
09.30am – 11.30am

All Welcome £1.50 for coffee or tea & a piece of cake

Homemade Cakes, Jams & Preserves available to buy on the
morning
All money raised will go to the Residents Activities Fund
   

25
Pitchcombe Parish Council Meeting - 23 September

A copy of the Minutes and of the Annual Parish Meeting is on

the PPC website at www.Pitchcombe-pc.gov.uk .
After the Minutes of 20 June were approved, several items of
correspondence were discussed, including the County’s request
for confirmation of our Snow Warden’s name which is the same
as last year, Martin Slinger. The deadline for responses to the
Local Transport Plan consultation is 14 October. Councillors
can respond to this on line. The Parish Council had received a
letter about budget cuts relating to road safety improvements
which had been noted. In response to the proposed County
Council electoral review, the Parish Council decided they were
happy with current arrangements. With regard to the County
Council’s challenge to save £120 million, Councillors will submit
comments individually, due to the short notice.
The Parish Council had received two planning applications
recently. With regard to the application for Everest, Lurks Lane,
a letter of objection had been sent to the District Council. The
Parish Council had no comments to make with regard to the
application for Bedcroft.
St John’s Ambulance are offering community first aid courses to
Pitchcombe residents and the Parish Council will subsidise 50%
of the cost of the three-hour emergency training for up to ten
people. If you are interested, please contact our Clerk, Julie
Shirley, on 01452 424245 for details.
A Parish Council working party has installed a new grit bin by
Gable End and another large bin is being ordered to replace the
one on the Pitch. There had been a suggestion from an Edge
resident for closer links with Pitchcombe. The Parish Council
agreed that a formal link was not required as they wish to keep
the link informal. Councillor Little will respond to the letter.
Councillors were not impressed with the new anti-slip surface at
the junction between the A4173 and A46, and felt that the
vehicle activated sign was largely ignored. Councillor James felt

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

We have recently moved the ewes onto some good grass to

boost them up for putting the rams with them in a few weeks.
We have a batch of cows now calving who are doing well. This
good weather lately has certainly made the grass grow and a lot
of local farmers have been making silage. Our big baler and
wrapper has been very busy over the last few weeks. Whilst
baling and wrapping silage opposite Pitchcombe Church, a
buzzard came down and sat on an unwrapped bale in the field. I
got on with getting the bales covered until there was only the
one with the buzzard still on it, who had been calmly watching
me. “Sorry Mate”, I said, “I need your bale” and it flew off
landing in a nearby tree, only to take off again and catch a
mouse or vole only some twenty yards away.
Martin Slinger

28
 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

The Beacon Service

If you enjoy a more informal type of service, great more-modern
worship or would love to go to church every week with your
children, come and give the Beacon Service a go. This is a
more informal service which meets on Sunday evenings in the
Church Rooms in Painswick. As the title suggests, it welcomes
people from across the Beacon Benefice and beyond. At the
moment, the Church Rooms are being revamped with a new
heating system being installed, so it will definitely be warm this
winter! The Beacon services take place the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Sundays of each month. On the 4th Sunday, we hope that the
Beacon Service congregation will be supporting the family
service in their own parishes. If you would like any more
information about this, please contact Mike Campbell on 01452
812600, Victoria Soutar on 01452 813543 or John Longuet-
Higgins on 01452 812334.
Victoria Soutar

I am drafting some advisories, in consultation with the police, on

coping with aggressive doorstep selling and recognising internet and
telephone scams, to get address and credit card details. If you have
experienced something like this or know someone who has, please
call me on 01452 813202. Ed.

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.

Another of Burke’s buzz words, ‘generation’, is also current.

Burke believed there was a civil contract with the ‘living and the
dead’. In other words, we have a civic obligation to the
generation past and the generation unborn. For me this makes
Burke the patron saint of Remembrance Sunday and of the
ecology movement. He has something to say about the cost of
war and the cost of global warming. We are foolish to ignore
either. For both we work for a better world. At the Eucharist, we
sense our fellowship horizontally with the world-wide church
and with the world at large, and vertically with God and with the
saints down the ages. All of us are citizens of the Kingdom of
God and Holy Communion is our shared feast. For through
Jesus, by his resurrection, we are one with the living and the
dead, and with generations yet unborn. A state cannot do this,
only Jesus can. Christians might therefore stake a strong claim
for the church as the most adaptable of Burke’s ‘little platoons’.

John Longuet-Higgins
01452 812334

30
Sunday Church Services

1st Sunday, 7 November: Pitchcombe Family Service, 10.00am

Harescombe Family Communion, 11.00am

2nd Sunday, 14 November: Pitchcombe Remembrance Service, 10.50am

3rd Sunday, 21 November: Pitchcombe Holy Communion, 9.30am

Edge Family Service, 10.00am
Harescombe Morning Prayer, 11.00am

4th Sunday, 28 November: Pitchcombe 3 Parishes Communion, 10 am

Weekday Services
Wednesday, 3 November: Pitchcombe Holy Communion, 9.30am

Wednesday, 3 November: Edge Compline, 8.00pm

Monday, 8 November: Resthaven Holy Communion, 11.30am

Tuesday, 16 November: Brookthorpe Hall HC, 11.00am

Wednesday, 17 November: Edge Holy Communion, 9.00am

Posada is an old Mexican tradition where young people

dressed as Mary and Joseph travelled from house to house
asking for a room for the night and telling people about the
imminent arrival of Jesus in the four weeks leading up to
Christmas. On Christmas Eve, they would visit the church to re-
enact the nativity and place figures of Mary and joseph in the
crib. Modern day Posada uses figures of Mary and Joseph. This
gives each family the chance to create their own little
celebration. As usual, this will happen in Edge, Harescombe
and Pitchcombe and the figures of Mary and Joseph will be
collected at the Advent Sunday service on 28 November.

Elizabeth Ward
01452 812188
31
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

32
Anne’s Photographic Competition

Carolyn Luke was the first reader to identify

the stone cat on the left in last month’s edition
as on the wall by Edge House. Lucky Carolyn
wins a place in the annual Prize Draw
announced in the previous edition!

Do you know where

the structure on the
right is to be found?
Answers by email to
me at: pm@aramis.demon.co.uk.

Anne Buckland-Smith

Other mystery photos within the four

villages gratefully received. Ed.

Editorial Team

Editor Michael Buckland-Smith 01452 813202

Associate Editor Roger Barrett 01452 814564

Village Correspondents:

Edge Roger Barrett 01452 814564

Brookthorpe Chris Brent-Smith 01452 812258
Harescombe Liz Hall 01452 812018
Pitchcombe Mary Morse 01452 813824

Business Manager Rosemary Alder 01452 813997

Copy Deadline: 19 November to pm@aramis.demon.co.uk

33
Rapport Curtains @ Blinds
Made to Measure
Choose from a wide selections of designs and colours
in the comfort of you own home.

Call Karen on
Tel: 01452 810736 Mob: 07884 185605

Dynamic Yoga Classes at Pitchcombe Village Hall

All ages and abilities welcome 7- 8.30pm

For more info contact Rob on 01452 503262

34
BISLEY ROOFING
PAUL BEER
Craftsman Specialists
in traditional Cotswold Stone
roofing and building renovation
For a Free estimate call
Paul Beer 01452 770646
Andrew Beer mob: 07879811287

Wayne Lee Painter and Decorator

Free estimates and advice
All aspects of decoration Interior & Exterior
Expert paperhanging No job too small
For friendly profession service please call
01452813511 mobile O7721881445
wayne.lee12@btinternet.com

35
 For Adults, Children & Infants
For Non-manipulative, non-invasive treatment options
Complimentary to Medical Practice at F21A, The Old Convent,
Beeches Green, Stroud, Glos GL5 4AD

Injuries, Trauma, Stress, Anxiety, Autism

Babies: Colic, Reflux, Allergies, Birth & Post Operative trauma
Millie Wood Swanepoel Craniosacral therapist & Reiki
master
Information & bookings: Tel: 01452813837 or 07754182082
Email: info@milliewoodswanepoel.com /
www.milliewoodswanepoel.com

36
 PROFESSIONAL CARER AVAILABLE
Fully trained, caring, friendly and reliable female with six
years experience of the elderly, Alzheimer’s, physical
disabilities etc.

Short visits or long calls

Tailored packages to meet all your care needs
Even if you simply require companionship, shopping trip etc.

PLEASE CONTACT: 07518 030814

Mini-ads maximum 50 words, payment £1 to be received with

the advert to the editor at Rudge Hill House, Edge,
Gloucestershire GL6 6PQ. Parish and local charity events no
charge, space permitting. We cannot accept cheques for
small amounts. For commercial advertising, please contact
Rosemary Alder on 01452 813997.
Avoid small font sizes. House style is Arial size 16.

37
 SAY YES TO FAST, FRIENDLY, EFFICIENT WORK
WITH MODERATE FEES

Limited Companies, Partnerships, Sole Traders, Individuals

FOR ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING, TAX & BUSINESS ADVICE

Contact Roland Boggon Chartered Accountant,

Moorea, Pitchcombe, Stroud, Glos. GL6 6LJ

Tel: 01452 812075
Phone now

158 Bodiam Avenue

Tuffley
GL4 0XL
Tel / Fax: 01452 412275
Mobile: 07949 213946
Email: sberry@tesco.net

38
Building Creations working in partnership with
J. S. Electrical Services
Excellent references and portfolio of works completed. Building and
Electrical work.
Kitchen and Bathrooms Complete Electrical Installations
UPVC Windows and Doors Electrical Testing
Complete Renovations Part P Registered
All aspects of carpentry

Total Project Management Solutions

Chris Saunders Tel: 0758 1550131

J.Buildingcreations@googlemail.com
James Stewart Tel: 07816679576
J.S.Electrical.services@googlemail.com
Hill Farm, Edge, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6PH Tel: 01452 812984

IRONEASY
Professional Ironing, Dry Cleaning and Laundry Service

FREE
Collection and Delivery
From your area

Tel: 01452 740129

Mob: 07952 006820

Price list at www.ironeasy.freeuk.com

39
 GL AERIALS

ARE YOU READY FOR

THE DIGITAL SWITCH-OVER?

AERIALS SATELLITES

REPAIRS SERVICES

EXTRA POINTS
UPGRADES

01453 544502

07776 329236

COMPETITIVE RATES

10% DISCOUNT ON PRODUCTION OF THIS

LEAFLET
SPECIAL RATES FOR OAPs

GLAERIALS@HOTMAIL.CO.UK
WWW.GLAERIALS.CO.UK
 N. T. Boothroyd
Plumbing & Heating
 
Engineer
Plumbing & Heating Engineer
All Plumbin g & Heat ing   Work
  Gas Safe
Under taken  
 
Registered
 Boiler & Fire Servicing
  Over 20 Years
 Landlord Certificates & Safety Checks
 System Cleaning By Power Flushing   Experience
 Complete Central Heating Systems  
 Radiators & Thermostatic Valves  
 Tap Washers & Ball Valves  
 Taps, Toilets, Baths, Basins & Sinks  
 Shower Installations  
 Leaks, Burst Pipes & Pipe Lagging
No Job too small - please give me a call!
Tel: 01242 250497 Tel: 01452 552192
Mobile: 07816 103709
Email: ntboothroyd@hotmail.co.uk

Get free news about Edge and Pitchcombe by email, or

advertise late changes to events and activities.
Contact edgenet@aramis.demon.co.uk
pitchcombe@yahoogroups.com

41
42
 Wow! The Edge Bhangra dancers, Andrea, Claire, Di, Lynda
and Sarah, but who is this shady character? Should be barred!

43
44