Dec 2009 The Bathford Bulletin

The Bathford Bulletin

The Monthly Magazine For The Parish Of Bathford

December 2009

www.thebathfordbulletin.org

The Bathford Brownies' Cross At The Bathford MemorialPhoto by David Howells

Do you have a photo or drawing you would like to see on the front of the Bulletin?

If so contact us by email: [email protected]

From The Parish Register:

Nothing from the Register this month


Bathford Baptist Chapel, High Street, Bathford

Services will be held at 10:30am each Sunday.Followed by Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the Month

Prayer Meeting Thursday Mornings at 10:00am

If you require information or help then please call01225 833300 or 01225 723246 or 01249 782368

St. Swithun’s Church BathfordDuring the vacancy please contact the ChurchwardensJoy Craine 858613 or Derek Brown 859886

Churchwardens: Joy Craine 858613 Derek Brown 859886

Readers: Gerry Miller 858402 Michael Craine 858613Gill Gilbert 858927 Dennis Pearson 858293

Everyone Is Warmly Welcome!We have the following groups for children during our Sunday Services:Crèche (0-3); Children’s Church (3-10); Rock Solid Youth Group (11+).Our 14+ youth group, 's3', meets three times each month. For details please ring Michael Craine 858613

Sundays 8:15am Holy Communion10:00am First Sunday - Family Service

2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday - Holy Communion3rd Sunday - Morning Worship (No Communion)

6:30pm First Sunday - Holy CommunionOther Sundays Evensong

Mondays 9:00-9:45am Prayer Time In Church

2:00pm 2nd Monday – Service in the Community RoomWednesdays

2:30pm Holy Communion each 1st Weds after Church Family Service

House Groups Details from the Churchwardens or Notices.

The reports from Afghanistan are often acause of great sadness (and, of course, of many arguments about the justification for us being there at all) but also of great pride as we observe the outstanding courage, comradeship and commitment of our servicemen and women in situations quite beyond most of our imaginations, many of them very young, often with limited military experience.

Many of you may have heard the moving broadcast of Sunday worship from Camp Bastion on Remembrance Sunday in which a number of them spoke very movingly of their faith and of God’s presence with them at the most challenging of times.

And again this year the Queen will follow the example of her father George VI by broadcasting a personal message of encouragement to us all as he did in 1940.

You would be very welcome to join us at St Swithun's for any of our Christmas Services. Please see details with this bulletin.

With best wishes for a blessed Christmas.

Gerry Miller (Licensed Lay Reader)


Dear Friends

What does Christmas this year mean to you?

If like me you are an older person it may well bring back memories of many years ago when during the Second World War we tried to celebrate the birth of Jesus as normally as possible in a world torn by conflict and loss. In 1940, for example, we faced great uncertainty, the fear of invasion, imposition of rationing, but also recalled the outstanding bravery of our young pilots in the Battle of Britain. As Winston Churchill put it “Never was so much owed by so many to so few”

1940 had also seen the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk with severe losses and the beginning of the Blitz of our cities. On a more personal note most of our fathers had been called up and unless they were fortunate enough to get a 48 hour leave pass mothers and their children were on their own.

All this came back to me nearly 70 years later as the situation in Afghanistan seemed to deteriorate with increasing losses, a world economic crisis and the risk of a swine flu pandemic, all pointing to a time of major anxiety and uncertainty. As in 1940 there will also be many celebrating Christmas with a member of their family who is away on active service. Sadly some will feel unable to celebrate because of the loss of a dear one or deep concern about coping with someone severely injured so that life will never be the same again.

1940 and 2009 also have something else in common, an increasing recognition by many of our need to turn to God and place our hope and trust in Christ, both personally and nationally.

Christmas Eve: The Holy Communion service will begin at 11:00pm. This year we are pleased to welcome the Archdeacon of Bath, Andy Piggott to lead our service.

Christmas Day: Everybody will be very welcome at a short family service at 10:00am. There will be no service at 8:15am.

Anyone who would like transport please ring Robert Wolsey 01225 851390.

Don't forget the Christingle service at 3:30pm on Sunday 14 and Nativity on Sunday 20 at 10:00am.

Letter From St Swithun's Church


BEFA+New monthly activities in the village.

BEFAPlus is a group of BEFA members who are interested in exploring the wider opportunities for our community owned co-operative.

It has joined forces with the Bathford Transition Group to organize a series of monthly activities throughout 2010. These will usually take place on the second Tuesday evening in the month.

The programme will be very varied and include: visits, talks, skills, exchange sessions and demonstrations. The full programme will be available shortly in the shop.

The next event will be on Tuesday 12 January, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm which will be a demonstration and talk, ‘Bread Making is Easy’.

The session is designed to give confidence to those who might like to get started making bread successfully or those wishing to improve their technique. This will be followed by a visit to Shipton Mill, the organic flour mill near Tetbury, on Saturday 16 January, 10:30am - 12:00pm, to meet the miller and have a tour of the mill.

Places are limited for both activities and must be booked in advance no later than Friday 8 Jan. The cost is £3 each. To book your places for either event, please call Maureen Breeze on 852444.

Maureen Breeze

The Bathford SocietyThere is no talk from the Bathford Society in December.

We wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas.

David Howells

Thanks From St Swithun's

The team at St Swithun's Church would like to thank everyone who responded to the questionnaire about the Church and the search for a new vicar.

Over 70 forms were received, containing over 600 comments. These have all been carefully noted and are already being taken into account as the team prepare the new 'parish profile'.

Thank you again.

Found In Bathford

Two cameras and a camera phone have been handed into Bathford Village Shop having been found in the village. Please call into the shop with a description of your article.

Also:

A gentlemen's bike has been found, this has been reported to the police but now resides in Dovers Park!! Please phone 858047 for this item.

Marilyn Wright

We would like to wish all readers of the Bathford Bulletin

A Very Merry Christmas&

A Happy New Year

From the Bathford Bulletin Team


Stars will be in the shop from the beginning of December for you to fill in. Donations very welcome with all proceeds going to charity.

NewspapersAfter many years where the delivery charge has been kept the same, the Shop Committee has reluctantly decided that the delivery charge has to go up to ensure we do not lose money on the service. From January it will increase from £1 to £1.50 per week. All delivery customers will get a note explaining the new charge with their December account.

Bathford Village CalendarThe 2010 Bathford Calendar is available in the shop for £6 or £11 for two. It will make an excellent Christmas present and is especially nice for friends or relatives who no longer live in the village but who might like a memento of village life. There is lots of space for writing appointments and it has some great photos of the village old and new. Thank you again to Stan Cherry for organising it. All proceeds go to BEFA.

The shop will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day and will be open up until lunchtime on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Eve - otherwise hours will be as usual.

Late News: BEFA has been nominated for the Chairman of Councils Community Award 2009/10. Winners will be announced at a big event in the Guildhall on 8 December.

Simon HodgsonChair BEFA

Bathford Village Shop

TradingMembers and customers will be pleased to know that the Community Shop continues to trade well with an increasing number of people using it on a regular basis. Thank you for your support.

Staff and VolunteersThe last two months have also seen an increase in the number of volunteers. This has been very welcome and it is good to see some young people joining the team. The increase in volunteers has been especially welcome following Paul's accident which kept him away from the shop for a few weeks. I am pleased to say that Paul’s foot has fully recovered but, with his many other business interests, he has decided to reduce his hours at the shop so you will see him a little less in the future. Liz Tait, whom many of you will know, is taking a more active role in the shop and is now managing all the stock control and ordering.

Quiz Evening, Friday 4 December 7:45pm, Parish Hall.Stan Cherry is once again organising one of his excellent quizzes for the shop. You are encouraged to book a table (for up to 6) and come along for what is always a fun evening. There will be a raffle, a bar and prizes for the winners. Supper is included in the ticket price (£7 per person). See you all there!

Carols Round the Christmas Tree Wednesday 16 December, 6:30pm.There will be carol singing around the Christmas Tree at the shop on Wednesday 16 December at 6:30pm. It was great fun last year with a huge turn out and the singing will once again be complimented by some mulled wine and mince pies.

Maureen Breeze is organising the Memory Tree for you to hang a star on in memory of a loved one.

Dorothy House

On Tuesday 10 Nov the transfer of the Bathford Consolidated Charities to Dorothy House was completed with the presentation of a cheque for remaining cash assets by two of the B.C.C. Trustees to Dorothy House. The B.C.C. accounts will now be closed and the charity has been removed from the Charity Commission's database.

Shirley and I were warmly welcomed at Dorothy House and, following the presentation in the Chapel, were treated to a tour of the superb facilities available for the provision of hospice care - both on the premises and in the wider community. During early discussions with Dorothy House the trustees had been surprised to find out just how much work Dorothy House carries out in our parish (no less than 16 people cared for in their last financial year) and we clearly felt that they were better suited to using the assets of the charity to provide for parishioners needs in future years.

We were also surprised at the small number of rooms available on site until it was explained that most of their work involves outpatients arriving for treatment. The major part of their work is involved in providing assistance for the sick in their homes - and also with assisting the carers in any way they can.

If anyone has any questions regarding the transfer of the B.C.C. funds we will be happy to respond. Please contact us via the Clerk at Bathford Parish Council.

Stan Cherry

Twinning News

For your diary - Coming in 2010

SoiréeAn evening of supper and fun is being arranged for Saturday 13 March in the Parish Hall. Further details will follow in January.

Europe DayThe annual Europe Day celebrations, in which all the twinned towns & villages around Artannes take part, are this year in Esvres on 8 May. We will be getting together a group to go to Artannes and to join our friends in the activities surrounding the occasion. Anyone from Bathford & Kingsdown is welcome to take part, so please get in touch if you are interested.

Group visit by ArtannaisWe anticipate that a large group of people will be coming to Bathford on a biennial visit in July. The dates under discussion are 2 – 7 July. A programme of activities will be arranged and we will, of course, be looking for local offers to host our guests. More details will follow in due course.

Open Gardens This event is also in course of planning and will take place on Sunday 4 July. It is expected that this will form part of the programme for the French visit – see above.

Tony Woodcock


In the Picture (from left to right)

Stan Cherry & Shirley Beazer (Trustees, Bathford Consolidated Charities) with Katrina Sudbrook (Director of Fundraising) and Peter Lennard (Head of Finance, Facilities & I.T.) at Dorothy House.


Broadlands OrchardshareCommunity OrchardBox Road, BathfordGrid ref: ST 796 675

On the A4, 1/2 mile east of the Bathford roundabout, next to Dick WillowsOn-site parking. Bus: 231/232Tel/Text: 07532 472256

The next Volunteering Day at Broadlands Orchard is on Saturday 12 December, 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Community Orchard

Christmas Gift - Apple Tree Sponsorship

Apple Tree Sponsorship costs £10 per tree per year (max 5 trees per person), valid to December 31 2010. Sponsors can collect a box of apples at harvest time, receive information about the Community Orchard and come to our activities and events.

If you would like to give someone a gift apple tree sponsorship, please send the following information:

Recipient: Name, address, email address

Giver: Name, address (please state whether you want the sponsorship certificate sent to you or the recipient) Number of trees: (max 5) Total payment: (£10 per tree)

Do you want to specify which variety?Cookers: Bramley, Grenadier. Eaters: Cox, Russet, James Grieve, Spartan.

The gift sponsorship certificate has "A gift from ..." and the giver's name on it. If you would like a different message, please let us know.

Cheques made payable to "Broadlands OrchardShare" (Please do not send cash in the post).

Send to:

Treasurer, Broadlands OrchardShare41 St Johns RoadLower WestonBathBA1 3BW

Also use this address if you would like to renew your own Apple Tree Sponsorship for 2010 or if you would like to become a new sponsor.

Apple Tree Sponsorships go towards the maintenance and upkeep of Broadlands Community Orchard.

Other local events:

Green Bath NewsA very useful and interesting newsletter to help keep up to date on local and global green issues. To subscribe visit: www.greenbath.org/og, create a user id and subscribe to Bath Green News.

Bath Green [email protected] Another useful source of what's on locally. Group meets regularly for drinks, discussion and information about green issues. Email for more details.

Bathampton Community GrowersTel/text: 07532 444 628Email: [email protected]

Agricultural Field Station, Bathampton Meadows

Volunteers meet every Tuesday, 10:00am to dusk, and every third Saturday of the month, from 10:00am.Orchard restoration, growing crops, forest garden, using Permaculture principles.

Bathford Village ShopChristmas Quiz Night

on

Friday 4 Decemberat 7:45pm

in Bathford Parish Hall

Cost: £7 per person on the nightIncluding supper

To reserve places or book a table for up to six people phone 859344,

or leave your details at the shop.

Tables are limited so don’t leave it too late!

Bar & Raffle on the night.


Ieuan GreenCarpenter & Roofing Specialist

UPVC Gutterings & Fascia

Firestone Flat Roofing System

Maintenance Free

No Flame Installation

40 Years Experience

Reference Available

Tel.07929 914987

Bathford Link – SOS

Unfortunately one of our team of three Co-ordinators is unable to continue after the end of the year.

Can you help us? Can you spare a few hours during one month in three to contact our volunteer drivers to transport sick or elderly people in the locality to medical and other appointments?

This is a worthwhile service which benefits our own Bathford community and the elderly in particular. Please do think hard about becoming part of it. For more information, contact me on 859132.

Tony Woodcock

Foul Play In Ashley Road

Why is it that some dog walkers believe that Ashley Road is the local dog toilet?

Every day there are fresh deposits outside various gates even in some of the gardens!

Beware you irresponsible dog owners - you will be reported and fined .

From an Ashley Road resident .

Coffee mornings as usual on Thursdays 3, 10 & 17 December from 10:00am until 12:00 noon in Bathford Parish Hall.

Friday 11 December at The Forge, Batheaston (home of English Wireworks) -"A Winter's Evening at The Forge" with music from Brian Tilley.7:00pm until 9:30pm. Seasonal drinks and eats. Tickets: £7.50 available from Keith Masdin (858042).

Keith Masdin

An Ideal Christmas Present

One which you can still enjoy after Boxing Day, it's fun, rewarding, hardwork and sociable, Contact Martin 858047 if you would like an Allotment.

Martin Wright


Dick WillowsSo Much More Than Just a Farm Shop

Step into Dick Willows Farm and Cider Shop and you’re immediately faced with an amazing array of goodies. Local wines, ales and spirits jostle for attention alongside handmade chocolate and regional cheese. There is bread from local bakers, jams, honey and delicious chutneys, fresh vegetables grown just around the corner and a plethora of other South West made treats. Environmentally conscious shoppers can also stock up on Ecover cleaning products.

Walk through to the back of the property and spend time exploring the reclaimed and restored furniture section where Chinese high gloss chests sit next to enormous Victorian mirrors and low slung seating – a real treasure trove for interiors lovers everywhere. Dick Willows also stocks firewood, kindling, coal and pet food. Outside is a collection of striking wood carvings and garden furniture.

But then, of course, the clue is in the name…cider. Dick’s very own Broadlands brand, which is made on the premises from local apples, is a popular choice. Wilkins, Hecks, Thatchers and Black Rat are also available. Dick encourages customers to try before they buy so take time out to savour the different blends before choosing the perfect autumn tipple.

With Christmas fast approaching customers will soon be able to take advantage of the Dick Willows hamper service where experienced staff will help shoppers put together the perfect bespoke edible Christmas gift for a friend or loved one.

Dick Willows Farm and Cider Shop can be found on the Box Road, Bathford (A4 from Bath to Box, on the left). Look out for the green and yellow sign.01225 859780 - www.dickwillows.com

Tiny Tots Christmas PartyMonday 7 December

Christmas songs, food, crafts & activities

Bring your baby, toddler or pre-school child/grandchild and enjoy a

festive morning

Plenty of coffee and cakes for adults

10:00am – 12:00pmSt Swithun’s Church, Church Street

Just turn up or for more details contact

Fenella Avison 851154

or Rebecca Briggs 851660

Christmas Greetings – the Parish Council would like to thank residents for all their support during the past year and extend their very best wishes to you and your families for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

BathRider Bus Ticket – BANES has introduced a new bus ticket which allows travel all day on any Bath bus service whoever the operator is. Daily and weekly tickets are available for adults and children and cost £4.95 (£3.90 child) per day or £17.50 (£16.50 child) per week. The tickets are valid on all services within a zone which extends from Bath Spa University to Bathford and from Odd Down to Lansdown, except Park & Ride services or tour buses. More details can be found on the BANES website: www.bathnes.gov.uk

13C Bathford to Ralph Allen School (Double Decker service in school term)The No 13C bus to Ralph Allen School will be withdrawn at the end of this term. Bath and North East Somerset are working with other companies to ensure continuity of services. This will be fully publicised before the end of the school term.

Digital TV Switchover – the parish council has received a community information pack from Digitaluk containing leaflets and a DVD about what residents need to do to prepare for the switchover to Digital TV in March 2010. The information is intended to be shared at meetings in the parish in order that as many people as possible have access to the advice. If you are the organiser of a meeting in the parish and would like to show the DVD at your next meeting, then please contact the Clerk. If there are any individuals who would like to see the information, then get in touch with the Clerk.


Neighbourhood Watch – despite repeated requests in the Bulletin the Parish Council is disappointed to report that there have been no volunteers to act as representatives of Neighbourhood Watch leaving some areas of the parish currently without cover. These roads cannot therefore be regarded as covered by the Scheme until such time as volunteers come forward. The parish council would welcome volunteers for these areas at any time, so if you can help please contact Jean Vesey, tel 858462

Garden Waste Collections in December - green bin collections will take place on Thursday 10 and 24 December.

New weekly cardboard and plastic collection – by now residents should have received information and a blue bag in preparation for the new weekly collections of cardboard and household plastic packaging which start from Monday 30 November. If you have not received these then please contact Council Connect on tel: 394041. The green bins are now exclusively for the use of garden waste and will be collected fortnightly as now. Thursday remains the day for all recycling collections in the parish.

Next meeting – Monday 18 January 2010 at 7:30pm in the Parish Office, Bathford Hill.

Ruth HoldingClerk, Bathford Parish Council

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS852486, 859007

[email protected] - www.bathford.net

Film Club

"A White Christmas"Monday 14 December

2:00pmSt Swithun's Church

Tea & Mince Pies.

All welcome.

Parish War MemorialsThanks To All For Their Help

Earlier in the year, we asked for help to identify the Christian names of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars, so that the full names could be read-out at Remembrance Day services.

There has been a great response from readers of the Parish Bulletins for Bathampton, Batheaston and Bathford, which has identified most of the missing Christian names. We give our grateful thanks to all the local residents who responded so well. Information from local people who knew (or knew of) the fallen is particularly valuable, and usually more reliable than data found on the internet.

As a result of this, we are now left with only two remaining 'unknowns'. These are:

Batheaston Memorial, 1939-1945: J. Jones (Sapper, Royal Engineers) age not known.

Bathford Memorial, 1914-1918: R. Smith (Private, Regiment or Corps) age not known.

In each case there are 60 to 80 'possible identifications' in the Commonwealth War Graves website, so local 'leads' will continue to be welcome. If you know anything about these names please contact:

K.J.McLeod, 1 Meadow Park, Bathford, Bath BA1 7PX or tel: 859319.

The Bathford Players Amateur Dramatic Society

Following the fantastic success of'Allo 'Allo

The Bathford Players Present

Calamity Janeby Limelight Scripts

A new Pantomime involving the American Wild West, “Cowboys and

Indians”, & telling the story of Calamity Jane and her friends.

Thursday 18 - Saturday 20 Feb 2010 Evening Performances at 7:30pm

Saturday Matinee on 20 Feb at 2:00pm

In Bathford Parish HallA production suitable for ALL the family.

If you would like to be involved we are looking for a young person to be

‘the tail end’ of our panto horse!

For further information contact Lennie Almond on 859111.


Bathford RBL

Our new website is now onlne: bathfordrbl.co.uk

It contains up-to-date info about the club including events and how to contact us.

If you wish to book the club please contact Jill Woodland on 07811 380813,

the club on 858072 or email [email protected]

The deadline for receiving copy for the January 2010 Bulletin is 15 December. Please put your items into the Bulletin Box in the Bathford Village Shop,

email to: [email protected] or post to: Bathford Bulletin c/o Bathford Village Shop, 54 Bathford Hill, Bathford, Bath BA1 7SN

Diary Of Events – December 2009 / January 2010

Dec 2009 The Bathford Bulletin

Documents

Transcript of Dec 2009 The Bathford Bulletin