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2

WHO’S WHO IN THE BENEFICE

Rector: Rev Suzanne Skepper 01452 731994 email: [email protected] Day off — Friday. Associate Ministers: Canon David Godwin 01452 730435 Father David Humphries 01452 529582 Chris Lane (Reader) 01452 520662

Seven Towers Benefice online at: www.seventowers.org.uk Churchwardens: Down Hatherley Ann Warriner 01452 730371 Andy Nicol 01452 730025 The Leigh & Evington Mrs Sue Roberts 01242 680835 Vacancy Norton Mr Simon Trapnell 07774 803177 Mrs Jean Smith 01452 730265 Sandhurst Mr Jim Brown 01452 731900 Mr Pat Collins 01452 731567 Staverton with Boddington Mr Edmund McClure 01242 681139 Mr Rob Buckland 01452 713155 Twigworth & Longford Mr Chris Baldwin 01452 534105

Vacancy

Enquiries about baptisms, marriages and funerals should be directed to the Rector.

Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming".

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42

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3

FROM THE STUDY WINDOW

“Oh simple things, where have you gone?” You might recognise these words from the cover of Keane’s 2004 single, ‘Somewhere only we know’. I suspect you will know it more as the soundtrack, sung by Lilly Allen in the Christmas advert for John Lewis. The advert tells the story of Bear and his faithful friend Hare. Bear has never experienced Christmas because as soon as the first snowflakes fall indicating winter is coming, Bear makes his way back to his den, in order to hibernate. Hare is sad that Bear will miss Christmas and decides to give his friend a gift, an alarm clock, which wakes Bear up and so, we are all delighted to see Bear appearing over the horizon — amazed, eyes wide opened, witnessing Christmas for the first time and all because his faithful friend gave him a present.

The marketing director of John Lewis said, “We wanted our advert to reflect the importance of finding the right gift for friends and family”. And of course John Lewis will be the place to find the right gift no doubt!

A heart warming animation that cost some £7 million and was a move by the retailer according to John Lewis’ chief executive Andy Street, to ‘Position itself as owning Christmas in the UK.”

I have to say without “CHRIST” you would have no Christmas. I think God has the monopoly on Christmas!

As you think about the right gift for your family members and friends this Christmas, you might want to consider - young and old alike - ‘THE GIFT’ God gave us, in his son, Jesus Christ. God came down to us to show us how much we are loved and that he is with us, no matter where or what circumstances we may find ourselves in this Christmas - it’s that simple!

May we, like Bear, see CHRISTMAS this year with new eyes, opened to ‘THE GIFT.’

“Oh simple things, where have you gone?”

Wishing you all a Blessed and ‘Eye opening’ Christmas and peaceful New Year,

Suzanne

4

PRAYER DIARY — DECEMBER

Sunday 1 People living in Longford

Monday 2 Our church treasurers

Tuesday 3 Churches in the Severn Vale Deanery

Wednesday 4 Work of Aid agencies in the Philippines

Thursday 5 Diocese of Vasteras - Sweden

Friday 6 Those ill in hospital or housebound

Saturday 7 Those attending the men's and ladies' breakfasts

Sunday 8 People living in The Leigh

Monday 9 Members of the Ministry team

Tuesday 10 Staff, children and governors at Norton School Wednesday 11 Our bell ringers

Thursday 12 Diocese of Gloucester

Friday 13 Bishops Michael and Martyn

Saturday 14 Those preparing to lead worship and preach tomorrow

Sunday 15 People living in Norton

Monday 16 Our Rector

Tuesday 17 Charities working with the homeless

Wednesday 18 Those who clean and tend our church buildings

Thursday 19 Diocese of Western Tanganyika

Friday 20 The work of Shelter


Sunday 22 People living in Staverton

Monday 23 Our assistant clergy and reader

Tuesday 24 Those who are lonely

Wednesday 25 Families everywhere and the joy of new birth

Thursday 26 Diocese of El Camino Real - USA

Friday 27 The work of the Children's Society


Sunday 29 People living in Boddington and Barrow

Monday 30 Our church secretaries

Tuesday 31 Peace and reconciliation

41

Editor Mr Mike Dill 01452 730767 [email protected] Advertisements Mrs Margaret Brind 01452 730744 [email protected] Correspondents Down Hatherley Mrs Helen Nicol 01452 730025 The Leigh Mrs Pat Arkell 01242 680262 Norton Mrs June Hipwood 01452 730425 Sandhurst Mrs Caroline Watson 01452 730207 Twigworth Mrs Margaret Riddick 01452 730700 Staverton Mr David Bound 01242 680692

Clerks to the Parish Councils: Boddington Mrs Diane Hughes

The Leigh Miss Kate Tilling 01242 680089 ([email protected])

Down Hatherley Mr David Bayley 01452 501796

Longford Mr Paul Ounsworth 01452 526495

Norton Mr David Cooper 01452 537831

Sandhurst Mr David Cooper 01452 537831 07766004001

Staverton Mr Paul Ounsworth 01452 526495

Twigworth Mr David Bayley 01452 501796

Local History Group Mr Denis King 01452 730773

Longford Flower Club Mrs June West 01452 525121

Norton Mother & Toddlers Group Katy Bailey 07747728475

Norton W.I. Mrs Josie Wragg 01242 680235

Sandhurst WI Celia Poffley 01452 739487

Scottish Dancing Class Mrs Joan Leyfield 01452 730926 Mrs Pam Parkes 01452 730592

Traidcraft Goods Sarah Sharpley 01452 739179 Ellie Stevenson 01452 739142

UB Youth Club Alison Moseley 07759 458494

Wainlode Quilters Mrs Tilly Page 01452 730046 Mrs Hazel Goad 01452 730360

MAGAZINE TEAM

LOCAL CONTACTS

40

Readings to 29th December 2013: Year A

Sunday 1st December Purple

First Reading Isaiah 2: 1—5

Gospel Matthew 24: 36—44

Psalm 122

Sunday 8th December Purple Advent 2



Psalm 72: 1—7, 18, 19

Sunday 15th December Purple Advent 3



Psalm 146: 4—10

Sunday 22nd December Purple Advent 4



Psalm 80: 1—8, 18—20

Tuesday 24th December White Christmas Eve


Gospel Luke 2: 1—14

Wednesday 25th December White Christmas Day


Gospel John 1: 1—14

Sunday 29th December White Christmas 1



5

DECEMBER

Sunday 8th December Advent 2

Sandhurst Holy Communion 9:30 am Rev Suzanne

Twigworth Holy Communion 11:00 am Rev Suzanne

Down Hatherley Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Team

Norton Morning Prayer Team

The Leigh Holy Communion 9:30 am Fr David

Staverton Morning Prayer 10:00 am Chris Lane

Boddington No Service

9:30 am

7 Ladies’ Breakfast Group (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 11)

7 Men’s Breakfast Club (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 10)

7 Norton School Christmas Fayre (See EVENTS Page: 20) 7 Norton RFC (H) Cainscross 3pm

Sunday 1st December Advent Sunday

Sandhurst Advent Carols / Evening Prayer

6:00 pm Chris Lane

Twigworth Morning Prayer 10:30 am Team

Down Hatherley Holy Communion 9:30 am Canon David

Norton Holy Communion 11:00 am Fr David

The Leigh Evening Prayer 6:00 pm Team

Staverton

Boddington

Holy Communion

No Service

9:30 am

Rev Suzanne

9 Longford Flower Club Charity Evening (See EVENTS Page: 26)

10 Sandhurst Table Tennis Social (See AROUND THE PARISHES Page: 15)

11 Sandhurst WI (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 11)

12 Norton WI (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 11)

12 Evening Home Group (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 11)

13 Tewkesbury Chamber Choir Concert in Boddington Manor (See EVENTS Page: 18)

13 Gloucester Brass Band at Down Hatherley (See AROUND THE PARISHES Page: 17)

6

DECEMBER

Sunday 22nd December Advent 4

Sandhurst Carol Service 6:00 pm Chris Lane

Twigworth Holy Communion 11:00 am Rev Suzanne

Down Hatherley Carol Service 6:30 pm Rev Suzanne

Norton Carol Service 4:00 pm Canon David

The Leigh Holy Communion (Said) 8:30 am Fr David

Staverton No Service

Boddington Carol Service 6:30 pm Canon David

Sunday 15th December Sandhurst Family Service 9:30 am Team

Twigworth Carol Service 10:30 am Chris Lane

Down Hatherley Holy Communion 9:30 am Rev Suzanne

Norton Holy Communion 9:30 am Canon David

The Leigh Evening Prayer 6:00 pm Rev Suzanne

Staverton No Service

Boddington Holy Communion 11:00 am Fr David

Advent 3

Tuesday 24th December Christmas Eve

Sandhurst Christingle Service 4:00 pm Rev Suzanne

Twigworth Midnight Mass

(Whole Benefice)

11:15 pm Rev Suzanne

The Leigh Carol Service 6:00 pm Rev Suzanne / Chris Lane

14 Norton RFC (A) Hardwicke & Quedgeley 3 pm

14 Longford Christmas Bingo Hatherley (See AROUND THE PARISHES Page: 14)

18 Police: Keeping in Touch: The Leigh 18:00—18:30

18 Afternoon Home Group (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 11)

21 ‘The Snow Queen’ at Sandhurst Village Hall

(See AROUND THE PARISHES Page: 16)

39

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38

HAY & STRAW FOR SALE

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7

DECEMBER

January 2014 etc.

Wednesday 25th December

Christmas Day

Sandhurst Holy Communion 9:30 am Canon David

Down Hatherley Holy Communion 9:30 am Fr David

Norton Holy Communion 10:30 am Rev Suzanne

Staverton Holy Communion 9:00 am Rev Suzanne

Sunday 29th December First Sunday after Christmas

The Leigh Benefice Service

Holy Communion

9:30 am Rev Suzanne

4 Norton RFC (H) Minchinhampton 3 pm

25 Norton RFC (A) Old Elizabethans 3 pm

Five Facts You May Not Know About Christmas Christmas Day is almost certainly not the day that Jesus was born. December 25 was proclaimed the official celebration date by Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome, in 350AD.

The tallest Christmas tree ever put on display, according to Guinness World Records, was put up outside the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington in 1950. The Douglas fir tree was a whopping 221 feet tall.

According to tradition, Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree. The Protestant reformer, who lived from 1483 to 1546, got the idea after seeing stars shining through the branches of a fir tree. He was apparently so moved by the beauty of the sight that he brought home an evergreen tree and decorated it with can-dles to share the image with his children.

The first Christmas card was created by British illustrator John Callcott Horsley in 1843. He had been commissioned to design it by Henry Cole, who found he was too busy to write to his friends.

Delivering presents to every child in the world takes plenty of logistics but Father Christmas would not quite have to travel at the speed of light to manage it. Scientists have calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at a staggering 650 miles a second.

8

BAPTISM “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the

name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

(Matthew 28:19)

FROM THE REGISTERS

Tayah Mulan Smith St. Mary & Corpus Christi,

Down Hatherley

20 October

Millie Louise Bostock

3 November St. Mary & Corpus Christi,

Down Hatherley

Frank Robert Rennie Light

3 November St. Mary & Corpus Christi,

Down Hatherley

Kaiden Lee Major 17 November St. Mary’s, Norton

Tommy Probert 17 November St. Matthew’s, Twigworth

William Ellis Jones 24 November St. Mary’s, Norton

Logan Kade

Ferguson

24 November

St. Mary’s, Norton

Keith Edwin Lyons 84 St. Lawrence’s, Sandhurst D. 15 October

Philip Preen D. 19 October 66 St. Catherine’s, Staverton

Duncan Ritchie Macnair

D. 20 October 77 St. Lawrence’s, Sandhurst

FUNERALS “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live,

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37

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36

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9

MONTHLY MEETINGS ROUND UP

Parish Council Meetings: Twigworth: Meetings held on a Thursday at 7:00pm in St. Matthew’s vestry. (Door at left side of church)

2014: Jan 9; Mar 6; May 8 (AGM); July 3; Sept 4; Nov 6

Members of the public and press are cordially invited to attend. There is a chance for public participation at the beginning and at the end of every meeting.

Down Hatherley: Meetings held on a Wednesday in the village hall at 7:00pm.

Members of the public and press are cordially invited to attend. There is a chance for public participation at the beginning and at the end of every meeting.

Dec 4

2014: Jan 15; mar 5; April 16 (APM); May 21 (AGM)

Sandhurst: Meetings are held in Sandhurst Village Hall, starting at 7:30 pm on the first Monday of each month (unless this is a Bank Holi- day). All parishioners are invited to attend.

The Leigh: Meetings have now been altered so that there are 4 planned meetings a year, one of those will be the Annual General Meet ing each May where Councillor Officers are appointed to Parish Council roles. Meetings are held in St Catherine’s Church, on a Wednesday at 7.30pm. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.

2014: Feb 12 ; May 14 (AGM)

Longford: Meetings are held in Longford Village Hall, first Tuesday of the month, starting at 7:30 pm. All residents are invited.

Norton: Meetings are held in the Village Hall committee room starting at 7.30pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

2014: Jan 8 .

Staverton:

Boddington: The Council meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month at the Cheltenham West Community Fire Station at Uckington.

10

MONTHLY MEETINGS ROUND UP

SANDHURST COFFEE MORNINGS In Sandhurst Village Hall on 2nd Monday of the month at 10:30am: 9 Dec.

2014: Jan 13; Feb 10; March 10; April 14; May 12; June 9; July 14; Aug 11; Sept 8; Oct 13; Nov 10; Dec 8.

The Orchard Knitting Club We meet every Thursday from 10:15 till 12:15 in the Coffee Shop at Nature in Art, Walsworth Hall. New members always welcome regardless of ability. Bring your own projects or help with knitting for charity. For more details contact Mavis on 07974033428.

MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB How do you fancy a cooked breakfast!? Well, we have a monthly gathering of men for conversation and to have breakfast. We meet on the first Saturday on each month, starting at 8:30am and finishing by 10:00am. If you’re able to make a donation to help cover costs that would be good (but not essential!). Our next gathering will be at the home of Andy Warren —Bengrove Farm, Sandhurst — on 7th December. So that we can order the right amount of sausages, please let Andy know if you’re coming! (Tel: 01452 730231).

LONGFORD FLOWER CLUB 9th Dec LONGFORD

FLOWER CLUB

CHRISTMAS

CHARITY EVENING

(See EVENTS Page: 22 )

35

CHRIS’S CORNER Where did that month go? Quite extraordinary one day we were basking in kind autumn sunshine and then, suddenly it was murky, damp and so much cooler. There was a flash of brilliance as trees changed outfits, dumping their summer garb for vibrant autumn collections. It was a joy to drive through the golden valley, so aptly named at this time. I have been on cleaning up duties over the last few days. As usual at this time of the year there is much to do. The compost heaps are once again piled high, with clippings, discarded summer bedding and the shattered carcasses of tender vegetable plants and leaves. I have tramped up and down the winter vegetable to firm in those loosened by the buffeting winds and have stretched out a little more netting across sprouts to deter the pigeons. It is funny to see them in a line across the fence first thing in the morning, reassessing the challenge and searching for defensive weakness. I am, sadly also noting quite a bit of rodent activity, with mice in particular being very busy. They spotted my first over wintering broad bean seed within hours I think. I am setting up some spares in a large pot and will just transplant in the spring. I will use John Innes compost, which will sit heavy and is less fun for mice to scratch in. I am going to try and get some grease on to a couple of fruit trees in the next day or so too. There was quite a bit insect damage this time on the fruit and although it is late, this exercise will still have some worth (and it is cheap enough to do). I have just taken delivery of some bare root hedging. I brought quite a bit of Hazel this time. I so want to grow my own bean sticks and Hazel will stand heavy pruning and make very straight poles inside of a couple of years. Bean sticks were part of my childhood, bamboo canes were just used for sword fighting. I will be battening down for Christmas then, topping up the heater, sticking a few more tender bits into cover and withdrawing to ponder the delights of new seed lists and dare I say potatoes.

And finally, thank you all for your kindness and interest. I wish you a happy time. There is a new season coming soon.

Happy Gardening

34 11

MONTHLY MEETINGS’ ROUND UP

LADIES’ BREAKFAST GROUP The Ladies’ Breakfast group will meet again on 7th December from 8:30am - 10:00am at the home of Mary Limbrick. More ladies are always welcome and if you’d like to come, please contact Mary on 01452 731257. If you’re able to make a donation to help cover costs that would be good (but not essential!).

Home Groups We have two home groups which meet for Bible study, prayer and fellowship.

The afternoon group will meet at the home of the Godwin’s on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 3 pm. This month’s meeting will therefore be on Wednesday 18th December.

The evening group will next meet on Thursday 12th December at 7.30 pm at the Rectory.

NORTON WI New members and visitors always wel-come. There will be a ‘Members’ Evening’. At the meeting on 12th December at 7:30pm.

SANDHURST WI

Meeting at 7:30pm on 11th December, the speaker for

the evening, Kevan Manwaring, will be giving a talk entitled

’Turning the Wheel—Seasonal Customs’ New members and

visitors always welcome.

A new editor for the Benefice magazine to take over in the Spring of 2014. Interested? Want to find out more? Contact: Mike Dill on 01452 730767 or email: [email protected]

12

CENTRAL MOBILE LIBRARY As part of the new Library Strategy there have been changes to the mobile library service. Routes F and H no longer exist and so there will be no visits to Sandhurst, Norton and Staverton. The only remaining visit on ‘our patch’ will be at The Swan, Coombe Hill. Village Stop Name Time

Coombe Hill The Swan 14.55 — 16.55

Dates: 18th December

EVENTS

FEEDBACK

Sandhurst Coffee Mornings The organisers would like to thank all those who supported the coffee mornings during 2013. We wish you a ‘Very Merry Christmas’ and look forward to seeing you again through 2014.

33

COLIN’S COMPUTER COLUMN

4G If you have an aviation background, 4G might mean to you an acceleration of four times that due to gravity, but if you are in the communications business you are more likely to think of 4G as an abbreviation for Fourth Generation Mobile Phone System.

Many of us can remember life before mobile phones came along, although young people would probably comment that it wasn't really life at all, just existence. Furthermore, many schoolchildren might describe the simple, cheap (and thus unlikely-to-be-stolen) phone they might be given to underpin school travel arrangements as a "rubbish phone". "What no email, no camera, no Facebook, no YouTube?!". Whilst many of us might be content if the mobile phone companies concentrated on improving coverage, especially in hilly rural terrain, the companies are very much aware of the appeal of fast broadband via their system without the constraint of having to be a householder with a landline phone connection. And there are those with slow landline broadband speeds (say, less than 2 Mbps) who might be tempted by the prospect of, say, 20 Mbps via 4G mobile in an area of good coverage.

Until recently, it was probably fair to say that mobile broadband was patchy, slow and expensive. But now that the companies have started to roll out 4G (including Pay As You Go 4G by O2) and with coverage slowly improving, I was interested to read recently the experiences of a family who were moving house and decided to test whether 4G would meet all the needs of their several computers and frequent data downloads. They found that performance was very good for most purposes and even handled high definition films, but, as usual, cost was the main concern. Prices, although falling, go up sharply with increased use of data. There's also the concern that if more people used 4G, performance might take time and investment to catch up with increased use of data.

So perhaps "wait and see" for the present?

One feels intuitively that in the future, in hilly, under populated areas it has to become cost effective to put transmitters on masts (or satellites or even balloons) than to dig up the countryside.

32

VILLAGE & COMMUNITY AGENT REPORT

Hello, my name is Ann Vaughan and I am the new Village Agent for Apperley (with Deerhurst), Ashleworth, Chaceley, Forthampton, Hasfield, Maisemore, Sandhurst and Tirley.

I may already have met some of you or you may have read about me in a local publication. I only have 10hrs per week to cover all the parishes but I have been doing my best to visit as many lunch clubs and groups as possible, in order to make myself known to as many people as I can. I am really looking forward to this new role and I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome!

A lot of people have been complaining about the amount of unwanted mail they are currently receiving and would like to know how to get it stopped. I hope the following information will be useful:-

How to stop Unwanted Mail

MPS (Mailing Preference Service) is a free service, available to UK residential addresses, which enables consumers to have their individual names and addresses removed from unsolicited mailing lists. (this is mail you haven’t requested)

You can either register on line at : www.mpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 703 4599 (this is an automated line) or alternatively write to MPS, Freepost 29, Lon 20771, London, WIE 0ZT. You need to provide the details for each person in the household that wishes to have their details removed. (Title, Full Forename, Surname and Full Address)

To opt out of receiving Yellow Pages phone 0800 671 444

To opt out of receiving Thomson Local Directories phone 01252 555 555

To opt out of receiving BT Telephone Directories phone 0800 800 150

To stop receiving unaddressed mail delivered by Royal Mail

Send your name and address to:-

Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House

Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX

Email: [email protected] (Please note that election material is not affected by this opt out)

If you have previously requested information and you no longer wish to receive it eg Charity donations

You need to contact the mailer and request that you be removed from their mailing list. (Please note this can take a month or two to take effect) if this request is unsuccessful, you need to contact The Information Commissioners Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or telephone 0303 123 1113, who may take the matter up on your behalf.

My contact details are mob: 0753 406 4169 or email [email protected].

I can visit you at home or just have a conversation over the phone.

13

FEEDBACK

DOWN HATHERLEY GIFT DAY raised in excess of

Thanks to all who contributed and also to those who supported the churchyard working party.

INFORMATION

NeighbourhoodWatch Alerts There are a number of neighbourhood watch areas in the Benefice and you

may therefore be aware of some of the recent warnings, in or near our area. There have been a variety of thefts or attempted thefts and it does appear that a number of them could have been avoided with simple precautions. In some cases, items were taken from unsecured cars and via unsecured back or front doors of properties. With the Christmas present season now close, it creates another opportunity for an additional general reminder to encourage everyone to be vigilant and to keep doors, windows, cars and sheds firmly

locked when you are not around.

The Gloucestershire Constabulary NON EMERGENCY number is 101. This switchboard is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If police attendance is needed - If you wish to report a crime - If you see something suspicious - DIAL 101

If you would like some free crime prevention advice also dial 101 to arrange for a PCSO to attend.

If there is a crime in progress - If a crime is likely to occur - If someone is injured - or if life is threatened.

Then phone the emergency number - DIAL 999

In everyone’s interest - Keep Watching and Merry Christmas!

14

AROUND THE PARISHES — LONGFORD

HO...HO...HO...IT’S CHRISTMAS BINGO

Meet our Santa Caller

LONGFORD VILLAGE HALL on 14th December 2013 Starting 7.00 pm prompt

STRICTLY BY TICKET ENTRY ONLY

£5 Adults - £4 Children (under16)

This will include a Delicious Buffet & 10 Free Bingo tickets

THERE WILL BE FANTASTIC PRIZES TO BE WON FOR BOTH LINE AND FULL HOUSE!!! Including a MASSIVE CHRISTMAS

HAMPER - Meat Vouchers - Wines - Tins of Chocolates- A selection of Restaurant and Takeaway Meals for Two all Donated by the Long-

ford Village Hall and Local Businesses.

There will also be a GREAT selection of Raffle Prizes.

For Tickets and to book your table early please telephone:

Steve Ashmead on Glos 558284 or

Lynn Gough on Glos 731765

Please remember to bring your own drinks & glasses and for cater-ing purposes please book your tickets early because this year entry

is by ticket only. Don’t MISS OUT bring your family & friends along and have some great fun.

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Trevor Humphris

TJH Contracting Ltd

Established 28 years

Operated plant hire for:- Flood Defence/Barriers Ditches, Drains, Ponds.

Demolition, Reclamation Foundations Concreting Tree / Hedge cutting.

Garden Clearance.

1.5 — 14 Tonne Excavators 1/4 — 12 Tonne Dumpers Loading Shovel, Tractors

Contact Trevor or Liz : Tel : 01452 730155

Mobile : 07836 758080 By Quote or on Day Work www.tjhcontracting.co.uk

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Wired Electrical

All aspects of electrical work covered, no job too small or too large

Fully insured and Part P registered - Over 10 years experience

24 hour call out

10% discount on presentation of this ad

Please contact Simon Berry on 07534 925685

House of Robinson SOFT FURNISHINGS AND DESIGN

PROPRIETOR: - Mrs Sallyann Rolfe

26 LEWIS AVENUE, LONGFORD, GLOUCESTER, GL2 9BQ 07721 768577 01452 305381

www.houseofrobinson.co.uk Soft furnishings individually designed to suit your lifestyle and budget,

from simple roman blinds to intricately designed curtains, expertly made to measure soft furnishings, from your fabric or our own.

● Handmade curtains ● Roman blinds ● Swags & Tails ● Pelmets ● Bedspreads ● Loose Covers

We offer a consultation service in the comfort of your own home, with a wide choice of fabrics, trimmings, curtain poles and rails.

Shiny Bright Cleaning Ltd Experienced domestic cleaning service

Weekly cleans, Deep cleans, Spring cleans Interior and exterior window cleaning

Solar Panel cleaning Gutters cleared, fascias, & soffits cleaned

Moving in and out House Clean

A friendly local firm - Contact Jan 01452 731895 or 07894 058792

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AROUND THE PARISHES — NORTON

AROUND THE PARISHES — SANDHURST

Calling all table tennis fans in Sandhurst Sandhurst Table Tennis Club invites anyone in Sandhurst inter-ested in table tennis to come to their second open evening at the village hall on Tuesday 10th December from 7:15pm onwards. The object is to play, chat, or just watch and have a cup of tea/coffee.

Contact: Norman Saunders (01452 730208) for further information.

It has been brought to the attention of Norton Parish Council that residents are having to clear up bags of dog faeces left on the footpaths and in hedgerows, presumably by dog walkers. Norton is a lovely area to walk in and it is unfortunate that some of those who walk their dogs around the village do not seem to respect this. The Parish Council would appeal to all dog walkers to ensure that you clean up after your dog and if there is not a suitable receptacle close by, please take the bag with you until it can be properly disposed of. Thank you.

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AROUND THE PARISHES — SANDHURST

The Snow Queen Rain or Shine Theatre Company is proud to present this Christmas, an enchanting tale of friendship and adventure based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story; sure to delight and enchant the whole family.

Sandhurst Village Hall Saturday 21st December

Doors open: 7.00pm for 7.30pm performance

Adults: £10 Children: £6

Tel: 01452 739031 for tickets

A Christmas Performance

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JOHN HARTLAND

FIREWOOD LOGS & KINDLING

Delivered – small and large loads

07811 340975 or 01684 275859 www.glosfirewood.co.uk

Mobile firewood processing unit, log splitting service and tractor hedge-trimming

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Fearn Fitness Personal Training

*One to One Personal Training *Small Group Training

* Dietary Advice & Weight Loss

Try our Starter Package

6 weeks Personal Training just £99 (3 small group training sessions per week for 6 consecutive weeks)

Applicable to new clients only

See our website for news, information, & special offers.

Unit C10, Innsworth Technology Park, Innsworth Lane,

Gloucester, GL3 1DL. Free parking available

Contact Debbie : - Tel: 07729 271568

[email protected] www.fearnfitness.co.uk

Fitness for the over 50s Would you like to feel fitter,

have more energy, ease arthritic joints, improve your

flexibility, mobility and balance

and have fun? Why not make it your New Year resolution and come along to the

ForEver Young Fitness Group at

St Peters Social Club, London Road, Gloucester.

Every Tuesday 10.30 – 11.30am

*£4 per person *parking available

Call Debbie on 07729 271568

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AROUND THE PARISHES — DOWN HATHERLEY

GLOUCESTER BRASS BAND CONCERT Down Hatherley Church Friday 13 December 7:30 pm.

Tickets remain at £9 to include buffet supper and first drink and will be available from: Helen (01452 730025) or Ann (01452 730371).

‘Wishing you a Merry Christmas’ The Seven Towers’ Magazine Team

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EVENTS

You are invited to a

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

at Boddington Manor

ON FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER AT 7.30 P.M. with

Tewkesbury Chamber Choir 4

Tickets £5 Available from: Christine Hitchins (01242 680694).

Mince Pies & Raffle

(Boddington Manor GL51 0TJ is off the A4019 road from

Coombe Hill to Cheltenham)

We do hope that you will be able to join us!

Proceeds to Staverton and Boddington Parish Churches and The Diocese of Gloucester in respect of a severe shortfall in funding

for the provision of ministry.

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Dear Parishioner,

When we suffer from ill health we do so in 1 of 2 ways:

1. acute illness which can lay us quickly low, though the worse is often over within a week or so if our immunity is strong enough, and winter flu is an example of this

2. chronic illness which gradually reduces our quality of life and can sometimes seem like a life sentence if help to overcome this problem is difficult to find and arthritis highlights this type of illness

Whatever label is applied, each illness has the capacity to affect us all differently on mental, emotional and physical levels with the recovery ability indicating each individual’s susceptibility and level of immunity.

For these reasons the medicine we choose needs to take account of our unique response to illness and since the 18th century Homeopathy has been the medicine of choice for individuals worldwide who seek a non-toxic & holistic approach to health improvement, making it is the 2nd most popular medicine in the world.

This was unknown to me until 14 years ago when a well prescribed homeopathic remedy removed my young son’s intolerance to chlorine and later when I developed a cat allergy, again homeopathy proved its ability to remove this worrying problem and we have had two cats since! I successfully turned to homeopathy again when menopause occurred and these outcomes impressed me so much that I subsequently completed 4 years of training to become a fully licensed Homeopath and I now operate from my clinic in Coombe Hill offering Homeopathy to all who seek its help. If you would like to sample free the help Homeopathy can offer please ring me to make an appointment. Thank you for taking the time to read this information.

Warm regards,

Lynne Shrubb, LHC, MARH, RHom

Tel: 01242 680832

[email protected] /www.healthyfutures4you.co.uk

COUNTRY KENNELS & CATTERY

Church Farm, Church Lane, Priors Norton, GL2 9LS

A family run kennels offering knowledgeable and caring service

for your four-legged family member

Comfortable heated accommodation, daily walks & exercise given

Telephone: 01452 730682 or 07806506513

26

EVENTS

MAGAZINE COPY

Next month’s copy date: For inclusion in the January 2013 edition of the magazine, copy should reach parish correspondents by 12th December or be sent directly to Mike Dill by the 13th December.

LONGFORD FLOWER CLUB invite you to their

CHRISTMAS CHARITY EVENING

with demonstrations by

Laura Leong Longford Village Hall

Monday 9th December @ 7:30 pm Tickets: £7.50 (to include light refreshments)

from: Carol Robinson: 01452 730358

In aid of:

The Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court

PLEASE NOTE: EARLIER THAN USUAL COPY DATE

19

EVENTS

NATURE IN ART

‘Birds of Gloucestershire’

Until 15th December

An exhibition of 120 original artworks celebrating the

‘Contemporary Arts’

Until 22nd December

This new exhibition will showcase artwork produced

by British craftsmen and women, many of whom are local to Gloucestershire,

and who all find inspiration in nature.

20

EVENTS

25

If your food waste is missed 25 to 27 December:

The next collection will be the following week and a day later than usual: Wednesday 2 January to Saturday 5 January. Residents are advised to use compostable liners or newspaper to double wrap food waste, keep the outdoor caddy lid shut and use the handle to lock it. Uncooked fruit and vegetable waste (stalks, peeling, seeds etc.) can be home composted. A limited number of food waste liners are available to give to residents to double wrap their food waste. See below for more details.

If your garden waste is missed 25 to 27 December:

The next collection will be the following fortnight. Garden waste at this time of the year is exceptionally low. Real Christmas trees can be put out alongside (or small ones inside) the garden waste bins.

INFORMATION

EVENTS

As Christmas is a time for giving we turn our thoughts to the children who would struggle to find a pencil to write a letter to Santa. At our carol services this year we ask you to bring a small gift of pencils, crayons or pens to be taken to Kenya and Thailand to three schools we have a personal contact with. These will be taken to these schools in 2014, the last collection we did amounted to just over 1000 items. If you are unable to attend a carol service please give your gift to a PCC member or leave in church.

Many thanks

Sue Roberts

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Normal collection day Christmas collection changes

Monday 23 December 2013 Monday 23 December 2013

Tuesday 24 December 2013 Tuesday 24 December 2013

Wednesday 25 December 2013 No collection

Thursday 26 December 2013 No collection

Friday 27 December 2013 No collection

Monday 30 December 2013 Monday 30 December 2013

Tuesday 31 December 2013 Tuesday 31 December 2013

Wednesday1 January 2014 Thursday 2 January 2014

Thursday 2 January 2014 Friday 3 January 2014

Friday 3 January 2014 Saturday4 January 2014

INFORMATION

TBC refuse, recycling, food and garden waste collection: Christmas holiday schedule:

If your green bin is missed 25 to 27 December:

Residents can put out extra bags of refuse but only on the next collection (Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 January). The crews will be instructed to take this side waste from households. Please recycle as much as possible as this will reduce the quantity of refuse in the green bin. If residents wish, additional waste can be taken to the household recycling centres (near Stoke Orchard or Hempstead); they are only closed Christmas Day and News Year’s day.

If your blue bin is missed 25 to 27 December:

Residents can put out extra recycling the following fortnight on the next collection day (Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 January) either in special blue bags (see below) or in a suitable container such as a recycling box. The crews will be instructed to take extra recycling from households. There are also recycling banks in the area and also the household recycling centres. More information here:www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/recycling.

21

INFORMATION

22

INFORMATION

NHS 111 in Gloucestershire The NHS 111 Service is now available in Gloucestershire. This three-digit number gives patients access to advice and local NHS healthcare services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobiles are free. NHS 111 gets you through to a team of fully trained call advisers, who are supported by experienced clinicians.

They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you to the right local service. If they think you need an ambulance, they will send one immediately. You should call NHS 111 if: You need medical help fast, but it is not a 999 life

threatening emergency You don’t know who to call for medical help; or

You don’t think it can wait for an appointment with your

GP (or if you don’t have one).

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INFORMATION

SJ & LE MIDDLE No.107 December 2013 Annual Subscription: £ ...

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