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the DYDDI digest

taken from what is thought to be the 7th century origin of Didmarton’s name Dyddimaertun, believed to mean the

boundary (maere) farm (tun) of a Mr Dyddi

August 2022 – no. 563

CHILDRENS WORKSHOPS THIS MONTH , PAGE 7

Didmarton’s local newspaper incorporating

Leighterton, Boxwell and Sopworth

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DIDMARTON RUBBISH & RECYCLING

COLLECTIONS DATES FOR AUGUST Thursdays 11th & 25th Food waste bin

Thursdays 4th & 18th All rubbish & recycling

AUGUST DIARY DATES Every summertime Saturday, lunch and tea in Horton church – p.10 for more Thursday 4th – Locals Night at the King’s Arms – 10% off! Back cover for K/A news. Sunday 7th – Cricket, away at Corsley – page 9. Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th, Friday 12th – all-day workshops for children with Cut the Mustard Club – details on page 7. Wednesday 10th – St Lawrence’s feast day – our local saint, read more, p.22 Wednesday 10th, & 24th Welcome On Wednesday – WOW – 3-5pm, coffee and chat, King’s Arms. Just come along, dogs and sprogs are just as welcome! Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th – more Cut The Mustard workshops Thursday 18th – walkies for walkers – p.11 Sunday 28th – Home cricket versus Grittleton.

SAVE THE DATES – IN SEPTEMBER Saturday 3rd – Boules Is Back! The fourth year running, p.5. Thursday 8th – Josie is here for sports massage and related aches and ouches – call her to book your aid to recovery - on 07468490449 or email hello@josiemaycarnaby.com Saturday 10th – Ride and Stride – see p.10

THIS ISSUE, DON’T MISS… …Steve Walker’s Just Sayin, on page 6. Steve’s writings are always interesting, always informative and quirky, and this month is no exception. (when you’ve read it, I hope you too think ‘Steve, We Just Need To Know!’ He won’t tell, I’ve asked countless times, ho hum, perhaps he’ll sway to someone else?) The other aspect of his feature is the must-have for every Didmarton household, A Ramble Through History, a book of our village, in many fascinating aspects. Just a thought, does anyone know how much it would be to print some more for those newer to the village to have one? I know the stockpile of the original is depleted, a shame for those who would like to see this brilliant insight into their neighbourhood. It’s one of those dip-intos when something crops up that you JUST need to know. As Steve might put it, just sayin’.

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USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Phoenix, Tetbury surgery – 01666 502303 Police – to report incidents – 101 Tolsey Surgery, Sherston – 01666 840270 Tetbury Hospital – 01666 502336 Oldbury Garage – 01454 537016 Dyddi editor – 01454 238576 Village Hall bookings – 01454 238450 Parish council, John Hammond – 01454 238373

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

3rd – Francesca Goodwill (Are you under 18, live in Didmarton, Sopworth, Leighterton

or Boxwell, & not in the Dyddi Birthday Book? Get in touch,

you’ll have a mention in your special birthday month

& have the opportunity of being the Special Birthday

Illustrator too! dyddi@btinternet.com).

BABYSITTING CONTACTS Elizabeth Darbyshire – 07702 693100 Bailey Jones - 01454 232985 Evie Jones – 07979 918239 Joe Turner - 01454 238235 Henry Yandell - 07719 304445 Francesca Goodwill - 07483 839082/07972783679 Booky birthdays this month: Enid Blyton (top) – Famous Five, Secret Seven, et al – was born on

the 11th August in 1897, whilst Seven Pillars of Wisdom author, (& archaeologist, army officer &

diplomat) TE Lawrence on the 15th in 1888. Earlier was Frankenstein creator Mary Shelley who

came to be on the 30th, back in 1797. Little Quiz Time: Blyton - what were the Famous Five’s

names, & which of her characters is known as Oui-Oui in France? TE Lawrence – what names are

the T & E abbreviated from? Shelley – does Frankenstein have a Christian name, & if so, what is it?

Finally, because there’s a bit of room, by what other name do we know the highly regarded, very

well-known figure Anjeze Gonxha Bojaxhiu, who was born on 26th August

in 1910 in North Macedonia? Answers on p.21.

IN FULL SUNSHINE’Y DAZZLE! Don’t forget, you

can see the Dyddi in full colour on the Didmarton Village Hall website each

month – just click on the Dyddi link. Roxzanne does very clever things

to the background, too!

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SOUTH DEVON HOLIDAY HOUSE The Salty is a holiday house for rent in the centre of Shaldon, south Devon. It sleeps 4 (two double bedrooms), and has one shower room and toilet. Sea view and 150 yards from the beach. Shaldon is opposite

Teignmouth and takes less than two hours to drive to from Didmarton (M5 permitting!). It's a pretty village with a village green, 3 pubs, its own bakery, butchers and village shop. There are two beaches and the local ferry sails over to Teignmouth. There are beautiful coastal walks, a small zoo, golf course and botanical gardens nearby, and it’s close to Totnes and Dartmoor. A really great place for activities such as sailing, paddle boarding and walking. Ideal for a week or so holiday or just a short break. Please get in touch for more information. Call Ruth 01454 238957, 07745 024021 or email: ruth@bodymatters1.co.uk ***************************************************************************************

DIDMARTON SPEEDWATCH NEWS

The Speedwatch team have held two successful sessions since Sean handed over the reins, resulting in fourteen letters being sent to the speeding drivers by Gloucestershire Police. We plan to have another ad hoc session towards the end of July before embarking on a week-long event during August. Chris Barski

TALKING OF MOTORS… Dyddi advertiser Mark is adding to his electrical business, and focussing on electric car charge points – EV Charger Installation. Thinking about going greener with your motor? See Mark’s advert on p.30 - Cotswold Car Charge. ***************************************************************************************

CONGRATULATIONS…

To Jess and Levi Simmons of Bertha’s Field who were married on 2nd July. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness together.

…& CONGRATULATIONS To Robin and Kelly Smith, a son, Lando Casey, born on 23rd June, weighing 8lb, 14 ounces. A brother for Rosalie. (He’s a gorgeous little chap, very handsome, and Granny Smith has the photos to prove it!)

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BOULES AT DIDMARTON SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER Boules is happening for the fourth year in a row at The King’s Arms here in Didmarton. Let us hope that the sun shines down on us like 2021 and we can have another fabulous family day. Please note: this event is for NOVICES ONLY. No team nor player who has played regularly in the past, in a league or not, is eligible to play. We will happily take your money and disqualify you on discovery. This is a family fun day for residents and the friends of residents of the Didmarton area. To reserve a team place, please call Richard 07966 294214 NOW. Most from last year will want to play again but we have a few new interested parties, so book your asap. Entry is £30 per team, please pay Richard, Ruth or Alan upon presentation of your info pack or, at the very latest, registration on the day, which is from 9.30am. Please arrive around 20 minutes before your first match to keep waiting time to a minimum. Your team leader MUST sign in at registration as early as possible. Team time sheets will be available prior to the day so you can plan your attendance. Please arrive in plenty of time for your game as sometimes the previous one ends earlier than expected.

There are 4 pistes and 4 leagues of up to 6 teams: each team will play 5 matches before the quarter or semi-finals later. Depending on the time of the last match the umpires will decide if there can be quarter finals, in which case the top 2 from each league go forward, or if there is only time for semi-finals, in which case only the top team of each league goes forward). A team consists of a 'pool' of up to 6 players from which any 3 can be chosen to play any of the matches in their league. Teams can include our young

people but there are steel balls being thrown around so responsibility for these youngsters remains with their adult owners! Please research the rules for the game if you have not played before. For each piste there will be an umpire whose decision is final, regardless of any other rules that different competitions may have. The matches are played on a thinnish layer of grit sand laid onto the tarmac of the car park, so please wear appropriate footwear. There will be a breakfast bar earlier on providing tea and coffee, bacon and sausage sandwiches or baps. During the day and afternoon there will be teas and cakes available. Of course, the pub is open as well, so drinks, pizzas and other food will be there all day. Alan Townsend

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JUST SAYIN’ by Steve Walker

I will look a right wally if I’m wrong about this and may never live it down. Here goes, anyhow! Sitting comfortably? No? Shame. Over 1985-86 I was largely engaged in researching the history of this village of ours. Funded by Terry and Sheila Chatham it was called Didmarton – A Ramble Through History. The layout and format was driven by Terrys’ self-confessed lack of knowledge of Britain’s’ history. That being settled, I spent week after week pouring over and noting every reference to Didmarton within the archives at Gloucester Records Office. They had loads of maps and a breath-taking volume of detailed minutiae regarding our village and the surrounding area. Useful as all this was, the major source of information was the Parish records. Kindly loaned into my possession they were a veritable treasure trove. I also had ‘phone conversations with Prof. Patrick (call me Paddy) McGrath, head of the History faculty at Bristol University. Paddy absolutely detested our chosen format, was adamant that it was a mistake and recommended a plain narrative form. Despite his disapproval, he put me in touch with a man who lived in Redland who had something to show me “that could be a game changer”. This gentleman’s hobby was aerial photography and he had many shots of Didmarton. I rang the number and we arranged to meet at his Redland house. On arrival at this grand house I was ushered into a huge drawing room which housed a single chair next to a large map table in the centre of the room. Every inch of wall was covered by sizeable cabinets containing 1.5m x 1m aerial photographs. On the table were half a dozen shots clearly centred on Didmarton and Oldbury-on-the-Hill. All were face up except the one on the bottom. I was asked to study each, taken from marginally different angles. Each was then immediately filed away. With a flourish and a big grin the final aerial shot was placed face up. I spotted the anomaly straight away. He explained that this was taken in 1976, the scorching hot summer, and so parched was the land that green was a distant memory. My host was as excited as I was and told me that it was taken on a whim on return to the home airfield. In front of my eyes was the outline of a building where I knew that none had ever been recorded. My host stated with supreme confidence that this object was buried about half a metre below the surface. I was so concentrated on the photograph that I let this pass without question. I had spent many hours poring over maps both ancient and modern depicting this area. None noted the existence of this structure. Nor did the aerial photographs taken before or after give any hint of it.

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Thank you, summer of ’76; thanking my host I rushed back to tell Terry, who wasn’t there! I phoned Paddy to discuss it, and he was certain, as was I, that this discovery had to be pre-history, most likely a ROMAN VILLA. I never did tell Terry the exact location. To this day my wife Jan and our daughter Nina are the only people alive who share the secret. (and it isn’t visible on Google Earth. Just sayin!) One day I hope to be involved in digging this. I hope the necessary permissions can be obtained in time for next year. If it proves to be a rectangular natural rock formation I’m gonna look a right wally. It is the ‘regulation’ 2km from the Don Watts villa near Hinnegar Lodge. Back to the book, Didmarton – A Ramble Through History. Under Terry Chatham’s superb editorship the final draft and proof was finally reached ready for printing and publication. Sadly Terry suffered a severe stroke and it all languished in my home for many years. Pat and Cliff Jackson came to the rescue, completing the job. Without them it wouldn’t have happened, and all credit to them. The village owes them and the Chathams a huge debt of gratitude. Just sayin’. Steve Walker ***************************************************************************************

THE MONTHLY BLOG FROM AN EXCITING & INSPIRATIONAL VENTURE

SUMMER WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN 5-11 Hoorah!, something completely terrific and worthwhile to occupy and fascinate your children this month. The Red Pepper Project has teamed up with Cut the Mustard Club to bring you a

wonderful gardening and nature inspired Holiday Club! These summer holiday workshops are suitable for children aged 5 - 11 years old. Sibling discount available, please bring a packed lunch, spare clothes and a sunhat. We will provide a morning snack. To book your child’s place, and for more information, call Robyn Morris on 07847 164742 or have a look at https://buytickets.at/redpepperproject

LEARN! GROW! CREATE! PLANT! PLAY!

We have workshops from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th. All day cost is £55. (sibling discount available) Shorter workshops – 9-3pm – are on Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th – £40, and again, a sibling discount is available. All are held at Close Farm Nursery GL8 8PH, just off the A433 on the way to Tetbury, after you’ve gone through Doughton. Signposted to Shipton Moyne, look out for Fred’s Big Orange Carrot! Car park is first gateway on the left. To enquire about a workshop at Cut The Mustard Club, please visit cutthemustardclub.co.uk or call 07929 409736. Hana, Cut The Mustard Club

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LEIGHTERTON PRIMARY SCHOOL As soon as our Y6 children had completed their SATs tests, Ridge class were invited to vote for the end of year performance that KS2 would present. The choices were between Robin Hood, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. The vote was torn between Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan but Peter Pan just won. All of the

children in Haymead and Ridge classes took part. To prepare, we read through the script together and chose different parts to audition for. We all felt very nervous as we auditioned because some parts were extremely popular. William was selected to be Peter Pan because he has an amazing singing talent. I was given the part of Wendy, and although I was shocked, I was very excited and could not wait to begin. Straightaway, we had to start learning our lines, until we knew them by heart. We also had to learn to sing the songs, which we did quickly because they are very catchy. Our parents all helped us by

supporting us to learn our lines and by supplying costumes. Miss Bence, Mrs Ward and Mrs Walker spent hours planning the performance – painting scenery and making props and directing us. We had great fun practising, working out where people had to stand and what they should do. Sometimes we even changed the plan to make the performance even better. After lots of practising, everyone had learnt their lines, knew what to do and were ready to perform. Our first performance was a dress rehearsal for the rest of our school and some of our grandparents. Everything went very well. On the following days, we performed for our parents too. We thought that the dress rehearsal had been great but the performances were even more amazing. So many people told us that they loved our show and some of them said that they got a little tearful when children were singing their solos. All of the feedback from the audiences was excellent. My parents told me how proud they were watching me and they said it lots of times. Performing Peter Pan will be an experience that we remember for the rest of our lives. It was a great way to end the school year. Ruby & Henry

If you would like to find out more or come and look around Leighterton Primary School, you are very welcome to contact the school office on 01666 890273 and we will be delighted to arrange at a convenient time. Further information about school is on our website - www.leighterton.com Meryl Hadfield, Headteacher

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DIDMARTON’s VILLAGE HALL

& COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Summary of minutes from the Annual General Meeting & the Committee

meeting held on 5th July 2022 The AGM took place first. Ed Hardy has now stepped down as the Chair of the DVHCC. Many thanks to Ed for all his hard work over the past three years. Josh Batterham has kindly stepped up and has been elected as our new Chair. Well done Josh! Antonia Whitbread and Sarah Riches have been re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Sarah Nightingale has now retired as bookings secretary; huge thanks to Sarah who has kindly stayed on in the role for longer than planned and has continued to work hard to ensure a smooth process for our hirers. The committee is currently working to establish the new electronic bookings system and will send out further information once this is finalised. The new bookings secretary will be confirmed in due course. Financial: The closing balance at y/e (31.03.22) was £27,397. This represents a surplus of £6,954. Events: Bonfire Night will be the next major event and is already booked for Saturday 5 November. Community: the re-surfacing works around the hall are still on track to start in September. Exact dates to be confirmed when known. Antonia Whitbread, Secretary ***************************************************************************************

What’s on this August here at the Goods Shed: Bookings to be made online (fee added). Details www.shed-arts.co.uk Bar at evening events, free and easy parking on the doorstep. And don’t forget our Whistle Stop café – see the website for opening hours. Sat 6th - Jazz at The Goods Shed. Swing from Paris, ‘the finest gypsy jazz in the Cotswold’, featuring music of Piaf, Gershwin and more. 7.30pm, £14.50 Sun 14th – Children’s Theatre, Family Fun - The Munch Mission. 2-3pm, from £8. Wed 24th – Shed Talk. From the Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group Andrew Kerr, bringing up-to-date news on Elvers and Elvering. 7.30pm, £5/£8. Every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm, music from a range of performers. £2.50, tea and cake available.

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VICAR’S LETTER

August 2022

Dear Friends, May I take this opportunity of wishing you a very happy holiday and a refreshing summer break. Please read the article below entitled Ride and Stride. It would be great to build this event into our calendar as a fun bicycle ride round the churches, raising money as we go. Enjoy the summer. Rev Richard Thomson Priest in charge, Withymoor Vicarage, Old Down Road, Badminton, South Gloucestershire GL9 1EU 01454 219236 Website: www.badmintonbenefice.com

RIDE & STRIDE FOR CHURCHES

Do join us on Saturday 10th September to visit the beautiful churches and chapels around our area, whether by bike, foot, horse, or whatever way takes your fancy. Some churches will be open and offering tea, etc., and cakes. For you to plan your own adventure, leaflets will be left in the Hawkesbury, Badminton and Acton Turville stores suggesting routes of various lengths which take in the churches. Alternatively, you can join a group who are leaving from St Arilda’s, Oldbury-on-the-Hill just north of Didmarton at 10.15am. The purpose of this event is to introduce people to our wonderful churches and to collect funds to be shared between Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust, and Benefice churches. Funds can be made via Justgiving, or using sponsorship forms, also in the village stores. Alternatively, try the GHCT Ride & Stride website and for the Badminton Benefice website.

LUNCH & TEA AT HORTON CHURCH Come and enjoy lunch or tea at Horton Church, and help raise funds for roof repairs of the Lady Chapel, and also the redecoration of our beautiful Grade 1 listed building. The church is on the Cotswold Way and has views across the

grounds of Horton Court. Throughout the summer, from 12 until 4.30 on Saturday afternoons, we will be serving sweet and savoury delights here in the church, where walkers, dogs, cyclists - everyone is welcome! We look forward to seeing you. (the OS sheet needed is 167, from the orange Explorer range. There are many footpaths all around the area, it’s really worth getting to know the beautiful landscape & churches, ed.) Tina Hildick-Smith, Church Warden

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CHURCH OF ENGLAND BADMINTON BENEFICE August’s Sunday services – conducted by Rev. Thomson unless stated

7th Lasborough 9.30am Matins Lay led, David Hewitt

Hawkesbury 9.30am HC

Didmarton 11.15am Matins Acton Turville 6pm Evensong Sopworth 6pm Said Evening Prayer R Ando 14th Lasborough 9.30am BCPHC P Cheeseman

Leighterton 9.30am HC Little Badminton 11.15am Matins Hawkesbury 6pm Evensong

21st Didmarton 8.30am BCPHC

Hawkesbury 9.30am Morning Prayer Lay led, Sir Ian Macfadyen Sopworth 11.15am Matins Acton Turville 6pm Evensong 28th Lasborough 9.30am CWHC

Hawkesbury 11am Songs of Praise Wednesday 10th is the feast day of St Lawrence. Read about his life (& death) &

what our Didmarton connection to him is on page 22. Fascinating stuff.

The 100 Club draw for July took place at the DVHCC meeting

held in the village hall on the 5th July. The prize winners were: 1st £20 Pam Hudson 2nd £15 Pam Murphy

3rd £10 Wren Barr 4th £10 Pete Journeaux Sue & Sue

THE WALKING GROUP OF DIDMARTON

Dear fellow walkers, human and canine Our next group walk will be on Thursday 18th August. 10am as usual at the King’s Arms car park. See you then. You don’t need a dog to join us. For further information, email ladydaisygreenwood@gmail.com Woof woof, Mad Martha & Lady Daisy (retired)

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J.J.’S GARDENING BLOG – jobs for August

If you have iris that have finished flowering loosen them out of the ground carefully with a fork - they are shallow rooted so come up easily. Divide them into chunky, healthy rhizomes (discard shrivelled ones) and plant onto a small mound of soil, tricky as there is very little root to each section. However it can be done. Finish off by cutting the leaves into a fan shape, which

tidies them, then carefully water. They like a well-drained sunny aspect. Euphorbia that have finished flowering should have this year's stems cut-off low down, or they will seed everywhere. Wear Marigolds (other brands of rubber glove are available!, ed.) as the white sap is an irritant. Look out for a shorter verbena Bampton which has small flowers, like tiny lights and dark foliage. For your gardening note book: a lovely mid spring plant which likes muted shade and a damp situation with gorgeous blue flowers is Corydalis. Take cuttings of Nepeta (catnip, catmint); it’s easy to grow and comes in various sizes. Keep picking sweet peas, they start off with nice long stems which gradually get shorter. That's not your fault, they just do, but still nice for a bedside posy. Cut seed heads off peonies leaving the stems, as the greenery feeds the plant. If you are holidaying in the UK this summer take the NGS Yellow Directory with you and visit some gardens in a different area. Keep deadheading: 5 minutes several times a day gets it done without being a chore, ditto weeds. Keep secateurs by the door and a basket too, for weeds. Notice what needs cutting back; is some treasure being swamped? Does another area need something light and bright? Raise/elevate a pot or statue to make it bit special. Top pots with pea gravel for a finishing touch. Don't cut back penstemon until spring, as the old foliage gives them some winter protection, and they will gallop away with new foliage and flowers in June. A shadier area plant are astrantias, some are white with a touch of green, others red. Very useful plants and can be cut and used in an arrangement indoors. Remember that plants grouped in uneven numbers are usually more pleasing. Slugs don't seem to attack euphorbia, nicotianas, rock roses or honeysuckle. Check that the runner beans are still secure. Other plants that may have too many stems, reduce the number, which will give a much bigger display next season. Keep feeding. Rhubarb, don't pick too much, give a good mulch of compost and put discarded leaves on the compost. Clip evergreen shrubs which have finished flowering and reduce them to their desired height. It's easy for them to get too

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tall and wide and it suddenly becomes a big issue, particularly when they overhang footpaths or other boundaries. Plum, damson and cherry trees can be tidied up if necessary in warm weather when the cuts will heal, reducing the risk of infection from silver leaf fungus. Play hide and seek with your courgette plants. They are deft at becoming marrows if you take your eye off them. Make a mosaic with different coloured sempervivums in a shallow area or container, maybe something to do with a youngster. Houseplants can enjoy being outside if away from high temperatures in a conservatory or hot window sill. Check out erodiums. They are Mediterranean and therefore need gritty compost and full sun. They are well behaved and flower the whole summer without being eaten or turning brown. Perfect if you are holidaying away. J.J. ***************************************************************************************

A VERY GOOD READ this month…

A YEAR IN PROVENCE, by PETER MAYLE This is a travel novel first published in the UK in 1989. The author and his wife decided to move to Provence in France after having holidayed there in the summertime, so liked the climate, the lifestyle, the friendliness, the acknowledgement or recognition by the population of what was important in life, compared with ‘back home’ in the UK (oh, dear, it’s not so bad!). One important point was the sitting at the table and eating of meals. The revererence of what was placed on the table “be it ever so humble”. The quietness which ensued once seated as all concentrated on the meal. Could be humble or top notch, at one of the welcoming and comfortable eating establishments. Peter and his wife had discovered the house which they wanted to make their own, and moved in after long, complicated negotiations – all most formally adhered to. The chapters of this book are the twelve months of the year. The author relates not only the demands of the changing seasons but of their personal challenges in meeting these demands with the help and goodwill of their new neighbours and friends in beautiful Provence, the holiday desrtriniation of many a tourist in the beautiful summer seasons. In the winter time this same Provence was quiet, and often a lonely wilderness. Once again, they had to depend on the locals. Despite these challenges this text is light hearted. Mayle has written many travel books, and won Travel Writer Award for this text. It is enchanting, a delightful opportunity to share his initial year as a resident in France. Lorna K. Wazir

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DIDMARTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH A CONTENTED MIND!

Such a condition is an invaluable asset for is to obtain, bringing happiness to our own lives and peace with others. Living as we do in times of economic hardship and warfare in

Europe, and witnessing the refugees feeling for safety with nothing, how very sad it is that some are unsatisfied and discontented with the necessities of life that they have, that they go on strike or protest more, thereby disrupting and causing hardship to others. The apostle Paul who experienced more hardship that we was able to say “I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.” Philippians 4,11 In Hebrews 13,5 we read “let your behaviour be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have, for God has said I will never leave you or forsake you.” Herein lies the answer to a contented mind: a personal relationship with almighty God. As scripture says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain, having food and clothing let us therewith be content.” A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, for we brought nothing into the world and will take none of this world’s goods out, and what we can take with us is the sure and certain hope of eternal life which Jesus brought with his own life on the cross, and offers to those who exercise true faith in him. When people sought God in repentance they came to John the Baptist asking “What should we do?” His reply was “Give to those in need and take no more than is appointed to you” and to the repentant soldiers “Put no one in fear or falsely accuse others, and be content with your wages”. A personal faith in Jesus and a repentant heart for our sin will take away the desire for ore of this world’s goods, and instead be filled with the desire for the true riches which will last for eternity. As Paul instructed Timothy, “follow after righteousness, faith love, patience and meekness”; qualities which we pray will be displayed by our next prime minister. Oh that those who seek conflict, disruption, and devastation to the lives of others would bring forth these fruits of faith and repentance. Let us then turn our eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. If we do, then by God’s grace we will possesses the invaluable asset of a contented mind! Royston Pick

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5 1 2 4 8 7 6 9 3

9 3 7 6 1 2 8 5 4

8 6 4 5 3 9 1 7 2

2 9 3 7 6 1 4 8 5

6 7 8 2 4 5 3 1 9

4 5 1 3 9 8 7 2 6

7 2 6 8 5 3 9 4 1

3 8 9 1 2 4 5 6 7

1 4 5 9 7 6 2 3 8

SUDOKU by Neil Fozard

Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

EASY …AND NOT SO EASY!

Answers to July’s quizzes

WURZIT TO?

A calming and fascinating thing to do is to explore churches – inside and out, where the inscriptions on some headstones go beyond in loving memory and RIP. There’s one, Foxley perhaps, where it reads ‘He worked hard, and got very tired and now he is asleep’. And I think it’s in Rodmarton where there’s ‘Known for her love of her family, music and The Red Arrows’. Sadly, this Wurzit To arrow is nothing to do with the exciting Red ones who do rolypolys and upsydowneys and curlywurlys at 9 million miles an hour in their aeroplanes, AND still remember to press the E-number Coloured Smoke button. Nearly all of you will have passed this arrow, many a time too, but Where Is It in the village? Last month’s window was the one facing St Lawrence’s in the little Gazebo House abutting The Street, that is part of Kingsmead.

47 2 6

1 8 7 3 5

4

3 5 9 6 8 1

8

6 3 4 7 9

1 8 9

7

52 8 7

6 2 4 5 9

8 1 2

4 7 6

3 2 9

5 1 9

3 7 8 4

8 4 9 6

7 2 3 4 9 5 6 8 1

4 5 9 6 8 1 7 3 2

6 8 1 3 2 7 9 5 4

8 3 4 7 1 2 5 9 6

1 7 6 9 5 4 3 2 8

2 9 5 8 3 6 4 1 7

5 6 8 1 4 3 2 7 9

9 4 2 5 7 8 1 6 3

3 1 7 2 6 9 8 4 5

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AUGUST COLOURING IN Hey, it’s Hermaid the Mermaid! She loves being beside the seaside, but with the tail of a kipper, tentacles for

hair & the aroma of an old haddock about her person, Hermaid would find a stroll along the prom,prom,prom*

not only a flollopy fally over disaster, but being the subject of the local council’s ‘Behave-Yerself-Or-Else’

brigade, here in Tattoodneck-upon-Sea. There are many visitors to this resort who reek of the local fish (n’

chippy), reeling around after a night on the Jack Daniels, with hair extensions remarkably similar to those seen

here. You just can’t be legless in Tattoodneck -upon Sea & get away with it. Poor Hermaid. (*you know the

song “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside? Bet you don’t know anything beyond the chorus – on page 23 you

can see that there’s far more than prom, prom, prom. Read on!

!

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AUGUST’S A-Z OF ANAGRAMS Ooh, lovely news – anagrams have been warmly welcomed back into the deep bosom of Dyddi

Anagram solvers. (I tried a different quiz format earlier this year which had none of the brain

stewing bliss of this format, so we happily return). This month, the subject is Edibles in Tins, Jars

& Packets - 26 anagrams, from A-Z, so yes to ‘Rice Pudding’ for instance, but no to Lenor Fluffy

Fruitbat fabric conditioner. Caution – NO Q, X or Z, so 3 letters have 2 entries. Not in alphabetical

order, & there are no brand names. Answers on p.21. NO peeking – & you know who you are!!!

I CLIP LILAC (9) MAKE PRIVET LOAD (10,4) TIM HULK (1.1.1.4) CRAFTER AT ROAM (5,2,6) TORY GUS (7) IF STRAW IS CUBE (5,8) PUT LOO AXIS (6,4) BE BAD SNAKE (5,5) HA EAGLES NESTS (7,6) MARIONS SCOTLAND (6,9) MANS MERE STANDING (8,8) JERRY RAMS BAP (9,3) MATCH PUT TOE OK (8,7) OH CLOTHE COAT (3,9) BURST SAGO FROWN (4,5,5) I FIXED DRUID TERM (5,5,5) SLANTED NOTIONS (7,7) NEW GIG CHUM (7,3) I TUT FAIR CLOCK (5,8) SNUGGLE DART AURA (10,5) IE SAVE RAFFLE MILK (6,4,6) IF RACK JUT (9) RED BANANA (4,5) CALL VET RAN TAXI (7,7) O HUMAN KENYA (6,5) REG ATE EARLY (4,4,3)

the DYDDI digest, founded in October 1975 is published each month on behalf of

Didmarton Village Hall and Community Committee. The editor reserves the right to refuse/edit any editorial or advertising content. Contact editor Carole, on 01454 238576 email dyddi@btinternet.com or deliver any editorial/copy to 7 Chapel Walk, Didmarton

Please note, copy/advertising deadline is the 15th of the preceding month

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DAISY’S DYDDI

WORDSEARCH Can you find the following Super Summery

related words hidden away in this eye-boggling puzzle?

Daisy has hidden:

POOL ICE CREAM

HOT CRICKET

SUN CIDER

SUNCREAM

STRAWBERRIES

GARDENS

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YOUR MIND & BODY MATTERS Feeling the very best you can

This month – hot, hot, hot

More and more research is being done how the weather affects our health. We know about tree, grass and flower pollen triggering hay fever but high humidity along with wind speed can increase the

chance of pain in arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraine by up to 20%. An air pressure drop before a storm can trigger a migraine. A Tokyo university doctor is trying to prove that there’s an inner ear system that detects atmospheric pressure, which may explain why animals and birds flee to safer ground before a storm. According to the British Heart Foundation, when the weather warms up and we get hot, our blood vessels dilate meaning the heart has to work harder especially if we become dehydrated. Keeping hydrated and cool will really help. Air pollution can also cause problems during hot weather which can worsen heart conditions. Breathing in tiny particles which enter the bloodstream mean our blood vessels narrow and harden increasing blood pressure which in turn can put a strain on our hearts. Our blood is more likely to clot and affect the heart's electrical functioning leading to abnormal heart rhythms. With this in mind, a good book, a long cool drink and a comfy chair in the shade will certainly help to ease the above. Stay hydrated and enjoy however by the time you read this our gorgeous heat wave may have subsided especially as the schools will have broken up! Whatever the weather, enjoy! Ruth x

(Last month, Ruth signed off with the Greek ‘Efcharisto Para Poli’, which according to Google

translate is ‘Effervescent rather than city.’ . Ruth put me right, it’s Thank you Very Much’ !)

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DIDMARTON CRICKET CLUB – latest match reports

Didmarton v Corsley, 26th Jun. With captain Ali away on his belated honeymoon, Andy took over the captaincy and immediately got something right by winning the toss and electing to bat. Despite tricky bowling on a much improved wicket (well done, groundsmen)

we got to a respectable 134 from 30 overs, thanks to an excellent 38 from Martin Barrett, including a gigantic 6 which cleared the trees on the field side boundary. Other contributions from Andy, Chris, Adam, Barts and Alan supported Martin. After an excellent tea (thanks to all involved here), Corsley started slowly, thanks to well controlled bowling from Todd (1 for 10 off 5 overs), Ceri, Simon and Adam, and at drinks they had only reached 41-3 off 16. Victory seemed likely, but alas, a superb 80 run partnership from Corsley’s 2 best players gradually took the game away. The winning runs were hit in the final over. Close but no cigar. Didmarton v Kingswood, 3rd July. Next up a team we hadn’t played before but are sure to become regulars. After a very rainy week, once again the groundsmen did a sterling job of getting the game on, although the wicket was pretty soft. Batting was tricky for everyone apart from returning superstar Harry Rogers, playing a superb hand in helping us reach 126. He contributed over half our runs with an excellent 64. Other notable contributions were from Richard, bravely batting on after injuring himself completing a run, and returning ‘keeper Paul Johnson. In reply, Kingswood, as Corsley did the week before, struggled to get our well controlled bowling away, backed up by excellent fielding all round, meaning they had only reached 41-2 at drinks. Again, Harry was the pick with 3 for 7 off 6 overs, but great all round bowling from Simon, Barts, and Adam as well. A similar partnership threatened to take the game away but this time, thanks to some superb death bowling from Martin and Alan, and no thanks to the captain’s dropped catches, this time we were able to get over the line, bowling Kingswood all out for 113 and winning by 13 runs. A brilliant catch from Martin to finish the game in style. A hard fought and richly deserved victory! Thanks to all involved, regardless of results, we always have a great laugh and the sense of fun and team spirit has never been stronger - Didmarton Cricket is alive and kicking! Please let Ali or me know if you’d like to get involved: 07989 567795, ajhammond227@gmail.com, andrew.nightingale@hotmail.com Andy Nightingale

FIXTURES FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER - ALL ARE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS 7th August – Corsley (A) 28th August – Grittleton (H)

7th September – South Stoke (H)

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CAROLE COOKS AGAIN Dreamy creamy summery sweetness

Chudleys – chudleighs? I don’t know which is correct, but chudleys were part and parcel of every village tea that followed sports day and the fete. Simply, a chudley is a soft white rolls (round not long), cut in half and REALLY thickly slathered in clotted cream, or at the very least, super thick double. In the centre, a dob of jam, no more than a teaspoon: if you’re making a trayful, they look so pretty if there several different jams. Maximum visual effect is blackcurrant, strawberry, apricot, plum. However, the jewel in the crown is one with golden syrup. Cold thick cream with syrup is ambrosial: a (small) bowlful of cold clotted cream with a drizzle of golden syrup is a perfect treat. Some call this thunder and lightning, but isn’t that black treacle and cream? Any thoughts? If you’ve an Aga or Rayburn, some form of permanent heat, making clotted cream is easy. Mum did it at home when we were children; we had a few Devon cattle, the reddish ones with arcing horns. Dad would plonk me on Milkmaid’s neck just behind these spikes when bringing the little herd in from the field, and then milk them by hand, squatted on a 3 legged stool. The milk was pretty creamy, though not quite as rich as Jersey or Guernsey, and a litre of so – a few pints in them days – made a big bowlful. You can’t make it with ‘normal’ homogenised milk, it has to be whole and unhomogenised – if the cream has risen to the top of the bottle, it should work. Just nip to Bennetts Farm Shop – advert page 25, for the most local and lovely! Pour full fat, whole, unhomogenised, preferably unpasteurised, milk into a very wide heatproof dish. Let it stand for the cream to rise to the surface, (an hour or so) then place on a very, very low constant heat. Don’t stir, just let it come to the tiniest of slightest simmers, where the milk cooks and should ‘bead’ around the edges. Eventually, the surface will crust over, underneath will thicken. It’s more of an art than a science, just watch and wait and don’t disturb. When you’re happy with it, take it off the heat and put into a cool place. Mum (she used to work in the diary in a castle!) says a ‘cold slab’, which I imagine was part and parcel of a larder. I suppose the 2022 version is nothing more than The Fridge. When fully chilled, you can carefully scoop off the crusty clotted cream, underneath is buttermilk, even though it’s got no butter in it. Use that in soda bread or scones, or just drink it, it’s basically skimmed milk. And, once you’ve had

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all the chudleys and syrupy bowlfuls that you can, what else to serve it with? How about a SUMMER PUDDING? ‘Wonky’ and ‘imperfect’ fruit and veg are thankfully becoming more mainstream in the supermarket, even into the freezer section. I found imperfect frozen summer fruit bags which were ideal for this: just fish out the strawberries, a fruit best lobbed into the blender with a banana if it’s been subjected to freezing. The remaining red and blackcurrants, plus raspberries, are fine. You’ll also need a loaf of white bread: cheapo sliced goes too slimey, artisan rather wasted, but a middle priced one that looks more like a real loaf works well. Not wholemeal, bitty brown, tiger, sourdough, just a white. Heat a few tablespoons of water and two of white sugar in a pan, then stir in a whole bag of frozen fruit, more if you’re pudding bowl is larger than the usual litre. Bring slowly to a simmer, give it a minute or two, then turn off the heat, with the lid on. Add more sugar if needs be. Sliced the bread fairly thickly, cut the crusts off. Use to line – be as artily geometric as you like, a pudding bowl. I found two whole slices north and south, then cut the east and west ones into suitable triangle shapes, the easiest. You can push and squash the bread in to any gaps, it’s not high-end architecture and Planning aren’t going to tick you off. Ladle in the cooked fruit – it’s fine if still hot – retaining most of the juice. Put a whole piece of bread on the top, and cut triangle shapes to fully cover. If juice isn’t already seeping into the bread and staining it deep purple, pour some more of the juice over, but keep some back if possible. Cover the top with cling film, pushing down into all the corners, then shove an upturned saucer or plate on top that fits snugly. Weight this with a heavy thing – tins of beans, say, and stick in the fridge overnight, or at least a few hours. If the bread isn’t fully purpled, you can tease the bread away from the side of the bowl with a dinner knife to allow juice to run through it all. Tip upside down onto a serving dish, and accompany with all your clotted cream, plus some, and any leftover juices. Carole, ed.

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Little Quiz answers, from page 3: Julian, Dick, George, Ann, Timmy (the dog). Noddy. Thomas

Edward Lawrence. Victor Frankenstein. Mother Theresa.

Anagram answers, from page 17: Piccalilli. Evaporated milk. U.H.T. milk. Cream of Tartar.

Yogurts. Wafer biscuits. Oxtail soup. Baked beans. Lasagne Sheets. Almond Croissant. Mandarin

Segments. Raspberry Jam. Tomato Ketchup. Hot Chocolate. Soft Brown Sugar. Dried Mixed Fruit.

Instant Noodles. Chewing Gum. Fruit Cocktail. Granulated Sugar. Kaffir Lime Leaves. Jackfruit.

Naan Bread. Vanilla Extract. Manuka Honey. Earl Grey Tea.

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OUR LOCAL SAINT, LAWRENCE The feast of St Lawrence, whose name is given to our beautiful little church here, is on the 10th this month. From 3rd July until 11th August is a period known as the ‘dog days’, when hot humid weather can lessen the energy and cause general grumpiness and crossness. Sirius was blamed. Sirius is the Dog Star, considered responsible in ancient times for this spell of high temperatures, when the heat of said star was combined with that from the sun. Shakespeare mentions dog days in Henry VIII, and Romeo and Juliet is set in the middle of them. Indeed, our dog days saint is ‘celebrated’ in two old sayings about indolence: (about a lazy person) - he’s got St Lawrence on the shoulder, and, Lazy Lawrence let me goo, Don’t hold me summer and winter too. However, there’s much more to St. Lawrence, and none of it lazy or grumpy, though hot does feature, in rather an different way. Lawrence was one of seven deacons ordained – laurelled - by Pope Sixtus in 258AD, even though he was a comparative youngster, thought to have been born in Spain in 225AD. After Sixtus was executed, Rome demanded that Lawrence hand over the riches of the church, which he did quickly though instead of to the Romans, he gave to the poor, blind and suffering, before it could be seized by the Prefect (a senior officer) of Rome. His defiance of the powers in Rome caused terrible anger there; it led to his martyrdom, his awful death: the Prefect ordered a gridiron to be prepared. A gridiron was metal frame, like a table without a top, upon which a person would be secured. Underneath, a fire was lit. This was Lawrence’s fate, but legend tells that after he had suffered for a while, he cheerfully declared “I’m well done on this side. Turn me over!”. It’s for this reason that Lawrence is the patron saint of cooks, chef and comedians. But before his death, our Didmarton claim-to-Lawrence-fame is the ancient spring that he blessed on his journeying through here, providing him with water to set him on his way. St Lawrence’s Well is just across the road from ‘his’ church, and it is said that it has never frozen nor dried up. Just to the right of it is an old water trough for animals. No coincidence that diagonally opposite is a house called The Old Laundry, which would help substantiate it’s ever-flowing status. ed.

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WHAT HAPPENS ON THE PROM, PROM, PROM? When writing the bumpf for the colouring in picture on p.16, the merry ditty Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside came to mind. A quick google and tah da, the full, quite lengthy lyrics. A jolly version can be heard if you search for the version trilled by Florrie Forde. A mildly scratchy, old’y sing song, perfect for telling the tale of Timothy and William. I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE Everyone delights to spend their summer's holiday down beside the side of the silvery sea. I'm no exception to the rule, in fact, if I'd my way, I'd reside by the side of the silvery sea. But when you're just the common garden Smith or Jones or Brown, At business up in town, you've got to settle down. You save up all the money you can till summer comes around Then away you go to a spot you know where the cockleshells are found CHORUS - Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside! I do like to be beside the sea! Oh I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom! Where the brass bands play, "Tiddely-om-pom-pom!" So just let me be beside the seaside! I'll be beside myself with glee and there's lots of girls beside, I should like to be beside, beside the seaside, beside the sea! Timothy went to Blackpool for the day last Eastertide To see what he could see by the side of the sea. As soon as he reached the station there the first thing he espied Was the wine lodge door stood open invitingly To quench his thirst, he toddled inside & called out for a wine Which grew to eight or nine, ‘til his nose began to shine. Said he 'What people see in the sea, I'm sure I fail to see' Then he caught the train back home again and to his wife said he CHORUS William Sykes the burglar he'd been out to work one night, filled his bags with jewels, cash and plate. Constable Brown felt quite surprised when William hove in sight. Said he, "The hours you're keeping are far too late." So he grabbed him by the collar and lodged him safe and sound in jail. Next morning looking pale, Bill told a tearful tale. The judge said, "For a couple of months I'm sending you away!" Said Bill, "How kind! Well if you don't mind, Where I spend my holiday!" CHORUS

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EST. 1958

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james@coxandhall.co.uk emergency 07970 426270

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WHAT’S ON THIS AUGUST – CALL 01454 238245 FOR DETAILS

LOCALS NIGHT on Thursday 4th August, with 10% off drinks. UNLIMITED PIZZA & PROSECCO PARTY, Saturday 6th for summer fun and food in our beautiful garden. QUIZ NIGHT is back on Thursday 18th. Get your thinking caps on, and recruit your team members. BAND NIGHT – live music on Friday 19th. Boogie on down… CHEF FEST – Saturday 27th . Food for foodies.

& INTO SEPTEMBER, ON SATURDAY 3rd, BOULES DAY! See feature inside, on page 5. Thursday 29th September – Sunday 2nd October, Beer & Cider Fest

Our pizza oven is open Friday 3-9pm, Saturday 12-9pm & Sunday 4-8pm, & every other Wednesday, it’s WOW – Welcome On Wednesday (this month, the 10th & 24th). Pop in for coffee and chat, beer and a banter, 3-5pm. All welcome, whatever the age, & however many legs!

The Kings Arms, The Street, Didmarton, Badminton, Gloucestershire GL9 1DT

www.kingsarmsdidmarton.co.uk 01454 238245