June 2010 Bathford Bulletin

The Bathford Bulletin

The Monthly Magazine For The Parish OfBathford

June 2010

www.thebathfordbulletin.org

Brownies Celebrate 1 00 years

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

This month we are looking for a interesting or unusual one of the vil lageparticularly one that captures a distinct character of the vil lage or is from an from

an unusual or unique vantage point.

Please send your submissions to: [email protected]

St. Swithun’s Church BathfordDuring the vacancy please contact the Churchwardens

Joy Craine 85861 3 or Derek Brown 859886

Churchwardens: Derek Brown 859886 Joy Craine 85861 3

Readers: Gerry Mil ler 858402 Michael Craine 85861 3

Gil l Gilbert 858927 Dennis Pearson 858293

Everyone Is Warmly Welcome!

We have the fol lowing groups for children during our Sunday Services:

Crèche (0-3); Children’s Church (3-1 0); Rock Solid Youth Group (11 +).

Our 1 4+ youth group, 'Scubed', meets three times each month. For detai ls please ring

Michael Craine.

Sundays

8:1 5am Holy Communion

1 0:00am First Sunday - Family Service

2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday - Holy Communion

3rd Sunday - Morning Worship (No Communion)

6:30pm First Sunday - Holy Communion

Other Sundays - Evensong

Mondays

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

2:00pm 2nd Monday – Service In The Community Room

Wednesdays

2:30pm Holy Communion each 1 st Weds of the month.

House Groups Details from the Churchwardens or Notices.

Page 2 The Bathford Bulletin

Bathford Baptist Chapel, High Street, Bathford

Services wil l be held at 1 0.30am each Sunday.

Followed by Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the Month

Prayer Meeting Thursday Mornings at 1 0:00am

If you require information or help then please call

01 225 833300 or 01 225 723246 or 01 249 782368

Letter from St Swithun's Church

As a small chi ld I had viol in lessons withMrs. Skeet in a dark house that smelt ofcat food. Whilst I sat no exams, I wasconvinced (and later convinced otherswho were not fortunate enough to hearme play) that by the age of eight, I hadreached a precociously high standard. I twas only the mysterious loss of the viol inwhist moving house that brought mylessons and the prospect of a lucrativemusical career to an end.

When sorting through the cassettecollection left by my late grandmother,we found an audio tape entitled ‘MichaelViol in 1 972’. To my deep shame (and theobvious delight of my wife) the appall ingracket was so dreadful that even mygrandmother (an almost cast-ironsupporter in the face of obvious inabil ity)can be heard to say of my screeching ‘Ithink that’s probably enough dear! ’

In our memory we often recall ,reinterpret and represent events in anunrealistic and flattering l ight. Onlyweeks after their escape from a despoticand cruel regime in Egypt, the Israelitessat dejected in the wilderness, sunburntand thirsty. Almost laughably (and total lywithout factual basis) they said to oneanother with gl istening eyes; ‘Did we noteat plates of meat and fine food inEgypt?’ Wasn’t yesterday perfect andtoday dreadful?

The Bathford Bulletin Page 3

As we face economic, social, pol iticaland environmental chal lenges on apretty daunting scale, there is thetemptation to conclude that ‘things havenever been worse! ’ Having just finisheda novel concerning the US air bases inEast Anglia during the Second WorldWar and the unimaginable loss of younglives, I ’m not so sure. Every generationfaces challenges, but there was perhapsa greater desire and wil l ingness in timespast to turn to God in the face ofchallenge and not simply to blame Him.

Things have never really been perfect, Inever could play the viol in properly,there never was a summer when thesun shone every day AND the grassstayed green, but God our help in agespast promises to be with us now andthrough all that is come. ‘No pit is sodeep that God’s love is not deeper sti l l ’ .

Best wishes,

Michael Craine

Monthly Film Club

The next meeting of the Film Club is onMonday 28 June in St. Swithun'sChurch at 2:00pm where we wil l bescreening Brief Encounter, an enduringromance starring Celia Johnson andTrevor Howard.

The fi lm wil l be fol lowed by tea andcakes.

All welcome .

Transport available if required.

Contact Pam Priston 743499.


Mill Whistle Update

There has been tremendous support toreinstate the 7:30 am mil l whistle. 203people have signed the petition which isbeing forwarded to Portals (Bathford)Ltd. Hopeful ly this strong indication oflocal opinion wil l encourage them toreconsider their decision and bring backthe whistle.

Many thanks to everybody who hasshown their support.

Mary George

'Bathford, Past & Present'

Delayed by the Election!

Our printer, Corsham Print, has beenvery busy with priority election printingtasks, so the new edition of 'Bathford,Past & Present', planned for May, won'tbe available unti l the end of May.Accordingly, a 'Book Launch' has beenplanned in Bathford Vil lage Shop onSaturday 5 June, at 11 :00am.

We apologise for the delay but themaking of history takes priority!

David Howells

Family History Info Required

My wife's grandmother was born inBatheaston in 1 888, but the 1 891census shows her and the family (theRich family, parents Alfred and Fanny)l iving in Pritchard Lane, Bathford. Try asI might, I cannot locate the mysteriousPritchard Lane - is it anything to do withyour worthy council lor, I wonder?Maybe it was a lane - now defunct orrenamed - leading to a property thePritchard family owned?

I do hope you can help me solve themystery!

Many thanks, and kindest regards.

(Rev) Edward D Hamer

Canterbury, Kent

Please send any responses [email protected] we wil l pass them on.

Thank You From Bathford RBL

We would l ike to take this opportunity tothank everyone who has supported theClub by attending events and to all thosewho continual ly hire us for parties andfunctions. Without you we couldn'tsurvive so many thanks.

We have had a successful few monthsat the Club. One of the highl ights wasour excellent cabaret night featuring theextremely talented Stephanie Scott andthe hilariously funny Slim Pickings.

Our fundraising events continue to thriveand we would l ike to extend ourgratitude to those who attended ourUnique Race Night (which raised £80),Bingo Fundraiser (which raised £88) andour Plant Sale (which raised £250).

Thank you for al l your efforts and hardwork.

I f you haven't been in for a visit yet thenplease do pop in and join us - we are theonly l icensed premises in the vil lage atthe moment and we are open sevennights a week.

Non-members are welcome to come inat ANY time. You DO NOT have to be amember to come in and have a drink.

For more info please contact us 858072,[email protected] or visit ourwebsite: bathfordrbl.co.uk.

Bathford RBL Club Committee


Parish Hall ManagementCommittee Meeting

Thursday 29 July 201 0 at 8:00pm.

All "Regular User" reps always welcome.

* * *

After many, many years of gal lant workon our behalf, we reluctantly butunderstandably accepted the recentresignation of Margaret Hawkins. Wetherefore require a third volunteer as aVil lage Representative at our albeitsmall in numbers but nevertheless l ivelyCommittee Meetings (every 2 months).

Come and join us!

Shirley Beazer, (859982)

Secretary,

Parish Hall Management Committee

Ieuan Green

Carpenter & Roofing Specialist

UPVC Gutterings & Fascia

Firestone Flat Roofing System

Maintenance Free

No Flame Instal lation

40 Years Experience

Reference Available

Tel.07929 91 4987

Photos By David Howells

Bathford Village Shop

Newspaper Compiler Role

A position has become available for anearly morning newspaper compiler.

The role is paid at £7.50/hour due to theunsocial time.

I f you are interested, or know someonewho maybe then see Kevin, any

volunteer in the shop or phone 8591 86.

Hours as follows:

Wednesday: 5:30am - 6:30am

Saturday: 6:00am - 7:00am

Sunday: 6:00am - 7:00am

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

852486, 859007

[email protected]

www.bathford.net


Bathford Neighbourhood Watch

The Somer Housing area of MountainWood has been designated a 'No ColdCaller' zone, one of a number of suchareas around the city of Bath and thepolice have noticed a significantreduction of crime in these areas as aresult of the action.

The main aims of the scheme are tostop door to door salesmen from call ingunannounced and trying to encourageresidents not to buy from unexpectedcallers at the door. A secondary target isto reduce the number of distractionburglaries whilst residents are occupiedat their front door.

At the presentation launch of the eventthe Parish Council representatives wereimpressed by the simplicity of the ideaand asked whether this could beextended to the whole parish but thereare legal reasons why this cannot bedone. However, one thing that can bedone is to use the stickers that comewith the packs provided to 'zonemembers' to stick on their doors.Householders are allowed to indicatethat they do not wish to receive coldcallers or 'buy at the door' by posting asmall sticker on their door or window toindicate that they wil l not purchase. Theother half of the sticker is attached tothe inside of the front door to remind theresident to keep the chain on the doorwhen responding and to call the police iftheir suspicions are aroused.

The Parish Council has agreed topurchase a sticker for every householdin the parish from the police anddistribute them for use. The stickers wil lbe included with the July copy of TheBathford Bulletin and our thanks go tothe Bulletin distribution team organisersfor agreeing to facil itate this action.

Stan Cherry, Bathford Parish Council.

Burglaries and Break-ins – the ParishCouncil would l ike to remind residentsabout the Neighbourhood Watchmessage which has appeared on theBathford Bulletin website with regard tothe warning from the police about theincrease in break-ins to sheds aroundthe Batheaston, London Road area andwhich may spread to Bathford. Pleasecall the police if you see any suspiciousactivity. The non-emergency contactnumber is 0845 4567000. The police saythese incidents usually occur in the earlyhours - around 1 :00am.

Date of Next Meeting – Monday 21June at 7:30pm in the Parish Office.Parishioners are reminded that al l ParishCouncil meetings are open to the publicand residents are welcome to attend asobservers. The Parish Council makes 5minutes available at the start of eachmeeting during which residents canbring any matters of concern to theattention of the Council .

Ruth Holding

Clerk

Telephone Scam - Beware

I f someone phones you and tel ls youthat there is a problem with yourcomputer, we would reccommend thatyou politely put the phone down andseek advice from friends or trustedprofessionals or phone the police.

Never give bank or credit card detai ls tocompanies that you do not know or trustto be genuine.


Box W.I.

Our meeting on Tuesday 8 June wil linclude a talk by Mrs. Susan Waldron on'Crafts of the Waterways'.

Our meetings start at 2:30 pm and areheld at the Selwyn Hall , Box on thesecond Tuesday of the month. Allmembers and guests are welcome.

Jean Cherry

Bathford Link - Update

Most residents of the vil lage wil l befamil iar with Bathford Link but for thosewho aren't, I am taking the opportunity ofreminding them of our activities. Link is asmall independent charity which helpselderly, housebound and incapacitatedresidents of the vil lage - particularly withlocal transport. We made over 600 tripslast year and our services are greatlyappreciated. I t is financed by donationsfrom users of the service and othersources within the community. I f youneed help from Link with transportplease call our Duty Co-ordinator on07870 666 582.

New Drivers

Are you new to the vil lage or recentlyretired with time on your hands onweekdays?

We have a loyal band of friendlyvolunteer drivers and we now need afew more. This is an extremelyrewarding activity and an opportunity tomeet new faces. I f you can drive andhave a car and would l ike to help Link asa driver - for example - for two or threetrips a month, please give me a ring. Wewould be very grateful.

Donations

From time to time, our drivers are askedwhat donation is appropriate. As aguidel ine, Link suggests 50p per mile.For example - a return trip to the surgeryat Batheaston would be £1 , Bridgemeadwould be £3.00 each way and the RUHin Bath £5 plus any parking charges.

Link Summer Tea Party

This is arranged for 3:00pm in the ParishHall on Thursday 24 June - for al ldrivers, users and supporters ofBathford Link. The invitations have beensent - please let me know if you areplanning to come.

Contact me on 851 230 for moreinformation.

Peter Staples, Secretary

Bathford Ladies Group

Coach trip to Malborough College onThursday 3 June. Leaving Bathford at1 0:30am from the telephone box outsideWhitehaven. Returning from Malboroughat 5:00pm.

Brenda Barnes 859537

Come & Join Us At

Gambia Galore!

A garden party with a difference, raisingfunds for agricultural and academicprojects in our partner vi l lageNdikirikunda in The Gambia.

Sunday 1 8 July 201 0

at Avon Cottage,

22 Church Street, Bathford.

1 2:30pm - 5:00pm.

Delicious African food (also vegetarian)& Traditional English BBQ, l ive musicand entertainment. Tickets (Includingfood) £6, children under 1 2- £3, under 5

free.

The Gambia Connection

01 225 858490 or 01 225 859933

TOP GRADELOGSSEASONED FIREWOOD CUT AND SPLIT TO

KINDLING SIZE AND WOODCHIPMob: 07973 444957www.topgradelogs.com

16 Ashley Road, Bathford, Bath, BA1 7TTFREE DELIVERY IN BATHFORD

Broadlands Community Orchard

A4 Box Road, 1 mile from Batheaston,next to Dick Wil lows. 07532 472256

Facil ities: Car park, compost toi let, wetweather shelter, Earth Oven

Spring and Summer Workshops

All courses £25 each, £5 discount forsponsors & concessions.

Booking essential .

Contact Liz Clarke 07881 9611 45.

Basic Willow Weaving Day

Friday 11 June, 1 0:00am to 4:00pm.

We wil l be making platters and basicwil low shapes.

Lunch and refreshments included.

Volunteering Days

Saturday 1 2 June. 1 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

Bathampton Community Growers

Every Thursday. 1 0:00am to dusk.

Saturday 1 9 June. 1 0:00am to dusk

Volunteers are using permaculturemethods to create an edible garden -fruit trees and vegetable crops.

New helpers and beginners verywelcome.

University of Bath Agricultural ResearchStation, Mil l Lane, BathamptonMeadows.

Tel/text: Chris 07792 444 628

Email : [email protected]

No parking at the site. All welcome.

Green Bath News

Green Bath News is a weekly newsdigest that covers local and global greenissues, read the latest one online at:

http://www.greenbath.org/green-bath-news-21-april-2010


Marathon Thank You

A big thank you to all who sponsored mein the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 1 8Apri l , with a special thanks to BathfordShop which donated their Apri l charitycol lection box to WaterAid. I completedthe course in 4 and a half hours. I t wasmy first marathon and I raised a fantastic£1 ,000 for WaterAid.

Thank you for your support.

Josh Bone

Bathford Brownies Celebrate theCentenary of Girl Guiding

Fifteen Brownies from Bathford joinedmore than three hundred seven to ten-year-old girls to experience the thri l lsand spil ls of adventure at a PGL activitycentre in Torquay. The ‘Big BrownieTakeover’ took place over the BankHoliday weekend in early May to markthe first 1 00 years of guiding.

For most of the girls it was their firstweekend away from family, a challengefor parents and girls al ike. The Brownieshad three hot meals a day, and slept(eventual ly) in dormitories in themagnificent main house. They were ledin singing and team activities by thetireless PGL staff. Fol lowing a wetcampfire sing-along, the Brownies weretreated to an amazing firework displayon the Saturday evening.

During the weekend Bathford girls triedabseil ing, cl imbing, and archery (mostlyin the rain to add to the challenge!) andjoined other Brownies from all over theregion to compete in team challengeactivities. Amy, aged 9, commented“abseil ing was fun because it was likefal l ing out of an airplane! I have learnedto be brave!”

The girls agreed that the most excitingactivity was a challenge during whichthey had to build and climb a tower ofcrates at least 8 feet high then leap off,being suspended by ropes held by theirfriends! “I t’s l ike flying” Katrin, aged 7,remarked with a smile on her face.

For the adult leaders from Bathford itwas their first experience of taking theBrownies away. “The facil ities andsupport provided by PGL was amazing”explained Vanessa, Bathford’s BrownOwl. “I wil l definitely be planning afuture trip and recommend it to al lfamil ies and groups looking for a safe,yet challenging environment.”

Bathford Brownies and Rainbows canonly run meetings and activities thanksto the help of volunteers. Both groupsare saying goodbye to highly valuedhelpers this summer and both aredesperate for help to start in Septemberor earl ier. Adult help is needed once ortwice a month in term times at theirmeetings held in the early evening.Brownies are aged 7-1 0 years andRainbows are younger, aged 5-7 years.Both groups are really popular with localgirls. Although mums help to keep thegroups running, without an extra regularvolunteer each, there is a danger thegroups might have to close.

For information about Brownies inBathford contact Vanessa Plain on852381 or Vanessa@bathfordhil l .co.uk.For information about Rainbows inBathford contact Jul ie Lacey onjul [email protected].

Vanessa Plain 852381


St. Swithun's Pre-school PartyCall ing al l under 5's and their carers,please come and join us for our annualpreschool party on Thursday 1 7 Junefrom 1 2:00pm unti l 2:30pm at 52 ChurchStreet. There wil l be play in the gardenwith a trampoline, swings and toys andalso food and drink for adults andchildren. I f wet we wil l relocate to theparish rooms. Please just turn up but formore information contact Sally McLeod.Sally McLeod 859483

Village of the Year Competition –Your help is needed NOW!

Bathford has been entered in the Vil lageof the Year Competition run by theCampaign to Protect Rural England.

We are lucky to l ive in such a lovelycommunity. This competition providesthe opportunity for us to speak out andfeel good about it. A written submissionhas been made describing variousaspects of l ife in the vil lage. The nextpart is a visit by judges to see Bathfordfor themselves. They wil l visitanonyously between 1 June and 31 July.

You can play your part in ensuring thatthe vil lage looks it best by picking uplitter and keeping the front of yourproperties tidy. We are told that they wil lbe impressed if the vil lage is tidy and wil lalso be seeking a sense of ‘community’and ‘vibrancy’.

Thanks for your support and co-operation.

I f you would l ike to know more pleasecontact Maureen Breeze 01 225 852444

Near As New 50:50 Sale

BEFAPlus and the Transition groupthank all those who supported the recentfundraising sale which raised £70.

Maureen Breeze, BEFAPlus

A Day in Oxford?

On Monday 5 July, our French visitorsfrom Artannes and some of their hostswil l be spending the day in Oxford,leaving Bathford at 8:30am andreturning at 6pm.

We are likely to have approximately tenplaces on the coach for anyoneinterested.

The charge wil l be £9.50 and it's firstcome, first served.

Contact John Lees on 859508.

Twinning News

On Thursday 1 July we are expecting toreceive a group of 26 visitors fromArtannes. After a short welcomingmeeting that evening, they wil l disperseto their hosts and thereafter take part ina programme of entertainment currentlywell in preparation. The group wil l leaveon Tuesday 6 July. There wil l be severalopportunities to meet our guests and Inote below the principal events in whichanyone from Bathford & Kingsdown cantake part:

Barn Dance – Friday 2 July in theParish Hall at 7:30pm. Tickets fromcommittee members or from the Vil lageShop £8 (Children under 1 6, £6),including Fish & Chip Supper withStrawberries & Cream.

Open Gardens – Sunday 4 July from2:00pm. Visit selected gardens (detai lswil l be on the tickets) in Bathford &Kingsdown, with tea & cakes included –Tickets £3, (Children, £2) from ColinPriston (743499) or Tony Woodcock(8591 32). Please note that entry wil l beby ticket only & numbers wil l be l imitedfor this event so book early to avoiddisappointment!

American Supper – Monday 5 July inthe Parish Hall from 8:00pm. This wil lbe the closing event of the visit at whichwe wil l bid farewell to our guests.

There wil l be no charge for entry butthose attending wil l be asked to bring afood contribution and a bottle of suitabletipple! However, please reserve placesfor this event by ringing Anne or TonyWoodcock on 8591 32 and let them knowwhat food contribution you wil l bring,e.g. , sweet or savoury etc.

Tony Woodcock (8591 32)

Page 1 0 The Bathford Bulletin


The deadline for receiving copy for the July 201 0 Bulletin is 1 5 June.

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 Vil lage Shop, 54 Bathford Hil l , Bathford, Bath BA1 7SN

Diary Of Events – June 201 0

Page 1 2 The Bathford Bulletin

If you run or attend an event that is not listed please contact us and we will addyour event to the list.

Documents

June 2010 Bathford Bulletin