PARISH MAGAZINE

The Edge, Pitchcombe,

Harescombe and Brookthorpe

September 2010 75p

Events around the Parish

Harescombe:
8 September: Ladies Group meeting at ‘Greensleeves’
24 September: Harvest Supper

Pitchcombe:
5 September: New Family Service at the Church
18 September: The Cappella Singers at the Church
9 October: Harvest Supper, Village Hall
Edge:
26 September: Harvest Festival
29 September: New Service of Compline (BCP) at the Church
16 October: ‘Edge has got talent!’ Competition, Village Hall
29 October: End of Summer Cheese & Wine Party, Village Hall

Brookthorpe:
None reported

Mobile Library: Thursday, 2, 16 & 30 September

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

Mobile Police Station: 2 & 21 September

14.15 pm - 14.40 am Edge Village Green
14.50 pm – 15.05 pm Brookthorpe Village Hall

Other Local Events:

8 October: Cheltenham Literary Festival starts

Cover photo : The Church of St . Ma ry’s Painswick,

fro m R udge Hill Ho use, by Anne Buckland-Smit h
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Editor’s Introduction

I thought I should introduce myself as the new editor of the parish

magazine. I have no qualifications, beyond running Edgenet and
writing occasionally for the Beacon. I confess to having some
misgivings, but we shall have to see how it goes.

On behalf of all our readers, I wish thank my predecessor, Sandy

Emery, for her tenure as editor. Like me, Sandy was fortunate in
taking over a vibrant, successful magazine from her
predecessors, including Geoffrey Bird, Stewart Ward, Stacey
Hackett and Bob and Rosemary Alder. In her turn, Sandy made
photographs regular features and encouraged more articles about
events in our villages. We wish her every success in her new role
as curate of the benefice of Minchinhampton with Box and
Amberley. It is also good to know that Sandy and Glynnis are
staying on in Edge and continuing to participate in village life.

My own editorial policy will be a little different, because I think it is

more in keeping with the times if the magazine cultivates a more
broadly-based community approach. The magazine will not
become wholly secular. I am happy to publish details of church
services in the Benefice and articles about church events in the
four villages. However, I have decided to drop the Diocesan
insert, which I think breaks up the narrative of the magazine, as
well as articles about church matters outside the four villages. I
hope this does not disappoint too many of our readers.

I am also hoping to promote some new regular features of interest

to the wider community. Pete Dickinson has agreed to include
some quiz questions each month and my wife, Anne, will be
featuring a regular photographic competition. Would anyone like
to set a monthly crossword or Su-Doku puzzle? I am also looking
for more articles on local history, nature, farming and gardening.
There will be some poetry by local poets, the occasional recipe
and details about local walks. I am also planning to invite other
members of the community to join Elizabeth Ward in writing the
introduction. Other suggestions would be welcome.

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In addition, I am going to see how we might benefit from
synergies between the magazine, Edgenet, Pitchcombe Net, the
Edge and Pitchcombe on-line calendar and the prototype village
website under development. Each fills a niche, but much material
is common, so there may be scope for more cross-fertilisation.
We could, for example, extend the on-line calendar to the other
two villages, if there was sufficient interest. We could also, in due
course, publish back-copies of the magazine on the website.
However, I recognize that not everyone either has a computer or
likes reading text on-line, so the printed magazine will remain.

Michael Buckland-Smith

To see the calendar, go to website http://tiny.cc/diZcw

HARESCOMBE HERALD

THANK YOU to Martin, Caroline, David and Laura for organising

the Village Rounders and BBQ at Field End on 23 July. We had a
great evening with over 70 people (young and old) enjoying
themselves.

WELCOME to William Fraser Winwood Hall, born on 22 June to

Catherine and Fraser - a baby brother - Billy - for Jasper.

CONGRATULATIONS to Amy Dowdeswell who has graduated

from Leeds University with a degree in Geology.

GOOD LUCK to David Ractcliffe, Simon Boddington, Clare

Ractcliffe and Stephanie Pike who are all off to University in
September. Laura Dowdeswell is taking a gap year. Gosh, its
going to be quiet around here !

PROJECT BANGALORE: Clare Ractcliffe is at present in

Bangalore, participating in the South India Project 2010, which is
supported by the Gloucester Diocese. This project links the two
communities in Gloucester and Bangalore, supporting and
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working with abandoned or orphaned street children. We look
forward to hearing about it on her return at the end of August.
Please note that Bangalore is in Southern India and far away
from the disastrous flooding which is happening in Pakistan as I
write this in August.

HARVEST SUPPER: An early date for your diary. The

Archdeacon will be joining us on Friday, 24 September, to
celebrate Harvest.

LADIES MEETING: The next meeting will be at 8 pm on

Wednesday, 8 September at ‘Greensleeves’, which is Carol
Normington’s home.

HIRE OF VILLAGE HALL: Please contact Caroline Ractcliffe –

01452 813514
Anne Bailey

REPORT OF HARESCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Planning

As you will have seen in the press, the application in Brookthorpe

for the Motorway Service Area was marginally approved despite
rejections from 90% of the local Parish Councils. Most Parish
Councils, local MPs and competitors, including BP and Roadchef,
who are opposed have called this application in for a Government
review. The dispute is over the actual need for an MSA and the
effect on this area being protected as an ANOB. I will keep you
updated on this issue.

Roads

Following a number of requests, we have been looking into

having mirrors put up at the junction by the Church Hall and also
at the end of Styles Lane. Unfortunately, Highways regulations no
longer allow mirrors to be part of highways as they are regarded
as not an accurate measurement of vision! Even if we put up the
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mirrors ourselves they are not supported. We have also been in
contact with BT regarding their post which is very close to the
lane by the Dowdeswells’ house. The post is very close to the
lane and has been damaged and even knocked over by lorries
and agricultural traffic. BT can work with us to move the post but
as usual there is a cost! We will continue to find a way that they or
the Highways Department meet these costs as it is a danger.

I am still pressing the Highways Department to have our two

remaining lanes resurfaced. We are in a backlog which is moving
towards Harescombe. I hope we can have this complete well
before winter. Finally, we will be making sure all our grit bins are
full and have the damaged bins replaced well before winter.

Contact:

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me or any

of the Parish Councillors. Remember this is your village! Help us
to help you!
Brian Stanley
Chairman, Harescombe Parish Council
01452 813753
07790 886307
Brians319@aol.com

PITCHCOMBE POST

Birthday Greetings: very special ones to Jean Vaughan of

Halfway Pitch who is 90 on 20 September and to Joan Hoare of
Rose Cottage who is 96 on 23 September.

Saturday, 19 June the wedding took place of Troy Coles and

Janni Skov Heriksen at Pitchcombe Church, conducted by the
Rev. Elizabeth Ward and the organist was Mrs. Marjorie Bettley.
The flower theme was a sunflower depicted on the order of
service, the men’s yellow ties and button holes, the bride’s posy
and a floral display. The bride, in a strapless cream flowing dress,
entered the church on the arm of her Danish father, greeted by
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her family and friends from Denmark, with flower girl Maja. The
marriage service included three readings: Clare Winter, a friend,
read ‘Guess how much I love you’: Bekki and Jess, Troy’s sisters,
‘I will be here’: Margaret Court, Troy’s grandmother, 1 Corinthians
13 and guitarist Leone Daye played ‘Dream Catch Me’. The
marriage service ended with the hymn ‘One more step along the
world we go’, the Dismissal, a prayer for the newly wedded
couple Troy and Janni, who were welcomed and applauded as
they walked out into the sunshine. Rice in dainty lavender-like
bags (the traditional Danish alternative to confetti) was scattered
over them on their way to the gleaming white vintage car. We
wish Troy, Janni and Maja joy and happiness in their new life.

Saturday June 19 a barbecue/paella evening took place on the

grass outside the village hall, an opportunity to meet up with
friends and savour the experience of a miniature Spanish Fiesta.
The feast of St. John (June 24) is a Spanish festival, a holiday
celebrated throughout Spain and France with music, dancing and
feasting in the streets, villages and towns. At Pitchcombe, we had
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a taste of the food and music but not the dancing - next year?
Chef Steve prepared and cooked the paella, a Spanish dish of
rice, saffron, prawns, mussels, calamari (squid) and chicken and
Chef Mike, the chorizo (Spanish sausages) and hamburgers, all
accompanied by enticing English salads and there was a
vegetarian option. The Spanish music was provided by Rob and
Gillian Guest on pipe, tabor and hurdy-gurdy. Rosemary
welcomed everyone, thanked the committee and announced
forthcoming events: a very pleasant June evening.

Sunday June 20 the church was open all day for the flower
festival. The south door opened for the wonderful view across the
valley and the vestry door for visitors to walk across the newly
mown grass to the village hall for tea and homemade cakes and
admire the paintings and photographs set up by Shirley. The
window sills, font and pedestals were decorated with mostly
familiar garden flowers: the ferns, hostas, alchimilla and mock
orange with its beautiful scent - philadelphus - provided the
backcloth for the rainbow displays. Walking around the church to
linger and admire, the flowers highlighted the oft-ignored stained
glass windows shown in all their beauty with the June sunlight
streaming through.

Congratulations to Hamish and Caroline who were married on

the Isle of Arran on 19 June and live at Inglenook.

Congratulations to Naomi Rothwell who has gained a 2.1 in

Politics at Nottingham and is planning to study for a Master’s at
UCL.

Happy Birthday to baby Beatrice, daughter of Nick and Denise,

who is one year old on 9 September.

Congratulations to Sean Hackett who was one of the intrepid,

tough group of cyclists who cycled the 1000 miles from Barcelona
to Edge, cycling 80 miles every day and timing it excellently to
arrive at Edge Fete on 3 July in aid of the Williams Syndrome
Foundation.
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Welcome to Ben and Naomi who, with Ophelia and Isobel, have
come to live in the Coach House. Ben deals in Art Works and
Naomi is a designer of Smallbone Kitchens.

A signed card and flowers was presented to Maidie Beardall,

accompanied by Mike her son, to celebrate Maidie’s 90th birthday
on 1 July.

Maidie has faithfully attended Pitchcombe Church and for ten

years walked up to church every Friday morning to clean the
communion vessels. Thank you Maidie: we miss you at church.

Pitchcombe Fete July 10

The fete was once again held in the beautiful grounds of

Pitchcombe House by kind permission of Michael and Joan Little
on a perfect June day. The Colwell Arts Concert provided a feast
9
of afternoon music and welcomed a steady stream of visitors,
once the fete was opened by Nicky Kennedy, Rosemary Jones’s
daughter and Robert at the gate received the 50p admission.

Jean’s refreshment team Carol, Pamela, Philippa and Trish not

forgetting washer upper Jim were kept busy: likewise Lynne and
Margaret cakes and groceries; Malcolm and Joan plants; Annabel
face painting; Sally and Jan crafts and toys; David quoits; Martin
skittles; Eugene pottery; Mike and George bottles; Tony, Peter
and Geoffrey’s stall weighed down with books; Pete with ‘Splat
the Rat’; Andy tombola; Michael croquet and Rosemary pursuing
everyone to guess the weight of the cake. Rosemary thanked all
for coming, giving and buying. The village hall committee greatly
appreciated the help given before and after the fete. It is due to
this cooperation and the giving of everyone in kind and money
that the sum of £1,354 was raised for village funds.
Mary Morse
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 In aid of Church funds

Pitchcombe WI Meetings

Recently, Pitchcombe WI had a taster session of Tai Chi with an

excellent instructor. Anyone interested in attending a weekly Tai
Chi class, starting some time in September, please contact Sue
Taylor on 01453 759826

Pitchcombe Village Hall Bookings – The Village Hall is often

available for private bookings for that special party, birthday
parties, wedding reception, workshop, or meeting.

For details of rates (very reasonable too!), call Mike Foran on

01453 763330

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Wedding in Pitchcombe on 12 June

John and Jan Levell, their daughter Susan and Son-in-Law

Steven would like to thank all the people who so kindly helped to
make Susan and Steven’s day, so very special. Lynne Partridge,
Margaret Court, Fiona and Becky for the delightful reception meal
they provided, Sally Goodman and Mary Slinger for their help with
the floral arrangements in the church, the Rev. Jeff James, Mary
Morse and organist Marjorie Bettley for the beautiful service and
all friends who gave their help and support. It was a day we will
always remember.

Pitchcombe Parish Council Meeting: 10 June 2010

A copy of the minutes of this meeting can be found on the PPC

website at www.Pitchcombe-pc.gov.uk.

This meeting of the Parish Council had been called because of

the need to co-opt a replacement councillor after the resignation
of Peter Hewlett. We are pleased to announce that Nick Hallard
has been co-opted onto the Parish Council as of 10 June 2010.
He was unanimously voted onto the parish council and was then
able to join the meeting. The clerk reported that Stroud District
Council is providing a year’s subscription (£10) to Parish Mapping
Online. It was decided that we would evaluate the system and, if
we found it useful, would subscribe £10 a year for its use. The
meeting discussed the Cotswold Market Towns survey to which
we will draft a response. Retrospective planning permission has
been granted for internal works at Lovers Hall. Gloucestershire
Highways have taken over responsibility for the trimming of the
laurels by Old Weavers. The work will be done in the Autumn.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at the Village
Hall on Thursday, 23 September 2010 at 7.30 p.m.
Philippa James
01452 812646

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 Pitchcombe Family Service

A new Family Worship Service will start in September. What ?

Worship for all the family. When? 5 September at 10 am.
Where? Pitchcombe Church.

And delicious refreshments and hospitality. All welcome. For

information contact Ann Kennett on 01452 812669

ARE YOU IN A HOUSE GROUP? WOULD YOU LIKE TO

CHANGE TO ANOTHER? WOULD YOU LIKE TO FORM
ANOTHER?

For all those who answered yes, and any who are remotely
interested, please read on ...

Having taken a summer break recently, members of our network

of house groups around the Beacon Benefice will all be gathering
together before the start of the Autumn meetings at a House
Group Social evening on 7 September in Pitchcombe Village
Hall at 7 pm. This event is an open evening for members and
any non-members who are interested in joining a House Group
and finding out what they are like. It is an opportunity to greet
friends from our own groups and others who we may not have
seen for a while, and to welcome and bring along anyone you
know who has expressed a wish to find out more. Puddings and
drinks will be served and each existing group will give a short
description of when and where they meet and what they have
been doing during the past few months. Essentially, House
Groups meet regularly (usually weekly) in homes, for friendship
and Bible study, discussions and sharing views and experiences,
and prayer, with relaxation over coffee/tea and sometimes a
meal. They could be said to be the ‘backbone’ of church
fellowship, helping us to grow in our faith by studying God’s word
and to deepen relationships in mutual support and care.

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It has been agreed to follow a study course on St. Paul’s 2nd letter
to the Corinthians this coming term, and with the ‘Think Twice’
Mission events throughout the Benefice, and the Benefice Retreat
in Langasty Centre in central Wales (2-4 November) there will be
plenty of good things to see us through to Advent!

‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who

promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one
another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.’ Hebrews 10:23-25.

At present, House Group Leaders are: Olive Freeman, Lindsay

Gardiner, Barbara Gay, David Newell, Julian Reed, Jean Shaw,
Attila Sipos, Frances Watson, John Watts.

Any enquiries or comments, please do not hesitate to

contact any of us:

Lindsay Gardiner 01452 814282, Jean Shaw 812386 (House

Group Coordinators), or Vicar John.

EDGE EXPRESS

You are invited to a Family Worship at 10 am at Edge Church

on Sunday, 26 September

Please join us. Contact: Ann Kennett on 01452 812669 or Di

Ravenhill on 01452 812302
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Watch out for an evening of fabulous food and sheer
entertainment with our very own 'Edge has got Talent!!' Book
the date in your diary, 16 October, for what will surely be a night
to remember! We will be scouting for talent over the next few
weeks, so dig out those dancing shoes, start singing in the
shower and dust off your banjos. Don't be shy!

For more details contact Di Ravenhill on 01452 812302 or Andrea

Robinson on 01452 810882. All proceeds towards World Vision.

Engagement: Michael and Valerie Adlam are very pleased to

announce the engagement of their daughter Melissa to Thomas
Bridge of Shropshire. The wedding is planned for September
2011.

Welcome to Clive and Caroline Richards, who have moved into

Partridge House on the Green, and to the Sofer family, who have
moved to Orchard House on Back Edge Lane.

Happy Birthday to Laura Slinger, who is 9 on 5 September.

Farewell to Malcolm Price, who has moved to Cheltenham,

although we hope he will continue to keep in close touch with all
his friends in Edge.

Edge WI

16 September meeting 7:30 pm Edge Village Hall.

New members welcome.

Talk will be the “Amazing Magic Lantern Show” by

Mr. Patrick Furley

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The Summer Fete

Dear friends, the Summer Fete is over for another year, but what
a day we had! So many people have come forward to say what a
wonderful day it was and the smiling faces said it all. One visitor
was heard to remark that the village green resembled a
scene from ‘The Darling Buds of May’ and others commented on
how lucky we were as a village to able to run such a rewarding
event. These are kind words indeed from visitors and friends, so
well done and congratulations to everyone!

From the early stages of Fete planning, which involved several

meetings and even more bottles of wine, we set out to have fun
and encourage new people to join the Edge community, and by
4.30 pm the Village Green and the car park were all but full. We
had even more attending this year, despite having competition
from the World Cup semi-final, cricket against the Aussies and
Wimbledon Ladies Final, all on the same day.
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This success could not have been achieved without a great deal
of behind-the-scenes work: from setting up flags, bunting and
tents; marmalade, lavender bag and card making; organising
stalls; getting the police, the dog wardens and our various judges
to take part; and preparing the Church for the photography and
pie competitions.

We nearly drank the bar dry, we sold nearly all the sausages,
nearly ran out of raffle tickets and the ladies in the Village Hall
made more cups of tea than ever before, as well as curry which
also went down well. And who can forget the evening when
around 75 villagers, families and friends sat down together,
shared good food, friendship and wine and then danced the
night away under a starlit sky. It was indeed a very special
evening and, of course, our thanks to the ‘Bleeding Hearts’ who
put in a great performance after working hard all day! My legs
were stiff for days after dancing on that slope! You will be pleased
to know that the Fete raised a healthy profit of £1,600, which has
17
been split between the Village Hall and the Church, with a third
going to the Williams Syndrome Foundation to celebrate the
return of the intrepid Barcelona to Edge Charity Cycle Ride,
organized and led by Mike Adlam. What a spectacle it was seeing
the riders arrive on the Green and, if you missed it, David Rogers
has put together a DVD of the Fete pictures for display in the Hall,
alongside the great cartoon prepared by Tony Milne. In addition,
a donation has been made to Teckels Animal Sanctuary at
Whitminster, for the help provided by the dog wardens in
organizing the children’s’ dog show.

The Fete organising committee would like to extend a

huge ‘Thank You’ for your generosity in terms of the contributions
of gifts, prizes and food, and also for your participation in the
period leading up to the Fete and the commitment and sheer hard
work on the day. There are so many people to thank and to
recognise that the list would be miles long. Personally, I would
like to thank everyone individually, but I think we can all agree
18
that this really was a community effort and we should all be
very proud of what we achieved: from the morning activities in the
church, the Fete and afterwards at the evening picnic.

Thank you again and here’s to another successful Fete on 2 July

2011!
Alan Bartlett

We aim to make David and Helen’s photographs of the fete

available on the new village website, when this launches in
November. In the meantime, let me know if anyone would like to
see these pictures again. We can supply DVD copies, although a
voluntary contribution to the Village Hall, Edge Church or the
Williams Syndrome Foundation would be a welcome gesture. Ed.

1000-Mile Bike Ride from Barcelona to Edge

Our great adventure is over and we did it. We left Barcelona on

Sunday, 20 June, and arrived back home to Edge fourteen days
later on Saturday, 3 July. We had had a rather inauspicious start.
In Barcelona, a tyre was slashed on the backup van as we waited
at traffic lights and, whilst changing the wheel, we had two bags
stolen from the cab (a setup that happens several times a day in
Barcelona, so be warned if you’re driving there in a vehicle with
UK number plates). Prior to that, Malcolm had had a bag
containing his passport stolen in Alicante, whilst en route for
Barcelona. Once the cycling began, we were faced with gale
force winds, temperatures of 100o F, melting tar on the roads, the
Pyrenees Mountains and, of course, fourteen days of sitting on
the bikes. But these challenges made the ride more special and
any tough times we had along the way were more than
compensated for by the sheer beauty of cycling through rural
France. The fact that by our efforts we were raising money for a
very good cause, the Williams Syndrome Foundation, spurred us
on when the legs were tired. We arrived home to a fantastic
welcome at Edge Fete and I’m sure there were tears in the eyes
of some of the team as what seemed like hundreds of people
cheered our safe return.
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On behalf of the team, a big Thank You to everyone who
supported us, wished us well, sponsored us, logged onto the
website to follow our progress, or were there to see us arrive
home at Edge Fete. A very special Thank You to Chris for
opening the Edgemore Inn just for us, so that we could enjoy a
quiet drink and reflect on our adventure before cycling to the Fete,
and finally, thank you to the Fete organisers and the village of
Edge for arranging such a perfect welcome home – what a
wonderful village we live in. We are still collecting the sponsorship
contributions, but by the time we close the books at the end of
August we should have comfortably reached our target of
£25,000, which makes all the pain just about worthwhile! Best
wishes from Mike, Valerie, Melissa, Paul, John, Sean, Mark,
Malcolm and the rest of the team.

Well done the team, even though most of the photos on the blog
showed them all eating and drinking in passing tavernas! Ed.
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Photographic Competition

The photographic competition, ‘Seasons at the Edge’, was a great

success with some excellent entries. All photographs entered
were mounted and displayed in the church over the weekend of
the fete. Very many congratulations to Sarah Slinger for the best
single photograph and to Margery van Zyl for the best seasons
sequence. The competition could not have taken place without
the help, support and hard work of Kel Portman, who not only
judged the entries but also held two free workshops in the village
hall with advice not only on composition but also processing. Very
many thanks, Kel.

What was apparent in looking at all the photographs together,

was that the use of good quality inks and high grade photographic
paper helped enormously with the overall quality of the final print.
We had some superb landscape photographs but very few with
people or animals and no entries from children. I shall be
organizing a separate competition for children for the next fete
weekend with another for adults. Both competitions will be
widened to include images taken with mobile phones. If anyone
has ideas for subjects for the competition, could they get in touch.

Anne Buckland-Smith
01452 813202
abs@aramis.demon.co.uk

Treats On Rudge Hill Common

In mid June, there were two orchid walks on Rudge Hill Common,
an evening one led by Paul Griffiths and a morning wander with
Kate Gamez, the Natural England supervisor. Both leaders were
so generous in sharing the best locations and those who
participated will find, over the years, their pleasure in our
Common enhanced by more knowledge of the various orchids
and their characteristics. The Common Spotted is everywhere
and the spotted leaves give it away, and this year the Twayblade
with its two large leaves is more numerous than previously. In
shade grows the lovely white Helleborine, the narrow-leaved and
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the broad, and in more overhung banks is the Birds Nest Orchid,
yellowish brown, a saprophyte growing on its tangled nest of
rotting material. On the open ground higher up can be found the
Fragrant Orchid, taller than its relations and an Albino Orchid,
pale and ghost-like. Not yet in evidence was the Bee Orchid and
only the occasional Pyramidal was found, later than usual and not
yet the brilliant reddish purple pyramids.

On 3 August, Martin Slinger led a Historical Walk on Rudge Hill.

His store of information was boundless, stretching from earliest
times, as he pointed out, on the other side of the valley, the sites
of medieval dwellings and a Roman Villa, up to present day
management of such a precious limestone grassland. Ancient
drove roads were indicated, as were former small council refuse
tips. The quarries were worked until recent times. Illumination by
glow worms was remembered, as was the sucking of pignut bulbs
as sweets. There were tales of the war years, when the tanks
built at Winget were put through their paces here and some fatal
accidents were described not far away, including a Lancaster
bomber which crashed into Ruscombe Pond. Painswick was
bombed and an array of lights was erected near the escarpment
edge to divert the German bombers away from Gloucester city.
An evening walk to be remembered!
Margery Van Zyl.

Girls’ Night Out

It seems a long time ago that a group of us took part in a midnight

walk around Cirencester Park on 25 June in aid of the Cotswold
Care Hospice and in memory of our dear friend, Jenny Price.
Some of the group set out with speed and walked the ten miles in
under two hours, while the rest, including me, took our time and
took a bit longer!! It was a splendid evening and it was such a
delight to see women of all ages together walking with zest and
enjoyment. The walk administrator in her ‘thank you’ letter tells
me that altogether the walkers raised over £74,000 to be used for
the important hospice work and we would like to thank everyone
who so generously supported us financially. We would also like to
22
thank the partners and husbands who stayed up all night as
marshals allowing us to feel so secure en route. I must say that
the whole thing was very well organised by the Hospice - it was
such a worthwhile thing to do.
Elizabeth Ward

Edge Village Hall

The Village Hall Committee has been busy. There is a shiny new,
stainless steel, wheeled food warmer, selected by Carole Eskell
and John Luke, and trialled by Glynnis Mayes, Ann Kennett and
the ladies of the WI serving curry during the summer fete.
Observant visitors will have noticed new double-glazed windows
and double-glazed, aluminium draught-proof doors, designed to
facilitate wheelchair access and bulky loads. A new heating
system is being installed for those chilly winter morning meetings
and air-conditioning for balmy summer evenings, when we get any,
when the Hall can get a bit stuffy. Thanks again to John Luke, our
Treasurer, for getting grant funding for these improvements. And
thanks as well to Tony Milne, whose delightful cartoon of the
Barcelona-to-Edge bike ride has pride of place on the far wall.
Ed.

A date for the diary. Fairgame Theatre Company returns to

Edge Village Hall on 20 November, with a new production of
‘Cinderella.’ Not your traditional panto but a beautifully rich tale
of family relationships, grief and first love, all deliciously
jumbled up with dangerously big flares and Disco. Cinderella’s
timeless story, combined with a lyrical script, diamond-
encrusted tunes and a live band on stage, all ensure a high-
energy, moving and unforgettable night.

Price £7 adults £3.50 children. For tickets, contact John or

Carolyn Luke on 01452 814139.

PLEASE NOTE: Bookings for the Village Hall should be made

through Bobby Kay at Edge Cottage, The Green: 01452 813567.
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A new service of Compline is being trialled at the Church on
Wednesday, 29 September, at 8 pm, intended for everyone
with busy jobs who prize their weekends, those who love the
old liturgy and anyone else who would welcome a period of
quiet reflection and adult conversation with friends over nibbles
and a glass of wine. No hymns. No distractions. No pressure.
Non-church-goers welcome. Thrill again to the sonorous,
beautiful language of the King James Bible and Cranmer’s
Prayer Book, listen to recitations of the Cotswold poets, or just
enjoy the company. Further details via Edgenet. Ed.

Bats and Moths

Thank you to all the volunteers who came along to the Bats and
Moths evening in Cranham in early August. The evening was a
great success, although the bats unfortunately failed to put in an
appearance until most people had gone home. The moths,
however, stole the show and we recorded 25 species within just a
few hours of setting up the traps. We have one very simple to use
moth trap and three equally straightforward bat detectors which
we would like to loan out to local residents living around Edge,
Sheepscombe and Cranham Commons. The moth trap and bat
detectors all come with ID guides to help with identification and
instructions on how to use them. The moth trap is literally as
simple to use as turning a light on in the evening and then
examining the contents in the morning. All the moths can then be
released the following evening. The bat detectors pick up the
echo-location calls of any bats in the area and come with a CD to
help you to identify what you are listening to. All that we ask in
return is that you keep a record of anything you see or hear and
give us a copy when you return the kit. In this way we hope to
build up a better picture of the bats and moths that are found on
and around the three commons. If you would like to borrow the
moth trap or bat detectors or if you would like any further
information, then please get in touch with me.

Kate Gamez, Reserve Manager, Natural England

0300 0602696 kate.gamez@naturalengland.org.uk.
24
September News from your Village Agent

It may seem early to think about the cold days ahead of us but, if
we are to get the best value we can for our gas and electricity, we
need to know what discounts, if any, the energy companies are
offering to their customers. All energy providers have to offer
social tariffs to help their most vulnerable customers cope with the
high costs of gas and electricity. According to the new Ofgem
rules, all social tariffs must equal the supplier’s cheapest deals.

British Gas: Essentials Tariff is the UK’s largest social tariff. It

offers the lowest standard gas and electricity price to those
customers who are over 70 years of age, or who suffer a chronic
illness, or who receive Disability Living Allowance or Attendance
Allowance. In addition, customers applying for this tariff must be
in receipt of two other benefits. Total family income must not
exceed £15,000. The Essential Tariff also provides extra help to
those who use Pay As You Go energy meters. To apply
telephone: 0800 072 7100

E.ON: Stay Warm Tariff specifically designed to help customers

over 60 years of age. This tariff is a fixed-price tariff that keeps
energy costs the same as the previous 12 month consumption
period. To apply telephone:0800 051 0760

E.ON also offers a Warm Assist Tariff for customers over 60

years of age who are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee,
Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. Some
customers over 80 years without benefits maybe entitled to a 15%
discount on the standard unit prices of gas and electricity for a 12
month period. For more information telephone: 0800 015 4244.

Npower: Spreading Warmth Tariff offers discounts to customers

with household incomes of £13,500 or less, who have someone in
their household aged 60 years or over, or have someone in the
household who is disabled or suffering a chronic illness, or have a
child under 16 years of age. Household income includes all
benefit payments, except Disability Living Allowance and
Attendance Allowance. To apply, telephone 0800 975 1373
25
Scottish and Southern: Energy Plus Care Tariff offers two levels
of discount to their customers experiencing fuel poverty.
Customers who are spending 10% of their total income on energy
costs per year will receive a credit of £50 each for gas and
electricity each April. For those customers who are spending 15%
of their total income on energy costs per year, a discount of 20%
of the unit price of gas and electricity will be applied to their
energy bills. To apply telephone: Careline Team 0800 622 838

EDF Energy: Energy Assist Tariff is aimed at those customers

who are experiencing fuel poverty where they have to spend
more than 10% of their household income on gas and electricity,
or those customers who receive Income Support or Pension
Credit Guarantee. The Energy Assist Tariff offers a 15% discount
on EDF’s standard energy prices. To apply telephone: Priority
Services 0800 096 2250

Scottish Power: Carefree Plus social tariff offers those

customers aged 60 years or over, who receive certain benefits, a
fuel cost based on the cheapest tariff price which allows a
discount of £112 year. For details of the benefits required and to
apply, telephone: Carefree Department 0800 2700 1122

Severn Trent Water: The Water Sure Scheme will fit a meter and
put a limit on charges for water and sewerage charges as long as
certain criteria are met. The person paying the metered bill
receives benefits or tax credits and there are three children or
more under 19 in the household for whom the person receiving
the benefit also claims Child Benefit or someone in the household
has a medical condition which requires the use of a lot of extra
water (skin diseases, incontinence, Crones Disease etc). This
year the reduced charges are; £159 for water and £142 for
sewerage charges for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.
Even if you are not eligible for the Water Sure Scheme, water
meters can be fitted for free and most customers use 10% less
water once metered because they are conscious of what they
use. It would be an advantage to be metered, especially if you live
on your own and don’t use a great deal of water. For advice on
26
joining the scheme or other ways of reducing your bill, please call
08457 500 500.
Lou Kemp
07776245767

Stroud Deanery Vocations Group

Our Deanery Vocations Group has now been meeting for one
year, with members dropping in for as long as they need and new
members joining at each meeting. It is a very special group where
people are able to share some of the pull and push to respond to
God’s call to all sorts of ministry – from Ordination to leading
intercessions – each vocation an essential part of being part of
God’s plan for the world. If you are interested, please contact
Ann, Elizabeth or Mick below for more information.

Meeting dates for 2010 are all on Tuesdays: 14 September

and 16 November

Ann Morris – Associate Priest in Amberley 01453 878515

ann.morris@amberley.org
Mick Wright – Associate Priest in Brimscombe and Woodchester
01453 883027 - thetrumpet.antiques@virgin.net
Elizabeth Ward – Assistant Curate in the Beacon Benefice 01452
812188 – elizabethward@talktalk.net
John Longuet-Higgins

September Mid-Week Church Services

Wed, 1 September, 9.00 am. HC. Revd. Elizabeth, Pitchcombe

Mon, 13 September, 11.30 am. HC(XT). Sue Stanley, Resthaven
Wed, 15 September, 9.00 am. HC. Revd. John, Edge
Wed, 29 September, 8.00 pm. Compline. Revd. John, Edge

27
 Sunday Services - September 2010
5th September - 14th after Trinity
8am Communion Philemon 1-21 Luke 14.25-
33
Principal Service Jeremiah 18.1-11 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14.25-
33
Evensong Psalm 121 Isaiah 43.14 - 44.5 John 5.30-
47
8.00am Painswick Holy Communion (BCP) Canon
Michael
Irving
10.00am Pitchcombe Family Service Ann
Kennett/Di
Ravenhill
9.30am Edge Holy Communion Revd.Elizab
eth Ward/
Revd.
Andrew
Leach
10.00am Painswick Sung Eucharist Canon
Michael
Irving
11.00am Harescombe Family Communion Revd. David
Newell/
Revd.
Andrew
Leach
11.00am Sheepscombe Holy Communion Revd. John
L-H
11.00am Cranham Holy Communion Revd.Chris
Garrett
4.00pm Painswick Choral Evensong (BCP) Revd. John
L-H
5.00pm Painswick Rms Beacon Service

12th September – 15th after Trinity – Holy Cross Day

8am Communion Philippians 2.6-11 John 3.13-
17
Principal Service Numbers 21.4-9 Philippians 2.6-11 John 3.13-
17
Evening Prayer Psalm 110 Isaiah 63.1-16 1
Corinthians
1.18-25
8.00am Cranham Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. John
L-H
9.30am Harescombe Holy Communion Revd. John
L-H
28
 10.00am Painswick Sung Eucharist Revd. Jeff
James/John
Turkington(
deacon)
10.00am Edge Childrenʼs Praise LMT
11.00am Pitchcombe Holy Communion Revd. Peter
Minall
11.00am Sheepscombe Matins (BCP) Revd. John
L-H
5.00pm Painswick Rms Beacon Service
6.30pm Cranham Evening Prayer (BCP) LMT/Revd.
Chris
Garrett
19th September – 16th after Trinity – St. Matthew
Painswick Feast(Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
8.00am 2 Corinthians 4.1-6 Matthew
9.9-13
Principal Service Proverbs 3.13- 2 Corinthians 4.1-6 Matthew
18 9.9-13
Painswick Readings 1 Chronicles Ephesians 2.19-22 John 2.13-
10am 29.6-19 22
8.00am Painswick Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. David
Newell
10.00am Painswick Shortened Communion Revd. John
L-H/
Preacher:
Revd.
Andrew
Leach
10.00am Harescombe 3 Parish Communion Revd. Jeff
James
11.00am Sheepscombe Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. David
Newell/
Preacher:
JohnTurking
ton
11.00am Cranham Holy Communion - for Canon
Battle of Britain Sunday Michael
Irving
3.00pm Painswick Clypping Service Revd.John
L-H/Revd.
Dr. Sandra
Millar/Revd.
Roly Bain

Friday 24th September

Harvest Readings Deuteronomy Philippians 4.4-9 John 6.25-35
Ps 100 26.1-11

29
 7.00pm Harescombe Harvest Festival Archdeacon
Geoffrey
Sidaway

Saturday 25th September

4.30pm Gloucester Readers Annual Service of Sue Hartley
Cathedral Admission and Licensing licenced as a
Reader.

26th September – 17th after Trinity – Back to Church Sunday

8am Communion 1 Timothy 6.6-19 Luke 16.19-
31
Principal Service Jeremiah 32.1- 1 Timothy 6.6-19 Luke 16.19-
3a,6-15 31
Harvest Readings – Deuteronomy Philippians 4.4-9 (John 6.25-
Edge (am) & 26.1-11 35 )
Cranham(pm) Ps
100
8.00am Painswick Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. Jeff
James
9.30am Pitchcombe Holy Communion (BCP) Revd. Jeff
James

10.00am Painswick 4th Sunday Service of the Revd. John

Word L-H/
- Think Twice Mission Rev. Dr
Alison
Morgan
10.00am Edge Harvest Festival Worship
Team/
Revd.
Elizabeth
Ward
11.00am Cranham Cranham Praise & Baptism Sue
Hartley/Rev.
Canon
Graham
Trasler
2.30pm Christ Church Final Service of Ecumenical
Thanksgiving
6.30pm Cranham Harvest Festival Evensong Revd. John
(BCP) L-H
6.00pm Nailsworth Mission Opening Service Bishop
Michael
7.00pm Sheepscombe Compline Ken French

30
Rapport Curtains @ Blinds
Made to Measure
Choose from a wide selections of designs and colours
in the comfort of you own home.

Call Karen on
Tel: 01452 810736 Mob: 07884 185605

Dynamic Yoga Classes at Pitchcombe Village Hall

All ages and abilities welcome 7-8.30pm

For more info contact Rob on 01452 503262

31
BISLEY ROOFING
PAUL BEER
Craftsman Specialists
in traditional Cotswold Stone
roofing and building renovation
For a Free estimate call
Paul Beer 01452 770646
Andrew Beer mob: 07879811287

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

32
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For Non-manipulative, non-invasive treatment options
Complimentary to Medical Practice at F21A, The Old Convent,
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Millie Wood Swanepoel Craniosacral therapist & Reiki master
Information & bookings: Tel: 01452813837 or 07754182082
Email: info@milliewoodswanepoel.com /
www.milliewoodswanepoel.com

33
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Fully trained, caring, friendly and reliable female with six years
experience of the elderly, Alzheimer’s, physical disabilities etc.

Short visits or long calls

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

PLEASE CONTACT: 07518 030814

Mini-ads maximum 30 words, payment £1 to be received with

the advert to the editor at Rudge Hill House, Edge,
Gloucestershire GL6 6PQ. Parish events no charge. We cannot
accept cheques for small amounts. For commercial advertising,
please contact Rosemary Alder on 01452 813997.

Avoid small font sizes. House style is Arial size 16.

34
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FOR ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING, TAX & BUSINESS ADVICE

Contact Roland Boggon Chartered Accountant,

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Tel: 01452 812075
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158 Bodiam Avenue

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

35
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37
Anne’s Photographic Competition

Do you know where and what this is?

Email answers to the editor, please, by

the copy deadline.

The respondent with the earliest correct

answer will be mentioned with modest
ceremony in the next edition.

Other mystery photos within the four

villages gratefully received. Ed.

N. T. Boothroyd
Plumbing & Heating Engineer
Plumbing & Heating Engineer
All Plumbing & Heating Work
Undertaken Gas Safe
! Boiler & Fire Servicing Registered
! Landlord Certificates & Safety Checks &
! System Cleaning By Power Flushing
Over 20
! Complete Central Heating Systems
! Radiators & Thermostatic Valves Years
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! Shower Installations
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No Job too small please give me a call!

Tel: 01242 250497 Tel: 01452 552192
Mobile: 07816 103709
Email: ntboothroyd@hotmail.co.uk

38
Editor’s Update

I wish to thank all who sent articles and pictures for this edition.
The magazine is dependent on readers contributing material.

Next edition is October, with copy deadline of 15 September

The editor reserves the right to alter articles as necessary,

although every attempt will be made to keep the general sense. I
shall try very hard to make sure details are correct before going to
print, but they can change. Please note that articles do not
represent the opinions of the editor – only the writer!

Michael Buckland-Smith
01452 813202
pm@aramis.demon.co.uk

DistributionAdvertisements: Rosemary Alder 01452 813997

Subscription: £7.50 per year

Corrrespondents:

Pitchcombe Mary Morse 01452 813824

Harescombe Ann Baily 01452 813393

Pete’s Periodical Posers

1. Plus or minus one year, when where substitutes first used in
the English football league?
2. What is the name of the phenomenon when a person can, for
example, hear colours or see sound?
3. Name the three song titles used in the film ‘An American
Werewolf in London’.

Answers in the October edition.

Pete Dickinson

39
Benefice Details

Clergy Revd. John Longuet-Higgins 01452 812334

Revd. Jeff James 01453 882481
Revd. Elizabeth Ward 01452 812188

Readers: Stewart Ward 01452 812188

John Turkington 01494 677892

Churchwardens:

The Edge Rod Carpenter 01452 812812

Pitchcombe Rosemary Jones 01452 813103

Mary Morse 01452 813824

Harescombe Jolyon Boddy 01452 812204

with Brookthorpe Kath Pritchard 01452 812831

Benefice Office: Andrew Leach, Parish Office 01452 814795

Other Useful Contacts

Brookthorpe Parish Council 07575 623 044

Harescombe Parish Council 01452 813753

Painswick (Edge) Parish Council 01452 812722

Pitchcombe Parish Council 01452 424245

Stroud Police Non-Emergencies 0845 090 1234

Stroud District Council 01453 766321

Edgenet edgenet@aramis.demon.co.uk

Pitchcombe Net pitchcombe@yahoogroups.com

40