4ward mag oct 2021 - thornburyweather.co.uk
TRANSCRIPT
October 2021
"I am rich today with autumn’s gold, All that my covetous hands can hold; Frost-painted leaves and goldenrod, A goldfinch on a milkweed pod, Huge golden pumpkins in the field With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield, Golden apples heavy on the trees… “
Gladys Harp
4ward
Community magazine for
Oldbury, Shepperdine, Kington and Rockhampton
4ward is an independent community magazine and material is published at
the discretion of the editor. Produced & distributed by volunteers. Articles for
next month's edition should reach the editor no later than 20th of this month.
EDITOR Chris Tymko, Fisherman’s Cottage, Cowhill, BS35 1QJ.
Tel: 01454 412152 Cover Illustrations Lorna Page. Follow on Etsy, Instagram & Facebook. Email: [email protected]
Printed and Distributed Oldbury Deckers Tel: 07831 849742 Email: [email protected]
4ward Magazine Advertising Charges
Back Cover Whole page - £20 Half page - £10 Quarter page - £5 Inside Pages Whole page - £16 Half page - £8 Quarter page - £4
10% discount on all charges when paying for full year in advance.
Cheques should be made payable to “4Ward Magazine”.
Advertising & Treasurer Rob King 07494209222 Email: [email protected]
4ward Website www.oos4ward.plus.com
Oldbury Community Website www.oldburyonsevern.org.uk
Oldbury Memorial Hall Chris Jennings 07740 934182 [email protected]
Booking Clerk Peter Orford 01454 415346 [email protected]
Church Contacts
Thornbury & Oldbury www.arildachurcholdbury.co.uk
Parish office 01454 281900 Wed, Thurs, Fri mornings
Methodist www.thornburymethodist.org.uk
Revd Simon Edwards 01454 418176 [email protected]
Rockhampton
Parish office 01454 260096 www.croftt.org.uk
Christ The King Thornbury 01454 412223 www.ctk-thornbury.org.uk
Morton Baptist Church 01454 413200 Willie Grey 01453 810491 Hilary Grigg
Editorial
It’s been lovely to get back to some sort of normality and enjoy meeting up socially again. The Hall committee are pulling out all the stops planning lots of interesting events leading up to Christmas, making up for the past couple of years, and it’s wonderful to have the pub and the shop and the church fully open once more. How we’ve missed it all!
For those of us lucky enough to go on holiday it’s great to enjoy travelling and visiting somewhere different, but going anywhere outside the UK has been a real challenge with all the Covid regulations. I was feeling pretty smug about going on a long-postponed holiday to Jersey and Guernsey because I thought they were in the UK, but it turns out that because they are actually self-governing Crown dependencies they have their own sets of regulations, which are different from each other. It made my brain hurt trying understand and follow the different requirements – as well as having to try to get all the details on my iPhone. Just as well that both the islands are really lovely, full of amazing beaches and fascinating history, including of course the WW2 occupation – I’m so glad I finally made it there.
“Miss Bruton’s Oldbury” is now on sale, and great value at only £6 per copy, available from both the Shop and the Anchor Inn. Last month we asked for memories of Miss Bruton and I found them fascinating reading, but, goodness me, I think she must have mellowed with age! I was always in awe of her as she could be formidable - fiercely independent, quick witted and sharp tongued, and she didn’t suffer fools gladly. Although she was an ardent feminist and founder member of the Oldbury branch of the Women’s Institute, she much preferred the company of men to women and she often treated both men and women with disdain if they didn’t measure up! In many ways she was a modern woman, ahead of her time, and in other ways something of a relic from the past, but she was always totally original. When she wanted a lift to Thornbury, she didn’t so much hitchhike, as stand in the road and summon the next likely-looking car or lorry to pull over, simply stating her requirements and climbing straight in. I never heard of anyone having the nerve to refuse her.
There is a fascinating sketch by Miss Bruton, entitled “Votes for Women” in the Archives of Thornbury Museum which Meg Wise kindly showed me. As far as I know it’s the only political sketch that she ever did, so I hope the museum will display it one day, maybe even in the Memorial Hall if there is a suitable occasion.
Chris
Memorial Hall Update
September saw a number of activities in the Hall. The 2021 Annual General Meeting, which had been postponed from February due to COVID, finally took place on Wednesday 8 September, and we had 16 parishioners in attendance, thank you to all those who came. The Chair’s and Treasurer’s reports for 2020 were accepted. The Chair also paid tribute to John Belbin, who passed away recently and who was Chairperson for the Hall for a number of years and oversaw many changes. He was a very positive force for the Hall and our thoughts are with his family.
The Chair was heartened by the enthusiasm and interest expressed regarding the Hall’s development and there was a lively debate on how we can further improve the facilities within the Hall. The Executive Management Committee have worked hard on our next proposals and have planned a couple of drop-in sessions where anyone interested can come along and pass comments or offer suggestions.
Early in September we saw the return of the Grumpy Man’s Breakfast which was very welcome, and by the end of the morning, there was not a grumpy man left in the Hall!! Watch out for the next one in November.
Belinda Orford and Neil White continued their dance classes and circuit training sessions throughout the month.
The Cinema Club had its first film show for some time and over 50 people attended. The film, Bohemian Rhapsody, is a classic, and the new sound and vision system enhanced the viewing experience considerably.
Sarah Murphy was back with ‘Pop Up Play Village’, which, going forward, will be held in the Hall every third Friday of the month. Looking at all the activities on offer, it’s a fantastic way to keep the under 6’s entertained.
The Hall held a ‘Welcome Back Soirée’ on Friday 17 September, and a good time was had by all. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and it was particularly pleasing to see some new arrivals to our village community joining in the fun. So thank you to all of you for coming along.
There are a number of events planned over the next few months so please take a look at the ‘Events timetable’ in this edition of 4ward.
Please note that Karen Porter has stood down as booking clerk; all enquiries should be directed to Peter Orford - details are on the inside front page.
To improve our communication with you and to publicise our events we have set up an email address [email protected] that you can sign up to if you wish to keep up to date with forthcoming activities.
Any questions regarding the Hall please contact me on 07740 934182.
Chris Jennings
Forthcoming Events at the Memorial Hall
Event Theme Date and Time
Oldbury on Severn Memorial Hall Jazz Club -
Inaugural Meeting
Talking about and Playing Jazz. A new initiative organised by Ian Bell. For more information contact Ian Bell on 01454412015 and at [email protected]
Wednesday 6th October at 5.30pm
Oldbury on Severn Memorial Hall
Development Vision
(Two opportunities
to come and see the
plans, and feedback
your views on them)
Open session Number 1 to show the trustee’s and management committee’s plans to improve the Hall.
Open session Number 2 to show the trustee’s and management committee’s plans to improve the Hall.
Saturday 16th October 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 20th October 5pm - 7.30pm
Grumpy Man’s Breakfast
Continuing the monthly Grumpy Man’s Breakfast theme. Tickets are available at the Community Shop.
Friday 5th November
at 9am
Themed Dinner: ‘The best of the
West Country’
Restarting the legendary Oldbury on Severn themed dinners, with contributions from a number of talented local chefs.
Saturday 6th November
at 7pm
Coffee and Christmas Fayre
There will be a number of tables offering gift options from our talented local craftspeople.
Saturday 27th November
at 10am
Hot Gossip Afternoon ‘tea’ - also known as Prosecco. Tickets available from the Community Shop.
Friday 3rd December at (time TBD)
Grumpy Man’s Christmas Lunch
Like a Grumpy Man’s Breakfast, only with alcohol and festive humbug.
Friday 10th December at (time TBD)
‘Open House’ at the Hall to
celebrate Christmas
This is a ‘bring your own’ drinks, nibbles and festive cheer, ‘drop-in’ event.
Friday 24th December 7pm onwards
There are several events for 2022 currently in planning. Details to follow.
And finally…
The Oldbury on Severn Memorial Hall now has an email address:
If you would like to be kept updated on events, please contact this email address and register your interest, and we will keep you in the loop!
Oldbury on Severn - Memorial Hall 100 Club
Draw Winners
September
1st prize. 2nd prize. 3rd prize. 4th prize.
£20 £15 £10 £10
Simon Ingram Ted Welsh Ken White
Sarah Baker
New members of the 100 Club are always welcome!
Forms are available in the Shop, or contact Doug Mills or Angela Conibere
at Christmas Cottage or [email protected] or 01454 413828
Covid Shackles Easing!
It has been lovely over the last couple of weeks to get back to some degree of normality and attend a few functions - a trilogy in fact!
First off was the reopening of the Oldbury Village Cinema Club who showed Bohemian Rhapsody to a great turnout of over 50 members. Since the last showing, acoustic panels have been fitted in the Hall, along with a larger screen and new laser projector. The much-improved sound and picture quality proved very popular with the audience.
A week later we were back in the Hall for their reopening Soirée where we enjoyed a very sociable evening chatting to old friends and meeting some of the new arrivals in the village, and it was so nice to see some younger people in attendance, a trend we hope continues. The finger buffet, excellent wine and beers, and great music courtesy of our home-grown DJ Keith Miller, proved very popular. Also starring was the new lighting that the Hall have installed, which creates a great atmosphere for a variety of functions.
Finally we attended Rockhampton Cricket Club’s SeptemberFest in a marquee at Boundary Field where we were royally entertained by live music and a BBQ. The supporting act was Martin Bishop on guitar with an eclectic mix of songs, followed by “The Bob Villains”, who paid tribute to Bob Dylan playing songs from throughout his lifetime. The weather was kind and the atmosphere was great, and the 80 or so who attended all seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.
Ann & Allan Taylor-Martin
Shop Spot
Hi everyone! The Shop continues to operate successfully thanks to our wonderful group of volunteers. We have started to see reduced levels on stock held by our wholesalers but we are trying our best to keep our shelves full. The lack of lorry drivers is clearly impacting the food chain.
We are pleased to say that we have agreed to donate £210 to Thornbury Falcons under-13’s to buy some new football shirts, as there are a number of local children playing in the team. On the subject of donations, I had the opportunity to visit the Great Western Air Ambulance team (based down the A38 at Almondsbury). They were so appreciative of the donations from the Shop over the last few years and asked me to say a big thank you to all the volunteers and the Shop’s customers.
On the subject of volunteers, we are always looking to find new volunteers to come and join us. It’s a great way of meeting people and making new friends, especially if you have just moved into the Parish. Our volunteers also take great satisfaction in not only serving the community but enabling us to donate funds to local charities and local good causes. So if you are interested please give me a ring on 01454418619.
Chris Awde
Vintage Tractor Run on 22nd August 2021
On 22nd August we held a vintage tractor run from Meadowside, Oldbury Naite. 25 tractors took part, having bacon sandwiches before leaving and travelling through lanes and fields and up Mumbleys Hill and through to Easter Compton Farm Shop, and then on to The Fox at Old Down for a well-earned drink, finally coming down Mumbleys Hill on the return route, rather them than me!
We raised £1022, of which we gave the Oncology Unit in Bristol £500, and the British Heart Foundation £522. Before they left, a cream tea was had and Michelle Hall had made one of her pavlovas which was quickly devoured; thank you Michelle, also thanks to Matt for the scrumptious cheesecakes. It was a lovely day and I hope all our tractor friends enjoyed it. Thank you for coming and for all the donations that were given.
Josie Wilson xx
Rainfall
August
2021 2020 2019
67.5mm 147.0mm 78.5mm
2.66” 5.79” 3.09”
Miss Mary Bruton 1890 - 1984
As remembered by Allan Knapp - this extract is taken from the locally compiled “Severn Snippets”.
Miss Bruton was a well known local resident with a wide range of interests and abilities. She lived in Greenwood House, Church Road, all her life; her father was a local builder of repute whose workshop was adjacent to the neighbouring Roseland Cottage.
Miss Bruton was a talented lady who was very artistic and particularly musical. She played and taught the piano, conducted the WI choir, revived the local minstrel group and produced plays and pantomimes. Miss Bruton also wrote prodigiously and drew and painted local scenes. A set of postcards sketched by Miss Bruton went on sale in the village shop in 1965 for 5p each. She loved to decorate cakes for special occasions. So talented was she that she was commissioned by Fortnum and Mason of London’s Piccadilly to make and decorate cakes to order for weddings, christenings, and for debutantes’ coming out celebrations. During the Second World War Miss Bruton was very active supporting the war effort, and like many other
households in the village she housed two evacuees from Harwich. She taught the two boys billeted with her to play the piano and one of them went on to have a musical career in the military. With so many teachers called up to enlist, Miss Bruton was asked by the headmaster of Thornbury Grammar School to teach music and art throughout the school during the war years; naturally she was in her element.
Her artistic fame spread far and wide but Miss Bruton was always a great supporter of the local community. She was secretary to Oldbury WI for 27 years from its outset in 1919. She was also secretary of the Society of Thornbury Folk for whose bulletin she wrote a number of articles about local history.
Memories of Miss Bruton
We purchased our cottage from Miss Bruton, and I have many memories of her eccentricities. One could not possibly call her Mary Bruton – she would turn in her grave! We would have loved to rename the cottage in honour of Bob Knapp, the previous tenant, but we were concerned that she would have been offended. This being because she appeared to dislike him immensely. There seemed to be some village ‘history’ going on there that we were ignorant about!
Most days Miss Bruton would wander down to the cottage, sit amongst the builders on their cement bags and regale them with tales of her life. Incidentally, she had not wanted to sell the cottage as she regarded it as a romantic ruin. She was, however, delighted that we planned to keep the well and the original frontage. The route that Miss Bruton normally took to the cottage was through her very overgrown paddock and then into the back of the cottage. One day Brian (my husband) decided to mow her a path to make her approach easier. She was delighted with her wibbly-wobbly path as she called it, that Brian had deliberately mowed in a meandering fashion.
One memorable occasion was when my mother-in-law was staying, she being the archetypal little old lady. Miss Bruton appeared, and my mother-in-law called out “Hello, my dear” to which Miss Bruton replied, “I am NOT your DEAR, I am nobody’s DEAR!”
She stunned my mother-in-law into total silence.
On another occasion we had just returned from holiday and the phone rang. It was Miss Bruton who was very concerned as she had just exploded! This is what she actually said, but I asked “What have you been eating?” as she clearly meant some form of stomach eruption. The answer came as “Apples”. I knew that she lived mostly on biscuits, which was the answer to the problem!
On the evening of the flood of 1981, we received a phone call asking if Brian could go down to see her, as she had water in her hall, and it was creeping up the stairs. Brian and our son Simon donned their wellingtons and went down to rescue her. It turned out, when they got there, that she was quite happy. It seemed she just wanted to show them a new painting that she had just completed. As usual there was a saucepan of water heating on an electric fire! Her method was to lay the fire on its back and place the saucepan on the grill!
What a remarkable self-assured individual Mary Bruton was, and truly a one-off out of the mould. I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to get to know her so well.
Jane Perkins, Woodland Cottage, Chapel Road
Childhood Memories of meeting Miss Bruton
Having a secure childhood in Oldbury village began when I was five years old, and it has proven to be a fantastic experience for me. We lived in Oldbury from 1973 until 1982, in the house (called “The Pound”) which was just across the road from Miss Bruton’s house. During my years in Oldbury, I had many opportunities to meet Miss Bruton, a lady who would always have a special place in my heart.
As a young child I remember many features of Miss Bruton - her hair, smile, compassion, and generosity towards me are all qualities that stick out in my memory. Mum suggests Miss Bruton identified something in me from her own childhood, but my belief is that as children we just ‘click’ with some adults better than others.
My involvement with Oldbury started when I was a young child, after having had a difficult start in life. It was during my time in Oldbury that I gained an understanding of what it is to live in an organic and healthy manner.
I have fond memories of visits with Miss Bruton, who would enquire as to how I was adapting to village life, and then welcome me in for a drink and a demonstration of how to play the piano.
Apart from making periodic trips to our house, Miss Bruton would also stop by to chat with my dad John (who only recently passed away in May ‘21), while bringing a handkerchief as a token of her affections. Miss Bruton, according to Mum, would pay visits to Dad while Mum was in the hospital for brief periods, just to check Dad was ok. Mum remembers visiting Miss Bruton on occasion and being made to feel welcome. Miss Bruton informed Mum she liked living in her home in Oldbury as she could look out the window and see home, although Mum wasn’t sure if she meant across the river or something else.
Friends from Oldbury, who have stayed close to me to this day, have all shared their memories of Miss Bruton, a lady we all remember. Miss Bruton was well known in the neighbourhood and left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered, and we can all recall the occasions on which we visited with her or stopped to speak with her.
It's amazing how the feelings you had as a child can have such an effect on your life as an adult. It's even more astonishing how those feelings can last a lifetime.
Miss Bruton is someone I recall with warmth and compassion, but most importantly, she is a woman who just embraced me for who I am!
Karen Smith (Ashford)
Perched on a windowsill at Greenwood House.
Enjoying a game of tennis on the grass court at Oldbury Rectory.
Miss Bruton was modern and unconventional in her outlook, as this
posed photo taken at high tide in Oldbury Pill certainly shows!
Elegantly dressed for a day out on what looks like the Aust Ferry.
Miss Bruton often used it to visit her relatives in Lydney.
My Friendship with Miss Bruton
Eddie and I moved into The Old Forge in Oldbury-on-Severn on our wedding day in 1964, and were made to feel very welcome by all our new neighbours. We were very soon befriended by Miss Bruton, who enjoyed dropping in to watch Eddie at work at his drawing board and also liked to hear about my academic career and always addressed me by my full title. At that time Miss Bruton was in her seventies but our friendship continued for the next twenty years until the end of her life. One thing I remember about her interaction with our children when they were very young, was her response to my tap at her door when out walking with them. Miss Bruton’s hand would appear through the letterbox and Richard would hide behind me but Charles would leap forward and start to play with the hand. Miss Bruton took delight in that and started to come to our house to give him piano lessons. He plays well still, using Miss Bruton’s piano which has lived in our house since her death.
Sadly in her declining years Miss Bruton became ever more eccentric until she got to the stage when she could no longer care for herself. One day she got too close to the open fire in the grate and her skirt caught alight. Somehow she managed to put it out and call for help but she was quite badly burnt and spent quite some time in hospital. She did return home but it was obvious she could not cope in spite of many neighbours - including Leonard Ozeland - doing their best for her. Mike Dowdeswell from the Anchor Inn sent over a meal every day but she ate very little, leaving most of it for the next day. I ended up with the thankless task of looking for a care home. The first one was a disaster and she was asked to leave. Then we struck lucky with a home in Whitchurch in Bristol which had a large garden and employed a gardener. Martin and Adam Bland - both of whom she had taught to play - took over her piano as we hoped it would help her settle, but what really made all the difference was that she made friends with the gardener and enjoyed pottering happily around the garden.
Miss Bruton had made it clear to a clerk at the bank which she used in Thornbury that although she was very attached to the Church on the Hill that her father and his building firm had restored after a fire, she did not want to be buried in the family grave. Instead she wished to be cremated, and her ashes scattered in the Lake District where she had enjoyed some of her happiest times. After her death, funeral and cremation, I offered to the clerk in whom Miss Bruton had confided her wish, that I would drive with her ashes to one of her cousins and then on to Windermere, where we scattered her ashes in a peaceful and beautiful spot close to the western shore, thus fulfilling her wishes.
Val Clapham
Also by post from
Chris Tymko, Fisherman’s Cottage,
Cowhill, Oldbury on Severn BS35 1QJ
Price per copy to include p&p £8.75
NB. Please make cheques out to Iris Pitman
Miss Bruton’s Oldbury
Now on Sale at £6 per copy
From
Oldbury Community Shop
The Anchor Inn
Church Services for October 2021
St Mary’s
Thornbury
St. Arilda
Oldbury St. Mary
Shepperdine
St. Oswald
Rockhampton 3rd 10:30 HC
10th 10:30
All-age Harvest
/ Baptisms
School Field
17th 10:30 HC
24th 10:30 HC
6:00pm
Choral
Evensong
31st 18:00pm
Service for
All Souls
3rd 4.00pm All-age Harvest Festival
17th 6.00pm
Evening Prayer
31st 10:30am (All Souls) Memorial
Communion
Open as a place of pilgrimage and prayer,
For details phone 01454 260316
Please check locally for
Weekly benefice services
all 10:30am
St Oswald’s 4th Sunday
Rev Sue by email
or
phone
01454 600674
Catholic Morton Baptist Thornbury Quakers
Christ the King,
Thornbury.
Sunday Mass
9.30am 10.30am
Morning Service Every Sunday
at 10.30am
See https://mortonbaptist.org
for details
Chantry Community
Centre on Castle Street
Sunday 10.30am
Further details contact Sheila Waters on
07738495776
Holy Cross, Wotton
Under Edge
Saturday
(vigil Mass) 16.30pm
All church services subject to current coronavirus rules. Check before going!
Christ the King, Thornbury.
&
Holy Cross,
Wotton Under Edge.
please consult the website
for up-to-date details
Booking required.
Details at
https://www.ctk-thornbury.org.uk
Christian Comment
“Look around you and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting”
from John 4:35
I love this time of year as we celebrate harvest and I hope that you were able to join a harvest service, either in person or online, to celebrate all God’s many gifts to us. It is not just because I share a similar surname that I love John Keats’ poem which opens with the words “Season of mists
and mellow fruitfulness”. I have been out picking blackberries recently, there were mushrooms growing in the fields and the sloes will soon be ready for those who fancy a drop of sloe gin. None of these things have we really worked for, yet God gives them freely to us, but of course we couldn’t live on mushrooms and blackberries. To thrive we have to work together with others and with God, to provide all those things we need in life. As that well-known harvest hymn reminds us:
“We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land
but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand”. At harvest time we look forward to “All being safely gathered in, before the
winter storms begin”. This year, with the effects of climate change, our farmers have had many challenges with cold and rain and drought at all the wrong times, yet through hard work and perseverance we are still fed. So too in life there have been many storms to face: Covid and its consequences, floods, fires, earthquakes, wars and many other difficulties faced by individuals and nations, often, at least partially, as a result of our poor decisions and choices. Just as we need to work together with God and one another to provide for our food and clothing, we need to work together with one another in faith and love to overcome the storms of poverty, inequality, division and hatred that separate us from one another and from God. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:9, “We are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s
field.”
Our work as His servants means worshipping and praying together, and sharing His story and His love with those we meet, in every kind word, friendly gesture, and helping hand along the way. That is what Jesus meant when He said in John 15:16 “You did not choose me but I chose you and I
appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last”. I pray that as we celebrate harvest together, God will bless you, both physically and spiritually, and that we will all be part of that great spiritual harvest of souls which God promises to all who follow Him.
Revd Tom
Weekend of Vision and Hope
Friday 8th – Sunday 10th October 2021
This weekend has been planned to begin conversations together about the future.
Friday 8th October
10.30-11.15 Prayer morning and refreshments at St Mary’s Church 3.45-4.30pm After-school treasure hunt in area around St Mary’s School 4.30-6.30pm ‘Pizza picnic’ with the Hawkes House ‘House Box’,
St Mary’s School field 7.00-8.30pm ‘Thinking about Welcome’ - evening discussion, with a
service of Night Prayer, at St Mary’s Church
Saturday 9th October
9.30-10.30 ‘Building Vision’ at St Mary’s Church, led by Canon Dr Andrew Braddock
10.30-11.00 Coffee break 11.00-12.30 ‘Building Vision’ (continued) 3.00-4.00pm ‘Forest worship’ outdoors on the St Mary’s School field 4.00-5.30pm ‘EcoChurch’ at St Mary’s Church, led by Revd Cate Williams 7.00-9.30pm Line dancing at Naite Farm barn (with the ‘Hooch Hut’ bar)
Sunday 10th October
10.30-11.30 Harvest and Baptisms, for our Sunday service, St Mary’s School field
3.00-5.00pm Vicarage BBQ (with the Vicar’s gin bar), Vicarage Garden 5.00-6.30pm ‘Talking about Unity’ at St Mary’s Church, led by
Archdeacon Hilary Dawson (ending with a simple service of Night Prayer)
Please telephone Gill on 01454-260153 for further information on booking.
An Unusual Service at St Mary's Church, Thornbury
Sunday 24 October at 6pm
On Sunday October 24 there will be a very special and unique Choral Evensong at St Mary's Church, Thornbury.
All the music has been written by members of the choir, as well as the words of the anthem and the hymns. It is an idea which has come from Mark Hoskins, a member of the choir, who says he has been thinking about a 'home-grown Evensong' for quite a long time.
The service will begin at 6pm so do come along to St Mary's and enjoy this unusual service. You will be most welcome.
Kate Phillipson-Masters
CRoFFT Benefice Churchyards
We have some beautiful and peaceful churchyards in our benefice and we are so fortunate that they are so well cared for. We do thank those who tend family graves, as well as those who are kind enough to give time and energy to the ongoing upkeep and maintenance. All our churchyards come under the guidance of the diocese and the regulations are available at each location. May I please draw your attention to these regulations… and in particular to “Bulbs and small annual plants may be planted in the soil of any grave (but not in any container).” “…no ornaments or additions… no trees or shrubs may be planted without the agreement of the relevant PCC and the consent of the relevant Archdeacon (to be provided by way of a written notice following consultation with the Archdeacon)….” A number of items have been appearing on memorial stones, edging has appeared round some graves, plastic flowers, etc – please would you help us by following our regulations.
Rev Sue
Miss Bruton and Donald Campbell
Mary Bruton used to visit relations who ran a Post Office at Patterdale in the Lake District. In 1955 some of her sketches and paintings were seen by Lady Malcolm Campbell, mother of the famous speed-record breaker. Miss Bruton was never to forget that summer when she became for a short time ‘one of the team’ that surrounded Donald Campbell as he tried to achieve his ambition to break the water speed record. The Western Daily Press of July 1955 reported:
“LOCAL ARTIST AT ULLSWATER
Paints bluebird on Campbell’s helmet
An Oldbury-on-Severn artist, Miss Mary Bruton, has a keen interest in the
world’s water speed record attempt soon to be made at Ullswater by Mr
Donald Campbell. For Miss Bruton, a regular visitor to the Lake District,
has painted the picture of a bluebird on Mr Campbell’s crash helmet and is
also to paint the emblem on the bow of the boat itself.
Mr Campbell’s mother had asked Miss Bruton to paint the picture after she
had seen and admired some of Miss Bruton’s work. If the record attempt
is successful, Miss Bruton will paint the flags which will be sent to America.
Mr Campbell’s crash helmet is the one worn by test pilot Neville Duke when
he broke the sound barrier.
Miss Bruton is now at Ullswater, where she reports that things are ‘getting
tense at the boathouse’ as Bluebird’s launching approaches. She will stay
until after the attempt.
Some of Miss Bruton’s work is in Bristol. She was responsible for the
painting of the badge of the Bristol Steamship Owners’ Association.”
Campbell succeeded at Ullswater on July 23rd. He made his first run at 215.08 m.p.h. and his second at 189.57 m.p.h., giving him an average of 202.32 m.p.h.
Miss Bruton also painted the registration number on Bluebird, and miniature Bluebirds on special earrings made for Campbell’s mother, Lady Campbell, and for his wife. Donald Campbell died on January 4th, 1967, during another record attempt and the Thornbury Gazette interviewed Miss Bruton in February that year. Of Donald Campbell she said:
“Of him my memory gives me meeting and working for a great man.
Devoted to the memory of his father, risking life and all for our country’s
honour and fame. Working in
that boathouse with those
clever, dedicated, unselfish,
devoted men was an enormous
privilege and is a great and rich
memory.”
Thornbury & District Museum has the lid of a tin with a bluebird painted on it. This was Mary Bruton’s practice piece before she painted her final design on Campbell’s helmet.
Meg Wise from
Thornbury & District Museum
Why Miss Bruton never married
Miss Bruton was a few years older than my dad, Tommy Jones, but they were life-long friends, having both lived in the village all their lives. Dad was a member of Miss Bruton’s revived Minstrels entertainment group, where he enjoyed himself hugely as he loved entertaining people. When I was growing up, Miss Bruton was a frequent visitor to our house in Cowhill, often dropping in accompanied by visitors from outside the village, who she would then introduce to Dad. Everyone would sit around the kitchen table exchanging yarns about the old days. Dad always treated her with due deference and called her Miss Bruton, and she always called him Tommy, but they had a bit of a double act going on - playing off each other, retelling tales. If Dad judged the company was right he would say,
“Tell us, Miss Bruton, why did you never get married?” Miss Bruton would pull herself even more upright in her chair, and with a delivery rivalling that of Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey would reply,
“I’ve told you before, Tommy, and I’ll tell you again…. I was NEVER going to say ‘I OBEY’ to any man!”
Chris Tymko
Bob-a-job for Miss Bruton
As a cub scout in 1978, I asked Miss Bruton if she had any tasks that I could do for her during Bob-a-job week. She said that she did not, but that she would pay me if I came in for a one-hour lesson on the history of Thornbury Castle given by her. I agreed, and after an interesting hour, she raided the tins in her hall where she kept the money for various tradespeople and I received my dues – probably one of the most unusual Bob-a-jobs ever!
Matthew Riddle
Rockhampton Parish Council
The Council held its first face to face meeting since February 2020 on Monday 23rd August 2021. The main item for the meeting was the ongoing highways issues. Cllr Riddle reported that further vehicle average speed checks on the Lower Stone Road had been completed in June which recorded an average speed of 38 mph. However, 15% of vehicles recorded were doing more than 44 mph, and this had been flagged up with the Police. Cllr Riddle went on to confirm that issues in the parish with potholes were being reported to StreetCare on an ongoing basis and it was noted that temporary repairs to the Hill Road had been completed, with the intention of major repairs to be completed during 2022/2023 financial year.
Under planning, two applications received were noted, namely the construction of a new access and track from the Sewerage Treatment Works compound onto Church View, and the conversion of an existing storage shed to form an annexe ancillary to the main dwelling at Vine Cottage.
Cllrs were informed that an inspection of the Council’s assets had been undertaken between Cllr England and the Clerk, and that from this inspection it was noted that action was required regarding some assets. Cllrs agreed to discuss this at their next meeting.
The Parish Council, along with other Parish Councils, had received an offer of two Oak Trees from The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and Cllrs agreed to take up this offer. Cllr Mitchell Skinner proposed that Cllrs should give further thought to how the Parish could commemorate/celebrate this event, and proposed that they should discuss this in more detail at their next meeting on Monday 22nd November 2021.
Rockhampton Parish Council
www.rockhamptonparishcouncil.co.uk
Help Wanted
Mike Irish requires personal general help
due to poor health.
Hours by arrangement.
Court Farm Rockhampton Tel 01454 260322
Tide Table: Inward Rocks, River Severn. October 2021
Day High Low High
Low High Moon Sunrise Sunset
Fri
1
3:31 AM BST / 7.25
m
10:18 AM BST / 3.56
m
4:11 PM BST / 7.24 m
10:59 PM BST / 3.39
m
7:11 AM BST
6:47 PM BST
Sat
2
4:59 AM BST / 7.26
m
11:37 AM BST / 3.43
m
5:34 PM BST / 7.56 m
7:13 AM BST
6:45 PM BST
Sun
3
12:16 AM BST / 3.06
m
6:10 AM BST / 7.84
m
12:49 PM BST / 2.94
m
6:34 PM BST / 8.37 m
7:14 AM BST
6:43 PM BST
Wed
6
3:04 AM BST / 1.08
m
8:21 AM BST / 10.98
m
3:25 PM BST / 0.90
m
8:39 PM BST / 11.65 m
New Moon
7:19 AM BST
6:36 PM BST
Fri
8
4:31 AM BST / 0.11
m
9:37 AM BST / 12.62
m
4:51 PM BST / 0.05
m
9:56 PM BST / 12.96 m
7:22 AM BST
6:31 PM BST
Sat
9
5:13 AM BST / -0.05
m
10:16 AM BST / 12.90
m
5:32 PM BST / -0.04
m
10:36 PM BST / 12.99
m
7:24 AM BST
6:29 PM BST
Sun
10
5:54 AM BST / 0.04
m
10:57 AM BST / 12.73
m
6:15 PM BST / 0.13
m
11:19 PM BST / 12.54
m
7:26 AM BST
6:27 PM BST
Wed
13
12:57 AM BST / 10.57
m
8:13 AM BST / 1.68
m
1:25 PM BST / 10.08 m
8:43 PM BST / 1.81
m
First Quarter
7:31 AM BST
6:20 PM BST
Fri
15
3:12 AM BST / 8.54
m
10:32 AM BST / 2.71
m
3:50 PM BST / 8.47 m
11:17 PM BST / 2.44
m
7:34 AM BST
6:16 PM BST
Sat
16
4:35 AM BST / 8.22
m
11:57 AM BST / 2.59
m
5:11 PM BST / 8.48 m
7:36 AM BST
6:14 PM BST
Sun
17
12:37 AM BST / 2.10
m
5:51 AM BST / 8.52
m
1:10 PM BST / 2.11
m
6:20 PM BST / 9.01 m
7:38 AM BST
6:12 PM BST
Wed
20
3:18 AM BST / 0.90
m
8:20 AM BST / 10.69
m
3:36 PM BST / 0.96
m
8:38 PM BST / 11.17 m
Full Moon7:43 AM
BST 6:06 PM
BST
Fri
22
4:29 AM BST / 0.88
m
9:32 AM BST / 11.56
m
4:43 PM BST / 0.96
m
9:50 PM BST / 11.72 m
7:47 AM BST
6:01 PM BST
Sat
23
5:00 AM BST / 1.05
m
10:07 AM BST / 11.60
m
5:14 PM BST / 1.11
m
10:24 PM BST / 11.56
m
7:49 AM BST
5:59 PM BST
Sun
24
5:30 AM BST / 1.29
m
10:40 AM BST / 11.36
m
5:45 PM BST / 1.34
m
10:57 PM BST / 11.14
m
7:50 AM BST
5:57 PM BST
Thu
28
12:44 AM BST / 8.89
m
7:52 AM BST / 2.79
m
1:04 PM BST / 8.59 m
8:18 PM BST / 2.82
m
Last Quarter
7:57 AM BST
5:50 PM BST
Fri
29
1:32 AM BST / 8.09
m
8:44 AM BST / 3.17
m
2:00 PM BST / 7.88 m
9:17 PM BST / 3.13
m
7:59 AM BST
5:48 PM BST
Sat
30
2:39 AM BST / 7.50
m
9:49 AM BST / 3.36
m
3:17 PM BST / 7.48 m
10:26 PM BST / 3.17
m
8:00 AM BST
5:46 PM BST
Sun
31
3:05 AM GMT / 7.36
m
10:01 AM GMT / 3.21
m
3:43 PM GMT / 7.65
m
10:38 PM GMT / 2.85
m
7:02 AM GMT
4:44 PM GMT
Oldbury Cricket Club
President’s game: J Garrett bowled D(ad) Garrett 1;
H Garrett caught and bowled D Garrett 10. Still life in the old uns!!
Oldbury played their last game in August against an Old Down Estate XI which included ex-England and County players. Although Old Down struggled to 144 for 7, they managed to rally and scored 248 for 9 wickets off 40 overs. In reply ex-England pace bowler Andy Caddick took 3 early wickets; Oldbury never recovered and were all out for just 134 runs.
The following week, Oldbury played Stapleton West Indians. Stapleton batted first and runs from Rohit (64) and Aravind (100) gave them a good score of 247 from their 40 overs. In reply Oldbury got off to a poor start losing their first 4 wickets for only 45 runs. Ollie Cooper (101 ret), Greg Welsher (62 not-out) and Lee Griffiths (28 not-out) got to grips with the Stapleton bowling and steered Oldbury home to a comfortable win with 5 overs to spare.
In the final game of the season Oldbury played the President’s XI. The Presidents were put into bat and got off to a bright start, but when Tom Cox was out, the run rate slowed. Opening bat Will Cullimore batted well for 49 runs and was backed up admirably by Jerry White (56 not-out) and Sam Summerfield (76). The late introduction of Jim Noad helped the XI reach 211 from 40 overs for the loss of just 3 wickets. In reply, Chris Pearce and Jono Howie both bowled tight, keeping the run rate well in control. However, when the two opening batsmen were dismissed, Max Curtis and Sam Phelps added runs at a steady rate with some strong batting. Had a couple of poor decisions by the Oldbury team umpire gone the Presidents’ way, then an early break up of this partnership could have steered the game back in the Presidents’ favour. When Sam was out for 32 a mini collapse followed, and 3 wickets fell for just 20 runs. Ollie Cooper then joined Max, and together they easily reached the required total. It was a good knock from Ollie (34 not-out) and a splendid 107 not-out from Max.
Thanks go to both captains, Ian Knapp, Hedley Garrett, and their teams for providing a thoroughly entertaining afternoon’s cricket. At the end of the match all the whys and what ifs were discussed over a beer and a super John Staley BBQ which was enjoyed by both teams and guests. Thanks also to Ian for providing the marquee for the last three games of the season.
Annual Dinner at Memorial Hall: 23 Oct. AGM at Cricket Pavilion: 28 Oct..
Gerald Porter
President OOSVCC
Severn Vale Crib League 2021/22
The crib league is due to commence on October 4th. Although the league is reduced to only eight teams, it is hoped that it will still be a competitive year and as always enjoyed by the crib enthusiasts.
Gerald Porter
The Bristol Ensemble is back in Thornbury!
Saturday 16 October at 7.30pm
at the United Reformed Church
The Armstrong Arts Group is pleased to present a treat for Thornbury and beyond. Members of the Bristol Ensemble, Bristol’s professional
chamber orchestra, led by violinist Roger Huckle, with guest oboe player Imogen Triner, will again be visiting for a concert of popular classical music.
The concert features:
Marcello – an oboe concerto, the most beautiful adagios of the Baroque period. Alessandro Marcello was an Italian nobleman and musician who knew how to write a good melody. The gorgeous solo lines of the adagio of his oboe concerto in D minor make this a most engaging piece.
Piazzolla Oblivion – Astor Piazzolla is the world’s foremost composer of Tango music. This hauntingly atmospheric piece was written in 1982.
Bach Concerto for two violins – This has been described as the best eight minutes of music ever, expressing a high-octane contrapuntal conversation.
Piazzolla’s Autumn – Written more recently than the identically themed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Autumn, which has delighted listeners for centuries. Our audience can now compare how Piazzolla and Vivaldi interpret autumn.
The concert is sponsored by the Joan Hawkins fund at Quartet Community. Tickets cost £18, to include wine or juice, and are available by contacting [email protected] or by phone on 01454 850933
Save November 27th in your diary too, when Michael Lunts will perform his musical “Christmas Crackers” show at the Methodist Church Hall.
Severn Vale Flower Club
Monday 11th October Demonstration with Cath Brown. (2pm) Monday 8th November Demonstration with Andrew Lloyd. Monday 6th December Charity social event with demonstration.
(All these meetings will be held at St Marys Church Hall in Thornbury.)
Jo Whiteman
Colouring (for young or old!) kindly created for us by Lorna Page
All Salmon Fishing on the River Severn banned
for the next 10 years
Following the consultation on the proposed River Severn bye-laws and net limitation order which took place in March and April 2021, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed the Severn Estuary and River Severn Salmon and Sea Trout Protection Bye-laws 2021 and Environment Agency (Limitation Of Severn Estuary Lave Net Fishing Licences In England) Order 2021 (NLO). These bye-laws are coming into force with immediate effect (September 2021).
The 2020 salmon stock assessment shows stock levels for the River Severn catchment, continue to be significantly below conservation limits with the salmon stock now assessed as “At Risk”. These declines in numbers means that every fish returned safely could contribute to improving the spawning population. We believe that these regulations are proportionate and necessary to significantly reduce the number of salmon killed via rod or net fisheries and we urge all to play their part in the recovery of those stocks for the future.
Summary of bylaws and NLO for the Severn Estuary, River Severn and its tributaries:
• Shall expire 10 years after the date on which they first come into force
• Prohibit any person catching salmon and sea trout by draft net within
the River Severn estuary
• Prohibit any person catching salmon and sea trout by putcher within
the River Severn estuary
• Prohibit any person from retaining a live or dead salmon that has been
taken by rod and line
• Require any salmon that has been taken by rod and line to be returned
immediately to the river with the least possible injury
• Require the release of all salmon and sea trout taken by means of lave
net within the River Severn estuary
• The Net Limitation Order simply defines how many lave net licences
will be made available. A maximum of twenty-two (22) licences will be
issued in any year for the next 10 years unless revoked earlier.
Information and details of the bye-laws are available at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/west-midlands/river-severn-
net-limitation-order-and-byelaws
You can contact us on 03708 506 506 if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for protecting salmon stocks on the Severn.
Kay Champion, Environment Manager,
Environment Agency West Midlands Area
Nature Notes - Empty Nest Syndrome
I was thrilled when five well-feathered, plump baby swallows all flew from the nest on Saturday 11 September, just about six weeks after the parents first moved into my front porch. They started off flying to and fro from the nest to a rail at the back of the porch, but were very soon effortlessly flying in and out, resting up for a while in between excursions, while the attentive parents continued to feed them. For the next week or so I enjoyed watching them flying high over the house while they continued to roost in the porch at night, but now they have all flown off and hopefully joined up with other flocks of swallows gradually starting their migration south, leaving only a few stray feathers and a huge pile of swallow guano behind.
Chris Tymko
Calendar Dates for Oldbury
All subject to current coronavirus rules. Check before going!
1st Oct Fri Grumpy Man’s breakfast 6th Oct Wed Jazz Club Inaugural Meeting, Memorial Hall, 5.30pm 8th Oct Fri OVCC Film Show, Memorial Hall, Doors open at 7.30pm 16th Oct Sat Open Session, Memorial Hall Development, 10am-2pm 20th Oct Wed Open Session, Memorial Hall Development, 5pm-7.30pm 23rd Oct Sat Cricket Club Annual Dinner at Memorial Hall 28th Oct Thu Cricket Club AGM at Cricket Pavilion 5th Nov Fri Grumpy Man’s breakfast, 9.00am 6th Nov Sat Themed Supper Evening, Memorial Hall, 7.00pm 12th Nov Fri OVCC Film Show, Memorial Hall, Doors open at 7.30pm 27th Nov Sat Coffee and Christmas Fayre, Memorial Hall,10.00am 3rd Dec Fri Hot Gossip, Memorial Hall, 3.00pm Christmas themed 10th Dec Fri Grumpy Man’s Christmas lunch 10th Dec Fri OVCC Film Show, Memorial Hall, Doors open at 7.30pm 11th Dec Sat Memorial Hall Xmas Party 4.00 pm 24th Dec Fri ‘Open house’ at the Hall to celebrate Christmas 7.00pm If you have any more local events that you would like to include in this
diary, please email the magazine at [email protected]
Oldbury Elders Luncheon Club: The Anchor Inn, last Tuesday of the month in the dining room. Meet at 12.15 pm, lunch served at 12.30 pm.
Thanks to Mark Sorrell and the team at the Anchor. Any enquiries to Sue Keedwell tel: 417103
