April 2021 - Thornbury Weather
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April 2021
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
From the Waste Land by T S Eliot
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.
4wardmag@gmail.com
EDITOR Chris Tymko,
Fisherman’s Cottage, Cowhill, BS35 1QJ.
Tel: 01454 412152
Cover Illustrations Lorna Page. Follow on Etsy, Instagram &
Facebook. Email: four.pages@yahoo.co.uk
Printed and Distributed Oldbury Deckers Tel: 07831 849742
Email: naitefarm@gmail.com
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: robwjking@gmail.com
4ward Website www.oos4ward.plus.com
Oldbury Community Website www.oldburyonsevern.org.uk
Oldbury Memorial Hall 01454 413380 Contact: Karen Porter
07986 931893 tlk.porter@live.co.uk
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 simon.edwards@methodist.org.uk
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
Is it just me or has time been behaving very strangely lately? On the one
hand winter seemed endless, full of long grey chilly days with none of the
usual social activities to enjoy with family or friends, and on the other hand
the days just disappeared, rushing by as if they hardly existed so I was
forever thinking to myself “Goodness me, is it Friday again already, where
did that week go?” The curtains are still un-hemmed, the drawers remain
un-tidied and the photos are still muddled up in that big box I lugged down
the stairs one day. I feel like I’ve been hibernating, or in some strange
state of suspended animation, curled up like a bear or a dormouse waiting
for Spring to arrive.
I know quite well that while some of us have completely slowed down there
are plenty of people who have never had that privilege and I’m eternally
grateful to all those key workers and volunteers throughout the whole
country who have carried on regardless.
Even if 4ward had to suspend operations during Lockdown, it is good to
know the life of our community carried on. The school did an amazing job
providing home learning, and since March the children have been back in
the classroom. A dedicated band of volunteers have kept the Shop open
throughout the pandemic and from the profits they have been able to
donate over £4000 to local good causes, including £100 towards our
printing costs for which we are very grateful. We also have updates from
the Memorial Hall and the Film Club, and the Cricket Club who are hoping
to resume activities in the summer.
I don’t think any of us like to look too far ahead at the moment. It’s enough
that Spring has arrived in all its glory and restrictions have been lifted in
time for us all to celebrate Easter together. Revd Joy has enthusiastically
planned a dawn service at 6am at St Arilda’s on Easter morning. I don’t
think I’ve been up that early since the last century but even I will make an
effort.
Happy Easter everyone
from Chris and the team at 4ward
Letters to the Editor
Edmonton, Canada
Dear Editor Tymko,
I read with great appreciation, your article “Tales of Christmas Past” in the
December 2020 edition of 4ward, about my grandfather Joseph Welsh
along with the most appropriate “Christmas Eve in Bethlehem” excerpt
from “Joseph Welsh Goes to War”, and the further background material
about grandfather Joseph.
My brother Terry and I were pleased to be guests of honor at the 50th
Anniversary of Joseph Welsh School, in Red Deer Alberta several years ago.
I endeavour to stay tuned to happenings in Oldbury-on-Severn, which my
family and I visited in 2017, 2000 and 1967. We stayed at the Anchor Inn
in 2017.
All the best,
David S. Welsh
Rockhampton, South Glos.
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know, I was overjoyed to read about Joseph Welsh
in your December edition of the 4ward magazine, my mother often told us
the story of her great uncle Joseph who went to Canada, became a teacher
and had a school named after him.
I know he was admired and was an inspiration to the family so it was really
lovely to read all about him and his adventures.
My great grandmother was Bessie Welsh, Joseph’s sister. It was so
interesting to read all about the family tree in the 4ward magazine and
interesting how so many names followed down through the family, a
tradition which isn’t as common now.
I sent a copy of the magazine to my auntie Blanche, she's still going strong
at 91, she was delighted and said she met him when he came back to
Oldbury after the war, she remembers the family celebrations when he
returned.
Kind regards,
Bridget Collett
Charfield, South Glos.
Your Great Uncle Joe’s wartime diary.
Dear Chris,
I just had to say how much I enjoyed reading about your Great Uncle Joe’s
experiences in the Holy Land, Christmas 1917.
Isn’t it wonderful that he kept a diary of his wartime experiences when he
travelled with the Hereford Battalion! His writings brought his feelings alive
to me as I read, I was there. When they approached Bethlehem, but
couldn’t enter and had to make the best of sleeping out in the rain up in
the hills, I could feel his disappointment. Then the incredible euphoria they
all felt as they got nearer to Jerusalem on Christmas Day, tired and hungry
but exhilarated despite what they had been through to get there and not
having slept in a building for four years! I could picture in my mind’s eye
the setting sun over the Mediterranean. They were singing and whistling
as they went despite the rough, rocky road and being under fire. What a
wonderful welcome they received, warm fire, good food and shelter,
packages from home and two days off to cap it all!
What a fantastic read!
Thank you,
Hilary Grigg
Farewell but not Goodbye
Yew Tree Farm, Oldbury
You may have noticed the sign outside Yew Tree Farm for the last 15
months. Well, at last, the sad day has come and we are moving at the end
of March. After 36 years, unfortunately we have to move to a smaller and
more manageable place. Kay and Peter have loved being in Oldbury and
being integrated into the activities of the village. Thank you to all those we
have met and who have become friends and supported us throughout the
past years.
The new residents will be Laura Day, her daughter Becs, plus partner
David. We are sure they will continue to look after this old house as we
have tried to do and will enjoy it and the garden as much as we have.
We are only moving to Thornbury, so it is Farewell but not Goodbye.
Kay and Peter Everton / March 2021
Oldbury Parish Council Notes Queen’s Platinum Jubilee The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is to be celebrated over the weekend of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th June 2022. We are looking to involve as many people and groups as possible; we propose to form a “committee” of whoever is interested. If you have any ideas, or wish to be involved in any way, please contact Chris Jennings at the Hall, or me as below. The Rest As so often in Oldbury, the emphasis for the Parish Council at the moment is flooding and I am therefore putting that first this month. Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels If you have been travelling between Aust and Avonmouth recently you will have seen what is being done to raise the sea defences to prevent flooding from rising sea levels. The scheme will give protection for 80 years. That is great; believe me the statistics justify the action, and one of the lead players is South Gloucestershire Council (SGC). But what about us? The stretch of the Severn between Aust and Sharpness? Nothing as yet! To help address this, we are intending to form a joint group, or a consortium, of the parishes from Aust to Sharpness. We hope this will give us the clout we need to drive a similar enterprise here. Wessex Water Following the flooding of a property with sewage in Featherbed Lane in December we have been in discussion with Wessex Water about the actions that are necessary to prevent further occurrences in the future. So far, they have been helpful. Local Plan A detailed response to the Phase One consultation which closed on 1 March has been made to SGC on a range of issues relevant to the Parish. We await the outcome of this, which will be reflected in Phase Two later this year. Thornbury High Street The Parish Council have responded to the consultation on this subject. Basically, we are opposed to the proposals, as they take little account of those living outside of Thornbury. Neighbourhood Development Plan Covid restrictions continue to impact on the next stage of the Neighbourhood Plan. We are waiting for SGC to advise how best they can get responses to the statutory consultation they are required to undertake. Car Parking Cars parked on the pavements make it difficult for pedestrians, and those with pushchairs etc, to move around the village safely. This is particularly
noticeable in Camp Road. Letters to the residents concerned have had
some effect, but insufficient, and the police have now been notified.
Westmarsh Lane to Chapel Road
Church Road from Westmarsh Lane to Chapel Road gets very busy at the
weekends and residents have expressed concern about the danger to
pedestrians. The Road Safety Committee are investigating and monitoring
this situation. Any improvements are likely to be expensive and restrict
vehicle movements. We will be watching to see if things improve when the
Covid situation returns to normal.
Dog Poo Bins
This problem will not go away!! SGC put some notices on the Sailing Club
gate, to remind people of their rights and duties. They were torn down the
same day. That sort of action does not help anyone and antagonises those
who are trying to help. We have put up “There is no dog poo fairy!” notices
along the Sailing Club track.
We are still “arguing” with SGC about payments for emptying bins but some
progress has been made. The Windbound bin is now in place; it is a black
bin for both general litter and dog poo; thanks to Horizon for paying for this.
Keith Sullivan for OPC
01454 417865 or keith@keithsullivan.co.uk
11th March 2021
Neighbourhood Plan Update
The Oldbury on Severn Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to South Glos
Council (SGC) in October 2020.
Since then, the plan has been found to be legally compliant and
preparations to proceed with the next stage in the regulatory process have
commenced. This involves a further and final consultation, prior to the plan
being submitted for “Examination by an Independent Inspector”.
The Covid lockdown has introduced several problems affecting progress.
As a result, the Consultation Launch has been postponed.
Summarising the situation, with the restrictions still in force, if the
consultation went ahead there is a risk that some members of the
community might be unable to respond, because essentially it would be
online only.
SGC will continue to review the situation, and stay in contact with the
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group providing any updates as they occur.
We will keep you informed of any changes in position.
Best wishes
Barry Turner (Chairman, Neighbourhood Plan Working Group)
Shop Spot
The Shop has continued to provide a lifeline to so many during the
lockdown period, and sales revenues remain encouraging even with the
reduced hours. We again thank our customers and our volunteers for their
support through the pandemic.
The Shop’s front porch has been completed by our local builder Ian Knapp.
Most people have agreed it looks really good. It will shelter customers from
rain and hopefully in the Summer shield the Shop (chocolate) from the sun.
With another successful financial year, we are very pleased to advise we
have been able to make the following donations to local good causes:
£100 - The 4ward Magazine, to help cover its operating costs.
£150 - The Hill & Rockhampton WI. Contribution to their costs, as revenues
have been hit by being unable to meet. Their Committee have been trying
to keep in touch by delivering cakes to their 36 local members.
£150 - Memory Café, Thornbury. A volunteer group for people with
dementia. It provides activities / talks and is an important meeting point.
£375 - St Arilda’s Church towards maintenance, heating and cleaning costs.
£200 - Oldbury Busy Bees Pre-School & Playgroup, for kitting out a new
shed so that the children and staff can get the equipment in and out easily.
£400 - Oldbury School, to cover the procurement of new equipment and
books, and for the repair of their sandpit.
£350 - St Peter’s Hospice. Due to the covid pandemic and the closure of
their Thornbury charity shop, the Bristol-based charity has seen a
significant reduction in their revenues.
£500 - SARA the local rescue charity for the Severn estuary, and land-
based flood support for the local area.
£100 - Thornbury Tea Room for the over 60’s. Operating from the Town
Hall it provides a valuable place for people to meet up on a regular basis.
£950 - Thornbury Food Bank. The demands on this local volunteer service
have significantly increased during the covid pandemic.
£250 – Jigsaw, a Thornbury charity that supports local children who have
additional needs or disabilities.
£500 - The Great Western Air Ambulance service that covers the local area.
The total value of the above donations this year is £4025. The Shop is so
proud to have helped give so much back to the local community.
Anyway, that’s all for now folks, and again thank you to everyone for your
continued support. Keep safe and well.
Chris Awde
Memorial Hall Update
I thought I would just give everyone a quick update on the Memorial Hall.
Like many village halls, we remain closed due to Government restrictions.
From 17 May halls can reopen with some limitations, i.e. 50% capacity and
if more than 6 people are in attendance they must remain in ‘bubbles of
six’ and cannot mix between groups. Each group must maintain a suitable
social distance. Halls can be used for exercise classes, albeit with similar
constraints to last year. If you want further clarification please contact me.
From 21 June restrictions are lifted and halls can return to normal activities.
The obvious caveat is that Covid instances remain at a manageable level
across the country and there are no new outbreaks of different strains. We
as a committee very much hope we will be able to organise a few social
events after this date as it will be wonderful to socially integrate once again.
By the time we open up we will have completed the damp course injection
and repointed / re-rendered where required. We have just been awarded
£1,000 from Magnox, which we are extremely grateful for, to help improve
access for people using wheelchairs, or families with buggies. We are
considering how best to spend this money to get maximum benefit from it.
The Management Committee have a number of other improvement ideas
but these will be subject to the finances available. On this point please can
I remind you that the 100 Club is a key source of funds for the Hall, so if
you are not a member please sign up to qualify for the monthly prize draw.
(Application forms are in the Shop). We are also a recognised charity on
Amazon Smile URL so please register the Hall as your chosen charity if you
are happy to do so.
Chris Jennings
Oldbury on Severn - Memorial Hall 100 Club
Draw Winners
January February
1st prize. £20 Simon Ingram Sandra Grey
2nd prize. £15 Iris Pitman Vicky Johnson
3rd prize. £10 Doug Mills Jane Phelps
4th prize. £10 Alison Mallaghan Colin Johnson
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 aeconibere@hotmail.com or 01454 413828
Oldbury Village Cinema Club
Notice to All Members
Dear Members,
It has been some time since your committee has issued a statement
concerning the OVCC. As we have now held our 8th AGM and the minutes
have been issued, we thought it appropriate to update you all generally.
Under the current Covid rules it is still going to be some time, despite the
vaccines that are now being given, before we will be able to resume normal
film shows. Indeed, the Memorial Hall is closed for the foreseeable future,
and as and when it opens, we will decide as to the date to recommence
our evening shows.
Despite all that has been going on, the committee has been working in the
background and the recent AGM minutes and reports have now been
emailed to you all. We are currently working on schemes to replace the
projector and screen we currently use, and I hope to advise you further on
that in due course. As you will have seen from the AGM reports the club is
still in a sound financial position and we have continued with our policy to
enhance both the OVCC and the facilities that the Hall can offer.
In the previous notice that I sent out in June last year, I referred to
membership fees and the situation is still the same. When we can continue
with film shows we will then decide and advise on the course of action
regarding fees due. In the meantime, as has been mentioned before, the
previous fees paid have been put to good use, paying in part for the new
acoustic panelling that has been installed in the Hall.
On behalf of the committee, I would like to extend our best wishes to you
all and for your continued safety. In due course I look forward to advising
that our club will resume its previous excellent gatherings.
Ian Bell. Chairman – OVCC
Postscript: Provisional OVCC restart date now Friday 9 July, 7.30pm for 8pm.
Rainfall
2021 2020 2019
January
108.0mm 96.5mm 25.5mm
4.25” 3.80” 1.00”
February
69.0 192.0 45.5
2.72” 7.56” 1.79”THE EASTER
STORY
Please join us in the celebration of
Easter by taking part in our Easter
trail. Parts of the story will be
displayed in symbols in and around
Oldbury for you to see and read along
with the story from the 28th March up
until Easter Sunday.
Also, don’t forget to visit
St Arilda’s to see the
Easter Garden that will be
being created outside of
the church gates by
members of our local
community during this
special Easter season.
Paint a pebble!
You and your family can take part by painting pebbles. You can
paint whatever you would like on the pebbles, which you can
collect from St Arilda’s porch, or just
use a stone from your own garden.
You are invited to display your
decorated pebbles in the Easter
garden by the church gate, or
alternatively add a small potted
flowering plant or a flowering twig.
Amelia Sorrell 07912757370Church Services for April 2021
St Mary’s St. Arilda St. Mary St. Oswald
Thornbury Oldbury Shepperdine Rockhampton
Easter Sunday Easter Sunday Easter Sunday Please check
10.00am 6.00am 4.00pm locally for
4th April 4th April 4th April services in the
All Age Dawn service Simple service of Benefice
Communion (with Communion Easter prayers
(live-streamed) and Fire) outdoors or contact
(weather
Booking required permitting)
Jenny Ovens on
414727 or Rev Sue by email
jennyovensbb@tis Booking required Booking required revsue@croftt.org.uk
cali.co.uk Andrew Gazard Andrew Gazard or
naitefarm@gmail.com naitefarm@gmail.com phone
More information See
www.thornburycofe.org.uk
07831 849742 07831 849742 01454 600674
Catholic Morton Baptist Thornbury Quakers
Christ
Christ the King,
the King, Services restarted
Thornbury. Due to Community
Chantry the virus
Thornbury.
pandemic our
& Morning Service Centre on Castle
Holy Cross, normal Sunday
Sunday Mass Every Sunday Street
Meetings have been
Wotton Under Edge.
9.30am at suspended. Weekly
please consult the website
10.30am
for up-to-date details
10.30am Sunday
meetings now on
Holy Cross, Wotton 10.30am
Zoom. Further
Booking required.
See details contact
Under
DetailsEdge
at
https://mortonbaptist.org
https://www.ctk- Sheila Waters on
Saturday For details 07738495776
thornbury.org.uk
(vigil Mass) 16.30pm
All church services subject to current coronavirus rules. Check before going!Christian Comment
A road map is not a bad way to look at the weeks and months ahead of us.
Because (unless you are anything like me, and directions refuse to stick in
your head) maps are things we take out when we are heading out
somewhere new, journeying to a fresh destination, or setting out on an
adventure.
With Easter comes a very real hope, and the promise of new life. So too,
in these coming weeks, we are therefore looking forward to slow and
steady signs of new life in our church and community. In the same way as
watching the spring creep in day by day, these signs start out slowly, but
they carry with them the expectation of good things to come.
We still can’t say with any certainty that our plans to meet during Holy
Week this year will not be affected by changing circumstances, but we will
do everything we can to celebrate together in fresh and exciting ways, and
then simply to see what the dawn brings on Sunday 4th April, on top of the
hill in the beautiful churchyard of St Arilda’s, trusting that it brings with it
new light and new life as we celebrate together the great mystery of the
Resurrection.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Holy Week Services
Provided there are no further changes in light of government or diocesan
advice, we are hoping to hold some public services on Good Friday, Holy
Saturday and Easter Sunday across our churches as follows:
Good Friday: 12 noon Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Arilda's*
Holy Saturday: 7pm Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Mary's*
(also live-streamed)
Easter Sunday:
6am Dawn service at St Arilda's* (with Communion and Fire)
10am All Age Communion at St Mary's* (also live-streamed)
4pm Simple service of Easter prayers outdoors at Shepperdine*
(weather permitting)
* Booking required: For St Arilda's and Shepperdine, please contact
Andrew Gazard on 07831 841 742 or naitefarm@gmail.com
There will be online services available on the evenings of other days of Holy
Week, including a simple supper to share together on Maundy Thursday.
Revd JoyGrowing up at Morton Mill, by Yvonne Poole
I was born at Chapel Cottages, Shipperdine in 1937. My mother was Connie
Till, who married Jack Poole in the 1930’s. Dad worked at Morton Mill all
his life, with his father James who had moved to the Mill in the early 1900’s.
When my Gran died, we went to live at the Mill with my Grandad (who died
in 1941).
Living at the Mill was a gift for a child,
with lots of rooms and lots of ladders
and steps to climb. I remember the
sound of machinery all day long,
watching my father dress the mill
stones, sacks of grain being milled,
and the smell of grain ever present.
Sacks were hauled up and down on
chains and the Mill was always busy,
with lorries arriving and leaving and
farmers coming and going.
The kitchen had a large black range
with big cupboards on either side. We
bathed in front of the fire in a tin bath
and the toilet was at the bottom of the
garden with two large holes, and one
small one for me to sit on. We had a
dog for the rats, and cats for the mice.
I remember sitting in the kitchen at
night listening to the radio and hearing
Daddy’s little helper -
the mice playing football overhead.
Yvonne and her dad
Water was collected in buckets from Jack Poole at work outside
Mrs Riddiford’s pump, or from three Morton Mill around 1940.
fields away on the Thornbury Road
where there was a stand pipe. It was a great day when the mains water
arrived and Dad, who was very clever with his hands, knocked through the
wall from the kitchen into the wash house. People who visited were often
surprised when we opened a cupboard door which led down two steps into
a bathroom. He even added a flush toilet - very posh!
Next to the kitchen was a scullery with a corridor leading to the Mill up
more steps. To get to the main house we went past the engine room,
through another door, up more steps, into a hall with a living room on the
right and then up the stairs to the three bedrooms, then up even more
steps and stairs to the attic.The actual Mill owner was Gilbert
Bryan who lived at “Westover” just up
the hill from the Mill. His office was in
the Mill itself. His children were
Maureen, Audrey, and Tony who was
my age.
One year we had so much rain that
the mill pond overflowed at the top of
the road. The water ran down the
road into the Mill itself and Dad had to
move all the sacks to a higher area.
Then he made a channel in the ground
floor and opened the main door so the
water was able to come in and flow
through and out of the back door and
into the lower mill race.
Snow and ice were another problem.
We always had to keep the hill clear,
as business had to go on.
Yvonne Poole
Before and after photos
Morton Mill as it was before the
building was converted into
housing in 1990/1991
and as it looks now.
Dedicated to
Victoria Constance Brown
28/3/1971 to 26/12/2020Norway and in Love
As 2020 ends, what a difficult year it has been, with our lives taken over
by a virus, and events have meant normal social affairs have been curtailed
as we have all had to keep apart from our friends. It has allowed more time
for reflection, and looking back on our lives to see what we have achieved.
I have written previously of some of my experiences so here is another
account, which tells this time more of my own frailties (and failures).
In 1955 for the summer holiday from the University I organised a job for
four months in Norway. As an engineering student we were expected to
find work experience during the long vacation. As always with these jobs
you had to find your own way there and at your own expense.
I took the train to Newcastle for the ferry to Oslo. The train was full of
Norwegian students returning home for the summer, so by the time we
came to Newcastle I had already met some new friends.
We were on the Fred Olsen ship Blenheim
for an overnight trip (strangely enough
exactly the same ship on which I was
shipwrecked many years later). We had
hardly left port before it became one great
party of drinking and dancing. I was in a
group that included a beautiful blonde girl
called Lisen and we seemed to connect
and became dance partners.
Later out on deck the sea was absolutely dead calm, there was a full moon
which was reflected on the surface in a bright shimmering light all the way
to the horizon. Nothing could be more romantic and, being only young and
immature, I was immediately in love.
So the next day we arrived in Oslo. I had
nowhere to stay so Lisen invited me to stop
at her parent’s house. The next day we saw
the sights of Oslo. Things were going well
with my new girl, so I determined that I
must arrange to stay in Oslo for my four
month work experience.
I reported to the offices of NVEE, the Norwegian Electricity and Water
Company. I met the Chief Engineer and I asked if I could stay in Oslo. It
was not to be. As you may know, Norway is a very long narrow countrystretching almost 2,000 km. Behind him on the wall was a large map of
the country stretching from floor to ceiling. He stood on his chair and
indicated a point almost at the top of the map; “This is where you are
going” he said. He then said “Here is your ticket, the train leaves at 17.00
today, you’re on it. Good luck and good-bye”.
I returned to Lisen to tell her the bad news; so it was a very sad farewell
as she waved me good-bye as the train left. It is a 24 hour journey to
almost the end of the line in Bodo, way up within the Arctic Circle. From
there I found my way to Korgen, the site of the hydro power station.
I’m living in a house with a number of other single lads who are working in
the power station. There is a housekeeper for washing and cooking so we
are well looked after; also there are two other students – a Finn and a
German. I was surprised to see a German there, as it was quite soon after
the war and Norway had suffered a lot during that time, so he was viewed
with some antagonism, even though personally he was quite a decent type.
The power station was only just commissioned, so there was still a lot of
work to do. Each morning we would walk down a one kilometre tunnel cut
inside the mountain. The day would be spent working down there and you
can imagine that during the winter the whole of the day would have been
spent in the dark. Hardly anyone could speak English, so I spent a lot of
my time reading the local newspaper and trying to learn the language.
Some days would be spent
in the mountains surveying
for a new dam or visiting the
Svartisen (Black Ice) glacier
at the end of our lake water
to check on its movement.
Spare time would be spent
hiking, picking cloudberries,
fishing and fighting off the
mosquitoes.
Mid-summer is a special day
of celebration. The alcohol
laws are very strict, all sales
are controlled by the Government from their own Vinmopolet stores. The
nearest one to us was 400 km away in Trondheim, so we would decide
what and how much we wanted to drink, double that in case we ran out,
collect the money a fortnight before and send the order off. It would duly
come up on the train for us to collect.Having waited so long in
anticipation, we were
certainly going to drink it all
when the great day arrived.
The beer is very weak, so
the drink of choice is a
Norwegian gin called Golden
Cock. This is mixed with hot
water and sugar, the effect is
immediate and magical.
On mid-summer’s day they had set up what looked like a boxing ring which
was used as a dance floor, probably to catch anyone if they fell over. It
gets semi-dark about 11.30pm and is light again by 1.30am. We stagger
home in the early light to sleep it off.
During all this time I had been writing each week to Lisen and counting the
days to when I would return. She would also write to me each week. So at
the end of my time in the north I was ready for the train back to Oslo. I
telephoned to tell her of my arrival, the maid answered and she went off
to tell Lisen that someone with a northern accent was wanting to speak to
her. That was a real tribute to my time away – not only could she
understand me but I already had a northern Norwegian accent!
I arrived at the house and after
the usual greetings she sat me
down and said that she now had
a new boyfriend, in fact he was a
very nice chap and I would be
interested to meet him. You can
imagine my reaction. After all my
time away and looking forward
to this meeting, this was the last
thing I wanted to do. Anyway a
little later he appeared and I had
to accept that I had been misled all along, and was now OUT. I had been
lead astray by the moon, the stars, and the excitement of the moment.
However they were very kind, and looked after me for the rest of my time.
As I stood on the aft deck of the Blenheim as we sailed down Oslofjord, I
waved goodbye to Norway and my first love.
P.S. I hope Kay is not reading this!
Peter Everton / Jan 2021Colouring (for young or old!) kindly created for us by Lorna Page
A long time coming -
Butterfly Space Malawi 2020
As I left Lilongwe for London on Leap Year’s Day 2020, Alice left for Butterfly
Space, Nhkata Bay with Ezmeekie, Thoko, Kumbu and 3 other passengers.
The car was packed to capacity with shoes, school uniforms, 40 metres of red
gingham to make school dresses, boxes of reading books donated by St
Mary’s School and Oldbury School, and clothes. Unfortunately, I was leaving
my son in bed with a bad virus and just diagnosed malaria. In retrospect he
might well have had Covid-19, having recently returned from a business trip
to Germany, Portugal and France. Over the fifteen years Alice has been in
Malawi and the six that Charlie has been there, the sorrowful partings have
never improved. This time was even more poignant as we didn’t have a future
date planned to see each other again. Little did we know that Covid would
strike, and we would have no chance of meeting up.
All the projects were at that time continuing successfully. Alice had established
a dedicated group of committed volunteers who were maintaining and
sustaining her community work whilst she teaches in Lilongwe. However, all
that was to change when Covid-19 struck in Malawi, albeit nothing like in
Europe. Our prayers were answered in that the virus was and still is minimal
there. It would have been a complete disaster if it had struck hard as there is
little or no hospital facility nor furlough scheme there to give help and succour.
All schools were closed without any online learning, and volunteers flew home.
We have been able to pay a minimum wage to our local teachers, and since
September the school and nurseries have been back in the classrooms.
Throughout the pandemic the Moses basket scheme for new mums in the
maternity hospital has continued, thanks to Kumbu, Alice’s husband. In an
unprecedented move he has been delivering the baskets and contents, where
usually no man is allowed! Alice has in the meantime developed this project
in the capital. People in an outlying village have been making the Moses
baskets and Alice and Ez and Thoko have been making regular drops to the
local maternity hospitals. I accompanied them on one drop. The new Mums
were delighted to receive a knitted blanket, nappies, sanitary products,
matinee jackets, bootees, hats, soft toys, soap and paracetamol. Thanks to
all the Thornbury and Frampton Cotterell knitting group members who donate
their handiwork.
Period poverty is in the national news these days. It has always been a
difficulty in Malawi, where sanitary products are priced so extortionately for
the majority of girls and women there. Added to this, the products are not
environmentally friendly. No girls in Stepping Stones School at Butterfly Space
miss a day’s schooling due to periods, neither do any girls in the localgovernment schools, thanks to an innovative programme supported by Butterfly Space. Washable, reusable sanitary towels are handmade and distributed. The production cost is £3.00 for 3 and each girl needs 9 for a year. Alice will be extending this programme in the capital city in the near future. It is exciting that our very first Gulugufe Nursery School children are now in the top class of Stepping Stones School. They were preparing for the government entry exams to Secondary School in May when schools were shut for Covid-19. They were having extra lessons after school and on Saturdays. Passing the exam with a high mark assures entrance to the better secondary schools. Instead they took the exam in September, after the long break in their education. The results will be out at the end of January. It gives me a warm glow of joy that we have enabled a group of children to have an education which will give them so much wider horizons. Thank you to all of you who have been sponsoring individual children, and have raised money in so many ways to allow Butterfly Space to make these differences. The two newly established Mpamba nurseries are thriving, and mean we are providing nursery education for over 100 children. The Mpamba groups are so grateful and enthusiastic. It is always humbling to be with them when I take the toys and games you have donated. Thank you again. The workshops for physically disabled adults have added toymaking to their catering, tailoring and building workshops. These toys are to use in the nurseries and also to be sold to generate an income. This group is exceptionally self-motivated and self-maintaining. The Stepping Stones School continues to thrive under the directorship of Imogen. There are now 250 pupils and a waiting list. Later this month (January 2021) work is beginning to build a vocational training centre for those pupils who will never aspire to passing the government exam and getting to Secondary School. Similar to the Mpamba workshop, this new centre will offer tailoring, catering, building and computer training which will lead to accreditation and give employment opportunities across Africa. Projects aside, my last 2 visits to Malawi have not been without incident. I have always found Malawi a calm and friendly place to visit. Last summer though, the political climate had changed. Voting in the Presidential elections had been found to be corrupt. Ballot papers had been “Tippexed” out if not marked for the incumbent President. Riots and demonstrations were predicted in the cities across the country on the very day we were travelling from Nkhata Bay to Lilongwe. Initially, heavy rain was in our favour as some of the crowds were put off from gathering early on. Alice, Chris and I shared the 340 km / 6-hour journey. It was my luck to be doing the stint as we drove into Lilongwe.
In my illogical mind I decided not to drive straight through the city but chose
what I thought would be a quieter road. As I drove down a hill towards a
roundabout I approached many thick branches and foliage strewn across the
road. A branch across the road usually warns of an accident ahead. I drove
tentatively over and around the branches as best I could, much to Chris’s
concern about the tyres. I approached the roundabout, to next encounter a
line of fire on the tarmac. Undaunted I drove over that too and onto the main
drag, which was surprisingly deserted.
At this moment the sleeping Alice woke up, shouting “Mum! What are you
doing! This is Parliament Road! This is JUST where we should NOT be!” She
was right. Ahead in the deserted road we could see a heaving mob of people.
Stones littered the road. PANIC! My passengers shouted “Turn round! Turn
round!” I did a U-turn and drove down the wrong way on the one way system.
“Go round the roundabout the wrong way,” shouted Chris, but I refused,
despite there being no traffic, and I had to drive over the burning tarmac
again. We were safe but somewhat shaken.
In February I was driving alone through the city when I got involved in another
demonstration. There were a number of minibuses with guys hanging off the
sides brandishing branches, weaving in and out of the traffic beating cars with
the branches, mine included. Any other minibuses on the road were stopped,
rocked from side to side and the passengers dragged out. It was very scary.
The government had raised taxes on minibuses indiscriminately and their
drivers were protesting vocally and violently. Again I was in Parliament Road,
and again there was an angry mob demonstrating outside the Parliament
building. Since then there has been a Tippex-free election and a coalition
government is now in power, bringing some stability to Malawi.
Gill Leaper
Postscript for article, March 19th 2021
I am delighted to say that 15 out of the 16 candidates for the government
exam into Secondary School from Stepping Stones passed.
Covid-19 has not had a great effect on Malawi. They are a young
population, and they live outside. It is a phenomenon of Africa and thank
goodness, as there is no financial back up nor hospital facilities. It became
worse after Christmas when migrant workers returned home from South
Africa for the holidays, bringing the South African mutation with them. All
schools have been closed as a precaution and went back on March 8th.
GillTide Table: Inward Rocks, River Severn.
April 2021
Day High High High Moon Sunrise Sunset
Low Low
5:57 AM 11:01 AM 6:19 PM 11:23 PM
Thu BST / -0.31 BST / 12.98 BST / -0.21 BST / 12.61
6:45 AM 7:44 PM
1 BST BST
m m m m
6:40 AM 11:46 AM 7:02 PM
6:43 AM 7:45 PM
Fri 2 BST / -0.05 BST / 12.36 BST / 0.27
BST BST
m m m
12:09 AM 7:24 AM 12:34 PM 7:48 PM
6:40 AM 7:47 PM
Sat 3 BST / 11.85 BST / 0.48 BST / 11.37 BST / 0.96
BST BST
m m m m
12:59 AM 8:13 AM 8:39 PM
Sun BST / 10.82 BST / 1.20
1:29 PM BST
BST / 1.77
Last 6:38 AM 7:49 PM
4 / 10.20 m Quarter BST BST
m m m
1:57 AM 9:10 AM 9:44 PM
Mon BST / 9.70 BST / 1.94
2:33 PM BST
BST / 2.49
6:36 AM 7:50 PM
5 / 9.06 m BST BST
m m m
1:43 AM 6:48 AM 2:14 PM
7:17 PM BST 6:27 AM 7:57 PM
Fri 9 BST / 2.18 BST / 8.94 BST / 1.68
/ 9.12 m BST BST
m m m
2:37 AM 7:39 AM 3:02 PM
Sat BST / 1.68 BST / 9.69 BST / 1.28
8:02 PM BST 6:25 AM 7:59 PM
10 / 9.88 m BST BST
m m m
3:21 AM 8:21 AM 3:41 PM
Sun BST / 1.31 BST / 10.43 BST / 1.04
8:41 PM BST 6:22 AM 8:01 PM
11 / 10.57 m BST BST
m m m
3:58 AM 8:59 AM 4:16 PM
Mon BST / 1.08 BST / 11.03 BST / 0.93
9:17 PM BST New 6:20 AM 8:02 PM
12 / 11.09 m Moon BST BST
m m m
6:00 AM 11:13 AM 6:16 PM 11:28 PM
Fri BST / 1.21 BST / 10.96 BST / 1.43 BST / 10.68
6:12 AM 8:09 PM
16 BST BST
m m m m
6:32 AM 11:45 AM 6:49 PM
Sat BST / 1.48 BST / 10.36 BST / 1.77
6:09 AM 8:11 PM
17 BST BST
m m m
12:01 AM 7:08 AM 12:20 PM 7:26 PM
Sun BST / 10.05 BST / 1.83 BST / 9.64 BST / 2.19
6:07 AM 8:12 PM
18 BST BST
m m m m
1:21 AM 8:35 AM 9:02 PM
Tue BST / 8.59 BST / 2.68
1:50 PM BST
BST / 3.03
First 6:03 AM 8:16 PM
20 / 8.14 m Quarter BST BST
m m m
5:00 AM 12:01 PM
Fri BST / 7.88 BST / 2.67
5:39 PM BST 5:57 AM 8:21 PM
23 / 8.11 m BST BST
m m
12:33 AM 6:08 AM 1:07 PM
Sat BST / 2.56 BST / 8.70 BST / 2.06
6:38 PM BST 5:55 AM 8:22 PM
24 / 9.10 m BST BST
m m m
1:35 AM 7:02 AM 2:05 PM
Sun BST / 1.88 BST / 9.83 BST / 1.37
7:28 PM BST 5:53 AM 8:24 PM
25 / 10.27 m BST BST
m m m
3:21 AM 8:33 AM 3:46 PM
Tue BST / 0.52 BST / 12.08 BST / 0.16
8:55 PM BST
Full Moon
5:49 AM 8:27 PM
27 / 12.35 m BST BST
m m m
5:38 AM 10:41 AM 6:01 PM 11:03 PM
Fri BST / -0.27 BST / 12.92 BST / -0.05 BST / 12.64
5:43 AM 8:32 PM
30 BST BST
m m m mOldbury Cricket Club
Covid is on the decline and the cricket season is looking good.
A full fixture list for the 2021 season has now been arranged and will be
published by the time this has gone to print. The first game of the season
will take place on Sunday April 25 with a home game against Oldland CC.
Now that Charlie Keedwell has stepped down as Chairman of the club an
electronic vote was carried out to propose and nominate a new Chairman.
By a unanimous decision, the successful candidate was Toby Summerfield,
and he has now fully taken over from Charlie. Toby lives in Thornbury and
is also the Chairman of Thornbury CC. Charlie will still be much involved
with the club, with his prime responsibility being the upkeep of the grounds.
All club members appreciate the hard work he has put in as Chairman, and
he hands over the running of the club in a good state of affairs.
Gerald Porter
President OOSVCC
The Latest from your Library
Selected services are available, but we strongly recommend checking at
www.southglos.gov.uk/librarychanges or calling 01454 865022 for current
information before leaving home, as these may change at short notice.Thornbury Carnival’s committee has confirmed that the event scheduled
for Saturday 3rd July will go ahead, although attendees should expect
changes to the event’s format. The committee has been meeting online
throughout the pandemic to continue planning for the 2021 event, although
the most recent lockdown did create doubts about the feasibility of making
it happen this July. Following the announcement of the government’s
roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England, the committee has
now decided it will push ahead with having an event this July.
Liam Williams, Chair of the committee said:
“Although we appreciate the event is due to take place within weeks of
social distancing restrictions being lifted, the rapid roll-out of vaccines and
the fact this is an outdoor event delivered in a large space, has given us
the confidence to push ahead. This has been an incredibly difficult year, for
some people more than others, but we feel strongly that people will want
to come together as a community as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Thornbury Carnival is run by a small group of volunteers and it is totally
dependent on community support to ensure that it remains viable.
The committee is continuing with its planning and will release further
information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, people are
encouraged to keep up-to-date by following the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thornburycarnival/ or visiting the website:
www.thornburycarnival.co.uk
4ward By Post
Would you like to receive a regular copy of 4ward by post? Join our
mailing list and in exchange for a book of 12 first class stamps every
year, Vicky Collin will be happy to post one to you.
Please send your stamps directly to Vicky with your address details.
Phone her on 01454 418244 or email vrcollin@aol.com or write to her
at
The Cottage, Pullens Green, Oldbury on Severn, BS35 1PWTr e e Surgery
Professional care to all your
Trees & Hedges
David Jones
0 1 4 5 3 511647
hedgestreesurgery@hotmail.co.uk.
22 Leaze Close,
Berkeley, Glos.
GL13 9DAChurch Road, Oldbury on Severn, S. Glos BS35 1QA
Tel: 01454 501090
Covid-19 Notice
Opening Hours Run by volunteers
Reduced opening hours for the benefit of
MonExtended
to Fri 8amto:-- 5pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm the community
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Sunday 9am - 1pm
9 am to 12:30pm As well as a great range
Thursday & Friday of basics at competitive
9 am to 1:30pm prices, we stock many lo-
cal products. These in-
Saturday clude: fresh veg, meats,
9 am to 2:00pm ice cream, honey, jams,
Sunday eggs and cakes.
9 am to 12:30pm
We also sell newspapers,
Café Inside Closed Hobbs House bread, plus
Until further notice award winning wines &
beers.
Takeaway
New Volunteers
teas and coffees
Always Welcome
available
Come and see.
CallFor
Marie Stephens You may be
updates check on:
01454 411134
https://www.facebook.com/ surprised!
to find out more
OldburyCommunityShopSupplied and Erected
Neil Vizard
01454 419108
JC 4x4 Ltd
SPECIALIST IN LANDROVER
SERVICE • REPAIR WORK • DIAGNOSTICS • MOTs
OTHER VEHICLES WELCOME
Call James 01454 261067 / 07966 086447
Pavilion For Hire
Contact Denise Young
01454 419062
Hire charge is £15 per 3 hour session including use of tables and
chairs( Tables and Chairs can be used elsewhere for a hire charge of
£3 per table And 50p per chair)
Sorry no dogs allowed in playing field area Westmarsh Lane
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