Cranham Village Magazine
With Cranham Parish and Benefice News and Information
Inside this Month:
A Cranham Character - page 11
Lockdown with PSALMS - page 15
Garden Society - page 18
Saints, Snakes and Spirits - page 20
Cranham Common News - page 22
Any views and opinions expressed in the Cranham Magazine are attributable only to individual contributors Advertisements in this magazine do not imply recommendation
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Church & Benefice Rector: Rev’d Janet Turville 01452 245526
Associate Priest and Revd. Andrew Leach 07564 448692 Benefice Administrator:
Church Wardens: Mr. Keith Ardron 01452 617648 [email protected] Linda de Cossart 07778 215801 [email protected] Organist: Mrs. Beryl Berry 01452 813200 Four Chimneys, Cranham Hon Treasurer: Mrs. Helen Daltry, Broadridge House, 01452 863011 Cranham, Gloucester. GL4 8HF PCC Secretary: Nicki Clapton 07824 812384 Bakers Piece, Cranham
[email protected] Benefice Office: Lychgate Rooms, Painswick 01452 814795 [email protected] Cranham Church of England Primary School Headteacher: Rebecca Slater 01452 812660 [email protected]
Magazine & General Magazine editors: Sue & Ian Shaw 01452 814839 [email protected] Church articles: Sue & Ian Shaw 01452 814839 [email protected] Magazine layout: Tony Walker 07796 175622 [email protected] Magazine Sue Stick 01452 813407 Distribution: [email protected] Village Hall Nicki Clapton 07824 812384 Bookings: [email protected]
Community Police: Police Community Support Officer Tel: 101 PCSO9073 Deb Collicott debbie.collicott@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk Cotswold Warden: Shelagh Dempsey
[email protected] Neighbourhood Simon Jarvis simon.jarvis@stroud.gov.uk 07811 263075 Warden: https://bit.ly/2Z13gxY
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A Letter from The Clergy As I write this we are once more in 'lockdown' and we have time once again to reflect on these strange, testing and worrying times. Could we have imagined this time last year that a pandemic would affect the whole world, and that as a result travel would be forbidden for much of the year? We would never have thought that even in Gloucestershire we would not be able to have people visiting or even coming into our homes. How strange it all is. This has caused me to reflect on the power of memory and the importance of remembering, i.e. not forgetting. How we remember and cherish the good, exciting and important people and memories of the past. Indeed, we feed on them for the hope to go forward again to the familiar, or what we call the 'normal' ways of being in our homes and communities. Writing this, I am also aware we are also creating memories of this the strangest of years both at home and abroad. Around us we are aware of so much that has changed, yet we see great examples within our parishes where people look out for one another and exercise costly care for the vulnerable and those most in need. There is, of course, another meaning for remember, it is the opposite of dismember. To re-member is to put things together again after being dismembered or broken apart. How we yearn to re-member our world as we knew it before the pandemic, not least in being able to see family, friends and neighbours in the social way we used to do whether at home, or school, or church or the pub or further afield. From the media - local, national and international - we are aware of great suffering, but also great sacrifice and commitment by many on the front line medically and those who continue to work, at great cost to themselves, to make sure there is food in our shops as well as those emergency workers and those monitoring water, gas and electricity. I am mindful too of those who seek to comfort the bereaved in whatever ways are possible these days. It is a very tough time for many. There will be many challenges ahead as we, in our own differing ways, seek to re-member our communities and nations when this crisis is over. How grateful we are for our scientists and others for the vaccines and treatments that give us all hope. We continue to hold them in our hearts and prayers. By the time you read this it will be February when, although it is still wintertime, there will already be signs of new life and hope around us. There will be snowdrops, daffodils and lighter mornings and evenings! Hopeful signs indeed. Every year this is the time of Lent - the 'lengthening' of each day. Continued on page 4
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A letter from the clergy - from page 3
The six week period we call Lent is a great gift modelled on the six weeks Jesus was in 'lockdown' in the Judean wilderness preparing for his ministry to bring us help, hope and wholeness to humanity. By the time Easter arrives it will be Spring with increasing signs of new life everywhere! How grateful we are for this.
I wish us all a good six weeks of Lent 2021 when I hope we will ponder on the two meanings of 'remember' and how important they are for us and for our world today. May we too with St. Paul seek 'to know Christ and the power of his resurrection' and to know that surely it is His presence deep within us now, that gives us hope and courage as we move forward out of this pandemic and come out into a new life with its new opportunities, to face the challenges that will embrace us on the other side of this extraordinary and painful year.
There will be much to do at so many levels. May we be ready to do as much as we are able to help re-member the world that is entrusted to us.
Michael Irving
All articles or enquiries with regards to the Cranham Magazine should be emailed to:
All general articles: [email protected] All church articles: [email protected] Advertising enquiries: [email protected] Distribution enquiries : [email protected]
www.beaconbenefice.org.uk
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CHURCH NEWS - February 2021
As all the churches in the Benefice are closed while the lockdown lasts so the February service list is not yet available. However when services start again they will be listed in the Beacon News and the Church website so please do check these.
Church Flowers
7th & 14th February Volunteers needed - Please contact Nicole 21st & 28th February LENT No flowers
Church Cleaning
6th February Carole Tringham 13th February Sylvia Ardron 20th February Sue Stick 27th February Sarah Taylor 6th March Nita Bradnum
Fix my Street website to report potholes and fly tipping etc https://www.fixmystreet.com
Cranham Parish Council website lots of info including the minutes of meetings https://cranhampc.org.uk/
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Sunday Worship for those at Home
10.30am Zoom Morning Prayer, message Rev’d Janet for a link
9.00am Live worship on the Church of England website
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online
10.15am Gloucester Cathedral Sunday Eucharist
https://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/worship/services/services-live- stream/
8.10am Radio 4 Sunday Worship 1.15pm BBC1 Songs of Praise
Weekday Worship
9.30am Thursday weekly via Zoom from Sheepscombe Morning Prayer If you would like to join in or would like a copy of the service sheet please email Karen Riding [email protected].
Weekday Worship for those at Home
9.45am Daily Service - Radio 4 (Long Wave) 3.30pm Wednesday Choral Evensong - Radio 3 https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily- prayer
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044.
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Message from Bishop Robert
For so many it is quite clear that this, lockdown 3, is the hardest. In part I suspect this is because we are approaching a year since the beginning of the pandemic and know the reality of living with the restrictions on our lives and our freedoms and just how tiring this is. I suspect also, this time it is because there is the promise of something better with the roll out of the vaccine, but even while it is happening around us we are being told, very clearly, with the pressure on our hospitals, with so many ill and indeed dying, we must wait, keep to the guidance, maintain distancing, and live with the social and economic implications for a bit longer. The future looks better and indeed is here in the vaccine, but it is also not yet. It’s really tough.
As Christians we are in many ways used to living with this paradox. Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom, God’s reign is one of justice, mercy and peace, and yet this also is not yet. We are to be Kingdom people, people of deep hope and confidence in the power of God made visible in the love of Christ yet engaged in the reality life. Life in all its fullness is to be lived in the midst of the mess of life into which Jesus Christ is born, and lives, and dies, and rises, conquering the darkness.
Its OK therefore for us to acknowledge to ourselves and others how hard this time is, recognising that doing so also sets us free to look with expectancy to what is to be and then to live well, abundantly, now.
I therefore suggest we have a vitally important role to play as Christians gathered in the church for our nation and world, to weep with God’s people, to encourage each other, to run the race. We know how easily negative words sow doubt and distrust, but as Kingdom people, we are called to speak positively and point to the places it breaks through, in the care and service we see in others, in hospitals, schools, the places of our daily lives. This is especially important in encouraging others to accept the gift of the vaccine. My 82-year-old father in law has received his with enthusiasm and delight. You will know others who have had theirs. I will patiently wait my turn and when it comes, take it with deep thankfulness for those who have enabled it. We need to tell, indeed it is vital that we tell this story of light in darkness, to our friends and our neighbours especially those who may be nervous or afraid.
Encourage one another, build each other up Paul reminds us. Kingdom people with a purpose who know life. The Life I, and Bishop Rachel, give thanks for in you, that we share in our Diocese.
With prayers and every blessing,
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Extracts from The Messenger – February 2021
Hanging on to love at Valentine’s Day With lockdown in full swing, putting festivals and celebrations on our calendars has never been so important: Little islands of normality and opportunities for fun that we can hang on to while everything changes around us. Traditionally, St Valentine’s Day has been seen as a day for couples, but there’s so much more to it. It can also be a chance for self-care, and love for your neighbours. It can be a focus for our hearts, our minds and our hope and for recognising God’s love. This Valentine’s Day, whether you are single or part of a couple, choose love. We’re challenging you to do one thing to show love to yourself, one thing to show love to your neighbour and one thing to show love to your community as a whole. You could take a bubble bath, pick some cheerful daffodils for someone who finds themselves alone at the moment, and pick up an extra few items in the supermarket for the foodbank. Or put on some beautiful music and sip a hot cup of tea, send up a quick prayer for someone having a tough time, and smile broadly at everyone you meet. Try to use February to make a difference.
Five ways to help you find and renew faith online in lockdown 1. Podcasts Try listening to some podcasts to hear what real life Christians have to say about their faith and about the world. These are some of our top picks: · In Conversation with Bishop Rachel - Bishop Rachel talks to different groups of people about current issues. · Ask NT Wright anything - Tom Wright answers listeners’ questions on faith in a simple and easy to understand way. · The Profile - interviews with Christians from all walks of life. Previous guests include politician Caroline Spelman, CBeebies’ Gemma Hunt, former Arch- bishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and World Champion Paralympian Stef Reid. 2. Make your Personal Shape for Living There’s a new initiative called Personal Shapes for Living starting where you can sign up to have a chat with a trained ’encourager’ every few months. You can talk about your Christian journey so far and get some tips and pointers about where you could go next to learn more about God. To find out more, visit glouces- ter.anglican.org/2020/personal-shapes-for-living Continued on page 9 8
Messenger - from page 8 3. The Bible App and The Bible Recap Get started: Download The Bible App and sign up to The Bible Recap reading plan. Then find The Bible Recap on your podcast provider (Spotify / Amazon Music / Apple Tunes etc). Each day, The Bible Recap will give you the chapters of the Bible for the day (with a handy audio option for those of us with vision challenges), plus a prayer. It will take you through the whole Bible in a year. Once you’ve read the Bible chapters for the day, you can listen to Tara Leigh Cobble who talks through what you’ve just read, explains anything complicated, and shares one thing she has learnt about the character of God that day. It’s a great introduction to the Bible and takes you through the whole story in an easy and accessible way. 4. How to pray We’ve put together some Pocket Prayer Guides on the diocesan website that help you to try different ways of praying. If eyes down and hands folded just doesn’t speak to your soul, you could try out Pray Your Day, Prayer Journeys and Lectio Divina. Take a look at https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/your-ministry/your- prayer for inspiration. If you want some help with reminders to pray, try the Inner Room app. You can add people and situations that you want to pray for, and it will set a reminder and a timer to help you pray more regularly. 5. Streaming worship songs Lots of us use music streaming services, internet radio or even an old style radio to listen to music. There are lots of places to get free church music which can lift your soul. YouTube is great for favourite hymns and worship songs as they usually have the words on the screen so everyone can sing along. Or to keep things really simple, Songs of Praise is still on at 12.25 each Sunday on BBC One - go on, belt out those familiar words from your school days!
Events and training More details for all these events at gloucester.anglican.org/events Monday midday mindfulness A half hour of mindfulness every Monday at 12 noon. Open to all. If you would like to get the Zoom link to join, please email [email protected]
Continued on page 10
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From page 9 Our rural future 23rd February, 10am to 12 noon on Zoom, open to all Bishop Rachel hosts a webinar exploring some of the key issues facing our rural communities at this time. Keynote speaker is Mark Betson, National Rural Officer for the Church of England. Other speakers include Katie Jarvis, National Farmers Union County Advisor, Gloucestershire, Rachel Howie, Director of Education and Roger Mortlock, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Visit https:// bit.ly/38zAgVD to sign up. Sharing Faith with Children 27th February, 10am to 12.30pm How do you share your faith with the children in your life? Jennifer Fellows will help us demystify sharing faith. Encouraging us to use everyday language and examples of what our faith means to us she will show how this can enable our children to grow in their own relationship with God. Visit https://tinyurl.com/y53cdssb to book your place. Being a Christian in your school community March 4th, 7.30pm to 9pm Led by Barry Voyce with Jo Wetherall and others Whether a pupil, parent, teacher, governor, or associated with a school, living a Christ-centred life every day within and around the community of the school brings God’s love, hope and blessing into the life of that community.
Questions answered, situations explored, dilemmas discussed. This session is primarily aimed at primary schools and the next will for secondary schools. Book at https://tinyurl.com/y5yxl3hl
Have your say Visit Facebook Diocese.of.Gloucester, email Katherine at [email protected], follow us on Twitter @glosdioc, view videos on YouTube Diocese of Gloucester or visit our website gloucester.anglican.org
These extracts are from The Messenger, a monthly communication produced by diocesan communications office at Church House, College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LY. The full ‘Messenger’ is available on www.gloucester.anglican.org and can be emailed to all parish and church representatives who request it. The extracts printed here are provided by Church House and published without alteration and therefore do not necessarily reflect the views of the Cranham magazine editorial team.
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A Cranham Character Whilst sorting some old photographs recently, I came across one of a small Cranham lady with a fairly large personality. It brought back a few memories of her.
Miss Grace Le Bailey lived at Rest Harrow, Cranham Corner. Before retirement she had been secretary to the Bishop of Gloucester (I'm not sure which one).
Miss Le Bailey (' old Bill Bailey ' as we children called her!) was one of the few people in the Village, at the time, to own a car. It was a Morris Eight and she was well known in the Village for her rather erratic driving. On their way to Church one Sunday morning, my father and my brother David came across her at the cross roads with the back axle stuck on the common and the wheels spinning in the air. They had to lift the car off to set her going again. She had been known to stop at the traffic lights on Gloucester cross, jump out and just nip into a shop for something she had forgotten!
Her companion in the car was ' Moore', a Deer Hound, who took up the whole back seat of the car. For exercise she would let him out on the common and he would stride along, easily keeping up with the car. I believe he was a pedigree and sometime winner at Crufts. I think Miss Le Bailey was a Dog Show Judge and she organised and ran a Dog Show in Cranham which took place at the end of the Church Fete, and was very popular.
Once a year, we children at Cranham School, would be sent out to pick bunches of Cowslips which we put in a large enamel bowl ready for Miss Le Bailey to collect and take to a Home or Hospital (I'm not sure which) and as a reward she would recite for us, ' There was an old woman who swallowed a fly '. It was very well done and we enjoyed it, but, typical children, sniggered a bit too and thought she was slightly batty!
I took the photo of her, with my very up- market camera (Brownie 127) on the only occasion Miss Le Bailey came to tea with us in about 1959 or 1960. Beryl Berry 11
Rough Justice!
1912 - 29th June Cheltenham Chronicle Acquittal celebrated
"ROUGH MUSIC" AT CRANHAM.
The villagers celebrated the acquittal of one of their number who had recently been charged at the Gloucester Assizes with setting fire to brushwood on the common, by parading around the village Saturday evening last. They were headed by two stalwarts carrying aloft on tall poles lifelike effigies of the two chief witnesses for the prosecution, and marched along to the accompanying strains of a "rough band", which consisted of a melodeon, a kettle drum, a bell, and last, but not least, a huge sheet of corrugated iron suspended from a pole carried between two men, and from which the chief part of the "music" proceeded. Several red, yellow, and green flags waved in the procession. In the rear of which was led in chains, like Caractacus of old, the man who, but a week before, had stood in the dock charged with the afore-named offence. After traversing the whole of the streets and lanes of the village, singing intervals snatches of patriotic songs, they repaired to an eminence on the common adjoining the premises of the chief witness for the prosecution, and in full view of most of houses. Here the poles bearing the effigies were erected, and, saturated with paraffin, they were committed to the flames, while the band and chorus gave vent to the song "Good old Jeff gone to rest". This being ended, the "captive" had his chains struck off. But though free, having been pronounced innocent by the jury the Assizes, yet the poor man still smarts under the heavy yoke of the expense incurred by having to pay the counsel who conducted his case.
This refers to a case brought by C & J Hannis against Mr Frank Cook
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CRANHAM LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
DISASTER WAITING
The story of the Severn & Wye Railway Disaster
Paul Barnett - Maritime Historian promises to give us a fascinating talk on the remarkable and sad story of the Severn Bridge Disaster
Do join us for this Zoom talk
Thursday 18th March 7.45pm start
Contact Norma Kay if interested [email protected] 07720 046802
All welcome
Did you know that you can now advertise in the Cranham Magazine?? Contact: [email protected]
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MESSAGE FROM CRANHAM COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM (CRT)
Full lockdown introduced again Stroud District's Current Local COVID Alert Level is now TIER 5 NATIONAL LOCKDOWN STAY AT HOME. The new restrictions can be accessed via the District Council website www.stroud.gov.uk, where there are other useful links.
Frequently Asked Questions Part of our job is to inform and signpost people to reliable sources of information. Recently we have been asked what people should do if they, or a contact has a positive COVID test, and how, when and who should self-isolate, and what does self-isolation really mean?
The answers to all these questions, and more may be found on the official government website and also the NHS website:
Government - https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
HANDS FACE SPACE
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CRANHAM COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM CONTACT LIST
Mike Drake 07768 980833 [email protected] Parish Council Chairman
Nigel Cooper 07973 340227 [email protected] District Councillor
Lou Kemp 07977 508811 [email protected] (The Knoll)
Robin Leech 07971 061687 [email protected] (School/Church Close)
Charlie Overs 07977 509848 [email protected] (School/Church Close)
Marcia Lynall 07887 933339 [email protected] (Village)
Dave Tibbles 07914 427027 [email protected] (Village)
Sue Stick 07748 268269 [email protected] (Mill Lane)
Andy & Gill Hopkins 07484 178830 [email protected] (Cranham Corner)
We are all on WhatsApp If you, or a neighbour, need any help please contact one of the above
Parish Council Community Response Team: [email protected]
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Brimpsfield & Mid-Cotswold Garden Society
The days are gradually getting longer, allowing us to spend a little more time outdoors when the weather permits. The keen gardeners among you will already be planning your spring tasks such as seed sowing, but there are also a number of basic maintenance jobs that should be done now to prepare your garden for a great show later in the year!
Many people these days leave plant growth standing over the winter instead of clearing it away in the autumn, to allow wildlife to shelter among the leaves and feed on the seedheads. Those plants may have looked wonderful during the frosty weather we had in late December, but by now they may well be turning brown and mushy, and a bit of an eyesore. Cut them down if so (you can leave some growth at ground-level as cover for insects if you like), taking care not to damage any new shoots coming up from the base.
If you have hellebores, they will be flowering around now. Their old leaves will look unsightly, and may harbour disease, so cut them off and dispose of them in your green waste bin, not in your compost heap (you don’t want those diseases lingering in your garden, and hellebore leaves take a long time to break down in any case). The plants will look all the better for it, as will other plants such as epimediums whose overwintering leaves can hide the early flowers.
February is also your last chance to take your secateurs to deciduous shrubs and trees that need pruning, if you haven’t already dealt with them over the winter. Roses fall into this category, as do freestanding apple and pear trees (leave trained forms, such as cordons, fans and espaliers, and also any plums and cherries, until summer). This is also the traditional month to tackle your wisteria, cutting shoots back to two or three buds to promote good flowering; while you’re doing that, check for and remove any growth that’s heading for your guttering, and take a good look at the plant’s framework and prune it back into shape as necessary, It’s also time to cut your buddleja (the butterfly bush) down as low as you can, for maximum flower-power and scent in the summer; the long prunings make great beanpoles and the shorter ones good pea sticks.
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Garden Society - from page 18 Advice about pruning dogwoods – the ones whose bare coloured stems brighten up our winter gardens – used to be that we should cut them to the base in late winter, to promote fresh new growth which gives the best winter colour for next year. More recently it has been suggested that this pruning might be better left until a little later in spring. Whichever you choose to do, if your dogwood is variegated, cutting the stems down will of course give you fewer of those attractive leaves; instead you could cut some stems to the base and leave others long, thus getting the best of both worlds.
Whatever you’re pruning or cutting back, ideally you should feed and mulch the plant afterwards.
If your pruning leaves you with long, straight, whippy stems, for example of wisteria or even better of coloured dogwood, you could try twisting them into a circle that might form the basis of your Christmas wreath next winter. Stems need to be very freshly cut for this, before they have a chance to stiffen up, otherwise they will break as you bend them. Alternatively, two lengths of twisted stems could be tied together into a heart shape for you to hang on your door or gate for Valentine’s Day, sharing a little love with all passers-by in these dark days!
Sounds Familiar Western Daily Press - 11th February 1939
Owing to huge cracks which have appeared at Fiddlers Elbow on the Brockworth/Cranham Road near Glos. The County Council have closed the road to Private Traffic.
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Saints, Snakes and Spirits. Exploring Local Folk tales, a talk given to the C.L.H.S. by Anthony Nanson
Anthony Nanson was our speaker at the January meeting of the Cranham Local History Society. If we’d expected a dry recounting of local folklore, we were wrong. Anthony is a storyteller with a wide knowledge of Gloucestershire folk and ghost tales, but isn’t content to rest with the bare bones of a story and, as he revealed, there is in any event no such thing. Folk tales come in multiple forms, told from multiple angles.
He touched on many tales, connected with Chavanage House (headless ghost), Manor Court in Bisley (where Elizabeth 1st died aged 9, and was replaced by a boy…), the Devil’s Pulpit near Chepstow, the stretch of the Severn known as the Noose, with its Druid connections. He then focused down on two main stories, the first being that of St Arilda, for whom the church in Oldbury-on-Severn is named.
St Arilda was a 6th century martyr who was murdered by a local youth (or military leader), Muncius, when she refused his advances. There’s a possible link with the Battle of Dyrham of AD 577, when the Anglo-Saxons achieved a famous victory of the local Britons. Anthony’s interest is in the back story, and that takes him to the actual location, in this case to Oldbury, where the church is on the site of a pagan temple, and he finds a hymn dedicated to the saint. He then goes in search of the spring where she is reputed have been murdered. It’s now no more than a cistern in a field, surrounded by barbed wire, but the water still runs red. (Whether or not this is caused by red algae in the water isn’t relevant.)
Anthony is interested in landscape as an enchanted space. You don’t have to believe the literal detail, but story brings an extra dimension. He drew parallels with the Kanak population of the French Polynesian island, New Caledonia, which he’s visited and where he found enchantment, despite Christian and wider Western influences, still woven into the ecology and daily life of people and landscape.
His other main example was the story of ‘the snake and the well’, which is linked to a crossroads near Poulton on the A417 which carries the name of Betty’s Grave. One version has it that a girl was seeking magic powers to win the heart of a boy, and she bathed in an enchanted well inhabited by a snake.
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Saints, Snakes and Spirits - from page 20
Her efforts it seems were of no avail. Anthony set off in search of the well, and thrashed through heavy undergrowth, finding what he believes could be the pool. Snakes of course has associations going right back to the garden of Eden. He also brought in the story of the Deerhurst dragon – snakes and dragons are linked in popular imagination.
One gentler story has a beautiful witch taking her husband on midnight rides. Other stories are much harsher, and Anthony puts these in context of the misogyny, linked to stories of witchcraft. Betty it seems refused to lie buried, and came back from the dead three times.
In folklore crossroads, like wells and springs, are liminal spaces, where there’s a close connection with the earth – and with story. Closer to home we have the stories and superstitions around Slad memorably recorded in Cider with Rosie.
Folklore as Anthony stressed is all about story, multiple stories. He brought them to life, and we’re grateful to him for a fascinating talk.
Chris Collier
Cranham Lunch Cancelled until further notice due to COVID-19
Nicky (Tel: 07884 432886 or 812429 or [email protected])
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Cranham Common News
Adapting our Grassland Management You may have noticed that the cows have been taken off the common for the winter. This is because the grass growth was less this year with the early drought in Spring, and with 10 cows we did not have enough grass for them.
At the same time Natural England monitored the butterflies and flowers on all the commons in the area this year, and although we enjoyed high number of butterflies in Cranham, we did not have nearly as much diversity and numbers as on some of the other commons. Our orchid numbers were also down, which may have been due to the drought, but all commons experienced the same weather conditions and NE think that the common is currently overgrazed.
This has led to a review of the grazing and management plan for the common. We are going to trial only grazing the common for part of the year, from mid-summer to autumn. This will allow longer grass and better seed dispersal of wild flowers, and also benefit the fauna - insects, small mammals, reptiles and birds that live here. This is an ongoing and flexible plan and will be monitored carefully and adapted as necessary.
Open Grazing Plan The exciting news is that when the cows return in the summer, they will be going onto the much delayed and eagerly anticipated open grazing system. The delays and difficulties of the buried cable scheme have allowed new technology using collars linked to a GPS system to become established for grazing cows, and this is the system that we will be using. This system is much more refined and flexible because it allows us to remotely redefine paddock boundaries, and removes the difficulties of maintaining the integrity of the buried cables.
Winter Scrub Clearance Work Parties Work parties have suffered from lockdown restrictions this year with 2 out of the first 3 having to be cancelled. We were pleased that we managed the December one, which was supported by over 20 volunteers. We cleared two small sections of woodland edge below the commemorative stone. The aim for the woodland edge is to provide a variety of woodland edge habitats by cutting back small sections on different years. Another group of volunteers cleared small scrub oaks on the open common, which is an ongoing task.
Continued on page 23
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Cranham Common News - from page 22
We have one more work party planned on Sunday 14th February from 9.30am - 12.30pm. This will probably also have to be cancelled but we will make the final decision nearer the time.
Increased Footfall and New Paths We have seen a big increase in the number of people both local residents and visitors walking over the common in the last year with COVID lockdowns. I know how grateful everyone has been to be able to enjoy this wonderful green space. However, one of the consequences of increased footfall has been increased wear and widening of many paths, and also the creation of new paths that break up the grassland habitat into smaller sections. This is disruptive for the free movement of wildlife - insects, small mammals and reptiles that inhabit the grassland, and Natural England have advised that we should try to close off some of these new paths to allow recovery of the grassland.
CCMC will be fencing off some of the new paths to allow regrowth in the spring, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation with this.
Liz Hayden Cranham Common Management Committee
Email: [email protected]
Road Closures
We have had advanced warning of closure of the A46 at Fiddlers Elbow (between Cranham and Brockworth) for more piling and barrier repairs. This is planned for 3 months from 4th January 2021.
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Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details. In some cases the online form has looked very similar to the real NHS website.
Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. The NHS will never ask you for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine. If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam.”
How to protect yourself:
In the UK, coronavirus vaccinations will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a local GP surgery or pharmacy, to receive your vaccination. Remember, the vaccinations are free of charge and you will not be asked for a payment.
The NHS will never: • ask for your bank account or card details • ask for your PIN or banking passwords • arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine • ask for documentation to prove your identity, such as a passport or utility bills
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to: [email protected]. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726, which is free of charge.
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting: www.actionfraud.police.uk
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CRANHAM VILLAGE HALL 100 CLUB
This is an important fund-raiser for the Village Hall. Participants pay £12 p.a. for a number which is entered in a monthly draw for prizes totalling at least £600 pa (will be £650 for the year to 28th February 2021).
New members would be welcomed and anyone who would like to support the Village Hall in this way should contact me as soon as possible.
For those present members who do not pay by Bank Standing Order, a letter will be coming to you very shortly and it would be appreciated if you could let me have your annual subscription by cheque or in cash by the end of March.
The support given by all participants is greatly appreciated.
Jane Shepherd Chairman Village Hall Committee Email: [email protected] Tel: 01452 814873 Rose Cottage, Cranham GL4 8HP
Thank You
The Bryce-Smith family wish to thank everyone for the cards and flowers sent in memory of their mother Marnie Bryce-Smith who died at home on the 13th December 2020.
Emma Bryce-Smith
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VILLAGE HALL NEWS – FEBRUARY
Due to the COVID- 19 lockdown, the hall is not in use for any of its usual activities, but general housekeeping and maintenance are continuing. At a Zoom Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 13th January, we drew the 100-Club for the last few months:
100 Club Winners: October 2020 (£25) Hazel Roberts (28) November 2020 (£100) Bob Woodman (43) December 2020 (£25) Michele Cooper (59) January 2021 (£25) Janet Gazzard (54) January Extra (£25) Sue Stick (14)
Next Meeting Wednesday 10th March, 7.30pm (Village Hall or Zoom depending on restrictions)
Jane Shepherd (Chairman VH Committee) 01452 814873
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In lieu of Christmas cards sent in the village, Norma has received the lovely letter below from Allsorts thanking the village for their donation – well done everyone!
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Museum in the Park
Welcome to our new series of ‘sustainable stories’
This is a new monthly series, our Collections Assistant, Fern Ryan, explores different objects from the past which reveal useful lessons for kinder, more sustainable, living in the present and future. We hope you enjoy reading and thinking about the ideas each object provokes. Many of the objects in the Museum in the Park’s collections, have had long lives. They were made in such a way that they could be maintained, repaired and passed onto the next generation or re-purposed into something new rather than thrown away. Our objects reflect how many consumables and possessions were bought and made locally, with products often sold in containers that could be reused. We hope that by telling some of their stories our objects can spark a discussion about sustainable living in the past and the present. With Stroud District Council’s target for a carbon neutral district by 2030, the sustainable stories these objects can tell are more relevant than ever.
Story One - Rinse and Return This pint milk bottle is one of many in our collection, it came from Stroud Creamery which was based on Slad Road in Stroud until 1994. The milk most people used to have delivered on their doorsteps came from one of many local dairies and thus would have had very few food miles. We have examples of bottles from Severn Valley Dairy at Stonehouse, Park Farm at Paganhill and a variety of local dairies including Cainscross, Chalford, Minchinhampton, Dursley, Wotton-under-Edge and Sharpness. Milk came packaged in a glass bottle that could be returned and re-used many times. It wasn’t only milk being sold in returnable glass bottles, but mineral water and soft drinks from companies such as Stroud Brewery and Bown & Co. It was common practice up until the 1980s to return a glass bottle to the shop in return for a small cash refund. Today, milk delivered in glass is on the rise again as consumers consider the environmental benefits over single-use plastic. Beyond the energy savings of reusing a glass bottle, at the end of its life, recycling glass produces less C02 emissions than the new plastic most modern milk bottles are made of. Plus, glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality, while recycled plastic tends to be downgraded into lesser items. In 2018 it was calculated that only 9% of all plastic ever made has been recycled.
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Black Horse
The Black Horse is continuing to offer an excellent takeaway menu and delivery service.
For this service please phone the pub direct on: 01452 812217 or email: [email protected]
They are serving meals for delivery or collection Tuesday to Saturday at the following times:
17:30 – 21:00 Also lunchtimes on a Saturday from: 12noon – 15:00
On a Sunday they are also doing roast dinners, give a ring on the number above to secure your preferred time slot. Sunday roast can be delivered to your door. No more washing up, No more pealing spuds and No more Hassle.
They also have a range of desserts, but please give call them on 01452 812217 for more details as these change day to day!
The menus tend to change on a weekly basis, so keep an eye out on Facebook at the beginning of the week for additional details.
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ADVERTISEMENTS
Occasional Advertisements – space available
Due to the lack of articles concerning events cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19 there maybe room in the magazine for occasional advertisements, over and above our 8-page quota. Inclusion is at the Editors discretion.
If you would like to take advantage of this please email: advertising@cranhammag,co.uk
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Please call Steve Berry 01285 821193 / 07585 553559 E-mail: [email protected]
VW Specialist, however all makes & types of vehicle are catered for.
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email: [email protected] www.annefreeanimalportraits.com Mobile: 07769 702254 Woodleigh, Jacks Green, Sheepscombe, Stroud. GL6 7RD
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ADVERTISEMENTS Sarah Murray - English Tutor
Call: 07870 967 359
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REGULAR EVENTS (although all may be subject to cancellation or change, so please check directly with the organisers)
Club Pulse Mondays 6.00 - 7.30pm - Painswick Youth Centre (Nathan Youlton 07875 681130) Orchestra Mondays 8.00pm - V Hall (Beryl Berry 813200) Post Office Tuesdays 10.00am - 12noon - V Hall Coffee Morning Tuesdays 10.30 - 11.30am - V Hall Cranham Art Group Tuesdays 7.00 - 9.00pm - V. Hall (Lyn Barker 813025) Choir Tuesdays 7.30pm - V Hall (Ian Wotherspoon 812387) Beavers, Cubs & Wednesdays - Scout Centre - times as follows: Scouts Beaver Scouts (6 to 8 yrs) 4.45 to 5.45pm Cub Scouts (8 to 10 yrs) 5.50 to 7.10pm Scouts (10 to 14 yrs) 7.30 to 9.00pm Table Tennis Club Wednesdays 7.30 - 9.30pm - V Hall - time change (Clive Hayden 07833 635762 [email protected] Handbell Ringers Thursdays 9.30am - TBC (Jenny Barraclough 07977 997375 [email protected]) Cranham Ramblers Alternate Thursdays 9.30am – Village Hall (Joan Charman 812708) S’Combe Bridge Club 2nd and 4th Thursdays 7pm - Sheepscombe V Hall (Contact Joy Edwards 812588) Parent and Toddler Fridays 9.15 - 10.45am - V Hall (Jemma Pockett 07500 800626) Explorer Scouts Fridays 7.30 - 9.00pm - V Hall (Ian Coupland [email protected]) Church Bell Ringers Alternate Saturdays 9.30am - Church (Rob Garratt 07703 503547) Garden Club Brimpsfield, Phone Francis Ellery 01452 862412 for further info. Village Lunch Monthly on a Monday 12.15 for 12.30pm (Nicky Overs 07884 432886)
A very warm welcome to the return of Helen and Alistair Sammon to Windycott.
If we have missed anyone, please accept our apologies!
Please make yourself known and we will include you next time.
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MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS All articles for the forthcoming month should be forwarded to the editors by email to [email protected] (preferred option).
Articles should be forwarded as either a WORD or WORKS document and preferably in Ariel or Calibri font size 10 on A5 size paper settings. Articles may also be sent manually typed or hand written.
Please refrain from using ADOBE EDITOR as all articles have to be edited prior to inserting into the magazine.
All hard copies should be forward to Baggend (at the Knoll).
All items to be included within next months magazine will need to be in the hands of the editors by the following dates:
WEDNESDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2021
Magazines will be available for distribution: on Sunday 28th February or thereabouts. The date will be confirmed to the distributors by email.
Sue & Ian Shaw 814839 [email protected]
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CRANHAM DIARY
Forthcoming events:
February 2021 2 Tues Recycling/Food Waste 4 Thurs Ramble Village Hall 9.45am 9 Tues Rubbish/Food Waste 14 Sun Scrub Clearing Common 9.30am -12.30pm 17 Wed ** Magazine Contributions Due ** 16 Tues Recycling/Food Waste 18 Thurs Ramble Village Hall 9.45am 23 Tues Rubbish/Food Waste
March 2021 4 & 18 Thurs Rambles Village Hall 9.45am 10 Wed Village Hall Meeting TBC 7.30pm 18 Thurs CLHS Talk Via Zoom 7.45pm
For Regular Events - please see page 38
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