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MAKING RIPPLES

Big society alive and well in and March I wasn’t a big fan of Margaret Thatcher as some of her policies seemed News 4 extreme and divisive. Perhaps historians will be kinder to her because, behind her harsh policies, she frequently spoke common sense. Politicians Letters 8 are lambasted for quotations out of context. Thatcher’s quip ‘there’s no Learning & libraries 10 such thing as society’ is a good example. In an interview in Women's Own in 1987, she said: Countryside 11 ‘They are casting their problems at society. And, you know, there's no such thing Home & Garden 14 as society. There are individual men and women and there are families. And no Local History 18 government can do anything except through people, and people must look after themselves first. It is our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after Councils 19 our neighbours.’ Sport 21 The aim of the ‘Big Society’, a term associated with David Cameron in 2010, was ‘to create a climate that empowered local people and communities, Arts 22 building a “big society” that would take power away from politicians and give Business 26 it to people.’ In theory this was a terrific idea that drowned in the litany of cuts to public services at the time. The cynical resented the Big Society as a cheap Profile 31 panacea for filling yawning gaps in public services – library workers, teaching assistants, carers and so on. Pets 33 The League of Friends of Fairford Hospital, born long before Cameron’s Big Events 35 Society, is a shining example of the ethos that Thatcher and Cameron were alluding to. Contacts 38 If you read their website www.friendsoffairford.org.uk, you will see that The League of Friends is a community-based charity run by volunteers. They provide health-related support to the patients of the two GP practices in Fairford and COVER PICTURE: The last UK appearance of the Lechlade. Red Arrows this year will be As editor, I have some regular correspondents. This time I was relieved when the Air Tattoo. Photo: RIAT Christine Barker, the League’s administrator, wrote: ‘Quite a short one this (see page 18) month.’ Bless her. But an important one. The League needs volunteer collectors for their annual house-to-house fund raising event. See their appeal in our REMINDER: The deadline for our Letters section (p.8) and please sign up to help to look after your neighbours. April edition is 12 noon, Adrian Young, editor Friday 8th March Ripples Community Magazine Published by Adrian Young and Graham Fry © Ripples Community Magazine, 2019. All rights reserved. Named contributors retain copyright on their work.

Ripples Magazine is published 10 months a our format or inconsistent with our Email is preferred for contributions, year during the first week of the month; we editorial policy. otherwise by post. take a break in January and August. Make sure you are writing for a general All news, events and announcements: The deadline for contributions and audience, not just your own organisation. [email protected] advertising is 12 noon on 2nd Friday of the Contributions up to 150 words are Paid advertising: month before publication. preferred. If it is too long, we may ask you [email protected] to cut it down. We may publish longer Opinions expressed in the magazine are not contributions, but get in touch first to avoidDistribution: necessarily those of the publishers. the annoyance of a rejection. [email protected] Contributions may be published in the Photographs and artwork should be clearTel: 01793 764768 magazine, on our website or on social with good contrast. JPEG electronic format media. Make clear any limitations about Post: is preferred but we can scan from good what, how and when we may publish your 2A The Stables, Gilberts Lane, quality prints. Make sure any identifiable contribution. Highworth, Swindon SN6 7FB people in photos agree to the photo’s Please inform the editor if you spot a publication. Get parent’s consent in the We reserve the right to edit contributions mistake in Ripples so we can rectify it in a case of minors. and to not publish any contribution or future issue. advertisement that is either unsuitable for

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NEWS

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! An afternoon of Romanian culture Hear all about Fairford’s Town Crier Saturday 23rd March, 4-6pm at Fairford Community Centre, GL7 4AF Andrew Stopka was appointed to Memorial outside St Mary’s Church, You are warmly invited to join us for an afternoon pictures and song! Plus a chance to speak informally the voluntary position of Fairford Andrew ‘cried’ a poem used by Town of rare insight into one of the poorest countries to our dynamic, young visitors. Town Crier at the end of September Criers right across the country called on our continent. Please come and support this FREE event. Tea and last year. Andrew, who lives in ‘Battle’s Over – A Nation’s Tribute’. A You will hear from Cristi and Lidia – the key, full-time cakes served; ample free, local parking. Fairford with his partner, Gillian, month later, he was called upon to workers from SU Romania – passionately sharing their follows in the footsteps of Rob open Fairford’s Christmas Market and, For more details please contact SCT Youth Worker, own stories and from the South Cotswold Team Blake, the previous Town Crier and when offered a microphone to make Chris Saunders, on [email protected] or (about to embark on their 5th mission trip) as they landlord of the Plough Inn and the himself heard by the crowds, he 07918 732040. speak about their life-changing experiences. legendary first-ever Fairford Town politely declined saying: ‘Town Criers Any donations for their continued work gratefully Crier, Maurice Jones, on whom the don’t need amplification – we’re quite It’s an opportunity to learn more about the country accepted. Cotswold Hare was designed. noisy enough!’ and work there via heart-warming tales, a quiz, Andrew first came to Fairford in 1990 Andrew believes he was a good as an engineer in the Royal Air Force choice for the role of Fairford Town Senior citizens’ Easter parties and spent 13 of his 25 years’ service at Crier as he does have a tendency to RAF Brize Norton. Originally from be over-enthusiastic and make a lot of Saturday 13th April: 1.30pm for 2pm start at The New Memorial Hall, Lechlade and The Palmer Hall, Fairford. Staffordshire, Andrew says he loves the noise. He loves singing and often gets town and the local area, and especially railed with comments of: ‘Sing! Don’t Please sign up to book your place now. enjoys Cotswold walks with Gill and shout!’ He says: ‘I think that this, Lechlade: Post Office, St Birinus Court and Tuesday Club. Fairford: Post Office and Community Centre his dog, Archie; visiting local pubs for coupled with my love of heritage and For Further Information please call: Steve Jones: 01367 253025, Keith Musson: 01367 253219, hearty meals and pub quizzes at the tradition, pomp and ceremony, make Eight Bells and, when he was younger, me the ideal candidate.’ Peter Egerton: 01285 712734 or Brian Ellis: 01285 712516 of Lechlade & District Lions Club. playing rugby with Fairford RFC. His If you would like the new Fairford involvement with rugby now is not so Town Crier to attend any local events much playing as shouting from the or club meetings, please contact the touch-line! Andrew Stopka, Fairford Town Crier Town Council Office on His first official duty as Town Crier was 01285 712344. at the Remembrance Service in November marking the centenary of the WWI Armistice. At the War Story and photo: Chris Roberts Lechlade WI Gosh, if you want to see a very competitive group of Evidently, filming and painting share the same ladies then drop in to our next Beetle Drive! Our disciplines. February social meeting was very popular and yes, And happy to welcome back Claire Anello, in April, to we had a lot of fun trying to create the best beetles! do another workshop on how to create a hand tied And now we look forward to our first speaker of the bouquet using supermarket flowers. year, Roger Jones, who is coming in March to talk about See EVENTS, for our regular monthly activities on 1st his years working for the BBC, Behind the scenes: Tuesdays ... coffee morning, book club, and choir will Making BBC Natural History films. After this period of also be happening. You are always welcome! his life, he swapped broadcasting for fulltime professional painting in watercolours and oils. Story: Jan Denton

CONTACT RIPPLES COMMUNITY MAGAZINE For news, events and announcements Your local reporters Email: [email protected] Fairford and surrounding villages or post to: Tel: 01285 712150 Ripples Magazine, Email: [email protected] 2A The Stables, Gilberts Lane, Highworth SN6 7FB Lechlade and surrounding villages Tel: 01793 764768 Email: [email protected]

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NEWS

Aircraft and US personnel to relocate to RAF Fairford Planning has already started for the relocation of the RC-135 mission to RAF Fairford from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. The RC-135 aircraft will use RAF Fairford as a Forward Operating Location and around 887 US military personnel and 1,240 family members are expected to begin relocating to Fairford in 2023. The number of the personnel on base is expected to be similar to the number of American personnel at Fairford in the late 1980s. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft is an extensively modified Boeing 707 with interior seating for more than 30 people including the cockpit crew, electronic warfare 95th Reconnaissance Squadron RC-135 Rivet Joint officers, intelligence aircraft. Photo: Wikimedia Commons operations and in-flight maintenance technicians. Initially employed by Strategic Air Command, the RC-135 fleet has participated in every sizable armed conflict involving US assets during its tenure. More recently, RC-135s have supported Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and Operation Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector in Libya. In order to get RAF Fairford ready for the deployment of aircraft and personnel, it is expected that there will be several operational support functions required such as: • Building a facility for squadron operations • Re-activating the commissary and base exchange (retail food stores) • Improving the surface of runway overruns • Renovating the current housing on base • Possibly building a new school and medical clinic. People For You provides a free volunteer befriending It is expected that around 10% of the US personnel will be housed on service offering regular companionship to the older base along with young single airmen. Other personnel will live off and vulnerable people in the community. base in the community or outside the area. There will be schooling If you feel this service might be of interest to you – or provision for children on base whilst other students may enrol in you are interested in volunteering, independent schools in and around the local area. please get in touch. Contact Sue Black 07810 630167 / 01452 528491 or email: [email protected] Planners for the USAF deployment have studied the impact of the move on communities in the area and believe that it will help to improve the local economy and provide additional employment. The US Air Force is committed to building strong relationships with their British hosts and wishes to see themselves as good neighbours and part of the community. For more information about the upcoming deployment at RAF Fairford, please contact the Community Relations Adviser, Jenny Collyer at RAF Fairford: 01285 714965, [email protected] or the 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs office: 01480 843857, [email protected]. Story: Chris Roberts 6 www.ripplesmag.co.uk Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 8

LETTERS

Ahoy Inglesham crew! When someone with dementia goes missing Alan Driver of the Cotswold Canals Trust writes… The Appeals Team of Police writes…

An important aim of the Cotswold Canals Trust is to Are you looking after someone who suffers from dementia, and have concerns about what will happen if they go achieve full restoration of the Cotswold Canals as a missing? navigable waterway between the near You can help by signing up to the Herbert Protocol, a scheme which enables police to have quick access to a range Lechlade and the River Severn at Saul Junction. One of relevant details about the missing person which may help locate them – things like previous addresses and way we raise funds for this ambitious project is with our special locations, hobbies and regular routines. These may be hard to recall in the panic of realising your loved Thames launch ‘Inglesham’ which is available for one is missing, but could save vital time. charter trips on the river starting from Lechlade throughout the summer All you have to do is download a form from our website, fill it in, keep it safe and hand to police in the event of having to report the person missing. We are currently looking for volunteers to join our team involved with the operation of ‘Inglesham’. Some Gloucestershire Constabulary is working with the Alzheimer's Society to promote this scheme, named after war previous boat handling experience would be useful but not essential and full training to the required standard will veteran George Herbert who died whilst missing and trying to return to his childhood home. Get more details at: be provided. If you would enjoy spending time on the river and to help promote this environmentally important www.gloucestershire.police.uk/staying-safe/the-herbert-protocol objective then please consider joining us. You could save a life! For more information please phone me: 01285 713624 or visit www.cotswoldcanals.com. Who’s Bill Hague? Don’t buy organic. GROW IT! Brian Lucas writes… Tim Yeoman of Lechlade writes… I have a brass plaque given me as ‘scrap to use in modelling’. Before I cut it up, I would like to know more. Who was Bill Hague? What is the plaque for? Following up your article ‘The dirty dozen’ in February Ripples. Instead of promoting the purchase of organic veg Would his family like it? I wondered if any of readers can throw any light on how about promoting the growing of organic foods by individuals. There are plenty of allotments lying fallow, one this subject? of them being Rough Ground Farm in Lechlade. I have had an allotment there for a number of years right beside a Nature Reserve. Peace and quiet, the answer to anybody's hectic life. Fresh air for free, a workout during a whole year for free, the chance to pit your wit against nature, and those in the local flower and veg shows. Knowing that what you have cultivated, without pesticides, is the best that you can give your family. So let's have no more of buying organic food at over-inflated prices. Let's encourage young and old alike to go and cultivate their own and at the same time benefit enormously from the exercise, companionship of other like-minded persons and enjoy nature at its best.

House-to-house 2019 fund raising event Graham Hewitt, Chairman of The League of Friends of Fairford Hospital writes…

The League of Friends House-to-House fund raising event will take place from the 1st to the 14th of April. Our thanks to all our existing volunteer co-ordinators, and collectors. With the new housing in Fairford and Lechlade we urgently need more volunteer collectors to deliver and collect the envelopes in your local area. Do you think you can help? If you can spare some time to deliver and collect the envelopes for the House- to-House fund raising event, please get in touch with the League Administrator, Christine Barker: 07767 408409, [email protected].

Thank goodness for The Trout David Sharp of Lechlade and District Lions Club writes… The Lechlade and District Lions Club would like to thank Penny and her team at The Trout Public House for their support in 2018. The Lechlade Lions was their chosen charity for 2018 and they raised over £2,000 in support of the Lions. Lion President Ian Kingsford recently handed over a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ together with a bouquet of flowers.

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LEARNING & LIBRARIES COUNTRYSIDE

Do you have what it takes? TOADS ALIVE! in Thanks to The Ogden Trust that supports schools Spring is nearly with us. committed to enhancing physics teaching and Snowdrops are up, birds are learning, Dr Suzie Imber was the guest speaker at singing, husbands are Fairford Primary School at the beginning of migrating to garden sheds and February. The Fairford pupils shared this exciting toads will be emerging from experience with other pupils from Farmor’s their winter hibernation with School, Lechlade Primary and South Cerney’s Ann amorous thoughts on their Edwards School. mind. Dr Suzie Imber is a Planetary Scientist at the During March thousands of them University of Leicester and was the winner of the will be on the move on mild 2017 BBC 2 television programme: Astronauts, Do damp nights, heading back to You Have What It Takes? During her hour-long their breeding ponds and lakes. Dr Suzie Imber’s adventures They are slow movers, walking in space rather than hopping; and this, combined with their ‘warty’ skin, presentation, Dr Imber told helps distinguish them from the enthralled audience that frogs. her love of being active, climbing mountains, running They breed in a number of our and rowing helped her gravel pits, but garden ponds are through the gruelling 12 also favoured as many ‘natural’ challenges in the ponds have been filled in. Small programme. She was able to ponds with no fish are often preferred, as fish can eat logs; emerging in the evenings to seek out food, in be taken outside her comfort an awful lot of tadpoles. the form of insects, worms and other small animals. zone, develop resilience, When spawning they can end up in writhing ‘balls’, Being slow movers, toads might appear to be easy staying calm under pressure as females attract attention from multiple males, all prey, however they can secrete a weak poison from and showing leadership skills intent on getting to the front of the queue. Their glands on their backs and this keeps them off of the as well as operating as part spawn is in long, narrow strings – so is easily menu as far as most predators are concerned; so they of a team. She said: ‘You distinguished from frog spawn, which appears in are likely to be undertaking the annual early have to challenge yourself clumps. springtime trek back to the spawning grounds for a and do things that you number of years to come. aren’t good at. Persistence, The eggs will hatch into tadpoles, grow into toadlets working hard and and then leave the water in June or July. Staggering developing skills are so numbers of these tiny toads can be encountered as The Cotswold Water Park Trust important.’ they venture into the wider world, where (sadly) only around 1 in 20 will survive to be adults. is an environmental charity Following her presentation, Dr Suzie Imber was happy to Adult toads leave the water soon after spawning. working to improve the Water answer questions and was When back on land, daytime is spent hiding under Park for wildlife and people. inundated with many pertinent and interesting questions from pupils, most of whom also wanted to be an astronaut. Dr Imber is now a step closer to becoming an astronaut herself after being crowned winner of the six-part series by astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield and former NASA medical researcher, Dr Kevin Fong. Story and photo: Chris Roberts

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COUNTRYSIDE

Farmers and other animals with Emma Smith Emma breeds pedigree cattle on a farm near Purton

Tiresome nights and skipping lambs Sheep farming is a demanding and varied lifestyle, and farmers can face many challenges along the way. Every sheep farm is different and many systems can be adopted to keep a variety of breeds. Traditionally, farms rear their sheep to produce offspring from February through to April. Some breeds such as the Dorset however, can lamb early from November to January. Lambing is the name given to female sheep (ewes) giving birth. Many hours of preparation are Extensions I Renovations I Planning involved to secure as many live lambs to enter this world as possible. Ewes are pregnant for 147 days, which is roughly five months. In this time they are treated the same way as a human – carefully. Sheep have two teats on one udder, so the perfect scenario for any farmer is for the ewe to have two healthy lambs. But like most things, a variation can occur with single lambs right up to six or seven being born at any one time. Lovely as that may sound it is a logistical nightmare and measures are put into place to aid the smooth running of lambing time. Prior to this period, all pregnant ewes are scanned by a vet. This determines how many lambs are growing inside the mother and allows the farmer to plan ahead. All ewes expecting single lambs are housed together, as are ewes expecting twins and so on and so forth. So in the case of a multiple birth, provide us withPhoto: trials Margaret and tribulations. Hing But by now the lambs can be ‘fostered’ on to other ewes securing a countryside is brimming with lambs frolicking, running higher lamb survival rate. and jumping. This is a wonderful sight to see and to many can signify the start of Spring and the celebration Lambing can be tiring, working long hours in the night. of Easter. Ewes can sometimes be tricky customers with lambs following in their mothers footsteps. A very rewarding So remember, a healthy skipping lamb means behinds job nonetheless. As with many farming practices it can the scenes there is a happy, skipping farmer!

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HOME & GARDEN

Bees are a best friend Bees are important to gardeners for fertilising fruit trees and more, and it was evident at January’s meeting of Lechlade Gardening Club that we have a lot of beekeepers. Richard Rickitt, editor of BeeCraft, held the audience’s attention for over an hour with all sorts of intriguing facts about bees. Richard is so obviously passionate about bees, his enthusiasm is infectious. He started his career in film and television production but his hobby of bee keeping has completely taken over. Beecraft is a 100- year-old publication, held in high regard and a regular prize winner at an annual competition of similar magazines. He began by talking about the DO YOU HAVE amazing honey bee with its A BUSINESS THAT stunning design. It has a 600 lens eye on each side of its Richard Rickitt YOU WOULD LIKE TO head which have the ability to ADVERTISE IN RIPPLES switch on and off as well as three UV-sensitive eyes on top of its MAGAZINE? head. And two antennae that include a speedometer and four wings which can be paired with barbs like Velcro. These wings can beat Call us on 01793 764768 450 times per second and are powered by the bee’s body shaking for details of our exciting offers rather than by muscles. Bees can shiver without their wings moving. A colony can produce 20 watts of warmth inside the hive in winter. It also has specialised glands in its jaws to produce royal jelly. There are 24 species of Bumble bees, 225 of solitary bees but only 1 honey bee. The facts just kept coming. Richard showed a slide of a 30 million year-old fossil looking exactly like our honey bee today. Ancient man’s only source of sugar was honey and the Egyptians must have been the earliest bee keepers. It has been found in the pyramids and is still OK after 3,000 years! As well as producing honey and royal jelly, bees make propolis which was used for mummification. Sometimes a mouse might enter the hive for the honey. The bees can kill the mouse but will not be able to remove the body, so they coat it in propolis which is like a hard caramel and it preserves the mouse which in turn does not affect the health of the hive. Man has found many uses for this compound over the years. Richard concluded his talk by saying that cheap supermarket honey was perhaps not the best. It could well be blended with contaminated honey which, if left out, may infect our native bees. He had brought along some of his own honey but urged everyone to buy local honey from our local bee keepers. He said that he had only brushed the surface of the subject and could probably talk all evening. I doubt if anyone would have minded! Story and photo: Margaret Hing 14 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 15 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 16

HOME & GARDEN

Garden clippings with Tina Owen

From me to you During February snowdrops brighten our gardens helping us look forward to spring. Always happy to find another plant to lighten darker days and provide food for early pollinators such as bumblebee queens and hoverflies, I grow a similar flowering bulb that also thrives in my clay soil – Leucojum vernum, spring snowflake. Leucojum means ‘white violet’ and vernum ‘spring’ but the flowers look more like pixie hats or Tiffany lamps. They can appear any time between midwinter to early spring. Their leaves are like those of a daffodil whilst its white blooms have six petals all the same size and shape, each has pinched tips bearing a green mark. It reaches a height of about 8in (20cm) and is happy in sun or dappled shade in soil that is moisture retentive and rich in organic matter. Leucojum vernum ‘Carpathicum’ can have two flowers on each stem tipped with yellow blobs. Leucojum vernum ‘Carpathicum’ Leucojum aestivum is known as the summer snowflake but usually flowers between March and May, although last year some of mine were blooming in February. This is a taller plant, flowering at about 24in (60cm). Its blooms are smaller and hang in clusters, up to seven per stem. Leucojum ‘Gravetye Giant’ is taller still at 28in (70cm), also easily grown in damp rich soil. Great plants to grow if your garden is prone to soggy areas in winter and with seedpods swollen with air that float for water dispersal, you may pass it to your neighbour too! Quenington Rare Plant Fair The beautiful gardens at large vegetable garden. The Old Rectory, The garden contains a Quenington play host to a permanent sculpture display. Rare Plant Fair on Sunday There are over 20 specialist 14th April, in support of the nurseries from across the charity Cobalt Health. country attending the Fair. This Grade II listed Old The fair will be open from Rectory with its organic 11am to 4pm, and adult garden has been developed entry, which includes entry over the past 40 years and is to both the fair and garden in a very tranquil setting on costs just £5. Full details, the banks of a mill race, with the running including a list of the nurseries attending the event, through the gardens. There are herbaceous borders, can be found at www.rareplantfair.co.uk. mature trees, pool and a bog garden, as well as the Story: Teresa Moss Seasonal vegetables for March Look out for these seasonal vegetables. Locally grown means they’re fresh, have few ‘food miles’ and taste delicious. Artichoke, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Cucumber, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Radishes, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress. From the Vegetarian Society at www.vegsoc.org. 16 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 17 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 18

LOCAL HISTORY COUNCILS

75 Years of RAF Fairford Lechlade Town Council News NEW TOWN COUNCILLOR Foreword by Lt Col Joseph Knothe, 420th Air Base Squadron Commander, RAF Fairford Council welcomed Councillor Jackie Hancock who attended her first meeting in February.

In 75 years, this small base in the LECHLADE ON THAMES TOWN COUNCIL PRECEPT Cotswolds has seen its fair share 2019-2020 of the world. A precept of £192,447 was agreed at the January Council meeting. The precept request to Council Hundreds of variations of aircraft forms part of the Council Taxes levied on each household in have taxied on its runway and flown the Town. The precept of a Band D property will be £125.41 in its airspace. Thousands of pairs of per year representing an annual increase of £3.90 or £0.33p boots, belonging to men and per month. women from around the globe, DOWNINGTON DITCH CLEARANCE – MARCH 2019 have touched down on its soil; some Please contact the Town Council office If you would like to be part of the preparing to fight, others seeking Volunteers team. rest after a long day in the air. Millions of eyes have been trained TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS – MAY 2nd 2019 The Town Council is calling on residents, passionate about their community, to on its skies as, year after year, the stand for election on 2nd May 2019. There are currently 120,000 Town and Royal International Air Tattoo dazzles Parish councillors serving on the 10,000 local councils in . and inspires people of all The Town Council is led by democratically elected councillors from the local generations and backgrounds. But of community who decide on what services and projects the council will deliver. As all the things it’s seen, this base has representatives of the first tier of local government and the closest to their grown accustomed to three things. communities, local councillors are best placed to engage with the community to find out what the real local issues are and how to overcome them. 350 Concord & Red Arrows – supplied by RAF Fairford It is accustomed to change. The Councillors are the champions of the community and give residents a voice on the evolution of mission sets at this installation has been short article each month, highlighting some of the decisions the council makes. Being a Councillor will allow you to make a real constant through the decades – from its beginnings as rich history of the base. Join us as we commemorate difference in your community by engaging with residents, local groups and a base built for D-Day operations to its current 75 years of RAF Fairford! businesses to find out their needs; making decisions on which services and projects rotations of aircraft deployments. It has expanded, the council should take forward; and getting involved locally to ensure the services Did you know that 54 years ago, the month of March are meeting your community’s needs. then shrunk, then expanded again; but has always saw the formation of the Red Arrows at RAF Fairford? been ready to support our shared commitment to To stand for election you must: The Royal Air Force’s world famous aerobatic team freedom. started life at RAF Fairford in 1965. They performed It is accustomed to world-class airpower. RAF Fairford’s their first display there and were based at the support over the years to the B-47, KC-10, KC-135, Gloucestershire airfield until moving just up the road a • be 18 or over, and a UK, EU or Commonwealth Citizen and B-52, B-2, B-1, U-2 and others have enabled combat year later to RAF Kemble in 1966. operations around the world. It has had pivotal • either be registered as a local government elector, on the current electoral In the first season of 1965, the team – flying seven register, for the town of Lechlade on Thames or involvement in Operations Desert Storm, Deliberate aircraft in a display – performed 65 shows. A media Force, Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and more. • have during the whole of the previous 12 months occupied as tenant or owner event at RAF Little Rissington on 6th May was the any land or other premises in the town of Lechlade on Thames or Finally, it is accustomed to unrivalled support. team’s first official display, with the first public • have your principal or only place of work in the previous 12 months in the Throughout all the change, whether there have been performance in the UK on 15th May at Biggin Hill Air town of Lechlade on Thames or hundreds stationed here or only a few, the town of Fair. The team permanently increased to nine display • have during the whole of the previous 12 months resided in the town of Fairford and surrounding community has been our aircraft in 1968 and the Diamond Nine became the Lechlade on Thames or within 4.8 kilometres/3 miles of it. backbone. You have fed our Airmen, educated our Red Arrows’ trademark formation. If you, or someone you know, wants to be a Town Councillor then contact the children, contributed to our decisions, and provided Since flying for the first time in 1965 at Fairford, the Town Clerk. Email:[email protected] or phone: 01367 252338. communities and friendships for our families. This is Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team has performed almost your celebration too. Cotswold District Council and the Town Council Office have paper copies of the 4,900 times across the globe and live up to the team’s Councillor Nomination packs available for interested parties and these are also I want to thank you for the endless support you have motto ‘Eclat’ – meaning excellence. available on the Town Council website and the Cotswold District Council link provided us over the years. I look forward to a below: The Reds regularly display at RAF Fairford, taking part wonderful year of celebration for Fairford and in the annual Royal International Air Tattoo. Their https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/about-the-council/elections/current-future-elections/ continuing its traditions in the many years to come! participation at this year’s Fairford-based show will be FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING DATES March 1965 – The Red Arrows arrive at their last before embarking on a tour of the United RAF Fairford States. Monday 11th March, Monday 8th April in the Memorial Hall Social Room at 7.30pm.

RAF Fairford is celebrating its 75th Anniversary For more information on RAF Fairford and to follow along Lechlade Town Council Office, New Memorial Hall, throughout 2019, having opened officially on 18th throughout the year, visit Oak Street, Lechlade, GL7 3AY. Tel: 01367 252338 January 1944. Throughout 2019, we will publish a www.501csw.usafe.af.mil and Email: [email protected] Website: www.lechladeonthames.co.uk like ‘501st Combat Support Wing’ on Facebook. Councillors’ contact details are available on the website. 18 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 19 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 20

COUNCILS SPORT

Bowmoor sailors keep a weather watch Bowmoor Sailing Club prides itself on sailing 365 days a year with an enthusiastic crowd turning out every Sunday to hone the finer points of Fairford Town Council News the sport and racing against each other. TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS – 2019 It’s a sport of strategy, tactics and skill If you care about where you live and are passionate about your but, since the beginning of the year, community, we need you. the weather has confounded even the This year in May, all Councillors will be stepping down. It is at this most dedicated. Sundays have seen time that some may decide not to put themselves forward again for every type of condition so far, which re-election and, therefore, there may be vacancies for the the role of has resulted in no or little sailing. Town Councillor. There have been a couple of Sundays with no wind at all. This is very rare as If you live within a 3-mile radius of Fairford, are 18 or over, are there is usually some small breeze. interested in becoming a Town Councillor and wish to know more about what this involves, please contact the Town Council Office. One Sunday was near suicidal with Nomination packs are available from the Town Council office or vicious gusts wiping out the most from Cotswold District Council. skilful souls who bravely ventured out. And finally, the bitterest blow – no NOTICEBOARDS water as the whole lake froze over! It looked glorious. DO YOU HAVE A new noticeboard has been erected at the top of the High Street at the entrance to the car park, together with an Interpretation Board. Story and photo: Margaret Hing A BUSINESS THAT Please remember that all the Town Council noticeboards with the YOU WOULD LIKE TO exception of the one outside the Council Office are open to the ADVERTISE IN RIPPLES public. It would be helpful when posting notices, if you could restrict the size to A5 wherever possible. For your information other MAGAZINE? noticeboards are situated at the following locations: Call us on 01793 764768 Footpath Dilly’s Bridge to Horcott Road – Horcott Road end for details of our exciting offers Dilly’s Bridge Fairford Gate – next to allotments On the Green at the junction of Coronation Street and Milton Street On the wall next to Londis On the wall next to Mitchell & Sarjent Outside the Fire Station, Hatherop Road The next meeting of the Town Council is on: Tuesday 12th March 2019

Fairford Town Council Office, The Community Centre, High Street, Fairford GL7 4AF Tel: 01285 713326 / 712344 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fairfordtowncouncil.gov.uk Find us on Facebook. Search for Fairford Town Council. Opening times: 10am-1pm. Councillors’ contact details are available on website.

As a result of the new Data Protection Regulations please confirm when contacting the Town Council, that you are happy to receive information from the Town Council and for your contact details to be securely held by us. 20 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 21 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 22

ARTS

Tales of Whelford and Kempsford Panto in the Pub – Oh yes it was! This project started in summer 2018 as part of my final year at It is a few years since Lechlade was treated to a University of Sheffield, in which I aimed to discover unique but seasonal pantomime but the Theatre @ the Trout ordinary tales about the local area (Whelford and Kempsford group made the wait worthwhile. especially) and share them through folk songs and tunes. At the beginning of February they pulled out all the stops and produced a fabulous version of Treasure Island with all the ingredients of this quirky British tradition in just 40 minutes. A man dressed up as a woman, Dominic Valentine’s larger-than-life Old Dame Hawkins, a woman dressed as principal boy, Lisa Stone as Jim Hawkins, Katie Dyet as pantomime villain Long Legs Jane Silver and a bonus: lost dippy fairy from Cinderella, Fairy Marzipan played with impish glee by Jennie Thompson. Audience participation was also encouraged. The performance began with a take on Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody – new words and a brilliant parody. The audience were Long legs Jane Silver confronts fairy Marzipan. reduced to tears – of laughter. Photo: Liz Roberts up they will perform Bard in the Bar – excerpts from The play romped along at a pace and the entire cast the 1980s classic comedy Shakespeare Revue, with should be commended for another slick and speedy The Queen’s Head in Whelford prior to demolition sketches from Victoria Wood, Fry and Laurie and performance. Admission was free, with a charity many others. This will be followed by more drama Some of the tales I uncovered, with the help of my family, collection for Noah’s Ark Children’s Venture. included tales about the Queen’s Head in Whelford, run by my in April and October. Too good to miss! Keep an On Saturday 9th March, before the marquee goes eye out! great grandmother and demolished for the extension of the Story: Margaret Hing runway; the story of Captain Holford and his horse Pink, who fought and survived the Great War and who's grave lies in the fields around Whelford. Other tracks were inspired by the annual event of making hay on our family farm and the passing away of a dear Kempsford character and family friend Joyce Pratt. The resulting EP from the project is comprised of six tracks in total and features voice recordings and samples of family members reminiscing about their childhoods. On Saturday 6th April the project will be performed live in concert at Kempsford Village Hall where the EP will also be on sale. I will be joined by a full band to perform the songs from the Ep live and share a bit more about their backgrounds and other tales I learnt on the way. Doors open 6.45pm for jacket potato supper and music at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 & Supper £6. To book phone Joy: 01285 810439, [email protected] or visit www.kategriffincreative.com/wayside-tales. Story: Kate Griffin 22 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 23 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 24

ARTS

The organisers of the annual Fairford Festival, more guests to the Festival of Fiction event, including which runs from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th June, another headliner before the popular Fairford event are delighted to announce that Professor Lucie takes place in June. Previous guests have included Green, a BBC Sherlock creators, Mark astronomer, Professor Gatiss and Steven Moffat of Physics and and Life on Mars creator, presenter of TV Matthew Graham. programmes such as The Festival of Fiction The Sky At Night and runs all day on Saturday Stargazing Live, will be 8th June from 9am-7pm one of the special in its own marquee in guests appearing at the grounds of Fairford the Festival of Fiction Cricket Club and will sponsored by DCO also feature several Systems. Professor astronomy-related Green underlines Fairford attractions to interest all age groups. Festival’s space theme celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landings. Tickets to The Festival of Fiction for the whole day cost £8 and can be bought online (plus a small Other confirmed guests for the third annual Festival booking fee) by searching for ‘Eventbrite Fairford of Fiction are Doug Naylor, co-creator and current Festival of Fiction 2019’ or from 7a Coffee Shop or writer of the hit comedy series Red Dwarf; Kieran The Coffee Post (no booking fee). There are only 150 Larwood, the Blue Peter award-winning children’s tickets available for this event and it is expected that author of the Legend of Podkin One-Ear series and these will sell out quickly as in previous years. A ticket Mike Collins, X-Men legend, comic book artist of the for the Fairford Festival of Fiction also allows you free Apollo true story graphic novel and storyboarder for entry to the wider Fairford Festival on the Saturday the current series of Doctor Who. with live music,food, beer tent and more. Fairford Festival organisers are hoping to add two Story: Chris Roberts Cellist returns to Lechlade! Friday 5th April, 12 Noon, St Lawrence Church, Lechlade Rebecca McNaught (cello) will return to Lechlade in April to take part in the popular lunchtime ‘Serenade and Sandwiches’ series, accompanied by Richard Gowers (piano). When last in Lechlade Rebecca’s playing was variously described as exquisite and sublime. Her return is eagerly awaited. Rebecca and Richard will play works by Brahms, Schumann and Chopin. They will join the audience for a light lunch after the recital. The recital is being held in aid of the Church Restoration and Maintenance Appeal. More information including programme and parking at www.stlawrencelechlade.org.uk Story: Helen F S Jones

Wessex Male Choir sing for Prospect Hospice

On Saturday 18th May at Warneford School, the Lighthouse Bookshop Highworth, Joan Webb on Highworth Support Group for Prospect Hospice 01793 762853 ([email protected]) and will be hosting Wessex Male choir supported by www.ticketsource.co.uk. Please note that the online Basingstoke Ladies Choir and Warneford music booking price includes a 78p booking fee. students. All proceeds will go to Prospect Hospice. Tickets are priced at £12.50 and are available from 24 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 25 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 26

BUSINESS

More than 100 business people attended the Awards Fairford & Lechlade Business Club News night hosted by the Mayor of Lechlade, Gary Holland. The judges were extremely impressed by the number by Chris Roberts 01285 712150 or email [email protected] and quality of the entries, which showed passion and enthusiasm. The great range of businesses taking part made the judging process even more difficult in selecting both finalists and eventual winners. Facebook and Twitter Like us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/FLBClub The Barn Theatre Outstanding Business Student of the Year Follow us on Twitter –@FLBClub Contact: Rowan Poole, Cirencester Sponsored by: The RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises Visit us at T:[email protected] 01285 648288 www.flbc.org.uk (Air Tattoo) W:E: www.barntheatre.org.uk Welcome to new members: Theatre in Cirencester Presented by: Helen Webb Sponsor Amy Bedford with Rob Broadbent and Dusan Dinga Winner: Amelia Snell, Elixir Corinium Security Systems The next FLBClub meeting Contact: James Buse, Cirencester Finalists: William Stamp, Upskill Gaming, The next FLBClub meeting will be breakfast at The Bull Anand Patel, Better Learn backed up this incredible journey of business success, T: 01285 672173 expanding the business, training and employing local Hotel, Fairford on Thursday 28th March at 8am. Come The entries for this award were from Farmor’s School E: [email protected] people and having a clear vision of bringing an along and hear about the new owners, The Barkby Y12 Business Students and each of the three students Australian-style café culture to this corner of the Security systems e.g. cctv, intruder alarms Group, and the future plans for The Bull Hotel. A full had written a good business case for a new business. English breakfast with tea/coffee costs £10, tea/coffee Cotswolds. To open a third coffee shop in Burford and Lechlade FD Services Ltd only costs £2 and the meeting is free. The winning entry was from Amelia Snell with her thrive at the same time is a testament to the quality of Contact: Clair Tinney, Lechlade business idea: Elixir. The judges particularly liked the offer and the loyalty engendered amongst its M: 07973 824427 Booking is essential for this meeting via Amelia’s business idea Elixir – a homemade cordial and customer base. liqueur business with Amelia selling these products and E: [email protected] www.flbc.org.uk. Business Person of the Year running cocktail-making classes to support and promote Financial services FLBClub Business Awards 2019 the business and use of the product. Not only was the Sponsored by: Hersom Whittaker Ltd Allison Murray Design idea great, but the amount of research that was in the Presented by: Simon Hersom Sponsored by business plan was also impressive. Contact: Allison Murray, Eastleach Business acumen should be recognised and encouraged T: 01367 850056 and this Award highlights the skills and ability of a E: [email protected] Business of the Year business owner or employee. W: https://allisonmurraydesign.com Winner: Anthony Clarke of Lechlade K9 Finalists: Peter Paredes, Paredes Photography, Fairford, Spike’s Diner THE RESULTS! Shaun Higgins, Edward Bays Ltd, Highworth, Contact: Stuart Pike, Fairford The Fairford & Lechlade Business Club Business Awards Kayla Williams, KJ Accounts, Glos & Swindon T: 01285 712071 were held at the end of January at Sudbury House Hotel The judges were astounded by the amount that E: [email protected] in Faringdon. Once again, there were a record number Anthony has achieved as a young business man in just W: www.fairfordtownfc.co.uk/sponsors/spikes of entries as the event becomes more and more popular three years and the passion and dedication he has in American-style diner at Fairford Town Football with businesses from all over the Cotswolds, Wiltshire making K9 a success. His leadership and organisational Club Clubhouse and Oxfordshire. skills are consistent with his business aims and goals and in 2019, he wants to develop a charity that will be linked with the Lechlade K9 Centre to help others, using the power of dog training.

Amelia Snell with sponsor Helen Webb Sponsored by: Green Hills Cleaning Presented by: Amy Bedford Business of the Year is the premier award and is open to any business that can demonstrate a successful track record of excellence and achievement. Winner: Lynwood’s & Co, Burford, Fairford & Lechlade Finalists: Bulldog Websites, Fairford Lechlade Festival Wrag Barn Golf Club, Highworth The judges were impressed by the quality of the Lynwood’s entry and all the facts and figures that Sponsor Simon Hersom with Anthony Clarke Winners, finalists and sponsors of the FLBClub Business Awards 2019 26 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 27 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 28

BUSINESS

New Business of the Year local community as a positive resource. They were also hugely supportive of the educational and development hospitality venue (café, pub, restaurant, B&B or hotel opportunities, encouraging those just graduated in the etc) that best demonstrated the spirit of Bob Warren – arts and school children to get involved. offering great hospitality, excellent customer service, a warm and friendly atmosphere and provided a fantastic The Howard Dowler Award all-round experience. There were over 300 votes for the Sponsored by: Fairford Roof Tiles nominated businesses. Presented by: Neil Dowler Winner: Spike’s Diner, Fairford In memory of Howard Dowler, one of the founding Finalists: Colosseo Italian Ristorante, Fairford members of the Business Club, this is a special Award The Marlborough Arms, Fairford made by the Chair to the person or business that has The Railway Inn, Fairford made an outstanding contribution to the local Ye Olde Swan at Radcot community. Sponsor Neil Dowler with Shirley Wheeler and Helen Webb Spike’s Diner is the brainchild of Stuart Pike (S-Pike), (Chair of FLBClub) Winner: Shirley Wheeler of Cotswold Boat Hire, Buscot Sponsor James Yeoell with Liz Mills who is chairman of Fairford Town Football Club. Stuart particularly challenging for her, but she is the type of Sponsored by: Butler Toll Ltd and his wife, Sam, have for several years been the Shirley was chosen by the Chair of FLBC, as she is person that just carries on with a smile! Presented by: James Yeoell caterers for events at the Cinder Lane clubhouse for hugely supportive of the Business Club. As Vice-Chair of either the Football Club or for private or community To see the list of all the sponsors and donors of This category is open to all new ventures started within the Club, Shirley provides great input and advice all events. The natural progression was to create a business auction/raffle prizes, or to see photos taken by Peter the last 2 years, entrants showing how their businesses with a smile on her face – whatever the circumstances. of it and call it Spike’s Diner. It has proved very popular Paredes Photography, please go to have progressed from ideas to trading businesses. She successfully runs Cotswold Boat Hire whilst www.flbc.org.uk. with a loyal following. Their menu comprises American supporting other businesses, friends and family Winner: Little Bears Bakery, Carterton diner-type food e.g. quarter pounders; the giant Spike whenever they need help. The past year has been Story by Chris Roberts Finalists: Magic Beans Café, burger and even the mega Spike burger! Stuart believes All photos by Peter Paredes Photography Fairford Rural Workshop Ltd, Hatherop, that fast food and football go together and claims his The Barn Theatre, Cirencester burgers are ‘the finest hamburgers in football’. The judges were moved by the sad story of why Little Most Innovative Business of the Year Fairford’s new Flower Collective Bears Bakery was started, with baking being used as a coping method following a family bereavement and the It was a chance enquiry about cut flowers that businesses to thrive, so it’s very much about finding amount of cake produced was too much for family and brought four female entrepreneurs together in 2018 ways to collaborate, rather than compete with each friends to consume! The judges were impressed that a and led to the creation of the Fairford Flower other.’ Collective. hobby has now turned into a full time business with The group might be wholesale customers the prime outlet and the Ruth Robinson, who runs small but they have opportunities to grow and take on more staff turning a The Cotswold Garden, big ambitions, dream into a reality. was instrumental in particularly when it setting up the first comes to the growing meeting after wedding trend for eco-floristry. florists Beth Bruce- ‘There are so many The Bob Warren Hospitality Award Gardner of Honeymoon good reasons to Presented by: Penny Warren Fern and Fi Passey of choose locally grown Corky & Prince Wedding flowers for your This award was set up in 2017 in memory of Bob Sponsor John Dunkerley with Tessa Webb Warren, former landlord of the Trout Inn, Lechlade, and Flowers both contacted wedding,’ said Ruth. long-time supporter of the FLBClub. Sponsored by: ECI Telecom UK her via the ‘flowers from ‘Not only are they Thirty-two nominated venues were asked to encourage Presented by: John Dunkerley the farm’ organisation. gloriously seasonal and fragrant, but they’ve also travelled far fewer miles. They their customers, friends and family to vote for the Another flower grower, Tess Wardman of Iris and Wilf, All businesses are innovative in some way, so entrants benefit the local bee population and the environment.’ had to illustrate how they have managed successfully to and friend Karen Robinson have also linked up, and introduce new ideas, products, customers, techniques or they now meet monthly to swap ideas and experiment To promote British flowers, the Fairford Flower technology to help grow their business. This category with different floral designs. Collective is offering a Mother’s Day bouquet workshop was a very, very close run thing, so all the finalists on Whilst all five women have very different backgrounds, should take comfort from that! Saturday 30th March at Meysey Hampton Village they are united by a passion for flowers and the natural Hall for anyone who wants to learn how to create their Winner: The Barn Theatre, Cirencester world. ‘Growing flowers is very rewarding but it’s a own hand-tied bouquet. ‘There’s a real demand for Finalists: Amelia Bishop Consulting Ltd, Swindon, solitary pursuit, so I wanted to spend time with other creative experiences, where you can spend a few hours Wrag Barn Golf Club, Highworth creative people who wanted to help and support each with a friend or relative, learning a new skill,’ explained Jen Winnett Art, Cricklade other’s’ businesses,’ explained Tess, who juggles flower- Fi Passey. ‘Plus, you get to eat Beth’s amazing home growing alongside raising her children. Beth Bruce- The judges were extremely impressed that in the current baking and take home some beautiful flowers!’ economic climate an arts venue, starting from scratch Gardner agrees. ‘With five thousand weddings a year in with a specific vision had been so successful in such a Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, there are plenty of To find out more about the Fairford Flower Collective, opportunities for all four of our wedding flower email short space of time and was really appreciated by the [email protected] or phone Stuart and Sam Pike with sponsor Penny Warren (centre) 07740 589640 / 07799 527758 for more details. 28 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 29 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 30

PROFILE

Meet Lechlade Bloomers ‘Licenced to cultivate…’

The Lechlade Bloomers is a quiet modest group of people but it has made a significant impact on Lechlade. It all happened by chance when Sue Laing and Carole Davis met at another group. They were instantly in agreement that it was time for the existing flower tubs to be updated and benefit from a little TLC. Sue is relatively new to the town having moved here just a couple of years ago while Carole has been in Lechlade for five years. They set about their task Carole, Gill, Sue, Anna, Dorcus De Marco (a friend of Barbara) diligently by doing a lot of research, looking at other and Barbara. Photo: Nigel Laing At present the tubs have a pretty display of pansies and towns’ flowers for ideas, securing some funding and bellis with early crocuses and other spring bulbs seeking expert advice. Barbara McNaught and Anna appearing. Sue said that it was a shame to replant the Karlsson have been a great help with their vast tubs in the autumn as they were looking at their best knowledge and experience and have been able to but they needed to plant bulbs and bedding plants suggest some great planting. Sue and Carole insist that before the cold weather. Look out for the next planting they are not great gardeners but that is hard to believe. as there may be some bargain plants to be had! This in turn will generate some funds for more town flowers. As well as receiving grants The Bloomers have been proactive in raising money. They sold teas at the last two Lechlade Extravaganzas and cakes at the duck race – all profitable occasions. The Bloomers have also reached out to the wider community. The Trout Inn donated Bob Warren’s bike, hoping that it would be a good way to display flowers in the town. The Bloomers were not able to obtain permission for this as it was thought to be too dangerous but a space was found at the school and it has created a lovely ornamental feature. While at the school the head, Mr Soutar, asked if they would like to update the troughs which they did with help from the children. This was fantastic as it provoked all sorts of observations. One small boy impressed the Bloomers by The Bloomers also include ‘muscle man’ Nigel Laing, Gill Bob’s bike informing them that ferns were around at the same time Saunders who has lived in Lechlade for over 20 years, as dinosaurs! Carole’s husband John, who is brilliant as maintenance man (he keeps the bowser for watering the tubs in good Bloomers are planning condition) and Anna, a professional gardener often seen to add a few more tubs tending the lovely displays outside the Crown. They and possibly ‘branch then decided that some extra tubs would be a good out’ with some hanging idea and asked the town council if they could go ahead. baskets in the future. This was not a straightforward job as they were advised Meanwhile, would you that they had to apply for a ‘Licence to cultivate’, which like to be a Bloomer or proved a bit of a red herring as in fact all they needed could you adopt a tub was a ‘Licence to place street furniture’. nearby to keep it watered? Sue or Carole Gill and Nigel are trustees of the New Hall and Nigel is would love to hear also a Town Councillor. Nigel is the treasurer of from you: Bloomers and applied for funds from Lechlade Heritage Fund, Lechlade and District Lions and the Town Council who have all provided welcome support. The Bloomers meet to assess how the previous season’s planting has gone and what to do next. [email protected] or [email protected]. Story: Margaret Hing

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A dog’s life with

Mollie Collie

Got a pet story? Get in touch with Mollie Collie at [email protected] Life with Dexter A few weeks ago, Dexter was the ‘model’ for an EMMETT 4 Dogs Practitioner course. The students loved meeting him, and they spent two days practicing the new moves and seeing the positive effects for Dexter. His owner definitely noticed a difference – he was no longer ‘hopping’ on his back leg, and he slept soundly at the end of both days, busy processing! The EMMETT Technique is a unique form of body relaxation therapy, used on both humans and animals. It uses light finger pressure at specific points, in order to relieve tension. Typical Dexter being an excellent model for one of the students. Photo: Margaret Hing symptoms for dogs that may be assisted include injuries or lameness, stiffness, or change in performance. If you would like to learn this simple and easy method to help keep your dog feeling comfortable and at ease, one-day Introductory Courses and Practitioner Training are available. For more information please contact Lizzie Garthwaite on 07803 011349, [email protected] Story: Mollie Collie

(Editor: Antipodean readers may recall the radio show ‘Life with Dexter’, made in the 1950s by Grace Gibson Radio Productions, popular in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa)

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PETS EVENTS

Winter watch Got a community event you want to promote?

The good thing about being a hound This list contains date-specific events. For a complete list, including regular events, go to is the early start to the day. www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events. The recent spate of icy weather (not EVENTS notices are intended for local, not-for-profit, community organisations. A notice is typically the beast from the east this time but 20-30 words. We accept events up to 15th day of the next month. For example, notices in April edition the pest from the west) might have extend to 15th May. resulted in a breath-taking minus 9°C, Email notices to [email protected] or write to Ripples (see page 3). but the sunrise and wildlife have been superb. The barn owls have been out and about both in the early morning VARIOUS DAYS and late afternoon along the seven Monday 1st – Sunday 14th April: LEAGUE OF FRIENDS stiles walk. They are becoming used to HOUSE-TO-HOUSE COLLECTION: Fundraising for the Village Hall. Free entry. Bric-a-Brac, books, handbags, people and show no fear in flying quite League of Friends of Fairford Hospital. More volunteer shoes, nearly new, cake stall, raffle & light refreshments. close. collectors are urgently needed to deliver & collect Hall open 6-7pm Friday 15th to accept goods. No VHS envelopes in your local area please. Contact Christine tapes. Supporting Langford Village Hall & St Matthews And was it dog or fox who was most Black-and-white fox. Barker: 07767 408409, Church surprised when crossing paths in close Photo: Margaret Hing [email protected] proximity one afternoon? Someone once remarked that Mollie was a Saturday 30th March: BRIC A BRAC & TABLE TOP black and white fox … and animals are meant to only see black and Monday 15th to Friday 19th April: EXHIBITION OF SALE: 12 to 4pm in Filkins Village Hall, hosted by white… ORIGINAL PAINTINGS & GLASSWORK: generally Swinford Museum, Filkins. Tables £10. Info. Diane: Story: Mollie Collie 10am to 4.30pm in Warwick Hall, Burford. 01367 860504 Art@Aldsworth group of artists Saturday 6th April: PALMER HALL SPRING FAYRE: From REGULAR VARIOUS DAY EVENTS: See the full listing 1pm-5pm in the newly renovated Palmer Hall. A variety at Walkies in Fairford? www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events of tables, showcasing a wide range of bargains. Tea/coffee & cakes available. Entry £1 (children free). If [email protected] Dave Bartlett, Vice Chair of SATURDAYS you wish to book a table, contact: 01285 711657, Saturday 13th April: 40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT: Fairford Town Football Club, has Saturday 2nd March: BABY MEMORIAL SERVICE: In St 7.30pm in the newly refurbished St Michael's Church, come up with a solution that Mary’s Church, Fairford at 3pm. Organised by Embrace, Highworth. Highworth Choral Society with professional could solve a lot of problems for the local infertility & baby loss support group. The soloists & an orchestra conducted by our musical people who struggle with service is for anyone who has faced the loss of a director Jacki Pattenden. Programme includes Mozart’s walking distances with their baby/child at any age/stage. Contact Kate: dogs on leads; have a dog that Requiem, Te Deum & Ave Verum Corpus. Tickets £15 for [email protected] or Rev Caroline Symcox: adults, under 16’s free: may be uncomfortable around [email protected] other dogs or people; or are [email protected] worried about letting their dogs or phone: 01285 712467 REGULAR SATURDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at off their leads. Saturday 9th March: AUCTION OF PROMISES & CHILLI www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events EVENING: 7 for 7.30pm at Langford Village Hall. Tickets Dave has fenced off a one-acre SUNDAYS £10, includes main meal and a sweet, info. from Chrissy grassed area at the end of the Dexter and Freya (front) with Eric doing Tinson: 01367 860514 and Jonny Potter: 07977 502759. Sunday 31st March: JOIN THE QUENINGTON SOCIETY his own thing in the background! Football Club in Cinder Lane, In aid of St Matthew’s church maintenance fund ON A JOYRIDE: 3pm at Quenington Village Hall. Tony Fairford that can be hired out by dog owners, so they can safely let their Scotland, writer, publisher & broadcaster talks about his dogs run free. It is also a great secure environment for dog-owners to Saturday 9th March: ‘FROM CHILE TO UK’: 7pm in latest book ‘Joyride: To a Reunion at Kardamyli’ practice off-lead training and the field is open not only during daylight Lechlade Memorial Hall. Meal & illustrated talk with 3rd Sunday: LECHLADE COMMUNITY CINEMA: hours, but night time sessions with floodlights can also be arranged. Daniel & Ellelein Kirk. Please sign up on list in St Lawrence Church or contact David Bainbridge: 7.30pm in Lechlade Memorial. Enjoy the film, on the big After having had several rescue dogs, Dave realised how useful an area 01367 250347, 5m wide screen with an all-round sound & an inductive like this could be. He said: ‘It gives an owner the confidence to let their [email protected] loop system. Doors open at 7.00pm for refreshments. dog off the lead knowing that they can run around freely and safely, Tickets cost £3.50 which includes a voluntary donation Saturday 16th March: JUMBLE SALE: 2pm at Langford stretch their legs without the worry of them disappearing off to chase a rabbit!’ The field has all the comforts of home too with a picnic table to rest awhile, a water butt and bowls of fresh water and, of course, a bin for dog waste and litter. Already Dave has around 30 regular customers who use the field including dog walking businesses, fly ball and dog trainers. To find out more, contact Dave: 07411 793366,

[email protected] or visit: www.cindercaninewalks.co.uk. Story by Chris Roberts 34 www.ripplesmag.co.uk www.ripplesmag.co.uk 35 Ripples MAR 2019 L&F.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 22/02/2019 13:45 Page 36

EVENTS

of 50p to Lechlade Village Hall & Recreation CIO. Tuesday 5th March: Craft demo with Karen Holland at Preschool. Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo & a delicious two-course Reserve a seat: 01367 253633 Lechlade Craft Barn meal. Cost £15 each (this includes a £7 donation to www.ripplesmag.co.uk/eventsREGULAR THURSDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at spruce up the preschool garden. Menus available. Arrival Sunday 17th March: Bohemian Rhapsody (Cert 12A) Tuesday 2nd April: Osteo health talk with Jolyon Turner FRIDAYS 7.30pm. Meal at 8pm. Pre-order & pay at Little Learners starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury 2nd Tuesdays: POULTON WI: 2pm at Poulton Village (Wharf Lane, Lechlade GL7 3AU) by 12th March Friday 15th, 22nd, 29th March & 5th April: THE REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at Hall. Visitors welcome. Information from Elinor Davies: GOSPELS: Churches Together Around Fairford invite you Thursday 28th March: BHF DINNER: 7 for 7.30pm at 01285 851218 to come & listen to the story of Jesus through the www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events The New Inn, Lechlade. Supporting the British Heart writings of the gospels. Featuring the gospels of Mark, Tuesday 12th March: ‘History of the ladies of Blenheim Foundation. Tickets £18 from 01367 253319, 01367 MONDAYS Matthew, John & Luke. Each event starts at 12.30pm in Palace’. Details from Elinor: 01285 851218 253762, any committee member or Lechlade Post Office Monday 18th March: CIRENCESTER CIVIC SOCIETY: St Mary’s Church, Fairford REGULAR TUESDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at NEW: Thursdays: ATTACHMENT PARENTING 7pm at the Salvation Army Hall , Thomas Street Friday 22nd March: SING-A-LONG Bohemian FAIRFORD: 1.30pm-3.30pm. We are a friendly group for Cirencester GL7 2AX. AGM followed by ‘Facing up to the www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events Rhapsody Film evening: 7 for 7.45pm at Lechlade parents/carers, meeting weekly to support each other on future-the story of Horton Court’ with Colette Cuddihy. Memorial Hall. Supporting Helen & Douglas House WEDNESDAYS the journey through parenthood. All ages welcome. Visitors £3. Info at Children’s Hospice, Oxford. £15 a ticket to include a www.ccsoc.org.uk Please email Wednesday 6th March: DEMENTIA FRIENDS SESSION: welcome drink & cinema goodies. Tickets from Lechlade 3rd Mondays: LECHLADE HISTORY SOCIETY: 7.15pm [email protected]; join our 7pm at Fairford Fire Station. Information from Lucy: Post office, text Beryl 07891 501682 or email Kathy: for 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. Guest welcome £4. Facebook group for more information: 07793 766794, [email protected], Contact Marian Winckles: 01367 252851, www.facebook.com/groups/APUKFairford/ www.revitalisewithlucy.co.uk [email protected] www.lechladehistory.co.uk 2nd Thursdays: FAIRFORD GARDENERS CLUB: 7.30pm Wednesday 13th March: UTRNTA Talk ‘Rosemary Verey Friday 5th April: CELLIST RETURNS TO LECHLADE: Monday 18th March: ‘The Role of the Thames in Time in the Farmor’s Room, Fairford Community Centre. 12noon in St Lawrence Church. Rebecca McNaught & Herbs for Healing’: 2.30pm at Lechlade Memorial Contact Marion Lloyd: 01285 850280 or Chairman of War’ Hall, Oak St. GL7 3AY. £3 members, £4 visitors including (cello) & Richard Gowers (piano) perform works by Geoff Denis: 01285 712195 Brahms, Schumann & Chopin, in the popular lunchtime REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at Tea/Coffee & Biscuits. Details: [email protected] Thursday 14th March: Carl Sadler with ‘Trug making by ‘Serenade & Sandwiches’ series. www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events Wednesday 13th March: DEMENTIA FRIENDS SESSION: a miserable old trugger’ REGULAR FRIDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at 7pm at The Riverside pub, Lechlade. Information from TUESDAYS Thursday 11th April: Spring show & plant sale Lucy: 07793 766794, [email protected], www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events Tuesdays 5th & 12th March: FAIRFORD ARTS SOCIETY: 1.30pm in Heritage Room at Fairford Community www.revitalisewithlucy.co.uk Centre. ‘Subject Portraits’. Visitors welcome £3. Info: Wednesday 27th March: THE ARTS SOCIETY 01367 850385 CORINIUM: 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, Chesterton Tuesday 26th March: COACH TO NATIONAL GALLERY:Lane Cirencester GL7 1YE. AGM & ‘The photographs of with Faringdon Art Society. £18 members, £21 non- Horace Nicholls, the world's first true photojournalist’ members plus exhibition charge, see with David Mallinson. Free parking & refreshments. Visitors £7. Info at www.theartssocietycorinium.org.uk www.nationalgallery.org.uk. Contact Shelagh 01367 241173, 07724 109778, [email protected] 2nd Wednesdays: LECHLADE GARDENING CLUB: 7.30pm in the new Memorial Hall. Membership is £5 per Tuesdays: LECHLADE ART SOCIETY: Demonstrations in annum, which gives you a 10% discount on plants at The Pavilion 2-4pm. Refreshments. Non-members £4. Burford Garden Centre & 50% off Suttons seeds. Entry New members welcome & most demos are followed by to a meeting is £2 for members & £3 for visitors who are a ‘sign up’ workshop by the artist. Details: Janice always welcomed. www.lechladegardeningclub.org.uk. Mitchell: [email protected], Contact: 01367 253309 or 01367 252286 www.lechladeartsociety.co.uk. Check the LAS website for any last-minute changes. Large free carpark Wednesday 13th March: ‘The curious history of vegetables’ with Bill Laws Tuesday 12th March: Glass Art with Liz Spurway REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS: See the full listing at Tuesday 16th April: Calligraphic Art with Simon Sonsino www.ripplesmag.co.uk/events 1st Tuesdays: FAIRFORD & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE (U3A): 2.30pm in the Palmer Hall. THURSDAYS Membership secretary, Sue Jonson: 01285 713756, Thursday 7th March: FAIRFORD ARTS SOCIETY: 7.30pm [email protected] in Farmor Room at Fairford Community Centre. A Working Evening with Sallie Seymour. Raffle & coffee, Tuesday 5th March: ‘The Incredible World of the Honey visitors welcome £3 Bee’ with Steve Moll of Brightwell Bees Thursdays 21st & 28th March: FAIRFORD ARTS Tuesday 2nd April: AGM + ‘Dads Underground Army’ SOCIETY: 1.30pm in Heritage Room at Fairford with Bill King about British Resistance at Coleshill House Community Centre. ‘Subject Portraits’. Visitors welcome 1st Tuesdays: LECHLADE WI: 7pm in the Memorial Hall. £3. Info: 1367 850385 Contact Carolyn: 01367 252461 and Twitter Thursday 21st March: ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BINGO: In The @LechladeWI New Inn, Lechlade in aid of Lechlade Little Learners

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CONTACT NUMBERS Police NON-EMERGENCY 101 Medical NON-EMERGENCY 111 Police, Fire, Ambulance EMERGENCY 999 Gas EMERGENCY 0800 111999 Electricity EMERGENCY 08000 727282 Water EMERGENCY 0845 920 0800 Samaritans 0845 7909090 LAW AND ORDER CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555111 DOCTORS LIBRARIES HILLARY COTTAGE SURGERY 01285 712377 FAIRFORD LIBRARY 01285 712599 LECHLADE MEDICAL CENTRE 01367 252264PRIMARY SCHOOLS HIGHWORTH LIBRARY 01793 463500 FLYING START NURSERY SCHOOL LECHLADE 01285 711711LIBRARYHIGHWAYS,& STREET LIGHTING 01367 252631 08000 514514 HOSPITALS DOWN AMPNEY PRIMARY 01793 750294 KEMPSFORD PRE-SCHOOL 01285 811000PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY 01452 425577 FAIRFORD PRIMARY 01285 712543 CHELTENHAM GENERAL HOSPITAL 03004 222 222 LECHLADE LITTLE LEARNERS PUBLIC 01367 TRANSPORT 250278 HATHEROP CASTLE (PRIVATE) 01285 750206 CIRENCESTER HOSPITAL 0300 421 6200 MANOR FARM NURSERY COMMUNITY 07760 788081 BUS 01285 713852 HATHEROP PRIMARY 01285 750318 FAIRFORD HOSPITAL 0300 421 6470 FIRST GREAT WESTERN 0845 748 4950 KEMPSFORD PRIMARY 01285 810367 GLOUCESTER ROYAL HOSPITAL 0300 422 2222 MEGA BUS 0900 160 0900 SOUTHROP PRIMARY 01367 850246 GREAT WESTERN HOSPITAL 01793 604020 NATIONAL RAIL ENQUIRIES 0845 748 4950 ST CHRISTOPHER’S, LANGFORD 01367 860318 STAGECOACH ST LAWRENCE, LECHLADE 01367 252356 JOHN RADCLIFFE OXFORD HOSPITAL 0300 304 7777 NATIONAL TRAVELINE 0871 200 2233 SOCIAL SERVICES CITIZENS ADVICE (COTSWOLDS) 0808 800SECONDARY 0511 SCHOOLS VILLAGE HALLS CITIZENS ADVICE (SWINDON) 0844 488BURFORD 4114 SCHOOL 01993 823303DOWN AMPNEY 01793 751429 TRADING STANDARDS FARMOR’S SCHOOL 01285 712302FAIRFORD COMMUNITY CENTRE 01285 711571 GLOUCESTERSHIRE TRADING RECREATION KELMSCOTT VILLAGE HALL 01367 252403 STANDARDS 01452 426201 KEMPSFORD VILLAGE HALL 01285 810478 COTSWOLD LEISURE CENTRE, KENCOTT VILLAGE HALL 01367 860516 COLLEGES CIRENCESTER 01285 654057LANGFORD VILLAGE HALL 01367 860509 FAIRFORD SPORTS CENTRE 01285 713786 CIRENCESTER COLLEGE 01285 640994 LECHLADE MEMORIAL HALL 01367 253325 FARINGDON LEISURE CENTRE 01367 241755 HARTPURY COLLEGE 01452 702132 MARSTON MEYSEY 01285 810615 HIGHWORTH REC 01793 762602 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 01285 652531 MEYSEY HAMPTON 01285 851084 PALMER HALL, FAIRFORD 01285 712189 PRE-SCHOOLS COUNCILS POULTON VILLAGE HALL 01285 850217 BROADSHIRES PRE-SCHOOL 01367 860729COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL 01285 623000QUENINGTON VILLAGE HALL DOWN AMPNEY PRE-SCHOOL 07706 726865FAIRFORD TOWN COUNCIL 01285 712344 [email protected] FAIRFORD PRE-SCHOOL 01285 712543 EXTGLOUCESTERSHIRE 210 CC 01452 425000 FILKINS NURSERY 01285 860594LECHLADE TOWN COUNCIL 01367 252338

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