April 20 20

The ages come and the ages go, Still on the hill the primroses grow, Linking us up with times gone by, Decking the graves where our ancestors lie. I wonder if primroses grew just the same In those far-off days when the Romans came, When in our village long years they stayed And on our hill their camp they made. I wonder if they felt the same delight As we in this lovely springtime sight. And when we are no more they’ll be blooming still These primroses sweet on our old church hill. Mary Bruton

4ward Community magazine for Oldbury, Shepperdine, Kington and Rockhampton www.oos4ward.plus.com

EDITOR Chris Tymko, Fisherman’s Cottage, Cowhill, BS35 1QJ. Tel: 412152

PRINTED BY Oldbury Deckers Tel: 01454 412153

4Ward is an independent community magazine and material is published at the discretion of the editor. Articles for next month's edition should reach the editor or email [email protected]

NO LATER THAN 20 th OF THIS MONTH

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Advertising contact Rob King 07494209222 Email: [email protected]

Oldbury Community Website www.oldburyonsevern.org.uk

Oldbury Memorial Hall 01454 413380 Contact: Karen Porter 07986 931893 [email protected]

Church Contacts

Thornbury & Oldbury www.arildachurcholdbury.co.uk office 01454 281900 Wed, Thurs, Fri mornings Methodist www.thornburymethodist.org.uk Revd Simon Edwards 01454 418176 [email protected] Rockhampton Parish office 01454 260096 www.croftt.org.uk Christ The King Thornbury 01454 412223 www.ctk-thornbury.org.uk Morton Baptist Church 01454 413200 Willie Grey 01453 810491 Hilary Grigg Editorial

Who could have imagined how life could change so much in less than a month? When it all started, I kept thinking it was a dream and that I must tell someone how weird it was when I woke up, but now - well it’s the new normal. It’s so extraordinary how everyone has adapted to these simply enormous changes in social interaction which are required of us and the restrictions of our long cherished freedoms, but I suppose the ties that hold society together are not easily broken and as long as we all feel that it’s for the greater good and that it won’t be forever, then we all just get on with it.

It was a challenge updating the mag, as more and more events were cancelled, until we removed the calendar page altogether, but in spite of everything we have a great Easter edition for you with articles by both the Revd Tom and the Revd Joy, safely back from California. We have the penultimate part of Miss Bruton’s Oldbury, with her lovely poem on the front cover, and the conclusion of George Woollard’s account of life on the barges, with more of his wonderful sketches. We are all hoping he is spending his time in isolation writing another Severn saga about his life as a river pilot. For young and old alike we have a 4-page pull-out of puzzles cleverly compiled by Ruth Riddle together with an Easter egg hunt and a new feature - a colouring page designed especially for us by Lorna Page. Also, instructions to make your own Easter Garden which is I think the only item in 4ward that is not entirely original as we adapted it from the internet.

Sadly, we have taken the decision that this will be the last monthly edition of 4ward for a while as with life on hold for the duration, and problems with distribution, it just seems impossible. When I have warned people of this they have been dismayed and pleaded with us to carry on brightening their day. So all I can say is this - there won’t be a May edition but we may be able to compile a special edition in the coming months if people have something to share, even if we just produce an online version only. This is the chance to write your memoirs, like Mary Bruton and George Woollard, or send in tips for coping with isolation, musings on the general situation perhaps, or like Ian Bell, words you find inspiring to help us all get through. Send anything you like to [email protected] or post it directly to me, - my address is on the front inside page of the magazine’s cover.

I can’t finish without paying a tribute to the wonderful team of volunteers who so far have kept our Community Shop open, it’s been a lifeline for many, and may become even more important in the days to come, thank you all.

Until then, from all of us at 4ward, take care, stay safe and well, and we’ll be back when this is all over. Chris and the team *Neighbourhood Development Plan Update*

The Neighbourhood Plan Engagement Day notified in the March edition of 4ward planned for the 28th March, did not go ahead due to the current virus restrictions. These are troublesome times and we were unable to get the cancelation message round to all and apologise to anyone who did come to the Memorial Hall on the day.

Depending on what happens regarding social distancing etc., looking into the future we intend to stage the engagement event again at an appropriate time, so that members of our community can view and discuss the plan face to face.

The formal consultation will continue until the 27th April as there is no need for personal contact to read and complete the response form if so desired, although you will need to read the plan online and we understand that not all have access to this. http://www.oldburyonsevern.org.uk/

It is early days for the situation which we find ourselves in and we will not be moving to the formal submission stage for the foreseeable future.

Keep safe, best wishes, Barry Turner (Secretary to the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group)

Shop Spot

In these very difficult times, with our wonderful volunteer support, we have managed to keep the Shop open. We have however reduced our opening hours to from 9am to 12 noon each day.

We have also set up a home delivery service for those people in full isolation serving Kington, Oldbury, Nupdown and Shepperdine. People phone the Shop in the morning ( 01454501090 ) with their details and their list of items, and we then endeavour to deliver in the afternoons. Payment is by BACS or cheque. We can’t promise to have everything, but we will do our best to help the people in the Local Community.

We are reviewing daily our ability to stay open and would thank both our existing, and importantly the new, volunteers who have stepped forward to help.

At the moment we have plenty of bread, eggs, milk and a steady flow of fresh veg and meat from our two local butchers.

So finally, to all our customers, members, suppliers and volunteers please keep safe and well. Chris Awde An Expression of Thanks

We all know the parlous times that we currently are being forced to live in due to the Covid-19 virus that is sweeping the country. The situation is much like the impositions of WW2 in the issues that it raises. Whilst not quite the same they are, nevertheless, hugely impactive on all our lives.

Due to my recent return from the USA I am forced into staying away from people. Jane, as a chronic asthmatic, is in far greater danger.

All have rallied around us and offered the utmost help and especially to Jane. Because of this we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everybody in all that they are doing to help us in the current tough times.

Most know that I am a great lover of wordsmiths and I would like to end by quoting two who, amongst many words, made single specific statements that suit this occasion.

Shakespeare: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!”

Churchill: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Thank you all so very much. Jane Perkins & Ian Bell

Oldbury Cricket Club

It is most likely that the early 2020 fixtures, including the Village Knock Out competition, will be affected by the Corona Virus outbreak. How far this will go into the season is not certain but hopefully we will have better news by the end of April.

At present the 150th anniversary dinner is still to be held on 15th August and any decision to cancel this event will depend on developments in the coming weeks.

For further information regarding the Club situation please contact myself on 01454 413380 or Charlie Keedwell on 07909 982432 . Gerald Porter President OOSVCC

Severn Vale Crib League 2019/20

As with other major sporting events, the Severn Vale Crib League has closed for the current season due to the Corona Virus outbreak. Crib has not been recognised as an Olympic sport and the decision to cancel this year’s Olympiad will not duly affect our members. Hopefully crib will recommence in September for the 2020/21 season. Gerald Porter Oldbury on Severn Memorial Hall - Covid-19

In accordance with Government guidelines, during the current health crisis the Memorial Hall will be closed to all activities, including formal meetings, for the foreseeable future. The situation will be kept under constant review but please assume that the full Hall Management Meeting due to be held at the end of June will not now take place. A tentative programme of Hall and EMC meetings has been under consideration but has now been overtaken by events. New meeting dates will be issued in due course once the position is clearer.

In the meantime, stay well everyone.

Iris Pitman, Secretary / Memorial Hall Management Committee

Oldbury On Severn - Memorial Hall 100 Club March 2020 – Draw Winners

1st prize. £20 Margot Goldie 2nd prize. £15 Matthew Riddle 3rd prize. £10 Carole Dyke 4th prize. £10 Carolyn Watkins

Oldbury on Severn – Memorial Hall 100 Club

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we cannot undertake the draw in a public forum, and have therefore postponed it until further notice.

Members will be kept informed of developments through 4ward and the Community website news desk. ( http://www.oldburyonsevern.org.uk/ )

News from your local South Councillors

South Gloucestershire Council are temporarily changing some services to help fight Coronavirus. Full details are at www.southglos.gov.uk/coronavirus but changes include only collecting recycling & food waste on normal black bin dates, and suspending garden waste collections and payments for this.

As your councillors for Severn Vale ward, I would like personally to reassure you that both I and my colleague Cllr Keith Burchell are available to help you find any information you might need on council services or the assistance available from voluntary groups at this challenging time. Our contact details are below – might I suggest contacting me in the first instance as I live geographically closer to most readers of 4ward, but if I am not available then Keith is always equally willing and able to help you. Matthew: 413263 / 07877413298 / [email protected] Keith: 617135 / 07860181192 / [email protected] Best wishes, Cllr Matthew Riddle Miss Bruton’s Oldbury - Part 15: Lanes, Yarns and Odd Bits

Oldbury specialises in lanes, hard ones and soft ones, but it is the soft ones you’ll remember longest if you get ensnared by them – don’t venture any time later than the blackberry season – the time for lane walking is over. The lanes and footpaths used to be in constant use, but now many of them are overgrown, unwanted and not even known. The old path by the Brickyard called ‘The Fisherman’s Walk’ is now in places impassable. The fishermen now use cars or bicycles.

There is Westmarsh Lane (local pronunciation ‘Mish-mash’ and I have heard it called ‘Wish-wash’) where there used to be a little cottage called ‘Egypt’. The children from that cottage were all given the title of ‘Pharaoh’. There is a place on the Severn bank towards Shepperdine called ‘Canada’ and a local paper, being hard up for exciting news, stated that a pigeon had been known to fly from Canada to Egypt.

There was the old chap who was strolling round the village one weekday, and when asked why he was not at work replied ‘Well, ‘tis like this – when I woke up this morning I thought it was Sunday and I didn’t like to disappoint myself.’

There was the old lady who lived in a cottage where there was no garden and she used to waylay the children to fetch her half an ounce of ‘bacca’ because she had a man coming to do her garden. She was sometimes seen smoking a little old black pipe. And there was the man who had a lorry and chalked up the words FOR HIRE on the back, to find some days later that it had been changed to FOR FIRE

Rifle Shooting

In the 1890s the Old Volunteers used to practise firing on the wharf using Martini Henry rifles. They wore uniform and a number came from Thornbury. The target was by the mouth of the Pill, and the man who kept score stood in an old boiler close by. The range was 100 yards from the Pill head with shorter distances along the wharf.

There is a good story told of the time when a party of them had been to and were coming home at about midnight at a time when the Militia were in camp at the Barracks field at Horfield. This little party from Oldbury had their bugler with them, and someone said ‘Go it, George, sound the alarm!’ And George did! Suddenly the whole camp was like a swarm of bees, and there was a tremendous amount of enquiries – but they never found out who did it. The Pound

The Pound, now open to the road, was until 1920 enclosed by a high wall all round with an entrance gate near the pillar box, and was used to impound stray cattle, the owner having to pay a fine to get them released. A wee little cottage used to stand where the chapel schoolroom now is, and an old lady lived there who at one time was in charge of the Pound, and when trade was slack she used to get up very early, open the gate and entice cattle in.

The ‘wee’ cottage on the Pound and the Chapel next door.

The Wesleyan Chapel

In the old days the congregation used to sit on forms, but there was one large square pew which was reached by two steps and where one of the members sat leading the singing by playing on ‘a fiddle’s grandfather’ (the double bass). A schoolroom was added in 1898, and an extension made in 1920 when a stable was built and a yard made. A further extension was made in 1949 when on the land occupied by the stable and yard a new schoolroom was built.

Of past scholars one, Sam Day, became mayor of Bath, and Dr Dorothy Staley went as a missionary to the Fiji islands and was later presented to the Queen in Australia.

The Smithy

The smithy used to be beyond the Memorial Hall, at a house where the smith made a gate using his initials ‘W.P.’ in the design.

The smithy is now called “The Old Forge” and Wally Poole, who wasn’t a smith, used to live there but it was his gate and he took it with him when he moved further up Camp Road to “The Villa.”

Here at 4ward we tracked down the actual gate to Shepperdine where it is loved and treasured by Wally’s granddaughter Trina Hedges who kindly sent us this photo. She told us the gate had actually been made by William Phipps, the blacksmith who lived at “The Forge” which was situated between the Pound and the Ship Inn. During WW1 William Phipps was employed by the War Office to make mule shoes there. The forge had to be demolished, but his grandson John Phipps still lives in the house. The Saw Pit

There was an old saw-pit which used to be halfway between Pill Head and the Pound. There was a shed over the pit and this was a popular rendez- vous for lads on wet evenings, especially on Sundays. The saw-pit used to be in regular use and two fine sawyers worked there, the steady rhythm of their long cross-cut saw was a well known sound in Oldbury. Timber sticks were stacked all along by the road side, and across the road the fine old farm wagons were made. (The saw pit is still there, protected by a picket fence, just behind the Community Shop.)

Miss Bruton doesn’t mention it, but the workshop across the road where the farm wagons were made was the Bruton’s workshop. Her father Charles Bruton is the tall man standing on the left in the bowler hat. Her grandfather Eli, also wearing a bowler hat, is seated on the end of the front row. This photo probably dates from some time before WW1 when the firm was in its heyday employing several men.

Allan Knapp took over the workshop shortly after WW2. The brick building with its big wooden doors is still there today and has hardly changed in all that time. Post Office

There was no post office in Oldbury until 1870, and only one pillar box, which was near the turnings to Thornbury and Shepperdine. A postman walked from Thornbury with the letters each morning. The first post office was at the first house across the bridge to Pullin’s Green. The telephone came to Oldbury in 1920. Electricity was installed in 1954, and mains water in 1957.

The Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall was built in 1922 by public subscription and a number of functions to further it, the largest contributor being the Women’s Institute. It was built as a memorial to the men who fell in the first world war, but has since been extended and made the memorial for the second world war as well. In 1957 the local branch of the British Legion presented new iron gates. Electricity and water have been laid on and it is in every way a great boon to the parish.

The Women’s Institute

The first meeting of the Women’s Institute was held on January 22nd 1919, and it was a great success from the start. The first meetings were held in a building at Albion House which was then used as a Young Men’s Club, so members had to sit around the billiard table. Membership grew, and a move was made to the upper part of a building which had been a carpenter’s shop nearby. Now meetings are held in the Memorial Hall.

The most outstanding piece of work done was the making and equipping of a wonderful dolls’ house which was exhibited at the Imperial Institute in London, where it was awarded the Gold Star, the highest award. It was a timber-framed house and everything in it was made to the exact scale of one inch to a foot. So accurately was this kept that if one put one’s face close to the doorway and looked in it immediately seemed to become a full-sized house: one felt one could enter and walk up the stairs. This eventually went to the Children’s Hospital in Bristol, and during the second world war was bombed.

A framed photograph of the award-winning doll’s house is still on display in the Memorial Hall.

An Odd Item

The only ‘person’ from Oldbury ever to broadcast, so far as I know, was Sir Wilfred Ballantyne – and - he was - a guinea pig! He belonged to the sister of one of our rectors, and performed one day in Children’s Hour from London, but we thought he had stage fright. He was also brought to the Imperial Institute to see the Women’s Institute dolls’ house, and was a bother, as for an hour he made a serious counter-attraction. Mary Bruton Hot Gossip

We had such a good turnout for our trial afternoon tea soirée, with over thirty attending, and from the feedback it would appear that everybody enjoyed themselves. I would just like to thank everybody once again for making a memorable and enjoyable afternoon with plenty of 'Hot Gossip!' Due to the shutdown of social events relating to present circumstances, the next Hot Gossip afternoon has been postponed. As soon as social gatherings are acceptable again, I will arrange another date. Stay safe everyone!! Jan Willcox

Oldbury Pigeon Hello readers!

Just a very quick message from us to say a big “well done” to all our children for each doing their own bit to keep everyone safe by doing the right things! We know that this is a really difficult time for everyone, and especially for our Year 6 children, but we are thinking about all of you, and we know that you will find inventive, safe and healthy ways to play and learn at home with your families until we can see you again in school.

Stay safe everyone!

Church Services – suspended until further notice.

One church, in many homes

As many of you will know already, services and acts of public worship are currently suspended, following government advice. That means there are no services in our local churches over the Easter period.

For worship resources, simple bits of liturgy, prayers and words of encouragement follow the St Mary’s Church, Thornbury, Facebook page, or 'friend' the Benefice Clergy. Both can be found using [email protected] . We will also try to keep things up to date on the thornburycofe.org.uk website. For anyone not online, if we can provide pastoral support, help, or prayer please let me know, either by contacting the office (01454 281900 ) or Revd Joy (01454 853646 ). We are doing our best to build and support community as we look towards Easter in our own homes, and we don’t want anybody left coping alone.

Easter is such an important time in our Church year, and that is equally true this year! We remember Maundy Thursday when Jesus ate supper with his friends - and we think of those eating alone, or worried about their next meal. We remember Good Friday when Jesus died - and how God is with us through all of life, even the toughest times. And we look to Easter Sunday as we look and pray for new life and hope for the world.

An order for trying out lectio divina at home:

This is a really simple way to follow the Easter story, alone, or with others, with very little preparation but hopefully real impact.

Choose a short passage from the Bible for the day and a quiet place to sit. Consider lighting a candle, and spending the first minute or so in quiet, to make the space special. Then, read your chosen passage slowly, out loud. At the end pick out one word, or couple of words, that really stood out for you. Leave a pause. Read the passage again, this time picking out the phrase that stands out for you. Then, feel free to explore why, or to pray about what you find in it. Or you might just want to sit with it for a while and let God speak. At the end consider closing with a simple prayer such as the Grace:

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, Amen.

Wishing you all a blessed and life-giving Easter, Revd Joy Home from California

Huge thanks to everyone for their kind prayers and messages as I returned home from the States. It was earlier than planned but I still managed an incredible five weeks in sunny California. I returned a week early just in case they cancelled flights. The day after I flew, the town I’d been in was told to go into complete isolation and transport to the airport was cancelled. So, I got home just in time!

I was out there strengthening links between our diocese and the diocese of El Camino Real, a long, thin, diocese running down the coast of California from outside San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. It was a working placement, and while I was there I was definitely kept busy! I was part of conversations about the ‘emerging Church’ in America (what we might call ‘fresh expressions’). That meant meeting with plenty of millennial churchgoers at dinner parties, and exploring sports ministry (which was an interesting reflection for future game playing with the Thornbury ladies rugby team). I helped with various outreach initiatives (including the incredible Santa Maria Urban Ministry hub) seeing how the diocese helps care for the poorest members of their communities. I had experience of 'Ashes to Go' on Ash Wednesday at the San Jose campus (where I had my first ever experience of blessing someone carrying a gun when a number of the campus police turned up). And, as always, I was kept busy on Sundays preaching and presiding in churches across the diocese. (You can hear some of these sermons on the websites of St Timothy's, Mountain View and St Stephen's, San Luis Obispo).

If anyone is worried that amid all that work I missed opportunities to see the sights - no fear! Some incredibly generous families hosted me there. While staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea, San Jose and San Luis Obispo I managed to:

· put my feet in the ocean many times (and saw the otters) · walk in Redwoods in Big Sur and Big Basin · walk on the Golden Gate bridge · ride a cable car · take the obligatory photos outside Facebook and Google · drink plenty of wine · and eat several of San Francisco’s famous Ghirardelli sundaes!

I had a wonderful time! So, thank you to all those who made it possible for me to go, and for the welcome home again; it is good to be back. The journey back was definitely an interesting one, with a plane full of people trying to get home to and places across Europe before borders closed. Do please think of those struggling to get home to loved ones in this difficult time. In the day following my departure, the towns I had been staying in had all been told to shelter in place, and all travel and transport had been suspended. I continue to keep in touch with many of the people I met during my trip, and many of them are still isolated and living in communities that have been heavily hit by the virus. They, like us, have so many stories about the kindness and compassion being lived out in their towns at the moment, but they are also finding life really hard. As we continue to pray for those we know and love, do please remember also to send up prayer for people around the world who are also struggling at this time.

Generous God, fill us with compassion and concern for others, young and old, that we may look after one another in these challenging days. Bring healing to those who are sick with the virus and be with their families. Comfort the family and friends of those who have died, and hold them in your eternal rest. Strengthen and protect all medical professionals caring for the sick and all who work in our medical facilities. Give wisdom to leaders in healthcare and governance that they may make the right decisions for the well-being of people. We pray in gratitude for all those in our country, and all the countries of our world, who will continue to work in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us all. Bless them and keep them safe. Amen. Revd Joy

California 2020

Christian Comment - Watch and Pray

Easter is fast approaching and I’m sure we are wondering how we will observe Holy Week and our Easter celebrations. Clearly with all our churches closed due to the Coronavirus restrictions it will be an unusual time. But, let us not be in too much of a hurry to get there. We still have a few days left in Lent to watch and pray.

As Jesus waited in Gethsemane for all that was to unfold over that weekend, he told his disciples to watch and pray, but they fell asleep. There is much for us to pray about as we wait for Easter, particularly the effects of the virus, not only on our health, but also on the economy, and our social structures. At the end of each of our services at St Arilda’s we look out from the door over Oldbury and Shepperdine and pray for our community, the shop, pub, sailing club and our whole community, young and old, newcomers and long-time residents. Just because the Church building is not open it does not mean that we stop praying for all of that.

Like Jesus’ disciples in Gethsemane we don’t know what will come after the waiting and prayer, or what the after effects of the virus will bring, but we trust that God’s purposes will be fulfilled just as they were on that first Easter. The disciples watched and prayed as they waited for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As we watch and pray, are we also ready to respond as they did to God’s call? What is God calling you to do? How can you get involved in your local community? Watch and pray as you keep your Lent observance, celebrate the joy that Easter brings, and then respond by offering what you can of your time and talents to support your local church, community, and those in need, and make this a place where all are welcome and God’s love is known. Revd Tom

April 2020 at Thornbury Library

All Council libraries are now closed - including Open Access - due to COVID-19. Loan periods have been extended until 1 July and no fines will be charged during this period.

Library members can continue to download free eBooks, eAudiobooks and latest issues of 100+ bestselling magazines 24/7. Please visit: bit.ly/d1gitalLibraryServices [Note the digit “1” instead of an “i” in “d1gital”.]

To log in to our digital services you'll need your borrower number (on your library membership card) and for some of the services, your PIN.

Don’t know your PIN? Use the ‘Forgot my PIN’ option on the log in screen which will send an email with re-set instructions to the email address we hold on your record. Colouring (for young or old!) kindly created for us by Lorna Page

How to make an Easter Garden You will need:  A shallow tray or dish  Moss  Small flower pot  Small sticks or twigs  Garden soil or potting compost  String  Gravel or small stones  Some small flowers  Flat round stone large enough to cover the mouth of the pot

1. Place the flower pot on its side on the tray (this will be the tomb) and cover most of the tray (including over the side of the flower pot) with soil, making a hill side on one side of the tray. 2. Fill in the gap with gravel to make a path leading from the open tomb. 3. Place the stone over the mouth of the tomb. 4. Cover all the soil with moss. 5. Make three crosses with the sticks and secure them with bits of string. Stick them into the top of the “hill”. If one cross is biggest, use it as the central cross to represent the cross on which Jesus was crucified. 6. Plant small flowers in the moss or arrange in water in small containers. 7. On Easter Sunday roll the stone away to show that Jesus has risen!

Hill & Rockhampton WI – March Report

Our President welcomed everyone to our March meeting. She asked everyone to make sure they kept in contact with each other during this difficult period. There was severe doubt as to whether our April meeting could take place due to the Coronavirus restrictions being placed on us.

Our speaker was Norah Kennedy who gave us a talk and demonstration on willow basket making. Norah has been making baskets for many years and also runs courses for the WI at Denman College. She explained the different parts of the willow and some of the equipment she uses. She felt that many of these names would be useful during a game of Scrabble. As well as her own baskets Norah also showed us some of her own collection that had come from all over the world. The precise work in making these was amazing. One in particular had a clay lining; we could not guess its use. Norah explained that hot coals were put in the clay pot and the basket was then used as a heater. At the end of her talk, Norah had produced a small basket that she generously gave for our raffle.

Since writing the above report, Rockhampton Village Hall has been closed indefinitely. This does mean that we have had to cancel our April centenary tea and are unlikely to meet again for several months so this will be my last report for a while, although I will continue to send in the snippets. The President and Secretary will keep in touch with all our members and will let everyone know when Institute meetings can restart.

Ann Jones, Institute Secretary More WI Snippets - 1940’s - the War Years

These snippets seem all the more appropriate right now. At this difficult time, we need to invoke the spirit of the Blitz, follow government advice, take care of each other and, above all, stay calm.

1940 - Mrs Banner took over with a debate in May: “Should married women take paid jobs”. Mrs Pullin spoke for and Mrs N. Witts against.

In 1941 the WI became 21 years old. Each member agreed to donate an ingredient for the cake. 332lbs of jam and 23lbs of chutney were made, mostly plum. Subs were raised from 2 shillings to 3 shillings.

1943 the debate was “Should husbands have the savings from the housekeeping money”. members were for the wives and Hill & Rockhampton for the husbands. The Husbands won by 1 vote.

Mrs Kitson went to London to the Annual General meeting and during the same year jumble sales were held in the village to send comfort to our village members in the forces.

1944 and Mrs Lanham became president and Mr Knapp gave the institute basket making classes. Mrs Lanham’s house was also used as a depot for Cod Liver Oil.

There was a story about Mrs Lanham and a German airman. After a night of bombing over , Mr Lanham was patrolling Sunday’s Hill in his capacity as Home Guard and came across a German airman – cold, wet, frightened and about 19 years old. He had come down in the woods. He was dutifully taken home and the Police were called who came down on his bike from Falfield. He found the said airman sitting in Mrs Lanham’s kitchen having breakfast. The airman was then relieved of his gun.

During this time talks were held on the declining birth rate; how to make wedge heeled slippers; and the Bristol Tramway Co was invited so the ladies could ask for a better Bus service. There is no record if this ploy worked!

1949 refreshments were back to pre-war spreads. A link to Australia was made, and they sent the WI eight tins of meat. Mrs Phillips the new President must have been delighted.

Rockhampton Village Hall 100 Club

March draw winners were:-

Ann & Geoff Jones £15 Jane Sprackman £10 Stan Hedges £ 5 Charles Eardley-Wilmot £ 5

Please note that Rockhampton Village Hall will be Closed Until Further Notice due to the Coronavirus “Life influenced by our ” Further Grist

One balmy Autumn morning bound downriver for we were moored at quay waiting to lock up into the docks, and canal. To kill time, our “driver” ambled back along the quay to a nearby scrap yard to see if he could find anything of interest. Later he returned with, of all things, an artificial leg. Winking to me he said “we can have a bit of fun with this”, and hid it in a cabin locker.

Sure enough, on our way down the canal he came forward where I was painting the fore bulwarks, sneaked down below, and came back up with the object under his jacket. “You nip down below when the Skipper’s not looking, and await developments.” All very mysterious.

Ducking down behind the forward hatch he passed a few turns of mooring rope around the leg, and hung it over the bow with just the ankle and foot showing pointing up in the air. Still hiding behind the hatch he let out a loud, wild cry. The Skipper looked up from the wheelhouse, and went into “panic” mode. Blasting on the siren, and shouting, he drove the barge into the bank, and ran forward, calling for the “driver”.

I came up from the cabin feigning innocence, to witness his rage as he discovered the driver behind the hatch doubled up with laughter, and me, trying to keep a straight face. “You right pair of “b——-s” he fumed, “that was no joke”. But even he began to grin when he saw the trick played on other crews later. The main perpetrator even went ashore one evening wearing a long Mac., and did the old three-legged walk into the Pub. Eventually, tiring of the false leg’s potential, he tossed it into the hold of an empty timber lighter as we passed.

There was an unexpected sequel to this incident. We learned, on a later trip, that a stranger had been seen hobbling around Sharpness, and Newtown, and when a docker found the abandoned leg, speculation ran rife. The Police, including detectives, were called out and combed the area for a one-legged body...... “Schtum!” was the watchword for some time. One day, on a following trip, I unintentionally got into the Skipper’s bad books again. Heading up River above Tewkesbury and keeping over to the starboard side of the Channel, deep loaded, I met one of Harkers larger barges coming downstream at full speed. It was customary to acknowledge other passing vessels, and so I waved, and gave a series of short blasts on the siren, which he responded to. The Skipper, down below having a meal, must have thought, “what’s that silly kid up to now” and dashed up the companion way sticking his head and shoulders above the hatch. His timing was immaculate, for at that moment the wash of the other vessel hit our bow, and like a mini tsunami flushed him back down below. A dripping figure re-appeared, and I was subjected to a clenched fist salute. My relief at the wheel was somewhat delayed that day. George W.

As a footnote to the foregoing accounts, I was, at first, reluctant to take part, but was persuaded by Chris to “have a go”.

Unexpectedly, and much to my surprise, the experience was quite rewarding as old, forgotten memories surfaced in an ageing brain, and the period of my entry into adult life in a different World came to light. The gradual realisation that what was taken for granted in the mid-fifties on our unique River has all gone, swept away by “progress”.

The men, many from families who had worked the River and associated waterways for generations, gone and all but forgotten. Of the hundreds, a few names of the persons who made such an impression on me, and some of their vessels were...... The late Fred Larkham, Bernie Price, “Budgie” Reece, Belgie Phillips, Dougie Mears, “Skannel” Smith, “Popeye”, “Moscow”, Walter Butt, “Curly” Kingscot and his son, Danny, “Cocker”, “Ticker”, Oscar, “Ear’oles”, Colin Cook, and many, many more, characters all. Some remembered craft, regular River traders, “Sunrisen”, “River King”, the “Pisgah”, “Nigel”, “Wickliff”, “Denby”, and “Severn Collier”, all cargo barges, powered, and dumb. “Pisgah” used to carry grain from Avonmouth up to a mill at Pershore, Worcs. on the Avon. “River King”, and “Sunrisen” still plied the tidal river on suitable tides up to Gloucester, thus avoiding canal dues and delays. “River King” still exists as a pleasure craft at Stourport-on-Severn.

This way of life must have affected me more than I realised at the time, for after a stint deep-sea, and the start of a budding career, I returned to our River working in tugs, employed in towage between Avonmouth, Bristol, and Gloucester, and assisting ships manoeuvring in Sharpness Docks. Eventually, after five interesting years at Oldbury Power Station, I was privileged to be accepted as a trainee Channel Pilot, and settled to a fascinating life for the last twenty seven years of my working life back on our great River. Again, “never a dull moment”.

Recently, I read in a modern guide to inland waterways, a description of present day Stourport-on-Severn which included the following, and I quote,...... “Stourport Marina reflects the Severn’s present day emphasis on leisure, but it would be nice if Harkers, and Regent Oils petrol barges still plied the River”.

With our ever busier and crowded motorways, it would indeed be “nice” if our once busy waterways could somehow be re-utilised.

Best Wishes, George Woollard. Tide Table : Inward Rocks, River Severn. April 2020

Day High High High Moon Sunrise Sunset Low Low 1:12 AM 8:24 AM 1:39 PM 8:50 PM Wed First 6:44 AM 7:44 PM BST / 9.22 BST / BST / 8.84 BST / Quarter BST BST 1 m 2.36 m m 2.71 m 4:39 AM 11:52 AM 5:22 PM Sat 6:38 AM 7:49 PM BST / 8.09 BST / BST / 8.26 BST BST 4 m 2.70 m m 12:29 AM 5:56 AM 1:05 PM 6:30 PM Sun 6:35 AM 7:51 PM BST / BST / 8.76 BST / BST / 9.16 BST BST 5 2.63 m m 2.10 m m 3:28 AM 8:35 AM 3:53 PM 8:58 PM Wed Full 6:29 AM 7:56 PM BST / BST / BST / - BST / Moon BST BST 8 0.35 m 12.22 m 0.13 m 12.48 m 5:00 AM 10:02 AM 5:22 PM 10:24 PM Fri 6:24 AM 7:59 PM BST / - BST / BST / - BST / BST BST 10 0.54 m 13.35 m 0.63 m 13.18 m 5:42 AM 10:45 AM 6:04 PM 11:07 PM Sat 6:22 AM 8:01 PM BST / - BST / BST / - BST / BST BST 11 0.54 m 13.16 m 0.39 m 12.80 m 6:25 AM 11:30 AM 6:47 PM 11:52 PM Sun 6:20 AM 8:03 PM BST / - BST / BST / BST / BST BST 12 0.22 m 12.50 m 0.15 m 12.00 m 7:08 AM 12:17 PM 7:30 PM Mon 6:18 AM 8:04 PM BST / BST / BST / BST BST 13 0.37 m 11.47 m 0.89 m 12:41 AM 7:53 AM 1:09 PM 8:16 PM Tue Last 6:15 AM 8:06 PM BST / BST / BST / BST / Quarter BST BST 14 10.92 m 1.14 m 10.25 m 1.74 m 3:55 AM 11:05 AM 4:38 PM 11:47 PM Fri 6:09 AM 8:11 PM BST / 8.03 BST / BST / 7.74 BST / BST BST 17 m 2.95 m m 3.16 m 5:13 AM 12:31 PM 5:51 PM Sat 6:07 AM 8:13 PM BST / 7.91 BST / BST / 7.90 BST BST 18 m 2.82 m m 1:04 AM 6:19 AM 1:36 PM 6:49 PM Sun 6:05 AM 8:14 PM BST / BST / 8.29 BST / BST / 8.44 BST BST 19 2.85 m m 2.44 m m 3:52 AM 9:05 AM 4:10 PM 9:21 PM Thu New 5:56 AM 8:21 PM BST / BST / BST / BST / Moon BST BST 23 1.37 m 10.88 m 1.24 m 10.96 m 4:58 AM 10:08 AM 5:16 PM 10:23 PM Sat 5:52 AM 8:24 PM BST / BST / BST / BST / BST BST 25 1.07 m 11.35 m 1.12 m 11.28 m 5:32 AM 10:39 AM 5:51 PM 10:54 PM Sun 5:50 AM 8:26 PM BST / BST / BST / BST / BST BST 26 1.08 m 11.25 m 1.23 m 11.11 m 12:50 AM 8:11 AM 1:18 PM 8:36 PM Thu First 5:43 AM 8:33 PM BST / 9.57 BST / BST / 9.13 BST / Quarter BST BST 30 m 2.16 m m 2.50 m

Important information about this edition of 4ward!

Due to current restrictions on travel and exercise, this edition of 4ward has not been distributed as widely as is usual. Unfortunately, deliveries will not be made to Rockhampton and some of the outskirts of Oldbury parish which usually require car journeys – please do let people know! There are however three other ways to ensure everyone still gets a copy!

At www.oos4ward.plus.com you will always find links to the most recent few editions of 4ward, available to download for free . We also plan to provide an additional document for this edition, with just the puzzle and colouring pages, in case you want an easy way to print these out for others in your household to have their own copies to complete.

If anyone wants a copy of this special Easter edition posted to a friend or relative (especially if without the Internet at home) at no cost to you, we have spare copies, and plenty of UK stamps, purchased thanks to a very kind donation by The Shop. Please contact Vicky Collin on 01454 418244 or email [email protected] or write to her at: The Cottage, Pullens Green, Oldbury on Severn, BS35 1PW

Finally, grocery shoppers who have not received their copy by home delivery as usual will be able to pick one up from The Shop, but please do allow us a little longer to make our regular deliveries before doing so, as our deliverers can only distribute during their own daily exercise.

Once things are eventually back to normal, you will again be able to join our mailing list for a regular copy of 4ward by post in exchange for a book of 12 first class stamps each year – full details next time!

Rainfall

February 2020 February 2019 February 2018 192mm 45.5mm 28.0mm 7.56” 1.79” 1.10”

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