ISSUE NUMBER 203 “For and about the people of Berkeley” September 2012 Price 20p Welcome to the Berkeley Flyer Website The Berkeley Flyer is pleased to launch its new web site which is now available online at; www.theberkeleyflyer.co.uk From here you will be able to view all the back issues of the Flyer along with the latest edition. We have introduced a gallery for pictures of events around the Town and are hoping to start a collection of historic photos. If you have any that you would like to see on the site please send them to [email protected]. We’re now looking for ideas on what you would like to see on the website; we are already looking at a business directory, a local information page and will have links to other local organisations and attractions. If you would like to advertise your business or local event online please contact any member of the team for further details. If your business has a website, we can provide the link to this along with your advert. This will increase your online exposure and will also boost your search engine rankings. Please contact one of the Flyer team for more details on the cost of online advertising. The price of the Flyer has remained the same since the first edition was published but now, due to increasing costs, will have to rise to 30p with effect from January 2013, we hope that this will not deter you from buying a copy and will still continue to enjoy the newsletter. …After 45 years, a sad Farewell to the Berkeley Playgroup After running in Berkeley for 45 years, and being based in the grounds of the Primary school for the last 22 years, the children and staff at Berkeley Playgroup marked the end of their last ever term with a thank you and farewell party in the Town Hall. After being told that they could no longer use their building the playgroup committee considered a number of options. With news that the Primary School was launching their own preschool in September it was felt that the town could not sustain both groups and so the difficult decision to close the playgroup was taken with the loss of seven jobs. Having run for so long in the town there are few families who have not been involved with the Playgroup at some stage and so its closure has been felt throughout the community. Thanks go to all those who have been involved in the running of the group over the last 45 years and best wishes go to all the staff for the future. Pictured top left; Playgroup Leaders Alyson Hunt, Misako Camper, Chris Knapp cut the cake (pictured top right). Picture bottom left; Berkeley Playgroup children sit down for their tea party. September 2012 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] Shucks! Great Day at Black Frog Creek! Who would have thought that a Diamond Tooth Lil is astonished to find corny story line about a diamond out that her former accomplice, No robbery, a double cross and a Nose Muldoon, cheated out of his share bunch of dippy small town of a diamond robbery in Jelly Junction, characters could provide so much is on her trail and looking to recover a fun and laughter for an audience million dollar gem. In a hilarious scene and a happy ending? In what has Lil is supported by Big Brad the local now become a traditional annual sheriff, Angel Delight his girlfriend, outdoor event, in the beautiful barman Yippee Brown and Old Ma setting of the Jenner Museum Treacle the cook, all dressed as Red garden, Berkeley Players delivered Indians and hell bent on driving No a rib tickling performance of an old Nose and his henchmen Dumbo favourite. Dawson and Hairy Hannah out of town. Bad Day at Black Frog Creek is set With the aid of their sacred totem, the in a Western saloon with a cast of fowl smelling scraggy chicken left characters that could only be found behind by foul smelling gold prospector in an old John Wayne movie, Filthy Frank Chisholm, they succeed in brought to life for the evening by a overcoming the Muldoon Mob only to be spirited team of amateur players. thwarted by No Nose who isn’t The script is liberally peppered with overpowered by the smell because “he rib tickling one liners and some ain’t got no nose”. hilarious knock about scenes which had the The plot is peppered with audiences rolling in their musical numbers which garden seats. give the cast even greater opportunity to indulge in Outdoor performances are riotous slapstick, much to never easy with the the delight of the greatly vagaries of the weather appreciative audience. To and the difficulty of cap it all we are treated to working on grassy the famous Hollywood surfaces but set designer style ending when goodies Phil Metcalf really and baddies settle their surpassed himself with an differences and live happi- authentic atmosphere ly ever after. As the sun conjured up by some set over Berkeley, the cast highly imaginative scenery took a well deserved bow and props. and went off to prepare for the next two performances in that happy land of far off Black Frog Creek. Meanwhile back at the play, local saloon keeper Ivory Construction For all aspects of Masonry Dry stone walling Pointing walls Patios Extensions Conservatories Please call: 01453 819066 or 07595840198 2 September 2012 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] The Beach comes to Berkeley Heath Stormy, unseasonal, weather brought a surprise delivery to some local residents as gardens, cars and roads were covered in seaweed that fell from the skies on a rainy day at the start of August. Weather forecasters say that thunderstorms around the coast at Clevedon, 20 miles away, were the likely cause. The storm resulted in a tornado that picked up the seaweed from the beach before depositing it on Berkeley Heath later. The story certainly seemed fishy to the media with coverage locally, nationally and even on international websites! At Your Service... Police (non emergencies) 101 Cast in order of appearance: West Country CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111 Yippee Brown (Phil Metcalf) Neighbourhood Warden 01453 754276 Diamond Tooth Lil (Sue Studden) Marybrook Medical Centre 01453 810228 Old Ma Treacle (Susan Dearness) Repeat Prescriptions 01453 562044 Big Brad the Sheriff (James Walls) Angel Delight (Annie Waldron) NHS Direct 0845 4647 Filthy Frank Chisholm (Tony Moseley) Berkeley Pharmacy 01453 810316 No Nose Muldoon (Bill Glover) Dumbo Dawson (Mike Studden) Electricity Supply Power Loss 0845 7331331 Hairy Hannah (Natalie Powers) Gas Emergency Service 0800 111999 One Eyed Joe (Tim Blake) Water Emergency 0800 7834444 Produced by Berkeley Town Council 01453 511964 Cath Metcalf and Berkeley Post Office 01453 819351 Margaret Glover Berkeley Primary School 01453 810254 Refuse Collection 01453 754424 Special thanks to Berkeley Stroud District Council 01453 766321 Arms Hotel for their invaluable support and Gloucestershire County Council 01452 425000 everyone else who has Neil Carmichael MP 01452 371630 helped in any way. Citizens’ Advice Bureau 01453 762084 See you all at the Xmas People for You, Barbara Weldon 01453 511964 panto, Berkeley’s favourite Samaritans 0845 7909090 festive frolic. National Rail Enquiries 0845 7484950 Traveline 0870 6082608 The Berkeley Flyer accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of these telephone numbers 3 September 2012 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] Alpha returns to Berkeley The churches in the Berkeley area are running The Alpha Course this autumn. This course has been enormously successful around the Saturday 1st September world, and has been attended by 18 million Spaniel in the Works ‘A Near Run Thing’ 3.45pm. people. Alpha is a relaxed, informal exploration of the To celebrate The Brussels Ball at Berkeley Castle we have a Christian faith, with each session based on a DVD and unique theatrical re-telling of The Battle of Waterloo. The followed by discussion groups. There is no charge for performance explores the excitement and heroics but also the attending, although a donation can be given towards the devastation of one of the most famous battles in history. cost of the meal with which each evening will start. Further Performance is included in standard admission, seats can be information can be found on the website alpha.org reserved in advance. Contact us for details. Alpha is taking place at the Sports Pavilion in Canon Park, Berkeley, from 7.30 to 9.30 on Wednesday evenings. It will Sat 8th September run for ten weeks starting on 26th September, except for Heritage Open Day (12 – 5.30pm). FREE entry to the 24th October which is half term. For more information Museum and Garden plus live Jazz and even Attic Tours of the about the local course, please phone 810294. former servants quarters of Dr Jenner’s House (for a donation). You can also find out more at a Buffet Supper & Musical Evening, from 7.30 to 9 pm at Berkeley Town Hall on Contact Dr Jenner's House on 01453 810631 or Saturday 22nd September. [email protected] for more details. An Invitation to be Inspired! TomatoJack Arts Studio Opening Friday 7th September 7-9pm & Saturday 8th September 10-1pm Free entry including complimentary drink Angela and Lynda invite you to our first Open Studio at Whitehart Court, High St, Berkeley. We will have displays of mosaic art, and examples of what you can make at one of our mosaic workshops or children’s parties, an exhibition of our school projects and displays by other local artists who will also be offering workshops.