November 2020 Chaddleworth News In this edition West Berkshire Mobile Library News and information from the village A Natural History Bit and a seasonal article from the Honey Pot Information from the Church and Schools The latest updates from the Parish Council, Trindledown and Downland Practice Recommended Local Tradesmen & Advertising Please note the Parish Council will lay a wreath at the The West Berkshire Mobile Library Service is now back in Chaddleworth War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday action. The van no longer comes to Chaddleworth but will th 8 of November at 11:00. call at Leckhampstead Village Hall (unless sudden restrictions forbid). Although the van is not open for Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal browsing, a bag of pre-ordered books can be picked up Lest we forget outside the van. Strict care has been taken with handling books to ensure Covid safety. Books are lent out for 3 weeks. Future dates are: Tuesdays the 3rd November, 15th December, 5th January, 16th February and 9th March. The van will be outside the hall between 11:40 and 12.20. Call 01635 519 827 or 01635 519 900 to reserve from a very helpful librarian. Up to 5 books can be ordered. There is also As this edition goes to press, the Royal British Legion Poppy an “At Home Service” for anyone who is housebound/ Appeal is taking place amidst stormy weather (Saturday disabled/safeguarding, where books can be delivered to 24th October from 10am to 3pm, at The Quick, Main Street). your home. For further information contact: Thank you for your support and we will report on the results [email protected] or in the next edition. Sue Ridgeway www.wwstbweks.gov.uk/libraries Chaddleworth Afternoon Club The Sloely Cup Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Campaign As regular competitors are undoubtedly aware, we were unable to hold this year’s Sloely Cup. Firstly, the pub was closed What a good idea that was! In the Village we have raised a and then, what with one thing and total of £330. What a super achievement! A great big thank another, Covid-19 intervened still you to everyone who made a donation however small as further. Hopefully we will all be they all add up to something big as you can see. Thank you back to having our pub open in time again for your support. Pat Tranter, Christine Patterson, for the traditional last Sunday in st Phyllis Bibbings January 2021 (the 31 ) although obviously this is still rather At Macmillan, we understand the many ways in which a aspirational at the moment. cancer diagnosis can affect your life. Whatever cancer throws your way, we're right there with you. From the In any case, anyone hoping to get moment you're diagnosed, through your treatment and their name engraved on The Sloely beyond, we're right there with you, offering emotional, Cup, (maybe for a second or third physical and financial support. We are millions of people time) should craft and reserve the affected by cancer, supporters, professionals, volunteers, usual minimum of 500ml of their and campaigners. We all have one thing in common – our finest and with any luck we will hold care and support for people living with cancer. this Chaddleworth tradition as soon as is possible in 2021! https://www.macmillan.org.uk/ Jim Wilson www.chaddleworth.net • [email protected] Co-Editors: David Jennings & Grahame Murphy Distribution Team: John Ballard, Anne Bunn, Ray Doncaster, Joe Mills, Grahame Murphy, Christine Patterson, Sue Ridgeway Printing costs are paid for by Chaddleworth Parish Council. Electronic colour PDF copy available on the village website Ken Compton Tribute and stirring up copious clouds of mud through which they escaped. However, this is no defence against the American Kenneth (Ken) Compton, aged 76, passed away on 6th mink which dive and swim at devastating speed and easily October 2020 after a long and courageous battle with catch the water vole. In North Yorkshire the mink have cancer. Devoted Husband to Gill, Dad to Sam and Joanna, completely eliminated the water vole and nuturalists are Grandad to Stephen, Holly, Melissa and Daniel and big concerned about the survival of the species full stop. Brother to David, words cannot explain how much he will be missed. They can be seen locally in the river Lambourn because the fisheries are keen to reduce the presence of mink as they Ken was an avid sportsman and was known to have a 'good also predate trout and crayfish. However on the Kennet and eye'. He started playing cricket for Welford Park but was Avon canal the water vole is becoming more scarce. Each soon snapped up by Boxford when they were an year, for the last 20 years, I have been a volunteer for 'outstanding local team'. He was especially good as a BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire batsman and was so reliable he shunned the use of Wildlife Trust) surveying the local waterways for water protective gloves and mostly launched the ball to the voles. I have been lucky to spot them near Maidencourt boundary knocking up numerous centuries for the many Farm between Great Shefford and East Garston, also in teams he played for including Brightwalton and Eastbury and to the east at Easton & Weston. Chaddleworth. He was also a fine wicket keeper. They burrow into banks and have tunnels on several levels In addition, he was also a good footballer and played for so they can avoid being 'flooded out'. They have a very thick Beedon with 'locals' Keith Dumelow, and when Fawley Club fur which traps air and gives them excellent insulation and had a team with Bob Bracey and Bob Cole. He also played they have flaps of skin inside their ears which keeps the for Brightwalton when over several seasons they won first, water out while they are swimming. Their diet is almost second and third positions in the local league. When he entirely vegetarian consisting of grass, water mint and other became older, he re-took up darts and that legendary eye herbaceous varieties in the summer and fruits, roots and came to help with this as well. bulbs in the winter. They are especially fond of apples which Ken Compton came from Mant Close, Wickham one of his can be used as a lure and they eat on their haunches with first Jobs was as a 'Linesman' at Southern Electricity Board food held with their forepaws. Strangely it is illegal to disturb (now SSE). He worked there for a number of years but after water vole burrows but the animals themselves are not he witnessed a tragic electrocution he just couldn't 'do it protected which I hope soon changes, although why anyone anymore'. He then went to Reeds Paper Mill at Colthrop Mill would want to harm such a lovely creature I cannot imagine. and was there for many years before he left to become a Grahame Murphy taxi driver and latterly he also cleaned windows and chauffeured Henry Ponsonby. Chaddleworth Cricket Club He and his wife Gill were well known as devoted animal lovers and kept many pets over the years (54) they lived in Nodmore. The house they lived in used to be the 'Police House' in those dim and distant days when we had our own village policeman. Donations in Ken's memory may be made to the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice. Grahame Murphy (ably assisted with Information by Joe Mills and Jim Warrick) The Natural History Bit The water vole 'Avicola Terrestris' is a lovely creature under grave threat due to the muddle headed animal activists of the 1970's who released tens of thousands of American mink from fur farms in the UK. The water vole's natural predators include otters, pike, herons, stoats, weasels and Following the end of the rather irregular 2020 season, the brown rats but they were able to survive by diving into water decision has been made by the officers of the Cricket Club to postpone this December’s AGM. This was not a decision taken lightly. With the village hall being shut for works and the-rule-of-six in place from the dear leader it would have been very difficult to arrange. Please be assured that the officers of the club have been busy keeping everything ticking over and we have a full fixture list for 2021, including some new matches! Watch this space... Oh – and! Any and all players are welcome. Dust off those old whites, or borrow some for the first time, and come and join us for a bit of spirited bat and ball! (moustaches optional but may gain sponsorship) Go well… Jim Wilson St Andrew’s Church, Chaddleworth Eco Warriors Hannah and Harry “We want children and part of the West Downland Benefice parents to recycle more at home and school.” November Services Arts Leaders Zach and Ewan “We want to make acting, art and music more exciting for all years.” Every Monday, 11:00am, St Andrew’s Church Play Leader Samantha “I want to make sure all children Chaddleworth, Seated Holy Communion have fun at break and lunchtimes.” A calm and peaceful service with social distancing using Sport Leader Jayson “I want everyone to be able to play the traditional words. Suitable for those who feel nervous the sport they want to play.” about meeting with large groups. Please wear a mask. Please contact Sue Ridgeway or Miri if you plan to attend. Our week: I have particularly enjoyed watching the art skills st developing in Red Kites (Y5 and Y6) this week.