30p o December 2013 N .218 ‘For and about the people of Berkeley’ A38 SPEEDING CHARGES REVOKED The Flyer understands that drivers booked for speeding over the bridge on the A38, by The Prince Of Wales Hotel will all be receiving letters within the next few days revoking the intention to prosecute. Stroud District Councillor for Berkeley, Gordon Craig who has been driving this move said “I had been getting feedback from many careful local drivers caught by the camera van and it was clear that something probably associated with the unusual circumstances surrounding this temporary speed limit was wrong, so I took up the case with the Police, the Camera Enforcement Unit, Gloucester Highways and our County Councillor Brian Tipper with the intention of gathering evidence for a letter to the Police Commissioner and Cllr Tipper who is a member of the police committee agreed to raise the matter at their next meeting.” between the 23rd of October and the 11th of November for exceeding the temporary limit of 30mph will receive a letter of “Over the last few weeks I have lost count of the number of apology specific to their circumstances advising them that if they people I have spoken with but as time progressed I became have already paid a fine it will be returned, if they have had their aware that internal meetings were being arranged. I was advised license endorsed it will be unendorsed and if they have not yet last week by the Camera enforcement unit that a key meeting reacted to the intention to prosecute then no further action will be would take place on Monday the 11th November and I agreed to taken.” delay my letter to the commissioner until after that meeting. I have since been advised that the outcome of that meeting was that an Councillor Craig does point out that he has been advised once the issue had been noted with the signage and if the signage was not detail regarding the signage has been rectified the camera van legal neither were the prosecutions. Therefore anyone booked will return periodically to this location and anyone caught speeding thereafter will be liable to prosecution, but given the level of awareness and notoriety this temporary speed limit has attracted, he hopes that no one in Berkeley will fall foul. Going forward drivers must obey this limit. He says he is now pushing Gloucester Highways to raise the bridge fixing project up their priority list so watch this space! CHRISTMAS WARM UP Are ready for the Festive Season? All your gifts safely bought and wrapped? Christmas spirit nicely warmed up? If not, you need to get in the mood quickly before it’s too late. Why bother battling with the madding crowds at the malls and big stores and the frustrating traffic jams and parking problems? Come on down to the Market Square in Berkeley for the chance to whittle down your Christmas gift list in the local shops and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of our local traders who’d love to see you. All your old favourites will be there at the Xmas Fayre, hot turkey and mince pies at the Bakery, those fantastic sausage rolls, mulled wine and a new taste, mulled cider from Berkeley Arms. Take advantage of the early opening hours at Berkeley Fish and Chips or treat the kids to some of our gentile fairground rides. We’re also featuring non alcoholic festive drinks fort the little people. Once again our working arrangements with Santa include guaran- teed snow, the magical musical sleigh and a chance for the youngsters to meet the man himself and whisper a few sugges- tions about their favourite presents. For the grown ups we’ve also got lots of stalls with hand made jewellery, raffles and much, much more. See you there. www.theberkeleyflyer.co.uk December 2013 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] keeping our spirits up in the winter can be a bit of a challenge, particularly when the days are short. Try to keep VILLAGE AGENT to your usual routine and if you can’t visit friends or family NEWS make sure you phone them regularly for a chat. It helps to do something you enjoy every day so go for a short walk in the middle of the day even if it is just to buy a newspaper or Hello again. It is hard to believe that it is now December to post a letter. I expect that there will soon be Christmas and Christmas is almost upon us once again. Fayre’s and Carol Services to go to for those who enjoy a I have been reading some tips that Age UK have for bit of Christmas cheer. keeping warm this winter so I will share some of them with I have recently been talking to a lady from the Trading you:- Standards Service and unfortunately scams do continue to The recommended temperature for your main living room is occur, by post, by phone and through cold callers. Trading around 21 degrees centigrade, and the rest of the house, standards say “don’t deal with doorstep traders”. And including the bedroom, should be 18 centigrade. I know that remember it is perfectly alright to say “no thank you” and to heating our homes is really expensive now but it is hang up the phone or close the door to unknown trades important for our health to try to stay warm. People who are people. If you have any concerns you can phone trading 65 or over should get a winter fuel allowance of £100 to standards and consumer direct on 08454 04 05 06. £300. There is also a cold weather payment for people who I just want to remind you that if you know someone who have Pension Credit Guaranteed or some other means needs help from the Foodbank I can make a referral to tested benefits (this is payable during particularly cold them. There may also be some Christmas hampers left for snaps). If anyone finds that they are really struggling they anyone who might benefit from receiving one. Contact me should contact me or AgeUK on 01452 422660. I still have about this. some thermometers that I can let people have if they wish. I hope you all have an enjoyable time at Christmas and a There are simple things that we can do to keep warm, like fulfilling New Year. keeping a warm blanket beside our chair so that it can easily be put around shoulders when feeling chilly, and Penny French. Tel: 07776 245 726. investing in some warm slippers is a good idea. Sometimes Email. [email protected] The Annual General Meeting of 2013 for the The Autumn rally for the local group of WIs was held in Uley in Berkeley WI was hosted by the President, Vicki October. It had a pantomime theme, and our WI produced a Young, on 14th November. table top selection of crafts based on Dick Whittington. We won first prize! Very warm congratulations to all those involved. Vicki Young stood down as President after 3 successful years and was thanked for her The AGM was followed by cheese and wine for all present. The sterling service. Angela Davies was voted in as the new Dick Whittington table was on display for everyone to see and President. admire. A craft afternoon was held on 21st November at Vicki’s house. We have had a successful year with members enjoying various outings and activities, from visiting gardens to clay pigeon Our December meeting will be our Christmas party, and this will shooting. We have been represented by some of our members at be held on Thursday 12th December. several fairs including the Berkeley Fair and the Berkeley Show. We have also raised money by hosting tea parties. For more information on the Berkeley WI, who we are and what we get up to, please visit our website: www.berkeleywi.com. Berkeley Educational Swimming Trust A complete (BEST) Funeral Service Berkeley November Draw 24 Hour Service & Winner Private Chapel of Rest Margaret Bingham Ball No. 75 £30.00 Telephone: 822409 Runner Up Lorna Phillips Ball No. 61 £20.00 The Draw took place on 12th November by a volunteer at Berkeley Books Community Library. 0117 200 1000 On behalf of BEST I would like to thank Berkeley Home PC problems? Books Community Library for kindly supporting us Call our workshop in Almondsbury by displaying a poster. 2 Please mention The Berkeley Flyer when responding to adverts www.theberkeleyflyer.co.uk December 2013 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] CRAFTY OLD The stalls (as well as mosaic gifts) ranged from handmade cards, BERKELEY decorations and keepsakes to quality handmade cakes and locally produced DOES IT honey. Berkeley Scouts ran a very AGAIN successful raffle and Berkeley Books, the Community Library, had a fund raising stall. All in all it was a great community The ‘Made in event organised by TomatoJack Arts to Berkeley’ Craft Fair, raise the profile of local artists and held in the Town Hall makers. on Saturday 16th November, was a Plans are already in progress for the next great success with a ‘Made in Berkeley’ craft fair in the spring, huge turn out of visitors. It’s reputation for quality craft stalls is combined with an exhibition of mosaic at growing - with an increasing number of people making a special the TomatoJack Arts Studio in White Hart trip into Berkeley. One lady from Cam who was very impressed Court – details will be to follow in the by the turn out, commented, “what a lovely lot of talented people Berkeley Flyer.