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‘For and about the people of Berkeley’ No. 295 May 2020

www.theberkeleyflyer.co.uk

Supporting You Update from your Berkeley and Surrounding

Area Covid 19 Community Support Group

Our community has really pulled together in quite an

astonishing way, faster and more effectively than in many

other parts of the county and country. It’s a testament to

what a fantastic place this is to live in.

Legions of us are delivering much appreciated food and

supplies to friends, family members and neighbours. Those

of us Shielding or Self Isolating are slowly regaining control

of our shopping thanks to the flexible and compassionate

approach of our fantastic local businesses.

Our Mutual Aid group is also developing, focused on

helping us build a self-supporting community, providing

and accepting practical and emotional support.

• We have a new dedicated phone number,

01453 270067, that directs first to Lucy White, but if she

is not available it automatically redirects to Becky

Sawicki-Gregg, or Gordon Craig, or Rachel Sleigh.

• They are able to provide you with signposting to local

services, and arrange for a volunteer to help you with

shopping from any of our local shops, prescriptions,

and able to help with all manner of problems and

barriers to Shielding or Social Distancing.

• For those of us with no access to funds, or no funds to

access, our town council are working with Gord to

provide Booster Boxes, and if you aren't able to cook

we can supply ready meals through Severn Vale

Community Kitchen.

• There are also several hardship funds, held by the

Town Council, Berkeley Parochial Trust and hopefully

Berkeley Community Trust. Ring our phone line for

details of how to access help.

• Every day more delivery services are becoming

available from our fantastic local businesses, so keep

checking if orders can be placed and payment taken

over the phone. Currently this includes Clayton House

Meats, the Co-op and Berkeley Bakery.

• We have a wonderful delivery team, headed by Sarah

Frankham, picking up orders for Booster Boxes, the

Co-op, and over time, hopefully more businesses.

• Our area has lots more Facebook groups providing

increased social contact. New ones include the little

Neighbourhood groups uniting neighbours, but we

also have Berkeley Food Stories & Recipes, Berkeley

Glossy (magazine type puzzles and funnies), Sewing

for Keyworkers Glos for those creating much needed

PPE, and an old favourite, We Love Berkeley Vale, is

alive with lots of beautiful new photographs.

• If you would like a friendly chat there's a daily

opportunity to talk through a Zoom coffee morning, or

people belonging to Berkeley Benefice are available on

the phone. Becky Sawicki-Gregg is leading provision of

tech support if you have a group or club that would like

to meet over Zoom and you need some help.

All of this has been achieved by ordinary people just doing

their bit, but we must acknowledge the funding we have

had from Gloucester County Council and Stroud District

Council, and wonderful support from Berkeley Town

Council and Hamfallow Parish Council. If you'd like to

make deliveries, make PPE, talk to people, facilitate social

contact, or shape what we can provide please get in touch

Contact us via

New Number for Lucy’s phone team:

01453 270067

(please don’t use the old ones)

E-mail: [email protected]

Facebook Group & Page: Berkeley and Surrounding Area

Covid 19 Community Support

May 2020 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected]

2 Please mention ‘The Berkeley Flyer’

when responding to adverts www.theberkeleyflyer.co.uk

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MAY IN THE GARDEN What a difference an extra hour of

daylight makes into the evening. It lifts

our spirits and everything starts to grow

very fast in May including the weeds.

The garden is beautiful with Apple

blossom, blue bells, alliums and even

cow parsley in the hedge rows looks

wonderful. The trees clothed in fresh

young leaves and the lawn becoming

richer green which needs cutting more

often. Keep hoeing regularly to keep the

weeds in check. Catch the weeds while

they are small and once hoed they can

be left on the soil surface to dry out on

warm sunny days. It not only kills the

weeds but maintains a crumbly soil

which helps to retain the moisture in the

soil reducing the need for watering. If

you have a strawberry bed start to

remove the runners. This is done so that

all the energy can go into the crop and

not into new runners. Putting straw or

mats around the strawberry plants will

prevent the fruits from being splashed

with soil or rotting as the fruits rest on

wet ground. It also allows good air flow

around the plants. Feed fruit trees and

bushes with a high potash fertilizer. This

will help them to form new fruits. Also

dead head spring bulbs after they have

finished flowering and give them a

dusting of fertilizer so that they will have

the energy to form more flowers for next

year. If some clumps of bulbs have

become overcrowded then now is the

time to lift them carefully and separate

them and replant them in another area.

Do give them a watering after doing this.

Sweet peas can be planted out now but

they will need support. Also biennials

can be sown outside so that they will

flower next Spring time. Sweet William,

Forget me nots and wallflowers are a few

of them. It is a good idea to sow crops

for succession – a little and often is the

best way for growing vegetables. This

ensures that crops can be picked and

used while they are still young and

tender and there will be further supply

following on from a later sowing. Crops

that can be grown in succession include

beetroot, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower,

lettuce and radish. Sow small rows at

two to four week intervals.

With the children at home at the moment

here are a few things for them to do.

First make a bug home for ladybirds or

lacewings. These insects are very helpful

to gardeners as they will eat up all the

greenfly and black aphids for you. It is

most important that they have a home to

stay in during the winter. Take a plastic

drinks bottle, cut it to 20cm in height –

you could also use an old plant pot or a

cardboard coffee cup. Make newspaper

tubes by cutting the newspaper

lengthways and roll them up to ensure a

hole is left in the centre about 4mm. You

can also use corrugated cardboard. Cut

the material to the length of the bottle or

pot and tape them together. Fit the rolls

of newspaper as tightly as possible into

the container so that they cannot fall out.

Ensure the hollow ends are facing

outwards and will be protected from the

rain. Place your bug home horizontally in

a warm spot with the open end slightly

lower to prevent waterlogging. Bug

houses are best placed no higher than

I.0m above ground level in a bush where

it is quiet.

Another idea is to let the children have a

small garden of their own where they can

sow seeds such as cornflower, nigella

(love in the mist), calendula (marigold)

and nasturtiums. They will germinate

very quickly. I had a little garden from the

age of about 4 or 5 – I loved it and I am

still gardening now after a very good

career in Horticulture.

For the little ones to make – save the

shells of eggs which have been hard

boiled and fill the empty shells with

cotton wool or kitchen roll and moisten.

Then sow cress seed on top. It will only

take about three or four days to

germinate and it starts to grow. It will

look as though the egg has grown green

hair. Why not give the egg eyes, nose

and a mouth. When the cress has grown

to about 50mm long you can cut it and

have an egg and cress sandwich.

I do hope you can take time to enjoy

your garden or have a barbecue with

your family if we get some good weather.

Until next month good health and good

gardening to you all.

Ann Legg

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Citizens Advice Stroud & Cotswold – Attendance Allowance

Please note that following

national guidance on Covid-19 Citizens

Advice Stroud has closed its face to face

services at all offices and outreaches, but

will continue to operate a phone and

email service. If you need advice please

do contact by phone 0808 800 0510, or

email by using the email advice page on

our website https://www.citizensadvice

-stroudandcotswold.org.uk/stroud-cab

-email-advice.php

For this month’s article we would like to

give you information about Attendance

Allowance: this is a benefit that helps

with extra costs if you have an illness or

disability severe enough and require

someone else to help you with your

personal care needs. The benefit does

not cover mobility needs only.

Attendance Allowance is not means-

tested, which means what you earn, or

what savings you have will not affect any

benefit you may be entitled to.

You can make a claim for Attendance

Allowance if you have reached State

Pension age, or are older, and you have

an illness or disability, either physical or

mental or both. The benefit is paid at two

rates depending on the level of difficulties

you have and help required, and is

administered by the Department for Work

and Pensions.

You do not have to have someone caring

for you in order to make a claim. If you

receive any Means-Tested benefits they

may be increased if you are awarded

Attendance Allowance.

In order to qualify for Attendance

Allowance, you will need to have

required the help of someone with your

personal care needs for at least 6

months prior to making a claim, unless

you have a terminal illness, in which case

you can make a claim immediately under

the Special Rules.

Please note the claim form for

Attendance Allowance is extremely

lengthy and complex so we advise you

take expert advice before completing the

form. To obtain a claim form call the

Attendance Allowance helpline on:

0800 731 0122.

If you would like more information about

this article, or any other matters please

contact Stroud Citizens Advice on

Freephone: 0808 800 0510. Further

information can also be found at

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/attendance

allowance

Please note that following national

guidance on Covid-19 Citizens Advice

Stroud has closed its face to face

services at all offices and outreaches, but

will continue to operate a phone and

email service. If you need advice please

do contact by phone 0808 800 0510, or

email by using the email advice page on

our website https://www.citizensadvice

-stroudandcotswold.org.uk/stroud-cab

-email-advice.php

Something to do during lock-down.

For everyone currently spending a great deal of time at

home, this is a good opportunity to write all those letters

you’ve been meaning to write for some time! Whether to

Government, regarding the national response to C-19 for

example, or to other organizations, raising matters of

concern or to simply say thank you.

On a personal basis, I’m writing to the Chinese embassy to

suggest markets which sell animals caught in the wild, such

as bats (which, I understand, are where a variety of

coronaviruses naturally occur), should be phased out. This

would reduce the risk of another devastating transmission

of a virus to people.

Wild animal markets are a sign of wider habitat degradation

and loss. These habitats are often forests (the forests of

west Africa are another source of potential disease

transfer). Also, the destruction of natural forests around the

world are a significant contributor towards climate change.

Letter writing is a useful educational tool. If you have kids

and teens at home, why not set them to contacting

government, business or other institutions by letter and

raising an issue they are passionate about?

Letters can be written and held ready to post, for when

organisations have returned to normal functioning.

Best wishes,

Jane Robertson, [email protected]

https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold.org.uk%2Fstroud-cab-email-advice.php&data=02%7C01%7C%7C588fea701c0441542d5a08d7cf29b626%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637205651381962320&sdat






mailto:[email protected]




How the world has changed since our last article. In line with nearly everyone else, the VoBR has been effectively closed since the “lock down” started. As such, all events and projects have been suspended. We will therefore publish a series of articles about the history of the line and the magnificent bridge that once spanned the River Severn.

In 1872 authorisation was given to the Midland Railway Company to construct a branch line from Berkeley Road station to Sharpness docks. In 1875 the branch to Sharpness was opened to goods traffic. A year later, on 1st August 1876 it was opened to passenger traffic.

Also in 1872 the Severn & Wye Railway and Severn Bridge Railway was authorised to join Lydney to Sharpness with a rail bridge over the River Severn. The Severn Bridge Railway was comprised of the union of the original Severn Bridge Railway Company and the Severn & Wye Railway Company (the company that had started life running tramways in the Forest of Dean). The Great Western Railway had been approached, but it did not become part of the venture to build the bridge due to lack of resources thanks to its involvement in the Severn Tunnel project.

The rail crossing over the Severn was opened on 17th October 1879, but by 1883 it was in financial difficulties. Parliament forced joint ownership on to the Midland Railway and the Great Western Railway on 1st July 1894, with the Midland operating the line and the infrastructure controlled by the GWR. Until nationalisation in 1948 it was known as the Severn & Wye Joint Railway. The intention was to provide a relatively cheap and speedy route for Forest coals to Sharpness docks and beyond, as well as other goods which could be transported by sea both import and export. It is likely that the GWR was not too pleased about the diversion of some of their lucrative traffic from north of the river. Without going into detail, they pretty well ensured the financial returns from the operation were heavily in their favour, and the Midland section was giving a lot of financial support to the GWR section.

The track from the junction with the main line at Berkeley Road was originally all double track, but in 1931 it was taken down to single track and only one of the two platforms at each of the stations was used.

Prior to 1923 the Midland Railway supplied motive power, then Lydney (GWR) shed supplied the branch locomotives. After 1960, Gloucester (Horton Road) shed provided the branch passenger shuttle services, but ex-LMS engines were used on freight traffic.

The major items being handled through the docks and on the railway were slate from North Wales, coal from South Wales (going on the canal to the Midlands), oats and grain from Ireland, wine from Spain and

Portugal, and timber from Canada, Russia and the Baltic states. This mix of goods has changed dramatically.

Everything worked reasonably smoothly until the evening of 25th October 1960, when an event took place which had an enormous impact on the future of the line.

That evening a flotilla of 13 vessels was heading upriver to Sharpness, Lydney or Worcester. The significant players in this disaster were a tug named Addie hauling three barges bound for Lydney, a sea-going barge called the Arkendale H and a smaller barge called the Wastdale H.

Both the Wastdale and the Arkendale were

owned by John Harker & Son of Knottingley in Yorkshire. The Arkendale H was launched in 1937, and on the night of 25th October was carrying nearly 300 tons of heavy oil loaded at Swansea. This oil was so thick and heavy that the vessel carried an extra engineer to look after the boiler which kept the oil thin enough to pump. Its skipper had only done this trip once before.

Although a smaller vessel, the Wastdale H which was launched in 1951, was carrying about 350 tons of petrol. It was not a sea-going vessel. When loaded its freeboard was so low that even a moderate sea would have overwhelmed it. It worked from Avonmouth to the Sharpness canal and thence to Gloucester or Worcester.

As it got dark a dense fog descended, and ten of the vessels successfully made it into Sharpness dock. The tug Addie with its

three barges in tow decided the fog was so thick that it couldn't make it into Lydney safely. She turned into the entrance to Sharpness dock, and would cross to Lydney the next day.

Just as the tug reached the dock entrance the Arkendale was also nearly there, saw the tug at the last minute and veered off. The Wastdale was also carried by the very rapid tide and found reasonably slack water at the entrance to the old dock just upriver.

Having veered off, the Arkendale was also carried by the tide and in the fog heard voices and too late saw the Wastdale. The two were pushed together by the current, and in their attempts to separate using full

engine power merely edged out into the current.

They had almost become dislodged when they struck pier 17 of the bridge. The impact brought down two sections of bridge on to the stricken vessels. There was an explosion and a fireball. Burning fuel spread out right across the surface of the river. The scene was witnessed from the nearby Sharpness gasworks, and some-one had

the foresight to close off the supply to the large gas main which ran beneath the bridge.

Out of eight crew on the two vessels, five lost their lives. The two captains survived, but one was badly injured by a revolving propeller as he jumped for safety.

It was decided that demolition of the bridge would be cheaper than repair, so after 81 years the line once more became two short branches each side of the river, and in the early 1960's became uneconomic and closed. A few enthusiasts' charter trains ran, but then the Berkeley Road to Sharpness side carried special trains taking nuclear flasks from the decommissioned Berkeley power station to Sellafield on a line maintained by Network Rail with Direct Rail Services as the train operating company.

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Vale of Berkeley Railway




A

message from the team at Dr Jenner’s

House, Museum and Garden

For as long as I can remember, my precious

time off has been spent exploring historical

sites. From prehistoric monuments to

excavated Roman villas, and from medieval

palaces to the dockyards of the Age of Sail

and giant factories of the Industrial

Revolution, I simply love the feeling of

walking in the steps of those who have gone before us. It is a

real privilege then to know that I can still experience some of

that thrill each and every day as

I take my exercise around our

wonderful historic town.

From Jumpers Lane, where I

imagine the hustle and bustle of

the porters as they unloaded

precious cargo from the boats

moored in the Pill, I might head

out of the town in the direction

of the first commercial nuclear

power station to produce

electricity for the National Grid.

I go along Hamfield Lane, past

the abandoned Sea Mills where

oil was once produced from

seeds. As I return to Berkeley

and up to St Mary’s Church, a site where people have been

worshipping for over one thousand years, I glimpse Berkeley

Castle, where kings have met their end and where our nation’s

future has been decided. Finally, I am standing outside The

Chantry, the beautiful house where Edward Jenner made

perhaps the greatest discovery in medical history: vaccination.

Vaccination is not just Jenner’s gift to the world, but Berkeley’s.

Jenner gained his inspiration from the farms and the fields

around the town, and our forebears were participants in his

clinical trials. From here came something that has proved

crucial in humanity’s fight against disease, something that has

saved more lives than any other innovation.

Today we see a little something of a world before vaccination,

but we also know that there is hope because we have been

here before. We may not be able to completely eradicate

coronavirus (COVID-19) as we did with smallpox, but we hope

that we will soon be able to control its spread through

vaccination. From that first vaccination in 1796, we can now

protect against 25 vaccine-preventable infections. Globally,

between two and three million lives are saved each and every

year as a result of vaccination. All of this, and any new

vaccine, can effectively be

traced back to our town and to the

work of Berkeley born and bred

Edward Jenner.

At Dr Jenner’s House, Museum

and Garden we celebrate Jenner’s

achievements and show how

curiosity changed the world. This

message is now more relevant

than ever, yet the museum of

course is closed and we are having

to adapt to some very different

ways of telling our story. We want

to support you through this time in

the only way we know how, by sharing inspiring content from

the birthplace of vaccination. Please follow us on social media

or look at our website, which we’ll be adding to over the

coming weeks. We may even try and secure some regular

space in the Flyer, if the Editors will let us! At the same time,

we would like to ask whether you will please consider

supporting us in one of two ways.

As a museum, we are collecting stories relating to the current

outbreak. Would you be interested in keeping a diary of these

strange times for the benefit of future researchers? We would

love to hear about your experiences, from the mundane to the

profound, anything that sheds light on daily life in the midst of a

pandemic. You can find out more and sign up at

https://jennermuseum.com/covid19-diary-project

When this is all over, we want to be here to tell the story of

lives saved through vaccination and to provide a tranquil and

beautiful place for the people of Berkeley and for visitors from

around the world. But, as an independent charity taking over

70% of our annual income from visitor-related activities and

with significant costs that cannot be avoided, each day that we

cannot open puts us at risk of permanent closure. So we are

asking anyone who might have considered visiting us this year

to ‘pay it forward’ and make a donation now in return for a

ticket which can be use when we are able to reopen. There are

a few other treats on offer, some very limited edition. You can

even adopt an object. To find out more, please head to

https://crowdfunder.co.uk/drjennershouse

So on behalf of all the

team at Dr Jenner’s

House, Museum and

Garden, please take care,

stay safe, and know that

we’re planning something

very special for you all

when this is finally over.

Owen Gower

Museum Manager

Maths Tutoring in Newtown/Berkeley Area Penny Robinson PGCE (Maths) DBS checked I am a qualified maths teacher with significant experience at GCSE and A level especially with students who find learning and earning difficult. I tutor all ages either in my home in Newtown or will travel up to 5 miles to tutor in yours. £20 per hour plus travel expenses Text or call me to see how I can help you 01453 811921 or 07901 984125

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TOWN COUNCIL UPDATE

Message from The Mayor - Councillor

Philip Stevenson

What a remarkable town Berkeley is and

how quickly we have all had to adapt to the

coronavirus, not just for ourselves and our

families but for our friends, neighbours and

work colleagues during the lockdown

period. As the Town Council we are also

having to adhere to the government

guidelines. Our Clerk, Justine is still at the

end of a computer as well as periodically

checking the answerphone, you can also

contact various members of the council

(see Berkeley Town Council website).

A group of local residents have set up a

Facebook page called ‘Berkeley and

surrounding area covid-19 support group’

where you will find a wealth of support, and

new leaflets will be dropping through your

letterboxes soon with updated information

for anyone wanting additional help.

Life has changed within the town and thank

yous go to all the heroes within the town.

Both the One Stop & CO-OP for doing their

best to keep the shelves stacked, the

pharmacy for coping in this challenging

time, the bakery for still opening ridiculously

early and Gordon at Greens, who is

arranging for food boxes to be available for

collection and delivery as well as our other

essential shops for staying open.

We also must thank Miss Robins and her

amazing team at Berkeley Primary School

for not only still allowing key workers

children to attend but for making us parents

home teachers, I have had to expel both my

children and I have resigned from my post,

fortunately my wife has taken over. But the

most important thanks goes to you all, for

checking on each other, whether you’re

making daily phone calls or buying the

shopping for your next door neighbours, it’s

the little things than mean a lot and if we

can pull together we will get through this

sooner. The most heartening sounds that

are heard thundering around this fabulous

market town are the Thursday night 8pm

applause for our NHS.

Canon Park Development – Residents

Update - Councillor Robbie Heaven

Berkeley Town Council have assembled a

subcommittee to help with the up and

coming development of Canon Park

Recreational Facility.

As Canon Park is an area used and

enjoyed by all ages and abilities, we wanted

to ensure that prior to the development

taking place, we as a committee got a

better understanding of the towns

requirements and preferences.

Members of the Canon Park Development

Committee ran 2 consultations days with

one being held at Canon Park on Saturday

7th March and the other taking place at

Berkeley Town Hall on Saturday 14th

March. During these consultation days we

interacted with over 65 people, ranging from

families with young children to older

residents. For residents who were unable to

attend either of the consultation days, there

was an online feedback form which was

accessed via the Berkeley Town Council

website which was available to complete

throughout the whole month of March.

I am pleased to confirm we have received

responses from 177 people and the results

are currently being processed, with the

outcome being discussed at the next

committee meeting. We as a committee are

excited with the feedback from the residents

of Berkeley and look forward to seeing the

development move forward.

Town Improvement Plan - Residents

Update - Councillor Quentin Somerset

As a town council we hope we are doing

lots of good work in the background which

we hope make the quality of life in Berkeley

better in lots of little ways. However, over

the years we feel there has been some

degradation in a number of services and

facilities in and around Berkeley – we’re

sure you have noticed them too. The

reasons why are numerous and complex,

so let’s not try to address that right now, but

every time we lose a service, it makes the

town smaller and less attractive.

So, to ensure Berkeley continues to grow

and prosper, Berkeley Town Council feel it’s

time for some big changes. The concept is

to work on making the town more attractive,

thus more inviting to residents, visitors, new

shops and new businesses. With this

comes more justification for extra buses,

retain the public toilets, more investment etc

We recently initiated a ‘Town Improvement

Plan Committee’ and are currently engaging

with Gloucestershire County Council, local

developers, and very soon all the residents

of Berkeley. Some of the big items currently

being considered are (but not limited to) -

Speeding – we have been monitoring traffic

speeding at various key points around

Berkeley and we are aware that some

action is definitely required. Speeding is not

acceptable, it is dangerous and anti-social.

As new houses are being built, and more

people will be walking, running, cycling on

our roads and pavements, reduction of

traffic speed is imperative. A reduction in

speed limit to 20mph is one option on the

table (although difficult to enforce),

alongside many other ways of reducing

speed such as priorities and street furniture.

Parking – More residents, more shoppers,

and more visitors, will naturally result in

more cars. All these factors have to be

considered holistically, with longer term

needs also a consideration (including

electric vehicle charging points). We are

also looking at taking over the car parks

from Stroud District Council, to allow us to

change parking restrictions as required. We

will encourage alternatives to driving,

ensuring safe pavements for pedestrians,

cycle parking, and public transport options.

Town Market – Berkeley used to be a

thriving market town, and we feel that

reviving this will bring visitors and shoppers

to the town, potentially on a Saturday

morning. We have the new Berkeley Green

Park Run on a Saturday, and this will add

further footfall to a market, and the local

shops. Farmers produce direct to you, local

crafts, cheese, wine, beer. We certainly feel

there is capacity for a small town market

every Saturday.

Aesthetics – Lots of thought is being given

to improvements to the town aesthetics,

improving the environment for pedestrians.

The town centre could benefit from a new

layout including a market area, some

planters, seating areas and larger

pedestrian zones. A new layout would also

enable speed reduction measures to be

considered (not just in the town centre but

on all the major roads exiting the town), and

parking considerations.

So where are we going from here ?

Initially the committee are developing some

concepts for everyone to review and

provide comments at a public consultation

(s). This iterative planning phase is likely to

take a year and is worth spending the time

to get it right as it will shape our town for

quite some time. All the while,

Gloucestershire County Council will be on

board, along with local planners to ensure

the concepts are realistic and achievable.

Unfortunately, to get this project going we

have had to add £25k to the local precept

for 2020/2021. Without the planners and

architects, the town improvement doesn’t

get started, and we continue to limit the

improvements we can apply to our lovely

town. The other two biggest contributors to

the precept increase are some urgent

repairs to our beautiful town hall (£2k), and

supporting our increasing successful youth

club (additional £2k). The overall increase is

offset by a considerable reduction in the

contributions to the Canon Park

Improvement budget as this has now

achieved the funds required for the project.

We hope you understand and support the

decision to make some positive changes.

We feel that Berkeley will truly benefit in the

long term.

Should anyone wish to discuss this topic

further then there will be an opportunity at

the Berkeley Town Council annual meeting,

for which the date and time have been

impacted by Covid-19 and will be advised.




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Sew For Keyworkers Glos needs your help!

PPE is urgently needed for keyworkers in our local care

homes, surgeries, hospitals and clinics.

Can you sew, knit or crochet?

Or donate buttons, elastic, fabric, duvets, pillow cases etc?

Do you need anything for you, or your place of work?

We are a local group of enthusiastic amateur crafters

providing maskbands, laundry bags, face masks & paired

hearts in Dursley, Cam & Berkeley area.

If you can only sew a button on, you can make a valuable

contribution. We have projects suitable for beginners of any

age. If you can help in any way, please get in touch with

Sarah Lancaster Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01453 580175

Facebook: Sew For Keyworkers Glos

Maskbands are very simple to

make, protect sore ears, and

hold the mask on tightly.

Scrubs can be placed in laundry

bags made from pillowcases,

carried home safely, put straight in

the washing machine, and the

scrubs tumble out during the wash

cycle.

Need a good chat?

Someone to listen?

Or just want to talk to somebody different?

Berkeley Benefice are here for you, offering support to

the whole community.

Throughout the Benefice we have people happy to help.

Whether you are shielding, self isolating, or simply

feeling alone at a difficult time, we can provide

assistance, even if it’s just someone to talk to.

Our first points of contact are:

Berkeley, Jan on 01453 820752

Hill, Mark on 01454 260750

Stone, Naomi on 01454 260376

When you call, we'll match you up with the right person

for you.

Our offer is not limited to those locations, or by

denomination. We are here for everyone.

Booster Boxes

Gord from Greens the Grocer, Berkeley's veg shop, is

working together with the Town Council to provide

Booster Boxes. These were initially intended as a

companion to a Trussell Trust Food Parcel. Designed

to make it stretch that little bit further, they provide

fresh fruit and veg, with a few basics like rice or pasta,

and tinned tomatoes thrown in.

To get one delivered contact Justine at

[email protected] or call her on 01453 511964.

Subsidised by Berkeley Town Council, they are

available free if you are struggling financially, or you

can make a donation direct to the Town Council's bank

account when you feel able. The Co-operative Bank

Plc, Sort code 08-92-99, Account no.65338788

mailto:[email protected]




Each year, Thornbury Camera Club invite other local camera

clubs to a challenge, in memory of Tom Crowe, a former

chairman of their club. The invited clubs submit eight entries and

each image must be from a different photographer. There are

four categories to fulfil Landscape, People/Animals, Creative and

Night/Nightscape/Low Light, the remaining four images will be

placed into open categories.

In October last year, Tyndale Photography Club entered the

competition with the following images:

Landscape – River Thames Richmond – Steve Varman

LRPS

People/Animal - Mohandas – Christine Ryske

Creative – Seascape New Zealand – Jenny Fryer

LRPS

Night/Nightscape/Low Light – Pero's Bridge – Barry

Wilson

Open – Little Owl – Mike Smith

Open – Path to the Loch - Elizabeth Restall ARPS

Open – Ghosts of a Modern Life – Peter Whitfield

Open – Boys Toys – David Bishop

The competition was judged by an independent

judge, Neil Stangan, who gave constructive

comments and marks as he went along. Sadly

because of the COVID-19 situation we find

ourselves in, we were not able to view the results

of the competition at a club meeting, however, the

audio visual was sent out to all club members and

we were able to view it in the comfort of our own

homes. After round 7, Tyndale Photography Club

were equal first with Thornbury Camera Club

making for a very tense eighth round.

Come the end of the competition,

Tyndale Photography Club scored 152

points ending up in second place to

Thornbury Camera Club who scored

153 points.

Congratulations to those whose images

were entered, a great team effort!

Tyndale Photography Club enter the Tom Crowe Competition

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Berkeley Forum The Flyer reserves the right to edit and abridge letters submitted for publication. Anonymous letters will not be published, but we will withhold your name if requested

BERKELEY’S NEW MEDICAL TEAM IS NOW IN PLACE

Following the merger of Marybrook Medical Centre with Culverhay Surgery on the 1st April the surgery will be renamed

‘Culverhay Berkeley’. The aim is to merge the practices and the IT systems and run it as one practice over two sites.

Although many of the staff at Berkeley will remain the same they are boosting their numbers and bringing in a largely

new clinical team. There are lots of exciting plans and developments for the practice in the future.

As a result of CoVid-19 and in common with practices throughout Gloucestershire you will have noticed that our surgery

has adopted a telephone triage system. This means that your appointment will initially involve a telephone consultation, if

as a result of that, the doctor needs to physically see you, you will be invited into the surgery. This means that people

who need to be seen can attend in the knowledge that the environment is as safe as it is possible to make it and the

vulnerable will feel more secure. I am sure you will agree that this county wide approach is the right approach.

During this time the surgery are only taking repeat prescription requests by telephone.’

If you are not feeling well for reasons other than CoVid19, it is important to have that telephone conversation, don ’t put

off seeking medical advice because of CoVid19. You will find the doctor takes all that into account when advising next

steps.

Gordon Craig, Chairman PPG

It’s been a strange old month. So many of

the problems that had us all tearing our

hair out have turned out to be miniscule in

the scheme of things and too many people

have been taken from us before their time.

Locally we have fared very well and it’s

been good to see most people sticking to

the social distancing rules. In its simplest

form, this virus needs fresh humans to

stay alive for any length of time and if we

can deprive it of them, we will minimise the

risk. When I’ve been out for exercise walks

I’ve noticed many people not simply

leaving 2 metres between them and others

but crossing to the opposite side of the

road where possible. The looks and words

of appreciation for this caring approach

are just great to behold and I know this

attitude is one of the things that makes

everyone pleased that they live in

Berkeley.

We were one of the first communities in

the county to get a support group set up.

Elsewhere in the Flyer you will see a list

of some of the key local resources

currently in place and only a phone call

away. If you are a Facebook user you will

see also that Rachel Sleigh who has been

a real live wire in this, is constantly posting

news of things happening on the

“Berkeley and Surrounding Area

Covid19 Support” page. Indeed things

are changing on a daily basis so it’s a

great page to like and follow.

Stroud District Council and Berkeley Town

Council are supporting Berkeley’s plan

and we are constantly searching for more

offers of help and funding. Stage 1 of the

plan has clearly been to support the

vulnerable and needy and as you can see,

much of this is now in place. Stage 2 of

the plan anticipates that some families in

particular may need grant support to carry

them through gaps in income and

Berkeley being Berkeley we want to help

so this is currently being worked up.

Finally on your behalf, I would like to pay a

huge tribute to the amazing band of local

volunteer helpers who treat a request to

go to the shops for a needy resident or to

help them in other way as a privilege

rather than a task. You all know who you

are and you are Just Great !

Whilst on this theme let us not forget the

local NHS staff and Carers who slip in and

out of homes in Berkeley each day to fight

the good fight for us all. Let’s give them all

an extra loud applause on Thursday.

Gordon Craig




Useful Telephone Numbers:

Police (non emergencies) 101

West Country CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111

Neighbourhood Warden 01453 754276

Culverhay Berkeley Medical Centre 01453 810228

NHS (non emergency) 111

Berkeley Pharmacy 01453 810316

Electricity Supply Power Loss 0800 6783105

(mobile users 0330 1235008)

Gas Emergency Service 0800 111999

Water Emergency 0800 7834444

Berkeley Town Council 01453 511964

Berkeley Primary School 01453 810254

Refuse Collection 01453 754424

Stroud District Council 01453 766321

Gloucestershire County Council 01452 425000

People for You, Barbara Weldon 01453 511964

Samaritans 0845 7909090

National Rail Enquiries 0845 7484950

Traveline 0871 2002233

Community Wellbeing Agent 0345 863 8323

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital 0300 4222222

Vale Hospital, Dursley 0300 4218494

Citizens’ Advice Bureau 01453 762084

www.armstrongandnorth.com Tel Berkeley 01453 511436

Dursley 01453 545816 Stroud 01453 764753

Private Sight Tests/ NHS Free contact lens trial

Weekend Appointments Frames to suit every budget

Safety spectacles Home visits by appointment

Berkeley Town Council Art competitions:

Berkeley Town Council are running four competitions to help us get through these trying times and to try to help lift people’s spirits:

1. 'Street Party Poster' - We will be arranging a large street party when the Coronavirus situation changes (with help from residents hopefully!). We would like the children to design a poster/flag which will be used to advertise it when the time comes (leave a blank area for the dates/times etc). There are 2 age groups: up to 10 and 11-16 years

2. Picture of 'Rainbow and/or Bear Windows'. We know a lot of you have already done this, so please ask your parents/carers to post your photos on here

3. Photography - Any age group - Are you a budding photographer, we are asking for photos about 'What kept you occupied during the Coronavirus Outbreak'. Please ask permission if you include photos of people.

4. Ideas for a 'Mural/Noticeboard for the new Canon Park Recreational Ground Entrance' - Any age group - This could be a painting/drawing or digital artwork.

Please either post on the Facebook page ‘Berkeley Town Council Competitions Page’ or email a picture to [email protected] and include which competition number you are entering.

Please ask your parents/carers to post your pictures on Facebook as we can only accept these, also parents/carers by posting your entries you are agreeing to post on a public page.

The competition will close on 31st May and will be judged by the Mayor and the Councillors. There will be prizes for each category.

Self Isolating and missing the sights of Berkeley and our

beautiful surroundings?

Have a look at the We Love

Berkeley Vale group on

Facebook. It is only there for

people to post their photos of the

local areas, so make a cuppa

and take a look. From sunsets at

the Deer Park to flowers in the hedgerows, inquisitive cows

to furry moths it showcases our area beautifully.




PLEASE CONTACT THE ORGANISER TO CHECK THAT THESE EVENTS ARE GOING AHEAD IN THE CURRENT EPIDEMIC

For a regular entry in the What’s On Diary please email [email protected] before 15th of the month

Berkeley Community Library 10.30am - 4.30pm

Berkeley Rainbows The Scout Hut 4.15 - 5.30pm

FitFix Exercise - St Dominics Hall 9.30am with Sam 07793 755240 Fat burning & toning for all

Friday

Extend Exercise Classes for 60+ Scout Hut From 10.30am Contact Barbara 01453 766421

Bingo - Sharpness Village Hall from 7.30pm contact Jimmy Thomas 01453 811339

Coffee Morning Union Church Schoolroom 10.00 – 11.00am

Art Group Berkeley Library . £3.00 per session 10.00am—1pm. Bring own materials

NatWest Mobile Bank Salter Street 10.15am -12.30 pm

Beavers Scouts for 6 to 8 years old Scout HQ, Park View, 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Berkeley Brownies The Scout Hut 6.00pm - 7.30pm

New Berkeley Harriers Running Club 6.30pm at Canon Park Pavilion

Berkeley Players

Meet in the Town Hall

From 7pm—8.30 Young People

From 8.30 Adults

Thursday

Berkeley Community Library 9.30am - 12.30pm

Coffee Morning Every 2nd Saturday of the month 10.00 - 11.30 at The Evangelical Church

Physio-Led Modified Pilates Class

Town Hall— Advance Booking essential

Contact Miranda 07813513516 10am -11am

Craft Club - Berkeley Arms Last Wednesday of the month. 10.30am - 1.30pm. All welcome

Dog Training - Sharpness Village Hall from 7pm contact Mike Vine 01453 822134

Berkeley Under 5’s Town Hall Toddlers - 9.30am - 11.30am

P3 Community Based Drop In Town Hall, 10am - 12pm

Citizens Advice Bureau Town Hall, 1pm - 3pm

Berkeley Youth Club Canon Park Pavilion 6pm - 8pm

Berkeley Gardening Club 3rd Wednesday of the month Library 7.30pm

Past-Times Café Marybrook Medical Centre Chat, Crafts, and tea. 2.00pm

FitFix Exercise - Stinchcombe Village Hall 6.30pm with Sam 07793 755240 Fat burning & toning for all

Alcoholics Anonymous Berkeley Steps Town hall, 7.30pm - 8.30pm, Town Hall

Town Council Meeting 3rd Monday of the month 7.30pm

Stay & Play Kids - Sharpness Village Hall 9.45am - 12 noon contact Sue Boxall on 07526101287

Youth Club - Sharpness Village Hall 6.30pm - 8.30pm contact Darren Brown on 07799067237

Beavers/Scouts Scout HQ., Park View Scouts 10½ to 14 years old 7.00pm - 8.30pm

FitFix Exercise - Stinchcombe Village Hall 6.30pm with Sam 07793 755240 Fat burning & toning for all

Physio-Led Modified Pilates Class

Town Hall— Advance Booking essential

Monday

Community Bank - Town Hall, Tuesdays 9.15am - 11am

Poetry Circle: 1st Tuesday of the month 2-3pm at Berkeley Library. Informal group for reading, writing and enjoying poetry. Bring your favourites along

Town Planning & Finance Meetings 2nd Tuesday of the month 7.30pm

Berkeley Community Library Tuesdays 10.30am - 4.30pm Telephone 810520

Line Dancing/Ballroom Dance Class Hamfields Leisure 7.00pm - 9.00pm Contact Daphne 01453 826034

Skylarks Community Choir Town Hall, 7.10 - 9pm Term Time only. All welcome

Cub Scouts - Scout HQ. Park View 8 to 10½ years old 6.00pm - 7.30pm

FitFix Exercise - Cam Memorial Hall 9.45am - 10.45am

Crochet Group - Berkeley Library 11.00am. £1 per session. Everyone is welcome. Just bring a crochet hook and some wool.

Berkeley Walking Group

Meet 10.a.m. The Library Car Park. (Free) Coffee

optional afterwards in The Library.

Coffee Morning Sharpness Village Hall 10.30 - 12pm Call Christy 07970 565099

Thornbury Macular & Low Vision Support

Group 1st Tuesday of month, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court, Thornbury

Tuesday

Wednesday Saturday

Sunday

Roman Catholic Mass Sundays 8.30am, 10.30am St Dominic RC Church, Kingshill, Dursley

Berkeley Union Church Salter Street, Berkeley. (Next to Town Hall) Sunday Services 10.00am -11.00am Coffee, Tea and biscuits to follow

St Mary’s Church

Services not currently taking place

Berkeley Evangelical Church

The monthly Coffee Mornings

will not now go ahead due to the

current pandemic

BERKELEY FLYER TEAM:

PUBLICATION: Simon Bingham: 01453 811353 Sarah Hall: 01453 511681 Gwen Chaney: 01453 811545

WEB PAGE: David Hook email: [email protected]

ARTICLES, LETTERS AND DIARY DATE ENTRIES: email: [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION: Grace & Dave King 811138

ADVERTISING: www.theberkeleyflyer.co.uk or email: [email protected]

PRINTING: Cotswold Marketing: 22 High St, Cam. tel: 01453 546645 email: [email protected]

If you want to make a contribution, please contact one of the Flyer Team on the numbers shown, place your contribution in the collection box in the Berkeley Pharmacy in the Market Place, or e-mail: [email protected] by 15th of each month

PUBLICATION DATE : 1st of each month

While every effort is made to ensure accurate reporting of events and information supplied to us, we regret we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions that may occur. Publication © 2020 The Berkeley Flyer. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Editorial Committee. Copyright of individual articles or pictures submitted for publication vest with their authors, but may not be reproduced as published within this publication without the permission of the publishers. Publication of trade adverts in this newsletter does not constitute our recommendation of their services.

Due to Covid-19 groups and clubs are

not running. They have been included

so people have contact info and

details of what clubs normally run so

you can make plans for when

restrictions are eased.




BERKELEY FABRICATION

& WELDING LTD For all your commercial and domestic iron and

steelwork needs From made-to-measure wrought iron gates and

railings to pre-drilled universal beams

For free quotes

phone Brian or Bobby on 01453 811806

THIS CoVid19 PANDEMIC IS MAKING LIFE TOUGH FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.

BUT YOU LIVE IN BERKELEY WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

ADVICE

Don’t quietly worry, call these organisations for free help and advice.

Don’t be put off by the 08 numbers, they are free on landline and mobile, and will automatically link you to the

first available advisor, all working from home just now.

P3 - 0808 168 2443 – Gloucestershire Community Based Support, this flexible service works with

people who are in crisis, including: Accessing financial support, Improving daily living skills, Accessing

specialist services, Dealing with debt, Mental ill health, Education and employment, Addiction issues.

Also able to provide Food Bank Vouchers

Citizens Advice 08088 000510 – Advice on Benefits, Work, Debt and money, Consumer, Family,

Housing, Law and courts, Immigration, Health

Stroud Employment Law - 01453 763384 – 30 minutes free advice on furlough and all employment

related issues

PRACTICAL HELP WITH FOOD

Trussell Trust Foodbank - 01453 367077 (If you don’t have a voucher, call P3 on 0808 168 2443 first)

Delivery service to your door.

Booster Box – call Justine on 01453 511964 – Fresh fruit, veg and some basics, designed to make a

food parcel stretch a bit further, funded by Berkeley Town Council, free if in need, donate when or if you

can.

Subsidised Ready Meals – call the phone line on 01453 270067 - we have an arrangement with

Severn Vale Community Kitchen 01453 708338, and can fund meals from Karen's Kitchen if you are

unable to heat food up yourself.

HARDSHIP FUNDS

Both can supply grants to assist with financial issues

Berkeley Town Council, call Justine on 01453 511964, will also know about other Hardship funds as

they become available

Berkeley Parochial Trust, call Sue Watson on 01453 542208

TRADES

Operating an emergency, PPE aware, service in Berkeley.

West Country Plumbing - 01453 843981 - Plumber

Energy Heating Solutions - 07742 227375 - Boiler breakdowns, repairs and plumbing issues

Direct Electrical - 07501 090430 - Electrician

And don’t forget, our Mutual Aid group is also developing, focused on helping us build a self-supporting

community, providing and accepting practical and emotional support. If you are in need of support and are

unsure of which numbers above to use, have a need that doesn’t fit one of the groups above or are looking to

help by supporting others please call our new dedicated phone number - 01453 270067.

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