traditional farm butchers mussel end farm meats seven

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No.108 January 2014 Annual Subscription: £6 Open Saturdays 9:00 am - 4:00 pm or phone Simon or Louise for your weekday orders. All British produce reared on the farm. 01452 730222 / 07774 420420 (mobile) Mussel End Farm, Sandhurst, Gloucester GL2 9NT Nurseries and Garden Centre for all your gardening needs Classic Printing 01452 731539 DUNDRY TELEFLORIST - Your flowers delivered anywhere PONDEROSA PET SUPPLIES - Pets and Pet products “DOVES’ CAFE” - Coffee Shop Dundry Nurseries ..... Altogether a better place to shop Bamfurlong Lane, Cheltenham OPEN 7 DAYS 01452 713124 Church of England United Benefice of: Twigworth including Longford; Down Hatherley; Norton; The Leigh with Evington; Sandhurst; Staverton with Boddington. SEVEN TOWERS‛ BENEFICE MAGAZINE Mussle End Meats — Your One Stop Butchers SJ & LE MIDDLE Mussel End Farm Meats Traditional Farm Butchers “Simon and Louise would like to say a big ‘Thank you‛ to all who have supported us during 2013 and look forward to serving you through 2014.”

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No.108 January 2014 Annual Subscription: £6

Open Saturdays 9:00 am - 4:00 pm or phone Simon or Louise for your weekday orders.

All British produce reared on the farm.01452 730222 / 07774 420420 (mobile)

Mussel End Farm, Sandhurst, Gloucester GL2 9NT

Nurseries and Garden Centre

for all your gardening needs

Classic Printing 01452 731539

DUNDRY TELEFLORIST - Your flowers delivered anywhere

PONDEROSA PET SUPPLIES - Pets and Pet products

“DOVES’ CAFE” - Coffee Shop

Dundry Nurseries ..... Altogether a better place to shop

Bamfurlong Lane, CheltenhamOPEN 7 DAYS 01452 713124

Church of England United Benefice of:Twigworth including Longford; Down Hatherley;

Norton; The Leigh with Evington;Sandhurst; Staverton with Boddington.

SEVEN TOWERS‛BENEFICE MAGAZINE

Mussle End Meats — Your One Stop Butchers

SJ & LE MIDDLEMussel End Farm Meats

Traditional Farm Butchers

“Simon and Louise would like to say a big

‘Thank you‛ to all who have supported us during 2013 and look forward to serving you through 2014.”

2

WHO’S WHO IN THE BENEFICE

Rector: Rev Suzanne Skepper 01452 731994 email: [email protected] Day off — Friday. Associate Ministers: Canon David Godwin 01452 730435 Father David Humphries 01452 529582 Chris Lane (Reader) 01452 520662

Seven Towers Benefice online at: www.seventowers.org.uk Churchwardens: Down Hatherley Ann Warriner 01452 730371 Andy Nicol 01452 730025 The Leigh & Evington Mrs Sue Roberts 01242 680835 Vacancy Norton Mr Simon Trapnell 07774 803177 Mrs Jean Smith 01452 730265 Sandhurst Mr Jim Brown 01452 731900 Mr Pat Collins 01452 731567 Staverton with Boddington Mr Edmund McClure 01242 681139 Mr Rob Buckland 01452 713155 Twigworth & Longford Mr Chris Baldwin 01452 534105

Vacancy

Enquiries about baptisms, marriages and funerals should be directed to the Rector.

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day and is significant in a number of ways. In the East, where it originated, the Epiph-any celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It also celebrates Jesus' birth. The Western Church began celebrating the Epiphany in the 4th century where it was, and still is, associated with the visit of the magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus.

Printed by Classic Printing Ltd. Tel. 01452 731539

COVER — EPIPHANY: 6th January 2014

31

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

Seasoned Ash and Oak split firewood available for collection or delivery in 300kg bags or 15kg nets

Contact:- Woodsman Matt Shaw 07921 680052 Or email:- [email protected]

Boddington Estates Ltd, Boddington House Farm. 01242 680609

30

A company that’s at the very Heart of the community.

The Robert Hitchins Group

Boddington Manor, Cheltenham 680694

COLIN BARNFATHER IT BA CEng MIET MRAeS MCMI

Computer Training in Your Own Home One to one instruction and trouble shooting

01242 680877 www.colinbarnfather.co.uk

HATHAWAY FURNITURE

BESPOKE FURNITURE & JOINERY

01452 857857 www.hathawayfurniture.co.uk

3

FROM THE STUDY WINDOW Give us this New Year, this new day, our daily bread...

As we think about putting the Christmas tree away and the lights and decorations, and start to get ourselves prepared for going back to school and back to work, maybe even thoughts wander to planning a summer holiday. Spare a thought for those who wish they could. For many, this new year starts in a refugee camp, in a tent, cold, without electricity, little food; things like school and work a distant memory, and as for a holiday...!

There is the promise throughout scripture that God has created an economy in which there is enough, that God’s not created a world of scarcity with too many people or too much stuff; as Gandhi said, "There is enough for everyone's need not everyone's greed." We are to pray this day for our daily bread - nothing more nothing less. As we begin a new year, we are called to love our neighbours as ourselves, to do this we need to hold our possessions that little more loosely, for the suffering of another is our suffering and their burden is our burden. God's economy comes most meaningfully not through our guilt or coercion or force but through compassion, solidarity and love.

May this year be a year when we all pray for our daily bread, nothing more nothing less, so that we all have a brighter future to look forward to.

Wishing you all a blessed year ahead. Suzanne.

4

PRAYER DIARY — JANUARY Wednesday 1 For peacemakers throughout the world

Thursday 2 Diocese of Karnataka Central - India Friday 3 The work of Christian Aid

Saturday 4 Those attending the men's and ladies' breakfasts

Sunday 5 People living in Down Hatherley Monday 6 Our PCC members Tuesday 7 Communities of the secondary schools serving our villages

Wednesday 8 The Open The Book Team Thursday 9 Diocese of Dornakal - India

Friday 10 Those ill in hospital or housebound Saturday 11 Those preparing to lead worship and preach tomorrow

Sunday 12 People living in Sandhurst Monday 13 Members of the Ministry team Tuesday 14 Staff , children and governors at Norton School

Wednesday 15 For our churchwardens Thursday 16 Diocese of Västerås - Sweden

Friday 17 Visitors to our churches and villages Saturday 18 Those preparing to lead worship and preach tomorrow

Sunday 19 People living in Coombe Hill Monday 20 Our Rector

Tuesday 21 For those working in the police, fire, and ambulance services Wednesday 22 Our flower arrangers

Thursday 23 Diocese of Gloucester Friday 24 Those working in our hospitals

Saturday 25 Those preparing to lead worship and preach tomorrow Sunday 26 People living in Twigworth Monday 27 Bishops Michael and Martyn Tuesday 28 The community of Korowe School in Kenya

Wednesday 29 For families everywhere and the joy of new birth Thursday 30 Diocese of Western Tanganyika

Friday 31 Our assistant clergy, Canon David & Father David

29

Editor Mr Mike Dill 01452 730767 [email protected] Advertisements Mrs Margaret Brind 01452 730744 [email protected] Correspondents Down Hatherley Mrs Helen Nicol 01452 730025 The Leigh Mrs Sue Roberts 01242 680835 Norton Mrs June Hipwood 01452 730425 Sandhurst Mrs Caroline Watson 01452 730207 Twigworth Mrs Margaret Riddick 01452 730700 Staverton Mr David Bound 01242 680692

Clerks to the Parish Councils: Boddington Mrs Diane Hughes

The Leigh Miss Kate Tilling 01242 680089 ([email protected])

Down Hatherley Mr David Bayley 01452 501796

Longford Mr Paul Ounsworth 01452 526495

Norton Mr David Cooper 01452 537831

Sandhurst Mr David Cooper 01452 537831 07766004001

Staverton Mr Paul Ounsworth 01452 526495

Twigworth Mr David Bayley 01452 501796

Local History Group Mr Denis King 01452 730773

Norton Mother & Toddlers Group Katy Bailey 07747728475

Norton W.I. Mrs Josie Wragg 01242 680235

Sandhurst WI Celia Poffley 01452 739487

Scottish Dancing Class Mrs Joan Leyfield 01452 730926 Mrs Pam Parkes 01452 730592

Traidcraft Goods Sarah Sharpley 01452 739179 Ellie Stevenson 01452 739142

UB Youth Club Alison Moseley 07759 458494

Wainlode Quilters Mrs Tilly Page 01452 730046 Mrs Hazel Goad 01452 730360

MAGAZINE TEAM

LOCAL CONTACTS

28

Readings to 31st January 2014: Year A

Sunday 5 January White Epiphany

First Reading Isaiah 60: 1—6

Gospel Matthew 2: 1—12

Psalm 72: 1—9, 10—15

Sunday 12th January White Epiphany 1

First Reading Isaiah 42: 1—9

Gospel Matthew 3: 13—17

Psalm 29

Sunday 19th January White Epiphany 2

First Reading Isaiah 49: 1—7

Gospel John 1: 29—42

Psalm 40: 1—12

Sunday 26th January White Epiphany 3

First Reading Isaiah 9: 1—4

Gospel Matthew 4: 12—23

Psalm 27: 1, 4—12

5

JANUARY

Sunday 12th January Epiphany 1

Sandhurst Holy Communion 9:30 am Rev Suzanne

Twigworth Holy Communion 11:00 am Rev Suzanne

Down Hatherley Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Team

Norton Morning Prayer Team

The Leigh Holy Communion 9:30 am Canon David

Staverton Morning Prayer 10:00 am Chris Lane

Boddington No Service

9:30 am

4 Ladies’ Breakfast Group (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 12)

4 Men’s Breakfast Club

4 Norton RFC (H) Minchinhampton 3 pm

Sunday 5th January Epiphany Sunday

Sandhurst Evening Prayer 6:00 pm Team

Twigworth Morning Prayer 10:30 am Team

Down Hatherley Holy Communion 9:30 am Canon David

Norton Holy Communion 11:00 am Rev Suzanne

The Leigh Evening Prayer 6:00 pm Team

Staverton

Boddington

Holy Communion

No Service

9:30 am

Rev Suzanne

12 Messy Church in Longford Village Hall (See EVENTS Page: 15)

15 Sandhurst WI

16 Norton WI (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 12)

8 Norton Parish Council meeting in the village hall 7:30pm. All welcome.

9 Norton PCC meeting at Galoway, Old Tewkesbury Road at 7:00pm

6

JANUARY Sunday 19th January Sandhurst Family Service 9:30 am Team

Twigworth Morning Prayer 10:30 am Team

Down Hatherley Holy Communion 9:30 am Rev Suzanne Norton Holy Communion 9:30 am Fr David

The Leigh Evening Prayer 6:00 pm Team

Staverton No Service

Boddington Holy Communion 11:00 am Rev Suzanne

Epiphany 2

February, March etc.

27 Norton & The Leigh Local History Group meeting (See MONTHLY MEETINGS Page: 12)

Sunday 26th January Epiphany 3

Sandhurst Holy Communion 9:30 am Rev Suzanne

Twigworth Holy Communion 11:00 am Rev Suzanne

Down Hatherley Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Team

Norton Morning Prayer Team

The Leigh Holy Communion (Said) 9:30 am Canon David

Staverton No Service

Boddington Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Team

9:30 am

18 Feb Sandhurst Table Tennis Social

(See AROUND THE PARISHES Page: 14)

22 Mar Jumble Sale Norton Village Hall

(See AROUND THE PARISHES Page: 14)

16 May St. Catherine’s, The Leigh

Performance of extracts from ‘Under Milk Wood’ George & Frances Yiend

25 Norton RFC (A) Old Elizabethans 3 pm

27

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Private Hire By Richard Theyer

Airport, Seaport & Rail Stations

Quotes given for all UK destinations

Climate controlled clean vehicles

From 1 to 8 passengers

Fully Licensed Insured & C.R.B. checked

Seven days a week by appointment

tel: 01242 680766 mob: 07970 966 801

Michael Kelsall HND Hort/Arb, BSc Land Man

Ammonite Paving &Landscaping

All aspects of :- Landscaping, Design & Construction, Fencing

Patios, Driveways, Arbours, Planting

- Also All Types of Tree work, Felling Pruning, Removal & Hedge Cutting.

Fully Insured

Friendly Advice & Free Quotation from qualified professionals

01242 680922—Mobile 07703 826396

Tod Cottage, The Leigh, GL19 4AG

www.ammonitepavingandlandscaping.co.uk

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW PLAYERS

FOR 2013

SENIOR TEAMS JUNIOR TEAMS SATURDAY 1ST XI UNDER 15’S SATURDAY 2ND XI UNDER 13’S SUNDAY 1ST XI MID WEEK XI

PLAYERS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITY ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG, HAVE SOME FUN AND JOIN A FRIENDLY CRICKET CLUB.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE COME AND

VISIT US AT WOOD LANE, DOWN HATHERLEY or

CONTACT US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE: WWW.DOWNHATHERLEYCC.COM

26

HAY & STRAW FOR SALE

WALLSWORTH FARM, SANDHURST, GLOS GOOD QUALITY SMALL BALES

Call at the farm, one mile from the A38 Tewkesbury Road Delivery Available

For more details call Alan on: 01452 739299 or 07790 815251

1st CHOICE AERIALS & SATELLITES Aerial Upgrades - Extra Points - Repair work - Storm Damage

All Work guaranteed - Freeview Set Top Boxes

Call 01452 311511 69 Sandyleaze, Longlevens, Gloucester

Rob Bingham Total Gas Services Services & Breakdown Engineer Installation Natural Gas, L.P.G. & Oil

Boilers, Water Heaters, Cookers & Gas Fires. — Landlord Certificates

Tel No. 01452 387278 Mobile. 07789872650

Reg. No 215095

Painting and Decorating Quality Internal & External Decorating

General Handyman & Property Maintenance

Free Estimates – DULUX approved

Colin Crosby-Moorton – 25 years Experience

Phone: 01452 864029 Mobile 07958 059011

7

FROM THE REGISTERS

WEDDINGS “God is love, and those who live in love live in God; and God lives in

them.” (1 John 4: 16)

James George

Meadows

D. 10 November St. Mary & Corpus Christi,

Down Hatherley

Mabel ‘Lil’ Walker

of Bamfurlong

D. 13 November

John Arkell and Yvonne Paton St. Catherine’s,

FUNERALS “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live,

even though he dies.” (John 11:25)

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SEVEN TOWERS’ BENEFICE

MAGAZINE Annual subscription to

remain at £6.

Please pay as soon as possible!

A frightfully good deal, I’d say!

8

MONTHLY MEETINGS ROUND UP

Parish Council Meetings: Twigworth: Meetings held on a Thursday at 7:00pm in St. Matthew’s vestry. (Door at left side of church)

2014: Jan 9; Mar 6; May 8 (AGM); July 3; Sept 4; Nov 6

Members of the public and press are cordially invited to attend. There is a chance for public participation at the beginning and at the end of every meeting.

Down Hatherley: Meetings held on a Wednesday in the village hall at 7:00pm.

Members of the public and press are cordially invited to attend. There is a chance for public participation at the beginning and at the end of every meeting.

2014: Jan 15; mar 5; April 16 (APM); May 21 (AGM)

Sandhurst: Meetings are held in Sandhurst Village Hall, starting at 7:30 pm on the first Monday of each month (unless this is a Bank Holi- day). All parishioners are invited to attend.

The Leigh: Meetings have now been altered so that there are 4 planned meetings a year, one of those will be the Annual General Meet ing each May where Councillor Officers are appointed to Parish Council roles. Meetings are held in St Catherine’s Church, on a Wednesday at 7.30pm. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.

2014: Feb 12 ; May 14 (AGM)

Longford: Meetings are held in Longford Village Hall, first Tuesday of the month, starting at 7:30 pm. All residents are invited.

Norton: Meetings are held in the Village Hall committee room starting at 7.30pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

2014: Jan 8 .

Staverton:

Boddington: The Council meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month at the Cheltenham West Community Fire Station at Uckington.

25

LPG and natural Gas, Corgi and Gassafe registered Engineer

Free quotations, fully insured, guaranteed workmanship. 08450 507591 local rate call 07809 201125 mobile

08450 507592 fax line.

Gloucester Academy of Music

Music Tuition & Group Sessions For all ages, pre school to post retirement

Term-time & exciting Holiday Courses www.gamusic.co.uk 01452 385162

[email protected]

24

CLEEVELY MEMORIALS Specialists in Finest Quality Individual Memorials

in Stone, Granite, Marble & Slate Friendly family business established in 1992

Large Showroom with over 60 memorials on show

Unit 5b, 83 Prestbury Road, Cheltenham, GL52 2DR Contact Caroline on 01242 236236

TOVEY TREE & GARDEN SERVICES FULLY INSURED & QUALIFIED

Tree felling/thinning/reduction Hedge trimming, fruit tree pruning, grass cutting

Weed killing, pressure washing, garden clearance Call 07506070653

Email [email protected]

~ Milk ~ Fruit Juice ~ Eggs ~ Cream ~ Bread ~

M C HALE (Dairyman) Est 1961

Doorstep Deliveries

Phone 01452 730067 email:[email protected] Text 07919 131 952

www.mchaledairyman.co.uk

9

MONTHLY MEETINGS ROUND UP

SANDHURST COFFEE MORNINGS In Sandhurst Village Hall on 2nd Monday of the month at 10:30am:

Jan 13; Feb 10; March 10; April 14; May 12; June 9; July 14; Aug 11; Sept 8; Oct 13; Nov 10; Dec 8.

The Orchard Knitting Club We meet every Thursday from 10:15 till 12:15 in the Coffee Shop at Nature in Art, Walsworth Hall. New members always welcome regardless of ability. Bring your own projects or help with knitting for charity. For more details contact Mavis on 07974033428.

MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB How do you fancy a cooked breakfast!? Well, we have a monthly gathering of men for conversation and to have breakfast. We meet on the first Saturday on each month, starting at 8:30am and finishing by 10:00am. If you’re able to make a donation to help cover costs that would be good (but not essential!). Our next gathering will be at the home of Andy Nicol —Down Hatherley — on 4th January. So that we can order the right amount of sausages, please let Andy know if you’re coming! (Tel: 01452 730025).

LONGFORD FLOWER CLUB — R.I.P Throughout the 22 years since its inception, Longford

Flower Club has always supported local charities — James Hopkins trust, Air Ambulance, Gloucester Heart rehabilitation and the local guides. Unfortunately, the Annual Christmas Demonstration was the last one, as the Flower Club is now closing due to ill health, dwindling numbers and rising costs. The Saturday Craft days will also come to an end as they were a spin-off of the Flower Club. Under the clever tuition of Mrs. Beryl Griffiths, members enjoyed learning new crafts and the art of flower arranging; her knowledge has been much appreciated. It is with some sadness that we have to say goodbye to Beryl who made the classes so friendly and enjoyable.

June West

10

MONTHLY MEETINGS ROUND UP

NORTON WI Programme for 2014 Date Topic Speaker Jan 16 The Village Shop Marion Beagley

Feb 20 90th Birthday Lunch 12:30 for 1:00

Mar 20 Eats, Cheats and Leaves Jane Bailey

Apr 17 The Huggable History

of the Teddy Bear

Gill White

May 15 RESOLUTIONS

Quilling for Cards

Carolyn Evans

June 19 Birds of Gloucestershire David Cramp

July 17 Willow Basket Making Norah Kennedy

Sep 18 The Suffragettes and Votes for Women Paddy Harrington

Oct 16 The Thrill of Turning the Page Gill Boyd

Nov 20 Cabinet of Curiosities Malcolm Watkins

Dec 11 Members’ Evening

Meeting in Norton Village Hall, Thursdays at 7:30 pm.

Annual subscription: £33.00. Sec: Margaret Edwards: 731218

Aug No Meeting

23

CHRIS’S CORNER I always find it strange to be writing these articles ahead of the previous month’s closure. It is at its strangest though at the turn of the year. The week that is our celebration seems to be so much longer and our life skills are tested to the full. There is real joy in the catch up with friends and family, but how quickly the over indulgence and claustrophobia of restricted space has us wishing a speedy end to the festivity. Thank goodness for the garden. Why revisit MGM Classics, when your own ‘Great Escape’ is offered at the back door.

I do love winter gardening, catching up with the tidying jobs, turning a bit of ground, pushing the barrow around and gathering the debris of a spent year passed; setting up and replenishing bird feeding arrangements and checking for rodent disruption. The mice and rats are very busy foraging this winter. Stored vegetables and over wintered seeds are all vulnerable. I have run some chicken wire across the ground for the beans and have pinned it well. If I can get the seedling just emerging the pests will be less interested. I hate killing, but may yet resort to a bit of bait tucked into a drain pipe and lain along the line of the boundary fence. Rodents will tend to follow fence lines and will not cut directly across open space, so most will pass through the pipe. My patience is being well tested this year by a single wild rabbit who has decided to keep digging up my bulbs. Clearly disappointed that they are predominantly daffodils he does not eat them, but rather waits for me to replant and then has another go. We know each other well, indeed I have conversed with him (quite coarsely I confess).

It is the wandering and wonderment that brings the greatest joy to me at this time. A walk around to see what is going on, to take note of the early bud, the disturbed ground or the first snowdrop. I will reflect on the season past and begin planning for the season ahead. The potatoes are in (they weren’t then, but they are now) and I do so want to plant some seeds.

And finally, should you have been worried about me………………the rabbit is not called ‘Harvey’.

Happy Gardening

22 11

MONTHLY MEETINGS ROUND UP

NORTON & THE LEIGH LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

Programme for 2014

Date Topic Speaker Jan 27 Waterways from the Air in the 1920s

& 1930s Tony Conder

Feb 24 The Brett family of Down Hatherley in the 17th Century

Bill Welsh

Mar 24 The History & Wildlife of the Coombe Hill Canal

Jackie Birch

Apr 28 Poverty, Pestilence &

privies (in Tewkesbury)!

John Dixon

May 21 Bring and Share Supper at Yew Tree Farm

June 18

July 23 Cheltenham’s Ornamental Ironwork £2 per head. 7:30pm. Guided walk of 1—1.5 hrs. Meet at entrance to car park opposite The George hotel in St. George’s Road.

Geoff & Elaine North

Sep 22 Surnames & Local History Simon Draper

Oct 27 AGM

Folk Music & Songs of Gloucestershire & The Cotswolds

Gwilym Davies (and wife)

Nov 24 Supper; and the History of Aviation in Gloucestershire

Barry Simon

Meeting in Norton Village Hall with coffee and display at 7 pm; talks commence at 7.30 pm. All welcome. Entrance £2. Further information:

Sue Phelps 731280, Ann Wrench 730439, Betty Welch 730584

Visit to Highnam Church £3 to include tea / coffee

12

MONTHLY MEETINGS’ ROUND UP

LADIES’ BREAKFAST GROUP The Ladies’ Breakfast group will meet again on 4th January from 8:30am - 10:00am at the home of Anne Poole, Sandhurst. More ladies are always welcome and if you’d like to come, please contact Anne on 01452 730278 . If you’re able to make a donation to help cover costs that would be good (but not essential!).

Norton & The Leigh Local History Group Meeting in Norton Village Hall on 27th January at 7:00pm, the speaker for the evening, Tony Conder, will talk on ‘Waterways from the Air in the 1920’s and 1930’s’. Entrance £2 includes tea / coffee. All welcome.

NORTON WI At the meeting on 16th January at 7:30pm, speaker for the evening, Marion Beagley, will give a talk on ‘The Village Shop’. New members and visitors always welcome.

A new editor for the Benefice magazine to take over in the Spring of 2014. Interested? Want to find out more? Contact: Mike Dill on 01452 730767 or email: [email protected]

21

COLIN’S COMPUTER COLUMN

Take a Letter Once upon a time there were lots of typists. And there were shorthand typists, too, but not so many of them because of the extra training needed. Quite often experienced shorthand typists would become personal assistants, or private secretaries to senior people. "Take a letter, Miss Jones ...." might mark the start of a dictation session. In later years, when small audio recording machines came along, an audio typist could listen to a tape recording of a dictation session and produce typescript at an unrushed pace (and, indeed, correct spoken errors, for dictation is not everyone's forte). Now, in the Digital Age, I suspect that most people would rather use a word processor to produce documents than dictate words, either to a person or a machine. After all, one then has control over layout, style, fonts and colours etc as well as the words. But what if one's spoken words were automatically converted to written text by computer? Well, as you probably know, they can be. For some years now, quite ordinary computers have had speech recognition programs which feature voice control of many of the computer's functions as well as simply reproducing text. I was nevertheless impressed to discover that my modest smartphone could respond to voice inputs. At first I presumed that it could only cope with a single word or very short phrase, as in saying "Cheltenham" to the navigation program, or "Marmite" to the Memo program. What I didn't realise was that the main speech recognition program involved was not just in the little phone, but at the other end of the WiFi or mobile connection. It was perfectly possible to dictate a fairly long message into the Text Messaging program, subsequently tidying up any mistakes with the ordinary virtual keyboard controls. Quite a useful feature if you have large fingers and a small smartphone.

But even if you haven't, there will be mistakes - you can't blame the thing for writing down "I make up" if you say "eye makeup".

20

VILLAGE & COMMUNITY AGENT REPORT

Hello Everyone, Happy New Year!

I am really enjoying my new role and have visited most of the local social groups and clubs. I have to say how impressed I am with the meals served at all the lunch clubs, they are delicious, especially the desserts! I think one of my New Year resolutions will need to include more exercise!

I have some information from Trading Standards:-

Door Step Sales - Protect Yourself

Fix a security chain to your door and use it every time you get a call.

Guard against bogus callers and always ask to see identification and phone the company/council to check it is real.

Genuine callers won’t mind waiting while you check their details.

Don’t have work done by someone coming uninvited to your door.

Telephone Scams - Say ‘no thank you’ and hang up if

The company phones you out of the blue.

You are asked to part with money in advance.

They use high pressure sales tactics to confuse you.

Never ring a premium rate -09- number. They make money from the call.

Postal Scams

Ignore letters that ask you to send money, give bank/credit card details or any other personal details. Throw them away.

Never reply to junk mail. You can find your name added to more mailing lists even if you have not sent any money.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06. (They will inform Trading Standards of any complaint or enquiry which they feel requires further action.)

I visit many homes and during the last 2 years, I have only been asked for proof of identity once! I have met people who have been victims of these scams and they have lost a significant amount of money as a result. If you are worried about any mail you have received or are receiving unwanted phone calls, please tell a family member or friend or contact the Mailing and Telephone Preference Services (details in the last Newsletter). Please also contact me if you feel you need further help.

Best wishes

Ann Vaughan

07534 064 169 13

CENTRAL MOBILE LIBRARY As part of the new Library Strategy there have been changes to the mobile library service. Routes F and H no longer exist and so there will be no visits to Sandhurst, Norton and Staverton. The only remaining visit on ‘our patch’ will be at The Swan, Coombe Hill. Village Stop Name Time Coombe Hill The Swan 14.55 — 16.55 Dates: 10 January; 7 February; 28 March.

EVENTS

FEEDBACK

LONGFORD FLOWER CLUB The Annual Christmas Demonstration held on the 9th December in

aid of the Sue Ryder Care Home in Leckhampton raised £720 for this very worthwhile charity. Grateful thanks are extended to all those who supported and gave so generously.

14

AROUND THE PARISHES — NORTON

MAGAZINE COPY

Next month’s copy date: For inclusion in the February 2014 edition of the magazine, copy should reach parish correspondents by 17th January or be sent directly to Mike Dill by the 18th January.

AROUND THE PARISHES — SANDHURST

Calling all table tennis fans in Sandhurst Sandhurst Table Tennis Club invites anyone in Sandhurst interested in table tennis to come to their second open evening at the village hall on Tuesday 18th February from 7:15pm onwards. The object is to play, chat, or just watch and have a cup of tea/coffee.

Contact: Norman Saunders (01452 730208) for further information.

Norton Village Hall Saturday 22nd March 12:00pm—2:00 pm

In aid of St. Mary’s Church Funds

19

Trevor Humphris

TJH Contracting Ltd

Established 28 years

Operated plant hire for:- Flood Defence/Barriers Ditches, Drains, Ponds.

Demolition, Reclamation Foundations Concreting Tree / Hedge cutting.

Garden Clearance.

1.5 — 14 Tonne Excavators 1/4 — 12 Tonne Dumpers Loading Shovel, Tractors

Contact Trevor or Liz : Tel : 01452 730155

Mobile : 07836 758080 By Quote or on Day Work www.tjhcontracting.co.uk

18

Wired Electrical

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Fully insured and Part P registered - Over 10 years experience

24 hour call out

10% discount on presentation of this ad

Please contact Simon Berry on 07534 925685

House of Robinson SOFT FURNISHINGS AND DESIGN

PROPRIETOR: - Mrs Sallyann Rolfe

26 LEWIS AVENUE, LONGFORD, GLOUCESTER, GL2 9BQ 07721 768577 01452 305381

www.houseofrobinson.co.uk Soft furnishings individually designed to suit your lifestyle and budget,

from simple roman blinds to intricately designed curtains, expertly made to measure soft furnishings, from your fabric or our own.

● Handmade curtains ● Roman blinds ● Swags & Tails ● Pelmets ● Bedspreads ● Loose Covers

We offer a consultation service in the comfort of your own home, with a wide choice of fabrics, trimmings, curtain poles and rails.

Shiny Bright Cleaning Ltd Experienced domestic cleaning service

Weekly cleans, Deep cleans, Spring cleans Interior and exterior window cleaning

Solar Panel cleaning Gutters cleared, fascias, & soffits cleaned

Moving in and out House Clean

A friendly local firm - Contact Jan 01452 731895 or 07894 058792

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EVENTS

NeighbourhoodWatch Alerts

The Gloucestershire Constabulary NON EMERGENCY number is 101. This switchboard is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If police attendance is needed -

If you wish to report a crime - If you see something suspicious - DIAL 101 If you would like some free crime prevention advice also dial 101 to arrange for a PCSO to attend.

If there is a crime in progress - If a crime is likely to occur - If someone is injured - or if life is threatened; then phone the emergency number - DIAL 999

INFORMATION

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Fitness for the over 50s Would you like to feel fitter,

have more energy, ease arthritic joints, improve your

flexibility, mobility and balance

and have fun? Why not make it your New Year resolution and come along to the

ForEver Young Fitness Group at

St Peters Social Club, London Road, Gloucester.

Every Tuesday 10.30 – 11.30am

*£4 per person *parking available

Call Debbie on 07729 271568

COUNTRY KENNELS & CATTERY

Church Farm, Church Lane, Priors Norton, GL2 9LS

A family run kennels offering knowledgeable and caring service

for your four-legged family member Comfortable heated accommodation,

daily walks & exercise given

Telephone: 01452 730682 or 07806506513

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JOHN HARTLAND

FIREWOOD LOGS & KINDLING

Delivered – small and large loads

07811 340975 or 01684 275859 www.glosfirewood.co.uk

Mobile firewood processing unit, log splitting service and tractor hedge-trimming