REPORT FOR THE WESTON-SUB-EDGE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 27th May 2014
Social events have been successful and the opening of the new bar in the clubhouse in April was very exciting. This is now in regular use.
Barrie Knight resigned as Chairman in November was thanked for all the work he had done for the club. Roy Clarke is now Chairman with Peggy Patrick as Club Captain and Ladies Captain.
The greens are in excellent condition, thanks to the hard work of Jim and Paul Bird and the members look forward to an enjoyable summer season of bowls.
WESTON-SUB-EDGE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
At the annual meeting of the P.C.C. in March Barrie Knight resigned as Churchwarden, having served in this post for over 50 years. This was recognized by the new Bishop of Tewkesbury at a service in Mickleton Church to dedicate a new window there. Mary Knight has also served as Treasurer for this length of time. The Bishop said these were extraordinary lengths of service.
A new benefice has been formed called the Vale Group. This is made up with the parishes of Dorsington, Pebworth, Honeybourne, Willersey with Saintbury, Aston-sub-edge and Weston-sub-Edge with a full time priest living at Honeybourne. Not all members of the P.C.C. are happy about the new title as we feel the name Cotswolds should be included.
The Rector the Rev’d Fred Dawson will be retiring at the end of July and a leaving service and buffet luncheon is being planned for him on 20th July.
The Village Hall is used by the North Cotswold U.3.A. for three groups. On the first and third Monday in the month the free and Country Dance group meets. This is a mixture of dances, exercise to music followed by coffee, chat and lots of laughs.
On the lst Tuesday in the month the History Group meets. This group has 70 members and attendance at meetings is usually 40- 50. This year we have had talks on The Restoration of Great Witley Church. Viscount Nuffield, Millionaire Philanthropist. Volunteering at the 2012 Olympics. Diary of a German P.O.W. and the History of Gas Air Ships. Coming talks will be on the London Underground Railway; the Cotswolds AONB; Landscape and History of the Cotswolds; the Hidden History of Ebrington and Medieval Stained Glass in Gloucestershire.
Th Curling group meets on the 4th Monday of the month between 10am and 12 noon.This is a relatively new indoor sport (curling without ice!).
Anyone can play, the stones have ball bearings, and for any less abled there are “pushers”
The benefits of the game are many.
First of all it is fun.
It requires some skill, strategy,
Affords gentle exercise.
It is a very social activity.
The year ends with a Christmas lunch.
All plots at the moment are let and being tended except one. All allotment gardeners are hoping for a better growing season this year compared to last which was wet and cold until mid summer. However those who managed to get something in the ground to germinate and survive the rigours of these conditions had a reasonable crop. The weather this year does seem to be kinder so far.
PC Alison Palfrey has replaced PC Rob Wells who has now retired. Alison together with PCSO Mike Jurkiewicz will be seen around the parish. Unfortunately Alison is now unable to attend the annual parish meeting and to date a report is not available. Mike Jelley has noticed that Weston-sub-Edge has been taken off the route of the mobile police station and is anxious to bring about its return.
Now in its sixth year of existence the club continues to meet on the second Monday from 10.30a.m. to 11.30a.m. in the Village Hall. Around 14 to 20 come along for a cup of coffee and a chat. New members are most welcome; just come along says Peter Welsted.
This club continues to be active, in the capable hands of Rita Jones and Margaret Bird, who organise the coach trips to various locations. So far this year the club has been to the Wye Valley in April, Witney in May and this month (June) Hampton Court – no not that one – this one is in Heredfordshire and yes there is a maze to find your way round.
On the 8th July, Weston-super-Mare is the destination; 12th August, Shrewsbury; 12th September the coach will drop everyone of in Bridgenorth for a ride on the Severn Valley railway and then pick you up from Kidderminster for the return home. Back near to Kidderminster on the 14th October for a lovely meal at The Plough at Far Forest. The end of the year sees the club joining a Service of Remembrance at Aston-sub-Edge in November and in December the Christmas lunch at the Lygon Arms in Chipping Campden.
Meet some old friends; make some new ones; come along and have a jolly good day out.
The coach pick ups start at Berrington Road in Chipping Campden at 9.00a.m., then Back Ends Chipping Campden and finally the Seagrave Arms in Weston-sub-Edge. For more information please contact Rita 01386 833741 or Margaret 01386 830155.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CO-ORDINATOR
It is hoped that in the coming weeks the NHW messages issued by the local police will be available on the village web site. The village has not had a co-ordinator for some year now so if anyone reading this feels they might be able to take on this role please get in touch with the parish clerk. The job really consists of passing on the above messages to those who don’t have access to the village website.
Financial year 2013-14 has seen a substantial increase in usage of the Village Hall and there are many groups that use it regularly such as
Weston Rural Cinema on the Last Thursday of the Month
U3A History Group 10am first Tuesday of the month
U3A Dance Group 10am on Mondays the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month
U3A Curling Group 10am on the 4th Monday of the month
Yoga Weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7pm
Zumba Weekly on Wednesday Evenings at 6.30pm
Keep Fit Every Monday at 4pm
Western Liners every Thursday at 10am
Youth Club 1st and 3rd Thursday every month at 7pm
Weston Seniors 2nd Monday every month at 10.30am
Coffee Shop every Saturday at 11am.
Cake Stall 1st Saturday every month at 10.30am
In addition to the regular groups the Village Hall is a popular venue for celebrations and fund raising events.
The Village Bar is increasingly popular and is open Fridays 4-11pm, Saturdays 12noon to 11pm and Sundays 12noon to 9pm. Caroline Clarke and Arjen Gnodde have really put the bar on the map since its launch in November 2012 and thanks goes to them for all their hard work and dedication. Lorna Wheeler took over running the bar at the beginning of March 2014 and is not only doing a great job keeping the regular drinkers but attracting new people to the bar. The bar is also available for private functions. A full sized snooker table is available in the games area as well as a pool table and darts board.
Expenditure on the Village Hall continues to increase with utility charges for light and heat ever escalating and continual maintenance and cleaning. In the last year a new boiler to serve the bar and games rooms area was installed and hot water made available through the basin taps in the toilets. Additional upholstered red chairs were purchased so comfortable seating is available for 50 people. Seating is available for up to 100 people.
Fund raising events were held such as the sports evening with pig roast and the Christmas Bazaar as well as some charity Quiz evenings and the Race Night for the village defibrillator. The *100* club continues to be popular and helps raise some needed monies in addition to the grant from the Parish Council.
In May 2014 David Smith, Chairman of the Trustees of the Village Hall, came to the end of his tenure. David, over the last 8 years, has done so much to improve the character and comfort of the Village Hall so that it really provides a modern venue where villagers can meet, relax, celebrate and play. The trustees would like to thank David for all his hard work and commitment over the years.
Two new Trustees have been appointed. Lorna Wheeler, who runs the bar and John Measey from the Parish Council who is now the Chairman of the Trustees of the Village Hall.
The Village Hall can only continue with your support and help. Please use the many activities that are available. Think about using the Village Hall for your own events and pop in and have a drink with Lorna. If there is an activity that you can help with which is not currently available then please let us know.
Contact email westonsubedge@gmail.com
Village Hall Website www.westonsubedgevillagehall.org.uk for booking information
Village Website for groups and activities and much more www.westonsubedge.com