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St Thomas à Becket, Pucklechurch
Harvest Supper
Saturday, 15th Sept 7.30pm in the Church
Wine available/raffle
Tickets £6, under 10 £3
Harvest Festival
Sunday, 16th Sept 10am, Harvest Festival Family Communion
All Souls Service
Sunday, 28th Oct 3pm, followed by tea/coffee
We invite all those friends and families to remember loved ones who have passed away. A warm welcome to everyone. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Autumn Fayre
Saturday, 10th Nov 2pm in the Community Centre
Stalls will include cakes, tombola, bric-a-brac, crafts, cards, paper and much more.
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday, 11th Nov 10am, Holy Communion
10.45 Service of Remembrance
Advent Carol Service
Sunday, 2nd Dec 6.30pm
Pucklechurch W.I.
Members of the local W.I. had fun organising the float for Revel Day – the Grand Old Duke of York. We would like to thank all those who supported our cream teas in the Scout Hut – hope to see you there again next year!
Gardening Club
The Pucklechurch Gardening Club had an enjoyable coach trip to Hestercombe in July. As the rain stayed off until late afternoon, we were able to walk around the two impressive lakes and see all the floral displays.
Our summer supper took the unusual format of visiting five members’ gardens (in the rain!) and then returning to the Community Centre for supper.
The first meeting of the winter season will be held on Wednesday, 3rd October, with Mr T Titchen giving a talk entitled "Flowers of the Mediterranean". Do come along to the Community Centre at about 7.45pm for an 8 o’clock start.
Twinning Association
The Pucklechurch Twinning Association is very active socially and also with its links to Pringy, a village situated about 35 minutes' drive from Paris.
For those who are unaware, Twinning social activities in Pucklechurch include safari suppers, quizzes, race afternoons, skittles and barbecues. Meetings are held in the Village Hall meeting room every month -- the next is 17th September at 20.00. All our activities are posted on the Pucklechurch website.
The purpose of twinning with a French village similar to ours is to encourage cultural and social understanding. In reality, it means sharing our homes with French families and staying with them when we visit. It also means developing lasting friendships. We always visit Pringy during the October half term holiday, leaving Pucklechurch on the Friday evening and returning the following Wednesday evening.
Next year is the twentieth anniversary of the Pucklechurch-Pringy twinning and if you are a Francophile, want your children or yourselves to develop language skills, or you just want to experience the French way of life, why not come along and meet us? There is no requirement to speak or understand French, and indeed some of our members know nothing or very little of the language!
Pringy is in the Seine et Marne region, on the N7 and close to the city of Melun and world-famous Fontainebleau with its chateau and magnificent forest. The area is spectacular, and there are many historical and cultural places to visit as well as Paris.
If you want further information, contact Lyn Smith (937 2030) or Valerie Broom (937 2025).
Short Mat Bowls
The Pucklechurch Short Mat Bowls Club meet in the Community Centre Monday and Wednesday evenings 7.30 to 10.00 pm and Sundays 2.30 to 5.00pm. New members are most welcome. For further information, please ring Roger Payne on 937 3653.
Pucklechurch School Association
Pucklechurch School Association would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended the School Fete back in May. It was a glorious, sunny day, and we raised over £2,000. This money will be used for a variety of projects throughout the school.
Sincere thanks to all those who helped on the day and especially Buyology, St Aldam’s Nursery and Julie Wiltshire Photography, who gave donations of their time, products, and skills and helped to make the event such a great success. The PSA would also like to thank Rachel Goodchild and Kay Ross, the previous joint chairs of the PSA, for all their help since the current chairs took over in January.
On Wednesday, 26th September, the PSA is hoping to collect at least a tonne of old clothes, bedding, curtains etc. These items are collected by a company called Bag2School, who then sort through everything and sell them on to market traders and boutiques in Eastern Europe. This method of fundraising will not negatively affect people in developing countries. For every kilo donated, the school will receive 20-25p. If you are planning a major clear-out of quality clothes, linens, etc., please think of the School and bring anything you might think is suitable to the School on Wednesday, 26th September, before 9.30am.
Julie Gibbs
Pucklechurch Community Association
The electric and water bills for the Community Centre are getting higher every year, so to help with fundraising we are planning to have our local band “Up the Function” stage a concert on Saturday, 3rd November, in the Community Centre. Details will be displayed around the village at a later date.
Mums & Minors
The current chairperson of Mum & Minors, who has been in the post for the last 2 years, is stepping down with effect from October half term. The group has been seeking a new chairperson, but no one has come forward among the current mums. Mums & Minors will not reopen after October half term unless a volunteer is found. This would be a shame because the group has been running in the village for over 20 years. If there aren’t any current mums willing to take over the running of the group, are there any “older/retired” mums who would be willing to spare one and a half hours each week during term time? Mums & Minors runs on Mondays from 1.30 until 3pm.
If anyone is interested or wants to find out more, please contact Sarah Hedges on 937 2148.
Torrential Rain Couldn't Dampen Our Spirit
Looking back on all the "weather" we have had this year, Revel week was actually a good spell in a very bad May and June (and July, as it happens!). I remember sitting down in Marie Walkley's front room at 5.30 pm on the afternoon of the Pram Race as the rain came steadily down, discussing with other committee members whether or not to cancel. In fact, if it had not been for several children assembling for the race insisting that rain would neither hurt them nor stop them, we probably would have cancelled. As it was, the sun came out and the Bob Todd Memorial Pram Race was a very fun evening with dozens of entries and lots of eye-catching fancy dress. Prize for best fancy dress went to the "Pucklechurch Babes" (Shannon Stone and Emma Frankcom). Winners of the under-18s race were the "Wombling Wheelbarrows" (Ed & Ben Ashman), and for the over-18 race the "Chud Buns" (Ty and Spnit). A special mention is also in order for the two teams that competed in the wheelie bin race! In the end, not one event was cancelled and the Kwic Cricket (where one of the two Pucklechurch teams narrowly missed getting to the next round), the Twinning Ramble and the Treasure Hunt actually enjoyed glorious sunshine.
The Pucklechurch Players hosted a popular wooden horse race, and bidding to be the owner of a horse was fast and furious. Skittles Night was a new event hosted at the Pucklechurch Sports & Social Club (the Prison Club, as it is sometimes known). We hope that this highly competitive, and at times raucous, evening will become a permanent fixture. Holding the traditional Thanksgiving service on the first Sunday of Revel encouraged more to attend. Quiz night at the Fleur was so popular that it was standing room only, and as well as the thought-provoking questions, Tony's now famous cheese and pickle rolls went down a treat! The week was rounded off with the junior folk dance, the Mums & Minors open day, and the school concert.
Revel Day itself was marked by a torrential downpour that caught everyone assembled and ready for the parade. Some of the costumes literally dissolved in the rain, but the spirits of the entrants could not be dampened. GWR's Black Thunders judged the entrants and also received a soaking fit for their name.
Attendance was good, considering the forecast for the day and the drenching many got at the start, and the rest of the afternoon was dry. The church bells heralding the start of Revel was a nice touch, and soon the festivities were in full swing. That goes especially for the Battling Cumberland Giants' hilarious display. The Harley Owners Group put on their now-traditional exhibition of high-rev chrome, and the children's sports were more popular than ever.
This year saw more stalls for children at pocket-money prices, which also included a bouncy castle. We hope to expand on this in coming years. WI sold out of cream teas, and better signage meant that more people attended the craft fayre in the Village Hall. Sadly, it was the last time that one of Revel's perennial features, the NSPCC bric-a-brac stall, will be held. Evelyn and Keith Shorricks retired from running the stall this year and will be greatly missed. They have raised £8,462.51 for NSPCC from the sale of donated items in over 15 years of hard work. Although retiring from their 'shop', they will remain active members of the Pucklechurch NSPCC committee and will be supporting events, collections and, no doubt, organising raffles in one or other of the local hostelries from time to time!
The Beer Festival was as popular as ever and a larger marquee and new layout proved popular. Food, live music and a superb range of beers and ciders combined to make this a sell-out event. As well as the traditional ales, the addition of stouts, milds, and some exotically flavoured beers meant there was something for most people's taste.
Martin Smith, Revel Chairman
Parish Council Chairman’s Notes
Planning Appeals
Apart from regular monthly Council meetings, councillors also give time to attend planning appeal hearings, where they are able to speak on behalf of our village. It is important that the views of those who live in the area are voiced, so that the Planning Inspector hears not just the views of SGC officials -- who may be unaware of the presence of illegal developments and their impact on the community -- but the voices of those most affected.
Mini Motos & Go-Peds
In 2005, I wrote about the use and mis-use of these two types of motorised bikes. There seems to be a revival of these in Pucklechurch, which is causing both annoyance and potential danger to riders and pedestrians respectively. Inspector Krouwell from Staple Hill Police Station said at a recent Council meeting that he will be instructing his staff to confiscate these machines if they are found on the public highway without tax discs or if the person riding them is underage or does not have insurance. It is legal to own these bikes, but they must only be used off-road on private ground with the landowner’s permission. May I urge all parents of children who have these machines to ensure that they do not ride them illegally.
Trees, Shrubs and Flowers
The recent heavy rain has meant that many trees and shrubs have made exceptional growth in recent weeks. My colleagues and I would ask those of you who have trees and shrubs that are growing over your fence or wall onto the pavement or footpath to cut them back so that people can walk safely without having to step into the road.
The flowers that Rosaline and Trevor Trueman have planted in the three tubs on the grass triangle between Westerleigh and Parkfield Roads are a very attractive addition to that part of Pucklechurch. If anyone has anywhere else they think tubs would enhance the village, please let me know. I cannot say that every request would be granted but I will bring it to the attention of my colleagues for discussion.
Woodland
If you haven’t been to our woodland recently, do go and see how well the trees are growing. We have recently had a grass path cut through the trees so that more of the area can be walked.
Omar Beg, Chairman
 Girlguiding UK is modern, relevant, and continues to provide a safe, fun, girls-only space for today’s girls to grow and develop and is extremely popular. Over 18? Why not take the 12-Hour Challenge and offer your help? Contact Lynn (937 3381) or Ros (937 2157) for more details.
Guides
Our Guides travelled to Malvern to take part in an annual challenge involving thousands of Scouts and Guides. Tasks include first aid, orienteering, abseiling, wall climbing and other demanding activities at various bases within a large area. Royal Marines provided catering services, and the evening disco entertainment resembled Glastonbury due to the amount of rain and ensuing MUD. This didn’t detract from a fantastic time!
Brownies
Over 20 excited Brownies from 1st Pucklechurch recently boarded a train to Weston-Super-Mare and had a wonderful day at the seaside playing on the sands in the sunshine!
Lynn Ford and her daughter Phil have just returned from nine days at the World Scout Jamboree in Essex where 40,000 youngsters are celebrating the centenary of Scouting. She said, ‘It was brill!’, although quite exhausting for her and her team who painted over 900 pairs of feet to try to set a world record and raise awareness of carbon footprints and how young people can make a difference. Whilst there, she met members of our local Scout Explorers Group.
The crafty Brownies of 2nd Pucklechurch made lovely bracelets during a craft evening.
Rainbows
We’re very proud of Judy Hyde, leader of 2nd Pucklechurch Rainbows, who was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on 10th July because of her contributions to Girlguiding UK. She says, “I arrived at 3 o’clock with another nominated representative from the South West. The weather was good, and we had a wonderful afternoon sampling only the very best little cakes, and of course we had cucumber sandwiches - with the crusts cut off! We enjoyed the gardens immensely and were so close to many of the royals, actually getting to speak to the President of Girlguiding UK, Sophie, Countess of Wessex. We were very impressed as both of us are now advisers for BGIFC (British Guides in Foreign Countries) and she even knew what that stood for! It was a wonderful experience and a great honour to be chosen -- definitely a day we will remember."
2nd Pucklechurch Rainbows held their first sleepover on 30th June. It was a great success especially as the Rainbow Section is celebrating 20 years in existence this year. It was one Rainbow’s sixth birthday, so we had a special party cake. Awful weather meant no campfire, but we had candles and sang lots of guiding songs whilst the girls twirled their glow-in-the-dark bracelets… from a safe distance!
1st Pucklechurch Rainbows were luckier than most schoolchildren, whose sports days were cancelled due to heavy rain. They had great fun at their sports day on a glorious, sunny afternoon on the Rec.
SENIOR SECTION
This small group continues to meet every month and keeps in touch with Guiding opportunities open to girls 14+ years. Why not join them?
This report details the activities of approx 100 girls and their leaders in your village. Be proud of them!
Ros Abbott, Secretary
Cub Pack Relaunches
Pucklechurch Scout Group are pleased to announce that we have restarted a Cub Pack for boys and girls aged between 8 and 10½.
A very successful taster meeting was held at Pucklechurch School in February to welcome new recruits and to seek parental involvement in running the pack. Since then, a committed group of assistant leaders from Tohil Explorers have been running meetings at the Scout Hut on Monday evenings from 6.15pm to 7.15pm, and we now have a thriving pack of around 12 boys and girls. Activities so far have included arts and crafts, a sports night, a campfire and wide games at Marsh Farm, and a hike around the village.
If you are interested in having your child joining in the fun, please contact Steve Davenport on 07871 137609 or by e-mail on swd442002@hotmail.co.uk.
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