Southam Newsletter - Southam Today

16 1
Southam Newsletter
June 09 - July 09 No 405
Please see details of Southam WI’s Big Lunch on P 10
Contributions for the Aug/Sep Newsletter by
15 July 2009

2
Contact
ednajsmith@btinternet.com
telephone 01242 520137
letterbox 37,Ratcliff Lawns
We are always pleased to receive and
publish letters. When writing please
provide a name, address and telephone
number. On request, the name and
address of correspondents will be withheld.
We welcome to the Village Clare and Ady Joy and their sons Peter (aged 7)
and Adam (aged 4½). Their new home is Malham in Southam Lane. We look
forward to meeting them around the Village.
Congratulations to Steve (eldest son of Chris and John Doody) and Heather
on the birth of their daughter, April, born on 29th April 2009. A lovely third
granddaughter for Chris and John.
It is with great sadness that we record the death of Ron Tarling of School
Lane on Sunday, 10th May 2009.
Ron and Gill only moved into the Village in January 2008 but during 16
months have entered into village life. We will miss Ron but hope Gill will continue
to enjoy the friendship of the Village.
Our deepest sympathy to Gill and her family.
A note from Gill -
I need to say a very big thank you to neighbours, the Drop In, the Social Club
and everyone for all the kindness and support I have received over the last
few weeks while Ron was in hospital.
Sadly he did not make it but the sympathy and friendship from you all has
made me realise what a wise thing we did when we moved to Southam.
Gill Tarling
The Church of the Ascension, Southam
Sometimes the Church calendar can be a bit of a mystery to me, but I have
no such problems with it at this time of the year. Following Lent, Easter led us
from the excruciating horror of Good Friday to the wonder and hope of Easter
Sunday when Christ rose from the dead. Now we are experiencing the
amazing days between Christ’s resurrection and his ascension. These days
are filled with several moments of great importance in our overall
understanding of what God is doing: removal of the disciples fear, giving
understanding about the immortality which Christ had spoken of in his life,
and finally the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. We are told that when their
hearts received the Holy Spirit the disciples were emboldened and lukewarm
faith took on the heat of a fire. It is truly a very exciting time to be in church: to
learn so much, to give praise with such rousing hymns and to pray that our
faith too will be fired for the work ahead.
By the time we read this in print we will have celebrated Christ’s Ascension.
The service will have led us through the sheer wonder of the occasion, and
our hymns and prayers will bring it all into the context of the present day -not
just a reflection on the historical moment. Then we will have gathered
together to enjoy the company of everyone there as well as sharing a
selection of tasty food. God blesses such a gathering.
Church life is blessed by such occasions. But we value practical times as well:
on Sunday 7 th June we will meet, after the morning Eucharist, for our Church
Annual Meeting. We listen to ideas and concerns of our congregation all year,
of course, as any family and community should do. But the Annual Meeting is
a special time when outstanding matters can be raised. It is a time for
checking on what has been achieved this year and what needs to be done in
the future. It is a time for voting new members on to our Church Committee
and agreeing the continued membership of others. So please come forward if
you want to volunteer, or approach others if you would like to propose them to
be elected.
We pray that God’s spirit and our practicality will make an enlivening
combination for the year to come.
Church services -
Linda Jones
15
Further details from Bishop’s Cleeve Church Office
email:bcparishoffice@btinternet.com

14
The Church of The Ascension, Southam
Services April and May 2009
DATE SERVICE TIME
7th June Trinity Sunday Eucharist BCP followed by the Annual Meeting 10.30 am
14th June Family Service 10.30 am
21st June Eucharist Order 1CW 10.30 am
28th June Morning Prayer BCP 10.30 am
The list of services for July has not been done yet. A copy of them will be
placed on the notice board as soon as they are available.
** Every Thursday morning Ecumenical morning prayers in Southam 8.30 am
USEFUL NUMBERS
SOUTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Tewkesbury Borough Council 01684 Chairman Mr Gordon McAnoy 520133
295010
** Bishop’s Every Cleeve Thursday Police morning Station
Members Mr Dennis Allen 515491
Ecumenical 276224 morning prayers are said in Southam 8.30 am
only
Church. Everyone welcome. Mrs Anna Holloway 673605
Mr Noel Hemming 521052
Further Glos CC Road details hazards from / Bishops repairs Cleeve Church 01452 Office e-mail: bcparishoffice@btinternet.com
Tel 673612
425000
Mr Kevin Wilcox 262130
NHS Direct
(local call) health related enquiries
Care Direct
(free call) benefits, appliances and care
Dental Help-line
info on dental access centres for pain
NEWSLETTER TEAM
0845
4647
0800
444000
01452
318858
Editorial Edna Smith 520137
Production Barbara Lloyd 580014
Advertisements Margaret Steventon 237876
Email addresses:
For Southam website
Newsletter production
Mr Paul Nurden 522382
Mr John Barben 230377
Clerk Mr J R P Sullivan 680542
TEWKESBURY BOROUGH COUNCILLORS
GLOS COUNTY COUNCILLOR
webmaster@southamtoday.org.uk
barbaraandstephen@btinternet.com
Mrs F M Ogden 674156
Mr K Leech 251231
Mr G Shurmer 01684
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12
Southam Parish Council
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
5
At the Annual General Meeting of Southam Parish Council Mr McAnoy was
elected Chairman and Mr Allen was elected Vice Chairman. Mr Hemming
and Mrs Holloway continue to represent the Parish Council on the Cleeve
Board of Conservators and Mr Nurden to represent the Parish Council on the
Village Hall Management Committee.
A meeting was held with representatives of Gloucestershire Highways to
consider drainage problems in the Parish. As a result of the discussions, the
Highways Agency has agreed to clean the drains in Gravel Walk and School
Lane three times a year and the drains in the rest of the village once a year.
It was intended that the Noverton View play area would be open by Easter.
However, despite the Borough Council offering to insure the area, Wimpey’s
have refused to allow this until the transfer of land has taken place. It is
hoped that this will be achieved and the play area opened by the end of June.
I have written to the Borough Council to protest at the closure of the toilets on
Cleeve Hill. Needless to say I have received neither reply nor
acknowledgement. A tentative suggestion has been made that the Cleeve
Conservators, Woodmancote Parish Council and ourselves might possibly
take over and share the maintenance of this facility, but no great progress has
yet been made.
The Parish Council has agreed to assist the Village Hall Management
Committee financially with the upkeep of the grounds of the Hall. However,
the Council declined to pay for resurfacing the car park. The Chairman
remarked that the Village Hall was supposed to be self sustaining and should
be prepared to pay for maintenance and improvements themselves. He
pointed out that the Village Hall Committee had much more money than the
Parish Council.
The new IT system is now in place, giving a much improved service. I can
now receive emails.
Attendance by the public and, as a result, public participation have declined
sharply recently and it is to be hoped that it will improve again very soon.
Pat Sullivan, Parish Clerk
Telephone 01242 680542
Email clerk@southamtoday.org.uk
Useful numbers
Webmaster David Jones 516187
Footpaths Officer Bob Price 232527
Noverton View liaison John Barben 230377
Although we have entered a period of quiet for burglaries and
other criminal activity, we must not lose our interest in different
areas.
Offers have been received from two people who wish to
become volunteer litter wardens and I should be pleased to hear from anyone
else who would like to assist in this sphere.
Fly-tipping seems to carry on unabated and continues to be a problem. Any
evidence of the perpetrators would be most welcome, both by me and the
police.
Dog-fouling on the path through the kissing-gate to the church is no longer
evident, which I am very pleased about.
The police are showing a greater interest in the use of mobile phone whilst
driving. There have been numerous accidents caused by this activity. You
will notice that I have placed posters around the village and at the Village Hall
regarding this. It is an offence and has to be stopped.
New speed limit signs have now been posted along Kayte Lane and in
Southam Lane from Smiths lights until over the bridge where they join a 30
mph speed limit, both at 40 mph.
I work very closely with our Borough Councillor and County Councillor and
remain grateful for their help in all aspects of the community.
BISHOPS CLEEVE POLICE STATION
Chris Cooper 01242 525559
There will be a police information point at the above location on the following
dates:-
4 June 5.00 p m - 7.00 p m
16 July 5.00 p m - 7.00 p m
13 August 5.00 p m – 7.00 p m
3 September 5.00 p m – 7.00 p m
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6
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Secretary Mrs Janet Cook
Treasurer Mrs Pauline McAnoy
Letting secretary Mr Toby Thompson
Elected member Mr Jeff Grinnell
Parish Council representative Mr Paul Nurden
WI representative Mrs Margaret Steventon
Social Club representatives Mr Pete & Mrs Debbie Furniss
Church representative Mrs Hilary Vallance
Retiring members Chairman, Mr Charles Liddiard
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Commissioners for Oaths
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Family Law and Children Cases
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Wills - Powers of Attorney - Probate - Administration of Estates
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11
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10
THE BIG LUNCH COMES TO SOUTHAM
SOUTHAM WOMEN’S INSTITUTE REPORT - Apr/May 09
7
DATE SATURDAY 18 JULY 2009
PLACE - SOUTHAM VILLAGE HALL, 12.00 UNTIL 2.00 P.M.
WHAT IS THE BIG LUNCH
A countrywide event to be held over the weekend of 18/19 July
2009. the brainchild of Tim Smit, leader of the Eden Project, initially
to encourage communities to “have a go” at growing vegetables,
getting together, eating together and having fun. See
what is happening on the website - www.thebiglunch.com
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SOUTHAM
The Women’s Institute is hosting a lunch for all the Village -
everyone who wishes to come. There will be:
PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH, PUDDING AND TEA/COFFEE
(If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know
in advance)
DISPLAYS, COMPETITIONS AND GAMES
PRICE
£5 FOR ADULTS
£3 FOR CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND UNDER
CHILDREN UNDER SCHOOL AGE - FREE
Tickets available from -
Jenny Cooper - 525559
Margaret Steventon - 237876
In April, Michael Gillam (husband of Janet) told the dramatic
life story of his forebear, Captain Cornell Plant, who opened up
the Yangtze Gorges to steam navigation.
Cornell first went to sea at the age of 14 in 1880. Later he
joined a company serving the river ports of Mesopotamia and
Persia, now Iraq and Iran.
In 1900 he took command of the paddle steamer ‘Pioneer’ and made the first
commercial passage by a steam vessel through 400 miles of the Yangtze
Gorges. After 20 years in the area, he and his wife sadly died on their first trip
home. They were buried in the Happy Valley Cemetery in Hong Kong.
Any Southam resident over 50 can gain access to local services such as
cleaning, accompanied shopping trips, form filling etc by contacting
Southam’s Village Agent, Jane Skinner on 07810 63020 or 01452 426868.
Jane is employed by Gloucestershire Rural Council and is keen to hear from
residents who could benefit from her help.
As always the May Meeting was mainly concerned with Resolutions. We
discussed the single important topic of bees.
“SOS for Honey Bees – Honey Bees play a vital role in the pollination of food
crops and in our environment. In view of concerns about the accelerating
decline in the UK honey bee population, this meeting urges HM Government
to increase funding for research into bee health.”
It was felt that a great deal of publicity should be given to make the general
public more aware of this serious problem and how we can all help to alleviate
it. Prestbury WI is hosting a talk, ‘Life in a Bee Hive’ by a local bee keeper at
their WI Hall on Wednesday 24 th June at 6.30pm for 7pm. £1.50 on the door
in aid of hall funds. Everyone is most welcome.
The Cleeve Hill Group of WIs held their AGM at Prestbury on May 7 th.
Members enjoyed a hilarious talk by London Blue Badge Guide Susan Howe
entitled ‘Cantering through a Funny Life.’ Southam WI won the competition for
a Travel Poster for Gloucestershire. Well done Janet and John Cook!
Future Events: Tuesday June 2 nd - Joanne Moston ‘Bethlehem’. All ladies
most welcome. 7.30pm at the Village Hall.
Date for the diary - Saturday 18 th July. Southam WI is pleased to host a BIG
LUNCH as part of a nationwide move for good, fresh food. Please see
separate entry in the Newsletter for more details (page 10).
Jo Checketts, Secretary

8
Drop in for a piece of cake and cup
of tea and so add to the increasing
numbers dropping in once a fortnight
Alice Brettell
DROP – IN to the Village Hall
June
10th
24th
July
8th
22nd
at 2.30 pm till 4.00 pm cost £1
Southam Social Club
Southam Social Club will hold their annual Summer BBQ in the Village Hall
grounds on Saturday 8 th August, and this year it will have a Caribbean theme.
Fancy dress is optional, but a really spectacular prize will be awarded for the
most authentic outfit. Tickets will include one free Caribbean Cocktail!
This event is open to all residents of Southam, and is an opportunity for nonmembers
of the Social Club to find out what the Club has to offer, and to meet
existing Club members. As well as traditional BBQ fare, vegetarians will be
catered for. Our Cash Bar will be available for all.
Entry to the BBQ is by pre-booking only
Adults: £6.00 Children under 12: £ 3.00
Please return the booking slip and monies by Saturday 1 st August to:-
Derek Poulton, 15 Ratcliff Lawns, Southam, GL52 3PA, tel 520235
Names of people attending: ………………………………………………...
Please reserve the following places at the Summer Barbeque
Number of adults ……. @ £6.00 = £
Number of children under 12 ……. @ £3.00 = £
Total Due = £
Please state here number of Vegetarian options ( if required)
Please make cheques payable to Southam Social Club
Non-members – please provide your name, address and telephone number.
Name ……………………………………………….Tel No ……………………...
Address …………………………………………………………………………….
We have a full and varied programme for 2009/2010 - Skittles evening, Quiz
Night, Progressive Supper, Christmas Party and Interesting Talks.
Refreshments provided at all events, including a Cash Bar.
Should you wish to join the Social Club, or would like any information about
the Club and its events, please contact -
Valerie Mitchell (Hon Secretary) Tel 578084
SOUTHAM KID’S CLUB
Friday 26 June – Walk – contact
Pauline McAnoy for more details
Friday 10 July – Rounders – contact
Pauline McAnoy for more details
On Saturday 11 April the children made
Easter baskets at the Village Hall before
walking down to grounds of the
Church of Ascension for a challenging
Easter Egg Hunt.
Southam Kid’s Club had their first Beetle
Drive on Saturday 25 April. Children
and Adults competed on equal terms in
this game of speed and chance. Congratulations
to Alex Lane overall and
best child score, to Nick Moore best
adult score and a special thank you to
Sophie Lane for organising and running
the event. Look out for notices of the
next Beetle Drive in the Autumn.
Any new young members to the village are
very welcome to this lively, friendly group of
mums, dads and children of various ages.
If you would like more information please
contact Pauline on 01242 520133, at
Hunters End, Southam Lane
SOUTHAM SUNDAY SCHOOL
4 - 5 pm Village Hall
28th June
For further information contact Trudie
Welsh - Tel 529407
Pilates Class
Tuesdays 6 - 7 pm
Call Louise on 672663
WHAT’S ON in Southam Village Hall
KEEP FIT
SOUTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MEETS AT 7:30PM 2ND TUESDAY OF
EACH MONTH
SOUTHAM VILLAGE HALL
9
Mondays 7:30 - 8.30 pm
Wednesdays 9.30 am
Fridays 9.20am
SOUTHAM WI
First Tuesday
of each month
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Village Hall
Visitors Welcome
BRIDGE CLUB
Wednesday
7:00pm - 10:30 pm
Southam Art Group
Every Thursday Morning
10.15 am to 12.15 noon
Village Hall
Fighting Fit Martial Arts
Fridays 7 pm - 8 pm
Ages 16+
No ability necessary
Enquiries 07876 454904
Ladies’ Boxercise
Thursdays 7.30 pm - 8.45 pm
Enquiries 07876 454904
VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS
contact Letting Secretary
Evenings & weekends
0750 5554957