Hillesley Happenings is produced by Carol Dawson, 2 Farmcote (Tel/Fax : 842014; e-mail: ecdawson@sky.com), printed at

Hillesley CEVA Primary School and kindly delivered to every house locally by Lilian Mountford, Margaret Plummer, Val Skinner,

Chris Taylor and Kate Woodrow.

HILLESLEY TODDLERS WELCOMES YOU! Come along to our relaxed and friendly parent and toddler/baby/bump group. Fridays throughout the year (even in school holidays) from 10.00 - 11.30 at Hopkins Hall. Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and some cake whilst the children enjoy our toy collection, craft session, snack, music, books and much more. Find us on facebook: Hillesley Baby and Toddler Group or contact Fiona Symes on 07837684446 for further information. We hope to see you there!

HILLESLEY CE VA PRIMARY SCHOOL [Tel: 01453 843551 Email: admin@hillesley.gloucs.sch.uk]

Every term we focus on a theme from our “Values for Life” and last term our focus was on Wisdom – what is it and why is it important?

At the start of the term the children told me that they thought being wise meant being clever and having lots of knowledge.

Here are some of the responses the children gave when reflecting on what they have learned and discovered by the end of the term:

Sam, Year 3 – “One of the reasons we need wisdom is to know when we are doing the right or the wrong thing”.

Finely, Year 6 – “Wisdom helps us to know when to stop doing something and helps us decide how to behave”.

Charlie, Year 5 – “It means having good sense so if you were walking near the edge of a cliff we would have the wisdom to know not to go too near the edge or jump off”.

Emily, Year 5 – “If we don’t have wisdom we’d lead less healthy lives as we need wisdom to make good choices”.

Benjamin, Year 3 – “Wisdom comes from listening and learning”.

HILLESLEY HAPPENINGS

The printing of the newsletter is paid for from advertising revenue ISSUE NO. 293 March 2017

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY……

MARCH Sunday 5th 8 pm Quiz Night – The Fleece Inn Wednesday 8th 10.30 am Community Coffee Morning – The Fleece Inn Wednesday 8th 3.15 pm Mini Praise, St Giles Church Wednesday 8th 7.30 pm Hillesley & Tresham Parish Council Meeting - Hopkins Hall Saturday 11th 10 am – noon Jubilee Field Clean Up Sunday 12th 7.30 pm Acoustic Night – The Fleece Inn Sunday 19th 7.30 pm Vinyl Night – The Fleece Inn Monday 27th DEADLINE FOR APRIL ISSUE APRIL Sunday 2nd 8 pm Quiz Night – The Fleece Inn

Seth, Year 5 – “Wisdom helps us to be more responsible and to set good examples to younger children as we make wise choices about what we do”.

Nisha, Year 5 – “If you are wise you think about others before yourself”.

Henry, Year 4 – “We need to be wise to know what is dangerous and what could put ourselves or others at risk of harm or get into trouble”.

These are a few examples of the children’s reflections and I am sure that you will agree with me when I say these are wise words!

If any villager would like to send us their thoughts about what wisdom is and why it is important please do so by e mailing to admin@hillesley.gloucs.sch.uk or paper copies in an envelope and place in the post-box at the front of the school. I am sure the children would like to hear your ideas. J.Pedley – Head Teacher

FOUND One Spectacle Lens. Found recently on the path to Park Farm, near the footpath bridge. If anyone has lost a lens while out walking/riding and would like it back, contact Dave Darlow on 01453 842947.

JUBILEE FIELD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chairman – Jenny Chappell Sec – Lucy Lee [07814 010745] lucybritten@hotmail.com Treasurer - Peter Whitbread [07833 491242] 4farmcotian@gmail.com The JFMC held their AGM on 7th February with the main areas of discussion being around the future of the field and the progress and events of last year. It was agreed that it was wonderful to see Hopkins Hall looking more up to date with brand new double glazed windows, newly concreted store room floor and a newly re-sanded polished floor. The next steps will be to update the kitchen area. The children’s play area has seen improvements to the existing play equipment and during 2017 we hope to progress the new "Trim Trail" which will be situated in the grassed area by the slide. New trees are going to be planted in the field this Spring to replace the recently removed Lime Tree, and we also hope that the village will be able to come and support us during out Spring clean-up event on Saturday 11th March (10-noon). We are going to be focussing on repainting the entrance to Hopkins Hall, clearing out the football sheds and general clearing around the field. Please come along and join in, more hands make lighter work and it

really does make a difference to how our community space looks and feels.

We are also

starting to plan our "

Funday " which this year is taking place on Saturday 15th July. We have lots of entertainment lined up for the children plus we plan to hold our "Village Bake Off" event. This event is crucial for us to raise essential funds to keep up the maintenance and improvements to the field due to our drop in income following the reduced use of the Hall. If anyone would like to run a stall, have their own table top, know a band who might like to play for us or volunteer to help on the day we would LOVE to hear from you. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to join our grass mowing rota, we shall shortly be issuing you with the rota soon. We would also like to thank and welcome Ann Merchant and Hannah Druett for joining the committee.

RECYCLING From next Tuesday you will be able to

recycle your old clothes, shoes and textiles by using the recycling bin that is going to be in the car park, next to the Tennis court. To find out more about who benefits from your donations here is the website address www.btr-ltd.co.uk.

In return the JFMC will receive a cash amount that will go towards the upkeep of our field and play area. The more you donate the more our field will benefit.

Here is a some information about BTR. Founded in 1972, Bristol Textile Recyclers (BTR) Ltd is a family run business which diverts 20 tonnes of textiles from landfill daily. Traditionally BTR help its retail charity partners further fundraise for their beneficiaries by purchasing their unsellable donations, including clothing and other textiles. Today, in addition to working with retail charities, BTR also helps other charitable organisations fundraise with recycling with clothing drives and recycling banks.

It seems that many dog owners in the village cannot read the

signs put up on all three entrances to the Jubilee Field. PLEASE, PLEASE keep your dogs on a lead as you go through to walk your dogs on the many footpaths around the village. And IF your dog does poo on the way through make sure that it is picked up and disposed of properly - not in a hedge or hung on a neighbour’s fence or the gate (or even on the fence to the children’s playground!).

Our children not only play in the playground but of course on the field itself. The school use the field in

the spring and early summer too. Not only is it unpleasant but it is downright dangerous to children in particular. Toxocariasis, Giadiasis, are just a couple of the nasty diseases that can be picked up by children from dog faeces. And you just try driving the gang mower around the field with dog poo on the ground - the experience is not at all pleasant - and this work is done by generous volunteers. We all have a responsibility for looking after our village amenities. If you see anyone exercising a dog on the Jubilee Field would you please remind them of the notices on the gates. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

SELF DEFENCE CLASSES IN HILLESLEY

Do you know what you would do if you were ever in a physical or aggressive confrontation?

The normal human reaction is to be scared, freeze up, not know what to do to protect yourself…apart from your instincts to defend yourself.

My name is John Donaghey and as a Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu and former full time instructor, I am starting classes in Hopkins Hall every Tuesday evening 8-9pm, starting on 28th February, for anyone that wants to come along and learn how to defend

themselves in various situations (should they ever arise!)

We will have a gentle warm up to start off with (so wear comfortable, sporty attire, no jeans please!) and then we will learn how to deal with situations where you are being attacked in different ways, before a cool down to finish, so please bring some water.

The emphasis of this class is to gain confidence, learn how to defend yourself, improve your fitness and to meet new people and have some fun….maybe going for a drink in The Fleece Inn afterwards too!

If there is continued interest I will be purchasing some focus mitts so that we can learn how to punch and kick properly and integrate that into the self-defence element.

This class is open to both sexes and there are no age limits (apart from babies and toddlers of course!).

I look forward to seeing you there for what will be a fun and educational class!

£5 per adult £3 under 18 yrs of age.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on 07521 253575.

ST GILES CHURCH

[Rev'd David Russell 01454 294267 davidrussell@gmx.com; Rev’d Peter Fewings 07795 206590 ptfewings@gmail.com]

Services at St Giles Church

Sunday 5th March

9.30am Parish Eucharist

Sunday 12th March 8.00am Said Communion

(BCP)

Sunday 19th March 9.30 am Parish Eucharist

Sunday 26th March 9.30 am Mothering Sunday Family service

Sunday 9th April 9.30 am Palm Sunday worship

Thursday 13th April 7.30 pm Maundy Thursday Agape meal (bring something to share)

Friday 14th April 11 am Good Friday Way of the Cross (family friendly reflection)

Other events Wednesday 8th March 3.15pm Mini Praise in church Warm welcome for Parents, carers, babies, toddlers & children just started school. Freedom I have just finished my work with the chaplaincy in Eastwood Park Prison and I am back working in the parishes now, including Hillesley. As well as having my eyes opened by life on

the inside, I also appreciated the way that prisoners are victims as well as perpetrators of crime. I say this because, although all the women have committed crime, this has clearly often been caused by a bad start in life. Many have suffered abuse, poverty or marginalisation which has led to addictions, debt and mental health problems. This is not to excuse them, but to show that there is a place for compassion in the process, as we can lose our freedom long before we are physically locked up. We can lose our freedom for more general reasons, that we live in fear or habitual behaviours which restrict our choices. Low self-esteem or illness are other reasons why we do not fulfil our full potential. Last year we conducted some conversations in the church and the village asking people how they saw the future in five years’ time and how they saw the role of the church. In Hillesley we found that people thought it was important to work together and support each other, not dividing the spiritual from the secular. So, the church could work with the school and the pub which importantly provides a natural focus for many activities which can draw all villagers in. In St Giles Church there is a more general leaflet summarising four areas that came out from all over Gloucestershire under the

headings of Leadership, Imagination, Faith and Engagement – LIFE. Jesus spoke of bringing Life in all its fullness. Life is available when we can cast aside our fears and inhibitions and allow ourselves to think imaginatively. When we look at our potential, we can see we are each uniquely and wonderfully made and there is a choice to expand our horizons and pray for God’s work in us. This is the sentiment of Christ’s resurrection at Easter, when we too can take on new life in all its freedom. Life provides a positive focus to Lent that gives freedom from the usual restraints of giving up alcohol and chocolate. Hope to see you at one or more of our Easter/Lent services. May God bless your Lent and Easter. The Curate

HIRE OF HOPKINS HALL

£7 per hour; £55 all day

Please contact Carol Dawson on

ecdawson@sky.com or 01453 842014 / 07971

802277

COTSWOLD EDGE PRO AM TOURNAMENT 2017

Entry is now open for the Cotswold Edge Golf Club Pro Am Tournament on Tuesday 20th June 2017. The tournament is in aid of the Captain’s Charity – MacMillan Cancer Support. MacMillan Cancer Support offer support right from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. They help people to take back some control in their lives and help with money worries, advice about work or just be there to listen when someone wants to talk. Macmillan’s ambition is to reach and improve the lives of everyone living with cancer and to inspire millions of others to do the same.

The Pro Am is open to all golfers with a handicap (limit 24 for men and 30 for ladies with 90% stroke allowance) and offers them the opportunity to play alongside a PGA Professional from the West Country.

Teams of three amateurs plus their Professional compete in a medal competition with 2 scores counting on each hole. The Professional also competes for a separate prize. Team entry costs £260 and includes refreshments and meal with wine for all participants along with the chance to win some great prizes and all competitors receive a souvenir of the day.

Local businesses are being encouraged to enter teams and support the event by advertising in the programme or sponsoring a hole.

Entry and sponsorship forms can be downloaded from the Open Section on the Club’s website www.cotswoldedgegolfclub.org.

uk or by contacting the office on 01453 844 167. GLOUCESTERSHIRE POLICE The March 2017 Community Panel Meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday March 22nd at 7:30pm in the Bradley Room at the Wotton Civic Centre. At the meeting we will briefly discuss policing activities in the area over the past six months, as well as any issues / concerns / comments you may have to feed back to us. We will also look to set priorities for the coming six months, although this time we will be restricted to one priority per area as opposed to the usual two or three. This priority will be managed and developed by the local PCSO with support from the local PC’s and Special Constabulary, in conjunction with partner agencies such as the SDC Neighbourhood Wardens. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Matt Firth on Matt.firth@gloucestershire.pnn.p

olice.uk

HAWKESBURY GARDENING CLUB www.hawkesbury-gardening-club.org.uk Terry Truebody [01454 238364] Meetings are held at 8pm on the 4th Monday of the month in the Methodist Hall in Back Street. As previously reported, several years ago pheasants came over the fence and scratched up big patches of lawn and no matter what I did I could not get it back looking how it once was. I carried on umming and ahhing about what to do – re-seed, turf, astro-turf, paving - and eventually decided to kill all the grass in readiness for the big leap forward. Trouble is that I still cannot decide what the big leap forward should be. Where’s Mao-Tse-Dong when you need him? Meanwhile, what was once grass is now mostly moss, which song birds take great enjoyment in turning over in their search for grubs so it all looks even worse than it did before. John Weaver very kindly lent us a pheasant trap but the local itinerant population took one look, said ‘Yeah! Right!’, and scarpered. The song bird population however are loving it and are leaving notes thanking us for giving them tasty feed during the cold weather. Oh joy! Such fun!

Our next meeting is on Monday 27th March 2017 when Sue Dodds will talk about Butterflies of Gloucestershire.

On Monday 24th April Adam Alexander will talk about Veg Hunting in Syria and Burma. Looks good – as long as it isn’t about sprouts.

You do not need to be a gardener to attend our meetings and there are advantages to becoming a member, such as discounted seeds and coach trips. If you are not a member and would like to hear a speaker that takes your fancy then come along as a guest for just £3.00.

For further information contact Terry Truebody on 01454 238364.

HAWKESBURY STORES

The Stores are getting involved in the

forthcoming Cotswold Hare Trail, which begins on 25 March and will see painted hare statues appearing all over the region. We'll be welcoming an 18" 'leveret' to the shop, to be displayed in the window until September. Our Leveret is unpainted so we've been running a competition for children to have a go at designing its decoration. We'll pick a winner in early March and it'll be carefully applied to our statue. The Beaufort Arms will also be hosting a (much larger) hare in the pub garden throughout the trail. Do come along and see them both!

In other news, a project team has been appointed to manage the work to refurbish the stores with

our grant money from the Rural Development Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. Work should begin in the spring, and we apologise in advance for any disruption this may cause in the coming months.

Finally, if you have a couple of spare hours each week or fortnight, could you consider joining our plucky team of shop volunteers? You'll receive full training, meet new people, and have a thoroughly sociable time!

During the last half term, the Preschool children have been learning about colours, Australia and have celebrated the Chinese New Year. You can imagine the fun filled activities and this half term we will be finding out all about our senses!

We recently had the pleasure of an Ofsted inspection and are extremely pleased to announce that this has resulted in us remaining a ‘Good’ setting. Thank you to all our Playleaders who proved their extensive EYFS knowledge that day and who have all put in so much effort to create such an amazing Preschool for us. The report had many positive comments to make about Hawkesbury Preschool and should anyone wish to view the

whole report then please visit the Ofsted website.

We are very sad to announce that Vicky Starling is leaving Hawkesbury Preschool. She has brightened up our Friday mornings with her enthusiasm and amazing song and story times. We all wish her the best for the future in her new role.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported our fundraising events which have recently enabled us to buy a new farm for the children. They are enjoying playing with it enormously and it is really lovely to see their imaginations go wild!

If you are thinking of enrolling your child into Hawkesbury Preschool soon then please contact us as soon as possible as we are getting busy.

We are based in the Village Hall and sessions run from 8.45am-12.30pm Tuesday-Friday during term time. For more information call us on 07989 484 774, 01454 238 504 or email us on enquiries@hawkesburypreschool.org.uk

TODDLERS Our Toddlers group for Parents & Carers from

bump to children up to 5 years, runs on Monday

mornings during term time in Hawkesbury Village Hall,

9.45am-11.45am. Please do come along for a

cuppa and a chat.

HAWKESBURY UPTON RIGHTS OF WAY GROUP

Spring Walk Saturday 22nd April

Enjoy a delightful approx 4 mile Spring flower walk through Lower Woods and nearby fields and commons. We will search out where the flowers are at their best and also have some good open views. Lower Woods can be muddy in places and there will be some rough ground and some easy stream crossings. Spring is a marvellous time to see these ancient woodlands and last year’s walk was a floral delight – don’t miss this one!

WELLINGTONS STRONGLY ADVISED and maybe a walking pole. Meet at 10 am at Hawkesbury Village Hall if you would like directions or a lift, or 10.15 am at Lower Woods Lodge for a 10.30 am start. Bring a drink as there should be time for a refreshment stop. We will provide hot drinks to have after the walk at Lower Woods Lodge, so bring a picnic and enjoy looking at the woodland products in the barn area. Toilet facilities available.

If you would like to receive email notification of future walks, please contact Jane Jones on rightsofwaygroup@hawkesburyupton.com or telephone 01454 238633.

WOTTON ELECTRIC PICTURE HOUSE Below are details of some of the films showing in March. For more information phone 0870 774 1936, or visit the website wottoneph.co.uk. Lion (PG) Thu 2nd March 2:00 PM Sat 4th March 7:45 PM Sun 5th March 7:30 PM Wed 8th March 8:30 PM

Manchester By The Sea (15) Fri 3rd March 7:30 PM Mon 6th March 8:15 PM Thu 9th March 2:00 PM

Monster Trucks (PG) Sat 4th March 10:30 AM

Britain On Film: Rural Life (U) Sun 5th March 3:00 PM

Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars (PG) Tue 7th March 8:00 PM

NT Live: Hedda Gabler (Live) (12A) Thu 9th March 7:00 PM

Toni Erdmann (15) Fri 17th March 7:30 PM

Ballerina (U) Sat 18th March 10:30 AM

Exhibition on Screen: The Artist's Garden: American Impressionism Tue 21st March 7:45 PM

FOR SALE

Brother HL5340D duplex mono laser printer. Very economical. Can be seen working. £49. No longer required for printing HH – all money to HH printing cost account. Please contact Carol on 01453 842014 / 07971 802277 or ecdawson@sky.com.

HOUSE / DOG or PET SITTER

I am an experienced and trustworthy house/pet sitter, available for short or long stays. I will walk your dog, and feed and play with your pet whilst you are away. Rates from £25 per day. References available. Please contact me, Jess, on 07946 566396 or at jesshaes@hotmail.com

I have used Jess on several occasions and she has been great – Max much preferred being with Jess than being in the kennels!

Carol Dawson

Love live music? come and see....

In the Hawkesbury Show Marquee

Tickets: £8 in advance or £12 on the door

All sold tickets will be entered into a free prize draw on the night

To get your tickets call or text Mel on 07788752689 or email stoner610@hotmail.com

All proceeds in aid of Hawkesbury Village Hall

SMALL, FRIENDLY YOGA CLASSES

are held each Thursday morning in the Methodist School Room, Back Street, Hawkesbury Upton from 10am to 11.30am.

Suitable for all ages and abilities, £6 a session. For more information call 01454 238044.

DON’T MAKE A DRAMA OUT OF A CRISIS!

HAWKESBURY THEATRICAL GROUP INVITE YOU TO PIT YOUR WITS AGAINST THEM IN -

‘A QUESTION OF DRAMA’ - THE BRISTOL EDITION

A fun and interactive evening with questions on performances of songs and

sketches loosely based around good old Bristle!

ON SATURDAY 25 MARCH AT 7.30PM IN HAWKESBURY UPTON VILLAGE HALL

Tickets £10 which include a Ploughman’s Platter BRING YOURSELF, BRING A FRIEND OR BRING A TEAM (OF UP TO SIX)

Tickets available from Fiona Webb on 01454 238758 or

email: webbfamily@waitrose.com

Dementia Connections meetings: CHARFIELD WOTTON UNDER EDGE The Sportsmans Lounge, The Chipping Club Rooms, Charfield Memorial Hall The Chipping 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

10 am – 1 pm 10 am – 1 pm

Providing the traditional craft of

Cotswold dry stone walling in and

around Hillesley

Log deliveries of seasoned hard

wood

Other services include garden and

property maintenance

Please contact Nick via the website below

or by phone; 07525 150104

www.njtanner.co.uk

Venue for Corporate Hire

Offering a stunning building and location, the Great Oak Hall at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is available for weekday conferences, meetings, seminars, training workshops and staff away-days. Hire includes a complimentary visit for up to 80 people to the arboretum and tree-top walkway on the day of hire. Proceeds to the charity support the future of this national tree collection.

www.fowa.org.uk/venue_hire greatoakhall@fowa.org.uk

Contact Lorna : 0300 067 3301

Deb's Celebration Cakes

Individually designed cakes for all occasions.

Wedding, celebration and novelty cakes

Workshops and classes available

Tel: Deb Pidsley

01453 834394 or 07890 292125

www.debscelebrationcakes.com

Domestic God For all your:

Domestic cleaning

Ironing service (collection & drop off)

Dog walking

Small DIY jobs

Grass cutting

£12 per hour

Please visit my website:

www.domestic-god.com

John Donaghey (Chief Domestic God)

07521 253575

Garden maintenance

Weeding, grass cutting

Painting

Cleaning

as well as all those other little jobs you just never seem to get around to.

A fully insured, reliable, professional service. Call Nicola on 07947 072780 or 01453 844124

NE odd jobs

96

FIREWOOD & CHIMNEY SWEEP

Seasoned hardwood logs, kindling and pre-packed coal

Chimney sweep for all types of chimneys

Please contact Steve or Ted on 01454232941 or 07974194012

Lower Kilcott Farm

Garden makeovers, lawn cutting

and maintenance, turfing,

patios, ponds, water features,

decking, hedge cutting, fencing.

All shrub work, clearing,

driveways & planting.

All aspects of garden work

undertaken

JOHN H WALKER GARDEN SOLUTIONS

LANDSCAPING & GARDEN MAINTENANCE EST 1999

TEL: 01454 238865 MOBILE: 07974 933398