Two hours of your time would be appreciated in getting the Burial Ground tidied up. The main task is to carry on the work done over previous years - clearing away the accumulated rubbish and keeping the walls clear of ivy. Gardening gloves and secateurs are all you need!

Sunday 12 October, 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon.

School News – Andy Simpson

This year has already got off to a busy start with 19 new children starting at our school.

Please join us in celebrating harvest at the church on Thursday 2 October at 2.15 p.m. There will also be a quiz night in November, dates to be confirmed.

We are hoping to host a before-and-after school care club in the future and are currently assessing the viability of this. Staff will be needed to help run this club; if you are interested in helping (paid) or you have a child in the area who would need after school care please contact the school.

Our older children are currently studying the Victorians. If you have any information that would help us in local studies please contact the school.

Andy Simpson, the new head teacher, will be making regular contributions to The Ampney Times.

Harvest Supper

On Sunday, 5 October the annual harvest supper in the village hall will follow the Harvest Festival service in Ampney Crucis Parish Church at 6.00 p.m.

Everyone is welcome; there is no charge.

Ampney Crucis Playground

The formalities are gradually being sorted out. A letter of intent has been received from the County Council laying out the terms of the licence arrangements for that part of the playing field required for the playground. The Parish Council has confirmed to the playground committee that the project has its approval; this letter will be used to support grant applications where necessary.

On a less positive note, the police have raised some questions about the safety and security of the proposed site. Discussions will be held with the school to see how the objections can be resolved. There will be further progress reports in future issues of The Ampney Times.

Mobile Library closes

The mobile library will stop visiting Ampney Crucis after 1 October because of lack of usage; no books have been issued for the past four months at Ampney Crucis, and for the previous six months only one book was issued. For the service to be resumed, there would need to be a confirmed demand on a regular basis, not just occasional use.

The Parish Council will discuss the matter at its next meeting.

Save the Children Events

Bridge drive, Wednesday 8 October, 1.30pm for 2.00pm start, to 5.30pm. Tickets £7.50, including afternoon tea, Chedworth Village Hall. Contact Jill MacCormick É659006 or Hazel Kolb É654781.

Sunday lunches by Mr J Brook, Cirencester, at 12.30pm in aid of Save the Children, fortnightly from 26 October. An aperitif, three courses, wine and coffee are £12. Please book through Miss B Durham É658698, Miss P Durham É652707 or Mr N Ferguson É851497.

Ampney Crucis in New York

A resident of Ampney Crucis, James Armitage, is running in the New York marathon on 2 November. He has started his training and is currently running 10 miles or so two or three times a week. He hopes to run the 26 mile marathon in under 4 hours to raise money for a charity called Motivation, based in Bristol, which provides equipment for disabled people in third world countries. If anyone would like to sponsor him in his mad endeavour, please call him on É850005.

Mobile Police Station

The schedule for October and November is as follows (times are approximate):

A C A St M A St P

7 Oct 12.45 13.00 14.00

25 Oct 12.45 13.00 14.00

21 Nov 12.45 13.00 14.00

30 Nov 12.45 13.00 14.00

In Ampney Crucis, the station parks outside the Village Hall, in Ampney St Mary by the parish notice board and in Ampney St Peter by the junction with the A417. The attending officer is PC Reuben Wyatt.

Welcome New Residents

Ampney St Mary are pleased to welcome Fiona Davidson and Andrew McGee to the village, at No 2 Triangle Cottages.

Ampney St Peter & St Mary News

The Toff’s Car Boot Sale

The annual car boot sale was held on August Bank Holiday Monday. This is the twelfth year that Peter Ansdell and his merry band have run the event on the Moor on behalf of the Churches of Ampney St Peter and St Mary and it is generally acclaimed as the best ever. The net proceeds of over £1650 exceeded all expectations and £200 has been donated to the Cirencester Hospital League of Friends. The teas and refreshments were outstanding as usual and made a big contribution to the proceeds. Our thanks go to Mrs Joan Sparks and her team of helpers. The event was blessed by superb weather and a magnificent turnout from both villages and the surrounding areas. About 500 vehicles including 92 boots (the previous highest was 66) were parked on the Moor and its extended useable area. Thanks are owed to those whose work and contribution has improved the Moor. In particular, the re-grassing work of Mr Don Underwood, the hay removal by Mr Rubin Smith and the donation from Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer of the final grass cut by Mr Frank Halliday. Finally, a big thank you to the numerous helpers and, most importantly, to all those who visited and contributed.

Water in Ampney St Peter

The consultants for Thames Water have revisited Ampney St Peter to survey the sewer and inspection cover levels. Monitoring equipment to log the operation of pumps has also been fitted to the pumping station and those at Ampney Crucis and Ampney St Mary. The clearing of the culvert and a road drain are expected shortly. Progress on the spillway is also being checked. In addition, surveys are in hand for the Ashbrook (London Road) and the scheme for Eastington. The area manager for the Environment Agency has inspected the Ampney Brook and the bank of the Moor. The need to reinstate the ditch along the western side of the Moor is recommended and various options for getting the work done this autumn are being pursued. This will require volunteers for general preparatory work

2002/3 Accounts – Ampney St Peter

The external auditors have issued the formal notice of closure of the accounts (see village notice board).

Sports and Social

Cricket – Phil Gearing

The season is now finished. The club came third in the Saturday League, an under-achievement given our talented squad of players. Our cause was not helped when Guiting Power cancelled the last match, so we were unable to gain any more points. Nick Rutter and Tom Donkin both scored centuries during the season and the batsmen really enjoyed the good wickets which the fine weather provided us with! The Sunday team contained several young players, including Richard Stopworth, who entertained everybody with his array of shots. The fete was a great success and thanks must be given to our veteran groundsman Dick Gearing who has devoted many years to the pitch.

Pétanque – Christine Cridford

A very enjoyable and successful tournament was held on 7 September. Eight teams took part, a total of 24 people, competing for the Ampney Crucis Autumn trophy. The winners were the "The BAG people" (Beverley Cottingham, Andrew Sabourin, Gerry Westmacott) and the runners-up were "Where's Sandy" (Sandy Westmacott, Matt Brough, Edward Stevens). Photographs of this event can be seen on the Ampney Crucis web site: www.ampneycrucis.f9.co.uk The club evenings are expected to finish at the end of September when the dark evenings set in, but we will restart around Easter next year. Details will be published in The Ampney Times so watch this space.

Karate in Ampney Crucis

The Southern Shotokan Karate Association has started classes in the Ampney Crucis Village Hall on Fridays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. The Association aims to teach the style of shotokan karate to all who wish to learn it. The Association believes that it can help females with personal security as well as, perhaps, young people who are bullied and that it can help with self discipline, self control and self respect. The cost is £3 per session. Contact Kevin Nicholls on É01793 or É349511(home) Alternatively, phone É07968 594232(mobile)

Bingo

Bingo continues at the Ampney Crucis Village Hall on 15 October and 19 November; doors open 7.00pm; eyes down 7.30pm.

Whist

Whist continues on 17 October and 21 November at the Pop Inn, Cirencester, 7.30pm.

Both events are organised by the Ampney and District Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Ampney and District Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Meets monthly Tuesdays Ampney Crucis Village Hall 2.00pm unless otherwise noted

21 October Annual general meeting

18 November “Fire and Rescue Service”

Contact Janet Gibbs É851227

Ampneys Gardening Club

Meets monthly Thursdays Ampney Crucis Village Hall 7.00pm for 7.30pm

16 October “Autumn plants and colours”, Mr J Billings, Almondsbury Garden Centre

20 November “National Trust gardens: rooted in history, growing forever”, Mr D Cooke

Contact Joyce Cutts É 851540

Sixties Club

Meets Mondays Ampney Crucis Village Hall 2.00pm unless otherwise noted

13 October Autumn tints, Monmouth; departure time to be notified

27 October Fish and chips lunch, 12.00 for 12.30pm

10 November “Cirencester in wartime”, Mr Irvine

24 November Outing to Cardiff for Christmas shopping

Contact Paddy or Peggy Thompson É851619

Women’s Institute

Meets monthly Thursdays Ampney Crucis Village Hall 7.30 pm unless otherwise noted

23 October “Living with a guide dog”, Mrs A Nicholls

27 November Annual meeting; “Wild flowers of Gloucestershire”, Mrs Sue Smith

Contact Sonja Payne É850267

Early Christmas Shopping

The annual Christmas bazaar, organised by Ampney Crucis Parish Church, will take place on Saturday, 6 December, 2.00pm to 4.00pm at the Ampney Crucis Village Hall. Please leave any items for the white elephant or home baking at 2 Durncourt Cottages, Ampney Crucis, by 4 December. Contact Paddy ThompsonÉ851619.

Parish Council Meeting

Ampney Crucis: Second Monday of every other month, next one 10 November in the village hall.

Ampney Crucis Web site

Have you accessed the web site recently?

There is lots of news and pictures of village events and clubs, information about the area including places to visit.

www.ampneycrucis.f9.co.uk

Please will all clubs and organisations keep an eye on their entries and ensure they are updated to keep the site interesting and topical.

Classified Advertisements

Personal ads in this column cost £1 per advert per issue. Local businesses may place an ad (£5) or sponsor an issue (£10). Please contact the editors for details.

This is your newsletter; contributions from individuals and clubs are always welcome.

Copy deadline for next issue (Dec03/Jan04) Friday 15 November

Send to Elisabeth Gerver, Cider Orchard, Ampney Crucis, Gloucestershire GL7 5RY

Editors: David Vessey, Elisabeth Gerver, Christine Cridford

Produced by Ampney Crucis Parish Council for the information of residents of the three villages. No liability can be accepted by the Council or Councillors, or the Parish Meeting Chairmen, for any losses, however caused, arising from this publication.