Ampney Crucis Times

This edition sees the completion of four years of newsletter production. In that time, the newsletter has grown from one sheet of information distributed to residents of Ampney Crucis to three sheets distributed to residents of the three Ampneys.

We would like to thank all our contributors for helping to make the newsletter a success and also our advertisers who help to fund it. Thanks, also, to Vivian Evans and his band of distributors who do the less glamorous work of pushing the newsletter through 400 letterboxes. Without them, there would be no newsletter.

The editors wish everybody. A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Ampney Crucis Christmas Bazaar

This will take place on 4 December, 2.00p.m. to 4.00 p.m. in Ampney Crucis Village Hall, with stalls, teas, tombola, gift stalls and a grand raffle. The hall opens at 11.30 a.m. to receive items for stalls. Anyone wishing to donate items please contact John Ducker (851524 (books), Georgie Davies (851452 (cakes) or Paddy Thompson (851619 (white elephant and Christmas gifts). Admission Free.

Historic Churches Trust

This year Ros Armitage (and, I gather, hoards of children) ably supported John Ducker's perennial efforts and together they made £358 divided between the Trust and the Parish. We also had a regular flow of cyclists from other villages, many of whom we see each year. Thanks must also go to all those who helped man the Church and ensure that there is a welcome for those visitors. Volunteers for the 2005 performance should contact Nicholas Tanner.

December Church Services

5 December

8 a.m. BCP Communion - Poulton

10 a.m. Communion - Ampney Crucis

3 p.m. Advent Carols - Ampney St Mary

12 December

10 a.m. Benefice Carols - Poulton

19 December

8 a.m. BCP Communion - Poulton

10 a.m. Benefice Eucharist - Ampney St Peter

5 p.m. Nativity Service - Ampney Crucis

24 December

5.30 p.m. Carols + Crib Service - Driffield

11 p.m. Midnight Service - Poulton

25 December

8 a.m. BCP Communion - Ampney St Peter

10 a.m. Christmas Service - Ampney Crucis

2 January

10 a.m. Communion – Driffield

School Carol Concert

The annual school Carol Concert will be held in Ampney Crucis Parish Church on Thursday 16 December at 6.00 p.m.

School Christmas Bazaar

The school Christmas Bazaar is on Friday 10 December at 3.00 p.m. Please come and join us to buy those last minute presents and visit Santa!

Film Night

The November film went through something of a hiatus. Filmgoers of a certain age will remember the gentle comedy of The Ladykillers. The American remake, originally planned for November, might better have been entitled Expletives Undeleted and was not considered suitable family viewing. Under the Tuscan Sun was the final choice.

This month’s choice is King Arthur Cert 12A

Wednesday 8 December 7.30 p.m.

Ampney Crucis Village Hall – £2.50 at the door

Refreshments available.

The Village Diary

Don’t forget that the opportunity exists for all event organisers to check out future dates to make sure they don’t clash. Dates and details of all future events can be held on the Ampney Crucis website. If you are unfamiliar with the workings of the website or if you are not on the Internet, Frank Skinner has kindly agreed to act as go-between. So ring him with your proposed event and he will check the diary for you and put details of your event on the website.

Frank Skinner (654597

Flooding

Very occasionally, very heavy rainfall can cause flooding problems for lower lying properties. If you are affected, the Environment Agency has produced a package called ‘floodPACT’ which contains a video, CD and various leaflets on flooding matters. Norman Simpson, (851297, is the custodian of the pack for the three villages.

OXFAM Books and Music

OXFAM works with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering. If you have time to spare why not come and join us as a volunteer, make friends and help keep the shop open? We provide on-the-job training and out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed. Donations of books and music would be most welcome.

Please call in at 7 West Market Place Cirencester or (658726 or email us on:

oxfamshopf2717@btconnect.com

Mobile Police Station

The mobile police station, with PC Reuben Wyatt, will visit the Ampneys at these times (approximately):

	A Crucis	A St M	A St P
3 Dec	1245	1300	1400
22 Dec	1245	1300	1400
5 Jan	1245	1300	1400
25 Jan	1245	1300	1400

For information (07734 068276;

email egmps@gloucestershire.police.uk

Water Pressure

Having had a spate of tap washer failures, a resident has recently complained to Thames Water about high water pressure in Ampney Crucis. Thames Water has recognised the problem to be associated with the pressure regulating valve serving the east end of Ampney Crucis and have promised to make the necessary repairs. If you have suffered leaking taps recently this may be due to the high pressure in the village. Thames Water can be contacted on (0845 9200 800.

School News – Andy Simpson

So far we have had a busy start to the school year. Our new intake of children have settled into school life and are enjoying using our new outdoor classroom. Thank you to all who joined us to share our silence for Remembrance Day. This made the whole experience so much more real for the children being part of the local community.

A big thank you also to Don and the team of volunteers who have helped with this year’s village clear up. This has focused on clearing the hedgerows around the school playing field; which has improved the environment and prepared the way for the planned playground for the children of Ampney Crucis. Could I also take this opportunity to remind you that dogs are not allowed on the school field we have had several problems this year already with dog mess !

Finally can I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the children, staff and governors of Ampney Crucis C.E. Primary School

Travel Tokens

Help is available from the District Council to ensure that people over 60 and those with disabilities, living in the Cotswolds, have the opportunity to travel on public transport. There is a choice between a bus pass, which allows half fare travel on many services in the District, or tokens, which may also be used for taxi journeys, dial-a-ride type services or towards the cost of a Senior Railcard.

For more information call (623031.

Ampney Crucis Parish Council

Remembrance Day

In the past, the wreath for the Remembrance Day Service has been provided by members of the Royal British Legion. Time marches on and the men’s section has reluctantly decided to close. The Parish Council has therefore decided that the cost of the wreath should in future be met from parish finances.

Drainage

This is becoming a regular feature of life in the village. Recently, residents in the Pound Tree area have been inconvenienced by a good deal of water flowing down Butcher’s Arms Lane and continuing to the Pleydells. Thames Water have investigated and declared it is not mains water. Highways Authority have therefore installed some additional drainage higher up Butcher’s Arms Lane and have also cleared out the gullies.

Riding Lane also continues to be affected by occasional overflows from the ditches. The farmer and local residents have been asked to help ensure the ditches are kept clear.

Standing water is a hazard, particularly in freezing conditions, and so the Parish Council has applied for the main road through the village, from the War Memorial to Dudley Farm and back down to the A417, to be included as part of the main ‘salt run’.

Speed

There have been some comments about speeding through the village. Please drive carefully!

Planning

The Parish Council posts information about all planning applications on the notice boards. The timescale for responding is very short so it is not possible to canvass the opinions of residents on these applications. Every resident is able to respond direct to CDC on individual applications. If you wish the Parish Council to be aware of your concerns as well, you should write direct to the Clerk, Helen Tonks, or send her a copy of any letter you have written to the District Council. Helen’s address is 187 Alexander Drive, Cirencester, GL7 1HU.

The Playground.

The final details are still being worked out and the work is entering the final stages of balancing all the requirements for constructing the playground with the occasionally quite complex interplay between fundraising and grant provision. The Playground Committee is working very hard to raise the funds needed to bridge the small gap that remains and they have been very encouraged by the generosity of local residents who have put pen to chequebook. Thank You!

The Autumn Clear-Up was devoted to clearing the hedgerow along Allotment Lane to give better visibility of the playground area (a police requirement). There was an excellent turnout of helpers and the job is now complete.

Schedule of Meetings

Parish Council meetings in 2005 will be held on 10 January, 14 March, 9 May, 11 July, 12 September, and 14 November. All meetings start at 7.15 p.m. except the May meeting (which is the date of the Annual Parish Meeting and the AGM of the Parish Council) which starts at 7.30.

All Parish Council meetings are open to the public.

Ampney St Peter News – Sue Tufnell

A417

As reported previously, numerous initiatives are being taken with regard to usage of the A417 and localised road safety issues, such as those at Poulton. Julian Selby-Rickards is co-ordinating the local safety review of the Ampney St Peter environs with the County officials and will report as soon as possible on the findings and proposed solutions.

Revision of Parish Boundary

The review of the Parish Boundary interface with Poulton and Ampney St Mary is progressing and the proposal is expected to be presented to the CDC Cabinet soon.

Refuse Collection

Please note that, during the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays, the normal Wednesday refuse collection day will apply. In addition, SITA will shortly distribute the twelve-month calendar of recycling box collection dates.

Thames Water.

The respective Chairmen are still awaiting receipt from Thames Water of the findings from the detailed studies of both their local and the overall sewage system. Work on the treatment plant upgrade appears to be progressing and the contractors are trying to keep the access tidy.

Charlham Lane

Following advice from the police, improved warning signs of the work in progress at the sewage treatment works have been put in place. However, some vehicles are still incorrectly entering the village street. Would you please continue to inform either Norman Simpson ((851297) or Julian Selby-Rickards ((851304) if you encounter any problems.

The Alpaca Sale…

… held at The Manor House, Ampney St. Peter, on 2 November proved to be a tremendous success. Our thanks go to all those people who attended and to the helpers who made the event such a success. A cheque for £585.00 is being sent to the Citizens Advice Bureau and the raffle raised £166.00 for MacIntyre Carehomes for people with learning disabilities.

Ampney and District Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Meetings

Usually meets every two months on Tuesdays in Ampney Crucis Village Hall, 2.00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There are no meetings in December and January.

Contact Janet Gibbs (851227

Whist and Bingo

Whist drives 14 December and 11 January, 7.30 p.m ., the Pop Inn, Cirencester.

Christmas Bingo, 15 December, doors open 7.00 p.m., eyes down 7.30 p.m., Ampney Crucis Village Hall.

Ampneys Gardening Club

Meets monthly, Thursdays, Ampney Crucis Village Hall, 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There is no meeting in December. New members are always welcome.

20 January New Year Festive Meal, time and place to be announced.

Contact Joyce Cutts (851540

Mothers’ Union

Meets monthly at various venues and times; everyone is welcome.

1 December, 7.00 p.m., Bring and Share Supper, Waterton Farm House.

2 December, 3.00 p.m. Advent Carol Service, St Mary’s Church, Fairford.

6 January, 2.30 p.m. Annual General Meeting, with readings and carols, venue to be announced. Contact Rosemary FranklinÉ 654282;

Sixties Club

Meets Mondays Ampney Crucis Village Hall 2.00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

13 December Christmas Lunch, 12.00 for 12.30 p.m., The Crown, Cerney Wick. Times for the bus to be announced.

10 January Entertainment by Gordon Longley and Iris Nelmes

24 January “Life on the boats” by Mr Dawson

Contact Paddy or Peggy Thompson ( 851619

Women’s Institute

Meets monthly Thursdays, Village Hall, 7.30 p.m.

16 December Christmas Party

27 January “Toy Theatre” by Gary Cowley

Contact Sonja Payne (850267.

Youth Club

The club, open to all children who live in Ampney Crucis and/or who attend Ampney Crucis School year 2 and above, is full for the time being. We shall let readers know when there are any vacancies.

For further information and membership enquiries contact Rosanna Armitage (850005.

Ampneys Gardening Club - Gerry Cutts

At the meeting on November 18, an outstanding talk on “Autumn Plants and Colours” was given by James Billing, whose family own two Garden Centres at Lechlade and Almonsbury. His 24 years experience in plants showed in a talk that was both humorous and full of tips for both beginner and expert. Members could not resist buying some of the plants James brought with him, some of which were only recently discovered.

Bookings for the Village Hall may be made through Paddy or Peggy Thompson ( 851619.