Test Your Knowledge

Quiz night, 3 February, 7.30 pm, Ampney Crucis Village Hall, organised by Friends of Ampney Crucis CE Primary School.

Ampney Crucis Cinema

Next attraction, Laws of Attraction, a love story of two lawyers pitted on opposite sides of a public divorce case, starring Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore, Cert 12A, 9 February, 7.30 pm.

9 March, 7.30 pm, film to be announced.

Dates for the rest of 2005: 13 April, 11 May, 8 June, 20 July, 17 August, 14 September, 12 October, 9 November, 14 December. Films will be announced on village posters. Entrance is £2.50; refreshments are available during the interval. Enquiries to Anne Bridges (652471.

Rock and Country Songs

On Saturday 5 March, Arts in Rural Gloucestershire presents an evening of Movin' and Groovin' music from Shep Woolley and Doc Pearce, playing great rock and country songs from the 50's and 60's, Ampney Crucis Village Hall, 7.30 pm. Tickets £6 from Beryl Dunford (851341 or Anne Bridges (652471.

Broadband

We understand that BT have said that broadband for the Ampneys will be available this year from 9 March. Further information is available from Gloucestershire First (01242 864195.

Invitation to Parish Meetings

The next meeting of Ampney Crucis Parish Council will be on Monday 14 March in the Village Hall at 7.15 pm. The annual parish meeting and the annual meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 9 May in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

School news - Andy Simpson

On our fundraising day for the tsunami appeal, our non uniform day, cake sale and art sale were all ideas generated by the children. We also held a raffle of a remote control toy, donated by DW Dunn, and Mrs Stephens donated the money from selling eggs at the school. So far the children have raised over £510, a huge total for 72 children!!! Thank you to all who have supported us. We also collected nearly 300 tins for the local appeal for food distribution.

Our older children are currently learning about mountain environments. We would be delighted if any members of our community have resources such as mountain climbing equipment or photos etc that they could share with the children.

We are also planning an “art alive” week for June; if you would like to contribute in any way please contact the school. A jumble sale is planned for February or March, date to be announced.

Village Hall Meeting

Ampney Crucis Village Hall annual general meeting will take place on Monday 21 March, 7.30 pm. Please give nominations for the three elected seats on the committee to the chairman Anne Bridges (652471.

Save the Children – Lorna Everatt

The tsunami has shaken everyone, and we thank all who have supported us at this time. We are working in all those places, feeding and sheltering and also educating particularly the mothers. We are teaching them to pass on their knowledge, how to support themselves, how to keep their families healthy, and many other things. We would be delighted if anyone would like to raise money for us – perhaps through a sponsored activity or by organising an event. We can always help!

Please let me know if you are willing to join our committee or to help with the cream teas. If you can lay a table, wash up or sell a few things from our stall, you will be most welcome. Excellent speakers are available for organisations.

Thank you, and you, and you, in hopeful anticipation. Phone Lorna Everatt (851292.

Ampney Crucis Parish Council

The Playground

The Parish Council met in emergency session in December to consider the playground. The huge increase in steel prices over recent months had caused one of the chosen contractors to put a deadline of 31 December on his quotation, with the threat of a significant price increase in the New Year. As the funds were in place, the Parish Council decided to get the project going and orders have been placed for all the required equipment.

Weather permitting, work will start towards the end of February. The first task is to construct a temporary entrance at the top end of the football field. When that is in place, construction of the playground and skateboard area will start. Clearly, the weather is the controlling factor but, if everything goes according to plan, the area could be ready by the end of April.

The 2005 precept

At its meeting on 10 January, the Parish Council set the precept for the financial year ending 31 March 2006. There were two components to consider: the standard precept for running the parish and the playground. The standard precept will be £5,200. This is slightly down on last year mainly because the insurance premium for 2004 was not as high as expected.

The playground funding was first discussed at the extraordinary Parish Council meeting of June 2003 when the decision to move ahead was taken. It was anticipated then that the precept would have to rise by around £1,500 starting in the current year. However, the decision was taken to recover the amount for the current financial year out of the reserves. Consequently, the first increase in the precept for the playground will be in the next financial year and will be £1,700, making a total precept for 2005/2006 of £6,900.

Drains

Users of Butcher’s Arms Lane will have noticed that the remedial work carried out appears to have successfully stopped the water which has been flowing down the lane for months. Riding Lane is still causing some problems, which are being addressed by the Parish Council.

Notice Board

The Village Hall now boasts a new Parish Council notice board made by Harold Stevens. With the kind agreement of Elisabeth Pile, the new notice board will be dedicated to Richard Pile, Chairman of the Parish Council for 15 years.

Energy saving light bulbs

The District Council has a supply of energy saving light bulbs for distribution to parishioners receiving state benefits such as the state pension. If you believe you qualify, please telephone Kim Hartshorne, (850144, for more details. The bulbs are in packs of four and the supply is limited, so first come, first served.

Co-option of Barry Dent

The resignation of John Dear created a vacancy on the Council, which has been filled by the co-option of Professor Barry Dent. Barry has lived in Ampney Crucis for 2 1/2 years and in the Cirencester area for two years previously. A native of the Lake District, he lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand and Scotland before his appointment as Principal of the Royal Agricultural College. Now retired, Barry is involved with local activities including the National Star College for disabled students, the Ampneys branch of Save the Children and the Ampney Crucis Parochial Church Council.

Ampney St Mary – Nicoll Ferguson

Blessing of a marriage

A service of blessing of the marriage between Robin and Sally Eliot (née Marshall) took place in Ampney Crucis Parish Church on Wednesday, 29 December, conducted by our vicar, the Reverend Annette Woolcock. The church was very beautifully decorated and illuminated, and the congregation elegantly attired.

The reception afterwards was held at the family home in Ampney St Mary, with excellent food and wine. Robin and Sally will be living in the United States, which is Sally’s home country, and we wish them continued happiness, health and success. Incidentally, the organisation was all done by residents of Ampney St Mary. The catering was by Angela Dolleymore, and the marquee was provided by Olly Morris-Adams. A little plug for the home team.

Ampney St. Peter - Sue Tufnell.

A Happy New Year to you all. Sadly, 2004 ended with the terrible news of the tsunami in South East Asia. Public response has been amazing and there has been a local collection for tins of food to be taken out from RAF Wroughton.

A417 London Road

Gloucestershire County Council are currently consulting with representative bodies on the lorry route map for Gloucestershire. Our ward councillors and local parishes are liaising to ensure appropriate responses. A site meeting has been held with the Cotswold area traffic manager and a number of road safety measures for the London Road are being considered. They take into account the conclusions reached and the improvement programme agreed for Poulton.

Village Signing

The area traffic manager also addressed the problems of the parking area along the front of the cottages and traffic entering the village street. He suggested that additional signing by the parish would be acceptable to the authorities. Discussions will be held as soon as possible with those parishioners directly involved. A possible solution of the turning problem at the entrance will require more detailed consideration by Highways.

Bus Shelter

Derek Witchell has kindly undertaken the refurbishment and improvement of drainage of the bus shelter within the grant and the guidance received. Work is progressing well and Highways have supplied a suitable road drain.

Trees

As you all know, the tree management programme has been conducted in conjunction with Cotswold District Council arboriculture specialists. Replacements of the chestnut and the weeping ash are in hand, along with the planting of the recommended alder, ash and willow (crack or white) along the tree line of the Moor. Once again we are indebted to Don Underwood and his gang (and Derek Witchell’s digger!). Many thanks for their hard work and knowledge.

Commemorative Bench

It is well known that the “Jubilee” bench outside of the Pound in Charlham Lane was removed and burnt last November. Suggestions have been received to replace the bench with one to commemorate the same anniversary of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Once again a collection of private donations would be the most appropriate way of funding the purchase. Col. Greville Tufnell, The Manor, Ampney St Peter, (851065, has kindly agreed to collate donations. Please make out cheques to Ampney St Peter Parish Meeting and attach a note with all donations so that receipts can be issued.

Mobile Police Station Visits

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

A Crucis A St M A St P

3 Feb 1245 1300 1400

12 Feb 1245 1300 1400

11 Mar 1245 1300 1400

22 Mar 1245 1300 1400

For information 07734 068276; email egmps@gloucestershire. police.uk

Air in G – Anne Bridges

Towards the end of November, Ampney Crucis Village Hall was tapping its foot to live music from the violin of Australian Cath Mundy and the guitar of Jay Turner. As they played their own original songs we were transported from the coal mines of Yorkshire to Australian beaches and even to Shepherds Bush. The songs showed a deep commitment to social justice interspersed with humorous story telling. With a break for mulled wine and mince pies, the audience returned to their seats in good voice and proved more than capable of remembering and singing tricky chorus lines. The audience included followers of the duo from Bristol and Coventry, who had arranged overnight accommodation in the area in order to attend! Surely testimony to the pull of live music!

Ampney and District Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Usually meets Tuesdays, Ampney Crucis Village Hall, 2.00 pm unless otherwise noted.

15 February, raffle; speaker to be arranged.

15 March, meeting; sale table.

Contact Janet Gibbs É851227.

Bingo, 16 March, Ampney Crucis Village Hall: doors open 7.00 pm; eyes down 7.30pm.

Whist drives, 8 February and 8 March, the Pop Inn, Cirencester, 7.30pm.

Ampneys Gardening Club

Meets monthly, Thursdays, Ampney Crucis Village Hall, 7.00 pm unless otherwise noted. New members are always welcome.

17 February, “Pruning and composting” by Mrs Jenny Bailey.

17 March, Annual general meeting.

Contact Joyce Cutts É 851540.

Mothers’ Union

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

3 February, 2.30 pm, "Cruising in France" by Wilf and Heather Freeth, Waterton Farm House.

3 March, 2.30 pm, “The human rights aspect of Paraguay” by Canon Ray Harris, venue to be decided.

Sixties Club

Meets Mondays, Ampney Crucis Village Hall, 2.00 pm unless otherwise noted.

7 February, 30^th birthday of the club; music by Roger Poole.

21 February, Annual general meeting.

7 March, Music by Pauline and Derek.

21 March, Slides and talk on Ampney and district by Paddy Thompson.

Contact Paddy or Peggy Thompson É851619.

Women’s Institute

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

24 February, “Deer and other wildlife” by Nigel Bridge.

24 March, Members meeting.

Contact Sonja Payne É850267.

Youth Club

The club, 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.

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

( 851619.