The following sections are extracts from the PCC Parish Magazine that is published monthly. The historical notes are by Alan Dodge.

   HISTORICAL NOTES MARCH

The recent wet weather has made walking on field footpaths quite difficult. However, not only do we have a variety of footwear for such occasions, we have the alternative of reasonably dry roads to walk or drive on. In the days before motor transport, most village journeys were made on foot, and even roads could be very dusty or muddy according to the weather conditions. As a consequence all churches, chapels, public houses and schools had conspicuous mud scrapers at their gates and doors. There are many good examples of scrapers still in use in our villages. Some appear to have been made by local blacksmiths, while others, such as at the former Methodist church in Freshford, are of ornate cast iron, and are almost identical to those of the Hungerford Arms at Farleigh Hungerford.

Old drawings and photographs show that roadside pavements were a conspicuous feature of our village centre roads many years before the invention of motor transport. Some, such as by The Glen in Rosemary Lane, still show evidence of old paving, and they would have thus provided a clean walkway away from the mud and ruts of the road.

According to a survey in a Berkshire village in 1787, most agricultural labourers had only “one pair of stout shoes nailed,” and their wives “one pair of strong shoes.” In writing of his childhood in the late 18th century, William Cobbett described the atmosphere of his village church, where “the parson could not attempt to begin (the service) until the rattling of nailed shoes ceased.”

HINTORICAL NOTES APRIL

A concern about Food Miles is not something our forefathers would have thought about.  Although in medieval times most food would have been grown locally with grain ground in the local mill, yet for the wealthy, spices such as pepper and ginger were imported from India and might have taken up to a year to come via land or sea.  Ordinary people such as Griselda in Chaucer’s The Clerk’s Tale , would bring roots, herbs and other grasses to the croft; these she would shred for flavouring.  Leeks and herbs would also be grown in their gardens to add flavour to their limited diet.  Throughout the centuries, gardens have been vital for the survival of village people, and the Second World war slogan ‘Dig for Victory’ encouraged people to grow as many of their own vegetables as possible.  This partial self-sufficiency was also shown in local farming.  In the book Salute to the Village, written by Fay Inchfawn (Elizabeth Ward) describing Freshford and Limpley Stoke in the early years of the Second World War, mention is made of six dairy farms in Freshford and Limpley Stoke.  Most people would have obtained milk from their nearest dairy farmer, although the amount allowed was actually subject to war-time rationing.  Thus cows grazing in the fields had a direct bearing on the life of most individuals in the community.  The progressive urbanisation of society and the easy availability of food, albeit now brought from all over the world, has meant that many potentially productive gardens are now used mostly for leisure.  Likewise, with farm land, many fields are also being taken out of agricultural production for leisure and other usage, and for the first time will not be used for growing crops, or raising animals for meat, milk or wool.  Thus the productive toil of the Domesday Book villeins and bordars, and their heirs over thirty generations comes to an end.

 HINTON CHARTERHOUSE PARISH PLAN

The open meeting held on September 18th last year saw  the Memorial Hall packed with excited villagers keen to be a part of the future development of the village. After an excellent presentation the villagers were given the opportunity to add their ideas to those already gathered by the committee. Two groups allowed further discussion on all aspects of village life to be thoroughly aired.

The success of this venture relies on the enthusiasm of the participants and there was certainly no lack of it on that night. The Ideas came thick and fast from the practical to the downright bizarre.

A QUESTIONNAIRE has now been sent to all residents for completion and return to the Old Post Office by 16 May.  BE SURE TO FILL IT IN.

The Plan Steering Committee comprises:- Nick Helps, Stephanie Birrel, Fiona Cassidy, Fen Dyson, Jo Eke, Callie Mather and Christina Pearce.

WOMENS INSTITUTE

It seems everybody enjoyed our lunch out in January and we agreed we should do it again soon. Meanwhile, plans are afoot to visit the well recommended

Cothay Manor and Gardens in Somerset and the date will be Wed 9 July. There may be some spare seats on the coach for non-WI friends. Watch out for an announcement nearer the time.

Our February speaker, Jo Protero teaches African percussion in Bath.  When she ordered 20 drums from The Gambia, she spent 3 months there while they were being made, living in a breeze block, tin-roofed bungalow in a village compound. She found life very different from home. Everyday chores like tea- making take hours when you need to collect fuel and make a fire to boil the water. Drawing water from a well is a skill we have lost in Britain. Her neighbours were friendly and always ready to help, but the women wanted to know “Where is your husband?” “Why do you not have a husband?” “Are you looking for a husband?”! After describing for us how people live in this typical Gambian village, she played for us on her kora (‘African harp’)  made from half a gourd with 20 strings of fishing line, which had a gentle, restful tone.

In March, three members with their husbands went to The Old Tobacco Factory in Bristol. They heard  how the old building has been converted, for less than the cost of demolition, into an arts centre and theatre seating about 200, with Shakespeare performed twice a year. The Producer, and a leading actor and actress talked about the production. After lunch in the restaurant, the party was treated to a performance of The Taming of the Shrew which they described as ‘outstanding – one of the best day’s entertainment ever’.

Then we were joined by visitors to hear our favourite speaker, Bernard Tapp talk about ‘The Annapurna Sanctuary’ so called  because a long, steep, sometimes hazardous track leads through a narrow gorge to an area of great tranquillity, surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks that include Annapurna, 10th highest in the world. The Nepalese people believe these peaks are the divine presence of Hindu goddesses.

The people farm the slopes in narrow terraces, producing crops and vegetables. They keep animals, mainly sheep, goats and chickens and collect honey. The party was led by three Sherpa brothers, tireless in taking care of them in sometimes hazardous conditions. Bernard is an expert photographer and he showed us vivid shots of the country and the mountains, including his favourite, whose Hindi name means the Fishtail because of its sharp twin peaks. We saw images of it looming white above the trees, glowing gold in the dawn and pink in the sunset. As always, his most memorable pictures were of the people – sturdy weather-beaten Gurkha men, beautiful children playing or helping carry crops or washing clothes in a stream, and an old lady in a felt bonnet tending her flower filled garden. However, I think we were secretly glad to be able see these images in comfort, rather than make the arduous trek ourselves!

                                                                                Mary Parkes

   MOTHERS AND TODDLERS GROUP

Meet on Fridays and any new members would be welcomed. £1 a session. 10.30 a.m.-12.00 noon.  Hinton Memorial Hall 

COFFEE AND CHAT

IIn May we will meet at the home of Mary and John Worgan on 29 May at 1030

  HINTON  BOOK GROUP

At present we meet on the third Wednesday evening in the month but might be able to adjust that to the needs of the group.                                                                 Viv Jackson 723578

 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM

We have a new Neighbourhood Policing Team for the village in addition to the vehicle and officers that visit once a month.  PS Matt Bendall is the beat manager, and Sam Grange is our Community Support Officer.  They can both be contacted on 0845 456 7000.  Sam Grange is specially keen to get to know the village, and will be willing to talk to residents about their concerns.  

                                                                                                                                       Lynda Purse

PLAY AREA

CLOTHES SKIP

A CLOTHES SKIP is now in place on the road leading up to the Millennium Green.  This is sponsored by the Air Ambulance and will remain in position until the end of July 2008.

 DIARY DATES

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