Alderton Village Newsletter - November 2023

Alderton Village Newsletter - November 2023 

Note from Editor:
 
The clocks have gone back now so we are approaching Winter. Lots of exciting things to look forward to. Just a reminder…. there are dogs, cats, horses and sheep in the village that might be frightened or injured by fireworks. There is a great display at Springhill, but if you are having fireworks at home, PLEASE warn your neighbours either in person or via the village WhatsApp groups.
 
I’d also like to wish the one and only Tom Collimore a speedy recovery from his recent accident.
Finally, please support the village New Year’s Eve Party in the Village Hall. It will bring us all together and save a lot on taxi fares!                                                                                   
 
Mary Merheim
 
You can receive this, and all future newsletters via email by signing up here: www.aldertonvillage.co.uk/newsletter-signup

1. ALDERTON PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

www.aldertonparishcouncil.org.uk  /  [email protected]

PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT- Land South of Dibden Lane [ 26 affordable houses]
Consideration of the application by Tewkesbury’s Planning Committee remains delayed. There is still time to comment. The easiest way is by:
WEBSITE – www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/planning click “new planning applications” then “search for and
comment on planning applications” and to add your comments you will need to register first and then search for the application using ref 23/00204/FUL
 
PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT – Land East of St Margaret’s Drive [was 55 houses, now 48 houses]
The Parish Council now awaits details of the full Planning application.
 
PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT – Land West of Willow Bank Road [Now 48 houses]
The proposal may go to the November Planning Committee.

> READ NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
The Parish Council met Chris Ashman, the new Executive Director for Place at Tewkesbury Borough Council, with planning as one of his responsibilities. Obvious concerns were expressed about housing development in the village and the loss of two recent appeals.
 
ALLOTMENTS
Consideration is being given to having a compostable toilet and three additional standpipes.
 
PLAYING FIELD
There have been further discussions about parking and commitments given to park sensibly.
 
The Council are looking into fencing off the children’s play area having received some additional money from a previous housing development.
 
All enquiries/correspondence to the Parish Council should be sent to [email protected]
 
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING at 7pm, 21 November in the Village Hall.

2. ALDERTON & GREAT WASHBOURNE NEWS

Welcome to new residents, wherever you live in the village. This newsletter is published monthly and tells you what’s going on. The village website is at www.aldertonvillage.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aldertonglos
 
We also have WhatsApp groups:

• ‘Alderton residents’ is for time sensitive information and answers to questions that locals know,’
• ‘For Sale/Free’ is our group for selling and exchanging
• ‘Alderton chatter’ is for chatting!

 
To join the first two message Mark on 07973 963539 or email [email protected]. To join the Alderton chatter group message Mary on 07826 019476

VILLAGE HALL NEWS
www.aldertonvillagehall.co.uk
[email protected]  /  [email protected]
 
COFFEE MORNING, SAT 4TH NOV 10AM TO 12PM
Our next Coffee Morning is on Saturday 4th November 10-12. Come along and enjoy the delicious, homemade cakes, pots of tea and cafetiere coffee on sale.
 
CHRISTMAS CAFÉ, SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER 10AM TO 12PM.
A morning of fun with the newly formed Alderton Belles in their first performance and community carol singing led by the choir. Cakes, Christmas Raffle, and lots of Christmas cheer.
 
VILLAGE HALL AGM, TUESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER, 7.30PM, VILLAGE HALL.
Come along to meet your Village Hall Committee and find out what we’ve been doing throughout the year for the Village Hall.  It’s the perfect opportunity to find out how you can get involved in village events, offer much-needed support and hire the hall for your own activities/clubs.
 
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 2023, VILLAGE HALL
Don’t want to fork out for an expensive taxi on New Year’s Eve? Then join us for the party of the year. ​The band is booked, the DJ primed, the decorations are divine and the food is fantastic.

Tickets are £25 to include a buffet dinner. 8pm to 12.30am.
 
Tickets are now available from Sian on 07790 342157 or email [email protected].

---

GARDENING CLUB NEWS
www.aldertonvillage.co.uk/alderton-gardening-club
Phil Kitson/Tom Cullimore
 
In October we welcomed Sally Oates to Alderton Gardening Club. It was Chairman Tom's first absence in fourty seven meetings and vice-chair Phil took over the introductions. Sally has a garden and allotment near Tetbury where she grows fruit, vegetables and cut flowers organically.
 
Her talk was based around the theme of adapting to climate change, illustrated by slides of her growing area. Sally records the weather conditions daily using amazing visual diagrams to give a sense of how to adapt her growing to these conditions. She also marks out her plot on diagrams to identify the hot; windy; shady and exposed areas. All this combines to determine her planting scheme. She showed that where some ferns cannot tolerate extreme heat others actually thrive in it.
 
She grows phacelia, as a green manure, which has a number of uses. Dig it in before it flowers to add nutrients to the ground, leave some to flower for the bees. It is also good for covering exposed soil until planting can take place. Sally avoids growing F1 varieties so she can save seed ready for next season’s growing.
 
To close there were questions taken on some of the issues mentioned in the talk. The best way to speed up the composting process is to add wood ash. Comfrey, and also nettles, can be soaked and used as a fertiliser. It can be smelly and should be diluted before use!

Sally then drew the raffle numbers, with some cyclamen and a penstemon being the favourite prizes.

Next month, award-winning garden writer and professional gardener, Sally Nex will be here to talk about
 
'Gardening the Low Carbon Way'.
Thursday November 9th
All welcome 7pm for 730pm start.
£3 members, £6 non-members
 
OAK HILL CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
www.oakhill.glous.sch.uk. / [email protected]
 
We have had a wonderful autumn half term at Oak Hill CE Primary School. The changing season, sports activities and Harvest Festival have all contributed to a colourful and busy time. Children and staff have been busy picking tomatoes and squashes that have been growing over the recent months and the children have learnt so much about gardening, life cycle of plants and the benefits to our health and mental wellbeing of being outside.
 
Our 10 Reception Class children have settled well into school life and have enjoyed developing friendships, playing with all the wonderful toys and using resources to support their learning. Year 1 and 2 have really made them feel welcome and have set a wonderful example with their behaviour. Year 3 and 4 enjoyed a fun and informative trip to Conygree Farm near Cheltenham where they learnt all about regenerative farming and were amazed at the variety and quantity of fruit and vegetables that the farm supply to farm shops and supermarkets.
 
We are supported by our wonderful Friends of Oak Hill School who paid for the whole school to go to the Cheltenham Literature Festival at the beginning of October. This was a fantastic experience which the children and staff absolutely loved. There were different talks by authors, activities to get involved with and everyone had a great day!
 
Earlier in October, we invited parents and governors to join us for Harvest Festival. Children had prepared poems and artwork to share with everyone. Our staff, parents and governors are so supportive of our lovely village school and its place in the community. We have had a lot of interest for Reception Class places for 2024. It would be a pleasure to show you around so, if you would like to visit, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
FRIENDS OF OAK HILL SCHOOL
www.facebook.com/p/Friends-of-Oak-Hill-School-100085675366685/
 
First a huge thank you to the kind villager who was so impressed that the children made it to the Cheltenham Literature Festival that they dropped a donation into the school to help cover the donation that FOOHS made to get them there! What a kind gesture and very gratefully received.
 
Secondly, a huge word of thanks to all who came to our first ever Halloween Silent Disco! This year we're raising funds to replace many of the reading books that the school uses and to buy a trim trail for the playground. The average quote for the trim trail comes in at £5000 and with your help we were able to make a respectable start towards the costs of this at the disco. Hopefully everyone had some fun at the same time. So, thank you!
 
SPRING HILL FIREWORKS, SAT 4TH NOV
Our next event is the Spring Hill fireworks which take place on Saturday the 4th November. Last year we raised over £500 at this event and we're hoping to raise a similar amount. If anyone can help us by baking or even buying baked goods we would be very grateful - it's a lot of cake to prepare! You can drop off cake at 6 School Road on Friday the 3rd or the morning of the 4th. Do also pop by and say hello if you are there - last year's fireworks were magnificent!
 
WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS, 30TH NOV AND 2ND DEC
Our wreath making workshops on the 30th November (7-9pm) and the 2nd December (10-12pm) have proved very popular. A few spaces left though at just £20 to include refreshments. WhatsApp Kate on 07975 749141 to book,
 
Finally, if there is something specific you would like to help us to fundraise for, perhaps you'd like to help us get the children to the science festival later this year (projected costs of tickets and transport for the whole school is £350) or you'd like to contribute to new books - message Kate for details on how you can make a one off donation or just drop an envelope into the school marked FOOHS donation.
 
ST MARGARET’S CHURCH

CAFÉ CHURCH, SUN NOV 5TH, DUMBLETON CHURCH, 4PM
Cafe Church for all our 4 churches on the Oak Hill Group will be on Sunday November 5th in Dumbleton Church at 4pm. This is a relaxed short service with half of it being an opportunity to talk to friends over a drink (including mulled wine!) and a sausage roll and apple cake. Do come and join us.
 
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, NOV 12TH 
Remembrance Sunday is on November 12th and as before there will be a short part of the service at the War Memorial starting at 10.50am for the laying of the wreath where we would be very pleased if you would join us,  but also following on in Church to sing some special songs and remember all those people who fought to protect the United Kingdom over the decades.
 
ST MARGARET’S CHRISTMAS FAIR, SAT DEC 2ND  2 – 4PM, ALDERTON VILLAGE HALL.
Raffle tickets are available to buy and once again there are many excellent prizes. The stalls will include gifts, tombola, cakes, delicatessen, jams, plants and a variety of craft stalls. Afternoon tea will be available and the children can meet Father Christmas in his Grotto and play some children’s games! If you have any items for the stalls, they will be very welcome - Sandy would be very pleased to receive gifts such as toiletries and unrequired presents at 11 Ellenor Drive and Raffle prizes to Nicki and Sheila at 10 Church Road - both by November 25th. Other items on the day.
 
The money that is raised will go to Church funds - the Church has just had its five yearly comprehensive building inspection and as with any old building, no doubt there will be some costly repairs that need doing so we really value your support.
 
THE GARDENERS  ARMS
www.gardenersarms.biz
 
LADIES NIGHT every Thursday. Buy two glasses of wine and get the rest of the bottle FREE!
​
KIDS EAT FREE every Saturday! Buy an adult main and get a kids main for free!
 
EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY Buy a bottle of wine and get 25% off a 2nd bottle (same wine). 
 
EVERY SUNDAY - GET A DESSERT FOR £5 when you buy an adult main. 

BREAKFAST CLUB every Friday from 10am – 2:30pm. FREE tea & coffee! 

CHRISTMAS 2023
 
We invite you to join us for Christmas Day or for your own Christmas party in 2023! Indulge in our full menu, bursting with a delightful array of seasonal treats that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Our locally sourced ingredients ensure every bite is a taste of perfection. Our talented chefs have also crafted a special vegan menu that will leave even the most discerning taste buds enchanted.
 
To request more information or to reserve your spot, please don't hesitate to contact us on 01242 620257. May your Christmas be filled with warmth, love, and the joy of good food and great company!
 
Cheerfully,
The Gardeners Arms

3. CLUBS/CLASSES

BOOK CLUB
There is a new Book Club starting at The Gardeners Arms on Tuesday 5th December, meeting every two months.
 
BOARD GAMES NIGHT
Last Tuesday of every month starting November. Times TBC

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS/MISCELLANEOUS

ALDERTON WW1 
Simon Finch 07729073267 /  [email protected] /  2 St Margarets Road

HELP NEEDED TO REMEMBER ALDERTON’S FALLEN OF WW1
Back in 2018 I carried out some research on Alderton’s WW1 casualties to mark the centenary of the end of World War I. Some of you may remember the centenary event we held at the church in 2018? I’m now updating the research I did in 2018 as I have much greater access to online records, and more time on my hands! I’m compiling a thorough and detailed history for each of the men listed on the Alderton war memorial. My aim is to add this to the Alderton website, to complement the information previously included by Roger Knapp at http://aldertonmemorial.weebly.com/. 
 
I have now exhausted all the online sources so I would like to ask if there are any villagers who may have information, knowledge, photographs or anything that could add to the story of each of these men? I certainly remember from 2018 that there were villagers still living in Alderton who were related to those who fought in WW1.

MARRIEDS V SINGLES FOOTBALL, FRI DEC 29th 2023 – ALDERTON PLAYING FIELD & THE GARDNERS ARMS – 11AM KICK OFF
 
Once again, the brave, big-hearted Married People of Alderton will take to the field of play against the lonely, miserable Single People of Alderton. The quality of the football isn’t great but the fundraising is – over the years the matches have raised over £20,000 for local and national charities. The match kicks off at 11am, with hot drinks & cakes available and festivities to follow in the Gardeners. 
 
This year we’re fundraising for the Vale Wildlife Hospital, who treat over 7,500 wildlife casualties every year. In our fantastic prize draw you could win 4 x Manchester United v Fulham tickets on Sat 24th Feb. Keep an eye on the village website for how to enter.
 
Fantastic football skills aren’t required and both male and female players over 16 are welcome. If you’d like to play let Rupert know at [email protected].
 
STEVE AND KAREN’S GREAT NORTH RUN CHARITY UPDATE
Karen and Steve Bowles would like to thank everyone from Alderton and the surrounding villages for their very kind donations for the Sue Ryder Hospice charity. Its been 8 weeks since we took part in the Great North Run and with 1 outstanding donation to come we can tell you, you have contributed to a total of over £900.00 in cheques, cash and online donations.

5. WHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER?

4th Snowshill Fireworks at Springhill. Bonfire 5.30pm, fireworks 7pm
16th Cheltenham Christmas Launch 4-7pm Town Centre
16th – 9th Christmas Gift Market, The Promenade, Cheltenham
18th Christmas Fayre, Beckford Silk 10am – 5pm
24th – 26th Artisan Christmas Market, Pittville Pump Room
26th The Suffolks Christmas Market
24th Nov - 30th Dec Spectacle of Light, Sudeley Castle
25th Nov – 23rd Dec Santa Express with GWSR
2nd Dec - Handel (Messiah part 1) and Haydn (Little Organ Mass) Tewkesbury Abbey 7.30pm

Alderton Newsletter has a new email address for you to send your contributions.  It is [email protected]
 
Next newsletter deadline 25/11/23