Died February 15 2010

The death has occurred at Bloomfield Care Centre Paulton of Gladys Bird who lived for the majority of her life at Timsbury until a severe stroke forced her to give up her home in South Road. Miss Bird who was 89 was one of four children but only her sister Eileen Hancock is still alive.

Miss Bird was born in the Radford area of Timsbury and was one of the last pupils to be only educated at the school at Mill Lane before the opening of the Secondary School in the village in 1934. After leaving school she worked in service before going to Coventry where she worked on a hospital switchboard. During World War Two she was on the switchboard at The Shadow factory in Temple Cloud which was built for the Parnall Aircraft Company after its Yate factory was bombed. During this time she was a victim of a hit and run accident and it was only the speedy work of local GP Dr Crook that prevented her losing a leg. Miss Bird was then to work at the Dents glove factory in Radstock before going to Clark’s shoe factory in Westfield from where she retired.

Although she had no children of her own Miss Bird thought the world of her seven nephews and nieces. She was not a great socialiser and the family was very important to her. Her main interests were knitting, sewing and gardening.

The funeral service at Timsbury Tabor Church was conducted by Margaret West and was followed by interment alongside her mother and father in Timsbury cemetery.

One of her nephews, Geoffrey Bratt said, “ We couldn’t have wished for a better auntie. She was a popular workmate and generous to a fault.. Even after her illness she remained bright and cheerful and always enjoyed a joke”.

Report by Malcolm Tucker

Mrs Rose thanked all those attending the meeting and also the members of the Executive Committee, the Show Schedule Committee and all other members who had helped at the annual show and other Society events during the last year. In particular reference was made to Keith Pursey, who had taken on the very important roles of honorary secretary and show secretary, Annette Turner, Elke Shelby, Richard Taylor, Janet Walker and Steve and Chris Dredge for their duties, fund raising activities, organising of social events and catering.

Mrs Rose pointed out that in addition to the vacant position of chairman the Society was also in need of someone to take over from Elke Shelby as Programme Secretary as she had been forced to resign due to ill health.

After a vote Graham Nicholls was elected as Chairman while Marion Miller and Jan Merchant agreed to work together as joint programme secretaries.

The Secretary , Keith Pursey said that it had been another successful year for the society with an interesting mix of speakers, visits and two good society shows. He thanked all those members concerned who had helped in the Society events and also the committee members involved in the past year.

The financial report given by Janet Walker, the treasurer showed that the society was in a very healthy financial position.

It was agreed that the recycling people who had been in attendance at a recent event at Farmborough Memorial Hall be invited to attend the Society’s annual Flower Show.

It was proposed by the chairman and seconded by John Moody that Society funds be used to subsidise members’ excursions and activities. Differing views were expressed by members present as not all members would benefit from such a proposal. It was agreed that this matter be further discussed at the next Executive Committee meeting.

Officers elected were:-

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Officers ex officio plus Anne Gibbons, Eric Potter, Pam Potter, Elke Shelby, Alec Short, Mary Tout, Terry Walker and Terry Webber.

SHOW SCHEDULE COMMITTEE

Officers ex officio plus Graham Nicholls, Eric Potter and Terry Walker

Report by Malcolm Tucker

The opportunity to work in the school which teaches children from 5-18 came about last December when Bryony went to India as a guest of a friend whose brother was marrying the daughter of Ruby. She was invited to come back with a friend and Vikki who shares a love of drama with Bryony jumped at the chance to embark on the ambitious venture.

Vikki said, “Two months ago I had given up hope of doing anything positive in my gap year but then this chance to go to India came along. It is very exciting but things have happened so quickly that I can hardly believe how lucky I am”.

Before they go Vikki and Bryony are holding a curry night at Mardon’s Social Club in Midsomer Norton on March 12 to raise money not for their trip but for the school itself. They are also appealing for books for children aged three to five which they can take out with them. Tickets for the curry night are £10 and will be a buffet provided by the Bombay King with entertainment included. They are available from Vikki on 07745466736 or Bryony on 07931623574.

Bryony and Vikki have both worked as volunteers at Somer Valley FM Community Radio and the radio station will be keeping in touch with them during the trip. They are also creating a blog for friends to follow their progress on www.allthe wayfromindia.blogspot.com.

For the last two weeks of their trip the pair will be off sightseeing in the Himalayas before returning to England on May 12. Then in the autumn Vikki will be off to Bournemouth to study multi-media journalism and Bryony is hoping to study advertising and design at Newport University.

Report by Malcolm Tucker

Not surprisingly there are no survivors from the earlier victory but only one member of the 1960 side is no longer alive and the club is hoping to reunite the team for a special celebration day on April 24. It will coincide with a double fixture for the present club sides with the reserve team kicking off the afternoon with a game against Shepton Mallet Reserves with the first team playing later against Shirehampton.

The 1959-60 campaign was one of the most successful in Timsbury’s history. Not only did the first team win the Somerset Junior Cup but led by Don Dart they also captured the Bristol and Suburban League Division 2 winning 27 of their matches and losing just one. The points gained were the highest in the whole of the Suburban League and not to be left out the Reserve team won the third division of the Bath and District League scoring an amazing 130 goals. Derek Leakey was leading scorer for the first team with 30 goals in the league and 11 in the cup competition while Denzil Barnes who has sadly died in the last month grabbed 57 for the second string.

Several coachloads of supporters made the trip to Taunton to cheer on their side in the final of the Junior Cup. It was a wet miserable day but both sides provided a fitting spectacle with Timsbury snatching the winning goal three minutes from time. Brian Harris who now displays his sporting prowess on the green baize of the snooker and billiards table had given Timsbury a first half lead only for Dulverton to equalize 20 minutes from time. Geoff Parfitt then restored Timsbury’s lead but Dulverton levelled again with ten minutes left. Both sides had their chances to win but it was Parfitt who proved the match winner with a stunning drive from 20 yards.

The cup was presented to Timsbury skipper Dart by Mr J.P. Moylan, the President of the Taunton Saturday League.

The celebration day on April 24 is being co-ordinated by club secretary Martyn Sage who is hoping that many ex-players will come along as well as the 1960 team. He would like members of the team or any ex-players to contact him on 01761 471290 or 07785585686.

Report by Malcolm Tucker

The team of Clive Derrick, Chris Allen, Andy Willcox and Les Robbins received the winner’s shield from Alan Hale who is President of the Lions Club of Keynsham.

He said, “ Everything that we do in the Lions’ Club can only be achieved if we get support from teams like the Seven Stars. We depend on community backing. To win this competition at the first time of asking and with such a huge total is an outstanding achievement”.

Debbie Templar from the Seven Stars said, “ We were pleased to take part in the charity event and delighted with the team’s success. We are a real village pub and we hope this will be a boost for the whole community”.

Report by Malcolm Tucker

Mr Barnes was born on March 25 1933 and was brought up in Timsbury attending both the village Primary and Secondary schools. He spent his working life as a labourer for Kendall’s of Camerton and Walter Lawrence. He was never afraid of hard work and carried out a number of gardening jobs too. He married his wife Audrey on April 10 1973 and they had one daughter Debbie and a granddaughter, Emma.

Mr Barnes will be remembered as a prolific goalscorer for Timsbury Athletic and in season 1959-60 notched an amazing total of 57 goals in helping the Reserves side win the Bath and District League Division 3. He maintained a keen interest in sport and was an avid Manchester United supporter.

Mr Barnes is survived by his wife, daughter, granddaughter, brothers Roy and Norman and sister Pat. The funeral service is to be held in Boston but Mr Barnes’ ashes will be brought back to his home village, Timsbury.

His brother Roy said, “ Denzil was full of life and a real joker and I can honestly say that we always got on well together and never fell out. He was basically contented and easy going and never demanded much out of life. The speed at which the cancer took hold of him has shocked us all”.

Report by Malcolm Tucker

She said, “This is a vital service for those of us who live at Greenvale. There are a number of older people living in the estate and it is not easy to get to the main part of the village. We are very worried that when new tenders go out the bus route might be drastically altered and we want to get our views across at an early stage.”

Residents met with Councillor Deacon to discuss the issues and to hand him representations from them.

He said, “I hope this service remains the same after consultation as the 768 service is an important lifeline for residents”

Report by Malcolm Tucker    Photo Ian James

One of the organisers Kate Wall said, ”They were such a professional, entertaining jazz band that would have done justice to Carnegie let alone Conygre Hall. ‘Strictly come Dancing ‘came to Timsbury during such tunes as ‘Up a Lazy River’ and ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street .’

“ The silver tongued trumpet of Mike Lock added to the fundamental authenticity of the unique traditional style of the great Louis Armstrong. The rippling keys of Simon Banks were exquisite in ‘ Pennies from Heaven’ and the requested medley showed his excellent stride and boogie-woogie technique. We were treated to the old favourites ‘Black and Blue’, ‘Bank o’Town Blues’ and ‘Wolverine Blues’. Stories told in music by great jazz musicians.”

The next event on Friday March 26 will see the appearance of the legendary 6-piece “Blue Notes” plus Hannah Wedlock from 8-11pm at the Conygre Hall. Admission is £6 and hot and cold food is available.

Further information from 01179717852 or 01761471245 or www.aandwpromotions.co.uk/jazz.htm

Report by Malcolm Tucker

Club Youth co-ordinator Lloyd Davies said, “ We are delighted to have Matt and Adam on board. They are both very enthusiastic about their cricket and it means that we now have a wide range of qualified coaches in the club”.

There will be a registration night at the clubroom on Friday March 5 to meet the youth coaches while indoor nets begin on Thursday March 11.

For more details contact Lloyd on 07855326508

Report by Malcolm Tucker

The first against Baltonsbrough Blue resulted in wins on both mats 22-10 and 21-10.The second against West Shepton Grey ended with a win on one mat 16-12 but a defeat on the second mat of 12-20 .

The teams on both occasions were Jack Todd (captain), Keith Russell (vice captain), Des Seymour, Terry and Janet Walker and Mike Ford.

The short mat bowls club play in the Mendip League from October to March but have regular club sessions throughout the week. These are Monday 10.30am to 12.30pm, Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Wednesday 2pm to 4pm and Thursday 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Report by Malcolm Tucker