LOCKDOWN POYNTZ - SUMMER 2020 - Local Poyntz
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LOCKDOWN POYNTZ SUMMER 2020
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
We are living through and experiencing a, totally, unique time in the history of our most
beautiful planet, our Country and our wonderful community of Iron Acton.
Each and every one of us has problems; some of which are special only to us, many are
shared. All the children, the teenagers, young parents (who should, maybe, be at work), people
living on their own and people like my husband and me who must totally isolate due to age, or
medical history. There are those who are struggling with their businesses, who have had to
“furlough” some employees. Those, whose businesses are in financial difficulties, it touches
everyone BUT we are in this together, you are not alone.
We are very fortunate here, in Iron Acton, as we have green fields and open spaces around us.
People living in huge apartment blocks in city centres do not have this luxury. As we have 2
dogs, I am out every morning, and I meet all sorts of people; most of those folk I know, but
quite a few are strangers. Everyone is friendly and each maintains the appropriate distance as
we pass. We have wonderful friends and neighbours. We communicate by phone. We have
“WhatsApp” groups to share some funny stuff. We have “zoom” where we can see and talk to
our families. Imagine what it must be like in poorer, third world, countries where they do not
have what we have. Where, to lose your job means no money and no money means no
food………so you starve!!
On account of all of the above, I was keen to produce this magazine. I consulted our team and
they agreed – so the plan was to make this edition an extra special one. To that end we have
agreed:
1. All advertisers will have a “holiday” from charges, for this quarter.
2. We have asked all our regular groups, who contribute articles, to make them relevant
to this situation.
3. I have approached a cross-section of our Parish folk and asked that they write an arti-
cle about their experiences. I have had an excellent response and I hope you enjoy
reading them.
4. One of our team suggested that we call this edition “Lockdown Poyntz” which I think is
very appropriate.
5. DISTRIBUTION – As usual, we are grateful to all our volunteers. We have asked
Acton Aid to step up and help, if needed. As usual they have responded magnificently
and will help with the task. Many thanks to Acton Aid.
I am hoping that this magazine will be different. Something that you might want to keep.
Something that you might pass on to your children, your Grand children, your Great grand
children and so on, and so on. Something that many, many years (or decades) from now our
descendants can read, “How it was for us”
Maybe, when all this is over we might think more about our planet. Stop burning the rain
forests, stop polluting the oceans and the atmosphere and stop using all that plastic. This
planet is the only one we have
FRONT PAGE – These photo’s, taken by Sally Aries, are of the 2 schools, the 2 pubs, the
church, and parish meadow’s playground and show the emptiness. Where have all the children
and people gone?
EDITOR – Pamela McCoy 01454 228874 Email – pam.localpoyntz@gmail.com
Printed by Jamprint Design & Printing Ltd 01249 823950
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THE ACTONIANS News
email: actonians@outlook.com Follow us on:
https://www.facebook.com/Actonians
Tartuffe
It was sad to have to stop rehearsals and
postpone our
Spring Production of Molière’s play, Tartuffe. A lot of work
had already gone into preparing the actors and costumes for
this play. However, the play has now, optimistically, been
moved into our Autumn slot at the end of
November/beginning of December. Should the restrictions
on live performances remain then it will be moved on again
to the 2021 Spring slot. We promise that at some stage
Tartuffe will be performed.
Avon Association of Drama – Short Play Festival 2020 –
competitive theatre at it’s best!
In February, the Actonians entered both the Bristol and Avon One Act Festivals with the very
funny play All by Myself written by Robert Scott. In the Bristol Festival Dee Mason and Mike
Schofield were nominated for best
actress and actor and in the Avon
Festival we had nominations for Mike
Schofield, Best Actor and Sue
Anstey/Michelle Pawley as Best Director
and we were delighted to win the
Richard Brayshaw Cup awarded for the
best technical aspects; set, props,
lighting and sound.
Wind in the Willows
Another piece of good news: Our
production of Wind in the Willows has
been nominated for the NODA Peter
Wheeldon Memorial Trophy for the
best company crafted production. The
results should be announced shortly.
JUNIOR ACTONIANS
The performance of Alice in
Wonderland has also been put on hold
and will be rescheduled once the group meets again.
SEARCH FOR NEW MEMBERS I’m sure that after the Lockdown has been lifted you will be
keen to find a new hobby mixing with a friendly group of people. We are always pleased to
welcome new members into the group. It is a very sociable group and if you are at all interested
then please contact the group either by email or via the website.
IRON ACTON COMMUNITY CHOIR: SINGING AND SOCIAL
DISTANCING!
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So, about 5 weeks ago (Tuesday 10 March, I think)…we had had a general choir
th
conversation about going to the cinema to see “Military wives” on the 17 March - an
opportunity to enjoy some Choir-based cinema and that’s not a phrase I have ever used
before – a niche film genre if ever there was one!
A party of over 20 initially intended to go, but as the date approached and the news of the
Corona virus and its impact mushroomed, it dwindled to a small group of about 7, and then
indeed, as the reality of the virus took even greater hold, we had to agree to cancel the
outing.
At the same time we had had other conversations about continuing to meet as a choir, with an
acknowledgement about the risks of meeting in a smallish space (the Parish Hall Committee
Room) with up to 40 people, including some of those being classed as vulnerable for a variety
of reasons. Members started to voice concerns about gathering together, and by the time the
official lockdown hit (23rd March) we had already agreed to postpone meeting together for the
foreseeable future. A sad day - for if anything can lift the soul and nourish life then community
singing is it…and I knew that for many The Choir plays a very important role in lives lived in
and around the village. It is a point of contact; a creative space; a space for hard work; a
place for laughter; a space for care and concern to be both asked for and provided; above all
a place where music is made, harmonies created and hearts lifted.
We set up a Whatsapp group for members that wished to keep in touch…this has led to a
plethora of funny, uplifting YouTube clips and GIFs, some musically related (e.g. a wonderful
rendition of One Day More, The Hallelujah Chorus, and a few Covid-related re-writes of
classics) as well as an opportunity for our community to share love, care and concern…and to
celebrate being fortunate and privileged to be experiencing this life-changing experience in
the safety and security of Iron Acton Village.
And then, Zoom arrived! Jason (Haselhan) had been using Zoom for work communications,
and I had been using it for virtual Crossfit classes from my locked-down gym. Others in the
choir had also experienced Zoom for work (Virtual Courts, online counselling etc.) or for
keeping in touch with the family…could it work for the choir?
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We had a trial run with a small group of committee members, and then, on the 31 March, we
had our first Zoom choir practice. Expectations had to be tempered - the technology was not
sophisticated enough to allow us to sing out loud together because the time lag between
hearing the accompaniment and then singing was different for all of us - and so what should
have been beautifully harmonic was in fact a cacophony of out-of-time, disjointed voices
(some cruelly might say “How is that different from a normal practice?” – I couldn’t possible
comment!). So, it is an imperfect replacement for the real thing; it lacks precision and
therefore does not allow us to experience the absolute joy of hearing the four different voice
groups - Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses - singing their distinct lines and, together,
making the “Whole, greater than the sum of the parts”…yes, that pleasure is currently denied
us, and we look forward so much to enjoying that when rules are relaxed and community can
be re-joined.
However, Zoom has opened up the opportunity to sing with freedom; to engage with each
other virtually “face-to-face”; to laugh with and to care for each other, knowing that we are all
in this together and will come through to the other side of this, relishing all that music, singing
and community has to offer. We so look forward to that moment, but in the meantime “Zoom”,
as a substitute, is not half bad, and, at the very least, Jason - as our technical lead - has the
power to mute everyone...
…Now, if only that particular option was available in real life!!…“Jason, can you see if you can
explore options, please?”
Robert Pardoe - Musical Director: Iron Acton Choir
THIS IS A “SCREEN SHOT” FROM OUR ZOOM CHOIR PRACTISE OF
21/04/2020
7
IRON ACTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Iron Acton WI met every month in the Parish Hall to enjoy a talk or demonstration, tea, cake and companionship. In February 'The Bard of Windmill Hill' entertained us with poetry and storytelling. Terry Carter regaled us with his own efforts as well as those of more well known poets such as Sir John Betjeman. An amusing poem, inspired by a safari to Africa was entitled “Has Anyone Seen the Elephants”? He finished with what was to become quite prophetic in the circumstances, “Where There's Tea There's Hope”! In March Susan Parslow, who is a tourist guide, gave an interesting insight into the history of buildings many of us otherwise miss in Bristol. She regularly takes parties on open top bus tours of the city and illustrated her talk with slides of some of the very oldest buildings. Of interest too was the prison at Wapping Wharf, built as the New Gaol and opened in 1820 to its first inmates. The gatehouse, used for public hangings and part of the perimeter walls still survive and are Grade 11 listed structures. What happened then of course was that all future plans came to an abrupt halt. There would be no summer trips to historic houses and gardens and no one would be making cakes or sourcing plants for the May Day stall. There were flurries of phone calls and then everyone retreated into their own safe homes. Sometimes there are advantages to being on the far side of middle age in that you are a bit less phased by more unusual events. Some of our members have already had to get used to living alone and perhaps the family haven't always visited as often as they might because there is always another day, so hobbies with like-minded friends and clubs, which Iron Acton is so good at, have flourished. Members of choirs have been meeting up via Zoom, crafting has been continuing in various forms such as knitting hats for fishermen (winter will come) and grandchildren will have a wardrobe full of winter woolies and toys. The makers of jigsaws have also realized unexpected sales profits and these can be safely shared. Good on Hilary for the one entitled 'Beers of the World'. Dogs have been walked whether they like it or not and the good weather has meant that gardens have been getting a lot of extra attention. Although many members have embraced 'new fangled' gadgets and means of communication, a simple telephone call still probably tops the favorite way of speaking to a friend or loved one. We all judge bad times to ring someone by our own criteria, such as meal times, Coronation Street, The Repair Shop or, for certain people, Countdown – you know who you are Sue J! We are grateful to all the offers of help from The Lamb, Acton Aid and the many individuals who make this village such a special place to live. We hope it won't be long before we are able to mingle again in our groups, clubs and pubs. I began this piece with a nod to the Star Wars franchise and learnt that when the first film was re- released in 1981, it was entitled Star Wars IV – A New Hope. In these difficult times, hope is a lovely thing we can all cling on to. Don't forget where there's tea there's hope (and it works just as well with a gin as well)! Stay safe everyone. Anyone wishing to join our group when circumstances permit would be very welcome and can contact our Secretary, Bridget, on 321741 for more details. Sylvie Powell
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LOCKDOWN REFLECTIONS FROM THE RECTORY
Running four parishes and a ‘Ministry Team’ of twelve whilst also trying to keep the
Church Wardens under control has been a challenging experience to say the least. All
this compounded by the Archbishops issuing guidelines to say that clergy should not
enter their churches to pray, a somewhat surprising and counter intuitive request!
So goodbye real Church with all its aesthetic, historical ornamentation and spiritual
atmosphere, hello virtual Church with all its technological nuance’s, for which they did
not prepare me 35 years ago at theological college. It has been a real challenge to reach
the people of our Benefice, both ‘Pastorally and Spiritually’, particularly when you are not
supposed to see folks in the flesh, unless 2 meters’ apart of course. No visits, not even
to the fit & hearty and definitely no tea & cucumber sandwiches in the Rectory garden.
We have been so lucky in our Benefice in having Fr Bob’s partner David using his
editing skills, honed at the BBC in the production of Country File and Antiques
roadshow, to help us to deliver so superbly our Sunday Services both on the Website
and Facebook. Despite most of the contributors filming on laptops, iPads and mobile
phones he has done a sterling job in crafting a beautiful service together week by week,
our army of adoring fan’s now flung much further afield than Latteridge, with folks
logging on from such distant places as Swindon, the Cotswolds, Scotland, France and
Italy.
Despite my lack of first-rate equipment Friday is filming day at the Rectory, sermon duly
written it is down to the studio, well the sitting room to film this week’s exciting rendition.
Make up, lights, action!!! Now I am learning more and more each week, but there is a
blueness in the air at the Rectory most Friday mornings, as film takes head towards
double figures and beyond. The ecstatic utterances from the Rector’s mouth are
colourful but clearly not of the spiritual kind. I could definitely do with lessons from the
McCoy’s son ‘Simon’ to try and reduce the number of re-takes which seem to consume
all my time on these mornings. Even the freshly brewed coffee and choky biscuits are
put on hold, what is the world coming too!
Seriously one thing I have learnt in the Lockdown is that there are many ways of
reaching out to people and It’s not just been through digital media. Whilst what has been
on the website is outstanding and the WhatsApp groups are zinging, I have also
discovered that over 25% of our people are not digitally connected and reaching them in
times of none contact has brought its own set of challenges. However, I have re learnt
that the telephone is a great pastoral tool and letters received in the post are welcomed
and cherished. These ancient forms of communication have reminded me above all else
that deep down people just need to be reassured that others out their care for them, no
matter how they get connected. This all reinforces precisely what we have re-discovered
through this time of isolation and that is; community is good, together is best, (whatever
the constraints on getting in touch) and most importantly every single one of us truly
matters!
Malcolm Strange The Rector
10ST. JAMES THE LESS CHURCH
Where you are assured of a warm welcome
When we are allowed to be open again
2020 is a year that will be remembered for many reasons by all of us fortunate to survive it.
To start with possibly the wettest winter we could remember followed by the most glorious
April with temperatures well above normal and not to mention lockdown certainly made the
beginning of the year different from any other I can remember.
Luckily for most of us in our Parish we have space around us to enjoy while observing all the
restrictions put in place unlike many shut up in confined spaces trying to keep children and
other family members sane.
Sadly for the first time ever we had to lock our church even from our Ministry team - An
unprecedented occurrence, which caused some distress to many parishioners. Our Ministry
team led by Malcolm has done an amazing job producing a weekly service accessible to all
via the website and the various WhatsApp groups have kept us all in touch with daily prayers,
reflections and random comments. The WhatsApp group for St James the Less has been
carrying a long running saga between the churchwardens and a very valued member of our
congregation and close neighbour about the maintenance of the church steps. Next time you
pass by please see if they are up to scratch and inform churchwardens if not so appropriate
action may be taken!! I find it quite amazing how adaptable we have all become using things
like zoom and Houseparty etc. none of which I knew existed!
Hopefully we have all learned that church is not just the building but the people involved to
make us feel close to God. I did however feel the need to go into church to change the altar
cloth from the Purple for Lent to the White for Easter having forgotten the red for Holy Week.
Just as I feel the need to dress properly (sometimes!) during lockdown I felt the church too
should be properly dressed! It is also good to share some thoughts and reflections on the
Wednesday Service with regular attendees who do not all use WhatsApp etc.
I hope we can all take stock of our lives and remember what was most important to us all
during lockdown and try to avoid getting caught up in the inevitable rollercoaster of “normal”
life should it ever return. I have enjoyed the slowing down and the quiet and the time to
concentrate of the minutiae of life while really missing contact face to face with people
especially family. Perhaps we will come out of this as nicer more caring people.
Contacts for any enquiries:
Kathryn Nichols (Administrator)
www.fromesidecurchesorg.uk Tel. 01454 776518
Churchwardens:
Carol Groom 01454 228712 carolgroom@hotmail.com
Di Heal 01454 228498 di@healfamily.me.ukIRON ACTON FILM CLUB We were very fortunate to complete our season just before the Coronavirus lock down. As a result the 2019-2020 Film Club season was another resounding success and we would like to thank our members for their continued support. The films we showed this season were: Children’s films Member’s films Mary Poppin Returns Stan and Ollie Dumbo The Favourite Toy Story 4 Fishermen’s Friends Lego 2 Yesterday Lion King Downton Abbey Aladin Official Secrets If these are the sort of films you would be interested in seeing – on your doorstep – please contact either Simon or Caroline for further information. The free afternoon film for children continues to be popular. As I have mentioned in previous editions of Local Poyntz, running both the children’s film in the afternoon and an evening film for members every month is quite a commitment for the small group of Film Club committee members. We are very grateful for the offers of help we have received so far but we can always use more volunteers. So, if there is anyone else who could occasionally help selling refreshments before the film and/or during the interval we would love to hear from you. For those already on our mailing list we will be in touch over the summer about renewing your membership for next season and voting for the first 3 films of the season. However, we are mindful of the current situation and at the time of print it is unclear to what extent social distancing will be relaxed over the coming months. The Film Club committee will monitor the situation and, with the safety and well-being of our members foremost in our thoughts, we may have to review how we operate next season. With best wishes to all our readers in these uncertain times. Stay safe everyone. Simon Cross Caroline Haselhan 01454 228291 01454 228791
LOCKDOWN EXPERIENCE FROM CHRIS BELLIS
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As a group we met on Saturday 14 March, we finished as we always do, speaking out loud
together the Blessing for our Community, (your own copy enclosed with this magazine) then
during a time of more informal chat following, the group expressed a desire that all in the
Parish should see and know of this blessing. Various ideas were shared and discussed and
left with members to follow up as appropriate. THEN LOCKDOWN! During the weeks that
followed our hopes and ideas seemed all the more relevant and timelier.
So, one of the tasks to complete was a greater presence on the website other than just an
event on the calendar, I am very grateful to Jon Aries for adding us to the Community
Organisations on the Iron Acton Website.
Next, I had been considering how to execute my idea of distributing a letter containing the
blessing to every house in the Parish, I am grateful to my wonderful husband, Pete, for
offering to help me deliver all these. I composed the document, worked out how to double
side print on our printer, upped our ink allowance (which I had already exceeded this month!)
but still held off actually going ahead. Now I know why! I then received the information that
this magazine was going ahead this summer when Acton Aid were asked to help with
distribution. THIS was my opportunity, Pam very kindly agreed to have printed and include
our Share and Prayer letter with the magazine, what timing and provision!
In the future we hope to produce a framed copy of the blessing to be displayed for all to see.
In these times I have been so grateful that all the village organisations are in place in Iron
Acton ready to swing into increased action for such a time as this, it is a privilege to be part of
this amazing community, THANK YOU.
Chris BellisPRIDE AND PASSION The most difficult part of writing this article about my personal experience of being in trapped in lockdown during this COVID-19 period was in choosing its title. As it turned out, however, it could not have been simpler, more of which will be revealed later. So how has this affected my being furloughed as a senior citizen. If truth be told, not very much in actual fact, for in my current line of business life is one big relaxing holiday. Well, apart from enforced DIY, chasing around shops more than I ever did before, looking after grandchildren, delivering meals on wheels as well as all those things which never needed doing when I was working for a living. Added to that has been the fact that the weather has been so continental that the actual thought and hassle of having to go on holiday has not even crossed my mind. Because of the recent wall to wall sunshine, it has allowed me to plough all my efforts into clearing my vegetable patch, getting ready for all my seeds, for planting out ready prepared plants from the greenhouse and on top of all that, getting the lawn back to greenness with or without stripes. One of my major tasks was in digging the bean trench in order to clear my compost heap in readiness for another bumper pile of the green stuff. Having finished everything bar the filling in, I slipped and damaged my knee. This unfortunately put me out of action completely, having to rely on Vera to carry on doing all the rest of the digging, seeding, mowing, etc. However, she was still fortunate to have me in a suitable supervisory position from my sun lounger, where an extended leg was self medicating in an elevated position. On top of that I was able to offer verbal technical support when it came to, for example, drawing seed drills in straight lines. But I am already worried that the beetroot, parsnips and spring onions might not taste quite the same if the rows do not turn out to be as parallel as I would have liked. Anyway it is done now, so we will just have to wait and see how things pan out. In addition to the above duties I have had to spend many hours drinking tea and reading several books without getting too sun burnt. This particular task was probably more stringent and time consuming than any of the above, but it just had to be done. So what have I been reading, I hear you ask – well firstly there was Charles Kingsley’s “The Water Babies”, a novel that should have no doubt been read decades ago but I never got round to it. I must admit it was not really my cup of tea as it transpired. But I am now engrossed in his “Hereward the Wake” which is much more my type of story and then on to “Westward Ho!” which will do me as far as this author goes. Two typical Frederick Forsyth thrillers have kept me interested in the printed word and to top it all off, a book that I was given last Christmas but this being the first opportunity in being able to open it up. And the book in question was “Pride and Passion”, the autobiography by Warren Gatland of his childhood in New Zealand, to his rugby playing days and then on to his coaching exploits in Ireland, at Wasps and finally to his time with Wales and the British Lions in charge of 3 successful tours. And so I borrowed this book’s title to head up my own little submission. For in today’s current climate I have chosen the word Pride for what we, as ordinary members of the public, feel we have in our Great NHS along with all those ‘carers’ in the nursing homes, the schools, the supermarkets, the military, the various support transport services together with the multitude of all other organisations which never receive recognition for the good works that they do. Of course I must also give recognition to our very own local heroes, such as Jenny Millward’s daughters and Judith and Ashley Mee’s daughter for their very kind shopping errands as well as Chris Wright who has been delivering our Sunday Paper these last few weeks. But I would like to pay a special tribute to Tracey and Brendan of The Lamb, who have been cooking and delivering meals to various residents and to the really comprehensive service that they provide in the way of groceries and greengroceries for the vulnerable sector. A horrible adjective describing the retired athletes of this Parish.
Of course I must also give recognition to our very own local heroes, such as Jenny Millward’s
daughters and Judith and Ashley Mee’s daughter for their very kind shopping errands as well
as Chris Wright who has been delivering our Sunday Paper these last few weeks. But I would
like to pay a special tribute to Tracey and Brendan of The Lamb, who have been cooking and
delivering meals to various residents and to the really comprehensive service that they
provide in the way of groceries and greengroceries for the vulnerable sector. A horrible
adjective describing the retired athletes of this Parish.
Let us therefore hope and pray that this terrible affair will wilt away, never to raise its ugly
head again, at least not on anything like such a scale as we are experiencing just now.
Meanwhile take good care of yourselves, look out for your neighbours and be particularly
kind to the vulnerable; keep applauding, keep bashing, keep drummimg, keep whistling, keep
ringing and most of all keep calm .
And
when
it
is
finally
over
let
us
party
away
till
the
sun
comes
up
Roy
Hubbard
CANCELLATION OF G.C.S.E.S
When I was first told my GCSE’S were cancelled I was more shocked than anything else
really. We had been told, by numerous teachers that our exams being cancelled would be
the last resort, so I was surprised to say the least when it came out on the news. After that I
was just terribly upset (surprisingly!) for many reasons. Mostly because the two years spent
learning everything I needed to know for my exams felt like wasted time but also that I
wouldn’t get to experience the fulfillment of doing my last exam, the justification of the
celebrations that came after with a prom and a long summer and finally the fact that the next
few days after the news came out were my last of year 11. I was also somewhat relieved but
also disappointed that I would not get to experience the anticipation and anxiousness of
results day in the same format of previous years or more over feeling that I will deserve the
grades I get.
It has now been more than a month since my exams were cancelled and we have been in
lockdown and I am a lot less busy than I expected! I have spent this time doing activities and
jobs in the house I would never normally get to do. I have learnt to use a sewing machine,
learnt how to iron (to my mums’ relief) and cooked and baked as much as possible. Although
at the time my exams cancelled seemed like the worst possible outcome I have definitely got
used to the fact that its not going to happen and have also started to feel gradually more
relieved as the thought now of revising during this ever so difficult time would seem
impossible to me.
Although I have enjoyed having some time off from working, I am now ready to do some
work (never thought I’d say that but boredom has really hit) and for life to get to normal as we
are all hoping. However, I have learnt many things, but mostly that with a lot of negatives can
come a lot of positives and I think that is something I will always remember.
Ellie Ridler
15
IRON ACTON PRIMARY SCHOOL We are adapting well to a new approach to education. Most of our children are now being educated at home with the support of their families and our teachers are setting work for them using the internet. We have joined together with two local schools to provide education for up to 10 children each day for children of our key worker families. It was sad to leave school so early in the year and we were particularly sad to say goodbye to our amazing Year 6 children; if we do not return before the end of the school year, we would like to wish them all the very best as they move on to secondary school in September. I am so grateful to all the staff who have continued to work hard to provide work to children in a very different way but also for continuing to come into school on a rota basis to provide lessons to those who need them in our community. Our new classroom project is progressing well. After many years on the school site, the old classroom at the back of the school was removed on a crane one Saturday morning – you may have glimpsed it as it was dismantled and taken away. Once lockdown is lifted the groundworks will be carried out and a new double classroom will be put in place with landscaping and outdoor areas improved. The final stage will be to see the temporary classroom on the field removed. These are exciting times for us and the new classrooms will really be a vast improvement enabling us to do more. Our capacity will have increased so that we are able to accommodate up to 105 children comfortably. We are also exploring the idea of providing after school childcare from September. We already have an early morning breakfast club in place which allows families to drop their children off from 7.45 before heading off to work. Soon we plan to provide wrap around care until 6pm which we know will make us more inclusive to working families. As we prepare to return to school (whenever that may be) we are looking to further enhance and develop our curriculum offer. We are planning to ensure the curriculum fully reflects the local area and that we adapt to the needs and interests of the children who attend the school. This is a continually evolving process and we are keen to ensure that learning is fun, engaging and exciting so children really remember their time at Iron Acton. We have just had confirmation from the Local Authority that we will have 16 new children starting with us in September. Over the coming weeks, we will look to provide them with as much information about our school as possible so the children are ready to start their school life. If you have a child who is due to start with us the following academic year (September 2021) we will be preparing our open days for the autumn term and would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the school office to find out more. Finally, our governing body has recently launched a consultation to formally federate with Hawkesbury Primary School. You may already know that the schools have been successfully working in partnership over the last 18 months. A federation would bring the schools together further still under one governing body with representatives from both schools. This would ensure increased efficiency in the running of the schools, generating further important savings and enabling further opportunities to work together for the good of the children at both schools. If you would like to know more please take a look at the consultation documents on our school website: http://www.ironactonprimaryschool.co.uk/about/partnerships/ Mike Riches
FRIENDS OF IRON ACTON SCHOOL
Hi all,
This isn’t the article I expected to be writing, we would usually be looking back on our Spring
events, serving refreshments during the NGS open gardens at Algars Manor and the won-
derful Mayday on the green, we are sad to miss them this year but look forward to making
them amazing next year.
Each school family have received a pack of sunflower seeds from us to grow in their garden
or windowsill, we look forward to seeing their progress over the coming weeks and watching
the flowers grow together.
We are working together to plan some great events for when school can return to normal
activities and we all look forward to meeting together once again. We very much hope we
can see our current year 6’s before they take their next steps on their educational journey
and that we can give them a goodbye from primary school that they will remember.
From Amy and all of the Friends team, we wish you all well and will see you soon
HANDBELLS
Hi I’m Joe,and these are my thoughts on hand bell ringing , I hope you enjoy them.
I’ve been been learning to bell ring since last Autumn.
Ringing on time was a big challenge especially at the beginning, when I was new to the bell’s.
The ringing itself was fairly easy ,the motion flows through your arms smoothly and naturally.
If you’re a hand bell ringer yourself you’ll know that the larger the bell, the lower the tone will
be , smaller bells you guessed it ,make higher pitch music that combined with the larger bells
are harmonic in every way .Which is the easiest bell to play is a hard question to answer as
there isn’t much in it , as I have previously mentioned earlier ,the lower bells flow smoothly but
the higher bells ring from the slightest movement. Handbells have been a part of Iron Acton
for years and years and that is why if you have seen us perform you know we wear white
gloves,as they are to be handled with extreme care and respect due to the history of
these precious instruments . The music we ring is four beats to a bar and positioned in rows
on large sheets of paper being rapidly whisked away to be replaced by another sheet.
Did you know handbells are stopped by placing the bell on your chest.This stops the bell vi-
brating.
Playing two bells rather than one was a big step up for me personally , it was and still is chal-
lenge for me . My experiences playing with the
adults was amazing and it’s exciting being around experienced hand bell ringers-what’s not to
like! The venues they go to are great . If you ever get the opportunity to join a handbells group
take it!
Thank you for reading Joe Taylor’s view on handbells.
Goodbye.
17
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‘Lockdown’ Jottings from Jo Strange Those who know me well will understand I am the sort of person who likes to be out and about ‘doing’. Thus the introduction of ‘lock down’ has been a somewhat challenging time especially as I have been identified as one of those who should be self-isolating for 12 weeks! When I was first notified of this by the Government my immediate thought was ‘I just can’t do it, I am not going to do it!!!!’ rather similar to a petulant child. However, to my surprise I have experienced some amazing things during the 5 weeks I have been isolating so far. No. 1 has been that Jo Strange, the hitherto total technophobe, has become a total convert!!!! From someone who avoided most forms of technology at all costs I have become a techno convert!!! I was introduced to What’s App a couple of years ago but in ‘lockdown’ it has enabled me to keep in touch with my two gorgeous grandchildren and the rest of the family. It has also meant that I have been able to stay in touch with so many friends, and deepen new friendships. Folks who I did not really know, I now feel are firm friends as we have shared our experiences sometimes in a very deep way – a huge privilege and something I will treasure forever. So many kind caring folks have contacted me and we have had some fabulous chats – particularly on the ‘down’ days these have meant so so much to me reassuring me that none of us are on our own. And, of course, there have been many funny things shared through these chats – laughter is such a healer and unifier. I have also been ‘bowled over’ by the many acts of random kindness – rhubarb on the doorstep, flowers, cards and even a violet plant complete with roots posted to me from my mum in Stow-on-the-Wold because to quote her ‘I know how much you love violets, think of me as you look at them!’. Before the ‘lockdown’ my understanding of ‘Zoom’ was limited to a brand of ice lolly (rocket shaped – some of you may remember) that I ate as a child!!! I have now broadened my understanding of the word. I now amazingly understand that this mysterious ‘Zoom’ is not only an ice lolly but also a form of communication that in my case has enabled me to sing with my choir buddies in the isolation of my study (I am so relieved I have not had to subject you all to the noise as I sing heartily but not that tunefully !!!). Zoom has also enabled me talk to and see my sisters allowing us a comparison how awful our hair is looking as it rapidly grows out of shape and fringes cover eyes! For someone with such a limited understanding of technology this has been a truly fabulous discovery (although I have to confess there have been a few expletives coming out of my study window whilst I have been learning to use it!! – of course it is the fault of my laptop NOT ME!!!!). I must also mention my discovery of our beautiful world – until now my frenetic lifestyle has kept me from this. Thankfully as a very early riser I have been able to walk across the fields behind our house at 5.30 am. This has been such a special time as I watch nature change day by day – sunrises, blossom, wild flowers, deer and of course beautiful birdsong. I am ashamed to say I have never before taken time to appreciate the beauty of our world and am determined to continue doing so when ‘normality’ returns. Finally to make you smile I will share with you friends that Julie Andrews (looking remarkably like Jo Strange) has been spotted on the hill behind the rectory in the early mornings singing ‘The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Music’ whilst attempting to run down the hill!!! Not a pretty sight or sound but an enormous sense of no inhibitions – try it I can recommend it!! Jo Strange x
LOCKDOWN FROM THE FARM HOW ARE WE SURVIVING C19? That was the question asked by the Editor……. we thought about it and realised that at the moment we are doing quite well (apart from being confined like everyone else), however, our test of ability to cope started back in autumn 2019 – the wettest on record. Our normal routine of arable farming on our land, which consists of many soil types depending on the area, was severely challenged. We farm on a rotation of wheat, oilseed rape, peas and pulses but 2019 planting season had been very different. We managed to cultivate and plant 40% of our wheat crop in the autumn which went well, but wheat doesn’t like getting its feet wet and sadly 38% of that planting perished. it was obvious we had to change to spring planting of barley, oats and peas, leaving the wheat seeds already purchased in the shed. Fortunately, we were able to trace a supply of new seeds ready for when the weather began to settle. What we hadn’t allowed for was the global pandemic and all the restrictions that have evolved with it. We had men and machinery ready but needed to take strict precautions in order to protect all who come to work with us. We quickly rented chemical toilets, built separate wash areas and made sure that plenty of sanitizer was available – bearing in mind that the tractors and trucks, ploughs, cultivators of various sorts and seed drilling machines are multi-use so drivers may change frequently. We had to set one strict rule that no-one but our main tractor driver should get into his vehicle as he had a wife at home who is very high risk but such is the dedication of farmers like him to the need to be ready and willing to work when the conditions as just right that he insisted he would be here. And so, the sad neglected land quickly changed, again with careful planning. The majority of our soil is heavy clay which all winter had been sodden, suddenly with drying winds and sunshine the soil baked and cracked which meant we had to get a move on and as we now endeavour to farm with “no till” (which means we rarely plough) every hour was essential to us obtaining a seed bed as quickly as possible whilst retaining the moisture below. As it has turned out, thankfully as I write we are close to completion of this unusual spring planting. Farmers are used to working under adverse conditions, having no control over the weather and now the constrictions of Covid 19. We have been overwhelmed by the determination and willingness of all other colleagues to keep safe but keep working as we closed our office to visitors leaving the ladies who run the admin to work in a safe environment. We have done our best to abide by the rules and are truly grateful to all who work with us for their dedication – farmers are often forgotten in the list of frontline workers but I can assure you that we are experiencing an overwhelming determination and wish to get the job done here – we are after all, part of the food chain which is essential to the people of this country – can I be cheeky and ask you all whenever you have the choice to “Back British Farmers and Buy British” – thank you, Di and Chris.
THE HUNT FAMILY IN LOCKDOWN
Gavin’s Pilot perspective: The days of my alarm going off at 03:00 to head to the airport and
take holidaymakers to sunnier climes seem a distant memory. Having been furloughed for the
last month, my morning routine is now very different and involves clearing the kitchen table
ready for the school day. I am not a teacher, neither do I pretend to be and neither do our
boys think I am! Home schooling has given me a new found respect for teachers and know I
won’t be quitting my real day job any time soon. Landing in a 30 knot crosswind on a rainy
night into Bristol suddenly seems appealing.
Sara locks herself away to work in the lounge and plugs herself into yet another conference
call as the pets struggle to cope with this many people in the house constantly. Regular
breaks are required and the weather has helped. Lots of dog walking and time sorting out the
garden, which does mean my list of DIY jobs is gradually getting smaller. As for the old
routine, I miss it and more than I thought I would. That said, I think a we have tried to
embrace the family time forced upon us buy circumstance and I hope we will be better for it.
Gin helps.
I guess the questions on everyone’s lips is when will we get back to some sort of normality? I
am no different. I am currently on standby to standby from the beginning of June not knowing
how or when people will start to travel abroad again.
However I am hoping everyone could all do with a holiday after this!
Sara’s Project Manager perspective: The joys of working at home seemed so appealing
when I was stuck in a noisy open plan office getting constant interruptions but actually I am
missing it a bit. There are of course benefits working at home; flexible working hours,
concentrated focused time on tasks, zero commute and of course the fact that I can put the
washing on when I need to and not always have to put makeup on! I am though struggling
with the feeling of Groundhog Day probably like lots of people, start work at 6am in the
kitchen, change of scene when the kids wake up…..lucky me I get to move into the lounge to
settle myself in for a day of conference calls and web ex meetings. But this time at home
makes you think about the important things in life, time with the family whilst can be
challenging has been a welcome relief from the madness of juggling what was ‘normal’ life
where our boys featured in our days but only to drop them to school and then a constant
stream of clubs. We also feel hugely grateful to have a garden and live in a fabulous village in
the countryside. We are constantly reminded from the news of the reality of COVID-19 so the
above moans are of course hugely insignificant. Overall we feel extremely grateful for what
we have.
Ruben & Finley’s kids perspective: Being home all the time has affected our daily routine
incredibly, usually we would get up, get dressed, have breakfast and go to school. Having to
stay inside is like going into a new world, bits that are good and bits that are not so good. We
are missing school and hope to be back soon..…mainly to see our friends and to get away
from the ‘bad’ teaching that currently happens in our household! Although I miss school, I
love having time at home to get on with other things: Airfix models, making a bug house,
painting, setting up dens and helping Dad with DIY. We’re are trying to keep up with our
tennis but it is hard to play when our opponent (Mum) does not play so well!
Stay safe. Gavin, Sara, Ruben & Finley
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New this year and exclusively for our lovely locals who
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www.facebook.com/organicblooms www.twitter.com/organicbloomsSHUT UP………..AND WRITE
When Pam rang to invite me to submit an article for this edition; she would have shuddered in
horror to see the many pages I had already filled with my own personal musings during this
time. As she anticipated asking many others to write, Pam politely reinforced the need the
keep mine short, no longer than 2 x A5. YIKES!! (Whoever knows me well will know that
brevity of words is not one of my strengths!).Pam was quite right to think that this edition will
become a piece of history: the crumpled- edged document, faded and worn, to be carried into
schools at some date, far in the future, when the history topic is ‘The 2020 Coronavirus
Pandemic’. But I wasn’t sure I had the right to pour out my random and often ridiculous
happenings in such an important edition.
Anyone of you could have written here. Even if you have not actually committed pen to paper,
each and every one of you is now a writer. Faced with the apocalyptic, unthinkable, you have
forged words in speech, thoughts and in your dreams and alongside any classic novel, those
words will carry with them the force of eternity as you try to make sense of a world jolted
sideways off its axis.
It is impossible to refuse Pam; her insistence and enthusiasm make things happen and my
final call to duty from her was ‘Shut up and write!!!!!’ So here I go.. hold on tight; I can barely
control the words that will want to pour out, so I am going to have to boil some of it down to
distil and capture the essence of my own Corona experience.
In my last article I described an ominous feeling about the advent 2020. My reflections were
fear of mortality and a nostalgic yearning for the past, of children gathered tight. I feared the
last walk to our village school, after a 20-year march. Now all, but one child, are gathered
back again. My dreams come true. Or nightmares just begun?
Who will ever forget the speech which (quite rightly) closed our doors with an echoing slam,
literally overnight; any remaining hope that we could escape this awful attacker, removed?
We were at war and a chain reaction catapulted us into terrifying confusion. Children with no
school, exams cancelled, universities abandoned, friends quarantined, elderly and vulnerable
relatives locked in; all links seemingly severed. I literally spent the first days expecting David
to shout upstairs ’Get up you lazy Lummox’ (he knows how to charm!!) and that I would
awake with a start, to retell my hideous nightmare, and all would be well; but no.
Seeing the multiple doors slam in my children’s paths seemed almost too much bear. The
aborted end to my daily walk to school now insignificant when the odds were stacked against
my youngest ever returning. Never having to chance to prepare for secondary school, split
from her friends, ripped from her stability, her childhood.
Next, the A-level exams our number 3 was preparing to ignite, flattened into dying embers.
Normally I could have found some light to share; but everything went black, together we wept,
th
overwhelmed by her sorrow, which I could not repair. All the 18 birthday celebrations we had
planned for that next week evaporated.
The relief at number 2 getting home from London was short-lived as I felt the pain of his
sudden, enforced divorce from Uni days and friends; finals to be done online. A young man
on the brink of everything with wings suddenly pinned back.
26Enforced separation from our beautiful number 1; the unreachable one in Cornwall, caused me to sob long and inconsolably into the night; my husband who normally shields, untutored in Pandemic grief, turned over and went to sleep. His unfolding horror at the situation was a shock; usually he protects, now we had to share this black hole ahead together. Then I was really scared. I no longer felt like me. My inner ‘Miranda’ had taken flight: laughter banished. At the start I could not write, I could not read: I exhibited all the manifestations of living with grief: I was wrapped by multiple layers of clingfilm, thrust into a world I didn’t understand, silently screaming. Gradually a quiet, uneasy acceptance began to drive me forwards once more. Saving lives was paramount; so, all the measures had to be embraced to avert the tragic stories beginning to emerge. I realised how blessed I was to have a job, most of my family close by and the sanctuary of a caring village, metamorphosing nature all around. My duty was to step up to the mark, not go down the rabbit hole of doom, take things one day at a time allowing the rays of positivity to burn through again so that our family’s spirit could be protected from the fear that was filtering through their minds. Maybe we could even laugh again. But I was going to have to dig deep; the virus was terrifying and the loss of control that came with it hit hard, particularly as I suffer from a degree of OCD. Obsessional handwashing was a breeze! Altering my routines was going to be a challenge. Bravery was needed. Everything happened at once, at such speed. It was exhausting. Our home had to become a multi-functioning hub. The long-suffering husband needed a desk and quickly. The boy had already commandeered Lucy’s spare room as a Uni library, meaning the desk had to go by our family bathroom! I like to think of David as laid-back chap, but not so in working hours!! We had already been banned from using the bathroom, but with only one other loo amongst us, sometimes the need does arise! On one such an occasion I made a covert visit; mission accomplished! Foolishly I decided to do a spot of cleaning. The bathroom door now ajar and the M.D on a conference call, I took up arms and aimed a somewhat depleted ‘Toilet Duck’ at the rim, whereby it admitted a ghastly, inappropriate noise which sounded as if I had disgraced myself!! The rottweiler of the W.C, his eyes ablaze, loomed and firmly shut the door. At which point I convulsed in the kind of hysterical laughter that is as catching as the coronavirus. On the other side of the door I could sense David trying not to join me as I wept on the bathroom floor! Lesson learned. Until a week later when I tried to have a bath to kill those supermarket germs. I was intercepted and, told in no uncertain terms, that I was not going to ‘Splash around with my ducks’ whilst he conferenced with colleagues. Actually, I could object to the intrusion of strangers lined up on his computer on my landing; I have taken to waving and saying ‘Hi’ to them: this hasn’t gone down well either, but it seems awfully rude to ignore them! After all these insults we then sit side by side as co-directors of our family business and hold professional, virtual meetings (our colleagues cannot, however, see the notes I flash in front my husband such as ‘Do hurry up – you are going on a bit !!). Strangely though, we both agree that we prefer home working and hope some of it can remain indefinitely (possibly with David sited inside the bathroom, which would muffle the unruly noise downstairs and prevent anyone from using the facilities !!). School for our year 6 child was another priority. Her own created timetable, breaks and lunchtime rigidly set down, spiralled me into panic. My work had escalated, the days were manic. Lunch is at 1 not 12! Was she going to expect a hot meal and a sponge and custard pudding? Help! Luckily my retired, A- level student came into her own; she has proved herself way beyond my capabilities of teaching. With little patience, I skirt from one lesson to another and, according to my husband, operate like a ‘Fly on Acid’!!! Poetry however I embraced with
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