Parish Magazine March 2000

The commonest sentiment among so many when they describe or picture marriage is a little akin to the story, set in the last century, of a Bishop who came to stay at a remote rectory. He had never met the rector or his family. The small son of the house was intrigued by the visitor and begged to be allowed to take up his morning tea. Practising all night, he arose early and with one last rehearsal set off with the tray. The Bishop had an awesome reputation and the lad was shaking as he reached the door. "It is your tea my Lord. It is time to get up !" and with that he rapped the door loudly. "Who's there, what do you want ?" echoed the booming voice of the Bishop, "It's your Lord ! Your time's up !"

The sort of sentiment which is mirrored in so many comments about marriage as a prison etc, etc.

In his recently published book, Alexei Sayle, renowned for his thought-provoking "black humour", suggested "luck" was the secret of his 25 year marriage to his childhood sweetheart. Let me offer you a few more pearls of wisdom:

"An ideal wife/husband is anyone who has an ideal husband/wife", "Marriage halves our griefs, doubles our joys and quadruples our expenses", and close to it an old Scots proverb, "Don't marry for money, you can borrow cheaper", from France, "A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple."

It is so easy to treat relationships in such a trivial way, but if you celebrated Valentines day, let's hope it went beyond the roses and those blushing "chocs".

For far too long the Church has conspired with so many others to give the impression that marriage should continue the way it began. The scholar Liberman puts it this way "And they lived happily ever after is one of the most tragic sentences in literature. It is tragic because it tells a falsehood about life and has led countless generations of people to expect something from human existence that is not possible in this fragile, failing and imperfect earth." Now while it is easy to be negative, or appear a killjoy, to tell the truth about the hard work essential to allow a marriage to both develop and the fun which can make the relationship always fresh; to put it another way "Marriage is that relationship where the independence is equal, the dependence mutual, and the obligation reciprocal." Instead of expressing marriage in terms of duty or burden, and rings as the chains which hold it together, rather we should see it in terms of faithfulness, which is rather like hundreds of fine threads sewing us together. What begins as a seeming fragile single thread soon takes on the solid weave which giving expression to love is all about.

Perhaps the best piece of Christian teaching is put in these words, "A successful marriage demands a divorce; a divorce from self-love". Self-love is a deathly spectre which haunts humankind, and which if left unchecked kills everything and every person in its path.

Later in the year there will be other communal services at which you may renew your marriage vows or give thanks for the years you have enjoyed.

Marriage is an adventure, not an achievement.

With every good wish - Hugh Trenchard

2000 Also marks the time we must recompile the Church in Wales Electoral Roll. Forms are available in the Church.

The following appeared in the review of The Worlock Archive by Clifford Longley. The late Roman Catholic Archbishop had an impish humour, and not a bad artist's hand.

GAERLLWYD WOMENS MEETINGS - WEDNESDAYS AT 2.30PM

Wed 1 Mar Rehearsal for Women's World Day of Prayer

Wed 3 Mar Women's World Day of Prayer, 3 pm at Earlswood Hope Church, led by Mrs Natalie Howard.

Wed 15 Mar Speaker Mr Bruce Anderson from Newport

HISTORIC CHURCHES PRESERVATION FUND

You will be pleased to learn that we have recently been voted a grant of £700 by the Historic Churches preservation Fund towards repairs to our Church. As the work of this Trust is not very well known, I thought that a short explanation of it's work would be appropriate.

The Historic Churches Preservation Trust, a registered charity, was set up in 1953 to assist in the repair of churches and chapels of all denominations in England and Wales, and it does this by awarding grants of interest-free loans to parishes that apply to it for help. In recent years the Trust has been receiving nearly 1,000 applications each year from hard-pressed parishes, and has made awards of about £1,000,000 to approximately 300 churches each year. The Trust is rare, in that it is a Grant-making charity that is itself very dependant on donations. Hence, if it is to provide a reasonable level of assistance to applicant churches, it needs to raise a considerable amount of money each year from voluntary donations. The Trustees are keen to help parishes as much as possible and are only limited by the availability of funds. To put the situation in perspective, recent average repair bills faced by parishes were about £55,000, but the average award by the Trust was only £2,500. The Trust would dearly wish to do more to help but cannot do so without more funds.

Fund-raising by the Trust is less than easy, particularly as most people are not aware that the responsibility for maintaining a church rests squarely on the Parish, and some Parishes, often with beautiful yet irreplaceable medieval churches, have very few people living in them. If you are interested in the work of the Trust and would like to help it in its unending task, why not contact the Secretary, HCPT, FREEPOST, Fulham Palace, London SW6 6BR (0171 736 3054) and become a "Friend" of the Trust, and thus play your part in helping save our wonderful heritage of Parish churches.

You may be interested to know that Shirenewton Church will be making an annual donation to the Trust to enable them to assist other Churches.

Dennis Hopkins

SHIRENEWTON CHURCH FETE - SATURDAY JUNE 10TH 2000

At the first meeting held to arrange this year's fete, which will be held on Saturday 10 ^th June, Peter Hesketh was appointed Chairman and Fete Co-ordinator. A well-attended meeting discussed organisation and stalls. The theme for this year's fancy dress and float competitions will be "Famous people of the 20th Century", which we would like to incorporate as an idea for anyone who would like to come dressed as a famous personality of the last century.

Please make a note of next month's meeting, earlier than usual, on 7 ^th March at 8pm at the Huntsman. Everyone welcome to support us with new ideas. Look out for details of competitions in next months magazine.

Winnie Jones

SUNDAY SCHOOL DATES

(for children aged from 3 years - Come along and try us out!)

Sun 5 Mar Sunday School 9.45 am The Chantry

Sun 12 Mar Sunday School 9.45 am The Chantry

Sun 19 Mar Family Service 9.45 am Church

Sun 26 Mar Sunday School 9.45 am The Chantry

Sun 2 Apr Mothering Sunday Service 9.45 am Church

For further information please contact Jane Smith-Haddon on 641 525

SHIRENEWTON YOUTH GROUP DATES

(for young people aged from 8 years - new members welcome)

Sun 26 Mar Workshop at the Rec 3.00 pm followed by an "Outdoor expedition"

Sun 2 Apr Mothering Sunday Church Service 9.45 am - Shirenewton Church

SHIRENEWTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

The President welcomed members to the February meeting, with a special welcome to Miss Bronwen Davies who all members were delighted to see looking so well after her recent operation. Following the business side of the meeting, Mr. D.C. Clarke gave a talk and demonstration on Hand Bell Ringing. He showed us some of his large and varied collection of bells, which included animal bells, a tram bell, an ARP bell used during the 2 ^nd World War, a Victory bell which was made from aluminium taken from crashed German aeroplanes during the war, and many others. He demonstrated by playing tunes on his set of eight hand bells and then invited members to have a go themselves. This proved very enjoyable and with Mr. Clarke's prompting some recognisable tunes were performed. Mrs I. Wells proposed the vote of thanks. Tea Hostesses for the evening were Mrs. J. Pearse and Mrs. B. Bowen. The raffle was won by Mrs. I. Wells.

There was an excellent entry in this month's competition for a small brass or copper item, with the winner being Mrs. B. Knox.

Our next meeting on the 16 ^th March will be a party to celebrate the 48 ^th birthday of Shirenewton Women's Institute. Members please come early so that we can commence at 7.15 pm.

Margaret Woodliffe - Secretary

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK: 14 - 20 MAY 2000

This year I shall be unable to co-ordinate the house-to-house collection for Christian Aid week. If there is anyone who would like to undertake the task of organising a group of very willing collectors within the village, will you please contact Dennis Hopkins on 641294 or the Area Organiser, Mr John Mills on 420045.

Christian Aid is a worthy cause and this aspect of it is not time consuming.

Dennis Hopkins

SHIRENEWTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 1999/JANUARY 2000

14 December 1999

Mrs Cornaby was given a small token from the community council in recognition of her hard work with the Post Office. She was presented with a coffee table.

Planning. The garage development plans were withdrawn by the applicants to consider a more appropriate proposal

The Public Entertainment licence was renewed for the Huntsman and a new one was approved for the Tan House

The Highways Authority are concerned with people placing stones along the edge of the road to prevent parking and driving over the ground. There is an issue about the safety of such action and the highways Authority will be contacting those concerned.

Election Boundaries: There is a proposal to combine our Community with Mathern rather than Devauden in the future.

Caravans on farm land: The council will take action where it is suspected that a caravan is parked illegally.

11 January 2000

The proposal for redevelopment of the garage site is reportedly for 2 houses and a shop, but as yet the Community Council have not been given sight of the plans.

The county council review of the siting of the school bus stop continues. There is a question over the safety of it remaining in the square.

Bus Service. Despite comments made by the bus operator the community council was not aware that the service was to be discontinued and we are writing to the County Council to express our concerns. We believe there should be a bus in each direction both morning and afternoon throughout the week and on Saturday. Our understanding is that the County Council and the Bus Company are in consultation re funding to maintain the service.

The road lining on Spout Hill has still not been carried out, despite assurances from the County Council that it would be. We have reminded the County Council that it is now overdue.

The footpath along the bottom of the school playing field: The County Council will provide clear markers and are considering the erection of a fence.

The Community Council will be writing to the Chairman of the Recreation Committee about the house boundaries encroaching onto the Recreation Field.

Part of the wall round the Friends Burial Ground has collapsed and John Saysell has been asked to effect repairs.

As we understand it Chepstow Woods will not now be developed by Center Parcs although the Woods could still be for sale.

Next Meeting 14 March 2000

Sylvia Bendall

SHIRENEWTON VPA

Our first meeting of the new millennium will be on Monday 6 ^th March in the Huntsman Hotel at 7.30 pm. This will be our annual Spring Bulb Show. It will be open to anyone who would like to enter, not just members. The schedules will be displayed on the notice boards around the village, or can be obtained by ringing Mrs Dorothy Brabon on 641376. So this will be an open meeting followed by a general knowledge quiz. This is usually good fun and enjoyed by all. We will also have tea and biscuits and a raffle.

Our next meeting will be on Monday June 5 ^th when we will be having a talk on "Gardening Throughout the year" given by Mr John Herbert from Usk College. A reminder will be in the magazine nearer the time.

1ST SHIRENEWTON BROWNIES

This month Brownies have been doing lots of things. On February 1 ^st we welcomed new Brownies into the Pack. On February 8 ^th it was the Chinese New Year, we all wore red clothes and Ka-koon Cornwell came and helped us make (and eat !) Chinese food! Also on the 15 ^th of February, the Brownies and the Guides came together and celebrated Thinking Day by singing a few songs. February was a great month for playing games and having fun !

Jackie Broughton (641797)

1ST SHIRENEWTON SCOUTS

The Scouts are still desperately looking for a new leader who can help them continue. With the fully supported and enthusiastic Beavers, Cubs and Venture Scouts it will really be a shame if the Scout Troop has to cease operation. Please call Steve Manning on 650294 if you are able to help in any way or on any night of the week.

THANKS

Mrs Naomi English of Blethyn Close Mynyddbach would like to say thank you to all friends, neighbours and family for their good wishes and support during her recent stay in hospital

FIREWORKS

Can I please make an appeal through the pages of the Parish magazine for people to announce any planned firework displays in advance. The one on February 5th caused havoc here. Normally (Nov 5 etc.) I sit in with the dogs or sometimes sedate them, but this took me quite by surprise with the result of one of them escaping and running off, and the other one, unable to escape, remaining alone in a distressed state. Further, if forewarned, I would have been able to have put up the shutters on the mews, especially that of my breeding hawks, who at this time of year are entering a critical period of their bonding cycle. I love a good display myself, in fact, for years I was the village pyrotechnics man on Bonfire Night, but, as it says on every box you buy, "Always have consideration for the safety of others"

Mike Gambold

Pyp (Parish Youth Page)

Hi ya folks! St Davids is coming up so here is a smidgin of Welsh history for you. This is a story of how one man was extremely grateful to use the latest technology of his time. Imagine having to write out the Bible ! By hand !! In Welsh !!! This is roughly what William Morgan did 400 years ago. William was a vicar in North Wales. Elizabeth I who was Queen at the time was quite concerned that the people of Wales, who only spoke Welsh, would not be able to understand the Bible which was only written in English or Latin. "Who can I get to do a translation ?" she pondered. William sighed, reached for his quill pen and a sheet of paper and began. Some years later he finished, and was extremely pleased with his Welsh bible. So was Queen Elizabeth, "Every church in Wales must have one of William Morgan's Bibles !" she declared. William went pale and wondered if he could have a bulk discount on quill pens, and cancelled all his engagements for the next thousand years. Luckily, news of a new invention reached him. The printing press was the latest word in the turnout of books. Packing a toothbrush and his bible, William galloped off to London on his horse. Of course, it was a major job trying to master the new technology. Every metal letter had to be selected and placed carefully into sentences and set into a wooden frame; and remember, the letters were desrever (that's reversed !). A piece of paper would then be carefully placed onto the inked letters and then pressed down. Then it would be peeled off and hung up to dry on a sort of washing line. Page one had been printed ; but of course the marvel of it was that you could print as many Page One's as you wanted !!

Being printed in Welsh, they were always running out of g w y and l - and getting the Welsh spelling right was a major problem - but then 400 years down the line - this is still a major problem. Some things just don't change

See ya - Pyp

Shirenewton Recreation Association

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday 12 ^th April 7.30 pm

Recreation Hall

And to make it even more exciting, there will be a FREE glass of wine and a nibble. Don't miss this opportunity - BE THERE

GARDENING CORNER

I recently applied for a new job, having decided that a change might be good for me. As part of the interview, I had to deliver a presentation, using projector, screen etc. To give myself a fighting chance I read through a small book, simply entitled "Giving a Presentation". This, in cartoon style gave you many bullet points to aid you in making a snappy, to be remembered, delivery. What, you might be thinking, has this got to do with gardening? The truth is probably not a lot! Since the interview, the only thing that I can remember from the book was the page that said "To make a successful presentation, you must remember the three P's". These were Preparation, Preparation and Preparation!

This brings back memories of my late father in law and mentor, Fred. No matter what job we were doing in the woods, he would keep on saying to me that "It takes just as long to do a job badly, as to do a job well", and "You only get out what you are prepared to put in". Gardening is just the same as making that successful presentation, in that to get the desired result from your garden, you must be prepared to put the effort in to begin with. Here at Barn Farm, I have been unhappy with the results over the last two years. Although I spent many hours weeding and forking over the beds, I was never really happy with the way things grew. The soil here is very hungry, being red sandstone, and requires plenty of organic matter to help retain moisture and provide nutrients. Despite composting everything that is going, this has gone no-where. Fortunately this year, I have secured a good supply of Horse manure which will hopefully make all the difference to the end result. When I'm working my way through the flower beds I will be incorporating plenty of this as I'm forking the ground over. Many say that a heavy mulch will keep the weeds down, but regular readers will know that I like to plant densely, so that the flowers do that job instead. The problem I find with heavy mulches is that they keep flower seedlings down as well. One great delight of Cottage gardening, is the ability of the flowers to throw seeds everywhere, so that different things come up all over the place. These are often cross pollinated, and provide you with some most unexpected colour combinations. This gives the garden that essential chaotic appearance that only nature can achieve. So in order to achieve this with manuring, it is a case of a little and often.

The vegetable patch will be a little different in that this will receive copious amounts of manure. I am not one for double digging and incorporating compost at depth. I always feel that the nutrients are washed downwards by the rain, so apart from the really deep rooted crops, most vegetable plants will never benefit. Instead, I pile the manure on the top. This will be left for a while so that the worms can pull some of it down, and also to prevent weeds growing. Before I actually plant anything into the raised vegetable beds, they are lightly forked over, so that the manure is incorporated in the top six inches or so. This is just where the plants want it for best results. The only exceptions to this, are the Runner Bean trench, and New Potatoes. With the beans I make a trench approximately two feet wide and six inches deep, and fill this level with the ground with manure. This is then covered over with the soil that was removed and left to settle until planting time. This task is usually undertaken around the end of March, as is the planting of the New Potatoes. In this case I dig a trench about eight inches deep, plant the potatoes, and then cover with a thick layer of manure. The soil is then pulled back to make a ridge, which is gradually made bigger as the Potato shoots poke through. I only ever grow early and second early Potatoes. There are ample farms around us that can grow maincrop ones much easier than me! If you are thinking of your own New Potatoes there is still time to go out and get the necessary seed. These should be spread out in a light, frost free place, in order to "bud up", and then planted out towards the end of the month, or weather conditions allow.

The garden here is really beginning to wake up now, although the first daffodils are yet to open, the signs of a colourful look promising. Every year, in October, I try to plant at least 100 more daffodil bulbs. Along our drive, when first widened, I planted about six Primroses to cheer the sole every morning on the way to work. There's something about their pale simplicity that is hard to beat and gladdens the heart each day. They have thrown seed and now spread ten fold. This year though the original plants have started to get congested so in order for them to do justice, I intend to lift them when flowering has finished, divide them up and then replant them. Similar action will be taken with their more garish cousins in the garden, the Polyanthus, which are now some four years old and in need of some TLC.

There will be so much to do soon, when the weather allows. Those of you that are fortunate to have greenhouses may already be on sowing seeds, especially if you have heating. Certainly all the different salad crops that are available, can be started now, with successional sowings every two weeks or so, to maintain a supply. Likewise perennial plants can be started now, as these will benefit from being grown `harder'. I always think that it is far too early to plant annuals, at least until the beginning of April. These are the `E' Type plants in the garden and designed to germinate and grow fast, many flowering within twelve weeks of sowing seed. I was walking around a garden centre on Monday (day off - honest!), and they were already selling basket plants and annual seedlings. This is fine if you have a warm greenhouse, and you want all your flowers to have finished their flourish by middle of July! What I found even more incredible was the fact that all these plants were outside, in a fairly chilly North wind. I do wonder just how many of these actually survive this treatment, and if they do, just what results are achieved. Sadly many people, often first time gardeners, buy on impulse. This often ends up in bitter disappointment, as the plants fail to give of their best.

The first dry weather now will find me setting light to my strawberry patch. This should have been done at the end of the summer, but as often happens, conditions were never right when I had a match in my hand. This removes all the dead leaves and old straw from the bed, helping to keep it healthy by destroying pests and diseases. New growth will soon appear from the crowns. The trick is not to let it dry out too much before you set light to it, that way it never burns too hot to hurt the plants.

Remember that you need to prune back your early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia, and Flowering Currant, once flowering has finished. Older Dogwoods can also be cut back hard to encourage new stems to grow. These are where the most vibrant colours are to be found.

If you have a vegetable patch, early sowings of Peas, Broad Beans, Parsnips, Onions and Shallots should be in the ground as soon as possible.

Other than that you should be on weeding and pronging the borders, ready for the `Big One', next month, when things really do begin to happen in earnest.

In case you're wondering, no I didn't get the job! But then again, it will give me more time to prepare the garden instead. This years Yellow Book, for the NGS is already out, and I see that we are down as having `New Water Features'. There isn't even a hole in the ground at the moment, so I think I've got a bit of work to do!

Happy gardening until next month - Steve Hunt.

VILLAGE WEB SITE

Many thanks to all those who have visited the Village Bookshop on the World Wide Web and bought books recently. Thanks to your efforts, the church has benefited to the tune of £18.11, which is the commission on books purchased in the last six months.

If you have access to the World Wide Web you can buy books for yourself or as presents, and they can be delivered anywhere in the world. The bookshop will even gift wrap them, and write a card with your personal greeting. Many books are available at a discount, too.

If you haven't already visited the Shirenewton Book Shop, try pointing your browser at http://here.is/shirenewton/bookshop.htm

Peter Hesketh Tel: 641596 Email: shirenewton@here.is

SOME SAYINGS FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY

From some Wise (?) Women ..............

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian Shari R.Barr

I've been rich and I've been poor: rich is better Sophie Tucker

Never eat more than you can lift Miss Piggy

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth Emma Bombeck

Whenever you see food beautifully arranged on a plate, you know someone's fingers have been all over it Julia Child

The opposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting

Fran Lebowitz

COOKERY CORNER

Seafood Pancakes

8 Pancakes

8oz peeled prawns

½ pint cheese sauce

8oz packet frozen spinach (thawed)

2 tablespoons double cream

8oz smoked haddock, cooked and flaked

seasoning

Mix the prawns into the cheese sauce and stir the cream into the spinach. Place the first pancake on a deep oven-proof plate and cover with about ¼ each of the creamed spinach and smoked haddock. Cover with a second pancake and spread a layer of cheese sauce on top. Continue layering until the pancakes and filling have been used up. Wrap in foil and heat up in a hot oven at 220C/425F/Gas mark 7 for 40 minutes. Cut a large wedge, sit in a comfortable chair, and thoroughly enjoy eating it !

Many thanks again to Caroline Davies's Kitchen !

MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD 1901 - 1996

L.C Rumens spent part of his early life in Shirenewton. We are publishing extracts from his "Memories of my Childhood" in the next issues of the magazine, giving an insight into village life in the early part of the last century.

PART 2

Further recollections about the time prior to the first world war. There was no transport except bicycles for the ordinary people. There were only two cars in the village, the Rolls-Royce and a De Dion I believe. The farmers usually had a pony and trap or used their carts for shopping on market days in Chepstow a 4 ½ mile journey each way. Our parents, as other people did, would walk there and accept it as quite normal. They both loved walking and on Sundays and holidays we would all go for long tramps of several miles in our beautiful countryside with great enjoyment. In the summer time our boots or shoes would be covered with white dust if walking on the roads and yellow from the buttercups in the fields. Facing Hill Cottage there was nearly always a large pile of stones. These were broken into smaller ones by men repairing the roads.

There was a grocer and a butcher in the village and a baker called three times a week. A fishmonger and the oilman who also carried ironmongery, and the Co-operative once a week. We also had milk delivered each day from the local farm. Therefore it was only necessary to go to Chepstow occasionally to buy clothes etc. Sometimes we went to the Electric Theatre to see silent films with piano accompaniment which were very exciting. I well remember having seen I think an early Chaplin film walking home with Dad one clear starlit night. He appeared to know the names of the stars and constellations, talking philosophically about how insignificant we were when we looked at the heavens.

When I was 10 or 11 some of us boys would go for the day to Grey Hill about 3 miles away from the village. It is a few feet short of a mountain, 1,000 feet we thought. Each time we got near the top we would all collect a few stones to increase it's height. What an idiotic idea ! It was mine ! It was an exciting place as there is a stone circle of standing stones similar but smaller than Stonehenge which we thought we had discovered !

I have always been rather greedy and still am. When Mother made rice puddings and put one in the larder I used to cut round the sloping sides, upturn it and cut off the bottom to eat, replacing it. She could never understand why it collapsed when she served it. Another foolish thing I did when older and still shudder when memories return. The Cross Hands Hill at Mynyddbach is very steep, crossing the main road about three quarters down. More than once I rode down on my bike without brakes. Thank goodness there was little traffic in those days, very different from today. What an idiot I was !

It seems that Dad was expected to be responsible for running the Hall's electric supply system several times a week. This consisted of a large engine with a six foot diameter flywheel driving a dynamo, charging a battery of about 110 volts. Needless to say he began reading books on electricity. As a result he was the first person in the village to make a crystal radio set and later many others with valves. Our aerial was strung between two larch poles about 30 ft high and 100 ft apart therefore producing a strong signal.

My father's employers decided that he wanted a better supply of water. There was a very good stream nearly 1 ½ miles away and about 300/400 ft lower down in the valley. The idea if possible was to install an hydraulic ram to pump the water up to the Hall and village. Now Dad made his own theodolite and with the help of another employee who held the measuring pole, surveyed the whole course having at one point to go through a wood. It was necessary to prove that the water could be pumped up to the required height. Here again he must have studied books on surveying. What a daunting task to take on, but I am sure it was his own idea to do this and was unknown to his boss who obviously did not believe the result he got. A professional surveyor was employed who proved that Dad was only a few inches out. It seems incredible to me that he left school at 14. I wonder what he would have become if he had been born 100 years later.

When we moved to the country the first place where we lived was a lovely stone building called Hill Cottage just outside of the village. Before we arrived there Dad had built a staircase as previously there was only a ladder. It was ideal for three small boys with a very large wild garden of about ¾ of an acre with many fruit trees and an old quarry that had obviously been two. It had a bread oven that Mother used a few times and then it became the receptacle for our toys etc. All three bedrooms joined into one another with our parents having the last one. We kept chickens and a nanny goat from which we never got any milk, although we tried hard enough, poor thing, Dad never explained why ! We made a cart for it out of an old pram, I still feel sorry for that poor old goat. In the summer I and sometimes Stan would camp out at night in a kind of wig-wam tent we made. This was in the further part of the garden where there were rabbits. Sometimes I set a snare and then forgot, finding a dead rotten one a week or so later, not very pleasant. The toilet was outdoor which Dad would empty every now and then, a very nasty job.

During this period a kind but ill-advised Aunt sent me a present of a book called I believe "Chemical Magic", I was about 11 or 12 at the time. It was a children's book and explained how to make gunpowder and all sorts of fireworks ! This seems absolutely incredible now. These were made in the shed at the end of the cottage. Cycling into Chepstow I would go into the chemists shop and be supplied with saltpeter, charcoal and sulphur for a few coppers without any questioning. I still cannot understand why Dad did not stop or warn me of the dangers. On November the 5 ^th I would put on a bit of a show. I must have been very lucky not to have had a serious accident or fire. Later I became more venturesome when we moved to Church Cottage, facing the Church. One Sunday morning I made a kind of a small land-mine with a lot of gunpowder jammed into a foot length closed water pipe with a small hole for the fuse which consisted of string soaked in a solution of salt-peter and then dried. This was buried in the front garden and it blew up just as everyone was coming out of Church after the morning service, to my father's great displeasure. He said he was deeply ashamed of my conduct, especially as it had made a large hole in the garden. Luckily no windows were broken. How fortunate I was but he did not punish me. That was the end of the magic.

In Hill Cottage soon after we arrive Dad began gardening very enthusiastically but it was a very heavy clay soil and found it very hard work especially never having done it before. He enjoyed the interesting part of laying paving stones and making steps as it was on a hill. He eventually did grow some vegetables. but had lost his ardour for the garden. A local farmer would allow him to plant a row of potatoes on the edge of a ploughed field. His great interest was still reading.

Apparently the reason we were moved from the seclusion of the cottage, which we loved, to Church Cottage in the village, was that the squire had moved his mistress to our cottage. She had been the ladies maid to his wife and was quite attractive. A bathroom was immediately installed which we never had, of course as a boy of 12 I did not realise this. Cycling around as I did it happened that several times I met him going in or out of the cottage by the side way. Each time he gave me 6d (old money) which was rather unusual and impressed the episode on my mind. When I told Dad how kind he had been to me but why?. He told me not to ask questions and forget about it, which I never did!. When I first started at the village school there were two wells on the way which had lovely flowers around them. Now I realise it was "Well Dressing" but it did not continue, it is a very vague memory. That time practically everyone had to carry water except the lucky ones who had wells. We had to fetch water first of all until the hydraulic ram mentioned earlier, was installed down at the Cwm.

L.C.Rumens

DIARY

1 Mar 2.30 pm Gaerllwydd Womens Meeting

3 Mar 3.00 pm Gaerllwydd Womens World Day of Prayer

5 Mar 9.45 am Sunday School - The Chantry

6 Mar 7.30 pm VPA Meeting - Huntsman Hotel

7 Mar 8.00 pm Fete meeting - Huntsman Hotel

8 Mar 2.30 pm Mothers Union - Recreation Hall

15 Mar 2.30 pm Gaerllwydd Womens Meeting

16 Mar 7.15 pm WI Meeting - Recreation Hall

26 Mar 3.00 pm Youth Group Workshop - Recreation Hall

Please send notes, discs, faxes, (641567) e-mails (stu@dutton47.freeserve.co.uk) for next month's magazine to Pauline Dutton, 4 Newton Manor, Shirenewton (641677) by Tuesday 21st March 2000

READERS AND SIDESPERSONS ROTA - MARCH 2000 - SHIRENEWTON

DATE READER SIDESPERSON

March

5 Sunday before Lent Angharad Thomas Bernice Bowen

Eucharist - 9.45 am Gareth Thomas Dennis Hopkins

8 Ash Wednesday celebration CAERWENT

7.30 pm

12 1^st Sunday in Lent Kevin Bounds Barbara Davies

Eucharist, 9.45 am Felicity Hunt Fred Davis

19 2^nd Sunday in Lent Sunday School

Family Service, 9.45 am

26 3^rd Sunday in Lent Sally Saysell Felicity Hunt

Eucharist, 9.45 am Alicia Brown Kevin Bounds

April

2 Mothering Sunday, Sunday School

Family Service, 9.45 am

NEWCHURCH: 2.30 pm every Sunday