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1968 was the year of the floods. Torrential rain in the middle of July brought havoc to the West Country. Worst hit was Pensford which was described as “A second Lynmouth” as it experienced the most horrendous floods in living memory and was acknowledged to be a disaster area. Three people lost their lives in Keynsham as bridges succumbed to the extremities of the weather. Timsbury escaped relatively unscathed but it was a night that many of us will never forget especially those who were out on the roads.
It is always interesting to look back and remember organisations or events that were once thriving but are no longer with us. Pigeon fanciers flocked to the Timsbury Homing Society where in 1968 the Chairman was Mr. Joe Warner and the Secretary/Treasurer was Seven Stars licensee Herriot Currie. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Emery of “Greystones”, South Road held an annual Spring Fair in aid of the Somerset Churches’ Family Welfare Association while over 18,000 people turned up at the Camerton Traction Engine Rally. This was one of the most eagerly awaited of local events and over the years raised thousands of pounds for Camerton Church.
For the first time for 9 years the pupils at Timsbury Secondary Modern School presented a musical show. The school hall was packed on 3 consecutive nights to see “The Bells of Bruges” written by Margaret Rose with music by John Longmire. Amongst the cast were Alan Collins, Gillian Payne, Elizabeth Hatherell, Beverley Sims, Linda Chivers and Dennis Blacker. Meanwhile in August another of today’s Timsbury residents Bryn Anstice began his career in the Constabulary by being chosen as “Bristol Police Cadet of the Year”.
Timsbury British Legion held their first annual supper and it proved a big success with over 200 attending. The President at the time was local M.P. Paul Dean who lived in Timsbury and the music was supplied by the popular band of Joe Symes. Later in the year at the Legion’s Presentation night Bert Matthews was chosen as “Personality of the Year”.
Timsbury Girls Brigade presented their annual display in the Y.M.C.A. Hall with Edwina Rogers winning the Senior Shield for loyalty to the Company and general efficiency and Pauline Kite gaining the vote as Junior of the Year. The District Chaplain at the time was the Pastor of Tabor Church Mr. Gordon Jarrett and in the same year he became Grand Chief Templar of the International Order of Good Templars. Mr. Jarrett had been connected with the organization for nearly 50 years and in 1968 was invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
1968 was an important year for Timsbury Horticultural Society. Having previously used the Secondary School for their Flower Show they now used a marquee on the Recreation Field for the first time as the school was being renovated. It was generally agreed that although it cost £250 to stage it was a much better setting and there was a record attendance of over 800.
On the sporting front Timsbury Cricket Club reached the final of the Somerset Knock-out cup for smaller teams only to lose heavily to Taunton St. Andrews at County Headquarters. They were to return a year later in the same competition at the same venue against the same opponents. The result was the same but it was a much closer encounter and in reality Timsbury should have won. Timsbury Football Club reached the quarter-finals of the Somerset Senior Cup losing a tight match at Wellington 2-1. Earlier in the season Malcolm Hawkes celebrated his marriage in 1968 by scoring all 6 goals in a 6-0 home win over Alveston Down Sports.
Finally every year seems to have its tragic events and 1968 was no different. Mr. Doug Cox died after being severely injured in a road accident at Marksbury while working there for Somerset County Council. Mr. Cox had played football and cricket for the village and was a former Vice-Chairman of the Football Club.