RETURN TO LOOKING BACK WITH MALCOLM TUCKER MAIN PAGE
In 1970 Timsbury architect William Bertram was waging a battle to get Bath’s yellow no-parking lines toned down and narrowed. He asked the Ministry of Transport to work out the cost of rubbing out 50 feet of the existing 4 inch line in Queen’s Square and replacing it with a 3 inch line. He also asked if the Ministry would pay towards the cost. He added that an experimental stretch line should be put down so that the council could see what it looked like.
Timsbury Male Voice Choir celebrated its 50th. anniversary with a special concert at the Secondary School. Supporting the choir were Margaret Slayne and Arthur Russell (Two Voices in Harmony), Dora Saunders (soprano), and Ted Young on the guitar. Also appearing was a young gold medal violinist Glenn Janes from Wiltshire, the grandson of the late Oliver Janes who was a founder member and conductor of the choir for over 30 years.
The Timsbury branch of the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade held its annual inspection while actually in action rather than at a parade. It took place at the Camerton Traction Engine Rally in June 1970. Later in the main arena a series of awards were presented to members of the Timsbury Combined Division. The Dudley Frost Challenge Cup was won by Tessa Ricketts, Care of animals’ certificates went to Rita Sage, Karen Harris, Mike Lamb and Keith Player, while service medals of the Order were presented to Area Staff Officer Mrs. M. Tiley and Divisional Superintendent Mrs. Jill Rose.
It was a proud day in June for Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Taviner of Greenvale when three of their grandchildren were baptised at South Road Methodist Church. Daughter Sheila Warby travelled from Norfolk with husband John and twins Frances and Peter to be joined with sister Heather and husband Barry Holton and their daughter Kirsty. At the same service darts star Alan Taylor, son of Brian and Cath Taylor was also baptised.
Timsbury Athletic Reserves tasted success in the final of the Frome and District K.O. Cup when they beat Stoke Rovers 3-1 after extra-time at Badgers Hill. The goals came from captain Dave Moon (penalty), Gordon Bridges and Ken Holmes. On the cricket field there was the ultimate in disappointment for popular Timsbury all-rounder Cuthbert Brain. Batting for the club away to Bath University Venturers he was run out for 99 and despite being one of the most consistent batsmen that Timsbury have produced was to retire from the game without a century to his name. For the record Timsbury won the game easily making 186-3 with former chairman Roland Arblaster contributing 57 and then dismissing the Bath side for 80.
A Boys’ Brigade recruiting week was held at Tabor Church led by the captain of the 1st. Timsbury Company David Attwell. Prior to the service at Tabor the 1st. Street Company Band paraded the village and was joined by the 1st. Timsbury Company and the 1st. Timsbury Girls’ Brigade all with full colours. Following the service they all proceeded to Timsbury Secondary School where there was a display of marching and music by the band.
In October the Matron of the Cheshire Home, Mrs Edith Makinson was killed in a road accident on the A420 Faringdon to Oxford Road at Littleworth. The consultant pathologist at Radcliffe Infirmary Oxford said that high blood pressure could have been a major reason for her death and that she probably died as a result of her medical condition. The verdict was accidental death.
Finally property in Timsbury was slightly cheaper than it is fifty years on. A three-bedroomed house in the village with full central heating was going for £4850 while a modern semi-detached chalet bungalow close to the village centre with good views at the rear and with three bedrooms and garage was advertised at £4850.