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1982 was a winter of 12 feet snowdrifts, of freezing fog and blizzards, a winter of battles for survival for everyone from farmers trying to keep their animals alive to local factories attempting to keep production going.
A unique scheme took place at the Cheshire Home under the auspices of the Rehabilitation and Medical Research Trust. The Trust collaborated with Bath University’s horticultural department to construct a landscape for severely disabled people. The grounds were to be a pleasant, stimulating environment for the residents and a resource centre for a wide range of occupational therapy activities.
Gang warfare broke out between teenagers of Timsbury and Farmborough and forced the temporary closure of Farmborough Youth Club. Youth club leader Ray King complained at the time about what he felt was a lack of help from the police over the incident. The Youth Club eventually re-opened three weeks later.
Sheila Matthews overcame 14 rivals to win the third village Mastermind competition which was organised by the Cricket Club. Sheila representing the village Conservative Association answered specialist questions on the life of Samuel Pepys and her total of 40 points gave her a clear victory over Geoff Burrows (Timsbury Theatre Group) and Dennis Edwards (Timsbury Snooker Club). Sheila was presented with her trophy by Vivian Womersley of the newly established Radio West.
Mrs Daisy Swansbury retired after 48 years as secretary of the Royal British Legion’s ladies’ section. At a special party “Aunty Daisy” ,as she was known, received an aerial photograph of the club, a silver tray and a bouquet.
In 1982 Timsbury began its support of the Parkal orphanage in Southern India. Clare Jones, daughter of the rector of the day Rev. Clifford Jones had spent three months there taking part in the life of the community and a fund was started to help the children at the orphanage. The link continued based at Tabor Church under the management of Sue Macey. Later in the year a communion service was held at St Mary’s Church to mark Rev. Jones’ 25 years in the priesthood. At a reception which followed in the Conygre Hall the rector was presented with a clock and tray from the Timsbury parishioners.
At Easter I took a party of boys and parents from St Mary’s School to South Wales for 4 days on a football tour. We stayed at Cardiff University and played 4 matches in the area. During our visit we toured a colliery and played a match at the Cwmbran Football Stadium where the team was introduced to Colin Addison who was then manager of Newport County.
Timsbury Theatre Group performed “Mystery at Greenfingers” by J.B. Priestley as its spring production at Conygre Hall. It was a play set in a hotel in the late 1930s and amongst those taking part were Sheila Allen, Geoff Burrows, Christine Bateman, Roger Bird and Margaret Robinson.
Mr Frank Tout celebrated his 81st. birthday by being taken out by Mike Horler in a dray drawn by 2 shire horses. The surprise had been organised by Mr Tout’s grand-daughter Yvonne Pocock who worked as a groom for Mike Horler.
Andrew Newth of Crocombe Farm who is sadly no longer with us was chosen as one of 30 Avon scouts to attend the world jamboree in Calgary, Alberta. He was the second member of the High Littleton scout group to receive this honour, the previous one being another Timsbury lad Roger Hatherell who had gone to the world jamboree in Norway.
After 19 years service Mrs Barbara Russell and Mrs Winifred Watts retired as voluntary helpers at Timsbury’s child welfare clinic. The 2 ladies who used to weigh the babies and keep the records were each presented with dress jewellery and flowers.
Finally on the sporting front Timsbury Athletic held their annual 5-a-side tournament on the rec. 12 teams took part with Brislington beating Peasedown 1-0 in the final. The cricket club welcomed Radio Bristol personality Pete Lawrence as their guest speaker at the annual dinner and dance where tributes were paid to former President Bernard Cayzer who had died the previous Boxing Day. Timsbury’s under 17 cricket team meanwhile scooped the league and cup double in the Bath and District League.
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