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In 1987 Britain’s big freeze, the worst for over 20 years brought snow-blocked roads, closed schools and traffic chaos. Wansdyke District Council services were stretched almost to breaking point with temperatures going as low as minus eleven degrees celsius.
John Nicholson of Timsbury Bottom was selected to attend the world scouts’ jamboree in Sydney, Australia. He was just one of 21 boys selected from Avon and had to raise a proportion of the money needed through his own initiatives. Amongst the many tasks he set himself were to tidy the maze at Longleat House, ring the bells at Bath Abbey, clean the elephant house at Bristol Zoo and serve as a fireman on the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore.
Louise Cleverley of Tyning was cadet of the year at the St Johns Ambulance Brigade award ceremony. She received her trophy from Brigadier Geoffrey Hutton, County Commissioner for Avon at St Johns Hall. He also presented certificates to the cadets and members of the public who completed the 10 week First Aid course. Two new cadets, Claire Wyatt and Shelley Hawkins were both enrolled.
Jeanette Poulton of Southlands Drive won first place in the U.K. Higher typewriting examination. A student in the Business Studies’ department at Norton-Radstock College, Jeanette had just completed the two year Private Secretary’s certificate course at Radstock where she had swept the board.
1987 saw elections at both local and national level. In the district elections for Wansdyke Timsbury saw a large turnout although in general throughout the area the attitude was said to be apathetic. In the closest of contests Conservative candidate Maurice Offer beat Labour’s Arthur Moon by just 11 votes(595-584). Mr Offer was then elected Chairman of Wansdyke District Council.
In the General Election there was further local success for the Tories with Jack Aspinwall winning the Wansdyke seat with an increased majority. In second place came the Alliance candidate Roger Blackmore with Labour’s Ian White in third place.
The Cheshire Home celebrated its 25th. anniversary with a special party. Terry Bowring, Head of the Home handed around the drinks to the guests who included Pearl Waldron, a care assistant who had worked there since day one and resident Ruby Lynn who had also been at the establishment since 1962. Later a Jubilee fete was opened by T.V. personality Leslie Crowther. Fred Wedlock was M.C. and there were items by the Midsomer Norton Silver Band, a karate display and helicopter rides.
Timsbury Cricket Club held its third benefit match against the Somerset team this time in aid of Frome’s Colin Dredge. Richard Harden top scored for Somerset in their total of 177 with Timsbury’s Man of the Match Colin Arblaster making 55 in the village side’s reply of 141-4. Rob Sage was Timsbury’s top bowler with 3-36.
The Guss and Crook football team won 12 pairs of soccer boots thanks to the efforts of one of their players, Nigel Day. He wrote to a national football magazine about the team’s exploits (Plenty of fun but not many wins) and won the prize on offer. Bristol player Alan Walsh came out to present the boots.
A special match was also held in 1987 between past and present members of the Guss and Crook team in aid of a young New Zealander who had stayed in Timsbury but had been forced to have his limbs amputated as a result of an infection. 32 year old Dave Gould lived with Gail and David Sparey of St John’s Road while working as a pharmacist at a chemist’s shop in Bath. Other events were organised and altogether over £4000 was raised to help pay for a lift for him.
Timsbury Ladies’ Choir held their annual concert at the Conygre Hall. Supporting the choir were guest artistes Two In Harmony, a vocal duo, Parts Company, a barbershop quartet and the Junior Band Quartet from the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band conducted by Angela Lowe. The compere was the Rev. W.R. Davies from Midsomer Norton.
Finally in 1987 the Laurels Nursing Home was opened in the village by Alan and Mary Mills. The majority of the first ten elderly patients there were from the village or from the immediate vicinity. The matron in charge of the Home was Linda Brice who was responsible for the whole nursing care of the patients