The deadline for submitting work will be Monday 2nd February 2009 and a full Submission Form is available on the Festival web site www.viewfinderfilm.info  

Since the Festival was launched in Gloucestershire in 2004, hundreds of short films have been sent in from primary school pupils, community groups, university students and professionals.

Films can be up to 15 minutes in length and fit into the categories of drama, animation, documentary, experimental or music video. Submissions are invited in a number of categories: ages 7-14, 15-18, 18 and over and in education, non-professional and professional.

During the 2007 run of the Festival screenings took place in 12 venues in the last two weeks of March hi-lighting films from the three county region of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The screening attendance was in excess of 1000 and the Festival received in 2007 close to 150 submissions.

Viewfinder aims to nurture countywide media education and support media projects across our many communities, forging links between film-makers, schools, councils, venues, colleges, universities and the media industry.

Source: Viewfinder film Festival

The Viewfinder Film Festival Submissions Office
Pittville Studios, The University of Gloucestershire, Albert Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 2JG
www.viewfinderfilm.info  

Nicholas, who is one of the co-owners of Te Mata, is going to take you through an array of Te Mata wines, during this fun and informal evening that will take place in the cellars of Edward Sheldon.
Tickets are £10.00 per person and must be pre-booked.

Edward Sheldon Limited are independent Wine Merchants who have been trading in Shipston-on-Stour since 1842. They have a range of over 700 wines and, although they specialize in French wines, their list incorporates a wide and diverse range from around the world.

Richard Badger, who started the business, became a vintner after first selling medicated wine at his pharmacy and in the late 1850s he passed the business to his nephew Edward Sheldon. The Company still occupies the original extensive cellars and offices.

Edward Sheldon Ltd
6, New Street, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4FA
Telephone 01608 661409
Email finewine@edward-sheldon.co.uk
www.edward-sheldon.co.uk

Te Mata Estate Winery originated as part of Te Mata Station, a large pastoral land holding established by English immigrant John Chambers in 1854. John’s third son Bernard had the original vision for wine production off the north facing hillside slopes bordering Havelock North.
When John formalised the division of his estate between his sons, Bernard retained the 1,960 hectare Te Mata Estate homestead block. In 1892 he went onto plant grape vines on three parcels of hillside land above the homestead. Today, Te Mata Estate still utilies those three original vineyards to produce its most famous vines, Coleraine, Awatea and Elston.

Te Mata Estate currently produces 25,000 cases of wine and is at full production. Sixty percent of this production is red.

Nicholas Buck is Sales and Marketing Director for Te Mata Estate.
Born into the wine industry, Nicholas tasted too many great wines at an impressionable age and has since been unwilling to consider any other career.

Te Mata Estate Winery
349 Te Mata Road, Havelock North, New Zealand 
www.temata.co.nz

Source: Edward Sheldon Limited and Te Mata Estate Winery    

Because of family commitments, the present holder of this post found it necessary to resign at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) earlier in the year but offered to remain in office until his successor could be appointed. He is very happy to guide that person until the next AGM in 2009.

The committee would be very please to hear from you.

For further information please contact the chairman, Peter Satterthwaite on 01386 593248 or at Malvern Strollers on 01386 840120

Source: Ebrington Village Hall Trustees

Ebrington Village Hall
Ebrington, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire  

High points included a winning bid of £950 for a silver trophy cup won by Percy Lambert, the first man to cover 100 miles in an hour.  The value of the silver alone had quite a value but to a collector of motor racing history it would be a real prize. 

The medals included many lots of World War I interest and the section was led by a group to T W Elsdon.  He began the war as a Flight Lieutenant in the RNAS and then became a Major in the RAF.  The lot included the Order of St John, a fairly rare medal which helped the group to a satisfactory £700 total.

The postcards, which had been discovered in stacks teetering precariously in the attic, proved a challenge to catalogue.  The prices showed that the effort was worthwhile.  Some collectors spent an entire day viewing the section and many of the lots realised in excess of £200.  The star lot was lot 326, two albums containing a real mixture of subjects including steam trains, ships and topography.  Several sought after cards propelled bidding to £440.

Some of the unusual items in the sale summed up Vosper’s eccentric taste.  The small ivory paddle with the Lord’s prayer engraved on one side and the alphabet to the other puzzled everybody but it seemed likely to be a learning aid for children.  Its quality and its unusual form certainly caught the eye of more than one collector with the hammer eventually falling at £1200.  Another lot that excited the collectors was a small group of doll’s house furniture.  This included several early fire grates and a range cooker, the estimate was soon left behind and fierce bidding on the telephones resulted in a sale topping £2500.

The clocks were a real mixed bag with large grouped lots of 1930s mantel clocks finding buyers for as little as £10.  On the other hand a mantel clock by the Goldsmiths Alliance fetched a healthy £1,300.  It really was a sale with items to suit every pocket.

It was a day of much nostalgic reminiscing, several dealers told auctioneers that they recognised some of the lots from his shop 20 years ago!  It was hard to believe he was not there in spirit smiling down on proceedings and he was sure to have approved when 100% of the lots found buyers.

Another white glove sale for Simon Chorley Art and Antiques.

For further information please contact Thomas Jenner-Fust on 01452 344499 or tjf@simonchorley.com

Simon Chorley Art & Antiques
Prinknash Abbey Park, Gloucestershire GL4 8EX
01452 344499
E Mail enquiries@simonchorley.com
www.simonchorley.com

Related Article:
The Vosper Collection – from Simon Chorley Art and Antiques 

Source: IONA PR

Steve again ran for Bourton Roadrunners carrying Number 788. Here is his race report :- “Starting and finishing outside the town hall in Hastings city centre, over 1200 runners lined up in the freezing cold ready to run the one lap course on this the last UK marathon of the year. 
This was a one off centenary marathon to celebrate the first and only ever Hastings Marathon back in 1908. No-body seemed to know what the course was like, however a local Hastings runner did warn of a steep climb out of the town for just over a mile and then pretty much undulating the whole way round until the final 5 miles along the seafront. How right he was, after 2 miles, I was already having to work pretty hard to climb the first steep hill which seemed to go on forever. Then some respite as a downhill approached, however this was short lived as another uphill soon followed. After another couple of miles, I soon realised that this was to be a familiar pattern for the course, either going down or uphill!. That said, I was keen to stick to my race plan of running at 3:15 pace as I finally started to settle into my normal rhythm.
 
I reached halfway in just under 1:37 having just negotiated yet another climb at 13 miles. This was bang on where I wanted to be and I continued to maintain this pace all the way to 20 miles which I reached in just over 2:27. It now seemed to be getting colder and I wasn’t looking forward to the final stretch along the seafront as I guessed it would be against the  biting cold sea breeze. At Bexhill On Sea, the turn around point, we were directed onto the sea front and the final 5 miles to home. Despite the freezing cold I was still maintaining the same pace and began to relax a little in anticipation of putting in a hard last couple of miles to perhaps get nearer to 3:10. Then to my surprise, yet another little climb at 22 miles, not what I expected on a sea front, however, surely now a nice flat final 4 miles where I could try and open up a bit. But no, another little twist was to follow, we were directed onto the beach area and had to run nearly 2 miles on a surface comprising of stones and sand. The legs all of sudden started to feel a little heavy and I began to slow down for the first time. 
 
Finally, we were back on the normal road surface with just 2 miles to go, but now I was getting really cold, especially since slowing down over the beach area. Consequently, trying to get my legs moving quickly again took a real effort, however I dragged myself up to the runner in front and then finally started to shift. Chasing down the next runner and passing him before chasing the next and so on. At 25 miles, I had 10 minutes to get under the 3:15, I continued to press hard and finally saw the 26 mile point. Down into a subway and another final little climb out to the town centre and the town hall to reach the finish in 3:13:15.  I was frozen, my fingers numb and I couldn’t wait to get a hot cup of tea in my hands! However, I was very happy with my effort, it was not only another even split time from halfway, but also another sub 3:15 on the total. After thawing out and checking the results, my position was 67th and 8th vet 45, not bad out of 1175 finishers and very pleased to finish in the top 6% of the field. ”

The Hastings Marathon was organised by the Hastings Lions Club. Conditions were pretty good for running, with cloudy skies and only a modest breeze, although it was chilly for the many spectators around the 26 mile, 385 yard route.
The race began outside Hastings Town Hall at 09.30 and took in Telham, Battle, Catsfield, Ninfield, Sidley, Bexhill and St. Leonards before returning to Hastings for the finish.    
 
Steve’s world record challenge to run 500 marathons at an average time of 3 hours 20 minutes by 2012, when he will be 50 and to coincide with the Olympic Games in London, is going well and on schedule but Steve is now having second thoughts about the challenge and it looks like he is considering making it even more difficult!

“My ’500 marathon challenge’ has progressed really well this year despite the injury scare in September, I now have 39 marathons to go and still over 3 years until 2012 to complete them. I’m obviously aware that something could still yet go wrong, ie long term injury or illness etc, however I’m going to have a little re-think over the Xmas period and may change the parameters slightly. That said, I’m still keen to complete the actual challenge in 2012, the year of my 50th birthday and of course the year of the Olympics.
 
The one thing I have thought about is the fact that I didn’t actually start to run marathons with a vengeance until 1988. So it could be that I consider excluding the ones I ran between 1981 and 1987 from the 500 challenge which will ultimately mean I have more marathons to run by 2012 to reach the 500. However, the revised challenge will then read something along the lines of ’500 marathons in an average finish time of sub 200 minutes over 24 years from April 1988 – April 2012′. That will equate to running on average, a sub 200 minute marathon every 17 days for the 24 years. As I say, I will have a good think about it and check the numbers, but I think its do-able and it  would add another interesting statistic to the goal should it be achieved. Watch this space!”

Source: Steve Edwards and Hastings Marathon

www.hastings-marathon.org.uk

Related Articles:
The Luton Marathon is cancelled so Steve Edwards has to wait to complete Number 461.
Steve Edwards goes to Italy to complete Marathon Number 460
Steve Edwards runs the Snowdonia Marathon-Marathon Number 458-just 6 days after 457
Steve Edwards completes marathon 457 and runs through injury pain
Marathon Number 456 is completed – only one week after Number 455
Marathon Number 455 is nailed in 3hours 6minutes – well within the world record target time
Steve Edwards is back and running – Marathon number 454 is completed
Cotswold’s Steve Edwards smashes the world record
Another World Record Challenge for Cotswold’s Steve Edwards- 10 Marathons in 10 Days
Steve Edwards is on the start line for his World Record Challenge
500 marathons by 2012- superman Steve Edwards is going for it in record time.
 

A number of constructive suggestions emerged such as a gateway type approach into the town to persuade motorists to slow down. However the most popular approach, and the one thought to be the most effective, was to install some traffic activated and illuminated signs which display the speed of passing motorists, to persuade motorists to slow down in this residential area.

These signs are likely to cost in the region of £9000, funding of which will have to found. Geoffrey is to approach the town council to see whether they would be willing to contribute towards this and Bob Skillern was fairly confident that he would be able to secure the remaining funds over the next financial year.

Photo L-R:
Sally O’Dell, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Vanessa Rigg and Bob Skillern

Source: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (Cotswold)

www.geoffreycliftonbrown.com

During Geoffrey’s visit Mr Mackay gave a very insightful presentation to his pupils about the UK’s relationship with the new President Elect of the United States and the importance of improving community relations.

This was followed by a question and answer session with Geoffrey and year 8 students who challenged him on a number of current affairs issues. In particular he was bowled a fast ball by one particular student who asked what were the origins of the credit crunch….not the easiest of answers at the present time!

Commenting on his meeting with Mr Mackay, Mr Clifton-Brown said: “I was very pleased to see that despite the short time Mr Mackay has been headmaster here it is very clear that he is already injecting a new dynamism into the school and ensuring that theirs is a bright future”.

Photo: Steven Mackay and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Source: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (Cotswold)

www.geoffreycliftonbrown.com

Just as Geoffrey arrived, it was raining on top of the ice and reports arrived that one of the Post Office vans was stuck. On hearing the news Mr Clifton-Brown commented: “this clearly demonstrates that postmen really do have to deliver whatever the weather”!

Source: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (Cotswold)

www.geoffreycliftonbrown.com
 

The word ‘Wassail’ is derived from the Old Norse ‘Ves heill’, from whence came the Old English salutation ‘Wes Hal’, meaning ‘Be In Good Health’. The dictionary tells us also that Wassail is ‘A riotous festivity characterised by much drinking’. But to the true countryman, particularly in areas where apples are grown and especially in rural Devon, this is not just a ‘riotous festivity’ but a ritual which is taken extremely seriously as the apple is an important part of the local economy. So, anything that can be done to help the trees produce a generous harvest is wholeheartedly encouraged and the skill and dedication of the ‘Wassailers’ is all important. When Wassailing was first discovered to be of benefit is not really known but there is mention in a magazine, published in 1791, of “The custom with the Devonshire people to go after supper into the orchard with large quantities of cider, having roasted apples pressed into it”. In Whimple the ceremony took place at Rull Farm on ‘Old Twelvy Night’. In 1931 The Devon & Exeter Gazette in their report dated 23rd January, states that: “The Host and Hostess, (Mr. & Mrs. J. Reynolds) are renowned throughout the district for their hospitality”.

The fact that Wassailing takes place on ‘Old Twelvy Night’ indicates that it has been the custom for many centuries as England did not accept the Gregorian Calendar until 1752 when dates were adjusted by eleven days to realign with the solar year.This meant that Twelfth Night remained onthe 6th January, but traditionalists retained 17th January as the true day relevant to Wassailing.

The Fleece Inn is without equal in England. Owned by the Byrd family since the days of Chaucer, it was bequeathed by Lola Taplin to the National Trust in 1977. The building was originally a longhouse and has remained largely undisturbed in its architecture and atmosphere since the mid 17th Century.

A pub steeped in history like The Fleece, has many stories to tell. Its historical significance to the Cotswolds and the Vale of Evesham is immense, not least for its pewter collection, housed in the “Pewter room” of the pub and on open display for over 300 years.

Change has passed The Fleece by for centuries. When you take your place at a table to dine from the excellent menu or to sample a fine ale, you are priviledged to be sat in much the same surroundings as those who lived in the house more than four centuries ago.
You’ll even benefit from the medieval protection afforded by the “Witch circles”, drawn on the floor in front of each hearth. This local tradition was practiced to prevent witches from entering down the chimneys and has been preserved in accordance with the wishes of Lola Taplin.

In mentioning Lola Taplin, we refer to a remarkable lady. Lola was a direct descendant of the yeoman family Byrd, who built the place in around 1400. Lola’s hospitality was legendary and when you drank in The Fleece it was as though you were being welcomed
into her home. In fact this impression was entirely accurate as Lola lived at the pub for all of her 83 years and ran it alone for the last 30. Lola’s identity is firmly stamped on the pub still as it is largely as she left it when she passed away.

Lola is fondly remembered in the village and locals who knew her fancy that she still watches over the pub and its people.
In fact, local folklore will have it that she is present in the incarnation of an owl that sits on the ridge of the thatched tithe barn across the courtyard from the pub itself.
 
Source: The Fleece Inn, Bretforton & Whimple History Society

Photo kindly used with permission of the Fleece Inn

The Fleece Inn
The Cross, Bretforton, Near Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 7JE
Telephone 01386 831173
www.thefleeceinn.co.uk

Whimple History Society
www.whimple.org

“It has been a lovely show and I have had a good fair” Mark Seabrook
“Good quality stock is still selling” Chris Daines, Woodward Antique Clocks
“One man returned to the fair, travelling 1½ hours from Wales to come back and buy…” Michael Emeny, Books
  Illustrated
“Considering the economic climate we were pleasantly surprised with results,” Stephen Kalms
“The right sort of people who we ought to be talking to are coming through the door” Rosey Ford of Serendipity
 
Local to Cheltenham, Woodward Antique Clocks had a good fair selling a number of clocks including an English Regency bracket clock in the region of £8,000.   “Good quality stock is still selling”, says Chris Daines.  They met new clients ranging from fairly local to as far as Cardiff, probably all in a 60 mile radius.  The fair also worked for Carlton Clocks who sold a selection of clocks and barometers to new clients.
 
Ashleigh House Fine Art & Antiques and Angelika CJ Friebe both sold to customers who returned to visit them having seen pictures in which they were interested last year. Amongst Angelika’s sales was her most expensive piece – a 1613 Besler artichoke copper engraving for £3,600 to a Bristol based couple, as well as three citrus fruit copper engravings to a local lady from Winchcombe, a new customer, for £3,000.
 
Michael Emeny from Books Illustrated said: “We had a promising first day selling 2 pictures and 2 bronzes.”  One of the pictures was an original illustration of battleships for the ‘Modern Book for Boys’ from the 1940s by William McDowell which sold to a new customer.  One man returned to the fair, travelling 1.5 hours from Wales to come back and buy a 1994 Christmas card design of ice skaters by Angel Dominguez.   “Just before the fair closed we also sold an Arthur Rackham, which is going to Canada, so we are very pleased.”
 
Melody Antiques sold a Shropshire George III mahogany dresser, c 1760, on the opening day, to a couple from Shropshire (new customers) for £3,200.  They also sold an extremely unusual George I ash veneered small chest of drawers, c 1710, to an American lady for around £5,000.  “I’m back for the 4th time.  It was hard work but the fair worked for us,” said Mike Melody.
 
Cambridgeshire furniture dealer, Mark Seabrook reported that he sold a small oak side or child’s table, for £3,200.  “I could have sold it twice, however, it went to a couple from Worcester who rediscovered me after 10 years!”  He also sold three good wall carvings and some early kitchenalia.
 
Stablegate Antiques from Kent sold a Regency dining table to new clients from South Wales in the region of £6,500 – “That is the 5th dining table we have sold at this fair in 5 years”, said Michael Giuntini. Amongst other items they sold were a pedestal Victorian desk, a military coffer and a George II chair.  Another happy exhibitor was Sue Killinger who said, “It was a very successful fair for me, as was last year.  I sold across the board, but certainly more furniture.”  Amongst Guy Dennler Antiques’ sales was a Regency rosewood sofa table for £4,000.
 
London silver dealer Jeffrey Neal had a good fair meeting a variety of new clients and amongst the sales were a pair of large silver pheasants.  First time Cheltenham fair exhibitor from the London Silver Vaults, Stephen Kalms Antiques were delighted to sell a selection of silver pieces to a charming American.  “Considering the economic climate we were pleasantly surprised with results,” said Stephen Kalms.
 
Tulips were obviously on the mind of another American, who lives near Oxford.  She bought a couple of signed limited edition original lithographs of tulips by RHS gold medallist Annika Silander-Hökerberg from Ingrid Nilson and a large Turkish contemporary hand woven and hand painted patchwork made up of kelims, depicting tulips, for around £2,000 from M&N Oriental Rugs.  Martin Melman said, “We were generally pleased with the show considering the climate.  We made some good new contacts and sold several pieces, including a Tabriz and hand painted Persian shells.” 
 
13 year old Thomas Jennings persuaded his grandparents to bring him to the fair and bought his first artwork by Jasper Johns from Black Ink, instead of staying at home to do his homework!  The grandparents bought from Black Ink too.
 
“No-one really knew what to expect with all the gloom and doom in the media about the credit crunch,” said organiser Ingrid Nilson of The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited. “We were pleasantly surprised, however, people are definitely price conscious.  Although some exhibitors saw much better sales than others, a number of dealers benefitted from pretty good sales.  This Cheltenham fair has become known for bringing in new customers, as we not only market the fair regionally, but nationally and internationally.  Visitors seem to have come from quite far afield.”
 
Source: Gail McGuffie PR                   

Related Article: The Autumn Antiques and Fine Art Fair at Cheltenham