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A Culture Shock for the Woodmancote Villagers - by Rog Blake

In the 1950’s Woodmancote was shaken by a fever that shook the World, namely “Rock ’n Roll” or more specifically Skiffle. Skiffle was a new type of music that swept the Country it was created by the late Lonny Donnegan and it all stemmed from Traditional Jazz that was enjoying an era of popularity and was based largely on American Folk Music. It should be remembered that until now the music of the day had been Vera Lynn, Petula Clark and similar sorts of singers.

So, how did this Culture Change first show itself? Four lads from Woodmancote and Bishops Cleeve just got together and started to learn the Guitar they then formed their Group and it all just went from there so to speak. There was Dave Curr, Roger (Chad) Blake, Tommy and Colin Braddock and Tony Holder, from Southam (more joined later).

At the Weekend during the summer months they could be heard playing at the Apple Tree Inn they would accompany the Cricket Team and entertain after matches. In general if anyone was prepared to listen they would play. Considering the how inflexible our parents appeared to be then, they accepted this new craze without too much complaint. In fact they actually began to enjoy it (I think), judging by their reactions. It should be remembered that this took place at a period when man made entertainment was scarce and we all used to, largely, entertain ourselves. For example most Pubs had a Piano that was played at week-ends.

The Group couldn’t have been that bad. A TV Pop Music programme called the “Six Five Special” had a touring road show that played at the old Gaumont in Winchcombe Street and part of the Tour was a talent contest with the winners being given an appearance spot on the TV Show. We entered and came second (not bad considering there were about 15 entries).

The Talent Show posed a problem to us as until then we hadn’t had a name but an act of fate came to our rescue. An incident occurred on Cleeve Hill that was to make the front page of the National Press. Another group of young lads were pursuing their own interest, Caving.

On one weekend one of the lads entered into a Cave and became stuck. Amongst others a guy from Nutterswood, Pat Hamblin went into the cave to help. Because of his local knowledge and the Cave being part of his playground so to speak, he was able to get the chap out. So difficult was it that took overt 24 hours to free him and by this time the National Press had become involved. The name of the Cave was Isaacs Cave and so we became the Isaacs Cavemen. As an aside, because of its dangerous state the entry to Isaacs Cave was dynamited to prevent it from happening again.

I don’t live in Woodmancote now and have lost contact with most of the friends I had there. I would be interested if there is anyone around now who remembers those summer evening in the Apple Tree gardens with the Villagers stood around chatting, laughing and singing.

Rog Blake

Traffic Calming

I am writing in response to the call for feedback on the new traffic calming measures in Station Road, after observing the comments regarding lack of such in the last magazine. I suggest whoever has called for and chosen these measures has not thought property about the issues. I have lived in the village mostly for 30 years, bar a break to attend university. My mother also lives here and has a similar opinion. We have never noticed any issue with speeding, or an increased incidence of accidents or injury because of speeding along Station Road. On the Cleeve side of the railway bridge, parked cars perform the role of traffic calming, and along the Woodmancote side it has not been an issue for the last 30 years. Why now? Seems to me someone has nothing better to worry about. Is there incident data to back this up or is it just a busybody with a loud voice?

If there is indeed an issue, what has been installed is totally inappropriate. The speed bumps are standard size countrywide, and yes, the track of most cars is wide enough to pass either side of them. I have mastered this technique, wishing to avoid damage to my sump or suspension.
The painting on the roads, signs, bollards and road narrowing measures are gaudy and unattractive. They visually degrade such an otherwise pleasant looking village, and I am appalled that any resident would wish them upon their home. They also don't work. The sort who is likely to speed past a primary school will not be deterred by these things. One single dual aspect speed camera near the school would do the job, as people slow down for speed cameras, and all this other unsightly toytown stuff should be removed, I suggest. The "chicane" under the bridge is very dangerous as the other side is unsighted. I have had a near miss there myself while approaching at low speed. This should definitely be removed. There is also anecdotal data availabel to show "speed humps" make traffic worse as they cause drivers to slow briefly then accelerate between them, and become frustrated and angry, thus driving more aggressively.

I suggest the consideration that has gone into the installation of the measures is laughable, and typical of the "nanny state" we increasingly see around us. Action should be taken to have what is there removed in lieu of something less visually offensive and more effective, if indeed there is an issue at all.

yours sincerely,

Jeremy Whiting