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Chipping Sodbury Christmas Market - 11 December 2010

Local farmers and producers are joining the town's shop keepers to offer shoppers a relaxing day out to help them prepare for Christmas.
An extended Farmers Market will run alongside a Christmas gift and craft fayre. Visitors to this wonderful old medieval market town will have the opportunity to look for unique ideas for presents as well as shop for their mince pies and Christmas Turkey.
Parking in the town is mostly free and we have our own free car park to the rear of the High Street in the Wickwar Road.
Chipping Sodbury also has a wealth of independent shops and you will always find somewhere to rest and refuel in any one of a number of welcoming public houses, restaurants and cafes.
Why shop anywhere else? we have all you need for a successful and enjoyable Christmas.

And don't forget there's additional late night shopping on Wednesday 15th and 22nd December.

Travel Counsellors excel!!
Travel Counsellors has once again been voted Travel Agent of the Year by readers of the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited. What's more, we were the only travel company to win two awards at the ceremony held at Cardiff Castle at the weekend, winning Best Short Break Operator in the Large Operator category too.
Local contact: Sarah Todd T. 0845 058 7570
e. sarah.todd@travelcounsellors.com
w. www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/sarah.todd


The Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury
2010 Classic Car Run - Sunday 27 June

152 vehicles took part in the 2010 Classic Run, with 134 motorcars and 18 motorcycles completing the 88-mile run across the breathtaking Wiltshire countryside.
Setting off from Chipping Sodbury High Street on Sunday morning the route took them through Old Sodbury, Marshfield and passed RAF Lyneham to Wooton Bassett for a well earned coffee stop at the half waypoint. Then it was on to RAF Fairford and Bilbury to arrive finally at the picturesque Oaksey Airfield in Malmesbury for lunch.

A beautiful sunny day ensured that all participants and spectators could fully enjoy this most historic display of our motoring heritage.
The Classic Car Run began in 1996 and since that time as raised around £60,000 for numerous charities. This year Rotary raised nearly £6000 profit. The RNLI served breakfasts and made over £500 profit and the Scouts also performed well making £450.

Rare Models on the run included a 1933 Scott TT Replica motorcycle and a 1937 Aston Martin 15/98 Sports Tourer.

Later models included a 1980 Vauxhall Cavalier and a 1982 Jaguar XJS

Other vehicles included: Chrysler F 80 Roadster from 1926/ Austin 10 Ripley Sport 1935/ Sunbeam Talbot Tourer 1937/BSA A10 1956/ Kawasaki Z400 1978

As well as: MG’s, Triumph Stags, Rover, Hillman Imp, Ford Zodiac, Daimler, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ford, Lotus, Mercedes, VW, Morris, Honda, Royal Enfield, Mini, Volvo, Bentley and more….
The Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury would like to say a huge thank you to all of the businesses who supported the run and to all participants and supporting groups who made the event possible.

2010 – Classic Car Run - winners
Best Car on Run Mr John Clark - Car No 7 - 1937 Sunbeam Talbot Tourer
Best Motor Cycle on Run Mr Dick Cardy M/Cycle No 23 1960 Velocette MSS
Best Themed Vehicle and Best Dressed Entrants Ms Debra Turner from Yate 1968 Morris Minor Convertible Car no 6 - 'Sparkling'
Longest Distance Travelled to Run - Mr Brian Wookey - Car No 67 1963 MGA 1600 MKII - from Boston in Lincolnshire
To see pictures of this years run please click here
If you would like to take part in next years run please visit
www.ribi.org for further information.


'Oyez, Oyez, Chipping Sodbury has its own Manorial Crier' !

We are delighted to announce that The Lordship of the Manor of Chipping Sodbury, The Somerset Trust, has approved the appointment thus making our Town Crier a 'Manorial Crier'

The Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce are organising a welcome for their Manorial Crier to celebrate his arrival in the town. This coincides with the Chipping Sodbury Farmers Market.

Chipping Sodbury Town Crier News September 2010
Click here for more details

Click on the images to see a larger version of the picture

Town Crier History

In England, the first recorded use of Town Criers was in the year 1066, when following the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror had men go out and announce his victory in all of the local towns.

Way back in medieval times, it was not unusual for most people to be illiterate. The nobility of the time had their own heralds, who announced proclamations and laws. Citizens were kept informed of matters of both local and national importance – anything from Royal events, wars, executions and taxation down to lost dogs and minor misdemeanours could be announced by the Town Crier.

Usually people of standing in the community were chosen as criers, for they had to be able to write and read the official proclamations. Often they were a husband and wife team with the wife ringing the large handbell and the husband doing the shouting.

Often the role of Town Crier was passed down from father to son for many generations, and it was seen as a position of some standing in the community.

Today, many cities and towns are reviving the position of Town Crier as a visible link to the past. Today’s criers work for whoever appoints them, they will often hire themselves out for private functions and will also promote their hometown in competitions across the globe.

Town Crying is not exclusive to these shores, many other countries including Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, South Africa, Bermuda and some European countries have Town Criers.

There are about 220 Criers in Britain representing Towns and Cities and in some cases Lords of the Manor. Some Towns have kept up the tradition of having a crier through the ages, others such as Crewkerne have now got one for the very first time.

So whenever you hear the ringing of a bell and the ancient call of “OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ!” Stand still, pay attention and listen. The Town Crier just might have something to say!!


Chipping Sodbury Calendar 2011- Now Available!

The Chipping Sodbury Calendar 2011 is now available. There are limited stocks. The Calendar costs £4.99. To order your copy please email info@visitichippingsodbury.com and include your full contact information including address and telephone number.