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Have You Lived In Kington Langley For Over 20 Years? If so, the Parish Council would like to hear from you ….! Last year, Kington Langley Parish Council started the process of registering as “Greens” some of the open areas of the village. Events have moved on and following consultation with Wiltshire County Council, who is very supportive of our efforts, we would now like to register several areas at once. The areas for first consideration are as follows:
WCC will not charge the Council for this but before it will formally agree, as legal formalities do have to be gone through, we have to produce “evidence” that the areas really are valued and used by villagers – for more than 20 years. In The Commons Act 2006, “used” can be:
If you can add your signature to any or all of these areas in support of our application, please e-mail the Clerk (Sue Webb) at clerk@kingtonlangley.org or contact her on 01666 824620. We need you to support us to protect our beautiful green open spaces. Kington Langley Parish Council
Kington Langley races “to infinity and beyond!” Percentage of lines on each exchange in the UK who voted
With this excellent result, the Parish Councils of Kington Langley and Kington St. Michael are working together to see if we can persuade BT that it would be very much worthwhile for them to provide fibre optic broadband to the village. We are looking for people to help us campaign, and also very interested to talk to anybody in the area that works from home as we believe understanding how many of these lines enable business in the village will help us to persuade Wiltshire Council to support our application. If you would like to help, or are a home worker that needs the Internet for their job – please contact Graham Trickey (graham@trickey.net) on 01249 750121. Graham Trickey on behalf of the Kington Langley Parish Council
A four year financial plan I am pleased to advise villagers that at its meeting on Monday, November 8th 2010, the Parish Council agreed that the Precept for 2011-2012 would remain unchanged at £19,038. It has been held at this level now for several years. Also, reserves at the year end are forecast to be just over £8,800. This is a healthy position given the short term pressures on Parish finances. In the December 2009 edition of the Village Magazine I set out the financial implications of the essential but very worthwhile investment that was necessary to preserve and upgrade the Millennium Footpath from the top of Plough Lane Hill down to the A350 traffic lights. This project was completed successfully with the help of a £20,000 loan from the Public Works Loan Board ( PWLB ) However, the repayments of £2,000 per year stand in addition to the £3,700 per annum payable to the PWLB against the original footpath loan. The first loan will be repaid in February 2013, at which point we will start to rebuild reserves.
The Parish Council will continue with its policy of very tight cost control and is confident that its policy of holding the Precept unchanged can be continued. Maurice Dixson. Chairman Kington Langley Parish Council.
New Book Launch – Birds’ Marsh Wood,
Kington Langley “Birds’ Marsh, Chippenham – An Unfinished Story” was written by Stephen E Hunt and is a fascinating study charting the story of Birds’ Marsh wood from the Roman period through to the present day. The text explores the preservation, history, lore, natural history of the woods, meadows and hedgerows that make this such a unique location. The book contains many previously unseen photographs, references to Robin and Heather Tanner and the folk that lived in and around the Birds’ Marsh area. It is available to purchase from the Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre, Market Place, Chippenham (£6.95) A copy can be reserved at 01249 705020 or heritage@chippenham.gov.uk.
New path improves safety
I am pleased to announce that a new footpath has now been created along Church road opposite the Church. This allows pedestrians to walk around the dangerous bend in safety on a dedicated path. I would like to thank the landowners and Wessex Water for their help in making this path possible, and also the Chippenham Area Board for the grant that allowed us to fund the path. Now that the ground is no longer frozen, we will be putting some finishing touches to it, but it is open for all to use! The footpath is a permissive path rather than a public right of way, cycling is not allowed and dogs must be kept on a lead. Please note that the existing footpath from the Playing fields which joins the new path by the water reservoir is restricted for use by schoolchildren and their parents and will normally be kept locked by the school. I hope you enjoy the safety of the new path and also the excellent views that you get from the new pedestrian route around Church bend! Councillor Graham Trickey, Kington Langley Parish Council
The Village Show 2010 We had a super Village Show in the Union Chapel during Scarecrow Weekend. After a last minute dash we were delighted to receive over 100 entries- almost three times as many as during the last show with twice as many categories to choose from. The fairy cakes were indeed eccentric and first prize was brilliant and rude! The weeds were impressive and chocolate brownies delicious. There was even a disqualification to add to the drama. Our thanks go to all at the Chapel for letting us invade and I do hope the unfortunate smell from the weed arrangements goes eventually! Thank you so much to our judges and most of all to the enthusiastic competitors. The Village Show Committee. THE RESULTS
Meet The New Editor – Mei Catherall I haven’t come across the name “Mei “ before where does it originate from? It’s actually half of a Welsh name. I was born in “The Valleys” sometime back in the last century. I dropped the other half as soon as I was old enough to choose; even the best intended “funny variation” of a name can grate after the 10th time, leave alone years of it… and besides, I lived in French-speaking Belgium as a child and “Meirion Robert Catherall” in a French accent sounds more like someone clearing their throat than a name. What it is you do for a living? Recently I’ve taken up tour guiding as a way of getting to know my own country but I’ve been teaching English as a foreign language to adults for the last 25 years, 14 of which I spent in and around Frankfurt am Main, Germany. My mother used to ask: “So what is it you actually do Mei, I mean English doesn’t have any Grammar.” As a new recruit to the ranks of the Grumpy Old Men, I’m now inclined to agree. Any typos or split infinitives that may come up in future issues are, therefore, entirely intentional and in true teacher parlance: “Just testing”! Back in 2008 I co-founded Dance2Learn.org, a charity to encourage the joy of partner dance, demystifying it and putting the fun back in whilst at the same time being able to help children less privileged than our own. Fancy brushing up your cross-body lead John? What brought you to Kington
Langley? What prompted you to decide to
become the new editor of the magazine? Have you got any ideas on
changes you would like to make to the magazine? I feel that the magazine has an important role in informing the local people about local events, but admittedly, I’m hoping to raise a couple of smiles along the way. Any particular thoughts as you
take on the magazine?
Kington Langley Registered Commons Further to a previous article about the new law for registering Greens, a number of people have asked me to clarify which areas of the village are already Registered Commons. I hope the maps below will give you a general idea.
On Behalf of the Parish Council
Thank You!
Liz Howe on
behalf of the Scarecrow Committee
Local Bus Transport Information Changes to Malmesbury Area Bus Services: The current contracts for local bus services expired on April 6th, with a more co-ordinated network of bus services being introduced on Monday 7th April. Please note that the new timetables are designed to improve connections with other services. The new Timetables were late coming from the printers but are now available. There are copies at the Village Hall, the Church and at the Chapel and the main Library in Chippenham.
1. A simplified service (91) will be provided to allow a bus once per hour between all the Dauntsey villages and Chippenham.
2. The 91 bus will provide hourly connections with Swindon (service 31) at Little Somerford and will be extended to Malmesbury, this will avoid any changes to other buses.
3. A Feeder bus (91b) will connect with Service 91 at Sutton Benger for Chippenham or Malmesbury on Mondays to Fridays. This service will call at Seagry or Startley and will also call at the village of Rodbourne, giving this village a bus service for the first time.
4. Low Floor Easy Access Buses will be introduced on the service using developer funding.
5. Please Note that the hourly service of the 91 bus from Chippenham to Kington Langley will now leave the Bus Station on the half hour rather than on the hour, all stops remain the same. As a result of the retendering exercise services 91 and 91b will now be operated by the A D Rains Bus Company of Brinkworth instead of by Hatts Coaches. The new network will have an initial review later in the year; I plan to attend this review and will gladly raise any issues that you bring to my attention You can download the latest Bus Timetable by clicking here. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download these timetables. If you don’t already have it you can get it free from the Adobe Acrobat website. Don Styles (Tel. 750697)
Bus Pass
Travel Scheme Application forms for people eligible for the Bus Pass, ie aged 60 or over or registered disabled people, have been supplied to the Village Hall, the Church and the Chapel. They can also be obtained from Post Offices or Council Offices. If you already possess a Bus Pass you do not need to make a further application as you will automatically be sent a new Wiltshire Bus Pass, which you should now have received. The Helpline number if needed is 0845 601 0487. Don Styles (Tel. 750697)
The Bobby Van Trust Some villagers may not be aware of a charity operating in Wiltshire which offers a courtesy home security service for older, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Wiltshire. The Bobby Van Trust aims to reduce the fear of crime and the incidence of burglary and will help in all sorts of potentially threatening situations. Typical situations could be:
They provide comfort and support as well as practical advice, and will even install home security equipment for vulnerable householders. To qualify, a victim will generally be elderly, in some way vulnerable, disadvantaged and not affluent. They can also be potentially at risk of domestic violence. If you believe you know of anyone who would benefit from this support or believe it applies to you, contact the Bobby Van Trust at Chippenham Police Station on 01225 794652. Sue Hart, Clerk - Kington Langley Parish Council
The Coronation Of Queen Elizabeth II This month marks 55 years since the Coronation, the programme of village events in Kington Langley on that day is reproduced below and was sent in by Mrs Betty Bird.
Copies Of ‘The English Garden’ Magazine I have virtually every copy of the glossy monthly gardening magazine, The English Garden, from the first issue in March 1997 to October 2007 (about 115 issues, so quite a bulky amount). A great inspiration for you keen gardeners! If anyone would like to give them a home, please call or e-mail me, as you would be welcome to have them. Sue Hart, 01249 50418 (e-mail: willowskl@tiscali.co.uk)
Bus Service The new timetables are now available, all of which are contained in the new booklet covering the whole of North Wiltshire. All the services are included in the new booklet, which also covers minor corrections and updates, though none of these updates affect the routes 91 and 92. The church, chapel and village hall each have a reference copy of the new booklet. Copies will soon be available from the Information Centre and the Public Library in Chippenham. Don Styles (Tel. 750697)
Some Nearly Men There have been many cricketers who have never made the grade in First Class cricket nor indeed the lower reaches of the game. However, there are men, who through no fault of their own never fulfilled their substantial potential. The New Zealand team are here on tour and are without their fastest bowler, Shane Bond. His appearance on the big screen – Seventeen Tests in seven years – were even more frequent than those of his namesake, James. Shane was very fast and would have been tremendous, he was the fastest New Zealand bowler to take 50 Test Wickets, but his contract was cancelled because of his involvement with the Indian Cricket League. Another ‘nearly’ man was an English Fast medium bowler, Les Jackson of Derbyshire, who took 1.733 at 17.36 in his First Class career. He was described by Ted Dexter as “The greatest bowler I ever faced.” His misfortunes were twofold, firstly he had to compete with Trueman, Statham, Bedser, Tyson and Baily and secondly there were strong suspicions that his exclusion owed much to selection snobbery because he spent his winters coal mining. In many people’s opinion the two most unfortunate ‘nearly’ men are two Australians, both with great cricketing skills, but who were struck down early. Firstly Archie Jackson, many followers of Aussie cricket rated him with the young Bradman. In 1930 before the tour in England the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ described him as “A great present day batsman.” In his debut against England, at the age of just 19, he made 164, but he was only to play eight more Tests. At 21 he contracted Tuberculosis and died at age 23. Then secondly there was Norman Callaway – nobody, not even Bradman came close to Normans First Class average of 207. It came from his one and only innings in First Class cricket at his debut for New South Wales in a match against Queensland at the age of 18. Thirteen wickets had fallen for 154 in the match when Callaway arrived at the crease. He raced to a double century in 3½ hours. This was a great start but it was to be his last match, he died in the First World War in 1917 attacking the Hindenburg Line at the age of just 19. Don Styles
Common Sense We mourn the passing of a beloved old friend COMMON SENSE, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his records have long been lost in bureaucratic red-tape. He is credited with cultivating such abilities as taking the bitter with the sweet, recognising that life is not always fair and that maybe it was my fault after all. Common sense developed some sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn, don’t borrow more than you can repay) and also reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). Common sense’s health declined in the 1960’s when he became infected with the if-it-feels-good-do-it virus. His health further deteriorated when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun-lotion or Elastoplast to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and asked for an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live when the Ten Commandments could not be publicly displayed for fear of giving offence; churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you could not defend yourself in your own home but the burglar could sue for assault. He finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled some in her lap while driving and was awarded massive damages. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason. He is survived by his four step-brothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame and I’m A Victim. Farewell, Common Sense, may you rest in peace.
Because I’m A Man Because I’m a man, when I lock my keys in the car, I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call the AA until long after hypothermia has set in. Because I’m a man, when the car isn’t running very well, I will open the bonnet and stare at the engine as if I know what I’m looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, “I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn’t know where to start.” Because I’m a man, when I catch a cold, I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You never get as sick as I do, so for you this isn’t a problem. Because I’m a man, when one of our appliances stops working, I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair man gets here and has to put it back together again. Because I’m a man, I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole programme while I look for it. Because I’m a man, I don’t think we’re all that lost, and no, I don't think we should stop and ask someone. Why would you listen to a complete stranger? Because I’m a man, I think what you're wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without it looks fine. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now? Because I’m a man, and this is, after all, the new millennium, I will share equally in the housework. You just do the laundry, the cooking, the gardening, the cleaning, the vacuuming, the shopping and the dishes, and I’ll do the rest.
Economical To Amazing Victorian Fruit Cake Ingredients
Method
And now something unusual Party Cake 1920
The mind boggles; Joyce says it would be made the same way as a Christmas Cake, but how to cope with it all. My suggestion is to enjoy the read and drink the whisky Don Styles
Boil And Bake Fruit Cake Several ladies in the village have suggested that this recipe should be included in the next Village Magazine. My dear lady, like many others, is an avid cake maker and found the recipe and was intrigued by the statement that the Baker said “That it was the only cake she dared to take to France.” It has been a great success and many others have made it and the recipe has been passed on to other villages even as far as Yorkshire. 225g (8 fl oz) water You will need an 8/9"cake tin
I have eaten many of these cakes and they are really good and different. Don Styles
A Few Copies Available A publisher in Canada has sent to me a few copies of my illustrated book, 214 pages with index, entitled “Survival in Japanese POW camps with Changkol and Basket” When the original English Publisher went out of business a few villagers had expressed a desire to have a copy. At last this omission can now be remedied. Should anyone like more details you might care to phone me or my wife Jean or slip around to 8 Wayside Close. Ernie Darch (Tel. 750227)
Public Houses The recent flooding of The Plough by water that flowed uphill provoked much discussion. Happily all is nearly well and things are almost back to normal. So, on the subject of Public Houses I have put together some things that you may find interesting. The oldest Pub in England is ‘The Olde Fighting Cocks’ in St Albans and is said to date from 795, being rebuilt in 1485. The cockfighting pit is now a bar. Another contender as the oldest Pub is ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ in Nottingham. Part of its premises was once a malt house cut from the rock of Nottingham Castle NS DATES FROM 1189. The Pub acquired its name because Richard the Lionheart gathered his Knights at the castle before his journey to Jerusalem to fight in the Third Crusade. The highest Inn in England is the ‘Tan Hull Inn’, 1742 feet (531 metres) above sea level, north of Kield in Yorkshire and located on the route of the Pennine Way. The smallest Pub is the ‘Nutshell’ in Bury St Edmunds which measures just 15ft by 7ft 6ins (4.6 by 2.3 metres). Pub signs derive from the Roman practice of advertising the profession of a building in a Terracotta relief. The earliest names could therefore be the ‘Bush’ or ‘Vine’ after the Roman motif used to designate a drinking house. The most common Pub names are the ‘Red Lion’ and ‘The Crown’. The earliest Pubs called the ‘Red Lion’ referred to the badge of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of Edward III, but many more were created by James I to popularise his rule. The ‘Rose and Crown’ became popular in response to the growth of ‘Red Lions’, it showed loyalty, not only to the Scottish King of England, but to the English nation, represented by the Rose. The name ‘The Crown’ showed loyalty to the English Crown. Since the Middle Ages it has been the job of the ‘Ale-Conner’ to test the quality of a Pubs beer by donning a pair of leather breeches and sitting in a puddle of its Best Bitter which has been poured on to any flat surface. When he has finished he gets up and examines the trousers for stickiness which indicates the alcoholic content of the beer. Four ‘Ale-Conners’ are still chosen annually by London’s liverymen. Don Styles
Concessionary Bus Travel Please note the following changes due to come into force from April 2008. The Concessionary Bus Travel Act gained Royal Assent on the 19th July 2007. As a consequence people aged 60 or over or disabled, who are currently entitled to free bus travel within the area where their bus passes were issued, will be entitled to FREE bus travel throughout England from April 2008 (The exact date is yet to be decided). This will not affect the District Councils ability to offer Tokens as a discretionary alternative to a Bus Pass. The NWDC is taking advantage of this power by extending the Free Travel period which is 9.30am to 11.00pm on Mondays to Fridays and all day at weekends to cover the whole day seven days a week. It also enables certain disabled pass holders who need assistance to be accompanied by a ‘carer’ who travels free of charge. Both of these additional concessions will be permitted under the new act. The government intends that local authorities should issue entitled people with new passes of a nationally recognisable design by April 2008 and that councils are funded to cover all expenses and costs. What it means for the Public Who will be able to travel free?
Where will they be able to travel?
Elsewhere in England – From 9.30am until 11.00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends (including cross boundary journeys. Don Styles (Tel. 750697)
State
Pension Entitlements The FAB Team will see clients in the confidence of their own homes, at the home of the clients representative, at a Residential Home or by appointment at the District Council Offices and Libraries. There are 32 members making up the Team led by joint managers, Heather Patrick and Harvey Burns. In the last financial year (April 2006 to April 2007 they made 10,578 visits and helped clients to make claims amounting to £9,012,610.00. If you would like any further help or information please contact Heather Patrick on 01249 706911. I have met this charming lady and know that she would be delighted to hear from you and pleased to be of help to you. Don Styles (Tel. 750697)
Crime Support Have you, or do you know anyone who has been a victim or witness of crime? It can happen to anyone. Victim Support Wiltshire offers free and confidential emotional support, help and information to anyone affected by crime in Swindon and Wiltshire. Last year we offered our support to over 7,500 people who had been victims or witnesses of crime from ABH, theft and burglary to murder. Our services are available to the victim, their family, friends and supporters. Call 01380 729476 for more information. Crime affects people in different ways, and we have 18 years of experience in helping residents in Wiltshire cope. Keep these numbers handy - hopefully it won’t happen to you, but you may know someone that our independent charity can help: Call 01380 729476 for an informal chat if you, or someone you know, would like emotional support or information. We can arrange telephone support, or a visit from one of our trained Community Service Volunteers. Call 01793 484040 for information about court procedures and giving evidence in court - Witness Service. Call FREEPHONE 0808 800 11 44 to talk to someone in confidence about rape or sexual violence. - Rape Support Helpline. All our services are free and confidential. It doesn’t matter when the crime originally occurred or if the crime was reported to the police. Interested in becoming a volunteer or you would like to make a donation to our charity? Contact 01380 729476 for more information. Working together to reduce the fear of crime. Nicky Jupp - PR & Fundraiser Victim Support Wiltshire.
Housing – Council Tax Rebate The Parish Council have been requested to provide an article regarding Council Tax Rebate with particular regard to Pensioners. Council Tax Rebate – If a person is a single occupier in a dwelling aged 18 or over, they can claim a 25% single occupier discount from the Council Tax. A simple form is available from Customer Services at Monkton Park Council Offices. Telelephone 01249 706246. Council Tax Benefit - Council Tax Benefit helps pay towards your Council Tax Bill. Whether you own your own home or pay rent you will probably be liable for Council Tax. If you are on a low income this can be difficult to manage. Council Tax Benefit can cover the bill entirely or pay towards it. Application forms are available from District Services, Monkton Park. Telephone Freephone 08000 270 428. They are most helpful and will even make a home visit to help with claims. The following notes may also be helpful:
Please do contact District Services, they want to help. Don Styles (750697)
Scarecrow Festival 2007 Please click here to find out all about the 2007 Scarecrow Festival
NWDC Garden Refuse Collection Scheme Now Up and Running! North Wiltshire District Council now has enough customers for the new garden waste collection service to start in the village. Fortnightly collections started on Friday 17th August. The brown wheelie bins are pretty big – 240 litres (bigger than our green bins). You can get a fair amount in them so it’s a great way to get rid of your grass cuttings and prunings if you don’t already compost them yourselves and saves on trips to the tip! It’s very environmentally friendly as it will generate compost to Soil Association approved standards. Those now joining the scheme can do so for £25 for full year. For an extra £10 you can have a second bin. NWDC want as many people as possible to participate in order to make the scheme viable so do please encourage your neighbours to join in. To order your bin(s): Or write to: Sue Hart, Parish Clerk
The Annual Langley Revel 2007 Well what a night we chose! It was a night where the British spirit shone through. Thank you to all those brave souls who turned up to support the event, some prepared for rain, and some not. After a good soaking the rain cleared and we were able to cook our food on the barbeques which were so magnificently kept going by Marcell, hero of the evening and winner of the wet T shirt competition. Sadly we all ended up sheltering in our own gazebos so we did not mix as much as usual but we all enjoyed an evening of chatting with friends. At the end we had to ask people to go home so it did not turn out so badly after all. Most importantly thanks must go to John Barnes for the lorry and the wood, Mr and Mrs Gill for supplying the electricity, Don and Warren for all the electrics, the school for the picnic tables and to our band of willing helpers who just turn up and get on with setting up/ taking down the event. Everyone knows what needs to be done and just gets on with it. We couldn’t do it without you. THANK YOU.
Public Transport Co-ordinator Following discussion between Peter Hart and Mrs Stephanie Briggs I have agreed to take over responsibility as Public Transport Co-ordinator. The local bus service usage is increasing as is the bus services provided by North Wilts bus services. However many people are not aware of the following service that is available: Free Bus Pass or Travel Tokens – If you are over 60 or disabled this scheme applies to you. The bus pass gives free travel on all local bus services in Wiltshire and also now includes Swindon. You can travel further afield too, for example, to Bath and Cirencester, provided your bus journey starts or finishes in Wiltshire or Swindon and does not involve a change of service outside of this area. Bus Pass application forms can be obtained from Chippenham Post Office or Monkton Park Council Offices. To obtain your pass you will need: The completed form, a recent passport sized photograph and relevant proof of your age. Once you have your bus pass it can be renewed each year, there will be no need for a further passport photograph. Bus timetables have been combined into one simple guide for all bus services in North Wiltshire. Copies of this timetable are available from the Library or from the information rack at the Village Hall. The timetables are now better co-ordinated, for instance, The Great Western Outlet Village and Swindon Bus Station have three buses an hour from Chippenham Bus Station or Railway Station. It is easy to use one of these to connect with the local service No. 91. Please also the item on Public Transport Bus Trips Don Styles (750697)
Air Ambulance Please note that as from the 1st of August the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal office address will be: Appeal Administration
Assistant
Carers Support North Wiltshire Do you spend time looking after a relative, child, partner or friend who has a disability or an illness? If so, then you are a Carer and this is for you. Carers Support North Wilts can provide:
For a free confidential
service contact Tel: 01249 444110 email:office@carersnw.co.uk
Doorway Moving on from Homelessness in North Wiltsire Doorway is a successful partnership between The Salvation Army, Chippenham Corps and CVS North Wiltshire. We run a drop-in day centre in Chippenham, twice a week for single adults who are homeless; threatened with homelessness; or have complex problems, such as mental health issues, debt, substance use and poor life skills, which are likely to affect their ability to acquire or sustain a tenancy. Doorway is the only specialist service for this client group in North Wilts and is funded from a variety of charitable, church and statutory sources, as well as donations from individuals. Most of our staff are volunteers who bring a wide variety of skills and life experiences to the task. Homelessness is often an invisible problem in rural areas like North Wiltshire. Doorway is working on plans to ensure that it will remain open and to continue to develop more services which will teach guests new skills enabling them to “open more doors” and move on in their lives. The Friends of Doorway are a small, self-supporting team of volunteers in the local community who give time, energy or resources to raise the profile of the drop-in centre and to generate much needed funds. They organise social events and are currently launching our recycling appeal for used mobile phones and ink cartridges. The Friends of Doorway plan, during 2007, to recruit more volunteers in order to ensure that their very valuable contribution to the funding of the centre continues. They are looking for people with a little time to spare to help with social events, street collections etc as well as volunteer speakers who are willing to talk to schools or community groups about the important work that Doorway is doing. For further information about Doorway, the ways in which you can support The Friends of Doorway, or if you are able to donate ink cartridges or old mobile phones which can be recycled please: Tel. 01249 445385 or email. info©doorwayproject.org.uk Or go to our website at www.doorwayproject.org.uk
Have Your Say on Health in Your Area Do you want to try something new, to do something to help your community, or to improve your job prospects? If you’re 18 years or over, interested in health and use health services in your local area, you could volunteer with a Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) Forum.
So if you want to
Get in touch with us today! Commission for Patient & Public Involvement in Health www.cppih.org - 0845 1207111 - enquiriessw@cppih.org
I have been asked for examples of bus connections, especially for those that might be of help to the over 60’s.
Village – Chippenham – Devizes
Village – Chippenham – Swindon There is an alternative route which is very scenic running through the villages. Take the 91 from the Hit or Miss at 9.10 to Little Somerford shelter arriving at 9.38am, then wait on bus for connection, number 31, to Outlet at Swindon. Return from Outlet or Swindon Bus Station at 1.25pm, then catch the 91 bus from Little Somerford arriving back in the village at 2.35pm.
Village – Chippenham – Bath Every half hour the 231 or 232 runs from Chippenham to Bath going via Corsham and Box. For example, take the 91 from the Hit or Miss at 9.16am alight at Railway Station and then pick up the 232 at 9.41, this gives you more time than going to the Bus Station. Return from Bath at 1.48pm for connection back to the village. Alternatively take the number 31 single decker bus from the Bus Station, Bay 2. For example taking the 91 from the Hit or Miss at 9.16am pick up the 31 at 9.35am from the Bus Station arriving at Bath Railway Station at 10.30am. To return buses leave Bath for Chippenham at 1.05pm, 1.35pm or 2.05pm. I hope that this information has been helpful to you, it’s easy. Don Styles (750697)
The New Mid Wilts Way Never straying outside the county border, the new ‘Mid Wilts Way’ (MWW), researched and designed by James Alsop from Wiltshire College, Trowbridge, is a 55 mile route that takes in some of Wiltshire’s finest countryside and downland areas. At its eastern end the walk starts/finishes in the exquisite village of Wootton Rivers, located between Marlborough and Pewsey, just to the East of the Pewsey Downs. 55 glorious miles away the route starts/finishes right in the heart of the pretty village of Mere; the Angel Corner Café serving as the ideal spot to contemplate what has been achieved or what lies ahead. Downland hill tops provide dramatic views for much of the way, and nine lovely villages offer a rich, contrasting alternative, along with delightful refreshment and accommodation options. The route is now officially open and has been waymarked with discrete MWW discs. It has been divided into ten individual stages, which can be walked on an out and back basis if preferred.
Please click on each of the above stage to download. Finally, if you do take to the trail, please be aware of landowners concerns and avoid walking in large groups or with dogs, unless they are on a lead and under strict control. Enjoy your walk, and don’t be surprised if the prospect of walking the entire route becomes an irresistible one! Feedback on the walk would be most welcome, so if you have any comments to make, either good or bad, please contact James Alsop at: kate-james@alsop189.fsnet.co.uk.
Could
You Make Time To Volunteer You could help people of all ages, get involved in group tasks, volunteer indoors or outdoors, the list is endless. To find out more contact the Volunteer Centre North Wiltshire. Phone: 01249 654089,
Email: Vanessa@cvsnw.org.uk Or pop into to see us at 3-4 New Road Chippenham, SN15 1EJ
Kington St Michael Village Shop becomes “Community Owned” The village shop in Kington St Michael has just become a community shop, owned by the community and staffed, initially, by volunteers from the village and beyond. The handover took place on Saturday 28th April and the shop has been spring cleaned and completely rearranged, with new stock coming in over the next couple of weeks. It is also hoped to stock more local products and crafts. Currently the shop offers a good range of food, confectionery and household goods at reasonable prices, a good number of which are lower than those in local supermarkets for identical goods. The new opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm. Please do bear with us in the first couple of weeks as we find our feet; in other words, please don’t moan – volunteer to help! Please note that the Post Office is run separately and its opening hours have not changed The shop will be run as an Industrial & Provident Society, with shares available to buy at £5 each and will be known as “Kington St Michael Village Shop Ltd”. Each shareholder will be entitled to one vote. If you would like to buy shares in the shop please register your interest by contacting Linda Durno on 01249 750514. The new telephone number for the shop will be 01249 750181.
Platinum The three precious metals are gold, silver and platinum. They will always have a bullion value, which means that they will always be worth something regardless of what they have been fashioned into. Platinum has always been the less well known and slightly mysterious. The following may clear the detail: Platinum is, as is well known, a silvery coloured metal occurring naturally, typically as small grains within nickel ore. Large veins have been discovered in the Ural Mountains and the gold mines of Columbia. The Spanish Conquistadors first brought platinum to Europe from South America in the 16th century. Although there is no reason, apart from the high expense, why a piece of jewellery should not be entirely of platinum, it is more commonly used these days for setting high quality stones into high carat gold jewellery . There are two reasons for using platinum for this purpose: firstly the stones are more secure in the hard platinum setting and secondly, most stones, especially diamonds, appear brighter when offset against a platinum background. Stones set in gold often take on a dull yellowish hue, which is considered less attractive than the sparkling effect that platinum creates. To distinguish platinum from silver, simply look for the abbreviation ‘PLAT’ that should be stamped somewhere on the piece. Platinum has also been used to make watches and coins. Watch cases, especially pocket watches were at one time all made of metal, usually silver, gold and platinum, which means that even if the watch is not working it will still have a bullion value. At the cheaper end of the scale gunmetal was used. The coins made from platinum were unique to Russia. Nicholas I became Czar in 1825 and instituted a new coinage of high value denominations. His 3, 6 and 12 rouble coins, made from platinum, were struck from 1828 to 1845. This series of coins were not popular as they were not as attractive as gold or silver coins and in 1845 they agreed to redeem them for new gold and silver roubles. These platinum coins are now rare and worth considerable amounts of money. Don Styles
Ancestry The widespread interest in people’s ancestry has grown over the last few years. Provided that your family has lived in Great Britain for at least the last couple of centuries, then there is a reasonably good chance that you may be able to trace back your family line for 200 to 300 years. Many people are keen to find that they have Norman blood in their family line and a very large proportion of families can trace their families back to Norman descent. But the families that can claim their ancestors were at Senlae Hill can be numbered on one hand. These consist of the Giffards and the Malets in the ‘Landed Gentry’ and the De Marris along with the Gresleys of Drakelow who are in the ‘Peerage’. These are the only families who can prove that their descent in the male line was from an ancestor at Hastings. Though the Curzons also claim this for their family line it cannot be proven. There are four family lines that stand out who were here before the Norman Conquest: The Berkeleys (in Scotland Barclay) of Berkeley Castle, whose descent was from Eadnoth the Staller, chamberlain to Edward the Confessor. He was killed fighting at Bristol in 1068 having changed his allegiance to William. Wilberforce, a family famous for its lead in the anti-slavery movement. Their ancestor was a soldier who had the distinction of fighting at both Stamford Bridge and at Hastings. The Swintons, who moved to Scotland to avoid the Normans. Their ancestors were the Edulfing or rulers of the district between the Tyne and the Forth and confirmed by Alfred the Great. Their resistance was not a success and they had the good sense to move north. Last is the great Arden family. Their descent is from Aelfwine, Sheriff of Warwickshire before the Conquest. The Domesday Book shows they had great possessions both before and after the Norman Conquest. From this family line comes Mary Arden the mother of William Shakespeare. It seems appropriate that the greatest of English poets should have been born of a family of proven and undiluted English pre-conquest stock, the oldest pedigree in England. Don Styles |
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So,
the first year of what in effect is a four year financial plan has
successfully been delivered. This has included the provision of grants
to a variety of village organisations and activities. We have also, of
course completed the much needed new footpath around the very
dangerous church bend. For this project a grant was obtained from the
Area Board matched by Parish Council funding that was provided from
reserves.
