ON WAYS OF SEEING.

 

I have these amazing very light binoculars which have slowed me down considerably when walking. The old pair slowed me down because I grumbled at their weight if I was carrying them. The new set slow me down because of the way I’m seeing and so the way I’m looking.

I no longer need to concentrate on slightly blurred shapes and flight patterns to decide what birds I’m seeing. If I stop and look through my binoculars I see at first two circles, as I then focus my view I can see birds and detail where I’ve not been able to do so before. The delight in the distinctiveness of the pattern of the underneath of a buzzard or the glory of the slightly punked up blue of a blue tit or the vibrant colour of a yellow hammer and the variations on a skylark are now all within my vision. The second lightweight pair also means we can both have binoculars and I now no longer take quite as long to manage to switch to a focus that works with my varifocals.

I haven’t stopped seeing the beauty of the larger picture when I walk but I’m slowed down by the delight of the small details, and now see for certain when I’ve got identification through song correct, as well as when I haven’t.

I also love watching wildlife documentaries, aware that I’m enabled by the work and patience of others to see those creatures that I will never see in the flesh, and that may, through extinction, move in my lifetime beyond the being seen in the flesh by any human.

These two delights remind me that the patience in focussing, the learning I’ve begun on birdsong, the waiting to find the blurred bird and transform it into sharp detail are part of why I value what I see. For on television I can take for granted the beauty and forget the time and effort that went into capturing this on camera. But when I walk myself with my binoculars to hand, I stop, I listen, I look and then I realise:  it is looking with care, that helps us to see with love.

The Reverend Rachma Abbott Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.

The Vicarage Clyffe Pypard, SWINDON SN4 7PY.  01793 731134

CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE

The Parochial Church Council would like to thank everyone who came to the work morning in May. Also, many thanks to others who have spent time working in the churchyard during the month. Good progress has been made and many favourable comments have been received on the improved appearance. The next work morning will be held on 17 June from 9.30 to 12.30.

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS

Future coffee morning dates:

Wednesday 14^th June and Wednesday 28^th June

Wednesday 12^th July and Wednesday 26^th July

We will not be open in August this year but will open as usual in September.

Thanks to everyone for coming – if you haven’t joined us yet, why not come in June!

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

30^th May                        PC Annual Parish Meeting

7^th June                         Stall in RWB

8^th June                         General Election

14^th June                       Community Coffee Morning

17^th June                       BT School Summer Fair

17^th June                       Hilmarton Moviola

21^st June                       WI National Garden Scheme Visit

24^th June                       Gentlemen’s Breakfast Club

24^th June                       SupaNova Concert

28^th June                       Community Coffee Morning

12^th July                        Community Coffee Morning

20^th July                        Leavers Service and Last Day of School

26^th July                        Community Coffee Morning

2^nd Sept                        Back to School

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING

A big thank you to everyone who supported this event. We raised £329 for church funds.

MARKET STALL

On the 7^th June in Wootton Bassett we are having a stall at the Wednesday Market.  Any funds raised will go towards the roof project.  If you have any items to dispose of such as good order bric-a-brac, good quality clothes etc. or have any plants or can make a cake please contact Judy Rendell on 01793 731341

LET’S RAISE THE ROOF

On Saturday 24^th June, They are Back.  You enjoyed them at the 2015 Harvest Supper so now they are back to help us raise the roof.

The concert will start at 7.30pm in the Church. The cost is just £5.00 including a free glass of wine. There will be refreshments (and a loo).

There will be music for every-one plus a surprise or two.

So, a fun evening is planned - just come to join in.

POO-LIGANS

You know who you are!  Yes, the ones who allow their dogs to Poo on the pavement. Yes, you do pick it up - so why do you leave it there and not either take it home or put it in the appropriate bin.

The neighbours in Redhills do not appreciate your behaviour.

 

 

LAUNCH OF BRAND NEW 100 CLUB LOTTERY

A number of applications have been received to join the 100 club but we need more people before we can set a starting date. Once we have received 50 applications we will then inform everyone when prize draws will commence. After that we will continue to accept applications which will enable us to increase the amount of the prizes. For more information or to obtain an application form, please contact Fiona Holness, Tel: 01793 850562 (mobile 07833 683444) or Ray Manley Tel: 01793 731564

BROAD TOWN SCHOOL SUMMER FAIR

Broad Town School Association’s Annual Summer Fair being held on Saturday 17^th June 2017 at Broad Town School from 1pm-4pm will hold a British Bake-off competition with two categories: -

1) Best tasting Victoria Sponge

2) Best decorated Cake.

For all of you who wish to show your green fingered skills, we will also be holding a competition for: -

Best cut Garden Flower.

All entries to be submitted on the day by 1:30pm for a small donation. Cakes will be auctioned off to raise additional funds if agreed by the entrant.

Judging and prize presentation will take place during the Fair.

All enquiries to Cathy Hancock-Angell email cathy1982@icloud.com

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

On Monday 15^th May the newly elected Broad Town Parish Council held its first meeting. The elected councillors are Sandra Hartley, Brian Joyce, Colin Rendell, Rupert Pearce, Malcolm Holland, Jackie Jordan and Simon Billis. Following light refreshments and the requisite signing of the acceptance of office, the outgoing chairman, Councillor Alison Bucknell (many thanks to Alison for her short spell in the chair) presided over the election of the new Chairman and Jackie Jordan was voted in unanimously. Sandra Hartley was voted in as vice chairman. An overview of the financial position of the Parish Council was given by the temporary clerk Linda Roberts who confirmed that measures are being put in place to improve accounting and governance.

It is a legal requirement for the Annual Meeting of the Parish to take place before the 1^st June 2017. The Parish Council agreed that the best date for the meeting would be the 30^th May 2017 and that the date, and purpose of the meeting, would be publicised as widely as possible in the time available. 

All Broad Town residents are welcome to attend all Parish Council meetings.  The Parish Council is committed to make its meeting as friendly, inclusive, and welcoming as possible. It is hoped to have refreshments available.

Councillor Simon Billis

 

BROAD TOWN WI

Our speaker in May was Alistair Garrard. Alistair is a former RAF Dog Handler and Trainer. He told us how after he joined the RAF he spent some time as an ‘intruder’ complete with padded jacket – getting regularly attacked by guard dogs in training! He had a very interesting career which took him to Cyprus, (where his RAF base was attacked by gunmen), Baghdad, Afghanistan, St Kitts, Malaysia and Kenya – some of that time spent with private security companies. While in the RAF he was in the Dog Demonstration Team and also trained dogs and handlers for Firearms & Explosives detection and Drug detection for Customs searches. He was joined by his Golden Retriever Dexter who was charming and very popular with the audience.

This month (June 21st) we will be visiting a National Garden Scheme garden in Allington.

We are a friendly group and are always happy to welcome new members. If you are unsure if the WI is right for you why not give it a go. Our meetings are generally held in the Village Hall on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30. If you would like to come along please call Annette on 01793 739021. We are also on the Broad Town Village website and on Facebook.

CHURCH ROOF PROJECT

We are delighted to announce that with the aid of grants and the generosity of members of the community we are now able to proceed with the necessary repairs required to the church roof on the north side of the building. Once we have received up to date estimates, permissions etc we will be able give instructions to begin the work. We will keep you updated through this monthly newsletter.

FOUR WAYS: YOUR COMMUNITY PUB in Broad Town Village Hall  

BINGO EVERY SUNDAY – open 7.15pm; eyes down 8pm; last ball 9.45pm

Support your local non-profit Bingo: unlike commercial games, every pound you flutter is returned to our players: stakes from £1.25, prizes can be as much as £50. More participants = bigger winnings! Never played? Doesn’t matter: it’s easy for beginners – we’ll show you how!

EVERY FRIDAY BAR 8.15pm-late – EVERYONE WELCOME    Table tennis, pool, dartboard and table football – FREE TO PLAY. Classic 60s-90s music vids or sports on our two-metre cinema screen. Draught pints, wine, spirits, fruit juice, squash, fizzy drinks, Aero hot chocolate, Tetley tea, Nescafe cappuccino, coffee & decaf always available. Our fully licensed bar is available for your village hall event (at least two weeks’ notice required). Contact: Trevor on 01793 731699 email fourwaysbroadtown@gmail.com • ‘Like’ us on facebook.com/FourWaysBroadTown

 

PROSPECT BOXES

Thank you to everyone for their continued support which resulted in a total of £365.00 being collected in Broad Town and has been taken to the Prospect Hospice

If you do not already have a box and are looking for somewhere to put your loose change, please ask me for one and I will happily collect it from you twice a year and pass the money to the Hospice. 

Margaret Manley Tel: 01793 731564

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film on Saturday 17^th June is “Lion” (PG) at 7.30pm in Hilmarton Parish Church Hall. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £6 from 27 Poynder Place 01249 760215 email MarkRickaby2@gmail.com Or 34 Church Road Hilmarton.

For more information call 01249 760312, hilmartonmoviola@hotmail.co.uk.

GENTLEMAN’S FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST CLUB

24^th June 2017 at the Duke public house in Hilmarton. Doors open at 9:00am for 9:30am start. £7pp. + a raffle.

At the newsletter submission cut-off date, no speaker for the June meeting has been arranged. This will be the last meeting before the summer break. I am sure Dave will pull something together in time for the event so let’s say the talk will be a mystery.

Contact David May, davemay104@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to attend.

BROAD TOWN BIG GIG 2017 – SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

Now that all the bands have been confirmed, we are moving on with other plans ahead of the Big Gig.

This year’s event will feature a wider range of food stalls to cater for all tastes.

We are also planning some fundraising events in the Village Hall, so please look out for announcements about these.

If you would like to get in touch with us you can do so via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheBroadTownBigGig.

Please also visit our website www.thebroadtownbiggig.co.uk.  This will be kept updated with all the latest news on the Big Gig.

Our next meeting will take place on Friday 12 May at 8.30 pm in the Village Hall and we welcome anybody at all who would like to come along. Hope to see you there.

HELLO

Just a quick word to remind you all that I am around for general help and support on a wide variety of issues including transport, mobility and safety around the home and reducing the feeling of loneliness.  Give me a call on 07557 922020 and leave a message.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ellen Blacker, Health and Wellbeing Champion

BIG PLEDGE IS BACK

Wiltshire’s Big Pledge is back for 2017 and this year’s free challenge, which encourages people of all ages to get more active, has a World Athletics Championships theme.

Wiltshire’s Big Pledge: London Calling is celebrating the World Athletics Championships coming to London for the first time this summer, with a series of challenges to help encourage individuals and teams of all ages and abilities to get active, get out and have fun. This year, participants will complete set distances to collect the flags of 30 countries that will be taking part in the championships.

The challenge starts on 5 June and runs right through to 30 July and we want you and your friends to get involved. You can sign up from Monday (8 May) and there are a great range of challenges, including:

Beginners challenge NEW multi-sport activity (run, swim, walk, cycle, fitness class). (Individuals).  Walking challenge (Individuals).  Swimming challenge (Individuals)

Want to take part? From 8 May please go to The Big Pledge website and click on the ‘Sign Up’ button.  Good luck!’

Ellen Blacker, Health and Wellbeing Champion

THE GUILD OF WILTSHIRE ARTISTS

Run workshops at the Village Hall on every first Friday and third Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm.  All are welcome including painters who are beginners. The cost is still £5 per person per session which includes tea/coffee and biscuits but do bring a packed lunch.  Help will be given to those who request it.

Contact Jim Dowton 850029 or Roy Davey 731154