ON PIGS AND PEARLS

I don’t have pearls in any great quantity, nor, come to that do I keep pigs, although I have taken much pleasure recently in watching some young piglets wallowing in mud in the sunshine.  It has made me ponder the expression about ‘casting your pearls before swine’.

Although I’m aware of the biblical background to this proverbial idiom*, my gut response is still to wonder why would anyone consider doing this?

Is this a sign of over-valuing the pigs or of under-valuing the pearls?  Is it fear of the pigs or the possession of an abundant quantity of pearls that makes someone throw these jewels into the mud, where the action of casting them might seem reminiscent to the pigs of the way a farmer throws the pignuts?

And before leaping too easily to a reading of pigs and pearls as stand-in signs for something or someone else I find myself wondering am I holding the pearls or wallowing with the pigs?

Maybe the key to behaving so that we neither waste pearls nor behave swinishly is to remember that when we value ourselves we care for others better too.

*Matthew 7:6 ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

The Reverend Rachma Abbott Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.

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

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

10^th July            Parish Council meeting

12^th July            Community Coffee morning

14^th July            Broad Town Hop

15^th July            Hilmarton Moviola

18^th - 20^th July    A3102 night-time road closures

19^th July            WI meeting

20^th July            Leavers service and Last Day of School

30^th Aug            Community Coffee morning

4^th Sep              Back to School

9^th Sep              Church Coffee morning

9^th Sep              “Ride and Stride”

13^th Sep            Community Coffee morning

27^th Sep            Community Coffee morning

 

MARKET STALL

Our thanks go to Judy Rendell and her valiant assistants for raising about £130 on the stall on the 7^th June.

 

 

CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE

Thank you to everyone who attended in June.  A number of favourable comments have been received on the improvements over the past few months and to maintain this we will be getting together again on 15 July, 2 September and 28 October.  Please come along if you are free. For more details, contact Ray Manley Tel. 731564

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS

Wednesday 26th July - we will be closed as the Village Hall is being decorated. Instead we will open on Wednesday 30th August when you can come and see the new look hall!  All will be back to normal in September.

July

Wednesday 12th July open as usual

August

Wednesday 30th August open with activities for children

September

Wednesday 13th September open as usual

Wednesday 27th September open as usual

Look forward to seeing you all

 

ROAD CLOSURE

Following on from the completion of Network Rail’s recent works in Royal Wootton Basset, Network Rail will be returning to undertake reinstatement of the carriageway surface over 3 night time closures between 21h00 and 06h00 on the 18.07.17 to 20.07.17. Network Rail have issued the following statement.

Following the successful upgrades to the Hunts Mill Bridge and Bath Road bridges in Royal Wootton Bassett, Network Rail now plans to return and change the road surface to ensure compliance.

This requires Network Rail to work overnight from July 18 to 20 and the temporary link road will serve as a diversionary route throughout the work.

We would like to thank the residents of Royal Wootton Bassett for bearing with us and apologise for any inconvenience caused by the overnight road closures.

 

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING

The next time the café is open will be the 9^th September at the usual time of 10am till 12noon.

There will be the usual scrumptious refreshments and enticing raffle.  This time we will have quite a few books for sale.  The date was chosen to coincide with the “Ride and Stride” for Wiltshire Historic Churches trust.

 

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

Recognising the concerns raised, a priority of the Parish Council is to put in place measures to control vehicles speeding through the village.  One of these previously suggested by Wiltshire Council is to construct build outs at various locations.  Following a recent survey by Wiltshire Councils highway engineers it has now been established that build outs are impractical for Broad Town.  As an alternative the Parish Council has decided to investigate the installation of SIDs (Speed Indicating Devices) throughout the village.  A proposal is be put together by the Parish Council and if appropriate, funding sought.

The Parish Council information leaflet is to be revised, reprinted, and distributed to all households in the village. Apart from useful names and numbers i.e. utilities doctors etc, local groups and organisations are listed. If any group or organisation wishes its contact detail to be included in the leaflet, then please let Simon Billis (simon.billis@btinternet.com 731188) know.

Since the last meeting the Parish Council have attended the Royal Wootton Bassett area board and CATG meetings.  The Area board is a very important provider of funding for local groups and organisations.  CATG deals with road and transport issues

Building on the very successful Annual Parish meeting held on 30th May 2017 it has been decided to produce and send out a short newsletter highlighting the points raised at the meeting and what the Parish Council intend to do to move forward with the matters arising and the concerns raised.  The Council are keen to receive applications for funding from the Community fund from community groups in the Village. Application forms and more details can be obtained from the interim Clerk, Linda Roberts (strebor1504@outlook.com). Applications will be considered at the Parish Council meeting on 11^th September.  Finally, Linda Roberts is our temporary clerk but unfortunately she cannot stay forever.  We are looking to complete the Parish Council with the appointment of a salaried Parish Clerk.  We would welcome applications from people in the village.  This role is vital in the success of the Parish Council.  The clerk is responsible for managing the Council’s finances and accounts, preparing meeting agendas and minutes, providing advice to the Council, and implementing decisions made.  This paid position requires about five hours per week.  The successful candidate will be supported in completing a Certificate in Local Council Administration.  For further information or to apply for the post please contact Jackie Jordan (jjordanbtpc@gmail.com).  Please attach a CV if you have one.  Further details have been posted on the village notice boards.

Our next Parish Council meeting is on Monday July 10^th at 6.30pm.  Refreshments will be available and all are welcome.

 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film on Saturday 15^th July is “Jackie” (15) 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.

Visit our website at www.moviola.org

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 73156

 

BROAD TOWN WI

For our meeting last month we went to visit Allington Grange’s garden in Allington.  This is a National Garden Scheme garden which was opened specially for our visit.  We had an enjoyable hour or so admiring the lovely planting and colour scheme and afterwards visited a local pub garden to enjoy the last of the lovely sunny day.

This month (July 19th) we will be back in the Village Hall to enjoy an Indian Cooking demonstration and talk by Savita Ladva.

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 7.30pm.  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.

 

BROAD TOWN BIG GIG 2017 – SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

The Big Gig is on track for 9 September with a line up confirmed and there is something for everyone. See the attached flier for more information.

We are aiming for a family festival feel again and will have a children's entertainer and other activities for young and us older people too.

The usual food and refreshment outlets will be available with the addition of the Crown doing some catering.

Tickets will go on sale shortly Adults £19.50, Children 12 to 17 .£12.50, Under.12 Free.  See the Big Gig Website or Facebook page for more information.

We are looking for sponsors for the event so if you run your own business and would like to sponsor the event please contact Paul on 07974573815 or email paulgranger4@btinternet.com to discuss what we can do for you in return.  Any sponsorship will help us donate more money for local organisations and the Prospect Hospice and Air Ambulance Charities.

Don't forget the Broad Town Hop being held at the Village Hall on 14 July.  Big Gig tickets will be on Sale at the event.

 

 

 

RIDE AND STRIDE 2017

This year the sponsored Cycle, Walk, Horse–ride (however you fancy travelling except by car!) around Wiltshire Churches and Chapels will take place on Saturday 9^th September.  If you feel energetic and would like to raise funds for Christ Church Broad Town and historic churches throughout Wiltshire, this is for you!

Visit as many churches in Wiltshire as you can while enjoying our beautiful countryside and raising money.  Many churches are open for refreshments including Broad Town and some have toilet facilities.  Sponsor money is shared between our Village Church and the Historic Churches Trust who this year have made a donation of £3000 towards the Church Roof Fund.

Last year we were able to send £282 thanks to a valiant Broad Town cyclist!

If you would like to participate this year, further details and sponsorship forms are available from Carolyn on 852754

 

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

 

LEGO Cards

Have you all kept your LEGO cards? Are you still missing a few? Would you like to swap within the Village? 

I am prepared to act as a “clearing station” for the Village.

Let me know the numbers you are missing and the numbers of the spares you have and I will try to match people up together.

My grandson has a load of spares for me to start with.  My e-mail address is

margaretgreen@waitrose.com so I look forward to hearing from anyone who has a frustrated child because you only need a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMHERST CONTRACTORS

Amherst Contractors are a professional Local Authority Approved Contractor with a wealth of experience for over 20 years.

Local to Broad Town are we offer key services including;-Digger Services 1-20 ton, excavation and all ground works.  Ditches, Soak away, Drainage and Septic tank excavation / installation.  Complete pumping systems, pond construction and Landscaping.  Professional Tree Surgery all ground maintenance and erection of Fencing.  Gravel and compost supply, driveways and much more.

To enquire further and for a free no obligation quote call Francis on Mobile 07921 856089 or office; 01793 772268.

Email-amherstcontractors@hotmail.co.uk

 

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