ON FOOLS AND COMMUNITY

April the first is April Fools’ Day and also, this year, Easter Day.

I and many others in these village communities will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.  This alone might be enough in the eyes of some people to make all Christians fools, even after midday.

The earliest fools for Christ were a small group of friends who had got to know Jesus in first century Palestine.  They were foolish enough to follow him around; but they were, according to most accounts, wise enough to run away when the danger became too much and his execution by the Roman authorities was on the cards.

This foolishness, if that is indeed what it is, then the returns when some of those same friends speak of their experience that Jesus, although executed, is indeed alive, and continued speaking of this, their reality, at the risk of their own lives.

It has always provoked my curiosity for some of Jesus’ friends their experience of grief and loss within this community of followers lead them to such a wildly foolish, indeed impossible claim.  Out of such foolishness an amazing community of love and service grew.  It may often seem that modern Christians aren’t quite foolish enough anymore to love and serve as freely and as fully as those first Christians and I hope that Easter will revive in us throughout April a willingness to love and serve with wild foolishness the communities of which we are a part, however small.

So whether as you munch on chocolate or boiled eggs you go for the appropriateness of April Fools Day for the Easter feast or ponder on the amazing way foolishness changed lives I hope you find joy and hope revive in the folly of a day that celebrates and promises life and love surviving beyond any challenge.

Happy Easter

The Reverend Rachma Abbott Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.

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

 

WHITE HORSE LIMING – 8^th APRIL

White Horse liming place will take place on Sunday 8^th April.  The plan is to meet at the end of Chapel Lane at 9.30am or at the Horse at 10am.

Protective equipment will be provided at the site in the form of eye protection and a face mask.  All participants are requested to wear appropriate footwear and work gloves.  If possible they should also bring a tool that can be used for removing weeds or for spreading the lime.

The event will be open to all those who wish to be involved with the only stipulation being that participants should be physically fit and in good health.

Bob Clarke has very kindly agreed that at the conclusion of the liming on the Sunday, tea and cakes will be provided in his garden for all participants and supporters.  It is anticipated that this will be at about 12.30pm.

Would anyone who wishes to be involved please contact Andrew Law on 731472 or andrewlaw456@gmail.com  . Fuller details will then be provided to all volunteers.

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

8^th April             White Horse Tidy and Liming

9^th April             PC Meeting

16^th April           Back to School

20^th April           BT Grand Pub Games Competition

21^st April           Hilmarton Moviola

21^st April           RAF Celebrations @ Lyneham

22^nd April           Annual Parish Church Meeting

22^nd April           White Horse Cycle Challenge

29^th April           Dog Show @ Goatacre

30^th April           Annual Parish Meeting

7^th May              Plant Fair and Open Garden, Bushton Manor

19^th May            “Sparkle for Markle” Royal Wedding Celebrations

25^th May            End of School Term

26^th May            Next Gentlemen’s Full English Breakfast Club

27^th May            Vintage Vehicle and ‘Classics in Waiting’ event @ Cotmarsh

1^st June             Quiz night BT Village Hall

6^th June             Market Stall

15^th June           Chippenham Male Voice Choir Concert

 

ROOF PROJECT UPDATE

We are now embarking upon stage two of this project - carrying out repairs to the damaged floor, caused by the leaking roof.  A survey has been carried out and dry rot has been detected which requires urgent attention.  Estimates are currently being sought to find out the likely cost of the necessary work and what fundraising we need to carry out.  There may be some disruption when the work starts but we will of course keep everyone informed through the Broad Town News.  If anyone would like to know more details, please contact Ray Manley Tel. 01793 731564.

 

WORK MORNING IN CHURCHYARD

Thank you to all those who came along in March despite the bad weather.  Thanks also to Nigel for getting the grass cut for the first time this year.  We plan to have regular monthly work mornings and if you would like to come along, please email raymanley1@btinternet.com or telephone 731564 and you will be advised of the next date.

 

 

 

DORSET & WILTSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE

FREE Safe and Well Visits to provide safety advice in your own home and provide/install free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  All staff will be in uniform and will carry id.  Call freephone 0800 038 2323 to book your visit.

 

BROAD TOWN WI

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.  We are on the Broad Town Village website and on Facebook where you can find details of upcoming speakers and events.

If you would like more information please call Annette on 01793 739021.

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING

It has been lovely to see new faces joining our regulars at the coffee mornings and we look forward to seeing you all in the future.

Dates for April: Wednesday 11^th April – as this is during the school holiday there will be activities for children.

Wednesday 25^th April.

Many thanks to those who have volunteered to join the list of bakers.  I will soon be drawing up the rota for the next three months.  If anyone else would like to join the rota do let us know.  Carolyn 852754 or Margaret 731564.

 

Family Music Quiz

So you think you know your music?..Friday June 1^st Broad Town Village Hall 7.30-11.00

Open to families, friends and neighbours!  Teams of 4 - 8 Entry £2 per.person

Questions on all musical genres – classic, metal, pop, theme tunes: Q’s across every decade from 50’s- to present day!  Joker rounds; picture and sound clues.  Air Guitar competition in the Interval!  Put your own team together or just turn up on the night and we’ll put you in a team.  Hosted by Broad Town Social Club .  Bar Available.  Tickets on the door.  All profits to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice Devizes.

 

MARKET STALL

We are having a stall again this year at Royal Wootton Bassett on 6 June, to raise funds for the Church.  We need items to sell such as, Books, Cakes, Bric a Brac, Good Quality Clothes, Toys & Games and Plants.  If you would like to donate anything, please contact either Judy Rendell, Tel. 01793 731341 or Margaret Manley, Tel. 01793 731564.
 

ROYAL WEDDING COMMUNITY EVENT

The “Sparkle For Markle” Group is thrilled to announce that the Royal Wedding Celebration in Broad Town will be held on Saturday 19^th May.

There will be events for everyone to enjoy, starting with a Litter Pick to make the village “Sparkle” with refreshments for our Litter Pickers!  After a chance to pop home to watch the Royal Wedding we are holding a Family Picnic on Redhills Playpark to celebrate and to officially open the Playpark, with prizes for children in fancy dress.  Our final event to complete the celebrations will be an evening Family Celebration Party in Broad Town Village Hall with a cash bar and disco.  All Broad Town residents are invited to come to these free events, simply bring your own food to the Picnic and the Party.

Fetch out the bunting and we can all make Broad Town look extra special for the festivities!

Please see the attached leaflet for details and reserve your place by e-mail to broadtowncelebrates@outlook.com (please note that children must be accompanied by an adult).

Our thanks to the Parish Council and the Good Energy Solar Farm Community Fund for granting the funding to enable this event to be held and to the Village Hall, the Social Club and the Church for their support.

 

FOUR WAYS: OUR COMMUNITY PUB

Broad Town Village Hall BINGO EVERY SUNDAY – PLEASE NOTE NEW TIMES: open 7pm; eyes down 7.30pm; last ball 9.30pm approx!  Support your local non-profit: unlike commercial Bingo, every pound you flutter is returned to our players: stakes from £1.25, prizes can be over £50. More participants = bigger winnings! Never played? It’s easy for beginners – we’ll show you how!

EVERY FRIDAY BAR 8.15pm-late – EVERYONE WELCOME Classic 60s-90s music vids or sports on our two-metre cinema screen. Draught pints now include Wadworth 6X! Plus Beck’s lager, various ciders, 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 four weeks’ notice required please). Contact: Trevor on 01793 731699

email fourwaysbroadtown@gmail.com

Like us on facebook.com/FourWaysBroadTown

FRIDAY 20^th APRIL – BROAD TOWN GRAND PUB GAMES COMPETITION Just £3 secures your entry: play a round of pool, table tennis and darts, cash prize for winner, consolation pints for runners-up! Between now and then, all games are free as usual so come along and get some practice in beforehand!

 

 

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

Housing development Prior to the Parish Council meeting, Councillors met with representatives from Bidwells (agents for Brasenose College in Oxford). Bidwells have approached the Parish Council as Brasenose College wish to dispose of their land holdings in the Village, which amounts to approximately 100 acres (see Parish Council website, agenda for meeting 12^th March for map). It is their view that this land is no longer economic to rent for agriculture so alternative uses will be sought to maximise their returns (including possible development) The Parish Council will consider what was said and will make clear its views on next steps at the next Parish Council meeting.

The Parish Council have received an email from Oxford Law Ltd, land agents, who will be submitting a planning application in the near future.  The proposed development will take place on land south of Broad Town Primary School, commonly known as Church Farm Fields.  At present they are conducting surveys and studying the site.  The Parish Council have no further details and Oxford Law Ltd have confirmed they will make further contact with detailed information when their surveys and studies are complete.  This item could not be discussed in the March meeting as it missed the deadline for inclusion in the agenda; it was mentioned during ‘Exchange of Information’ at the end of the meeting

Speeding. A report on proposed measures to limit the number of speeding vehicles was presented to the Parish Council.  It was agreed that the measure to introduce flashing speed limit reminder devices would move to the next stage of putting together a proposal and applying for funding.  An additional measure to set out parking bays in Broad Town Road as a means of slowing down traffic, although being promoted in neighbouring parishes, would need to be subject to detailed consideration before agreement could be given to move forward.

Community Grants were given to the “Sparkle for Markle Royal Wedding Celebrations” to be held on the 19^th May 2018 and the Village Hall kitchen and toilet refurbishment project. In total this amounted to over £5,600.00. Unfortunately, the application to the Community Fund for the provision of the new football goals had to be withdrawn as it did not meet the criteria required by Good Energy. An alternative means of funding will be sought.

The footpath working group presented its report to the Parish Council.  The report highlights the footpaths and location where remedial works and improvements are required to be undertaken.  The working group will have a meeting shortly with Wiltshire Council to find out what resources are available and what the requirements are for the construction of any new and replacement structures e.g. stiles.  A request for volunteers to assist with clearing and construction will be going out shortly: so, if you like lots of tea, cakes, healthy exercise, and good company and a bit of fun, why not put yourself on the mailing list.  Full details will be in the next newsletter.

Parking on Broad Town Road. It has been brought to the Parish Council’s attention that vehicles are being parked on Broad Town Road half on the road and half on the footpath and in some instances overnight, facing the direction of oncoming traffic.  Please ensure that footpaths are kept free of parked vehicles at all times and that vehicles are parked appropriately. Your help and assistance in resolving this matter is appreciated.

Emergency support – can you help?  Following the recent very cold weather a resident said she was unable to contact emergency services to repair a leak.  Are there any tradesman in the Village who can provide emergency support to other villagers?  If so please contact the Parish Clerk so we can publish your details.

Finally, it was decided at the meeting that the date for the Annual Parish Meeting will be Monday 30^th April 2018.  This was extremely well attended last year; set this date aside so we can hear your thoughts and review together our achievements and plans for the future.

The next Parish Council meeting is on 9^th April at 6.30pm in the village hall. As usual everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided.

 

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.

 

BROAD TOWN BIG GIG / VILLAGE SHOW

There will be no Big Gig this year.  The current situation is that after the AGM in January, the committee decided to stand down.  It was felt the Big Gig in it’s current format had run its course, following the disappointing need to cancel last years event.

We would like to acknowledge the hard work done by the many Big Gig committee members and helpers over the years, since the first Big Gig was organised around 2005, following the demise of the old Village show. Many excellent events were organised and enjoyed by a village and wider audience – thank you one and all for the memories!

There is a desire for a Village event to be revived in the future, if sufficient people are willing to get involved.  To that end a new holding (non organising) committee has been formed to oversee the assets of the show organisation.  In the interim it is intended to maintain and to perform vital repairs on the marquee and other associated equipment to enable continued availability.

For further information or to discuss the future direction of a Village event contact Malcolm Holland 731567 or Bob Clarke 731853.

 

CHIPPENHAM MALE VOICE CHOIR

We are delighted to welcome this choir to Broad Town Church to sing for us on Friday 15^th June at 7.30pm. Proceeds from this event will go to Broad Town Church, helping to keep the Church open.  For further information and tickets, please contact Judy Rendell, Tel. 01793 731341 or Margaret Manley Tel. 01793 731564. Tickets £5 (including 1 glass of wine and nibbles)
 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film on Saturday 21^st April is “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” (15) at 7.30pm in Hilmarton Parish Church Hall. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £6

Advance tickets: Breda Cottage (34 Church Road, Hilmarton,) or email hilmartonmoviola@hotmail.co.uk For more information and to reserve tickets call 01249 760312.  75 upholstered seats and a licensed wine bar

Also on HILMARTON MOVIOLA FACEBOOK and http://www.moviola.org/hilmarton/

 

GENTLEMAN’S FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST CLUB

The Gentleman’s Full English Breakfast Club will not meet in April 2018, but there will be a meeting on 26^th May. Details of this event will follow in the next edition of BT News.  Contact David May, davemay104@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to be sent further details when available or to attend.

 

PLANT FAIR AND OPEN GARDEN, BUSHTON MANOR, SN4 7PX

Bank Holiday Monday May 7^th, 2018 11am-3pm.  Last year saw the 10^th anniversary of this event celebrated in style with over 1000 visitors to the Manor House Gardens.  Once again there will be some 30 stalls with plants from specialist growers as well as those grown in local gardens.  Other stalls will include, garden related products, various crafts, cakes, second hand tools and books.

You can make your purchases, leave them in the plant crèche and then enjoy wandering around the gardens of the 18^th century Manor House before having homemade refreshments or a bacon butty from the BBQ.  There will be outside games to keep young people occupied and dogs are allowed providing they are kept on leads.  Money raised will go towards the upkeep of St Peter’s Church the Grade 1 listed building in Clyffe Pypard.  Entrance £2. Children and car parking free.

Further details   www.clyffepypard-bushton.com

 

FREELANCE GROOM WANTED FOR HOLIDAY COVER IN BROAD TOWN

Can you recommend a freelance groom who can offer holiday cover and add hoc help? Two horses who live out 24/7.  Daily visit(s) and duties approx. 1hr daily.  Must be hands-on, reliable and with good references. Please contact Peggy on 07766734400 or by email: peglurot@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

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.

 

100YEARS CELEBRATION OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE

Lyneham and Bradenstoke Parish Council will be holding an event on the Green in Lyneham on the 21^st April 2018 12 – 5pm Celebrating 100 years of the Royal Airforce. Everyone is welcome and its free to get in.

Chippenham Brass Band, Nicola Taylor and Lyneham Military Wives Choir will be entertaining throughout the afternoon.

Depending on operational commitment there is a planned fly past from RAF Brize Norton.

There will be refreshments or why not bring your own picnic.

There will be lots of memorabilia on show.

A big raffle where vouchers for restaurants, football tickets, free family days out and many more wonderful prizes can be won which have been donated by local businesses.

All proceeds will go to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Please come and join us.

 

DOG SHOW

Hilmarton Preschool Dog Show Sunday 29^th April at Goatacre Cricket Field 10am – 2pm.  Dog classes from 10.30 £2 entry.  Fancy Dress (Dogs and Owners).

Tea & cakes, stalls, Beer & BBQ, Bouncy Castle and Garden Games.