2018 JUNE ON THE UNSPEAKABLE

Sometimes, it happens that I struggle to write a newsletter piece because the stuff that is filling my mind and my time is unspeakable.  This isn’t, normally because I couldn’t express it in words, nor is it because the matters I am thinking about are ‘unspeakable’ in the sense that word is sometimes used as meaning ‘horrible or disgusting’.  The silencing that makes me struggle to write something for the Village newsletters is normally because the stuff that feels important is not mine to share.  It is the stuff I have the privilege of hearing or sitting with.

These are the stories from people’s lives that make me spend extra time in prayer, sometimes weeping, sometimes shouting (because I’m a great believer in shouting at God if stuff makes me angry or frustrated – prayer doesn’t have to be polite) but most often in silence because a lot of the painful, tragic and difficult stuff that happens to people I find it wisest to bring before God in silence.

I’m writing this in Mental Health Awareness Week (according to the radio in the car as I’ve driven around) or ‘Mental Health Awareness Month’ looking at some of the material on social media. 

But I know that if someone is struggling with their own mental health we need to find ways of making sure that it isn’t a day, or a week, or even a month, but a lifetime of letting people (perhaps including ourselves) find ways of saying what is unsayable; or speaking about our despair and distress.  I know this won’t always change things.  I know sometimes a life is ended too soon, through violence or suicide or the mysterious ‘we don’t know why’ of medical professionals.  I also know that sometimes we don’t want to speak or can’t express the why of how we feel and sometimes even if we love someone we can’t bear to listen any longer.  That’s why it needs to be the response of a whole community (and well resourced services too) to listen, to sit alongside people and to let the unspeakable be spoken, heard, and perhaps even healed.  And when it is too late for healing into this life, let’s build legacies of love and listening that mean that we can learn to do things better another time.

The Reverend Rachma Abbott Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.

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

 

FAREWELL

Sadly it is time to say “Farewell” to Mrs Olive Bailey whose funeral is on Friday 4^th June at 2.00pm.  Mrs Bailey lived in Redhills for many years, bringing up 5 children on her own after the early death of her husband.  She worked in the Dairy and enjoyed knitting and gardening.

 

THANK YOU

We say a big “Thank You” to all those who supported the plant stall at the home of Judy Rendell.  A total of £220 was raised.  This is a splendid result and we owe a debt of thanks to Judy for all her hard work.

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

1^st June             Quiz Night

4^th June             Back to School

6^th June             Royal Wootton Bassett Stall

11^th June           Parish Council Meeting

13^th June           Community Coffee Meeting with Broad Town School

15^th June           Concert by Chippenham Male Voice Choir

20^th June           WI Meeting

23^rd June           Churchyard Working Party

23^rd June           Hilmarton Moviola

27^th June           Community Coffee Morning

30^th June           Concert at St Bart’s by Bassett Choral Society

11^th July            Community Coffee Morning

14^th July            Church Coffee Morning

25^th July            Community Coffee Morning

25^th July            End of School Term

 

WORK MORNING IN CHURCHYARD

Thank you to everyone who turned up to help on 12 May.  The next one will be on 23 June.

 

100 CLUB – COME AND JOIN US

The Broad Town 100 Club has been up and running for several months now, and we’ve seen a number of winners.

Most recently, In April

1^st Prize was won by Carolyn Crocker

2^nd Prize was won by Christine Parkin

3^rd Prize was won by Clive Green

In May

1^st Prize was won by Jeff Hartley

2^nd Prize was won by Dave Marshall

3^rd Prize was won by Clive Green

However, only 33 numbers have been sold so far so it would be great if more people could join us.

The more people who join, the greater the prize fund, and the more money we can give to help our church.  So, why not purchase a number and you could be a winner and help your church.  It costs only £1 per week (£4 per month or £48 per year).

For further information please contact Fiona Holness on fholness@btinternet.com, 07833 68344 or 01793 850562.

 

 

CONCERT BY ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT CHORAL SOCIETY

This will be held in St Bartholomew’s in Bassett on 30^th June at 7.30pm.  The theme of the concert is music for the first world war.  It is free entry with a retiring collection.

 

COMMUNITY HEARTBEAT TRUST DEFIBRILLATOR

This is a reminder that we have a defibrillator in the Village.  It is sited outside the Village Hall and is available for anyone to use in the unfortunate situation of someone they are with having heart failure.  It is simple to use and talks you through what you have to do.  It is a requirement though, that you RING 999 FIRST to get help on the way as soon as possible.  The ambulance service will also tell you what to do and support you while you wait for the ambulance.  If you are within 200m of the Hall they will automatically tell you about the defibrillator and tell you the access code.  If you are further away but have someone who could fetch it for you quickly, you will need to ask them for the access code.

 

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

Wednesday 13^th June

This will be a fundraiser for Broad Town School to help towards the cost of creating a Reflective Garden. The school choir will be coming along to the coffee morning to sing for us at 11am. Anyone who has heard the choir before knows what a treat this will be! Come and listen as you enjoy a drink and cake!

Wednesday 27^th June – usual hot/cold drinks and cakes

 

PROSPECT BOXES

A total of £363.80 was collected recently and thank you to everyone who contributed. If anyone would like a collection box, please contact Margaret Manley, Tel: 731564.

 

 

 

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

Proposed Housing Development, Before the last Parish Council meeting several representatives of Oxford Law briefed the Parish Council on their proposals to develop the land to the South of Broad Town School.  Two schemes were presented, one for twenty two dwellings and the other for thirty three.  Oxford Law were seeking support from the Parish Council for either scheme.  The Parish Council made clear that support for development in Broad Town would only be given if the development complied fully with the requirements of Wiltshire Council’s Core Strategy for small                  Villages which is defined as ‘in fill’ only ie filling a gap within the Village that is only large enough for not more than a few dwellings, generally only one dwelling.

The Parish Council therefore could not support either of Oxford Law’s proposals.

Oxford Law’s preference is for thirty three houses and they will pursue planning permission for this proposal.

Footpaths, Permission has been given by the landowner (many thanks) for the construction of a footpath “bypass” around the cattle grid on the road to Little Town Farm.  As soon as the materials are requisitioned a working party will be press ganged and the work undertaken.

The footpath running from Chapel Lane to Horns Lane has been cleared and is now passable.  The Parish Council wishes to thank the residents and others who carried out this work.  Can explorers please keep to the footpath where it passes through gardens.

Redhills Playground, An application has been made to the Area Board for part funding for the new goal posts for the Redhills playing field.  The application will be decided at its next meeting in July.

The seating bench has been re-instated at the play area in Redhills and new signs requesting that dogs not be taken onto the playing field have been installed.

Area Board and CATG, The Parish Council attended the last Area Board meeting.  The Area Board now has a 7 seat MPV (vehicle) which is available for Community Groups to borrow.  If anyone is interested contact Alexa Davies (alexa.davies@wiltshire.gov.uk).  The Area Board also announced that Wiltshire Council provides free swimming sessions to the under 16’s during school holidays.  You can find all the details here:- http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-free-swimming

An application to the CATG (Community Area Transport Group) will be made at its next meeting on the 6^th June for funding for the provision of illuminated speed limit reminder signs to be deployed at locations in the Village.

Finally, we are still trying to get Wilts CC to remove the rubbish left by the side of the road after they removed the illegal 30mph signs painted on the road.  Apologies for the ongoing inconvenience.

The next Parish Council meeting is on Monday 11^th June at 6.30pm in the Village Hall and as always everyone is welcome.

 

 

 

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.
 

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)
 

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

 

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.

 

BROAD TOWN PAINTER & DECORATOR

Hi Just thought I’d remind all of you that I’m in the Village.  It’s Glen Morley the Painter and Decorator.  I undertake interior and exterior work, to a very high standard. Everything is completed to the level I would have in my own home.  Please feel free to call me at anytime for a free consultation and VAT free estimate.  My numbers are: Landline: 01793 739227 Mobile: 07545 573002.  Please leave a message if I’m unable to answer.