ON CHRISTMAS RECONCILIATION DECEMBER 2019
At this season we remember a family who had to travel to their hometown, in order to be counted by the government of the day. Thinking of Joseph, travelling with a heavily pregnant Mary I become aware of part of the Christmas story that I don’t often focus on.
Joseph wouldn’t be the first man to discover that his partner is pregnant and to know or think that it can’t be his child she’s carrying. I wonder whether his first feeling was hurt or humiliation, betrayal or anger. In a nativity story jam-packed full of angels and dreams, miracle babes, pilgrim kings I don’t always notice the miracle in Joseph’s relationship with Mary. He doesn’t leave her, he doesn’t throw her out, he takes on both Mary and her child and I’m sure in the raising of that little boy, Jesus became his child as well as God’s.
Men and women who are able to see through hurt and betrayal to repair and rebuild relationships; men and women who are able to love and raise children that are not in biological terms ‘theirs’ are very wonderful.
In the context of first century Palestine where society would have stoned Mary for adultery if Joseph had sought that this miracle of reconciliation between Mary and Joseph is perhaps even more amazing.
Reconciliation after hurt and disagreement whether between couples or friends; in families and communities is not often easy.
I wonder what kind of conversations Mary and Joseph had about all that had happened to them on the journey to Bethlehem. Even if I had an angel explain it all to me in a dream I know it would still have taken time and work to renew the relationship if I had been Joseph.
In a Christmas season when differences within the nation will have been discussed and pondered and voted on – I’m glad to be reminded by Joseph’s part in the Christmas story that reconciliation across hurt and disagreement is not only possible, but often brings great joy.
May this Christmas season, and the new year that follows it, bring healing of hurts and the renewal of working well together for the benefit of all.
The Reverend Rachma Abbott Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.
The Vicarage Clyffe Pypard, SWINDON SN4 7PY. 01793 731134
BROAD TOWN CHURCH FLOOR
The essential floor repairs in Broad Town Church will commence on January 13th. We have been advised that for Health and Safety reasons it will not be possible to use the Church while the work is being carried out so it will be necessary to hold services elsewhere. The Parochial Church Council have decided that all the services for Broad Town in January shown in this newsletter will be held at Broad Town Village Hall. This will probably also apply to February’s services and we will provide an update in the February newsletter. For further information, please contact one of the Churchwardens - Ray Manley, Tel: 731564 or Margaret Green 854200
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
6th Dec Clyffe Pypard Christmas Fair
9th Dec BT PC
11th Dec Last Post for Scout Post
11th Dec Brighter Futures Community Coffee Morning
12th Dec School Nativity in Church
13th Dec Carol Singing around the Village
19th Dec Village Carol Service at 6.30pm
20th Dec School Carol Service and end of Term
8th Jan Community Coffee Morning
13th Jan BT PC
22nd Jan Community Coffee Morning
25th Jan Gentlemen’s Breakfast
25th Jan Hilmarton Moviola
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING
There is one coffee morning in December:
Wednesday 11th December – raising funds for the Brighter Futures Prostate and breast cancer appeals
January 2020, Wednesday 8th January, Wednesday 22nd January
Thank you to everyone who has supported the coffee mornings in any way this year. It has been great to see new faces as well as all the regulars! Your generosity enabled £1612 to be donated to the following charities: -
Brighter Futures; Alzheimer’s; Broad Town School; the Village group who fund raised for the Alzheimer Society; Parkinson’s; Macmillan; Children in need; Broad Town Church.
If you have a charity that you would like us to raise funds for next year, do let us know.
Hoping to see you at the Christmas coffee Morning. Seasons greetings to everyone.
FOOTPATH WORKING GROUP
We have been out and busy again. A group of villagers joined in on Sunday 27th of October when we cleared a section of BTOW35 and BTOW39 from 5 ways gate beyond Little Town. A stile was also repaired on BTOW35 at the end of the withybed section.
On Saturday the 9th November a small group of us installed a new footbridge on BTOW7, re-establishing it's route beyond the 'gallops-to-be-field'. This is going to be a path that gains more importance as the changes in the field take effect in the future. A new stile has also been installed at the start of this route in Pye Lane, to replace the rather run down example that was there before. Some work is still required on one more stile on that route, which hopefully be completed in the near future.
Following the working day on Saturday November 23rd we will be planning working weekends for the New Year.
So, as they don't say on Strictly, 'keeeep walking' - it keeps the weeds down!
VILLAGE CAROL SINGING
Friday 13th December. Meet at Village Hall at 6.30pm. Finish at the hall by 9pm for drinks and nibbles *Bring a torch*
Fundraising for Brighter Futures Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer Appeals.
PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE
Wiltshire Council’s “We’re targeting Fly-tippers” campaign
Wiltshire Council has today launched a reward campaign to reduce fly-tipping throughout the county. The “We’re Targeting Fly-tippers” campaign aims to combat the scourge of fly-tipping by offering residents a reward of up to £200 in high street vouchers if they report information that leads to the successful prosecution of an offender or the payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). You can report information on fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council via their website or app.
Emergency access to the Playing Fields at Redhills
A new padlock has been put on the access gate to the Playing Fields. There are a number of key holders who can be contacted if emergency access is required for example for an ambulance and a list of these key holders is now displayed on the noticeboard at the Playing Fields.
Planning Application 19/07306/FUL
The above application – construction of an all-weather gallop on land to the north west of Broad Town – was discussed at the Wiltshire Council Northern Area Planning Committee on the 7th November and was approved with specific operating conditions. The gallops are permitted to be used Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. There are a number of other conditions such as no lighting, no vehicles or other structures, no fences or jumps ; the current rights of way and footpaths access must be maintained ; and signage will be put up where the gallops cross the footpaths and on the main road to warn road users.
Road Closure
Early warning of the partial closure of Horns Lane from the Pump House 81 Horns Lane for a distance of approximately 40 metres in a southerly direction, to enable Mowles Constuction to carry out foul sewer connection. No alternative route is available; access will be maintained for residents and businesses. The closure will be clearly indicated by traffic signs. This will come into operation on 06 January 2020 and the closure will be required until
08 January 2020.
Gully emptying service from Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire Council are launching this new service for small villages like us who are not regularly visited by their main contractor. You can report any issue with blocked gullies to them at the following email address wiltshiresewers@wiltshire.gov.uk.
The next two Parish Council meeting are 9th December 2019 & 13th January 2020
both at 18.30pm in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided.
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
St Giles’ Church Tockenham 7th & 8th December 2019
10am to 5pm Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday Refreshments available
CHRISTINGLE 5pm Sunday
For more details and to get an entry form ring Ken and Pauline Arnold.
017913 854157
THE FOUR WAYS COMMUNITY PUB, BROAD TOWN VILLAGE HALL
BAR EVERY FRIDAY 8pm-late – EVERYONE WELCOME Draught pints of Wadworth 6X and Carlsberg, bottled cider, wine, spirits, fruit juice, squash, fizzy drinks, Aero hot chocolate, Tetley tea, Nescafe cappuccino, coffee & decaf always available. Plus chocolate bars, crisps, nuts etc.
BINGO EVERY SUNDAY – eyes down 7.30pm; last ball 9pm. Every pound fluttered is returned to players: stakes from £1.25, prizes can be over £50. More participants = bigger winnings!
The village hall bar is a popular feature, but more volunteers and ideas for forthcoming activities are always needed. Commitment level: could you help just one evening every five or six weeks, usually about 3.5 hours per session? What’s in it for you? Play an active part in preserving your village’s character, meet new friends and neighbours, enjoy the odd free drink.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: family-friendly party to ring in 2020! Admission will be by advance ticket only, £10 each admission includes entertainment, a free hot dog or burger (vegan & vegetarian options available), and a free standard drink from the bar. Tickets can be purchased from the bar on Friday or Sunday evenings or reserved by emailing t.hillier1@sky.com, during mid-November and December where payment details can be arranged. Ticket numbers limited to just 120: get yours before we sell out!
Hosting your own event in the village hall? Our fully licensed bar can be stocked and staffed daytime/evening according to your needs: at least three weeks’ notice usually required, please! Contact: Trevor on 01793 731699 email t.hillier1@sky.com • ‘Like’ us on facebook.com/FourWaysBroadTown
ST PETER’S, CLYFFE PYPARD CHRISTMAS FAIR
The Village Hall SN4 7PX, Friday 6th December 5-9pm
Meet friends over homemade refreshments, browse the stalls and just enjoy yourselves.
Craft items, Candles, Flower pot men, Cakes, Jams and preserves, Sassy Gifts, Local Farm produce, Charity Christmas Cards, Raffle, Guess the name of the clown, Tombola, Guess the weight of the cake, Children’s good as new toys, books and a racing piggies game! Entrance £1 Children under 12 free.
SWINDON & DISTRICT SCOUT CHRISTMAS POST 2019
This facility, which by law, is only for the delivery of Christmas Cards, is again being provided this year as in previous years. The cost of the special stamp is still 30p (now self-adhesive). They can be purchased in Royal Wootton Bassett from Haines & Smith Opticians High Street; News Plus Gainsborough Avenue; Radway’s the Cobblers The Arcade High Street & Rootz Hairdressers Woodshaw. The last date for posting mail into the Scout Post is WEDNESDAY 11th DEC at 4:00pm and all items must be posted in the special green post boxes which can be found at Sainsbury’s Borough Fields, Haines & Smith, Radway’s, News Plus & Rootz. Please DO NOT USE Scout Post stamps on cards posted through Royal Mail post boxes. They are not valid and the receiver will have to pay a surcharge.
The area covered for delivery of Scout Post is: -
Swindon, Badbury, Bishopstone, Blunsdon, Burderop, Coleshill, Chiseldon, Draycott Foliat, Elcombe, Hampton, Hannington, Highworth, Hinton Parva, Hodson, Inglesham, Langton Park, Liddington, Overtown, Red Barn, South Leaze, South Marston, Stanton Fitzwarren, Stratton St Margaret, Thorney Park, Wanborough, West Leaze, Wichelstowe, Wroughton, Royal Wootton Bassett, Broad Town, Bushton, Clyffe Pypard, Greatfield, Greenhill, Hook, Tockenham, Cricklade, Castle Eaton, Latton, Marston Meysey, Ashton Keynes, Minety, The Leigh, Purton, Lydiard Millicent, Broad Hinton, Berwick Bassett, Uffcott, Winterbourne Bassett, Winterbourne Monkton, Ashbury, Bourton, Idstone, Kingston Winslow, Shrivenham, Watchfield.
Please note: - No deliveries are made to LYNEHAM, BRADENSTOKE or BRINKWORTH
In addition, stamps are available from Clive Green, 5 Eastwood Avenue, Royal Wootton Bassett. Tel No. 01793 854200, cliveggreen@waitrose.com
GENTLEMAN’S BREAKFAST CLUB
There will be no December meeting of the gentleman’s breakfast club. The next meeting will be on Saturday 25th January 2020 at The Crowns Café, adjacent to the REME Museum at MOD Lyneham. 9am. for 9.30am. start. The cost is £8 per person for a full English breakfast. The speaker this time will be Arthur Kingdon, his talk is titled Wet & Wild.
Please book by Wednesday 22 January – email: davemay104@yahoo.co.uk
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.
WINE GLASSES
Broad Town Church have 96 wine glasses available to borrow (for a donation for Church Funds). Enquiries to Margaret Manley Tel: 731564
HILMARTON MOVIOLA
Hilmarton Parish Church Hall, Saturday January 25th Mrs Lowery & son (PG)
7pm FOR 7.30pm, 75 comfy seats, refreshments and a wine sale licence, tickets £6 from Breda Cottage, 34 Church Road, Hilmarton 760312 (opposite chapel) or
Email hilmartonmoviola@hotmail.co.uk
Hilmarton Moviola also has a Facebook page.
For more info call Geoff Procter on 01249 760312
2ND STEM RETURNERS PROGRAMME FOR RETURNING ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS WITH DSTL IN WILTSHIRE.
Have you taken a career break from an engineering or a technical sector and wish to return? Are you working below your experience in a different sector? Do you have an engineering or technical degree that you aren’t using? Do you just wish to transfer sectors but don’t have any experience? If so this could be the opportunity for you! After the unprecedented success of the first programme where 100% of returners were offered permanent roles, we are currently sourcing candidates for the 2nd Dstl ‘STEM Returners’ programme, a 13 week, fully paid and supported return to work programme starting in January 2020 in Salisbury. All candidates will also have the opportunity to obtain a permanent role at the end of the programme. No career break is too long, register to return to STEM today! For more information please visit www.stemreturners.com or email hello@stemreturners.com.
More information on the programme is also available here: https://www.stemreturners.com/2019/10/28/returners-programme-becomes-key-part-dstls-candidate-attraction-strategy/
OIL HEATING IN BROAD TOWN AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES
My name is Ben Davis - my family and I moved to Broad Town just over three years ago. We are really enjoying living in the Village.
I am a plumbing and heating engineer, registered with OFTEC (for oil) and Gas Safe (for gas). Going forward, I would like to reduce the amount of time spent driving (and sitting in traffic) around North Wiltshire and increase my local customer base.
My services include: Boiler breakdown and repairs, annual boiler servicing, boiler and oil tank replacement, general heating faults and maintenance, and general plumbing. Please feel free to call me anytime for further information.
01793 317758 or 07920 042880
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 any time 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.
CHRIS ROOKS || FUTURE BALANCE
I’m Chris Rooks and I work as a Financial Planner (Non-Investment) for Future Balance Finance. I can help you with any of the following services: -
- Mortgage Advice
- Protection Advice (Life Assurance / Income Protection)
- Business Continuity & Protection Advice
- Will Writing & Estate Management
- Power of Attorney Applications
You can contact me on 01793 731141 or via e-mail on info@futurebalance.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.
FEBRUARY 2020 EDITION
Will organisations or anyone wishing to have news, etc. included in the February edition please note that items must be submitted to
Margaret Green, 5 Eastwood Avenue, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wilts. SN4 8BX. cliveggreen@waitrose.com
BY 6pm on FRIDAY JANUARY.24th IT IS REGRETTED THAT SUBMISSIONS AFTER THAT TIME WILL NOT BE INCLUDED
DISCLAIMER
Broad Town Newsletter (BTN) takes all reasonable care to ensure that pages published are accurate. Articles and letters submitted may be the personal opinion of the author and, as such, are not endorsed by BTN. BTN takes no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information published on any of these pages, and such information does not form any basis of a contract with readers or users of it.