LOCKDOWN NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2021
AUGUST 2021 SUMMER FRUITS – Revd. Karen Rizzello
Dear Reader,
In August, we celebrate warm days of summer and the bounty of creation. It is at this time that we see the fruits of the fields in all their abundance. With the warming of the climate the harvest seems to be coming earlier each year.
I am not sure how everyone will be coping. The schools are out and there continue to be anxieties as we end lockdown and move back to a new normal. All of this within the looming shadow of a Covid third wave.
I hope that you all enjoy at least a few days of sunshine and time with family. As rural communities we have so much to enjoy and explore here in our own neighbourhood. So if we don’t get away let’s embrace our own villages. There is so much rich history and heritage right on our doorsteps just waiting for us to explore.
I visited some people in Tockenham recently and they told me about a ‘Time Team’ excavation broadcast in the 1995. Did you know that there is a figure built into the wall of St.Giles church, Tockenham? Archeologists believe it is a figure of a guardian spirit often associated with households and may have come from a Roman villa found by the team in nearby fields.
In August there are many events taking place which we can all enjoy. Keep an eye on your local FB and websites for updates and changes. Here are just a few for the diaries: The Fete in Lyneham on August 7th. Pop-up café Clyffe Pypard August 7th. The patronal festival at Hilmarton, August 8th. The patronal festival picnic at the Abbey ruins in Bradenstoke on August 15th . Garage/Yard sale Hilmarton, August 28th, Goatfest September 3rd and 4th, Tockenham patronal festival August 29th.
So enjoy all the abundance that the Earth offers in August whether you wander far or stay near to your homes. Stay safe.
God Bless, Revd. Karen.
FOODBANK The next collection will be on Saturday & Sunday 7th/8th August at the Village Hall, 9am – 5pm .
CHURCHYARD Thank you to everyone who came along to work in very warm weather at the end of July. We are making very good progress but still plenty to do, so our next tidy-up has been arranged for 7th August 10am to mid day.
Parish Council update – August
Speed Indicator Device (SID)
Some of you may have spotted, or even been ‘flashed’ by, the SID which the Parish Council installed on the main road by Broadacres. This monitored southbound traffic having just entered the 30mph zone, heading towards Broad Hinton. The SID records details of every vehicle and its speed, and flashes a reminder of the 30mph limit to any vehicle exceeding that speed.
Over the 2 week period (Sat 26/06/21 to Sat 10/07/21) the SID counted 14,133 vehicles heading southbound which equates to approx. 1,000 per day. On average 30% of vehicles were exceeding the 30mph speed limit.
Counts of excessive speeders (over 40mph) were:
|
MPH
|
40 to 44
|
45 to 49
|
50 to 54
|
55 to 60
|
|
Vehicles
|
1,039
|
220
|
42
|
8
|
This is early days for our SID analysis and we will provide more detail over the next few months. Although there is nothing we can do to prevent deliberate speeding we are hopeful that the appearance of a flashing prompt will help to remind the accidental speeder of the speed limit through the village.
Dog Fouling
There has been a report of an increase in dog fouling around Thornhill. Please would dog walkers ensure they collect and take away any mess caused by their dog. Unfortunately there aren’t any poo bins in that part of the village so the pet owners will need to dispose of it themselves.
100 CLUB - JULY
1ST prize - Rupert Pearce; 2nd prize - David Crocker; 3rd prize - Kim Gough
WI EVENTS COMING UP AT BROAD TOWN WI
By the time you read this we will have enjoyed a perfect summer’s evening at Broad Town Brewery with our very first speaker since the lockdown in March 2020 – thank you to Doug Batchelor of the Bobby Van project.
We now have plans for our future monthly meetings at the Village Hall that include presentations from Greenpeace and on mountaineering expeditions, as well as craft sessions led by experts in drawing skills and quilling. Add to this an evening in good company and with delicious refreshments, what could be a better way to spend a Wednesday evening.
Why not join us! We would love to welcome new members to our meetings on the third Wednesday of every month. Contact Lorraine on lorraine@mrsbillis.co.uk for more information.
VACANCY FOR GOVERNOR AT BROAD TOWN CE SCHOOL
Would you like to join our friendly and supportive team of governors at Broad Town School? We are looking for an additional governor to be part of our governing board at our welcoming and inclusive school. No previous experience of being a governor is needed as you will be trained and supported, all you need is a commitment and willingness to make what is an important contribution to our community. You would be involved in termly meetings that take place in late afternoons and also have a valuable opportunity to work with members of staff on a particular focus of school life. A DBS check is a requirement but otherwise no other qualification is necessary. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact lbillis@broadtown.wilts.sch.uk. Thank you.
SERVICES FOR AUGUST IN BROAD TOWN
1st August - 10.30am Communion
22nd August - 6.00pm Evening Service