SEPTEMBER 2021 LOCKDOWN NEWSLETTER
PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk vacancy
The Parish Council has a vacancy for the role of Parish Clerk. This is a salaried part-time role of an average 5 hours a week, and full training and equipment will be provided. More details are available on the website at www.broadtownparishcouncil.org.uk
Playing Fields at Redhills
The project to replace the roadside fencing at the Playing Fields has now completed. The old concrete posts (many of which were rotten and in a dangerous state) and the chain link fence has been replaced by new posts with green welded mesh panels and a new pedestrian gate at the lower end by the play area.
This has been a major undertaking by the Parish Council and has been paid for out of council funds with additional grants from the Good Energy Community Fund and the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Area Board.
Where’s SID?
Over the last month the SID has been in two locations:
10 July – 31 July : opposite the school monitoring traffic heading to Broad Hinton.
830 vehicles per day. 19% of vehicles were speeding, 51 of which exceeded 50mph.
31 July – 15 August : Marlborough House, monitoring downhill traffic heading to RWB.
786 vehicles per day. 10% of vehicles were speeding, 9 of which exceeded 50mph.
The holiday season could account for fewer vehicles per day, and the figures support the stats produced by the Community Speedwatch team which found that the majority of speeders are those travelling South through the village.
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
BROAD TOWN WI IS BACK IN THE VILLAGE HALL
It was great to be back for our first WI meeting in the Village Hall since the beginning of the lockdown and we were especially pleased to welcome three new members. Our speaker for the evening was from Greenpeace and he had prepared a presentation especially for us about the use of plastics and ways in which we can reduce our plastic consumption. Did you know….that there are plastics in most teabags….that many developing countries have no means of disposing of rubbish let alone recycle….that plastic bottles can be recycled up to seven times (ending up as black refuse sacks) but that glass and aluminium can be recycled indefinitely…. We had a good chat over tea and biscuits about these and other issues as well as just enjoying seeing each other again. Meetings coming up include a speaker on “Living With Someone With Hearing Loss” and a chance to practise our drawing skills with an artist tutor. In November we will hold an open meeting where all members of the community can come along, something good to look forward to.
Why not join us! We would love to welcome new members to our meetings at 7.30 on the third Wednesday of every month in the Village Hall. Contact Lorraine on lorraine@mrsbillis.co.uk for more information.
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING
Good News – Our coffee morning is back! In September, doors will be open on
Wednesday 15th September 10am to 12noon in the Village Hall
For this first session, drinks and biscuits will be £1
So that we can all feel comfortable, please can you read the following flyer.
We very much look forward to seeing you all again.
COFFEE MORNINGS ARE BACK!! 15 Sept. 10am - mid-day
Look forward to seeing you all once again
To meet the requirements of the Village Hall and our own CCM Risk Assessment we would ask for your co-operation as follows:-
- Please do not attend if you or anyone in your household has had Covid19 symptoms in the last 48 hours. If you develop symptoms within 10 days of attending CCM you must seek a Covid19 test.
- Use the NHS QR code in the lobby or leave contact details on the sheet provided.
- Please use hand sanitiser provided on arrival and exit. If possible bring own sanitiser to use during the morning.
- Face Coverings/Masks – we would encourage you to wear one on entry/exit to hall and on moving around. You can remove it when seated.
- Social Distancing – we would encourage you to observe distancing wherever possible.
- One way system – Fire door can be used to exit, if you prefer.
- Toilets – If it is necessary for you to use the toilet, please follow the hall instructions displayed, wear a mask and clean surfaces you have touched with the wipes provided.
- Cash – Please note, change will not be given and a sealed cash box will be available for your donations.
- Ventilation – Doors and windows will be kept open so please wear/bring appropriate clothing.
Thank you.
FOODBANK The next collection will be on Saturday & Sunday 4th/5th September at the Village Hall, 9am – 5pm
SOCIAL CLUB
The Social Club will re-open on Friday 3rd September from 8.00pm and
from Sunday 5th September from 7.00pm for Bingo. Trevor Hillier
SERVICES IN BROAD TOWN FOR SEPTEMBER
5TH September - 10.30am - Communion
26th September - 6.00pm - Evening Worship
CHURCHYARD
Unfortunately we had to cancel the August work morning due to wet weather. Our next tidy up will be on Saturday 4th September, 10am – midday. Please bring tools for strimming, raking, hedge cutting and tidying around graves if possible.
FAREWELL
Sadly, we have heard of the passing of Andrew Gibbs - Son of Ivor and Diane.
We send our commiserations to them and are sure they have many happy memories of their son.
RIDE AND STRIDE
This year the Ride and Stride event is on the weekend of September 11th/12th.
If you feel like walking, cycling or riding between some of the Churches of the Deanery to raise money for the Historic Churches Trust, then please contact Carolyn Crocker for an entry form on carolyn.crocker@hotmail.co.uk
10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST REPATRIATION THROUGH RWB
Excerpt from Memorial Service at Lyneham Church
“There is no glory in any repatriation. Each repatriation even if only of one body is a profound and sad loss. A loss of all that person might yet have done or been, both within and beyond their service in her Majesty’s Armed Services. Each human life laid down in the service of Queen and country is the lives lost of comrades in arms, friends, brothers, sisters, parents, spouses, lovers, partners and children.
Each death an individual loss and a source of mourning both when it happened and since. And among each of those repatriation flights in Lyneham there were many service personnel whose mortal remains were returned through this village in its time as host to RAF Lyneham.
And you know, and I know, that while today we mark the 10th anniversary since the final repatriation flight through RAF Lyneham; that there continue to be repatriations of men and women who have laid down their life for their friends in the course of their duty in the navy, the army or the air force.
There is no glory in any repatriation. We come here today to remember with both sorrow and thanksgiving – sorrow for each life lost and for each life damaged by injury, disablement, PTSD and mental distress.
Thanksgiving for the tasks that were undertaken as the everyday duty and service of those who were stationed and worked on RAF Lyneham and thanksgiving also as we honour the history of RAF Lyneham in this village; thanksgiving for its present as REME headquarters and the MoD training here that equips men and women, from the UK and the Commonwealth who continue to be ready to work in the Armed Services at the possible cost of their lives.
And as we remember I pray that this anniversary will also rekindle in us hope of a time when swords will be beaten into ploughshares and the Prince of Peace will lead us so that wars and repatriations will be no more. Amen.”
HISTORY
Broad Town History information is available on the website at https://www.broadtownhistory.com/
Still very much in its infancy, however, the following site will give you a gist of what pictures, documents, stories, maps and registers etc…. exist.
If you have anything to add please get in touch with Malcolm on 731567 or Judy on 731605.
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
The newsletter closing date for entries next month will be Friday 24th September. All entries should be sent to the editor - Margaret Green, e-mail margaretgreen@waitrose.com