THE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER for MARCH 2022-.
MARCH AND LENTEN PREPARATION 2022 – Revd. Karen Rizzello
Dear Reader,
As we enter March the life in our gardens is starting to spring up. This annual rebirth is as ever a miracle of creation and for believers a sign of God’s faithfulness and love.
We were blessed in February to welcome several couples who are planning to be married in our Benefice churches this year at a Wedding preparation day. Some couples had needed to cancel their big day more than once due to the Covid pandemic. Our ecumenical friends at the Methodist Hall were great hosts and we are looking forward to using their hall for other things coming up this month. With the lifting of Covid restrictions we have plans to run a face to face Confirmation Classes and possibly also Zoom Confirmation and Lenten reflections.
From Ash Wednesday on March 2nd to Palm Sunday on April 10th we are in the period of Lent. The forty days of Lent represent the time Jesus spends in the wilderness before he begins his ministry. It is a time of reflection and repentance in the church. A time to take stock and prepare for Holy Week, the Passion and the celebrations of Easter day.
In these busy times it is good for our mental health and physical wellness to take time to relax and reflect. You may want to find a time yourself to sit and meditate or pray. You are welcome to come into our churches and spend a little quiet time (check our website for open times).
There are a number of services during Lent and Easter and different events which will be published on the benefice Facebook pages, website and newsletters. Look out for these and do come along to enjoy our pancakes and Lent lunches across our benefice churches. All are welcome.
God Bless, Revd. Karen
Associate Priest
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS - MARCH CHARITY FUNDRAISER
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month in the village hall.
Coffee/tea/hot chocolate, homemade cakes and sausage rolls!
Our March coffee mornings will be from 10am to 12 noon on Wednesday 9th and Wednesday 23rd.
All proceeds this month will be donated to our local Prospect Hospice and there will be a raffle on the 23rd.
We look forward to seeing you!
PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE - MARCH
The latest Speed Indicator Device (SID) analysis of speeding statistics is available in the ‘Your Community’ section on the Parish Council website https://www.broadtownparishcouncil.org.uk. This covers the period from 8th – 23rd January monitoring traffic heading North from outside Marlborough House. The volume of traffic was lower than normal due to working-from-home advice but still 7% of vehicles were speeding.
Grants from the Good Energy Community Fund were awarded to the White Horse Restoration Group, Broad Town Community Coffee Mornings, and for Christ Church Churchyard Maintenance.
Planning for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations continues – the intention is to arrange a ‘Clean for the Queen’ village tidy-up on a Saturday in May and to join the countrywide network of beacons being lit to complement the various other celebrations being organised.
We are aware of damage by vandals to a section of the new fence at the Redhills playing field and are investigating the options for repair or replacement. We would be grateful for any information regarding this event – details on how to contact the Council are available on the website.
We have also received notification that the C415 road closure at Broad Hinton will not go ahead. However there is another closure of the Marlborough Road by Turnpike Cottage (between Broad Town and RWB) planned for April.
Wiltshire Council has asked for help from Communities in identifying wildflower areas on land which they own and maintain. They are asking for the Parish Council to nominate any grassed areas or public open spaces that could be designated as wildflower meadow, for reduced cutting or left for rewilding. More information on the criteria is available in the News section on the website but if anyone has a nomination please let the Clerk know.
Services at Broad Town Church for March are 2nd - 7.30pm - Communion
6th - 10.30am - Communion
13th - 5.00pm - Evensong
27th - 6.00pm - Evensong
TREASURER NEEDED FOR BROAD TOWN WI
Our WI is a thriving and happy group that meets in Broad Town Village Hall on the third Wednesday of every month at 7.30. We have enjoyed two fantastic presentations this year so far; “Underwater World” that showed us some beautiful photos of sea creatures with a very knowledgeable description of how the photos were taken – as good as having David Attenborough with us! – and a fascinating talk and video by a representative of the Medical Detection Dogs charity which was extremely interesting and provided a few stories with “aaah” moments.
We are looking for a Treasurer from 1st April who can join our vibrant WI and participate in some great events that are planned for the rest of this year. This is an opportunity to use existing book-keeping skills or be supported in developing those skills whilst having fun and making new friends. Our next committee meeting is 8th March, please contact lorraine@mrsbillis.co.uk if you would like to know more.
Here are our planned events that we hope will tempt you to join us. Thank you.
Visit to Gourmet Goat Farm
Gourmet Goat Farm
Plant/Produce Swap
Bring surplus plants and other items to swap
Green Walnut Ceramics
Hands on ceramics experience
Walk to The Crown and pub meal
Local walk
Visit to Sevington Victorian School
History talk and tea
Bags of Glamour history of bags and purses
Presentation by an expert from V& A museum
Skiing to the North Pole/womens achievements
Open meeting with a famed author and speaker
Learn to Crochet
Learn or advance your crochet skills
Christmas Event
Join in the party
BROAD TOWN CELEBRATES - HM THE QUEEN
PLATINUM JUBILEE 2 - 5 JUNE
Along with the Parish Council, Social Club, WI, and other community groups, we have been working on a timetable for village celebrations in June. Both nationally and locally, the focus is very much on communities coming together to celebrate.If you and your neighbours want to organise your own street party, the village have a good stock of bunting, trestle tables & chairs which can be loaned out. The WI have a limited supply of tableware which they are happy to provide on a first come first served basis.
In the week leading up to 2nd June, the village shelter will be decorated with artwork from the village school and pre-school.
- Thursday 2nd June – Lighting of Beacons (upper and lower end of village).
- Friday 3rd June – 10.00 am – 12.00. A special Village Coffee Morning hosted by the regular Community Coffee Morning and assisted by the WI. Contact Margaret Manley (731564).
- Friday 3rd June – PM “A Right Royal Quiz” 7.30 start. By kind permission of the Social Club, the village quizmasters will be setting questions to test your knowledge of all things Royal! Free entry. Either prebook your table (teams of 6/8) or contact us and we’ll put you in a team. Bar Open Contact: Rosie Law (07828023941 rosiehlaw@gmail.com).
- Saturday 4th June – Once again the Social Club will open their doors to screen the Jubilee concert live from Buckingham Palace Gardens. Timings tbc. Bring your own snacks and join the party! Let us know if you are coming, and your table will be ready for you. Contact: Anne Granger (AnneBroadTownVEDay@hotmail.com or 07916701844)
- SUNDAY 5TH JUNE – THE BIG JUBILEE LUNCH Get together with your neighbours to run your own street party; let us know by 1st week in May so we can distribute bunting, etc;
Contact: Rosie Law (07828023941rosiehlaw@gmail.com). You can apply for your road to be closed off @ http://www.streetparty.org.uk/road-closures/
- Free street party packs are also available to help you get organised @https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/get-your-big-lunch-pack-0.
Get involved and make memories to last a lifetime
Broad Town School Book Swap - Children's & Adult , fiction &non-fiction wanted!
Our next school book swap is on Thursday March 3rd (World Book Day ) and the school will once again be accepting any used books in good condition . This month as well as children's literature , magazines & comics - we will also be hosting a stall for good quality adult books . The "Reading For Pleasure" initiative is a whole family focus , families to read together . Hopefully mums, dads, grandparents and carers will find something to choose amongst our titles.
If you could donate any books or magazines, please drop them off on the preceding Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at the school door in the box titled School Book Swap. Alternatively call Rosie Law & I will come and collect them (01793731472)
WINNERS OF THE 100CLUB
January February
1st - Cliff Cowtan 1st - John Hall
2nd - Rupert Pearce 2nd - Ray Manley
3rd - Hilary Bradley 3rd - David Crocker
Congratulations to all the winners
WHITE HORSE
It is planned to lime the White Horse on Sunday 15th May 2022. Please put the date in your diaries and look out for further info in the Broad Town News.
Thanks.
Andrew Law
THE CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL - CHRIST CHURCH 2022
Christ Church Broad Town
The church Electoral Roll is due to be revised so that those named on it may have the opportunity to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 3rd April 2022 after the 10.30 service in church. If your name is already on the 2022 list (see list in church or contact Janet Drury) then you need do nothing. If your name is not on the list and you would like to be included please fill in a form available from Janet and send it back before Friday 18th March. With your name on the list you can not only vote for PCC Members but also be on the PCC yourself if you would like to take part in the church’s organization and support. We will always welcome those with time and expertise but mostly interest
For more information or a form please contact
Janet Drury – Electoral Roll Officer
01793 850931 email – drury.janet@btinternet.com
61 Marlborough Road , Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7EJ
Bushton Manor Plant Fair and Open Garden
Bank Holiday Monday May 2nd 2022 11am - 3pm SN4 7PX
After almost 3 years of not being able to have the Plant Fair we are happy to say that planning is going ahead for 2022. We sincerely hope that as in 2018 and 2019 we will have the 100 0 or so visitors back again !
Within the lovely grounds of this 18th century Manor House there will be some 30 stalls scattered around the garden with plants, crafts, food and other related products as well as the ever popular bacon butty BBQ and home made refreshments. A plant crèche enables people to stroll around without having to carry purchases. For the younger people there will be outside games to keep them occupied.
Entrance £3. Children and car parking free. Dogs on leads are allowed. Money raised will go towards the St Peter’s Church Roof Fund , a Grade 1 listed building in Clyffe Pypard
Further details www.clyffepypard-bushton.com
The deadline for items for the April newsletter should be with the editor by March 25th please