BROAD TOWN NEWS – DECEMBER 2022 / JANUARY 2023
Keeping everyone in touch with what is going on in and around our parish.
BROAD TOWN CHURCH
Services for December
15th Dec. 6.30pm Carol Service
18th Dec. 10.30am Communion
24th Dec. Midnight Mass at Clyffe Pypard
25th Dec. 10.30am All Age Communion Service
Services for January
8th Jan. 10.30am Communion – at Lyneham - Formal farewell to Rev. Karen
22nd Jan 5pm Evening service
29th Jan 10.30am Communion
The Churchyard The Parochial Church Council would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has volunteered and helped to keep the Churchyard looking so good over the last year. We could not do this without your help. A team of dedicated volunteers has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Churchyard is now an even more attractive and tranquil place for the benefit of the whole community.
BROAD TOWN REMEMBERS
The 13 Broad Town Servicemen who perished in WW1 and 1 in WW2 were remembered in the placing of new wreaths - as close to where they lived in the Village - in time for Armistice Day. All the wreaths were then placed opposite the Church for the Sunday Remembrance Service. Our thanks go to Judy, Andrew and Chris for enabling this poignant tribute.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM THE BISHOP OF SALISBURY
Your kingdom come … The season of Advent begins on Sunday the 27 November. Like Lent, it is a penitential season when the liturgical colour is purple and a time of preparation to celebrate the feast of the Incarnation without which there would be no feast of the Resurrection. Advent is not as long as Lent and it seems to be more about feasting than fasting! In a way it’s ‘Lent-lite’ but for many of us one of our favourite seasons of the year as we watch and wait in anticipation of the joy and excitement of the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and also contemplate the realisation of God’s eternal Kingdom at the end of time. It is becoming something of a cliché to list the crises that presently beset us: climate, war, recession, refugees etc in a world already feeling unsettlingly different post-Covid. At times we can begin to feel overwhelmed and turn in on ourselves rather than remaining outward facing as is the Christian’s orientation. God in Christ became a human being not to be served but to serve. Christ the King is with us still – here and now. His kingship is not based on human power but on serving and loving others. We are called to exhibit those Kingdom values in their lives until at last our prayer will be answered and God’s Kingdom will ‘come on earth as it is in heaven.’ May the God of peace make you completely holy, ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For anyone who would like to know a little bit more about our ‘new’ Bishop of Salisbury, please read on: The Rt Revd Stephen Lake was consecrated as the 79th Bishop of Salisbury during a service at Southwark Cathedral on 25 April 2022. He was later welcomed into the diocese during a service of Inauguration which took place on 19 June at Salisbury Cathedral. He was born and grew up in Poole, Dorset, and after working in Poole General Hospital and then serving as a Community Service Volunteer in London, he trained at Chichester Theological College. Stephen was ordained deacon in 1988 in our cathedral. In 2001, Bishop Stephen was appointed Sub Dean of St Albans, caring for the largest regular cathedral congregation in England. He became Dean of Gloucester in 2011 and served as the Lead Dean for Safeguarding and as a Church Commissioner. During the pandemic, Bishop Stephen worked on the Church of England Emerging Church Steering Group. Bishop Stephen has a Bachelor of Theology and has an MA in Theology, Politics and Faith Based Organisations from Kings College, London. Bishop Stephen has been a member of the Scout Association since he was a Cub Scout and was recently Chair of Gloucestershire Scouts, having also been a National Trustee from 2007 to 2012. He says: “It is such a privilege and a joy to be called back to the Diocese of Salisbury as Bishop. To be able to serve in the places that formed me will be something rare and special. Coming from leading a major cathedral I have a clear sense of the importance of great organisation, of good culture and rootedness in place. I hope to lead a confident diocese as we move out of the pandemic years together”. Bishop Stephen is married to Carol, and they have three adult children. Although Bishop Stephen will inevitably be extremely busy during his first Advent and Christmas seasons as the Bishop of Salisbury, he will still find time to enjoy a traditional roast turkey Christmas meal with his family. Whilst most of us will be relaxing on Boxing Day, Bishop Stephen will attend church, as very appropriately, it is the feast day of St Stephen, and he reports that he is often the only person there! With heartfelt thanks to Bishop Stephen and his PA, Melanie Davies, for personally sharing the above with Broad Town News.
PROSPECT HOSPICE
The recent collection of boxes in the village raised a total of £262.75, so a big thank you to everyone who contributed so generously.
PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE – DECEMBER
RoSPA have carried out their annual inspection of the play area at Redhills and no significant problems were found. The report can be viewed at Redhills Playing Fields and Play Area – Broad Town Parish Council.
Grants awarded to Community Groups The following grants have recently been awarded by the Parish Council from the Bluefield Solar Community Fund: • Village Hall Improvements : £4,011 to assist with costs incurred in refurbishing the car-park, installing energy efficient heating and lighting, and buying reusable tablecloths.
Community Shelter Group : £100 to help with the costs for the Christmas display.
Christ Church PCC : £400 to support the maintenance group in planting new shrubs, plants and trees throughout the churchyard.
A Banking Hub for Royal Wootton Bassett? Many residents will be aware that the last remaining bank on RWB High Street (Lloyds) will close on 6th December. However, the good news is that RWB has been chosen to have a Banking Hub, which is a new multi-bank way of delivering a service on the High Street. They have published a questionnaire to gather feedback from the local area as to the types of banking requirements that people may have. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SQBT8ZN
The next Parish Council meetings will be at 6.30pm in the village hall on 12th December and 9th January when we will be agreeing the budget and setting the precept for the forthcoming year. All are welcome and the agenda will be posted on our website and on the notice boards in due course. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
WILTSHIRE LIBRARIES ‘WARM SPACES’
Wiltshire Council libraries have officially become warm spaces for people this winter, providing a warm and friendly welcome to support anyone who needs help through the cost-of-living crisis. Of course, Wiltshire libraries are open to the public throughout the year, but now anyone is welcome to drop-in to any library in the county during the usual opening hours to have a sit down, a hot drink where possible, pick up some useful information, take part in activities and enjoy a friendly chat with staff should they need it, also there will be collection points for Warm Packs, which include a hot water bottle and blanket. Caroline White Broad Town Parish Clerk
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE A THREE-WEEK GAP BETWEEN THE COFFEE MORNINGS ON NOVEMBER 23RD AND DECEMBER 14TH
Please come along to our festive Christmas coffee morning in the village hall from 10am -12 noon on Wednesday December 14th to enjoy Christmas themed cakes, sausage rolls, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. We are very much looking forward to a visit by young children from our village pre-school who will be singing to us, and there will also be a raffle so please bring along any spare change that you have! After the Christmas break the coffee mornings will resume in the new year following the usual pattern of being on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, so the dates for January will be Wednesdays January 11th and 25th, from 10am – 12 noon. Please come along!
FOODBANK
The next village collection will be on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December 9am – 4pm at the village hall. With the cost of living rapidly rising, the use of foodbanks is greater than ever. As we prepare for Christmas, let’s remember those who struggle to “make ends meet” Your generosity is never taken for granted.
VILLAGE SHELTER
Over the festive period our village shelter will be home to several Christmas trees, each of which will have been decorated by a different community group from the village. To find out which groups are represented and how each has decided to ‘theme’ their tree, come along to the shelter opposite the church in the run up to Christmas and see for yourself! Trees will be available to view from Sunday December 11th
FOOD FOR THOUGHT MOBILE CATERING BROADTOWN VILLAGE HALL AND BROADTOWN SOCIAL CLUB
Food for Thought will be serving takeaway food in Broad Town Village Hall Car Park on the following Friday nights, 5pm – 8pm, as part of a sixmonth trial run. Friday 25th November (Big Screen World Cup Game followed by Games Night in the Social Club) Friday 23rd December (Community Carol Singing, mulled wine, and mince pies)
Friday 20th January 2023 Menu on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FoodForThoughtSwindon). For vegan, GF and other dietary requirements please contact them directly to discuss. They have limited space to carry stock but will gladly try to meet all requests. The Social Club (aka Four Ways Community Pub) will open from 5pm – 11pm on the evenings listed for members who wish to enjoy a drink along with their meal. Hopefully we can all enjoy Food for Thought and the additional events that the Social Club hope to run on the same dates. This is a genuine trial over 6 months so if you have any comments (positive or negative) or any concerns please let us know by emailing Paul Granger (Chair of the Village Hall Committee) via paulgranger4@btinternet.com or call on 07974 573815.
Regards Broad Town village hall committee and four ways community pub (the social club) committee.
FOURWAYS COMMUNITY PUB (THE SOCIAL CLUB)
We are a Community Pub, based in Broad Town Village Hall and run by volunteers. We are open every Friday night from 8pm to 11pm. We would love to see more of our villagers join us and make use of what we have to offer, which is: Convivial company Social events (Games Nights, Quiz Nights, Screening of Sports Events, New Year’s Eve Party) Members only events Early opening when the Fish & Chip van is in the car park Reasonably priced drinks and snacks, e.g., Wadsworth, Carlsberg £2.50 per pint, wine (18.7l) £2.50, standard spirits £2.50/measure A warm room to see you through the winter nights Membership costs just £2 per year and if you join now, you will have December 2022 free with your 2023 membership. Families with children are very welcome providing the accompanying adult is a club member. Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Assistance dogs also welcome. Come along on any Friday night to join up. Introduce yourself to Trevor (behind the bar) and he will sign you up and introduce you to others.
COMMUNITY CAROLS FRIDAY 23RD DECEMBER 7.30PM
Broad Town village hall car park in support of Wiltshire air ambulance free mince pies (courtesy food for thought) mulled wine £1 a glass (proceeds to charity) fish and chip van from 5 – 8pm social club open from 5pm – 11pm bring torches, warm clothes, a good voice and cash for mulled wine & collecting buckets song sheets provided ho! ho! ho!
WANT TO SEE THE NEW YEAR IN with friends, family or neighbours? don’t want the hassle of arranging a party or clearing up? then join us in the village hall. Everyone welcome. Book early to avoid disappointment.
SWINDON & DISTRICT SCOUTS XMAS POST 2022 FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS ONLY
Special Stamps 35p for 2022 available in Royal Wootton Bassett from: -
Sainsbury’s, Borough Fields, Church Croft, St Barts, High St (10am-noon Mon-Sat),
Radways the Cobblers, The Arcade, High Street,Rootz, Hairdressers, Woodshaw.
Items must be posted in the Special Green Post Boxes at the above locations Swindon Scouts Post Delivery Area
Ashbury, Badbury, Bassett Down, Bishopstone, Blunsdon,Broad Hinton, Broad Town, Bourton, Burderop, Bushton, Chiseldon, Clyffe Pypard, Coleshill, Cricklade, Greatfield, Greenhill, Hampton, Hannington, Highworth, Hodson, Hook, Inglesham, Liddington, Lydiard Millicent, Purton, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Salthrop, Sevenhampton, Shrivenham, South Marston, Stanton Fitzwarren, Tockenham, Wanborough, Watchfield, Wroughton,
NO DELIVERIES TO LYNEHAM, BRADENSTOKE, BRINKWORTH
Don’t Forget - ONLY use Special Green Scout Post Boxes (See above)
Do NOT use the special Xmas Stamps on cards posted in Royal Mail Post Boxes (the recipient will have to pay a surcharge). Last Time for Posting 4pm on Tuesday 13th December
ZUMBA CLASS
Bushton Village Hall – Mondays at 9.30: If you feel like having some fun and getting some exercise as well, please come along and join us. All ages and abilities welcome. No pressure at all.
For details please text/ring Flory on 07460 592998.
PCC PHILIP WILKINSON: DECEMBER/JANUARY PARISH COLUMN
Policing has been under the microscope in the last year, and I don’t see this scrutiny letting up any time soon – and neither should it. The public want their police force to keep them safe, protect vulnerable people, put victims first, catch the criminals responsible, produce quality investigations and lock the bad ones up. Wiltshire Police has had its fair share of criticism. It has received a poor PEEL inspection report and is currently in ‘special measures’. I can reassure you progress is being made and my scrutiny of that performance is ongoing. We have had some solid successes too. You told me road safety and speeding was a key concern. I have committed investment into the roads policing unit, increasing the number of officers and cars by 20%. We also tripled the capacity of the speed enforcement team, with extra police staff and state-of-the-art cameras. With this joined up approach, there are more traffic officers on our streets and there has been an increase of 42% of the number of people caught speeding and given tickets. There is still more to do but our roads will become safer as the deterrent of speeding tickets and prosecution starts to bite. The rural crime team has also doubled since I committed investment in the team and in extra equipment. I was also pleased with the force’s commitment to visit all victims of home burglary – let me know if this doesn’t happen and I will act on your behalf to scrutinise that commitment. We are also in the process of recruiting the next Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police and I hope to have them confirmed in post by mid-January. We look forward to welcoming them to the county. In the meantime, our current Chief will carry on implementing the improvements needed to satisfy HM Inspectors and provide stability so the force can continue making Wiltshire safer for all. Please also make sure you take part in my survey, taking place in December and January, which will ask you about your confidence levels in Wiltshire Police and about the policing precept for 2023/24. It is important we capture as many people’s thoughts as possible and you will find this on my website from mid-December. As ever, I wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Broad Town News would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
This edition is for December and January so the next news will be for February 2023.
** From January, please forward articles for the news to the following email address:- BroadTownNews@gmail.com **
The deadline will still be the 22nd of each month
Any queries, please contact Ray Manley - raymanley1@icloud.com Tel: 01793 731564