ON POETRY AND SPRINGTIME.

I like the spring and, especially in a new garden, there is a delight in seeing what unknown bulbs appear and what responds with fresh newness to the pruning of the autumn.  It seems to me no accident that the Church chose to mark the Christian feast of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus at a time of year that abounds with natural metaphors for new life returning from the apparent death of dry and barren ground.  So I like April.

Not everyone does. In fact. T S Eliot the poet wrote that:

April is the cruellest month, breeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing

Memory and desire, stirring

Dull roots with spring rain.

Winter kept us warm, covering

Earth in forgetful snow, feeding

A little life with dried tubers.        From Part 1 of the Wasteland

I find myself saying a piece of verse from my primary school days:

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz

I wonder where them birdies is

The birds is on the wing

Why that’s absurd!

The wing is on the bird.   (as far as I know this is anonymous)

Whether April takes you with meditative melancholy or springy silliness I hope that April gives you both new life and wings to enjoy springtime and poetry.

The Reverend Rachma Abbott, Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.

The Vicarage, Clyffe Pypard, SWINDON, SN4 7PY. 01793 731134  

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

6^th April             BTCLPG meeting

11^th April                       Back to School

16^th April                       Hilmarton Moviola

17^th April                       Church Annual Parishioners Meeting

18^th April                       Village Hall AGM

20^th April                       WI meeting

30^th April                       Gentlemen’s Breakfast

2^nd May             Bushton Plant Fair

14^th May                        Coffee Morning and Plant Sale

15^th May                        Rowdford School Garden Fair

27^th May                        Last day of School

2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays – Community Coffee Mornings

THANK YOU

A big “Thank you” to all who came to the Dodecantus concert.  We listened to some great singing and had some scrumptious refreshments.

A total of £190 profit was made.

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS

A big thank you to everyone who has come and made the coffee mornings such friendly and enjoyable occasions. They continue to be successful despite some pretty awful weather!  £150 has been donated to the church roof fund.

Do come and join us on Wednesday 13th and Wednesday 27th April. Bring a friend too!!

 

BROAD TOWN VILLAGE HALL AGM

Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 18^th April at 6.30pm in the Village Hall.  Everyone is welcome and we rely on volunteers to help run and maintain the Village Hall.  If you would like to have an input into running the hall, please come along (no experience needed).  We look forward to seeing you on Monday 18^th April at 6.30pm

 

COFFEE MORNING AND PLANT SALE

The next time the Church Café is open is on the 14^th May from 10.00am till Noon.

We will have the usual cakes, refreshments, raffle and sales table.  We will also be selling plants so if you are splitting anything in your garden or planting seeds could you please spare a thought for the coffee morning and sow a few extra seeds and split your plant a little more.  Anything would be greatly appreciated.

 

CLERKS CLIPPINGS

1. Community Speedwatch. Volunteers still required.

2. Parking on Chapel Lane.  My last item in this subject has been reinforced by the recent fire in R. Wootton Bassett, where badly parked vehicles held up the fire engines and had to be removed.

This is my last 'Clippings'.as Clerk. Thank you to all of my readers.  Roy Davey

 

BUMPS & BEYOND BABY & TODDLER PLAYGROUP

We are a small friendly group who meet every Tuesday at Broad Town Village Hall, from 9.30-11.30am (term time only). We run different activities each week and music and movement for all ages.  Snacks for the children and coffee and cake for the grown ups!  We also organise a children's summer outing, annual Easter egg hunt and Christmas party.

Please just call in or ring Cathy for any further information on 07775 928859. Or visit our Facebook page:  Bumps & Beyond Mother & Toddler Group.

 

BROAD TOWN WI

Our March Meeting was our AGM.  A new committee was elected with just one
change; Dawn Flynn took over from Michelle Sanders as part secretary.  Many
thanks to Michelle for a wonderful job over the last few years.
Following the AGM members talked about volunteering, and what a rewarding
experience it can be.  Many of our members do volunteering of one sort or another.  Examples were: guiding visitors around Westonbirt Arboretum,
being an Independent Visitor for a foster child, being a 'good neighbour'
through the Link 6 organisation and helping out at the Prospect Hospice or
in charity shops.  There is no need to be bored in retirement!
We are a friendly group with members from all over the area and generally
meet on the third Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall.  However, in
April we will be going to Westlecott bowls club to play indoor bowls.  If
you would like more information, please contact Kate on 01793 731536.

We are also on the Broad Town Village website and on Facebook.

GENTLEMAN’S BREAKFAST CLUB

30^th April 2016 St. Michael's Church Hall Lyneham.  

Tea, coffee & toast available from 9:15am, full English breakfast at 9:30am

£7.00 p.p. + a raffle.

This month the Revd Paul Needle will talk to us about Rail Disasters.

Contact David May davemay104@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to attend.

 

THE FOUR WAYS COMMUNITY PUB, BROAD TOWN VILLAGE HALL

FRIDAY NIGHTS.  Everyone welcome from 8 p.m. till late, children from 12 yrs must be accompanied, younger children by arrangement.  Social Club prices in the fully Licensed Bar.

Tea, coffee (+ decaf) and chocolate beverages, snacks and soft drinks available.

SUNDAY BINGO.  Fun for all ages….  Doors open 7.15 eyes down 8pm. Books and Stakes from £1.25 Plus Big Bonus Card game, and Two Triple chance Flyers.  All monies taken are paid out in prizes.  Become a member and after 4 consecutive weeks you can go for the Snowball prize.  The more people that join us the bigger the prizes.

The FOUR WAYS community pub and Sunday Bingo are run by The Broad Town Social Club Volunteers.

We need volunteers to help run the bar on a Friday and Sunday night, if anyone is interested in helping please contact Trevor on 01793731699

e.mail  fourwaysbroadtown@g.mail.com. / facebook.com/FourWaysBroadTown

 

BROAD TOWN COMMUNITY LED PLANNING (CLP) GROUP

There is still a lot of unravelling to do before Purton and Lyneham & Bradenstoke can leave the Area Neighbourhood Plan or that decisions can be made by the remaining villages, including Broad Town, on how they too want to proceed.  It appears that once a village has agreed to go forward with a proposed Neighbourhood Plan it is almost impossible to reverse that decision if there is a change of mind.  We are trying to make sense of what might happen for Broad Town and we will do our best to keep you informed through our Community Forum website:

 www.broad-town.co.uk/CommunityGroups/CommunityLeadPlanningGroup

At our next meeting we hope to review the proposed Housing Survey form that will be distributed to all households in Broad Town.  Your input into this is welcome.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 6^th April at 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall, all residents are welcome.  Please contact us if you would like to go on to our mailing list on broadtownclpg@gmail.com.

 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film is on Saturday 16^th April is The Lady in the Van (12A)

Hilmarton Parish Church Hall, Doors open at 7pm, Tickets £6 from:-

27 Poynder Place Hilmarton 01249 760215

Breda Cottage 34 Church Road Hilmarton 01249 760312 (opposite the Chapel)

The Duke Hotel 01249 760634, where you may also order a pre-cinema meal at a special price, or E-mail MarkRickaby2@gmail.com

For more information call Geoff Procter on 01249 760312

 

BUSHTON MANOR OPEN GARDEN AND PLANT FAIR

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 2^ND MAY 2016

Now in its 9^th year this event attracts over 700 visitors who are able to wander around the gardens of this early 18^th Century Manor House.  It is the only time that the gardens are open to the public.  Refreshments are available in the form of a ‘bacon butty’ BBQ and afternoon teas.  Not only are plants from specialist growers and local gardeners available to purchase but there are also locally produced food products, crafts and other specialities.  The bric-a-brac stall selling mainly garden associated products and cake stall are always busy and there will be games to keep the younger people occupied.  There is a clear, but not exclusive, emphasis on Wiltshire based growers and producers. Stalls are scattered around the garden giving a strolling relaxed atmosphere.

Money raised goes to the upkeep of St Peters Church a Grade 1 building in Clyffe Pypard.

Entrance £2. Children and car parking free.  11am -4pm.  Postcode SN4 7PX

www.clyffepypard –bushton.com

 

Just a reminder that I am here to help with information to (hopefully) solve problems and make your life a little easier.  Please call me,

Ellen Blacker on 07557 110414 or email me at rwbcrickladegnc@communityfirst.org.uk

 

THE GUILD OF WILTSHIRE ARTISTS

Run workshops at the Village Hall on every third Saturday of the month from 10am to 4pm.  All are welcome including painters who are beginners.

Tea and Coffee provided but do bring a packed lunch.  Help will be given to those who request it.  Contact telephone numbers 731154, 731519.

 

HATHA YOGA

Weekly Hatha Yoga at Broad Town Village Hall.  For more details please contact Polly Fouracres by email - polly@4fouracres.com.

 

ROWDEFORD GARDEN FAIR

Sunday 15^th May 11am to 3pm, Rowdeford School, Rowdford, Devizes, SN10 2QQ

The established family friendly fair for the gardening enthusiast.

Gorgeous plants from specialist growers, attractive and useful garden accessories.

Visit the walled garden and newly restored Victorian Greenhouse.

Story telling for children in our Yurt, delicious WI teas, freshly prepared food, Pimm’s stall.

Advance ticket sales £4 + 10am exclusive early entry.

Entry on the day £5, Children (16 and under) free

Free Car park – Sorry no dogs.

Email maggiemoore@firenet.uk.net

Supporting children with disabilities and special needs.