ON BEING GRAVELY SERIOUS.

In May a small group of us went to some training on a programme called Gravetalk.

Gravetalk is a response to some of the work that has gone on, mainly in urban settings on Death Cafes. http://deathcafe.com.  It has been developed by the Church of England to help people talk about the issues around death and dying with the necessary extras of tea and coffee and cake (or fruit for those who weren’t having cake).

Gravetalk, like the Death Café movement is not for the recently bereaved – it is not a counselling resource.  It is intended to help people think about death and dying as part of life and living.

Death, so Benjamin Franklin said, is along with taxation one of life’s only certainties.

It is also certain that most of us find it hard to talk about death.

Even when we want to, even when it seems a necessary conversation.  Even when you are a minister in the Church of England and you use a prayer book which advises in ‘The Visitation of the Sick’ And if he have not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his debts, what he oweth, and what is owing unto him’ for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates whilst they are in health.

It isn’t that easy to have those conversations with the sick – in fact I’ve found it easier to talk about dying and wills in the context of baptisms and weddings.  And I know that it was becoming a single mother, and not having a mortgage that persuaded me to make a will and that made some thinking about dying and what the consequences might be for my baby son.  When I was first in ministry I served in Bethnal Green, and in that parish we did a lot of funerals.  I used to sometimes bemoan the fact that people treated us as if we were experts in death.  One of my friends once pointed out that it was ridiculous to think of expertise in death for anyone who was still alive – it’s not like you’ve even died once – they said, so how can you be an expert.  In faith terms, I realise that I thought my expertise was not in death, but resurrection.

But as time has gone on, more and more I know I think it is helpful to be able to talk about death and dying.  Easiest and best is to have those conversations before it is urgent, when you can laugh and talk about your pre-kicking the bucket list.

Gravetalk is deathly serious and the three of us at that training laughed long and hard in the course of those conversations.  We also laughed loud enough to wake the dead.

It was one of those days that reminded me of why I think that life should be lived in all its fullness.

So, there is a chance that somewhere soon, in a benefice near you there will be tea and cake (and maybe fruit) and a chance to talk about death and dying and to laugh your head off while you do.

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

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

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

8^th July  School Sports Day

11^th July            BT Parish Council Meeting

11^th July            Spackman Charity AGM

13^th July            Community Coffee Morning

20^th July            WI

21^st July            School Leavers Service & Last Day of Term

22^nd July            School TT Day

23^rd July            Hilmarton Moviola

27^th July            Community Coffee Morning

1^st Sep  School TT Day

2^nd Sep School Y1 - 6 Return

5^th Sep  School EY start

1^st Oct   Harvest Supper

Every 2 weeks from 20^th July      Age UK Advice bus

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS

Dates for July are Wednesday 13^th and Wednesday 27^th 10am to 12noon.

Do come and join us for coffee/tea/chocolate and homemade cake.

You will be made very welcome

 

CHURCH ROOF PROJECT

A decision on our application for a grant to replace the roof is expected at the beginning of July. So far we have received donations of £2840.40 towards the cost and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards this.

 

THOMAS SPACKMAN CHARITY. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The above meeting will occur at the next Parish council meeting on Monday 11^th July 2016, to be held in the Clyffe Pypard and Bushton Village Hall at 7.45pm

This will be an ideal opportunity to find out more about this charity and its recently reviewed constitution.  Everyone will be extremely welcome.

For more information, please contact Peter Shaw (chairman of the trustees)

01793 731015 bishopsfarm@eclipse.co.uk

 

 

 

BROAD TOWN WI

Last month we visited TWIGS community garden in Cheney Manor for a guided tour of their lovely gardens.  It was very interesting and enjoyable.  Working in the gardens, and the craft studio attached, is very therapeutic and helps people with mental health issues.  There is also a café where people can work, when they are feeling better, as a step towards going back to work.  Members enjoyed the tour of the beautiful peaceful gardens and were able to purchase some of the lovely plants grown there.  The gardens are open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays if anyone would like to visit.

We were also part of the Queen's Birthday celebrations, hosting the Royal Tea Party.  The event was a huge success with 90 people enjoying an afternoon tea and Royal themed quiz with the backdrop of historical footage of Her Majesty playing on a big screen.  A big thank you to all who came, and all who helped with setting up, serving and clearing away.  A great weekend, thanks to the organising committee for all their hard work.

In July (20^th) we will be having a talk, in the Village Hall, by the University of the Third Age in Marlborough.  They will tell us about the life enhancing opportunities for the retired and semi-retired offered by the organisation.

We are a friendly group and welcome new members.  Our meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall.  If you are interested in visiting us please contact Kate on 01793 731536.  We are also on the Broad Town Village website and on Facebook.

 

BROAD TOWN CELEBRATES THE QUEEN’S 90^TH BIRTHDAY….IN STYLE!!

What a weekend of fun and festivities took place in Broad Town over the weekend 10,11,12^th June -5 events over 3 days, 308 people fed, watered and having a good time celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s 90^th birthday! Early on Friday morning strange figures began appearing in gardens, in flower beds, in hedgerows and up trees; there was Charles II hiding up a tree, the Royal Yacht Britannia about to set sail carrying the Royal family, Queen Elizabeth off to Balmoral, mowing the lawn and looking for her lost corgis; Anne Boleyn about to lose her head and Prince Harry presiding over the Invictus games.  In all 25 imaginative scarecrows appeared causing drivers to slow down, hoot their horns and visiting Americans to step out of their car and join us for the fun!

On Friday night 45 young people came in their best fancy dress to have their photo taken with the Queen at the Village Hall and enjoy royal crafts, games and party food.

Saturday morning up with the lark and 30 intrepid litter pickers moved to their designated spots and began to rid our footpaths of litter and weeds.  They worked hard in the rain for 2 hours and were rewarded with tea & cookies afterwards in the Village Hall.

For some the main event was our Royal Tea Party to which 93 residents and their families were the delighted recipients of an afternoon tea worthy of the Ritz. Finger sandwiches, cream scones and cakes galore were served by the WI in a delightful street party style within the Village Hall.

Birthday wishes were sung and a delightful celebration cake presented and made by Jane Rowe was on display.  A quick clearing away was needed to allow our evening entertainment to get under way with music courtesy of ‘The Chocolate Candy Band’ ; The music and dancing started at 7.30 with fabulous tunes from the 60’s,70’s & 80’s which encouraged old and young to get on their feet.  Nigel led a conga and everyone walked 500 miles! It was a wonderful evening of community fun, the like of which has not been seen in the Village for many a year and left us all promising to do it again soon!

Sunday morning came too soon and our final event was a church service of celebration.  Flags were waved and Molly & Amy told us a story about the Queen’s new crown. Afterwards prizes were awarded to the winning scarecrows – 1^st Zara Phillips jumping the fence in Chapel Lane, 2^nd The Grenadier guard presenting a birthday cake to the Queen (complete with corgi!) and joint 3^rd to the Pre -School for a very regal Queen sitting on her throne & to the Invictus Games entry.  Finally, we cut the cake, sang Happy Birthday again and breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a busy weekend but one we shall never forget!

A special thanks to everyone who contributed to making this such a successful weekend and who showed their support in a variety of ways.  Thanks also to our prize sponsors, Complete Glazing Services, Goldsworthy’s Hairdressing, Broad Town cars, Guilder Rose, Cloth of Gold, The Crown Broad Hinton, Bassett Books, Chris Moore Services, Broad Town Church, Simon & Lorraine Billis, Andy & Lesley Blackburn, Rosie & Andy Law, Clive Green.

 

PARISH COUNCIL BRIEFING – notes from the PC meeting held on 13^th of June 2016

Deborah Bourne has been appointed as the new Parish Council clerk.  Contact details will be published in the next Newsletter.

A number of Broad Town residents reported to the Parish Council that a recently erected barn on Broad Town Road is a larger building than shown on the plans submitted for planning approval.  The Parish Council agreed to make representation to Wiltshire Planning.

The Parish Council wishes to record its thanks and appreciation to all those who organised and delivered the wonderful celebrations to mark the Queen’s 90^th Birthday. The events were a credit to the Village.

The Parish Council agreed to keep its options open in regard to continuing with the Neighbourhood Plan following the withdrawal of two more Villages.

Wiltshire Council will be moving forward with the proposal for a road sign at the Junction of Pye Lane and Broad Town Road to state “single track road – no passing places”.

The Age UK Advice Bus is coming to Royal Wootton Bassett.  Its aim is to allow older people living in some of the rural areas of our county to access face to face information.  The Advice Bus will be at Borough Fields car park, Royal Wootton Bassett on July 20^th, August 3^rd,17^th,31^st, September 14^th and 28^th, October 12^th and 16^th, November 9^th and 23^rd, and December 7^th and 21^st.

Further information 01380 727787

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 11^th July 2016 at 6.30pm at the Village Hall – all are welcome

BROAD TOWN COMMUNITY LED PLANNING (CLP) GROUP

We are expecting a delay in the neighbourhood plan process over the summer, although a lot of work continues behind the scenes by Wiltshire Council who are dealing with the legal issues of untangling the current area neighbourhood plan to allow the Villages that are leaving to do so.  That will leave only three remaining Villages in a position to continue in the area neighbourhood plan, out of the original seven - Broad Town, Tockenham and Clyffe Pypard.

The CLPG is pressing the area neighbourhood plan group for the correct procedures to be in place that make sure that neighbourhood planning continues in a way that is open and transparent and keeps people informed, such as availability of information on a website that has been promised by Wiltshire Council.

There has been no more news on the Parish Council Housing Survey questionnaire as the Parish Council has been focusing on other issues.

Due to the ongoing delay we do not expect to meet in July but if anything new arises we will get in touch with everyone on our mailing list.  Please contact us if you would like to go on to our mailing list on broadtownclpg@gmail.com or telephone 01793 731188 if you would like paper copies of information.

 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film is on Saturday July 23^rd is Bridge of spies (12A) at 7.30pm

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

 

HARVEST SUPPER

Save the Date - Saturday 1^st October.  Once again the food will be flowing, drink will be dispatched and convivial conversation will abound.  Why? Because it will be time for the Harvest Supper in the village hall at 7.00pm.

More details and tickets will be available in August.

 

AGE UK ADVICE BUS

This is a new initiative with the aim of allowing older people living in some rural areas to access face to face information and advice. At the moment the bus is only available till the end of the year.  If you wish to keep it then please use it.

The nearest stopping point to Broad Town is Borough Fields Car Park, Royal Wootton Bassett on alternate Wednesdays starting the 20^th July. The bus will be there from 10.00am till 12.30pm.

 

URGENT – VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

Link6 & RWB provides essential transport and support to people in need in the Villages  of Bradenstoke, Broad Town, Bushton, Clyffe Pypard, Lyneham, Tockenham & the town of Royal Wootton Bassett.

We have been going for over 6 years, and have had the support of many local volunteers, but we are now reaching crisis point.

WITHOUT NEW TELEPHONE COORDINATORS WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE.

Can you help?  We need a volunteer who is available approximately one week in four.

You will need to take calls from our clients and then find one of our volunteers who is able to take the job. Our switchboard is open 10-4 Monday to Friday, but you are not expected to sit by the phone all day. It is ideal for somebody who is at home a lot, but can still use a phone and a computer.  Please think hard about this, we need somebody in place mid July, full training given.

More details about LINK6&RWB Good Neighbor service can be found on our website: - http://link6andrwb.btck.co.uk/ Please call 07879 394666

Or contact Allison Bucknell on allison.bucknell@btinternet.com

 

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT & CRICKLADE COMMUNITY AREA

Health and Wellbeing Champion, Ellen Blacker.  Tel: 07557 922020 or email ellen.blacker@wiltshire.gov.uk.  Please contact me if you think I can help or support you with transport, home or personal safety, feeling lonely or finance.

I am also able to point you in the direction of a huge range of local activities, events and projects.

One of which is setting up a Men’s Shed in the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade community area, please get in touch if you’d like to know more.  In addition, elderly and vulnerable people who fall ill or become disorientated on a trip to Royal Wootton Bassett high street can now pop in to a nearby shop for assistance.  A Safe Places scheme has been launched officially by Royal Wootton Bassett’s Caring about Dementia group, taking the town a step closer towards its goal of becoming dementia friendly.  Backed by businesses in the Town Centre such as Boots, the scheme offers help to those who need it somewhere close by in an emergency and it is not just aimed at the elderly.  Children who are being bullied on the way home from school can also call in where they see the special orange sticker.

Linda Frost, chairman of the Caring About Dementia group said: “This is what we need for people who do have dementia, but at the same time it is also a facility that is going to be useful to anybody.”