ON HUMAN FLOURISHING

‘The glory of God is a human being fully alive’ so wrote Irenaeus in the second century. Sometimes it takes time away from my usual daily pattern to remind me that I believe I’m in the business of human flourishing. Holidays can help with that.

For me, at its best holiday becomes holy-day.  The pleasure of conversation with loved ones goes beyond arranging the diary or the shopping/ cleaning/ caring practicalities of daily life; and drinks deeply and thoughtfully at stuff that matters, or shares experiences of beauty and pleasure that brings laughter and comfortable silence.

Holiday calls me back to a truer balance of work and rest, of play and perspective.

As the school holidays end and the new school year begins I may not be alone in wanting to find ways of maintaining a commitment to the kind of human flourishing that has room for work and play; for being still and being active; for cherishing old friendships and developing new ones.

I desire a life centered on a form of human flourishing which isn’t simply for the individual ‘me’, but which embraces the flourishing of the relationships and communities in which I live and work and love.

I want to begin the autumn season holding firmly onto the reminders of how I want to live life that a season of holiday gave me.  I’m also aware of wanting to share changes to the rules for churchyards, and at first that seems to bring me up with a bump.  I may believe I’m in the business of human flourishing yet it can sometimes seem as if my business is a dry and dusty churchiness focused in the griefs of funerals.

So where is the pivot which balances holiday and holy day; death and life; neglect and flourishing?

I find it in some lines from a poem by Mary Oliver, When Death Comes:

When it’s over, I want to say all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom taking the world into my arms.

For so often I have found that it is in saying farewell I become aware of the contribution to human flourishing, to our flourishing that others have made. And that is inspiration enough to devote ourselves to the flourishing of the human being.

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

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

 

SPONSORS

Sponsors are now needed for the Newsletter.  If anyone would like to donate £30 to keep the newsletter going for a month it would be greatly appreciated.  This goes toward the cost of printing and the paper.

 

URGENT - DELIVERER NEEDED.

Is there anyone in the village who is prepared to deliver in Redhills please?  It is a compact round and easy to deliver.  We need a new deliverer from the end of September.  If you could do it please contact Margaret on 01793 854200.

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

5^th Sept                           BT CLPG meeting

10^th Sept                         Café Coffee Morning

14^th Sept & 28^thSept         Community Coffee Mornings

23^rd Sept                         Hilmarton Moviola

24^th Sept                         Gentlemen’s Breakfast Club

1^st Oct                            Harvest Supper

 

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING SEPT 10^TH

Once again the café will be open for business at the Church from 10am to Noon. We will have the usual stalls of refreshments, cakes & sales.  So do come along for a good chat and tasty cakes.

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS

Dates for September are Wednesday 14^th & Wednesday 28^th between 10am and noon.

Thank you to everyone who is making this such a success, the bakers, the helpers and everyone who comes for a drink, cake and a chat.

If anyone enjoys baking and feels able to bake a cake for the coffee mornings, do let us know.  Margaret 731564, Carolyn 852754

 

RIDE AND STRIDE 2016 10^th SEPTEMBER 1916

There is still time to collect forms and take part in this year’s Ride and Stride!

Half of proceeds to Broad Town Church and half to Historic Churches Trust

Contact Carolyn for more information 852754

 

 

 

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!  First session is free.  Last month one of our lovely volunteers, Esther organised our very first sponsored toddle walk around Jubilee Lake.  The children walked through the woods and around the lake with some games along the way.  The children raised an incredible amount - well done everyone!  The money raised will help to keep running 'Bumps and Beyond' group which is fully run by volunteers (mums and dads, with the help of the Women's Institute).  Thanks to family and friends locally and further afield who have been so generous in their sponsorship to support this small, friendly group for the benefit of all the families who attend.

If you would like any further information about our group, please pop in and see us or call Cathy on 07775 928859.  Alternatively visit our Facebook page:  Bumps & Beyond Mother & Toddler Group.

 

CHURCH ROOF PROJECT

Unfortunately our recent application to the listed places of worship grant scheme to replace the whole church roof was not successful.  We obviously have to find a way of carrying out these essential repairs and at the latest Parochial Church Council meeting it was agreed we will apply to other grant providers but only for the most urgent repairs and we will continue with our own fund-raising efforts as we are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of repairs.

 

HARVEST SUPPER

An event for the whole community.

3 Course Meal, Entertainment, Bar provided by The Four Ways Community Pub

Venue - Village Hall, Date & Time - 1 October at 7.00pm
Tickets - £10.00. Family tickets (2 adults & 2 children) £25.00  Available from:-
Margaret Manley, Tel: 731564, Margaret Green, Tel: 854200
Carol Oldfield, Tel: 731097, Judy Rendell, Tel: 731341

Proceeds will go towards the church roof project to keep our church open.

 

BROAD TOWN CLEAN FOR THE QUEEN GROUP

The Clean For The Queen group has recovered from the June birthday celebrations and will be meeting later in September to look at areas of Broad Town that might need a further spruce up and also to consider a project for continuing the work on the Redhills playing field – if you have any ideas which you would like us to consider or you would like to volunteer please send us an email  btcleanforthequeen@gmail.com

BROAD TOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The most recent Neighbourhood Tasking Group took place in July.  This is a meeting at which the local police provide an update on their activities during the previous quarter and set their priorities for the next.  The most significant issue within the meeting was the planned re-organization of the Neighbourhood Police Team which is due to take place on 17^th October. A summary of the information delivered is as follows:

“The Chief Constable and the PCC believe that neighbourhood policing should remain at the heart of what we do and this will be made clear in the new Police and Crime Plan.  We are responding by redesigning and transforming police structure to keep pace with the changing demands.  Community Policing is a new model which has been drawn up following an extensive two year review into the way we as a police force work.  Essentially Community Policing simplifies our policing model. It breaks down the barriers between the different job roles and departments in the Force, and gives victims of crime and others a more personalised service.  It encourages our staff and officers to become multi-skilled, so they can do more – from patrolling your communities as neighbourhood officers, to responding to 999 calls in emergencies.

Community Policing simplifies the process and means staff and officers can go back to an old-fashioned approach of multi-skilled teams.  The right person deals with an investigation from the beginning – whether that is a trained call-handler, an officer, a PCSO, or a civilian local crime investigator – and can then follow it through to completion.  Despite some voiced concerns, it is not a disbanding of NPT, but rather a development of that model of policing, bringing together resources that have been working in isolation and keeping Public Service at the core of our work”.

If anyone wishes further information on the Broad Town Neighbourhood Watch, would they please contact Andrew Law on 01793 731472.

 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film is on Friday 23^rd September is Florence Foster Jenkins (PG) 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

 

GENTLEMAN’S BREAKFAST CLUB

Saturday 24^th Sept 2016

At 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.  The speaker for this event is Terry Gibson and his talk will be on the duties and the role of a Mayor.

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

BROAD TOWN COMMUNITY LED PLANNING (CLP) GROUP

A reminder that residents of Broad Town are invited to a CLPG meeting on Monday 5^th September at Broad Town Village Hall from 7.30pm to 9pm.  We hope to bring you up to date with Neighbourhood Planning matters that have happened over the summer, including any news on the Parish Council Housing Survey that will be used to formulate draft development proposals for the Broad Town section of the Neighbourhood Plan.  Hopefully you all had enough time to respond!  As usual refreshments will be provided and we look forward to seeing you again.

The NEW-V Area Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, now consisting of Broad Town, Tockenham and Clyffe Pypard representatives, continues to look at how further Neighbourhood Plan consultations will be carried out, whilst the legalities of separating the four villages that have withdrawn from the Group are being finalised.  Setting up a website for the Group proves not to be easy and at the moment the only way of seeing copies of the agendas and minutes on topics that affect Broad Town appears to be through our CLPG mailing list.

With our representation on the Area Steering Group, the CLPG has direct input into the plans for the consultations that are expected to continue into next year.  If you would like your voice to be heard please come along to the meeting or 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.

 

WANTED*WANTED*WANTED*WANTED*WANTED*WANTED

We are looking for a quiet, low key home for our two old horses as close to Clyffe Pypard as possible.  Both are retired and just require grass turn out with secure perimeter fencing and water supply for as much of the year as possible and a barn or shelter with somewhere to wander around a bit during the wet/winter months (but not individual stables).

If you can help, please phone or text Jackie Ellis on01793 731547/07747798859

 

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.  For more details please contact Polly Fouracres by email - polly@4fouracres.com.

 

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT & CRICKLADE COMMUNITY AREA

Hello!  As I write this it is a beautiful day and the sun is shining, but it won’t be long until the days get shorter as the nights draw in.  Sorry to bring the subject up, but winter is coming!  How about trying something different this year to stave off the winter blues?  Couple of ideas to think about:

Men’s Sheds.  This project is gaining momentum and in our area!  Royal Wootton Bassett are well on the way to creating their “Shed”.  They hope to open next month – look out for posters or contact Alexa Smith on 01249 706610 Mobile 07768 357306 or John Loran on 01793 771735.  For those of you in Cricklade and Purton, do come and see what is going on as the plans are well under way to start similar sheds in both locations – if there is interest!  Again, call Alexa for details of the progress in Cricklade and Purton.

Using your computer?  Thinking about buying a Tablet?  Then the Digi Champion group could be for you!  A very friendly group meet in the Cricklade leisure centre coffee shop every Monday between 10 and 12 and are happy to help and support anyone who is struggling to get to grips with the technology.  Why not pop along to see if they can help you?  Of course, if you are a whizz with technology, perhaps you could support others to learn?  Greensquare Housing are supporting this and will also be present with some new gadgets etc.  Drop in to find out more.

Time to spare?  Could you help someone who has been in Hospital?  The Royal Voluntary Service is looking for people who could spare an hour per week to visit someone who has recently come home from a stay in hospital.  The duties may be to check all is well and perhaps fetch a little shopping, run the vacuum around, pop the washing out or just be there to show someone cares.  The commitment last for 6 weeks to support that person get back into the normal routing of life at home.  If you can help, call Emma Dowie on 07766 473267.

Meanwhile, as ever, I am around for general help and support so give me a call and leave a message.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Health and Wellbeing Champion, Ellen Blacker.  Tel: 07557 922020 or email ellen.blacker@wiltshire.gov.uk.