ON PLANS AND THE PRESENT MOMENT

I and probably you too, had plans, lots of them.  I like plans.  I had plans for services and work; plans for seeing loved friends and family; plans for holidays; plans for the future.  In the present moment all my plans, and maybe yours too, are being changed by a particular coronavirus.  I’m not sure when I next catch a cold I will say as easily as I used to do: ‘it’s just a virus’.

The situation seems to be changing so fast I can’t work out how to plan anything in response and I’m left with feelings of frustration and sadness and fear and panic.  It could be easy to be overwhelmed by these feelings in a situation where all my plans are in disarray.  And of course, others had plans of much greater importance: a family wedding or hard-working plans towards a place at university or a career advance.

There won’t be public worship or school or visits to friends and family.  There may be times of real loss and suffering and sorrow.

So I stopped (and shouted at a loved one, and cried a few tears of self-pity) and then went out into the garden and I saw a tulip starting to unfurl and some nearly-tadpole commas in the pond.  When I came back indoors there were some messages of kindness and offers of help both personally to me and simply offered to support neighbours and strangers.

So I may not be able to share this with the physical touch and warmth that I have earlier taken for granted, perhaps I will only be able to share at the social distance of a smile heard, but not seen on the phone.

My plans may come to nothing yet there will still be kindness and gratitude and the practices of sitting and reflecting that I call prayer.  I also know that in the garden, just as all those years ago, there will be new life in flowering plants and frogs and Jesus greeting Mary Magdalene through her tears with the assurance of the resurrection.

Whatever has gone awry in my plans, and perhaps in yours, may we all find new life and kindness and gratitude that we did not plan for.

I don’t know yet what being your vicar and being your church will look like in the days and weeks ahead but we will work towards the churches being open for prayer and pondering and expressing our love and service to you in whatever ways we can.

The Reverend Rachma Abbott

Priest in Charge Lyneham with Bradenstoke and Priest in Charge Woodhill Benefice: (Broad Town, Clyffe Pypard, Hilmarton, Tockenham)

The Vicarage/ The Rectory, Clyffe Pypard, SWINDON, Wiltshire. SN4 7PY  01793 73113

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

6^th April             Parish Council Meeting

27^th April           Annual Parish Meeting

Both of these dates are liable to change.

 

 

SUSPENSIONS

All Church services – the Church will be available for private prayer; please contact Ray Manley first.

Village Hall – the hall may be available but check with Nigel Crocker first.

Church Annual Meeting

Social Club

Community Coffee Mornings

Whist Drive – please contact organisers first

Graveyard Tidy-up – If you were thinking to help, please contact Ray Manley.

Hilmarton Moviola

VE Day celebrations will now possibly be in October

Guild of Wiltshire Artists

Lindy Hop

 

CANCELLATIONS

May plant sale

May Church Coffee Morning

June Bassett Stall

Gentlemen’s Breakfast for April.

 

CHURCH FLOOR

Good News!  Repairs to the floor have now been completed.  We are currently carrying out an intensive clean to the building to have the Church ready for services when we are advised these can be resumed.  If you would like to assist with the cleaning (max 2 people at a time) please contact Ray Manley to agree a day and time.  In the meantime, if anyone would like access to the Church for private prayer or have a change of place to be self isolating, again, contact Ray.

The next project in the Church will be to carry out repairs to the walls and redecorate.  Estimates, funds/grants and permissions will all need to be obtained and we will give regular updates on progress in the Broad Town News.

Group tidying up sessions in the churchyard have been temporarily suspended but individuals can continue to attend to graves as before.

Ray’s telephone number for all enquiries is 731564

 

WINE GLASSES

Broad Town Church have 96 wine glasses available to borrow (for a donation for Church Funds). Enquiries to Margaret Manley Tel: 731564

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS

Many thanks to everyone who was able to support the fundraising morning for MS and the neurortherapy Centre.  We were delighted to donate a total of £150.

We look forward to opening the doors again as soon as is possible.  In the meantime if you need anything or would just like a chat our telephone numbers are on the list.

Our best wishes from the Coffee Morning Team.

FOOTPATHS

After two good working mornings in February and March, much work has been done to clear overgrowth away from sections on the White Horse Trail (BTOW35).  Firstly the section from the top of Horns Lane to the top of the escarpment was cleared and re-way-marked, then the March working day was utilised to improve access on the stretch from under the white horse to the top of the escarpment.  Thanks to all involved, the Broad Town section of the WHT is starting to look much improved.  We still have a couple more tasks to complete, with one section requiring significant work, but hopefully this summer should see completion of improvements to this particular route.

BROAD TOWN WHITE HORSE – LIMING

In view of the current situation the organizers have decided to postpone the liming of the White Horse until the Autumn. The situation will be reviewed in July with the aim of setting a date for maintenance in September. Thank you to all those who offered their assistance for the original date and they are asked to look out for updates in the summer.

BROAD TOWN VILLAGE 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF VICTORY IN EUROPE (VE)

It is with great regret, but unsurprising given the current situation, that the May VE Commemorative event will not go ahead in Broad Town as planned.  However all is not lost and we have postponed it until later in the year, hopefully when the world has returned to a more stable situation.  So put the weekend of 3rd/4th October in your diaries.  More details to follow once all the arrangements have been switched over. So, something to look forward too even though it is much later in the year than first anticipated.

LOCAL HEATING ENGINEER & PLUMBER IN BROAD TOWN

Ben Davis, BTD Plumbing and Heating, Hurstbridge House, Pye Lane, Broad Town, Wiltshire, SN4 7RR

Tel No 01793 317758 or 07920 042880

 

 

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

Good Energy Community Fund Grants

The Parish Council was pleased to be able to award the two grants recommended by the Advisory Group; one for the Broad Town Village Show for the VE Day Anniversary Celebrations and the other for the Footpaths Group for the installation of a Berkswell Kissing Gate on the footpath leading to Clyffe Pypard.

BROAD TOWN PAINTER & DECORATOR

Hi Just thought I’d remind all of you that I’m in the Village.  It’s Glen Morley the Painter and Decorator.  I undertake interior and exterior work, to a very high standard. Everything is completed to the level I would have in my own home.  Please feel free to call me at any time for a free consultation and VAT free estimate.  My numbers are: Landline: 01793 739227 Mobile: 07545 573002.  Please leave a message if I’m unable to answer.

CHRIS ROOKS || FUTURE BALANCE

I’m Chris Rooks and I work as a financial planner (non-investment) for future balance finance.  I can help you with any of the following services:_

* _mortgage advice_

* _protection advice (life assurance / income protection)_

* _equity release / later life mortgages_

* _commercial lending_

* _business continuity & protection advice_

* _will writing & estate management_

* _power of attorney applications_

you can contact me on 01793 731141 or via e-mail on ._

LOUISE – GIRL FRIDAY

I primarily focus on administration and have excellent typing

skills (88wpm), but am also available for various tasks including

housekeeping, gardening, pet care, odd jobs, even odder jobs, or

just as an extra pair of hands when required.

I’ve lived in Broad Town for sixteen years and have a DBS/CRB check

and public liability insurance.  References are available from

several Broad Town residents.

Please give me a call if there is anything you need help with.

Mobile: 07748 752625, Land line: 01793 731858

Web site: louisegirlfriday.co.uk

Email:

Thank you all for your support.

 

ON TIGGER AND EEYORE

The wonderful things about Tigger is that they are bouncy, bouncy, fun, fun, fun.  Hmm… I’m temperamentally more of an Eeyore myself.

When I’m feeling inclined to gloomy expectations and pessimism it is easy to look at the Tigger-ish people in my life with a jaundiced eye.  Mostly I remain aware that I need the positivity and energy of optimists around to keep me going and often Tiggers can make me laugh with them and at myself in a way that renews a better sense of perspective.

In a school governors’ subcommittee meeting we were laughing about these differences of style and personality and touched briefly on the ways that other people might see us very differently especially if we find ourselves feeling bouncy over stuff other people find difficult.  Maybe you prefer an accountant you work with to be an apparent Eeyore, even if in their passion for numbers, strategy and calculation faced with a financial challenge they are secret Tiggers.

Yet the joy of AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories is that Tiggers and Eeyores (and Kangas and Piglets) all have a part to play.  The same is true in our villages and churches – the more we can work with and welcome a variety of approaches, styles and personalities the richer the team of which we are a part becomes and the more likely it is that together we can do more.  A Tigger may sometimes need the realism of an Eeyore, and we all know that Pooh is often encouraged and enabled by the kindness and understanding of Piglet.

In the language of my faith I’m reminded of this in two ways – the creation stories of Genesis outline a world in which God delights in the amazing diversity of things that squirm and wriggle, fly and swim and the letters of Paul are always reminding the earliest gatherings of Christians that we are one body and need the gifts of even the oddest shaped little toe or the bristliest eyebrow.

Perhaps in bigger towns or cities it is easier to gather enough people for a task or celebration only among the like minded, and sometimes in smaller villages sometimes the contrasting styles of an Eeyore and a Tigger can feel more challenging without the dilution effect of larger numbers.

And yet if, in our smaller communities, we can learn to recognise the value of people who are the same as we are, we may model a fuller and richer pattern of living and working together.

The Reverend Rachma Abbott

Priest in Charge Lyneham with Bradenstoke and Priest in Charge Woodhill Benefice: (Broad Town, Clyffe Pypard, Hilmarton, Tockenham) The Vicarage/ The Rectory

Clyffe Pypard, SWINDON, Wiltshire. SN4 7PY  01793 73113

 

CHURCH FLOOR

The essential repairs are going well but it is unlikely we will be able to use the Church again for services before the end of February.  Services as shown in the Broad Town News will continue to be held in the Village Hall.  Thank you to the hall committee for its support.

Please Note the Coffee Morning on February 8^th will be in the Village Hall

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

8^th Feb              Church Coffee Morning (with Pancakes)

8^th Feb              BT Footpath Working Day

10^th Feb            BT PC Meeting

12^th Feb            Community Coffee Morning

14^th Feb            End of School Term

24^th Feb            Back to School

26^th Feb            Community Coffee Morning

29^th Feb            Gent’s Breakfast Club, Lyneham

14^th March         BT Footpath Working Day

29^th March         Church AGM

18^th April           BT Footpath Working Day

8^th May             75^th Anniversary VE Day – Decorate Village Hall

9^th May             Produce Show, Cookery and Craft Competitions + Classic Vehicles

10^th May           Indoor Street Party @ Village Hall followed by Commemoration evening Church Service.

Scarecrow Competition throughout the weekend.

 

BRIGHTER FUTURES

A total of £551.48 was raised before Christmas for the Breast and Prostate Cancer Appeals.  The following paragraph was in a letter received from Brighter Futures:-

‘Thank you so much to the Broad Town Community for the generous donation of £551.48 for our Cancer Services Department.  I understand that this was as a result of you holding a coffee morning, carol singing and collecting at Church and School carol services to raise the funds, we very much appreciate your continued support.’

Well done Broad Town!

 

THANKS

To all who gave items for the Christmas Shoe Boxes.  They were very well received, Thank You.

 

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING

The next Church Coffee Morning is on the 8^th February In the Village Hall. The change of venue is due to the work being done to the floor of the Church.  There will be the usual stalls – refreshments, sales, raffle and Pancakes. We look forward to seeing as many there as possible for another lively morning.

 

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING

Held on 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of each Month. Join us for Coffee (other drinks available!), Cake and good Company!

Dates for February are:  Wednesday 12^th February and Wednesday 26^th February.

 

100 CLUB

The Broad Town 100 Club is now into its 3^rd Year and over 80 prizes have been awarded, with some people becoming multiple winners.  We would really like more people in the village to join and potentially become lucky winners too.  By joining you can also help to keep your church open as half the 100 Club income goes to support your church.

Over the coming weeks we will be posting a letter with a 100 Club Application through many doors in the village.

All you need to do to join is to complete the application form and send a standing order mandate to your bank or write a cheque and post it back to us.

If you have any queries or you would like to join, please contact  Fiona Holness on or telephone 07833 683444 / 01793 850562 or Ray Manley on or telephone 01793 731564.

The lucky winners over the past three months have been:

November 2019 1^st Prize Jackie Jordan, 2^nd Prize Kate Orton, 3^rd Prize Ray Manley

December 2019 1^st Prize Roy & Doreen Small, 2^nd Prize David Crocker, 3^rd Prize John Pullen

January 2020 1^st Prize Peggy Bird, 2^nd Prize Jeff Hartley, 3^rd Prize Fiona Holness

 

FOOTPATHS

Now we are past the festive season, we are busy planning our footpath maintenance campaign for the new year.  Footpath working days for the first 3 months this year are planned for 8^th February, 14^th March and 18^th of April.  Details of where and when will be distributed closer to the dates.  For more information about the project and to register interest, contact Malcolm Holland 01793 731567

In describing paths we have worked on, or are working on we identify them using the Wiltshire Council numbering system (BTOWXX etc.) from the Councils master footpath map of the county.  The following link is where the map is located on the good old tinterweb! Hopefully this will enable everyone to better understand where and what we are doing! http://wiltscouncil.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=43d5a86a545046b2b59fd7dd49d89d22

 

 

 

VILLAGE HALL

Three trays plus an oven baking tray have disappeared from the kitchen.  If you borrowed all or any of these, please could you return them as soon as possible.  Many thanks.

 

BROAD TOWN VILLAGE 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF VICTORY IN EUROPE (VE) FRIDAY 8TH – SUNDAY 10TH MAY 2020.  DIARY DATES AND REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS

Next year’s Early May Bank Holiday has been changed to Friday 8^th May so that the country can celebrate 75 years since VE Day.  The small planning group are moving ahead to start to put more detail to the plans, now the main events have been booked, so get the dates booked in your diaries!

OUTLINE PLAN Friday 8^th May afternoon and evening – decorate Village Hall and everyone welcome to normal Friday night Social Club opening hours to get into the spirit!

Saturday 9^th May daytime – “Produce Show” – cookery and craft competition based on World War 2 themes.  Classic Vehicle and other displays outside of Village Hall

Saturday 9^th May evening – 1940s dance night with supper, singer, music and dancing.  Period dress actively encouraged! Prizes for best 1940s dress.  Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks.

Sunday 10^th May daytime – bar open over lunch with more live entertainment followed by an indoor “street party”.  Tickets will be free to village residents.

Sunday 10^th May evening – commemoration service during evening Church service

Scarecrow Competition

This will run throughout the weekend with a period theme (yet to be announced).

FANCY HELPING OUT?

The organising team is quite small and offers of assistance for setting up, clearing up and running elements of the weekend’s events are being gratefully accepted.  If we can organise several small teams to take on an element, then it gives everyone a chance to see and enjoy as much of the weekend as possible.

Please make contact if you have any further suggestions or can help over the weekend. Contact Malcolm or Tracey Holland 731567 or 

 

BROAD TOWN WI

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

 

 

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

As we enter a new year, the Parish Council would like to thank everyone for your tremendous support, and for helping us to identify what you would like to see delivered by the Council for our village.

Budget for 2020/21

At the Parish Council meetings in December and January, a detailed discussion took place about the budget to be set for the forthcoming year 2020/2021.  There are some key things we want to make happen this year and we also need to start planning ahead better for our future maintenance requirements.  The Council is committed to looking to find new opportunities for grant funding for some of our bigger projects but most grant funders will require a level of funding contribution from us.  Improvements to the Redhills playing field including replacing the fencing, the procurement and maintenance of Speed Indicating devices, a new and improved Parish Council website, improvements to the footpaths, and maintaining the Community Heartbeat Trust defibrillator are all projects which will require financing or part financing from the precept.  We are conscious that overall Council taxes have been going up in recent years as National Government asks local County Councils to take on more, so we have looked to hold our precept funding at a similar level to last year and believe that we need a budget of £9,772 to deliver the above.  This will result in a decrease of £0.61 or -2% on a Band D property from £36.47 a year to £35.86.

Good Energy Community Fund – next round of grant applications

The Grant Advisory Group who now advise the Parish Council on grant giving will meet on 24^th February to consider any new applications to the Good Energy Community Fund. Any community groups wishing to apply for a grant should contact the Parish Clerk for an application form and send it back by 17^th February.  The Community Fund has supported many different initiatives to date all of which have added significantly to our village community and we are keen to do more in 2020, so please do apply whether you are an existing group looking to expand or a completely new idea.  We very much hope to hear from you.  Grants will be awarded at the March Parish Council meeting, on the 9^th March.

Gigaclear

This is to give you early warning of traffic control (two-way signals) on the Marlborough Road/Broad Town Road between us and Royal Wootton Bassett due to the continuing works by Gigaclear to install the network for full fibre broadband.  The dates communicated to us are between 28^th January and 13^th February.  You may want to allow extra time for your journeys.  There will also be road closures in Thornhill (SN4 7QR and SN4 7RU) between 20^th April and 8^th May and we will send out further details on that when we receive them.

Should you encounter any problems, Gigaclear have a customer care team which can be contacted on 01865 591 137 or via email at 

The next Parish Council meeting is 10^th February at 18.30pm in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided.

 

 

LINDY HOP CLASSES TUESDAY EVENINGS AT BROAD TOWN VILLAGE HALL

Join in the fun and friendly classes, a great way to learn some classic Lindy Hop moves to take onto the dance floor and a chance to be step-perfect for the VE Day 75^th Anniversary celebrations in May!

Broad Town Village Hall is a lovely venue with a wonderful dance floor, a great place to get you dancing.  The classes are Tuesday evenings and each class is 1 hour long with an extra 15 minute practice session:

Beginners 7.00 p.m. Improvers 8.15 p.m.  Pay weekly, £6.00 per class, no need to pre-book or pre-pay, just turn up on the night!

Everyone welcome, couples or singles as you don’t need a partner to join in.

Contact: Erica and Cliff 01793 340271   www.swingoutswindon.co.uk

 

GENTLEMAN’S FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST CLUB

The next meeting of the gentleman’s breakfast club will be on Saturday 29^th February 2020 at The Crowns Café, adjacent to the REME Museum at MOD Lyneham.  9am. for 9.30am. start.  The cost is £8.00 per person for a full English breakfast.  The speaker this time is not yet confirmed but an enquiry to Dave nearer the time could be made.

Please book by Wednesday 26 February – email: 

 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

Hilmarton Parish Church Hall, Saturday February 22^nd Downton Abbey (PG)

7pm FOR 7.30pm, 75 comfy seats, refreshments and a wine sale licence, tickets £6 from Breda Cottage, 34 Church Road, Hilmarton 760312 (opposite chapel) or

Email

Hilmarton Moviola also has a Facebook page.

For more info call Geoff Procter on 01249 760312

 

COMMUNITY HEARTBEAT TRUST DEFIBRILLATOR

This is a reminder that we have a defibrillator in the Village.  It is sited outside the Village Hall and is available for anyone to use in the unfortunate situation of someone they are with having heart failure.  It is simple to use and talks you through what you must do.  It is a requirement though, that you RING 999 FIRST to get help on the way as soon as possible.  The ambulance service will also tell you what to do and support you while you wait for the ambulance.  If you are within 200m of the Hall they will automatically tell you about the defibrillator and tell you the access code.  If you are further away but have someone who could fetch it for you quickly, you will need to ask them for the access code.

 

WINE GLASSES

Broad Town Church have 96 wine glasses available to borrow (for a donation for Church Funds). Enquiries to Margaret Manley Tel: 731564

 

THE GUILD OF WILTSHIRE ARTISTS

Run workshops at the Village Hall on every first Friday and third Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm.  All are welcome including painters who are beginners. The cost is still £5 per person per session which includes tea/coffee and biscuits but do bring a packed lunch.  Help will be given to those who request it.

Contact Jim Dowton 850029 or Roy Davey 731154.

 

LOCAL HEATING ENGINEER & PLUMBER IN BROAD TOWN

Ben Davis, BTD Plumbing and Heating, Hurstbridge House, Pye Lane, Broad Town, Wiltshire, SN4 7RR

Tel No 01793 317758 or 07920 042880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BROAD TOWN PAINTER & DECORATOR

Hi Just thought I’d remind all of you that I’m in the Village.  It’s Glen Morley the Painter and Decorator.  I undertake interior and exterior work, to a very high standard. Everything is completed to the level I would have in my own home.  Please feel free to call me at any time for a free consultation and VAT free estimate.  My numbers are: Landline: 01793 739227 Mobile: 07545 573002.  Please leave a message if I’m unable to answer.

 

CHRIS ROOKS || FUTURE BALANCE

I’m Chris Rooks and I work as a Financial Planner (Non-Investment) for Future Balance Finance.  I can help you with any of the following services: –

• Mortgage Advice
• Protection Advice (Life Assurance / Income Protection)
• Business Continuity & Protection Advice
• Will Writing & Estate Management
• Power of Attorney Applications

You can contact me on 01793 731141 or via e-mail on