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APRIL 2014Great Hinton
Round About Your ParishSteeple Ashton
Steeple Ashton Village ShopOpening hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.30pmSaturday 8.30am to 4.30pm; Sunday 9.ooam to 12noon
11.15amParish Communion
(BCP) (Rev Longdon)Readings: Romans 8: 6-11
John 11: 1-45
April St Mary’s Steeple Ashton St Leonard’s Keevil
Sunday 6th
7pm Parish Communion (Rev Parker)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Thurs 17th
11.15am Morning Service (Rev Dove)
6.30pm Evensong(Rev Parker) Readings:
Psalm 22: 1-11; John 19: 1-37
8am Holy Communion (BCP) (Rev Dove)
10.30am Parish Communion CW ( Rev Parker)
Readings: Acts 10: 34-43John 20: 1-18
CHURCH SERVICES
PalmSunday
9.15amHoly Communion (CW)
(Coffee will be served after the service)
2 – 3 pmVigil
9.15 amEaster Communion (CW)
Sunday 13th
Sunday 20th
EasterDay
GoodFriday
Lent 5
8am Holy Communion (BCP) (Rev Dove)
10.30am Family Service (Worship group)
9.15 amAll Age Service
6.30 pmHoly Communion (BCP)Easter 2
8am Holy Communion (BCP) (Rev David Hart) 11.15am Morning Prayer
(Rev Dove)Readings: 1 Peter 1: 3-9
John 20: 19-31
Sunday 27th
Steeple Ashton High Street, looking south – around the late 19th century
This early photo, taken from the small green in front of ‘Merchant’s Hall’, reveals how little the view has changed over the past 120 years or so (apart from the arrival of cars & telephone lines). ‘The Longs Arms Inn’ – formerly known as ‘The Coach & Horses’ – was one of five inns & ale houses operating in the village & Ashton Common during the 1800s. In 1969 – when ‘The Rose & Crown’ closed – it became the last of these licensed premises’ to still be in business. It has remained as Steeple Ashton’s sole public house ever since.
Good Friday 9am to 12noon; Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm Easter Sunday CLOSED – no newspapers; Easter Monday 9am to 12noon
MaundyThursday
7 pm Agape MealHoly Communion
and Vigil
Friday 18th
LowSunday
HolyWeek
7pm ComplineMon 14thTue 15thWed 16th
Items for the May newsletter should be received by Tuesday 22nd April 2014. They should be sent to Mrs Helen Montague-Smith, 1A Butts Lane, Stee-ple Ashton or by email to [email protected]. All published items solely express the views of the author and are the copyright of the author and Round About Your Parish unless otherwise stated.The Editor would like to remind you that it is up to you, the readers, to supply all news and copy for the newsletter. The sender’s name and address need to be received before printing. Inquiries for advertisements in the newsletter should be made to Mrs Chris Plum on 01380 870875. There may be a waiting list. Please send your ads by letter not email. Please note, we do not deliver flyers for advertisers. Flyers for Village activities and events can be delivered with the newsletter. If you wish to have a flyer for a village event delivered with this newsletter, please contact Anne Howard on 870505 during the third week of the month to see if it is convenient. All flyers have to be counted out for the delivery packs and as there are 25 deliverers this can take some time. No more than two per newslet-ter would be helpful. Editor
Newsletter Information
continued on page 28
Bryan writes more about the front-cover photo...
Newsletter Deadlines for 2014April 22nd; May 20th; June (July/August) 17th; August 19th; September 16th; October 21st; November (Dec/Jan) 18th.
Church Annual General Meeting Tuesday 8th April at the Village Hall at 7.30pm.
This is for everyone on the electoral roll and is a chance to find out what is going on in the church and to air your views (or just listen)
Please come along.
Due to a mix up last month, the Anne Beach article printed was the incorrect version. The correct version included minor differences, & omitted the fireplace speculation – as the porch room in fact had a hearth & chimney until the 1950s. It also contained the following acknowledgements: ‘Many thanks to the Vernon family, for allowing the front-cover photo of Keevil Manor, and for additional informa-tion.’
The building now known as ‘The Longs Arms’ was built in the late 17th century, as the home of one of Steeple Ashton’s last clothiers (the flat-roofed front extension was added much later). By that time, the woollen-cloth trade in the village had been in decline for some years, and by the start of the 18th century, all of the clothiers – very much the entrepreneurs of their era – had left Steeple Ashton. The woollen-cloth industry continued to prosper and develop in nearby towns such as Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon, gradually being aided by increased mechanisation and a general advance-ment in the separate processes of carding, spinning, weaving and fulling (a detailed explanation of the cloth industry in our village can be found in ‘Steeple Ashton Village History & Guide’, by Ken Rogers – available in the community shop).
Easter Lilies at St. Mary’s
If you would like to donate one or more lilies in memory of loved ones, please let me know by April 6th.
In addition to the large pedestal at the altar we had enough lilies to make pew ends – these had the names of loved ones on a label.
To allow the lilies to open in their full glory I need to order them in advance. The estimated cost of an Easter Lily is £3.
Kay King 870 078
Said Morning PrayerIt was a pleasant and interesting surprise that we learned very recently that this short service at 8am. each Wednesday started in April, 1994. So, this April we will be celebrating our 20th year of worship, which has proved its worth through the years to both visitors and parishioners. People of all faiths are welcome to join us for we all share God’s grace together. Malcolm King
From the Registers
BaptismEmily Rose Mortimer - March 16thWeddingSteven Davis & Katie Laverick - March 15th FuneralAlan Dix-Perkin - March 14th
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STEEPLE ASHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MASS TIMES at NEARBY CATHOLIC CHURCHESSt Joseph’s, West Lavington (01380 723572) Mass on Sunday at 9.00amImmaculate Conception, Devizes (01380 723572) Mass on Saturday 6.00pm and Sunday 10.30am and 5.00pmSt Anthony Melksham (01225 702128) Mass on Saturday 5.30pm and Sunday 9.30amSt George’s Warminster (01985 212329)Mass on Saturday evening 6.00pm and Sunday 8.00am & 10.00am(For information on any of the above please contactFrancis Geraghty 01380 871083email: [email protected])
SICK AND/OR HOUSEBOUNDAny catholic who is sick or housebound should let Canon Liam (01225 752152) know as he would be pleased to arrange a visit and bring Holy Communion, if desired.
THE NEW 300 CLUB 2014Subscriptions: £50 annually - £13 quarterly - £4.33 monthly. New mem-bers are most welcome to join at any time. Prizes are: £200-£70-£50-£10 - £5 monthly. For infor-mation and application form contact Frank Geraghty 01380 871083 email: [email protected]
SHARING OUR FAITHThe Group meets in the Parish Centre Trowbridge on Wednesdays from 8-9pm.This is open to anyone wish-ing to learn more about the Catholic Church.
FAMILY PENITENTIAL SERV-ICE FOR EASTERThis will be held in St John’s Church Trowbridge on Wednesday April 9th at 7.30pm. The priests of the Dean-ery will be available for Confessions (Sacrament of Reconciliation). This service gives all the family an oppor-tunity to prepare for the Easter Trid-uum and meet Jesus in confession to receive His healing and forgiveness.
EASTER TRIDUUM SERVICES:St. John The Baptist, Trowbridge: Maundy ThursdayMass of The Last Supper 7.30pmGood FridayStations of The Cross 10.30amSolemn Passion of Our Lord 3pmHoly Saturday Easter Vigil & Mass of The Resur-rection 8.30pm
Easter Sunday Masses:Morning Mass 10.30amEvening Mass 6.00pmConfessions (Sacrament of Reconciliation):Maundy Thursday: 8.30 - 9.00pmGood Friday: 11.00 - 11.30am 4.30 - 5.00pmHoly Saturday: 11.00 - 11.30am. 3.00 – 4.00pm
St Bernadette’s Westbury:Good Friday:Stations of the Cross 6.00pmConfessions 6.30pm - 7.00pmEaster Sunday: Morning Mass 9.00am
RESURFACING OF THE STRAND Wiltshire Council Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Temporary Closure of: The Strand, Steeple Ashton (Ref: TTRO 3401) Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic: The Strand, Steeple Ashton; from its junction with Church Street for its entire length. To enable: Wiltshire Council to carry out carriageway resurfacing and asso-ciated works. No alternative route will be available although access will be maintained as required and the closure will be clearly indicated by traffic signs through-out. The Order will come into force on 23rd May 2014 and 27th May 2014 between the hours of 7am and 6pm, depending upon weather conditions. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months. For further information regarding these works please contact Balfour Beatty Living Places on 01249 468582 (office hours) and 07900 715776 (non office hours). Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN
ANY BUDDING OR ALREADY BLOOMED PHOTOGRAPHERS OUT THERE?...Your new village website could do with your help…Are you a student taking a photography course? Or do you have a digital camera and a few hours to spare? Your website could do with more pic-tures of the village and also some of the groups which are active in the village would like to have pictures taken for the website. If you think you could help us, then please email Lynda on [email protected] or phone 01380 871461.If you already have some interesting pictures of the village which you have taken, then please email them to me. It is important to stress that we will only put pictures on the website if we have the permission of the copyright holder.WEBSITEwww.steeple-ashton.co.ukThe new village website will ‘go live’ on Monday 7th April and a brief tour of some of the pages will take place at the Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm on 7th April in the Skittle Alley of the Village Hall.
2 39
Methodist Church Diary
CATHOLIC NEWSST. JOHN THE BAPTIST TROWBRIDGE & STBERNADETTE’S WESTBURY( incl VILLAGES).Parish Priest: CANON LIAM O’DRISCOLLTELEPHONE 01225 752152www.stjohnthebaptist.co.uk
St John’s Sunday Masses :Saturday (Vigil) 6pm; Sunday 10.30am & 6pm
Weekday Masses:Mon: 9am; Tues: 6pm; Wed: 12.10pm; Fri 6pm Sat: 10am; 6pm (Vigil)Rosary: Weekdays before Mass. SVP Fri 6.45pmConfessions: Sat: 10.30-11.15am and 5-5.45pmSt Bernadette’s, WestburySunday Mass - 9amWeekday Mass -Thursday 11 amConfessions/Reconciliation before Mass and any time on request.
One of the features of the website will be the BLOG. The Parish Council receives lots of useful information, too much to put into the Parish Maga-zine, so the BLOG will be a good way of enabling people to find out more about what’s going on around them.
Take a look at the new site www.steeple-ashton.co.uk Some of it will be LIVE before 7th April. It’s a website for the whole village, so feedback from you is encouraged! Please email Lynda on [email protected]’s a starting point and over time it will evolve and grow.If you are a Club or Group wanting to have an entry in our DIRECTORY and have not let me know your details, then can you please email me your words and pictures to [email protected] Remember to include at least the following information: Name of your group, contact details, when and where you meet, costs, words and pictures to promote your group. If you already have your own website, then we can add a link.If you are a business who advertises in this Newsletter, then we can add you to our DIRECTORY for free. Please email at least the following information: Name of your business, contact details, area covered, words and pictures to promote your business. If you already have your own website, then we can add a link.ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGThis will take place on Monday 7th April at 7pm in the Skittle Alley of the Village Hall. The Parish Council Chairman, Francesca Buffery will be giving an Annual Report and has invited representatives from The Recrea-tion Group, St Mary’s School Building Management Committee, Friends of Steeple Ashton, Steeple Ashton Shop, your Local Councillor Jonathon Seed, Neighbourhood Watch and the Police to come along and give brief reports
Diary Dates:Worship each Sunday at 9:15 a.m. unless otherwise advertised. Please join us if you can, and stay for a cup of tea/coffee and a chat after the service. Don’t forget, if you would like prayers said for you or some-one you are concerned about, please pop a note into the post box by the door and we will pick it up and include it in our Sunday prayers.
APRILThurs 3rd Church Spring Cleaning @ 2:30 p.m. Lent Course @ 7 p.m.Sunday 6th Morning worship led by Mrs Jacky WilliamsMon 7th West Wilts Maranatha @ 7:30 p.m.Wed 9th Reflection & Fellowship : 10:30 in the Douglas RoomThurs 10th Lent Course @ 7 p.m.Sunday 13th Morning worship led by Mr Eric CliffordSunday 20th EASTER SUNDAY - NO MORNING SERVICE – 10:30 UNITED SERVICE AT ST MARY’STues 22nd SACT Housegroup at 14 Holmeleaze at 7:30 p.m.Wed 23rd Reflection & Fellowship : 10:30 in the Douglas RoomThurs 24th SACT meeting @ 2:30 p.m.Sunday 27th Morning worship led by Revd David CoppardTues 29th SACT Housegroup at 14 Holmeleaze at 7:30 p.m.
MAYSunday 4th Holy Communion service led by Revd Mike Burrell
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Methodist Church
St. Mary’s Church FeteAdvance Notice
This year our Church Fete will be held on June 21st, so please put this date in your diaries.
We would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to help or anyone who has new ideas to help raise money for St. Mary’s Church.
Please contact Kathy or Marion Pearce (870071)
PLANNINGPlanning applications are considered at Parish Council Meetings and Plan-ning Issues Only Parish Council Meetings. There is an Open Forum for members of the public to comment on planning matters prior to their consideration. New Plans:14/02567/TCA - Yew Tree House 60A High Street Steeple Ashton BA14 6EU - 3 Conifer trees - remove lower tier of branches on garage side and prune remaining extension growth over roof by approx 1-2 metresPARISH COUNCIL MEETINGSThe Annual Parish Meeting and the next Main Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 7th April in the Skittle Alley of the Village Hall, starting at 7pm.
The next Planning Issues Only Parish Council Meeting is scheduled for 7.30pm on Monday 28th April 2014 (subject to requirement) at the Village Hall.
PARISH COUNCIL OFFICE (2 St. Mary’s School, High St.) This is open to the public three times a week (Monday and Tuesday 2.30pm - 3.30pm; Wednesday 10am – 11am) or by appointment. The telephone number is 01380 871461. Lynda Beaven, Clerk to the Parish Council. Tel:01380 871461 email: [email protected] For information the non-emergency POLICE CONTACT NUMBER is 101
covering the last 12 months.Please come along to hear what they have to say.
A Message from our MinisterDear FriendsIt was Harold Wilson who said, “A week is a long time in politics,” how true that is for an event which we are shortly to embark upon within the Chris-tian church, Holy Week. This is the most dramatic and poignant of all periods in the Christian calendar. It can be very tempting to simply look at both ends: Palm Sunday and Easter Day, bypassing the agony and grief of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, but to do so misses out so much. A former ministerial colleague when challenged on his frequent reference to the gruesome nature of Good Friday would reply “without Good Friday there can be no Easter Day.” Some years ago Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of Christ” caused contro-versy not least because of the intensity of violence within it. What I found helpful within it was how it contained flashbacks of memories for the cruci-fied Christ for example the Wedding at Cana and so on. That to my mind is an important reminder, for the one who called Matthew from his tax col-lecting, who stilled the raging of the storm and who dined with Mary and Martha is also the same who hangs on the cross in brutal agony. It is not hard to imagine that his friends gathered near the cross, amidst their grief and despair would have had flashbacks also, especially Mary his mother. Mary in all probability would be remembering not only holding him as a babe but also the hard words spoken when as a babe he was taken to the Temple where Simeon on looking at the child spoke to Mary, “And sorrow like a sharp sword, will break your own heart” (Luke 2v35) Christianity is a faith that sees death first hand, but interwoven and trans-forming it is resurrection. As well as being Good Friday people, we are also Easter people. That does not make Maundy Thursday or Good Friday any easier, but it reveals to us an image of hope that even in the bleakest of all human environments God, whom we seek to love and serve, is not divorced from where we can find ourselves. In Holy Week we are vividly reminded that God’s love has penetrated and transformed even the worst, that is a message of hope and joy. It seems appropriate that we celebrate Easter in spring time when after the long periods of inclement weather, days of little daylight, that the hours of darkness recede and signs of new life in nature come into play. Very much a pictorial image of new beginnings, new hopes, new starts and above all new life.Throughout not only Holy Week, but every day and every particular situa-tion that you find yourself in, whether it be a time of joy or sadness, may you know that the God of Good Friday and Easter Day is with you always.Happy Easter.
PeaceRev Dave Coppard
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HOME COMMUNIONS If you are unable to get to church through sickness or disability, the
Vicar (01225 752635) or Rev Lionel Dove (01380 870013) will be pleased to arrange a home communion for you and/or your spouse.
SUPPORTING THE CHURCH:Those who wish to support the work of the Church by regular giving, dona-tion or will should contact the treasurer Anne Strange on 01380 870278, [email protected]. Gift Aid envelopes, for those paying tax, must have a legible postcode and address.
FRIDAY CLUB (for all the family 0-13yrs):3.45-4.30pm drink & biscuits & chat;4.30pm songs and children’s worship;4.50- 5.30pm fun & games. All welcome fortnightly:Next meetings April 25th in the Village Hall
MOTHERING SUNDAY – this is on the 30th March - have you remem-bered? If not, pop down to the shop for an appropriate card and a gift – we have a pretty selection of jewelry and flirty scarves in delightful colours from Sam’s Rings and Things, made here in the village, in addition to the existing and new ranges of Michel Design Works goods.EASTER will be upon us soon afterwards, so we are also beginning to stock a small selection of Easter cards and Easter eggs, and tickets for the Easter Raffle are already on sale.BREAD from the Bath Bakery is delivered every day except Sundays, as you know. Good quality bread is expensive these days due to the poor wheat crops last year, and in recent months we have experienced considerable wastage. We have therefore reduced the quantities ordered and now find there is none left by the afternoon! It is a difficult balance to find, but we hate to disappoint you, so do let us know if you want some putting by until you come shopping. Alternatively, we can take special requests for bread to be included in the following day’s delivery if that would be helpful. Our telephone number is 01380 871211.The AGM will be held on Friday 25th April in the village hall, starting at 7pm. All shareholders are invited to attend and refreshments will be avail-able as usual. As yet, there have been no nominations for new committee members and the existing committee have agreed to stand for re-election. Copies of the minutes of last year’s AGM are available in the shop.EASTER OPENING HOURS are on the front of this publication.
Steeple Ashton Village Shop
Caren Felton
THE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGOF THE
STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE SHOP TO BE HELD
IN THE VILLAGE HALLON FRIDAY 25TH APRIL AT 7PM
All STASH Shareholders are invited to attend,
and refreshments will be available.
LENT REFLECTION Group (Methodist Church)
1 HOPE 2 PEACE 3 LOVE 4JOY 5.....?
7pm Thursday 3rd April, 10th April
Welcome
COLLECT for Passion Sunday: Most merciful God,who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christdelivered and saved the world:grant that by faith in him whosuffered on the crosswe may triumph in the power of his victory;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.
PRAYERS FOR HOLY WEEK 14-19th April
Inspire our hearts, O God, to follow where Christ walked, for Christ has marked us as his own.Let us all take new willingness to carry our cross and be led through sacrifice and suffering, but also to the glory and triumph of the Risen Life of the Savior.Grant us all your good graces, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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FORGET-ME-NOTS-CLUB
G. Oakley (Sec) 01225/775681
Natural History Club News March 2014
SOME IDEAS FOR MAKING April meaningful(why not pick one or two or create some of your own?)
>Day 1 – Notice flowers everywhere, colours, shapes, sizes> Day 2 – Give yourself a hug morning, afternoon and night> Day 3 – Join the Lent reflection Group in the Church> Day 4 – Appreciate your everyday skills as a person > Day 5 – Decide to reveal more of your hidden self to others> Day 6 – Go to church, or look at the sky and wonder> Day 7 – Vicar at home (am) for chat or prayer> Day 8 – Write something heartfelt for the Parish Magazine> Day 9 – Spend some time in reflection without judgement> Day 10 – Pray for neighbours and the world> Day 11 – Free up time to see those you love> Day 12 – Say ‘Thank You’ for life today> Day 13 – Palm Sunday – we are all on a journey.> Day 14 – Vicar at home (am) for chat or prayer> Day 15 – Be silent on your own for 10 minutes> Day 16 – Take help/love where it’s needed (neighbor/friend) > Day 17 – Really feel what you are feeling today> Day 18 – Pray for our schools and children> Day 19 – Pray over things in the News > Day 20 – Go to Church to celebrate Easter> Day 21 – Be generous in your judgement about others > Day 22 – Catch the holiday/spring mood. We are so lucky!> Day 23 – Pray for your Vicar who is resting after Easter ?> Day 24 – Lie in late and be less busy today…smile > Day 25 – Feel your aliveness. Do something outrageous> Day 26 – Appreciate the many things that people do for you > Day 27 – Church or stillness……Switch off TV day> Day 28 – Tell someone you love them or show care> Day 29 – Say yes to life. Stop moaning.> Day 30 – Smell a flower, drop a tear for beautyJulian ‘Taste and see that the Lord is Good’
Bunnies are cuddly; The large and the smallBut I like chocolate ones; The best of them all. ~Author UnknownCHALLENGE FOR EASTERMake an Easter Bonnet and wear it (or bring it) to Church on Easter Sunday ?
Mrs Pam Clements’ talk entitled “Remembering Yesterday” on 19th Feb engendered much hilarity, as she spoke about customs and events in times-gone-by, and displayed various articles of clothing (incl under garments!) worn in the days before central heating, when “life was hard”! The Fish and Chips Lunch on 5th March was well attended, with 31 souls enjoying the meal and choice of puddings.On 2nd April we welcome back Kay King, with a demonstration of floral arrangements for Spring. The Easter Buffet Tea &Bingo is 16th April, always an especially sociable and enjoyable afternoon.
Ann Ferry gave an excellent talk about our native Red Fox, which is widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and has been with us since the last ice-age. Ancient skeletal remains have even been found in Mendip Hills excavations. Fox habitats vary enormously from open farm-land to our towns and cities. Urban foxes have much smaller territories due plentiful food availability.Foxes eat rodents, chickens (!) rabbits, young hares, and occasionally very young lambs.The dog fox is solitary except when breeding yet surprisingly mates for life ! He is larger than the vixen and has a distinct white ruff. The vixen can be heard in screaming for a mate during dark Autumn/Winter nights. These screams around the village are both loud and frightening !The 3 or 4 cubs are born in an underground earth, usually stolen from a badger sett. Gestation lasts only 7 weeks when 3 or 4 cubs are born. After 4 weeks they emerge and but are independent after 8 weeks to live to 5 or 6 years.Recent observations from the group: Barbara reported on WWT work so far in Biss Wood. Kissing gates, info boards, etc are being installed ready for the Grand Opening on 2nd June by Julia Bradbury. In the meantime the Scouts have been busy planting 6000 (yes 6000) trees to link Biss to Green Lane Woods.The group generally have expressed an interest in an outside local trip to hear Nightingales singing. Due to serious decline in these migrating birds, this request will be researched to find a reliable site to hear this the most beautiful of songs.Our garden birds are starting to prepare to nest, but Caren Felton has pho-tographed an enormous Buzzard in her back garden ! Sticklebacks have been seen in the stream in Luffenham Field.Next Meeting: Hopefully on Thursday 5th June at The Manor.
David Culverhouse
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At the Foot of the CrossAt the foot of the cross, I lay it all downEverything in my life, that’s hidden deep insideI give it away, for my Savior to healThese fears that I have, that I’ve buried for yearsAt the feet of Jesus, my heart pours out tearsAs I kneel and pray, my thoughts become clearAnd I finally see what’s so very dear
At the foot of the cross, I cry out in painAnguishing thoughts pour out like rainBut, amidst these tears, I find a peace so calmAs Jesus scurries in, the darkness fades awayMy heart is freed, my mind once again saneAnd the past torments I’ve had are forever washed awayMy life burns brighter, like the dawning of a new day
At the foot of the cross, I’m loved and not lostWhere the Holy drops of blood, have paid off sin’s costsAnd the Saviour was taken, now risen once moreThrough the grace of God, the veil was tornAnd the world was cast a new rope of hopeDangling freely from Heaven, climbable by faith aloneTo an eternal place, where sin and death are dead
At the foot of the cross, life can be foundOn your knees draped in blood, on Calvary’s sacred mound ….by Steven
APRIL“Spring would not be spring without bird songs.”- Francis M. Chapman
“The sun was warm but the wind was chill.You know how it is with an April day.When the sun is out and the wind is still,You’re one month on in the middle of May.But if you so much as dare to speak,a cloud come over the sunlit arch,And wind comes off a frozen peak,And you’re two months back in the middle of March.”- Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926
Our March meeting commenced with our monthly business meeting and was followed by our AGM. Our Secretary updated us on National and Regional events and our outings organiser reminded members to sign up for the garden trips to Exbury in May and Marston in July. We were also reminded about the Tea Dance to be held on Saturday 17th May from 2.30 – 5pm in the Village Hall and the Skittles Evening on March 26th. The AGM commenced with the Treasurer’s report and this was adopted. Next was the Committee’s report given by the Secretary. It was good to be reminded of the wide range of activities that members had been involved in throughout the year. The President’s report included thanks to the Com-mittee and to the members for their support and participation. All Commit-tee members agreed to serve another year. They will be joined by one new member filling an existing vacancy. The President, Ann Holloway, was re-elected. WI members are active representatives on various village committees. We had reports from The Friends of Steeple Ashton, School Building, Scrabble Group, Sewing Group and Skittles Group. Many WI members are involved in volunteering at our community run Village shop. Congratulations went to Val Williams who was the overall winner for the competitions that are run throughout the year and to Pauline Tiller who was presented with the President’s Cup. The Vice-President gave a vote of thanks to the President, thanking her for her good leadership throughout the year. Refreshments were then enjoyed by all the members and there was the opportunity to look at the scrapbooks of events that have taken place over many years. At our next meeting on Wednesday 9th April, we will be welcoming a Chel-sea Pensioner to tell us about life at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. It should be a very interesting evening, do come along and join us at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Steeple Ashton WI
P.S. As already mentioned, we are organising a Tea Dance in the Village Hall on Saturday 17th May, 2.30 - 5pm. Tickets cost £5, this includes After-noon tea, and are on sale at the Village Shop. (This event is back by popular demand after the dance we held in Jubilee Year). Also friends in the village are very welcome to join us on our outing to Exbury, on the edge of the New Forest, on May 22nd to see the 250 acres of celebrated azalea and rhododendron garden. Cost £20 includes entry and coach.
34 7Julian Parker
St Mary’s Church, Steeple AshtonVICARS LETTER …. When we think of April our thoughts turn to what?.....The end of the financial year (oh glory!), April showers (cheerful), Spring (better), mowing the lawn (ugh), lighter evenings to enjoy…(mmm)? Of course we might think of Easter (?), which arrives on the 20th this year. Not so much because we are religious, but maybe because – oh irony of iro-nies – the shops are now full of Chocolate Eggs (so profound!) and every other tenuous connection with Easter that you can package up and sell.. lol (Lord did you die for this…’yes exactly’…oh). The commercial side might make you mad (just like Christmas), but just remember what Easter is about. Just remember the person Jesus and the value of life and goodness and love he points to….to the courage he had for life too! Because in a sense Jesus is universal man caught in a universal struggle (the ‘Son of Man’ he called himself), and what he went through to reach the sunshine on the other side of Calvary offers a great big ‘yes!’ of hope for us all. The Cross of Jesus puts a lot of people off. It also seems a real reflection of what – unairbrushed - life is like (life isn’t always good but at least its real)! The wood of the cross – ouch! – pretty real stuff. We might all have become consummate pretenders of course, modeled on the man in the Persil advert with the white teeth. But life, we discover, is really quite hard, sometimes lonely, and even cruel….. So the story of Jesus and his struggle with daily bigotry, unfeelingness, lack of understanding or greed is in many ways a part of our own story (as real people, not storytellers). And the way he refuses to lose sight of the true value of life and love, telling it as it is, not losing faith, not losing love for others even when they hung him on a cross……offers a real point of focus and hope to follow (follow Jesus!). Because for this man Good Friday turns to Easter….and the promise is that that will happen for everyone who does not lose faith in the miracle of this life experi-ence. You see Easter is what waits for those who have courage and don’t give up. For those who do not turn themselves from the warmth of the sun, just because others say ‘the world is a bad place’, or because their lottery num-bers do not turn up. Or even because they have, like Jesus, been roasted by life. It is not the end. It is never the end. Today, this moment, is a new day. This is what Easter, spring, sunrising, is all about! Easter is you when you have seen that the cross is just a small part of the story. Its not the end. God is love and you were made by him as love. Happy Easter!
We are also inviting you to join us when we visit the 2 acre garden of Pam Lewis at Marston near Devizes on July 18th at 2pm. We will have tea and a flower arranging demonstration. Cost £14. If you would like more details please give me a ring on 870540. Kathleen Fielding
Steeple Ashton and District Conservative AssociationThe above group has recently been reformed to include and encourage new members from the villages of Steeple Ashton, Keevil, Bulkington and Great Hinton. Membership of the party is not essential, and indeed everyone is welcome.A programme of social events is being planned and we look forward to wel-coming our MP Dr Andrew Murrison who will be joining us at an event in the summer. Full details will be published shortly. Come and meet Andrew in a relaxed and informal way and hear about life inside Westminster. Please contact Suzanne Wickham 01380 870476 or Sue Geedes 01380 871412 for further information.
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COFFIN TRIAL
You all know we have a Coffin Trail from West Ashton to St Marys Church, Steeple Ashton. The story goes that several people have died in West Ashton. Some are going to heaven and others to hell! The undertakers’ hearse has broken down. The trial is for teams of 4 pall-bearers to race their coffins along the trail starting from West Ashton finishing at St Marys’ Church fete, a distance of approximately 2 miles over fields, stiles and gates. You can compete as Angels, Devils or Not Sure’s.
The date fixed for this event is 21st June 2014 We would like participants to be dressed as undertakers/pallbearers and the coffins made by us to our specification with your own ‘cadaver’ inside (witch/scarecrow/skeleton/guy). We are asking for a £10 per coffin entrance fee. The teams will be judged on presentation as well as speed, and the winning team will get a trophy, and all team members get a token prize. Our objective is to raise awareness of Luffenham Field (another jewel in Steeple Ashton’s crown) by creating a wild flower meadow and wild-life sanctuary. Proceeds from this fun event will help us to achieve this goal, there will be an opportunity to support us at the finish line. If you wish to be part of this fun re-enactment please contact Tony Evans on 870623
Bryan Berrett
In 2005, Caroline Quartley took over from Steve and Chantelle. Caroline continued to improve the facilities and develop the business, employing experienced, well-known local chefs, cooking seasonal food sourced from local suppliers. The old “Brew House”, once derelict, was repaired and refur-bished in 2011 and is now available for hire as a function-room. In addition, the adjoining cottage has been further improved and offers accommodation for up to five people. As many readers will be well-aware, at a time when country pubs are clos-ing by the week, The Longs Arms continues to thrive. It has built a good rep-utation for food, offers accommodation, a venue for parties and events, quiz nights, occasional live music, and its beer and cider festivals have proved popular – and ‘Long’ may this continue!
Acknowledgements (the list of sources is too extensive to print here – please contact Bryan for a copy if required)For additional information, many thanks to: Mary Ashby, Brent Hodges, Sandra & Rebecca Matthews, Marie Pike, & Caroline Quartley.
Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life. ~S.D. Gordon
AprilSweet month thy pleasures bid thee beThe fairest child of springAnd every hour that comes with theeComes some new joy to bringThe trees still deepen in their bloomGrass greens the meadow landsAnd flowers with every morning comeAs dropt by fairey hands
from The Shepherd’s CalendarJohn Clare
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The Longs Arms also featured in an earlier, and acutely poignant photo-graph, taken almost 100 years ago. Thirteen original volunteers for ‘Lord Kitchener’s Army’ were assembled in front of the pub for a picture on Monday the 31st August, 1914. The following morning, the men ate a hearty breakfast in the pub – courtesy of the Right Hon. Walter Hume and Lady Doreen Long. The volunteers were then presented with a quarter of a pound tin of tobacco and a pipe each by her Ladyship, before being driven to Devizes barracks in motors supplied by the Longs. Cheered on by flag-wav-ing villagers, they were sent off to the sound of patriotic music played by Steeple Ashton Brass Band. During the Second World War, both village pubs became important cen-tres of social activity, with their clientele swelled by British, Australian and US Servicemen and women serving at Keevil Airfield. Civilian support work-ers would also have patronised Steeple Ashton’s pubs – including Vickers staff employed in the assembly of Spitfire and Hurricane fighter-planes in the hanger accessed via Manor Farm, at the end of The Strand. Some decades later, The Longs Arms would find itself featuring in an ‘HTV West’ TV play set in Germany during the aftermath of World War II. Broadcast locally in 1986 or 1987, the hour-long, ‘Emmy’-award-winning film – ‘Displaced Person’ – was adapted from a Kurt Vonnegut Jr. book. It centred on the story of a black German boy named Tobias, living in an orphanage run by Nuns in post-war Germany. Teased by others, Tobias attempts to search for the father he had never known, and becomes attached to the first other non-white person he has ever seen: a black American Serv-iceman, Sergeant Davis. Scenes were shot in the public bar of the Longs Arms (in those days, it was separated from the lounge bar on the right by a central wall). The public bar – noticeably traditional and not modernised – provided an apt setting to record a scene set in a late-1940s German bar. (If memory serves, other short sequences featured the Village Green and Keevil Airfield.) In 1991, our only village pub came close to being closed and sold for building development. Concerned villagers objected, and a protest group was formed. After a short time, thankfully, the plans were dropped. Soon afterwards, Steve and Chantelle Whittell took on the tenancy, and began to rejuvenate The Longs Arms. An emphasis on dining was initiated, and the couple soon lent their own French touch to the overall feel of the pub. With a more gastronomic drive operating in the establishment, the central wall between the public bar and lounge bar was partially taken down, and an open-access doorway between the two created. The old entrance to the lounge bar from the front-lobby was blocked off, and the room became a dining area.
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The Annual General Meeting starts at 7.00 pm on Friday 2nd May in the Village Hall. Please put this date in your diary. All members will be receiv-ing a newsletter at the end of March inviting renewal of membership, but the Friends are delighted to welcome new members at any time : remember, membership now costs £2 a head - a one hundred per cent increase which was introduced with trepidation at the 40th Annual General Meeting. If you have an interest in the history of the village, and you care about its present condition and future survival, join the Friends now and help in their efforts to protect Steeple Ashton – efforts which must be renewed in the light of current planning regulations. The Friends are non-profit making, and surplus finances are donated to local causes and institutions. They publish the “Maps for Walkers” series, and the excellent Steeple Ashton History and Guide, on sale in the church and the shop. They were involved in the pro-duction of the Village Design Statement, and in the setting up of STASH, and run a bulk oil delivery scheme which reduces tanker traffic in the vil-lage. The committee comments on planning applications and liaises with the Parish Council when there are threats to the character and scenic quality of Steeple Ashton. They hold the lease on Luffenham Field, and continue to work towards its development as a wildflower meadow under the energetic management of Tony Evans. They arrange outings and lectures – the latest being the trip to Kapunda Castle at Southstoke. At the Annual General Meeting, the Chairman and Treasurer report on the past year, and the committee is elected for the coming year. This could be your chance to influence the Friends’ thinking and actions. Why not take it a step further and put yourself forward for nomination to the committee ? Five members of the current committee are due to retire : this is a wake up call for all those who would like to have an opportunity to use their ideas and their energy in the concerns which occupy the village community. If you would like to be nominated or find out more, please contact Lydia Peters on 871077.The AGM will, as usual, be followed by an evening of local interest which is open to everyone. This starts at 8 pm and the entry charge is £5, which includes wine and cheese. The committee is taking this opportunity to cel-ebrate the lives of all the volunteers from the village who went to the Great War. Are you able to make a contribution to the evening ? Did your father or grandfather or uncle play his part, and have you a story you would like to tell ? Rosemary Brett Green is collecting anecdotes from many families and would like to hear from you as well - ring her on 870119. Bryan Berrett is again providing pictures from his amazing archive, and the presentation will be made by Steve Williams who is expert in every aspect of the First World War. It promises to be a memorable occasion. Lydia Peters 871077
THE FRIENDS OF STEEPLE ASHTON
The Society’s “FELLOWSHIP” sign over the door in this 1930s picture was probably added to the negative after the photo was taken by the Landlord – Frank N de Sowza. He must have had several copies made, as Mary Ashby (whose parents ran the shop at the entrance to Acreshort Lane) remembers her father receiving one in the 1930s. The copy reproduced here was sent to Mr William Bartlett (who lived in the old Post Office next door – now part of Merchant’s Hall) with the following greeting written on the back:
My dear old friend William Bartlett, for kindliest remembrance and with sincere wishes for all that is best in life, from Frank N. de Sowza 21 X 34.
Deciphered, the motto at the foot of the picture reads: HERE STOP AND SPEND A SOCIAL HOUR IN HARMLESS MIRTH AND FUN LET FRIENDSHIP REIGN BE JUST AND KIND AND EVIL SPEAK OF NONE.
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Over the many years in which Whorwellsdown Court was held in Steeple Ashton, it must have presided over all manner of cases – from the most serious to the more unusual. One case that came before the court during 1860, probably in The Longs Arms, was mentioned in local newspapers at the time, after a youth was accused of raining blows on a local girl – with a parsnip!
Portion of an 1890s Whorwellsdown Court Blank Summons
More than 120 years later, Conservative MP, Government Junior Minister, historian, diarist and one-time resident of Seend, the late Alan Clark, recorded in his diary entry for Thursday 22nd October 1981:
I have never been specially keen on Lord Margadale as I attribute – per-haps wrongly – the very heavy sentence I received at Steeple Ashton Mag-istrates Court, for driving without lights in 1971, to the fact that he took an instant dislike to me. (He was attending the court in his capacity as High Sheriff that day.)
In addition to providing a session room for the court over a number of years, and apart from the usual facilities expected of a public house, The Longs Arms has served both visitors and the inhabitants of Steeple Ashton in various ways. For instance, it appears that the ‘Steeple Ashton United Friendly Society’ held its meetings here in the early 20th century.
Bus shelter opposite St Mary’sBasically the bus shelter has been vandalised with paint and we have received complaints from local residents regarding its appearance. We will be rectifying the damage. However, this is an on-going cost and we would like to ask the local residents to keep a watchful eye on the shelter and to report any unusual activity to the Police. Clearly we need to keep the shelter as an amenity for the village, however as our Budget is tight we cannot keep re-painting it on a regular basis, and it has been suggested that the best course of action is to remove it altogether, but we do not want to do this unless we have no choice.
CORRECTION!It has been pointed out that in the February Parish Magazine Planning Report under New Plans there was an error.13/06839/VAR – Recreation Ground St. Marys Steeple Ashton stated “in order to facilitate the use of pavilion for functions”. The wording appears to have caused some consternation among neigh-bouring residents. The Rec Group is puzzled at the use of the word ‘func-tions’ here. The application for a variation of the Planning Consent is simply to broaden the use of the Pavilion to make it a more useful asset for the whole COMMUNITY. It has never been and is not the intention to hire out the Pavilion for ‘functions’ that are not community related.
PCC
Virginia Fortescue
Seend Playgroup Easter Extravaganza‘A celebration of our 40th Anniversary’
Friday 4th April 10.30am—11.45am
The Pavilion, Rusty Lane, Seend in the heart of the community.
Discover what makes Seend Playgroup so special by coming along to our Easter Extravaganza – an open morning for all the family to enjoy.
Activities include: -Easter Bonnet Parade (by the children of Seend Playgroup)
Cake sale Tea and Coffee Tour of the facilitiesMeet and chat with staff and parents
Come along and find out why Seend Playgroup has been loved by so many families over the past 40 years.
For further information on the Playgroup please visit www.seendplaygroup.com
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THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONSteeple Ashton & District Branch
93rd ANNUAL DINNERFRIDAY 11th APRIL 2014
STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE HALL7.30 for 8 pm
Members and friends are allvery welcome
GRAND RAFFLE
Tables will be for eight. To make a reservation, ring Geoff Hyatt on
01380 871319. Following the success of previous years’ menus, there will be
a hot dish such as Boeuf Bourgui-gnon, with new potatoes and green vegetables, followed by a choice of puddings, plus cheese and biscuits,
and then coffee. Please bring your own wine – glasses are provided.
TICKETS £15.00
For purposes of village news, oil delivery for April will be on Thurs-day, April 24th and I shall require orders by Friday the 16th. Thank you. Colin Green
St John’s RC Social GroupNearly New Clothes Sale
& Coffee Morning
Saturday 26th April from 10.30amSt John’s Parish Centre, Wingfield
Road, TrowbridgeNearly New Good Quality Clothes
Bric-a-Brac & JumbleRefreshments Admission 50p
crown around 1630. The family’s extensive estates gradually passed – via cousins – down to the Longs of Rood Ashton (near West Ashton). The last Long to live in the family seat at Rood Ashton was Walter Hume Long, who was made Viscount Long of Wraxall in 1921. Lord Long died in 1924, and The Rood Ashton Estate was broken up and sold as separate lots in 1930. As part of the Estate, both village pubs – The Longs Arms and the Rose and Crown – were included in the sale. The Longs Arms appeared in the sale catalogue as “Lot 45”:
The “Old Session Room” mentioned in this description reminds us that the Whorwellsdown Magistrates Court – one of Wiltshire’s Petty Sessional Divi-sions – met in the pub until 1899 (the Court of the Whorwellsdown ‘Hun-dred’ was one of the oldest seats of summary justice in the land, with its first records dating from 1249). In 1899, Walter Hume Long rescued it from merger with Trowbridge Magistrates Court by funding a session room in the Village Hall, newly opened that year. (Growing up almost opposite the Village Hall in the 1950s, I can recall one young accused being led into the court, and my mother strongly emphasising to me: “I never want to see you being taken in there!”). Whorwellsdown Court continued to hold sessions in the Village Hall until March 1991 – when it was finally abol-ished, being merged with Trowbridge. (Coincidentally, The Longs Arms has recently introduced a brown ale known as a ‘session beer’, brewed especially for the pub. Despite its apt title, it is named not in recognition of the pub’s judicial past; ‘session beer’ simply indicates a particular type of mellow ale, balanced between hops and malt, moderate to low in alcohol and tradition-ally intended for those wishing to drink over a long, relaxing ‘session’.)
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RIDE & STRIDE Saturday 13 September 2014Last year Geoff Witts (weather man) raised £160. This is early to mention this event, which is in aid of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust. Half of the sponsor money raised goes to the upkeep of the church of your choice. There are a number of keen cyclists and walkers in this parish. Please con-sider taking part. You make up your own route; nearly every church in the county is open, many with manners to sign your card. Most other counties are doing this on the same day. Sponsor forms and lists of churches will be available from your parish organizer. I should be most happy to have some other person take over as organizer. This also involves doing a rôta from 10am – 6pm. Many are willing to do this.Your parish organizer of 25 years - Lystra Berrett 01380/870809
Bryan writes....continued from the inside front cover Steeple Ashton Film Night
Our March film, Philomena, more than lived up to expectations. With powerful characterisations by Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, the film drew you in and held your attention. Sorry to those of you who didn’t manage to get tickets.
SATURDAY 12th April 7.30pm. Saving Mr BanksAuthor P. L. Travers reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with filmmaker Walt Disney during production for the adaptation of her novel, Mary Poppins. Starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.
SATURDAY 10th May 7.30pmWe are hoping to show The Railway Man.Directed by Jonathan Teplitzky. A true story. With Nicole Kidman, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Jeremy Irvine. A victim from World War II’s “Death Railway” sets out to find those responsible for his torture.
Tickets are £6, available from Steeple Ashton Village Shop. Doors open half an hour before the film starts. Ice creams and sweets will be available and as usual we will have a bar. Profits from these films will go to St. Mary’s Preservation Trust and Friends of Keevil School (FOKS).
For further information please phone volunteers Gill on 01380 870302 or Lynda on 01380 871701.
Come 1800, locally, the processes of carding and spinning were being car-ried out entirely in factories; and yet town-based clothiers continued to employ weavers in Steeple Ashton until around 1870 – working on hand-looms in their own cottages. Incidentally, in recent years, the village has witnessed a reintroduction of the craft – with ‘The Wiltshire Guild of Spin-ners, Weavers and Dyers’ setting up their ‘Textile Studio’ in the old school building, above the community shop. During the 18th century, the last house to have been occupied by a cloth-ier in Steeple Ashton became an inn – named ‘The Coach and Horses’. Standing in its own grounds just back from the road on the west side of High Street, the hostelry was well-situated – as the road formed part of the coaching route from Bath to Salisbury. Turnpiked (made a toll-road) in 1752 between Bath and Tinhead (part of Edington), the road came through Trowbridge, across what was then open common land, towards the foot of Common Hill (which was gated to keep grazing sheep, oxen and cows from entering the village), up ‘Common Lane’ and onto the limestone ridge on which Steeple Ashton is situated. From here it continued south, down the gently sloping fields towards Edington, rising sharply up onto the northern edge of Salisbury Plain through a cutting at Tinhead, and then on towards the city of Salisbury. Today, on the verge of a bridleway above Erlestoke vil-lage which was once a part of the coaching road, a milestone can still be found. Although heavily weathered, the inscription can just be made out. It reads:
XVIIIMiles From
SARUMXVIII
Miles FromBATH
This Bath to Salisbury road was abandoned in the latter part of the 18th century, in favour of the improved route through the Wylye Valley. The change could well have had some impact on trade at The Coach and Horses, as by 1802, the hostelry had reverted back to being a private house; yet 30 years later, it was an inn once again. At some point between 1835 and 1842, it became known by its present name: ‘The Longs Arms’. The Long family – local gentry whose name and coat of arms depicts the pub – gained their wealth as clothiers during the 15th century. Walter Long of Whaddon purchased the manorial estate of Steeple Ashton from the
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Steeple Ashton, a quiet rural village on the edge of Salisbury plain, is the sort of place that’s regularly in the frame for best kept village and suchlike commendations – a largely well-heeled community with a multi-starred 15th century church, period houses, a pub and a community-owned village shop. Not the sort of place where you’d expect to find a rock choir. But when Adrienne Hale and her husband, Paul, moved into the village in July 2011, that’s exactly what they got after Adrienne and local pub landlord, Caroline Quarterly, had shared a few glasses of wine together. Caroline asked Adrienne what she did for a living, heard that she was a pro-fessional singer and teacher with a track record of running choirs from Dun-blane High School to the City of Bath and promptly asked, “Why don’t we have a rock choir?” That set Adrienne thinking, but she might have done nothing about it except that, at their next meeting Caroline presented her with 25 names of villagers who were interested in the idea. So Adrienne, who had never run a rock choir before, found herself choirmasterof Steeple Rocks. Now the group has 74 members and is booked up to Christmas 2015. The group meets regularly on Monday evenings for rehearsals in the brewery at the 3 Daggers pub in nearby Edington and has a growing reputation and a widely based repertoire from pop to blues and from rock to soul.
Concert with Bath Abbey organist, Peter KingA demonstration of just how far the group has come in its short existence is a Spring concert to be held in St Mary’s Church, Steeple Ashton, at 7.30pm on Saturday, 29 March, when the choir will be joined by Peter King, long established and highly regarded director of music and organist at Bath Abbey, along with two young Wiltshire musicians, mezzo soprano, Clover Kayne, and saxo-phonist, Luke Parsons. “This will definitely not be a formal classical concert,” said Adrienne. “It will have everything from light music to opera and jazz.” Her firm promise is to get the joint rocking. For its first 170 years of existence, St Mary’s church boasted a 93ft stee-ple on top of its 93ft tower. The steeple was brought down twice by violent storms in 1670 before villagers decided that providence had ruled against it.
STEEPLE ASHTON ROCKED TO ITS FOUNDATIONSDo you want to get more out of your computer, be confident in browsing the internet, sending emails or using social media? Well help is at hand, whether it’s a desktop, laptop, iPad, tablet, smart phone, or something even more exotic. Wiltshire Online’s Digital Champion volunteers are here to help with free, basic computer support.There is local network of computer savvy volunteers like myself, who can provide help with your computer questions, either on one a one to one, or group basis. I’ve spent a very interesting year being a Wiltshire Online Dig-ital Champion in the Melksham area. During that time I have helped a number of people with how to use email, browse on the net, and generally get to understand their computers better.So, if you’d like to improve your ability or confidence and get more immersed in today’s digital world, then I’m sure we can help you realise that ambition. Wiltshire Online is an initiative provided by Wiltshire Council and if you’d like some free help, please ring: 01225 793349 to register. Further infor-mation about the project can also be found on www.wiltshireonline.org.
Phil Chipper: Digital Champion, Wiltshire Online
Wiltshire Online cont.
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In view of Adrienne’s promise, perhaps that’s just as well!
TicketsTickets for the concert, at a cost of £8.50, are available from the Steeple Ashton village shop, or from Adrienne Hale on 01380 871890. They can also be bought online from http://www.wegottickets.com
All proceeds will go to St Mary’s Church Preservation Trust.
John AeberhardThe Community Foundation is keen to hear from community groups and local charities who could do with an extra funding boost this spring. The main grant round takes place in early May and the closing date is 17 April so there is time to get organised and submit your application. Grants of up to £5k are available to support and maintain organisations which make a dif-ference to their local communities. You do not even need to be a registered charity as long as your organisation is based in Wiltshire, benefits Wiltshire residents and you have a constitution and a bank account. The Community Foundation will fund core costs such as salaries, equipment and training, as well as new projects. Recently funded projects include Seeds 4 Success, a new Wiltshire charity which runs a leisure credit scheme in south Wiltshire for NEET (Not in Edu-cation, Employment or Training) young people to offer them training in exchange for environmental volunteering work. The grant is paying for an additional youth worker without whom the scheme could not expand. Jaki Farrell of Seeds for Success said “The grant from the Community Founda-tion was vital for so many young people who wouldn’t otherwise get this chance. We are now able to provide essential support for volunteers and ensure liaison with local parishes and communities as well as promotion and administration work.” Last month young people cleared a cemetery in Wardour, carried out hedge trimming and tree felling in Mere and raised over £370 for the charity packing bags in supermarkets, which was nearly as popular as the quad biking reward trip. One said “I’ve learnt how to use different kinds of tools and improved my skills at working with people. I enjoy being respected by local people because of the work we do and I like the rewards.” Another adds “I’ve learnt about working with other people and starting jobs and finishing them.”The Community Foundation has a range of grants available and staff will help with your application. In the first instance, apply via the Expression of Interest Form on the website www.wscf.org.uk
SPRING FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL CHARITIES
Kate Robinson, Communications and Development, Salisbury and South Wiltshire
What is a Wiltshire Online Digital Champion and what could they do for you?Do the words; email, internet or laptop fill you with dread? Do you know what a folder is, apart from possibly someone that works in a laundry? Does ‘doing a backup to the cloud,’ sound like something that is potentially painful and needs an umbrella?
Home-Thoughts from Abroad
Oh, to be in EnglandNow that April’s there,And whoever wakes in EnglandSees some morning, unaware,That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheafRound the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,While the chaffinch sings on the orchard boughIn England, now!
Robert Browning
Salles de BainsBathroom and Kitchen design and installationBathrooms, cloakrooms, wet rooms,
en-suites, shower rooms and kitchens
Full installation from design to completionAdaptation of existing layouts
Solutions for reduced mobility problems Over 30 years experience Local Company
Roger Drinkwater Phone: 07808284950Email: [email protected]
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could you advertise here?
Please call Chris Plum on01380 870 875
Notes from St. Mary’s PCC - March 2014
Our PCC meeting was held on the on the 17th March. The meeting was again dominated by our discussions on our Stewardship and Mission ini-tiatives. We continue to rapidly run down our meager cash reserves so our campaigns will be vital if we are to keep the doors of our wonderful Church open! It would be a tragedy for our Parish if we had to close our Church as it is the focal point for many Village events, not just for our regu-lar Sunday Services, but also for Easter, Harvest, and Christmas Services when we gather together to celebrate important events in the Church’s Cal-endar. It is also there to welcome our parishioners and visitors for some of the most important occasions in their lives such as Baptisms, Confirma-tion, Weddings, Funerals, and to commemorate our Service Personnel on Remembrance Day. The objectives of the campaigns are of increasing our attendance at services and also increasing our income in order to ensure our ongoing existance! We need an average of about £7 per week from each of the members on our electoral roll or a much larger electoral roll in order for St Mary’s to remain viable. It would be tragic if St Mary’s went the same way as a lot of rural Churches and ended as a boarded up shell. Sub Committees have been formed and meetings scheduled.It is hoped to start the campaigns at next month’s APCM . Our Annual meeting, the APCM, will be held on Tuesday 8th April at 7.30 pm in Steeple Ashton Village Hall. This is an open meeting but only mem-bers on the Electoral Roll can vote on any proposals. There will be light refreshments including wine available before the meeting commences.As well as kicking off our Mission And Stewardship Initiatives we hope to set up a “Publicity and Social Committee” for St Mary’s. The Vestry subcommittee has been put on hold until after the APCM as we are presently concentrating on our Stewardship and Mission InitiativesOur Architect, Alan Smith, will visit us when we get going again in order to outline the various options open to us.ChurchwardensRoger Meade 870988 [email protected]
The Children’s SocietyHouse to House collection will be from 29th March - 19th April.
Please give to this worthy cause.
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MOBILE HAIRDRESSER
Ladies, Gents & ChildrenReasonable Prices
Available to come to your homeat your convenience
Please contact Charlotte01380 828199
KeithDraperGarden Maintenance ServicesOver 40 years experience
References availableTel: 01225 867999Mob: 07775787284
Steeple Ashton Village Hall Contact DetailsNew Daytime/Work Telephone Number: 01225 703144New Evening/Home Telephone Number: 01225 356196
New Email Address: [email protected] and booking forms can still be posted to:Moorfield Farm, 2 Church Street, Steeple Ashton
Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6EW
Many thanks, Sandra Stevens
Postal Collectionsin Great Hinton
Mon - Fri
4.15pm
Saturday
8.30am
Parent and Toddler Group - open every Wednesday
10am – 12. in the Village Hall.All Welcome.
Postal Collections in Steeple Ashton
Longs ArmsNewleazeAshtonCommon
4pm12noon11.30am
Mon - Fri Saturday10am11am11am
Richard Little, Chairman
Village Hall AGM
The Village Hall Committee AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday the 24th April. I hope that this year some younger people will attend and may join the Committee to eventually replace of some of the older members who would like to retire.
Friday ClubMeeting dates for April
3:45pm-5-15pm at our Village Hall
Friday 25th April
23
Village DiaryThe Newsletter prints a Diary of Events each month.
If you are organising activities in the village, you may wish to contact me to avoid a clash of events. Helen
Regular events in Steeple Ashton Village Hall, unless otherwise stated
Wednesday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Monday Ballroom Dance Classes; 7.00pm. Tel: 07917 573831Steeple Rocks; 7.30pm. Venue, call 01380 870406
Brownies; 5.30 - 7pm. Term Time. Carolyn Collis: 01380 870379Guides; 7pm - 8.30pm. Elizabeth Leversha 01380 831278
8am Prayers in St Mary’s ChurchBaby and Toddler Group; 10.00am - 12noon1st and 3rd Wednesdays; Forget-Me-Not Club, 2.30pm.2nd Wednesday; Women’s Institute, 7.30pmDee Dee Wilde Dance Class, 10.30am
YOGA; 10.30am - 12noonMobile Library (alternate Fridays, dates and times below)Walking group meets at the Longs Arms; 2.30pmFriday Club; 3.45pm - 5.30pm, Term Time. Contact 01380 870013.
APRIL
24th
Mobile Library; 10.45-11.45am, Steeple Ashton, The Green11.50-12.10am, Steeple Ashton, St Mary’s12.15-12.30pm Ashton Common Bus Stop
Forget-Me-Nots, Spring Flowers, K King, 2.30pm, VH
Fri
Church AGM, 7.30pm, VH
Wed
RBL Annual Dinner, 7.30 for 8pm, VH
Fri
AGM Village Hall, 7.30pm, VHThursTue
Fri
HOUSEKEEPERResponsible: Professional: Hardworking
Any aspect of housekeeping undertakenCleaning, ironing, washing, gardening
References available
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2nd
11th25th
7th
11th
22nd
26th St John’s Sale & Coffee Morning, see p12
18
Fri
Fri
Newsletter Deadline16th Wed Forget-Me-Nots, Easter Buffet Tea and Bingo, 2.30, VH
25th Village Shop AGM, 7.30pm, VHSat
The Friends AGM, 7pm, VH2nd
Annual Parish Meeting, 7pm, VH Skittle Alley8th Tues
12th Sat Film, Saving Mr Banks, 7.30pm, VH
4th Seend Playgroup, Easter Extravaganza, see p11Mon
May
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