Ashton Keynes & Leigh Newsletter February 2021

******STOP PRESS******* Subscriptions for the Newsletter will be collected in April from this year rather than February

Well done to all the fundraisers for the school learning hub appeal. Goal achieved in record time Simply Amazing!!!! 2 Dear Friends,

This time of year can seem dark and gloomy – The light we talk about at the days are short and the nights long; we have Christmas, shining in the to endure another lockdown, and carefree darkness, bringing comfort and summer days seem a lifetime away. Yet as I joy, is Jesus. He called himself write, the Christmas promise of light shining the light of the world, and through the darkness rings in my ears (’the light promised that whoever follows him will never shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. overcome it.’ John 1:5 ) What is this light, and how can we find it? This light will be a comfort to us; it will guide us; it will help us see things clearly; and it will bring Light gives us comfort when the world seems dark us joy. and scary – I remember my children being reassured by a nightlight by their bedside when Best of all, it is to be had simply by asking God they were little. for it, and looking for it, in ourselves, in our lives and in other people. This light, or grace as it is Light guides us on our path – many are the times sometimes called, will shine out from us, will I have given thanks for the torch on my phone show us and others the way, will restore and when walking about at night. empower us, and will take away our stress and give us peace. Light helps us to see things more clearly – my embroidery stitches, for instance; but we also talk May the light of Christ shine brightly in our about ‘shedding light on a problem’, where we hearts, today and every day, and may it bring us need clarification for our thoughts. joy and peace. Amen

Lastly, lights can make us happy, joyful even – Pauline Loveday, Licensed Lay Minister with the we only have to think of the cheery Christmas Upper Thames Group decorations people splashed out on to banish the Covid blues. _------Deadlines and Advertising Subscription is £10 per year due in April 2021. Please phone Richard Vernon if you wish to contact your distributor. Advertising prices per issue Editorial Team: Yvonne Edmonds 01285 861049 Sharon Gater 01285 860926 Half page £24.00 Tessa Mills 01285 861284 Quarter page £12.00 Eighth page £7.00 Claire Sims 01285 869479 All paid advertisements should Advertising: Brenda Sheppard 01666 860631 be sent to: Distribution Richard Vernon 01285 861692 [email protected]

Deadline is 16th of the month. Please submit your copy (but not Paid Advertisements appear in the paid adverts) for publication in the March newsletter to & Leigh Newsletter [email protected] by 8pm on 16 February or to Claire and the Newsletter Sims, 18 Happy Land, Ashton Keynes.

If you wish your item to appear also in the Minety Newsletter please contact Mrs Brenda Sheppard by phone or email Please check with Brenda [email protected] Sheppard for this deadline, which is normally 12�� of the When submitting articles to the newsletters please send in the original MS Word or PowerPoint format (not a pdf), as we do month for paid advertisements. have to reformat a lot to squeeze everything in. It would also help if you used Verdana font, size 10 with no underlining. Thank you

3 4 Editorial

Well here we are at the start of 2021 and the vaccination programme against the dreaded virus is well underway. Let’s hope and pray that the pressure eases and we can be allowed some more freedom.

There are not a lot of activities and events happening at present, as most organisations are not meeting. So sorry to see that the AK Festival is again on hold. Finally, I have included a lovely photo taken by grandson, Oliver, on a trip to the coast between I cannot believe how quickly the school has lockdowns. Pictures of the sea never fail to reached its fundraising target in these difficult cheer me up reminding us that the tide ebbs times. Well done to the team and everyone who and flows whatever else is going on in the has played a part /donated. world. It also serves as a reminder that we Don’t forget the textile Bags to School Collection might get that holiday soon! on the 8 February - excellent opportunity to rid See you next time. Yvonne yourself of all those old clothes. You never know we may soon be able to get to the shops and PS buy some replacements. Any chaps reading this, it is Valentine’s Day on Also note we will be collecting the Newsletter th subscriptions in April rather than February in the 14 ! How about surprising your ladies with a future, as the weather is much better and the delicious meal from the shop or splash out on nights lighter in the spring. the lovely hamper detailed below. I am sure it will be appreciated. ******************************************

5 6 Village Hall Village Hall Booking Line 0844 776 0001

The trials and tribulations of running a village hall during this pandemic continue unabated. Just as we started to get interest from a few groups again (including a new one), along comes another lockdown.

The Hall is closed for all but essential services and Preschool, and because there was no ‘lock-down end date’ announced, we have no news we can give you on reopening for normal use.

As we have to be open for the essential services and preschool, we must ensure we retain the status of a ‘COVID-19 Secure’ venue. To help maintain this and for your safety, the entire Hall complex is disinfectant fogged on Post Office days. The toilets, corridor, lobby and Ashton Keynes Room are fogged every weekday as Preschool use these and in addition the Surgery rooms are fogged on Wednesday’s (plus any other time we are asked).

The Village Hall Risk Assessment (now version 2) can be found within the download area of our website (www.akvh.org.uk). It is a fairly lengthy document and so if you want to read it in e-book format, send us an email ([email protected]) and we will send you the link.

We have placed NHS COVID-19 App QR-CODE posters around the Hall. If you have the NHS App please ‘check-in’ when you use the Hall. The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy.

If you want to know any more about how we are handling things during this pandemic, please email [email protected].

Legally we have to provide an Isolation Room for Preschool. The only room available is the Gents toilets, hence it cannot be used for any other purpose. There is an A4 sign on the door stating this – please stick within the rules. When anyone uses the Isolation Room they have to advise us so that we can carry out a deep clean. If we spot that someone has used it without telling us (i.e. as a toilet or handwash), we still have to carry out a deep clean and that costs the Hall in both materials and time. Please used the disabled toilet as the signage states.

Unfortunately, we cannot start the Rural Cinema because of lockdown.

We thank you for your patience during these unusual times.

7 Graham Loveday

I have been overwhelmed by the huge number of messages of tribute, love and support following Graham’s death in October. Thank you for all your encouragement, cards, gifts, flowers and practical help.

I have a link to the videos of the funeral, which I can send to those who would like them. It’s a source of sadness that covid restrictions limited the numbers of attendees, but I feel we did Graham proud nonetheless.

Donations in lieu of flowers were suggested for the Holy Cross Lighting Project, which was a subject close to Graham’s heart. So far the total is nearly £3,000, a fantastic effort! If anyone else would like to donate (it will enable the church to be used more effectively for concerts and other events in future), please complete the form below and return it to Peter Tuck. Many, many thanks.

Pauline Loveday

------Friends of Holy Cross Church Lighting Project

I wish to make a donation of £…………………………to the above project in memory of Graham Loveday.

My Payment Details: (tick one) I will pay by BACS to the account detailed below, stating ‘Graham Lighting’ as a reference. Bank: HSBC, Account: Friends of Holy Cross Sort Code: 401725 Account Number: 11245481

I wish to pay by cheque, payable to Friends of Holy Cross. (Please enclose with completed form).

My Gift Aid Declaration: (tick one) I confirm I am a UK Income or Capital Gains Tax payer. I want Friends of Holy Cross to reclaim tax on all my donations until further notice. I understand I must pay an amount of Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax in the tax year at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities to which I donate will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I am unable to make the above Gift Aid declaration.

Signed:______Date:______

My Personal Details:

Title:______Name(s)______Surname:______Address:______

8 9 10 A Happy New Year to all our customers

2020 didn’t end that well as, like many businesses across the country, the shop was impacted by an outbreak of Coronavirus. The management committee and staff acted quickly and followed the necessary guidelines, and thanks to all their effort the shop was only closed for a few days. A few days of restricted opening times followed, but by 11 January we were back to being fully staffed.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during what was a fairly difficult time. Steve and his team would like to thank the many customers who expressed their concerns and sent their best wishes.

I am pleased to report that the shop is now back to normal!

However, the number of customers in the shop continues to be restricted to two and we do ask you to keep your distance. Following government guidelines, wearing a mask is compulsory - NO mask NO entry.

On a lighter note, Valentine’s Day is in a couple of weeks and you can show your loved one how much you care. There is a good selection of Valentines cards and of course we have chocolates, wine and Prosecco

If you’d like to cook that extra special dinner, why not place an order with Hiscock butcher. For dessert you can select one of our new local puddings from the Cotswold Pudding Co based near Cirencester. There is Sticky Toffee, Lemon, Ginger or Chocolate to choose from and we also have Vanilla Fudge, Chocolate Caramel or Salted Caramel sauces to go with it - what a delicious treat! If you would like a gluten free pudding you can order gluten free lemon or toffee.

This current lockdown is proving quite difficult for many, but the days are getting longer and spring is round the corner. The shop will try and help in any way, and if you require a particular product that you can’t find on the shelf, do speak to Steve.

Usual Opening Hours Monday - Saturday 7am - 7pm Sunday 9am - 3pm Telephone 01285 861931

11 12 13 Ashton Keynes Parish Council

New Parish Councillor

At the December meeting, Mr Dominic Ventham was co-opted by the Council, the Parish Council welcomes Mr Ventham and we look forward to working with him.

Parish Precept

It has been agreed that the Precept for 2021/22 will be held at its current figure of £35,450.

The Parish Precept is a sum of money allocated annually to the Parish Council to meet the needs of the Parish in the forthcoming financial year i.e. 1 April – 31 March. It is a forecast of the amount that will be required to pay for such things as grounds and tree maintenance, Clerk’s salary, insurance, village facilities, maintenance grants, room rental, stationery, postage, the Village Website, etc. The Parish Precept is collected by Council as part of the annual Council Tax bill and this element is then passed onto the Parish. It should be noted that, for each household, the Parish Precept forms a very small part of annual Council Tax bill, typically around £60 out of a total annual bill of over £2000. Hedges, Shrubs & Trees Overhanging Footpaths/Walkways

The Parish Council politely requests that if you should have on your property a hedge, tree or shrub which overhangs a highway or any other road, footpath or walkway to which the public has access to, that you please inspect and trim as necessary to remove any possible cause of obstruction.

As it is against the law to trim back or remove any hedges in which birds may be nesting, this time of year is the best time to carry out trimming back.

Please be aware that as Ashton Keynes is in a Tree Conservation Area planning permission may be required to carry out works to trees on your property. In general, planning permission is required for tree maintenance if the tree has a trunk diameter of 7.5cm or more, measured at 1.5 metres above ground level. For further information please consult the website. https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning

Census 2021

The census is coming. By taking part, you can help to inform decisions on services that shape your community, such as schools, doctors’ surgeries and bike lanes.

It is important you fill in your census questionnaire, because the information you share affects the life of every single person living in and Wales.

Because these things matter to us all, everyone needs to complete the census. Do not worry, your information is protected by law.

Census Day is Sunday 21 March. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post. If your household circumstances change on Census Day, you can let The Office for National Statistics (ONS) know.

If you need help, you can visit www.census.gov.uk where there is a wide range of support services available.

14 Ashton Keynes Parish Council

Planning: Applications determined by Wiltshire Council, ‘Approved with Conditions’ New applications considered, for which there were ‘Objections’ Ashton Keynes C of E Primary School, Gosditch: Variation of Condition 10 of 20/00079/VAR The Derry Fields, The Derry: Change of use of relating to retention of existing classrooms. existing building from agriculture to equestrian Rixon Farm, Rixon Gate: Variation of Conditions use, construct two additional stables, construct a 2, 3 and 4 of 17/03493/FUL in relation to forge/farrier building, change of use of part of reposition of Plots 4 & 5, relocating permitted the land to stationing of a log cabin for carparking and carports for better amenity for temporary use. Plot 3. Redesigning Plots 4 & 5 for a more New application considered, for which appropriate non domestic aesthetic including there was ‘Support’ also using more materials of the locale, such as stone and timber. Retaining more of the Village Hall Annexe, High Road: Variation of existing stone walls. condition 2 of 20/05520/FUL (installation of 19 Ashfield: Rear and side extension. retractable awning across shop frontage). Park Corner, Park Place: Single storey rear Applications considered, for which there extension. were ‘No Objections’ River House, High Road: Re-roof garage, replace garage doors with side-hinged Achillea, The Leaze: 30% crown reduction to 2 varnished timber doors and limewash existing Lawson Cypress trees. exterior render. 27 Eastfield: 3 metre height reduction and 2 Land at Wheatleys Farm: Variation of condition metre lateral reduction to Field Maple, Fell 1 1 of 18/06894/REM to substitute the existing Cypress. approved drawings and documents (where 4 Gleed House, High Road: 30% crown reduction relevant) with revised construction drawings. to 2 Sycamore trees. 2 Four Acre Close: Single storey extension and 10 Dairy Farm, Gosditch: 25% reduction to 2 other alterations including replacement garage Leylandii trees. roof, enlarged porch and new window The Firs, High Road: Fell 6 Leylandii trees. (resubmission of 20/02348/FUL). 20 Park Place: 25% crown reduction to Magnolia. Applications determined by Wiltshire New applications considered, for which Council ‘Approved’ there were ‘Comments’ None Received None Received Applications determined by Wiltshire Applications determined by Wiltshire Council, ‘Refused’ Council, ‘No objections’ None Received 7 Thames View: 50% crown reduction to Acacia, 30% crown reduction to Apple tree, pollard Fiona Ryder Maple tree. The Grove, 9 High Road: Fell 3 Conifer trees. [email protected] Mill House, 7 Church Walk: Fell 1 Acer. 6 Richmond Court: Fell 1 Conifer 07394 856232

More news at www.akpc.org.uk Next Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 10 February 2021 via Zoom Please contact Fiona Ryder for more details

15 16 The foodbank has been operating now since November 2019 and like so many organisations we could not have imagined what was in store for us in 2020 when Covid-19 hit. We were able to keep going because so many people and organisations worked together and found ways to keep going. So we have brought together some facts below to share with you about what has been done:

*Since March 2020 we have made 113 deliveries and fed 351 people

*Fresh food top up deliveries have been made by the team at Culverhay Stores at Whitehorse Road since mid-June. (This has made a huge difference to what we can provide to people in need and this has been funded by donations to the foodbank.

*Nearly 2 tonnes of food has been donated to the foodbank from residents which is exceptional! (And this does not include the very generous Harvest Festival donations).

As we continue this year we would like to thank everyone who has helped make this possible. If you or someone you know is struggling to feed themselves or their family locally then get in touch. We know that anyone can reach crisis point, and we're here to help when that happens. Phone us 01666 826982 Email us [email protected] https://malmesburydistrict.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/

If you want to give to the foodbank https://malmesburydistrict.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/ If you are interested to learn more about the work of The Trussell Trust and their aim to end the need for foodbanks in the UK visit https://www.trusselltrust.org/what-we-do/

Hello, Just a quick word to remind you all that I am around for general help and support on a wide variety of issues including transport, mobility and safety around the home and reducing the feeling of loneliness. Give me a call on 07557 922020 and leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Stay safe everyone… Ellen Ellen Blacker, Health and Wellbeing Champion

17 18 Hi All

It will probably come as no surprise to you whatsoever, but currently the organisers for the festival cannot see how we can make this work for this year. We still have no clue as to when the country will start getting back to normal, and with all the background work that needs to be done to organise such an event, sadly we will not be progressing in the normal way for 2021.

This will leave us a touch short as we suspect deposits that were being held may not last another year.

So…. The plan as we stand now is to have some sort of fundraising summer event that will be open air (no marquee expenses) and a bar where we will host a number of bands from the lunchtime to the evening, somewhere, somehow. A small donation to get in and regular buckets being passed around to raise much needed funds for hopefully a full-on festival in 2022.

To this point, if you are in a band and would like to play for this one day special, please do get in touch and we’ll see what we can plan and plot for the summer! [email protected]

The Birds are Migrating

As we cannot meet, in these abnormal times,

to say goodbye to friends and neighbours in Ashton Keynes

we would like to wish you well and thank

all those who have helped to make our 27 years living

in this lovely village enjoyable.

We are sad to go but looking forward to being near to our families

in Hertford and Cambridge.

Here's my email address if you want to stay in touch:

[email protected]

Chris & Simon Bird

19 Church matters

Christmas at Holy Cross. Thank you to Shirley M and the flower team for decorating Holy Cross for our Christmas services. As always, the church looked lovely and we are so grateful for the talents and time offered by so many people. Christmas 2020 was much reduced in terms of services held in the church, but it was wonderful to have so many of you socially distanced in the churchyard for our carol singing. We look forward to many more Christmas events and services next year - maybe we will keep the outdoor carol singing.

Christmas outdoors for Leigh. In Leigh All Saints churchyard we celebrated Christmas outdoors with our “Switching on the Christmas lights” (a big thankyou to Anthony for setting it all up) event and our Christmas Eve outdoor Carol Service. Even with social distancing and no mulled wine provided they were both lovely events celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

Our churches in Covid lockdown 3 Although the Government in this latest lockdown allowed churches to remain open for public Sunday worship, our Upper Thames PCCs agreed that we should not hold Sunday public worship until at least early Feb, but that we would keep churches open on certain days 10 – 2pm for people to drop in for a quiet time/private prayer.

Holy Cross Church, Ashton Keynes is open Sunday & Wednesday 10am to 2pm St Sampson’s church Cricklade is open Sunday, Monday and Thursday 10am to 2pm.

Care in and for the community will be ongoing, and there is so much wonderful kindness being provided for those who need it. If you would like a phone chat or need anything, don’t hesitate to phone - there are many people ready and waiting to help.

Update on a new vicar. Interviewing will now need to take place on zoom because of the Covid restrictions & arrangements are being made for that to happen. Please continue to pray for those involved in the process, and that God would raise up the right person to lead us into the future that he has for Upper Thames.

Contact details for Upper Thames Group

Revd Dr Shirley Danby, Associate Minister Tel: 01793 751463 Mobile: 07980 548844 Email: [email protected]

Parish administration (Jane Templeton), Tel: 01793 979304 Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Email: [email protected]

For weddings and baptism enquiries, information and online booking on our website https://www.upperthamkes.org.uk/bookings or contact Revd Shirley

20 Re-Lighting Holy Cross Church The project is on the move thanks to all Graham Loveday did towards making it happen. A small team are progressing the project & Friends of Holy Cross are very grateful for donations received in Graham’s memory. We will celebrate Holy Cross relit hopefully with a concert in autumn 2021.

Candlemas (2 February) celebrates the end of the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany season and, in days gone by, people brought candles to the church to be blessed. It’s the day when we remember how Jesus was brought to the temple, and the old priest there, Simeon, recognised Jesus as God’s promised one and that He would be “the light to lighten all nations.” In the darkness of this winter, let’s have a light shining in our windows on Candlemas night on Tuesday 2 Feb. We have the hope that the night is always followed by the dawn of a new day.

Prayer of Blessing for candles: God our Father, whose Son was revealed to Simeon as the light of the nations, let these candles be a sign of his light & presence, that, guided by the Holy Spirit, we may live by the light of faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Online Services Weekly Sunday Services take place on the YouTube Channel: Upper Thames Group - YouTube. The UTG website homepage has a link to the YouTube channel and Jane Templeton is going to start putting the service sheet beside it. The Monday and Thursday prayers are on Zoom, but the links sometimes change - again Jane can point you in the right direction. (See UTG contact details). The Upper Thames Group of Churches has a website and on the homepage will be a link to our Upper Thames YouTube channel and the Sunday worship. Jane Templeton (Parish administrator) can send you the words for the Sunday worship. Jane can also provide you with the Zoom link for our Morning Prayers on Mondays (9am) and Thursdays (8.45am)

Funerals Funeral services can take place in our Upper Thames Group Churches during this lockdown when requested. Although Sunday worship isn’t taking place, our ministers (Shirley, Suzi and Pete) are here to help anyone with funeral services and bereavement situations.

Jesus said ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ Matt 11:28-29 From the Registers - December 2020 - Funerals

Denzil Godwin 22/12/2020, Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes Derek Anthony Howe 9/12/2020, St Sampson’s, Cricklade Christine Newman 19/12/2020, Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes Carol Ann Perry 3/12/2020, North Wilts Crematorium (All Saints minister) John Murray Petrie 30/12/2020, North Wilts Crematorium (St Sampson’s minister) Selina Mary “Mary” Wiggins 8/12/2020, St Sampson’s and Kingsdown Crematorium

21 22 House on The Leaze

Last month we sold my Dad's house on The Leaze and so ended our family's forty five year association with Ashton. I thought that I should write a few words to mark the end of an era. The first problem is, how do you condense a narrative thread covering all that time into a reasonable length? And the second problem is that it was bound to be from my point of view and I didn't want to turn it into an autobiography. So, we moved to Ashton from Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire in January 1975 when I was 16. My dad worked for Burmah Castrol who had moved their head offices to from a year needed to make the most of them while they were or so earlier. still living and enjoying an independent life. I especially enjoyed it when we went with them on My first abiding memory is of how dark it was in their last ever holiday to Paxos in 2014 where they the village and how cold it was in our new house. had become regulars. On the plus side there was an open fireplace in the living room and I made it my business to have a My Mum had been getting increasingly vague and fire burning at weekends by gleaning fire wood was diagnosed with dementia. She died in 2017 from the surrounding coppices. I also remember following a bad fall. At her memorial service it was pedaling through the winter gloom on my push heartening to see so many people coming to pay bike around the surrounding countryside and their respects; in her own quiet way she was villages in order to better know this place that we obviously well liked. We continued to visit my Dad had moved to. For the next four years the drama whenever we could, though he was now reliant on of my late teenage years was played out against my brothers who still lived nearby and who kept the backdrop of that house and the surrounding him fed and entertained and made sure that the area - School and Swindon College, place was kept clean and tidy. But last year he the ubiquitous Saturday night discos in obscure eventually moved into a home after suffering a village halls, experiments with motorcycles, cider stroke. Though physically OK, he lost a lot of his at 7p a pint in The Plough and... girls! All this was memory. funded by my Saturday job at Waitrose in Ciren when it was still on Dyer Street. Eventually began the lengthy process of clearing the house and again this onerous task fell to my In October 1978 I left home to study at a northern two brothers, as I now live in East Anglia. I don't Polytechnic and my Mum immediately redecorated know if I would have been up to it, it had been my room and threw away my large collection of hard enough helping my dad clear and pack up all motorcycle magazines (I did forgive her my Mum's clothes. With the house now empty we eventually). My younger brother got married six paid a few last visits after lockdown ended and years later and so my folks became empty nesters used it as a base for an inpromptu holiday for in a five bedroomed house. I think that they flirted some days out walking in the Cotswolds. This was with the idea of downsizing and even to moving a bittersweet experience to be sure. The place was into Swindon but never quite got round to it, as by so full of ghosts I could hardly bear to be there, that time they had built up a network of friends but on the other hand I found it also very hard to and activities and my mum was still teaching at leave. No more would we swing off the A419 down Wooton Bassett School. So the house became a the Spine Road, turn left into Back Street and then focus for weekend and holiday visits for me and right into The Leaze and up the drive, just walk in my two brothers and our various ladies. The big the back door (always unlocked) and see them garden provided a useful playground for five both sat in the kitchen or else watching TV - grandchildren as well as a display area for the 'Casualty' or 'Strictly' on Saturday evenings no results of my Mum's sculpting classes. And then doubt. there were the very informal summer parties, held outside for family, friends, work colleagues and Finally, much thanks must go to all the folk in the neighbours or else the yearly Christmas village that they have known down the years, and get-togethers. especially the neighbours who live close by (you know who you are!) for their friendship and All this continued until comparatively recently, support, particularly in the last ten years or so. I though about ten years ago I suddenly noticed know it was very much appreciated. how my folks were getting quite elderly and that I Phil Holloway

23 AK Duck Race

Hi All

A sincere thanks to all who helped the youth football to have another fantastic duck race on Boxing day! We were very concerned that the traditional amount of money raised each year that is the lifeblood for the club wouldn’t be possible this year. When the idea of a virtual duck race was born we were hoping to raise £1,000, but the event itself raised more than twice that. We’ve also had a number of comments that it was a lot easier to see the race itself this way. Although a lot of fun to organise, we are very much hoping we’ll be back to normal next year. Huge thanks to the team in the water – Ig Gater, Liv Owenson, Tomas Frimert, Simon “Duck 218” Grier, Julie, Martin, Martin and Martin. Camera-meister Lars the Mad Swede. If you haven’t seen the race it’s worth watching! You can find it at https://www.akyfc.org/

Many thanks to all again

Phil M

Articles for the Newsletter

If any of our esteemed readership have any memories, recollections, tales that you think might be of interest to the rest of our community we would love you to share them. The editors have received many favourable comments on Carole Walker’s recollections, and I am sure you will all enjoy Phil Holloway’s piece on the House on The Leaze. Just email them to [email protected] or drop written copy into Claire Sims, 18 Happyland, Ashton Keynes. In these difficult times with not many events etc taking place, and us all confined in our homes, a little light reading is most welcome. Many thanks.

24 North Wiltshire Villages Flower Club

The Flower Club very much look forward to resuming activities later this year all being well, and to welcoming back members, friends and hopefully a few new members when conditions allow. Unfortunately it’s now clear that by the time we do this it will have been well over a year since we last got together in person at a regular meeting. In the meantime we have tried to keep in touch through newsletters, technology and an occasional competition. A full programme of events for 2021 has been arranged, which we will resume once restrictions are eased. We are also actively making plans for several special events during our Golden Jubilee year in 2022. Our programme is always very varied and includes a good mix of workshops, demonstrations, social events and visits, all incorporating flowers in some shape or form. Meetings would normally take place at Village Hall on the third Wednesday evening of the month, with visitors and potential new members welcome. We are a friendly and enthusiastic group with members from throughout the area. If you’d like to get in touch we can be contacted by email – [email protected] and more information can also be found on our Facebook page. We wish you all the best during these challenging times, and hope you stay safe and well. Save Leigh Church 200 Club

December Draw Results 1st Julie Reading - Leigh 2nd Bob & Lyn Barber Leigh

Join our 200 club for £12 per year and help save our historic and lovely village church for everyone to use. Each month you have a chance of winning more than £20 for the first prize and about £10 for 2nd prize.

Tickets can be paid by cash, cheque, bank transfer or standing order. Please phone Cathy Skelton 07962018547 or email [email protected] to find out payment details. Alternatively see back issues of the newsletter www.ashtonkeynes.org.uk.

25 The school learning hub appeal

THE SCHOOL LEARNING HUB APPEAL FINAL UPDATE The David Tarr Learning Hub Fundraising Target of £110,000 has been achieved!

We have much-needed good news: the £110,000 that was targeted to cover the build cost for the David Tarr Learning Hub and to begin kitting it out has been raised in full. Words cannot express how thankful we are to all those individuals and companies who have donated financially or by giving time, materials and other support to the fundraising project: every donation and gesture has helped us maintain our momentum towards our target, despite everything 2020 threw at us all. The Learning Hub is nothing short of transformational, and you have all help us to secure an even brighter future for the school because of it. We originally had 18 months to raise the total, so to do this in 12 months, during a global pandemic, has been an incredible achievement for the school community. A very big thank you to everyone who has supported us from near and far. We are so lucky to live in such a generous community that is so supportive of our fantastic school.

‘Star of the Month’ goes to David Gill

A big thank you to David Gill who lives in Minety and has his own building and landscaping company. He came to the rescue and donated his skills and labour for free to lay the commemo- rative bricks into the pavement outside the new build. He doesn’t have any connection to the school, but carries out work regularly in AK village and wanted to help out. David advertises regularly in this newsletter (black and yellow advert). Thank you David for your kindness and generosity, it was very much appreciated.

Evie and Harrison’s Christmas Tree Collection and Recycle Fundraiser.

Thank you to everyone who supported us by donating and registering your tree for collec- tion. It was busier than ever this year with 170 trees collected. A big thank you to Sam Crawford for dedicating a huge amount of his time collecting and doing admin. Thank you also to Jon Dearsley who also helped with collections and Harry Carter for chipping them all up and taking the chippings to the school. We raised just over £1900! A brilliant end to the fundraising! These stars are to recognise those who have made significant contributions to the Learning Hub Fundraising.

26 The school learning hub appeal

Engraved Slate Star The slate engraved stars, which will be featured on the outside of the new build, have been ordered and we are waiting in anticipation for them to be done. These stars are to recognise those who have made significant contributions to the Learning Hub Fundraising. We are going to need to secure these slate tiles in a metal frame (other options are very welcome) to then have them fixed on the wall as one big piece of art work. We are yet to work on this and how it’s going to be created and fitted. If metal work (or another suitable material) is your expertise and you would be willing to help us with this, please can you contact Emma on [email protected]. Thank you in advance. School Video We look forward to showing you round the Learning Hub when times return to normality. In the meantime, you’ll be able to see the Learning Hub featured in a new video which can be found on the front page of the school website at http://www.akps.org.uk/

It’s a goodbye from us for now……… With the fundraising total reached, we are hanging up our boots. It won’t be forever as we are sure as time goes on, specific items and one-off fundraising requirements will be identified for the school and we will be back on the scene. With the amazing support from all of you, we are certain that you need a break from us too!

We have met some lovely new local people and families along the way and we thank you all for making this journey thoroughly enjoyable, fun and heart warming.

With our sincere thanks,

Emma Crawford, Cat Atack, Nick Plummer, David Tarr and David Moss The Core Learning Hub Fundraising Team

27 28 DONATIONS TO CHARITY IN LIEU OF CHRISTMAS CARDS 2020 A BIG THANK YOU!

For many years villagers have donated to charities in lieu of sending Christmas cards within the village and have had a Christmas greeting printed in this newsletter.

I’m delighted to confirm that this year you have raised over £2,007 and with some further Gift Aid, the final total could be higher.

The organisations benefiting this year, and their responses to the donations (see comments below), this year were:

£322.50 to Cancer Research UK

£637.50 to Friends of Young Carers (Swindon) "Friends of Young Carers (Swindon) does some wonderful things with the children, and we get feedback from them after every event we put on. They are so appreciative, and it is all down to people like you. So, a massive THANK YOU to all the villagers that took part, we all think you are wonderful."

£438.25 to TWIGS (Therapeutic Work in Gardening in Swindon) ‘A very big thank you from us all for including TWIGS in the list of charities and for your generous donations.’

£206.25 to Cirencester Hospital League of Friends. “Thank you very much for the cheques from the residents of Ashton Keynes & the Leigh. Your donation is much appreciated and, as in previous years, will be put to good use for the benefit of our local hospital.”

£130 to The Silver Line

£100 to Trust “We are writing to thank you very much for your donation to the Cotswold Water Park Trust, it is very much appreciated. Your donations will help support our charitable aims.”

There has also been an additional sum of £172.50 donated to other charities which I have included in the overall total: Oak & Farrows CHYP (Cirencester Housing for Young People) Julian House Charity for the homeless in Bath

On behalf of all of the above charities, thank you. It’s been a difficult year for all organisations and I’m certain that your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Gillie Roberts

29 30 31 Health matters GP Surgery Ashton Keynes Branch Surgery 01793 750645 www.crickladesurgery.nhs.uk

We are open on Wednesdays from 10.30am to By vaccinating a greater number of people 1.30pm. There will be a nurse clinic between with a single dose, more deaths and 10.30am and 11.30am which will enable patients hospitalisations will be prevented to have blood tests, blood pressure, dressings, Please do not contact the surgery nor etc. There will be a GP clinic between 12.00 and the hospital to seek a vaccine, we will 1.30pm should you need a face to face contact you in the order that the NHS appointment with the Doctor. has instructed us to You can collect your medication anytime between With the rapid increase in COVID cases it 10.30am and 1.30pm any Wednesday and also is even more important to wash your request medication and make appointments. hands, wear a face mask as advised and When ordering repeat medication, it will be ready keep 2 metres apart to collect from Ashton Keynes the following Thank you for your patience. Wednesday if it is due to be issued. More urgent requests can be processed and collected from BSW CCG have set up an email for enquiries from Cricklade Surgery. the public about the COVID vaccination. Please feel free to email them with any general COVID Vaccine enquiries you may have We are all excited to hear about the progress of The email is [email protected] the rolling out of the COVID vaccine and look forward to this improving the quality of life for all Other items of us. We know that you, like us, are struggling with the confines imposed upon us all due to the FLU CLINICS COVID pandemic. Everyone is trying to make the best of the situation and, as a practice, we are All 50-64 year olds are eligible for a free flu committed to caring for you in the best possible vaccination as part of plans to protect more way whilst keeping both you and our team safe. people against seasonal flu. If you are between To keep you as informed as possible please read 50 and 64 years old and you have not already the following: We will update these messages as received your flu vaccination please contact we become aware of more information from NHS Cricklade Reception on 01793 750645 to book an England appointment.

There are now two vaccines available to PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP protect patients - /AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech As a surgery we appreciate any feedback and we Another vaccine (Moderna) has been ask for this in so many ways. One way is in the licensed and will be available later on in form of a group! 2021 If you were to be a part of this you would receive The Joint Committee on Vaccination and this newsletter along with a small questionnaire Immunisation (JCVI) have emphasised every quarter. that it is best for patients to get their second dose 12 weeks after their first Please call reception to sign up today! vaccine. There is a high level of protection afforded by the first dose.

32 Health matters GP Surgery

Purton and Green Gable Surgery

Donations for the PPG has been an extremely busy period. We’re sure you will all join us in thanking everyone for all As you know we are currently unable to do any they have done and continue to do. We do fundraising and we are looking at other, safe appreciate it. ways of raising funds. We would like to thank As always, your support for our work to both those who have donated to our PPG funds - if you inform and support patients and the practice is would like to make a donation to the PPG please much appreciated. If you know of anyone who make cheques payable to ‘ Patient would like to be included in our email list (all Participation Group’, with the cheque being taken sent bcc) then please ask them to contact via into the surgery. Please label your envelope: ‘For [email protected] the attention of Kai Howard’.

Thank you Sheila Fowler Secretary All surgery staff have been working under very different and stressful circumstances over what

Ashton Keynes Link Helpline 07512 233200 Please note that the number isn’t manned continuously so leave a message and the Helpline Co-ordinator will get back to you.

Ashton Keynes Link Helpline is your local ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme. We’re here to help anyone in the area who needs assistance that they’re not able to get from friends, relatives and neighbours.

Most of our work involves giving people lifts to hospital or doctors’ appointments. We’re also supporting the aid initiatives in the village and can shop for those who are confined to their home.

33 34 Club news Ashton Keynes WI

A Happy New Year to everyone, I do hope that you all managed to celebrate Christmas and the New Year in whatever way was possible for you and that 2021 will be a much easier one for all.

The committee delivered Christmas cards and presents to members. We hope you will have enjoyed the goodies and planted the bulbs. It would be lovely if you could take a photo of the bulbs when they are in flower and email them to me and we will show them to members when we are able.

I know many are now beginning to receive their vaccinations, although not 'a get out of jail' card I am sure we will all feel a bit more relaxed and ready for what awaits us.

Sadly there will not be any WI meetings before April - when we will review the situation. We are looking forward to catching up with everyone when the better weather arrives - don't forget we still have a Centenary to celebrate!

Meanwhile Stay Safe.

Carol Drew

01285 862650

The Outreach Post Office Every Tuesday and Thursday

Ashton Keynes Village Hall Tuesday morning 9.30 - 12.30 Thursday afternoon 2.30 - 4.30

Telephone 07512 233200,Ashton Keynes the AK WI Helpline,Christmas 2020 if you’d like a lift

35 THE CRICKLADE BAND – we kept the music going!

If you noticed the TV ads over Christmas, you’ll remember the Co-op saying ‘It’s what we do’. The ad could have been written for the band because we managed all our usual carol-playing tours on the lead-up to Christmas Morning – it’s what we do!

First of all, huge thanks are due to the band for their efforts in attending as many of the events as they could from early December. We did it all under the difficult circumstances of Covid-19 precautions – distancing, not socialising (no huddling!), separate cars, face covers, instrument covers, risk assessments and so on.

As a community band we also thank the people of Ashton Keynes too for the part you played. You all supported us by coming to your doors, humming into your face covers, tagging along with us, applauding, filming and photographing us. Most importantly, you dropped donations into our buckets, sent us cheques and contributed by Crowdfunder, often anonymously. All this means that we have achieved our target of being able to afford the major expenses of 2021 with just a bit spare too. For a non-profit making organisation where no-one gets paid, and everyone volunteers their time and skills, it’s a weight off our minds to cover our costs.

This year we also did most of it in a bit more rain than we would have liked, with one sort-of dry evening, just one dry evening and the reward of a lovely crisp Christmas Morning.

You might like to know that a Facebook video of us playing ‘Coventry Carol’ has been viewed over 800 times. That video, in the High Street at Cricklade, was filmed outside the ‘Three Horseshoes’, the where the band first got going 132 years ago. We did wonder what the 1887 band family would have made of seeing us stretching down the High Street for 36 metres (117 feet)!

There have been many touching words of support and thanks posted on Facebook too, in response to the almost daily social media updates put up before and after each event. There was a strong sense that the efforts we were making to continue with a time-honoured festive tradition was giving some much needed ‘normality’ in strange times.

This is usually the time when the ‘What’s On’ diary dates start to appear. While we have some prospective 2021 bookings, everything has the condition of ‘depending what happens with Covid’. So we’d just ask you to keep an eye on this space and on social media to find out what we’re doing!

For now, we’re all so grateful to everyone that we were indeed able to ‘keep the music going’ – thank you!

36 Local numbers Here are some of the local groups, organisations and clubs available to us. Please also see the village website www.ashtonkeynes.org.uk where you will find further information. Please let us know if you would like your group to be listed or you find an error.

Village Emergency Telephone System 01793 250211 For use when you need the defibrillator after ringing for an ambulance

AK Link Helpline 07512 233200 Holy Cross Choir Shirley Massey 01285 861382 AK Website Steering Group via village website Holy Cross Flowers Shirley Massey 01285 861382 Alpha Courses Pete Tuck 01285 861466 Jiu Jitsu Club (Cirencester) James Slaughter, Anglers Ryan Peare Keep Fit Tim Bird 07794 614962, 01285 656986 [email protected] [email protected] Ashton Keynes All Stars Golf Geoff Chick Messy Church Shirley Danby 01793 751463 [email protected] Millennium Green Trustees Doug Yarrow 01285 Ashton Keynes Charities Richard Smith 861461 861427 [email protected] Ashton Keynes Cricket Club Minety Squash Club Tim 01666 860368 www.pitchero.com/clubs/ashtonkeynescricketclub [email protected] Ashton Keynes Musical Festival Phil Moran Mothers Union Margaret Godfrey 01666 860536 01285 861745 Neighbourhood Watch [email protected] Ashton Keynes C of E Primary School Orchestra see www.cirencesterphil.co.uk 01285 861436 ParishCouncil (AK)Fiona Ryder 07394 856232., Ashton Keynes Village Choir Esther Thackeray [email protected], www.akpc.org.uk. www.akvillagechoir.co.uk, Parish Council (Leigh) Mandy Thomas [email protected] 01285 860488 Ashton Keynes Seniors Table Tennis Club Parochial Church Council Yvonne Edmonds (Sec) Gillie Roberts 01285 861289 [email protected] 01285 861049 Baby and Toddler Group Danny Hardy Pre-school 01285 869433, 07990 818682 or 01666 860192 www.ashtonkeynespreschool.co.uk, [email protected] [email protected] Badminton Club Karen Carter Reading Group [email protected] 01285 862371 [email protected] Short Mat Bowls Linda Cook 01285 861603, Big Brunch Band [email protected] [email protected], Big Questions for Seniors Revd Shirley Danby Siren Sisters Val Skehan 01285 860069, 01793 751463 www.sirensisters.org.uk Bradstone Pavilion Bookings Peter Battrick Tai Chi (Down Ampney) Tim Price 861493 [email protected] 01793 752852,[email protected], or Paula Thomas 861495 www.cotswoldwu.co.uk [email protected] Tennis Annie Dyson [email protected] Bridge Gordon Cobley 01285 861444 The Magnificent AK47 Neil Burston, Cafe Theos [email protected] [email protected] Create Kathryn Gray 01285 869341, Thursday Club Deirdre Kemble 01285 860619 [email protected] Twinning Association Creative Writing Group Meg Davis-Berry [email protected] 01285 861343 [email protected]. Village Emergency Telephone System (VETS) Cricket Mark Brooks (sec) 01285 862401. 01793 250211 Cricklade Theatre Group Walking Group Liz Chick 01285 861317 [email protected] and [email protected] [email protected] Whitefriars Sailing Club Patrick Green, 01285 Dig Deeper Revd Shirley Danby 01793 751463 861670, [email protected] Football Junior Phil Moran 07880 715715 Wiltshire Good Neighbours Ellen Blacker Friends of Holy Cross Alison Beadle 01285 861411 07557 [email protected] Golden Years Women’s Book Group Liz Chick 01285 861317 Mary Balmforth 01285 860194 [email protected] Holy Cross Church 01793 979304, Women’s Institute Carol Drew 01285 862650 Shirley Danby (Revd) 01793 751463 [email protected] Vicar PA [email protected] Writers www.newbreweryarts.org.uk

37 andand finallyfinally

Ashton Keynes Millennium Green 2020 AGM

Due to COVID restrictions the Ashton Keynes Millennium Green Trustees have been unable to hold their AGM and instead we are posting our annual accounts for 2019/20, together with a report on the year, on our website.

Please go to www.akmillenniumgreen.wordpress.com

If you have any queries or problems please contact me, Hazel Blackburn on [email protected]

With everyone so isolated at the moment, we thought it would be good to connect with others in the community online!

We’re running a course where everyone watches an episode about questions around the Christian faith then chats about it together online. It’s called Alpha!

Alpha for the North Wilts Mission Area starts online on Thursday 28 January 7.30 - 9pm

Email [email protected] or [email protected] to register. Also, please pray about who to invite along and/or whether to join in yourself!

38 Due to COVID restrictions the Ashton Keynes Millennium Green Trustees

39 40