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PARi sH NE Ws OF THe UPPer VALLeY

fEbRuARY 2021 NEW YEAR – NEW HOPE – NEW LOOK Out with the OLD pandemic-ridden year and IN with vaccine-inspired hope for a much better 2021. The Parish News wishes all its readers a safe and healthy New Year and reinforces new hope with its own fresh new look. After forty years of wearing a comfortable livery suited to those times, our front cover has been beautifully redesigned and some of the inside pages reconstructed to give more consistency and a clearer sense of purpose and focus. We like it - and hope you do too. DS

Royds

G Milne Royds

Royds Royds

Serving the villages of Boyton, , Corton, , , , , , Tytherington and since 1979, and delivered free to 1400 homes. THE DIARY

EDITORIAL THE COVID 19 VACCINATION PLAN FOR THE LOCAL AREA (Prepared by the Orchard Partnership on 7th January 2021) I hope you like the changes we have made As many of you will already know, once the first group has been completed. to the Parish News and hope that you are the programme of Covid 19 Vaccination for This will be followed by the over 70s and all keeping safe and well. patients registered with The Orchard then the younger patients who are in what Unfortunately, in these difficult times Partnership, which includes Codford, are regarded as high risk categories; this the Scammers are out to make a profit, , Shrewton and Wilton surgeries, is the group that we normally offer a Flu most recent one appears to come from the has begun. We are calling patients by age vaccination to and again we will contact NHS telling you to complete a form for the group for the first dose, starting with the them directly. Further information is first vaccine, it looks official with all your over 80s. Our local vaccination centre is regularly updated on our Practice website: details, it finally asks you to give your the Michael Herbert Hall in South Street, www.theorchardpartnership.co.uk bank details. Your doctor and the NHS will Wilton, SP2 0JS. There is car parking next Please also use the message button on the not ask for your bank details, please be to the Hall and if you need assistance, website to let us know of any change in careful and if in doubt phone your there will be volunteers to make sure you your contact details. doctors. can get into the Hall safely. It is really important that to halt Later in this edition there are some Patients in this age group will be the spread of Coronavirus we vaccinate as more details for things to do during contacted by the surgery and offered a many people as possible, so please only lockdown. Take care! RC vaccination time, so please wait for the decline vaccination if you have given surgery to call you. Please only call the this serious thought. surgery if you are in this age group and StOP PreSS: as at mid-January cases of haven’t heard from us by 31st January infection are doubling week on week in 2021. We are also vaccinating residents of our area so, please obey the rules, stay at local Care Homes and frontline Health home, be careful of scams pretending to Care Workers in the first group. For this be the NHS (do not open links or give any first group we will be using the Pfizer personal/bank details) – and have the BioNTech vaccine. The AstraZenica vaccination when you are called. vaccine should be available for the next wave of injections from mid-January on - THE VACCINATION PROCEDURE wards and we will be using this to give to “I am 80 and on 5th January I was invited patients who are housebound or unable to to make an appointment at Wilton for the get to the Michael Herbert Hall. 7th. Some receive a letter, others a text At the time of writing the plan is to or an email but only then do you ring the call the next group, which is the over 75s, surgery to make your appointment. I drove to a well-organised Michael Herbert Hall car park and the hall was clearly laid out, with socially spaced chairs and ‘jabbing points.’ All was calm and quiet; I received the vaccination (which I didn’t feel), was handed the details of my injection to be kept for next time, moved to a waiting area for ten minutes (they write down PARISH NEWS your exit time, in case you forget) and you Editor Robin Culver 840790 read a simple leaflet. [email protected] The whole process was efficient, Chairman David Shaw 850372 [email protected] reassuring and faultless. This was our local NHS at its best, instilling the greatest ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL confidence; how lucky we are. Thank you The Parish News, which is not for profit, relies on and is to all involved.” (A much-impressed very grateful to all advertisers without whom the magazine could not be produced. Prospective advertisers Codford resident). should contact Katherine Venning (see details below). However the Parish News does not endorse any of the products or services advertised and takes no responsibility for any disappointment, accident or injury, howsoever caused, resulting from purchase or involvement. We welcome contributions on any subject but reserve the right to edit to fit. Opinions expressed in material from contributors are for readers to appreciate and are not necessarily endorsed by the editorial team. All editorial copy should be sent to the Editor For all your training wobbles [email protected] by 10th of previous month. Julia IMDT qualified PRO DOG certified Advertising contact Katherine Venning 840283 Classes and 1 to 1 sessions [email protected] web wobblydogtraining.com Marketplace contact Katherine Venning 840283 [email protected] call 07795572295 email [email protected] Printing by Footfall Direct 01225 706058 Page 2 THE UPPER WYLYE VALLEY TEAM Our vision is to be open, welcoming, growing and inclusive churches, living within the love of God, and sharing God's love and life with others. upperwylyevalleyteam.com

MINISTRY TEAM LETTER LOVING OUR NEIGHBOUR AS CHRIST LOVES US “Give me strength!” And prayer, constant prayer, Have you been told that you need to self-isolate? Do you need some support? isn’t about repetition or church-going. If you would like a chat, prayers, spiritual, pastoral or Life’s tough right now. Some people are I suppose we all pray at some point, practical support and help, please do call someone from enduring private tragedies, for others though for some people it’s just “Give me the numbers below there are griefs and disappointments, and strength”. even if we’re feeling anger or TEAM RECTOR for most of us, fear and anxiety – for despair, that can be directed to God – the The Revd Trudy Hobson (day off Friday) ourselves, for our family and friends, for Psalms are full of anger and fear. But [email protected] 840081 our community life. Combining home- when we hold in our hearts those we love schooling of noisy young ones with trying and fear for, we can trust that we are not MINISTRY TEAM Team Vicar to work from home, searching online at 3 alone in wanting the best for them – and The Revd Clifford Stride (on duty Tues.Wed.Sun) a.m. for supermarket delivery slots, not that can be prayer. [email protected] 850941 being able to visit a sick friend or family Then there’s so much to give Ordained Ministers with Permission to Officiate The Revd Diana Hammond 841185 member in hospital, awaiting an operation thanks for. When we lift our heads [email protected] deferred yet again……. How can we find from our immediate anxieties, we can The Revd Jane Shaw 850141 the strength and the patience to carry on? appreciate the dedication of scientists, [email protected] One Bible verse that has leapt out the devoted work of health and social The Revd Jayne Buckles 851176 [email protected] at me recently is in one of Paul’s letters care staff, shop workers, delivery people, The Revd Robin 840522 to a church under great pressure. “rejoice plumbers, police and other essential [email protected] always, pray constantly, give thanks in all workers. And perhaps most of all, the Licensed Lay Minister Katherine Venning LLM 840283 circumstances.” rejoicing isn’t about kindness and generosity so many of us [email protected] parties or cheering our team when they have experienced from friends, win. It’s a deep certainty that at the heart neighbours, volunteers - even strangers. CHURCHWARDENS of everything the world is good – that it Over the last year we have also come to Boyton & Corton Post vacant Codford St Mary Derek Buckles 851176 was created for good, and that the appreciate more the wonders of the Codford St Peter Barbara Tomlinson 850156 Creator’s desire was for everything natural world – and the bounty of our Alasdair McGregor 850073 created to live in harmony and show gardens, fields and orchards. We do live Heytesbury Tina Sitwell 840556 mutual care. In the words of one great in a good place. Knook Michael Pottow 850776 Norton Bavant John Acworth 840134 saint “All shall be well”. So whatever your concerns, try to Edward Moore 840420 rejoice, pray and give thanks. And know Sherrington Betty & Nigel Lewis 850496 God’s comfort and strength every day, Sutton Veny Brian Long 840352 Tytherington Caroline Lester-Card 840022 AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR whatever life throws at you. Upton Lovel Andrew Cumming 850834 OuR READERS… LIbRARY SERVICES Jane Shaw LAY PASTORAL ASSISTANTS Codford Henry Collins 850193 Norton Bavant Didee Acworth 840134 Libraries including the Heytesbury: Roger Hammond 841185 Mobile Library Service: Alison Tebbs 841192 Due to the national lockdown that Upton Lovell Sue Bray 850702 started on 5 Jan the public Mobile SMALL CHANgE, bIg IMPACT BELL RINGERS Nick Claypoole 850724 Libraries had to close. Some branch FOR THE ENVIRONMENT PARISH CHOIR Katherine Venning 840283 libraries have now re-opened offering an ‘Order and collect’ service during replace one item of plastic in your home the lockdown. Wiltshire Libraries will THOugHT FOR THE MONTH continue to review this situation and It’s estimated that between 8 and 12.7 the latest news on libraries, including million tonnes of plastic could be entering ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but opening hours and contact telephone the oceans every year. We can drastically on every word that comes from the numbers, can be found at reduce this by replacing a plastic product; mouth of God. www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries. Any for example replace liquid soap and Matthew chapter 4 v4 library books that you currently have shampoo with solid bars, use reusable If readers would like to prove the truth on loan from Wiltshire Libraries water bottles and coffee cups, or use of this, try daily reading (including the mobiles) will be beeswax food wraps in place of clingfilm. www.wordlive.org automatically renewed during the Why not give it a go.... RH lockdown. Wiltshire libraries continues If you have any questions please do not to offer all members free access to hesitate to contact me. thousands of free eBooks, eMagazines, PRAYER gROuP and eAudio-books (did I mention they Blessings We pray daily. were free?!) – details at the website Trudy Hobson, Team Rector UWVT If you have any prayer requests, above. please call Anne on 840339.

Page 3 An interview with Ellis Butcher, a local master thatcher.

Thatchcraft Limited in 2002 but had delight (and passers-by) when they previously traded as a sole trader under see their completed roof makes me my own name. really happy and my pet hate is bad Q: How long have you lived in Codford? workmanship. I moved to Codford when I was 11; Q: Do you have any pets? my step-father was the local GP for the Yes, I have a Jack russel dog called Wylye Valley – I used to live at east Molly who is often seen up on the Farmhouse. I then returned to Codford, scaffolding. She did have short relation - approximately 30 years ago and have ship with a handsome Jack russel called lived in the same house, having renovated Turbo (who often writes a blog in this it in my spare time. magazine) which resulted in 5 lovely Q: Is thatching seasonal work? puppies. No, I work all year round, in all Q: What is the future for Thatchcraft elements! The only type of weather that Limited and yourself? hinders me are strong winds – the thatch I have 2 beautiful daughters who ends up everywhere else other than on I am very proud of but unfortunately the roof, usually the neighbours garden! neither of them wanted to become a Q: What materials do you normally use? thatcher! If either of my daughters wants Q: Have you always wanted to be a I either use locally sourced wheat a career change, I am more than happy to thatcher? straw which I buy from a farmer near Box pass on my knowledge and train them! Yes, I used to watch and help a local or water reed which usually comes from In the last couple of years, I have master thatcher called Wilf Pierce (a real Austria, though I have used Chinese water taken on a apprentice (young George) character) and I knew then that thatching reed recently. I get my hazel spars from who is undergoing an accredited appren - was the career for me, especially as I am Les Barnard in Codford or from a spar ticeship scheme run by the National quite artistic and enjoy the outdoors. maker from Westbury. Society of Master Thatchers. So, Q: How many years have you been My current project in Heytesbury will Thatchcraft Limited will continue for thatching? need approximately 3600 bundles of future generations. I think it is important I’ve been thatching for 38 years in water reed for the coatwork and about that thatching as a craft does not total, though 5 of those were spent doing 400 bundles of wheat straw for the ridge. diminish, and we are lucky that there are my apprenticeship, which I did in Q: What makes you happy and what is lots of thatched properties in this area to Cornwall as Wilf Pierce the local master your pet hate? ensure that the craft continues. I am also thatcher had retired. I established Satisfaction of seeing the customers very lucky to have some loyal customers whose thatched roofs I have maintained for many years. Q: What is your favourite thing to do THATCHCRAFT LIMITED when not working? I enjoy painting, drawing and mountain biking. Some of my artwork has Ellis Butcher been sold, which I am quite chuffed Master Thatcher about. Q: Do you have a claim to fame? I worked on the Highgrove estate many Tel: 01985 877122 years ago when the Princes William and Harry were very young; I thatched a tree Mob: 07778 598851 house for them. E: [email protected] Note from Editor: Would you like to www.thatchcraft.co.uk write about your business for the Parish News, if you advertise with us feel free to contact the editor. DAVIS & LATCHAM YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL ESTATE AGENT WITH EXPERIENCE SPANNING FIVE DECADES

01373 813132 43 Market Place Wilts BA12 9AZ (01985) 846985 www.davislatcham.co.uk

Page 4 YOUNG VOICES

The Big Question compared them with the prophesies in very impressed with the way the children As part of re Day at Wylye Valley C of e the Old Testament. took on this investigative challenge and at Primary School, Codford, the year 5 and 6 As part of the investigation, the children how they gave it a very 21st Century children of Newton Class took a look at were split into groups and set a challenge twist.” said Helen. Year 5 pupil Philippa ‘The Big Question’ in relation to ‘The Big to make a short TV report entitled “Is said “It was really fun because you had to Story’ and the concept of ‘incarnation’. Jesus the Messiah?”, in the style of the work together to create a really good Led by Helen Thornton the children popular current affairs show for children piece of writing and then present it to the looked at evidence from the Bible, the ‘Newsround’. class.” Lynn Blood, Teaching Assistant, Jewish holy book and history to try and Naturally, the task was greeted with great added “It was lovely to see the children answer the question ‘Was Jesus the Mes - enthusiasm and after two days of re - thinking more deeply about ‘The Big siah?’. They looked at what qualities a search, script-writing, editing and video- Question’ and apply their learning in such Saviour might have, what Jesus is alleged recording the children came up with some an innovative and exciting way.” to have done and said throughout his life fantastic reports, complete with question Sam Horgan (according to the New Testament) and and answer sessions afterwards. “I was JEREMY COLTMAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT Are your investments reviewed regularly, Do you know what tax your estate might and are you making the best returns for pay with inheritance tax, and how to your money in the most tax efficient way? reduce this? • residential property • Commercial property Do you know the rules on pensions/ You insure your dog, house contents and • Family • Corporate drawdown and the best way to draw your mobile phone so why not the most • Wills ,trusts & probate • employment pension with tax efficiency in mind? valuable thing in your life, yourself? • Personal injury • Dispute resolutio n If you would like a free no obligation initial review meeting, then please give me a call

• • FrOMe WArMINSter M: 07976 39819 4 E:[email protected] k www.jeremycoltmanwm.co.uk 01373 485485 01225 755621 01985 217464

ANGLING NOTES

I have continued to shield during reels; Germany makes very good nylon for by China and when I buy a smart fishing December and so have done no fishing. lines and leaders and probably still leads shirt as a special treat from an American I am awaiting a vaccination which I the field in this area. company I find that it has been made in understand is imminent. It is often Sweden produces good rods and as China as have my wading boots and so on! surprising how Corona virus has affected always the USA partly because of the size It will be most interesting to see if we end lives. When fishing became allowed again of its market produces what I regard as up with a trade deal with China and what in May or thereabouts lots of people went much of the top end of fishing tackle. form it takes. fishing and the sellers of fishing tackle did They have always made good rods and I Will an authoritarian state follow rather well. recently, however, a friend understand that many of the outstanding the usual pattern, as the demands of their was in danger of losing his job because his fly reels which they now produce have workforce grow the country loses its employer had nothing to sell. come from their space programme. competitive edge as happened to “Made The vast majority of fishing tackle redundant engineers have turned to in Britain”? is now manufactured in China, everything manufacturing fly reels! from waders to rods or, at least carbon All of this is now however, dwarfed Happy New Year; Robin Mulholland fibre rod blanks and everything in be - tween. They have learnt to manufacture to a high standard prompted by the demands of their customers. Wren House The British fishing tackle industry Residence for the Retired and Elderly was largely based in the Black Country Wren House in Warminster is a long-established, elegant retirement home, and in particular redditch. Metal working specialising in individual care in gracious surroundings. and in particular wire manufacture, lead to hooks. Certainly post Second World War Having just thirteen rooms, each with a private bathroom, we are able to we had a thriving industry based on offer the ambience of a family home, together with caring staff and the manufacturing. facilities to enable our residents to grow old with dignity. The Japanese tried to break into the market but made the mistake of Mrs Lynn Boon, Manager making cheap copies of British reels as Wren House Limited, 32 Vicarage Street, Warminster BA12 8JF well as equally cheap copies of British Tel: 01985 212578 fountain pens. France made some good Page 5 TURBO’S DOG BLOG FOR THE NEW YEAR

jab. I get it in the neck (described by the punctuated by two short breaks to bark at Vet as, ‘I’ll just pop it into a pinch of loose the postman and chase some pigeons out skin and he won’t even know he has had of the garden. After lunch we all go for a it’) and even if I haven’t felt a thing, I walk. On return, it is another brief kip squeal like a stuck pig. This brings two before tea and then I settle down for the more vets and three nurses to the room evening. One more brief trip outside and and I receive six biscuits. I know it is a then it is, “Night, night, Turbo; sleep well,” blag, but it seems a rather better deal and so to bed. than some of those poor people I see on I was, however, a little unsettled It’s great being a dog. The lockdown means the telly are getting as they queue in a the other evening which, in retrospect, was I receive more attention than usual with cold car park. probably due to it being the winter full mealtimes, always a highlight, being at Again, and unlike many, I am moon (the Cold Moon) and the curtains more regular times. I also think that I have sleeping well. I get a good night’s rest, next to my bed had inadvertently been left been lucky over vaccinations. I haven’t had wake briefly for breakfast and a nip open. As a result, I saw every pheasant that to wait for a text or a letter as I am outside before I settle down on the sofa for couldn’t sleep, plus ‘Dignitas’ the fox summoned every year in January for my the rest of the morning for a snooze only heading towards the chicken coop (don’t worry, she is well locked away) and the annoying sounds of a deep-mining mole. The next morning the Guvnor picked up on my apparent weariness and tried to cheer me up by repeating the story of the man who went to his doctor complaining of insomnia caused, he thought, by dreaming that he just could not stop himself singing Tom Jones songs and it stopped him from eating properly too. Asking the doctor if this was a complaint unique to him, the doctor replied, “Well, it’s not unusual….” It almost kept me awake. It’s a dog’s life, you 07931 766553 know.

DOWN ON THE FARM

A cold start to the year has meant field plough through the requirements for what delivery notes, to diets for all ages of work is on the backburner other than a is now a virtual inspection. The first animals, mortality rates and other herd limited amount of ploughing ready to question is: will the Wi-Fi and Broadband health criteria, staff training, photos of plant some Spring Beans when the soil cope as robert works his way around the all livestock living conditions and the starts to warm. The dairy continues its farm with his iPad, showing the inspector handling and milking systems. Field routine work and to welcome our year in what is needed to be seen. records are also inspected which will we have a red Tractor Inspection. In advance of the virtual tour, dozens include the use of muck to the chemicals I am sure you are aware of the and dozens of files are downloaded by us that go on the fields. This is a small encouragement to buy and support British which cover every aspect of the dairy insight to what is involved and how products as well as supporting local, and from the condition of the parlour and all intense these inspections are so that as with the Brexit deal this is even more its components, service records, all the consumer you can be reassured that important. health records, drug and antibiotic usage, the products you buy are of the highest The red Tractor is the sticker you see evidence of all protocols for drug standard. Kit Pottow on many British products and as administration and feed records from consumers we are actively encouraged to look for this sign when buying food. We as CALL US FOR A FREE ESTIMATE a producer must have it to be able to sell 07939805908 our milk and we also have a further three inspections because we are on a premium milk contract and our milk processor sets Professional more rigorous targets. These inspections Handymen you are annual which is a good thing as we can depend on know as an industry we are providing the Delivering best produce available in the United maintenance, repair and renovation services Kingdom. Fortunately, the rather chilly atmosphere has made the many hours in www.brbservices.co.uk the office prepping for the inspection a [email protected] good reason to stay in the warm, and Page 6 SOURDOUGH BREAD

Many people have been making bread at and would ensure that ‘wee Malcolm’ was retreat to unwind to restore. home recently, including the traditional fed each day by one of his students. I felt Sue’s experience and love of her sourdough variety. This is made using a really guilty when I discarded my starter to job is reflected in her Salon – always a starter culture which contains naturally replace it with a newer, fresher version; cheerful welcome, you are never hurried occurring lactobacilli and yeast. The we had been together a long time. so have time to relax and enjoy your lactic acid produced gives the sour taste. It is easy to find instructions online treatments in the caring and friendly Sourdough was used as a raising agent for making a starter culture and then atmosphere. until the Middle Ages when it was using this to make a bread that will last It’s been a difficult year for the replaced by a byproduct from the brewing well. The only drawback is that the bread beauty and well-being business, but process. Bakers’ yeast was only is delicious (especially when fresh with Beauty retreat is looking forward to introduced about 150 years ago. lots of butter), makes wonderful toast welcoming us all back again when the The sourdough technique was (lots of butter again) and so I have never time comes. taken to California from europe during been able to test out how well it will last. Sue provides warm, personal, the Gold rush and sourdough breads are competitively priced treatments and now very much part of the food tradition therapies, with many regular clients, like in that state. The hopeful miners in the me, who love the well-being boost a Yukon during the Klondike years kept the manicure, facial or massage offers. starter dough in bags next to their bodies www.beautyretreatwiltshire.co.uk. to stop it freezing and the old hands became known as ‘sourdoughs’. tHe StABLe WeLLNeSS at the Ginger In this country there has been a Piggery is a lovely holistic space run by recent revival of sourdough breads, emma and Liz since September 2019 in a originally among artisan bakers but now it warm and welcoming room where you is found everywhere. It is easy to make at can do Barre, Pilates, Yoga and Wellness home, just a bit time consuming (not that Workshops. that’s been a problem of late!). The For us, Wellness is about the bubbling culture needs regular ‘feeding’, harmony between mind, body and spirit. takes on a life of its own and becomes Getting in touch with The Stable is the part of the family. One local bread maker first step on the path towards a happier, thinks of her starter as a mother giving healthier and more holistic lifestyle. birth to a daughter with each loaf. www.thestablewellness.com A Scottish chef named his starter Malcolm During the first lockdown I was asked to SOMe MOre LOCK DOWN IDeAS. set an art challenge to my grandchildren every week. I am not an art teacher, just Had some lovely comments about the an enthusiastic amateur, but it proved to paper hug we mentioned in a previous be fun. One of our challenges was to draw copy of the Parish News. Just to reiterate, each of your hands using the other one. you can sellotape sheets of A4 together to This is my effort. I think you can see from make the paper large enough for the child this that I’m right handed! Why don’t you to lie down on, and then draw around him try it and send your results to the editor? or her. Mine is still on the wall. Angela Rosenthal If you have Face time with your children, or grandchildren, plan a call at bedtime and tell them a bed time story. We missed these two businesses in a When my kids were growing up my mum earlier edition of the Parish News. had to tell them a Pink Fairy story, never having listened to one I was asked to do HeALtH , BeAUtY AND WeLL-BeING at the same. I was glad that my kids could the Ginger Piggery. not remember the content either. Tucked away in the corner of Boyton’s I was recently asked to do an I.N. NEWMAN LTD Ginger Piggery lies a Wylye Valley jewel. online recording of punctuation for an ex Family Controlled Independent Beauty retreat is home to Sue King’s student whose children were struggling. Funeral Directors beauty and well-being studio; with over Why not during a FaceTime call teach the 20 years experience in the industry Sue children how to do something? You will Private Chapels of Rest 24 Hour Care and Assistance has kept the ladies and gentlemen of the need to plan this in advance and have all at a time of Bereavement local area pampered and restored for your materials handy. many years. One of the lovely things about Nominated Funeral Director for: Sue’s talents lie not only with up living in the valley is that every one Golden Charter to the minute therapies and treatments, speaks when you are out and about…even Pre-payment funeral plan using indulgent products such as Neals if you don’t have a dog to walk just MONUMENTAL MASONS Yard remedies, but with holistic therapies saying good morning helps some of our including Hopi ear candles, reflexology more isolated residents. Just keep your Griffin House, 55 Winchester Street , SP1 IHL and Indian head massage for which she distance to be safe! Telephone: 01722413136 has a loyal client base who visit Beauty RC Page7 DID YOU KNOW…

Despite Wiltshire being a rural county unfamiliar jobs led to the occasional housewife would leave out milk jugs with many of the young women who enrolled accident, one young land girl from a saucer on top. On certain days the land in the land Army were from the towns, Salisbury recalls “pushing a heavy girl who was delivering would leave eggs signing up for what must have been seen wheelbarrow full of pig manure up a plank and the butter rations - 2ozs per person. as an adventure. The urgent need to to tip in. Over the top the wheelbarrow After the milk round it would be time for increase the amount of food grown as slipped off the plank and tipped over breakfast before washing and sterilising well as to replace the men who were in taking me with it.” the cooling plant and all the utensils used the military meant that Land Girls were Many farms delivered vegetables in on the round. The afternoon milking in demand. Initially they were volunteers Morris Cowley or similar vans. Frequently would begin the process again, only this but later they were conscripted. They had farms with dairies also had a milk round time customers would come to the dairy to be at least 17 years old, they were delivering milk to the surrounding to buy milk. expected to work five and a half days a villages. During wartime there was double Working class girls would be week for a minimum of fifty hours; this summertime so it stayed light until 11pm. unlikely to be able to drive; however once increased in the summer with harvesting Milking began at 5am and the milk was in the Land Army their duties were likely and fruit picking. After deductions for taken to the dairy to cool, then put into to involve driving a tractor or a delivery food and lodging they were paid approx churns or two gallon milk buckets, then van and possibly learning how to £1.12s a week, and in 1944 their pay was measured into half pint, pint and two maintain it. increased by £1. pint measures. On the doorsteps the The land girls had every fourth One of the colleges that Wiltshire weekend off; if they were lucky enough volunteers were sent for training in to live close enough to go home they milking and general farming was to Seale could sleep there overnight. Working in Hayne College in Devon. There were crash the countryside getting to the nearest courses of about one month where such town usually involved a ride on a double basic skills such as hand milking, calf decker bus; a 14 mile journey was 2s 3d rearing, pig feeding, cleaning out and return. With so many troops around buses generally helping with field crops. They were often crowded so the girls nearly would also have to catch sheep for foot always had to either stand or sit on the inspection and often had to put them in stairs. If the girls lived more than twenty the sheep dip. One of the problems with miles from home they got a rail warrant sheep was that they would often get very every six months. dirty under the tail; in warm weather flies would lay their eggs, and when the Romy Wyeth insects hatched they would eat into the sheep’s flesh, and if this was unchecked the sheep could die. Cows were milked twice a day, at 5.30am then again around 2.30pm. Some days between milking the land girls would go into the field, hoeing crops, digging vegetables, turning hay and silage- making; other times they would look after the pigs and the calves. Dealing with Business Telecoms A GOOD READ Up to 50% cheaper than BT! IN PURSUIT OF BUTTERFLIES bogs, sea cliffs, meadows, heaths, chalk ● Cloud phone sytems· downs and forests. Full of humour, zeal, by Matthew Oates digression, expertise, thinking and ● Phone lines anecdote, this book offers an exploration ● Super-Fast Broadband· ‘Butterflies’, as the poet John Masefield of the personal relationship we forge with ● 30 day rolling contract put it, ‘are the souls of summer hours’. wilder place, and with time itself. They exist in the most wonderful places, Matthew Oates is a naturalist, We are a local company in the best of all weathers, in the greatest author and broadcaster and was the specialising in innovative of seasons. It is little wonder then that special advisor on butterflies to the ‘butterflying’ - to use the Victorian National Trust. business telecoms solutions. butterfly collectors’ term for being out For those who have a love of and about in pursuit of butterflies, can be wildlife and butterflies, in particular, I Contact us for our latest offers seriously addictive. fully recommend this very readable book. Based on fifty years of the author’s ‘The Independent’ describes the book as 01985 620133 detailed diary entries, ‘In pursuit of ‘Knowledgable, cultured, and a welcome Butterflies’ takes us on a celebratory throwback to a gently comic kind of [email protected] journey across the mountain tops, peat english nature writing.’ WWW.APPTEL.CO.UK Jonathan Wansey Page 8 VILLAGE NEWS

NeW StArt At tHe reD LION tHe OrGAN OF KNOOK – Lord Heytesbury was anxious to AN ADVeNtUre help, so we equipped him with a paint - Tanya, richard and family, who have brush and a five-gallon drum of woodworm taken over the red lion @ Heytesbury, One day in early 1965, Lord Heytesbury killer, and he gave all the wooden parts a would like to thank the whole community asked me to have a look at the organ in lethal dose as they were carried past him. for the warm welcome we have received Heytesbury Congregational Church, which Then we were ready to begin the reverse and continue to receive on moving to this stood on his land at the top of Chapel process of re-assembly, which was beautiful village. road. The Victorian building was due to be triumphantly completed on the Monday as Lots of people think we must be demolished, and he wondered if the organ planned. For the final process of tuning we crazy taking on a pub in the middle of a was worth saving. The chapel had closed had the help of a friendly organ builder. pandemic. But for us we really couldn’t in the 1950s and although I had lived in the The organ sounds lovely at Knook. outweigh the pros with the cons and were village for twenty years I had never been In the 55 years since its installation it has both looking for a career change of sorts. inside. I found a delightful organ in the proved splendidly reliable. It is still Once we were able to open (even rear gallery, built about 1850, installed in hand-blown – a job undertaken by three with tier 2 restrictions) at the start of the chapel later in the century, and still in generations of the Pottow family; and it December we could really see that the good working order. is Listed, like the Heytesbury and villagers were behind us and the support I immediately thought of St Sutton Veny organs, as being of national was encouraging, although it has been Margaret’s, Knook, which had an asthmatic importance. Now it is having a full short lived and we are back shut for the harmonium, and discovered that the organ overhaul, thanks to an anonymous foreseeable. We would like to take this would fit perfectly at the back of the nave. donation. Work started in January and opportunity to let everyone know we are But its removal and installation would be should be finished by mid-April. able to offer a takeaway meal service a big task. Mark Venning Tuesday to Saturday evenings and have With a friend, Peter Burrows (later relaunched the community shop that was a distinguished GP), I had built a small previously run from the pub in a different organ at school; together we felt we had format. just about enough experience for the job. Due to Covid being more By now, Peter and I were at university and, prevalent, the safest way for this to moreover, members of the stage crew of happen is for you to order by phone the Dramatic Society, a rich source of (01985 840333) before 4pm Sunday to practical talent. Friday for collection the next afternoon. Thus it was that one sunny Friday in We supply fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy the summer of 1965, half a dozen Oxford and meat, with the possibility of expand - students turned up in Heytesbury for a ing if the demand is needed. very long week-end. The chapel had lost We are really looking forward to its electricity supply, but the ancient being able to welcome you all back lighting was still in place and failed to through the door as soon as possible. catch fire when we connected the fuse-box When this does happen we will continue to the house next door. This enabled us to with all the Covid-friendly procedures in work far into the night, my mother place to make it a safe environment providing vast quantities of food and drink offering homemade traditional pub meals at all hours. Tuesday to Sunday. First, the 449 pipes were taken out, For any enquiries regarding the cleaned and transported to Knook by farm shop or takeaway please don’t hesitate to cart. Then the mechanism, with its call us on 840333. hundreds of moving parts, was taken to Best wishes for 2021, pieces, allowing the two wind chests, Tanya and Richard on which the pipes stood, to be removed. The large bellows followed, and finally the frame with its pine casework. GRIFFIN’S GARAGE Think Indian; dine... • Servicing & Repairs • Diagnostics • MOT’s (also arranged for trucks) Wiltshire’s Premier Indian Restaurant and Takeaway • Breakdown & Recovery Service • Onsite & Mobile Service • Cars • Vans • Plant •Trailers • Machinery • Collection & Delivery Available • Loan Car, Van & 4x4 Available NO artificial colourings or additives w A healthier choice of Indian cuisine w 01985 840 800 www.griffauto.co.uk A36, Codford, Warminster, BA12 0JZ Hill Road - Sutton Veny - BA12 7AT Tel: 01985 850081/851260 Email:[email protected]

Page 9 VILLAGE NEWS

tHOUGHtS FrOM SHerrINGtON matched by the softness of her north It was quite a party to start the village country voice. Christmas! Somewhere, tucked away on a shelf, there On morning such as today, when frost is Now the Christmas cake is finished, is a slim little book that I treasure: ‘Days thick on the ground and I am loth to leave the mince pies are gone, another year of My Life’ by Hannah Hauxwell. It is the a warm bed I only have to think of Hannah, another lockdown, it all seems grey and autobiography of a remarkable woman, all alone, up since first light carrying bales for flat. However, we are past the shortest the more amazing that she lived in these her livestock. She died about two years day, so two minutes lighter every after - years of technology and the pseudo life of ago, ending her days in a comfortable noon. Among the dull, dark days are days celebrity. Hannah lived in Baldersdale in cottage in the village. One can only that are crisp and bright and spot the first the north Yorkshire dales all her life. After imagine how it felt to be warm, have hot snowdrops!! a childhood that was happy, though life water, a soft bed and neighbours to keep BL was always hard, she found that as family an eye out for her. P.S. Keep those bird feeders primed! fell away for whatever reason she was left Life in this village is less taxing with the small family farm, and as a young even though there is livestock to be SUttON VeNY CHUrCH woman her life was defined. tended. Our Carol Service, though weeks The privations of that life, no away now was a great success. Obviously That evening, at sunset, I was standing at electricity, no running water and no help numbers were limited, we could not sing the Church Gate … I saw a soldier in would be unthinkable for most people. The (a small contingent of the choir provided combat dress march up to the War struggle to feed livestock in winter and carols, accompanied by the Sherrington Memorial. He saluted … placed a cross deep snow must have been horrendous. Philharmonic). The little church looked upon the Memorial, stood back, saluted Some years ago Yorkshire Television beautiful; it had been cleaned top to and stood there for some moments before became aware of her and made a brilliant bottom by Anne Pelly’s working party. smartly turning away and marching off documentary. There was a decorated tree, lighted crib towards the Alexander Field. It fascinated so many people that and candles in the windows, candles even The soldier I watched thought he money was raised to connect her to the lit the pathway outside. was on his own and yet his marching and grid for electricity. She was feted in Lovely to have a variety of voices saluting were the best I have ever seen. London at the luncheon for Women of the reading and mention must be made of It turns out that he was Year (leaving her wellington boots in the Matilda and Poppy who read with such representing the royal Wiltshire Yeomanry bin at the top of the track when the taxi confidence. Afterwards we all sang “Hark and because there is no parade this year, collected her). Her face even after such a the Herald Angels” outside and were each soldier had been asked by the rugged life was striking in its serenity, further cheered by excellent mulled wine. Commanding Officer to place a cross on the grave or memorial of a soldier - Hubert S. Pickford of the royal Wiltshire Yeomanry killed in the line of duty during the First World War It was a most moving few moments and I am so glad I was there to witness one soldier’s excellent gesture of thanks and respect to another. AMJE

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Page 10 WORSHIP in tUheP PUEPRP WERY WLYYEL VYAEL VLAELYL TEEYA FME BRUARY 2021

There will be no services in church during February, but everyone is welcome to join our worship A LOCKeD CHUrCH via zoom at 11 o’clock on a Sunday. An invitation on how to join the zoom service is circulated via email each week. If you are not on the Rector’s mailing list, and wish to join us at the service, please Ah my dear Lord, the church is locked email [email protected] or phone the Rector 840081. but let my heart be open to your presence. lines by the Revd Alan Amos SALISbuRY CATHEDRAL services can be found via https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/live Keep us, good Lord, “We are pleased that through technology we can continue to welcome you and worship under the shadow of your mercy. together beyond the physical space of the building. Please join our online community.” Sustain and support the anxious, Live-streamed services are be with those who care for the sick, The Eucharist : Sundays at 11.00 Choral Evensong : Sundays at 16.30 and lift up all who are brought low; A thought for the day, followed by a prayer, is streamed by that we may find comfort one of the Cathedral clergy from Monday-Friday at 17.00. knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen BBC BROADCAST SERVICES Bishop Andrew rumsey is ‘Going to Ground’ Sunday services most days, usually out of doors. There is OLD FrIeNDS reMeMBereD 05.45 Prayer for the day Radio 4 lots to discover and enjoy. His youtube Our sympathy and love go to all those who 08.10-08.4 5 Sunday Worship Radio 4 address is easily found via Google. mourn the passing of 0915 Thought for the day Radio 2 Nina Moore of Norton Bavant 13.15 Songs of Praise BBC 1 TV WeDNeSDAY 17 FeBrUArY IS tHe Daphne Pullen of Upton Lovell 15.00-16.00 Choral Evensong Radio 3 BeGINNING OF LeNt. Daily services HOSPITAL OF ST JOHN, HEYTESBURY 05.45 Prayer for the day Radio 4 We plan a short zoom service at 6 p.m., Administrator 01985 620097 7.45-7.50 Thought for the day Radio 4 after which we shall read St Mark’s gospel 8.30? Pause for thought Radio 2 aloud for about half an hour. Please make ST GEORGE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH 9.45 Daily service Radio 4 a note in your diary, and phone the rector 31 Boreham Road, Warminster BA12 9JP long wave or online if zoom details have not reached you. Wednesdays PARISH PRIEST Fr Martin Queenan 15.30-16.30 Choral Evensong Radio 3 tHe GOSPeL ACCOrDING tO St MArK (repeated on Sundays) ATTACHED PRIESTS Fr Raymond Hayne Fr Malcolm Ferrier If you have two hours to spare, you can OPENING TIMES OF OUR CHURCHES hear David Suchet, the actor, reading the 01985 212329 Boyton Wednesday 10am – 4pm whole of St Mark’s Gospel in St Paul’s Codford St Mary Wednesday Cathedral three years ago. The youtube and Sunday 9am - 6pm video has been watched by 900,000 people Codford St Peter Wednesday, Saturday so far. What about adding yourself to that and Sunday All Day number? Heytesbury Thursday 9am – 1pm We are going to do something similar. We are going to discover more Sunday 1pm – 4pm about Jesus through the story Mark told. Knook Thursday 6pm – 6.30pm Why is this story so extraordinary? Where Norton Bavant Contact Churchwarden do we start from? Where does it end? Which John Acworth 840134 characters do we meet, and who is left Sherrington Thursday All Day out? Why did Mark write this? E.G. MARTIN LTD Sutton Veny Wednesday 9am – 1pm We have six Wednesdays in Lent - from 6 - 7 p.m. to hear more. To talk about WESTBURY (01373) Saturday 1pm – 4pm 822784 /864676 Tytherington Closed it. To listen, and to find out about the man who changed the world. “Mark is dramatic, Upton Lovell Closed fast-paced, in places startling.” Let’s listen.

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Page11 U S E F U L C O N TAC T N U M B E R S Area code 01985 unless otherwise stated Please telephone 840283 to change or include a contact number

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS PARISH WEBSITES Dr Andrew Murrison MP 01225 358584 Codford, Wylye Valley Team www.upperwylyevalleyteam.com WILTSHIRE UNITARY COUNCILLORS Head: Robert Barnes 850461 Webmaster [email protected] Andrew Davis 217431 Heytesbury Heytesbury www.heytesburyparish.co.uk 01373 822508 Head: Carole Godfrey 840429 Norton Bavant www.nortonbavant.co.uk Fleur de Rhe-Philipe 213193 Sutton Veny Sutton Veny www.suttonveny.co.uk POLICE: Warminster Neighbourhood Team Head: Rachael Brotherton 840428 SPORTS CLUBS PC 2342 Helen Daveridge www.suttonveny.wilts.sch.uk Badminton (Codford) PCSO 7984 Candida Jackson VILLAGE HALLS Dominique Beagley 850952 [email protected] Codford www.codfordvhsc.co.uk Cricket (Heytesbury & Sutton Veny) Community Police (non-emergency) 101 Secretary: Patricia Bettany 850055 Chair: Justin Wagstaff 840782 PARISH COUNCILS Bookings: Karungi Grant 850523 Secretary: Robert Robson Boyton/Corton Corton Fane Hall Heytesbury Football Club Chair: Caroline Wheatley-Hubbard 850208 Bookings: Tina Kerr 850373 Martyn Spratt 07790 728197 Codford Chair: Colin Beagley 850952 Sutton Veny Chair: Richard Jackman 840899 Tennis (Codford) Clerk: Karungi Grant 850523 Newsletter: Colin Baker 840033 Chair: Vincie Abbott 850239 [email protected] Bookings: Gay Woods 840057 Secretary: Philip Spicer 850577 Heytesbury Chair: Louise Morris 840153 Upton Lovell Bookings: Ros Coombs 851277 STARQUEST Clerk: Heather Parks FILCM 07970780424 WOOLSTORE THEATRE Astronomy Club: Pete Lee 840093 Sutton Veny Chair: Valerie King 841104 Codford Post Office 850345 SUTTON VENY FLOWER SHOW Clerk: Melissa Atyeo 840821 Booking Theatre: Anne Twinn 850004 www.suttonvenyflowershow.co.uk Upton Lovel l Chair: Steve Boxall 851171 CODFORD GARDENING CLUB Clerk: Nicola Duke 01373 86412 7 Karen Johnstone 850258 [email protected] CODFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Sir William Mahon 850586 Codford Branch: Sally Thomson 850339 Col Nick Quarrelle 851149 CODFORD LADIES CIRCLE HEYTESBURY, HOSPITAL OF ST JOHN Evelyn Read 850831 Administrator 01985 620097 DOCTORS’ SURGERY CODFORD 850298 CODFORD POST OFFICE (Budgens) 850345 HEYTESBURY POST OFFICE 840914 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Codford Mike Davidson 850549 Corton John Rigby 850303 Heytesbury Peter Andrews 840517 Norton Bavant John Acworth 840134 Sherrington Nigel Lewis 850496 Sutton Veny Peter Strangeways 840403 PRE-SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE GROUPS Codford Caterpillars Kim West 851030 Heytesbury Hedgehogs Annette Pulvertaft 840798 Wylye Coyotes Afterschool Club 851713 [email protected] or 07805 515863 G Milne Royds

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