MARCH 2020

High Street from Silver Street end, around 1900 At first glance this image of our High Street seems little different from today. However, a closer examination reveals that before the time of significant motor traffic, the grass verge on the right was much wider. Also the road surface was lower before the use of ‘tarmac’ (patented 1902); and the cobble ‘pitched’ path appears to be level – and in good order – prior to the insertion of paving slabs. CONTENTS March 2020 Pages 45-46 Catholic news Outside back cover Church Services 39-43 Bryan writes 10-11 Eco-friendly article 12 Films 15-17 From the Archives 43-44 news 9-10 Liturgical Symbols 45 Methodist Church 18 Natural History Club 4-5 Parish Council 22 Preservation Trust 8 RBL Dinner 3 SA Conversations 20-21 Sage 23 September Spectacular 14 Shop 7 St Mary’s Church 24 VE Day 38 Village diary 30 Village Hall info

Newsletter Deadlines for 2020 March 24th; April 21st; May 19th; June 23rd

Items for the April newsletter should be received by Tuesday 24th March. They should be sent to Mrs Helen Montague-Smith, 1A Butts Lane, or by email to [email protected] All published items solely express the views of the author and are the copyright of the author and the newsletter unless otherwise stated. The Editor would like to remind you that it is up to you, the readers, to supply all news and copy for the newsletter. The sender’s name and address need to be received before printing. Telephone 01380 871285. Inquiries for advertisements in the newsletter should be made to Sarah Dennehy on 01380 870731, email: [email protected] Please send your ads by email if possible. Please note, we do not deliver flyers for advertisers. Editorial I was thinking of the rain now and the old nursery rhyme: February brings the rain, Thaws the frozen lake again. This image of a painting by Benjamin Williams Leader also seems very timely. Entitled February Fill Dyke, it was not well received when it was first shown in the Birmingham Art Gallery in 1881. March is more encouraging: March brings breezes sharp and shrill, Shakes the dancing daffodil.

3 STEEPLE ASHTON PARISH COUNCIL Council Meetings: The minutes for all meetings are posted on the website and on the village noticeboard next to the Longs Arms and at Newleaze bus stop. Please remember, these meetings are open to all – you would be very welcome to come and sit in while we discuss issues that affect all. The public is invited to speak openly at a set point in the proceedings. If you have an issue you need to talk to us about, you can also email the Clerk – details below – who will ensure the right person is detailed with your query. New Website: At the last meeting, it was agreed to go ahead with a new website provider, so that we can provide a nicer looking and simpler website for village information. If you put information on the existing website or have approached us about a page on the new website, we will be contacting you in the next month or two. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email contact the Clerk. Village Survey: The survey response provided us with so much data and great ideas that we’ve had to take our time sifting through them and focussing on priorities. St Mary’s and Newleaze were the main focus of the survey, however we opened the floor for you all to tell us about other issues and ideas, and the response has been immense! We have split the priorities into working groups, headed initially by Parish Councillors: • St Mary’s Field • Newleaze Play • Parish Environment (Issues raised include pavements, footpaths, trees, verges, dog poo etc) • Traffic (Issues raised include speeding, SIDs, Signs, Mirrors, yellow lines etc) Those of you who indicated an interest in being part of a working group have been contacted and if anyone else wishes to be involved please contact the Clerk with the below information: 1. Contact details 2. Which of the groups would you like to be part of? 3. Are there any particular skills you have that would be useful? 4. What is your availability for meetings – Mornings, Afternoons, Evenings and/or weekends?

Over the coming months the PC will distribute feedback and information on the outcomes of the survey and there will be an update at the Annual Parish Meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday 29th April at 7.00 pm at the Village Hall. 4 STEEPLE STEEPLE ASHTON PARISH COUNCIL STEEPLEASHTON ASHTONASHTO PARISH PARISH COUNCIL COUNCIL

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON SUNDAY 8th December at 5.30pm Come and enjoy mulled wine, savoury treats, mince pies and a Christmas singalong. Father Christmas himself will be pushing the button and giving out a few treats along the way. We’d love to see as many of you as possible. N PARISH COUNCIL

STEEPLE ASHTON PARISH COUNCIL Telephone kiosk, Coach Barton: BT want to remove the kiosk as it has not been used in recent years. The PC asked if it could retain the box for another use but has been informed that as a modern kiosk it is not suitable for alternative uses. Parish Council Meetings (Mondays at 7.30pm in the Village Hall Skittle Alley): ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS. March 2nd Full Council March 30th Planning Issues Only April 29th Annual Parish Meeting – please note this is a Wednesday Parish Council Meetings (Mondays at 7.30pm in the Village Hall Skittle Alley): All members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings. February 2020 3rd Planning Issues Only Parish Council Meeting Parish Council Office: (2 St Mary’s School, High Street) The Clerk will be in the Parish office on Wednesday from. 9.30 - 11.30am. Nicola Duke, Clerk to the Parish Council, can be contacted on 01380 871454 or email [email protected]. All Councillors have live @steeple- ashton.co.uk email addresses which are also posted on the website. Find us on Social Media! Through the Parish Council page and Steeple Ashton Village Discussion Group, we cover many topics of interest to our residents. Please be assured that this page is monitored regularly, and we take all requests seriously, actioning where appropriate. We also have a group called ‘Steeple Sells’ for those of you that would like to buy and sell things locally – this is not a page that is part of the Parish Council policy or procedure, just a natural extension of social media activities. We would love you to get involved – search for ‘Steeple Ashton’ on Facebook. If you are a village group and need help with your social media or village event promotions, please get in touch with Pippa at [email protected] or 871578. Mobile Library Visits Longs Arms 11:00 – 12.00, Bus Stop 15.45 – 16.10 North mobile library, Wednesday week 2 Wednesday 11th; 25th March, 2020 Wednesday 08th; 22nd April, 2020 ~~~ www.steeple-ashton.co.uk ~~~

5 COUNCIL NEWS from Jonathon Seed By the time you read this, unless something very surprising has happened, will have approved its budget for the coming year 2020-2021. This does not attract the headlines or political machinations that other budgets both national and political attract. Indeed, the budget discussed on 25th February was approved by the Cabinet of Wiltshire Council without any amendments or criticism from opposition parties. That in itself is tribute to the energy and effort that goes into producing a balanced budget for a Council that has an annual income of £344million. This is made up of £260M from Council tax, £24M from Social Care Levy, £57M business rates retention (this figure is only 35% of the total raised in Wiltshire) and £3M from other income. When it comes to spending roughly 2/3 is spent on adult social care, public health, education and children’s social care with the remaining1/3 being spent on all other resident’s services. Schools are funded separately. Managing the budget is clearly a big task but the underlying principle is the same as your own financial management. As Dickens’ Mr Micawber said if you spend only what you can afford, the result is happiness! The full story is a bit more complicated than I have described. If you want to find more, the best place to look will be the documents for Council of Wiltshire Council which can be found on the Wiltshire Council website. Wiltshire Council is the unitary authority that is responsible for most of the services that residents use in the county. Town and Parish Councils provide other, more local services and raise a precept for these as do the Police and Fire and Rescue service. All these local tax or precept raising services may seem independent of each other and clearly their management is separate but they all have a responsibility to cooperate in the interests of the people of Wiltshire who they serve. Generally, that works well our local service providers cooperate well with each other. It is a pity that the same cannot always be said of neighbouring authorities and it was particularly disappointing to see the Cleveland Bridge in Bath closed to traffic over 18t and forcing several hundred extra heavy lorries a day to divert along the A3650 through Chippenham, and Westbury. It was even more annoying that BANES Council announced that this was a temporary measure pending bridge repairs and then within days the ruling party from BANES launched a petition to PERMANENTLY close the bridge to heavy traffic. Many Wiltshire residents are rightfully angry at this duplicity and are demanding answers. Watch this space! Contact me by e mail at [email protected] or by telephone on 07770774463 6 ST MARY’S CHURCH STEEPLE ASHTON This church is part of the Benefice of , Southwick, Heywood & Steeple Ashton in the Bradford Deanery of the (Anglican) Diocese of . Regular Sunday and weekday services are held across the Benefice’s three churches. Details of all these services can be found in the church porch or from the Calendar of Services leaflet available in the church. St Mary’s services for the current month are on page 43. Our Vicar is Fr Oliver Learmont, The Vicarage, 62 Church Lane, North Bradley, BA14 0TA t:01225 774845 [email protected] Please contact Fr Oliver if you wish to make arrangements for a service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child, a Baptism (Christening), a Marriage Service, a Funeral Service, or the Interment of Ashes. Churchwardens of St Mary’s. The current churchwarden is: Michael Moore (t.01380 870280) details of other office holders connected with St Mary’s can be found in the church porch. To discuss the possibility of holding a social or cultural event in the church please contact Fr Oliver. Michael Moore

Thank you… A huge thank you to all those who visited me, sent good wishes and cards durning my recent 2 month stay in hospital. I’m so sorry I missed all the Christmas services and wanted to thank all those involved for organising them. I especially want to thank Michael Moore for taking and then bringing me the wonderful photos of the Family Service so I could see you all and the wonderful gifts. I was really pleased to hear the Christingle went well, raising over £133 for the Children’s Society. Thanks also to the Brownies and Guides for organising the Christmas meal I was unfortunately not able to attend but did hear it was a wonderful meal.I really wished I could have been at the thank you party for Lionel and Pat Dove too. Hopefully be joining you at Church soon, although still not very mobile yet. With love from Joyce and Alec King.

7 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Steeple Ashton

99TH ANNUAL DINNER

FRIDAY 3rd APRIL 2020 AT STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE HALL 7.30 FOR 8 PM Members and friends are all very welcome.

GRAND RAFFLE

Dinner consists of four courses, including a choice of puddings, with biscuits and cheese, followed by coffee. Please bring your own wine – glasses are provided.

Tables will be for eight people. To make a reservation, please ring Geoff Hyatt on 01380 871319 TICKETS £17.50

8 TREES, FLOWERS and FRUIT AS LITURGICAL SYMBOLS

On this part of our liturgical nature trail we will climb the IVY rest on our LAURELS and slumber beneath the OAK. IRIS (Iris pseudacorus) sometimes known as the Sword Lily because of its sharp-edged sword like leaves (beware! for they can cut skin if not handled correctly) was used by early artists to depict the sorrow of Our Lady for the Passion of Christ her beloved son. This was foretold by the prophet Samuel in St Luke’s Gospel (2:34-35) when he said to Mary in the Temple (at the ceremony of Purification and Presentation) “You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected and a sword will pierce your own soul too so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare” The Yellow Iris is also closely associated with CLOVIS 5th century king of FRANKS who first wore the Iris as an heraldic symbol. IVY (Hedera helix which can climb to 100 feet) symbolises eternal life due to its evergreen colour and fidelity in the manner of its clinging to other plants for support. In autumn the flowers have abundant nectar. It is unrelated to Ground Ivy which is not strictly Ivy according to some botanists. The name given to it in the West Country and Yorkshire is ‘alehoof’ where, prior to the use of hops, it was used to flavour and clarify beer. KANEH BOSM (literally ‘cane blossom’; in Latin, cannabis). I was introduced to this plant by an anonymous kind person and I was not previously aware of its liturgical connotation. The contributor describes its use as representing The Crown. It is an integral component of the holy oil used at the High Temple for the anointing of the kahan tzaddik- the Just Priest- a title applied to Aaron, brother of Moses and Yacobah, brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I have to admit I have not encountered the name Yacobah in either the Old or New Testament. I would welcome some guidance to overcome my ignorance. There is a reference to the holy oil and its use in Exodus 30:22- 33. LAUREL (Prunus laurocerasus grows to 20 feet) is a symbol of Triumph and as such is usually presented as a wreath to the victor. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 St Paul speaks to us of Spiritual Victory, illustrating his teaching by reference to the Laurel Wreath, “all the runners at the stadium are trying to win but only one of them gets the prize. You must run in the same way, meaning to win. All the fighters at the games go into strict training; they do this just to win a wreath that will wither away, but we do it for a wreath that will never wither”. 9

. LILY (Lilium ‘Pandora’) grows to 2.5 feet represents purity and in particular the purity of The Blessed Virgin Mary and on occasion that of the Archangel Gabriel. In the symbols of the saints St Anne (mother of Mary) is heraldically represented by a Silver Lily on a blue background. For St Anthony of Padua (13th century) representation is with Golden Bible surmounted with silver Lilies. LILY of the VALLEY (Convalaria Majalis) a woodland plant which grows to 8 inches and is heavily scented (BEWARE: all parts are toxic). It symbolises Humility of Spirit. NARCISSUS (Narcissus psuedonarcissus) ‘wild daffodil’ was immortalised by the poet William Wordsworth in his poem ‘The Daffodils: I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vale and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd A host of golden daffodils However, in a liturgical sense, the daffodil symbolises The Triumph of Divine Love. OAK (Quercus ilex which grows to 90 feet) epitomises the British countryside but is in fact from the Mediterranean region brought to Britain over 400 years ago. Liturgically it symbolises Faith and Endurance.

Next time we complete the series as we journey from OLIVE to WHEAT via STRAWBERRY FIELDS. Comments/corrections most welcome to [email protected] Francis Geraghty

An eco-friendly column for Steeple Ashton and surroundings.

See the spring-time bee collecting into his pollen sacs on his rear legs. Dandelions will be here any time soon - it’s been so unseasonable mild. Have you ear - marked an area of your garden or verge for them? Do you have a garden space for a tree? I have several bare root specimens. See me soon to get one in! 10 I noted last month our editor inserted a clever “Save the Tiger” mosaic designed by her granddaughter - evidently a girl with a passion for biodiversity and climate change issues. In October, I inserted a note highlighting climate issues, with a picture of another girl, Greta Thunberg. I invited those who were interested to FORGETS contact me with reference to local issues. Few responded then I have to say, Glynnis Oakley but since then I have been heartened, meeting some other like-minded people with whom I have had coffee and discussions. I feel now I have a loose grouping of friends. Do join us… At present we will serve to highlight issues around Steeple Ashton, communicating by phone or Email. We shall liaise with other local communities, such as Bradford-on-Avon, Westbury and Melksham councils who have all stated their position to climate issues. Indeed, Wiltshire itself won a Friends of the Earth award last year. There is now a Wiltshire Climate Alliance. We have wide ranging interests, from specialists on verge cutting (to try to mitigate insect habitat loss), tree planting to promote biodiversity as well as carbon capture, and plastic waste. Inside the village we will liaise with the pub, village shop, Parish council and Sage for instance as well as of course, the Natural History club. Outside the village we have connections with Biss meadows, Eco- friendly , and Climate- Friendly Bradford- on-Avon. Most now recognise that the severe flooding in this country as well as fires in Oz and California, and ice melts in both poles and mountain tops are just showing us that severe Climate Change is already here with us now, and what was a nebulous future onset has actually already started. The Anthropocene has arrived and extinctions are looming for flora and fauna. But our own species is also now threatened. Local meetings in March you may wish to attend are: Talk: “Eco-anxiety and climate psychology” (Psychological barriers to acting on climate change): Tuesday 24th March, 5.30 pm Council chamber, County hall, Trowbridge. It’s run by Wilts council. free, but book a place through Epictalks.eventbrite.co.uk March 16th 7 for 7.30, BoA group AGM and “Are we undressed”, about first Trowbridge “dress shop”. In Bradford on Avon, Quaker meeting house. PS. March 28th is LIGHTS OFF DAY! For one hour 8.30-9.30 in UK people are asked to switch off- saving electricity of course, but also revealing again the dark to us, indeed perhaps the stars Penny Aeberhard. 01380 870602, [email protected] 11 STEEPLE ASHTON FILMS KNIVES OUT (12) SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020 7.30 PM (DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM FOR REFRESHMENTS) AT THE VILLAGE HALL, STEEPLE ASHTON A modern take on a murder mystery, written, produced and directed by Rian Johnson, this homage to an Agatha Christie whodunit has a glittering cast of actors including Christopher Plummer, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson and Toni Collette to name a few. In the setting of a mansion, the family and staff are gathered for, Harlan Thrombey’s 85th birthday. Renowned crime novelist, Harlan Thrombey’s body is discovered. Debonair detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is faced with a long list of suspects with opportunity, motive, a web of lies, twists and turns and red herrings. His challenging task, to uncover the truth behind the untimely death. Nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe, this film has been well received by both critics and audiences. So much so, that a sequel is in the planning stages. In the words of critic David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter: “An ingeniously plotted, tremendously entertaining and deviously irreverent crowd pleaser, a treat from start to finish”. An accolade of praise from the industry, viewers are also appreciative: “……Even if you do somehow manage to piece the whole thing together in advance, there’s no way of predicting the joy of watching it all unfold”. A MUST WATCH FILM! Tickets £6 available from Steeple Ashton Village Shop. Reservations can be made, please ring Alison Wilson on 01380 871345 For your personal comfort, you may like to a bring a cushion! Alison Wilson

Notice is given that the AGM of the St Mary’s Church Steeple Ashton Preservation Trust will be held on Friday 27th March 2020, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall After the formal business, the meeting will be open for general discussion. 12 Alzheimer’s Support

Adrienne and some members of Adrienne with Laura Crouch Steeple Rocks Choir with Gavin and Rachel Fear from Osborn, Creative Director Alzheimer’s Support, Trowbridge Purple Fish – Dark Side of the Moon A huge thank you to all the people who came to support us when we performed our classic rock evening back in December. After costs, we raised £500 for Alzheimer’s Support. This could fund a support worker for 20 hours making a lifechanging difference. Adrienne Hale

Steeple Rocks Choir – concert in Bratton 30th November Steeple Rocks Choir and Bratton village hall committee held a concert with supper, back in November in Bratton village hall which was a complete sell out. The money raised was split between the hall committee, who want to repair and develop the village hall and the choir. The choir decided to donate a bursary to The Wilshire Rural Music School to fund music lessons and were able to donate a fabulous £500! Thank you so much to the choir members for their effort and to all those who came to support us. Adrienne Hale 13 STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE SHOP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – May we remind you that the Village Shop AGM is coming up soon? Shareholders are invited to attend in the Village Hall at 6.30pm on Friday 22nd May. We welcome new shareholders and application forms are available at the Shop – shares cost £10.00 – as will nomination forms for Committee Members who will be elected on the day. Copies of the minutes from last year’s AGM and this year’s Agenda will also be available from the Shop nearer the time.

MICHEL DESIGNS – Three new designs have been ordered and should be on the shelves in time for Mothering Sunday, namely the 22nd of March. New to us will be the handbag-size hand creams, all lightly perfumed with refreshing floral tones, very appropriate for the warmer spring days that we hope will be with us by then. The distinctive designs are wonderfully colourful and cheerful - we are sure you will love them.

AND THEN THERE IS EASTER – There will be an Easter Raffle again this year, tickets for which will be on sale soon. We would be grateful to receive any Easter or Spring appropriate contributions as prizes, but of course the main prize will, as usual, be a large chocolate Easter Egg. Details of the time and date of the draw and our opening hours over Easter will appear in the April newsletter.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE SHOP TO BE HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON FRIDAY 22ND MAY 2020 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start

All STASH shareholders are invited to attend - refreshments will be available.

14 In memory of Michael Green, Headmaster of St Mary's School from 1967 until 1989, who died on 31 January in his 90th year, at Westbury

FROM THE ARCHIVES 'Steeple Ashton & Newsletter'

In March 1975...

15 After moving here from in 1967/68, Michael Green lived at 21 Acreshort Lane until he left the village in 2001. Michael was Headmaster of St Mary's School from 1967 until his retirement in 1989. During the 1970s, each month Mr Green would help to produce the newsletter – laboriously using the school's not-wholly-reliable, hand- operated second-hand duplicator, plus countless boxes of staples (around 335 copies for Steeple Ashton and 60 for Great Hinton). The old Log Books had remained at the school since the time they were written (as had some original Victorian slates the early pupils used for writing on). They are now held at Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Mr Green had begun to occasionally reproduce entries from them during 1972. He censored the children's names as an act of discretion: some of the families – and a number of the ex-pupils themselves – were alive and well and living in the village. (It is worth noting that although both corporal punishment and strict teaching methods were the norm during the Log Book era, Headmaster Mr Cray – William Cray, Head of the school from 1889 until his death in 1921 – who made the entries, was remembered well into the late 20th century as a particularly fearsome teacher. Memories and tales of Mr Cray's fierce discipline remained in the village for decades – amongst former pupils, and their descendants. One family memory tells of a boy being hung from a coat hook by his braces while a cane-wielding Cray administered "stripes"; on another occasion – 20 April 1894 – the Headmaster himself recorded in the Log Book: "Mr T. Marsh, the village butcher, father of 5 scholars, called on me this dinner hour and impertinently desired to know what I 'meant by sending Mr Hall (the Attendance Officer) to his house' – ‘aworrying his missus’ – he 'wasn’t going to have it' etc. Further I had punished his children and he 'wasn’t going to have it.' – He is very fond of making rash statements – As I found it impossible to reason with him, I was forced to tell him that if he didn’t make himself scarce in a second or two I should serve him the same as he alleged I served his boy – this had the desired effect – and he went off muttering." In 1921, when William Cray was on his deathbed in the Schoolhouse – 54 High Street – straw was scattered on the road outside to dull the sound of horse-drawn transport, allowing him a little peace. But it has been said by some villagers that after the Headmaster’s funeral, on-looking children were invited to dance on his grave.) 16 In the summer of 1989, upon Michael Green's retirement, the 'Wiltshire Times' ran this short piece (28 July):

Mr Green, 1979 17 STEEPLE ASHTON NATURAL HISTORY CLUB NEWS: Although still winter, we are seeing flowering Blackthorn and early flowering snowdrops and crocus. Also singing passerines, such as Blue and Great Tit, have been heard. Reports of birds actively looking for suitable nesting sites which can only mean early breeding. Lets hope we don’t have a late cold snap to set them back. Rare sightings of summer visiting birds such as Whitethroat and Chiff Chaff are being reported. These may have over wintered as they traditionally migrate to Africa in the Autumn and don’t return until the Spring. A sign of the times? We had a curious but unconfirmed ‘hearing’ of a cuckoo in Wiltshire at the beginning of February. Although again they are a summer visitor but who knows in these strange climate changing times. From Penny A. A small tortoishell awoke before the storms about 7th Feb. As did lady birds in the house. Outside are small clouds of gnats. Re flowers: they are all abnormally early. In the garden are snowdrops and snowflakes, primroses, primulas and cowslips, aubretia and honesty. Daffs are opening to join the crocuses. I even found a sprig of flowering cow parsley! Hazel catkins were over by mid- month. I worry that in my wildlife pond, if the newts are waking, they could be vulnerable to a later frost. Two years ago I found about 20 dead when that happened. Our meeting scheduled for the 27th February has been cancelled and pushed back to Thursday 12th March in the Methodist Church hall due to it clashing with other village activities. The short talk topic will be on garden bird boxes. If you are interested in becoming a member of our group either contact me (Roger Ferguson) for more information or simply come along to our next meeting.

Please report anything of interest such as sightings of animal / bird / insect activity or lack of. Or indeed unusual or rare plants. Please contact David Culverhouse, 01380 871621 [email protected] or Roger Ferguson 01380 870860 [email protected] Roger Ferguson

18 Reading is Not Always Easy If you are reading this, you are (obviously!) a reader. You may have been one of the lucky ones who found learning easy, or it may have been more of a struggle. It is a sobering fact that many people don’t master this vital skill during their school days. The reality is that 2.4m adults in the UK cannot read, while a further 2.5m struggle to read. This means that carrying out everyday tasks can be challenging, if not impossible. Read Easy is an expanding national organisation that tackles this issue by offering free, one-to-one coaching, using resources specially developed for adult learners. The local group started in Melksham in 2016 and has now expanded to cover all the surrounding towns – Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Trowbridge and Westbury. We need to recruit new members to our Management Team to develop this vital work. In particular, we are looking for a Team Leader who would be supported by our existing incumbent. We also need reading coaches (tutors) who are able to work in Trowbridge, Devizes, Chippenham or Corsham. Volunteer Coaches will need to be confident and passionate about literacy and have the equivalent of about one day per week to spare. No previous teaching experience is necessary as support and training are provided. If you’d like to play a key part in helping to radically improve the lives of adults near you, while developing your own existing skills and learning new ones in a supportive environment, then why not get in touch? To learn more about becoming a Read Easy volunteer, please contact me at [email protected] or on 07939 556541. As a Read Easy volunteer, you will find it fascinating, rewarding and enjoyable to help people whose lives are being transformed, often after years of frustration. David Williams Read Easy Management Team Leader

St Mary’s Steeple Ashton Preservation Trust

Trust AGM (Village Hall) 27th March 2020 Bryan Berrett (Village Hall) Personal interpretation of the history and symbolism of St Mary’s 15th May 2020 Festival Of music & Song (St Mary’s Church) 18th July 2020 Hog Roast (Acreshort Park) 8th August 2020 19 20 21 22 VE day Celebrations-May 8th-10th Your Village Needs You! We would like to collect anecdotes of war time memories. Where were you on VE day; What did your father/grandfather/mother do in the war – along essay, a few notes, a chat, any way that is comfortable to you, any way you will, but PLEASE do tell us. There will be an exhibition in the church that weekend, so we would welcome memorabilia please let us know what you have –did you know there is a photo of a tank and its name is Steeple Ashton? Gas masks, ration books, war time toys, photos are just some of the things to get you thinking and searching in the attic. Do you have a relative buried in our churchyard who served in the War. Please get in touch, by emailing [email protected] or phoning 01380 870119 Many thanks Rosie

There is still time to get your tickets for the first Edington Arts concert of 2020, on Saturday afternoon, March 21st, at 2.30pm in Edington Priory Church. Our first Cello/Piano Duo is the superbly talented young brothers Jun (pianist) and Yuuki (cellist) Bouterey-Ishido, originally from New Zealand, but now using London as their base for travelling all over the world performing to very appreciative audiences.

Having taken part in the 2019 International Musicians Seminars at Prussia Cove with the benefit of an Edington Arts bursary donation, the brothers will perform for us to ‘repay the favour’. Both are multiple prize winners, and have played together from childhood creating a special understanding of each other’s musicality that produces memorable performances.

There will be a chance to chat to them afterwards over a cup of tea and home-made cakes. The confirmed programme is on the Edington Arts website at www.edingtonarts.org; two Cello Sonatas, one by Beethoven in honour of his 250th birthday, and one by Fauré; a passionate Chopin Polonaise for piano solo, and a lovely little piece by Bela Bartok.

23 24 25 Reading is Not Always Easy

If you are reading this, you are (obviously!) a reader. You may have been one of the lucky ones who found learning easy, or it may have been more of a struggle. It is a sobering fact that many people don’t master this vital skill during their school days. The reality is that 2.4m adults in the UK cannot read, while a further 2.5m struggle to read. This means that carrying out everyday tasks can be challenging, if not impossible. Read Easy is an expanding national organisation that tackles this issue by offering free, one-to-one coaching, using resources specially developed for adult learners. The local group started in Melksham in 2016 and has now expanded to cover all the surrounding towns – Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Trowbridge and Westbury. We need to recruit new members to our Management Team to develop this vital work. In particular, we are looking for a Team Leader who would be supported by our existing incumbent. We also need reading coaches (tutors) who are able to work in Trowbridge, Devizes, Chippenham or Corsham. Volunteer Coaches will need to be confident and passionate about literacy and have the equivalent of about one day per week to spare. No previous teaching experience is necessary as support and training are provided. If you’d like to play a key part in helping to radically improve the lives of adults near you, while developing your own existing skills and learning new ones in a supportive environment, then why not get in touch? To learn more about becoming a Read Easy volunteer, please contact me at [email protected] or on 07939 556541. As a Read Easy volunteer, you will find it fascinating, rewarding and enjoyable to help people whose lives are being transformed, often after years of frustration.

David Williams Read Easy Management Team Leader

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32 33 34 35 36 37 VILLAGE DIARY The Newsletter prints a diary of events each month. If you are organising activities in the area, you may wish to contact me to avoid a clash. Ed. Regular events in Steeple Ashton Village Hall, unless otherwise stated. Monday Ballroom Dance Classes: 7.00pm. Tel: 07917 57383 Steeple Rocks: 7.30pm. Venue - please call 01380 871890 Tuesday Rainbows: 4.45-5.45. Jenny Nicholson: [email protected] Brownies: 5.30-7pm. Diane Bouault: [email protected] Guides: 7-9pm. HelenKing:[email protected] Wednesday Baby & Toddler Group: 9.30am - 11.30am 1st and 3rd Wednesdays: Forget-Me-Not Club, 2.30pm. 2nd Wednesday: Women’s Institute, 7.30pm Thursday Dance! Dee Dee Wilde, 10.30am contact 01380 870 489 SAGE; 1st Thursday of every month Friday YOGA; 10.30am - 12noon Walking group meets at the Longs Arms; 2.30pm MARCH Monday 2nd Full Parish Council, VH, 7.30pm Thursday 5th Sage, talk, see p20 Friday 6th World Day of Prayer, Methodist Church, 2pm Saturday 7th Preservation Trust Supper, VH, 7.30pm Wednesday 11/25th Mobile Library Thursday 12th Natural History talk, Methodist Church, p18 Saturday 21st Mothering Sunday workshop, see p8 Saturday 21st Film, Knives Out, VH, 7.30pm Tuesday 24th Newsletter deadline Friday 27th Preservation Trust AGM, VH, 7.30pm Monday 30th Planning Issues only, PC, VH, 7.30pm APRIL Friday 3rd RBL Dinner, see p8 Saturday 18th Faustus, Keevil, see p43 Wednesday 29th Annual Parish Meeting, VH, 7.30pm MAY Friday 8th VE Day Celebration, see p22 Friday 22nd Village Shop AGM, VH, 7.30pm JUNE Friday 12th Safari Supper JULY Saturday 18th Festival of Music and Song SEPTEMBER Saturday 12th September Spectacular 38 Bryan writes… Following Peter Hornsey’s piece (which appeared in the February issue) on our High Street footpaths, I thought it would be appropriate to look more closely at this historical feature of Steeple Ashton.

Firstly, the term ‘pitched’ cobbled paths. This refers to the method of construction, and, to some degree, the type of stone. Some, but not all, cobbled paths and roads are comprised of round stones or large pebbles, particularly in coastal areas. The flat stones used here in Steeple Ashton are block-shaped and of irregular size – and they are not laid flat, but ‘pitched’ into the ground: the narrow edge uppermost, forming the walking surface (in other words, if you think of the stone as a matchbox you would be walking on the match-striking surface). Of course, this is a much more labour-intensive method of construction than laying the stones flat; but the stones are less likely to rock, and it is easier to achieve a stable, relatively even, durable surface. These pitched cobbled footpaths were extensive throughout the oldest developed parts of Steeple Ashton. As to their exact age, there seems to be no sure date; but the method is centuries-old, and I would be surprised if they were laid after the 18th century. The footpaths provided a means of access to the main parts of the village without having to walk the muddy streets. They crossed the streets in some places to continue on the other side. Over the years, a number of these crossings have been covered or removed. As a young man in Victorian times, my grandfather – born 1875 –would always walk on the road when returning home from working in the fields, so as not to risk leaving mud on the footpaths and soiling the ladies’ shoes or long dresses. Despite changing fashions and increasing traffic, he continued this habit for the rest of his long working life – into his 80th year. 39 According to the book ‘Our Wiltshire Village’ (1989) by the late Betty Smith, before 1941 – when The Strand was improved by the War Department to give good access to the airfield – crossing the road in wet weather meant that “it was necessary to hop or jump from tuft of grass to pile of drier mud between the deep rutted cart-tracks”.

Starting from the church gate, the pitched cobble path runs south past the village hall. It branched off south-west at the corner by The Strand junction across Church Street (now covered over), and continued down Church Street to the High Street. Back at the corner in Church Street the path continued south across The Strand, then east to Vicarage Lane and immediately south on towards The Old Parsonage. Although parts of it have since been covered or taken up, it can still be found in the rear garden of The Old Parsonage, heading for the rear entrance. For a few hundred years, many a Reverend was assured of a mud-free journey to and from church! From The Old Parsonage the path continued south-west down Vicarage Lane towards Dark Lane North, then south-east to Old Chesils and The Sanctuary, crossing the lane in the process. Traces of it can still be seen near The Sanctuary emerging on either side of the lane. Returning to the church gate, here another branch of the path is still visible – where it heads south-west across Church Street on the corner, and continues alongside the northern garden hedge of Moorfield Farm (a pair of cottages stood here alongside the path, until fire destroyed them in 1926), and down towards the High Street. Here, opposite The Butts, the path originally crossed the High Street to join the other cobbled path running from Bartlett’s Mead in the north (originally Bartlett’s Farm), to Home Farm Close in the south, opposite Silver Street. 40 The High Street footpath branched south-west at Butts Lane junction (although no sign of the path remains here) and headed on towards . Traces of the path can still be seen further along Butts Lane, and it is said a lot more of it was exposed in the 1970s following Dutch elm disease – when felled trees or branches were dragged along the lane. While there is evidence that the path extended down Butts Lane, I find it difficult to believe it ran all the way to West Ashton, a distance of around two miles. However, in the 1950/60s a cobbled path beyond Luffenham Field heading towards West Ashton was ploughed up, which is more than half way. If it did extend that far, there is no trace left beyond the end of Butts Lane down to – and across – Luffenham Field (unless it lies below the surface). Either way, it was probably not paved from beyond where it met Sandpits Lane (between Rood Ashton Lake and the hamlet of East Town). From here the footpath continued south-west through fields within Rood Ashton Park and south of – seat of the Long family – to West Ashton. The purpose of this route across the fields was to enable the villagers of West Ashton to worship at St Mary’s – as they had no church until 1846, when the Longs built St John’s Church not far inside the western Lodge entrance to Rood Ashton Park. 41 St John’s Church, Rood Ashton Park It has been suggested that the footpath was also used as a coffin trail. Coffin trails like this were regularly used across . But would the people of West Ashton really have carried a coffin, or pushed one on a handcart, all that way across the fields, over stiles and a bridge – when they could have used a horse and wagon or cart along Sandpits Lane, or the main road? The only reason I can think of for carrying a coffin along the Butts Lane route was to do it at least once – as there was a tradition that a route over which a corpse is carried remains a public right-of-way. However, I could be wrong, as maybe the poor had no alternative. Today, part of this route makes for a pleasant walk, crossing Luffenham Field along the way, and returning to Steeple Ashton along either Sandpits Lane, Mudmead Lane, or – via East Town Lane – Acreshort Lane; or alternatively Drove Lane, and back to the village from the south along Edington Road, past Elmsgate House. The latter route was often enjoyed by a long-gone Steeple Ashton character: Jack Pearce. Jack’s version of the walk is below. Written in his Wiltshire dialect, it has appeared before in this newsletter, but is worth repeating. It was first published in Betty Smith’s 1989 book. Note: the eastern boundary of “thic little narrow ground” has since been removed to form a larger field; “Ethill” refers to Heath Hill Cottages (where the walk meets Sandpits Lane); for “windermejig” read wind pump; for “Draw” Lane read Drove Lane; for “Quarrel” read the old Lime Quarry (long since filled in), on the west of Edington Road past Elmsgate House, above the old Lime Kiln (now site of the tennis court); and for “’oam” read home – the rest you can work out! 42 Jack’s Walk

If theest wanna good walk theest wanna goo down Butts Lane, that’ll take thee down to thic little narrow ground. Goo down thic little narrow ground to the bo’m, goo wur th’old sheppis [hut] war, goo droo thic shard in the hedge. That’ll take thee over the brook. When theest goo over thic brook watch theeself, else thee’ll goo ass over ’ead into the brook, ’cos twur only one plank wide, mind. Then goo over little Aybury, up over big Aybury – used to be a cobbled path but they varmers ploughed it up – that never oughta been. Then that’ll take thee up thic narrow track at Ethill – turn left then goo up the ’ill to East Town Farm, past thic old windermejig. Vollow the track, that’ll take thee past Whitelawn – theest used always to vind mushrooms at Whitelawn – over Pinnocks, where we used to get the moorhen’s eggs on the big pond. Then come up Draw Lane, past Quarrel, then theest vind theeself at ’oam! Bryan Berrett

Keevil Folk Events Present “FAUSTUS”

This renowned folk trio will be playing at Keevil Village Hall on Saturday 18th April Doors open 7.15 pm - Start 7.45 pm Entrance by Ticket Only Ticket £15 – Phone Janet, 01380-870417 or Rachel, 01380-870661 Bar & Raffle

43 KEEVIL RAILWAY HERITAGE GROUP Plans are underway for this year's trip to take place on Wednesday 9th September. It is proposed to combine a trip to the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line) for a steam-hauled return train ride plus a visit to the Milestone Museum at Basingstoke (one of Britain's premier museums). This is a museum of living history where you can immerse yourself in Victorian streets and shops bringing the past to life.

The cost, to include museum, railway and return coach travel, will be in the region of £35 - £40. This could well be less depending on the number of people wishing to travel. We plan to leave Keevil (Stocks Green) at 8.30 a.m. returning around 6.30 p.m. The coach will have an onboard toilet. We will also include a comfort stop if necessary.

If you would be interested in joining our group and in order to have an idea of numbers attending the trip, please could you let Tony and Rachel Howe know by 'phoning 01380 870661 or email [email protected] 44 METHODIST CHURCH DIARY & EVENTS God’s Muscles Matthew 11; v28 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ In most gyms there will be a section where you find the ones who are building up their muscle mass through lifting weights. When they’re pushing their muscles to the max they sometimes have a ‘spotter’ to stand alongside them to help them, ready to lift the weight with the tired lifter. How many of us struggle, like the weightlifters, with the deep-down weariness and exhaustion that comes with seemingly carrying the weight of the world on our own? People often feel burdened by life’s events, thinking they have to sort it themselves. The line of thought often goes, ‘God surely isn’t interested in my mortgage debt or that I’m struggling with a relationship or my boring work. I need to sort it myself’. But when the person is encouraged to stop, rest, let God place his hands alongside their own to do that heavy lifting for them, something shifts within. How many times have we heard the phrase ‘a trouble shared is a trouble halved’? So can God help you now? Church Diary All services are at 9.15 am unless otherwise stated. Please come along and join us. You can be assured of a warm welcome, and a time to chat, plus a cup of tea or coffee after the service. If there is anyone for whom you would like prayers to be said, please leave details in the post box at the front door, and they will be included in the Intercessory Prayers on Sunday. March Sunday 1st 9.15 am Rev David Coppard – Holy Communion Tuesday 3rd 7.30 pm Housegroup Thursday 5th 2.30pm CAMEO Friday 6th 2.00 pm World Day of Prayer Sunday 8th 9.15 am Rev Gary Gotham Tuesday 11th 10.30 am Reflections & Fellowship Thursday 12th 2.30 pm CAMEO Sunday 15th 9.15 am Geraldine Mann Tuesday 17th 7.30 pm Housegroup Thursday 19th 2.30 pm CAMEO Sunday 22nd 9.15 am Rev Gary Gotham – Mothering Sunday Wednesday25th 10.30 am Reflections & Fellowship Thursday 26th 2.30 pm CAMEO Sunday 29th 10.30 am United at Westbury Methodist Church April Thursday 2nd 2.30 pm CAMEO Sunday 5th 9.15 am Rev. Lionel Dove – Palm Sunday 45 CATHOLIC NEWS ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST TROWBRIDGE & ST BERNADETTE’S WESTBURY (incl VILLAGES). PARISH PRIEST FR TOM FINNEGAN TELEPHONE: 01225 752152 www.stjohnthebaptisttrowbridge.co.uk

Weekly Timings: check newsletter for changes. St John the Baptist - Trowbridge Sunday Masses: Sat:(Vigil) 6pm; Sun:10.30am & 6pm Holy Day of Obligation: See Newsletter Weekday Masses: Mon: 9am; Tue: 6pm; Wed: 12.00 noon Fri: 6pm; Sat: 6pm (Vigil); Rosary: Weekdays before Mass. Confessions: Sat: 9.30-10.15am; 5.15-5.30pm and on request. St Bernadette's - Westbury Sunday Mass: 9am Holy Day of Obligation: Vigil Mass 6pm Weekday Mass: Thursday 10am Confessions: Before Masses and any time on request.

THE NEW 300 CLUB 2020 Subscriptions: £50 annually - £13 quarterly - £4.33 monthly. New members are most welcome to join at any time. Prizes are: £200-£70-£50- £10. For information and application form contact Francis Geraghty 01380 871083 email: [email protected]. February winners: £200 John & Marion Sullivan - £70 Fred & Mollie Gilroy - £50 Karen Yates - £10 Lucy Arnold. Deanery Service of Reconciliation: Bishop Declan will be joining us and leading our Lenten Deanery Service of Reconciliation on Tuesday 17th March at 7pm. There will be other visiting priests for individual confessions. All welcome. THE GIVING MACHINE St John the Baptist, Trowbridge is on The Giving Machine" Simply shop online via The Giving Machine at 2000's of shops such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis, and raise a cash donation for St John the Baptist, Trowbridge, at no cost to you. Go via the website or mobile app every time you shop online. Once registered, mark St. John the Baptist, Trowbridge as the cause you wish to support. Quick Sign up code is 266718 it’s completely free and easy to join www.thegivingmachine.co.uk St. John's Quick Sign up code is 266718. 46 A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: July is a long way off but please note that St. John's Parish will be hosting the National Exhibition of the Turin Shroud. 5th-10th July. This exhibition has visited many Cathedrals and Parishes over the years. In this Diocesan Year of Communion, we welcome the Exhibition as it will invite us to reflect on the sufferings of Christ and the prelude to the glorious Resurrection of Jesus's Body from the Tomb. Pope Francis recently called the Shroud 'An Icon of Love'. With a full size replica of the Shroud, the Exhibition will display the fascinating history of the Shroud. More information can be found on www.shroudofturinexhibition.com SHARING OUR FAITH The Group meets in the Parish Centre, Trowbridge on Wednesdays from 8- 9pm.This is open to anyone wishing to learn more about the Catholic Church. SICK AND/OR HOUSEBOUND Any catholic who is sick or housebound should let Fr. Tom Finnegan (01225 752152) know as he would be pleased to arrange a visit and bring Holy Communion, if desired. MASS TIMES at NEARBY CATHOLIC CHURCHES St Joseph's, West Lavington (01380 723572) Mass on Sunday at 9.00am Immaculate Conception, Devizes (01380 723572) Mass on Saturday 6.00pm and Sunday 10.30am and 5.00pm St Anthony Melksham (01225 702128) Mass on Saturday 5.30pm and Sunday 9.30am St George’s Warminster (01985 212329) Mass on Saturday evening 6.00pm and Sunday 8.00am & 10.00am Bradford-On-Avon (01225 862739) Mass Saturday 6.00pm. Sunday 10.30am. (For information on any of the above contact Francis Geraghty 01380 871083 email: [email protected]

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2.00 pm Friday 6th March Methodist Church, Steeple Ashton All Welcome

47 CHURCH SERVICES in MARCH 2020 St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton St Leonard’s, Keevil

To be advised: Sunday 1st March First Sunday of Lent 9.15 am All Age Service

Sunday 8th March Second Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Holy Communion

Sunday 15th March Third Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 22nd March Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothering Sunday 9.15 am Family Communion

Sunday 29th March Fifth Sunday of Lent 6.30 pm Holy Communion (BCP)

Prayers are said informally at 8am every Wednesday. BCP - Common Worship, Order Two, traditional language CW - Common Worship Order One, contemporary language

The above details may be subject to change, and so it is wise to check more recent publicity.

Vacancies for church officers in our Benefice There are currently vacancies for the role of Churchwarden and PCC Treasurer in each of our parishes and for the post of Deanery Synod Representative for the Parish of North Bradley, Southwick and Heywood. If you are interested in any of these roles, please contact Fr Oliver.