View from the Rectory A few years ago, as a solar eclipse approached, planetarium March 2015 directors sent out warnings to the general public reminding people not to look directly into the sun. The planetarium received an indignant letter from a local resident. She said that if an eclipse was so dangerous, they never should have decided to hold one and ought to cancel it. On March 20 th we have an opportunity to witness a solar eclipse in the Kennet Valley and no doubt there will be some like this lady who will respond to the inevitable influx of people with disapproval – hopefully NOT writing letters to the National Trust asking them to cancel the event. It will be a decade before we witness another one and taken as I am by all naturally occurring phenomena, this will be something I will greet with excitement. I remember where we were the last time – on Dartmoor, sitting with a couple of thousand others, picnic, coffee flask, Husband and Dog in tow. The cars lined the route across the moor, parked nose to tail between Bovey Tracey and Widcombe -in -the -Moor. A hundred or more climbed the Tors behind us and the air was full of excitement, tinged with apprehension - for even 20 th Century beings are not unaffected by extraordinary displays in creation, no matter how much we protest its ‘old hat’. Upper Kennet Churches Notice Board Silence descended on the moor as the sky darkened and the Baptism day moved to night with startling swiftness. The birds were Joseph Beverley Winterbourne Bassett 1 February stilled, their song absent, and voices died away. Then in the Georgia McCombe Broad Hinton 13 February distance we saw burst after burst of coloured fireworks, tracking the darkness along the coast line. As darkness fell Weddings there was a deliberate injection of light. With it came joy, Stephanie Ladd & Broad Hinton 13 February with it came the voices, and the darkness was transformed Matthew McCombe into something wondrous and beautiful. It is impossible not to be moved by such events and reminded In March Amy Williams and Greg Williams will be getting married at and we remember them in our that in the midst of even the strangest and difficult of times prayers: we will find joy, hope and glory. Sometimes we have to have courage and take deliberate action to bring light into dark Funeral places - the fireworks of hope, if you like, that transform the Simon Down 24 January darkness. For those of us who are following the Pilgrim path Kathleen Neighbour 2 February Stephanie Shaughnessy West Overton 10 February through lent we know we will have to encounter the suffering Chad Pearson Avebury 17 February of the Cross before the dawn of Easter Day. But this darkness Lewes Addison West Overton 24 February is a place of profound action, where The Light of the World was active in His suffering in entering into the defeat of evil Burial of Ashes and death for all time for ALL people. And Love conquered Mike Hudson Broad Hinton 28 February all. When we witness this eclipse on the 20 th I wonder if each one You are invited to join us for an of us could deliberately bring a firework of hope in the form EQUALITY VIGIL of a loving thought or prayer for the world, for a loved one, th for a place close to our hearts, for our community, for SATURDAY MARCH 14 2015 someone bereft, or wounded. Would YOU have will to use this extraordinary occurrence as an opportunity to light up the 10 – 12 Noon world with an expression of pure hope and joy? Would you come and join us at St James Avebury at 9am for a Taize outside the Jubilee Rooms service for the peace of the world? I wonder….. or will you Marlborough High Street be amongst those who will be too busy writing indignant This event is supported by letters…. Marlborough Poverty Action Group Maria Shepherdson Marlborough Quakers, Transition Marlborough And Marlborough Churches Together

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk UPPER KENNET CHURCHES SERVICES

St Nicholas St Michael & Christ Church St James St Mary St Katherine & St Peter ad FYFIELD All Angels EAST AVEBURY Magdalene St Peter Vincula WEST KENNETT WINTERBOURNE WINTERBOURNE BROAD OVERTON MONKTON BASSETT HINTON

1 March 8.00 am 10.00 am 11.15 am 9.45 am Lent 2 Prayer Book Informal Holy Holy Env week 9 Communion Service Communion Communion

8 March Lent 3 10.30 AM— BENEFICE SERVICE COMMUNION — AVEBURY Env week 10

15 March 11.00 am 8.00 am 10.00 am 4.00 pm 9.45 am Mothering Mothering Prayer Mothering Mothering Mothering Sunday Sunday Book Sunday Sunday Sunday Env week 11 Service Communion Service Service Service

22 March 6.00 pm 10.00 am 11.15 am Lent 5 Holy Communion Env week 12 Evening Prayer for Passion Morning Sunday Prayer 29 March Palm Sunday 10.30 AM— PALM SUNDAY BENEFICE SERVICE – COMMUNION — WEST OVERTON Env week 13

Wednesday Communion Services will take place at 10.00 am at 9, The Beeches, Winterbourne Monkton. Clergy will attend on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

We can also provide home communion any time for those that are housebound. Please contact the Benefice Office - (01672 861786) or one of the Lay Pastoral Assistants to request this. (Claire Stiles – 01793 731620 or Graham Kitchen – 01672 861349.)

Readings for month Sunday 1 st March – Purple Sunday 22 nd March – Purple Lent 2 Lent 5 Genesis 17. 1 – 7, 15 – 16 Jeremiah 31. 31 – 34 Psalm 22. 23 – end Psalm 51. 1 – 13 or 119. 9 – 16 Romans 4. 13 – end Hebrews 5. 5 – 10 Mark 8. 31 - end John 12. 20 – 33

Sunday 8th March – Purple Sunday 29 th March – Red Lent 3 Palm Sunday Exodus 20. 1 – 17 Mark 11. 1 – 11 Psalm 19 [or 19. 7 – end] or John 12. 12 – 16 1 Corinthians 1. 18 – 25 Psalm 118. 1 – 2, 19 – end John 2. 13 – 22 or 118. 19 – 24

Sunday 15 th March – Purple Sunday 5 th April – Gold or White Mothering Sunday Easter Day Exodus 2. 1 – 10 or Isaiah 25. 6 – 9 1 Samuel 1. 20 – end Acts 10. 34 – 43 Psalm 34. 11 – 20 or 127. 1 – 4 John 20. 1 – 18 2 Corinthians 1. 3 – 7 or Colossians 3. or Mark 16. 1 - 8 12 – 17 Luke 2. 33 – 35 or John 19. 25b – 27

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 2 The 33 rd Marlborough Brandt Lent Lecture MONKTON LENT LUNCH Baroness Cox MONDAY 9 (Founder, Director of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust MARCH (HART)) “The Pain and the Passion – The There will be a Lent lunch of soup, bread and cheese at Meadow Privilege of Making a Difference” Cottage, Winterbourne Monkton on Mon 9 March available from 12 noon until 2.30pm. Please do drop Thursday 5 March 8.00pm, Memorial Hall, Marlborough College in for a bowl of soup and a chat. (by kind permission of the Master) Donations towards Prospect House Baroness Cox writes “the focus of my talk is our work with HART (Savernake appeal) and Monkton supporting partners on frontlines of faith and freedom, who always inspire us church. Further information and offers of help to Penny 01672 with their indomitable courage, resilience and resourcefulness...we provide 539158 [email protected] . aid and advocacy for the unreached, unhelped and unheard.” Disabled parking available.

Admission Free but there will be a gift aided retiring collection on behalf of the work of HART and the Marlborough Brandt Group BRIC A BRAC MONKTON STALL ‘ Touch Wood’ Monkton will be running a bric a A fun and interactive look at brac stall (in aid of the church) at the biblical roots of everyday the Avebury Spring Fayre on Sat 28 March. If you have any small items, clichés and sayings unused Christmas presents, etc. please donate to: Penny 01672 539158.

St James Church Avebury Kennet Valley th Lottery Club 7.30 – 9pm Thursday March 12 2015 February Winning numbers

Refreshments from 7pm £100 Number 9 Mike Morrissy £75 Number 17 Samantha France th £50 Number 65 Anne Robinson NB please note this date has CHANGED from March 5 as previously advertised! If you would like to join the lottery, please pick up an application form from any You are invited to join us for an church, or ring David Snape on 01672 861267 or email EQUALITY VIGIL [email protected] TH SATURDAY MARCH 14 2015 Another way to support our churches at West Overton, 10 – 12 Noon Fyfield and East Kennett outside the Jubilee Rooms Marlborough High Street This event is supported by Marlborough Poverty Action Group Marlborough Quakers, Transition Marlborough And Marlborough Churches Together

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 3

Thursday Nights are Steak Nights

2 STEAKS & WINE from £30 ~~~ Ladies Lunch 2 crs meal including wine MARCH at THE BELL £17 Wednesday 18th March 1pm 01672 861099

Charity Quiz Night Mothering Sunday Sunday 1st March 15th March

Bookings now being taken 8pm start

£1 per person Bath Road West Overton SN8 1QD www.thebellwestoverton.co.uk Avebury & District W.I. Craft Group The Craft Group holds a meeting on the afternoon of the first Wednesday of every month at the Social Centre, Avebury from 2 - 4pm. All are welcome. You do not need to be a W.I. member to attend. The cost is £3 per session. There are quilting courses and a variety of other crafts. For further details call Margaret on 539184 or Julie on 539072.

A Spicy Start to Avebury & District W.I. Our President welcomed members to our February meeting but with sad reflections on the loss of loved ones for both Our first meeting of 2015 was very well attended and we current and ex members in recent weeks. Another new member were pleased to welcome two new members, Kyra and Annie. Pascal Stacey was welcomed bringing our membership to 33. January and February are the two months in which afternoon The speaker Mr Bob Browning gave a gentle explanation of meetings are held at 2pm in the Avebury Social Centre. the intricate meaning of the carving of welsh love spoons, The talk on Thursday the 8 th of January was by Bridget which were originally offered as love tokens to a girl as a Partridge on the history and use of spices in cooking. The prelude to courtship. The first spoon recorded dated to 1667 interest for spices in cooking was believed to have come to and the carvings on them might indicate: how many children through Eleanor of Aquitaine when she went with her her admirer wished to have, that she held the key to his heart, husband Henry the Second to the Crusades. The spices were she would be well housed and/or well fed or that he would transported along the old silk route by the Arabs who supplied work hard for her and their future, or possibly all the above! We the Jews who, in turn, then sold and distributed these precious were also shown wonderful walking sticks and carved scenes in ingredients. In later decades the East and West Indies became a variety of different types of wood. Mrs Helen Vickers gave the major suppliers. Raw ginger root was on occasion stuck up the vote of thanks. a horse s backside when the animal appeared to be flagging and Members were reminded of the very many trips and events was the origin of the term horsey gee up (or ginger up)! and activities that were on offer from both National and local Our next meeting is on Thursday the 12 th of February at 2pm federation from a Japanese day, writing and poem competitions, when Bob Browning will be talking about Welsh Love Spoons. an archery and shooting day and an evening with Virginia The competition is a decorative wooden spoon and a bowl of Ironside! Dates for the diary included the county celebration of the flowering bulbs. The March meeting is a wine -tasting and we th are encouraging members to bring a guest to this fun evening. centenary of the WI on the 25 March in Swindon for which a There will be a charge of £2.50 per member (£3.50 for guests), banner of laminated photographs had been compiled by our President and Muriel and Ron Dobson, and was displayed to refreshments included. th The Federation Centenary Celebration takes place members. The 12 March will be a wine tasting when members on the 25 th of March at the Supermarine, Swindon - with are encouraged to bring a possible new recruit as a guest – charges will be made of £2.50p for members and £3.50p for workshops, fashion shows etc.. Bring a posh picnic and you th will be given a slice of Celebration cake and a glass of fizz. So guests to cover costs but will include refreshments! The 28 remember to sign up at the February meeting or contact a March is the date of the village Spring Fayre and members were member of the Committee if you are interested in attending or asked to bake cakes, scones, meringues, flapjacks and preserves want more information. Our Avebury Banner will be on to help boost our funds and to come along to support the other display! organizations taking part, hopefully along with other village Mary Beale residents and visitors. Judith Farthing

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 4 Avebury Shop Avebury in Old Shop Phone Number: 01672 539200 Shop Opening Hours: Photographs Monday - Fridays 9am - 5pm Saturdays & Sundays 10.30 -4,30 Can you help? New Relief Manager We had some very good applicants for our relief manager position and we were in the Forward Publications is compiling a fortunate position to have difficulty deciding who to appoint. In the end we are book of pre -war photographs of delighted to say that Holly has accepted the post of relief manager and will be starting in Avebury and wondered if you had any March. Price Comparison hidden gems that you wouldn’t mind I have done another price comparison with other supermarkets on some basic products. contributing. I am glad to say that we are cheaper on a range of products with a saving on the basket I am particularly looking for, street of goods of between £1.83 and £1.39. scenes; farming and other industries; buildings that are now demolished; the Avebury Waitrose Sainsbury Tesco Difference stones, before and during Keiller’s excavations; people, including group Milk 1 pint 48p 49p 49p 49p 1p photos of school classes and days out etc. Large free range £1.20 £1.99 £1.65 £1.30 10p -79p I know that these memories are eggs – 6 precious so every care will be taken, and any photos lent will be scanned and Baking potatoes 87p £1.00 £1.00 £1.10 13p -23p returned within a few days. loose If you have anything that may be of Per Kg interest please contact Fairy Liquid 433ml £1.29 £1.31 £1.50 £1.50 2p -21p Original Esther - 01672 539 512

Ribena 600ml £1.69 £1.99 £2.00 £1.99 30p -31p Avebury Spring Jaffa cakes – 12 £1.00 £1.29 £1.00 £1.29 29p Fayre

Tetley tea – 80 bags £2.00 £2.29 £2.30 £2.25 25p -30p & Table-Top Sale Total Basket £8.53 £10.36 £9.94 £9.92 at the Social

Volunteering Opportunities We also have vacancies for volunteers in the shop. We would welcome enquiries from Centre anyone who would like to help as a volunteer shop assistant or as volunteer bakers or Saturday March 28 th gardeners. This is a great opportunity to gain work experience and several of our volunteers have gone on to gain permanent jobs. Please contact Lyn or Lynda in the 2015 shop for details. Full training will be given. Doors open at Trussell Trust Food Bank Please continue to donate to this vital cause – the box will remain in the shop. At this 1.30 pm time of year there is an upsurge in need so please do all you can to support this charity. Home Deliveries Preserves, Cakes, Plants, We offer a home delivery service for anyone who is unable to get to the Nearly new items & other shop for age or health reasons. We deliver to Avebury, Avebury goodies Trusloe, Beckhampton, West and East Kennet, Winterbourne Monkton Plus and Berwick Bassett. If you would like to have a home delivery please Raffle (Draw at 2.30pm telephone the shop on 01672 539200 and ask for Lyn or Lynda.

Michele Lomas Entrance 50p Under 14’s Free Chair of Avebury Community Shop (includes a cup of tea & biscuit)

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RIDGE HOUSE Woods for the Trees House & Family Histories Research BED & BREAKFAST by Stephanie Woods FYFIELD (based in Royal Wootton Bassett) Tel: 01793 633725 Contact: Virginia Hemery E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1672 861527 Web: www.woods4thetrees.co.uk Email: [email protected] Website: www.ridgehouse.info

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 6 Avebury Sports & Social Club Avebury Parish Council News & Events. Coming events – Please see our What’s On notice for greater Headlines from the December and February meetings of the details, events will include a slightly different darts competition Parish Council played on the Yorkshire board – that is one without trebles, a Paul Dixon : All members of the Parish Council were deeply skittles for cash night, our Easter draw two Tuesday night Easter saddened at the death of our colleague, Paul Dixon, since he bingo’s with seasonal prized to be won, and our AGM when you attended our last meeting in December. We greatly miss his can here reports on our past year and hopes for the future. As valuable advice, his commitment to others, and his sense of fun. usual our Sunday bingo continues with good fun and good cash Planning applications : We decided, in the absence of Mike prizes to be enjoyed. Daniel, to support an application for a change of use at Dorwyn, Swindon Road to a Bed and Breakfast. We also decided not to Sports – Our sports and games participation continues to go well object to works to trees in the south -east and north -east quadrants with the Pool team that plays on Wednesday nights in the Pewsey of the Henge, and at West Kennett Farm, The Lodge in the High league, the two darts teams that play on Thursday nights and the Street, the south drive of Avebury Manor and Vine Cottage in South Street, Trusloe. darts and skittles teams that play on Friday nights. Again please Flood Group: Since the Butlers’ significant dredging work on see the website or Club notice board for fixtures and come along the Kennet last summer, has now jetted out the to these enjoyable and social nights. culvert at end of the High Street and done further dredging of the ditches in the meadows below Big Arch Bridge. Wiltshire has Memberships – For current members this became due for also cleared all silt from under the bridge at Beckhampton Lane. renewal on 1 st January. New members are always welcome and Maggie Lewis has arranged for the Parish Council to take delivery we are still able to offer complimentary Club diaries, but the of a supply of GelSacs; they expand on contact with water and act quantities are limited and on a first -come, first -served basis so like sandbags. Maggie (539 607) would like to hear from anyone please hurry. that would like a small supply of them for neighbours in their part of the Parish.

Salt/grit: There are now extra bags of salt/grit for use on public Avebury Club is available to hire, contact Alan – Secretary footpaths and roads in icy weather. They are in Vic Paradise’s on 07860 112455 or 01672 539349 or Avebury Club (when shed at Ashcroft at the end of the High Street. open) on 01672 539258 or visit the website to check Consultation on draft WHS Management Plan: We agreed that availability. www.Avebury -Club.co.uk the draft Plan contains much valuable material, including a number of provisions to promote and protect the interests of the community. We agreed however that more emphasis needs to be given to community issues and have formally requested 10 NEWS FROM THE TOWER improvements. Ringing Times: 1 st , 15 th & 22 nd March 9.30am to 10.00am. th Public meeting on 19 March: World Heritage Site Transport 8 March 10.00am to 10.30am. Strategy: Work on the WHS Transport Strategy is now Practice Nights: Tuesdays 7.30 to 9.00 pm. complete and we have invited Sarah Simmonds (WHS Officer) and Laura Gosling of Wiltshire Highways to present it at a It was with great sadness that we heard of the sudden, untimely meeting at 6.30pm on Thursday 19 March at the Social Centre. death of Chad Pearson. At one time Chad and his sister Duana Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be a copy of the Plan both rang the bells at Avebury so it was fitting that the bells were in the Community Shop and on the Parish Council’s website. rung, as a tribute to him, following the service of celebration for Works on the Devizes Road : The first few hundred metres of the A361 from Beckhampton roundabout towards Devizes have been his life. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Chad’s family and resurfaced. We hope this will reduce the number of cars that friends. frequently leave the road at this point, especially as a new We are grateful to those who come from outside of Avebury, replacement bus shelter has also just been installed. for keeping the bells ringing in recent months when illness, work High Speed Broadband : Fibre optic cable had been installed and holidays left us very short of ringers. from the Avenue by the Avebury Club to a manhole near the Red The Branch meeting will be at Avebury on Saturday, 14 th Lion and also to the Trusloe turning. It is not clear whether these March, 2015. Ringing will start at 3pm and the service at cables are connected up at each end yet but, once they are, the 4.30pm; there will be a ‘bring and share’ tea in the Social Centre system should go live after a commissioning/testing period of at 5pm followed by evening ringing. about six weeks. Changes to Connect2 Wiltshire bus services : The new timetable for the Kennet Valley and Calne Areas has been published and is Mary Davidge Tel: 01672 513819 on the Parish Council’s web -site. Belfry Correspondent. Parish Precept: The Parish Council’s income comes largely from the ‘precept’, which is collected as part of the Council Tax. We decided at our December meeting to set it at £10,900 for 2015/16, the same level as at present.

Membership: The Parish Council will be co -opting a new member following Paul Dixon’s death. Please contact Liz Moore if you are interested; we are particularly keen to make sure that Rawlins Park is represented.

Parish Clerk: Liz Moore (861424) and [email protected]

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 7 Marlborough and District Embroiderers Guild NEW Spring Study Course Our speaker this month was Susi Bancroft from Brunel Broderers. She started her talk by The Life & Times of Mr Bayly & his friends explaining Brunel Broderers were celebrating th their 25 th anniversary this year. In 1990 at the In the 17 Century end of a City & Guilds course nine students decided to get together to organise exhibitions and raise the profile of textile work. The group meet once a month and is limited to around 12 members who are drawn from the South West with the aim of creating a diverse range of work and giving each other constructive criticism. Susi continued by showing a selection of each member’s work. The next meeting of the Guild will be held at the Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge on Monday 2

March when the speaker will be Linda Monk and The Course comprises half days on themed subjects, by celebrated lecturers her talk will be entitled “Creating Surfaces”. The (10am – 12.30) at the Merchant’s House (incl coffee and pastries) doors will open at 13.30 and the meeting will Wed Mar 4 - Architecture – Inigo Jones: Followers & start at 14.00. All are welcome and if you Contemporary Vernacular Houses with Christopher Rogers require further details please contact 01249 Wed Mar 18 - Art – The English & Continental Influence 750865 or visit our website: with David Evans Thurs Apr 2 - Politics of the Commonwealth & Restoration http://www.marlboroughembroiderers.org with Michael Hart Wed May 6 - Visit Wilton House (guided tour – own transport) Tickets: £15 or £12 (MH Friends only) per session - 10% discount if all three booked Visit: £15 pp (own transport)

from The Merchant’s House, 132 High Street, Marlborough 01672 511491 [email protected] Friday March 27th at in aid of The Merchant’s House Appeal Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge Criminal Damage reported in Fyfield Do you know what your children are doing Supported by during the holidays? The police have been TESCO informed by the owners of Riverdale Farm in Marlborough Lower Fyfield that children have been using the barn there as a play area causing damage to hay Lots of Easter Eggs and bales stacked there and left dangerous litter chocolate prizes to be won around the area. There is also farm equipment Large Raffle stored there that could cause injury to those Bring the whole family and enjoy a playing in the barn. good evening out—win or lose The barn is signed as a dangerous area and so please respect this and KEEP OUT. The owners do not want to have to report further Doors Open 6.30 p.m incidents of criminal damage to the police. Tickets on sale 7.00 p.m Please ensure that your children get this Eyes Down 7.30 p.m message. Many thanks. Every child goes home with an egg Anne Dykes. courtesy of Tesco Marlborough

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 8 Kennet Valley 60+ Fyfield and West Overton Parish After two lovely days our February meeting was met with some atrocious weather but as usual our Council members stepped up to the plate and there was a Parish Clerk Sophie Roberts 01672 861262 [email protected] very good turn out, especially from our speaker www.fwoparish.org.uk for the day, our own Enid Burnett who braved the 1. Lockeridge Bridge closure. There have been problems with signage, wind and rain to attend. redirection and damage to verges especially in , West Overton and Lockeridge. The Parish Council has been in constant contact with Wiltshire Highways It was good to see Derek back on the top table, and in particular Julian Haines, who is in charge of the bridge rebuilding, when we we hope he continues to improve. Kay opened the have had complaints about things that have gone wrong. Slowly things have got meeting and asked for suggestions for the summer sorted out, but unfortunately we seem to be unable to do anything about large vehicles outings, subs for the year were due and also the using inappropriate country roads. I would like to encourage people to drive slowly balance to be paid for the holiday in Llandudno. and with more care. Drivers need to respect other road users and be aware of the lack of passing places, especially when it involves school buses and large lorries. The work Enid delivered an extremely interesting talk seems to be going well and it is hoped that it will be concluded before the April about her time in Rhodesia, as it was known then, deadline.. it was much enjoyed by everyone. Having been a 2. Planning Issues. Each month sees a number of planning issues, on which nurse in the UK she continued this profession in the PC are asked to make comments. This month there were two applications for tree Rhodesia until she became a farmer's wife. They work in the Lockeridge Conservation Area, two for building work in West Overton, farmed tobacco, maize and cattle, during this time one of which was a listed building. Remember you can write or e -mail Wiltshire she administered health care to the African Planning Department when they have concerns about any Planning Application. Your families who worked on the farms they were comments will be taken into account when Wiltshire Council meet and make their involved with. She had four children whilst she decisions. was in Rhodesia and returned to the UK with them 3. New Councillor. We hope to welcome a new Lockeridge Parish Councillor in 1973. next month. We are still short of two members for West Overton and one for Fyfield. Why not get involved in your local community call Sophie and find out what you Tea, biscuits and the raffle followed, many need to do? thanks to all those who help out with these 4. West Woods. We continue to be concerned at the damage done by large activities. logging lorries in our beautiful local amenity. We fear for the bluebells this year, The next meeting is on March 19th when the especially as the work in the woods is coinciding with their initial growth. speaker will be Jennifer Brisker talking about 5. Traffic Calming in Lockeridge. Save The Children. With the help of funds from CATG and the Parish Council we have purchased 3 lovely wooden planters which will be filled with plants and strategically positioned carefully as a form of traffic calming in the village. There will be local consultation about positioning, and hopefully we will also be able to reposition them regularly. We need someone to adopt each planter and keep it looking good through the seasons. Get in touch with Sophie or Judith to find out more. 6. West Overton Telephone Box. This is now owned by the Parish Council. A number of people have given the PC ideas about how they want to use it. We need a volunteer who lives in West Overton to take over the responsibility of keeping it clean, attractive and well aired. We know from other villages who already adopted the iconic red boxes that they get damp in the winter and need to be regularly checked, especially if they have books and papers inside. Let Sophie know if you are interested in caring for our little bit of history. 7. Youth Event. 25 th February saw a meeting led by Jan Bowra at the Kennet Valley Hall about creating positive activities for the young people of our area. We KENNET VALLEY CRICKET CLUB have been in touch with the parents of teenagers and hope that was a good turn out to GROUNDSMAN WANTED discuss this important matter. to prepare wicket this coming season at 8. Brushwood Collecting. Permits to do this are available from the Forestry Kennet Valley Hall. Commission call 030006774800 or email [email protected] for an Approx 4 hours a week on average from mid - application form. Next month we will include a much more detailed article about March to end September brush wood collection. Equipment and training provided. Rates by The Next Parish Council Meeting is at the Kennet Valley Hall on negotiation. 23rd March 2015 at 7pm If you would like to help please ring Huw Roberts on 01672 861475. Details will be on the Parish Notice Board of your Village Judith Woodget Communications

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www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 10 children in so many ways. Buddy Bench Kennet Valley School Years 1 -5 The School Council [representatives from Whilst the year six children were away, the each class] have decided they would like a At the start of February we held a very special rest of the school had a special themed week. buddy bench for the playground. This will be school assembly with Governors and visitors to They looked at ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by used by children to go to when they don’t celebrate Mrs Williams twenty six years Lewis Carroll. The teachers planned a range have anyone to play with so that others can continuous service to the school. What an of fun activities including maths games, invite them to join in with their games at amazing achievement! Her commitment to the creative writing, cooking & baking as well as playtime. The School Council organised a children of Kennet Valley School has been creating a whole school event featuring all biscuit sale this month to raise funds to pay outstanding and over more recent years she has the main characters. for the paint, to help make this a special helped our year 6 children prepare for the Our year four children are now beginning to feature for the children to use. transition to St. Johns. We all joined together to prepare for their residential trip to New Barn We are also looking forward to using our say a massive thank you to Mrs Williams for in Dorset next month. storytelling bench in the back garden area all she has provided to pupils in the past and After School Clubs more now that spring is on the way. This was continues to offers our current pupils. I am sure Our school choir and orchestra continue to most beautifully carved by Mr Ray Wirick many of you reading this know Mrs Williams rehearse after school with Mrs Osborne and from East Kennet a few years ago, and recognise her special talent for teaching. Mrs Till -Vattier and we look forward to incorporating design ideas from a She was presented with a gift by our current hearing some new pieces from them this consultation session with the children. It is governors. The year 6 children served tea, term…some “Frozen” songs have been heard used as a quiet area for reading, storytelling coffee and cake after the assembly which at choir and in the playground! and writing both individually and in groups. helped to make it a really lovely celebration! We have been delighted to have Avebury This bench has helped to create a different football club running a club after school! learning opportunity for the children and we Closure of Lockeridge Bridge Thankyou to all involved with this venture. are keen to continue to develop more out - A huge thankyou to everyone who has Our year six children are invited to our door learning at school. worked with us during the closure of the biscuit club to help boost their learning in Coming up in March! bridge to ensure the bus has been able to turn literacy and numeracy which will be As always there is a lot to look forward to around at the beginning and end of the day. I continuing this term. with curricular and non -curricular activities am sure we are all busy counting down the Dragon Club (after school care) at school including… weeks to the return of normality! In addition to other specialist after -school Literacy week which includes celebrating Sport clubs, our regular Dragon club continues to world book day and inviting the children to The year 5 & 6 children took part in a cluster be a very successful part of our school, with come to school dressed up as their favourite Swimming Gala at the start of February and the children enjoying an amazing range of book character and to also to bring a came a creditable seventh place, showing activities including crafty dragons on a decorated hard -boiled egg looking like a fantastic teamwork and support of each other Tuesday and sporty dragons on a Thursday. book character! There will be a bedtime story achievements. They continue to receive In Dragon Club, the children across all year evening event where children will come back coaching for the Tag rugby festival in March. groups play together in activities, with the to school in their pyjamas with a teddy for The school will also be sending a dance team older children always keen to help the stories! to the Marlborough Cluster Dance Festival younger ones! They also run special end of We are delighted and impressed that this on Saturday 14th March and after school term activity evenings, such as Dragon Bingo year a record number of our children will be practices are in full swing for this! and film nights. If you have a talent which taking part in the Swindon Music Festival, Year Six Residential Trip away you think Dragons would enjoy please speak playing a variety of solo pieces on their In the last week of term on a cold Monday to Ruth Marsh our Dragon club leader. instruments. morning, the minibus was packed with 13 Success outside school Bikability - safe cycling training will be children, 2 adults and very little luggage to Congratulations to all the children and staff provided for children age 10 and over this set off on the annual trip to Kingswood who took part in the Kennet Valley term. Activity Centre on the Isle of Wight. The Pantomime, they are an amazingly talented children spent the week learning how to work bunch! Oh yes they are! Finally, with Easter just around the corner, as an effective team, facing some of their Marlborough Prospect Appeal. we’ll be remembering, learning and celebrating fears and taking on new challenges. They The Marlborough cluster of schools raised an what Easter is all about with the children and undertook a fantastic range of activities amazing £3,327 on Friday 9th January, and Maria our vicar. including the Leap of Faith, team challenge, Prospect have agreed to match fund this Mrs Karen Venner, Headteacher abseiling, climbing, rock pooling on the amount for the Savernake Appeal. beach, aeroball, go -carting and the children’s Don’t forget we are also asking the children favourite… the 3G swing. Mrs Venner and to collect 1p, 2p & 5p to create a ‘Mile of Miss Chalker were both very brave and had a Pennies’ around the school on Wednesday go on the 3G swing as well descending the 18th March, so if you have any spare coins abseiling wall! We were very lucky with the that you would like to donate then please feel weather and it only rained for the last hour of free to leave them with the school office. The activities on the last day but the rest of the children will be completing practical maths week we remained dry. It was great fun and puzzles and challenges based around ‘The an excellent learning opportunity for the Mile’ during that week.

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 11 Tesco Marlborough to support ANOTHER Kennet Valley Hall Function

After their very generous support of the Christmas Bingo event last December, Tesco Marlborough have surpassed their previous generosity and will be supplying ALL the Easter Egg prizes at this year`s Easter Bingo on March 27 th . In addition they will be providing even more eggs so that every child attending will at least go home with one Easter egg prize. The Hall Committee would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Nick Helps the Marlborough Manager for this most generous gesture.

Brian Rayment – Hall Chairman

White Horse Opera's Spring Concert White Horse Opera's Spring Concert this year will be Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle which, as Napoleon III is said to have pointed out, is neither little or solemn! It is however very beautiful and not to be missed. St John's Church Devizes 7.30pm on Saturday 18th April Directed by WHO's MD Roland Melia. Solists Barbara Gompels, Paula Boyagis, Sebastiano Cipolla and Niall Hoskin Tickets £10 are now on sale at Devizes Books and online at whitehorseopera.ticketsource.co.uk Learn how to make & upholster a modern footstool

Kennet Valley Village Hall, Overton Road, Lockeridge, Marlborough, SN8 4EL

£110 includes lunch and all materials. Come away with your very own footstool, made from scratch. Just bring the top fabric of your choice (0.5metre)

Due to a printing error the contact details for this advert were omitted by mistake in last month's magazine, therefore the March class has been cancelled, however to register your interest in future class dates please contact Jessica Aldridge on jessica [email protected] or 01672 861214 / 07920 463672'

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 12 Babies, Bumps and Toddlers M J Sly Avebury Social Centre. High Street

Avebury Monumental Sculptor (Opposite The Church) Wednesday 10:00 am – 12:00 noon New Memorials and Restorations Term Time Only All types of memorials Friendly Group for parents and Carers Handcrafted to a high standard in our own workshops at Pelham Court, London Road Includes healthy snack and craft for Marlborough the Children **FREE Quotes Given** Coffee, Tea and Chat for the Adults

Only £3.50 per session Telephone: (01672) 516797 All Welcome [email protected] For a free memorial brochure ‘Pebbles Play Group Avebury’ Charity No. 299677

Est. 1991 D. W. Oliver Tree Services Ltd B.Sc.A.I.W.Sc. TREE PRUNING LANDSCAPING WOODCHIPPING TREE FELLING FORESTRY CONTRACTING FENCING Tel 01672 861310 Mobile 07976 644706 FOR A FREE QUOTE ON CALL DAY & NIGHT £5M INSURANCE 01672 512444 OR 810727 Tree Surgery works carried out by qualified staff WAGON YARD LONDON ROAD E-mail: [email protected] MARLBOROUGH WILTSHIRE Web: www.dwoliver.com SN8 1LH www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 13 Easter Revision courses:

GCSE and A Level Sciences

TH TH

MARCH 28 - APRIL 11

e-mail for further information and a timetable, and to book courses or individual tuition: [email protected]

phone 01672 539 446 for all enquiries. (please leave your

name and details if you would like us to contact you)

Highly qualified, experienced and empathic teachers; Small groups: (max 3 learners). Individual tuition also available

Sessions are two hours; content is suitable for all exam boards and will focus on revision and exam skills, in areas of each syllabus that typically present difficulties for learners. There will also be opportunities for support with individual queries. The sessions will promote active learning and we aim for students to leave with a revision plan and strategies tailored to meet their learning style. Cost: £25.00 per session.

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 14 What’s On At AVEBURY SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Wednesday Night Pool League Thursday Nights Darts League Friday Nights Darts & Skittles League

Unless stated all activities start at approximately 8.15 pm Saturday 7 th – Yorkshire Board Darts – MEMBERS ONLY Saturday 14 th – Skittles for Cash Saturday 21 st – Club AGM – prompt 8.30pm start Tuesday 24 th – Easter Prize Bingo Saturday 28 th – Easter Draw Tuesday 31 st – Easter Prize Bingo

Sunday 1 st , 8 th , 15 th , 22 nd & 29 th - Eyes down 8.00pm - ££ Cash prizes NEW IDEAS AND MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

Avebury Club is available to hire, contact Alan – Secretary on 07860 112455 or call Avebury Club (when open) on 01672 539258 or visit Avebury Club website to check availability. www.avebury -club.co.uk ALL ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS ARE TO BE AGREED AND FINALISED WITH THE CLUB’S SECRETARY ONLY .

WHO’S WHO in the Upper Kennet Churches RECTOR - REV’D MARIA SHEPHERDSON 01672 539643 The Rectory, 27 High Street, Avebury, SN8 1RF email [email protected] If you require a priest in an emergency and are unable to contact Rev’d Maria please telephone one of the churchwardens.

LAY PASTORAL ASSISTANTS Mrs Claire Stiles 01793 731620 c.j.stiles@hotmail. co.uk Mr Graham Kitchen 01672 861349 [email protected]>

BENEFICE OFFICE: Ray Manley, Anne Robinson (Mon -Thurs, 10am -1pm) Address: The Garden Room, 62 Lockeridge, SN8 4EL 01672 861786 e-mail: [email protected]

CHURCHWARDENS AVEBURY Mr David Davidge 01672 513819 [email protected] Mrs Maureen Dixon 01672 539690 [email protected] EAST KENNETT Mr Graham Kitchen 01672 861349 [email protected] Mrs Jo Snape 01672 861267 [email protected] WEST OVERTON Mrs Susan Rogers 01672 861374 [email protected] FYFIELD Ms Vicky Evans 01672 861622 [email protected] WINTERBOURNE MONKTON Ms Penny Gold 01672 539158 [email protected] WINTERBOURNE BASSETT Mr Martin Knight 01793 731764 [email protected] Mr Peter Barry 01793 731589 [email protected] BROAD HINTON Mrs Jenni Moseling 01793 731629 [email protected] Miss Sally Cartwright 01793 731050 [email protected]

Benefice Council Lay Chairman Mr Mark Wightman 01793 731452 [email protected]

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL SECRETARIES AVEBURY Mr David Davidge 01672 513819 [email protected] EAST KENNETT, FYFIELD & WEST OVERTON Vacant [email protected] WINTERBOURNE MONKTON Mr Bill Buxton 01672 539199 [email protected] WINTERBOURNE BASSETT Mrs Clare Knight 01793 731764 [email protected] BROAD HINTON Mr Adrian Overson 01793 731064 [email protected]

MAGAZINES Final copy date 3 rd Friday each month unless otherwise notified.

UPPER KENNET NEWS in Fyfield, West Overton, East & West Kennett, Beckhampton, Avebury Trusloe, Avebury, Winterbourne Monkton & Berwick Bassett: Editor David Throup , Longmynd, Lockeridge SN8 4ED 01672 861279 [email protected] Please send all copy including advertising and payment to David Throup. Cheques payable to “Upper Kennet News” Final copy deadline is the 3rd Friday of each month.

LOCAL NEWS in Uffcott, Broad Hinton & Winterbourne Bassett: Editor Tim Powell 01793 739083 [email protected] Final copy date 20th of each month.

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 15 Kennet Valley Film Nights MARLBOROUGH SPRING FAIR Winter Season 2015 Come and celebrate Spring and Summer! On Saturday 28 th March the Norwood Hall at Marlborough THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO College will become an exciting marketplace with over 60 JUMPED OUT OF THE WINDOW (15) exhibitors selling superb plants, wonderful accessories and Sunday, 8th March 2015 decorative items for the home, beautiful silk flowers, Allan is preparing for his 100th birthday celebration summer foods and drink, colourful Kenyan baskets, but escapes from his old people’s home at the last stunning clothing, children’s clothing with high UV moment. He quickly gets involved in adventure, sought by both police and criminals. During this protection for the summer to come...and much more. Don't escapade, we discover Allan's remarkable life story in miss it! See the list of exhibitors on flashback. The shambling old Swede turns out to have www.marlboroughcancerresearch.org Delicious been a psychiatric inmate, mine demolition expert, homemade refreshments available all day. Spanish Civil War hero, rocket scientist and spy. At Open from 10am to 4pm, with an entry fee of £5.00, and various points, he was a saviour to Franco, Truman and Stalin. The film adaptation of the hugely free car parking available at the College, the Spring Fair is successful novel. A mix of high comedy and serious a fund -raising event for Cancer Research UK. For further themes. details contact Anne on 07887 924539 or Email: THE IMITATION GAME (12A) [email protected] . An event not to be Sunday 12th April 2015 missed! Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail -biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code - breakers at Britain's top -secret centre at Bletchley Advertisers Index Park during the darkest days of World War II. Benedict Cumberbatch is already being talked of for Company Telephone 2015’s Best Actor Oscar for his performance. Excellent script and a superb ensemble of actors. Armishaws Removals 01963 34065 Ausn Heang 01793 536871 Doors open at 7.00 and there is a licensed bar and soft Avebury Club 01672 539258 drinks. The films start at 7.30. Brian Was 01672 861438 To reserve tickets phone Carpet Clean 01672 871414 Carolyn Stimpson on 01672 861373 Chalky's Workshop 01672 861123 David Oliver Tree Services 01672 861310 Diane MacKinder 01672 512444 Earthwise Garden Design 01672 861462 F Dewey 01672 563440 Ge Landscaping 01672 861392 Home Inspiraons 01380 728644 Jill Sudbury. Reflexology and Reiki Counselling 01672 513583 Judith Woodget Garded Design 01672 861314 K A Callaway. Woodstoves and chimneys 01672 870619 Loney—Electrical Service Ltd 01672 514696 Mack’s Handyman Services 07788 255969 M J Sly. Monumental Mason 01672 516797 Ovenclean 01672 556404 Overdrive driving tuion 01672 861613 Pebbles Playgroup Avebury Social Centre Ridge House B&B 01672 861527 Ross Edwards 01672 514020 S White 01672 515415 Time Restored 01672 563544 Woods for the Trees 01793 633725 W.S. Swi 01380 726284

www.upperkennetnews.co.uk 16