SPOTLIGHT Seend & Bulkington

Dec 2009/Jan 2010 DIARY DATES FOR LATE NOVEMBER 26th Annual Meeting of Seend Community Centre, 7.30pm 27th Seend School Christmas Fayre, 6pm 27th Ladies’ Pamper Night at Keevil School, 6.30pm 28th WI Good as New Sale, from 10am in the Pavilion 28th Battle of the Bands, Seend Community Centre, 8pm 28th Craft Fayre at Cleeve House, 10am-4pm

DIARY DATES FOR DECEMBER 1st First Steps service 2nd Shuttle Christmas Shopping trip - phone Terry on 828203 by 30th Nov to book 2nd Bulkington Lunch Club at the Well 2nd Quiz Night, Pavilion 6.30 for 7pm start 4th Beetle Drive, Bulkington Village Hall, 7pm 5th Table top steam railway, Bulkington Village Hall, 11.30am to 4.30am 5th Snowball at Trowbridge Civic Hall in aid of Keevil School 6th Ramblers meet 9.30am Rusty Lane 7th Mobile Library - 9.35 am The Lye; 10am telephone box, Seend Cleeve; 10.55am Tipsy Toad car park, Bulkington 12th Due Voci Christmas Concert, Seend Community Centre, 8pm 12th Christmas Concert, Bulkington, 7.30pm 15th Carols by the fire, Cleeve House, 7pm 16th Christmas Nosh and Natter, 12 for 12.30 Seend Community Centre 19th Christmas Bingo, 7.30pm Seend Community Centre 20th Carol Service, Holy Cross 21st Mobile Library - 9.35 am The Lye; 10am telephone box, Seend Cleeve; 10.55am Tipsy Toad car park, Bulkington 22nd Carol Service, Bulkington

DIARY DATES FOR JANUARY 1st New Year’s Day Walk, 11am Rusty Lane 4th Mobile Library - 9.35 am The Lye; 10am telephone box, Seend Cleeve; 10.55am Tipsy Toad car park, Bulkington 5th First Steps service 6th Shuttle Shopping Trip - phone Terry on 828203 by 4th to book 16th DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY SPOTLIGHT 16th Quiz Night, 7.45pm Seend Community Centre 18th Mobile Library - 9.35 am The Lye; 10am telephone box, Seend Cleeve; 10.55am Tipsy Toad car park, Bulkington 20th MU AGM 23rd Burns Night Supper, 7.30pm Community Centre 24th Ramblers meet 9.30am Rusty Lane 27th Nosh and Natter, 12 for 12.30pm, Seend Community Centre

Newcomer to Seend? Call in at the shop/PO and ask for your copy of the Welcome booklet, which tells you all you need to know about the village. And visit www.seend.org.uk for village history, Shuttle timetables, What’s On, useful links and back numbers of Spotlight and Happenings! 1 Welcome to the Dec 09/Jan 10 issue

Firstly, we’re sure all churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike will want to extend a warm welcome to the Rev Renée Coulson who is now in post to serve Seend, Bulkington and Poulshot.

Secondly, there has been a request from some Bulkington readers that all Bulkington news should be in its own section - as it used to be some time ago. We’ve tried that in this issue and any feedback will be welcome.

As you would expect, there are plenty of things happening in our villages over the Christmas and New Year period, details of which are inside this magazine..Due to one of those unfortunate quirks of fate that sometimes happen, we have two Christmas Concerts on the same night - December 12th - one in Seend and one in Bulkington. Please try to support one or the other! There is Christmas Bingo on 19th in the Community Centre, and a Christmas Nosh and Natter lunch club on 16th (book in advance please). Bulkington Lunch Club’s Christmas gathering is at the reopened Well on 2nd December. There are a couple of events for railway enthusiasts in Bulkington on December 5th and 26th. You can tax your brain with quizzes on 2nd December and 16th January, and join in a Beetle Drive on 4th December..

You can sing carols by the fire at Cleeve House on 15th December, and join in the Carol Service at Holy Cross on 20th (contact Phil Springate on 828294 if you want to sing or play at the Service). Start 2010 with the New Year’s Day Walk of some 3 miles or so - followed by refreshment in the Community Centre. And dig out the tartan gear for a Burns Night Supper on 23rd January.

Whatever you do or don’t do, the editorial team of Spotlight wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. And if your New Year resolutions include becoming a volunteer, there are lots of village organisations just waiting to hear from you!

The Spotlight Contacts Contributions for the February issue (copy deadline 16th January) can be e- mailed to [email protected] or delivered to Seend Post Office or, for Bulkington contributions, to Jo Bell at 1 Northfields, Bulkington (e-mail to [email protected]). Comments and queries to Joanna Goddard on 828488, Tessa Doe on 828617 or Tina Yockney on 827139.

Emails disappearing into the ether: All too often, an email to Spotlight goes astray for no obvious reason. If email correspondents don’t receive an acknowledgement by the end of the Monday after the Spotlight deadline, please ring Tessa on 828617 to check if all is well. And please read the following:

N.B. Would those sending emails to [email protected] please include the word SPOTLIGHT in uppercase as the first word of the Subject. This will help the editorial team sifting through all the messages stopped by the SPAM filter, which quite often include genuine messages for SPOTLIGHT, maybe even your important message! 2

EVENTS IN LATE NOVEMBER

Seend Community Centre Annual Meeting - 7.30 pm Thursday 26th November ‘Battle of the Bands’ - 8pm Saturday 28th November

Seend School Christmas Fayre From 6pm on Friday 27th November in the School Hall

Christmas Craft Fayre at Cleeve House Saturday November 28th 10am - 4pm

EVENTS IN DECEMBER

For details of Great Bulkington Railway and other events in Bulkington, see Bulkington News pages 10-12 3 Christmas Concert Saturday 12th December at 8pm in Seend Community Centre ‘Due Voci’ Barbara Gompels and Paula Boyagis of White Horse Opera (with piano accompaniment) bring us songs from the shows plus a bit of opera, mixed with comedy and seasonal favourites.

Tickets £6 (from Shop/PO and Community Centre) include tea or coffee and mince pies! Bar and raffle.

Christmas Carol-singing by the Fire Cleeve House, Seend

Tues 15th December at 7.00 pm

Everyone is welcome to join in this traditional celebration of Christmas by singing together.

Featuring a beautiful contribution from ‘Potterne Handbells’

The collection this year is for Relate Mid Wiltshire. Amanda Foyster will give a short talk on their valuable work in the community.

The event will be followed by refreshments in the Salisbury room.

Parking and entry are free 01380 827129 - www.cleeve-house.com

Nosh and Natter Christmas Lunch Club in Seend Community Centre 12 for 12.30pm on Wednesday 16th December All ages welcome

Please ring 01380 828540 by 12th December to book as John and Lilian really need to know numbers.

The next Nosh and Natter will be on Wednesday 27th January 4

Christmas Bingo Fun for all the family! in Seend Community Centre 7.30pm Saturday 19th December Free entry; pay per game. Lots of prizes!

and Seend Community Centre Christmas Draw Friday 18th December approx 10pm

EVENTS IN JANUARY

New Year’s Day Walk 11am start in Rusty Lane Soup and other snacks afterwards in Seend Community Centre

Seend Community Centre

NEW YEAR QUIZ

7.45pm on Saturday 16th January

Teams of 4 £2 per head Generous cash prizes! Raffle & refreshments Prize for best team name

Book your table by phoning 01380 828617 All proceeds to the Communty Centre

5 Seend Community Centre Burns Night

Free tot to toast the Haggis Three-course Scottish specialities Scottish entertainment

Saturday 23rd January 2010 7pm for 7.30pm

Tickets £15 Tel: 01380 828756 or 828508

ANNOUNCEMENTS (Please let us know of any births, marriages, deaths, special birthdays, thank-yous etc that you would like to see included here.)

Matt, Sarah and Olivia Hill of Seend Cleeve are proud to announce the birth of their daughter and sister, Poppy Grace Elizabeth Hill. Born on October 18th 2009. A big thank you to all of our visitors and card senders! ______

John A’Bear’s family would like to thank everyone for the cards and comforting words, and thank you for donations and support on the day of the funeral. Also, a big thank you to Pam Muller. ______

A big thank you to ALL who helped at and supported the craft fair last Saturday. Your presence at the various church fund raising events is so much appreciated. We raised in excess of £400. Next one, and final for 2009, is the Quiz night so come along,bring your friends and no doubt I'll be in touch again before long asking for your help and support yet again ! Tina WANTED - THREE WISE MEN!!! This year’s Crib service will take place in the Vicarage garden at 4.00 pm on Christmas Eve. We will need some shepherds and angels – all suitably attired. No lines to learn, just turn up and join in. There will also be carol singing AND REFRESHMENTS! Please do come – we need YOU. Aspiring angels & shepherds especially welcome! 6

CHURCH NEWS GOD WITH (all of) US… Let me start by saying a huge "THANK YOU" for the wonderfully warm welcome you gave me on the 2nd (November) and for all the help that has been given so far in helping me to settle into the Vicarage so quickly (mind, I still have boxes to unpack and tidying to do!). I feel so privileged to be a part of your communities and look forward to working with you for many years to come.

I can hardly believe we're already looking towards the church's season of Advent (the four weeks immediately prior to Christmas Day). The first Sunday of Advent this year falls on 29th November and we're planning a wonderful benefice service of Advent Carols and readings at Holy Cross at 6.00 pm that night. Please do come along if you can - bring your children too. At Advent the altar frontal is changed from green to purple. Why purple? Well, in biblical times that was the colour worn by kings but it is also the colour for penitence - a time of reflection, an opportunity to be sorry for those things "that we have left undone ... which we ought to have done" and those other things that we "have done that we ought not to have done" - to quote the General Confession in the Book of Common Prayer. But in addition to being a time of reflection, Advent is a time of expectation, of waiting for the birth of "the long expected Jesus", of Emmanuel, God with us, which we will celebrate at Christmas, of course. Christians accept that Christ's first coming over 2,000 years ago only makes sense in the light of his promise to come again, and it's that belief that gives rise to this period of anticipation.

The ministry team serving these villages tries very hard to be the presence of God with us - not only on Sundays when we meet together in our village churches, where a warm welcome awaits all who cross its threshold, but also during the week as we try to reach out into the community. There are so many people who beaver away in the background working hard to bring our communities together in many different and enjoyable ways, and making us a caring and sharing people of God. All these things are signs of God's presence with us, here and now.

And my immediate plans for the villages? Well, my first priority is to visit as many of you as possible, to hear about your concerns as well as your joys - to share them with you. I've heard it said so many times in the past that ‘the church’ doesn't care, because ‘the vicar’ hasn't bothered to call! Please be patient - we'll do what we can - but there are far more of you than there of those in your ministry team. So, if you would like a visit, or if you know of others who are sick and housebound, elderly, lonely, or in hospital and who would welcome a visit: then please do let us know.

Now for the boring bit... I think you know that I am officially your part-time priest: certainly Bishop Stephen made that very clear. But my ministry is also my life-blood. My official ‘working days’ will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays (as well as Sundays, of course). I plan to use those days for the most formal part of my ministry - meetings and so on. For the rest of the time - other than Fridays, which will be my regular (though not inflexible) day off to go walking - I'll be here for you. It would be good if we could agree a 9pm cut off point though (except in emergencies, of course). 7

As I walk my dog, Jamie (a soft-coated wheaten terrier) around the villages do please stop me and introduce yourselves (you'll probably need to do it several times until I remember!)

May God bless you richly, and those you love, this Advent, this Christmastide - and indeed the New Year too!

... on the lighter side Having just visited the Fun Station at Bulkington and watched the children busily drawing pictures, I was reminded of this story:

A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around and see each child's artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute." God bless, Renée

CHURCH SERVICES IN DECEMBER 2009 & JANUARY 2010

Sunday 6th December 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Family Communion Bulkington 11.15am Parish Communion Seend

6.00pm Evensong Poulshot

Sunday 13th December 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Matins Poulshot 11.15am Parish Communion Seend 6.00pm Evensong Bulkington

Sunday 20th December 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Parish Communion Bulkington 11.15am Parish Communion Poulshot

6.00pm Carol service Seend Tuesday 22nd December

7.00pm Carol service Bulkington

Thursday 24th December 2.00pm Crib service Bulkington 4.00pm Crib service Seend 6.00pm Carol service Poulshot

11.30pm Midnight Mass Seend

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Friday 25th December 9.30am Family Communion Poulshot 10.00am Parish Communion Bulkington

11.15am Family Communion Seend

Sunday 27th December

10.00am Benefice Communion Bulkington

Sunday 3rd January 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Family Communion Bulkington 11.15am Parish Communion Seend

6.00pm Evensong Poulshot

Sunday 10th January 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Matins Poulshot 11.15am Parish Communion Seend 6.00pm Evensong Bulkington

Sunday 17th January 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Parish Communion Bulkington 11.15am Parish Communion Seend

6.00pm Parish Communion Poulshot

Sunday 24th January 8.00am Holy Communion Seend 9.30am Family Communion Poulshot 11.15am Family Communion Seend

6.00pm Songs of Praise Evensong Bulkington

Sunday 31st January 10.00am Benefice Communion Poulshot 4.00pm Benefice Christingle Seend

Everyone welcome to all services.

CAROL SERVICE 6pm 20th December in Seend Holy Cross Church - contact Phil Springate on 828294 if you want to sing or play.

Rehearsals are 27th November, 4th, 11th, 18th and 20th December.

After a gap of a few years the CHRISTINGLE is returning - but not until the end of January! This will give us something to look forward to when the excitement of Christmas is over. Come along to Holy Cross at 4.00pm on January 31st and enjoy the magic of Christingle again.

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First Steps Benefice Parent & Toddler Church Service

‘First Steps’ will meet again on Tuesday 1st December 2009 at the usual time of 2.15pm in Holy Cross, Seend. In the story this month we will find out why Mary and Joseph had to make a long journey to Bethlehem on a donkey, and what wonderful thing happened when they reached their journeys end. Come and find out what the special message was that the angels told to the shepherds on the hills that cold night in Bethlehem. All are very welcome to come and join in with the songs, listen to the story, and quite possibly do some craft work before going home. Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits served at the end of the service.

After Christmas the next meeting will be on Tuesday 5 January 2010. Same time, same place. Come and tell us all about your Christmas presents, and which one you liked the best. In the story we shall hear about the presents that a new baby was given by people who visited him on camels. What a good job Father Christmas bought yours on his sleigh pulled by Reindeer!

For more information about First Steps, please contact Jo on 828550.

A Happy Christmas to you all, and may you have a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year!

SEEND METHODIST CHAPEL

Services for December and January

December 6th 10am Mr Tom Hill December 13th 10.30am United ‘Toy Service’ at Bromham Methodist Chapel led by Mrs Pauline Tiller December 20th 10am Revd Roy Fowler – Carols and Holy Communion 6pm Carols and Lessons at Holy Cross December 25th 10.30am Melksham United Church – Revd Alison Morley January 10th 10am Revd Chris Cory will lead the Covenant Service January 17th 10.30am Revd Alison Morley will lead the Villages Together Covenant Service at Whitley Methodist Chapel January 31st 10am Mrs Grace Mortimer

Everybody welcome.

FROM ROY...

Everyone makes journeys at Christmas: Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem from Nazareth; shepherds from the hillside to the stable; wise men from the east. Many of us will be making journeys at Christmas as we visit our families and friends. Although we should not forget that some will be alone over Christmas and not every journey will bring delight. Is there any other festival in the Christian year 10 where the gap between happiness and sadness are so close? And have we failed to distinguish between joy and happiness? I think we need to reclaim some of the grittiness of the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph are migrants. The shepherds are marginalised workers. The wise men are foreigners. The Christmas story exudes signs of the unease in the world into which the Christ child was born. Some years back I had friends whose daughter was nursing in Bethlehem – it was not a peaceful place to be. I invite you then to reflect on where in our world and experience today we might place a rough, borrowed cot for Christ to lay down. Then, let there be joy! Let there be joy and not because everything is sweetness and light. Let there be joy because Christmas signifies that God is trying to break into our uneasy world. As we awkwardly try to cradle the baby, we are endeavouring to grasp hold of the transforming love of God that alone can mend the world. In one new life, we see the hope of new life for all – and that brings joy. May God be with you all this Christmas and bring you joy,

BULKINGTON NEWS

Bulkington Lunch Club

We are happy to announce that from Wednesday 2 December 2009, the lunch club will be held at the Well Inn, Bulkington. As this will be our Christmas gathering, it will be a three course lunch at the cost of £18 per head, with tea and coffee included in the price. The menu will be available for orders as soon as possible.

From February the cost of a two course lunch will be £8-50 per head. Please do come along and join us, meet new people and make new friends. The Lunch Club is open to everybody, there is no commitment to come every month, and if you have friends that would like to come along, they are welcome too. For further information please contact Jo on 828550, Audrey on 828376 or Jane on 828145.

Beetle Drive at Bulkington Village Hall

Come along and enjoy a good old fashioned Beetle Drive at the village hall on Friday 4th December at 7pm. Children welcome - Grandparents

too!

Cheese and wine available. A magnificent raffle. Cards to be purchased on the night at a pound each. Come and meet your fellow villagers and have a laugh. 11

THE FUN STATION

A monthly club for children, Year 1 - Year 6 now meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall, Bulkington, 4.30 pm - 6.00 pm. £1 subscription 8th December - Christmas Craft 12th January - New Year, New Things

A CHRISTMAS 16mm TABLE TOP STEAM RAILWAY EVENT

The 16mm miniature steam train group will be running their table top miniature railway in BULKINGTON VILLAGE HALL

11.30AM TO 4.30PM on SATURDAY DECEMBER 5th.

Come along and see some real steam trains

and other models in action

COFFEE AND MINCE PIES AVAILABLE. Nev Boulton. 828101

CHRIST CHURCH, BULKINGTON

CHRISTMAS CONCERT 12th December at 7.30 pm with

MUSIC & MIRTH

Mulled wine and mince pies available during the interval.

Tickets £5.00 from Jane Coles 828485 Audrey McDonald 828376 Sue Noad 870343 Anne Saywell 828931

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BOXING DAY TRAIN RIDES

HELP FOR HEROES

The Great Bulkington Railway, supported by the West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers, will be giving train rides to children and adults from 1pm until about 4:30pm on Boxing Day, 26th December. We are located next to Bulkington Village Hall, corner of Mill Lane, Bulkington SN10 1SW. There is 1000 feet of 5 inch gauge railway track, a 40 foot long tunnel, signals and passengers ride on purpose-built miniature railway carriages. We expect to be giving away lots of hot sausages and sweets and collecting donations for the armed services ‘Help For Heroes Funds’. These funds help our injured service people. Last year we raised over £800 for this worthy cause. Wrap up well and come along and prepare to be generous with your donations. Toilet facilities will be available in the village hall. The village pub, the Well Inn will be open from noon to about 2pm (drinks only).

Nev Boulton, Chief Engineer, (CRB clearance)

The Well Inn – Bulkington Tel. 01380 828287 On Friday 23rd October the new owners Tim and Sam Taylor invited the good citizens of Bulkington to join him and his lady wife for a drink at the re-built, re- furbished and re-named hostelry the Well Inn. The place was packed with long lost friends who have hardly seen each other in nearly 17 long dry months. Just about everybody in the village turned up to enjoy a long awaited drink and to admire our newly rebuilt hostelry. Sam and Tim (together with their staff and helpers) worked long and hard serving hundred of drinks and nibbles. The villagers had clearly found a most welcome oasis, in what has been, until lately the dry Sahara Desert of Bulkington and were making up for long, long thirst! It was very noticeable that Tim has a fantastic memory for names and greeted every one that he had met before by their first name. There is a beautiful new bar, very nice comfortable armchair seating with well thought out decorations. The new Well appointed (pun!) toilets are superbly laid out clearly specified by Sam - because all the colours match and are coordinated. A few menus in chalk suggested the delights of things to come at modest prices. Although we have not yet had the pleasure of sampling the menu, we have spoken to a few friends who have dined at the Well Inn in the first week and they have been well pleased.

We have really missed our village pub – One of the only two buildings that we the villagers can use in Bulkington. It was so very nice to have drink and a chat with neighbours and friends again. So now we have it back we must remember that hundreds of village pubs in the country have closed and we are very lucky to have a second go with the Well. So please give it your support. Nev Boulton.

(Perhaps regulars of the Bell, Brewery, Magpies and Barge would like to write a ‘review’ - but keep it short please! Ed.) 13

SEEND CLUB AND ORGANISATION NEWS

W.E.A.

Spring course: 'Evolution of the Landscape'

Our next course looks at how the landscape has changed over time and also at some of the techniques that people use to find out what has happened. These techniques will include the results of archeology, field walking, hedgerow dating and place names.

The tutor will be Ian Meadows and the course starts on Monday 1st February in the upstairs room of the Community Centre at 7.30pm. The cost is £47 for 8 sessions, which works out at £3.36 an hour. (Could be cheaper than going to a gym.) Concessions available. Everyone is welcome. It would be very helpful if you let me know by 18th January if you intend coming.

Pam Church 828597 or [email protected]

HISTORIC HOUSES CLUB

We welcomed about 33 members to our AGM on the 12th of this month, with some apologies for absence. The chairman, Tony Ewin, talked about our successful year in which we visited Breamore, Sheldon Manor, Sandham Chapel and Highclere. We also visited Corsham Court and the Almshouses following a talk from the new curator there. Members were then given the chance to approve or otherwise some suggestions for next season. These included Stourhead, Berkeley Castle, Winchester, Westwood Manor and a guided tour of old Corsham.

The committee was re-elected with the welcome addition of Eileen Prolze. After refreshments we were given an interesting trip along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Reading to Bristol in the company of David Harris one of the trustees. He had slides of trips in a narrow boat taken over time and highlighted locks, bridges and buildings of interest on the way.

SEEND AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Fred Swift joined us again this month and once again proved to be an informative and entertaining speaker. Once again I gave up writing notes to reproduce in this report as I couldn’t keep up. He had been expecting to show a DVD but the equipment to show it had not arrived so he just talked and hoped he would not repeat anything from his previous visit, in which he was successful. He brought with him some straw skeps, the original hives, which he makes by sewing bundles of lengths of straw in a dome using a tube through which to thread the straw. This simple construction lasts for years and he and some colleagues have, in situ, used the waste straw in corn circles to 14 make skeps, to the great interest of circle enthusiasts. Apparently one circle appeared in the shape of a beehive but he can’t explain that. This year he collected 86 wild swarms and gave away 60 to new beekeepers of whom there are now many more but feels they lack experience and would like to see some form of apprenticeship. The importance of bees lies in their pollination of plants and crops, the collection of honey being a useful side product for us, and he suggested growing borage and phacelia in the garden as they seem to attract large numbers of bees and other insects. He finished by doing roaring trade with his various honey products. The winner of the competition for honey cake was Tim Vince but they were all delicious! The visit to Cranborne Manor will definitely be on Tuesday 13th July. We were also reminded to get our bulbs planted ready for the Spring competiton. The schedules will be available at the next meeting in December when Milly Carmichael will be talking about Christmas Greenery and the competition will be for a festive table centre. In January Alison Peterson from Lackham will be telling us about Organic Pest Control and the competition will be for the most ingenious pest trap! It was good to have some new members this month but non-members are always welcome. Sue. SEEND SHUTTLE

Last chance before Christmas! Phone Terry on 828203 before 30th November to book your place on the shopping trip to Salisbury on 2nd December. The next trip is 6th January.

Volunteers wanted If you’re making New Year resolutions, how about opting to help either organise, drive or clean the Shuttle? We have a vacancy on the committee and Pete (828757) would like to hear from potential committee members or drivers and Tessa (828617) awaits calls from would-be cleaners.

The timetable is available on www.seend.org.uk or phone 828617.

MOTHERS’ UNION Seend and Bulkington Branch

On October 21st Seend and Bulkingon MU branch held an open meeting to welcome Bridget Trump, our Diocesan President. Bridget spoke about her visit to the Sudan in 2008.

Salisbury Diocese is linked with the Sudan and her visit with Bishop David’s party was timed to be at the enthronement of the new Archbishop. She used an excellent photographic record of the events, personalities and places to illustrate her talk.

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She met the wives of the Sudanese bishops to help them in their preparation for the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

The Mothers’ Union branches are very well supported. Most of the members wear blue dresses and their meetings often include singing and dancing. Sister Vickie received the banner made by two of our members for Mundie diocese in Juba Cathedral, where it was blessed.

In the Sudan there is an often heard saying, ‘You’ve got the watches but we’ve got the time’. This is because some part of each day is spent in sitting with family and friends and just talking.

Future dates: 16th December 2.30pm: Carol Service, St Andrew’s, Melksham. Refreshments. 20th January 2010 – AGM.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2009

Thanks to 18 house-to-house collectors and those who looked after 18 static boxes, there was an increase of £193.69 over the amount raised in 2008. The figures are:

2009 2008 Change House to house £1325.81 £1284.87 + £40.94 Static boxes 625.13 624.59 + .54 Church collection 303.00 208.13 + 94.87 Wreaths & chaplets* 95.00 90.00 + 5.00 Gift aid 429.22 376.88 + 52.34 Charity vouchers 25.00 25.00 - £2803.16 £2609.47 + £193.69

* estimated

As can be seen, the Church Collection made the increase possible.

A R Hodgkinson, Poppy Appeal Organiser (01380 828545)

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Thirty members of the Legion paraded for the annual Remembrance Day service under the command of our Chairman, Colonel Nigel Knocker and, after wreaths had been laid at the War Memorial by Air Commdr Joe Hardstaff (RAF), Col Clive Newell (RBL), and Mrs Sylvia Ewin (WI), they were led into church by our new Standard Bearer, Cadet Sergeant Mark Crundell and his two escorts Cadet Corporal Lauren Willis and Cadet Corporal Jemma Russell, all from the Melksham Branch of The Air Training Corps. They are to be congratulated on their turnout and performance, and we hope they will remain with us for many years to come. The service commenced with the reading of the names of those 16 from the village who had died during the two world wars and in subsequent operations, read by our President Major Peter Hicks. This was followed by the silence, with the Last Post and Reveille being played by our Bugler, Derek Kimber, who has been carrying out these duties for us now for 41 years. The service was conducted by The Reverend Renée Coulson. After the service all members of the congregation were invited to the Community Centre for light refreshments. Our thanks go to the Centre Staff for laying this on so well, and to those attending for their kind contributions towards the cost. REMEMBRANCE DAY ( 11th November 2009 ) Thirty seven people, including the eight members of the children’s school council accompanied by their headmaster Barry Hickey, gathered at the War Memorial at 1100 on Wednesday, 11th November 2009, for the two minutes silence and prayers, to remember those who had given their lives in the two World Wars and in subsequent operations. Prayers were led by the Reverend Renée Coulson. POPPY COLLECTION Our grateful thanks go to all the collectors and to all those who so generously donated, but especially to Anthony and Katharine Hodgkinson for organising and coordinating the whole event, once again. COMMITTEE MEETINGS The next Committee Meetings will be held in the Lower Room of The Community Centre on Thursday 7th January 2010 and Wednesday 17th February 2010, commencing at 2000hrs. BATTLEFIELD TOURS A series of Battlefield Tours are being organised by The Royal British Legion throughout 2010. Further details can be obtained from Derek Barnes (01225 793135). WARNING ORDER - DUGOUT SUPPER The Dugout Supper will be held in the Community Centre on Saturday 27th February 2010. Further details will be promulgated in the next edition of Spotlight. Roger Brind

SEEND COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS

Folk and Blues Club Malcolm Shipp is in the process of moving into Sells Green, and would like to start an acoustic music (such as folk and blues) club in the Community Centre. If anyone would like to support him – whether by helping out or just attending, please ring him on 07894 707965.

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Coming events in the Community Centre (details of most on Events pages): Annual Meeting - Thursday, 26th November, 7.30pm. All welcome Battle of the Bands - 8pm Sat 28th November (details from Josh: 07590 766526) Christmas Concert by Due Voci - Saturday 12th December at 8pm Christmas Nosh and Natter - Wednesday 16th December 12 for 12.30pm Christmas Draw - Friday 18th December after skittles - approx 10pm Christmas Bingo - Saturday 19th December, 7.30pm New Year’s Day Walk - 11am in Rusty Lane, followed by soup in the Centre Quiz Night - 7.45pm, Saturday 16th January Burns Night Supper - 7 for 7.30pm, Saturday 23rd January Nosh and Natter - 12 for 12.30pm, Wednesday 27th January

SEEND AND DISTRICT RAMBLERS

The walk scheduled for 6th December is still at the planning stage. Meet in Rusty Lane for 9.30am departure. Ring Gerald on 01225 706451 if you require more information nearer the time.

There are no walks arranged for Boxing Day or New Year’s Day as very few members will be available on those dates.

Sunday 24th January 2010 – Meet in Rusty Lane for 9.30am departure for a walk led by Sandy and Tim James. Details yet to be confirmed, most probably in the Rowde area. Ring 01380 723394 nearer the time.

May I take this opportunity to wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Good health and happy walking for 2010. Lin Salter – 01225 706451

SEEND WI

Come along and join the fun on our Christmas meeting on Wednesday 9th December when our own Jane Hopkins will be demonstrating how to make your own spectacular Christmas table decorations.

Our meeting starts at 7.30pm at the Irene Usher Pavilion and will have a festive flavour, so come along and get into the seasonal spirit. Sarah Todhunter, President

SCHOOL NEWS

NEWS FROM SEEND C.E. SCHOOL

1. Mrs. Jackie Chalk will be commencing her role as Head Teacher at Seend C. E. School on Monday 19th April 2010. This will be the first day of the summer term. I appreciate that parents will be disappointed & confused that she is unable to commence duties until this date. Mrs. Chalk is obliged to fulfil her contract at Keevil School, which means she is unable to leave until the end of the Easter Term. Please contact me if you have any queries on this matter. 18

In the meantime I am delighted to continue as acting Head Teacher & will strive to ensure that the school goes forward & does not stand still. I always enjoy working with children, staff, parents & governors & I regard it as a privilege to be a Head Teacher. I will give my total commitment to the role, liaise closely with Mrs. Chalk over the coming months seek to maintain standards throughout the school. I think Seend is an excellent school.

2. Thank you to: • The school council members who represented the school so well at the Memorial service in the village on Wednesday 11th November. • All the children who have responded to our Christmas box appeal. We will be able to send lots of gifts to children who are needy. • Mrs Barnett for organising the Teddy Bear’s Bedtime stories for Holly Class & year one children from Oak Class.

3. Well done to the netball team who lost narrowly in their first match of the season when they played Nursteed School at the Devizes Leisure Centre.

4. Professor Tom Robson will be visiting the school on Monday 30th November. He will be giving a talk about “How Children Learn” & will be teaching in different classrooms. I shall send more details later, but I confirm that the talk for parents will be from 9 am to 9.30am. I strongly urge parents to come along because his thoughts are illuminating & are relevant to all children irrespective of age. I believe he will enable parents to better understand what children are doing in classrooms.

Barry Hickey (Acting Head)

SEEND SCHOOL PARENT SOCIAL CLUB

It’s that time of year again! At the time this article was written our annual Christmas Fayre is getting nearer. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year and hopefully this year will be as good as previous years. It’s on Friday 27th November at 6pm in the School Hall.

We have lots of events ‘on the drawing board’ and will keep you up to date as and when they happen.

As I have mentioned before, our main aim is to raise money for the all- weather surface around the timber trail (wooden play equipment) so the more support we get the closer this target will be.

Have a great Christmas and a best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Rachel Lewis (01380 828293) 19

SEEND PARISH COUNCIL

The meeting held on 27th October was attended by 11 Councillors, with Chairman, Mike Davis, in the chair. Three members of the public were also in attendance. Apologies from County Councillor J. Seed.

There were no items from the floor for discussion.

Crossing opposite the church – PC Emily Thomas had pursued this matter with Wiltshire Council, and forwarded the response from Jamie Munday, Senior Traffic Technician. The provision of a pedestrian crossing on Seend High Street fits into the category of ‘integrated transport’ improvements. However there is a huge demand for this funding. This request will be assessed and put forward for consideration as a potential transport improvement scheme in the 2010/11 financial year.

Vandalism at school – PC Emily Thomas had confirmed that the signs at the school were the old ones, and there has been no further vandalism.

Spiderweb Paddock – No further comments at this time.

Footpath 24 – Nothing further heard to date.

Speed signs - The Community Area Grant application for Smiley SID speed signs had been submitted. However, the Clerk had received a telephone call from David Bullock at Wiltshire Highways Dept, to advise that there are problems associated with individual parishes owning and using Speed Indication Devices. The signs must be located on private land, not the public highway. The PC must obtain planning permission for each location where the sign is to be located. The signs cannot be operated off a mains electricity supply, and the batteries require several hours re-charging between uses. Mr. Bullock said that Aldbourne PC had already purchased a mobile speed sign, and found problems with operating it successfully. A letter had been received from Melksham Without PC, to advise that they would like to submit a joint application to the Area Board on behalf of the Parish Councils in the Melksham Community Area for a second set of mobile signs, to be managed by the Police and moved around regularly, depending on the problems reported. Following discussion, it was agreed to support this application.

Kennet & Avon Canal – Cllr. Seed had advised that a meeting was taking place between Wiltshire Council and the newly appointed Manager for the Canal at British Waterways, and asked for a list of issues in Seend. These had been forwarded. An e-mail had been received from Ken Oliver, Canal Officer, Wiltshire Council to advise that he had not been able to get a response in time for this evening’s meeting, but would pursue the matter.

Litter bins – Mrs A’Bear reported that there are no litter bins in Seend Cleeve. There are two bins on opposite sides of the road by the bus stops by The Bell, and at the bus stops at Sells Green. Bins are needed by the bus stops at The 20

Stocks, and at the top of Spout Lane. There is a problem of litter along Seend Cleeve, particularly between the Barge Inn and the T junction with Station Road; along Berhills Lane and Spout Lane. An e-mail had been received from Abbi Gutierrez at Wiltshire Council with a report that a technician had visited Seend at the end of September to check the litter bins. He had visited the day before collection and the day after. He found the litter bins were relatively empty and the area around the bins clear of litter. His conclusion is that Wiltshire Council is emptying litter bins in line with its schedules, and the bins are not being over-used or abused. The bins will be monitored to ensure service levels are maintained. Following discussion, it was agreed that the PC would request a litter pick in the areas indicated above.

Station Road, Seend – E-mail received from Gareth Rogers, Senior Engineer – Integrated Transport, Wiltshire Council, in response to e-mail sent to Laura Gosling. He advises that locations where three or more collisions which result in personal injury are recorded, are identified as cluster sites. During 2009/10 164 cluster sites have been recorded, and the bend at the C20 / Old Station Yard access is one of these locations with three personal injury collisions recorded in the previous three-year period. Improvements to the location are programmed for implementation during this financial year. They are likely to include amendments to road markings, alterations to the existing or additional road signing and some trimming of adjacent foliage.

Planning Matters

E/09/1114/FUl Mr A Drewett, Seven Acres Farm, Curnicks Lane, off Broad Lane Erection of stables and barn (amendment to approved scheme K/59159/F)

Wiltshire Council confirmed that the site does fall within the parish of Seend. The main differences between the approved scheme and the proposed are that:

• the 3 buildings have been separated • the rear building has been constructed of double skin blockwork • upvc windows are proposed in three elevations

The following planning applications have been approved:

E/09/1068/FUL Mr & Mrs Shearmon, Spiderweb Farm, Rusty Lane Extension of the approved machinery store

E/09/1086/FUL Mr D Paget, Steppingstones, 3 Row Lane Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement

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The following applications were considered and no objections raised:

E/09/1246/FUL Mr S Johnstone 60 Bath Road, Sells Green Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of four bedroomed house and double garage

E/09/1246/FUL Mr S Johnstone 60 Bath Road, Sells Green Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of four bedroomed house and double garage (REVISIONS)

E/09/1340/S73 Mr & Mrs Giles Old Wyatts, Row Lane, Seend Cleeve Variation of condition no. 8 of K/59694/F and condition no. 7 of K/59695/LBC to vary the materials used in the construction of the wall

The following applications were considered and objections raised:

E/09/1242/FUL Mr J Mattock The Old Chapel, Seend Cleeve Conversion of existing chapel to residential use, demolition of existing outbuildings and construction of new adjoining block to form part of the same dwelling

The proposed building is over-development of this small, cramped site, and out of keeping with the historical Chapel and surrounding properties. The build is likely to be overbearing on neighbouring properties below. The PC are not happy with the proposed materials for the new build part of the development, and feel that the new building is too large in relation to the Chapel. As this is a proposal for a four-bedroomed property, it is felt that the proposed parking is inadequate.

E/09/1255/FUL G & S Patios The Old Station Yard, Seend Retrospective application for siting of caravan

Visual impact upon the surrounding area. Design – bulk, height and general appearance.

Letter received from Wiltshire Council to advise that they will seeking views on where homes and jobs should be provided and how to tackle transport issues in the community. Exhibitions are being held around the county, including on 26 November, mobile unit, town centre, Melksham and 7 December in the Town Hall, Devizes.

Copy letter received from parishioners at Sells Green, of a letter sent to Transport Department, Wiltshire Council, concerning the proposed weight limit on the A361, making the following comments:

A continuous footpath (hard pavement) should be constructed from Martinslade canal bridge to the cul-de-sac opposite Windsmere Stone.

The caravan park in Spout Lane has resulted in additional people/children/dogs using the circular canal/road walk through Sells Green. 22

Local residents are obliged to walk part of the way in the road when they visit neighbours or catch the bus. Prams or wheelchairs are not catered for at all.

They ask that when the scheme is considered, these comments are taken into account. The PC was in agreement with the points raised, which are in line with what they have requested in conjunction with previous planning applications relating to this area of the village.

It was noted that the caravan by the tennis court is now derelict.

It was reported that the Police quarterly loose leaf newsletter will be added to Spotlight in future.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 7.30 p.m. at Seend Community Centre. Mrs Rosemary Fisher, Clerk

SEEND SPORTS RESULTS AND FIXTURES

Football (Thanks to Dave Beaumont (secretary) for the results.)

Seend 1st XI – Manager – Steve Burns, Assistant Manager – Matt Pearce 10th October vs Steeple Ashton – won 6-2 24th October vs Broughton Gifford – won 2-1 31st October vs Frome Town Sports (Cup) – won 6-0 7th November vs Queen’s Town (Junior Cup) – won 7-0 14th November – appalling weather – match cancelled! Top scorer is Gary Higdon with 18 goals followed by Mike Hopkins on 4.

Seend Reserves – Manager – Keith Anteney 10th October vs North Bradley – won 2-1 17th October vs The Stiffs (KO cup) – won 5-0 24th October vs Westwood Social Club – won 5-3 31st October vs Haytesbury – lost 2-4 7th November vs FC Chippenham Youth A – won 8-2

Futsal For the uninitiated, “futsal is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, and up to seven substitutes per team. Unlike some other forms of indoor football, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not used. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation football. The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces” – that is according to wikipedia!

Whilst Seend does not yet boast its own team, we do have the English captain amongst us in the form of Luke Ballinger who wears the number 8 shirt. If you google the sport you can read about Luke’s successes. Is he our first national captain?

23

Skittles Since we are a third of the way through the season, this month we will be focusing on the league positions of our four teams. Seend A – Captain – John Wiltshire The A team play in the Melksham and District Premier Division, and are currently 4th out of 12, on 27 points, just 6 behind the league leaders, and with a game in hand.

Seend B – Captain – Walter Mayell The Bs compete in the Melksham and District Division 2, and are placed 8th out of 11 teams, with 15 points.

Seend C – Captains – Josh Hamblin and Paris Goddard The Melksham and District Division 2 leaders are the C team, with 25 points having played 20 legs. It must be noted that the Cs were in this promising position last year, before finishing in last place! Stop Press: The C team had their fifth league victory out of 6 matches on 18th November, beating Semington 5½-1½. Top scorer: Chris Waylen with 32)

Seend D – Captain – Luke Ballinger Luke Ballinger’s team are in the same league as the As, the Premier Division, and are hot on their heels in 6th place after 24 legs.

Short Mat Bowls November is the month of the AGM, and where better to start than with Short Mat Bowls. I admit to arriving at the Community Centre a little late that Saturday, which meant that I must have missed the usual formalities including the Chairman’s reports and Treasurer’s figures, because by the time I got there the entertainments seemed well under way. Not realising that fancy dress was expected I had to adjust my garb with a flurry of scissors and some improvised shrubbery, but I feel I was a passable Robinson Crusoe. Then followed three hours of mayhem! I have never seen dancing like it – obviously with all participants sporting fancy masks I didn’t know who was who, but I guessed that it could only have been Colin doing that very individual version of the Lambeth Walk! How I got home, I’m not sure, but a big thanks to those members of the team who assisted me. I simply cannot wait for next year!

(Frankie! The Short Mat Bowls AGM was on Monday the 9th! – you must have stumbled into the Alice Cooper theme party that the Young Farmers were hosting! For goodness sakes, check your dates next time! – Editor) (Frankie! Stop putting words in my mouth! Ed.)

P.S. Two winter league results: vs Marshfield (away) drew 4-4 Vs Atworth (away) another draw, 4-4.

Please send all your sporting news results and gossip to the Seend velodrome by 12th January. Frankie Goddard on 828488. 24 BITS’N’BOBS Police warning When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you stop and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically run you over as they speed off in your car, probably with your wallet and house keys. BEWARE - If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, lock your doors and just drive away. Remove the paper later. Please tell all your friends. AVG ANTI-VIRUS If AVG anti-virus is installed on your machine then you will have seen the recent update to version 9 notice from AVG. The way the splash screen is worded leads you to believe you must buy the latest version. Do not do so unless you want to. Follow this link to download an installer which will then download the full version: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4- 10320142.html?part=dl-10044820&subj=dl&tag=button&cdlPid=11014801

PERSONAL ADS To place a small ad (individuals, not businesses, thanks) please give your ad plus £2 to the PO/Shop or to Tessa at 6 New Buildings.

FOR SALE - Due to Winter-Spring Clean!!! Single Bed Frames - 2 Ikea light-coloured frames - £30 each 2 Dark Pine effect frames - £30 each Also 2 mattress to fit Ikea beds - £10 each GT Saddleback Ladies Bike - well used! Dark Blue frame - £35 Pine Table and 4 chairs good cond. - £50 If interested in any of the above, please ring: 01380 828293

WANTED: A child’s table with one or two chairs. Needed urgently for visiting grandchildren aged 2 & 4. Call Jackie on 828395.

WANTED I am looking to purchase land suitable for grazing (to supplement my existing rented grazing) within a reasonable radius of Seend Cleeve. Any acreage considered. Ideally looking for five acres upwards; realistic market price paid. Will consider inclusion of uplift clauses etc, if required.

Please call/write without commitment at this stage: Julie Wilfort, 108 Seend Cleeve. Tel: 07885 103071 (evenings/weekends). Thank you.

And finally……Seen in a City restaurant:

“OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND AT WEEKENDS”

USEFUL CONTACTS: Rev Renée Coulson 01380 827285 Benefice Administrator: Sue Taylor 01380 828733 Churchwardens: Holy Cross; S Taylor 01225 709360 Mrs Tina Yockney 827139 Christ Church: Mrs Liz Futter 828485 St Peter’s: Mrs Janet James - 724944 Paulette Bremner Milne 828527 LPA’s: Audrey McDonald 828376 and Jo Bell 828550 Bell Ringers: C Mayell 828627 Minister Methodist Church - Revd Roy Fowler - 01249 813340 Irene Usher Memorial Hall (The Pavilion) Bookings - Richard Walker on 828250 Bulkington Village Hall - Nev Boulton 828101 or Roger Futter 828485 Seend Community Centre & Club - 828796 (bar opening hours only) Hall bookings: Frank Teasdale 828617; Skittles bookings: Stan Wiltshire 828559 Seend School - 828334 Seend Shuttle Community Bus: Bookings - Alison Cobbing 828568 Seend Parish Council Clerk - Rosemary Fisher 828281 Seend’s Wiltshire Councillor - Mr Jonathan Seed 01380 850696 Seend Website: www.seend.org.uk - Neil Yockney 827139 Bulkington Website: http://www.westwilts-communityweb.com/site/Bulkington-Village-Site/index.htm Public Footpath Warden - Mrs Esther Daly 01672 513157 Connect 2 (transport to RUH; book at least one day ahead) - 08456 525255 Community Beat Manager for Seend PC Emily Thomas. She can be contacted on 0845 408 7000, or e-mail [email protected] MP - Michael Ancram 01672 512675; MEP - Graham Watson 01458 252265

CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS 100+Club Cash Draw - Bernie Prolze 828391 Book Club - Sylvia Ewin 828325 Bouncy Club - Clare Stynes 01380 827164 Brownies - Helen Hook 828477 Cricket Club - Peter Wallis 828757 Fawlty Players Panto Group - Tessa Doe 828617 Fete Committee - Geoff Burgess 828077 Football Club - Dave Beaumont 01225 785067 Fun Station, Bulkington - Anne Saywell 01380 828931 Gardening Club - Joyce Brand 828433 Historic Houses Club - Tony Ewin 828325 LINK Scheme - 075320 55560 Lye Field Committee - Dave Sawyer 828583 Mothers’ Union - Elizabeth Campbell 828451 Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators - Tony Ewin (Seend) 828325; Owen Burton (Seend Cleeve) 828820; John Scott (Bulkington) 828026. Other Book Club - Frank Teasdale 828617 Preschool - Liz Futter 828485 Poetry Group - Tessa Doe 828617 Ramblers - Bob Howe 828554 Royal British Legion - Roger Brind 828830; Poppy Appeal - Anthony Hodgkinson on 828545 Short Mat Bowls Club - Colin Waldeck 828946 Tennis Club - Philip Proven 828407 Theatre Club - Sylvia Ewin 828325; Marion Whitehead 828612 WEA - Pam Church - 828597 WI - Sarah Todhunter on 828730 and Jo Vaux on 828970 Youth Club (Seend and Bulkington) Elanor Oddy 07517 905446 (Please call Tessa on 828617 if your group’s contact details change.) Seend Post Office & Village Store

01380 828250

NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES

FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES

WINES BEERS & SPIRITS

GROCERIES

NATIONAL LOTTERY

POSTCARDS & STATIONERY Village Store Post Office

Mon 9.00 -5.30 9.00 - 5.30

Tues 9.00 - 5.30 9.00 - 5.30

Wed 9.00 - 5.30 9.00 - 4.30*

Thurs 9.00 - 1.00 9.00 - 1.00

Fri 9.00 - 5.30 9.00 - 5.30

Sat 8.30 - 1.00 9.00 - 1.00

Sun 9.00 - 10.30 Closed

Bank 9.00 - 10.30 Closed Holidays * note early closing