Kington Langley Village Magazine December 2019

Village Magazine

December 2019

Issue no. 484

1 Draycot Benefice Services for December 2019

Sunday 1st December - Advent Sunday Thursday 19th December 9am Holy Communion at Seagry 9am Holy Communion at Kington Langley 10.30am Holy Communion at Christian Sunday 22nd December - Advent 4 Malford 10.30am United Benefice Holy Communion 10.30am All Age Celebration at Kington with Healing at Christian Malford

Langley 10.30am Café Church at Sutton Benger Tuesday 24th December - Christmas Eve

3pm Crib Service at Kington Langley Thursday 5th December 4pm Christingle Service at Sutton Benger 9am Holy Communion at Kington Langley 5pm Crib Service at Seagry th Sunday 8 December - Advent 2 9pm Holy Communion at Kington Langley 9am Holy Communion at Kington Langley 11.30pm Midnight Holy Communion at Sutton 10.30am Café Church at Christian Malford Benger 10.30am Holy Communion at Sutton Benger th th Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day Thursday 12 December 9am Holy Communion at Tytherton Kellaways 9am Morning Prayer at Christian Malford 10.30am Holy Communion at Christian Sunday 15th December- Advent 3 Malford 10.30am Carols and Holy Communion at 10.30 All Age Service at Kington Langley Tytherton Kellaways 10.30am All Age Service at Sutton Benger

4pm Carol Service at Christian Malford th 4pm Carol Service at Seagry Sunday 29 December - Christmas 1 6pm Carol Service at Kington Langley 10.30am Joint United Benefice Holy Communion at Seagry 6pm Carol Service at Sutton Benger

Union Chapel Christian Fellowship – Kington Langley

Sunday 1st December 10.30am Morning Service and Communion Sunday 8th December 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 15th December 10.30am Morning Service and Communion Sunday 22nd December 10.30am Carol Service Wednesday 25th December 10.30am CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE Sunday 29th December 10.30am Morning Service

Weekly events Thursdays 5th & 12th only 6pm Bible Study in the Chapel Thursdays 5th & 12th only 10.00 - 1200 Chapel Rendezvous in the Chapel

2 FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to this month’s edition, the last you find yourself to be. Have you read it one of 2019. I wonder how 2019 has been yet? If you have a favourite book please send in a review to share. for you? As ever, December looks to be a busy month—hopefully you’ll get a chance I’d also welcome pictures for the front cover. to sit down with a cuppa and look through Many of you noticed that the photograph on the cover of the last edition was taken by all that is in store. Wally Crancher, who sadly died last month. A number of people have commented that We extend our deepest sympathies to Sue, who is the treasurer for this magazine. they hadn’t noticed the advert about the planning consultation last month. The on line trial for the magazine is Sometimes it is hard for items to stand out underway—thank you to everyone who volunteered to take part. We look forward in black and white print, and I can only to your feedback, and hope to have an include what I am sent. There certainly article in February to explore what the way seemed to be lots of people there when I forward might be. popped in. However, I am always open to You will see on page 10 a short piece about suggestions for improving the magazine— the Draycot Communal Christmas card—do it’s all about communication! pop in and sign it to share your Christmas greetings with St Peter’s and the whole I sometimes wonder if anyone follows up village. on the book reviews, so I was delighted to Thank you for all your support, be told by Julia that she and Martin were contributions and encouragement through enjoying ‘Our House’ by Louise Candlish. I this year. Please note the EARLIER deadline finally got round to the Crowzone for the January 2020 edition. In the recommendation of ‘A Gentleman in meantime, may I wish you a peaceful and Moscow’ by Amor Towles. What a joy - joy filled Christmas. charming, interesting and thought Katherine Bloomer provoking on making the most of wherever Editor

January Edition deadline on ** Monday 16th December 2019 ** Please email a Word Document or PDF to [email protected] It may not be possible to include any items received after the midday deadline on the closing date.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Sunday 15th December, 6pm St Peter’s Church, Kington Langley Featuring ‘The Harmonics’

FROM UNION CHAPEL

THE WAITING GAME December 2019 Waiting for a bus, waiting to see the doctor, or waiting for a delayed letter to come are things we complain about. But waiting for a new baby to arrive, or for presents to be delivered are much more pleasant, are they not?

When one of my small grandsons visited us from Australia, the first thing he asked me for was the password for his Tablet. The next thing was ‘Please could I have a clock in the bedroom?’ So he wants to get up bright & early, I thought. Good boy! But NO, he had been told by his dad that he wasn’t to turn on his Tablet before 8 o’clock. So there he was, obediently waiting on his bed until the appointed hour. And then there was little we could do to prise him off that Tablet!

A few days after Jesus Christ was born, an elderly man often came into the Jerusalem temple to pray. He was devoted to God, and was waiting, waiting to see the promised Messiah. This old man Simeon was moved to visit the temple on the very day when the baby Jesus was brought in by Mary and Joseph. Simeon could not contain his excitement, and exulted with that wonderful hymn of praise the “Nunc Dimittis”, so thankful was he that he had lived long enough to see God’s promised Saviour. Moreover he had been given a glimpse that the Saviour was for all people not just for Jewish folk, but even for Gentiles like most of us. There was also an old lady, Anna, who spent most of her time praying, day & night, in the temple. She was likewise overwhelmed to be actually allowed to hold that pre- cious baby. At this time of ADVENT we are recreating that waiting time for the Christ to come to our earth. The term EMMANUEL not only means God is with us in a general universal sense, but God in Christ is with us individually, personally, in our life today and for all that lies ahead. And Christ is waiting lovingly for us! The children’s hymn epitomises our response which He is longing to hear from us : “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee”. Sylvia Chumbley

5 THE BENEFICE OF DRAYCOT DIOCESE OF BRISTOL Dear Friends,

December has finally arrived and in homes across the country cardboard doors will be opened in the traditional countdown to Christmas. While the first advent calendars were made in the 19th century, and typically were Nativity scenes, those with chocolate behind each door appeared in the 1950s. Today there is a vast array of calendars with many treats or gifts to mark each day, including candles, toys, makeup, beer and even gin! In fact, most don’t even mention the Christmas story at all!

I wonder though if we really know what Advent is all about?

Advent is the start of the Christian year and the church season that leads to Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ and comes from the Latin word for adventure.

It’s a special time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness and gives us all a chance to pause, reflect, prepare and look forward to when Jesus will come again. This waiting gives us time to prepare for Christmas: not just the shopping and cards, but preparing our hearts for the true message of Christmas. Being ready for the arrival of Jesus by living in peace and love with those around us.

So, as well as your usual preparations for Christmas this year, why not start a new tradition and create a reverse advent calendar? This is a different kind of advent calendar - one which gives back!

Every day during Advent, put aside a donation such as food, chocolates and sweets, toys, biscuits, toiletries, hats, pet food, scarves gloves etc and place them in a hamper or box. By the time Christmas arrives you will have a collection of goods which you can then donate to your local food bank, homeless shelter or local charity. (Most organisations like Doorway in Chippenham will have a list of useful items to donate on their websites.) #reversadventcalendar

As well as being a fun thing to do, it can show us the importance of helping others by spreading the message that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing.

I do hope you will be able to join us at one of our many services across the Draycot Benefice this December. Please see the Christmas card that will come through your letterbox for details of times and places.

And may the peace and love of Christ be with us and those whom we love this Advent, this Christmas time and always. Amen

Dawn Beresford Licensed Lay Minister

Pastoral Care - Looking after one another in the Draycot Benefice

If you, or someone you know, would like a visit from a pastoral visitor, please contact the named person below in the first instance:

Christian Malford: Clair Fairley [email protected] 01249 721728

Kington Langley: Rev Mark Siddall: [email protected] 01249 652752

Seagry: Tim Harle: [email protected] 01249 721706

Sutton Benger: Tony Gardener: [email protected] and Dawn Beresford 01249 720060

Tytherton Kellaways: Rev Alison: [email protected] 01249 720619

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2

Carols on the common

Thursday 19th December 6.30pm

Meeting Outside the Union Chapel

Come and join in with this village tradition—singing carols with live music, collecting for charity, followed by mince pies and mulled wine

Do you play a brass or wind instrument?

Please contact Sarah Wright on 07713 883877 to join the merry band!

Local business based in Kington Langley for all your embroidery or print needs.

 Clothing and accessories for all ages.  Work wear, PPE and sports wear.  Horse wear, i.e. saddle cloths, rugs etc.  Pet products i.e. beds, leads, coats etc.  Parties, i.e. hen and stag, weddings, sporting events and outings, birth- days etc.

Personalisation is ideal for company logo’s, parties, gifts, special occasions. The list is endless.

Have a look at my website at www.sharonlloyd.uk.com or contact me via email [email protected]

Make Your Christmas a FIT One! Last month we gave you a seated workout for those less able so this month the more able can have a go!

Join in our FREE Christmas Fitness Countdown and do an Advent movement challenge every day between 1st and 24th December 2019.

Work off those mince pies and prosecco with a few minutes of extra movement every day.

We’ll send you a daily exercise to your smartphone (or by email) with video instructions and you can check off each exercise as you do it.

Everyone’s welcome to join in so whether you’re a current member at Inspire Fitness or not. Sign up for the FREE Advent movement challenge and be moving more by Christmas.

Link to sign up: http://bit.ly/2KkqD0B

Always warm up, listen to your body, know your limitations and only workout at a level that suits level you.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS from The Inspire Fitness Team

Inspire Fitness, 3a Union Road, Chippenham, SN15 1HW 01249 463002 www.inspirechippenham.com

Communal Christmas Card in our villages

How long is your Christmas card list? Here’s a way to save some time – and help our planet. The Draycot group of churches have committed to becoming Eco churches. We are being challenged to look at changes in the way we live. One suggestion is to have a communal Christmas card in each of our churches. Instead of sending cards to each other locally, you are invited to pop in to any (or all!) of the Draycot churches to add your Christmas greetings to this card. There’s no obligation to give the money you save to charity because this is about developing a greener lifestyle. However, if you would like to, perhaps you would consider supporting A Rocha UK, a Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world. Part of the worldwide family of A Rocha organisations they are committed to conservation action as an expression of Christian mission, they work collaboratively with others who share their passion for the planet and their desire for its flourishing. A Rocha UK operates Eco Church as a way of supporting churches of all denominations as they take steps to become greener in their spiritual life, practical management and community outreach. They provide ideas, resources, and speakers, and acknowledge achievement through the Eco Church awards as churches put caring for God’s world at the heart of their mission.

https://arocha.org.uk

18–19 Avenue Rd, Southall, UB1 3BL

Tel: 020 8574 5935

DID YOU KNOW?

If you would like a large print copy of this magazine, please contact the Editor and we will ensure that a copy is delivered to you.

The last film of 2019 will be shown at the earlier date of Friday 13th December at 8pm, with the doors opening at 7pm.

New and existing members are invited to pay the £15 subscription for the next season commencing January 2020 on the evening or at the first film showing in January.

Our operating licence as a film society does not permit us to advertise the films we show. However one of the benefits of being a member is that we will e-mail you the seasons programme in advance. We endeavour to show a wide range of film genres which include recent releases, international, documentaries and classics.

What better way to finish the working week; an evening that provides the opportunity to enjoy the company of friends, family, people you know and others you have yet to meet along with a little refreshment from the licensed bar. Typically more than 50 people attend each viewing providing a good and lively atmosphere.

DVDs are available for loan to members free of charge from a back list of films we have seen in the past – so come early, peruse the DVDs.

Membership is £15 for the year starting in January. Please contact Pippa Cooper for details (Tel: 750343 or email: [email protected])

Alternatively, come along on the evening to join. Members are very welcome to bring a guest at a cost of £3 per head.

The doors opens at 7:15 so please join us for a drink; catch up with local events before the film starts; put the working week behind you and start the weekend here.

Licensed bar - Soft refreshments Wheelchair access – Hearing loop

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Doorway Sponsored Sleep Out

Saturday 25th January 2020 7pm - 7am at St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham

We would love for as many people to join us as possible, to experience what it might be like to spend a night on the streets, and to raise much-needed funds for the Doorway drop -in centre for those who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

Participants are looked after throughout the night, bedding down at about 11pm following an evening service, local choir performance, refreshments and a bedtime story read by Marc Allum from the Antiques Roadshow. There will also be hot drinks and breakfast available in the morning.

Children aged 10 and over are welcome if accompanied by an adult over 18 years old.

Pre-registration is essential

For more details call Jo or Amy on 01249 445385, or email: [email protected]

There is more information about Doorway on our website: www.doorwayproject.org.uk

Doorway Wiltshire Limited, trading as Doorway. Charitable Company Ltd by Guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 07232063. Charity No. 1137757

CRIB SERVICE

Tuesday 24th December, 3pm St Peter’s Church Kington Langley

School children learn lifesaving skills from Wiltshire Air Ambulance

WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance’s mission of saving lives is being extended to schools all over the county. Following a six month pilot scheme which involved schoolchildren being taught lifesaving skills, the charity has made its Emergency Awareness Training (EAT) programme permanent.

The EAT programme is an interactive training session for children at primary and secondary schools and the subjects range from carrying out CPR, making a 999 call, putting an injured person in the recovery position, helping someone who is choking and controlling bleeding.

Richard Miller, Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s clinical services and ground base manager, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed at the response by schools to our EAT programme and are really pleased that it will continue. It is our ambition to teach every school age child in Wiltshire how to deliver CPR and other emergency skills. Our programme is a really valuable outreach project delivering vital lifesaving skills. We hope that in the event of a medical emergency the children who we train will have the knowledge and confidence to respond accordingly and ultimately their actions may help to save lives.”

In the pilot scheme, which took place in the first half of this year, 6,153 children from 74 schools took part. More than 5,500 children were trained to carry out CPR while in excess of 4,944 children were taught how to make a 999 call. More than 3,600 children learned how to help someone who was choking, while 2,286 were taught the recovery position and just over 500 were taught how to control bleeding. All received a certificate of attendance from Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The schools who took part were in all areas of Wiltshire, including Calne, Chippenham,

Devizes, Marlborough, Melksham, Salisbury, Swindon and Trowbridge. The EAT programme has received grants from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme to buy 14 training manikins and from the Malmesbury League of Friends to fund equipment including four additional manikins and three anti-choking training devices.

Paramedic Simon Stigwood was involved in the pilot scheme and will continue to deliver the programme, supported by volunteers. Simon, who has joined the charity as emergency awareness training officer and has been a paramedic in Wiltshire for 15 years, said:

“It’s rewarding engaging with young people and they have enjoyed learning new skills that are about preserving life and promoting recovery. We tailor the sessions to different age groups and needs of the schools.

“When we talk about making a 999 call we play a real call made by a nine-year-old boy and we also talk about hoax calls and why they shouldn’t be made. We’ve got a new video that will be played when we train children to do hands only CPR.

14 It features paramedics, doctors and one of our pilots doing CPR on manikins. For Key Stage 1 pupils we’ll play it to the tune of Baby Shark and for older pupils we’ll use the Stayin’ Alive song. Many of the schools who have taken part have gone on to fundraise for Wiltshire Air Ambulance which we are so grateful for.”

Schools which would like to take part in the Emergency Awareness Training programme should email [email protected]

Warning of Theft from Garages

Wiltshire Police have been made aware of a significant number of garage break-ins resulting in the theft of bicycles and tools. Please see the following tips to help prevent thefts from garages:

 Register your valuable items such as bikes, electronics, tools etc. for free on www.Immobilise.com.

 Take pictures of valuables and record their serial numbers and keep these safe. This information helps increase the chance of these items being returned to you if they are stolen.

 If possible, don’t store Christmas presents in the garage prior to the big day. Keep them inside the house but out of sight.

 Consider installing a Secured by Design approved anchor post inside the garage to which you can secure valuable items such as bikes.

 If your garage has an up and over door, consider installing an outer bracket and floor eyelet welded or bolted to the bottom of the door. This should be secured with a closed-shackle padlock. Alternatively if you access your garage via an internal door, you can drill a hole in the top channel above the wheels and insert a padlock into the hole.

 Never leave a garage or shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house.

 Visibly and permanently mark property using a Secured by Design-approved fo- rensic property-marking kit.

 Think of securing windows with grills or heavy wire mesh to increase window security and the use of net curtains to deter casual viewing of the inside of your garage.

We’re having a break in December— see you on 20th January 2020!

by kind invitation of Christine Stables Arminger House, Kington Langley

For more information please contact Rev Alison or Katherine Bloomer

CHIPPENHAM MOBILE LIBRARY This month the mobile library will visit on Saturday 7th December 2019 from 9.20 – 10am at the Village Hall. The new timetable has returned to FORTNIGHTLY stops so there will be 2 visits during December: Saturday 21st December 2019 Please do use this wonderful facility – it’s a great place to meet people, find out what’s happening in the village and exchange book ideas too!

Top 15 Most borrowed Adult Books from Wiltshire Libraries during 2019

How many have YOU read?

1) Past Tense by Lee Child 2) Lethal White by Robert Galbraith 3) Midnight Line by Lee Child 4) Dry by Jane Harper 5) Night School by Lee Child 6) In a House of lies by Ian Rankin 7) Reckoning by John Grisham 8) Long road to Mercy by David Baldacci 9) Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer 10) Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 11) Seagull by Ann Cleeves 12) Ambush by James Patterson 13) Accidental Further Adventures of the 100 Old Man by Jonas Jonasson 14) Greek Escape by Karen Swan 15) Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly

Top 15 Most Borrowed Children’s Books

1) Double Down by Jeff Kinney 2) World’s Worst Children 1 by David Walliams 3) World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams 4) Midnight Gang by David Walliams 5) World’s Worst Children 2 by David Walliams 6) Long Haul by Jeff Kinney 7) Family, Friend and Furry Creatures by Liz Pichon 8) Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans by Liz Pichon 9) Old School by Jeff Kinney 10) Super Good Skills (almost…) by Liz Pichon 11) Owl Babies by Martin Waddell 12) Peppa’s Gym Class by Bill Boo 13) Dogzombies Rile (for now) by Liz Pichon 14) 78 storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths 15) Bad Dad by David Walliams

With thanks to Steve Duffil

17 18

Report of the Parish Council Meeting held 11th Nov 2019 Consideration was given to the 8th November presentation/consultation event held to draw out local opinion about the potential for the site at the field opposite the Hit or Miss to be developed for housing. Members of the public present at the PC meeting, who had attended the consultation, reported that at the presentation it was clear that the community would be opposed to any proposed development along these lines.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would oppose any proposed development on this site as it would be contrary to Wiltshire Council’s Core Policies 1 and 2. It would severely impact on the Conservation Area and would be against the character of the village. Speeding, volume of traffic and overweight vehicles travelling through the village. The Highway Engineer had suggested a longer enforceable speed limit to resolve the issue. The PC has been requested to resubmit the issue raised earlier this year. It was resolved not to re-submit this issue but to submit an alternative issue requesting a full traffic survey throughout the village in particular at Church Road and past the School and Middle Common.

A complaint has been received regarding parked vehicles obstructing the pavement in Dovey’s Terrace. This will be brought to the attention of the PCSO. It was noted that buses were still using Church Lane as part of their route endangering pedestrians. A letter is to be sent to the bus company bringing this to their attention and asking again for a better solution. Councillor Reynolds

Magazine Accounts

The end of year accounts for the Village Magazine will be included in next month’s edition.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

The Magazine Committee

Christmas Events across the Draycot Benefice

Monday 2nd December 7.30pm WI Carols at All Saints, Christian Malford Saturday 7th December Sutton Benger Christmas Market Saturday 14th December 7.30pm Village Singers Concert in Sutton Benger Church Wednesday 18th December Christmas Sing-Along at The Goss Croft Hall, Seagry. Thursday 19th December 6pm Carols in the Rising Sun, Christian Malford. Thursday 19th December 6.30pm Carols on the Common, Kington Langley

Amaze Excite Inspire

‘Jesus offers life in all its fullness’

Christmas at Langley Fitzurse This is always the most magical time of year in a primary school. Our KS1 children are busy practising their Nativity play, ‘The Landlord’s Cats’, at the moment, and it is exciting to catch snatches of song when I go past their classrooms. This play was chosen because it is a traditional telling of the Christmas story, with some great tunes!

Our School Choir is also busy learning Christmas songs to perform at the Pit Stop Living Christmas Tree Event on Saturday 30 November. This is a lovely start to the festive season, with mulled wine, craft stalls, a snow machine and even a visit from Father Christmas with his real live reindeer! Our Choir is performing from 12.45 to 1.15 pm.

We will be running our traditional Christmas Fayre on Friday 6 December from 3.15 pm. We’d love you to come and join us for stalls, games, refreshments and Santa’s Grotto. You might also be interested in making a beautiful centrepiece for your Christmas table on Friday 13 December in our School Hall, starting at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £15 to include all materials and refreshments.

Our Christmas Service at St Peter’s is at 9.30 am on Monday 16 December, and you would be most welcome to join us. Tea/coffee and mince pies will be served from 9am in the church.

On behalf of the pupils, staff and governors of Langley Fitzurse School, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes Richard Hearn, Headteacher

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Is technology driving you mad?

 Is your computer painfully slow?  No time to setup your new computer, TV or broadband equipment?  Purchased an iPad but don’t have a clue how to use it?  Are you fed up with dealing with helplines or difficult-to-understand user manuals?  Are you thinking of upgrading your technology but don’t know where to start?

The solution is simple – GetGary!

I live in Kington Langley and have over 15 years’ experience in computing and home gadgets. I can fix a wide range of configuration problems across your technologies – not just computers. I can even provide one-to-one training, explained in plain English.

This month’s top queries (drop me an email for items to include next month):

Q: Can I use a keyboard and mouse on my iPad? A: Yes, the latest (v13) version of iPadOS (the iPad operating system) can support bluetooth keyboards and mice. Only bluetooth devices are supported which must be paired (using the devices pairing process) before they can be used. Once both are successfully paired, simply enable the “AssitiveTouch” option for the mouse found under “Settings” > “Accessibility” menu. You should now be able to use both your keyboard and mouse with your iPad.

Q: What is smart lighting and why would I use it? A: Smart lighting is basically lighting (often connected to the internet) which is customised by an application installed on your mobile phone or computer. Having this level of control for your home lighting brings some useful features which only smart lighting can perform:  Unlike non-smart lighting, smart lighting systems can be set to switch on/off at dynamic times such as sunrise or sunset (which is always changing). Non-smart lighting is constrained to specific hard timings to function.  Smart lighting often features the facility to be switched on remotely from your mobile (wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection), handy if you want to light up your driveway or pathway before you get home.  Some smart lighting comes with the option to set different colours and brightness levels – all customisable through the mobile app. *Smart lighting often requires the installation of a smart lighting controller hub. These hubs are required by some lighting manufacturers to run their smart lighting. These hubs simply plug directly into your router during the smart lighting setup process.

I would like to thank GetGary customers for their continued support and also take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Call now for a low-cost solution to your technology problems Tel: 01249 476355 Mob: 07971 813847 Email: [email protected]

Emma Morrice, Local Area Coordinator for the Chippenham Community Area.

Mob: 07391410278 Email : [email protected]

Wiltshire Council | County Hall | Bythesea Road | Trowbridge | BA14 8JN

More Transatlantic News for Our Very Own Village Singers Since their Carnegie Hall debut earlier this year, local choir the Village Singers, have told their story and performed locally in their own infectious style complete with the all- important percussion and surprises. And they’ve just had more exciting news! As a result of the choir’s well -prepared performance in New York, their Musical Director, Rachel McCorry has received a very special invitation - to train with Sir Karl Jenkins and Maestro Jonathan Griffiths from Distinguished Concerts International in Carnegie Hall itself! ‘We are thrilled for Rachel’ enthused Assistant Musical Director, Paul Wendell. ‘It’s a great honour to be asked to train with such an eminent group and she will bring back lots of new ideas for the choir so we will all benefit. We are really proud of her!’ If you want to catch Rachel in action and see what all the Village Singers’ fuss is about, they will be performing their Christmas concert, ‘A Musical Christmas’ featuring excerpts from Messiah, a mini musical and carols to sing along to. Dates are 14th December in Sutton Benger and 21st December in Chippenham.

They guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face! Merry Christmas!

Concert Details A Musical Christmas with the Village Singers Saturday 14th December All Saints’ Church, Sutton Benger 7.30pm Saturday 21st December St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham 7.30pm Tickets £10 ( 16 & under free) More details here: http://www.villagesingers.co.uk/events/

ADVENT SUNDAY CELEBRATION St Peter’s Church 1st December 2019, 10.30am

A time to mark the new church year together, and prepare our hearts as we look forward to Christmas

P/Time Housekeeper required for retired couple

Wednesday 9-2pm & Saturday 10-2pm

Duties include cleaning, bed making and thorough house clean each Wednesday. Lady of the house is disabled but does not need care. Our housekeeper has reduced her hours and will retire next June. Would then require a full time housekeeper (daily 6 hours and no requirement on Saturdays) Needs to like dogs as we have three. Large house just outside village so would need to drive.

Phone 01249 758875 for further information.

The Science of Happiness

Professor Bruce Hood carried out an applied research project, which is now offered as a 12-week course to all incoming students at Bristol University as an accredited module.

The increase in stress and anxiety among students is regularly reported, and the joy seems to have disappeared from learning. Students used to have to deal with just homesickness, but now they appear to struggle with independent thinking; living with uncertainty (due to geo political instability, climate change and the transition to a digital world) and a huge rise in mental health issues among students.

Research has shown that 50% of what influences happiness is due to genetic factors; 10% circumstantial (winning the lottery, or being a victim of a road traffic accident) and 40% is down to intentional activities such as exercising and getting enough sleep.

The Science of Happiness course looks at the misconceptions we hold about happiness – it examines how and why we think the way we do, and gives space for students to think long & hard about the true meaning of happiness and how we define it. It is also an opportunity to put into practice the Happiness Hacks (see below).

Students benefit from self-reflecting and participating in the happiness hacks, although the course is not intended to be a therapeutic one. The intention is to build resilience in students, help them to be better able to deal with life, to understand that success is not necessarily the same as happiness, and that having different moods is important (and normal!).

The three components to maintaining well-being and happiness are: positive emotions, engagement and living a meaningful life.

Happiness has a positive effect on society: happy people are more productive, more creative, more generous and have better relationships. Happiness can even predict health – happier people fight off viruses better. In 1972 the King of Bhutan introduced a Gross National Happiness measurement, which was no doubt mocked, but today we are coming back to the realisation that the non-economic aspects of well-being are equally as important as GDP.

Happiness Hacks - PRACTICAL WAYS TO FEEL MORE POSITIVE

1. Savouring – take time to savour the things you enjoy 2. Gratitude – expressing gratitude for people and things 3. Social Connection – making real life connections with strangers 4. Kindness – increasing your acts of kindness 5. Exercise – increasing your physical activity 6. Attention – ways to combat mind wandering (being present in the moment) 7. Sleep – ensure at least 7 hours per night

With thanks to Nonesuch, Alumni magazine for Bristol University Autumn 2019

KLVH 200 CLUB - November Winners Members of the ‘Table Tennis Club’ drew November’s lucky numbers in the Village Hall on the morning of Monday 4th November. The results are as follows:

1st No 63 Willow Bicknell £30 2nd No 12 Sarah & John Ponter £25

3rd No 62 Wally Crancher £20

4th No 52 Julia Hall £15

5th No 135 Bill Ashman £10

Recent records show that Bill Ashman won in mid-2017 and Wally Crancher in late 2017. The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted that this month’s prizes are a little higher than the average. Perhaps your number will come up next month when the first prize will be an exceptional £100. Good luck! Perhaps it’s sad that Wally was successful so shortly after his death. However, I am delighted that it affords us the opportunity to reflect on his life and achievements. As we approach the end of this year’s membership, and in the knowledge that some members will be leaving the Club, I have opened a 2020 reserve list for those people who would wish to join us. There are still some places available as this goes to print. Please let me know if you would like a ‘number’ for next year. Steve Duffill [email protected] 01249 750301

Waste Collection Dates: December

BLACK BOX 5th & 19th December PLASTIC & CARDBOARD (blue lid) 6th & 20th December HOUSEHOLD WASTE 13th & 30th December

Kington Langley WI

We had a really good turn out to see Maureen Hinton create floral displays using white, dark red and pink carnations, blue spruce, ivy, holly and a variety of herbs including rosemary. Maureen was an excellent speaker and it was a delight to see her bouquets which many of us purchased at the end of the evening.

Party Time We meet again on Wednesday 11th December for a “Bring and share” Christmas buffet. Please bring a plate of either a starter or a dessert to the party which starts at the usual time of 7.30pm.

Here is a recipe that is quick and easy to make.

Mincemeat Stars

You will need:

A block of all butter puff pastry A jar of fruit mincemeat 1 medium sized egg Chocolate to decorate (optional) A small pastry cutter 6.5cm or 2.5inches Greaseproof baking paper

Roll out a 375g block of all butter puff pastry to a pound coin thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using a star shaped cutter, cut out 20 stars and transfer to a lined baking sheet. Spoon one teaspoon of mincemeat into the centre of each and chill for 20 minutes. Then brush the pastry with egg wash and bake for 12-15 minutes in a pre -heated oven 190C (170C fan) Cool, then drizzle with melted chocolate and serve.

For the competition we are asking you to be creative and make your own Christmas tree decoration that you can use to decorate a tree on your arrival. Sylvia is buying a prize for the best entry so have a go at making something! WI Journalist Celia Trickey

Thank you to the kind person who left a knitted blanket at St Peter’s Church for the Doorway Project.

Go green, and have a waste free Christmas Making a Change

With less than a month to go until Christmas the present buying panic is escalating in many Wiltshire households. We all love exchanging gifts, but have you considered that eventually, maybe years later, we will throw most of those gifts away. Perhaps we could rethink the whole Christmas shopping experience in light of the fact that for every tonne of waste produced, there are another 25 invisible tonnes generated by the manufacturing and extraction industries. Most items we don’t really need, so perhaps we should simply buy less, or buy durable or second hand (pre loved!) goods. This still leaves you with plenty of options to provide thoughtful presents that won’t have a negative impact on the environment. You could buy services rather than gifts, such as concert or theatre tickets to local events, vouchers for local beauty treatments or a meal. Perhaps exchange promises to do a task, like painting the woodwork or doing the ironing for two weeks. Give someone an allotment subscription, or pay for a short break that is accessible by public transport. You could give money to a suitable charity or sponsor a child in need. For animal lovers adopt an animal through your local zoo/pet rescue centre. Membership of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust makes a good gift, and the Trust sells bat and bird boxes for the garden so you can do your bit for wildlife. For the energy conscious, why not provide solar powered gifts such as garden lights and water pumps for the pond? A hot water bottle is more energy efficient than an electric blanket, and a jug kettle measures precisely the water needed. Look out for gifts made from recycled materials. See www.wiltshirewildlife.org for Rethink Rubbish directories. Or how about making some gifts yourself? Homemade cakes and preserves in pretty DIY wrappings will go down a treat, and you can bulk out the choice with Fair-trade goodies, or items from WI markets of Farmers markets. We send 1.7 billion cards each Christmas. So why not agree with family and friends that you won’t send any, or send e cards instead—and give the money you save to charity. See how empty you can keep your bin, and the bins of your family and friends, this Christmas. With thanks to Susan Litherland, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

KINGTON LANGLEY CROQUET CLUB

An early “HAPPY CHRISTMAS” from everyone in the Croquet Club. Last month we held a very successful Bridge Drive with a number of villagers being amongst the players. We were fortunate that members donated all the food so we managed to raise over £800.

If you are a whist player make a note of Saturday 14th March when we will be having a Whist Drive.

In January members will be coming together for their annual meal; this provides the opportunity for us to meet up in the middle of our closed season. Our AGM will then take place in March.

Over the winter season ongoing maintenance of the lawns will continue with the season re-starting in April. How about joining us for a game that provides both gentle exercise and mental stimulation?

Enquiries can be made by contacting Julia Cook: [email protected]

or 07747 604982 and leave a message.

alternatively on our club email: [email protected]

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.

Union Chapel Rendezvous will be having a break over Christmas and New Year. The 12th of December will be the final Rendezvous of 2019 and we will return on the 9th of January. We would like to wish everyone who has ever been to Rendezvous a very happy Christmas.

31 Dec 2019 Changes/ additions contact Lindi 01249 750380 [email protected] 01 Su

02 M Table Tennis 10 –12 VH : C.M.Dance 3.30-6 VH :Old Time Dancing VH 7.30

03 T TASKL 11.00 VH : Music & Movement group 10.am KSM VH : Hobbies 2.00pm CR : 04 W Kington Tots 9.45–11.00 VH :

05 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH:

06 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45: KLWAS VH 8.00pm

07 S Old Time Dancing VH 7.30

08 Su

09 M Table Tennis 10 – 12 VH : Men’s meeting group (The Jolly Huntsman): C.M.Dance 3.30-6 VH : Old Time Dancing VH 7.30 : Parish Council Meeting 7.45 CR 10 T M& Movt 10.am KSM VH : Hobbies 2.00 CR

11 W Kington Tots 9.45 VH : Art Group 2 – 4pm VH ;: WI Meeting 7.30 VH

12 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH:

13 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45 : Film Society 8pm VH

14 S

15 Su

16 M Table Tennis 10 –12 VH: C.M.Dance 3.30-6 VH: Old Time Dancing VH 7.30

17 T M& Movt 10.am KSM VH : Hobbies 2.00 CR

18 W Kington Tots 9.45 – 11.00 VH :

19 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH: Carols on the common 6.30pm outside Union Chapel 20 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45

21 S

22 Su

23 M

24 T

25 W

26 Th

27 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45

28 S

29 Su

30 M

31 T 32 January 2020 For VH Bookings contact www.klvh.org or booking Clerk 07864981217 01 W 02 Th Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH 03 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45 04 S 05 Su 06 M Table Tennis 10 – 12 VH Create Move Dance 3.30-6.00 VH : Old Time Danc- ing VH 7.30: 07 T TASKL 11.00 VH : VH : M& Movt 10.am KSM VH : Hobbies 2.00 CR 08 W Kington Tots 9.45 –11. VH: Art Group 2 – 4pm VH : W.I Meeting 7.30 VH 09 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH 10 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45 11 S Old Time Dancing VH 7.30 12 Su 13 M Men’s Meeting Group The Jolly Huntsman: Table Tennis 10 -12: VH C.M.Dance 3.30-6.00 VH :Old Time Dance VH 7.30 : Parish Council Meeting 7.45 CR 14 T M& Movt 10.am KSM VH :: Hobbies 2.00 CR 15 W Kington Tots 9.45 –11.00 VH: 16 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH: 17 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45 : Film Society 8pm VH 18 S 19 Su 20 M Table Tennis 10 –12 VH C.M. Dance 3.30-6.00 VH. Old Time Dance VH 7.30 21 T M& Movt 10.am KSM VH : Hobbies 2.00 CR 22 W Kington Tots 9.45 – 11.00 VH: Art Group 2 – 4pm VH : 23 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH 24 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45: 25 S British Heart Foundation Whist Drive VH 2.00 26 Su 27 M Table Tennis 10 –12 VH C.M. Dance 3.30-6.00 VH. Old Time Dance VH 7.30 28 T Music & Movement group 10.am KSM VH : Hobbies 2.00 CR 29 W Kington Tots 9.45 – 11.00 VH : 30 Th Pilates Class 10 – 11.00 VH : Short Mat Bowls 2.30 & 7.30 VH 31 F Create Move Dance VH 9.45 – 11.45 :

From the Village Hall Roof October 2019

In October the first 10 days were damp and we had a total of 20 days with some rain. We had 30 days over 10 ˚C (50 ˚F) and 3 nights below 4.5 ˚C (40 ˚F). This October was slightly cooler, both during the day and at nigh-time than the last four years.

Temperatures

Average 11.35 ˚C (52.43˚F) Maximum 18.3 ˚C (64.94 ˚F) at 1pm on the 1st Minimum 1.9 ˚C (35.42 ˚F) at 5.00am on the 28th Mildest night Lowest temperature 14.8˚C on the 1st Coldest day Highest temperature 9.6˚C on the 28th

Wind Speed

Average 5.21 mph for the whole month Peak gust 23.67 mph on the 25th Windiest day The 11th with 10.31 mph. Calmest day The 23rd with 0.56mph.

Sunshine

Sunniest day The 2nd when the sun shone from 7am to 7pm. Dullest day The 26th

Rain

Total rainfall 2.13 inches (54.1mm)

Observations

Highest ever October Temperature 29.4 ˚C (84.92 ˚F) recorded in Cambridgeshire - Stamford Bridge - in 1985 on the 1st October. Fine spells in mid Oct are called Indian summers. Farmers advice - dry your Barley in October, or you’ll be sober! Between the 9th and 10th October Boulder, Colorado saw its temperature drop from 83 ˚F (28.33 ˚C) to 13 ˚F (-10.5 ˚C) a 70degree swing! Meanwhile, SW Florida saw record temps of 94 ˚F (34.44 ˚C) around Halloween! Regular London fogs usually started in October until the Clean Air Act of 1952. For some 700 years these fogs were common. PG/GWH

Kington Langley Village Hall and KLVH are working names of the Kington Langley Village Hall &

Recreation Ground Charitable Incorporated Organisation

BENEFICE PRAYER We won’t be meeting at the end of December in church - but keep praying!

PLEASE SUPPORT LANGLEY FITZURSE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAYRE - 6th December 3.15 –4.45pm Games, refreshments, toys and much much more to be enjoyed, and of course the chance for the children to have some time with the man of the moment!

MAKING CHRISTMAS CENTREPIECES - Friday 13th December, 7.30pm Super creative Kerrie Beaven will be helping you make a gorgeous centrepiece for your Christmas table on Friday 13 December from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 from the School Office, and the price includes all materials, drinks and nibbles. It is guaranteed to be a really fun evening! Langley Fitzurse PTA is now on AmazonSmile!!

Would you like to help to raise funds for the PTA whilst shopping online, without it costing you any additional money? If the answer is YES then please shop through smile.amazon.co.uk. Amazon will make a charitable donation of 0.5% of your net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) i

It’s really quick and easy:

1. Simply search for smile.amazon.co.uk 2. On the homepage, click the “get started” button. 3. You will need to enter Langley Fitzurse & select the Langley Fitzurse Parent & Teacher Association as the given charity. 4. Click “start shopping”. 5. Enjoy! And earn the PTA money whilst shopping. It’s that simple.

If you already shop at smile.amazon you can change your charity to Langley Fitzurse PTA by clicking the drop down box by the name of your chosen charity and clicking “change”

Please remember, only purchases made at smile.amazon.co.uk, (not www.amazon.co.uk or the mobile app,) generate AmazonSmile donations.

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JOHN BUCHAN’S THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS HIS LIFE, THE BOOK AND THE HITCHCOCK FILM

Talk by his grandson Edward Buchan followed by the film

FRIDAY 24TH JANUARY, KINGTON LANGLEY VILLAGE HALL 6.30 p.m. TALK AND SUPPER, CASH BAR, RAFFLE 8.15 p.m. FILM 9.45 p.m. FINISH In aid of the renovation of St Peter’s Church, Kington Langley Tickets £15 (including supper and a glass of wine) available from: Fiona Buchan [email protected]; Andrea Grafton [email protected]

or Liz Howe at the school office

In the autumn of 1914, just after the outbreak of the First World War, John Buchan, seriously ill with a duodenal ulcer which prevented him joining the army, was laid up in bed in a house on the cliffs at Broadstairs, Kent. Bored & restless, he wrote The Thirty- Nine Steps, which in his dedication to his friend & publisher, Tommy Nelson, said it was the type of tale which “Americans know as the ‘dime novel’ and we know as the ‘shocker’ – a romance where the incidents defy the probabilities, and march just within the borders of the possible”. The book was an immediate & lasting success, particularly with troops on the Front. It’s never been out of print, translated into over 40 languages and made into several films/serialisations on TV and radio. It is widely regarded as the first spy thriller, with Richard Hannay the ‘man on the run’, later influencing other writers like Ian Fleming, Frederick Forsyth & John Le Carré. In 1935 Buchan agreed to let a then largely unknown film director Alfred Hitchcock make it into a film, starring Robert Donat & Madeleine Carroll. It made Hitchcock’s name; the pursuit of Hannay on a train and over the Scottish moors, and the startling handcuffing of him to a doubting and icy blonde, are some of the most memorable scenes in British cinema. Recently a four-actor play, a hilarious parody based on the Hitchcock film, has had a long run in the West End and theatres all over Britain and the world.

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Growing Goodness by Samaritans helps people develop and maintain good mental health through growing plants and gardening. They have a unique range of beautifully packaged plant and gardening gifts which includes tips and guidance about how gardening can help make us healthier, happier and more mindful. Choose from Herbal Hugs, Grow a Cup of Calm, Bee Kind, Cheerful Chilli, Blissful Bonsai, A Good Night’s Sleep or Grow and Give kits.

Whether you’ve got an acre of land or just a windowsill, there’s something for you or someone you care about.

Not only that, 100% of the profits from every gift you buy go to Samaritans.

https://shop.samaritans.org/collections/all/growing-goodness

LANGLEY NURSERIES Open every day from 1st to 23rd December (including Sundays) 10—4pm

For Christmas wreaths, Christmas trees, pot plants and so much more!

Kington Langley, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5NF (01249) 758271.

FOSSEWAY NEWS 01249 448844 e- mail [email protected] We can deliver newspapers and magazines to Chippenham and surrounding areas. Delivery is charged depending on location. Available 7 days a week. For more information ring and ask for Julie.

40 Dec. 2019 Just one Walk this month WALKERS

The wet weather last month has prompted me to arrange just one Walk, but only to decide on the actual date when we can be sure of a dry spell. So the following Walk will be emailed to members 2 or 3 days be- forehand, when the date is definite. So come if you can. I shall probably adopt the same strategy in January as well.

Probably SATURDAY 14th December Meet & park at 10.30 at the Fortune Chinese Restaurant on Sheldon Rd, for a winter road & footpath walk to Vin- cients Wood, a little-known nature reserve, & then trace the Ladyfield Brook. Length 2½ miles, no stiles. Sylvia Chumbley 01249 750 269 [email protected]

Don’t let FOG ruin your Christmas December is usually the month when Wessex Water see a large spike in FOG (fat, oil and grease) related blockages due to the increase in cooking. Disposing of FOG incorrectly could mean you spend your Christmas Day finding an emergency plumber rather than enjoying the festivities. To ‘Stop the Block’:

 Scrape cooking fat, oil and grease from your dinner into a container with a lid on and put it in the fridge to solidify overnight, then dispose of it safely in your food bin

 Wipe FOG from your pots and pans with kitchen towel and dispose of it in your household waste.

 Be sure to catch food waste in sink strainers and scrape away coffee grounds into your food waste bin

With thanks to Wessex Water Magazine

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Winter Opening Times Stanton St Quinton Household Recycling Centre

From 1st November until 31st March 10am until 4pm

CLOSED Thursdays and Fridays

Knitters at our local care home have been very busy knitting for an impressive cascade of poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day this year. Residents, staff, Volunteers, friends and families of The Fairways Care Home in Chippenham began the project with a view to producing a few poppies, possibly for sale in aid of the Royal British Legion. However, the idea gained momentum, more and more poppies appeared, and eventually it was agreed that an outdoor cascade would be an effective and appropriate way to commemorate the fallen servicemen of Chippenham.

Mary Kidd, the Community co-ordinator at Fairways said:

“We are delighted to have completed this wonderful project. Many of our residents have personal memories of the Second World War, and so Remembrance Day is very important to them.

“One lady resident remembered the amazing and moving display of poppies at the Tower of London in 2014, and suggested that our poppies should also represent particular individuals who were killed in action. As a result, each one of our knitted poppies has a name from Chippenham Town War Memorial attached to it, from WW1, WW2, Northern Ireland, The Gulf War and Iraq.”

Mary added: “It has been very moving and sobering to realise just how many young men lost their lives; knitting a poppy, printing a name and attaching a poppy to the cascade for each individual really brought home to us how many left Chippenham to serve their country, and didn’t return.”

The cascade of poppies was on display near to the reception of the Care Home until Sunday 24th November. Donations received were forwarded to the Royal British Legion.

Christmas Fayre at The Fairways 30th November 10 until 12.00 with stalls, mince pies and hot drinks.

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CHRISTMAS BINGO

We had a really great night on 6th November with our Christmas Bingo. As Helping Hands is no more, Lorraine and I decided to give the proceeds to charity. As this is the 80th anniversary of the start of World War Two, we sent the money to the Royal British Legion. Thanks to the support of villagers and friends a total of £279 was raised.

Next year we are hoping to do a Table Top/Coffee Morning, once again for charity, so look out for the advert in the magazine. Don’t worry, we’ll give you plenty of notice!

Until then we hope you all have a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2020. Take care,

Lorraine and Anita

THANK YOU! A huge thank you to everyone who supported, or donated to, my recent British Heart Foundation Coffee Morning and Sale.

An amazing £1,400.00 was raised, of which, £240.00 were BHF Christmas Card Sales, brought to the sale from the BHF shop, High Street, Chippenham.

Thank you all for your continued support year on year; all proceeds go towards the ongoing work of the British Heart Foundation. with thanks Dorothy Ings NEXT EVENT: - Whist Drive on Saturday 25th January 2020 in Kington Langley Village Hall starting at 2.00 p.m.

Wiltshire Council want to put a stop to fly-tipping and needs your help

Wiltshire Council has launched a new campaign to encourage people to report fly-tippers in Wiltshire.

If you spot someone fly-tipping in Wiltshire, report them to Wiltshire Council , and as a reward you'll get a gift voucher of up to £200 following the payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice or a successful prosecution.

You can report fly-tippers or fly-tipped waste via the My Wiltshire app

THE ARTS SOCIETY KINGTON LANGLEY is an affiliated member of The Arts Society, a leading education charity with a global network of 385 societies bringing people together through a shared interest in the arts.

We meet monthly at 11.00am on the 1st Tuesday of the month (except August and September) to hear excellent lecturers share their specialist knowledge about the arts.

We have two events to report on this month, both with a fiery theme.

On October 30th our day visit was to Windsor Castle. During the morning we had a lecture which traced the development of the Castle from a medieval fortress to a baroque palace in the reign of Charles II, and its transformation in the reign of George IV into the magnificent palace that it is today. Then came an account of the Great Fire of Windsor in 1992 and the restoration after the fire. In the afternoon we toured the Castle itself. Our first stop was St George’s Chapel, founded by Edward III in 1348. St George’s is the burial place of 10 monarchs, it is also the home of the Order of the Garter. In the Castle we saw Queen Mary’s Dolls House designed by Edwin Lutyens and then the State and Semi-State Apartments. Having seen photos of the fire it was amazing to see the rooms that had been so badly affected restored to their former glory and in some cases improved. We had plenty of time to wander through all the rooms and to soak up their glory.

Our November lecture given by Caroline Shenton was entitled THE DAY PARLIAMENT BURNED DOWN. As it was November 5th members could be forgiven for thinking this was a reference to Guy Fawkes but no – as director of The Parliamentary Archives in London Caroline was intrigued to find there were very few records before 1834. Her investiga- tions led her to discover the details of a little remembered event in Parliament’s history. In the evening of 16th October 1834, a huge ball of fire exploded through the roof of the Houses of Parliament. In front of thousands of witnesses the conflagration destroyed Parliament’s glorious old buildings and their contents. This lecture took the audience through the gripping hour by hour story with a particular focus on the oils and watercolours of the scene produced by JMW Turner. Dr Caroline Shenton is an archivist and historian. Her book The Day Parliament Burned Down won the Political Book of the Year Award in 2013 and Mary Beard called it ‘microhistory at its absolute best’. Its acclaimed sequel, Mr Barry’s War, about the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster, was a Book of the Year in 2016 for The Daily Telegraph and BBC History Magazine and was described by Lucy Worsley as ‘a real jewel, finely wrought and beautiful’.

Please explore our website taskl.org.uk to find out more about us and how you can join the society.

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1919—100 years of the Wiltshire Library Service "Nothing, then is more important for mankind than to bring within the reach of all, these means of broadening our horizons, escaping from ourselves and making discoveries which literally transform life and make the individual a more valuable member of society. And the only way to do this is through public libraries"

"Of Books and Libraries" The UNESCO Courier p. 4-13, 7961

Wiltshire was one of the first counties to commence a public library service, inaugurated on 1 August 1919 following an Act of Parliament which enabled the County Council to use funds from the education budget to finance libraries. Initially the service consisted of circulating ex-army ammunition boxes of books to distribution centres (mostly local schools where a teacher acted as a local librarian). They were supplied from a central headquarters in Trowbridge (an ex-army hut purchased for f 100) and changed 2-3 times a year. From the beginning the importance of library books for children was recognised with the Wiltshire Book Scheme (later Wiltshire Reading Scheme), which came into operation in 341 schools on 1 April 1920 with 33,000 books in circulation, and hoped to encourage children to become regular readers.

From 1954 the system of exchanging boxes of books was superseded by the rural mobile libraries, and the provision of a book service to schools via a mobile library began in 1960. There was a display van service to schools which enabled children and teachers to select books for their school library from a stock of 1,200 volumes. Apparently in 1961 every five minutes throughout each working day a mobile library stopped in some village or hamlet in Wiltshire. In the first 11 months of the Mobile Library Scheme 102,306 books were issued.

The first National Libraries Week was celebrated in March 1966. By March 1967 Oaksey resident Elspeth Huxley (writer, journalist and broadcaster) was writing about National Library Week in Homes & Gardens. "My own county, Wiltshire, issues most attractive guides for children's reading - one on crime, an up-to-the-minute list of books on world poverty and hunger - and runs a first-rate library for schools..." She also notes the mobile service; "In the country, we glory in our Mobile Libraries. Punctually at 11.30am every other Monday, along rolls the big van to its appointed stop and we gather - Mrs. Boggins in her long shaggy coat and carpet slippers with her ancient spaniel; young Mrs. White with her high colour, mini-skirt and pram; the Rector collecting an armful for a bedridden parishioner as well as his own supply; Roy on leave from Germany; a dozen others... I never cease to be amazed that I can order any book I fancy and it will come to my door in the end…” "Our job is to make available to everyone the whole field of knowledge," said our county librarian. And in unlimited quantities. The van librarian said, "People have come with wheelbarrows.""...

For 2O18/2019 there are 779,466 registered members of the library service, and 1,633,197 issues of physical books. Of course, the way in which people consume information has evolved and the library service now also caters to an ever increasing number of digital users. What changes will the next 100 years bring?

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Make Someone Welcome Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living

What does a good life look like for you? What do you need to live a good life? This is a new team offering 1:1 support to people who may feel they aren’t able to get the best out of life at the moment, but are really keen to get back to living life to the full. Truly personal support is provided for people who are at risk of or are currently experiencing mental health issues. The approach is to listen, understand and build trust, and then draw on your life experiences and strengths to develop a plan of action which you are happy with, supporting you to make this plan a reality.

If you are interested in having a chat, or you know of someone who could benefit from this, please ring 0300 1233 442 and ask to speak to the Make Someone Welcome project team. You can also pick up a referral form from the Chippenham library.

The Wiltshire Home Library Service Bringing the Library to you

The home library service is there for people of any age who are:

 Blind or partially sighted,  disabled in some way,  suffering a long term illness,  recovering from an operation and in need of short term help,  elderly and frail,  unable to carry library books,  carers who cannot easily leave home,  experiencing mental health problems

A member of library staff will talk to you about what you like to read. They will then visit you at home with a library volunteer and bring you some books. Every few weeks the library volunteer will call at a time to suit you and exchange your books. There are no fines or charges for this service and you can request items too.

Contact your local library or telephone the Access and Volunteer Manager on 01225 713706, or email [email protected]

SILVER STREET GARAGE Established for 30 years Competitive prices for work undertaken on all makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles. Servicing and Repairs – MOT Testing – Welding Timing Belts – Clutches – Exhausts Brakes – Batteries – Valeting & Steam Cleaning Diagnostics – Free Courtesy Car Free Collection and Delivery Telephone:- 01249 715020 Silver Street Garage, Silver Street, Gastard, Nr Corsham, Wiltshire

Have you ever been to Ghana? Have you ever visited Ghana? Do you have any photos or souvenirs from your visit? Or do you have any contacts there?

Next term Langley Fitzurse School will be having a Ghana Day full of exciting activities. Pupils will find out about life in Ghana, have fun and raise money for Vivian, a sponsored child whom the school has been supporting for a number of years now. Please contact the school office or Katherine Bloomer on 721569 if you can help in any way. THANK YOU.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust- Building Bridges Project The Building Bridges Project supports people across Swindon and Wiltshire who face significant challenges in developing skills or accessing education, training or employment. It is aimed at people over the age of 18 who are currently job seeking or out of work. It is a structured programmes over 10 weeks which includes:

 Rural craft—willow work, whittling spoon carving and woodwork projects

 Conservation activities - coppicing, scything and fencing

 Soft skill training - goal setting, CV writing and interview techniques

 8 people per course There is a mini bus which collects people from a meeting point, making it easier for people to join in and get out into the countryside Further information please contact: Ralph Harvey, Project Officer 07702802945, 01380 736078 [email protected]

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Friends in Grief (FIG) A community based drop in service where all people who are bereaved are welcome, where you can talk to others who may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings, in an informal and supportive setting.

Free of charge and no need to book, just come along.

Malmesbury Corsham Every Tuesday every Thursday 2pm—4pm 1.30pm—3.30pm Riverside Community Centre MOD Community Centre Gloucester Road 2 Portal Avenue Malmesbury Rudloe, Corsham SN16 9JS SN13 0LQ

If you are feeling anxious about joining the group, please call for a chat on 01225 721479. it doesn’t matter how long you have been bereaved for, you are welcome to come along.

100 Years of the Wiltshire Library Service - statistics

1919 1969 2018/9 Total members 2, 134 95, 174 179,466 Books in stock 5921 496,201 490,191 Books issued 13, 412 3,242,443 1,633,197 Audio visual 66,727 E books, audio, magazines 4,165 AV, E issues 156,097 Digital users 4,855

- First Class Painter & Decorator - - General Household Repair & Maintenance - - Fully Insured - - Free Estimates - - Over 25 Years of Professional Experience - Call Ted on 07887 641336 or e-mail: [email protected]

RECYCLING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE

I have been asked by several people to repeat the items that can be recycled by Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

I am grateful to those villagers who are bringing items to me. If bringing the coffee pods or pet food sachets please wash and dry these first. Thank you.

TASSIMO + L’OR PODS: Tassimo Flow Wrap packaging; any size of Tassimo TDiscs; any L’Or coffee capsules. Kenco coffee jar lids + Eco Refill packs.

PET FOOD PACKET WASTE: all wet pet food pouches; all pet treat flexible plastic packaging and pouches; all dry pet food flexible plastic packaging.

BISCUIT PACKAGING WASTE: all brands of non- savoury biscuit wrappers; all brands of cracker wrappers; all brands of cake wrappers.

SAVOURY FOOD PACKAGING: any brand of nut packets; any brand of pretzel packets; any brand of popcorn packets; any brand of crisp packets; Pringle tubes (not own brands).

ORAL CARE: any brand of toothbrush; any brand of toothpaste tube and caps; any brand of toothbrush outer packaging; any brand of electric and battery toothbrush heads.

CONFECTIONERY PACKAGING: plastic chocolate and sweet pouches and bags; chocolate and sweet multi-pack outer plastic wrapping; plastic chocolate block wrappers; individual chocolate bar wrappers.

CONTACT LENS WASTE: any brand of soft, disposable contact lenses (daily, 2- weekly and monthly); any brand of contact lens blister packaging; any brand of foil from the contact lens blister packaging. Please place these in an envelope or small bag.

BABY FOOD WASTE PACKAGING: baby food pouches; baby food pouch caps; baby food snack packets.

Please do not crunch up the packaging and try to keep different categories separate.

I am acting as a Village drop-off point for these. If you want more details please email me: [email protected] or leave a message on: 07747 604 982

Museum Shop Sunday: Meet the Makers 1st December, 10—4pm

Looking for Christmas gifts made in the Chippenham area? Know someone who would appreciate something special that also supports a local maker? The shop at Chippenham Museum stocks a wide variety of items produced by local art- ists and makers. Visit on Museum Shop Sunday on 1st December to meet a number of local makers throughout the day. Gain insight into their processes and inspirations and enjoy 10% off all items produced by the makers featured below. Shoppers can also enjoy 20% off all books, with titles including Chippenham Street Names and Town United.

10am – 11am: Barking Hen Jewellery 11am – 12pm: Hazel & Blue Candles 12pm – 1pm: Chris Dunn Illustration 1pm – 2pm: Ian Full Woodturning 2pm – 3pm: Kate Davies Illustration

FREE Entry, offers available all day

Volunteering with the Wiltshire Landscape team Volunteers are an essential part of the National Trust, helping to care for special places and share them with visitors. Whether you are looking to enjoy a new challenge, enhance your CV, make new friends or learn a new skill, volunteering with the Wiltshire landscape team is a fantastic opportunity to make the most of your free time. The team looks after 15 beautiful ecologically and historically significant places across Wiltshire. With over 40 roles to choose from, there will be a place for you in the team. If you’d like to find out more please call the volunteering co coordinator on 01672 538017.

From the Registers Holy Baptism 13th October 2019 Baptism of Cameron Michael Hartley and Finlay William Hartley at All Saints, Sutton Benger. “I have called you by name and you are mine” Isaiah 43.1 Funerals Saturday 2nd November 2019 Burial of ashes of Lancelot James Workman in the Garden of Remembrance in All Saints, Sutton Benger. “I know that my Redeemer lives” Job 19.25

Dates for the diary

Morning Prayer at Sutton Benger church every Friday at 9am

‘Let Your Light Shine’ is taking a break in December—see you in 2020!

‘Be Still’ Meditation—please note that these sessions are taking a break.

Christian Fellowship Meetings: These will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at Bramley Croft, Sutton Lane, Sutton Benger (the 2nd bungalow in Sutton Lane) at 3pm. They will include tea and cake, chat time and a ‘thought for the day’.

Children’s Choir – will be meeting on the following Tuesdays: Tuesday 3rd December 5.15pm – 6.00pm at Sutton Benger Church. Contact Rev. Alison on 01249 720619

Would you like a lift to church? If you find it difficult to travel outside of your village, or do not have your own transport, or would like to car share please contact the Church warden of your parish church in good time and they will help make arrangements for transport.

For enquiries or bookings, please contact the Draycot Benefice Administrator, Maggie (Tuesdays only) on 01666 511357.

Find us on Facebook: search for Draycot Churches

Visit our website: draycot.weebly.com

Charity Representatives British Tinnitus Assn. Betty Bird 750551 The Children’s Society Enid Campbell 758457 Scarecrows www.scarecrows.biz 750466

Clubs, Organisations &

Groups

Art Group Jean Shepherd 750014 Board Games Club Graham Longley -Brown 750310 Create Move Dance Georgie Taylor 750619 Croquet Club Ian Morrison 758499

Footpath Rep., Rights of Way Gazette & Herald Tony Shepherd 750014 Hobbies Group Mary Renfree 750430 Kington Langley Film Society Pippa Cooper 750343

KL Wine Appreciation Society [email protected] 07810 647183 Kington Tots Kelly Ratcliffe 07747186419 Old Tyme & Mod Sq Dance Ray Phillips 01285 771311 Short Mat Bowls Sec. Maureen Collett 654619

Table Tennis Tania Bennett 750379 Tennis Club Treasurer Jens Andersen 750391 The Arts Society Kgton Langley Lindi Reynolds 750380 Village Diary Lindi Reynolds 750380

Walks Sylvia Chumbley 750269 Women’s Institute President Sylvia Townsend 701200 Every effort has been made to update the contact information and to include all the groups, clubs, organisations and charities.

Please contact the Editor if any information is out of date or incorrect, or to fill in the gaps!

If you know of any other groups, clubs, organisations or charities that meet in the village, please do send contact details to the Editor. Thank you.

The address for the village website: www.kingtonlangley.org

63 Village Contacts Magazine Committee Chairman Colin Coles 750631 Editor Katherine Bloomer 721569 Distribution Organiser Tony Shepherd 750014 Advertisement Organiser Gill Spurway 750252

Parish Council Chairman Dr. Maurice Dixson 758171 Vice Chairman and Webmaster Graham Trickey 750359 Clerk Sue Webb 01666 824620 CEV Peter Hart 750428

Union Chapel Pastor Athanasius Velianitis 750449

St Peter’s Church Rector Revd. Alison Love 720619 Curate Revd. Mark Siddall 652752 Church Warden Andrea Grafton 750638

Church Warden Tom Stables 758241

Langley Fitzurse School Headteacher Richard Hearn 750295 LFPTA Chair Amy Stenner 07827440423

Village Hall Mgmt Comm. Chairman Tony Shepherd 750014 Booking Clerk Julia Cook 07864 981217

Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging www.wiltsmessaging.co.uk

 FREE messages and alerts from your local Community Policing Team about policing and crime matters in our area  You can receive free messages by text, email or voicemail.  Currently message are being sent by Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Neighbourhood Watch, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Rescue Service, Action Fraud, Farm Watch and Horse Watch. You can change your preference or unsubscribe to the system at any time by logging in to your account or emailing: [email protected]

Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging is NOT monitored 24 hours a day. Always call 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non emergency

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