ON LETTERS TO TREASURE

When I arrived in these Villages just over 2 years ago I was told that I was expected to write a piece for some of the Village newsletters.  All I knew was that these newsletters were for everyone in those Villages, whether they were members of churches, chapels, synagogues, mosques or simply people who lived in the Villages.  My main hope was that people might feel from reading them that the vicar was someone it might be ok to get to know, to meet with or to talk to if anyone ever felt they needed to do so.  I was daunted by this task, because I don’t find writing easy.

Words have enormous power to transform.  They can be used to build people up or to ‘cut them down to size’.  Spoken or written they can harm or heal.  Letters can be treasured long after the writer has died because they speak of love and comfort shared. 

Some years back the gift of a book with blank pages was intended to act as a place to record words of encouragement:  here I record the letters that have helped.  The kindly card when I’ve been down or unsure; the little notes that have encouraged me, when things have gone wrong, to have another go.  The invitation to a conversation face to face to work out why people might have different ideas about how to serve the same purpose.

This book is called a Barnabas book and it is so named after a friend and companion of Paul, for Barnabas means ‘child of encouragement*’.  However, as far as we know Barnabas didn’t write letters, or at least none have come down to us, although his friend Paul was a great letter writer.

Paul wrote several letters to encourage the small communities of people who had begun to follow Jesus in the years following his life, death and resurrection, and today Christians still read and value his letters even though many of them are challenging in what they say.  Christians also argue about how we should use and understand these letters, and that also reminds me that words can also be weapons.  As another biblical letter writer says: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart *”.

Letters can be treasured and they can also be hoarded and used to reignite the pain and upset caused by their words.

Although we have some of Paul’s letters we do not have the replies.  But many of his letters include the promise that he will come and meet with his correspondents in person so that difficulties can be cleared up and misunderstandings sorted in order that the whole community can be built up to serve God.  Even when Paul is disappointed in these early Christian gatherings he gives thanks for them and reminds them that they are loved and valued, and sends farewell greetings written in his own hand.

These days my hope for these strange little newsletter snippets that I write is that even when people find them disappointing they will know that I give thanks for the people of these Villages and hope to respect, value and learn to love them.

*The etymology of Barnabas is quite complex as it may also mean ‘son of the prophet’ and ‘encouragement’ here is a word that includes comfort and challenge and consolation.  *Hebrews 4:12

The Reverend Rachma Abbott Priest in Charge, Woodhill Benefice.

The Vicarage Clyffe Pypard, SWINDON SN4 7PY.  01793 731134

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

2^nd Sep                       Churchyard maintenance.

3^rd Sep                       Big Gig Marquee erection.

4^th Sep                       Back to School.

5^th Sep                       Closing date for grant applications to BT community fund.

9^th Sep                       Ride and Stride.

9^th Sep                       Big Gig.

11^th Sep                     Parish Council Meeting

13^th Sep                     Community Coffee Morning

15^th, 16^th, 17^th Sep       Hilmarton Flower Festival

16^th Sep                     Hilmarton Moviola

20^th Sep                     WI

24^th Sep                     Village Harvest

27^th Sep                     Community Coffee Morning

7^th Oct                        Harvest Supper

28^th Oct                      Churchyard maintenance

 

24^TH SEPTEMBER - HARVEST CELEBRATION

This year our harvest celebration will be slightly different as the service will be at 4.00pm with the tea afterwards (Not at 3.00pm as in last month).

The service will be a thanksgiving for all those who have helped us reach the figure we need to proceed with the roof.  So, come to join in the well-known harvest hymns and see if we can shake a few tiles off the roof.

 

HARVEST SUPPER

This event for the whole community will be held on Saturday 7th October at Broad Town Village Hall at 7.00pm. Tickets will be £10 and Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) will cost £25. There will be a 3 course meal, entertainment and a bar provided by The Four Ways Community Pub. Tickets and further information can be obtained from Margaret and Ray Manley Tel: 731564. Proceeds will go towards keeping your church open.

 

CHURCH ROOF

Good news at last!  We have now received the necessary approvals to allow us to proceed with the roof repairs and we have raised the funds needed thanks to the generosity of many people.  It is hoped to begin this work towards the end of September and we will keep you informed of any changes required to services etc. while the work is being carried out.

 

NEW 100 CLUB TO START 1ST OCTOBER

We are delighted to announce that the new 100 Club Lottery will start on 1st October. 25 people have now signed up giving us a total prize fund of £50 and a 1st prize of £25.

There is still time to sign up by contacting Fiona Holness on fholness@btinternet.com

 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING CHAMPION

Hello.  Just a quick word to remind you all that I am around for general help and support on a wide variety of issues including transport, mobility and safety around the home and reducing the feeling of loneliness.

Ellen Blacker Tel: 07557 922020 or email ellen.blacker@wiltshire.gov.uk.  Give me a call on 07557 922020 and leave a message.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

The draft Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan has been sent out to the Parish Council as part of the consultation process.  The Parish Council is considering its response which will include a review of Broad Town’s status as a “small village”

It was decided that a sub-group of the Parish Council to manage and restore the footpaths around the Village would be set up.  Initially the work will centre on surveying and planning ready for next spring when it is anticipated physical work can begin.  A training day with Wiltshire Council’s Rights of Way Officer will be organised for the new group.  Contact and further details will be included in the next newsletter.

At the next Parish Council meeting applications for grants from the Community Fund will be decided. If you have not applied yet, please contact our temporary clerk Linda Roberts (strebor1504@outlook.com) for an application form.  The closing date for applications for this period will be the 5^th September 2017.  We will be asking for grant applications twice a year, so if you don’t make this round the next opportunity will be in only 6 months’ time.

The vacancy for the position of clerk has not been filled.  The post will be re-advertised.  If you wish to apply for this paid position, or just wish to know a bit more about it then please contact Jackie Jordan (jjordanbtpc@gmail.com) or speak to any of the Parish Councillors.  Full details will be posted on the notice boards.

The next Parish Council meeting is on Monday 11^th September 2017 at 6.30pm.  Everyone is welcome and as usual light refreshments will be served prior to the meeting.

And finally closures around Junction 16 of the M4 are due soon as part of the improvement works; they are too detailed to list here so please check out the web site. www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20031/roads_parking_and_transport/671/m4_junction_16_improvement_works

 

BROAD TOWN WI

Last month we enjoyed a walk around the lakes at Ashton Keynes followed by a lovely meal at the Old Boathouse.  The weather was kind considering and as usual everyone took the opportunity to catch up with each other.  Thanks to Kate for organising this.

This month (September 20^th) we will be back in the newly refurbished Village Hall for a talk and craft demonstration by Glynis Cosgrave from the Scrap Store at Lacock.

We are a friendly group and are always happy to welcome new members.  If you are unsure if the WI is right for you why not give it a go.  Our meetings are generally held in the Village Hall on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm.  If you would like to come along please call Annette on 01793 739021. We are also on the Broad Town Village website and on Facebook.

 

BROAD TOWN BIG GIG - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ON SUNDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER FROM 2PM TO ERECT THE MARQUEE

As preparations get underway for the Big Gig on Saturday 9th September we are looking for volunteers who can spare a couple of hours to help erect the marquee.  This will be on the fields off Chapel Lane on Sunday 3rd September from 2pm.  We need around 20 people so please bring your neighbours and friends along with you - the more the merrier and the quicker it will be.

It's a great way to meet other villagers, participate in some team building, support the Big Gig and of course support our two charities (Prospect and Wiltshire Air Ambulance).  Dress code - scruffs and sturdy footwear!  Beer/cider/soft drinks supplied on successful completion of the task!!!!

If you are able to help email Anne at annebtbiggig@aol.co.uk to give us an idea of numbers available. All welcome.

 

BROAD TOWN BIG GIG SATURDAY 9^TH SEPTEMBER 2017 - IN AID OF PROSPECT HOSPICE AND WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE

Don't forget to buy your tickets for the Big Gig.  Great family day out on the fields off Chapel Lane.  Gates open at 2.30pm with the first of ten bands starting at 3.00pm.  Last band is on at 10.00pm.  Large variety of food and drink to buy or bring your own picnic.  Full list of bands and stalls are on the web site (see below).

Ticket prices: Adults £19.50; Youth (12 - 17 years) £12.50; Under 12's free.

Tickets available from Bassett Stationery, RWB; The Crown Inn, Broad Hinton; Holmes Music, Swindon; The Honey Pot Cafe, Wroughton; Sound Knowledge, Marlborough; James Harvey Samuel on 01793 731108 for local payment and collection in Broad Town or www.thebroadtownbiggig.co.uk

Looking forward to seeing you there and sharing a great day out with you.

 

 

 

BROAD TOWN WEB SITE

The Broad Town Village web site (www.broad-town.co.uk) is almost nine years old - who knew? It carries the current Broad Town News, and archive issues back to February 2009.  It carries Parish Council information with meeting minutes back to January 2009.  It carries the Planning Group’s notes back to July 2015, the WI back to January 2011.

There are Forums – sadly barely used at the moment.  Is there a topic you would like to write about or discuss?  Do you represent a Village group that would like more information published too?

Do you know of Village information that should be archived on the site?  There is the Village Information Leaflet.  Probably out of date.  Can you provide some up to date information?  We have the excellent Millennium Walks project run by Barbara Phillips and Roy Davey.  Scans of the original maps and directions are on the site.  Undoubtedly the details on the ground have changed.  Can you provide some updates?

Comments, suggestions and updates to webmaster@broad-town.co.uk.

 

RIDE AND STRIDE 2017

This year the sponsored Cycle, Walk, Horse–ride (however you fancy travelling except by car!) around Wiltshire Churches and Chapels will take place on Saturday 9^th September.  If you feel energetic and would like to raise funds for Christ Church Broad Town and historic churches throughout Wiltshire, this is for you!

Visit as many churches in Wiltshire as you can while enjoying our beautiful countryside and raising money.  Many churches are open for refreshments and some have toilet facilities.  Sponsor money is shared between our Village Church and the Historic Churches Trust who this year have made a donation of £3000 towards the Church Roof Fund.

Last year we were able to send £282 thanks to a valiant Broad Town cyclist!

If you would like to participate this year, further details and sponsorship forms are available from Carolyn on 852754

 

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY IN SWINDON

If you would like to help someone with dementia continue to do the things they love then volunteer for our Side by Side service and share your passion with someone with dementia.

Together, you can do anything from play a round of golf to listen to music, or simply have a cup of tea and chat.  Get in touch today to find out more.

01793 485404 / sidebysideswindon@alzheimers.org.uk

 

 

WILTSHIRE MOVIOLA

The next film on Saturday 16^th September is “Their Finest” (12A) at 7.30pm in Hilmarton Parish Church Hall. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £6 Times:  Advance tickets:

Breda Cottage (34 Church Road, Hilmarton,) or email hilmartonmoviola@hotmail.co.uk For more information and to reserve tickets call 01249 760312.  75 upholstered seats and a licensed wine bar

Also on HILMARTON MOVIOLA FACEBOOK and  http://www.moviola.org/hilmarton/

or phoning 07833 683444 or 01793 850562.

 

ANYONE FOR BRIDGE?

We are looking for Bridge partners, preferably of a similar standard to us, or more experienced players who are willing to coach.  One of us is very much at the beginner’s level whilst the other has played a little in the past.  Both eager to progress. Interested?  Contact John or Hilary 01793 739237 ~ johnkbradley@icloud.com

 

OIL HEATING IN BROAD TOWN AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Hello, this is a brief introduction. My name is Ben Davis - my family and I moved to Broad Town just over two years ago.  We are really enjoying living in the Village.

I am a plumbing and heating engineer, registered with OFTEC (for oil) and Gas Safe (for gas).  Going forward, I would like to reduce the amount of time spent driving (and sitting in traffic) around North Wiltshire and increase my local customer base.

My services include: Boiler breakdown and repairs, annual boiler servicing, boiler and oil tank replacement, general heating faults and maintenance, and general plumbing. Please feel free to call me anytime for further information.

01793 317758 or 07920 042880

 

THE GUILD OF WILTSHIRE ARTISTS

Run workshops at the Village Hall on every first Friday and third Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm.  All are welcome including painters who are beginners. The cost is still £5 per person per session which includes tea/coffee and biscuits but do bring a packed lunch.  Help will be given to those who request it.

Contact Jim Dowton 850029 or Roy Davey 731154