BROAD TOWN NEWS – NOVEMBER 2025
Keeping everyone in touch with what is going on in and around our parish.
BROAD TOWN CHRIST CHURCH SERVICES
November 9th Remembrance Sunday – 10.50am (please note time)
November 23rd – Communion, 10.30am
Please also support our Treasure Quest stall at the ‘Christmas Cracker’ event on November 29th in the Village Hall
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT POPPIES
Poppies have been sold by the Royal British Legion to celebrate Remembrance Day since 1921 and were chosen as they were among the first flowers to re-grow on the battle-scarred fields of Flanders. In the 1920’s four different types of poppies were available to suit various budgets, and materials included silk, cotton and cardboard with centres made from bitumen. By the 1930s a two-layer silk poppy was introduced and during wartime the number of designs was reduced to two, made of silk or cardboard, due to shortages of other materials. In the 1950s wire stems were reintroduced along with felt petals. In 1967 wire stems were replaced by plastic and in 1987 the poppy regained its green leaf due to popular demand. In 2023 poppies became plastic-free and fully recyclable. There is no correct way to wear your poppy except with pride! All money raised goes to provide lifelong support to the UK's serving military personnel, veterans, and their families. This support covers a wide range of needs, including financial assistance, advice, employment help, mobility and housing support, and mental health services. Funding also supports RBL's broader activities, such as the National Memorial Arboretum, remembrance events, and the costs of running the charity itself.
BOTTLES WANTED PLEASE!
Please consider donating one or more bottles for the bottle tombola at the ‘Christmas Cracker’ event in aid of Julia’s House Children’s Hospices on November 29th any type would be welcome e.g. soft & alcoholic drinks, sauces, shower gels etc. Thank you to those who have already donated bottles. Please bring your bottle(s) to the Village Hall on a Wednesday morning during the Community Coffee Mornings or Made in Broad Town sessions, or to the Social Club on a Friday evening. Alternatively, please leave them with Annie & Nigel Crocker at ‘Barbary’, Broad Town by November 26th. Thank you very much for your help!
SOCIAL CLUB
The social club is open every Friday from 8pm and members and their guests are all welcome. If you are not a member you can join for just £3.00 for the year - just ask Trevor behind the bar. Draught beers and lagers are for sale at just £3 a pint and there is a free pool table, so why not pop in and check us out.
Halloween Evening - The social club is hosting a family Halloween themed fish and chip night with Food for Thought on Friday 31st October with prizes awarded for Best fancy dress for boy and girl (under 12s) and for Best carved pumpkin for under 12s.
Food for Thought Evenings Food for Thought will be selling their delicious Fish and Chips (and burgers, sausages, scampi etc) outside the Village Hall from 5 – 8pm on the last Friday in the month:
31st October (Halloween themed special)
28th November
On these Fridays the Social Club opens at 5pm through to 11pm for you to enjoy your takeaway in the Village Hall with a drink or two. Feel free to bring your own cutlery and crockery if you wish but please take it home with you afterwards to wash up! Menu on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FoodForThoughtSwindon. For vegan, GF and other dietary requirements please contact them directly to discuss. They have limited space to carry stock but will gladly try to meet all requests. If you would like to pre-order or have any queries, they can be contacted via text, WhatsApp or Messenger on 07515 288414.
BROAD TOWN CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
On Tuesday 7th October, we were very fortunate to have Derek Greer and Andrew Law, from the Broad Town White Horse Restoration Society, come into school. Derek led a very informative assembly with a PowerPoint, video and shared some chalk samples. Andrew prepared a wonderful White Horse Trail for classes 2 and 3, with questions for the children to find the answers to. The children and staff, really did enjoy finding out about the Broad Town White Horse. A great thank you to both Andrew and Derek.
Governor Vacancies Open day – Thursday 6th November 9.30am & 11am. Would you like to join our friendly and supportive team of governors at Broad Town School? We are looking for additional governors to be part of our governing board at our welcoming and inclusive school. No previous experience of being a governor is needed as you will be trained and supported, all you need is a commitment and willingness to make what is an important contribution to our community. You would be involved in termly meetings that take place in late afternoons and also have a valuable opportunity to work with members of staff on a particular focus of school life. A DBS check is a requirement but otherwise no other qualification is necessary. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact admin@broadtown.wilts.sch.uk Thank you.
BROAD TOWN BUMPS & BEYOND
Broad Town Playgroup ‘Bumps and Beyond’ is a friendly baby and toddler group for children aged 0-5 years old. We are based in Broad Town Village Hall on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30. The cost is just 50p per child. Snacks are provided at 10am along with a hot drink for the adults. We have a different craft activity nearly every week and finish with songs and games. We have a good selection of toys, ride on cars/trikes, books, puzzles and dressing up for the children to enjoy.
‘MADE IN BROAD TOWN’ CRAFTS & HOBBIES GROUP
Glass Painting: All are welcome to come to our much-requested evening glass painting session this Thursday October 30th, 7-9pm in the Village Hall during which Terri will be demonstrating some lovely Christmassy designs, no prior experience needed. There will be some items available for you to paint but if you would like to bring along your own item such as a glass storage jar, jam jar, empty wine bottle or vase etc, please ensure that the item is clean and dry and that any labels and/or glue residue has already been removed. Please also bear in mind that paint designs show up better on clear glass than they do on coloured glass. All paints and brushes will be supplied. The evening is free although a £2 contribution towards hall hire, refreshments and equipment costs would be very much appreciated if you feel able to contribute. Refreshments will be available.
Great Cotmarsh Farm Visit: Wednesday November 5th 10am – a visit to Great Cotmarsh Farm on the edge of the village, during which local farmer Katie Allen will be talking to us all about their organic farm, how they care for their animals to produce 100% pasture fed lamb and beef, and their work with their unusual diversification businesses; a knitwear brand, an artisan veg tannery to produce leather, a botanical dye garden and their farm classroom which has opened its doors to over 250 students since May. The morning will start at 10am with refreshments and a chat, then Katie will talk about the different aspects of Great Cotmarsh Farm before we have a tour of the dye garden.
*This promises to be a fascinating morning and if you’d like to come along, please would everyone email us as soon as you can, as we need to know numbers for car parking and classroom seating purposes–thank you! madeinbroadtown@gmail.com
If you are making your own way to the farm please arrive by 9.55am, parking is available there. We look forward to seeing everyone on November 5th.
November 19th : 10 – 12 noon: please join us in the Village Hall to make Christmas themed decorations and gifts.
On Wednesday October 1st the group enjoyed a decoupage making session, creating some impressive photo frames and boxes, and on October 15th artist Maggie B returned to Broad Town to lead another watercolour painting session, helping us to create ‘winter landscapes’. Some great works of art were produced and everyone who took part found it a very enjoyable morning.
Please support our stall at the Broad Town ‘Christmas Cracker’ coffee morning and craft sale on Saturday November 29th from 10 – 12 noon in the Village Hall. All proceeds will be going to Julia’s House Children’s Hospices. Everyone is welcome to come along to our sessions for refreshments and a chat, you don’t need to have any crafting skills. We’re very friendly, and if you do feel creative there are always activities available for you to try. We ask for a £2 voluntary donation please, to help cover materials and refreshment costs. If you have any questions, please email us, we would love to hear from you. Email Linda or Helen: madeinbroadtown@gmail.com
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS
Thank you to everyone who attended our fundraising big coffee morning on September 24th in aid of Macmillan. The fantastic total of £200 was raised for which we have received a certificate of thanks which is now on display in the Village Hall. A big thank you to everyone who gave so generously on the day. We are all really looking forward to our November 12th coffee morning as some of the male coffee morning regulars will be giving the Community Coffee Morning ladies team a rest by running the coffee morning on that day. Please come along to support our rookie ‘Broad Town Baristas’, who we’re sure will do an amazing job! The second Wednesday coffee morning in November will be on the 26th, followed by the coffee and craft sale ‘Christmas Cracker’ event on Saturday 29th, when we hope to see as many people as possible at the Village Hall. We will be donating all proceeds to Julia’s House Children’s Hospices so please support us at what promises to be a very busy and fun morning! Coffee mornings take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings of every month (except August) from 10 – 12 noon in the Village Hall. Everyone from the village and surrounding areas is very welcome to come along to meet others, to chat and to enjoy delicious homemade cakes, sausage rolls, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. We look forward to seeing you!
LIVE BAND NIGHT - BROAD TOWN VILLAGE HALL
Many of you may already know that White Horse Rock n Roll use the Village Hall for dance nights and live band nights. We are a small friendly Dance Club hosting events 4 to 5 times a year. Our next live band night is on Saturday the 15th of November, 7.30 – 11pm. Tickets £12 from www.whitehorserocknroll.co.uk. We offer light (soft) refreshments within the ticket price, but you are more than welcome to bring your own if you fancy something a little stronger. If you are interested in learning to dance, please come along and have a chat with us, we have dance teachers on hand or alternatively come and watch the band! You can find out more on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/whitehorserocknrollswindon
PARISH COUNCIL
Proposed Speed Limit changes and Consultation Wiltshire Council has posted a consultation on proposed speed limit changes between Broad Town and RWB. These can be viewed at: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/15049/TRO-Consultation-on-proposed Various-Speed-Limits-Lydiard-Millicent-Broad-Town-Royal-Wootton-Bassett and-Broad-Hinton. Comments are invited from interested parties until 24th November 2025 in writing or via email to trafficorderconsultations@wiltshire.gov.uk. Quote the reference HKB/TRO/BTOW.
Get Flood Ready - See the information provided by Wiltshire Council on the website https://www.broadtownparishcouncil.org.uk/news/get-flood-ready-flood-preparedness-presentation/
Police Speed Enforcement Checks - We feed our SID stats into Wiltshire Police who use the figures to carry out speed enforcement checks in the village. So far this year they have performed 7 sessions which has resulted in 9 drivers having to attend a speed awareness course. Over the last 3 years the checks in Broad Town have resulted in:
Speed Awareness Course 40
Fine & Points 4
Court summons 2
The next Parish Council meeting will be at 6.30pm in the Village Hall on 10th November. All are welcome and the agenda will be posted on our website and on the notice boards in due course. At the start of the meeting there will be a presentation by a representative from SSE who will explain the support and tools that are available to help those that need it most in the event of a power cut.
ROSPA inspection of Redhills Playing Fields RoSPA have carried out their annual inspection of the play area at Redhills and no significant problems were found. The report can be viewed at https://www.broadtownparishcouncil.org.uk/your community/redhills-playing-fields-and-play-area/
NOVEMBER LETTER FROM BISHOP KAREN
‘As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you.’ These wonderful words are used at the start of Morning Prayer each day. It is a rich and powerful prayer asking God to not only go with us into a new day, but also that we may be changed by God’s presence with us. Hence our love being a vehicle of God’s love in the world. This is a powerful prayer for our day and age, as the world so much needs the love and light of Christ in so many ways. We can pray it for ourselves, and we can pray it for others. Our world leaders, our peace makers, those who put their own lives in danger for the sake of others. November is the month of remembrance, where we give thanks for those who have given their lives in the pursuit of peace, and we reflect on our own calling as peacemakers where we are, in our homes, in our communities, in the decision we make and our reactions to others. The prayer however is not just practical, it is also spiritual. What does it mean to have our hearts set on fire with love for God? That takes time and devotion, it takes prayer and worship. I am thrilled when I meet a new Christian whose heart is on fire with love for God. Those who come for confirmation are usually our best evangelists showing others what a change Jesus can make, and enthusing others with the joy of the gospel. For those of us who have been followers of Christ for many years, this prayer can be a challenge, and therefore a good reminder day by day, that we need to regularly rekindle faith, so we blaze with God’s love and light. In a month when we think about remembrance, and light bonfires and watch fireworks, do take some time to pray this prayer in your own heart, so we can all be set on fire with God’s love as we make Jesus known. Bishop Karen.
DATES AT A GLANCE:
Thursday October 30th – Glass Painting with Terri, Village Hall 7-9pm, all welcome.
Friday October 31st – Food for Thought Fish ‘n’ Chips, outside the Village Hall; Halloween Party, from 5pm.
Wednesday November 5th – Made in Broad Town Great Cotmarsh Farm visit, 10am.
Thursday November 6th – Broad Town School Open Morning, 9.30am & 11am.
Sunday November 9th – Remembrance Sunday at Christ Church, 10.50am.
Monday November 10th – Parish Council Meeting with SSE Presentation 6.30pm, Village Hall.
Wednesday November 12th – ‘Broad Town Baristas’ Community Coffee Morning, Village Hall 10am.
Wednesday November 19th – Made in Broad Town 10am, Village Hall.
Sunday November 23rd – Communion Service, Christ Church, 10.30am.
Wednesday November 26th –Community Coffee Morning 10am, Village Hall.
Friday November 28th – Food for Thought Fish ‘n’ Chips, outside the Village Hall.
Saturday November 29th – Village ‘Christmas Cracker’ Coffee Morning and Craft Sale, 10 – 12.30pm, Village Hall.
PLEASE NOTE e-mail any queries or articles for publication to broadtownnews@gmail.com by the 22nd of the month except December.