BROAD TOWN NEWS NOVEMBER 2026
Keeping everyone in touch with what is going on in and around our parish.
PARISH COUNCIL
Keep up to date at https://www.broadtownparishcouncil.org.uk
Get Flood Ready
The Council has taken delivery of a new batch of Gel Sacks (water-expanding alternative to sandbags) which can be easily stored until required. If you would like to have some please get in touch with the Clerk at clerk@broadtownparishcouncil.org.uk
Next PC Meeting - Monday 9th November 6.30pm in the village hall on 9th November. All are welcome and the agenda will be posted on our website and on the notice boards in due course.
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 £3.50 a pint and there is a free pool table, so why not pop in and check us out. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FourWaysBroadTown
ou may have joined us at the village hall for the celebration of Matthew Harvey-Samuel’s homecoming after his epic 830 mile cycle ride in memory of James, his dad. James was a regular attendee at the Social Club and the Club have donated the £200 bar takings for that day to Matthew’s fund raising total.
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:
30th October,
27th November,
18th December (with Carol Singing and mince pies)
The Social Club and bar will be open from 5pm on these Fridays so why not pop in and enjoy a drink while you are waiting for your supper
FESTIVE EXTRAVAGANZA – Saturday November 28th, 11am – 1pm
This year we will be raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity and Prospect Hospice so please comealong to support the event. There will be several fun stalls and delicious festive food to enjoy.
Bottle Tombola donations please We are hoping that once again your generosity will know no bounds, and that you would be willing to donate a bottle or two for the tombola please – this stall is always incredibly popular, but it does rely on villagers’ generosity to provide the prizes. Please bring your bottle(s) to the village hall any Wednesday morning before or during our coffee mornings or Made in Broad Town sessions, or to the social club on a Friday evening. If you would like us to collect any bottles from you, please email us at madeinbroadtown@gmail.com
Raffle Prizes please. Please let us know if you are able to provide a raffle prize either as an individual, as a company or from an organization that you are associated with, thank you.
There will also be church fundraising stalls, Jonathan Bastin’s wildlife photographs, calendars & cards, free kids activity table (parental/carer supervision required for this please), and of course crafts, preserves and gifts at the Made in Broad Town stall, so please come along to support these charities for what promises to be a very enjoyable event.
Made in Broad Town & Community Coffee Mornings look forward to seeing you on November 28th
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS
Macmillan Coffee Morning Thank you to everyone who came along to support our Macmillan Coffee Morning on September 26th. The magnificent sum of £350 was raised which has been sent to Macmillan.
Christmas ‘Festive Extravaganza’ Coffee Morning & Craft Sale – Saturday November 28th. Please come along to support this popular annual village event which promises delicious festive fare and tempting stalls!
November Coffee Mornings, all in the village hall
Wednesday 11th, 10 – 12 noon
Wednesday 25th, 10 – 12 noon
Saturday 28th, Festive Extravaganza, 11am – 1pm including Christmas fare e.g. mince pies, sausage rolls, quiche, cakes & shortbread etc.
We look forward to seeing you all at these coffee mornings to enjoy homemade cakes, sausage rolls and hot drinks.
If you have any questions about Coffee Mornings, please email Helen at hjgreer1@gmail.com
MADE IN BROAD TOWN - NOVEMBER
Broad Town 100 Project Photos. Thank you to everyone who sent in photos for our Broad Town 100 Project display at the Macmillan Coffee Morning. The 106 photos made a very colourful display and brilliantly showcased the diversity of plant and animal life within our village.The favourite photo, as voted for by everyone who attended the coffee morning, was ‘Ladybird Family’ by Tom. We hope everyone has enjoyed taking part in our project, by taking photos and/or having a go at growing seeds and trying to increase wildlife and plant diversity in their gardens this summer. Later in the autumn all the photos will be transformed into a photobook, together with photos we will be taking when we help our village school pupils to plant a wildlife-friendly tree later this term
November dates: Wednesdays 4th and 18th, in the village hall from 10 – 12 noon, please just turn up.
We will be making items for our Christmas sale, or please bring along your own craft or hobby. We ask for a £2 contribution towards costs, but this is voluntary and your first visit is free!
Please email us if you have any questions: madeinbroadtown@gmail.com, we would love to hear from you
REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR - BROAD TOWN’S REMEMBRANCE TRAIL 2nd NOVEMBER TO 7TH NOVEMBER
The Remembrance Trail has been designed to be easily walkable while representing the entire Parish of Broad Town (including its hamlets). The trail runs from Broadacres to the village hall and each man has his own poppy wreath placed as close as possible to where we believe he lived.
The following provides a brief summary of what we know about the 14 men from Broad Town known to have died serving their country during the two World Wars. All are recorded on the role of honour in Christ Church, Broad Town and all died in the First World War with the exception of Horace Ockwell who died in World War Two. The information is based on research carried out by Clive Green supplemented by information gathered by Andrew Law from the Commonwealth War Graves and documents such as census records from Ancestry. Any clarifications or further information would be most welcome.
BROADACRES
1 JIM MANNERS 87469, Gunner Albert James (or John) Manners was born in 1894 in Lydiard Tregoze, son of Mr Frank and Lydia Manners. In 1901 his family lived in Marsh Farm and in 1911 the family lived in Cotmarsh where Jim was a farm worker. During World War 1, he served in 249th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and served in France and Flanders, the battery was equipped with 8” howitzers. He died, age 24, on 29 May 1918 and is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No 3 in Ypres, Belgium.
2 CHARLIE TOWNSEND T4/058682, Driver Charlie Townsend was born 6 March 1887 in Broad Town Village, son of David and Henrietta Townsend. His baptism shows his abode as being Cotmarsh. His trade is recorded as Farm Labourer. During World War One he served with 296 Company Army Service Corps. He died of illness or injuries on home soil on 5 March 1915 age 28 and is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery.
OPPOSITE 33 REDHILLS
3 RICHARD MORRIS 68938, Sapper Richard Morris was born about 1883 in Bath. He was married to Mrs Rosina Morris in 1905. In 1911 he was living in 1 Elmina Road, Swindon and in 1915 at Broad Town Lane. His trade is recorded in 1911 as General Labourer in a Wagon Department but at the time of his attestation in 1915, scaffolder. At that time, he had one daughter Joyce who had been born in Broad Town. His widow’s address is given as of 46 Regent Place, New Town, Swindon. During World War One he served in 117 Railway Company Royal Engineers. He died of illness or injuries, age 33, on home soil on 9 September 1915 and is buried in the Aldershot Military Cemetery.
CHURCH
4 HORACE VICTOR KINCH 51266, Private Horace Victor Kinch was born 7 April 1899 in Blunsdon, son of Jesse and Emily Kinch of Windmill Farm, Brinkworth. He grew up living in Laurel Farm, Cloatley, Hankerton, north east of Malmesbury. His mother is shown as living at Common Farm Broad Town in 1919. During World War One Private Kinch served with 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in France and Flanders and died on 6 June 1918, age 19, and is buried in Sissone British Cemetery in France.
OPPOSITE CHURCH
5 FRANK COMLEY 432657, Lance Corporal Frank Comley was born 20 September 1881 in Thornhill, son of Emma Comley and lived in Hillside Cottage, his trade is recorded as mason. He emigrated to Canada in 1913, joined up and served with 49th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment). Reports stated that during the battle for Courcelette (Somme) “he took part with his platoon in the attack on Regina Trench on the morning of 8 October 1916”. He died age 35 and is buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Département de la Somme, Picardie, France.
ELIZABETH COTTAGE
6 ARTHUR BERTIE MILES 37406, 2nd Corporal Arthur Bertie Miles was born in 1888, son of George and Maria Miles of Broad Town Village. He married Emily Franklin in Christ Church on 28 November 1908 and in 1911 was living at 8 Winifred Terrace, Wroughton. His trade is recorded as Farm Boy and later Wheelwright. During World War One he served with 611th Fortress Company, Royal Engineers which was part of the Mersey Garrison and responsible for tactical searchlights and providing support for the Royal Garrison Artillery in defending the Mersey Estuary. He died in the Seaforth Military Hospital, Litherland, age 31 on 31 October 1918 and is buried in Bootle Cemetery.
CHURCH FARM
7 PERCY THOMAS CHESTERMAN T4/045363, Driver Percy Thomas Chesterman was born 7 October 1893, son of Thomas and Martha Chesterman of “Poplar House”, Broad Town. He was the older brother of Sidney Charles Chesterman and was destined to die less than 3 months after Charlie. In 1911 his trade is recorded as Farm Worker however sources suggest he was later employed as a boilermaker’s assistant in the Great Western Railway. During World War One he volunteered in September 1914, initially with the Royal Berkshire Regiment but subsequently transferred to the Army Service Corps. He served in France and then moved via Egypt to Salonika where he served in HQ 28th Division Army Service Corps. He served in France and the Balkans, died of fever on 6 June 1918, age 24 and is buried in the Lahana Military Cemetery, about 56Km North East of Thessaloniki, Greece.
8 SIDNEY CHARLES CHESTERMAN 30331, Private Sydney Charles Chesterman was born 30 August 1898, the son of Thomas and Martha Chesterman of “Poplar House”, Broad Town. He was the younger brother of Percy Thomas Chesterman and died 3 months before him. During World War One he served with Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (Prince of Wales' Own Royal Regiment) and later 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry and saw service in France and Flanders. He went missing/ was killed during the German spring offensive and was declared dead on 23rd March 1918, age 20. As he has no known grave is remembered with honour on the Poziere Memorial in France.
BREWERY HOUSE
9 HORACE OCKWELL 557520, Gunner Horace Lindow Ockwell was born on 26 June 1914 in Glamorgan, son of George William and Beatrice May Ockwell, later of Broad Town. His trade is recorded as colliery labourer, heavy worker below ground. During World War Two he served in 6/3 Maritime Regiment Royal Artillery as a gunner on a defensively equipped merchant ship, the Newbury. At 08.16 hours on 15 Sep 1941 the Newbury, a straggler from convoy ON-14 travelling from Cardiff to Buenos Aires, was hit by one torpedo from U-94 and sank southeast of Cape Farewell, Greenland. The U-boat observed that the crew abandoned ship in lifeboats, but the master, 38 crew members and six gunners were never found. Horace was lost at sea on 15 September 1941, age 28 and as he has no known grave is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial
10 ERNEST NELSON MASKELL 150181, Gunner Ernest Nelson Maskell was born in 1897, son of Mr John and Kate Maskell and lived in East Farm Broad Town. During World War One he served in D Battery 23rd Brigade the Royal Field Artillery and saw service in France and Flanders. He died, age 20 on 8 January 1918 and is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.
LAURELS
11 TOM MERRITT 16724, Private Tom Merritt was born in Avebury in the first three months of 1899 son of George and Mary Merritt and lived in Broad Town Village. During World War One he served with 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry and saw service in France and Flanders. He was assumed dead on 18 August 1916 age 17 and is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France.
MARLBOUROUGH HOUSE
12 WILLIAM EDWARDS Whilst commemorated on the Role of Honour in Christ Church Broad Town, it has been impossible to find anything out about William Edwards.
CRANLEY
13 WILLIE COMLEY 1128358, Gunner Edward William Comley was born 27 September 1897, the son of James and Ellen Comley, and lived in Snowhill Cottages, Broad Town. His trade is recorded as Farm Labourer. During World War One he served with “D” Battery, 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and saw service in France and Flanders. He died on 28 May 1917 age 19 and is buried in St. Martin Calvaire British Cemetery, St Martin-sur-Cojeul, Département du Pas-deCalais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. During his service he was awarded the Military Medal, a military decoration awarded for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire".
1 PYE LANE
14 TOM SIMPKINS 98043, Bombardier Tom Simpkins was born about 1896 in Broad Town, son of Mrs Mary Hannah (Anna, Annah?) Simpkins. In 1911 as a 14-year-old, his trade is given as farm labourer. It appears his family separated and the remainder of his brothers and sisters moved to Wales. During World War One he served in “D” Battery, 58th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He died of wounds in No 4 General Hospital, age 20, in Camiers on 5 March 1917 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Go paperless and view the Remembrance Trail map and summaries of the men on your phone from the Broad Town History website Remembrance | History. Alternatively, a limited number of paper copies will be available in the shelter (from 2nd November).
BROAD TOWN CHRIST CHURCH
A Tribute to Carolyn Crocker Carolyn was a very active member of Christ Church for a very long time. She made a valued and enthusiastic contribution to the life of the church, through her membership of the PCC, singing in the choir, playing the organ and maintaining a relationship with the school. She will be sorely missed by us all.
Services for November:-
8th November - Remembrance Sunday 10.50
22nd November 10.30 Communion service taken by Archdeacon Louise Ellis who is the Archdeacon of Wilts
Churchyard Working Group
Christ Church PCC would like to say a very big THANK YOU to the Churchyard Working Group for all their hard work over the past months and years. The churchyard is looking lovely, so well cared for, and we really appreciate the effort and dedication which these group of volunteers puts in to keep the churchyard in such excellent condition
NICHOLAS PAPADOPULOS, DEAN OF SALISBURY
November 2026
In Salisbury, Sarum Lights has become firmly established as part of many people’s preChristmas ritual. For one week the Cathedral hosts a stunning immersive display. Its vaults, arches, and walls become the screens upon which a bewitching sequence of images and animations are shown. Dinosaurs have lumbered along the aisles; whales have leapt in the nave. The glories of Renaissance art have lit up the transepts. The building has been filled with people, young and old, many of them visiting the Cathedral for the first time. In 2025 Sarum Lights brought more than 13,000 visitors to the Cathedral. Light in the darkness: that’s the essence of Sarum Lights. The projections would not work on balmy August evenings. It’s only in the gloom of the approaching winter that they can be seen. The colours and shapes prompt the warmth of a shared experience. The Lights beget light. Cameras are held aloft; children gasp in amazement; families chat about what they’ve seen over cups of hot chocolate. And the nighttime streets are busy – after hours, for this one week, the city comes to life, and its shops, pubs and cafés thrive. Light in the darkness: dazzling images, the joy of human company, the bustle of the lively thoroughfares. In the light of Sarum Lights we see such light.
November offers so many moments to enjoy the thrilling sight of light in the darkness. A sparkler twirled on Guy Fawkes Night, perhaps, or a candle lit in memory of the fallen, or a brooch of bright red petals worn in the autumn mist and drizzle. For in reimagining light in the darkness Sarum Lights is only catching up with what our culture and our Church have done at this time of year for many centuries. October ends with All Souls, and with the opportunity to light candles and remember those we love but see no longer. Then November opens with All Saints, when we honour those women and men of faith whose lives have shone brightly in their generation (at the Cathedral, Bishop Karen will present the Cross of St Aldhelm to those who have served our Diocese with distinction – whose light has guided, helped, and enabled many others to flourish). Remembrancetide follows. The scarlet of our poppies glows against the often-solemn tones of military uniforms and winter overcoats, recalling us to the sacrifice made by many in service of the liberty we enjoy. These weeks lead us to the end of the liturgical year with the celebration of Christ the King. The infant who is greeted as ‘a light to reveal you to the nations’ is acclaimed as the universal Lord, to whom all things are subject. Our Lights may beget further light, but at our year’s end we are reminded that it is Christ’s light that illuminates all things. In your Light shall we see light’, as the Psalmist puts it. Only in Christ are our eyes truly opened, and in Christ there is no darkness at all.
Light in the darkness. Hope renewed at the end of a challenging
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