PARISH COUNCIL NEWS www.easterton.org.uk
A cautionary tale: Hefty fines await those inconsiderate dog owners who do not pick up after their pets poo in public places. Whilst this extends to footpaths & byways I am particularly concerned about reports of poo being found on the Village Hall car park and the recreation field – both particularly frequented by young children which should be a good reason to be extra protective of these areas. Please always “Bag it & Bin it”.
Chairman’s report:
Jam Factory Site: On Monday 17th Nov. the Parish Council’s Flood Working Group delivered a strongly worded report addressed to Wiltshire Highways Drainage Team listing the shortcomings of the proposed surface water drainage arrangements for the Jam Factory site. Councillor Philip Whitehead confirmed that he would take up our concerns with the Land Drainage Team.
Parish Councillors agreed that the name to be adopted for the site road system should be “Strawberry Fields” – this name has been submitted to the developers.
Footpath 2: (High Street to Oak Lane) – the new route has been allowed to become impassable and the situation will be referred to the Footpath Warden for action.
Community Day: The clean-up by Streetscene Service on 28th October (Community Day) was successful in Eastcott Common and the northern end of the High Street. The rest of the High St. to be tackled on the scheduled monthly visits.
Defibrillator: Instructions on the use of the defibrillator in an emergency will be freely available from the SW Ambulance Trust at 7.30pm on Monday 8th December in the
Village Hall. The equipment is to be mounted outside near the back door of the Royal Oak.
Review of car parking in Devizes & elsewhere: More details of this consultation are on p.15 of the ‘Your Wiltshire Magazine’ recently distributed. Car users are encouraged to have their say by visiting http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal. If you need a paper copy please write to: Principal Transport Planner – Transport Policy, Sustainable Transport Group, Wiltshire Council. Closing date is 16thJanuary.
Consultation for proposals for Devizes-Pewsey bus: If you use this service it is important that you complete the questionnaire by visitinghttp://dcap.org.uk/news/connect2.consultation/ Hard copies of the proposals & questionnaire are available at Devizes & Pewsey libraries, and from drivers on Connect2Wiltshire buses. Closing date is 10th December.
The Royal Oak: Finally, on behalf of the Village, I would like to thank Phil Evans of The Royal Oak for quietly lending his invaluable support to Village events whether at the Spring Party, Summer Fair or at the Remembrance Day Lunch where he provided some of the catering equipment not to mention a huge amount of rice to complement his excellent beef curry.
Village Website: We are pleased to announce a report that the Village website is now up and running.
Parish Council Meetings: The next scheduled meeting is on Monday, 19th January, 2015 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. Please note that a copy of the most recently agreed minutes of Parish Council meetings can be viewed on the Easterton Village website as well as at the Market Lavington library where a paper copy will be available.
EASTERTON & EASTCOTT VILLAGE HALL
CHRISTMAS CABARET
NOVEMBER 29TH
7.00 for 7.30
TICKET ORDERS BEING TAKEN NOW
MOIRA (818094), CHRIS (812317), DAVID (812527)
£11 including supper and a glass of wine
This will be our 15th Annual Cabaret and will have a Christmas theme. If you would like to take part on the stage or in any way please call Moira.
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Your Village Hall is a community asset. It is looked after by a committee of management, all of whom act as Trustees, as follows:
Chairman Moira Armstrong T: 818094
Vice Chairman Raine Green T: 812527
Treasurer Chris Saunders T: 812317
Secretary David Green T: 812527
Bookings Secretary Bob Bulson T: 813628
Committee Members
Ray Bruce T: 813869
Mike Macpherson T: 698674
The Hall presently provides a range of facilities for group, family and individual functions and activities. These include stage and theatre, catering and bar rooms and a meeting and activity area. An amplification & Hearing Loop System is available. There is adequate crockery, cutlery and glassware for up to 100 people, and 100 upholstered conference chairs are available. Rates are very reasonable ranging from £5 per hour for village events, £6 per hour for parish residents, £7 per hour for out of parish groups or individuals and local government use to £12 per hour for commercial bookings. The Hall can be licensed for the sale of alcohol for up to 12 events per year. Further details of all these can be obtained from the Bookings Secretary.
The Hall already hosts a number of groups on a regular basis:
Mondays: Brownies 515pm - 715pm.
Tuesdays: Art Class 10am – 1pm, Keep Fit 630 to 730pm.
Dog Ring Craft Training 7pm – 9pm. (Puppy training by arrangement)
Wednesdays: Market Lavington Band practice 8 to 930pm, Easterton Archers (on the field) from 6pm. (Seasonal)
Thursdays: Keep Fit 630 to 715pm, Short Mat Bowls730pm – 10pm.
Fridays: Judo 5.15pm – 7.15pm.
Additional bookings for December are: Sat 6th, 11am to 4pm – Children’s party; Mon 8th, 730 to 930pm – Defibrillator Training; Sun 14th, 4 to 11pm – Dickens at Christmas.
Due to vandalism over recent years the roof is in urgent need of replacement and the committee is presently developing plans to improve the facilities offered, including enhanced changing rooms for the stage, a second meeting room and new toilets and storage facilities. Some funding is due to become available as soon as building work starts on the former jam factory site but additional money will have to be sought.
EASTERTON VILLAGE ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
St Barnabas’ Church:
The sun shone brightly on our traditional Remembrance Sunday Service at St Barnabas’ Church with the churchyard neat and tidy and ready for the year to come. There was a full congregation in church with a strong contingent from our local Beavers and Cub Scout Troop ably led by Philip Burt. The Reverend Ann Cocking conducted the service and gave a reflective and moving address and the organist, Jill Wilding, led us in our hymns. Lessons were read by Andrew Clough and Lt Col Jonathan Turner: David Green remembered the Names of the Fallen, while Chris Saunders laid a wreath on behalf of the Parish. The Beavers, too, laid a wreath. Richard Oliver and Freya Masters gave the Tribute and after the service, crosses were laid in our new Garden of Remembrance in the churchyard where the Cub Scout Troop also laid a wreath. We were delighted to host the family of Sergeant Herbert Pinchin who heard his memory invoked throughout the service. It was a moving and memorable occasion, and a fitting tribute from young and old alike.
Sergeant Herbert Pinchin:
A name on the Roll of Honour from WW1 in St Barnabas’ Church became much more than just a name with the visit to Easterton of Herbert Pinchin’s family, who had travelled down from their homes in Stretton, Staffordshire. Herbert Pinchin was a professional soldier serving in the Wiltshire Regiment. He served in the Boer War before being called for service on the outbreak of WW1. He was wounded in action and evacuated to a hospital in Newcastle. Sadly, he died of his wounds on 23 October 1914 and is buried at Jesmond Cemetery. Michael Clark, Vanessa and Joan Pinchin joined us at our Remembrance Service and later at our Remembrance Sunday Lunch in the Village Hall and were delighted to be remembered in Roger Frost’s talk on Easterton families. They were pleased too to win a star prize in the raffle and will be returning to enjoy a meal for two courtesy of the The Bridge Inn at West Lavington.
Easterton Village Hall:
The service was followed by the now traditional Remembrance Sunday Lunch, organised through the Village Forum. There were 76 of us, young and old, some very young and some veteran members, who sat down to a welcoming glass and a delicious lunch of curry or casserole prepared by ladies and gentlemen of the village. David Green led the event, which was a village tribute to the anniversary of the start of WW1. Our guests were Jill Wilding who had played so well for us at the earlier service and Roger Frost who kept us engaged and enlightened with tales of Easterton families in and around the time of The Great War. It was a wonderful commemorative occasion enjoyed by all, and with the addition of a successful raffle, the magnificent sum of £800 was raised which will be donated equally to the Royal British Legion and to SSAFA Wiltshire. Thanks must go to all of you who came and supported the occasion, and for being so generous with donations. As ever, particular thanks must go to those who gave their time and culinary skills to make it such a memorable lunch and an occasion that has become a highlight in our village calendar.
THE LATE CLIFF BAILEY
Haidee and the family of the late Cliff Bailey would like to thank everyone for their messages of sympathy, cards, flowers and generous donations to the Air Ambulance; also thanks to the neighbours at Haywards Place for the collection received. The total donations amounted to £350.
We were touched by the large congregation at Easterton Church and express thanks to all who attended with special thanks to Rev. Ann Cockings for her understanding and kindness. Thank you.
MARKET LAVINGTON & EASTERTON WI
In December we have our annual Christmas function which this year is a members only Christmas buffet in the Furminger Room at the usual meeting time, 7.30 p.m., on Tuesday
9th December.
Our first meeting of the New Year takes place on Tuesday 13th January, also in the Furminger Room at 7.30 p.m. This is our ‘Resolutions’ meeting, open to visitors, and demonstrates the more serious side of our institute, when we discuss and vote on issues that concern us all and we hope will carry forward for the National WI to lobby whatever government is in power later in the year.
Our less serious side took place last month when our own members led a craft evening where we made table and Christmas tree decorations. Sally Bullock and Janet Milner kept us fully occupied, and we would like to thank them for all their preparation and good humour during the evening. For information about our WI ring Sue Somerville, 01380 812538, the WI Secretary.
WHITE HORSE OPERA
White Horse Opera’s Christmas Concert will be on Wednesday, 17th December at 7.30pm in St. John’s Church, Devizes. Lovely music including several pieces from Handel’s Messiah, conducted by our new Music Director, Roland Melia.
Tickets £9 (to include mulled wine and mince pies) are on sale now at Devizes Books 01380725944 and on line at www.whitehorseopera.ticketsource.co.uk.
WEST LAVINGTON YOUTH CLUB
The staff and The Youth Club Management Committee would like to wish the Youth Club Members and all those that have supported us throughout the year a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2015.
We will be closed over the Christmas period; please check at the Youth Club for dates.
When we are back these are the session times:
Monday 7pm - 9pm Seniors at West Lavington
Tuesday 6pm -7.30pm Young Members at West Lavington
Thursday 6.30pm - 8.30pm DROP IN seniors at West Lavington
Friday 7pm - 9pm Seniors at Market Lavington
Eric Freeman – Chairman
The Management Committee West Lavington Youth Club
“Dickens at Christmas”Sunday 14th December
7.00 for 7.30 pm
Easterton Village Hall
A festive Dickensian evening and Victorian supper
with drinks & cash bar
AND
a delightful presentation of dramatised Dickens' readings
by Chester House Productions
“a completely professional performance” - “a delightful evening” - “...we wanted more”!
For tickets - £12.50 Adults (children £5) - call Carol - 01380 813563
FESTIVE GREETINGS
The Parish Council would like to wish all readers a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. The next edition of the Echoes will be circulated in late January, 2015 and a special vote of thanks is extended to all those who help to distribute this newssheet.
REMEMBER... That it is your input which keeps the Echoes going so if you have any
contributions such as small private ads or announcements for this
newssheet please hand them into Sue Allen, 57 High St. by 20th January, 2015.
Susan Deegan
Parish Clerk
EE ...... your monthly village newsletter.