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Paxcroft Mead News – March 2009 |
Contents
Click on the item to go to the article. |
Editorial CommentOn April 1st, our local authority, the West Wiltshire District Council will be subsumed into the new Wiltshire Council. Back in 1975 WWDC was created by the merger of Trowbridge Urban District Council with a number of other local councils. So things haven't really changed, except that we, the citizens, are farther than ever from the seat of power. Only time will tell if this is successful. In France, since the 1980's things have gone the opposite way, with large councils being split up and services being organised at a local level. It seems to be working. We have a mixed bag this month with a focus on the Community Centre and local events, particularly over the Easter period. If you have a news item or event you would like to share in the next newsletter, please send your contribution via email to editor@paxcroftmead.org.uk or post it to, or drop it in to:- To ensure we have the largest possible distribution, please would you forward this newsletter on to friends and neighbours and encourage them sign up to the emailing list via our website - http://www.paxcroftmead.org.uk/contact_form.htm |
The Paxcroft Mead Dynamic Duo, John and Pauline Marples have now taken on the re–decoration of the main hall. They have done the walls and most of the woodwork preparation and expect to finish everything by Easter.
John and Pauline have already done a great job with the re–decoration of the Ladies' and Men's toilets and changing rooms. They have given up a huge amount of time, spending many hours working in the Community Centre. I'm sure everyone will join me in a vote of thanks for all their work and for making the Centre a much more pleasant place to be.
Over the last couple of weeks, Attivo, the landlord of Hackett Place, has appointed a local company to deal with all the faulty street lights. You can't have missed that many of the lights around Budgens and the Centre were either out completely or rather sporadic in their operation. I am pleased to report that all the lights are now fixed. The Management Committee were particularly concerned that the lack of light to the rear of the Community Centre was inviting damage and anti–social behaviour.
Like it or not, the 1st of April sees the launch of the new Wiltshire Council. It seems as though things are going to look pretty similar to the existing arrangements for the time being, but the big change is the way in which we can contact the Council.
The table below shows the main telephone numbers available to call into the new Council from 1st April 2009.
| Wiltshire Council Contact Numbers | |
| Main Contact Number | 0300 456 0100 |
| Social Care Help Desk | 0300 456 0111 |
| Elections and Voting | 0300 456 0112 |
| Automated Payments | 0300 456 0119 |
You will still be able to visit the offices in Bradley Road or County Hall
Community Centre Annual General Meeting
The 2009 Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 20th May in the Centre, starting at 8 pm. There will be an opportunity for residents to put themselves forward as Management Committee members, but even if you don't want to take such an active role, the Committee would really welcome your support.
The format of the meeting is laid out in the published agenda. This as well as the Chairman's report and the Committee nomination form are already on the website under the Management page. Nominations for Committee members, or items to be included under “Any other Business” should be with Pauline Marples by the 4th May. There are also a number of other documents on the website dealing with Committee Member's roles and responsibilities now we are a registered charity.
All residents are welcome this meeting and the regular monthly Management Committee meetings.
Spring has sprung in Hannibal, New York state. We are enjoying some nice warm weather – temperatures have been in the 50's and even 60's and lots of sun. While it is possible that there could be more snow in April or even May it is not likely there will be another major storm. We were expecting this winter to be near a record for snow fall but there has been almost no snow in March. Syracuse Airport (35 miles east of Hannibal) recorded 150 inches. I think we had a bit less here in Hannibal. I must mention, however, Redfield which is about 40 miles North East of us. They recorded 300 inches of snow fall this winter. That's 25 feet of snow folks.
March is the time of year that the Sugar Maple trees are tapped for the sap which is boiled down to make Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar. Cold nights and warm days are required for the sap to flow properly and those conditions only last for 4–6 weeks. Small holes are drilled into the tree and a spile (spout) is inserted. A pail is hung from the spile to catch the sap. Each day the sap is collected from the pails and taken to the evaporator where it is boiled to remove most of the water (sap is 98% water & 2% sugar). When the boiled sap reaches a temperature of 219°F it is syrup. It takes 40 gallons of sap to boil down to make 1 gallon of syrup. Maple Syrup is great on pancakes, waffles, sausage, bacon, ham, squash and, my favorite, vanilla ice cream.
Susan, through her work with the American Red Cross and as a member of the Hannibal Historical Society, is getting to know more and more people in Oswego County. We both have volunteered to work with the local chapter of “Dollars for Scholars” which raises money each year to provide scholarships for local college bound students. I continue to enjoy Beaver Lake Nature Center. I volunteer to help there and try to walk 3 miles three times a week. I have almost completed my first 100 miles (I get a t–shirt) and will then start working on a total of 200 miles. The walking is, of course, good for me physically and walking the woodland trails is good for my spirit also.
We hope you all have a great April. Until next month – Best wishes to everyone.
FREE Easter Activities for Children and Families |
Tuesday 7th April – Bunny Baskets with Andrew Frostick Wednesday 8th April – Easter Cards* with David Birks Tuesday 14th April – Family Scrap Book with Anne Poole Wednesday 15th April – Victorian Silhouettes with David Birks Craft activities are suitable for children aged 5 and over, under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets issued on the day from 10am for 10.30, 11.10 & 11.50 sessions, and from 1pm for the 1.30, 2.10 & 2.50 sessions. Saturday 18th April – Victorian Photographic Family Fun Day with the History People and Andrew Frostick Mums, dads, children, teenagers, grandparents and guardians – why not join us for a day of Victorian Family Photography. Then make your very own decorated picture frame to display your portrait – simply delightful! These activities are all funded by Awards For All – part of the Big Lottery |
The Fairtrade Easter Chocolate Hunt will be held in the Sensory Garden (behind Trowbridge Town Hall) on Saturday 11th April (10am – 12noon)
The Easter Play is especially written and entitled ‘The Journey to the Cross’. The play will be performed by the St James Players on Tuesday 7th Wednesday 8th and Good Friday 10th April at 8 pm in the Church. Written by one of our retired Priests, Reverend Peter English, it is usually a different way of looking at the Easter Story, very moving and thought provoking. At the time of going to press, we understand there will a retiring collection rather than and entrance fee.
The parish church of St. Thomas is excited to announce that a 10 year dream is about to be fulfilled and that from Easter 2009 there will be a “church plant” on Paxcroft Mead. Services (including children's activities) will begin at the Mead School on Easter Sunday, 12th April and will then be held every Sunday in the Mead Community Primary School.
If you would like to know more, feel free to contact either the Church office on 01225 754826, or E-Mail the office at office@stthomastrowbridge.org or Alison Bennett at Alison@flyhighercoaching.co.uk
After more than 20 years, the Rector of St James's, Christopher Brown, is leaving this April. There is a special farewell concert being put on at the Civic Hall on Saturday, 25th April. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre (in Trowbridge Park), from Howard Travel and Pitts in Silver Street and the Dorothy House Hospice Shop. The Cardiff Arms Male Choir are performing together with Rhiannon Lambert, (Classic FM's most promising newcomer), and a choir from Bellefield School. Tickets £7.50 adults and children £1.
The Mead Primary School SUMMER BALL is to be held on Friday 19th June 2009 – 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. For full details, please click here to view or download the poster. For further information, contact the school office on 01225 759273.
As part of the Frome Festival – Theatre in the Villages, we will be hosting a performance of the The Little Red Hen on Saturday 11th July @ 5pm in the Community Centre. More details to follow.
“This is a mesmerising puppet theatre. Making bread is hard work, but it would be a lot easier if the lazy farmyard animals got off their reclining sofas and lent a hand. This timeless folktale is re–told, re–recorded and re–animated by the unswervingly energetic Stuff & Nonsense. For everyone over the age of 3 with no scary bits whatsoever and lots and lots of laughter. Beautiful puppets and great music.”
St. James Church, Trowbridge Town CentreThe Parish Church of St James in the Town Centre is open every morning, including Saturdays, for coffee and quiet prayer. In addition, on Wednesdays the Church is open from 12 noon until 2 pm for anyone who wants to pray for themselves, relatives or sick friends. A trained lay prayer minister is also available at this time if the visitor would like prayers said for them, by someone else. The Church is worth a visit because of the beautiful ornate ceiling which was carefully renovated to its original condition after the dramas of the fire and the spire collapse in the late 80's and early 90's. There is also a model of the Church on site, showing how the Church looked before the two catastrophes mentioned above.
If you know of any events that would be of interest to the community, please drop me an email to – editor@paxcroftmead.org.uk.
Previous newsletters are available via the Paxcroft Mead Newsletter archive. To access the archive click here
| ©2009 Paxcroft Community Centre | |
| Registered Charity Number 1123423 |