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Paxcroft Mead News – October 2008 |
Contents
Click on the item to go to the article. |
Editorial CommentThe Caribbean Celebration that was held on October 18th in the Community Centre, was a great success. Apart from the kudos of hosting the event, a real benefit was the exposure of the Community Centre to the wider community. Heather Patrick, one of the organisers, has sent in a report on the Celebration. Prior to returning to the U.S.A., Jack Pope was an active Management Committee member. Rather tongue–in–cheek, I asked him if he would be prepared to write his version of Alistair Cooke's Letter from America. Since his return, Jack has demonstrated a talent for journalism and has certainly taken on the task with relish and is now complaining that I am limiting his word numbers! I have been asked to point out to Mead Club members that the Membership Subcriptions are now overdue. As agreed at the last AGM, the subscriptions are £8 full membership and £4 concessions. 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 |
On Tuesday, 14th October, the Mead Club held its Annual General Meeting at the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre. The meeting was well supported with about 25 members in attendance.
The Chairman, Ron Watkins opened the meeting and introduced Jules Adams who had stepped in as Treasurer after Lesley Harrold's recent resignation.
Jules presented her report that showed the Club to be in good financial shape despite a slightly reduced memebrship. However this effect had been balanced out by more bar bookings which had ensured a healthy balance.
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Jules for providing the accounts, which were accepted unanimously by the meeting.
The Chairman thanked the officers of the 2007/08 Committee and the PMCC Committee for their support over the past year, especially Yvonne, Pete Gabb and Don Hatt. He reported that the year had been a success, although more members were needed for the club to expand. Bar Committee members were also needed.
Ron confirmed that the new membership subscription is as agreed at the last AGM (£8 full membership and £4 concessions).
The Chairman thanked everyone for their support over the last year and resigned his post as per Club rules.
The meeting elected the Committee as follows:–
Appointment of others interested in Committee posts are to be discussed at the subsequent Committee meeting.
It was agreed that the membership subscriptions for 2009/2010 would remain the same as this year.
There was much discussion over the level of financial contribution to the Paxcroft Mead Management Committee. After a number of proposals the meeting decided to accept the proposal made by Jules Adams that raised the amount by 10% over the previous sum with no additional donations being made without the approval of an extraordinary meeting of the Mead Club.
Ron Watkins closed the meeting, thanking Jules for taking on the finances at such short notice, to Yvonne for her continued support to the committee, and to Helen and Bill for their support given via Pubwatch and the Quiz.
The Celebration which was well attended, was a great success and offered a wide range of activities and entertainment for all the family.
The day was spilt into two halves – the morning session opening with a variety of community information stands including Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Westlea Housing Association & Wiltshire Police. African drumming and dance workshops were on offer as well as other activities, including hair braiding, storytelling and arts & crafts.
Trowbridge Library's stand contained a badge making machine which proved to be very popular with both adults and children – a definite highlight.
The Mayor, Councillor John Knight, attended and spent time talking to exhibitors and visitors.
During the evening session, traditional Caribbean meals were served, including fried chicken, rice & peas and curried goat, which all sold out quickly.
Live music was provided by the Renewal Gospel Choir from Bristol, Stan Bembridge and a great grand finale from local reggae band Troy Ellis and The Long Shots.
I would like to thank everyone that was involved in the planning of this event and also a special thank you to our sponsors Trowbridge Town Council, Wiltshire County Council, Wiltshire Police and West Wilts District Council. I would also like to thank members of the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre committee and the Mead Social Club committee for helping to make this event a great success.
PCSO MIKE CAINE is still very keen to encourage Paxcroft Mead residents to set up and run a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in their street.
Ray Parry has volunteered to co–ordinate a Neighbourhood Watch for Cornbrash Rise. He can be contacted by telephone on 01225 761198 and by email ray@crimeproofing.co.uk. Ray says, “To be successful we need up to 20 volunteers – ideally starting at the junction with Leapgate so that we can have a sign there (a map of volunteer locations has to be provided). Volunteers will need to attend a formation meeting with the area co-ordinator at the Centre but that's about it apart from curtain twitching that is – anyone interested in starting a scheme in other areas of Paxcroft Mead can also contact me and I will let Mike know.”
Please contact PCSO MIKE CAINE for further details, either by telephone, email, or by leaving a message at Trowbridge Police Station (opening hours – MONDAY to FRIDAY, 09:00 – 17:00).
The Hilperton and Staverton NPT have just announced the following dates for NPT surgeries at the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre. They are:-
The surgeries are held in the small meeting room at the rear of the Centre. Entry is via the rear fire door.
Telephone 0845 408 7000 ext 725542 or email hilpertstavertnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
We have no doubts that Winter is on its way. It gets very cool at night. We have been as low as –4°C and have had several hard frosts. I saw the first snow today but only flurries in the air. The days are still nice with the temperature around 15°C. We are very near Lake Ontario where the water temperature is still about 15°C. This will moderate our weather for a while but we will pay for it later this winter when the Lake Effect snow can easily dump 1–3 feet of snow on us all at once.
We have fully become residents here. We both have our New York State drivers licenses now and have paid our first taxes. In New York, schools are supported by a separate tax which is paid in September.
Not being a United States citizen, Susan cannot vote in the upcoming elections. I was not able to vote while we lived in Trowbridge, so I am looking forward to casting a ballot again. In addition to the presidential election, there are many other elections being held on November 4th. We vote for a representative to the United States House of Representatives from this area. The House is one of the two houses that make up the US Congress. Some states will also be electing their two members of the US Senate which is the other house in the Congress. Senators serve a six year term and only a third of them are elected each two years. The two Senators from New York State are not up for election this time. Representatives to the New York State legislature are also being elected. We vote for a member of the Assembly and for the NY Senate.
Many lawns are displaying signs for the candidates that the homeowners support and the candidates seem to show up wherever there is a gathering of people. We were at a turkey dinner recently and one of the candidates for the NY Senate was there as well and had the honor of meeting Susan and me. I had a chance to ask him to explain why I should vote for him. A number of Judges will also be elected to serve various courts.
Our other big news is that Susan has a new job with the American Red Cross but I will have to tell you more about that next month as I am already over the number of words that Jonathan allows me each month.
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On Saturday, 1st November, Halloween Family Party Night - featuring Nathan Zorchek, juggler, comedian and magician, music from Secondhand plus disco.
Free entry to members.
The Hilperton and Staverton NPT have just announced the following dates for NPT surgeries at the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre. They are:-
The surgeries are held in the small meeting room at the rear of the Centre. Entry is via the rear fire door.
Come and get ahead with your Christmas shopping on Friday, November 7th at the Mead Primary School.
It will be great evening for all the family! We have over 20 stalls from cosmetics to cards, jewellery to candles, books to toys!
Why not enjoy a great meal with Vowley Rare Breeds Farm delicious Barbecue? There is also a bar so you can enjoy a glass of mulled wine while you have a look around!
For the children there's fair ride and a great Christmas crafts stall where you can make you own decorations ready for the Christmas tree!
So make a night of it – all proceeds go towards development of the school grounds.
Doors open at 5pm and admission is free.
Click here to download the poster.
The aim of Trowbridge Civic Society is to improve the appearance of the area by preserving what is good from the past and encouraging high standards of design in new buildings, enhancing the image of the area and increasing the number of amenities within Trowbridge and its adjacent villages.
On Tuesday 18th November at 7:30pm the Society is presenting its Annual Public Lecture in the Manvers Hall, United Church, Church Street in Trowbridge. This year, the lecture entitled “Trowbridge Scrap Book Jottings” will be delivered by local historian, Andrew Jones.
Refreshments are available and there will be an opportunity to purchase Society publications. New members are always welcome and you can join the Society on the night.
The 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
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| Registered Charity Number 1123423 |
