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Paxcroft Mead News – November 2008 |
Contents
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Editorial CommentChristmas is a coming – rather too rapidly. We are getting ready at the Community Centre, with a range of activities going on over the Christmas period. I would like to thank Jack Pope and Mike Grice for their contributions this month. We are taking a newsletter break in December, so the next edition will come out towards the end of January 2009. Have a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. 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 |
CCTV coming to the Community Centre
Over the next few weeks, a small CCTV system will be installed in the Community Centre. The system constantly records the images from the various cameras. These recordings can be retrieved, so that in the event of an incident, the evidence can be given to the authorities. The images from the camera installed in the foyer will be displayed on a monitor as well as being recorded.
In time, we will add some external cameras to the system and the hope is that we may be able to link the system into the Trowbridge central CCTV monitoring facility.
The Community Centre would like to thank the owner of Budgens who kindly donated a variety of CCTV cameras to us after recently updating their own security systems. Thanks also go to Jenny Mansfield who made the arrangements.
I'm sorry to report that over the last few weeks we have lost our two Community Support officers. However, we are assured that the team is being rebuilt as soon as possible. Our Neighbourhood Police Beat Manager, Lee Pelling, is being helped by some of the other CSO's in the area. Don't forget, you can still contact the Team (see below). If you need emergency assistance, always dial 999 (or 112)
Telephone 0845 408 7000 ext 725542 or email hilpertstavertnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
At long last, we now have an account with a supplier for our gas. We expect our first bill at the turn of the year, when we will be able to check that everything is indeed in order. After telling us repeatedly that they didn't supply us – what do you know – Southern Electric recently admitted that they have been supplying us all along, but confirmed that they will not be charging us for past usage.
After months of searching, we have at last found a local company to service the Community Centre heating boilers. If anyone is in need of this service, contact details can be found for Martyn Brown Gas Appliance Services on the notice board in the foyer.
Vandalism continues around the building, with several cases of small fires being started, instances of an aerosol being used as a blow torch to attempt to damage a door, graffiti, damage to letter boxes, and damage to the door bell. It is our policy to report every instance of vandalism to the Neighbourhood Policing Team and the matter is rising up the list of priorities.
We have taken advice from a local security firm called Crimeproofing Ltd. and their advice is being taken, with wireless cameras and movement detectors to be installed, an internal camera focused on the entrance porch, and anti-climb paint on nearby lampposts. We are very grateful to Crimeproofing Ltd. for their generous donation of wireless security cameras.
Attivo, who own the surrounding property and the lamp-posts, have agreed to repair the faulty lights and have kindly allowed us to install the security devices on the lamp-posts.
The Maintenance Team is developing plans for a new sign over the main entrance, turning the two dummy windows at the front into notice boards, sorting out the storage cupboards, and repairing the guttering – all this, in addition to the work on security.
Mike Grice's parachute jump in aid of Diabetes UK.
One reaches a certain time of life when we draw up a bucket list, a parachute jump was on mine. When this mad idea first came into my head, it was near my birthday, so I put out a request for this as a present from my family. A little later I thought maybe I could use it as a money raising event for charity. As two members of my immediate family are diabetic it was a no brainer – Diabetes UK it had to be.
When purchasing the parachute jump, my wife Sue selected the Army Parachute Association based at Netheravon. This seemed a good choice as the Red Devils are based there; not that they have asked me to join them.
I then set about the task of raising money by knocking on the doors of my good neighbours on Cornbrash Rise. Well did they rise to the occasion, they most certainly did and I am eternally grateful for their generosity. I was also able to raise a substantial amount, generously collected from ex–colleagues at the company I left six years ago.
The dawn of my Skydive (note the technical name) arrived and I peeked through the curtains to find very low cloud and rain – this was not good. If you can't see the ground when falling from 12500 feet then you never know when you might hit it!
However, as instructed, we reported to Netheravon at 0800hrs where the weather was worse than ever (I was getting worried). I reported in and was told I would be called for training in a short while. The while grew, so I was asked to partake in a bacon butty! Was this wise when I may be dropping suddenly from 12,500 ft?
The call for training came and a video and demonstration was given. The group I was in were all doing a tandem which meant sitting in the lap of your parachute man while getting out of the plane. The trainer insisted on giving a demo so guess who he selected for this? No, not me but a brave pretty young woman who instantly went the colour of a rear fog light!
Training finished, we were shown a film of various parachute jumps with a backing of rock music which gave everyone a great buzz. Outside, the weather was starting to clear, but by now it was midday. By 1300 hrs the signal was given to start the first jumps.
I checked the display boards but there was no sign of my name, and so I waited getting both more nervous and excited as we watched others complete their jumps. By 1900hrs we realized that there was no chance of jumping that day, so after re–arranging a new date we left, rather disappointed, for home.
Part 2 of Mike's adventure will be in the January 2009 newsletter.
Due to a number of members moving away and retiring, we would like to invite new members to join the Trowbridge Short Mat Bowling Club. The Club meets twice a week, at 2:30pm on Tuesdays and at 7:30pm on Fridays, at the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre
As well as club matches, we also play matches in the County League, have occasional social events including outings, skittles nights and a Christmas meal
Bowls can be provided, all we ask is that you bring a pair of bowls shoes, slippers or clean socks to wear (to protect the bowling mats). The first week is free, then £2 a sesson, plus £5 a year membership if you choose to join (8 sessions to decide)
Do come and try your hand at Short Mat Bowls, the game you can play all year round, in all weathers and at all ages.
For more details call John or Anne on 01225 752285
The election is over and we have a new President – almost. The Electoral College has to vote in December and the results certified by the new Congress when it convenes on January 6. There is, of course, no doubt as to how it will go. The feeling is now one of hope. Hope that Mr. Obama will actually do what he has been saying and hope that Congress will stop the partisan bickering and do what is right for the country. So far he is getting good marks for his picks for the top positions in his administration.
We have been having lots of winter this month. It has snowed several times and, here in Hannibal, we have received about 16 inches and it is still on the ground. It may be there until Spring or it may get warmer and it will all melt. One never knows. The snow isn't that much of a problem. Schools may open two hours late so the roads can be plowed before the buses pick up the children. I make sure the driveway is cleared so Susan can get out OK to go to work. Both our vehicles have 4–wheel drive and we drive sensibly so we haven't had any problems. The snow means it is harder for the birds to find food so we have many visitors to our bird feeders. We enjoy watching their antics.
The big holiday in November is Thanksgiving. This is a time for families to get together and enjoy a nice dinner – usually turkey with all the trimmings. It is also a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Yes times are tough right now but even so there is much to be thankful for. Susan has job she loves, we have our health, we have food to eat and a warm house and family is near. We are truly blessed.
Saturday, 22nd November saw the opening of the latest exhibition at Trowbridge Museum. The exhibiton entitled ‘Railways in Trowbridge’, covers the development of transport routes around Trowbridge right up until the present day. There are a number of exhibits from the original Great Western Railway Company that are particularly fascinating. There is a competition running in the exhibition where children can spot the ticket. If they find all the tickets, they will receive a small prize.
| Adult Night | Friday 5th December | featuring the welcome return of Micky John Bull. Members free, Member's guests – £1. |
Christmas Quiz | Thursday 18th December | From 8pm – lots of fun and frolics of a Seasonal nature! |
| Christmas Eve | Wednesday 24th December | Disco– 7:30pm 'til Late. Free Entry |
| Christmas Day | Thursday 25th December | Bar open from 12noon to 2pm |
| Boxing Day | Friday 26th December | Karaoke and Disco Night –7:30pm 'til Late. Free Entry |
| New Year's Eve | Wednesday 31st December | Disco & Raffle – 7:30pm 'til Late. Entry by Ticket (available from the bar) – Members £5, member's guests £6 and children 50 pence |
| Christmas Raffle – proceeds to Alzheimers Support and Wiltshire Air Ambulance |
| Prizes include: |
| Christmas Hamper |
| Maglite Torches |
| Cash Prizes |
| Wine and chocolates |
| + lots more |
| Tickets 50 pence each from the Bar |
The last date this year for the Hilperton and Staverton NPT surgeries at the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre is:-
The surgeries are held in the small meeting room at the rear of the Centre. Entry is via the rear fire door.
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From 6th – 13th December 2008 there will be a Christmas Village held in Fore Street, Trowbridge. The festivites will start on 6th December with our annual Christmas Street Fayre (10.00am 4.00pm) which will include Santa's Grotto, a parade to include Father Christmas in his sleigh, real reindeer, Choirs, Snow Machine, Children's Workshops (making Christmas Decorations & Hats), Children's Roundabout, Balloon Modelling, Stilt Walkers, Stalls, Mince Pies, Mulled Wine and much more! This will be followed by the Switching on of the Christmas Lights by a local radio station at 6.30pm and snow is guaranteed! The Christmas Village will then remain in Fore Street until the 13th December. There will be numerous wooden stalls selling a variety of Christmas Goods such as:
There will also be Santa's Grotto!! |
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Starting at 6pm, a lantern parade, will herald the arrival of Santa Claus. This is followed by the Christmas Lights switch–on at 6.30pm. Local radio celebrity, Graham Seaman will be doing the honours and snow is guaranteed! After the switch–on, Santa's Grotto will be open to visitors.
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
| ©2008 Paxcroft Community Centre | |
| Registered Charity Number 1123423 |