February 2010 Newsletter
Contents
Click on the item to go to the article. |
Editorial CommentIt looks as though the use of the plot of land beside Star East will be decided shortly - the Community Forum report gives more details. The Kingfisher Church is doing a Litter Pick after their service on Sunday March 21st. See Forthcoming Events for full details. The Tourism Week events look interesting and will be highlighting some of the aspects of Trowbridge's industrial past. If you have a news item or event you would like to share in the next newsletter, please send your contribution via email 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 - |
Paxcroft Mead News
A Public House at Paxcroft Mead - Community Forum Report
For some time now the land next to the Star East Chinese Takeaway has been subject to legal wrangling between the Council and Marston Inns. In March, there will be a Public Inquiry to decide the fate of the "land adjacent to Hackett Place", which is currently designated as a site for a potential medical centre.
The developers who own the site have applied twice to the local council to have the designation lifted so that they can build a pub on the site, and have been twice denied. They have now appealed and the matter will go before a Public Inspector, who will hear all the evidence and make a final judgement.
Meanwhile, the Wiltshire Council western area planning committee has met to consider a confidential report on the matter and has decided not to defend the appeal. It therefore seems likely that the developer will be allowed to build the pub, but the Public Inquiry will still go ahead, so that members of the public have the chance to offer evidence.
As a Forum, we have to speak on behalf of our members so a poll has been designed to gauge opinions on the main matter, i.e. whether Forum members support retaining the legal agreement currently in force for the land at Hackett Place to be used for a medical centre.
Clearly since the Council has decided that they will not defend the appeal by Marston Inns, the legal agreement will almost certainly lapse, so in all probability a pub will be built. However if the Planning Inspector can be convinced of public support for a medical centre, a way of retaining the potential for a medical centre might still be found.
If the majority of Forum members respond to say that they support the retention of the legal agreement to have a medical centre on Paxcroft Mead, we will go to the enquiry and support that view. A key indicator of the viability of such a centre would be the willingness of people to switch their doctor (if necessary) in order to use it, so we also need to canvas member's opinions on this matter.
The Forum Committee believes that it would certainly be in the community's interest for the potential of a medical centre to be retained, but we are pledged to represent the views of local residents and we want to know what YOU think. The electronic poll is on the Forum website and we urge Forum members to follow the links to register their vote. Only votes from registered forum members will be counted. Registration costs nothing and is quickly achieved on line. Join the forum today and make your opinion count.
Click here to join the Forum. Click here to vote.
Community Centre Management Committee
In the last edition of the newsletter, we reported that the officers of the Community Centre Management Committee were standing down at the next Annual General Meeting. Since then, one volunteer has come forward. However we still need more residents the join and urge anyone who is interested to give John Marples a call on 01225 767870
The Paxcroft Mead Toddler Group
The Croft Mother and Toddler group has been recently renamed to the Paxcroft Mead Toddler Group. The new committee has been busy and have extended the programme of events to include regular crafting sessions. Some of these sessions are supported by Bellefield, the local children's centre. For full details of these activites click here to visit the Group's webpage or give Caz a call on 07941 911168 or to email her click here.
This is the text of an email recently sent in - can we prevent this?
Armed with my plastic gloves and black bin-bag, I have just done my first litter-picking of the year at the lower end of Leap Gate!
I started doing this last year as calls to the local Council met with no result and the amount of litter was not in keeping with the standard I am sure we would all wish to see on the Paxcroft estate.
Whilst engaged in my task last year a number of passing drivers hooted at me and waved and the few people on foot who passed me said I was ‘doing a good job’ and it was ‘much appreciated’. However, no-one else seemed inclined to join in!
I will continue to clear-up after these ‘litter-louts’ as long as I can as Paxcroft Mead is our home and deserves to be kept in a neat and tidy state but I am not getting any younger.
Just for your information, this is an example of the litter I collected today (some of which had been visible for quite a number of days):
- Used disposable nappy
- Handwipes/babywipes
- Crisp bags
- Sweet bags
- McDonald's debris
- Wine bottle
- Beer bottle
- Cigarette packets
- Cigar packets
- Plastic cutlery
- Plastic carrier bags
- Condom packet (but no used condom thank goodness!)
- Various drinks cans
What the environment will be like when the 650 houses are built in Green Lane and Leap Gate is extended - not to mention if a Public House is built at Hackett Place - one dreads to think!!
Many thanks for your time and patience in reading this e-mail - I realise there is nothing that can be done as the litter is probably dropped by non-residents of the area and they therefore do not care - so long as it's ‘not in their own back yard’!
Digital Television Switchover - a reminder
Digital switchover is coming to Wiltshire very soon. This will mean that we all have to take action to ensure we continue to receive television channels after the switchover dates in March and April 2010.
The first stage of the switchover starts on 24th March and the second stage on 7th April. The analogue BBC2 will go in stage one and the rest of the analogue stations during stage 2. If you only view the analogue services, these will be discontinued at stage 2 time, so you must have an alternative, e.g. Sky, Freesat or a digital receiver either built in to your TV or as a separate unit. Digital receivers must be re-tuned on both these dates to continue to receive service.
For full details for our area click here
Digital UK are running a series of exhibitions giving information about the changeover. The remaining dates are shown in the table below:-
| Bradford-on-Avon | Bridge Street Car Park, BA15 1BY | 4 March 2010 |
| Corsham | Newlands Road Car Park, SN13 0BH | 3 March 2010 |
| Melksham | Church Street Car Park, SN12 6ES | 5 March 2010 |
| Westbury | High Street, BA13 4DR | 4 March 2010 |
Do you need help with the switchover?
Community First of Devizes, is working with Digital Outreach Ltd to ensure that the message about Digital Switchover reaches older and vulnerable people who qualify for free help but who may not yet have responded to the Digital Switchover Help Scheme Pack they will have already received. These most vulnerable members of our communities are also those who are likely to be most dependent on television as a daily companion.
The Switchover Help Scheme can help you make the switch to digital TV.
The scheme can help you convert your TV to digital if you:
- are aged 75 or over; or
- get or could get Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or mobility supplement; or
- have lived in a care home for six months or more; or
- are registered blind or partially sighted
To see if you are eligible for help, you can check online clicking here or call 0800 40 85 900
Forthcoming Events
Mead Club Events
| Six Nations Rugby Opening | |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13th March 2.15pm through to normal closing hours | Ireland v Wales (Kickoff - 2.30pm) |
| Scotland v England (Kickoff - 5.00pm) | |
| Sunday 14th March 12.30pm | France v Italy (Kickoff - 2.30pm) |
| Saturday 20th March 2.15pm through to normal closing hours | Wales v Italy (Kickoff - 2.30pm) |
| Ireland v Scotland (Kickoff - 5.00pm) | |
| France v England (Kickoff - 7.45pm) |
Partylite Pamper and Candle Party
On Friday, 19th March 7.30pm for 8.00pm. Non-members £1 admittance.
Live Band, Gypsy
On Saturday, 3rd April 2010 (Easter Saturday). Ticket prices:- Members £2.50, Guests £3.50, Children 50p.
This six-piece band, comprising male and female vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, perform a wide repertoire of classic songs from the 1960s to the present day, making them the ideal choice for live music whatever the occasion.
Gypsy combine their wealth of musical talent and experience with a top quality light show and sound system to provide you with an evening of truly top quality live entertainment and an unforgettable experience.
Gypsy Website
Weekly Quiz Night
The Thursday Quiz Night continues to be a popular night with members. The evening is a lot of fun with ‘special’ nights featuring variations such as Snakes and Ladders and Joker Nights. Other special nights have included Trafalgar Night (for the Jack Tars - one of whom is reported to have taken part), Burns Night etc. The entry fee is 50 pence per person.
Tourism Week - Events in Trowbridge
Our County Town has much to tantalize tourists with during British Tourism week
British Tourism week is from the 15th to the 21st March and the Trowbridge Tourism group has organised a series of events to highlight the wealth of heritage Trowbridge has at its disposal.
Trowbridge has offered 810 years of retail therapy and the Chairman of the Civic Society will be presenting a copy of the earliest market charter to the Mayor on Wednesday 17th March at 11.00am in the Museum. This will be followed by a book signing of Roger Newman's work ‘200 years of Retail in Trowbridge’.
On Thursday 18th March, Glyn Bridges Chairman of the Civic Society will be carrying out a guided walk entitled: Pevsner's Palaces - The Clothiers' Houses of Trowbridge. The walk will start at 2.00pm and if oversubscribed another walk will carried out at 2.00pm on Friday 19th March.
On Friday 19th March, Trowbridge historian Ken Rogers will be giving a public lecture entitled ‘Trowbridge's woollen industry's architecture - an open air museum of national importance’. The lecture will be free and will commence at 11.00am followed by refreshments. It will be held in the Museum and admission to the lecture will be on a first come first served basis.
On Saturday 20th March weaving will be demonstrated in the Museum, a unique opportunity to see historic machinery and processes in action.
All enquiries to: Clare Lyall, Curator (01225 751339). Email: clare.lyall@trowbridge.gov.uk
Children's Activities at Trowbridge Museum
Craft events scheduled for March - full details below.
| Date | Time | Subject | Details | Age Range | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 13th March | 10.30-11.30 11.30-12.30 13.30-14.30 14.30-15.30 | Mother's Day Cards | Make a Mother's Day card, and make your Mother happy! | Aged 4 and over | £1.00 to all |
| Saturday 20th March | 10.30-12.30 | NORMANS & VIKINGS 1 with Louise Mansbridge | Find out all about the Normans and Vikings and make a historic artefact in our fascinating history workshop. | Aged 8 and over | £3.00 or £2.50 to Stumpy's Club Members |
| Saturday 20th March | 13.30-15.00 | Motte and Bailey Desk Tidy with David Birks | Create a desk tidy (or trinket tidy, or anything) in the shape of a motte and bailey castle. | Aged 5 and over | £2.50 or £2.00 to Stumpy's Club Members |
These workshops are advance booking only as places are limited - call 01225 751339. Discounts available on the day if you join Stumpy's Club. N.B. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Stumpy's Saturday Club is open to all children and young people, from Trowbridge and the surrounding areas - we get lots of families coming from Swindon, Melksham, Westbury, Bath, etc. and they're all welcome to join. There is a charge for membership.
What can we offer? There will be a regular newsletter/comic, competitions, badges, pens, t-shirts (and similar things), and members will be offered one free session each year. Stumpy Club members will also receive details of all the workshops first, and they will get first refusal. Fees will also go towards buying items such as protective clothing, for those slightly messier activities.
So how much will it cost?
| One child | £5 per year |
| Two children per family | £8 per year |
| Three children per family | £11 per year |
Membership is for a calendar year (January - December), and payment will need to be made before any sessions are booked. Members will receive a membership card, badge and sticker plus other items each year.
For more details of STUMPY'S CLUB call the Museum on 01225 751339 or email David Birks at the museum.
Kingfisher Church @ The Mead
Kingfisher Church Spring Clean around Paxcroft Mead
On Sunday 21st March following the Family service 10.30am at the Mead School. Bring and share lunch at 12 noon and litter pick from 1pm.
Gloves, litter grabbers and bin bags will be provided. Everyone (all ages) welcome to come and make a differerence to this community.
Kingfisher Church Easter All-Age Family Service on Easter Sunday, 4th April, 10.30am. Refreshments and time for a chat after the service.
For more details on both events, please contact Alison or Mark Bennett on 01225 754826 or visit website www.kingfisherchurch.org.uk
Trowbridge Walking Forum - March 2010
The Trowbridge Walking Forum walks are designed to provide gentle and sociable exercise and are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Wednesday walks are approximately 2 to 3 miles and there is usually a choice of an easy, level walk and one that may include fields and stiles. On Mondays, walks alternate between a longer route of 4 to 5 miles with stiles and some hills, and shorter walks of less that 1½ miles that are mostly on paved paths.
The programme for February and March 2010 is shown below:
| Day | Date | Type | Route Options | Starting Point | Grade |
| Mon | 1-Mar | Short walk | Broadmead | Studley Green Community Hall | E S 1½m |
| Wed | 3-Mar | Moderate Walk | Broughton Gifford and Chalfield | Near The Bell on the Common, Broughton Gifford | S M 2½m |
| Mon | 8-Mar | Longer walk | Westwood to Wingfield | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M 4½m |
| Wed | 10-Mar | Moderate walk | Beckington and Orchardleigh | Park on street near The Woolpack, Beckington | S M 3½m |
| Mon | 15-Mar | Short walk | Southwick Country Park | Southwick Country Park CP | E 1½m |
| Wed | 17-Mar | Moderate walk | White Row Farm, Beckington | Park in road outside White Row Farm. Road leads off of A36 Beckington Roundabout | E S 2½m |
| Mon | 22-Mar | Longer walk | Seend canal walk | Three Magpies, Sells Green | P M S 4m |
| Wed | 24-Mar | Moderate walk | Rode and Tellisford | Vaggs Hill, off the Wingfield to Rode road | E 2½m |
| Mon | 29-Mar | Short walk | White Horse Business Park | B & Q car park, Bradley Road, Trowbridge | E 1.5m |
| Wed | 31-Mar | Longer walk | Poulshot towards Potterne | Park off the edge of the track on the left just past "the Raven" | P S M 3½ m |
| Walks start at 10:30AM Bus timetables are at www.traveline.org.uk | |||||
| Short Walks: approx 45 mins, no stiles, mostly paved paths. Moderate Walks: approx 60 to 75 mins, mostly field paths, usually stiles. Longer Walks: up to 2 hours, stiles, some hills. | |||||
| Key: E: Easy walking. H: Moderate hills. S: Stiles. M: Can be muddy. P: Pub lunch possible. s/c: shorter route possible. | |||||
For more information visit www.whi.org.uk/trowbridge or contact Alan & Anne on 01225 760492, David on 01225 755639, Mike on 01225 766668 or Pat & Charles on 01225 753735.
Community Centre Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Community Centre Management Committee will be held on Tuesday 18th May 2010 in the Community Centre.
As well as receiving the Chairman's Report and the Centre Accounts, residents will have the opportunity to elect the Management Committee. There will be further details in the next newsletter.