February 2011 Newsletter
Contents
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Editorial CommentAfter Christmas and the New Year, we are bit short of news for Janaury. However the Neighbourhood Police Teams have reported encouraging crime figures, particularly for Paxcroft Mead. The Arc Theatre becomes our local venue for the new rural cimema pilot scheme. I must also say thanks to Jack Pope for his tales of a very chilly New York State. I have included a number of half term activities for the children for later in the month. If you have a news item or event you would like to share in the next newsletter, please let me have your contribution by Thursday 24th February and send 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
Comunity Centre Committee changes
Jane Wosika has unfortunately decided to step down from her committee position with responsibility for Health and Safety in the Community Centre. Jane, who is a qualified health professional took on the role a number of years ago and has kept an eye on any health and safety issues arising in the centre, as well as making regular inspections of the centre looking for potential areas of risk. Jane will be very much missed from the committee.
We would like to thank Jane for all her hard work and wish her well for the future. On the plus side, we would like extend a big thank you to Gary Reeves who has agreed to take over responsibility.
Tumble Tots ‘Eat Fit Keep Fit’ campaign for 2011 theme is “Together We Cook”. Preparing and cooking food with children can help to put them on the right food path as well as being great fun. Tumble Tots believe that if children are started on the right diet from an early age when taste buds are being formed, and at the same time encouraged to be physically active, the continuing battle against obesity can be won.
As part of the Eat Fit Keep Fit campaign, a piece of fruit and booklets containing useful healthy recipes and a couple of dessert treats, that can be cooked together as a family will be given out to Tumble Tots at the Paxcroft Mead Community Centre on Friday 11th February.
The ‘Eat Fit Keep Fit’ campaign which is now in its 7th year, aims to help combat the UK's childhood obesity issue and once again this year Tumble Tots have teamed up with renowned children's best selling food author Annabel Karmel. She has helped Tumble Tots produce a wonderful recipe booklet that little ones can join in with.
The ‘Eat Fit Keep Fit’ campaign continues to reinforce the importance of combining physical exercise with a healthy diet and this year it's also encouraging greater parent and child bonding. Cooking together is a great way to introduce new foods and have fun.
Tumble Tots families are invited to take up a recipe challenge by entering a healthy recipe cooked by the family and a photo to support the recipe. The competition will be judged by Annabel Karmel and all the recipes will be posted on the Tumble Tots website to download.
For more information about Tumble Tots classes and the ‘Eat Fit Keep Fit’ campaign, please call Debbie Bensley on 01225 811579
Tumble Tots is an active play programme for children from 6 months to seven years. It is designed to develop children's physical skills of agility, balance, co-ordination and climbing as well as develop their positive personality traits. The 45 minute classes are held at Paxcroft Mead Community Centre on Fridays term time.
Rural Cinema comes to Trowbridge
White Horse Pictures is the rural cinema pilot scheme for Wiltshire and the Test Valley, designed to bring a modern digital cinema experience out to your local area, so that you can watch and enjoy new films right on your doorstep.
Research shows that the Wiltshire and Test Valley area has less cinema screens for its size than the English national average, resulting in many audiences having to travel long distances to enjoy the latest cinema releases.
White Horse Pictures has secured £400,000 Lottery funding from the UK Film Council over three years, to purchase a combination of touring digital cinema standard projection equipment and high'definition Blu Ray kit, to be operated in non'traditional venues across the region, bringing the best cinema experience of the latest films to convenient locations near you.
Our local venue is the Arc Theatre in Trowbridge. The programme for the next few months is shown below - for other local venues, visit the White Horse Pictures website at http://www.whitehorsepictures.co.uk. All films cost £6 with a £5 concessionary rate.
| Title | Date | Times |
| How to Train Your Dragon (Cert: PG) | Wed 23 February | 2.30 and 7.30 pm |
| The Kings Speech (Cert: 12a) | Wed 16 March | 2.30 and 7.30 pm |
| The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Cert: 12a) | Sat 2 April | 7.30pm |
| Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang (Cert: U) | Sun 3 April | 2.30 and 7.30 pm |
| R.E.D. (Cert: 12a) | Wed 11 May | 2.30 and 7.30 pm |
| Another Year (Cert: 12a) | Wed 8 June | 2.30 and 7.30 pm |
| Never Let Me Go (Cert: 12a) | Wed 20 July | 2.30 and 7.30 pm |
For full details visit the Arc Theatre website at http://www.arctheatre.org.uk
Crime levels are down in general and particularly pleasing is a drop on Paxcroft Mead. There were 31 crimes reported in the Trowbridge Rural NPT area (Hilperton). Of these 4 were on Paxcroft Mead (including 2 drink driving and the theft of an excavator from the Hawkescroft building site. The Adcroft and Paxcroft NPT area reported 51 crimes of which 13 were cases of anti-social behaviour involving snowballs! There were 10 crimes on Paxcroft Mead (Trowbridge) which included 2 cases of threatening behaviour (by text message), 2 domestic incidents, 1 breach of the peace, 2 thefts, 2 cases of vehicle damage and 1 burglary (where a thief gained entry through an unlocked door.
Current Priorities
According to the Wiltshire Police website, the current priorities in the Trowbridge Rural and Adcroft and Paxcroft NPT areas have changed a little, but do not highlight anything directly involved with Paxcroft Mead. The current priorities close to us are:–
DRUGS - SEYMOUR ESTATE
Following high levels of reports of drug dealing the area has been targeted and two arrests have now been made. Offenders are currently on bail. Since the arrests, reports have been significantly reduced.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - LARKRISE AND KIDDLYWINKS
Police and partnership activity is being planned and undertaken on this priority and a full update will be provided in due course.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - TUDOR DR & TOWPATH RD
Police have received increasing numbers of reports of Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) from the Tudor drive and Towpath road area of Hilperton. Rowdy groups of youths have been gathering on the green between the two roads and causing a nuisance to residents. Police will work with council ASB officers to address the issues. High visibility patrols will be increased on the estate.
PARKING/OBSTRUCTION - CHANTRY GARDENS SOUTHWICK
There has been a steady stream of complaints over the past months regarding parking issues on Chantry Gardens in Southwick. Residents have reported concerns including the unnecessary obstruction of the pavement, garages and driveway access. The Neighbourhood Policing team conduct patrols to identify specific problems dealing with any offences as appropriate. Consultation with locals may be sought and the council may be asked to assist.
Here are the consultations planned for our NPT areas:
| Type | Location | Date/Time | Officers Attending |
| Community Visit | Hilperton Village Hall | 11/02/2011 - 19:00 | PCSO 6289 Neil Usborne |
| Drop-in Centre | Hackett Place | 28/02/2011 - 15:00 | PCSO TAYLOR & PC PRICE |
| Drop-in Centre | Hackett Place | 28/03/2011 - 15:00 | PCSO TAYLOR & PC PRICE |
Museum Expansion Plans
Trowbridge Museum is looking to expand. They will be seeking funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding and grant giving bodies to carry out their plans.
If you would like to find out more and see what they are hoping to do then they are offering tours of the floor they wish to expand into on Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 24th February at 11.00 - 11.30, 11.45 - 12.15, 2.00 - 2.30 and 2.45 - 3.15. Please book places at the Museum first.
If any further information is required, please contact the Museum on (01225) 751339 and ask for Clare.
New Exhibition
On Saturday 19th March our latest exhibition on Trowbridge's surrounding villages is being opened by Andrew Murrison MP at 12.00 noon. The exhibition will also premiere a film produced by the residents of the village of West Ashton recounting some of their memories of life in the village during the Second World War.
Trowbridge Museum is in The Shires shopping centre with easy parking. Opening Times are Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 4pm, Saturday: 10am – 4.30pm. Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays.
Trowbridge Museum – It's fun, friendly and free!
Jack Pope's Letter from America
Two months have gone by, a new year has started and it is officially winter. Many places, both here and there, have been hit hard. As I write this, the east cost of the US is getting another storm. When the cities get several inches of snow it is very difficult for them to deal with it.
The main problem is that they have nowhere to put the snow. We are lucky where Susan and I live. Even though we get a lot of snow the plows can just push it to the side of the roads and life goes on. A week ago we got 18 inches over night. Susan and I went out with our snowblower the next morning and in about an hour our 100 ft by 25 ft drive was was cleared. By the time we were done the highway crews had the roads clear and we all went about our business. So far this winter, we have received about 12 feet of snow. Not all at once of course!
Our first snow came November 27 and we will continue to get snow at least until the end of March and probably into April. All of this snow has made for fabulous snowshoeing. Except for a couple of days where the temperature went down to minus 10° F (that's about minus 23° Celsius) it has been a mild winter. So I have been able to get out a lot on the snowshoes. You may recall that I am working on walking 1000 miles at Beaver Lake so I can get a t-shirt that says “I walked 1000 miles at Beaver Lake”. I am happy to report that I reached 900 miles last week and I am now working on that last 100 miles. I only have 93 miles left to go.
Winter brings a lot of work for Susan in her duties with the American Red Cross. As you would expect there are many more house fires in the winter. There are also many people who have trouble paying their energy bills. All of these people need help from the Red Cross and that is what Susan does.
We hope you all had a n ice holiday season and are sure you are keeping all those new year's resolutions you made.
Best wishes to you all. Talk you again next month
Forthcoming Events
BA14 Culture Group Presents:
Trip to Edible Garden Show
The Gloucester Road Allotment Association have organised a trip to the Edible Garden Show at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on Saturday, 19th March and they have some seats spare on the coach. They have extended an invitation to any residents who are potential allotmenteers to join them. Tickets are priced at £20 to cover the coach fare and entrance to the show. The cost is £18 for seniors and children 6-16.
If you are interested please contact Velerie Fahey by email at valeriefahey@sky.com or by telephone on 01225 760636
Bluz 'n' Zuz February
The Bluz 'n' Zuz events have now restarted at the Fever Night Club. The next session is on Friday 18th February and then on the 3rd Friday of each month.
Half Term Fundays and Football Camp
Trowbridge Town Council are running a series of Fun Days and Football Camps from Monday, 21st February until Friday 25th February. The Fun Days are from 8.30am until 5.30pm and are held at Longmeadow School. Activities include Street Dance, Gymnastics, Tri Golf, Fencing, Tag Rugby, Self Defence, Face Painting, Circus Skills & lots more. The Football Camps run from 8.30am until 3.00pm and are also held at Longmeadow School.
Booking Forms and more details are available on the Town Council website at http://www.activetrowbridge.co.uk/booking/FunDays_FEB_2011.pdf. Each day costs £8 per child.
Trowbridge Museum Exhibitions
‘Dancing Days’ exhibition
Building upon the success of the Thrive event in May this year, Museum staff have put on an exhibition celebrating dance and with a distinctly Trowbridge slant.
Themes include: music, multi'cultural Trowbridge, dance etiquette, costume, dance venues and dance in Trowbridge today. There will be children's interactives too.
“It is a fascinating exhibition, very vibrant and colourful” says Museum Curator Clare Lyall.
The Dancing Days exhibition runs until Saturday 5th March 2011.
Children's Events at Trowbridge Museum
Activities and events for February 2011
Free Workshops during the half-term week will be following a “Spring is nearly here” theme and are:
- Tuesday 22nd February - Flip a Frog game.
- Wednesday 23rd February - Spring Flowers
- Thursday 24th February - Heads and Tails - using collage to create crazy creatures!
- Friday 25th February - Scrap Animals.
The History day activities will start again on with Egyptians on Saturday 19th February. It will cost £2.50 for Stumpy Club members and £3 for non-members.
If any further information is required please contact the Museum on (01225) 751339 and ask for Clare.
Trowbridge Walking Forum - February 2011
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 2010 is shown below:
| Day | Date | Type | Route Options | Starting Point | Grade |
| Wed | 2-Feb | Moderate Walk | Broughton Gifford and Chalfield | Near The Bell on the Common, Broughton Gifford | S M 2½m |
| Mon | 7-Feb | Longer walk | Westwood to Wingfield | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M 4½m |
| Wed | 9-Feb | Moderate walk | Beckington and Orchardleigh | Park on street near The Woolpack, Beckington | S M 3½m |
| Mon | 14-Feb | Short walk | Seend | Village Hall, Rusty Lane, Seend | E 1½m |
| Wed | 16-Feb | Moderate walk | White Row Farm, Beckington | Park in road outside White Row Farm. Road leads off of A36 Beckington Roundabout | E S 2½m |
| Mon | 21-Feb | Longer walk | Poulshot towards Potterne | Park off the edge of the track on the left just past the Raven | S M P 3½ m |
| Wed | 23-Feb | Moderate walk | Rode and Tellisford | Vaggs Hill, off the Wingfield to Rode road | E H M 3m |
| Mon | 28-Feb | Short walk | Barton Farm Country Park | Canal Car Park (in Baileys Barn, off Moulton Dr, near Sainsburys) | E 1½m |
| Wed | 2-Mar | Moderate walk | Seend canal walk | Three Magpies, Sells Green | P M S 3.7m |
| 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 http://sites.google.com/site/trowbridgewf/ or contact Alan & Anne on 01225 760492, David on 01225 755639, Mike on 01225 766668 or Pat & Charles on 01225 753735.