April 2011 Newsletter
Contents
Click on the item to go to the article. |
Editorial CommentI am pleased that Jack Pope has sent a “Letter from America” this month. It features a very rare bird spotted whilst walking in the Beaver Lake woods. If you have a news item or event you would like to share in the next newsletter, please let me have your contribution by Wednesday 27th April 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
Paxcroft Mead resident, Rachel Allen owns and runs the Paxcroft Café in the layby opposite Paxcroft Cottages in Devizes Road Hilperton. In a recent poll entitled the “Best in Wiltshire” run by the Wiltshire Times, the Café won the best Roadside Café award
Congratulations to Rachel.
The Tuesday Morning Coffee get together visited The Old Bear at Staverton on our usual two monthly Pub/Restaurant visit and had a very good pub lunch which was enjoyed by all. I'm pleased to say we have a few more people attending on Tuesday mornings - more would be really welcome! Come on everyone we have a good laugh and chat for an hour or so with coffee or tea and biscuits, all for a £1.00! Do come and join us. You are not required to come every week or be on a committee - we all decide what to do and where to go, we're very informal!
WE MEET EVERY TUESDAY MORNING IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10.30AM.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
The first film in the series, The King's Speech, was a sell out and I guess proves the need for a cinema in Trowbridge.
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 |
| 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
We learnt of plans to consolidate the various Trowbridge Neighbourhood Police Teams in a single area. The jury is still out on whether the Trowbridge Rural area will be included. Although this will mean a much larger area, we are told that the administration and prioritising of issues will be easier. It is planned that the current Neighbourhood Police Teams will remain, so we will hopefully still have our local presence.
Current Priorities
According to the Wiltshire Police website, the current priorities in the Trowbridge Rural and Adcroft and Paxcroft NPT areas have not changed from last month's, but do not highlight anything directly involved with Paxcroft Mead. The current priorities close to us are:–
DRUGS - CHARLOTTE SQUARE (Adcroft Area)
Reports have been received which suggest that there is drug use within the CHARLOTTE SQUARE area of TROWBRIDGE. Police will work with Selwood Housing and Environmental Health in order to improve the quality of life for other residents.
SPEEDING - VILLAGES (Rural Area)
The rural beat team receives more complaints about speeding vehicles than they do about any other matter. All the local villages have raised concerns about roads in their area and asked for Police to increase both patrols and enforcement.
Here are the forthcoming consultations planned for our NPT areas:
| Type | Location | Date/Time | Officers Attending |
| Drop-in | Sainsburys, Trowbridge | 05/04/2011 - 16:00 | PCSO 6311 James Bates |
| Drop-in | Sainsburys, Trowbridge | 18/04/2011 - 16:00 | PCSO 6311 James Bates |
| Drop-in | Sainsburys, Trowbridge | 03/05/2011 - 09:00 | PCSO 6311 James Bates |
Our next Coffee Morning date is Saturday, 9th April from 10:30 - 12:30 in Hall 2 of the Community Centre. The morning will launch the plans for the proposed BMX track, but committee members will also be present to talk to residents about any other concerns they may have. We expect to have representatives from a couple of specialist BMX/Skate Park design companies to discuss the plans
Four more applications for ‘Reserved Matters’ on the “Land South of Green Lane” have been submitted in the last month. These deal with two sections of affordable housing (a mixture of 30 small houses and flats) and two commercial housing areas totalling 111 houses. The commercial developments are a mixture of two , two and a half and three storey houses.
The Forum will be responding to these (and subsequent) applications to ensure that the construction has a minimal effect on existing Paxcroft Mead residents. Full details can be seen on the Wiltshire Council website planning portal at http://planning.westwiltshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx
The reference numbers to search for are W/11/00453/REM (15 houses), W/11/00466/REM (55 houses), W/11/00470/REM (15 houses) and W/11/00811/REM (56 houses).
Gymbabes - from 6 months to walking
If you want to encourage your baby's physical development, boost their confidence and offer a stimulating new environment, check out your local Gymbabes classes. They are tailor-made for babies from six months who are just discovering their own bodies and all the wonderful things they can do with them.
The Gymbabe programme is for babies who are 6 months up to walking. It is a class where parents participate and work closely with their child in a safe environment filled with challenges for the developing baby. Gymbabes helps babies to develop the skills needed to sit, crawl, stand and eventually walk with confidence.
Babies learn to get over and around objects, explore the concept of steps, slopes and bridges and experience the sensations of rolling and sliding. As the parent works closely with their child their relationship with their baby is developed along with the babies trust in his/her own body - the first stage on the journey to independence. The 40 minute class also includes baby massage and body recognition songs and rhymes. For 6 months to walking. Class starts at 9.40am Fridays term time only at Paxcroft Mead Community Centre.
Book in for a free trial session by contacting Debbie on 01225 811579 or click here to send an email.
We also run Tumble Tots classes for Walking to 2 years, 2 to 3 years and 3 to school age on a Friday at Paxcroft Mead. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions further information and a short video can be found on my website www.tumbletots.com/bath
Jack Pope's Letter from America
Hello from beautiful Central New York. Perhaps you are wondering just where Hannibal, NY is located. We are just north of Syracuse which is just about in the center of the state. We are about 150 miles from Buffalo and about 300 miles from New York City. We are also just about 10 miles from the southern shore of Lake Ontario - one of the Great Lakes. Since we are very near the eastern end of the lake and our weather mostly comes from the west weget what is known as lake effect snow. This means the air picks up a lot of moisture as it crosses the lake and then dumps it as snow when it hits the colder land. This year we got about 12 feet of snow. This was a bit more than the first two years we were here but not a real problem.
I enjoyed the winter very much by doing a lot of snowshoeing at the nearby Beaver Lake Nature Center. There are two separate trails for snowshoeing - one 1.3 miles and the other 2.2 miles. Some friends and I often did both the same day. With the start of Spring our snow is rapidly disappearing so I am now returning to walking the 9 miles of trails at Beaver Lake. I usually do a little over 3 miles each time I walk there. I am now very close to reaching my goal of receiving the T-shirt that says “I walked a 1000 miles at Beaver Lake”. I only have about 33 miles to go. The picture is of one of the unusual birds that we have. It results from a male Cardinal mating with a female Fox.
We have been some colder weather even though Spring has officially started. Warmer weather is forecast for this last week in March so we should see the trees budding out anytime now. The month of March is Maple Syrup season. This is when the sugar maple trees are tapped to gather some of the sap that rises in the trees to provide the energy the tree need to produce the buds and then the leaves. This sap contains about 2% sugar. By boiling the sap most of the water can be removed and the result is the delicious maple syrup Each year I work at Beaver Lake as part of the exhibit on maple syrup production.
Susan has been very busy at the American Red Cross. During one 10 day period there were 8 fires in Oswego County. Just yesterday there was a fire in a building with 4 apartments which left 4 families homeless. Part of Susan's work is to find them emergency housing to get them through the first 3 days following a fire.
We are looking forward to getting outside as the lawn and flowers need some work.
Best wishes to you all at Paxcroft Mead.
Forthcoming Events
Easter Holiday Fun Days
Trowbridge Town Council, together with Active Trowbridge have arranged a series of activities for young people over the Easter school holiday. There will be Fun Days (08:30 - 17:30) running at Paxcroft School (11th - 15th) and Hilperton School (18th - 21st), a Football Camp at Paxcroft School (08:30 - 15:00, 11th - 15th) and a Musical Theatre Week running at the Arc Theatre from 08:30 until 15:00 on both weeks (11th - 15th and 18th - 21st).
The Footbal Camp and Fundays cost £8 per day and the Musical Theatre, £10 per day
For full details and to download a booking form from the Town Council website, click here.
N.B. Bookings for the first week have to be in by Wednesday, 6th April at 2pm
Trowbridge Carnival
Carnival Royalty time has arrived! We are looking for that “someone special” between the ages of 7 and 11 years old, to become Trowbridge's Butterfly Queen/King and Butterfly Princess/Prince. Are you that someone special?
We are looking for someone who can communicate with all ages, smile through the rain and enjoy representing Trowbridge at Carnival events and local activities (This is not a beauty competition). All applicants must live in the BA14 postal area.
The winners will receive an outfit in which to carryout their royalty duties.
Trowbridge Carnival Royalty Selections are to be held on Saturday 30th April 2011 at the ARC Theatre, College Road, Trowbridge starting at 2.30pm
For further Information and entry forms contact: The Chairperson on 07866 698278 (or just come on the day).
Bluz 'n' Zuz April
The Bluz 'n' Zuz young people's discos are held at the Fever Night Club in Castle Street, Trowbridge. The next session is on Friday 15th April and then on the 3rd Friday of each month. The March event was a huge success with 180 people attending.
Further details can be found at the Bluz 'n' Zuz Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/blueznzuz?v=wall
Easter Events at St James Church
Lent Lunchtime talks continue on Fridays 1st, 8th and 15th April all at 12.30 in St James Church.
We also have our Lent Play at 8 p.m. on 19th, 20th and 22nd April. Again in St James Church.
Trowbridge Museum Exhibitions
‘Beyond the Bounds’ - The parishes of Trowbridge, Trowbridge Museum's latest exhibition...
Trowbridge Museum's current exhibition focuses on Trowbridge's numerous and remarkable surrounding villages. Wiltshire is still a delightfully rural county and of its some 400 villages and hamlets all have unique identities.
The age of many of these villages is equally remarkable with many being mentioned in the Domesday Book or occupying sites that have been inhabited since Roman Times.
Some of the fascinating facts vary from the most timber framed village, Steeple Ashton, to having to get Parliament to sanction a telephone box, Great Hinton.
The exhibition also includes the film “West Ashton: Our Village History”. The 10 minute film features the social history of the village and personal stories from villagers Cyril Sweetman, Sylvia Mills and Ken Rogers, who were interviewed by Year 6 students from West Ashton School. The interviews were edited together by project leader and film producer Jamie McDine, who helped transport students from Diamond Class back to the 1930s (thanks to the power of film) - with boys and girls playing on opposite sides of the playground and going on nature walks. The children all produced beautiful animations to illustrate the stories they had been told, from the famous Armstrong Whitworth Whitley crash landing, to the weavers working in their cottages. The film also features beautiful images from around West Ashton, Rood Ashton and East Town.
The film is screened as a rolling show within the exhibition area.
The exhibition also contains children's interactive activities, featuring maps, colouring-in and jigsaws.
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!
Children's Events at Trowbridge Museum
Craft and History Days Activities
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If any further information is required please contact the Museum on (01225) 751339 and ask for Clare or David.
Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Celebrations
The weekend of June 24th - 26th sees the annual Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Celebrations.
In the early evening of Friday 24th June there will be a "March to Remember" through town by Re-enactors in aid of The Royal British Legion.
On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June the main weekend event will be held in Trowbridge Park. Events include displays from serving and retired military personnel, military vehicles, military bands, cadets, trade stalls, flypasts, Re-enactors displays.
FREE ENTRY
N.B. More details will be added when they become available
Trowbridge Walking Forum - April 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 April 2011 is shown below:
| Day | Date | Type | Route Options | Starting Point | Grade |
| Mon | 4-Apr | Longer Walk | Bishops Cannings | Park in the layby outside the school, or nearby | S M 5½m |
| Wed | 6-Apr | Moderate walk | Bradford on Avon, Rowden Lane and Canal | Canal Car Park (down Baileys Barn, off Moulton Drive, next to canal bridge near Sainsburys) | S M s/c 3m |
| Mon | 11-Apr | Short walk | Bradford on Avon town & rec. field walk | Canal Car Park (in Baileys Barn, off Moulton Dr, near Sainsburys) | E 1½m |
| Mon | 13-Apr | Longer walk | Westwood to Avoncliff | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M H 3½m |
| Mon | 18-Apr | Longer walk | Poulshot & Caen Hill | Park outside the Village Hall on the south side of the common | S M P 5.1m |
| Wed | 20-Apr | Moderate walk | St Margarets and Canal | Canal Car Park (down Baileys Barn, off Moulton Drive, next to canal bridge near Sainsburys) | S M 4m |
| Mon | 25-Apr | Short walk | Hilperton | Park on Ashton Road in Village | E 1½m |
| Wed | 27-Apr | Moderate Walk | Broughton Gifford and Chalfield | Near The Bell on the Common, Broughton Gifford | S M 2½m |
| Mon | 2-May | Longer walk | Westwood to Wingfield | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M 4½m |
| Wed | 4-May | Moderate walk | Beckington and Orchardleigh | Park on street near The Woolpack, Beckington | S M 3½m |
| Mon | 9-May | Short walk | Broadmead | Studley Green Community Hall | E S 1½m |
| 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.