May/June 2012 Newsletter
Contents
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Editorial CommentThe Paxcroft Mead Community Centre is a fantastic facility in the heart of Paxcroft Mead. The Management Committee work very hard to keep the building in good shape for the benefit of all residents. It is a shame that more residents were not able to turn up to the Annual General Meeting on Saturday 28th April. I guess the committee must be doing things right! The good news is the committee is continuing. This edition of the newsletter covers May and June. Some of the information around some of the events listed is a bit sketchy, so please come back to see the updates. If you have a news item, content suggestions or an event you would like to share in the next newsletter, please let me have your contribution by Friday 29th June. You can send it 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
Management Committee Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Community Centre Management Committee was held Saturday, 28th April 2012 at 10.30pm at the Community Centre.
Unfortunately the hope that the change of day to Saturday would make the AGM accessible to more Paxcroft Mead residents proved not to be the case.
The reports from the officers showed that the Community Centre continues to run well and is financially sound. Over the last year there had been considerable investment in the centre.
Alan Jales, our chairman announced that he would not be standing again, but was willing to carry on as a committee member. The existing committee was re-elected en-bloc with the welcome addition of Mike Pugh who volunteered to join the committee.
At the first committee meeting after the AGM, the officers we elected by the committee. Chris Hicks offered to take on the role of Chairman (also keeping the secretary job for now), Alan Jales was elected as vice-chairman, Karen Pugh continues as treasurer and Don Hatt as booking secretary. Rosemary Hawkes was co-opted as minutes secretary.
The committee is still not up to full strength, so if you are interested in joining, please make contact.
Thanks go the the residents who did attend and to Councillors Steve Oldrieve and Bob Brice for their support.
Bath Uni - Free Higher Education Workshops
The University has for a number of years been offering free vocational workshops designed to widen participation in Higher Education. These 1-5 day workshops are held in schools, Partner Colleges and organisations throughout the region. The workshops aim to raise the aspirations and achievements of both young people and adults and give participants the chance to explore the wide-ranging opportunities Higher Education has to offer. Activities include fun creative workshops, campus tours, student life sessions and games facilitated by current Foundation degree students ambassadors and staff. These workshops are specifically aimed at Year 11 - 12 students.
2012 Workshops at a glance
- Sports Coaching - Weston-super-Mare (13-15 June 2012)
- Sports Therapy - Swindon (13-15 June 2012)
- Build a Working Engine - Swindon (18-20 June 2012)
- Robotics and Games Design - Chippenham (4-6 July 2012)
- TV Production - Chippenham (4-6 July 2012)
- Motorsports Engineering - Castle Combe (4-6 July 2012)
Past Workshops
- BLOODHOUND Supersonic Car Challenge - Bristol (26-28 October 2011)
- Robotics and Games Design - Various locations(13-15 February 2012)
- Yes you can! - Trowbridge (12-16 March 2012)
- TV and Film Project - Chippenham (3-5 April 2012)
To find out more about how the workshops went and see pictures from the events, visit our blog
If you would like to take part in the HE Experience workshops, either as a student, a tutor or a student ambassador, or if you have any ideas or suggestions, we would love to hear from you.
For further information please contact us on lp-participation@bath.ac.uk or phone Gemma Palmer on 01225 386511.
Crime on Paxcroft Mead has stayed level over the past month. The following report covers the month up to 30th April.
There were 53 Rural NPT area crimes, of which 4 were on Paxcroft Mead.
- 2/4 there was another theft from vehicle on Lacock Gardens. Again the car wasn't locked.
- 5/4 was got some CCTV of the car thieves from an address on Faverolle Way. It is hoped that this will lead to convictions.
- There was two domestic incidents at the new houses, Cannings Close, off Lacock Gardens.
- 24/2 Theft from insecure car on Apsley close
Jodie's Adcroft amd Paxcroft NPT area had 62 crimes, of which 4 were on Paxcroft Mead.
- 3/4 there was a theft from vehicle on Corbin rd
- 30/4 there were two further thefts from cars on Cornbrash Rise
- 30/4 there was a domestic assault on Garth Road.
The latest edition of the Trowbridge Neighbourhood Police newsletter can be download by clicking here
To see a full list of the Trowbridge area NPT priorities click here
At last - a season of thorough litter picks on the country park
As part of the People in the Park initiative, the Community Forum has managed to secure an agreement with the Community Payback Scheme, managed by Wiltshire Probation Trust, to come onto the park on a regular basis to conduct a thorough litter pick.
The work team is comprised of offenders who are required to do community service. They are transported on site in Probation mini buses and supervised to strict standards while they are here by the Community Payback Supervisor. Offenders are monitored and scored throughout the day to ensure they comply with Probation standards.
The team was on the country park last Monday, April 19th. John Taylor, our committee member with special focus on litter, spent an hour with the group in the morning and then again in the afternoon before they finished. He was extremely impressed by the endeavour of the group as well as the way they got on with the job.
There was a lot of movement through the park during the day and many people asked what was happening. We were a little anxious that residents might be disturbed by the idea of a Community Payback team operating on the park, but everyone seemed impressed and pleased at what was taking place, and there were no hostile or adverse reactions.
The men took their task very seriously, going into all the problem areas which tend to get missed by the regular contractors, such as ditches, hedgerows and bushes, where the litter gets caught in the undergrowth and hardly ever seems to be removed. John Taylor went right round the Park afterwards and, apart from places where access is nigh impossible, they had cleaned up very effectively. The total litter collected was no less than 37 bags.
The brook has been a key issue for the Community Forum in recent months, and we were delighted to to get it cleared of overgrown vegetation recently. It has proved very difficult to get the council contractors to commit to clearing the brook of rubbish, however. We were therefore delighted when the Community Payback organiser agreed for her team to undertake this task, subject to accessibility on the day. The brook is much cleaner after their efforts, with several large items removed and, as of last week, awaiting collection by the council. They had to leave a shopping trolley in situ, as it proved too difficult to remove, but this has been highlighted to the council officer.
The Community Payback Scheme has agreed to conduct three litter picks at quarterly intervals. The fact that they will be getting to all those areas that other litter picks never seem to reach should make a real difference to the country park.
Fragments - a new exhibition
A solo textile exhibition by Artist Maria Harryman in partnership with Trowbridge Museum. The exhibition features a new body of textiles created in response to ‘fragments’ of broken ceramics and a 19thcentury patchwork from the Museum's archive collection. Maria has taken inspiration from the colours and architecture of Steeple Ashton and Trowbridge to create unique printed cloth and contemporary quilts.
This year is the 2nd year of a partnership with Cloth Road Artists and Trowbridge Museum. ‘Fragments’ opens on 5th May to coincide with Cloth Road Arts Week 5th-13th May.
‘Fragments’ runs until 29th September and will also feature in Trowbridge Arts Festival from 14th-29th September. The exhibition includes a fantastic programme of FREE craft activities for both children and adults. For full details see the table below.
| Date(s) | Time | Event |
| 5th-11th May | 10:00am-4:00pm | Come along and chat to the Artist. During Cloth Road Arts Week, Maria Harryman will be at Trowbridge Museum in the Temporary Exhibition gallery to discuss her latest exhibition ‘Fragments’ |
| Saturday 16th June | 11:00am-3:30pm | Adult Appliqué Day. Come and enjoy a relaxing day hand sewing small samples of shadow, reverse and invisibly stitched appliqué, then use them to construct a potholder to take away, beginners welcome! Please bring your own lunch, coffee and tea will be provided. FREE, no booking required, maximum of 16 adults. |
| Saturday, 14th July | See text | Tiny Tiles, ages 8+. Come along and create your own tile, made of tiny fragments of ceramics. Tickets issued from 10am for sessions starting at: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, and 3.15pm - lasting 45 minutes. FREE, Suitable for children ages 8+. Children must be accompanied by an adult, maximum of 12 children per session. |
| Saturday, 11th August | See text | Block Printing, ages 4+. Come along and make simple printing blocks from recycled materials, then print a gift card to take away. Tickets issued from 10am for sessions starting at: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, and 3.15pm – lasting 45 minutes. FREE, Suitable for children ages 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult, maximum of 12 children per session. |
| Saturday 8th September (Heritage Open Day) | See text | Funky Felt Making, ages 4+. Come along and make felt using ‘Fragments’ of wool fibres, joining together to create fabric! Tickets issued from 10am for sessions starting at: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, and 3.15pm - lasting 45 minutes. FREE, Suitable for children ages 8+. Children must be accompanied by an adult, maximum of 12 children per session. |
| Saturday 22nd September | See text | Making Your Mark, adults. Come along and play with bleach and stitch as mark making techniques. Create your own fabric and stitch a badge/brooch to take away. Sessions start at: 10.30am & 1.30pm - lasting 1½ hours. FREE, no booking required - timed tickets issued on the day, maximum of 16 adults per session. |
| Saturday 29th September | 2.00 - 4.00pm | Fabulous Felt, adults. A fun day of felt making, come and learn various felting techniques and create your own notebook. Beginners welcome! FREE, no booking required, maximum of 16 adults. |
Flash Fiction Writing Workshop
On Wednesday 16th May, 10:30 - 12:30. Join Josephine Corcoran for our first ever Flash Fiction workshop. No previous writing experience workshop is necessary, just enthusiasm and an open mind. Call 01225 751339 or email david.birks@trowbridge.gov.uk to reserve a place.
Full details of all Museum activities can be found at www.trowbridgemuseum.co.uk.
Forthcoming Events
Bluz 'n' Zuz
The Bluz 'n' Zuz young people's discos are held at the Moo Moo (formerly Fever) Night Club in Castle Street, Trowbridge. They are proving very popular with the young people of Trowbridge and the surrounding villages. The next session is on Friday 18th May (a week later than normal due to staff shortages) and then on the 3rd Friday of each month.
The Olympic Torch comes to Trowbridge on Tuesday 22nd May
The torch relay arrives from Southwick at about 12:30am and travels up Frome Road to Clarendon College for a lunch stop.
The torch relay then leaves Clarendon College at 14:00 and continues along Frome Road, into County Way, Longfield roundabout, Bythesea Road, Stallard Street, Holy Trinity Roundabout and leaves town via Bradford Road.
Olympic Play Day in the Park 26th May
With the support of Wiltshire Council through the Trowbridge Area Board the Town Council's Active Trowbridge Team is organising a day for all the family in Trowbridge Park on Saturday 26th May from 11am to 4pm
Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Trowbridge Monday 4th June
With the support of Wiltshire Council through the Trowbridge Area Board the Trowbridge Town Council Direct Services Team are organising a Diamon Jubilee Celebration Day.
The event will run from 10am to 4pm in Trowbridge People's Park and will provide fun for all the family including old-style fairground rides, Punch and Judy, Wall of Death, Mad Hatter's tea party and many more.
All activities free.
Whitsun Holiday Fun Days
The Town Council's Active Trowbridge Team is organising a series of Fun Days over the Whitsun half term holiday. Click here to download a booking form.
Armed Forces Weekend
This year the Armed Forces weekend will be held on the weekend of 30th June/1st July and will take place in Trowbridge People's Park.
We have The Red Devils dropping into the Park on Sunday 1st July at 12 noon and a selection of Bands on the Saturday including Wiltshire Youth Marching Band, Trowbridge ACF Bugles & Drums, Wessex Military Band and The Band of Royal Signals - a great honour for Trowbridge.
Re-enactors include Battle of Britain Pilots, 4th Wilts, French Army Re-enactors Group, Ibutho (Anglo Zulu War) and many more.
This year is the lead of the RAF so many groups are associated with the skies. We have flypasts booked with Spitfire and hopefully Red Arrows on Saturday (depending on weather, commitments etc).
A flyer will be available soon (with timings on reverse) which we will publish on the PMCC website.
To round off the weekend, there will be a concert by the Royal Marines Association Concert Band - details below.
Diary Dates - a summary of forthcoming events
The table below lists some of the forthcoming events in an around Trowbridge. As they get nearer, we will expand the detail. If you know of any events that should be included, please let the editor know (editor@paxcroftmead.org.uk)
| Forthcoming Event Summary | ||
| Date and Time | Event | Location |
| July | Trowbridge in Bloom events | Click here for full details. (Entries to be in by 29th June) |
| 19th August | Carnival Soap Box Derby | Castle Street |
| Summer Holidays | Summer Fun Days | Book Early - Click here to download the Summer/Autumn booking form |
| 8th September | Trowbridge in Bloom Home Produce Fayre and Carnival Country Fayre | Trowbridge People's Park |
| 8th September | Heritage Open Days | Various buildings opened to visit in and around Trowbridge |
| Saturday, 20th October | Trowbridge Carnival | Trowbridge Area |
Trowbridge Walking Forum - May/June 2012
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 May and June is shown below:
| Day | Date | Type | Route Options | Starting Point | Grade |
| Mon | 7-May | Short walk | Lacock | Lacock NT carpark | E 1½m |
| Wed | 9-May | Moderate walk | Seend canal walk | Village Hall, Rusty Lane, Seend | P M S 3.7m |
| Mon | 14-May | Longer walk | Bulkington to Marston | Brasspan Bridge at Bulkington | S M 5½m |
| Wed | 16-May | Moderate walk | Westwood to Farleigh Hungerford | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M H 3.4m |
| Mon | 21-May | Short walk | Bradford on Avon -Canal and River | Canal Car Park (down Baileys Barn, off Moulton Drive, next to canal bridge near Sainsburys) | E 1½m |
| Wed | 23-May | Moderate walk | Holt and Chalfield | Village Hall CP, Holt | S M 3.1 m |
| Mon | 28-May | Longer walk | Corsham to Neston | Corsham Sports Centre | S M 4.25m |
| Wed | 30-May | Moderate walk | Poulshot to Worton | Park outside the Village Hall on the south side of the common | S M P 3.6m |
| Mon | 4-Jun | Short walk | White Horse Business Park | B & Q car park, Bradley Road, Trowbridge | E 1½m |
| Wed | 6-Jun | Moderate walk | Corsham Park | Corsham Sports Centre | S M 3.2m |
| Mon | 11-Jun | Longer walk | Staverton and Whaddon | Car park at end of Marina Drive , Hilperton Marina | S M 5m |
| Wed | 13-Jun | Moderate walk | Poulshot towards Potterne | Park outside the Village Hall on the south side of the common | S M P 3½ m |
| Mon | 18-Jun | Short walk | Seend | Village Hall, Rusty Lane, Seend | P M S 1½m |
| Wed | 20-Jun | 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 | 25-Jun | Longer walk | Keevil to Bulkington | Keevil, by the church | S M 4.8m |
| Wed | 27-Jun | Moderate walk | Westwood to Avoncliff | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M H 3.5m |
| 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 click here for website or contact Alan & Anne on 01225 760492, David on 01225 755639, Mike on 01225 766668 or Pat & Charles on 01225 753735.