September 2009 Newsletter
Contents
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Editorial CommentWhat a busy time over the last few weeks! The Mead Club Planet ABBA evening went down a storm – report and pictures below. The new Community Forum is going well with a large number of residents registering via the website – more would be welcome. My thanks to all our contributors this month. Jack Pope, who sent in some lovely pictures of upstate New York in the Fall, sends his best wishes to everyone. 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.asp |
Paxcroft Mead News
Last Saturday, 26th September, was definitely a night to remember for the Mead Social Club. Headlining the evening's entertainment was Planet ABBA, a leading tribute band, who looked the part and sounded just as good. They played two sets, covering all the songs made so popular by Mama Mia, and many of the others. The second set included lots of audience participation, making it a very enjoyable evening for all the family. The band was well supported by Paul Shepherd's Disco, which kept the atmosphere warm and upbeat throughout.
The girls in the band made several eye-catching costume changes, but they certainly had some lively competition in the audience, many of whom really got into the spirit of the 70's with their colourful, figure hugging outfits. The event was very well attended and the Mead Club organisers have announced that £185 was raised for the Dorothy House charity. A great evening, all round.
The performance was also notable for the Community Centre Committee because it marked the first use of the newly acquired folding stage. This valuable piece of kit definitely added to the glitz of the performance, looking robust and professional. Not only that, the set–up time for the performance was also – by all accounts – considerably reduced. There is no doubt that the stage is already proving to be a worthwhile investment, and thanks are due again to Hilperton Parish Council for their generous grant towards the cost.
Mead Club Membership and Annual General Meeting
It's Mead Club Membership renewal time. Individual membership is £8 per annum (October to September) with a £4 concessionary rate for Senior Citizens. These rates apply until the AGM when they may rise, so don't hang on too long. New members are always welcome.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 13th October at the Mead Club – 7.30 for an 8pm start. All members are invited and encouraged to attend.
The steering group formed to lay the foundations for the Paxcroft Mead Community Forum held its final meeting on Tuesday 29th September last. The steering group has been meeting regularly since its formation in July, discussing objectives and ideas for the Forum. The plan is for a residents' association which focuses on local issues and enables residents to work together in an informal but organised way on short term, achievable projects.
Local Councillors, Ernie Clark and Steve Oldrieve were in attendance at the last meeting, as was Maryrose Mantle, Community Officer for Trowbridge Town Council. Apologies were received from Councillor Trevor Carbin.
Jonathan Hawkes, in the chair, confirmed that the process of leafleting every household on Paxcroft Mead was well underway and thanks were recorded to everyone who had helped. He reported that a substantial number of membership registrations had already been received.
Plans were laid for the Open Meeting to launch the Forum, to be held at Paxcroft Mead Community Centre on Wednesday, 14th October at 7.30pm.
All Paxcroft residents over 16 years of age are invited to attend the meeting. Members of the steering group will give a short presentation, outlining their vision for the Forum, followed by a question and answer session for residents to share their ideas and concerns.
Finally, the Forum will be inaugurated by voting to accept the Terms of Reference and electing a committee.
All residents are warmly invited to register as members. Membership is free and open to all Paxcroft Mead residents over 16 years old. Registering as a member of the Forum in no way implies any commitment to active participation in projects. Nevertheless, your registration will be - in itself - a positive action, because it all helps to demonstrate that Paxcroft Mead residents really care about the interests of their community.
More details at www.paxcroftmead.org.uk/forum, or telephone Rosemary or Jonathan Hawkes on 01225 762410
Trowbridge Museum Saturday Club
David Hicks, the Education Officer at Trowbridge Museum is launching a Children's Saturday Club later this month. The programme is being finalised, but potential members are being asked to fill out a questionaire to say what the club should be like. You can download the questionaire here. The museum website, www.trowbridgemuseum.co.uk, will have more details soon.
Jack Pope's Letter from America
We are right in the midst of my favorite (you'll have to get used my using American spelling) season of the year. September and October are wonderful months here in upstate New York. Once in a while we get some rain but mostly the days are sunny and bright with cool temperatures. Nights cool right down close to freezing. Some of the higher elevations have already had a frost or two. The leaves are turning and are just about at peak in the Adirondack Mountains. I recently took a day trip there with some of the members of the walking group at Beaver Lake Nature Center. It was a glorious day and several of us enjoyed a two hour boat cruise through four lakes. I have sent a few pictures from that boat trip. Maybe there will be room for some of them in the newsletter. 
The very next day Susan and I took a motor trip to Indian Lake which is right in the middle of the Adirondacks and where I grew up. It is also where my parents are buried so we stopped to visit them and took the opportunity to clean the lichen from their grave stone. It was another beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed our day in the mountains. We plan to take another day trip back to Old Forge so Susan can take the boat cruise while the Fall color is still there.
My granddaughter is in her first year at the University of New England in Maine. The middle of this month they are having a Family and Friends weekend at the College so we, along with her Mom and her Mom's husband, are going to Maine for the weekend. It will be great to see my granddaughter and visit her school. And, hopefully there will still be Fall color.
Even as we enjoy the beautiful Fall days we know that Winter is not far away. In the town of Redfield, about 50 miles north of us, it snowed on October 1st for about 20 minutes. It is time to put the lawnmower away and make sure the snowblower is ready to go. Some morning before long we'll awake to find several inches, or more, of snow in the driveway which I will have to clear so Susan can go to work.
Football (American) season has started. We enjoy watching our favorite professional team – the Philadelphia Eagles – on TV and we have been attending Syracuse University games at their stadium. Each game Susan shouts herself hoarse and it takes several days before her voice is back to normal.
We send our best wishes to all in Paxcroft Mead.
Forthcoming Events
Mead Club Events
Mead Club AGM
The Mead Club Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 13th October 2009 – 7.30 for an 8pm start. All Mead Club members are encouraged to attend.
Christmas Raffle
Tickets for the Christmas Raffle will be available soon. This year the proceeds will go to Dorothy House and Alzheimers. (N.B. This is a correction to the published newsletter.) More details about availability and prizes in next month's newsletter.
Trowbridge Walking Forum – October/November 2009
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 October and November 2009 is shown below:
| Day | Date | Type | Route Options | Starting Point | Grade |
| Mon | 5-Oct | Longer walk | Holt and Chalfield | Village Hall CP, Holt | S M 4½ m |
| Wed | 7-Oct | Moderate Walk | Broughton Gifford and Chalfield | Near The Bell on the Common, Broughton Gifford | S M 2½m |
| Mon | 12-Oct | Short walk | Biss Meadows | Outside Civic Hall, Trowbridge | E 1½m |
| Wed | 14-Oct | Moderate walk | Rode and Tellisford | By the church in Rode Hill, Rode | E 2½m |
| Mon | 19-Oct | Longer walk | Bradford on Avon - Ashley long walk | Ashley Rd, BoA, near St Laurence School gates | S M 4m |
| Wed | 21-Oct | Moderate Walk | Bishops Cannings | Park in the layby outside the school, or nearby | S M 3½m |
| Mon | 26-Oct | Short walk | Broadmead | Studley Green community hall | E S 1½m |
| Wed | 28-Oct | 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 | 2-Nov | Longer walk | Heytesbury and Wylie Valley | In the cul-de-sac at the end of Heytesbury | E S M 4½ m |
| Wed | 4-Nov | Moderate walk | Keevil to Steeple Ashton | Keevil, by the church | E 1½m |
| Mon | 9-Nov | Short walk | White Horse Business Park | B & Q car park, Bradley Road, Trowbridge | E 1½m |
| Wed | 11-Nov | Moderate walk | Norton St. Phillip | Near the church | S M P 3m |
| Mon | 16-Nov | Longer walk | Steeple Ashton “Coffin Trail” | Church Lane, or nearby. Steeple Ashton | S M 4½ m |
| Wed | 18-Nov | Moderate walk | Southwick to Wingfield | Southwick Country Park CP | S M 3½m |
| Mon | 23-Nov | Short walk | Barton Farm Country Park | Canal Car Park (in Baileys Barn, off Moulton Dr, near Sainsburys) | E 1½m |
| Wed | 25-Nov | Moderate walk | Steeple Ashton and Mudmead Lane | Church Lane, or nearby. Steeple Ashton | S M 3½m |
| Mon | 30-Nov | Longer walk | Poulshot | 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.
Half Term Craft events at Trowbridge Museum
Thursday 22nd October – Menacing Masks with Nina Davis
Come and make a scary Halloween Mask in Trowbridge Museum's FREE Make and Take craft workshop; Suitable for ages 5 and over. Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10, 2.50. Tickets issued on the day from 10am and 1pm. Under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop is funded by Awards For All
Friday 23rd October – Ghoulish Ghosts with Anne Poole
Come and make a ghostly windsock in Trowbridge Museum's FREE Make and Take craft workshop; Suitable for ages 5 and over. Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10, 2.50. Tickets issued on the day from 10am and 1pm. Under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop is funded by Awards For All
Tuesday 27th October – Frightening Fridge Magnets with Anne Poole
Come and make a Fridge Magnet in Trowbridge Museum's FREE Make and Take craft workshop; Suitable for ages 5 and over. Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10, 2.50. Tickets issued on the day from 10am and 1pm. Under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop is funded by Awards For All
Wednesday 28th October – Hair-raising Halloween Hanging with Andrew Frostick
Come and make a Halloween Hanging in Trowbridge Museum's FREE Make and Take craft workshop; Suitable for ages 5 and over. Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10, 2.50. Tickets issued on the day from 10am and 1pm. Under 8#39;s must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop is funded by Awards For All
Thursday 29th October – Petrifying Pop-Ups with Kate Bernstein
- Come and make a Pop-up picture in Trowbridge Museum's FREE Make and Take craft workshop; Suitable for ages 5 and over. Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10, 2.50. Tickets issued on the day from 10am and 1pm. Under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop is funded by Awards For All
Friday 30th October – Blood-curdling Banners with David Birks
Come and make printed banner in Trowbridge Museum's FREE Make and Take craft workshop; Suitable for ages 5 and over. Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10, 2.50. Tickets issued on the day from 10am and 1pm. Under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop is funded by Awards For All
Textile and Weaving Festival
The festival is still running at Trowbridge Museum until 14th November 2009 and features a variety of textile related events for all the family.
An exciting exhibition of contemporary textile art, produced by students from the textile departments at Wiltshire College and Bath Spa University is also taking place.
Throughout the festival there will be live demonstrations on the Museum's looms and spinning wheels, alongside a packed programme of activities for the children.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE
You can view a programme of events here. Alternatively contact the Museum on 01225 751339 or visit www.trowbridgemuseum.co.uk