October 2011 Newsletter
Contents
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Editorial CommentThis month we start a new feature entitled Trowbridge Round Up where we will summarise some of our local news stories. This month sees the the Carnival Procession on Saturday 22nd October, the highlight of the Trowbridge Carnival season. Also on the 22nd, in the afternoon is the Forum Skate Park Event which is being held at the Mead School. All details below. If you have a news item or event you would like to share in the next newsletter, please let me have your contribution by Friday 28th October. 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
The Community Centre is 10 years old this year and rather than holding formal occasion, the committee has teamed up with the Paxcroft Mead Community Forum to provide a bench seat in the Country Park. It was felt that this would be a lasting memory of the occasion as well as being useful to a wide range of Paxcroft Mead residents. At the time of writing, it has not been decided where the bench will be located. The installation of the bench will make the beginning of the Forum's new ‘People in the Park’ initiative.
Over the coming weeks, the Management Committee will be delivering a leaflet to every household on Paxcroft Mead, informing residents about the Centre and listing the activities that run on a regular basis.
After the recent refurbishments, the Management Committee has also decided to replace most of the stacking chairs in the Centre.
Tumble Tots to roll over with Peppa for Tommy's
Tumble Tots in Trowbridge will be rolling over with Peppa Pig for National Children's Activity Week which takes place between 10th to 17th October 2011.
Throughout the week children attending their Tumble Tots physical play classes across the UK will be sponsored to carry out 10 different rolling activities. The fun classes will be themed around Peppa Pig and as well as encouraging the children to get physically active, they'll be raising funds for a great cause. More than 4,000 babies are stillborn and another 2,500 die within the first four weeks of life and this is a statistic that has not changed for a decade. Tumble Tots and Peppa Pig are proud to support the fabulous research work that Tommy's does, which is helping towards giving babies the best chance of being born healthy.
Children are never too young to get active! Right from the word go activity should be a way of life and the inspiration must come from us the parents. The ‘Roll Over with Peppa for Tommy's’ Wall Chart that Tumble Tots and Peppa Pig have produced is really great with many activities to try at home and informs parents of the benefits of allowing children to roll.
Roll Over with Peppa sessions at Tumble Tots Centres during National Children's Activity Week will help to build a healthier nation; parents will be encouraged to continue the physical activity at home. A free copy of the ‘Roll Over for Peppa’ Wall Chart can be obtained through your local Tumble Tots centres across the UK or from Tumble Tots (UK) Limited. Parents or schools just need to ring tel: 0121 585 7003 to request a copy.
As part of the campaign Tumble Tots are also excited to offer the chance to win some amazing Peppa Pig and Tumble Tots prizes so visit tumbletots.com to find out how to enter.
Tumble Tots is an active play programme for children from 6 months to five 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 sessions are 45 minutes, once a week held on Fridays at Paxcroft Mead Community Centre, Trowbridge.
Please contact Debbie Bensley on 01225 811579 or debbie.bensley@tumbletots.com if you would like to join in the fun and come for a free trial session.
www.tumbletots.com/bath
Blue-lid bins coming soon
Trowbridge and Hilperton residents will be getting their new plastic and cardboard recycling bins soon, ahead of a planned start date of November 7 for collections in Bradford on Avon, Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Warminster.
Bins will be collected once a fortnight, with normal household waste collected in the alternate week.
There will be no changes to the current fortnightly black box collection, or the fortnightly green waste collection.
The type of plastics able to be recycled through the new collection will be very limited, however, because Wiltshire Council is recycling plastic bottles only from the kerbside, since these are generally made from good quality plastic for which there is a good market. Other plastic types can cause problems when the plastic bottles are recycled, and if there are too many other types of plastics in the bin, the whole truck full may be sent to landfill.
Residents who wish to recycle other forms of plastic will still have to take them to a recycling centre, so it may be that the District Centre recycling centre is retained after all.
Boundary area changes for Wiltshire constituencies
The Boundary Commission for England has announced proposals to move the boundaries of Wiltshire's constituencies, in line with Government plans to cut the number of MPs by around 50.
The good news is that the proposals would unite our local area within a single constituency, to be named after Trowbridge, acknowledging its status as the county town.
This would mean that Dr Andrew Murrison's South West Wiltshire constituency would effectively be cut into two, while Duncan Hames' Chippenham constituency would lose Bradford on Avon and Melksham.
As well as Trowbridge itself, the new Trowbridge constituency would include Southwick, Hilperton, Summerham and Seend, Bradford on Avon, Winsley and Westwood, Ethandune, Melksham, Corsham Without and Box.
The areas of Erlestoke, Warminster, Westbury, Till and Wylye Valley and Nadder and East Knoyle (previously part of Dr Murrison's constituency) would join with parts of North Dorset to form the new Warminster and Shaftesbury constituency.
Duncan Hames's Chippenham area could lose Bradford on Avon and Melksham but include more of the northern stretches of the county, including Malmesbury, Minety, Purton, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett.
To comment on the Boundary Commission's proposals, visit
www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk by December 5.
It is expected any boundary changes will take effect in time for the next general election, anticipated in 2015.
Save the Arc Theatre Petition
A PETITION to save professional theatre at The Arc in Trowbridge has been launched, asking Wiltshire College to reconsider closing the theatre to commercial productions.
It is intended to keep The Arc running for performing arts students and community groups.
Trowbridge residents have expressed concern at the potential loss to the county town and a Facebook page, Save the Arc Theatre, now has 210 members.
The petition can be seen at http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/petition-against-the-proposed-closure-of-the-arc-theatre-trowbridge/3544.
Trowbridge cinema rivals
New plans for a cinema in Trowbridge town centre have been announced by Prorsus. The development, named Innox Riverside, would bring an eight-screen cinema, six restaurants, a coffee shop, a pub, a riverside walk, landscaped green areas, a Morrisons supermarket and petrol station to the old Bowyers site, with 500 free car parking spaces.
Managing director Angus Horner said: “This plan is fully funded. The only impediment we have is planning consent. Once we have that, we'll start building.”
You can see the plans at the website: www.innoxriverside.com/news.htm
A rival bid has been announced by Legal and General Property, proposing to build a cinema on the St Stephen's Place site. Proposals for the former Tesco site would include six restaurants, a 60 bedroom hotel and an 8 screen cinema, with 106 new car parking spaces. There would also be pedestrian links into the town centre.
Legal & General's senior asset manager, Tim Russell, told the Trowbridge Area Board: “We can assure you our scheme is viable, fully funded and deliverable within the next two years”.
L&G said it had three offers from cinema operators, although there is scepticism about the feasibility of car parking.
LGP also owns the Castle place Shopping Centre, where it will be holding a public exhibition of the proposals on the 21st and 22nd of October 2011.
Town Hall plaque
Trowbridge Town Hall has featured in many television news reports over the past few years, as the setting for more than 200 military inquests during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last Friday (7th October) saw the last such inquest in Trowbridge, as the final military repatriation was recently received through the streets of Wootton Bassett. In future, inquests will take place in Oxfordshire and elsewhere, as the forces will now repatriate fallen servicemen and women through RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, rather than Lyneham in Wiltshire.
The role the Trowbridge Town Hall has played in improving safety for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, through its coroner's recommendations, is to be commemorated with a plaque at the Grade 2 listed building.
Dr Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire and a Navy surgeon commander who was recalled to serve in Iraq in 2003, thought of the idea of recognising the contribution of the Trowbridge inquests, and has been backed by Wiltshire Council, current owner of the building.
Dr Murrison, said; “The coroner's inquests at Trowbridge Town Hall really did have an impact on the safety of people on the front line… I believe that a simple tribute such as a wall plaque would be an appropriate way to mark its contribution.”
Adapted from Wiltshire Times and Property Magazine International - all copyright acknowledged.
Wiltshire Police has a new non-emergency telephone number.
People in Wiltshire can now dial 101, a new national non-emergency telephone number for the police service. Wiltshire Police's 0845 408 7000 non emergency number will be phased out.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can textphone Wiltshire Police on 18001 101.
This new number will not change the way Wiltshire Police respond to non-urgent calls. These will still be received by call handlers in the Force's own control rooms.
When someone calls 101, they hear a recorded message announcing that they are being connected to their local police force. The system will determine the caller's location and connect them to the relevant police force.
If a caller is on a boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message gives them a choice of which force to be connected to. The message will also give the caller the option to select an alternative police force if the incident they are calling about took place in another force area.
The antisocial behaviour in the Paxcroft Mead area continues to be a priority by the Trowbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Mark Hough reports there were 43 crimes rurally in the last calendar month of which 22 were in Hilperton. From these 22 only 2 were in Paxcroft. A minor ASB in Hackett place involving an adult chastising a child and an incident at Budgens were a youth tendered a false ID. Clearly no concerns in my area then with no thefts burglaries or damage to report.
There were 70 crimes in Adcroft and Paxcroft beat of which 5 were in Paxcroft. Of these,there were two garage burglaries on 10/9 on Hulbert Close and Corbin Rd. We arrested two males for these. There was a minor domestic assault on Malwayn and another domestic incident on Proby Place which resulted in an arrest. The other matter was of a minor nature.
All in all a very quiet period for crime. The only other incident of note in the area was the arrest of two wanted males who were located in Hackett Place. Clearly no issues to report then. Long may it continue!
To see a full list of the Trowbridge area NPT priorities click here
Half Term Mobile Skate Park Event - Saturday 22nd October - 12 noon till 4 pm
We are pleased to announce a Mobile Skate Park Event at the Mead School this half-term, on Saturday 22nd October from 12 noon until 4 pm.
There will be local stunt riders and skaters giving displays and free coaching, as well as free expert safety checks for bikes. The local Army Cadets will be coming with their rifle range and refreshments on sale by Friends of the Mead School.
It promises to be a very exciting afternoon for children and young people of all ages and their parents.
The event is suitable for BMX bikes, skate boards, roller blades and scooters.
Entry is £1 for riders and skaters, with spectators coming free. Registration also entitles you to enter a free raffle for an X Box Drum Kit.
There will be safety equipment available to borrow, but riding and skating is at your own risk.
This event has been generously sponsored by Wiltshire Youth Service, which has been supporting the Community Forum in the formation of a Youth Forum on Paxcroft Mead.
There will be an exhibition of the proposal for a skate park on Paxcroft Mead, which will form the centre-piece of the Forum's new People in the Park initiative, featuring plans to improve the country park for all age groups.
Look out for a leaflet through your door explaining People in the Park in the next few weeks.
Please note that this is a fair weather activity, so the event may have to be cancelled at short notice if there is heavy rain - fingers crossed!
Paxcroft Brook
Several residents have been concerned about the condition of Paxcroft Brook, which has been choked with vegetation and litter over the summer. Committee member Gordon Rees has been working with council officers on this problem and we hope that you have noticed the general improvement.
There has also been a concern about an exposed cable under the Leap Gate Bridge. There have been several unsuccessful attempts to repair the damage, so we will be keeping an eye on the latest restoration.
Leap Gate extension.
Residents of Cornbrash Rise and Stoke Hill, whose properties back onto Green Lane, will have noticed the construction activity, as the access road for the new developments South of Green Lane is being built. This road will eventually connect to Leap Gate and link to West Ashton Road.
It is not clear whether this heralds the beginning of full scale building work behind Green Lane, but Paxcroft Mead residents can rest assured that construction traffic will not be driving up Leap Gate. It is a condition of Planning Permission states that the Leap Gate extension will not be opened until a good proportion of the new dwellings are occupied.
Forthcoming Events
Half Term Mobile Skate Park Event - Saturday October 22nd
The Paxcroft Mead Community Forum are pleased to announce a Mobile Skate Park Event at the Mead School this half-term, on Saturday 22nd October from 12 noon until 4 pm. See the poster below for details.
Please note. This is a fair weather activity and may be cancelled at short notice.
Trowbridge Carnival Procession 2011
Half Term Acivities at Trowbridge Museum
Activities for the October holidays are:
| Date | Event | Details | Time(s) | Cost |
| Thursday 20th October | World War One Family History Day | Challenges, puzzles and craft activities | Drop-in between 10.30 and 3.30 | £3.00/£2.50* |
| Friday 21st October | Apple Day! | Apple themed printing workshop | Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10 and 2.50 | Free |
| Tuesday 25th October | Make Do And Mend Toys | Make your own simple toys including Spitfire aeroplanes and Woolly Dollies from scrap materials | Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10 and 2.50 | Free |
| Wednesday 26th October | Make Do And Mend Toys | Make your own simple toys including Spitfire aeroplanes and Woolly Dollies from scrap materials | Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10 and 2.50 | Free |
| Thursday 27th October | Nightmare Catchers | Halloween craft activity | Sessions at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50 and 1.30, 2.10 and 2.50 | Free |
| Friday 28th October | World War One Family History Day | Challenges, puzzles and craft activities | Drop-in between 10.30 and 3.30 | £3.00/£2.50* |
Activities are suitable for ages 5+, under 8's must be accompanied by an adult. Prices marked an asterisk (*) are for Stumpy Club members.
Bluz 'n' Zuz October
The Bluz 'n' Zuz young people's discos are held at the Moo Moo (formerly Fever) Night Club in Castle Street, Trowbridge. The next session is on Friday 21st October and then on the 3rd Friday of each month.
Full details are available on the Bluz 'n' Zuz Facebook wall.
2011 Textile and Weaving Festival
You can download a leaflet giving dates and times of all the different events that make up the festival by clicking here.
Other Events
The following events are planned. More details will be made available nearer the time.
- 12 Nov Community Forum Public Meeting - Launch of People in the Park initiative.
- 13 Nov Remembrance Service and Parade - details from Matthew Ridley Chair RBL on 01225 752289
- 25 Nov Christmas Lights Switch On - details Bill Austin 01225 765072
- 26 Nov Community / Charity Market - details Bill Austin 01225 765072
Trowbridge Walking Forum - October 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 October is shown below:
| Day | Date | Type | Route Options | Starting Point | Grade |
| Mon | 3-Oct | Longer walk | Staverton and Whaddon | Car park at end of Marina Drive , Hilperton Marina | S M 5.1m |
| Wed | 5-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 | 10-Oct | 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 | 12-Oct | Moderate walk | Westwood to Avoncliff | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M H 3.5m |
| Mon | 17-Oct | Longer walk | Poulshot & Caen Hill | Park outside the Village Hall on the south side of the common | S M P 5.1m |
| Wed | 19-Oct | 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 | 24-Oct | Short walk | Southwick Country Park | Southwick Country Park CP | E 1½m |
| Wed | 26-Oct | Moderate Walk | Broughton Gifford and Chalfield | Near The Bell on the Common, Broughton Gifford | S M 2½m |
| Wed | 31-Oct | Longer walk | Westwood, Iford and Stowford | Westwood Manor NT Car park | S M H 5.5m |
| Wed | 2-Nov | Moderate walk | Caen Hill Locks and Rowde (shorter walk possible - 2.5m) | Canal Car park, Caen Hill | E S H 4m |
| Mon | 7-Nov | Short walk | Seend | Village Hall, Rusty Lane, Seend | P M 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.