130126 tower and tap february 2013
TRANSCRIPT
T he SMRA has installed a seat at the wildlife conservation site in recognition of Jean Franklin and her services to the community of
South Marston over many years. Jean worked tirelessly for the Parish Council and South Marston Recreation Association and other village activities. Her efforts were most appreciated and her bubbly and friendly attitude has been missed since her retirement from community activities.
TOWER & TAPTOWER & TAP
February 2013February 2013
SOUTH MARSTON’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT JEAN
by Brian McGlone
Above: Jean receives a bouquet of flowers from Mary Case and Colin McEwen and the plaque on Jean’s bench
Village Expansion: The Pace Quickens
S windon Borough Council (SBC) has published their draft ‘Local Plan’ for public Consultation. It can be found at: http://www.swindon.gov.uk/localplan . This is the updated version of what was previously called the Core Strategy which was consulted on a couple of years ago.
The Local Plan will govern how Swindon will expand in the period to 2026 and includes the specific provisions for expansion in South Marston and the new village of 1500-2000 houses at Rowborough as well as another 5500 houses to the South of the A420. Cont’d on page 19
2 http://southmarston.org.uk
Mercure South Marston Hotel & Spa Dates for your Diary Coffee/Tea available in the lounge/bar every day from 7.30am-10.00pm Every Thursday – Senior Citizens Two Course Lunch 12.00-2.00pm £4.99 per person – open to everyone Monday 4th March 2013– Villagers Coffee Morning 10.30-12.30 All proceeds to be divided between Village Hall & Church Funds Sunday Carvery is back!! Every Sunday served from 12.30pm-4.00pm £7.95 per adult and £3.95 per child Bookings only required on large parties of 6 or more Afternoon Tea Available every day from 3.00pm-5.30pm served in the lounge
from £4.99 per person Check the Tower and Tap for future events and promotions
Dear Friends, Christmas seems a long time ago. The Christmas decorations are packed away for another year and we are back to ‘normal’. We are struggling with miserable weather that dampens our hearts and the economic news is not too bright either. However, Christmas reminded us that God is with us (Emmanuel), but not just for one day, or a short festive season, but everyday. Our next great celebration is Easter, and Lent starts this month. Yes, we are given another time and opportunity to reflect. The two festivals together remind us that God’s love for us is be-yond our understanding. This Lent we are concentrating on the wonderful blessings we have in Christ. Indeed, our church prayer for 2013 is a prayer from Ephesians 3 that we ‘may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to
the measure of all the fullness of God.’
Once we realize deep within our hearts this love, everything is transformed. We have purpose, confidence, joy and hope enough to change the greyness of our lives into glorious ‘technicolour’. Every note of birdsong seems brighter, every sign of God’s work in creation takes our breath away with its beauty and our relation-ships are deepened by God’s love in our lives. With prayers for every blessing, Rev. Vicky Fleming Priest in Charge.
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Church News
Christmas Gifts At Christmas there was an opportunity to give a gift towards the church’s fabric fund. I would like to thank you for your generosity; the appeal raised £510 some of which was ‘gift aided’ and will even-tually yield more from the taxman. On Christmas Eve we had such a good turn out for the Christingle service with standing room only —we were able to send £118 to the Children’s Society. Thank you for your support. Vicky Fleming
Craft Company: We enjoyed a lovely meal together at Blunsdon House in January. It is so good to get together with others of like
mind and share ideas, inspire and encourage each other and enjoy a natter while doing our crafts. Please come and join us on Wednesday 13th Feb-ruary 2–4pm at Dryden House. More details from Mary Cooper or Vicky Fleming.
Saturday Scene meets on the 9th February in the Village Hall 4-5.15pm. An exciting church event for young families. Stories, songs, crafts, games and food. Contact Donald Page on 825693
For Church Service times see the calendar on the
South Marston Website
southmarston.org.uk
Lent Studies - In Christ Throughout this year we are looking at what it means to be a fol-lower of Jesus. During Lent, Rev. George Fleming is going to take us through a Bible Study based on the Letter to the Ephe-sians. Come and join us as we study and thank God for the gifts God has given us ‘In Christ’. All the studies will be held in St. Margaret’s Centre at 7.30pm fin-ishing at 9pm. Please bring your Bibles with you. 18th February In Christ we have redemption 4th March In Christ we are sealed with the Holy Spirit 11th March In Christ we have obtained an inheritance 18th March In Christ we have Divine Partnership 25th March In Christ unto good works
We look forward to welcoming you.
FROM THE REGISTERS
Weddings : 24th November Andrew Mosley and Tracey East
Church News
South Marston Church is part of Stratton Team Ministry. The office is located at St. Margaret’s Centre, Kenwin Close, Stratton St. Margaret and it is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8.30am to 12 noon. Email: [email protected] or tel: 826505. If you would like to talk to a priest or book a Christening or Wedding please contact Rev
Vicky Fleming on 827021 between 6 and 7pm any evening except Fridays or Sundays.
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South Marston Enterprise Group
We are a friendly social group that meet to talk about all things business related. Regular meetings are held on the
1st Thursday of every month, 7.30pm-9pm.
We chat around business related topics and enjoy some nibbles and a drink. Anyone with an interest in business enterprise is
welcome to come along and join in.
Future topics include: a pub quiz, keeping up to date with social media and finding out about acupuncture.
Contact Hazel Andrews by e-mail [email protected] or 01793 827507 for further details.
The Meeting Point Coffee morning with table top sales
(Please book your table by 7th Feb: £2.50 for people who live in the vil-lage, £5 for those outside and free to village organisations )
9th February from 10 –12.30pm In the Village Hall
Refreshments provided by South Marston Church Those who come often remark about the enjoyment of sitting down with a neighbour they haven’t seen for a while with a cake in one
hand and a coffee in the other.
We look forward to seeing you
COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH – WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
The Community Speedwatch scheme run by the Swindon Borough Council
gives local people the chance to be actively involved in making South Marston’s
roads safer for everyone in the village. It has been effective in Blunsdon in im-
proving road safety. Residents, who are willing to volunteer a small amount of
their time each week, now have the chance to help monitor speeds with state-
of-the-art speed detection equipment on our roads. Volunteers will be trained
on the use of the equipment. See http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-
speedwatch-3.pdf for further details of the scheme.
We now need more volunteers to come forward for training. Please contact
the village co-ordinator Tony Leathart on 827744 or to-
Parish Councillor Vacancy
South Marston Parish Council currently has a vacancy on the Parish Council for
an enthusiastic individual who wants to make a difference in their community.
If you would like to know more about becoming a Parish Councillor and would
be interested in joining the team, please contact the Parish Clerk on 01793
820529 or email: [email protected].
Parish Council meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the
Village Hall and anyone is welcome to pop along to observe the meeting.
HGV’s Driving Through the Village
The Parish Council are aware that there are HGV’s ignoring weight limit signs,
driving through the village. We are trying to collect evidence to pass on to
Wiltshire Police who may be able to find an appropriate solution to the prob-
lem. Please don’t assume that other people are reporting the problem. The Po-
lice cannot act unless we have vehicle information, including the number plate.
Please pass this on to the Parish Clerk either via email ([email protected]) or
by telephoning 01793 820529. Thank you.
South Marston Parish Council
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Reporting Litter Problems
If you would like litter cleared in the village, Swindon Borough Council has an online service to report the problem.
You can report a problem in a number of ways:
Ring 01793 445501
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/ts/ts-streetcareandcleaning and follow the instructions on the ‘How to Report a Problem’ heading on the ‘Street Cleaning’ page.
In person, by visiting the Swindon Direct One-stop shop at Wat Tyler House, Swindon.
Parish Council Meetings Members of the public are welcome to attend Parish Council meetings which are held on the third Tuesday of the month, at 7.30pm in the Vil-lage Hall. There is an “Open 10 Minutes” section at the start of the meeting where you are invited to ask questions or discuss an agenda item. It would be helpful if you could in-form the Chairman at the start of the meeting of any items that you wish to raise or discuss. All agendas are published on the village website and on the village notice boards, prior to the meetings.
To keep informed of all the latest Parish Council news, including minutes of Parish Council meetings, please visit southmarston.org.uk and visit the ‘Parish Council’ section.
South Marston Parish Council cont’d
HOME TUTORING
Fully qualified primary teacher
offering home tutoring at competitive prices.
Maths from KS1 to GCSE (£25 - £30 / hour)
Literacy KS1 and KS2 (£25 / hour)
Full CRB certificate
Kirsty Feline BSc (Mathematics) PGCE
Tel: 07855 099086 [email protected]
Gone With The Wind
L ast year saw 5 parish councils and well over 800 Swindon residents react to a Planning Department document that pointed to areas, including Highworth, Hannington, South Marston, Tadpole Farm and the eastern villages of Wanborough and Liddington as areas
appropriate for wind turbines. In response, the residents and local parish councils asked that the Local Plan should define a minimum separation distance between any proposed wind turbines and residential housing. Hopes were raised when Councillor Dale Heenan, speaking of the Local Plan, said ‘the specific wording is still being discussed but I wouldn’t be surprised if it includes separation distances of 1km’. In the event, and de-spite Dale Heenan’s best intentions, the Planning Department’s views pre-vailed and the proposed Development Plan does not include a minimum separation distance. Ill Wind, a group of local residents, successfully opposed a planning appli-cation for wind turbines overlooking Stratton and South Marston. They were concerned about the growing evi-dence about impacts on health, disturb-ance from noise and shadow flicker and the damaging effects on neighbourhoods that would be overlooked by giant moving structures of a size that would dwarf any building currently in Swindon. Ill Wind are urging Swindon residents who don’t want to live to close to wind tur-bines to voice their objections to the anti-democratic way the Local Plan is bypassing the consultation process and being rail-roaded through to a February 21st dead-line. If you are interested, and want to help, visit their website, illwind.co.uk, for more details.
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The T&T Editorial team are very sorry that due to production problems the December/January report was not included in the issued document so here it is now. Past & Recent Events
Tuesday 13th November
A talk was given by Alan Fletcher on “Guide dogs for the blind”. He brought his dog Joy with him, which he has had for over six years. He and his wife, Shirley informed us how, from the first steps of puppy selection, to the train-ing of the dogs and people, who are to be recipients of a dog, are carried out. It was very informative and we were made aware of the hard work the many volunteers do to make the whole system work. There is a high cost, covered mainly by donations, to reach this final achievement of a fully trained working dog.
Tuesday 11th December – Christmas lunch
Our Christmas Lunch for club members was held at the Barrington Arms Hotel. Entertainment by Ken & Steve with popular songs and Christmas car-ols. It was a pleasant afternoon. 45 members attended
Tuesday 18th December – Christmas Concert at South Marston School.
The school entertained members with their Christmas Concert supervised by Alison. All age groups of the children were involved in the performance. They all did well and are commended for their effort. Thanks also to the staff who were involved in making the production. We gave Alison best wishes in her new appointment.
Tuesday 8th January
A talk was given by Lynda Warren on the topic, The Wartime Kitchen. This explored some of the problems and unusual happenings in the war years that people had to cope with, some being funny, others being more serious. Items such as evacuation of children and the outcome of this event were discussed. Due to food supply issues many very strange recipes were created by the gov-ernment and food writers. Copies of some were given to members to try!!!
The Friendly Club
Christmas Hampers - new qualification criteria
The government has increased the State Pension age for women to 65 phased from April 2016 to December 2018. A further increase will be phased in to raise the State Pension age for all to 66 from December 2018.
In consideration of these changes and the proposed expansion of the village community the Trust will be making the following changes to the criteria for allocation of Christmas Hampers to senior citizens of South Marston. These changes will be implemented on 1st April 2016.
The changes are not subject to the exact scheduling of government crite-ria.
To qualify for a Christmas Hamper the recipient is required to have been in permanent residency in South Marston for a period of 3 years prior to submission of registration.
All new applicants must be 65 years of age on 24th December 2016 to be eligible to register.
All new and existing applicants must be 66 years of age or over on the 1st January 2019 to be eligible to register.
Future Events
Tuesday 12th February – In the Village Hall at 2.00pm
A talk will be given by Gail Leaman on the work of the Wiltshire Search and Rescue Team
Tuesday 12th March - At The South Marston Hotel at 2.00pm. A talk will be given by Norman Jeffery on The National Garden Scheme. The hotel invited us to hold our meeting there so that we can trial their facilities. The hotel wishes to engage with all age groups of the South Marston community.
The Friendly Club
The F & E Harris Memorial Trust
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T his issue, we would like to thank Barry Thunder for his tremendous efforts as Chairman of SMAWL since its inception. Barry has now stepped down but remains a volunteer; SMAWL Chairman from Janu-ary 2013 is Chris Brooks.
Barry has overseen the transformation of Oak Tree Corner on the Highworth Road, from an overgrown tangle scattered with rubbish, to a much nicer area.
Oak Tree Corner now has a path, seating, flower beds, bridges over the ditch, a pond, a large variety of plants, and a manageable hedge.
Thanks are due to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Neil Pullen, John Ball and Patrick Nor-ris, for their expert advice. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust also provided plants, supervi-sion, and use of tools.
SMAWL has received many donations and is very grateful to F&E Harris Memo-rial Trust, Nationwide BS, Hanson, SMPC and SMRA. Furthermore, many gener-ous gifts have come from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, D Jones, R Harley, The Haven, local nurseries, many residents and Greenshave Services.
Finally, a big thank you to the many volunteers of all ages that have dug, weed-ed, slashed & burned, planted, and eaten Barry’s biscuits. And massive apolo-gies if anyone isn’t mentioned here that should be. Please let me know so I can put it right next time.
In 2013 we hope to:
add more seating for a teaching area
erect a willow dome
put up a fence
display a plaque bearing the site name
hold an official opening ceremony
put a gate at the entrance
continue maintaining what has been achieved.
We also hope to be represented at the village fete in 2013.
SMAWL
South Marston Assisting
Wildlife
SMAWL is composed entirely of volunteers and is currently looking for more help.
Oak Tree Corner is becoming a pleasant and useful community space, whilst attracting and encouraging a large variety of wildlife. But it can only continue with help from villagers.
Anyone with a spare hour or two throughout the year will be most welcome. It’s sociable and helps to improve the look of the village.
We are all villagers who want to make a difference in our environment but en-joy ourselves doing it.
Come and join us, if only for an hour, during 2013. We welcome any age and ability (although children must be accompanied by an adult).
So if you enjoy fresh air and good company, look out for more announcements from SMAWL in Tower & Tap or on the village website.
We generally meet for a chat once a month, and have a work day once a month at Oak Tree Corner, usually on a Saturday.
For further information, please call Chris on 829868 or Susan on 824957, or email Chris at [email protected]. You can also read more about the group on the village website, southmarston.org.uk.
Before After
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Continued from page 1
It also makes general policy points, for instance on renewable energy, where the Parish Council share the concerns of Ill Wind that large wind turbines may be making a return in specific areas highlighted in the Local Plan
The Parish Council will be making submissions on behalf of the village, but we encourage all villagers to read this document and put in their responses to the Borough Council direct before the 21st February deadline.
The Parish Council Expansion Sub Committee continues to work on the South Marston village Planning Document (known as the SPD or supplementary plan-ning document). This is supplemental to the Local plan and so is bound by the more general statements in it. The developers are now expected to concen-trate on the area North of the A420, although they tell us that there is consid-erable technical work still to be done. Our current plan, in line with Swindon BC, is to finalise the SPD so that it can go to Public Consultation in the Spring and then go on to be adopted as part of the Local Plan. It would then have to be respected by any future application for development.
If you would like to become involved with this planning process and would like to find out how to do so, then please contact the Parish Clerk on 01793 820529.
Car & Van MOT - £45 10day free re-test Motor Bike MOT - £29 10day free re-test
Servicing, Welding Body Work, Mechanical
Accident Repairs Restoration, Re-Spray Upgrades, Body Kits
Brakes and maintenance checks
Open 8.00am – 5.30pm
Phone us on 01793 821360 or email [email protected]
Address: Old Farm Barn, Nightingale Lane, South Marston, SN3 4SL
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T he Swindon Older Peoples Forum (SOPF) has only been in existence since November 2011 but the need for an independent voice for older people within the Borough could not be more pressing. Whilst SOPF does not engage in special pleading, it does champion the need for
older people to have an equal voice in matters that affect their everyday lives and seek to combat ageism and promote a positive image of all older people. The portrayal of older people as simply a burden is an, albeit unintentional, em-phasis articulated by the Council in its “Big Conversation” publicity. We there-fore thought it necessary to point out this insensitivity via the following article, which, is a view also expressed in a recent speech by the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury.
T he human population has always been ageing and average age and life expectancy has been slowly, but steadily, rising for centuries. It's part of a world that includes a number of predictable trends. All we need do is regularly adjust to these trends incrementally and in accordance with
an appropriate indicator; e.g. just as pensions are regularly adjusted in accord-ance with the retail price index, so pensionable age might be adjusted in accord-ance with the overall expectation of life.
failures on to seniors. For those who point the finger of blame, or contribute to the debate from a one dimensional, solely financial standpoint, there is no harm in reminding them that the over 50’s hold 80% of the nation’s personal assets and wealth and represent the major proportion of the voting population.
Old age may be situated at the other extreme from youth but being old is not being ill. Life can be as full of value and delight, of incident and insight as it is for a 20 year old. This is not to deny the need for compassionate societies to pro-vide support mechanisms but neither should it be viewed as a race to retire-ment when individuals suddenly get shifted from an asset to a burden, and wit-ness the door slammed on a wealth of wisdom and experience.
So let’s recognise that old age may not be a bed of roses but as we are all going there, let’s fix it so we enjoy the journey. If you can empathies with this stance, why not join us? For more information contact Dave Brown [email protected] or Tel: 01793 612037.
AN AGEING POPULATION: SO WHAT’S NEW?
The full article is available on the South Marston website. If you would like the full article printed and posted to you please call 01793 823035
Hospice seeks walkers to join annual Walk of Memories
Prospect Hospice is inviting walkers to join its annual Walk of Memories, one of the charity’s first fundraising events of 2013, which takes place at 10.30am on Sunday 3 March.
The event, which is an opportunity for people from across the community to raise funds for their local hospice in memory of a loved one, is a gentle five mile sponsored walk setting off from the Four Pillars Hotel at the Cotswold Water Park near South Cerney.
“This event has been a key part of our fundraising calendar for several years now,” says Prospect events fundraiser Genevieve Arney. “It’s different to many of our events because people walk it at the pace they want, and often bring along friends who share with them memories of a loved one in whose memory they are taking part. And, because the terrain is relatively gentle, it’s a walk that the whole family – including the dog – can enjoy together.”
Registration for the event is just £8, and can be completed by visiting www.prospect-hospice.net
Cartoonists Artists
Photographers Article Contributors
Send your contributions to [email protected]
by the 22nd of each month
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Hazel Andrews Acupuncture Lic Ac. MBAcC MCAUK
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment suitable for a wide range of health conditions and can help relaxation.
Back pain, sciatica and headaches
Joint aches, low energy levels
PMT, fertility issues, anxiety and stress.
Cosmetic acupuncture, ear acupuncture and ‘needle free’ scenar treatments are available. Home visits arranged.
Clinic: 7 Ash Gardens, South Marston, Swindon SN3 4XX.
Tel: 01793 827507 www.acuhome.co.uk
Over 15 years experience, member of British Acupuncture Council and Cosmetic Acupuncture UK.
Useful Contacts
Parish Council Chair Stuart Young T 828775 Parish Council Vice Chair Sylvia Brown T 823535 Clerk to the Parish Council Gemma Cheal T 820529 SMRA Chair Mary Case T 826038 SMRA Secretary Julie Hatherall T 07857 310624 Village Hall Bookings Julie Hatherall T 07857 310624 Football Field Bookings Chris Maull T 824505 Tots & Toddlers Rachel Case T 832719 Youth Club Julie & Steve T 07923 441296 Gardening Club Mike New T 827807 Friendly Club Brian McGlone T 826243 Spitfires Football Club Bev Maull T 824505 South Marston School Mr Luke Madison T 823379 Pre–School Pre-School Staff T 07847 590601 Saplings Children’s Centre (All Sorts) T 829996 Ward Councillors Russell Holland T 07999 566623 John Haines T 07901 534640 Colin Lovell T 321634 Member of Parliament Justin Tomlinson T 522123 Priest in Charge Vicky Fleming T 827021 Church Wardens Richard Sansum T 831473 Donald Page T 825693
0-14 years Good
Ofsted
2011
White Cottage Pre-school & Nursery
Flexible funded sessions 15 hrs (Alternately 20 hrs FREE 9am -1pm)
Breakfast Club & Driving drop offs After school club & Driving Collections Holiday Club (Swimming, horse riding........)
Free Registration www.whitecottagenursery.co.uk
Even Swindon Community Centre Old Vicarage Lane Jenning Street South Marston Rodbourne Swindon Wiltshire SN2 3BG Wiltshire SN3 4SH
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South Marston Hotel & Spa South Marston Residents Coffee Morning
As new faces of the hotel would like to invite you to a complimentary
Coffee Morning here at the hotel and leisure club on
Monday 11th February 10.30-12.30 or
Saturday 16th February 10.30-12.30
As part of the village community we are offering many special events over the coming year. We would like you to be the first to know about them, and are giving you and your family a chance to come and see the changes in the hotel and experience the new menus that will be on offer. Whether it’s a coffee, a bar meal, afternoon tea or dining in our new dining area and Sunday Carvery, there is something for every-one. Our doors are open to meet you and chat about what we can do for you as a villager to make this your number one choice of venue. Come relax, meet friends and family and celebrate special occasions any day of the week where you will receive a warm welcome.
We look forward to meeting you all.