together church & village news - upavon · i find herbert’s poems particularly speak to me...

15
Charlton St. Peter, Rushall & Upavon TOGETHER Church & Village News 2017

Upload: truongcong

Post on 11-Apr-2018

216 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

Charlton St. Peter, Rushall & Upavon

TOGETHER

Church & Village News

2017

WHO TO CONTACT:

Team Rector: Revd. Deborah Larkey (Day off Friday): Tel: 01672 851746

[email protected] The Rectory, Woodborough, Pewsey, SN9 5PH

Team Vicars: Revd. Jennifer Totney, Tel: 01672 562886 [email protected] The Rectory, Pewsey, SN9 5DL (Day off Thursday) Revd Mark Windsor, Tel: 01672 564265 [email protected], The Vicarage, Wilcot, Pewsey, SN9 5NS. (Day off Thursday). Curate: Revd. Colin Heber-Percy, Tel: 01264 731386 [email protected] Licensed Lay Ministers: Margery Jones, Libby Turner Rural Dean: Revd. Canon Gerald Osborne, Tel: 01672 563459

PEWSEY TEAM OFFICE: Bouverie Hall, Pewsey 01672 562221 Hours: Monday 1.00-5.00, Tuesday 9.00-1.00 and Wednesday 1.00-5.00 EMAIL: [email protected] website: http//www.valeofpewsey.org

CHURCHWARDENS Upavon Mr Bill Bracher 630173

Dr Virginia Thorne 630830 Rushall Vacancies

Charlton St Peter Mrs Rosie Cunningham 630321

Mrs Ali Lacey 630385

LAY PASTORAL ASSISTANTS Mr Bill Bracher 630173 Mrs Caroline Larken 630432 Mrs Anne Prince 630008

UPAVON RUSHALL & CHARLTON LINK Link Line 630818

TOGETHER MAGAZINE ADVERTISING AND REVENUE and items of news or notices for the next issue, contact the Together team, Tel: 630023 or email: [email protected] by the 15th of the month, please.

Please contact a member of the clergy to discuss Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, Confirmation, the Blessing of your home, Service of Prayer and Dedication, Renewal of Wedding Vows. To visit in hospital,and the dying at home or in hospital. The clergy are here to help and serve, with our Lay Pastoral Assistants

HOSPITAL VISITS - If you need a visit in hospital, or know someone who has been

taken in who would like a visit, please contact a member of the clergy.

HOME COMMUNIONS - If you know someone who is unable to get to church and

wishes to receive Communion, please contact Bill Bracher on 01980 630173 and he

will make arrangements for this to happen.

TIM

ES

OF

WO

RS

HIP

St P

ete

r’s C

harlto

n

6.0

0pm

E

venin

g W

ors

hip

6:0

0pm

P

arish C

om

munio

n

Ash

Wed

nesd

ay

- M

arc

h 1

st

at

10.0

0 a

m

Serv

ice o

f C

om

mu

nio

n w

ith

Im

po

sit

ion

of

Ash

es a

t P

ew

se

y M

eth

od

ist

Ch

urc

h o

r

7.3

0 p

m a

t S

t M

ary

th

e V

irg

in, U

pavo

n

WEEK

DA

Y S

ER

VIC

ES:

Holy

Com

munio

n o

n W

ednesd

ays

at

10.0

0 a

m a

t St

John t

he B

apti

st,

Pew

sey

Weekday E

uchari

sts—

For

furt

her

weekday E

uchari

sts,

ple

ase

see t

he A

ltons

and H

oneyst

reet

villa

ge n

ew

s.

Morn

ing P

rayer

M

onday:

St

Pete

r, C

harl

ton S

t Pete

r 7.4

5am

Tuesd

ay:

St

John t

he B

apti

st P

ew

sey 8

.30am

Wednesd

ay:

St

Matt

hew

, Rush

all 8

.30 a

m

Thurs

day:

no s

erv

ice

Fri

day:

St

Mary

the V

irgin

Upavon 9

.30am

These

serv

ices

are

open t

o e

very

one,

so p

lease

com

e f

or

this

im

port

ant

pra

yer

tim

e.

St M

atthew

’s R

ushall

11.0

0am

H

oly

Com

mu

nio

n B

CP

11.0

0am

M

atin

s B

CP

9.3

0am

Holy

Com

munio

n

11.0

0am

M

orn

ing W

ors

hip

St M

ary

’s U

pavon

9.3

0am

A

ll A

ge W

ors

hip

9.3

0am

P

arish C

om

mu

nio

n

8.0

0am

Holy

Com

munio

n B

CP

9.3

0am

M

orn

ing W

ors

hip

9.3

0am

P

arish C

om

mu

nio

n

5 F

ebru

ary

12 F

ebru

ary

19 F

ebru

ary

26 F

ebru

ary

THE CLERGY LETTER

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lacked anything.

‘A guest’, I answered, ‘worthy to be here.’

Love said, ‘You shall be he.’

February is a significant month for me – not, despite these opening words

about love, particularly because of Valentine’s Day! In this month, on the day

of his death, 27th February, the church calendar remembers the poet and

priest George Herbert who lived from 1593 to 1633 and was a vicar not far

from here in Fugglestone and Bemerton on the outskirts of Salisbury. When

people ask me who has been a help on my journey towards being a vicar, I

often surprise them by saying not my family, or a spiritual director, but a poet

who lived 4oo years ago!

So what is so important about Herbert? Firstly, I think just the fact that he is a

poet. I don’t think it is an accident that on Valentine’s day we often use poems

to express our deepest emotions. Somehow poems can say things in a

powerful way that our normal words can’t. Poems stretch language and our

imaginations in new and thought-provoking ways.

I find Herbert’s poems particularly speak to me because on the surface they

can seem simple. He uses everyday pictures and experiences, like in the

poem above, being invited round for a meal, or even perhaps on a date! But

although this poem is called ‘Love’ it is not just a love poem. It’s also a

meditation about our spiritual life, about how God in Jesus comes near to us

and invites us to share our lives with him.

In a world of increasing change and uncertainty, I have recently rediscovered

reading poems by Herbert and others a very helpful way of reflecting, thinking

and praying. I was struck by a recent book, ‘A Splash of Words’ by Mark

Oakley which is his own selection and thoughts about poems which have

inspired and challenged him. Perhaps this month, along with the poem you

put in your Valentine’s card, you could try reading some!

Revd. Jennifer Totney

FROM THE REGISTERS

Funerals: May they rest in Peace Janet Bailey of Pewsey, died 11th November. Funeral Service on 30th November at West Wilts Crematorium followed by a Thanksgiving Service at St John the Baptist Church, Pewsey. Anthony Lawes of Manningford. Funeral Service on 13th December at West Wilts Crematorium. Mary Gale of Rushall, died 4th December. Funeral Service on 20th December at St Matthew’s Church, Rushall, followed by burial in the churchyard. Ruby Borissoff of Pewsey, died 29th December. Funeral Service on 18th January at St John the Baptist Church, Pewsey, followed by burial in Pewsey Cemetery. April Maree Johnson of Pewsey, died 28th December. Funeral Service on 16th January at St John the Baptist, Pewsey, followed by burial in Pewsey Cemetery. Reg Giddings of Pewsey. Funeral Service on 6th January at Salisbury Crematorium.

Baptisms:

Frederick Roy Strong on 27th November at Huish Freya Isabelle Hall on 3rd December at Easton Royal Harriet Plank on 4th December at Alton Barnes Barnaby William Patchell on 18th December at Manningford Bruce Harriet Eliza Patchell on 18th December at Manningford Bruce Rio Jose Wookey on 18th December at Rushall

DEVIZES FOOD BANK

At this cold time of year, your donations to the Devizes Food Bank are especially welcome. If you have any spare packets of soup, tins of fruit or vegetables, baked beans etc., please leave them in St. Mary's Church and we will make sure they are taken to the Trussell Trust Food Bank. Or if you are in Pewsey, please leave them in the Methodist Church. Thank you.

ST MARY’S CHURCH, UPAVON Christmas at St Mary’s The church social committee would like to thank everyone who helped and supported the Christmas Fair held in the church on the 4

th of December. It was a great success

and raised £504. This was well up on the year before, so the intention is to hold it in the church again, and again on a Sunday. Special thanks to Charlie's Upavon Christmas Band , who played valiantly for most of the event and helped to create a jolly and festive atmosphere. Many thanks are also due to Santa who visited this year and was a real surprise for the children. We have heard he intends to come again next year! Lastly, thank you to the Village Shop, The Antelope, The Ship and Reeder’s Garage for once again donating items to the tombola, and of course we must mention the stallholders who made the day. Sarah

It was wonderful to see so many people celebrating the birth of Jesus in St Mary’s Church at Christmas. On Christmas Eve the church was full of children, candles, carols, and Charlie's Christmas Band, as we celebrated Christingle. If you haven't been to one of these services do come along next Christmas, if only for the oranges and sweets. We raised £182 for The Children's Society, a much needed charity. A couple of weeks before the church had resounded to brass playing as the Wiltshire Police Band entertained us, with Michael Fay on the organ in the interval, followed by mulled wine and mince pies. This was a very enjoyable evening, with a good audience at short notice, so we do hope they come again. At Rushall School’s Carol Service we had a very full church with parents and grandparents, creating a lovely atmosphere. Our own Carol Service, with favourite carols and readings, was enjoyed by all, and our celebrations culminated in our Christmas Morning Communion Service. Many thanks go to all who helped in any way at all these services.

If you like singing, please keep May 6th free, when we will have a concert given by the Pewsey Belles and the Sarsen Songmen. The Pewsey Belles have a new director, who believes in audience participation! We are hoping to have a Treasure Hunt on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, walking round the village. Other future events include a (provisional) Lent Lunch on March 15

th, a Plant Sale in May, plus the regular monthly

coffee mornings, the summer fete, and a possible quiz evening. It was good to see so many different people in the church in December, so if you have any suggestions for things we can do to interest the village, please let us know. Virginia and Bill, Churchwardens.

COFFEE MORNINGS IN ST MARY’S CHURCH, UPAVON

Everyone is warmly invited to our regular monthly coffee

(and tea) mornings held in the church between 10am and 12 noon on the

last Saturday of the month: 28 January, 25 February, 25 March, 29

April, 27 May, and 24 June, 29 July and 26 August. Please add the

dates to your diary!

Lent 2017 in the Vale of Pewsey Team

Shrove Tuesday 28th February Film Night at The Rectory, Pewsey with pancakes!

6.30 for 7.00pm

Ash Wednesday 1st March

10am Communion with Ashing at Pewsey Methodist Church (a joint Pewsey Churches

Together service)

7.30pm Communion with Ashing at St Mary’s Church, Upavon

Lent Groups- There will be a variety of groups running during Lent and details will be

confirmed nearer the time. Do look out for information in the pewsheet and in the Lent

card distributed to the churches, or contact Sheena Marsh

([email protected]) 01672 562221 or Jennifer Totney.

Mondays 10am Huish Down View Farm, Oare

Mondays 6.30pm Compline St John’s Church followed by 7-8pm Poetry Discussion

Tuesday evenings - Rosie Beale

Thursday afternoons St John’s Church, Pewsey - Gill de Berry

Friday afternoons Film discussion at The Rectory, Pewsey

Milton Lilbourne and other villages will also be hosting groups

Renewing Hope: Praying Together

A daily ‘Lent Word for the Day’ has been prepared by the Diocese of Salisbury. This

will be available as a printed booklet, to download from the website

www.salisbury.anglican.org, and as an app for phones or tablets.

Lent Lunches

A simple soup lunch in aid of the St Timothy Foundation will take place for 4 weeks in

Lent.

Who was the founder of Christianity?

Jesus of Nazareth…or Paul of Tarsus? An evening of exploration and discussion. Come and join the debate! Wednesday 22

nd February at 7.30pm in St John’s Church, Pewsey

A Musical Miscellany

Friday 24th February at 7.30pm in St John’s Church, Pewsey

With the concert artists of St Mary’s School, Calne Director of Music: Rebecca Cavell, Organ and piano: Chris Totney Pancake Party!

Tuesday 28th February 12-2pm

St John’s Church, Pewsey

Pewsey Churches Working Together

We are planning a retreat to Douai Abbey, near Reading from Tuesday 28th-

Thursday 30th November 2017.

This will be a great opportunity to put time aside for space and quiet with

guided reflections from experienced retreat leader Rev’d John Clarke (former

Dean of Wells Cathedral). We invite you to consider putting the date in your

diary, and offer a chance to find out more on Saturday 4th

February 2-3pm at

Pewsey Methodist Church

If you’ve never been on a retreat before, or would like to find out more about

Douai Abbey and our plans, please do come along! All are welcome.

CHARLTON ST PETER 100 CLUB

We met after our PCC meeting on 28th November and Jennifer drew our November

prize winners.

£100 – T. Baker (Devizes)

£50 – R. Giles (Charlton)

£50 – J. Lilywhite (East Grinstead)

£25 – C. Perry (Charlton)

£25 – S & J Caddick (East Chisenbury)

Our Christmas Club Draw took place in Church after our Service on 24th December

at 6.30pm. Congratulations to the lucky Christmas winners:-

£250 – D. Harvey (Rushall)

£50 – S. Long (N. Newnton)

£50 – W. Hughes (Carmarthen)

£25 – B. Lacey (Newmarket)

£25 – J Lilywhite (E. Grinstead)

Our next 100 Club Draw will take place in Church after our Christingle Service on

Sunday 22nd January at 6pm and we will publish the winners in the next magazine.

We still have a few numbers available, so if you are interested in purchasing number

for £5 a month, please contact Ali Lacey 630385.

RUSHALL & CHARLTON ST PETER VILLAGE HALL

In Rushall we have a modern hall with under-floor heating, a large well fitted

kitchen and off street PRIVATE parking for 28 cars

FEBRUARY 4th Coffee Morning 10am-12 noon, Pop-up Pub from 5.30pm

9th Talk by Richard Giles 7:30pm 16th Bingo 7:30pm

We are still in need of new members and volunteers to help run and manage the

events in the Hall. If you would like to get involved, please contact us! For all enquiries regarding the hall please use our

NEW CONTACT DETAILS. Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07552 172935

“You Can Get it at Nicol’s”

– a history of Pewsey’s only Department Store – G.B.Nicol – 1905 – 1990

By Richard Giles

In Rushall Village Hall. Thursday 9th February at 7.30pm.

Admission £5.00 to include light refreshments, payable at the door. Proceeds will be divided between the Hall and Pewsey Heritage Trust.

The Tipsy Bishop Pop-up Pub is open in

Rushall Village Hall on Saturday 4

th February from 5.30pm

Please bring your friends and fight off the winter!

Children most welcome, entertainment will be provided

Scampi, Hot Dogs and Chips, Wine and Beer

will be available to purchase

R.S.V.P. [email protected]

Organised by Rushall PCC

In aid of St. Matthew’s church

For an Active, Stimulating, Creative and Enjoyable Retirement join Pewsey Vale U3A and follow your own interests whilst making new friends

Military History

Scrabble

Cooking for beginners

Ukulele

Whist

Yoga

Birdwatching

Book Circles

Walking

Spanish Conversation

Traveller's Tales

Badminton

Evolving English

Gardening

Knitting and Crochet

History of Transport

Quilting

Table Tennis

French Conversation

Practical Photography

Art

Bridge

Computers

Local History

Mahjong

Skittles

Bowls

Orienteering

Singing for Pleasure

Country Dancing

Luncheon Club

Travel Club

and more

For more information see www.pewseyvaleu3a.co.uk or phone 01980 630084 and watch this

space for details of some of our activities

“OUR CROFTON STORY: ITS PEOPLE AND ITS BUILDINGS” PROJECT

Behind the scenes at Crofton Beam Engines volunteers have been working hard to develop “Our Crofton Story: its people and its buildings” .The project will see around a £750k investment to conserve and restore Crofton Beam Engines whilst developing its interpretation, activities and visitor facilities to attract a wider and more diverse audience, thus securing its future. Over the course of the summer we’ve been asking our visitors what they think of Crofton and have some really positive feedback. Now we really need to hear from people who don’t visit Crofton to find out why and what we can do about it. If you have never been to Crofton Beam Engines or within the last five years, it would be really useful if you could complete this short (7 questions) survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GH663W8 This will really help us not only in our planning, but provide evidence to grant bodies that there is a need for the project. If you would prefer a hard copy, please contact our Site Manager, Becks Skinner, on [email protected] For more information see: http://www.croftonbeamengines.org/

UPAVON 500 CLUB MONTHLY DRAW

The winning numbers for December 2016 were drawn on12th December at 7.30pm in

The Antelope £33.00 376 Mr R McDonald Watson Close £16.00 72 Mr R Morton Jarvis Street £13.00 465 Mrs A Blinko Fairfield £10.00 222 Mrs P Holloway Andover Road £7.00 375 Mrs A Blinko Fairfield £6.00 238 Mrs Jurgut Watson Close £5.00 448 Margaret Watson Close £4.00 200 Mr N Maskell Riverside £3.00 171 Mr G Newland Chapel Lane £3.00 136 Mrs E Tryhorn Avon Square £3.00 408 Mrs A Perdeaux Bridge House There were 195 in this draw. The winning numbers for January 2017 were drawn on Monday 9

th January at 7.30pm

in The Ship. Congratulations to this Month’s winners:

£33.00 51 Mr J Buchanan Fairfield £16.00 485 Mr/s Vigor Fairfield £13.00 108 Mrs C Larkin Rushall Manor £10.00 194 M Sinnott Riverside £7.00 238 Mrs Jurgut Watson Close £6.00 454 M Cairns Avon Square £5.00 212 E Casson Pewsey Road £4.00 186 D Crookes Riverside £3.00 244 J Lutman Chapel Lane £3.00 171 M G Newland Chapel Lane £3.00 12 Mr J Osborne Manor Stables There were 201 in this draw. The next draw will take place in The Antelope on Monday 13

th February. Numbers are £1 each per month and Membership Forms are available

in the entrance to The Ship or please contact Verina Horsnell Tel: 07720 884 680. The

more subscriptions that are collected, the higher the prizes will be.

Linda Ward, Hon. Treasurer.

THE GOOD COMPANIONS

We had an eventful December with our Christmas Tea Party on the 6th

. Then we went to Salisbury Playhouse on the 8

th to see the pantomime Aladdin, which was an

excellent afternoon. This was followed by an invitation from Rushall School to the children’s carol concert. They did us proud, lovely singing, followed by tea and mince

pies – an afternoon to remember. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 7

th February in Upavon Village Hall as usual at 2.00pm.

UPAVON PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council will meet next on Wednesday 15 March at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. The minutes of the meeting may be inspected on the Parish Council website:

www.upavonpc.co.uk, or on request at the Post Office. Any resident of the village wishing to raise a matter with the Parish Council should, in the first instance, contact the Parish Clerk, Jon Mulroy, 24 High Street, Upavon, tel. 01980 630059 or mobile - 07740 178891, email: [email protected] (or he can be contacted through the Parish website) at least 48 hours before a meeting in order that a considered response may be made. Salisbury Plain training area information will henceforth be available on the Parish Council notice board, or on the website:www.upavonpc.co.uk

UPAVON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING DATES – 2017

Wed 24 May – to include Annual Parish Meeting; Wed 19 July; Wed 20 September; Wed 15 November. All Meetings will be held in Upavon Village Hall commencing at 1900 hours. DEVIZES MOBILE LIBRARY

Monday February 20th

, March 20th

, April 17th

, May 15th

, June 12th

Rushall, outside the school 10.15 - 11.05; Upavon, Fairfield, 11.15 - 11.45; Upavon, Watson Close, 11.50 - 12.20.

Don’t be a victim this winter In the year to September 2016, of 568 crimes that were reported in the Pewsey Community Area, 218 of them were burglaries or theft. Although our area is a relatively low crime area compared to many in the country, the recent increase in burglaries is a worrying trend, with power tools and quad bikes being the most targeted. And there are a lot of very simple steps that we can take to make ourselves more secure and to feel safer. Make sure you lock your doors - and that applies to garages, outbuildings and sheds as well as your house. Many of the recent break-ins have been into unsecured (i.e. unlocked) buildings. If you are elderly then The Bobby Van Trust can help you make your home more secure – just call 01380 861155 or email [email protected] to make an appointment. Security lighting that is movement sensitive can be a good deterrent and may alert you to intruders. If you have valuable items of machinery or other equipment, then consider using Smartwater to protect them. Smartwater is an invisible substance that can be painted on to items. The traceable liquid comes off when touched thereby leaving a trail that the Police can use to link the theft to the individual. It also enables the Police to reunite the property to the person. Putting up notices that say you are using Smartwater also acts as a deterrent. For more information call 0333 320 7797 or go to www.smartwater.com. Going out for a walk? Remember to leave valuables at home and NOT in the car when out at local beauty spots or walking the dogs. Valuables are NOT secure in the glove compartment or boot – thieves will often watch parked cars and so if you have been seen putting things away, your car will get broken into! This includes satnavs, tablets and phones – take them with you and don’t leave them unattended.

Community intelligence is crucial to help the police identify the offenders. If you see or hear something suspicious call 101 and report it. Vans or cars driving round slowly, doorstep callers – reporting this information helps the police enormously. Get vehicle number plates if possible – even partial numbers are better than none. Avoid answering the door to cold callers and never let strangers into your home no matter how charming they are. Equally distressing are telephone calls from IT companies or banks, usually saying your laptop is at risk or your bank card has been compromised. Never give bank or card details and especially pin numbers over the telephone during one of these calls. This kind of offence can be reported to Action Fraud. You can report and get advice about fraud or internet crime by calling 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050) or go to their website www.actionfraud.police.uk

www.actionfraud.police.uk

ENFORD GARDENING CLUB

Thursday 9th

February 2017 Stewart Pocock from Pocock’s Roses, Devizes, will talk on ROSES, with a

practical demonstration including pruning. It is the time of year when we should be thinking about pruning, so we should

go away bursting with knowledge and useful tips for the gardening year ahead.

Please come and join us. All are very welcome

As always, the meeting will be at Enford Village Hall, SN9 6DD Lifts can be arranged, please ask.

Starting time 7.15 pm. Doors open 7.00 pm Entrance £4.00 Tea/Coffee, Plants for sale

Further details from Fanny Middleton, 01980 671645

email [email protected]

UPAVON CAROL BAND & SINGERS

CHRISTMAS 2016

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU! With your splendid support and generosity at Christmas, the Upavon Carol

Band and Singers have raised the fantastic sum of £1489.24 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. This splendid amount is £8.85 more than we raised in

2015, and certainly the largest amount we’ve raised in the 19 years we’ve been playing and singing carols locally.

A heartfelt ‘thank you’ is therefore due to everyone who has supported us and donated so generously to this thoroughly worthwhile cause.

UPAVON COMMUNITY GROUP EVENTS

Opening times

Wednesday Coffee morning 10-12. All are welcome

Thursday Coffee morning 10-12. All are welcome

TUCK SHOP & TAKEAWAY EVENING

Open 5-7:00pm last food orders by 6:30pm

Dates for opening are 2nd & 23rd February 2nd & 30th March

ALL ARE WELCOME

Adult Craft morning every Thursday 10-12 Bring along your craft project. We have a lovely group of ladies who come

along every week. There is one lady who is keen to teach anybody to crochet. Come along, it would be great to see you.

Easter Bingo will be on Friday 7th April at 7pm, eyes down at 7.30pm. Children aged 13 and above are allowed, accompanied by their parent.

AGM Will be on Monday 13th February at 8pm, everyone welcome. All activities and events are held at The Community Centre

We always need volunteers !

Our hall &kitchen can be hired out for parties etc. There is a time restriction for any evening events, to be finished at midnight. Just telephone Amanda

07825627894 who will be happy to take your booking.

Upavon Baby & Toddler Group

We meet every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) from 10.30 to 11.45 in St Mary's Church, Upavon. All under 5s and their carers are welcome for play, crafts and healthy(ish) snacks. Suggested donation £1 per child. Just turn up, find us on Facebook or contact Jane on 01980 630906 for more information.

SAFETY AWARENESS

There has been a spate of thefts and burglaries in and around the Pewsey Vale area .It has become obvious that there is a pattern of people not being as security conscious as they ought to be, by leaving cars unlocked and doors and windows left open and unlocked. Motorists are reminded to take simple security measures to help reduce the number of incidents of thefts from vehicles. Reports from members of the public regarding thefts of valuables from vehicles and we would like to take this opportunity to remind people of some simple security tips. Despite numerous warnings and advice to members of the public, there are continuing reports of valuables being stolen from vehicles. It is so important that motorists are vigilant to help prevent becoming a victim. A thief only needs a few seconds to steal your belongings and leaving them on display is an invitation to opportunist thieves who will strike anywhere and at any time. Beauty spots can often be hot spots for this type of crime and Wiltshire has an abundance of these types of areas. Please bear this in mind when you are out and about enjoying the rural landscape. Please always make sure that your vehicles and your homes are properly secured, and never leave anything on view in your cars. Imagine how you would feel if you returned to your vehicle and found your mobile phone, purse or other valuables had been stolen. It can be a distressing time for victims. Please take a few minutes to read the advice below: • Don’t leave any valuables on display including laptops, satnavs, mobile phones, handbags, credit cards or vehicle documents in your car. If it is unavoidable – place them in the boot and ensure that any electrical equipment is switched off. • Don’t leave coats/jackets on show in the vehicle as a thief will want to see if there is anything valuable in the pockets. • Clean satnav suction marks off your windscreen, as leaving them is an immediate advert to thieves that a satnav is in the vehicle. Make sure no satnav attachments are left visible in your vehicle. • Remove your stereo if you can, mark it with the vehicle registration number if you can’t. • Leave your glove box open to show there is nothing in it. • If you own a van, make sure you remove your tools overnight and display an appropriate sign in the rear window making this clear. Wiltshire Police have received several reports recently of vehicles being broken into in rural locations, including Silbury Hill, Savernake and Manton. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should contact the police on 101, but if a crime is in progress ring 999 and if possible record the registration number of any vehicle involved.