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greatbedwyn.com

The site for the Wiltshire village of Great Bedwyn

Parish News June 2008

All articles on this page have been submitted via the Parish News Editorial Team

There are 18 articles this month - do scroll down and have a look at everything

Freesat - what is it?

Crofton Beam Engines

Nature Notes

Great Bedwyn Music Society

Letters to the Editor

Great Bedwyn Parish Council

Movieola - next film showing

Bedwyn Royal British Legion

Penny's Mill

Miscellaneous notices

In the Garden

Jason and the Argonauts

Great Bedwyn School News

Great Bedwyn Scouts

Books from Bedwyn: An Allotment Novice

Pantomime Society of Great Bedwyn

The Bedwyn Players present:

Great Bedwyn Women's Institute

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FREESAT – What is it?!!!!

GOOD NEWS…..digital TV and radio services are available to 98% of people in the UK. For us in this area, gone are the days of the geographic limitations which restricted viewing and listening to analogue channels.

Launched in early May, Freesat is a free-to-view digital service which offers a wide range of digital TV, radio, interactive services and free High Definition TV (HDTV). The genre list will include Entertainment, News and Sport, Children, Movies, Lifestyle, Music, Radio, Regional, Interactive, Shopping, among others. These will be familiar to all of us who have ‘Sky’, but how frustrating it has been not to be able to access the full range of digital services, television as well as radio, unless one paid a regular subscription. Now we can choose to access about 80 TV and radio channels (increasing to around 200 by the end of the year). Freesat is of particular interest to residents in geographic areas such as ours where Freeview has not been an option because there is no digital terrestrial television (DTT) signal.

How do we get Freesat – and what is the cost?

A broadband-enabled set-top box or an integrated TV set (worth looking for this if you are buying a new set) is necessary. These are available from high street electrical retailers for a one-off payment. There is no further subscription contract. A basic ‘standard definition’ box costs approximately Ł50 with ‘high definition’ boxes and HD ready interactive TV sets (HD iDTV) costing more. Vetted installers who meet strict criteria can set up the access and provide pre- and post- sales advice and support. Installation cost is expected to be around Ł80. There is no subscription cost i.e. the service is free in perpetuity. In addition to radio, TV and interactive (‘red button’) services, one can connect to broadband and the internet, making services like iPlayer also available for viewing on-demand content.

Dr C Bharucha

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Crofton steams into its 40^th year ….. since restoration began

“Which way – anti or clockwise?”

Thus began Sir John Betjeman’s speech at the inaugural steaming of Crofton’s 1812 beam engine on Friday 21^st August 1970 as reported in the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s magazine “The Butty”. Sir John continued…”Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great moment when we are going to hear again the sound of that beam engine, and it’s entirely due to the voluntary effort over the past three years and to many of you here, all of whom ought to have mugs or medals given to you for your love of this machinery…”.The report went on …”Sir John then opened the steam valve – anti-clockwise – on the boiler and proceeded to the engine room to start the 1812 engine in motion. The ceremony was hosted by Lord Methuen, President of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and General Sir Hugh Stockwell, Chairman, and was well attended by the local and national press.”

Why a Pumping Station at Crofton?

The Kennet & Avon Canal is an arterial or summit canal with the river Avon to the west and the river Kennet to the east. The canal was opened in 1810 when the two navigable river sections were joined together by the man-made canal from Newbury to Bath, thereby completing a through route from Bristol to Reading and thence to London via the Thames. Whilst John Rennie, the canal’s engineer knew that the two river sections could tap sufficient water from natural sources by gravitation, he also knew that the canal, particularly between Crofton and Devizes, was above natural sources and in any case would need more water than was available by gravitation. The nearest source of supply to the proposed summit level were the springs rising near Wilton and Crofton villages. However, before construction began, the canal company was faced with the decision to construct either a long tunnel on the same level as the Wootton Rivers springs to the west, or to build a short tunnel on a higher level with water supplied by pumping machinery from springs at Wilton to the east. The directors opted for the cheaper solution – a short tunnel and pumped supply – with water being drawn up 40 ft by two Boulton & Watt beam engines and fed into the summit via a mile long leat. Steam was to be supplied by two coal-fired wagon-top boilers.

Both engines were in regular service until 1952, with the 1812 engine in steam as late as 1959. At this time it was decided that the chimney was unsafe and about 36ft was removed from the top. This proved catastrophic, for there was now insufficient draught to fire the boilers effectively. So British Waterways installed electric pumps in a separate building, leaving the beam engines and pump house intact until restoration by volunteers began in 1968.

The cost of restoration to The Crofton Society was Ł8,000 and covered structural work to the building, boiler scouring and testing, and overhaul of the 1812 engine and pump. Volunteer specialists in steam, engineering, boiler making and pump maintenance as well as the Junior Division of the K&A Trust, prisoners from Aylesbury jail and countless members of canal societies and the public all helped with restoration.

The inaugural steaming of Crofton’s second beam engine – built by Harveys of Hayle in Cornwall, which replaced the original Boulton & Watt engine in 1846 – took place in 1972. Today, Crofton Pumping Station contains what is believed to be not only the oldest working beam engines, but the only working Boulton & Watt engine in steam doing the job for which it was originally installed.

There will be a Photographic Exhibition of Crofton’s restoration at the Pumping Station on Sunday 26^th June when the engines are in steam.

D Harris

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NATURE NOTES

I have been getting a bit agitated as we are now half way through May and at Folly Farm no house martins have arrived. Last year we had seven pairs nesting under the granary eaves and some of those had two broods. Last year we had four pairs of swallows – this year one only. I have heard the cuckoo once this year so far but I think he has moved on from these parts. It would appear that many of our migrant visitors have been caught out by some bad weather on their way here with disastrous results. Butterflies are also in very short supply.

On the plus side, a wren has pinched last year’s swallows’ nest and, with a bit of refurbishment, made a very comfy home. Our television camera in the blue tit box has revealed 10 eggs laid and now all have hatched. Hurrah for our Barn Owl. We do not disturb her but she is very busy bringing in voles etc. to the owl box so there is a family there.

We have a partridge who is a bit of a comedian. Outside he perches on the dining room window sill, believing that his reflection is, in fact, a rival for the favours of his mate, standing behind. He taps very loudly on the window and starts his pantomime at around 5.30 am. Not a popular little bird!

D Back

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GREAT BEDWYN MUSIC SOCIETY

The opening concert of the new season was eagerly awaited and did not disappoint. The two percussionists, O Duo, were every bit as brilliant, musical and entertaining as we had hoped and a large audience absolutely revelled in it. What is more, several children came to the concert and three of them were brave enough to answer the call for volunteers in one of the pieces, much to everyone’s delight, The two performers, Oliver Cox and Owen Gunnell, both follow their own freelance careers but fit in an increasing number of Dou invitations, and are to appear in one of this summer’s Prom concerts as soloists.

The second concert, of string quartets by the Jubilee Ensemble, will have taken place by the time this edition of Parish News comes out: please don’t miss the next recital on June 20 by a marvellous Mexican guitarist, Morgan SZYMANSKI. Admission is free for children and Ł10 for adults, with a reduction of Ł2 for members of the Music Society.

R Peel

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Letters to the Editor

Dear Andrew,

How nice it is to see the fine replacement church gates.

The previous ones had served the village for many years. They were made by George Frederick Bance, known to all as Fred. They were crafted by hand, no power tools in those days, and in a shed at the end of the garden at No.12 Church Street. I understand they were also engraved by hand. This was not easy because of the weight but help came from Jack Lloyd, his mason Charlie Gauler and also my informant Mrs Joy Aust. Joy worked at the Post Office, which was then at No.12. Joy says it would have been in 1944, so they have earned retirement. I wonder what they replaced.

B Bance.

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Great Bedwyn Parish Council

Extract from draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting

held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 14^th May 2008

Annual Election of Officers: The following were elected, unopposed:

Chairman: Cllr G.R.Stone, Deputy Chairman: Cllr R.Durie,

Planning sub-committee: Cllrs. Stone, Durie, Clack, van Haperen, Howell, Francis.

MADT: Cllr. Francis

Transport: Cllr Rhodes

Allotments: Cllr van Haperen

Footpaths: Cllrs Howell, Knowler

Playground: Cllr Nicholson

Village Hall: Cllr Nicholson

Matters Arising:

1. Playground. Inspection. The meeting decided to ask RosPa to bring forward the annual inspection. If not possible, we will arrange a post-installation inspection (cost Ł300 plus VAT) even though the contractor has provided a letter confirming compliance with the relevant standards. It was agreed that Ł2000 would be put in a reserve for unspecified additional playground works. The PC provides for maintenance, repairs and insurance of the site as part of the annual budget. Cllr Nicholson is dealing with the residual snag list and balance of the Landfill grant. Some councillors declined to support the planting of trees along the Farm Lane and Castle Road boundaries of the playground on the grounds of additional maintenance and lack of space on the long boundary. It was felt that the proposed trees would not provide useful shade, due to the direction of afternoon sun.

2. Traffic items.

-Farm Lane. The playground exit is very dangerous for children due to the poor visibility in the direction from the school. The PC has written to Highways who will install warning signs. However, the PC considered that these would serve little purpose, as most drivers are already aware of the exit, and will seek a more effective solution, such as limiting access to through traffic.

-The PC will chase a response regarding school signs by the Three Tuns.

3. Allotments

-Flooding in Back lane. The run-off from the field results in the drain in Back Lane being overwhelmed if the grille is blocked with debris. KDC have ordered a new grille and will re-build the chamber "sometime this Summer". Other proposals for mitigating the problem including storage channels at the field edge and both sides of the central channel across the allotments, to slow down the discharge to the Back Lane drain were not resolved. The Parish Steward will be asked to clear the grille as part of his monthly routine.

-The PC will write to tenants of neglected plots, for re-possession.

-Cllr van Haperen advised that there are plots available.

-Tenants are reminded that dogs must be on a lead within the allotments.

4. Insurance.

The success of the playground project (and other works) has inevitably resulted in an increase in the insurance policy. The PC agreed that the clerk should decide whether any items on the schedule could be self-insured, to reduce the premium. This would not affect statutory insurances such as Public Liability. Cllr Durie will investigate alternative insurers before we renew.

5. The PC supported a donation to the Parish News.

Correspondence:

6. Savernake Hospital. The judicial review is proceeding. The request for funding support for Val Compton who has challenged the PCT over closure of the hospital, has met with very good support from individuals, and the Friends of Savernake have pledged to meet any shortfall.

7. KDC consultation re Spatial Options for the Future. This is all about where the 1800 houses the Government require to be built in Kennet will go. There is an easy to use on-line questionnaire at www.kennet.gov.uk All are encouraged to respond, as one of the options is for substantial building in villages such as Gt. Bedwyn.

Planning: JC

Parish Council, no objection: (omitted where approval is listed below):

-Crofton Pumping Station, Renovation of store building.

-15 High St., Treeworks.

Parish Council objection/comment:

-91 Church St., Demolition of brick tiled shed in Back Lane.

KDC Full Planning Approval:

-147 Stokke Common, 2-car garage and woodstore.

-17 High St., Treeworks.

-34 Castle Rd., 2-storey extension.

KDC refusal:

-92 Church St., Work to front elevation.

AOB:

The meeting expressed concern over the uncertainty regarding the future of the Post Office.

M. Goss

* * * * *

LITTLE BEDWYN PARISH COUNCIL

Note from the Clerk

If any fly tipping is seen or found the number to ring is K.D.C. on 01380 724911 and ask for the Environmental Health Department.

Mrs A Elliott, Clerk to the Parish Council

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THE NEXT MOVIOLA SHOWINGS are

Thursday 12 June "The Kite Runner” Cert 12a

7.30pm Short Film 8.00pm Film Starts!

Tickets Ł5.00 available from The Stores and The Bakery

July’s showing is: Thursday 10 July – “La Vie en Rose”

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ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Due to the poor response making it non-viable our Coach Trip to the National Arboretum has had to be cancelled. My apologies to those who did want to go.

All money is being refunded together with a letter of apology.

We have recently been contacted by the County Chairman who has requested that we make the County News available to as many members as possible. To this end he has requested that we send this by e-mail each month to as many members as possible. Will members that have an e-mail address please contact me or June Crook as follows tony_nolson@talktalk.net or junecrook@virgin.net

I think that this is a great idea.

T Nolson

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PENNY’S MILL

The 56p stamp in the new issued featuring Cathedrals of the United Kingdom depicts the organ in St. David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire.

The magnificent limed and waxed European Oak case of the organ was made here in Great Bedwyn at Brail Farm by Penny’s Mill.

Over the last 22 years Gary Black, Kevin Dods and David Evans, (now joined by Jack Racey and Morgan Kappen Rutterford), have made over seventy organ cases for cathedrals, including St. Paul’s, Chelmsford, Portsmouth, Rochester, Oslo and churches, colleges and concert halls in the UK, America, Africa, Japan, Australia and Kuala Lumpur.

They are currently working on orders for Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, Headington and Cirencester Parish Churches and St. Albans and Llandaff Cathedrals.

R Wakeford

P.S. Penny’s Mill also makes fine domestic furniture and joinery!

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MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES

LOST PROPERTY IN VILLAGE HALL

Please note that there is a lot of lost property (coats, boots, bags etc.) left in the Village Hall.

If you are missing something please collect it as soon as possible.

Anything left at the end of June will go to charity.

Thank you.

Karina Nicholson and all the Playgroup staff

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IN THE GARDEN

I really quite enjoy weeding and would miss it if there was none to do, but, as I viciously jab my trowel under the same weeks every year, I think my time could be better spent on other jobs. I am regularly amazed to hear or read advice from professionals telling us to plant, encourage or leave alone some of the worst.

Here are a few of those which are determined to take over our lawn…

In early spring the glossy leaved and enamelled yellow flowers of the celandine look very attractive but because of its tiny bulbils if it gets in the lawn, weed killer will never get rid of it. The pundits say ‘live and let live’ but its leaves held flat against the earth shade out the grass and can quite quickly kill off a large patch. Left in flower beds they scatter themselves far and wide and into the lawn in no time.

The idea of daisies in the lawn is romantic and perfect for a wild flower lawn and for those with a few acres but not for the small garden. Once again they selfishly spread their leaves tightly against the ground, killing off the grass. Specialised lawn week killer will deal with daisies or you can dig them out by hand but their rapid growth often means leaving a bare patch.

Plantains and dandelions also kill off the opposition (grass) by holding their leaves horizontally close to the soil but they spread by seed. They can be controlled fairly easily as both hold their flowers up high enough for them to be chopped off by regular mowing and are also suitable subjects for selective week killers.

There are plenty of other lawn weeds but they don’t seem to kill off the grass to the same extent.

D Marchant-Smith

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Jason - love, death & seasickness in the Lap of the Gods!

Nothing can stop our hero and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece - not even a dodgy oracle, a bad weather forecast or threats from dysfunctional Gods!

Miracle Theatre Production, Summer Tour

July 18^th, 7.30 pm Maizey Lodge, Ogbourne Maizey Gates open from 6.00pm, bring a picnic, chairs and warm clothing. All profits in aid of Help for Heroes

Contact: Marion Gordon-Finlayson on 01672-512125

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GREAT BEDWYN SCHOOL NEWS

The pupils at Great Bedwyn School were treated to talks by two fascinating visitors during May. Following the huge success of the talk given by children’s author Michael Morpurgo the children were thrilled to receive a visit from local children’s author Lauren Childs, best known for her Charlie and Lola books. She talked about her work as a writer and illustrator but also her charity work in partnership with UNESCO. She has agreed to donate the royalties of one of her well-known books, That Pesky Rat, to the Programme for the Education of Children in Need.

The second visit was from a wildlife documentary maker called Steve Gooder. The children had watched his latest project, Micro Safari, in which three people are shrunk in size and have an adventure in their own back garden. They were able to listen to him explaining the process of making such a documentary and asked a stream of questions about his work and the special effects used.

Staff at the school would like to express their gratitude to all the people from the village who have been coming into school on a regular basis to hear children read: Dawn Bacon, Ali Burch, Ann Gibb, Belinda Gilmour, Marilyn Heilmann, Tim Summers, Moira Yates and Mrs Tomlin plus all the parents who give up their time to help in a variety of different ways. Your contributions are very much appreciated.

At the end of the summer term we will be losing deputy head teacher David Mayer, who has been offered a headship at a school in Oxfordshire. David has been a dynamic addition to the teaching staff and will be greatly missed. Louise Carlisle has been appointed as the new deputy head teacher, with effect from September this year. She is a very popular choice and we wish her every success in this new role.

Finally, many congratulations to Jo and Jamie Popperwell on the birth of their daughter, Poppy!

R Bond

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Great Bedwyn Scout Group

Great Bedwyn Scout Group continues to go from strength to strength with the successful re-commencement of a Beaver Colony for our younger children last September – who are now looking forward to their first camping experience at the Beaver Babble 14-15th June 2008. Well done to all the leaders for their enthusiasm – the waiting list continues to grow with potential “eager beavers” waiting in the wings.

The cub pack is well supported and currently have 26 members, expected to increase to around 30 shortly, when some of the older beavers move up and the waiting list will begin to move. Activities planned include a “Giant Sleepover”, with a record-breaking tooth brushing session the following morning – this is taking place all over the UK – on the 14th June 2008. Our summer camp is booked for July when we will be taking the cubs to Ferney Crofts in the New Forest for outdoor fun and adventure, high wires, archery, climbing etc, and a sponsored cycle ride is scheduled for September to raise funds – your support would be appreciated!

The scout group as a whole has also been involved with the local pantomime by the adults running the bar, by supporting the Bruce Trust, and with British Waterways. An event is also scheduled on June 29th at Wilton Windmill – see local notice boards for information.

WE NOW NEED YOUR HELP….

We are currently seeking to re-establish our Scout Troop in the village and prevent our older children travelling to Marlborough to continue their scouting.

We feel it important that we can offer our young people in the village the opportunity to participate in scouting locally – particularly this age range 10-1/2 – 14 years.

A uniformed leader has indicated their interest, supported by a young leader to set up this troop but we require additional adult support.

Could you offer regular support to this group? Do you have the necessary drive, enthusiasm and skills that could be drawn on or enhanced – to make this possible for our young people? Can you spend a few hours to make this group successful?

IF SO, WE NEED YOU….please contact any of the scout leaders or K CHALLEN 01672 870202 for further details.

K Challen and D Sanday

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Adventures of an Allotment Novice

Latest recruit to our band of local authors is Valentine Low, son-in-law to John and Sally Thompson, long-time residents of Bedwyn Common where Valentine is a regular visitor.

His book describes the ups and downs of creating a productive allotment on a seed-bed of horticultural ignorance mixed with zest for growing your own.

This is a family story as the author is partnered on the plot by his wife Eliza and their children Kitty and Orlando. One Man and His Dig, published by Pocket Books at Ł7.99, is available at the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough and at the Hungerford Bookshop.

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The Pantomime Society of Great Bedwyn

is looking for cast for:

The Best of the West End

A compilation show of songs from some of our best known musical productions.

The show will run for 3 nights at the end of September in The Village Hall, Great Bedwyn.

If you are interested in taking part, please come along to our casting session on Saturday June 28^th from 2.30pm in The Village Hall.

Any queries? Please contact J Heather on 01672 870125 or

jane@jockey-green.co.uk

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The Bedwyn Players present: :

Pizza and a Play

Tantalise your intellectual taste buds at a production of

“The most significant English language play of the 20^th century”

Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

Dates: 17^th,18^th & 19^th July

Venue: The Brewhouse, Cross Keys, Great Bedwyn

Don’t just treat your intellectual taste buds! Why not make a whole evening of it by pre-ordering dinner from the Cross Key’s renowned home made Pizza menu.

Pizza and Play special: Ł12 per person
Play tickets only: Ł5 per person

Phone Lesley on 01672 871658 for further information and pre-bookings, or call into the Cross Keys, Great Bedwyn.

The Bedwyn Players is a non-profit organisation. All profits will be donated to the Bruce Trust and the British Heart Foundation.

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Women's Institute

Nothing from Bedwyn W.I. this month

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