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Village Newsletter
Here's the latest edition.
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Road Works and Closures
There is now a dedicated page for all road works and closures which
affect the parish, in order to make it easier for you to find them.

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Accessibility Along Pavements

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New Shop Opening Hours from 4th September

Monday: 8.45am - 5pm
Tuesday: 8.45am - 6pm
Wednesday: 8.45am - 6pm
Thursday: 8.45am - 6pm
Friday: 8.45am - 5pm
Saturday: 8.45am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed

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Save The Date - Saturday 4th November:
Bonfire Night & Fireworks on the QE2 Field - details to follow.

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Parish Council News, June 2023

A parishioner recently asked the council who was responsible for the driveway surface between the gated entrance to Kington Manor and the Village Hall/Shop car park. The driveway also continues onwards to Manor Farm providing access to several properties, and when the Parish Council met on the 15th June 2023, it received a brief report on the factual position. In providing the answer the council felt that it was worthwhile updating everyone as the matter has often been raised over recent years.

The access driveway is in fact part of Public Footpath KSTM12 and, following two years extensive research and case-building, supported by seventy-five User Evidence Statements from residents and visitors, in February 2020, the Parish Council submitted an application to Wiltshire Council to upgrade the Footpath to a Byway Open to All Traffic. It was hoped that if this was successful then it could be argued that the entire driveway surface should be maintained by Wiltshire Council as Highway Authority.

The Parish Council is indebted to former Councillor Sandra Eaton for the tremendous efforts to reach this stage, and following her move from the parish, she volunteered to continue with the project, particularly as Wiltshire Council failed to determine the application within the required timescale and the matter was taken to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in March 2021. The Planning Inspectorate determined that Wiltshire Council should deal with the matter by August 2022.

Despite the case and evidence submitted, Wiltshire Council finally decided in January 2023 that “on the balance of probabilities” the application should be refused. In February 2023, following further consideration, the Parish Council determined that there was no longer a case to pursue, and after all the efforts the only success arising was that Wiltshire Council has agreed that the tarmac surface directly outside the Village Hall/Shop car park should become part of the surface that should be maintained at public expense. The remainder being privately owned, although used by vehicles to gain access, is not public highway other than having Public Footpath KSTM 12 status. Should anyone be interested in reading the Outcome Report and details considered by the Parish Council in February 2023, then please email the Clerk of the Council who can provide the details - ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.

Community Emergency Contacts Wiltshire & Swindon Prepared (Local Resilience Forum - LRF) has initiated a new scheme called Community Emergency Contacts. This initiative will give the LRF a direct link into the community in an emergency situation. They have asked for at least 3 people to be named as an emergency community contact for Kington St Michael. In the event of an emergency, contacts may be called and asked to give information about how an emergency (e.g. flooding, storm damage) is affecting the local area and any problems arising where help may be needed. If you would like further information, or to put your name forward for this initiative, please send an email to ksmparishclerk@gmail.com. There is no obligation to be available 24/7 and the scheme will operate on a call down basis (whereby the LCF will work their way down the call list until they’re able to speak to someone ‘on the ground’) and there are no other expectations as part of this voluntary role.

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Friends of KSM School News

The Friends of KSM School would like to say a massive thank you to those of you who supported the school fête, which raised over £3,700 - the second highest figure on record, beaten only by the fête of 2017

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The Church as a Cool Space
The Parochial Church Council would like to publicise that the church is available as a cool space for use by anyone in the village in case of hot weather.  The church is open daily and drinking water and the toilet are available. It is hoped that this will be helpful in any parish planning for extreme weather.

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A Challenge in the Name of Charity

On 11th June a group from the village took on the Three Peaks Challenge on one of the hottest weekend of the year!  Led by Stewart Harrison, who coaches the Monday and Wednesday KSM fitness groups, the team were supported by Dai Howells and driven by Matt Hocking.  They started the adventure by climbing Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland (1,345m), at 9.30am and finished in a phenomenal 5.5 hours (average time is usually 7-8 hours).  Then it was straight back on the road for a long drive to the Lake District to climb Scafell Pike.  They began at dusk and reached the peak just as darkness fell.  Head torches were donned for the descent and then team was back on the road at 1am for an overnight drive to the third and final mountain in Wales.  Reaching the Snowdon summit at 7.50am on Monday morning. the team knew that to complete the challenge within 24 hours speed was of the essence so the last 5k was a run rather than a hike!

By taking on the challenge team has raised almost £4,500 for The Brain Tumour Charity, a cause close to their hearts.  The Just Giving page remains open for donations at www.justgiving.com/page/ksmfitness.  We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of so many people and would like to extend a huge thankyou to everyone who has sponsored us.

For more information about the fitness sessions, please contact Stewart on 07968 624870.

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Wellbeing Walk

Liz Danbury is the Community Connector that covers Yatton Keynell and surrounding villages.  She works alongside Jubilee Surgery to help support people to live their good lives and has set up a well-being walk in Yatton Keynell and would like to promote it to the surrounding villages also.  It is a very casual gentle stroll, stopping at Greenbean Café for a cuppa and natter.  It’s held on Fridays at 10.30am, meeting at Yatton Keynell village hall's car park.

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Kilvert's Trail - A Walk Around Kington St Michael,
Kington Langley, Langley Burrell & Allington

The Rev Francis Kilvert 1840 – 1879 wrote diaries portraying everyday Victorian life. These were kept in many notebooks during his relatively short life, sadly, most of which were destroyed.  Thankfully 22 notebooks remain and these have been published in three volumes. His work has been acknowledged to be as important as that of Samuel Pepys.
Kilvert was a keen walker. Indeed he walked to Bath and back in one day.  He took delight in the countryside around him, never failing to note the beauty surrounding him.
To that end, some residents of Langley Burrell have compiled several local walks, taking in familiar landmarks that Kilvert would have known (Kilvert's Trail), and one of these comes through Kington St Michael - the Allington Walk (obviously you could join this walk at any point along it in Kington St Michael and complete the loop back to your starting point).

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Can You Help?

The Parochial Church Council is the group that keep our lovely church running. They need a new treasurer as Gerry Elms has stood down after many years of service. This is a crucial role in these challenging times, managing and maximising the church finances and preparing the accounts. You will need to be confident with figures and spread sheets and to be able to attend bi-monthly evening PCC meetings. Gerry will do a full handover. For a chat about what is involved, please give him a ring on (01249) 750423.

The PCC is also looking for someone to administor Gift Aid - please contact Alison Greenhalgh on (01249) 750742.

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Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch can help build safer, stronger and more active communities and connect people with their neighbours.  The Parish Council is hoping to get a local scheme up and running in Kington St Michael and would love to hear from you.
If you are interested in joining, or just want more information, then please contact
Cllr Vicky Ingham at v.ingham@kingtonstmichaelparishcouncil.gov.uk. 

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Jubilee Flower Bed

The Jubilee flower bed (by the telephone box) will be planted up with summer bedding at the end of May, and grateful thanks go to Liz Allen for donating the money raised from the sale of Coronation mugs to this project.

The Jubilee flower bed is an on-going project maintained by Kim Perriman and Jessica Puddy, who voluntarily continue to weed and plant in order to keep it looking beautiful for the village.

Wherever you are in the village - street, public footpath, QE2 Field, Nymph Hay Wood or the surrounding fields - it still applies!  Do it for your dog!

If anyone sees an owner letting their dog foul in a public place please report it to Wiltshire Council, either by 'phoning 01249 706111 and asking for the Dog Warden, or email publicprotectionnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk or via an on-line form. Photographic evidence is always a help.  Your personal details will be treated in strict confidence and you will be informed of the outcome of the complaint. Please note that complaints regarding aggressive dogs should be made to the police.

Get Snapping!
The church needs your photos of KSM and village life.  The church is holding a photography competition, to be judged in November, with the best of your digital pictures being made into a village calendar, celebrating KSM through the
seasons, to be sold in aid of church funds. Details to follow.

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Book Recycling Scheme
The 75th donation of £50 from this scheme goes to St Michael & All Angels Church, to help with heating costs.  The scheme is run from the shop foyer and books are only 50p each.  Village organisations that would like to be considered for a donation should contact Linda Durno via kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

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A Bit of Village History


Many thanks to Tim Sage for sharing these photographs of the baptism
and confirmation certificates of his ancester, Maurice Arthur Sage.
The baptism took place in St Michael & All Angels Church in 1913 and the
confirmation at St John the Baptist Church in Charlton near Malmesbury, in 1931.

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Village Newsletter Deadlines for 2023

Here are the village newsletter 'cut off' dates for the rest of the year:

October/November edition - cut off date Monday 25th September, 12 noon.
December/January - cut off date Friday 24th November, 12 noon.

Send your information as a Word document only, please - posters, photos, pictures, tables, or any other format can't be accepted.  The newsletter is for village news and events, so no ads please.  Send your copy to Avril - kingtonnews@gmail.com.

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Advent Window Thank You

“A big thank you to everyone who took part in the KSM Advent Windows for Christmas 2022. There were so many imaginative and creative windows to spot round the village, and it was lovely to see the community spirit of houses making something for others to enjoy on a local wintry walk. I tried to photograph as many as I could and I put these photos on the KSM Facebook page, so do have a look. I know that many villagers really do love this event, so if anyone would like to co-ordinate the Advent Windows for December 2023, please get in touch with me. I would be happy to share my experience of organising them - it’s pretty straightforward. Many thanks, Yvonne Cole” (yvonne@coleplanet.com)

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Poppy Appeal 2022
Joan Gilbert would like to thank everyone who supported this year's village Poppy Appeal, raising £138.34, which supports the Armed Forces community past and present.

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Flexercise
Mondays, 11am in the village hall:


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Neighbourhood Watch

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KSM Netball Club

Church Coffee Corner
Every Monday from 11.30am - 1.30pm - meet others and enjoy refreshments:
all welcome.

Village Help Facebook Page

If you are on Facebook, please search for the KSM Community Help page, where you will find lots of useful information and support (look for the colourful hands, as above).

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Making A Planning Application

If you are considering or are about to make an on-line planning application via
Wiltshire Council's website, you will be redirected to the Planning Portal.
Unfortunately, if you choose to use autofill for your address, and if you happen to live along the main street (i.e. no.** KSM) then you will find that it submits your address as being in Honeyknob Hill or C154 Road.
This causes confusion to those wishing to or needing to look at planning applications, and, in fact, there are only 8 properties which have the Honeyknob Hill address (unsurprisingly 1 - 8 Honeyknob Hill).
The Parish Counil is asking affected residents who make a planning application to please check that "Honeyknob Hill" or C154 road" isn't included in the address (unless you are one of the eight!) and to enter the address manually.
If you spot this issue elsewhere, please let the Clerk to the Council know: ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.

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Village Hall Car Park
The Village Hall Management Committee would like to remind villagers that the village hall car park is only for village hall users and shop customers. Recently, a number of paying village hall users have not been able to park. Thank you!

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Defibrillators
Just a reminder of where our defibrillators are kept in the village: map of defibrillators
and the instructions of what to do when someone collapses.
Please visit the Community Defibrillator page for further information

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Advertise Here!
Do you have a small business? Are you local?! Why not advertise on this website for only £24 per year? (That's just £2 per month!) Take a look at other advertisers by clicking on "Local Businesses Adverts" above. If you are interested please contact us kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.