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Coronavirus Info
For all the latest updates on Coronavirus, including the new NHS Track & Trace app, please visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus
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A visit from Father Christmas
🎅🏻 Ho ho ho - Father Christmas has contacted the village!  He's hoping to visit one evening in mid-December, just to check where everyone lives, so that he can deliver all the right presents on Christmas Eve.
🦌 The reindeer will be resting before the big day, so Father Christmas will be getting a lift and driving round the village roads in a specially made "sleigh" (weather permitting  - he doesn't want to catch a chill!).
He will let us know exactly when he's coming nearer the time, so keep your eyes on this page for further updates 👀🌲

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Building work in the Churchyard has begun at last! FOSMAA is asking people to stay away from the fenced off area for their own safety.
There will be a number of whole Victorian pews for sale following the interior work.
They vary in length between 88" and 98" and are approximately 21" deep and 35" high.
There are also a number of pews which are “one-ended” as they are currently joined to another pew. These could possibly be refurbished or the lovely old wood used for other carpentry projects.
Price and date of availability have yet to be confirmed.
If you are interested in owning a unique piece of our village’s heritage, please contact Gerry Elms on (01249) 750423.

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Celebrate Halloween Safely

Halloween is usually a scarily good time of year for many, but Wiltshire Council is are encouraging you  to celebrate it safely this year, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Wiltshire is in Tier 1 (medium) under new national rules announced last week. This means that measures such as the rule of six, working from home where possible and 10pm closing for leisure and hospitality sectors remain in force.

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year and it’s likely that people will want to celebrate. In order to tackle the spread of the virus, Wiltshire Council is urging you to do Halloween a little differently this year, and plan low risk fun activities within your household to protect your family, friends and neighbours as much as possible.

While large gatherings and parties, either indoors or outdoors, are not possible this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate safely while still having lots of fun.
Please click here for more information.

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Book Recycling Scheme
The 69th recipient of a £50 donation from this scheme is the Community Defibrillator fund.  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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It is with regret that this post is to advise that All Angels WI is now suspended. Unfortunately with the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in, and low member numbers, the Committee had to make the very difficult and sad decision that continuing was not a viable option. We were pleased to be able to make donations to three Kington St Michael organisations, Acorns Pre-school, the defibrillator fund and KSM WI, and to a local women’s refuge. Most of its members will be continuing their WI experience at other WIs locally. All Angels would like to wish all its members, both past and present, the very best for the future.

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Last Posting Dates for Christmas
For all the last posting dates for Christmas take a look at:
www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates
Don't forget that you can buy your stamps from the village shop
(Christmas stamps will be available from early November)

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Scheme to financially support people on low income who have to self-isolate

There is now financial support available to people on a low income who are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

The Government’s COVID-19 Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is now live and people may be eligible if they are required to self-isolate because of COVID-19, are on a low income, and will lose money because they cannot work.

The scheme is locally administered by Wiltshire Council and can provide qualifying people with a lump sum of £500.

To be eligible, people must:

    Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after Monday 28th September 2020 and have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS

    Be a Wiltshire resident

    Be employed or self-employed

    Have lost income by being unable to work from home while self-isolating

    Be receiving at least one of the following benefits:

          - Universal Credit

          - Pension Credit

          - Housing Benefit

          - Income Support

          - Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

          - Income-based Employment Support Allowance

          - Working Tax Credit

The information people need to hand when applying is:

    Their National insurance number

    Their NHS Test and Trace number

    If they are employed, a payslip

    If they are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that their business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact

    A bank statement for the account they wish the payment to be made to

If applicable, people can make a backdated claim to 28 September 2020.

The scheme is due to run until 31st January 2021, at which point it will be reviewed by the Government.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We know that when people are told to self-isolate this can increase financial pressures for some at an already difficult time.

“It is now a legal requirement to self-isolate when instructed by NHS Test and Trace. Therefore we hope this scheme provides help to those who need it most, as now more than ever we need people to self-isolate when they are told to do so to help us keep the virus under control in Wiltshire.”

For more information and to apply people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefits-test-and-trace or call 0300 456 0110. People can also email benefits@wiltshire.gov.uk for more information.

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New Shop Manager

The Committee of Kington St Michael Village Shop is delighted to announce the appointment of Nyall Donald as the new shop manager.  The Committee and Nyall have some great ideas for the future of the shop and look forward to sharing them with you.  If you are a local producer or craft person interested in providing us with products get in touch - ksmvillageshop@yahoo.co.uk or tel. (01249) 750181.



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Please click here to read FOSMAA's October newsletter - learn about planned internal works to the church, how to join the committee and more.

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Gigaclear Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband
Tune in to your local online broadband event; Gigaclear will be discussing the network build in our area and answering any questions you may have about their work in our community.
WHERE: Online via Microsoft Teams.  Register for the free event to receive an email with instructions and the link to join the meeting.
WHEN: Tuesday 27th October, 7pm to 10pm.
gigaclear.com/events

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School News
KSM School has been in discussion with the Department of Education since January, regarding their Rural Gigabit Connectivity Programme. The school is pleased to say we have been successful and has received approval to get ultrafast full-fibre broadband connected throughout the whole village. This not only benefits our school and pupils but will benefit all KSM local businesses and all residents of KSM. It is hopeful that the ultrafast full fibre broadband will be up and running soon, maybe by Christmas.

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Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire's Thankyou to Wiltshire on Behalf of Her Majesty the Queen
As the Queen's representative in Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, would like to thank those organisations and individuals, voluntary and otherwise, for their help and contributions made to the community at large during the past few months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Please click here to view her letter.

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Help control the spread of COVID_10 by washing your hands, covering your face, making space.  You must book a COVID-19 test if you have any of these symptoms: a high temperature, a cough, change or loss of smell or taste.  If you have COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, you must self-isolate, get tested, and keep others safe.

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Community Defibrillators
Our two community defibrillators have been in place since 2011, when the initial fundraising was carried out to purchase them.  Any spare funds from that time have been used over the past nine years for the defibrillators' upkeep (replacement battery packs, electrodes, etc).  The fund (which is kindly held by the parish council, but is seperate from precept monies) is now quite low, at £219.26, not enough to pay for further replacement batteries.  It had been hoped to hold a fundraiser this year, but Covid has put a stop to that!  If anyone would like to make a donation to the fund, please contact Linda Durno on (01249) 750514 or email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.  In the meantime, the Book Recycling Scheme has pledged its next £50 donation to the Defibrillator Fund.

Update: Thank you to those who have made donations or plendged donations so far - all are very welcome.

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Kington St Michael Spring Flowers
"Would you like to see more daffodils on Kington St Michael village verges?
 Stop and think how nice it would be to see those beautiful nodding heads waving in the sunshine.
I’m hoping, as a community, you will join me planting spring bulbs to brighten up your day and make us smile.
 If you would like to help with planting or can offer some spring bulbs, of any description, simply call me on 07496 694224, Katrina"

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Volunteer Puppy Walkers Needed in Wiltshire

Puppy walking is an essential element in the development of a future guide dog.  Puppy walkers raise a pup in their home for up to 18 months and help prepare it for its future working life.  It's extrememly challenging, but rewarding and special.
To find out more, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call 0345 143 0191.

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Photo Success
Congratulations to Nigel Farr, who has won "Author of the Week" several times, for the photographs that he has submitted to the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald.

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Community Orchard

KSM QE2 Field Group is investigating the possibilities for a community Orchard (when funds permit) to be planted behind the kick wall area at the field.

To enable plans to progress, the area first needs to be thoroughly assessed. Before we appoint (and pay) a specialist company to make this assessment, we first want to check if there are any community orchard planning specialists in our midst who might be able to help!

If you have knowledge of (or experience in) planning and/or planting orchards (or can help in any other way), we'd love to hear from you.

Please email ksmqe2fieldgroup@gmail.com.  Thank you!

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BONFIRE & FIREWORKS CANCELLED IN NOV 2020
It is with great regret we confirm that our annual KSM Bonfire & Fireworks Night will sadly not go ahead this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Given the latest guidance, we must consider the health and safety of everyone in our village community.

Whilst this will be the first time for as long as some of us can remember that bonfire night won't be going ahead in Kington St Michael, it is hoped that it won’t be too long before community events can be safely held again at the QE2 Field.

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From Dawn To Dusk....

........Kington St Michael looks beautiful.
(Photos courtesy of Stewart Shape)

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Community First – Link Scheme recruitment campaign

A campaign has been launched to appeal for new volunteers to support local Link Schemes in Wiltshire.

Link Schemes are voluntary groups which offer transport and ‘good neighbour’ services to local people who are in need, perhaps because they are elderly, disabled, isolated and lonely, single parents, or perhaps temporarily in need because of illness.

These essential services provide a safety net for those unable to access services in other ways. Link Schemes aim to complement other services, statutory and voluntary. They operate as small, independent charitable organisations and all volunteers use their own private vehicles (insurance and DBS checks are carried out and mileage expenses covered).

To demonstrate the level of support the schemes offer, last year they made 31,351 health related journeys and completed 48,027 ‘good neighbour’ tasks, for example collecting prescriptions and shopping.

Due to COVID-19, Wiltshire Link Schemes have found themselves suffering from a large number of volunteers being unable to drive because of age and or vulnerability.

Anyone who is interested in helping out can contact Community First on 01380 722 241 or send an email to linkproject@communityfirst.org.uk to request more details.

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Advice for families on school transport as back to school preparations begin
 Young people are being encouraged to walk, cycle or scoot to school if they live a short distance (two miles or less) from their school next week.

 Schools are preparing to welcome pupils again and where possible young people are being encouraged to use the green alternatives to arrive at the school gates.

 For those car sharing with someone outside of their support bubble or family, they are being advised they should share with the same people each time, open the windows for ventilation and wear a face covering unless they are under 11 or they are exempt.

Pupils who use public transport and are aged over 11 are being reminded to wear a face covering while travelling. Where needed Wiltshire Council is adding on additional buses to ensure social distancing can be maintained. They will be advising pupils via schools of these plans.

 It is recognised that social distancing can be difficult to maintain on dedicated school transport.  Therefore, alongside other local authorities, we are asking pupils who use dedicated home to school transport such as a school bus, minibus or taxi arranged by Wiltshire Council, that where they can, they should wear a face covering if they are over 11 years old.  There is no requirement for primary aged pupils or children who are exempt to wear one, although it is strongly recommended.

 Other bus users are also being asked to consider taking their bus journey after 9am to help maintain the social distancing on the public buses.

 Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Transport said “As we near the end of the summer break families are preparing to return to school. This year is going to feel different and we have provided a number of helpful booklets and advice which we hope families will find useful.

 “We have put advice and guidance on our website for those pupils using dedicated school buses and for those who use public transport. It is difficult to predict how many school pupils will use public transport at this stage but the council has worked hard to ensure there is enough transportation available and it will be monitored as the days go forward.”

 Students using public transport, should continue to follow government guidelines to ensure they can travel safely on the network. This includes planning their journey in advance and allowing more time to get to their school or college. They should also wash or sanitise their hands regularly and social distance where possible.

All pupils who are entitled to bus passes for dedicated school transport should receive them by this weekend. If they haven’t arrived at that point they can email educationtransport@wiltshire.gov.uk.

 You can find FAQs and further detail in the school transport booklets online 

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Wiltshire Life Awards 2021

"Now in its 15th year, the Wiltshire Life Awards are a golden opportunity to acknowledge excellence in its many forms, across the whole of Wiltshire. The Awards will be presented in March 2021 and all the shortlisted nominees will be invited to the black tie Gala Dinner.

In a year where everything seemed to shut, we noticed an overwhelming number of Wiltshire residents open their hearts to those in need and take initiative to keep businesses and communities alive. The county’s residents aren’t short on pluck and as they continue to work in ways that can only promote Wiltshire, we continue to champion them.

The awards seek to raise the profile and awareness of not just profitable businesses, but also the charities and community groups; the young, the older people in our community and everyone in between; those who seek to put the county on the map; designers; the food producers who are making a name for themselves locally, nationally and internationally; the people who keep us entertained with their events, restaurants, pubs and artwork; conservationists; sporting stars from all realms; our special towns and businesses that we can be proud of.

Submitting an entry takes just 4 steps and a little of your time:

Step 1: Download your entry form
Click here to download a Word Document entry form
Click here to download a PDF Entry form
Step 2: Select your chosen category and fill in details
Step 3: Tell us why they deserve an award in no more than 500 words per category
Step 4: Simply upload your completed form here with a couple of images you feel best represent your entry: www.wiltshirelifeawards.co.uk/enter-now or email it back to me!

We would welcome any nominations and are also very happy to receive an informal point in the direction of a person/group/organisation that you think others would be delighted to nominate."
Entries close on Monday 26th October 2020.

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QE2 Field News
 
Good news! The wrapping is off and the new table tennis table is now officially open and good to use. Take your own bats and balls and go along and use the newest facility!
Thanks to Clive Grace for his work in making the area ready and safe to play on.

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Area Board Grants Funding
Area Board grants are available for the following:
Community Grants (Capital funding – equipment, repairs, builds – anything that lasts over 2 years)

• Village hall repairs/ equipment (Audio/visual, chairs, tables, fixing floors and doors etc)
• Outdoor equipment (Benches, repairing repurposed phone boxes, machinery etc)
• Playpark equipment/ repairs
• Sports facilities upgrades/ repairs
• CCTV systems / websites

Youth Grants (13-19 year olds revenue funding)

•  Funds for project and activity delivery
•  Equipment and resources

For more information visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-area-boards
or contact Ollie Phipps on 07795 060797, email Ollie.Phipps@wiltshire.gov.uk

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Covid-19 Healthy Lifestyle for older People
Please take a look at this leaflet for further information.

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Community Toolkit
This toolkit aims to assist groups return to the community. Group leaders should work through each section of this toolkit, ensuring they are confident prior to and throughout operation. Toolkit queries should be directed to publichealth@wiltshire.gov.uk.

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Village Hall
Due to Covid-19, the village hall is not taking bookings until sometime next year.
This will reviewed at the end of this year.

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How’s Your Hearing?
Managing Hearing Loss & Tinnitus during Covid-19 leaflet
Want to find out more about Hearing Loss and Tinnitus?
We can provide information about:
•    Different support and equipment, including hearing aids
•    Different ways to manage tinnitus
•    Useful communication tips
•    Help to get employment advice
•    Support for veterans

WHERE: Wiltshire
For more information, contact Kim Harbut:
 07769 976266 (TEXT ONLY)      kim.harbut@hearingloss.org.uk
 www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk

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Church News

Our services will be a little different for a while in line with Government guidance.  To keep everyone safe , the church has had a very thorough clean and will be cleaned after each use.

We will be socially distancing and have a one way system in use. We will ask everyone to use hand sanitiser when they enter the building and will have single use service sheets and not have Bibles in the pews. Unfortunately, we are unable to sing together at the moment but do hope to have music as part of our worship.

Despite these changes, we are really looking forward to being back in our beautiful church and you are most welcome to join us.

More details of the service and further opening of the church will be posted as soon as they are confirmed."

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Shop News

Please note that the shop now has a hand-sanitising station in the foyer, and asks that all customers and visitors to the shop use it before entering. Thank you.

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Water Mains Replacement
Wessex Water will be carrying out a mains replacement scheme near to our parish, starting on 6th July and lasting for approximately 34 weeks. Here is a plan showing the roads that will need to be closed during each phase of works, and here is the letter sent to residents in the area.

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Face Mask Fundraiser
Cilla Labouchere would like to thank everyone who donated when collecting a face mask from The Minchin - she has been able to send £300 (with Gift Aid added) to Julia’s House Hospice.

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Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million.

How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:

There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do:

1 - Watch out for scam messages
Your bank, or other official organisations, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk

2 - Shopping online
If you're making a purchase from a company or person you don't know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection.

3 - Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password.

NHS Test and Trace scams:

The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, we understand the concerns people have about the opportunity for criminals to commit scams.

What you need to know:

Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.

All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.

The NHS Test and Trace service will never:

•     ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those
      starting 09 or 087)
•     ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
•     ask for any details about your bank account
•     ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
•     ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or
      PINs over the phone
•     ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control
      of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
•     ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you live in Scotland, please report directly to Police Scotland by calling 101.​​​​​​​

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QE2 Field Group Needs a New Secretary
The KSM QE2 Field Group was formed in 2016 as a voluntary group comprising parishioners and users of our village recreation field. The group’s vision was (and still is) to create an enjoyable place for people to play and provide a more usable outdoor recreational space to bring together our community.

Over four years on, and now with a slightly smaller (but still great!) team, it needs a new secretary, who can play an active role in helping to enhance facilities and shape the future of our QE2 Field.

If you’d like to volunteer, get actively involved and help to move things forward, please get in touch. Perhaps you are new to the village and would like the opportunity to meet new people. Or maybe you have young children who would benefit from improved facilities at the field. Whatever your interest, the group would love to hear from you if you are interested in volunteering for the role of Secretary.  Remember things can only happen with enough support and volunteers to continue the work already started. Thank you.

Please contact ksmqe2fieldgroup@gmail.com or message via Facebook @ksmqe2field for more information.

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Shop News

In March Jessica Puddy was welcomed on to the committee and has taken on the position of Shop Secretary.  Four new committee members have joined, and bring a huge variety of talents and experience with them; they are Adam and Charlotte Sparkes, Cathy Mundy, and Diane Allen, who bring the committee up to its full contingent of ten.  Thanks go to our outgoing members - Anneliese Hillyer-Thake, who is moving away, and Avril Balmforth and Linda Durno, who estimate that, between them, they have served between 25 to 30 years on the shop committee; both will remain as volunteers.

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Recycling Centre News - Including the Re-opening of Stanton St Quintin

Wiltshire Council has launched a new online booking system to allow people to book a visit to any household recycling centre (HRC) in the county, up to three days in advance.

People are now able to visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/waste and make an advance booking for a slot to visit one of Wiltshire’s household recycling centres. Slots will be available for HRC visits and each slot will be available for a 15-minute visit to your chosen HRC. People should turn up on time with ID to confirm their booking, and in the vehicle with the registration number the slot has been booked for.

You will no longer be able to turn up to a HRC without a booking – you must have booked a slot online in advance. Anyone who turns up without a booked slot will not be permitted to access the site.

Booking a slot is easy - simply visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/waste, choose a preferred HRC and timeslot, enter your vehicle registration details, and confirm your booking. Then, please turn up at your chosen HRC on time (not before) with ID with your address on it, such as a driver’s licence, council tax bill, utility bill (a printed or an electronic version is fine), and your van permit, if you are visiting the site in a van that is under 3.5 tonnes.

As well as these changes, the council has also relaxed some of the changes that have been in place in recent weeks – Stanton St Quinton HRC is now open for pre-booked slots only, and HRCs can now accept soil, rubble, plasterboard, textiles and, with notice, asbestos. Other restrictions, including no trailers or vehicles 3.5 tonnes or over, remain in place.
 
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Waste, said: “It’s been two weeks since we reopened our household recycling centres, and while we have seen queues, they have been well managed, and I’m pleased to be able to report that most residents have been good humoured and understanding while queuing.

“We have had to implement several social distancing measures and restrictions on each site, which has meant that we can have fewer vehicles on each site at once, which has caused the queues outside of the HRCs while we managed the initial reopening demand.
 
“However, to alleviate queues in the long-term, we’ve introduced this online booking system that will enable people to book a slot at their chosen household recycling centre three days in advance. This should also save residents time, as they can book a slot, turn up, dispose of their waste and then carry on with their day.

“We expect demand to be very high initially, but new slots are added each day, so if you can’t get a slot, please try again the next day.”

To keep staff and residents safe, and following the latest public health and industry guidance, there are a significant number of measures in place to ensure social distancing at all HRCs. These include:

•     Visitors must keep at least two metres from others at all times
•     Only one person allowed on bin access steps at any one time
•     Only one person per car can get out of the vehicle – so please only bring
      waste that one person can lift
•     No entry for trailers or large vans of 3.5 tonnes and over
•     The number of parking spaces on each site is significantly reduced
•     No pedestrian access and no access on a bicycle or motorcycle
•     Don't bring recyclable materials that can be collected through the council's
      kerbside recycling collection service

For more details, and to find out more, see
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/household-recycling-centres-booking-faqs

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What's With The Litter?!!!

This litter was recently found up at the QE2 Field and was picked up and disposed of by a local resident.  Please do NOT have barbecues on our recreation field, woods and footpaths, and please always take your litter home with you.

*** PLEASE RESPECT OUR COUNTRYSIDE ***

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⭐PLACES AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER⭐

Acorns has spaces available for September for 2,3 & 4 year olds, including for its popular Woodland Learning days.

Book in for a "Meet the Manager" virtual chat on Thursdays and Fridays throughout June where you can discuss your childcare requirements and ask questions about the preschool.

Virtual Video Tour is also available on our YouTube channel.

Acorns Preschool: The Village Preschool inspiring Creativity, Curiosty and Confidence

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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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Shop Screen

"Our job at Healthwatch Wiltshire is simple. We're here to help make health and social care work better for you. During this challenging time this role has never been more important.

 Whether you are struggling to find the right health and care information, have an experience of care that services need to hear or if your care has been affected by the response to COVID-19 we want to hear from you.

The way health and social care services operate has been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) with non-urgent treatment postponed, face-to-face appointments reduced and homes and services limiting public access.

 You can help the NHS during these challenging times by letting us know how changes to services have affected health and social care in Wiltshire.  By sharing your experiences of care – what’s working and what could be better - you can help nurses, doctors and care workers spot issues that are affecting care for you and your loved ones.

As our opportunity to engage with Wiltshire residents is currently limited, and it's been necessary for us to change the way we work, we would like to ask for the support of our community partners to understand the experiences of your customers, clients and members at this time.

Our request is for you to be our eyes and ears to help identify themes within the provision and delivery of health and social care services in Wiltshire.

This will help us to influence the development of services and make a positive difference for the residents you support and others.

Please share with us – either by phone or email – any insight or experiences that your members are talking about, or encourage them to contact us on 01225 434218 or info@healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk

For example:

In return, we will share back with you any changes that occur or information we get.
Please share this with your colleagues and contacts to help pass our message on.
Finally, as a trusted source of information, we invite you to like and share our social media pages.

    Facebook www.facebook.com/HealthwatchWiltshire
    Twitter twitter.com/HWWilts
    Instagram www.instagram.com/healthwatchwiltshire

For more information about us, please visit our website: www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk
Here you will also find advice and information about the outbreak and a dedicated page detailing local help and support available across Wiltshire.

Thank you for your support. Stay safe.

Best wishes

Jo Woodsford

Volunteer and Partnerships Lead
Mobile: 07977 221661
My working days are Monday to Friday  8am – 4pm

Joanne.Woodsford@healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk

www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk

Please note, due to Covid-19 precautions, we are currently not receiving visitors at our offices, attending face-to-face meetings or visiting people in the community. All contact will be by telephone, email or letter only, until further notice. Thank you for your understanding. Whilst these are challenging times, we will ensure we continue to support people and communities."

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Mental Health Support Service
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust has launched a 24-hour, 7 days a week, telephone Mental Health Support Service.  Anyone concerned about their own or someone else's mental health can call 0300 3031320 and speak to mental health experts, who will provide advice, guidance and support over the telephone. The mental health response line is available around the clock for adults and children.

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Free PPE For Local Health Professionals, Care Homes, and Charities
Shield Wiltshire is making 3D printed facemasks, available to frontline workers for free.  To learn more or to donate to this cause please visit www.shieldwiltshire.co.uk

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It's All Quiet up There!
Thank you to Stewart Shape, of Buzzard Films UK, for these lovely aerial photos of the village (April 2020)











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Children's Play Area Closed
Please note that the children's play area at the QE2 Field is CLOSED due to government guidelines, however the recreation field itself remains open - please observe social distancing.

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101 Non-Emergency Police Calls Now Free
Please only call 101 when absolutely necessary, to report a crime/incident, request an update, or make a complaint. The Police Force is currently facing a high level of calls regarding the current Government restrictions in place.
You should always call 999 if a crime is in progress or in an emergency.

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COMMUNITY PACK REGARDING CORONOVIRUS - PLEASE READ
Page 5 is especially practical/useful

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Latest Coronovirus Information From Wiltshire Council

For all the latest information from Wiltshire Council, please sign up to its newsletter.

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Meals Delivered
Kington St Michael Club is cooking up meals, thanks to donations, for those who are unable to get out, in isolation or require a helping hand.  Please call Katie Pitman on 07583 969233 and she will arrange for a meal to be delivered to your door: all donations welcomed.

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Something to look forward to - date as yet unspecified.
When our community is free to meet up again in ‘full house’ conditions, plans will be made for an exhibition in the Village Hall (and sale if requested) of creative achievements, devised and created during this testing time of shut-down. 

Here are a few suggestions:

Handicrafts and works of art of all descriptions.
Paintings
Garden projects
Photographs (these can include a creation that will not keep indefinitely; a sequence of up to 3 photos of the progress of any project or gardening scheme).

Let your imagination run riot and see what you can produce ready for the great day.
If you have a novel idea, please email it to cilla@labouchere2.co.uk to be added to the possible ideas list.

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Village Newsletter
Would anyone in Kington St Michael be willing to take on the job of
Village Newsletter editor as soon as possible (there are currently no
plans to produce the next edition)?
Andrew & Jen Noblet were planning to stand down in the summer,
but now fall into the self-isolation category.
They are happy to send all the newsletter contact emails to whoever takes on the job, and to pass on advice by 'phone or email.  To find out more please email a.j.noblet@phonecoop.coop.
A big thank you to them for all their efforts over
the past few years, which are much appreciated.

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KSM Community Help
A community help Facebook page has been set up for those who wish to help during the current situation or who may need it: www.facebook.com/groups/495843311303675/

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Autumn Club
Due to the current advice and concerns regarding the Corona virus, it has been decided to suspend all Autumn Club meetings for the time being. With members being identified as the most vulnerable in the community, it is not wanted to put anyone at risk. This is very unfortunate but meetings will resume as soon as the risk has passed.

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KSM QE2 Field Group Needs You!


KSM QE2 Field Group was formed in 2016 as a voluntary group comprising of parishioners and users of our village recreation field. The group’s vision was (and still is) to create an enjoyable place for people to play and provide a more usable outdoor recreational space to bring together our community.

Over four years on, and now with a smaller (but still great) team, it needs NEW members who can play an ACTIVE role in helping to enhance facilities and shape the future of our QE2 Field.

If you’d like to get involved, there is a variety of roles that need filling and jobs that need doing, to help move things forward. Perhaps you are new to the village and would like the opportunity to meet new people? Or maybe you have young children who would benefit from improved facilities at the field? Whatever your interest, the group would love to hear from people who are keen to get actively involved. It can ONLY make things happen with enough support and volunteers to continue the work it has started.

Please contact Jessica via jessicapuddy@gmail.com, call (01249) 750270 or message via Facebook @ksmqe2field.

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Fresh Bread At The Village Shop
Good news!  Due to popular demand, the shop is be placing twice-weekly orders for Taylors of Bruton breads, pastries, etc, to be delivered on Mondays and Thursdays. All items (except the lardy cake and lardy slice) are vegetarian and some are also vegan.  All come wrapped, with ingredients and allergens listed.  Here's a price list of products available to order (please note that some items are currently not being made, due to the overwhelming demand for standard items, and a few items have been discontinued).

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Neighbourhood Watch
"Good Morning Rural Chippenham Residents, I am your local PCSO, Charlotte. Over the past few years, the use of Neighbourhood Watch has seen a decline. This is something I would like to rectify and bring back to life.

I transferred to Chippenham in July 2019 following two years of service in Swindon.
Whilst working in Swindon, I had a number of neighbourhood watch groups set up. These were purely email-based schemes, similar to how community messaging works. These schemes benefitted their communities massively, as well as the police.
We were able to solve a number of crimes due to local residents being able to identify suspects or provide us with CCTV footage of incidents. This would not have happened without the vital link created via neighbourhood watch.
I would like to set up similar schemes in the Chippenham Rural area and would encourage you all to become a part of this. There are no meetings involved. Just emails sent from myself, keeping you up to date with community concerns, information requests (CCTV enquires) and the actions taken by Wiltshire Police to help keep your community safe.

To join, please simply email 8235@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk - with you name and address. Please ensure to set the subject field to "*name of your village* NHW".
Example: "Sutton Benger NHW - I would like to join the neighbourhood watch scheme in my local area. My details are as follows: John Smith, 123 Church Road, Village, SN....."

I will then be in contact with further information.
Please note - the email address above is not monitored 24/7 and residents are not to report crimes/incidents via this email. If you want to report an emergency, please call 999. To report a non emergency, please call 101.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Kind regards,

Charlotte Windle"
PCSO 8235
Chippenham Rural
Wiltshire Police

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The Road in Front of the Village Hall, Shop and Car Park…

"Following a lengthy and exhaustive research project to determine the ownership and status of the road connecting the village hall/shop/car park, the church, Manor Farm and several residential properties to the public highways network, an evidenced application to recognise higher vehicular rights has been submitted to Wiltshire Council.  If successful, the recognition of vehicular rights, believed to date back to the 16th Century, will help to secure significant improvements to the road’s condition.
Though the application process is lengthy and subject to resourcing constraints within Wiltshire Council, road user ‘statements’ would help to prioritise the application. If you, or anyone you know uses this stretch of road (view map here) and you can spare a few minutes documenting this use, please complete and return a User Evidence Statement to Cllr. Sandra Eaton at The Diary (behind Manor Close), email sandraeatonksm@aol.com or telephone 07795 538366.
Thank you,
Cllr Sandra Eaton
Kington St Michael Parish Council"

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Pick Up After Your Pooch!

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.

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Join The School's Reading Team
Kington St Michael School is appealing for any parents, carers, grandparents or local residents to join its ‘Reading Team’.

KSM School would like to invite you to spend time in our village school listening to children read, ideally at the start or end of the school day. Perhaps an hour or two every week, helping to nurture a love of reading and support pupils to develop the necessary skills to become competent, fluent readers.

Help and advice with listening to readers will be given and you will be welcomed by staff and children. A DBS/CRB certificate will be needed, which the school will apply for, if you decide you are able to help at school.

If you are interested, please contact the school via
admin@ksm.wilts.sch.uk or telephone (01249) 750454.

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Shop News
Thank you to everyone who popped their change in to the Dorothy House
collection box last year - this raised £15.05 for the charity.

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The Jolly Huntsman Receives Award

The Jolly Huntsman has received CAMRA’s Highly Commended award in its
North West Wiltshire Pub of the Year competition 2019.
A big “well done” to the keeper of the village beer, Simon Curtis!

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All Angels WI News
The winners of the All Angels WI quiz question paper were:
1st Eve Cale, 2nd David West and 3rd Kathy Hill.


(Anita Morrin receives £50 from Linda Durno of the Book Recycling Scheme)
KSM's Book Recycling Scheme gave its latest £50 donation to All Angels' funds.  Why not treat yourself to a book from the scheme – only 50p each from the shop’s foyer? 

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KSM Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
In May 2019 an open day was held in the village club to publicise the group’s work and to seek the views of people on the village generally, covering features which were considered important to the character of the village, likes and dislikes, and how people felt about its future.
In addition, the Parish Council arranged for a detailed Housing Needs survey of the village, which had a response rate of 51% - very high for such surveys.
The Local Planning Policy as drafted by Wiltshire Council does not require any significant development in the village up to 2026 and probably up to 2036.
From the information received from the surveys, the requirements of the Neighbourhood Plan are:

1. To retain the essential village character and the surrounding green rural environment.
2. To maintain a clear separation between the village and Chippenham.
3. From the Housing Needs Survey there is a need for 6 assisted homes and 4 private homes.
4. There is likely to be a further requirement for a small number of private homes.
5. Any development should be limited, designed and located so as to maintain the village scale, character and atmosphere.
6. The plan should seek to reduce the speed and volume of traffic passing through the village and provide additional parking where possible.

The group can now look further into detailed considerations and the preparation of a full report and plan progressing to an approved Neighbourhood Plan which will be legally included in County planning policy.
It is still small in number and would welcome new members. In particular it is in need of a secretary; if anyone is interested please contact John Hall on (01249) 750550.

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Village Newsletter
Thanks go to Andrew and Jennifer Noblet, for all their hard work
editing the village newsletter throughout the year.

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 KSM Gardening Club - POSTPONED
The inaugural meeting will be held in the Clubhouse Lounge, 7.30pm at Kington Club on Tuesday 24th March.  This will be to gauge interest in establishing a gardening club in Kington St Michael, the venue for meetings being Kington Club. The club format, aims etc. will be decided by the members, but a small committee will be required to organise events, meetings etc. Examples of possible events and benefits are:

•    Access to discounted seeds and/or plants
•    Trips to shows, events etc. (possibly with coach travel).
•    Monthly meetings to share tips and advice etc.

Whether you are interested in growing vegetables, flowers or are a budding allotmenteer why not come along and join in? Please note that this club should complement existing village clubs and organisations and will not be in competition with existing clubs and events such as the Flower & Produce Show.

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FOSMAA is trying to raise the last tranche of money that it needs to get the new facilities installed in the church.  With this in mind it has set up a crowd funding appeal on Just Giving. Please take a look and make a donation if you so wish.

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Upcoming bank holidays in England and Wales 2020
Monday 31st August - Summer bank holiday
25 December    Friday 25th December - Christmas Day
Monday 28th December - Boxing Day (substitute day)

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Calling all Parish Councillors/Committee/Trust Members, past and present…
The Parish Council has a number of current projects that rely on historic documents, one of which is the registration of both village halls (old and new) with Land Registry.

In order to complete this task, the Parish Council is trying to locate the original 22nd June 1987 Deed of Gift for the Old School, made between Beatrice Constance Anne Roberts, The Public Trustee, The Parish Council of Kington St Michael and The Lord Bishop of Bristol and also the sealed Charity Commission Scheme Order, dated 8th October 1992, which details all land/property entrusted to the Parish Room Charity.

If you have retained either of these two documents, please help us by contacting Sandra on 07795 538366 or email her at sandraeatonksm@aol.com.

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Christmas Fayre
Many thanks to all those who supported 2019's Christmas Fayre; the winner of the children's Christmas card competition was Tabitha Kallaway. The fayre raised £650.74 for hall funds.

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Comrades' Commemoration
 
On December 16th 2018 it was 40 years since Gunner Simon Evans, who is buried at St Michael & All Angels Church in Kington St Michael, and three of his fellow soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion near Dungannon in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Some of those soldiers, who were with him in Northern Ireland or served with him, are visiting their graves over the next few days to pay their respects to him and the others who died all those years ago.

Simon was a member of 22 Locating Battery, Royal Artillery, and was based at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain. As an independent Battery, i.e. not part of a Regiment, 22 was never sent on its own on a tour of duty in Northern Ireland but would support other Army units who were being sent, by asking for volunteers.  Simon was such a volunteer when 16 Regiment Royal Artillery needed extra manpower for an upcoming tour – a brave young man who didn’t have to go to Northern Ireland but volunteered to do so and sadly paid the price for his courage. There is little that is positive about that day except to say that all four died instantly and thankfully wouldn’t have known anything about what had happened. May he and the other young soldiers who perished with him that day, Rest in Peace.

Five former colleagues, including the Troop Sergeant and the section commander, attended Simon’s grave on Saturday 6th December and spoke to some of the villagers who remember Simon.  At the same time a wreath was laid in Bromsgrove to remember the section 2IC, Lance Bombardier Keith Richards. Wreaths will also be laid in the next few days by former colleagues in Belfast for Gunner William Beck and in Accrington for Gunner Alan Ayrton.


 A Memorial Service for him and his three colleagues took at the Garrison Church at Larkhill on Sunday, December 15th 2019

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Poppy Appeal
2019’s Poppy Day collection raised £102.46 for Royal British Legion funds.  Thanks go to all those who donated, and to the collectors - without their help the Legion would be unable to continue its vital welfare and benevolent work.

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 The village shop loves its volunteers - without them the shop wouldn't run, as every single person serving in the shop or on the committee is a volunteer.
Would you like to join them? Why not make it your New Year's resolution?
The shop could really could do with some extra help, either in a regular slot or to cover holiday - to find out more, please give Avril a call on (01249) 750671. Thank you!

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Bonfire Thanks
The KSM QE2 Field Group would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to our Bonfire & Fireworks Night on Sunday 3rd November 2019. From organising and planning, setting-up, sourcing pallets, building the bonfire, lighting, managing the fireworks, and helping on the night with food and drink, to all those who sold, attended and bought tickets and, of course, those who also cleared up afterwards and many, many more helpers. This annual community event is a huge effort to organise and we simply could not hold it year after year without the help of (many) willing volunteers. Considering the challenging circumstances this year with a last minute postponement due to adverse weather, it was a fantastic village effort with a really spectacular fireworks display, and we managed to more than break-even, returning a small profit of just under £200 – thank you all.
  
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New Football Goalposts
Some of you may have seen the brand-new football goalposts, which have replaced the old broken ones, up at the QE2 Field recently. Thanks to the Football Foundation, KSM QE2 Field Group received a grant of £528 towards this equipment, to increase recreational use of the field and encourage more children and families to play football. This grant was successful thanks to the support of Castle Combe Colts, who used our pitch for their U11s team on a Tuesday night from Easter until October this year, and plan to use again next season.  This means that children and families from our village community, and the local Castle Combe Colts, can all benefit from the new equipment, which comes with the added benefit of being portable (on wheels) for re-positioning around the pitch area as required.

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Wiltshire Council has today launched a reward campaign to reduce fly-tipping throughout the county.
The We’re Targeting Fly-tippers (WTF) campaign aims combat the scourge of fly-tipping by offering residents a reward of up to £200 in high street vouchers if they report information that leads to the successful prosecution of an offender or the payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). The campaign will feature in the local media, and on social media, posters and digital screens throughout the county.
Fly-tipping costs Wiltshire Council more than £180,000 each year, and it is unsightly and a danger to wildlife and the environment.
In Wiltshire, most fly-tip reports are of a commercial nature, where waste is cleared for a fee and then dumped to avoid lawful disposal costs. Penalties for offenders include an unlimited fine and/or five years’ imprisonment; a £50,000 fine and/or 12 months’ imprisonment; a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 if they are caught fly-tipping small scale waste.
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Waste, said:

“We’re delighted to launch this campaign to reduce fly-tipping throughout Wiltshire and reward our residents for helping us to fight this blight on our beautiful county.  Fly-tipping is unsightly and it is a danger to people, wildlife and the environment. So we need the help of our communities to prosecute fly-tippers and keep our county cleaner, greener and safer.
I would urge anyone with any information about fly-tipping in Wiltshire to report it to us with as much information as possible, and any successful prosecution or payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice will earn a voucher of up to £200 for the person who reported it.  However, while we want residents to provide evidence as possible, it’s hugely important that people do not try to rummage through or disturb the waste, as this could affect the scene and put people in danger.  It is also essential that people do not attempt to confront anyone who is fly-tipping or put themselves in danger in any way. We want to reduce fly-tipping, but public safety is our main concern."
To report fly-tipping in Wiltshire, or to find out more about the campaign, including terms and conditions, go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-environment-wtf.

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Flower, Produce & Craft Show
 
Kington St Michael Flower, Produce and Craft Show was held on August 3rd 2019. Classes covered a wide variety of skills, from "Explosion of Red" in the floral art section, longest runner bean, savoury scones, peppermint creams, an original piece of woodwork, draught excluder dogs, to a dinosaur, decorated cakes, and a model made from Lego in the children's section.
It was a very successful show on a beautiful summer’s day. Many visitors enjoyed the entries on display, refreshments, raffle and fun auction. Thanks go to those who contributed in anyway.

The winners were:
Overall winner - Pat Woodward
WI Trophy for men - Bruce Low
Vaughan Cup (top lady apart from overall winner) - Dot Ings
IK Alderman Shield (homemaking & preserves) - Dot Ings
WI Vase (floral art) - Claire Broomsgrove
Hughes Cup (top WI lady) - Jenny Hayne
Woodward Cup (photography) - Andrew Fussell
Novice Cup (first time cup winner) - Anita Morrin
Singer Cup (5 to 10 year old) - Harry Fussell

The show has been held since 1974, so long may it last!
 

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FOSMAA
FOSMAA would like to thank eveyone who supported the picnic at The Old Rectory, which raised £340 for funds, bringing the fundraising total to around £75,200 of the £111,000 needed.

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Best Allotment
On July 28th 2019 the first Best Allotment competition was held.  The plots were looking their best for the three judges, Luanne Cullinane, Gary Seward and Rick Squires, and first prize was awarded to Barry and Jenny Hayne, with Bruce Low as runner-up.  In the evening a barbecue was held for all the allotment holders.

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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 Panning 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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Pavements are for People!
Parents and carers with pushchairs are having difficulty walking down the village, due to cars parking on the pavement.  Some of our residents are also wheelchair users and are finding a trip to the shop becoming an obstacle course, especially when wheelie bins are out as well.  Trying to cross between parked cars, which are blocking the pavement, is dangerous, and especially difficult if the kerb isn't dropped and, actually, the pavements are there for people not vehicles.
Please park responsibly and ask your visitors to do the same (and please give some thought as to where you place your wheelie bins!).

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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 £21 per year? (That's just £1.50 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.