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"Quote of the Week"
Quote of the Week is an innocent remark or part of a sentence, overheard
or taken out of context, which sounds intriguing, funny or just plain daft!

"My mum's covered my rabies vaccination..."!

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Click on Village Newsletter to read the latest edition.

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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 and you can spare a few minutes documenting this use, please email Cllr. Sandra Eaton at sandraeatonksm@aol.com or telephone 07795 538366.
Thank you,
Cllr Sandra Eaton
Kington St Michael Parish Council"

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Shrove Tuesday & Spring at the Village Shop

Don't forget Shrove Tuesday on February 25th - get those pancakes made!  We have everything you need down in the shop.  Come along and admire the lovely display , created by our talented volunteer, Jane - we have gifts for Mothers' Day or perhaps as a thank you.

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Progressive Supper
FOSMAA is holding a progressive supper on Saturday 21st March.  The evening will start at 7pm with starters, then main courses, in various host houses in the village, and finish with desserts and a licensed bar in the village hall - meet new friends and enjoy lovely food and wine.  Tickets £15 each, available now from the village shop. Further information available from Lyn North on (01249) 750234.

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Shop News
Good news!  The shop will be placing orders for Taylors of Bruton breads, pastries, etc, to be delivered on Wednesdays. If you would like to place an order, please let the shop know by 11am on Tuesdays, at the latest. Thank you.


The village shop has a vacancy for a Secretary and interested parties would be most welcome.  The Secretary's duties, in the main, are as follows:

•    Attend monthly meetings, take and type up minutes to circulate to the committee
•    Prepare and circulate the agenda for committee meetings
•    Type correspondence on behalf of the committee (this is generally few and far between)
•    Send out invitations to volunteers for the bi-annual volunteers' parties
•    Give notice of the Annual General Meeting, contacting shop shareholders in advance
The new Secretary won't need shorthand but must have access to a computer and email (most of the above duties are done via email and there is a dedicated Shop Secretary email account).

The previous Secretary has very kindly agreed to help with the handover to ensure that everything run smoothly.
If you are interested in this position, or have any questions, please contact Linda Durno on (01249) 750514 or email ksmvillageshop@yahoo.co.uk.

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Monday 23rd March - Film Night in the village hall; showing "Mrs Lowry & Son" (PG), starring Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall.  Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm with the main film (on a large screen) starting at 8pm.  Tickets £8 on the door or form the village shop.  Details from Kay Sambell on (01249) 750205.

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Flower, Produce & Craft Show, Saturday 1st August
Spring will come eventually and thoughts will turn to our gardens. Here are the show schedule & entry form and the recipes so you can be planning ahead, and while the days outside are not very inviting there are plenty of craft items to work on indoors.  If you do venture out, don't forget to take your camera with you ready for the photography competition.

This will be the 47th Annual Show so please do support this village event.  Proceeds help to raise funds for the WI's annual Christmas Drinks & Nibbles event for retired villagers.

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Shop News

WANTED - SHOP SUPERVISOR
Come and join our vibrant KSM shop community as our new Shop Supervisor. The role is diverse and engaging, with flexible working hours to support the shop’s function, volunteer support and committee commitments.

The role has an honorarium of £250 per month in keeping with the type of organisation our little community shop is. The Shop Supervisor will have the full support of the committee.

We welcome anyone interested; for further details or any questions regarding this role, please contact Linda Durno on (01249) 750514 or email ksmvillageshop@yahoo.co.uk.

Taylors of Bruton Bread
The shop is stocking bread and other goodies from Taylors of Bruton and any of the loaves can be ordered ready sliced.  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.

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6 Nations Rugby

Kington Club is showing the 6 Nations rugby live.

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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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Raffle Winner

The winner of the village shop's January raffle is Jill Bishop, who takes home a £20 shop  gift voucher.  February’s raffle is for a home-made cake in your choice of flavour, (March’s raffle will be for a joint of lamb). Tickets are only £1 each from the shop.

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Dog Fouling
Once again there are, to the dismay of responsible dog owners, other dog owners are failing to clear up after their pet, especially in The Ridings area of the village.

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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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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📚 Book Recycling Scheme 📚
The 67th recipient of a £50 donation from this scheme is All Angels WI.  Why not treat yourself to a book from the scheme – only 50p each from the shop’s foyer?  if you are a village organisation that would like to be considered for a donation, please contact Linda Durno via kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

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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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Progressive Supper - In Aid of FOSMAA
 A progressive supper, in aid of the Friends of St Michael & All Angels Church, takes place on Saturday 21st March.  The evening will start at 7pm with starters then main courses in various host houses in the village, and finish with desserts and a licensed bar in the village hall - meet new friends and enjoy lovely food and wine.
Tickets £15 each, available from the village shop from 21st February.
 Further information available from Lyn North on (01249) 750234.

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 KSM Gardening Club
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 / 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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Shop News
   
Gifts
If you need a gift for your loved one the new range of Wild Strawberry Designs jewellery is now in stock, together with scented candles, wine, spirits and liqueurs, and gift packs of mini-Prosecco with chocolates, or order a home-made cake. 

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Looking For Office Space?

 Office space now available in Kington St Michael
 86.5 sq. m (931 sq. ft.) office space
•    Large main office area with adjacent meeting room and kitchen
•    Two parking spaces
•    Full fibre connected
•    Convenient location
 For more details or to arrange a viewing, please contact Ian Wills on 01249 758189
or email ksmhalltreasurer@gmail.com

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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
Please note the change of day (this year only) to a Friday, for the early May bank holiday.
Friday 10th April - Good Friday
Monday 13th April - Easter Monday
Friday 8th May - Early May bank holiday (VE day)
Monday  25th May - Spring bank holiday
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 this year'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 this year it will be 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
This year’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. 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. 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 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.