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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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Coronavirus Info
For all the latest updates on Coronavirus, including the Track & Trace app, please visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus

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For Awareness - Ordnance Disposal

"Please be aware that specialist military personnel will be making safe ordinance at Hullavington Airfield to the north of Chippenham.
We are advising that residents living nearby may hear a number of loud bangs while this disposal work is carried out.
We are asking members of the public not to call 999 or 101 to report this to ensure control room staff are able to swiftly respond to incoming emergency calls."
Benjamin Fitzgerald
(Wiltshire Police, Senior Media & External Communications Officer, Wiltshire)
29.10.22

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News From The Village Shop

“For a long while the shop has been managed very successfully by volunteers from the village.  We are now once more at a stage, from early January 2023, when we may have no-one to undertake this task.  The Committee will be trying once again to recruit a paid manager; on current turnover and with increasing overheads, this is a short-term solution.
The Shop Committee would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss the long-term future of our village shop.

When: Thursday 27th October, 7pm-8pm
Where: Kington Club

If you are not able to attend and wish to comment, please email me at dianelallen@hotmail.com.

Thank you
Diane Allen, KSM Village Shop Committee Chair
On behalf of the KSM Village Shop Committee”

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KSM Netball Club

"Our friendly village netball club continues to thrive.  We are delighted to have received further sponsorship recently, from The Jolly Huntsman, which will contribute to equipment and coaching fees.  A huge thankyou to the pub for its continued support.

The club has teams playing in Chippenham Rock Up Social League on Wednesdays, as well as matches in the Calne Social Netball League on Monday nights.

We train in the Chippenham Dome (near Chippenham Sports Club) on Thursday evenings, 8pm-9pm.  We welcome new members with one free session, and have a range of experience and abilities.  There is no pressure to play in matches - come along for fun and friendly fitness!

If you are interested in giving it a go please contact Alice Rymill - alicerymill@btinternet.com."

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Bellringing

"We are looking to re-start teaching new bellringers, as our numbers have dwindled.

So many people say how much they enjoy hearing the church bells and our numbers are now too low to ring every week. Please pop in to our practice night one Monday evening, 7.30pm - 9pm, to see if this might be a hobby for you.
 
Some of you may be interested to know that we rang a short method called ‘Kings and Queens’ before tolling prior to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.  The bells will be rung down prior to the Teddy bears parachute day and rung up again before our next practice towards the end of October.  If you want to know more about what this all means please pop along when you next hear us practicing on Monday 17th October.
 
Adam Allen, Tower Captain - 07768 053116

HAND BELLS Is anyone in the village interested in learning how to ring handbells?
A few people have expressed an interest and there is a fine set of hand bells, which is rarely used. Please contact Diane dianelallen@hotmail.com OR call on 07768 053116."

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Neighbourhood Watch 2022 Crime & Community Survey

Neighbourhood Watch is delighted to invite you to take part in its annual Crime and Community survey. The survey is in its third year running, and NW wants to hear your views on crime, community, and your experience of Neighbourhood Watch. The survey is open to everyone across England and Wales, regardless of whether you are a Neighbourhood Watch member or not.

All responses will be anonymised and aggregated, and everyone who completes the 5 – 10 minute survey can choose to opt-in to the prize draw to win one of four £25 Amazon vouchers.

The results will enable the charity to better understand crime and fear of crime, benchmark whether membership in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme or living in a Neighbourhood Watch area impacts crime levels, neighbourliness, and the willingness of communities to work together. This information is vitally important to ensure that it can better target its work to meet your crime and community needs and concerns.

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Acorns Pre-School - Situation Vacant
Acorns Pre-school is recruiting for a new Pre-school Manager - do you know anyone who would like to work in this wonderful early-years setting?
Further details are available here.

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Book Recycling Scheme
The 73rd donation of £50 from this scheme goes towards the cost of replanting the build-out by the telephone box, which was done in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  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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Wiltshire Library Newsletter
Please click here to view the latest newsletter from
Wiltshire Libraries, reminding you of what's on offer.

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Do Not Be Caught Out By Burglars

With the warmer weather we have been experiencing there’s been a small increase in opportunistic burglars taking advantage of doors and windows being left open.

We would like to remind householders of the need to secure their windows and doors when going out and make sure the garage and garden shed is locked too.

The following advice to improve the security in and around the home:

• Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even if you’re in the garden, and make sure you have approved locks or bolts on all doors and windows
• Never leave a spare key in a hiding place like in a plant pot or letterbox - a thief knows all the hiding places • Keep all keys, purses and wallets out of sight and away from the letterbox
• Consider installing a burglar alarm, and only use a company that is registered or certified with the NSI or the SSIAB
• Do not open the door to anyone you don’t know or are not expecting. Always check by using a spy-hole or look through a window
• Make sure that you have up to date contents insurance
• Register all serial numbers from electrical items, tools and garden equipment with www.immobilise.com the free national property register.
• Mark items without serial numbers with an artificial DNA property marker such as SelectaDNA  
• Do not keep large amounts of cash at home - it is much safer in a bank or building society
• Trim back any plants and hedges at the front of your property to no higher than 1 metre to remove hiding places
• Always report any suspicious activity, note any vehicle registrations, descriptions of persons involved and direction of travel
• Use a timer to set lights to mimic your usual activity when you are not at home
• Take photographs of all jewellery including hallmarks and keep them safe. Also consider using an artificial DNA property marker on jewellery or other valuable items
• Make sure any bolts are low enough so they cannot be opened by reaching over the top of the gate.

You will find more helpful advice on our website: Protecting Your Home From Crime

If you have any information about offenders or see something suspicious, please call Wiltshire Police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
In an emergency always call 999.

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Protecting Green Spaces in Kington St Michael

The Kington St Michael Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group is continuing its progress on evidence collection and plan drafting. One topic of particular local interest is protecting green spaces in the parish. Through the Neighbourhood Plan, we can protect green spaces of particular importance to the local community through a designation called Local Green Space.

For a space to be eligible for designation as a Local Green Space, it has to be:

• small (not an 'extensive' area),
• in, or near to, the community which uses it,
• 'demonstrably' special to the community. This could be because of its beauty, historic significance,recreational value, tranquillity or richness in wildlife.

The Steering Group has been assessing spaces for potential suitability for designation, informed by suggestions made during our online consultation last year. So far, eight spaces have been considered for potential Local Green Space designation, including the QE2 recreation field, the Village Green in Stubbs Lane, the allotments, and land at Town Close, The Ridings, The Ham, Honeyknob Hill and by The Croft (opposite Rose Cottages).
We want to hear from you about your views on the potential Local Green Space designations. Do you value these spaces? If so, why are they special to you? Your comments will be added to the evidence base to inform which spaces will be included for potential designation in the draft Neighbourhood Plan.  
Please email john@catprintdesign.com, em01.jo@gmail.com or post your comments to
67/68 Kington St Michael, to let us know what you think about the suggested Local Green Spaces. Please refer to the specific spaces shown on the map, and include information on if and why the space is special to you. Please also let us know if there are any potential Local Green Spaces that we've missed.  Thank you!

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

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KSM QE2 Field Group

CAN YOU HELP?
KSM QE2 Field Group comprises of a small group of volunteers, who want to help enhance our recreation field for the benefit of the whole community. If you’d like to get involved in some way, we’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch via ksmqe2fieldgroup@gmail.com.

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Litter Pick Success



(photos courtesy of Jenny Hayne)
The litter pick organised by KSM WI and including the Down Gospel Trust, was a successful exercise, with many bags of litter and rubbish collected, as well as some larger discarded items.  Many thanks go to all those who took part.

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Police Community Support Officer
Our local PCSO is Lewis Hawkins (PCSO 4590), Chippenham Rural, Wiltshire Police - Mob. 07423 771553, email Lewis.Hawkins@wiltshire.police.uk.

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Get in the Know!

Would you like to receive news and updates on local matters from the Parish Council and Wiltshire Council, etc, via email?  The Parish Council has set up an email database - if you would like to be included, please email the Clerk, Viv Vines - ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.

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QE2 Field News - February 2022
 
With many thanks to Kington St Michael Parish Council, there is now a brand new noticeboard, new bin and dog poo bag dispenser at the KSM QE2 Field.

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Worried About Scams?

Wiltshire Police has suggested reading "The Little Book of Big Scams", which  is an excellent fraud prevention resource created to help raise awareness of the dangers of fraud ,and offer preventative measures to help keep everyone safe from the insidious creep being seen in financial crimes in recent years.

An audio version of the Little Book of Big Scams can be found at this link: https://soundcloud.com/metropolitan-police/the-little-book-of-big-scams

A business edition of the Little Book of Big Scams can be found at this link: https://nbcc.police.uk/images/guidance/the-little-book-of-big-scams-business-edition.pdf

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Accessibility Along Pavements

A repeat of a previous request, to help our disabled and visally impaired residents (and those with children in buggies):
~ Please do not block lowered pavements with parked cars.
~ Please don't block the pavement with wheelie bins or black boxes.
~ If your property is next to the pavement or footpath, please trim back any overhanging branches, shrubs, etc.  Of a dark evening, and with the new lower lighting, it's no fun walking into prickly or wet overgrowth!   Please trim back lower shrubs too, as these affect children.  Thank you.

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The Old School (the building that is currently the Village Hall)
Does anyone have any recollection of when the old school was divided up between the school house and the school building?  If so, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Viv Vines - ksmparishclerk@gmail.com
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Fire Service Safe & Well Visits

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking to partner with individuals and organisations who are in contact with or visit vulnerable people across Wiltshire to provide referrals into our Safe and Well teams. The attached leaflet sets out why referrals are important to DWFRS, some risk factors to look out for and how to make a referral to us. Early intervention with at-risk vulnerable people allows us to prevent fire deaths and serious injuries caused by fire.

Our Safe and Well visits are completely free of charge. We supply and install free smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms. We also provide fire retardant bedding, spray, extension leads, heater loans, arson proof letterboxes, and deaf alerts where required.  We have several resources on our website, and the following links provide some more information on what a Safe and Well visit is, together with the option to make a referral:

www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits/what-is-safe-and-well

www.youtube.com/watch

www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits/safe-and-well-referrals

DWFRS offers free Safe and Well awareness training to groups of any size, to find out more please email safeandwell@dwfire.org.uk.

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BT Openreach
BT Openreach will be putting fibre optic cables in place for FTTP (fibre to the property) - no confirmed date as yet. Essentially the same type of thing that Gigaclear did, however, you'll be pleased to know that BT is able to use its own existing ducting, and so there shouldn't be any additional roadworks for us to look forward to, according to Openreach's engineers!

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Concern Over Potential Dog Thefts

With recent concerns over reports of attempted dog thefts, please keep an eye out for unbranded vans and people watching/following/asking questions about dogs, especially around the QE2 field and other local parks.

For advice about animal crime please visit www.wiltshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ac/animal-crime/

If you are a dog owner, please keep your dog on a lead around livestock, particularly as we are now in the lambing season.

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Hospital Liaison Service

"The Hospital Liaison Service will work with hospital staff and others to identify and support carers through the discharge process.  The Carer Support Hospital Liaison Service will:

·         support carers while they or their cared for are in hospital;
·         assist with planning and implementation of discharge; and,
·         follow up with carers after discharge.

The aim of the service is to reduce carer stress, reduce re-admission rates and help ease the burden on hospitals over the winter months and while the Covid pandemic is placing increased demands on the NHS.

The new service is made up of 2 teams - the Hospital Liaison Team which will be the point of contact for carers and Hospital staff; and the Hospital Support Team which will carry out initial assessments and provide support.

Carers and hospital staff can contact ther Hospital Liaison Team on 0800 368 7579. Hospital staff can also make referrals using the secure CSW.admin@nhs.net email address. The service is being promoted at Great Western Hospital, Royal United Hospital, Salisbury District Hospital and Community Hospitals.

Kind Regards

Danielle Hewer
Hospital Support Worker"

Direct Line for referral to CSW Hospital Discharge Team – 0800 368 7579
Direct Line: 01380 908154

Carer Support Wiltshire is an independent charity that provides free
and confidential support to unpaid carers of all ages across Wiltshire.

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Walking in Wiltshire

Are you fed-up with doing the same old walks?  Walking in Wiltshire www.walkinginengland.co.uk/wiltshire is the website for you!

With hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, contact details for all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Wiltshire (part of the Walking in England suite of websites (www.walkinginengland.co.uk)  – one for each county in England) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris

www.walkinginengland.co.uk

email: john@walkinginengland.co.uk

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Concerned About Scams, Fraud and Phishing?



To find out about all the lates scams, frauds, and phishing, please visit Action Fraud.

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Wiltshire Council - Local Area Co-ordinator



Local area coordination can help you to:

• access information, advice and support
• build your own local network
• find practical ways to resolve problems
• be part of your local community
• identify your personal strengths, needs and goals
We work alongside people of all ages, including disabled people and
people with mental health conditions.
If you feel you would like to reconnect with your community
or need some help or support, then you can invite us to
work alongside you.

Our local area support co-ordinator is Emma Morrice - her support is free and without judgement – there are no assessments, referral processes or time limits – and she can meet you in local community settings or where you live, work or learn.

Would you like to know more?  Contact Emma on 07391 410278 or emma.morrice@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Please click here to find out more.

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History of the Village Shop
Please click here to read the full history of Kington St Michael Village Shop
from when we lost our shop and post office in 2003 and how the village fundraised to open the current one in the village hall.

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Kington Theatre Company

Kington Theatre Company is a newly formed drama group for 2021, primarily based in Kington St Michael, and covering all the surrounding villages (Kington Langley, Sutton Benger, Stanton St Quintin, Hullavington and beyond).

We are looking for all types of people to join in our drama group.

If you’d like to perform in any way, sing, dance or act, play an instrument, want to work behind the scenes, design and build sets, organise costumes and props or help run the company we’d love to hear from you.

No pressure and no commitment, we’d love to get an idea of the desire for this to happen in 2021 and beyond.

Visit our website www.kingtontheatrecompany.co.uk to register your interest, or text 07971 806143.

Our ability to rehearse and perform will only be possible when it's considered safe to do so under the COVID-19 guidelines.

The drama group is open to all ages and abilities with equal opportunities for all.

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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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From Dawn To Dusk....

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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 or have reduced vision, and are finding a trip to the shop becoming an obstacle course, especially when wheelie bins and black boxes 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 £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.