KSM School Summer Fete - This Saturday, 12th July

A fun day for everyone!  The school is looking for local businesses to support this event and in return they will feature in the fête’s promotional material.  Donations of raffle prizes and items for the silent auction will be gratefully received.  Volunteers to help with the fête are most welcome.
Raffle tickets will be on sale in the café and village shop for villagers to purchase.  The main prize is a Dyson V15.  There is also an afternoon tea at The Bell Hotel and many more prizes to be won.

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 Annual Flower & Produce Show
This year's show takes place on Saturday 2nd August in the village hall.
More information can be found in the entry schedule,
which is available from the village shop.

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Book Recycling Scheme

The 83rd donation of £50 from this scheme, goes to our community-owned village shop.  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.  

The church and church yard are open every day for you to enjoy.
Batteries, ink cartridges and medication packets (the foil & plastic part) can be left in the porch for recycling.
We are looking to do a census of the plants and wildlife in the churchyard with the aim of making it a richer and more diverse habitat.  If you would like to help or have any knowledge of plants, birds, insects or small mammals we would love to hear from you. Please contact Alison on (01249) 750742 or 07748 759661.
The church has been given a £500 grant to hold a Choral Evensong followed by refreshments at 6pm on Sunday 28th September, to celebrate our Patronal Day, St Michael.
The church is planning a day to celebrate the church’s part in village life and history, so if you have any memories or photographs which you would like to share, or have any ideas for the day, please do get in touch with Alison Greenhalgh - email alison.mulley@btinternet.com or Chris Laskey chris.laskey@outlook.com.

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QE2 Field News

KSM Bonfire and Fireworks night – save the date for Saturday 1st November.

Volunteers wanted –  we are a VERY small group of volunteers (all  of whom also have busy day jobs).  If you can help in any way with special projects or at specific events, please get in touch – ksmqe2fieldgroup@gmail.com.  You do NOT need to join an official committee – we are a friendly, voluntary group and members are always welcome BUT we really need some extra hands to make things happen.

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Wood Carving Group
Cilla Labouchere will be running another of her wood carving groups in the village
- if you are interested in joining, please give her a call on 01249 750222

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Village Shop Banana Competition
The competition to guess how many bananas were sold in March
was won by 8 year-old Xanthe, who was closest to the answer of 105.
She was delighted with her prize of a bunch of bananas and an Easter egg.

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At May's Annual Meeting Peter Macdonald was elected as Chair and Alex Hall was elected as Vice-chair; Fiona Twisse was co-opted on to the council, bringing it up to its full contingent of nine.  New Councillors, Ollie Mead and Tim Mead were welcomed on to the council and it's believed that Ollie (who is in his twenties) is the youngest councillor we have ever had.
Here's a full list of our Parish Councillors:

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Accessibility Along Pavements

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 Tom's 100km Run For Alzheimer's Race To The Stones
12th to 13th July 2025

Tom Kimberley and his wife Nancy moved to our lovely village in October last year.  Here is Tom’s story….

"Every 3 minutes dementia steals a happily ever after.  Research is our only chance of changing the ending for people affected by dementia.
In July I will be running (with probably quite a lot of walking) the 100km Race to the Stones (Avebury standing stones) event to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Dementia is something that has affected, and is still present, on both sides of my family and I would like to do a small part in aiding research into the disease.  Those that suffer have their memories and who they are gradually erased until they find themselves living in a world where everyone around them becomes a stranger.  It is not only those who are diagnosed who suffer but also the husbands, wives, children and grandchildren, who continue to care for those they love long after the person they once knew has faded away.

If you are able to give or donate anything it would be greatly appreciated - you can donate via this Just Giving link.

Thank you."

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Progressive Supper Results

The recent progressive supper, held in the village in aid of the restoration of the church’s Saxon porch, raised an amazing £2,923.81.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful event.  Special thanks to the organisers, all the starter and main course hosts, everyone who kindly donated desserts and auction prizes, KSM club, Kington St Michael village Shop for selling tickets, and Gavin Aplin, as our wonderful auctioneer.
This event has been a village tradition for decades and it is heartening to see what a wonderful community event this continues to be.

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Community Pub Project's January Update

Many thanks to everyone who bought our Christmas cards, tankards and mugs and to those who visited us at the village Christmas Fayre and bought from our stall – our Christmas cards quickly sold out.  Our tankards (£25) and mugs (£10) continue to sell well and will make great gifts, with Father's Day soon upon us.  To get yours please contact Alex Hall on 01249 750602, alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com, or Linda Durno on 01249 750514, kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, we received the news that the Community Ownership Fund had closed and that there will be no further application windows on the COF programme. The current government “…took this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government”.  Whilst the Community Ownership Fund has closed, the government states that it “…remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment.  The government will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership”.

We had hoped to have been successful with an application to COF, which would have provided a large grant, and so this is a blow to our fundraising.  However we are fortunate to have your pledges of shares and are seeking further advice on future grants.

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Dog Fouling and Dog Walking

Recently there have been multiple incidents of dog fouling on pavements throughout the village, especially regularly along the main street towards the café.  Wherever you are walking your dog in the village - street, public footpath, QE2 Field, Nymph Hay Wood or the surrounding fields - picking up after your dog still applies!  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 on Wiltshire Council's website. Photographic evidence of the owner neglecting to pick up 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.
Now that it is lambing season, please keep your dogs on leads when walking in fields with sheep in, as well as when walking on the footpath that leads through the farmyard, as there are sheep and lambs about.

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Environment Agency Flood Recovery Guide

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Poppy Appeal 2024
This year's Poppy appeal in the village raised £258.75.
Joan Gilbert, who co-ordinates the collection, would like to thank all who donated.

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"The Kingtons" Book - Available Now!