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Village Newsletter
Here's the latest edition.
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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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Advent Windows

Kington St Michael's Advent windows will "open" each day from 1st - 24th December.
Each day a clue to find the window for that evening will be posted on Facebook, displayed in the village shop and in the notice board at The Ridings' bus stop.
Windows will be lit between 4pm and 9pm.
Thanks go to everyone who has volunteered to make a window.

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The Village Singers - 'Tis the Season to be Jolly - CANCELLED
Sadly, the village singers concert at KSM church on December 18th has been cancelled.  All tickets sold may be used at the St Andrews concert, retained until another concert in the future, or refunded if purchased from the village shop.

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Watch Out For Runners!


Please be aware that a fun run is being held on Sunday 19th December, starting at Hullavington at 10am.  Part of the route includes the north end of Kington St Michael, with runners heading in along the Frittleton road, up HOneyknob Hil and then turning down Grove Lane. 

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The Village Hall is Hiring

The committee is currently looking to fill 2 posts at the village hall – a supervisor/cleaner and a cleaner. Both roles are part-time and include occasional early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Supervisor/cleaner £10.50/hour - supervising other cleaning staff; cleaning, some admin work and small maintenance jobs.  Cleaner £9.50/hour.

Please phone or email Kay Sambell for more information or to register your interest - (01249) 750205, kaysambell@gmail.com.

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Christmas Turkeys Now Available To Order From The Village Shop

Christmas has arrived, it’s official! Order your Christmas turkey, boned rolled turkey breast, chicken, baked ham, pigs in blankets and mince pies from the shop now (by 11th December at the latest).  Deposit required.  For collection from the shop on Christmas Eve.
There is a wide selection of seasonal food in store and you definitely have to try the Monty Bojangles truffles - amazing!
The fabulous selection of gifts and stocking fillers gets better by the day with something there for everyone, including the family pets!
There is a great selection of Christmas cards and wrapping; not forgetting Christmas issue stamps.
The best news is that once again the lovely volunteers have stepped up and the shop will be open every weekday from 9.30am – 1pm and 3pm – 5pm between now and the big day so you have extra time to browse what’s there.
Shop manager Nyall, and all the volunteers wish their shoppers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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Last Posting Dates for Christmas

With everything feeling a bit topsy-turvy this year, get yourself prepared
and check this year's last posting dates for Christmas!

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Can You Help?

Jaqueline Arber has contact the village website asking the following (below) - if you can help please email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com and your message will be passed on; her family lived at Moorshall Cottages.  Many thanks.

"Hello, I am trying to find some information regarding the Elms family, of which my mother, Marjorie, was one of seven children, born there, around 1920. She was estranged from her family, and I have little knowledge of them. Any information that I can find, would be most welcome. Thank you, in the hope that someone would have some recollection of my family in Kington St Michael."

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Village Shop - Updated Opening Hours
The shop is currently open from Monday - Saturday: 9.30am - 1pm, and will also be open from 3pm - 5pm on Monday to Friday until New Year's Eve. Sunday: CLOSED.

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Kington Café's Fundraiser
The café's recent fundraiser for Guide Dogs UK raised an amazing £301.84;
thanks go to all who supported the event.

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Polite Request From Some Pedestrians

If your property is next to the pavement or footpath, please could you trim back any overhanging branches, shrubs, etc?  With darker nights and lower lighting it's no fun walking into prickly or wet overgrowth!  This particularly affects our visually impaired residents. Please trim back lower shrubs too, as these affect children.  Thank you.

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Road Closure - December 9th 2021, December 21st 2021 & 4th January 2022

December 9th:

Wiltshire Council Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Closure of: Honey Knob Hill (Part), Kington St Michael (TTRO 7671)

Notice is hereby given that Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic:

Honey Knob Hill (Part), Kington St Michael; from its junction with Grove Lane to a point outside property known as New Priory Equestrian Centre.

To enable: Gigaclear Limited to carry out location and clearage of blockages for a fibre installation.

Alternative route: via Honey Knob Hill (unaffected length), Stanton Lane, Kington Lane, C72, Stanton Park, North Side of M4 Motorway Bridge South East C154 To Honey Knob Hill and vice versa.

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

This Order will come into operation on 09 December 2021 and the closure will be required for 1 day. It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months.

For further information please contact Avonline on the behalf of Gigaclear Limited on 01179 531111.

Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN.

December 21st:

Wiltshire Council Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Closure of: Honey Knob Hill (Part), Kington St Michael (TTRO 7689)

Notice is hereby given that Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic:

Honey Knob Hill (Part), Kington St Michael; from its junction with Grove Lane to a point outside property known as New Priory Equestrian Centre.

To enable: Openreach to carry out pole test and associated works.

Alternative route: via Honey Knob Hill (unaffected length), Stanton Lane, Kington Lane, C72, Stanton Park, North Side of M4 Motorway Bridge South East C154 To Honey Knob Hill and vice versa.

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

This Order will come into operation on 21 December 2021 and the closure will be required between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30 for 1 day. It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months.
For further information please contact Sunbelt Rentals on behalf of Openreach on 0370 0500792.
Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

4th January 2022:

Wiltshire Council Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Closure of: Honey Knob Hill (Part), Kington St Michael (TTRO 7694)

Notice is hereby given that Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic:

Honey Knob Hill (Part), Kington St Michael; from its junction with Grove Lane to a point outside property known as New Priory Equestrian Centre.

To enable: Gigaclear Limited to carry out location and clearage of blockages for a fibre installation.

Alternative route: via Honey Knob Hill (unaffected length), Stanton Lane, Kington Lane, C72, Stanton Park, North Side of M4 Motorway Bridge South East C154 To Honey Knob Hill and vice versa.

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

This Order will come into operation on 04 January 2022 and the closure will be required for 1 day. It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months.

For further information please contact Avonline on the behalf of Gigaclear Limited on 01179 531111.
Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

The closures can also be found on one.network.

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Progressive Supper - Spring 2022
The QE2 Group hopes to organise this popular event in Spring 2022.

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KSM Christmas Fayre – save the date!
Saturday 11th December, 10am – 1pm.

There will be an outdoor Christmas market feel to the fayre this year.  The Fayre will be held on Saturday 11th December, from 10am – 1pm, with stalls in the village hall courtyard and a few stalls inside. The indoor café will be open as usual selling hot chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies and sandwiches.
If you have any unwanted presents in the back of your cupboards, we would love to have them for the tombola stall.  Please drop them off at Joan Gilbert’s house – 26 The Ridings.  Thank you!

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Advent Windows
So many people in the village enjoyed the Christmas Advent windows that lit up our village in the December evenings last year that Yvonne has offered to coordinate the these again. If you would like to take part, please email Yvonne at yvonne@coleplanet.com or call on (01249) 750525.
You need to have a window that can be seen from the pavement and that you can light up from 4pm each day from your window ‘opening’ until 24th December.
Yvonne will provide more details when you contact her.

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Pilates
Pilates is back in the village hall every Tuesday evening, except for
the second Tuesday of the month, when WI holds its meeting.
When this happens you can join the online class so as not to miss out.
The classes are an hour long, starting at 6.45pm.
If you would like further information, contact Lauren at laurenspilates@gmail.com,
or take a look at her website www.laurenspilates.co.uk.

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KSM Information Email Database
Would you be interested in receiving news and updates from the Parish Council and Wiltshire Council, etc, via email?  The Parish Council is considering setting up a database, using Survey Monkey or similar - if you would like to be included, please email the Clerk, Viv Vines - ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.

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Community Speedwatch Team

Volunteers are needed to join Kington St Michael's Community Speedwatch Team.
If you are interested please contact Cllr Fiona Twisse:
twisse@hotmail.co.uk.
If you have previously contacted the Parish Council,
please contact Fiona to confirm that you are still interested.

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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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The Village Newsletter Is Back!

Avril Balmforth is taking over as the new editor, and many thanks go to Andrew and Jen Noblet, who she takes over from.

If you have any news you would like included please send your word document as an email attachment to kingtonnews@gmail.com. Sadly, anything received after cut off dates won't be included until the following issue.

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Volunteers Needed
With plans for the village's Platinum Jubilee celebrations underway, volunteers will be needed to help out on the day next June.  If you would like to get involved please let the Platinum Jubilee group know by emailing ksmpj@gmail.com.

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Salsa Classes Are Back!
Salsa is from 8.15pm - 9.15pm in the village hall - every Thursday except
when there's a Parish Council meeting.  £5 per person (first lesson is free).
Please wear suitable shoes (no stilettos please). Beginners welcome.
Contact Linda on (01249) 750514.

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Book Recycling Scheme
The 70th recipient of a £50 donation from this scheme is Kington St Michael’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations 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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Autumn Club Closes

Autumn Club has sadly had to close after running for 45 years.  This is due to an ageing membership and lack of volunteers prepared to take on official positions.  However, the group has decided to still meet fortnightly at The Pewsham pub in Chippenham (formerly The Lysley Arms), starting on September 6, 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Coffee Shop, under the same roof.  Both ladies and gentlemen are welcome and don’t have to have been Autumn Club members.

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FOSMAA News
Hoorah!  The new ‘Hub’ in the church was able to enjoy its first social gathering since it was completed and Covid regulations have eased somewhat. 

From left to right in this photo are Gerry Elms, who supervised all the building work, Joan Gilbert, Tim Woodward and his wife Jan, Cilla Labouchere and Alison Mulley (who were chairman and secretary when FOSMAA - Friends Of St Michael & All Angels church - was formed in October 2010, with the aim of helping to create a user-friendly space in the church as well as supporting the Parochial Church Council with essential upkeep of the building’s fabric), Janet Elms the PCC Chairman, and Colin Labouchere master of all things that need repair.  Seated are Ann Proctor, Margaret Pratley and Barbara Fenner, who are a few of the hundreds of people who have made this possible with gifts, pledges, support at events and in so many ways.  Everyone who has worked on the FOSMAA Committee over the years has done amazing work to achieve this dream.  You know who you are and what you did - THANK YOU everyone.

The building now offers a place for so many new initiatives and enterprises with its lovely hospitality facilities (hot running water!), a disabled-friendly loo and baby changing, toys and games for children, music via both the church organ and an electric organ, and an over-head screen and projector. 

There is more open space than is visible in this photo and it is crying out for gatherings and activities for everyone ranging from 0 to 100+ years.  Being detached the church offers an opportunity for such enterprises as music practice, when loud noise might antagonise close neighbors! 

The PCC continues to be responsible for all the church and religious requirements.  As you might imagine ongoing expenses are heavy, including church insurance and having clergy to lead us.  FOSMAA, on the other hand, is secular, and here to support the fabric of the church, and to ensure that the village still has a church into the next millennium!  Although activities in the church are the overall responsibility of the PCC they are as keen as FOSMAA to ensure that greater use is made of the building to ensure its survival long into the future.

With these facilities complete the time is ripe for new ideas and initiatives. Several of the present committee have ‘put in their all’ for a long time and are ready to hand over to the next generation of enthusiasts.

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Jubilee Cake Sale Result
Thank you to everyone who supported this starter event, which raised £250!

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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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KSM Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

To find out what's happening in the village for the Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations next year, and for the fundraising events, etc, please take a look at our new dedicated page.

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 Women Out Walking
After 15 years as walk leader, Delcia Fussell has now stepped down from the role.  Many thanks go to Delcia for organising dates, routes and enjoyable walks throughout that time.  If you would be interested in taking over the role, please contact Delcia on (01249) 750529.

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Community Speed Watch Enforcement Officers To Challenge Speeding Motorists

A new initiative introduced by the Wiltshire Police Criminal Justice Department has committed a dedicated resource to support Community Speed Watch Volunteers across the Force area.

The new role of Police Community Speedwatch (CSW) Enforcement Officer will complement existing policing methods carried out by the Roads Policing Unit and Community Policing Teams. The overall aim is the further reduction of road casualties and to keep our roads safer.

Our proactive enforcement strategy supports our communities where there are concerns around excess speed or known levels of high offending, with CSW volunteers acting to help keep their localities safe within 20mph, 30mph or 40mph speed limits.

At the present time there are around 1000 individuals actively involved in CSW in Wiltshire & Swindon with a further 3000+ subscribers to the Community Messaging CSW group.

For those who expressed a more cynical view on the role of CSW during Volunteers’ Week last month, you will find that the new roles and new state-of-the-art back office solution and Home Office approved roadside cameras are going to make a significant difference. The new kit will speed up the issue of the 15,000 - 20,000 warning letters and Notices of Intended Prosecution sent out each year.

Head of Criminal Justice for Wiltshire Police, Paul Oatway said: "This is an important investment and role to support our Communities and the Community Speed Watch schemes across Wiltshire and Swindon. We have invested in the latest, state of the art, road-side camera equipment and back-office processes to swiftly deal with enforcement and improved the system to administer the large levels of intelligence that is coming into us from the volunteers. The message is clear motorists need to treat our communities with the respect they deserve "

Councillor Gary Sumner, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, said: “We want to keep people safe on our roads and we are currently reviewing Swindon’s Road Safety Strategy to help us with this aim. I am sure our local Community Speed Watch teams will welcome this investment and improvements, while it will add to the range of measures we will be utilising to deliver a safer road network.”

Additionally, this initiative has been undertaken with The Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Court and Trial Service to speed up enforcement through the court process by a dedicated Police prosecutor for traffic related offences.

If anyone is interested in learning more about Community Speedwatch details are on the website of the Police and Crime Commissioner: Community Speedwatch.

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Tree Planted on the QE2 Field

(Bill Isaac with his daughters, Sue, Jill & Sally, two of his grandchildren, Abbie and Mica, and three great-granchildren. Photos courtesy of Barry & Jenny Hayne)

On Thursday 1st July a Holm Oak was planted on the QE2 Field to mark the
38 years that Bill Isaac, served on the Parish Council.

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The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June 2022

"Dear Residents,

To celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s historic 70 years as our Monarch, Kington St. Michael will be organising many events and we need your help. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage our whole community.

How can you get involved?

SAVE THE DATES: 2nd -5th June 2022.

EMAIL: ksmqpj@gmail.com If you or your local group/club has suggestions about how you can help support this event. Or just get in touch to say hello, and ask to be kept informed. All ideas welcome.

FOLLOW: Please follow our page on Facebook @KSMQPJ for updates and check out the Jubilee logo competition..

VOLUNTEER: To make this event happen we need a team to plan KSM’s celebrations, ensuring everyone in our community can access the Jubilee celebration day. No doubt, plenty of bunting will be involved.If you can help in any way please email
ksmqpj@gmail.com

Finally, LOOK OUT for events associated with the QPJ and come along to support and help fund raise.

Many thanks,

Liz Allen

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Parish Council - End of Financial Year
The Parish Council's documents for the end of the financial year can be found on its Documents & Policies page.

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Wiltshire Council Climate Strategy

Wiltshire Council is consulting on its draft Climate Strategy from 1st September for six weeks, as it aims to meet its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The consultation is your chance to help shape the future of Wiltshire in its journey to becoming carbon neutral county and more resilient to climate impacts. The council will be asking for your views on how you think residents, communities and businesses in the county can all play their part to achieve this.

There will be a chance to attend engagement events to ask questions and share your views during the six weeks of the consultation period, along with an online survey, so please do get involved and help to spread the word. The full consultation documents and information will be available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/green-economy from 1st September.

We all have a responsibility to do what we can to tackle this global problem, and your support on a local level will be vital, so please do get involved!

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Church News

"We are extremely grateful to everyone in the community for the support you give to keep this beautiful church alive and at the heart of life in Kington St Michael as it has been for 800 years.

Whether you come to worship or to appreciate this historic building, by giving your prayers, your time to clean, to do the flowers, help mow and maintain the churchyard, ring the bells, fundraise or support us financially, your contribution is valued and vital.

If you would like to get involved in anyway with the life and upkeep of your village church, you will be warmly welcomed.

Please contact Alison Greenhalgh on 750742.

Thank you!"

Details of online services can be found on bybrook.org.uk.

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FOSMAA Auction Update ·

FOSMAA's Silent Auction has raised a magnificent £3,750.  The generosity and support given by all donors and bidders has surpassed all expectations.

Winners of each lot will be contacted as soon as possible with information on how to pay and to put them in touch with the donor.

A most heart-felt "Thank you" from FOSMAA for your support whether your bid was successful or not.

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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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FOSMAA
 
Please click here to read FOSMAA's April newsletter with all the latest news on the upgrading of facilities in the church, and more.

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Recent Meteorites (posted 1st April)

The recent meteorite shower over the west of England was thought to have landed between Cheltenham and Stow-on-The-Wold, followed by a further shower over Dorset.  Recent reconfiguring of the algorithms has discovered that that they may well have fallen on a wider area and it is possible that the north of our parish is included locally.

As such, Professor Wally Connor, of the Great British Fireball Intelligence Board, has asked if parishioners would help out by meeting on Thursday 1st April, 11.30am at the easily-accessible QE2 Field/Nymph Hay area, to search for meteorite fragments.  Please wear gloves, in order not to contaminate any findings, and bring tin foil with you to wrap any fragments in.  No mobile phones or bank cards, as these could be damaged.  

If you are lucky enough to find a piece*, this is what you should do:

•    Photograph it on the ground

•    Get the GPS location or grid location

•    Do not put a magnet near it

•    Do not touch it with bare hands – wear gloves or use tongs

•    Maintain social distancing at all times – stay 2 metres apart

Any findings should be reported to Professor Connor, who says “We have so few UK meteorite samples that anything we find would be just out of this world.  Most findings are sugar lump sizes, but can be larger – anything over 8” is exceptional and would be a star find, meriting a place in the Natural History Museum”.

For further information please visit www.meteor.ite.org; any findings should be reported to Professor Connor, email starman@GBfib.co.uk.

*To help with identification please click here for pictures of meteorites

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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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Creative Conversations
CELEBRATING AGE WILTSHIRE

Creative Conversations is going live in Chippenham and Corsham and is now in a position to accept referrals - please find below the link to the online referral form.
Creative Conversation Referral Form
Please note that these referrals must be for extremely isolated and vulnerable older people due to the restriction of only 7 referrals per area up to end of August 2021.

Creative Conversations provides each participant with weekly conversations over a 10 week period: 5 sessions with a creative artist and 5 sessions with a volunteer to develop their interests, skills, well-being and creativity.  This is a high cost project with specialist artists, but the results are definitely worth it, as our pilot in Melksham has shown.

Here is a link to the Celebrating Age Wiltshire’s full programme of services:
https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/learn-take-part/celebrating-age

From Wiltshire Music: "As part of our Celebrating Age Wiltshire project, creative artists and volunteers are delivering 10 weeks of Creative Conversations on the telephone to support isolated older people who are feeling particularly lonely due to mobility issues and lack of activity and contact with family/friends during lockdown. Each conversation aims to re-engage and inspire each older person’s interest in creative pursuits and to help improve or maintain their mental wellbeing.

Already, 6 artists are creating wonderful songs, poetry and illustrations, as well as supporting journal-writing, life history stories, singing, art and crafts and much more. Volunteers support the artist’s calls by catching up with participants about their creative work the following week, and it's proven to be hugely rewarding for all involved.

“Your phone calls have saved my life, turned it around. I look forward to things now.” - participant in Creative Conversations

We've been inundated with referrals to the project from GPs, local Community Connectors and Alzheimer’s Support and have plans to grow the project to support more isolated older people across the county. We need more volunteers to help make this possible; if you think you might like to join this rewarding project please get in touch: Rebecca.seymour@wiltshiremusic.org.uk"

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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 sheI 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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Snowy Scenes
Well, after posting photos showing signs of spring, it then snowed.....!

With thanks to Stewart Shape (top two photos) and Nigel Farr for their photographs.

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Signs of Spring in the Village

(With thanks to Jenny Hayne for the photos)

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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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A Crisp New Year's Eve 2020
 
Many thanks to Stewart Shape for these photos of the village,
taken on a very cold and frosty morning.

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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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 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.