• Home
• Parish Council
• Contact Us
• Site Map

(Contributions welcome - click on Contact Us)

RIP His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

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

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

Fun In The Sun

Unfortunately Wiltshire Council will not be operating the Fun in the Sun programme during 2021.

The recent government announcement regarding the lifting of lockdown restrictions means that it is now possible to return face to face delivery of sports development programmes. However, this will be done in a phased approach with priority initially given to activities delivered on a weekly basis to key audiences throughout the year.

It is hoped to return a holiday offer during 2022.

~*~*~*~

Kington St Michael Parish Council - Election 2021

As only 7 nominations were received for 9 seats all those nominated are deemed elected without a poll and will take up position in May.

Those deemed elected are -

• Liz Allen
• Gerry Gamble
• Alex Hall
• Em Hocking
• Peter Macdonald
• John Newton
• Will Roe

Congratulations to all and grateful thanks for putting yourselves forward to serve the community.

~*~*~*~

BT Openreach
BT Openreach is putting fibre optic cables in place for FTTP (fibre to the property). Essentially the same type of thing that Gigaclear is doing, 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!

~*~*~*~

Universal Credit
Due to the impact of Coronavirus over 5.5 million people are claiming Universal Credit.  Many of them are new to claiming Universal Credit having been negatively impacted by Coronavirus.  If you need help navigating how to claim Universal Credit, please take a look at this guide www.jobcentrenearme.com/universal-credit

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

Traffic Lights at the top of Tor Hill - 06.04.21

In case you're wondering why there's been no notification about these, it's because the works are officially in Kington Langley (the parish boundary is just past the crossroads) even though one set of traffic lights is in our parish. So basically KSM wasn't told!

The works are by Wales & West Utilities (not Gigaclear) and although the works have permission until June, they should be complete by  the end of next week and will not clash with Gigaclear.

However, the work will continue from Tor Hill to Kington Langley towards The Plough, and the entire stretch of that road will be controlled by traffic lights whilst work continues..

They are replacing old metal gas mains with plastic and will come down Tor Hill into the village as far as the terraced houses (Sebastopol Place, in the dip, south of the Old Post Office) plus connections replacement to 5 properties. The new pipe will increase flow and improve pressure in the village (part of a 30 year programme); apparently the rest of the village is already utilising plastic piping.

There will be no disruption to access, bus routes, etc apart from traffic lights; if individual parked cars require moving for a short period then a knock on the door request will be made, no need for mass clearance.

A request has been made for information signs to be erected to inform parishioners.

~*~*~*~

Road Closure of KSM Main Street Information

The Parish Council has spoken to Chris Morris of Gigaclear, to ascertain exactly what the intentions are for the work between the junction of Stanton Lane and Tor Hill crossroads, commencing on Saturday 29th May until Sunday 6th June.

At the PC's request he will provide a map of the works to be carried out but thinks the larger part will involve trenching the road.  The road will not be closed in its entirety but will be closed in sections.

It will be open for access to residents, if you live in the section being worked.  Mr Morris thinks that each section of works will cover about 200m and the process will be a rolling one.

However, if you live beyond the area being worked then you will not have access via the works and will have to follow the diversions, i.e. if you were coming from Chippenham towards Grove Lane (recreation field lane - beyond Stanton Lane junction) you would not have access through the village but would have come via Eastern Piercy or Stanton St Quintin etc.  This is because the road is narrow and there will be no through traffic (agreed with Wiltshire Council) and therefore no traffic lights.

• Bus services will be suspended.
• The Parish Council has asked for the following:
• A map of works areas.
• A works schedule: which end they start at and which sections need clearing of parked cars and when.
• A clearly written description of the process to publish on the village website and post on notice boards.

Further details will be posted once they are known.

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

Updated Road Closures

1.


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

Temporary Closure of: C172 (Part), Kington St Michael and Yatton Keynell (Ref: TTRO 7014) Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has madean Order to close temporarily to all traffic: C172 (Part), Kington St Michael and Yatton Keynell; from its junction with Honey Knob Hill to its junction with C86.To enable:Gigaclear Limited to carry out laying of cables, building of chambers and cabinets. Alternative route:via C86 –C178 –Stanton Park –Honey Knob Hill and vice versa.The closure and diversion routewill be clearly indicated by traffic signs. This Order will come into operation on 12 March 2021and the closure will be required until 25 March 2021. 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 Gregory Chown (Avonline) on the behalf of Gigaclear Limited on 01179 531111. Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

2.


Please note that the planned main road closure has been postponed at Wiltshire Council's request, and will now take place outside of term-time (no dates confirmed as yet)
Wiltshire Council Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Closure of: C154 (Part), Kington St Michael (Ref: TTRO 7042).
Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic: C154 (Part), Kington St Michael; from its junction with Allington Lane to its junction with Grove Lane.
To enable: Gigaclear Limited to carry out laying of cables, building chambers and cabinets.
Alternative route: via C154 (unaffected length) – C72 – A429 - A350 and vice versa.
The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.
This Order will come into operation on 26 March 2021 and the closure will be required until 01 April 2021. 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 Gregory Chown (Avonline) on the behalf of Gigaclear Limited on 01179 531111.
Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

3.


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

Temporary Closure of: Stubbs Lane, Kington St Michael (Ref: TTRO 7059)
Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic:
Stubbs Lane, Kington St Michael; from its junction with Allington Lane to its junction with C154.
To enable: Gigaclear Limited to carry out laying of cables, building of chambers and cabinets.
Alternative route: via C154 - Allington Lane and vice versa.
The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.
This Order will come into operation on 02 April 2021 and the closure will be required for one 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 Gregory Chown (Avonline) on the behalf of Gigaclear Limited on 01179 531111.
Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

4.

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

Temporary Closure of: Various Roads, Kington St Michael (Ref: TTRO 7172) Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic: A)Paddock End, Kington St Michael; from its junction with C154 for its entire length; B)Skillins, Kington St Michael; from its junction with C154 for its entire length; C)Kyneton Way, Kington St Michael; from its junction with C154 for its entire length.
To enable:Gigaclear Limited to carry out excavation works to lay cables, build chambers and cabinets.No alternative route is available; access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible. The closure will be clearly indicated by traffic signs. This Order will come into operation on 17 May 2021and the closures will be required as follows: A) Monday 17 May 2021and the closure will be required for one day; B) Tuesday 18 May 2021 and the closure will be required for one day; C) Wednesday 19 May 2021 and the closure will be required for one 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 Gregory Chown (Avonline) on the behalf of Gigaclear Limited on 01179531111.Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN13 May 2021

To view all road works and related information, for Wiltshire, please visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1260/Roadworks-and-related-information

~*~*~*~

Gigaclear Programme of Works in KSM

Gigaclear has issued the details of its latest programme of works affecting Kington St Michael. 
Email updates to residents will be sent out every month or so; if residents wish to register for these they can do so here: www.gigaclear.com/mycommunity.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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"

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

Village Hall News
The Village Hall will now take bookings for dates after 1st August. This will of course depend on Government regulations in force at the time. Any bookings can be changed and deposits refunded as necessary.

~*~*~*~

Chippenham Community Grants

All grant funds for 2020/21 have now been allocated and applications are now welcome for 2021/22. HOWEVER, the area board doesn't meet until June/July, post elections. Therefore, community groups/ village halls/ recreation field groups etc are encouraged to plan ahead.  If they would like some funding this summer, they need to get their applications in this spring.

Contact Oliver Phipps,
Chippenham & Malmesbury Community Engagement Manager, Communities & Communications, Wiltshire Council, Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER.
Tel. 07795 060797

~*~*~*~

Concerned About Scams, Fraud and Phishing?



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

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

News From Age UK Wiltshire

"Hello everyone,

Hope you are keeping well in these challenging times at the moment.  I hope you don’t mind me writing just to update you with some news from the Information & Advice (I&A) team at Age UK Wiltshire that may be helpful to older residents across the county:

• We are supporting clients to apply for the Wiltshire Surviving Winter Grant this year (in partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation and Wiltshire Warm & Safe) which, if applying through Age UK Wiltshire, is a one-off grant of £150 (up to £250 for some clients). We can support clients who meet all the following criteria:

• over pension age (client and/or partner)
• have household income (excluding disability benefits) less than £16,190pa OR in receipt of a means-tested benefit
• considered to be in fuel poverty by AUKW– e.g. high heating costs, struggling to afford to heat their home adequately, hard-to-heat homes, significantly underusing heating.
• able to provide evidence of their means-tested benefit and a suitable bank account to pay the money into
  

• We continue to take applications for our free telephone befriending service and are branching out into other things like telephone book groups, although we now have a short waiting list. We can also refer into free Age UK national telephone befriending.
• We are still supporting clients with Attendance Allowance/DLA application forms which is now done through free telephone appointments and turnaround time for us contacting and completing the appointment is around 2wks or less (with it being backdated to the date of referral to us)
• We continue to offer telephone and email advice and support in the usual areas of advice like welfare benefits for older people, housing options and issues and care and support options.
  

All of the above can be arranged through our Information & Advice team by calling us on 0808 196 2424 or emailing us enquiries@ageukwiltshire.org.uk. You can read about our other services on our website here: www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire
 
Please let me know if you have any queries and would be glad to hear any news from you also! Please feel free to share with any colleagues or contacts that you think may be helpful for.
 
Kind regards,

Rachel"
 
Rachel Clarke
Senior Project Worker
Information & Advice team
Age UK Wiltshire
enquiries@ageukwiltshire.org.uk
Tel: 0808 196 2424 (advice line)

~*~*~*~

People Urged to Vote by Post and Have Their Say in a Safe Way

Wiltshire Council is urging people to register to vote by post, with a number of elections and referendums due to take place later this spring.

On Thursday 6th May, registered voters will be able to have their say in the Police and Crime Commissioner, unitary, and town and parish council elections, as well as a number of neighbourhood planning referendums.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Wiltshire’s Returning Officer is asking that as many people as possible register to vote via post.

To avoid the risk of fraud, a signature is required when applying for a postal vote. Anyone unable to print a postal vote application form at home should call Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0112 and they can arrange for a copy to be posted out.

For those who haven’t already registered to vote by post, details on how to do so are detailed on the Household Enquiry Form that the council recently sent to households. The Household Enquiry Form is to help the council ensure its electoral register records are as up to date as possible.

People can also visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk for more information and to get a form. This must be done by 20th April.

To manage the amount of elections, and to keep everyone safe, the verification and counts will be spread over four days.

The council will also do everything it can to keep polling stations and count centres as safe as possible for voters and staff by making sure venues are COVID-secure.

Terence Herbert, Wiltshire Council’s Chief Executive, and Returning Officer, said: “It’s vital to our way of life that we live in a democratic county and we don’t want to let the pandemic get in the way of that.

“I urge everyone to vote by post if they can. We don’t know what the picture will be in the spring, but we know some people will understandably be reluctant to visit a polling station, even though we will make them COVID-secure.

“Voting by post is the easiest and safest way to have your say.”

People should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/elections for all the information they need on the upcoming elections.

~*~*~


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.

~*~*~*~

Signs of Spring in the Village

(With thanks to Jenny Hayne for the photos)

~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~

Can You Help?
Can you help less-fortunate local children to be able to access virtual schooling, by donating old laptops, iPads, etc?  Please take a look at Lockdown Laptops for further information.  Thank you.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

Church News

Unfortunately the church is currently closed to visitors and for private prayer, for safety reasons during lockdown and while the building work is underway.
With regret, services at our village church are currently suspended due the risk of spreading Covid 19.  The building may be closed but the church is still active!
Online worship will be streamed at 9.30am every Sunday on the Bybrook Benefice Facebook page and you can also watch on the Worship at home section of our website bybrook.org.uk.  Once broadcast, the services will be available to view at any time.
For all information about support and church services, please visit bybrook.org.uk where you can also sign up for the fortnightly Bybrook newsletter.
If there is any help that the church community can give you during lockdown, please ring Alison on (01249) 750742.

~*~*~*~


Due to COVID 19 closure of the Club, all fully paid up membership will be extended
until 31st March 2021, when hopefully the Club will be open again.

~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

Father Christmas's Visit to Kington St Michael
You can see Father Christmas's visit here.

~*~*~*~

Advent Windows
If you didn't get the opportunity to visit the Advent windows throughout the village, or would just like another look:


Please click here for a music video of all the lovely windows.
Many thanks to the lovely volunteers, and Yvonne Cole's co-ordinating, for treating us to these beauties.

~*~*~*~

Parish Highway Works in the Pipeline

~*~*~*~

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

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

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

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

To be eligible, people must:

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

    Be a Wiltshire resident

    Be employed or self-employed

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

    Be receiving at least one of the following benefits:

          - Universal Credit

          - Pension Credit

          - Housing Benefit

          - Income Support

          - Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

          - Income-based Employment Support Allowance

          - Working Tax Credit

The information people need to hand when applying is:

    Their National insurance number

    Their NHS Test and Trace number

    If they are employed, a payslip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~


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.

~*~*~*~

Volunteer Puppy Walkers Needed in Wiltshire

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

~*~*~*~

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!

~*~*~*~

From Dawn To Dusk....

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

~*~*~*~

Community First – Link Scheme recruitment campaign

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~




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

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~


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

How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:

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

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

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

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

NHS Test and Trace scams:

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

What you need to know:

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

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

The NHS Test and Trace service will never:

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

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

~*~*~*~

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).

~*~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

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)











~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

Latest Coronovirus Information From Wiltshire Council

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

~*~*~*~

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

Here are a few suggestions:

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

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

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

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

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

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

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

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Kind regards,

Charlotte Windle"
PCSO 8235
Chippenham Rural
Wiltshire Police

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~

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!

~*~*~*~

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!).

~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~

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.