Intouch Magazine- issue 49 October 2021

The Hills Group Magazine October 2021 – Issue 49

intouch Quarry Products’ recycling collaboration success

Spot the puck

Waste Solutions’ new depot See page 4 Homes’ latest developments See pages 5-7

Chance to win M&S vouchers (see back page)

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intouch 49 October 2021 Projects & developments

intouch 49 October 2021 Contents

Contents Projects & developments Quarry Products’ recycling collaboration Page 3 Waste Solutions’ latest depot

Page 4

Performance Homes’ success at launch

Page 5

Win with Move to Improve

Page 11

Safe Drive Stay Alive

Page 12

Our people Homes’ building success

Pages 6–7

Retirements

Pages 8–9

Remembering Damian Bond

Page 10

Coming Down the Other Side

Page 20

Community Earl Kitchener at CarFest

Page 13

Supporting local community projects Pages 14–19 Competitions Spot the puck!

Page 20

Pictured on the cover are (left) Peter Andrew, Group Director – Quarry Products and (right) Ben Avenell, Managing Director – Wiltshire Grab Hire.

Publishers Note intouch is published by The Hills Group Limited. It is distributed to employees, pensioners, shareholders and friends of The Hills Group. Each copy of intouch is collated and mailed by Swindon charity Phoenix Enterprises who work with people recovering from short and long-term mental health problems www.phoenixenterprises.co.uk.

Issue No 50 will be published in quarter 1, 2022. Please submit news and photographs (if possible) to the communications department, either to the address opposite, by telephone 01793 714977 or via email to info@hills-group.co.uk The Hills Group Limited makes every effort to verify all information contained within intouch but does not warrant to its accuracy. No view or opinion expressed within intouch should be considered to be that of The Hills Group Limited, its associated companies or any director or officer in its employment. Please recycle your copy of intouch when you are finished with it.

Viewpoint Mike Hill, Chief Executive

Quarry Products creates recycling facility at Shorncote Quarry

Semblance of normality…

At last we appear to be living and working in an environment which resembles pre-pandemic life!

The amazing success of the NHS vaccination programme looks as if it will defeat coronavirus and free us from the restrictions it imposed on our day-to-day life.

I would like to thank everyone that has had the vaccine and encourage people to take up the vaccination when it is offered to them. I sincerely hope going forward it will prevent us ever having to live through a similar situation again.

Business as usual Many of our employees have worked throughout the pandemic in front line roles and I commend everybody for the determination and resilience they have shown to get us through the last 18 months. This edition of intouch highlights this spirit and shows that despite the pandemic we have continued business as usual, building new partnerships at Shorncote Quarry and expanding our business in Bristol. During this period, we have also continued to invest in our people including the rollout of Group wide driving safety awareness training, the relaunch of our Move to Improve scheme and you can also read about the achievements of our Homes employees.

In addition, we have continued to maintain links with the community, funding many local facilities and sporting activities through Landfill Community Fund grants and Hills sponsorship. As employees that have been working from home return to their workplace I am sure they will draw on the buzz of once again physically working together side by side with their colleagues. The benefits this gives to personal wellbeing, company culture and added value of informal communication are significant.

Unloading material from a customer’s site.

Sorting and separating the material.

/HillsGroup

the_hills_group TheHillsGroup

The Hills Group Limited The Hills Group Limited, Wiltshire House, County Park Business Centre, Shrivenham Road, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 2NR Tel: 01793 781200 Email: info@hills-group.co.uk Web: hills-group.co.uk

A collaboration with Wiltshire Grab Hire has seen land at Shorncote Quarry repurposed for recycled aggregate to be sold. Land at Quarry Products’ site, which is located in the Cotswold Water Park, is leased to Wiltshire Grab Hire to bring in product collected from inert sites (such as construction or demolition sites) for it all to be sorted and segregated into size and type of material to be sold on to customers.

Peter Andrew, Group Director – Quarry Products said: “This is a perfect collaboration for us and Wiltshire Grab Hire. The recycling area provides a great solution for the public wanting to have spoil removed from their sites, arranging for Wiltshire Grab Hire to collect. The material is sorted and customers who want to purchase recycled aggregate from us are able to do so. The process helps to support the circular economy.”

Our working relationship with Wiltshire Grab Hire continues to expand with them recently taking a three year lease of commercial land at Purton Industrial Estate owned by Hills and locating their offices and a vehicle depot at the site.

Time to reflect The sudden passing of our colleague Damian Bond was a great shock to those who knew and worked with Damian at Hills. We should not forget that whilst coronavirus has taken all the headlines, many of us have had additional personal challenges and losses to overcome.

@HillsGroup

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Loading reusable topsoil for delivery to another customer.

Ben Avenell, Managing Director – Wiltshire Grab Hire said: “We are really pleased to be working together with Hills. Thanks to Quarry Products we have been able to build this part of our business and it is proving successful so far.”

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intouch 49 October 2021 Projects & developments

New Bristol depot

intouch 49 October 2021 Performance

Pictured left Stewart Liddell Depot Manager with Adam Charlson Transport Co-ordinator at Bristol Depot.

(Inset) Michael O’Keeffe Transport Supervisor.

“After five years in the area we reached the point where a new, modern, purpose-built facility was essential to our growth plans…”

Waste Solutions has relocated its Bristol operations to new premises off Severn Road, Hallen in Bristol.

Hills first set up a base in Bristol in 2016 with the acquisition of Able Waste Management Limited. Neil Pollard, Divisional Director – Commercial, Waste Solutions, said: “Our depot in Bristol has provided an excellent platform to expand our general waste, recycling and food waste collection services.”

Nathan Carr, Fleet Manager - Waste Solutions said: “Totalkare recognised the limitations of our workshop space and provided an ideal solution for our lifting requirements. The lifts are helping us to increase our productivity in maintaining our vehicles which are integral to our business.”

Computer generated image of the Yatesbury house style.

Homes launched its new development, The Paddocks in Blunsdon, at a successful event which saw five reservations secured within just a few hours.

The Paddocks comes after the award-winning success of Homes’ Hillside development in Blunsdon which was completed in 2019.

A previous winner of the CPRE Wiltshire Best Kept Village competition and a shortlisted finalist for the same competition this year, Blunsdon is a popular village with a thriving community and a variety of local amenities.

The new workshop includes mobile column lifts for vehicle lifting. These support the ongoing maintenance of Waste Solutions’ fleet based at the Bristol depot.

Computer generated image of the Milbourne house style.

Homes’ latest development secures reservations within hours The sought after development consists of attractive two, three and four bedroom homes - perfect for first time buyers, couples and families.

“After five years in the area we reached the point where a new, modern, purpose-built facility was essential to our growth plans and are pleased to have secured this depot with workshop facilities.”

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Nick King, Group Director - Homes, said: “The Paddocks provides beautiful homes, with high quality fittings and features in each room and especially in the kitchens, bathrooms and en-suites. There are five different house styles, with a mix of traditional red brickwork, stone and render with complementary detailing, all designed to reflect the character of the development’s surroundings.”

Nick continued: “Our previous development, Hillside, in Blunsdon won the Best New Large Housing Development award from Swindon Borough Council in 2020 and was also shortlisted for a West of England LABC Building Excellence Award. Both awards recognise excellence in internal home layouts and a development’s planning, external appearance and landscaping, which Homes endeavours to provide at all its property developments.”

Coming soon – Spring Close, West Hanney As well as building developments in Blunsdon and Calne, Homes is looking forward to constructing its next development in Oxfordshire.

From left to right: Mike Hill, Neil Pollard and Ed Dodd.

Mobile column lifts.

Located in the village of West Hanney near Wantage, Homes will be refurbishing an existing farmhouse, converting and extending a building and erecting seven new residential properties, providing nine new homes in total.

Construction is expected to start later this year.

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intouch 49 October 2021 Our people

intouch 49 October 2021 Our people

New Site Manager Anthony Shirley joined Homes in March 2021 having moved from another housing developer.

Colleagues within Homes have been continuing to develop themselves, as well as their awardwinning sites.

Kelly Mann has recently been promoted from Construction Manager to Divisional Director – Construction. Nick King, Group Director – Homes said: “Kelly is responsible for the overall Kelly Mann. management of construction activities including the commercial and technical teams covering projects from early stages through to customer care. I am sure you will join me in extending congratulations to Kelly in his new position.”

Kelly Mann has shared information about his team’s achievements…

Liam Jones joined Homes as a Site Manager in January 2019 and he has been involved in finishing sites at Hillside, Blunsdon and Southside Farm, Corston.

“Anthony is finishing off at Homes’ Whitelands development in Tetbury before moving over to start Spring Close at West Hanney in Oxfordshire. Anthony has settled in well and is relishing starting the bespoke Spring Close development. He brings a wealth of experience and is keen to study for an NVQ 7 Construction qualification soon.”

Kelly said: “Finishing the two sites hasn’t been without its challenges, however Liam and the teams on both sites worked well together to complete them. Liam now has the opportunity to oversee his first site, The Paddocks in Blunsdon, from the beginning to completion. Liam has set the site up and it is progressing well so far. Liam has also recently completed his NVQ 7 qualification in Construction which is a well-deserved accomplishment. Well done Liam!”

Homes’ construction is underway at The Paddocks, Blunsdon.

Vincent Treen.

Vincent Treen joined Homes in June 2018 as a Skilled Site Operative and has done a fantastic job during his time so far with the company.

Kelly said: “Vincent has expressed the desire to develop his career and has taken on and completed many of the challenges given to him with a view to gaining experience and filling the role of Finishing Foreman. I am delighted to say Vincent was promoted to the role in March 2021 and is doing very well.”

Jan Pearce.

In June, Site Manager Jan Pearce reached a milestone of 25 years with the company.

Kelly said: “I have nothing but praise for Jan. He continues to steer the ship at our High Penn Park development in Calne, with two more phases to build before the site is complete. I have no doubt Jan will relish this task as nothing fazes him - he motivates his team and pushes on through challenges that arise. Well done Mr Pearce.”

Liam Jones with new NVQ 7 in Construction.

Kelly said: “I am delighted to be promoted to Divisional Director and honoured by the faith the Board have entrusted in me. I can’t believe it is two years since I started with Hills – time has flown by. We have had a very tough start given the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenging issues that have had to be resolved, but we have pushed on, secured jobs and continue to grow as a company and a team.

“I am very excited for the future. I am proud of everyone in my team and we will continue striving towards delivering more sites, building affordable quality homes across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.”

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Pictured left Anthony Shirley Site Manager with Kelly Mann, Divisional Director – Construction.

Kelly continued: “I believe it is vitally important to push ourselves and our teams to improve on all aspects of our roles and to support them in desired training and development requests. We have a fantastic opportunity to develop and promote from within and to build a hungry, successful team for the future. There are very exciting times ahead for the Homes division.”

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intouch 49 October 2021 Our people

intouch 49 October 2021 Our people

Retirements

Mike Bennett

Gillian Male, Purchase Ledger Administrator, retired in April after nearly 15 years’ service. Gillian was based at Wiltshire House, Swindon.

– new starter

Mike Bennett has joined Quarry Products as Concrete Plant Manager at Hills’ Woodsford site in Dorset. Mike joined the company having worked as a concrete batcher for over 17 years with his experience including starting the site works at the new Hinckley Point power station.

eiving her Gillian Male rec tificate. long service cer

In May, Brian Fitzpatrick retired from his position as Site Manager at Waste Solution’s Parkgate Farm site in Purton. Brian joined in 1997 and worked for the company for 25 years.

His role within Hills includes organising the day-to-day production of concrete and ensuring all loads comply with the necessary specification. Mike will also be taking a leading role in health and safety compliance on site at Woodsford concrete plant. From his many years of experience Mike has worked with several of the Franchisee drivers who operate out of Hills’ Woodsford site so he has truly hit the ground running.

Notable achievements during Brian’s tenure include:

In March, we said thank you and farewell to Dennis Francis, a Kerbside Loader for Municipal Collections, whom retired after 50 years’ service.

Council, he started employment with Wiltshire Council collecting household waste before joining Hills Municipal Collections in 2018. Dennis spoke fondly of his working life and the colleagues he worked with. He said “providing you work as a team, the team works well together” and added “the workforce at Trowbridge are nice, it’s a close-knit team.” Dennis worked closely with Andy White, a fellow Kerbside Loader and he had a long-standing 19 years of working with Martin Brock, a Kerbside LGV Driver.

Dennis started his employment in July 1950, aged 15, only three days after finishing secondary school. After some time working for what was Westbury Urban District

Dennis’ retirement plans include tending to his two allotments, so we wish him a long and happy retirement with plenty of fruitful gardening!

Dennis Francis’ retirement

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• Restoration of the Purton landfill site • Opening of the Parkgate hazardous waste landfill site in 2007

Dawn Jennings retired in April having been a PA for Waste Solutions’ Group Director for five years. Prior to this position, Dawn worked in Accounts having joined the company in 2014.

After 10 years’ service Rachel Hardwick retired from her position as Contract Bid Manager for Waste Solutions. She was latterly based out of Hills’ Amesbury site.

• Opening of the green waste composting facility at Parkgate Farm in 2012.

Well done Louise!

Louise Painting, Accountant, has been volunteering to support the NHS’ Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Louise said: “I signed up as a volunteer when all first aiders who had trained with St John’s Ambulance (SJA) were asked if they could help at the Covid vaccination centres.

The training took some time, with both online training with SJA and the NHS, and practical training which I did in Bristol.”

Louise’s first shift was in May and she has been mainly volunteering at the City Hall vaccination centre in Salisbury, and has done one shift at the STEAM museum in Swindon. Louise continued: “I go down to Salisbury on Saturday mornings and have been helping as a vaccination carer. This involves looking after people once they have had their jab. The main symptoms I have had to deal with are people fainting, or feeling faint or sick, and I have had to deal with quite a lot of anxiety attacks.

Some people just need a little reassurance. I also enjoy handing out stickers and chatting to lots of people!”

Pictured left Nicola Towell Collection Contract Manager with Dennis (middle) and Brett Joyce, Assistant Collection Contract Manager.

“I have met some lovely people over the last few months. I expect I shall be volunteering well into the winter months.

If nothing else, I feel I am doing something to help with the vaccination roll out, however small my part might be.”

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intouch 49 October 2021 Our people

intouch 49 October 2021 Performance

Remembering Damian Bond

Win with Move to Improve

We were shocked and saddened at the sudden and unexpected passing of Damian Bond on 29 March.

Damian worked at Waste Solutions’ Northacre Resource Recovery Centre in Westbury. He joined the company in August 2016 as a Shift Utility Operative.

Since relaunching the Move to Improve scheme, we’ve had two lucky winners of the monthly draw: Richard Hartley and Anthony Booth.

Damian’s partner, Juliet Badger, has given the following words: “Damian was a hardworking man who adored his family; he was everyone's friend and was happy to help

You too could win money for your ideas with the Move to Improve suggestion scheme. If you have an idea that will help the business: • Save money • Improve health and safety Damian with his partner Juliet Badger.

anyone. He is missed by so many but not as much as he's missed by me and his five children.”

Paul Scriven, Northacre Plant Manager said: “Damian enjoyed working with his colleagues and when the going got tough he was always one of the first people to volunteer to help.

He constantly walked around with a smile on his face and is missed by everyone here.”

Paul continued: “After Damian passed away, we made a collection on site to the total of £135 which we have donated to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. We also had a commemorative plaque made and erected on site in remembrance of Damian.”

Damian is greatly missed and our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends.

Colleagues provide roadside assistance Municipal Collections’ crews have recently provided assistance to members of the public whilst out on their rounds.

One resident said: “We had a wonderful experience when we were stuck on the roadside with a puncture in Boreham near West Woods, Marlborough. We were waiting for the RAC which was not ideal as I have a heart condition. A Hills’ waste collection team spotted us, asked if we needed help and changed the wheel in a matter of minutes. We are very grateful. They were cheerful, efficient and kind. Thank you!”

Another member of the public gave their thanks: “Big thank you to one of your employees who found my keys in the street during their collection round, hid the key for safety and left us a note on our vehicle to let us know – much appreciated.”

Help was provided in the time of need: “Thank you to two of your employees who stopped to help a gentleman that had fallen over in the road in Royal Wootton Bassett.

They called the emergency services and their swift actions taken by the two individuals ensured the gentleman came to no additional harm.”

• Improve productivity and quality of products • Reduce energy consumption or conserve resources

Richard Hartley Mobile Plant Operative, Waste Solutions.

Anthony Booth Concrete Plant Manager, Quarry Products.

• Improve customer service • Reduce waste Submit your suggestions through the new online form or the red boxes located at every Hills site for a chance to win the following:

Put your sugges tion on this card and post it in the box – thank you!

My idea is...

A £25 voucher in the monthly lucky draw.* A £50 voucher if your idea gets implemented.

A £500 voucher if your idea is voted as ‘best improvement to the business’ at the end of April.

Continue overlea f...

If your idea is submitted stand implemented you could win £5 a chance to win 0 £25 in a month – all ideas ly lucky draw*

*To be entered into the draw your Name idea must be validated. All Location suggestions received (both Line manager online and via suggestion cards) *Get full details on etouch or spe ak to your line man ager will be forwarded to Robin Edwards, Environment and Quality Manager, for validation.

Robin will liaise with your line manager to advise you on the outcome of your suggestion.

If you have any questions regarding the Move to Improve update, please contact Robin Edwards on robin.edwards@hills-group.co.uk or 07770 488706.

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intouch 49 October 2021 Performance

intouch 49 October 2021 Community

Designed to be memorable, these presentations, under normal circumstances outside of the current pandemic, would have been given in person by the DWFRS team of specialists and presenters.

Hills is proud to also support them in their work to deliver similar presentations, free of charge, to every secondary school pupil in Wiltshire. Sharing these important messages with the wider community supports Hills’ core values of family ethos and commitment. Hills cares deeply about employees’ health, safety and wellbeing and about the communities that we work and live in.

Road safety is a high priority for Hills. Most of the products and services we provide rely on the use of heavy goods vehicles, vans or motor vehicles. Employees and their vehicles are mobile advertisements for our business and form an integral part of how we are perceived by the public and our customers.

In addition, most of our employees travel to work, driving either by car or motorcycle.

To promote safer driving across the business and amongst all our employees, you may already be aware that Hills has partnered with the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) to deliver the hard-hitting ‘Safe Drive, Stay Alive’ campaign.

This impactful campaign is a presentation being rolled out to all Hills employees showing life-changing scenarios which can occur from driving.

“I was not expecting that, it really brought home the dangers of driver distraction.”

Hills Municipal Collections crew comment

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Earl Kitchener spotted

by Mike Hill at CarFest When Chief Executive Mike Hill and his wife Caroline visited CarFest recently they were expecting to see a variety of vehicles, but probably not the steam engine which Mike’s great grandfather, Edward Hill, founder of the company, purchased in 1900.

The Earl Kitchener steam engine is now proudly owned

by Dave Fowler who purchased it in 1992 – nearly 90 years after Edward Hill!

The steam powered Earl Kitchener was used by Hills in the early part of the 20th Century.

Mike said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes! I saw it from a distance and said straight away that it was the Earl Kitchener. It was fantastic to see it and in such good quality. I even had the pleasure of driving it!

It is clearly cherished and the owner was so pleased to show it off to me.”

Pictured left Mike Hill Chief Executive with Dave Fowler, the current owner of the Earl Kitchener steam engine.

Earl Kitchener when owned by the showmen, R Edwards & Sons.

Photo courtesy Roy Thomas, Swindon Camera Club.

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intouch 49 October 2021 Community

intouch 49 October 2021 Community

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This will provide clean but untreated water with a cost saving of £2,000 a year to the bowls club.

Supporting local communities It is great to see the Bradford on Avon bowls club’s recent project, funded by Hills with a £5,000 grant from the Landfill Communities Fund has been completed.

The funding, administered for Hills by Community First, was granted to provide a borehole - a narrow vertical shaft drilled into the ground for the extraction of water. This will

provide clean but untreated water with a cost saving of £2,000 a year to the bowls club. It will be used to water both the bowling green and nearby cricket pitches whilst reducing dependence on mains water.

The existing mains water supply to the club is low pressure and it takes around four hours to carry out the watering, which needs to be supervised. It is estimated it will now take less than an hour!

Drystone walls in Gloucestershire village restored Residents and visitors to the Cotswold village of Down Ampney, are celebrating extensive repairs to damaged drystone walls near the historical All Saints Church following a Landfill Communities Fund grant from The Hills Group.

Clearing trees and bushes from riverbanks to encourage growth of aquatic vegetation, essential for providing food and cover for water voles.

Cotswold Water Vole Project Through the Landfill Communities Fund, Hills has granted Cotswold Lakes Trust a further £12,000 for this year which adds to a total of £69,000 of funding towards their Water Vole Project over the past six years.

Kim Milsom, Biodiversity Field Officer at Cotswold Lakes Trust gives an update on the project: “Water Voles are still the country’s fastest declining mammal, largely due to predation by American Mink, which escaped, or were released from fur farms many decades ago. Before the arrival of Mink, Water Voles were a widespread and common sight along our waterways; but, such was the decimation, they disappeared entirely from some counties.”

Before restoration.

After restoration.

Work started in March and one wall along the south boundary of the churchyard has been completed so far.

Existing drystone walls between the All Saints Church, the Memorial Garden, the former runway and Memorial Stone of Second World War RAF Down Ampney had over the years been vandalised, with large sections of old stone having been stolen resulting in significant sections of the wall falling down.

Reverend Canon John Swanton of All Saints Church, Down Ampney, has said: “The ancient drystone walls surrounding the churchyard and along the public footpath were in a dreadful condition. It has been wonderful to have had the walls restored to their former glory with great craftsmanship and artistry. ”

Repair was in sight when the funding, administered for Hills

by Community First, was granted to cover the costs of the drystone wall restoration back to its original condition so that it can complement the Conservation Area it is located in.

Down Ampney Primary School put together a ‘Time Capsule’ containing various items about life during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was built into the wall, in the hope that the capsule will be found in many years to come.

Kim continues: “In the Cotswold Water Park a few small populations of the voles continued and a project to protect them and encourage their population increase was initiated by the Cotswold Lakes Trust. The continuation of this vital work has been partly funded for a number of years by Hills through the Landfill Communities Fund and has been very successful.”

Positioning rafts, which use clay to record the footprints of animals which walk over them, is the main approach for monitoring Mink. When Mink footprints appear on these rafts, cage traps are set and then regularly checked. This approach has removed large numbers of Mink from our area and continuation of the project keeps their numbers suppressed to a level whereby they have only a minimal impact on the Water Voles and other waterside wildlife. As a direct result of

this, Water Voles have now undertaken a considerable range expansion in the Cotswold Water Park; particularly along the many small rivers which flow through the area. They can also be found in some gravel pits and sections of the Thames and Severn Canal. The funding also allows Cotswold Lakes Trust staff and volunteers to monitor their range expansion and population density by carrying out regular surveys.

Water Voles require vegetation along waterways to provide food and cover from predators. If long stretches of a river are heavily over-shaded by trees and bushes, bankside and aquatic vegetation is suppressed, as it requires sunlight to flourish. This can create a barrier to the expansion of the Water Vole population. The Cotswold Water Park Trust Ranger Team, along with groups of keen volunteers thinned out or removed trees to allow a healthy amount of light back into the river and, within a couple of years it is hoped that plant growth will return and transform the waterway.

“The Cotswold Lakes Trust is grateful for the support of its project funders, volunteers, and landowners, without whom our local Water Vole population may inevitably slide back into decline.”

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intouch 49 October 2021 Community

intouch 49 October 2021 Community

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Theresa Chapman, Clerk of Great Somerford Parish Council took a photo at the official opening of: (L-R) Cllr Dave Butcher, Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Former Cllr Chris Blount, Mary Hardwidge of Community First Wiltshire and Cllr Meriel Griffiths (Vice-Chair of Great Somerford Parish Council).

Historic gates restored in Swindon The Hills Group recently made a £10,000 grant through the Landfill Communities Fund towards the refurbishment of the Quarry Road gates at Town Gardens, South Swindon.

The historic Grade-2 listed gates have been restored to their former glory. A heritage blacksmith spruced up the crumbling metalwork and removed paint to reveal the

gates’ original red-brown colour. The gates were originally installed in 1904 after a Mr Mullings of Bristol paid £40 and 12 shillings to make them.

The official ‘opening’ of the refurbished gates took place in July with Mary Hardwidge of Community First Wiltshire (middle) giving a plaque to Cllr Chris Watts – Parish Council Chairman (right) and Cllr Nadine Watts – Old Town Parish Councillor (left).

Railway restoration steams ahead Swindon and Cricklade Railway has thanked Hills for a recent grant to help fund its restoration work.

A damaged and collapsing brick Before. culvert has been replaced with steel pipe and the relevelled track-bed is now ready for track laying, thanks to funding.

The original brick culvert had survived for over 130 years, but with time and the ingress of tree roots, the supporting wall was severely cracked and leaning and

New play area equipment Hills recently provided a £6,000 grant through the Landfill Communities fund towards a new children's climbing frame in the Wiltshire village of Great Somerford. We hope the climbing frame is enjoyed by many local children.

Manton Jubilee Community Outdoors project Hills provided a £10,000 Landfill Communities Fund grant towards this new playground in Manton which was designed to be in keeping with the natural surroundings to improve the aesthetics of the local area.

The playground provides a safe space for children to play outdoors – which has been achieved through consultation with the local community and careful consideration of design and choice of materials used.

After – new culvert installed.

a brick arch was failing underneath. “We need to say a huge thank you to Hills for providing the grant funding to enable this vital work to happen, and to Community First Wiltshire for facilitating our grant application on behalf of the Landfill Communities Fund.”

The project has brought the local community together through the consultation process which developed a design to meet the needs of all members of the community. The design provides everything from seating, to a range of play equipment for a wide age range from toddlers upwards to teenagers and adults.

Mayor Mark Cooper, himself a resident of Manton, said: “What an amazing achievement by Manton

Community Outdoors. It’s been great to work with such an inspiring group, all working so hard to make it happen. I remember playing here as a child, how much more it has to offer now. There’s something for everyone and the play equipment reflects the natural environment so Jubilee Field still retains its reputation as a wonderful green open space.”

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intouch 49 October 2021 Community

intouch 49 October 2021 Community

Ben Amor’s award-winning year so far Ben Amor, Wiltshire based PGA Assistant Professional, closely missed out on the top three final qualifying places to secure a spot at The Open at Royal St George in July.

About his golfing in 2021 so far, Ben said: "It has been a really positive year. I have picked up ten wins already, which is more than any other year before. I decided to play in the qualifying round for Ben Amor.

The Open, held at West Lancashire Golf Club which was a special return for me. It has been eight years since I won the Carris Trophy there. I birdied three of the last four holes to get into a play-off. I finished T16 in final qualifying five shots back from a place at The Open. Following a T5 finish in Ireland on the Euro Pro Tour I have managed to secure full status for 2022 off the back of invites and secured a place at the Tour Championship which is being played 19-22 October at Slaley Hall, Northumberland.

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Winging it...

Charley Liddle recently raised money for St. James's Place Charitable a ‘wing walk’. With some help from Quarry Products, Charley raised

Foundation by doing £2,000 in sponsorship.

Charley said: “I would like to give a massive thank you to Hills Quarry Products for sponsoring me on my wing walk which I successfully completed recently. I now ‘qualify’ to do stunts and loop-the-loop next time... but not sure about that yet!” St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation awards grants to UK charities for people with cancer plus children and young people who have special needs through illness, disability or mental health problems.

Ben added: “I am extremely grateful to Hills for their support and I will strive for continuous improvement."

The Robert Hill Cup – Junior Golfer of the year Rosie Hill recently presented the trophy for Marlborough Golf Club Junior Golfer of the Year to ten year old Mia Talbot.

The award was established in memory of Robert Hill who had served as Captain, President and Patron of Marlborough Golf Club over many years in the 1980's, 1990's and early 2000's.

One of his main interests had been to find new ways to encourage youngsters to take up golf. The trophy is a fitting symbol of Robert's love of the game and his wish that talented young players should have the encouragement to build on their skills and confidence.

Rosie Hill with Mia Talbot.

Calne Archery Club

Racing to keep Championship position

Calne Archers recently benefitted from a grant provided by Hills and the Landfill Community Fund. Over £8,200 was provided to the sport club towards the construction of a new path which leads up to the Archery Range to allow access for people all year round.

Motor racing fans should keep a look out for rising British GT4 driver and local Wiltshire lad, Chris Wesemael, who has been sporting the Hills logo on his Praga racing car over the past season. Chris is currently in pole position of the Britcar Endurance Championship with only one more race meeting to go.

Mary Hardwidge of Community First - Wiltshire photographed with Matt Griffiths, Chair of The Calne Archery Club at the official opening event recently.

Chris, who is connected with Hills, has described his experience at Oulton Park race track this season: “The first race at this challenging track was great being at the front between three opponent cars. We had a great nose to tail battle. I finished in third place but fast forward to almost the end of the season and I am currently in the lead of the Championship.”

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intouch 49 October 2021 Competition

Spot the puck!

Can you pick out the puck for a prize?

WIN a £50

voucher to spend online or instore + runner-up prizes of two £25 M&S vouchers.

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The Hills Group has sponsored Swindon Wildcats ice hockey team for a sixth consecutive year and they are pictured left. To be in with a chance of winning a £50 Marks & Spencer voucher or one of two runner-up prizes of £25 Marks & Spencer vouchers all you have to do is choose the grid reference you think the puck is hidden in (eg ‘A1’).

Complete the form below including your name, site location and your chosen grid reference, then scan or email your entry to: info@hills-group.co.uk or send this page via the internal post to the Communications department at County Park, Swindon.

Entries must be received no later than Friday 19 November 2021.

Name:

Location:

Grid reference:

Coming Down the Other Side Rosie Hill has published her latest book “Coming Down the Other Side” after completing it during Covid-19 lockdown last year.

Her new book is a sequel to “Over the Hill and Far Away” and contains personal reminiscences and anecdotes of some of the amusing and unexpected events of her recent years. Printed copies of Coming Down the Other Side are available at Whitehorse Bookshop in Marlborough for £10 with profits being donated to Prospect Hospice. A Kindle edition is also available from Amazon for £1.99.

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