Whitton Ways January 2021

W

HITTON WAY S

News from Axford Chilton Foliat Froxfield Ramsbury and Baydon January 2021 60p

Childcare set within the stimulating and characterful surroundings of Wiltshire and Hampshire.

We have settings in Marlborough, Savernake, Mildenhall, Aldbourne and Penton.

We teach, inspire and develop confidence, independence and creativity within a safe and secure environments for children from 3 months to 12 years of age.

Open 51 weeks of the year, full time and term time spaces 2 year old funded places and 30 hour places available.

For more information contact amber@avenue-nursery.co.uk, Sophie 01672 515 763 www.avenue-nursery.co.uk

good

W

HITTON WAY S

Now and Then

So, it’s Goodbye to 2020 and Welcome 2021!

Last year was a tough one. There was Covid-19, bringing illness and death, pain and grief; the politics of Brexit with its confusion and divisions. There was anxiety and fear, resentment and anger, sometimes showing in mental strain and domestic tensions. Peoples’ life patterns were changed.

But, there was another side. There were notable good things. Good neighbours and a sense of community showed how important it was to be kind and supportive. The move from offices to working at home gave many the chance of more family time.

Now the time has come to look forward into the New Year. It is recovery time, a time for rebuilding. That does not mean trying to put back all that has been lost; rather it means seeing what from the past is good for tomorrow and developing the new good things we have discovered through the pandemic. Surely this must include a more neighbourly community.

As far as Church is concerned, we — along with many parishes throughout the country — can develop the internet skills learnt through our Sunday worship. Not to forget the real value of the friendly telephone chat that has meant so much to many living on their own.

May God bless us all as we journey into 2021.

Peter Ball

Whitton Ways Magazine

Editor Vanya Body 01488 686834

Distributor - Ramsbury Ethel Hutchings 01672 520278

Advertising Ian Smith 01672 520871

Distributor - Froxfield Vanya Body 01488 686834

Designer Julia Goodman 01488 680721

Distributor - Chilton Foliat Ronna Bourne 01488 684497

The copy date for the February issue of Whitton Ways is Friday 15th January. Please send copy to: Vanya Body The New House, Brewhouse Hill, Froxfield, SN8 3LD Email: Phone:

whittonways@gmail.com 01488 686834

Front Cover The largest of the Holy Cross bells (all 16cwt of it!) being lowered to the ringing chamber. See p.20

Whitton Ways

1

Join our 200 Club!

Help to support our wonderful facilities at the

Recreation Centre by joining our 200 Club.

It costs just £60 a year or £5 a month and each month we have a draw and give away £500 in prizes so you could win your money back!

Contact Ian Smith at oldtiff@hotmail.co.uk or on 07977 473975

Elizabeth Watts Photography Lifestyle family, portraits and events www.e lizabethwattsphotography.com 07484618329

2

Whitton Ways

Whitton Ways is a Winner

Your parish magazine, Whitton Ways, has been judged to be in the top 5 in the country in the annual National Parish Magazine Awards announced late last year.

The magazine was voted 4th overall — but took the individual category award for Best Print. The magazine was judged in its A5 size class, and from 262 entries nationally.

Therefore it is a good time to pay tribute to our wonderful printers — JAM Print of Calne, where the team have been incredibly supportive of Whitton Ways and introducing colour to the magazine.

Subs now due — frozen at £6 for 2021

It is now time to renew subscriptions to Whitton Ways. You can still pop £6 in cash into an envelope with your name and house no. and give this directly to your local distributor, but if you would prefer to pay online via your bank or banking app we can accommodate this!

Whitton Ways is currently administered through the Ramsbury & Axford LCC and the correct bank account is: Ramsbury and Axford LCC Sort code 40-52-40 Account number 00017797

Please use your name and village as a reference.

This allows the treasurer David Stoyle to keep a tally on who has paid and from which distribution area. Ideally let your distributor know that you are doing this on-line as they will also want to mark you as paid on their lists.

We rely on our loyal subscribers to be able to continue to produce the excellent quality magazine, which our volunteer team of distributors deliver to your door each month. Let’s hope we can continue to do so for many years to come!

Vanya Body Editor Froxfield

Whitton Ways

3

Behind the Scenes with Claire Costello

Eddingtons

In conversation with Mr Roger Murphy, Managing Director of locally-based company Eddingtons Ltd, and his observations on managing the business in an exceptionally difficult and tumultuous year...

Eddingtons is a housewares supplier, developing, marketing and selling a wide range of kitchen tools, gadgets and gifts. The company does not sell directly to the consumer but services over 1500 retail customers both large and small up and down the UK and throughout Ireland. Its Foodservice division sells in to hotels and restaurants and other catering institutions. In recent years the company has acquired a number of other businesses that it has integrated into its Head office and warehouse facility at New Hayward Farm on the Chilton Estate.

In 2019 Eddingtons had achieved its highest ever sales since the Hungerford business was started in 2000.

The company numbered over 40 employees, including the 12 strong sales team, supported by the head office & warehouse team. At the start of 2020 it was looking forward to future growth.

Nobody in the first quarter of 2020 could have predicted just what an impact Covid-19 would have on almost every business in the UK. With immediate effect, after the Prime Minister's lockdown announcement in March, non-essential retail stores closed and the company's sales were dramatically impacted almost 4

overnight. Across the months of April and May sales were down more than a half versus the previous year and were restricted to those customers who had the ability to sell online. Thankfully the government scheme allowed the directors to furlough the majority of employees and to run the business for April and May with a handful of staff to put the orders on the system, pick the products in the warehouse and dispatch to the customers.

The challenge was to ensure that those products that were selling well during lockdown were readily available and other products that would ordinarily go to stores that had been closed were delayed or cancelled where possible. On top of this, the business had to judge what the likely impact of the pandemic would be for the next twelve months as they reviewed sales projections and costs to ensure the company remained financially stable.

Thankfully the business

Despite this difficult period all orders were dispatched on time and all telephone or email queries were handled in a timely manner. In addition the directors had to manage the many suppliers with whom they deal with around the world.

picked up a little in June with the opening of some non essential retail and between then and October there was a steady improvement in sales each successive month, but still well behind the levels enjoyed in the previous year.

Whitton Ways

What became increasingly clear from mid 2020 was that the wider business environment was going to be impacted in a significant fashion until such times as a vaccine was available and in August the directors took the difficult decision to make some redundancies to reflect the fact that sales would likely be well down for the coming twelve months. Eddingtons has never had to make redundancies and this was a distressing time for those employees who, through no fault of theirs, would lose their jobs.

Says Roger Murphy: “Eddingtons is like a family business with everyone actively involved in the company’s success and no business owner likes to have to undertake such action. However, by taking these tough decisions Eddingtons has been able to survive the crisis and can now see light at the end of the tunnel with the arrival of a number of vaccines that look to be effective against Covid-19. The company continues to use the flexible government furlough scheme and to match the staff required with ongoing and future demand from customers as we work through the second lockdown in November and December. There is no doubt moving into 2021 that we can see a more normal trading environment as retailers who have survived this crisis open up and continue to trade again.

Whitton Ways

“Eddingtons is blessed that it has a lot of different types of customers, with a wide variety of products and has strong presence in many different retail channels; as such it has been able to weather

feel that with a solid operating model there is every likelihood that, like Eddingtons, other SME businesses will be able to navigate through this unprecedented event.

the challenges brought on by coronavirus. Any major Economic event such as Covid19 tends to accelerate trends which are already taking place. Online shopping was not a new phenomenon but the growth in online shopping has accelerated throughout the pandemic, as has the use of video calls for business meetings, which are a very productive and effective medium for meeting ‘virtually’ with our customers. Eddingtons and other companies will further ramp up their use of digital marketing and direct email communication far more than previously was the case and encourage their customers to order online where possible. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has also accelerated the demise of struggling businesses. We

“The pandemic also highlighted what we always knew in Eddingtons, which is that our people are undoubtedly our best asset and without exception have stepped up and done amazing things over this difficult time. The ‘Esprit de Corps’ has been reinforced and although it has been very difficult and challenging everyone in Eddingtons feels justifiably proud of the work we have undertaken across this most memorable of years. We look forward to a much brighter 2021. There will be some hiccups as we manage the burdens brought on by Covid to the global supply chain and then closer to home by the administrative and operational burdens of Brexit. We are optimistic for the future of our company and securing the jobs of the 5

J. M. Electrical Electrical Contractors

From an Extra socket and Lighting to a full Rewire For Design, Installation and Maintenance Interior/Exterior Domestic Commercial Industrial Security Lighting - Garden Lighting PAT Testing

Free Estimates Professional Service Home to Roost, Whittonditch, Ramsbury, SN8 2QA Tel: 01672 516661 Mobile: 07739 701614

ANTIQUE CLOCKS Musical Boxes and Barometers REPAIRS AND SALES

TIME RESTORED LIMITED B A D A and B H I Qualified

20 High Street Pewsey SN9 5AQ 01672 563 544

6

Established over 30 years 5 year guarantee

01672 841533

HUMANE PEST CONTROL SOLUTIONS Tel: 07900 105371 Email: rod.smith77@yahoo.co.uk For all your pest problems!

Including:- Mole, Rabbit, Rat, Squirrel, Corvid, Fox, Wasps and Bees (wherever possible all bees will be caught alive and relocated) Traditional methods employed

Whitton Ways

many members of the Eddingtons team who live and have families in the surrounding area.”

Web site www.eddingtons.co.uk email sales@eddingtons.co.uk Tel 01488 686572

Claire Costello The College Froxfield

Methodist Church News Methodist Church Services

Sunday 3rd January 10.30am Service led by local Preacher at Aldbourne.

Sunday 10th January 10.30am Service led by local Preacher at Aldbourne.

Sunday 17th January 10.30am Covenant Service together led

by Revd Stephen Skinner at St Michael’s Church Aldbourne.

Sunday 24th January 10.30am Service led by local Preacher at Aldbourne.

Sunday31st January 10.30am Service led by Revd Stephen Skinner at Aldbourne.

As I am writing this today, our Methodist Church at Aldbourne, is now open again for worship. What a year it has been, will our Church be open for worship in the New Year? No one knows. As always our services will be available online, if you feel you are unable to attend Church. Please contact me or Revd Stephen Skinner for details of services. As we look forward to 2021, we have new hopes of the vaccine, we take the time in saying thank you to all the scientists involved. Bless them all.

Whitton Ways

Good News

The Churches together have raised a grand total of £2,000; the community of Ramsbury & Aldbourne have been busy making face masks, and selling them in our local shops. Well done all. This will be divided between the Churches together. So if you’re in need of a new face mask, keep your eyes peeled.

The Methodist Church at Aldbourne is now known as The Aldbourne and Ramsbury Methodist Church. All are welcome here. Government guidelines are in place to keep everyone safe.

Coffee mornings

As winter time is here, and Covid 19 is still ongoing, we sadly cannot meet for coffee, but as time moves on and the spring arrives again, we can look forward to meeting again. Meanwhile, if you need a puzzle, or have one to swap, give me a call on 521085. In the meantime, keep well & keep safe.

Do take time out for prayer, God is always there when we need him.

Blessing for the new year 2021 your Church Steward Julie Coe

7

If you care about where your food and drink come from look no further.

Visit our shop and smokehouse Take a tour of the brewery and distillery Book our function room. at the brewery, ideal for meetings, gatherings and celebrating sporting occasions; equipped with a spacious Bar, complete with 100� TV

RAMSBURY SMOKEHOUSE

www.ramsbury.com 01672 520647 oďŹƒce@ramsbury.com

Ramsbury Tennis Club LTA South West Region Club of the Year 2017

Welcomes new members of all standards We have the first artificial clay courts in Wiltshire!

Sunday Club morning 10am Please book to attend with Chris Wilson at chriswilson61@icloud.com

8

For membership enquiries please contact Chris Snelling tel: 07887 550700 Email: cjsnelling@btinternet.com

Parade Mews The Parade Marlborough Wiltshire SN8 1NE Tel: 01672 511836 enquiries@claridgefuneralservice.co.uk

Every funeral is individual and tailored entirely to your wishes, within all budgets.

www.claridgefuneralservice.co.uk

Whitton Ways

The past month seems to have been an even odder juggling act than usual – I seemed to be constantly busy without actually going anywhere very much! And mostly that seemed to be a case of finding new ways of doing things that normally we think we know how to do – instead of a carol service in a gorgeously decorated church, planning something out on the Green, in the fervent hope that it wouldn’t pour with rain; instead of big get-togethers of friends and families, finding ways of Zooming with the grandchildren to keep the relationships going and growing without putting each other at risk; instead of hoping our churches would be filled to bursting, hoping we’d be able to accommodate – safely – all those who wanted to come.

More tea, Vicar?

with our eyes over the tops of our masks…

And as we recover from a time when many of us may have eaten FAR too much, let’s remember those who don’t have enough.

There is an article elsewhere in the magazine about the Food Collective baskets that are always positioned in all our church porches – please do keep them topped up as we try to care for others in God’s name and let’s One thing that – unfortunately – doesn’t change, though, is the fact that some people endeavour to make it a happy New Year for are really struggling, financially, mentally and them too. also spiritually. I was talking to “my son, the With love, and wishing you every blessing in doctor”, who is deeply depressed by the 2021. number of self-harming and suicidal teenagers he sees in the hospital on a daily Sue basis, and the topic of free meals for families over the Christmas break raised its head Whitton Team Vicar all over again as the schools closed.

So, thank God – literally – for the message of hope that Christmas has brought us: the message that however messy and damaged this world may be, God is right here in it with us. He understands and walks alongside us as we look ahead in hope to whatever the New Year may bring, that we may be empowered and encouraged not just to cope, but to grow and blossom in new and exciting ways. But if we believe that God walks alongside us, then it’s incumbent on us to walk alongside others in his name too, trying to make it possible for them to cope and to blossom as well. So let’s pick up the phone, send the odd cheerful email, smile

Whitton Ways

Ryan was delighted with the cloak, but not so sure about the face mask

9

Ramsbury Horticultural Society We would like to wish all of our members a very happy and healthy New Year, and hope that all the hard work you all put into your gardens during the months of lockdowns and restrictions will bring you lots of pleasure in the form of glorious flowers and shrubs during this year’s gardening season.

We hope that 2021 will turn a corner as far as the Covid pandemic is concerned and that at long last we will be able to welcome everyone to all the talks and events that we had planned for last year but have had to postpone until now. Because I’m writing this in early December, it’s too early to say exactly when the Society will be opening up again, but we’ll keep you posted over the coming weeks and months.

• • • • •

Meanwhile, here are some jobs to be getting • on with during January to get the new gardening year under way.

• • • • •

them where roses haven’t been grown before to avoid passing on diseases from the old discarded plants (this also applies to planting new raspberries) Take root cuttings of fleshy-rooted perennials such as oriental poppies, acanthus and verbascums Establish new colonies of snowdrops and hellebores by buying plants in flower, so you can choose the prettiest blooms Clear away soggy, collapsed stems of perennials and compost them Take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs, such as forsythia, willow and viburnum Remove and bin hellebore foliage marked with black blotches, to limit the spread of leaf spot disease Press mistletoe berries into the bark of apple trees to establish your own mistletoe plants Check that small alpines don’t become smothered by fallen leaves and other wind-blown debris Deadhead winter pansies and other bedding regularly, and remove any foliage affected by downy mildew Move dormant plants that are in the wrong place to more suitable sites Check for rot on stored bulbs and tubers, and ensure dahlia and canna tubers haven’t totally dried out Continue pruning climbing roses, while they are dormant

Fruit and vegetables

Flowers and shrubs

• Cut back the foliage of Iris unguicularis to reveal its flowers • Weed borders ready for mulching in the spring, but watch out for emerging snowdrops and other bulbs • As long as the ground isn’t frozen, you can plant bare-root roses, shrubs and hedging. If you’re planting roses, plant 10

• Winter-prune apple and pear trees to remove any dead, damaged, congested and diseased branches • Sort out your seeds, throwing away empty or out-of-date packets and noting down any to buy for the coming season • Plan this year’s crop rotation to ensure you grow each type of crop in a different bed to previous years • Prune gooseberries and redcurrants, cutting sideshoots back to three buds from their base

Whitton Ways

• Clear old crops and weeds from the vegaphids, mealy bugs and other etable plot, then dig over the soil, mixing pests, and take action where in compost as you go necessary • Regularly inspect stored crops, discarding • Keep the greenhouse frostany showing signs of rot or deterioration free by installing a thermo• Plant bare-root fruit bushes, trees and statically-controlled electric fan heater canes into enriched soil, as long as the • Bring potted camellias into an unheated ground isn’t frozen porch or greenhouse to encourage early • Ensure netting is in place over brassicas, flowering such as kale, Brussels sprouts and cab• Take root cuttings of perennials such as bages, to protect from pigeons phlox and Japanese anemones, and plant • Cover rhubarb plants with a bucket or terin free-draining compost • Start sowing seeds of hardy annuals, such as cornflowers, cerinthe and ammi, in modular trays for early flowers • Ventilate the greenhouse on sunny days to prevent humidity building up

Garden maintenance

• Top up bird baths with fresh water daily and melt ice with warm water on frosty days • Repair wobbly or damaged fences, and treat wooden structures with preservative during dry spells • Give your lawn mower a basic service or take it to a dealer for maintenance, while it’s not in use • Clean and sharpen your tools, including hoes, secateurs and shears, and spray metal racotta pot to force an early crop of tentools with oil der long stems • Sprinkle an all-purpose fertiliser along the • Feed spring cabbages with high-nitrogen base of hedges and around shrubs feed to encourage leafy growth • Trim back ivy, Virginia creeper and other • Prune blackcurrants, if you haven’t done climbers that have outgrown their space, so already, removing about a quarter of before birds start nesting the old stems • Clear soggy leaves, algae and moss from • Order seed potatoes, onions, shallots and paths, patios, decking and steps garlic bulbs for planting in spring • Dig over any gaps in borders, removing the roots of perennial weeds • Give empty pots and seed trays a thorGreenhouse ough scrubbing ready for the start of the • Sow winter salads in a greenhouse, consersowing season vatory or on a sunny windowsill, for har• Remove debris from shed and greenhouse vests within a few weeks guttering, so winter rain can fill up your • Tidy up the greenhouse, getting rid of any water butts broken pots, old compost or debris that • Clean out and scrub bird feeders regularly could hide unwanted visitors to maintain hygiene • Move potted strawberry plants under cover to encourage early fruiting Susie Whimster • Check overwintering plants regularly for

Whitton Ways

11

WALKS and WAGS! An individually tailored service to meet the needs of you and your pets. = = = =

Individual dog walks 24 hour live-in house sitting Home boarding for dogs.

Visits for dog/cat feeding

Sara (Tiplady)

01672 521224 or 07919 362443 www.walksandwags.co.uk

Planning to go to

France

on holiday?

What about renting my place south of the lovely city of Carcassonne?

Large maisonette with Wifi, a sunny garden and garage. Sleeps up to 7 people.

Located in the small town of Quillan

E-mail or telephone for more details 01672 541447/07880 730225 Alison.lovejoy.delorie@btinternet.com

Pete Westall

Cook x Drinks or dinner parties, indulgent suppers, shoots, freezer filling, picnics, lunches, birthdays, christenings, weddings & much more. x Fully staffed or delivered to your door

Whatever the occasion, big or small, please call Caroline on: 01672 520397 or 07887 841378 Or email: carolinetellwright@sky.com

A4 Drivecare Ltd

Driveways & all kinds of Groundworks 01672 520828 - 07717 534804 52 Whittonditch Road, Ramsbury elmbank@hotmail.co.uk

207568 We believe that people should not be subject to frustration and uncertainty when hiring a plumber and that courtesy, punctuality and explanation are a right, not a luxury.

It’s simply a people thing.

01235 833188 CENTRAL HEATING BATHROOMS KITCHENS INSTALLATION REPAIRS Peoples Plumbers Ltd, Units 2 & 3, Church Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire OX13 6SW

12

www.peoplesplumbers.co.uk

• •Property andMaintenance Maintenance PropertyManagement Management and • •Landscape and Construction Construction LandscapeDesign Design and • •Grounds Maintenance Groundsand and Paddock Paddock Maintenance • • Fencing Gates Fencing and and Gates •• Tree Tree Surgery Surgery • Woodland Management Management • Woodland

Tel: Tel:01488 01488686004 686004 www.broadmead-estates.co.uk www.broadmead-estates.co.uk

Whitton Ways

LINK

The LINK is operating for lifts to medical appointments, shopping etc.

Please ring 52011 for details.

Sheila Glass

The Knitting Group Good news - thanks to all the kind people who have bought items from us we have been able to send off ÂŁ60 each to the Women's Aid in Swindon and ATE. Do keep on asking for items you need, either from our stock, which I look after or special requests for things you need knitting. We are still pleased to have any yarn you don't want, in however small a quantity. Estrid Eyles, 55a, High Street, Ramsbury; 01672 520789.

Notice of

Annual General Meeting for Ramsbury Community Transport (C.I.O) *****

On: At:

Thursday 21 January 2021 7.30 pm *****

Due to Covid-19, the AGM will be held virtually in order to comply with restrictions. If you would like to attend virtually please email secretary@ramsburyflyer.org by 14 January 2021 at which time access information will be provided.

Any ideas, comments and suggestions about the Ramsbury Flyer are welcome but should be provided by 14 January 2021 latest.

***** Volunteers Needed: We are also looking for people to join our Committee, drivers or help with the cleaning of the bus (once or twice a year).

If you have some time to offer and would like more information, please email the secretary for more details.

The Flyer - Greener Transport

The RAMSBURY FLYER IS operating a restricted service to Hungerford Tesco.

Wednesday only – maximum 5 return passengers, leaving The Pond, Aldbourne at 10.00am, The Square, Ramsbury 10.16am.

STRICTLY BY BOOKING IN ADVANCE. To book please call Janet on 01672 520682/07584 253117.

Surgery Transport continues .every Tuesday and Thursday.

For news about Surgery transport or further information please visit www.ramsburyflyer.org or call Janet on 01672 520682.

Refuse collections and Recycling

Whitton Ways

For collections dates please check online at ilforms.wiltshire.gov.uk/WasteCollectionDays

13

6KDXQ *XDUG

79 :,), 6(59,&(6

Q Q Q Q Q

Ramsbury Roxy has been suspended during this Covid 19 situation.

$HULDOV VXSSOLHG UHSDLUHG DOVR SRRU UHFHSWLRQ VROYHG

6DWHOOLWH 6N\ 4 XSJUDGHV GLVFUHHW GLVK LQVWDOODWLRQ DOVR IRUHLJQ 79

,QWHUQHW EODFNVSRWV FXUHG GDWD FDEOHV UXQ WR \RXU 79V FRPSXWHU

79V KXQJ RQ \RXU ZDOO RU VHW XS DQG WXQHG

&&79 'RRU (QWU\ GRPHVWLF LQVWDOODWLRQV

ZZZ R[IRUGDHULDOV FR XN

&DOO 1HZEXU\

We look forward to seeing you all again at our film nights as soon as possible.

We welcome suggestions for films you would like to see in our future programmes.

Contact us on roxy@ramsbury.org

The Post Office Ramsbury Flowers

Toys and Games

Cash Point facilities Greetings Cards Personal Banking

Dry Cleaning

Foreign Currency

Fresh Milk/Bread

Tel: 01672 520229

14

salon the

Book appointments on 01672 521110

Whitton Ways

Ramsbury WI “One for the memory box” — this is an expression coined by long-time WI stalwarts Lois Smith and Mary Holdsworth.

We have used it to describe all sorts of WI events: happy, hilarious and sometimes downright bizarre. The photo shows one of the many happy ones: a wonderful afternoon we spent at Sheepdrove Organic Farm in 2016. The sun shone, we had a delicious lunch and were then taken on a trailer ride around the estate. It’s so lovely to see these smiling faces again, some of whom sadly are no longer with us.

One of my personal favourites in the memory box involves another trailer ride — this time going between Ramsbury and Chilton Foliat, towed

by Robert Copp’s tractor. It was a very wet day and drivers on the B4192 looked at us with a mixture of amazement and horror — I think they suspected it was some sort of rural punishment. We could hardly have been wetter if we

Whitton Ways

really had been ducked in the Kennet!

The year 2020 has been one for the memory box for all the wrong reasons. We have all experienced disappointment, loneliness and fear, and some people have experienced much, much worse than this.

Despite all these difficulties I hope that WI members did manage to put some happy things into the memory box. I think that the afternoon we spent at Ramsbury Hill in September should definitely go into the memory box for all the right reasons. We were all so sorry to hear about our kind hostess’s accident, and wish her a speedy recovery.

We are starting a new year with positive news about vaccinations and real hope of a return to something like normal by Easter. But, at the moment, the situation is so uncertain that committee has not been able to put any sort

of a programme together. We shall, of course, keep members updated on any new developments by email, phone and letter, and we long for the day when we can all meet again in the Church Room. Don’t forget that we still have all our Centenary treats to enjoy!

I would like to finish this month with some thanks. Sincere thanks go to our committee, led by our fantastic president Mary; all our lovely members and their kind and supportive husbands and partners; Vanya and her team who continued to produce this magazine all through 2020 which was a huge help, Elaine and Shirley at the Post Office and everyone else who helps to make Ramsbury WI happy and successful. Don’t forget that Mary & I are still only a phone call or email away if you need any help. A very Happy New Year to all.

Rosalie Winter

15

Polaris was a zinc-lead mine owned and operated by the Canadian international mining company Teck-Cominco between 1982-2002 when it produced around 21 million tonnes of high grade zinc-lead ore with a value of around $1.5 billion. Its claim to fame was that it was located further north than any other mine in the world at 76 degrees north or 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It was only 62 miles from the North Magnetic Pole, but that varied of course as the magnetic poles move around quite a lot!

Polaris midday sun

Geology Rocks by Chris Carlon

The mine was an underground operation accessed via an inclined access ramp system to a vertical depth of nearly 1,000feet, but the location of the mine made it really amazing.

The mineralisation was found by accident by two Canadian oil exploration geologists who had landed by helicopter on Little Cornwallis island to do some reconnaissance geology. They found boulders rich in zinc and lead sulphide minerals lying around on a beach and eventually after some years of mineral exploration and the acquisition of licences to explore, the exposed orebody was located at surface and followed underground by diamond drilling.

Setting up a mine in such a harsh and sensitive environment was a very difficult task and the mine was something of a logistical, environmental and engineering marvel. So I am often asked: “What is the most amaz- far north the ground and rocks and the enclosed orebody were all deeply frozen to a ing place you have visited ?” There is no depth of over 1,000 feet by ‘permafrost’. All easy answer; in fact, as those of you who have had the pleasure to travel the globe will the cavities in the mineralisation were full of know, there are many answers as places are water and this was frozen into solid ice amazing for many reasons. But there is one which looked like clear crystalline silica or place that was truly amazing and I visited it quartz in the underground workings. To keep the ore and the mine workings frozen about 25 years ago. The memory of it all and the rock wall solid, cold air was circustill brings a smile to my face, especially in the deep winter when I think about its loca- lated underground in the summer months.

As a consequence all the miners were tion and how I got there. It’s the Polaris Mine on Little Cornwallis Island, in what is dressed in thick insulated overalls and boots now known as Nunavut, in the far north of to keep them warm through both winter and summer. The mine worked 24 hours a day Arctic Canada.

Polaris - The Polar Mine

16

Whitton Ways

every day of the year, except for Christmas Day.

It was even harsher on the surface. In winter the temperatures dropped to as low as 55C and with the wind chill factor temperatures dropped still further to -60C. In those temperatures you would last for no more than 7 minutes without Arctic protective clothes, boots and gloves. But there was also another reason you didn’t want to be outside for long as polar bears and Kitted out for an underground visit Arctic foxes roamed the site.

Arriving at the mine was inbuilding; the 700 foot long ‘Toblerone’ variably by air, and in our case in a small shaped ore concentrate warehouse painted Twin Otter aircraft, 25 minutes flight from with a very large red maple leaf; and the the small native North American or Inuit compact mineral processing, power plant settlement of Resolute Bay, one of Canada’s and workshop facility built on a barge, most northerly communities and 60 miles to towed 3,500 miles from Quebec and anthe south-east. It has the distinction of chored along the shore adjacent to the mine. being one of the coldest, permanently inhabited places in the world, and is also a me- The accommodation building was relatively teorological weather station and a base for spacious, given the remote setting and the Arctic research. To get to Resolute Bay inneed to find space for some 150-220 mine volved a flight from Montreal to Iqaluit on workers and support staff. It consisted of Baffin Island and from there to Nanisivik in four linked, colour coded sections each North Baffin Island before a flight to Resthree floors high, and contained in addition olute Bay; it was a long way. to single and double apartments, a cafeteria, the Arctic Social Club, a shop, a nursery, a Landing on the Polaris Mine airstrip in late games room, a TV lounge, a swimming pool May we could see the sea-ice melting ad(indoor of course), and a gym with running vance coming slowly up the inlet past the track built halfway up the wall to use valumine, and as polar bears patrol the edge of able space. It was an impressive way of the sea ice looking for fish it meant that the housing all the staff, but one could imagine likelihood of encountering a polar bear was that after a while it might become claustroincreased. We walked briskly from the airphobic. I do remember very well that it was craft into waiting vehicles and drove the very very comfortable and very easy to get a short distance from the airstrip to a large good nights sleep ! three-storey building built on stilts to keep it off the permafrost surface.

Everyone flew in and out of Polaris. Staff signed up to a rota of 12 weeks, eight weeks The mine consisted of three surface strucon (at the mine) and four weeks off (back at tures; a long rectangular accommodation home) a very tough schedule especially for

Whitton Ways

17

£10.00 per hour, including Heating in Winter For bookings contact Sarah Williamson on 01672 520161 (If leaving a message please provide a landline number whenever possible)

Kevin W Nunn Interior and Exterior

Painter and Decorator High standard of work

Providing a stimulating and nurturing environment for all children aged 2.5-4 years, 5 days a week.

Led by a qualified teacher and experienced childcare professionals, Ramsbury Pre-School is the perfect place to start your child’s learning adventure.

Breakfast Club (Mon to Fri 8-9am) and Afterschool Club (Tues, Wed and Thurs 3-6pm) also available.

Call now to arrange a visit: 01672 520901 www.ramsburypreschool.org.uk Back Lane, Ramsbury, Marlborough SN8 2QH

01488 657898 07979 481 181 liverpoolfc.kn@gmail.com 35 Laylands Green, Kintbury, Hungerford, Berks RG17 9UB

BROWN & CLEMENS

Domestic appliance repairs Washing machines, dishwashers, cookers.

Established in 1972 40 years of local service.

Please call:

01672 511077 or 01635 528058

AREA SWEEP

A Professional Chimney Sweep Service The Ravensbury Players - Ramsbury’s Drama Group New Members always welcome Including Actors, Backstage and Front of House Contact Chris Perkins

Phone: 01672 520515

18

Email: chrissy@astrocruise.com

To view our current newsletter please visit www.ravensburyplayers.org.uk

Clean Reliable Brush And Vacuum Fully Insured Many Years Experience AGAS RAYBURNS JETMASTERS ALL OPEN FIRES WOODBURNERS NEST REMOVALS OIL FIRED BOILERS CAPS AND COWLS SUPPLIED AND FITTED Sweeping Certificates Issued

CALL DARREN 01635 569195 07900398678 areasweep@btinternet.com

Whitton Ways

working in an underground metal mine is a tough undertaking. The other hardship was coping with the extremes of light and darkness as the sun rose after a totally dark winter to stay in the sky without setting in the summer.

I found the experience of even a short visit to such an extreme environment quite uplifting and an amazing tribute to the engineering and Polaris concentrator barge and ore store enterprising nature of the human spirit to build a mine, extract a minmarried personnel or couples, with one eral and then close it all down and clear it all working at the mine and the other back away to let nature re-establish itself in its home in mainland Canada or even further afield. However, some lucky people came to bleak but stunning isolation. the mine as a couple, one working in the …and then there were the locked-in icemine and the other in administration, fibergs and the dog sleds………but that’s annance, the nursery, or the library. The one that worked in the mine or the ore concen- other story and we have to go to Nanisivik to find out about those… trator worked a 12 hour shift and 12 hours

RAMSBURY PARISH COUNCIL

January and February will probably be pretty bleak. We have got this far and hopefully the end is in sight. Social distancing and face coverings will continue to be important but please think of neighbours who may be alone. A phone call or a few words over the garden fence can make a big difference. These strange times are bringing job losses and redundancies that could not have been anticipated a few months ago.If you are facing financial hardship the Parish Council may be able to help or to advise about agencies who can help in the short term. Any information will be dealt with in strict confidence.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who have helped with shopping, deliveries, lifts etc. in the last year, to the Post Office, Midway Stores and Ramsbury Surgery for giving such wonderful service and Ramsbury Estates for putting up the Christmas lights - it is all really appreciated. If we have another lockdown your help will be essential for vulnerable residents.

Last but not least, thank you to YOU - the residents of Ramsbury who have worn masks, maintained social distance and kept safe. We are not out of the woods yet but let’s look forward to the summer when we can but hope that things will be better.

Sheila Glass

Whitton Ways

19

The Ramsbury Bells have gone!

After months of planning, the bells of Holy Cross were finally, and very gingerly, taken down for repair, reports David Stoyle

We then hit another snag, when it was found the two largest bells would not fit through the existing hole in the ceiling above the ringing chamber! Fortunately our church architect was able to give us permission to create a new hole by cutting and lifting other floorboards. The bells were finally loaded onto the Appleton’s lorry on Friday 27th November and are currently being restored at their Cotswolds workshop.

The bells ready to be removed from the bell chamber

This project was agreed in July 2019 and the original start date for the removal of the bells was in October 2020, but then several staff at Whites of Appleton contracted COVID-19 in late September, this had to be put back to 23rd November 2020.

The largest bell being lowered through the new hole with the “too small� hole alongside

The bell chamber with the empty frame after all the bells had been winched down

20

In all, the six bells weigh just under 3 tons.

This is, however, before the weight of the headstocks is added. The headstocks are the large wooden blocks on top of the bells that look like concrete slabs and are one of the reasons for this work as they have begun to warp and throw out the bell alignment and balance.

Whitton Ways

We have since heard from Whites that the second largest bell — weighing over half a ton without the headstock — was found to be severely weakened at the crown, which is where the connection to the headstock is.

It is hoped the bells will be returned by early May as Holy Cross has been choThis might well have given way at ! Unfor- sen as the venue by The Salisbury Diotunately, as this fault, and the work to rectify cese Guild of Ringers to hold their AGM. the problem, was not foreseen it increases our costs by nearly £5,000.

Whitton Ways

21

Opening Hours Monday Wednesday Thursday Saturday

Free Internet Access - Online Services www.wiltshire.gov.uk

2pm - 5pm* 10am - 12 noon* 2pm - 5pm* 10am - 12 noon*

Opening Hours

Monday 1.30pm - 4.30pm & 5pm - 7pm Tuesday 10am - 12noon* Thursday 1.30pm - 4.30pm & 5pm - 7pm * staffed by volunteers

RAMSBURY ELECTRICAL LTD. Established 1972

ALL DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL WORK 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL OUT MCS APPROVED P.V. SOLAR INSTALLERS HOUSE, THATCHED INSURANCE TESTING 01 6 72 5 2 0 40 0 07 8 02 4 3 2 24 4 07 7 79 2 0 3 96 1

www.ramsburyelectrical.co.uk

22

www.marlboroughsolar.co.uk

Whitton Ways

This is an honour as ringers will be coming from across the south of England all hoping to try out our newly hung bells. The timing is very tight, but Whites of Appleton are aware of this event and are trying to co-operate with us. Most importantly, however, this current work should now provide our village with the beautiful sound of church bells for the next 100 years or more (the last time work was carried out on the bells was in 1926!). * The church has been enormously grateful to Mr & Mrs Fellows for allowing their forecourt to be used by the lorry and vans, and Peter Wilson — one of our band of ringers — for the use of a JCB to lift the bells onto the lorry.

Can you help?

The bells lined up in the churchyard ready for moving and lifting onto the lorry

After the previous article I was approached by several people who kindly donated funds. The Friends of Holy Cross are funding the major part of this project and we have also obtained several grants.

However unfortunately there is now an enlarged sum that has to be found from the church reserves. These reserves have already been severely depleted this year as a lot of our income streams have dried up or been drastically reduced.

If anyone feels they would like to support this project, please contact David Stoyle whose details appear at the bottom of this article. Any cheques should be made payable to Ramsbury and Axford LCC. Thank you.

All six bells being loaded onto the lorry ready to be transported away

Whitton Ways

E-mail: jenanddavid@btinternet.com Phone: 01672 520659 Address: 13 The Paddocks, Ramsbury, SN8 2QF

23

STREET FAIR JUNE 12th 2021

I am hoping that we shall be able to hold a Street Fair again this year. I am sure that after last year everyone will be very keen to see things getting back to some sort of normality, even if a slightly new normal! So, I am planning this for Saturday the 12th June.

Many of the arrangements have to be made well in advance, and I will press on with those in the hope that we are able to go ahead. Of course we will not go ahead with it if there is any doubt whether it is the right thing to do or if it is in any way unsafe.

However, I do hope that we can do something. It will do us all good to have this back in the calendar and give us all a lift!

So, please keep the date and as usual all Clubs and Societies are welcome to take part somehow. Please contact me if you would like to be involved.

Ian Smith oldtiff@hotmail.co.uk

Audio Single room, Multi-room or Integrated

Broadband & WiFi Networks Smart connectivity and fibre optics

Interior and Exterior Lighting Systems

Visual Technology Cinema, TV, Online

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication The prime driver for Phase is to ensure that the systems implemented are easy to use. We are independent and not wedded to any specific technology.

0207 6039565

www.phaseltd.com 01488 644655

07973 155061

JOHN MARSHALL PAINTING & DECORATING Interior/Exterior/Wallpapering

Telephone 01672 520926 or 07825 990723

Painting & decorating in and around Ramsbury for 30 years

24

References available

Whitton Ways

Chilton Chimes In the lead up to Christmas things seemed incredibly quiet in Chilton Foliat - with only two items to mention.

1895 and was built by a Stockbridge builder George Elms to plans drawn up by James H Money.

munity, providing a place to hold many differing functions for the villagers and for many visitors; these include occasions such as wedding recepFirstly, a welcome sign of a “The Church Room”, as it tions, birthday parties and return to some normality was known, officially opened many other social activities. came on the 1st December as a place to meet for recrewhen the Christmas lights ational and educational pur- 100 Club Helps were put up outside of St poses on the 11th June 1895; Once again, please support your Village Hall — you can Mary’s and that night lit for in 1923 the Back Room or the first time. This was fol‘Gentlemen’s club’ was built do this by joining the 100 Club. Profits from this regulowed by several residents

by Sir John Ward, who also lar draw, raise funds towards adding their own lights out- provided heating and lightside of their homes to make ing for the hall and, amongst the maintenance of the hall, and other projects, such as the village very cheerful. many other gifts, Sir John also provided a billiard table the village defibrillator purchased for the benefit of the Secondly, on the 27th Nofor the use of visitors. village. Please email the hall vember the Village Hall secretary for further details Management Committee During the period 1939 to held its Annual General 1945 the Y.M.C.A. used the on secretary@cfvh.co.uk meeting which, due to the village hall as a place of Covid lock down, had to be respite for the American sol- I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my held as a virtual meeting diers billeted at Littlecote readers A Merry Christmas using Microsoft’s Teams app. House. The local villages and Happy New Year.

The meeting went very well with the Reverend Walter I look forward to writing and the app actually made at- Pelham formed a group of tending the meeting easy. residents to provide canteen about the festive season at Chilton Foliat in the next facilities for the troops edition. Until then Keep safe whilst they took rest.

Support your Chilton and keep well.

Foliat Village Hall Since 1949 the village hall has Barry Harding As the residents of Chilton been at the heart of the comFoliat, it is our Village Hall!

Please support the hall and the Management Committee, whose members give their time to manage it. If you can spare the time to become a member of the committee and would like to do something to help, please contact The Secretary at the following email address: secretary@cfvh.co.uk

A brief history…

The village hall was gifted to the village by Lady Pearce in

Whitton Ways

25

Phone: 0774 3017646 Evenings: 01672 520349

Banyard & Bailey

Upholstery & Bespoke Soft furnishings Curtains Beautifully Hand Sewn Made to Measure

Curtains, Blinds, Valances, Cushions, Window Seats etc Expertly Made To Measure Curtain Poles & Tracks Supplied & Fitted w Traditional & Modern Upholstery/Recovering Dining Chairs, Armchairs, Small Sofas, Ottomans, Headboards, Footstools.

One to one upholstery tuition available for those unfinished projects.

For enquiries or to arrange a consultation contact: v Soft Furnishings Tel: 07748 355462 v Upholstery Tel: 07841 413608 Email: banyard.bailey@gmail.com

Residential Property Business Property Landlord and Tenant

Company Dispute Resolution Employment

Wills, Trusts and Probate Notarial Services

The Old School House, 42 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0NF T 01488 683555 E dhc@dhc-solicitors.co.uk 26

Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority - Registration number 468087

Whitton Ways

Carols at St Mary’s Chilton Foliat

The weather forecast for Sunday 13th December showed heavy rain and strong blustery wind. Since our service was to be held outside this was not encouraging. However a carol service held inside the church with no singing permitted under the COVID-19 regulations seemed even less attractive.

The event had been well publicised in the village and 53 including some babies and small children people came, all wrapped in warm and waterproof clothing The service was conducted by our new Rector, Beth – Her first at St Mary’s. A sound system had been connected with a loudspeaker and microphone at the Lych gate with a link to the organ When the hour came the in the Church. Sparkling Good Lord had relented and lights and stars shone along the afternoon was calm if the path. The Social distancslightly damp. ing was easy on the lawn and

Whitton Ways

although sung through facemasks the carols were belted out in the usual happy Christmas way. In all the service was a great success and, to add to the festive spirit a Covid-friendly way had been found to serve mince pies and mulled wine afterwards.

Also at the service a small ceremony took place. Our long- time organist Dr Juliann Holloway has given up his regular playing at Froxfield and Chilton Foliat to become the regular organist at St Lawrence’s, Hungerford. In grateful thanks for his long and skilled service a picture was presented to him. The picture featured coloured sketches of all the churches in the Whitton Benefice and an inscription thanking him for his great skill and enthusiasm.

Tim Williams

NEW YEAR MESSAGE from Frances and Mark Lofthouse As 2021 tiptoes into being, we wish all our friends in the Whitton Benefice a Happy New Year, as we move into a ‘new normal’ existence after vaccination!

Sadly, we also say a fond ‘farewell’. Having always been interlopers, living across the border in West Berks, our new year resolution is to centre our Church membership and activities in Hungerford.

For Frances it has been an enormous privilege to be involved in the musical side of the Benefice Services for 10/11 years, with the restoration of the Ramsbury organ, forming a choir for the first Sunday’s Team Service, and generally being a co-ordinator and Sunday player. It is really good to see Kevin and Tim lead in these fields now, and we hope 2021 brings much musical joy in and through worship.

For Mark it has been stewarding and assisting with Churchyard mowing and maintenance.

Hey-ho, so life moves on, and we hope to keep in touch – perhaps on the Eco Green issues that we hold very dear.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! IT Recycling

Our core area of business is IT Recycling and we are experts in the field. We collect and dispose of all IT equipment in line with current legislation and the EU WEEE directive.

Green Machine

leading the way in environmentally friendly Computer Services

To arrange a collection, call or email 01672 520133 sales@greenmachinecomputers.com greenmachinecomputers.com

Alternatively drop it into us at 5 & 6 Whittonditch Works, Ramsbury, Wiltshire, SN8 2XB.

We offer IT support and Repairs from our offices for local businesses and residents, we also have a selection of IT equipment available to sell.

All the IT equipment we collect is audited, data wiped, repaired and refurbished to a high standard in line with Microsoft Guidelines.

We hold certification with the Environment Agency and Microsoft, and we have accreditation with ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Services.

28

Whitton Ways

Ramsbury Meals on Wheels – the end of an era

members) that the service in its present format should be wound up with immediate effect. This has now been done in accordance with Meals on Wheels’ own Constitution and the requirements of the Charity 12, but the take-up has Over 60 years ago, Ramsslowed down even more dur- Commission. Any remaining bury formed its own Meals ing the last 3 to 4 years, until monies will be donated to on Wheels organisation the Ramsbury Parish Charirecently it reached a point starting first under the umbrella of the WRVS and then where providing meals is no ties, with a wish that if possible they should be used to longer viable. In addition, the British Red Cross Socihelp older residents in need. ety, delivering home-cooked the Charity Commission’s ever-increasing regulations lunches twice a week to Although operating Meals older residents of the village. regarding procedures for safeguarding, complaints and on Wheels in the format that It became an independent has been used for the last 60 risk analysis and the Food registered charity in 1997, supported by the Ramsbury Standards Agency advice re- years is now over-cumbersome and no longer fit for garding health and safety Parish Charities and the Parish Council, and was run have made running the serv- purpose in these days of electronic communications, by a committee with a dedi- ice very bureaucratic. The the Committee hopes that if outbreak of the Covid 19 cated team of volunteer pandemic, which forced the a hot meals service becomes cooks and deliverers. necessary again, the village suspension of Meals on When it was set up, many of Wheels in March because of will rise to the challenge and government regulations and find other ways of organisthe older residents were ing help for those in need. restrictions to control the housebound, did not have telephones or cars, and little disease, has meant that the Finally, the Committee service could not be operhelp was available. How ated safely or regularly just at would like to say a heartfelt things have changed since thank-you to all those who then – ready meals from su- a time when it could have have supported Meals on permarkets, Wiltshire Farm been most useful.

Wheels over the years, Foods and other retailers, whether financially or with on-line supermarket deliver- As a result, on 25 October their time and effort – 2020, a Resolution was ies to the door, care packages and support from Social passed by an overwhelming cooks, deliverers, the Parish majority of the members of Council, Ramsbury Parish Services and the NHS, to the organisation (i.e. its vol- Charities and the Hilldrop name but a few, have all Shoot. Their support has unteers and committee made living independently been greatly appreciated by much easier for older resithe Committee and by the dents. clients, who have also asked us to express their thanks All these changes have had and appreciation to all conan effect on Meals on cerned.

Wheels. The number of clients making use of the The Ramsbury Meals on service has been declining Wheels Committee gradually since about 2011–

Whitton Ways

29

Photography & Fine Art • Fine Art Reproductions, all sizes to 2ft x 6ft • Digital Repair of Old Photographs, Slides, and Negatives • Perfect copies of your cherished old photographs • 64 bit scans of prints and negatives up to large format • High Resolution Photography, interior and exterior • 46 years experience • Many references • Committed to excellence 01672 521122 philip@astroprints.com www.astroprints.com Ashley Piece Ramsbury

BAYDON MOWERS

GARDEN MACHINERY SPECIALIST WELDING GAS SUPPLIER (MIG & TIG)

Unit 1 Skylarks, Bytham Road, Ogbourne St George, Marlborough, Wilts SN8 1TD

All makes of new machines.

Trade-ins taken.

Collection and Delivery.

Spare Parts.

Servicing & Repairs.

Warranty.

01672 841207

Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 9am - 12.30pm

www.baydonmowers.co.uk

Hills Stores Charity Shop The Charity Shop is open as long as regulations allow. Please support us by buying and donating - the organisations which benefit from the proceeds (Scouts, Bowls Club, Holy Cross, Lunch Club, Recreation Centre, British Legion, Ravensbury Players, WI ) have all had fund raising curtailed or halted for most of 2020 so the contributions from the Charity Shop are more important than ever.

There are lots of bargains, come and see what you can find.

Sheila Glass

M. J. DUNNE & SON

Master Chimney Sweep Since 1979

Mike Dunne Member of the ICS

Church View Cottage, 28 Froxfield MARLBOROUGH SN8 3LD 01672 551529 & 01488 682308

chimneymen@gmail.com www.mjdunne.co.uk

S OFA S | CH A I R S | BE D S | M AT T R E S SE S

Winter Sale 15% HUNGERFORD SHOWROOM

01488 500326 30

Whitton Ways

Our Mission: To reduce the impact of food poverty on people in crisis in the Swindon and district area

To Everyone at the Churches in Aldbourne, Baydon and Ramsbury

Everyone here at the Swindon Food Collective would like to thank you for all your support and the effort that you all made to make Harvest 2020 a success in these difficult times.

Whitton Ways

It is with immense pleasure that I confirm that you raised ÂŁ2,026.10p in donations and collected an amazing 432.5 kilos of food.

With all your donations collected throughout the year, you have helped us feed 7,259 people in the last year (3,936 Mar to Oct 2020 during Covid) and have contributed to the 90 tonnes of donated, non-perishable food that was (re)distributed to those in need, with 50,615 tonnes being distributed so far this year (Mar to Oct 2020-during Covid).

We sincerely thank you for thinking of us and continuing to support our charity, especially at a time that, for many people, has been distressing and difficult.

Yours sincerely

Cher Smith MBE, Manager

The collection baskets are in the church porches all year round, though, so thank you also to those who support us on an ongoing basis. Please also remember that the church is a 'recommending agency' for aid from the Food Collective if you, or someone you know, are in need. This would be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Between October to December 2020, we have collected a further 137 kg of food plus a donation!

Bless you for your help Krystyna Hagerty Churchwarden Aldbourne

31

R COPP

Tree & Hedge Planting Fencing & Seeding All Grass Cutting Undertaken

Tractor-drawn mower available for large jobs Ride on or hand mowers for smaller jobs

LEVERTON FRAMERS Bespoke Picture Framing & Mirrors

2 Leverton Farm Buildings, Leverton, Nr Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0TA

tel: 01488 684077 www.levertonframers.co.uk

Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday from 9.00 - 5.00 pm Saturday from 9.00 - 1.00 pm Closed on Sundays and Mondays unless by appointment

Chilton Foliat Village Hall Beautiful well equipped hall, available for hire for all types of events.

Licensed for music.

32

Hypnotherapy (Cognitive) Siobhan Nell

Experienced and completely confidential Help with a wide range of concerns and difficulties including: anxiety, stress, exam nerves, performance issues, phobias and fears, depression, goal attainment, sleep issues, eating issues, relationship concerns. Online therapy also available via skype, zoom and whatsapp Contact: 07704616900 or sbhnnll@gmail.com

Fully insured, high quality home improvements and private/commercial property maintenance

07917 434466 or 07770 878800

Contact us on: Enquiries@cfvh.co.uk or Bookings@cfvh.co.uk or 07435 307279 for further information and pricing

11 London Road Marlborough SN8 1PH

Tel: 01672 520637 Mobile: 07502 265 376

nickwaite.qps@aol.co.uk

Free Home Delivery www.sumblerbrosbutchers.co.uk

01672 512185

Whitton Ways

Chilton Foliat WI

By November we were thinking that our WI would be meeting again in the village hall but who could have predicted a further lock down and all the restrictions that come with it? However, spurred on from other WIs, Chilton Foliat took to the internet to hold only their second full meeting since March of last year, through the zoom site.

Hampton Court Ghosts Fourteen of our members joined together to hear Sarah Slater’s talk 'Working with the ghosts of Hampton Court Palace'. Sarah talked about her experiences Speaker Sarah Slater working with the in period costume ghosts at Hampton Court Palace. What it is like, as a State Apartment Warder, to wander the galleries late at night on her own. She narrated several incidents witnessed by visitors to the Palace; the ghosts she spoke of included Catherine Howard, Jane Seymour and Sybil Penn, who was the nurse of Prince Edward, and whose tomb was desecrated and her remains scattered.

Sarah was an excellent speaker and we do hope to meet her in person later this year.

Charles Dickens age 47

and his talk on ‘The Amazing Mr Dickens.’

This was another great success, with so many of our members joining in to hear all about the life of probably one of our most well known authors and the times he grew up in.

Our monthly competitions have continued via the Newsletter but feeling very confident with our new found medium we held a zoom competition in December and under the guidance of our own WI member Bridget, we each made a Christmas tree decoration. Details of this and the winner of the 2020 Ellie Skehan cup will be published in our Newsletter as will the details of our WI Christmas post and Secret Santa trip.

If you would like a copy of our latest Newsletter it will be available from the secretary and if you would like to hear more from Chilton Foliat please do call or email we would love to hear from you.

With Very Best Wishes to you all for this The Amazing Mr Dickens New Year Our second meeting via zoom was another great talk and a very seasonal one as just be- Liz Outridge fore Christmas we heard from David Allen President

Whitton Ways

33

ALLOTMENTS Spring cannot be far away, can it?

There are raised beds (5m x 1.5m) available for only £10 per annum. Ideal for beginners or those with limited time. Big enough to grow salad crops, beans, peas etc. and a few flowers. What’s not to like? Contact Denise Edwards on 07867921878 allotments@ramsbury.org for more details.

See website www.ramsburyallotments.co.uk for plant sales and useful hints.

Bring an old friend back to life...

Dennis White

Repair and Restoration of Longcase and other Pendulum Clocks

Estimates given without obligation

59 High St, Ramsbury, 01672 520261 Established over 40 years

For parties, weddings, funerals, dinners at your home Let us take the strain, so that you can enjoy yourself

Angell’s Catering, 34 Queensway, Kintbury, Hungerford RG17 9XP 01488 658445

• Stone, Marble & Granite Memorials • Additional Inscriptions Open: Mon-Fri • Cleaning & Restoration 9am–5pm • Free Home visits Sat by appointment Workshop & Showroom: Pelham Court, London Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2AG

34

Tel (01672) 516797 martin@mjsly.co.uk www.mjsly.co.uk

RENOVATION AND CONSERVATION FOR OLD AND LISTED BUILDINGS

07727687535 or 01793741185 limeway2010@gmail.com www.limewaywiltshire.co.uk

Whitton Ways

fled at the end of term. In addition to the Friends’ group’s festive fundraising activity, the school’s catering staff raised over £200 in a raffle to pay for the children to have an extra special Christmas lunch - cooked by the staff!

Chilton Foliat Primary School’s

‘COVID Christmas’ Chilton Foliat Primary School came up with a creative and innovative way to celebrate a ‘COVID Christmas’ — including the school’s Virtual Christmas Fair, Letter from Santa and a Christmas Sparkle Day.

Its Virtual Christmas Fair in November raised £314 and supported small, local businesses, with a raft of online festive activities. Father Christmas may not have made it in person but the ‘Letter from Santa’ activity ensured children didn’t miss The hardworking Friends of out and all received an enChilton Foliat School came chanting letter from Santa, up with a series of festive including a North Pole postevents to keep the children mark. Finally, the Christmas working hard, but still having Sparkle day rounded off the fun at school, while retaining school year with a non-unia sense of normality and ad- form day in exchange for hering to COVID restricfestive gifts which were tions. made into hampers and raf-

The school’s Christmas Service and Nativity would normally have taken place at St Mary’s Church, Chilton Foliat, but was instead recorded and made available via the school website for parents.

All funds raised during the 2020/2021 academic year will go towards transforming the school’s Early Years’ garden and play area into a fun, safe and interactive learning environment.

“There’s no doubt about it, Christmas was slightly different this year, however our wonderfully enthusiastic Friends’ group and our talented members of staff made sure we retained a sense of normality and ensured the school’s Christmas festivities were as magical and memorable as possible, while raising essential funds for the school,” said Head Teacher Katie Turner.

Our Doctor doesn’t Write this month!

Our Doctor, Angela Paddon, isn’t writing for us this month as she and her team are fulling occupied in rolling out the Covid-19 Vaccinations locally.

Whitton Ways

35

ORANGE KEY A R C H I T E C T U R A L

D E S I G N

Are you contemplating extending or improving your home?

New life can be given to any property by renovating, adding an extension, loft conversion or garage conversion.

Contact us for a friendly chat and a FREE design consultation to find out how.

4 The Cuttings, Hungerford 01488 682918 info@orangekeyltd.co.uk www.orangekeyltd.co.uk

Swindon Buses - weekdays

We offer EVENT MEDICAL COVER and FILM AND TV UNIT MEDICS Our staff range from first responders through to paramedics and doctors FIRST AID AND PRE-HOSPITAL CARE TRAINING We are an ITC First registered centre Our wide-ranging ONLINE SHOP provides access to excellent kit and equipment from first aid kits through to trauma care equipment

Ramsbury departures 07.38, 08.43, 09.58, 10.58, 13.08, 14.48, 15.58, 17.03, 18.23, 19.23.

Sam Franklin

Swindon departures 06.30, 07.10, 08.40, 09.40, 11.35, 13.15, 14.10, 15.30, 16.50, 17.55

sam@reflexmedical.co.uk

All buses stop at the GW Hospital. Check times at bus stop.

07787 299218

Specialists in Garden & Landscape Irrigation Automatic Garden Watering Systems professionally designed installed and maintained RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS

SHAUN MEDLIN Tel : 01672 520144 Mobile : 07799 893520 shaun@waterwisegardens.co.uk Website: www.waterwisegardens.co.uk Hightown, Whittonditch, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2QA

K B IM

ER RO’S

LANDSCAPING CONTRACTORS

PATIOS, WALLING, FENCING, POND CONSTRUCTION, SEEDING & TURFING, HEDGE CUTTING, PRUNING AND TREE PLANTING, DRIVE CONSTRUCTION

DESIGN SERVICE AVAILABLE

TEL: (01672) 540051 www.kimberbros.co.uk

36

PLUMBING & HEATING FRANCIS ANDREW

Central Heating Installation & Repairs Boiler Installation & Repairs Landlord Certificates Bathroom & Kitchen Installations All domestic Plumbing No call out charges Free estimates 24hr service Fully Qualified & Insured Mob: 07720 245333 Home: 01793 791542 Email: faplumbing@hotmail.com

Whitton Ways

A big thanks from St Mary’s CHILTON FOLIAT

We would like to reach out to all those in the village and around who supported St Mary’s Church this year.

Many thanks to the Stewards and those who give so generously to the mowing scheme enabling us to keep the church grounds looking so good. This is greatly appreciated.

We are especially grateful this year as 2020 has seen unprecedented times during which the church has been closed and open latterly only twice a week from 11-3 on Wednesday and Sunday.

The generosity of the Whitton team has prevailed and helped to bridge the financial gap with a share from the team services.

Keep an eye open as services gradually return to normal and let us hope you joined us at Christmas – so good to be together again.

May you enjoy the Christmas period with joy and happiness and we wish everyone a very safe and happy 2021 wherever you may celebrate?

Happy New Year

Ronna Macmillan & Chilton Foliat LCC (Local Church Committee)

From the Parish Registers None 12.12.20 03.11.20

Baptisms

Weddings Jesse James Reid Campbell & Georgina Ellen Strang Funeral Andrew Raeburn Kingsmill

Whitton Ways

Ramsbury Baydon 37

Charles S. Winchcombe & Son

INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MEMORIAL CRAFTSMEN Est. 1932 Incorporating Thomas Free & Sons Funeral Directors Est. 1875 24 hour Service

Private Chapels of Rest Pre-Paid Funerals Craftsmen made Memorials

Charles S. Winchcombe & Son

Additional Inscriptions

Winchcombe House, 37 New Park Street, Devizes, SN10 1DT.

01380 722500

Cleaning and Renovations

Thomas Free & Sons

Albert House, The Parade, Marlborough, SN8 1NE.

01672 512110

Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pools & Spas Repairs & Refurbishments Ongoing Support & Service Our Extensive Knowledge & Experience Ensures Total Client Satisfaction

01635 813496 38

07814 552729

www.icebergpoolsconstruction.co.uk

Whitton Ways

Diary of Events May 2021 9 Ramsbury Run

June 2021 12 Ramsbury Street Fair

...Rodney, I’ve been meaning to have a word with you about your carbon footprint!

If you would like your event included, please email editor Vanya Body on whittonways@gmail.com with the brief details. We will include not-for-profit, sports, charity, community social and musical events.

Whitton Ways

39

Clergy

Team Rector The Revd Beth Hutton The Rectory, Back Lane, Ramsbury SN8 2QH 01672 520235 rector@whittonteam.org.uk

Team Vicar Revd. Sue Rodd 16 The Garlings, Aldbourne, Marlborough, SN8 2DT 01672 541571 revsuerodd@btinternet.com

Team Vicar Revd Rhona Floate The Vicarage Back Lane Aldbourne SN8 2BP 01672 540523 rhonafloate@aol.com

Mrs Estrid Eyles Licensed Pastoral Assistant (LPA) Coordinator 01672 520789 Revd. Canon Peter Ball, Priest Whittonedge, Whittonditch Road, Ramsbury, SN8 2PX 01672 520259 Licensed Lay Minister Mrs Jackie Hollander Hidden House, 6a Child Street, Lambourn, RG17 8NZ 01488 71012 Chaplain Froxfield College Reverend Ann Massey

Revd. Stephen Skinner Methodist Minister Mr Tony Eyles, Lay Minister 18 Priorsfield 55a High Street, Ramsbury, SN8 2QN Marlborough SN8 4AS 01672 520789 01672 512457 rev.stephen.skinner3@gmail.com

Team Office

Bookings

Churchwardens

Ramsbury with Axford Paul Trickey 01672 520630 George Hawes

01672 520693

Chilton Foliat Tim Williams

01488 682987

Ramsbury Methodist Steward Julie Coe 01672 521085

Peter Camfield Baydon

Froxfield

Aldbourne Krystyna Hagerty Chris McGowan

Church Room, Back Lane, Ramsbury

Chilton Foliat Village Hall enquiries@cfvh.co.uk

Office hours Monday & Thursday 9 am - 2 pm

Ramsbury Church Room Sarah Williamson

01672 520963 (Answerphone) teamoffice@whittonteam.org.uk

Other services

01488 685457

Froxfield Memorial Hall David Watson

01672 540698

01672 541362

07435 307279 01672 841315 01672 520161

“Phone-in services” will continue (not Holy Communion) at 11.30 each Sunday, followed by an opportunity to chat. Phone in on: 020 3481 5240 or 020 808 06591 or join us via the internet using ZOOM if you are able: Meeting ID; 9483407 2630 password: 343860

Service sheets are downloadable from the Team website. The main Sunday service is also recorded and uploaded on Facebook. Please note that masks are now mandatory in church unless you are exempt.

Private Prayer. All our churches are open for private prayer – please see the individual church notice-boards, as days and times vary across the Parish.

Email pcc@whittonteam.org.uk if you’d like to be added to our mailing list for resources.

See also our Facebook page: @WhittonTeamNews and the Team website: http://whittonteam.org.uk/.

Please also email helpline@whittonteam.org.uk with any requests for prayer and/or practical help at this time – we are here to serve you 40

Whitton Ways

Parish of Whitton January Services 3rd January - Epiphany 8.00 am Aldbourne 10.00 am Ramsbury

Holy Communion (BCP) Team Holy Communion (CW)

11.30 am Zoom / Phone Online Thursday 7th January 10.00 am Holy Communion (CW) Ramsbury 10th January - Baptism of Christ 8.00 am Ramsbury 10.00 am Aldbourne

Holy Communion (BCP) Team Holy Communion (CW)

11.30 am Zoom / Phone Online Thursday 14th January 10.00 am Holy Communion (CW) Ramsbury 17th January - Epiphany 2 8.00 am Chilton Foliat 10.00 am Ramsbury 10.30 am Aldbourne

The timetable for the Sundays and midweek Communion assumes that services in church will once again be permitted – but PLEASE check the church notice boards, website and Facebook: whittoneam.org.uk and @WhittonTeamNews

Holy Communion (BCP) Holy Communion (CW) Covenant Service (to be confirmed)

11.30 am Zoom / Phone Online Thursday 21st January 10.00 am Holy Communion (CW) Ramsbury 24th January - Epiphany 3 8.00 am Aldbourne

Holy Communion (BCP)

10.00 am Ramsbury

Team Holy Communion (CW)

11.30 am Zoom / Phone Online Thursday 28th January 10.00 am Holy Communion (CW) Ramsbury 31st January - Candlemass 8.00 am Ramsbury

Holy Communion (BCP)

10.00 am Aldbourne

Team Holy Communion (CW)

11.30 am Online

Zoom / Phone

4.00 pm Froxfield

Christingle

4.00 pm Axford

Christingle

Whitton Ways

At the time of publication, it’s very unclear what is going to be possible – depending on how long “lockdown� continues, and on what restrictions are put in place thereafter.

Please be assured that we’ll provide as much as we possibly, possibly can.

! !"#!$% & ' (

) * +,!-.$/0 !." 1

41

THE BELL AT RAMSBURY

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER

Our food and and comfortable Our 300 300 year year old old former former coaching coaching inn inn is is known known for for outstanding outstanding food comfortable accommodation, so >,@ why &32Z; don’t @3< you 6!@ pay us Part 3( of ;,' the Ramsbury Estate >-;, with !$$3113&!ধ 32T 93 <9 a! visit? =-9-;S !8; !19#<8@ 9;!;' our 3<8 own 3>2 brewery, #8'>'8@T distillery &-9ধ ££'8@ and !2& smokehouse, 9130',3<9'T our 3<8 menu 1'2< features ('!;<8'9 European <836'!2 cuisine $<-9-2' and Dog friendly.

Close to !2& pub 6<# classics. $£!99-$9W Great 8'!; walking. >!£0-2+W 3+ (8-'2&£@W £39' ;3 Marlborough !8£#383<+, and !2& Hungerford.

<2+'8(38&W

The High Street, Street,Ramsbury, Ramsbury,Wiltshire Wiltshire SN82PE 2PE || tel.

230 | | email. thebell@ramsbury.com The Square, Square, High SN8 tel.01672 01672 520 520 230 email. thebell@ramsbury.com

www.thebellramsbury.com

RAMSBURY R AMSBURY MEMOR MEMORIAL IAL H HALL ALL

An ideal venue for receptions, receptions, dances, stage performances, conferences, exercise exercise groups, groups, pr esentations and family gatherings conferences, presentations

Enquiries E nquiries and and Bookings Bookings at at www.ramsburymemorialhall.org ww w ww.ramsburymemorialhall.org orr Robert o Robert Osmond Osmond Tel. Tel T el. 01672 01672 520568 520568

" " " " " " " " " "

Hall of character !

Modernn facilities Moder facilities!!

Full disabled facilities facilities!!

Stage!!

Stage Alcohol Licence Licence!!

Free Fr ee Wi-Fi available available!!

Public addr address ess system! system!

Comfortable chairs chairs!!

Seating at tables for 120 120!!

Licensed for cinematography

Registered Charity Number 272112

Also available separately - !

Lychgate meeting room room !

The Lychgate for gatherings for up to !

25 people with kitchen ! and toilets