Once upon a time there was a bovine pedicurist called Richard Todhunter who, because of the foot and mouth epidemic, was out on a loose end. He decided to fill in his time by organising the very first beer fest at Seend Social Club. Realising that such an event was not a single handed task, he decided to enlist the help of like minded individuals!! Finding such kindred spirits was going to be no mean feat in a village of upstanding citizens.
Luckily there were a few “ale enthusiasts” who were able to help. These fellow devotees of the malt and hop included B.J. Tilley, Tony Daly, Simon Oddy, Frank Teasdale and Graham Hickman. The task was hard and arduous, but the men were up to the challenge. After a long series of tasting they eventually decided on the ten beers that would be their first beer festival. Over 200 people enjoyed themselves.
Since then it has gone from strength to strength. This year there are twenty real ales, two live bands, a pig roast and a selection of West Country ciders.
What many people regard as ‘real ale’ is really beer that is conditioned in the cask. When delivered to the pub or club and before it is ready for drinking, it has to be brought quite slowly to condition by the skills of the landlord. It is then delivered into a glass via a hand pull pump. Until around the 1950’s, this was the norm until beer brought to condition in the brewery was introduced. Memories are unsure but it may have been introduced by Watneys with their Red Barrel. Ready for drinking almost immediately after delivery, this beer comes to the glass by pressure from a CO2 cylinder.
Although huge volumes of pressure dispensed beers are sold throughout the UK, there are also very large quantities of cask conditioned beer always available. Wadworth’s 6X is a first-class example and is always ready and waiting for discerning drinkers at our local pubs: The Barge, The Bell, The Brewery and the Three Magpies as well as throughout the County and much of the U.K.
Many thanks go to everybody who has helped with the venture and also to our main sponsors, Haine & Smith.
It is hoped that a Parade will be held on Sunday, 6th June, 2004 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D. Day. Will all members please put this in their diaries.
Detailed timings and the form of the parade will be published in the June edition of Spotlight, once the new Rector has arrived and the schedule of Services has been agreed.
At our last meeting the Revd. Pam Smith gave us an interesting talk on “Iona”. She brought many photographs and books of this small island.
Representatives from Mothers Union branches across the Diocese gathered in Salisbury Cathedral on the 25th March for a presentation to Carol Reynolds, the retiring president, and also for the commissioning of the new president, Bridget Trump, the new Archdeaconry Chairman and unit co-ordinator.
In future all our Seend Mothers Union meetings will be held in the Pavilion, Rusty Lane at 2.45p.m.
The Corporate Communion is on 26th May at 9.45a.m. in Holy Cross Church.
Bulkington Ladies Group – Wednesday, 26th May:
A walk with the entertaining local historian, Mr. John Girvan, with supper.
New ladies are always very welcome to join us, either on a regular or occasional
basis. For more details contact Geraldine on 828664.
The Mothers Union: Wednesday, 26th May , 7.30p.m. in Keevil Village
Hall:
We extend a warm welcome to “Tea with Rose” presented by Rose
Lunt. For men and women, young and old, a one-woman show, a surprise package
of laughter and treats. Entertainment provided with a chance to sample a variety
of interesting home-made teas, with snippets of Rose’s life story in
monologue and verse.
NOT TO BE MISSED! Tickets £4 in aid of the M.U. Holiday
Fund. Raffle.
Bulkington Parish Council:
The Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on
WEDNESDAY, 12th MAY at 7.30p.m. followed by the Parish Council
Meeting.
Sunday 9th and 16th May - Mrs. Hale.
Sunday 23rd and 30th May - Mrs. Webb.
Special thanks to the “Flower Ladies” for making the Church look so beautiful for our Easter Day Service with Bishop Peter. It was a very happy service made all the more special with the lovely flowers.
The new Flower Rota will be posted soon on the notice board, or you can check
with Spotlight. Let me know if any dates are inconvenient. Many thanks.
Come along to the Social Club at 8.00p.m. on Saturday, 8th May, and be entertained by the South West’s Premier Vocalist, Steve “Biff” Byfield. Bring your friends. Sing along if you want to, dance if you feel like it or just sit still and listen! This is Seend School’s main fundraising event of the year so please help us to raise money to support the children’s education.
Tickets are available from the Shop, the Social Club or the School. They cost £7.50 (the price includes a Ploughman’s Supper). Hope to see you there.
During March some of the Seend W.I. members attended the Spring Council Meeting in Devizes. After business matters we were given a delightful and humorous talk by one of the Calendar Girls which was much enjoyed by all.
On the 31st March we went to Dauntsey School, West Lavington where we saw the Devizes Light Operatic Societies presentation of Annie Get your Gun. The leading lady and cast were excellent – this was another good evening out.
Is a change of speaker at our meeting on the 12th May. It is now Mr. B. Jaques talking on Etymology – the meaning of words. The competition will be “Flower of the Month”.
The W.I. Plant sale will be on Saturday, 22nd May, in the W.I. Hall at 10.30a.m. – 12noon.
This is the time of the year when we once again enclose an envelope and ask all readers to contribute to the ongoing production of Spotlight.
The financial intention of Spotlight is only to make sufficient money to cover its costs. There are no labour charges with the magazine as all of the work is voluntary. The normal costs of production therefore are materials expenditure only; paper, ink and materials for the printing machinery. Unfortunately over the past two years it has been necessary to purchase some second hand machinery and in order to do this, Spotlight has been compelled to borrow money. The debt amounts to £1,039.
For the year ending 31st December, 2003 finances were :
| Income | £ |
£ |
| Envelope donations. | 2,131 |
|
| Other donations. | 710 |
|
| Advertising revenue. | 754 |
|
| Bank Interest. | 16 |
3,611 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Production Expenses. | 1,294 |
|
| Maintenance of Equipment. |
388 |
|
| Postage and Stationary. | 30 |
|
| Purchase of Machinery. . | 2,938 |
4,650 |
| Deficit for the year | (1039) |
|
| Cash at Bank | 756 |
Please give generously when our collectors call.
Wearers of false teeth travelling in cars around the top of Bollands Hill are being advised to remove their dentures before entering this stretch of road. There have been several reports of denture plates cracking due to the violent shaking when cars pass over the many pot-holes. It is doubtful if replacement plates are available on the N.H.S.
Wiltshire Gardens Trust: We have a plant offer from the Trust to buy any of ten different varieties of Pittosporum for £12.50 each: these are usually between £15 and £20 each. A list was out at the April meeting; if you were not there and are interested, please phone Joyce (828433) as soon as possible.
The telephone number for ordering compost bins at a discount was incomplete in the last issue – it should be 08457300-123. You may have to persist to get an answer!
The Club will be running a Plant & Produce Stall at both the Church Fete on Saturday, 9th July and the Flower Show & Fete on Saturday, 14th August. Would members and others be kind enough to grow a few extra plants and cuttings for these events and any spare produce would be welcome. Help to run these stalls is also needed. Please contact Tony (828397) or Joyce. Thank you.
Tony still has some spaces for the Club stay away, centred on Norwich from
16th to 21st August. Please contact Tony if you are interested.
Advance Notice:
Gardening Club Members will be opening their gardens to fellow Gardening
Club members only on Tuesday, 8th June from 6.00p.m. onwards :
Joyce Brand, 9 Martinslade.
Patricia and Peter Hicks, Owls Corner, Martinslade.
Jenifer and David Raby-Cox, Withdean House, Bulkington.
Joan Savage, 22 Dial Close, Seend.
Other gardens will be open on 17th June and 29th June. Details will be in the June Spotlight.
As before I shall be ordering Spring Flowering Bulbs from a Lincolnshire
grower and his Dutch colleagues.
All profits will go to the “Friends of Berwick”. (Last year £180
was raised); Berwick is our Wiltshire South Girl Guiding H.Q., camping and
pack holiday centre at Berwick St. James, and the “Friends” help
with fund raising as well as spring cleaning, gardening and other useful jobs.
Order forms will be available later in May, so please contact me for one if you still have space in your gardens for more bulbs! Thank you.
For an evening with a difference and a chance to picnic to the sound of the Swinging Salisbury Big Band in the lovely grounds of Wiltson House near Salisbury, the atmosphere of the Forties will be re-created on Sunday, 30th May, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings.
There will be a chance to buy food and drink on the day or you are invited to bring a picnic and if you wish, to dress in 20’s costume to get “In The Mood”.
The gates open at 6.00p.m. and the concert starts at 7.30p.m., with the Army Historic Fly-past at 7.15p.m. It was at Wilton House that plans were made for the D-Day invasion of Europe.
Tickets bought in advance are £10 each, single, £30 for a family of 4, or £15 per person at the gate. They are for sale at Wilton shop or telephone 01722746720.
Proceeds will be shared between the Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen & Families
Association Forces Help and Wilton House Trust. If any more information is
required, please phone Mary Hardstaff on 01380 828458.
SHORT MAT BOWLS OPEN DAY:
Seend Short Mat Bowls Club is holding an Open Day for anyone aged 19-90 who would like to try the game. It’s good fun, it’s a friendly and helpful club, no experience or special equipment is necessary, and the refreshments are free!
Come and give it a try – everyone welcome – bring your friends. Sunday, 16th May. Drop in any time between 2.00 & 6.00p.m. Usher Pavilion, Rusty Lane, Seend.
Your committee has been beavering away as usual since the beginning of the year organising the performers for this year’s event, approaching potential “sponsors” and starting to get the programme together.
We are always grateful to the various local companies and individuals who take out advertisements in the programme, so if you know of anyone out there who would like some publicity by way of the 750 copies that will be distributed, get them to contact us!
Don’t forget that the donating of Tombola prizes would be appreciated at any time – ring Christine on 828888 or Colin on 828946.
Last year’s Fete contributed a much-needed £5,500 towards the maintenance of our wondereful village amenity, the Lye Field and its Pavilion, so we are aiming to do at least the same again this year!
Lilian Smallshaw would like to invite you to a Coffee Morning in aid of Church Flowers at 15 Dial Close, Seend from 10.30a.m. – 12 noon on Wednesday, 12th May. There will be the usual Raffle and Bring and Buy stall plus, of course, coffee and biscuits.
Unfortunately after making a recovery, our Steward John (Bj) Tilley, has had a relapse and has, once again, be hospitalised. We wish him a speedy recovery, as whilst with many helpers, the show goes on – Seend Social Club is just not the same without him.
A brilliant quiz night saw new Quiz Master, Graham Hickman, ably accompanied by Score Master, Colin Carr, preside over 15 teams pitting their wits against each other. The Chairman’s team ‘And in First Place’ flattered to deceive for a while, but were well beaten by :
1. Tessa Doe, Frank Teasdale, Esther and Tony Daly.
2. The Chipmonks – from Chippenham.
3. The Gonads – from Seend Cleeve, John Stephens, Stephen Nunn & friends.
4. Relatively Speaking – Reg and Jan Gudge and sister.
We have not been so fortunate with the timing of our mixed pairs skittles competition this season, however, although few in number, a hard fought competition saw Peter Wallis and Anita Shea triumph in the final over Frank Teasdale and Tessa Doe.
There are lots of events for everyone coming up at Seend Social Club – get your diaries out now!
Seend’s 4th Beer Festival – Saturday, 1st May:After last year’s sell out, we are promised a fantastic range of 20 beers plus ciders with entertainment during the day and evening including the Outhouse Critics, the Hedge Monkeys and a quiet area for those who like a more peaceful pint!
Well behaved children are welcome during the day as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult (the responsible bit might be a little tricky!!).
Come along and take part in a fantastic day – entry £4, which include free festival glass, first drink and programme. Club bar will be open for soft drinks and for other alcoholic beverages.
Club Members get extra drink free!
Show Night – The 80’s Experience, Saturday, 15th May: Claiming to be the ultimate tribute show, The 80’s Experience bringing
you all that was the best from this great musical era. Recreating the best
number 1 hits of the 1980’s including the songs of Wham, Duran Duran,
Culture Club, Human League, Adam and the Ants, Madonna, Frankie goes to Hollywood,
and many, many more.
Show also includes a comedy impressionist Paul Allen and singer Sarah Eden-Winn,
claiming to be ’simply the best’.
Tickets available from Sam Sainsbury (01380 828157). Members £10:
Non members £12.
Make a diary note for this year’s celebration of ’sporting achievement’
and a recognition of those who have made a difference to our Club over the
year. Club favourites ’Cat & Mouse’ provide the entertainment
– well unless you call the Chairman’s joke entertainment!! Come
along and share a meal and a glass or two with friends.
Tickets are £10 and will be available shortly from Seend Social Club
(01380 828796) and Richard Todhunter (01380 828730).
Dance the night away to firm favourites of Seend Social Club, ’Get
This’.
Tickets will be available from Ray Willis (01225 708811).
After the fantastic response we received from those who partied this New Year in, arrangements are already in place for New Year’s Eve, 2004 for you to pop those party poppers, burst those balloons and throw those streamers. Hopefully bigger and better – it’s the place to be, so make sure you’re there!
As many of you will know, the Club is a fantastic venue for parties, Christening and weddings, etc. and provides great value for money. If you are interested in making a booking, please contact Stan Wiltshire on 01380 828559 for availability and prices.
As reported in Spotlight some two years ago, Seend was to have an underground by-pass with one tunnel running east-west under the A361 and another tunnel running north-south under Bollands Hill and Bell Hill. Work had been progressing quietly and satisfactorily until nearly four weeks ago when there was a major roof fall in the area of the proposed picnic site and several tunnellers were trapped. Concern mounted because despite frantic digging by rescuers, one man could not be found and it began to look as though he would not be recovered.
Spotlight is happy to report that he is now safe. Trapped behind the roof fall and in order to save himself, he had dug his own tunnel which had come to the surface inside the cellar of the Bell Inn. He was by then exhausted by his efforts so he stayed in the cellar in order to regain his strength. When found, he was rather emaciated, pale from lack of sunlight and in need of a haircut. He was also quite intoxicated and incapable of lucid speech but is now making a good recovery in an Alcoholics Anonymous Centre. Additionally for the first time in nearly a month, the staff at the Bell Inn are now able to balance their cellar stocks!
(Seend was first with this type of by-pass, but the idea has caught on. In the Gazette & Herald issue of the 15th April, there was a letter to the editor calling for such tunnels. They would run from Cannings Hill to the bottom of Caen Hill with a branch towards Potterne.)
A final reminder regarding the re-organised year which starts on Saturday, 1st May. By now all subscribers will have received a letter with a request for their additional subscriptions. Any subscriber who has not yet responded, please do so today – before the letter is irretrievably lost!
For those who are not yet subscribers, if you would like to join, call me for more information and an application form. It will cost you £15 per year, which will not only buy you entry to a monthly prize draw, but will also provide a valuable contribution to the maintenance of the village-owned Lye Field and Pavilion. Call me now on 828391, or email me at:bjprolze@uko2.co.uk. I look forward to your call.
Here’s a nice thought for you:-
The more you give, the more you get,
The more you laugh, the less you fret;
The more you do unselfishly,
The more you give abundently.
The more of everything you share,
The more you will always have to spare.
The more you love, the more you’ll find
That life is good and friends are kind.
For what we give away, enriches us from day to day.
Inclement would describe weather conditions for our walk on Saturday, 20th March, when Colin and Jo Waldeck led us ‘into battle’ for a distance of 7 miles. Starting from the car park leading up towards Martinsell Hill, for a steady incline to the top. Surprisingly, we managed to stay upright, as we walked from the hill top passing ‘Giant’s Grave settlement’ and dropping down to the quaint hamlet of Oare. Passing the Church and fine Mansion ‘Oare House’. Crossing the ‘maternity fields’ where young lambs had very recently been born. The walk was delightful, with surprise sculptures enroute and the weather improved. Nine of us took up the challenge for which we thank Colin and Jo in organising.
Sunday, 28th March:Ron Apted organised a local walk taking us from Rusty Lane crossing over the canal following the old railway track, crossing the main Bath Road to fields opposite, turning left into Redstocks. Redstocks to ‘TheBarge’, then climbing back up towards the village. A fine circular distance of around 4 miles.
A cup of tea and cake awaited us to commence the AGM at 3.00p.m. The meeting was chaired by Bob Howe who welcomed everyone, a few absentees, but very well supported. The Club is doing well, with another interesting programme of events to look forward to this year. The meeting closed shortly after 4.00p.m.
Sunday, 16th May:Meet in Rusty Lane for a 10.00a.m. departure. The walk will start in Luckington and will be organised by Pam and Derek Chapman. Please bring a packed lunch.
Please make a note in your diaries of future walks and events: Friday, 11th June: - Market Cross, Devizes for an Historical walk around
Devizes. If wet, the forge for demo. (John Girvan)
£3 per head.
Saturday, 19th June - Jill Godwin and Marion Salter.
Sunday, 4th July: - Walk and supporting Scarecrow event at Bulkington.
Sunday, 11th July: - Terry and Sheila Williams.
Monday, 19th July: - Berwick-St.James. P.m. walk, evening BBQ.
Saturday,14th August – Fete Day/White Elephant Stall.
Sunday, 22nd August - Depart Rusty Lane 10.00a.m./Ron Apted.
Sunday,12th September – Penny and Ron England.
October. - Swanage.
Friday,19th November – Social Evening 7.30p.m. for 8.00p.m. Speaker
Mr. John Hankin from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Have you spotted all eight of the posters selected from those designed by Seend School pupils yet? They are displayed on notice boards throughout the village, indoors and outdoors.
And in last month’s Spotlight, we forget to mention Ben Appleby, whose original poster, which was displayed on the bus, got the whole thing started. Thanks Ben.
Annual Meeting:The Seend Community Bus AGM will be held in the Pavilion on Tuesday, 25th May at 7.45p.m. Please come along to keep the Committee company. We promise not to bully anyone into doing anything they don’t want to do – but we will give you the chance to have your say on the running of the Seend Shuttle.
We can also offer refreshments, and a display of some of the originals of the Seend Shuttle posters designed by pupils at Seend School. If you need transport to the AGM, phone Terry on 828203 or contact any of the Committee. See you there?
STRATFORD SHUTTLE:At the time of writing, there really are only a few tickets left for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Saturday, 22nd May to see Greg Hicks ’an excellent Macbeth’ and Sian Thomas ’born to play Lady Macbeth’ Ring 828617 for more details.
Timetable:The Seend Shuttle timetable, and other information about the Community Bus, is now on the Seend website: www.seend.org.uk.
Trans-Wilts Express, Route 49:The timetable for the bus route, which runs between Trowbridge and Swindon via Seend and Devizes, changed in March. If you need a copy, phone Tessa on 828617 or see timetables displayed at bus stops.
Welcome Booklets: If you are new to the village and haven’t yet received a Welcome booklet,
or if you are about to have new neighbours who should have one – please
ring Tessa on 828617.
Council tax bills for the new financial year have now arrived, and with them a great deal of information about Kennet District Council’s services and schemes specifically designed to help those on low or fixed incomes to help pay both rent and council tax. In addition, there is information about claiming pension credit for those over 60.
Any parishioner who may need help or advice regarding payment of rent or council tax should contact Kennet District Council on 01380 724911. For information, or to apply for the new Pension Credit, there is a Freephone Number 0800 99 1234.
If any village organisation would like more information, Hazel Brown, The Partnership Liaison Manager for the Local Pensions Service, Wiltshire is willing to attend meetings or discussion groups regarding pension credit and the services that the Financial Advice and Benefits (FAB) Team can provide. Hazel can be contacted on 01225 498114.
At some time or other, most gardeners have, when digging, had the company of a robin. Normally, and certainly in the experience of the writer, the robin will stay fairly close to the spade or fork ready to pick up any “robin food” that may get turned onto the surface. Our ace reporter Henry Shovel has enjoyed rural life for the great majority of this rather lengthy years and he, like most of us, will probably say that the robin will never step over those last few inches and take food from the gardener’s hands. That was until a few days ago. There is a particular robin with a nest and a mate snuggled into a safe spot in the growth on a south facing wall, and while Henry was visiting, the lady of the house was in the garden. With food in her hand and outstretched towards the bird, the robin flew into her hand to take the titbits. It did this several times before Henry discovered that the lady was buying maggot bait from an angling shop! It was a lovely sight that quite touched Henry’s craggy old heart. Despite the maggot delicacies, the bird retained its independence. It picked up a beakful of more “robin food” which it promptly delivered to its mate.
Earlier in ths Spotlight attention is drawn to the Lye Field Fete which will take place in August. The Lye Field, with its Pavilion, are a valuable and major asset to the Parish but as time has passed by, it is quite likely that many residents are unaware of how this asset was acquired. In 1966 the Revd. Ken Brown came to Seend (he started Spotlight in that year) and commented that in some ways, country children were disadvantaged against children in urban areas. In towns there would be playing fields and open spaces but whilst a rural area had plenty of open spaces, access would be limited mainly to public footpaths. Seend children needed a space where they could run and play in freedom.
Ken was probably unaware that he was going over old ground. In 1962 there had been problems regarding litter being thrown around the village with children being blamed. Some thought that adults were as untidy as the children and that more litter bins were needed. One Parish Councillor was very forthright and the Gazette & Herald of the day reported that he said that the children should be put into the bins together with the litter.
Problems again came to the fore in 1967 with friction between some people living on the Lye Estate. There were a largish number of young and energetic boys and the small patch of grass in front of some of the houses was really to small for any vigorous ball games. The result outcome was that balls were continually being kicked into neighbours’ gardens. Ian Giddings’ ball went into the garden of one particular lady so Ian crept in through her gate hoping to retrieve the ball before she saw it. He was too late. She came out, scooped up the ball and refused to return it. When home from work, Ian’s father, Bill, went to see her and. apologetically, asked for the ball. She again refused so Ian went to ask for help from P.C. Scott who was also rebuffed.
The field immediately to the west of the Lye Estate was farmed by Mr. W. Smith, who was a tenant of the Weld-Smiths from the Manor House. Over the years this field had been used as the site for small country shows and although children did go into the field, it was art of a working far and therefore, there were limitations on what the children could reasonably do. Grass was taken for haymaking and the area was also used for grazing, An ideal spot for a playing field!
Earlier in 1962 and again in 1966, signatures had been collected asking for
a playing field and these had been presented to what was the Devizes Rural
District Council. They were turned down as Devizes RDC did not have the required
amount of money for such a purchase.
To be continued.