Home
Accommodation
Contacts and ancestors
Businesses
Chilton Chicks
Contacts and ancestors
Diary
100Club
Fete 2007
Fete 2006
Fete 2005
2006 - a review
Gossip Current
Gossip 07/07 - 12/07
Gossip 01/07 - 06/07
Gossip 10/06-12/06
Gossip 08/06-10/06
Gossip 12/05-08/06
Gossip 08/05-12/05
Gossip 10/04-08/05
In the papers
Jokes & stories
Links
Location and maps
Neighbourhood Watch
Parish Council
Picture Gallery
Population
Press Centre
Primary School
St Marys Church
Useful local information
Youth Club
Village Hall
Wheatsheaf Pub
Womens Institute

 

Local gossip

This page is updated on an ad hoc basis with local gossip that does not necessarily make it to the papers.  This won't always be 100% accurate (so please don't pick holes!), and presents an alternative view of village life. However, many of the items are based on fact.  We hope you'll be able to spot which is which.  Any views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by any official body whatsoever, but hopefully may provide you with a bit of amusement, as well as keeping you up to date on what has happened in the village. If anyone feels a comment is offensive, please be assured that none is intended to be, and email the webmaster immediately to have it amended or removed. Likewise, if you have a story to tell, also email the webmaster. All gossip welcome! And thanks to those who continue to contribute. Click on any hyperlink (like this) to be taken to the relevant page.
Dateline: 27 December  2007
A new enquiry about ancestors has been received on the web site. Click here to read it and see if you can help Julie.
Dateline: 25 December  2007
A very Happy Christmas to all our web visitors. 
Dateline: 17 December  2007
Did you know how dangerous emails can be? More so than you think. Have a look here to see the 10 most common email errors, compiled by CareerBuilder.co.uk
Dateline: 17 December  2007
The webmaster has learned from an impeccable source that a large house in the middle of the village is going on the market in the next few days. It is rare that such a property comes on the market, so it should be interesting to see what happens. Apparently, it will be sold by Marlborough agent Henry George.
Dateline: 17 December  2007
There was a serious accident this evening just after 5pm involving 2 cars in the village last night. Several emergency services vehicles attended, including the police, an ambulance, and fire appliances. It happened almost on the main bridge over the River Kennet. The police said it was down to wet roads, although one local reports that the temperature was zero degrees. Of course, the bridge always gets colder because it has an airflow under it, so it could have been ice. The good news is that nobody was killed, although the cars were in a dreadful state. One lady is in hospital, but thankfully her injuries are not thought to be serious. Click here to see some pictures. They are not very good, but are the best that your webmaster could come up with!
Dateline: 16 December  2007
A villager (the webmaster thinks it was Jim H, but is not sure - a few pints of Guinness got in the way) has got together some fascinating old pictures of the village, many of them 100 years old. They show what village life was like at the beginning of the 20th century and later. Horses and carts are in evidence, fires burning down thatched cottages, school children in Victorian uniforms, and much more. Click here to see them. 
Dateline: 16 December  2007
Last night was the annual Women's Institute Christmas get-together. These ladies are supposed to be the pillars of our society, keeping those unruly men under control. Not a bit of it, as these pictures show. Click here to see them.
Dateline: 15 December  2007
In the Hall last night, your webmaster was sorry to hear a well-known villager tell him that his wife has a nut allergy. When asked what sort of nuts, he would not say, just looking down and a bit sheepish. The webmaster is still in the dark. 
Dateline: 15 December  2007
The village Carols Round the Tree took place last night, starting in the Churchyard, and finishing off for mince pies and mulled wine in the Hall. A good time was had by all. In the Hall, a presentation was made to the outgoing Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee, Peter Camfield, who has held the post for a good 15 years and has help achieve a great deal for the hall.
Dateline: 12 December  2007
People are visiting the web site again after a quiet few months. December so far (excluding a couple of days when the server was down) average 145 people a day viewing the site. For propeller-heads, this is the fourth highest month in 2007 to date. 
Dateline: 12 December  2007
Don't forget it's the village Carols round the tree at St Mary's Church at 7pm on Friday 14th December. There will then be a torchlight procession to the Village Hall where free mince pies and mulled wine await you. And there will be a 100 Club draw. Come along and join in the fun. It was magical last year, and should be again.
Dateline: 6 December  2007
We don't often publicise charities here, unless they are local. So your webmaster received a call this evening from a very worthy charity based in Swindon trying to raise funds to help a seriously ill 5 year old boy called Callum. If you can help him, please visit his web site by clicking here
Dateline: 6 December  2007
The very noisy Hungerford Round Table Santa Claus float arrived in the village last night to much glee from the village's children.
Dateline: 4 December  2007
We've just been sent a couple of photos of the Chilton monoplane (see below). Click here to see them. The first was taken in 1938, and the second, of the same plane, in 1999 in front of Chilton Lodge.
Dateline: 1 December  2007
Today saw the christening of Yasmin, Sam and Alex Wolclough's new baby, at our village church. There were lots of people there to celebrate the happy event, including family (of course) as well as villagers. If Sam and Alex carry on at this rate, they'll double the village population in no time!
Dateline: 1 December  2007
A few weeks ago, 4 ospreys were seen on the river. This attracted a number of twitchers (that's bird-spotters, not villagers with embarrassing personal medical problems). Speaking of the river, it has been heard that the river-keeper has reported a major decrease in the trout population. He suspects this is to do with some local residents whose properties adjoin the river, rather than pollution run-off, illegal immigrants, or anything like that. Please will local residents stop nicking trout from the river. Apparently it is illegal, even if the same river does erode your back garden!
Dateline: 1 December  2007
The webmaster is used to getting unusual requests from all quarters, but the following came as a surprise even to him. The village panto needs the following props. If you have any of them and can lend or donate them, contact Liz. On second thoughts, lending the bacon, cheese or bread might not be a good idea. So just donate them!

A full size plastic or similar side of bacon (or side of pig would do)
A giant loaf of bread, any sort, obviously plastic or foam
A whole cheese, the bigger the better and again any sort or variety will do.
A ship's anchor - large but lightweight please.

The webmaster would like to add that he would also be the grateful recipient of most of the items. But if you can donate them, please make them real, and not plastic. Surprisingly, forget the ship's anchor, lightweight or not. The webmaster has no use for one of those. Not until the flood plain rises a bit.

Dateline: 1 December  2007
Many people may not be aware that Chilton Foliat has a very proud history, giving its name to a pioneering aircraft invented just before the second world war. The inventor's nephew, Gerald Ward, still lives in the village. There's now a new web site which is well worth visiting. Just click on the picture to the right to go and see it. 

Dateline: 1 December  2007
A few weeks ago there was a balloon race in the village. Liz O has now sent in some photos, which you can see if you click here. There are some fun photos, and the slide show starts with a very beautiful image of a sunset over Chilton Foliat. Well worth a look. If you want to see the sunset image on its own, click here.
Dateline: 1 December  2007
Received from villager Liz Outridge:

The Village Hall Christmas Quiz and Hot Supper night tickets are now available either from Liz or in the Wheatsheaf, at £7 per person. There will be a 100 Club draw as well as a raffle. Folks can make up teams up to four people and bring their own wine if they want to.

Panto tickets will be available directly after Christmas at £8 for Adults
and £4 concessions. Patrons will be able to book their interval drinks at
the Wheatsheaf in advance to save time. We welcome any business that would like to sponsor our program - estimated cost to be £100. Please contact me if you would like to help. To email Liz, click here.

Dateline: 1 December  2007
In yesterday's Times newspaper it was reported that the police have been informed how to spot a drunk. Apparently, they have been instructed to hand out on-the-spot £80 fines to any publican (or their employee) who serves someone who could be drunk. This is going to cause some big problems, and could lead to every publican in the country being fined. Why? The key points the police have been given to watch out for include: becoming incoherent, slurring, being careless with money, exhibiting inappropriate sexual behaviour, staggering, spilling drinks, difficulty in picking up change, fumbling for cigarettes, rambling conversation, difficulty in paying attention, lack of focus. Now, in the webmaster's experience, some or all of these points can be applied every member of the public even when they have not touched a drop. And he is certainly not excluding himself! It's tough enough running a country pub like ours here in this village, but if it's going to be invaded by the boys in blue with these guidelines in hand, the entire clientele will be excluded!
Dateline: 1 December  2007
A villager has sent in details of an appeal for Christmas gifts to be sent to British troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Regardless of your political opinion (should they be there or not?), they could certainly do with a bit of TLC from home. Click here for more details.
Dateline: 22 November  2007
If any propeller-heads would like to see the latest web stats, click here. in layman's terms, that means how many people have visited our web site.
Dateline: 22 November  2007
The latest Neighbourhood Watch missive is up. It is very relevant to you, so please do read it. Click here. One of the entries is quite intriguing, and very timely. Quite rightly, the police are alerting people to the very real dangers of identity theft. Indeed, a member of the webmaster's family suffered exactly this very recently. And this was very local. But, of course, if you really want to be the victim of identity theft, all you have to do is give your details, and those of your children to H M Revenue and Customs. They are able to transfer personal details of 25 million people into the hands of  fraudsters overnight. As they have just proved.
Dateline: 22 November  2007
The latest Parish Council minutes are up. Click here to read them. One intriguing item read: "Traffic Speeds. This item was held over to the next meeting owing to the absence of Nick Fritz.". Now, the webmaster is seriously confused by this. Does it mean that Mr F regularly speeds through the village? Or the reverse? Parishioners should be told! As far as traffic-calming is concerned, there is certainly a need for it. We're not part of a motorway, and don't want to be. The suggestion of planting a Vulcan bomber in the middle of the road a few years ago seemed quite a good one, but then a lorry took out several cars over a year ago one morning. All of these are a bit drastic, so the idea of Mr F standing in the middle of the road every day slowing traffic is appealing. But will he volunteer? 
Dateline: 22 November  2007
The minutes of the Village Hall AGM are now on the web site. Do read them (click here), as they include a note from the outgoing chairman, Peter Camfield, as well as new contact details for booking the hall and the new committee members. 
Dateline: 22 November  2007
Email received from a villager.

Despite a soaking wet morning, apple pressing and bobbing was well attended at the Hungerford farmers market two weeks ago. There was no shortage of helpers to turn the handle on the apple crusher and lots of willing tasters for the fresh juice produced. Some brave souls bobbed for apples (even a 72 year old lady it was reported !) and lots of apple cake was consumed. A free recipe leaflet from this stall hopes to encourage a bit of home cooking with local seasonal produce.

November Hungerford Farmer's market will have a stall by the food group of HEAT - Hungerford Environmental Action Team encouraging you to think pumpkin. Kids are invited to join in pumpkin lantern making, seed saving (grow your own pumpkins next year) and our name the squash quiz. There will also be pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread and would you believe it, pumpkin chocolate brownie to taste. This is all about encouraging people to enjoy local seasonal food. Low food miles equals lower environmental impact :-) 
Come along - Sunday 25th November, Hungerford High Street 9am-1.30pm

Dateline: 22 November  2007
A villager aged 10 now stars on his band's website.  Click here to see and hear it. For propriety's sake, the webmaster has to declare an interest. Felix (the bass player) is his son, and he's very proud of him!
Dateline: 16 November  2007
It has come to the webmaster's attention that there is a dog problem in the village. Well, not exactly a dog problem, but a house-owner problem. Everyone (we think) knows that this is a rural community, and that many people walk their pets in the village and surrounding areas. It has to be said that the webmaster does not walk his pet newt, alligator, or even his cat. But many people do walk their dogs. So how surprised were a few local ladies and pillars of the community, walking their dogs, when the matron of a house on the outskirts of the village berated them for allowing one of their dogs to stray into her garden. Now, it has to be said, that the new garden was not fenced, and did not even possess a gate. To the best of our knowledge, dogs are not great respecters of drawn-up boundaries. And in fairness to the poor dear, she must be new to country life. Will the lady prosecute the dog? The owner has phoned the police, who said that, to the best of their knowledge, nobody had ever prosecuted a dog. Just use your imagination. In the court, instead of saying 'yes, m'lud', the prosecuted animal will probably just bark. And be done for contempt of court. And spend the rest of its life in jail.
Dateline: 16 November  2007
It's that time of year again. The nights are drawing in and the villagers are bored. A villager has just sent us the results of a BBC poll of the craziest laws in Britain. As well as some from other countries. Click here to see them - they might brighten up your winter!
Dateline: 14 November  2007
Residents need to keep their eyes peeled for overweight hedgehogs, following reports in this morning's papers. The ideal weight for a hedgehog is 1lb 5oz. But a hedgehog has been found in England that weighs in at a staggering 5lb! Apparently, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just greedy.
Dateline: 9 November  2007
You can now see members of the village disporting themselves in the pub on the recent Halloween night, courtesy of Jackie H. Click here to see them in their full glory. There are not a huge number of people, but those who came made an impressive effort to dress up. Trevor and Lizzie, as ever, were very impressive, with Trevor being very colourful (well, he does have to compensate for Lizzie somehow!). Ric made an appearance with the new love of his life. Jackie and Jim H,and M, were all there. And there is a very odd photo of what the webmaster sincerely hopes is only a pistol pointing at someone's bottom. This is Chilton Foliat, after all, and villagers do not do that sort of thing here. Or so they say. And finally, there is the famous apple bobbing, with all involved getting very involved. And very wet. Finally, and goodness knows how he got there, but the badger put in an appearance too. He gets everywhere, that one!
Dateline: 8 November  2007
As many visitors to the web site will know, the webmaster got married a few months ago. So he feels it is the right time to re-publish a press cutting sent in by a reader. Click here to see it. 
Dateline: 8 November  2007
We have just learnt that the School Halloween Disco on Friday at the village hall raised an impressive £376. 82 children came, and had a ball. Photographs by our local snappa, Phil Tull,  are promised. Watch this space. And many congratulations to Jackie H, who organised the whole thing and made it such a success. Jackie would like to say thanks to everyone who helped, especially the bouncers!
Dateline: 8 November  2007
Inkpen Church yesterday was very full for Aislinn Stacey's funeral. There were many family and friends presents, including a fair few from our village. Everyone wishes her well wherever she is now. 
Dateline: 7 November  2007
Today is Aislinn Stacey's funeral at Inkpen Church, 12pm. Anyone who knew her or her husband, Stuart, is invited to attend.
Dateline: 5 November  2007
Put the chains on your doors! Today, an elderly lady suffered a break-in. In the morning. Apparently, a car containing 3 males and a blonde girl pulled up opposite the old lady's house. 2 stayed in the car, and 2 knocked on her door. When she opened it, she was thrown to the floor and the 2 then burgled her house. The webmaster is well-known for being flippant, but will not be so about this one. It's outrageous that an incident like this should occur, and that a defenseless person living a peaceful life should be subjected to this sort of violence and intrusion. Villagers should prepare their defenses, and be ready to counter this sort of violence. The police, by the way, have reacted very quickly, and are on the case.
Dateline: 26 October  2007
The webmaster is sorry to have to report the death of a much-loved local resident, Aislinn Stacey, who had only recently moved to the village, with Stuart, her husband of ten years. She died from natural causes at the early age of 44. She leaves her grieving husband of ten years, not to mention their lovely dog, JJ, a well-known character in the village. The date and place of the funeral has yet to be announced, although it is likely to be in Inkpen, just down the road from here, where Stuart's family comes from.
Dateline: 22 October  2007
Everyone must go to Hungerford on Sunday. Why? Because the Farmers' Market is on (www.tvfm.org.uk). It's well worth going to in itself. The webmaster can speak from personal experience - the sausages are fantastic (and no rude jokes, please), as is the rest of the food. But also, there will be a stall promoting awareness of locally produced foods to our children. This has all sorts of politically-correct benefits. First it tells our kids how great the local produce is. We live in the middle of the country, after all, and they should know more about it. Second, it helps carry the message of reducing the carbon footprint generated by supermarket-sold foods. Third, it increases the amount of money parents have to spend on food. So go and support it. You won't regret it. You'll see the webmaster there, in between trips to the supermarket to buy the non-locally produced washing powder, etc. Here's what the official version says:

A local food group is providing fun for kids at the Hungerford Farmers' Market, High Street Hungerford this Sunday 28th Oct between 9 and 1.30pm 
This month's focus is on apples, with apple bobbing, apple pressing and a variety of delicious foods containing apples to taste free. The group aims to provide fun whilst reconnecting kids and adults with the pleasure of what's in season and grown locally by presenting a different seasonal food at each Farmers Market over the coming months. Combining low food miles, reduced carbon footprint and great tasting fresh food!

Apple Bobbing – kids fun time 
Apple Pressing – press your apples and drink scrumptious juice fresh from the press
Tasting – yummy foods made with apples to taste + recipes
Toffee Apples – will be on sale at Sugar Mouse
Bring : a handful of freshly picked apples from your garden (or buy them at the market) and a beaker or cup

Dateline: 22 October  2007
The village pub was packed on Saturday night. The webmaster can confirm this because, although he has only ventured into the pub a couple of times in the last two months, he went in on Saturday night for a pint. Yes, that was just one, to put the unbelievers straight! The pub fuller than has been seen in living memory, with queues at the bar at least 2 deep. Why? Well, they had taken the trouble to get an enormous TV screen plumbed in so that people could watch the rugby. Everyone had turned up, presumably, with the expectation of seeing England winning the cup. As we all know now, it didn't happen. But that didn't do the pub's takings any harm. It has to be said that the webmaster is no fan of sport, but that does not matter. It was great to see the pub so busy. Long may it last!
Dateline: 22 October  2007
The 9th Abingdon Air & Country Show will be taking place on May 4th 2008 at Abingdon airfield,Dalton Barracks.For the second consecutive year we will be supporting the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance,currently based at RAF Benson,near Wallingford.

The ONLY airshow in Oxfordshire without a gap in 21st Century.

It looks fun, so check out their web site at www.abingdonfayre.com.

Dateline: 18 October  2007
The centre of the village is being transformed on Wednesday nights these days. Outside the village hall there is much barking and baying, and general rowdiness and mayhem. I know what you are thinking. It must be the Parish Council meeting. But no, your webmaster has to shatter your illusions. It's dog training night at the village hall. An amazing amount of dog owners wait outside, waiting to be let in. And of course, they all have at least one dog with them, all of whom get very excited. It is not known who on the Village Hall cleaning rota has the job of clearing up after, but whoever it is must have to go in armed with industrial strength cleaning materials.
Dateline: 15 October  2007
Here's an urgent request for funding for the village panto to acquire fabric for the scenery and costumes. They estimate they will need 20mtrs of Natural cotton calico at £4.19 per mtr, or approximately £84 in total. It is important to get this ordered ASAP which is why they need your attention and decision with some urgency please. That is unless anyone knows of a cheaper option for the same material ? It will have to be 108 inches or more wide and we will need 20 mtrs. Contact Liz Outridge if you can help.
Dateline: 15 October  2007
A collection of villagers are trying to organise a bit of a session at the Wheatsheaf pub on the night of the Rugby Final (next Saturday, Kick Off at 8.00pm) – the webmaster has been asked to inform everyone here. They are trying to organise a big screen, etc. Hopefully it will be a fun evening for all.
Dateline: 15 October  2007
The WI & Chicks are going to hold a balloon race to raise funds on Saturday November 3rd in the village hall. They will split the proceeds 50/50. The cylinder of helium they need is approximately £83 so does anyone in the village have access to one or a contact that we could get cheaper ? Or they could sponsor the race, having their company details put on every card we send off. You can contact Liz Outridge or Amanda Weller (01488 681799) of Chilton Chicks. Thanks in advance. 
Dateline: 14 October  2007
Apparently, the village pub has a few events going on.  Sadly, the webmaster is unable to tell you about them as the pub has not emailed the webmaster about them, so they won't be published here. Shame. If the pub wishes the events schedule to be posted on the web site, please will the pub managers email the file by clicking here so that it can be shared by the village, and not just the few people who visit the pub.
Dateline: 14 October  2007
The latest web stats are now available. Actually, if the truth be told, they have been for all of this month so far. It's just that the webmaster has only just got round to putting them up here. Click here to see them. 
Dateline: 7 October  2007
The nights (or is that knights?) are drawing in. Well, they must be, as a villager with little better to do has sent in the following email (surnames have been deleted to respect anonymity):

In the pub a few weeks ago a father, wife and son were overheard discussing the up and coming Quiz Night. On testing their son on a few questions, he was asked the names of the 3 wise men. 

The son quickly replied, Alan C, Pete C and Tony CL.

The father immediately put him right as he confirmed the question was wise men, not old men.

Dateline: 7 October  2007
The police have started a new format Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter, which is really rather good. The latest one has just been received. Click here to read it. It contains some very useful tips (including some about mobile phone security) and also, surprisingly, some very funny jokes. There are also some pictures of your local police officers. Go ahead and read it. You won't regret it!
Dateline: 7 October  2007
The FoliatSleuth@aol.com strikes again. See the previous gossip page entry by clicking here. In a recent email, received by the webmaster (but not published here because, yet again, it is anonymous), the self-styled 'sleuth' criticises the organisers of the fantastically successful village harvest supper (click here for pics) for not inviting him or her. Amongst other things. By the way, 'sleuth' we know who you are. You are not at all clever in covering your tracks!  If any web visitor would like to ask the 'sleuth' exactly what their gripe is, just click here to email him/her directly. The webmaster is sure (not!) that you will receive a reply. On the other hand, maybe the 'sleuth' is a genuine person. If so, the webmaster is sure you will receive a reply. But the more people who email the 'sleuth', the better!
Dateline: 25 September  2007
The latest Parish Council minutes have now been posted on the web site. It took a while, not because of the webmaster's rather lackadaisical approach to the web site (which is the normal reason) but because they had to be amended by the powers that be. Click here to read them.
Dateline: 24 September  2007
There's a new 100 Club page up on the web site. Click here to see it. You could win some money!
Dateline: 24 September  2007
The annual harvest took place on Saturday, to a packed village hall. A great success all round. Click here for pictures.
Dateline: 20 September  2007
I shouldn't have said we were lacking jokes yesterday. Another one has arrived since then. Click here to see it.
Dateline: 19 September  2007
The jokes have been rather  thin lately, but a villager has now made up for it with a wonderful politically incorrect one. Click here to read it. 
Dateline: 17 September  2007
Rehearsals for the village pantomime (a great success in recent years) are about to get under way. The usual suspects are involved, which should make a great show. The theme is Dick Whittington (no smutty jokes, please!), and the cat will be played by Jacqui Mallison. If her cat role is as good as last year's very camp genie, it should be hilarious! 

The costume makers will have their work cut out (literally) as Helen, the leading lady, has just announced that she will be 30 weeks pregnant when the panto goes live. Many congratulations to Helen, (click here for pics of her wedding to Tim, who we assume is partly responsible for this, a year ago). Quite how the leading lady became pregnant before meeting the leading man is anyone's guess. But anything can happen in a village! As we all know.

Dateline: 14 September  2007
The latest web stats for August are now out, and show an average of 173 people visited this web site every day. That's down from the highest month over the last 12 months, June, when 269 people visited the site every day. But it's still a lot higher than October last year, when it was 104 people a day. There are many potential explanations for the low (compared to June anyway) traffic. The most likely ones are the number of people on holiday during August, and the webmaster being lazy and not updating the website often enough. It's probably a combination of both. You can help the webmaster by sending in your stories to foliat001@aol.com. But please (see the story below) make sure your email is not anonymous.
Dateline: 11 September  2007

An email has been received from someone who calls himself 'FoliatSleuth'. It's about the forthcoming harvest supper (ably organised by David Hickford). Now, the webmaster is all in favour of healthy debate, but, in common with the editors of every newspaper in the free-thinking world, will not publish any readers' comments without knowing who they are. If 'FoliatSleuth' would like to email the webmaster again, this time not under the cover of anonymity, the webmaster would be happy to publish the email. Over to you, Mr or Ms Sleuth.

Dateline: 2 September  2007
The church is holding an Autumn Produce Fayre on Saturday 22nd September from 11.00am to 1.00pm, in the church grounds.
Posters are up in the village, hand painted and drawn by Sou Tyas!
 
Any contributions for the Tombola or produce stalls, cakes etc will be very gratefully received!
Dateline: 1 September  2007
The pub held its first vegetable show last weekend. Click here for some pictures a villager has sent in.
Dateline: 20 August  2007
Received from a villager after a Parish Council meeting:

Has the post box at the top of hill has been designated for removal as its on private land ? Also, the path on the Littlecote side of the Kennet in fairy land is in a serious state of dis-repair. are they looking at repairing it?

Dateline: 19 August  2007
Received from a web visitor....
Hi there, I would be very grateful if you could help me. I am looking for a pictorial history book of the area and Chilton Foliat in particular. My Grandad was born and raised in the village and it's now his 80th birthday - so I would like to get him something very special and a history book on Chilton Foliat would be perfect. Any suggestions regarding a book on the village specifically or on the local area around the time of his youth would be great. Thank you. Kind regards, E. Harris. 
If you have any suggestions to help the lady, please reply to: emily@charmingmagpies.co.uk
Dateline: 18 August  2007
Received from a web visitor....
Dear friends,
I have missed any mention on your very interesting websites of a hymn
tune called Chilton Foliat, by George Clement Martin, 1844-1916.

In the Church Hymnary, 3rd edition, 1973 (known as CH3 in the Church
of Scotland) it is the setting of words by Ernest Edward Dugmore,
1843-1925: Almighty Father of all things that be...

At St Andrew's Church of Scotland, Brussels, we used to sing this tune
to a Communion hymn: "Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest..."

I like this hymn, and have mentioned it to the Rector and choir of the
Church of Ireland (Anglican) parish which I am now a member of. I
only recently heard the name of the tune on BBC Radio 4, when it was
sung in a morning service (with different words).

I just thought it would be worth letting you know this.
Dateline: 18 August  2007
ITV (Plus 3 Productions Ltd) has contacted this website as they are interested in doing a program on Chilton Foliat for their series Village Voices, which is screened on ITV (Meridian) at 8pm on Mondays. Nicola, the producer, would like to hear from anyone who remembers the village's past, has an interesting hobby, or thinks that they or anyone they know could contribute to the program (like old photos of the village). If this is you, please contact Nicola at Plus 3 Productions as soon as possible by email on plus3villages@btinternet.com.  
Dateline: 18 August  2007
The webmaster has been suffering at the hands of British Telecom, and was without broadband (and therefore internet access). So in case you wondered why this web site has not been updated for so long, that's why. Apologies to all readers. 
Dateline: 27 July  2007
A bored villager has sent in some terrible jokes. Click here to read them. 
Dateline: 27 July  2007
The latest Village Hall Management Committee minutes are now up. Click here to read them
Dateline: 27 July  2007
The latest thing for all the gardeners out there! Green cones..... Special offer on at the mo from the council as well....all good stuff. Click here for more details.
Dateline: 27 July  2007
The latest Parish Council minutes are now up. Click here to read them. 
Dateline: 27 July  2007
Received from a web visitor (and see not at bottom of entry):

Hello from very sunny southern California. I found your site, and have been clicking here and there on it to learn about your lovely village.

I have just found out through some family research that my great uncle is buried in your churchyard, and I have been searching for photos and information on your town. I have also found sites on UK graves.

I wonder if anyone in your village might be able to do a favor for someone too far away to visit the graveyard? If anyone is willing to do a kind turn, i would like to ask for a photo (jpg) of the grave of my great uncle.

My great uncle, LYMAN HOLDEN CUNNINGHAM, joined the Royal Flying Corps (before it was the RAF). He volunteered before America was in the war, so became a part of a UK squadron. His "Casualty Details" report from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists his nationality as "United Kingdom" for that reason. He is in fact American, joined up via Canada, and flew for England. His plane crashed (over England) and he was killed 14 Jan 1918 at the age of 21. My uncle told me that Lyman's plane crashed because the plane had been sabotaged. The wires/struts had been filed through (by spies...?). I am now trying to verify this story, but it will take time.

I hope you can somehow post this story and my request. Perhaps there is someone there who knows and visits the churchyard who would agree to doing me and my family this huge favor. We would be ever grateful!

His grave reference number is B. 49.

Many many thanks, Lois Ogilby, Los Angeles, CA USA

If you c an help Lois, please click here to email your picture(s) direct.

Dateline: 27 July  2007
The script is finished for next year's panto (oh yes it is!). Dick Whittington this time. Show in February 2008. Liz O has done another excellent job on it and she should be sending the script out by .PDF soon (we've gone all hi-tech this year!). Obviously there's a hard copy if anyone is interested in that instead. Anyone who is interested in taking part should contact Liz Outridge. You can send an email to us by clicking here, and we will forward it to her.
Dateline: 27 July  2007
England has been (literally) inundated with floods following unprecedented rain storms. Luckily, Chilton Foliat has escaped, but neighbouring towns and villages were badly affected. Click here to see some pictures of Newbury station taken by Nic C, a villager.
Dateline: 27 July  2007
Your webmaster apologises for not updating the website for a few weeks. Maybe it's being married that does it!  But we're back in the swing of things now, so keep checking for updates. 
Dateline: 2 July  2007
Email received from a web visitor:

There's a vacant vegetable garden in the village. The correspondent's sister & her husband are both in there eighties & unable to manage it any longer. They live near the old vicarage. Phone 01488 683103 if you're interested.

Dateline: 2 July  2007
Email received form the police:

You will no doubt be aware of the two failed terrorist attacks in London
and Glasgow and as a result, we are facing a heightened security alert
of CRITICAL. This means that there is considerable potential for further
attacks.

A major counter terrorism investigation is underway following both
attacks. The devices had the potential to cause mass damage to
property, but also significant fatalities.
* There is no information that suggests that any part of the UK is
a specific target but another attack is believed to be imminent. This
policing activity is being undertaken to ensure that the public at large
are kept safe. This is our utmost priority.
* All forces across the country will be increasing their police
patrols in areas which may be vulnerable. These include areas where
large numbers of people may gather and licensed premises.
* Police officers will be visiting such areas and premises in your
area throughout the week to ensure they are kept safe.
* Terrorism affects all our communities and their safety is our
highest priority. We will do our utmost to help people recognise the
signs of suspicious and to assist us in defeating terrorism.
* Armed officers will be patrolling at significant points: e.g.
transport hubs.
* The police will continue to work with our partners and
communities at local, county, regional and national level to prevent
terrorism.
* We need our communities to help defeat terrorism. We need all
our communities to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to
the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.

 

Dateline: 1 July  2007
The web stats for June are now available, and are a record high. Again! An average of 259 people every day visited our web site during last month, including an amazing 643 people on 8th June.
Dateline: 1 July  2007
Starting on 9th July and running for one month will be a dedicated PR
campaign designed to raise the awareness of distraction burglary and
rogue traders in Swindon and Wiltshire - the SOS - STAY OUT STRANGER campaign hopes to raise the awareness of the crime and provide advice
and guidance on how to com
bat doorstep crime. Leaflets are available from  lynsey.thorp@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk.


Is there really a Fairyland in Chilton Foliat?  Click here.

Web design, content and images copyright© 2004,2006, 2007 Davies Consulting.
No part of this web to be used or copied without specific written approval.  To request approval, click here.