Chilton Foliat is an ancient settlement, going back to Saxon times, and beyond.  It is a small village with a current population of just over 300 adults. And it's beautiful, with many ancient houses. You could say it's a typical English country village.

The village nestles in the undulating landscape of the Marlborough Downs, lying alongside the River Kennet, a very beautiful and clean chalkland river, much loved by fishermen.

This web site has been created by villagers, for the villagers, and aims to provide visitors and locals alike with information about the village. Any comments on how we can improve the site are always welcome.

     

IN MEMORIAM ...

It is with regret that the passing of Nick Davies was announced in this week's Newbury Weekly News. For those of us who knew him, Nick was a character you simply couldn't ignore. His eclectic career history included as a musician, a wine merchant and, more recently, a food writer. Nick leaves 3 children and two step children, to whom I'm sure all our thoughts go. Nick suffered with Multiple Sclerosis in later years, and moved from Chilton Foliat only in the last few years. He passed away in Salisbury Hospice on 11th March.

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From Ivor

To all who contributed.

I was gobsmacked by the send off you all so kindly gave me. I was truly overwhelmed by it all and I will genuinely miss delivering to you all, you have given me so much kindness and it was an absolute pleasure getting to know you all over the years. It has taken me until now to process all of the events on my final day as I was so moved by it all and I can't thank you enough.

I wish you all the very best for the future.

Ivor

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Click here for the latest (13th April) information and advice regarding coronavirus from Wiltshire Council

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For details of the Community Action Group supporting each other in Chilton Foliat in the event of self-isolation. Click here.

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Don't delay seeking medical help because of coronavirus

People living in Wiltshire are being advised not to let worries about coronavirus stop them asking for medical help for themselves or their children if they become ill, have a serious accident or have a concern about their health.

They are also being warned that not seeking medical help for symptoms that could be the early warning signs of serious conditions such as cancer could be putting lives at risk.

The warning comes as new data shows a considerable drop in the number of people coming forward to ask their GP for help and advice during the coronavirus outbreak. Recent statistics show that, in Bath alone, the total number of weekly referrals from GPs to the Royal United Hospital have fallen from around 2,000 at the beginning of March to 300 at the end of April.

In Swindon, the average number of patients being sent by their GP to the Great Western Hospital for further investigations into symptoms that suggest cancer each week has dropped by more than 200 to 80.

Dr Ruth Grabham, Medical Director at BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG, said the statistics made for worrying reading because the drop in numbers "is not because people are not experiencing symptoms."

"While it may seem that coronavirus has put a stop to most aspects of everyday life, the one thing it hasn't stopped is what's going on inside our bodies," she says. "Now more than ever, we need to pay attention to anything that isn't normal and seek help early on."

"For example, if you notice blood when going to the toilet, or if you've found a lump that wasn't there previously, or if you've just noticed something odd that is causing you to worry, you need to speak to your GP.

"Should the symptom be the early warning sign of something serious like cancer, that delay in seeking help could have serious implications for how successful possible treatments may be."

Although GP practices across the region have adopted new ways of working, such as establishing isolated clinics for potential coronavirus patients, the practices themselves are still open to offer care, treatment, advice and peace-of-mind.

The same also goes for emergency departments at the three hospitals in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury, all of which continue to be open 24 hours a day for people with a genuine and life-threatening health concern.

Additionally, all healthcare facilities in the region, as well as those elsewhere in the country, have put in place stringent infection control measures to ensure that the risk of contracting coronavirus while visiting a hospital or GP surgery remains low.

-    Details of which services continue to open, as well as how to get in contact, can be found online by visiting www.bswccg.nhs.uk

-    For information about local hospital services visit https://www.ruh.nhs.uk, www.gwh.nhs.uk or www.salisbury.nhs.uk

Further information on how to stay well throughout the coronavirus outbreak can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

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