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.
Need Gossip from 2009 or 2008? Click here. It will be available soon via an archive. Until then, here's hoping 2010 is as event-filled as 2009 was - in a good way of course! Happy reading...
Dateline: 23rd February 2010
After Mr. X has started his, to be honest very frank column, it is not surprising that some of you have registered your disapproval. I am happy to print/retract all content sent in - just email me with your comments.
Dateline: 14th February 2010
The 2nd February Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin from Wiltshire Police |
 |
Dateline: 5th February 2010
Rumour has it that "Mr. X" has started his own column on the village website. Who is Mr. X? You can find a link to his column here
Dateline: 4th February 2010
We have had a new enquiry through on the Contacts & Ancestors page–click here to see it or email the webmaster with your comments. Thanks.
Dateline: 3rd February 2010
The February Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin from Wiltshire Police |
|
Dateline: 3rd February 2010
Well it's February already - how many people have been writing 2009 instead of 2010? The UK is finally [officially] out of recession according to the stats from the end of last year, Cadbury has been bought out by Kraft Foods [latest here] and (hopefully) the cold weather, snow, ice and dark mornings are behind us!
See the entry below for an update on potholes around the local area - the council are filling holes like never before apparently - the webmaster is not convinced and thinking of sending his tracking and tyre change bill to the local council.
On a less controversial but rather geeky note, visitor stats for the site are at all time high! The site received 800 unique visitors last month alone - it was half that last September. Thanks to all those who have visited including countries as far away as Myanmar! (or Burma for those of you of a certain age). Also, a first for the village website, someone has even been logging in from their PDA/Smartphone (the webmaster can assure you that he doesn't have anything remotely that exciting or up to date). As usual, please feel free to email me with feedback, comments, adverts or events that you think should be included in the Diary page.
The WI and Village Hall Committee events are all now listed on the Diary page. I'll be posting minutes from meetings of the above regularly as downloadable PDFs so if you don't have chance to attend the public meetings or, like some of our visitors, aren't in the local area, you can still access the information and keep yourself up to date. Newsletters from the WI and Police too will be posted so watch this space!
Some of you will have noticed that the latest Farm Bulletin is included below - this is like the Neighbourhood Watch bulletin from our local Wiltshire Police - I'll post them here on the gossip column and on the Neighbourhood Watch page once it's finished.
Dateline: 27th January 2010
Hello,
I am running a course in Aldbourne (details below) where I used to live and would welcome details being listed in your diary.
Many thanks,
JF
Event: Wild food and foraging course
Time: 9:15am
Date: Saturday 10th April
Location: Aldbourne
Link: www.hedgerow-harvest.com
Dateline: 27th January 2010
Wiltshire Council PR 3294 26/01/2010 [For Immediate Release]
Council wages war on potholes
Wiltshire Council's highways team has waged war on potholes, filling more
than 2,300 in the first week since the severe weather started to clear up.
Usually the council fills on average 200 potholes a week during the winter
but after the county was gripped by the extremely cold weather two weeks
ago, highways officers have been working round the clock filling more than
450 a day.
The damage has been caused by the prolonged cold weather following a very
wet November and early December. Some of the road damage is serious and the
highways team is looking at which stretches need to be completely
resurfaced.
There have been ground temperatures of minus seven degrees centigrade on and
off since mid December and only now after the temperature has risen and the
ice has thawed has the serious damage become visible.
The council did anticipate this and has its largest ever stock of a new
highly durable repair material. To help with the effort, staff have been
temporarily moved from their normal jobs. Last week (January 18 to 22), the
council spent approximately £125,000 on the repairs.
Town centres and all A and B roads have already been patrolled and the most
serious potholes have been filled. This process is being repeated on minor
roads. There are between 60 and 80 people working on this at present.
Cllr Dick Tonge, cabinet member responsible for highways, said: "We realise
how important it is to get the roads repaired as quickly as possible after
this severe weather. Our staff are making excellent progress working hard to
complete the repairs."
Cllr Tonge added: "We would encourage people to report serious potholes to
CLARENCE on 0800 232323 and we will fill them as soon as we can. However, we
are prioritising the most serious ones, and would ask people to bear this in
mind when calling in."
The council is also refilling grit bins in case there is more severe weather
in the coming weeks.
Dateline: 24th January 2010
Welcome to the New Year from Chilton Foliat WI. The new diary of events for 2010 is now available, if you would like a copy please contact the secretary, thankyou.
This subscription charge for this year is £29.50 per person and unless otherwise stated we meet in the village hall at 7.15pm on the second Thursday of each month except August. Once a member you will receive a monthly newsletter with all the information about the next meeting and articles of interest from both County and National Federations. Visitors are always welcome to WI meetings for £2.50 per person and we also welcome ideas for interesting speakers.
Our main fundraiser this year will be on Saturday April 10th when we will be hosting a fabulous Wines & Food of the World event with produce from 8 different countries, there will also be a wine expert on hand giving their advice and information about various wines. Please see the Chilton web site diary for more information nearer the time.
Liz O
Dateline: 22nd January 2010
The 6th Farm Bulletin from Wiltshire Police |
|
Dateline: 21st January 2010
Received from a web visitor
Please can you tell me if the walled gardens that harry attended to can be visited at all and also is chilton the place where he was laid to rest as i am a gardener myself and harry is a true hero of mine? Many thanks
If anyone can help Mr. W please email the website with comments by clicking here
Dateline: 19th January 2010
Received from Mr. S – one of the runners!
Empire State Building Run Up
Chilton Foliat residents Keith Smibert and John Summers are taking part in the 33rd Empire State Building Run Up on the 2nd February in New York. The run involves climbing 86 stories and 1,576 steps – a climb of 1,050 feet.
This will be the third time Keith has entered this invitational event, with John stepping up for the first time. Only about 120 runners get invited each year with only a handful from the UK. The record for the ascent is 9 minutes and 33 seconds but Keith and John are looking for times closer to 18 minutes - which still requires climbing a flight of stairs every 12.5 seconds. In both Keith’s previous run ups he has raised money for the Dreams Come True charity, which serves the whole of the UK and aims to bring joy to children who are terminally or seriously ill by making their dreams come true. Anyone wishing to sponsor the duo can contact Keith on (01488) 683527 or (07900) 881488, all donations will go to the charity as flights and accommodation costs are covered.
Training for the event has been hampered somewhat by the snow, but the use of head torches and studded running shoes has allowed some training to continue. This explains the mysterious lights seen going up and down the hill to the Sewage Farm – did you know that running up and down to the Sewage Farm gates 22 times gives the same height gain as the Empire State Building ( a possible question for the next village hall quiz).
And yes after the race they will be catching the lift back down!
Dateline: 13th January 2010
Sent in by the WI
Chilton Foliat WI
The Ceramics Workshop planned for Thursday 14th January has had to be postponed due to the weather.
Please see this site for the revised date in the near future. Any further news or inquiries please contact the secretary, thank you.
Dateline: 12th January 2010
We have a male teacher on a temporary placement (up until March) who needs somewhere to live (within walking distance of the school) on a B & B-type arrangement (including weekends). Do you have any availability or know of someone who might? Please contact John O’Gaunt Community Technology College (01488) 682400.
Thank you
Dateline: 9th January 2010
Received from Wiltshire Council
Helping your neighbour during the snow
People in Wiltshire are being urged to keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours and friends during this spell of wintery weather.
With the cold spell forecast to last well into next week with the possibility of more snow over the weekend, it may be difficult for some people to get out to pick up everyday essentials or to seek help if they need it.
Wiltshire Council is working with its partners to support communities and vulnerable people and it is urging people to consider spending a little time, where it is needed, to help their neighbours
Mark Kimberlin, head of emergency planning at the council, said: "A little time spent helping people with even a simple task such as picking up a pint of milk and some bread may be a big help for many people who otherwise might have difficulties."
Dateline: 8th January 2010
Severe Weather Briefing 4. (Wiltshire Council)
Today has seen a great deal of activity by the highways teams to keep the road network flowing. However, the conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight as temperatures drop. The following information has been released through our press office:
- Hazardous overnight driving conditions
- People are being warned to take extreme care if they have to travel in Wiltshire this evening (January 6) or tomorrow morning (January 7)
- Temperatures are expected to fall well below freezing and this will lead to extremely icy conditions on both roads and pavements
- Overnight Wiltshire Council highway teams will be working to minimise hazardous conditions and they will be aiming to salt around half of the road network in the county - approximately 1,350 miles of road. The roads that are due to be salted will consist of all A and B routes together with many C and unclassified routes. The routes can be viewed by following this link click here
- However, because of the extremely low temperatures that are being forecast, drivers should not assume any route is clear of ice and, as a result, may be hazardous
- People are being urged to consider if there journey is absolutely necessary and if it can be postponed until driving conditions improve
- The Highways Incident Room will remain open over night tonight and the emergency planning Incident Room will close at 20:00, reopening at 06:00 in the morning. The Duty Emergency Planning Officer and County Emergency Planning Officer will be available for call out if required
4 X 4 vehicles are available through the Highways Incident Room if required. This will ensure that services can continue to be delivered throughout the night, particularly for care provision or in response to emergencies involving vulnerable people in outlying communities.
There were two multi agency teleconferences today to establish what the effects of the weather have been on the ability of the Local Resilience Forum partners to operate services. Although the snow has caused a number of service areas to be suspended or cut back, critical services have continued to be delivered. Support between the agencies has been excellent to date and the teleconferences have ensured that all partners are sighted on the issues facing other agencies.
The strategic intentions of the Local Resilience Forum/Strategic Coordinating Group during this period of disruption have been established as:
- Coordination of resources
- Multi agency command and control in support of individual agency’s critical incident activity to prevent escalation to a major incident
- Care of the vulnerable - to ensure they have been identified, the information is shared and the response is focussed
There will be another teleconference at 11:00 tomorrow morning.
Because of the extreme drop in temperature expected overnight it is thought that schools will again be closed tomorrow.
Refuse and recycling collections have also been affected and an outline of revised collection services will be continued within a media release and available on the web from tomorrow morning when a more accurate picture of the conditions can be ascertained.
Regards,
Mark Kimberlin
Head of Emergency Planning Service
Dateline: 8th January 2010
Need a taxi during the icy weather? This advert has been sent in from Aldbourne Taxis
Would it be possible to link Aldbourne Taxis to your website for reader information? www.aldbournetaxis.com
Many thanks for your help, HK
Dateline: 6th January 2010
Well what a start to 2010! Happy New Year to all the visitors to the site. For anyone who has been asleep or abroad for the past week we have been having some of the coldest and worst weather in a long time. Temperatures have been zero and below now for at least a week and the ice is starting to use up grit salt from across the region. I’m pleased to say (I think) that I have been able to get to work every day this week but I cannot say the same for some residents of the village. It has been safer to stay at home to be honest and the snow and ice is still here – with more to come this weekend apparently!
Please keep sending your pictures of the snow into the site and I will get them put up as soon as possible. Have you had trouble getting into work this week? Should we clear our pavements of ice at risk of being sued? Your thoughts please to the usual mail@chiltonfoliat.com
Dateline: 4th January 2010
Dear Chilton Foliat
Further to my recent email, I have just discovered that this series is being broadcast again.
On the Yesterday channel on Freeview starting next Monday 11th January.
Between 5 and 6 o’clock, they are showing episodes 1 and 2, repeated at 9 o’clock.
On Tuesday episodes 3 and 4, Wednesday 5 and 6, Thursday 7 and 8.
So get your VHS/DVD/Hard diskrecorders ready for next week.
Terry Jones
Dateline: 1st January 2010
January Events in and around Hungerford - lots in store to get you out and about!
Spokes Meeting
Wed 6th Jan
John O’Gaunt pub
7pm for 7.30pm
Spokes speak out and act for cyclists. Come and meet other cyclists, hear of local events http://www.westberkshirespokes.org/
Southbys Allotments Tenants Assoc Supper Evening & Quiz
Thur 7th Jan
7.30pm
St Mary's Church Hall, Greenham.
Non members welcome.
Coppicing Workshops
Saturdays 9th Jan, 6th Feb, 6th March
9.30 - 4pm
Tree Pruning Workshops
Saturdays 23rd Jan & 13th Feb
9.30 - 4pm
Practical outdoor workshops : instruction plus an insight into historical & environmental relevance of these activities. Regular hot refreshments and a hearty woodland lunch over a clay oven are included for £35 p person for whole day.
Spar Making Workshops
Sundays 24th Jan & 21st Feb
9.30 - 1pm
Practical workshops with instruction from a professional thatcher keen to encourage the local production of spars for his trade. Welcome refreshments with break mid morning to bake your own jam filled damper included for £20 per person a half day. All above workshops held at:
Address: Little Hidden Farm, Hungerford Newtown RG17 0PN.
Tel: (01488) 683253
Email: acworths@littlehiddenfarm.co.uk
Discount of £10 for full time students for all workshops
Skills Sharing Workshop 1
Sourdough Bread : Making natural yeast bread work in a busy household
Thurs 14 Jan
7.30pm
Hungerford United Reformed Church Hall
Tickets £2 - Philip Brown will show the sourdough bread making process for making delicious Borodinsky bread & using rye starter to make a tasty French style country bread. Bring a small Tupperware container if you’d like to take a starter home with you......
Allotment Work Party
Sunday 16th Jan
10am
Fairfields Allotments, School Lane, Hungerford
Willing hands wanted for work party on the new Fairfields allotments. The fun will include gutter clearing, path repair and tidying up this new site. With fresh air, exercise & hot soup & bread for lunch - who needs the gym! Contact Helen on Tel: (01488) 681589 if questions or just turn up. Best wear strong boots, gloves & warm clothing.
Film: End of the Line
Fri 22 Jan
7.30pm
Croft Hall (also in Marlborough Wed 24 Feb)
The world’s first documentary about the devastating effects of overfishing and the future of our supply of fish. View trailer of the film at: http://endoftheline.com/
Doors and bar open 7pm. Tickets £4 from The Hungerford Bookshop or on the door. Film followed by an informal discussion over tea and cake for those who wish to stay.
Freeman’s Marsh Conservation Days
No experience necessary to join this practical conservation group. Wear old clothes & boots, bring lunch & a drink. Come for part or all of the day. Winter program below. To recieve the next events program or if you have any questions, Email: access@townandmanor.co.uk
River Restoration I
Wed 27th Jan
10am-3pm
Groyne Making - Come and help river keeper Rob Starr with river restoration work, cutting hazel & bundling them into hazel faggots. Meet at Marsh Gate road entrance.
|
