The Signpost August 2020

TH E SO ME RF OR DS

THE

August 2020

THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR LITTLE & GREAT SOMERFORD, STARTLEY, SEAGRY, RODBOURNE & CORSTON

Guess who?

Diary dates The COVID-19 outbreak means that all events are cancelled for the time being.

Let your neighbours know As not everyone uses social media, our main method of communicating that The Signpost’s latest offering is online, could you please support us by sharing the link with your friends and neighbours so that we can reach as many people as possible.

Front Cover: ‘Guess Who’ Photo supplied by WP School Back Cover: Rainforest art, WP School Contents Diary dates ....................................................................... 2 Editorial ............................................................................ 3 Signpost Organising Group.......................................... 3 Local News and Events ............................................... 4-5 Street Champions ............................................................ 6 A Peasant’s Eye View...................................................... 7 Your local food services ........................................ 8 - 10 Air Sentry ........................................................................ 11 Chef’s Pantry .................................................................. 12 Riverwatch ......................................................................13

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Butterfly Quiz .................................................................14 Quiz results and School report .................................... 15 School leavers ................................................................. 16 School for real ................................................................. 17 School: Africa, N, S America....................................18-22 Councils........................................................................... 23 Advertisements ......................................................... 24-35 Church services .............................................................. 36 Contacts ........................................................................... 37 School photos.................................................................. 38

Editorial Now that there has been the first easing of Lockdown for the majority of people, please give a thought to those who are classed as especially ‘vulnerable’ and still have several weeks to go before their release into society. So what have you discovered about yourself in this trying time? Personally, although at the start of it all I was full of good intentions, lethargy crept in after a few weeks and the sorting, tidying, and cleaning lost all attraction. Shopping delivery slots seemed permanently full but thank goodness for a nearby daughter who was already shopping for others and added us. I never thought I would miss going to the supermarket, but I did want to see what was in stock and choose what I wanted. Also, like so many others, we do so much want to actually be with our grandchildren.

We have no reason to be out of sorts as so many others have real troubles: illnesses, grieving over deaths of loved ones, job worries and businesses having to close down. Many families have had to postpone anticipated celebrations. Our trivial niggles are SO unimportant.

On the positive side there was the novelty of the nearly empty main road outside our windows in the first weeks. The village must have been like that decades ago. I have caught up with old friends who usually only correspond at Christmas. That is a habit I must keep up. As the weather was beautiful in April and May gardening was a constant activity.

There were still a few leftover seeds from last year

which have been planted with mixed results.

Tomatoes, cucumber and beans are swelling and the spinach is a triumph. We have also enjoyed watching the goldfinches and other small birds visiting the bird feeder and the birdsong has seemed louder than ever. We have discovered some TV programmes we might never have watched and have added Bob Ross with his ‘Joy of Painting’ to our regular ‘Repair Shop’ favourite.

There are some things about these months we will remember with nostalgia: the kindness of friends and neighbours, the dedication and appreciation of the NHS and care workers who have put their lives at risk. It is also good to have the time to be peaceful without the need to dash about, but perhaps not for months at a time again.

Brenda Oliver (on behalf of Editor Peter)

Signpost Editorial Group Editorial Contact Editorial Team

Village Correspondents Corston Great Somerford Little Somerford Rodbourne Seagry Startley Church Matters School Matters Advertising and Finance Distribution

Peter Oliver Sara Sorby Jake Vale Michael Palmer Ian Wigmore Tony Massarella Lucy Dalgleish

01666 822342 07774 605431 01249 721208 01666 826390 01249 721541 07917 128857 07909 962067

peteroliver@waitrose.com sarasorby@yahoo.co.uk jakesignpost@uwclub.net michaelpalmer@btinternet.com ianwigmore@btinternet.com zhmassart@yahoo.co.uk lucydalgleish@hotmail.com

Brenda Oliver Jake Vale Julie Frayling Sara Sorby Jo Crosland Jenny Reeves Jo Crosland Jake Vale Brenda Oliver Steve Reay

01666 822342 01249 721208 01666 823799 07774 605431 01249 720429 01249 720521 01249 720429 01249 721208 01666 822342 01666 823462

signpost@hotmail.co.uk jakesignpost@uwclub.net Juliefrayling123@outlook.com sarasorby@yahoo.co.uk croslandjj@btinternet.com jen.reeves@hotmail.co.uk croslandjj@btinternet.com jakesignpost@uwclub.net signpost@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright Please note that all written and photographic material published in Signpost remains the copyright of the author/photographer and may not be reproduced without permission Signpost August 2020

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Local news and events Donations We have received with thanks a donation of £20 since our last edition.

Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the cost of producing Signpost should send a cheque to The Hermitage, Corston, Malmesbury, SN16 0HB. Thank you.

From the Registers David Radcliffe, aged 75 years, died in May. His ashes were interred in his parent’s grave in Corston churchyard. David had been born in Corston and had recently been living in Malmesbury. We send condolences to his family.

Help for our Churches The COVID Pandemic has created major funding challenges for our churches, as it has for many other institutions and charities. Planned services and fundraising events have not taken place since the end of March, but regular bills still have had to be paid including insurance premiums, electricity payments, upkeep and repair bills as well as payments to the Diocese for clergy and for administration. In many cases, there is little or no income coming in to cover these costs and some of our churches are facing a crisis. Do we want to find yet more of our facilities are no longer available when the Pandemic is over?

If you feel you can make a donation to help your local church, please contact the Treasurer of your Parish: Great Somerford/Startley: Mark Vincent 01249 721420 Little Somerford: Simon Nuttall 01249 720978 Corston & Rodbourne: Maureen Inwards 01666 822775 Seagry: Sheena Tilley 07801 749544

MALMESBURY & DISTRICT LINK Registered Charity No 1043099

LINK is a local charity which enables patients without access to transport to attend medical appointments. We are continuing to operate during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

If you need help to get to a medical appointment or to collect a prescription, please contact us on 01666 840861 between 09:00 and 13:00 Monday to Friday or send an email to: coordinators@malmesburylink.co.uk

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Hello Just a quick word to remind you all that I am around for general help and support on a wide variety of issues including transport, mobility and safety around the home and reducing the feeling of loneliness. Give me a call on 07557 922020 and leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ellen Blacker Health and Wellbeing Champion

SOMERFORD SHOW Regretfully the planned 125th Somerford Show on AUGUST 15 has been postponed until next year Great Somerford 2020 Vision Hundred club – Results Whatever the Government may say about what we may or may not do, as far as this house is concerned too many people are getting infected and too many people are dying for us to do anything too exciting!

Which is why on Sunday 5th July the numbers were once again drawn by Jude Picton Phillipps and, in no particular order, the winners were Hugh Smith, Mike Hardwick and Sarah Vout. Congratulations to them all.

If you would like to take part please contact Tom Picton Phillipps on 01249 721202 or at tom.pictonphillipps@btinternet.com or knock on his door at 4 Paddock Close. It only costs £5.00 a month Depending on the degree to which support is maintained or enlarged the level of prizes (currently £125.00, £75.00 and £50.00 monthly) may have to be varied.

Malmesbury & District U3A Malmesbury & District U3A is, like many organisations, discussing how groups can begin meeting again whilst meeting the government guidelines. Our regular editions of the Lockdown News keep us in touch with members. In the

Local news and events meantime we are enjoying meeting up via Zoom in both small and large groups and we were delighted that over 80 members enjoyed out first virtual monthly meeting.

Our next monthly meeting via Zoom will be on Thursday August 20. We look forward to a talk on The recent history of Bradenstoke Priory by Mark Thomas Bradenstoke Priory, in the Parish of Lyneham, was founded as an Augustinian priory in 1142. By the beginning of the 21st century all that remained of it were the ruins of a tower and undercroft, which are situated on Mark and Vicki Thomas’s farm. Mark is a keen historian and conservationist so, in 2017, he applied for and was awarded funding by Heritage England under the ancient buildings and protection legislation. This supports hands-on conservation schemes.

Mark will be talking about how the funding has enabled him to stabilise and eventually consolidate the undercroft, and about the fascinating history of the Priory.

Malmesbury U3A is now 5 years old and we look forward to being able to celebrate this milestone when life returns to normal. If you are retired or semi-retired do join us. We have more than 500 members and 40 different interest groups including book group, history, gardening, dancing, theatre trips, languages, walking etc. Check our website for an up –to-date list of groups and other information: www.malmesburyu3a.org.uk.

Please contact Elaine Sharp for more information on 01666 823568 or e-mail membership@malmesburyu3a.org.uk Monthly meetings will resume as soon as possible on the 4th Thursday of the month (10.0012.00) at Malmesbury Town Hall. We will look forward to meeting with others for tea/coffee and a chat and then enjoy listening to our monthly speaker.

Non -members welcome. 50p donation.

Before Lockdown we enjoyed talks by excellent speakers on ‘The History of Penguin Books, ‘The Beauty and Uses of Trees’, ‘Life as an Expedition Doctor’ and ‘Dickens in Wiltshire’.

The popularity of allotments has waxed and waned but as we slowly come out of recent lockdown restrictions, the benefits and joys of growing and gardening have been much appreciated by longstanding and new plotholders alike. The summer harvests are now ramping up with early potatoes being lifted, beans starting to flower and the annual courgette glut imminent. There are flowers too – with dahlias, cornflowers and calendula proving popular this year.

Several brand new plots have been marked out and started over the last few weeks. There is still time to clear a space and get some late sowings in the ground to overwinter whilst planning a plot for next year. Getting a new plot later in the season provides ample time to have a look around the rest of the site, to see what grows well and perhaps get some advice from people who’ve been allotmenting for a while.

It’s an excellent time to start with a completely blank canvas and, literally, plot your plot – to think about water, compost heaps and where you might want more perennial crops such as currants, strawberries, rhubarb and asparagus.

August also brings National Allotments Week (10 – 16 August) and this year’s theme is ‘Growing Food for Health and Wellbeing’. Whether you’re interested in taking up a plot or just want to have a look - the next few weeks are when the allotments are at their peak and all the hard work during the spring pays off!

The Allotment Holders Group is independent of the Trustees of the Free Gardens who are responsible for the administration of the plots and the site. If you’d like an allotment, please contact Dave Butcher on 01249 720204. If you’d like more information about the Allotment Holders Group, please email Janice or Clare at gsallotmentholders@gmail.com.

Janice Botterill & Clare Eaton

Rodbourne Arts and Crafts Festival The Rodbourne Arts and Crafts Festival planned for this October has been postponed until further notice. The organisers hope to be able to hold the event next year. So please keep it in mind if you are feeling creative as we hope to showcase as much local talent as possible.

July in the Free Gardens Two hundred and eleven years and counting – The Great Somerford Enclosure Award was made on August 26 1809. It’s impossible to calculate accurately but that’s a hefty amount of fruit and vegetables grown within the village over the years.

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Street Champions A Shout Out for the Gt Somerford & Startley Street Champions We as a Parish Council had an Emergency Plan, but like many others, this covered a flu pandemic, rather than something as unforeseen as COVID19.

Moreover, over half our Parish Councillors fell into the “Over 70” bracket, so were themselves compelled to self-isolate. We needed to identify who was vulnerable and who was self-isolating, but it was tricky to know how.

We found out about a “Street Champions” scheme, whereby each volunteer covered a small patch, so we put out the call, and 25 people volunteered to become Street Champions. At the same time, the Fourways Stores asked for volunteers to deliver groceries, the Church was busy making sure that no one was forgotten, and LINK made us aware that their volunteers were able to collect prescriptions. A “Great Somerford & Startley COVID19 Support Group” was set up on Facebook, over 80 people signed up immediately.

Each of the Street Champions then set about making sure that each of their neighbours was okay, and they did a mail drop to every house with advice about help available. We found that we had over 100 households whose members were over 70, vulnerable or self-isolating. They also identified more than 25 households that do not have access to the internet. When the Signpost went online, these households received copies, specially printed at the Walter Powell School, and delivered by the Street Champions.

The majority of the vulnerable people had family or friends looking after them. However, the Street Champions managed to find those who did need help – some living alone, some whose families were far away, and many just a bit lonely in this new locked-in world.

Some of the Street Champions began phoning their neighbours regularly, to check they weren’t too lonely. The Church did the same, and was also able to refer vulnerable people to us. And of course, a huge part of all this effort involved the Fourways Stores and the Volunteer.

We made a few slips – some houses got overlooked initially, others found themselves with more than one Street Champion. Some people had seen leaflets offering help and prescription collections, but had not realised that they were eligible. Even some of our Street Champions found themselves having to self-isolate, and of course, the Lockdown continued much longer than any of us had imagined. But we have been incredibly lucky so far as a parish, in that only a tiny number of people became ill, and no one ended up in hospital.

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And what was so great was that all the Street Champions and other volunteers carried on, week after week, just being kind - doing shopping –a lot of it in the Fourways Stores, but also queuing up at the supermarkets, running errands, sorting out prescriptions, and walking people’s dogs. When we asked the Street Champions what they had been doing, almost all of them said, gosh nothing much … just shopped for so and so, made a few phone calls … got some prescriptions … but when we dug deeper, we found all sorts of small acts of kindness.

The Street Champions are all modest people and didn’t want their names mentioned individually, so I’ll just let you know of the sort of things we were told. One would always put a small unexpected little gift into her weekly shopping deliveries, to cheer up the people she was helping. At Easter, another popped chocolate surprises through her neighbours’ letterboxes. Homemade cakes - especially on birthdays - were quite a theme, and one Street Champion’s young children baked fairy cakes for an elderly neighbour’s birthday.

And it worked both ways. One Street Champion explained how the people in her patch were “incredibly resilient and charming”. Meanwhile, a parishioner said “As an 80 year old ‘youngster’, with some mobility issues, I feel as if I’ve had to learn so many new skills in the last 3 weeks that my brain is going into overload! I am very grateful to all those who help in so many different ways, so keep up the good work - there will be better times ahead.”

Several people baked gifts for their helpers, in order to show their gratitude, and others gave bottles of wine, or home-grown vegetables. One Street Champion said “In all it’s been very pleasant – and I’ve got to know some nice people”. Several elderly people said how lucky they felt to be living in this parish, where people cared about them so much.

And that was the great thing – that by each of the Street Champions and all the other volunteers doing what they all thought was just a little, they made such a difference to so many.

Editorial Note: This is a truly inspirational and encouraging report and a credit to the Great Somerford & Startley Parish Council and villages. It would be very interesting to learn about similar initiatives in other villages in our community so please let us know.

A Peasant’s Eye View A Peasant’s Eye View For the middle of March I was complaining slightly about having too many topics to write about. Little did I know that Covid 19 was on the horizon, and all of the attendant miseries that go with it. Boris Johnson is a bit like Winston Churchill in that Churchill had to make a lot of decisions in World War 2 which would affect all of our lives and plans, and the electorate showed their approval of his decisions by voting him out of power – Boris may well fare the same.

We have had a shutdown on holidays, leisure, sport, social gatherings which would be far more difficult to bear than anyone would dare to think. I think the Labour Party are being very pragmatic and have gone along with the shutdown instead of trying to score points against the Tories.

There’s no doubt that any country without an NHS would have failed dismally, but by anyone’s reckoning due to politics we are in a state of disarray.

Anyway, life must go on. It will never be the same as before so we had better get used to it.

And finally...

One bloke decided to celebrate the relaxing of quarantine by buying a Rolls Royce. The salesman assured him that the model he was buying had every extra possible. He drove out of the sales forecourt and was promptly left behind by a bloke in a Skoda.

He wasn’t too pleased and returned to the showroom and collared the salesman saying: “How can I be beaten by a Skoda?” The Rolls Royce salesman replied: “We have one car left at Crewe and it is a frustrated Rolls Royce export order which was due to go to a Middle East country. And they have had a revolution so have cancelled the order. And it has everything in it you could dream of”.

When the bloke went down on Thursday his first thought was ‘Find that Skoda’. Eventually he spotted it in a lay-by with the windows all steamed up. He got out of his Rolls Royce, banged on the window which opened a couple of inches. “Do you remember me?” “Ah yes, you’re the man in the Rolls Royce that I blew away.”

“You won’t blow me away now. I’ve got this, that and the other in my car now.”

The Skoda man replied: “You got me out of my bath just to tell me that?”!

Ben Barton

Publisher’s note: I took our new little friend to see Ben at home.

Normally ‘springing’ all over the place, she just lay down quietly on Ben’s torso! I couldn’t resist including this picture.

Ben was in good spirits but finds the electric wheelchair uncomfortable on his hip and back and so spends a lot of time on bed.

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Your local food services Radnor Arms � To ensure our customers feel secure, we have redesigned the interior of the pub and introduced divides between tables for people to dine in. � New opening hours Wednesday – Sunday � Revised takeaway menu available with the most popular dishes on, alongside our Dine-In menu. � Tables need to be booked in advance and takeaways pre-ordered.

To book / order please call Paula on 01666 823389 or 07912868111.

Please visit our website www.radnorarms.com for full details of opening hours and menus.

THE

VOLUNTEER INN

Great Somerford, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5EL Follow us on www.facebook.com/volunteergreatsomerford for updates on events and specials

Thank you to all who have supported us during the last 3 months, and we look forward to seeing old and new faces back in our pub. However, these are strange times and for the many who s�ll have concerns venturing out too soon; WE ARE CONTINUEING WITH OUR TAKEAWAY MENU. Order from 12pm to 8pm for collection between 5pm to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday and 11pm to 3pm on Sunday.

Please call 01249 720316 or order online at https://www.paymentsense.com/volunteer-inn/

OUR POPULAR SUNDAY NIGHT QUIZ IS BACK! EVERY LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH - £2 PER PERSON (1/2 OF WHICH GOES TO A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE)

We are OPEN Tuesday to Sundays, serving food ALL DAY every Friday and Saturday Tel: 01249 720316 Email: info@volunteerinn.co.uk

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Your local food services

Open for you @ The Somerford Arms from July 8th FINALLY......we're opening our doors and welcoming you back!

It won't be quite the same as we have to keep you safe, but the food, drink and hospitality will be everything you expect and more.

Booking for the restaurant and bar is available now for our re-opening on July 8th and our new menus & opening hours will be on our website.

We can only accept bookings via the booking form on our website so, please, do not call us.

www.somerfordarms.com

đ&#x;“˛ Mobile contactless ordering to your table (July 27th) đ&#x;“? Optional single-use menus đ&#x;§ź Increased cleaning schedule throughout venue đ&#x;™Œ Increased frequency of hand-washing by staff at timed intervals đ&#x;’§ Accessible hand sanitiser dispenser stations ✅ Reduced furniture layouts and new Marquee to distance tables ➥ Clear social distancing signage đ&#x;’ł Cashless payments only

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Your local food services The New Inn Upper Seagry TAKE AWAY CHIP SHOP MENU phone orders only !!

•chicken breast •sausage •scampi •cod •pie, mince beef and onion •burger •mushy pea fritters ALL SERVED WITH CHIPS Served from 6pm until 8 pm Please note this is takeaway only Call 01249 721083 to place your order

Rohit remains open for business, supported by his team in the shop and volunteer deliverers to supply all your needs.

Newspapers, fresh fruit and veg, fresh and frozen meat, ice-cream, bread, alcohol, tinned food, toilet rolls and flour are available as well as cards, stationery, and cleaning products to name but a few. If not in stock we’ll do our best to get it for you.

Post Office also open ONLY 2 PEOPLE in the shop at a time Deliveries (minimum £30) can be arranged.

Please call on 01249 721272 to discuss any order.

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Air Sentry Press Release

Is this the safest village in the UK? Great Somerford is nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds, an idyllic Wiltshire village with a vibrant local community.

The unique system, recently awarded design protection by the UK patent office, is normally used in hospitals to protect patients and staff from disease. During the coronavirus it has been used to protect staff in London intenstive care units, special Covid wards and accident and emergency departments The system is manufactured almost wholly in Wiltshire and is a Wiltshire innovation that has taken 20 years of working alongside the NHS to bring to fruition.

When it was noted the local shop was having to have people queuing in the rain, it was decided to offer the owner, Rohit Babbar, the chance to keep his shop ‘ultra clean. An agreement was reached and soon the shop’s capacity went up dramatically whilst decreasing risk to the customers coming in.

Wanting to offer the safest environment to their clients the local pub, The Volunteer Inn, then requested if they could hire a unit. On Saturday the pub became the first public house to operate an air exchange system that would keep the air for its clients indoors cleaner that that found in an operating room. Adrian and Riana felt it was a step worth taking but it may take time for Charlie the springer to realise how lucky he is!

Air Sentry. Unit 8 , Old Manor Stables, West Street, Great Somerford, Wiltshire. SN15 5EH Telephone 01666 818087 email: office@airsentry.co.uk web site: www.airssentry.co.uk

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Chef’s Pantry Pavlova It’s summertime and it’s berry time but, for me, it’s also Pavlova time. Whether side plate, dinner plate, dustbin lid or eight tiered size a Pavlova has to be one of my favourite desserts to make, bake and decorate.

The dessert was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who toured Australia & New Zealand in 1926. A chef dedicated this indulgent dessert to her as it reminded him of her tutu and a dessert legend was born. It is, however, possible the dessert was in existence long before 1926.

Its origins are a little more complex, possibly originating with the Habsburgs of Germany who dominated most of Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries. They had an insatiable desire for all things Spanish including a cake called Spainsche Windtorte. “Spanish wind cake”, to you and me, was a complicated mix of meringue, fruit and cream.

Over time this form of meringue cake arrived in America with German immigrants along with various recipes such as Schawntorte or Foam Cake, Baiser Torte or Kiss Cake and the Forgotten Cake, which would be left in the oven overnight to finish cooking in its own heat. However it came into existence we are now blessed with a beautiful and simple desert.

There are three types of meringue that are used for different types of dessert.

French meringue is light in texture and can be piped and shaped and is usually used for oeufs a la neige, Vacherin or meringue nests. Italian meringue has a firm and velvety texture and is made using hot sugar syrup.

It is used for cold mousses, soufflés and sorbets.

Swiss meringue is similar to, but firmer, than French meringue and is used 12

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for piping and decoration.

When making meringue: • make sure all equipment is clean and free of grease; and • let the egg whites stand in a covered container at room temperature for a least an hour before use to maximise volume.

I love the Italian version and it is the one I use the most especially for Pavlovas as you get that lovely crisp outer shell and a soft marshmallowy texture inside. This is enhanced by adding white wine vinegar and cornflour.

For an easy Pavlova you will need 3 egg whites, 175g caster sugar, 1 tsp white wine vinegar and 1 tsp cornflour. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, whisk in half the sugar and then fold in the rest, together with the cornflour & vinegar. Spoon the mixture on a lined baking tray and then spread it into a circular shape, with a hollow in the middle, using a metal spoon. Bake for 1 hour on 150°C. Let it cool down in the oven. You can make this in advance and store the meringue in an air-tight container for several days.

Embellishment is then up to you. You can use cream, yoghurt, mascarpone or a mixture of all three for your base and then add the fruit of your choice.

A couple of favourites are cream & lemon curd with raspberries and cream & mango yoghurt with fresh mango. But the best, for me, will always be strawberries & cream. Whatever you choose do enjoy it as summer is only here for a few months.

Deborah Loader Top Tip: To check how fresh your eggs are place them in a bowl of water and if they sink they’re fine but if they float don’t use them.

Riverwatch The water tiger At any time in the warmer months of the year, you may find a tiger in the river edge or in adjacent pools.

During my work in India, I sometimes encounter the mighty Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) by the water. Some of my water conservation work relates directly to conservation of tigers and other wildlife, as water systems that function better do so for wildlife as well as for humans. Healthier water systems also help avert the potential for conflict between wildlife, humans and livestock, which tend to increase where there is competition for dwindling resources. More of my Indian work deals with mahseer, iconic and sometimes very large (the record weight is 121lb) fish of the genus Tor. These powerful fishes of monsoon rivers are top predators, and are also known as the ‘river tiger’.

But British fresh waters too have their own ‘water tiger’. This fierce predator is the larval stage of the Great Diving Beetle (Dytiscus marginalis) and other larger water beetles of the family dytiscidae.

The adult Great Diving Beetle is impressive, one of Britain’s largest native beetles, growing as long as one-and-a-half inches (35 millimetres).

The streamlined body shape is elegantly adapted to life as an efficient underwater predator. It preys upon a wide variety of aquatic animals including other water insects, tadpoles and small fishes. Body colour ranges from brown to black, with a characteristic yellow border around the thorax and head. The legs are also yellow. This coloration explains why adult insects, as well as their larvae, are sometimes referred to as ‘water tigers’. Adult Great Diving Beetles, like most water beetles, breathe by upending themselves at the water’s surface to trap air under the elytra (hard wing cases). The adult insect can also fly, generally at night, using the glint of the moon’s reflection to locate new water bodies.

However, it is the brownish larva of the Great Diving Beetle that primarily earns the richly deserved name ‘water tiger’. The larva is elongated in body profile like a curved spindle, brownish in colour, and growing bigger than the adult form at up to two-and-a-half inches (60 millimetres). The head is large and flattened, and armed with impressive jaws that are far from ornamental. These strong mandibles (a pair of pointed jaws that pierce and grasp their prey) have grooved inner surfaces enabling the water tiger to suck out the body fluids of the prey that it impales. Great Diving Beetle larvae share the indiscriminate predatory habits of adult beetles, even tackling animals such as dragonfly larvae that may be bigger than themselves.

Unlike adult beetles, larvae lack a hard shell around the body but make up for this deficit by being much more aggressive, partly explaining the common nickname. In fact, in a small pool lacking larger predatory fish species, the ‘water tiger’ can become an apex predator (the top of the food chain).

Water tigers can be found in both still and running waters, particularly in slower flowing

waters, often hidden in vegetation evading larger fishes and other of their would-be predators. Adult beetles lay eggs in marginal vegetation, the emerging larvae growing rapidly before burrowing into soil to pupate at the water’s edge where they subsequently metamorphose into adult insects.

The name Dytiscus is derived from ancient Greek, literally meaning ‘little diver’.

These impressive insects play important roles in ecosystems as predators, controlling pests (as one example they can reduce numbers of mosquito larvae) and cycling nutrient substances in ecosystems. Their striking appearance also makes them charismatic members of the pond fauna.

The Great Diving Beetle, often overlooked, is a fascinating beast that is not uncommon across the fresh waters of Britain and far beyond – there are 26 species of beetles in the genus Dytiscus alone distributed across Europe, Asia, North Africa and North and Central America, and more than 4,000 species in the family dytiscidae – adding a whole new dimension of mystery and wonder to our everyday contact with local fresh water bodies.

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Quiz British Wild Birds Picture Quiz Another month, another nature-related picture quiz, which I hope you enjoy! This month, we’re looking at common British butterflies, once more taking advantage of full colour in this fourth digital edition of Signpost.

How many can you identify in the grid below? By all means, compare notes and hints with friends, family and colleagues!

This photo quiz will also be posted on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/drredfinrods.

Answers to be published in the September edition of Signpost.

Mark Everard

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Quiz results. School Answers to the July 2020 British wild birds picture quiz Well done those who let me know they had completed this, and/or asked for hints!

As promised, here are the answers to the July 202 . A. Yellowhammer; B. Grey wagtail; C. Nightjar; D. Lapwing; E. Nuthatch; F. Goldeneye; G. Kingfisher; H. Red kite; I. Tree creeper; J. Water rail; K. Skua; M. Jackdaw.

Maximum 12 points possible… prizes all round

Walter Powell School News We are delighted to report that the phased reopening of Somerfords’ Walter Powell School and Pre-school in line with the Government’s Phase 1 reopening of schools and Early Years settings in England has been a great success. We have been able to invite the children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, along with our Key Worker children, to return together with the Pre-schoolers.

During Term 6 the school work was focusing on the 7 Continents and we all enjoyed travelling around the world together (albeit virtually!). Last month we reported on the children’s work from Asia and Antarctica.

Africa – We learnt all about Africa, the third largest continent. Over the week the children, among other things, enjoyed listening to a variety of African music, fact finding about animals, learning about the different countries in Africa, eating fruit from Africa and creating beautiful African art work.

There has even been a herd of noisy elephants in reception!

about the different countries and their cultures in South America.

Europe – As I write, the children are learning about Europe. The younger children have been building models of the Eiffel Tower, The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Windmills. They have enjoyed cheese tasting and learning about the different countries through play.

The older children have made postcards for European Capital cities, experienced painting like Van Gogh and enjoyed finding out about the climate, flora and fauna of Europe in a variety of ways.

During the last week of term, they will find out more about our final continent – Australia.

We continued to keep in touch with all our children, the teachers delivered an assembly via Zoom for their class each week which involved children in their classrooms and also children in their homes. This was a great way of keeping in touch and supporting the communication between everyone.

We hope that you all keep safe and stay well. We will continue to provide school news, as best we can, over the coming months.

Year 6 Leavers On Friday 17 July we bid farewell to our children in Year 6. This year was different to normal years as we are still unable to invite parents into school or church; they enjoyed a leavers' picnic in the Jubilee Gardens and they also had some fun with some party food and music. They were also presented with a memory book, bible and dictionary. We all wish Mary, Abi, Leo, Laurie, James, Finian and Bobby all the very best for the next step in their educational journey as they start secondary school in September.

We are very pleased to share with you some of the creative and diverse work that has been completed by our very talented children. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do when we receive it.

North America - Over the week the children enjoyed learning about Native American culture; North America’s wildlife including bears! The older children have been fact finding about the countries which make up North America, learning about black American history and enjoying music from all the countries. We have created 3D totem poles, headdresses, bear masks and puppets.

South America – During the week exploring South America the children enjoyed learning about the Amazon Rainforest; they used oil and chalk pastels to create some great art work and learned Signpost August 2020

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Year 6 Leavers

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School for real!

Key Stage 1 children working at their desks and George learning on his I pad

Poppy painting and Playing outside

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School: Africa

Abi and Fin’s African art

Leo and Mary’s African art

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School: Africa

1. Lovely giraffe, 2. Seren and Isabella learning about Africa together, and Sam Woodman’s Africa map

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School: N America

‘Squaw’ Ruby and Sam’s Totem pole Totem poles

Lovely rainforest garland

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School: S America and rainforest

Isabel’s beautiful rainforest birds Save the rainforest T-shirt Seren’s work on South America

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GS Parish Council Great Somerford Parish Council The Parish Council slotted in an extra meeting to deal with some matters that it felt could not wait until September and was really pleased that so many members of the public attended the Zoom meeting on 1 July.

Broadfield Farm – name of the new street Backhouse Construction Ltd provided two suggestions for the name of the new street, being Broadfield Close, Road or Lane or simply Broadfields and members of the public had suggested Ted’s (or Edward’s) View, Broadfield Close or Gardens, Demainbray Close or Gardens and Roady McRoad Face.

After discussion of the options and being mindful of the proliferation of similar names (e.g.

Broadfield Close or similar coming off Broadfield Farm) causing problems with delivery drivers or delays for Emergency Services, the significance of the Rev’d Demainbray to the village (founder of the Free Gardens) and the concern about residents having to change their address it was decided to propose to Backhouse Construction the first choice name of Broadfield Farm starting at number 6 with Demainbray Close or Gardens as the second choice.

At the date of writing it is not known what the final name will be.

Play Area Winkins Lane This is being opened as of 4 July, the earliest date permitted by the Government. The Parish Council was greatly influenced by the points made by members of the public that “If not now, then when?” as children were desperate to use it and it was hoped the Parish Council was not going to wait until the availability of a Covid 19 vaccine.

The Parish Council carried out a Covid 19 risk assessment and published Guidelines for the safe use of the facility which relies primarily upon parents and carers acting sensibly and taking all reasonable precautions. Copies of the Guidelines can be found on the gate, noticeboards, the Great & Little Somerford Facebook page and the website https:// www.greatsomerfordparishcouncil.co.uk/ under the Play Area section. The Councillors thank the School for sending copies home with children.

Planning The Parish Council only had one application to consider, namely 20/04094/FUL Pinfarthings Replacement single storey rear extension, conversion of garage and raising roof to create additional living accommodation, raising roof of garage to create additional bedroom and alterations to front porch which it supported.

Wiltshire Council “Approved with conditions” 20/00581/FUL Park House – Proposed new dwelling (bungalow) and had “No Objection” to 20/03726/ TCA Pinfarthings - Fell 1 Willow, 1 Lombardy Poplar and 1 Field Maple.

Wiltshire Cllr Sturgis’s report Following reports in the National Press WC Sturgis reassured the meeting that Wiltshire Council was not on the verge of bankruptcy or declaring a s114 notice as it had £15m in reserves and was expecting Central Government Grant funding to compensate in part for the additional costs of dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic. He further stated that the risk of local lockdown had been exaggerated by the media reporting a 300% increase in new cases.

The actual increase was from 1 to 4 with 110.4 persons per 100,000 of population being infected.

Wiltshire was one of the regions in the country least impacted by Covid.

Next Meetings The next scheduled meeting is 2 September @ 7.30 pm. It is not known if this will be a virtual (Zoom) meeting or a “real” meeting in the Community Room. Members of the public are asked to check the agenda which will be published one week in advance on the noticeboards and village website.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS

ADVERTISE HERE

Please submit your advertisement by the 9th of the month preceding publication unless otherwise advertised. The Editorial Board neither endorses nor accepts responsibility for the services advertised in these pages.

FOR JUST

For business advertisers small boxes are available at £3 and £6; ¼ page - £11; ½ page - £22.

KEN SHEARING DECORATING

Space for full colour advertisements is occasionally available on the back page. All cheques must be made payable to “Signpost”. To place an advertisement please ring Brenda Oliver on 01666 822342

● Coving ● Plastering / repairs ● Spray painting ● Window repairs ● Free estimates / quotes ● No VAT charged � Over 25 years experience

£3

Internal and External Painting

For a reliable professional service Tel 01666 823999

Gentle Foot Care In the comfort of your own home Heather Joanna Baker S.A.CDipFHPA S.A.CDipFHPAT Nail Cutting – Filing – Thick Nail Reduction Removal of Callus (Hard Skin) & Corns ….

For all enquiries please contact

07580 089906 Email – heatherjoannabaker@hotmail.co.uk Registered Foot Health Practitioner serving the community of Sutton Benger and the surrounding villages.

Local independent financial advice you can trust.

Our services include; � Retirement Planning � Investment Advice � Family Protection, Life Assurance � Inheritance Tax Planning

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT TREE SURGEONS Lopping, shaping, felling, topping, crown reduction, pruning of all types of trees, hedges and shrubs taken care of.

Conifers a speciality.

Regular contracts undertaken Fully insured FREE estimates without obligation Call: Barry Brown: 07922 881940 01793 853383 45 Downs View, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 8AZ

Please contact us for a FREE initial meeting Telephone: 01249 720 462, Email: enquiries@integritypi.co.uk www.integritypi.co.uk Unit 3, Gate Farm, Sutton Benger, Wilts SN15 4RE The following advertisers are unable to carry on their work at the present time but hope to resume in a few months: • • • • • • •

Antique Furniture Restorer 01249 720770 GS Community Room 01249 720204 J M Services 07500410803 LS Village Hall 01249 720978 Mayfield Hotel 01666 577409 Peterborough Arms 01249 247833 Starr Pilates 07949341692

Plumbing repairs and installation Do you need C H ...

Central Heating?

Cold / Hot Water?

Then you need Colin Hope A local plumber, based in Yatton Keynell Call Him now!

01249 783193 or 07896 099672 24

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Your local manufacturer of :-

Roof Trusses Floor Joists Feature Trusses

Visit our website to find out more:-

Bespoke Garden Buildings

www.stoneleigh�mber.co.uk

Full Sized House Kits

For enquiries and orders Call us on

01380 871 533

Or e-mail

Stairs

sales@stoneleigh�mber.co.uk

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M.Vincent Windows & Glazing For all your glazing needs Wiltshire & Gloucestershire areas Fast, friendly and efficient service Available at your convenience 7 days a week CALL FOR YOUR FREE QUOTATION

07890 138453 / 01666 460106

michaelv5329@aol.com www.mvincentwindows.co.uk PROFESSIONAL LOCAL PICTURE-FRAMING SERVICE • Photographs • Watercolours • Mixed media • Memorabilia

• Oil paintings • Textiles • 3D Objects • Boxed frames

JILL SHEARER SAYERS⸱FROG LANE ⸱ GREAT SOMERFORD 01249 720807 / 07581 454295 FRAMEDOFFROGLANE.COM

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At Chalkland vets you will find a warm and friendly environment where you and your pets will feel welcome.

Our Services include:Separate dog and cat wai�ng areas Separate dog and cat kennels Consulta�ons Vaccina�ons and neuters Laparoscopic (keyhole) spays Radiography and ultrasound Laboratory services Den�stry Opera�ons

Opening hours Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7pm Saturday 8.30am - 12.30pm

01249 588805 41-42 New Road, Chippenham, SN15 1HL enquiries@chalklandvets.co.uk www.chalklandvets.co.uk

CONNECT COMPUTER

Lavish Locks Mobile Hairdressing Great Somerford

Restyling Cu�ng & Colouring Bridal Hair

Contact Jane on 07789 002216 or 01249 720228 lavishlockshairdressing@gmail.com

SERVICES Based locally. We provide an efficient, honest and friendly service in the comfort of your own home / place of work

Please call Kate on 07793 671089 or support@connectcomputers.co.uk no fix / no fee and free quotations Signpost August 2020

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� � � � �

Unique stained glass windows and mirrors Commissions made to your specifica�on Range of fused glass gi�s and jewellery External & internal windows can be supplied double glazed Check-out the website for lots of ideas

www.worksofglass.co.uk 01249721617 – rtaylor@worksofglass.co.uk

STOVE & CHIMNEY LINING SERVICES

QUALIFIED HETAS ENGINEERS www.flus4u.co.uk Great Somerford, Wiltshire

Collier-Marsh Accountancy Chartered Accountants

Accountancy services Bookkeeping Management Information services Payroll Taxation services For Individuals, Sole Traders and Small Businesses Free initial consultation Sutton Benger Tel: 07583 437 689 / 01249 721525 Email: contact@colliermarshaccountancy.co.uk Web: www.colliermarshaccountancy.co.uk

07885 464137 FREE QUOTATION

Paul Reeves P.R. Electrical Services

ACER TREE SURGEONS ARBORICULTURAL ASSOCIATION APPROVED CONTRACTOR As your local Arborist, we are passionate about providing a bespoke service when looking a�er you and your trees.

Services include: • Tree Removals, Dismantles and Felling • Crown Reduc�ons, Re-Shaping and Pruning • Hedge Cu�ng • Management of Dangerous Trees • Stump Grinding and Removal • Free Quota�ons and Tree Health Check Please contact us for free help and advice regarding your trees.

Adam Roberts M. Arbor. A, FdSc Arb ND Arb Tel: 01666718078 / 07843082634 Email: adamroberts@acertreesurgeons.co.uk

Your Local NICEIC Approved Electrician For all aspects of domestic electrical work including Inspection / Testing and Fault Finding.

Please contact Paul in Startley on 01249 720521 or 07860 298591 All calls receive our prompt and courteous attention.

Email: prconsultants100@hotmail.com

DO YOU HAVE A MOLE PROBLEM? With over 30 years’ experience in tradi�onal mole control I can effec�vely, discreetly and humanely remove the culprit(s)!

No gas, chemicals or poisons used and completely safe to children and pets.

NO MOLE – NO FEE Rabbit control also undertaken Fully insured and references available Member of the Bri�sh Mole Catchers Register BPCA/RSPH level 2 cer�ficate in pest control.

Call Charlie now for a free, no obliga�on site survey and quote 07766 132 934 (Day) 01666 890 344 (Evening) 30

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MOBILE HAIRDRESSER "Let me come to you!"

Please call Nicky Ross on 01249 720738 Mob: 07841 330880 for an appointment NEED A NEW BATHROOM? PLUMBING & HEATING BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS, WATER SOFTENERS SALES/INSTALLATIONS CALL: PETE HUTCHINS

01249 720345

07760 307151

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

♫ PIANO LESSONS ♫ JENNIFER J. TIDMARSH ATM (SMTC) FISM 12, The Street, Hullavington, Chippenham.SN14 6EF Very well established Piano Teacher with over thirty-five years’ experience.

Children from the age of six, teenagers and adults all welcome.

Lessons in Theory of Music also available.

Pupils achieve excellent results in ABRSM exams.

All exam Grades covered up to and including Diploma level

Telephone 01666 837264.

Mobile 07814 103077

Member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians

RICHARD PONTING PROFESSIONAL FLOOR AND WALL TILING All types of natural stone tiles, slate, travertine, flagstones, terraco�a, ceramics Sheet vinyl (inc. Karndean), carpet tiles SUPPLY AS WELL AS FIT Tel: 01249 721229 07966297790

AMHERST TREE CARE Swindon’s No 1

Fully Licensed-Fully Qualified Fully Insured Local Authority Approved Professional Tree Surgeons Tree Surveys & Reports Tree Felling Pruning & Planting Height Reduction Hedge & Flail Cutting Site Clearance Estate Management Grounds Maintenance Excavations Free no obligation quotations A Family Run Business with over 25 years Experience www.treesurgeon.biz 01793 772268 / 07921 856089 amherstcontractors@hotmail.co.uk

Foxley Plumbing & Heating Oil Boiler Installation, Servicing And Repairs Oil Tank Replacement Heating Installation And Repairs Bathroom Installations Unvented Cylinder Systems No Job Too Small

Tim Hibbard Email

Malmesbury (01666) 822863 Mobile 07966 462202 foxleyph@btinternet.com

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• Small and medium sized business specialists • Cloud accoun�ng specialists • Free ini�al mee�ng & fixed fees available • Free fact sheets and monthly e-news (see our website)

Unit 1 Gate Farm High Street Su�on Benger Wiltshire SN15 4RE

Tel: 01249 720341 Fax: 01249 470560 info@bowenaccounts.co.uk www.bowenaccounts.co.uk

We offer: Nursing Residential Respite Day Care Adrian Cizmas Home Manager

Set in beau�ful gardens overlooking the Vale of Dauntsey, with large ensuite wet rooms, hair salon and residents coffee shop. Whether you are looking for nursing, residential, respite or day care, we would recommend a visit to our home to see for yourself what makes us so special.

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Tel 01666 822363 Hill House Care Home Little Somerford Nr Malmesbury SN15 5BH hillhousemanager@gmail.com

www.cowley-electrical.com Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

* Extra Lights * Additional Sockets * Rewires * Smoke Alarms * New Fuse Boards * Landlord & Homebuyer Inspections Fault finding & Repairs - - -- - -- -- - -- -- - -- - - -- -- - -- - -- -- - -- -- - - -- - -

* Qualified Electrician * Six Year Guarantee * Fully Insured * Reliable Service * Free Quote * Tidy Work *Reasonably Priced

Satisfaction Guaranteed - - -- - -- -- - -- -- - -- - - -- -- - -- - -- -- - -- -- - - -- - -

I will assure you of a quick response and a reasonably priced service Call Neil – Your Local Electrician on

01666510976 Signpost August 2020

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Single Ply Flat Roofing Specialist �Firestone EPDM Rubber Roofing Systems �20 Year Guarantee �Highly resistant to ozone and UV �Flame-free installa�on �Large seam free sheets �Maintenance free �New build or refurbishment �Firestone Approved Installer

CABINET-MAKER/HOME IMPROVEMENT Storage solutions, bespoke wardrobes/cupboards, shelving/ bookcases: or call to discuss your own design. Free quotations....

Call Rob Griffiths 01249 720309

ADVERTISE HERE Tel: 01666 837589 Mob: 07768 277980 Email: info@twsroofing.co.uk Website: www.twsroofing.co.uk

E B BOILER SERVICES • Oil boiler installation • Servicing, breakdown/repair

FOR JUST £3 Tiller Garden & Landscape Services Established 2004 City & Guilds qualified horticulturalist

TIM MORRIS Erik Beckwith Great Somerford – 01249 721564 Mobile – 07952493160 Email – beck66@btinternet.com

Garden care, pruning, planting and design.

Soft and hard landscaping projects, Border renovation, makeovers and tidy-ups Mobile: 07818 072273 Email: tim.morris822@btinternet.com

A J’s Interior & Exterior Decorator Exterior and interior painting and paper hanging Specialising in older properties Free advice and estimates given on request All enquiries welcome Member of Painting & Decorating Association 01249 891192 or 07740 945930 34

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Church Information Woodbridge Benefice As more is being allowed we are opening up with just one service a week in the churches throughout the benefice, but most of our ministers remain unavailable to lead public services so we will be offering just one service per Sunday in the Woodbridge Group for the next few weeks until such time as we are able to offer more.

26th July 9.30 am Great Somerford th 30 August 6.00 pm Little Somerford Holy Communion On Sundays when it does not have a service Little Somerford Church will be open for private prayer from 10am to 4pm.

We continue to offer online services for those who can access them and prefer to stay at home.

Daily Morning Prayer is on Facebook 'Woodbridge Group of Churches' at 9am.

On Sundays we have 'Unbroken Praise' at 9.45am and 'Virtual Sunday Worship' at 10.30am, both on YouTube and Facebook (search for 'Woodbridge Churches Online')

Draycot Benefice We are gradually opening up for public worship as more is being allowed by the Church of England 2 August - Seagry 9 00 am – Holy Communion 9 August Seagry 2-3.00 pm Private Prayer 23 August Seagry 9.00 am – Morning Prayer 30 August Seagry 2-3.00 pm- Private Prayer Thursdays 11.30am Zoom Morning Prayer service please contact Mark drmarksid@gmail.com If you would like to receive the weekly newsletter please contact Iain northwiltshiredeanery@gmail.com Corston & Rodbourne Rodbourne Church is open for Private Prayer Sunday afternoons by appointment. Please email sarah.railfarm@gmail.com or telephone Susannah Dibben 01666 822103 to arrange.

Corston church remains closed Malmesbury Abbey Online Daily and Sunday services are available. Access via www.malmesburyabbey.com and the ‘services’ option Pastoral phone line 07425 527312 Monday – Saturday Morning Prayer 9.00 am & Evening Prayer 3.00 pm Sundays Holy Communion 9.00 am, United Service 10.30 am Evening Prayer 3.00 pm For Prayer requests – email prayers@malmesburyabbey.com Abbey open for Private Prayer Tuesdays 11 am-1 pm, and Saturdays 9-11 am Neither the Abbey nor Corston and Rodbourne churches will be holding public services in church before September.

Methodist Services Worship is continuing with live streaming of prayers from Wesley’s Chapel.

Locally, churches are working towards reopening in September .

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Contacts Allotment Gardens Great Somerford.......................................... 01249 720204 Little Somerford .......................................... 01666 823799 Seagry ........................................................... 01249 721046 Somerfords’ Art Circle ............................... 01666 824306 ................................................................... 01666 823799 Astronomy - Somerford Gazers................. 07711 972300 Bell ringing.................................................. 01249 721127 Churches Malmesbury Abbey Office......................... 01666 826666 Woodbridge Group Office (Maggie) ......... 01666 511422 Rector, Rev Steve Wilkinson ..................... 01249 723733 Curate, Rev Mike Graham ......................... 01666 510441 Lay Ministers Debra Evans ................................................. 01666 511158 Tony Yates.....................................................01249 723842 Jane Briggs.................................................... 01666 825996 Churchwardens Corston & Rodbourne (Angela) ................ 01666 822916 Corston & Rodbourne (Susannah) ........... 01666 822103 Gt Somerford (Anna Kent) ........................ 01666 510515 Lt Somerford (Robert Gawthropp)........... 01666 510339 Rev Alison Love (Draycot Benefice)......... 01249 720619 Seagry ........................................................... 01249 720683 Seagry ........................................................... 01249 720429 Draycot Admin (Maggie-Tues. Only) .......01666 511357 Great Somerford Methodist....................... 01249 720687 Roman Catholic (Malmesbury)................. 01666 822331 Café Church ................................................. 01249 721398 Coffee Pots ................................................... 07845 156184 Councils Parish Councils (Clerks) Great Somerford.......................................... 01249 890379 Little Somerford .......................................... 01249 720978 Corston and Rodbourne............................. 07533 879433 Seagry (Viv Vines) ...................................... 01249 890759 Wiltshire Council ......................................... 0300 4560100 Dentists ........................................................ 0845 758 1926 Doctors Malmesbury Health Centre ....................... 01666 825825 Out of hours ................................................. 0300 1115717 Embroiderers' Guild.................................. 01249 721373 Fishing Somerfords Fishing Assn ............ 01666 823799 Gardening Club (Diane Beverley) ........... 01666 824182 Girl Guides.................................................. 01666 825647 Library - Malmesbury ................................ 01666 823611 Library - Chippenham ................................01249 650536 Neighbourhood Watch Little Somerford .......................................... 07711 972300 Great Somerford.......................................... 01249 723754 Seagry ........................................................... 01249 720429 Corston ......................................................... 01666 822691 Rodbourne.................................................... 01666 829445 Startley .......................................................... 01249 720521 Parent & Toddler group............................ 01666 824951 Police Non-emergency Number ........................... 101 Wiltshire Police (Alternative No.) ............. 01380 735735 Post Office.................................................... 01249 721272

Pubs The Volunteer Inn (GS) ...............................01249 720316 Little Somerford Arms ............................... 01666 826535 The New Inn (Seagry)..................................01249 721083 Radnor Arms (Corston).............................. 01666 823389 Recycling (Hills) ......................................... 0845 6032085 Refuse (Wiltshire Council) ........................ 0300 4560100 Seagry & Startley Recreation Ground Trust Upper Seagry (Adele Carnegie)................ 07769 905701 Startley (Jayne Tinslay) .............................. 01249 721082 Shop Fourways Stores, (GS).......................01249 721272 Schools Somerfords' Walter Powell ........................ 01249 720797 Somerfords' WP Pre-School....................... 07931 263909 Seagry School............................................... 01249 720213 Seagry Pre-school........................................ 07773 011321 Malmesbury School .................................... 01666 829700 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers......................... 01666 822651 Sports Centres Activity Zone Malmesbury.........................01666 822533 Olympiad Chippenham ............................. 01249 444144 Lime Kiln Wootton Bassett ........................ 01793 852197 Talking Newspapers ..................................01249 659305 Transport Buses AD Rains ........................................... 01666 510874 Coach hire A James Quality travel ........... 01666 825655 Coach Hire Coachstyle ............................... 01249 782224 Coachstyle Buses ......................................... 01666 510874 National Coaches ........................................ 0870 5808080 Bradies............................................................01249 890794 Taxi AST Ltd .................................................01666 823388 Taxi Abbey Taxis..........................................01666 826072 Taxi Webb Taxis ...........................................01666 823551 Taxi Andycab................................................01666 826525 National Rail Enquiries .............................. 0845 7484950 Driving Miss Daisy ..................................... 07458 012460 Malmesbury & District Link...................... 01666 840861 Village Halls Little Somerford .......................................... 01249 720978 Goss Croft Community Hall ..................... 07779 717663 GS Community room ................................. 01249 720204 GS School Hall ............................................. 01249 720797 Corston/Rodbourne ................................... 01666 824377 Women’s Institute Little Somerford .......................................... 01666 510490 Woodside ...................................................... 01249 720765 Emergencies Highways & street care .............................. 0300 456 0105 Electricity...................................................... 08000 727282 Floodline....................................................... 0845 6026340 Pollution Hotline......................................... 0800 807 060 Wessex Water ............................................... 0845 6004600 Hospitals: Chippenham............................. 01249 447100 NHS Direct ................................................... 0845 4647 Dental Emergency (NHS).......................... 111 Vets George.................................................. 01666 823165 Vets Chalkland ............................................ 01249 588805

To add or amend your contact details please call Jackie Vale on 01249 721208

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Lovely Rainforest art from WP School