The Signpost - July 2020

TH E SO ME RF OR DS

THE

July 2020

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

Sweet Summer Meadow

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.

Photo by Michael Palmer

Following wildlife shots by Nigel Parfitt

Front Cover: Meadow sweet by Mark Everard Inside front and back cover - Nigel Parfitt Contents Reflections and Recollections....................................... 15 Diary dates ....................................................................... 2 Editorial ............................................................................ 3 Signpost Organising Group.......................................... 3 Local News and Events ............................................... 4-5 Free Gardens .................................................................... 6 500 Words ......................................................................... 7 Your local food services ........................................ 8 - 11 Chef’s Pantry .................................................................. 12 Lockdown........................................................................13 Android ...........................................................................14

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Wild bird quiz................................................................. 16 Riverwatch ...................................................................... 17 School..........................................................................18-21 Councils...................................................................... 22-23 Advertisements ......................................................... 24-35 Church services .............................................................. 36 Contacts ........................................................................... 37 Wildlife photos ............................................................... 38

Editorial We are sharing editorial duties amongst the Signpost team, and the happy task has come round to me. I would like to begin by thanking all our contributors for keeping us with copy to compile, and this month a collection of beautiful photographs from our surroundings. In days when ‘nothing much happens’ it is reassuring to read of activities around. Well done, especially to Martha and her success in the 500 words competition. (Would you like to write an editorial next time, Martha?!) And Rachel on her charity run.

So what else have we been up to? This wet/ warm weather has brought the weeds on big time so there’s plenty to do out there when June is normally the sit and admire time. But already the village is sharing beautifully grown vegetables, fresh from the ‘plot’. An ease down in lock down means that a few social (distanced) gatherings can take place and how wonderful it must be for grandparents to greet their families again. Social mixing (safely) is so important and when infrequent, is treasured. Even stopping out walking to talk to neighbours becomes a real pleasure. And the kindness of friends has been heart warming.

I was lucky enough to join a group making scrubs for the NHS and other frontline staff. After a slow start when trousers with 4 legs turned into a skirt, then eventually trousers, with pockets that open and in the right place, I eventually finished my

‘set’. So the burgundy threads have disappeared from the carpet and the dining room table is restored, and in the end, a sense of achievement, however small. I think the fact that this country was ill supplied with essential gear is appalling and relatives in other countries just can’t understand why.

Some live sport is returning so the TV is not just for recording drama in this household. Did you see the rugby from New Zealand? How lovely to see a rip-roaring game with full stands of spectators. Not sure about racing with masks on though. And then football begins again soon – feels like winter already at midsummer’s day.

Good luck to Peter Oliver with his new ‘Android’ mobile phone. He puts my grumpy old man to shame!

Sara Sorby

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 sb249@btinternet.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 July 2020

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Local news and events From the Registers We send our sympathy to the family of Sally Barrett who had lived in Corston for many years and died in May. Her funeral took place at the North Wiltshire Crematorium on June 11.

Great Somerford Church – 2020 Vision Hundred Club Results On Sunday 7 June, the third month of lockdown, Jude Picton Phillipps drew the numbers and the winners, in no particular order, were Toby Sturgis, Rob and Heather Hart and Tom Picton Phillipps.

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.

Startley Autospeedwatch Camera Trial Wiltshire Council (WC) together with Great Somerford (incorporating) Parish Council and the Startley Community Speed Watch team will be installing an Auto Speedwatch Camera in the Startley 30mph zone in the very near future to trial its effectiveness.

The camera will photograph and record ALL speeding vehicles. The Community Speedwatch Team will report their registration number, type and colour of their vehicles to the WC and the Police.

The camera will in effect replace the longsuffering volunteers trying to persuade speeding motorists to respect the speed limit and it will work 24/7 not 30 minutes per day. Offenders will receive a warning letter from the Police. If a third letter has to be sent to an offender, he or she will be targeted by the Police, either by a Police Speed Gun operator or a personal Police visit.

The current percentage of motorists seriously exceeding the speed limit in Startley is as much as 75% and that is a conservative estimate.

The villagers of Startley deserve a break from this

very dangerous practice and ask that all vehicle drivers obey the speed limit. Readers of this article are asked to spread the word among friends and neighbours please.

Mel Hourigan

Donations 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.

SOMERFORD SHOW Regretfully the planned 125th Somerford Show on AUGUST 15 has been postponed until next year Lockdown Lethargy 1 No, I did not read War and Peace 2 I cleaned out one cupboard then got fed up with that 3 It was far too hot for gardening 4 I meant to use the local shops more but more often than not ended up in Waitrose 5 I had never watched a box set and still haven’t 6 I was put off writing letters as I had no stamps 7 Rather than drink less I drank more 8 I did religiously clap for carers but sometimes on a Wednesday as I lost track of the day 9 I did not get any on-line deliveries as I don’t know how 10 I failed to keep a diary – no point One grumpy old man

Recycling at Stanton St. Quintin 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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The Recycling Centre at Stanton St Quintin is now open, by appointment only. Below are the principal elements of the guidance provided by Wiltshire Council as to the arrangements for using it the Recycling Centre.

Book a visit online Bookings must be made online via a smartphone, tablet or computer. You can book a slot up to three days in advance. This is an advance-booking system, so you will be unable to book a same day visit to a HRC. You must live in the Wiltshire Council area and be able to provide proof of address when visiting a HRC. I’ve booked a slot. Will I get email confirmation?

Please make a note of your booking confirmation

Local news and events when you book – you can take a photo on your smartphone, write down the confirmation or print it if you have a printer. We are unable to offer email confirmation at present, but you will get taken to a confirmation webpage once your booking is confirmed.

There are around 10,000 available slots available across all 10 sites each week, but some sites have more slots than others, due to available capacity on each site.

How many visits?

To help ensure that all residents have access to a recycling centre, we ask that households make a maximum of two visits to the sites per month.

If you can’t book a slot, please try again tomorrow. If you attend a HRC without a booked slot you will be refused entry.

You must live in the Wiltshire Council area and be able to provide proof of address when visiting a HRC. Please make sure your proof of address is clearly visible in your vehicle window.

Acceptable examples include: • Driver’s licence.

• Council tax bill.

• Utility bill (either a printed or an electronic version is acceptable).

• Your van permit, if you are visiting the site in a van I can’t book a slot online as have no access to a smart device or computer. What can I do?

If you can’t book online, please ask a family member or friend to try for you.

What can I take to a HRC? We are now accepting items that we previously didn't accept - soil, rubble, plasterboard and, with notice, asbestos (some sites only).

There will also be a limit to the number of vehicles allowed on site at any one time, and this will vary from site to site – please follow the signs and advice from staff on site. The number of vehicles allowed on each site will be significantly fewer than normal.

One person only can get out of the vehicle. Please remember to stay in your vehicle while queuing and do not leave your vehicle until it is necessary to get out. Other people can be in the vehicle, but they are not able to get out of the car - only one person can get out of the car to ensure social distancing and to keep our staff and residents safe. Please note that our teams on site cannot help you upload waste, so please only bring waste that can be carried on your own by one person.

You must not attend an HRC if you are: • Extremely vulnerable and are remaining at home for shielding purposes.

• Symptomatic with coronavirus (COVID-19).

• In a 14-day household isolation.

Malmesbury & District U3A Malmesbury & District U3A is, like all organisations, sadly not currently meeting in person. However, we are pleased to say some of our interest groups are meeting virtually and we have had our first virtual monthly meeting with speaker and over 80 participants on Zoom. Our regular editions of the Lockdown News keep us in touch with members.

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 ( now or in a few months time). 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.

We have recently 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’.

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Free Gardens June in the Free Gardens Summer seems to have come early and the vegetable beds across the allotments are greening-up with the benefit of recent showers. There are bursts of colour from patches of flowers; peas and beans are scrambling up supports, cabbages are tucked under netting away from pigeons and butterflies. The lack of rain during May was a concern for anyone trying to garden this spring but the longer days and welcome sunshine have helped many allotment holders get their plots up and running.

There are still plots available on site but you’ll have to be quick if you want a bumper harvest this year. It’s possible to make late sowings of salads and some vegetables and you may be able to get hold of plug plants from nurseries or ‘garden gate’ stalls.

You’ve still got time though to clear a couple of beds, plant out some speedy salads and spend the rest of the summer planning exactly what you’d like to grow and how you’d like to set out your plot.

Unlike many allotment sites across the UK, our ‘Free Garden’ plots have been free to parishioners since they were established more than two hundred years ago.

Allotment inspiration can be found online and magazines such as ‘Kitchen Garden’ and ‘Grow your Own’ are full of hints and tips from allotments across the UK. The beauty of having an allotment is that (within the site regulations), it’s really up to individuals what they grow and how they grow it.

It’s a bit of hard work, especially in the face of bindweed, nettles and dandelions, but there’s such pleasure to be gained from thinking about what you (and your family) love to eat, getting hold of a few seeds and then (hopefully) picking your favourite foods straight from the plant. You could grow salads to avoid spending a fortune on plasticwrapped leaves or you might want to grow the biggest pumpkin in Wiltshire. It really is up to you and if you need some extra advice on site, there’s usually someone available nearby!

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

Running for Jamie’s Farm Recently I completed the 2.6 challenge. This involved running 2.6 miles every day for 26 days with my four-legged companion, Wilf.

Many charities rely on fundraising gained from the London Marathon and other events and as this year’s marathon was cancelled the 2.6 challenge was created.

My sister in law, Wendy, works for the amazing charity Jamie’s Farm, based in Box. I know how much they depend on charitable funds to survive.

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This motivated me to get my running shoes on and raise some money.

To explain their work, a quote from their publicity: “Jamie’s Farm acts as a catalyst for change, enabling disadvantaged young people to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. We do this through a unique residential experience and rigorous follow up programme, combining farming, family and therapy.”

I completed my challenge on 21 May. I found it exhilarating, exhausting and emotional due to the support and generosity of so many people and feel so chuffed to have raised over £800 for Jamie’s Farm.

Rachel Kemp, Rodbourne For more information see jamiesfarm.org.uk.

They have open days and lots of fundraising events through the year

500 Words Since 2011 BBC Radio 2 has run a story writing competition for children; this was an idea from Chris Evans when he ran the Breakfast Show and he wanted to get children excited about reading and writing.

This should apparently be the last year of the competition; entries were invited between mid January and late February this year from children aged between 5 and 9 years or between 10 and 13 years. Stories have to be original and should be no more than 500 words long.

Our eldest granddaughter Martha, aged 8, firstly heard that

500 Words she had been accepted from the original 135000 entries into the initial short list before Easter and then into the top 50 before the end of May for her story The Silent Library which is repeated below. She was sent some smart certificates to download to show what she had achieved.

Well, I write this on 12 June; it is the day the final was held. All the stories are now online and can be read or heard being read by an actor. I’ve listened to, or read, a great many of them and the standard is pretty amazing. In more normal times they would have all been invited to a party at Buckingham Palace but as every writer is currently at home there was a big Zoom get together organized by the BBC and hosted by Zoe Ball on her Breakfast Show.

A vast pack was sent to the families in advance showing how the 3 categories of winners (Bronze, Silver and Gold) would be announced on radio and explaining how the 2 1/2 hours of the Zoom party would work.

We were all glued to the radio listening to the winning stories, hearing contributions from the Duchess of Cornwall and Chris Evans as well as Zoe and the winners. Martha was one of the 47 runners up; she was thrilled to be included and to have the chance to take part in the party. There was a song rehearsal beforehand and dancing and drawing sessions during the time, and at the end they all sang Over the Rainbow with Gareth Malone. Then she had a big thrill, once they were ‘off air’, when she was able to have a conversation with David Walliams and then Zoe had a chat to her and her mother, her younger sister and her baby sister which all made it very special and even more memorable.

You can find the winning stories on www.bbc.co.uk 500 words 2020 final; or through BBC Sounds or your usual search engine.

Sally McEwen

The Silent Library by Martha M. Read by John Lightbody from the BBC Radio Drama Company.

Once there was a librarian, her name was Silent Susie. She was a very nice lady but there was one thing about her that was bad. She would never let ANYONE speak. This caused some problems in the library.

One day a girl came into the library. Her name was Laughing Lily. She was four years old and was very excited about books. She spent half an hour reading, nothing could distract her from the books when suddenly she needed to go to the toilet. She went up to the counter where Silent Susie stood.

Laughing Lily said, 'Excuse me.....'

SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Said the librarian.

'But....' said Laughing Lilly.

SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Said the librarian.

Laughing Lily tried again.

SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!! Said the librarian.

Laughing Lily gave up and ran out of the library to find a toilet. By the time she got back the library

was closed. She was very sad and cross.

The next day Laughing Lily went back to the library. She chose a book and started reading but accidentally ripped one of the pages. She felt guilty and decided to tell the librarian. She went up to the counter.

'Excuse me' said Lily.

'SSSHHHHHHH' said the librarian.

She tried again. 'Excuse me'.

'SSSHHHHHHHHHHH' said the librarian.

Laughing Lily felt so bad she went home.

She wondered why the librarian was so quiet, maybe she needed cheering up with something. She decided to make the librarian a cake and take it with her the next day. She covered the top with icing sugar and a candle.

Laughing Lily arrived at the library and took the cake up to the counter, she lit the candle. By chance it was actually the librarian’s birthday. No one had made her a cake before. Her birthday was usually silent. She was so pleased, she couldn't believe it.

With one big puff she blew out her candle. The icing sugar blew everywhere. The librarian stood in a cloud of icing sugar. She felt her nose twitch, suddenly out of nowhere came the biggest sneeze.

AIIITTTCCHHHOOOO!!!!!

The sneeze was so loud it made all the library books fall off all the shelves. Everyone who was in the library started laughing. The children started laughing, the mums started laughing and the dads started laughing, and the grannies and grandpas started laughing too. One of the grandpas laughed so much his false teeth fell out! The librarian was furious. She went bright red.

The librarian didn't know what to do. All the books were on the floor and all the people were laughing. Without meaning to she started to giggle.

She giggled and giggled and giggled and giggled. It felt so good. She decided making noises wasn't so bad after all. Later on, she put up a new sign on the library door. It said 'Please be quiet but not silent. It turns out giggling is good for you!'. And forever more people would come to the library to have a good read and a good giggle.

The End.

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Your local food services

Radnor Arms An extensive takeaway service based on the usual weekday and Sunday menus.

Wednesday to Saturday See website for menu www.radnorarms.com To order telephone Paula on 07912 868111 Sunday lunch pre-order by 2pm Saturday Payment by card when placing order 8

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Your local food services

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Your local food services

The Somerford Arms New VIV @ Home Summer Menu (it is advisable to pre book your order 24 hours in advance to avoid disappointment, Tuesday to Saturday 5pm to 8pm)

Our Pub Favourites Slow cooked Wiltshire Steak & Ale pie, triple cooked chips & gravy 12.50 Catch of the day in beer ba�er, mushy peas, lemon, tartare sauce & triple cooked chips 12.50 Wholetail breaded scampi, fries, peas, lemon & tartare sauce 12.00 Cheese & bacon beef burger, pickled cucumber, le�uce, tomato chutney, brioche bap & fries 12.50 Half a free range Tandoori spiced chicken, basma� coconut rice, coriander & mango salad, naan & raita 13.50

Seasonal Specials Confit honey & pink peppercorn crispy Creedy carver duck leg, bu�er bean & chorizo cassoulet, potato terrine 17.50 Grilled Wiltshire 8oz sirloin steak, Bearnaise sauce, bu�ered seasonal greens & dauphinoise potatoes 19.95 Cornish handpicked crab & cray fish Linguine with chilli, parsley, garlic, lemon & olive oil 14.95 Indonesian fish curry, monkfish tail, haddock, salmon & prawns with basma� rice, green bean & coconut salad 18.50 Ar�choke, spinach & pea riso�o, toasted pine nuts, crispy basil, roquito peppers & hard Italian style sheese 12.00

12” Sourdough Pizzas (9” Gluten free base now available) Tomato & Mozzarella with fresh basil 11.00 V Pulled ham hock, pineapple, sweetcorn & mozzarella 12.00 Pepperoni, mozzarella & Jalapenos peppers with hot sauce 13.00 Roasted spiced cauliflower, pine nuts, blush tomato, goats cheese, olives, pomegranate & pesto 13.00 Vga Cajun BBQ Chicken, bacon, tomato barbecue sauce, sweetcorn, mushroom & mozzarella 14.00 Duck confit, hoi sin base, spring onions, sweet pickled cucumber & mozzarella 15.00 Pulled lamb shoulder, tomato, feta, mozzarella, onions, olives & pomegranate with mint yoghurt 15.00

Somerford Summer Salad Box – house mixed salad & summer slaw with any of the below: Poached Salmon, lemon, dill ,toasted almonds & yogurt dressing 15.00 Gf Cajun spiced barbecued chicken, bacon, grilled lime, charred corn & tomato salsa 14.00 Pulled Greek style lamb, preserved lemon, olives, crumbled feta & mint dressing 15.00 Gf Roasted halloumi, coriander, cashew nut & harissa spiced cauliflower with pomegranate molasses 13.50 V Gf Why not add one of our garlic cheese pizza breads to your salad for only 6.00

Kids box - Crispy Chicken fillets | Fish goujons | Vegetarian sausages | served with fries & salad 6.00 Sides - Garlic cheese pizza bread 6.95|Onion rings 3.00|Fries 3.00|Halloumi sweet chilli fries 5.00|Seasonal vegetables 3.50 Somerford Arms Sundaes & Desserts Bread & bu�er pudding & custard | S�cky toffee pudding & toffee sauce Gf | Seasonal mixed berry Somerford mess Coconut & strawberry ice cream, spiced rum pineapple & blueberry sauce 4.50 Gf Chocolate & salted caramel ice cream, banana & toffee sauce 4.50 Gf Rhubarb & raspberry sorbet, crunchy bisco� crumble & vanilla sauce 4.50 Gfa

How to Order - 01666 826535 - Booking@somerfordarms.com We will be manning the phone & picking up e mails between Tue to Sat from 2.00pm – 8.00pm. It is advisable to pre book all takeaway meals for delivery or collec�on at least 24 hours in advance to avoid disappointment.

Bottle shop, bakehouse and stores, and Beer Garden Plant Centre open Tuesday – Saturday 11 am - 8pm 10

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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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Chef’s Pantry History of Ice Cream Ice Cream, Iced Cream or Creamed Ice. When you think of ice cream what comes to mind? Childhood, lazy summer days, the chimes of an ice cream van, a treat, the seaside or something that just goes with a pudding?

Whatever your memory, ice cream has a long, interesting and international history that dates back to somewhere between 2000 and 3000BC. There are biblical references to King Solomon liking iced snow and iced drinks.

Allegedly the Chinese King Tang of Shang had an army of 94 ice men make a dish of buffalo milk and flour with camphor added to give it flavour and a better texture. The entire mix was put in metal tubes and stored in ice pools until it was thoroughly frozen. They also had a concoction of rice mixed with milk that was frozen in the snow; not that different to rice pudding which most of us prefer hot.

Alexander the Great is said to have enjoyed iced snow flavoured with honey & nectar and, possibly, beer. Middle Eastern people drank icy concoctions called sherbet, and these were flavoured with quince, pomegranate or cherry.

From Italy we encounter Marco Polo, his father & uncle who, in 1270, went on a long expedition to China & Mongolia. They were invited to spend time at the court of Kubla Khan and this is probably where they picked up the recipe for sherbet.

It would, however, be another 24 years before the recipe came to Italy.

Kulfi, often served in Indian restaurants, is believed to have originated in Persia. It was likely to have been introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the Moghul royals in the 1500s.

The arrival of sherbet on English shores would take a little longer. Charles I who ascended the throne in 1625, requested that iced cream should be served only as a royal treat. He paid his chef, possibly Italian or French, to keep the recipe a secret.

It seems that the recipe was revealed on his death in 1649 as iced cream became widely available.

Ice cream, as we know it today, may well have been invented in Italy in the 17th century. Antonio Latini, who worked in Naples, added eggs & cream to the recipe, which is now considered as the first proper ice cream. Latini’s cookbook with the recipe is Lo Scalco alla Moderna 1692.

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Ice cream was first served at the Il Procope Café, which was opened in Paris in 1686 by a Sicilian man c a l l e d Franceso Procopio dei Coltelli. This ice cream called Gelato is an Italian version of sorbet and was served in tiny eggcup size bowls.

About the same time a French confectioner, Nicolas Audiger, wrote the cookbook La Maison Reglee in which he wrote down several different fromage recipes. These were made from fruit flavored ice and one that included cream, orange flower water and sugar.

He suggested that if the ice was stirred while it was freezing, air would be introduced and the result would be fluffier ice cream. Fromage seems to be an odd name to call a dessert but it’s likely that cheese moulds were used to freeze the ice cream in.

It’s widely thought that America didn’t get ice cream until the 1700s when it was brought by European settlers. The first American ice cream parlour opened in New York in 1790. President George Washington is said to have spent around $200 satisfying his craving for ice cream.

Not until the 1850s do we see ice cream being produced on a mass scale, as refrigeration and storage began to improve, and by the 1940s ice cream really came into its own, with the invention of the commercial ice cream maker by the Carpigiani bothers in Bologna Italy, who are the worlds leading makers of all commercial products for ice cream.

Italian ice cream seems to be warmer than French or American recipes. One reason for this is the display freezer is ventilated with cool air, which means the ice cream is maintained at a higher temperature of about 10 degrees.

Homemade ice cream freezes solid because domestic freezers are set at 18 degrees.

Ice cream recipes haven’t really changed over the centuries; they are still basically the

Lockdown same, either uncooked or cooked before frozen and either made by hand or by machine.

I have included one here for home schooling children to try with the current strawberry bonanza that we are having.

Easy strawberry Ice Cream for kids 400g strawberries 250g mascarpone 200gs condensed milk Method Red and ripe strawberries are the best. If they are still quite hard, cut them in half and take off the green bits. Put them into a flat-bottomed dish and. squash the strawberries with a potato masher as much as you can and then transfer them to a big bowl Ask a grown-up to give you a hand if you need to.

Add the mascarpone and mash this in – don’t worry if it is a bit lumpy. Add the condensed milk and mix everything together. Spoon the mixture into plastic container and put it in the freezer. Wait until the next day or at least 6 hours before scooping into bowls or cones. Decorate how you like.

During the lockdown …….

During 2019 when we knew we would not be putting on a Fieldview Festival I thought I could use that spare time wisely and one day when reading the Parish Council emails I noticed a post about volunteering as a Youth Mentor with the Youth Adventure Trust. Youth Adventure Trust helps vulnerable young people from Wiltshire and Swindon aged 11-16 years old unlock their potential and lead positive lives in the future.

There was training and matching to be done and I went along to an outdoor day to get an idea of what it was all about. I started in October 2019 after being paired with a young girl. We enjoyed trampolining, indoor climbing and played ping pong or even just went and had a hot chocolate and a chat.

February came and Steve was ill and then the lockdown happened so I had to miss several weeks but eventually all the policies and procedures were in place to have virtual meetings. Initially I was quite anxious about this because of having to set up a virtual meeting, connect and chat on line. It has all run really smoothly and we have managed to play Top Trumps, Connect 4 and Boogle and researched and discussed a different topic each week. This has all opened up conversation and connected memories of family and friends for my mentee to talk about and ease her lockdown worries and concerns. So the lockdown for me and mentoring has been a positive one and it has made me think about how we can do things virtually and really connect with people whom we cannot get to see.

Pauline Cameron

The Wonders Of Technology I have bought you an Android, I was told by my daughter. What came to mind? Immediately it was Data, the character from Startrek, a robot and, because he had human form, was referred to and classified as an android. That, as I am sure all those of you who use smart phones will know, that was not what was meant.

You will gather from this that I am not a techie; in fact far from it. I remember only too well those halcyon days of putting a key into an aperture and winding it until I knew that the item in question was fully wound. Those of you who possess old clocks will know what I mean, the pleasure of completing the winding process and standing back to hear the ticking of the clock mechanism (or watching the wheels go round in another context) that follows the exercise.

Now, however, I am the proud possessor of a smart phone (an Android), acquired on my behalf by a daughter who was as fed up as the rest of our family (including myself) with having a father with whom it was impossible to communicate unless he was sitting at his PC or had the conventional house phone beside him.

Evidently she hunted through the internet, looking I understand for phone suppliers who essentially design phones for those who have some intelligence but are essentially past it and lacking the necessary awareness of modern technology.

Anyway, she managed to find this company based in Linz Austria that has produced a very smart phone which most critically is accompanied by a handbook that one can understand. It uses words not symbols for a start and no jargon. And there are pictures with very clear explanations of what each screen shows and what each part of each screen does. There are even dedicated buttons that can get you out of trouble when you make a mistake! This is my kind of toy!

In all of this, I should explain that more than a decade ago, I acquired a mobile phone and thought I was really with it.

However, as time has passed, this dinky little phone has become more and more obsolete because while it is still a phone and so performs its basic function of receiving and making calls, it has little of the Signpost July 2020

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Android required modern capability of use as a camera, communicating in other formats such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and other currently more commonly used modes of communication – as used by our children and grandchildren. Nor can it provide or help to provide current news or weather forecasts or GPS navigation or any of the other information that appears to be necessary to survive in the modern world. But now that old phone can be consigned to the "we'll keep it just in case" drawer while we come to terms with the delights of the 21st century. And its disappearance will at least put an end to those strange looks from unbelieving grandchildren who are hard-pressed to believe that such antiques exist. Perhaps it might appear on Flog It or Bargain Hunt sometime in the more distant future where the comment would be made that "I believe my great grandparents had those"!

Resistance to the use of an Android was very much prompted by the perception of how we and others regarded smart phones. Addiction is the word that comes to mind. And neither I nor my wife has ever been able to erase the recollection of dining out a while ago and sitting next to a table where all four members of the same family sat, each with a smart phone and the only words that were spoken during the entire meal were to place an order with the waitress.

Now I too can wander the lanes completely oblivious to the world around me.

Reflections & Recollections on a '50s childhood in the capital Walks With My Grandfather Before going off to university I lived in London until the late 1950s, a very different London from the one that we see nowadays. I had a grandfather who had served in the police for about 30 years at Cloak Lane police station and, largely through him, I got to know central London very well, both the City and the West End, and developed a love of history as a result.

At that time, large parts of central London were still nothing more than bombed sites which, though largely cleared of the piles of rubble by 1950, were nonetheless open spaces much like what is shown in old black & white films such as "Passport to Pimlico" and the "Lavender Hill Mob". I was not allowed to explore those open spaces but I know that others did among the flora that to this day I can still remember, willowherb, ragwort, London Pride and, of course lilac; for many Londoners these and other wild plants had been the only plant life they would have seen for a very long time.

Recollection of those times, the early '50s, is definitely filled with hardship such as rationing but there are memories that cannot be erased and one of those is strolling with my grandparents on Sunday afternoons among the shattered ruins of central London having my grandfather point out where this had been and that had been and telling me, as a ten 14 Signpost July 2020

year old boy, of places of interest in and around the centre and especially the City of London.

Of course, there was always St. Paul's, the Tower, the Old Curiosity Shop or the Abbey to visit but the real fascination for me was to discover as a young boy, the history in the less well-known corners.

Not far from where my grandparents lived was, and still is I believe, a pub called The Castle which is the only pub in the country that has the right, granted by George IV, to conduct pawnbrokering on its premises. This resulted from the king granting the then landlord a pawnbroker's license, which still holds good today, in reward for the loan of money against his pocket-watch, to pay for his gambling debts at a Clerkenwell cockfight. The pub is still there.

In Ely Place just off Holborn, I remember my grandfather showing me another pub. The Olde Mitre Tavern (see photo) which allegedly dates back to the sixteenth century and which, with hindsight and recollection from over sixty years on, now makes me think of Diagon Alley. Access to it is via a very narrow alleyway from Hatton Garden that is very easy to walk past and not notice at all. Of course, seeing these pubs was always from the outside. 10 year olds were not allowed in and I hope you do not get the impression that my grandfather frequented pubs. In fact I actually don't ever recall him imbibing anything alcoholic! However there

Reflections and recollections was a curiosity about this particular pub in that it was originally built around a cherry tree, remains of which could allegedly be seen in the tiny crooked front bar. Queen Elizabeth I is said to have danced around it as a young woman.

But just along from the Tavern was one of the oldest churches in London, St Ethelreda's, founded in 1250 and still in use, named after a saint of the 7thC whose remains are interred in Ely Cathedral.

The church had a crypt which as a young boy, I found fascinating; I believe that it has now been converted into a very fashionable restaurant. St Ethelreda's has however had an association with food going back some four hundred years as evidenced in Richard III where Gloucester asks the Bishop to send for some good strawberries from his garden in Holborn. Though it is hard to believe now, as part of a bishop's palace, the church was once surrounded by fields of strawberries and saffron. And, so I learned, it was due to this that the street next to Ely Place, where Fagin had his den, was called Saffron Hill. And incidentally, next door to Ely Place is the very old Bleeding Heart Yard which is mentioned in Dickens' Little Dorrit.

I remember being taken down into the crypt of St Bride's church in Fleet Street which had been bombed and badly damaged during WW2 and where there is evidence of a Roman burial, a CelticRomano settlement (Roman tiles) and a well. It was here so I was told that the Book of Common Prayer was first used. At the time when I recall being taken there, little was known of what was later discovered.

It was due to those walks with my grandparents of a Sunday afternoon that I got to know so much of central London; it had been my grandfather's stomping ground when in the police. I don't think I realised it at the time but obviously he had a real sense of history and imparted that to me. That would certainly tie up with not infrequent visits to the British Museum later and when many years later, I worked not far from Great Russell Street, I used to wander the Museum's Graeco-Roman and Mesopotamian galleries or peruse the fabulous stamp collections during lunch.

In many ways, though the early '50s were somewhat grim in the aftermath of WW2, I look back now with fond memories of those times though "fings ain't what they used to be." And I count myself fortunate to have been introduced to so many fascinating characteristics of London when I was young enough for the experience to have made a lasting impression.

Local “Wildlife” by Nigel Parfitt

St Bride’s Crypt

Then, within almost a stone's throw of where my grandparents lived was, as I recall from my childhood, the remains of Dame Alice Owen's school which had been destroyed just before I was born and with great loss of life. The school had stood there for over 300 years, one of the oldest in the country – it is now in Hertfordshire.

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Wild birds quiz British wild birds picture quiz Another month, another nature-related picture quiz to get your minds working! This month, we’re looking at common British birds, taking advantage once again of full colour in this third 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 quiz will also be posted on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/drredfinrods.

Answers to be published in the August edition of Signpost.

Mark Everard

Answers to the June 2020 springtime wild trees 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 June 2020 wild trees picture quiz. A. Ash; B. Yew; C. Beech; D. Walnut; E. Rowan; F. Horse chestnut; G. Elder; H. Buckthorn; I. Crab apple; J. Box; K. Hornbeam; M. London plane.

Maximum 12 points possible‌ enjoy a drink on me, available from a tap near you, whatever you scored!

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Riverwatch Worms in football jerseys A favourite childhood memory of summertime riparian meadows is ‘Worms in football jerseys’.

These are the vivid yellow-and-black annularbanded caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae), found feeding on the heads of species of ragwort (Senecio species).

As we know from wasps and hornets, yellow and black stripes are one of nature’s codes for “Predators beware!” Many animals with this striped pattern – insects, frogs, sea slugs, fishes amongst others – pack a sting or contain toxins or distasteful chemicals. In common with many such grazing animals, notably the sea slugs, the conspicuous caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth not only graze brazenly by day but also accumulate toxic and noxious chemicals from the plants they consume.

Cinnabar Moth eggs may be laid on certain other plants, including Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), but larger ragwort species are favoured food plants from which newly hatched larvae start to absorb toxic and bitter-tasting alkaloid substances as they feed. This makes them unpalatable to most other animals. But Cinnabar Moth caterpillars are not entirely vegan; when they deplete their food plants, it is not unknown for them to turn cannibal.

Adult Cinnabar Moths have long antennae and a black body colour, commonly seen on the wing in broad daylight in May and June. The upper surfaces of the forewings are iridescent black flecked with vermillion patches, and the upper surfaces of the hindwings are also prominently vermillion. This gaudy colour gives the moth its common name, cinnabar being the bright sulphide ore from which the highly toxic metal mercury is extracted.

Whilst the contrasting bright colours of larvae and adult Cinnabar Moths act as warning signs, certain animals favour feeding on caterpillars armed with hairs, poisons and other deterrents. Amongst these is the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus).

Worms in football jerseys’ will be with us from June to August, feeding conspicuously by day on ragworts whilst advertising their warning credentials, before pupating in the soil. The adult, day-flying moths emerge typically between May and July.

The Cinnabar Moth is one of many species of day-flying moths found in Britain. Others include the Tiger Moth (Arctia caja), Burnet Moth (several species of Zygaena), Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) and the Bee Hawk Moth (two species of Hemaris). However, I got into all sorts of trouble trying to explain this to friends in France.

The French word for ‘moth’ is ‘papillon de nuit’ (literally ‘butterfly of the night’). One fine day in the South of France, some French friends asked what insects were feeding on their flowers (they were ‘Sphinx’, one of the French terms for the Hummingbird Hawk Moth.) I explained these

insects were “papillons de nuit qui volent pendant la journée” (moths that fly during the day). This literally translates as “butterflies of the night that fly during the day”).

“Mais non! Ils sont papillons!” (“No, they are butterflies!”)

I am sure that there is a French scientific term for ‘day-flying moth’, but I have long since given up trying to explain the concept to lay Francophones!

The Cinnabar Moth naturally occurs throughout Europe and through western and central Asia. As the caterpillars are so voracious, often clearing large areas of ragwort plants, they can serve as successful biocontrol agents as ragwort can be problematic for livestock owing to its toxicity even when dried out in hay. It is for biocontrol purposes that Cinnabar Moths have now been introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America.

The contrasting technicolour Cinnabar Moth caterpillars and adults add yet more hues and textures to the rich tapestry of mid-summer meadows, also favouring sandy heaths and other dry terrain where ragworts abound.

Mark Everard

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Virtual School Somerfords’ Walter Powell School We are delighted to report that on Thursday 4th June we re-opened Somerfords’ Walter Powell School and Preschool in line with the Government’s Phase 1 re-opening of schools and Early Years settings in England. 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.

However, things are a bit different. Instead of classes we now have ‘bubbles’ for the staff and children in school and pre-school.

We have introduced staggered start and finish times and the children and staff remain in their designated ‘bubble’ throughout the day; learning, eating and playing within these groups and abiding by the social distancing rules. All the children who have returned have settled well into the new ‘normal’ ways and are adapting to the new procedures and different classroom layouts very well.

Not all our children have returned and, therefore, our home learning continues. We have a designated staff team who are supporting these children and their parents, with their studies. Our curriculum has changed for this term, and everyone, whether at home or in school, is completing topic work based on the 7 continents. Each week the children are learning about a different continent. In the first week they studied Antarctica and, at time of writing, are learning more about Asia.

To enable us to keep in touch with all our children, the teachers are delivering an assembly via Zoom for their class which now involves children in their classrooms and also children in their homes.

This is a great way of keeping in touch and supporting the communication between everyone.

Throughout lockdown, some children have continued learning to play the guitar and drums at Pre-school allotment

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home via video link with their tutors. We look forward to a time when we can see and hear the progress they have made in school.

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.

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.

If you have had the opportunity to visit the Jubilee Gardens in the village over the past few months, no doubt you would have noticed all the wonderful fruit and vegetables growing in the allotment plots and how lovely they all look.

Walter Powell Pre-school are very fortunate to have our own allotment plot that we can access very easily.

We would like to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to Corina, Poppy and Mrs Turtle for all their hard work in keeping it weeded, planted and watered throughout the lockdown period which has enabled us to visit the allotment and enjoy some of the produce on a regular basis.

Our normal opening hours are Monday – Friday 8.45am – 3.00pm and accept children from the age of 2 years. Are you looking for a Pre-school place for your child? Please contact Joy or Michelle on 07931 263909 or the school office 01249 720797. We would love you to show you around our rural Pre-school.

Fin’s kite

Virtual School Jack’s graph

Charlie’s Asian poster

Alice back at school

Leo flying his Koinobori

Annie enjoying the Mobio

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School Milo, Finn and Felix ready for their virtual visit to Antarctica

Waving Japanese Flags

Seren’s research on Asia

Year 6’s willow patterns

Abi’s Koinobori

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School Barney building at school

Emily C practising number bonds

Socially distanced desks

Poppy colouring in pictures

Siena’s Asia poster

Laurie completing Sudoku puzzles

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Councils Great Somerford Parish Council Due to the Covid 19 outbreak and ongoing social isolation rules the Parish Council’s 3 June meeting (attended by all Councillors & Wiltshire Cllr Sturgis) was a virtual meeting using Zoom.

Coronavirus Great Somerford & Startley Covid 19 Support Group This is managed jointly by Cllr Chris Blount, Cllr Meriel Griffiths, Mark Hammond (Facebook communications) and Jon Bunston (Link coordinator).

Many thanks to all who have volunteered and helped to deliver support across the village. Cllr Griffiths reported that it is going well and that the Link Group is now collecting prescriptions for 48 Great Somerford & Startley residents. 39 households are included in this number. They delivered a total of 36 prescriptions for these clients in May. The street champions have delivered the June edition of the Signpost to residents without internet access and are providing leaflets about emerging Covid and NHS related fraud scams.

Do keep an eye on the Gt Somerford and Startley COVID19 Support Facebook page which Mark Hammond has been regularly updating with information and sources of advice Finance The Parish Council has to undergo external audit this year because its income exceeded £25k (thanks to the receipt of grants for the Play Area).

The Councillors approved the submissions to the external auditors and copies of key documents can be seen on the noticeboards and the website https://www.greatsomerfordparishcouncil.co.uk/ along with the published minutes.

There is a 30 day period for the exercise of public rights – i.e. when any member of public can examine the accounting books and records. This period will run from Monday 15 June to Friday 24 July. Should any member of the public wish to exercise their rights in this regard please apply to the Clerk or Cllr Blount. Given the Covid 19 restrictions and as the Clerk is not resident in the village, the actual books and records will be available for inspection, by prior appointment, in Cllr Blount’s garden.

Planning The Parish Council will determine its view on application 20/04094/FUL Pinfarthings by email exchanges over the next week rather than risk an illformed opinion at the meeting as notice of the application was only received 24 hours before the Parish Council met.

The application is for 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.

Wiltshire Council, however, released its decision on a number of applications, all “Approved with 22

Signpost July 2020

conditions”: • 19/06500/VAR Brook Farm – variation of sundry conditions re 13/05915/VAR re implementation of planning permission 04/02024/ OUT. • 19/07834/REM Brook Farm - Reserved Matters Application following details outlined in application ref. 19/06502/VAR (Variation of Condition 8 of 17/02820/OUT - Outline Application for the erection of eight dwellings''.

• 20/01542/FUL Land North of Startley Road near West Street Farm – Agricultural Access.

• 20/01584/FUL The Manor House - Proposed Annex Built from Existing Garage and Stable.

• 20/02574/FUL The Old Masons Arms - New entrance porch to dwelling house, and new pitched roof to existing detached garage.

Wiltshire Council had “No Objection” to any of the following tree related applications: • 20/00582/TCA The Beeches – Fell one beech tree (T1).

• 20/02015/TCA 1 Paddock Close - Fell 1 Holly Tree and 1 Hawthorn (T1 & T2), and 2 Metre Reduction to Hornbeam (T3).

• 20/02153/TCA 17 Winkins Lane - T1 - Horse Chestnut tree - re-pollard - tree needs re-pollarding at previous levels (approx. 6m agl).

• 20/02931/TCA The Old Masons Arms – T1 Ash tree –fell; T2 Sweet Chestnut – reduce extending laterals.

Play Area In accordance with the Government “Roadmap to Lifting Restrictions” playgrounds remain closed as, unlike parks, there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces/ potential contamination.

Phase 3 (29 June) of the Roadmap may permit playgrounds to be opened where social distancing and hygiene can be maintained. As the Winkins Lane site is unsupervised, the Parish Council will not re-open until the Government provides sensible and relevant guidelines covering social distancing in this situation.

Wiltshire Cllr Sturgis’s report Wiltshire has moved from the Covid 19 Response phase to the Recovery phase. The main issue locally is managing the safe re-opening of shops from 15 June, especially in towns with narrow streets.

Car parking charges have been reintroduced from 1 June.

The Recycling Centre at Stanton St Quintin is now open, by appointment only.

Locally the river bank in the village has been removed from the Wild Swimming websites and no permits will be given for camping or swimming in view of problems experienced.

Next Meetings At the date of writing this report the July meeting

has been cancelled and the next scheduled meeting is 2 September. 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.

If it is a Zoom meeting any member of the public wishing to participate should contact either the Clerk or the Chair 24 hours in advance: clerk.gspc@gmail.co.uk, stephen_gspc@thetangles.com, 01249 890379 for the meeting login and password.

T M Chapman Clerk

Little Somerford Parish Council The Council held a meeting on 2 June via Zoom.

Wiltshire Council - Cllr Sturgis reported that Wiltshire Council are moving from response to recovery, in line with Government guidance.

Wiltshire Council will be re-examining their budget as they are expecting to incur debts of £20m in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. The infection rate in Wiltshire is low, the volunteers in Wiltshire have been outstanding.

stiles within the Little Somerford Village boundary.

Play Park Unfortunately, this remains closed in line with Government Guidance.

Telephone Book Exchange This is a valuable and useful asset to the Village provided it is used properly. People are requested to leave books if they are in good condition and there is room on the shelves. No magazines should be left, or books left in boxes on the floor.

The next meeting will be on 4 August; members of the public can contact the clerk, clerk@littlesomerfordparishcouncil.gov.uk or 01249 720978 if they would like to comment or ask a question at this meeting.

Please look at the Parish Council Website www.littlesomerfordparishcouncil.gov.uk for news and updates.

Planning Matters were dealt with: The Parish Council support 20/02393/FUL – Cherry Tree House, install electric charging point.

The Parish Council does not object to 20/04183/TCA - Somerford Barn, fell one Ash Tree The Parish Council noted that 20/01826/TCA had been approved by Wiltshire Council, Somerford Arms, raising of tree canopy.

Finance The approval of the Annual Accounts and the Annual Governance and Accountability Return were completed for year 2019/20.

All documents required for display by the Transparency Code can be found on the Parish Council website www.littlesomerfordparishcouncil.gov.uk/finance The dates for the exercise of public rights to inspect the books and records commence Monday 15 June until Friday 24 July. Please contact the clerk if you wish to inspect the accounting records. Further details are available on the website or on the Parish Council Noticeboard.

The Parish Council noted its payments and receipts for the year to date, and authorised various payments to be made.

Allotments There are currently 2 allotments available; please contact the Clerk or Cllr Webb for more details.

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

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

Footpaths & Rights of Way The Council is currently preparing its annual report on this subject and reviewing all public footpaths & Signpost July 2020

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Signpost July 2020

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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

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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

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

ADVERTISE HERE

E B BOILER SERVICES

Tiller Garden & Landscape Services Established 2004 City & Guilds qualified horticulturalist

• Oil boiler installation • Servicing, breakdown/repair

FOR JUST £3

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 services Church information As the Government announces new measures for coming out of Lock Down, we are very aware of our responsibilities towards public health and will be taking steps to ensure that our buildings have been adequately cleaned and sanitised ahead of opening. The limited opening time allows us to keep the buildings safe and clean for you. Social distancing and minimal contact must always be observed. We simply ask you to wash your hands before leaving home, to use the hand sanitiser provided, and to use seating as directed locally.

Woodbridge Benefice At the time of writing arrangements are still being made, but we are expecting that the churches in Dauntsey, Great Somerford, Little Somerford and Garsdon will be open for private prayer between 9.30am and 10.30am on Sunday mornings starting on June 21st.

We can also announce that funerals inside churches will now be permitted, subject to attendance restrictions and with limited staffing, and we look forward in due course to being able to resume public acts of worship. In the meantime, we continue to offer online worship on Sunday mornings via YouTube and Facebook - in both cases search for 'Woodbridge Churches Online' Rev Steve Wilkinson

Draycot Benefice With the same guidelines as above Seagry church will be open for private worship at 2pm every Sunday from 21st June. Draycot Zoom Daily Prayer on Thursdays at 11.30pm. Contact Rev’d Mark for details drmarksid@gmail.com . Also for Facebook and Twitter (search Draycot Churches) and the website for up dated information. To subscribe to our weekly email reflection please contact Iainatnorthwiltshiredeanery@gmail.com Rev Alison Love

Corston and Rodbourne Churches For the time being Corston Church will remain closed, but Rodbourne Church will be opened from 5 July Sunday afternoons by appointment as advised. Please email sarah.railfarm@gmail.com to let us know you plan to come so we can make arrangements.

Malmesbury Abbey On line 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@malmesburyabbeyabbey.com

Methodist Churches These are closed for the time being in line with Government guidance. But worship is continuing with live streaming of prayers from Wesley’s Chapel in London.

All services will be available as below either live or to view when required at: www.youtube.com/ channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA The Circuit website https://www.northwiltsmethodistcircuit.org.uk/servicesheets.htm I also have my own blog to which I often post the Reflections (as well as other things) Podcasts-https://soundcloud.com/ revdgray-1 talking through reflections. Further decisions about reopening and services will be taken after the Methodist Conference on 2 July. Rev David Gray

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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 510260 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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