2020 DECEMBER & JANUARY 2021 - Steeple Ashton
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2020 DECEMBER & JANUARY 2021
Remembrance Poppies & the Empty Chair
in St Mary’s Church
Opening Hours - please see page 14 for the new
shop opening hours during this difficult time.
CONTENTS
December 2020/January 2021
Pages 44-51 Bryan writes
54-55 Catholic News
3 Christmas Greetings
19-20 Eco Corner
25-26, 32 Friends of SA
53-54 Methodist Church
20-21 Natural History Club
4-6 Parish Council
13 RBL
27, 30 Sage
14 Shop
15-18 St Mary’s Church
22-24 Village Hall
Editorial
Hello everyone,
Our lovely printer, Andy, has kindly offered us a free colour cover for this
newsletter, which seems to be a bumper edition! Others have contributed
to colour pages and thank you again to all those who have been putting
envelopes into my letterbox.
As newsletter editor, I would like to thank all those who help in any way
with the newsletter throughout the year. To all our readers, and friends. I
send Christmas Greetings and all good wishes for the New Year. Helen
Newsletter Deadlines for 2021
January 19th, February 23rd, March 23rd
Items for the Febrary newsletter should be received by Tuesday 19th January.
They should be sent to Mrs Helen Montague-Smith, 1A Butts Lane, Steeple Ashton
or by email to helenmontaguesmith8@gmail.com
All published items solely express the views of the author and are the copyright
of the author and the newsletter unless otherwise stated.
The Editor would like to remind you that it is up to you, the readers, to supply all
news and copy for the newsletter. The sender’s name and address need to be
received before printing. Telephone 01380 871285.
Inquiries for advertisements in the newsletter should be made to Sarah Dennehy
on 01380 870731, email: adverts4steepleashton@gmail.com
Please send your ads by email if possible.
Please note, we do not deliver flyers for advertisers.
2
Christmas Greetings
To all our friends, including WI members, we wish you
a Christmas filled with love, joy and peace. Pat & Lionel
Wishing all my friends in the village
A Happy Christmas and New Year. Mary Ashby
I wish all my friends A Very Happy Christmas
and a Prosperous New Year. Jane Glaysher
Wishing all our friends A Very Happy Christmas and best
wishes for the New Year. Pat & Jill Awdry & Family
Wishing all our friends in the village A Happy Christmas
and New Year. Jayne & Peter
Wishing A Very Happy Christmas to everyone and
a healthy 2021. Also a big 'Thank You'for all the help and
support we have received in this unusual year.
Rosemary and Colin
Wishing all some Christmas cheer, followed by a peaceful
New Year. Anne Howard
Wishing you all a very Peaceful, Happy and Healthy Christmas
and New Year, especially to all those who have volunteered to
keep our village shop open; have done shopping and collected
prescriptions for our older and more frail residents in this
village; provided take away meals etc. You have certainly gone
that extra mile to keep us safe.
Sincere thanks. Richard and Susan Cottle
David and Anne Little send all their friends and neighbours
good wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Let us all hope
that 2021 will be a jollier year.
Happy Christmas and a hopeful 2021
with best wishes from Jean Clarke
Alison and Tony Evans wish Everyone a happy and healthy
Christmas and a Positive New Year
Richard & Moira wish all our friends in Steeple Ashton
a Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
3
STEEPLE ASHTON PARISH COUNCIL
What3words
Tell emergency services exactly where you are with what3words.
What3words is an easy way to give emergency services your exact location.
Every 3m square has been given a unique combination of 3 words. If you’re
at the scene of an incident you can use the what3words app to find the 3
words for your current location.
To be prepared download the free what3words app.
Census 2021
The census is taking place in March 2021.
It’s a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the
people and households in England and Wales. It helps plan and fund public
services, like transport, education and healthcare.
By taking part and encouraging others to do the same, you’ll help make
sure you and your community get the services you need. Nearer the time,
4
you’ll receive more information. There’ll be plenty of help to take part for
people who need it.
Find out more at www.census.gov.uk
Follow the census @Census2021
Planning applications currently under consideration:
20/09468/FUL - 11 Newleaze, Steeple Ashton, Wilts, BA14 6EF - New
External Staircase & Door to First Floor.
20/08813/FUL - Church House, Vicarage Lane, Steeple Ashton, Wilts,
BA14 6HH - Proposed air source heat pump against outside of the wall of
the 1980's extension corridor leading from the kitchen.
20/09577/TPO - The Old Parsonage, Vicarage Lane, Steeple Ashton,
BA14 6HH - Reduction of all trees listed in TPO W/08/00020/MIXED
(deadline for comment extended to 8 December 2020).
20/09781/FUL - 8A, Dark Lane South Steeple Ashton BA14 6EZ - Single
storey side extension
20/09842/TCA - Gables Court, 3, Butts Lane Steeple Ashton BA14 6ET -
T1 - Birch Reduce by up to 2m and prune away from building
Planning decisions:
20/08407/TCA - 5 Edington Road Steeple Ashton BA14 6HP – Tree
works to birch, willow and walnut trees – No objection.
Next Parish Council meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 7th
December 2020 at 7.00 pm. At the present time, due to COVID-19, the
Council is meeting virtually via Zoom. Joining instructions are published
with each agenda and will be posted on Facebook and the PC website. The
agenda will include;
The Highways Strategy
First draft budget for 2021/22
The January meeting of the PC will be held on Monday 4th January
2020 at 7.00 pm and will include:
Climate Emergency Strategy
Precept and budget setting
The arrangements for the meeting will be published nearer the time and
will be dependent on the latest guidance from central government relating
to the coronavirus pandemic.
5
Parish Council Office: (2 St Mary’s School, High Street)
The Clerk is not attending the Parish Office on Wednesdays during the
COVID-19 pandemic. As soon as the restrictions permit the Clerk will
resume the weekly surgeries, which take place between 9.30 and 11.30 am.
In the meantime, the Clerk can be contacted on 01373 864127 / 07971
987806 or email clerk@steeple-ashton.co.uk. All Councillors have live
@steeple-ashton.co.uk email addresses which are also posted on the
website.
Find us on Social Media! Through the Parish Council page and
Steeple Ashton Village Discussion Group, we cover many topics of
interest to our residents. Please be assured that this page is monitored
regularly, and we take all requests seriously, actioning where appropriate.
We also have a group called ‘Steeple Sells’ for those of you that would like
to buy and sell things locally – this is not a page that is part of the Parish
Council policy or procedure, just a natural extension of social media
activities. We would love you to get involved – search for ‘Steeple Ashton’
on Facebook. If you are a village group and need help with your social
media or village event promotions, please get in touch with Pippa at
pippabirch@steeple-ashton.co.uk or 871578.
~~~ www.steeple-ashton.co.uk ~~~
Jonathon Seed writes…
I write this local update during the second national COVID lockdown but
also as a glimmer of hope for our future emerges. This has not been an
easy time for any of us and we have had to learn new ways of carrying out
our daily business, be this in our home life, our business life or even in
politics. Like many of you I had never heard of Zoom or Teams before the
COVID pandemic struck but many of us now find these to be new tools of
our daily lives. This is certainly the case in local government where
virtually all meetings are taking place using Zoom or Teams. This has
ranged from large meetings of Wiltshire Council to smaller Committee and
Parish Council meetings. Most Parish Councils are now successfully
meeting on Zoom and often with decent public attendance. This was
certainly the case at the last Melksham Area Board where 98 people
attended the virtual meeting in November. This may well have been
prompted by the launch of the A350 Melksham By Pass consultation and
the detailed brief on the Melksham Campus progress and access plans for
construction traffic. These are important projects that affect our
6
community. It is particularly important that if you have an opinion on the
Melksham By Pass you state it through the Wiltshire Council Website
searching for A350 Melksham By Pass.
Next year will see changes in local politics and local political boundaries
and this will affect your local Council area. Government is determined that
the 2021 both Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner
elections will take place. The current council Division of Summerham and
Seend disappears and a new Division of Melksham Rural West emerges
within the Melksham Community Area. This new Division will consist of
Steeple Ashton, Great Hinton, Keevil and Semington to be joined by
Berryfields and Broughton Gifford. I decided to seek the nomination to
fight this seat for my Party because that is the Division where the majority
of my current residents will be. Sadly we say farewell to Seend, Bulkington
and Poulshot who leave in May next year to join Potterne and Coulston in
Devizes Rural West. I do not know who will be elected as the new
Councillor for this new Division but I do know that my party has selected an
excellent and very experienced candidate in Tamara Reay to fight this
election.
Perhaps as we move out of lockdown in early December we should think
about some Christmas cheer and hope for the New Year. By the end of the
year we hope the COVID R rate and case rate will be falling and that all
parts of our United Kingdom will be able to celebrate Christmas with their
families and friends. We also have the hope that the emerging vaccines
may allow us to return to some semblance of pre COVID normality in the
New Year.
On this basis I wish all residents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year. Jonathon Seed
The Front Cover…..
These two displays were in St Mary’s Church leading up to Remembrance
Sunday. The service was held outside but for those who didn’t see them, I
thought they would make a colourful cover during a depressing lockdown.
The fallen soldier’s empty place is laid at table during some army functions.
The empty chair symbolises those who are not here - the fallen - but are
with us in spirit. We will remember them.
Many thanks from Rosie and Sue to all who have contributed to Matt
Baker’s Rickshaw Challenge for Children in Need,
(Charities St. Mary’s)
7
As you know, here in Steeple Ashton, many villagers were extremely busy
throughout lockdown sewing handmade face coverings for this and
surrounding villages. Some were also super productive in making scrubs
and bags for a national ScrubHub initiative supplying the NHS, care homes
and surgeries locally.
We would like to thank all villagers who purchased these lovingly made
face coverings from The Village Shop and The Old Rose & Crown. In total
over 500 face coverings were sewn and sold with all donations going to
NHS charities.
The total monies raised was an amazing £1100 which we have decided to
split between The Stars Appeal supporting Salisbury and District Hospital
and The Forever Friends Appeal supporting the Royal United Hospital
Bath. Money will more specifically be donated to the Children’s wards of
both hospitals.
Thank you again for the generous donations and a special thank you to
the Steeple Ashton Sewing ladies and The Village Shop. Bev Gagnall
8
Steeple Ashton advent calendar event
To provide a little extra festive cheer this Christmas, we are holding, for the
first time, a village advent calendar event.
Volunteers have been sought, and each will provide a light up display
during December. These will be displayed either in the garden or in a
window.
Each participant has been provided with a number that corresponds to a
date in December.
Please see below the location of the houses displaying an advent number.
The Advent Number Location, By street/ Road/ Lane
1st Dec Dark Lane North, (Corner House)
2 Coach Barton
3 Village Green
4 Village Green
5th Dec Home farm Close
6 Acre Close
7 Dark Lane North
8 Common hill
9th Dec Vicarage Lane
10 Church View
11 High Street
12 Silver Street
13th Dec The Butts
14 Dark Lane North
15 Church Street
16 High Street
17th Dec St Marys The advent number clearly is the Date
18 Newleaze
in December when you “turn on”
19 Common Hill
20 Southbrook lane
Once each light is turned on, they are
21st Dec Church Street
22 Acre short Lane then turned on every subsequent
23 Common Hill night.
24 THE PUB
25th Dec Dark Lane North I have been delighted by the response
26 High Street and the lights will be displayed the
27 Newleaze entire length of the village, from
28 Dark Lane South Common hill to Southbrook lane.
Tracy Williams
9
Festive Messages
This year there will be a community Christmas tree situated in the
churchyard at St Mary’s Church Steeple Ashton. The idea is for you to
write your festive messages to hang on and decorate the Christmas
tree. Your messages can be a greeting to an individual, a family or the
world at large. The tags will be laminated and used to decorate the tree
this Christmas. You can find the free tags in the shop or in the church
porch from December 1st. Bring completed tags back to either of these
two posts by 14th December if possible.
What to do
• Please help yourself to a luggage label.
• Write your festive message and decorate.
• Post in the boxes in St Mary’s Church porch or Village Shop.
• They will then be laminated and placed on the Christmas tree.
Hand Made Floral Arrangements
for the Home this Christmas
Celebrate the season with rustic decorations and displays.
I make these from evergreen foliage, berries and flowers
Prices from £10.
To make an order for a wreath, door bouquet ot table arrangement
Please phone 01380 871566
or email sueedwards62@gmail.com
Sue Edwards
10The Witness - A Robin’s Tale
Nestling high up in the old stable on the stacked hay I am cold, so very
cold, even for a Robin and it is a biting cold made worse by hunger. It is
deepest winter inside of me and out. I curl up in my emptiness with my
head beneath my wing and eventually fall asleep with the taste of lonely
tears my only soothing.
Suddenly, I hear a rustling. I’m wide awake with fear. Footsteps! One
pair, and now another; one heavy, with boots, one lighter, slow and weary.
There are soft urgent voices. ‘Over here! Over here! Take it gently,” a man’s
voice says. ‘Thank God! At last!’ I cannot move. I hear a woman’s voice: ‘I
think the time is now! Joseph, hold me!” and then a cry of pain from the
woman. There is water on the ground. I smell blood. She cries again. He
moves still closer. I can hear their hearts beating in fear, just like my own.
And then suddenly I hear the cry of a baby born, and the sound of relief
from the mother in that moment of long-awaited exultant joy. The man
with the big boots comforts her as he hands the crying child to the
exhausted mother. ‘Mary, it is a boy!” he says. But there is something
strange, there, in the way he said that. In the cold and dark, two faces seem
to light with greatest joy. They glow with warmth and pleasure. You’d think
the Saviour of the whole world had just been born! I fly a little closer. I can
see the child now, hungrily feeding from the woman’s breast. Look at her
eyes! How they are lit up. Look at the man’s eyes, drinking from the delight
of both of them. My feet, no longer cold, feel like dancing. My feathers
wiggle with their joy. There is music in my heart. My place seems so much
brighter just having them here. With this new life, somehow there is a
twinkle in the air.
The man with the boots is moving about, gathering straw and making a
bed of it for mother and the now-sleeping child. At last he sits beside them
and loosens his boots, holds his woman close and the weariness of the
journey and of birthing covers them with a gentle sleep. I curl up again, this
time with joy to lead me to my dreams.
Late into the night, while stars can still be seen through the openings in
my roof, I hear voices coming close. I know them, and yet somehow, they
are different, and excited. Other sounds come too, sheep bleating because
they are disturbed from sleep, now moving in the outer dark. Then there
are those smells that hit my twitching beak, of bodies never washed, of
animal-skins worn against the cold of winter nights and weathered in the
smoke of many firesides. I know them all, these shepherds of sheep; they
are rough men, foul-mouthed and unschooled. But they are nobody’s fools.
Fiercely loyal to each other in the face of a despising world, they are often
11considered the scum, the ungodly ones, cast out by most. What is bringing
them here at this unearthly hour? The woman and the man stir, the child
cries. The shepherds have stopped outside. “Let’s look in here”, one says,
and begins to open a creaking door. ‘It’s true!” he says. “It’s true! There is a
child here after all. Come and see!”
I hear them tumbling out words about ‘God’s angel” and “message” and
‘our Saviour.” The woman is taking it all in. Those rough and evil-smelling
men that I have known seem gentled now, and silent. They gaze and
wonder at the honour of it all. They are kneeling around the child as if he
was their very own, one of themselves. And the woman’s eyes are telling
them that it is. In time, these now-gentled men step out of the darkness
into a dawning light.
In the days that followed, those outcasts guarded that little “trinity,”
brought food and drink to them and the child was at home with their
smells.
Other folk passed by my home and its guests, and never came in, but the
ones of no-importance were our most special visitors each day. Time
passed; the child grew a little stronger. The woman and the man grew
warmer too, not only because of their child, but also because of the
kindness of the shepherd people who came down from the hillsides.
I hear a jingling noise. It’s still very early in the morning. It sounds like
the jingling of tiny bells, such as people put on the tassels of fine clothes, or
the coverings for their camels. I fly to a hole in the wall. Some giant camels
are plodding along in the night. I see their great huge feet and large humps.
The stars are twinkling in the dark. Some travellers are passing by. I listen
to the sounds - strange voices these to me. I am about to return to my nest
in the straw, but the procession has stopped outside our stable. People are
huddled in whispered conversation. Now I see them leaving their baggage
and belongings and coming towards this home of ours. The man, Joseph,
has gone out and is speaking with them. Now, he is lifting back the old door
and inviting them in. ‘Come and see for yourselves,’ he says, and he stands
aside. The woman, Mary, rises to greet them with her child.
Again, I get that sense of ‘Someone Special’, of excitement in the air,
everything utterly changed. And now there is a silence, great and deep, as
they hold that child in their gaze. There are no words now. They take the
child from the woman’s outstretched arms and hold it and pass him to each
other. Their faces light with joy. They stay some time and, when they rise to
leave, they present their gifts, fit for a king!
What child is this?” I ask myself when all is quiet again, ‘who makes
rough men gentle? Why do these rich and wise people come looking for
him, here? Why are the women and men in this rich caravan of peoples
brought to such deep silence? Who is this Child that brings music to the air,
and light into dark?”
12I am left with the child and his mother, and Joseph of the big boots. I have
many things to ponder, in a mood of wondering joy. And then the child
looks in my direction and I know that I have been truly blessed.
The morning sun is rising in the East. A new day has begun. My heart is
burning within me.
It’s time to tell my friends. Francis Geraghty
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
POPPY APPEAL
in Steeple Ashton, Great Hinton, Bulkington, and Keevil
The Poppy Appeal was very far from its usual self this year. No door to
door collecting was decreed early on, and thereafter ever-changing
instructions from the Royal British Legion, as circumstances changed,
made it difficult to publicise successfully how things were to be managed.
Nonetheless, each village took on the business of organising its own static
points, and I am most grateful to the individuals who played a great part in
enabling donations to be made and poppies to be worn, and who contacted
villagers through jungle drums, facebook, posters, and newsletters such as
this. Thanks are due to Nicola Downie in Bulkington, Pauline Bennett in
Keevil, and Suzie Selwyn-Smith in Great Hinton.
The counting of money is being done elsewhere and the results will not
appear until the February newsletter, but meanwhile thank you to
everyone who helped, and to all contributors to the cause. Perhaps
because of the attendant difficulties, the Remembrance Service in the
churchyard at St Mary’s was one of the most touching occasions that I can
recall, and I have similar reports from other villages where the sanctions
imposed made the Act of Remembrance a fresh experience.
Lydia Peters
PAO TEE14
13STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE SHOP
Christmas & New Year Opening times:
Christmas Eve: closes 1430
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: closed
27th & 28th December: 0900 -1200
31st December: closes 1430
New Year’s Day: closed
I’m sure that our regular customers will have noticed that the shop is
gearing up for Christmas. We have a lovely and extensive range of cards,
gifts and festive foods and booze. So please do come and browse. Please see
our colourful centre spread to tempt you to visit the shop.
Our Christmas order forms are now available in the shop, and we are
delighted to offer goose and ‘pigs in blankets’ this year as well as our usual
stock. We are able to deliver your orders if that is more convenient than
collecting your boxes from the shop.
Christmas raffle tickets are now available in the shop with a plethora of
intriguing prizes to be drawn by a mystery Celebrity – or possibly Guy.
Last but by no means least, we would like to send a big thank you to all
our new and established volunteers on the frontline or behind the scenes,
who have worked so tirelessly to support our Community and keep up with
the ever changing rules to keep everyone as safe as possible during this
difficult year.
A very happy and safe Christmas to all our customers. Thank you for
supporting the shop. Let’s all hope for a better and less stressful year
ahead. Francis Ash
A Tank called “Steeple Ashton”
The photograph of the tank “Steeple Ashton” (Robbie’s Nov. article) had
more of a link with this village than just the name. The chap looking out
through the turret was tank commander Lance Corporal GE Lakey. Geoff
was the foster-son of Alice Collet and her husband who an a small business
by ‘The Raven’, in Poulshot. Alice was born in The Sanctuary (then Vine
Cottage), daughter of the blacksmith Edward Moore. She was the aunt of
George Moore (Michael’s father) and the cousin of Ivor Smith’s father Bert.
Geoff and Ivor were great friends while stationed at Burton Joyce uniting
in a love of music. They entered a talent competition held in Nottingham
Playhouse and walked away with the £5 first prize –more than a week’s
wages for most men then. They went straight to their local by the camp, put
it on the table and declared ‘Drinks all round’. Since beer was less than
nine old pence a pint a very good time was held by all.
Sadly, Geoff was killed in 1944 in the Battle of Monte Cassino, Italy.
14 Rosie Brett GreenMinistry Team for the Benefice of
North Bradley, Southwick, Heywood and Steeple Ashton
Fr Oliver Learmont (Vicar)
The Vicarage, 62 Church Lane, North Bradley, BA14 0TA.
Tel. 01225 774845, 07464 795590
oliver.learmont@btinternet.com
Fr Tony Longdon
Tel. 01225 754771 07951 703187
Richard Havergal (Licensed Lay Minister)
Tel. 01225 762668 rhavergal16@gmail.com
Churchwarden of St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton
Michael Moore
Tel. 01380 870280
The Pew News can be downloaded from the Benefice website. If you do
not have access to the internet, do consider letting us have your postal
address so that we can post/deliver
you a copy.
Please see publicity displayed outside St Mary’s; or visit the Benefice
website www.threeinonebenefice.org for details of services, which
may be subject to change - and for a range of information about the
Parish and the Benefice.
There is a celebration of Holy Communion in each parish every Sunday
(except on any fifth Sunday); and the Family Service has been
reintroduced at St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton. Services currently scheduled
for December and January include a sermon and recorded music but no
hymns, and are as follows:
Sunday, 6th December THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
9.15am Holy Communion (CW) St Nicholas’, North Bradley (OL)
11am Holy Communion (BCP) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
Sunday, 13th December THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8am Holy Communion (BCP) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
10.30am Toy and Gift Family Service
11am Holy Communion (CW St Thomas’, Southwick (OL)
Sunday, 20th December THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
9.15am Holy Communion (CW) St Nicholas’, North Bradley (OL)
1511am Holy Communion (CW) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
Thursday, 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE
4pm Nativity St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton, Churchyard
11.15pm Midnight Mass (CW) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (tbc)
11.30pm Midnight Mass (CW) St Nicholas’, North Bradley (OL)
(with incense)
Friday, 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY
10am Holy Communion (CW) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
10am Holy Communion (CW) St Thomas’, Southwick (tbc)
Sunday, 27th December THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
8am Holy Communion (BCP St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (tbc)
11am Holy Communion (CW) St Thomas’, Southwick (tbc)
Sunday, 3rd January, 2021 THE EPIPHANY
9.15am Holy Communion (CW) St Nicholas’, North Bradley (OL)
(with incense)
11am Holy Communion (BCP) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
Sunday, 10th January THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
8am Holy Communion (BCP) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
10.30am Christingle (Family) Service St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (RH)
11am Holy Communion (CW) St Thomas’, Southwick (OL)
Sunday, 17th Januar THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
9.15am Holy Communion (CW) St Nicholas’, North Bradley (OL)
11am Holy Communion (CW) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
Sunday, 24th January THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
8am Holy Communion (BCP) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
11am Holy Communion (CW) St Thomas’, Southwick (OL)
Sunday, 31st January THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN
THE TEMPLE (Candlemas)
11am Holy Communion (CW) St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton (OL)
BCP - Book of Common Prayer; CW - Common Worship (Order 1,
contemporary language). OL - Fr Oliver; RH - Richard Havergal
Please note that the wearing of face coverings in church by all who
attend worship and, in general, by all those who attend church when there
may be others present is mandatory unless you are involved in
leading worship or your personal circumstances constitute an
exception
to this requirement..
***
16Morning Prayer is said
at St Nicholas’, North Bradley,
Tuesday – Friday at 9.30am,.
“We lift up in prayer the people of our Benefice each morning; please let us
know if you would like us to include in our prayers any particular person or
cause.”
All are welcome!
St Mary’s is open for individual prayer
on Saturdays and Sundays between 4 and 6pm; and from
Saturday, 7th November between 2 and 4pm.
Church Freewill Giving
Please contact Michael Moore if would like to join the Church Freewill
Giving Scheme; we suggest you retain your used Envelopes until you are
in a position to bring them to church.
Occasional offices
For advice concerning baptisms, marriage services and funeral services in
church, please contact Fr Oliver.
Vacancies for church officers in St Mary’s
There are currently vacancies for the role of Churchwarden and PCC
treasurer and PCC secretary. If you are interested in any of these roles,
please contact Fr Oliver.
Dear All,
At the time the Newsletter goes to press we can only speculate as to the
restrictions that will be in place for worship in our churches during Advent
and at Christmas. It looks likely that congregational singing will continue
to be prohibited; and stipulations around physical distancing will mean
that only limited numbers will be able to attend services. And we cannot
plan for either carol or crib services which for many are the highpoint of
our seasonal celebrations at St Mary’s. This is, of course, a great
disappointment when, after all the difficulties that we have endured in
2020, we are especially keen to join together as a community and celebrate
Christmas.
17So this year, more than usual, we are to mark the Feast of the Nativity
outside St Mary’s. There is to be on this occasion a large Christmas tree in
the churchyard, bearing on its branches prayers offered by, and greetings
from, many in the parish and beyond (see p.10). In addition, there will be
several smaller trees on either side of the path leading to the south door of
the church which itself is to be the setting for the culmination of the village-
wide Advent calendar on Christmas Eve. A big thank you to everyone
involved.
Imported from Germany, the tradition of Christmas trees became popular
in this country in the middle of the 19th century. They had already become
a feature of the royal court during the reign of George III, who in 1761
married the German Princess, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. They
were also seen at that time in other homes with German connections, and
were not unfamiliar in Britain. It was, however, the homely Christmas tree
of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the engraving of the royal couple,
with their five children admiring the bauble- and present-hung tree,
appearing in the Illustrated London News of 1848, that really caught the
public’s imagination. By the following century, the Christmas tree was one
of the essential features of Christmas in our land for young and old alike.
Perhaps our most celebrated Christmas tree today is the one erected in
Trafalgar Square in London, an annual gift from the people of Norway,
presented in gratitude for the support given by our country during the
Second World War.
Finding its uncertain origins in pre-Christian times, the Christmas tree
can be seen as a powerful representation of the Christian faith. The
evergreen is an ancient symbol of eternal life which we have through
Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross - sometimes also referred to as a tree. So
significant at the end of this particular year, Christmas lights signify hope,
happiness and safety; and they represent the fact that Jesus is the Light of
the World both in the winter and in the darkness that sometimes threatens
to take over our lives. And the star that we often place at the top of our tree
reminds us of the star over Bethlehem, and of the eternal life we shall all
enjoy in the presence of Christ.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas, Fr. Oliver
18Photo of a peregrine falcon with claws
tangled in a discarded Covid 19 mask.
Coronavirus is a disaster for the war on
single-use plastics. So-called single-use,
plastic-based, masks when disposed of
carelessly, can be a hazard to animal and
bird life. I have found two masks this last
month. One in a bramble bush in the SSRI
area of Clanger Wood and another on
Steeple Ashton High Street.
This is the time for Christians to celebrate that newborn baby with all his
potential for a promise of peace and love. All new babies can give
wonderment. We mostly treasure them as a gift and most will set aside the
time, worry and financial demands they make in order to share our lives
with the new generation. BUT time now also to reflect: firstly, it’s not the
same for many mothers and couples, even less so if you are poor and not
managing inadequate housing and tight budgets. Family planning has
been accepted during my own adult life and we can have confidence in
contraception to tune our sexual desires with planning our families and we
have a reasonable expectation that death in childbirth is now rare. Not so in
many, many countries in this world today, where young mothers face death
to give birth too young, as I expect Mary was, in deprived circumstances.
Mary was probably betrothed to Joseph before puberty, as are many still in
Tanzania, the area where I work with Maasai, and would be giving birth at
perhaps 14 years old. Can you imagine the tetanus risk for her, giving birth
in that stable? (Another time let me tell you of a girl’s life there…
natronhealthcare.org)
But I write Eco Corner also as a member of Population Matters, and so,
secondly, in the midst of this pandemic, I want to share with you my
concerns and the challenge of how many babies our planet can sustain? The
pandemic started, we believe, from the mutation of a virus from another
mammal, maybe bat or pangolin. Other new, recent virus shifts have been
HIV from primates, SARS from civets, MERS via camels and Swine Flu
from birds and pigs. Another serious jump was made by Ebola, when, like
Covid-19, the increased consumption of “bush” meat meant that crowded
markets and abattoirs gave the right conditions (let’s not forget, even with
their own good hygiene conditions, UK and German abattoirs have been
focus for surges in Covid cases). In 2016 UN reported, “As human
population grows, ecosystems change…..and the traditional buffer zones
once separating humans and animals , and the pathogens they harbour, are
reduced or lost”. Deforestation, habitat encroachment, wildlife trade and
19urban density gives rise to pandemics.
Over the first six months of this pandemic, the human world population
has gone from 7,777,712,388 to 7,813,967,000 (see populationmatters.org).
People need protein and usually, being naturally omnivores, a little meat.
The world has finite resources. We should reduce our meat consumption,
especially Argentinian beef, for instance, and allow poor people to eat a
little for a festival say. I believe that our UK overseas aid should be used to
promote ethical, choice-based solutions that empower people to choose
smaller families - ie access to contraception – not to fund South African
coal-based power stations and increasing armaments. Government policy
needs to recognise the wider picture. I also believe that implications here in
the UK should mean that it is not only just a personal/couple choice, but
also people with very large families by choice should reflect on the wider
implications for total resources. We do not have to fear a population
“crash” in our own country although we could prepare to support for an
aging population temporarily.
Small families are essential for us to have decent lives on a healthy planet.
Each child a treasured gift.
Speak to me if you want to know more and Do join our group of friends,
communicating by phone or Email. Penny Aeberhard. 01380 870602,
penny@aeberhard.co.uk. And note again: the WCA is a newly formed
umbrella group for any group or individual concerned about climate
change and the environment.
Details at: https://www.wiltshireclimatealliance.org.uk
NATURAL HISTORY CLUB by Roger Ferguson
It’s now December and we, hopefully, are now out of lockdown. The
November lockdown meant we couldn’t interact face to face easily which
made the spreading of news more interesting. Thank goodness for mobile
phones, email and social media!
Our members have still been discovering wonderful things, and some
not so wonderful, in and around the local villages and reporting to others
via email and our very popular Whatsapp group.
Things to note here and of interest to others are:
Winter Thrush flocks – mixed sometimes, Fieldfare and Redwings
together. The flight contact ‘chuckle’ of fieldfare and the ‘seeee’ call of
redwing are unmistakeable to the trained ear.
Flocks of Starling and finches, including Linnets are feeding on the spilt
seed of the fields not yet ploughed.
A flock of 150 Golden Plover have been seen on Salisbury Plain area.
These have migrated South and if it turns colder may come to lower levels.
20Hares are being seen in encouraging numbers. They appear to be big, even
being confused with small deer in size. Is it the low winter sun creating an
illusion or do they grow bigger coats for the winter?
Penny has a small hedgehog, or a hoglet, that she is feeding to try and
fatten up before it goes into hibernation. It’s likely a late born one this year
and unless it nearly doubles its weight before it hibernates, its chances of
survival are slim. Lets keep our fingers crossed for the little fella.
A rare (only 47 records in UK) fungus has been found by Jo. It is known
as a Feather Stalkball which grows on keratin found in hooves, deer antlers
or even human finger nails. This one was found growing from an Owl
pellet. They are tiny and hopefully this find will be accepted and become
the first in this area.
Caught on camera. We always suspected but never had conclusive
evidence until now that the culprit that has been taking fish from local
ponds, including in some cases large koi, has been filmed on a night vision
camera munching on large Koi. It is an Otter! So if you have a fish pond
that hasn’t already been raided, be aware.
Here’s a thought:
If you always fancied a bit of help with getting to know our local bird life ...
where to see them, where do they nest, or can I get them into the garden ?
Then one of our members can help you with where to site a nestbox or even
where to see a Raven or Peregrine falcon for example. We can advise you
on the best binoculars to buy or just where to see a Kingfisher. If any of
this appeals, just get in touch with Steeple Ashton Natural History Club
using the contacts below.
Please report anything of interest such as sightings of animal / bird / insect
activity or lack of. Or indeed unusual or rare plants or anything you can’t
identify to David Culverhouse, 01380 871621 42anchor@gmail.com or
Roger Ferguson 01380 870860 roger_ferguson@btinternet.com we may
have a member who specialises and can answer your questions.
21DIARY 2020 - December
LOGO
We are very happy to introduce you to the new Village Hall logo! We have
been working towards this during the summer as we felt that it was an
important addition to help take the hall forward into the future.
The current building was opened in 1975, and is not therefore a
contemporary building, nor is it of a period character and it was not easy to
find a memorable way of representing it. However, we felt that the familiar
view down Church Street, with the hall angled in the foreground and St
Mary’s Church in the distance, perfectly represented Steeple Ashton Village
Hall as it sits in its location within the village and would be recognisable to
most people. We have kept it simple and slightly more traditional in
design, with the teal green colour being selected to enhance the icon. We
hope you like it.
HISTORY
There has been a village hall on this site since 1899, the land being gifted to
the village by the Rt. Honourable Walter Hume Long. in a Deed Poll dated
20th December 1899.
22The Deed Poll says: “ …for the intent and purposes in the recitals and form hereinafter mentioned and set forth Whereas the Right Honorable Walter Hume Long of Rood Ashton in the county of Wilts. M.P Eustace Fulerand Bousanquet of Steeple Ashton in the said county Esquire and Edward Ponsonby Knubley M.A. Clerk in Holy Orders Vicar of the said Parish of Steeple Ashton (hereinafter called the Trustees) are desirous of providing for the use of the inhabitants of Steeple Ashton aforesaid a building to be known as The Village Hall and Social Club on the terms and conditions nevertheless hereinafter stated and set forth and subject to the control and management of the said building as hereinafter mentioned and whereas the said Walter Hume Long by virtue and in exercise of powers vested in him by an Indenture of Settlement dated the thirty first day of July One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight made in contemplation of his marriage with Lady Dorothy Blanche Boyle has given permission for the erection of such building on a certain piece or parcel of land situate in Church Street in the Parish of Steeple Ashton aforesaid…” The document goes on to say that Bousanquet erected the building at a cost ‘exceeding £300’, of which £200 had to be repaid by the trustees. On the reverse, he signs to say that this debt was discharged on 8th August 1910, along with interest due. In 1975, the building was re-vamped, keeping the corrugated iron roof, but installing block walls to replace the original corrugated iron ones. The interior has been altered a little over time, but we can see that there has been a Village Hall here for over 120 years, providing facilities for the community as originally intended. Previous generations of villagers put on plays and pantomimes, social gatherings and celebrations, there was a skittles club, regular guides and brownies, WI and more recently exercise and dance classes, as well as private skittle afternoons and evenings and suppers to raise funds for other village groups. Not all villages have their own community space and we are very lucky that ours has survived for so long and continues to be used by people in and around Steeple Ashton. But we must not become complacent - the charity trustees are doing their best to keep the building maintained as well as updated with modern facilities. However this of course comes at a price and it is only with your continued support that we can keep the hall available for future generations. We hope that once this awful pandemic period is behind us, we can continue to gradually improve the hall facilities and to encourage new and enjoyable uses for this important part of our village life 23
COVID
Well, wouldn’t you just know it - on 5th November, 9 days after we
reopened, we had to close again! The Guides and Brownies managed to
have one much looked forward to meeting, but now they cannot meet again
until after 2nd December. Such a shame but a necessary step to keep our
community safe from the Covid-19 virus. Of course, as this Newsletter may
not be with you until after 2nd December, it may be that we are once again
open - it will be announced on the Facebook page, but please feel free to
call the number below for updates if you do not use Facebook.
Thank you
STEEPLE ASHTON VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE
General Queries: Marian Little 01380 871161
Bookings: Sandra Stevens 01380 870210 / 07827 291945 or
Email: steepleashtonvh@hotmail.com
1942
I was sorting through some papers and came across a Parish Magazine for
Holy Trinity Church in South Woodford in Essex. As well as the notification
of my Baptism, it contains some wartime recipes and other household tips.
I thought that you might find them interesting. Here are some and watch
out for more in future issues.
Breakfast.
Since fish is very expensive and eggs scarce, it is sometimes difficult to
know what to provide for breakfast. This dish is very satisfactory and
appetizing. Boil half a pint of milk and add 2 oz. of ground rice, one
teaspoonful of chopped onion or leek, ½ breakfast-cupful of boiled
potatoes, a dash of anchovy essence or sauce. Simmer gently fo 20 minutes,
then take of the fire and add a well beaten egg. Mix well, spread out about
½ inch thick on a flat dish, and leave until cold. Divide into pieces like fish
fillets, brush over with milk, roll in breadcrumbs, and fry until brown.
Parsley or caper sauce should be served. These fillets are quite suitable for
lunch with the addition of potatoes ∙∙∙ preferably fried or chipped ∙∙∙
cauliflower and carrots.
Enjoy
Nails in Wall
Before you drive a nail into the wall immerse it in hot water until
thoroughly heated, and the plaster will not break.
24When the Paint-Brush has been neglected, put some vinegar in an old
pan and bring to the boil. Then immerse the brush and allow the vinegar to
simmer for only ¼ hour. After this, wash the brush in strong soap-suds,
rinse in cold water and the brush will be usable once more
Watch out for more tips. Peter Lowery
THE FRIENDS OF STEEPLE ASHTON
PLANNING WHITE PAPER
In August 2020 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Government
published a White Paper titled ‘Planning for the Future’. (White Papers are
a way the government can present policy preferences before it introduces
legislation. Publishing a white paper tests public opinion on controversial
policy issues and helps the government gauge its probable impact). The
paper encouraged wide comment to be submitted by late October based on
24 proposals and 26 associated questions. The Friends completed a
detailed response which was copied to the Parish Council.
In essence, the White Paper seeks to streamline planning processes in
respect of simplicity and speed, with the key objectives of enabling the
construction of sufficient new, high quality, attractive, sustainable, energy
efficient houses where they are needed, in a timely fashion. Through the
production of new digital Local Plans, it is proposed that developers,
planners and the public would have access to detailed mapping depicting 3
distinct categories of land:
• Growth areas “suitable for substantial development”. Sites annotated
in the Local Plan under this category would have outline approval for
development.
• Renewal areas “suitable for development”. Will potentially include
development in rural areas that is not annotated as Growth or Protected
areas, such as small sites within or on the edge of villages. There would be a
statutory presumption in favour of development being granted for the uses
specified as being suitable in each area.
• Areas that are Protected. For example, designated Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and
‘conservation areas’.
As things stand, Wiltshire Council has a Core Strategy (Local Plan) that
25sets the overarching policy framework and is also the Development Plan for
Wiltshire. Across Wiltshire, over 50% of 261 parishes have still to
commence the expensive and time-consuming production of
Neighbourhood Plans. Those that have not produced a Neighbourhood
Plan, including Steeple Ashton, remain sceptical of their practical value in
influencing decision making.
The Friends key observations concerning the White Paper proposals are
as follows:
• It is sensible to take advantage of technology in order to try to
simplify and streamline planning processes.
• Properly resourced production of digital Planning Authority Local
Plans is laudable, but the product must include appropriate
neighbourhood/parish input. The paper does not establish a clear and
sustainable hierarchy for future planning control and the maintenance of
both Local and Neighbourhood Plans.
• With the rare exception of contracted social housing, developers need
commercial incentives to undertake the financial risk of construction. The
thrust of the paper appears to a large extent to be in response to developers’
lobbying concerning slow planning which fails to reflect the pace of
commercial and market forces, and the alleged lack of access to land
considered suitable for high-volume economical construction. It seems to
do little to encourage developers to pursue development on land already
authorised (particularly brownfield sites) and fails to provide confidence
that development will be focused on the real need (affordable housing for
the aspirant young and ageing down-sizers adjacent to communal facilities)
as opposed to the construction of larger houses on greenfield sites that
offer the best potential for profit while failing to meet both the priority
housing objective and the need to minimise negative impact on the
environment.
• While acknowledging that developers need to manage considerable
up-front financial risk, any zoning of land that enables ‘outline approval’ or
‘presumption in favour of development’ is fraught with risk for local
communities and the environment. Even if the production of new digital
Local Plans is properly resourced and the resulting initial land categories
are accurately recorded and annotated with input and caveats at parish
level, it is perhaps naïve to think that downstream, developers that are
motivated by the ‘bottom line’ will not seek to take advantage of plans and
processes that might not be effectively updated or managed due to the
limitations of under-manned planning departments and part-time local
government officials. continued on page 32
2627
30
31
• The White Paper does raise a number of potentially positive proposals
for improving planning processes and housing standards. It states that ‘while
the current system excludes residents who don’t have the time to contribute to
the lengthy and complex planning process, local democracy and accountability
will now be enhanced by technology and transparency’. The Friends are keen
to ensure that planning transparency is indeed enhanced, but also that any
new streamlined process allows for effective neighbourhood influence
concerning community, heritage and environmental concerns.
THE WAY AHEAD
The Friends will continue to monitor developments concerning planning policy
in conjunction with the Parish Council. During 2021 we will aim to keep you
informed of any changes, and through the Village Newsletter (and perhaps also
the revamped Village website) produce a series of articles on matters of general
interest such as procedures for Listed Building consents and tree conservation.
Having emerged from our present confined circumstances we will be looking
to review, discuss and update the Friends’ objectives and constitution ahead of
celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2022.
Until we can meet again, keep safe, enjoy a walk down to Luffenham Field, and
Seasons Greetings! Mike Beard
STEEPLE ASHTON WI
Our Coronavirus Journey
It has been a long and difficult year for the WI and in Steeple Ashton, the
Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdown meant that we could not hold our
monthly meetings, which had been held since 1949.
However, we tried to stay in touch as best we could, although some members
were not familiar with technology and the ‘new’ Zoom meetings that took hold
of the nation, were not possible for us.
Our Secretary began with an Easter Newsletter and the delivery of 44
miniature Lindt bunnies to each member, each bunny had a WI green ribbon
and a small label with the member’s name. Just a small token to remind
members they weren’t forgotten!
The Easter Newsletter contained photographs and articles about our gardens
and an article about John Clare - the Peasant poet. It was 4 pages long and
was going to be a one-off….
But in true WI style, the creative juices started flowing and before long a quiz
provided by Rosemary Brett-Green appeared - ‘The Rainbow Quiz’ - which we
delivered to every member, either by email if possible, or by hand. The
following week, we delivered the answers!
May arrived and we were still in lockdown and so the second WI Newsletter
was created - this time, 8 pages long! The main topic on this occasion was the
role of the WI during WWII as it was VE Day on 8th May, but also the role of
Steeple Ashton women and their many services carried out during the war
years. There was a wartime recipe and a piece by our President, Alison Evans,
32along with various photographs provided by members and the main front page
photo was of the beautiful Wisteria in bloom on the front of Ann and Trevor
Ryan’s house!
Of course, at the time we didn’t know how long the pandemic was going to
keep us in lockdown but as we now know, it continued for three months and so
the Quizzes and Newsletters continued, in keeping with the some of the aims of
the WI to educate and provide social contact (albeit in different form).
The Quizzes included Place Names of Wiltshire; A Sweetie Quiz; and two
Ditloid quizzes and hopefully helped to keep our ladies entertained and using
their grey matter during those difficult months! The June Newsletter centred
on Roses - naturally - with an article about Jules Gravereaux (1844 - 1916) who
was a French Rosarian (an expert cultivator of Roses) and a Rhodologist (a
specialist in studying and classifying Roses) and a recipe for Apple Roses.
Apart from the regular piece by Alison, there was also an article about the
International Space Station (born from our Secretary’s sight of it whizzing over
The Strand one clear summer night!) - Inspiration has to come from
somewhere!
July was full of interesting information about our Moon (courtesy of a full
‘Buck’ Moon on 5th July!) and a piece about Rainbows - who knew there were
so many different types?! Along with our now regular slots for members, it
ended with a Gemstone Word Search.
In August we usually hold a coffee morning in a member’s garden instead of
our monthly meeting but this year we were unable to. However, with the
easing of restrictions, we were able to have a sunny Bring-your-own-picnic in
Acreshort Park - risk assessed, socially distanced and with sanitiser stations
etc! It was greatly appreciated by 15 members who had missed being able to
chat with friends and helped to brighten August a little.
With no Newsletter in September (Secretary too busy!), it was October before
the next one and of course Halloween & Pumpkins were the obvious choice for
information and photographs, as well as a recipe for Pumpkin soup! Our
members sent in photos of puppies (Bel), vegetables (Ann) and brave exploits
(Tracy) and there was an article about the History of Mosaics due to a recently
attended Mosaic course (Marian)!
In October we also received some extremely sad news, when one of our
newest members, Pat Bonome, passed away suddenly and we will miss her
when we finally resume our meetings.
And now Christmas is almost upon us. Our usual Christmas party cannot go
ahead, but we had hoped to hold individual coffee mornings or afternoon
teas, when the rule of 6 people in a house was applicable, but it seems that
this too will have to be shelved. Meanwhile the December Newsletter is in
the making! It has been fun to do, but we are all keeping our fingers
crossed that it won’t be too long before we can hold our normal meetings
again.
Wishing all our Steeple Ashton WI members, and villagers generally, a very
happy Christmas and a so much brighter New Year!
Alison Evans and the committee
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Bryan & David write...
On Friday 15 February 2019, a packed village hall enjoyed an evening
presentation arranged by The Friends of Steeple Ashton. The subject of this
event was a particular abandoned Dark Lane property which had been the
cause of growing concern for over a decade. The presentation was named
‘Finding Sanctuary’.
A slide show was displayed, and tales were told. At the close of the
evening, after updates on the latest developments and a general discussion,
many of those present felt that, just perhaps, The Sanctuary – one of
Steeple Ashton’s oldest, and most well-known houses – may yet be saved.
Alas, the months passed by and no positive change became evident. The
Sanctuary stood vacant, unfinished as a habitable home – and increasingly
invaded, and ravaged, by nature.
Today, 21 months on from that Friday night presentation, and change is
most definitely afoot.
In the past few weeks, the property has been sold at auction – and the
new owners of this ancient timber-framed house have wasted little time in
protecting its most vulnerable sections, and clearing the undergrowth from
its surrounds. In light of this fresh start, and after such interest and
concern was made evident at the village hall event last year, we have
decided to reproduce below an edited version of an article we first wrote for
the October 2015 issue.
The Sanctuary – from October 2015:
Eighty-five years ago, the following entry appeared on page 29 of the Rood
Ashton Estate sale catalogue:
That “very Picturesque Half-Timbered Cottage” – at the time known as
Vine Cottage – is now a Grade II*-listed building, known as The Sanctuary.
An historic old Steeple Ashton property with parts dating back to the 14th
century, the former Vine Cottage is a house with a tale or two attached –
plus the odd mystery.
44You can also read
