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Biddestone Broadsheet

April 2014 No 407

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BIDDESTONE VILLAGE HALL

Childrens Birthday or Family Party Biddestone Village Hall is your village hall and is available for hire at very mod-

est rates discounted for villagers Bar available, skittle alley and small kitchen

Call Colin on 713119

BIDDESTONE VILLAGE HALL AND RECREATION TRUST The Biddestone Village Hall & recreation Trust AGM will be held on Wednesday 18 June at 7.30 p.m. The current committee have all served for some years (most since the trust was formed) and a number feel its time to hand on this responsibility to others. This is a great way to become more involved in village life and get to know your fellow residents. No particular skills or qualifications are needed just some enthusiasm and the will to put back something into the village we all enjoy living in so much. The commitment is minimal with one short meeting a month and occasional participation in other events. At the moment we have definite vacancies for Bookings Secretary Treasurer Why not come along to the AGM and find out what you can do to help. BVH&RT

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April 2014

ELEANOR ANDERSON & AUDREY KIRBY-SMITH It is with sadness that we report the deaths recently two very long standing village residents Mrs Eleanor Anderson & Mrs Audrey Kirby-Smith, our condolences to their families. MALVERN SPRING FLOWER SHOW FRIDAY 9THMAY I am arranging a coach trip to the Malvern Spring Flower Show if you are interested then please contact me as soon as possible. 01249 715963 or owl-cottage@hotmail.co.uk. Di Webb KINGTON ST MICHAEL Cilla The Extravaganza in Kington St Michael is on Sunday 20th July. 12.30 ’til late. The event will open at 12.30 with crafts, stalls, entertainments, food, bar & tea, etc etc. Hog roast, beer tent & bands from 4.30. Kington St Michael will be sending a “Crazy Tug of War Callenge" to all the By Brook group of villages into which we are the ‘new boy’. A fun day to put in your dairy. For further information, offers of crafts, any other input or help please contact Cilla on 01249750222 – cil-la@labouchere2.co.uk. CORSHAM FOOD BANK Many of you will be making the choice of what to give up for Lent, some luxury, something that gives you pleasure. How would you manage if the luxury of choice was removed so that you and your fami-ly had to live on the basics depending on the generosity of others to help make groceries last the week. Why not make the choice to put something in the Food Bank every week you would be helping some one whose life has been turned upside down. None of us know what is round the corner and your generosity would help to remove the strain of making ends meet. The Collection Box is in the Church. Thank You Di Webb

Allotments Available One and one half allotments are still available If you would like to have a go for the for the growing season 2014.

Lets get digging! If interested please call Colin on 713119

Donations . £40, £5, £10, and £20 

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THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Biddestone and Slaughterford Branch The Royal British Legion was formed over 90 years ago by combining four ex-Service organisations. The first offi-cial Poppy Day in Britain was 11 November 1921. Every year since then the nation has helped the work of the Le-gion through its support of the Poppy Appeal. From World War One to the present day men and women still need our help. The Royal British Legion gives practical help, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families. Your local branch began in Biddestone in 1957, and at that time many members were veterans of World War Two. Over the years our numbers have dwindled but we remain dedicated to the work of the Legion and maintain the local contact point for all who need assistance. If you need more information or if you are interested in becoming a mem-ber of our branch, please contact Tim Smith (President) on 01249 714455 or Jill Baylis (Membership Secretary) on 01249 715391.

ELEANOR ANDERSON St. Nicholas’s Church was full on the afternoon of 7 March, when family and friends of Eleanor were joined by many villagers, there to celebrate her long life. The following is a shortened version of the tribute Rosie Evans paid to her mother. Eleanor was born in 1913 in the Canadian mid-west, where her family were among the first of the white settlers. Her stories to her children included accounts of bears in the bedrooms and the fear of Indian massacre. When the family became prosperous they settled in Winnipeg, a town of wide boulevards and many different ethnic groups. The winters were very cold (-40F), but in summer the family decamped to their cottage on the shores of Lake Winni-peg, where they swam, canoed and rode their naughty Icelandic pony Bessie. Rosie told us of a time when Bessie decided to overtake a horse-drawn hearse, which resulted in a full-scale race into town. Eleanor was sent to the best high school available, Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, nearly two days away by train, so that she only got back home at Christmas and for the summer holiday. She especially loved maths and physics and playing lacrosse, and she made many friendships there which lasted for a lifetime. Her subsequent decision to go to art school was a sur-prise to her family, but they supported her in this choice. Her teacher there was the painter Le Moine Fitzgerald, one of the Group of Seven, who wrote to her until his death in 1958. The Depression which hit the USA also badly affected mid-western Canada, and when her father died in 1936 Elea-nor decided to move to London, where she enrolled in the art course at the Regent Street Polytechnic. While there she met “Aunt Zeppy”, who took her home to meet her family, including Charles. They became engaged, but with no urgent plans to marry. She returned to Canada for a year in 1938, but in 1939 the international situation was looking very uncomfortable. Charles sent her a telegram asking her to come back to England, but added (as he thought) “if war breaks out don’t sail”. This was mis-transcribed as “don’t fail”, and Eleanor didn’t fail. She was nothing if not brave, and there is nothing like sailing into a war zone to start your new family life; she saw it as an adventure and a challenge. She made it before the torpedoes, and she and Charles were married in Mayfair in June 1939. The freedom she enjoyed in her young life in Canada influenced her parenting, and her three children, Tom, Rosie and Colin, were allowed to enjoy all sorts of exploits which would be frowned on by health and safety experts today. Eleanor’s trick was to let the children decide what she would tolerate and then live up to that standard. But her core values were non-negotiable: honesty, kindness and education. Rosie also remembers her as a very cuddly mum and grandmother, who made them all feel very special. She made spoiling an art-form. She saved letters and artwork from her grandchildren, meticulously labelled, and fed them with their favourite puddings and treats. Alice had a sweet story about the time her grandmother offered her what she called a TV dinner, only to make a full roast pheas-ant meal with silver cutlery and serving dishes full of chipped potatoes, laid out on a little card table in front of Wogan. In the last ten years of her life Eleanor “outlived her sensibilities” (to quote from John Aubrey on the Countess of Salisbury). But she still remained essentially the same Eleanor. Rosie concluded her tribute with the following words: “Just a month ago, as I sat on her bed to tell her that she was on her travels and would be going to stay at Mavern House, her eyes lit up and she stayed alert all day. A change was still for Mum another adventure” AF

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BIDDESTONE POSTCARDS & LETTER CARDS

We have had some Biddestone postcards produced from some of the sketches by Vernon. The sets of 6 are available from a number of village sources including Margaret Beswick and Lorena Rob-erts Set of 6 £2.00 With envelopes £2.50

Record of Biddestone & Hartham W.I. meeting on 19th March 2014 Apologies had been received from Margaret Beswick who is recovering from a hip operation. President, Jo Hancock, asked members to stand for a minute’s silence to remember Audrey Kirby Smith who died last week. She had been a stalwart member of the W.I. for many years and will be much missed. Jo welcomed 14 members and one guest to the meeting. She then introduced Ann Hooper, a volunteer at the Old Farm Animal Sanctuary at Grittenham, started in 1969 by Denise Barratt and her husband who bought a property with land for the purpose. Ann held our attention with an interesting talk, accompanied by photographs of some of the 200 assorted animals and birds rescued. These ranged from cats and dogs, to deer, badgers, owls, hedgehogs, etc. These often came to the sanctuary in a poor state of health for a variety of reasons, or had been abandoned, but were looked after by the dedicated owner and volunteers. Some were found new homes but all were able to live out their lives in safety. Jo gave a warm vote of thanks to Ann. After the break for refreshments, the Record of the previous meeting was read and approved. Matters arising Jo asked for the Scrapbook to be brought to the May meeting. A copy of the W.I. programme will be put on the notice board in the foyer of the Village Hall. Jo had asked Colin Kempsall about the quilt at the Hall which has not been on display for some time. He said the pole was broken and he would repair it, but he said the quilt could not be put up perma-nently because of other activities in the Hall. Valerie Ringham and Valerie Spencer-Jones had been asked and had agreed to join the Committee. This news was warmly welcomed by the other members. Correspondence The bulb catalogue and order form had been received. Jo read out again the flyer about the visit to the Civic Hall, Trowbridge, of Adam Henson (of Countryfile fame) and Peter Reade, a farmer and Founder Trustee of the “Send a Cow” charity. This will be on 15th May from 2–4.30pm. The cost is £16.including tea and cake. The closing date is 17th April. Celebrity gardener, Bob Flowerdew, will be giving an entertaining and informative talk about “No work gardening” on 9th July at Devizes Corn Exchange from 1.30-5.30pm. There will be a question and answer session after his talk, and there will be plants for sale. Cost is £18 including tea and cake. There will be a meeting at Melksham Police Station on Fraud and Internet Crime on 2nd July from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Cost £5 Valerie Spencer-Jones reported on the tapestry article she and Elizabeth Thomson are making for the “Tomorrow’s Heirlooms” competition to mark the centenary in 2015. Carol Millard answered queries on the Financial Statement. At the next meeting on 16th April the speaker will be Mrs. Sarah Buttershaw on “St. Helena, the As-cension Islands and Cuba”. Visitors aare welcome. 2pm for 2.15pm at the Village Hall. A small entry fee of £2 helps our funds.

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BIDDESTONE & SLAUGHTERFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk Mrs Mary Norton 155 Queens Crescent Chippenham Wilts Tel. 01249 650979 Fax. 01249 650979 UNSIGNED MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 6th MARCH 2014 at STONEHAVEN, THE GREEN AT 7.00 PM AFTER THE PLANNED MEETING ON 4TH MARCH WAS ABORTED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT COUNCILLORS BEING PRESENT TO MAKE A QUORUM. PRESENT Cllrs Smith (Chair) Madley, Thornhill, Juniper, De Fossard APOLOGIES Cllrs Stafford, Mullens, Short. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None MINUTES OF LAST MEETING These were accepted and signed by the Chairman. MATTERS ARISING Planning permission for the Hartham Park development is still awaited subject to completion of the106agreement and work is expected to commence shortly. The planned opening date for the campus is now mid 2015. The owner of Gable Cottage has agreed to remove his wheelie bins following a letter from Cllr Stafford. CHAIRMANS ANNOUNCEMENTS All councillors were asked to ensure a rapid response to all e-mails and to ensure their reports were submitted to the Chairman in good time before each meeting. PLANNING APPLICATIONS The Granary, Cuttle Lane. Erection of open fronted timber garage. No objections. 6 The Tynings. Erection of garden room to rear. No objections. The applications relating to Manor Barn for re-roofing and work at The Malt House have both been ap-proved by WC. REPORTS Chippenham Area Board. A meeting entitled “ What matters to you” was held at the Neeld Hall on 18th February attended by Cllr de Fossard. Working groups were formed with each of the tables discussing a set topic, ie Environment, Economy, Culture, Health etc. Each table highlighted 3 key issues of im-portance and from a floor vote the ten most important were taken forward to the Area Board meeting on 3rd March. At this meeting 3 areas were chosen which the Area Board can feasibly support, which were : Make better use of outdoor space including Butter Cross and river. Improve engagement with wider community when making decisions, particularly the deprived and hard to reach. Child Poverty. Areas of Chippenham have 1 in 3 children in poverty. Priority for future housing will be given to those with local connections. A major consultation is being launched on bus services and fares. An application by Biddestone Cricket Club for £4,990 funding for toilets and showers was passed. Development of the Monkton Park campus was discussed as was a Schools Engagement Project. A 2 day cycle event, “ Cycle Wiltshire”, takes place on 3 May starting from Wilton with 3 routes. Corsham Area Board A further “What Matters to you” meeting was held for the Corsham area on 5th March and was attended by Cllr Smith. The outcome will be decided at the Area Board meeting on 20th March.. Roads and Transport There will be four road closures in the area in March and April as follows:

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A4 Box Hill. 400 m south of Leafy Lane for 10 days from 3 March between 1900 and 23.59 Whites Hill between Slaughterford and Thickwood for 3 days from 11 April. Park Lane, Corsham, from Skynet Drive to Spring Lane for 3 days starting on 18 April. Bradford Road from Westwood Road for 300 m for 3 days starting18 April. Parish Steward Cllr Madley met with Richard Dobson (WC) to show him all the potholes and road areas which urgently need attention. Most of this will be done very soon. Grave concern has been expressed by the residents in Weavern Lane regarding its condition,which is appalling. This was also discussed and was taken away by Mr Dobson for consultation with his managers. Community Days are planned for the week of April 8th and also in June. Slaughterford Outstanding pothole repairs have been completed as has clearance of footpaths as requested. The telephone box has broken windows and no interior light and BT have been informed. Website and Allotments Standpipe now completed with meter attached. Police A Neighbourhood Watch meeting will take place at Monkton Park on 26th March. Village Hall John Chambers has resigned as treasurer and a replacement is needed. The long term future of Moviola is in doubt due to insufficient support. The Best Kept Village certificates are to be placed in the hall lobby. The BVH&RT AGM will be held on Wednesday 18th June at 7.30, with the March meeting on 18th March at 7.15 pm. Dog mess continues to be a problem with many dogs still not on leads. Bybrook School Governor No report. TOILETS A letter has been received from a visitor complaining about the cleanliness of the ladies toilet. A reply to be sent. (ACTION AJ) OPEN MEETING The proposed agenda for the Open Meeting was discussed. It was agreed to limit dis-cussion to three important topics. Cllrs to liaise with the chairman on her return from holiday. CORRESPONDENCE A letter received from Mr Priest regarding the dangerous state of trees in Little Challows. The Clerk to be asked to write to WC alerting them to the problem and requesting action. (Action MN). Report of dog fouling on right of way adjoining pony paddock, and of dogs worrying valuable Shetland ponies. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Cheques were raised for £80 to David Taylor Services, £67.88 to Cllr Stafford for purchase of snow shovels, £30 to M. Chrystal for repair to notice board in Cuttle Lane. The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Tuesday 1st April at 7.00 pm followed by the OPEN MEETING at 7.30 pm.

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Open Parish Meeting Tuesday 1st April Please come along, meet your Councillors, and find out what we have been doing on your behalf !

Venue : Village Hall Start time : 7.30pm

Items on the Agenda so far will in-clude - Speed watch training -Traffic Calming -Community Days -Olympics Legacy -WW1 Commemorative Activity

This will be in addition to the normal Parish Council Reports If there are any issues which you would like put on the Agenda, Please contact any of your Parish Councillors before 21st March

I am the Rural Representative working on behalf of The Chippenham & Villages Area Partnership. This involves network-ing Parishes together in order to highlight shared issues & help move them forward. There are many committed partners all in different stages of working towards either providing information, funding & or encouraging the installation of de-fibrillators in community areas, however further work is required. This ap-proach fits nicely with promoting the Colerne Snow Plan, that keeps local lanes clear for traffic & the Emergency services, plus taking on volunteer snow wardens that identify vulnerable members of the community. Responding to community requests, a range of people will be helping to pro-vide a "One Stop Shop For Your Heart" presentation covering: demonstration of a defibrillator, how to perform CPR, general information on defibrillators & first aid training, information on possible planning considerations associated with defib: installation, advice on funding sources, including ongoing costs, answers to concerns around liability, opportunity for practical individual support & networking. You will have the opportunity to question people knowledgeable in all the above subjects & network with other Parishes, groups & organisations who will be sharing their experiences of taking on defibrillators. This invitation is extended to Village Hall, Sports, School, Church, Tennis/Football/Rugby, Scout/Guide committee's & local public houses. This will ensure communities are able to make an informed choice, & that at this stage representatives of these or any other groups or business's in your parish can learn first hand, more about their role in taking on this community resource. Please contact me, Alison Butler for any further information required, to help you book a place at the event, or thoughts on other sources of people who can enrich the agenda for you. From the team of committed people who are putting this event together on your behalf.......see you there! Alison Butler Rural Representative Working on Behalf of The Chippenham & Villages Area Partnership Tel No. 07590806719 Alisonbslaughterford@hotmail.com

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BIDDESTONE CRICKET CLUB NEWS.

BIDDESTONE CRICKET CLUB – FOALS CLUB. THANKFULLY, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE HAD MANY NEW YOUNGER FAMILIES MOVE INTO THE VILLAGE. THIS HAS FOR SURE BROUGHT WITH IT A NEW AND VIBRANTCY TO OUR VIL-LAGE. WE HAVE FOR SOME TIME HAD A CRICKET COACHING SECTION FOR 7 TO 9 YEAR OLDS – SO THOSE IN SCHOOL YEARS 3 AND 4. THIS COMING SEASON WE WILL INTRODUCE A FUN SESSION FOR THOSE YOUNGER THAN 7 – SO WE ARE THINKING CHILDREN – BOYS AND GIRLS – 4 YEARS OLD AND UP TO 7 – SO UP TO YEAR 2. WE PLAN THESE SESSIONS ON FRIDAY EVENINGS STARTING FRIDAY 2ND MAY AT THE GROUND FROM 6 PM UNTIL 7 PM. ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO HELP OUT IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO. PLEASE PUT THE WORD AROUND AND WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION.

YOUTH SECTION. THE CLUB RUNS OTHER AGE GROUPS – SO ANYONE INTERESTED PLEASE COME ALONG; UNDER 9’S – YEARS 3 AND 4 -.FRIDAY EVENINGS 6 UNTIL 7PM UNDER 11’S – YEARS 5 AND 6 – FRIDAY EVENINGS 6.30 UNTIL 8.00PM UNDER 13’S – THHURSDAY EVENINGS 6.00 UNTIL 7.30PM. UNDER 15’S – THURSDAY EVENINGS – 6.00 UNTIL 7.30PM GIRLS – FRIDAY EVENINGS 5.30 UNTIL 7.00PM

BVH&RT. HAVING DISCUSSED WITH CHAIRMAN OF BVH&RT – MIKE CHRYSTAL – WE ARE WRITING TO SEE IF ANYONE IN THE VILLAGE WOULD CONSIDER GIVING UP A FEW HOURS A WEEK – FREE – TO HELP OUT BEHIND THE BAR? SHELAGH BALL IS THE REGULAR BAR LADY, BUT AS THE CLUB IS LOOKING TO OPEN FOR MORE HOURS THIS SUMMER, IT IS NOT FINANCIALLY VIABLE TO HAVE SHELAGH FOR THE EXTRA HOURS, WHICH MAY BE QUIET! WOULD ANYONE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT MIKE CHRYSTAL DIRECTLY ON 07802 797879 – THANKS.

NEW PLAYERS. THE CLUB WELCOME ANY NEW PLAYERS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED TO JOIN US THIS SEASON. WE HAVE FOUR TEAMS ON A SATURDAY AND ONE ON A SUNDAY – HENCE CRICKET IS AVAILABLE FOR PERSONS AT ALL LEVELS. ANYONE INTERESTED PLEASE CALL ANDY ON 07795 326518.

New Cricket Pavilion The Biddestone Cricket Club are seeking funding to demolish the old Cricket Pavilion and replace it with a new purpose built with integral veranda scorers box and changing facili es.  In support of this fund rais-ing Dwaine Perry and myself will be walking from Lord’s to Biddestone  We have had dona ons totalling £1,500 to date – but have to reach the £5,000 by 10th April. If we fail to reach the target sum, then Just Giving will return all dona ons to those persons who have made them. this would be most disappoin ng. If you would like to help us and support this effort you can contribute via the Justgiving website (link be-low) Many thanks Andy & Dwaine – Biddestone CC. https://www.justgiving.com/yimby/project/BCCWalk

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Memories of Biddestone July 1966 - December 1976 My wife, Jan, and I, a Cpl in the RAF, moved into Biddestone in late July 1966. We had been married for sixteen months; twelve of those months we had been separat-ed whilst I had ‘done’ my year in Borneo during the ‘confrontation’. We had married, after a very brief engagement, before I went to Borneo. I was given six weeks dis-embarkation leave, as it was called, after my return from Kuching in which to find a house and report to RAF Colerne. We discovered Biddestone by accident. The estate agents in Chippenham had said that the Little Challows estate was still being built so we left that to last. Fortunately there was nowhere else - houses were in short supply! So we choose number 10 Little Challows; ‘one’ of only two left. The estate agent informed the builder who met us at the house to decide on the final touches. We told him what we wanted, sliding doors between the lounge and small dining room and a chrome sink. We also asked for curtain pelmets. He was a little difficult but we said OK if you cannot give us what we want then we don’t want the house. We got what we wanted; they wanted to sell the last two houses! About four weeks later we moved in - with very little furniture. Jan had lived all her life in N. London and had worked for BP, in the City of London, from the time she left school until I returned from Borneo. Jan says that she very quickly went from high heels to ‘wellies’. I had been in the RAF for ten years. First of all we had to, very rapidly; work out what the village had to offer. We discovered it had two pubs, a Post Office, in a cottage in Cuttle Lane, one shop, no bus service and a small school! Biddestone, 1966, was to us, a culture shock; Biddestone was in a time warp! If a stage coach had stopped by the pond it would not have been out of place! The Sunday Tele-graph chose Biddestone for the launch of their, now famous, Sunday Colour Supple-ment. Biddestone, they decided, was the epitonmy of rural England. There was no police presence in the village. There had been; there was a house next to the cemetery on the corner of Weavern Lane which was always known as the Police House but when the last policeman lived there I don’t know. Another essential on our list was to find a doctor. We discovered Dr Eagles practice in Corsham and made an appointment. Dr Eagles was, in the nicest possible way, another character. An elderly gent with a twinkle in his eye, he was always immaculately dressed. He was real country doctor; nothing was too much trouble for him. He had a handsome ‘partner’ who I am sure raised the blood pressure of many of Biddestone’s young mums. I explained to Dr Eagles that because I was in the RAF most of my medical problems would be sorted out by them. Dr Eagles said; “Don’t worry my boy anything urgent I would be pleased to see you. I have a soft spot for the RAF.” He went on to explain very proudly that he had flown in an RAF Lancaster ALL THE WAY TO SINGAPORE! He probably had trouble with his ears after that. BUT the reason for his flight was as a mercy mission. He had been selected to help with the rehabilitation work for the British servicemen who had been in Japanese POW camps. He did not have trouble with his ears on the way home, he came back on board a Hospital ship caring for some very sick service men. The Post Office was run by a dear old lady from just inside her front door; the various forms were in boxes on the steps of her stairs! The Post Office was eventually moved to the village shop when the call on her services became too much for her. The first friend in the village was ‘Ken the Milk’; milk delivered every day. Everyone knew Ken; he was always prepared to help and give advice. We also had a ‘bread lady’, with a van, whose ‘lardy’ cakes were delicious! I think that she came from Castle Coombe We made friends with some of the villager’s, one elderly couple Mr and Mrs Alan Hayes became very good friends. Mrs Hayes became an unof-ficial ‘Granny’. Babies are the best means of getting to know people. They lived in a cottage that Alan was born in and was probably hundreds of years old. Alan had lived in Biddestone all his life and knew the local countryside like the back of his hand. He often took me for long walks around the countryside which were enlivened by Alan’s interesting stories. How many people now know about the first world German prisoner of war camp close to Castle Coombe? Alan would relate the story of the pub at Ford which was known to be an inn of ‘ill repute’. He and his young friends would watch as a Police horse pulled ‘cart’ would gallop through the village to Ford and another ‘cart’ would gallop down the A420 to ensure no escape was made during the raid! We were kept busy in our house and over time we put up a six foot panelled fence between our house and the semidetached house next door. The old bakery in the village was being pulled down, somewhere close to the village pump, and I managed to borrow a tractor and trailer and brought back a mass of Wiltshire stone. We used the stone to build a wall at the bottom of the garden, about three feet high. Another old villag-er, Stan Smith, had been in the building trade and I got him to show me how to lay this old stone. He did a couple of layers and I finished it off. Much later on I built a similar wall between our house and the detached house next door. I think the stone for that was ‘donated’ by a farmer who was joining two fields together which had previously been separated by a dry stone wall which he was pleased to get rid of at no cost. Our neighbours contributed to the cost of cement and sand. As the family grew with the birth of Neil our third child, who was born on the thirtieth of October 1972, we needed more space! We could not afford to move so we opted for a conservatory at the back of the house ‘over’ the dining room window which became sliding doors. The conserv-atory came as a kit. I had to lay a ‘patio’ concrete base first. The concrete arrived one Saturday morning and the driver said “I cannot wait for

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you to empty the ‘drum’ wheel barrow by wheel barrow; I am going to dump in the road!” Fortunately friends on the estate came to help with their wheel barrows and spades. This was our first effort to lay a lot of concrete in one go! Soon after we arrived, we heard, unofficially, that the village school was going to close. However; as the months went by the number of ‘new’ babies on the estate grew at an alarming rate! Dr Eagles and his partner in Corsham said that; it must be the ‘water’ in Biddestone that was responsible! It seemed that; as one baby was born another mum became pregnant! Most babies were born in Greenways Maternity hospital in Chippenham; Dr Eagles always visited the new Mums – he knocked on our door very early one morning to inform me that I had become the father of a beautiful baby girl! Eventually the village school had to be enlarged not CLOSED! Val Hazelwood on the estate became a teacher. Val’s husband Bill was responsible for the naming of Little Challows. When they moved in, one of the first, they did not like the name already allocated by the council so Bill objected and was invited to choose a name. One major event concerned the village Fetes. The village held the usual Fetes every year, but we had two. The first Fete of the year was held in the grounds of the Manor House with the profits going to the Conservative Party Funds! The second Fete was the Church Fete held during the sum-mer on a Saturday on the village green. The Manor House Fete was never really exciting and the Church Fete had been going on in the same old fashion for years and was a little under whelming! One year it made very little profit and people began to say, that, if that’s the best they can do then its time it was forgotten’! However; as often happens the ‘in comers’ decid-ed, that; regarding the Church Fete, it was time for a revolution. Jan was in the village shop one day when someone gave her a nudge and said “I hear that you are on the Village Fete committee!” What!! The closest we had come to being involved in village affairs was for Jan to join the WI and both of us to go to Church. Jan was a little apprehensive about being a member of a committee with people she hardly knew. But eventually an inaugural meeting was held. Jan was definitely IN. It is impossible to remember all the actions that followed but various ladies of the village were asked to come up with ideas and sub committees were developed. I was ‘asked ‘if I would run a plant stall! With nearly a year to go that was fairly easy; I took cuttings of whatever I could get my hands on to grow

on over winter. In the spring I grew boxes of bedding plants. When people heard about the plant stall they promised plants. Pony rides were promised and a gen-tleman who lived on the ‘Green’ had a long drive down to his garage and said that he would set up a rifle range. I discov-ered that RAF Colerne had a range of children’s amuse-ments that were used on Battle of Britain Open days. I man-aged to get permission to borrow them plus a few airmen to look after them. I think that the Head Master of the Village School gave permission for the school hall to be used for tea and cakes! Over the months more and more stalls and side shows were promised. On the day beautiful sunshine and crowds! It could not have been better. Friends of ours came from Bath came to help on the Flower Stall, money poured in. The Fete treasurer said she had never expected to see so much money, a big improvement on previous years. About five o’clock alarm bells rang with rumours of skulduggery in the village. Someone had had a telephone call from a friend in Fleet Street who had seen the front page of a well-known Sunday Newspaper. It purported to have a lead story on a local senior church official whose parochial concerns includ-

ed Biddestone. We only had a Rector in Biddestone but there was a more senior church dignitary locally who was in charge of several churches. The local dignitary had been accused of stealing two bales of hay from a farmer in Biddestone; he had been caught in the act by the farmer’s ploughman. The dignitary had claimed that the farmer had given him permission to help himself and he had put a cheque through the farmer’s letter box to cover the cost of the hay. The farmer had denied this and had contacted the police. Since the Village Fete had been held to raise funds for the church, this action, by the church dignitary, had instantly caused a great deal of anger amongst the villagers. There was a meeting at five o’clock with the Rector who stated that he was very sorry that the dignitary’s actions had come to light. The Rector agreed to meet representatives of the Fete Committee to sort things out. High Drama! Eventually after more rumours and hear say the Chair Person of the Committee and the Rector came onto the village green to say that the thousand pounds raised from the Fete would be divided equally between the Church and the Village School. This action calmed things down and peace was restored. The Fete festivities carried on long into the evening. But it was a day to remember. I seem to remember that the school benefited from some new carpets! For us, with a heavy monthly mortgage to find on Cpls pay, money was tight. By this time I had been posted to RAF Lyneham where I worked shift work with time off between shifts. Wilf Hibberd, at the wood yard, was the village undertaker and he said to me one day, “you seem to have a lot of time off - I need a pall bearer do you think you could help!” So when it fitted in with my days off and Wilf needed me I became the fourth bearer. Wilf paid me, that helped to pay the bills, in today’s money it was about £1.50 a burial! Tom Irish was the grave digger; a really nice old boy. After one rather wet burial ‘we’ waited under the roof of the cemetery gates until the deceased family had moved off. Tom then turned to

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the Vicar and said “I think that you read the wrong service there Vicar”. “Why was that Mr Irish”? The Vicar looked very worried. “Well’ said Tom “‘I think you should have read the ‘burial at sea service’”. The coffin had floated because of the amount of rain we had had in the previous week! I seem to remember that the cemetery is on a clay bed. One funeral stands out; it was for a very elderly lady who lived in the small detached

cottage just down from the church on the other side of the road. She loved talking to young mums and their babies. The reason the funeral has stuck in my memory was the fact that the church was almost full, funerals in the village rarely brought out a large congregation. The old lady must have come from a military family because a large number of mourners looked almost identical. They were dressed immaculately, tall up-right men all wearing black over coats and black bowler hats. Wilf Hibberd and his brother ran the wood yard/sawmill opposite Little Challows. They would bring in huge trees with the help of a giant Matador lorry which had a crane on the back. In the winter when it was very cold Wilf’s brother, Cyril, would light a fire under the diesel engine to warm the engine up which helped to start it. Inside the saw mill, on ledges, were rows of musket balls discovered deep in the tree trunks. The musket balls did a great deal of damage to the expensive band saws. The musket balls were obviously evidence of Civil War skirmishes in the area. There had been, in the 1900’s, another saw mill in the village. Which, I think, was in the area of the village shop? I have seen photos of men in very smart uniforms at the reins of huge waggons loaded with trunks of timber. Young boys, also in uniform with pillar box hats, were shown in the photos holding the horse’s heads. The photographs were owned by an elderly man in a cottage which faced the Butts. I think the photos were destroyed when he died and the cottage was bought by a film actor. Villagers did help each other; I had no trouble ‘borrowing’ a tractor and trailer for an afternoon from a farmer, whose name I now forget but who lived just into Challows Lane. Farmyard manure for the allotments was always available from Eddie Swannack; any relations please excuse the spelling if it is wrong. Eddie was a ploughman who worked for John Elliot the farmer, Eddie had his own pigs. The ‘old’ boys on the allotments taught me a great deal and advice was ‘free’ but so were the stern admonishments if I let the weeds grow! Although I was well into my thirties I was still called the ‘boy’! The allotments then; only had about six occupants. Tom Irish had a plot and grew wonderfully strong ‘blue’ pickling onions, he gave me half a bucket full to get me started. Dusty Ashman, who drove the council refuse lorry around the village, lived at the bottom end of the village close to the White Hart pub now called the Biddestone Arms. He grew ‘red’ celery’ and gave me some plants. A stream ran through the allotments, no stand pipe then; it was said that the stream never ran dry ‘until’ the council did some road works close to the allot-ments. The allotment field, three thousand years ago, must have provided a home for a Bronze Age tribe because I often picked up flints and scrappers there. Tom Irish said that the allotment ‘field’ had been given to the villages by a benevolent ‘Lord’ of the Manor; the field had a name something like ‘Half Penny field’. Tom said that during the Second World War when food was scarce villagers would often work late into the night on their ‘rudge’ as each plot was called. Lanterns held on tall poles provided some ‘light’. We did have problem with crows especially at potato harvest time. Someone organised a crow ‘shoot’! We then hung the dead crows by their necks on our rudge’s; that kept the crows away. Be-cause only as very small proportion of the field was used as allotments John Elliot farmed all the rest. The pub on the green was the White Horse. When we arrived, Harold and Mrs Perry owned the pub. I think that it was the first pub that I ever went to which provided cooked meals! Once a week, provided you liked curried chicken! Harold had served in the Far East! In the depths of winter pub hours became very flexible in the evenings but the price went up as the time ticked past! One night as we left very quietly there was snow on the ground and the pond was frozen. When we arrived in the village we were told that the pond was bottomless! However; as we left the pub that night, Ken, wearing his wellies as usual, decided to walk across the pond choosing to ignore our advice to get off! The inevitable hap-pened; the ice broke and Ken finished up with wet and very cold feet BUT he had proved that the pond was not bottomless! Ken cheerfully squelched up the lane with his wellies full of water. Ken told me that he had been a paratrooper during his National Service and had dropped during the Suez Canal troubles. I liked Ken. Sometime in the early seventies Harold died and Mrs Perry, known as Mrs ‘P’, carried on alone but eventually she had to give up. An ex RAF Office bought the pub, I think he had been a Wing Commander. At first he and his wife were accepted but slowly ‘he’ tried to change the pub. Youngsters were TOLD not to fill the ashtrays with empty crisp packets and to get their hair cut! Naturally, this did not go down very well and some customers drifted away finding somewhere else to drink. I remember talking to ‘him’, as he stacked the empty barrels waiting for the brewery lorry one morning. I asked him how things were going – he said. “Not very well the wife has gone on a cruise and she said that she expected the pub to have been sold by the time SHE CAME BACK!” I do not remember who took the pub over after they left. There was a true bond between the ‘old men’ of the village. They had been to school together and had joined the Army together in World War one. Most had been in the infantry and were very proud of that. There was one though, who was a ‘quiet man’, I don’t remember his name unfor-tunately, and he rode a big bike and always wore a battered trilby hat. The old men of the village discovered that the ‘quiet man’ had taken a job with the new owner of the Manor who bred horses. The owner of the Manor, I think that he was a builder, discovered that there was a certain type of weed growing in his fields that could, if eaten, be detrimental to his horse’s health. So the ‘quiet man’ was asked if he would take on the job of digging these weeds up. When the word got about the old infantry men were disgusted. I heard one of them say ‘that’s no job for an ex Sgt Major of the Artillery! From time to time the Beaufort Hunt met in the village, in the autumn. The horses and dogs made a picture on the green, people came from miles around to take photographs. On one occasion one of the ‘old boys’ reprimanded, very vocally, a Huntsman in all his finery, for using the village War Memorial to give himself a leg up into the saddle. Old men never forget! At that time villagers never went far from the village. I knew an old man called Dinger Bell who lived in a cottage just down from the Butts; we would spend the time of day together occasionally. He stopped me one day and said “I saw you on that RAF bus in a smart uniform, where have you been this time?” I told him I had been on a long flight to Johannesburg; it was a diplomatic flight, so we had been given very smart tropical uniforms to wear. Dinger said “I’ve never bin’ foreign but I did go to London once to see the Kings Coronation.” I did ask which King but Dinger could not remember. There was a British Legion Branch in the village which met once a month in the ‘snug’ in the White Horse. The attendance wasn’t great about six to eight of us; of which I was definitely the youngest! After five minutes of business the meeting usually degenerated into ‘DO’ you remember stories. One of these stories concerned the bad winter of 1962/3 when Biddestone was subjected to an horrendous snow storm. Apparently the ‘old boys’ revelled in the waist deep snow but rather than sit and watch it they found their shovels and used their experiences of the first world war to dig trenches in the snow throughout the village.

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There was, in our time in the village, what had been a shop in Cuttle Lane on the left just passed the small lane on the left when walking up Cuttle lane. The shop front had been filled ‘in’ with stone work but you could see where the shop had been. We were told that it had once been a butchers shop. We were also told that prior to the Second World War the butcher would often ask the ladies what meat they would like for the next week end and if the choice was pork then EVERYONE ATE PORK. We were also told that sometime in the not too distant past some cot-tages did not have ovens so on Sunday’s their meat was cooked in the village bakery oven. The baker apparently worked miracles because sometime peoples joints came out larger than they went in! Living in the countryside could provide some benefits. Stan Smith the ex-brick layer was also a very good rabbit catcher. Stan set his traps around the allotments for which most of us were very grateful. Stan would also sell his rabbits when he had some spare. More ‘free food’ came on Sunday mornings when one or two of us would rise early and wait until farmer Downs cows had come down Challows Lane. With the cows out of the way, we would, with our baskets, dash up Challows Lane to a field of Mr Downs, planted with kale, and pick some very large mush-rooms! Then back home for a ‘mushroom breakfast’ before the cows returned from milking. Wine making was very popular in the village; the hedges around Biddestone were filled with blue sloes and bullae’s, if you knew where to find them, they made excellent wine. Bill Hazelwood and I started a wine circle in Corsham - the Barclays Bank manager was the chairman.

I seem to remember that the County Council eventually provided a library service with a large van which parked on the village green at regular intervals. Also, the WI ran a bus to the shops, Chippenham (?), once a week. The village shop was handy but too expensive for a full weekly shop. A farmer called ‘John’ Elliot lived on the ‘green’. He was, allegedly, the wealthiest farmer in the village and again, allegedly, he would not let the ‘Beaufort’ hunt over his land. It was said that John did not like horses. John’s mother lived in ‘the’ farm house at the left hand end of the green; John lived in another house on the green. When John’s mother died John wanted to carryout renovations to the old farm house to enable him to move in. However; when the architects arrived to survey the house they discovered that the century’s old beams were very rotten and would not allow John to move into the family home. It took considerable time for the house to become safe to live in. Much of the old house had to be removed but I think that the outside walls were retained. We left Biddestone in December 1976 feeling that we had to wrench ourselves away. We could not have had a better introduction to married life and two of our children had had a sound beginning to their education.

Mike Godfrey

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BIDDESTONE VILLAGE HALL AND RECREATION TRUST

Present: Stewart Entwistle (in the Chair), Kris Boulton, John Chambers, Alison Flint, Colin Kempshall, Lorena Roberts, Gill Stafford Apologies: Mike Chrystal, Ronnie Robinson

Minutes of meeting on 21 January 2014 Agreed and signed as a correct record. Matters Arising Standpipe for allotments/payments for water. Colin reported that the standpipe was now in place, though the

water had not yet been turned on. Kris said that the Cricket Club had no objections to paying for water used in the old pavilion and on the cricket pitches.

Methuen field. No further news. Skittles. Now that all matches had been completed, Stewart would get an end-of-season table to publish in the

Broadsheet. Stewart/Mike Keys for new lock. Colin reported that this matter was now settled. Re-siting of cigarette bins and waste bin. Colin reported that the cigarette bins, which had been cleaned and

painted, would go back to their old site. The new site for the waste bin would be sorted out when the weather allowed.

Defribillator. Gill confirmed that the meeting to explain the ramifications of having a defribillator would take place at Stanley Park on 15 May, and she hoped someone from one of the sports clubs would be able to join her at that; she would circulate further details to Committee members. Gill

Financial Update John circulated copies of his Report for January 2014. The bank balances were: Current Acc. £9,038, Deposit Acc. £8,597.99, Playground Acc. £4,225.45. Hall bookings for the month were good at £1,408, with the main unscheduled expenditure £424 for the locksmith. The Bar takings for the month were poor, resulting in a loss of £282 and leading to an overall YTD loss of £599.84. There had been no football matches in the month due to the bad weather, but these should be played between now and the end of May. Unpaid invoices for November and December were being chased. Castle Combe club had expressed interest in training on our pitches during the summer, and also using one of the pitches for a youth team next season. Andy Short would let John know the outcome of these enquiries. Alison and Lorena suggested that having more skittles evenings would boost the Bar income, but this needed to be discussed with Mike. John also circulated a document showing the results of his electricity cost comparison research. A decision on this had to be made by the end of February. He said that the most economical system was to have a 24-month contract, and his preferred option would be to stay with SEE if this was within £100 of the lowest tender. It was agreed that John be authorised to negotiate the best price and make a decision; he would also explore the possi-bility of a dual-fuel contract with SEE. John then informed the Committee that he would be standing down as Treasurer at the end of the financial year. Plans for old pavilion Kris said that nothing had happened since the last meeting that needed reporting, but Andy Short was willing to come to the next meeting, or a special meeting, to make his presentation. Gill said she would like this to be on the agenda for the next Open Parish Meeting (1 April), but it should come to the Village Hall Committee first. It was agreed Andy should be invited to the meeting on 18 March. Events Lorena drew attention to the Moviola film (Le Weekend) on 21 February and the final one (Philomena) on 21 March. She said that the January film had not been well attended and we had made as loss. She was exploring a suggestion of showing documentary films at a charge of only £100. Lorena also reminded the Committee about the Quiz on 7 March to be run by Ian Smith. Bookings Colin reported that these were now coming in steadily. There would be another caravan club rally in November. Tyre tracks on the cricket field. Colin said that someone had driven down to the allotments again, but Kris did not think it was a serious problem.

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Any Other Business (a) Gill said that Biddestone had won some Best-kept Village competitions in the past, and she suggested the certificates for these should be displayed in the Hall. It was agreed they should be put up in the entrance lobby. Colin (b) Gill referred to training days on village halls and community buildings run by Community First, and won-dered whether it would be worth finding out more. She had brought their News magazine. (c) Colin requested that the date of the AGM be decided; this was agreed for Wednesday 18 June at 7.30 p.m., with the Committee meeting at 7 p.m. It was also agreed that the lady who audited the Annual Accounts last year should be asked if she would be willing to do this again; if not someone else would be needed. Lorena (d) Colin reported that two allotment-holders had complained about dog mess, and had asked that the whole allotment area should be fenced off; he had told them the Trust would not be prepared to do this. There was an unauthorised entrance into the allotments which should be blocked off. There was a lengthy discussion about the continuing problem of dog mess on the playing areas, and the fact that people were still seen with their dogs not on leads. One suggestion was to take photos of these incidents and, if asked, explain why. Kris proposed that we should continue with the current arrangements and that a whole-page advertisement should be put in the Broadsheet setting out the rules; the next stage would be naming-and-shaming. This was agreed. It was also agreed to put up two larger notices (2’x3’), one at the entrance to the ramp and one at the gate. Stewart (e) Gill said she would like to introduce at the Open Parish Meeting the possibility of changing the line of the footpaths and blocking off the style on the bend. This should be seen as part of the re-ordering of Yatton Lane, which would cost about £30,000. It was pointed out that, if the style was blocked off, another means of access to the footpath should be provided. Gill offered to follow this up, together with the feasibility of banning dogs from the sports fields. All this could be raised as a discussion point at the Open Parish Meeting. Gill Date of Next Meeting Agreed for Tuesday, 18 March, at 7.15 p.m. (Kris and Gill both gave their apologies.)

Ballad of the Breadman Mary stood in the kitchen Baking a loaf of bread. An angel flew in the window ‘We’ve a job for you,’ he said. ‘God in his big gold heaven Sitting in his big blue chair, Wanted a mother for his little son. Suddenly saw you there.’ Mary shook and trembled, ‘It isn’t true what you say.’ ‘Don’t say that,’ said the angel. ‘The baby’s on its way.’ Joseph was in the workshop Planing a piece of wood. ‘The old man’s past it,’ the neighbours said. ‘That girls been up to no good.’ ‘And who was that elegant fellow,’ They said. ‘in the shiny gear?’ The things they said about Gabriel Were hardly fit to hear. Mary never answered, Mary never replied. She kept the information, Like the baby, safe inside. It was the election winter. They went to vote in the town. When Mary found her time had come The hotels let her down.

The baby was born in an annexe Next to the local pub. At midnight, a delegation Turned up from the Farmers’ club. They talked about an explosion That made a hole on the sky, Said they’d been sent to the Lamb and Flag To see God come down from on high. A few days later a bishop And a five-star general were seen With the head of an African country In a bullet-proof limousine. ‘We’ve come,’ they said ‘with tokens For the little boy to choose.’ Told the tale about war and peace In the television news. After them came the soldiers With rifle and bombs and gun, Looking for enemies of the state. The family had packed up and gone. When they got back to the village The neighbours said, to a man, ‘That boy will never be one of us, Though he does what he blessed well can.’ He went round to all the people A paper crown on his head. Here is some bread from my father. Take, eat, he said.

Nobody seemed very hungry. Nobody seemed to care. Nobody saw the God in himself Quietly standing there. He finished up in the papers. He came to a very bad end. He was charged with bringing the living to life. No man was that prisoner’s friend. There’s only one kind of punishment To fit that kind of crime. They rigged a trial and shot him dead. They were only just in time. They lifted the young man by the leg, Thy lifted him by the arm, They locked him in a cathedral In case he came to harm. They stored him safe as water Under seven rocks. One Sunday morning he burst out Like a jack-in-the-box. Through the town he went walking. He showed them the holes in his head. Now do you want any loaves? He cried. ‘Not today’ they said. Charles Causley. Poems suggested by Hilary Noyes

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Copy date 2nd Sun in month delivered to any committee member or by email to broadsheet@pobox.com

Dates for your Diary 1 Apr Open Parish Council Meeting Village Hall 19.30 17 Apr Easter Treat Party and Coffee Afternoon Oak House 14.00 10 May A Mass for Peace Bath Abbey 19.30 15 May Defibrillator Information Day Stanley Park Chippenham 10.00 28 June Biddestone Fete 20 Jul Cilla-The Extravaganza All day party open to all Kington St Michael 12.00

Editorial Committee broadsheet@pobox.com

Stewart Entwistle (Editor) Challows House 715887

Mary Mullens (Treasurer) Parker Farm Bungalow 714399

Derek & Lynn Thornhill 6 Cuttle Lane 712367

Judy Priest 2 Little Challows 713469

Di Webb Owl Cottage 715963

Carolyn Madley Stonehaven The Green 712831

Church Services for April ST NICHOLAS, BIDDESTONE 6 Holy Communion 9.30 a.m. 13 Palm Sunday Family Service 9.30 a.m. Evensong 6.00 p.m. 18 Good Friday Meditation 10.00 a.m. 20 Easter Sunday Family Communion 9.30 a.m. ST NICHOLAS, SLAUGHTERFORD 20 Easter BCP Holy Communion 11.00 a.m.