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East Knoyle Newsletter March 2007

Image 1 for East Knoyle Newsletter March 2007
www.eastknoyle.org.uk VOL XXXIII No.2

EAST KNOYLE AT THE OSCARS

Image 2 for East Knoyle Newsletter March 2007
LEFT: Laura Coffin, Chairman of East Knoyle Community Shop Association, receives the award ‘Village Shop of the Year’ at the 2007 Wiltshire Life Achievement Award Ceremony at Wilton House on 9th March. Also pictured are Fiona Richards of Wiltshire Life, and Julian Richards, compère and well-known archaeologist.
RIGHT: Pam Goodall holding the Ana Lyle trophy for best costumes (which she designed and made) and a Certificate of Merit for her maiden directorship of ‘Women at War’ at the Festival run by Dorset Drama League at Shaftesbury between 8th and 10th March.

PARISH ASSEMBLY - Tuesday 10th April 2007 at 7.30pm
A time of change

The 2007 Parish Assembly will be held in East Knoyle Village Hall Tuesday 10th April 2007 at 7.30pm.
This is your last chance to talk to Parish Councillors before the May Parish Elections on matters affecting you and the parish.
It is the last occasion Tom Couper will attend as our District Councillor before he retires.
Speakers will be:
The Police
on changes to the new policing system - meet our new P.C., Richard Salter
Nick Barton
on changes taking place at Clouds Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre
Wilts. County Council on their proposals for ‘One Council for Wiltshire’ - unitary local government

JOY STONHAM
Many parishioners will be sad to hear that Joy died on 20th January. Joy and Ronnie lived in Holloway House, East Knoyle, until 1996: marvellous neighbours to Douglas and Joan Morris. Joy was a member of the WRVS and Red Cross and as a result enjoyed voluntary work at The Shaftesbury Westminster Hospital. She was involved in many village activities including the British Legion. They moved to Shaftesbury and on to Castle Cary to be near two of their daughters, but continued to keep in touch through our Village Newsletter. Joy will be much missed by their friends, remembered for her bravery in many years of ill-health but, even more, for her gentle personality and great care for others. Our love goes to Ronnie and his three daughters. The funeral took place at All Saints Church, Castle Cary on 29th January. [i]Lavinia Seymour

THANK YOU
Sally and David Williams
would like to say: Thank you all for the individual presents and cards we received for their semi-retirement and to all those who gave collectively for our gifts, flowers and card. Thank you so much.
Diane and Vic Snook and family would like to thank all neighbours and friends for the cards and messages of sympathy following the death of Diane’s mother, Peggy, on 23rd January.

DORION HULL
Some of you may remember former Milton resident, Dorion Hull (1974- 1994) who, sadly, passed away in Aotearoa, New Zealand on 3rd August 2006. Those who knew her and would like to attend a Memorial Service for her on Monday, 23rd April are warmly invited. Details are as follows:
10:45am: Coffee in the Village Hall
11:30am: Memorial Service St. Mary the Virgin Church
12:30pm (approx): Lunch in the Village Hall
RSVP ASAP (since the lunch is sit-down, an accurate count of those planning to attend is important). Please contact her son, Philip Hull in New Zealand via email if possible at philipvhull@yahoo.com or alternatively by phone on 00 649 376- 5276 (BST + 11 hours) [i]Jonathan and Philip Hull

Watch out at Wilton - The A30 through Wilton will be closed on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March for essential drainage works - alternative route via A303 and A36.

EAST KNOYLE YOUTH CLUB
As most villagers have probably realised, the Youth Club has not been meeting for quite a few months. The Club can only start again if there are new, and sufficient, volunteers to take on the responsibility of managing and running the Club. The present committee would be available to give advice, assistance and information to get it all started again. Then you would be on your own. We have asked for volunteers many times before, but now villagers with young children will hopefully realise the great advantage and fun that a Youth Club can provide in the local community.
The committee met on 30th Jan 2007 to decide on the Club’s future. It was agreed unanimously that if no new organisers are found in the coming months, the Club will cease to exist as from 1st June 2007. If necessary we shall arrange for the disposal of equipment and funds. In that event we hope the funds will be held by the Parish Council and 'ring fenced' so they can only be used by a future Youth Club. This is a very sad story, but without volunteers a very fine institution will come to an untimely end after a period of over 55 years.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN, DO SOMETHING NOW! [i]Mike Waterhouse


ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION In February we enjoyed a light-hearted tea party. The imaginative table decorations created a welcoming atmosphere which was reinforced by the pink punch and heart- shaped eatables. Thank you Jenni, Marie, and all the cooks! The display of 'challenging' photos proved popular but perhaps too challenging as no one scored more than half the correct answers.
We will gather together next on 8th May in the Village Hall car park at 2.30pm for a Spring walk, followed by tea at Church Cottage. We are grateful to Mick Chaplin who, although otherwise engaged on the day, has once again agreed to plan a route. The aim is for around 2 miles or not much over an hour. Well- behaved dogs on leads would be welcome on the walk (but not the tea!). [i]Sally Swain

POLICE MATTERS - NUMBER FOR ALL NON- EMERGENCIES: 0845 408 7000
On 4th March PC Richard Salter arrived in Mere to take up the post of Community Beat Manager. PC Pete Robins will stay with him for a time to show him around and introduce him to the locals. A PCSO will be recruited/trained and will join Richard on the Mere beat at some time in the future. The team will be based at Mere Police Station and will cover the following Parishes: East Knoyle, Kilmington, Maiden Bradley, Mere, Stourton & Gasper, Sedgehill & Semley, West Knoyle, and Zeals.
In February a parked car in East Knoyle was vandalised overnight. Also in February a house was broken into in East Knoyle about 5.45pm on a Friday evening. The burglars, a young male and female, were disturbed and made off in a blue Micra type car. [i]Mark Steele

ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Church Buildings:
Research goes on. Following a visit by the Diocesan advisers, the PCC have re- considered the decision to replace the organ with an electronic one. They have now decided to pursue the possibility of re- siting the organ at the back of the Church, with the organist on a gallery and the organ pipes at one side so as to avoid any loss of floor space. In any event, it will be necessary to remove the organ from its present position for repair. In the end it will all come down to cost. If the organ is retained, there will still be a need for some electronic instrument for flexibility. Removal of the organ from its present position will enable its current space to be used as an office. Generally, the other building proposals did not draw any basic objections from the advisers, but there is a lot of work to be done to achieve harmony of style. With regard to the proposed WC, difficulties of access and drainage are serious problems. Even when final plans have been drawn up, they will need the support of an approved architect and a number of other bodies to bless them before the Diocese can give any sort of go-ahead. Thanks are due to those who have worked so hard on these important matters so far. It is very much due to their thoroughness and thought that at least an amber signal has been given !
Clergy: Congratulations go to our Rural Dean, Rev. Canon Humphrey Southern on his appointment as Bishop of Repton. His consecration is to be at St. Paul's Cathedral on 31st May. Humphrey has always been a great help, especially during the Interregnum period. We wish him and his wife and young family well in their new home in Derbyshire.
Services: We are looking forward to a new style FAMILY SERVICE commencing in April. Why not come and see whether this suits you and the family - old and young. Our vicar is working tirelessly to widen the appeal of the Church and to make the Christian message heard and understood.
The Mystery of the Church Vacuum Cleaner: The vacuum cleaner has disappeared and an older one (although seemingly quite efficient) has arrived in its place. No one knows how or why this has happened. If you can help solve the mystery, Gill Waterhouse (830251) would love to hear from you.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting: To hear what has been going on during the year and about the various initiatives to improve our Church, come along to this meeting in St Mary’s Church on 26th March at 7.30pm. Finally, thanks to Briony Hamilton who has kindly volunteered to be a Deputy Churchwarden. [i]Denys Butler

ST. MARY’S GUILD
We are going to the theatre this month to see ‘Uncle Vanya’ at Shaftesbury Arts Centre on Thursday 29th March at 7.30pm. If any member would like a lift, do please contact Christine on 830525.
Our April meeting is on Tuesday 24th at Chapel Farm at 2.30pm, when Gemma Morgan will talk to us about ‘Being Gemma’. [i]Christine Wilson

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Our President and Chairman report that the County Conference on 13th January was well attended (over 80 people) with 21 standards (ours with Patrick Offord) on parade. For the first time the Conference was presided over by General Sir John Akehurst and it is a sad loss to all that he died on 18th February at the age of 71. Tony Claydon served closely with him for a short time in their Army days and is thinking about showing some TV footage in which they both appeared. Speakers at the Conference stressed the need for Government to provide the fighting services with better equipment and better welfare facilities, both at home and abroad, for serving personnel and their dependants. The lack of this only results in loss of personnel and morale, with consequent demands on welfare organisations like the Legion. The new County Secretary, Christopher Prestwich, has now started work and we wish him well. It has recently been announced that in 2008 Legion H.Q. is moving to newly re-furbished offices in London SE1, allowing the current Pall Mall building to be sold and thereby benefiting the Welfare Fund. No doubt there will be debate on this item at the National Conference in Bournemouth in May. We look forward to our Chairman's feedback. Locally, we have had the pleasure of entertaining the Women's Section to a Wine & Bits evening at the Fox & Hounds. Thanks to Pam and Murray Seator for allowing us private use of the front bar and for the provender.
War Memorial - recently some wreaths have been removed and crosses pulled up, not to mention the crocuses. Whether this was damage by weather, animals, birds or just unsupervised children we don't know, but PLEASE watch out and report anything untoward to Keith Shipman or any Legion member. The custom has been to leave wreaths and crosses in place from Remembrance Sunday until Easter, after which the Women's Section commence their flower arrangements. We hope this can be continued and that early removal of people's marks of respect is unnecessary. A minor correction - the two kind ladies mentioned in the last issue as being Roy Halsall’s helpers at Willoughby Hedge were in fact additions to the door-to-door collection team - still under Roy's wing, of course. Sorry for any confusion. [i]Denys Butler

EAST KNOYLE, MERE & DISTRICT PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CENTRE
The Club is still here! Still waiting for help - our application for a grant from the Wiltshire Community Fund is under consideration. We are hoping for an early return by Gwen Hull after her fall and we are pleased that Freda Parker will be able to resume on the cane team, now that a secure home has been found for her husband who has been stricken with Alzheimer's. Sadly, it looks as though our long-term member and friend Vernon Thorn will no longer be able to come because of his failing legs and the risk to him and to others if he should fall. Our continued thanks to the tea ladies who are so helpful in providing such a good spread each week. But most of all, if you know of anyone you feel would benefit from our gentle bonhomie just let us know. We are at the Village Hall every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm. [i]Denys Butler

THE HEROINES OF PERVYSE
An incredible story prepared by his family was beautifully presented by Paul Knocker to a packed Village Hall audience on 13th March. His grandmother Elsie and her friend Marie Chisholm were only recently trained nurses when they volunteered in September 1914 to be part of the first contingent of nurses to go to Belgium. They were only 19 and 18, but were unusual in that they were keen motorcyclists and Elsie could speak both French and German. These abilities served them well and almost certainly saved their lives on occasion. For the first two years they served with the Belgian Army, caring for the injured and dealing with the dead, providing troops in the trenches with hot soup and chocolate from their tiny cellar base in the ruined village of Pervyse amidst the fighting. All this time they had to fend for themselves as the British did not agree with women being at the front, despite the desperate need of their services. Fortunately, the Belgians were more appreciative and the King personally decorated them. Later in the war, they were awarded the Military Medal and the British paid them for their work and gave them medical support. They were granted the distinction of being specifically exempt from the ruling that women should not serve on the front line. Miraculously, they both survived the war and Elsie (as Baroness de Serclaes, following her marriage in 1916) served again in WWII. This was a harrowing tale of the horrors of war and of heroism and determination.
There were many with a tear in the eye at the end, not least Diana Makgill who thanked Paul and the family on behalf of the RBL Women's Section and other members and friends. [i]Denys Butler

EAST KNOYLE GARDEN CLUB
On 28th February the Chairman, Mick Chaplin, welcomed members to the ninth AGM. During the year Alan Knight had been co- opted to the Committee to replace Vic Eason who had retired. The Committee was re-elected en bloc. The annual subscription has been increased to £4. Entrance fees to meetings remain at £1.50 for members and £3 for non- members. On behalf of the Village Hall Committee, Michael Hull thanked the Chairman for a cheque for £150 towards the Hall funds.
Ray Broughton, Section Manager of Sparsholt College, gave an entertaining and extremely knowledgeable talk on ‘Topical Tips and Ideas’. He covered a wide range of subjects, including disease and pest control. Do you know how to tackle mildew on plants? Spray the bushes nearby as they play host to the mildew spores. Why isn’t companion planting of marigolds and vegetables always effective? It is, if we resist the temptation to be tidy; it’s the faded flowers of marigolds that whitefly hate, so just drop the dead heads beside the vegetable plants. As for the latest equipment, the Garden Groom hedgecutter looks like a wonderfully safe labour-saving tool. A very pleasant evening ended with delicious refreshments. [i]Christine Dewis

VILLAGE HALL 200 Club Draw for January and February will be held after this Newsletter has gone to press.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I would like to respond to a small piece in the last Newsletter under the reading ‘Parish Council News’ with regard to dog owners. To refresh your memory it stated, ‘A revolting habit is developing amongst a small number of dog owners where dog mess is cleared into clear plastic bags and then hung on a fence. This is clearly a health risk and totally unacceptable.’
I am responsible for hanging my bags on trees, sometimes fences and picking them up at the end of my walk. This is usually an hour or so later. I accept that on some days when I change my route or forget that I have left them, the bags have been left there until the next day and I do agree that it is not ideal and certainly does not look very nice. For this I take full responsibility. I will endeavour to ensure this does not happen again. It has been an oversight or, more to the point, a lapse of memory on my part and bags were never just left and not picked up at all.
I do feel this response was out of proportion and that anybody who sees these bags would have had a fair idea who they belonged to. A word or little note would have done the trick. I am a responsible dog walker, which brings me to the point of writing.
What I consider to be ‘revolting’ are the few dog walkers who make no attempt whatsoever to even bag up their dog’s mess On the path between the Church and the garage on The Street, including the path between Summerlea and Ferndale, I pick up other walkers’ dog mess almost daily. I have done so since I moved here four years ago. These dog owners know who they are; I can even hazard a guess myself. I hope they are as quick to hold their hands up and take responsibility for keeping the village free from this unsightly health hazard.
I apologise for my oversight and am glad this debate has been opened again. Hopefully some good will come of it. We all want to live in this lovely village so let’s try harder to show it - and each other - more respect. Perhaps a couple of signs and a bin would make people stop and think. [i]Rose Gibson- Ford

WREN’S SHOP
After the usual post- Christmas dip in trade we took on the newspapers and in February we started a wine promotion. These have combined to lift takings to a record high. We were delighted to have our shareholders’ approval to hand over a cheque for £1000 to the Parish Council. This helped to purchase the woodland at Windmill Crossroads. It’s great to see everyone’s efforts producing concrete results beyond the shop itself. We hope to construct a covered way at the rear of the shop. This will look very much like the shelter at the side. At Wren’s Shop in February the Countryside Alliance held a regional rally against Government plans to close post offices, with our M.P. Dr Andrew Murrison as speaker. A big ‘Thank you’ to everyone who turned out to support this. Whilst we hope that our post office is safe, Government appears intent on removing post office trade. At the same time, it is not allowing a level playing field for post offices to compete. We were delighted to be judged ‘Wiltshire Village Shop of the Year 2007’ in Wiltshire Life’s Achievement Awards Ceremony. This was a wonderful tribute to our village and the efforts of everyone who has worked to make it successful. [i]Laura Coffin

NEIGHBOURHOOD RESPONDER SCHEME FOR EAST KNOYLE
The Ambulance Service has scheduled a presentation on the scheme for East Knoyle in mid- October and training in early November 2007. Fourteen people have expressed interest but we would like a few more to enable us to provide comprehensive cover. The Ambulance Service is very stretched because of problems with the out-of- hours doctor’s service and a general increase in demand. The scheme is a vital part of their cover as well as our health, safety and well-being. [i]Keith Shipman

MOONWALKINGOn 19th May, Joy Hull, Jay Lonsdale and Vanessa Garrett will be off to London to take part in the Playtex MoonWalk - 26.2 miles of power walking. The walk goes on through the night, hence its name. All the competitors (including a few men) wear decorated bras. The object is to raise funds for breast cancer research and cancer care. If you would like to sponsor our girls, please ask for the sponsorship form at Wren’s Shop or the Seymour Arms. [i]Ed.

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
Woodland:
The ownership of the woodland at Windmill Crossroads was conveyed to the Parish Council on 1st March. Our thanks go to Wren’s Shop and all those who donated so generously. The Parish Council will tidy up the ground, remove the broken fencing, and carry out any necessary tree safety work.
Elections: The Parish and District Council elections take place on 3rd May 2007. There will be at least two vacancies for Parish Councillor, so please come forward if you feel you have some time to spare serving our community. There are seven meetings a year including the Parish Assembly and a variety of other tasks representing the Parish. Nomination forms are available from Keith Shipman and from Salisbury District Council offices. They must be submitted to the District Council offices by noon on 4th April. Keith Shipman will deliver them by hand if he receives them by 1st April.
Tom Couper retires as District Councillor after 12 years serving the area. A big ‘Thank you’ Tom for everything you have done. [i]Ed
Does a Parish Council make a difference? What has your Parish Council achieved in the last 4 years?
We have replaced noticeboards at the Green and at the Village Shop and just approved the replacement of the Milton noticeboard with an oak one. We refurbished the store in Knoyle House Ground. We have responded to planning applications to ensure the conservation of our parish, achieved the resurfacing of two of our roads and further work, though the state of many of our roads remains pitiful. We successfully challenged Salisbury District Council over their removal of Parish Council planning committees. We’ve fought proposed cuts to rural services and vociferously challenged SDC’s skewed Salisbury City spend. We’ve campaigned strongly for R2 spending rules to be broadened. We’ve contributed to SDC’s Planning Policy Framework for the area and the Mere & District Plan. We’ve linked with West Knoyle Parish Council on several occasions to oppose vigorously inadequate, and in our view dangerous, proposals of Highways’ for the Willoughby Hedge / A303 junction and the lifting of the weight restriction on the B3089 to route westbound traffic for the A303 along it. We’ve lobbied for an extension of the 50mph speed limit from the parish boundary to the A303. The newly installed signs designating ‘Turnpike’ as a hamlet should improve the chance of this happening. We have worked with WCC Highways to improve signage for the village. We still await completion of the white line box at the northern junction of the A350, which remains so dangerous. We have maintained recreation areas and woodlands and are involved with many area committees and projects. We have led the opening of a community-owned shop and retention of the post office which have done so much to encourage community spirit. It has also created an asset for the Council and an annual rent of £2000 as well as raising many thousands of pounds available for village projects. We have purchased the woodland at Windmill Crossroads. We have installed cricket nets in Knoyle House Ground. We have commenced a parish plan. We have achieved recognition of our high standards by the award of Quality Council status. Much of this is a foundation for the next Council and the opportunities offered by changes in legislation. The next four years are likely to be equally challenging. [i]Sabrina Sully
Travellers have set up camp unlawfully at the southern end of the village on Highways land. We have asked the Police, WCC Highways, and WCC Travellers Officer to take action to remove them. We await the outcome of their work.
Parish Assembly: The Annual Parish Assembly will be held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm Tuesday 10th April 2007. This is your chance to talk to Parish Councillors before the May Parish Elections on matters affecting you and the parish. It is the last occasion Tom Couper will attend as our District Councillor before he retires.
Speakers will include: The Police on changes to the new policing system - your chance to meet our new P.C. Richard Salter - Nick Barton on changes taking place at Clouds Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre -Wilts County Council on their proposals for ‘One Council for Wiltshire’ - unitary local government. [i]Keith Shipman

Parish Councillors for East Knoyle are: S. Sully (Chairman), D. Haworth- Booth (Vice-Chairman), S. Dawson (Chairman, Finance Committee), S. Wilson (Chairman, Planning Committee), A. Campbell (Chairman, Highways, Common Lands and Rights of Way Committee), L. Coffin, S. Garrett, T. Hyde, S. Swain, P. Wharton, D. Williams. Contact may be made through the Parish Clerk: Keith Shipman, Ivy Cottage, Shaftesbury Road, East Knoyle SP3 6AR Tel: 01747 830886, Email k.shipman@btopenworld.com.

PARISH PLAN
The team grows larger all the time. The Steering Committee is setting up a number of working groups to tackle specific projects which will help construct the Plan. This is an opportunity for more people with particular interests or skills to join in and make an important contribution. Please contact Kevin Stow (830431) for more details. We have a project plan and budget. We have been awarded £500 by Salisbury District Council, £200 by the Parish Council and await confirmation of a grant for over £3,000 from Defra via Community First. Between May and July you will be invited to group and public events to enable us to create a focussed questionnaire for everyone to complete. This should be delivered to you in October for collection a few days later. Everyone will get the chance to see the draft plan and comment on it, so that the final plan has as broad an agreement as possible. The final plan then goes out to agencies for them to sign up to it. At the same time we shall be creating a village design statement. This outlines the way we see our parish’s ‘built environment’ being conserved / developed. If Salisbury District Council accepts the design statement, it becomes part of their planning guidelines. [i]Paul Knocker

MATTY HULL
Along with countless others, I felt so much for Sue and Mandy Hull and their family as they endured the inquest into Matty’s death. Along with countless others, I was so impressed by the grace of Sue in coping with the media. [i]Ed.

TISBURY & DISTRICT SPORTS CENTRE - Tel: 01747 871141 New for 2007
Earlier opening:
Like an early morning workout? The centre is open Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30am.
Earlier fitness classes: Monday Aerobics, Wednesday Boxercise and Thursday Step Aerobics now commence at the earlier time of 9.15am.
Junior gym: At a new time and day - Wednesdays 5-6pm for 13-16 year olds. To book your first session, please contact Reception.
‘Morning madness’ is making a come- back. Saturdays from 10.30am- 12 noon for 7-12 year olds for the introductory price of £3 each.
Casual Table Tennis Thursdays 4-5pm, for 7-12 year olds, £3 per session.
Girls Football Coaching: Wednesdays 3.30-4.30pm for girls aged 7-12 years, £3 per session payable by the half- term, in advance. Places for this session must be booked.
Tennis Coaching: Commencing 18 April to 27 June for a 10 week block period, (weather permitting), for 7-12 year olds, from 4.15-5pm. Working towards the Tennis – Yoplait Badge system, payment in advance, £30 for all 10 sessions. Please book to avoid disappointment as this course has proved to be extremely popular in the past.
Summer jogging club: Are you interested in participating? If so, what time of day would suit you best? Contact Reception to register your interest in this proposed new club.
Teenage Boxercise: Fridays 5.45- 6.45pm, £3 per session. Kick, punch and jab your way to fitness. For further details on any of the above, or to register your interest, please contact the Sports Centre.
Rhona Brown, our resident Personal Trainer, will be competing in the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April, and is donating her sponsorship money towards the enhancement of the Tennis Courts. If you wish to donate, contact the Sports Centre, or Rhona on 01747 820537, mobile number 07887 847669. [i]Debbie Stevens

TISBURY & DISTRICT LINK SCHEME - To book or volunteer call 01747 870194
ONE YEAR OLD
on 1st March 2007. On average the scheme has taken 41 calls each month, with 3 being cancelled. About half the calls are health- related, just over a third for general help such as shopping trips, and 1/6th do not require a driver. On average this is 13 calls a year for each volunteer driver.
The scheme covers 12 of the surrounding Parish Council areas as well as Tisbury. About 40% of the calls come from these surrounding villages. The problem is that only 10% of the volunteer drivers also come from these villages. This results in volunteers within Tisbury driving the extra mileage to the villages and home again, which not only creates an overhead in mileage costs for the scheme but also extra time spent by the Tisbury drivers. East Knoyle contributes about 10% and Sedgehill about 7% of the calls from the villages, with only one volunteer driver from East Knoyle between them. More volunteers, particularly drivers, are needed from these two villages if the scheme is to survive.
This month the Management Committee has invited all volunteers to an evening meeting, not only as a social event but also to review the past year. This will include three short briefings on aspects of the scheme, followed by a general discussion of any issues raised by the volunteers. The briefings will be: a review of the past year's operation; the results of a recent small sample survey of both volunteers and clients, and the experience of a volunteer driver who took the Council SAGE driving proficiency test for mature drivers.
Volunteers for any of the Scheme services are always welcome. To volunteer or to request one of the services call 01747 870194 to contact the Co-ordinator, who will try to satisfy the request from the list of registered volunteers. There is an answerphone whenever the Co-ordinator is unavailable. [i]Sally Swain

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE
Following the acquisition of the garage site by Wylye Valley Forge, work has started on the repair and redecoration of the main premises by the incoming tenants, Nadder Valley Classics Ltd. This is a local company specialising in the sale of vintage and classic cars. It will be using the building to prepare and display an eclectic mixture of vehicles, with everything from vintage Austin Sevens to classic sports cars of the 1960’s and 70’s.
The long-term plan is for the site to continue as a forge and this traditional village craft will carry on as before in the building at the rear of the workshop. Petrol will no longer be sold and the pumps have already been removed. The tanks have been completely decommissioned by a specialist company, working under the guidance of Wiltshire County Council’s Petroleum Enforcement Officer.
Nadder Valley Classics director, Richard Rawlingson, says the refurbishment of the garage will be done sympathetically, with the aim of creating a traditional look that blends in with the surroundings. “Our business is all about nostalgia and we think the premises will suit us perfectly. We hope to add our own style and visual interest to the site, and to be fully operational by the beginning of April. We look forward to meeting as many of our new neighbours as possible. We shall have an exciting selection of vehicles for our opening display. Above all, we are all old-car enthusiasts and happy to talk about them all day, so please feel free to drop by, if only to browse and have a cup of coffee.”
More information about Nadder Valley Classics can be found on the web site ww w.naddervalleyclassics.co.uk [i]Ian Hamilton, Wylye Valley Forge

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
A number of people in the parish need a domestic consultant and practitioner (i.e. cleaner) for their houses. Details are on the notice board in Wren’s Shop.

FALLING TREES
In December and January high winds caused trees to fall around the country, sometimes with tragic consequences. George King recalls such an event in East Knoyle about 80 years ago, although the weather could not be blamed. George writes: On a still summer’s day an open touring-type car travelled north through the village with two couples on board. At that time there were elm trees bordering the road on the edge of Gaston Field almost opposite the turning to Hindon. As the car passed beneath one of the trees, a large branch broke off from the main trunk and fell across the back seat, killing the two ladies sitting there. Their husbands suffered more from shock than injuries. I remember my father being called out from our home at Wise Lane to help attend the accident. We were in the middle of our lunch when there was a shout from our front gate - “Bert - Bert - help wanted -bring your cross-cut”. He left his meal immediately. When I followed later, there were several men at the scene. I saw my father sawing the branch and then helping to lift the two ladies out of the car and laying them out in Gaston Field.
Within the next year all elm trees that were in danger of falling on the public highway were cut down. A timber merchant from Warminster had the contract. Timber wagons with four or five trunks on them, pulled by four shire horses, left each day about 4pm to undertake the journey to Warminster.

CHRISTMAS MARKET 2007
Yes, I know it is not even Easter yet, but these things have to be planned in advance! This year it’s on 24th November, 10am to 1pm at the Village Hall. If you would like a stall, please contact Maggie Shipman on 830886.

AROUND AND ABOUT
Welcome to:
Nadder Valley Classics at the Garage
Get Well Wishes to: Jane Treseder, Barbara Pugsley, Betty Irish and Doug Gray
Congratulations to: Wren’s Shop and Pam Goodall on their awards
Celebration: with Clare and Mark Gundry, we celebrate the christening of Olivia Rose Beatrice on 4th March
Condolences: We extend our deepest condolences to the families of:
Joy Stonham who died on 20th January
Peggy Emms (Diane Snook’s mother) who died on 23rd January.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
March

25th An unlikely day at the Races Lower Leigh Farm 10am (first race)
26th Annual Parochial Church Meeting St Mary’s Church 7.30pm
29th St Mary’s Guild ‘Uncle Vanya’ Shaftesbury Arts Centre 7.30pm
April
1st Palm Sunday Communion St Mary’s Church 8.30am
1st Informal Service St Mary’s Church 9.45am
2nd RBL Men’s Branch Monthly Meeting Fox and Hounds 7.30pm
3rd Holy Communion (said) St Mary’s Church 7.30pm
6th Good Friday Meditation St Mary’s Church 2pm
8th Easter Sunday Parish Communion St Mary’s Church 11am 10th Parish Assembly Village Hall 7.30pm
20/26th Exhibition of Landscapes Coppleridge Inn, Motcombe
24th St Mary’s Guild ‘Being Gemma’ Chapel Farm 2.30pm
May
3rd Parish and District Council Elections Village Hall
8th RBL Women’s Section Spring Walk Village Hall Car Park 2.30pm
8th Parish Council AGM Village Hall 7.30pm

Editor - Maggie Shipman, Ivy Cottage, Shaftesbury Road, East Knoyle SP3 6AR Tel: 01747 830 886 eknewsletter@btinternet.com
Entries for May edition by 1st May PLEASE!