It’s here ! The first of the year !

From : BBC Radio Wiltshire

The BBC Radio Wiltshire Make a Difference Awards are back for 2023! Every day we hear stories of people doing incredible things for each other and their communities. These awards are a way to say “Thank You” to those who are really going above and beyond.

Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour, or taking on an incredible fundraising challenge, if you know someone who is really making a difference to our lives then you can nominate them for an award

Last year we saw eight incredible winners recognised at a fabulous ceremony at the Corn Exchange in Devizes.

This year there are 8 categories you can nominate in

•            Volunteer

•        Community Group

•            Fundraiser

•            Carer

•            Great Neighbour

•            Bravery

•            Green Award

•            Together award 

You can nominate someone you know at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference where you can also see full Terms and our Privacy Notice. Nominations are now open and will close on Sunday 5^th March 2023 at 11:00pm. The winners will be announced at our Make a Difference awards ceremony in September.  And follow #BBCMakeADifference on social media for more details. 

From : Susan Mockler

Our exciting book launch for the Children’s Roman Coin Hoard activity book is on Saturday the 11th of February from 11am to 2pm It will be in the Museum & Town Hall Old School Room. Our talented illustrators will be there to sign the books for sale  and to talk about their involvement.  Volunteers will run activities for children. This is a free event and no booking necessary. Everyone involved is very excited!  Join the fun with your children & grandchildren & learn more about our Hoard!

From : Dai and Cathy (dai_davies@hotmail.com)

Just a quick reminder !

Hello to all in Hankerton,

Many of you have met Alexander, Inne and their two children, Yeylsei and Stella. It is now six months since they arrived to stay with us in Hankerton and they have settled in well and are working on their English language.

Alexander is available for work in Hankerton and he has a car. He is an excellent, skilled handyman and he helps us on the farm with lots of jobs and of course the sheep!

In Ukraine Alexander had his own business running a food wholesale company for seventeen years and was at university studying oil and gas technology.

Since July Alexander has helped with the planting of wildflowers in Hankerton and Tetbury, landscaping and gardening, light joinery/fence repairs/gutter repairs and mechanical repairs which he enjoys.

He is very helpful and hard working and charges £12.50 ph.

His wife, Inne, is looking for domestic cleaning work in and around Hankerton. Stella, aged 16 years and studying at Cirencester College, has helped locally with children and is available for babysitting too.

Please feel free to contact us initially Dai and Cathy – Cloatley Manor
07941 844 506 / 07900 580 767
dai_davies@hotmail.com
alexanderbobrishov@gmail.com

From Elizabeth Threlfall (Elizabeth.Threlfall@wiltshire.gov.uk)

Approximately 2 million households in the UK use alternative fuels for heating, of which around 1.7 million use heating oil as a source of energy.

Other alternative fuels include coal, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and biomass.

Households using alternative fuels to heat their homes will each receive a payment of £200 in recognition of the pressures caused by these rising fuel costs.

The vast majority of households eligible for the Alternative Fuel Payment scheme will receive payment automatically via their electricity supplier with no need to take any action. Payments will be made in February.

For the small number of customers who are unable to receive the funding automatically, for instance households in Great Britain without a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, the government will ensure there is a route for those households to apply for and receive the £200 support.

Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vital-help-with-energy-bills-on-the-way-for-millions-more-homes-across-great-britain-and-northern-ireland?fbclid=IwAR1y6o5XdJhgLgI-pAwTmFSTeZH7pO5cYYGASZ-BjalwLk-RjZ

From : Dai and Cathy (dai_davies@hotmail.com)

Hello to all in Hankerton,

Many of you have met Alexander, Inne and their two children, Yeylsei and Stella. It is now six months since they arrived to stay with us in Hankerton and they have settled in well and are working on their English language.

Alexander is available for work in Hankerton and he has a car. He is an excellent, skilled handyman and he helps us on the farm with lots of jobs and of course the sheep!

In Ukraine Alexander had his own business running a food wholesale company for seventeen years and was at university studying oil and gas technology.

Since July Alexander has helped with the planting of wildflowers in Hankerton and Tetbury, landscaping and gardening, light joinery/fence repairs/gutter repairs and mechanical repairs which he enjoys.

He is very helpful and hard working and charges £12.50 ph.

His wife, Inne, is looking for domestic cleaning work in and around Hankerton. Stella, aged 16 years and studying at Cirencester College, has helped locally with children and is available for babysitting too.

Please feel free to contact us initially Dai and Cathy – Cloatley Manor
07941 844 506 / 07900 580 767
dai_davies@hotmail.com
alexanderbobrishov@gmail.com

From : Rosemary Finney (01666 575241)

This cat has been living some nights in my garage & utility. He’s been here since the snow was here. He goes off during the day. He has a few scratches on him & was very feisty to start.

To be fair I have got friendly with him to help my cats get use to him being around. I’ve asked several people & Mary has put him on her WhatsApp group. I don’t know if he has been dumped or has a home.

Please give me a call if you recognise him on 01666 575241

Thanks,
Rosie

From : Elizabeth Threlfall (Elizabeth.Threlfall@wiltshire.gov.uk)

Council focuses on potholes after cold snap and wet weather

Following the hot and dry summer, a period of cold winter weather and the continuing heavy rain, Wiltshire Council and its contractors are working hard to fix cases of potholes on the county’s highways.

As well as its usual teams working to fix potholes where they occur, the council has also tasked its 18 Parish Stewards to solely focus on mending potholes that meet our defect criteria over the next few weeks to help get on top of the issue.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Following the summer, the recent cold snap and the increasingly wet weather we have seen an increase in potholes on some of Wiltshire’s roads, and we’re working hard to respond to this, to ensure we have well-connected communities, as set out in our Business Plan.

“The weather has provided the perfect conditions for potholes to form, and that’s why we’re seeing an increase in the number of road defects throughout the county.

“Our teams are responding to customer reports about potholes and other highways issues, and to help with this, we’ve tasked our 18 Parish Stewards to only work on patching potholes in their communities over the coming weeks.

“Because the weather is so wet, in many cases our teams will patch the hole as a temporary fix, and then, later in the year, more permanent repairs will take place when conditions are more favourable.

“People can quickly and easily report potholes through our MyWilts app or website.”

In Wiltshire, the M4, A303, and A36 are all managed by National Highways, and so any issues on these roads should not be reported to Wiltshire Council.

If people see a pothole on Wiltshire’s roads, they should report it using the MyWilts reporting system – either through the MyWilts smartphone app for Apple or Android devices, or online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts

From Linda Hendy (email : lmhendy@gmail.com)

Please can we have volunteers to help us keep our lovely church clean ?

It’s not arduous & you won’t have to do it alone!
Only one month a year, two services a month, unless its Easter or Christmas,  then everyone welcome to help !

Just click on the link and drop me an email if you feel you can help. Thank You !
Linda Hendy lmhendy@gmail.com

From Linda Hendy (email : lmhendy@gmail.com )

Happy new year to all!

North aisle coffee will restart this Saturday @ 11am

Look forward to seeing everyone!
If you haven’t been before please come along you will find a warm welcome!