Here’s a summary of the roadworks that start on 7th April and will cause the road from Hankerton to Crudwell to be closed for 5 months.

5 months !….. made me think…

2.4 km Road Repair (6–9 Hours): In December 2025, workers in Beijing repaired a 2.4-kilometer stretch of the busy Fourth Ring Road overnight. They laid 8,000 tons of asphalt in just six hours, completing the entire project within nine hours to avoid daytime traffic jams.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUS SERVICE

We have discovered important information about the bus service in Hankerton. Wiltshire Council have made the decision but not yet formally announced it, however when one Hankerton resident telephoned them to ask about the bus service during the 22 weeks of water main work he was told this news.  And I have checked and it was confirmed to me.  So it’s best now to get it out into the open.

The decision is that the regular timetabled bus service through Hankerton is to be discontinued, with effect from 7 April this year.  Not just during the water main work, but permanently.  Evidently the average number of passengers on our route is the deciding factor.   Instead Hankerton will be served by the Wiltshire Connect service.  And incidentally this applies to all the villages on the Route 93, including for example Charlton.

Wiltshire Connect is a flexible bus service that operates in parts of rural Wiltshire. You can book your ride in advance up to 7 days ahead and on the day with 30 minutes notice (subject to vehicle availability).  It costs the same as the scheduled bus services do – currently ?2 or ?3 per journey and free bus passes are accepted too.  To find out more look up this internet link https://www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/royal-wootton-bassett-malmesbury/ .  Ands note that the service can take you to the Great Western Hospital, and also to Cirencester although this is not shown on the map on that website.

Note also that to advertise this new service a staffed Wilts Connect bus will be in Cross Hayes on 26 Mar, hours approx 10-3, to provide answers about the service offered.

For anyone new to the village (or who might want to give it a go) there is an amazing weekly Yin Yoga class held at the church on a Thursday morning @930 -1030 ⛪️🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️

A calming class to release tension and improve flexibility and help you fully unwind. Slow paced, floor based poses held for longer. 

All levels welcome. We are a very friendly bunch! 😊

Term 4: (5-weeks) 
Dates: 26 Feb 
5, 12, 19, 26 March 

£9 per class (for 10 people or over)  
£13 per single class drop in
Taster sessions also available 

Contact Mark Searley for further details or to sign up
www.Mybodytrainer.co.uk
Tel/Txt: 07885 609885

From : Andrea Verdina

Pizzeria Italiana 2020 🇮🇹 is back in Hankerton serving authentic Italian stone-baked pizzas!

📅 Friday 30th
🔁 Then every last Friday of the month
⏰ 5.30pm – 8:00pm
📍 Hankerton Church

📲 Pre-order by text to avoid waiting (up to 4pm)
07809 485821
🚐 Or simply order at the van on the night

🍕 12” freshly made pizzas
💷 Cash & card accepted
⭐ 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating

Perfect for a relaxed Friday night — bring friends, family, and your appetite!

The new administration at Wiltshire Council plans to remove vital funding to the Link schemes. This is a relatively small amount of money which allows several voluntary groups to operate across the county. Volunteers provide absolutely essential transport for rural residents. I know how crucial this service is for people who would otherwise struggle to be able to live in our villages.

Please let me know your views on this.

I am opposing the proposal.

Elizabeth Threlfall

Wiltshire Councillor for Brinkworth Division

Email: elizabeth.threlfall@wiltshire.gov.uk
Tel: 07778 110 936
www.facebook.com/elizabeththrelfallb/

Susan assures me it’s not all history !

From : Robin Tjolle

The Hankerton Carol singers will be singing and bringing festive cheer around the village on Thursday 11th Dec raising money for the Malmesbury Food Bank.

Please join us – only enthusiasm and a warm coat needed!! All welcome.

Meet 6:00pm at the entrance to Follyfield.

Hopefully there might be a few mince pies on the way round the village too!! 🎄🎄

From : Michael Bromley Gardner

GEM FESTIVAL 2026  LICENCE APPLICATION

Gem Festival have applied to Wilts Council for a licence for a festival in Charlton Park 11-14 June 2026 and thereafter.

Key Points of the licence application:

•             A multi-year, open-ended application. (Last year they applied for a one-year licence.)

•       Same area as last year (southern part of the Park).

•             Music and alcohol licences to midnight on Thu and Sun nights, to 2am on Fri and Sat nights.

•             But after midnight music must be in enclosed spaces.

•             And in the first year of this proposed licence ie in 2026 Gem will close all music at 1am.

•             Late-night refreshment (hot food and drink) to 5am.

Hankerton PC will discuss this application and decide on any response on Wed 10 Dec at 6pm in the North Aisle. 

•             The meeting is open to anyone to attend.

If anyone wants to comment on this application, please note the points below:

•             The PC needs to know what residents feel about this application – but Wilts Council are the decision-makers and if you have any views, for or against, you should send them to Wilts Council (publicprotectionnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk), copied to Hankerton PC (clerk@hankerton-pc.gov.uk).

•             To see the complete licence application, and full detail on how to object (you must follow these guidelines for any objections (known as ‘representations’) to be accepted), see this webpage: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/licences-permits-new-premises-applications

•             This page offers a proforma for representations  – you can use this if you prefer, but you don’t have to, you can just write an email (or a letter).

•             Anything you may send – please copy to Hankerton PC.