Hi, Simon here, for those who don’t know me I live on Follyfield and manage the village website.
I originally offered to build the new site and look after it for 2 years. That was over 12 years ago – another IT project with a significant overrun !

Anyway…

Over the last couple of years I’ve noticed that I get informed about fewer and fewer events around the village because people tend to use the WhatsApp group and DIY it !

Which kind of suggests that now might be a good time to have a bit of a rethink about what we have ? Perhaps the time has come to “park” the website and use Facebook and WhatsApp instead ? (there is a Facebook Group already, it’s just never been used). That would allow even more DIY ?

The only thing to bear in mind is that both WhatsApp and Facebook tend to be rolling streams of information. It’s difficult to pin static pages that can be used for reference (eg. Bin collections, local businesses, image galleries, Grapevine back issues, etc.) as the posts become old and soon disappear from the first page.

So what do people think ?

Let me know and I’ll collate the responses and let everyone know what I find. Either drop a note below or mail me at : simon.kearsley@symmetry.co.uk

From : Peter Wyman

It was recently learnt that in 2024 Bunny Lees-Smith became an Honorary Member of the Royal Air Force Flight Engineer & Air Engineer Association. The attached link covers that event and includes a number of very interesting photographs.

Just in case anyone missed this….

From : Philip Carter

This Sunday, 7^th September, as part of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way (APW) there will be a walk from Crudwell Church to Hankerton Church, leaving Crudwell at 2.30, after gathering from 2pm. It will be mostly across the fields, finishing with cream tea in our church at 4pm and a short evening service.

There are 2 routes, a shorter one joining the Hankerton road by the Murcott roadsign and a longer one via Eastcourt. Everybody welcome.

Philip

From : Philip Carter

More pictures on the website “Galleries” page <here>

We had wonderful weather for our annual gathering on Bank Holiday Monday. Actually, it was too hot (max 28) for some people, who sensibly went into the church, which was pleasantly cool. There they had some delicious cream tea with scones and strawberry jam. This was organised by Valerie Durnford and run very efficiently by Heather Goodwin and Lorraine McCallum. Alternatively, you could have tea outside in the churchyard, where there were lots of tents, gazebos, benches and a big new marquee.

There was a great tombola, run very smoothly by Mary O’Brien and Rachel Hull. They also organised “Name the rabbit”. Nearby, there was a silent auction for 4 quality new soft toys. In the top corner of the churchyard in the shade, were Steve and Linda Davies, running their excellent “Plants and Produce” stall. Next to them was a new event, the Hankerton Hound Show, organised by Jacqui Erskine-Crum. There were 3 categories…., Golden Oldie won by Zephyr with Elfin, Waggiest Tail won by Lola with Coco and Most like Owner won by Edie with Bobbin.The judge was Steve Davies, who did it perfectly with good humour and there were lots of rosettes.

Near the big marquee was a long row of brightly coloured socks with different items hidden inside, organised by Sarah Wyman for the young. There was also a table tennis table, kindly lent by John Thorne and a Bouncy Castle in the Carter’s garden. By their gate were Valerie Durnford and Rev Bob Molton, managing very well the hot dogs on the BBQ and soft drinks, under the hawthorn tree. Georgina Carter went round with ice creams for the young (under 80!).

In the “ridge and furrow” field next to the churchyard we had the Welly Wanging competition, run by Douglas Johnston. It was won for the second year running by James Tjolle, who threw it over 30 metres. Amazing. Also, in the field was Sarah Wyman, sending rockets up to the sky. Lastly, in the big field, there was a Tug of War competition, which was a lot of fun and one team won 2-1, partly because they were going slightly downhill twice, having changed ends, after their first win.

Thank you to all who helped in any way, setting up, running a stall or spending a bit of money. The proceeds will be shared between the church and the community account. Philip Carter, FFD2025

From : Philip Carter

Family Fun Day on Monday 25th, 2-4pm, including Hankerton Hounds Show at 2.30, around the church.
Weather forecast is warm, so please bring your gazebo.

From : Michael Bromley Gardner

Short-notice closure of Cloatley road – notice just received

Cloatley Road will be closed for urgent Wessex Water service repair works and other associated works on Tue 26 Aug for up to 3 days.  This is down at the eastern end of the road – outside Cherry Tree Cottage. 

See this link https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1142/c92-part-hankerton_145203621_3970865_8fa06cabc2.pdf

Ed. I couldn’t get that link to work but this link shows the works on the map :
https://one.network/?GB144994549

From : Steve Davies (stephendavies210@hotmail.com)

Hankerton Family Fun Day.
Monday 25^th August 2025.

Linda and I have agreed to run the “Plants and Produce” stall at the above again.

Please could we ask for residents to kindly donate, so that we have plenty to sell.

As well as surplus produce from the garden, indoor and outdoor plants would be gratefully received, as well as home produce such as preserves, cakes and biscuits.

If you are able to help, could you bring the items to our house over the preceding weekend, 

i.e. Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24^th August, or bring to the event on the day.

Many thanks,
Steve and Linda Davies
33, Follyfield.

From : Philip Carter (philipjacarter@hotmail.co.uk)