Photos of flooding 29/4/2012

During the heavy rain and subsequent flooding on 29th April 2012, Colin McEwen took the opportunity to drive around the village and photograph areas where it was apparent that drainage was inadequate and surface water had gathered, and culverts were close to overflowing.

These photos have now been geotagged and are available in either:

Note: Requires a Google / Picasa login.

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Agenda for the 2012 Annual Parish Meeting

Agenda – Annual Parish Meeting – 29.05.12 (Web)

Draft Minutes of the 2011 Annual Parish Meeting

Draft Minutes – Annual Parish Meeting – 24.05.11 (Web)

Police Meetings June 2012

Wiltshire Police

Swindon North Neighbourhood Policing Team – Rural North Beat

 CBM Marc Jackson and PCSO Juliet Evans

 We are your dedicated policing team who work with the community and partner agencies to address concerns raised by you.

POLICE MEETINGS – JUNE 2012

There have recently been several thefts of Lightning Conductors in the village, one from the School and the other from the Church. Both places had the copper cut from just over head height in secluded areas. There have also been reports of scrap metal being taken from gardens.

We would ask everyone to be vigilant and to keep any scrap metal or similar out of view. Please call if you see anyone or vehicles acting suspiciously. 101 for non emergencies, 999 for emergencies.

We would also like to add a note about cold callers. Last year several companies were touting for business in the Stratton area to block pave driveways, this is generally seasonal when the weather is better. Payment is asked for in cash. Within the rural area the off cuts are then fly tipped in fields and gateways along with other household rubbish. Please call 101 if you are approached for this or similar business. If you wish to have work done use reputable and established companies.

Every three months priorities are set based on what the local community tell us are their concerns. You can raise your concerns by attending one of the meetings listed below or by contacting us at anytime using the contact details provided.

Venue Date Time
South Marston Village Hall 09/06/2012 11.00am – 12.00am
Castle Eaton Village Hall 21/06/2012 10.00am – 11.00am
Blunsdon – By the Church 16/06/2012 10.00am – 11.00am
Hannington – Jolly Tar 12/06/2012 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Residents are welcome to come to any of the locations stated above. If you need to speak with one of the team before the dates above please contact us on the following email address:- swindonnorthnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk or via the Wiltshire police non-emergency phone number 101.

Remember in an emergency always dial 999.

To find out more about Wiltshire police visit their website:- www.wiltshire.police.uk – click on ‘policing in your area’.

SMAWL Update – May 2012

Good progress has been made on the Highworth Road site this year. We have built the foundations for the bridges and done lots of planting, including a Jubilee oak tree and hedging plants from the Woodland Trust, some wildflower seeds, and over 500 bluebell bulbs. At our last work day on May 12th, the sun shone and we made progress on clearing around the new plants and digging the beds ready for more wildflower seeds. We also had a wonderful donation of some native plants, including lots of foxgloves. Plans for the coming months include the completion and installation of the bridges, the siting of a memorial bench, further work on the pond, and more planting.

We hope to have a stall at the Village Fete on July 7th, where there will be displays about work done so far and future plans, and we will be running a competition to decide the name for the Highworth Road site. Come along and see us there!

The next working day is on Saturday 9th June, from 9:30am to 4:30pm with a break for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30pm. All volunteers are very welcome, for as little or asmuch time as you can spare. There is always a range of tasks from the fairly gentle to the more strenuous, so please do come along, either to help out or just to see how the site is progressing. You can enjoy the fresh air, good company, and learn about conservation at the same time.

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For further information, please call Barry on 826697 or Susan on 824957, or email barry@capital-planning.co.uk. You can also read more about the group on the village website, www.southmarston.org.uk.

 

Agenda for AGM and May Parish Council Meeting

AGM Agenda (For WEB) – 15.05.12

Agenda (For WEB) – 15.05.12

Roves Farm – The day after

Swindon Advertiser has now published a more detailed article including pictures regarding yesterdays fire at Rove’s Farm.

Roves Farm themselves have offered two further status updates via their Facebook page:

Following the fire on May 9th that has completely gutted our tearoom, toilets, reception barn and the seating/ pedal tractor room, we regret that we shall be unable to re-open for a few days!

Although these are early days, we very much hope to be able to open with ‘modest’ facilities within a month. All of our play areas (indoor and outside), the bale stack and animal pens remain unaffected so will be available, along with tractor rides, crafts and animal racing, as soon as we can organise reception, catering and toiletry facilities.

For those of you who are interested in knowing how the fire started, it began when the SSE fuses on the in-coming main overheated and set fire to the wood panel that they were mounted on. When we saw smoke coming from this area, we exstinguished the initial smouldering ourselves, using our own carbon dioxide extinguishers, and called SSE and the Fire Brigade. The Fire Brigade were here within minutes, but were unable to operate their water based systems until the electrical power could be turned off. Astonishingly, SSE took nearly 3 hours to arrive (having eventually sent a team from Melksham!) by which time the buildings had been destroyed.

They also have photos of the damage which has been done to the barns.

South Marston Summer Fete 2012

Major fire at Roves Farm – updated

Sheep and llama, Roves Farm, Sevenhampton Rove...

Roves Farm is a diversified, extensively farmed operation whose primary profit centre is leisure and recreation. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A major fire started today at Roves Farm around lunchtime. 8 Fire engines were in attendance at the height of the fire.

The Advertiser reported the news here.

The news was confirmed on Roves Farms facebook page:

I’m sorry to report that Roves Farm has been devastated by a major fire. Everyone and all animals are safe!
We will be closed for the foreseeable future.
We will keep you informed!

Update at 21:30

After such a difficult day, it has been so wonderful to read all of your lovely messages and support, so a big thank you to our amazing visitors :)  

We will do our upmost best to keep you all informed with our developments. Although major damage has been sustained to the Reception Barn, Pedal Tractor/ Craft Barn, Tearooms and Toilets, you will be pleased to know that the Animal Barn (including the Bale Stack, Giant Slide & Bouncy Castles), along with the Outside Play Area and New Picnic Barn have remained undamaged. 

It is going to take time to sort everything out, but do not worry Roves Farm will be back open as soon as possible! 
Thank you for all of your support, 
The Burr Family :)

Advertiser – Family pay tribute to a stalwart village worker

This is Wiltshire today ran an article about the recent death of Paul Mitchell, owner of Mitchy Motors.

THE family of a popular mechanic have paid tribute to him after he lost a battle with throat cancer.

Paul Mitchell, better known as Mitch, who owned Mitchy Motors, in Nightingale Lane, South Marston, was 48 when he died at his home last Monday surrounded by his family, including partner Lisa and their two children Alex, 14, and 21-year-old Jo. Read more of this post

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