Diamond Jubilee Celebrations across the Wilton Community Area – 2nd to 5th June 2012

Many of the villages & communities around the Wilton Community Area will be celebrating or marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in some way over the extended bank holiday weekend on 2, 3, 4 & 5 June, with the help of funding from South West Wiltshire Area Board’s Diamond Jubilee & Olympic Torch fund. Plus a huge amount of organisation from local volunteers, as the enormous variety of entertainments & events thoughout our Community Area show.   

The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 & her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. Her Silver Jubilee (25 years) was celebrated in 1977 & her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002. This celebration of 60 years of the Queen’s reign is only the second in the history of Great Britain; the first Diamond Jubilee celebration being during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1897. As the Dinton Village website says: “It is most unlikely that anyone will ever celebrate more than one Diamond Jubilee in their lifetime.”

There are various official events in the UK which the Queen will be attending over the bank holiday weekend, including a Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 3 June, when up to a thousand boats will muster on the river as The Queen prepares to lead one of the largest flotillas ever seen on the River Thames. On Monday 4 June, thousands of beacons will be lit around the world to commemorate The Queen’s 60 year reign over the UK & as head of the Commonwealth . More information here & on the official Diamond Jubilee website. 

Closer to home, local communities will be celebrating in various ways across the Wilton Community Area:

Wilton – There are many events planned over the long bank holiday from Saturday 2nd to Tuesday 5th June. Including a flower festival, variety show, ‘Last night at the proms’ concert & finally, on Tuesday 5^th June, a massive street party in the Market Square. 1000 metres of Union Jack flags will be decorating Wilton & children in Wilton will receive a commemorative medallion.  Full details are in this Summer Celebrations in Wilton leaflet, which also gives information about the Wilton Community Carnival on Saturday 7^th July & the Olympic Torch on Thursday 12^th July.                                                                          Update: Organiser Gary Nunn, has advised: “We are lighting the Christmas Tree after all on Monday 4^th June at 10.30pm!” There’s also this detailed timetable for the Jubilee Street Party in Wilton’s Market Square on Tuesday 5th June. Bunting & AA signs will be going up next week…….

Dinton – On Saturday 2^nd June there will be a family dance & buffet at the village hall, with a live band & children’s entertainer. Then on Sunday 3^rd June, various activities & lunch on the Rec’, including a children’s treasure hunt & fancy dress competition. Full details via this link: Dinton Celebrates the Diamond Jubilee 2012. Dinton have produced celebratory mugs which Dinton children of 12 and under will receive as a gift. (Otherwise the mug is £7.50.)

Alvediston – The Parish Clerk has advised that there is nothing official planned as Alvediston is a very small village.

Stratford Tony – Is described as ‘a very small enclave’, but the Parish Clerk, Desmond Adeley, advises: “On the 24th May we are having a visit by the President of the Churches Conservation Trust, Lloyd Grossman, who will be visiting Stratford Tony Church at 10.00 am, with refreshments at Cawden Cottage afterwards. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Then on Saturday 26th May we are having a concert at 3.00 pm by local musician Mr Tim Madden in the church. The concert will feature Irish Folk, Blues, Americana Style, with a touch of Jazz.  There will be a retiring collection to be shared between The Alzheimers Society and the Churches Conservation Trust. Again all are welcome.”  I understand Stratford Tony is also involved in part of neighbouring Coombe Bissett’s celebrations.

Bowerchalke - Full details of Bowerchalke’s programme of Jubilee celebrations are here.   I’ve also been advised by Clare that: “Our Big Lunch will be held in Knowle Farm barn on the Sunday – the second page gives information on the programme.  In addition to the lunch and its programme of entertainments, presentation of Jubilee mugs etc, we are organising a service of celebration in the village hall at 10.30 on the Sunday morning – this will be led by the Revd Kate Rosslyn Smith. On the Monday evening a beacon bonfire will be lit on Marleycombe Hill.  We hope that this will be preceded by a bring-your-own picnic, games etc on the village cricket field, but because this is weather-dependent we will confirm the programme at the lunch on Sunday when we know the forecast for Monday.”

Bishopstone - Mike Ash, Bishopstone’s Parish Clerk writes: “The main celebration in Bishopstone is our “Party in the Park” on the recreation field in the village on Saturday 2nd June 5.00pm – 11.30pm.  There will be live music from the Party Animalz, a hog roast, disco, inflatable assault course, sumo wrestling, licensed bar, Pimms tent and fireworks.  Entry is free. Street parties have been arranged for Sunday and Monday in Flamstone Street, Croucheston and The Croft. We also have a Village Photographs project.  A team of photographers will be taking a picture of every house in the village with its occupants over the bank holiday weekend.  These will be added to the already extensive village photo archive and be the subject of an exhibition in the autumn.”

Quidhampton – There’s a lot going on in Quidhampton & full details are in the May 2012 Quidhampton Village newsletter. Clare Churchill, Parish Clerk, sums up: “On Saturday 2nd June there will be a street party in Lower Road, the road will be closed from 12 noon till 6pm. All houses are eligible to enter the Best Decorated House competition. After a traditional tea there will be a village photo taken and during the afternoon there will be quizzes, games, competitions including a photography competition and a magician. After the Street Party there will be a hog roast and family disco in the village marquee. The Parish Council have purchased mugs for all the children in the village. On Monday 4th there will be a Jubilee Dance on the White Horse Lawn – tickets available from the White Horse.”

Teffont – On Monday 4th June, Teffont has lots of activities planned throughout the day, including a scavenger hunt & picnic, culminating in an evening street party outside the Village Hall. More details on the Teffont Village website. Commemorative Teffont Jubilee mugs will be given free to each child 16 and under. (Additional mugs will be for sale to those over 16.)  

Burcombe – The celebrations in Burcombe are being held on Monday 4th June. Parish Clerk, Clare Churchill, advises: “If fine this will be held in the grounds of Burcombe Manor by kind permission of Mr and Mrs N Combes. Mugs will be given to the children and there will be various things happening during the afternoon.” WilCAP member & Parish Councillor, Nigel Lefroy, adds that it will start with a BBQ lunch on the lawn of Burcombe Manor & be followed by a tea party. ”Fun and Games for all” are promised!! Full details are apparently on a colour poster behind the door in the butcher’s shop in Burcombe……

Broad Chalke: Will be having a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Street Party on Sunday 3rd June. The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will be screened afterwards at the Village Hall. On Monday 4th June, The Beacon will be lit at 10.15 pm at the Trig Point at the Top of Howgare Road. More information here.

South Newton: Are holding a Service of Celebration on Sunday 3^rd June at St Andrew’s Church at 6pm. There will be drinks & a toast to The Queen afterwards. I hear there will also be a Fete & BBQ, which Jimmy, WilCAP member & Parish Councillor, will update on.

There will also be celebration events at Lacock Abbey (National Trust), Old Wardour Castle near Tisbury (English Heritage) & a free, family fun day at Hudson’s Field in Salisbury – a summary of all three is here.

Thank you to everyone who has provided information so far. I’ll post the details of celebrations in other communities around the Wilton Community Area as I receive them. Wishing everyone a fantastic time celebrating.

Update from South West Wiltshire Area Board; next meeting 13 June 2012

The South West Wiltshire Area Board has just issued the latest edition of their newsletter, Just a Minute, which contains news & updates from our area. Plus a date for your diary: the next Area Board meeting will be on Wednesday 13^th June 2012, starting at 7pm in Bishopstone’s Village Hall – more details in the newsletter above.

Our Community Area Manager, Stephen Harris, has also flagged up a funding opportunity from Sowing Seeds, who include the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the areas they cover:

Sowing Seeds has successfully retained a significant proportion of its original budget allocation after the results of a review carried out by Defra were announced recently…. There is still nearly £0.5M of funds available and means that Sowing SEEDS is once again able to help support and endorse new project applications. For more information, or to see if your project ideas may be eligible for funding please contact: Sarah Dyke-Bracher – Programme Manager on 07826 907361.  Alternatively you can also contact Julian Head (01225 713421 or julian.head@wiltshire.gov.uk) at Wiltshire Council for further advice. For more information access the Sowing Seeds website.

Grants, Funding & Information – Various opportunities from May 2012

GROW are running a cluster event for all voluntary and community groups based in the Salisbury area. Cluster events are designed to help groups to network.  If you require any of the following then this FREE event is for you!

Do you need volunteers?

Do you need information about working with people who have specific support needs?

Do you need funding but don’t know where to look?

Do you need new trustees or need to better support the trustees you already have?

Do you need training or help identifying training needs?

The event takes place on Thursday 14th June, 10am-12pm at St Michael’s Church Centre, Bemerton Heath, SP2 9LE. Spaces are starting to fill up so BOOK NOW – email sarah@growwiltshire.org.uk  or call 0845 034 5250 (local rates apply) Click here for more.

Path Improvement Grant Scheme (PIGS) 2012: PIGS is open for bids again! The scheme is run by the Rights of Way and Countryside Section at Wiltshire Council and the Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum. The scheme is aimed at helping local people to make innovative improvements to countryside access in their area. PIGS provides match funding and can be used to help lever in other funding sources. In 2012 around £60,000 will be available for community led projects. Click here for more. 

wfcap AGM 2012: Attended by over 60 people from the Voluntary and Community Sector, the conference focused on connecting communities. We used the day to launch a new initiative around cross-community-area working.  The CAPs had raised various projects with us that they had either started work on or felt would be a crucial issue that would benefit from a wider geographical approach.  The idea was to kick-start some thinking around these issues.  To find out more and access resources click here and scroll down.

Note – WilCAP attended the wfcap 2012 AGM & our three representatives, Trevor Long, Jimmy Green & myself, participated in the HealthWatch, Drought & Transport discussion groups. Big thanks to wfcap for organising the conference.

Heritage Lottery Fund: ‘All Our Stories’ will make available grants ranging from £3,000 – £10,000. From researching local historic landmarks, learning more about customs and traditions to delving into archives and finding out the origins of street and place names – this new programme will give everyone the chance to explore their heritage and share what they learn with others. Applications need to be submitted online by 31 July 2012 and applicants will receive a decision by October 2012. Click here for more.

 The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre is highly experienced at completing HLF applications and would be keen to support any organisation looking to access this funding. Please contact the History Centre on 01249 705500 or e-mail heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to discuss your idea.

There’s no such thing as the Dog Poo Fairy: Keep Britain Tidy’s research shows that dog fouling is a major concern to members of the public. There also appears to be a bigger problem that has arisen in that increasing amounts of bagged dog faeces are being left behind as people fail to dispose of their bags after cleaning up after their pets. Research has also found that 70% of local authorities have some sort of problem within their area. To tackle this problem, Keep Britain Tidy has launched a national dog fouling campaign to encourage irresponsible dog owners to clean up after their pets. For free posters and stickers and more info click here

Heating accounts for 47% of the UK’s energy demand and 49% of our emissions.  Buildings used by the whole community – schools, places of worship, leisure centres and hospitals, for example – often need constant heat during the day.  They also tend to rely on old-fashioned, inefficient fossil fuel boilers. Good Energy wants to help, and we’re currently on the lookout for community renewable heat projects to invest in as part of our on-going commitment to supporting people who want to take control of their own energy needs.

Small Grants Programme: This programme is for grants up £1,000 and gives priority to small organisations with an annual income of less than £15,000 per annum who are working in the rural areas, coastal and market towns. The main focus of the programme is on organisations supporting any ‘marginalised’ group including people with mental health issues, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, on low incomes or from BME communities. Small organisations for the purposes of this fund are considered to be those organisations with an annual income of less than £15,000. Click here for more.

In the last two years BT has provided free internet connections to more than 380 community groups, which have given more 6,900 new users the skills to get online. Applications for the awards should be made online before 5.30pm on Friday, September 7 at the website   Click here for more.

Do You Want To Reduce Rubbish In Wiltshire? On Saturday 26th May, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will be running a training day for Waste Prevention Volunteers, to be held in conjunction with Wiltshire Council.  The event is to be held in Calne from 9.45am – 3.30pm will be to encourage Wiltshire to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill by rethinking, reusing, recycling and composting. For further details click here or please contact Emma Croft, Waste Minimisation Officer at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Tel: 01380 736074 Email: emmac@wiltshirewildlife.org

The Community Foundation is one of the South West’s largest independent grant makers, helping local people find local solutions to local needs. The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon has partnered with Localgiving.com to provide local community groups with fundraising web pages, guides and training, in order to assist organisations to continue to make our communities a better place to live.

Localgiving.com is more than just a site for fundraising it is a tool for local voluntary groups to use to raise awareness of the great work that they are doing and the benefits they bring to their local community and for connecting donors with voluntary groups in their communities. The first year is free to the first 200 groups online in Wiltshire and a match fund will be available in September when groups on the site can double what they receive. To all those groups out there wanting to make that first steps to becoming sustainable please Click here or get in touch at localgiving@wscf.org.uk  or 01380 729284 and ask for Pav Bains.

Many thanks to Dawn Wilson from wfcap for the information.   

Changes to Area Board Grant Applications – 2012/13

Update from Stephen Harris, Community Area Manager (South West Wiltshire): “There have been some changes to the Community Area Grants system for 2012/13; for the first time small grants of up to £350 are available to any group for projects that are aimed at building a stronger community…. Standard grants are still available as before…. Awards will be made at each area board meeting as funds allow. The maximum award is £5,000 for which projects would need to have match-funding in place; however, for smaller applications up to £1,000 there is no match funding requirement. Please remember the application deadline is usually around 4 weeks before meetings.  We work closely with the Charities Information Bureau who can help you identify other suitable sources of funding for your projects.”

Please click on the links for more information about the Community Area Grants system  or the Charities Information Bureau. Please note that the next deadline for South West Wiltshire Area Board grant applications is Wednesday 16th May, for consideration at the next Area Board meeting on 13th June.

Chalke Valley History Festival 2012 – Tuesday 26th June to Sunday 1st July

The Chalke Valley History Festival is in its second year now & really getting into its stride. The festival is being held just outside Ebbesbourne Wake, one of the villages within the Wilton Community Area. As well as literary talks covering an amazing variety of topics & periods in history, there are also other activities to get involved in. Among the impressive line-up of speakers at the festival, there are many household names such as Sir Max Hastings, Amanda Vickery, Jeremy Paxman, Michael Morpurgo, Ian and Victoria Hislop, Tom Holland, Dan Snow and Michael Wood.

If you’re interested in history, this is an event you won’t want to miss: “The Chalke Valley History Festival is Britain’s biggest festival devoted entirely to history. This is our second Festival and we are much bigger this year with over fifty events and an extraordinary array of speakers. Joining us are some of this country’s most popular and influential historians who are shaping our understanding of the past and setting the context for understanding the future.”

Check out the Chalke Valley History Festival website for more information & to buy tickets.

Phasing out of DLA; Wiltshire CIL AGM – 26 June 2012

DLA (Disability Living Allowance) will be ending from April 2013 & Personal Independence Plan (PIP) Funding will replace it. Wiltshire CIL (Centre for Independent Living) have organised a specialist speaker from Disability Rights UK to talk about who will be eligible for PIP, how you can prepare for this change & other advice. The talk will be held in Devizes on 11^th June 2012 (travel costs can be claimed & help with travel arrangements is available). Please click here for more information.

Wiltshire CIL’s Annual General Meeting will held on 26^th June 2012, more details here.

Wiltshire Council Consultations – May 2012

Current consultations being run by Wiltshire Council include:

Salisbury Community Campus Five Rivers - your views on the creation of this & the types of facilities you wish to be included – (closes 11 May 2012)

Mobile Library Route Consultation – your views on the mobile schedule planned for your area from July 2012 (closes 11 May 2012)

Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Strategy Consultation  (closes 11 May 2012)

Review of polling districts and polling places within Wiltshire Council  (closes 25 May 2012)

Local recycling centres consultation (closes 28th May 2012)

Business perception survey - a survey of local businesses aimed at identifying issues currently faced by businesses across the county (closes 31 May 2012)

Strategic tenancy policy – this will provide the framework for the future delivery of new affordable homes and set out the broad objectives to be taken into consideration by local housing providers when developing their own individual tenancy policies (closes 29 June 2012)

Adult education consultation (closes 27 June 2012).

 

For full details of all the current consultations & to input your views, please visit the Consultation section of Wiltshire Council’s website.