Welcome back to the BUZZ Roundup – keeping you in touch with happenings in Keevil village come rain or shine.
First up, Paul Lenaerts would love to hear your thoughts regarding a possible Charity Day on Keevil Airfield in 2023. Paul writes: “It has been suggested that we (the village) should organise a charity fun day some time next year on the Airfield for villagers so we (and local charities) can get some benefit from the great resource on our doorstep. The Parish Council have indicated their general support, and we have had some (unofficial) encouraging discussions with the authorities concerned. The idea would be to have a daytime event using some or the whole of the tarmac perimeter track which is about 2.5 miles (4km) circumference. Free access would be via Crash Gate 3 at the end of Martins Road. Possible events could include cycling, running, wheel chair push etc. The first thing is to get some idea of the appetite for this so if you have any ideas regarding events, timing, charities and general organisation, please drop me an email or give me a call: Paul@lenaerts.co.uk, Landline 01380 870186, Mobile: 07855 887547”.
Coming up – the Christmas list!...
- It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! So let’s get started and celebrate with the WI as Keevil starts to light up, with mulled wine and mince pies at Pyatts Corner on Friday 2nd December at 6.30pm – also hot chocolate and marshmallows for children (and adults who would like one too);
- The annual CHURCH CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING is back on Saturday 3rd December in the village hall from 10am – 12noon: Coffee and mince pies, raffle and more, raising money for the church’s upkeep;
- Talking of St Leonard’s, don’t forget 4th December 3.30pm is the Family Christingle service at the Church;
- Stock up on your Christmas reading when the MOBILE LIBRARY returns on Monday 5th December outside Rose and Crown Cottages at Stocks Green, 10.35-10.55am;
- 1st TUESDAY CLUB will have a festive air about it on Tuesday 6th December, cuppas and cake 2.30-4pm in the village hall (Post Office also open);
- The Keevil WALKING GROUP has their last ramble of the year on Wednesday 7th December, with a good yomp from the Cross Keys in Rode (where we’ll be lunching) out to the pretty village of Lullington via Beckington, led by Sarah Dow – all deets on the page, do let Sarah know if you’re coming;
- The lights on the Christmas tree outside the village hall will be switched on at 5.30pm on Saturday 10th December, with singing of carols, and refreshments in the Hall afterwards;
- Keevil School have a busy week planned, so advance warning of extra parent traffic around the following:
- Monday 12th December 1pm – afternoon Nativity performance at the Church
- Tuesday 13th December 6pm – evening Nativity performance at the Church
- Wednesday 14th December 6pm – Christmas Concert at the Church
- Friday 16th December 9.15am – morning Christmas Service at the Church
- Get your Christmas jumper out it’s BREAKFAST IN CHURCH on Saturday 17th December at the later time of 9.30-11.30am. Hot bacon or sausage butties washed down with a cuppa, just turn up, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome, and remember, this isn’t a service, just a community enjoying each other’s company in our lovely church space;
- Our traditional CAROL SINGING AROUND THE VILLAGE is on Tuesday 20th December, meeting at 6pm outside the village hall. Do dress warm and bring a torch!
- And finally, the NEW YEARS EVE PARTY like no other! A BYO evening with music and dancing in the village hall… deets on the page folks 🙂
Parish Matters
Draft minutes of the last Parish Council meeting are available here; planning information here – most recent to note is Wiltshire Council decision on one of the two applications for various works at 30 Pyatts Corner: PL/2022/06829 has been Approved With Conditions (view or download plans and documents here,), however PL/2022/06831 has not yet been approved and is still awaiting WC decision.
And finally… a word from the team about the Rights of Way Map Packs…
The Rights of Way Map Pack is currently being delivered to all houses in the village – if one hasn’t dropped through your door yet, it will be very soon! It’s an initiative of the Rights of Way Advisory Group, a team of villagers that came together last year with the aim of improving accessibility around local footpaths in a way that works for both residents and the farmers whose land we all enjoy so much.
The maps show where our public footpaths radiate from the village centre, the course they follow and their related destinations or circuits, along with the gates, stiles and dog poo bins along the way. The group are acutely aware of the need to our support local farmers, who often suffer from walkers straying over arable and pasture land, away from designated paths.
It is hoped that the guidance will be useful to all village walkers, not just those with dogs. The group also appreciates that the majority of dog walkers are responsible and diligently clean up after their pets: it has been apparent, however, that some walkers are not always so attentive. Not cleaning up after dogs can cause farmers considerable distress, especially where grazing cattle are concerned, and as we live in a rural area with busy farms all around us, we want to do our best to help the farmers in any way we can.
The group are also working on an idea to display the maps on notice boards so casual walkers will also have no excuse for wandering aimlessly through fields rather than staying on the footpaths. Since the spring, members of the group have travelled many of the footpaths, reporting the state of stiles, attaching ‘Public Footpath’ pointers and arranging new stiles to replace damaged ones. They are working on getting finger pointer signs made and sited.
These things will take time. Meanwhile, most people at some point like to take a stroll around our lovely countryside, even if it’s only the odd occasion in the summer, so maybe tuck the Map Pack away for just such a time. If you honestly feel you will never have need of the maps, then feel free to drop it back to 71a Martins Road, they can be used in Welcome packs for new residents. Equally, if you have any other ideas or would like to help the group, be assured your input will be warmly welcomed – contact the group via Geoff West.
That’s all for now folks – find us on Facebook for real-time discussions on Keevil Village, marketplace on For Sale, Free or Wanted in Keevil, or wander down memory lane on Keevil Memories… thank you for all your support, and if you have any news, pictures or stories to share, don’t hesitate to get in touch
Bob and Sarah #Christmasiscoming #StaySafe 🙂
KEEVIL VILLAGE 