Minister to decide whether Hills can stay at Lower Compton site

A bid from Hills Waste Solutions to keep its materials recovery facility at Lower Compton has been referred to the secretary of state for communities and local government.

The materials recovery facility near Calne is used to sort household waste and collect recyclable materials which are then shipped off elsewhere.

An application to extend and enhance the facility, as well as to make it permanent, was originally submitted in 2012 but a decision on this has not been made.

Full story in the Gazette and Herald

Welcome to the Village

We welcome a new family to the village with the new people moving into Dairy House. Kevin Parker, known as KP, and his partner Amanda Halling. Together with children Archie (16) and Scarlett (13).

KP is a management consultant and Amanda works in practice management for a large vets in Swindon. Their menagerie includes three dogs, (Sacha, Meg and Teazle), three cats, (Thoams, Otto and Cleo), three horses Bean (Shetland), Billy (big black former racehorse) and Feather (the other one). They would like to point out that they are not, contrary to rumour, goat farmers. We hope they find a happy home in our midst and wish them every happiness in their new home.

The Concert at The Manor

The concert given by Mary Pilcher-Clayton and Rowan Patterson on March 1 at The Manor House, Compton Bassett was a great success and much enjoyed by all.

We owe Mary and Rowan a great debt of gratitude for their generosity with both their time and talents. All the tickets were sold, and several people, who could not come, took the opportunity to contribute to the collection towards the provision of much needed facilities in the Church. It was all most generous and much appreciated. We are also extremely grateful to the kind generosity of the hosts, John and Sally Reis and all the kind volunteers who helped with the making of canapes and in so many other ways to enable the smooth running of the evening.

The event will have raised something in the region of £2,000. And a further promise of a very generous donation from some new friends who have recently moved to Hilmarton. If there is anybody in the Benefice who would like to contribute to this worthy cause they can still send a cheque to our treasurer, Malcolm Seymour, at White’s House, Compton Bassett SN11 8RE. Please make your cheque payable to: PCC Compton Bassett. It would be most gratefully received.

Mrs. Serena Henly

It has come as a deep shock to the whole village to hear of the sudden passing of Mrs. Serena Henly on Wednesday 19th March aged 84 years. Beloved wife of the late Bob, mother of Jasper and Richenda, grandmother to Kitty, Rollo and Charlie. A strong supporter of the church and of village life she will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time.

Her funeral will take place on 4th April, 2 p.m. at St. Swithin's Church under the care and guidance of our Rector, the Rev Philip Bromiley. Family flowers only please with donations if desired to ‘St Swithins Church’ or ‘The Wiltshire Air Ambulance’ c/o E.Wootten & Son 1 North Street, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0HQ Tel: 01249 812258 More...

Sheila Smith

Sheila Smith, widow of Les Smith, passed peacefully from this life at the age of 85, on 19th February 2014 at Goatacre Manor Care Centre, where she has lived for several years. She was much loved and will be sadly missed by her daughter Carol and her many family and friends. Her funeral service will take place on Tuesday 4th March at St Swithins church here in Compton Bassett at 1:00 pm.

It is asked that there are family flowers only but those wishing to mark her passing with a token of their rememberance for her are asked to send donations in her memory to 'Parkinsons UK' c/o the undertakers Wootten & Son in North Street Calne.

Reunited with her devoted husband Les, may she rest in peace. More....

Briar Leaze Pothole Fundraiser

There was a wonderful turn out for this fundraiser in aid of the pothole fund for Briar Leaze in the Benson Hall on Saturday night 25th January, with twelve teams of up to six people.

The road outside the Village Hall is unadopted, so it’s the Village Hall responsibility – it is planned to carry out the work after April when its drier and warmer, for the Tarmac to be laid properly – we may be back to ask for some manpower to help lay it.

Peter Alberry, who organised the event together with his team of willing helpers were pleased to be able to announce that the evening raised over £1200 towards the fund. Peter has asked for his thanks to be given to Steve & Judy Izatt; Dave & Marion Coward; Peter Barnett and his wife Nicky for their help on the night and to everyone for their generous raffle prize donations, particularly Robert & Sarah Buttle (Rare breed Pork dinner) and Libby Barnett (amazing cake).

A duplicate first prize was given to the lady who missed out in the raffle due to the organisers colour blindness – we thought it only fair.

And of course all congratulations to the winning team 'Apathy' for their impressive win for which they were presented with the Compton Bassett cup which is theirs to keep..... for now!

Compton Bassett Village Plan

Last Year Compton Bassett Parish Council (CBPC) initiated the preparation of a formal Village Plan following Wiltshire Council guidance. Around 100 questionnaires were issued to Compton Bassett households and over 50 responses were received.

A very well attended public meeting was held on 14 December 2013 at which the overall results were presented – the main points being that 77% of people in the village are over 50 and the main concerns were over potholes; broadband (particularly speed); traffic speed through the village; Hills’ proposed giant permanent MRF/WTS facility at Lower Compton; path/verge damage and better communication of Village issues and events. In general the majority liked the “whole” village – particularly its rural character and community spirit – and thought that the main aspects to be preserved were the White Horse, the Church; Benson Village Hall and the War Memorial. The full questionnaire results will be used to formulate a draft Village Plan over the next few weeks with the help of our recently appointed advisor from Wiltshire Council, followed by a further round of public consultation, independent scrutiny and approval which may even involve a referendum.

The CBPC did a pot hole survey last autumn and, as a result, some (but not all) of the worst potholes in the main road were filled in by Wiltshire Council. Since the Briar Leaze roads (and potholes) have not been adopted by Wiltshire Council, a series of fund raising events are being organised in the Benson Village Hall – all proceeds will go towards repairing the Briar Leaze potholes. In addition, two working groups have been set up to tackle the broadband and speeding issues with both BT/Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Council respectively and a team of Compton Bassett villagers have been active around the War Memorial.

Hills’ Lower Compton application is likely to be considered on 12th February 2014 at the earliest.

With the season of good will soon upon us our thoughts are turning to perhaps our families, or our friends, those with whom we enjoy our time.

Maybe we can cast the odd thought in a different direction, to those who may seem to many to have so much and yet have nothing. There are many, even within our own village, who may be facing a Christmas that is not how they would like it to be.

The New Non Emergency Number is now live in our area!

101 is the number to call when you want to contact your local police - when it’s less urgent than a 999 call. 101 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.