WHAT'S NEW
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Christmas and the New Year will now have dimmed into
a distant memory for the most of us as we now look
forward to the spring. Because of the mild weather, some
of us will have already seen the first daffodils showing
us their beautiful sunny yellow petals. However, there
is still time for us to experience some cold winter
weather and we should remain prepared.
Members of the Parish Council are working tirelessly
behind the scenes with Bloor Homes, WODC and OCC on a
number of projects to ensure that with the ongoing
building of Brize Meadow does not have an adverse effect
on our existing village; flooding prevention being one
of the main topics, and to ensure that the best outcome
possible is achieved to integrate Brize Meadow and its
residents into the existing village. There are some very
exciting things happening, more of which will be shared
with you later in this Newsletter and in the future.
February saw the first unique repatriation of British
Nationals being flown home into RAF Brize Norton from
the stricken Province of Wuhan, China, the epicentre of
the coronavirus outbreak. Our thoughts and prayers go
out to those individuals involved. |
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May is the month in which the Parish Council holds
its Annual Parish Meeting (please watch the website and
noticeboards for the date). Please come along and
support the meeting which is an opportunity for you to
hear not only from us, but representatives of OCC, WODC,
Thames Valley Police, RAF Brize Norton and the Primary
School. This meeting offers you the chance to ask
questions, make your own views known and hear what your
fellow parishioners are concerned about.
The Parish Council is still short of a Councillor. If you have some
spare time, this is a great opportunity to get involved
in the affairs of the local community and be part of
decision making committees, commenting on local planning
applications, helping with community projects and making
Brize Norton an even better place to live. If you are
interested, please contact Alison, our Clerk or speak to
any Councillor for more information. We would
particularly like to hear from you if you live on Brize
Meadow. |
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MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS
For all enquiries please contact The Parish
Clerk
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Chairman Wendy Way
Email:
w.way@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Tel: 01993 841016
Responsibilities: Neighbourhood Plan, Website |
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Vice Chairman Keith Glazier
Email:
k.glazier@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Responsibilities: Allotments, Village Maintenance,
Personnel, Water
Management & Flood Prevention, Bampton & District Flood
Prevention Group |
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Councillor Pip Squire
Email:
p.squire@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Tel: 01993 867666
Responsibilities: Bloor Homes, Finance & Banking, Legal
& Policies, Planning |
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Councillor Ben Campion
Email:
b.campion@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Tel: 07795 192812
Responsibilities: Bloor Homes, Finance & Banking |
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Councillor Les Goble
Email:
l.goble@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Tel: 01993 841016
Responsibilities: Bloor Homes, Highways, (inc. traffic &
footpaths),
Neighbourhood Plan, Personnel |
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Councillor Chris Woodward
Email:
c.woodward@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Tel: 07585 703295
Responsibilities: Elder Bank Hall, Property Maintenance,
Pavilion, Sports &
Social Club |
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Clerk Alison Riseley
Email: clerk@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Tel: 01993 846648
Responsibilities: Communications, Personnel, Finance &
Banking, Website ,
Newsletter & Social Media |
UPDATES
DOG WALKERS
It is that time of year when our local farmer requests that
during the months of March and April we keep our dogs on a lead
or keep them close to us when walking in his fields so that
ground nesting animals – Skylarks, Grey Partridge, Pheasants and
Leverets, do not have their nests disturbed or worse, destroyed.
Thank you.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank him for
repairing two stiles on the public rights of way that lead from
Chestnut Close to Lew and Curbridge.
I would like to thank all those responsible dog owners who
are clearing up after their dogs (some of whom are clearing up
other owner’s dog mess!) making the pavements and field
footpaths a more enjoyable and safer place to walk.
Unfortunately, there is still a minority of people who do not
act responsibly and fail to clear up after their dogs. Dog mess
is unpleasant for everyone and it’s a serious health risk as it
can cause toxocariasis which is a terrible disease for children
and young adults to catch. With our local farmer about to bring
his livestock out for grazing, it is worth remembering that it
is also dangerous for pregnant cattle.
| Could I please ask that all dog owners act
responsibly? |
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HEDGES AND WEEDS
Just a gentle reminder that pedestrians should have full
access to a footpath to safely walk along and not be hindered by
hedging or trees growing from residents’ properties too far over
the path. Also weeds that grow around boundary walls or fences
adjoining a footpath are the homeowners’ responsibility to
remove. There are no authorities who undertake this work, so it
is up to all of us to keep the footpaths tidy.
STREET LIGHTING
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I have been liaising with the ‘Street Lighting Team’
at OCC and they have now repaired or replaced five
streetlights in Station Road and Manor Road, so we have
a full set of working lights in our village.
However, if you discover a streetlight which is not
working, please report it to OCC through their ‘Fix My
Street’ web site or let our Parish Clerk know so we can
contact them. |
REPORTING ISSUES
If you find any problems with the footpaths, stiles or signs
then please let me know via the Parish Clerk (clerk@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk),
preferably with a picture of the issue, and I will speak to the
relevant landowner.
I look forward to meeting you should our ‘paths cross’.
Happy walking!
Les Goble (Footpath Warden)
Parish Council meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each
month. Meetings are held in the Brize Norton Sports and Social
Club, opposite the Elder Bank Hall.
The next meetings are:
Monday 2nd March 7:30pm
Monday 6th April 7:30pm
Monday 11th May 7:30pm Annual Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 19th May 7:30pm Annual Parish Meeting in the
Elder Bank Hall
Monday 1st June 7:30pm
If you wish to bring an item to the Council’s attention at a
meeting, please contact the Clerk at least one week prior to the
meeting in order for the Council to discuss the matter brought
before them.
Members of the public are welcome to attend council meetings.
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on the Recreation Ground
Book the date to join in some Disney fun to
support the village clubs and associations.
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I continue to be so proud of our little
school. The children are friendly, kind and helpful –
people always comme
nt on what a lovely atmosphere it is as they walk
around. The staff and children continue to work very
hard. As I write, the primary school league tables have
just come out and we are in the top 10% of Oxfordshire
schools: this is a credit to the children, the staff and
of course the parents who give us so much support. |
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We do our best to be a school that does that little
bit extra. Since Christmas alone, our children have done
swimming, Forest School, Young Voices (performing in an
arena in Birmingham as part of a choir of over 6000
children), entered Narnia in an interactive exhibition
in Dorchester Abbey, and had an amazing hands-on Science
experience at We the Curious in Bristol. There is plenty
more planned for the near future, including Cotswold
Wildlife Park, the Blenheim Palace public speaking
competition and another trip up Snowdon this summer.
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We are Curious, Bristol |
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Our biggest news is that we
are aiming to expand the school – just a little; we
don’t want to lose the family atmosphere we love – and
have five classes, with 20 children in each year group.
This will give us 21 more spaces and enough money to
allow us to break even financially. The expansion
depends on getting a new mobile classroom, for which we
are working to raise money. |
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As always I would like to take this
opportunity to thank everyone in the community who helps
our school be the special place it is. Thank you to the
Parish Council for allowing us to use the car park and
field, and for getting the traffic calming measures in
the village. Thank you to St Britius’ Church for making
us so welcome whenever we hold services in church. Thank
you to all the volunteers (parents, grandparents and
friends of the school) who come in to work with the
children, who work behind the scenes as governors and on
the School Association, and who come along to our fund
raising events. Interested volunteers and future parents
are always welcome to contact the school office. I look
forward to seeing you about the village soon. |
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Anna Fairhurst (Headteacher) |
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I am working on a second book following up on the
volume I prepared covering Brize Norton and WW1.
This work is concerned with our village during WW2.
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villagers who lived in the village in 1939 tying them
into records from the Brize Norton School Admissions
Register and a list of occupants around 1928. Given this
information I am trying to find those from the village
that might have served for their country during WW2.
Many thanks to the few who came forward following my
previous request, are there any others? Unlike WW1
there is a paucity of online sources available and
service records are lacking. |
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Can I make another plea for readers of this
newsletter to come forward with the names of people
who did serve in any capacity during the WW2.
Please contact me by email at
p.holmes@brizenorton.org,
via Facebook at Phil Holmes or phone (01993 843856).
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Obviously I would like to get as complete a
picture as possible. Chapters in the new book cover
those who died, who was eligible to serve, who may
have served and specific chapters on RAF Brize
Norton and Mary Ellis (nee Wilkins).
Any help or information about this period in the
history of Brize would be much appreciated.
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The Parish Council publish this newsletter, which should be
distributed around Brize Norton village at the beginning of
March, June, September and December. If you wish to submit an
entry the deadlines are the 15th May, 15th August and 15th
November.
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After the previous summers
drought the ground had recovered enough for early spring
planting although we hadn’t had a lot of rain over the
winter.
With some plots becoming vacant & some re-organising
we managed to accommodate 9 new "allotmenteers" to the
fold although some of them would now like larger plots.
Doubtless other plots will become available before next
spring. |
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Allotments are great for growing home
grown organic vegetables |
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We inspected the plots on 3 separate times over the
summer for the Best Kept Allotment Trophy
Brian Savage won with 12 points,
Bob Howell & Charles Morgan were joint 2nd with 11
points
Pat Thrift 4th on 10.5 points.
If you would like to take on an allotment please
contact the Clerk & get your name on the waiting list (
note: looking after an allotment isn’t as easy as it
looks on the TV)
Fred Bellenger
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NEWSLETTER CONTENT
We would love to hear from other students or members of the
community, to submit a written piece involving their interests
or recent experiences for the next copy of the newsletter.
Contact the
clerk@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk.
We are holding two open afternoons on Friday 5th & 19th
June from 1pm-2.30pm
These open afternoons are for any children/parents wishing to
join our preschool in September 2020. The open afternoons are a
great opportunity to meet the staff, have a look around our
setting and meet other children and parents who will be starting
at our preschool.
For more information please email brizenortonpreschool@hotmail.co.uk,
call 07769617696 or visit our website at
www.brizenortonpreschool.co.uk
A prospectus and waiting list application can be found on the
‘Registration’ page of our website
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While the dream of a new pavilion is still a little
way off, we are starting to prepare and plan for when
that day arrives. What type and size of building would
cater for the needs of the sports and social aspects of
the village?
With that in mind, plus offering a new prospective of
the S&SC, we are looking for people to join the BNS&SC
committee to help in developing the future of the club.
If you are interested please do contact me (details
below)
Thank you.
The S&SC has for some time been more focused on the
‘sport’ rather than the ‘social’ part of the club… but
with great help from Humble Bumble Café we are exploring
new possibilities for the social side! The Café has
become a ‘centre’ for the village, and we wish to
continue that theme in the evenings. Together we have
already held two successful Friday Evening events! |
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Future evenings are planned through the year –
evenings such as an Italian Al Fresco or Arabian Nights…
If you have any particular themed nights you would like
to see as part of a social evening then please speak to
Bev or myself.
While we wait for the new pavilion the existing one still needs our
attention! Our plan is to extend the outside patio
(paved area) to allow more events – during the summer -
to be outside. Would anyone like to donate patio/paving
slabs they might have laying around for this project? If
so could you please drop them off at the Pavilion –
thank you. |
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We are also very keen to support the Village Bash
again this year – Sunday July 5th. A Disney themed Bash
this year, so get creative and start planning your
Disney ‘Scarecrows’
More details will be forthcoming soon!!!!
Please contact – Tim Gush - tim@tcg-ad.com or 01993
846446 if you can assist in any of the above causes.
Thank you. |
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Do you follow us on Social Media? Keep
up-to-date through photos, history, information,
questions and events
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Join us @brizenortonvillage |
 @BrizeNorton
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| Since opening the doors at Humble Bumble
Cafe on the 24th August, with the support of the BNSSC,
Parish Council and of course our amazing community we
continue to go from strength to strength!
In partnership with the BNSSC we hosted our very
first Christmas craft market! Despite the stormy weather
this proved to be a very successful event-showcasing
many talented local crafters and artists and was truly
fantastic to witness so many people visiting our
village! This also raised money for the village Bash and
further outdoor renovations to the club.
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A sign directing people to the
Christmas Market |
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We have had the pleasure of creating a bistro night for
the open gardens hosts who work tirelessly to share
their wonderful gardens with us all each summer.
We continue to offer free tea and coffee post Sunday
church for the service users and PTA. Our weekly knit
and natter/craft group brings creativity and buzz to us
every Tuesday morning!
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| Stalls selling their
produce in the marquee between the Pavillion and the |Elderbank
Hall |
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February also saw our very first “Pop up themed supper
night” -yet further collaboration with the BNSSC.
Hopefully more of these to come!
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Decorated tables ready |
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Mexican themed night |
with 'condiments' of the chef |
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Moving forward we are excited to be
involved with both the VE Day celebrations and the Big
Bash.
Thank-you for your continued support, kindness,
gifts, ideas and recipes from all of us at Humble Bumble
headquarters.
Bee Happy
Bev Campion |
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WHAT'S ON?
ST BRITIUS
Weekly Wednesday Fellowship 12:30pm to
1:30pm There is soup, cheese, doughnuts and a warm welcome.
Contact Ben Campion 358690 for more information.
Sunday St. Britius’ Church services 9:15am
Wednesday evening Holy Communion service at 7:00pm
Mondays and Wednesdays 8.30am– 8:45am Morning prayers.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00pm. Evening prayers
We meet every Thursday evening in the Elder
Bank Hall from 7.30pm-9.30pm. We dance ballroom,
Latin and sequence dances to CDs. We have tea
and biscuits in the interval. For more
information please ring Joy on 842373.
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Brize Norton Brownie's meet at Elder Bank Hall on Mondays at
6:00 until 7:30. We are a small, friendly group looking for new
members.
If you are a 7 to 10 year old girl who would enjoy playing
games, crafts, sports and acting while learning team building
and leadership skills. The girls have a big input to what we do
so come along and vote for your favourite activities to do.
Contact Barbie Thorne 842013 or register on the Guiding website
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk.
Hope to see you soon,
March 10th is our Annual General Meeting and officially kicks
off the 2020 programme with an interesting mix of fun,
interesting and educational speakers.
We extend an open invitation to the ladies of Brize Norton to
join us in the Elder Bank Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
at 7:30 p.m. We look forward to welcoming anyone who is
interested to find out more about this worthwhile historical
organisation. Come along to learn how the BN WI supports the
many community initiatives of Brize Norton, namely the – Annual
Village Bash (Primary School fundraiser), Horticultural Show,
Open Gardens Day, St. Britius Shrove Tuesday Pancake evening, BN
Parish Council AGM, , St. Britius Remembrance Service and
Christmas Carol Service and the BN Village Christmas Market.
To learn more about the WI organisation log onto - https://www.thewi.org.uk/about-us/wi-key-messages
– or - call Shelagh Chatterton, President at Tel: 01993-843136.
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Monday 7:45 Elder Bank Hall, & Wednesday 8:00
Brize Norton School,
Both toning, conditioning and circuits sessions
are for any ability with a no pressure atmosphere,
£5 per session.
Contact Tom Wattleworth on 07892945060 or TW-FITNESS
on Facebook
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Friday 6th March 2020, 7pm at Carterton Methodist
Church. All are welcome to attend this ecumenical
service that has been written this year by the
Christian women of Zimbawbwe. Entitled “Rise! Take
your mat and walk” this is a moving and enjoyable
event. Refreshments are served after.
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By the time you receive this newsletter we will
probably have hosted our fundraising pancake supper on
Shrove Tuesday. We are grateful once again to the
headmistress for letting us use the school hall
facilities.
As it is the start of Lent we are repeating the
‘Smartie Tube’ fundraiser. Please take a tube of
Smarties (on the table inside the church), eat the
contents (or store them in another container until
Easter Day) then fill the tube with coins - 20p and £1
coins fit well - donating money saved from your Lenten
abstinence. Return the tube of
donation to us at Easter.
Also, at this time of the year, we say thank you to
everyone who has renewed their membership of the Friends
and supported us over the last year. If you are not
already a member please consider joining – we ask for a
minimum donation of £10 and you will receive a
newsletter to keep you up to date with our future
projects. For more details of all fundraisers please
contact Phil - 843856 or Carolyn - 844102. |
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In 2020 we are looking forward to welcoming the friends and
family of Aaron and Christine and Kieran and Amanda as they
celebrate their marriages at the church. Our updated marriage
guide can be found on the website. If you would like to plan
your special ceremony at St Britius please contact Rev Ian
Howard (07867784693 or e-mail ian.barry.howard@gmail.com).We
also have a number of baptisms booked. Please contact Lay
Minister Lyndsay Baker (e-mail lyndsey.baker@btinternet.com) if
you would like to arrange this ceremony.
On Monday 27th April we will be welcoming Bishop Colin as
he officiates at the licensing service for our Team Vicar
Designate Rev Ian Howard. Everyone is welcome to join us for the
service at 7.30pm at St Britius and then afterwards for
refreshments in the school hall.
To join with the national commemoration of VE and
VJ Day we are looking to hold a concert event on
Friday 8th May. Please look out for further details.
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We welcome you to join us for the following events and special
services:
Mothering Sunday Service is Sunday 22nd March, come to
collect a posy.
Our Celebration of Easter starts on Palm Sunday 5th April
with the 9.15am family friendly, all-age service and then
continues as follows:
Maundy Thursday 9th April Holy Communion at 7.30pm
Good Friday 10th April Tenebrae service of reflection
and prayer at 4pm
Easter Day 12th April Holy Communion at 9.15 am.
For further details of the church services or our other
regular activities refer to the notices on the church door or
log onto the website
www.bncommunity.org.
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month with a
speaker or an outing. We are a village group of 26 members.
Meetings are at 4 Squires Close at 2pm. We enjoy sandwiches, tea
and cakes, thanks to June, Connie, Benita and Diane.
We have recently enjoyed talks by Anne on flower arranging, a
sing-a-long with Cliff and Pat and a very enjoyable talk by Ben.
We had a lovely Christmas meal at The Trout at Lechlade. Do you
have an interesting job or hobby and be prepared to come along
and speak to our group? We would love to hear from you.
Our future programme is as follows:
Tues 3rd March Meal at The Chequers
Tues 17th March ‘Paris to Pigs’ a talk by Olive
Tues 7th April Visit to Hill Top Garden Centre
Tues 5th May Games and chat
Tues 19th May Cream Tea at the Humble Bumble
café
Tues 2nd June Coffee Morning
Tues 16th June to be confirmed
Tues 7th July Meal at The Chequers
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For more information, ring Joy on 842373 or look on the
village notice boards.
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Witney - We meet at the Windrush Leisure
Centre, Witney at 10am on Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays. We do two walks; one is 1-2 miles
long, the other 2-3 miles both ending up with a
cup of coffee! For more information ring Joy on
01993 842373.
Carterton - On Mondays, Thursdays and
Saturdays we meet outside the Town Hall,
Carterton at 10am. The walks are 1–2 miles long.
For more information contact Barbara Goudal on
01993 845923.
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OVER 60’S CLUB
COFFEE MORNING - TUESDAY 2ND JUNE
Everyone welcome - 10.30am
4 Squire’s Close
Bring and buy and raffle
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MARCH
Monday 2nd March 7:30pm
Tuesday 3rd March 2pm
Friday 6th March 7pm
Tuesday 10th March 7:30pm
Tuesday 17th March 2pm
Sunday 22nd March 9:15am |
Parish Council Meeting
(Over 60’s) Meal at the Chequers
Zimbabwean Evening, Carterton Methodist Church
(WI) AGM
(Over 60’s) Olive – ‘Paris to Pigs’
St Britius’ Church Mothering Sunday Service |
APRIL
Sunday 5th April 9:15am
Monday 6th April 7pm
Monday 6th April 7pm
Tuesday 7th April 2pm
Thursday 9th April 7:30pm
Friday 10th April 4pm
Sunday 12th April 9:15am
Monday 27th April 7:30pm |
St Britius’ Palm Sunday Service
Allotment Holders meeting
Parish Council Meeting
(Over 60’s) Hilltop Garden Centre
St Britius’ Maunday Thursday Holy Communion
St Britius’ Good Friday (Tenebrae) service
St Britius’ Easter Sunday Family Service
St Britius’ service to welcome Bishop Colin &
Licensing of our Team Vicar Designate Rev Ian
Howard |
MAY
Tuesday 5th May 7:30pm
Friday 8th May TBC
Monday 11th May 7:30pm
Tuesday 19th May 7:30pm
Tuesday 19th May 2pm |
(Over 60’s) Games and chat
St Britius’ concert for VE Day
Annual Parish Council Meeting
Annual Parish Meeting
(Over 60’s) Cream tea at Humble Bumble Café |
JUNE
Monday 1st June 7:30pm
Tuesday 2nd June 2pm
Friday 5th June 1-2:30pm
Tuesday 16th June 2pm
Friday 19th June 1-2:30pm |
Parish Council Meeting
(Over 60’s) Coffee Morning
BN Pre-school Open Afternoon
(Over 60’s) TBC
BN Pre-school Open Afternoon |
JULY
Sunday 5th July 2pm
Monday 6th July 7:30pm
Tuesday 7th July 2pm |
VILLAGE BASH –DISNEY THEME!
Parish Council Meeting
(Over 60’s) Meal at the Chequers |
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