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Wiltshire Council: Range of Active Communities activity packs to support people

April 18, 2020
in Latest news, Wiltshire Council
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A range of activity packs have been created by Wiltshire Council to support people during the current stay-at-home restrictions.

The packs are suitable for everyone but have been designed with specific audiences in mind  –  adults, older people, those with a disability, young people, and individuals who previously took part in Wiltshire Council swimming and gymnastics sessions. Each pack contains tailored ideas for people to get active, be creative, stay in contact and keep focussed, all from the comfort of their own home.

They are part of Wiltshire Council’s Active Communities online resources to support people during this difficult time. The resource page covers a variety of topics, including the various library services available online – rhyme times, story times, e-books/magazines, resources on getting creative through mediums like song, dance, art and literature and opportunities to explore Wiltshire’s history. The complete resources can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities.

A parent of a young person that regularly attends the Wiltshire Council Gymnastics School, said “The Gymnastics School is an important part of my daughter’s weekly routine, the activity pack  gives her the opportunity to stay active and have fun as well as learning new skills.

“Whilst the sessions aren’t running, this pack allows her to stay engaged with the programme, keep her skills current and she is also getting her important dose of daily exercise whilst staying at home!

“Great work and a big thank you to Wiltshire Council for putting the activity pack together.”

Walking footballer Tony Norton said “In these unprecedented times this is a fantastic pack put together by the Wiltshire Council team. There is only so much decorating and gardening anyone can do!

“This pack brought us some light relief and taking part in challenges has sparked a bit of competitive fun between myself and my wife.”

Cllr Allison Bucknell, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: “ These activity packs are a brilliant initiative to make sure our residents stay active, entertained and connected during this period.

“Although theses packs target specific groups they are relevant and accessible to everybody, so I encourage as many people as possible to take a look at the packs and get involved.”

All the resources, as well as a host of other COVID-19 updates, guidance and support can also be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus

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  • Forgotten canal route through Melksham uncovered in new book 

The story of a former canal which ran through Melksham has been uncovered in a new online book.

The Lost Waterway of Melksham, by Peter Williams, traces the history of the Wilts & Berks Canal from Semington to Lacock.

It features unprecedented research, as well as previously unpublished photographs and documents.

The Wilts & Berks Canal opened in 1810, and for more than a century, narrowboats pulled by horses and donkeys carried stone, timber, salt, beer, flour, beans, oil and other items. At its peak in 1840, more than 55,000 tons of coal were brought through the Semington junction from the Somerset coalfields.

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.

Pictured: Author Peter Williams in front of the Clackers Brook culvert beneath the canal embankment at Hampshire Place.

Melksham Forest Lock, which lifted the canal on the way to Lacock, in the late 1800s. Melksham Wharf, circa 1900 (Historic photos courtesy of Melksham & District Historical Association)
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  • Safety measures to stop overtaking on busy Melksham road

Measures to prevent overtaking on the A365 Bath Road are being installed by Wiltshire Council following safety concerns about the risk of a serious collision.

Two raised traffic islands will be installed on the road, close to Melksham Oak Community School and to the east of the Hornchurch Road junction.

This follows residents’ complaints that drivers are using the hatched ghost island areas to pass turning traffic and driving onto the wrong side of the road.

To monitor the incidents and the need for safety measures, Wiltshire Council installed a covert camera last year, which recorded 79 overtaking manoeuvres at this location over a seven-day period.

Chair of Bowerhill Residents’ Action Group (BRAG) Mark Blackham said, “The issue is most prevalent when travelling east from Melksham towards Devizes. As drivers slow down to turn right into Hornchurch Road, some motorists, assuming they have already left the village, accelerate and attempt to overtake using the hatched area. When a driver begins to manoeuvre into the right-turn lane, these overtaking motorists often double-down, forcing themselves onto the wrong side of the road and into oncoming traffic. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.

Pictured: Mark Blackham (centre) with Cllr Nick Holder (right) and a representative from Wiltshire Council.
  • Holt podcaster shares inspirational tales in new book

A Holt-based podcaster has released a new book showcasing real-life stories of courage, purpose, resilience and reinvention from people across the UK and beyond.

Ben Veal, who hosts the Good Journeys Podcast, revisits some of the most powerful episodes in his new book, reshaping them into concise chapters designed to be read in 10 to 15 minutes, each ending with three actionable life lessons.

Titled Good Journeys, the book draws on four years of deeply personal podcast conversations.

Ben said, “The chapters are accessible and reflective, designed for readers navigating change, seeking clarity or reassessing their direction in life.”

Good Journeys shines a spotlight on many purpose-driven individuals from the South West, including Grace Farrimond, founder of Young Blooms florist and RHS Chelsea award winner; Robin Worrall, creative director of Rednine brand + design; Sarah Perrett, emotion code practitioner and founder of The Happiness Gap; and Esther Champion, founder of Bristol-based Myrtos Consultancy. 

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  • Safety concerns prompt primary school’s travel consultation

A local primary has launched a consultation to create a new travel plan following safety concerns for children and parents.

Shaw CE Primary School is consulting staff, governors, parents and residents of Shaw and Whitley after mounting concerns about the speed and volume of traffic on roads by the school.

Headteacher Amy Edwards said, “These dangers were highlighted recently when a car overturned on Corsham Road at about 4pm one afternoon.”

Following the consultation, the school is aiming to create a new travel plan and is calling for Wiltshire Council to reduce the current speed limit from George Ward Gardens to Shaw Church to 30mph and to impose a 20mph limit on Shaw Hill and Corsham Road. 

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Pictured: l-r Amy Edwards and school governor Sue Evans
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A team from a Bowerhill-based business picked up their paint brushes and donned their overalls to help local charity 4Youth revamp their premises. 

Employees from Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK spent the day decorating at the Canberra Centre on Spa Road to make the space feel fun and welcoming. They also donated paint, paintbrushes, rollers and decorations including pictures and cushions.

The company, which employs around 470 people at its headquarters in Westinghouse Way, has a charity committee that chooses local organisations to support throughout the year. The team chose to help 4Youth in recognition of its work supporting young people in the area.

4Youth (South West), previously known as Young Melksham, hosts a range of activities for young people. It also has separate counselling rooms for private one-to-one support through its TeenTalk service, as well as a sensory room. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • Boomerang relaunches Club Boom alongside new £30,000 Wakka Tag play attraction

Melksham soft play centre Boomerang is relaunching its popular children’s evening sessions alongside the introduction of an exciting new inter-active play feature.

Club Boom, aimed at children in school Years 4 to 6, will return from Friday 1st May and run weekly from 6pm to 8pm. The sessions offer a supervised environment where children can use the facilities with friends, providing what organisers describe as a safe and energetic evening activity.

To mark the relaunch, Boomerang is offering 100 free tickets for the opening night.

Alongside the return of Club Boom, the centre has also introduced Wakka Tag, a new £30,000 interactive game installed inside the main soft play frame. The system allows children to tap sensors, score points and compete against others as they move around the play structure.

“Wakka Tag is designed to bring something new to every visit - encouraging repeat play, friendly competition, and a completely different experience each time,” said Gary Cooke. “With prizes up for grabs and leaderboards to chase, it adds a modern twist to traditional soft play - and early reactions from children have already been hugely positive.” 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
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By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

A familiar face from the world of television has been appointed to be one of the King’s representatives in Swindon and Wiltshire. 

Flog It! presenter Paul Martin, who lives in Beanacre, is one of six local people appointed as a deputy lieutenant by the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton.

He will join a team of 35 deputy lieutenants, who help the Lord-Lieutenant fulfil their role as the King’s representative in the area, including standing in for them at events when requested.

Deputy lieutenants represent the Lieutenancy at civic, community, faith, business and military events, from openings and services to parades and award presentations.

Paul has lived in Wiltshire for 30 years, a resident of Marlborough, Seend and now Beanacre. His passion is art and antiques and he has been a BBC presenter for 25 years. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
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A new monthly Friday evening gathering is launching in the Market Place, inviting residents to enjoy entertainment from local performers.

Friday Night Live will launch on 29th May, organised by Melksham Town Council. The Market Place will be transformed into a hub with tables, chairs and local traders from 6pm.

The event is set to run on the last Friday of the month and will include entertainment from local performers, including live music, dancers, poets and speakers.

The event was proposed by Cllr Jennie Westbrook at the town council’s Community Development meeting in March. She said, “Bringing more free, accessible events to Melksham is something I have long been championing, so I’m absolutely thrilled to see Friday Night Live come to life. This initiative will bring a fresh buzz to our Market Place, transforming it into a lively and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
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Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £2 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.

Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation. All donations will be reinvested into producing local journalism for Melksham.

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