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Got talent?

Do you sing, dance, play a musical instrument, recite poetry, gargle, gurgle, tell jokes, do impressions, juggle, jiggle, wiggle, wriggle or perform other feats of entertainment, then sign up for The Splash Got Talent Competition.

The final is on Sunday 19 September!

www.theartsfestival.co.uk

(Contributed by: Hilary Shearing)

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Get ready for Happening Day

The first Sunday of Bradford on Avon’s Arts Festival, HAPPENING DAY, is always a fun and different occasion for the whole BOA community.

2010 is no exception.

Be prepared for the unusual!

Water is this year’s theme, with loads of events alongside the River Avon.

Please wear BLUE and help us make a BRADFORD WAVE.

Visit www.theartsfestival.co.uk

Festival brochures from the TIC and BOA Library. Check out our display in the library foyer.

PS – You’ll see us in Sainsburys very soon!

(Contributed by: Hilary Shearing)

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Bradford on Avon Arts Festival September 2010

The BOA Arts Festival 2010 has attracted some top class practitioners for its workshop programme.

Robert Race, Kirsten Glasbrook along with Jemma and David Lewis are just some of the names to choose from,
all of whom are highly regarded world-wide and come from the local region. Jemma Lewis’s amazing marbling technique was recently snapped up by The Folio Society for the covers of their two volume edition of The History of British Birds, by Thomas Bewick. A fabulous piece of work.

BOA also has some very talented chefs living and working in town. So if delicious mouthfuls of choux pastry appeals to your tastebuds, then Sebastien Rouxel’s workshop is probably a must for you. Flower specialist Blooming Scrumptious have visual feasts of flower arranging for the home planned.

There’s a terrific selection of workshops to choose from (and with special offers available!) Places are limited though so if something grabs your interest, please try to book early to avoid disappointment.

Festival brochures from the TIC and BOA Library or check details on the website: www.theartsfestival.co.uk
BOA Arts Festival 17 – 26 September 2010

Download the August Newsletter here

(Contributed by: Hilary Shearing)

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Have your say on Wiltshire Community Plan

Wiltshire Council and the Wiltshire Assembly are currently developing the new Wiltshire Community Plan which will provide a framework for organisations and partnerships to work together to improve life in the county. The proposed plan and related information are now available to view at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/communityplan.htm.

The proposed plan includes 22 objectives – from utilising renewable energy, to improving educational attainment and adapting services for an older population. This is a consultation draft so this is your opportunity to have your say on the final version. You may do so by completing the survey accessible via the webpage, which should take no more than five minutes. The deadline for completion of this survey is Friday 20 August 2010.

(Contributed by: Liz Richardson, Wiltshire Assembly Manager)

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What’s in store for Bradford swimming pool?

Last week’s Wiltshire Times carried a report about closures of leisure services across the district.

It said:

“Towns across West Wiltshire have been told to take over the running of their sports centres or they will be closed as part of a massive leisure shake-up … The swimming pools at Westbury and Bradford on Avon will close if they cannot be transferred to the community by 2017.”

Another brief report followed up with some reaction from the Mayor and the town Swimming Club.

The newspaper reports were sparked by Wiltshire Council’s leisure review announcement, which says:

“Currently, the council would need to spend £93 million to maintain the existing 23 facilities over the next 15 years. This would not include any improvements or new facilities and, in the present financial climate, this amount of money on simply maintaining the facilities is not sustainable.”

It also says that the council wants to hear local people’s comments.

If you have a comment about the leisure review, you can make it by calling 0300 456 0100, or sending email to leisureconsultation@wiltshire.gov.uk

An independent petition has been set up for those who wish to express their support for the pool. Click here to sign it.

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Nominations open for Town Achievement Award

The Town Achievement Award has traditionally been presented to a resident of Bradford on Avon who has given outstanding service to the community during the previous year. This may have been either in a public or private capacity.

If you’d like to nominate someone for the award, download this nominations form and return it to the Town Council office by 16th August.

(Contributed by: Diane Holmes)

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Have your say on county parking policy

The consultion on the Local Transport Plan draft Parking Strategy is now available for viewing at consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal.

Wiltshire Council would welcome your comments on this document – there is the opportunity to respond to specific questions and make general comments at a number of points in the document. The consultation will run from 9am on Monday 12 July until 5pm on Friday 3 September.

(Contributed by: Diane Holmes)

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Local teacher, tutor and writer Anna Vaught has undertaken to write an original short story every day for three months.

This is in aid of the Bradford on Avon-based Elizabeth Ann Charity, which works to help villagers in Southern India. You can read Anna’s daily story and sponsor her to keep going.

Your money will go a long way! Anna has been writing since May and will continue until the end of August. Anna’s work, of which this is one strand, has so far raised over £500 and whatever she raises will be given to the school near Chennai when she teaches there in September. www.rainbowoverbengal.blogspot.com is where it’s all at and you can follow the link to the charity’s website.

(Contributed by: Anna Vaught)

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Mr Palmer’s Bears

Older residents may remember seeing a large assembly of concrete bears just inside the gate to No 14 Church Street – next to the Saxon Chapel.

These were all made by Mr Charles E Palmer, a Great West Railway Inspector, as a retirement hobby in the early 50s60s – at one time they numbered over 250! Fresh back from hospital (transplant surgery was required) are the few remaining bears now happily reunited in their original home.

If other strayed bears are lost and wish to return home they will be warmly welcomed. To find out more google “bradford on avon concrete bears” for a Pathe News archive film.

(Contributed by: Annette Seekings)

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Duncan Hames makes maiden speech

Newly elected Chippenham MP Duncan Hames made his maiden speech in the House of Commons last week (June 2nd).

In the speech, Mr Hames made reference to Bradford and put particular emphasis on improving local rail services. He said he intends to open a constituency office in Chippenham.

You can read the full text of his speech here.

To sign up for an email alert every time Mr Hames speaks in the House, click here.