Update from Sara - Their guest was just passing through it seems and has taken himself off to pastures new.

Fraud Alert

Ann Seymour writes: Check that you are receiving your post. There have been at least 2 cases recently where someone has attempted to set up “Mail Collection” with the Royal Mail local Sorting Office in Calne. This allows an individual to collect post rather than have it delivered. It required 2 pieces of identification from the usual list of A and B documents. In one recent case a building society book was presented along with a photo-card driving license. Both of these were counterfeit documents. If you are concerned you should contact the Sorting Office and Action Fraud, the UK’s new national fraud and internet crime reporting centre.
www.actionfraud.police.uk Tel: 03001232050

A Special Little Boy

Mason Haley is a very special little boy who lives at Briar Leaze. His parents must be so thrilled that he has been given a trike to help his mobility and so deeply grateful that the charity which Jemima Prees’s family set up in memory of their ten year old daughter, who sadly died in a skiing accident only a few weeks ago, have found it in their grieving hearts to give Mason this specialised tricycle.
In gratitude for all the specialised care Mason received when he was born and looked after for the first months of his life, his parents continue to raise money for the special baby care unit at the Great Western Hospital.

Congratulations to Jenny Brook who took part in the Devizes Open Door - Sleepout 2013 on Friday 1st March. Just a few miles away there are people sleeping rough in weeds and church porches, people who find themselves isolated with no friends or family and others who do not have the means to feed themselves adequately. For many, the meals and fellowship offered by Open Door will be the only hot food they eat and the only companionship they experience.

Jenny herself raised £290 by sleeping out on a freezing cold night with fifteen others ranging in age from 14 to 75, well done all of them.

The Villages Magazine

Once again we offer our sincere congratulations to Paul and the sub-editors of The Villages Magazine for putting together an award winning parish magazine. For the second year in a row, The Villages has come in the top ten parish magazines in the Country. It's a huge achievement and testiment to all the work that goes into it.

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.

Lest We Forget

Across our world a silence fell....

As the Armistice Day fell this year on a Sunday, at war memorials across the world, people gathered to remember the fallen. With those able to remember even the second world war now becoming fewer in number, the significance of the event is losing none of its poignancy as time marches on. Our own war memorial, here in Compton Bassett was the scene of our own service of remembrance. This was conducted

this year by Mrs. Pam Evans and was very well attended. The congregation processed from the Church to the War Memorial at which Alan Lewis read the names of those who gave their lives in the two wars which was followed by the two minutes silence, though the rooks in the wood behind us were very talkative and some of them appeared to be sitting on their nests?

With more recent conflicts adding to the toll of brave souls lost in conflict, today has given us all a reason to look back and reflect upon what we can enjoy because of their sacrifices. Our village, though small in number, was not unaffected by both world wars. Today our world fell silent for a short time. As, when their moment came on a muddy battlefield far from the village of their infant nurture, did theirs. Forever.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Further Accolades for the White Horse

The White Horse Inn, having recently re-opened from it's temporary closure for further renovation work, is proudly announcing several accolades and recognition for the quality of the facilities and service they are offering.

The Dogs Dinner

Hounds for Heroes is a charity which raises funds to provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women of both the UK Armed Forces and Civilian Emergency Services.

As a fund raising initiative the 14/15th September was designated as ‘Dogs dinner weekend’

In Compton Bassett 23 people supported the event by coming to a supper hosted by Caroline Ransom and Judy Izatt.

We had a three course supper which was greatly enhanced by Marian Coward’s delicious vegetarian quiche, Stephanie Milburn’s scrumptious trifle and, as a complete surprise for Michael Ransom, a magnificent ‘doggie’ birthday cake. Luckily for all he was happy to share. We had a dog quiz (e.g. contrary to popular belief dogs do not sweat by salivating, they sweat through
what?*), guess the dog silhouette and how many dog biscuits in the jar, all of which produced much debate and laughter.

A great fun evening raised £380 for Hounds for Heroes. Satisfaction all round!

Spotlight Compton Bassett

The Benson Memorial Hall was the venue for this event intended to give a forum for those who run businesses, cottage industries, clubs & societies, or just have an interest they wish to show off.

There were cakes, jams and chutneys from folks within the village and simple taster dishes from The White Horse. There was art and photography from our local talent and a fascinating displayon the history and archives of the village.

With over sixty guests coming through the doors and a large contingent of exhibitors, there would have been over half the residents of Compton Bassett in the hall that afternoon!

Over the coming months we will be doing our level best to bring some of the history and interest displayed at the Benson Hall to you on the pages of this site.
Please visit our Spotlight section for all the details

Robbie Williams and Ayda Field are now three!

Compton Bassett resident Robbie Williams and his Turkish American wife Ayda Field have proudly announced yesterday on Twitter, the birth of their new baby daughter. They have named her Theodora Rose Williams.

On his blog he added: "Praise be, it's Theodora Rose Williams, affectionately known as Teddy... Born 3.33pm on 18.9.12, 7lbs 4oz."

"Baby, Mummy and Daddy are all rockin...Thank you for your best wishes."

His Take That friend Gary Barlow tweeted a message to the couple: "Massive congrats Rob and Ayda. So happy for you."

In interviews Robbie had previously said that they had always planned to use a traditional style of name for their daughter, "No mad celebrity baby name. It's not Appleesque. It's a very solid, old-school name." He has made it known that they wanted their daughter to have a British passport and be eductaed here in England to give her traditional English sensibilities.

The people of Compton Bassett wish the new family every happiness for the future.

Watch his recent interview on the BBC from a few days before the birth where he talks about his impending fatherhood.

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.