QR CODES BRING HISTORY TO LIFE

A digital project is helping to bring history to life in YATE in Gloucestershire. Anyone with a smartphone or tablet can tap into the history of local people who lost their lives during the First World War, using Quick Response (QR) codes that have been installed on a stone wall by the lychgate at St Mary’s Church and at the Heritage Centre. When scanned, the codes provide a link to a wealth of information and personal stories about people named on memorials in the churchyard, including the Parnall and Commonwealth Grave Memorials.

MONOLITH MYSTERY

HAYDON WICK Parish Council in Wiltshire is trying to solve a mystery after its Parks and Open Spaces Team discovered a group of standing stones hidden under brambles and ivy while carrying out enhancement work on Purton Road. Residents on Facebook have dubbed the stones Haydon Henge, but they are not that ancient: the council estimates that they may have been put there around 20 years ago. It is now appealing to the public to help uncover the history behind the installation.

SKATEPARK PROJECT GETS OFF THE GROUND

WHITEPARISH Parish Council in Wiltshire formally opened a new skatepark facility at the village’s Memorial Ground in December 2018, led by the young design team and resident Sarah Skeates, who initiated the project. The village secured a grant of £50,000 from Sport England to fund the project, plus £27,500 from two local businesses. It also received a £5,000 grant from Wiltshire Council and £15,000 from developers under Section 106 planning agreements. To launch the facility, the council is organising a skate jam that will include competitions for all ages and abilities.

GRANT BOOSTS PLAY PROVISION FOR KIDS

Following a successful bid to Broxtowe Borough Council’s Pride in Parks Initiative, BRINSLEY Parish Council in Nottinghamshire was awarded a grant of £18,000 towards improving its recreational facilities, in particular its play area and timber children’s activity trail. The council has installed new tyre and basket swings and new safety surfacing and has repaired and improved existing surfaces and equipment. Many children and parents attended the opening event, which was followed by arts and crafts, a puppet show and refreshments in the parish hall.

Left to right: Cllr John Handley, Cllr Val Wakeling and mayor of Broxtowe Cllr Derek Burnet

LIVING MEMORIAL

On 7 December Cllr Lindsay Freeman, deputy mayor of SEAFORD in East Sussex, visited Annecy Catholic Primary School to plant a memorial elm tree as part of the Elms for Armistice Project, which honours those who died in WWI. In total, 104 trees are being planted around Seaford and Bishopstone to remember the dead. Cllr Freeman was joined by acting head teacher Paul Gallagher, Year 6 students and the Seaford Tree Wardens. She thanked the children for attending and explained how the trees would be there for many years to come.

CELEBRATING THE POWER OF LOVE

FROME in Somerset observed a unique Valentine’s Day custom on 14 February when its Valentine Lamp was lit by a lamp lighter dressed in period costume. The event has been celebrated for over 25 years, with the start signified by a single firework. There was mulled wine for adults to enjoy and fresh fruit for youngsters. The Valentine Lamp, at the top of Catherine Hill, is the only working gas lamp in the county and is dedicated to the memory of St Valentine. It has a renovated George V post box attached for love letters and cards.

BRIDLEWAY OPEN FOR BUSINESS

LADOCK Parish Council in Cornwall has recently created a new bridleway as a public amenity after purchasing a strip of land from a local farmer, using community benefit money raised from solar farms in the parish. The land is about 400 metres long and links two quiet lanes, which means that horse riders and walkers can now avoid a dangerous road. The photo shows the bridleway being opened by farming couple Mr and Mrs Morcom, who sold the parish the land.

HAPPY MEMORIES OF FESTIVE FUN

EPPING Town Council in Essex organised a Christmas market on 7 December, featuring around 70 stalls and a variety of festive entertainment. The market ran alongside the Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church and was opened by the mayor, Cllr Nigel Avey. Entertainment was provided by choirs from local schools, along with the Epping Forest Band and Epping Forest Pipe Band. Other attractions included a snow globe, Santa’s grotto and a live reindeer.

HARDY MAYOR FEELS THE HEAT

In February the mayor of SEVENOAKS in Kent, Cllr Roderick Hogarth, joined over 40 other people at The Vine to walk across fire in aid of two local charities, the Mayor’s Fund and Alice’s Arc. A big crowd turned out for the event, despite very cold weather. It was organised by the town council and sponsored by a number of local businesses, and raised thousands of pounds. Cllr Hogarth said: “As mayor, it only seemed right for me to join the other brave souls (or should that be soles) in their ordeal, raising sponsorship for my charity, the Sevenoaks Powerchair Football Club. I still feel a warm glow of pride but my feet are fine. As I said on the evening, there are no wimps in Sevenoaks.”