Whitchurch Village ‘Have a Field Day 2019’

‘Have a Field Day’ was held at the Village Play Park on Saturday 13th July as part of a nationwide celebration of local green spaces.  It was a dry warm day and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying themselves, on the bouncy castle, playing games, having their faces painted, having picnics, as well as using the play equipment. 

The races, organised by Matt, from Whitchurch Village Council, were as usual a real favourite and lots of fun was had by the participants, young and old. 

.This year, donations collected on the day of £83.00 will be forwarded to Mind, thank you to all those who donated. 

 WVC would also like to thank Caroline, from the Whitchurch United Reformed Church Knit & Natter group, who laid out a lovely display of knitted and crocheted bunting, flowers etc. which helped make the park look colourful. 

This is an annual event organised by Whitchurch Village Council, with all the facilities completely free of charge to the public…….so do look out for details on the website early in 2020.

 

Whitchurch Village Fete will no longer continue

Sadly, after much discussion, it has been decided that, for various reasons, the annual Whitchurch Village Fete will no longer continue.

This was a difficult decision for the Fete Committee to make, having held yet another successful event on the Fete’s 41st birthday in 2018; but with increasing Health & Safety considerations and fewer volunteers (not to mention the fact that those on the Committee are unfortunately not getting any younger!), it was felt that it was time for the Fete, in its traditional format, to come to an end.

Since it started in 1977, when a small event was held to present souvenir plates to village children under sixteen years old to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, it has provided an enjoyable August Bank Holiday community event, attended some years by around 3,000 people and has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and organisations. A variety of stalls were on offer, with entertainment in the arena, popular Dog Shows and Horse Shows and flowers, vegetables, crafts etc. in the marquee, as well as bar, refreshment tent and children’s games and sports. Celebrities gave their time to officially open the Fete – from BBC’s presenter, Alex Lovell to Peter Rabbit and even a Minion! Barn dances and car boot sales were also enjoyed by many over the Bank Holiday weekends.

The Committee would like to thank everyone who has been involved and supported the Fete in one way or another over all the years.

WHITCHURCH—NEW BOOK!!

Whitchurch Local History Society has just published this illustrated 56-page A4 size book which is the 3rd volume of ‘memories of Whitchurch life’ contributed by residents.

It costs £5.00 and copies are available by contacting:-

Keith (01275 541512), Sue (01275 834677) or  Geoff (01275 830869)

 

Whitchurch in Lights

A big thank you to all residents and businesses, who have decorated their homes/premises, making the village look so festive again this year.

There were so many fantastic displays to choose from, but after careful consideration this year’s winners are:-

Best House – Martin Squires, Blackacre

Best Business – Smartmove, Bristol Road

 

Presentation Evening at the Whitchurch Royal British Legion on November 22nd

After another successful Whitchurch Village Fete on the August Bank Holiday Monday, the Committee was able to donate cheques totalling £5,250 to 19 local charities/organisations at their Presentation Evening at the Whitchurch Royal British Legion on November 22nd.

Recipients were:-
Freewheelers Blood Bikes
Enchante Baton Twirlers
Pegasus Hawking Birds of Prey
107th Bristol (Whitchurch) Scout Group
Shaolin Wushu Martial Arts
RBL Poppy Appeal
St John Ambulance
St Peter’s Hospice
The Littlest Rescue
Barbarians Rugby Club
St Bernadette Primary School
Funding Animal Futures
Radio Bristol Alive Appeal
Jake Ogbourne
St Bernadette RC Church
Marmalade Trust
Gympanzees
Holly Hedge
St Nicholas Church

Christmas Lights Switch On 2018

Friday 30th November 2018 saw the Village Lights Switch On, and despite the threatening weather, a fantastic crowd of about 150 gathered around the centre of the Village.

The evening started with Father Christmas arriving from Staunton Fields having completed a village tour. As his sleigh had some technical problems, an army vehicle decked out with brilliant flashing lights was used, with Santa waving enthusiastically from the back of the vehicle.

Then after just one practice countdown, Santa switched on the lights in the Millennium Garden. One of the large Christmas trees was kindly donated by Whitehall Garden Centre, Norton Lane, and the other by Whitchurch Village Fete Committee, to whom we are both very grateful.

 After Santa had crossed the A37, he then led a procession of children, parents and onlookers towards St Nicholas Church, where the children of Whitchurch Primary School sang some lovely ‘Christmassy’ songs from a stage that had been set up in the Church grounds. The children, including the soloists, were brilliant as always.

New for this year was the re-siting of the choir to provide a better view of them from the audience perspective, better sound equipment and a snow machine that seemed to go down well with the crowd.

The Salvation Army then played some well-known carols, and the crowd sang along before going into the Church Hall for mulled wine and mince pies, provided by Tesco Brislington and also by some local ladies who made some delicious mince pies. Father Christmas was also very busy handing out sweets to all the children.

 Our thanks go to all of you who attended this lovely festive event. The support of the public, our villagers, and the wonderful choir and staff from the Primary School is really appreciated.

Our appreciation and acknowledgement of the support we received also goes to:

The Salvation Army, Bedminster

Tesco Brislington (donation of mince pies and chocolates)

Whitehall Garden Centre & Fete Committee (Xmas tree’s in Millennium Garden)

Lee Gillam who helped our volunteers to decorate the Christmas trees.

The volunteers who helped with the refreshments in the Hall.

The traffic marshals who helped set up the event and ensured safe passage to people crossing the A37.

Matt on the microphone and John, who arranged and set up the sound equipment

And of course, Father Christmas and his driver, who made a special effort to visit us at a very busy time of the year!!!!!

Thanks to your donations, we collected £150.00 for The Children’s Hospital, Grand Appeal.

Next year the Whitchurch Village Christmas Lights switch on will be on Friday 6th December 2019….so please put this date in your diaries now.

If you have any ideas on how we can improve the event do please let us know.

In the meantime, everyone at the Village Council wishes you all a Very Happy Christmas

 

WHITCHURCH VILLAGE FETE 2018

Despite the Sunday Car Boot Sale being a washout, Whitchurch Village held a successful August Bank Holiday Monday Fete and the local community – with their 4-legged friends – enjoyed being entertained and educated by Oldland Brass Band, Enchante Baton Twirlers, Shaolin Wushu martial arts, Ferretworld and Pegasus Hawking as well as the Family sports.

The Fete opened with waves from Peter Rabbit and Mini-on lookalikes, from Special Occasions Mascots and Fete Prince & Princess Seweryn and Brooke in their bright blue beach buggy, followed by The Littlest Rescue’s Chewy the Bunny Car.  

 The marquee was filled with beautiful flowers, photographs, arts and crafts, including a hedgehog made of grapes & 3 kiwi tortoises!

 The field was full of dogs, big and small, taking part in the Dog Show, sponsored by Highcroft Vets, and visitors were able to find out about, and support, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Holly Hedge, Forever Hounds Trust and Funding Animal Futures charities.

A huge thank you to those who collectively contributed hundreds of hours over the weekend and throughout the year to put on the event and to all those who had stalls and attended, also the 107 Scouts and the Bristol Barbarians RFC  for the parking. And ‘Thank you’ to all those who sponsored activities and donated prizes. Proceeds from the event will go to local charities and organisations.  

Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Development Plan 2015/2042

The Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Development Plan was formally approved by BANES on 6th December 2017 and is now a part of the Council’s Development Plan, which is in accordance with section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Reasons for making this decision: 96.5% of those voting in the Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan referendum on Thursday 16th of November 2017 voted in favour of the Plan.

A huge well done and thank you to all the Volunteers for the work they put in to complete the Plan. The final ‘made’ version of the plan is available here:-

WVNDPFinalCopyFeb2018