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VE Day 80 beacon lighting

Laying the wreath
Piper from the RBL

On Thursday 8 May 2025 Whitchurch Village celebrated VE Day 80 by lighting the beacon along with thousands across the country.Joining us as the ‘light of peace’ emerged from the darkness were Neil Dowdney TD DL , the 107th Whitchurch Scouts and members from the Royal British Legion.

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VE DAY 80th Anniversary Beacon Lighting and BBQ

A Shared Moment of Celebration
To commemorate VE Day 80th Anniversary
BBQ at 8pm followed by the lighting of the Village Beacon at 9.30pm.
Cake and a Toast provided.
Please join the Village Councillors , uniformed organisations and the British Legion to celebrate the end of the WWII as a whole

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Accessible Design Panel Opportunity – Compton Martin, Chew Magna and Whitchurch – Call for panel members!

Our streets often contain barriers to moving freely. These barriers are made worse by poor-quality pavements and roads, including uneven surfaces, inadequate drainage, and a lack of suitable crossings. Additionally, concerns about safety and accessibility, discourage people from choosing to walk, wheel or cycle for short journeys.
We are looking for local people in the villages of Compton Martin, Chew Magna and Whitchurch with,
• physical and unseen disabilities,
• reduced mobility,
• carers of people with disabilities,
• parents with young children in prams or pushchairs
• anyone with a keen interest in accessibility to join our design panel and help make this route more accessible and welcoming for everyone.
Key Information:
Time commitment: 6 – 10 hours
Panel size: 6 – 8 members
Pay: £25/hr + travel costs (paid in either cash or vouchers)
Bringing your valuable expertise and experience, you will:

  • Help us to understand the barriers you face by sharing your lived experience of travelling around the local villages.
  • Take part in an on-site accessibility check (Chew Magna only) to identify issues and opportunities to improve the route.
  • Review our engagement summary and outline designs, that will then feed directly into the final design for the scheme.
    Key dates:
    – Online Introduction and accessibility discussion (April)
    – In-person street audit (date to be determined at the first meeting)
    – Review of initial designs – Autumn 2025.
    If you would like more information, or to express an interest in joining the panel,
    please email helen.morse@sustrans.org.uk, or call on 07729779339.
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Celebrate World Heritage Day in Bath with Free Family Activities

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Celebrate World Heritage Day in Bath on Saturday 12 April with a free day of family-friendly activities running from 11am to 3pm in the World Heritage Centre, Bath Abbey, and Bath Medical Museum. This annual event highlights why Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bringing the city’s remarkable history to life through interactive experiences and guided walks.

This year’s celebration embraces the theme ‘Water is Best’—exploring the hot springs that have shaped Bath’s history and identity for over two millennia. Some of Bath’s great heritage organisations will be taking part including The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Bath Preservation Trust, the National Trust, and Victoria Art Gallery, offering free activities for all ages:

  • The Roman Baths will showcase how the Romans tamed the springs, with opportunities to handle real archaeological finds.
  • Bath Abbey will host fun family STEM activities and, for guided tours, open up its usually hidden plant room to reveal its eco-friendly heating system powered by the city’s hot spring water.
  • Bath Medical Museum will explore how Bath’s hot and cold springs built a thriving medical and tourist industry.
  • Bath Preservation Trust will be getting in the Georgian spirit with a have a go sedan chair activity.
  • Bath Record Office will share stories of the springs and invite visitors to “Ask an Archivist”.
  • Victoria Art Gallery will display Pump Room paintings and invite visitors to create watery worlds with watercolours.
  • The Museum of Bath at Work will demonstrate the fizzy art of bottling bubbles.
  • Saltford Brass Mill Project will reveal the history of the most complete surviving 18th-century mill in the Avon Valley.
  • Cleveland Pools will tell the story of Bath’s recently restored Georgian lido.
  • Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association will celebrate the city’s Dutch connection since 1945.
  • The National Trust will share watery wonders and help children make badges.
  • Bath Jewish Burial Ground will highlight the stories of Jewish visitors who came to Bath for their health.
  • The Adelard Group will shine a spotlight on Adelard of Bath—England’s first scientist.

Guided walks led by the Mayor of Bath’s Honorary Guides will take visitors around the Spa Quarter and beyond, with a rare chance to see Bath Abbey’s cutting-edge sustainable heating system in action. Or start your visit at the World Heritage Centre to pick up a map or download the free app, to head out and explore the city.

Whether you’re a local resident or visiting the city, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this celebration of Bath’s world-renowned heritage.

All activities are free and no booking is required.

To find out more, visit www.bathworldheritage.org.uk.

#BathWorldHeritageDay