Whitchurch in Lights

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

Enormous thanks to the residents of The Witheys who have collectively put on a fantastic display of lights.  

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

Best House – Stephen & Sarah Pidgeon, 90 Bristol Road

Best Business – Lucy Knight, Hair by Knight, Bristol Road

Highly commended, 28 Staunton Fields and 20 Orchard Park 

 

 

 

Whitchurch Village Council Christmas Lights Switch On 2019

Friday 6th December 2019 saw the Village Lights Switch On, and despite the earlier rain, a fantastic crowd of about 200 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 several practice countdowns, Santa switched on the lights in the Millennium Garden. One of the two large Christmas trees was kindly donated by Whitchurch Village Fete Committee, to whom we are 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 were brilliant as always.

The crowd then sang along to several carols before going into the Church Hall for mulled wine and 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 Whitchurch Primary School is really appreciated. 

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

Tesco Brislington (donation of mince pies and chocolates)

Whitchurch Village Fete Committee (donated one of the trees in Millennium Garden)

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

The volunteers who helped with refreshments in the Hall.

St Nicholas Church, for the use of their 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 £220.00 for Bristol MIND charity. 

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

Everyone at Village Council would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

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 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

 

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 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

 

 

Whitchurch in Lights

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

There were so many fantastic displays to choose from, but after careful consideration this year’s winners are:–
Best House – Joint winners
Gary & Kate Sidders, 151 Bristol Road & Dean Edwards, 149 Bristol Road
Best Business – HairbyKnight, Bristol Road

 

Christmas Lights Switch On 2017

Friday 1st December did not just see the children of Whitchurch excitedly opening their Advent Calendars, the evening also marked the Village Lights Switch On, with a fantastic crowd of about 200 gathered in Church Road.

The cold but dry evening started with Father Christmas arriving at a rate of knots in his open top car, and after a number of practice countdowns, Santa switched on the lights in the Millennium Garden successfully.

From there, and in front of St Nicholas Church steps, with a backdrop of the Church lit up and a dramatic moon, the children of Whitchurch Primary School were brilliant when they sang some ‘Christmassy’ songs, including some fantastic soloists.

The Village Council also arranged for the Salvation Army to play a few well known carols, and the crowd sang along before disappearing into the Church Hall for mulled wine and mince pies, helped by generous donations from Tesco Brislington and also by some local ladies who made the delicious mince pies.

We would like to thank all of you who attended & supported this popular seasonal event. This year we raised £125 to go to St Peters Hospice.  Thank you!!!!!!!!!

We would also like to thank most sincerely the Bedminster arm of the Salvation Army, ably led by Ben, the children of the Whitchurch Village School who sang beautifully, all of the volunteers who helped on the evening and Tesco for their contribution. Special thanks to Matt Donovan who made sure the evening ran smoothly with the microphone.

Next year the date will be Friday 30th November ……….please put the date in your diaries!!!!!!!!!