Down Ampney news with Melanie Fouracre

ADAM Clark, headteacher at Down Ampney C of E Primary school, has invited parents of children starting school in September 2021 to attend after school individual appointments to view the school and its new improved facilities.

This is due to Covid-19 considerations and instead of the usual open days that the school would normally offer.

Please contact Sharon Woodruffe on 01793 750294, admin@downampney.gloucs.sch.uk for more information.

KEEP the village hub recycling bins or not?

The parish council (PC) has invited opinions from villagers before the next PC meeting in November as to whether the recycling bins should be retained or not.

It has become increasingly obvious that commercial organisations have been using the recycling bins to dispose of their empty bottles in particular.

Thus, avoiding having to pay the charges for disposal of this type of commercial recycling.

Recently, there has also been a spate of rubbish bags being left in the recycling area.

If the bins are removed, then the shop and village hall would have their own lockable recycling bins, but apart from the fortnightly collections by CDC, villagers would have no other local waste recycling point.

Please let your parish councillor have your views.

INTERESTED in keeping the play areas in the village hub up to scratch?

Cllr Ann Higson is looking for volunteers to form a committee to deal with the care and maintenance of the play area and the multi-use games area (MUGA for short).

If you have time to spare to help in any way, please contact Cllr Higson: annhigson@downampneyvillage.co.uk.

THIS month sees the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the village war memorial.

It was reported in the October 29, 1920 edition of the North Wilts Herald that - 'Captain Sydney Dennis commenced the proceedings by exhorting the juveniles present to think as they passed of what these men had done and take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them as they grew up to follow the example of these men.

The Rev A N Acheson performed the dedication ceremony.

The hymns Rock of Ages and Praise to the Holiest in the Height were sung, the service ending with the National Anthem.'

Thanks go to Pam Varey, village historian for providing this snippet of village history.