Savernake Parish News

Please contact the Chair if you have any queries.

University Bursary Grant - Wiltshire & Swindon Young People

28

February 2024

Are you starting university this year?

Wiltshire Community Foundation offers grants to young people in Wiltshire and Swindon who need support with the costs of studying an undergraduate degree at university. The One Degree More bursary is £1,600 for each year of the course to help with general living expenses, course costs, books and equipment. We are now open for applications for those stating university this year.

Who is eligible to apply – young people can apply for a university bursary if they:

  • are under 24 years old
  • have lived in Wiltshire or Swindon for at least 2 years
  • parents or guardians receive 2 means-tested benefits (2 elements of Universal Credit)
  • eligible for funding through Student Finance England
  • studying for first undergraduate degree at a UK university or college

Or

  • are a young person in the care of Wiltshire or Swindon Borough Council (LAC)

Applications close on 5 April 2024. Apply today by visiting: www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/grants-and-support/individuals/university-bursary-one-degree-more/

Nicola Hillier
Grants Manager
(My working days are Tuesday – Friday)

Wiltshire Community Foundation
Direct Dial: 01380 738984

www.wiltshirecf.org.uk

Wiltshire Police Community Engagements

28

February 2024

On Wednesday 28th February 2024, officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be available at: 

  • Nationwide, High Street, Marlborough from 1000-1130 hours
  • Lloyds Bank, High Street, Marlborough from 1300-1430 hours.

Forestry England update - Feb 2024

21

February 2024

It continues to be a busy month in the forest as we take advantage of the season to get to work on some of Savernake Forest’s pond habitats.

Savernake is a ‘dry forest’ with no water courses. But there are several scattered historic ponds surrounded by important wetland and wet woodland habitats. In the past, the ponds would have been sources of water for grazing animals but they became clogged and dried out in recent decades. We have brought several ponds back into management by removing trees and dredging to improve these habitats for wildlife, such as invertebrates and bats.

This month, we have been working on Column Pool, Kite Pool, Thornhill Pond, and Pottery Pool. Our ecologist chose these particular ponds as having the most potential benefit for great-crested newts, a European Protected Species. Some are already being used by great-crested newts and improving other ponds will hopefully create a wider network of suitable habitat. Of course, what is good for the newts will be beneficial for many other species as well. We have been removing silt from the ponds, to create more open water, and reducing surrounding vegetation to allow more light through.

Newts spend winter in the wider forest so now is the perfect time to make these improvements. In the spring, the newts should return to the ponds to mate. The male newt courts the female, who will go on to lay about 200 eggs, individually wrapped in leaves from pond plants.

If you’re visiting the forest this month, it’s a great time to see goshawk in the woods. In late winter and early spring, the birds fly high above the trees in an elaborate ‘sky-dance’ display to their mate. Goshawk are particularly vocal during this period and you may hear their distinctive “kek-kek-kek” call, especially early in the morning.

If you have any questions about Forestry England’s work in Savernake Forest, please drop us a line to westengland@forestryengland.uk.

by Nikki Morgans, Area Forester

Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust (WBVT) Collection Box Volunteers needed

WBVT

03

February 2024

If you love getting out and about but also want to support a cause in achieving its aim, then becoming a Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust (WBVT) Collection Box Volunteer. This could be the right step for you. You will be involved in displaying our collection boxes in your local community to help raise funds for WBVT.

In this community-spirited volunteer role, your support will include getting involved in the following:

  • Getting out and about to display our iconic collection boxes in your local community
  • Networking with organisations to share our cause and encourage them to display our collection boxes
  • Maintain an accurate list of the location of the collection boxes and the dates on which they have been replaced or emptied
  • At suitable intervals be responsible for the collection and replacement of these collection boxes
  • Being an ambassador for WBVT

You'll ideally:

  • Have good organisational skills to organise distribution of collection boxes
  • Have good communication skills to spread the word about WBVT
  • Be looking to commit to 8hrs a week which is flexible to allow you to enjoy a work-life balance

· The minimum age of this volunteer role is Over 18 and you will require your own vehicle, insurance, and Driving Licence

If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always open to suggestions and are very happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible, so please just get in touchtoni@wbvt.org

Business Grants for Young People from Wiltshire and Swindon

10

November 2023

Wiltshire Community Foundation is working in partnership with the South West Enterprise Fund (SWEF) to provide grants of £2,000 to young people in Wiltshire and Swindon who are, self-employed, running a business or thinking of starting one in the next 6 months. As part of the programme, SWEF provides the opportunity to join a network of peers who are also in the early stage of starting their business to share ideas, experiences and learn.

To be eligible to apply individuals need to be:

  • aged 18 to 30
  • living in Wiltshire or Swindon
  • planning to start their business within the next 6 months or if they are already running one have been trading for no more than 2 years

Grants can be used towards capital items and running costs such as:

  • stock, equipment or materials
  • rent or business-related bills

The application process is simple and straightforward, and many previous applicants have told us that it helped sharpen their business plans and gave them the confidence to succeed.

If you have any further questions please contact Wiltshire Community Foundation on 01380 738985.

Nicola Hillier

Grants Manager

Wiltshire Community Foundation

www.wiltshirecf.org.uk

Who to call for storm damage

01

November 2023

The following is a quick guide to what is and isn’t the responsibility of the Fire and Rescue Service when storm damage occurs:

ProblemWho to call
Fallen tree on road, not endangering lifeLocal authority
Fallen tree on road or vehicle, endangering lifeFire and Rescue Service – call 999
Fallen tree on property, not endangering lifePersonal responsibility
Fallen tree on property, endangering lifeFire and Rescue Service – call 999
Unsafe structure overhanging a public highway or public footpathFire and Rescue Service – call 999
Unsafe structure overhanging property, not endangering lifePersonal responsibility
Unsafe structure overhanging property, endangering lifeFire and Rescue Service – call 999
General floodingWait for water to subside. See also further advice.
Flooding with life riskFire and Rescue Service – call 999
Flooding affecting electricsOnly if safe to do so, isolate electrics – if in any doubt, contact the Fire and Rescue Service on 999
Power cutCall 105
IF IN DOUBT – CALL 999

Local authority information is as follows:

Ongoing works in Savernake Forest, by Forestry England

A346

29

August 2023

Things are now in place for the contractors to resume working on Tuesday 29th August 2023 to remove ash trees growing along the A346 at the edge of Savernake Forest, which are suffering from chalara ash dieback. Traffic along the A346 will be managed by a single lane closure with two-way traffic signals operating 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday – Friday between Postern Hill and Leigh Hill (Wiltshire Council permit UK66601879988). There may be occasions when lights are double red for a short time to allow safe working. Road users should expect delays on the A346 during operating hours.

All ash trees showing more than 50% crown dieback within a tree length of the public highway will be felled or otherwise made safe e.g. pollarded and left standing. At the same time, we are removing some additional trees because they are growing close to veteran trees. This ‘haloing’ gives the veterans more light and space to remain healthy. The understorey of smaller trees and shrubs within five metres of the road will be coppiced to improve visibility along the road.

You are probably aware that this work falls during the bird nesting season. Felling these trees during the summer months is unavoidable in order to address the safety issue posed by chalara ash dieback next to the highway. Our ecologist has thoroughly surveyed the working area and will continue to be in close contact with the site team to minimise disturbance to wildlife. The challenges of timing forestry operations is explained on our website in this article.

Felling trees is an important part of sustainable forest management and well managed forests support more wildlife. Before we start any forestry work, we carry out thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We consider our findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning forestry work. Where it is safe, we will leave some standing dead trees to provide insect habitat and perches for birds, and we will leave as much dead wood on site as possible to support Savernake’s important dead wood habitat. Our forestry team will keep all machinery at least five metres away from all veteran trees. While working, we continue to check for wildlife and adapt, pause or suspend work if necessary.

There is more information about this work on our Website.

Nikki Morgans

Area Forester
Bristol and Savernake
Forestry England
nikki.morgans@forestryengland.uk

+44 (0)777 5012033 (mobile)
www.forestryengland.uk



Rural Crime Survey

22

August 2023

Police and Crime Commissioners from across the South West have teamed up to launch the Rural Crime Survey to ask rural residents if they have been the victim of any crimes in the last 12 months, as well as what rural crimes concern them the most.

In a rural county like Wiltshire, it is so important to keep on top of how Wiltshire Police is responding to and dealing with all forms of rural crime. A lot of work has gone into improving this as a police force and I included it in the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan.

I am keen to understand what improvements have been made since the National Rural Crime Network ran a similar survey in 2018, and what Wiltshire Police still need to put more resource into, as well as continuing to develop, and improve where necessary, Wiltshire Police’s response to all rural crimes.

P R Wilkinson OBE

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon

13 people have died on the county's roads in 2023 so far

22

August 2023

You may already have seen some of the following press releases about Wiltshire Police's Road safety campaign launched following the death of 13 people on Wiltshire's roads so far this year due to the increased number of people killed or seriously injured on Wiltshire’s roads.

Find out more here and here.



Savernake Volunteer Group

21

August 2023

The Savernake Forest Volunteer group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month to carry out various woodland management tasks. This might include haloing beneath the ancient trees (clering competing vegetation to maintain tree health), surveying local fauna and flora, coppicing, pond clearance and other practical tasks.

If you would like to join the above group please got to Volunteering in Savernake Forestor contact Greg Kerr on greg.kerr@forestryengland.uk 


Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging

21

August 2023

The Community Messaging service is a free service which will provide messages and alerts from your local Community Policing Team about policing and crime matters in your area.

To sign up for it please visit https://www.wiltsmessaging.co.uk/. Some aspects of this system are as follows, from their website.

  • FREE messages and alerts from your local Community Policing Team about policing and crime matters in your area.
  • You can receive free messages by email, text or voicemail.
  • You can choose which organisations to receive messages from and the type of information you receive.
  • Currently messages are being sent by Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Neighbourhood Watch, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Action Fraud and Get Safe Online.
  • Regular newsletter messages are also now sent from Canal Watch, Church Watch, Dog Watch, Farm Watch and Horse Watch.
  • You can also join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area or request to start a new scheme.
  • Community Messaging aims to improve the flow of information between communities and the local police and fire service.
  • You can reply directly to messages, for example from your local police officers with information to help them better police your area.
  • If you have a video doorbell or CCTV on your home or business premises please tick the box CCTV Operator/Owner. By doing so you may be able support an appeal for video coverage when a crime is being investigated or missing people are being looked for.


Forestry England update - February 2023

Savernake Forest

20

February 2023

An update from Becky Morris on behalf of Forestry England can be downloaded here.