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Flower exhibition – March 1

On Thursday 1 March we will be welcoming Lucy Ellis with her THE GOOD LIFE. Lucy is also a member of the Club and is known for her innovative style and humorous approach to communicating with her audience. It should be a lively evening, and as Lucy is also a keen plantswoman we can be assured of a carried and interesting selection of flowers and foliage.

All visitors are welcome and can pay at the door for an exiting evening’s entertainment with refreshments and the chance to buy from the regular sales table.

(Contributed by: Margaret Murray)

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Tom’s Midnight Garden – Feb 15th-18th

How many children would love to escape a holiday trapped indoors and travel back in time? It’s the stuff of dreams – and from February 15th to 18th, families can do just that at St Laurence School, thanks to local thespians The Bradfordians.

The group are performing Phillipa Pearce’s classic story Tom’s Midnight Garden.

Set in the 1950s, Tom Long (Alex Watson) finds himself spending his holidays quarantined in his aunt and uncle’s flat because his brother has measles. A fortnight spent cooped up indoors with no garden, no playmates and what’s worse no tree-house to build! But when he hears the grandfather clock in the hall strike thirteen, something mysterious happens and Tom finds himself transported back in time to a magical Victorian garden, an icy adventure on the Fens and a friendship with Hatty (Nancy Hayday), who is as lonely as he is.

Director Cally Smart whose last production was the sell-out Pride and Prejudice at The Courts in Holt is delighted to be staging this particular play. “It’s a gem of a story, full of mystery, adventure and one which tugs at the heartstrings,” said Mrs Smart.

“The audience are in for a real treat.” The show runs over four nights (Feb 15th-18th) with two 6pm and two 7.30pm performances. Tickets are available at £8, £7 and £6 online from www.thebradfordians.com, where you will also find full details. Or you can buy by post or at Bradford on Avon Library from January 28th. Enquiries 01225 869047.

(Contributed by: Cally Smart)

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Charity gig at the Swan, Sunday 29th January

• Where: The Swan’s Cellar Bar
• When: Sunday 29th January
• Time: From 7.00pm
• Tickets: £8 each are available from Susan Tomes (01225 429 576 or susan(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)tomessmith.plus.com

(Contributed by: Shay Parsons)

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BoA wins “City for a Day” contest

Bradford on Avon was named as the winner of BBC Radio 5 Live’s “City for a Day” competition this morning.

From the Wiltshire Times:

Bradford on Avon has triumphed in the contest to become the 5 Live City of 2012 this morning. All week residents and visitors to the town have been voting to make the town an unofficial city for a day and have Tony Livesey present his BBC radio show from the town. It was announced just before 9am on the 5 Live Breakfast Show that the town beat off competition from the other two shortlisted towns, Whitby and Bungay.

It’s not yet clear exactly what being “City for a Day” will entail, nor when it will happen. We’ll post more details on this site when we hear them.

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Brian Garrish Talk – 8th February

A talk by Brian Gerrish about the state of this country and what we can do about it. Click to view the Flyer

• When: 8th February 2012
• Where: St Margaret’s Hall
• Time: 7pm till 10pm

(Contributed by: Steve Watts)

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Tarot Evening – Canal Tavern, 18 February

• Where: Canal Tavern, Frome Road, Bradford-on-Avon
• When: 8.30 pm, Saturday, 18 February 2012

25% of al proceeds to Dorothy House Hospice

(Contributed by: Viv Lane)

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Yoga workshop – Jan 28th

Deep states of relaxation are called Yoga Nidra. This workshop will cover a range of techniques that will take you on a journey within. The perfect way to reconnect to your deeper sense of self after the Christmas holiday and to prepare you for the year ahead. Workshop numbers are limited, so please book first ideally by PayPal below. Costs £25.

http://www.stillworks.org/wellbeing/workshops/

(Contributed by: Michael Townsend Williams)

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Bath & BoA Gay & Lesbian dinner and activity group

I moved to Avoncliff near Bradford-on-Avon a year and a half ago and I often wondered where all the gays and lesbians hang out? I know you are out there, I mean Bath is very creative and Grindr is full of you ;o)

I am setting up a Gay and Lesbian activity and dinner group for the Bath and Bradford-on-Avon area and everywhere in between, if you don’t live in either of those places it doesn’t matter just join up anyway.

I hope to have regular dinners, lunches, outings, museum visits, weekends away and all sorts. I am not single and this isn’t a singles group, but you never know you may get lucky and meet someone fabulous at one of the future events.

The group has been set up on the web site MEETUP.com. Its completely free for you to join and participate in. I paid for the group set up costs and will cover it for this year. If the group gets bigger then we can split the cost but not till next year. The web address for the group and activities is below. Please feel free to join and login and suggest events. I will put some dinner dates in but they will only happen if we get more than 4 people sign up to the events.

http://www.meetup.com/Bath-LGBT/

I shall be researching restaurants in Bath initially and looking to sort out a set menu with wine for small numbers at first 6-8 people so we can all get to know each other. The only thing I ask if you come to an event is to make an effort, put on your best personality and smile. No misery guts allowed ;o)

So lets all glam up, cheer up, meet some new people and find out where you’ve all been hiding? I know I could definitely do with some good old LGBT company as it’s soooooo dull in the south west for Gay venues.

(Contributed by: Tony Stewart)

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Ask BoA: Interested in going to/helping to start a netball/basketball team?

Hi, I’ve just moved to Bradford on Avon, I’d be interested in going to/helping to start a netball/basketball team.
Please leave a comment if you’re interested.
(Contributed by: Isabel)

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BoA On Radio 5 “City” Shortlist

BBC Radio 5 is running a poll to find the “5 Live City of 2012″, and Bradford on Avon is on the shortlist.

The Queen will create a new city this year, as part of her Jubilee celebrations. Twenty five towns have applied for the honour (you can see a list here).

Radio 5 Live, however, wants to celebrate “the places that matter to you, irrevelvant of size or status” – hence BoA on a shortlist up against Bungay in Suffolk and Whitby in North Yorkshire.

To cast a vote for BoA, text “CITY A” to 85058. Voting closes at 8am this Friday (January 20th).

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New Barton Farm Play Area – Display at Library

HELP CREATE THE NEW PLAY AREAS FOR BRADFORD ON AVON

From Saturday21 January to Friday 3 February, the new plans to develop the two central play areas in Bradford-on-Avon, at Victory Fields and Barton Farm, will be on display at Bradford-on-Avon Library.

The exciting proposals are the result of nearly two years of planning and have been developed following consultation with young people and families in the town.

The project at Victory Fields makes the most of the sloping site, with new slides, a zip wire and a hammock swing as well as traditional swings. There will be a climbing wall, an exercise bike and a rowing machine, along with plenty of seating to just sit and watch the fun.

New climbing equipment is proposed for Barton Farm, along with a scooter track around the play area. There are plans to hold community planting days to make willow tunnels which will act both as a boundary fence and play features.

Both sites include natural elements such as logs and boulders which form play trails and informal seating, with the Barton Farm one leading to the river, where a beach with stepping stones into the water are planned. We hope to involve local artists in carving the logs to add to the play value and to make something unique for the town.

Most of the funding will be from money set aside from the Kingston Mill development to improve leisure facilities within the town, but to achieve both schemes in full, more will need to be raised. The Town Council hopes to have some of the work completed before next summer.

Come along to the library and let us know your thoughts!
(Contributed by: Alex Campbell)

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Carers cafe

For all unpaid carers in the wiltshire area, who are caring for a family member, friend or neighbour. time to talk, meet other carers,a support worker and other professionals. have time to yourself, with tea and biscuits in a friendly environment.
Held the third wednesday of every month, at palmer garden centre, trowbridge, 2-4pm, free of charge, just pop along.
For further details call carer support wiltshire: 08001814118
(Contributed by: From: Chris Kay)

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Any Questions? – Feb 3rd

WHAT: Any Questions

WHERE: The Masonic Hall, Church Street, Bradford On Avon.

WHEN: Friday 3rd February 7.30 — Admission £6

The Friends of Holy Trinity Church are putting on their own version of Any Questions

The panel, which are sure to provide some lively responses, are:

Clare Jack Executive Director Wiltshire Music Centre Trust Ltd – Clare Previously worked at Salisbury Arts Festival and prior to that in management consultancy with PwC and IBM.

Jeremy Thring Consultant Solicitor – Jeremy specialises in private client work and is a Notary Public and a member of the Law Society and Notaries Society. He is very keen on country sports

Margaret Purves GC Formerly commissioned into the QARANC and was also a Town and County Councillor. She is a Member of the Victoria and George Cross Committee

Revd Alun Glyn-Jones Former Magistrate, Headmaster of Archbishop Tenisons Grammar School and Vicar of Twickenham. Alun also played soccer and cricket for Cambridge University and is a member of the MCC

Tony Haffenden is Chairman. He is a former International Sales and Marketing Director and Business Coach. Tony has also been Churchwarden at Holy Trinity Church and President of the Chamber of Commerce

For any more information or tickets please contact Mike Fuller at fullermike(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)btinternet.com.

(Contributed by: Tony Haffenden)

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Pudding Club evening on 25th Feb – BoA-Norden twinning

We have a busy program for 2012, next up being a Pudding Club evening on 25th Feb.
Please contact Vicky Ody for more details on our events.
(Contributed by: Vicky Ody, Email: vickyody(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)hotmail.co.uk )

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Bradford on Avon Walking Festival

The BoA Walkers are Welcome group are organising their first walking festival on weekend of 14th, 15th and 16th September 2012.

It will be advertised nationally and will be a big event for the town.

We would particularly welcome help with devising and leading walks, publicity, designing leaflets and posters and raising funds. We’d also love to hear from anyone with no particular skills but the time and enthusiasm to help out generally.

If anyone is interested please get in touch with Malcolm Walsh: mwalsh140835(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aim.com

Direct link to our webpage: www.bradfordonavon.co.uk/walkersarewelcome

(Contributed by: Richard Craft)

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Fairplanet Festival – 10th March 2012

When: SATURDAY 10th MARCH 2012 10AM TO 4PM
Where: ST MARGARET’S HALL

Bradford on Avon Oxfam and Fairtrade groups are joining together to bring you a free Fairtrade Fortnight Festival to celebrate our interconnected planet. Stalls from local groups working for justice and a fairer world; activities for children and grown-ups; local and Fairtrade food sampling and wine tasting; raffle of food hampers; refreshments available all day. The ’Green Room’, offering free advice on energy efficiency in your home, will be parked outside St Margaret’s Hall during the festival.

The Oxfam Group has been trying to raise awareness and respond to issues of global poverty and inequality for over twenty years with great support from people in the town. We have been a Fairtrade Town for nine years and a leader of Fairtrade activity in Wiltshire.
Come and join us to celebrate our achievements and look forward to a fairer future.

Contact Hazel Jones (01225-865191) or Vivienne Kynaston (01225-863647) for more information.
(Contributed by: Vivienne Kynaston)

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Job: Director of Music – Holy Trinity Church

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

An exciting opportunity to develop the strong musical tradition of this large parish church at a time of moving on and the implementation of our ‘Holy Trinity has a Vision’ strategy.

• fine and restored Willis III organ (1926)
• enthusiastic robed adult SATB choir
• Sunday Sung Eucharist and monthly Evensong
• excellent local resources for further growth
• good RSCM rates and fees @ approx £3000 pa

Further information from: The Revd Joanna Abecassis
Tel 01225 864444 Joanna(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)Abecassis.freeserve.co.uk

And see our excellent website: www.brad-avon-ht.org.uk

Closing date for applications:
7 February 2012
(Contributed by: Revd Joanna Abecassis)

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Ask BoA: Looking for a room to hire

I run the Bradford-on-Avon Weight Watchers group but need more spacious venue hopefully with parking… any suggestions most welcome.

(Asked by: Jackie Beves)

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Bradford Bootcamp

Bradford Bootcamp re-starts for the New Year at Victory Field next Monday 9th January. It runs on a Monday and Thursday morning from 9.30am – 10.30am for 6 weeks.

£99 for 12 sessions, £50 for 6 or £10 per session.

Come and get fit and lose weight in an enjoyable, fun and outdoor environment with a fully qualified Personal Trainer. Suitable for all ages and abilities

Contact Helen on 07779572761 or hpettemerides(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)ymail.com for further information.
(Contributed by: Helen Pettemerides)

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Bradford on Avon and district Flower Club

Members of the Flower Club can look forward to an exciting and varied programme in 2012. The Club does not meet in January, but starts its programme of demonstrations and other events in February when our own Lucy Ellis will be the demonstrator on Thursday 2 February, in Holt Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. All visitors are welcome.

In 2011, Lucy passed her Area Demonstrator Test in what was a very good year for her, as she was also half of the two-man team that won a First Prize in the Area Class at the Nationals in Torquay; the other half of the team being another Bradford on Avon Club member, Cathy Humphries. Although it will be difficult to top their success in 2011, we hope that 2012 will be a good year for them and all other members of the Flower Club.

Information about the Club Programme can be found here, or by contacting our Secretary on 01225 863640.

(Contributed by: Margaret Murray)