Christmas

  • Laura Cutter

Over 60s Christmas Lunch
Over 60s Christmas Lunch 640 480 Laura Cutter
And last but not least… the last Christmas Activity in our jam packed December calendar took place yesterday afternoon… an Over 60s Christmas Meal at the Kembrey Inn.
As part of its aim to reduce loneliness and isolation, the Council contributed £10.00 per person towards the meal and collected the residents via its community minibus. This event was so important, as for some, this will be the only shared meal they will have this Christmas.
There were 28 people that were joined by our fabulous Administrator Darry and Volunteer Bus Drivers Mike, Vic, Darren and Ian. The Volunteer Bus Drivers really cherished having the time to sit and talk to the residents that they only see in passing every week.

And that’s a wrap…! A massive well done and thank you to the Councillors, Staff and army of Volunteers that have made special Christmas memories for so many residents within our lovely community. From Christmas Competitions, Christmas Parcels, Christmas Meals, Christmas Parties, Live Nativity Scenes and Christmas Style Cafe’s – they’ve really pulled out all the stops this year.

  • Laura Cutter

Memory Cafe Christmas Nativity Scene 2023
Memory Cafe Christmas Nativity Scene 2023 291 302 Laura Cutter

Christmas 2023 came early for guests of the Parish Council’s Memory Café as they were welcomed to this special Christmas Café this morning with a live Nativity scene provided by Chloe’s Mobile Farm. The farm animals included Hattie the Cow, Ronnie & Reggie the Sheep, Tom Thumb the Shetland Pony and Norris the Donkey. The guests enjoyed brushing and stroking the animals and asking the farmers questions about their upkeep.

Guests were then warmed up with Christmas style café, a room decorated with a tree and festive fireplace scene, a table full of Christmas goodies and warm refreshments. Councillors and volunteers were on hand to host the guests and ensure they were comfortable for the morning’s merriment.

The Café included a very special Christmas raffle with homemade prizes including a fabulous wreath donated by one of the Council’s volunteers, cute little crochet snowmen containing a surprise chocolate orange and lots more goodies donated by the Council’s Councillors, Staff and Volunteers.

The merriment continued with Father Christmas playing some cheerful Christmas carols and then handing out the Christmas presents to the guests.

Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development Committee said:

“This event was a very rewarding way to end the year. It was heartwarming to see the guests having such a good time and to see the connections that have formed through regularly visiting the Memory Café. My thanks to the team for their dedication and innovation which make our Memory Cafés accessible, fun and friendly for all to enjoy. My thoughts remain with the four families of the Café who sadly lost their loved ones this year and face their first Christmas without them.”

The Parish Council’s Memory Café was started in 2021 and since then it has gone on to win three community awards and become an established community café in the parish.  The café is only possible with a team of loyal and hard-working volunteers, expertly overseen by the Council’s Memory Café Co-Ordinator.

The Café runs on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Haydon Wick Bowls Club. Booking in advance are preferred to helping with catering and planning activities. For more information, contact the Memory Café Co-Ordinator on memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk or call 01793 722446.

  • Laura Cutter

Christmas Parcel Scheme 2023
Christmas Parcel Scheme 2023 800 800 Laura Cutter

“This year has shown a real sense of togetherness, and the Council is proud to host regular events which have been proven to have had a positive impact on the wellbeing and happiness of many residents. These include the Haven, the Memory Café and the Welcome Spaces initiatives.”

Haydon Wick Parish Council successfully delivered the traditional Christmas Parcel Scheme again this year, spreading festive cheer and goodwill to those residents in need across the Parish.

Councillors, Staff and Volunteers worked hard to pack and deliver the parcels on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December 2023. The project successfully delivered 135 parcels to residents who are over 70 and live alone in the parish. The parcel included some festive food, toiletries and a selection of other useful food to be consumed this winter.

The Christmas Parcel project typically begins in September, when the Staff are tasked with contacting local suppliers for sponsorship and donations, administering the parcel applications and collecting all the produce, organising 15 delivery rounds and co ordinating the volunteers.

The Council is very grateful for the generosity of the volunteers and local groups who came together to help and would like to pass thanks on to Morrisons, Aldi, the Redeemed Christian Church of God and N&B Foods for their ongoing support over the past three years and the Swindon Food Collective for their contribution to this wonderful and humbling project.

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Vinay Manro said:

“This year has shown a real sense of togetherness, and the Council is proud to host regular events which have proven to have had a positive impact on the wellbeing and happiness of many residents. These include the Haven, the Memory Café and the Welcome Spaces initiatives.

This annual Christmas Parcel project is more than just delivering a parcel, the residents really look forward to this every year and it’s a good way of checking in on some of our most vulnerable. It gives us the opportunity to have a chat and invite residents along to events that they may not be aware of and reassuring them that the Council is available should they need support. This really is a rewarding project for all that are fortunate to participate and is possibly one of the most important community dates in the Council’s calendar.”.

The Council would also like to congratulate Callie, aged 11, from a local primary school for her creation of a ‘Mary & Joseph’ design Christmas card. The card will be placed inside the parcels this year, from all the children that live or go to school in the parish of Haydon Wick. Callie won a selection of merchandise showcasing her design from her own packs of Christmas cards to give out to her family and friends, a tote bag and a t-shirt.

This project is always a fantastic and rewarding way to end the year. The Parish Council wishes all readers a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Christmas comes to Haydon Wick Memory Café
Christmas comes to Haydon Wick Memory Café 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn

‘It’s lovely to see so many of our regulars with smiles on their faces, especially at this time of year”

 

Christmas came early to Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Memory Café on 14th December 2022. Café attendees were greeted by staff and volunteers dressed in festive outfits, and cheerful Christmas music playing in the background. The room was warm and welcoming, courtesy of a sparkling Christmas tree and a backdrop image of a coal fire, surrounded with toys and wrapped presents.

 

To kick off the festivities, the café welcomed a choir from Haydonleigh Primary School, who entertained those present with their carol singing. Toddlers from the neighbouring Meadow Pre-School then popped in, bearing Christmas cards and chocolates.

 

The next activity was Christmas wreath making with seasonal foliage. The Parish Council’s talented Administrator demonstrated her creative skills by leading the session, and helped those present to create a festive garland, which they were then able to take home with them.

 

This was followed by our regular fitness instructor, who quickly warmed each one of the attendees up with some gentle exercises to Christmas music. Lin’s enthusiasm and festive play list brought smiles to all present.

 

Finally, we were delighted to have Father Christmas join the café – our thanks to Councillor Richard Hailstone for helping us again this year.  The very talented Father Christmas provided musical accompaniment on his keyboard, while everyone sang traditional Christmas carols. Afterwards he handed out gifts and a raffle was drawn. This year’s raffle prizes were once again kindly donated by Parish Councillors and Council staff.

 

Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development committee said: ‘’ Haydon Wick is rightly proud of its award-winning Memory Café, and it’s lovely to see so many of our regulars with smiles on their faces, especially at this time of year. The Parish Council is always grateful for the support of its volunteers, who turn up at each café to support this valuable project.”

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Christmas Parcel Project 2022
Christmas Parcel Project 2022 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn

This annual project is more than just delivering a Christmas parcel, it’s a way of checking in on some of our most vulnerable residents and gives us the opportunity to have a chat.

Haydon Wick Parish Council successfully delivered the traditional Christmas Parcel Scheme again this year, spreading festive cheer and goodwill to those residents in need across the Parish.

Councillors, Staff and Volunteers worked hard to pack and deliver the parcels on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December 2022, to make sure the community project continued to help those over 70 years old, who live alone within the Parish.

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Vinay Manro said:

“This winter has continued to bring challenges for many. The Council is proud to be able to continue with this long-standing tradition in bringing some festive cheer and goodwill to some of those who are most in need within our parish. This annual project is more than just delivering a Christmas parcel, it’s a way of checking in on some of our most vulnerable residents and gives us the opportunity to have a chat. Most of all it’s reassuring for our residents to know there is a friendly face available should they need support”.

The community Christmas project delivered over 130 parcels to residents across the parish. The packages included festive food and other treats. The Council has been humbled by the generosity of its volunteers and local groups who come together every year to help with this project and would like to pass on their thanks to: Morrisons and the Redeemed Christian Church of God for their very generous donations.

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Christmas Opening Times
Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Christmas Opening Times 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn
The Council offices will closed from 4pm on Friday 23rd December 2022 until 8am on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.
The Parks and Open Spaces Team will be operating a reduced service between Christmas and New Year:
🎄 Wednesday 28th December 7.30am – 4.00pm
🎅 Thursday 29th December 7.30am – 4.00pm
🎁 Friday 30th December 7.30am – 4.00pm
For urgent enquiries please use the out of hours number 📞07703 840 065 or 📧 tidyup@haydonwick.gov.uk
  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

The Christmas spirit remains in Haydon Wick this year!
The Christmas spirit remains in Haydon Wick this year! 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn

At the recent Community Development Committee meeting Haydon Wick Parish Council gave serious consideration to festive lighting in and around the Council offices this year.  Councillors discussed balancing rising energy costs with managing the expectations of residents to provide them with some welcomed festive cheer in the parish.  The decision was taken to light the Council offices to keep the Christmas cheer for staff and residents and present a welcoming and festive space.

During the meeting it was acknowledged that the Parish Council is already using low energy LED bulbs but made the decision to further cut energy usage by reducing the timeframe for the lights to be displayed from 36 days in 2021 to 24 days this year – the lights will be switched on from Monday 15th December 2022 to Wednesday 4th January 2022. The Council will also reduce the hours that the lights are on from, 4pm – 8pm daily (4 hours) instead of 3pm – 10pm daily (7 hours) previously. The lights will be on when school children walk home and during rush hour traffic with residents returning to their homes in the evenings.

Additionally, the Council is also running a Warm Spaces scheme this year as part of its Reducing Loneliness & Isolation Programme.  Twice a week for two hours the Parish Council is opening its meeting room to offer residents a warm and welcoming space to enjoy hot refreshments in a festive setting.

To help with funding the decorations and Warm Spaces initiative, the Council was delighted to receive several donations from local businesses, totalling £700.00. The Council would like to thank Datalibrium Ltd, and Mark Draycott, of Draycott Sports Ltd for their generous donations. These donations will help to reduce the cost to residents and ensure it offers best value as a Parish Council.

Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chairman of the Community Development Committee had this to say:

“The Council was acutely aware of the rising cost of living and energy this year.  We didn’t want to cancel Christmas in Haydon Wick and wanted our offices to have its usual welcoming festive glow and community tree for residents to enjoy as they pass by. But we were mindful of the perception of having festive lights on versus the need to cut back on non-essential spending amid this current financial climate. We hope we have arrived at a good compromise by reducing the time we have our lights on and receiving generous sponsorship to help fund them.”

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Christmas Parcel Scheme History
Christmas Parcel Scheme History 512 512 Georgina Morgan-Denn

 

Did you know?

 

The Haydon Wick Association started the Christmas Parcel Scheme in the 1970’s and ran the programme until the early 2000’s. The produce during this time was a small frozen chicken, stuffing, carrots, sprouts, potatoes, Christmas pudding, mince pies and custard – which provided the perfect Christmas dinner to those who lived alone within the parish of Haydon Wick. Haydon Wick Parish Council helped with the delivery of this and eventually took on the scheme in the early 2000’s.

 

Using experience from assisting with the project for over 30 years, the Parish Council quickly changed the produce to tinned and packaged goods providing a longer shelf life and included some additional goods to enjoy throughout the winter. This also allowed for more delivery time so that the frozen chickens didn’t defrost!

 

One year, Safeway (at the time) didn’t have enough chickens, so the Area Manager was driving around all the Safeway’s in the region collecting any frozen chickens that were in stock – which resulted in some being different sizes – and caused lots of banter with the elderly people who received them and a competition of who had the biggest chicken!

 

The parcels have been delivered come rain or snow, one year the snow was so heavy the community bus was struggling with the round.

 

The Council is proud to have been involved with this project for the last 60 years and knows how valuable it is to the recipients each year.

The Council is very excited to start preparing this year’s Christmas parcels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture of volunteers packing Christmas Parcels
  • Caroline Hunt

Parish Council spreads festive cheer throughout the community
Parish Council spreads festive cheer throughout the community 1900 1200 Caroline Hunt

Haydon Wick Parish Council successfully delivered the traditional Christmas Parcel Scheme this year, and spread festive cheer and goodwill to residents in need across the Parish. Staff, Councillors and volunteers worked hard to overcome any logistical challenges presented by social distancing requirements and ensured that the community project continued to help those that live alone, aged over 70 and live within the Parish.

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Vinay Manro told us: “This winter has continued to bring challenges for many, we were delighted to be able to continue with a 30+ year tradition in bringing some festive cheer and goodwill to some of those most in need within the parish.

Our community Christmas project delivered over 160 parcels to residents across the parish who live alone and are aged over 70. The packages included festive food and treats to help them enjoy the season.

I am very grateful to our Councillors, Staff and volunteers who banded together to pack the bags and deliver them out to our residents, along with all those who donated items.

This annual project is more than just delivering a Christmas parcel, It is another way for us to check in on some of our most vulnerable, have a chat, address any concerns, and most of all ensure they know there is a friendly face available should they need additional support”.

The Council is as always humbled by the generosity of its volunteers and community groups who come together every year to help with this project and would like to pass on their thanks to: Morrisons, ASDA, and the Redeemed Christian Church of God for their very generous donations.

The Council has received many welcome notes of thanks from recipients, including ‘To Haydon Wick Parish Council plus helpers, for the Christmas Parcel plus making Haydon Wick a ‘super’ place to live. A big thank you!’.

  • Caroline Hunt

Haydon Wick Parish Council swaps seasons greetings for much-needed festive gift of food
Haydon Wick Parish Council swaps seasons greetings for much-needed festive gift of food 1900 1200 Caroline Hunt

‘Substituting Christmas Greetings for Festive Donations…’

 This year, Haydon Wick Parish Council made the decision to donate to the Swindon Food Collective instead of sending corporate Christmas Cards. Each year, the Council spends up to £200.00 on seasons greetings, however this year, funds were diverted to a greater cause.

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Vinay Manro said that “while we still want to send festive greetings to all of our contacts, we decided that a donation to the Swindon Food Collective would benefit members of our local community and we hope, make a real difference to someone’s Christmas”.

Over the last year the Swindon Food Collective has seen demand for their assistance increase in many areas with one zone particularly being the Haydon Wick and surrounding SN25 area.

For the full article, please visit: Haydon Wick Parish Council swaps seasons greetings for much-needed festive gift of food | Swindon Advertiser 

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