leisure garden competition

As part of the Council’s commitment to improve the communication with residents we continue to publish weekly updates on the Parks & Open Spaces Team progress.

Grass Cutting: Due to the wet weather and storms overnight on 17th September some of the areas remain too boggy to cut, so the Operatives have been deployed to hedge and shrub bed maintenance, until the schedule resumes back in Haydon End/ Taw Hill as soon as conditions allow.

Hedge & Shrub Bed Cutting: The Council has now deployed a tractor and side arm, which has been working in large priority areas such as Heaton Close, Bowls Club, Goodearl Field. The tractor and side arm will move on the schedule, continuing in Oakhurst and moving on to Haydon End/ Taw Hill in due course.

Tidy Up: Bins continue to be emptied three times per week in their entirety and two days a week for all priority bins near shops and on major footpaths. Where time allows, the team will work on other areas of work in the afternoons such as the daily work sheets

Parks & Projects: Assisting with community development projects, carrying out some maintenance on the Memory Café Sensory Garden and continuing to cut the hedges around the play areas.

To report any overgrown areas please call 01793 722446 or email on: tidyup@haydonwick.gov.uk.

“Since the event the Council has received some heart-warming feedback from attendees, and this is what makes our events so important.”

Over the last few years, the Parish Council’s award-winning Memory Café has hosted numerous events for both the attendees of the Memory Café, other people living with dementia, their care companions and the over 60s living within the parish.

The aim of this combined vintage tea dance was an opportunity for everyone to come together to do something a little bit ‘different’. Guests were able to enjoy an afternoon of brilliant live entertainment, dancing, reminiscing and interaction, whilst tucking into a scrumptious afternoon tea.

Attendees were greeted by the Council’s Memory Café Co-ordinator and her wonderful team of volunteers. They had all come dressed to impress in vintage 50s wear which was mirrored by most of the attendees. The event was kick started with some wonderful dancing led by Erica Fowers from Swing Out Swindon and singing from the very talented Laura Sings. Erica was fabulous in getting everyone up dancing and learning some new steps. There were clearly some guests who danced many nights away in their past!

A local care company Abi Care brought along a few of their regular service users who thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, thriving in being in a different setting, meeting new people and sharing a cup of tea and cake reminiscing about the 50s. The style of music and dance became quite overwhelming for some as it triggered fond memories of sharing real tea dances with their loved ones throughout the years.

Councillor Vinay Manro, Chairman of the Council and Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of Community Development Committee both enjoyed attending the event and getting up on the dance floor. Councillor Ross had this to say about the event:

“For the older community, who may be feeling more isolated this was a great opportunity for them to meet new people.  It was really uplifting to see everyone come together to dance, reminisce, and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and fun. Everything about it was fabulous, the venue, the tea and the entertainment. A what great dancing by everyone! A big thank you to everyone who attended and to all those involved in making the event such a success! “

During the afternoon, everyone enjoyed a delicious vintage afternoon tea with sandwiches, cream cakes and tasty treats.  Some of the refreshments were also generously donated by Asda Orbital.

Since the event the Council has received some heart-warming feedback from attendees.  Such feedback is why these events are so important as the Council’s Memory Café and similar services are helping residents to make those precious memories.

“We’ve had such a fantastic afternoon; Lorraine hasn’t stopped dancing”.

“This is one of the best tea dances I have attended, it was wonderful”.

“Thank you to Jo and her Volunteers. It was a nice little do”.

“This is a fantastic idea; we’ve loved the afternoon and you should definitely hold more”.

The Tea Dance was such a great success, the Council is going to plan an even bigger one next year.

To keep up to date with the Council’s upcoming news and events keep an eye on the website and social media. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the monthly News Bulletin with your email address using the following link: https://haydonwick.gov.uk/latest-news/

As part of the Council’s commitment to improve the communications with residents we continue to publish weekly updates on the Parks & Open Spaces Team progress.

Grass Cutting: The Grass Cutting Schedule is currently five working days behind, due to the Team being required on other projects. They are currently cutting in Taw Hill/Haydon End/Oakhurst and will be moving to Abbey Meads by Tuesday 29^th August. Due to the warmer weather conditions, the growth rate has been slower and should allow the team to catch up on the cycle. Once the team has completed the cycle, the new timescales will be published on the website.

Hedges & Shrub Bed Cutting: The Hedges & Shrub Bed Cutting Schedule remains on track. The team will soon be completing the roadside shrub bed maintenance in Abbey Meads. They have made significant improvement over the last five working days in Oakhurst and will continue this week, prioritising crossings and the main routes to the local primary schools within the parish in preparation to return to the school in September. The tractor and side arm will be received from 12^th September for a period of three months which will aid the process greatly and generate little green waste that would normally require regular trips to the recycling centre.

Tidy Up: The bins continue to be emptied three times a week in their entirety and two days a week for all priority bins. In the afternoons, the team complete some of the actions outstanding on the daily work sheets which are sent by residents to tidyup@haydonwick.gov.uk and can include a wide range of tasks. The team also water the parish boundary planters and conduct general grounds maintenance on the Council’s three Leisure Garden sites.

Parks & Projects:  They have been helping with shrub bed maintenance around the play areas, whilst continuing with their main duties of play area maintenance and other duties like graffiti removal, litter bin repair and building repairs.

To report any overgrown areas either call the Head of Parks & Open Spaces on: 07598403789 or email on: tidyup@haydonwick.gov.uk.

This week saw another happy Haven with a personal best of 17 attendees and rising. The attendees enjoyed playing bingo and both new people had brought beginners luck along with them as they bagged the prices of a delicious fruit bowl and a toiletries gift set.

The purpose of the Haven is to combat loneliness and isolation within the community and gives a safe, friendly, environment to meet new friends and enjoy each others company.

The next Haven is on Monday 11th September 11am – 1pm and our very special guest, the Mayor of Swindon,  Councillor Barbara Parry will be joining for tea and cakes.

“Councillors and Staff enjoyed judging the beautiful and carefully cultivated Leisure Gardens across all three of the Haydon Wick Parish Leisure Garden sites”.

Each year, as part of the regular inspection process, all Leisure Garden plots are judged and entered into the Parish Council’s Annual Leisure Garden Competition.

The primary purpose of a leisure garden or allotment is to provide crops of vegetables, fruit, flowers, and culinary herbs for household use. Therefore, there is a wide range of criteria that is considered during the judging process, from environmental factors to aesthetics, quality of crops and sustainability.

Thursday 27^th July 2023 saw the day of the competition judging. It was wonderful to be able to do this in the sunshine as unfortunately, it had already been delayed a few days due to inclement weather.

The judges visited a huge array of plots that had been well cared for, created lots of produce, beautiful blooming flowers with an abundance of bees and butterflies, and other wildlife that are so vital to our ecosystem.

Councillor R Hailstone, Chair of Parks & Open Spaces Committee had this to say:

“The judges found it difficult to choose between the top places due to the high standard of entries. This was particularly the case in, the ‘Best Beginner’ category where all the participants had achieved remarkable results in such a short time”.

The Council appreciate the hard work it takes to maintain a Leisure Garden and some of the plots obviously had lots of work and commitment into them – Council extends a huge well done to all of its plot holders.

After many discussions the First, Second and Third place prizes at each site (Rose Walk, Goodearl and Ventnor Close) were decided upon. This year also saw a new category of ‘Best Beginner’ which recognises the work that has been undertaken by a new plot holder since taking on their plot since October 2022.

The winners will be notified, and trophies and prizes will be awarded at the Annual Plot Holders Meeting, date to be confirmed.