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The Latest News & Snippets About The Village

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Village Newsletter
Here's the latest edition.


Accessibility Along Pavements

A repeat of a previous request, to help our disabled and visally impaired residents (and those with children in buggies):
~ Please do not block lowered pavements with parked cars.
~ Please do not park on pavements, partially or otherwise.
~ Please don't block the pavement with wheelie bins or black boxes.
~ If your property is next to the pavement or footpath, please trim back any overhanging branches, shrubs, etc.  Of a dark evening, and with the new lower lighting, it's no fun walking into prickly or wet overgrowth!   Please trim back lower shrubs too, as these affect children.  Thank you.


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Parish Council

As there were insufficient nominations for the number of seats available there will be no formal election as such, but all those nominated will be deemed elected as of Thursday 1st May:

Gerry Gamble
Alex Hall
Peter Macdonald
Ollie Mead
Tim Mead
John Newston
Will Roe
Steve Woodhead

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New Thursday Morning Pilates Class Starting Soon

One Body Love It Pilates photo
If you would like to join this class, please book here.

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 Advance Notice of The Annual Flower & Produce Show
This year's show will take place on Saturday 2nd August in the village hall.
Details to follow, but more information can be found in the entry schedule,
which is available from the village shop.

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 Tom's 100km Run For Alzheimer's Race To The Stones
12th to 13th July 2025

Tom Kimberley and his wife Nancy moved to our lovely village in October last year.  Here is Tom’s story….

"Every 3 minutes dementia steals a happily ever after.  Research is our only chance of changing the ending for people affected by dementia.
In July I will be running (with probably quite a lot of walking) the 100km Race to the Stones (Avebury standing stones) event to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Dementia is something that has affected, and is still present, on both sides of my family and I would like to do a small part in aiding research into the disease.  Those that suffer have their memories and who they are gradually erased until they find themselves living in a world where everyone around them becomes a stranger.  It is not only those who are diagnosed who suffer but also the husbands, wives, children and grandchildren, who continue to care for those they love long after the person they once knew has faded away.

If you are able to give or donate anything it would be greatly appreciated - you can donate via this Just Giving link.

Thank you."

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Progressive Supper Results

The recent progressive supper, held in the village in aid of the restoration of the church’s Saxon porch, raised an amazing £2,923.81.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful event.  Special thanks to the organisers, all the starter and main course hosts, everyone who kindly donated desserts and auction prizes, KSM club, Kington St Michael village Shop for selling tickets, and Gavin Aplin, as our wonderful auctioneer.
This event has been a village tradition for decades and it is heartening to see what a wonderful community event this continues to be.


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KSM School Summer Fete
Advance notice that the school will be holding its summer fete
on Saturday 12th July (details to follow).

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Community Pub Project's January Update

Many thanks to everyone who bought our Christmas cards, tankards and mugs and to those who visited us at the village Christmas Fayre and bought from our stall – our Christmas cards quickly sold out.  Our tankards (£25) and mugs (£10) continue to sell well and will make great gifts, with Easter and Father's Day soon upon us.  Why not pop an Easter egg in one for the chocolate lover in your life?!  To get yours please contact Alex Hall on 01249 750602, alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com, or Linda Durno on 01249 750514, kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, we received the news that the Community Ownership Fund had closed and that there will be no further application windows on the COF programme. The current government “…took this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government”.  Whilst the Community Ownership Fund has closed, the government states that it “…remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment.  The government will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership”.

We had hoped to have been successful with an application to COF, which would have provided a large grant, and so this is a blow to our fundraising.  However we are fortunate to have your pledges of shares and are seeking further advice on future grants.


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Dog Fouling and Dog Walking

Recently there have been multiple incidents of dog fouling on pavements throughout the village, especially regularly along the main street towards the café.  Wherever you are walking your dog in the village - street, public footpath, QE2 Field, Nymph Hay Wood or the surrounding fields - picking up after your dog still applies!  If anyone sees an owner letting their dog foul in a public place please report it to Wiltshire Council, either by 'phoning 01249 706111 and asking for the Dog Warden, or email publicprotectionnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk or via an on-line form on Wiltshire Council's website. Photographic evidence of the owner neglecting to pick up is always a help.  Your personal details will be treated in strict confidence and you will be informed of the outcome of the complaint. Please note that complaints regarding aggressive dogs should be made to the police.
Now that it is lambing season, please keep your dogs on leads when walking in fields with sheep in, as well as when walking on the footpath that leads through the farmyard, as there are sheep and lambs about.

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Book Recycling Scheme

The 81st and 82nd donations from this scheme, totalling £100, goes towards the village's Community Defibrillator Fund, to purchase replacement parts as and when required.  You've clearly done a lot of reading over autumn and winter, so many thanks to those who donate books and buy books; the book scheme is run from the shop foyer and books are only 50p each.  Village organisations that would like to be considered for a donation should contact Linda Durno via kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.  If you would like to support the Community Defibrillator Fund, please also contact Linda.


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Environment Agency Flood Recovery Guide

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Poppy Appeal 2024
This year's Poppy appeal in the village raised £258.75.
Joan Gilbert, who co-ordinates the collection, would like to thank all who donated.

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Teddy Bear Parachute Day

Despite a very soggy afternoon and a delayed start, 35 brave bears took to the skies on 22nd September.  Enormous thanks to all who came, to all the helpers who contributed their time, to everyone who contributed to the hugely successful tombola, and raffle, and those who so kindly made delicious scones and cakes for the tea.
We are grateful too to Julian Frost who brought the ever-popular Yoda, the owl, who once more swooped around the church, to the delight of all.  The event raised a wonderful £605.20 which will go to the church funds.

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Going on Holiday poster

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"The Kingtons" Book - Available Now!

The Kingtons book cover photo
Get your copy of "The Kingtons" now - available from the village shop or Kington Café at only £14.95Commissioned by the parish council, this book gives an interesting history of the ancient parish of Kington St Michael with Kington Langley,
written by Louise Ryland-Epton.

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Pick Up After Your Pooch!

Wherever you are in the village - street, public footpath, QE2 Field, Nymph Hay Wood or the surrounding fields - it still applies!  Do it for your dog!

If anyone sees an owner letting their dog foul in a public place please report it to Wiltshire Council, either by 'phoning 01249 706111 and asking for the Dog Warden, or email publicprotectionnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk or via an on-line form. Photographic evidence is always a help.  Your personal details will be treated in strict confidence and you will be informed of the outcome of the complaint. Please note that complaints regarding aggressive dogs should be made to the police.

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Kington St Michael Parish Council now has a new website www.kingtonstmichaelparishcouncil.gov.uk.
KSMPC website home page photo
The website has been designed as a “one stop shop” for parishioners and the wider community, and is intended to provide up to date and historical information on all Parish Council related matters, including meetings and decisions.
This website has been created to comply with the latest regulations and will run alongside and complement this community website.

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Get in the Know!
Would you like to receive news and updates on local matters from the Parish Council and Wiltshire Council, etc, via email?  The Parish Council has set up an email database - if you would like to be included, please email the Clerk, Viv Vines - ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.

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Village Help Facebook Page

Picture of painted hands in the air
If you are on Facebook, please search for the KSM Community Help page, where you will find lots of useful information and support (look for the colourful hands, as above).

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Pet Owners
The RSPCA is urging pet owners to make an emergency pet care plan, in case they have to be hospitalised - visit RSPCA for further details.

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Making A Planning Application

If you are considering or are about to make an on-line planning application via
Wiltshire Council's website, you will be redirected to the Planning Portal.
Unfortunately, if you choose to use autofill for your address, and if you happen to live along the main street (i.e. no.** KSM) then you will find that it submits your address as being in Honeyknob Hill or C154 Road.
This causes confusion to those wishing to or needing to look at planning applications, and, in fact, there are only 8 properties which have the Honeyknob Hill address (unsurprisingly 1 - 8 Honeyknob Hill).
The Parish Counil is asking affected residents who make a planning application to please check that "Honeyknob Hill" or C154 road" isn't included in the address (unless you are one of the eight!) and to enter the address manually.
If you spot this issue elsewhere, please let the Clerk to the Council know: ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.

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Village Hall Car Park
The Village Hall Management Committee would like to remind villagers that the village hall car park is only for village hall users and shop customers. Recently, a number of paying village hall users have not been able to park. Thank you!

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Defibrillators
Just a reminder of where our defibrillators are kept in the village: map of defibrillators
and the instructions of what to do when someone collapses.
Please visit the Community Defibrillator page for further information

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Advertise Here!
Do you have a small business? Are you local?! Why not advertise on this website for only £24 per year? (That's just £2 per month!) Take a look at other advertisers by clicking on "Local Businesses Adverts" above. If you are interested please contact us kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.