This national charity better known as the Poppy Appeal is the largest ex-service organisation in this country and its main aim is to help all ex-service people and their dependents whenever and whatever need exists. The East Knoyle, Semley and Sedgehill Branch, first formed in 1921, meets on the first Monday of every month at the Fox and Hounds. The branch raises considerable sums of money in support of the Legion, taking every opportunity throughout the year to do so. The branch of some 80 members, including the Women’s Section, parades annually on Remembrance Sunday.
Branch Chairman: Mike Waterhouse 830251
Poppy Organiser: Roy Halsall 830499
Index
St.Mary’s Guild
The Guild was formed after the closure of the local branch of the Mother’s Union. It welcomes ladies of all ages and is entirely ecumenical. Monthly meetings are held in member’s houses, with a speaker, discussion topic, games or just a sociable and relaxed afternoon with tea. Members are involved in many village activities, particularly Wren’s Shop, the Church Fete, the Harvest Supper and charitable fundraising, including the annual coffee morning for “Crisis”. There are currently 24 members, but new members are always welcome.
Contact: Ruth Gregg
Moviola. Moviola is a rural cinema which screens current feature films in the Village Hall once a month over the winter. There is a licensed bar, open from 7 pm and the show starts at 7.30. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought from Wren's Shop or on the door. You can find details of future films in the Village diary. Organiser: Sara Southerden 830594
Garden Club The garden club is a flourishing organisation which in the summer organises visits to a garden which will sometimes include a conducted tour. During the winter months the club meets in the village hall to listen to talk given on a variety of garden subjects byan outside lecturer. Details of meetings can be seen in the Village Diary. The club is always looking for new members, or come as a guest…simply contact one of the committee members. Date for your Diary: Sat 11 September: Visit to Buckingham Palace Gardens.
Garden Club Committee
Michael Chaplin, Chairman Pat Sully, Secretary, Sally Swain, Treasurer Alan Knight Susan Lucas Christine Dewis
Please note: In the interest of accuracy the clubs and organisations below should feel free to alter the descriptions, as they feel appropriate, by using the form on the contact page
This is currently being planned by the police in conjunction with the Parish Council. Anyone wishing to be involved should make contact with PC Salter at Mere Police Station.
First Responder Network
This is another new initiative. First responders are volunteers in local communities willing to provide basic care, until an ambulance can get to the scene; often just to give moral support. We do not attend road traffic accidents.
Each responder is given training and support to enable them to provide basic life saving are to patients in the vital few minutes before an ambulance arrives; no previous medical experience is necessary. It is intended to have an open rota in the village shop, so that people can choose the length and time of the shifts they would like to cover.
Contact: Jeryl Hills
East Knoyle Bell Ringers The six bells in St Mary’s Church are rung as regularly as possible. The band of bell ringers, who belong to the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers, practice on Monday evenings. Anyone interested in joining should contact Tony Claydon 830269
Sport Roger Hague is working on aspects of sporting life in East Knoyle and further information will be published on this site in due course
The Book Circle The Book Circle, set up as a result of the Parish Plan, held its first meeting in February 2009 . We meet on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening ( trying never to clash with Moviola or the Parish Council) about every six weeks, alternating between The Fox and Hounds and The Seymour Arms; and the books are chosen far enough ahead to give everyone the chance to source and read the title. So far we have stuck to fiction, ranging from Barnaby Rudge to On Chesil Beach via authors as diverse as Virginia Woolf, Khalid Husseini and Ernest Hemingway. At first we all listened very politely and only gave our views when asked. Now that we know each other a bit better we’re more likely to ‘but…. ’ in when we need to share an insight with everyone else! The group is mixed – age, gender, working or not or part-time – so if you enjoy hearing others’ perspectives on chosen books, contributing your own views and reading a selection of fiction and would like to find out more do please put a note in the 'Poste Restante' in Wren's Shop.
Music Group
There are moves afoot in East Knoyle to form a group for those who have an interest in music, either playing an instrument or otherwise. Further details, and contact details, can be obtained from Janeen Evans in Wren’s Shop
Rural Arts Wiltshire Twice a year Rural Arts Wiltshire brings live performances by professional artists to East Knoyle. We usually have a spring event held in St. Mary's Church and an autumn event in the village hall. So far we have had jazz, a play adapted from a Vita Sackville West poem with folk music, and an all singing, all dancing ten man choir from Zimbabwe. This scheme is supported by Wiltshire Council and the Arts Council and their grants mean that the tickets are all reasonably priced. There is a small but enthusiastic group of East Knoyle Arts lovers who select the artists, provide accommodation and organise the event. The volunteers of Wren's Shop kindly sell the tickets. For more information or reserved tickets please contact Jan Knight 01 747 830 132.