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Occasional Newsletters are published by the Parish Council and they will be available here.

The Parish Council is constructing a digital database which will make contacting residents much easier. If you wish to give your details which are stored securely and not given to any other body please contact the Clerk at parishcouncil@ramsbury.org or complete the online form available under news on the website

Parish Council

2026 has so far brought some wet weather but we have largely avoided the excesses of rain, wind and snow-but there’s still February! If you think your property is in danger of flooding the Parish Council has aquasacs-dry flat sacks which swell in water to form a “sandbag” -these are available at 3 for £10 from the PC office-ring 520045 email parishcouncil@ramsbury.org In an emergency contact Sheila Glass 07979327505 or Alison Foale 07724063800 for a supply.

Residents can help prevent flooding by clearing drain tops near their premises of leaves and detritus-this simple action allows water to drain rather than running on the surface and is surprisingly effective.

In late January a temporary experimental one way (north to south)system was set up in Union Street. We will monitor the effect of this over the next few months on traffic in the rest of the village and in Union Street. We welcome constructive comments from residents to aid the decision as to whether the system will become permanent.

Following the success of the CPR and defibrillator training in September we are planning another session. If you would like to take advantage of this free training please contact the PC as above. We have also been contacted by Southwest Ambulance who are interested in forming small local groups of first responders-if you are interested in this please contact as above for further details.

We have been advised that the Fire Service is considering potential fire station closures and that Ramsbury fire station could be on the list of proposed closures. Closure of the station would be a great loss to the village and would result in the closest fire cover being Swindon or Newbury. At the time of writing the list has not been released but if Ramsbury is on the list then the PC will lobby Wiltshire Council to reject the proposal.

We are still working on a village database-so that we can contact residents easily in an emergency. There is a form on the community noticeboard on our website www.ramsbury.org.uk We require minimal information but if you are willing to complete the form it could be very helpful.

A while ago we had a blitz on bins being left on the street between collections-unsightly and obstructive. The response was good but things have slipped a bit-please do not leave your bin visible on the street except on collection day-it is not a good look especially in a conservation area. There is a proposal that Wiltshire Council will move to 3 weekly bin collection-we are awaiting definite news of this.

There have been several positive comments about the new play equipment at Whittonditch play area-we hope the children will enjoy it as the weather warms up.

Robert Copp recently planted three apple trees for us to add to the three already in the community orchard so hopefully there may be a crop in the autumn. Helen Lloyd and Sheila Glass also planted hundreds of snowdrop and bluebell bulbs there so keep an eye for a spring display.

In this year when reading is being promoted we are happy to report that issues and renewals in the library in Ramsbury are up 21% so we are on trend! Thanks are due to the volunteers who man the library and keep it available.

We have been asked to circulate the following:

Wiltshire Police is one of the lowest funded forces in England, yet performance and public trust are improving. To protect visible policing, faster response times and recent progress, Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson is consulting the public on a proposed £15 a year (£1.25 a month) increase to the police precept.

Have your say in the Use Your Voice: Budget and Precept 2026/27 survey and help shape the future of policing in Wiltshire.

There is an abandoned car on the recycling area near the surgery black Audi YE 59 ZHG If you own or know who owns this vehicle please remove it by February 15^th.

The Parish Council is currently two councillors short. We are allowed to co-opt suitable candidates-if you are community minded and would like to be considered for co-option please contact the clerk as above.

Finally some dates for your diary. The Boundary Walk will take place on May 3^rd-details later. There will be monthly walks on February 1^st Axford via the River Kennet -4 miles and March 1^st Whittonditch via Marridge Hill -4 miles Meet in the Square 2pm

The Parish Council meeting in February is on Monday February 16^th 7.45pm in the Memorial Hall All are welcome.