Allotment plot holders are reminded that the bonfires are only allowed between 1st October and 31st March. If you have any questions please refer to your tenancy agreement section 5 point 28 or contact Hilperton Parish Council for further guidance.
Notes from the June, 2013 Meeting
Wiltshire Good Neighbours
Lise Griffiths, the Good Neighbour co-ordinator, is able to provide information and sources of support for any issue affecting older people in the community, either over the telephone or by visiting them at home. If you think that you or someone you know might benefit from this service, please contact her on 07584 101092 or e-mail trowbridgegnc@communityfirst.org.uk
CPRE: Laurence Kitching Award 2013 – Best Kept Village Competition
Whilst the villages which won in the county round of the Best Kept Village Competition in 2011 and 2012 are automatically excluded from the main competition for the next two years – Hilperton included – those winning villages are invited to enter the Laurence Kitching Award, which is a competition to find the ‘winner of winners’. This year the six eligible villages are: Lea, West Dean, Hilperton, Dinton and Great Hinton. Hilperton has been entered and judging will take place in mid-August.
Hilperton Cemetery
There have been a lot of calls recently from people about the state of the cemetery, in particular the fact that the grass has not been cut for some time and very little weeding has been done. Wiltshire Council has changed contractors this year and it appears that county-wide this kind of work is weeks behind. Both the Parish Council and our Wiltshire Councillor have been in touch with Wiltshire Council about this situation, which is not acceptable.
Hilperton War Memorial
Four stone masonry companies have been asked to quote for the cleaning of the War Memorial, which it is hoped will be done next spring, in readiness for the commemoration of the commencement of the First World War later in 2014.
Parish Council – No Election Required
Hilperton Parish Council has received 13 nominations for 13 council vacancies and as such the seats will be un-contested, meaning all 13 councillors will be ‘duly elected’.
The official nomination list of candidates is now available here
Hilperton Relief Road
Various conditions have been imposed on the new houses being built off Leapgate. The agreement provides that the road will, in any case, be completed and open for use by the public before the fourth anniversary of the residential occupation of the first dwelling. Wiltshire Council confirm that the first occupation is agreed as 22 August 2012 and brings the required opening of HRR to 22 August 2016 at the latest.
Parish Council Elections
Election of Parish Councillors for Hilperton are on 2nd May 2013.
If you are interested in becoming a councillor, nomination papers are now available and can be returned from 18th March. Deadline for receipt of nominations 12pm (noon) on Friday 5 April 2013. Packs can be downloaded here
Grit Bins!
Parish councils could see new bins provided and kept supplied with grit.
The suggested scheme is that the capital cost of the bins would be shared 50/50 by WC and the appropriate local council. The town council would then employ a contractor to fill the bins as required with the cost for filling bins in the parishes being bourne by the PC.
I hope that the parishes agree to this scheme as it seems to be a win/win situation with everyone working for the common good. Details Courtesy of Ernie Clark
Precept Increased by 26p
Hilperton PC increases its precept.
The parish council discussed the 2013/14 precept at its meeting earlier this week. It was decided to increase the ‘band D’ precept by 26p a year to £12.75 (an increase of 2.2%).
Trowbridge Community Area Matters Website
Hilperton voted Best Kept Large Village 2012
Hilperton now has the report of the judges. Apart from Hilperton, the other large villages in the Wiltshire round were :-
- Box (second)
- Bowerhill (equal third)
- Burbage (equal third)
- Laverstock (fifth).
For Hilperton, the judges (Steve Russell and Air Cdre Nigel Williams) 
commented ‘What a wonderful village! A church with well maintained borders and churchyard. Families picnicking at the playing field, the best allotment site the judges had ever seen. The school was neat and tidy; footpaths were well maintained and public open spaces and residential gardens were very well kept. Despite a busy road through the village, litter was minimal. Wonderful facilities all well cared for and well used – a real community village’.
What more needs to be said? Other, of course, than a big ‘Thank You’ to all the residents that take a pride in our village and keep it looking so great.
Ernie Clark
September 2012