Community Groups
We are fortunate to have many local village groups supporting a range of activities you can get involved with.
Directory:
Bell Ringers
We ring the bells at St. Mary’s, our village church. There are six bells and we currently have a core team of eight regular ringers.
Most of us started to learn to ring following the 2012 refurbishment of the bells, but we have trained up a number of ringers since then and are always keen to hear from anyone interested in joining us.
Our practice night is from 7:30 – 9pm on Wednesday evenings.
There have been bells at St. Mary’s for centuries, the last being added in 1870, making up the current six. In recent decades, our bells had fallen into disrepair but in 2011 following a concerted effort from villagers and help from a National Lottery grant, the bells were refurbished and re-dedicated inOctober 2012. As there were no ringers left from earlier times a new team of volunteers had to be recruited and trained up in the art of change ringing.
English style bell ringing, called change ringing was invented 400 years ago and although practised worldwide, the vast majority is to be found in the churches of England. Elsewhere the predominant ringing style is chiming, where the bell only swings through a small arc, at a rate defined by the size and shape of the bell. English style change ringing involves the bells being swung through almost a full circle and, when pointing vertically, to be held “at the balance” by the skill of the ringer. This allows the speed each bell swings to be controlled and used to change the order the bells strike, instead of just ringing rounds.
Click here to email for more information.
Emergency Management Team
The Great Shefford Emergency Management Team are a group of volunteers who coordinate the community response and liaise with the emergency services / local authorities in the case of any local emergency.?
Click here to email us for more about the team or get involved
The Emergency Management Team provide coordinated first response support following a local plan framework to ensure an effective approach to managing a major incident that may threaten the safety and welfare of the community and vulnerable individuals.
The village and surrounding Shefford Woodlands are split up into several specific geographic zones, and each zone is managed by a team leader and coordinated by an Emergency Liaison Officer.
Each zone team leader runs a WhatsApp group. If you would like to volunteer or would like to be updated on EMT updates, please contact your zone team leader.
EMT Team Leaders:
Blue Team - Wantage Road, Millers Field and Nimms Meadow
Team leader: Linda Bowden
Address: Downside, Wantage Road
Orange Team - Spring Meadows / Blakeney Fields Estate
Team leader: Liz Bell
Address: 1, Spring Meadows
Red Team - The Mead and Fetti Place
Team leader: Piers Storey
Address: 1, The Mead
Green Team - Station Road, Riverway
Team leader: David Fawcus
Address: Millbrook, Station Road
Purple Team - Church Street, Newbury Road, The Mallards, Hunters Meadow, Scholars Close, East Shefford
Team leader: Neil Palmer
Address: The Ridings, Church Street
Emergency Liason Officer
David Blundell
Address: 7 Riverway
2024 Flood Updates
The following village flood section will be updated regularly. If you would like to get the most recent information, please contact your EMT zone team leader in the section above.
29th Jan 2024 - Environment Agency Update
The Environment Agency are mobilising pumps and pipes in the village to reduce the risk of property flooding.
A series of pumps will be installed down one carriageway of the A338. Once the pumping is in place, towards the end of this week, temporary traffic lights will be in place around the pumps, which may cause some disruption.
The pumps will remain in place and pump water as and when needed for the next few weeks. We are mindful that the pumps can be noisy when in operation, therefore we will locate the pumps as far away from peoples’ homes as possible and they will only be switched on when necessary.
We do note that the pumping will control groundwater flowing through the stream and prevent overflowing from the stream down the road and into properties. The pumping will not reduce overall groundwater levels below the surface and may still impact cellars and properties.
Sewage update
Several properties are currently affected by groundwater ingress into the sewage system causing manhole cover leaks and preventing domestic drainage. Portaloos are being delivered on Wednesday 10th Jan and final locations will be confirmed.?
If you are affected by sewage issues, please contact Thames Water on 0800 316 9800 or by going to https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-and-waste-help/pollution and they will arrange for the delivery of sandbags.
Parish Defibrillators
We are fortunate to have three life-saving defibrillators in the Parish. If you would like to know more about how you can get involved and support these important devices, click here to email us.
In early 2016, a decision was made that the Parish should try and secure funding for three defibrillators.
- Outside the Village Hall in Great Shefford
- Inside the telephone box in Shefford Woodlands and
- Stand-alone defibrillator at the entrance of Blakeney Fields.
After a short period of time, due to village fund-raising, multiple grants and donations, totalling £10K, we were able to go ahead with this project with the first machine installed on the wall outside the Village Hall, followed by the second machine installed in the telephone box in Shefford Woodlands. The third machine in Blakeney Fields took longer to be installed due to it needing its own electricity supply.
Adequate contingency funds were set aside to pay for the ongoing costs of running the three machines (replacement batteries/pads etc). Currently the Parish Council is kindly looking at adding financial provision for any upcoming further expenditure in the next few years.
None of the above would have been possible without the tremendous support from so many villagers in the Parish who worked tirelessly to help ensure we secured enough funds to purchase the three defibrillators.
Great Shefford Community Speedwatch
Community speedwatch is a national voluntary scheme where proactive members of local communities join with their local police, in Great Shefford this is Thames Valley, where speeding vehicles are recorded using an approved detection device, loaned to us by the Police and Crime Commissioner. As speeding is not just a local phenomenon and neither is Speedwatch, which co-ordinates responses based on the collated data from all groups involved across the country.
Community Speedwatch was set up in Great Shefford in 2021 in response to the large number of complaints about vehicles speeding through the village.
There are strict rules governing where and when the speed checks can take place, volunteers undertake on-line training which is provided by TVP.
Registered keepers of vehciles exceeding the speed limit are contacted initially with a letter explaining the potential risks and consequences of their dangerous behaviour. Repeat offenders will receive a visit from the local police, irrespective of where they live. Beyond these friendly gestures, focused enforcement and criminal prosecution follow, based on the collated evidence. The police will operate their own speed checks if results indicate these would be justified.
Whilst speeding is everyone's concern, Speedwatch activity is not about interfering with neighbours' behaviour, it is a proactive solution to improve the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community.
If you would like to join the exiiting small groups of volunteers, please click here for more information.
Great Shefford Parish News
The Parish News is the official ‘organ’ of the Parish Council, produced by volunteers monthly and circulated digitally with hard copies distributed to all at Christmas free of charge.
The aim is to share with the community information on events which are due to take place, together with reports on past events, a summary of Parish Council minutes, together with articles produced by members of the community on their hobbies and interests.
Contributions are always welcome from villagers on topics which may be of interest to others although the Editor’s decision is final on what may be included and should be emailed by the 25th of the preceding month. Click here to contact the Editor.
To be sure of your digital copy, click here to request to be added to the digital mailing list. Past copies are available to view on this website here.
The Allotment Society
The Allotment Society was formed in 2011 by a small group of enthusiasts whose own gardens had insufficient space to allow them to grow their own fruit and veg.
Following a lengthy search for land in the Parish, David Liddiard came forward with the offer of a site at Northfield Farm which he rented to the Parish Council. Triangular in shape, it was not the easiest to set plots out in, but thanks to the skill of a member, a plan was produced and 20 half plots of approximately 60sqm were set out. The site is now owned by one of the allotment holders, Paul Akers, but continues to be run by the Society.
Work began in earnest on 1st April clearing what had been a dumping ground for bricks, tiles, and scrap machinery and removing several small trees. There was a water supply to the site, but at one end, so not readily accessible for all plot holders, a plumber amongst the members set to work to install a second tank at the bottom of the site and by the end of April, all plots were occupied and growing had begun.
The Society was formed to manage the site which is done by a Committee elected annually and payes the rent to the Parish Council.
Plots occasioanlly become available for a small fee and applications are open to anyone living within a 5 mile radius of Great Shefford Parish.
Whilst plots holders must be members of the society, membership is open to anyone in the defined area.
Further information can be obtained by clicking here to email us.
Great Shefford Under Fives
Great Shefford Under Fives is an independent educational charity which has provided an excellent Pre-School and Baby & Toddler group for over 50 years.
We are based at Great Shefford Village Hall and welcome families from Great Shefford and the surrounding villages.
We run a Pre-School each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, term time, for children from 2 years 9 months.
Our 'turn-up' Baby & Toddler group is each Monday morning from 9.30am.
Great Shefford Under Fives started in 1971 and has continued to run both a thriving Pre-School and Baby & Toddler Group since then.
We develop important early skills of independence, confidence, concentration, perseverance, listening and socialising, as well as how to value our community through involvement in local activities. Alongsie these essential skills, children learn through play, stories, singing, counting and exploring the outdoors.
Ofsted recognised our contribution to the development of children's wellbeing and development as 'Outstanding'.
We are a member of the Early Years Alliance and have a tradition of recognising the important of parental involvement in their children's education. Parents are invited to volunteer during sessions, join the committee and help with fund raising if they wish.
Baby & Toddler Group
Each Monday morning, term time, we run a baby & toddler group for local families. We welcome parents, grandparents and carers with their young children and, of course, expectant mums are welcome too!
Two Pre-School staff run the session. They have a wealth of childcare experience to call upon and can offer helpful advice if it is requested.
The session runs from 9.30am to 11.5am and we charge £3 per family. Please turn up when you are ready, as we know getting little ones out in the mornings can be unpredictable!
As the children enjoy the range of good quality toys and baby equipment, parents and craers have an opportunity to chat and get to know one another. Of course we offer a healthy snack for the children and refreshments for the adults too!
We look forward to meeting you and your family.
Visit www.greatsheffordunderfives.co.uk for more information.
Great Shefford Village Hall
Great Shefford Village Hall is regularly used by a number of groups in the village, including Toddlers and Under Fives, Craft Group and Yoga.
The hall is of a high standard, with decoration and heating recently updated.
A modern kitchen is available for use when booking the hall.
Great Shefford Village Hall is available to all villagers, both from Great Shefford and from nearby, for hire at very reasonable rates.
For more information, or if you would like to visit the hall, please click here to contact the Booking Clerk, Denise.
The hall can also be linked up with Great Shefford Sports & Social Club for some bookings. Please contact us if you would like to know more about this option.
Great Shefford Village Hall is looked after by the Management Committee which meets regularly. If you are interested in joining the committee, or in supporting the ongoing running of the hall in any way, please click here to contact the Booking Clerk, Denise.
Great Shefford Village Hall is a registered charity number 300158.
?? Great Shefford Sports & Social Club
Run by an amazing group of volunteers and a dedicated committee, the social club offers a warm and welcoming place for the community.
The club is located behind the Village Hall, in the heart of the village.
We aim to build a social hub within our lovely village, serving good, inexpensive drinks in our friendly club, surrounded by our members and neighbours.
We have a large screen TV showing various sports, a full size snooker/billiard table, a newly renovated pool table, bar billiards, darts and various board games.
Along with our regular Bingo nights, we're working hard to develop further events to provide our local community with a base to meet, socialise and have fun together.
All our bar staff are volunteers - we are trying to find ways to open our club for longer and extra hours and welcome any volunteers who may be able to help at the bar for both regular and/or adhoc shifts.
Shefford Craft Club
We are a friendly, informal group who meet every Friday 9.30am to 12 noon at Great Shefford Village Hall to share our interest in craft.
If you would like to know more about the group or get involved, please come and say hello or alternatively click here to email us.
Everyone is welcome, we all come from within a 15-mile radius of Great Shefford, and have an age range from 18 to 90+! Most weeks we meet to continue our own projects, gain inspiration and knowledge from each other and enjoy a catch-up and a brew.
Once a month we organize a demonstration, workshop or ‘make and take’. You are welcome to drop in, no membership is required, just a small contribution when you come.
The group was started in 2009 by two Great Shefford residents with a passion for Art and Craft. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength. If you have seen the Remembrance Poppies on the Avenue of trees to the church or the flower bombing of the village for the Platinum Jubilee these are examples of what we get up to!
All our members love to share their joy of crafting and making, and there may be just a bit of chat and cake too! As a group we have many talented people with a variety of skills in many different crafts, such as: - Sewing, jewellery making, knitting, crochet, card making, flower arranging, embroidery, painting, pottery, quilling, calligraphy, Chinese brush painting to name but a few. You are very welcome to join us on any Friday.
Yoga
Olivia Boydall runs Vinyasa Hatha Yoga classes, suitable for all on Monday evenings in the Village Hall.
Suitable for all, I offer lots of variations of postures and always encourage each individual to rest as often as they need to, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the practice and feeling comfortable.
Dates: Monday 6:15-7:15pm
Website
Facebook
Style of class
I begin class by guiding you through some breathwork to calm your nervous systems and induce relaxation.
We will then move into gentle mobility work, opening up and warming the body, slowly leading to flows that help build strength and flexibility, these flows are all punctuated with some deep stretches, moments of rest and always a little bit of play with balance too.
I will guide you onto your back to unwind with some restorative postures before a soothing guided relaxation to draw class to an end.
If you would like to know more about the class, click here to email us.
St Mary's Church
A team of volunteers lovingly maintain St Mary's and its grounds. Regular services are held in the Church as well as cafe mornings.
Every Wednesday evening, the village bell ringers meet to sound the refurbished English bells.
West Berkshire Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch is about being alert for any crime or suspicious activity, it is helping the Police to reduce local crime, promoting neighbourliness and looking out for each other to make the community a safer place to live.
We are looking for people in West Berkshire to volunteer to be Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators.
How to set up a scheme:
- Angela will send you information on Neighbourhood Watch plus two one page forms to complete to receive the Alerts on Crimes and Scams and to be a Coordinator.
- A scheme can be anything from 5 properties to part or all of a road. The Alerts can be forwarded to neighbours via email, a WhatsApp, Facebook or Nextdoor Group.
- Having a circulation is also helpful if for example pets or other items are lost, to notify on suspicious callers or events in your area plus offering help if needed to elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
Benefits: Help to keep the community safe and neighbours getting to know one another. NHW signs, stickers, leaflets are free and all members of a scheme receive various local discounts.?
We currently have approximately 550 schemes in West Berkshire. It is so important to have Neighbourhood Watch schemes in all areas and do hope that you can help us to achieve this in Great Shefford and surrounding areas.?
Please contact Angela with your details (name, road, email and phone number) and she will forward some information to you and will check whether there is a scheme in your road.
Please contact: Angela Money BEM on Newbury (01635) 40866.
More information on: Thames Valley | Neighbourhood Watch Network (ourwatch.org.uk)