WWII secret Home Guard Auxiliary Units; a little-known part of Westbury’s history

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The Auxiliary Units were specially trained, highly-secret quasi-military units created by the British government during the Second World War with the aim of using irregular warfare in response to a possible invasion of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany.

Westbury resident John Sealy was a member of the local unit, and the Sealy family has kindly given access to newspaper cuttings and documents telling the fascinating story of this little-known part of our village’s history.

To learn more about this secret army, and read the other articles, go to the Westbury Society page where you’ll find downloadable copies on the right-hand side.

Peter Pan

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The Peter Pan performance is going ahead on the playing field tonight, Thursday 3rd August, at 7pm, but there will be no parking – the field is too wet.

Please park elsewhere and walk.

And remember to bring your own chairs and waterproofs!

 

Save the date – Peter Pan flies into Westbury Playing Fields – Thurs 3 August 7pm

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Just a reminder, as previously posted…

This summer, Slapstick Picnic is whipping up a theatrical treat like no other in outdoor venues all across the UK: a three-actor production of J.M.Barrie’s classic play Peter Pan.
Slapstick Picnic is a sister company of The Handelbards who have appeared in Westbury before to great acclaim.

Let your imagination soar as they dish out this timeless tale of hapless pirates, feral children and a particularly punctual reptile. This show isn’t just for kids; their brilliant buffoonery will have picnickers of all ages cackling into their coleslaw.

This is one flight of fancy you don’t want to miss and courtesy of the Parish Council, Footlights and local businesses it is free entry!
To help us predict numbers entry will be by ticket ,available shortly from the village shop.

So bring your own picnic, rugs, chairs and soft drinks (no glass please). But if that’s too much hassle we have also booked Soul Dough who will make you banging wood fired pizzas and expect to have a pay bar. If you enjoy yourselves then we will be asking for donations so we can go on providing good entertainment for everyone in the community.

WATCH OUT FOR POSTERS AROUND THE VILLAGE – AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS
MORE INFORMATION FROM SUE ISHERWOOD 01749 870457

 

Peter Pan – Thursday 3rd August, 7:30pm

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PETER PAN text for THE PEW

Save the date – Peter Pan flies into Westbury Playing Fields – Thurs 3 August 7pm

This summer, Slapstick Picnic is whipping up a theatrical treat like no other in outdoor venues all across the UK: a three-actor production of J.M.Barrie’s classic play Peter Pan.
Slapstick Picnic is a sister company of The Handelbards who have appeared in Westbury before to great acclaim.

Let your imagination soar as they dish out this timeless tale of hapless pirates, feral children and a particularly punctual reptile. This show isn’t just for kids; their brilliant buffoonery will have picnickers of all ages cackling into their coleslaw.

 

This is one flight of fancy you don’t want to miss and courtesy of  the Parish Council, Footlights and local businesses it is free entry!

To help us predict numbers entry will be by ticket ,available shortly from the village shop.

 

So bring your own picnic, rugs, chairs and soft drinks (no glass please). But if that’s too much hassle we have also booked Soul Dough who will make you banging wood fired pizzas and expect to have a pay bar.  If you enjoy yourselves then we will be asking for donations so we can go on providing good entertainment for everyone in the community.

 

Sponsor a Sleeper!

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With a new section of path planned to open in August the Strawberry Line Society is seeking to raise funds to pay for maintenance and enhancements to the stretch from Station Road Westbury to Easton Village Hall. We are asking people to sponsor a sleeper – miniature sleepers can be obtained from the village shop or directly from me – mick@mickfletcher.org.uk See this poster for details.

Community Tree Group – Open Afternoon in the Tree Nursery

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Westbury Community Tree Group are inviting all residents to visit the tree nursery on the afternoon of Friday 30th June and, at 5.15, take part in a short general meeting to help guide the future direction of the group.  Please see this poster for details.

SCAM ALERT! Call using an 01749 number

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Watch out for a credit card scam using a local number. They called this afternoon from 01749 *6*7*6, purporting to be from Mastercard querying two recent purchases. Immediate warning flags were the poor audio quality of the recording and the extreme improbability of Mastercard’s fraud prevention team having a local office.

The scammers were using ‘spoofing’ to disguise their number as a local one, which we are naturally far more likely to pick up than one from a distant exchange which we don’t recognise.

If you get one of these scam calls, whether from a 01749 number or not, hang up immediately – above all don’t follow any of the instructions they give you.

A371 closed at Draycott Wednesday to Friday this week!

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Bristol Water works in Draycott mean the A371 will be closed there for about three days. There will be a diversion route, but watch out for increased traffic on side roads.

If anyone knows how this will affect the 126 bus, please post a comment.

Strawberry Line – Erlon Lane to Ebbor Lane

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After years of campaigning, work is finally underway on a key stretch of the Strawberry Line connecting Westbury to Easton.  It will start at the point the recently built path from Station Road stops and continues until Ebbor Lane, just by Easton Village Hall.  For the first time there will be a safe off-road route between the two villages suitable for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs.  Further details can be found here.

The path is expected to open to the public sometime in August.  Until then people are asked to refrain from exploring the route and its surroundings.  Not only is it a dangerous construction site with heavy machinery in daily use but it remains private land.  We have only been able to take this step forward through the goodwill of the farming families whose land it crosses and it is most important that we do not abuse that goodwill by trespassing before the path is finished and securely fenced.

Anyone wanting to know more about the Starwberry Line project or willing to help with it can contact me at mick@mickfletcher.org.uk

Packed Book Stall at today’s Village Day on the Playing Field

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If you are looking for a good book, you must visit the book stall at today’s village day in Westbury-sub-Mendip.  2023 is a vintage year and we have lots of wonderful books on everything from art, interiors and the countryside to biographies and novels for summer reading.

Once you’ve chosen your books, there is a packed bric-a-brac stall too – not to mention tea and cake and all the other attractions!