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Happy Holidays from Banwell Parish Council!

 

Banwell village in the snow.

 

Welcome to the Winter 2023 edition of the Banwell Parish Council e-newsletter.

 

We've got a jam-packed newsletter for you today - there's so much happening in Banwell this holiday season!

 

In this edition of the Parish Council newsletter, we cover the upcoming Christmas festivities, including the always-popular Banwell Christmas Market and the magical Banwell Christmas Window Trail. We also provide updates and reminders about local groups and activities running at the Y.C.C., information about our new Soup & a Roll community lunches, as well as some exciting news about new initiatives beginning in the New Year - and more!

 

Banwell Parish Council would like to wish you a Merry Christmas if you celebrate, a joyous winter season to those of you who do not, and a very Happy New Year to all!

 

With the best wishes of the season,

 

Banwell Parish Council

Your Parish Council

You can find out more about your Parish Councillors on banwellparishcouncil.org.uk/parish-council/your-councillor

 

 Paul Blatchford (Chairman)

820769

paul.blatchford@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk 

Paul Harding     (Vice-Chairman)

07974 392245

paul.harding@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Simon Arlidge

 

 simon.arlidge@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Mike Bailey 07831 838578 mike.bailey@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Steven Davies

822245

 steve.davies@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Kevin Gibbons

07576 446400

 kevin.gibbons@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Nick Manley

07973 414019

 nick.manley@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Maggie McCarthy

07975 727996

 maggie.mccarthy@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Kelly Smith   kelly.smith@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Matthew Thomson

07415 788727

 matthew.thomson@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Steve Voller

07977 536145

 steve.voller@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Tara Wright  

 tara.wright@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Contact Your Parish Council

  • Call us on 01934 820442
  • Email us on clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
  • Message us via our website.
  • Visit us at Banwell Youth & Community Centre Tues & Thurs 10am-12noon*
  • Follow and contact us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • Send us a letter to Banwell Parish Council Youth and Community Centre, West Street, Banwell, BS29 6BD.
  • Attend a Council meeting online on zoom, Facebook Live or in person.

The Parish Office is located at the Youth & Community Centre (at the bottom of West Street Carpark) and is open to parishioners on Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am until 12 noon.

Events & Initiatives

Banwell Christmas Market

 

Our Banwell Christmas Market is a popular staple of the Banwell calendar. Come along to browse through local stalls selling the perfect presents just in time for Christmas. You'll even get the chance to meet Father Christmas himself!

 

This year's Christmas Market will take place on Saturday, December 2nd, from 11 am to 4 pm, at Banwell Youth & Community Centre, West Street, Banwell, BS29 6BD.

 

Everyone is welcome to come along. We hope to see you there!

Shop Local

By shopping locally, you not only have the chance to purchase beautiful, locally-produced items from local people, but you also get to help the local economy prosper, support local entrepreneurs, and improve local sustainability. Perfect!

A person wearing a black Christmas jumper and Santa Hat smiles at the camera from behind a market stall table. The table is packed with various bottles and jars of body lotions and the like. On the wall behind the stall hangs some skirts and dresses.  A person smiles at the camera, wearing a blue tshirt which says "Fees Fund". Behind hangs cloth bunting and more blue Fees Fund tshirts. On the stall table are brown paper bags, brown cardboard boxes, a jar of sweets, and a mini Christmas tree decorated with baubles. A person with chin length curly brown hair smiles sweetly at the camera with their head on one side. On the stall table are lots of different coloured, natural-looking soaps. The table is further decorated with sprigs of holly. Father Christmas, a man with a large white beard, curly white hair, and a red outfit, sits in an armchair. To his left is a Christmas tree, and he is surrounded by toys and Christmassy sacks.

Banwell Christmas Window Trail

Banwell Christmas Window Trail. 14th-17th December 2023.

The days are chilly, the nights are long... let's spread some cheer and brighten up Banwell, parishioners!

 

The Banwell Parish Council Christmas Window Trail will  light up the village again this year, and we can't wait! Windows will be illuminated acorss Banwell every evening from Thursday December 14th to Sunday December 17th. 

 

Take a relaxed  evening stroll and follow the Window Trail for your chance to see the beautiful illuminated window displays created by local people and businesses! You can get a copy of this year’s Window Trail Map on our website once all entries have been submitted (after December 5th). Print copies of the trail map will available upon request.

 

Illuminate Your Window

Want to do more than look? Get involved!

 

Anyone in Banwell can sign up to illuminate their window, whether as an individual or a business. To sign up, simply fill out and submit the Banwell Christmas Window Trail 2023 Entry-Form.

 

Please be aware that the deadline to sign up for this year's Christmas Window Trail is Tuesday December 5th. Please submit your entry forms before this date to avoid disappointment.

 

Gallery of Past Illuminations

Take a look at some of the entries from past years to get inspired...

    

  A four-panel rectangular collage of photographs of creatively decorated and illuminated windows, the two centre panels displaying the same window across both panels. From left to right: A window illuminated with crepe paper showing the house from "Up" floating away on multicoloured balloons; the head of a diplodocus dinosaur, beside a comet falling against a red sky with pterosaurs flying in the background; a dark window illuminated very brightly with and orange, yellow, and red apparition which somewhat resembles Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men.

 A four-panel rectangular collage of photographs of creatively decorated and illuminated windows, the two centre panels displaying the same window across both panels. From left to right: Kawaii woodland creatures in black silhouette with large, circular, coloured eyes, against falling leaves; The feet, body, and tail of a diplodocus dinosaur with a volcano exploding in the distance and a t-rex walking about; two black silhouettes of monsters grin from behind a bush.

A four-panel rectangular collage of photographs of creatively decorated and illuminated windows, the two centre panels displaying the same window across both panels. From left to right: Many multicoloured butterflies fly up the window from paper flowers; in a window lit in dark blue, a mermaid swims, her hand outstretched toward a jellyfish, a wrecked ship lying on the ocean floor beneath her; fairies in different colours fly around with fairylights.

 

A four-panel rectangular collage of photographs of creatively decorated and illuminated windows, the two centre panels displaying the same window across both panels. From left to right: a black cat sits beneath a wintery tree bereft of leaves. An owl sits on the tree branch whilst bats fly overhead in front of a yellow full moon; two people, seen from behind, marvel with “oohs” and “aahs” at a large bonfire and colourful fireworks; A window illuminated with sparkly fireworks and two black silhouetted dancers on a red dancefloor.

 

A four-panel rectangular collage of photographs of creatively decorated and illuminated windows, the two centre panels displaying the same window across both panels. From left to right: A simple yet beautiful illumination of paper cut outs in various colours shaped like candles in glass bottles; An illuminated window display in the style of stained glass. Multicoloured geometric shapes surround a circle, within which is a dove in flight, and some white flowers; a 12 panel window, in each of the panels is a different Halloween character, bats, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns.

 

A four-panel rectangular collage of photographs of creatively decorated and illuminated windows, the two centre panels displaying the same window across both panels. From left to right: A wolf howls beside a tree in front of a huge orange full moon; The tall glass entranceway to the Banwell Y.C.C. The upper part of the windows are illuminated with rolling hills labelled "BANWELL" and some cows. then three different silhouettes of local churches. The lower portion is blacked out with the design illuminated in white, reading "BANWELL BONE CAVES" with two animal skulls and collections of bones; a silhouette of a creepy looking haunted house complete with gravestones in the garden, and with its own windows illuminated.

 

Beautiful!

 

We can't wait to see what you create this year, parishioners. 

Banwell Christmas Present Appeal

Christmas present appeal. Banwell Parish Council. Donate an unwrapped unwrapped gift to Banwell Youth & Community Centre. Help make a child's Christmas.

 

This year, Banwell Parish Council is proudly supporting The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.

 

If you would like to contribute to this good cause, please consider donating an unwrapped gift for a child who may not be fortunate enough to have a present this year.

 

You can drop off your presents at the Banwell Youth & Community Centre (YCC) on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-12pm until 7th December.

 

Alternatively, join us at the Banwell Christmas Market on 2nd December 11am-4pm at the Y.C.C., where you can hand your donations directly to Santa himself ????.

Soup & a Roll Community Lunches

Banwell Parish Council invites you to join us at the Banwell Youth & Community Centre every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm for Soup and a Roll community lunches!

 

Share a delicious meal with friends and neighbours. Good company and good food - the perfect way to brighten up your day! These sessions are also perfect for people working from home looking to level-up their lunch breaks.

 

A voluntary donation of £1 is requested for attending. Everyone is welcome!

Banwell Book Swap

Banwell Parish Council. Banwell Book Swap at Banwell Y.C.C. 10am – 1pm, every Thursday and alternate Tuesdays.

 

Looking for something new to read? Come along to the Banwell Book Swap!

 

The Banwell Book Swap takes place from 10 am to 1 pm every Thursday and alternate Tuesdays at the Banwell Youth & Community Centre.

 

Everyone is welcome to drop in, pick up a book to take home, and if you'd like, enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit while you read! If you have books at home that you no longer want, bring them along for someone else to take home.

 

Have you read anything good lately that you'd like to recommend to your fellow parishioners? Leave a comment on our Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly "Twitter") pages to share your recommendations!

 

Tea & Tech/You Can Do I.T.

A room full of people of all ages sitting at tables in the Banwell Youth and community centre. People are looking at laptops, tablets, and smart phones together. Most people also have a cup of tea beside them. Everyone seems very focused and engaged in their activities. The National Lottery Community Fund logo is in the upper left corner.

 

Would you or someone you know benefit from some friendly, patient support with using laptops, smart phones, or tablets? Would you or someone you know like to learn some nifty techincal tips to level up your technology skills? 

 

If yes, then join us for our free digital advice sessions at the Banwell Youth & Community Centre!

 

People of all ages and technological abilities are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Learn new skills whilst having a chat and a cuppa!  

 

New participants are always welcome.

 

The final Tea & Tech and You Can Do I.T. sessions of 2023 will be taking place on Thursday December 7th and Thursday December 21st. We plan to contine these sessions in the new year; dates TBC.

 

How To Get Involved

 If you are interested in attending any of our Tea & Tech or You Can Do I.T. sessions, please contact Liz to book your place, at  (01934) 820442. 

Join the Crochet Corner at the Public Living Room

 

Fancy a few hours of sociable crafting with like-minded neighbors? Then join us at the Crochet Corner in the Y.C.C. Public Living Room every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am until 1 pm!

 

Whether you're an experienced crocheter or a beginner looking for guidance; whether you want somewhere friendly to sit and knit or you'd like to learn all about diamond painting; or if you simply want to drink tea and chat about all things crafty, these sessions are for you!

 

Everyone is welcome!

 

To learn more, please contact Liz at clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk or  (01934) 820442. 

What's On at the Banwell Children’s Centre / Youth & Community Centre

Text reads, What’s on at Banwell YCC? Photograph of the front entrance of the Banwell YCC. Photograph of a sign which reads “Banwell Youth & Community Centre” beneath the Banwell Parish Council logo. Photograph of a group of seven people sitting around a table at the Banwell YCC public living room. They all face the camera, smiling.

 

The Banwell Youth & Community Centre hosts events and activities for all ages! Take a look at our current schedule, below:

 

Mondays:  

  • 10 - 11am: North Somerset “Let’s Play” (term time only)
  • 2-4pm: Craft & Chat
  • 7pm: Planning Committee meeting (1st Monday of the month)
  • 7:30pm: Banwell Parish Council (3rd Monday of the month)

Tuesdays:  

  • 10am – 12p,: Banwell Parish Council Public Opening Hours
  • 10am – 1pm: Banwell Public Living Room & Crochet Corner
  • 12:30 -1:30pm: Soup & a Roll
  • 2-4pm (monthly): Tea & Tech
  • 6:30 – 8:30pm: Banwell Youth Club (Term time only)

Thursdays: 

  • 10am - 12: Banwell Parish Council Public Opening Hours
  • 10am – 1pm: Banwell Public Living Room & Crochet Corner
  • 12:30 -1:30pm: Soup & a Roll
  • 2pm – 4pm: Twice a month ‘You Can Do I.T. Sessions

Venue Hire

The Youth & Community Centre is available for hire outside of these times: Monday to Friday (£12 an hour), and Saturday and Sunday (£14 an hour). 

News & Updates

Biscuits & Snack Wrappers Recycling Point

 

Following on from the success of our Confectionary Wrapper recycling point, Banwell Parish Council is pleased to now host a Biscuits & Snacks Wrappers terracycle recycling point at the Y.C.C. on West Street.

 

This recycling point can accept any brand of wrappers from biscuits, crackers and cakes (e.g. Penguin bars, digestive biscuits, Jaffa cake bars etc.).

 

Please note that this recycling point cannot accept chocolate bar wrappers (e.g., Mars bars, Kit-Kats, etc.) or any "inside" plastic trays as they are made from a different material.

 

Our bright green terracycle recycling bin is located outside the center at the end of West Street Car Park. You can drop of your clean wrappers at any time, but please be sure to secure the lid down tightly - we do not want any extra litter flying around that could harm wildlife! 

 

Please be aware that we will no longer be accepting confectionary recycling at this point, as this recycling programme has now ended.

COMING SOON: Fun for One & Back to Basics Cooking Classes 

A photograph of people at a kitchen counter in front of various cooking ingredients. Text reads, Back to Basics! Fun for One! Free cooking classes. Logos at bottom: Funded by the UK Government; WERN: West England Rural Network.

In the new year, Banwell Parish Council will be organising free cooking classes for local people at the Banwell Youth and Community Centre on West Street.

"Back to Basics" Course

Our "Back to Basics" course will span five classes, teaching cooking fundamentals for those new to the kitchen. These classes will be held on Thursday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm and Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm, starting on January 18th.

"Fun For One" Classes

 Our "Fun For One" classes will begin on Thursday mornings from February 29th, 2024. These sessions will focus on various topics related to cooking for one person, including using an air fryer/slow cooker, saving money, and bulk cooking and freezing.

Book Your Place Now!

These sessions will be free of charge, but booking is necessary as places are limited. If you are interested, please contact Banwell Parish Council clerk, Liz Shayler, at 01934 820442 or by email at clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk.

 

 That's All For Now!

We hope you enjoyed this Winter edition of the Banwell Parish Council e-newsletter!

 

For real-time updates, latest news, and more local content, connect with us us on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter). 

 

If you have any suggestions, comments, or topics you'd like to see in future newsletters, please feel free to reach out. The parish council appreciates and relies upon the feedback and engagement of our parishioners.

 

Thank you for being a part of the Banwell Parish community.

 

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Contact Us
Banwell Parish Council
Banwell Parish Council Youth and Community Centre,
West Street, Banwell, North Somerset. BS29 6BD
T: 01934 820442 (Parish Clerk)
E: clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
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