21/05/2026
Chair’s End-of-Year Speech
Good evening, everyone it really is lovely to see you all here this evening.
As we come to the end of another busy year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved together, and where we’re heading next.
When Cllr Paul Manning suggested last year that I should stand for Chair,
I was apprehensive. But I stepped up — and I want to thank you all for the support you’ve given me throughout the year.
It’s fair to say this year has been quite a learning curve. With a newly formed council and a new Parish Clerk, there has been plenty for all of us to get to grips with. But what has made it not only manageable, but genuinely enjoyable,
is the way we’ve worked together with patience, good humour, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for Seend.
And because of that spirit, we have achieved a great deal.
One of the most positive changes has been holding our meetings in the lovely Irene Usher Hall. It’s such a welcoming, accessible space, and it’s been wonderful to see more parishioners joining us more voices, more ideas, more engagement. That is exactly what healthy village life looks like.
We’ve also all enjoyed the wildflower meadow on the Lye Field. With summer on its way, the meadow is already springing into life, and we’re looking forward to seeing it in full bloom as the warmer weather arrives. The Parish Council’s contribution has clearly been well spent bringing colour, and a real sense of joy, to the heart of the village.
Another highlight was the Open Gardens in Seend last June. It was an amazing success people came from far and wide, and with 19 gardens open, the village looked stunning. Everyone enjoyed the tea and delicious cakes at the Pavilion, organised by Anne Ewing and her wonderful team on behalf of the Church a real treat, and a perfect example of community spirit at its best.
The event raised over ÂŁ10,000 for the Church an incredible achievement, and a testament to the generosity and hard work of everyone involved.
This year, it’s Seend Cleeve’s turn on Saturday 13th June
so please do spread the word. And if you’re available to help on the day,
please pop an email to the Clerk, and she’ll forward your details to Neil Yockney.
And of course, we were incredibly proud to be awarded
Best Kept Large Village. That success was thanks to the hard work and organisation of John Williams last year. This year, we’re hopeful for another excellent result under the direction of our newly appointed councillor, Paul Taylor.
So here’s a gentle nudge please keep your frontages tidy, pavements clear of weeds, and hedges trimmed. These small acts of care really do make a big difference. And if you can spare an hour or two or even three
this Saturday morning for our village tidy-up, please come along. We’re meeting at the Community Centre at 9.30am.
And we mustn’t forget Speedwatch. What can I say another huge thank you to John Williams and his band of “Speedos”, who are regularly out educating the vehicles that use the High Street. Their presence genuinely makes a difference, and they’re always looking for more volunteers.
If you can spare just half an hour once a week or once a month every little helps. Thank you to everyone involved.
We also finally persuaded Wiltshire Council to relocate some of the waste bins and I think we can all agree it has improved the aroma in the High Street bus shelter. A small victory but a very welcome one.
Looking ahead, we know there are potential housing developments being discussed around Seend. These conversations can feel daunting, and they can stir up strong feelings, but they also present an opportunity. If we want our school to thrive, if we want our church to remain at the heart of village life, and if we want Seend to continue being a place where young families can settle and grow, then we do need to approach these proposals with open minds.
Welcoming new people into our community keeps our village vibrant and alive.
And that brings me to our Neighbourhood Plan. The Neighbourhood Plan gives us a real voice in shaping the future of Seend Parish what is built, where it goes, and how our village evolves. We are very fortunate that Carola Thorpe has agreed to lead the Steering Group for this important work.
If you’d like to be involved even in a small way please do get in touch with Carola – email [email protected]
The more voices we have, the stronger and more representative
our plan will be. So, all in all, it has been a year of progress, teamwork, and genuine community spirit. I want to thank my fellow councillors,
our Parish Clerk, and all of you who come along, ask questions,
challenge us, support us, and care about this village. Seend is special because its people care and that is something we should never take for granted
I’m really looking forward to what we can achieve together in the year ahead.
Debbie
Debbie Savage
