Visiting the Vale of Pewsey
Explore - Stay - Eat - Drink - Shop
Here we are in our second lockdown - missing our freedom to travel and visit places we love, missing that exciting time of year when we browse lovely independent shops to find that perfect Christmas present and missing a glass of something with good pub food in front of a log fire.
Well, miss no more! Of course we can't get out and about as we would like, but you can browse the Vale of Pewsey shops online at our Christmas Market. And if you don't fancy cooking, then why not order from one of our independents on our Takeaway page?
You can travel virtually around the Vale too! We have our fabulous video to remind you of how wonderful the Vale of Pewsey is or perhaps have a look at our Historic Map where you can find out about local landmarks, villages, pubs, churches and lots more.
Best of all, you can work out where you might stay in 2021 for your break and find the walks or cycle routes you might do when you are here.
With the good news about vaccines on their way, what better way to spend lockdown than visiting our businesses and countryside online and planning for the future?
We hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter and look forward to welcoming you to the Vale of Pewsey soon.
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Christmas Fun with My Flower Patch
Would you like to have some fun creating a Christmas wreath to ward off the dark lockdown nights? Then Sara Willman at My Flower Patch has just the thing. Take a wander through her online shop, and you will find everything you need to create your very own Festive wreath. All you need to add is the Chrimbo tunes in the background, the mulled wine (should you wish) and the foliage of your choice.
When you choose a wreath kit, then you will receive a code for a video tutorial taking you step by step through the process of creating your wreath. Sara will even advise you on the best foliage to look out for. You can pick and choose from the decorations and dried materials on the web-shop so that once you have created your wreath, you can add some very personal touches. Wreath kits and accessories can be posted anywhere in the UK. So why not host an online wreath making with your family and friends from further away?
If the idea of making your own is not your cup of tea, then Sara also has a selection of pre-made wreaths available. These are currently collection only from My Flower Patch at Upavon, but this may change to Nationwide delivery. You could choose a basic wreath and add extra accessories from the web-shop, or sit back and let My Flower Patch do all the work - apart from hanging it on your front door!
Are you looking for a unique Christmas present? Sara also offers gift vouchers for flower deliveries. You can choose to have a bouquet of beautiful British flowers, or a mixture of loose stems so that the recipient can have the fun of arranging them themselves. Deliveries take place within 12 miles of Upavon. Contact Sara via email to discuss gift voucher options so that she can design a gift suitable for your recipient, and your budget.
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As a special offer to readers of this newsletter My Flower Patch are offering 10% off the first 50 orders placed before the 30th November.
Please enter the code PEWSEYVALE into the shopping basket.
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Vale of Pewsey Lockdown Takeaways
Lots of choice during lockdown for delicious takeaways - our pubs, cafes and restaurants have really pulled out all the stops to make sure we can have a break from our own cooking!
Have a look and book your lockdown takeaway now! |
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The Farm Cookery School has virtual cookery classes online during November's lockdown.
Join Gretchen for a range of cookery classes, including Moroccan, batch cooking with tomato sauce and Thai curry and lots more.
All the classes can be booked online here.
If you are searching for the perfect gift for someone, then why not buy a gift voucher for one of the courses?
Looking beyond lockdown, there are Christmas Party Cook & Dine sessions, Christmas Dinner Masterclasses, Christmas Leftovers Masterclasses as well as a full selection of other courses for the new year.
Find out more here.
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Neal's Yard in the Vale
Sara Willman from My Flower Patch is also an independent Neal's Yard Remedies Consultant. Having used and loved their products for many years, she has an independent web-shop where you can buy Neal's Yard products.
If you have any questions about any of the products or want to know Sara's favourites, then just drop her a line. Anything with Frankincense is high-up there, and the Goodnight Pillow Mist is a firm favourite with Sara's 9 year old. |
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Our Great West Way®
The Great West Way® is southern England's east-west touring route, stretching from Windsor in the east to Bristol and Bath in the west, with the Vale of Pewsey right in the heart of it.
We are Destination Ambassadors for the Great West Way® and recently we spoke to them about what it means to us to be involved in this exciting new route.
Find out more about Our Great West Way.
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First Aid Training
Would you like to know basic first aid including the use of a defibrillator? Or are you a small business owner who needs the full one-day accredited certificate?
Louise Worsley of Worsley Training is running (subject to Covid restrictions) the 4 hour emergency course concurrently with the full 6 hour accredited Emergency First Aid at Work (the initial content is the same and then you can choose to stay on to cover the more everyday situations).
The course mixes theoretical and practical learning and assessment, and the accredited certificate lasts for three years.
The cost per person including a manual and certificate is:
- 4 hour non-accredited basic life support £50
- 4 hour accredited basic life support £55
- 6 hour accredited emergency first aid at work £70
It's on Wednesday 9th December and the venue is the enormous Assembly room in the Town Hall in Devizes, which has plenty of space to socially distance. Have a look here for adaptations that will be in place to minimise Covid transmission.
There's nothing better than a client recommendation - "I thoroughly enjoyed the course. You are a great teacher and made it a really fun and informative environment. I can even remember lots the next day, so I'm thrilled!" Katie Reeves, Emergency First Aid at Work
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Gastro Nicks has some fabulous ideas for Christmas hampers, as well as a wide collection of local and Mediterranean artisan food and wine, and many day-to-day essentials.
They have an excellent online shop, but if you pop into the shop in Collingbourne Ducis, you always have the option of tasting (most things) before you buy them and of course benefitting from Nick and Jane's extensive knowledge.
Fresh fish is available every Thursday from 11am onwards and Friday evening is takeaway pizza night.
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Keeping Up To Date
Why not keep up to date with all the very latest news and information from the Vale of Pewsey by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? |
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Insider's Guides!
We've launched a couple of videos giving you an Insider's Guide to our walks in the Vale - things to look out for on the way.
Enjoy the Bruce Arms, Milton Lilbourne & Easton Royal walk or the Woodborough Walk so you know what to look out for along the way.
There will be more to follow on our YouTube channel and on our Facebook page in the coming months.
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Exploring the Vale of Pewsey!
The landscape, space and tranquility of the Vale of Pewsey will improve your well-being no end.
Our extensive collection of walking and cycling routes is on our website for you to download to your phone or other device, with the printed leaflets being available from our member organisations as well as from our Tourist Information Kiosks and the Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre in Honeystreet.
All the routes contain information about accessibility and distance and include an Ordnance Survey map. The online versions also have information about refreshment stops and, for the cycling routes, you can download the gpx files to use in your favourite cycling app.
We hope you enjoy them!
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The Great West Way
It's a route that encourages the visitor to explore, to go off the beaten track and discover quintessential England - the Vale of Pewsey has all this.
You can find lots of information on where to go on their website - www.greatwestway.co.uk
And a great way to explore the Great West Way and the Vale of Pewsey is to have a bespoke tour with Laurence from Oldbury Tours.
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