Lois Weedon and Weston Newsletter May/June 2010 May Day Edition

Transcription

1 Lois Weedon and Weston Newsletter May/June 2010 May Day Edition From the Editor I m gong to keep my comments short this time as I race to get this edition published before May Day, but I must say that it was pleasing to see the strength of recovery of our daffodils this year the signs worked!!! The next campaign is litter clearance and Jenny Wilde is organising a team of volunteers to achieve this. Lots happening over the next few weeks so support as much of the events as you can many village organisations depend (sometimes exclusively) on the various fundraising activities. Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to David and Barbara Cooke who recently moved into Middlethorpe. The next edition of the newsletter will be in July 2010 and all material for that edition should be given to me by Saturday, 26 th June Paul Smith, 8 Vicarage Rise ( ) paul.smith@midlifecrisis.co.uk Dates for your Diary (For details of some events - see inside the newsletter. Later events, details to follow) Mon., 3 May May Day Country Fair, Weston. Details on page 5 Mon., 3 May Great Weston 5-Mile Race. Entry forms from Tom Pomeroy ( ) Wed., 5 May Mon., 10 May WI Meeting: Resolutions followed by Fish and Chip supper partners welcome at 8:00pm Annual Parish Assembly, Weston Community Project. 7:30 p.m. All welcome. Especially organisation leaders Fri., 14 May Fashion Show in aid of WI 7:00pm for 7:30pm Lois Weedon Village Hall. Details on page 6 Fri., 28 May WEA Course begins, Weston Community Project details on their website see page 3 Sat., 26 Jun Summer Fete, Home Close, Lois Weedon from 2:00pm Details on page 4 Fri 25 & Sat 26 June Shakespeare in the Park Midsummer Night s Dream Details on page 4. Sat., 4 Sept Horticultural Society Annual Show Details on page 7 and in the next edition Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers Spring Festival Bellringers from across the diocese gathered in Lois Weedon on the afternoon of Saturday, April 24. They meet every year to see which team can ring most accurately. Each team has six ringers who ring together at their local church. Guild Master, Colin Lee, arranged for young experienced ringers from Oxford, Simon Bond and Michael O'Hagan, to be the judges. They awarded the first position to St Mary's Church, Rushden, and second to SS Peter & Paul, Nether Heyford. A vote of thanks was passed with acclamation to the organisers of the event and to Lois Weedon Church, and its ringers who provided a splendid buffet tea in the village hall during the afternoon. In the evening, many ringers took the opportunity to ring the bells at Moreton Pinkney. What happens to the money raised by May Day? Geoff Pullin Guild Public Relations Officer May Day is now in its 29 th year and in that time has turned over more than 192,000, at least half of which has been profit which has been distributed among various Village organisations. Without this extraordinary effort, the various organisations and activities within the village would need to find funding from elsewhere or might not even exist. After each May Day, once all the money has been counted and the bills paid, the May Day Organising Committee meet to consider the distribution of funds. It has become customary for the various Village groups in need of funding to write to the Committee to request a suitable donation. Each group that has benefited in the past from a May Day donation in the past will have received a letter inviting them to apply for any funding they require, stating the amount required and the purpose for which the money is to be used. New groups or any which feel they have been overlooked are encouraged to make themselves known to the Committee by writing to our secretary: Helena Boughton, Sunny Bank, 11 High Street, Lois Weedon. Paul Smith, May Day Chairman 1

2 Parish Council News At the Parish Council Meeting held on 29 th March Planning applications for a new car park and associated landscaping at St. Loy s School, a storage barn on land adjacent to Elizabeth House Nursery, number 4 Vicarage Rise and the front porch at 7 Vicarage Rise have been approved. The replacement kitchen windows at Elizabeth House, The Green, Weedon Lois The Parish Council has no objections with this development. Mr David Abbot from Weedon Lois has agreed to take on the duties of Footpaths Warden. Mr Trevor George has been appointed the position of The Parish Clerk from April 1 st, replacing Penelope Jones. The councillors expressed their gratitude to Penelope for all the hard work she has done since her appointment. Ms Jenni Liversidge has been forced to give up her role as coordinator of the Neighbourhood Watch because she is not able to receive information by . There is a position available for the role, but the successful applicant will need to have facilities. Anybody that is interested, please contact Trevor George on or tjgeorge@tiscali.co.uk There are two temporary road closures, High Street Weston for BT cabling work commencing June 1 st 2010 which will last for two days (off peak only) and Helmdon Road, Weston on Monday May the 3 rd for the Annual May Day run and Fair. The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Parish Council AGM on Monday 10 th May at 7.30 p.m. at the Weston Community Project. Trevor George - Parish Clerk Telephone: tjgeorge@tiscali.co.uk By the time you read this, the curtain will have come down on our first season which has surpassed all expectations. We ve been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of our Members and thoroughly enjoyed a wide variety of films from contemporary cinema like Slumdog Millionaire and The Young Victoria to classics like Get Carter and The Blues Brothers We ve also moved further ahead with improving our equipment the kind generosity of members has enabled us to upgrade our amp, speakers & DVD player as well as provide a neat lockable trolley which gives us a quick and easy set-up. So, we ll pause for the summer while everyone enjoys the garden and aim to resume in mid September watch out for the Village Newsletter towards the end of the summer for details of next season s programme. Enjoy the break and thanks again for all your support! Trevor George & Jonathan Staples 2

3 Weston Baptist Chapel As I write this it promises to be another gorgeous day. A real sense of spring. Warm days, long light nights and all around new life. New life in nature as we see trees, flowers and plants come to bud with the hope of glorious blooms of colour and shades of green. The natural journey of the seasons from one to the other but which never ceases to amaze. At the chapel we have been going on a Journey as well. Nine people have been coming to out Journey s Course, a course which looks at questions such as Is there a spiritual side to me if God and heaven exist what are they like. It s been a journey of discovery as people have realised that just as the NHS spends significant amounts of money every year on Chaplin s so do the armed forces so do many international companies. Why, because they all realise that to maximise who we are as a person we need to address the spiritual side of our humanity. People on the course soon realised that this spiritual side existed and when we were in touch with our spiritual selves then we were more whole people. The problem that most had was how do I hear, feel, know what the spiritual side of me is saying, how do I know how the spiritual side of me is seeking to influence my life? In our Christian perspective, how do I hear from God how do I know and interpret what the Holy Spirit is saying in me and through me? Well the first thing of course is to realise that God and the Holy Spirit are relational, you know the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one yet three distinct persons. That is the way in which they communicate with us as well, through relationship, it is the way humanity was designed to grow, to prosper, to rise above simple life, to have relationships. To have a relationship with someone means that you get to know about them, their past, their likes and dislikes, you spend time with them, understanding what makes them tick. That put simply is what Journeys allows people to do in a relevant and culturally acceptable way. So many people today, and I am guilty of this as well, make snap judgments about others, they have them labelled before they have exchanged a word. While we never would believe what the newspapers say about most things we tend to base so much of our knowledge of Christianity on what we read in them and see in other media. No, the only way to know about the person of God (we are made in the image of God) and the person of the Holy Spirit is to enter into a relationship with them. Yes, we may decided we don t like them, but if that is a result of a journey of discovery with people whom we recognise as having a spiritual side to them, we can decided that with integrity. But the question was how does God and the Holy Spirit communicate with us, how do we hear the heart of God, how do we sense the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Well we spend time, we watch, we learn, we communicate put simply we engage in building a relationship, a spiritual relationship. I started by talking about spring, new life, new birth, freshness and hope, I sense and experience the Spirit of God in the wonders and joys of nature. I see and sense and experience the Spirit of God at work in so many people that I meet. It s enthralling and exciting, its outside of the experience that this world can offer because it is of another dimension, that of the spiritual. If you fancy going on a Journey let me know. Happy Spring Tide. Phil Drage, Baptist Minister Weston Community Project We have had some interesting events just lately, the Nosh and Natter evening which incorporated a meal, live music and a quiz was attended by 50 people and raised nearly 500 for the Hope Centre (charity for the homeless) in Northampton. Our weekly lunch club continues to serve 30+ people every week with a 2-course hot meal, tea and coffee for just 3. A new WEA course begins on May 28 th and the Art club continues to arrange for new and gifted speakers to come and demonstrate their techniques. We are really pleased with the way in which the Project continues to provide for and serve the local communities of South Northants. So much happens that the best way to keep informed is via the website Thank you all for your continued support for the Project. Weston Community Project Management Committee 3

4 SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK Wine and Dine with the Bard Bring your picnic tables and friends to A Midsummer Night s Dream Performed by the Weston and Lois Weedon Drama Group Followed by FIREWORKS In the lovely gardens of Home Close, Lois Weedon Friday 25 th and Saturday 26 th of June from 7.00pm till dusk Tickets 10 adults, 5 for school age children Tickets from Terry Tyler or Frank Hunter Or the other usual ticket outlets i.e. anyone from the Church or Drama Group LOIS WEEDON CHURCH FETE SATURDAY 26 th JUNE OPENING 2PM In the gardens of Home Close, Lois Weedon (BY KIND PERMISSION OF MR. CLYDE BURBIDGE) Please come and enjoy this yearly event with numerous stalls and enjoy home made cakes and tea. All proceeds towards the Water Fund COFFEE MORNING Thank you very much to everyone who so generously supported the Coffee Morning at Jenni Liversidge s last week; we raised 84. 4

5 May Day Country Fair Weston and Lois Weedon join forces each year to hold a country fair to celebrate the May Day on Bank Holiday Monday and to crown the May Queen. The fair opens at 10:00 a.m. with a host of attractions (details below). Refreshments & food will be on sale throughout the day at the Fair, which runs all day and takes place in the fields and barns on the Helmdon Road. Entrance is 1.50 for adults and 50p for children - Car parking is free. Each year we invite a special guest to open the May Day Country Fair by crowning the May Queen. This year we are particularly honoured to have TV presenter and renowned food critic, Editor of Waitrose Food Magazine William Sitwell to open our May Day Fair. William will be joined by his sister Henrietta who will Crown the May Queen, Bethany Lawrence whose attendants this year are Elena Raven and Georgie Packer-Arthy Featuring all the traditional attractions of a Country Fair and including some special events, May Day 2010 promises to be a spectacular success with fun for all the family. The day will start with the increasingly popular Great Weston Five Mile Race possibly the best Five Mile Multi-Terrain Race in England and will be packed with fun, music, games and attractions throughout the day, including: Music and Dance The children of St Loys School, Lois Weedon will open the musical proceedings with traditional maypole dances. Brackley Brass band will provide musical accompaniment during the day. Brackley Morris Men will be performing both at the main fair and outside the Crown Inn, Weston Games and Entertainment There will be a host of sideshows and games including bouncy castle, face-painting, side-shows and games for older children too, including Coconut Shy and Welly Wanging. Arts and Crafts Loads of different craft stalls displaying a wide range of rural arts and crafts. Classic Cars Animal displays and events including terrier racing and the famous Catanger Llamas Grand Prize Raffle prizes include: Tickets to the British Grand Prix (Courtesy Silverstone Circuits Ltd) 100 Cash Tickets to a game of your choice at Northamptonshire Cricket Club A meal for two at the Crown, Weston Side shows and attractions Including: tombola, jig-saws and board games stalls, second hand book stall, bric-a-brac, plants and vegetables, Ye Olde Sweete Shoppe, ice-cream, pig-roast, burgers & sausages, teas and refreshments. Come along and support your village and have a great time as well Litter Problems in the Village The last few months I have taken to picking up the litter that I ve found between Lois Weedon and Weston. On one occasion I filled a huge shopping bag of litter and I had only reached Weston hill and that was just on one side of the road. Back in March someone drew my attention to the litter from just outside Lois Weedon as far as the bridge at Wappenham. So off I went with my dog and two large shopping bags and believe me or not I had only got half way when I had filled both bags and I was unable to carry any more the dog slipped her collar and went home before I had finished disgusted!! Please, please, please can everyone take their litter home with them. We are spoiling our beautiful village, although I suspect much of the litter comes from passing cars, chucking their cans and rubbish out of car windows. I was able to recycle most of the rubbish I collected. Now I have been thinking, I would like to organise some volunteers to help me pick up the litter straight after May Day. I want to start at Niden Manor Farm gate and sweep through to the farm at Ellis s. (Warren s [Ed]) There is still a lot of litter in the Village and we must take pride and clean up the beautiful countryside. I have done the gravel pits but after May Day there will be more. The Council have provided me with bags. Recycling might be a problem but I m sure with the help of marigolds we can work something out. Please contact me if you are able to volunteer and I will give you the time and date for the clean-up day. I reckon we need at least 12 folk Jenny Wilde

6 Lois Weedon and Weston W.I. Although we live so close to Brackley it is surprising how little some of us knew about the history of Brackley town. Our speaker, for the March Meeting was Pat Roll, who gave an illustrated talk on the history and the buildings in the town.. The Borough grew prosperous because of the thriving wool trade. Its central position made it a rallying point for the colour and excitement of tournaments in the days of chivalry in the middle ages. When jousting ceased to become a popular form of amusement the tournament ground was turned into a racecourse. The course Bayard s Green in Evenley parish became famous all over England, well into the 17 th Century. In 1215 Brackley was the Barron s first headquarters when they began the movement against King John that resulted in him signing the Magna Carter at Runnymede in that year. When the epidemics of plague broke out in Oxford, Brackley was a safe haven for the Masters and Fellows of Magdalen College to escape to. They occupied the 12th Century hospital of St John and St James which is now the Magdalen School Chapel. One of the bygone glories of the town is the transitional Norman church, with its fine south doorway. Brackley was also a coaching town and the wide archways on a number of buildings are a clue to which of these buildings were once inns. The wide tree lined High Street with its picturesque town hall and market place, with its elegant buildings on either side can so easily be taken for granted as one passes through. The remains of the castle mound can still be seen not a stones throw from Tesco! Information can be obtained from the tourist board in Brackley as to when she our speaker, Pat Roll, a Blue Badge Guide, gives conducted tours around the town and through her eyes make the history of the town come to life. The speaker in April was Mrs Joy Shirley who talked about the history of Teddy Bears. Members brought their own Teddy Bears to the meeting. The next meeting on 5 th May will be the annual resolution evening when the topic to be debated at the Annual Meeting, (which this year is in Cardiff), will be discussed by the member. The popular Fish and Chip Supper will follow the discussion at 8pm to which partners are invited. This year please bring your own drink. Iris Gregory Correspondent FASHION SHOW by Ellie IN AID OF W.I. FUNDS Friday 14th May at 7-00 for 7-30pm In the Village Hall, Lois Weedon Raffle and Licensed Bar Tickets 5-00 to include a glass of wine or fruit juice. Please let Peggie Clarke know if you are coming by Wednesday 12th May Tel: or davidpeggiec@yahoo.co.uk 6

7 Weston and Weedon Horticultural Society Well, after a long cold winter the gardens are finally beginning to spring into life. Hopefully your herbaceous plants are coming up again, and your bulbs, and also that your potatoes and onions are in the ground and seedlings are sprouting on windowsills, in greenhouses and under cloches! It s a glorious time of year full of expectation and new beginnings. I m sure one of your New Year resolutions as we moved from 09 to 10 was to grow your own flowers and vegetables and try and win a class in this year s horticultural show! If growing isn t your thing then have a go at the cookery/craft/flower-arranging classes or even the photography class very popular! Here are the themes for this year so you can start snapping: An eye-catching sky A joyful moment Peace and tranquillity My Community Winter This year s Show is extra-special because it is our 70 th year, so please come along on Saturday 4 th September to Clyde Burbidge s field at Home Close, Lois Weedon and join in the fun. The committee is working really hard to find some added entertainment during the day to celebrate this special year. The evening party will be held in the marquee and we have booked a 1940 s Swing Band and if you really want to enter into the spirit of the whole thing then 1940s dress can be worn. More information about this, and how to obtain tickets in the next newsletter. We are looking for old photos and memorabilia of the Horticultural Society and its Shows back in the 1940s so if any of you have anything you think would be suitable then please contact Jane Jarman on In May John Archard-Jones will be posting sunflower seeds and hanging basket/containers entry forms through your letter box. Hopefully we ll have a drier spring and summer this year and the sunflowers will thrive better. The Show schedule will be printed in this newsletter in June and entries will need to be submitted during August but more information in the June issue on all that. We are not the only society celebrating a special anniversary this year as the WI is celebrating its 90 th birthday this year. It has been suggested that the two societies band together for a day in July or August and organise a tea on the green with an open gardens opportunity for villagers. If you are willing to open your garden and let the local people wander round before they enjoy some tea then please let John Archard-Jones know on and we can begin to organise which Saturday or Sunday to choose. Sheena Warren Weston & Weedon Horticultural Society Present their ANNUAL SHOW SATURDAY 4 TH SEPTEMBER 2010 at 2pm At Home Close, Lois Weedon By kind invitation of Mr. O. C. Burbidge RAFFLE & AFTERNOON TEAS Admission: Adults 2.00 Children Free 7

8 Having just secured funding, Weedon Lois Playgroup is planning to re-open at Weedon Lois in September We have been extremely fortunate to have been offered an additional dedicated space at St Loys CE Primary School, now approved by the Governors and local residents. Some relatively minor building works are required and we hope to open in the autumn term. We will continue to run the existing playgroup at Culworth and believe, due to the excellent reputation of the 2 schools, there are enough local pre-school children to sustain both sites. For the success of the joint venture we need your support. Please spread the word to anyone you know with children aged 2 and a half to 5. We have a team of extremely dedicated staff who are well qualified and offer high quality Early Years education. Further information is available from Nicky Carpenter (Playgroup Manager) on We have a current questionnaire for any interested families; please contact me for a copy. We will shortly be advertising for additional staff and committee members, if you know someone who may be interested. You do not need to have children at playgroup to join the committee. We are also looking for a new name to encompass the larger organisation over 2 sites. Any suggestions welcomed. Angie Gray (Chair) Weedon Lois Playgroup Committee angielgray@btinternet.com. St Loys Church of England Primary School Weedon Lois PREMISES DEVELOPMENT APPEAL St Loys Hall Needs Completion The constructors are putting the final touches to St Loys school hall. It is hoped that the hall will be in use from the end of May when assembly, lunch and PE will be held in premises designed for the purpose. The hall, which is suitable for badminton and other indoor sports and activities, will be available for community use. To meet the Governor s statutory constitution and to ensure that the hall is equipped and the external areas attractively finished, the Appeal Fund Committee is seeking to raise 20,000. The planned programme of fund raising events is circulated with this Newsletter. Over the years the Village Hall has been an invaluable resource for those activities that will now take place in the St Loys hall. May I, on behalf of Governors, Staff and parents thank the Village Hall Committees past and present for their support and tolerance. Rob Hazelgrove Headteacher 8