Living Villages
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EDITORIAL CONTENTS
Contacts 4 I’m delighted to be able to inform all our readers Worship Lists 5 and advertisers that Gordon Alleyne is joining Reflections 7 the LV Editorial Team as the Treasurer. If you NEWS REPORTS: need to contact him, his details are on the next Friends of churches: page. Through this column I welcome him to this Water Newton 8 volunteer run publication, delivered free to 750 Wansford and homes. More than 50% of the publication is Thornhaugh 9 dedicated to local churches, clubs and societies, we cover village events and have regular articles St John the Baptist 8 on local history and nature. We evolved from a Stibbington Centre 13 church/parish magazine in the 1960’s (or earlier) Communicare 14 Hort Society 15 to where we are today and we look forward to WI 29 being able to continue in the future with the wonderful support of our advertisers, sponsors, PARISH COUNCILS: distributors and contributors Thornhaugh 24/25 Wansford 26 Once again as I was starting to put this edition together accidents on major roads around our SPECIAL FEATURES: Community Carol villages caused severe disruption to the area. I Service 16 have heard that several people had to leave Voice of the City 20-21,23 their cars on one side of the bridge and walk the Plastics 28 remaining distance home due to the gridlock Just for fun 36 caused. Who knows whether any road REGULARS: improvements will prevent so many accidents in Nature Notes 35 the future... Letters to the Editor 37
Diary Dates 38 I hope you enjoy reading the magazine this month we cover many varied subjects both local and global. Front Cover - John Measures Printing & Collation - PPS Print Tracy Sortwell
Regular features writers: Editor: Tracy Sortwell Reflections: Jane Tailby Treasurer: Sue Kudlinski Nature Notes: Graham Blagden Distribution manager: Rod Sortwell Advertising Manager: Kate Hopkins Printing and collation: PPS Print
Read your magazine on-line at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk 3 DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS
Living Villages Editorial Team
Editor Tracy Sortwell 07841 382063 [email protected] Treasurer Gordon Alleyne 01780 784531 [email protected] Distribution Manager Rod Sortwell 01780 783403 [email protected] Advertising Manager Kate Hopkins 07580 218792 [email protected]
Parish Councils Sutton Peter Lee (Chairman) 01780 782703 Wansford Wendy Gray (Clerk) 01778 441312 Sibson-cum-Stibbington Wendy Gray (Clerk) 01778 441312 Thornhaugh Deirdre McCumiskey (Clerk) 01780 782668 Water Newton (Parish Meeting) Stephen Went (Chairman) 01733 230628
Churches Ministers: Thornhaugh & Wansford 01780 782271 Stibbington, Sutton, Castor & Water Newton 01733 380900 [email protected] Churchwardens: St Andrew’s Thornhaugh: Stuart Foreman 01780 783220 Liz Kemp 01780 782333 St Mary’s Wansford: Caroline Ashley 01780 782408 Alan Jones 01780 783205 St John the Baptist, Stibbington Richard Winfrey 01780 782431 Carol Lindsay 01780 782338 Friends: St Mary’s & St Andrew’s Dora Baker 01780 782519 St John the Baptist Helen Facer 01780 782932 St Remigius Water Newton Tony Capon 01733 237500
Other useful contacts Neighbourhood Policing 101 P’boro City Council 01733 747474 Wansford Surgery 01780 782342 Royal British Legion 01780 782200 (Out of hours 111 option 4) Stibbington & Wansford WI . . 789996 Wansford Pharmacy 01780 781616 Cricket Club 01780 782109 Communicare 01780 470437 Horticultural Society 01780 782446 H’don District Council 01480 388388 Stibbington Centre 01780 782386
Website www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
4 WORSHIP FEBRUARY 2018 4 Feb 8.15am St Mary’s and All Saints, Nassington Holy Communion BCP 9.30am St Mary’s and All Saints, Nassington Holy Communion 9.30am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Morning Praise 9.30am St Mary’s, Woodnewton Holy Communion 10.15am St Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion 11.00am St Leonard’s, Apethorpe Holy Communion BCP 3.00pm St Mary Magdalene, Yarwell Methodist Covenant Service 5.00pm St Remigius, Water Newton Candlemas Service and Supper 11 Feb 9.00am St Michael & All Angels, Sutton Family Service 9.30am St Mary’s, Wansford Holy Communion with Choir 9.30am St Mary’s and All Saints, Nassington Holy Communion 9.30am St Mary’s, Woodnewton Holy Communion 11.00am St Leonard’s, Apethorpe Morning Prayer BCP 11.00am St Mary Magdalene, Yarwell Holy Communion 6.00pm St John the Baptist, Stibbington Evening Service Pancake Sunday 14 Feb 10.00am St Mary's, Wansford Holy Communion with Ashing 7.00pm St Mary Magdalene, Yarwell Holy Communion with Ashing 18 Feb 9.30am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Holy Communion 9.30am St Mary’s and All Saints, Nassington Morning Prayer 9.30am St Mary’s, Woodnewton Morning Praise 10.15am St Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion 11.00am St Leonard’s, Apethorpe Holy Communion 3.00pm St Mary Magdalene, Yarwell Methodist Service 25 Feb 8.30am St Mary’s, Woodnewton Holy Communion BCP 9.00am St Michael & All Angels, Sutton Holy Communion 9.30am St Mary’s, Wansford Morning Praise 9.30am St Mary’s and All Saints, Nassington Holy Communion & Sunday School 11.00am St Leonard’s, Apethorpe Holy Communion 11.00am St Mary Magdalene, Yarwell Holy Communion 6.00p, St Mary’s and All Saints, Nassington Evensong
Wednesdays at Wansford 10.00am Morning Prayer 5 GRIFFIN Solid Fuel Merchant Supplier of Pre Packs
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6 REFLECTIONS by GOD’S TIME IS NOT Rev. David Ridgeway OUR TIME
One of the features of parish life is that one is always planning ahead. As soon as one event or celebration is over, plans have to be made for the next festival or happening. Although this can sometimes be rather tiring, especially for those directly involved in running these various activities, it is a sign that our church community is vibrant and alive.
This year we are made especially aware of how busy and full our church diary can be, as Easter is rather early. Because of this there is very little time to prepare properly for Lent and the festival of Christ’s triumph over death. Again and again in recent days I have caught myself wishing that there was more time to get ready. If only we could choose the date of Easter to fit in with our own arrangements things would be so much easier. We wouldn’t have rush our planning and organisations such as schools and colleges would find it easier to organise the dates of their terms.
The reason why we have all these problems is because of the use of two different calendars. Easter Sunday celebrates the day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. This amazing event occurred on the day after the Jewish festival of Passover. The problem for twenty-first century people is that the Jewish calendar is influenced by the moon whereas the calendar we use is based upon the earth’s movement around the sun. Easter Day is the first Sunday after (not on) the Pascal full moon which is the first full moon to appear on or after the Spring Equinox [21 March]. Because the dates of the full moon change every year, so the date of Easter changes. This may seem inconvenient, but Church leaders at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 decided to keep the celebration of Easter linked to the date of the Jewish Passover. This is why the date constantly changes and it can occur anytime between 22 March and 25 April.
Although this may seem inconvenient, the changing Easter date does make the important point that God’s time is not the same as human time. God’s actions are not arranged to suit our diaries. God acts according to his mighty plan and at times this can be frustrating and bewildering. In an age when we are so used to being in control of what happens to us, and when, this can be difficult to accept but it is a reality we have to take on board.
If nothing else the changing date of Easter is a reminder that God’s time is not our time and for this reason I think that those early Church leaders made the right decision back in the year 325.
7 FRIENDS OF ST. REMIGIUS WATER NEWTON
Candlemas Service and Supper - 4th February 2018 at 5pm
On Sunday 4th February 2018, we will be holding a ‘Candlemas’ service at 5pm followed by a delicious hot supper of warming chilli con carne and jacket potato - all washed down with a glass or two of wine. Everybody is welcome so make it a date in your diary - come along and enjoy some great company. A small contribution of £5 will be requested towards your supper and wine.
Tony Capon
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, STIBBINGTON
Hello Everyone, a couple of things, firstly on the night of 17 January the strong winds uprooted a very large tree in our churchyard causing considerable damage to several gravestones, as I write this we are awaiting quotes for dealing with the calamity, fortunately no-one was injured and the tree did not fall on the building!
Secondly we would love to see you at our next service; do come and join us on Sunday evening the 11th February at 6pm just two days before Shrove Tuesday, we are calling it Pancake Sunday! Looking forward to seeing you there… Carol Lindsay
8 FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S AND ST ANDREW’S
THE LENT LUNCHES ARE STARTING AGAIN ! on Wednesday 21st February at 12.15 in the Christie Hall.
They run for 5 weeks every Wednesday during Lent. There is no entry charge.
These lunches offer a lovely opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours after the dark days of winter. With any donations made by our guests we will again be able to support a Charity, which cares for the most needy people. Last year these frugal meals became more and more popular as time went on. At our last one we had to set up another table. We were thrilled. So, lets do it all again. Come along and support us again.
The next meeting of The Friends will take place on Wednesday 7th February at 10.30 in the Community Hall after Morning Prayer at St. Mary's at 10 a.m.
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Yoga
Mons 10.30am Laxton Village Hall NN17 3AT 7.30pm KingsCliffe Memorial Hall PE8 6XW
Tues 5.45 & 7pm Wansford Christie Hall
Weds 7pm Bulwick Village Hall (booking only)
Thurs 10am Wansford Christie Hall PE8 6JS Easton on Hill 4.30 pm (gentle/chair) & 6.30pm (mixed ability) Village Hall PE9 3NN
Fri 9.30am YogaMummys + babes/tots KCU 11.45 Yoga Lunch hour- Christie Hall
[email protected] 07960267986
11 12 13 Communicare (Wansford & Kings Cliffe Surgery Patient Group)
Around 30 members of the social group enjoyed their post-Christmas lunch at Yarwell village hall last month – as always a good meal and a wonderful selection of raffle prizes – many thanks to our Treasurer, Gilbert, for organizing this very popular event.
The next coffee morning will be on Friday 16th February at the Kings Cliffe Active Sports Hall at 10am.
The spring holiday still has limited availability for twin/double rooms - cost £313 per person – 4 nights at The Esplanade Hotel, Scarborough – Monday 28th May 2018. Price includes local pick-up, DB&B, and all coach travel. Anyone interested please contact Clare as soon as possible on 01780 470437 email: [email protected] Wendy Spencer
Stop - press Dr Takhar will be giving information and progress details on proposed health care project in Kings Cliffe on Thursday 08 February 2018 at 7.30pm at Yarwell Village Hall. If any interested parties would like to attend, they would be welcome. Clare Wagstaffe Kings Cliffe and Wansford PPG 14 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY On Thursday 18 January we learned with immense shock and sadness of the death of our valued committee member, Marina Kruger. Marina's many talents, joyous enthusiasm and sheer hard work have contributed so much to the Horticultural Society since she joined the committee in 2003. We will miss her greatly and send our love to her family who are very much in our thoughts.
Marina would be the first to urge me to continue with a positive review of the society's programme for the year ahead which is finalised now and hopefully will please our members with a wide variety of talks, visits and events. We are confident that our first talk will be very popular with the members, as we are delighted that Bunny Guinness has offered to present her illustrated talk on Highgrove, Prince Charles’s private residence, on Thursday1st February. This talk will be for members only but membership is only £2.50 per person and can be subscribed to at the talk which will take place at 7.30 p.m. in the Christie Hall.
The second illustrated talk/demonstration will be on Thursday, 22 February in the Hall at 7.30 p.m. when the Nene Coppicing and Crafts Woodland Conservation group will be telling us all about their woodland management and demonstrating heritage crafts using the coppiced branches.
Our final Spring talk takes place on Thursday 22 March. Steffie Shields, a professional garden photographer and writer will be giving an illustrated talk on the gardens and landscapes of Lincolnshire. The photography section at our annual show is becoming increasingly popular year on year and I’m sure she will have some useful hints for all our member photographers. Once again the talk will be held in the Christie Hall starting at 7.30 p.m. and all are welcome.
In April we will be making a visit to Easton Walled Gardens to view the late Spring flowers. We will meet up at 11 a.m. for a 20 minute introductory talk, given by the owner Lady Ursula Cholmeley. She will tell us about the history of the gardens and the family, the collapse of the house and gardens and its revival and will give an update on the garden’s progress this season. This will be accompanied by refreshments, tea, coffee and biscuits in the Coach House before we are free to wander the gardens at our own pace, where Lady Cholmeley will be on hand to answer any questions.
Details of the rest of our 2018 programme, including coach trips, socials, the plant sale and of course the Annual Show can be found on the website: www.wansfordhorticulturalsociety.org.uk
Gill Fisher, 01780 782446 [email protected]
15 Community Carol Service
The Community Carol Service held on 17th December at St Mary’s Wansford is our very own version of ‘Songs of Praise.’ Representatives from village organisations (WI, Parish Councils, Horticultural Society and Living Villages Magazine) are invited to read the lessons. We are led in the singing by the Wansford Choir, under the expert baton of Eddie McDonnell. Pictured below are the choir along with members of the young peoples group who entertained us so memorably.
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19 Voice of the City by Michael Lee
On 20 December what is known as Cliffe, Milton Hall, and St. Mary, the ‘Voice of the City’ was opened Warmington. in lower Bridge Street Peterborough. Penn was first honoured in 1984 It is a monument to Henry Penn, when the NW River Nene Peterborow bellfounder (1685-1729). embankment was named Henry Penn It depicts Peterborough Cathedral’s Walk. A few days ago Peter Lee 1.5 ton clock bell cast by Henry Penn from Sutton rang with news from a and used to sound the time for over solicitor that the ‘Villains’ who come 300 years. The total height is five to Peterborough Magistrates Court meters. The bell is shown looped by now call the area Bell End. three strickles (bell mould formers). For more details and the sound of The plume arising from the top of the City Bell go to the bell is the moment of casting www.pennhenry.co.uk when the bronze is being poured. A cut out section in the outer mould shows the actual bell, which has been cast. It has the inscription- ARISE AND BE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. HENRY PENN MADE ME. PETERBOROW 1709. The scheme was drawn up by Stephen Broadbent who has designed other sculptures in the area working with the City Council. The work is based on my research which has led to me being Henry Penn’s biographer for the last 30 years. The map on the next page depicts Henry Penn’s 100 places of work and is mounted in a bronze case. It covers 13 counties from East Yorkshire to the southern parts of Northamptonshire. Some of his more local bells were cast for St. Leonard, Apethorpe, St Andrew Alwalton, St, John the Baptist, Barnack, Browne’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Stamford, St. Mary, Southwick, St. Andrew, Cotterstock, St. Matthew, Eye, St. Peter & Paul, Great Casterton, All Saints, Kings Michael Lee with the Voice of the City
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23 THORNHAUGH PARISH COUNCIL
The Fifth Meeting of the 2017/2018 Thornhaugh Parish Council took place on 8th January 2018. It was chaired by Chris Smith, present were Liam Higgins, Ashley Kewney, Martin Lewis, Louise Molesworth Adrian Rodgers and Lucy Sharpley and in attendance were two Members of the Public and the Clerk. There were apologies for absence from Penny Lewin-Watts.
Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest.
Public Forum A discussion was conducted relating to the need for consideration for village residents in general. This related to littering, speeding and residents controlling their dogs and clearing up any dog foul around the village and on the footpaths. It was agreed that, most of the time, consideration was shown but perhaps a general reminder via these minutes will be helpful.
Police Matters There were no police representatives present.
RAF Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch The Clerk reported that four residents had attended and enjoyed the RAF Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch on 6th December 2017.
Dog Foul Bin The Dog Foul Bin had been installed by Amey shortly before Christmas. However, it had been installed on private property, was very bright and not in keeping with the village environment. After discussion, it was agreed to ask Amey to remove the Dog Foul Bin also asking Amey to donate this to another Parish Council that can make use of it.
Repair of the stone wall at the top of Russell Hill Despite numerous attempts to contact the contractor, the Clerk had not received any response from him. The Member of the Public will give details of a potential contractor that she had used and would recommend to the Chairman so that another quotation can be obtained.
Hanging Baskets Louise Molesworth will print out and distribute the watering instructions to the residents who have agreed to look after the hanging baskets. She will draw up a list of the location of the hanging baskets and the rsidents who had agreed to take care of them. Lucy Sharpley stated that there is an outside tap near her house that can be used.
Christmas Activities It was noted that there had been a good turn-out for the Carol Singing and around £93 had been raised for charity. The Christmas Party had been enjoyed by those who had attend it. Thanks were expressed to everyone who contributed to these two events. Thanks were expressed to Peter Sharpley for removing the Christmas Tree.
Noticeboard at Home Farm Ashleigh Kewney hopes to have an update on this matter by the next meeting.
Precept 2018-2019 After a short discussion about the predicted expenditure in the next financial year, it was agreed to set the Precept at £6,200 which is unchanged from the Precept 2017-2018.
24 40 mph Repeater Signs It was agreed to await a response from Wittering Parish Council before taking any further action on this matter.
Peterborough Local Plan (Proposed Submission) January 2018 The Clerk will send the link to the Parish Councillors. As comments have to be made by 20th February 2018, it was agreed that Parish Councillors will read the document and send comments to each other via e-mail. The Clerk will also send the link to Bunny Guinness to see if she has any comments to make.
Parish Councillor Elections 2018 The normal round of Parish Council Elections will become due in May and ap- propriate notices will be put on the noticeboard and on the website relating to the process. At that stage the current Parish Councillors will need to re-apply for election along with any other village residents who may wish to stand. It was noted that if there are more than five candidates wishing to sit on Thorn- haugh Parish Council, an Election will need to be held on 3rd May 2018.
Summer Tea Party Louise Molesworth suggested that it might to nice to organise a Summer Tea Party to mark the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Alternatively, we could organise a village BBQ or party in the summer which may be better attended since the scheduled wedding is around the May Bank Holiday. This item will be added to a future agenda for further debate.
Street Lighting Louise Molesworth expressed her displeasure with the bright white light bulbs that are being used in village (within the conservation area). The Parish Councillors did not feel that they are in keeping with the village environment and the Clerk will contact Peterborough City Council to enquire whether they can be replaced with 'softer' light bulbs, even if the Parish Council has to pay for this.
Blocked Drain Martin Lewis reported that here is a blocked drain at the corner of Russell Hill/Meadow Lane. The Clerk will report this to Peterborough City Council. Martin Lewis has the contact details of the Principal Drainage Engineer and he will pass on this information to the Clerk for future reference.
Chicken Farm Footpath Liam Higgins asked for an update on the current situation. The Chairman confirmed that the Parish Council is not involved with this matter and it is being dealt with by the Footpath Committee.
Plaque on Bench in Memory of Brian Watts Penny Lewin-Watts had sent the following message that was read out: “We would like to thank the Parish Council for organising the wonderful plaque on Brian’s bench, ‘Always look on the bright side of life, remembering Brian Watts’ is so perfect and describes Brian wonderfully, with many thanks Pen- ny, Suze, Steven, Rebecca & Josh”.
Date of Next Meeting The Sixth Meeting of the 2017/2018 Parish Council will take place at 7.00 pm on 19th March 2018 in St Andrew’s Church.
Deirdre McCumiskey, Clerk
25 WANSFORD PARISH COUNCIL In attendance: all Parish Cllrs, PCC Cllr Diane Lamb and two members of the public
Defibrillator : Martin Fagan from The Community Heartbeat Trust gave a detailed presentation of the technical and practical use of a defibrillator in the community and demonstrated the different types of equipment and their long term management, servicing and costs. The Councillors will make a decision at the next meeting as to which would be the most suitable and sustainable system for installation in the Old North Road ex BT kiosk. All Wansford residents will receive an instructional card before the defibrillator goes “live” in the next few months. Parish Precept: it was agreed that for this year, WPC would not be requesting an increase in the PP. However, with a considerable increase in expenditure on pending village projects during this next year, it is expected that the PC will seek an increase in next year’s PP. Highways: there are several ongoing projects which WPC are pursuing with PCC. 1. 20 mph limit in the village centre. After the closing date of January 26th for public consultation, it should take approx 4 months for the signs to be erected in the village (paid for out of WPC budget) 2. Declassification of the A6118. (Old North Road to south side of bridge) WPC will discuss a plan to replace the large directional sign boards around the village with new, smaller “finger signposts” plus other required signage more suited to a village environment, (again, paid out of WPC budget) 3. Road markings, resurfacing, drainage problems. Ongoing pressure to get PCC to sort out the problems which WPC have continued to highlight on a monthly basis. Hopefully, we will be able report next month that these problems have been actioned as a Highways Official will be attending a site meeting in the village later this month. Quality Status: Wansford Parish Council is keen to be be seen as an open and properly functioning body and to this end is pursuing the gold standard of recogni- tion of “Quality Status”. This requires a high degree of scrutiny and transparency, making public all details of Council activity and data online. This will be a lengthy ongoing project. Picnic site/ A47 dualling: No further information to report this month. The SAR report, detailing the precise details of the Sutton to Wansford dualling, including the configuration of the two Wansford roundabouts, is due out now ( and should have been received by the time this magazine is published). Peterborough Local Plan: This has been published, suggesting that the Authority is planning for another 21,315 new homes to be built in the next 20 years. The possible development on the A47 north of Castor has been rejected and there are no other implications that might affect any of our villages. Other matters: PCC has a venture, “ Care and repair”, to assist elderly individuals or people with special needs who need practical support in their home. The manager, Ross Carr, can be contacted on 01733 863895 or at [email protected] . Community Hall is to be given a complete makeover, repair and refurbishment, at a cost to WPC of around £1500 with the remainder coming from relevant funding and grants. The ongoing problem of traffic pouring over the bridge and through the village whenever the A1 northbound is at a standstill (now almost a weekly occurrence) is a major problem. The Clerk will write to Highways England to highlight our concerns about the poor safety record of the stretch of road from Alwalton to Stamford and the chaos this causes in the village. ( safety cameras, speed limit?)
The next meeting of Wansford Parish Council will be held on Monday,February12th at 7.30 in the Community Hall. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate. Vivien Thorley, Wansford Parish Counsellor
26 27 Current Affairs Plastics
When we throw our used plastic bottles, boxes, bags and other items into the recycle bins we might think that we are ‘saving the planet.’ However recent news items and TV programme such as BBC’s ‘Blue Planet II’ highlight the dreadful harm that marine animals are suffering due to ‘approximately eight million tonnes of plastic waste which enters the Earth’s ocean every year.’ (source Wikipedia)
Sadly much of what we put into the recycle bins ends up in landfill and not recycled into new products because it is too costly due to the use of dyes, fillers and other additives which make the process complicated.
As individuals we can’t change the world, but if enough people change how they use or reuse plastic, then small improvements might be achieved.
TOP TIPS FOR A PLASTIC-FREE FEBRUARY (or a step in the right direction) Re-useable drinks bottles and coffee cups are now readily available and we are used to taking our own bags to supermarkets. What about keeping and re-using the thin plastic bags for loose fruit and vegetables which need weighing? They only need to be tied loosely and can be used may times. If Wetherspoons can stop using plastic straws, so can you. If you really need a straw, then use paper or re-useable ones. The same applies to cotton buds, choose ones with paper stems. Other bathroom products show scope for improvement: Try using solid shampoo, and shower gel alternatives together with tablet soaps. If you continue using liquid versions then choose those with an easily removable lid to ensure you can use everything you have paid for then refill /recycle the packs properly. Bamboo tooth-brushes are great even if you only use on holidays and away from your standard or electric one! Use your purchasing power to send a signal to manufacturers. 28 STIBBINGTON AND WANSFORD WI
The fog and flu conspired to make our January meeting very lean. Unfortunately our January speaker was unable to attend and therefore we look forward to welcoming that speaker at our meeting in May.
This year will be the 100th birthday of the Peterborough and Huntingdon Federation of Women’s Institutes, and as such we are working on a decorative banner to be displayed at the Federation Day in April. Our new logo (which was designed 2 years ago and features the bridge which connects our two communities, and the river which connects the past with the future) will form the centrepiece of the banner and we shall be completing the work at our 3C’s (Craft, coffee and community) meetings in February and March. It will also be on show at the various bake sales and activities that we plan for the year, so do look out for it.
We also start our new year of talks and activities, and there are a couple of early warning items to highlight:
Saturday March 10th – coffee stop and bake sale at St Mary’s, Wansford, 10 til 12 noon. As always there will be delicious savoury and sweet items for sale, but also the chance to enjoy a coffee and social time in a relaxed setting.
Friday April 13th – Prosecco, pudding and quiz night at the Christie Hall – tickets £10 each to include a glass of prosecco and a trio of desserts. Whether you want to come as part of a team or on your own and be matched up with a team, you are very welcome. Tickets will be on sale soon from committee members. Further details to follow..
Lunch club reconvenes on February 20th at the Falcon, Fotheringhay. If you would like to join us for that, please give me a call so that we can book a place for you. Our 3C’s group will meet on February 2nd and 16th in the Wansford Community Hall – Do join us – no craft expertise required! Finally, our meeting on February 13th will be a fun quiz night. If you are thinking about joining the WI, this would be a good night to check us out – there is certain to be much laughter and jollity. More details and news can also be found on our blog www.swwiblog.com , or our Facebook page @sandwwi Jan Armitage 01780 789996
29 ©2016 Living Villages Magazine The contents of this magazine may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmit- ted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Living Villages Magazine. You may not distribute, display or copy any of the contents of the pages contained in this magazine to third parties without the prior written permission of Living Villages Magazine. All images shown in this magazine are the property of Living Villages Magazine unless otherwise accredited to another. Images may not be used without the prior writ- ten permission of Living Villages Magazine or the accred- ited owner. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and artistic works in the pages in this maga- zine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works. If permission is sort and given, it is expected that all articles/images be accredited to either Living Villages Magazine or the au- thor of said articles/images.
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32 33 34 NATURE NOTES By Graham Blagden FLYING FINCHES
During the winter months, when the leaves have fallen from the trees, it is often easier to notice birds sitting in the bare branches silhouetted against a light sky. Sightings are clearer on a sunny day when bright colours become more obvious. Birds of the finch family show up well in these conditions as many finches exhibit bright contrasting colours. Goldfinches often flock together preparing to roost and appear as very small birds in the topmost branches. In good light they can be identified by their bold patches of scarlet, black, yellow and white. Chaffinches exhibit a reddish- orange breast, a blue head and white wing-bars.
The most colourful of the finches is arguably the male Bullfinch. It has a soft pink breast and his head is surmounted by a shiny black cap. With slate blue on his back and bright white wing bars he is a very smart bird. The female is duller with a greyer breast but still sports the black cap and white wing-bars. They seem to have been more common in the garden this year. Bullfinches were widely persecuted last century due to their habit of eating the flower buds from fruit trees and much earlier, in Elizabethan times, a statute declared a bounty on the bird of one penny a head. They have a pretty eclectic diet but it is when their winter diet of tree seeds is exhausted that they move into orchards. Bullfinches show a preference for certain fruit varieties. They are most attracted to Morello cherry and Conference and Williams pears but appear to ignore Hardy and Comice pears. A very discerning bird! Their name is thought to come from their front-heavy appearance with a solid bill and lack of an obvious neck, like a bulldog.
A much less common finch has been exciting bird watchers this winter. The Hawfinch. It is the largest of our finches, larger than the bullfinch, but it’s main characteristic is its huge bill. It is an uncommon resident of Britain and can be found mainly at the top of, and flying around, tall trees. Hence it is not often seen. However this winter large numbers of Hawfinch have been flying in from the continent and causing great excitement in the birding world, particularly to those who have not had the opportunity to observe the bird before. Including me! A flock was seen flying over Ferry Meadows recently but I am still hopeful of a more local sighting. Look for a top-heavy bird with a large conical beak. It has a gun-metal blue back and a grey collar separating the back from a cinnamon head and warm buff underparts, and it with black and white patches on the wings. An impressive bird. Good hunting! 35 JUST FOR FUN
LATERAL THINKING RIDDLES 1. What travels around the world but stays in one place? 2. If you were alone in a deserted house at night and there was an oil lamp, a candle and firewood and you only had one match, which would you light first? 3. What belongs to you, but others use it more often? 4. A Police Officer saw a truck driver clearly going the wrong way down a one way street but did nothing to stop him. Why? 5. When it is in normal working order - how many hands does the clock of Big Ben have? 6. Which side of a cat has the most hair?
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [email protected]
Dear Tracy, I just wanted to share what a success our first Thornhaugh litter pick walk was on Saturday. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped in memory of Brian Watts. Sadly, that success was a double edged sword as it represents the large amount of rubbish thrown
out of car windows. The walk was also just a few days after a fly tipping in- cident at one of the lane passing places, highlighting again what an issue litter is. Apparently this was an interesting dump as it was bags and bags of Cannabis plants, not just your average washing machine or settee !! Every time I see litter on the side of the road it gets me really angry, but I have to say picking it up, with a lovely group of neighbours, was very, very therapeutic !! I highly recommend it. We found a surprising amount, mostly in the hedges which were easy to access having just been cut . The objects left were also very random, but plastic was the main item. If anyone has any ideas how we can reduce littering, apart from reducing packaging, I would love to hear. Anyway, in the meantime I highly recommend a litter walk to tidy up the roadside and paths around our villages for everyone to enjoy , with the added benefit of the excellent therapy it provides. Let's not be beaten by the litter louts and keep our beautiful villages pristine. Keep on picking up when you are out and about. The next walk is scheduled for Saturday 14th April. Nikki Higgins 15/1/18
37 DIARY DATES – FEBRUARY 2018
Hort Society Thurs 1 7.30pm Christie Hall Gill Fisher 15 Bunny Guinness 782446 WI 3C’s Craft Coffee and Fri 2 10.00am Community hall Jan Armitage 29 Community 789996
Friends of St Mary’s and Wed 7 10.30am St Mary’s Dora Baker 9 St Andrew’s 782519
Sibson-cum Stibbington Environmental Wed 7 Wendy Gray 01778 24 Parish Council Centre 441312 Talk about Kings Cliffe Yarwell Village Thurs 8 7.30 Clare Wagstaff 14 Health Care Project Hall 470437
Wansford Parish Council Mon 12 7.30pm Community Hall Wendy Gray 01778 26 meeting 441312
Tues 13 WI meeting 7.30pm Community Hall Jan Armitage 789996 29
Communicare Coffee Fri 16 10.00am Kings Cliffe Clare Wagstaff 14 Morning 470437
WI 3C’s Craft Coffee and Fri 16 10.00am Community hall Jan Armitage 29 Community 789996
Falcon , Tues 20 WI Linch Club Jan Armitage 29 Fotheringhay 789996
Wed 21 Lent Lunch 12.15pm Christie Hall Dora Baker 782519 9
Hort Society Thurs 22 7.30p, Christie Hall Gill Fisher 15 Woodland Management 782446
Stibbington Centre Quiz Environmental Fri 23 7.30pm 13 Night Centre 782386
10 - Environmental Sun 25 Mosaic Class 13 4.00pm Centre 782386
Wed 28 Lent Lunch 12.15pm Christie Hall Dora Baker 782519 9
Copy deadline next month: 20th February 2018
This magazine is available online at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
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Oil and gas boiler servicing, fault diagnosis and repairs. Heating system repairs, installation and upgrades. LPG gas, fires, boilers and cookers.
8 Black Swan Spinney, Wansford Email: [email protected] www.jc-heatingservices.co.uk
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