Litchborough Churches and Village Newsletter DECEMBER 2019

HAPPY CHRITMAS TO ALL OUR READERS November 2014 4th December Litchborough Gardening Club – at Garden Club

7th December - Bingo at The Old Red Lion

10th December - YOUTH CLUB MEETING

13th December - Litchborough Ladies

th 14 December Carol singing at the Christmas Tree Any articles, information, notices, personal messages 15th December - Childrens’s Christmas Party etc you would like in the newsletter, please send to 18th December - Walking Group me by email by the 20th of the month to:- 24th December Midnight Mass St. Martins [email protected] or 27th December - Community Afternoon Cuppa - telephone 830077 to have hard copy collected Litchborough Playtime - Village Hall Thank You Every Tuesday 9.30 am – 11.30 am

Sandy Aked-Walker See inside for more information Printed by G.T Print Litchborough 07889-948005

RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS For ten memorable Christmas Eves, between 1992-2002 when I was Chaplain at Durham School, after we had celebrated Midnight Mass in the Chapel - packed with a congregation consisting of pupils and former pupils, staff, parents and members of the wider school community - we would make our way down to the Byre where the School’s Fold of Highland Cattle were kept. And there, as one ex pupil remarked, we engaged in a bit of ‘Christmas Magic.’ Here we assembled and held a short service, with makeshift seats, lectern and choir stalls (for the by then a fairly ‘well- oiled choir!) made out of hay bales. And there, amidst the straw filled pens and with the cattle looking at us, we reminded ourselves in some small way of that first Christmas in a similar barn in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. At that service it had become a tradition for a revered former member of staff always to read Hardy’s Poem ‘The Oxen.’ THE OXEN Thomas Hardy Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. So fair a fancy few would weave "Now they are all on their knees," In these years! Yet, I feel, An elder said as we sat in a flock If someone said on Christmas Eve, By the embers in hearthside ease. "Come; see the oxen kneel

We pictured the meek mild creatures where In the lonely barton by yonder coomb They dwelt in their strawy pen Our childhood used to know," Nor did it occur to one of us there I should go with him in the gloom, To doubt they were kneeling then. Hoping it might be so

Now Hardy rejected any kind of formal Christian belief or affiliation, yet his poetry andhis novels are littered with references to Christian worship and Christian values. Would he, I wonder, have attended services over Christmas? Something within me says he would and probably did - if only out of curiosity or uncertain belief - after all you can’t be a great novelist or poet, and have written profoundly of human hopes and fears, and not be aware of the narrative of our human mystery. Churches, even in this day and age, fill at Christmas with a wide variety of people who come for a wide variety of reasons. There are those who come because they believe that the unimaginable and invisible God was made visible to humanity in the child of Bethlehem; some because they half believe; others still, like the voice in Hardy’s poem are drawn ‘hoping it might be so.’ Continued page 2

Cont: There is a strange power in the familiar words of the Christmas narrative and the familiar carols that draw us at Christmas, and they meet a kind of hunger in all of us. For there is one thing which unites us all as humanity, wherever we are on our human journey, and that is the need to NOTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE WORKS know that we matter; to be valued, affirmed and that we are loved. It is at AS ROUNDABOUT TO WEEDON once very hard, and yet very easy, to speak, or write, briefly of the I am writing to let you know that we will be carrying out essential meaning of Christmas. For how can any words really unwrap the mystery of maintenance work on the A5 between Towcester Roundabout and God in action that lies at the very heart of the Christmas celebrations. At Weedon. the heart of those celebrations is an utterly simple gift – the child lying in During this comprehensive scheme of work, we will carry out tree and the manger. Yet he isn’t the gift, he is merely the form in which the gift vegetation clearance, repair and replace damaged drains, clear and re- comes; the gift itself is the love of God for humanity. If all that sounds profile drainage ditches, resurface and re-align the carriageway to too much, consider this: at Christmas most of us, except the very poor or remove flat spots, renew the footway and damaged kerbs, refresh road unusually mean, will give and receive presents. Some of those presents will markings, install skid resistance surfacing and install road studs and delight us, traffic loops. Fr. Tim Once completed, all road users will benefit from improved road safety ******* and a smoother carriageway. St Martin’s Brass Cleaning & Flower Rota for December When will the work take place? 1st December - Liz Robinson Work is due to start early January 2020 and is scheduled for 8th & 15th December - Carol Hakin completion by the end of July 2020. 22nd & 29th December – Christmas Team To keep our programme for these works as short as possible and to minimise disruption to the local community, residents, business and road ********* users, we will work: between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday (week night closures) from 8pm Friday until 6am Monday (full weekend closures on selected weekends) Stuart Moore Plastering Please note that all our planned works are subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Wishes all his customers a very Merry Christmas How will the work affect traffic? To maintain a safe environment for our workforce and road users, the Local based plasterer A5 will be closed to through traffic between the Towcester All Aspects of plasterwork completed Roundabout and Weedon crossroads during our working hours. All Specialist in restoration and conservation of lime plaster carriageways will remain open, as usual, when we are not working. and ornate plasterwork During these closures we will put in place fully signed diversion routes Contact Stuart on 07841-021802 which have been agreed with the Local Authority. email:[email protected] If you have any questions about this work, please contact our Public

Liaison Officer,Irene Plant, as follows:Email:[email protected] Telephone:07768 796542

War Memorial Flowers Litchborough Ladies – 13th December Dear All Litchborough Ladies Christmas Party will be held in the home of Liz Just a brief note to thank you for being involved again in this years Robinson at the “Needles” Northampton Road on Friday 13th December flower rota for the war memorial. from 10.30am. -12.00 noon. In November we held our Christmas Raffle in Next year 2020 is the 100th Anniversary of the Litchborough War aid of the Hope Centre for the homeless in Northampton which raised Memorial and it was in 1920 that the Litchborough Womens Institute £193.00. Thank you to the generosity of Litchborough Ladies for all the first started the tradition of placing fresh cut flowers each week between lovely prizes they donated and all who supported and bought raffle tickets. Easter & Remembrance Sunday The 3 super hampers were won by Maureen Pickford, Jane Phillips and We shall pop something in the village newsletter about this next year, but Sharon Smart. if you would like to do an extra week, or know of anyone who might Thank you to Val Hartley for hosting the Christmas Raffle event in her be interested in joining the rota please do forward this to them. home where we received a warm welcome and a wonderful variety of home Thank you for your support this year baked cakes. Sarah Hobbs May your Christmas-tide be filled with love, peace and joy as we celebrate ********* our Saviours birth. Jan Hutchings 01327-830877

Youth Club – 10th December Don’t forget Tuesday 10th December 7.00pm -8.30pm come

along bring a friend and enjoy a fun evening after a hard day at school!! Don’t forget the new Table Tennis Table !! **********

Children of Litchborough Village. . . th > Saturday 14 December 6.30pm th For the first time there will be Christmas Carol singing Please join us in the Village Hall on Sunday 15 December at around a fully lit Christmas Tree on the Green. Do come 3.00pm to 5.30pm for our annual Christmas party. There will be and join in, if you want bring a lantern to for some extra Christmas crafts and activities, singing and of course a visit from light to read your carol sheet! And after the singing Father Christmas. Please contact Viv to book a place on 07985 retire to the Old Red Lion for some mulled wine a 290175. Parents are kindly asked to supply a plate of party food warm fire and welcome. and a Secret Santa present for their child(ren) - £5 limit. *******

From St Martins Church Litchborough Walking Group I would like to start with a massive thank you to all who attended the Our walks are fairly local and varied. They take up a morning and are Remembrance Day Service and wreath laying on The Green. We counted usually 4 to 5 miles in length. Please come and give us a try, you will be over 100 in Church! The collection which was for the Royal British Legion made very welcome. was over £500. Farthinghoe was our starting /finishing point earlier in November. After Thank you to Patricia for the decoration of the church. following a track and pasture land we passed through the village of Halse There was a Benefice Service on Sunday 3rd at for All Saints at into further farmland where we were accompanied for a short while by a which we also remembered those who had died in the wars from that friendly little pony and a dappled horse – both obviously hopeful that village, a service of Holy Communion on Sunday 17th and a family Service on somebody was going to produce a treat from a pocket. The walk passes Sunday 24th. alongside Steane Park but we had to return instead via the nearby disused On Saturday 10th November the Branch bellringers held their railway line as the recent frequent rain had rendered the Steane ford practice and service in the church, there were around 20 ringers in totally impassable. It was so sad to come across a very recently dead barn attendance. owl on the path at the walk’s end, but we were able to appreciate its The passing bell was rung on Sunday 11th November for Linda Hinton. beauty close up, a truly stunning creature. On Tuesday 12th November a quarter peal of two methods was successfully We have yet to do November’s second walk but given the recent floods and rung. The ringers dedicated their feat to the latest arrival in the village, more predicted rain I wonder what conditions we will encounter. Henry Heygate. Walking dates for December -NB : just one walk this month. There are details of the Christmas services are elsewhere in the Wednesday December 18th Newsletter. - we will be leaving the village hall at 9.45 am as usual Our service on Christmas Eve is Midnight Mass at 11.30pm Walk details to be confirmed. Christine Rodhouse Transport will probably be needed for the short drive to the starting point ********* for the walk. If some walkers are happy to bring cars to the hall, we can, as usual, share transport as required. For walk information and any Parish Council meeting in November questions please get in touch with Bernard or Lindsey. The Parish Council has issued this year’s community grant funds. Lindsey 01327 830318 or e mail [email protected] The budget process has begun for the 20-21 financial year decision to be Bernard 01327 830932 or e mail on [email protected] made at January meeting. ******* Planters are to be placed at the entrances to the village these are being prepared by the Gardening Club Church Cleaning December Attendance at the Youth club continues to grow. th th The footpath wardens have now walked the 16 rural paths within the 9 & 16 December – Juliet O’Neill and Catherine Cook rd th village and reported any issues found. A new definitive map is expected in 23 & 30 December – Vanessa & Ian Lowery th th 2020. 6 & 13 January 2020 – Susie Heygate & Sarah Skinner

There will be Parish Council elections in May 2020 anyone interested in becoming a Councillor please contact [email protected] Lynn Lavender, Clerk to Litchborough Parish Council

In Memoriam 2nd MONDAY CLUB –7.30pm. 9th December Those of us who have lived in Litchborough for some years, will remember A Final reminder, folks, that there will be a 'Bit Of a Do' on December Wendy Pittom. Wendy sadly passed away on Friday night. 9th, Litchborough Village Hall at 7.30pm .Come along and let's get a bit She spent her childhood in and after marrying Reg moved to seasonal for 2nd Monday Club's Final (?) Fling ... Litchborough, where their two children, Steven and Anne grew up. Wendy Everyone is very welcome, free to members, £5 otherwise. There will be was very involved with the WI for a lot of years and when it started up Christmassy drinks and nibbles, Rob or A.Nother to chat to us for a while more recently here, she was pleased to rejoin and be part of (he's full of great ideas!) Litchborough's WI for the second time. The funeral service for Wendy th When the final sums have been done, any 'leftover' money will go to will take place at Litchborough on Friday 6 December. charity. We'll keep you posted about which charities later. Look forward Our thoughts are with her family at this time. Rest in peace, Wendy. ********* to catching up with you all on the 9th Carol In Memoriam ******** It was with much sadness that we learned of the passing of Celia Judge a former resident of Litchborough for many years until she and her husband Michael moved to Herefordshire to be near family. They used to live at St Martin’s Church December Services Tivvy Farm where there was always a warm welcome, a kind word and 1st December Advent Sunday helping hand when needed. Celia supported the village activities in many 6:00pm Benefice Advent Service Maidford ways as well as those who needed an extra helping hand. Tivvy Farm was with Baptism also a great place to stay for Bed and Breakfast and many visitors 8th December 2nd Sunday of Advent returned regularly and if you needed somewhere for family or friends to 10:30am Family Service Coffee: Liz Robinson stay if you did not have enough rooms there was the only place to stay.

15th December 3rd Sunday of Advent Celia will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with Michael and her 10:30am Holy Communion Coffee: Carol Hakin family. May she rest in Peace. ********* Sidesmen: John Robinson & Ian Lowery Readers : Liz Robinson - In Memoriam Patricia Sykes - We were much saddened to hear of the passing of Lynda Hinton who lived

22nd December 4th Sunday of Advent in Towcester Road. Lynda moved to the village with her beloved Godfrey 6:00pm Benefice Carol Service and enjoyed both living here and visiting their place in France. After

Godfrey passed away Lynda began her own hard fought battles against ill 24th December Christmas Eve health. She continued to take part in what events she could and Jan and 11:30pm Midnight Mass Mulled wine: Sandy A-W Rodney supported her by taking her out when she was well enough. She Sidesmen: Matthew Rodhouse & Ian Lowery remained at home despite numerous stays in hospital but remained Readers: tbc, once number of readings known cheerful and determined to be as independent as she could. Unfortunately 29th December 1st Sunday of Christmas a fall resulted in her final stay in hospital where she passed peacefully 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP said) Blakesley away. May she rest in peace re-united with her beloved Godfrey. Our ******** thoughts are with her son. *********

Benefice Service Times for December

1st December Advent Sunday Merry Christmas to all our Customers 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP said) Blakesley 6:00pm Benefice Advent Service Maidford with Baptism

3rd December 9:30 Holy Communion Woodend (Book of Common Prayer)

8th December 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:00am Matins Maidford 10:30am Family Service Litchborough 10:30am Holy Communion Blakesley

10th December 9:30am Holy Communion Blakesley (BCP)

15th December 3rd Sunday of Advent 9:00am Holy Communion Maidford 10:30am Family Service Blakesley 10:30am Holy Communion Litchborough

17th December 9:30am Holy Commmunion Blakesley (Common Worship)

17th December Tuesday 6:30pm Living Nativity Adstone

22nd December 4th Sunday of Advent 9:00am Holy Communion (BCP said) Maidford 6:00pm Benefice Carol Service Blakesley

24th December Christmas Eve 4:00pm Christingle Blakesley 6:00pm 1st Communion of Christmas Farthingstone 11:30pm Midnight Mass Litchborough

25th December Christmas Day 9:00am Holy Communion Adstone 10:00am Family Communion Maidford 11:00am Family Communion Blakesley

29th December 1st Sunday of Christmas 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP said) Blakesley

The Old Red Lion Badby & Farthingstone CC News Fitting End to Successful First Season Wish All Their |Customers a Badby and Farthingstone CC celebrated their first season with a presentation evening on Saturday January 16. Drink was taken, fish&chips Very Merry Christmas consumed and a mushy peas disaster averted thanks to the swift intervention of a club member. There were several entertaining speeches, Join friends for a drink anytime notably from club legend Peter Mayne, as well as captain Charlie Ashmore’s Enjoy Our Menu of daily specials comprehensive review of the season. Awards were as follows: Club batsman of the year Joe Phillips. Club bowler of the year Charlie Ashmore. Wildfowl award for most ducks Jes Ackland- Snow. Guest batsman of the year Jordan Shingler. Guest bowler of the year Kieren Bennett. Captain's player of the year Steve Nelligan. Young player of the year Joe Phillips. Player's player of the year Ed Hall. Clubman of the year Phil Hall. There was also a successful auction and raffle. Congratulations to all our Treat yourself to a special winners and thanks to everyone that attended and helped organise the event. Club AGM early next year, date to be decided. . ***********

Sunday Roast Community Afternoon Cuppa –Friday 27th December Firstly, thanks to everyone who was able to come along to our very first go at this, way back in October. About twenty folks made it, old Litchbro- ites and new, friends from within the village and elsewhere, lots of happy QUIZ NIGHT this month is Sunday chatter going on, it was a joy to see. So why not come along and grab a cuppa, all very easy and relaxed. Kettle will be on, mugs out, milk in the th 28 December fridge, biscuits on the hatch ... everyone is very welcome, anytime between 3pm and 5pm. See you down there there! Watch our board for any other Carol Special Events

Got a special occasion any other time then telephone Welcome to Litchborough The Old Red Lion Tel: 01327 830064 We are delighted to welcome Laura Isted to Banbury Road, Ben Currie and Amy Thurley to Northampton Road and James Hodges to Waites Yard. or email: [email protected] We hope you will enjoy our lovely village. to arrange your booking

Litchborough Gardening Club A big thank you to all of the people that helped with planting the bulbs around the war memorial and the telephone box. It’ll look absolutely lovely in the spring and will be a credit to all those that helped. Marcus continues to build the planters which will be located alongside the four signs into the village. If anyone has any young, small shrubs that are low maintenance that they would be prepared to donate, that would be super. Chris Watts is leading the charge on sourcing plants and has suggested plants such as euonymus, bergenia , lavender, or geraniums. Please let Chris or Sue Brunning know if you have any plants that you would like to donate. As always full details of gardening club visits can be found on the village web site www.litchborough.org.uk. We had a very interesting talk from Andrew Mikolajski at Maidford Village Hall and are looking forward to joining them again for their Wreath Making event on Wednesday December 4th. £3.50 including mulled wine, mince pies and materials but if you have any particular berries or materials you would like to include in your decorations, please bring them with you. Again, in order to give Maidford Gardening Club an idea of numbers, please can you let Sue Brunning or Teresa Cox know by December 1st if you would like to attend. Our visit to Waddesdon Manor and their Christmas market is no longer going ahead as many of our number are busy at this time of year. Although it is busy in the run up to Christmas, I think there are still slots to view ******* the house and for Christmas lunch or afternoon tea, so do go along if you have time. We are pulling together a list of places that we might like to visit during 2020, if you have any thoughts as to where you would like to go, please contact Sue Brunning (01327 831545, [email protected]) or Teresa Cox (07962 925709, [email protected] *******

Village Lottery Two winners in November so far Ian Lowery and Sandy Aked-Walker If you would like one of the remaining numbers ring Ian Lowery 01327 830823 it only costs £1 per week and £25 per week is the possible prize. Proceeds go to support your village Church.

Table Tennis in the Village Hall There is now a Table Tennis Table at the Village Hall – want a game with friends or even form a club – then contact Carol (830517) to book a time to go and play – you will need to take your ping pong balls!

Northamptonshire Last Night of The Proms Village Awards

JUDGES WANTED

The Rotary Club of Towcester, in conjunction with Sponne School and Kidlington Concert Brass, will be holding its annual The Last Night of The Proms concert at Whittlebury Park (formerly Hall) on Sunday, 2nd February 2020. This is the eighth successive year that this very enjoyable Winner: Glapthorn, Best Village 2019 event has been held and is a wonderful opportunity to hear a collective of Do you enjoy village life and are you interested very talented musicians playing a varied programme of music in a great in the community spirit it fosters? setting. The concert starts promptly at 7pm and there will be a licensed Are you interested in finding out what other villages bar and refreshments available. Tickets are priced at £17 and can be get up to and talking purchased by contacting John Sidwick (johnsidwick@towcester- to people who have similar interests? rotary.org.uk / 01327 352851) or via Colemans Stationers in Towcester town centre from Sunday, 1st December 2019. Join our team of judges who visit 3 - 4 villages each year, assessing them for this Competition. Full training will be provided.

If interested, please email Elaine O’Leary, Northamptonshire ACRE: Happy Christmas to all Our Customers [email protected]

or tel: 01604 765888 We deliver daily newspapers and Website: https://www.northantsacre.org.uk/northamptonshire magazines to the village.

-village-awards Any combination of days per week catered for.

Proud to support the Northamptonshire Village Awards Ring us on 01295 268499 Competition or e-mail [email protected]

Litchborough Youth Club

FUN GAMES ON A MONTHLY BASIS

If you are aged 10 -16 years along

TUESDAY 10th December 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Litchborough Village Hall