Advertising and Circulation The Newsletter Committee have included the advertisements from our sponsors as usual even though this edition of the Newsletter is being distributed on line via a link from the “Geddington.net” website. We recognise that some regular readers may not get to see the Newsletter and that some businesses are not currently operational due to lock down restrictions. The adverts are presented in good faith and this edition will not be taken into account in the annual renewal arrangements. Having taken on a new mode of distribution to circumvent the restrictions that face us, the Newsletter Committee would appreciate feedback from all our readers so that we can assess how acceptable this mode of communication is to villagers until we are able to resume a normal printed version. [email protected] 2 Geddington - The Newsletter Summer 2020 Geddington - The Newsletter Chair Remarks Contents Summer 2020 Edition: Jane Tysoe, Newsletter Chair. Cover - artwork by Justin Brice Welcome readers to this Summer edition of The Newsletter, which based on a style created by Richard Crouse 1 is in a different format. Chair Remarks 3 What a difference a few months The decision was made to go digital makes. At the time of the last issue, as while it would have been positive Features inc. Local History, 4-21 I don’t think any of us were thinking to deliver the newsletter in its usual Remembering..., Past-times, we might be in the situation we have format, it cannot be considered as Animal Tales, Hanger Games, now been in since March. essential. We hope as many of our Back to Nature Two issues ago I wrote about looking usual readers as possible will read it, If Only Our Local Pubs Could Talk (part 4), back to the start of the Millennium and we’d like to hear your feedback Northamptonshire Place Names, and how the world had changed on the accessibility of this issue. Geddington Ghosts, A Mystery… since then. Now, in a very short The Secret Aerodrome 1941-45, We recognise that some readers will space of time, it has changed again. I was a total fraud!, Charlie Johnson, not have access to it. So, if you are The COVID-19 virus has led to a Run of the mill!, New cat on the block, aware of anyone without access and lockdown in society with hardships Quantas Queries, I’ve got Worms, are able to assist them I’m sure that for many people and businesses. On The Bee-Fly would be most appreciated. behalf of the Newsletter Committee Democracy in Action 22 I’d like to thank all the key workers We hope that this edition provides Philip Hollobone MP that are keeping things going and some distraction from the current especially those on the front line, and difficulties. In this edition,Peter Hill A Celebration! 23 all of the people in the villages who regales more tales from local pubs V.E. Day 75th Anniversary are assisting others. I hope that all of in his final article of this series, Church and Chapel 24 our readers remain well and are Fudge is introduced as a new St Mary Magdalene and The Chapel managing to live well during these character in the village and we say challenging times. We’re lucky to live a sad goodbye to long time village Pre-School 25 in a beautiful area and have walks resident, Charlie Johnson. Udder Pre-school Day Nursery on our doorsteps which I hope many There are articles on a different kind Local Infrastructure Project 26 of you have enjoyed in the recent of farming, a secret on Cobley Lodge sunshine for your daily exercise. Gigaclear Farm, windmills and the bee fly, Amongst the Newsletter Committee, Clubs and Organisations 28-34 as well as amusing anecdotes from we had a full discussion, safely via Brickyard Garden, Knitting Club, Quantas airlines. There is poetry and emails, about how to produce this 1st Scouts, Support Group, GVFB, advice on lockdown exercise. Also, edition. Whilst it may have been Live Performances and the WI find out why Jackie Binley considers difficult but possible to go to print, Café and Pub Talk 35 it was felt that distribution of a hard herself a fraud?! Café Oak and The Star Inn copy would be against the current So, hopefully, something for every- advice of the government to stay at one. I hope we’re in a more positive Wellness 36-37 home except for essentials. situation by the next edition. Lockdown Exercise, Staying Young, Drifting Thoughts and Thoughts THE GEDDINGTON NEWSLETTER WELCOMES AND Village Life 38-39 APPRECIATES ALL READERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS Out and about… - your input makes our Newsletter relevant to all so please send in Puzzle Time 40-42 your articles (a hobby/interest, charity support, any local ‘goings on’), letters to the Editor, congratulations etc. Masthead and advertising rates 44 Contributions to The Newsletter can be submitted as emails to: Solutions 45 [email protected] or in hard copy to any of our Back cover 46 committee members, see Masthead for committee contact details. Summer 2020 Geddington - The Newsletter 3 Local History If Only Our Local Pubs Could Talk (part 4) - Peter Hill Many a scheme or plot have been At the subsequent inquest it was The diarist also recorded, with his hatched in local pubs, one of the stated the deceased had died from usual wit, a number of fights in the most spectacular being at the over-exertion! town’s pubs. One took place (aptly) Cleveland Arms (now Vane Arms) at The three offenders were tried at on Boxing Day, 1778: Sudborough in 1837 when a group of Northampton and found guilty, but ‘A Good Battle was fought twenty-five men planned a daring on account of having large families to tonight at the Dolphin between raid at Deene a few miles away support, together with good character John Henson, alias ‘Fow Tankard’ where rabbits were supposed be in references, their sentence was cut from and Sam Barnes, watchmaker. abundance. Unfortunately for them, transportation to a year’s hard labour. After some fairish knocks, victory a gamekeeper from that estate In the previous century the British was declared in favour of Henson, overheard them and informed the army and navy were frequently but his shirt was torn all to steward who subsequently arranged undermanned and had to find ways of pieces which caused him to get for fourteen workers to lie in wait for finding recruits aged between fifteen his Wife’s Blessing’. an ambush at the appointed time. and forty five. One way was to form Another form of humour can be As they walked across one of the a ‘press gang’ who would target found in the form of graffiti, such as fields, the would-be poachers pubs, a prime target for tipplers who that discovered by workmen during were pounced on. In the ensuing would be oblivious to the ‘King’s the demolition work in Corby village confrontation, many of them fled, shilling’ being dropped into their in 1960. The Black Horse in Church leaving behind three who were beer mugs – a sign of acceptance of Street was one of five original pubs taken into custody, and the volunteering. One incident, albeit in in the village and was said to be disembowelled corpse of another. jest by some friends, was recorded in patronised by the more ‘sporting’ the diary of John Clifton (see Spring types of local men. edition) at the Three Lasts and other pubs in Oundle in November 1776, in which they ‘dress’d themselves in the Masquerade task and set off as a press gang’. The Black Horse, Corby, c1950 4 Geddington - The Newsletter Summer 2020 Geddington - The Newsletter Whilst the workmen were As a result, Dingley referred to them In the south of the county at dismantling some of the furnishings as Sodom and Gomorrah! Paulerspury during the 1880s, ‘Perk’ they had a chuckle at some of the Much has been written about the Smith, the landlord of the Barley graffiti on the doors of the men’s Talbot in Oundle and its supposed Mow was a well-known character, toilets, including this one: association with Mary Queen of not averse to taking up dares like Rockingham on the Hill, Scots who was imprisoned locally at climbing the church battlements, Oakley in the Vale, Fotheringhay prior to her execution. or indulging in a session of brutal Kettering for silly B------s, Masonry and furnishings from the ‘kickshins’, a local ‘sport’. On one Corby for Ale! castle are said to have been brought occasion whilst brewing, he had just This colourful language either in to the inn after demolition of the put the wort in the copper, and as he graffiti or rhyme form was nothing former. Inevitably, legends sprang up added the hops (which needed time to new with our ancestors, when it came after this event, including ghostly sink) he heard of a prize fight about to local inter-town/village rivalry, phenomena, seen and heard by staff to take place in a nearby field, and asserting superiority on some way, and guests on many occasions. subsequently left the brewing some of which one might say is Despite this being far-fetched in temporarily. The problem was the still goes on today? If a village was most cases, one particular incident fight lasted longer than expected. ‘closed’ (with a resident lord of (which has been verified) cannot be When he returned, the copper had the manor to keep an eye on the explained: In the 1960s, four friends boiled dry and he saw his beer behaviour of its inhabitants) as sat down at a table in one of the running down the street.