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November 2006 COMMUNITY

Issue 11 NEWSLETTER

Autumn Issue 2006

Free Newsletter for residents living in: Many thanks to all those clubs and organizations who have been in touch • Weddington with us over the summer, and here is • St Nicolas Park the latest edition of the Community Newsletter. • Horeston Grange Christmas is fast approaching and I • Hinckley Road am appealing to all those of you who and The Long want to publicize Christmas events Shoot and activities, to please get in touch with me.

We feel it is very important to keep Includes news from the spirit of the newsletter alive and to serve the local community with a free news and information publication. • Hockey We are also very keen to know what Club you think of the newsletter and how it could be improved. So, please get in • Nuneaton touch. Ladies Rugby I can be contacted at Higham Lane Team School on 024 76388123, e-mailed at communitynewsletter@highamlane..sch.uk or drop in • Nuneaton and speak to me. Pantomime and Review Society Alison Turner • Community Safety Unit Editor

• Quiz 2

News From Local Clubs and Societies

Nuneaton Pantomime and Review Society

I wonder how many people reading this newsletter have ever thought about appearing on stage? Well, Nuneaton Pantomime and Review So- ciety are always looking for new members to come and join us. We cur- rently do two shows per year, a pantomime in January and a musical show in May. We have recently changed our show dates from February and September respectively. Both shows take place at the Civic Hall in Bedworth and run from Wednesday to Saturday. We are about to start our latest production which will be Aladdin. The show will run from the 25th to the 28th of January 2007. We are looking for people of all ages: dancers to chorus members and lead roles. Rehearsals are at the Griff and Coton Club on Heath End Road every Tuesday evening from 8pm. Many people come into the show as fami- lies with partners and/or children taking part. Nuneaton Pantomime and Review Society has been producing quality shows now for over 40 years and we are rated by many as the best ama- teur dramatics company in the town! Expectations are high and we aim to give the audience a lively, fun show that is fast paced and colourful. It is important to be willing and able to try your best and look confident. If pantomimes are not your thing, then we are putting on a wonderful musical in May called, My Fair Lady. Recent shows have included Sinbad the Sailor, Me and My Girl, Alice’s Adventures in Pantoland and Guys and Dolls.

If you don’t think appearing on stage is for you, then why not come and see the shows? Tickets are competitively priced and on sale from society members or from the Civic Hall box office.

Further information can be obtained from Andrew Jones on 07862764410 who hopes to see you soon!

Christine’s Handmade Greetings Cards

Cards for all occasions

Choose from my range of cards

Or

Cards made to your own requirements

Telephone 07790122225 3

News From Local Clubs and Societies

Horeston Grange Friendship Club

Established 16 years

All welcome: a friendly club for active people of retired years. We enjoy:

• Lunches

• Theatre

• Outings

• Speakers

• Christmas and New Year

functions

• Evening functions

• Competitions

• Holiday clubs

• Welfare

A friendly group with active minds! Contact Margaret Hart on 024 76354577 or Marilyn on 024 76757071.

We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays from 2-4pm at the church hall, next to Sommer- fields at Horeston Grange Shopping Centre.

Silver Surfers at Silver Surfers drop-in is at Higham Lane School every Wednes- day lunchtime during term-time (1.00pm—2.00pm). The drop-in is free and is for anyone aged 50 or older who would like to learn how to use the internet or to send and receive emails.

Volunteers from the Silver Surfers project and students from the School will be on hand to help older people get over their nerves about using computers.

For more information ring the Silver Surfers office on 024 7634 2250, or Peter Banks at Higham Lane School on 02476 388123. 4

News From Local Clubs and Societies

Nuneaton Ladies Rugby Team

How many people reading this knew that your home town had a ladies rugby team? Not many I imagine. The team ages from 18 to 41 so if you think you’re too old you’re not! We cater for ladies who have never picked up a rugby ball to those who have a passion for the game. Our aim this season is to get new players from all walks of life. If you are at home all day with children, or at work all day, new to the area, need to get fit and hate the thought of the gym, think you’re too fat or too small to play rugby this is a great way to meet new mates, get fit, vent aggres- sion, and have some girlie time too. It’s not all about playing we have had some great nights out and get up to many mad things!

Formed in 2002 with just 5 players we are now in League 3 and have 18 players attending pre-season training sessions, which includes the addition of another 5 new players who have settled in very well. Another welcome addition is a new head-coach, Phil Groves, after a very successful season as forward’s coach, Phil (whose background within the club includes being a coach and team manager of the now very successful U17’s junior age group) has great plans and optimism for the coming season. As team confidence grows, the la- dies are setting their sights higher and are working closely with the RFUW to ensure the future of the team. With the help and support of the RFUW, Nuneaton Ladies have created a “development plan” which will help to guide the ladies team in the future to include development of an U14 to U18 girls squad to become the main feed for the senior team and bridge the gap locally. This season’s aim is to finish middle in the league and in 3 seasons time be in league 2. Nuneaton Ladies have a reputation for being friendly and sociable and they welcome anyone over 18 who is interested in playing to come along on a Tuesday 7.30pm – 9pm and meet the team. Please contact the captain, Peggy “tat” Cawte on 07903600273 or manager, Sarah Perry on 07773985328 for more information or email [email protected] 5

News From Local Clubs and Societies

Nuneaton Hockey Club

Nuneaton Hockey Club are looking forward to the coming season in the Coaching Solutions league under the captaincy of Ally Jones and with the coaching support of Brian Gordon- Stables, with the first team aiming to gain promotion to the East Midlands Premier Division. The club runs six mens teams catering for all ages and abilities and training is already underway each Wednesday evening at Etone Sports Centre between 7.45pm – 8.45pm.

• New members are welcome and can obtain further details by contacting club captain Ally Jones on 02476 374844 or the Chairman Steve Tallis on 02476 372984.

• The popular youth hockey training sessions also resumed in August at the same venue start- ing at 5.45 p.m. until 6.30 pm every Wednesday.

• Qualified coaches will be available to teach youngsters between the ages of 9 -18 years and all are welcome to come along, irrespective of experience and ability.

• New starters are particularly welcome and hockey sticks can be provided for those trying the sport for the first time. Anyone interested can simply come along on the day or speak to coach Simon Pennington on 07919 888804 to receive further details. If you are interested in learning more about Nuneaton Hockey Club, the club’s excellent website provides plenty of information at www.nuneatonhockeyclub.com.

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News From Local Clubs and Societies

Nuneaton Cricket Club

Nuneaton Cricket Club is the premier cricket club in the town and plays in the Warwickshire Cricket League Premier Division. Its ambition is to secure and maintain a place in the Birmingham League.

We run Under 9’s, Under 10’s, Under 13’s, Under 15’s, Under 16’s and Under 19’s sides, so the opportunity for youngsters to play cricket is huge.

We also run five teams on Saturdays and two on Sundays so that anyone who fancies a game of cricket almost irrespective of standard can turn up and have a game and enjoy a pint in the bar afterwards in our excellent clubhouse. We are renowned for good club spirit.

We also have a series of social events during the course of the season and take great pride in being one of the oldest clubs in the Midlands, having been founded in 1826.

Anyone interested in joining the club should please contact Jason Dean (First Team Captain) on 07775 713702 or Michael Arnold (President) on 0121 2321141. 7

North Warwickshire Primary Care Trust

‘Respect Yourself’ Sexual Health Website

Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe. Locally, statistics show that annually over 100 girls aged between 15-17 become pregnant in Nuneaton and Bed- worth. Rates on some sexually transmitted infections such as Syphilis, Genital warts and Chla- mydia are increasing according to the Health Protection Agency. Chlamydia is a bacterial infec- tion which if left untreated can leave women unable to have children.

It is important, therefore, that young people receive accurate sexual health information so that they can make informed choices.

For teenagers:

Young people can now visit the ‘Respect Yourself’ website to find out more abount delaying sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, pregnancy and sexual health services at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/respectyourself

For parents:

It is better for you to talk to your children about relationships and sex than if they get information and advice from the playground or friends. If you need help talking to your teenager about relationships and sex there is a FREE helpline that can offer support and advice.

Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222

Or visit the website www.parentsplus.org.uk

Lessons for

Piano

Keyboard

Theory

For recreation or examinations

JOHN STEPHENSON LRSM

024 76327017

www.johnstephenson.musicteaching.info 8

Local Information

Poplars Farm Shop

The Long Shoot, Nuneaton 02476 386283 Growing and selling local produce to the local community We hope you enjoyed our early potatoes. We now have our main crop ready to sell, Wilja (white), Desiree (red) and King Edwards. Fresh fruit and vegetables Local honey Local meat Preserves Local cheese Ice Cream Local eggs Bird seed During December, we shall be open everyday up to Christmas to sell our Christmas Trees; Nordman and Douglas Firs, Scots Pine and Norway Spruce. Wreaths—all sizes and prices. Wrapped for transport. Decorative cast iron stands are also available. Orders taken now for Christmas vegetables, Turkeys, Kelly Bronze and Chickens. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9.00am—5.30pm, and on Sundays from 9.00am—1.00pm.

Nuneaton Festival of Arts - Have you ever been involved?

The Festival, now in its 59th year, aims to provide a platform for all ages, cultures and abilities to show their talents. The art, craft and needlecraft entries are displayed in the Museum and Art Gallery from March until May, and the original writing winners in the Library.

Vocal, Speech and Drama; Woodwind, Strings and Brass; Piano and Stage Dancing sections are held in May.

Entries are invited from members of the public and details are in the syllabus out at the begin- ning of November.

Anyone can enter, see their work on show, perform on stage and have the benefit of advice from a professional adjudicator.

Anyone can attend the performances.

Come along and be proud of our local artistic talent.

A syllabus is available from the Library, the Museum and Art Gallery and the Craft Rooms in Attleborough. 9

Community News

Weddington Parent and Toddler Group

A big thank you to all those who have helped in the past and our more recent volunteers. The group is growing well and is well attended. We meet every Wednesday afternoon from 1.00pm-2.30pm. If anyone is interested in joining the group, or as a volunteer to help open up and run the session, please con- tact Dawn Adams on 024 7673 9634, Elaine Joy on 024 7634 2400, Sharon Davies on 024 7637 2098, Deb Taylor on 024 7638 4010 or Kerry Cadman 024 7637 1500. Alternatively, if you feel you could help with refreshments for the odd hour, please contact Janet Brogan on 024 76 744 263.

From the Community Safety Unit

Warwickshire Police would like to remind people to consider the following points to help avoid becoming a victim of crime at this time of year.

Home Security

With darker nights upon us, a timer set to come on prior to your return home can give the im- pression to a potential burglar that someone is at home. It’s probably time to lock away those tools that you have been using in the garden and make sure that a good lock is fixed on your shed. A burglar will use the tools to aid his crime if possible.

Personal Safety

A personal attack alarm can be bought for less than £3.00. Carrying one on a dark night will in- crease your confidence and if the worst should happen, the noise given off from the alarm will scare off most attackers and will draw attention to your plight. Give a moment’s thought to your actions and you won’t put yourself in a vulnerable position.

Vehicle Security

Think about where you park—will that car park space be a good place to return to when it’s dark? There are a number of vehicle security devices on the market at reasonable prices. A small investment can save a lot of heartache.

If you have any concerns about any form of security, please feel free to contact PC Andy Marchi from the Community Safety Unit at Bedworth Police Station.

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A Winter Hat By Sylvia Seeley

Those of you who are old enough to remember the winter of 1963 (and I am sure there are still one or two of you around) will remember the gut-wrenching, bone-chilling, teeth-freezing, achingly endless bitter, bitter cold of those three months. There was no football, rugger or horse-racing from Christmas until the end of March. Can you imagine that! It was the year I was married. Alas, my nuptials did not take place until August so I had no new husband to snuggle up to but had to make do with two hot water bottles. If you threw one of them out in the night (which was rare) it was frozen solid the next morning – and that’s the truth. This was pre-central heating days remem- ber. Anyway, that particular year, because of the intense cold, a fashion quickly came about for warm woolly hats. They were of a velvety type of material, in little loops all over, any colour you fancied and worn tightly tucked all over your hair. Normally, I would never be seen dead in a hat of any sort (I was a very trendy 20 year old then) but when in Siberia, do as the Siberians do….! They actually looked a bit like tea cosies, but if they stopped frost bite in the ears, well so what. I had half an hour’s walk to work each day and by the time I got there my eyes would be streaming with the cold, my feet (admittedly clad in high heeled stiletto boots with no room for socks) would be numb and blue and my hands, despite sheepskin mitts, would feel icy on your face. But my head at least was warm. I would take this hat off once home at night and throw it into the corner of the hall stand. It was never in the same place the next morning, which always annoyed me but I put it down to my little sister, aged 6, who was always dressing up in my clothes and loved the hat. This particular morning I searched for my hat to no avail and eventually called my sister to see if she knew where it might be. “Oh, said she, “I expect the cat’s still in it” “What did you say” said I, “the cat’s still in it! Don’t be so stupid, I’ll kill it if is!” “Pussy cat, pussy cat” called little sister. To my horror from behind the chair, came the family cat, crawling out of my hat!! I screamed with rage! “Since when” said I, “has that thing been sleeping in my hat. Why doesn’t he go out at night like other stupid cats do?”. I grabbed hold of the cat and threw him outside into the -15° morning air declaring that he would never be al- lowed back inside. My little sister was distraught. “You’re cruel and horrible and I’m going to tell mummy. He can’t go out at night because he’ll freeze to death so I have let him sleep in your hat at night. It doesn’t matter, you don’t wear it when you go out with your Pete, do you?” So for weeks I had been getting up each day, putting on my hat, which had only just been vacated by the cat, then going to work with the possibility of fleas in my hair! It’s a wonder I didn’t need delousing! My family thought it was the most hilarious thing they had ever heard, even fiancée Peter laughed. Needless to say, I never wore the hat again. It remained a cat’s bed from then on and I bought another which was then always hidden away each night After that the cat always seemed to be looking at me with smug self-satisfaction (whilst keeping a wary dis- tance) while I just treated it with the utmost contempt! 11

Quiz

Test your general knowledge with our fiendish Mastermind quiz!

1. What is the name of Scotland’s international rugby football stadium in Edinburgh? 2. In J. M. Barrie’s play, Peter Pan: or the boy who wouldn’t grow up, what is the name of the Darling’s family dog, which was also the children’s nurse? 3. What is the collective term for a flock of goldfinches? 4. Which US writer first described the 1920s as the Jazz Age? 5. What is a mermaid’s purse? 6. In distilling, what is known as the angel’s share? 7. What type of creature is a dik dik? 8. Which slang word for prison came into use from the name of a notorious gaol in Southwark in London?

9. How much did the Owl and the Pussycat pay for their wedding ring?

10. What is the Latin motto of the RAF?

11. Which caring organization was founded by the Rev Chad Varah in 1953?

12. What is the literal meaning of the word xylophone?

13. On the standard Monopoly board, how much does each of the four railway stations cost?

14. Which Oxford philosopher and writer won the 1978 Booker Prize for her novel, The Sea, The Sea?

15. What were the original seven wonders of the ancient world?

9. One shilling shilling One 9.

Ephesus, and Tomb of Mausolus. Mausolus. of Tomb and Ephesus,

at Diana of Temple Zeus, Olympian of Statue 8. Clink Clink 8.

Egypt, Egypt, lon, Pharos of Alexandria, Pyramids of of Pyramids Alexandria, of Pharos lon,

7. An antelope antelope An 7. Baby- of Gardens Hanging Rhodes, of Colossus 15.

6. The amount of spirit which evaporates. evaporates. which spirit of amount The 6. 14. Iris Murdoch Murdoch Iris 14.

5. The egg sac of a skate, ray or shark shark or ray skate, a of sac egg The 5. 13. £200 £200 13.

4. F. Scott Fitzgerald Fitzgerald Scott F. 4.

12. Wood voice voice Wood 12.

3. A charm charm A 3.

11. The Samaritans Samaritans The 11.

2. Nana Nana 2.

stars) stars)

10. Per ardua ad astra (Through hardship to the the to hardship (Through astra ad ardua Per 10. 1. Murrayfield Murrayfield 1. 12

Compiled by

Alison Turner Advertising rates for future editions are: Higham Lane School, a Business and Enterprise College £100 per full page Shanklin Drive £62.50 per half page Nuneaton CV10 0BJ £31.25 per quarter page Tel: 024 76388123 Fax: 024 76370550 £18.75 per 1/6 page or smaller E-mail: 5% discount on these prices when ordering for communitynewsletter@highamlane. two or more issues. warwickshire.sch.uk www.highamlane.warwickshire.sch.uk

Printed by Coventry Manor Press Ltd 024 76550400

Councillor’s Surgeries

Weddington Ward St Nicolas Ward County Councillor Alan Farnell John Burton Borough Councillor Jeff Clarke David Bryden Borough Councillor Gerald Smith Tom Wilson The councillor’s surgery is a combined, two-ward surgery, held at St Nicolas Primary School, Windermere. The surgery is held on the first Thursday of the month from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Residents who live in either the Weddington or St Nicolas wards are invited to attend these meetings with their elected representatives of the local borough and county councils.