Oundle Chronicle Amps in The blight No Topic page business page of hare page is off limits 5 10 13 since 1901 coursing

Established 1991 Best Newspaper 2016 Shine School Media Awards Winter 2020-21

Plans for new unitary council gather speed

Ned Chatterton After delays caused by the pandemic, timescales have now been finalised for East Northamp- tonshire District Council to merge with other district councils to form one of two unitary councils in Northampstonshire. Current district and county councillors have already formed the Shadow North Northampton- shire Council, which will continue the transition until elections in April 2021 elect new councillors to the unitary authority. In the new authority, services provided by the district councils will merge with services provided by the county council. Planning, housing, environmental and health services - previously provided by the district councils - will merge with adult and children’s social services, highways and trading standards – previously the remit of the county council. “The unitary will be more transparent and residents will have Artist Simon Dolby captured the unnatural stillness of Oundle's streets during lockdown in an oil painting a clear way forward in terms of now on display at the Dolby Gallery on West Street. continued on page 2 getting advice and support,” said Annabel de Capell Brooke, North- amptonshire County Councillor for Oundle. “Nothing is more frus- Headteacher Janet McMurdo to retire after 18 successful years trating for a resident to contact the district council only to be told that Noa Anderson full primary, Reception to Year 8 a unified vision,” she explains. they need to contact county. Time Janet McMurdo, headteacher in 2015, managed the move to new Harder, perhaps, but not wasting for them and pointless.” of Oundle CE Primary School, premises in 2016, and guided the impossible. Mrs McMurdo sees “This should allow for some will retire this Easter after nearly school through the Coronavirus her greatest achievement as the savings in present overhead costs two decades at the school. Mrs pandemic. successful transition and move to and also better career prospects McMurdo is well known in the Her biggest challenge, she says, new premises in Cotterstock Road for officers in one structure: this community as the driving force was the transition to a full prima- from the previous Milton Road site. would be good for staff morale,” behind the happy and successful ry: “We had to learn to be a com- “Every step of the way, every new said Rupert Reichhold, one of three school environment which has pletely different school.” Having thing that came was a challenge, district councillors for Oundle. given generations of Oundle’s taught in a three-tiered system but also a success when we worked Asked what changes an Oundle children the care, confidence and with lower school, middle school together,” she recalls. “Through all resident can expect to see day-to- core skills crucial for a positive start and secondary, and having had her that, I have never felt alone. I have day, Councillor Reichhold said: to their educational journey. own children go through it, she felt always worked with a great staff “Very little: to the extent people During her tenure, Mrs the structure worked well, but she team, parents and fab kids.” see or meet council officers at all, McMurdo has boosted Oundle saw the advantages of a two-tiered Claire Morrison, assistant head- they are likely to see and meet CE Primary from a school system fitting in better with the teacher, has worked alongside Mrs the same officers, with letter rated “Good” by Ofsted to an National Curriculum for England McMurdo for 11 years. She said headings showing the North “Outstanding” one, seen the and Wales. The disadvantage of the that her greatest achievements were Northamptonshire Council logo.” school through its transition from larger school, however, is that “it’s continued on page 10 Reception to Year 4 provision to a harder to make sure the school has continued on page 3 2 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter

Appeal for donations to The The art of lockdown maintain Responders' vehicle Chronicle On any normal weekday morn- through Oundle in early spring just Matthew Atkin ing Oundle is bustling with shop- after the lockdown. I was amazed Many charities are facing hard- pers, business transactions, café to see everywhere so empty, with ship this year because of their ina- Team goers and school pupils. But when no vehicles or people,” he said. bility to organise annual fundrais- the spring lockdown shuttered all “The dramatic sky and strong ing events. One local organisation activities in March, the town fell light hitting the school buildings that relies entirely on donations to silent in an eerie calm. was so unusual and atmospheric, support its operation is the Oundle The experience of walking I wanted to paint it exactly as it Community First Responders, a through the deserted streets on was.” group of volunteers who provide daily exercise was both unsettling He did a detailed pencil drawing emergency medical assistance. and exhilarating, and ultimately in- and two watercolours before he The First Responders were ini- spiring for the artists who took the had the composition and colours tially told by the ambulance forces opportunity to capture this unique worked out as he wanted. to stand down during the first moment in time. The finished painting was done lockdown, but since mid-April they Simon Dolby lives in the cen- in oils, and took him about a month have been back in action. tre of Oundle and has spent years to paint. Had this been an ordinary year, THE EDITORIAL TEAM painting its streetscapes. He is in- “I’m pleased that I painted there would have been fundrais- timately familiar with the architec- something that marked a moment ing events that would go towards tural detail and character of all its of time in the history of Oundle.” covering the £4000 cost for the lease Noa Anderson buildings. But the changes imposed The painting is on display in the of their vehicle. The First Respond- Matthew Atkin by the lockdown brought a new di- window of the Dolby Gallery on ers use this vehicle to arrive at the Archie Atkinson mension to the experience of living West Street, and is available as a scene of an accident as soon as Robert Brettle in town, and he sat down to record limited edition print of 50. Contact possible and help to ensure that the William Caskey it in his latest work. [email protected] for more injured person remains stable until Toby Cave “I was inspired by a walk details. the paramedics arrive. Ned Chatterton Meagan Iu Paxton Leung Priyanka Menon Oundle Music Trust makes plans for 2021 Sofya Meshechkova with Culture Recovery Fund award Johannes Mynhardt Digby Pratt Meagan Iu of what the organisation does for Gabriel Sun Oundle Music Trust has Oundle and enables us to re-start Jennifer Yang been awarded £58,823 as part of operations with our core team, plan Cherry Yang the Government’s £1.57 billion events for 2021 and pursue our goal Culture Recovery Fund to help arts of re-branding the organisation.” organisations face the challenges Trust organisers are now plan- STAFF EDITORS of the coronavirus pandemic and ning the 2021 festival. “Assuming First Responder Paul Brackley says they need an annual minimum of £4000 to ensure they have a sustainable things proceed much as they are to support their services Leigh Giurlando future. now, we are aiming to present a Caitriona O'Brien The funds could not have come slightly reduced festival with so- Last year alone they assisted soon enough for the Trust. Artistic cially distanced performances.” 362 patients throughout the Director, Kenneth Richardson said: Following the success of 2020’s community, giving roughly 6,600 “Along with the generosity of our virtual festival, and with the help of hours of their time. Whilst the First friends, sponsors and audience the grant, they plan to continue an Responders have some reserves, members, this award will enable us online presence and livecast some and have received donations and to plan ahead." of their performances, allowing support from local businesses, it is Oundle Music Trust is one of them to have an audience watching not enough to cover their lease plus 1,385 cultural and creative organi- both in the venue and from home. the expense of maintaining their sations across the country receiving The potential benefit is that they essential equipment. urgently needed support. £257 mil- will be able to market their perfor- The First Responders have ap- lion of investment has been an- mances to a bigger audience than pealed to their supporters to donate nounced as part of the first round can be accommodated in person, even small amounts using the link of the Culture Recovery Fund and take Oundle out to the wider on their website. grants programme being adminis- virtual world beyond our regional In order to become a First Re- tered by Arts Council England. and national boundaries. sponder, a volunteer must first At the beginning of lockdown, it Ann Elise Smoot, Director complete a four-day training became apparent that the planned of Oundle for Organists, also has course, participate in a monthly festivals for the summer of 2020 plans in place for the 2021 Ound- meeting and an annual refresher would have to be cancelled. At the le for Organists Summer School. course for the first level. The First start of the year, they had just had “The Fund’s support, allows us Responders are sent to locations a successful festival launch, and to plan for the future with renewed where 999 has been called, within ticket sales were going well. hope and enthusiasm, building on a ten-mile radius of Oundle. First However, when the box office our successful 35 year history,” she Responder Paul Brackley said that Oundle Chronicle income ceased overnight, as tick- said. a First Responder’s job involves eting is a large part of their overall Unfortunately, their box office “keeping the patient alive to the Cripps Library income, it was clear that drastic on New Street will not reopen, best of our ability until the para- Church Street action was required. The office and however the Trust is exploring medics arrive”. Oundle the staff were all laid off, and the ways to have a presence in town. The son of one patient who was Peterborough organisation went into “hiberna- The Oundle Music Trust runs assisted by the First Responders af- PE8 4EE tion, pending better times”. Oundle International Festival, ter a serious fall said: “Oundle resi- E: [email protected] Mr Richardson said the impor- Oundle for Organists, Oundle dents are very lucky indeed to have tance of the grant could not be Cinema and Oundle Food Festival. this service which certainly isn’t www.oundlechronicle.co.uk overstated. “It recognises the value commonplace for many people.” ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 3 Janet McMurdo retires teacher in Bradford. She worked 2011 had attained 'Outstanding' open to serve the children of key as a class teacher and deputy head status, with the report stating that workers from the very beginning continued from page 1 on the Isle of Wight from 1989 until “the headteacher is pivotal to the of the pandemic, is working to she moved to Peterborough in 1999. school's success.” provide lasting memories even in the pupils who she helped nurture From there it was just a short hop She credits the school’s success these difficult times by recording in their early years. “Janet has been to Oundle in 2002 when she took to its focus on the children’s needs, school plays (The Lion King devoted to the children in her care up her post as head of the lower and the team’s commitment to con- and the Nativity) and recording and has worked tirelessly to give school at Oundle CE Primary. tinued improvement to meet high orchestra and choir activities in them the best start in life they could expectations. conjunction with St Peter’s Church. She has also made a positive When home learning is nec- impact on parents and staff alike. essary, McMurdo offers simple Gordon Montgomery, a parent and advice to parents: “Do your best. governor said: “In my profession- Some days will go well and other al life I work regularly with head days will go less well. But don’t teachers and school leaders and worry and get stressed about the Mrs McMurdo is among the finest days when it doesn’t go quite so that I have known in any context. well. Keeping your mental health Her dedication to the Oundle com- intact, for both the adults and the munity has been exemplary, there children, is key.” are thousands upon whom her McMurdo will retire with fond work has made a positive impact. memories of her time at the school. There are few who have made such “What gets me out of bed in the a contribution.” morning is coming and seeing The latest challenge, of course, the children and the team. The is running a school during a best thing about being the head of pandemic. Oundle CE Primary Oundle Primary School is that you has formed bubbles, rearranged laugh every day. There is always desks in rows, staggered drop-offs, something that makes you think and banned outside visitors, but ‘oh my, that’s bonkers!’ ” endeavours to make learning as Has she made many plans for “normal” as possible. It is no easy keeping busy in her retirement? task for the younger years, whose She laughs: “I’ve worked for 47 learning benefits from trips and years, mostly full time, so I’m outside specialists. ready for a bit of flexibility in my The school, which remained schedule!”

Janet McMurdo retires at Easter after 18 years as headteacher at Oundle Primary

possibly have.” McMurdo quickly made her Originally from the North West, mark. She was highly praised in the McMurdo followed a family tradi- school’s 2004 Ofsted report: “The tion and trained as a teacher. “I saw headteacher provides very good myself being more of a teacher who and clear leadership for the school could build longer term relation- in which she is fully supported ships with the children.” Following by all her staff... [she] has a very her training in Manchester, she clear vision for the school, which is taught secondary school in Milton shared by all who work there.” Keynes, Bradford and Rochdale, In September 2007, the school with a stint as a middle-school DT was rated 'Good', and by February St Peter's welcomes new vicar Reverend Annabel Copeland has Youth Minister, Martha Barnes. been installed as the new After training for ordained min- Associate Vicar of St Peter’s istry in Oxford, Annabel moved to Oundle, St Mary’s Benefield and St Billericay in Essex to serve her cura- Leonard’s Glapthorn. cy, followed by an appointment as “We’re delighted that Annabel a team vicar in Chelmsford. is joining our team,” said Canon She most recently served as Webster. “She brings a wealth of assistant minister and director skills and experience in schools as responsible for children, youth and a teacher, governor and chaplain families at a community church in and this will be invaluable as she north London. helps us to spread the good news of “I’ve been warmly welcomed as Jesus among our local schools and I’ve settled into my new home here families.” in Oundle, and I’m so excited about Rev'd Copeland’s background the prospect of sharing the good is in primary school teaching in the news of Jesus in this vibrant part of UK and a three-year teaching role the country,” she said. £399 in Kenya. Annabel has arrived in Oundle Her ministry in the Oundle area with her yellow labrador Layla, and will include a focus on work with they both share country walks or local families and young people, runs to keep fit. alongside the work of the church’s 36 Market Place ▪ Oundle ▪ 01832 275414 4 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Pink House Craft Club awarded funds to deliver Craft It Bags to members' homes Mental health support workers report Meagan Iu knitting, jewellery making, mosaics, increase in referrals in the pandemic era The Pink House Craft Club has puzzle books and jigsaws. been running at Oundle Library Ms Williams said: “We keep in Paxton Leung that life has been and is still very for several years, with the focus on touch with people by phone to find Since the start of the pandemic tough for some people is impor- helping people who live in rural out how they are getting on and we almost a year ago, staying at home tant. “Notice and comment when communities, and especially adults include a newsletter in the Activity for an extended period of time people are struggling and offer a who are feeling lonely or isolated. Bags. We’ve found that people who has taken a toll on mental health. listening ear. A lot of the time, this The club was started by start off being quite rigid about Everyone has been affected, regard- is enough,” said Natalie Jarvis. Caroline Kisby, a freelance what they want to do then see what less of socio-economic groups. The CCC recommends using creative practitioner, and Charlotte other people are doing and say, Those with less resilience and strategies outlined by Dr. Phil Williams, who used to work at ‘well I could do that’. They’re push- effective support networks have Hammond, a doctor famous for his Oundle Library, after meeting ing themselves a little bit more each been most affected. Young people appearance on TV, who has created on the Friends of Oundle Library time, and becoming more confident who watch or overhear news about the following mnemonic to re- committee. to try to new things.” the virus, might overthink the pos- member eight key steps to improve Due to the insecurity of obtain- They have mostly been working sibilities, and get confused and are mental health: ing ongoing funding, they formed with residents at Stronglands Court driven into a state of panic. Those CLANGERS: Connect with other the Pink House Arts Community in Oundle. But in September they who have been furloughed, are in people through meeting online; Interest Company in 2018, which were awarded a grant from the low-income groups, or are essen- Learn new things to keep your- allows them to apply for larger National Lottery Community Fund tial workers, have been adversely self intellectually active; Activity; grants. A community interest com- which has allowed them to move affected by the lockdowns. The physical activity; Notice the world pany is a special form of non-char- to the next stage and work more financial pressures or worries about around you through being more itable limited company, which closely with libraries in Oundle, infection are increasing the poten- mindful; Give back to the commu- exists primarily to benefit a com- Rushden and Corby to see if any tial for mental distress. nity, volunteering if possible; Eat a munity, with a view to pursuing a of their housebound customers Natalie Jarvis, the mental health healthy diet; Relax by taking time lead at Oundle School, has reported out to rest, chill, switch off;Sleep “perhaps as much as double the around six to eight hours, and have norm” for mental health consul- a regular bedtime routine. tation referrals involving young Talking to friends and sharing people, with many cases being anx- worries is a good first step to iety-related or stress-induced. improving mental health. There Denise Slater from Oundle are also several local and national CHAT said that the issues that af- organisations who offer a range of fected young people changed with support. the lockdowns and school closures. In the first instance, anyone can “There was a drop at the start speak to a GP to discuss mental of lockdown among young people, health concerns. Although they which we expected. Young people cannot see patients face to face now were thrown into a new world (except in certain circumstances), and if they had had anxiety about they are available on the phone. school or bullying then this was There are also private coun- taken away from them. However, sellors online who can be found social purpose. who get monthly deliveries of as time moved on, other anxieties via the Counselling Directory or Earlier this year, when the pan- books would like to participate, and concerns started to emerge, a simple search. Do be aware that demic hit, the craft club was halted. with activity bags delivered at the and we had a return to normal anyone can call themselves a coun- Because many of the participants same time as books. Oundle Baptist numbers of young people wanting sellor, so you need to be careful had health problems, they had to Church has also been encouraging support.” and ensure you find a qualified and shield during the lockdown, and people in outlying villages to join Regular social contact with reputable person. not being online increased their the club, and several residents at friends and family has always been One may seek help through loneliness. the Riverside Maltings in Oundle important, and the enforced peri- several local and national charities It was then that they came up have become members. ods of isolation during the lock- or organisations. with an alternative scheme to deliv- Ms Kisby has a wealth of cre- downs have created an imbalance Oundle based CHAT offers an er craft supplies to the club mem- ative experience and has worked in many people’s lives. opportunity for young people aged bers. With funding from the Central in mental health arts since 2006, Judie Woods, director at Cam- 9-25 years old to talk about their England Co-operative, they began in adult education and with NHS bridgeshire Consultancy in Coun- concerns with professionals who to supply free craft activity bags to Trusts, mental health charities and selling (CCC) said: “The pandemic aim to help improve their older people, helping to alleviate organisations. She has partnered has thrown nearly all of these wellbeing. some of the stress and anxiety they with the Cambridge and Peterbor- fundamental aspects of our familiar Oundle Rural Mind offers one- were experiencing. ough NHS Foundation Trust and a lives into disarray and confusion to-one consultations for emotional “Since coronavirus we have had local mental health charity to estab- with no certainty about when we support. to change the way we work and lish and curate a public art gallery can expect any return to our old Cambridgeshire Consultancy quickly adapt to evolving situa- in the Cavell Centre, Peterborough. normal. This unfamiliarity, loss in Counselling is a mental health tions, which is why we designed “The creative arts have long of control and social isolation can charity working in the region that our Activity Bag Project specifically been recognised as a beneficial out- lead to increased stress, anxiety and provides affordable counselling to to help people who are having to let for the emotions of people with depression.” support people with a wide variety spend more time at home because medium and long-term mental dis- For anyone concerned about the of problems, including anxiety. of the pandemic,” Ms Kisby ex- tress and as an aid to help towards mental health of a friend or family YoungMinds is a national or- plained. recovery,” Ms Williams said. “At member, the symptoms to watch ganisation which aims to reduce Participants are able to choose Pink House we strive to support for include anxiety, depression, suicide rates amongst teenagers. what sort of activity they want to every individual to find their own bereavement from a loss of a close Childline has counsellors avail- do and once a month they receive a creative voice, enabling their lives person, insomnia, depression, or able round-the-clock online or on bag with everything that is needed to be enriched through creativity feelings of isolation. a phone able to help or talk to any to do a couple of crafts at home. and thus improve their long-term Everyone can play a role in young person about any issue they Activities include painting, sewing, health and wellbeing.” offering support. Acknowledging are going through. ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 5 How did you go about contacting the graphics, the website, the social The Exchange where no the social media influencers? media, the marketing, the PR, all In some cases it has been really those sorts of things. I can’t take easy to establish contact. When any credit for that, because that was subject is off limits there are speakers and activists him. So, he was my resource! What already wanting to have these con- I’m realising as I move forward, it’s media was quite interesting to me. Priyanka Menon versations, people are really keen all about who you know! A brand new web series for We know that 90% of teenagers in to collaborate on projects. But for What kind of topics do you think young people explores issues that the world are on social media the format on The Exchange, we’re you are going to be discussing in matter, but that few are comfortable and therefore it seems like the producing episodes with two peo- the future? talking about. The Exchange has obvious platform to have these ple, who can each help explore the So, I would love to do a series enlisted influencers and educators conversations. topic from a different perspective. two. One episode that was difficult to address taboo subjects in an Is your target audience the For each episode, we wanted at to find people to speak about was engaging and informative way. Its younger generation? least one guest who had first-hand drugs. I’m keen to do an episode first series of webisodes covered Yes, 13-16 years. Initially I was experience of the topic at hand, about how science should inform topics such as consent, period stig- thinking 13-18, but there is already and this could be a bit more sensi- the conversation around drug use ma, body confidence, unconscious a lot of content out there that is tive, because not everyone wants policy. What we’re learning more bias, revenge porn and gambling. geared towards older teenagers. to discuss the fact that they’ve and more about is how genetics Hannah Dawes, Head of Learning For me the ‘forgotten generation’ is experienced racism, not everyone have a big part to play in the way for Life (PSHE) at Oundle School 13-16. I think we patronise younger wants to discuss the fact that naked that your body reacts to drugs and hosts the interviews in each epi- pupils too quickly, and say, “for pictures were leaked around the in- I think we need to be having that sode. We sat down with her to learn this topic you have to be 16 to talk ternet of them or the fact they were conversation more in the classroom, more about the initiative. about sex or drugs”. And it’s just addicted to gambling. Putting this rather than just ‘don’t do drugs’ together was a bit of a team effort - people want the facts! I also between me and my producer, Ben want to do one on female genital Weaver-Hincks. He was amazing. mutilation, which has recently been Little shoutout! There’s a lot of included in the PSHE curriculum. emailing and chasing backwards It’s something that is illegal but still and forwards. It just depends on very much happening in the UK, who’s available at the time, but I underground. I would also like to think because of lockdown, people do an episode on contraception and were more willing to participate. STIs. These aren’t things that we Where did you find the techni- managed to do in the first series but cal resources for setting up The stay tuned for more conversations Exchange? with cool people! My producer, Ben Weav- The Exchange is on Instagram er-Hincks is a friend from uni @jointheexchange; and Join The who’s got great contacts within the Exchange on Youtube. spheres of arts and entertainment. www.JoinTheExchange.co.uk He was able to find someone to do Bloggers Jasmeen and Kiran from British Bindi talk about the importance of open conversations around the issue of consent

What is your new project, The not true. We need to be educating Exchange? children much earlier so that they The Exchange is a web series can make informed decisions when that is geared towards educating they come across these things in teenagers about what I would call life and it’s no good waiting until so-called ‘taboo’ topics. Things I someone's 16 or 17 to have these suppose that I think we should be conversations, because by then it’s teaching at schools but so often too late. we shy away from teaching prop- Do you think that 13-14 year olds erly. At Oundle School, Learning are more likely to face these kinds for Life has been going for the last of problems? few years and we have been talk- I don’t think ‘more likely’, no I It’s the little ing more about these things, but don’t. To be honest, anyone who’s I think nationally there is still this got a smartphone and anyone details that gap in the conversation where we who’s got the internet will be expe- don’t discuss what I would call riencing and engaging with these allow them important, but traditionally slight- topics. So even people my age, per- to think ly embarrassing topics. That isn't haps not our grandparents, I guess, always to do with sex and relation- but I think anyone above the age ships, but I think it's also regarding of 10 will find these conversations anything where there’s stigma. interesting. What was your inspiration for How long did this take to set up starting it? and take off? An inspiring independent I've had this in mind for a few I came up with the plan at the co-educational day school years. I was thinking in my head start of lockdown and then Oundle for children aged 4-11 for a long time about how we could School very kindly backed it and have these conversations with are supporting it. The interview teenagers. Netflix is doing it really process, setting up the website, set- 01832 277159 well but schools are falling behind. ting up the social media channels, [email protected] It often feels to me like lessons are having these conversations, I think www.laxtonjunior.org.uk great, but that we are not really it probably has taken about three getting inside people’s minds and months to put together. I haven’t having decent conversations. The finished, so I think it will probably idea of doing something on social take another two months.

Oundle Chronicle 128x150mm.indd 1 18/11/2020 16:38:28 6 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Horse-drawn Traveller's sojourn in Oundle

Meagan Iu in laybys or a bit of land. He has local authorities to assess the needs modate transit visitors. It’s not often that horse-drawn not encountered any problems and of Gypsies and Travellers in the The maximum period of resi- vehicles come through town. When is never told to move on. area and develop strategies to meet dence can vary from a few days or a handsome cob and cart were seen “The most important thing is to them. The 2011 report for North weeks to a period of months. An trotting up and down the streets in leave nothing behind. I even find Northamptonshire assessed a ten alternative to a transit site is an September, we caught up with the myself picking up stuff I find. I re- year need for 30 residential pitches emergency or negotiated stopping driver outside Tesco where he was cycle my waste,” he said. However, and 4 transit pitches. place which also has restrictions on sitting with his dog and guitar. he is worried about possible new A common form of Gypsy and the length of time someone can stay Dec spent a week in Oundle. He legislations that will make trespass Traveller site is a residential site on it, but has much more limited had been busking in Peterborough facilities. and was told that Oundle was a The last year has been difficult nice place, so he came to town to for Travellers and there have been spend some time. few opportunities to busk to earn He has been travelling since he money. Dec spent lockdown in left school at 16, about seven years Somerset, where the council of- ago. He explained, “I liked edu- fered him some land and set up cation, I read a lot of books, but a toilet and made him safe. Some school didn’t work out for me. Peo- local residents objected, but were ple thought I was a bit mad. I felt told that he had a right to stay like a misfit, I didn’t fit in.” Grow- there. He said he was planning on ing up in Somerset, near Frome, travelling to the West Midlands af- Travellers were common in the ter Oundle, though he was not sure area, and people living alternative where he would spend the winter. lifestyles was not uncommon. Dec sometimes joins up with Life on the road has an appeal other Travellers, but mostly heads that he cannot explain, but he off on his own. He prefers to is realistic. “While the lifestyle travel solo rather than in a group might seem romantic, the romance because his horse does not like wears off very soon,” he said. to follow other horses. He is not Dec is a guitarist and plays Dec travels across the country with his guitar, cob and cart and lurcher online but does keep a basic pay-as- traditional music, usually earning you-go phone in his pocket. He is enough to pay expenses through a criminal offence, and make it provided by a local authority or never certain about where to spend the year. “I earn my own way more difficult to find places to stay. by a registered provider, usually a the night and sometimes wakes up through busking. I’ve never signed Gypsies and Travellers are de- housing association. in the morning wondering why on for benefits,” he said. fined as persons of nomadic habit The 2018 updated assessment he chose such a bad spot. “Then His companions on the road are of life whatever their race or origin. reported that no public transit a short bit down the road I find his 17-year-old lurcher and his cob This includes ‘born’ Gypsies and provision had been put in place a wonderful place where I could and cart in which he travels a max- Travellers as well as ‘elective’ Trav- following the previous assessment, have stayed,” he said. imum of 25 miles a day, usually 15 ellers such as New Age Travellers. although a number of larger private Wherever he travels, he says, miles. He stops to spend the night The Housing Act 2004 requires sites are sometimes used to accom- “We try to find the magic.”

appointment about the landowner’s able to use the river as they please, Disputes over river rights muddy the water actions. as long as they respect the land Similar issues have been seen itself. Archie Atkinson One resident posted during across the country. The current He said: “If people aren’t treat- Over the hot months of the the unseasonably warm weather laws surrounding these issues are ing the landowner with respect, pandemic summer, record num- in June: “Many people have been complicated. Landowners argue then they should not be allowed to bers of people headed to favourite swimming and having picnics at that they own both the riverbank use the land.” swimming spots along the River the Cotterstock lock. There has been and bed, so they have control over He thinks that landowners Nene near Oundle. At times up to a lot of rubbish left behind. The who is allowed on their property. should allow kayakers and swim- a hundred people were estimated police were there today informing However, swimmers, boaters mers to access the waterways, but to have lined the banks at places everyone that it is private property. and canoers argue that no one the expectation must be that there in Elton, Cotterstock, Oundle and The footpath between Oundle and owns the waterbed and they should is no mess left behind. Wadenhoe, swimming, picnick- Cotterstock runs through private have the right to roam the waters “It should be perfectly possible ing and sunbathing. The crowds property. There is no swimming, legally. Only four percent of the to go for a swim in the river and brought cars that lined narrow picnics or fishing allowed in this UK’s 41,000 miles of river have a for nobody to ever know you were village lanes and abandoned debris area. Permission from the landown- clear and undisputed right of pub- there.” along the river. ers is required.” lic access. If you swim, fish or pad- For some people that message To control and limit access In September, one village resi- dle without the right permission, is easy to understand and put into to the river, some landowners dent was surprised by the increased you are breaking the law. This has practice. Back in June one Facebook and residents in Cotterstock and use of the water by the Lilford lock. led to a nationwide dispute about poster commented: “Whilst I am Wadenhoe were reported to have “We call it the ‘costa del sheep the right to use the land. not denying that there are plenty of blocked paths and closed car parks. field’. Not sure why it’s suddenly An amendment to an agricultur- young people being irresponsible At a time when many people were become a hotspot for campers, sun- al bill is currently being considered and inconsiderate whilst down at seeking an afternoon escape to the bathers and picnickers.” in parliament to encourage farmers the river, the group we encountered countryside from the restrictions In September, a post prompt- and landowners to allow access to yesterday at about 6pm, heading of lockdown, the standoff raised ed debate regarding the wooden waterways. back towards the Ashton bridge issues about public right of access bridge in Fotheringhay. The bridge Andrew Mansergh is a keen kay- from the lock, restored our faith a to the country’s waterways. had been barricaded by the land- aker and runner who uses the paths little bit! Polite and carrying a bag Issues from trespassing to litter- owner, preventing people from and river six times a week. He has of their rubbish. We got to the place ing caused dispute and discussion, enjoying walks along the river. been a member of the British Ca- where they’d been and it was spot- especially on the Oundle and Sur- Many people joined the thread in noeing association for many years less. Those kids and their parents rounding Villages Facebook group. expressing their confusion and dis- and believes river users should be should be proud.” ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 7 Glebe land under threat from light industrial development Historic country house on the Matthew Atkin in charge of making significant market for £10 million The Church of England pro- payments to the Clergy Pension posals to sell agricultural land for Fund. In poorer parts of the coun- Johannes Mynhardt walkway are rows of box hedges industrial park development on try, the clergy receives very little One of the largest stately homes and trees. the outskirts of Titchmarsh have money from national church funds in England came up for sale this The gardens at Lilford are roused heated objections by village towards paying for the clergy. The year, just a few miles from Oundle. known as the Formal Gardens or residents. diocese’s main source of income is Lilford Hall is a Grade I Jaco- the Pleasure Grounds, and are In its July briefing to the Titch- what it can ask for from the parish- bean manor house with Georgian separate from the house. They are marsh Parochial Church Council es in Parish share, but this is only a alterations and additions. The vast and sub-divided into sections; (PCC), the Peterborough Diocese voluntary payment. house has over one hundred rooms, the Children's Garden, The Broad outlined its plans to sell 114 acres of The Bishop said that in order to including a grand entrance hall, Walk and the Rockery which cover Glebe land by the A605 near Titch- create sufficient funds and max- seven reception rooms, two din- an area of approximately five acres marsh. They said: “The proposal imise income “the Diocese has to ing rooms, a theatre, a ballroom on the east side of the estate. How- for the larger site is to deliver a maximise its income from invest- and nine bedrooms, amounting to ever, the gardens are currently sustainable industrial and logistics ments, consistent with its aims and 32,406 square feet. overgrown and would need work park with significant economic, objectives. When we talk about this The house comes with three cot- to restore them. social and environmental benefits. we must also consider the fact that tages, two Georgian pavilions and The smaller parcel of land will de- the current situation is not ideal, is set in 321 acres, over 127 acres of liver an improved roundabout junc- with the closure of churches and which are on long leasehold. tion with a residential or mixed-use now the only partial re-opening of The Hall is on the market for development.” them. Because of this, the current £10m by Savills. While this was presented in July reserves (enough for two years) are The current owners have done to the Parochial Church Council rapidly depleting.” extensive restoration work since (PCC), the diocese had not commu- He wrote that agricultural land they bought the property in 2004, nicated with the Parish Council and brings in very little income and the but the effort to restore dozens of its residents. various forms of development that rooms remains an ongoing project. The people of Tichmarsh were are being explored will bring in In 2019, Historic England listed Lilford Hall has a long and outraged and immediately wrote more income. He thought that the the house on its At Risk Register. unique history; the Tudor part letters to the Rt Revd Donald Allis- proposed sale should be reviewed According to their report, the roof of the house dates to 1495, with ter, the Bishop of Peterborough in but as quickly as possible. “The covering was in poor condition Jacobean extensions and Georgian opposition to the plans. The Bishop review should be thorough, but as leading to water ingress and dis- alterations. himself has not replied. According quick as possible. The decision to tress to the upper storeys, and the The Hall is best known for being to the lay chair of the PCC, Stephen sell should be confirmed or re- front bays required structural atten- the family home of Robert Browne Barber, “To date, all letters have versed within a few months.” tion. “A schedule of urgent repairs (1550-1633), The Father of the Pil- been answered by the Bishop’s The PCC are doing what they has been identified but not imple- grims and The Grandfather of the Chaplain, stating that the Bishop can to help the residents of Titch- mented, and no long-term solution Nation (USA), due to his teachings has no direct involvement in the marsh stop the sale of land for has been agreed.” about the separation of the church matter.” development. Their meeting in July The immediate garden to the from the state, a founding principle In a letter to Tom Pursglove MP resulted in a unanimous decision to Hall is located next to the south of American democracy. on 7 September, the Bishop said formally object to the plan because wing. A stone terrace looks over The Powys family acquired the that he was “not directly involved of the negative impact it will have the lawn which is lined by trees on estate in 1711 and the barony was in such matters”, but he did outline on the locality. Previously, the PCC each side and enclosed by a stone created in 1797. The 4th Baron the complexities of the Diocese’s has supported some limited de- balustrade. Two sets of stone steps Lilford, Thomas Littleton Powys responsibilities. “The Diocese velopments of the glebe land, but lead down from a higher lawn to (1833-1896) was a prominent orni- comes under charity law, company according to Mr Barber, “The scale the lower. At the centre of the Hall thologist, and kept a large variety law and church law, which aren’t of the development the Diocese is a courtyard which is accessed of birds in aviaries at Lilford. He always compatible,” he wrote. now proposes is without local prec- from the back door, down steps was responsible for the introduc- The diocese is legally responsi- edent, and is nowhere supported that lead to the cobbled central tion of the Little Owl into England ble for training, paying and hous- by the policy or detail of local land walkway. On either side of this in the 1880s. ing the clergy, whilst also being use planning.” Warmington village is a gem in Some members of the committee the rolling Northamptonshire were sympathetic to the concerns of Approval for quarry plans is a blow to countryside, situated in beautiful Warmington residents. Councillor and historic surroundings, which I Andrew Kilbride acknowledged believe would be significantly and that it was an emotional issue and campaign by local residents adversely affected by the proposed thought it “was quite poor” that the Cherry Yang allocated site in the Local Plan. quarry construction.” quarry company had not engaged After a year-long campaign The plan aims to turn 23.3 hec- Councillor Andy Mercer, DCC properly with the community. against a proposal to build a gravel tares at the Elton site into a mineral Chair, said objections to the quarry Whatever reservations some of quarry near their village, residents extraction quarry, with a working application had to be for planning the committee members might have of Warmington were disappointed lifespan of nine years, and extract reasons. had, they felt that any objections by the decision of the Northamp- up to 900,000 tonnes of gravel and “I have not heard any planning would not stand up legally on ap- tonshire County Council to ap- sand. Objections from local resi- objections, but have heard a series peal. The committee unanimously prove the plan. dents were targeted at the plan’s of suggestions that there is a loss of carried the motion to approve the The NCC Development Con- adverse impact on wildlife, the amenity and potentially an impact plans. trol Committee met in November historic and ecological setting, and on the landscape and the setting of Once the quarry is operational, to discuss the plans submitted by the increase in heavy goods vehicle historic buildings.” He noted that drivers will experience a consider- Ingrebourne Valley Ltd to extend traffic on the A605. the impact on the landscape would able increase of HGV traffic on the and develop quarry extraction Tom Pursglove, MP for Corby be hard to justify a refusal, because A605 near Elton. At its peak oper- on Elton Estate land off the A605 and East Northamptonshire, there was a suggestion that there ation, the quarry will generate on near Warmington. The DCC noted offered his support to the objections would be an improvement in the average 112 HGV movements daily, that support for this sort of plan is of Warmington residents. In a letter landscape during the restoration with a maximum of 140 two-way usually automatic because it was an to the NCC, he wrote: “Certainly, stages. movements. 8 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Though small in dimensions, the but it’s not particularly any style.” Eclectic styling and haberdashery at Little Blue shop is packed with a surprising Selling haberdashery is a new variety of objects, both practical area for her, but she is happy to fill Priyanka Menon another haberdashery as well,” she and decorative. She said that she the gap in the market for Oundle Little Blue is the newest shop to said. prefers things that have longevity in Stitches loyal customers. She open in the Oundle Market Place, Getting the shop ready turned and describes her taste in furnish- currently has a limited supply of featuring collections of homeware into a family project. "My daughter ings and soft furnishings as very fabrics, but if these are in demand, and haberdashery. Upon entering came down and helped me paint traditional. But then she also likes more could be stocked. She says the shop, bright embroidery silks the interior, which was a great help to mix in new pieces and even that she will see what her custom- and shelves full of knitting wool ers are looking for. catch your eye, alongside sewing Chunky wools will be popular at supplies and unique novelty items. the shop for winter, but Ms Osborn Mixed in are vintage collectibles has already started with double- from the UK and France, both knits and four-ply. Baby wools decorative and functional, and chic always sell well. upcycled furniture. When travel is possible, Ms Prior to opening Little Blue, Osborn sources stock from brocante Ali Osborn, the new owner, had markets in France. “You get more already been busy with furniture unusual things over there, more upcycling and restoration where one-offs.” she lived in Shrewsbury. She did an She also sells the Vintage with interior design diploma and sold Grace mineral paints. You put a her upcycled furniture on a Face- couple of coats of varnish over the book page, also called Little Blue. top to make it more hardwearing. After she moved to Oundle with In Ms Osborn’s own work, she also her husband, who is a teacher, she uses paints by Annie Sloane, French spotted an opportunity to expand Chic and Farrow and Ball. her hobby into a business when Much to Ms Osborn’s surprise, the little shop in the Market Place she immediately sold a lot of items became available. because it was quite a task.” rustic items, to add interest. This is when she opened. “In the first week “I do a lot of upcycling. It was Ms Osborn admits that she reflected in her shop. I nearly emptied the shop of fur- like a hobby business before, and was a bit nervous about opening a “There’s both new and pre-loved niture stock from sales!” she said. I had always thought it would be new shop in the current economic homewares. It just depends if I’ve “That was a bit of a shock to the nice to have a shop to do that. Then climate. “We did our sums and found things I like,” she said. “It’s system to sell so much so quickly, with Oundle in Stitches closing, I decided that we could manage if very eclectic actually, I’ve got quite so I’ve got to do some work now thought maybe we could do with there’s another downturn.” a mixture. I just buy things I like, and get more pieces painted.”

Oundle Travel 1-2 Sept20.indd 1 31/07/2020 13:24 ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 9

of mind when booking,” said Ms Business in the Market Place carries on during lockdown Cockcroft. For cafes and restaurants the Cherry Yang with the finances. According to Mr. we live. The local customers have lockdowns, partial openings and Oundle was still in recovery Blow, “Overall I have had some been amazing,” she said brightly. reopenings have meant months of mode after the first covid lockdown much-needed help from govern- “It’s making us resilient.” instability and uncertainty about during the spring, when businesses ment, and my customers have been The knitting and sewing com- revenue. For Phil Gilbert, owner of once again faced closure for a sec- marvellous in their support.” munity were disappointed to see Beans, “It was a huge relief when ond lockdown in November. Judy Hibbins at Crackers has Oundle in Stitches close at the end we finally decided to reopen for The first lockdown lasted for been in business since the 1980s of August after more than 30 years takeaway in late May.” He provid- more than four months, bringing and has seen some difficult times. in the Market Place. The owner, ed take away services, which met the Market Place to a halt. Social Her shop, which originally sold who had bought the business ten more demand than expected. It was activities ceased, businesses closed clothes, was called Country Club- years ago, said that when her lease reasonably good for the rest of the and demand for goods and services bers before it closed. “We didn’t do expired in August it coincided with summer and into the autumn when was deferred. The government dis- well with clothes and changed it plans to retire. But the uncertainty he found business was quite busy tributed various grants, loans and to Crackers, because my husband of the business climate meant she at times. However, the November payment holidays for businesses, said we were bloody crackers for did not have second thoughts. “You lockdown was more challenging. which helped to cushion the im- staying!” wouldn’t renew a lease in this envi- The only service he could offer was pact. But according to shop owners She was very concerned about ronment. It's too uncertain.” take-aways, which were less in de- in Oundle, it has been the com- the second lockdown in the run-up One of the hardest hit businesses mand with the colder weather. munity who has supported local to the key Christmas season when has been the Bridal Gallery on West The pandemic and lockdowns shops wherever possible that has she had a lot of new Christmas Street. After an entire season of have changed people’s outlook kept local businesses on the road to stock to sell. She felt decisions were planned weddings was postponed, about home and work, and as a recovery. arbitrary with regards to what owner Martin Charles can only wait result the property market has been for wedding events to begin again stable so far. Having remained in the spring and summer. In the open for the November lockdown, meantime he has kept busy put- estate agent Chris Woodford said: ting his tailoring skills to good use, “The local market has been super offering a high-quality alteration strong, with a slight increase in service, as well as making covid prices.” He has seen interest in masks available for sale at his shop. property across the price range, Another sector that took a huge particularly in the town centre, and hit in the pandemic was tourism. It has sold a lot of village property. might feel as if the days of travel- This is attributed to the pent-up ling freely are gone, but according demand after the first lockdown to Paula Cockcroft, director of Oun- and the stamp duty holiday that dle Travel, “Things have changed bolstered the market. According to and they are doing so every day Mr Woodford: “I think people have that passes.” She remains positive analysed how they live and how about the rebound of demand after they want to live.” the crisis. “The good news is that But looking forward, he said, the desire to travel has not left us. “It’s really hard to know what Martin Charles at the Bridal Gallery has used his time during the lockdown to take It will improve quickly and many is going to happen next year.” on high quality alterations and make five layer masks in bespoke fabrics more countries will open in the Though he saw slight cooling in the Across the two lockdowns, busi- shops were allowed to remain months to come.” Oundle Travel market in November, that could be nesses met demand by adapting to open. “It’s the injustice that gets to introduced a dedicated concierge seasonal or due to some “gathering new requirements. Stu-Pots stayed me. For instance, supermarkets can service that will concentrate on clouds on the horizon”. He predict- open because some of the products stay open and sell gifts, garden cen- vital Foreign and Commonwealth ed that the stamp duty holiday will and services the shop supplies are tres can stock and sell everything Office updates and a new customer be extended for perhaps another considered essential. Shop owner that I sell.” She tried out a new loyalty scheme. Combined with the three months, which would be able Stuart Blow also provided ar- online click-and-collect service with company’s 36 years of experience, to keep the market moving, help ea-wide deliveries as far as Laxton, her window as the pick-up point. the services aim to give her clients the country out and “kick start the which he felt gave customers more The lockdowns have proved confidence about travelling. “This, property market earlier than usual confidence in using the shop. A to be the biggest challenge to deal together with new flexible booking in the new year”. government grant as well as an with during her years, but she is options with our preferred part- “It will be a very interesting understanding landlord helped optimistic. “We’re just lucky where ners, gives clients complete peace time,” he concluded.

Pharmacy, Boots and The Co-op. According to Which?, Neqi Face masks are new must-have accessory reusable face masks, and face Jennifer Yang to buy masks online, there are a Trust, which helps children in Ken- coverings made by Bags of Ethics Following the UK’s second lock- few local suppliers to support who ya. She started making masks for Great British designers, are the top down, there is no doubt that a mask make or stock both fabric and dis- her friends when the virus broke two performing face masks. They has become an indispensable acces- posable varieties. out, but then decided to sell her are available at Boots and Waitrose. sory to carry at all times. While its Martin Charles at the Bridal Gal- masks to support the Kivuli Trust White Vanilla at 1 Market Place purpose is utilitarian, and essential lery on West Street makes different in Kenya, which she has visited stocks fabric face coverings made for public health protocols, it can sized masks with five layers and with the trust founders. "It was an with organic cotton by Sea Salt also be a means of self-expression. a nose wire, beautifully finished opportunity to raise money for the Cornwall. These masks are adjusta- There is no harm in having some with top stitched seams. His masks charity,” said Mrs Hunter, “and it’s ble and shaped to ensure a good fit pride in wearing a mask. Masks can be bought at the shop or made just taken off!” Her masks are post- for the face. have drastically changed the way to order, including a new range of ed on the Oundle Facebook com- Masks get contaminated easily we look. There has been a rise in masks in festive Christmas themed munity pages and can be ordered by coughs and sneezes and should demand for eye make-up, whilst fabric. via email at hello@marafikitrust. be cleaned regularly in hot soapy a decline in lipstick sales. It seems Margaret Hunter, aged 75, has org. water, or in a washing machine. that eyes are replacing mouths in made over 800 masks in all sorts of Disposable masks can be bought Masks should never be shared or everyday communication! designs and colours, raising over singly or in multi-buy boxes from handled by anyone other than the While there are plenty of places £4000 for Kivuli Trust and Marafiki many shops, including The user. 10 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter New unitary council Adaptability to changing times ensured longevity for continued from page 1 Councillor de Capell Brooke family business trading since 1901 was also positive about what the Johannes Mynhardt father in business. The wholesale side of business, changes would lead to. “Clearer Tucked away off the Market In the early 1980s, wine was a which comprised seventy percent points of contact and responsibility Place, Amps Wine Merchants luxury that few people drank. “It of sales supplying pubs and restau- to make access to services much maintains a prominent position in wasn’t nearly as vast of an industry rants, collapsed in the lockdown. easier for residents,” she said. “The Oundle as the oldest family-run as it is today,” Mr Amps recalled. But while supermarkets were process should allow for a funda- business in town. Originally trad- His father saw an opportunity and restricted to selling two bottles of mental shake-up of some potential- ing from its Market Place shop as a suggested that he develop a special- wine at a time, Amps was able to ly outdated ways of doing things.” family grocer, provision merchant, ism in the field. While studying and provide whatever individual cus- Jake Vowles, the Independent wines and spirits trader and tallow taking his wine exams he devel- tomers wanted via online orders, district councillor for Oundle, took chandler, Amps has been in busi- oped a strong interest in wine and which helped make up their sales. a very different view. He said: “I ness since 1901. that became his focus. Although “Many businesses have had have consistently objected to this Philip Amps is the fourth gener- they stocked wine in the grocery to adapt and change. I mean we interference by central government. ation to manage the family busi- store, they could see a growing in- changed from a predominantly What we had in East Northamp- ness. While most children make terest in specialty shops. They pur- wholesale to a retail. Thankfully tonshire worked well for all our pretend shops out of cardboard chased their current site behind the we had a website, that we didn’t residents.” boxes, Mr Amps had the enviable Market Place in 1988 and converted think was very good, but it certain- He put the blame on the county luck of a proper shop to play in. it into a wine shop. ly worked. We were taking 150 to council’s financial problems, and “From a very early age we In 1993, following the arrival 200 orders a day, which was a big sees no real benefit for a rural area used to play with the tills and of purpose-built supermarkets in change from when we used to get like Oundle. “It is clear that control operate them on a Sunday. And town, the Amps family closed their that number of orders in a month. of this rural area will be amalga- the poor lady, a lady called Gla- grocery store and moved into wine. “We were lucky enough to be mated with the urban conurbations dys Bosworth who used to do the “I am very lucky that what is featured in some of the national of Corby, Kettering and Welling- cashing up, would come in on a actually my passion and interest newspapers as businesses that were borough,” he said. “What changes Monday and at the end of the day outside of business is actually also alive and popular with wine mer- in emphasis this will bring I do not when she did a till, there would be now my job,” said Mr Amps. chants, and so that did help us as know but I am afraid they will not many thousands of pounds missing The Market Place has evolved a well; we had a lot of parcels going be to our benefit.” because we’d been playing on the lot during Amp’s time. The con- out via couriers to basically all over The move was deemed neces- tills.” struction of the bypass altered the the country.” sary in 2017 after central govern- Mr Amps also kept his focus ment inspectors found evidence of local, and asked, “how is this going financial mismanagement at county to work?” for the Market Place. level. The national government He talked with other businesses in stepped in to appoint officers to aid town and coordinated a collective the transition and put the legisla- delivery service including Hamble- tion in place to enable the move, ton Bakery, Cookies, Oundle News, which passed the Houses of Parlia- Seven Wells and Trendalls. ment in February 2020. “We even delivered some shoes Councillor Jake Vowles was from Norths alongside our wine aggrieved by the government’s orders.” handling of the matter. “The way Having helped to keep his that central government overruled family’s business thriving through the wishes of the seven district and 120 years of change in Oundle, Mr borough councils was shameful,” Amps still sees a lot of potential. he said. Oundle is known as a beautiful However, Councillor de Capell town, with all visitors remarking on Brooke has been impressed by its charm, and interesting heritage. proactive national government Mr Amps thinks that there is much at the local level. “Our MP, Tom, to promote. reacts and responds positively “I think tourism is something and promptly to local needs and Philip Amps is the fourth generation to head a family business that has been that Oundle should do a little bit requirements,” she said. “He has in the Oundle Market Place since 1901 more of. We’ve got a fantastic river demonstrated that he will do facility, with boats going up and whatever possible at a parliamen- As they got older, the shop pro- type of business that was coming down the river and the people who tary level. This is no more apparent vided opportunities to learn about through town, and the introduction come into town to visit and I think in Oundle with him seeing the running a shop. On school holidays of supermarkets presented the Mar- that’s something that we should pressing need for the North Bridge or whenever they were at home, if ket Place with a dilemma: either promote.” works to be done.” they wanted some pocket money evolve, as the Amps did, or close. Mr Amps is confident that due This debate comes at a time there were always essential tasks, The first lockdown earlier this to the strength of the community, when there is greater concern over such as a shelf that needed to be year forced Amps to make new de- Oundle will remain a prosperous the government’s commitment stocked. cisions about adapting to change. It market town. to devolution. The government’s After finishing school at Upping- was fortunate for the wine industry “The Oundle Business Associ- proposed white paper on devolu- ham, Mr Amps had been intending that the supply chain was not dis- ation is very strong, and it’s very tion, which was to be announced to go to Loughborough to study rupted. Although his wine orders active. There are lot of diverse in the summer, was pushed back to sport. However, the pull of fam- were impounded in South Africa businesses, including those running September and has now been “put ily business brought him back to during their strict lockdown, other from home,” he said. away in a drawer”, according to the Oundle. supply chains carried on as nor- “Oundle is a popular place to Local Government Chronicle. “My father suggested I come mal, although with slower delivery live, especially with people re- Councillor de Capell Brooke back into the family business which times. considering where they want to was hopeful about a new chapter was probably a bit more of an order The biggest change was the vine- live and work after the pandemic. in local government. “The new than a request,” he said. yards having to use machines to There’s a lot of positivity about structures are well thought out and He honed his skills at a man- pick grapes because they couldn’t localism and people are genuinely locals have been listened to. We agement training scheme with find enough workers, which is not looking to support the town and all need to embrace this as a very Sainsburys and returned to join his ideal for the quality of the harvest. each other.” positive move forward.” ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 11 US election Robert Brettle Adam Begley is the author of Adrian Brettle moved to the Tom Pursglove has been Conserv- The 2020 US election was cer- Updike, and biographies of Nadar United States in 2010 and read ative MP for Corby since 2015. He tainly memorable. During this and Houdini. He was the books American history at the University currently holds the government election season we have seen editor of The New York Observer of Virginia. He is now lecturer post of Assistant Whip. insult-fuelled debates, a nail-biting for twelve years, and has been a in history at Arizona State The election of Joe Biden as election night and long legal chal- Guggenheim fellow and a fellow University. the 46th President of the United lenges. After nearly four years of at the Leon Levy Center for Biog- Symbolically, the “call” by Fox States and the historic election of controversial Trump leadership, the raphy. He has lived in the UK for News for Biden to win Arizona on Vice President-elect Kamala Harris American public voted for Biden, over 20 years. election night marked an enduring as the first Black woman in the who won the electoral college 306- Joe Biden won the 2020 United shift in momentum; until then, role, represents a huge moment 232, the same margin as Trump States presidential election by a President Donald Trump, with in American politics. Their ticket did in 2016. But unlike President significant margin. He won the his earlier victories in Ohio and impressively achieved more votes Trump in 2016, Biden won the electoral college by the same Florida, looked on course to re- than any other in US history. popular vote, by more than five margin Trump did in 2016, and peat his shock 2016 win. However, Like after every election, this is million. There was record turnout the popular vote by more than six President-elect Joe Biden captured an exciting time and a fresh slate overall, and Biden won the highest million. By contrast Trump lost the Arizona from the Republicans by this time around - a chance to number of votes of any presidential 2016 popular vote by nearly three 10,000 votes, and the state had the restart, refresh and renew. Their candidate, ever. million. only Republican loss in the Senate. success will directly impact upon However, it was surprising that In many ways this year’s Arizona’s modest tilt leftward our success, given how our two Trump did as well as he did, con- election was a triumph: more than has a number of causes. Republi- countries are so inextricably linked. sidering that his approval ratings sixty-six percent of eligible voters can divisions mattered here; the As this transition is made how- never went above fifty percent cast a ballot - a higher percentage spectacular personal feud be- ever, it is important to acknowledge during his term. The projections of than we’ve seen for more than a tween the President and the late the arguable achievements of the a huge “blue wave” never really century - and this in the midst of Senator John McCain disguised outgoing Trump administration, materialised. a pandemic. There was very little deeper disagreements over fiscal which, if we are being honest, has The issues surrounding this disturbance at the polls, and the and foreign policy. Meanwhile at times been unjustly maligned, election were unlike any in US results were tabulated relatively Arizona’s recent rapid urbaniza- where I suspect other administra- history. One of the most impor- quickly, again with only minor tion, including an influx of Demo- tions would have been effusively tant issues was the response to disturbance. crat-voting Californians, helped the congratulated. Covid-19, which has killed over In other ways the election was Democrats. Around thirty percent In particular, the President’s 250,000 Americans. In addition, a catastrophe: the loser not only of Arizonans identify as Hispanic personal role in securing the peace racial justice was a large issue in refused to concede but also falsely and Trump’s divisive border wall deal between the United Arab the election, following the death of declared that the election was rhetoric outweighed his economic Emirates and Israel, where the sign- George Floyd in May 2020 and the rigged and that he was in fact the appeal to them. Arizona’s relatively ing of the agreement to normalise subsequent protests. Issues such winner. Trump’s antics have been low unemployment and economic relations between the two countries as climate change and its associat- shameful and pathetic and also growth was always the strongest serves as an historic step in the ed impacts were also high on the dangerous. He has undermined Republican message, but the shock- Middle East peace process, lead- priority list. faith in the democratic process, ing speed and magnitude of the ing Israel to suspend its plans for This election, however, was not faith that may be slow to rekindle. virus’s surge undermined Republi- the annexation of the West Bank, just important for Americans. For Biden’s victory gives hope that can support among the huge senior something we too in the UK have the UK, President-elect Biden’s the disastrous Trump presidency community here. Finally, Demo- consistently opposed. victory will mean that issues such was an aberration. Instead of a crats got out the Native American The pre-Covid strength of the as a coveted US-UK trade deal bumbling malignant narcissist in vote representing five percent of US economy, which mattered for will become especially important. the Oval Office, a man seemingly the population. This community jobs and prosperity in this country, Negotiators will have to carefully incapable of truth-telling, an utter usually sits out elections. was also hugely impressive, and I consider Biden’s and the Democrat- stranger to fact, we will have Biden opposes Brexit. Yet the do believe the current administra- ic caucus’ views about the Good a man who is decent, honest, fact that Britain continues to be the tion has been emphatically pro-Brit- Friday Agreement. In September, quietly capable, and abundantly second largest defense spender in ish, reflected in the President’s Biden tweeted: “Any trade deal experienced. NATO probably matters more to desire to secure a mutually-bene- between the US and the UK must Biden’s behaviour since an administration determined to ficial free trade agreement, and in be contingent upon respect for the November 3 has been impeccably rebuild alliances and international his regularly expressed affection for [Good Friday] agreement and pre- presidential, whereas Trump has organizations. After all, it was the our country. venting the return of a hard border. behaved like a spoiled toddler; he Obama administration that started It is also worth noting that, Period”. has demonstrated yet again that the demands for European mem- generally speaking, this has been The electoral college vote is on he’s unfit for high office. bers of the alliance to pay up. If a period of relatively little glob- 14 December. At the time of writ- Kamala Harris will be America’s Britain retains a close relationship al conflict, something he said he ing, it is uncertain whether Trump first female vice president. She will with EU, leverages existing con- was determined to ensure. So I will concede the election before also be the first Asian-American nections with other nations such as hope history will be kind to those then or will continue to contest the and the first African-American vice the Five Eyes intelligence sharing achievements. result in courts or on Twitter. president. That, too, gives hope alliance, and builds new ones – for Ultimately, the United States is In November 2016, we solicited that the nation will turn away from example with the trans-Pacific our most important ally and I look comments about the prospects of the racism and xenophobia of the partnership –a trade deal will be forward to the close work our two an administration under Donald Trump years. concluded. nations will do together in the years Trump. Four years on, we again The Senate still hangs in the Meanwhile Trump’s more than ahead on all of our shared inter- asked Tom Pursglove MP and balance. If the Democrats win the seventy million votes indicates the ests and priorities, from tackling American writer Adam Begley for two undecided Senate races in continued potency of populism; an Covid-19 to counter-terrorism, and their views on the US election and early January 2021, they will have appeal of a politics that privileges collaborating closely through the Trump's leadership. We also con- effective control of both houses of class grievances over racial identity, UK's presidencies of COP26 and tacted a British university academic Congress. Biden would then have especially an antagonism toward a the G7 next year. who is currently teaching in what the tools necessary to undo much perceived globalized elite associat- The friendship between the UK turned out to be a pivotal swing of the damage done in the last four ed with the social media giants and and the US has always been a force state in this year's election, for his years. pro-China policies. Furthermore, for good in the world, and I look state-side perspective. Hope, in that case, blossoms into lockdowns energize this base, as forward to seeing that continue to joyous expectancy. those who cannot work from home grow with President Biden in the resent the ‘zoomer’ class. White House. 12 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Police Beat Dash cams provide essential tool for police prosecution of dangerous driving Sofya Meshechkova in the vicinity of Church Street, Sofya Meshechkova dash cameras have even been Four teenagers carrying an Wadenhoe. Also, on Monday night, Dash cameras are considered co-opted by police to help them unloaded air rifle were spoken to another vehicle on Church Street a powerful tool for road safety by monitor road crimes. Operation by armed police on 15 June. They was robbed. private drivers and law enforce- Snap was launched in August 2019 were seen carrying a firearm in the On 26 September, between ment. According to the Automobile by Northamptonshire Police to Station Road area and were then 6.30pm and 8.00pm, two men Association, twenty-four percent of enable people to report driving located by police in the St Osyth’s called at a house on Gordon Road their members own a dash camera, offences that they have witnessed Lane area, near the Co-op. claiming to be police officers and and eighteen percent are consider- on the road. On 9 July, a house on St Peter’s are believed to have committed a ing buying one. Operation Snap enables the Road was burgled between 4.10pm distraction burglary. The rules about use of dash public to submit dash cam videos and 5.55pm, and property was Overnight on Saturday 3 cameras vary by country. In some, and photos via a simple online stolen. October the catalytic converter they are illegal and in some, they portal. In the first 12 months, over Overnight on 4 August, a car on was stolen from a car on Millfields are absolutely essential. In Portu- 600 were submitted, resulting in Millfields Road was broken into Road. gal, Luxembourg and Austria, dash 300 Notice of Intended Prosecu- via the driver’s side door and items On 9 October a vehicle in Prince cams are illegal due to privacy con- tion letters being sent to registered were stolen. George Drive was broken into and cerns, and drivers who are caught owners. On August 19 at about 11.35pm, ransacked but nothing was report- using dash cams in these countries, The videos have recorded cross- a gang of four offenders on two ed missing. are heavily fined. ing double lines while overtaking mopeds broke into Harpur’s jewel- Also on 9 October, a mugging On the other hand, in Russia vehicles, dangerous driving, ig- lery shop on West Street, smashing ocurred in St Osyth’s Lane at dash cams are considered essential noring traffic lights and carelessly the front windows with a sledge- 11.00pm. A man was approached due to police corruption and a high driving around road users such as hammer. Glass cabinets were by two men with a knife and was number of accidents. Dash cams horse riders and cyclists. damaged and many items were forced to hand over his phone and are helpful for detecting who is at After submission of material, the stolen. A similar crime occurred in wallet and ordered to withdraw fault in a motor accident. police have 14 days from when the Uppingham and is believed to be cash from the nearby cash machine. In Germany, a new law has been offence is committed to take action. linked to the same gang. Entry was gained to a motor passed which allows dash cam Police staff check the footage to On 27 August in Barnwell, horse vehicle parked on St Peter’s Road footage to be used as evidence in ensure it falls within the scheme's stables and a tack room were dis- between 1am and 7am on Monday the highest court. However, faces, remit and contains clear views of mantled and stolen along with the 12 October. Drawers inside the car license plates and any other per- offenders' number plates so they horse and most of the horse's tack had been opened, the front tyre was sonal details must be blurred due can be identified. and equipment flat and the tire jack was stolen. to privacy reasons. The most common reason for a An elderly woman on Bellamy On 9.45pm on 13 November, Use of dash cams in the UK is rejected submission is insufficient Road was disturbed on 3 Septem- three men jacked up a Toyota Prius legal and becoming more popular. video evidence to support a ber by two men posing as water parked on the house drive and Photos and videos from private prosecution. board engineers. They entered her removed the catalytic converter. house just after noon, distracted her Police have reported a 'huge in- and stole money. crease' in the number of catalytic Entry was gained by means converter thefts across the UK since unknown to a motor vehicle on June 2020. the 13th September between 10pm According to last available data Sunday and 6am Monday 14th provided by police, 43 crimes were September; items were stolen. reported in Oundle in September, The motor vehicle was parked up from 26 reported in August. Outcry over seating at memorial Jennifer Yang Phil Gilbert, owner of Beans said During the weeks after lock- that the issue of the memorial has down when cafes opened for been misunderstood. He said that takeaways, indignation flared the actual war memorial is fenced up when patrons were seen enjoy- off by the chain barrier, and that no ing their drinks by the Oundle and one should sit inside the chained Ashton War Memorial at the top of area. Officially, the Oundle Me- New Street. morial is a “pillar that stands on Oundle community Facebook a plinth which itself stands on an pages became a forum for heat- octagonal four-stepped base on a ed arguments and complaints raised paved area”. But the base about whether anyone should then stands on a highway round- be sitting on the memorial. about, which is also known as the Neil Repton began one post: “To “circular apron”, which does not for blame, when there are many retailers and regular customers those who sit on the war memorial, form part of the memorial. visitors to the town who use agree with these points, despite not thinking it is a picnic, food eating “This circular apron is the area the apron as a place to sit while contributing to the online discus- area. IT’S NOT! Do not disrespect where anyone wanting to read the enjoying a takeaway. sion. the fallen.” names on the memorial stand, so "The reason why people use the Emma Baker, Oundle Town Most people who joined the therefore it acts as an amenity ex- circular apron to sit on is because Council Clerk, acknowledged argument agreed with his stance. actly the same as it does if someone there is a total lack of public seating the issues raised, but said that “My personal view is it should be sits down to rest their legs,” he at the west end of town, which is the council was unwilling to add used as a memorial only not a pic- said. a focal area. If there is no seating, additional unsightly signs to the nic area,” said one contributor. “I only ever see people inside where can visitors take a rest? memorial. Some said the council should this chain ring late on Friday or Sat- Many, if not most, of the people The council is making prelimi- put up signs, and some thought urday nights, which clearly is not who sit on the apron are visitors to nary inquiries with NCC Highways that nearby Beans Coffee Stop acceptable, nor at any other time.” the town, and they contribute a lot about the possibility of adding a should take responsibility for peo- He feels that the weekend to the local economy.” pedestrian seating area adjacent to ple who sat by the memorial. cyclists tend to get singled out Mr Gilbert said that his fellow the memorial. ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 13 Hare coursing continues to blight the countryside

Ned Chatterton the unfolding chase. reflected this, revealing that there aggressive if confronted,” said Mr Not often in the headlines, but The sport is banned under the were two reported incidents of hare Green. “They see themselves as under the headlamps of the cars 2005 Hunting Bill, along with fox coursing in the period from January being above the law and have no which pursue them, hounds chas- and deer hunting, because of its 2018 to October 2020, with one of respect for the landowners or their ing hares seems an unimportant cruelty towards the animal. Many those linked to criminal damage, property.” problem. However, hare coursing, also object to the trespass and dam- although no arrests or crimes have Ms Thomas agreed: “We never the illegal sport where dogs race age to farmland and farm property. been reported within this time approach such people, just inform to catch hares, continues to affect “The main damage is crop frame. the Cambs Police who are quite farmers around Oundle, while damage if crops are drilled, ruts in Alongside this problem, the keen to catch, charge and disperse public attention is turned on the the soil. Often gates are broken and cost of rural crime rose nine percent them from the county.” more high profile blood sport of fox padlocks cut,” said Mr Green. in just the past year, reaching its It seems authorities are facing hunting. Ms Thomas had a visit from highest level in eight years. Farm a resilient enemy, as coursers see Out of sight and under cover of coursers only the week before this theft costs the sector £58 million per their sport as a way of life. darkness, hare coursing is proving paper contacted her: “Luckily the year, with expensive tractors, farm A local Facebook buy and sell to be a big problem for local rural ground was quite firm so they vehicles and livestock all targeted. group promoting activities that communities. didn’t leave large ruts with their Many farmers see a link between support hare coursing, such as “When the fields are combined vehicles, but they still damaged the more trespassers on their land and dog breeding, was contacted to we probably get hare coursing wheat seedlings peeping through increased crime. “The people who ask about their participation. “It’s every 2-4 weeks. They drive across and the established oilseed rape hare course are often linked to a gentleman’s sport. It’s a sport of the fields looking for hares. Appar- crop by driving around them chas- criminal activities,” said Mr Green. royalty that goes back hundreds of ently, the coursers are often betting ing the dogs.” “I have seen evidence of stolen years,” they replied. Any further money on the successful dogs,” The activity is taking a toll on car radios near the tracks across questions were then blocked by the said local farmer David Green. the farming community. Ms Thom- my land. We have had our tractor group’s admin. Prosecutions are made against poachers through nineteenth centu- ry anti-poaching legislation, which does not consistently give police and courts full seizure and forfei- ture powers for dogs and vehicles, which are the most effective ways to curtail the activity. Fines also tend to peak at £900, which is small fry for the amount of money already being gambled on coursing. Given the inadequacy of these deterrents, there is growing appe- tite for greater action against the crime. In March, a letter from a coali- tion of farm groups to Secretary of Rural Affairs and Agriculture, George Eustice, and the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, urged reform: “Simple changes to the Game Act would give police the powers they need to properly tackle this crime and deter criminals with a sentence that fits the crime.” There is some doubt as to how effective policing can be. “I have not seen the coursers on my land Photo courtesy of Spalding Today this summer,” said Mr Green. “I have only seen the car tracks, so it PCs James Perring and Martin Green with dogs seized from suspected hare coursers in Lincolnshire is difficult for the police, if I have not seen them. Stricter penalties Hare coursing is a blood sport as said, “This is very upsetting windows smashed and tools stolen would help to deter the hare cours- where dogs, often greyhounds, when you have taken a lot of time the same evening that the coursers ing.” are used to chase down a hare or, and care to prepare the seedbed for have been chasing deer at night.” A campaign was launched in less frequently, deer. The aim of drilling.” Farmers have got to the point September by Crimestoppers in this varies; some coursers film the Mr Green also took a dim view of taking extensive precautions partnership with Northampton- dogs and bet on who will catch the of it: “I cannot sympathise with against this problem. Ms Thomas shire Police and the Fire and Crime hare first, others do it as a form of their activities. If they approached said: “We tend to park old machin- Commissioner which encourages poaching. farmers legally to ask permission, it ery or lay telegraph poles in gate- people to report rather than con- “They seek out areas where they would be a different matter.” ways to prevent access and make front suspected hare coursing to the can travel a big distance without They are facing an uphill battle sure that all fields adjacent to roads Crimestoppers tip line. barriers such as hedges and ditch- with one of the problems being and tracks have good hedges or The chase will continue, but Ms es,” said another local farmer, Jane a lack of reporting on the crime. ditches between the field and the Thomas is determined about her Thomas. “Most farmers do not report it,” road. This tends to keep coursers reasons to fight it: “I am afraid I am Once the hare has been spotted, explained Mr Green. “For the police at bay in their vehicles, but it won’t a fan of hares, not hare coursing or the dogs, mostly bred and traded to take more action, more incidence stop them coursing on foot!” of people trespassing.” among coursers, are set off to catch numbers need to be created.” There are also WhatsApp groups it. The coursers sometimes follow A freedom of information re- to alert other local farmers. “The Names of farmers have been changed to the chase from in their cars and film quest to Northamptonshire Police coursers are renowned for being protect their property. 14 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Saplings from oak trees grown to commemorate WWI centenary

As part of the Remembrance Most of the acorns emerged in activities in November 2018 mark- the spring of 2019 and were planted ing the one hundredth anniversary into bio-degradable pots, which of the end of the First World War, gave each seedling more space, wa- Oundle School pupil, Michael ter and nutrition. Michael said that Fuller, now thirteen years old, during that year, the young trees began an ambitious project that had to withstand attack by squirrels symbolises a commemoration of and jackdaws, long periods of hot, the past, and renewal and hope for dry weather, and one of the wettest the future. autumns on record. Inspired by the avenue of Eng- On VE Day during lock-down, lish oak trees on Pavilion Drive that all the seedlings were planted into had been planted shortly after the larger pots and given another dose war to commemorate the death of of mycorrhizal fungi. Over the Roy Sanderson, the son of Ound- summer the seedlings grew into a le School Headmaster Frederick miniature forest, sheltered under Sanderson, Michael collected five the canopy of bigger trees. hundred acorns from the trees. Finally, on November 11, the His aim was to grow enough trees planting-out project was inaugu- to commemorate each of the men rated. Coordinated by Nick Tebbs, from Oundle who died in the war. Head of Grounds at Oundle School, Three hundred of the biggest, pupils began the process of plant- healthiest and shiniest of these ing the oak saplings at Oundle acorns were sorted and put into School, Laxton Junior School, Oun- cold store in order to break their dle Primary School and Oundle dormancy. Then the acorns were Football Club. planted into peat-free organic com- Michael said: “My hope was to post after being treated with bene- plant a tree in remembrance, and ficial fungi that helped to feed and to support wildlife, to help combat protect the seedlings when they Michael Fuller collected acorns from trees planted after WWI to grow 300 new climate change, or just for people to germinated. oak trees in commemoration of the Centenary enjoy in the future.”

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Talk to the local experts Offices in Oundle and London woodfordandco.com ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 15 Glapthorn Road caused by the cycling a danger in the town and Sick and 'tyred' of road and pavement neglect erupting roots which many of us frustrating our desire to reduce have tripped over. One section motor vehicle dependency. We where there were cracks has been need durable repairs to the roads Robert Foskett cracks quickly get worse due to the dealt with by surfacing over an al- that give a smooth route where Northamptonshire County fact that they fill with water, which ready large hump, creating an even cyclists are not having to weave Council Highways department is expands and contracts with the larger hump. Pedestrians in Oundle about avoiding the holes. As for the responsible for maintaining roads temperature. This weakens the road are not in need of speed humps. footpaths, they should not be treat- and pavements across Northamp- structure and the crack enlarges. NCC’s website states that they ed as the Cinderella; a plan should tonshire. Despite complaints and A way of preventing this would be “strive to provide good quality first be developed to make and maintain dissatisfaction from residents, to fill minor cracks with tar when time repairs, with fewer repeat site these vital routes in fit state for both cracks and potholes are still a they first emerge, to prevent water visits and less complaints because pedestrians and wheelchair users.” common sight, causing havoc to car damage. public perception is important to A Freedom of Information re- tyres, misery to cyclists, a hazard Everyone can think of pave- us”. This is not unachievable unless quest revealed that in the past three to pedestrians and a death trap to ments churned up by roots of trees they are prepared to redefine their years Northamptonshire County motorcyclists. that have grown to inappropriate repair standards so that issues get Council has spent an eyewatering One of the major reasons for sizes. Again, often only the most dealt with as they occur and before £285,438.38 on compensation for these issues is that small cracks are serious defects are dealt with in an they become serious. An example damage to vehicles and personal not dealt with in a timely fashion unsustainable way, whilst smaller of where this has not happened injury resulting from poor highway because they do not meet the stand- defects soon grow. Many a camel is the North Bridge, which was maintenance across the county. ards to be repaired. These small would admire the humps on the neglected for many years until it One single pay-out relating to an became dangerous. The works that incident with a pothole outside Oundle connects to electric car charging network have just taken place on the bridge Northampton came to a staggering are the consequence of not dealing £12,756.99. Gabriel Sun pavement in an area heavily used with minor matters as they occur. Rather than spending a large Oundle drivers will soon find by pedestrians. There also needs to be greater amount of their budget on compen- it a bit easier to help the UK gov- The council has suggested other co-ordination between Northamp- sation, Northamptonshire County ernment meet its ambitious plan to locations such as the long-term car tonshire County Council and utility Council should be focusing their ef- reduce carbon emissions, with new park or the Drill Hall car park. The companies, who frequently dig up forts on preventative maintenance. plans to install public electric ve- alternative locations would allow the same areas of roads and foot- This would be more sustainable. hicle charging points in town. The people to charge their cars for a paths to maintain services. I would urge everybody to Northamptonshire County Council longer period during the day or at Councillor Tony Robinson, Oun- report any and all road and pave- has partnered with the government night. dle Mayor said: “As a cyclist I am ment issues they experience on agency, Innovate UK, which is Users of public charge points saddened by the state of our town’s Northamptonshire County Coun- overseeing a consortium of organ- should look carefully at the rate be- roads. Uneven roads, through pot- cil’s Street Doctor system on their isations who are working to install ing charged for electricity. Depend- holes and poor repairs are making website. public EV charge points. ing on the electricity charge applied Currently, the nearest rapid by the providers, the charge points charging points of 50-120kW per might be too expensive, and own- hour are in Corby and Peterbor- ers of electric vehicles might prefer ough. There are only a few of not to charge there. these, however. There are more An economic car (55mpg) with ~ Est. 1981~ fast charging points that range fuel at £1.20 will cost £5.40 to travel from 7kW to 22kW per hour. There 60 miles. As a rule of thumb an Rockingham Landrovers is currently a 7kW charger in the electric vehicle will use 15kW to 18 Main Street, Rockingham. LE16 8TG Oundle School Sport Centre car travel 60 miles. park. The Co-op is planning to David Wood, from Transition place 22kW charging points at their Oundle says: “I personally charge Land Rovers have come a long way since 1948 but no matter which Land stores nationwide. overnight using off peak electricity Rover or Range Rover you drive we Following public consultation at six pence per kW, so I travel 60 can service and repair it. Our skilled in April, the NCC have proposed miles at a cost of 90p. Some oper- staff, 4 workshop ramps and genuine charging points to be installed in ators charge over thirty pence per Land Rover equipment ensure a January on South Road and New kW so 60 miles will cost £4.50. quality service and rapid resolution to any Land Rover problems. Street as part of the second wave of “If you are trying to persuade the Virgin Park and Charge net- people without off street parking work. to buy an EV, cost of electricity is a Here at Rockingham we service and maintain all models of Land They are aiming to choose lo- key factor.” Rover and Range Rover without affecting the vehicle’s warranty. cations best suited to people who At the end of this project, the do not have access to their own county council hopes to have 69 We offer a free collection and delivery service for all off-street parking. However, the charging points throughout North- Land Rovers booked in for Service / MOT and Repair. charge points cannot be sited in amptonshire. Land Rover T4 & WDS diagnostic equipment to diagnose front of residential houses or next The UK government has recently and re-set faults on Air Suspension, Engine Management, to grass verges. There may be a announced an ambitious ten-point ABS, Gearboxes, Keys & Fobs etc…. parking restriction in the charging plan to ban the selling of pure bays during the day, with a limit petrol and diesel cars by 2030. They Genuine Land Rover and OEM parts available for purchase. of two hours reserved for electric also plan to place rapid charging Renovation and refurbishment to suit your own requirements. vehicles only. The charge points in points along all the A road network Chassis replacement for Defender and Series. Oundle will either be 7kw or 22kW to ensure that travelers can easily per hour. continue their journey. We accept payment by debit and credit card. The Oundle Town Council has Electric cars have become in- expressed reservations about the creasingly more in demand with proposed locations. Because of the 127% more registrations for pure Office and Workshop Opening Hours time required to charge a car, the electric vehicles this year compared Monday – Thursday: 8.30am – 6 pm & Friday: 8.30am – 4 pm New Street location would not be to 2019. As of September 2020, there practical, and would waste a park- were 164,100 pure electric cars on Telephone: 01536 770109 / 01536 770078 ing space in a normally busy town the road in the UK, and 373,600 The Old Forge Yard, 18 Main Street, Rockingham, LE16 8TG centre location. The charge station hybrids. would also take up half of the

16 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Memories of loyal service in a local royal household

Robert Brettle Although many of us have become familiar with the inner workings of an aristocratic lifestyle after watching programmes such as Downton Abbey and The Crown, few can say that they have actually lived and worked in a royal household. For many years, there was one such household at nearby Barnwell Manor, the home of HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. Born Lady Alice Christabel Mon- tagu Douglas Scott in 1901, Princess Alice was married to Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, who was the third son of King George V. As the daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch, she was born to immense privi- lege; one of her four family homes included nearby Boughton House. Throughout her twenties she lived an adventurous life, travelling in Kenya and Australia before finally settling in the UK with her husband in Northamptonshire. Among the household staff whose work helped to maintain their lifestyle was Margaret Ledner, now 87, retired and living in Oundle. Margaret Ledner has kept her trove of cards and memorabelia from her years working at Barnwell Manor for HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucestershire

Her Royal parachute silk. The problem was, she would prepare Princess Alice’s prayer for him. This, coupled with as Mrs Ledner said, “He spoke bed, filling her hot water bottle and the death of her son, resulted in Highness said: not one word of German and I turning down her bedcovers. some very difficult times for the spoke no English – we had to learn “Before she came down in the Princess and the staff at the manor. "You have a quickly!” They were married in morning everybody had to do the Mrs Ledner recalls, “It was very 1952 when she was 21. work downstairs. Naturally, she ex- sad, losing her husband and Prince very expensive After Mr Ledner left the army, pected everything should be perfect William. She kept herself busy in they went to France where he and she would make sure there was her garden every morning.” worked for five years for the Com- no dust or anything and the furni- In the early 1990s, Mrs Ledner wife." monwealth War Graves Commis- ture was polished.” and her husband retired, and in sion in Aras, scrubbing and clean- The Princess was a keen gar- 1995 the Princess, aged 93, moved ing the graves. “It was a beautiful dener, and was very proud of the from the Manor to Kensington Pal- Margaret Ledner was born in but sad place to work.” garden her husband had created ace when the upkeep of the house- Hanover, northern Germany. She In the 1960s, when they returned for their silver anniversary. In hold became too expensive. It was had eleven siblings, and when her to England, Mr Ledner found a job the summer, the Princess hosted reported at the time that seven staff, parents could not take care of her, at Barnwell Manor, where Princess her friends and family, and many including the butler, were let go. the children were separated and Alice was seeking a head gardener. famous guests came to stay. This Mrs Ledner continued to receive Ledner was sent to live with a fos- A few years later, Princess Alice included Setsuko, Princess Chi- cards with photographs from the ter mother. asked if his wife would work as chibu, a member of the Japanese Gloucester family, and invitations Mrs Ledner spent the war years the Head Housemaid. Mrs Ledner Imperial Family. When the Queen to garden parties at Kensington with her foster mother on a remote accepted, but only after some Mother came in an “enormous big Palace. She also received a small farm. Her foster mother, however, negotiating: limousine”, all the staff members annual allowance until the Princess’ was unkind to her. “She treated me “I told my husband to tell the would stand outside and welcome death in 2004, aged 102. like you wouldn’t treat animals,” Princess that I would be very happy her. Every year, the staff would be Mr Ledner, the man who had Mrs Ledner said. Despite later to take that job but not for less than taken to the Queen’s garden party swept her up to a new life in a living in both France and England – half a crown an hour. Her Royal at Buckingham Palace on a private new country, died in 2012. She where anti-German sentiment was Highness told my husband “Mr coach. says, “I still miss my husband not uncommon – she said that she Ledner, you have a very expensive Tragically, her eldest son Prince very, very much, you know.” never experienced any anti-German wife”. The Princess then had to pay William of Gloucester died aged 30 Mrs Ledner remains very fond sentiment. all of the staff at Barnwell Manor in a light aircraft competition crash of the Royal Family and her display After the war ended, Mrs the same rate.” in 1972. At the time of his birth, he cabinets feature many mementoes Ledner, found work with the Mrs Ledner had a daily routine was fourth in line to the throne, and of her connections, along with occupying British army near the in the house, and covered personal the heir to his father’s peerages. family photographs, royal memo- Black Forest. It was here that she duties when the Lady’s Maid was Two years later, the Duke of rabilia and the medal presented to met her husband, Sergeant Frank away. She would wake up the Prin- Gloucester died of cancer in 1974. her by the Duke of Gloucester to Ledner, who was her boss. Her job cess, open the curtains, run a bath Before his death, each of the staff commemorate the Queen’s silver was making various items out of and make her bed. In the evenings went into his room and said a jubilee. ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 17 Longshore bring fish straight from the sea to the Oundle farmers' market

Meagan Iu beds lie about 15 feet under water line-catches and nets mackerel, since the start of the farmers’ Oundle may be landlocked, but at high tide, so he harvests weekly bass, sole, and cod, also picking up market. “We have very loyal, very the fish that is available at the local while the tide is out. The oysters flat fish from other boats along the good customers that have been markets is renowned for its variety are in bags that swing in the tide, coast. Over the years there has been coming all that time,” he said. and quality. Simon Long of Long- and he gathers them for grading less cod available, while customers’ Ken, from Aldwincle, is a regu- shore is a Saturday farmers’ mar- and purification for 42 hours. tastes have changed and become lar monthly customer. “I can find ket favourite whose monthly stall interesting stuff here, as opposed to attracts a steady queue of regular just cod, salmon and haddock.” He customers waiting to fill their bags can spend up to £60 at a time. with his fresh fish. After the Saturday market Mr Long’s family have been fish- in Oundle, Simon goes back to ing for four or five generations. He Norfolk and prepares for the week- fishes from the small coastal village ly Sunday market in Marylebone, of Blakeney on the North Norfolk London. coast in his own ten metre dayboat “I will load up again, fillet some named “Don't Know”, and also fish. There are crabs and lobsters works with inshore day boats in to deal with, and live lobsters to Norfolk and Suffolk. Back in their get out of the tanks for people. I’ll kitchen, his wife Carol makes all try and get some sleep at some the cooked products, such as hand- point,” he admitted. made fishcakes, soups, curries, pies, Mr Long says he does not take and pâtés. days off. “Stuff is so fluid on what The Longs have grown oysters you’ve got to do. It’s more like and mussels near Blakeney Point hours off here and there.” for decades. Mr Long rejuvenated The boat sets out to sea whenev- his oyster beds about 15 years er the weather is suitable, though ago after sand and silt shifted on when the weather is bad, that just the coast. The oysters themselves means there is time for Mr Long to need regular maintenance. repair gear or work on the oyster “As the oysters grow, they stick Simon Long prepares his lobsters for customers to take home beds. The sea never sleeps, and nor together, so I have to give them a does it seem, do the fishermen who shake every month to stop them Crabs and lobsters are their broader. make sure that the freshest fish is sticking together and knock some main catch from the Cromer area, The Longs only sell at markets, always ready to deliver from boat of the new growth off,” he said. The with 300 pots for lobster. He and have been selling in Oundle to market. 18 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Ancient music and the natural world inspire the sound of Oundle

Gabriel Sun instruments such as guitars, lutes lutes. Eventually he became an in- something unusual was happening. If there was one sound that and harps in his workshop. strument maker and people asked I played it back to some friends could be said to define Oundle in Mr Penny started learning how him to make Celtic harps. He then later and they were fascinated.” the last many years, it might be the to play the guitar at the age of 14 by discovered Paraguayan harps and All the recordings he uses are music of Nick Penny. watching others and learning from travelled to South America to learn made within walking distance. Specializing in music for the the way they played. He says that more about them. A local player in “We’re lucky that there are acces- harp that merges with sounds he didn’t practice in a formal way. Asuncion offered him some lessons sible woods locally, though if you inspired by the natural world, he is Instead, he “just played a lot”. and he was hooked. want quiet natural recordings you often found performing at public “There was never any problem “I love the sound of the Para- must be up very early in spring.” and private events throughout the with motivation – the guitar was guayan Harp: it looks and sounds He particularly admires night- like a harp but there’s something ingale sounds. “They sing through earthy and immediate about it too,” the night and you can record he said. them while the rest of the world is Musical influences include the asleep.” He notes blackbirds for the sound of the guitarist Julian Bream, beauty and simplicity in their song. whom he credits with recreating Like a lot of artists this year, the sound of English lute music in due to Covid-19, Mr Penny has an inspiring way. Mr Penny said: been unable to do his usual music “There’s such passion and indi- workshops in schools and with the viduality in his playing and in the elderly, but he has had more time beginning he had to fight to get his to play and record a lot of his own instrument taken seriously.” music instead. Ordinarily he would Mr Penny also admires singers spend up to a year on a CD album, such as Nina Simone for her emo- but due to the pandemic he has tional music, as well as Bjork and been recording a lot of music and Tom Waits for their individualistic videos, often improvised, which he creativity. shares on social media. He draws a lot of inspiration He also bought a Handpan last within walking distance of his own year and has been playing and front door – birdsong, sounds of recording with that. He has even wind and rain, children playing in done some online collaborations the distance. with musicians he has never met Mr Penny has always been in- and is working on new designs for terested in natural sounds, but the wind harps. idea of using birdsong as an inspi- “I like surprises, trying new Composer and harpist Nick Penny draws inspiration from the natural world ration for his music came about things and sometimes ending up close to home and further afield on travels in the UK by accident. He had recorded a in a completely different place I nightingale singing in a local wood wouldn’t have anticipated. And of year in Oundle. The originality of my best friend.” and was playing it back in his home course, you can share that sense the distinctive music is immediate- He started playing the harp later studio. “I picked up the harp and of surprise with other people,” he ly recognizable as his. in life in what he calls “a round- started improvising along with it, said. In addition to performing and about way”. He got interested in then hit the record button as it all “There’s plenty to keep me composing, he also makes string lute music and started making felt so natural and I was aware that busy.”

non-perishable foods such as rice, a book on how to reduce plastic 101 realistic ways to reduce use of pasta and sugar in your own reusa- when people were struggling.” The ble containers. pandemic has also made it more plastic in your household difficult to completely eliminate plastic, she has realised. Noa Anderson now, at 59, studying for a degree in “Sadly, we now have a problem Oundle author Kim Grove has Environmental Science. with disposable PPE, which is also demonstrated that it’s never too Her book focuses on everyday made of plastic and seems to be late to make big changes in life, ways to reduce plastic consump- littering the environment in ever from education or career directions tion, from swapping cling film for greater numbers! I would implore to small or impactful lifestyle choic- beeswax wrap to pressuring local people to buy reusable masks, and es. Inspired by David Attenbor- supermarkets to improve their of- wash these regularly. Alternatively, ough’s Blue Planet, she has almost ferings. There are small but impact- make your own.” completely eliminated single-use ful changes that everyone in Oun- She warns about feeling pressure plastic, and has published I Found dle can make. Ms Grove suggests to go all-out though. “It’s better to 101 Ways to Reduce Plastic, You starting with reusable bags, con- do something and take it slowly, Can Too, encouraging others to do tainers and cups when shopping or than do nothing at all,” she stresses. the same. getting coffee. “There are over 66 million peo- Ms Grove started her journey “Just take it one step at a time. Kim Grove's book suggests 101 ways to ple in the UK,” Ms Grove pointed after learning that by 2050 there Try to reduce one thing and keep reduce use of household plastic out. “If each person made just one could be more plastic in the sea up with that.” or two of these changes, we’d have than fish. Her book documents Ms Grove suggests visiting The most difficult step for her 120 million fewer pieces of plastic the journey to change her lifestyle. Refill Revolution at the Oundle was finding a plastic-free tooth- floating about in the air, clogging “When I looked around my house Wharf, where you can refill bottles paste, and she is now experiment- up roadside verges, or entangling and looked at what plastic I could of kitchen and bathroom products, ing with making her own. turtles in the sea.” cut, and thought I might as well such as washing-up liquid and Her book’s release was delayed I Found 101 Ways to Reduce capture my journey." shampoo, find plastic-free alter- from a planned March date due to Plastic, You Can Too is available She gave up her social-care job natives for a multitude of house- the coronavirus outbreak. “I didn’t from Amazon: Kindle edition £3.99; to pursue her writing career and is hold items and restock common think it would be fair to release paperback £4.99. ISSUE 53 - Winter Oundle Chronicle 19

Refurbished Bowls Club welcomes new players from April to September. For com- Local schools petitive players they organise up to 40 fixtures with other clubs in a partnership wins twenty mile radius. On Friday nights, a Roll-up is science funding organised for anyone interested in an open draw competition. Serious The Prince William School players can also join the Northamp- cluster of schools and Laxton Junior tonshire Bowls Association. School have been successful in a Under the Covid restrictions, bid for funding from Ogden Trust they have been able to arrange in- Partnership for a science partner- door play with up to twelve people, ship that will provide opportunities and plan to reopen in the new year. for local children over the next five In a normal season, the Oundle years. The Ogden Trust will pro- Bowling Club hosts social events vide funding and teacher continued throughout the year. Highlights in- professional development to sup- clude a summer party, bridge days, port the teaching of physical scienc- quiz nights, dinners with speakers, es in ten partner schools. and whist drives. Oundle Primary School will be Full membership is £85 a year. the hub school for the partnership During the winter season, the clubhouse is set up for indoor bowls on short mats Anyone can join with any level of and will host the outreach labora- Founded in 1866, the bowls club a new entrance, increased the size experience. Paul Pearson, Secretary, tory where some of the planned was originally a quoits club located of the clubhouse, and updated and said: “A lot of new members join, events will take place. The partner- on Herne Road. In the early 1900s improved the interior. try a few bowls, realise it is more ship will strengthen links between the game of lawn bowls started The refurbishment project was complex than they thought and schools, and allow them to share to become popular and the club supported by a grant of £50,000 sign up for coaching.” best practice, develop and share re- changed to bowls in 1906 with four from the Community Facilities A six-week course with certi- sources, and promote a programme rinks. With its increasing popular- Funds Awards from East North- fied level 1 coaches is included in of events to engage children and ity, in the 1970s the club moved amptonshire Council. This amount the membership and equipment is families. to land offered by the council on was matched by a similar amount available to borrow if needed. Stephen Adams, Outreach Occupation Road, where members by Sport England, which is sup- David Walker, Chair of the club, Scientist at Oundle School, led the built a clubhouse and a six-rink ported by the National Lottery. encourages new players to try out bid, and will be the partnership green. The club currently has a mem- bowls. “The bowling club is in an coordinator. The first refurbishment in 2010 bership of 157 members. Most are ideal location between the tennis “The partnership is about or- incorporated an extension with outdoor bowls players, but there club and the rugby club. New ganising activities to promote new changing rooms, kitchen, and are at least 60 who play indoor members are always welcome to awareness and teaching of physical toilets. The latest refurbishment in bowls on short mats during the join and enjoy the sport of bowls, sciences for pupils, the local com- 2020 was designed by Waterlands winter. and the many other social activities munities and parents, as well as Architects in Oundle. They added The outdoor bowls season runs available.” supporting teachers,” he said.

Ready to Play? We have been working on preparing our membership offers, along with Class, Fitness and Swimming access ready for re-opening and allowing access for all.

Keep an eye on our social media and website for up to date information on:

• Swimming • Childrens Swimming Lessons • Fitness

• Group exercise classes • And more…

We anticipate to be offering a wide range of activities, classes and courses following appropriate guidelines for the safety of all users. Please do connect with us on social media or visit our website to keep up to date on all activity information.

01832 277208 Follow us www.oundlesportscentre.co.uk 20 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 53 - Winter Shared photos of Oundle landscapes lift the spirits

On most days Oundle’s is not a professional photographer. meant a few more photos to share the pictures I take.” Facebook community pages He moved to Oundle in 1991 and more often”. He says he doesn’t have provide a public forum for debate, has been taking regular walks in He’s been encouraged by the favourite pictures, they are all “of discussion and disputes. But since and around the town for the last response his photos get. “Some of the moment”. the lockdown in March, Facebook few years. For company he takes the feedback on Facebook has been “If my phone didn’t have a feeds have been brightened his earphones to listen to music, positive and very kind.” camera, there’d be no photographs. with scenic photographs of local and walks anywhere from a couple He uses a Xiaomi Mi9 phone It’s actually all about the walks,” he landscapes in all their changing to eight or so miles. to take pictures of any scene that said. moods. The photographs, taken by He decided to make use of the catches his eye, including flora, “My dad, a fit and active Tim Stubbs, have been a reassuring phone’s camera to take the odd fauna, skylines, buildings and the 85-year-old, has always said to me reminder of the calming power of picture along the way that he could River Nene. that walking is good for the soul, nature, and of the good fortune to share on social media. “I find that the town and sur- and it’s true, especially around be living amidst Oundle’s beautiful Mr Stubbs works in IT, but was rounding area is wonderfully sce- here. We live in a cracking part surrounding countryside. furloughed for six months in the nic, no matter what time of year or of the world and I enjoy taking Many fans of his photos are first lockdown, which allowed him what time of day. The ever-chang- pictures of it. I hope they do it surprised to learn that Mr Stubbs more time for walking, “which ing weather also plays a big part in justice.”

Ogden Trust partnership school photography competition

The first event for the newly formed Ogden Trust partnership of ten local primary schools was a photography competition. The theme for this was Animals in Motion. The judges found it difficult to judge the competition, given the high quality of the entries. The winning entry of a swan in flight was from Louis Mannigan in Year Two at Laxton Junior School. The runner up, Mackenzie Burton-Axtell of King's Cliffe Endowed Primary School caught a wasp hovering over its nest.