Living

Villages

May 2013 Stibbington, Sutton, Wansford, Water Newton &

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EDITORIAL CONTENTS You know when Summer must be just around the corner because local news focuses on the many Worship lists . 4,5 community events that entice us to venture out. Reflections . . . . 7

This month there are May Fayres in neighbouring News reports: villages (p 32, 33) so our front cover image reminds us of May Fayres in times past. In this case it’s the Friends ...... 9 children from Stibbington School (the background Lottery ...... 9 image) in the 1950s. Every year from Victorian F.O.S.C...... 11 Horticultural Soc . 13 times, the May Queen would lead a procession of WI ...... 15 children from the school to Stibbington Hall where Crime ...... 16 May Day celebrations would attract the entire RBL ...... 21 village community for maypole dancing, games and Nene Valley Tots . 28 stalls. For 2013 it’s not a May Fayre but a June Communicare . . . 31 Fete that the organisers hope will attract villagers to the Hall (p11). Returning to times past, there’s Parish Councils: news of the first of several events at Wansford church: “Keep Smiling Through”, an evening of Wansford ...... 23 World War II-style light entertainment (p31). Sutton ...... 25

April was the end of the advertising year for many Special features: of those whose ads add interest to our magazine. This year we have lost a few and gained a few, but Nature Notes . . . 27 Younger readers . 29 the majority of our advertisers have chosen to re- The Home Front . 31 subscribe, and many have commented on how Letters to the Editor much business their ad has brought. It’s thanks to 32, 33 the continuing support of our advertisers that we are able to maintain the quality of our magazine, Diary Dates . . 34 and thanks to lots of work by advertising manager, Carole too! Rosie McDonnell

Editorial team and contacts Advertising manager: Carole Whincup Tel 01780 783055 Editor: Rosie McDonnell Email [email protected] Tel 01780 783639 Distribution manager: Rod Sortwell Email [email protected] Tel 01780 783403 Regular features writers: Email [email protected] Reflections: Canon William Burke Reporter: Viv Thorley Local history: David Stuart-Mogg Tel 01780 782616 Nature Notes: Graham Blagden Email [email protected] Younger readers: Marcus Arnold Printing and collation: PPS/Print Photographer: Charles Brown Tel 01733 380809

Read your magazine on-line at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk 3

WORSHIP

St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh St Mary’s, Wansford

Our churches exist to experience the love of God and to share that love with others.

Date Time Location Service 5 May 10.00am St. Andrews Parish Communion Thornhaugh

9 May 7.30pm St. Mary’s Benefice Ascension Day (Thursday) Wansford Communion Service

12 May 10.00am St. Mary’s Parish Communion Wansford

19 May 10.00am St. Andrews Parish Communion Thornhaugh

26 May 10.00am St. Mary’s Parish Communion Wansford

Every 10 am St Mary’s Wansford Morning Prayer Wednesday

CHURCH CONTACTS Churchwardens:

Stuart Foreman 6 Russell Hill, Thornhaugh, PE8 6HL 783220 Liz Kemp Bonemill Pumping Station, Old Oundle Road, Thornhaugh PE8 6NW 782333 Paul Tate 2 Yarwell Road, Wansford, PE8 6JP 782965 Alan Jones 10 Bridge End, Wansford PE8 6JH 783205

PCC Treasurer:

Judith Rogers

4 MAY 2013

St John the Baptist, Stibbington St Remigius, Water Newton

Please see table below for venues and times of services

Date Time Location Service

5 May 10.15 am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion

Morning Worship 12 May St. John the Baptist, 9.00 am Flower/brasses Stibbington Mrs P Giddings

19 May 10.15 am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion

St. John the Baptist, Holy Communion 26 May 9.00 am Stibbington Flowers/brasses

Mrs E Peake

2 June As for 5 May

For weddings and baptisms or the arrangement of Holy Communion for the sick or housebound please contact Canon William Burke on 01733 380244 or email [email protected] or contact the Parish Office on [email protected]

Services in All Saints, Elton take place on the first and third Sunday of each month at 9.15 am

CHURCH WARDENS

St. John the Baptist, Stibbington Richard Winfrey 01780 782431 Carol Lindsay 01780 782338

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6 REFLECTIONS By Canon William Burke TOWARDS UNITY

On the night before he died, Jesus, at the last Supper, in his “great high priestly prayer” prayed that his followers should be one, completely one, as he and the Father are one (John 17: 20-23). Since that time, sadly the church has divided and sub-divided, resulting in bitterness and hatred at times between the followers of Jesus, as well as a weakening of the church’s role in the world. One of the more promising developments in the life of the church has been the rise of ecumenism, an attempt by churches to work together, with a view in the end to being one church which Our Lord called it to be. Sometimes it feels like two steps forward, one step backwards, but never-the-less there is much progress and mutual respect between the main denominations of Christianity in England.

I mention below some small examples of things that would not have happened 50 years ago:

 Methodists and Anglicans come together for worship. The Methodist Local Preacher in the village has also been licensed by the bishop as an Anglican Reader. I preached at the Methodist Chapel Annual Covenant Service in the chapel this year. The Methodist minister took part in our communion service in the distribution of communion in the presence of the Bishop of Brixworth.

 The Roman Catholic congregations in Peterborough have no churches in the villages and so have held “village masses” in the village parish churches. For the third year running we and the Roman Catholics have come together for a shared service of the Stations of the Cross.

 More recently an Orthodox congregation is exploring the possibility with us of using some of our churches, in particular Sutton and Castor. We do not know at this stage how things will progress but we are going through a trial period with them for three months.

All these things would have been unthinkable until quite recently. So while the church exasperates me often, beyond all measure, slowly but surely we are also working towards some form of unity. It will not be organic in my life time. But I think that the will is there for many people that it should come to pass. I pray for it daily. Alleluia Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed, Alleluia.

7 { Beaux Amis } Hair & Beauty

Formerly known as The Hair Boutique. Located within The Haycock Hotel, Wansford. Open Evening Friday 10th May 2013 6.30pm – 8pm

Drinks on Arrival, canapés, Decleor goody bags – bring a friend!

Call 01780 781102 Appointments now being taken

8 THE FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S AND ST ANDREW’S

We are delighted to report that we were able to donate £ 861.00 to Christian Aid thanks to the most generous support we received at this year’s Frugal Lunches during Lent. With this money Christian Aid will be able to provide fresh water for a whole village with “water and environment bundle” consisting of 2 deep wells and jerry cans. As hoped, we were also able to send enough money to purchase 9 goats.

As seen in the pictures, the lunches have been great fun. Next year we have booked the Christie Hall again.

Our meetings in May will take place as usual on the first and third Wednesday of the month, the 1st and 15th. The first will be held in the Community Hall and the second at the home of Rita Kendrew, both after Morning Prayer at St. Mary’s at 10 a.m.

On May 29th we are looking forward to a day out at Launde Abbey.

Sincerest Thanks again to all who made it possible to give so generously to people in great need. Dora Baker (secretary)

THE CHRISTIE HALL COMMUNITY LOTTERY

The winners of £60 B Andrews the April 2013 £50 Mrs D Price draw are listed £40 Mr L Mills here. £30 Many thanks to A Allsebrook Satish at £20 E Styles The Post Office Wansford £10 P Gatheral for drawing the tickets. Mat Free, Administrator [email protected]

9

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10 FRIENDS OF STIBBINGTON CHURCH

STIBBINGTON CHURCHYARD 'TIDY UP' A big thank you to everyone that came to help last month at Stibbington Churchyard. It was truly amazing how much we achieved in the time we were there, and we were so lucky with the nice weather which made it all the more enjoyable. A special thanks to Mike Bradshaw for the use of his tractor and trailer to clear our mountain of rubbish. The picture shows some of the Team but unfortunately some of the helpers had left before the photo call.

APPEAL FOR RECIPES Friends of Stibbington Church are pulling together a book of favourite recipes that can then be sold for a small amount to raise money for Church restoration. One or more tasty recipes however simple will be gratefully received whether savoury or sweet that you think others would love to try. Please email them to info@ stibbingtonchurch.co.uk by the end of May along with your name and the name of your recipes.

VILLAGE FETE Sunday 23 June, 2 to 5pm. Look out for more details next month. Helen Facer, Suzy Story, Garth Bayley

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The Christie Hall Elton Road, Wansford, (Registered Charity No 1033998) The recently refurbished Hall is available for Parties, Receptions, Meetings and most types of private function

For bookings at £8 per hour contact the bookings clerk on Tel: 01780 782446 Gill Fisher

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12 WANSFORD HORTICULTURAL & CRAFTS SOCIETY

At last! Some weather conducive to the dark days of January. This time venturing out into the garden and salvaging we intend the weather to be glorious what is left of our Spring plants while and we will be partaking of cocktails checking to see if our so called hardy and canapés in their new Italian style perennials have lived up to their name. plaza and wandering around the 6 At our April meeting, Geoff Hodge, acre site enjoying their huge range of whose topic “Gardening in a Changing lush Mediterranean plants. Please Climate” was as appropriate as it was reserve 30 May from 6.30 p.m. in entertaining and enlightening, your diaries! Tickets will be on sale certainly justified his formidable shortly, price to be confirmed. reputation as a speaker. We had an excellent turn out of 46 members, all There are just 8 seats left on our of whom greatly enjoyed the evening. coach trip to Kew Gardens on I feel sure we will be inviting him Saturday 15 June which leaves from back to give further talks in future outside the Paper Mills at 8 a.m. and years. costs £27. As I have yet to contact other gardening groups in the area to The next event on the calendar is our offer them seats, I would urge Plant Sale which takes place anyone who wishes to join us to get between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on in touch quickly, as I feel sure that Saturday 11 May. Despite the slow these few remaining places will be start to the season, we intend to have taken very quickly. plenty of reasonably priced plants on sale to fill the gaps in your borders The trip to R.H.S. Harlow Carr on and stock your vegetable plot, so Sunday 21 July, leaving at 8.30 please do come along to Stone & a.m. and costing £15 has 9 seats left. Willow, 59 Elton Road (next door to The coaches only hold 49 passengers, the converted Methodist Chapel) to so please do get in touch soon if you see what we have to offer. Of course, would like to join us. We do not make if you have any surplus plants which any profit on our coach trips and only you would be happy to donate to the aim to cover costs assuming a full coach. society we would be delighted to receive them. They can be left in the Finally, a reminder that the schedule drive any time you are passing. for the Annual Show on 24 August

The final event in May is a new and can be viewed online at exciting venture. We shall be www.wansfordhorticulturalsociety.org returning to the Olive Grove .uk if you want to start thinking about Nursery in Polebrook which we planning your entries! visited for a talk and supper back in Gill Fisher: 782446 or [email protected]

In a separate note, Gill would like to remind readers about the Christie Hall’s textile bank. She reports that in its first year the revenue from the bank has almost covered the Christie Hall’s Council Tax bill. Please continue to put any textiles you are throwing out into the blue container in the Christie Hall car park if you are not recycling them to charity shops or the like. The contents are sorted and clothes are sent to Africa.

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Open Thursday to Sunday 11am to 4.30pm

14 STIBBINGTON & WANSFORD W.I.

The President, Jean Yerbury she agreed to welcomed 12 members to the April marry him. meeting. They married in St Clement Three members went to the Group Danes and lived at Sir Hugh’s Meeting at Farcet when the talk was Lincolnshire home, Kettlethorpe entitled ‘Life and Hats’. Members of Manor where their three children other W.I.’s there were impressed by were born. the range of our activities and complimented Jean on the interesting On a visit to Prince John’s wife at variety of topics in our programme. Bolingbroke Castle, Katherine realised Members interested in helping with that Blanche was suffering from the the foyer display at W.I. Centre in plague and she remained with her Huntingdon were reminded that this until her death. John was grateful to would be staged on the 3rd May and Katherine for being with his wife until removed at the end of the month. the end. In the meantime Sir Hugh On May 4th we will be holding our died in battle and thus began the Spring Cake Sale on the green by the affair between the two and no secret church. As usual we hope to offer our was made of it. They had four usual variety of savouries, pastries children and lived in the lap of luxury and cakes in time for the Bank although Katherine was vilified for her Holiday weekend. We will again scandalous behaviour. donate part of the proceeds to our It was not until civil unrest and the charity, Peterborough Samaritans. destruction of the magnificent Savoy Members would like to thank all those Palace that Katherine insisted that who support us by buying our cakes, they must part. She returned to especially as the rising cost of Kettlethorpe where she stayed for ingredients means a small increase in many years. 14 years later, John our prices. who she had not seen in all that time, Christine Turner then introduced our wanted to see her again. They marry speaker, Miriam Carette. Miriam’s in Lincoln Cathedral and all the talk was entitled ‘Katherine and the children are legitimised. Three years Prince’, the story of a lifelong love later in 1399, John dies and in 1403 affair between Katherine Swynford Katherine dies aged about 53 and is and John of Gaunt. Katherine was buried in Lincoln Cathedral. born around 1350 in Hainault. She The next W.I. will be held at the was sent to England where she spent Community Hall on Tuesday 14th May her early years in Kent. at 7.15pm when the Resolution ‘The As a young girl she was entertained decline of our high streets and town at a St George’s Day banquet at centres’ will be discussed and voted Windsor Castle and was entranced by on prior to the AGM in Cardiff. As the spectacle, especially the arrival of usual visitors and guests will be most HRH Prince John, Duke of Lancaster. welcome.

However a Knight named Sir Hugh Kate Brumfield, Swynford was smitten by the young Correspondence Secretary Katherine and he pursued her until

15 CRIME UPDATE To become a volunteer please contact me via email, . Since my first article I have received Crime Prevention Help is available positive feedback and questions to over 65s, or disabled from the regarding the contents of the article; Bobby Scheme. This thank you to those who have been in local charity aims at reducing older contact. and vulnerable people’s chances of becoming victims of crime and their On the 9th April the Police held a fear of crime. Bobby Scheme security ‘Police Panel Meeting in Wittering, for advisors visit homes, assess security residents of the North West Rural and fit security devices such as door villages of Peterborough to attend and chains and window alarms. The express their concerns for their local advisors will leave their contact area. There have been 3 new priorities details, so they are able to keep in set for the next 3 months, they are: touch for any further help. They also 1. Reduce dwelling burglaries in the make re-visits with updated devices or Glinton and Wittering ward to replace batteries, as well as 2. Reduce theft from motor vehicles identifying any further needs. On and flytipping in beauty hot spot areas average, it costs the charity £120 per 3. Speedwatch - Local communities to visit to a vulnerable person’s home; engage further with this initiative however, the Bobby Scheme only ask

The Police and local agencies will be for a donation of £25 towards the working together on the priorities but cost. The advisors will also fit a Key we also need your help. I will be Safe (at a cost of £50) and oil tank arranging litter picks for villages and and shed alarms (please call for the will be looking at getting local price). For further information about residents involved. At the moment I the scheme contact the Bobby Scheme do not have dates available but will office on 01480 413311 or 07866 602100 or visit www.cpstrust.org. send out E-Cops and put up posters around the local area. If you wish to Crime updates since last month help out on the litter pick please Wansford: One burglary. contact me via email; see below. There has been an increase in patrols

SpeedWatch is a scheme which in Wansford, officers have been allows the public to get actively patrolling the area in full uniform and involved in monitoring the speed of also plain clothes. I would urge that vehicles travelling through their residents still call in about any village. The scheme is run by suspicious activity to 101, the Police Cambridgeshire and Peterborough non emergency number. There has Road Safety Partnership. It is about also been a shed burglary in Wansford, educating motorists in the law in unknown what has been taken. relation to speeding, and monitoring Sutton: No relevant reported crimes any trends in speed in the village. Thornhaugh: A gas bottle has been Volunteers are trained to use speed stolen from a field. indicator devices which display vehicle For information about security contact speed. The registered owner of any your local community safety team on 101 or visit www.cambs.police.uk vehicle seen exceeding the speed limit is sent an advisory letter from their PCSO 7316 Aimee Hunter local PCSO, explaining that speeding is tel 07525 227398 or email: unacceptable to the local community. [email protected] 16 17 LOCAL HISTORY By David Stuart-Mogg

Edward Vere Barclay was an adventurer, name Colin Clout and entitled The Story On 21st April 1905, he set off from A personal favourite amongst his versifier and storyteller who lodged in of My Adventures! My Bit of a Brag, Wansford in the company of two local publications, a slim book of eight poems Stibbington and Wansford from shortly written in verse, and My First Battle lads, one to cook and one to tend the entitled The Call of the Country and before the turn of the twentieth century written as narrative. His triumphal post- horse, and meandered his way to Other Verses. Amongst these is ‘The until about 1910. Born in New Norfolk, war return to Wansford was greeted in Dorset selling his books along the Haunt of the Swimmer’ which references Tasmania in 1873, he claimed to have great style by the Wansford Fife and way. He attended fairs and markets the stanch, or lock-gate, that then stood sailed around the world three times and Drum Band. and, from the footboard of his just downriver from Wansford Bridge also worked as a trawlerman in the caravan, offered to compose instant towards Sutton. It was demolished in In 1905, adventure in the form of North Sea before settling in rural verses for any girls in the crowd who 1937. The second verse shares: seeking a precarious living beckoned and Engand. Certainly, he was a man ‘suffered from the complaint of love’ he purchased a gypsy-style caravan and The grey old stanch stands, nods and fashioned of stern stuff and was said to for a small cash consideration and the a horse called Josh from a dreams, swim in the River Nene every day and to name and a brief description of her horse-dealer and stocked up with 500 Beneath its shadow sways and gleams walk daily from Wansford to and from his swain; all the while accompanied by ‘penny books’ from the Northampton- And through its weather-beaten beams post as a clerk at the Boston and music from his phonograph – which shire Printing and Publishing Company, The river glides Spalding Bank, Stamford, later was presumably repeatedly wound up which had a year earlier published his And makes sweet music as it streams subsumed into Barclays Bank. by one of his lads. Over the following own first ‘penny’ booklet The Village About its sides. years his horse-drawn travels took Given his athletic disposition, his past Wedding. him as far as Colchester, Berwick on Despite apparently healthy sales, adventures on the high seas and, Tweed, Carlisle and London, returning because of the frail nature of these as is clear from the knowing to Wansford for the winter months. simple booklets published on cheap literary allusions and references in Barclay claimed to have sold over paper few have survived. Over a his writing, highly educated and 75,000 of his ‘penny’ books directly to number of years I have managed to no stranger to poetry and the the public by this means and valued purchase most of his known titles, but classics, he must have cut an his growing reputation as a ‘scholar The Strange Tale of the Tramp still unusual presence in the stultified gypsy’. evades me. Can anyone help, please? A atmosphere of a country town bookseller who purchased some books bank of the period. His adoption A number of his booklets have from the Gilbert estate said he also of the pen-name Colin Clout, the Wansford area connections: The acquired a large supply of Barclay’s protagonist of a satirical, Village Wedding, The Pleasure Fair booklets from that source, but having autobiographical poem by Edmund (dedicated to the townspeople of failed to sell any of them over many Spenser (c1552-1595), may be Stamford), The First Love Affair of years he ‘binned’ them all when he considered further evidence of Miss Emma Jane Brown, The Jolly moved premises! There are a few of Barclay’s scholarship. Certainly, Lovers, The Famous Case of Miss Barclay’s original manuscripts in the he was not the archetypal bank Bouncer! and The Merry Wives of Huntingdon Archives. clerk of the late-Victorian, early- Wansford. This latter 15 page booklet Edwardian era. comprises three parts: - The Four Fat Nothing is presently known about Wives! - At the [Stamford] Fair! and - Barclay’s fate. At the end of the first It was most likely his love of At the Seaside! It commences: decade of the 20th century he adventure as much as any sense disappeared off the local radar. It was of patriotism that impelled him to Where Wansford on the river sits speculated that he later perished in the be one of the first local volunteers Fat wives, an’ good, are plenty! First World War and that a relative to sail for South Africa to fight in There’s ruddy looks an’ lively wits, offered (an unclaimed) £100 reward for the Boer War (1899-1902) An’ scarce a bad in twenty! Edward Barclay (on right) and his caravan news. Just recently, I have traced him attaining the rank of sergeant in But notable among the wives in 1911 to a guano boat moored at Laws Kitchener’s Horse. His exploits were As most especial cronies, Manure Works in Barking, Essex where later recorded in two ‘penny’ booklets, Are four who live most jolly lives, [email protected] he had signed on as an AB (Able both of which he published under the And very well it known is! Seaman). The (re)search continues. 18

WANSFORD’S GIPSY ADVENTURER

Edward Vere Barclay was an adventurer, name Colin Clout and entitled The Story On 21st April 1905, he set off from A personal favourite amongst his versifier and storyteller who lodged in of My Adventures! My Bit of a Brag, Wansford in the company of two local publications, a slim book of eight poems Stibbington and Wansford from shortly written in verse, and My First Battle lads, one to cook and one to tend the entitled The Call of the Country and before the turn of the twentieth century written as narrative. His triumphal post- horse, and meandered his way to Other Verses. Amongst these is ‘The until about 1910. Born in New Norfolk, war return to Wansford was greeted in Dorset selling his books along the Haunt of the Swimmer’ which references Tasmania in 1873, he claimed to have great style by the Wansford Fife and way. He attended fairs and markets the stanch, or lock-gate, that then stood sailed around the world three times and Drum Band. and, from the footboard of his just downriver from Wansford Bridge also worked as a trawlerman in the caravan, offered to compose instant towards Sutton. It was demolished in In 1905, adventure in the form of North Sea before settling in rural verses for any girls in the crowd who 1937. The second verse shares: seeking a precarious living beckoned and Engand. Certainly, he was a man ‘suffered from the complaint of love’ he purchased a gypsy-style caravan and The grey old stanch stands, nods and fashioned of stern stuff and was said to for a small cash consideration and the a horse called Josh from a Kettering dreams, swim in the River Nene every day and to name and a brief description of her horse-dealer and stocked up with 500 Beneath its shadow sways and gleams walk daily from Wansford to and from his swain; all the while accompanied by ‘penny books’ from the Northampton- And through its weather-beaten beams post as a clerk at the Boston and music from his phonograph – which shire Printing and Publishing Company, The river glides Spalding Bank, Stamford, later was presumably repeatedly wound up which had a year earlier published his And makes sweet music as it streams subsumed into Barclays Bank. by one of his lads. Over the following own first ‘penny’ booklet The Village About its sides. years his horse-drawn travels took Given his athletic disposition, his past Wedding. him as far as Colchester, Berwick on Despite apparently healthy sales, adventures on the high seas and, Tweed, Carlisle and London, returning because of the frail nature of these as is clear from the knowing to Wansford for the winter months. simple booklets published on cheap literary allusions and references in Barclay claimed to have sold over paper few have survived. Over a his writing, highly educated and 75,000 of his ‘penny’ books directly to number of years I have managed to no stranger to poetry and the the public by this means and valued purchase most of his known titles, but classics, he must have cut an his growing reputation as a ‘scholar The Strange Tale of the Tramp still unusual presence in the stultified gypsy’. evades me. Can anyone help, please? A atmosphere of a country town bookseller who purchased some books bank of the period. His adoption A number of his booklets have from the Gilbert estate said he also of the pen-name Colin Clout, the Wansford area connections: The acquired a large supply of Barclay’s protagonist of a satirical, Village Wedding, The Pleasure Fair booklets from that source, but having autobiographical poem by Edmund (dedicated to the townspeople of failed to sell any of them over many Spenser (c1552-1595), may be Stamford), The First Love Affair of years he ‘binned’ them all when he considered further evidence of Miss Emma Jane Brown, The Jolly moved premises! There are a few of Barclay’s scholarship. Certainly, Lovers, The Famous Case of Miss Barclay’s original manuscripts in the he was not the archetypal bank Bouncer! and The Merry Wives of Huntingdon Archives. clerk of the late-Victorian, early- Wansford. This latter 15 page booklet Edwardian era. comprises three parts: - The Four Fat Nothing is presently known about Wives! - At the [Stamford] Fair! and - Barclay’s fate. At the end of the first It was most likely his love of At the Seaside! It commences: decade of the 20th century he adventure as much as any sense disappeared off the local radar. It was of patriotism that impelled him to Where Wansford on the river sits speculated that he later perished in the be one of the first local volunteers Fat wives, an’ good, are plenty! First World War and that a relative to sail for South Africa to fight in There’s ruddy looks an’ lively wits, offered (an unclaimed) £100 reward for the Boer War (1899-1902) An’ scarce a bad in twenty! news. Just recently, I have traced him attaining the rank of sergeant in But notable among the wives in 1911 to a guano boat moored at Laws Kitchener’s Horse. His exploits were As most especial cronies, Manure Works in Barking, Essex where later recorded in two ‘penny’ booklets, Are four who live most jolly lives, he had signed on as an AB (Able both of which he published under the And very well it known is! Seaman). The (re)search continues. 19 20 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION STIBBINGTON & DISTRICT BRANCH

Sue Arnold, Hon Secretary 782200

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22 WANSFORD PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council Meeting was held in the Community Hall on 8th April 2013 In attendance were four Councillors, the Parish Clerk, PCC Councillor Diane Lamb, Alan Jones from the PCC, six members of the public and a reporter and photographer from the Peterborough Telegraph.

PLANNING : Mr Alan Jones, PCC Specialist Minerals and Waste Officer gave a brief outline of his responsibilities, in which he is dedicated Minerals and Waste Planning Officer dealing with quarries and landfill in the Peterborough area. He gave an update on: Cross Leys Quarry, Thornhaugh Quarries 1 and 2, Cooks Hole and Stonehill Quarry. The latter is in East , but there is responsibility for noise and dust nuisance control with Peterborough when it affects Wansford residents. 13/00344/HHFUL: Councillors felt they could not support this application due to it being a very extensive extension of the property and therefore an inappropriate development and requested the application to go before the PCC Planning Committee if the Officers were minded to approve the application. 13/00271/OUT : Councillors requested further information of this application.

MATTERS ARISING from the previous month’s minutes included a long discussion of the Fibre Optic Cable laying through the village by Vtesse. Whilst much of the work saw minimal disruption to village life, some instances were subject to Peterborough City Council, Vtesse, WPC and local residents meeting to resolve matters which were brought to a head over the Easter Week-end. Feed back is awaited from PCC’s Peter Brigham. Street lights repairs, the A47 underpass cleaning and grasscutting were all discussed to be progressed

ACCOUNTS and FINANCE: Various invoices were received and approved for payment.

LEASING of LAND and TODDLERS PLAY AREA: these are both ongoing.

VILLAGE NOTICE BOARD: Considerable progress has been made by Councillor Sortwell on this project and funding was approved by Councillors.

SEEDS FIELD: A village resident raised concern over dog fouling in this area and of trespass on the private sector of the field. The WPC will be sent further detail in due course.

BURGLARIES/ POLICE: There have been a spate of burglaries of late and Wansford residents are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicions immediately to the Police.

The next meeting of the Council will be the Annual Parish Meeting, The Annual General Meeting and the Parish Council Meeting . These will take place at the Community Hall on Monday 13th May 2013 and residents are most welcome. John Stannage Chairman WPC

23 What’s on at the ? Summer 2013

12th May, Thomas’ big adventure 18th 19th May. Diesel gala 8th June, Murder Mystery evening 16th June, Dads drive Thomas 29th 30th June, Goodbye Thomas 13th 14th July, Rail-mail weekend 27th 28th July Transport weekend

We are only a stones-throw away…. So why not visit?

01780 784444 | www.nvr.org.uk | Wansford Stn PE8 6LR | Registered Charity No: 263617

24 SUTTON NEWS

Our Sutton correspondent, Peter Lee has invited Canon William Burke to report on news from Sutton church. Peter points out our that the use of Sutton church on Sunday mornings by a new congregation, whilst welcome, will give rise to additional parking. Parish Council members are in discussion with the Parochial Church Council to ensure that any inconvenience is minimised.

The Syriac Orthodox Church at Sutton

We are delighted to extend hospitality in the form of the use of our churches to a congregation of the Syriac Orthodox Church. They will at first be using Sutton Church on an experimental basis on the first and third Sundays of the month and in the event that Sutton Church is not available they will use Castor Church. They will be contributing towards the costs of the church.

The Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the ancient churches of the world. Their senior Archbishop (equivalent to the Archbishop of Canterbury, although of course established over five hundred and fifty years before Canterbury) is the Patriarch of Antioch, see photo. Antioch is now called Antikya and is located in Turkey. We can read in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament that "The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). The tradition of the church has always been that the first Bishop of Antioch was the chief of the Apostles St Peter, who then went on to lead the church in Rome as the first Bishop of Rome. The present Archbishop, the Patriarch of Antioch continues in unbroken succession from the time of St Peter and the New Testament. Their language used in worship is Syriac, a form of and very similar to Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke in daily conversation. Their Bible (known as the Peshitta) is also written in Syriac. While Peter and Paul and others travelled west from Jerusalem and Antioch, many of the other Twelve Disciples travelled east, among them St Thomas who went as a missionary as far away as India and he founded early Christian Churches in Southern India which are still part of the Syriac Orthodox Church today.

The congregation of the Syriac Orthodox Church worshipping in Sutton and occasionally at Castor is a branch of the Syriac Orthodox Church from India. The language they would speak at home is Malayalam but they still worship and read the Bible in ancient Syriac. As with all Orthodox Churches (as with the Church of England too of course) their priests may marry if they wish. The priest for this congregation is a highly educated and lovely man called Fr Jino Joseph and his wife who is a nurse is called Miren. They live in Stevenage but come here twice a month to celebrate mass and be with the Syriac Orthodox Church members in Peterborough. Members of this ancient church have frequently suffered much brutal persecution ever since the Islamic invasion of Syria and much of the Middle East in the 7th century. It is a great privilege for us that a branch of this ancient church will be worshipping in our churches, using the language that St Peter, would recognize and understand. William Burke 25

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Having been away to the sun for a couple of weeks in February we returned to these shores hoping for warmer weather and the first signs of spring. Instead we flew in to a 33 degree Celsius temperature differential and a car covered in ice. Fortunately as the month progressed things got a little better and the long overdue cleaning up of my garden was able to commence.

Birds were beginning to sing and the ground was relatively dry. I was musing about whether life was really beginning to burst out in springtime as I was clearing away dry leaves under a small shrub. Oops, what was that? A spiky pincushion appeared which I noticed subtly shrinking in size at my touch. A hibernating hedgehog! I immediately covered it up again hoping that I hadn't woken it up before it was ready. I assumed that the weather would warm up over the following week and the hedgehog would stretch its legs, poke a snout out of its leafy blanket and decide that it was breakfast time. Then the temperature dropped again and the rain came. When the rain stopped the snow came and I have not had a chance to check whether the Mrs, or Mr?, Tiggywinkle of Beatrix Potter fame has survived this latest challenge

Hedgehogs have reduced considerably in numbers over the last fifty years. They are creatures of the countryside and suburbia but the increased spread of housing and smaller, tidier gardens have reduced their favoured habitats. But longer winters do not help survival rates. The hedgehog hibernates from October until late March or April but if a warm spell wakes it up early and temperatures then drop for a while it may struggle to survive if its fat supplies are exhausted before it is able to find sufficient bugs and worms as food.

The cold continues to bring less common birds to the garden. Last week I ventured out one relatively early morning to put some vegetable waste on the compost heap and flushed a woodcock from the hawthorn hedge at the end of the garden. The woodcock is a member of the sandpiper family, a wader, and is closely related to the snipe, but larger. It has brown streaked plumage and a long straight bill carried downwards at 45 degrees from the horizontal. It has a strong flight characterized by zigzagging on its way. There are undoubtedly local birds around; Sulehay Forest will host them and they are often seen in the woods at Elton Furze Golf Course but this could have been a migrant form eastern Europe on its way to Ireland.

Finally I can report that the Australian King Parrot is still alive and well. This female native of Oz was first seen in 2010 by Liz and Martyn Neil in their rear garden next door to Yarwell church which they managed to film. This was duly shown on BBC Springwatch that year. It is seen regularly in Nassington and in January this year Anne Harvey had a good view of it in Mill Road in the snow. This obvious escapee seems to survive in our climate quite happily but I bet it is fed up with the cold weather. I am!

27 CHOOSE YOGA Plants Posh Pooches Yoga class for all ages & abilities. Gifted Grooming Christie Hall, Wansford For Your Furry Friends

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babies and toddlers for play, crafts, a To advertise here contact snack and a sing-song. All are advertising manager, welcome, children aged 0-5. Carole Whincup To cover costs we charge £1.50 for parent/carer and 1 child, plus 50p per on 01780 783055 additional child.

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28 YOUNGER READERS BLOG By Marcus Arnold OUT AND ABOUT

Well, as I mentioned in my March blog, it was to be my birthday two days later. I had a rubbish day because I had to go to school on my birthday. Things did pick up a bit though because I got some fantastic presents. I got a microscope from my Grandma and Granddad in Yorkshire. I have always wanted a microscope. It has come with a few prepared slides and I am going round my house collecting samples that I hope will be suitable to take a closer look at. I think hair is quite frightening close up. I also got a new mountain bike. It is brilliant as it has loads of gears. I have been out on it quite a few times already. I hope that we have a decent summer this year and we can go off on really long bike rides on it. Mum and Dad also gave me a voucher for a night out at Peterborough Speedway. Mum used to go to Halifax with her Dad when she was little and when she took us last year I thought it was brilliant. I love everything about it – the noise, the smell, being sprayed with stones and of course the excitement of who is going to win each race.

Over the Easter holidays I spent two days at on a fencing training camp. It was great fun as we spent most of the time playing dodge ball and other games to speed up our reaction times when we are fencing. Not many children came to this camp and so it was better because we got more one to one tuition time with our coach. I have another competition this weekend in Uxbridge. It is the Nation Schools Fencing Competition and I am captain of The King’s School Team. This competition is something a bit different because it is team fencing. There are three in a team and we go on and come off a bit like tag wrestling. Well no, it is nothing like wrestling. But you know what I mean!

We also went to Barnsdale to do swimming, table tennis and squash. My mum hasn’t played squash for 20 years but she still beat me. I got a few points off her though. But I was really surprised because she is quite good for an older person. I like the good weather we are now having. It makes me want to get out and do more things outdoors. We have started doing athletics in games at school this term. I like athletics and quite surprised myself that I was fastest in my year over 1500 meters. I hope we get to try out lots more events. I said I would tell you how much we raised at our charities week tuck shop but I can’t remember. We were pleased at the time though. Well that is all for this month. Good bye

29 30 MEMORIES FROM THE HOME FRONT

The findings from Stibbington Centre’s ambitious “Memories From the Home Front” Heritage Lottery-funded project will shortly be ready for sharing with our village communities:

 “Keep smiling through”, an evening of light entertainment at Wansford church on Friday 17 May (see details left) will highlight aspects of life on the Home Front in the local area during the war years. The evening includes drinks and supper as well as a “star-studded” programme of entertainment which will begin at 7.30pm. At the time of writing there are still some tickets available.

 A booklet on “Memories from the Home Front” will be published at the end of the month. The project’s researchers have been meeting with local people who remember the war years and delving into newspapers from the time, to compile a booklet of memories, which will be distributed as a sister publication along with next month’s Living Villages.

Local people and businesses have been very supportive of both of the above projects. Some firms have very kindly offered raffle prizes for “Keep smiling through” and we would be pleased to hear from any others who would like to contribute. Hairdresser Stacey of Beaux Amis (previously The Hair Boutique) at The Haycock (tel 781102) is offering WWII-style hair and make-up for £35 and she has very generously offered to donate £10 of her fee to be shared between the two worthy causes: Funds raised by the event will be shared between Wansford church and Stibbington Centre’s Charitable Trust.

Rosie Edwards, Head Teacher, Stibbington Centre 01780 782386 [email protected]

COMMUNICARE (Wansford & Kings Cliffe Surgery Patient Group) Wednesday 8th May 2013 6.30pm at Wansford Surgery Guest Speaker: Dr. Amrit Takhar ‘Reducing the Risk’ Advice on prevention of common conditions: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease Including NHS Health check program Regular agenda: finance, transport, healthcare issues, equipment purchase and an opportunity to raise AOB All patients are invited to attend

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Peterborough Civic Society Chairman’s Evening 2013 ELTON SOCIETY MAY DAY 2013 Greater Roman Peterborough: Bank Holiday Monday current thinking 6th May 1pm to 5pm

This will be the ninth year in a row Elton has held a May Day; a day the village community opens its doors to show that tradition is still alive and very much a part of village life. Pre-Roman and Roman influence on the We will be celebrating this momentous day area now known as Peterborough rd with traditional events 7.00 for 7.30 Thursday 23 May in that bring family and Castor School Hall friends together. There Join us for an evening will be circus skills, with Dr Stephen magicians, food stalls, Upex, acclaimed local country crafts, archaeologist, leading vintage and memora- us for the evening bilia, popular games through Roman East of and much, much more. England. Refreshments to suit all Fresh from new will be available, discoveries in Walton, including a BBQ. Bretton and the dig at If you live in the village the fort at Water and wish to have a Newton, Stephen will table top on the day, take us on a journey please contact Amanda which explains why the Rice on 280225 or Romans invested email mankyrice significantly in the area @googlemail.com to around Peterborough reserve a place. and what they left behind when they withdrew in There will be a charge the Fifth Century. of £5 per pitch, profes- Tickets: £10 available from Pauline Sidebottom sional stall @ £20 per Tel: 01733 566543 or [email protected] pitch (Tables and covers not provided) The ticket price includes Come and join us on a glass of wine, tea or coffee. what promises to be a FUN and EXCITING day. 32

[email protected]

SACREWELL WATERMILL

In last month’s magazine, Anita Hollinshead described the Sacrewell Watermill Restoration Project.

Anita and colleague, Megan Horner from Sacrewell would like to remind readers that they would be very pleased to hear from anyone with memories of the mill as this would help them to compile a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Contact Anita Hollinshead on 07876 166742 or email anitahollinshead@ hotmail.com.

Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios 2013 Inspirational Art in homes and studios throughout Peterborough and the surrounding villages on June 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23

2013 is another record-breaking year for Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios, with over 70 artists exhibiting in 27 different venues in the Peterborough area.

This is a great opportunity to meet local artists and see the amazing range of work they create. Art on display will include painting, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, mosaics, photography, textiles, garden design, drawing, collage, print making and much more. Entry is free and many venues offer refresh- ments or live art demonstrations. The artists welcome the chance to discuss their work if you are interested, and there is no obligation to buy. Find all the details, including opening hours, dates and locations at www.paos.org.uk and in the Directory - available throughout the City from May. Preview event in Queensgate Shopping Centre on Saturday May 18th 33 DIARY DATES – MAY 2013 Date Event Time Venue Contact Phone p Friends of St Mary’s & Wansford Weds 1 10.30am Dora Baker 782519 9 St Andrew’s meeting Community Hall Outside Wansford Jean Sat 4 WI Cake Sale 782510 15 church Yerbury Mon 6 Elton Society May Day 1—5pm 32 Thornhaugh Parish St Andrew’s church, Deirdre Tues 7 7.00pm Council meeting Thornhaugh McCumiskey Wansford Weds 8 Communicare meeting 6.30pm Wansford Surgery 782342 31 Surgery Sibson cum Stibbington Stibbington Weds 8 7..30pm Parish Council meeting Environment Centre Beaux Amis Hair and 6.30— Beaux Amis, Stacey Fri 10 781102 8 Beauty Open Evening 8pm The Haycock Chalkley Horticultural Society 10am— Stone & Willow, 59 Sat 11 Gill Fisher 782446 13 Plant Sale 2pm Elton Rd Wansford Nassington Primary from Nassington Primary Sat 11 33 School May Fayre 11.30 School Wansford Parish Council Wansford 01778 Mon 13 7.30pm Wendy Gray 23 meeting & AGM Community Hall 341496 Wansford Jean Tues 14 WI meeting 7.15pm 782510 15 Community Hall Yerbury Friends of St Mary’s & Rita Kendrick’s Wed 15 10.30am Dora Baker 782519 9 St Andrew’s meeting home Keep Smiling Through from 7 for St Mary’s church, Rosie Fri 17 782386 31 WWII entertainment 7.30pm Wansford Edwards Peterborough artists Queensgate, Sat 18 33 preview event Peterborough Peterborough Civic from 7 for Castor Primary Pauline 01733 Thur 23 32 Society—Romans talk 7.30pm School Hall Sidebottom 566543 Horticultural Society Visit Stone & Willow, 59 Thur30 6.30pm Gill Fisher 782446 13 to Olive Grove Nursery Elton Rd Wansford

Looking ahead: JUNE 2013

Sat 8 RBL Band Concert 8,9,15, Artists Open Studio weekends 16,22,23 Copy deadline next month:

Mon 10 Wansford Parish Council meeting Monday 20 May

Sat 15 Horticultural Society visit to Kew [email protected] Sat 23 Stibbington Village Fete This magazine is available on-line at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk 34

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