Living Villages
September 2015 Water Newton, Stibbington, Sutton, Wansford & Thornhaugh
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2 EDITORIAL CONTENTS The beautiful floral arrangement on the front cover was created for Stibbington church by Gill Williams. Contacts . . . . . 4 There will be an opportunity to visit the church, and Worship lists . . . 5 others in the parish too, on Saturday 12 September as Reflections . . . . 7 part of a special Drive, ride or stride event, see p9 and 33). No doubt, on the weekend when this magazine News reports: arrives through letterboxes, there will be many more Friends of churches: floral arrangements for all to admire at the Wansford & Horticultural Society’s Annual Show, along with garden Thornhaugh . . . 9 produce, cookery, crafts and much more. A report on Stibbington . . 9 the Show will be included next month. Water Newton . . 9
In this issue we continue the series of articles by Horticultural . . . . 15 Martin Lewis on Wansford surgery, with reports on WI ...... 16 Lottery ...... 29 Communicare and robots on p11 and 13. Also on the Cricket Club . . . . 29 subject of the Surgery, Trevor Rogers contributes the Communicare . . . 29 outcomes of his independent research (p18).
Finally, the sad news that after more than four years Parish Councils: of service, our Living Villages Treasurer, Carole Wansford . . . 23, 25 Whincup has decided to stand down. We are indebted Sutton . . . . . 25, 27 to Carole for all her hard work in ensuring that our magazine’s dedicated bank account has been Special features: maintained on a secure financial footing, and the books balanced. Carole is now poised to hand over Wansford Surgery ...... 11, 13, 18 the baton, so we need to find a successor to join us as Younger readers . 31 Treasurer. The job description includes managing the Farewell ...... 32 bank account, generating invoices, processing Nature Notes . . . 35 payments, and reporting monthly to our editorial Letters to the Editor team. The reward for this, like all editorial team 36, 37 posts, lies in the knowledge that you are contributing to a valued service for the local community! I would Diary Dates . . 38 be very pleased to hear from anyone interested in joining our team to take on the Treasurer’s role. Rosie McDonnell
Editorial team For contact details see p 4 Regular features writers:
Editor: Rosie McDonnell Reflections: Fr Haydn Smart Treasurer: Carole Whincup Rev Michael Matthews Distribution manager: Rod Sortwell Local History: David Stuart-Mogg Reporter: Martin Lewis Nature Notes: Graham Blagden Advertising Manager: Kate Hopkins Younger Readers: Karina Chappell Printing and collation: PPS/ Print Photographer: Charles Brown
Read your magazine on-line at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk 3 DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS @ Living Villages Editorial Team
Editor Rosie McDonnell 01780 783639 [email protected] Treasurer Carole Whincup 01780 783055 [email protected] Distribution Manager Rod Sortwell 01780 783403 [email protected] Reporter Martin Lewis 01780 783668 [email protected] Advertising Manager Kate Hopkins 07580 218792 [email protected] Website www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
Parish Councils
Sutton Peter Lee (Vice Chair) 01780 782703 Wansford Wendy Grey (Clerk) 01778 441312 Sibson-cum-Stibbington Wendy Grey (Clerk) 01778 441312 Thornhaugh Deirdre McCumiskey (Clerk) 01780 782668 Water Newton (Parish Meeting) Tony Capon (Chairman) 01733 237500
Churches
Ministers: Thornhaugh & Wansford Rev Michael Matthews 01780 782271 [email protected] Stibbington & Water Newton Parish Office 01733 380900 [email protected] Churchwardens: St Andrew’s Thornhaugh: Stuart Foreman 01780 783220 Liz Kemp 01780 782333 St Mary’s Wansford: Caroline Ashley 01780 782408 Alan Jones 01780 783205 St John the Baptist, Stibbington Richard Winfrey 01780 782431 Carol Lindsay Friends: St Mary’s & St Andrew’s Dora Baker 01780 782519 St John the Baptist Helen Facer 01780 782932 St Remigius Water Newton Tony Capon 01733 237500
Other useful contacts
Neighbourhood Policing 101 P’boro City Council 01733 747474 Wansford Surgery 01780 782342 Royal British Legion 01780 782200 (Out of hours 01733 293838) Stibbington & Wansford WI . . 782510 Wansford Pharmacy 01780 781616 Cricket Club 01780 782109 Communicare 01780 470437 Horticultural Society 01780 782446 H’don District Council 01480 388388 4
St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh WORSHIP St Mary’s, Wansford
SEPTEMBER 2015
Date Time Location Service
6 Sept 9.30 am St. Andrew’s, Holy Communion Thornhaugh
10.15 am St. Kyneburgha, Holy Communion Castor
13 Sept 9.00 am St John the Baptist, Morning Worship Stibbington
9.30 am St Mary’s, Sung Holy Communion Wansford with choir
20 Sept 9.30 am St. Andrew’s, Holy Communion Thornhaugh
10.15 am St. Kyneburgha, Holy Communion Castor
27 Sept 9.00 am St. John the Baptist, Holy Communion, Stibbington
9.30 am St. Mary’s, Morning Prayer Wansford
Wansford:
Wednesdays 10.00 am Morning Prayer St John the Baptist, St Remigius, Stibbington Water Newton
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6 REFLECTIONS THE TURN OF By Rev Michael Matthews THE SEASONS
With the gathering of a successful Harvest, and end of a hot busy Summer, we enter the Autumn. Autumn is a time of endings, things maturing, and also a time of many changes. So it is for myself, as I depart as the Vicar, of the newly established 'United Benefice of Watersmete: encompassing the villages of Nassington, Yarwell, Apethorpe, Woodnewton, and Wansford with Thornhaugh.
I have been reflecting on the memories that Stephanie and myself will be taking with us, after a short, yet very special two years of being part of our local Christian journey together. The immediate and obvious one is the huge amount of love and support we have received from so many during recent weeks, since I made public my intention to leave full time Parish Ministry, so as to spend more time with my immediate family. I hope and pray that as our lives open up in new ways that each of you will continue to use your skills and gifts to ensure that our friendships, our communities, and our world moves ever closer to what God intended.
I look forward to continuing to serve Nassington School as a Community Governor, to contribute to village life on varied Charities as a Trustee, and continue to serve locally as a Magistrate.
Please do join us at my final Church Service, in the Benefice, a Harvest Songs of Praise, with Scarecrows, at Yarwell Parish Church at 3pm 4th October, followed by a shared Tea in the Village Hall. With very best wishes Rev. Michael Matthews, Vicar
As Father Michael departs from the Watersmete Benefice, the Castor Benefice, which includes Stibbington, Water Newton and Sutton announces the appointment of their new Rector, David Ridgeway:
Rev. David Ridgeway is currently Vicar of the Parish of St. Stephen and St. Julian in St. Albans. If you Google “David Ridgeway”, you will not only find his current church website, but you will also discover that he is an internationally- known expert on orchids! Father Haydn and I look forward very much to working with David. He is to be instituted to the benefice by Bishop Donald at a service to be held in Castor Church on Sunday 29 November 2015 at 3.00pm. It will be the only service of the day in the benefice, and we hope that as many people as possible from the six villages within the benefice will come to the service. The service will be followed by refreshments, when there will be an opportunity to meet and talk to our new Rector. Father Ray Hemingray 7 8 FRIENDS OF ST. MARY’S AND ST. ANDREW’S
The Friends of St. Mary’s and St. Andrew’s will be meeting on the first and third Wednesday of the month, the 2nd and 16th in the Community Hall at 10.30 after Morning Prayer at St. Mary’s at 10 a.m.
We will be starting to plan our annual HARVEST LUNCH on Saturday, 17th October at 12.30.
We hope the Christie Hall will be available as in previous years. But as there are roof repairs planned, please keep an eye open for the venue in the next ”Living Villages”. Posters and more information will be circulated in good time before the event.
Enjoy the rest of the summer. See you all at the Harvest Lunch. Dora Baker, Secretary
FRIENDS OF STIBBINGTON CHURCH
The lucky winners of the 101 draw for August are Reg and Pat Hurt. Congratulations, your cheque is on its way.
The July winner was drawn and announced at our Stibbington Fete. For those who were not able to attend, we are happy to announce that Mr Cyril Coles was the lucky winner. Suzy Story
Look out for details in next months LV for our next community event which is our HARVEST FESTIVAL on Sunday 11th October at 6pm. Hymns & supper will be the order of the day. We look forward to seeing you all. Helen Facer
FRIENDS OF ST REMIGIUS, WATER NEWTON
At the time of writing we are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will be kind to us for our Music Festival at Water Newton on Sunday 23 August. A report on the event will appear next month.
I would like to thank the team at Living Villages for the tremendous support you have given us in promoting our Music Fest in aid of St Remigius church. Without your help it would have been so much more of a challenge to secure the attendance which I'm sure we will see on Sunday. Tony Capon
For details of Cambridgeshire Historic Churches’ Ride, Drive or Stride event for all the family at Stibbington and Water Newton churches, and others in the Benefice, on Saturday 12 September see page 33.
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SPECIAL REPORT UP CLOSE WITH By Martin Lewis WANSFORD SURGERY
In the second of our reports about the inner workings of the Wansford Surgery, we focus on two areas: how we, as patients, can participate in and influence the running of the surgery and the arrival in September of the ARX Robot in the Pharmacy, about which I reported in the July edition.
Things you didn’t know about the Patient Participation Group (Communicare).
The Wansford and Kings Cliffe PPG was a trailblazer when it was formed in 1981 by the visionary Dr John Holland to encourage patient involvement in the running of the practices. These kinds of groups have become more popular over time and very recently have become a formal requirement for all surgeries.
Although many local people will have an awareness of Communicare, I wonder how many realise the full extent of their influence and range of activities? The group exists to work in three areas - to assist the practice (including giving feedback), to assist others and also to help its own participants through health education. Here are just some examples of what they do - how many were you aware of?
Fundraising and donations have brought in around £40,000 which has been used to purchase all manner of equipment for the practice including nebulisers, ECG and blood pressure machines.
Social activities are a key function of the group, especially to provide companionship to those who may be isolated and lonely. Day trips (I’ve seen the photos - they look fun!) and coffee mornings are always on the agenda.
The PPG operates a Transport Scheme for those who need it. Volunteers offer their services and the patient pays the driver a fee depending on where they need to go - the surgery, Peterborough Hospital, Stamford Hospital etc. Currently the scheme is short of volunteer drivers so if you can help please do put your name forward.
Education and participation are provided via regular meetings. There are usually guest speakers (at the last meeting a representative of the Sue Ryder Charity gave a talk about Thorpe Hall) and interactive sessions about current and future activities at the surgery. One of the partners from the practice is usually present to answer questions. Get involved! The next meeting is on 9th September at 6.30pm at Wansford Surgery. No need to book - just turn up. More details on p29.
For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Clare Wagstaff (Secretary) on 01780 470437. (Continued on p13) 11 M * R * H Gardening Services
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12 UP CLOSE WITH WANSFORD SURGERY (Continued fro p11)
The Robot is Here!
The first thing to realise about the robot is that it’s BIG. It will occupy approximately half of the pharmacy - this makes sense when you realise that all the prescription drugs will be stored on shelving within it and there must also be room for the robot arm to move around to pick drugs off the shelves. (You can see the robot in operation if you go on to YouTube and search for ARX Pharmacy Robot). The installation project will take several weeks to be completed and inevitably there will be some disruption. Kirstie Lawes, the Practice Manager, is managing the installation project and took me through her plans. It’s complicated!
Because of the scale of the installation, the pharmacy will have to move out from it’s present location. All the existing shelving and fittings will have to be removed and the flooring taken up so latex can be laid to make the floor perfectly flat for the robot. New electrics, plumbing and data cabling will need to be installed. The Robot itself takes a week to assemble and then new flooring, fittings, lighting and electronics must be installed around the robot and the place decorated. Ignoring preliminary work, the project will start on 1 September and should be completed by the “Go Live” date of 12 October.
Whilst all this is going on a new room and waiting area will be set up within the surgery where prescriptions can be presented and collected. The dispensing process will be moved to other areas of the surgery (including Kings Cliffe) and will become a “backroom” activity - patients will not be able to see it taking place during the installation project.
After the Go Live date, all pharmacy personnel and operations will return to their usual home and patients will be able to see a video of the robot in action while they wait for their prescriptions. Sadly, I understand we are not allowed to play with the robot. I do wonder what they will call it. Any suggestions?
Robots usually mean a loss of jobs. But not in this case. Indeed, additional recruitment will be taking place. This is a sign of just how overworked the pharmacy staff are presently, and of the commitment the surgery has to providing the best possible service to patients.
Installation plans have a habit of bumping up against unforeseen problems, and so are subject to changes here and there. The pharmacy staff will be doing their best to ensure that any inconvenience to patients is minimised and they ask for understanding and patience during this very hectic period. It will be wonderful when it’s finished.
Thanks to Clare Wagstaff, Wendy Spencer, Kirsty Lawes and Dr Rhiannon Nally for their help in the preparation of this article. Martin Lewis
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14 WANSFORD HORTICULTURAL & CRAFTS SOCIETY
On Wednesday 29th July 42 of our members enjoyed a private evening tour of the magnificent gardens at the Milton Estate. We were accompanied by the head gardener, Tony Wellington, who proved to be enormously knowledgeable about the wide variety of planting throughout the different and contrasting areas – the lake, the topiary, the orangery, a series of walled gardens, each with its own character – vegetables, fruit, a sunken Italianate garden with beautiful planting using a palette of purples to whites, and wide expanses of lawn, separated from the golf course by a haha and from parts of the house by a splendid line of pleached trees. Tony has supervised much of the restoration of these gardens with great success and often with quite a modern design touch: The rectangular parterre near the house, for example, is strikingly simple but very effective, using low box and lavender hedges around which the lawn has been very precisely mown to different lengths.
Our enjoyment was greatly enhanced by our guide, William Craven, the senior assistant agent to Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland, whose explanations and insights into the history and development of the estate were both informative and entertaining, so much so that a lengthy shower of rain did not detract from this pleasurable tour.
This article has to be with the Living Villages editorial team long before our Annual Flower Show and, as such, a report on the events of 29th August along with a list of trophy winners will appear in the October issue of the magazine.
We are hoping that Angela Whiting of D’Arcy and Everest Alpines will be giving our October talk on Alpines and Alpine Troughs on the first or second Thursday, but this has to be definitely confirmed. Meanwhile tickets for the celebrity talk by Christine Walkden in the Haycock Ballroom are now on sale. As it is on Thursday, 5th November it is an easy date to remember and the talk will commence at 7.30 with a complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice beforehand. Please contact me or any committee member to reserve your seat. Gill Fisher [email protected] 782446 www.wansfordhorticulturalsociety.org.uk
15 STIBBINGTON & WANSFORD WI Many members enjoyed the annual visit to Tolethorpe last month when they saw ‘ Romeo & Juliet’ – the unusual adaptation proving very popular. After last year’s wet weather forced our picnic indoors along with the majority of other theatre goers in rather cramped conditions, we were watching the skies all day – however optimism was rewarded with a lovely evening to enjoy our buffet supper before the performance. Unfortunately the Supper Club had to postpone their proposed visit to Woodnewton last month due to lack of numbers – it is hoped to reschedule this venue at a later date. We were at our usual pitch for the Wansford Horticultural Show on bank holiday Saturday – this year selling not only cakes but garden produce and preserves. (At the time of writing it is hoped that these new additions to our stall will prove successful and popular with local buyers). Our president, treasurer and secretary met with the Wansford Parish Council at their meeting last month to discuss our centenary project – it is our aim to provide something of benefit to the local area which will be a lasting legacy of this special year for the WI. We as users of the Community Hall are aware of the lack of signage at its entrance which presents problems for visitors trying to locate the hall – this was actually confirmed by two members of the audience at the meeting who had experienced difficulty themselves! Although we have undertaken preliminary research into providing a suitable hall sign, it is felt that the council are better equipped to deal with the formalities involved in its erection. It was therefore proposed that the WI will donate a sum of money to be used for this purpose and relevant recognition will be displayed. A suggestion that the council were considering better lighting along the entrance path was also welcomed. Reminders: The next members meeting is on Tuesday 8th September at the Community Hall 7.15pm with a talk on ‘Safe Local Traders’ by Eileen Le Voi. The Federation Autumn Walk, Saturday 10th October, around Grafham Water starting from East/West Perry – forms should be passed to Rita Kendrew for submission. Wendy Spencer
16 17 WANSFORD SURGERY - A QUESTION OF BOUNDARIES
Given the recent concerns in our local community over the change to the breast screening appointment regime for patients of the Wansford and Kings Cliffe surgeries (for ease referred to subsequently as Wansford Surgery), I thought I would investigate a bit further with the NHS and our surgery to establish the facts behind the change.
Public Health England (PHE), which manages the breast screening programme has recently decided that screening appointments should be located in the County in which the patient’s surgery is located. Previously, and in everybody’s view much more sensibly, appointments were allocated based on patient postcodes. Because the Wansford part of the practice is located a few metres inside Northamptonshire, PHE’s decision affects the location of appointments. All Wansford patients will be invited to attend the Northamptonshire mobile screening service for their next scheduled scan at Corby, and recently some have been invited to Kettering.
So can common-sense prevail with appointments reverting back to use the more convenient local resources at Peterborough? Well, the good news is probably yes, though the change will not be easy. Behind the scenes Dr Takhar and Dr Nally share the many concerns expressed by their patients about the difficulties associated with these appointments and they are in active contact with PHE to try to achieve the changes everyone seems to want. PHE too understand the scale of the problem and I have been told that the regional PHE team would be minded to effect the necessary changes so that appointments can revert back to the way they were. Of course this will take time to achieve. Hopefully the regional PHE will be true to their word and be guided by “Patient Choice”.
In the interim and in order to ensure everyone who was eligible for a screening is able to avail themselves of this important service, the PHE team have advised me to pass on the following information. Those very few patients only who have declined their recent Kettering appointments because they do not drive and where a Peterborough appointment would be far more convenient, are asked to phone Peterborough City Hospital Breast Screening unit (01733 673068), explain the total impracticality of the Kettering appoint- ment which was offered and insist that Peterborough offer a new screening appointment at their facility. I am told that the Peterborough City Hospital Screening unit will have been contacted by the PHE team which covers Northamptonshire to advise them to expect calls from the specific individuals to which this paragraph applies and that appropriate appointments should be given.
Finally I should make clear that this note affects those eligible for the NHS triennial breast screening programme only. Services or appointments relating to other matters via the surgery are unaffected. Thanks to Dr Nally, Dr Takhar and the staff at Wansford surgery for their help and support in trying to take this important matter forward.
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19
LOCAL HISTORY By David Stuart-Mogg TESTIMONIES OF TWO VENERABLE WANSFOR
I am most grateful indeed to Peter Lee of To them, then, we must go for the story the Peterborough Civic Society for bring- of How Wansford Lost its Three ing to my attention an article entitled Industries and we select two – the two ‘Each Side of Wansford Bridge’ that oldest residents one on each side of the appeared in the Peterborough Advertiser picturesque old Bridge – to tell us the in November 1911, a selective extract story and rescue it from oblivion. from which appeared in Peterborough THE TWO FATHERS OF Civic Society’s 1973 annual report. WANSFORD TODAY I have subsequently viewed the original These two residents are Mr Thomas newspaper article in Peterborough. Haseldine, who is in his 85th year, on the Unfortunately, a portion of the article has Northamptonshire [now Peterborough become all but illegible over the Unitary Authority] side of the water, and intervening years, but there remains Mr Charles Kent, 79 years of age, on the more than sufficient of interest to Huntingdonshire side of the Bridge. warrant reproducing it in Living Villages; These gentlemen share the distinction of unedited so that it retains all of its being the senior natives of Wansford, and original period charm and flavour: to them we went for the story.
“Although Nature has been generous to Now what of the three industries of Wansford, Wansford has been unkindly Wansford that have been lost? First dealt with. Nothing in the world can rob there were the paper mills, which the old place of its beauty – for it is one disappeared about 40 years ago, then of the beauty spots of two counties, there were the great Langton Saw Mills, Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire – which disappeared even before the paper but it has been robbed of its three great mills, and then there was the business of industries; and that without any blame the Great Posting House, the Haycock. attaching to the village itself. Its’ delight [N.B. in 1911 the Haycock was going -ful, almost romantic, associations still through one of its periodic phases as a cling to it. Possibly the loss of its indus- private residence being at this time the tries is compensated for by its retention home of Sir Bache Cunard]. of other gifts, which many places possess How the last-named [Haycock Inn] -ing industries might not unreason-ably disappeared will not require much telling, envy, and the stories of its industries are but the magnitude of the operations are, mixed up with its other associations, so perhaps, but little understood or realised. that it is difficult to sever them. Now, it is not the object of this little But who would know anything about the sketch to give a catalogue of facts and lost industries of Wansford? There is no figures as dry as old bones, but let each record of them anywhere. Matters of the grand old men tell their own story concerning Wansford that occurred of Wansford life during the last three- centuries ago may be found in County quarters of a century, when the stories of Histories, but such books may be the lost industries will be found in ransacked in vain for these latter day association with a record of many curious events. They have only the memories of and quaint incidents. the villagers. 20 TESTIMONIES OF TWO VENERABLE WANSFORD STALWARTS
To them, then, we must go for the story MR HAZELDINE’S STORY to know if I should be man enough to On the good old principle of seniores take the letters out. I was very glad to priores we first went to Mr Hazeldine, accept the post. who in spite of his 84 and odd years, we I took the delivery of letters then, though found bright, vigorous, chatty, and I was only 13 years of age. I went over extremely well informed on all matters the bridge in the morning, and then went relating to Wansford that had come under to Waternewton, Sutton, Upton, his own personal observation. Southorpe, and Wittering. Of course “I was born,” said the old gentleman, “in there were not so many letters in those year, on the Wansford on the 21st August, 1827, so days, and I did not have to go to each of that I am now in my 85th year. The these villages every day, but they were in ] side of the water, and house in which I was born is now pulled my daily round, and I regularly walked Mr Charles Kent, 79 years of age, on the down, and the site now forms part of the the whole distance. lawn of Colonel Wickham’s residence. My I was paid for delivering them, not by the These gentlemen share the distinction of father lived in Wansford for many years, Postmaster, but by the people to whom I being the senior natives of Wansford, and but was not a native of the village. He took the letters, and I was free to fix my came from Elton. own charges. I consulted with the boy I left school when I was twelve years of who had the duties before me as to what age, and my first occupation was to charges he made, and I fixed my charges assist my uncle at the Elton toll-bar. He practically the same as his. It was so came to my father and said “I want Tom much a letter, according to the distance, to come over to Elton toll-bar and help but if I had several letters for the same which disappeared even before the paper me”. That was the height of the coaching house I did not make a separate charge mills, and then there was the business of days, so at Michaelmas [September 29th], for each letter, but one charge, the same 1839, I went to Elton. But my uncle died as if I had one letter, covered the cost of twelve months after that, and I returned delivery for all the letters for that home. Then the Wansford Postmaster particular house. My responsibility to the came to my father one day and wanted Post-master was that each letter should be faithfully delivered.” TO BE CONTINUED. disappeared will not require much telling, It is my hope that I shall but the magnitude of the operations are, be able to decipher the perhaps, but little understood or realised. full narrative - hopefully in time to include it seamlessly within this figures as dry as old bones, but let each continuing transcription. of the grand old men tell their own story
[email protected] quarters of a century, when the stories of association with a record of many curious
21
22 WANSFORD PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council (WPC) meeting was held on 17th August 2015 at the Wansford Community Hall Apologies were received from Cllr Richard Clarke and the Parish Clerk, Wendy Gray. Cllr Vivien Thorley agreed to take the minutes of the meeting. Peterborough City (PCC) Cllrs Diane Lamb and John Holdich attended There was a good turn-out of residents, also Annette Thorpe from BT and Kate Wood from Carter Jonas.
There was an informative discussion about the availability of Fibre Broadband within the village, and we were told by Annette Thorpe, BT Regional Partnership Director for the East of England, that cabinet box 10 Fibre Broadband is now live in the village, with box 4 due on 24th September. Residents can contact their service provider, to set the wheels in motion, and it was said the service is fibre to the cabinets and copper wire from there to the households. It was also said that the use of fibre from the cabinet to the house was being investigated, and if this was to become possible, it would probably be routed along the copper wire ducting or overhead. Ladies and gentlemen…. it is now in your hands!
The vacancy on the council has been filled by co-option, and we welcome David Johnson on board.
Jean Yerbury and Wendy Spencer spoke about the WI centenary year, and their plans to celebrate this. Their thoughts were to progress a Wansford Community Hall sign, but because of the formalities that seem to be required with planning etc., they asked whether WPC would take this forward on their behalf. After a supportive discussion, and with the thought that this project could be expanded for the hall, the WPC agreed. The WI are looking to provide £500 towards this joint project.
Planning: The proposed nine house development at the paddock to the rear of the old Little Chef was discussed at length, with Kate Wood from Carter Jonas supplying us with some useful information. However, this is a very futuristic development, in the Art Deco style, and whilst there was some favour for this at this particular location, in fact the WPC vote was tied, councillors were reluctant to give any recommendation until it was established, with PCC Planning, that if this development were to go ahead, it would not set a precedent for future development of this style in the village, where it would be thought inappropriate. There was also a further application, for the Little Chef site, of a proposal to establish a light industrial unit on site, for a Ducati motorcycle dealership. Councillors objected to this application, and requested if officers were minded to permit, the PCC Planning would impose conditions to ensure all doors are closed and there to be no road testing of motorcycles on the village roadways. We also requested this be referred to planning committee, if required. Continued on p25
23 24 (Wansford Parish Council—continued from p23) There was also an application for 1 Robins Field, and this was supported with the proviso that the west access ramp is deemed temporary, being in place for as long as required.
Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and signed.
Accounts were presented and agreed to be paid.
The Village Notice board is progressing as is the Tots play Area.
We now have a speed gun available for the village, and it is being deployed along our roads. The information will be collated, with the purpose of controlling speeding vehicles.
Neighbourhood Watch and No Cold Calling signs are to be replaced/ installed throughout the village, and there is also an availability of No Cold Calling window stickers. Please contact Wendy Gray or any Parish Councillor about obtaining one if required.
The ivy on the village green was again discussed, and further direction is to be sought from PCC.
The Community Infrastructure Levy will be discussed at our next meeting, which will be Monday 14th September 2015, 7.30pm, in the Community Hall. All are invited and most welcome. John Stannage
SUTTON PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council met on 21st May. Cllrs Peter Lee - Chairman, Craig Kidd, Mike Caskey, Keith Yerbury, Mrs Anne Bodily and Patricia Stuart-Mogg (Parish Clerk) with Peterborough City Councillor - Diane Lamb and 13 residents.
Mrs Anne Bodily was welcomed as co-optee onto the Parish Council following the resignation of Mr Dan Rose.
Cycle West. The main item discussed was the release of a previously agreed contribution to the Peterborough Cycle West proposal for a cycleway linking Ailsworth to the west of the A1 via Sutton. This followed the circulation of a flyer and letter showing the latest proposed route (Ailsworth/ Sutton Cross/Sutton Crossway bridleway/ Nene Way/ Lovers Lane/ old railway line/ Wansford Station).
Residents’ comments on the route included the following: Incorporation of a cycleway within the existing bridleway had not been proposed previously. As the bridleway is well used by horses and riders it was strongly felt that horses and cycles would not mix. Horses would be startled by the sudden appearance of cyclists coming up behind them causing risk to riders. Continued on p27 25 Dealing with life’s chal- lenges
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26 A provision for pedestrians along the reused railway track should be incorporated. A safer cycle route would bypass Sutton altogether and use Station Road and the route near the railway. The proposed route through the village is not in the best interests of the village as it would attract a large number of fast riders and the Parish Council should reconsider its support for the scheme. It was recognised that some cyclists exhibit a very selfish attitude in terms of road manners, but a balance should be considered. Some residents felt that very few cyclists currently utilise the Green Wheel and the perception that the scheme would attract a big increase in cyclists through the village was doubtful.
Parish Councillors made the following comments: Both Sustrans and the British Horse Society accept the use of bridleways for such mixed use provided the space available was a full six metre width. This was not available along the Sutton Crossway bridleway if any recognition is given to the reality of hedge growth. The dual use of the Bridleway for horses and cycles would not mix. A comprehensive survey of the village was carried out in 2010 which indicated majority support for the scheme. Consequently the Parish Council had expressed support in general terms and pledged £500. Peterborough Cycle West Project (PCWP) had invested considerable work in preliminary investigations and also received a Lottery Grant to support this stage of work. It would therefore be dishonourable to withdraw the Parish Council’s support. The Chairman informed the members that PCWP is intending to have an exhibition of the preferred route or routes providing residents the opportunity to put forward their comments prior to the formal Planning application process.
It was agreed by a majority that a letter is sent: outlining the strong views expressed by residents objecting to the proposal to incorporate a cycleway into the Sutton Crossway bridleway but that half of the pledge be released to support the continued investigative work of the project, the remaining £250 to be withheld until residents have had the opportunity to view the exhibition on the preferred route.
Next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 24th September at 7.45pm in Sutton Church.
Peter Lee Tel: 01780 782703
27 28 THE CHRISTIE HALL COMMUNITY LOTTERY
The winners of the £60 A Sharpley August 2015 draw are listed here. £50 M Klimes Many thanks to Dave at £40 H Nash Vow Bridal Gallery London Road £30 G Gogna Wansford £20 H Kewney for drawing the tickets.
£10 C Whincup Mat Free, Administrator [email protected] Tel 07881834054 Wansford in England Cricket Club
Opponents Venue Date Time
John Stones COMMUNICARE (Wansford & Kings Cliffe Surgery Patient Group)
35th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday 9th September 2015 6.30pm at Wansford Surgery
AGM agenda: 2014 Minutes, Matters Arising, Officers’ Reports, Transport, AOB, Meeting Dates for 2015/16
All patients are invited to attend
This is an opportunity to find out more about your practice, the patient group and what is happening with local healthcare services.
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YOUNGER READERS’ BLOG A FAMILY HOLIDAY By Karina Chappell (11) With contributions from Karina and her brother, José (9) José’s story Karina’s story
Instead of flying my On 5th August we went on a road trip to parents decided we would France, Spain and Portugal. I was mostly travel by car. Over on the asleep all the way to France so I don't ferry at Dover and into remember much. We stopped to spend a night France, a quick sleepover in Bordeaux and then drove to Salamanca and and then through Spain, did some sightseeing and tasty Tapas. another sleepover in the When we finally reached Portugal we had been town of Salamanca and on the road for three days and were exhausted. then all the way to The next day we all went down to the beach. Portugal, the Algarve. The waves were gigantic and reached over my
A wonderful 6 days in the head, we stayed for about five hours and then sun, swimming in the cold went to a seaside restaurant with an amazing sea of the Atlantic, the view for dinner. beautiful sandy beaches The next day was mostly the same but the and the best food ever. My third day was amazing. We went to a place favourite day out was at called Slide & Splash, a water park about 30 the Slide & Splash, so minutes from our holiday home. My favourite many epic rides, like the ride was the Black Hole, at first there is a steep Black Hole, Tornado, incline, then into pitch darkness, it was Banzai, Kamikaze and Big exhilarating. There was a least 30 different Slide Tower. We had a slides and it was a brilliant day out. picnic amongst thousands of sun umbrellas. The last day we went to Cape of St Vincent, the place that was thought to be the edge of the We packed again and set known world at that time. It was very windy off to Madrid, here we but the view was absolutely stunning. spent two nights. We visited the Plaza Mayor and On the way back we stopped in Madrid for other places of interest. some sightseeing and then made our way to Bergerac to see one of my Mum's old school Then off to France again to friends. On the first day we arrived there at a place called Bergerac to around 5 o'clock and stayed up till midnight, stay with my Mums high eating and talking and playing outside. school friend. I really liked Anthony, her daughter's The next day we went horse riding and went in boyfriend, because he was the pool. We went out for tea to a farmers funny. market and ate food that was delicious.
And then set off for home. Finally after two weeks we made our way back Back in time for a wedding home and arrived back at two in the morning. this weekend and the I had a wonderful trip, apart from sleeping in Wansford Show. the car and it was a good experience. . 31
FAREWELL
AND BEST WISHES
The month of August 2015 sees the departure from our community of residents of long-standing:
John and Elizabeth Peake of Old Castle Farmhouse, Stibbington move to Wimbledon to be near their son and daughter. John and Elizabeth met at Cambridge University where they studied in the 1940s. They both played hockey to a high standard, representing their University teams, and John went on to represent Great Britain in the hockey team that won silver at the 1948 Olympics. It was in honour of this achievement that John was selected at the age of 87 to be one of the country’s oldest torch bearers at the 2012 Olympics, as reported in our July 2012 magazine (above). With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, John became a naval architect, prior to his long and distinguished career in business in the Peterborough area. John was also a very active and loyal supporter of local good causes, including the Royal British Legion, The Christie Hall, Stibbington church and Stibbington Environmental Education Centre.
Margaret Wingrove of Old Leicester Road, Wansford moves to her son’s home in Rickmansworth. Margaret Denny, originally from Northampton, served in the Land Army at Sacrewell during World War II and it was at that time that she met soon-to-be husband, Harold. For many years Harold and Margaret lived at London Road, Wansford where, with other family members, they took over the family butcher shop business from Harold’s father, Charles. Since their retirement and move to Old Leicester Road, the butchers’ premises have been transformed three times, first to Fiddlesticks, then to Le Bistro, and now to bridal gallery, Vow. Margaret and Harold celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2010 prior to Harold’s death. There have been Wingroves living in the local area for many generations, but with Margaret’s move, though other family members remain, sadly, the Wingrove name will disappear.
We extend our very best wishes for the future to John and Elizabeth and to Margaret.
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NATURE NOTES By Graham Blagden ASHES TO ASHES?
You may have heard of concerns about our ash trees. The ash is one of our oldest, indigenous forest and hedgerow trees and can be found throughout the Peterborough area as well as across the country. It can be recognised by its grey bark and tight black buds, most obviously in winter. Its leaves are dull green in colour and consist of nine leaflets forming an individual leaf up to 300mm long. However its leaves and branches are not dense and because it can come into leaf as late as May and leaves fall in October it is not a good shelter-belt tree. It develops tufts of flowers in the spring which produce bunches of seeds, or keys, which ripen in September and in turn provide food for birds and small animals through the winter. Ash wood is tough and supple and for centuries has been used for making furniture, handles for tools and many other agricultural uses.
Unfortunately the tree is now being affected by Ash Dieback, a disease that has reached us from the Continent and is said to be spreading throughout the country. Although infection can spread in the wind, its main source of infection is the import of infected trees from European countries. Trees are already dying and many more are infected. In the worst case we could lose all our ash trees but it is hoped that some, including some of our older trees will survive. Forty years ago we lost just about all our Common Elm trees to a similar disease spread by a bark beetle from Europe. The death of the elms totally changed our rural landscape. Will our landscape suffer again? It is likely it will. Farmers and foresters will have to revert to other trees to replace the ash.
One tree that was introduced from France in the Middle Ages is the Sycamore. It now grows naturally throughout the British Isles. It appears a more solid tree than the ash and has dense maple-like five pointed leaves. It is very comfortable with our climate and appears happy in most soil conditions and temperatures. In common with the ash, the sycamore produces keys for its seeds, but this time they are in pairs and you will know them as those keys that fall and twirl like helicopter blades. Large sycamore trees are wonderful specimens. Like ash, they also produce timber and are used for shelter around farmsteads, particularly in exposed northern uplands.
If we have to lose the ash at least we have the Sycamore in its place.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
How are you tackling dementia? Sign up for Peterborough’s Memory Walk
Around 225,000 people develop dementia every year – that’s the equivalent to one person every three minutes. The effects are more than just losing your keys: as Alzheimer’s progresses, patients suffer severe problems with memory loss, communication, reasoning and orientation, leading sufferers to develop out-of-character behavior such as agitation and aggression; in the latter stages even difficulty walking and eating unaided. There is a temptation to think ‘it will never happen to me’. However, one in six people over 80 are victims, making it increasingly likely that either you or a loved one will be affected.
This September Memory Walks will be taking place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to raise money and awareness for a world without dementia. The Peterborough Memory Walk is taking place at Ferry Meadows Country Park on Sunday 20th September. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to join up and start fundraising today! If more incentive were needed research shows that people who adopt a healthy lifestyle, especially from mid- life onwards are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, so sign up today and make a difference to your life and the lives of sufferers all over the UK.
More info and registration details can be found at www.memorywalk.org.uk
Peterborough’s Dementia Resource Centre’s Anniversary Garden Party
People with dementia, carers and family members are being invited to a Garden Party at Peterborough’s Dementia Research Centre. The Alzheimer’s Society- run Centre is celebrating its one year anniversary in September with a special event which is open to all.
The Anniversary Garden Party will be held at the Dementia Resource Centre in York Road, Peterborough on Friday 4 September between midday and 4pm. Visitors will be able to look around the gardens, enjoy some music and find out more about what the Centre offers to the local community. There will also be birds of prey on display by the Raptor Foundation.
The Dementia Resource Centre is a one-stop shop for advice, information and support, ensuring people living with dementia and their carers in Peterborough are able to get the help they need in everyday life.
Entry is free, with a free buffet lunch on the day.
For more information please call 01733 893853.
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THE CLOTHING BANK Hospital at home
IS BACK! Local charity fund- It has been quite a battle to get it replaced raising group, after it was vandalised last September, but Hospital at Home are once again we have finally achieved the desired result! staging the popular PLEASE USE IT! Country Gift Fayre The clothing bank is located in The Christie Hall at the Haycock car park - profits go to maintaining the hall. Hotel, Wansford.
This is the 27th year of the event, and NENE VALLEY CARE TRUST the wonderful support we have invite you to received has raised A FISH & CHIP SUPPER funds for people to have much needed and QUIZ NIGHT care in their own on FRIDAY OCTOBER 2ND homes.
at 7.15 FOR 7.30PM Come and join us in in ELTON VILLAGE HALL the Ballroom on Tuesday 13 October, TICKETS £10 INCLUDE SUPPER 11am to 6.30pm DRINKS FOR SALE and Wednesday RAFFLE 14,10am to 3.30pm
DO BUY A TICKET FOR A FUN NIGHT OUT! where lovely gifts. From Rachel Taylor 01780 781220 perfect for or Chrissie Cully 01780 782363 Christmas presents will be on display. Come on your own or phone to arrange a table for 6. Helen Facer, Please help the Trust support our Care Leavers on behalf of the committee, Hospital at Home Hi Rosie, Please convey my thanks to the heartless motorist who last night wiped out the family of hedgehogs that we had visiting our garden for the past year. It would appear that all three were killed by one vehicle. It does not surprise me that numbers have plummeted during the last decade and such thoughtless behaviour will see the continuing trend. Tonight the garden will be devoid of this enchanting creature, Regards from one disgruntled nature lover, Gordon Alleyne (Wansford)
37 DIARY DATES – OCTOBER 2015 Date Event Time Venue Contact Phone p Friends of St Mary’s and Wansford Wed 2 10.30am Dora Baker 782519 9 St Andrew’s meeting Community Hall
Sibson-cum-Stibbington Environment 01778 Wed 2 7.00pm Wendy Gray Parish Council meeting Centre, Stibbington 441312
St Mary’s church choir 19A Old Leicester Eddie Thur 3 7.30pm 783639 practice Road McDonnell
Dementia Centre Midday Dementia Centre, Dementia 01733 Fri 4 36 Garden Party — 4pm Peterborough Centre 893853
WI meeting — Safe Local Wansford Jean Tue 8 7.15pm 782510 16 Traders Community Hall Yerbury
Wansford Wed 9 Communicare AGM 6.30pm Wansford Surgery 782342 29 Surgery
Little Acorns for 3—5 year 10am– Environment Stibbington Thur 10 782386 olds + parent/carer midday Centre, Stibbington Centre
Ride, Drive or Stride 10.00am Sat 12 Local churches 33 Historic churches event –6.00pm
Sat 12, Cathedral Square, Italian Festival 19 Sun 13 Peterborough
Wansford Parish Council Wansford 01778 Mon 14 7.30pm Wendy Gray 25 meeting Community Hall 441312
Magnificent Mosaics 10.00am Stibbington Stibbington Sat 19 782386 Craft Workshop -4.00pm Environment Centre Centre
Memory Walk for Ferry Meadows Dementia 01733 Sun 20 36 dementia Country Park Centre 893853
Sutton Parish Council St Michael’s Thur 24 7.45pm Peter Lee 782703 27 meeting church, Sutton
OCT Rachel Quiz and Supper 7.15pm Elton Village Hall 781220 37 Fri 2 Taylor
Jean Sat 10 WI Autumn Walk Grafham Water 782510 16 Yerbury
Copy deadline next month: Sunday 20 September
This magazine is available online at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
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