Town Crier 171.Indd

Towcester Towcester TownTown CrierCrier Issue 171 Autumn 2017 Town Hall, Towcester

Thousands turn up for the town’s 917 Saxon Fair

Th e community of Towcester came out in force on Sunday, 23rd July amidst the sunshine and the rain when the town’s Saxon Fair came to town.

An estimated 3,000 people turned up for the free event, which was Towcester Studio Band played while families enjoyed food, drink and the second main celebration of 1,100 years of the town’s history of ice cream from a number of stalls, alongside Towcester Mill Brewery the fi rst Battle of Towcester when the Saxons of Towcester defeated which was selling its specially brewed 917 real ale, Saxon Shield. the Danes of Northampton in 917. Eileen Dickens, one of the Saxon Fair organisers, said the number of There was so much to see and do that many families stayed for hours, people who came along was totally unexpected. “Food vans, ice cream enjoying the bursts of warm sunshine and, in true British summer and even beer sold out by the end of the day, it was so popular!” she style, riding out the rain showers! said. “The whole event had the most amazing community feel to it and so many people had such a fantastic time, enjoying everything on offer Not that the weather deterred many from the amazing displays seen and really making the most of it. It was a great experience for those within the Saxon encampment and the battle re-enactments. The of us who have been part of the organising committee and to have event was opened by SNC’s Chairman, Cllr Fiona Baker, and Churches experienced such a successful day makes it all so worthwhile. It most Together held a service at the start with numerous activities taking certainly was the biggest historical event Towcester has seen in a long place throughout the day. The encampment was packed full of families while!” fascinated by the displays such as weaving, coinage, leather working, storytelling, cookery, archery and weapon making, as well as Saxon Towcester 917 celebrations continue throughout the rest of the year, style craft activities for the children. The fantastic battle re-enactments including a commissioning of a new piece of music for Towcester and amazing birds of prey display were highlights of the day, ably Studio Band which will be performed at a concert in the autumn and a supported by a selection of stalls from many local organisations and Towcester Heritage day at Towcester library on 18 November. Keep bodies, such as Towcester Museum, Towcester WI, the Rotary Club an eye out for more information about the next few events on the and the local History Society. Kids even had the opportunity to fi nd Facebook page ‘Towcester 917’! themselves locked up in a police custody van and dig for treasures with Cotswold Archaeology!

All photographs courtesy of Ben Bucklow Towcester Studio Band ….. Special Autumn Concert

During this year of celebrating Towcester‟s 1100th anniversary I‟m delighted to report that Towcester Studio Band will be performing in St. Lawrence Church on Saturday 7th October, commencing 7:30pm.

The Band has enjoyed a very busy summer and was delighted to be involved in the walking carnival in June and the Saxon Fair in July. Both events presented some challenges for the players as walking and playing in severe heat is not very comfortable, particularly for the players of the larger instruments. The carnival wasn‟t quite on the scale of the famous Notting Hill Carnival, but none the less was very colourful and greatly enjoyed by all who took part.

The weather for the Saxon Fair, held in the water meadows, couldn‟t have been more different. Fortunately for the Band Chris and Pauline Stevens (Treasurer & Chairman) plus daughter Nicola (Librarian) visited the site very early on Sunday morning and erected a gazebo to protect the players from the serious rain that hit the event later in the day. The Band‟s rendition of „Singing in the Rain‟ certainly encouraged the umbrella wielding public to enter into the spirit!

Both events were great fun and helped mark a significant milestone in the Town‟s history. Sandwiched between those two events was the superb Midsummer Music Festival. TSB‟s annual commitment to this event has been greatly enhanced in the past two years as we have had the pleasure of performing in the Beer garden at Towcester Mill Brewery, a brilliant venue for any brass band player or enthusiast!

Moving on the Band is now preparing for another very significant concert, as mentioned above. The theme of the concert is „Music through the Ages’ and the programme will include a piece composed especially for the Band to commemorate the Towns anniversary. Towcester 917 has been written by Jonathon Bates, who until recently was Solo Tenor Horn player with the famous Black Dyke Band.

The talented young composer is well known throughout the brass band community and was commissioned by TSB to write a ten minute piece to celebrate Towcester‟s history. The commission has been generously funded by the Towcester 917 Committee and South Northants Council.

The new manuscript recently arrived in the band room and MD Neil Brownless and the players are focused on preparing for the World Premiere of this piece, a very important element of our autumn concert.

Jonny Bates commented … “It‟s a real pleasure to be selected to work on a project like this as someone who has come through the ranks as a brass band player. Generally it is only the brass band movement‟s elite that can afford to commission new music therefore bands from smaller communities with much smaller budgets miss out on the chance to work with a composer on such projects as this. I feel that writing for a specific event can offer some sort of longevity to the project and provide something to look back on in future years. It will be a legacy forever linked with the Towcester 917 anniversary.”

It is planned that the celebration and legacy will be enhanced by composer-led workshops with young musicians in the town. The workshops will give participants the experience of how composer, Musical Director and players work together on a new commission and to improvise the new commission‟s main theme for other instrumentation and different levels of ability!

So please do come along on the night of Saturday, October 7th and listen to the Band perform this new commission plus many other pieces selected by MD Neil Brownless! Tickets for this special concert will be available on the door and are priced at £8 for adults and for juniors (under 16) accompanied by an adult, entry is free.

The ticket price includes light refreshments, tea, coffee, cake & biscuits!

If you require any further information please don‟t hesitate to contact Kevin Hawkins on 07525 912069 or via email at [email protected].

3 Thousands turn up for the town’s 917 Saxon Fair Towcester 917 Saxon Fair The community of Towcester came out in force on Sunday, 23rd July amidst the sunshine and the rain when the town‟s All photographs courtesy of Ben Bucklow Saxon Fair came to town.

All photographs courtesy of Ben Bucklow

An estimated 3,000 people turned up for the free event, which was the second main celebration of 1,100 years of the town‟s history of the first Battle of Towcester when the Saxons of Towcester defeated the Danes of Northampton in 917.

There was so much to see and do that many families stayed for hours, enjoying the bursts of warm sunshine and, in true British summer style, riding out the rain showers!

Not that the weather deterred many from the amazing displays seen within the Saxon encampment and the battle re- enactments. The event was opened by SNC's Chairman, Cllr Fiona Baker, and Churches Together held a service at the start with numerous activities taking place throughout the day. The encampment was packed full of families fascinated by the displays such as weaving, coinage, leather working, storytelling, cookery, archery and weapon making, as well as Saxon style craft activities for the children. The fantastic battle re-enactments and amazing birds of prey display were highlights of the day, ably supported by a selection of stalls from many local organisations and bodies, such as Towcester Museum, Towcester WI, the Rotary Club and the local History Society. Kids even had the opportunity to find themselves locked up in a police custody van and dig for treasures with Cotswold Archaeology!

Towcester Studio Band played while families enjoyed food, drink and ice cream from a number of stalls, alongside Towcester Mill Brewery which was selling its specially brewed 917 real ale, Saxon Shield.

Eileen Dickens, one of the Saxon Fair organisers, said the number of people who came along was totally unexpected. “Food vans, ice cream and even beer sold out by the end of the day, it was so popular!” she said. “The whole event had the most amazing community feel to it and so many people had such a fantastic time, enjoying everything on offer and really making the most of it. It was a great experience for those of us who have been part of the organising committee and to have experienced such a successful day makes it all so worthwhile. It most certainly was the biggest historical event Towcester has seen in a long while!”

Towcester 917 celebrations continue throughout the rest of the year, including a commissioning of a new piece of music for Towcester Studio Band which will be performed at a concert in the autumn and a Towcester Heritage day at Towcester library on 18 November. Keep an eye out for more information about the next few events on the Facebook page „Towcester 917‟!

4 A Word from the Town Mayor… A Word from the Town Mayor… Welcome to my second editorial as mayor of Towcester. As the shorter nights start to close in I can reflect on the long hot summer days and the various events that have taken place Welcome to my second editorial as mayor of Towcester. As the shorter nights in the town during the summer. start to close in I can reflect on the long hot summer days and the various Saturday,events that 17th have June taken was place a very in specialthe town day during for Towcester. the summer. It kicked off with a celebration of Towcester’s 1,100 year history, marked by a walking carnival through the town. Organ- isedSaturday, by the 17 917th June committee, was a verythe event special brought day for together Towcester. so many It kicked of the off town’s with avoluntary organisations, clubs, societies, schools and its residents. Later that evening, Towcester celebration of Towcester‟s 1,100 year history, marked by a walking carnival hosted its annual Midsummer Music Festival which is now in its 15th year and I’m proud through the town. Organised by the 917 committee, the event brought together to say my husband and I have been involved in each and every one. The evening raised a fantasticso many £2,500of the towntowards‟s voluntary my Mayor’s organisations, chosen charities. clubs, societies, schools and its residents. Later that evening, Towcester hosted its annual Midsummer Music The 1,100 year anniversary celebrations continued in July with a very successful Saxon Fair, Festival which is now in its 15th year and I‟m proud to say my husband and I which was attended by more than 3,000 people over the course of the day. The number ofhave attendees, been involved and the in use each of Theand Shires every open one. area, The was evening well received. raised Ita is fantastichoped that such events£2,500 can towards be held my there Mayor‟s again chosen in future charities. years.

The 1,100 year anniversary celebrations continued in July with a very successfulOver the Saxonlate August Fair, whichbank holiday,was attended I put my by lifemore in thethan hands 3,000 of people a Sky overDiving the instructor when I signed up to become coursethe first of the serving day. TowcesterThe number Mayor of attendees,to jump out and of athe plane use for of TheCharity. Shires On aopen clear sunny August day, I was thrust out of area,a plane was atwell 13,000 received. feet, Ithigh is hoped above that the suchSouth events Northants can countryside.be held there 4 minutesagain in later, I was very much-relieved to have futurecompleted years. the jump and raised £1,400 towards my threeThe Mayor charities. with a representativeI can confidently of Towcester confirm W.I. thatat the I 917will Walkingbe leaving Carnival any future dare devil exploits to my adventure-hungry husband. Over the late August bank holiday, I put my life in the hands of a Sky Diving instructor when I signed up to become the first serving Towcester Mayor to jump out of a plane for Charity. On a clear sunny August day, I was thrust out of a plane at 13,000 feet, high above the South Northants countryside. 4 minutes later, I was very much-relieved to have completed the jump and raised £1,400 towards my three charities. I can confidently confirm that I will be leaving any future dare devil exploits to my adventure-hungry husband.

I am pleased to confirm that my end of year charity ball will be held at The Pavilion, Whittlebury Hall on Saturday, 28th April. Please see the advert in this publication for further details on booking a place for the event. I’m planning for a grand end of year celebration that will be an evening of fun, great music & laughter & I would Ilove am youpleased all to to join confirm me. that my end of year charity ball will be held at The Pavilion, Whittlebury Hall on Saturday, 28th April. Please see the advert in this publication for further details on booking a place for the event. I‟m planning for a grand end of year celebration that will be an evening of fun, great music & laughter & I would love you all to join me. Cllr Sharon McMurray CllrTown Sharon Mayor McMurray of Towcester Town Mayor of Towcester “If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person”” “If you want to get somethingStephen done, Covey give it to a busy person”” Stephen Covey

TOWCESTER Church of England Primary School

Islington Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12 6AU

enjoy, believe, achieve, succeed

• Spacious and visually • 96.5% attendance • All children achieve their • Strong links with international exciting school • Inclusive and friendly, with a potential through a wide range schools environment whole school choir that loves of opportunities • Governors, teachers, parents • NEW outdoor to sing • The majority of children and local community work learning areas • Sports teams representing exceed expected progress together, to enrich, develop the cluster by the end of year 6 and support all pupils

we would love to hear from you Please call us on 01327 350332 or email [email protected] www.towcesterprimary.northants.sch.uk

2014 RATED ‘GOOD’ BY

8 TOWCESTER WRITER’S CLUB

Miss Celeste TOWCESTER HISTORY FAIR SATURDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2107 Miss Celeste loved her hats. Oh, how she loved them; the bigger, the brighter, the better. Heading for worship this bright May morning she was10AM a walking advertisement - 4PM for a stall in the flower market. Bright red, with ribbons, and flowers trailing round her head as she shimmied down the road. She sure was going to make Jesus smile this morning.Towcester Library, Moat Lane

Pastor Simmonds standing at his church door - as was his custom to greet his congregation - shook his head in amusement as he spotted the extravaganza walking towards him. Much as he admired Miss Celeste’s exuberance this, maybe was takingFREE it a step tooENTRANCE far. One thing for sure, she’d have plenty of space around her today. Still, he wouldn’t change her for the world – no siree no. The lady placed a smile on even the grumpiest face, apart maybe from Councillor Baldwin, whose sole purpose in live appeared to be to make everyone unhappy. it had been a chance meeting of Miss Celeste and Pastor Simmonds in a coffee shop that had bought Miss Celeste to his church; a bit further away from her home than her regular one; but God works in mysterious ways and a cream cake was all it took to persuade Miss Celeste that Pastor Simmonds was the pastor for her.

“Good morning to you, Miss Celeste,” Pastor Simmonds beamed out his greeting.

“The best of mornings Pastor. Hallelujah and Praise be the Lord for such sunshine. I see you admire my hat!” She bent her head to the side almost coquettish, well it would have been if it hadn’t been for the huge, flashing almost wicked smile that stretched across her face.

It is indeed a hat to please the Lord although maybe not all the congregation.”

Miss Celeste threw back her head, shrieking with laughter- the hat almost falling to the ground.

“Well Pastor, maybe you’re rightThis and event maybe you’reis an wrong,opportunity but one thing's to: for sure there ain't another one like it!” • Find out sources of family and local history “No indeed.” • Learn how to get involved in archaeology Pastor Simmonds turned to greet other folk heading for the service. Miss Celeste moved towards to door, pausing she turned• backDiscover “I’d like a word the Pastor, hidden if I may histories after the service?” of buildings

The service was a long and joyous Attendaffair with manyfree a talkssuppressed by titter and pointing fingers at the red flowered hat. MissSteve Celeste singingYoung, out in Brian her unashamedly Giggins enthusiastic & Sarah voice, Bridges what it lacked in pitch it made up for in volume. Afterwards the congregation gathered for refreshment as was Pastor Simmonds tradition in his church – they were all family.

Eventually Miss10.15 Celeste am and PastorGetting Simmonds involved managed into findArchaeology a quiet corner for a tête-à-tête.

“I have myself11.15 a conundrum, am PastorThe SimmonsDevelopment and the Lord of knows Towcester that I don’t know what to do.” 2.15 pm The Work of the Archives & Heritage Service “Well maybe I can help?” 3.15 pm Chester Farm “My sister- you know, I told you about her and that good-for-nothing man she upped and married?”

“You did indeed.” Seating for the talks is limited

“Well he’s gone and left her, run off with a flipperty-gibbet half his age. didn’t I tell her? Good-for-nothing, didn’t I tellPart her?” of the Towcester 917 Celebrations

9 Towcester Country Market

Towcester Country Market has been a feature of the town since its inception, as a WI Market, in 1971.

We held the market in the Chantry House for 23 years, until September, when we moved to The Sawpits Centre. The reason for moving was to give us more space, for new members to bring their craft work, and to give our customers a place to meet and chat over coffee and cake.

If you have not been into the market for a few years you will fi nd new personnel, new products, and the same welcome that we have always tried to give.

The larger space has enabled us to invite craftspeople from other Country Markets to bring their wares for our customers delight. In October, Jo, from Leamington Country Market will bring her jewellery and we also have Rowena and Chris from Milton Keynes Country Market bringing willow baskets and jewellery.

This is in addition to the lovely knitting, sewing, and wood turning produced by our Towcester residents. Our bakers make cakes ranging from ones your Grandma used to make to cakes from Nadia’s or Jamie’s latest cookbooks. Our gardeners bring fresh vegetables and we stock local free range eggs.

We are open on Thursday mornings from 8.30 to 11.30 with free parking outside. We are happy to deliver within walking distance of the Sawpits Centre or farther away and out of hours by negotiation.

Email: [email protected] - Phone 01327 830893

11 TOWCESTER WRITER’S CLUB

Miss Celeste

Miss Celeste loved her hats. Oh, how she loved them; the bigger, the brighter, the better. Heading for worship this bright May morning she was a walking advertisement for a stall in the flower market. Bright red, with ribbons, and flowers trailing round her head as she shimmied down the road. She sure was going to make Jesus smile this morning.

Pastor Simmonds standing at his church door - as was his custom to greet his congregation - shook his head in amusement as he spotted the extravaganza walking towards him. Much as he admired Miss Celeste’s exuberance this, maybe was taking it a step too far. One thing for sure, she’d have plenty of space around her today. Still, he wouldn’t change her for the world – no siree no. The lady placed a smile on even the grumpiest face, apart maybe from Councillor Baldwin, whose sole purpose in live appeared to be to make everyone unhappy. it had been a chance meeting of Miss Celeste and Pastor Simmonds in a coffee shop that had bought Miss Celeste to his church; a bit further away from her home than her regular one; but God works in mysterious ways and a cream cake was all it took to persuade Miss Celeste that Pastor Simmonds was the pastor for her.

“Good morning to you, Miss Celeste,” Pastor Simmonds beamed out his greeting.

It is indeed a hat to please the Lord although maybe not all the congregation.”

Miss Celeste threw back her head, shrieking with laughter- the hat almost falling to the ground.

“Well Pastor, maybe you’re right and maybe you’re wrong, but one thing's for sure there ain't another one like it!”

“No indeed.”

Pastor Simmonds turned to greet other folk heading for the service. Miss Celeste moved towards to door, pausing she turned back “I’d like a word Pastor, if I may after the service?”

The service was a long and joyous affair with many a suppressed titter and pointing fingers at the red flowered hat. Miss Celeste singing out in her unashamedly enthusiastic voice, what it lacked in pitch it made up for in volume. Afterwards the congregation gathered for refreshment as was Pastor Simmonds tradition in his church – they were all family.

Eventually Miss Celeste and Pastor Simmonds managed to find a quiet corner for a tête-à-tête.

“I have myself a conundrum, Pastor Simmons and the Lord knows that I don’t know what to do.”

“Well maybe I can help?”

“My sister- you know, I told you about her and that good-for-nothing man she upped and married?”

“You did indeed.”

“Well he’s gone and left her, run off with a flipperty-gibbet half his age. didn’t I tell her? Good-for-nothing, didn’t I tell her?” Continued over…

13 “You did indeed.”

“Well she thinks that maybe I should go and live with her, she doesn’t do so well on her own.”

Pastor Simmonds looked away, a strange look spreading across his face – not a happy one.

“Well Pastor what do you think? You see my conundrum - to go? To stay?”

Pastor Simmonds’s shoulders were shaking ever so slightly. Miss Celeste tentively reached out. "Why Pastor, is something wrong? Oh my! Oh my!” She dug into her voluminous hand bag. “Here,” she said, holding out a white handkerchief, trimmed with lace and pink ribbon.

“Thank you my dear.” Pastor Simmonds looked at the delicate piece of cotton in his large hand it seemed to finish him. He stood up and then to Miss Celeste’s amazement knelt down on one knee before her.

Amanda Perry 15/03/17©

d Ś Ğ d Ž ǁ Đ Ğ Ɛ ƚ Ğ ƌ t ŝ ů Ě ů ŝ Ĩ Ğ d ƌ Ƶ Ɛ ƚ > Ž Đ Ă ů ' ƌ Ž Ƶ Ɖ

ƵƚƵŵŶDĞĞƚŝŶŐͬǀĞŶƚƐWƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ůůŵĞĞƚŝŶŐƐǁŝůůďĞĂƚdŽǁĐĞƐƚĞƌDŝůů;ƵŶůĞƐƐƐƚĂƚĞĚŽƚŚĞƌǁŝƐĞͿ͘^ƚĂƌƚƚŝŵĞƐǁŝůůďĞĂƚƚŚĞŶĞǁƚŝŵĞŽĨϳƉŵ͘ ŽŶĂƚŝŽŶƐŽĨάϮǁŝůůďĞŐƌĂƚĞĨƵůůǇƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ͕ǁŝƚŚĨƌĞĞĞŶƚƌǇĨŽƌhŶĚĞƌϭϲƐ͘ DŽŶĚĂǇ͕ϭϲƚŚKĐƚŽďĞƌϮϬϭϳ/ĂŶ,ŝůďĞƌƚ–ZĞƐĞƌǀĞƐKĨĨŝĐĞƌĨŽƌtdEǁŝůůďĞŐŝǀŝŶŐƵƐĂŶŽǀĞƌǀŝĞǁŽĨƚŚĞŶĞǁZƵƐŚĚĞŶ >ĂŬĞƐZĞƐĞƌǀĞĂŶĚŝƚƐŶĞǁ/ŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶĞŶƚƌĞ͘ DŽŶĚĂǇ͕ϭϲƚŚEŽǀĞŵďĞƌϮϬϭϳŵŝůǇ^ĐŚŽĨŝĞůĚ–ZĞĐǇĐůŝŶŐKĨĨŝĐĞƌǁŝƚŚ^EĂŶĚŚĞƌǁĞůůsĂůĞŝƐƚƌŝĐƚŽƵŶĐŝůƐǁŝůůďĞ talking about ”All Things Recycling”. tĂƚĞƌŵĞĂĚŽǁƐDĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ'ƌŽƵƉ ŵĞĞƚŝŶŐŽĨƚŚĞŶĞǁůǇƌĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚĞĚDĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ'ƌŽƵƉǁĂƐŐŝǀĞŶĂŶŽǀĞƌǀŝĞǁŽĨƚŚĞƉƌŽƉŽƐĞĚŶĞǁDĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚWůĂŶ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƐŝƚĞ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ĞĂĐŚ ƚŽŽŬ ĂǁĂǇ Ă ĐŽƉǇ ĨŽƌ ŵŽƌĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ ĞǀĂůƵĂƚŝŽŶ͘ /Ŷ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů͕ ƚŚĞ ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ ƚŽ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚŽĨƚŚĞƐŝƚĞǁŝůůďĞƚŚĂƚƚŚĞEŽƌƚŚ&ŝĞůĚ;ďĞŚŝŶĚƚŚĞ&ŽƌƵŵĂŶĚdŽǁĐĞƐƚĞƌDŝůůͿǁŝůůĂůůŽǁŵŽƌĞƉƵďůŝĐĂĐĐĞƐƐ ĂŶĚƵƐĂŐĞǁŚŝůƐƚƚŚĞ^ŽƵƚŚ&ŝĞůĚ;ŶĞĂƌĞƐƚƚŽƚŚĞZĂĐĞĐŽƵƌƐĞͿǁŝůůďĞŵĂŶĂŐĞĚĂŶĚĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚƚŽĂƚƚƌĂĐƚŵŽƌĞǁŝůĚůŝĨĞ͖ ƚŚĞƐĞƉůĂŶƐŝŶĐůƵĚĞƐĐƌĂƉĞƐďĞŝŶŐĐƌĞĂƚĞĚĨŽƌǁĂĚŝŶŐďŝƌĚƐ͘ŽŐƐǁŝůůŽŶůǇďĞĂůůŽǁĞĚŽŶƚŚĞ^ŽƵƚŚ&ŝĞůĚŽŶĂůĞĂĚĂŶĚĂŶǇ ĨƵƚƵƌĞŐƌĂǌŝŶŐǁŝůůŽŶůǇďĞŽŶƚŚĞ^ŽƵƚŚ&ŝĞůĚĂŶĚƉƌŽďĂďůǇũƵƐƚĂŚĂŶĚĨƵůŽĨĐĂƚƚůĞŽǀĞƌŵŽƐƚŽĨƚŚĞǇĞĂƌ͘/ŶϮϬϭϳĂŶĚϮϬϭϴ ƚŚĞƌĞǁŝůůďĞŚĂǇĐƵƚƐŽŶůǇ͘DŽƌĞƉĂƚŚƐƚŽĂůůŽǁǁŚĞĞůĐŚĂŝƌĂŶĚƉƵƐŚĐŚĂŝƌĂĐĐĞƐƐŝŶƚŚĞEŽƌƚŚ&ŝĞůĚǁŝůůďĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞŶĞǆƚĐŽƵƉůĞŽĨǇĞĂƌƐĂŶĚǁŽƌŬǁŝůůďĞĐĂƌƌŝĞĚŽƵƚŽŶƚŚĞǀĂƌŝŽƵƐƌŝǀĞƌďĂŶŬƐƚŽŝŵƉƌŽǀĞƚŚĞŵĨŽƌǁŝůĚůŝĨĞ͘dŚĞƌĞĂƌĞ ůŽŶŐĞƌ ƚĞƌŵ ƉůĂŶƐ ĨŽƌ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐŝƚĞ͕ ďƵƚ ĂƐ ĂůǁĂǇƐ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ͕ ƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ ǁŝůů ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĨŽƵŶĚ͘ ůů ŝŶ Ăůů /’ŵ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽƉŽƐĂůƐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ Ĩŝƚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ŽƌŝŐŝŶĂů ƌĞĂƐŽŶ ŐŝǀĞŶ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƚŝŵĞ ŽĨ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ EŽƌƚŚ &ŝĞůĚ ;ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůǇͿǁŽƵůĚďĞĨŽƌƉƵďůŝĐĂĐĐĞƐƐĂŶĚƵƐĂŐĞ͘ ͘ EĞǁƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚĨŽƌǇŽƵƚŚŐƌŽƵƉƐ tĞ ŚĂǀĞ ƉŽŶĚ ĚŝƉƉŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ďƵŐ ƐǁĞĞƉŝŶŐ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ůŽƚƐ ŽĨ / ĐŚĂƌƚƐ ĨŽƌ ^ĐŚŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ ǇŽƵƚŚ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ ƚŽ ƵƐĞ͘dŚĞ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚŝƐĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞĨŽƌƵƐĞŶŽǁĂŶĚĚŽŶĂƚŝŽŶƐďǇƉĂƌƚŝĐŝƉĂƚŝŶŐŐƌŽƵƉƐǁŝůůďĞǁĞůĐŽŵĞĚƚŽĐŽǀĞƌƚŚĞĐŽƐƚŽĨŐĞŶĞƌĂů ǁĞĂƌĂŶĚƚĞĂƌ͘ ƐŝƐƵƐƵĂůĨŽƌƚŚĞƚŝŵĞůĞĂĚŝŶŐƵƉƚŽƚŚĞƐƚĂƌƚŽĨƚŚĞƐĐŚŽŽůŚŽůŝĚĂǇ͕EŝĐŬĂŶĚ/ǁĞƌĞŬĞƉƚǀĞƌǇďƵƐǇůĞĂĚŝŶŐŐƌŽƵƉƐŽĨ ƐĐŚŽŽů ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ǇŽƵƚŚ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ ŝŶ ƉŽŶĚ ĚŝƉƉŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ďƵŐ ƐǁĞĞƉŝŶŐ ĂƐ ǁĞ ĐŽŶƚŝŶƵĞ ƚŽ ĚŝƐĐŽǀĞƌ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůǇ ƵŶŝĚĞŶƚŝĨŝĞĚƐƉĞĐŝĞƐďŽƚŚŝŶƚŚĞƉŽŶĚƐĂŶĚŐƌĂƐƐĞƐŽĨƚŚĞdŽǀĞtĞƚůĂŶĚWŽĐŬĞƚWĂƌŬ͘&ŽƌƚŚĞĨŝƌƐƚƚŝŵĞǁĞǁĞƌĞĂƐŬĞĚƚŽ ůĞĂĚƉŽŶĚĚŝƉƉŝŶŐƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐǁŝƚŚƚŚĞǇŽƵŶŐĞƌƉƵƉŝůƐ;ĂůůϭϬϯŽĨƚŚĞŵͿŽĨEŝĐŚŽůĂƐ,ĂǁŬƐŵŽŽƌ^ĐŚŽŽůĂƚƚŚĞŝƌŽǁŶƉŽŶĚŝŶ ƚŚĞĂĚũĂĐĞŶƚWŽĐŬĞƚWĂƌŬ͘ /ĨǇŽƵĂƌĞŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚŝŶĂŶǇŽĨƚŚĞĂďŽǀĞ͕ŽƌǁŽƵůĚůŝŬĞƚŽŬŶŽǁĂŶǇŽƚŚĞƌĚĞƚĂŝůƐĂďŽƵƚŽƵƌ>ŽĐĂů'ƌŽƵƉ͕ƚŚĞŶŐĞƚŝŶƚŽƵĐŚ ǁŝƚŚĂǀŝĚZĞĞĚŽŶϬϭϯϮϳϯϱϮϰϭϰŽƌĚƌĞĞĚƐĨŵΛƐŬǇ͘ĐŽŵ͘

TOWCESTER & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Towcester is hugely rich in history and throughout the summer the Society has been involved in projects that have brought that fact home to a great many people in and around the town – perhaps to a greater degree than ever before.

First we had the 917 celebration to mark 1100 years of the development and growth of Towcester and the Society was happy to join many local organisations in making this a great success. The carnival-style parade brought hundreds onto the streets and the Saxon Fair later in July attracted more than 3,000 people.

The Town Council took a lead from the start and the organising committee headed by Cllr. Martin Johns did a great job.

The local history theme was continued in a most colourful fashion early in August when the contributors to the annual St. Lawrence Flower Festival featured so much more of the varied history of the town. The Society’s website and publications assisted many in their research, and the result – impressively co-ordinated by Rona Cambray – was one of the Church’s best Festivals.

A WINTER OF CONTENT WITH GOOD TALKS

Wednesday, 11th October Milestones Helen Crabtree Helen makes a welcome return, this time to speak about Northamptonshire milestones, which were once so important to travellers until the development of faster motorised transport and satellite navigation.

Wednesday, 8th November Northampton in Photographs Richard Deacon Since the 1970s there have been some dramatic changes to our county town, not least the current riverside development of the brand new Northampton University site close to the town centre. Richard uses photographs to highlight many of the changes.

Wednesday, 13th December Time for pre-Christmas celebration It’s party time for members and their guests, with a few surprises being planned.

Wednesday, 10th January History of the Royal & Derngate Theatre Michael Brailey Michael is a dedicated volunteer archivist at the Royal & Derngate who maintains a significant achive of historical memorabilia relating to the theatre. He is will share with us the history of a development that has proved vital to the cultural life of the area.

Meetings are held at the Riverside Resource Centre in Islington Road, Towcester, at 7:30pm. There is a fee of £2 for non-members. For inquiries call either David Wilcock on 01327 351782 or John Morris on 07725 839795. sĂĐĂŶĐǇĨŽƌĂdŽǁŶŽƵŶĐŝůůŽƌ dŚĞdŽǁŶŽƵŶĐŝůĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůǇŚĂƐĂǀĂĐĂŶĐǇĨŽƌĂdŽǁŶŽƵŶĐŝůůŽƌŽŶƌŽŽŬtĂƌĚ͘ /ĨǇŽƵĂƌĞŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚŝŶĨŝŶĚŝŶŐŽƵƚŵŽƌĞĂďŽƵƚƚŚŝƐƌŽůĞƉůĞĂƐĞƚĞůĞƉŚŽŶĞŽƌĞŵĂŝůƚŚĞdŽǁŶůĞƌŬ͕ůŝǌĂďĞƚŚŽǆŽŶϬϭϯϮϳ ϯϱϬϵϵϱͬƚŽǁŶĐŽƵŶĐŝůΛƚŽǁĐĞƐƚĞƌͲƚĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ƵŬ͘

The Towcester Produce Show 2017

TheThe annual annual Towcester Towcester ProduceProduce Show Show organised organised by bythe the AllotmentAllotment and and Gardeners Gardeners Association atat the the Town Town Hall Hall tooktook place place on on a a glorious glorious andand sunnysunny August August Bank Bank Holiday Holiday MondayMonday this this year. year. The show celebrated home produce, home grown fruit and vegetables and crafts of children andThe adults show fromcelebrated Towcester home produce, and the home surrounding grown fruit villages and withvegetables an NN12 and craftsor NN7 of children postcode. and adults Entrances from Towcester were and judged the duringsurrounding the morning villages with then an NN12the hallor NN7 opened postcode. for Entrances viewing were from 1pmjudged onwards. during the morningThis year then thesaw hall openeda record for viewing number from of entrances1pm onwards. and This the year judges saw a recordwere number impressed of entrances with andboth the the quantityjudges were and impressed quality with of bothexhibits. the quantity Visitors and quality could of exhibits. enjoy a homemadeVisitors could cake enjoy aand homemade cup of cake tea and or cup coffee of tea whilstor coffee admiring whilst suchadmiring entrances such entrances as the as heaviest the heaviest marrow, marrow, longestlongest beans, beans, children‟schildren’s plateplate gardens gardens and bestand Victoria best Sponge.Victoria The Sponge.Deputy Town The DeputyMayor, PeterTown Conquest, Mayor, presented Peter theConquest, numerous prizepresented cups and the numerousplaques to prizethe lucky cups winners. and plaques to the lucky winners.

TheThe Association Association would would like tolike thank to thankall those all who those entered who the enteredshow, thethose show, who camethose to admire,who allcame the local to businessesadmire, thatall sponsoredthe local businesses that sponsored the show, the judges, and the the show, the judges, and the committee who put in many hours of committee who put in many hours of hard work to ensure hard work to ensure the continuation of this traditional event. We are the continuation of this traditional event. We are looking looking forward to an equally successful show in 2018! forward to an equally successful show in 2018!

Jason Fleming. JasonChairman, Fleming. Towcester Allotment & Gardeners Association. Chairman, Towcester Allotment & Gardeners Association.

17 NorthamptonNorthampton YoungYoung Carers Carers DayDay outout 20172017

During August, the Rotary Club of Towcester took Northampton Young Carers for a fun-filled day out at Sailability on Pitsford Water. During August, the Rotary Club of Towcester took Northampton Young Carers for a fun-filled day out at SailabilityThe day on started Pitsford with Water. the Young Carers getting kitted out in water safe gear and then they all went out onto the water for a real sailing experience. Afterwards they actually built rafts themselves from flotable drums Theand day wood started which with they the thenYoung tried Carers to sail getting with various kitted degreesout in water of success! safe gear and then they all went out onto the water for a real sailing experience. Afterwards they actually built rafts themselves from flotable drums and wood whichThe they day thenended tried with to a sail warm with meal. various degrees of success!

TheThe day Rotary ended Clubwith aare warm able meal. to provide such days of relaxation, fun and Theeducation Rotary Club for arethe able Young to provideCarers such daysthrough of relaxation, the funds fun whichand education they raise for the Youngfrom Carers other throughRotary Eventsthe funds and which they they raisewould from not other be ableRotary to doEvents this withand- they wouldout thenot fantasticbe able supportto do thiswhich without they the fantasticreceive support from the which public. they receive from the public. The Club is always happy to welcome Thenew Club members is always and happyanyone to who welcome would new memberslike to findand anyoneout more who about would the likeRotary to find out Clubmore of about Towcester the Rotary is welcome Club of to Towcester pop is alongwelcome on ato Thursday pop along evening on ato Thursdaythe eveningSaracen’s to the Head Saracen‟s – have Head a meal – have and aa meal andchat a chat and and find find out outwhat what a nice a nicebunch bunch of of peoplepeople they they are! are! For For further further details details – please– contactplease their contact Secretary. their Secretary. [email protected]@towcester-rotary.org.uk www.towcester-rotary.org.ukwww.towcester-rotary.org.uk

18 Rotary Youth Leadership Award 2017

The Rotary Club of Towcester was delighted to sponsor local candidate Eileen Conroy to attend a week's course at the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) at Grafham Water in Huntingdon.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is a leadership development program organised by Rotary. The course events can include presentations, activities, and workshops where attendees are encouraged to develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. Topics include:

 Leadership fundamentals and ethics  Communication skills  Problem solving and conflict management  Community and global citizenship

What are the benefits?

Connect with young potential leaders in your community and around the world to:

 Build communication and problem-solving skills  Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community  Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors  Unlock your potential to turn motivation into action  Have fun and form lasting friendships

For more information about Youth programmes run by your local Rotary Club – please visit their web site: http://www.towcester-rotary.org.uk/working-with-young-people/

20 Towcester Mill Brewery…

…Is now one of the five best pubs in the East Midlands

Towcester Mill Brewery Tap has won the next round of CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) best pub competition, securing the title of Pub of the Year for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

Following its success in the Northants CAMRA Pub of the Year competition in May, Towcester Mill Brewery now goes head to head with four other pubs within the East Midlands CAMRA region to determine the overall East Midlands regional winner.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won this next stage of the competition,” said director, John Evans. “To have won the CAMRA Northants Pub of the Year was an honour in itself but to be judged the best pub across three counties and one of the five best pubs in the East Midlands is such great news.”

…Is gearing up for the Christmas rush

This Christmas the brewery shop will be offering not just its range of real ale and speciality gins, but its brand new single malt spirit – all of which are perfect for the festive season.

The Brewery launched its new single malt spirit in the summer, distilled from the wort brewed on-site. The wort is produced from the liquid extracted from the mashing of the malted barley during the brewing process. Named ‘Tove Mill’ (part of the old English name for Towcester meaning ‘camp on the river Tove’), it is a smooth, balanced, single malt spirit and perfect for a Christmas gift!

In true festive style, the shop sells gift packs, ‘make your own’ hampers and 5L mini-kegs, as well as pint glasses, polo shirts and warm woolly hats! The ‘gin-revolution’ means there is a wide range of delicious speciality gins available too with beautiful gin glasses and bottles to die for. And, don’t forget to order the beer you want for the party season in plenty of time!

…Is Towcester’s hottest comedy club

The Mill is fast becoming known as a comedy venue in its own right as more and more acts line up to perform in the building best known for its ales.

Live comedy nights take place monthly at the Mill on the last Thursday of the month. Up and coming headlining acts are on 26 October, 30 November and 28 December. All comedy nights have a support act and are compered by award winning comedian, Pete Teckman, Towcester Mill’s resident MC.

For all tickets check out the events section on www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk.

21 BEST^d<Wd'ZEKDWd/d/KEϮϬϭϳ KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION 2017 Sadly, and for the first time since its start, the Town Council did not receive sufficient entries^ĂĚůǇ͕ to ĂŶĚ run ĨŽƌthe Best ƚŚĞ ĨŝƌƐƚKept ƚŝŵĞGarden ƐŝŶĐĞ Competition ŝƚƐ ƐƚĂƌƚ͕ ƚŚĞthis dŽǁŶyear. The ŽƵŶĐŝů Council’s ĚŝĚ ŶŽƚ Recreation ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ & ƐƵĨĨŝĐŝĞŶƚĞŶƚƌŝĞƐƚŽƌƵŶƚŚĞĞƐƚ<ĞƉƚ'ĂƌĚĞŶŽŵƉĞƚŝƚŝŽŶƚŚŝƐǇĞĂƌ͘Leisure Committee will now need to decide if the competition will continue, anddhe if so, Council’s find ways Recreation to better &promote Leisure it Committeethat will encourage will now more need Towcester to ĚĞĐŝĚĞ ŝĨ ƚŚĞ residentsĐŽŵƉĞƚŝƚŝŽŶ to participate. ǁŝůů ĐŽŶƚŝŶƵĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝĨ ƐŽ͕ ĨŝŶĚ ǁĂǇƐ ƚŽ ďĞƚƚĞƌ ƉƌŽŵŽƚĞ ŝƚ ƚŚĂƚ ǁŝůů AnyĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞŵŽƌĞdŽǁĐĞƐƚĞƌƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐƚŽƉĂƌƚŝĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘ ideas or suggestions would be most welcome. Telephone:ŶǇŝĚĞĂƐŽƌƐƵŐŐĞƐƚŝŽŶƐǁŽƵůĚďĞŵŽƐƚǁĞůĐŽŵĞ͘ 01327 350995 / Email: [email protected]

A welcoming home serving the community, expressing God’s love for everyone

Fundraising for the Tove Valley Centre

The Tove Valley Centre will be a place of worship for the Tove Valley Baptist Fellowship as well as a modern community facility available for use by local groups in Towcester and the wider district. It will be located on the Northampton Road in Towcester adjacent to the Shires housing estate and SNC car park. The Centre will house a large auditorium including a platform and modern audio-visual facilities, an entrance foyer and display area, fully equipped commercial kitchen, hall, additional rooms and crèche area. For more details about the Centre please visit www.tovevalleycentre.co.uk or contact us by emailing [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising events this year. We started with a Quiz Night in April, then our 60‟s/70‟s music evening with „Fynnius Fogg‟ in June and a Barn Dance with music by „Apricot Pie‟ in September.

Our next fundraising event will be a Quiz Evening with quizmaster Hilary Aslett. This will be held at the Saracens Head in Towcester on Friday 3rd November at 7pm. Tickets cost £10 to include a chip butty and dessert, available now from Coleman‟s Stationers in Towcester or via our website. Come as a team (maximum of 6) or join others to make a team on the night. Do keep an eye on the events page of the Tove Valley Centre website www.tovevalleycentre.co.uk and local press for further details and information about future events as they are planned.

24 How do you make “goodness” fashionable? What is ‘good’ going on in our community?

It was the Englishman William Wilberforce who coined a phrase called ‘making goodness fashionable’ to encourage the people of his day to show acts of kindness. But making kindness fashionable has never been easy.

Of the two questions above, perhaps the second is the easier one to answer and the one for which you will know from your own experience. There is so much “good” or loving service, if you prefer a non-moralistic description, being done in our community - the donors and the volunteers of the Towcester Foodbank, the volunteers of the St. John Ambulance whose motto is Saving Lives! The kindness and courtesy that we show to one another, both to neighbours and to strangers and visitors, the fun and community spirit which we shared at the Saxon Fair back in July due to the hard work, preparation and planning of the Saxon Fair committee and, in turn, all who came and much more. There are literally thousands of unsung acts of kindness being done every day. We know it and experience it, but somehow we don’t manage to shout about it and celebrate. All those good things don’t seem to make our news.

Coming up from Friday, 29th September to Sunday, 1st October is National Prayer Weekend in the UK. Archbishop Justin Welby writes: “Prayer matters and prayer changes everything. Because as God changes us in prayer he drives us out to be justice-seekers, peacemakers, healers and bringers of good news.” The National Day of Prayer in the U.S.A. is on the first Thursday of May - next year 3rd May 2018. This day was created in 1952 and signed into law by Harry S. Truman. “The mission of the National Day of Prayer is to mobilize our nation to unify public prayer for America. Our heart is to see a mighty spiritual awakening in America.”

Towcester Foodbank came about through the prayer and action of Churches Together in Towcester. St. John Ambulance has its foundations on the Order of St. John who in the eleventh century maintained a hospice in Jerusalem for both Christians and Muslims injured in the Crusades. At the end of the thirteenth century the Order came to an end in the Holy Land and the knights moved to Cyprus and then to Malta until evicted by Napoleon. Fast forward to 1877, when the St. John Ambulance Association was formed to train people in first aid techniques and the St. John Ambulance Brigade was formed, and we have our own Division in Towcester!

I wonder what else you would like to see become Good News in our community? Thoughts and prayer requests are welcome.

Chaplain to St. John Ambulance Northamptonshire Assistant Priest in the Tove Benefice Spanning the Centuries – the historic bridges of Northamptonshire by Julian Bowsher

We at Northamptonshire County Council have recently commissioned a beautiful book which looks at the historic bridges within the county. Reading the book, in conjunction with the interactive mapping on the county council website, provides an in depth insight into local history and bridge building development over time.

We would like to give all the people of Northamptonshire an opportunity to buy the book at a cost of £20.00 per copy. This link takes you to the relevant page on the NCC website: http://www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/news/council-news/Pages/spanning-the- centuries-the-historic-bridges-of-northamptonshire.aspx

26 OLD TOWCESTER 21 – GILBERT FLESHER;ϭϳϳϮͲϭϴϰϱͿ

The name of Gilbert Flesher may not mean much to many people living in Towcester as he died 172 years ago and apart from a monument in St. Lawrence Church there is nothing to commemorate him. The large brick house he built still dominates the Market Square but you have to look at the back of the building to see the datestone with his initials on. This building is the present Post Office.

Gilbert was christened in Towcester in 1772. His father, also named Gilbert, was a draper and woolstapler who lived in a house, now demolished, which occupied the site of the present Co-op store next to the Post Office, Gilbert was the third born son but his eldest brother died about 6 months old and his brother John-Thomas was ordinated and became vicar of Tiffield. Gilbert Flesher‟s House 1799

After his father's death in 1779 it appears his mother Sarah continued the family business which would have been taken over by Gilbert when he came of age. His active business life appears to have been short as in 1798 he put his business premises up for sale and from then on must have lived on private means . He was very Conservative and totally patriotic. By 1803 he had invested in a post-coach that plied from Daventry to the Golden-Lion Inn, London three times a week and by 1804 was the Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire; a post which he held until shortly before he died.

Although he clearly moved in the upper circles of Northamptonshire life he was a philanthropist who supported the expansion of Northampton Hospital and the building of the County Lunatic Asylum. The poor of Towcester and Newton Longueville (Buckinghamshire) were of particular concern to him. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of George III in October 1809 he organised a dinner of roast beef, plum pudding and ale in the Market Square for up to 1000 poor inhabitants. As a Feoffee of the Sponne Charity he introduced the use of vouchers in 1813 so that those requiring charitable relief could buy bread and meat at a reduced prices. He actively sought prize money for local soldiers and sailors, provided 50 gallons of soup to the Towcester poor in the winter of 1830 and Victoria plum pudding to over 600 Towcester children to celebrate the birth of Gilbert Flesher 1772 - 1845 Princess Victoria at Buckingham Palace in 1840.

Early on he got involved with Turnpike roads and about 1808 put forward a way to replace a 150 yard section of what is now Brackley Road close to the cross-roads. This involved breaking the limestone into small sizes, laying it on the bed of the road, and covering it with gravel to give the road a convex shape. In May 1819 he was one of the Turnpike Trustees who met with John McAdam at the George Inn, Northampton to discuss the efficient repair of turnpike roads. In the same year, as a Commissioner of the Dunchurch to Old Stratford Turnpike, he gave evidence at a Parliamentary Enquiry which was headed by Sir Henry Parnell into the state of the Holyhead Road and explained his method of constructing the 150 yard section of road in 1808.

Continued over… 28

In 1821 Gilbert carried out more experiments on road construction in Towcester which was witnessed by Sir Henry Parnell (The Kentish Gazette 3rd Dec 1839) Parnell allegedly instructed Mr McAdam to use this method, which was very effective, and with Parnell‟s influence McAdam was given a grant by Parliament for his invention of improved road construction. Gilbert was incensed by this and claimed that his method had been stolen by McAdam. This claim was considered to be „extravagant‟ in Gilbert‟s obituary that appeared in the Gentleman‟s Magazine in 1845 but in October 1839 Gilbert claims that he met Parnell in August that year whilst the “Wonder Coach” passed though Towcester at which time Parnell admitted that Gilbert‟s claim was correct. Regardless of this there in no question that Gilbert was an excellent “Gentleman” road engineer. He was praised the Buckinghamshire Historian George Lipscombe in 1847 as having converted some of the dirtiest most dreary and incommodious roads in Buckinghamshire into safe cheerful and pleasant lines of communication.

Without a doubt Gilbert was one of most respected Towcester inhabitants of his time. On returning from a meeting of Trustees in Buckingham in January 1844 he got soaked and developed a severe illness which kept him confined to his bedroom until his death on the 12th March 1845. Some of the numerous patriotic songs that he wrote survive and a collection of his drawings of Northampton Churches are held at the British Library.

Brian Giggins

dŽǁĐĞƐƚĞƌZŽǇĂůƌŝƚŝƐŚ>ĞŐŝŽŶ

KƵƌŵĂŝŶĞǆƚƌĂ^ƵŵŵĞƌĂĐƚŝǀŝƚŝĞƐŝŶĐůƵĚĞĚŽƵƌ^ƵŵŵĞƌYĂŶĚĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐĞƌĂƚƚŚĞŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝǀĞůƵďŝŶ:ƵŶĞĂŶĚƌƵŶŶŝŶŐĂ ƐƚĂůůĂƚdŚĞůĂŬĞƐůĞǇ^ŚŽǁĂƚƚŚĞďĞŐŝŶŶŝŶŐŽĨƵŐƵƐƚ͘ŽƚŚŽĨƚŚĞĞǀĞŶƚƐǁĞŶƚƌĞĂůůǇǁĞůůĨŽƌƵƐ͘ǀĞƌǇŽŶĞĞŶũŽǇĞĚƚŚĞ YĂŶĚůŽƚƐŽĨƉĞŽƉůĞĐĂŵĞƚŽŽƵƌƐƚĂŶĚĂƚůĂŬĞƐůĞǇ–ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌƚŚĞǇǁĂŶƚĞĚƚŽŽƌŶŽƚ͊KŚƚŚĞƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞŽĨƚŚĞWŽƉƉǇ ƐƚŝĐŬĞƌ͊ ǀĞƌǇŽŶĞŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚǁŝƚŚƚŚĞĞǀĞŶƚƐƚŚŽƌŽƵŐŚůǇĞŶũŽǇĞĚƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐĂŶĚǁĞŵĂĚĞĂďŝƚŽĨĚŽƐŚĨŽƌƚŚĞƌĂŶĐŚĨƵŶĚƐ͘^ŽŵĞ ŽĨƚŚĞƐĞǁŝůůďĞĂǁĂƌĚĞĚƚŽƚŚĞϮϬϭϳWŽƉƉǇƉƉĞĂůǁŚŝĐŚƐƚĂƌƚƐŽŶ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂǇ͕ϮϴƚŚKĐƚŽďĞƌ͘dŚĞĐĞƌĞŵŽŶǇƚŽŽƉĞŶĂŶĚ ĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞƚŚĞZĞŵĞŵďƌĂŶĐĞ'ĂƌĚĞŶŽŶƚŚĂƚŵŽƌŶŝŶŐǁŝůůƚĂŬĞƉůĂĐĞĂƚϭϬĂŵŽƵƚƐŝĚĞ^ƚ͘>ĂǁƌĞŶĐĞŚƵƌĐŚ͘ dŚĞ WŽƉƉǇ ƉƉĞĂů ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ƐŝŶŐůĞ ďŝŐŐĞƐƚ ĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐĞƌ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ Z> ďƵƚ Ɛƚŝůů ŽŶůǇ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ϰϬͲϱϬй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƚĂů ĨƵŶĚƐ ŶĞĐĞƐƐĂƌǇƚŽƐƵƉƉŽƌƚƚŚĞ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͕ĂŶĚǁŚĞƌĞŶĞĐĞƐƐĂƌǇƚŚĞŝƌĚĞƉĞŶĚĂŶƚƐ͘tĞŚĂǀĞŵĂŶĂŐĞĚƚŽŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƚŚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚƌĂŝƐĞĚďǇŽƵƌƌĂŶĐŚǇĞĂƌŽŶǇĞĂƌĨŽƌƚŚĞƉĂƐƚϭϬнǇĞĂƌƐďƵƚŝŶŽƌĚĞƌƚŽŬĞĞƉƚŚĂƚƵƉǁĞŶĞĞĚƚŽĚŽŵŽƌĞ͘dŚĞ ďĞƐƚǁĂǇŝƐďǇƌĞĐƌƵŝƚŝŶŐŵŽƌĞǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐǇŽƵĐĂŶĚŽŶĂƚĞũƵƐƚĂĐŽƵƉůĞŽĨŚŽƵƌƐ;ŽƌŵŽƌĞͿŽĨƚŚĞŝƌƚŝŵĞ͘dƌĂĚŝƚŝŽŶĂůůǇ͕ǁĞ ŚĂǀĞĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚĂƚtĂŝƚƌŽƐĞ͕dĞƐĐŽĂŶĚƚŚĞDĂƌŬĞƚ^ƋƵĂƌĞŽŶǁĞĞŬĞŶĚƐĂŶĚ͕ŵŽƌĞƌĞĐĞŶƚůǇ͕ůĚŝ͘dŚŝƐǇĞĂƌ͕ĂůůŽĨƚŚĞƐƚŽƌĞƐ ǁŝůůůĞƚƵƐĐŽůůĞĐƚĂƚƚŚĞŝƌĞŶƚƌĂŶĐĞƐ;ĂůůŝŶƐŝĚĞĞǆĐĞƉƚĨŽƌƚŚĞDĂƌŬĞƚ^ƋƵĂƌĞͿĚƵƌŝŶŐƚŚĞǁĞĞŬĂƐǁĞůů͘dŚŝƐŵĞĂŶƐƚŚĂƚĨŽƌ ƚŚŽƐĞǁŝƚŚƚŽŽŵƵĐŚƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞŽŶƚŚĞŝƌƚŝŵĞĂƚǁĞĞŬĞŶĚƐĐŽƵůĚĂůƐŽŚĞůƉ͘ ÊŚĂƐƐŚŽǁŶŝƚƐĐŽŵŵŝƚŵĞŶƚďǇƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐƉĞƌƐŽŶŶĞůŽŶƚǁŽĞǆƚƌĂĚĂǇƐĂƚtĂŝƚƌŽƐĞ͘KŶdƵĞƐĚĂǇ͕ϯϭƐƚKĐƚŽďĞƌ͕ÊůůƌƐ ǁŝůůŵĂŶƚŚĞƐƚĂŶĚĨƌŽŵϴ͗ϯϬĂŵƵŶƚŝůϱ͗ϯϬƉŵ͕ƐƚĂƌƚŝŶŐǁŝƚŚƚŚĞŚĂŝƌ͕ůůƌ&ŝŽŶĂĂŬĞƌ͕ĂŶĚ>ĞĂĚĞƌŽĨƚŚĞŽƵŶĐŝů͕ůůƌ/ĂŶ DĐŽƌĚ͘KŶdŚƵƌƐĚĂǇ͕ϮŶĚŽĨEŽǀĞŵďĞƌŝƚǁŝůůďĞƚŚĞƚƵƌŶŽĨƚŚĞÊŽĨĨŝĐĞƐƚĂĨĨƚŽĐŽǀĞƌĨŽƌƚŚĞƐĂŵĞƚŝŵĞƐ͘tĞĂƌĞǀĞƌǇ ŐƌĂƚĞĨƵůƚŽĞǀĞƌǇŽŶĞĂƚÊĨŽƌƐƵƉƉŽƌƚŝŶŐƵƐŝŶƚŚŝƐǁĂǇ͘/ĨǇŽƵƚŚŝŶŬǇŽƵŵĂǇďĞĂďůĞƚŽŚĞůƉƵƐƚŚĞŶƉůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚŵĞ ĚŝƌĞĐƚůǇ͘

tĞŵĞĞƚŽŶƚŚĞƐĞĐŽŶĚdƵĞƐĚĂǇŽĨĞĂĐŚŵŽŶƚŚĂƚƚŚĞŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝǀĞůƵďĂƚϳ͘ϯϬƉŵ͕ĂŶĚĂůůĂƌĞǁĞůĐŽŵĞ͘zŽƵĚŽŶŽƚŚĂǀĞ ƚŽŚĂǀĞƐĞƌǀĞĚŝŶƚŚĞƌŵĞĚ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐƚŽďĞĐŽŵĞĂŵĞŵďĞƌŽĨƚŚĞZ>͘^ŽŵĞŽĨƚŚĞƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚďǇƚŚĞZ>ĐĂŶŽŶůǇ ďĞŽĨĨĞƌĞĚƚŽĞǆŽƌĐƵƌƌĞŶƚƐĞƌǀŝŶŐƉĞƌƐŽŶŶĞůŽƌƚŚĞŝƌĚĞƉĞŶĚĂŶƚƐ͕ďƵƚƚŚĂƚƐƚŝƉƵůĂƚŝŽŶĚŽĞƐŶŽƚĂƉƉůǇƚŽĂŶǇŽŶĞŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶďĞĐŽŵŝŶŐĂŵĞŵďĞƌ͘^ŽǁŚǇŶŽƚƉŽƉĂůŽŶŐƚŽŽƵƌŶĞǆƚŵĞĞƚŝŶŐĂŶĚƐĞĞĨŽƌǇŽƵƌƐĞůĨ͍zou’ll be made very welcome.

ZKW/E^^^/KE&KZdKt^dZ dŚĞƚƌŝĂů‘ƌŽƉ/Ŷ’ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐĂƚƚŚĞ>ŝďƌĂƌǇŽŶƚŚĞĨŝƌƐƚtĞĚŶĞƐĚĂǇŽĨĞĂĐŚŵŽŶƚŚŚĂǀĞŶŽƚďĞĞŶƐƵĐĐĞƐƐǁĞŚŽƉĞĚ͘sŝƌƚƵĂůůǇ ŶŽͲŽne turned up so it has been decided to “drop” them (apologies, /couldn’t resist).

ĂǀŝĚZĞĞĚ͕DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ^ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌǇΘWŽƉƉǇƉƉĞĂůKƌŐĂŶŝƐĞƌ ĚƌĞĞĚƐĨŵΛƐŬǇ͘ĐŽŵͬϬϳϵϳϬϱϵϳϬϰϰͬϬϭϯϮϳϯϱϮϰϭϰ

29 Tonight you can have chicken curry and he can have bangers and mash. Happy days!

They say you can’t please all of the people all of the time. But Wiltshire Farm Foods believe you can. We offer over 300 ready meals, each made using tasty ingredients that are perfectly cooked then quick-frozen to lock the goodness in. Chicken Korma £3.79 Special dietary needs like gluten-free or low calorie? It’s all available no-contract, no-commitment and with free delivery. Just order what you want, when you want.

Call us for your FREE brochure 01536 420 505 Bangers & Mash £2.99 wiltshirefarmfoods.com

31 News from the Tove Benefice Office…

Children’s Church to start up - Building on the popularity of Little Sprouts, which overflows with pushchairs and toddlers on Monday mornings in St. Lawrence during term time, and the Family Service on the first Sunday of every month at 9.30am, we are launching a new opportunity for primary-age children to learn Bible stories and be a vital part of the church family. Starting with news in church, then going over for their own age-related activities and teaching, the children will then do a show and tell. On Sundays, 8th & 22nd October, 26th November and 10th December at 9:30am. All are welcome.

Marriage Preparation (and in-flight - refuelling) on Saturday, 28th October – The churches put on a fabulous and tasty day to give couples time to think and invest in their relationship. All are welcome. The cost is £10.00 per couple to cover resources and a delicious meal. Please telephone 01327 350459 to book (you don’t have to be getting married in church). Thanksgiving Services for the departed loved ones – As we enter the autumn season, we often reflect on passing life and are encouraged to remember loved ones and give thanks for love and all we received. We hold two special opportunities to light candles and hold them dear. All Soul’s Day Thursday, 2nd November in St. Lawrence Church, Towcester at 7:30pm (also a Communion) and Sunday, 5th November in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Greens Norton at 3:00pm. Both occasions are open to everyone and are followed by a cup of tea and a chance to talk.

Sunday, 12th November – Remembrance Sunday Service in St Lawrence at 10:50am. Especially relevant this year as we remember all those who died at Passchendaele 100 years ago.

Sunday, 26th November –Advent Carol Service is in Towcester this year at 6:00pm. Don’t miss this feast of light, music and word to prepare you for the season to come.

The winter season of the churches’ Film Club gets underway on Monday, 27th November at Silverstone Methodist Chapel with ‘Saving Grace’. Please book your seats via Nigel on 01327 350023.

Early notice of the Christingle Service for Families and especially children… Sunday, 3rd December in St. Mary’s Church, Easton Neston at 3:00pm Sunday, 3rd December in St. Lawrence Church, Towcester at 4:00pm If you haven’t been to church before and would like to see what goes on, this is a good opportunity to come along and start the Christmas celebrations with us. Oranges, candles sweets and donations to support Children’s Society working with vulnerable children in the UK. Wonderful inspiring stuff.

St. Lawrence Church Flower Festival A Passage Through Time - Towcester 917 and all that, celebrated in flower, music and prayer, was the focus for this year’s Flower Festival as part of St. Lawrence Patronal Festival. Amazing creativity went in into it all as Rona Cambray, and the fabulous team of arrangers from across the town, pulled off yet another great visual and sensual feast.

A range of topics from the Vikings to Pope Boniface, The Fire of Towcester 1676 to the Swinging Sixties, Brick and Lace making to the 1762 Inclusion Act, and much more – all exquisitely arranged to inspire, educate and entertain.

Crowds came – old acquaintances renewed and new friendships made. The sun shone (well mostly) as people enjoyed cream teas in the Chantry Garden – we sold out on the Sunday! On Saturday there were activities for children on the Vicarage Lawn. The cake raffle (thanks to Pam), tombola, grand prize and donations made a healthy contribution towards church funds. Music was also a feature of the weekend with an organ recital Friday lunchtime given by Michael Tinsley. On Sunday morning we were joined by Towcester Studio Band who treated us to a beautiful rendition of Guardian of my Soul during communion. The festival was closed with Choral Evensong in which the choirs of the Benefice came together, under the direction of Michael Tinsley, sang Day by Day by Martin How and Lord, I Trust thee by Handel leading our service and lifting our voices.

Thank you to everyone who made ti possible and who supported it.

If you missed it, you missed out. Next year’s dates are already confirmed as 10th – 12th August when the theme will be Peace Perfect Peace. 32 Photographs courtesy of Mr Peter Mains

33 FORTHCOMINGFORTHCOMING EVENTS EVENTS IN IN THE THE TOWN TOWN HALL HALL

EveryEvery Friday Friday Antiques 2 Go IndoorAntiques Market 2 Go Indoor Market OCTOBER OCTOBERSaturday 7th A Slice of Craft – Sale of Handmade Crafts & Gifts SaturdaySaturday 7th 28 th The Gift Bazaar A Slice of Craft – Sale of Handmade Crafts & Gifts SaturdayNOVEMBER 28th The Gift Bazaar Saturday 4th A Slice of Craft – Sale of Handmade Crafts & Gifts NOVEMBER Saturday 4th A Slice SATURDAY,of Craft – Sale 11 THof NOVEMBERHandmade Crafts & Gifts FROST FAYRE Sale SATURDAY,of Christmas Crafts,11TH NOVEMBER Gifts & Jewellery Hosted by The FriendsFROST of Northampton FAYRE General Hospital Sale of Christmas Crafts, Gifts & Jewellery

Saturday 18th The Gift BazaarHosted by The Friends of Northampton General Hospital Saturday 25th (9am – 5pm) The Towcester & District Art Society Exhibition th SaturdaySunday 18th26 (9am -5pm) The TowcesterThe Gift & Bazaar District Art Society Exhibition SaturdayDECEMBER 25th (9am – 5pm) The Towcester & District Art Society Exhibition nd SundaySaturday 26th 2 (9am A Slice -5pm) of Craft – SaleThe of Towcester Handmade & CraftsDistrict & ArtGifts Society Exhibition Saturday 9th Christmas Fayre Friday 15th, pm Towcester Choral Society Christmas Concert DECEMBER th SaturdaySaturday 2nd 16 Towcester NeighbourhoodA Slice of Watch Craft –– SaleSafer of Christmas Handmade Event Crafts & Gifts Saturday 16th Towcester Choral Society Christmas Concert Saturday 9th st Christmas Fayre FridayThursday 15th 21 Carols on TowcesterTowcester Market Choral Square Society Christmas Concert

Saturday 16th Towcester Neighbourhood Watch – Safer Christmas Event Saturday 16th FORTHCOMINGTowcester EVENTSChoral Society IN THE Christmas SAWPITS Concert CENTRE Thursday 21st Carols on Towcester Market Square Thursdays (8:30 – 11:30am) Towcester Country Market For further information please telephoneFORTHCOMING Margaret Merris EVENTS on 01327 IN 830893THE SAWPITS CENTRE or visit Facebook.com/TowcesterCountryMarket Wednesdays (9:30 – 11am) Cha Char Chimps Thursdays (8:30 – 11:30am) Towcester Country Market Term times only For further information please telephone Kate Morris 07874 610088 or visit For www.ccchimps.com.further information please telephone Margaret Merris on 01327 830893 or visit Facebook.com/TowcesterCountryMarket WednesdaysWednesdays (9:30 (4:30 – –11am) 7:30pm) MKCACha Cheer Char &Chimps Dance Term times only ForTerm further times information only please For further telephone information Kate Morris please 07874 visit 610088 www.mkcheerleadingacademy.co.uk or visit www.ccchimps.com. WednesdaysEvery Friday (4:30 (10 –– 11:15am) 7:30pm) Viv‟s MKCA Yoga Cheer & Dance Term times only For Forfurther further information information please please visit www.mkcheerleadingacademy.co.uk telephone Viv Duggan on 07941 547160 EverySaturday Friday, 4 (10th November – 11:15am) Towcester Viv’s Evening Yoga W.I. „Chocolate Affair‟ For Fufurtherrther information details can please be found telephone inside Vivthis Duggan issue on 07941 547160 Saturday, 4th November Towcester Evening W.I. Chocolate Affair’ Further details can be found inside this issue Towcester Town Crier is published by Towcester Town Council and is open to contributions from all organisations and Towcesterindividuals Town in the Crier town. is Thepublished last date by for Towcester advertising Town is 24 thCouncil October and and is for open copy to 31 stcontributions October 2017. from We are all noworganisations operating anda strictindividuals deadline in for the advertising town. The / copy last anddate materials for advertising will not be is accepted24th October after these and dates.for copy 31st October 2017. We are now operating a strict deadline for advertising / copy and materials will not be accepted after these dates. Copy should be sent to Elizabeth Cox at the Town Council Office (tel: 01327 350995; email: towncouncil@towcester- tc.gov.uk). For advertising, please contact Jim Lynch (tel: 01327 350899). Articles appearing contain the views of the Copy should be sent to Elizabeth Cox at the Town Council Office: (tel: 01327 350995; email: towncouncil@towcester- person submitting the item and are not necessarily the views of the Town Council. The Town Council‟s website address is tc.gov.uk).www.towcester-tc.gov.uk. For advertising, please contact Jim Lynch (tel: 01327 350899). Articles appearing contain the views of the person submitting the item and are not necessarily the views of the Town Council. The Town Council’s website address is www.towcester-tc.gov.ukPrinted by R1 Print & Design,. Silverstone.

Printed by R1 Print & Design, Silverstone.