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Established 1991 Best Newspaper 2016 Shine School Media Awards Summer 2018 Issue 48 Restrictions to North Bridge weight limit threaten bus services and retailer deliveries through town

Oundle’s North Bridge is in Any diversions will mean an extra need of urgent structural repair bus, adding to unplanned costs. work, but Business owners predict that the County Council has walked away weight restrictions will bring from the problem due to lack of “mayhem” and “paralysis” to funding. Oundle roads and increased The council’s solution is to congestion in the Market Place will impose a 3 tonne vehicle weight reduce customer footfall. limit, which will mean considerable If large vehicles are redirected disruption to deliveries, schools, The Grade II listed bridge construction vehicles are exempt. down South Road, a one-way public transport and construction. currently has a 13 tonne carrying The estimated cost is £750,000, system around town along West Since 2014, the bridge has been capacity per vehicle. The 3 tonne which the council says it does not Street and South Road may need to undergoing daily structural limit will mean that large vehicles, have. be enforced. monitoring to assess its weight including double decker buses, will MP is making It is expected that the weight bearing load. Over this period not be able to use the bridge. enquiries about obtaining funding limit will begin in June. The NCC considerable movement was There is a 7.5 tonne weight from the Department of Transport have not indicated how long it will detected, and it was determined restriction for traffic passing Challenge Fund for highways take before funds are available and that seven of the thirteen arches are through town, but public service maintenance. work can begin. unable to carry their full weight vehicles, emergency services, Pick Arthey is located just over The council said the bridge is bearing capacity. delivery lorries and permitted the bridge and takes delivery of "not in immediate risk of collapse", 30,000 litres of fuel per week. With but that action needs to be taken to the weight restriction, their fuel prevent further damage. delivery vehicle, plus the car South Bridge was strengthened NCC and ENC plan for transporters will need to travel after years of repair work and now through the centre of town. has a 18 tonne amenity weight re- Field development Stagecoach, which runs the X4 striction which could accommodate bus, is concerned that the restric- heavy vehicles. Alternate routes tion will undermine the viability will require a wide detour through Elinor Nikolva Without planning consent for of the bus service through Oundle. surrounding villages. Fletton Field came to the the land, property experts are market for sale in January on the sceptical about the valuation. instructions of NCC. This rarely Richard Tremellen, Estates A humble honour for a Maundy recipient available parcel of land near the Bursar at said: “In centre of town comprises 1.7 acres its current state as a playing field or off Glapthorn Road, between the paddock it is possibly worth about memorial Chapel and Abbott £100,000+. However, if the site was House. Originally the land was sold with planning consent to build bequeathed to the town by the on it, the value may be in excess of Smiths and subsequently used £1.5m. for allotments. Since then it has "NCC are keen to sell it for been used by the community for as much as they possibly can, so many things, and until recently would like to receive bids from it also served as the playing field developers. As it stands, any for the Primary School. The use by developer would be purchasing the the Primary School ceased when land at risk. Their offers would also it relocated from Milton Road be conditional on gaining planning to Road as part of a consent and there are no guarantees merger with the Middle School. about gaining planning consent.” NCC Councillor Heather Smith In 2016, a planning application said: “The NCC estates team has for up to 13 dwellings on assessed it with a value of £2m, and the land was refused by East the council has to accept the highest Northamptonshire planners. David Wills was invited to represent the Diocese at the Maundy Thursday service with the Queen at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle bid.” Continued on page 3 Continued on page 19 2 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 The NatWest joins high street bank exodus Community Banker to hold drop-in clinics for Chronicle Elinor Nikolova Business customers can use banking queries Within a year of Norwich and Bankline or online banking to Team Peterborough Building Society manage their accounts and Sienna Rushton having closed its Oundle branch, payments. There are also courier NatWest Bank’s Community NatWest Bank also announced services, such as Bank to You. Banker, Mr Mohommad Chauhan, the closure of its Oundle branch, Many counter services can will be based at the Oundle Library effective 21 June 2018. The last still be provided by the local Post on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm. remaining bank in Oundle is Office. NatWest customers can He aims to support the Barclay’s on New Street. get a balance, make withdrawals community with banking and NatWest’s managing director, using their debit card and PIN, financial questions. Some of the Janat Hulston, explained their and pay in cash and cheques with information services he plans to reason for closing the Oundle a pre-printed paying-in slip at any include will concern fraud and branch to Tom Pursglove Post Office. Business customers scam awareness, digital safety MP: ‘Since 2012 we have seen can also use Post Offices to make awareness, and alternative ways of transactions in the Oundle branch deposits of up to £2,000 with a pre- banking. EDITOR decline by 29%, with many printed paying-in slip, debit card Elinor Nikolova customers already banking in other withdrawals of up to £500, and can ways.’ register for a change giving service. STAFF WRITERS Nationally, NatWest branch Tom Pursglove met with a Zara Abdullah usage has fallen 40 percent since NatWest representative to discuss Jordan Badiru 2014, while mobile transactions alternative banking services for Phillipa Bourne have increased by 73 percent and Oundle and local village residents. Lucy Cairns the number of customers using the He said: ‘Clearly, closing the branch Giorgio Capuzzello NatWest mobile app has increased is far from ideal, but at the meeting, Iris Cecil by 43 percent. In first half of 2017 we discussed the possibility of Isabella Nieto there have been 1.1 billion mobile introducing a Community Banker Clemmie Preston and online transactions - an in Oundle, to ensure face-to-face Sienna Rushton increase of 41 percent since 2014. banking services can continue to be Harry Squire ‘As customers change the way provided for NatWest customers.’ Hannah Wakeford they bank with us, we must change Since that discussion, a the way that we serve them and Community Banker has been Drop-in clinics will be available ADVERTISING this means that some branches will appointed by Natwest Bank to for both NatWest customers and Freddie Smith have to close.’ come into Oundle and help people non-customers. Mr Mohommad As a result of the move to with banking queries. The banker Chauhan said that he plans to work PHOTOGRAPHY increased online transactions, will not be able to distribute cash with the entire community. Judah Stephenson NatWest is closing 197 branches or receive deposits; it is an advice He will also be able to help non- nationwide. service. The Community Banker profits with signatory requirements The nearest NatWest branch to will be based at the Oundle Library. and mandates. However, he will Oundle will be in , 11 miles Mr Pursglove said: ‘I hope not be able to assist with any away. this provides some reassurance transactions of cash and cheques. NatWest emphasises the other to all those concerned that they Additionally, the Post Office options available to its customers, will continue to be able to access will also be able to assist Natwest including services via mobile, NatWest services face-to-face in our customers with counter services telephone, webchat, cash machines community.’ such as withdrawing and paying- and video banking. in, just as a local branch would do. New timetable for X4 service adds extra routes

Clemmie Preston form a new X4 service and the new . From 27 May, buses services timetable increases the frequency Buses will now travel the route coming through Oundle are of buses between Peterborough, every half an hour Monday to following a new timetable. The 24 Lynchwood and Oundle to Corby, Saturday, and every two hours on bus service has been merged to , and Sunday, and most will now operate via Lynch Wood, Orton Waterville and Elton. The services are frequent enough so people can travel at a convenient time. Three early morning buses from Oundle will continue on to the Peterborough train station. The last bus to Oundle from Queensgate leaves at 8:58pm Oundle Chronicle on weekdays. Most journeys to Cripps Library Peterborough now take 36 minutes. Street The X4 will no longer stop at the Oundle New Road area in Oundle, and the Peterborough changes to the 24 bus have resulted in Warmington village losing its PE8 4EE service. Warmington residents now E: [email protected] need to walk out to the the Services www.oundlechronicle.co.uk The new X4 bus timetable adds extra buses during the day. on the A605 to meet the X4 bus. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 3 with plans to build extra care more weight to the NCC’s steep homes for the elderly. At the valuation. However, it remains New location identified Fletton Field Oundle Town Meeting in April, unclear how this scheme would continued from page 1 Councillor Philip Stearn, Chairman better satisfy the reasons for the for post office Fletton Field is designated as Green of the Planning Committee, previous refusal of the 13 dwellings Lucy Cairns Space on the Rural North Oundle indicated that the ENC planning on this green field site. After several years of uncertain- and Plan, and is also authority would favourably Initially, NCC had hoped to ty as to whether the Oundle Post designated as Green Space in the consider a planning application for receive bids on 2 March with a view Office would continue to operate emerging Neighbourhood Plan. extra care homes, overriding the to complete the sale by 31 March. in Oundle, it has been confirmed Theoretically, this is land local structure and neighbourhood But because East Northants that the Post Office, under the new that should not be used for plans. Council (ENC) had recognised Post Office Ltd business model, has development. Cllr Stearn’s approval of extra the land as an asset of community found a new location at Oundle However, Heather Smith said care homes signals a green light value, there was a requirement to Pharmacy, 32 Market Place. they would look for a developer for potential developers, and gives give a six week notification period The Oundle Post Office is just for local interest groups to submit one of about 7,500 branches across Every little bit will help to save Fletton Field expressions of interest to purchase the country that are part of the the land. ongoing modernisation being The Oundle Recreation and Green- “There is no reason why Oundle This then triggered a implemented by Post Office Ltd. spaces Group, a community group can’t also secure this last remaining moratorium which allows six This new approach has meant that set up in 2016 to protect the town’s area of freely accessible greenspace accessible greenspaces, has launched a close to the centre of town, long term, months for local interest groups to branches have been bought by local community-wide crowdfunding bid to for all of its residents,” she said. organise the funding. retailers as part of a franchise deal. secure the future of Fletton Field. Chair There is a growing body of evidence Local groups in Oundle have At the new location, the Oundle of the group Christina Cork spoke at that recognises the immense value of until August to submit a bid to Pharmacy’s store layout, fixtures the Annual Town Meeting in April. accessible greenspaces within towns purchase the land as an asset of and fittings will be adapted to “We want to engage the whole town for a community’s wider health and community value. A local authority accommodate a new main Post in securing the future for the field. We wellbeing, as recognised also by the can sell a property below market Office with two service areas, and are running a fundraising campaign to county council’s Health and value if the sale will promote the will continue to be run by Mick and purchase the field. It is beyond dispute Wellbeing Strategy. social or environmental well- Kam Patel. The Patels have been that the town needs more amenity Oundle has a lack of accessible, being of the area. However, if the running the Post Office since 1987. greenspaces, not less. Fletton Field is public greenspace, with ten times less of critical importance to the town, in per person than , and five times property is valued above £2m, the Under the new management, terms of its size, location and feel. less than . Losing this council must consider the highest opening hours will be extended “Many local communities just like field will reduce Oundle’s accessible bid. to Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm Oundle have raised funds to save their greenspace still further by 40%. According to the NCC estates and Saturday, 9am to 3pm, with no greenspaces, local and commu- The Greenspaces Group welcomes team, the field is worth £2m, lunchtime closing, ensuring that nity buildings, from Scottish crofting all offers of help to mobilise contri- which could put it out of reach of the Post Office remains sustainable communities to villages in the rural butions to save Fletton Field. Visit for any consideration as an asset of and accessible to the residents of English countryside. details: www.saveflettonfield.org.uk. community value. Oundle.

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Tel 01832 274732 woodfordandco.com [email protected] 4 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018

The true cost of a trialing a 5p charge for a disposable Plastic bag levy may be extended cup from 35 stores. takeaway coffee As part of its loyalty scheme, Lucy Cairns help tackle the plastic pollution: Lucy Cairns Waitrose offers free tea and coffee In January 2018, Prime Minister “We have donated £500,000 from British tea drinking culture has from self-service machines, using Theresa May ordered a review to the proceeds to fund the Marine evolved over the years, changing us 52 million cups a year. After look- extend the 5p minimum charge on Conservation Society’s clean-up of from a nation of tea drinkers to one ing unsuccessfully for a paper cup plastic bags to all shops, including plastics from beaches and rivers.” addicted to takeaway coffee. Al- that could be used in mainstream small independent ones. Under the In Oundle, while Tesco, Waitrose though this takeaway culture suits recycling facilities, the store has de- current law, the charge only applies and the Co-op have already our faster, on-the-move lifestyle, cided to eliminate disposable cups to retailers who have 250 or more implemented the 5p charge, there with this change of pace comes a entirely "as part of our commitment employees. are many independent shops which throwaway culture, with 2.5 billion to reduce the amount of plastic and Since the initial five pence will be affected if the extension of coffee cups being sent to landfill packaging we use". They will be minimum charge for single-use the charge goes ahead. each year. removing takeaway cups from the plastic bags was introduced in Trendalls Butchers currently The biggest issue is the mis- Oundle store by autumn 2018 and 2015, use of plastic bags has been use plastic bags for packaging conception that disposable cups asking customers to bring in their reduced by nearly 90%. This has meat, and are aware of the financial can be recycled. However, coffee own reusable cup for drinks. had a huge effect on how much impact this levy will have for them. cups are lined with polyethylene, Takeaway is not Brew Babu’s plastic is being released into the "Over time this levy would affect which is what makes the cups both niche, with the majority of environment. our costs", they said. "Recyclable Before the implementation of bags are more expensive and just any charge, cashiers and customers not as easy to come by. However would use plastic bags freely, we are pro-biodegradable and double-bagging as a matter of support the movement towards course. Made from ethylene, a by- reducing the amount of plastic that product of petroleum or natural is being used." gas, plastic bags are so cheap and The introduction of this levy flimsy that they would never even forces even small, independent be reused. The result was that stores to take a position on this shoppers ended up with hundreds environmental issue, and make of plastic bags stored in their decisions about whether they as houses, many of which eventually a company choose to commit to end up in the oceans or landfill. support it. Plastic bag pollution Even when disposed of should not be the responsibility waterproof and unrecyclable. The customers buying a sit down coffee, properly, plastic bags are so of only major shops, but of every difficulty of recycling coffee cups is but they do offer branded reusable lightweight and aerodynamic, they business. additionally increased by the fact coffee cups to encourage the transi- are easily picked up and carried by Despite the added cost of they are left with coffee stains. tion from paper coffee cups. "If you the wind, contributing to roadside investing in biodegradable This means cups cannot be easily do buy one of our coffee cups you litter. bags, many of the independent recycled, but must instead be taken get your first coffee free, however However, under the current stores in Oundle support this to special facilities, of which only so far this hasn’t really taken off." charge, not only are far fewer wider environmental movement three exist in the UK. The reality is Bean's Coffee Stop has been us- plastic bags being used, but to minimise our currently that less than one per cent of coffee ing fully recyclable disposable cups retailers may choose how they use unreasonable use of plastic cups are actually recycled. for over a year. 'We have always the funds collected for each bag, bags. Earlier in the year the Environ- been aware of issues with our pack- with many donating the proceeds It is now also up to the mental Audit Committee proposed aging', said owner Phil Gilbert. to environmental causes. consumer to support them. a 25p 'latte levy' on disposable Their cups and lids are supplied Waitrose donates all funds to coffee cups, with a target for all by Vegware and Sustain and are coffee cups to be recycled by 2023. made entirely from plant material, In March, however, the government with every component being com- It pays to recycle food waste rejected the proposal, leaving the postable. The convenience for the Jordan Badiru dioxide. The increased presence effort of reducing plastics to shop customer does come at a cost for There are currently no legal of such a harmful greenhouse gas owners. the shop owner, though. requirements for separate food in our atmosphere is not good for Many businesses are respond- "The cups are more expensive by collections in and only anyone. ing, forcing consumers to face up 20%," said Mr Gilbert. "It's an extra 44% of households in England At last summer’s Food Fair, to the issue. Starbucks is the UK's cost for us, but we feel we have got have access to food waste recycling Oundle Transition highlighted the second largest coffee chain, and is to do it. It's the right thing to do." services. Fortunately, East importance of recycling waste food Northamptonshire is a council for the generation of electricity and process takes 50 days. £13 billion of food was wasted that offers residents the service. production of crop fertiliser. In the last few years the AD in the UK in 2015, equating to However, unless householders Anaerobic digestion (AD) is industry has grown rapidly approximately 7.3 million tonnes. commit to recycling their food ‘widely accepted as the greenest and there are approximately Food waste reduction starts with waste, the council will no longer method of recycling unavoidable 107 dedicated waste plants consumers. A number of household find it financially viable and could food waste’ according to the AD in the UK. While the East initiatives can be put in place to terminate the service. business, Bio Collectors. ‘There is Northamptonshire Council use reduce food waste. Households As the repercussions of climate no reason that the huge capacity several local facilities to reprocess must learn to shop smarter and change force communities to now available across the UK should food waste, their locations are more realistically. acknowledge environmental issues, not be utilised.’ regarded as ‘commercially sensitive According to The Environment, it is essential that individuals are Anaerobic means ‘without information’. Food and Rural Affairs Committee: encouraged to actively promote a oxygen’. In a sealed biological In the financial year from April ‘The average household lost £470 greener lifestyle for a sustainable environment bacteria will 2016 to March 2017, 2,555 tonnes a year because of avoidable food future. digest food and transform it of food waste was collected by the waste whilst those with children Recycling food waste is into something useful such as a council. This accounts for 9.37% of incurred a loss of £700; the average increasingly important. Food waste nutrient-rich digestate that farmers total waste. On current trends, the person in the UK lost £200’. sent to landfill sites does not break can use as fertiliser. The process council says these figures are likely It is clear that it actually does down purely. Instead, it rots and also gives off a biogas that includes to be higher this year. pay to be aware of the effects of produces methane gas which is methane, which is sold to gas Nevertheless there is still a lot food waste and its impact on the 25 times more toxic than carbon networks to power homes. The of work to be done. Approximately environment. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 5 Crisis at Northants County Council brings in the commissioners

Freddie Smith by four local MPs seeking to make he left the council in March. He had legally provide. Following months of crisis me the scapegoat, has not been previously served as finance Northamptonshire has seen the reports from the Northamptonshire pleasant for anyone to witness. I director of the council. The GMB biggest growth in over-65s of all County Council, two government have continued to fight for fairer union reported that the council had English counties, and in 2013 the appointed commissioners are being funding for Northamptonshire paid a consultancy firm owned by council received a damning sent to run the Tory-controlled residents, in spite of the personal Mr Lawrenson nearly £1m in fees report for its services to protect council. They will be in place until attacks." from 2008 to 2018. vulnerable children, after which 2021. Other leaders in the council have In April auditor KPMG said it they launched a recovery strategy. In February Northamptonshire also come under scrutiny. After was reviewing payments made to They made significant progress became the first local authority in ten years at the helm, former chief Dr Blantern, and reviewing the and have taken record numbers two decades to issue a section 114 executive Dr Paul Blantern stepped process for filling statutory roles. of children into care, but this has notice for the remaining months of down from his £185,000 post in The failure of the council has led come at a cost. The council reported the financial year, meaning no new October, taking a controversial to fears that other county councils overspends in adult and children’s expenditure was permitted, with £95,000 pay-off with him. may also face similar problems. social services of £12.6m and £5.8m. the exception of safeguarding and His replacement, acting chief There is rapidly shrinking income The pressure to fund social care statutory services. executive Damon Lawrenson was from central government and rising has been so fraught that the council The council has been forced to paid more than £1000 a day until demand for the social care was accused of misappropriating identify £40m worth of cuts, which services, which the county must public funds. It emerged in March included shutting 21 libraries. that the county misused more than Whilst Northamptonshire MPs Freddie Smith Its business plans lacked any £70m that had been ring-fenced accused the council of mismanage- Communities secretary Sajid “realism”. They were ambitious, from Public Health England for ment, Councillor Heather Smith, Javid ordered an independent but vague and outlined no public health expenditure over two the former Leader of the Council inspection of the NCC in January. measurable outcomes. years. claimed that the council had been The report, published in March The cabinet blocked scrutiny by Heather Smith said the starved of funds by central govern- made highly critical conclusions. councillors. The report criticised the money "may have been spent in ment under its austerity budget. The report accepted the NCC process by which the decision was adult social care. It is debatable The county had been reducing claim that it had a historically low made to sell NCC headquarters, whether that was a public health its budget for a couple of years, council tax and above average One Angel Square. It reported that need or not." stemming from their ambitious population growth compared to no information about the plan had The council may now be asked ‘next generation’ plan to try and all other councils, but it refuted been presented to councillors, no to repay more than £10 million. put the council on a financially the claim that the council had been reports from scrutiny were - In October last year the council sustainable basis. However, five underfunded. While acknowledg- lished, and no minutes from meet- opened its new £53 million head- years ago it warned that meeting ing the impact on services during ings recorded. quarters at One Angel Square. The the demands of another five years the “austerity years”, it said that The cabinet refused to accept council had hoped to make of cuts would be impossible. distribution of available resources challenge or scrutiny, operating on significant savings by closing 12 Following a February vote of no had not been “unfair to NCC”. the principle that “senior members different offices and bringing all confidence by the Conservatives Poor management and a lack of and officers knew best”. services into one building, but in the council, and the publication budgetary discipline were responsi- The report said that the prob- by February a proposal had been of a damning government report, ble for the council’s present circum- lems were so deep and ingrained made for the council to sell the Heather Smith, who represents stances. There were no “articulated that there was no possible recovery building and lease it back. Oundle, resigned as Leader of the set of financial and managerial plan to bring the council back to The sale was initially halted in Council in March. controls”, and the council had no stability within five years. It recom- March after a government report In her resignation statement she “clarity or understanding as to mended that a model for a unitary proposed a major restructuring said: "This has not been an easy de- what was going on”. form of local government be dis- of the NCC, but the council went cision for me as the authority goes The council’s approach to infor- cussed as “a way forward with a ahead and made a deal with through the most turbulent times mation reporting on spending came clean sheet, leaving all the history Canada Life, which will buy the it has ever known. The personal across as “sloppy, lacking in rigour behind.” property for £64m with a leaseback pressure of vicious public attacks and with challenge”. agreement of 35 years.

round of budget cuts. Twenty-one for eight large libraries in urban statutory duty under the Equalities Oundle Library saved other smaller libraries across the centres. Act. from spending cuts county were not so lucky, and are The council’s consultation earlier CILIP’s complaint also alleges scheduled to close in August. in the year proposed three options, that the NCC failed to consult on As one of seven medium-sized Under financial pressure, the which received 6000 responses the option that was eventually ap- libraries in Northamptonshire, the council sought to cut £40m of from consultees, members of the proved by the full council, and that Oundle Town Library was spared expenditure, and threatened public and organisations. Five local the Option 2 that was agreed on, closure in the latest county council closure of all county libraries except MPs also contributed concerns was not the same option that the from their constituents. public were consulted on. In reaction to the council's The complaint notes that the decision, two separate legal actions financial decision to close libraries representing the 21 small libraries was flawed, and that the reductions were lodged in March, challenging would not meet targets used to the council’s consultation. justify them. Additionally, the Department Culture Secretary Matt Hancock for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport said he would examine the com- is investigating a complaint filed by plaint fully, but there was no set the Library and Information Asso- timetable while evidence was being ciation (CILIP), that alleges that the gathered. library closures mean “NCC will Studies show that children are not meet its statutory duty under the worst hit by library closures, the [Public Libraries and Museums] drastically reducing their access to Act to provide a comprehensive books and opportunities for im- and efficient library service”, or its proved literacy and social mobility. 6 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 Carriageway Repair process, with held responsible for potholes they Unfortunately, drivers should No end of potholes an average cost to repair each do not know about either because not expect improvements to be pothole of £40.97. They reported they have not been reported or made any time soon. The county Jordan Badiru that 19,026 potholes were repaired because the potholes were not council budget have made cuts of Despite campaigns to spotlight throughout the county using the detected during a regular check." £295,000 for 2018/19 and 2019/20 to potholes and the rising tide of RoadMaster system. The safety risks are increasingly highways maintenance; road indignation from the public, pot- After months of roadworks over alarming and need to be addressed. repairs are not a priority. And in holes continue to crater roads and the last year, potholes are appear- Yet, potholes around town remain the future the council may even imperil drivers and their vehicles. ing again on newly resurfaced unrepaired, with stretches along pass along total responsibility to Blackpot Lane, New Road and St local councils, which simply do not Peter’s Road being reported as have the funds to maintain roads. particularly treacherous. Nevertheless, the community Lenient government guidance can continue to put pressure on allows council highways inspec- Northamptonshire County Council tors to get away with ignoring the to be responsible for car damage risks that arise from deep potholes, and road repairs by vigilantly which have been described as a reporting potholes on the council's ‘death traps’ for cyclists. Street Doctor website. Eyes on the road!

Giorgio Capuzello All drivers must stay in full As smartphones have increased control of their vehicle at all times. It is commonly misunderstood roads. In early March a 75mm deep in popularity and functionality over The police can stop a person if they that the local council is responsible and 600mm wide hole on the A605 the last decade, so has the number believe he or she is not in control for road repairs. However it is the near the Warmington roundabout of drivers using their phone behind because they have been distracted. Highways Department at North- reportedly took out six car wheels the wheel. While it used to be just If this is the case, that person can be amptonshire County Council who in just half an hour. sending a text or making a phone prosecuted. are currently responsible. For drivers facing large car call that would lead to unsafe The law still applies even if a Northamptonshire Highways repair bills from damage caused driving, nowadays drivers even driver has stopped at traffic lights, claim that during 2016 to 2017 they by potholes, there is no consola- risk taking a photo, sending an is queuing in traffic or supervising spent a total of £2,678,941 dealing tion that the council will reimburse email and posting on social media. a learner driver. A driver can only with potholes, using a process them. Jill Insley wrote in The Fourteen percent of drivers have access his or her phone if safely called the RoadMaster Sunday Times : "Councils cannot be admitted that they would take pho- parked or if calling 999 or 112 in an tos while driving, while 20 percent emergency, and it is unsafe to stop.

said they checked social media. If taken to court, a driver can be ~ Est. 1981~ Since 2014, there has been a change banned from driving and receive a Rockingham Landrovers in attitude towards phone use, with maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if 14% of drivers believing it is driving a lorry or bus). 18 Main Street, Rockingham. LE16 8TG acceptable to take a call. The rising use of Snapchat has A recent RAC Report on Motor- also led to a number of young Land Rovers have come a long ing revealed a significant increase drivers using their phone to take way since 1948 but no matter in the number of drivers admitting selfies behind the wheel, snaps of which Land Rover or Range Rover to using a mobile phone at the the speedometer, and using the you drive we can service and wheel. According to the report, app’s own speed filter as a way of repair it. Our skilled staff, 4 between 2014 and 2016 this figure showing off about how fast they are workshop ramps and genuine rose from 8 percent to 31 percent. driving. This is a serious cause for Land Rover equipment ensure a quality service and rapid Regardless of the reason, any concern, particularly when coupled resolution to any Land Rover distraction behind the wheel can with the fact that these may be problems. lead to accidents, severe injuries inexperienced drivers. and car write-offs. There are no figures that Between 2013 and 2015, on aver- determine the exact number of Here at Rockingham we service and maintain all models of Land age 24 people per year were killed accidents or write-offs due to driv- Rover and Range Rover without affecting the vehicle’s warranty. in road traffic collisions where the ers using Snapchat. However, there driver of the vehicle was using their have been many news stories of We offer a free collection and delivery service for all mobile phone, according to reports drivers crashing while using Land Rovers booked in for Service / MOT and Repair. from the Department for Transport, Snapchat, one of these being the Land Rover T4 & WDS diagnostic equipment to diagnose compared to 17 people in 2012. music artist DJ Khaled who wrote and re-set faults on Air Suspension, Engine Management, All of this information highlights off his Ferrari by doing so. 16 ABS, Gearboxes, Keys & Fobs etc…. just how catastrophic the conse- million users of Snapchat, over 10 quences can be when a person is percent of its app users, admitted to Renovation and refurbishment to suit your requirements. not in complete control of his car. using Snapchat while driving. Chassis replacement for all Defender and Series. The government has therefore The app introduced a new ‘I resolved to make the sanctions won’t snap and drive’ filter in an Genuine Land Rover and OEM parts available for purchase. for driving while holding a phone attempt to prevent more accidents, much more severe than before: an though how successful this will offender will receive six penalty prove remains to be seen.

Office & Workshop Opening Hours points and a £200 fine. If the offend- To protect himself from irre- er has passed his driving test in the sponsible driving, a driver must Monday - Thursday : 8.30am – 6 pm & Friday : 8.30am – 4 pm last two years, he’ll lose his driving not ever use a phone. Phoning or license. It is illegal to hold a phone texting while driving must become Telephone : 01536 770109 / 770078 or satellite navigator while driv- as socially unacceptable as drinking

Email : [email protected] ing; the person must either have a and driving.

Bluetooth headset, voice command, Only with these accepted norms A family owned independent Land Rover specialist for over 35 years. a dashboard holder, a windscreen can fatal incidents be avoided on

mount or a built-in navigator. the road.

ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 7 Fines are no deterrent for dog owners who refuse to bag and bin Police Beat Iris Cecil sense approach when disposing Giorgio Capuzzello On 21 March, there were several Dog owners might rightly feel of waste, following a spate of There were 31 reported complaints about inconsiderate they are the target of increasing complaints from residents and crimes in January, up from 28 in parking outside Oundle Primary complaints, whether it is about businesses". December. There were 12 cases of School on Cotterstock Road. It dogs off leads or dog poo They noted that some dog waste antisocial behaviour, six of violence would seem that drivers churned abandoned in public places and on bins in the district have filled up and sexual abuse, and four cases of up the grass verges by parking on countryside paths. quicker than normally, and in some shoplifting. There were also four them. Ali Wallace, a Community But while most dogs are cases have overflown before the cases of damage and arson, and Support Officer said: “I remind adorable, and most dog owners council has had a chance to empty three of theft, one burglary, and you that blocking driveways and are responsible about cleaning up them. one vehicle crime. parking on grass verges outside of after their dogs, there are some for They assured residents that dog At the start of the year there people’s homes is unacceptable. whom even punitive fines are not a bins are emptied at least once a were many reports of theft of Unfortunately we cannot be there deterrent for anti-social, and even week, but if bins are already full, equestrian equipment. The Police all the time but patrols have been illegal behaviour. they asked dog walkers to take released an email on 16 January carried out. If you are still having to advise horse owners on how to issues please contact the council protect their belongings, including and speak with the school as I shall an alarm system with high-pitched also be doing again." frequencies, secure lock-ups, and On 2 April an incident occurred visible identification marked on on the A605 between a silver Ford equipment such as a security Fiesta, a silver Renault Scenic register number or the owner’s and a grey Honda CRV. The postcode. 23-year-old driver of the Ford There were 29 reported crimes Fiesta was declared deceased at in February, down from 31 in the scene while the five occupants January, with the most being of the Honda CRV were taken violence and sexual offenses - 11 to Peterborough Hospital with cases. The second highest crime serious injuries, one of them being was antisocial behaviour with potentially life-threatening. The seven cases. Other crimes included two occupants of the Renault Scenic burglaries, criminal damage and were not injured. arson, shoplifting and vehicle During the night of 8 April two crime. thefts from vehicles took place on Damage was caused overnight West Street in Oundle. on 2 February to a wall at the On 10 April a bike shed in the Oundle Rugby club. The wall, grounds of Oundle Primary School Dog mess left on a pavement on Road. There have been no fixed which was under construction, had was damaged during a period of 24 penalties issued in Oundle in the last four years been torn down completely with hours. most bricks lying around the area. On 18 April there was a report their dog waste home or use Failure to pick up dog mess is an On 20 February one or more of a smashed window in Wakerley another bin. offence, and if an authorised officer offenders gained entry to a Close. "Leaving bags on the ground is witnesses a dog owner not cleaning motor vehicle parked behind a A burglary in Road only adding to the problem. Every- up after a dog, there is a fixed property in East Road. Although took place between 2.10pm and one has a responsibility to keep our penalty of £75. But it is difficult to the criminals damaged the door, 3.20pm on 24 April. The criminals district clean and tidy." identify offenders, with very few nothing was reported stolen. forced their way in and made an authorised officers such as dog The police have had several untidy search. Nothing was taken wardens around to impose fines. calls in relation to "Nottingham but damage was caused to the A freedom of information re- Knockers" across Oundle and property. quest made by the Oundle Chron- surrounding villages who knock On the same day there was icle found that fixed penalties for on doors and try to sell household another burglary in Warren Bridge dog fouling in the whole of East products on the door step. The between 10.30am and 3.10pm. Once Northants were issued just five police warns that doorstep crime again there was proof of forced times in 2018, and four times in can happen in two ways: either by entry. The criminals made an 2017. a criminal trying to trick their way untidy search of the bedrooms and In Oundle over the years 2014 to inside a house to steal money or stole some jewellery. 2017 there were no penalties issued. valuables, or a false trader offering There was an attempted Compounding the problem an overpriced service. They advise burglary on 29 April of a property about picking up dog poo, is the that householders do not open the in Wakerley Close, where there was problem of overflowing dog bins, door unless the person’s identity an attempt to unscrew the hinges which are provided by the council. has been verified. on a patio door. Nothing was taken For some dog owners this becomes There were 23 reported crimes from the garden or the property an excuse for not cleaning up after in March, six less than the 29 in and no damage was caused. their dogs. February. Antisocial behaviour A resident on Glapthorn Road Earlier this year, one dog owner is the most popular, with 8 cases reported that their car wing mirror complained on a community followed closely by 6 cases of appeared to have been kicked off Facebook page that the bin at the violence and sexual offences, 3 and their vehicle keyed across top of Benefield Road "absolutely thefts and 2 burglaries. several panels, sometime between 4 stinks’" and that it had not been A quantity of lead was stolen to 7 May. emptied for "a good few weeks/ from the church of St James in the There was a burglary of a months". village of Thurning during the property in New Road between Overflowing bin on Benefield Road Further complaints about the night of 6 March. The police urged 21.00 on 6 May and 19.00 on bins led to a response from East posted by a dog owner on a Facebook Oundle community page citizens to pay close attention to Monday 7 May. Very little was Northamptonshire Council "urging churches in their area to avoid taken. dog walkers to apply a common other thefts of this type. 8 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 The potential of the youth vote to change politics Inspection sets a steady course for

Zara Abdullah British Social Attitudes said they What would your average intended to vote when they turned Harry Squire November 2014, and it is a 16-year-old be preoccupied with? 18, while 64% of the teenagers In the first inspection carried concern that under the previous Friends? Parties? The latest social thought that by getting involved out since Prince William School management these issues went media trend? If you had said any of themselves they could make a (PWS) became an , Ofsted unaddressed. the aforementioned things I would difference in their local community. inspectors graded the school In the 2017 report, there was have wholeheartedly agreed. But They are open to being engaged ‘Requires improvement’ after its far greater emphasis on recent soon, 16-year-olds may have much in politics and still see voting as a visit in November 2017. improvements, which illustrates more on their plates. civic duty, but they are committed Although this would have been that under academy status, these Current British voting to effecting change in different disappointing for teachers and for issues are finally being tackled. This requirements state that to vote in a ways. the EMLC Academy Trust, there is is evident among the year 11 of UK general election a citizen must One example of how teenagers’ plenty of reason to believe that the 2017, whose academic progress was be at least 18 years old, but at local participation can be effective is school is currently undergoing the well above the national average, election levels, more young people the activism demonstrated by the required improvement. especially in English. are being invited to participate survivors of the February school In the Ofsted report, a recurring Another element which will in the democratic process. The shooting at Stoneman Douglas phrase outlining the school’s issues contribute to further improvements Welsh assembly are debating High School in Parkland, Florida was ‘until recently’, implying that at the school is the new principal, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds in that left 17 dead. Survivors prior to this inspection, there had Elizabeth Dormor. She is described Wales to be given the right to vote rallied alongside hundreds from been significant improvements in the report as having ‘an accurate in council elections. In Scotland other schools to demand safer to the overall performance of the view of the school’s strengths and that age group can vote in all schools and increased gun control school. weaknesses’, and she is credited local council elections and for the regulations, and their protests Prince William School became with having ‘taken action in Scottish parliament. In the Isle of gained momentum across the an academy with high expectations order to raise expectations and Man people 16 and over have been nation. Students from California under the auspices of the EMLC establish more rigorous systems of allowed to vote since 2006. to Washington D.C. held walkouts Academy Trust in 2016, and it is monitoring’. This will leave England and in solidarity with the teens from to be anticipated that it would The report also accepts the Northern Ireland out of the loop - Parkland. take time to fully implement the fact that many leaders who are but do young people care? As a result of the Florida improvements that would come ‘newly in post’ has contributed to In recent elections 18 to 24-year- student protests and demands, big with the new academy structure. So the school’s disappointing overall olds have been the least likely to businesses responded. A dozen the argument could be made that score, further suggesting that it was turn out; it is the older age groups, businesses withdrew member it was too early into this transition too early for this inspection. particularly the 70+ age range, discounts for National Rifle phase to give the school a thorough Ofsted recognises that the who are the most likely to vote. If Association (NRA) members, and inspection while the school is still school has ‘undergone a period of granted the ability to vote, would the major national gun retailers trying to reach specific targets. uncertainty and instability’, with 16 and 17-year-olds be any more announced that they would no However, the report did pick fundamental reform in structure likely to than those slightly older in longer sell guns to young people up on several areas which as of and personnel over the last two the 18 to 24 age range? under 21 years, and would yet have not been – and ought years. However, now that this If 16 and 17-year-olds do not withdraw from sale semi-automatic to be - addressed. Support for new status quo has been firmly take advantage of the opportunity weapons. While politicians have educationally disadvantaged pupils established, the school must start to they have been granted, politicians not been bold enough to adopt was judged not satisfactory, many improve; there are still issues to be are likely to overlook their views legislative change yet, as this pupils do not have confidence addressed. and concentrate on the proportion generation of teenagers reaches that the school deals with With an improved relationship of the population who do vote. voting age, the politicians may find bullying effectively, teachers give between the trust and the school, Ironically, it may be that granting they need to fall in step with their inconsistent feedback and do not an ambitious new principal, and them the right to vote may make voters. do enough to prevent low level recent academic improvement them less influential. The activism among teens across classroom disruption. recognised by Ofsted, there are We can’t forget that voting America is proof that a strong sense Many of these assessments are grounds to believe that with the would be non-compulsory. No of individual responsibility within identical to those from Ofsted’s necessary hard work, the future is one would be forced to participate. today’s teenagers can be mobilised, previous report on PWS from bright for Prince William School. Having the vote would be an and they are not looking to just opportunity, not an obligation. Just government to make a difference. like the rest of the population, some They see positive change in their As a 15-year-old, Eleanor has in Newcastle in July. people would choose to be active communities coming from charities, another season in the U17 Cadets, This season, Eleanor has already and many would not. social enterprises, campaigners and so will be looking to use her newly competed for Great Britain on Despite this, 84% of teens that businesses, and they want to be gained experience when the fencing the European Cadet (U17) circuit, took part in a survey conducted by part of that change too. season starts again in September. fencing in Austria, Finland and In the meantime Eleanor will be . representing England at U17 level Her best results so far have at the Commonwealth Cadet and been in Finland where she placed Epee champion from Oundle Junior Championships taking place 31 in the individual and 6 in the team competition. Eleanor’s Zara Abdullah Championship in Verona, in which performances at home and abroad Epee champion Eleanor Taylor she placed 53 out of 80, and 69 out meant she finished 2017 number represented Great Britain at the of 125 respectively. 1 in the Great Britain U17 epee European Junior and Cadet Fencing In both events, Eleanor got rankings. Championships in Sochi, Russia through the round robin stages and Eleanor, who is a pupil at Prince earlier this year. made it to the knockout stages, but William School in Oundle, has been Eleanor, who fences Epee, lost her first fights 8-15 and 9-15 fencing for six years. She was U14 competed in the U17 individual in each respective competition. British Epee Champion in 2016 and and team Cadet competitions The events were unlike anything represented England at Challenge against the best young fencers in Eleanor had competed in before, Wratislavia, Poland in 2015 and Europe. Eleanor competed in the with Russia, in particular, 2016. Eleanor travels to Stevenage, Sochi championship, as well as the presenting a massive contrast to Cambridge and Northampton each Junior and Cadets World Fencing UK culture. week for training. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 9 The long road from persecution: a refugee family's story

Isabella Nieto Nursing a cup of tea with an umbrella by his side, Musa Koko may not yet feel acclimatised to the British weather but he has certainly found a home in Oundle where he and his family have found refuge. After having been displaced from his home in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, expelled from Khartoum and victimised in Egypt, it has been a long journey to safety for Mr Koko and for his family. He is acutely aware about managing expectations about new places and is simply thankful that his prayers for security have finally been answered. From the 1980s to 2005, the Nuba people were subject to the Khartoum government’s scorched earth policy during the Second North-South Sudanese War. When a jihad was declared in 1992 northern Arab forces decimated the population. Africa Watch likened the treatment of the Nuba people to genocide or ethnic cleansing. Although ceasefires have been called and renewed since 2005, conflict still continues and more than three million people have been killed. Journalists who have recently The Koko family have resettled in Oundle with the help of the local community visited the area illegally (due to the government’s refusal to allow any humanitarian aid) have also the refugees in Egypt instils a eligible for resettlement to the UK their three children arrived in reported that Russia’s involvement climate of fear. In 2005, Mr Koko in 2016. Oundle in 2017. He has a daughter in the area with the use of Antonov joined 2000 other Sudanese In 2015 the UK government from a previous marriage who is bombers has resulted in vast refugees at the Mustafa Mahmoud announced that it would accept also seeking resettlement. numbers of casualties. square near the UNHCR offices to 20,000 refugees processed by the They are grateful to the British When Mr Koko fled the conflict protest about conditions in Egypt United Nations through the Syrian Red Cross, which liaised with the to live in Khartoum, he said he was and ask for resettlement, when Vulnerable Persons Relocation UNHCR about their resettlement, among those subjected to intense Egyptian security forces opened scheme. and “greeted them like superstars” persecution. fire. Official figures recorded 25 In 2017, the Home Secretary when they got off the plane from As both a Christian and a black deaths. announced that the government Egypt. African, citizens like Mr Koko Previously Human Rights Watch would expand the programme to For Mr and Mrs Koko, are viewed by the Khartoum had reported disappearances and include other nationalities within language skills remain the biggest government as lower forms of killings as part of an Egyptian the quota to address the global challenge to integration into UK human life, worthy only of being police round-up known in a police migration crisis. life. They have been attending a “abid”: an Arabic word that is document as “Operation Track By 2017, 235 local authorities language course at City College, translated literally as slave but has Down Blacks”. across the UK had offered Peterborough, and also receive come to be used as a more racially Mr Koko set up a bible school to provide places under the weekly tuition from local charged insult. for displaced Sudanese children government’s refugee resettlement volunteers. The brutality of the government who were resorting to theft, and programmes. The children attend local forced Mr Koko to flee to Cairo had around 150 children under his Although the local council schools, have made friends and in 1999. However, Egypt was to care. has not been involved, beginning are joining in with new activities, be neither accepting nor stable. He said he had been trying to in September 2016 the Oundle including swimming and cricket. Victimisation of refugees is teach them “right from wrong” community mobilised to discuss While the use of an Arabic institutionalised in Egypt, where through Christian teachings, but ways to participate in the scheme translator was necessary to conduct discriminatory legislation both faced efforts from the Egyptian and provide a home to resettle a the interview, it was not difficult heavily restricts the legal influx of government to stop. refugee family. to interpret the Koko’s anger about migrants into the country and legal With numerous church The church-based Peterborough the plight of the Sudanese, and employment is almost impossible bombings during the Easter period charity Hope into Action helped the gratitude for the welcome they to obtain. last year, Egypt has been named to find a house by identifying an have received from the St Peter’s Sudanese refugees have no on Open Doors’ list as a dangerous investor who would lease it to the Church community. right to own property and are country in which to be a practicing charity for at least five years. Mr Koko said he hopes to not allowed to live in the camps. Christian: 128 Christians were Teams of volunteers in Oundle be able to learn English quickly Forced to rent on the commercial killed in 2017. then went into action to get it in order to give back to the market at inflated rents, they must It was because of these risks ready. Wish lists were drawn up community that has embraced him illegally seek low wage work with that the United Nations High and residents and businesses have and his family. no employment protections. Commissioner for Refugees donated items to furnish the house. The history of violence against determined the Koko family were Mr Koko, his wife Nagat and 10 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 Gardens Open Day Oundle Gardens Open Day features eleven supports gardens in all their blooming glory Sienna Rushton Cransley Hospice Oundle is home to many enthusiastic gardeners who will be care in North opening their gardens on Sunday 17 June 11am - 5pm to support Northamptonshire the Cransley Hospice. At gardens Sienna Rushton across the town there will be plant 2018 marks the 20th anniversary stands, as well as a raffle and of the opening of Cransley Hospice quiz for children, and dogs are in Kettering, a project initiated welcome. Tickets go on sale at the by Dr John Smith, who had been Oundle Festival Office from 29 caring for elderly patients on the May for £4.50, and on the day at ward at St Mary's Hospital when he Fletton House, 17 West Street and 2 decided that a dedicated service for Cordwainer Gardens for £5. palliative care was needed. There are 11 beautiful Oundle Cransley Hospice serves the gardens for everyone to explore: region, caring for patients with life limiting John and Erica Grubb illnesses either at the hospice at St This is a self-described Mary’s Hospital, where patients “plantaholics” garden full of shrubs Lois Fletcher have the option for single, double and perennials - some a little less Tracey Mathieson This garden was mostly planted or shared rooms with a garden common, such as a beautiful On the edge of town, this cottage three years ago with a pergola, at the back of the hospital, a care Cornus Alternifolia Argenta. The garden (pictured above) is planted roses, clematis, shrubs and home or the patient’s home. Their back garden is landscaped on four with perennials and grasses herbaceous perennials. services take in all aspects of care, levels with a pond and a summer grouped creatively together including physical and mental house. amongst gravel paths to create Rupert and Uli Bankart health, and social and spiritual care. a natural look. Some unusual “Rehoboth” lies on a gentle slope Alison Lloyd, who has organised Alison Lloyd and Simon Page plants and quirky oddities create with a view over the valley in the the Oundle Open Gardens Day Cobbler’s Cottage sits on a piece a different and colourful informal heart of Oundle. The owners say in June in support of Cransley, of land locally known as “Nora’s garden. They have a new meadow they are “taming the jungle” in a became involved with the hospice Garden” (pictured below). In the pasture which has been turned into garden that is still in “evolution”. when her elderly father came under last four years the new owners have a new cutting garden. There are rare trees, such as a their care. Because he did not want aimed to create a tranquil outdoor Dawn Redwood and Japanese to stay in the hospice, he was given room at the same time as they have George and Sally Backhurst Elm, a windswept treehouse, the choice to be cared for at home. made it a priority to provide a Right in the centre of town, this a summerhouse and gentle "The hospice worked closely habitat for the wildlife encouraged garden features an extensive and bubbling brook. (Spoon making with the family and the GP, and over the years by Nora. (Entry beautiful collection of hostas from demonstrations, refreshments) he was provided with day and tickets, raffle tickets, plant stall) large to miniature. There are also evening nursing care. Our family many hanging baskets and tubs were very grateful for the care he of mixed summer flowers plus received. a collection of climbers. (Entry "Cransley Hospice is truly a tickets, raffle tickets.) fantastic cause," Ms Lloyd said. Cransley Hospice is able to offer David and Sheila Wills care from clinical nurse specialists, A garden that has been 60 years therapists, registered nurses and in the making, it extends over a healthcare support workers, but all few acres of established plantings, these services for in-home care can including perennial borders, be very expensive. mature trees and vegetable beds. The hospice is funded by It is a garden that is both beautiful donations made to the Cransley and edible. It is a peaceful and Hospice Trust and by the NHS relaxing place to be. through the local Clinical Commissioning Groups. Fiona and Rupert Paul This year the charity needs to This organic wildlife garden is raise £1.4 million to continue their packed with flower borders, a wildlife pond, lawn, vegetables, services. This means that they need Tean and Rachel Hatt Ann and Tony Huntingdon raised beds, fruit trees, log piles to raise around £4,000 every day The Hatts moved to Oundle 20 This recently renovated garden and a tortoise area. There is also an in order to provide their full range years ago and immediately fell in a replanted town house walled amphitheatre style patio built into of services, amounting to £166 an in love with their overgrown garden has a country house feel. the slope of the garden with built-in hour. woodland garden. They have There is a new rose circle and a amphibian friendly features built. Alongside a café and charity attempted to continue the feel of rose collection that should be at shop in Kettering, the fundraising a natural garden, planting native their beautiful best in June. Mrs Helen and Richard Austen team maintains a full events plants as far as possible and Huntingdon was the inspiration Designed with a “circles” theme portfolio including a hospice gardening organically to encourage behind the garden at The Old this is a brand new garden, not yet lottery, corporate challenges, social wildlife. They have added a Rectory, Sudborough where she a year old. It has been planted for galas and concerts, as well as “woodland walk”, enlarged the gardened for 30 years. Kevin, who low maintenance and year-round fundraising efforts from supporters pond, and added a small stream. tends the garden, will be on hand structure, and features the original across the region who recognise the They have tried to create rooms to answer questions. (Plant stall) shed used as the former cobbler’s importance of the hospice in caring within the garden for different workshop. for those with end-of-life illnesses. activities and places to hide. It is www.cransleyhospice.org.uk still very much a work in progress. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 11 Culinary pop-up events afield,”’ said Francesca Joseph, June Food Festival and Fringe Chris’s partner who has been with Ora Cultro supporting Chris in the launching Hannah Wakeford Corby’s Balls Up Juggling Club and of this initiative. The 2018 Oundle Food Festival the Nene Valley Festival crew, as Lucy Cairns For now, this enterprise remains is an annual feature in food lovers’ well as Oundle’s first ever Grand A new dining experience has within the hands of family and diaries. The highlight of the Festival Snail Race, will make the street come to Oundle. Ora Cultro, is a friends, who have helped with is the street market, which falls this market a great family day out. pop-up restaurant combining fine every aspect from flower arranging year on Saturday 23 June. Over 75 There will also be events and dining with flexible venues and to sourcing wines. of the region's finest independent offers which celebrate the region’s changing menus. food, drink and kitchenware food and drink running throughout Chris Huggett, previously a chef producers will come to town. the weeks preceding it. at The Talbot, The Olive Branch at Many of the stallholders from These include a tour of Riverford Clipsham and The Chubby previous years are returning once Organic’s farm at Sacrewell, a tour Castor has launched a new again. This year’s gathering will of the Nene Valley Brewery, as culinary venture aiming to offer a also welcome some newcomers well as the launch of a new brew, new gourmand experience, with who include Northamptonshire and demonstrations and book each event adopting a different sparkling wine producers Painter’s signings at AGA Oundle, including culinary theme, from a Thai Vineyard, Jorge’s Artisan Foods, a fundraising event for the NSPCC banquet to Italian cuisine. and The Artisan Honey Company. – a chance to try Chinese canapés The Common Room on Milton The Oundle Fringe Festival will created by the award winning chef Road is being used for their pop- provide a programme of music Kwoklyn Wan, perfectly paired up venue, and they hope to use and dance, which includes the with Amps’ wines. the garden area for forthcoming Crab lasagna at Ora Cultro Appalachian dance groups Tap n Throughout June many local summer events. The menus are Sync and Kickstart, folk groups shops will be running Food Festival designed by Chris Huggett who “We could not have got Ora Tourdion and The Gathering, offers, such as 10% off certain beef creates seasonal three or six course Cultro running without the help of shanty singers The Lincolnshire cuts from Trendalls and Seven meals that use locally sourced our friends and family,” said Poachers, the Wansford Ukulele Wells, a free loaf with a spend of produce wherever possible. A selec- Francesca. “They have gone above Folk and Michelle Murray’s over £10 at Hambleton Bakery and tion of wines is specially chosen to and beyond the call of duty.” Highland Dancers. 10% off purchases during June at complement each of the courses. The Huggetts’ plans for the Family entertainment from Stu-Pots. “The concept of Ora Cultro is to future include pop-up events at provide a different dining experi- venues in other towns such as ence for the people in Oundle and Uppingham or Oakham. the surrounding area.” Their next dining event will be Their venture has attracted a lot a multi-course meal that starts and of interest. “The first two events ends with strawberries on 31 May. have been really successful, with Further event details are available people coming from a lot further at: www.oracultro.restaurant.

THE FRIENDS OF OUNDLE PARISH CHURCH PRESENT An Evening of Film & TV Music

From Bach to jazz and rock at the WITH THE AWARD WINNING International Music Festival TOWN BAND Offering ten days of a rich add their name to a waiting list. MUSICAL DIRECTOR - ADELE HUDSON variety of music, the Oundle Family fun and outdoor International Festival this year spectacles include the Oundle welcomes pianist William Classic Bike Rally, a production OUNDLE PARISH CHURCH Howard performing new and old of David Walliams' The Midnight love songs, world and folk music Gang in Barnwell Country Park, SATURDAY 9th JUNE 2018 from Kabantu, and the European and the annual Big Bach Walk Union Chamber Orchestra with through the countryside with rest at 7.30pm soloist Daniel Lebhart. stops along the way for organ The jazz star Atila will perform a recitals in a celebration of the com- retelling of the Nat King Cole story, pletion of Bach's Orgelbüchlein. TICKETS £7.50 - CONCESSIONS £6.00 and more jazz will feature in a The festival concludes with the performance by the David Gordon Party at the Wharf, headlined by AVAILABLE FROM : Trio of Alexander Scriabin’s Toploader and supported by OUNDLE IN STITCHES Tel. 01832 274433 Ragtime Band. breakthrough band Austin Gold. An evening of uplifting music For further information, visit the LICENSED BAR AVAILABLE from the 1920s and 1930s from website at oundlefestival.org.uk or the Pasadena Roof Orchestra has drop by the Festival office on New RUSHDEN TOWN BAND IS SUPPORTED BY COUNCIL already sold out, but hopefuls can Street, Oundle. 12 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 Profile: four artists of Oundle Judah Stephenson

Bernard Kay (91) was born and raised in Southport where his father owned a bicycle shop. He knew that he wanted to be an artist from the age of nine and his family supported his choice to go the Liverpool School of Art in 1943, followed by the Royal Academy School where he spent a year studying drawing. In the 1950s, he won a scholarship to study in Paris, where he was able to meet famous artists of the Paris art scene, including Maurice Esteve and Picasso. Lydia Corbett, Picasso’s "ponytail model" is still a dear friend of his. While in Paris Mr Kay studied the process of aquatint etching under Johnny Friedlaender, and his later series of etch- ings were sold by Editions Alecto. In France he travelled throughout the countryside and collected drawings that would form the basis for all of his architectural landscape paintings. During his early years in London he focused on large canvases in an abstract expressionist tradition, before returning to landscape paintings worked in a structured style using an earthy, muted palette. His paintings were represented by the Cork Street Gallery, Roland, Browse and Delbanco, and have been collected in galleries around the country. In the 1980s Mr Kay followed his friend, the artist Crispin Heesom to Oundle, where he has lived ever since. Although he no longer paints, he is a magpie collector of anything “lovely” that catches his eye, creating domestic still lifes that reflect his artistic vision.

Carol Parfitt moved to Oundle in 1974, and raised her family in one of the oldest houses in Oundle, dating to the 1500s. After completing her masters in fine art, Carol led art workshops for children and the disabled before starting a teaching career as a lecturer at Tresham’s College. For many years she was a member of a local artists group. She exhibited alongside fellow artist Crispin Heesom, and collaborated with Oundle’s Nick Penny on a large scale installation at Fernym Woods Gallery. Her love of gardening led to her focus on flower studies arranged in still lifes of posies in small vases. She mainly works in oil, primarily on small canvases. She aims to reveal the character of each flower in a slightly impressionistic style. Alongside her flowers she works on abstract paintings of pebbles that she has collected from her travels. She is currently working on a suite of botanical watercolours from the garden of a friend who grows unusual plants. Her work is sold at the Dolby Gallery.

Nick Grove went to Prince William School and studied fine art at Southampton University. He has worked as a professional photographer for 15 years, specialising in weddings. Nick is increasingly committing more time to painting. He recently completed “31 paintings in 31 days”, posting paintings online at the end of every day for a month. He paints “en plein air”, on location, working in oil “alla prima”, layering wet paint on wet paint all in one go. The technique means he has to make quick decisions and just get on with it no matter what happens in front of him or how the weather changes. His aim when painting is not to labour over detail, but rather to “grasp the experience” of what is in front of him. He does not want to be super realistic; he wants his work to look like a painting. He is influenced by the artist Peter Brown who works on location in all weather, as Nick does. He even enjoys painting in the rain. He has many commissions lined up and is currently represented by the Peter Barker Fine Art Gallery in Uppingham.

Crispin Heesom grew up in Oundle, and was influenced by his mother, who was a painter. She encouraged Crispin’s ambitions to go to art school to study painting. He studied painting in Norwich and lived in London for many years before moving back to Northamptonshire more than 20 years ago. He describes his style as expressionist and uses what he calls a spontaneous palette of vibrant colours in his work. He has also done many etchings and in complete contrast to his vibrant paintings, these are boldly black and white. His subject matter is mostly of Kings Cliffe, where he has developed a particular fascination for its small village lanes. His studio is in Kings Cliffe, where he uses a local framer. He says that Kings Cliffe is a vibrant bohemian village, perfect for practising art. His next exhibition is at Lyme Regis. At 68 years of age, he says there is still a lot to be done, with many commissions lined up and subjects on his mind that he wants to take on. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 13 charity, Cool Earth, which works get across the finish line, either Intrepid adventurists sign up for the journey of a to preserve the rainforest, and half through sponsorship of the vehicle lifetime with the Mongol Rally will benefit the boys’ personal or through donations of equipment choice, the Sue Ryder hospice at they will need such as jerry cans, a Jordan Badiru on to university in the summer, and Thorpe Hall in Peterborough where tool kit, medical supplies and much Adventure is this summer’s the rally presented itself as the per- both Ollie’s grandparents were more! Get in touch with the team theme for two motoring teams fect adventure. They are relishing cared for. through their website page: https:// from Oundle who are embarking the prospect of combating the top- “Both of these experiences have www.facebook.com/LivinOn- on the Mongol Rally, described as ographic demands of the rally, of shown me on a very personal ASpare/ or by email: obbfrisby@ “the greatest motoring challenge which there will be many, in abun- level that the work that the charity gmail.com. on the planet”. dance, and have adopted the team does is incredible and vital for the Among the competition will be The route encompasses in name “Livin’ on a Spare” to reflect people who are in the hospices,” he another local duo, “Team Saxo- excess of 10,000 miles across a the challenges ahead of them. said. saurus” with Thurning residents, range of mountains and deserts Katie Baranyovits and Oliver from Prague, Czech Republic to Crawley. Katie went to school near Ulan Ude, Russia. While there is Huntingdon while Oliver grew up no fixed route or rules, the journey in Kent and now works in Oundle. must be completed in a clapped- The couple selected a little gold out old banger with an engine no Citroen Saxo called “Nugget” as more than 1.2. their rally car and have plotted a The first rally was run in 2004, route that sees them drive through and now attracts a few hundred more than 20 countries, covering cars for its annual race. It is defi- over 14,000 miles to Ulan Ude in nitely not for the fainthearted. The Siberia and back. organisers, The Adventurists post The team has a target of £1000 a warning on their website: “These it must raise for charity. As animal are not holidays. These are adven- lovers, Team Saxosaurus will be tures and so by their very nature giving half of the funds raised to extremely risky. You really are Team Saxosaurus will be driving to Siberia in their Citroen Saxo Wandsford Dogs home, a donation putting both your health and life at funded charity which specialis- risk. That's the whole point.” The team announced the pur- The boys have plotted a route es in the caring and rehoming of It is a new type of challenge for chase of their rally car on Facebook: which will see them drive through mistreated, abused and unwanted Oliver Frisby from Oundle and “Apparently Nicole & Papa will Europe to Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, dogs. The other half will go the two school mates, James Keane be very happy with our choice of Turkmenistan, Mongolia, to Russia, rally’s charity, Cool Earth. from Werrington and Josh Allen vehicle! Honestly don't have a clue and they hope to finish the route in Team Saxosaurus welcome from Warwickshire. The trio are who they are....but we have bought six weeks, just in time for Fresher’s support to achieve their £1000 taking on the Mongol Rally this a Renault Clio from 2001, with over Week. target and complement their rally summer, just a year after leaving 125,000 miles of experience under The rally is bound to be one of effort with donations to their Oundle School. her belt! Classic…” the most physically and mentally charities via their JustGiving page: The three friends had talked Each team must raise at least demanding challenges for the boys https://www.justgiving.com/fund- about their desire to do something £1000 to participate. Half the and they are welcoming as much raising/katie-baranyovits out of the ordinary before going money raised will go to the rally’s support as possible to help them

THE WORLD IS YOURS TO EXPLORE

LUXURY HOLIDAYS Oundle Travel provides independent, professional and unbiased advice for all your travel needs. Whether it be a weekend city break, your next family holiday or a bespoke tailor made itinerary we will be there every step of the way. Call us today 01832 273600 | Email [email protected] www.oundletravel.co.uk 14 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 Volunteer opportunities across the community Volunteer Action launch a Clemmie Preston There are many volunteering organisations in Oundle that strive to help all those who are struggling with the limited edition simple things in life such as food, transport and enjoyable activities. People who volunteer are using skills they could otherwise monetise and use for their own benefit. Whether it is helping at a food bank, driving the elderly souvenir of Oundle or disabled, helping at nursing homes or visiting a homeless shelter, volunteers do what they do to help improve Iris Cecil the lives of others. In a recent survey, 61% of people said the reason they volunteered was because they wanted to Local charity Volunteer Action improve the communities they live in and help people. has released a limited edition Oundle themed jigsaw puzzle. Friends of Barnwell Country donations from Waitrose and the Leicestershire and Northampton- The puzzle’s image is an original Park work to help conserve the Cooperative to the main food bank shire”. She said: “I enjoy being illustration of Oundle by Gillian park in Barnwell, at the edge of in Stamford, who then return with involved in Scouting and being able Dolby, featuring the much loved Oundle. Mary James founded the the food requested by the team at to give young people the shops and buildings in the town Friends of Barnwell Country Park, the Oundle food bank. The duties opportunity to be involved in centre with busy streets of resi- a now thriving organisation that are shared between 25 volunteers. Scouting, and all it has to offer.” dents and visitors, both real and helps with park conservation and Volunteer member John Hewitson Volunteer Action is an organi- imaginary, going about their daily sation that aims to provide private THE OUNDLE JIGSAW fundraising. The Friends have said: “When the work is spread business.All proceeds to Oundle Volunteer Action driven successful projects to around a large number, it is much transport for those with mobil- THE OUNDLE JIGSAW FROM AN ORIGINAL 1000 PIECES ILLUSTRATION BY extend paths and improve access more enjoyable and satisfying.” At ity problems who cannot drive GILLIAN DOLBY for wheelchairs. Mrs James said: “I first one would think that Oundle to access medical appointments, started doing it because when my does not need a food bank, howev- shopping or social events. There children were little we always used er, there is always something that are around 75 active drivers in the to walk around Barnwell Country can be done to help people at crisis organisation, and along with other Park, and it is a beautiful place. I points to live more comfortably. Mr members who work for them, there wanted to give something back.” Hewitson said: “There have been are 120 people involved. The organ- Mrs James is very hands-on in the Tuesdays when more than 50kgs of isation was formed in 1996 and has park, and takes a small band of tinned food has left the Methodist been going strong ever since. Mel students every week to help with Church to be taken into the homes Lee is a member of Volunteer pruning, trimming and and shared amongst the families Action. As the Befriending Co- brush-burning. of some of our most needy neigh- ordinator he recruits, trains and allocates people who want to help. Mel said: “I started driving because

ON SALE AT I wanted to help people in the area. OUNDLE BOOKSHOP COLEMANS I had been ill and was a passenger ThereTHE DOLBY GALLERY is no doubt that the puzzle first, then wanted to help other will become a collector’s item to be people in my situation.” cherished by current and former The Festival of Music and residents in and around Oundle. Drama observed its 100th anni- VA have predicted that the 1000 versary this year. Gwen Radcliffe piece puzzle “is likely to prove a competed in the drama section real challenge, even for seasoned 40 years ago and then was asked ‘dissectologists’ (the name given to to join as a volunteer. There are jigsaw enthusiasts)”. around 50 people involved during Once completed, the puzzle will the festival itself, as well as eight most likely be left on display to be committee members. Although admired before being broken up the festival is held once a year, the and stored for a rainy day. Mary James established the Friends of Barnwell Country Park, where she goes post-festival work and preparation Volunteer Action provides an with student volunteers every week to help the park Rangers for it are continuous throughout indispensable service for Oundle First Responders help out in bours.” Volunteers are on hand the year. Gwen deals with festival residents. It organises 75 volunteer medical emergencies whilst the with a drink and a biscuit and pro- queries and problems just about drivers to take elderly people emergency services are on the way. vide opportunities for the clients to every day of the year. “In six weeks to medical appointments, social The idea is that the time between talk about their situation and learn events, or shopping trips. Without when the accident happens and about where they can get advice a means of transport of their own, when the emergency services arrive and help. even everyday trips can cause is crucial and there is so much that Sheila Pick is well known for her difficulty for the elderly or those can be done in that time. First work with the Oundle Scouts. 50 with mobility limitations. Responders are trained by the NHS years ago, Sheila was asked by her Another service they offer is to stabilise the patient and provide neighbour if she wanted to help what they call their befriending the appropriate care. In Oundle, out at one of the Scouts meetings. service: volunteers providing com- First Responders have nine mem- Ever since then, Mrs Pick has been panionship and support for those bers led by Paul , who has dedicated to working as Cub Scout struggling on their own, whether been with them for 14 years. He Leader. In the group there are 14 due to age or disability. enjoys helping people and want- leaders and sectional assistants The work of VA, which is ed to give something back to the helping with the Beavers, Cubs and funded in part by the NHS and community, and First Responders Explorer Scouts each week. There Gwen Radcliffe has been volunteering local authorities, relies largely had a purpose that Mr Brackley felt are often extra adults who will with the Festival of Music for 40 years on donations and the success of was vital: “Knowing that Oundle help out when they can. Over the fundraising initiatives. is quite rural, ambulances take a years Mrs Pick has been involved in of the year, the time commitment is The Oundle jigsaw puzzles while to arrive and in an emergen- many different roles including Cub more like a daily double shift.” Mrs are on sale at £20 at the Oundle cy situation, minutes count.” Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader Radcliffe said: “I want to see the Bookshop, Colemans Stationers Another volunteering program and Secretary to the Oundle Scout Festival continue to provide perfor- and the Dolby Gallery. All proceeds is the Oundle Food Bank, with a and Guide Management commit- mance opportunities for amateur of what is sure to be a popular distribution centre at the Method- tee. For her incredibly hard work performers of all ages, and hope souvenir of Oundle will contribute ist Church. A driver and a van are over the years, she was awarded a there are younger members of the to Volunteer Action’s effort to assist provided for free by the Oundle British Empire Medal “for services community itching to take over and people in Oundle, Thrapston and Carpet Weavers to transport food to the Scout Movement in share my tasks!” 46 surrounding villages. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 15 There's something for everyone at legendary shop in the Market Place

Zara Abdullah Stu-Pots is run by Stuart Blow and possible to wander through the service provides familiarity and Stu-Pots in the Market Place his assistants Naomi and Tina, who crowded aisles for hours. The shop comfort. Tina said: “A lot of people is packed with every imaginable have been working at the shop for promises a journey of discovery, come here because they know us household item to help with every 23 and 14 years respectively. particularly to new home owners and can have a natter. It’s quite task and need from cleaning Mr Blow, originally from who make a bee-line to Stu-Pots nice.” and maintenance to cooking and Lincolnshire, bought Upton’s shop when they move to town. The stock on offer is wide and As Tina puts it: “They all want varied, from top-quality knives new door mats, keys cutting, and cookware to ironmongery, washing up bowls. Amazing what dustpans, brushes and picture you need when you buy a new hooks. As a small independent house.” shop, Stu-Pots has the flexibility to In addition to this, Oundle stock what they want, when they is a rural market town, and the want it. requirements of their customers “If someone wants an asparagus reflect this. Moth and rodent steamer, we can stock it!” Tina said. control supplies are in as much Wandering through the narrow demand as jam and chutney passages, past shelves with making equipment. “A lot of people teetering heaps of high quality pots have fruit trees,” says Mr Blow. and pans of every shape and size, “We sell fruit presses because it is only natural to feel a bit lost, people do so much bottling.” especially if you are a first-timer. Trade accounts with local But if you feel at all confused about where to begin, Mr Blow will There are thousands of stocked items in Stu-Pots, and Mr Stuart Blow knows farmers are also maintained, and know exactly where to find what exactly where each item can be found in his shop the changing seasons are reflected in what gets sold. For example, you need. The shop assistants also dining. Far from being fashionably at the corner of the Market Place during the hunting season, popular know where to go. Their personal minimalist, the purpose of this and New Street 25 years ago. After items include flasks, sloe gin service is something that cannot be shop is to stock every household trading there for a few years, they supplies and baking equipment for replicated at a large chain store. item one might possibly need for needed more retail space and shoot lunches. And, as to how they know any situation. moved to their current premises. They have many regular where to find every last item? “A The 6th of June 2018, will mark With items for the professional customers who prefer to come to good memory! We put it away. We the shop’s 25th anniversary. chef and the cooking novice, it is them rather than a big shop; their know where we put it.”

25th anniversary year We would like to thank all our customers for their support over 25 years in Oundle. Stuart, Tina and Naomi

Address: 23 West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ 36 Market Place Hours: Monday - Saturday 5:00pm - 11:30pm Oundle Sunday 5:00pm - 11:00pm Phone: 01832 272662 01832 275414

16 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 and in the lowest quartile, 8% are other schools. The data available Businesses in Oundle report on women. In the upper middle pay on the gov.uk website reports quartile, which might comprise that women’s median hourly their gender pay gap skilled engineers, only 2% are rate is 56.4% lower than men’s, women. None received bonus pay, even though the majority of the Elinor Nikolova The mean gender pay gap is compared to 2% of men, who did. employees across all quartiles are From April 2018, businesses the total wage bill divided by the The Corporation of Oundle female: 73.7% in the top quartile, with 250 employees or more are number of staff. The median gap is School, which also includes 80.9% in the upper middle quartile, now required to publish a report the difference between the hourly Laxton Junior School, employs 87.2% in the lower middle quartile documenting their employee wage of the man in the middle approximately 750 staff with a split and 92.6% in the lower quartile. pay by gender. This law was of the male range and the hourly of 38.5% male and 61.5% female. Furthermore, while the number developed to make businesses more wage of the woman in the middle The School’s median pay gap is of women and men who received transparent about pay and to reveal of the female range. 30% and its mean gender pay gap bonus pay is nearly evenly split at any existing gender pay gaps. The median is seen as more is 21%. 15% and 14.1%, women’s median The new law has raised representative than the mean, The School wrote in its report: bonus pay is 68.4% lower than questions about structural reflecting the difference between “The gender pay gap is also men’s. The full EMLC Academy inequalities in the workforce and men’s and women’s average hourly attributable to the range and report is not available on their may hold the answer to closing the pay. In 2017 the male and female volume of roles offered to staff at website. evident gap. median hourly earnings gap was the lower grades of pay.” There The Office for National Statistics More than 9,600 firms 18.4% and the mean pay gap was are more female applicants for jobs reports that male financial nationwide had 12 months 17.4%. represented in the lowest quartile managers and directors receive to gather statistics about the The statistics reveal that not only of pay which included cleaners and 32.4% more than women in the proportion of male to female is there a gender pay gap, there is catering assistants. In the lowest same occupation. employees and their pay. They a gender occupation divide. Jobs quartile, there are 273 female Sam Smethers, chief executive were then required to publish their in the lower quartile are primarily employees compared to 24 male of the Fawcett Society said: “It’s a reports on their company website occupied by women, and are also employees. game change. It forces employers to and a designated government rewarded with lower pay than Among the cleaning staff, there look at themselves and understand website. other positions in the lower quartile are 91 females and 6 males who are their organisations. There are three businesses in which are primarily occupied by paid £8.33 per hour. In comparison, "Finally women realise that they Oundle that are big enough to be men. among the grounds staff there are have a right to talk about pay and required to file a report. Fairline Yachts employs a wide 18 males and 1 female who are paid cannot be silenced. By finding out Companies are required to range of production workers and £8.89 per hour. what their colleagues earn, they can make six basic calculations that engineers. Their report says: “Our The EMLC Academy Trust challenge any pay inequality. It is include the mean gender pay gap; success depends on securing report includes statistics for Prince much more common than people median gender pay gap; mean the best talent. Gender balance William School as well as its realise.” bonus gender pay gap; median in the workplace is an essential bonus gender pay gap; proportion element enabling us to build the was efficient and satisfying. Page said that communication is the of males and females receiving best team possible”. Yet, only 17% "If I need to think something biggest difficulty, discussions and a bonus payment; proportion of of Fairline’s workforce is female. through I can go into the garden projects are not easy to co-ordinate males and females in each quartile In the highest quartile, 7% of with a coffee, and I can discuss any without a central office. Mr Page band. Fairline’s employees are women issues with Spud my Norfolk said that “constructive conflict” terrier who is a great listener." with colleagues was important. For both homeworkers, “The telephone is a poor knowing when to leave the office replacement for face to face The business case for working from home is important. Mr Barford said that communication, email is a terrible always being on call, with the office medium for communication. Harry Squire to-face discussion. The argument just a step away, can be a problem. Regular face-to-face meetings are In an era where worldwide could be made that productivity Mr Page said: “The challenge for therefore a given if you are part of communication is as simple as the decreases outside of an anyone working at home is to get a team, but work at home,” said Mr click of a mouse, businesses in the environment specifically designed the balance right and either literally Page. UK are evaluating the advantages for work. or metaphorically shut the door to He spends two days a week of shifting away from traditional Pete Barford is the owner of the office at a sensible time.” meeting with colleagues and clients workplaces. This shift is seeing a hospitality events planning Both Pete Barford and Simon at the company’s production annual increases, with an estimated company that works on facilities. 1.5 million people working from international events such as However, it is possible that home in 2016. In the last 20 years Vanity Fair’s Oscar night party these problems can be overcome Oundle has seen an increase of in Los Angeles and conferences by further developments in residents who commute to work, and charity fundraisers. He co- technology, with high speed but this may now be changing. ordinates his business on a day- broadband and platforms such The advantages for home to-day basis from his home in as Skype and FaceTime making workers are obvious, such as the Northamptonshire. He says that a quality face-to-face interaction elimination of commuting costs, “nice working environment” is a possible. and the opportunity to work in big benefit of working from home, This change in work culture a more comfortable and familiar as well as flexibility with working has really only just begun, and environment which allows for more hours. However, being on site is it is likely that it will be made flexibility and the ability to spend essential for his projects, which more convenient in the future. more time with the family. means international travel to meet Smallbusiness.co.uk predicts that However, there are potential his clients. by 2020, 50% of the UK’s workforce drawbacks to running a business Simon Page works from home will be working from home. where workers are based at home in Oundle for Titanium Fireworks, We truly are witnessing the and not in a managed office which organises both private beginnings of a shift that could environment. Studies have shown celebrations and national displays affect perceptions of work for the that over 50% of communication such as the London New Year and next generation, possibly changing influence is visual, meaning Edinburgh Hogmanay. He said that Oundle from a town from which presenting ideas while talking on reducing his daily commute from people need to commute to work, Spud is a helpful home office the phone or through an email is 30 minutes by road to 8 minutes to one where people can stay at companion for Simon Page much more difficult than a face- from kitchen kettle to home office home to work. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 17 New book delves into Museum presented with rare Oundle memories roman coin from Barnwell Sienna Rushton bridesmaids.” Lucy Cairns In the case of this coin, Mr A new local history book, For her research, Mrs Fernyhouh In August last year, Mr Glenn Lister and the landowner decided Oundle Memories and Moments: a interviewed many of the older Lister discovered a Roman coin to donate the coin to the Oundle Peek into the Past by Anna residents and individuals about the through the use of a metal detector Museum. Fernyhough, offers both a fascinat- war years and their school days. on land near Barnwell. It was The coin found was classed ing historical and contemporary Some of the individuals she inter- presented as a donation to the as "a find of note" and has been treatment of Oundle, full of shared viewed attended clubs and socie- Oundle Museum, following a designated regional status. It is a stories about local lives. ties, where she would meet them to complex procedure to determine an copper-alloy Roman Q-Radiate of Mrs Fernyhough was born in be interviewed in groups. She met item’s status. Allectus, dating from circa AD 293. Oundle and went to school here. others in their retirement homes After university in London and the and their personal retreats. University of Illinois, she taught Local historians are very sup- abroad in Ethiopia, the US, Spain portive of each other’s work and and then in Northamptonshire. Mrs Fernyhough is grateful to When she returned to Ound- them. “I was helped and aided by le she and her husband bought a the encouragement and support

The obverse (left) depicts the radiate head of Allectus. The reverse (right) depicts the emperor holding a spear and globe If an item containing precious It depicts an image of the emperor metal is found, it must firstly be standing holding a transverse spear taken to a local coroner who and globe. decides whether it is classed as an Allectus was finance minister item of note. After this decision has to British emperor Carausius. He been made, the item is sent to the murdered the emperor in 293 and British Museum, where it is assumed power, but lacked the examined, valued and recorded. ability to keep his small province The usual outcome of this is that separate from the empire proper. it is offered to a local museum for He was defeated by Constantius I purchase. If the museum cannot in 296 AD. or does not desire to purchase the There are only two other known item, it can then be kept by the specimens of this coin in existence: Anna Fernyhough's book draws on the stories and memories she has collected finder. Under the Treasure Act one at the Ashmolean Museum from friends and family in Oundle 1966, the finders and/or the land- and another in the Oundle School house in 1987 that coincidentally of friends, particularly Margaret owner are awarded equal share of Roman coin collection. turned out to be the home of her Brewster (who has her own book: the market value of the treasure. great aunt. Mrs Fernyhough real- A Collection of Oundle Families that ised that she even had “the mono- was published in 2016) and Sharon grammed wedding cutlery that my Cottingham, who has outstanding An architectural guide to Oundle for visitors great aunt had used in the same organisational skills and knows house.” how I frequently get side-tracked!” She has had many generations of Her book largely concentrates family in Oundle and through her on the town of Oundle where her mother’s side of the family she can maternal family lived for many trace relatives who have lived here centuries. The aim was to make the over five generations. Her family’s collected history and stories of the names include Nicholson, Chester, volume into a celebration of Ound- Palmer, Craythorne and Hooton. le people. The book is intended to However, she wistfully told the amuse and inform by encapsulating Oundle Chronicle, “There won’t be the memories of people who have any more of my family in lived here. For newer residents it Oundle, because my sons have provides some answers to ques- moved away.” tions such as: Who lived in my But while her sons have moved house? Who were their neighbours? away, her sister was born at their It tells stories of the churches, home on North Street and her niec- societies, tradespeople and homes es are still local. of the people who lived here. The She still feels well connected to book also describes some of the Oundle due to the many old fam- quirky town events including vis- ilies who still live here, including iting fairs, lively dances, pubs and long-time resident David Wills plays, stories about the local vet Visitors to Oundle who stay overnight at The Talbot Hotel will be able who was featured in the December and his family, and a fully-grown to learn about Oundle’s historic architecture during their stay, and have 2017 edition of the Oundle Chron- lion called Mushie who walked the chance to fully appreciate the local history as they tour the town. The icle. These two families have very around the town until the 1960s. Talbot purchased David Parker’s book Oundle’s Historic Buildings, and each strong connections. Oundle Memories is available at room now has a copy available for guests. Mr Parker (centre) signed copies Mrs Fernyhough said: “David The Oundle Bookshop. They will be of the book alongside the hotel’s general manager, Neil Williams (left) and Wills’ wife, Sheila and her sister hosting a book signing at on John Hadman (right), chairman of the Oundle Museum Trust. Copies of Margaret, were my mother’s Saturday 9 June. the book are available to purchase exclusively from the Oundle Museum. 18 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 Library cuts to staffing threaten What's everyone reading in Northants' John Clare archive Northamptonshire? Hannah Wakeford academics, including Simon Hannah Wakeford Dahl and Jacqueline Wilson. With the many cuts being made Armitage, Hilary Mantel, Philip 250 million visits are made to In 2016 the six most borrowed to library services across North- Pullman and Jonathan Bate, wrote public libraries each year in the UK. books in the UK were: The Girl on amptonshire, the special collections to Northamptonshire County With 8.4 million active borrowers the Train by Paula Hawkins, at Northampton Central Library Council urging it to prevent "a using libraries, what books have Personal by Lee Child, Make Me by could be under threat. Of particular permanently detrimental effect proved to be the most popular Lee Child, Diary of a Wimpy Kid by concern is the conservation of and upon the care and curation of the among readers? Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: access to the internationally impor- Clare collection". They fear that the The most obvious trend is that The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney and tant collection of manuscripts and cuts that the council are proposing adult readers love thrillers, and Alert by James Patterson. books by John Clare. will result in "the loss of staff and children will always look for a good In Northamptonshire, nearly John Clare was one of the most expertise" who play a fundamental laugh. The most borrowed 2m loans were issued in 2015-16, famous poets of the 19th century, role in keeping the archive open to children’s book in Northampton- the most current data available. and his work regularly features researchers. in poetry anthologies taught in shire libraries in 2017 was Dog The most popular book loaned schools. Because of his modest ori- Zombies rule (for now) by Liz Pichon, was Road to Little Dribbing by Bill gins, he was known as the ‘North- which was borrowed 676 times over Bryson, closely followed by The amptonshire Peasant Poet’. the year. Silk Factory by Northamptonshire Clare was born in and This was closely followed by author, Judith Allnatt. his family’s cottage was purchased Midnight Gang by David Walliams Although authors will always by the John Clare Trust in 2005 and with 603 issues. Jennie Poh’s look to book sales to sustain their is now open to the public. Clare Herbie’s Big Adventure and Claire livelihood, popular writer Jojo actually lived in Oundle when he Evans’ Three Little Superpigs Moyes affirmed the importance of was stationed here with the North- followed close behind Walliams. libraries: "Delighted my PLR [Pub- amptonshire militia in 1812. The Other highly popular children’s lic Lending Right] statement shows battalion comprised 1,300 "lawless books include Boa’s bad birthday by that people borrowed my books fellows" prone to public disorder. Jeanne Willis and World- last year. But more importantly it With a shortage of accommodation famous cheese shop break-in by Sean shows that libraries are still vital. in town for such numbers, Clare Taylor. "Lose them, and we lose an complained that the rents were Nationwide, the most popular irreplaceable thing: a community Portrait of John Clare from 1821 correspondingly high. authors year after year include: space, somewhere that anyone can James Patterson, Julia Donaldson, both educate and entertain them- He later wrote: "I was obliged It is of the greatest importance Francesca Simon, Lee Child, Roald selves, for free." to be content with the quarters that this archive which is "arguably allotted to me, which were at The the world’s greatest archive of the Rose and Crown Inn, kept by a poet’s manuscripts", and certainly widow woman and her two daugh- Northamptonshire’s most impor- ters, which happened to be a good tant literary asset, is protected Friends of St Peter's Church place." regardless of the budget cuts being On approaching Oundle, the are endeavouring to preserve the A large group of writers and made across the county. familiar skyline with the 210 foot building for future generations. spire of St Peter’s Church is a They contribute to improvements welcoming site. It is the highest which enable the community to spire in Northamptonshire, and use the church building for a wide An inspiring independent part of what Simon Jenkins rated as range of events. co-educational day school one of England’s best churches. Recently the Friends of St for children aged 4-11 years. The Friends of Oundle Peter’s have raised money to Parish Church are part of a long improve public access and provide tradition of local residents who a ramp, helped to restore stone work and floodlight the tower, overhauled the tower clock, and contributed to new accessible lavatory facilities, and the installation of the west gates. The Friends raise money through concerts in the church, donations and subscriptions. Members do not have to be a churchgoer to be a “Friend”, and the Friends association is a separate independent charity. Bequests in a will are one way of helping to preserve the church building. The Friend’s next fundraising concert is on Saturday 9 June at Contact Ms Lesley Taylor, Registrar 7.30pm, with the return of the OPEN MORNINGS T: 01832 277159 award winning Rushden Town Friday 5th October 2018 E: [email protected] Band directed by Adele Hudson. Friday 8th February 2019 www.laxtonjunior.org.uk The band is performing popular Monday 6th May 2019 music from film and television for what promises to be a lively and Come and experience the teaching and learning entertaining evening in the church. in our Reception classes There will be a licensed bar. Tickets are on sale from Oundle in Stitches, in the Market Place. ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Chronicle 19 The return of the chequered skipper New WI chapter opens in Oundle to local woodlands Pippa Bourne together to make a giant brain After 25 years of dormancy, the sculpture in order to raise Hannah Wakeford woodlands is key to the successful Women’s Institute is being revived awareness for brain science and The Chequered Skipper pub in introduction, allowing for open for a new generation of women in mental health. Ashton is named after the beautiful spaces for the butterflies to flourish. Oundle. Its first meeting was held The Oundle branch is led by brown and yellow butterfly, The pub in Ashton was given its on 19 February, and attracted more the newly appointed president, the Carterocephalus palaemon. name by Dame Miriam Rothschild, than 40 women to join the group. Naomi Murphy, with Tina Browne, The butterfly was last sighted roughly 40 years ago. Her home The previous Oundle branch Secretary and Chris Stewart, in England in 1976, in Rutland. was Ashton Wold, outside the ran for nearly 30 years from 1963 to Treasurer. But this rare insect will soon be village that was once entirely 1992, when it folded. Naomi Murphy said: “There was returning to England and is to be owned by her family. released in local woodlands this Although Ms Rothschild year.

The chequered skipper (15) and its underside (15a) from British and European Butterflies and Moths [1897] Naomi Murphy, Oundle WI president introduced the April meeting The chequered skippers will be described herself as “an amateur”, The Women’s Institute is a a real show of commitment from a taken from healthy populations in she was a celebrated entomologist community-based organisation number of women who’ve all been Belgium and will be released into and regarded as one of the world’s for women, initially established in busy trying to get the branch off the woodland sites across Rockingham most distinguished naturalists. 1915, and it has become the largest ground. Forest, which used to be the Over the course of her career, voluntary women’s organisation in “The committee really want to species’ stronghold. she published more than 300 the UK. work to make the branch a group More than £7 million has gone scientific papers. It is a given A “new wave” of Women’s that is welcoming and inclusive of into this project, raised by the that she would be thrilled by Institute branches have shed their all women. There were lots of very Rethink Nature partnership and the possibility of the chequered slightly dated outlook and are vibrant women drawn from all Natural England, to “bring back skipper returning to the English encouraging and attracting women ages, backgrounds and interests, from the brink” threatened English countryside. of all ages to attend with a new so I am confident that the branch is species. The newly formed Ashton range of organised activities. While going to have a lot of energy and This is not the first time it Society supported this initiative traditional “vintage” interests something to appeal to all.” has been attempted to bring the with a talk held at The Chequered such as needlework, jam-making The April meeting was the first butterfly back into England. There Skipper pub in February to discuss and healthy living recipes are Oundle WI speaker event, featuring was an attempt to re-introduce the the return of the butterfly. promoted, new activities include conservationist Dr Nick Askew on species in the 1990s in Lincolnshire, They hope to be spotting the organised talks from scientists and British birds and bird calls, which but the project was unsuccessful. chequered skipper again very soon. historians. was extremely popular. Active management of the For instance, the Cambridge Meetings are held at The Hub, Federation of Women’s Institute Fletton House, on the fourth members knitted and crocheted Wednesday of each month from Recording local bird life “neurons”, which were combined 7.30pm to 9.30pm. on Twitter Maundy Thursday In 1895 Lord Lilford listed 227 Central America and China. commandment Christ gave after birds in his two volume book Notes His bird sightings in Oundle and continued from page 1 washing his disciples' feet. on the Birds of Northamptonshire and the surrounding area are record- The Royal Family has taken part Neighbourhood. He was a renowned ed on Twitter @jhoundle with the Zara Abdullah in Maundy celebrations since the naturalist and ornithologist and hashtag #northantsbirds, often David Wills was among 13th century, initially involving the was responsible for introducing the accompanied by short, pensioners who were invited to distribution of food and clothing Little Owl (Athene noctua) to the mesmerising videos of bird life. receive ceremonial Maundy Money to the poor, but has evolved into area in the 1880s, which is now the One unusual sighting that he from the Queen at a service at St presenting a number of men and county bird. said is exceptionally rare was of a George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. women, each equal to the Queen’s The work he did recording birds lone corn bunting singing like a When he received his letter from age, with a red and a white purse in in the area continues with 21st yellowhammer. He said it was a St James's, "I didn't speak for a recognition of their contributions to century birdwatchers reporting single bird among a flock of moment, which is very unlike me." the church and their community. their sightings online and on the another bird species, and was Mr Wills, was one of 92 men and This year, the red purse appropriately named social media clearly tuned to the wrong song. 92 women chosen from across the contained a £5 coin marking four platform, Twitter. Bird sightings in the county are country. generations of royalty, and a 50p Dr John Hunt is a retired collected and recorded on the Maundy Thursday involves a piece commemorating the Oundle biology teacher who has northantsbirds.com website once religious service held on the day Representation of the People Act been birdwatching seriously since the sighting has been verified. before Good Friday, which 1918, which gave women the right 1980. During the school holidays Birdguides.com also records commemorates the night of the Last to vote for the first time. he traveled across the world to birding sites close to Oundle and Supper. The origins of the The white purse included silver study birds and wildlife, and this wider Northamptonshire, as does ceremony, which are a part of the penny pieces totalling 92p, which year will be travelling to South and the Northamptonshire Bird Club. Easter celebrations, come from the represents the Queen’s age. 20 Oundle Chronicle ISSUE 48 - 2018 Oundle Music and Drama Festival celebrates 100th anniversary Pippa Bourne This year saw the 100th annual Oundle Music and Drama Festival, in which hundreds of solo, duo and group performances took place with competitors from Oundle and across the region. The Oundle Music and Drama Festival was founded by Lady Millicent Lilford from nearby Lilford Hall. Because it was halted during the war years, 2018 marks the 100th festival event since it was founded in 1909. It began as a music festival with classes for local choirs and ensembles. In 1968, Speech and Drama classes were added. This year there were 147 classes open to competitors.

The Catmose College Jazz Band from Oakham performed "Inside Out" by Michael Sweeney and "Smooth" by Santana

The Mixed Quartet from Peterborough competed in the Barbershop Quartet class

Drama pupils from in Peterborough performed an excerpt from "The Accidental Death of an Anarchist" by Dario Fo in the Group Acting class

These competitors from Peterborough and Bourne performed in the Solo Song class

Soloists on violin from Oundle, Peterborough, Bourne and Pupils from the Malcolm Sargent Primary School in Spalding competed in the U18 qualifying class for Stamford competed in the Year 3 Verse Speaking class Young Musician of the Year.