News from Abthorpe News from Abthorpe October 2019October 2019 October 2019 Abtalk Personal message from Jill Tolson been undertaken, and the cost of soft After 15 years of producing Abtalk, all furnishings. good things must come to an end, and The work to tidy up the paths around this will be my last issue. It’s time for the village green has continued, with a change and I wish Alison Robbins and the path near the Millennium sign now Tricia Holmes enjoyment in making the looking very smart. More will be done newsletter their own. Keith Fenwick in due course. The telephone box has will still be involved to give a guiding received a new coat of paint, thanks hand. I would like to thank everyone to the voluntary effort of one of our for their support over the years, in newer residents, Steve Marshall. particular John Riches who has been Parking was mentioned in the a mainstay in seeking out interesting last issue of Abtalk. As a result happenings in the village. Small as one parishioner drew attention to the community is, it’s impressive how the problem of parked cars near much is going on. the junction of School Lane and Wappenham Road where the road PARISH COUN C IL is very narrow. If cars are parked Keith Fenwick there, emergency vehicles cannot Mike Greenhalgh was elected chairman get by. So please observe the No at our meeting on 1st July and we Parking notice on the adjacent wall. welcomed two new councillors, Chris We have approached the County Zachar and Rachel Stevens, who were Council about getting double yellow co-opted to fill the vacancies. They lines at that point, but it appears that will serve until the next elections the consultation and legal processes which will now be held in May 2020. involved take up to 12 months. The Council’s finances remain in The safety of the crossroads on very good shape, especially as we the Towcester side of the village receive a grant from the solar farm has also been raised, but again the near Towcester. Part of that money County Council has not responded this year has been given to the Old favourably to the suggestion of major School to meet the unexpected cost improvements, such as a roundabout. of roof repairs, which had already But we will continue to search for Editorial Team: Alison Robbins [email protected]; 857795 Tricia Holmes [email protected]; 358491 Keith Fenwick [email protected]; 857083 Jill Tolson [email protected]; 857320 2 Abtalk October 2019 simpler methods of reducing the risk GIN FEST 2019 of accidents. On a thankfully dry and, on occasions, We have always encouraged sunny Saturday in early September, parishioners to attend our meetings the second GinFest took place on and given them a chance to bring up the Green. This modern take on any matters of concern. As a result the traditional village fete was once of advice received, we are making again very well supported by both a slight change in that a slot of 10 residents of Abthorpe and some from minutes will be close to the start of the further afield – one couple from Crick agenda. This will enable councillors to just happened to be passing, saw the discuss any points raised, although as signs advertising the event, decided always substantive decisions can only to have a quick look – and stayed be made when an item is placed on for 3 hours. The gin-tasting was the agenda before the meeting. The particularly popular with 12 different next meetings are scheduled for 4th gins, including such delights as November and 16th December. Tarquin’s British Blackberry, New Town 3 October 2019 Abtalk Mango and Cucumber, and Alfred Button Lemon Sherbet, to sample. But there were many other attractions too. Bunny Hutchings and his team had many satisfied customers at the Pig Roast, the Tea and Cakes tent did a brisk trade, and the children were well catered for with a Lucky Dip and some high-quality Face Painting. Perennial favourites such as Liz Haycock’s Tombola, a Raffle with fantastic prizes, and a bar all added to the atmosphere, and the arrival of Dave Cambray’s steam-driven Little Giant traction engine caused quite a stir. Keeping us all entertained was Terry’s wonderful singing of many old favourite songs from the 60s and 70s. This highly successful and enjoyable day could not of course have taken place without the inspiration and hard work of the GinFest team and the many other volunteers who all played their part – there were marquees and gazebos to erect (and indeed to re-erect thanks to gusty winds the night before), chairs and tables to move, hay bales to transport, cakes to make, raffle prizes to be begged for, and many more tasks. It was a true community effort – and all the better for that. And the culmination of all this was a hefty £2,567 profit – what a result! 4 Abtalk October 2019 The GinFest in full swing On the previous page Dave Cambray shows off his quarter scale working steam traction engine On the left Bunny and his pig roast team - Sam Smith and Bernard Humphrey Right: Trying the Lucky Dip Below: Gins on display 5 October 2019 Abtalk OLD SC HOOL NEWS rather expensive year, the Committee The Committee has not been resting is now building up a fund to maintain on its laurels after the GinFest and the fabric of the building against future is planning more social events for repairs. This has been aided by the villagers to enjoy during 2020. But success they have achieved in hiring before then there will be a welcome it out to regular groups and one-off return of the Truckers’ Breakfast on events. In fact, in September there Sunday 3rd November. The usual was a party or function every weekend appetising English breakfast will be and more importantly everyone who laid on from 8.45, last orders at 10.45, attended was delighted with the with endless cups of tea and toast. facilities. Small breakfasts are £6.50, large CHUR C H NEWS £8.00. These have become a pleasant Barbara Malcomson way to start a lazy Sunday, chatting [email protected] to friends and neighbours. There are a number of interesting The summer months have been plans in the pipeline for next year, characterised by short bursts of which include a games – of the activity interspersed with quieter board variety – afternoon, and the spells. We have had a further two tantalisingly named ‘Ritz with a weddings which were lovely occasions Twist’. Full details of these will be and are described elsewhere in Abtalk. developed shortly. And firm fixtures We hold just one service a month in will be a quiz night, a race night in the summer with the congregation the autumn and another opportunity from all five parishes in the benefice to sample the Truckers’ Breakfast. encouraged to worship together in the Sprinkled between these events different churches by turn. As our will be coffee mornings, which have service times do vary from one Sunday proved so successful when being held to another this can cause confusion. at the weekend. If anyone fancies We are trying to rectify this and our hosting one, please email oldschool@ notice board now displays times of abthorpe.net. services in our church for the month Final touches have been put to the ahead as well as details of what is refurbishment of the main hall with the going on in the benefice. We hope purchase of 50 new chairs, which fit in that this will help. the specially designed storage seating, The long growing season does and some new tables bought very mean of course that there has been reasonably from Greens Norton Village more to do outside. The team of Hall which is closing. So following a people on the mowing rota has done 6 Abtalk October 2019 a splendid job keeping the churchyard Clare Ray and Lesley Dale from the in tiptop condition, as is fitting for the benefice held another children’s event church’s location in the centre of the in the Old School at the beginning village. It has not always been that of the school summer holidays. The easy finding time at the weekends to circus theme was much enjoyed by mow between the sharp showers, or the children who came. Another event during the heat wave and avoiding is now being planned for the start of the times of the weddings. Thank the Christmas holidays based on the you to all the mowing team and also Christingle. This will be held in the to Steve Noble who has looked after afternoon of Saturday 7th December the churchyard extension for a good in Silverstone Church Rooms and few years now. If anyone feels they children from Abthorpe are most would like to join the mowing team, welcome. please contact me. All five PCCs have had meetings We had an audit visit in August from to discuss weddings in our churches. Rev’d Richard Ormston, the Archdeacon We unanimously agreed that if a of Northampton. Everything he couple have a qualifying connection needed to see in the church was easy to marry in a particular parish church to find and in good order, thanks to this should be extended to allow them Richard Tomalin’s organisation in the to marry in any of the churches in the past. It was a very encouraging visit benefice.