It is with great sadness that we learned of the untimely death earlier today, Sunday 20th September, of our friend and colleague, Sue Corner. Sue was our Secretary and Treasurer but, more importantly, our driving force and inspiration. It was Sue, in her role as Chair of the Planning Committee on the Parish Council, that proposed that the village should prepare a Neighbourhood Plan during 2016 and in June of that year oversaw the first meeting of parishioners who had volunteered to join the group.
Sue has been instrumental in getting the Plan developed as far as it currently stands and notwithstanding her illness, still contributed to meetings earlier this year. Just recently, Sue met with us at the allotments, socially distanced as requested, and leaving nothing undone, she discussed next actions for the Group and who could help us to take her ideas forward. Her loss is a body blow to the Group – but be in no doubt, we will use our best endeavours to complete the Plan as she envisioned it.
Thank you, Sue, a lovely friend and a great inspiration.
Tony Clewett, Chair, on behalf of all of the Neighbourhood Planning Group.
For more information on Nether Heyford Neighbourhood Plan visit the website:
Many of you will have read the Neighbourhood Plan article in the September issue of the Prattler.
I would like to point out that after reading it I could not believe that there was a glaring gap in the content.
Sue Corner, who happens to be my wife, and who is seriously ill with a brain tumour, has, until this March, worked many hundreds of hours, attending dozens of meetings, both in the village and outside, sometimes as far away as Evesham.
She has meticulously kept all records covering all aspects of this Plan. Not one word of her tireless input to this plan was included in this article.
I am deeply angered and saddened that the “leading lights” have not recognised in print the massive contribution Sue has made to this plan.
New Vice-Chairman More great news – the Management Committee has a new Vice-Chairman: Joan Kirkbride.
Joan has lived in the village since 1965 and has enjoyed playing a part in village life in various capacities. She has spent many years in public service, having served on the Parish Council, District Council and County Council. She has also a been a trustee of the Bliss Charity School. Although presently engaged in other Community Trusts, she has missed being part of the village organisations. She feels she will be honoured to serve on the Village Hall Committee as Vice-Chairman, and is happy to serve in any capacity needed. We are delighted to welcome Joan to our team and are looking forward to working with her.
Re-opening of the Hall The hall was re-opened on 1st September as a “Covid-19 Secure” venue but, after just a few days, the Government announced drastic changes to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Regulations which would limit gatherings to 6 people. Or did they?
At the outset it appeared that the hall would again be closed to users, but behind the sound-bites and headlines in the guidance documents on the gov.uk website, was detail that has allowed us to continue to make the hall available to users. The pages of “Covid-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities”, issued by the government, includes a section on permitted activities including leisure and social gatherings.
“We recognise the importance of social clubs for some individuals and recommend that these can proceed with caution in venues that have been made Covid-19 Secure. Clubs or groups that use community facilities can begin to meet again and facility managers should follow these Covid-19 Secure guidelines to facilities that. Premises or locations following Covid-19 Secure guidelines will be able to hold more than 30 people, subject to their own capacity limits. It is important for people to maintain social distancing and good hand hygiene when visiting these spaces. People using community facilities should continue to limit their interactions with those they do not live with outside of any formal activities they are participating in to help control the virus. People meeting in a club or group context at a community centre should be encouraged to socially distance from anyone they do not live with or who is not in their support bubble.”
The hall therefore remains open for those who wish to use it, albeit with obligations on everyone to participate in maintaining the Covid-19 Secure condition. Please remember, however, that entrance to the hall remains unchanged, there is a one way system to access the washrooms, and to avoid people passing each other in the front lobby, exit will be via the front fire escape door. The Management Committee is committed to doing everything necessary to keep the hall as safe and Covid-19 Secure as possible, but if you see something that needs to be added, or could be done better, please let Peter Squire (01327 342167) know about it.
Northamptonshire Carers were running Carer support groups in Towcester and Brackley. As things have changed they have now moved to hosting online group meetings via the popular platform Zoom in order to support and help carers during these challenging times.
The Drop in Zooms will entail having a cuppa and a chat, having some fun doing a quiz and also learning some useful relaxation techniques.
Northamptonshire Carers. Registered Charity No 1061417. For further information on Northamptonshire Carers or to donate, please visit our website: www.northamptonshire-carers.org
Hayley Brown – Group Worker at Northamptonshire Carers
“Presumed Killed. News that their youngest son, Flight Sergt. Leslie Foster, R.A.F. reported missing in May of last year, is now presumed to have been killed, has been received by Mr. and Mrs. C. Foster, Stonebank, Lower Heyford. Sergt. Foster, who was 24, joined the R.A.F. in October, 1938, and had been in many flights over Germany when he was reported missing. He had seen service in North Africa. He was a former pupil of Lower Heyford School and was employed by the Miller Last Co. Ltd., before joining the R.A.F. He was also a former member of Bugbrooke Boys‘ Brigade.”
Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993
Remembered by: Caroline Elliott: “He was my Dad’s cousin, Charlie Foster of Hillside Road, Nether Heyford”
“Death of Northants Officer. News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. J. Bennett Whiting, of Heyford Grange, Weedon, of the death on Sept 1, while on active service, of their elder son Lieut. John [Jack] Bennett Whiting. Lieut. Whiting who was 25, was an old boy of Eaglehurst College, Northampton, and of Amersham Grammar School. He joined the Warwickshire Yeomanry in the spring of 1939, later going abroad. On receiving his commission in 1940, he was transferred to the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. A keen sportsman and a fine rider, Lieut. Whiting hunted regularly with the Grafton and Pytchley Hounds, and was frequently a competitor at local point-to-points. When he left school he was apprenticed at the racing stables of Mr. C. Beechener, and later joined the stables of Mr. J Hall, of Penny Compton, Warwickshire, and Marlborough, Wiltshire. He then went into business at Heyford with his brother-in-law, Mr Leslie Wienholt, and together they ran a hunting stable. His father formerly farmed at Willen House, Willen, Newport Pagnell, where Lieut. Whiting was born. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Whiting, in addition to another son, have four daughters.”
Northampton Independent 25.09.1942.
“Killed, Lieutenant J. B. Whiting. News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. J. Bennett Whiting, of Heyford Grange, Weedon, of the death on September 1st, while on active service, of their elder son, Lieutenant John [Jack] Bennett Whiting. Lieutenant Whiting, who was 25, was an old boy of Eaglehurst College, Northampton, and of Amersham Grammar School. A keen sportsman and a fine rider, Lieutenant Whiting hunted regularly with the Grafton and Pytchley Hounds, and was frequently a competitor at local point-to-points.”
Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993
“Sapper Frederick Watson, R.E., of Lower Heyford, has been killed in action while serving with the Central Mediterranean Forces. His wife lives at 26, Little Brington. Sapper Watson, who was 22, joined the forces in February 1942. He went abroad in August 1943. The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Watson of Lower Heyford, he married Miss Winifred Cannon in April 1943. After attending Lower Heyford School, he was employed by Messrs. Bosworth and Wakeford, builders, of Daventry.“
Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993
“Killed in Normandy. Mrs. E. Heeler, of The Green, Lower Heyford, has received news that her husband, Lance Corporal Frederick Heeler, has been killed in Normandy. Lance Corporal Heeler joined the forces in April 1940. He attended Pattishall School, and played football for Kislingbury Football Club. He worked at Towcester. He leaves 17 months – old baby.“
Northampton Independent 25.08.1944 [Photograph].
“Killed. Lance Corporal F. Heeler. Mrs. E. Heeler of The Green, Lower Heyford has received news that her husband, Lance Corporal Frederick Heeler, has been killed in Normandy. He joined the Forces in April 1940. He attended Pattishall School and worked at Towcester. He played football for Kislingbury. He leaves a 17 months – old baby.“
Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993
Three Northamptonshire sisters all diagnosed with brain tumours inspire Walk of Hope
A woman from Nether Heyford is organising a Walk of Hope to raise funds to help find a cure for the disease which has affected her mother and two aunts.
Sisters pictured left to right: Lesley Bushell, Janet Haynes and Diana Holland.
Sally Stroman, 51, a town planner in Northampton, has organised a charity walk after her aunt Lesley passed away in May this year with a brain tumour.
Sally will take on the challenge with her mum Janet Haynes, 81, and her daughter Emily, 16, a student at Campion School in Bugbrooke.
Like Janet, her two other sisters, Lesley and Diana, were also diagnosed as adults with meningioma brain tumours.
Janet Haynes, Emily and Sally Stroman
Lesley, who lived in Northampton and was diagnosed in 2017 at 69 years old, suffered a stroke during an operation to remove her tumour but in May this year Lesley passed away with pneumonia and infection due to the tumour.
Sally said: “Mum was the first of the sisters to be diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour back in January 2008, aged 68. A GP thought she was starting to suffer with dementia because she was doing things like leaving the gas on and letting a saucepan boil dry. Eventually she was sent for an MRI scan and we were all shocked to learn she had a brain tumour.
“Since then mum has had three operations because of regrowth. She has a scan each year and every time she does we cross our fingers the brain tumour remains stable. Mum is one in a million. She is so caring, strong and has such an amazing sense of humour – I am sure it’s that which keeps her going, along with dad.
“With losing Lesley, and my auntie Diana also having a meningioma and knowing that so little funding goes into research of the disease, made us decide it would be a lovely idea to do a Walk of Hope.”
The walk on Saturday, 26 September, is one of dozens of similar events taking place across the UK for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
The trio will walk from Nether Heyford, where they all live, to Weedon where Janet grew up, along with her two sisters, and back.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are very grateful to Sally and Janet and all the family for their support and wish them all the very best for their Walk of Hope.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
The charity is calling for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.
The Royal British Legion, is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants.
Nether Heyford British Legion
The Nether Heyford British Legion are not able to order poppies this year from the British Legion (individual branches cannot order them this year). Poppies are normally sold door to door throughout the village and in the village pubs and shops to raise funds for the Nether Heyford branch of The British Legion.
A coffee morning is also usually held to raise funds but is not possible this year either.
The funds raised in the village go directly to the local village branch and helps to pay for the wreaths that are laid on the war memorial on Remembrance Day in November.
Upon hearing about this situation in early September, a crowdfunding page was set up on the JustGiving website:
to simply raise £80 to order some wreaths for November.
With amazing speed and generosity £310 was quickly raised – combining that with some cash and cheque donations sent through the post, a grand total of £425 was raised for the local village British Legion branch helping towards remembrance day 2020 and beyond.
Many thanks for all those that donated which included :
Gary Richmond | Aly & Rich | Joan & Alex | Trev Clarkey | Marie Hanlon | Sarah Hawkins | Birkett family | Jadine | Simon & Debbie | Heyford Athletic FC | Brian and Maxine Edgington | Stu and Emma | Sue Boutle | Jez Wilson | Gary McMahon | Lesely Faulkner | Jill Garratt | The Gilkes Family | The Wray’s | Lynn Adey | Mark, Sally and Emily Stroman
The Nether Heyford Prattler 