Author: Jez Wilson

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – June 1954

June 1954

Dear Diary,

There are lots of new homes going up in Hillside Road and Hillside Crescent and new families moving in, including my friend Jane who used to live at Novelty Farm on the A5. It’ll be great having her so near, although we’ll miss our games in the hay bales and with the animals. Apparently her new next door neighbour is to be presented with the “key of the door” to mark the 100th Council house to be completed and the newspaper reporters will be there to take photographs, how exciting is that?

The old cottages nearest the green in Close Road have been pulled down. At the other end of the road there is a five-barred gate close to a little stream that comes down from the hills. The water then goes under the road and comes up again to flow along in front of The Peak, along Hillside Road, down the side of the green and again underground as far as Watery Lane, which is how it got its name. It then finds its way to the river. We have so much water around the village with the river and the canal and all these little streams in between. Let’s hope it all stays on course.

The old Jubilee Hall is to be pulled down because it’s no longer safe. They are only leaving the little wall at the front. Where will everyone meet now? Maybe in The Foresters Arms, I’m sure Mr. Rolfe would be pleased to have them. I don’t think the couple at The Old Sun would have them. I sit in their kitchen sometimes while mum and dad go into the pub and they bring me a bottle of pop, Dandelion and Burdock is my favourite.

Our new Headmaster, Mr. Warr, and his wife have settled in nicely, Mrs. Hazel has left and Mrs. Whatton or Madam as we are to call her, has started, so some changes have been made. This afternoon we are getting ready for Sports Day on the village green. I’m not very good at sports so I shall try for the Sack Race or The Egg & Spoon Race. I know I won’t win either but I better show willing. At last the school has toilets inside the building so no traipsing up the yard next winter.

I’m going to dress as Maureen ‘Little Mo’ Connolly at the church fete Fancy Dress competition next weekend. At 16 she was the youngest tennis player to win at the US Open tournament. I love the church fete with stalls, games and tea on the lawn. Most of the villagers turn out for it.

Because it was warm yesterday me and my cousin played a game in the chicken house. We got covered in fleas so mum got the tin bath out of the barn, put it on the back lawn, filled it with warm water and made us have a strip wash to get rid of them before we went indoors. We did giggle. So much for our chicken army. We’ll pester the pigs next time, they’re cleaner.

Polly

Letter published in The Prattler – June 2020

 

Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul – June 2020

Nether Heyford Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul

Dear Friends,

The recent celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of VE Day sparked much reminiscing about the generation that saw the country through the challenges of global war, and its ‘wartime spirit’. Several programmes and news articles focused on members of that generation, reflecting on their stories of life during the war. Inevitably, the experiences of that generation were compared to our current experiences of live in lock-down as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. On its news website, the BBC asked what we might learn from the wartime generation, in which one elderly contributor advised, ‘don’t panic, smile and pray’. Elsewhere, people have suggested that robbed of the ability to gather physically with friends and family, denied human contact outside our immediate household, our present circumstances are worse than wartime. Still, we are seeing a real ‘lock-down spirit’ as we all play our part in combatting the coronavirus and hope that the outbreak and its effects will come to an end soon. That ‘lockdown spirit’ is demonstrated in an increased neighbourliness, in care for the vulnerable, in support for those who are selfisolating and shielding themselves, and in increased communication, as we strive to keep in touch with family, friends and neighbours by telephone and social media.

The Gospel reading set for last Sunday speaks of a different Spirit. Jesus promises his followers, “I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you” (John 14:16 CEV). In the original Greek, the word for ‘help’ can also mean comfort, encourage and defend. What a wonderful thing to say! God’s Spirit will be with us always, creating a spirit, a resolve within us that will help, comfort, encourage and defend us, whatever trials and challenges life might throw our way. This Spirit that Jesus promises – which will be in us and alongside us always – is the Spirit of this and every age.

In these exceptional times, if you need spiritual support, prayer or someone to talk to, please give me a ring – my telephone number is below. You can also visit the Benefice Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/HS9FB for reflections and prayers, for words of encouragement and reassurance, as well as a live-streamed service at 10:00AM every Sunday morning.

I leave you this month with these words from the English spiritual writer, Julian of Norwich, which have helped and encouraged me in recent weeks, “Christ did not say, ‘You shall not be perturbed, you shall not be troubled, you shall not be distressed,’ but he said, ‘You shall not be overcome.’”

With every prayer and blessing in these uncertain times.

Stephen 01327 344436 Mobile: 07511 544375 Email: s_p_burrow@yahoo.co.uk

Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul – Services – June 2020

nether-heyford-parish-church-april2020

Services for June 2020

Following advice from our Archbishops and bishops, all public worship in churches has been suspended, and our church buildings are locked for the foreseeable future, to facilitate social distancing.

Whilst we cannot meet at present, the Church is still alive and at work, doing all we can to pray for, care for and support our communities.

If you need prayer, if you need spiritual support, if you just want someone different to talk to, please give me a ring on 01327 344436

There is now a Benefice Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HS9FB

If you are able, please visit that page for reflections, prayers and encouragement, as well as a live-streamed service at 10:00AM every Sunday morning.

We hope to be able to begin the gradual process of unwinding the lock-down in our churches in July, but it will be some time before we can get back to anything like ‘normal’. The ‘next normal’ will involve small-scale services, social distancing, restricted numbers, possibly mask-wearing in church buildings, possibly bread but no wine at communion, no congregational singing, no handshakes, no coffee, no books or service sheets – and all this might persist into next year! We will keep you informed as things become clearer.

Whilst we hold all our villages in prayer, the streets we shall be praying for during June are Middle Street, Manor Park and Parsons Close in Heyford, Brockhall Road and The Crescent in Flore, The Green in Church Stowe and in Brockhall, The Old Rectory, Rose Cottage, Western Cottage.

Rev Stephen Burrow (Tel. 01327 344436)

Nether Heyford Baptist Church – June 2020

Nether Heyford Baptist Church

nether-heyford-baptist-chapel-april2020

It is with regret that all services and events have been cancelled until further notice.

Sheila Beharrell
Church members and friends were sorry to hear of the death of Sheila Beharrell on May 14th. Sheila had been an active member of the church for 78 years and although she has been in Bethany Homestead recently will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

Martin Buckby On behalf of the chapel fellowship

 

NetherHeyfordBaptistChurchLogo

For more information visit the Nether Heyford Baptist Chapel page.

 

Quiz – Do you know Northampton?

Do you know Northampton?

The answers to these questions are place names in Northamptonshire.

1 Not a new place
2 Not under 14 lbs
3 Is Topsy upside down?
4 A naughty insect
5 Did royalty lose its head here?
6 A street
7 A small professor
8 An electric gadget used at breakfast time
9 Place of the firs
10 Isn’t there a milk container here?
11 Keep losing your hair
12 Sounds as if its manufactured to a high standard
13 A happy weight
14 One of two – not Chapel, the other
15 Is it a fault?
16 Not a soft part of a candle
17 The site of a battle in 1645
18 A farmyard and watery resting place
19 A lettuce and small wood
20 Badgers manor
21 This is a sad and serious place for animals
22 Sounds as if it’s some value to a builder
23 Add a point to this fresh meat
24 A golfer’s weight
25 Flower ending has changed
26 Does a singer tunnel here
27 A young animal with a drink
28 Visit this place for old records
29 Continue with the housework
30 Do you get burnt at this waterhole?

Quiz Answers

 

Parish Council – May 2020 Meeting

Nether_Heyford_Parish_Council_2019

Due to government regulations prohibiting public meetings the May 4th, 2020 Parish Council meeting was held online, using the Zoom platform. This is in line with national advice and is the first interruption in public meetings in the history of this parish. At this time there is no indication of how long these conditions will persist, but it is almost certain that the next meeting, will also take place online on June 1st. Parishioners wanting to participate in the Public Session should check the Agenda on the Public notice boards or the Website for the meeting ID on Zoom.

Due to difficulties experienced by Councillors unused to using the internet, a reduced number of Councillors attended the online meeting, but a quorum was achieved and was supplemented by the District and County Councillors and one Member of the Public.

The May meeting is the Annual Meeting of the Council at which the Chair is elected, and councillors’ responsibilities apportioned.

Election of Chairman & Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Charles Kiloh elected as chair.

Election of Vice Chairman and Acceptance of office Lesley Dilkes elected as vice – chair.

NetherHeyfordParishCouncilMay2020

Public Question Time Jez Wilson reported on volunteer activities during the emergency, and wondered whether councillors were happy with the website. Councillors thanked him for his efforts with food parcels etc during the last months.

Cllr Adam Brown reported that NCC were looking to re-open tips. He reported a tremendous response to the coronavirus all round, but 200 plus deaths. There had been a severe impact on NCC Finances that they would look to central government for help. On Local Government Reorganisation the first meetings of the Shadow authorities were due to take place. Highway repairs were still being carried out.

Cllr Dave Harries reported that SNC finances had been in good order; but that the Emergency had severely affected all Council incomes and felt central government would have to plug these revenue holes. He expressed concern for Councils who were less well placed.

Cllr Phil Bignell reported that the first virtual Planning meetings had taken place, and re-iterated that no site visits could take place. He encouraged applicants to send photographs with applications.

Annual Parish Meeting. There had been no Annual Parish Meeting due to the Covid 19 Emergency and the meeting was postponed until the situation improved.

Reports. Lights AW reported that it was hoped that quotes from Aylesbury Mains and Balfour Beatty would be forthcoming. AW had consulted the latter regarding “Smart Management” but it was not felt that this would be cost effective in such a small lighting system. NHB scheme had been reopened. DH cautioned that the wording on an application would need to be carefully considered.

Roads and pavements. It was noted that repairs were still being carried out, but that some areas such as Hillside Road were in very poor condition and were not being attended to.

The Green and Play Area Inspection due. The Play Area was still locked up, but it was felt that the inspection should go ahead. CK continued to do weekly inspections.

Allotments Allotments were felt to be in the best condition for years. There were no empty plots now. LE commended DM for work on the wildlife area.

Footpaths Felt to be in reasonable condition; apart from the section between Church lane and the river footbridge which had subsided and was felt to be dangerous.

Churchyard Tree work has had to be paused.

Joint Burial Board There had been complaints about the grass and foliage in the cemetery. CK would check this.

Covid 19 Emergency reports Leaflets had been delivered. It was reported that food parcel distribution was proceeding well and now included Upper Heyford. Medications from Bugbrooke surgery were now routinely delivered. It was felt that village volunteers were on top of the situation. Councillors thanked Jez Wilson and Faye Brassett for their efforts.

Internal and External Audit Clerk reported that the AGAR forms had been received from the External Auditor PKF late because of the Emergency, and that the Internal Audit would take place remotely. It was hoped to keep within the standard timeframe, although deadlines had been relaxed.

Further Grant Funding for Church Roof In light of NCALC advice, the Chair felt that further contributions should not be made; as Council had been advised that it was unclear whether such donations could, or should, be made to a religious organisation. Council were, however, obliged to take responsibility for the Churchyard, and there was a power enabling them to pay for the upkeep of the church Clock.

Reporting Highway and Footpath Issues. The Clerk will report issues that Council is made aware of, but Council would encourage residents to use the FixMyStreet service to report issues themselves as there will then be no time lag and first-hand reports are almost always better than 2nd or 3rd hand reports. The service can be found here: www.fixmystreet.com  It is easy to use; you can have your own account and can check up on any issues you have reported.

Parish Council meetings in 2020 will continue to be on the first Monday of each month, (unless a Bank Holiday) and start at 19:30. The next one is on June 1st.

NetherHeyfordParishCouncilMay2020_List

Clerk to the Parish Council: Guy Ravine, c/o Old Dairy Farm, Upper Stowe, Weedon, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SH
Telephone: 07935 931787
Email: netherheyfordparishcouncil@gmail.com

For further useful information about Nether Heyford Parish Council and full contact details for the clerk and the Councillors please visit:

Nether Heyford Parish Council Website 

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Furnace Lane Bomb – John Butcher

bomb3

The copy of the local paper dated May 1952 does not give a very accurate account of what actually happened. My friend Robin Ellis (a Daventry Grammar School boy who was taking Chemistry lessons) believed that the powder inside the shells that littered the wood at Stowe could be used to make fireworks. We were not picking primroses as the article stated. We visited the woods and carried home in our cycle bags 6 bombs which we believed were dud.

We then took them into Mr Ellis’s garden shed at 19 Furnace Lane and proceeded to dismantle them. Robin then discovered that the detonator in one shell (Mortar bomb) had not been used. The pin however had fallen out and could not be found so we substituted it with a wood screw. We then decided to see if the detonator would go off ignoring the fact that if it did the bomb would also explode. We threw the bomb out of the door about 4 feet away from where we stood. It exploded making a hole in the ground about 4 foot round and 4 foot deep. The resulting noise being heard in Northampton. The shrapnel from the bomb split the chestnut fencing and went through Mr Denny’s (the next door neighbour) Greenhouse.

However Rob and I were unhurt and our first thought was to fill in the hole before his Dad returned from work. Before we could complete this though many men from the village arrived in the garden and we were both escorted into our homes by our mothers.

The local press arrived and interviewed our mothers and the attached cutting was the result. My mother was accused of bribing the press to change my name but I was very disappointed not to have my correct name in print.

The next day the army arrived and dug out the hole in the garden. What did they find? A piece of mortar bomb with a wood screw through it. This was the first of Rob’s and mine 9 lives.

John Butcher – December 2019

Poem: Grace Ramsey – May 2020

Grace Ramsey Poem

A bit of background to the poem and author.

The author, Grace Ramsay, was the pen-name of Kathleen O’Meara (1839-1888). She was an Irish-French Catholic writer and biographer, responsible for 11 novels and three works of non-fiction during the Victorian period. Her fiction covered a variety of topics from women’s rights to Eastern European revolutions, all dealing with social reform.

This poem appeared in her second novel, Iza’s Story, which dealt with the struggle of Polish patriots against the Russian, Austrian and German occupation. She was well-known during her lifetime, never married and travelled widely throughout Europe and the United States.

By Grace Ramsey – Printed in The Prattler – May 2020

Poem: Do you remember that spring ? – Becki Johnson – May 2020

Do you remember that Spring?

Spring

Do you remember that Spring, mum?
The one where we learned to dance?
We had loads of time together, mum,
I learned lots about flowers and plants!
Do you remember that Spring, mum?
The one when daddy was always home?
We ate all our meals together, mum,
And spoke to nana lots on the phone!
Do you remember that Spring, mum?
Where we did loads of Arts and Crafts?
We had whole days in our pyjamas, mum,
And had loads and loads of tickle fights!
Do you remember that Spring, mum?
When you put the tent up in the front room?
We had so many cuddles and snuggles,
I hope we have a spring like that soon!

By Becki Johnson – Printed in The Prattler – May 2020

Poem: My Guinea Pigs – Jemima Thompson – May 2020

My Guinea Pigs 

GuineaPig

My guinea pigs are cute & fluffy,
I like to see them when I wake,
One is brown & one is white,
We call them Nutmeg & Milkshake
My guinea pigs make lots of poo poo
We have to clean it out,
My guinea pigs love fruit & vegetables,
When they see dinner they squeak & shout
My guinea pigs are cute & fluffy,
And very cuddly too,
One is brown & one is white,
Nutmeg & Milkshake we love you.

by Jemima Thompson (Age 7 & in Year 3 at Bliss) – Printed in The Prattler – May 2020