Author: Jez Wilson

Nether Heyford W.I. – March 2020

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At our February meeting we were told about the foundation and history of The Samaritans. I’m sure many of us knew of their existence but hearing first-hand of the commitment and incredible work they do left me feeling very humbled. The Reverend William Adams told us of their lengthy training, which teaches them that they cannot suggest solutions to people’s problems but just listen and support – and all completely anonymously on both sides. The shifts the volunteers work cover 24 hours, 7 days a week. I can only begin to imagine what the night shifts can be like, especially in the gloom of the winter months. It is a lifeline for many and one which can only survive with our charitable support.

We have a change of programme for March when Michael Peachey, a Northamptonshire artist, will be coming to talk to us. Evidently this is an evening of art for people who know nothing about art! I only know a little so, with luck, I will come home more enlightened. We will be meeting in the Village Hall on Thursday 5th of March at 7.30pm and there will be a warm welcome for any ladies who would like to join us. The cost of the evening is £5 and includes refreshments.

In April our speaker will be Jayne Jones who will be telling us about ‘Foraging and Cooking’. I can’t wait to see if she can tell me what to do with the enormous crop of ground elder that we always have in our garden (and probably in everyone-else’s, too) Who knows, Heyford ground elder may yet be able to rival spinach in Sainsbury’s next year!! But, then again…

Mary Rice – Heyford Lodge – 01327 340101

 

Village Hall – News – March 2020

In line with the aims of the original founders and builders 60 years ago, the current management committee continues to work hard to maintain the condition and facilities of the village hall for the benefit of all its users. For example:

New Storage Container
This has now been ordered and will be delivered in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the area to the left-hand side of the hall has now been prepared to form a firm base. Once constructed, the new container will provide additional longer-term storage for large and heavy items, thereby releasing space for more cupboards for use by the growing number of regular users of the hall.

Redecoration
In due course the hall will be redecorated in time for a succession of special events planned for this year. We face a challenge in finding the right time to do this, because the hall is now almost continually booked (a victim of its own success).

Kitchen
In the meantime, this is now being comprehensively cleaned and sorted, with the exception of locked cupboards used by other groups.

Outside
Shortly, another working group will tackle the weeds and moss around the hall – made far worse by the recent heavy rains. This will not only improve its appearance but also ensure safer walking on the paths.

Future plans
In addition to managing and maintaining the hall, management committee members are now organising several events such as the biennial Garage Sale in April and the Village Hall Fete in June, and are seeking a good DJ for the Anniversary Dance in October (know anyone?).

Some are also involved with a group of other village folk in gathering information for an historical exhibition covering the hall’s 60 years.

Busy but rewarding times.

Alwyne Wilson – 01327 340803

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2020 Village Award Scheme – Update – March 2020

2020 Village Award Scheme
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Northamptonshire Action for Communities in Rural England

Nether Heyford’s Application: Progress report

I am pleased to write that, to date, 46 questionnaires have been sent out to village groups and organisations and 28 have been returned. This is an excellent response at this stage – and my thanks go out to all those who have responded so promptly. There is still time for others to come in so I am hopeful that by the time the judges want more detailed information we’ll be well prepared.

In the meantime, I now have a long list of activities and amenities, giving me a good general picture of Nether Heyford’s community life. So by the time you read this I will have submitted an application on behalf of the village, with two supporting statements: one about the village as a great place to live (Community), and the other about the revitalisation of the allotments project (Creative Use of Communal Space).

I have received much support from people around the village – which has been a great encouragement to me, thank you all.

Alwyne Wilson 01327 340803
alwyne76@gmail.com

 

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Sheep Dipping in the early days at Whitehall Farm – Hugh Adams

Sheep Dipping in the early days at Whitehall Farm

We used to take the sheep to be dipped at Upper Heyford. Jack Perkin and I would leave the buildings at Whitehall Farm around 1pm with 40 sheep, driving them along the road towards Heyford. We would pass High House Wharf where the West family (Coal Merchants) lived. On the right side of the road would be the house on the bridge where Ted Grey and his wife Ellen lived. Carrying on down the hill on the right by the side of the canal and past Mr and Mrs Fry (he was a carpenter) following on down the road towards the village, on the left the French family (now Adrian Hayes) – past the Cemetery – down the hill on the right, the Johnson family.

We are now in the village and on the left was Sid Eales shoe mending hut, past the little green. We would pass on the right the Butchers shop kept by Sid Capel (now Glen). We had to keep an eye on the sheep at this point otherwise they would escape down Church Street!! Next was Chapel Cottage, Mrs George. David Browning kept the shop, past the Foresters Arms, the landlord was Tom Rolfe. Now the sheep would take to the green where there was lots of good grass! Turn left into Middle Street past the School and School House where Mr Carrington, the headmaster lived with his wife and 6 children. Next to the Sun Inn was the Farmhouse, Mr and Mrs Will Smith, past Bens Orchard (full of Apple Trees), now it was plain sailing on the way to Upper Heyford.

Our destination was Dovecote Farm where Mr Cosford would be expecting us. The sheep would be put through the dipping bath. This would take about one or two hours. After a cup of tea and then the journey home with two tired men and a very wet dog called Nell. She had been dipped too.

Hugh Adams

Letter published in The Prattler – March 2020

 

Heyford Picturedrome – The Horse Whisperer – Thursday 19th March 2020

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The next film to be screened in the Village Hall on March 19th will be The Horse Whisperer, by popular request. It stars and is directed by Robert Redford and costars Scarlett Johansson, Kristin Scott Thomas and Sam Neil. It is a 1998 American film about a Montana horse healer (Robert Redford) who helps a girl and her horse who were both traumatized in a bad accident. The film is 2 hours 50 minutes and therefore the start is being brought forward to 7.15pm with doors open at 6.30pm.

Admission remains at £4.00 per person and there is no joining fee. There is free tea or coffee and a biscuit on arrival and there will be a licensed bar for the purchase of wine and soft drinks both before the film and during the interval.

The April film to be shown on 16th will be Peanut Butter Falcon, a 2019 American film which has received excellent reviews and has been highly recommended by one of our projectionists – praise indeed! After running away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler, a man who has Down Syndrome befriends an outlaw who becomes his coach and ally. It stars Shia LaBoeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern. One critic said ‘Go in expecting the best and you’ll come out smiling!’

~/~

 

 

Tony Clewett – Phone: 01327 341533

Heyford Spring Clean – Saturday 4th April 2020

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Heyford Spring Clean

The annual village spring clean will take part on Saturday 4th April, Heyford Preschool and the Bliss Charity School will be taking part in the week leading up to this.

Once again, we are hoping to clean up the whole village.

If you would like to take part, or would like further information, please either email
heyford_prattler@yahoo.co.uk stating where you would like to clean or call in at Sunrise Cottage, 15 The Green.

Many thanks to all the volunteers.

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There are over 135,000 volunteers nationwide signed up to help in the 2020 Great British Spring Clean.

Everyone is welcome to volunteer and join the growing numbers of individuals and organisations who are already signed up to help this year, including regular contributors Nether Heyford Pre-School and new for 2020 a class from our Bliss Charity Primary School taking on the playing fields and the school “Eco Team” who taking on the village green.

On average the village spring clean collects between 30-50 bags of rubbish and helps our village look great ahead of the warmer months and the start of our annual village events.

If you would like to join us, please sign up and we can co-ordinate together the streets & areas with volunteers. Simply send us a message with your name and the street/area you would like to volunteer to clean up on Saturday 4th April between 9am and 5pm.

3 options to sign up:

EMAIL: Send an email to Heyford_Prattler@yahoo.co.uk

or

FACEBOOK: Send a message to us via our Facebook community page The Prattler or join the private Facebook group Nether Heyford Tidy Villagers

or

ONLINE: Sign up on the Great British Spring Clean website

 

#GBSpringClean 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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Midweek Services Midweek Communions are held weekly on Wednesdays, 9.30am at Heyford (not Wednesday 4th March) and Thursdays, 10am at Flore – all welcome.

The Streets we shall be praying for during March are: Close Rd, The Pound and The Peak in Heyford, The Avenue and The Glebe in Flore, The Old Dairy Farm in Upper Stowe and the outlying farms around Stowe and the Mews Houses in Brockhall.

Rev Stephen Burrow (Tel. 01327 344436)