Parish Council – October 2020 Meeting

And so the Covid/Coronavirus emergency continues on, impinging on all of our lives. Things that we would not have imagined before have become normality after 8 months, and will continue to be for many more months. Due to continuing government regulations prohibiting public meetings; the October 2020 Parish Council meeting was held online, using the Zoom platform. This is in line with national advice. There is still no indication of how long these conditions will persist, but it is likely that meetings will take place online for at least the rest of this year. 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 augmented by the District and County Councillors and an unknown member of the public.

The Chair had the sad duty of reporting the passing of Sue Corner, one of the Council’s most enthusiastic and capable members. He commented as follows:

Sue Corner joined Nether Heyford Parish Council in October 2015. On becoming a Councillor, she listened, appraised, and learned.

Her first responsibility was allotments, joining Cllr Lynda Eales in redesigning, reforming, and modernising a slightly moribund village asset. Between them they have created allotments to be proud of.

Sue’s next task was the Planning responsibility. This task can be complicated, but Sue took it in her stride, sharing issues, and dealing with all applications fairly, and responsibly.

With the Parish Council’s dream of creating a Neighbourhood Plan, Sue took the idea, created an amazing team, and knocked our collective socks off with her drive, and intelligence. Her team came up with ideas and strategies that were advanced, and revolutionary. Who’d have thought of filming Nether Heyford from the air by drone? This created the most fascinating picture of our village I have ever seen, and never tire of watching.

Sue’s intelligence, and drive have been a really great asset to the PC, she will be so very much missed on our team, and by Nether Heyford itself.

C. Kiloh

Mike Brassett has stood down due to pressure of work. This leaves Council 3 members short of its full quota of 11. We are able to co-opt new members, subject to them being eligible. The Parish Council does need some active new members, preferably familiar with IT – so if you feel that is you – please contact me or the Chair (details overleaf).

Reports from the District and County Councillors
Cllr Bignell reported that a number of SNC officers had been appointed to roles in the West Northants authority, but that SNC were continuing to operate, and had actually improved the rate at which Planning Applications were dealt with. Cllr Harries reported that a Rights of Way consultant had found that a number of footpaths had been changed in 2016 without any consultation. This applied to KS1 Parson’s Close, KS7 Wakefield Way and KS17. This meant that part of them may now be considered Highways. It was felt that this was not an issue for the first two, but enquiries would be made about KS 17.

Public Participation: None.

Reports
PCSO – a brief report had been sent, very few problems or crimes at present.

Lights Progress reports. NCALC had formed a partnership with Clear Utility Solutions to try and lower Parish Council lighting bills. CUS were able to act on Council’s behalf and could secure a 2 year contract with YU Energy, at rate of about 25% less than the 22p per unit Eon were currently charging. This should give a saving of c£2000 p/a now, with further savings when the LED lights were installed.

Roads and pavements Large pothole outside the White House in Weedon Rd. To be reported. Parking in Middle St had been exacerbated by the school staggering collection times and it was felt that Highways should be approached with a view to extending the yellow lines around the school house.

The Green /Play Area The Green was felt to be in good condition, but there was concern that repairs to Play Area equipment had been delayed. These should shortly be carried out.

Playing Fields LE reported that the fields were being well used, especially the netball court. Comments had been made about the gate between the allotments and the Playing Field being locked. The situation would be monitored, as the gate was not supposed to be locked.

Trees There has been further storm damage to trees around the cemetery. STS have been given a list of trees to work on.

Allotments There are efforts to form an allotment committee.

Footpaths Some felt that the Church Lane to the river was overgrown, and the Watery Lane to Middle St jitty.

Churchyard The trimmed hedge and grass were felt to be looking good.

Canal Damage to Bridge 32 should be reported to Canal and River Trust.

Defibrillators In good order. CK to look into replacing the batteries.

Planning. S/2020/0428/FUL Land behind Denbrook. Having received a report from Hedley/Wellers it was felt that the next step would be to consult the NCC Village Greens and Common Land registers. Concern was expressed at reports of building work possibly having been initiated.

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 ones are Monday November 2nd (online) and Monday December 7th.

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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

Nether Heyford Baptist Church – November 2020

Nether Heyford Baptist Church

nether-heyford-baptist-chapel-april2020

Morning services have now re-started and comply with the current government and Baptist guidelines.

We are meeting in the Baptist rooms, holding shorter services and would be pleased to welcome you. (with some restriction on numbers)

Services for November:
November 1st 10.30am Morning worship led by Clive Leakey
~~November 8th 10.30am Remembrance service led by Les Britten~~
~~November 15th 10.30am Morning worship led by Wendy Manley~~
~~November 22nd 10.30am Morning worship led by Les Britten~~
~~November 29th 10.30 am Communion service led by Martin Buckby~~

All welcome

Thanks to all who contributed to our Harvest service last month – the cash collection raised £88 and this together with the collection meant we were able to send £230 to Operation Agri for Malawi. Gifts to the Hope Centre were also much appreciated.

It was only earlier this month that I realised the significance and the reoccurrence of the “number three” in my life:-

I had 3 siblings, I was born on the 3rd of the month, my earliest memory is of when I was 3, I was married on the 3rd of the month, I have 3 grandsons and two of these boys were born on the 3rd of the month.

The number 3 is a significance to me from the scriptures

The trinity being 3
Perhaps the best known verse in The Bible is from chapter 3 of John’s gospel
There were 3 crosses – we are told in The Bible that “there were others crucified with him – one to the left and one on his right” – so Jesus was in the middle
And a verse in Revelation chapter 3 remains significantly special to me as I will detail later

It started to make me think of some of the most special and significant people in my life and of course there are many more than 3 – but if I was asked to name 3 the following would be high in priority

1 My pap
My upbringing was difficult, damaging and dysfunctional – but my pap was a rock on which I stood and found comfort during the times of uncertainly and chaos. At the age of 15 and having returned to attending chapel in Duston my pap, many years after he had stopped going to church began attending with me. I remember so well, us walking to chapel when he stopped, and getting his breath, said to me, Martin, and quoted a well known hymn, Martin,

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

I believe that he acknowledged his need for faith, accepted the promise given and
confirmed where his hope rested.

2 Ward Sister at St Crispin Hospital
I was first introduced to St Crispin Hospital when during my final year at school and not “in an academic stream preparing for exams” I was given the opportunity to start volunteering at St Crispin Hospital – I was 15 years old. I loved it and after leaving school and working for Civil’s supermarket in Kettering Road I continued my voluntary role at weekends. This ward sister, with whom I kept in touch with until her passing last year was a most significant influence in my life – she taught me so much, encouraged me so much, corrected me so much – but her greatest influence was her example which remains her legacy on my life. I often say, we all have the opportunity in life to leave a legacy for good and those who follow the path of faith, also a legacy for God.

3 A Christian
After returning to chapel I remember attending a Christian Rally at Duke Street Gospel Hall – it was the 2nd October 1971 and the man who led the service, an evangelist, spoke from Revelation chapter 3 verse 20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

He quoted this well known poem which I have often recalled:

It was Christmas 1939 that King George VI echoed words of Minnie Louise Haskins:

“I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely to into the unknown.’ And he replied , ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than the light and safe than a known way!’ So I went forth and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night.”

It was a call to trust God. The way ahead was incredibly dark. No one knew where it would lead. But those words speak of one that walks with us, of one who leads us through the night. We can still rest in that light, love and trust today as we experience the journey through life.

So it was on the 3rd October this year on which I began my 50th year as a Christian. What has that journey been like? Tough and challenging at times? – yes, wonderfully good? – definitely, known of failure? oh yes, but God is gracious in his forgiveness and restoration. I have realised again and again that until we expose ourselves to faith we will never experience the importance, impact and influence of faith in and on our lives.

Thank you.

Martin

(On behalf of the fellowship at The Chapel on the Green)

For more information visit the Nether Heyford Baptist Chapel page.

Letters: Netball & Basketball Court

I am saddened to report yet more tyre mark damage to our lovely netball and basketball court. Please remind family members that the court is not to be used for cycling stunts and skateboarding. There is a big sign CLEARLY stating this at the court. Also if your kids are coming down on their bikes whilst football games etc are on please can they not go on the court whilst you are playing your game.

Thank you.

From Nether Heyford Netball Club

The Prattler – November 2020

The Prattler is run by an active voluntary committee comprising of Sue Boutle, Christine Watts, Vicki Hamblin, Jez Wilson, Nick Essex, Richard Musson and Mary Rice. If you would like to submit articles or have any suggestions for future issues, please contact us.

The newspaper is supported by donations from the Parish Council, the Parish Church, the Baptist Church, Heyford W.I., Heyford Gardening Club, Heyford Singers, the Bowls Club, the Village Hall and Heyford Picturedrome as well as our advertisers.

Thanks are also due to the volunteers who distribute it every month.

Village Hall – News – November 2020

With the redecoration of the main hall completed, the next project is to improve the rear wall of the stage. We have planned the work for minimal impact on users, but for a short while there may be rather more dirt and dust around the stage area than is usual. However, when this is finished, we shall once again have a village hall to be proud of – such a pity that so few people can enjoy it at present.

However, the re-opening of the hall as Covid-19 Secure in September has allowed Pilates, Yoga, Cha Cha Chimps, Martial Arts and craft groups to return to their regular meetings. We are grateful to them all for following the Covid-19 Secure procedures.

Our website www.netherheyfordvillagehall.org has been in use for several months now. Website traffic has increased again and several new enquiries for hire of the hall are in discussion – potentially, good news for the future.

Light at the end of the tunnel – although the tunnel keeps getting longer – for us all.

Just keep smiling…

Alwyne Wilson – 01327 340803

Chairman, Village Hall Management Committee

Letters: ‘Walk of Hope’ fundraiser for the charity Brain Tumour Research

On Saturday 26 September 2020, my mother, Janet Haynes, my daughter, Emily Stroman and I took part in the Virtual Walk of Hope raising valuable funds for Brain Tumour Research.

I was inspired to take part after my Mum and her two sisters were all diagnosed with brain tumours and tragically in May this year my Auntie Lesley (Bushell) passed away.

At the time of writing, we have raised £1,270 surpassing our target. We would like to thank everyone who kindly donated to this very worthwhile cause and if you would like to make a donation please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-stroman

Thank you.

Sally Stroman, 11 Winston Close, Nether Heyford

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – November 1958

November 1958

Dear Diary,

It’s another lovely morning. Not much left in dad’s veggie patch now summer’s over, just boring green vegetables like cabbage and brussels. It all has to be picked at the right time, vegetables to store in the pantry, fruit to bottle and onions to hang in the barn. We can see his Army influence in the garden, all the vegetables and the flowers in straight lines, like they are on parade, but he’s got so much to look after and he’s very proud of it. Mum’s preparing dinner. I love the first course of Yorkshire pudding with gravy but have to show willing with the main course of meat and vegetables after she’s gone to the trouble of preparing them. Could be rice pudding for afters if we have plenty of milk.

On November 5th some of us made a Guy Fawkes, dressed it in old clothes, put it in an old pram and pushed it round the village with a sign saying “penny for the guy”. Some people were kind enough to give us 1d for some sparklers but it was fun anyway.

We didn’t get a family summer holiday this year, which I wasn’t surprised at, not many families go away. I did get a treat though when I went on a day trip by train to London with my friend Jane. We visited Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. We didn’t see the queen though. We forgot to let her know we were coming.

We’ve got a telly now and I like to watch Crackerjack. The TV came from Radio Rentals and we pay for it weekly but it’s great fun for us all and it’s on until about 10 o’clock. They then play The National Anthem, a bit like they do at the cinema, except nobody stands up at home. I still like listening to the wireless on a Saturday morning though, with Children’s Choice and Uncle Mac, who always says “Hello Children everywhere”. They have some smashing songs on and I know them all. There’s Tubby The Tuba, A Four-Legged Friend and The Ugly Duckling.

The old Bricklayers Arms on the canal bridge has been sold to a coal merchant. That’s another pub that bites the dust. The Wharf opposite was also a pub at one time called The Boat but that was before the First World War. They say we used to have several pubs in Heyford, now we only have 2. None of them could have done much trade in such a small village though. I think The Old Sun and The Foresters Arms are here to stay. Sometimes my family catch the bus to Daventry, have a drink in the pub near the bus terminus, then come back on the same one. It’s good because it goes through all the little villages. The Railway at Daventry which runs to Leamington Spa is closing to passengers. I’ve never been on it myself. I think it will still be open for freight for a while.

I’ve joined the choir. There are quite a lot of us, maybe 6 girls, 6 boys, 6 warbling women and 6 growling men. We walk to the choir stalls by the altar from the vestry at the back, like in Noah’s Ark, 2 x 2. I enjoy the services and the singing except when we have to learn a special anthem. They are hard to learn, pretty tuneless and the congregation look bored because they can’t join in. Still, it’s not every week. The church looked beautiful in October for Harvest Festival with flowers everywhere and children brought along fruit and vegetables grown in their garden or allotment. On Remembrance Sunday, the nearest one to 11th, the choir will walk to the War Memorial after the service to remember those who died in the two World Wars, and we have 2 minutes silence. Rehearsals will then start for the Carol concert at Christmas. Roll on.

Polly

Letter published in The Prattler – November edition 2020

Nether Heyford Tennis Club – November 2020

NetherHeyfordTennisClub_Logo

Nether Heyford Tennis Club – 2020 Tournament results

Mixed Doubles – Frances Dickson and Andy Lawrence
Men’s Doubles – Gavin Wright and Ian Brodie
Ladies Doubles – Jo Ellison and Lynne Adams

Would you like to come and try out our new courts?

Please get in touch if you would like to come along and play.

Coaching – Adults – Saturday mornings
Beginners 9.00 am
Improvers 10.00 am

Free Friday Tennis – half term – 10.00 am – 3.00 pm

NEW to the tennis club in November – WALKING TENNIS

This is a slowed down version of the traditional game. Who is it for – anyone! No membership or tennis skills required.

Benefits: Playing walking tennis can bring real benefits, aside from the physical health gains, players benefit from the boost of being outdoors with the mental health benefits of exercise, interaction with others, and a sense of achievement of developing new skills.

Starting Monday 16th November – 10.30 am to 11.30 am and then the three following Mondays at Nether Heyford Tennis Courts. Sessions will continue after this if there is demand. Equipment will be provided and there will be no charge for these 4 sessions.

For further information and to book a space please contact Jo using the details below.

For further information – please find us on Facebook or contact Jo on 01327 349094 / 07749 822016

Email: jodickson@btinternet.com

Website: clubspark.lta.org.uk/NetherHeyfordTennisClub

Full facilities and location details can be found on our Nether Heyford Tennis Club page.

Heyford Amblers – Children in Need Walk October 2020

Heyford Amblers

NetherHeyfordAmblers

On Sunday 11th October Heyford Amblers walked to Flore and back in aid of Children In Need. It was glorious weather and we spoke to fishermen, boaters, dog walkers, football supporters and horse riders along the way, also enjoying the morning sun. There were 15 of us socially distancing along the canal towpath and back through Heyford Mill. We all contributed a fiver, as did some who couldn’t join us, and we have sent off our donation of £100.

We look forward to meeting up again but can’t be sure when that will be.

Mick & Shirley Collins

Nether Heyford W.I. – November 2020

One thing that this enforced break has done for many of us is to bring us more up to date with technology! Earlier in October the Nether Heyford branch of the WI, alongside other branches in the country, had to hold their A.G.M. and, after consulting our members about meeting face to face, it was decided that we would hold a Zoom meeting. Sometimes we complain that technology is taking over our lives but this was a lovely way to see people again with the business part of the evening ending with the usual laughter!

A few days before the meeting each member was sent a card from Pat Essery, our President, and a bag of yellow narcissus bulbs. These are for us to plant, take a photo and to bring to a meeting in the spring (we hope!) We will endeavour to bring our Spring Garden into the Village Hall.

We are hoping to use Zoom again before Christmas; so, Ladies, watch this space, and also that we may be able to have just a small ‘distanced’ gathering to mark our 90th Birthday. We have decided to delay our main celebration until next year. I know I speak for all the Committee when I say that we miss our evening meetings and that we hope we will all be able to meet up soon.

Mary Rice – Heyford Lodge, Church Lane – 01327 340101

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