Blog

Flower Society – June 2019

Bugbrooke and District Flower Society

We invite you to join us at our monthly meetings to relax and watch demonstrations by a fully qualified NAFAS Area or National Demonstrator. This is followed by refreshments and the opportunity to win one of the arrangements in our raffle. Learn how to arrange and enjoy flowers.

Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7.45pm in Nether Heyford village hall.

Our next meeting will be on 24th June when Roma Berridge will give a
demonstration entitled “How Does Your Garden Grow”.

We are holding a Fashion Show by Rock Those Frocks from Towcester on 7th June in the Village Hall – 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £5 including refreshments from Maria 01327 341783 – everyone is most welcome.

For more information please follow us on Facebook or contact Dianne on 01604
830063 or Simone on 01327 342167.

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The Bugbrooke and District Flower Society meet every fourth Monday in the month in the Village Hall. Our meetings start at 7.45pm and usually take the form of a Demonstration when a qualified demonstrator will create several floral designs which are raffled at the end of the evening and lucky members take home the beautiful flowers.

Flower Society affiliated to the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) promoting Floral Art. www.nafas.org.uk

Revitalising the Allotments – June 2019

A lot to do
There is so much to do on the allotment (and in the garden) at this time of the year that writing is a luxury I can’t afford at the moment. So I’ll be brief.

Community Orchard
The trees continue to grow on well. There has been a good deal of blossom and all the trees are now in leaf. Fingers crossed things stay that way. Several new trees have also been added to our collection, now bringing our total to 31 (plus a further 7 trees in the hedgerow between the orchard and new playing field).

Those of you who have been down to the community orchard may have noted that the ground around the trees is now sprouting a collection of grasses and wild plants – some might even call them weeds. Once this undergrowth has established itself a little more we shall begin mowing it. Like the community area we created alongside the orchard, this will become a meadow that we will further enhance by creating pockets of wild flowers.

Looking Good
A villager who lives near to the allotment spoke to me the other day and commented on how attractive and cared for the allotments had become in the past year or so. Paths are mown, edges trimmed, sheds erected and, most importantly, plots are being cultivated and fruit and veg grown. This welcome news was completely unprompted and a real indicator of just how much progress has been made in in refurbishing the village allotments. Again, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those allotmenteers who continue to tend their plots and make the site such a productive and well managed space. Not everyone can spare the time to join a working party or attend a meeting, but their vital contribution, caring for the plots, is just as important.

Notice Boards
Do keep an eye on our allotment notice boards (situated by the gate on Watery
Lane and by the last gate on the access road to the playing fields). We try to keep allotmenteers and villagers informed about what is happening. If you would like to impart a horticultural message that fellow growers might find of use then do feel free to use the board. Free produce? Seeds or plants going spare? Equipment you no longer require? Already we have had one allotmenteer who mislaid a well loved garden tool reunited with it as a result of a message on the board board.

Wild Life Area
Thanks to the hard work of Dave Musson and Mary and Mark Newstead, our
wildlife area is developing well. Dave has written an informative piece about this for the current edition of the Prattler so I will not steal his thunder by waxing lyrical about it here. Needless to say, the area is another positive feature of the work being carried out on the site.

Tester Plots and Renting and Allotment
If you are interested in trying out allotmenteering contact either Sue Corner on
01327 342124 or Lynda Eales on 01327 341707. We can offer a range of allotment
sizes, to suit every need. Help is also on hand to offer advice and encouragement.

Food for Thought
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall
never sit in.— Greek proverb

Mike Langrish

Heyford Singers – June 2019

nether_heyford_heyford_singers_june_2019

The Heyford Singers spring concerts are over for another year, music scores have been returned to folders, storage cupboards or libraries, but the words and the music live on in our hearts and minds. The concerts were lovely and the choir really enjoyed singing the selection of songs chosen by Mary for this programme. Comments from our capacity audiences were warm and appreciative, not least for our new style and colour of concert dress. Thank you.

But it was also a sad occasion, for during the days leading up to the concerts we learnt that Isabel Brown and Carol Baker had died. Both were loyal and committed members of the choir, and true friends to us all. To this sadness was also the loss of family members, and friends in the village. However the coming together to sing gave everyone the chance to share our grief and sadness at the loss of these very special people in our lives. Like a gathering after a funeral, “a wake”, there is something very cathartic in being with others to link our own sadness, our tears, our loss and our wonderful memories, with those of our friends. Whether it be through singing, listening to music or just talking, the long process of healing begins.

I have on several occasions written about the value of music in our lives, and likewise of being part of a choir or similar organisation. The contribution it makes to our emotional, social, mental and physical health is inestimable. And to this I would add that of experiencing grief and loss in our lives. The tears may fall but being together “helps to ease the pain”.

Thank you to Graham and Kate, and Kath for coming to the concert. It was very brave of you. It allowed us to pay our special tribute in song to those we have lost.

Jill Langrish

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If you would like to find out more, visit the Heyford Singers page or our website:

www.heyfordsingers.org

 alternatively come along to one of our rehearsals in Nether Heyford Village Hall.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Jill Langrish

Community Wildlife Area – June 2019

Some readers will be aware that a group of vacant allotments have been taken out
of commission to be used as a “Wildlife Area”. In the same way that the Community Orchard is a project undertaken on behalf of the community as a whole, this Wildlife Area is also a Community Wildlife Area. The following is brief explanation of the “Hows and Whys” of the project to bring readers up to date with progress and to outline plans for the future development of this area.

Who is doing this? Under the umbrella of the NHPC Allotment Committee Mark and Mary Newstead and Pauline Musson with me overseeing are using our knowledge and expertise to plan, manage and develop this project from concept to fruition. We expect to involve others when necessary as appropriate as the project develops.

What are we doing? We are providing a safe area where local wildlife will be able to live, flourish and be enjoyed by our Community.

Why are we doing this? A recent study by 30 scientists has concluded that Right now our Natural World is at more risk than at any time since Human Beings first walked this Earth. Whilst we cannot change the world, we can change a bit of Nether Heyford to form an area where our local wildlife (plants and animals) will be safe and able to increase rather than decrease. Not only will this benefit our wonderful wildlife but it has been proven that being able to spend time in such an area (however small) benefits our own health and well being.

Where are we doing it? A patch of about 5 vacant allotments forms a rough triangle toward the Sports Field end of the Allotment field along the Watery Lane Hedge Border. This patch has been taken out of allotment use to form the Wildlife area.

How are we doing this? It is a known fact that if one provides the habitat, the wildlife will move in to make use of it. For example, nesting boxes were in use within hours of being put on our site. With this in mind we have chosen to provide a range of connected habitats that seek to restore the area to a state in which it may have been many years before it was ploughed or became allotments.

We know that a brook ran down that side of the field. We cannot provide a brook so we have planned a Wildlife Pond in the Area. There will be three other main
habitats. Sown along the length of the hedge, to a depth of up to 3m will be plants associated with hedgerows. This will be mown once a year. Other areas will be Wildflower Meadow which will also be mown once a year. We intend to establish “Tussock Areas” which will not be mown at all. These latter provide invaluable habitat for small mammals with many insects and other invertebrates benefiting from the undisturbed life. There will also be a wildflower lawn square with seating, surrounded by small trees to provide a peaceful area. This will all be achieved by using purpose designed seeds mixtures which are readily available on the open market and good management.

When will we do all this and how long will it take? We have already started the work and are busy recording the current Flora and Fauna for future reference. The area has been fenced off and pathways cut into the grass and the seating area has been mown. We have no wish to destroy any wildlife that already occupies the area and all development will be gradual, enabling life to move to suitable areas as patches become bare before replanting. If you were to visit this summer there will be an allotment size patch of old fashioned Arable Field Wildflowers in bloom. This patch will be re-sown with a Meadow Mixture in autumn to grow on in 2020.

The Pond should also be in place and some planting and landscaping around it.
There will be areas covered in plastic sheeting. This is to kill the present flora in order for us to sow these areas with appropriate mixtures in autumn 2019. We don`t expect the whole area to be sown till the autumn of 2020 or even 2021.

Unfortunately we have not yet established safe and sensible, unescorted public access to the Wildlife Area. This will come in the future. In the meantime we would be very pleased to welcome interested visitors. If you would like to visit the area please feel free to contact me on 01327 344461 or e-mail davemusson073@gmail.com

I would be glad to arrange an escorted visit with myself or another team member.

Dave Musson

Heyford Gardening Club – June 2019

Heyford-Gardening-Cluband-allotments

At our May meeting we had the pleasure of a talk by Teresa Wedderburn of Branch
Out MK, a not for profit company which provides gardening therapy for people with
learning difficulties and autism. They are based at York House in Stony Stratford
and anyone passing that area is welcome to call in and see their work for
themselves. They also have a range of goods for sale including cut flowers, herbal
teas and pot pourri’s.

Spring Flower Show
Due to an administrative mix up a number of members arrived with entries for a
spring flower competition which should have been cancelled, so we went ahead
anyway with an impromptu show which was won by Anne Haynes’ lush display,
closely followed by Maureen Wright’s elegant pink flowered lily of the valley.
Our June 10th meeting will feature a talk on bonsai by Steve Brown and we
definitely will have our annual rose show, which has two classes; single flowered
varieties and cluster flowered varieties, in the first case a single bloom is required; in the second a single spray.

New Arrivals
Recently we spotted in our garden an unusual looking bumble bee. This turned out
to be a tree bumble bee, a recently arrived species from the continent which has
been spreading rapidly through the country mainly because it doesn’t have the
natural enemies of our native bees (which are mainly a race of parasitic bumble
bees called cuckoo bees). These tree bumble bees, as the name suggests, like to
nest in holes high in trees and sometimes use empty bird boxes. Rather less
welcome, we found on our allotment some brightly coloured beetles with a black and white cross pattern on their backs and red heads and legs. These are asparagus
beetles, so if you grow asparagus look out for this pest as they can cause a lot of
damage.

Weather
The warmest Easter on record has been followed by the coldest May bank holiday.
Britain has four seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter, but not necessarily in
that order! However this year despite the weather all the carrots I have sowed have
germinated and grown well, unlike the previous year when I managed to produce
the magnificent total of two carrots.

Some Things to do in June
1. Start to take soft wood cuttings of shrubs and perennials
2. It’s now safe to put out tender bedding plants and vegetables
3. Prune spring flowering shrubs.

Mark Newstead

www.heyfordgardenclub.com

For more information visit the Heyford Gardening Club & Allotments page

Heyford-Gardening-Cluband-allotments

Village Signs – June 2019

Village Signs

The planting is now finished and the signs are complete in Nether Heyford. We just need to now make sure that they are watered regularly. If you are passing, please give them a drink.

The Upper Heyford one will be done once the sign is replaced by the Council.

Thanks to Steve Corcoran, Anita Taylor, Rona & Ron Wade, The Foresters Arms and the Parish Council and also everyone that has donated bulbs and other items.

If you are interested in joining us, please either speak to Jill Garratt or check in at our Facebook page:  Heyford Entry-preneurs  

Jill & Sue

Bugbrooke Guides – June 2019

Bugbrooke Guides – Join us!

Bugbrooke Guides have spaces available for girls to join us from the surrounding villages! Guides is suitable for girls aged 10-14 with a range of activities carried out throughout the year. We also a waiting list for girls who have not yet turned 10.

We meet each Thursday 7pm – 8:30pm at the Sunday School Rooms in Bugbrooke.

Activities include working towards badges, cooking, crafts, trips and camping, plus much more! Recently we have enjoyed Mothering Sunday crafts, cooking outside, working on badges and we are busy preparing for our summer camp.

If you’d like more information or to join us, please email:

bugbrookeguides@gmail.com

 

Letters: Julie Clewett – June 2019

Julie Clewett

Tony, Ian, Chris and Becky and families wish to thank all Julie’s friends from the
village for the wonderful show of love and respect at Julie’s funeral on 17th May and
for all the cards and messages of condolence and support. It has been a wonderful
display of love and affection for Julie and we are all so grateful.
Thank you

JulieClewett

 

Nether Heyford W.I. – June 2019

WI-Logo

On May 2nd Nether Heyford W.I. ladies went to visit Rugby School. Sadly, due to a
swollen ankle I couldn’t go but I am reliably informed that it was a very interesting
and enjoyable evening with the Chapel earning a special mention. Unfortunately the
weather was not at its best but I’m guessing that the laughter still flowed!

At our meeting on Thursday June 6th Analiza Jones is coming to talk to us about the
making of hand woven bags from the Philippines. The fibre of stalks from locally
grown plants, like Abaka and Buntal, end up as vibrantly coloured bags which are
not only light and strong but also water resistant. It should be interesting to find out
about the hard work that goes into the harvesting, drying and weaving these lovely
bags so, if you would like to join us for the evening, we will be in the Village Hall at
7.30. The cost for non-members is £5 and refreshments will be included.

Our July meeting will be a talk on ‘Antiques and Collectables’ by Denise Cowling.
This was scheduled for last year but Denise was ill and unable to come so we are
very much looking forward to seeing her in 2019.

A reminder (just in case you have missed all the others!) that our Village Fete is on
Saturday June 8th. The W.I. will be having a produce stall as usual and we hope you
will come and meet us and support our Village Hall. How lucky we are to have such
a beautiful centre to our village and a hall that allows us to take part in so many
different activities. All we need now is the sun!

Mary Rice – Heyford Lodge – 01327 340101

 

URGENT – The Prattler’s Future

The Prattler’s Future

Due to an large unforeseen increase in the Prattler’s printing costs, we are having to look at all the options for the Prattler to continue. This could be producing editions Bi-monthly instead of monthly, cutting down on the articles and pages, charging or the worst option of all, which would be ceasing altogether.

We will be having a meeting in the next few weeks to decide the best way to continue. However, in the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions as to how we can avoid those scenarios, please get in contact with me via text or e-mail.

Many thanks

Sue Boutle

Editor

01327 342519

heyford_prattler@yahoo.co.uk