The following News Item was extracted from the 2010 Summer Newsletter
During the Spring the village hall committee have been busy drawing up plans for the proposed extension and other improvements to the hall. These plans are now progressing and will, hopefully, be available for viewing in the very near future. The committee will be holding a public consultation period when we have got all the ideas together. This will give the village the time to make comments about the proposals and will also be an opportunity to meet the village hall committee and see how you can help in making these changes a success.
Unfortunately the film night had to be cancelled due to lack of interest, we will re-introduce these if interest is shown in the future.
The Jumble
Sale will be going ahead on Saturday 12th June.
All proceeds from the Jumble Sale will be going to the Christmas lunch for
the over 70’s in the village. The hall will be open for the collection of
goods from:
Thursday 10th 5pm – 7pm
Friday 11th 10am – 7pm
Saturday 12th 9 – 10:30am
The sale will start at 2:00am. Last year was a great success and we hope that the same can be achieved this year. Any help, either with contributions, attending the sale or helping on the day will be much appreciated.
The 3rd July sees the return of the Barn Dance and Pig Roast, tickets will be £12.50 and available from the shop and village hall committee members very shortly. There will be a selection of beers from Hook Norton, Hoggleys and Silverstone breweries along with lager and a selection of wines.
The village hall committee plan these events in order to raise funds to improve the facilities at the hall and to take the over 70’s out for their Christmas lunch, your help and contributions are essential help take these plans forwards. If the jumble sale is a huge success we may even be able to include the over 65’s to the Xmas lunch as well, here’s hoping.
If anyone feels they would like to help, please do contact me via wappenham@tiscali.co.uk
Michael Payne, Chairman, Village Hall Committee'
The following
News Item was extracted from the 2010
Spring Newsletter
| To consider complaint regarding Chairman’s Report in the Winter newsletter: Following a complaint concerning comments made in the Chairman’s Report of the Winter 2009 edition from a resident of 17 Brookside, the Parish Council would like to acknowledge that: “Due to the time lag between the article’s submission and its subsequent publication, the planning condition had in fact been complied with at the time the newsletter was printed and distributed.” |
Notes from the PC Chairman:
Dear All
Well here I am once more and yet again it has only taken 3 phone calls from our dear Editor to cajole me into action. What would I do without her, in fact what would we all do without her? It has been a while since I thanked Jane for her tireless efforts in creating our wonderful newsletter – our village would be a ‘poorer’ place without her dedication and commitment. I know that Jane puts a huge amount of time and endeavour into the Newsletter, and to ease her anxiety about finances, the PC has committed support to the Newsletter for the next financial year – a worthy cause, I am sure you will agree.
I am conscious of the time lag between my typing and your reading, so I am desperately hoping that by the time you are reading this, spring is well and truly with us. What we need now is some spring sunshine and warmth to dry things up and bring some colour back to the hedgerows, trees and fields.
Here is a brief summary of some of the recent Council activity.
Planning:
We have also received an application from BT to suspend the telephone service in the phone box adjacent to the green. We declined their request and have reiterated our desire to maintain a pay-phone in the village.
The Village Hall Committee are meeting the challenge of fund-raising by forging ahead with events – these have been so successful that at the most recent fund-raising ‘Quiz Night’, extra tables had to be laid on to accommodate competitors. It was a great night, so many thanks to the Village Hall Committee for laying it on and to all those who supported it.
There is still nothing to report in regard to the WRA potential move from its current location to one closer to the village hall. I suspect this one may rumble on far some while yet.
Finally, but very importantly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne M for all the years’ service she has given to our Parish Council. Anne has tendered her resignation from the Council to allow herself more time to promote her business interests – the PC will miss her unique insight, enthusiasm, forthrightness and all-round dedication. Thank you, Anne: you will be missed.
Paul Featherstone, Chairman, Wappenham Parish Council
The following News Item was extracted from the 2010 Spring Newsletter
The Astwell Benefice Helmdon with Stuchbury and Radstone, and Syresham with Whitfield, Lois Weedon with Weston and Plumpton and Wappenham
Chance Encounters
There is always something precious about those moments when you are brought together with a complete stranger and quickly strike up a rapport. For example, in Britain it is unusual on public transport for people spontaneously to start speaking to one another. However, when adversity strikes, all that can change. It may take a prolonged delay over signal trouble on the train for people to share their exasperation. Occasionally such conversations can lead to more: an exchange of information about work and the family or even belief and conviction.
Never underestimate the value of these encounters. In the rich tapestry of life all these events can become moments of grace. We may never know what good we have done, but we do know how good we feel when such fleeting friendships have been formed. If we part feeling better about life, we will also find ourselves wishing the other person well, feeling grateful for them and their company. It is just as Saint Paul said: “The life of each of us has its influence on others.”
From the Church Registers
Burials & Funerals
Enid Lawrence - Buried - 20th November 2009
Liz Addie - Funeral and Cremation – 18th January 2010
Mothers’ Union
We now have a very successful Astwell Benefice Mothers’ Union group. I have highlighted a number of the events that it holds, so that folk from Wappenham who might be interested can pop along too. The Mothers’ Union does a great deal of work both at home and abroad in support of families and young children, and is open to men and women, whether married or not.
For three years now, motorcyclists from across the Astwell Benefice have ridden out in aid of charity. In May they raise funds for Christian Aid and in September for Livability, a charity for adults with severe learning difficulties. Each year approximately £1,200 has been raised, which is wonderful. This year we plan to do the same and it may well be that there are others who would like to join us. Do get in touch if you would like to. The dates for this year are:
Saturday 15th May Astwell Charity Motorcycle Ride Out in aid of Christian Aid.
Saturday 11th Sept Astwell Charity Motorcycle Ride Out in aid of Livability.
Details from the Rector – 01280 850683
Church Bell Ringing
Change ringing, as we enjoy in Britain, is unique to these isles. Where bells are rung in other parts of the world, they were inherited from here. I, like many, love to hear the church bells rung.
I am delighted that the practice evenings are to be resumed in Wappenham. You may already have heard them on Thursday evenings. If you would like to learn then I know the Tower Captain, Michael B would be delighted to hear from you. Alternatively, just turn up at 8pm and you will receive a very warm welcome.
Wappenham Wedding Dresses through the Ages
The Friends of St Mary the Virgin are preparing to hold a display of wedding dresses worn by brides who have a connection with the parish of Wappenham. This will be a great treat. We hope very much that folk will be willing to take part. If you or an acquaintance would be willing to loan us a dress and possibly a photograph to accompany it, please get in touch with Jane M who would be pleased to hear from you.
United Ecumenical Services and Sock Sunday
On a regular basis, leaders from the Baptist, Wesleyan Reform and Anglican churches meet to plan a series of services at which Christians drawn from the various denominations within the Astwell Benefice can come and worship together. Joint services within the parishes have been a feature for some time, and in more recent times, Walks of Witness on Good Friday both in Syresham and Lois Weedon have been added.
Last year we introduced the idea of a service bringing together members from all our churches and to use it as a means of supporting the work of the Hope Centre in Northampton (formally known as Northampton Soup Kitchen). We have designated it as Sock Sunday. The first of these was held in 2009 in Syresham and was a great success. We were made very welcome and there was a strong sense of fellowship. My most vivid memory was being showered with socks especially from folk in the gallery!
This year it was no exception. Weston Chapel was full of hearty singers; Lorna Robjohn, a trustee and volunteer at the Hope Centre, gave us some vivid insights into the work and the support offered to the service users at the centre, and again folk very kindly donated an abundance of socks! There are simple ways very often in which we who have so much can make a difference to those have so little both near and far. If you missed Sock Sunday, look out for it next year and save a pair of socks for the occasion.
As folk will know The Hope Centre is Wappenham’s link charity; regularly tins of food and clothing are taken from the church to the centre. If you would like to contribute, please leave either good quality second-hand clothes or tins of food in the box in the church and they will arrive at the charity’s front door. I promise you these gifts are very much appreciated.
God bless,
Will Adams, Rector
Tel +44(0)1280 850683 Email:rector@astwellbenefice.co.uk
The
following New Item was extracted from the 2010
Spring Newsletter
The Chapel open coffee mornings will restart after Easter. They are open to anyone who wants to drop in and have a chat over coffee or tea, and biscuits, and are very friendly events. They are on Thursdays from 10.15am to 11.45am. Let Tim know if you have problems getting to the chapel.