Newsletter Autumn 2004
What’s on this autumn
Aug 28,29 Open Studios event, High Street House and Pittams Farm (also Lois Weedon)
Sept 4,5 Open Studios, as above
Sept 4 Village Fete 2pm (Old Rectory gardens & Church)
Sept 7 Parish Council meeting 7.30pm (VH)
Sept 11,12 Open Studios, as above
Sept 11 Quiz Night
Sept 12 WRA Funday & barbecue 12 noon (playground)
Sept 17,18 Murder in Company by Lois Weedon and Weston drama group (LW village hall)
Sept 21 Start of regular yoga classes, 7-9.30 (VH)
Sept 22 Ladies’ meeting , guest speaker, 2pm (Chapel)
Oct 2 Flower arranging class, Lifelong Learning (VH)
Oct 3 Pub walk 11.30am (meet at playground)
Oct 10 Harvest Thanksgiving 10.45am (Chapel)
Oct 10 Harvest Festival 10am (St Mary’s)
Oct 20 Ladies’ meeting, guest speaker, 2pm (Chapel)
Nov 5 Bonfire and fireworks, with refreshments (VH)
End Nov Art Exhibition (location and details tbc)
Dec 4 Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends jazz band, with food and drink (VH)
REGULAR EVENTS
Chapel service 10.45am Sundays, Coffee morning 10.15am Thursdays (ends end of Oct), both at Wappenham Chapel
Table tennis team practice Sun eve (VH) tel 861038
Short mat bowls, Thurs 2pm (VH)
Yoga, Tues, from Sept 21: to enrol, call 01327 358864 (VH)
Art group, Thursdays, 7-9pm (VH)
MOBILE LIBRARY TIMES AND DATES
The Green 2.55-3.10
Council Houses 3.15-3.30
New Park Farm 3.35-3.50
Sept 13th, 27th; Oct 11th, 25th; Nov 8th, 22nd
FROM THE EDITOR
Thank you to Paul King and Charlotte Supple for sponsoring this issue – see details on the back pages.
Welcome to Alan and Jane Betts, of Clarissa House, High St, who come from Stowe. Alan is an ‘ex-academic’ and Jane is chair of a regional association of Citizen’s Advice Bureaux.
Welcome also to Helen Sturdy and Pete Bryden of Brookside.
We hope you all enjoy living in Wappenham, and have all the information you need, from the newsletter and the website and posters, about village events and organisations.
Deadline for next issue: Nov 15th. Please send articles and anything else you want included to me by then, at 1 Highbridge Rd, or email me on jane.harries@virgin.net
Jane Harries
GARDENS A SUCCESS!
Nick and Dee Levinson opened their gardens in June after being lobbied by the RHS to do so (the gardens charity).
I went, and really enjoyed looking at and smelling the masses of beautiful roses everywhere. There were many other plants, too, which complemented them – best were the huge grey thistly cardoons – about 8 feet tall! Thanks for the opportunity to see it.
As a result, they raised £351 for the Church Clock Fund, a fantastic effort.
Jane
WAPPENHAM VILLAGE ACTION PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS
The preliminary results of the questionnaire will be posted on Wappenham’s website in a fortnight: http://www.northantsvillages.org.uk/wappenham
For those of you who were not yet residents when the questionnaire was circulated, or who have forgotten what it was all about, here is a bit of background information.
Following a grant received from the Countryside Agency, Wappenham Village Action Plan (VAP) steering group was formed (as a sub-committee of the Parish Council) to undertake a series of consultation activities with villagers, on Wappenham’s future needs regarding, local amenities, leisure, housing, etc. for the next 5 years. The questionnaire was constructed through comments collected during Wappenham’s Future Needs Day event, which took place at Wappenham Village Hall on the 30 November 2002.
In 2003, a questionnaire was devised and distributed over the summer. We had such a good return that compiling the answers took much longer than anticipated. Effectively, out of 122 households who received the questionnaire, 108 were duly completed. That is an 86.8% participation rate, much above the average for this type of survey! The fact that VAP committee members delivered and collected the questionnaires in person had much to do with the high turnout.
A big thank you to Lynn Colby who compiled the questionnaire. Analysis of the questionnaire’s results and subsequent recommendations will be presented to the Parish Council over the autumn. Residents who would like an electronic copy of the questionnaire can contact me at wappenham@tiscali.co.uk
Dianne Walsh, VAP committee member
VILLAGE FETE
Sept 4th, 2pm, Old Rectory Gardens
Including jazz band, teas, home produce,
games, tombola, raffle, Guess the Weight of
the Chicken, face painting, plants and books
for sale and many other stalls.
Demonstration of the Wappenham website
in the Church. Come and enjoy yourself!
OPEN STUDIOS
There are many artistic people in Wappenham and this is a chance to see their work. As part of the Northants. Open Studio project, there are two studios open to visitors in September in Wappenham, and one in Lois Weedon with a Wappenham artist (Vanessa Gladman). There will be paintings for sale and a chance to meet the artists.
Here are the opening times and artists:
All studios open Sept 4,5, 11 and 12.
John Wickham: Pittams Farm, Pittams Lane, 10-5
Penelope Gill, Julia Hart , Kersten Kappler: High St House, High St, 11-4
Vanessa Gladman with 3 other artists:
Stable Cottage Studios, Lois Weedon, 11-5.
MURDER AT LOIS WEEDON!
The village drama group is rehearsing its latest play and its murder! No, not a comment on the acting skills of the Lois Weedon and Weston Drama Group, but the plot of their latest production Murder in Company. With a cast made up of residents of Wappenham, as well as the aforementioned villages, this play is sure to be another success for this popular amateur company. You can see Murder in Company at Lois Weedon Village Hall on Friday 17th (evening) and Saturday 18th September (matinee and evening). Tickets will be on sale at the shop.
Anne Marshall
PUB WALK
Sunday 3rd October. Destination to be confirmed! Meet at the playground at 11.30am. Look for posters nearer the time.
Anne Marshall
FUTURE ART EXHIBITION
Wappenham Watercolour Workshop have been meeting weekly during the summer and will be putting on an art exhibition, probably at the end of November. Watch out for more details, and if you want to take part – paintings, drawings, or other artworks are welcome – contact Penny Gill or Jane Harries
THE VALUE OF A SMILE
Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too!
I walked around a corner, and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled too I realised I’d passed it on to him.
I thought about this smile of mine and realised what it’s worth,
A single smile begun by me could travel round the earth!
So if you feel your smile begin don’t leave it undetected.
Let’s start an epidemic now and get the world infected!
Contributed by Anne Wright
A NEW VENTURE IN FENCES
Did you know that fencing posts are being made in Wappenham?
They are made of concrete which is subtly coloured to give the appearance of wood or any other colour you want. These posts will last for several lifetimes.
You can see examples of assembled fencing at Poplars Farm at the top of Wild Hill on the Syresham Lane. Just pop in and see Christopher Jones (01280 850267). You will be surprised and delighted by the look of these posts. You may even have new ideas for using this versatile product. And it is here in Wappenham.
I was so impressed by Christopher Jones’ ideas and his enthusiasm for this project, which is proving as hard to launch, as new products are to the supermarket chains. He has really tried hard against the odds and has yet to get much help from the trade. It would be encouraging for him to have some awareness in the village of his business.
Penny Gill
VILLAGE HALL NEWS
Village Hall grant is £23,000 so far!!
Funding pledged is as follows:
Northants County Council £15,000
South Northants Council £7,000
Bernard Sunley £1,000
Giving a shortfall of £12,000 from the £35,000 needed.
The Big Lottery Fund have confirmed that they are unlikely to support funding, however other sources are being pursued to make up the shortfall.
Pete Burrell
Barbecue a success!
Many thanks to all of you who turned up at the hall on Saturday 17th July for our barbecue. The event was a success, and one we wish to repeat on the evening following the Fete. Thanks must also go to Anne and Wayne for their sterling efforts in organising the splendid food and running the event in such an efficient fashion.
Quiz Night happening in September
On Saturday 11th September we plan to hold our ‘much postponed’ quiz. Our quizmasters for the evening will be Sara and Andrew; the food will be a cold buffet. Don’t forget to bring your own drink. Tickets will be on sale at the Fete and also available at the shop as usual. This will be a fun, low-key event with only a passing resemblance to Mastermind!
Jenny Szczerbowsky
LETTERS
Bonfires
Wappenham: the smelliest village I have ever lived in, and there have been a few. I have now lived in Wappenham for over ten years and I am still puzzled as to why villagers suffer so many bonfires. They are lit at any time of day with no regard for folk who wish to use their gardens, be it for drying washing, working or even to sit with a cuppa. The smoke drifts around at will. Surely I am not the only one to hate the stench of smoke on my washing?
The environment-friendly way to dispose of waste is to compost. This would be of great benefit to the atmosphere for our children and future generations. If the offenders composted the waste but then had no use for the resulting lovely stuff, perhaps they could bag it and sell it to the locals, who could put it to good use and the monies perhaps go the church fund or tots group etc.
So can anyone answer my question: Why, oh why do we have so many smelly bonfires??
Dorothy Davis
(Ed: See Parish Council notes on this problem, with suggestions.)
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
We have held two Ordinary and one Extraordinary Meeting since the Annual Assembly.
I believe reports on the progress of the Website and the Village Hall will appear elsewhere in the newsletter.
Philip King has kindly planted the Red Sentinel crab-apple tree in memory of Eileen White. Sadly the strong winds damaged the leader but we feel sure it will survive, hopefully under the care of a new Tree Warden.
Council received copy of an excellent letter, written by Aidan Jones to the County Council, regarding the condition of the gateway on SC29 and we were happy to write in support of it. We are awaiting an official reply on this, but it looks as though policy is not to replace gates/hedges etc when stock are not involved.
A villager has written regarding the condition of street nameplates and the finger-post at The Bull corner. These issues are to be raised with the relevant departments, although this Council is concerned that the signs keep their character as far as possible.
A very strong letter of objection to the ‘Dogs - Pets or Problems’ circular was discussed at our last meeting, as well as one regarding cat’s excrement in gardens. The Council felt that most homeowners appreciated the aim of the blanket drop and a reply confirming this was posted to the individuals concerned.
We have received several complaints regarding bonfires. People have been disturbed while relaxing in their gardens on Sunday afternoons as well as smoke invading the interior of their homes. We were asked, are there bye-laws in place? SNC said no, not at present but there are a couple of leaflets available: one from SNC Environment Division called ‘Bonfires’ and another, ‘Statutory Nuisances: Smoke and Odour Complaints’. The following is a brief summary of them.. [Ed: Please also see Letters page in this newsletter.]
“Take care not to annoy your neighbours.
Remember: It is not an offence to have a bonfire, but it is an offence to create smoke which becomes a nuisance to neighbours.
Here are some useful tips:
Warn neighbours in advance
Burn only dry material
Never burn rubber, plastics or painted timber etc
Do not burn when wind will carry smoke towards neighbours’ properties or over roads.
Do not burn when weather conditions will cause problems - smoke hangs in the air on damp windless days
Do not burn in the evenings
Do not let fires smoulder overnight
Only have a bonfire if you have no other means of disposal
Please Note: SNC would recommend that you take all your garden waste to your local civic amenity site or compost it for future use.
Let us all try and be considerate when contemplating lighting a fire and review the above points.
The internal audit was completed with a recommendation that invoices be initialled by the signatory of the cheque and a record of entry placed in the minutes. Thank you to our Clerk for this. The cheque for the Clerk’s salary was unanimously approved, but it was voted to let the membership to the CPRE lapse.
It is possible we shall be rescheduling our meetings, as Life Long Learning are booking the hall on a Tuesday night during term-time, for a yoga class.
Next meeting to be held on Tuesday 7 September 2004 at 7.30pm, but we hope to see you at the Fete. Let me know if you have any queries
Hilary (Wickham)
Planning news
The Bungalow: Garage extension. Appeal upheld.
Elm Lodge Farm: Barn conversions. Therapy units withdrawn. Antiques business granted.
17 Helmdon Road: Extension. Approved by us. Refused by SNC.
Holly Cottage: Extension. Approved by us. Refused by SNC.
Stone Cottage: Flue Replacement. Approved by us.
43 High Street: Change of vehicular access. Approved by us.
Manor Farm Cottages: Additional application for cellars. To be discussed 24/8/04.
Transport Blues
Well you may not have noticed, but we now have no bus to Towcester! And the one to Northampton goes all round the houses. Slapton have a minibus, so why not us? With Weston, Lois Weedon and Abthorpe on our route, we have a case for a decent service going to the middle of town. How about on Fridays, when there’s a Farmer’s Market and Antiques Market in Towcester? As well as Saturdays.
I have been in touch with ‘Towcester Partnership’ who are planning a half-hourly village bus service, but only initially to larger villages, and I know that rural bus services are at last considered a Good Thing by government – national and county. They mean less congestion, and more shoppers going to Towcester rather than MK or Northampton – so better shops would appear with the increased trade.
What do you think about this? Write to the newsletter or the website, or the parish council, (to Eileen Robbins, the Transport Liaison Officer) and let your views be known. Jane Harries
THE SAFARI SUPPER – A BRILLIANT TIME
As a fairly recent Wappenhamite I would like to say a very big thank you to Pam Burrell and Linda Riecken for all the hours they must have spent organising such a wonderful event as the Safari Supper.
Also a big thank you to all the hosts and hostesses who made us all so welcome and provided such an array of wonderful food.
Lastly a big thank you to everyone who attended the evening for being such good company and making my first Safari Supper an event to be remembered.
Eliza Bond
BT EXTENDS BROADBAND RANGE
BT has today, 18th August 2004, announced that from 6 September over a million more UK homes and businesses will be able to get broadband, when they remove the distance-related limits on the most popular 512Kb services and increase the range for the 1Mb premium services. They should be able to provide a 512kb service to 99.8% of lines on an enabled exchange, and 1Mb to 96%.
So from 6 September, it could be worth visiting the availability checker (details below) and entering your phone number. It could be a “yes” rather than a “no”.
For those that can take up broadband, if you provide me with your name and email address, then as a BT employee I can get £20 for all successful recommendations. I will donate any money to Village Hall funds.
Regards, Pete
CHEAP COMPOST BINS
The Council are again offering half-price compost bins to encourage people to compost their garden and kitchen waste. They also sell a book on composting and a kitchen bucket. Call 0845 130 6090 or log onto: www.getcomposting.com/northants.
You can also find out more from a ‘Master Composter’ who demonstrates composting at events and answers queries.
Call 01604 755500 or email the address below for more information.
helpmecompost@homecomposting.co.uk
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: BE ON THE LOOKOUT!
There have been several ‘distraction burglaries’ in the neighbourhood, and there appear to be several ‘teams’ carrying them out around here. Despite police being involved in following this up, it is still going on. What happens is that someone will come to the door saying they are from a water company or other official body, or have some other excuse for wanting to get inside your home. Meanwhile someone else has come in from the back door and is already trying to steal something!
These people target the elderly and vulnerable, so even if you are alert to this, keep an eye on any of your neighbours who may not be up to sending people away. And always ask for identification if someone claims to be an official. You do not have to let them in, and Anglian Water and other utility companies would not call at your door unannounced, even in an emergency.
The police would like to know about any suspicious behaviour, and details of any cars in your area that you are not familiar with, and people involved. Call 01327 300300. All calls will be treated in confidence.
One car involved in distraction burglaries has already been seized, due to action by a Neighbourhood Watch.
CHURCH NEWS
The Church Clock - Progress
As previously reported in the Spring Newsletter, the Peterborough DAC have advised that the Clock is a very important example of an early Church Clock. As such, it needs to be repaired and fitted with auto-wind, and put into full working order, but must remain in its original position in the Tower. Quotes for the work have been received and we will need around £10,000 - 12,000 to complete the work.
We have had further visits from clock experts who have suggested that there are markings on parts of the clock which could be 14th century.
We have now put in applications for grants: one, to the Council for the Care of Churches. We are awaiting answers to the grant applications and are likely to receive most of the funding required.
At some point in the next 3 months we will need a working party to clear out the Clock Chamber before the renovation work starts.
I have already got some volunteers, but more are needed; please contact me if you can help. About 5/6 hours’ work is needed, in probably two sessions.
This has all taken some time but we will have a working clock of considerable importance, with a working dial and chimes probably between 8am and 9pm (to be agreed in the village).
Other church matters:
The Harvest Festival will be at 11am on Sunday 10th October. Help will be needed to decorate the Church.
David Foden
FROM CANON ROBERTS
In March I heard the Dean of Birmingham talking about ‘Space’ - no not the sort that has rockets flying through it, but the space that has to do with our churches and the way we use them. He talked about Holy Space, Prophetic Space, Hospitable Space and Beautiful Space: I thought I would share my notes from his talk with you and see what comments you have to make when thinking about our own churches.
Holy Space. In the book of Chronicles - God says that he will dwell in the temple, but only as long as you live out your lives showing what it stands for. God is present in our buildings not constrained by them. Peter ran to the tomb on the first Easter day looking for Jesus constrained in the tomb, only to find that Jesus had gone on ahead, moved on. God is like that, constantly on the move, a nomad God, going on ahead of you.
Sadly our worship tends to move from the supernatural to the natural and from adoration to demand, attempting to constrain God where we want him to be.
Prophetic space. It was Richard Rogers (architect of the Pompidou centre among others) who contrasted single-minded space with open-minded space. He says that we have become too much obsessed with single-minded space - we move from buildings where we live, to those where we work, to those we work out etc - and so communities become fragmented.
Open-minded spaces are for a multitude of different purposes where people come together - churches must be these: inclusive spaces, places where we need and find each other - where the prophetic work of God is done, intercessions should be subversive, speaking up for others - pushing the boundaries.
Hospitable space. This is where faith and experience collide - we must pray with our questions as well as with our certainties, otherwise we push God away and make him unapproachable, unreachable, by those who are searching - imagining that we have absolute certainty when we don’t ! We must give people the opportunity to pray to ‘wake God up’.
Beautiful Space. In the Middle Ages ‘seeing’ is to be so close as to be affected by it, to be seen as a participant, to be changed by it. In the enlightenment people stood back to see and were unengaged (the modern internet is like that !)
The request, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus’ takes on a new meaning when we understand that the request is not just to see but to be involved with and changed by Jesus. (Salisbury Cathedral Close used to have houses standing within 20 yards of the West Front and would have been affected by it. Now all that has changed: the cathedral is surrounded by acres of grass and the houses are set back - you stand back to look from afar - you may be impressed by what you see, but to be engaged and changed you have to get closer.)
The hymn we sing during Lent - When I survey the wondrous cross - takes on a completely new meaning when the ‘surveying’ means being changed by it.
John Roberts