This month is the 350^th edition of The Prattler! 

Some achievement! Printed below is a copy of the front page of the first edition

I would like to thank the lady who found and returned my purse. As she wouldn’t take anything in return, and I don’t have her address, this is my way of saying how much I appreciate her kindness.

Mavis Masters 

The last Community Grant for this year has been awarded to Heyford scout Group for the purchase of portable cooking equipment.

“We would like to make an application for a grant of £100 towards the cost of two portable outdoor cooking sets.

Heyford Scout Group

Heyford Scout Group is for both boys and girls aged 6-18.  In Heyford we are lucky to have groups for all the age ranges that Scouting covers – Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.  Our numbers are very healthy, with more than 40 young people in the whole group. We are a local organisation – most of our young people live in Heyford, with a few from surrounding villages.  We’re a close knit group and are proud that the sections work well together, and support each other.

We don’t receive funds from a national body; our funds come from what we can raise locally and from parents.

As you may have read in our articles in The Prattler, we are an active group who aim to give the youngsters fun, varied activities and challenges.  All our activities are supervised by trained Scout Leaders.

Many of our activities involve being outdoors.  We would like to provide more opportunities for our youngsters to cook outdoors, and wish to purchase new equipment to facilitate this.

Cooking outdoors is an excellent activity for youngsters.  In particular it can:

• enhance the cooking skills of the youngsters
• encourage them to fend for themselves
• foster independence
• provide focus and purpose.

Purchase proposal

The cooking equipment we wish to buy is lightweight aluminium camping stoves for outdoor use. This comprises two windshields that fit together, a burner, a couple of pans, a kettle, a combined lid/fry pan and a handle. It is quick to set up, and packs away into a compact unit that takes up minimal space, making it ideal for the youngsters to carry with them on camping trips, backpacking, hiking or on any of their other outdoor activities.

The product we are looking at is made by Trangia.  Many Scout groups have found these to be reliable, safe and extremely useful.  The retail price of each set is approximately £60, depending on supplier and accessories.  We would like to purchase two sets for Heyford Scout group.

We would therefore like to make an application for a grant of £100 towards the cost of two Trangia cooking sets.  We would make up the additional cost.”

Monthly Diary

Nether Heyford Village Hall
Contact the Bookings Secretary
  07849 356618
or visit our website 
www.netherheyfordvillagehall.btck.co.uk

Fortnightly Diary 

Weekday Diary

Forthcoming Events

This diary of events is accurate to the best of our knowledge. To correct an entry or to include information, contact the Editor.

The latest Community Grant will be given towards the start up costs of a Welcome Pack for new arrivals in the village (see page 5). We think it is a very good initiative.

“We would like to apply for the Community Grant Scheme to help with stationery and printing costs for a Welcome Pack that the Churches and the Parish Council intend to prepare for newcomers to the village. The pack will include information about the following:

• A short history of the village
• Village facilities and services
• Clubs and societies
• Local special events

We also plan to include a copy of the Prattler, a bus time table, information about refuse collection and a sheet of local walks. The packs will be delivered personally to all newcomers. We feel that this will provide a welcome addition to the warm welcome that the village already offers.

Many thanks. Sue Morris

All contributions are welcome and should be sent to the Editor. No items will be considered without the inclusion of the writer’s name and full contact details.

Email submissions are preferred and as a Word© attachment.

Email to heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk

The Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse any submitted material

at his discretion. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of any member of the editorial team, nor does the inclusion of advertising material imply any form of endorsement by the editorial team.

September issue of The Prattler

The next issue of The Prattler will be published on September 1^st. Copy of items which require typing by 15th August at latest. You can put them in the folders in Heyford Meats or at the Post Office. Items via email before 20^th August to heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk

• Editorial: Barron Walton      01604 831803
• Proof reading: Fiona Walton
• Typing and Distribution: Christine Watts    01327 340041
• Advertising and Payments: Vicky Hamblin      01327 341059
• Website:  Sam Tapsell stapsell@gmail.com

The Prattler is now available on line. Visit us on www.theprattler.co.uk

Here you will find all the content of The Prattler including archives from previous issues.

Electronic newsletters (sent by email) are now available to friends and relatives who live outside the villages. Contact the Editor at heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk with the email address you wish the magazine to be sent.

Of course, the magazine will continue to be printed, published and distributed to each house in the village each month in the normal way.

We thought that readers of the Prattler would like to know that the Parish Council, the Prattler and the Church are in the process of putting together a welcome pack to welcome newcomers to the villages of Upper and Nether Heyford. This joint venture will include information such as village shops, services, clubs and societies as well as general information about refuse collection, bus services and doctors’ surgeries. We also hope to include a selection of local walks that people might enjoy in and around the village.

Our aim is to deliver these personally so that people can experience the warmth of the village welcome first hand. If anyone is interested in becoming involved in such a venture either with putting together the pack or delivering it I would love to hear from you.

Sue Morris (01327) 349387  or suemoz@hotmail.com

London Marathon for Meningitis UK

A huge thank you to all who supported me running the London Marathon in tribute to Mark Tanton and who contributed to raise funds for Meningitis UK.  Around 4 hours and 34 minutes after crossing the start line in Greenwich Park, I completed the final 200 yards in the Mall -  an incredible experience and very humbling as I remembered just how many others had already done so or were still out on the course – raising not thousands, but millions of pounds for so many deserving charities. With money still coming in I am sure my target of £1500 has been achieved. And if you still want to donate, you can still do so – give me a ring on 342459, or go to the electronic link http://meningitisuk.tributefunds.com/fund/Shirley’s+London+Marathon/showFund.

Shirley Waterhouse

Bill Corner is subjecting himself to a gruelling eight weeks during the Spring and early Summer raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support which will to go towards the refurbishment of the Haematology Department at Northampton General Hospital.  His gruelling challenge is to play a round of golf in each English county and finish off with a few rounds in Northampton, 42 rounds in all.   Bill was himself treated for cancer in the ‘90’s and owes his life to the care and dedication of all the staff of the Haematology Department and Talbot Butler ward.  There are a number of ways you can show your support for this worthy cause

• contact Bill at bill.corner@sky.com to make a donation
• take part in a sweepstake and guess how many yards Bill will walk and how many shots he will take during the challenge – visit The Olde Sun to enter.
• donate via Justgiving.co.uk/Bill Corner
• follow his progress on Facebook

For anyone who has seen Bill lately they will be pleased to know that the beard comes off on Friday 13 May at 4pm in the temporary Haematology Department in the Centre for Elderly Medicine at the hospital.  Give generously (again at The Olde Sun or to Bill in person) or it may stay!

By the time you are reading this, I will have already left “One Stop”. As many of you know I have worked in the Village Shop (under different store names and managers) for many years, and have enjoyed my time here overall.

Thank you to all my customers and friends who have made my time here so nice.  I will miss you all.

I look forward to seeing you around, and thank you once again for your support over the years.

Linda Lifford 

I will be running the Edinburgh Marathon on 22^nd May to raise funds for Heyford PFA (Newbuild).  The aim is to raise awareness and funding for much needed new changing facilities at the Clubhouse.  This is Phase 1 of a proposed new build.  I would be grateful if you could sponsor me – any amount large or small is welcome.   I am also looking for raffle prizes or items suitable for our forthcoming attic auction.

You can donate online at www.teamdonations.co.uk/HeyfordPFA or email me at ebby.16@btinternet.com or just call me on 01327 341110.

Many thanks, Ebby

Electronic newsletters (sent by email) are now available to friends and relatives who live outside the villages. Contact the Editor at heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk with the email address you wish the magazine to be sent.

No applications were made to The Prattler’s Community Grant Scheme this time round.

A payment of up to £100 will be awarded to existing, non profit making groups who have new initiatives they wish to explore. It can also help with the purchase of new equipment to expand facilities.

A grant may be awarded to new groups starting up, to help with initial costs.

We would also like to support seasonal village events eg a Christmas market, a summer fair, if there is anyone willing to organise them.

Please apply in writing, by email to heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to The Prattler at The Hayloft, Upper Heyford, Northampton NN7 3HW, stating how you would like to use the money. Receipts will be required before refunds can be made.

The next round of grants will be awarded on July 1^st and letters of application should be received by then. We will be publishing the letters and the decisions in the May Prattler but will contact the applicants direct as soon as possible.

A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, particularly on May Day, or Pentecost (Whitsun) although in some countries it is instead erected at Midsummer. In some cases the maypole is a permanent feature that is only utilised during the festival, although in other cases it is erected specifically for the purpose before being taken down again.

Primarily found within the nations of Germanic Europe and the neighbouring areas which they have influenced, its origins remain unknown, although it has been speculated that it originally had some importance in the Germanic paganism of Iron Age and early Medieval cultures, and that the tradition survived Christianisation, albeit losing any original meaning that it had. It has been a recorded practice in many parts of Europe throughout the Mediaeval and Early Modern periods, although became less popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the tradition is still observed in some parts of Europe and amongst European communities in North America.

SATURDAY 11^TH JUNE

is the date that had been planned for this year’s Fête.  Although it will not be the size of previous years, it is hoped there will be an event on the Green.  The Village Hall Management Committee will be serving refreshments in the hall and clubs will be invited to have a stall.  It is intended to have a few small attractions and if anyone has any ideas or would like to have a stall, then please contact Jean Spokes on 01327 340696 or Irene Reeves on 01327 340407.

So please put this date in your diary and come along and have a pleasant afternoon with friends.

The Community Grant

A payment of up to £100 will be awarded to existing, non profit making groups who have new initiatives they wish to explore. It can also help with the purchase of new equipment to expand facilities.

A grant may be awarded to new groups starting up, to help with initial costs.

We would also like to support seasonal village events eg a Christmas market, a summer fair, if there is anyone willing to organise them.

Please apply in writing, by email to heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to The Prattler at The Hayloft, Upper Heyford, Northampton NN7 3HW, stating how you would like to use the money. Receipts will be required before refunds can be made.

The next round of grants will be awarded on May 1^st and letters of application should be received by then. We will be publishing the letters and the decisions in the May Prattler but will contact the applicants direct as soon as possible.

The Village Hall now has its own website, Read all about us, find out what’s on and download your booking form at www.netherheyfordvillagehall.btck.co.uk

A successful application to The Prattler Community Grant Scheme has been received from the village pre-school.

The Village Hall, The Green, Nether Heyford, Northants, NN7 3LE

Charity number: 1029571

www.netherheyfordpreschool.co.uk

info@netherheyfordpreschool.co.uk

I am writing to you on behalf of Nether Heyford Pre-school regarding the local Community Grant scheme.

Our group is providing high quality childcare for children between the ages of two and four years. We work within the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which is play based. The curriculum is broken down into areas of learning.

We are looking for some funding to help us purchase some resources to help the children further develop their knowledge in the area of communication, language and literacy. Speech and language is an integral part of all children’s learning and development.

• Talking Tubes telephone exchange – this activity encourages groups of children to work together to develop their communication skills through play.  Children often make telephones out of junk modelling to use outside; however, they break easily and can only be used once.  This kit encourages children to communicate in groups developing personal and social skills.  Cost £49.
• Big Books - these books can be used for group time and individual work. A set of five is around £ 55.00. The books come in large print and children can see and access other languages using these books.

We provide vital learning to children in our local community, our group is a registered charity managed and run by a hard working committee of volunteers.

On behalf of the staff, children and management committee of Nether Heyford Preschool thank you for considering our request.

If you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact preschool on info@netherheyfordpreschool.co.uk

Many Thanks

Trudi Daurie ( Setting Manager) eycp (cert) open

The Community Grant

A payment of up to £100 will be awarded to existing, non profit making groups who have new initiatives they wish to explore. It can also help with the purchase of new equipment to expand facilities.

A grant may be awarded to new groups starting up, to help with initial costs.

We would also like to support seasonal village events eg a Christmas market, a summer fair, if there is anyone willing to organise them.

Please apply in writing, by email to heyfordprattler@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to The Prattler at The Hayloft, Upper Heyford, Northampton NN7 3HW, stating how you would like to use the money. Receipts will be required before refunds can be made.

The next round of grants will be awarded on May 1^st and letters of application should be received by then. We will be publishing the letters and the decisions in the May Prattler but will contact the applicants direct as soon as possible.