Diary of Events

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

What’s on in Nether Heyford. At a glance!

March

March 3rd	Heyford Singers Coffee Morning
March 31^st	Tennis Club Open Day

Monthly Diary

2^nd Sunday	Heyford Amblers walk	10.30 am. See club diary
1^st Monday	Parish Council Meeting	Baptist Church Rooms 7.30 pm
2nd Monday	Gardeners Club	Village Hall 7.30 pm
3^rd Monday	University of the Third Age	Bugbrooke Community Centre 2.30 pm
4^th Monday	Bugbrooke & District Flower Society	Village Hall 7.45pm
1st Wednesday	First Wednesday Group	Baptist Rooms 2.00 pm
1^st Thursday	Womens Institute	Village Hall 7.30 pm
1^st Thursday	Royal British Legion	Baptist Church Rooms 7.30 pm
2^nd Thursday	Pensioners Meals	Youth Centre Roberts Field
2^nd Thursday	Attachment Parenting	Hill Farm, NN7 3NB 10-12 am
2^nd Thursday	Book Group	Baptist Church Rooms 7.30pm
2^nd & 4^th Thursday	Heyford Singers	Village Hall 7.30 pm
3^rd Thursday	Heyford Picturedrome	Village Hall 7.30pm
4^th Thursday	Open Door	Baptist Church Rooms 9.30am
Friday (occasional)	Heyford Singers	Village Hall 7.30 pm

Fortnightly Diary

Alt Tuesday

Darby & Joan

Baptist Church Rooms 2.15 pm

Weekday Diary

Sunday

Church services

Chapel services

For details see St Peters

and St Pauls diary

See Chapel diary

Monday

Pilates

Crafty Club

Pre-school

Explorers (14-18yrs)

Youth Club 10.00am

Baptist Church Rooms 12.30 pm Village Hall 8.00-1.00 pm

Church Rooms

Tuesday

Pre-school

Heyford Amblers

Pilates

Martial Arts

Beaver Scouts 6-8yr

Cub Scouts

Football Club Training

Village Hall 8.00-1.00 pm

Weekly walk starting from the Green 10.30 am

Youth Club 6.00 pm

Village Hall 5.00-9.00 pm

Church Rooms 6.15-7.15 pm

Church Rooms 7.30-8.45 pm

Playing Field 7.30 pm

Wednesday

Communion

Pre-school

WEA

Heyford Brownies

Bowls Club

St Peters and St Pauls Church 9.30 am

Village Hall 8.00-1.00 pm

Bliss School 8.00 pm

Bliss School 5.30pm -7.00 pm

Village Hall 2.00 pm & 7.30 pm

Thursday

Pre-school

Village Hall 8.00-3.00 pm

Friday

Pre-school

Mums & Tots

Scouts

Village Hall 8.00-3.00 pm

Chapel School Rooms 11-1.00 pm

Church Rooms 7.15-9.15 pm

Saturday

Top Cats Drama School

Bliss School 9.30 am

Forthcoming Events

April 20th	Fashion Show
April 22nd	Garage Sale
June 9th	Jubilee Celebration, Village Picnic & Fete

This diary of events is accurate to the best of our knowledge.

To correct an entry or to include information, contact the Editor.

Heyford Singers

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

On two successive evenings in December, Heyford Singers performed their Christmas concert – Christmas Celebration – to near full houses. Once again it was a major success for Musical Director Mary Rice and the Singers. Mary has made a habit of compiling good and appropriate programmes and last Christmas was no exception.

In the first half of the programme the choir performed an American composition, The Living Light, which told the story of the birth of Christ and at the same time, explored the natural and very human, inner thoughts of the people who participated in, or witnessed, the miraculous events of the first Christmas.

In the second half the choir sang several American choral pieces, all of which formed part of the Christmas Celebration. Interwoven with the American songs were readings – some meaningful and some humorous – given by members of the choir, and traditional carols in which the audiences were invited to join.

Altogether a splendid Christmas Concert from this accomplished community choir.

As a bonus to the evenings’ celebrations, the raffles held in the intervals of the Concerts raised £570 towards Mary Rice’s target for the Singers to raise £1000 to be shared between the two village churches and three charities – Meningitis UK, The Bobby Moore Fund and Autism Concern – in this the tenth year of Heyford Singers.

On the 16^th December several members of the choir carolled around Nether Heyford and in so doing raised a further £241 towards the target.

The choir is very grateful to the audiences and to the residents of Nether Heyford for their generous giving which has resulted in over £800 being raised in a very short time. Thank you everyone.

Footnote: It is now a proven fact that singing is good for the body and the soul – and it undoubtedly improves the quality of life for those who participate in choral singing. The joy and the pleasure gained by the choristers in Heyford Singers is tangible. Now, although these statements apply to everyone, it is to tenors, or budding tenors, that they are mainly addressed. We are losing one of our long serving tenors and an opportunity exists for a tenor to join this successful community choir and, by so doing, improve their quality of life. If you feel the urge to sing tenor, or know anyone who may feel the urge, please contact Musical Director, Mary Rice on 01327 340101.

Following the success of the last Saturday morning musical event, Heyford Singers are holding another on Saturday 3^rd March. This time the accent will be on ‘olde time’ Music Hall music. Familiar, easy to sing songs from way-back – and if you don’t want to sing, come along anyway, enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to the music.

Singing will, as usual, be conducted by our own, our very own Mary Rice, ably abetted and assisted by bright, breezy and bubbly Barbara Brogden at the piano and the sagacious, simply sanguine Singers – singing like songbirds. As a special treat we will also be entertained by cheeky, cheerful chirpy children from Bliss School – Oliver! Oliver! Oliver!

Why not join us for a morning of mirth, merriment and magnificence but mainly music!

Doors will be opened at 10.00am and will remain open, unless the law steps in because of the noise, until 1.00pm. Coffee is included in the price and children are free (to enter).

Coffee Morning

Saturday morning at the music hall

Join Heyford Singers in a morning of music, mirth and merriment with Mary

Heyford Village Hall
Admission £2 – children free
Proceeds to be donated to singers charities
Saturday 3^rd March

From 10.00am until 1.00pm

Bob Wilson Chairman

Although Heyford Singers and Heyford Picturedrome do not have dedicated web sites, they both appear on The Prattler and the Village web sites. To access, google either Heyford Singers or Heyford Pictruredrome.

Heyford Garden Club

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Club Members and guests enjoyed a very entertaining and informative evening on February 13^th when Ann Bird from Market Harborough, an expert on the cultivation of roses talked to us about her long and varied career. Ann is not only a highly experienced RHS speaker but has held a number of prestigious posts in the world of rose growing – including being the first female president of the national rose society of Great Britain. We felt privileged to have her with us.

Our next meeting will be on Monday March 12^th when Ben Smith will talk to us and demonstrate how he sets about designing a garden. Ben lives in nearby Litchborough and is a much sought after speaker. He designs gardens for a living and comes to us highly recommended. If you have ever felt like giving your garden a makeover, or want to know how to set about redesigning a corner or your plot, this could be the evening for you!

Meetings start at 8.00.pm in the village hall and usually last until about 9.30.pm. Newcomers are warmly welcome.

Spring usually arrives by mid-March and the frequent sunny days provide the opportunity for an increasing range of gardening tasks. It’s time to get busy preparing seed beds, sowing seed, cutting back winter shrubs and generally tidying up around the garden.

Top 10 jobs this month

Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes
Protect new spring shoots from slugs
Plant summer-flowering bulbs
Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials
Top dress containers with fresh compost
Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed)
Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for colourful winter stems
Weeds come back in to growth – deal with them before they get out of hand
Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters
Open the greenhouse or conservatory doors and vents on warm days

Mike Langrish – Chairman

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FARMERS MARKETS

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Northampton – 3^rd Thurs monthly Market Square opp. Market Office
Daventry - 1^st Saturday monthly in the High Street
Towcester – 2^nd Friday monthly, Richmond Road Car Park

BUGBROOKE & DISTRICT FLOWER SOCIETY

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Our monthly meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7.45 pm in Nether Heyford Village Hall.

Our March meeting is on Monday 26^th when we look forward to an entertaining evening with Janet Cooper and her demonstration “My Colour Palette”. At the end all arrangements are raffled, so why not come along and enjoy a relaxing evening and you may be lucky enough to win one of the arrangements. Guests and new members are always welcome.

For more information please ring Simone on 01327 342167 or Maureen on 01327 340789.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Bugbrooke & District Flower Society are holding a FASHION SHOW, presented by Just Trading, on FRIDAY 20^TH APRIL in Bugbrooke Community Centre, 7.30 pm for 8 pm start. Tickets £5 available from Simone 01327 342167.

HEYFORD AMBLERS

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

For the March walk Heyford Amblers will be joining the Crazy Hats Breast Cancer appeal in a five mile walk around Wicksteed Park beginning at 10:30 am on Sunday 18th March. Registration is £5:50 per person, walking on roadways around the centre of the park, suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, dogs on leads and children. Everybody welcome. To register please contact us by 8th March. For more information see the Crazy Hats website.
Mick & Shirley Collins

01327 342287

The WI in Nether Heyford

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Recipe of the Month

In this Diamond Jubilee year, we would like to feature recipes from the early 1950’s, if you have any family favourites, please send them to us. I was surprised to find out that there was still rationing up until 1954. Tea was rationed until 1952, sugar and sweets until 1953 and meat until 1954.

Our recipe is one that children can make for Mothering Sunday, but it does say that an adult should supervise the cooking.

Simnel Cake
125g/4oz soft margarine
125g/4oz light muscovado sugar
2 large eggs
174g/6oz self-raising flour
50g/2oz ground almonds
1 orange
250g/9oz mixed dried fruit
125g/4oz white marzipan, cut into cubes

Method

Preheat oven to 160c/gas mark 3. Grease and line a 900g/2lb loaf tin. Beat together the margarine, sugar, eggs, flour and ground almonds, in a bowl for 2 mins.

Grate zest from the orange and squeeze out 2 tbsp of the juice. Add zest, juice and dried fruit to the mixing bowl and mix again. Transfer to the loaf tin and level the surface, with a spatula.

Arrange the marzipan cubes, on top of the mixture. Cook in the oven for 1 – 1 ¼ hours until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin, remove and set on a rack until cold.

The origin of the Simnel cake is recorded in Shropshire legend. Simon and Nell both wanted to make a cake for their mother, but Simon wanted to boil it and Nell wanted to bake it, so in the end they did both and produce a rather solid cake. Ours tastes much nicer and is a traditional gift for Mother’s Day.

VILLAGE HALL EVENTS

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Garage Sale

The return of the popular garage sale will take place on April 22^nd.
If you’re having a clear out over Easter, why not try to sell it by holding
a Garage Sale.

To participate in this whole village scheme will cost you only £5.
Publicity will draw in dealers from across the county.

To register your interest and get your garage on the map phone Barron Walton 01604 831803, Christine Watts 01327 340041 or Vicki Hamblin 01327 341059.

The Queen’s Jubilee Celebration,
Village picnic,
Fete and Fun Dog Show
June 9^th 2012

Make it a date in your diary!

MOBILE LIBRARY

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

First Saturday in every month,
outside school from 11.40am – 1pm

NB Sometimes the Library Van draws up in Watery
Lane rather than outside the school. Hunt the book!

NETHER HEYFORD  BAPTIST CHURCH

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Sunday Services: 10.30 am and 6.00 pm

Mar	Morning	Evening
4	Mr R Darby	Mr J Perkins (Communion)
11	Mr M Buckby	No Service
18	Mr L Britten	No Service
25	Mr R Chapman (Communion)	No Service

At the February meeting of the First Wednesday Group we had a very interesting talk on Alpacas by Caroline Trotter from Duncote. Alpacas originated in Peru and are related to camels and llamas. They were exported from South America in the mid 1980s and are highly prized for their luxurious coats. The fleece is lightweight, warm, durable, soft and not itchy. Caroline brought some of the fleece from the Alpacas that she keeps in addition to some yarn and knitted garments.

Our next meeting on 7^th March at 2 pm will be dedicated to the Women’s World Day of Prayer when we will follow the theme of “Let Justice Prevail” prepared by the Christian Women of Malaysia. All are welcome to come along and join in this special afternoon and feel the experience of life in this far off land.

Our next OPEN DOOR Coffee Morning with a difference will be on 22^nd March from 9.30am to 11.30am. Please feel free to pop in for a relaxing cup of tea or coffee or simply for a chat.

P Thackray

Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Services for March

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

Friday 2nd	4.30-6pm	“Nooma Café” in Heyford Church Rooms
Sunday 4th	8:00am	Prayer Book Holy Communion at Flore
	9:30am	Holy Communion at Upper Stowe
	11:00am	Holy Communion at Heyford
	11:00am	First Sunday – All Age Service at Flore
	11:15am	Celtic Morning Prayer at Brockhall

Sunday 11th	10:30am	Holy Communion for the whole Benefice at Brockhall with John Smith from the Hope Centre
Saturday 17th	3:30 -5:00pm	Messy Church at Flore

Sunday 18th	10:00am	Parade Service at Heyford
Mothering	10:00am	Family Service at Upper Stowe
Sunday	10:00am	United service at Flore URC
	11:15am	Prayer Book Holy Communion at Brockhall
	6:00pm	Holy Communion at Flore

Sunday 25th	9:30am	Holy Communion at Flore
	11:00am	Celtic Morning Prayer at Heyford
	11:00am	Holy Communion at Church Stowe
	6:00pm	Holy Communion at Heyford

Celtic Worship comes to Heyford. Celtic Morning Prayer has proved popular in Brockhall, so we shall be launching a similar service here on the 25^th March at 11am, and then every fourth Sunday. It will include seasonal features and some Bible teaching.

We are no longer running Sunday School in Heyford as the children who have attended faithfully for many years have outgrown it. We now have “Nooma Café” for our young people on a first Friday at 4.30pm in the Church Rooms. This is an opportunity for them to meet together, chill out with music and chat with friends. We talk about themes of interest to teenagers and encourage them to discuss them from a Christian point of view, as well as having quizzes and sometimes crafts. Messy Church in Flore is very popular, and we are hoping to start something similar for young families in Heyford this summer.

Mothering Sunday falls on 18^th March and we shall be having a Parade Service at 10am here in Heyford to celebrate this day.

During March we shall be running two Lent Groups. E100 is a Bible based study course looking at key passages in the New Testament on Thursday evenings 7.30pm in Flore. Then on Saturday mornings at 8.30am with coffee and croissants in the Rectory we shall be using “Finding a voice” – a course based on the film of The King’s Speech. You are most welcome to come along, if you would like more details please contact me.

I have included the Holy Week and Easter services as Easter is so near to the beginning of April.

Midweek Communions are held weekly on Wednesdays, 9.30am at Heyford and Thursdays, 10am at Flore – all welcome.

The Streets we shall be praying for during March are: Close Road, The Pound and The Peak in Heyford, The Avenue and The Glebe in Flore, The Old Dairy Farm in Upper Stowe and the outlying farms around Stowe and the Mews Houses in Brockhall.

Ann Slater

Preaching

Preaching isn’t something that we come across very often nowadays apart from in church. It is seen as old fashioned, patronising, and really rather weird in this modern day and age. Most of us get our daily dose of information from the television, the radio or the internet. We don’t have storytellers any more. People find pictures much easier to cope with than some-one talking to them from the front of a conference hall or church. Many people, perched uncomfortably on a hard chair or pew, find that the last thing they need is a sermon which goes on for ever, is dull, monotonous and about stuff that happened a long time ago and isn’t relevant to today. People are used to seeing pictures and films, not listening to some-one talking.

Preaching doesn’t have a good press – but it doesn’t have to be like its bad image. We love going to hear comedians, theatre is thriving, we enjoy nativity plays and listen to the radio. So how can we make it as good as possible so that people look forward to hearing some-one speak? As some of you will know, having been unfortunate enough to sit through one of my addresses in church, I am training to be a Reader. I am still not entirely sure quite how I got to be in this position, but presumably God and his church know better than me and here I am nearly at the end of my training and about to be launched into your midst in September as a licensed Reader.

A lot of my time will be spent on preaching, as well as taking services, and hopefully teaching people about the bible and opening the gate to all who want to know more about the man we all follow, Jesus. When Ann has let me loose, it has been fascinating to get feedback on my preaching and I hope that everyone will continue to tell me what they liked and disliked, what else I need to cover, and to join in. Everyone has their own distinctive style of preaching, and I like people to join in ( at least I know then you are still awake!) but that can be a bit strange until you get used to it. As preachers, we are all trying to bring the word of God to life. Jesus was a storyteller, and he used stories to explain things to people. They didn’t always understand what he was getting at (which is reassuring for me!) but when he spoke, he changed lives. I really do want to make people think and learn and enjoy listening and questioning the bible.

That is a real challenge and one that I hope that you will all help me in. Please, don’t be shy about telling me what works for you and what doesn’t, so that together we may learn and develop in our understanding of that man, Jesus Christ. And also – it can be a very lonely place at the front, talking to 2 or 3 stalwarts so come and have a listen! You don’t have to be a regular church-goer just to try something new, you can choose the style of service to come to – formal, informal, family, café, celtic or messy. It doesn’t have to be in church! I will try and make it worth your time.

Jane Rands Church Warden

Services for April

Sunday 1st April	10:00am	Palm Sunday Procession leaves from Flore Playing Fields
Palm Sunday	11:00am	All age service for the Benefice and Christian Partnership at All Saints Flore
	6:00pm	Holy Communion at Heyford for the whole Benefice

Monday 2nd	7.30pm	Holy Communion and meditation at Upper Stowe
Tuesday 3rd	7.30pm	Music and Meditation for Holy Week with the Watling Singers at Flore
Wednesday 4th	7.30pm	Compline at Brockhall
Thursday 5th	7.30pm	Holy Communion and Watch at Heyford
Good Friday 6th April	10.00am -12noon	Hot Cross Bun Service in All Saints Church, Flore
	12noon -3.00pm	Good Friday Vigil – Heyford
	4.30-6pm	Nooma café in Heyford Church Rooms
Saturday 7th	8.30pm	Easter Vigil and renewal of Baptismal Vows at Heyford
Sunday 8th	6.00am	Dawn Service and breakfast at Flore
April	9:30am	Holy Communion at Heyford
Easter Day	11:00am	Holy Communion at Flore
	11:00am	Holy Communion at Church Stowe
	11:15am	Celtic Holy Communion at Brockhall

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

WANTED at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Village Picnic, Nether Heyford Village Fete and Fun Dog Show on June 9th Books,

bric a brac,
bottles (full)
Charity stalls
New ideas for stalls and attractions
Teams for the Tug of War.

Contact Barron Walton 01604 831803 or email heyford_fete@yahoo.co.uk

Tug of War It is hoped to restore the Tug of War competition that was so successful in days gone by. Make up a team from your pub, village, street, organisation or just friends and register your interest in participating in what is an all round fun event!

Village Welcome Pack

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

The Village Welcome pack is now available.

With information common to both Upper and Nether Heyford, the Welcome Pack contains contact information about all the activity groups available in the village as well as statutory authorities and local services. It also contains the bus timetable and recycling information.

If there is an empty house near you or you are expecting a new neighbour, please ring Sue Morris, tel 01327 349387 or Barron Walton, tel 01604 831803, so that we can deliver a Welcome Pack.

Calling new residents in Bliss Close:

Do you live in Bliss Close? Would you be good enough to deliver copies of The Prattler once a month to your neighbours in the Close? If so, please contact Christine Watts, tel 01327 340041.

Police Community Support

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

There has been a recent change to the Northamptonshire Police telephone system. As a result of this change please note that my direct extension number has changed.

To contact me direct please telephone 101 ext 344275. There is a message facility that allows you to leave non urgent messages at times when I am off duty, unavailable due to attending incidents or on annual leave.

If your message is urgent and I am unavailable please telephone 101 and speak direct to the force contact centre.

To report an incident please telephone 101. In an emergency please telephone 999.

PCSO 7041 Jen Harrison

Police Community Support Officer, Towcester Safer Community Team

Parish Council Notes

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stapsell

The February meeting of the Parish Council took place on Feb 6^th at the Baptist Church Rooms.

Cllr Kirkbride (NCC) reported on a controversy regarding CPSOs (Community Police Support Officers). It has been widely reported that NCC is withdrawing its funding towards these officers. Whilst this is true, NCC does not have any statutory requirement to give this funding and is having to make considerable cuts in its budgets. It is argued that the Police have sufficient reserves to cover the shortfall. It is unfortunate if there is to be any reduction in these officers, who are largely considered to be a success, giving more police presence in the villages since the day of village bobbies. The likelihood is that there will be some cuts and officers will have more territory to cover.

Middle Street /Green Junction. Council have asked for 15 yards of yellow lines at the junction west of Coronation Row and have been told that the request will be considered in the next budget process. If the request is not successful, we will be back to square one with the problems caused by parking around this junction.

Youth Club. The club reopened on Feb 6^th. The first meetings have been a success and well attended and it is hoped that the club will grow and open on other evenings. A lot of hard work has gone into this project and the Chairman thanked all those who have been involved in the steering committee stage and in the actual re-opening.

Dog Fouling. There have been further reports of problems around the village. The Parish Council feel that they have addressed the problem (3 new dog waste bins were fitted last year) and two new ones will be added later this year (Weedon Road and corner of Hillside Road/Furnace Lane.) We have two no-go areas for dogs- the playing fields and the play area. While the great majority of dog owners are responsible, it only takes a few irresponsible ones, who walk their dogs daily, to make quite a mess and it does not matter how many bins you fit when there are people like this.

Prosecutions are possible but require two witnesses and photographic evidence to stand a chance of success. One Council has invested in night vision goggles to try and catch offenders and this is one of the biggest problems around the Parishes.

It has been suggested that there is an Action Plan and council are open to suggestions as to how this might work and any other practical suggestions.

The next Parish Council meetings are on Monday March 5^th and Monday April 2^nd. The latter will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting which is an opportunity for Parishioners to raise issues (which can also be done at ordinary Parish Council meetings.) It is also an opportunity for village clubs and organisations to give reports…

Guy Ravine, Tel: 01327 340410

E-mail: g.ravine@btinternet.com

February Print Edition of The Prattler

Posted on February 1, 2012 by stapsell

Announcements

Posted on February 1, 2012 by stapsell

Irene Gilkes will be celebrating her 80^th Birthday on Friday 17^th February. Lots of love from all the family (too numerous to mention) and we all hope that you have a lovely day with family & friends xx

Tracey Wood

Thanks for love and prayers

On the 8^th December, the day before my 80^th Birthday, I received a call from the Hospital to come in immediately following an x-ray. I spent the next five days on Talbot Butler ward having various tests. What a way to celebrate a Big O Birthday! I was allowed out for a few hours on Sunday afternoon for a party to which many family and friends came. The love, prayers and practical help Beryl and I have received is overwhelming and supportive. Thank you all so very much.

I have now been diagnosed with myeloma which can be treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so I hope to be resuming all my activities in the near future. Please continue to remember me in your prayers, it really does help.

David Smith

Heyford Scout Group

Posted on February 1, 2012 by stapsell

Now that we are well into the New Year the Heyford Scout Group is back into full swing. Enthusiasm throughout the sections is high, and there is undoubtedly plenty to look forward to in 2012, for the ever popular Heyford Scout Group.

Group news:

The Christmas card delivery service raised over £640, which was in turn pound for pound matched by Barclaycard. Thanks to everyone who helped, Barclaycard for matching, and most of all the villagers who parted with cash to help raise the funds. Some may recall that on the first collection night back in December, the conditions were truly shocking, with almost horizontal rain – so well done to those scouts who persevered through awful conditions that evening.

The group Christmas trip to Beckworth Emporium ice skating rink was well attended, and thankfully we escaped with no broken bones, although the pride of some may have been a little dented. It most certainly does not appear as though Torvil & Deane’s successors are likely to come from within our ranks.

To help our leaders all subs and capitation costs are now collected by standing order. This takes away the admin from the start of each meeting when the pound coins were previously handed in and logged, now leaving the leaders with more time to arrange activities for each evening. If any parents are yet to set up the standing order please speak to your child’s leader ASAP.

Talking of leaders, Sally Sargent has now completed her full training, very well done to her.

Something new for 2012 and hot off the press … there will be a summer fund raiser tantalisingly titled “Posh in Boots”. This will be held on 23rd June in the guise of a ball and hog roast, details later – but please mark it into your diaries now.

Beavers:

The first night back on 10^th January saw a very lively, (leader speak for noisy), Beaver pack playing games. These included unihoc taster (indoor hockey), dodge ball (a firm favourite throughout Scouting) and a balancing game. The Beavers also had a chance to talk about their favourite Christmas present and also received some bird badges (RSPB) donated by a villager – thank you.

There is a night walk planned, and this year unsurprisingly will be quite sport focused given it’s the Olympic year. There will also be activity looking at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and there will be special badges which can be worn on the uniform in celebration of this year. Special thanks to the Beavers and Beaver parents for their support with the Christmas card leaflet delivery and card collection.

Scouts:

And still the numbers of Scouts grows, with 17 in the group. Activities planned for the near future include a creative challenge with flag and model making. After half term there will be a fitness challenge to coincide with the Olympic year. It will then be time to move straight into an outdoor challenge. The target is to get Scout’s challenge badges completed to enable the awarding of a chief scout gold award. A new group logo has been designed and will no doubt be featuring soon.

Explorers:

The Explorers have had a somewhat enforced slow return with only 4 attending the first meet of the New Year while the rest were revising for exams – something Steve comments was very surprising and unusual for them! No doubt this slow start will be more than made up for over the coming weeks and months.

Richard Pye

Brownies

Posted on February 1, 2012 by stapsell

We are looking forward to the new term, especially Pancake Day, but also celebrating the Chinese New Year, doing Valentine crafts, making things for Mothers day. The pennants we made for the Olympics have been sent off, Barn Owl and I were very proud of the girls and the work they produced. In a couple of weeks they should be on display in the online gallery at Quilts4London.

This term we shall also be working on self portraits to upload and send to FaceBritain, which is making a montage for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. As you can see the Brownies are a very artistic bunch, far more than me, but we always find time for games as well.

If you would like to know more about Brownies, please contact me.

Vicki Hamblin – Brownie Guider

341059