December 2015 - Bugbrooke LINK Home Page

Bugbrooke
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December 2015
www.bugbrookelink.co.uk
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Photo by Tracy Curtis
The Bugbrooke “LINK” Committee
Published bi-monthly. Circulated free to every household within the Parish
boundary of Bugbrooke. The “LINK” Management Committee is elected in
accordance with the Constitution and Rules at the AGM in May.
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer/Vice Chairman
Production & Website
Advertising
Adverts Production
Submissions
E-mail to
Web site address
Deadline for February issue
Paul Cockcroft, 31 Pilgrims Lane
Barbara Bell, 68 Chipsey Avenue
Jim Inch, 16a High Street
Geoff Cooke, 1 Browns Yard
Sheila Willmore, 31 Oaklands
Gwynneth White, 1 Homestead Drive
Pat Kent, 1 High Street
[email protected]
www.bugbrookelink.co.uk
4th January 2016
Whilst we check the information for grammar and spelling on articles supplied by our
contributors, the LINK magazine can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in the
factual content of the information.
The views expressed in these articles are those of the contributors and are not
necessarily shared by the LINK Management Committee.
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Bugbrooke LINK Magazine
(Issue 195), Decemer 2015
Chairman: Paul Cockcroft
Thanks for your great response to our request for support and we
will now have to do our best to get as much as possible into this
packed edition of your village magazine. We’ve had some great
feedback on the photo in the October 2015 LINK, “Bugbrooke
Cubs, circa 1967”. We’re hoping to pull all the responses together
and provide details early next year. Thanks also to the efforts of Margaret Bates and
Gwyneth White who stepped in at the last minute to help with delivery.
From all of us at LINK, we send you our best Christmas wishes and hope for a
peaceful New Year.
The deadline for articles and advert changes for the next issue is Monday 04
January 2016, but earlier submissions are most welcome. Please note that the preferred
way of us receiving copy is by email to [email protected].
Bugbrooke Parish Council
Members of the Parish Council met with representatives of NCC Highways department
and Persimmon Homes to discuss traffic issues on John Road. The items discussed
were traffic calming issues and treatment of the road at the point where the public
footpath from Pilgrim’s Lane crosses the road. Concerns had been expressed about
pedestrians crossing at this point and the speed at which traffic is travelling along the
whole length of Johns Road.
The Parish Council is currently setting its budget for the next financial year and
residents are reminded that we now run a Grant Scheme whereby organisations in the
village can claim up to £550 by way of a grant for any improvements they wish to make.
There is currently approximately £3,000 left in this year’s “pot”.
The Allotment Association has about three plots available for letting. If you would
like one, please contact David Marshall, their Secretary, who will arrange for you to see
the plot. Now is a good time to get one so that Autumn digging can take place in
preparation for the Spring growing season.
When the latest batch of new houses was built in the village, approximately 45
social housing units were incorporated in the plans. At the time of construction we were
advised by South Northants Homes that there were 50 applications with connections to
Bugbrooke on the waiting list. The Clerk has written to South Northants Homes to
enquire whether all of these people have been found a property in the village. In the
event of an inadequate answer the Parish Council will be seeking the information it is
looking for via the Freedom of Information Act.
The agreement for the new churchyard is signed by all parties but the diocese’
agents have raised an issue in relation to the car park. A further document has been
agreed and will be signed in the very near future. It is hoped that this will be the final
link in the chain.
The area between Pilgrim’s Lane and Johns Road has now been planted up with
the help of some extra plants donated by the Parish Environment Warden. He has also
supervised the planting of bulbs with the help of Cubs and Guides. We look forward to
seeing what they look like in the Spring.
Front Page: Thanks to Barbara Clarke for this year’s festive cover.
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The Rugby Club lads have got together and erected the fence (paid for from grants
from the New Homes Bonus, Parish Council and the Sports and Community Association)
that now defines the public footpath running across the new area of playing field. This
should enable walkers to access the countryside beyond and could be a useful
destination for dog walkers. A dog waste bin is to be installed half way along the new
path. Congratulations to the Rugby Club for undertaking a long and difficult task.
It now seems widespread knowledge that the Post Office wish to open a new Post
Office in the Pharmacist’s shop next to the doctors surgery. This is centrally located in
the village but we must await the outcome of the 6 week consultation period. If all goes
well our treasured Post Office facility will reopen in January/February.
On behalf of the Parish Council and the Clerk I wish all residents a Happy
Christmas and Successful New Year. We hope you continue to enjoy living in our
community.
John Curtis. Chairman of the Parish Council
Confused, You Don’t Need to Be!
By the time you read this the Church of England general Synod (the
governing body of the Church of England) will have discussed a poll of
over 4000 people which suggests over forty percent of people in
England do not believe Jesus was a real person!
However, strange as it may seem, forty three percent (my old
clock number!) of the people asked said they did believe in the
resurrection – although many did not think it happened as described in
the Bible.
To add to the confusion the poll also found while fifty seven percent classified
themselves as Christian fewer than ten percent actually go to Church!
Confused, you don’t need to be!
Firstly, any scholar or academic worth their salt, whether from a Christian or secular
understanding agree Jesus was a very real man who lived in Galilee nearly two thousand
years ago. This said, many details surrounding his life are still discussed but his
existence as an historical person is the agreed starting point.
Secondly, even a cursory glance at autobiographies and biographies of great
human beings in history tells us a great deal about their character, insights and legacy.
However, their character, insights and legacy are about their lives and in any biography
their death either is not mentioned or is given a paragraph or two at best and it’s only
their recorded legacy offering any sort of influence.
This is so different to what we know of the life of Jesus. Two thirds of the four
gospels are concerned with the events leading up to and then the last week in Christ’s
life. Added to this, the rest of the New Testament is not really concerned about the 20 th
and start of the 21st obsession ‘did he or didn’t he exist’, but WHY he existed and what
this meant not only for themselves but for everyone then and in the years to come.
To put it bluntly, no dead person exerts any real influence of substance, only a living
person does that. The Jesus story is steeped in history and present day. His influence is
still changing people today because the Christian Church believes and proclaims Jesus
lived, died and rose again and it is these recorded facts of history that have the power to
change people for eternity.
The theme of our Christmas Card to you all this year is ‘Imagine Missing Christmas’!
I can’t imagine celebrating a Christmas without celebrating the most unique and actual
event in all history. God becoming fully human in Jesus then living, dying and rising not
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only for me but also for all people in every generation, colour and creed down through
the ages.
In John Chapter 3 v16 we read ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.’
Don’t miss out on the true meaning of Christmas, come along to any of our services
over Christmas and celebrate a reality of history who by his resurrection is still with us
today.
Grace and Peace for Christmas 2015, New Year 2016 and Eternity.
Stephen French Rector of Bugbrooke, Harpole, Kislingbury and Rothersthorpe
Letter to the LINK — Speeding
I find it hard to believe that some of the people that drive through Bugbrooke can be so
selfish. It is the same everywhere I dare say. The speed limit through Bugbrooke is 20
mph, but I do not see many people driving that slow. The ones I see most, as it is the time I
leave home, are the people dropping off their children. They fly up the road to drop them
off and then do the same after they have dropped them off. You would think that having
children of their own they would be more considerate to other people’s children by driving
slower.
I live in a Cul-de-Sac and even some of the people that live down the road drive
without consideration of the other people living in the road. They have children and
pets of their own but do not seem to consider other residents.
Rod Prime
Funding Opportunities for Local Organisations
Is your group or organisation in need of some new equipment or are you fund raising
for a specific project and need some help?
Each year the Parish Council sets aside a fund of £5,000, which local
organisations can apply for (currently up to £500). So far this year we have been able
to assist the Village Hall Pre-School, U3A, the Community Café, the Cricket Club and
BSACCA, but we still have £3000 available. Any village organisation can apply, and
the application form is available on the Bugbrooke LINK Website or from the Parish
Clerk. Applications will next be considered at the December meeting. If you need
help completing the application or advice on whether your organisation is eligible,
please contact the Parish Clerk on 01604 832838 or [email protected].
In addition, our County Councillor, Mrs Joan Kirkbride, has a “Councillors
Empowering Fund”, currently £7,000 for the 2015/16 financial year. This has to be
spread across all the villages in the area for which she has responsibility, but
organisations in need of funds should contact her directly to ascertain if she is able to
help - [email protected].
The Wednesday Club
Hello Everyone. After heavy rain to start the day on Oct 28th, the sky is blue and the
sun is shining. Clocks were put back last weekend, so winter is on its way.
Sept. 30th. Fish and Chips today at the Five Bells. A special treat. I for one rated
the best we have ever had. Cooked perfect. We then returned to the S.S. for our
Grand Raffle (which Linda will give a full account of), after which we enjoyed tea and
home-made cakes.
Oct.14th Our usual meeting today. A birthday card and flowers were presented
to Ann Shaw. We welcomed new member, Mrs Philice Nickolls to our club.
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New members always welcome.
If you wish to join us please ring Linda on 831219 or Ann on 700870 who will be pleased
to give information on how the club runs.
Mrs D.M.French
The Wednesday Club Raffle
We held our Grand Raffle on September 30th but unfortunately due to deadlines for the last
edition of The LINK we were not able to publish the prize winners then. Below is a full list.
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, namely Alan Jacobi of
Unusual Rigging, Jonathan Barker of Hort’s Estate Agency, Michael Adams, Louise of
Harben Hair Designs, Lorna of Lorna’s Hair Salon, Angie of emerge health & beauty, Scott of
The Five Bells, Joe of The Wharf, Phillipa of Badgers Break Community Café, Bugbrooke
Football Club, Bugbrooke Rugby Club, and Bugbrooke Cricket Club. Their generosity and
that of all who bought tickets enabled us to raise a staggering £921.
PRIZE
TICKET
£100
220
£50
196
Hamper of alcohol
300
Vouchers for The Wharf
706
Hamper of groceries
168
Voucher for The Five Bells
623
Hamper of Chocolates
677
Voucher for Harben Hairdressers
672
Voucher for emerge health & beauty
970
Vouchers for Lorna’s Hairdressers
244
Voucher for emerge health & beauty
422
Hamper of Household Cleaning Products
211
Voucher for Bugbrooke Community Cafe
947
Hamper of Body Care Products
833
Bugbrooke & Harpole Scout Group
Once again the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers will be providing a Christmas card delivery
service for all your local Bugbrooke and Nether Heyford cards.
Post Boxes will be made available in the following establishments: The Pet Shop,
Harben Hairdressers, Bugbrooke Primary School reception office, The Chemist, The
Community Cafe and the Church. The cost will be 25p per card and the boys will take the
boxes to the Scout hut for stamping and sorting on 18th December - delivering the cards on
19th and 20th. A leaflet will be delivered to all houses in Bugbrooke in a few days so please,
if you can support the boys and girls in their effort to raise funds for new equipment, it would
be much appreciated.
Peter Wilkins
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Bugbrooke Guides
This entry is all about our thanks to the village for supporting the Guides yet again at our
annual Jumble Sale.
We made an amazing amount, again beating last year’s total, of over a thousand
pounds.
The Community Centre makes a
great location and this year after
tidying up we had a lovely tea party to
say fond farewell and thank you to
Helen Asbery.
We will be having our winter
sleepover in November looking at
‘How the Girl Guides Won the
War’ stories from a book written by
Janie Hampton as well as trying out
some war time recipes. During
remembrance week, Mr Perkins will
share some of his amazing historical
knowledge while we make clay
poppies.
We have a waiting list for girls
under 10 but we also have some
places.
Ring Jane on 832710
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Thank you very much to everyone who joined us after the jumble sale for the tea party to
celebrate my 40 years as a Guide Leader and to mark my retirement from Bugbrooke
Guides.
It was good to see past and present guides and parents, some who had come from
Lincoln and Peterborough.
People had written some lovely messages and I was delighted with the various gifts,
all very significant.
Many thanks to everyone.
Helen Asbery
Bugbrooke Primary School
What an amazing start we have had to this school year. Following a busy summer with lots
of building work inside school, we welcomed new staff in September as well as 40
reception children and others joining us in different year groups, both from the village and
further afield. Everyone has settled in so well and there has been fantastic learning in
every class. Here are a few highlights of our term so far:
Our children constantly amaze us. They are thoughtful and kind, but also think so
deeply about their world and their place in it. Each class writes a class charter in
September. This is just one of them:
Our Class Charter
Don’t be afraid to be unique.
Respect everything and everyone.
Always listen and learn.
Make sure everyone is safe.
Help anyone who is sad.
If you have nothing to say, don’t say anything.
Keep Smiling.
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You may have seen some of the younger children walking around the village or doing
a traffic survey. They wanted to find out more about Bugbrooke and then think about
how to make the village better. Ideas for improvements included: a cake shop, a crazy
golf course, a swimming pool, more bins, and the cracks in the pavements and roads to
be filled in!
We were delighted when a children’s author worked with the Year 5/6 children. One
of the teachers wrote: “Wow, what an amazing week! This has been my favourite week of
teaching ever! The week started off like any other and then boom! Thursday hit us & we
were all inspired to write after Mrs Ivory came into school and talked to us about
becoming a writer. We were lucky enough to take part in a writing workshop where we
learnt how to add detail into stories and developed our own characters.” The work
produced was of real quality and the children cannot stop writing!
The whole school took part in Languages Day. They were in mixed year group
teams and worked so well together. The children had the opportunity to try food from
around the world, research how far their food travels before it is ready for us to eat and
finally they started to think about food that we are lucky to have and what food we would
like to share with people less fortunate than us. It was an amazing day that was enjoyed
by all children and all staff!
We were lucky enough to receive a donation from South Northants Homes to buy
two cookers to use for food technology. This was a very welcome gift – thank you.
As well as receiving we have been giving and collected a mountain of dried goods
and tins which were gratefully received at our Harvest Celebration by the Hope Centre in
Northampton.
Our website www.bugbrookeprimaryschool.co.uk is a good place to find out even
more about what we have been doing or just call to arrange to come and visit us.
Shelly Bramble, Headteacher
Upper Nene Villages U3A Group
The U3A – the University of the Third Age – aims to stimulate educational and
recreational activities among the retired or otherwise not fully-employed, from middle
-age onwards, country-wide. Your friendly local group meets at Bugbrooke Sports
and Community Centre, usually on the third Monday of the month at 2.30pm and
non-members are welcome as guests.
There are also ‘Special Interest’ groups that meet regularly, including Classics
for Pleasure, Genealogy (now two groups), Intermediate German, Jigsaw Exchange,
Literature, Luncheon Club, My Kind of Music, Photography, Play Reading and
Scrabble (also now two groups).
Future events:
Monday 14 December at 2.30pm (please note that this is the second Monday) –
A Winter Quiz. Small teams of members face the quizmaster for another informative
and frustrating session.
Monday 18 January 2016 at 2.30pm – ‘The Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands
and Islands’ by Neil McMahon. An illustrated talk by the accomplished local ‘birder’
and volunteer warden at Pitsford.
Enquiries to 01604-831627.
Roger Colbourne
Considered becoming a foster carer and have a spare room? For more information
contact Alliance on 01604 879373 or [email protected]
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Cubs and Beavers
Cubs have had a busy start to the new term this term, the first night back after the summer
holidays. Cubs decided what badges they would like to achieve this term. It was
unanimous that they wanted to complete the chef badge which they will be completing
after half term by cooking a three course meal for themselves and the leaders. They have
already decided on a menu and I am looking forward to eating it. We made the most of the
light evenings by going on a hike to Nether Heyford and seeing how much rubbish was in
and along the towpath, we then discussed how this could affect wildlife and how long
different rubbish took to decompose during the following session. We walked back to
Bugbrooke via footpath in the fields. Luckily we were prepared and had torches as it got
dark towards the end of our walk. Cubs participated in a sponsored run with Beavers
around the rugby field to raise funds for their activities and helped to raise almost £200.
They have also been on a visit to Gallones ice cream factory and learnt the history of
Gallones and how to make ice cream. They then got to sample some of the ice cream
which was their favourite part of the night. This week they have been planting bulbs and
seeds along the Shady Lane path. Cubs were also asked to write something for the LINK
magazine. Jake said that he liked Cubs because he gets to stay up late and made new
friends. He enjoyed planting the bulbs and seeds and enjoyed the visit to Gallones. All the
Cubs said they enjoyed the visit to Gallones. Callum said he also liked making new
friends, being kind to others and helping them out and that he also enjoyed playing wars.
Thomas said he liked to learn new things and playing games.
As it is the Rugby World Cup two of the cubs taught the others the New Zealand
Haka and it was hilarious watching their facial expressions but they all performed it really
well and enthusiastically. They have all also been working towards their air activities
badge and have been finding out some facts about different aircrafts and sharing it with
the group.
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Beavers have also had a busy and fun term. We started by welcoming nine new
Beavers to the colony making the sessions noisy but fun. The older Beavers have been
making the new Beavers feel welcome and have shown them how to be a Beaver. They
have also been on a hike along the canal and used their observational skills to spot things
beginning with all the letters of the alphabet. Some of the Beavers decided to complete their
photography badge so took their cameras with them and took lots of photos. They have had
a session of tag rugby lead by Kyle which they all enjoyed so we may have some budding
rugby players. They also took part in the sponsored run and have planted bulbs along
Shady Lane, which we will go and see once they have grown in the spring. We then went
back to the scout hut for snacks and to play a game of stuck in the mud, which was
organised by one of the Beavers. They have also been working towards their air activities
badge and we had a very noisy night where they all made paper planes and flew them.
Last night six of the new Beavers were invested and one Beaver got awarded his Bronze
Scout award. New Beavers then decorated hand prints to go on our display board while the
older Beavers decorated pirate shapes. All Beavers made Halloween lanterns out of milk
bottles so look out for them around the village on Halloween.
Next term we will be learning about Bonfire night and Remembrance Day and finding
out about different countries. We will also be making Christmas decorations and cards and
having fun together.
For more information regarding Cubs and Beavers please contact Sue Beckingham on
07512765034.
Bugbrooke in the Great War – Events 100 Years Ago October,
November 1915
100 years ago, WW1 had been going on for around 15 months. There had been 511,000
British casualties and around one million Britons were serving on the western front in
Belgium and France. With so many men serving, more and more women were employed.
Women were now allowed to apply for licences to be bus and tram conductors. They were
also employed at places such as Scotland Yard for the first time. Munitions production was
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high priority, and excessive drinking by the workers was affecting arms production. A
law forbidding drinkers from buying rounds was brought in to try and stop this excessive
drinking. Women were of course employed in munitions production, and one survey
found them to be twice as productive as men in factories. German airships had started
raiding the east of England, one airship raid at this time, killing more than 200 civilians.
Away from the war, cricketer WG Grace died, probably England’s most famous
Victorian sportsman, he made 126 first class centuries, made 55,000 runs and took
2876 wickets in his career.
Devastating as the war was, it was still hotting up in some parts. In the crucible of
the war, Serbia had aleady repulsed an attack from Austria, and now there was a
renewed attack from Austria and Germany. Bulgaria came into the war on their side and
also attacked Serbia. A relief force of British and French troops was put together and
landed at Salonica in Greece to the south, and although having little impact on the battle
for Serbia, held the area for the duration of the war.
Bugbrooke’s Edwin Bubb and Henry Bubb had enlisted together when the war
broke out in August 1914. They served together with the 10th Prince of Wales Own
Hussars. In November 1915, they were both transferred to the Gloucestershire
Regiment forming part of the force sent to Salonica to support Serbia. They saw action
at the Dorian and Vandar fronts. Edwin was sadly wounded and died there in 1916,
whilst Henry served until 1919, before returning home. Frank Eales, joined up in 1915,
and served in the Railway Company of the Royal Engineers as a platelayer. He was
sent to Salonica at this time, and served there through to 1919. Frank was one of 11
children, 6 of whom had died before the census in 1911. His twin brother Andrew, also
served in the Railway Companies in Egypt and Palestine.
Stephen Howard was in the same Railway Company as
Frank Eales and was also sent to Salonica at this time.
Back in Bugbrooke, Headmaster Frank Wright was still
enlisting men from the village. In the school records, he
seeks permission to have time off to attend the surgery on
the 15th November 1915 for the attestation of 3 recruits.
We can see that Joseph Marshall and Samuel Warwick
attested at this time, and these were 2 of the 3 recruits
that Frank Wright enlisted. Samuel Warwick, eventually
was to join the earlier list at Salonica, where from 1917 he
saw out the war.
Ernest Barnes, one of 3 sons of Bugbrooke master baker
Fred Barnes, had joined up on May 1915. He had been a
baker in civilian life, and on joining up was immediately
allocated a role in baking with the Army Service Corps.
By November 100 years ago, he had completed his basic
training and was posted to 33 Field Bakery in France,
Stephen Howard, in 1910 aged 23. where he remained for the duration of the war. Frederick
Edwin Barnes, younger brother of Ernest, enlisted in
He was employed on the railway all
November 1915 and also was allotted to being a baker in
of his working life, including his the ASC. He served out the war in India and
time in the Great War, when 100 Mesopotamia – now Iraq.
years ago he was sent to Salonica Whilst some were leaving the village some were coming
home. Philip Campion had spent around 7 weeks fighting
with his Railway Company.
in the ill-fated Gallipolli campaign, and at the end of
October succumbed to Dysentry. He was evacuated by
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hospital ship to Malta, and when recovered sufficiently to travel, he was returned to
England on the Red Cross ship the Aquitania. He eventually recovered in hospital on the
Isle of Wight, and was able to enjoy 10 days leave in Bugbrooke over the Christmas of
1915. It was to be 3 years before he was able to do so again.
Geoff Cooke for the 100 Years Project
Bugbrooke WI
After all the excitement in the summer with our Celebration Tea Party,
Jean Marshall's visit to Buckingham Palace and the Centennial AGM
which was attended by H.M.The Queen it is quite nice to get back to more
normal business.
In September we had a Fun Quiz. Five teams competed and the quiz was won by
The Bugbrooke Belles. Once again Allen Astell bravely took on the job of Quizmaster.
Members and guests enjoyed socialising at our October meeting over a hot supper
prepared and served by the Committee. This was followed by our AGM at which Jean
Marshall was elected as our new President. We all wish her well in her new position.
This month, November, we will be hearing how Frank Berry's guide dog has
transformed his life.
At our December meeting Renee Watt will entertain us with songs, guitar and
percussion and, hopefully, put us in the mood for Christmas.
Our book club, crafty chatter. and darts meetings continue to prove enjoyable and
the skittles season will be starting soon enabling us to meet members of other local WIs.
New members and guests are always welcome at our meetings so why not come
along and see what the Bugbrooke WI can offer you.
Brenda Astell 831811
Granpart
The support group called Granpart is for grandparents that have little or no contact with
their Grandchildren for various reasons. The group meets monthly at Sixfields in the
Hungry Horse café area.
It is designed for those suffering from not seeing their Grandchildren to come along
and talk to others in similar situations over a cuppa and cake.
I already run one in MK and it has proved successful.
Anyone interested can contact me on
Email: [email protected]
Mobile 07842146673
LLine 01604830070.
Letter to the LINK – Stamps
I am after some information. For years I have collected the stamps from the mail that we
receive and used to hand them in for charity at a collection box in Jubilee House when
visiting my Grandma. Unfortunately she is no longer with us yet, out of habit, I still collect
the stamps. Do you know if anyone else collects these locally that I could pass them on
to, or is this simply an "old hat" activity? I could never understand how people made
money from doing this anyway.
Martin Goodall <[email protected]
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Word Search
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Dingbats
What phrase is associated with these Dingbats:
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3.
5.
6.
8.
9.
10.
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ACE
ALMOND
ANVIL
ASH
ASHES
BADGERS
BAPTISTS
BEECH
BIRDS
BROWNS
BUTTS
CAMP
CHIPSEY
CHURCH
CUB
GEORGES
GREAT
HARRISON
HAZEL
HEYFORD
HIGH
HOMESTEAD
JOHNS
KISLINGBURY
LADDERMAKERS
LEVITTS
LEYS
LIME
LINK
LITCHBOROUGH
MAPLE
MEADWAY
MILL
MOORES
OAKLANDS
PEACE
PILGRIMS
QUAKERS
SHEPHERDS
SMITHERWAY
SPENCER
PADDOCKS
POUND
TIBBS
WEST
WAGGONERS
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Village Profile
Jonathan Barker Property Consultant – sponsor of Community Café,
Wednesday Club, Primary School computers & pre-school,
organization committee of Church & Village Fete.
When did you come to live in Bugbrooke?
About 4 years ago. We moved from Welton just off the A5 where we
had lived for 5 years. It was where my wife, Bethany, grew up and
where her parents lived. We came to Bugbrooke to be closer to
Northampton for work and social life.
Where were you born?
Just outside Cardiff at Pentyrch. I had a happy childhood growing up on
the side of the mountain that Hugh Grant made a movie about - “The
Englishman that went up a hill and came down a mountain”.
Do you speak Welsh?
No, but I always say ‘goodnight’ and ‘good-morning’ in Welsh to my daughter.
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have a twin brother, Richard, who lives down in Sussex and an older brother, Ian, in London.
My Dad now lives in Worthing. I speak to him every day. He says it is always sunny there.
Did you get a job after leaving school?
I went to college in Cardiff and did Business Studies. There was a school based ski company
who employed students to look after ski trips, and I worked for them during the holidays. One of
the hotels in Italy offered me a job looking after the guests and running the restaurant. It was
the end of my college course and I thought it would be a little adventure and that I would then
return to Cardiff. I stayed in Italy for 5 years and had a whale of a time. It was great experience.
So what brought you to Northampton?
It was a girl I met. She lived in Northampton. And I was ready then to get on with a career and
put down roots.
What job did you get?
I went straight into the Estate Agent business, not immediately for Horts, but I have worked with
them for 13 or 14 years now. I worked for Merry’s for a short while. It freshens things up when
you look at business from a different perspective. After about 5 years I started my own
company. We did all the right things but timing was wrong. It was the market crash - deep,
vicious and prolonged and we hadn’t cash to sustain it so now I am self employed within Horts.
I can give a personal service while Horts look after marketing and regulation and can push the
business forward. Everyone is motivated and working in the same direction.
When was your happiest moment?
When my daughter Lilly was born.
What do you do for relaxation?
I like NOT getting into my car. I love cycling next to the canal. Lilly sits in a seat at the front of
Bethany’s bike. Walking round the village and feeding the ducks is good fun too.
What do you like best about Bugbrooke?
The Community Café. It’s a great facility for all ages and I love the full English breakfasts.
What do you dislike about Bugbrooke?
Speeding traffic.
Do you have a favourite holiday destination?
Puerto Pollenta in Mallorca. I have happy memories of family holidays there. There is a photo
of me and my twin brother held in each arm of a Spanish Policeman on the beach there (not
under arrest). Even now the place looks as though it hasn’t been touched for years. It’s a quiet
calm family place with a beautiful horseshoe bay, a harbour and mountains behind. Agatha
Christie wrote “Problem at Pollensa Bay” here.
What are you most proud of?
A happy marriage and beautiful daughter.
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What is your favourite food/restaurant?
Sunday lunch at the Five Bells
Do you have an ambition?
To build my business as a self employed property consultant in this area and to pass the
business on to my daughter if she wants to take over. I would like Lilly to feel she has roots
here.
What do you like best about your job?
No two days are the same. I meet many different interesting people and I work in a fun office
with colleagues who are friends.
What in life is most important to you?
Time spent with friends and family. I have a lovely life. I’ve always been positive like my
parents.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a nice bloke who did his bit for the community.
Jonathan was interviewed by Pat Kent
Jesus Fellowship, Bugbrooke Chapel Christmas and Calais
On Saturday 19th December at 2.30pm we will have our traditional hymn singing event
which has proved very popular. With Christmas one week away, we will be singing many
of the well loved Christmas carols which remind us of our spiritual heritage. Christmas
seems to have been bulldozed by commerce and advertising, and somewhere
underneath the bulldozer tracks are the remnants of the birth of Jesus Christ and his
beautiful message to us. This is an opportunity to recognise the true message of
Christmas and to embrace the Spirit of Christ.
Joram Bannister has been to Calais to visit the refugee camps and to try and help
some of them. We would like to demonstrate the Spirit of Christ by sending gifts of tinned
food and warm winter clothing to these people who are so much worse off than we are,
living in tents and rough shelters during the winter. If you could bring a gift to the Chapel
on the 19th it will be taken by Joram to these people after Christmas.
We meet at the Chapel for worship on Sunday mornings from 11am, with fellowship
tea and biscuits at 12.30pm. Once a month we meet at the Jesus Centre in Northampton
which will be on 13th December and 17th January.
Blessings
John Thomason and Brian Britten 07966 341221
Bugbrooke Allotment Association
Grow your own, taste the difference and save a fortune. Once again it’s been a very
productive year on the allotment site with bumper crops of beans, potatoes, strawberries,
raspberries, onions, courgettes, carrots and many more. Every year a few plots become
available. They range from “small” at 90 square yards for just £12 per year up to “large”
at around 280 square yards for £36 pa.
The site is at the western end of the village next to Pinnegar and Barnes. There is
vehicle access to the site (subject to ground conditions) and adequate parking. There is
water supply through standpipes except during winter months when frost could cause a
problem.
If you do wish to become a plot holder or just ask about availability then please
contact either:
Dave Marshall (Chair) on (01604) 831016 or [email protected]
Peter Wilkins (Secretary) on (01604) 832609 or [email protected]
or Jill Boys (Treasurer) on (01604) 830378 or [email protected]
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Gareth Meech organised an autumn photograph competition on the theme
‘Autumnal Walks’ on the facebook page “Bugbrooke the friendly page for anything
village related.” This was the winner, taken by Jacqui Manning. The runners up on
the following page.
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From Lewis Dellar-Singer
The 3 runners up in the
facebook photography
competition.
From Julia ‘Tyrell’ Barnby
From Renate Roth
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Nature and Garden Notes
Pavarotti is back (or his descendant). There was some excitement here the other
morning when I spotted a little owl sat on the window-sill right outside our bathroom
window. Mr & Mrs Pavarotti (called thus because they were as wide as they were high
and of Italian origins) used to be regular visitors when we first came up here as there was
lots of bare earth and excellent feeding opportunities for them. We put 4 foot posts in the
ground for them to perch on and they would appear twice a day, in the morning and then
again about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. But as our garden became less like a field (we
ploughed) and more like a garden, they were less likely to hunt here. It's nice to know
that they're still around. He stayed on his perch for about an hour. We know they're
frequent visitors to this sill because of the tell-tale droppings, but I'd not seen one for a
long time.
This morning, I was delighted to see that our Acer Crimson King (a glorious colour
at the moment) was simply invaded by long-tailed tits feeding off the branches. They
stayed for about 15 minutes and then they were off again. We don't see them very often
so a rare treat to watch.
It seems our window frames are a little haven for hibernating ladybirds and
lacewings. Every year in the autumn, we can't open our windows because they've taken
up residence for the winter. I don't intervene and allow the ladybirds to stay overwinter
because their numbers are depleting and in the summer months they feast on the aphids.
I value them because I have many roses in the garden that the greenfly frequent. I often
wonder, just how many actually do survive and whether my help is effectual in getting
them through the winter. In late spring, I take a soft brush and remove those reluctant to
leave as they start mating in May. It's hard to know whether they're sleeping or whether
they're the grannies and granddads that didn't quite make it through the winter.
It's been a funny old year for the garden. It started off with a dry spring which
enabled us to get ahead for a while, we then had some rain to make up for it... but not as
much as some parts of Britain have reported and with our very free draining soil, things
started to struggle (our lawn turned straw coloured!) because of lack of rain. I think
overall, this year we're likely to be down on our average rainfall for 2015. The borders
have grown in spits and spurts and some plants are only now just catching up.
Consequently we have had some lovely late autumn colour in the borders from the
dahlias, penstemons, phlox, asters, coreopsis and echinaceas.
There have been long discussions about where we should site a shed. I'm quite
excited because in all our 44 years of gardening, we have never owned a shed! But
we've decided that one would be useful. You would think that's not a problem... there
were several options as to its new home, but there was always a tree in the way.
However, I think we have finally found somewhere that doesn't have one and the yew
tree and betula utilis Jacquemontii can stay. I think my husband had his eye on the yew
to turn on his lathe. We've just taken down a (sick) malus John Downie and he will have
to be happy with that... fruit wood is apparently good for turning too.
Well as you read this, you will be focused on Christmas... a lovely time of the year
when we can get together and enjoy being with our friends and families and try and
include those who are alone this Christmas. I'm walking round the garden looking to see
what I can use for decorating the home. The holly has grown well and there is plenty to
be cutting... the evergreens and cupressus are so useful at this time of the year. As I type
I have the Christmas cake fruit soaking in brandy and that's my job for tomorrow, so there
will be a lovely Christmassy smell permeating the house. I'm looking forward to
decorating the cake again with my 3 year old granddaughter. As you might imagine,
there's no icing visible by the time she's put on the little church and lychgate, the
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snowman on the bench in the churchyard, trees, carol singers and reindeer!! Oh and the
red bicycle by the lychgate. Magical.
I'd just like to finish by wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful and
Prosperous 2016.
Pamela Cox 01327 830139
Bugbrooke Birdwatch 30th-31st January 2016
The time is here to start thinking about taking part in the annual Bugbrooke Big Garden
Birdwatch. Each year there is a birdwatch specially aimed at what you see in your garden
and the date for the next one is 30th and 31st January and it is timed to coincide with the
Big Garden Birdwatch organized by the RSPB. I have heard many people say that they
do the RSPB birdwatch and yet they don’t take part in their local one. By joining in we
can find out how Bugbrooke fits into the national pattern and you can see how your
results compare with others in the village as well as seeing the very local variations that
exist from one area to another. By doing the birdwatch every year we can see the trends
that Bugbrooke is experiencing. If you feed the birds in your garden, please take part.
There will be tally forms available at Petstop, online at www.bugbrookelink.co.uk or from
me at 1 Browns Yard. Once you have filled in your form you just have to return it to me at
the same address.
Margaret Cooke
Bugbrooke Village Hall Pre-school
This is always an exciting and busy term at Pre-school, with the Autumn activities and
build up to Christmas.
We were invited to the village church for a Harvest Festival service led by Gillian
Stone and Sue Pace. The children listened and shared stories and then joined in with
singing and prayers. Special thanks to Sue for arranging this, the children thoroughly
enjoyed themselves and are already looking forward to the Christmas church service.
During the half term break the committee held two fund-raising events; a stay and
play and Halloween disco. These were both very well attended and raised over £400 for
Pre-school. Many thanks must go to the Football Club and Matt O’Neill who provided his
fabulous DJ skills free of charge and entertained the children making it a successful
event. Thank you to all those who attended.
Keep an eye out for future events as the committee are planning many more and
these will be advertised on Facebook and noticeboards around the village. We are
hoping to raise enough money to replace the wooden bus that is in the garden but is now
falling apart. It has provided many years of fun for the children, in fact one of our
committee members has a picture of herself as a child playing on it!
If you, a friend or family member has a child aged 2 or over and would be interested
in looking around Pre-school please contact me on the number below or via email as we
are now filling our few remaining spaces for the year ahead. There is government
funding available for some 2 year old children to attend Pre-school and to see if you are
eligible for this please check the Northamptonshire County Council website where there
is an ‘online eligibility checker’. If you are unable to access this please give me a call on
the number below.
If you would like any information on any of the above or to look around please
contact Julie Tompkins on 07563 574155 or at [email protected].
Julie Tompkins 07563 574155
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Police Specials
I am pleased to announce that the number of Special Police Constables recruited by
Northamptonshire Police has now passed the 500 mark! This is a huge achievement
giving Northants Police the largest Special Constabulary per head of population and the
largest ratio of Specials to regular officers, in the country. This is testament not only to the
hard work of the Force, but also the fantastic support of local people who want to give
something back their community.
Want help finding a Parish Special Constable for Bugbrooke?
The ambition over time is to have a Parish Special Constable in each and every village.
We would like to help you find a Parish Special Constable for your village by inviting you to
ask us to carry out a ‘knock and drop’ event. Knock and drops involve every house in a
community being visited by PCSOs, Special Constables and other volunteers. We invite
residents to attend a locally-held recruitment event, usually on the forthcoming Saturday at
a venue such as the local pub or village hall. These events provide residents the
opportunity to learn more about the role of Special Constables and how to apply, but also
allows them to raise any wider policing concerns they may have locally.
If you would like any further information on becoming a Parish Special Constable e
contact [email protected] or phone 01604 888113.
A Carol for the 21st Century
Tune: O Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)
Oh LED, Oh LED
Your bulbs need never changing
You brighten up our Christmas tree
And use so little energy
Oh LED, OH LED
Your bulbs need never changing
OH LED, Oh LED
(Light-emitting diode-ee)
Come light our eaves and gables all
And Santa’s ladder up the wall
Oh LED, Oh LED
(Light-emitting diode-ee)
(And with a passing reference to that other application of the tune)
Then shine your lights in deepest red
On garden shrub and garden shed
Or in pure white on tree branch high
Like twinkling stars in winter sky
Though scrooges scoff and cynics sneer
We’ll keep your bright lights shining here
Jim Inch
Bugbrooke and District Flower Society
We enjoyed a different kind of evening at our October meeting. Ann Horsley appeared
resplendent in costume to tell us about The Life and Times of an Elizabethan Lady. Ann is
a multi-talented lady of the second Elizabethan age, being a National Demonstrator,
National Speaker as well as making her exquisite outfits. The competition - 'An all foliage
arrangement' was won by our chairman Dianne Gardner.
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So another year of flowers and friendship draws to a close. The AGM will take place on January
26th followed by a buffet supper. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings so if you love flowers
do come along to Nether Heyford Village Hall on the 4th Monday of each month(except Bank
Holidays) at 7.45pm. You are sure to have a pleasant relaxing time.
Jane Barker
Talking Rubbish
This regular column is intended to be a way of keeping village residents informed about
environment issues in Bugbrooke.
The Shady Lane linear park project, along the public footpath from Pilgrim’s Lane
Spinney to the Homestead Drive stiles, is nearly finished. The autumn/winter colour
planting is already starting to look great. Teams of residents, Cubs and Beavers have
been busy planting bulbs (narcissi, snowdrops, crocus & tulips) and wild flower seeds so
we can anticipate a lovely display all along the path in the spring. After October half term,
each of the classes in the primary school is planting a fruit bush, a tree and a shrub along
with a marker post to record the event and help them find their plants in the future.
There is also a new slope joining the metalled path to the unmade path to Pilgrims
Lane (which is the formal right of way). This has been well received and I have also been
doing some simple drainage work to try to reduce the puddles and mud along this stretch
of path.
Unfortunately, there was a vandalism incident between Sunday evening and Tuesday
morning 26 October. Six plants were damaged/uprooted. This incident was followed by the
uprooting/dumping of several more plants in the area around the new kissing gate at the
end of Pilgrims Lane.
There have been several other acts of vandalism and littering in this area on two
Saturday evenings during October, after England’s defeats in the World Cup group stage
to Wales on 4 October and to Australia on 17 October.
Turning to dog fouling, there has been a steady fall in the number of instances of
uncollected poo found over the last 6 months with the 4 week moving average falling from
nearly 40 to below 20 instances per week. So far two people have been identified and a
change in their behaviour has helped achieve the reduction.
Set in the context of the number of dogs living in the village and visiting to stay or go
for a walk, this means we still have a small but persistent and unacceptable number of
individuals who are not following the law. The evidence suggests that these people share
dog walking with other people, probably others in their family, who do pick up.
It is distressing to find dog poo near your home or on your garden or, worse still, to
come into contact with it, especially when a child is involved. I know some public-spirited
dog walkers and others are picking up left poo as well as me. To help keep the mapping
as accurate as possible, if you collect &/or bag any left poo please can you let me know
where and when plus a brief description of what you’ve removed. I will also come and
remove poo if you let me know where it has been left.
If you find animal faeces, it may not be dog-related. I have regularly observed and
collected fox faeces on the playing fields, in the half away from the community centre and
clubhouses.
Finally, a word about glass litter. Broken glass is one of the most dangerous
environmental hazards causing large numbers of injuries, minor and very serious. It can
also cause damage to property and even vehicle accidents. Sweeping broken glass to one
side, throwing it into undergrowth or burying it is not only ineffective as it doesn’t
decompose, it is also dangerous as soil will push the glass to the surface, especially after
rain. I have removed huge amounts of glass in cleaning up the ground along the Shady
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Lane and more is still coming up.
If you see broken glass around the village, please let me know and I will remove it
as soon as possible. If you see a glass bottle or drinking glass lying around, if at all
possible, please pick it up and bin it safely before it can be smashed.
Jonathan Dunn
07920 (422848): Email [email protected]
My apologies dear readers for the absence of the Neighbourhood Watch ‘Blog’ in the
last issue of the ‘LINK’ but pressure of work, and the complete memory loss of when the
copy was due to be with the editor are my only mitigating pleas.
This was made worse because I wanted to thank all those people I met at the
‘Village Tea Party’, organised by the Parish Council and the W.I. in July, for agreeing to
become ‘Street Wardens’. I now have a large part of the village covered, and am boring
them, sorry keeping them up to date, by forwarding the information I get from the various
authorities.
We will certainly need to keep an eye on one another, as the advice from all the
people who know, and confirmed at recent meetings, is that the present limited police
coverage is not going to get better any time soon, indeed it is going to get worse.
CRIME STATISTICS, (Source – UKCrimeStats)
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Anti
Social
Behaviour
Burglary/
Robbery
Vehicle
Violent
Drugs
Criminal
Damage
& Arson
Theft
Public
Order/
Other
Total
Jun
16
3
2
7
0
1
3
1
33
Jul
12
4
3
11
0
5
2
1
38
Aug
12
8
3
11
1
4
6
0
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Month
The dedicated hotline for Neighbourhood Watch has now been rescinded. Please note,
therefore:
Non-Urgent crimes or incidents – 101 Emergencies or crimes in progress - 999
SCAMS
Mail and Online scams can extort large amounts of money from elderly and vulnerable
victims. If you have a relative, neighbour, or friend who is getting large amounts of this
type of mail, there may be a good chance they have responded to a scam.

Scams include:
You have won a lottery, sweepstake, or competition BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND
MONEY
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
Money you have won is being held in a holding company BUT YOU HAVE TO
SEND MONEY

Somebody has left you an inheritance BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND MONEY

A clairvoyant can stop bad luck/direct good luck towards you BUT YOU HAVE
TO SEND MONEY

There is a “secret” deal which will make you rich BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND
MONEY
Remember, if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Advice from trading
standards is:
Never respond to scam mail – even those that appear to have official stamps.
Never send money in advance to claim a prize.
Never give out your personal or financial details to strangers or to people who
should have this information already.
Always shred anything on which your personal or bank details appear.
They only succeed if their greed persuades you to succumb to your own greed.
For further information and advice on how to protect yourself from scams visit the
Northampton trading standards webpage, www.thinkjessica.com or
www.actionfraud.police.uk
Bugbrooke St. Michael’s Football Club
At the moment life is proving tough in the United Counties League for the 1st and
reserve teams. They are going to have to show plenty of resolve in the next few months
to get themselves into a respectable league position. We have achieved success in the
past and, unfortunately for current teams, expectations are always high at BSMFC. With
lots of effort we feel sure both teams can meet expectations.
The “A” and “B” teams are both going well in the Northants Combination. The “B”
are currently in 2nd position whilst the “A” who have jumped 4 divisions in the
reorganised league, are doing well to hold their own and getting some good results
against other clubs’ first and reserve teams.
The youth teams continue to make good progress under the guidance of fine
coaching and enthusiasm of parents. All teams are competing well in their league and
the winter will test their keenness and resolve to finish well at the end of the season.
Every game counts when April comes round.
The club is always keen to welcome visitors on match days and is providing an
excellent venue for parties and family occasions. If you are interested in booking the
facilities please contact the Chairman, Kevin Gardner.
John Curtis
Roade Community Orchestra
Members of Roade Community Orchestra invite you to come along to their annual
Christmas Concert at Roade Primary School, Hartwell Road, Roade on Tuesday
evening the 8th December 2015 at 7.00 p.m. Tickets — Adults £5, Children £3 to include
mince pie and drink. Easy parking in the playground or village. If you are interested in
joining the orchestra in future you may like to know that no audition is required and you
will be given warm welcome. We do have members that live in your area. For more
information please contact Ian Brown on 01327 860909 or visit our website
www.roadecommunityorchestra.com
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Announcements
The Staniland family apologise for the delay in thanking everyone for their contributions at
George’s funeral. The amount collected was shared out at £153.31 each to the following
charities: Marie Curie, The Royal British Legion and Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air
Ambulance. Thank you all once again. John, Robert and Richard Staniland.
Edna Attwood — Pete, Mirian, Mandy and families would like to thank everyone for their
kind words, cards and support on the sad loss of Edna. We would also like to thank all
those who came to the service and the Community Centre afterwards to help us to celebrate her life and to say farewell. We find it comforting to know how respected and loved
she was. She will be greatly missed by all.
Berkshire – Alan and Rose.To all the old (and young) codgers who turned up to dance the
night away at our Golden Wedding Party – Thank you! Seriously, thank you all so much
for all of our cards and presents. We had a wonderful day made very special by our amazing family and friends.
Sue Pace -The LINK Committee wish to express their sadness on hearing of the death of
Sue Pace on 4th November and to send their love to Tony and sympathy to her family.
Diary
December
7
7:30pm
WI - ‘Let’s Make Music’
CC
14
2:30pm
U3A - A Winter Quiz
CC
19
2:30pm
Jesus Fellowship — Christmas Carol Singing
BC
4
7:30pm
WI - Games Evening
CC
18
2:30pm
26
7:45pm
January
U3A - ‘The Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands and
Islands’ by Neil McMahon
Bugbrooke and District Flower Society AGM/Supper
CC
NHVH
Ch - St Michael & All Angels
CC - Community Centre SS - Sunday School
BC - Bugbrooke Chapel VH - Village Hall NHVH - Nether Heyford Village Hall
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From all of us at LINK, we send you our
best Christmas wishes and hope for a
peaceful New Year