Parish Assembly Thursday 4th 7.30pm Village Hall Village Hall Committee Tuesday 9th 8pm Parish Office Coffee Morning Sat 13th 11am Village Hall Pebbles Sun 14th 10.30am Village Hall Friendship Club Tues 16th 2.30pm 2 Anson Close Pebbles Sun 28th 10.30am Village Hall Pilates Tuesdays 8pm Village Hall Toddler Group Thursdays 10-11.30am Village Hall Mobile Library Thursday 18th
Flood Defence
As you are all aware we have been trying to get this moving for two years now but keep coming up against obstacles. Below is the latest response from the County on the progress of the installation of the Banbury Road pipe:
'I fear you may have come to the wrong conclusion regarding the Banbury Road project. Gaydon is still on the reserve list and the status has not changed. If and when an approved scheme fails to crystallise then the Gaydon project will proceed. Obviously, until finance is available it is not appropriate to encounter legal costs and other associated costs. The funding for large schemes cannot be broken down to fund smaller schemes when there are other large scale schemes within the district.'
If residents would like to meet County Councillor Chris Williams to discuss this, I'm sure it can be arranged.
With regard to the balancing pond behind the Kineton Road we have asked if a consultant could advise us. The owner of the field behind the houses has greatly improved the ditches and so we would like advice as to whether a balancing pond is still required. Again this is subject to funding being allocated to us.
Highways have been chased again regarding the clearing of the pond.
Church Road Bench
This will be repaired in the Spring.
Play Area
Unfortunately we were unable to secure funding from the County Council. The reason given was because we haven't adopted a Parish Plan. We are still looking at other ways of obtaining funding.
Parish Plan
We still need residents to help. It is hoped that a meeting will be arranged shortly with a representative from the District Council who will be able to answer questions.
Photocopier
The photocopier in the office is 'Out of Order'. A part has been ordered and we are hoping that it will be fixed shortly.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is the Parish Assembly at 7.30pm on Thursday, 4th March. Councillors will give reports on the year and Mr. Phil Ward will give a talk on Affordable Housing. At 8pm the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting will begin. Residents are very welcome to attend.
7 8.00 Eucharist Burton Dassett
10.00 Eucharist Fenny Compton
11.15 Morning Service Gaydon
11.30 Eucharist Farnborough
14 9.00 Eucharist Fenny Compton
10.00 Morning Service Farnborough
10.00 Eucharist Northend
11.15 Growing Together Gaydon
6.00pm Evening Service Burton Dassett
21 8.00 Eucharist Farnborough
9.00 Eucharist Gaydon
10.30 Morning Service Fenny Compton
10.30 Eucharist Northend
28 9.30 Eucharist Northend
10.30 Family Service Fenny Compton
11.30 Family Eucharist Gaydon
6.00pm Evening Service Farnborough
Holy Week
29 7.00pm Eucharist Northend
30 7.00pm Eucharist Farnborough
31 11.00 Eucharist Gaydon
1st April 7.30pm Easter Vigil Gaydon
Men's Group
For your diaries: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15 April - no meeting in March.
The Library will visit Gaydon on Thursday 18 March.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 16th February at 2.30pm at Mrs Josie Liddington's house in Wellesbourne.
in Gaydon Village Hall on Saturday 13 March at 11am; Home-made cakes and jam; Bring and Buy; Raffle.
We are beginning to settle in to our new home at Carver Barracks. Essex feels very different to Warwickshire and we are looking forward to exploring, particularly visiting all the places that many of you have told us about around this area. Bramble and Treacle seem to be enjoying army life; they like their new home and large garden.
Philip's new job has started well and he is already busy within the regiment and has made a number of contacts with local churches, most notably Thaxted, which has a glorious church with a feel of some of the magic of Burton Dassett.
Philip's last service in the parish was truly memorable for us both (and not just because of the freezing cold)! We were delighted to see so many parishioners and friends and to be able to mark the end of a long period of worship and friendship together.
Thank you all for the lovely presents; we are so looking forward to our day at Newmarket races and also to enjoying the beautiful Galway crystal (along with the contents!).
Thank you again; we wish you all well and hope to keep in touch with all that goes on within the Dassett Magna Group of Parishes. Philip and Philippa
1st March: St David''s Day
Celebrate Wales' National day in The Gaydon Inn with Daffodils and Leeks; feel free to wear the Welsh costume!
5th March: Seafood Platter Evening
Join us for an extravagant evening of seafood - this is not to be missed!
14th March: Mother's Day
The Gaydon Inn will be open all day for food and drinks so spoil your mum on this important date and bring her for a meal that is as good as she deserves!
17th March: St Patrick's Day
Pint of Guinness and perhaps you may be visited by the leprechaun?
26th March: Live Music - MOD Story are playing live
It should be one to remember! Starts at 8.30pm
2nd April: Good Friday
The Gaydon Inn will be having a Karaoke Disco.
Come along and sing your favourite song. This is a brilliant night to be had by all! Starts at 8pm.
The Gaydon Inn is warm and cosy with its Central Heating and we want the Village to enjoy The Gaydon Inn
(especially now the red is going!). Telephone 640388 for Bookings
Parish Clerk
Please bear in mind that the Parish Clerk works 4.5 hours a week for our Parish. If you need to contact her please leave a message on her answerphone between the hours of 9.30am til 5.30pm Monday to Thursday or alternatively, if it is difficult for you to call during the day, between 6.30pm and 8pm Monday to Thursday. She will contact you as soon as she is able. Please do not call her late in the evening. Thank you.
A big thank you to all those who attended the Quiz Night on 10th February. A total of £439 was raised, which will go towards the money already raised for stocking and opening of the shop. The next fund-raiser is the Murder Mystery evening which is scheduled for Saturday 17th April in the village hall (not 13th April as previously stated). Tickets are available from Bev Pirie or Debi Morisot behind the bar at the Malt Shovel. Tickets are priced at £25 per head and include a three course meal (bring your own drinks). Places are limited to 40 so you need to book quickly.
We shall have our first AGM on 9th April at 7.30pm in the village hall. Shareholders will receive an AGM pack shortly with full details but everyone is invited and drinks and refreshments will be provided afterwards. This will be an opportunity to come and see the work so far on the barn and also to put your name forward as a volunteer to help behind the counter. We are aiming for a provisional opening date of end May 2010. As ever, shares are available to purchase by anyone at £10 each. Shares are limited to one per person which in turn counts as one vote at the AGM. Further details can be obtained from www.gaydonvillagestore.co.uk or by calling 07794 187352.
We need help with marketing, particularly in the run up to the opening date. We are also looking for sponsors as we would like to produce jute shopping bags for use by local residents if possible. If you think you can help, or know anyone who might be able to, please contact us at the details given above. Claire Hamm
It is with sorrow that we record the death of Mrs Betty Machin, at the age of 88, in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, on 28 January 2010. Betty lived in Tollgate Cottage for many years and was a keen supporter of Gaydon Women's Institute; fellow-members will remember her with affection.
Hold a Fish and Chip Supper to help spinal cord injured people live full and independent lives.
Great British Fish and Chip Supper - Friday 21st May 2010
Want to do something different? Want to raise money where you live or work? Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity? Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 21st May 2010 whilst raising awareness of spinal cord injury and supporting SIA's information and support services.
You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre.
SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. By inviting 7 friends and asking them to donate an additional £5.00 means you will raise at least £35.00 from your supper but we will also give you additional fundraising ideas to raise even more money for SIA.
Last year we had over 80 suppers taking part in England and Wales. In 2010 we want to double that figure and ensure we can provide more support to spinal cord injured people.
The money raised from the suppers will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives.
Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone.
Community Fundraising Officer, Elizabeth Wright, says:
"The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity for a great evening with friends and family. We are also encouraging people to hold a Fish and Chip Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds. You may be a local community group wanting to run a fun evening with your group. Make a real difference and help spinal cord injured people gain access to the information and support they need to enable them to live full and independent lives."
For more information or to request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 678 6633 xtn 229
or email fishandchips@spinal.co.uk or visit www.spinal.co.uk
Easter Holiday Activities
27 March - 11 April
Easter Quiz - Come and join our HMC kids characters on an Easter quiz around the museum! This activity is free of charge and available all week. Children must be accompanied by an adult and standard museum entrance fee applies.
Go Karting - The Easter holidays see the re-opening of our Go Karts and Miniature Roadway, (age and height restrictions apply).
These will be open daily from 11am until 4pm but are weather-dependent.
Stop Start Under 17 driving sessions
Great for bored teenagers, learner driving experiences for 15+yrs in our dual-controlled vehicles. These 1 hour sessions cost £30 and are available during the school holidays.
Pre-booking is essential - Tel: 01926 645029 and the price includes entrance to the Museum for the driver.
For more information about any of these events please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.
28 March
Roary the Racing Car TM and Big ChrisTM
These well-loved TV characters will be visiting the Heritage Motor Centre at various intervals throughout the day for a family fun day of colouring, quizzes, photo opportunities and more.
The Centre's electric Go Karts will be open for those under 8yrs who want to have some fun behind the wheel and the petrol Go Karts will be open for those 8yrs and over. Normal museum admission prices apply.
1st and 8th April
Easter Activity Days: Painting racing cars
These free drop-in family activities will run on Thursdays the 1st and 8th of April in our Education Room from 11am to 3pm.
Normal museum admission prices apply and children will get to take home what they make. Children must be supervised at all times.
For more information visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.
First Signs of Spring?
As I write this in mid-February, there is still snow on the ground and below-freezing temperatures. In spite of this, Snowdrops are flowering along with Wych Hazel (Hamamelis) and Helebores (often known as Christmas Rose). All these species were once common in the wild but today they are found more often in gardens. The Wood Helebore is still found in our local woods and being an evergreen is conspicuous in the leafless surroundings.
On milder days swarms of Midges appear but insect life is sparse. Birds are still high profile; a large flock of Siskins drifted into Gaydon for a few days - there is safety in numbers. Their song is similar to that of a Goldfinch with rippling water permeated by a distinct rasping. Rooks are now sitting around their nests from last year and will pair up soon - their black feathers are excellent heat-absorbers, even of weak sunshine. There are tracks of foxes all around the village and reports of chickens being taken in the day on the Banbury Road. Footpaths are best walked in the early morning when still frozen, as they become slippery mud slides later on; but the days are slowly getting longer and there have been some magnificent sunsets recently, much enhanced by the bleak landscape.
Lambing tends to be a more organised activity these days; no longer are Ewes left out to give birth naturally. It is the shed or Polytunnel now for shelter. Sponging, which is an articificial method giving a more exact time when lambs will be dropped, is expensive but saves night-long vigils. Mortality is inevitable even today. Many sheep now have triplets which lead to complications: having had my arm inside many sheep, I will not go into details! Foxes and crows are mostly blamed but I would think they are maybe only 10% of the problem in reality. One thing is sure: a dead animal does not last long in winter and will soon be eaten up.
I expect to see primroses soon and wood Anemones, which are the primary species to take advantage of lack of leaf cover giving light for rapid growth. It's essental that feeding should continue with garden birds which are probably recognisable as "regulars" to your garden. I could set a clock on the visits of a Song Thrush and Pied Wagtail who know my dogs will leave a few biscuits behind in their bowls after a morning feed!
A few weeks ago I noticed a new Badger sett near a footpath. I don't think they have hibernated much and this is probably a young animal setting up a territory. Look out for the snowdrops in Chadshunt and those transplanted to Gaydon. Bernard Price
Gaydon Website www.gaydon.org.uk
Magazine Editor Julie Rickman 640349 email:jr@riscos.org
Churchwardens Margaret Phelps 640559
John Goldsmith 642571
Village Hall ChairPerson Debbie Price 640757
Village Hall Bookings Sue Middleditch 640695 22 St Marks Close
Neighbourhood Watch Ian Miller 641006
Village Store www.gaydonvillagestore.co.uk
Parish Clerk Corinne Hill 641220
email:Corinnehill@parishgaydon.freeserve.co.uk