Parish Council Thurs 5th 8pm Village Hall
Church Cleaning Sat 7th 10am St Giles' Church
Village Hall Committee Mon 9th 8pm Village Hall
Coffee Morning Sat 14th 11am Village Hall
Pilates Tuesdays 6.30pm Village Hall
Mobile Library Thursday 19th
New Settlement
Please note that the deadline for resonses to the District Council is Friday 13 September. The deadline has been extended to the 27th for parish councils.
If you missed the 'drop-in' session in Gaydon on 7 August, there are two more sessions being held:
Wednesday 4 September 10am-1pm at Bishops Itchington Late Shop (Co-op); and Monday 9 September 3pm-7pm at Lighthorne Heath Village Shop.
Next Meeting: Thursday 5th September at 8pm.
At the start of the next meeting of the Gaydon Parish Council, residents will have the opportunity to give their views on the new settlement. A member of the District Council will be present to respond.
Community Forum
The next Community Forum for Wellesbourne and Kineton will take place on Thursday 26 September from 7pm-9pm at Wellesbourne Watermill. Further information can be found on the Localities and Communities website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk
1st
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Burton Dassett
10.30 Morning Prayer Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Gaydon
6.00pm Evensong Farnborough
8th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Farnborough
9.00 Holy Communion Gaydon
10.30 Holy Communion Fenny Compton
10.30 Communion by extension, Northend
6.00pm Evening Service Burton Dassett
15th
9.00 Holy Communion Farnborough
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Gaydon
10.30 Family Service Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Northend
22nd
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Farnborough
10.30 Prayer and Praise Gaydon
10.30 Morning Prayer Northend
29th
10.30 Group Communion Burton Dassett
Weekday Service
There will be a service of Holy Communion at the Church of St Giles on Thursday 26 September at 10.30am.
At last a decent summer!
I know I went on about the great number of butterfly species on the wing last month; however, I hope I am forgiven for adding a few more. I have been seriously worried over the last two summers as to whether we would ever see our familiar species in any numbers again.
This year, they have returned en masse, as I am sure your Buddleia bushes indicate, being laden with Peacocks, Red Admirals and Small Tortoishells. The ragged-winged Comma, which has a dark and light phase known as var. Hutchisoni, are also in good numbers and are reputed to feed not only on hop but the ubiquitous Russian Vine.
A great treat, for the first time there have been Silver Washed Fritillaries around the brambles of Gaydon; and Brimstone and Holly Blue were seen last week in my garden. These two species will be a dead certainty if you have Holly or Alder Buckthorn in your hedge.
A few nights ago I was woken by the bizarre metallic scraping sound of my dogs' feeding bowls being dragged around the patio. It was a full moon, so peering sleepily from my window (it was 3.30am!), I saw a pair of hedgehogs feeding from them and tipping the edges over. I think these two have lived in my garden for years as I get very few slugs and I have never used those accursed "Slugs Pellets".
It has been a good year for birds too. Cuckoos were heard in the centre of the village and Ravens are often seen circling the thermals - listen for a groaning call of "Cronk" quite unlike Crows or Rooks.
There seems to be a plague of Mice too. My old cat died at an advanced age and I have at last relented and obtained two Bengal Cats which resemble miniature Leopards, though they are in fact a Jungle Cat, reputed to bring you everything they catch! They don't hunt birds either and Growl rather than mew. They have huge ears and spotted coats and sit on my lap as I write.
Some great shows of wildflowers on the verges: I have heard that the much-maligned Ragwort is in fact only dangerous when dried in hay for Horses. If it is not intended for this purpose, the benefits are a great source of nectar for all insects. Some by Itchington Holt are being eaten by yellow and black Cinnabar Moth larvae and the flower heads are attracting spectacular day-flying Burnet Moths and Blue Butterflies; so maybe some should be spared.
There are some great websites to take part in now: Butterfly Conservation Surveys, National Moth night, and People's Scientists (this last one to record roadkill, so maybe of limited interest for some but doing valuable work with our volatile traffic flows around Warwickshire).
Long may the sunny days continue! Bernard Price.
The Library will be here on Thursday 19 September. The van will be at the Telephone Box at 1.50-2.10pm and at St Marks Close from 2.15-2.35pm.
Our coffee mornings start the new term on Saturday 14 September at 11am in the Village Hall. We look forward to meeting all the regulars and hope that we can welcome some newcomers too. Cakes and produce will be on sale and there will be a raffle. Proceeds go to the upkeep of the church.
On Saturday 28 September, 1-3pm at Kineton High School, you can buy and sell good quality second-hand clothes, toys and equipment for children aged 0-13 years. You get 75% of the price with 25% going to Kineton Playgroup Ltd and the sale is open to all, whether your child is at the playgroup or not.
For more details, and to get a seller's pack, contact 640010 or email kinetonplaygroup@btconnect.com
Kineton Scout Hut, alternate Tuesday mornings from 10am-1pm, starting 10 September £17.50 per session including refreshments. There is the opportunity to attend a series of classes in drawing from the figure. The tutor is a figurative artist, experienced in teaching life drawing.
You can book to come to an individual class or to all 7 classes. Each class will develop different skills using a range of drawing media and techniques. Basic materials and paper will be provided.
For more information or to book, phone Penny on 641422; mobile number 0786 623 9130; email pennyvigers@gmail.com
Sunday 8 December has been chosen for the Christmas Lunch this year. Please make a note in your diaries, whether you be lunchers or helpers! Invitations usually go out in November but it would be nice to have some helpers signed up by October. Please ring me on 640349 or call at the Old Bakehouse if you would like to help with cooking or serving this year. Julie Rickman
Sadly, the last days of Summer are with us and cooler days and nights are just around the corner so it's a good time to start thinking about the cost of heating.
Last month our members saved £58.80 per 1000 litres against the average market price, paying just 55.75 pence per litre of heating oil. How did your supplier compare?
Our bulk LPG members are saving between £150 and £260 per annum and we are also able to offer great savings and free delivery on LPG cylinders.
If you would like to find out more about reducing the cost of your heating oil or making a saving on your LPG please email oil@wrccrural.org.uk or call Sarah on 01789 472611.
Country Car Boot Sale Sunday 8 September at Honington Hall Estate By kind permission of Sarah Lady Wiggin and Benjamin Wiggin, to book a pitch please contact Rebecca 01608 674929. 24 Hour Bake-athon Friday 27 September to Saturday 28th at Shipston Sports Club 12 noon - 12 noon. Come and support our nurses by baking up a storm for the charity. For more information contact Jodie Wright on 07835 425244. Supper and Dancing Friday 27 September from 7.45pm-1am at Magpie House, Honington. Tickets £45 per head - tables of ten - thanks to George and Emma Barkes. For tickets contact Rebecca 01608 674929. Three Peaks Challenge for Ben and Friends Friday 27th September - Sunday 29th September
GPs from Shipston Medical Centre, David Williams, Tim Marshall and Paul Daniel are joining up with their friend Ben Lindon to attempt the national three peaks in the last weekend in September. One of the group, Ben, has a brain tumour and is raising funds for brain cancer research and they are all planning to raise funds for SHN and also contribute some to his charity. To donate to SHN go to http://www.justgiving.com/climbing-for-compassion;
To donate to Ben's page go to https://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Lindon
The 100km epic route starts 8.30am; 25 mile leisure ride starts 9am. For more info call Rebecca 01608 674929.
If you missed the 'drop-in' session in Gaydon on 7 August, a representative of Stratford District Council will be at the following venues to meet villagers and talk about the new settlement proposed for Lighthorne Heath:
Weds. 4 September 10-1pm, Bishops Itchington Late Shop (Co-op);
Monday 9 September 3pm-7pm at Lighthorne Heath Village Shop.
is pleased to tell you that it is stocking three new local products for you: beautiful Folly Flowers, grown at Bishop's Itchington; hand-made soap from Ashorne; and three new beers from Byatt's micro brewery, Coventry.
The flowers are grown in season - no artificial heating or lighting - and sold locally, so no air miles. No artificial fertilisers, no spraying. Really different and interesting bouquets at £5.50 each.
Blossom Tree Soap is made using only natural quality oils, butters and essential oils. They make superb gifts - or indulge yourself. There are samples in the shop to feel and smell.
Byatts Regal Blond - a pale straw ale, smooth and easy drinking; Phoenix Gold - a golden ale, crisp and refreshing; and XK Dark - big malt aroma and flavours.
Sunday 6 October
Harvest Festival service at 10.30am at Gaydon; All Saints' Church, Chadshunt, Candle-light Service at 3pm.
There will be a Messy Church at Fenny Compton on Sunday 8 September at 3.30pm in the Village Hall; and at Temple Herdewyke on Sunday 22nd.
September 1st is the Feast Day of St Giles, Patron Saint of cripples, beggars and blacksmiths; our Parish Church is dedicated to him.
Giles lived as a hermit in Provence in the early part of the 8th Century, his only companion a hind which he had rescued from huntsmen led by Flavius Wamba, King of the Visigoths. The King, much impressed by him, established a monastery of which Giles became Abbot.
The small banner in the north aisle of our church, depicting St Giles, was hand-sewn in 1962 by the children attending Gaydon School. It was carried by them at the Consecration Ceremony of the newly-built Coventry Cathedral.
The east window, dedicated to Edward Bolton King in 1878, also shows St Giles with the hind wounded by an arrow.
Something to sell or a service to offer?
Send us your small ad and we will print it free of charge!
Trade Your Tractor* is the new and easy way to buy, sell and advertise your rural machinery for FREE online. Sam Roberts, the founder of Trade your Tractor had the idea of setting up a forum offering a service to the agricultural and rural sector, where people can buy and sell their machinery without having to pay a fortune.
Sam says, "There is no 'middle man' to take commission, so the money is all yours. It is not just a site for advertising machinery; there are plenty more things to do and get involved in. There is a section called 'Find a Contractor' where agricultural and rural contractors can advertise themselves completely free of charge.
"There are other things on the site like the weather, and rural and farming news, so you can be kept up to date with all the goings on. "Trade Your Tractor is a great and fresh-looking site bringing new ideas to helping you sell your machine. It is easy to navigate and is very quick when uploading your own advert, with a step-by-step guide making sure you don't miss anything out. If you're selling any machinery and you want it sold quickly and advertised for FREE, I suggest you check the site out." www.tradeyourtractor.co.uk
*See the inside back cover of this month's magazine. Ed.
Warwickshire County Council on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership has received nearly £230,000 worth of applications in response to round one of its new grant scheme for small rural businesses.
The grant scheme is part of a wider package of support including specialist advice, one-to-one mentoring, coaching, loans and property. We would encourage rural businesses in any sector and people looking to start their own business to contact us to find out how the Rural Growth Network can help.
The next deadline for applications is noon on the 27 September 2013. Applications are particularly sought from micro businesses operating in the manufacturing, digital media and low carbon sectors. Applications from women-led businesses are also encouraged.
Grants from £10,000 to £100,000 are available for eligible projects and applicants will be supported by Warwickshire's Rural Growth Network Team and the University of Warwick Science Park's Business Support team.
For more information about the Rural Growth Network Telephone
01926 412709 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ruralgrowthnetwork
Don't wait for another freezing winter, book your free electric blanket 'MOT' now, Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service is urging residents.
Warwickshire Trading Standards will provide electric blanket tests FREE OF CHARGE, for Warwickshire residents aged 50 or over, between Monday 30th September and Friday 4th October 2013.
Don't miss this opportunity! Old or damaged electric blankets cause fires!
Testing is by appointment only, limited appointments, first come first served, a two-blankets per person maximum has been set.
Leamington Town Hall, Monday 30th September 2013
Nuneaton Fire Station, Tuesday 1st October 2013
Rugby Library, Wednesday 2nd October 2013
Kenilworth Library, Thursday 3rd October 2013
Stratford Briar Croft, Friday 4th October 2013
To book an appointment, call the Trading Standards Service on: 414016 (Monday to Friday) or email: ebtesting@warwickshire.gov.uk
to the Church Autumnal Clean-up Saturday 7 September at 10am
Please come and help clean St Giles' Church!
Dust, cobwebs, dirt, mould, dead flies, crumbling plaster: you name it, we need to clear it up.
The repairs to the west window created no end of a mess and we need many hands to make light work.
Everyone welcome!
Bring your own mops and dusters.
Refreshments will be served!