PC APA & AGM Thurs 8th 8pm Village Hall
Coffee Morning & Plant Sale Sat 10th 11am Village Hall
Village Hall AGM Mon 12th 8pm Village Hall
Friendship Club Tues 20th 2.30pm Dormers
Pilates Tuesdays 6.30pm Village Hall
GAYDON CALENDAR
HALF TERM MON 26th to 30th MAY
BIG LUNCH SUN 20th JULY VILLAGE HALL
CHURCH CHRISTMAS FAIR SAT 29th NOVEMBER VILLAGE HALL
CHRISTMAS LUNCH SUN 7th DECEMBER VILLAGE HALL
Village Green
Following the work under their wayleave agreement on the Village Green, Western Power have laid turf on part of the damaged area and seeded other areas. They have asked their contractor to review the condition and liaise with the Parish Council in May.
We have received complaints regarding vehicles parking on the turf. We would like to remind residents that this Green is a registered Village Green which protects it against all uses except recreation. It is not for the parking of vehicles. If you see a vehicle parked on the Green can you please note the date, time and registration number and pass to either the clerk or a councillor.
Plants and Vegetation
Just a reminder to try and keep the footways clear of vegetation.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Consultation
This consultation runs until 20th June and proposes a fire station in Gaydon. The consultation does not state where the fire station will be located and the County Council has said 'we have not yet decided on an exact location for the response point, as the new response model is still only a proposal and still subject to the outcomes of the consultation'. If you wish to read or respond to this consultation, it is available on www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue
Next meeting: Thursday, 8th May at 8pm; Annual Parish Assembly (updates on the year) followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
Sunday 4th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Burton Dassett
10.30 Morning Prayer Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Gaydon
6.00pm Evensong Farnborough
Sunday 11th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Farnborough
9.00 Holy Communion Gaydon
10.30 Holy Communion Fenny Compton
10.30 Communion by extension at Northend
6.00pm Evening Prayer Burton Dassett
Sunday 18th
9.00 Holy Communion Farnborough
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Gaydon
10.30 Morning Worship Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Northend
6.pm Songs of Praise Fenny Compton
Sunday 25th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Fenny Compton
10.30 Family Service Farnborough
10.30 Communion, Archdeacon John Green, Gaydon
10.30 Morning Prayer Northend
Thursday 29th
7.00pm Ascension Day Northend
April
I must begin by mentioning the continued good weather, so unlike last spring. The village is full of blossom. Many trees, like the Blackthorn, are weeks early. Even the Hawthorn, a traditional harbinger of May, is starting to appear.
A multitude of hibernating butterflies are on the wing, notably Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells around nettle clumps; along with the fast-flying sulphur-coloured Brimstones. The Orange-tips and Green-veined Whites have emerged early from pupation.
There are also many Bumblebees, hornets and hoverflies on the wing, whilst Ladybirds sun themselves on fences.
Reading some old reminiscences of pre-war Gaydon, the changes in fifty years make an interesting comparison. In the fifties the Elm trees were so prolific that it was difficult to get views of the Burton Dasset hills; Barn Owls and Grey Partridge were a common sight in the fields - but all of these have gone now except for the odd one.
I would draw everyone's attention to the splendid photograph on our cover this month: a Sparrow Hawk killing a Starling. This event occurred just opposite my house. We have all noticed the reverse in populations of birds: the increasingly common Sparrow hawk was once a rare sight due to persecution by Gamekeepers and DDT; whereas now they are often seen. By contrast, the Starling in its grip is fast-declining owing to modern farming practices and the lack of roosting areas. The first Swallows have been seen around the village and will nest here, I hope, having spent the summer in South Africa.
Who would have thought that we would see so many Buzzards in the skies? Last week I also observed a Red Kite hunting over the rapeseed fields near Kineton. We have seen it several times and I think it may have set up permanent residence.
Skylarks are still here and Cuckoos, probably in Spain at present, will reach our county soon (you can track some on-line now!).
Bernard Price
I heard the cuckoo down in Sussex on Easter Monday. Ed.
The Library visit will be on 12 May from 1.30-2pm. The van now calls at the Telephone Box only, no longer visiting St Marks Close.
The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 20 May and it will be held at 2.30pm at Dormers, the home of Mrs Gay Talbot, in Church Road.
Saturday 10 May at 11am in the Village Hall. Contributions of PLANTS, cakes and bric-à-brac are welcome
and there will be a raffle. Please come along! Proceeds go to St Giles' Fabric Fund.
We urgently need Volunteers
'Your' Community village shop has been a welcome asset to Gaydon and the surrounding area. The shop is thriving commercially; however, due to a shortage of volunteers, the shop is at risk of having to close down.
We need YOU to volunteer for just an hour or two on a regular basis to ensure the survival of this little gem at the heart of our village. Full training will be given. No experience required. Volunteers must be over 18.
We would also like to hear from people with relevant skills or experience who could assist with Managerial and Treasury roles. If you, or someone you know, can help, please leave your contact details at the shop, or email gaydonvillagestore@gmail.com or phone 01926 641805. Sue Roberts
The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be the AGM, held in the hall at 8pm on Monday 12 May.
At the meeting held in St Giles' Church on Wednesday 2nd April the following people were elected to hold office:
Alastair Hotchkiss and Julie Rickman will be the new Churchwardens; Martin Phelps, Treasurer; Claire Hamm, Secretary; and John Rickman, Deanery Synod Representative. Members of the Parochial Church Council are Mary Fox, Jo Hotchkiss, Margaret Phelps and Sue Wilkshire.
Hospice at Home Shopping Event at 'Dice' of Shipston on Thursday and Friday, 1st and 2nd May. Open late till 8 on Thursday. 10% off when you visit our newly-opened shop: Clothing, Accessories, Nail Bar and Raffle. Percentage of takings donated to SHN. A Charity Ceilidh with local band "16 Strings and a Dead Goat" in aid of Shipston Home Nursing and Chipping Campden Scout Group on Saturday May 17th at the Townsend Hall, Sheep Street, Shipston on Stour, 8pm - 11pm. Raffle with great prizes! Tickets: Adults £15; Under 14's £3; Fish and Chip Supper and Bar. Call Rebecca 01608 674929 if any queries.
The flowers in church are funded by voluntary contributions. There is a flower Rota just inside the inner door of the church. If you would like to help by providing flowers you can print your name beside the date of the Sunday when you would like to do them. Flowers need to be arranged on the Friday or Saturday before that Sunday; and you are asked to look after them for the rest of the week, if possible.
Please contact Julie Rickman on 640349 for information about vases and other details. A donation is always welcome if you do not feel able to do the flowers yourself.
We have had a very exciting start to the year and have three lots of news to share.
Firstly, we decided that 'Warwickshire Community Oil and LPG Syndicate' had become rather a mouthful and so have changed this to 'Energy Warwickshire' with a dedicated website at www.energywarwickshire.org.uk.
Anyone who is interested in cheaper oil can now both sign up and place an order at their own convenience. Look out for new posters too.
Secondly, thanks to the syndicate, we have been able to reduce the price of bulk LPG from an already low 43pence per litre to just 41pence per litre, with a £100 fuel discount for new domestic members.
People power works!
Lastly, when did you last pay less for your oil in the Winter than in
the Summer? Well, that's what our members have achieved over the last couple of months, paying just 51.95ppl in March and less than 50ppl in April.
We don't think we shall ever get to grips with how the pricing works but so long as it works in favour of our members we'll not be too worried. Over the last 12 months our members have saved an average of over
£52 per 1000 litres against the average market price and a whopping £142 against the market high. How does your oil supplier measure up?
Sarah Brooke-Taylor, Energy Warwickshire , Warwickshire Rural Community Council, http://www.ruralwarwickshire.org.uk/
The flag on the village green was raised on Easter Monday, 21st April, to celebrate the 88th birthday of HM The Queen.
Please bring your Spare Plants to the Village Hall on Saturday 10 May for our Coffee Morning and Plant Sale
Saturday 10 May at 11am in the Village Hall. Contributions of PLANTS, cakes and bric-à-brac are welcome
and there will be a raffle. Please come along! Proceeds go to St Giles' Fabric Fund.
I am researching two children who were evacuated to Gaydon from Coventry in 1939. Their names were Geoffrey and John Spriggs and they lived in Gardener's Cottage belonging to the Chadshunt Estate, with George and Sarah (Smalley) Smallbone. They were in the village for five years and Geoffrey has written a lovely account of their time with the Smallbones which John's family has given me and asked me to enlarge into a book.
The boys were greeted upon their arrival in Gaydon by Mrs Dunne who was the President of the W.I. and during their stay they attended the village school. John sang in the Church and Geoffrey passed his scholarship and attended Leamington College for Boys together with John Hind, the son of the local policeman.
If anyone has any information, memories or photographs passed through their families about the village in 1939, I would be delighted to hear from them.
Angela Crabtree, Coventry; Telephone 02476 693904 e-mail: amcrabtree@hotmail.co.uk
Cut and Come Again Cake Ingredients 225g SR flour 125g softened butter 150g caster sugar 50g mixed peel or glace cherries 125g dried fruit 2tbs orange juice 2 eggs grated rind of an orange (optional) 500g Loaf tin greased and lined or a red silicone mould Method Put the flour, sugar, butter, eggs and orange juice into a processor for 30 seconds or so till well-mixed. Add the fruit and rind, if used, and pulse 3 or 4 times to distribute it through the mixture. Put the mix into the tin or mould and bake for an hour at 175C or 350F or Gas 4. Test with a skewer and cook a little longer if the mixture is still sticky. Cool in the tin.
The Heritage Motor Centre (HMC) in Gaydon, Warwickshire will celebrate its 21st birthday in May by hosting a special exhibition "21 Years 21 Icons" featuring products and people that represent the very best of British motoring. Since the Museum opened on 1 May 1993, its collection has been renowned as one of the finest selections of British motor cars.
The exhibition, which will run from 2 May to the end of December 2014, will feature 21 iconic automotive products including 7 motoring icons, 7 motoring inventions and 7 motoring innovators. From the elegant Jaguar E-type to the black taxi cab, to tyres and Cat's Eyes and iconic motoring figures like Alec Issigonis and William Morris, all embody the pioneering spirit of Britain's contribution to the motor industry. For all of the 21, the exhibition will explore their history and why they are so important to Britain's automotive evolution.
As part of the Centre's 21st celebrations it is also offering the opportunity for residents from the neighbouring villages of Gaydon and Lighthourne Heath to visit the HMC on the 2, 3, 4 and 5 May for just £5 per person, the original price when the Centre opened 21 years ago. Residents need to bring a utility bill and photographic ID showing where they live.
For more information about the Heritage Motor Centre please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.
Interment of Ashes
Consent for the interment of ashes in the designated area in the churchyard of St Giles lies solely with the Vicar and the Parochial Church Council in accordance with the Churchyard Regulations issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese.
The Parochial Church Council agreed on 22.1.14 that a flat stone, of a similar type to the existing stones, and being no larger than 21" x 21"/530mm x 530mm with no in-built vases, may be laid, flush to the ground. No other type of stone may be used. Any floral tributes should be in a removable container for ease of mowing.
Families are strongly advised to contact either the Vicar or the Church-warden before placing any order with a stonemason to ensure that their requirements comply with the Churchyard Regulations. Families will also be required to submit an application form.
Copies of the Churchyard Regulations, Memorials Guidance (Families) leaflet and the Application Form can be found on: www.dioceseofcoventry.org or by contacting the Churchwarden.
The Venerable John Green, Archdeacon Pastor of the Diocese of Coventry, will preach at a service of Holy Communion at Gaydon's Parish Church on Sunday 25 May at 10.30am.
There will be a service of Matins at the Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Hampton Lucy, on Saturday, 10 May, at 3pm. The preacher will be the Bishop of Warwick and the service has been organised by the Prayer Book Society's Coventry Diocesan Branch.
Messy Church will be at Fenny Compton on Sunday 11 May at 3.30pm in the village hall and on Sunday 27th at Temple Herdewyke with Café Church. Contact Lesley on 01295 771177 for more details.