Parish Council Meeting Weds 4th 8pm Village Hall
Coffee Morning Sat 14th 11am Village Hall
Friendship Club Tues 17th 2.30pm Corner Cottage Chilli Supper Fri 20th 7.30pm Village Hall
Quiz Night Fri 27th 8.30pm Malt Shovel
Library Monday 9th Telephone Box
Pilates Tuesdays 6.30pm Village Hall
GAYDON CALENDAR
MOTHERING SUNDAY SUN 15th MARCH CHURCH
EASTER DAY EGG HUNT SUN 5th APRIL CHURCH
VILLAGE BARBECUE SAT 7th JUNE VENUE TBA
BIG LUNCH SUN 19th JULY VILLAGE HALL
Heritage Centre
Jeff Coope from The Heritage Motor Centre attended our January meeting to talk about plans to extend the museum in order to be able to house part of the classic car collection recently purchased by Jaguar Land Rover. He explained that this collection could be the biggest car collection on display in the world. Councillors expressed concern regarding lighting and Mr Coope assured them that lighting will be turned off at 9pm unless there is a special event.
Ditches
Following advice from a planning consultant we have asked the County Council to clear the Warwick and Banbury Road ditches. They have responded that it is the responsibility of the landowners. Since there appears to be some confusion over responsibility, the Parish Council will be writing to the Secretary of State for Transport to find out what conditions were agreed when the road was detrunked to become the B4100.
Village Green
After an incident whereby a resident tripped on the new Village Green posts, the Parish Council has agreed that although these posts have reflective lights on them perhaps the top 3 inches should be painted white. If you have any concerns or other suggestions please contact the Clerk by email.
Closed Roads
County Cllr Williams assured the meeting that the B4451 and B4100 would be 'stopped up' as close to the roundabout as possible to stop vehicles parking. Both of these areas would have double yellow lines which are enforceable by an outside contractor managed by the County Council. Residents had requested 'clearways' but Cllr Williams said that County Highways said that this is not possible.
Traffic Lights
Concern was expressed about the temporary traffic lights. County Cllr Williams said that the Highways Team were looking at the traffic issue and were being assisted by an officer living in Gaydon who is reporting on the situation daily. There will be an update at February's meeting.
Three Lane Road
County Cllr Williams reported that the '3 lane road' mentioned in the Strategic Transport Assessment, which supports the draft Core Strategy, has been proposed to cope with the increase in traffic. This would mean an extra lane, from JLR, on the new dual carriageway creating a northbound slip road onto the M40. No plans available.
Green Space
The Parish Council has requested that the 'green space' left between the new dual carriageway and Gaydon Village remain a 'green space' for the local community. County Cllr Williams said that he would support us in this request.
Path
The Parish Council have asked if the footway between Gaydon Village and JLR could be maintained to encourage walking to work. The County Council has said that this has being addressed in the plans for the new dual carriageway.
Road-building Nuisance
Residents have complained about all night lighting and noise coming from the B4451 compound. It is hoped that Danny Green at County Highways will resolve this shortly.
Barrister
Cllr Mrs Conway represented Gaydon at the Core Strategy Inspector's
Hearing in Stratford on 2 days. FORSE's barrister will be assisting on 22nd January when GLH is being discussed. The Parish Council has agreed to contribute £1000 towards the barrister's fees.
Rates Rise
It is with regret that Councillors have agreed to increase the 2015/16 precept. A band D house will pay an annual increase of about £2.27. Gaydon Parish Council precept is below the average for Stratford District.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, 4th February at 8pm in the Village Hall.
This year is a Parish Council election year. In May we will be able to vote. If you are interested in becoming a councillor and would like more information please contact either the Clerk or a councillor; or come along to a Parish Council Meeting. There will be vacancies.
The General Election will be on the same date, Thursday, 7 May, in Gaydon Village Hall.
Sunday 1st, Epiphany IV
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Burton Dassett
10.30 Morning Prayer Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Gaydon
6.00pm Evensong Farnborough
Sunday 8th, 2nd before Lent
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Farnborough
9.00 Holy Communion Gaydon
10.30 United Methodist Service at
Fenny Compton Chapel
10.30 Communion by ext. Northend
6.00pm Evening Prayer Burton Dassett
Sunday 15th, next before Lent
9.00 Holy Communion Farnborough
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Gaydon
10.30 Morning Worship Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Northend
6.00pm Songs of Praise Fenny Compton
Ash Wednesday, 18 February
7.30pm Holy Communion Northend
Sunday 22nd, Lent I
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Farnborough
10.30 Prayer & Praise Gaydon
10.30 Morning Prayer Northend
There will be a service of Holy Communion at Northend at 7.30pm on Ash Wednesday, 18 February.
Messy Church will take place at Fenny Compton Village Hall on Sunday 8 February at 3.30pm. Contact Lesley on 01295 771171 for details. Café and Messy Church take place at Temple Herdewyke community centre on Sunday 22nd at 3.30pm.
Saturday 7 March 9.30am -12.30pm at The House of Bread, The Mill, Shipston on Stour CV36 5AF. The cost is £8 including refreshments; contact Kate Distin at fossedeanery@distin.co.uk or 01295 770118.
Sunsets and Leaden Skies
The village is now subject to much intrusion and noise due to the commencement of the roadworks for the new Junction 12. It is mostly in the early mornings when a series of phased traffic lights causes gridlock. Extra lighting influences a rather confused dawn chorus and Hedges are being removed too.
At other times, things return to normal with flocks of goldfinches and Linnets, those smaller, attractive pink and brown finches, whose song sounds the same as their name - in contrast to the flowing water song of the former species.
It is a good time to hear the harsh croaks and growls of Ravens. These large crows circle the village each day. It is amazing that without persecution they have returned to most areas of Britain. Buzzards, with ruffled plumage in trees or sunning themselves sitting on posts, are also a common sight. Even the odd Red Kite is now using the M40 to reach the skies of Gaydon, coming no doubt from a large colony at High Wycombe often seen on drives to London.
Those of us with fruit trees will notice that Fieldfares, Redwings and migrant Blackbirds are making short work of the remaining windfalls. Early Hazel Catkins are appearing and the more exotic Witch hazel which has ragged yellow and red flowers.
Wood Hellibores, which have highly-scented small white flowers (they are a type of Christmas Rose), are pollinated by Gnats and can be seen/scented in local woods. The odd clump of Blewitt Mushroom known as Blue legs (though light mauve) and the Orange sulphur mushrooms seem oblivious to recent hard frosts and some very colourful lichens come into their own at this time of year.
I notice many deer "Schotts" (large tracks of Roe deer) across most of the field edges. Badgers seem to be still active with extensive diggings whilst Foxes' trails are easy to see on the frosty fields, though they melt away later.
When feeding wild birds always remember to leave a bowl of water for them on icy mornings. Good boots, with cleated soles, and a stick are essentiai if walking the footpaths; it's easy to slip and lose one's footing on the frozen ground. Bernard Price
The Library will visit Gaydon on Monday 9 February from 1.30pm-2pm at the Telephone Box.
Our monthly coffee mornings start again on Saturday 14 February at 11am in the Village Hall. Bring and Buy and Raffle. We raise funds for the up-keep of the Parish Church - please come along and swell the throng - everyone welcome!
It's that time of year again! The Annual Macmillan Mammoth Quiz is back. On Friday 27th February teams from all over the country will be answering the same questions and having fun. In Gaydon the quiz will take place at the Malt Shovel at 8.30pm. Over the last two years, Gaydon residents and their friends have raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support. This year the plan is to do even better - so please come along and help make it happen. Tickets are £5 each and will include cheese and biscuits. Buy them in advance from the shop or call Debi on 01926 641221
Come and join us for a warm welcome to a CHILLI SUPPER on Friday 20 February at 7.30pm in Gaydon Village Hall, Tickets £15, to include a welcoming drink, obtainable from Mary Johnson, telephone 01926 642187
Raffle and Bar; All proceeds to FORSE
The Malt Shovel Gaydon on Saturday 14 February. Ring 641221 for menu and to book your table!
The next meeting of the Friendship Club will take place on Tuesday 17 February at 2.30pm at Corner Cottage, Church Lane by very kind invitation of Mrs Mary Fox.
At Whichford Pottery's Straw Kitchen Cafe and Octagon on Saturday 21 February 12-3pm. Supporting Shipston Home Nursing and The SMA Trust. Tickets £15 to include a unique bowl. Come and enjoy a winter-warming bowl of soup and artisan bread. For more information and to reserve a place contact: Pippa Brook 07778 845318 pippa@brookfamily.net; or Suzie Coyte 07989 568724 suziecoyte@gmail.com
Each year over 100,000 children run away from home or care - that is one every five minutes. For many young people, this is a choice made in the hope of greater security and freedom from suffering; although the new risks they encounter can be equally threatening. Box-holders help to raise over two million pounds each year for these children's support and the Children's Society would like to thank you all.
Now is the time to collect the Boxes and I shall be coming round for them as soon as I can. If you would prefer to leave your box at the Old Bakehouse, please ring 640329 to check that someone is at home. Julie Rickman
Thank You to everyone who provided a wonderful meal and made John and me feel so welcome at the Over 60s Christmas Lunch; also to everyone who put on the Carol Service at the village hall on the 22nd of December. It was very much enjoyed by all our staff and customers. I would like to say a big 'thank you' on behalf of everyone at Barnfield for the generous Christmas Hamper passed on to us by the Parish Council and donated by Ellis Machinery of Gaydon. There were lots of lovely things inside! On behalf of John, Keith, Philip, David and Donald, Thank You to all who sent them gifts during the festive period. Helen McGill-Kerr, support worker
Sunday 15 March is Mothering Sunday and there will be a special service at the Parish Church, St Giles', for all mothers and children, grandpareents, fathers and carers of all kinds. Come along at 10.30am and give thanks for all those who have loved and cared for us in the course of our lives, especially our mothers.
This year Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 17 February and here is a simple supper idea to celebrate the day.
Ingredients
4oz plain flour; 2 eggs; ½ pint milk; tsp olive oil (for the pancakes)
4oz cheddar or gruyère cheese, grated; 4 slices ham; 2 lemons; caster sugar (for the fillings)
Method
Beat the flour, eggs, milk and oil in a bowl to make a smooth mixture.
Fry 4 pancakes and lay a slice of ham on each. Roll them up, lay them on the grill pan and cover with the grated cheese. Grill until the cheese is nicely melted and slightly browned.
Meanwhile, make another 4 pancakes and keep them warm while you eat the hamcakes. When you are ready for dessert, sprinkle the rest of the pancakes with lemon and sugar and serve in the traditional way.
Although Gaydon is still undeniably a country village it is severely challenged in the matter of country walks. It is securely bounded in three of the four cardinal directions by man-made obstacles. However, as Bernard Price's Notes remind us, it will soon be time to venture out on a Spring Walk and so I describe once again Gaydon's best-known walk, the Cemetery Round.
This walk is short but not really suitable for people of limited mobility and is very mucky in the Winter or after prolonged rain.
Start at the back of the Church and go up the short drive to the kissing gate into what my children used to call the Pony Field. Cross the field by the well-marked footpath - watch where you put your feet - to the gate on the far side.
Through the gate, keep left and follow the hedge down to the cemetery. It always seems to be farther than you expect. Turn left at the cemetery and 25 yards on, turn into the Place where Gaydon's dead have been buried since the Churchyard was closed in the 1930s.
After paying your respects, leave by the main gate and make your way back to Gaydon alongside the B4100. Turn left into Church Road and head for the Church, passing the Gaydon Inn on your right, once a temptation but now sadly defunct.
This walk can be clearly seen on the map of Gaydon Parish which is on the Gaydon website at www.gaydon.org.uk