PC Field Consultations Fri 8th 5.30pm & Sat 9th 10am Village Hall
Coffee Morning Sat 9th 11am Village Hall
Remembrance Service Sun 10th 10.45am St Giles' Church
Macmillan Coffee Weds 13th 10am Village Hall
Pop-up Coffee Tues 19th 11am Village Hall
Parish Council Tues 19th 7.30pm Village Hall
Friendship Club Tues 19th 2.30pm 19 St Giles Rd
Climate Emergency Thurs 21st 7.30pm Village Hall
Christmas Fair Sat 23rd 2pm Village Hall
Library Monday 18th Telephone Box
Pilates Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs Village Hall
Tai Chi Weds 7.30pm & Suns 1.30pm Village Hall
Cake & Crafting Circle 2nd & 4th Suns 5pm St Giles' Church
Gaydon Calendar
O'65s Lunch Sun 8th December Village Hall
Burns Night Supper Sat 25th January Village Hall
Big Lunch Sun 19th July 2020 Village Hall
The Village Field: Stratford District Council has granted change of use to the parish council, so we can consider plans for recreational use of the area of the field belonging to the Parish Council. We are keen to discuss plans with as many residents as possible and will hold a consultation event on Friday
8 November and Saturday 9 November. Watch this space, the parish website and this issue of the magazine for more details of this and other opportunities to have your say. We have therefore agreed to move our November Parish Council meeting to 19 November, so that any decisions can take this consultation into consideration.
Planning: The parish council has drafted a resident survey questionnaire with Stratford District Council to produce a Neighbourhood Plan. We are currently working to engage a planning consultant and obtain grant funding to carry out the research and draft the plan. Contact the clerk at gaydonpc@gmail.com
The latest planning application for Gaydon service station is still under consideration by Stratford District Council and the Parish Council is continuing discussion with planners to support our objections to the current plans.
Traffic Calming: We are working with Warwickshire County Highways design team to finalise the scheme for the village and hope this will be able to get under way in a few months. In the meantime speed watch and other speeding data from local police is regularly monitored by parish councillors and this continues to inform our decisions and representations.
Budget: We will start to consider our budget for 2020/21 in the coming months. We are required to submit our proposed precept to Stratford District Council at the end of January 2020.
District and County Council: The parish council responded to the recent District Council consultation on reserve sites and we will report back when we have any further information.
Stratford District Council, like many other councils, has declared a 'Climate Change Emergency'; officers at the council are now working to identify practical steps for the council to respond to this. The PC has also started to consider what we might do and how we might help residents to respond.
Stratford District Council is consulting on charging for removing green waste (garden waste). We will respond as a parish council. However, all villagers are also encouraged to have their say. Please use the link below to outline your response to the proposal.
https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=157053268985.
The closing date for responses is Tuesday 19 November 2019. It is noted that without this charge, the Council may have to consider discontinuing the existing garden waste service. Further details of the proposals are available through the District Council website or by contacting the parish clerk.
The County Council is now consulting on their future plans having received notice of their latest funding settlement. The County Council is also monitoring closely the government review of HS2, though work is continuing while the review takes place. The HS2 review is expected to report at the end of the calendar year.
Community Engagement: Parish councillors attended JLR's community forum this month and continue to work closely to reduce traffic and environmental issues arising from the site and affecting the village. We have also contacted SDC planners regarding planning enforcement issues with JLR.
We have also received information on planning applications for Gaydon Lighthorne Heath land (GLH). We have asked contractors not to fill or use water tankers in the village during the planning and construction of GLH.
The Parish Council and District Council noted that the Scarecrow Festival in the village was a great success and made the local press (Stratford Herald). Thanks to all involved for this great community event.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, 19 November, at 7.30pm (Note changed date).
Saturday 2nd All Souls' Day 6pm Service at Farnborough
Sunday 3rd
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Northend
10.30am Morning Prayer Farnborough
10.30 Holy Communion Gaydon
5.00pm Song of Praise Fenny Compton
Sunday 10th
9.45 Remembrance Service Fenny Compton
10.30 Remembrance Service Farnborough
10.45 Remembrance Service Gaydon
10.50 Remembrance Service Northend War Memorial
Sunday 17th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Gaydon
10.30 Joint Service Methodists Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Northend
6.00pm Evensong Farnborough
Sunday 24th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Farnborough
10.30 Prayer and Praise Gaydon
10.30 Morning Prayer Northend
Every Sunday 11.00 Mass at St Francis of Assissi Kineton
St Francis of Assisi, Catholic Church, Kineton. Parish Priest: Fr David Tams
Phone 01608 685259 email: father.david@stfrancis-kineton.co.uk
www.stfrancis-kineton.co.uk
Please Help! We are asking for donations of bottles, unwanted gifts, jigsaws, raffle prizes and bric-a-brac etc. Please leave them at the Old Bakehouse or take them to the Hall on the morning of the Fair. Thank you!
St Giles' Harvest Supper was a very cheerful occasion and much enjoyed by all who attended. Grateful thanks to all who donated food, prizes and hard work! Particular thanks to the Millennium Group for their help in organising it. We look forward to seeing villagers at the next event, our annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 23rd, in the village hall. Look out for leaflets later!
St Giles' Church Gaydon on Sunday 10 November Act of Remembrance at 10.45am under the Memorial Clock followed by Service at 11.30am inside the Church
The cake for the Christmas Eve Crib Service will be mixed in church on Sunday 24 November. If you would like to contribute to the ingredients, please sign on the list at the back of the church after the Remembrance Service or during the following week.
Each November on All Souls Day and at Remembrance we remember loved ones who have died. We take some journeys by choice, others are imposed. Grief is one of those life shattering life changing journeys. We can feel empty and broken when someone significant dies. That's how I felt following the death of my parents. At the death of a loved one, we come to realise that there is a 'time to weep... a time to mourn' Ecclesiastes 31-4. How we journey through grief is unique to each individual, although there are many common elements.
Grief moves us emotionally: we can be sad, tearful, shocked, disbelieving, angry, depressed, heartbroken, anxious, guilty, angry, confused, fearful and much more. Faith may bring us comfort, or our grief may push us away from our faith. We might find ourselves questioning long-held beliefs, wondering why God allowed what happened. As Christians, we live in hope of the resurrection, but even a firm personal belief in where our loved ones are now doesn't change the fact that they aren't here and life might never be the same again. We need to find a new way to live and regain our hope and joy. It's important to allow ourselves time and space to grieve and cry. Cherish the memories: but remember there's a balance. Whilst we honour the memory of our loved one, we also need to live our life including giving ourselves permission to be happy. It's not betraying them to smile again. You may feel as though you're alone: but others have gone through broadly similar losses. It's often good to talk and many find comfort through support groups or grief counselling. Have patience with yourself: We often judge ourselves harshly; feel we aren't coping with our loss or feel guilty that we're not behaving how we think we should. There's no right or wrong way to grieve. It takes time to adjust to loss; there's no schedule; no set timeframe. The journey of grief can lead from dark to light. So, take a deep breath and walk one step at a time. Rev'd Nicki Chatterton
At the time of writing, we've emerged (briefly?) back into the light after journeying through a tunnel of deluges. Inevitably, the wet spell has taken its toll on some of the plots: rotting some of the produce in the ground and producing a 'springtime' for weeds in their eagerness to thwart our weed-suppression techniques. Many of us will now be composting and covering the various beds on our plots just as soon as they yield the last of their vegetables and fruit. The over-wintering covered soil may seem dormant, but in fact a healthy, organic soil is still active - if slow - during the cold months.
The village Apple Day has just concluded and the apple-related food and - of course! - drink was much appreciated by all participants. The organisers and helpers must be thanked for their hard work and their continuing efforts at contributing to the community life of the village. One of the ideas that came out of the process of collecting the apples was the possibility of creating an 'inventory' of fruit and other village-grown produce - a kind of (Non-Norman!) 'Domesday Book' with a view to identifying varieties scattered around the village and even having surplus produce for sale or just made available to anyone who needs it rather than wasting food. Could it work?
On the topic of food going to waste, it's sad to read that the NFU are reporting that farmers have been forced to leave berries, apples and beans to rot in fields and orchards. According to the trade journal 'The Grocer', in Herefordshire, one farmer has had to waste 87,000 punnets of raspberries because he was short of 100 pickers and another, Chris Chinn, a blueberry and bean grower has lost half of his crop because of having fewer than half of the workers he needed. The chair of the NFU horticultural board reported that the U.K. labour shortfall was 29% in September. It appears that, for some reason, the seasonal pickers are not coming from continental Europe to the U.K. and the average 17% fall in the value of the pound in the last 3 years means their wages have also been devalued. It seems to be a similar picture in the Health and Care sectors. Whatever. Que sera, sera.
Here is the U.K. forecast for G.M.T. 00.00 hours:
Fastnet - desirable
Fair Isle - fashionable
Bailey - drinkable
Viking - longshipable
Fitzroy - Darwinable
Portland - cementable
Fisher - depletable
Dogger - bankable
Rockall - negligible
Faeroes - tradable
Trafalgar - squarable
Irish Sea - divisible
Dover - congestible
Thames - wind force 10, gales expected.
Brighter, later. TH
The Library will visit the Telephone Box at Gaydon from 1.35-2.05pm on Monday 18th November.
Saturday 9 November at 11am at the Village Hall. Bring and buy, Raffle, Bookstall. Coffee and biscuits 50p.
The October meeting will be on Tuesday 19th at 2.30pm at the home of Rosie Cheshire, 19 St Giles Road.
Saturday 23 November 2pm. There will be teas, mulled wine, home-made produce, gifts and raffles. It is the Church's Gift Day when you are invited to donate money to the Parish Church in Gaydon to help keep it available for Christenings, Weddings, Funerals, etc. St Giles' Church is open every day so that you can spend a few quiet moments in prayer or comtemplation.
Fundraising for Macmillan cancer Support. Head 2 toe Beauty Room Gaydon is hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning at the Village Hall, Gaydon on Wednesday 13 November from 10am until 12 noon. Contact Sharon 07931992924 if you would like to help.
Friday 8 November 5.30pm-7.30pm and Saturday 9 November 10am-4pm. Gaydon Parish Council invite all residents to drop into the Village Hall on the 8th and 9th November to share ideas, thoughts and feedback; as we reflect on how best to use the Village Field for recreation and play. It is extremely important to GPC that all residents have a say and can be involved in the creation of a community space to be cherished by all.
Mirrin Lewis tel. 07932 66499
Gaydon Village Hall Tuesday 19 November at 11am-12.30pm. Round Oak School will be popping up again with its usual delicious coffee and cakes - see you there!
You can just turn up and join in our Pilates classes in the Village Hall and each session costs just £1. The group meets on Mondays at 12.30-1.30pm; Tuesdays at 6.15-7.15pm; Wednesday at 6.15-7.15pm, ideal for beginners;
and Thursdays at 1-2pm. We look forward to seeing you there. SR
New! Seniors' Menu - Smaller Plates at a Smaller Price! Mains £6.95 Desserts £2.95; Monday-Friday Midday-6pm. Now taking Bookings for Christmas Day: Midday or 3pm sittings. Christmas Fayre Menu throughout December or Christmas Buffet Menu for Office Parties.
www.maltshovelinngaydon.co.uk or Phone 01926 641221 for Bookings
Burns Night falls on Saturday 25 January in 2020 and is the 261st anniversary of the great poet's birth. We are looking for a Bagpipe player to pipe in the Haggis; Song and Dance acts with a Scottish flavour; Sentimental Poetry; and Fancy Dress if you like - there will be Prizes! Raffle.
Tickets will be on sale in December to include 3 course dinner with Welcome Wee Dram and Glass of Wine.
A house was broken into between midday and 6pm on Sunday 6 October in Church Road just off and near to the corner of Banbury Road. Personal jewellery items were stolen. The crime seems to have been opportunistic.
A window was damaged and a very untidy search carried out. Forensic evidence has been taken and the matter is being investigated.
Burglar Alarms are not necessarily expensive and have proved to be a very effective deterrent (80% +) to random or opportunistic burglaries. Please consider fitting an alarm if you do not already have one.
We have taken over the running of the Gaydon Oil Syndicate. We order oil 5 times per year with an email sent out to members beforehand asking them for their individual requirements. The total order is sent out for quote and we order based on lowest price. Membership is free and prices are regularly 3p-5p cheaper per litre than an individual delivery, saving £15 to £25 per 500 litres.
If you would like more information or to become a member, please email us at: GaydonOilSyndicate@gmail.com
We would also like to thank Wendy Boughton Thomas and Tony Palmer for their support and we hope to continue the great service previously provided to the syndicate by Doug Armer and Tony. Dave Pirie and Liz Ackers
A second climate emergency meeting will take place in the Village Hall on Thursday 21 November at 7.30pm-9.30pm to highlight the inaction of the Government and Local Council after declaring a Climate Emergency.
Local and District Councillors will be present to answer questions and tell us what steps they are taking to address the issues and improve our ecosystems. There will be a talk about the Extinction Rebellion's recent Action in London. The event should be highly informative and fun, with free refreshments - although donations would be appreciated. Join us! SN
A First for Gaydon
The past few years have seen significant changes in the wildlife around our village. Quite recently, we had many Elm trees, Golden plovers and Grey Partridges; large numbers of Swallows and Housemartins; and a Kestrel hovering by the roadside was a common sight but not to be taken for granted. Who would have thought that they would have all but disappeared?
However, other species have replaced them: the Ravens were mentioned last Month; Buzzards are often seen circling over the village and perched on fence posts; Cowslips, once quite scarce, are now growing in huge numbers beside the M40.
The latest and most unexpected creature to appear has been a large dog Otter, run over near Ellis' Machinery Entrance. You would expect this aquatic mammal to be near a riverbank... but having spoken to the Environmental agency officer who came to collect him for further research at the 'Otter Research Centre' (yes, one does exist at Cardiff University!) I now know that they can range twenty miles from water. In fact, he was not far from the lake at Chadshunt or Compton Verney where they have been spotted. I have seen Otters over the years but it's a rare sighting, nevertheless, and the first time one has been seen in Gaydon.
Sadly, most wildlife is in decline, though this year has been a good one for butterflies. I've already relocated a few from my house to a safer colder place to hibernate. There are some still on the wing as I write this in mid-October. The last Swallows departed in late September, joining a larger group in the cloudy skies and heading southwards.
We have a plague of mice and short-tailed Voles at present. I've even had a Tawny Owl hunting in my garden and perching in my walnut tree. They can often be heard on a quiet night in the village. The large flocks of Sparrows and Goldfinches have moved into the centre of the village owing to the cutting down last month of their large thicket; how valuable some of these overgrown areas can be, as a haven of safety and shelter!
I've started to fill my bird feeders as there is a chill in the air most mornings now and they have already been visited by families of Long-tailed Tits, a really charming bird that stays in large families consisting of parents and several broods of this season's young.
The autumnal colours are starting and there is a good crop of Spindle berries. This tree turns a vivid bright red and you can easily spot one in hedgerow. I visited one of the local ancient woodlands last month that are threatened by the HS2 destruction. Remarkably, there were a few Elm trees there that had survived the huge 'die back' half a century ago. I think it's good news that this vandalism has been halted whilst alternatives are considered.
Bernard Price
There is a box at the back of the church where contributions to the local Food Bank can be placed. Please come in and leave your donation. The box is taken to Kineton when it is full and from there it is delivered to the Trussell Trust depot. Thank you.
Our Safer Neighbourhood Police are now on Facebook (Wellesbourne Police facebook) as well as Twitter and Instagram. Constable Catherine Morgan
Thanks to all who attended the second village Apple Day and donated cakes and apples. We raised enough to put money aside for the defibrillator maintenance as well as buy our own Apple Press for future years.
The committee would like to thank the young people who worked so hard all afternoon: Lois, Joli, Mila, Io and especially Raef who worked tirelessly for five hours. The local produce stall went very well and we hope to build on this idea. The cake competition was ably judged by Lisa and the winner was The Malt Shovel. Jo from the pub had the difficult task of judging the Apple and Veg Creatures; the winner was Grace Blockley.
Maria M was on hand for her usual creative face painting. Thanks also to Heather, Ann, Daryl and Corinne for helping to make the afternoon so enjoyable. Jane and Geoff gave a large quantity of muslin which will be used for years to come! The Malt Shovel saved bottles which were invaluable - all in all a whole village effort.
It was great to see families all joining in the hard work involved in producing apple juice. We are gradually building up a list of the varieties of Apple trees in the village and will be widening it to include other fruit trees.
Our next event will be Souper Saturday in February next year but we will be helping with the Burns Night Supper on 25 January. Debbie Price