Parish Council Tues 4th at 7.30pm Village Hall Coffee Morning Sat 8th at 11am Village Hall Remembrance Sunday 9th at 10.45am St Giles' Church Mobile Library Friday 28th Phone Box Tai Chi Mons & Weds at 7pm Village Hall
Gaydon Parish Council News
Report of last meeting on 7th October:
A tree survey is to be carried out in the churchyard by WCC forestry team at a cost of £300.
The churchyard tidy-up was very successful and those taking part were thanked. No annual cut would be required this year and the situation will be reviewed in the New Year.
The church clock is in need of servicing owing to the jamming of the internal mechanism. The Cumbria Clock company will be contacted.
Next Meeting: Tuesday 4 November at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
‘D’ for ‘Determination’ - or ‘Delay’ Day…?
Just when we thought this long-running saga was not going to compete with “EastEnders” by finally being determined on 30th September, there was a further delay until 31st October. Appropriately maybe? This new ‘Determination’ date, associated with ‘trick or treat?’ and scary manifestations, may have already delivered its awful or pleasing message (magazine publication day: 1st November) to spellbound Gaydon residents.
The month’s delay owed much to the sheer weight of documentation (a hefty proportion of which is opposition to the development) to be gone through. However - talk about ‘late to the party!’ - it didn’t stop a major player in the area from submitting further documents. JLR, on 21st October, via their Highways and Traffic consultants, AECOM, raised questions about the efficiency and ease - or otherwise - which JLR employees, suppliers and other important traffic might be affected, if the development (ref: 23/01054/OUT) goes ahead. The evidence and modelling they submitted was not decisive, but there are sufficient issues which require the Highways Agency and WCC Highways to scrutinise the situation. It appears to many people that there is no way the development could not affect the traffic movement and density in the area - particularly when CEG (Malta) Ltd’s own figure of 55 traffic movements per peak hour joins in. (Traffic post-development? Think of a mix of Hyde Park Corner and Spaghetti Junction…)
The mooted Aston Martin Lagonda (AML) involvement with the development appears ever more tenuous. It gives no Gaydon residents pleasure to see AML making headlines this month in the financial pages of the press. A number of villagers work - or have worked (our own daughter, for one) - at AML and ever more speculative concerns about its immediate and future financial and trading position are unwelcome. Early this month AML issued a profits warning alongside figures which showed a fall from 1,641, in 2024, to 1,430 vehicles for the equivalent quarter in 2025. Like many UK manufacturers trading with the US, they are trying to second guess which way Trump’s tariffs will go - despite the UK/US trading agreement from earlier this year. Why the concern? The arbitrary and fickle ways Trump imposes or amends his tariffs makes traders and consumers – across the globe - reluctant to commit. It’s difficult to believe, against such a backdrop, that AML would really want to go off at a tangent and be involved with the CEG (Malta) Ltd.’s development when it is abundantly clear that their core business requires undivided attention, consolidation and TLC at the moment?
On the 15th October a report from Aviva Insurance highlighted the growing concern within the insurance industry about the impact of severe weather events that are being driven by the climate crisis. The fact that what once was only given voice by environ-mental and green organisations has now made a qualitative leap into the finances of insurance risk. Whatever some ‘come day, go day’ politicians and their compliant media might deny, insurance actuaries and their predictive forecasts are very much gearing the industry to expect exponentially increased flood risk. By mid-century, the number of properties at risk will increase by 27% from 6.3 to 8 million dwellings (near rivers and flood plains) and for high-risk areas vulnerable to flash flooding by an alarming 66%. One of the outcomes in response to this future reality is that whole areas will become uninsurable - not just already blighted towns like Tenbury Wells.
As we have had flash flooding events, it begs the question: Who will be liable if the development is permitted and we are inundated, with whom does the liability lie, if we have been deemed ‘too high a risk for insurance’? Will CEG (Malta) Ltd or our council accept liability, if they permit the development? It’s not surprising that there was an extensive and lively response to the report, gathered under the heading ‘Sponge, baby, sponge to deal with flooding risks’. The gist of these responses was entirely in line with and confirming what has been referenced countless times in our monthly ‘Updates’. Essentially, you do not compromise and remove an important part of an area’s natural flood defences by sealing the ground and removing the ‘sponge’ effect - unless you want to create catastrophic conditions.
Finally, a story that highlights the skewed priorities of people associated with our national water, drainage and sewage industries which unfortunately confirms that we in Gaydon (or elsewhere…) cannot rely on the water companies to ‘bail us out’ with preventative measures to offset flooding. It would be reassuring to think that ‘Offwat’ would be a public body dedicated to protecting UK citizens on water-related matters - sort of ‘Guardians of the Gallons’ (as opposed to “Guardians of the Galaxy”).
But no. As we slosh (hopefully metaphorically) through the most foul, polluted waterways in Europe, a woman from west London was fined £150 for pouring the dregs of her coffee cup down a drain. She was chased by not one, but three enforcement officers. (You couldn’t make this stuff up…!) She was charged under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act which makes it ‘an offence to dispose of waste in a way that could pollute land or water.’ She was issued with a fixed penalty notice, but could you imagine the scene in court if it had gone to trial? The prosecuting counsel would present with something like: “M’lud and members of the jury, forget Thames and Southern Water, Lake Windermere, the River Wye and sewage surfers…Here’s something worse… We have before us a woman who has committed a most heinous crime and the full force of the law should be applied to her!” Monty Python had nothing like the circus that is our water industry…. Tony Hughes
Stir-up Sunday
Come and help us make the Village Christmas Cake on Sunday,
23rd November, at 9.30am at St Giles' Church! Using ingredients donated by villagers, we stir up the cake that will be shared out on Christmas Eve at the Crib Service. Contributions much appreciated - please sign up on the list at the back of the church.
Coffee Morning
Our coffee morning will be on Saturday 8th at 11am with Book Stall, Raffle and White Elephant. Coffee or tea and biscuits only 50p!
Proceeds go towards Church funds.
Very many thanks to all who came to last month's Over-65s Fundraiser and gave so generously.
Mobile Library
This month the Mobile Library will call at the Telephone Box at 2.25pm for half an hour on Friday 28th.
Tai Chi
The Tai Chi group meets every Monday and Wednesday evening at
7 o'clock in the Village Hall. Please text 07514 011406 so that we can look out for you. After a month, please donate a coin for the hire of
the hall.
Over-65s Christmas Lunch Invitations
These will be sent out soon. If you do not receive an invitation and
are eligible and would like to come, please contact me at the
Old Bakehouse or ring 640349. Julie Rickman
November at the Motor Museum
Saturday 1st Jaguar Breakfast Club
Monday 17th Mini Motorists Mondays
Sunday 23rd Young Driver Lessons
Classic Car Experience
Fire Engine Experience
Information and tickets at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
Carers4Carers
Friday 28 November: 10:30am to 12 noon at Kineton Village Hall.
Enjoy refreshments, friendly chat, and mutual support. Loved ones are welcome; they can join our Companionship Group during the meeting.
Christmas Crafting. No artistic skill needed! All materials provided. Just come and enjoy!
For further details about our group or help with transport arrangements please contact Gillian on 07947 893504, send an email to kcarers4carers@gmail.com, or www.carers4carersonthefosse.org.uk
Thanks
I would like to thank local farmers for the enjoyment of their fields on behalf of villagers and dog-walkers in particular. We should all appreciate having such lovely farmland so close and accessible.
One of the joys of country life! JF
Obituary
Janette Emily Hotchkiss 1934-2025
We are sad to report the death of Janette Hotchkiss on 14 October.
She was born in Hednesford, Staffordshire, and came to live in Kineton in 2010. We offer our sympathy to her family and friends.
Janette's funeral will take place on Friday 7th November at 11am at Oakley Wood, all welcome. After the cremation, a service will be held at Kineton Methodist Church at 12 noon, followed by refreshments and a light lunch in the Methodist Hall.
Hugh Conway
It is with sorrow that we record the death of Hugh Conway, after a long illness, on 18 October at Kineton Manor nursing home. We offer our condolences to Annette and her family. The funeral service will be held at St Giles' Church on Monday 10 November at 1.30pm.
There's a more autumnal hint in the air now and the trees are commencing to shed their leaves. The Hedges around the village are particularly colourful with the yellows of Hornbeams and Field Maples. There's still a good crop of Hawthorn berries, though the blackberries were at least a month early owing to the prolonged hot spell. Huge crops of Crab apples and wild plums are littering the surrounding ground. The Red admiral butterflies were still feeding on this unexpected glut on Sunny days.
The last wasps and Hornets are still on the wing: the male wasps appear now to pair with next season's Queens (identified by their abdomens being longer than those of the more numerous workers). There was a slight increase in Insect numbers this year; Ladybirds and Hover flies have had a good year.
My best bird sighting was certainly a Large White Egret near Compton
Verney: a large bird, conspicuous in the middle of an arable field. Egrets are a sure indication of increasing climate change. Like the many sightings of Glossy Ibis, they are from the warmer climates of the Southern Mediterranean. Other northern species like Cranes and White storks are also nesting here.
I saw yet another Humming-bird hawk moth this week on my Valerian; but this migrant cannot cope with frosts, so needs to take an annual, long flight to the UK next year. Sadly, many of our visiting birds never make it here because of trapping and shooting as they take historic routes through Lebanon, Cyprus and Malta. Robins, Blackcaps and even Raptors are considered an expensive gourmet delicacy in spite of these practices being illegal in the host countries but difficult to control.
Hibernating butterflies need to be removed - card/jar method - from Curtains and put in a safe, cool, spider-proof place. There are many spectacular Garden spiders' webs around in our gardens, too. All spiders are highly beneficial creatures, even when dark, large and rather menacing-looking in our homes!
The skies above the village had huge flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws last week, attracted by the ploughing around Gaydon. Also some spectacular Rainbows over the village, as rain has returned after
many dry weeks. Bernard Price
Belated Happy Hallowe'en/St Stevens Day!*
In my native Ireland, the 'Wren boys' celebrated Hallowe'en with this song:
"The WREN ,THE WREN, THE KING OF ALL BIRDS
Saint Stevens night he was caught in the Firs!"
*'Wren' boys wore straw masks and carried fir tree boughs. They moved around the houses for money or sweets!
On a crisp October evening, the Village Hall hosted the first-ever gathering of The TINY Wine Club - a red wine tasting evening and new community initiative from the Warwickshire Wine School.
Guests explored a carefully curated line-up of red wines from around the world, each introduced with insights into its grape variety, origin, and winemaking style. As glasses were filled, conversation and laughter flowed, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all.
At the end of the evening, attendees voted for their favourite wine and the results delivered a surprise twist. While the ever-popular Argentinian Malbec had plenty of support, it was a smooth, complex South African blend 'Fallows View' that stole the spotlight. Rich, layered, and beautifully balanced, it won over both casual sippers and more seasoned wine enthusiasts.
Wine Tip of the Month:
If your red wine ever feels 'too cold', don't rush to warm it up.
Today's well-insulated homes and central heating make us feel warmer - so a bottle at room temperature (especially from a cooler corner or cupboard) may feel chilly by comparison. Traditionally, red wine was served at 'room temperature' when rooms were closer to 16°C, not the 21°C we often have now. Don't heat it up. Simply open the bottle 30-60 minutes before serving and let it breathe. This gentle exposure to air will naturally bring the wine to the right temperature - and enhance its aromas at the same time.
The TINY Wine Club will be returning next year, with lots more wines for you to enjoy. Cheers! Wendy Adams
Happy 90th Birthday to Jean Evans of Church Road, Gaydon! We hope you had a lovely day on 12th October, Jean - sorry we are late with our good wishes.
Thank you for helping again this year! I will be in touch in the second half of November to confirm details.
Julie Rickman
Our cover this week shows the Harvest Festival Wheatsheaf Loaf on the altar of the beautiful Victorian church of St Mary in the village of Batsford. It is open to visitors to the Arboretum. The sheaf of corn and harvest mouse are shaped out of a salty flour-and-water dough. The late Mary Fox, a former churchwarden here, used to make a similar one for our own church of St Giles.
November 1st is All Saints' Day or All Hallows
All Souls' Day
2nd 9.30am Morning Worship Gaydon
10.00am Communion for All Saints Northend
6.00pm Service for All Souls Northend
9th 10.45am Remembrance Sunday Gaydon
10.45am Morning Service Northend
6.00pm Remembrance Service Farnborough
16th 9.30am Morning Service Gaydon
10.00am Morning Prayer Northend
Christ the King
23rd 9.30am Morning Service Gaydon
10.00am Morning Worship Northend
Advent Sunday
30th 10.30am Benefice Communion Northend
Roman Catholic Church of St Francis, Kineton: Sunday Mass 11am every week
There will be a service for All Souls' Day at Northend at 6pm on Sunday 2nd November. The names of those dear to you will be read out at that service if you send them to bdpcc-sec@compton-family.eu.
Act of Remembrance starts at 10.45am outside St Giles' Church. Service continues inside the church after 11am.
2010 4th Wilfrid Hotchkiss 2014 9th Joyce Hammond 1999 10th Sybil Lightowler 2006 16th Leonard Walker 2005 21st Joyce Walker 2006 22nd Edna Young
If there is a special entry that you would like to see, let me know and I will try to make sure that the Book is open on that day. Julie Rickman
Inspired by the legacy we share
I recently had the joy of attending Fenny Compton Church for the Dassett School harvest service. There was one little girl in reception who stole the show. They all lined up to sing “Big Red Combine Harvester,” and her parents happened to be standing near her. When she saw them, she was so excited she beamed the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, then posed beautifully for the photos they were taking. During the song, she was often distracted, but whenever it came to ‘chug-chug-chug-chug-chugging along’, she’d remember where she was and join in the actions, frantically waving her arms as she again fixed her parents with that dazzling smile.
The sheer joy she showed at seeing her parents was contagious, and all the adults nearby smiled and laughed, too. Her parents were, rightly, proud of her, and she was basking in it.
The following day, at an assembly at Moreton Morrell school, they recognised various pupils for what they’d done well (in and out of school) over the last week. ‘We’re very proud of you,’ they were told as everyone applauded their achievements. And you could see them glow with the recognition.
We all love to be recognised for the things we do, but especially if it’s for something that we’ve worked hard for. And when we take the time to recognise what others have done, not only does it make them feel good, but something in us feels better for acknowledging the hard work and sacrifice that went into achieving that aim. It can inspire us to want to do better.
In November, people across the country will gather at memorials to remember and honour those who made huge sacrifices in war. We’ll all remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives, and of those who returned wounded physically, mentally, and emotionally. Also, those who grieved and sacrificed so much to keep things going at home.
Eighty years after the end of World War II, we can lose sight of the scale of the hardship and loss people faced then. The peace that we enjoy was hard won, with people from nations around the world sacrificing so much alongside us to stop the Nazi war machine. So, it is so important to collectively pause, remember, and honour those many sacrifices.
Recognising the commitment and sacrifice of so many to bring about peace does something in us. It makes us want to live up to the legacy they’ve left us; it can inspire us to commit ourselves again to working for peace. And this is important because working for peace is an ongoing struggle.
We may not be called to work for peace between nations, but we can all help work for peace in our homes, our communities, and our workplaces.
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.’ Maybe that blessing is because we feel God’s pride in us when we help heal divisions and grow community.
My prayer for us all is that we would remember and honour those sacrifices, not just on Remembrance Day, but every day as we do our part in building peace; and that, as we do that, we’d know God’s pride in us.
Rev Barry Jackson