Book Club Tues 6th at 7pm Malt Shovel Parish Council Tues 6th at 7.30pm Village Hall Village Hall C'tee Mon 26th at 6pm Village Hall Mobile Library Fridays 2nd & 30th Phone Box Tai Chi Mons & Weds at 7pm Village Hall
Unanimous...!
Stratford District Council unanimously decided to begin Christmas early for the villagers of Gaydon…! No sleighs, bells or tacky Slade anthems accompanied this particular present. At around 7.45pm on Wednesday 17 December, the SDC planning committee voted 12 councillors to nil (12 -0) to refuse permission for the proposed commercial/industrial development (ref. 23/01054/OUT) to go ahead. The decision was received with relief by the villagers in attendance -especially by the speakers who presented our ironclad case against the despoliation of our village.
So, we must give credit where it's due: to Councillor Chris Mills,
G.P.C. Chairman Adrian Claxton and Martin Winter.
They presented our objections in a steady but impassioned way balanced with strong, cogent arguments - not an easy thing when facing a horseshoe of 20+ faces comprising the combined councillors and the planning department. Not easy when you are thinking that what you say - or don’t say - might affect the fate of your village… True, they had the tidal wave of the villagers’ steadfast opposition to this proposed speculative sprawl steeling their resolve, but due thanks should be given to them and their individual contributions.
Before their presentations, planning department representative Neil Hempstead took the meeting diligently and impartially through the 84-page report (one of the longest in SDC planning history!) with a particular focus on the visual ‘before and after’ realities of this latest attempt to carpet the countryside with concrete. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Stuart Keighley, conducted the meeting in a manner that put us at ease and in no way did we feel intimidated by the sheer weight of the report, as only selective extracts and references were discussed.
The conduct of the meeting - open, fair and balanced - was a concise lesson in popular democracy. When the vote was taken and the ‘Unanimous’ verdict was proclaimed there was a temptation to ‘Whoop!’ out loud, but we resisted in deference to the serious (but unstuffy) and respectful mood of the meeting.
To reach that point of unanimous rejection was the pinnacle of a campaign that began in July 2023 when this wretched, proposed development was first submitted. Our campaign, numbering in excess of 200+ multi-topical objections by Gaydon villagers, Parish Councils and numerous organisations, was kickstarted by Nina Wingfield alongside Martin Winter and we should be ever grateful that they seized the initiative to get the whole campaign rolling: Thank you Nina and Martin!
Let's also not forget to thank Wendy and Jonathan McCaughan who maintained regular contact with Neil Hempstead and the planning department throughout the past two and a half years. We should also thank the ‘Stratford Herald’ and journalists Gill Oliver and Preston Witts for their coverage of our campaign; proving, irrefutably, the value and power of local newspapers when communities are under pressure. And on that theme, it is only right that we thank the editor of our own local publication, ‘Gaydon Parish Magazine’, Julie Rickman, for her patience, skill and forbearance in putting out village news and updates on a monthly basis.
As such, the ‘Updates’ will cease for the time being…until? We are not naïve: there is a real possibility of an appeal by the applicant. However, amongst many things on our side, we have the strongest numerical mandate - ‘Unanimous’ - that you can have and that is a massively substantial platform (with SDC firmly on our side) to defend the future of the village against inappropriate commercial/industrial assaults on our well-being. It’s a good way to start the New Year of 2026 and we should be quietly confident - but not smug - that we villagers have shown that we can mount a challenge and succeed against powerful interests.
Finally, it occurred to me in the meeting (in Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford) about how tragically ironic it would have been if the decision had gone against us and the applicant had won.
In the words of the man who used to live a few yards along that very same Warwickshire street, we would have lost our own “ Blessed Plot”: the green fields of Gaydon. Tony Hughes
Next Meeting: Tuesday 6 January at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
News from Warwickshire County Council
M40 Hero
A quick-thinking member of the public has been formally recognised by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service for a selfless act of bravery.
Alex Capewell was honoured with a Chief’s Commendation Award at Leamington Fire Station for his heroic actions. The incident occurred when a vehicle struck a barrier and immediately caught fire. Without hesitation, Mr Capewell, who witnessed the crash, stopped and rushed to the aid of the driver, managing to pull them from the wreckage just moments before the car was completely engulfed in flames.
Integrated Public Health Nursing Service
This streamlined Public Health Nursing service for 0-19-year-olds came into effect from Monday 1 December. Families can access support from Warwickshire Child and Family Wellbeing by contacting: Phone 0300 247 0072 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) or ChatHealth Text Advice Service (0-5 only) on 07520 615 293.
Voice of Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Council is encouraging residents aged 18 and over to join this online panel. The Voice of Warwickshire is a group of local people who play a vital role in helping WCC understand residents' views, needs and priorities. Feedback on a wide range of topics from libraries and greenspaces to fire and rescue and AI directly informs the council's planning, policies and services.
Interested? Register at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/vowrecruitment or by calling 01926 410410.
Active Travel Funding Award
A major funding award will accelerate the county’s ambition to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more appealing for residents of all ages. Find out more at www.warwickshire.gov.uk
Children's Health and Welfare this Winter
As the new year begins, families across Warwickshire are being reminded of the importance of vaccinations and basic hygiene to help protect children from seasonal illnesses. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/7233/council-shares-top-tips-to-keep-children-healthy-and-well-this-winter or email wcfw.contact@hcrgcaregroup.com
Recycling Christmas Batteries Safely
WCC Waste and Recycling Service is reminding residents how to safely dispose of used batteries.
Find out more: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/7271/remember-to-recycle-your-christmas-batteries-safely Chris Mills
4th 9.30am Morning Worship Gaydon 10.00am Holy Communion Northend 11th 9.30am Holy Communion Gaydon 10.00am Morning Service Northend 18th 9.30am Morning Service Gaydon 10.00am Morning Prayer Northend 25th 9.30am Morning Service Gaydon 10.00am Morning Worship Northend
St Peter & St Paul 5.00pm Saturday Brailes Our Lady & the Apostles 9.15am Sunday Shipston-on-Stour St Francis of Assisi 11.00am Sunday Kineton
1980 3rd Carl Heath
2008 3rd Tony Irving
1978 7th Gerald Lush
1989 7th Lewis Watts
2022 12th Joan Morgan
1999 13th John Herrington
1985 20th Alfred Welch
2000 28th Agnes Bailey
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
Heather Randall and family would like to say a heartfelt 'Thank You' to all those who attended the funeral of John. They would also like to thank Beren and Colin and the Malt Shovel.
The next village hall committee meeting will take place on Monday 26 January at 6pm. N.B. late date.
As we continue to celebrate the good news of Jesus's birth on Christmas Day, I have some other good news to share.
Alison Abbott's curacy was due to end on 31 December 2025 but Bishop Sophie has agreed to extend it until August 2026. This means that we shall be blessed by her ministry for a good while yet.
As well as continuing to support some of the rôles she has filled in the Edgehill Churches, Alison will also take on additional responsibilities as an interim minister in the Dassett Magna group of churches.
I am so pleased that she will be with us a while longer and that she will be able to give some much-needed support in the Dassett group.
Please remember her in your prayers as she takes on these new responsibilities.
God bless, Barry
Gracious God,
At this Christmas time, as the light of your Word penetrates our hearts; as we are reminded of the gift of life and faith; as the glories of the heavenly hosts are echoed in our church; we open ourselves up to your Spirit and give you thanks.
We are grateful, Lord Jesus, that your story has become our story and we celebrate your birth.
Despite the turmoil in this world, help us to know your peace in our hearts; help us to know the wonder of your love so that we may walk in your light and bring your hope where it is needed most.
Help us, Lord God, to be the faithful, gracious, loving, giving and forgiving people you call us to be. Amen.
Why not make it your new year's resolution to shop at Gaydon Village Store more often?
Take a healthy walk round to the shop instead of driving to town or the supermarket. Order your artisan bread and pick up your newspapers. Feast on home-made jams and Harbury honey - it's our own mini- Fortnum's - nice cheeses, too.
Christmas poultry and meats were as excellent as ever this year and are easy to pick up on Christmas Eve. Order meat all year round.
Thanks to everyone who helps run our village store, especially the back-room boys and girls who work so hard for us behind the scenes!
Our cover photo this month was taken by John Rickman in June 2007 from a helicopter flying out of Wellesbourne airport. In this shot we are looking southwest with Gaydon in the middle distance and Chadshunt beyond. In the foreground, the bridge taking Pimple Leys Lane over the M40 can be seen on the left and the slip road into Gaydon on the right. In the far right corner is the British Motor Museum.
Thanks to public-spirited parishioners and other right-minded people, this green landscape has been spared the blight of so-called development and remains largely as it was nearly twenty years ago.
It is difficult to see much in this tiny print but it can be seen more clearly on the website along with other photos John took on that flight.
Follow these links:
https://www.gaydon.org.uk/photos/index.html
https://www.gaydon.org.uk/photos/aerial/oneoff/P6290073.JPG
Starting on January 6th 2026 the Book Club will meet at the Malt Shovel on the 1st Tuesday of each month. We begin our meeting at 7pm - we welcome new members. LA
The Mobile Library will call at the Telephone Box at 2.25pm for half an hour on Friday 2nd January and Friday 30th.
Friday 2nd-5th New Year Crafts at the Museum
Saturday 3rd Jaguar Breakfast Club
Saturday 10th Historic Rally Cars Open Day
Tuesday 20th Backstage Tours of the Collection
Information and tickets at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
The Christmas break has been rather cold with some sunny spells. I have had to regularily refill my bird-feeders: a flock of local House Sparrows are regulars along with Robins, Blue tits and Dunnocks which tend to 'clear up' after them. A small field mouse is living comfortably in my greenhouse and I keep the door shut to protect it from cats.
Boxing Day was very busy visiting our local bird reserve. It was good timing as we had an update from a warden who was renewing the feeders there and gave me a run down of all the species recorded; so far over 129 different ones. There were large flocks of finches and a few Bramlings there, with a Buzzard circling the water's edge.
The Warwickshire Hunt meet at Ufton House and always has a huge crowd. I had arranged to meet few of my ex-students there.
The hounds were able to feast on lots of fragments of dropped cake and I was welcomed with a glass of port or two which warmed me up. This traditional spectacle, with many children on their ponies and riders who must have spent hours grooming the horses and themselves(!), was impressive.
There seems no reason, in my opinion, to place any further restrictions on Trail hunting - which would be impossible to enforce anyway. Most hunts have always obeyed the law and will continue to do so, although they may not agree with it. The hunt often met in Gaydon up to a few years ago; there is a classic photograph of them gathered outside the Gaydon Inn.
One thing is quite clear: Foxes will remain very numerous and care very little. They are, of course, hunters themselves - a fact probably not known to the rather naïve opponents of hunting. There are huge populations of foxes in large cities but far fewer in the countryside - although we all know that our poultry are still at risk! Happy New Year to you All! Bernard Price
The flag was flown to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
If you have something to celebrate or commemorate, ring Siobhan
on 07780 689582, and she will raise the flag for you, in return for
a £5 contribution to Church funds.
Thanks
Thanks to all the wonderful helpers and generous diners, the 2025 Gaydon Christmas Lunch was better than ever!
Editor's Thanks
I would like to thank the many helpers, contributors and advertisers for their continued help with running the magazine, so that we can keep up the tradition of a paper copy delivered to every household in Gaydon.
A Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year to All Our Readers!