Gaydon Parish Magazine March 2026
index of magazines
Gaydon Gazette for March
Book Club Tues 3rd at 7pm Malt Shovel
Parish Council Tues 3rd at 7.30pm Village Hall
Coffee Morning Sat 14th at 11am Village Hall
APM Tues 24th at 7.30pm Village Hall
Mobile Library Friday 27th Phone Box
Tai Chi Mons & Weds at 7pm Village Hall
Parish Council News
Next Meeting: Tuesday 3 March at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Annual Parish Meeting (APM) will be on Tuesday 24 March at 7.30pm.
Explanation of Parish Council Contribution to your Council Tax Bill
and a Request for Help
During the Parish Council meetings in November and December last year we debated our current finances in detail, and in particular the ‘Precept’ increase for 2026/7. This appears on your council tax bill as the “Parish of Gaydon” line item in terms of both the amount and the % increase.
Over recent years we have had to use our savings (or “reserves”) to help fund the increasing costs of the services we are responsible for. Last year, we set our increase at 10% (beyond inflation) to try to address the situation, but this still did not cover our costs.
We discussed another increase of 10% this year (which would again not cover our cost increases), but we also recognised the impact on individual household budgets.
Ultimately, we agreed a compromise of 8% for 2026/7, but please note that this may appear differently on your individual bills depending on your house valuation band. This equates to an additional £1412 income to the council, but unfortunately this is offset by the additional responsibility of maintaining the churchyard and increased costs for insurances and staffing.
Savings have been made by switching electricity supplier, and we are still exploring grant opportunities for street lighting. Despite this, we will still be running at a deficit, which is not sustainable. We need your help to try and reduce our costs.
The Parish Council is responsible for the following:
Street Lighting
Street furniture (benches etc.)
Maintenance of green spaces (including cemetery, church yard
and playground)
Church clock repairs and maintenance
Admin. costs (insurance, annual inspections etc.)
Whilst there are some costs that we cannot avoid, there are projects that we can take on as a village (like the churchyard clearance last year) that can offset or even prevent some of our maintenance costs.
Please keep an eye out for similar volunteering projects this year, and please support where you can. If we all pull together as a village we will share the financial benefits – as well a sense of pride in ourselves and our community!
In addition, if you have any project ideas, please contact any parish councillor - in person, by phone or by using contact details on the website or back of this magazine. Thank you.
Gaydon Development - March Update
“The Appeal has landed…!”
We can’t say we weren’t expecting it: CEG have lodged an appeal challenging SDC’s unanimous refusal of their planning application.
The appeal, case number 6002929, will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate (which is independent of SDC). It will take the form of a Public Inquiry, using the SDC building, probably starting on
Tuesday 9 June.
All objections to CEG’s appeal should be submitted by midnight on 20th March. If you do not have access to the internet, you can post your comments to: The Planning Inspectorate (Case number: 6002929) C/o QUADIENT, 69 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, SL1 4PN.
Those people who wish to post comments online must go to the following site: https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/enter-appeal-reference
It has been stressed, to mount an effective opposition to the appeal, once again, as many residents, councils and other organisations as possible should submit their objections. For many of us this can be a simple copying and pasting of our original objections to the development (to be found at 23/01054/OUT). The Planning Inspectorate will be expecting any new evidence, where possible, to support our case. Therefore, we should ‘refresh’ our submission to also include new information/arguments e.g. other proposed developments around Gaydon (e.g. Ellis’ Farm Machinery? ‘Swallowfields? Etc). It’s important that we should stress why SDC’s refusal was correct.
We’ve been advised that the support of our local M.P. Jeremy Wright carries a great deal of weight in these inquiries. We should all contact him a.s.a.p. to ask him to reinforce his objections to the development: jeremy.wright.mp@parliament.uk
The Public Inquiry allows for professional representations in the form of legal representatives and specialist consultants (e.g. planning; environment etc.). As, no doubt, CEG will come ‘lawyered up’, we should raise the possibility of professional-level help in the next Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 3rd March and also how we should organise a co-ordinated and effective response to CEG’s efforts in trying to impose this monstrous development on Gaydon.
Ideally, in order to familiarise ourselves with CEG’s appeal arguments, we should access the SDC e-planning site using (23/01054/OUT), and go to ‘Appeals’ and locate the document ‘Statement of Case’. It’s pretty long, but if you look at the summary sections (6 & 7) it will give you a good idea of their arguments (except the fact that it is a speculative development…!).
A word or two of encouragement: the tidal wave of objections has not ebbed - on just one aspect (there are a multitude) alone, the availability of an alternative, comparably-sized brownfield site ‘Swallowfields’ has altered the entire parameters of the situation. Let’s not be complacent, but the SDC unanimous decision to reject the development is pretty sturdy too!
(BTW, does anyone with CGI experience fancy exercising their skills by producing a ‘before and after’ video showing how the countryside would be destroyed and what it could be replaced with?) Tony Hughes
Compton Verney in February
A new season unfolds at Compton Verney, from March to July, with bold exhibitions, inspiring events and 120 acres of parkland to explore.
A full day out, all in one ticket, gives you a full day to explore:
All galleries and seasonal exhibitions; Our sculpture-filled parkland;
Any free activities taking place during your visit; The café and shop.
Remember, children aged 18 and under get free entry, making it an easy, great-value day out for families too.
Easy to enjoy: parking is free. You can book tickets online or buy them on arrival. It is a simple, step-free walk from the car park to the house, or you can ride there on the free shuttle bus.
In short: no hidden extras, no parking charges, no rush. For more information on upcoming events visit: www.comptonverney.org.uk
Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ Tel. 01926 645 500
Valentine Soup Thanks
The Millennium Group Fund-raiser for the Over-65s lunch raised over £100 towards next Christmas's event. Many thanks to all who supported us, especially the super soup cooks.
Swan Singers
Requiems of Fauré and Rutter Concert on Saturday 28 March at 3pm at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Hampton Lucy, CV35 8BE. Swan Singers, directed by Gary Beman with soprano Sydney Suffield.
The concert is Free Entry with a Retiring Collection supporting the choir and Sands charity.
Enquiries to: admin@swansingers.uk
Flag
If you have something to celebrate or commemorate, give Siobhan a ring on 07780 689582 and she will raise the flag for you, in return for a £5 contribution to Church funds.
Gaydon Village Hall News
The March committee meeting will be held a week later than scheduled. It will be on Monday 16 March at the usual time of 6pm.
Mobile Library
The Mobile Library will call at the Telephone Box at 2.25pm for half an hour on Friday 27th.
Coffee Morning
Saturday 14th at 11am in the Village Hall. We shall be serving our usual Coffee and Biscuits; Books and Jigsaws; White Elephant, Raffle and Chat. Proceeds go to Church funds.
Gaydon Book Club
Tuesday 3rd March. The Book Club meets at the Malt Shovel on the 1st Tuesday of each month. We begin our meeting at 7pm and welcome new members. LA
March at the Motor Museum
Monday 2nd Mellow Mondays
Monday 16th Mini Motorists
Friday 27th Museum Lates: Silent Disco
Volunteer Opportunities
If you have an interest in motor cars, the motor industry, enjoy working with people or just want a project for your spare time, we would love to hear from you. We promise you it will be rewarding - enjoy making new friends, learning and sharing skills - all you need are a few hours to spare and lots of enthusiasm. Check the rôle profiles for our Current Vacancies or email volunteers@britishmotormuseum.co.uk
Information and tickets at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
Carers4Carers
Friday 27 March from 10.30am-12 noon.
We are your local support group for family carers. We usually meet on the 4th Friday of the month in Kineton Village Hall. Loved ones are also welcome; they can join our Companionship Group during
the meeting.
This month, we are welcoming Lynne Morris, Reach Out and Help caseworker with Citizens Advice South Warwickshire to tell us about the work of Citizens Advice and, in particular, their home-visiting service for people who struggle to access support in person.
For further details about our group or help with transport arrangements to/from our meetings, please contact Gillian on 07947 893504; send an email to kcarers4carers@gmail.com; or explore our website www.carers4carersonthefosse.org.uk
Northend Warm Hub
Burton Dassett Village Hall at 11.15am till 2.15pm on Tuesday 10 March. Free hot meal supported by Warwickshire County Council.
Tai Chi
Gaydon Village Hall at 7pm. The Tai Chi group meets every Monday and Wednesday evening 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.
Nature Notes from Cape Verde
It's very warm here in Cape Verde and the numbers of Europeans tell me that there's snow, rain and cold back home. This is a barren island of rocks with beautiful beaches and an increasing amount of luxury hotels. I'm in a very spacious appartment and have been doing some bird and butterfly watching from my ground floor balcony pool side!
My first suprise was to see a couple of White Egrets pecking in the undergrowth. A large frigate bird flew over making a hoarse croaking. There are several small endemic sparrows and a type of warbler. The Bougainvillea is in full flower and I'm hoping to vist the nearby Botanical Gardens this week to see the few rapid-flying butterflies.
I also plan to see the Sea-turtle conservation areas and do some shark and whale watching...
The most common birds inland here are the Cape Verde Sparrow and the often-heard Red-billed woodpecker. I saw a hawk yesterday - no positive ID but appeared to be a type of Kestrel. Although the guide told me there were plenty of them, I think they're quite rare. There are only a few butterflies around. There are the endemic dappled white that appears to feed on succulents; and Papilio Demodocus, a large swallowtail that feeds on Citrus trees; and a type of Monarch known as Tiger butterflies. Several fast-flying Lycanae small Blues, too fast to identify. On the coasts a few dragon Flies that seem oblivious to the coastal wind.
The plants here are all drought tolerant species like large Euphorbias, Oleanders and cacti. There are flowering, Bougainvillea-type bushes everywhere and, of course, Palm trees. The rocky soil is quite rich but there's very little rain; Cape Verde uses desalination plants for 90% of its water. A very arid area still has shanty towns and beans, a very hardy sweet corn are grown protected by Heath Robinson style fences from the flocks of roaming goats...
The last few days have probably been the best for natural history. I went on a fishing boat to see the colonies of Frigate birds and Albatrosses on uninhabited islands. I saw Dolphins,Turtles, Whales and Sharks, too; and also made my visit to the botanical gardens.
The people who live here are interested in conservation. They are shocked at the huge influx of tourists but they need the income. Litter could become a problem, mostly caused by tourism.
The scare stories about Cape Verde are complete nonsense: everything is clean and it is very safe indeed. Just a few more days yet enjoying the warm sun before returning to Gaydon. The cover photo this month is one I took of a Frigate bird. More about that next month... Bernard Price
March Church Services
1st 9.30am Morning Worship Gaydon
10.00am Holy Communion Northend
8th 9.00am Holy Communion Gaydon
10.00am Morning Service Northend
3.00pm Evensong BCP Farnborough
15th 9.30am Mothering Sunday Service Gaydon
10.00am Morning Prayer Northend
22nd 9.30am Songs of Praise Gaydon
10.00am Morning Worship Northend
Palm Sunday
29th 10.30am Benefice Communion Gaydon
Holy Week
30th 7.00pm Compline Gaydon
Roman Catholic Mass
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
New Curate
Barry is delighted to announce that Rea Verdon will be ordained deacon on 28 June. Rea will be serving her curacy with us and will be living in the Rectory in Warmington with her family.
March Memorial Book
2001 8th John Checkley
2015 15th Bernard David Bennett
1974 16th Monica Boultbee
1988 19th Edward Lovesey
1990 25th Betty Kirby
2003 25th Betty Hill
1983 31st Leonard Thomas
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
Obituary
Jack Seville
It is with sadness that we record the death of John Reginald Seville on 14 February at the age of 98. The cremation ceremony will take place at Oakley Wood on Monday 9 March at 11am. There will be a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Church, Cookhill, at a later date. We offer our condolences to Anitra and family.
Something to Think About:
Knowing that You Matter
I only came across the term ‘mattering’ for the first time last month, yet it’s a verb that’s been part of the English language since about 1420AD!
In the early 1980s, it became a topic of interest in psychology, and since 2001, it has become a major research focus in psychology, education, and workplace management. 'Mattering' is a fundamental psychological and social need: to feel valued by others and to believe that your life makes a positive difference.
Mattering is related to, but distinct from, belonging. While belonging is about being part of a group, mattering goes deeper - it is the feeling that the group relies on you, not just that you are in it.
While feeling valued reinforces self-worth, mattering also involves a sense of dependence - the recognition that your rôle and significance emerge through meaningful relationships.
Author Zach Mercurio tells the story of a woman named Jane who hopped from one cleaning job to another. Then, a change in family circumstances meant she needed a more stable job. She took a job cleaning at a university (job title, ‘custodian’) and stayed there for over eighteen years. When asked why, she said,
‘In my first training, a supervisor defined the word custodian as “a person who has responsibility for or looks after something.”’ Despite being told her whole life that cleaning was an unskilled and dirty job, she said,
‘Realising I was looking after these buildings and everyone in them changed my belief patterns and has inspired me for the last eighteen years. I finally realised I mattered.’
Jane credits that one sentence from a supervisor for fuelling her energy and sense of self in work for eighteen years.
We can find that sense of mattering in work, in family life, through sport, by volunteering and in many other places. A strong sense of mattering tends to be associated with greater self-compassion, life satisfaction and resilience.
But if our mattering is connected to a key aspect of our life that we lose, e.g. through the loss of a job, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of someone we love, then we can be left feeling lost; our sense that we matter, our identity, our sense of purpose, our wellbeing all suffer.
Two things that psychologists recommend we focus on are:
We can help those around us by showing gratitude and letting them know they matter; and
We can help ourselves by volunteering in our community or on a project that’s important to us. The more we look to care for others and make a difference, the more we will come to realise that we matter.
Psychology is rediscovering that loving our neighbour as ourselves is one of those things that we all need to do, to really flourish in this life.
We may not be able to change the circumstances we are dealing with, but we can help others to know they matter. And in doing our part to make a difference in the world, we discover that we matter, too! Rev. Barry Jackson