Martin is the Director Emeritus of Sulgrave Manor which is the Ancestral Home of the Washingtons in England. Martin’s talk will give an insight into how the Tudors celebrated Christmas and how many of those traditions and customs are still celebrated today and which have such a meaningful significance extending back well before Christianity itself. Martin will 'live' this experience with us, dressed in costume as the 'Tudor Lord of the Manor'. A polished and knowledgeable speaker for our last meeting before Christmas. 

January 21 2008, Margaret Hudson - ‘Life With The Tiller Girls’

Margaret was a Tiller Girl from 1949–1953, travelling all over the world and the UK in various venues including The Palladium. Margaret is a lively person with a great sense of humour and will be keeping our interest going with gossip from behind the scenes and the various mishaps and triumphs associated with a group of dancers living and travelling together. It will be an interesting meeting sharing Margaret's exciting years as a Tiller Girl and viewing her many photographs. 

Meetings are open to non-members and take place at Bugbrooke Community Centre, Camp Hill, Bugbrooke on the 3rd Monday of each month at 2.30 p.m.

Special interest groups: Appreciating Poetry, Book Club, Book Exchange, Bridge, Circle Dancing, Cook and Eat, Discussion Group, French (Intermediate), Genealogy, German (Intermediate), Music Appreciation, Pottery (Practical), Scrabble, Snooker, Theatre, Writing Family History.

During December and January the Strollers will be meeting at 10am on Thursdays for a variety of walks lasting about two hours. They take place at a leisurely pace with plenty of time for a chat and a breather. If you would like to join in please turn up at the Church car park. Notices are on village notice boards about specific schedules. The places being visited are Grimscote, Kislingbury, Everdon, Littliff, Farthingstone, Little Brington, Hulcote, Bugbrooke Mills and Slapton. For more information please ring 830317.

The new book entitled “Pictorial Bugbrooke 1860–1960” is now in the Post Office and Cherrenee for all those who want to get a copy. It costs £10 (first edition) although it may be slightly more if another print run is necessary.

It is 188 pages and is full of photographs, paintings and poems that record life in the village during that time. It will bring back memories for those with long family connection, and will give more recently arrived residents in the village an insight into the way of life in Bugbrooke in the early part of the 20th century.

A lot of the credit for the book goes to the hard working committee that put it together. These were Terry Ward, Betty Prime, Liz Thomas, Pat Kent, David Hewitt and John Curtis. They were assisted in preparing the work for publication by Tony Pace, Ellie Thomas and Rob Stone. The printing was undertaken by Direct Print of Brixworth with assistance from their director Philip Bradbury.

There will be a walk around the village on Sunday December 30th starting from Elm Tree Bank (The Stores) at 2.30pm. It will finish at the Community Centre at 4pm and will try to explain the sequence of expansion that has taken place in the village during the last century. It will be at a leisurely pace so wrap up warm and join in.

The next meeting will be on Thursday January 24th when a speaker will be arranged in the Community Centre at 7.30pm.

Other history books available in Bugbrooke at a cost of £10 each are “Bugbrooke 2000BC to 2000AD” and “A History of Football in Bugbrooke”. Copies of these will also be in the Post Office and Cherrenee and available as potential Christmas presents.

John Curtis                            www.bugbrookelink.co.uk/history

Flower Society members and committee enjoyed an excellent meal at Northampton College in October served by very pleasant and competent first and second year catering students.

Our demonstration in October was entitled “Take a Leaf” by Alwyn Stanley, and was about the very different art form of Ikebana. Ikebana probably dates back to the 16th century and was started by men, followed in the 18th century by women. It was a total change from our usual flower arranging. However it’s good to see something very different once in a while and maybe some members will be inspired to have a go.

On November 26th we have a Christmas demonstration at Nether Heyford Village Hall and visitors will be made most welcome. Come and get some ideas for decorating your homes for Christmas and perhaps buy some seasonal items from our excellent sales table. The demonstration by Jackie Eyre is entitled “Christmas Delights” and will start at 8pm. We look forward to seeing you.

This is our last meeting of 2007. Our New Year begins on January 28th 2008 with the AGM and Social Evening.

Well, Playgroup is back after the summer break, and we welcome all our new children – it’s very full and busy!

Victoria Tofte has taken over the reins as playgroup supervisor from Jess Pell, and amongst other things the children are dressing up for Halloween and will be making lanterns to celebrate Diwali festival of light in the Hindu calendar. There is also to be a drop-in Parents evening on November 14th, 8pm–9pm.

 There are a number of new members to the committee:

· Jacquetta Manning – Treasurer;

· Tracey Davis – Secretary

· Faye Shaw – Fees

· Tracy York and Gaynor Raybould.

· Lisa Merry has changed from Secretary to Vice Chair and Tonya Lloyd Ellis from Vice Chair to Admissions

 A big thank you to all new and ongoing committee members without whom playgroup would not be able to continue.

Also, thank you for all the work done by old members, Hazel Manning, Priti Patel, Tracey Wilson, Rebecca Barnes and also to Kate Meech who has had to give up her committee role now that she is a member of staff at playgroup.

 Special thanks to the Bugbrooke Ball Association for the donation of £300, which, amongst other things, will buy a much needed carpet for the story area.

 Fundraising is ongoing for the shaded outdoor area, and please add a date in your diaries – on November 21st we will be having a Body Shop party, starting at 8pm. Entry is £1.50, but this includes a glass of wine and don’t forget to bring extra pennies to stock up on body shop goodies (ideal for Christmas presents!). Additionally, we’re collecting mobile phones and computer ink cartridges for recycling, and don’t forget to register with easyfundraising.org.uk as your subsequent online purchases can help raise money for playgroup. We are a charity and need all your help!

 Finally, playgroup is helping to recycle old clothing, bedding, curtains, soft toys, shoes, belts and handbags through the “Bag2School” scheme. An ideal opportunity to clear out all your old and unused items; we will be dropping leaflets around the village with the collection date so please get sorting!

Tracey Davis, Secretary .

Celebrate the end of term and the start of the Christmas Holidays with the annual Disco at the Community Centre (now in its tenth year and still the same price!).

· Thursday 20th December

· 6pm to 8pm

· Tuck Shop for kids – Bar for mums and dads.

· £1.50 age 3 to 15. Other ages free when accompanied by a child.

· Age 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult please.

· Tickets on the door.

For more information phone Gillian, 07761016583.

Help for Tanzania

Thanks to those of you who have already supported our fund to help build Osiligi School in Tanzania. We still hope to raise more before we go. If you would like to make a contribution, please call us on 832516

This is turning out to be the best start to the season for many a year. All adult teams have started well and are in the top four teams of their respective leagues and there is still a lot of interest being maintained in county cup competitions. The managers and players are to be congratulated for creating this success, which is beginning to match the quality of the new facilities provided at Birds Close last year.

There is a Presidents Day at the clubhouse on Saturday December 8th from 2.30pm when it will be possible to view these excellent facilities. Refreshments will be provided for life members, vice presidents and former players from 3.30pm and the bar is open all afternoon. It is hoped that many old supporters and players will come along and meet their friends for a club get together. The first 11 is due to be playing Buckingham Town on that date although this may change if we continue to go well in cup competitions.

The youth teams are also progressing well and are being well organised by their managers and youth co-ordinator Paul Carr. There is a lot to be proud of in Bugbrooke when you can go up to the playing fields on Saturdays and Sundays to see the hundreds of young people enjoying their football and rugby. A lot of credit also goes to the parents who encourage participation in healthy endeavours and a respect for good sportsmanship.

  Return to top of page