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Bugbrooke Strollers
All
strollers walks meet on Thursdays at 10.00am. Newcomers are always
welcome. During
June and July, walks will be taken to Charity Meadow, Upton Mill,
Everdon Hill, Greens Norton, Dodford, Banbury Lane and Wards Lodge,
Church Stowe and Ravensthorpe. The
walks are taken at a leisurely pace and stops are made for a chat and
sightseeing. Bugbrooke History Group
Good
progress is being made on a pictorial history of Bugbrooke in readiness
for availability before Christmas 2007. Printers have been lined up with
a view to printing a book at a cost of £10. The
next meeting of the group will be at Naseby where we will be given a
conducted tour of the Civil War battlefield. This takes place on the eve
of the battle on June 14th and we will be gathering at the Fitzgerald
Arms at 7.00pm. The
committee for this year will be John Curtis (Chairman), Alan Kent (Vice
chairman), Pat Kent (Secretary), Elizabeth Thomas (Treasurer) and David
Hewitt (Speaker secretary). The next meeting will be at the Community
Centre on 13th September. Details of the History Group can be found at
www.bugbrookelink.co.uk/history Nature Notes
The
hottest April on record has just finished and its impact on wildlife and
hedges is apparent. Swallows were first seen at Littliff Farm on April
6th when they are normally expected around April 21st. However they are
becoming rarer because their source of food, especially flies, is scarce
because of a reduction in animals. The barns where animals shelter and
swallows nest are also being replaced or removed altogether. Other
birds have reacted to the weather by producing a first brood of chicks
before May. This means they might try for 3 or 4 breeds this year and
the likes of blackbirds, robins, sparrows, chaffinches could benefit
from your help by making food easily available. This helps them but,
unfortunately, stops them from learning the art of foraging. They might
become too dependent on us and we could be encouraging them to enter
dangerous areas where they are prey to cats. Cat lovers can help by
putting bells on collars so that an early warning system is sounded. Hedges
and trees have also responded to the weather with Horse Chestnuts being
fully out before May whereas they are not normally expected to be in
full bloom before mid-May. The variation in leaf colour of new foliage
that usually lasts until mid-June will be gone before the end of May. A
good place to see the difference in trees is in the Millennium Green
where over 20 varieties are planted and named. Ducks
have their young on the brook and canal by the end of April and moorhen
and coot are also to be seen. The new marina near the Old Crown might
encourage even more waterfowl if it is sympathetically planted up on
completion. These birds will survive easily in a hot summer but those in
gardens will appreciate a source of water in birdbaths or even bowls and
buckets. There
are number of fox and badger sites in the parish for the keen watcher to
see and such as deer, buzzard and sparrowhawk are about. Why not try a
walk on the rights of way and look for skylarks, yellow and pied
wagtails, yellowhammers, sand martins, swifts, whitethroats, longtailed
tits, bullfinches and others are all there to be seen. Please
keep me updated if unusual birds or animals are seen. There will be a
national survey in the summer and it will give an idea of how wildlife
is faring in our country. It would be a great shame if our children and
grandchildren lost the chance to enjoy the English countryside. There
is a report of goldfinches nesting in a garden in the High Street but
the swifts have failed to appear by mid-April. Let’s hope we have not
lost them. I heard my first cuckoo of the year whilst out with the
Strollers at Everdon Stubbs on May 3rd. John Curtis *Charity Concert: Saturday 7th
July 7.30pm
Musical
Humour and Sparkle at Midsummer!
This
year’s concert continues the tradition and brings another remarkable group
of musicians to Bugbrooke. It’s the “FMC Trio” (short for Frances,
Martin and Catherine) which has delighted audiences with its entertaining
performances for over 25 years. Although particularly known throughout the
Thames Valley, they appear in concerts all over the British Isles and Western
Europe. Frances
(the one in the middle) plays a variety of instruments and one of the
evening’s highlights will be when she brings out her Alphorn for a rhapsody
on tunes normally only heard up Swiss mountains! Tickets
at £9 (half price concessions for over 65s and for those in full-time
education) can be reserved and bought at the Church Office in Church Lane
(Tel: 830373, open weekday mornings except Thursday) or by calling Felicity on
833685. * To benefit the charity “Survival Bars
International” and the work of St. Michael’s in the Bugbrooke community. Alan Robertshaw Bugbrooke Church Village Fete
Make sure you don't miss the fete this year on Saturday
23rd June. The entertainment starts at 2pm with the crowning of the Rose Queen
followed by performances from the Bugbrooke Youth Orchestra and the Gospel
Singers. There are numerous stalls to try your luck on, including Tin Can
Alley, Lucky Sticks, Money Spider, Golf Chipping. Bugbrooke Art Group will be
displaying their artwork in the church and there will be a fete quiz for all
to get involved in. Take a breather to enjoy afternoon tea before the tension
and excitement of the annual Duck Race. Also for your entertainment there will
be a fancy dress competition and kids’ races. Grab your bargain books,
cakes, bric a brac, clothes and toys. Don't worry about being hungry or
thirsty as new for this year we have a fully licensed Beer Tent which will
keep going with the barbeque for an early evening party. Come on down!! Northamptonshire on Wheels (NOW)
Project providing transport solutions for young people
celebrates 1st birthday It
has been one whole year since Northamptonshire on Wheels (NOW) started, and
over 100 young people who were experiencing difficulty in getting to work or
college due to lack of transport have been directly assisted. Many more have
accessed support through the website and information given at public events
and forums. Now
Spring is here, more young people are beginning to think about what they will
do after the school year has ended, and demand for Level 3 assistance –
moped loan, will increase. Last summer was very busy for the NOW Advisers, and
they encourage young people to start thinking now about how they will get to
their preferred choice of college, training or work. If they are eligible for
NOW assistance, they can be helped before the summertime rush! NOW
can help any young person aged between 16 and 25 who cannot access work,
education or training due to lack of transport. They may want to access a
rural location or live in a rural location. Young people who have been helped
so far by moped loan (Level 3) include a young man living in Corby accessing
an agricultural course on a farm, a young girl accessing college where no
college transport exists and various young people accessing work in village
pubs where they wait or chef and work unsociable hours. Level
2 assistance would help young people equip themselves with the necessary
Personal Protective Equipment or with the Compulsory Basic Training and Level
1 provides public transport information and assistance. For
more information on the scheme please visit: www.northamptonshireonwheels.org.uk
Alternatively
contact one of our advisers who will be able to help.
For South Northamptonshire (Northampton,
Daventry and South Northamptonshire) Ring Emma on 07711
926 154 Gospel Singing
Back
in September a few friends did a five week Gospel singing course at Campion
School. After the course finished we decided that we would like to carry on
and in January formed the Bugbrooke Gospel Singers. We have fun singing and
will hopefully, after more practice, be able to participate in various Church
and village events. There
are 10 of us at the moment and we would welcome more members. You don't have
to be good singers, just enthusiastic and willing to learn and have fun. All
ages welcome. We
meet on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. Please contact me on 07952 592 616 or email ---------------------
Friday Whist Drive
Where
:– The Sunday School Rooms, Church Lane, Bugbrooke When
:– The second and third Fridays in the month Time
:– 2pm onwards Who
for :– Anyone and everyone from Bugbrooke, surrounding villages and as
far away as Daventry! There
is a warm welcome waiting just for YOU! However,
the Whist Drive Afternoon is in need of people to help with the smooth running
of the afternoon. Health issues and bereavement have recently left a need for
willing volunteers. If you can help please contact either Ann on 832126 or
Etty on 832416 who will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and
details of the tasks to be covered. Many
thanks in eager anticipation. Etty Ramsbotham Bugbrooke & District Flower
Society
Tan Strong, a National Demonstrator, came to our new venue
of Nether Heyford Village Hall, and her demonstration was entitled "All
that Glistens" She was talented, witty and interesting and we enjoyed her
lovely flowers and ideas. I for one, also enjoyed her Lemon Tart Recipe! Yes,
she cooks, as well as arranges flowers beautifully! In May the great Plant Sale took place at Campion School and was a great
success as usual. As well as enabling us as a club to have top rate
demonstrators, the money raised at the Plant Sale also goes towards the
charity of our choice and allows us to give generously. We hope you went to
the Sale, and found a bargain or two. In June we have a garden visit (for members only). In July Carol Vincent
will be coming, and her demonstration is called 'Jewellery Box’. In August
there is no meeting. In September Barbara Priest is coming with her 'Novel Ideas’. You would be
made most welcome if you wish to join us in Nether Heyford Village Hall,
starting at 8pm, generally on the 4th Monday of the month, unless otherwise
stated in LINK. Veronica Chambers Jubilee Craft Club
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