Bugbrooke Link Magazine

(Issue 140), October 2006
Editor: Paul Cockcroft

Thank you to Tony Pace for standing in as editor for the last issue of LINK and for his contribution with an article and pictures for “An Appeal for Tanzania”. That is a good example of the unusual articles that I like to see alongside the regular contributions that all go to balance the adverts that are such an important part of the magazine since they pay for the printing. On that point, we have noticed that some of the August magazines had pages out of order from the printing process and apologise for any confusion caused.
The magazine contains plenty of adverts covering a wide range of businesses and interests and we hope you find them useful and are able to support our advertisers. Due to the number of adverts currently included we are thinking about a restriction on new adverts and have altered the layout at the beginning of the magazine. I would be interested in your opinion as to how the magazine looks, please let me know.

Since it takes a lot of effort to pull together the written articles and adverts, we intend to be somewhat stricter about the deadline for the submission of articles and any revisions to adverts that are already included, so you will need to plan well ahead to make sure that your submissions are on time or preferably early.

In a packed issue, look out for a Triathlon report, Cubs and Scouts camping and climbing, details of the Rugby Club, a new look Church dates reminder and information from the Police.

You can contribute to the magazine by posting articles through my door or preferably by submitting copy by e-mail to the  e-mail address. This minimises the amount of copy that has to be typed in, and it is greatly appreciated as it reduces the workload for the production team.

The deadline for articles and advert changes for the next issue is Monday 6 November 2006.
The Link Committee would like to thank Trevor Parker for his many years as Distribution Manager. He remains a valued member of the Committee

Parish Council Notes
There has only been one full council meeting since my last report. At long last, the meeting with the Police took place at the July council meeting. The new Sector Inspector, Leonie Tromans, was in attendance with our local P.C. Will Hawes. They fielded questions from both council members as well as the members of the public who attended. It was a positive meeting and we hope that it will enhance communications between the community and the police.

It is sad to report yet again that the play equipment provided by the council on the playing fields has been vandalised making the swings unusable. This is a shame as this is the only provision currently in the village and does not encourage us to further extend this facility. The matter was reported to the police and if anyone has any information it would be gratefully received.

The clerk has recently passed the Certificate in Local Council Administration which means we now have a fully ‘competent’ clerk and will enable us to continue to pursue ‘Quality’ status. Most parish councils will be attempting this in the future and those that achieve it should benefit from enhanced working with other tiers of local government and preferential treatment when seeking grants from central government.
Phil Bignell – Chairman
 
Parish Plan Funding Available for Rural Communities
Northamptonshire ACRE has been awarded funding through Defra’s Rural Social and Community Programme to support rural communities to develop Parish Plans.

A Parish Plan is a statement of how the community sees itself developing over the coming years. It reflects the views of the whole community, by identifying local problems, needs and opportunities. Parish Plans can include anything that is relevant to the people who live and work in the community, whether they are social, environmental or economic issues.

Examples are concerns about rural issues such as affordable housing, activities for young people, the loss of your village shop or road safety. A Parish Plan will identify actions that could be taken forward by the local community, the Parish Council, or by other service providers and statutory bodies.

Over 30 parishes in Northamptonshire have now completed a Parish Plan, one of which is Helmdon. Danny Moody, Chair of Helmdon Parish Plan group said, “I strongly urge you to go ahead with a Parish Plan, I think Parish Plans are good for the community and can make a real difference.”

“The process of completing the Plan was great fun and lots of people got involved who had never been involved in village things before. To me that was one of the Plan’s greatest successes. The key is to involve as many people, as early as possible. Have open meetings and advertise them with leaflet drops through every door in the parish. Ask directly for volunteers to come forward to help – it’s amazing what people will do if asked directly.”

“As a result of the Parish Plan we have: broadband (earlier than most other villages), 3 new and very active groups, a new recycling scheme and improved public transport. The Parish Council now feels it can better represent the electorate’s view.”

Up to £3,000 grant funding to support the costs of developing your Parish Plan can be available by applying to Northamptonshire ACRE. If you would like further information on Parish Plans contact Northamptonshire ACRE on 01604 765888.
 
Northants Police
Community Action Teams
Community Beat officers (CBOs), are police constables that are assigned to work on a designated beat which require ongoing support to tackle crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. CBOs work in teams across several beats, carrying out high visibility patrols and working through established partnerships to tackle more persistent problems. These CBOs are allocated with responsibility and accountability for specific beats, but in view of the intelligence-led approach to policing, may not spend 100 per cent of their time on their beat.

The other resources of the Community Action Teams (CATs) – community safety specialists, hate crime and domestic violence officers – can also be mobilised, together with Police Community Support officers and Special Constables, Neighbourhood Watch members, Neighbourhood Wardens etc.
Community officers are an essential part of the backbone of policing in Northamptonshire and continue to play a very important role in addressing the issues which affect people’s quality of life.
Your designated community officers are
Bugbrooke, Rothersthorpe & Harpole
PC 752 Will HAWES and PCSO 7010 Charlotte PEARSON

Any changes are regularly updated on the Force website www.northants.police.uk and also includes officer’s contact email addresses.

To contact your local Community Beat Officer or Police Community Support Officer, by phone, call them on the force non-emergency number, 08453 700 700.

Immobilise That Mobile
If your mobile phone is stolen, it is bad enough that it is expensive to replace, but there is also the hassle of losing stored numbers, messages, pictures and downloads. So protect your phone!

You can “Immobilise” phone crime by adding your phone’s unique IMEI number to a national register that can stop it being used by anyone else if it is lost or stolen, and can help the owner get it back if it is recovered by police.

That 15-digit IMEI number, which is assigned to each phone when it is manufactured, is printed on a label near the phone’s battery and also stored electronically in the phone’s handset. The number can be displayed on screen by keying *#06# into the handset.

Members of the public can register their IMEI number, free of charge, at www.immobilise.com 
The register already holds ownership details of more than ten million phones across the country. Registering means that if your phone is stolen, you stand a much better chance of helping the police return your phone to you.

Last year, 1,797 mobile phones were stolen in Northamptonshire during robberies, burglaries or theft. Only 30 of these were recovered.

Northamptonshire West Police Community Safety Officer Kate Wright said: “Almost everyone has a mobile phone today and many mobiles are increasingly sophisticated and expensive. Unfortunately, this makes them a more desirable target. There are a few simple measures that people can take to make mobile phones less desirable to a thief, and we would urge people to use the built-in security features and recording the unit’s own unique IMEI number.”

She gave the following pointers to keeping mobiles safe:

Surgery Notes
Breast Screening
All ladies between the ages of 50 and 70 years, who are currently registered patients at Bugbrooke Medical Practice, will be invited for Breast Screening during January 2007. Any ladies over the age of 70 wishing to be screened, should contact the Screening Unit on 545830.
Please be aware that Bugbrooke Medical Practice does not deal with any of the appointments for Breast Screening.
Mrs Angela Francis
Assistant Practice Manager
Bugbrooke Medical Practice  

Flu 2006!
Once again we are approaching the time of year when we need to start thinking about the ‘Flu Season’
Influenza is a major annual health risk to the community and the flu vaccination is recognised as an effective intervention in patients of all ages who are at risk. The high risk patients in whom the infection is likely to be more common and/or dangerous are those with: –

Flu is highly contagious. The most common symptoms are an abrupt onset of fever, shivering, headache, muscle ache and dry cough.

Routine vaccination offers the best protection. A vaccination is needed every year because the virus is constantly changing.

The vaccine CANNOT cause flu because it does not contain live virus.

The only people who must not have the vaccination are those who have a severe allergy to hens’ eggs.
This year the Flu Clinics will not be starting until November, due to a delay in delivery of the vaccines caused by manufacturing problems.

For patients currently registered at Bugbrooke Medical Practice – These are the dates and times of the 2006

Flu Clinics
Saturday 4th November 2006 9am – 12md
Saturday 2nd December 2006 9am – 12md
Appointments can be made AFTER the 10th October – and can be made in person at the reception desk or by phone. (01604 830348)

These clinics are only for the administering of Flu immunisations, nothing else. If you have any other medical queries, another appointment will be necessary.
Selene Avil
Practice Nurse
Bugbrooke Medical Practice

Bugbrooke O.A.Ps Christmas Gift Scheme
We wish to remind all O.A.Ps in the village that their application for the Christmas Gift Scheme should be handed in to one of the collection centres mentioned in the August edition of LINK. Should you have mislaid your application form, duplicate copies are available at the Stores, the Post Office and at Cherrenee. Completed forms should be sent or handed in to the collection centres no later than 31st October in order for you to qualify, so please make sure your completed form is submitted by that date.
Gift vouchers and cards will be distributed during the first half of December as usual.
Bruce Piper, Chairman.

St Michael & All Angels Church News
How Many Do You Keep?
No doubt you’ve heard about Moses in the Old Testament, parting the Red Sea by lifting his staff enabling the people of God to escape to safety from the pursuing Egyptian army. However, this is as nothing compared to what the sight of a dog-collar does when it makes an appearance in a crowed pub. Miraculously the crowded bar starts to move in symmetry and a clear unobstructed path appears leading straight to the bar!
It’s against this, rather OTT opening paragraph, I recently found myself in the midst of a large crowd talking with a number of people. Suddenly, and out of context with the prevailing conversation, one of those I was talking with suddenly sat bolt upright in their chair, waved their half empty glass in a semi-circular motion and stated firstly, they were not religious, then with bold conviction pronounced, they kept the ‘Ten Commandments’ and that was good enough! Immediately the other members of the group turned and looked at me in eager anticipation of my response. Taking a small sip of my drink (to give me thinking space), I simply posed the question ‘What are the first three commandments’?

Talk about lighting the proverbial blue touch paper. There ensued a debate (of which I was simply an observer), which finally concluded, one of them was about not coveting your neighbours ass, with another one not committing murder but the jury was out on the third!

The answer the group was looking for can be found in Exodus Chapter 20 (and if I’d had my wits about me I should have asked what the first four were), they are as follows : –
1. Worship no other gods but me.
2. You shall not make any graven image of God.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember that you keep holy the Sabbath day.

The remaining six commandments only make sense if the first four are observed. In fact, the remaining six cease to be commandments and become promises if the first four are honoured. If you, as Jesus said ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength’, you shall want to honour your Mother and Father, you will not want to commit murder, commit adultery, steal, bare false witness or covert that which belongs to your neighbour. Without the first four, the remaining six only really become possible by laws, legislation, restrictions and fear.

I’m not saying observance of the first four will make life a bed of roses, for all of us are less than God intended. However it leaves us with an interesting dilemma. If we do not recognise the reality of God revealed to us in Christ then we have to redefine the statement that forms the basis of these few words and say ‘I keep the last six commandments and I think that is good enough’ or, we start finding out what it means to keep the first four and therefore make the final six fulfil their transition from being commandments to promises.

Obviously a few well chosen words cannot answer all the questions that have been posed and perhaps you want a chance to ask those questions. During the month of September at Bugbrooke Sunday School Rooms on Church Lane we shall be having an ‘Alfa Course’ taster evening. The evening will start with a meal followed by a chance to hear about the Christian faith. Finally over another drink and in a non-threatening atmosphere of friendship and mutual searching there will be a chance to ask questions. If you enjoy the evening, there will then be an opportunity to come again for a few more weeks as we search and learn together about what it means to follow God. For more detail please contact me on 01604 831621.
Grace and Peace
Stephen French, Rector of Bugbrooke, Harpole, Kislingbury and Rothersthorpe.
 
NB Want to know more about the Christian Faith? Watch out for details about an ‘Alpha Taster Evening’ in the very near future.
Want to know more… Give Stephen a ring on 831621

Autumn Fair, Bugbrooke Community Centre –
2.00pm Saturday, 21st October
An Autumn Fair will be held at the Bugbrooke Community Centre on Saturday, 21st October, starting at 2.00pm.
Items for sale will include nearly new clothes, bric-a-brac, home-made produce (jams and chutneys etc.), home-made cakes, books and toys. Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.
Games stalls and events including a balloon race, tombola stalls, splat the rat, marble madness and face painting, will be on show, and a super-prize raffle will be drawn towards the end of the afternoon.
Please come and join us at 2.00pm on Saturday, 21st October.
All proceeds will go to Bugbrooke St Michael and All Angels Church.
 
Church Floodlights
One of the most stunning sights in Bugbrooke is St Michael & All Angels Church illuminated by floodlights. It is the landmark architectural feature of our village.
If you agree with these statements and would like to make a financial contribution (any financial contribution however small), to help the Church fund the running costs and the maintenance costs of the floodlights we would really appreciate your support.
Please put cash or cheque (made payable to “Bugbrooke PCC”), in an envelope and mark it “Floodlights” and post it through the letterbox of the Church Office, next to the Sunday School Hall. Or post it through the Rectory letterbox or to Sue Pace, 4 Laddermakers Yard.
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Mike Hogg
Church Treasurer

Mothers’ Union
On the evening of July 13th, 15 members enjoyed a social evening and meal at the Wharf Inn.
On the afternoon of July 20th, 20 members enjoyed a social get together in Lindsay’s garden. The afternoon was very hot so Lindsay had installed two gazebos, which made it very pleasant. After a short service we had a quiz, arranged by Joyce, which caused much laughter. A most enjoyable afternoon ended with a tea provided by the committee.

On August 9th, Mary Sumner Day, an open day was held in Holy Cross, Daventry. This included an afternoon of fun for the under sevens, followed by a Faith Tea. The activities, which centred on the story of Noah, included making faces with food (biscuits decorated with cheese or chocolate spread, carrots, radishes, blackberries, etc); animal masks and painting the Ark. Mr Noah made an appearance at the service in church after tea.

Our autumn meetings start on September 14th at 2.30pm with a service and tea in the Sunday School. Sue Tringham, our Diocesan President, will join us.
Pat Archer
 
Bugbrooke Rugby Club
By the time you read this article, Bugbrooke will be three games into the new season. Let's hope the results are going our way! The Club gained promotion last season, and are now playing the likes of Huntingdon, Daventry, Towcester, Wellingborough, and Banbury.
The Colts (Under 19s) had an extremely good 2005/6 season and finished runners up in the Referees Cup, narrowly losing to the winners of the Colts National Cup. We continue to field an excellent Colts team, and sights are set high for this season.

 The Junior sides, Under 13 to Under 17 also had some excellent results last season against much larger Clubs, and Bugbrooke continue to provide several players to the County teams. Much to look forward to this season.

The Mini Section, Under 6 to Under 12, goes from strength to strength. The club owes a lot to the 30 or so qualified coaches and willing helpers, who give our young 'minis' the opportunity to play the game. Anyone between the ages of 5 and 17 who wants to come and have a go at playing, just come along to the club on a Sunday at 10.30am. The annual fee is £30, which can be paid in instalments. Full kit is not needed to try out the game and a pair of trainers, pair of shorts or jogging bottoms, and a sports shirt are the only essentials.

For anyone wishing to join the Club as an Adult player, training is at the Playing Fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm. Just come along and introduce yourself to our Coach, Simon Foale, who will be happy to get you match fit!

In the winter months the Club also use the Astroturf facility at Campion School once a week. Don't forget, there are at least three adult teams weekly, so there's room for all abilities.

Club contacts for the season are below, and if you have any questions then please give one of us a call.

The clubhouse is also open to social members at a cost of £10 for the whole season. As well as Rugby games to watch, we also show Premiership and Cup matches on Sky Television. The Club is open every Saturday from 1pm, throughout the year, and 8pm to 10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during the season.
Please come along and watch some quality Rugby on a Saturday, or support or join in with the Junior and Mini sections on Sundays.

You can also visit the club website at www.brufc.org, where you will find up-to-date information about the club, as well as results, fixtures, and events.
Bryn Curtis, Chairman
   
Bugbrooke St Michael’s Football Club
All teams are enjoying the new changing facilities and upgraded social amenities at Birds Close. Delays due to the late provision of a new water supply meant that senior teams had to play a high proportion of away fixtures early in the season. This will level out throughout the season and by Christmas it will be possible to assess the merits of each team. First indications seem optimistic for Reserves and ‘A’ sides with the 1st XI and ‘B’ sides expected to pick up as the season progresses and training kicks in.

The youth teams will again be gaining valuable experience and learning how to enjoy their sport with the help of enthusiastic managers and players.

The Club is always open on Saturday afternoons from 1.00pm onwards and there is usually a choice of games to watch. This can also be done from the comfort of the clubhouse and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the atmosphere and the availability of refreshments.

There has been a lot of emphasis on improving facilities over the past few years. Now these are largely complete, concentration on our footballing achievements will take higher priority. Everyone at the club is appreciative of the financial help given by local donors along with established bodies such as The Football Foundation, Sports Stadia Scheme, Northants County Council and South Northants Council. The facilities they have helped to provide, along with the hard work of club volunteers, will help to ensure sporting enjoyment in Bugbrooke for at least the next 50 years. Many thanks.
John Curtis
 
Bugbrooke Cricket Club
Congratulations to our 1st X1 who are Champions of League 7 so have again achieved promotion & will play in League 6 in 2007. Our 2nd X1 have recently been putting in some better performances and have won their last two matches.

Our continual grateful thanks go to Bob Riches who has put in a large amount of work this season looking after our grass wicket which is only used for 1st X1 League matches at the moment & to Mick Adams who has been mowing the outfield. Tony Bird has spent many hours looking after the Bar which has been open most days of the week during the season with a great increase in takings as a result.

Our Junior sides have had some very enjoyable matches under the direction of Roger Stone. We hope these young cricketers will continue to play the game into their adulthood. A Junior inter club match & BBQ has been held which was very well organized by Sam Bird (with another scheduled for Sept 23rd). It was extremely well attended by parents as well as players with no room to move in the Pavilion lounge which shows the spirit at this Club.

A Vice Presidents & Friends lunch was held on Monday August 28 during the Annual Over 30 v Under 30 match for the Jack Dawson Trophy when the Guest of Honour was June Dawson. The match was won again by the Over 30’s which shows experience counts even though the Under 30’s had several 1st X1 players in their team! We are running 2 Saturday league teams as well as Sundays, Junior & Midweek sides, so get in touch with any of the officers or myself if you wish to join the Club at its picturesque ground by the brook. Have a look at our website www.bugbrookecc.co.uk and www.bugbrooke.play-cricket.com for further information & chat on our Message Board.
John Mundy: Chairman & Treasurer 830725 (H, B & FAX) 07850–084535 (M)
Lesley Bird: Secretary 832630 (H)
Peter White (President) 50 High Street, Bugbrooke  (830452 H. B & FAX. )
 
Bugbrooke Girl represents Great Britain at World Championships
Bugbrooke teenager Hollie Avil (16) was representing Great Britain at the Triathlon World Championships that were held in Lausanne, Switzerland on the 2nd September.

Having won the qualifying event, the Salford Triathlon in July, she was selected to go to the World Championships to compete in the Under 19 age category. She flew to Lausanne with the GB team a few days before the event and was able to cycle the route and swim in the lake to get used to it all.

On the day of the race, it was an early start at 4am for breakfast, and then getting bike and kit ready. The starting claxon went at 8am to start the swim. There were 67 girls competing in this event and so Lake Geneva looked like a washing machine! Hollie had a good swim and came out of the water in 3rd place. She was in the leading pack of 8 for most of the 20k cycle, then just 4 of the athletes including Hollie managed to break away and take the lead. Following the cycle, Hollie came out from the transition area on the run in 3rd place.

The 5k run was along the edge of the lake (not that she had time to be taking in the views). As predicted the older and more experienced girls started to catch up and some managed to overtake Hollie. She finished the race in a very respectable 11th place with a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 11 seconds (1 minute 10 seconds behind the winner) – not bad for a girl who has only been competing in triathlons for less than a year and was competing against 19 year olds.

Nature Notes
The onset of Autumn brings with it a more difficult time for wildlife. Food becomes scarcer and cold and wet weather makes it more difficult for them to survive. This is the time of the year when some assistance from us can make a difference to survival rates before things improve again next spring. It is highly likely that the contribution made by humans has helped to compensate for the change in agricultural practices that have made life difficult for wildlife. Nevertheless less use of pesticides and the encouragement of wildlife strips around fields has been of considerable benefit to birds and animals. They have been left somewhere to forage around the sterile agricultural fields of modern farming.

The effect can be seen in the increase in predators. These cannot exist without feeding on other birds and animals and their welfare is an indication that the lower end of the spectrum is healthy. Buzzards, sparrowhawks and kestrels are becoming commonplace whilst foxes seem quite prolific. Whilst the queasy might find the killing of birds and animals a bit distasteful it is nevertheless the way of nature and we should be pleased that smaller creatures are there to be caught rather than being starved for lack of food or poisoned by pesticides.

There are reports of increases in red deer as well as muntjacs but you would do well to see them as they are extremely secretive. You would need to be in a pretty isolated part of the countryside and alone.
Nearer to home it is possible to see foxes in gardens in some parts of the village so those with chickens need to make sure they are secure at night. Birds are also becoming more prominent although some species appear to be doing better than others. Blackbirds seem to be everywhere and house sparrows are making a comeback but thrushes and swallows seem to have a harder time. However, throughout the winter those who feed birds in the garden will no doubt be rewarded by drawing in birds from the field as they search for easy pickings. If you make sure cats are out of the way you are likely to get a better reward for your efforts.

On an optimistic note I saw the kingfisher flying along the brook on the morning of writing this article. It is a superb sight but only available to those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Incidentally we went away for a couple of days to Witney, near Oxford, and there was crayfish on the menu. I thought I would try it as they have appeared in our brook over the past 2 years. It was delicious so I will not be telling you if they reappear next year!
John Curtis

Bugbrooke Strollers
The Strollers continue to meet on Thursdays at 10.00am for a leisurely stroll in the countryside. Most walks last for about 2 hours and are conducted at a steady pace. Anyone wishing to join the group will be made welcome and many friendships have grown up over the years among those who stroll.
The programme for October and November include visits to Watford, Sand Pits, Upper Weedon, Norton, Rothersthorpe, Everdon, The Mill and Heyford, Astcote and Eastcote, and Harpole.
John Curtis

Bugbrooke & Harpole Scout Group
Cubs and Scouts have been preparing for the camp at Nailer for months, and at last on 29th July the waiting was over and they were on their way. Cubs went for a long weekend and Scouts for the whole week, in association with the Braunston Scout Group.
The international camp, Nailer 2006, celebrated 99 years of scouting and guiding with 100+ activities organised. Two and a half thousand children and young people from all over the world gathered at Towcester Racecourse (it couldn't have been much closer for us!), ranging from Rainbows and Beavers through to Sea Cadets. There was some wet weather but plenty of sunshine too. The site was totally secure with night patrols and a guard dog. There was the excitement of a full scale evacuation when the Fire Brigade was called as a precaution to a small fire caused by a tilly lamp falling over and the grass catching fire.

Cubs enjoyed three days at Nailer and took part in numerous activities including dodgems, tug-of-war competitions and bell-boating. Here they piled into 2 x six man canoes joined in the middle with a board, and paddled round the lake. They enjoyed the usual camping activities, sleeping under canvas, and having meals outside, which included washing up afterwards!  There were barbecues with the Scouts and fireworks in the evenings. They slept well when they came home – evidence of late nights and early mornings.

Cubs are looking forward to a reptile and insect evening and will be seeing cockroaches, spiders, lizards, snakes and tortoises and handling some of them.

Scouts integrated well with the Braunston group and impressed the leaders with a big difference in their maturity in the way they took responsibility for themselves and other people. As a result they enjoyed a lot of freedom to pick and choose among the great variety of challenges on offer at the camp. These included quad biking, laser clay pigeon shooting, pioneering, a fun fair and water activities. There were 5 rock climbing walls and an abseiling tower, as well as indoor activities in the Craft tent, the Crystal Maze zone and movie tent showing two films a day. There were themed days – a Sports day, a Faith day and a 'Best of British' day, where everyone wore posh clothes with carnation buttonholes, offered people tea and cream cakes, and played croquet outside their tents. At night, the entertainment included barbeques, concerts with rock bands, discos and fireworks displays.

A group of Scouts went canoeing on Boddington lake in July, but half the party was rained off by a thunderstorm. At Nailer they were able to enjoy the canoeing experience, also dragon boat racing, in a 10 man open canoe with a drum beat to row to, which got faster and faster.