Little Staughton Village Newsletter On-Line
The Last Monthly Newsletter as delivered around the village
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Little Staughton News
May 2008
From the Chair (Tony Moss)
April is a strange month in Parish Council life. It is officially the start of the new financial year, but as council elections are normally held in May the council year starts in May. Of course the Annual Parish Meeting was held in March. There are no Borough Council elections this year due to the formation of the unitary council from 2009.
The council has completed a full review of the work plan that was issued last June and we are justifiably proud of our achievements. We also thank all who have assisted us during the year; all of your help is very much appreciated.
Whilst saying thank you, I would like to thank Mary Jordan and Paul Atkinson for their entertaining support whilst painting the pavilion last weekend. The job is now complete. I would specially like to thank Roger Jordan for the plethora of tasks he has completed on behalf of the village in recent weeks, plus Marie, my wife for supplying much needed tea and coffee.
Two new plaques have been fitted to the pavilion to mark the opening and the donation made by the Pathfinders to the children’s equipment. We thank Paul Williams and his colleagues for supplying these.
A new work plan, for the coming year, will be published after the Parish Council meeting on 20thMay; this will include further developments on the playing field, and other parts of the village where we have responsibility.
If you have any other ideas or items for consideration then please do let me know, or come along to the next Parish Council meeting.
Further work will be needed on the pavilion and this will progress during the next few weeks. We will be looking for support at some stage during the year for the laying of a paved area in the front of the pavilion. Several trees and shrubs have been planted to enhance areas of the playing field, and we have provided protection for these young plants. They will grow to maturity and give a different perspective to the playing field. Fencing is due to be erected around the young peoples play area, and further grass seeding will be undertaken to finish off this work.
Last year a tennis net was purchased so that budding Tim Henman’s could play on the field. This will be erected again during the summer. The cricket club have very kindly offered to roll the area around the net so that is should be more even, and easier to play on. Thanks to the cricket club for doing this.
As you may have heard the North Beds Dart bus service is being discontinued in June, apparently the funding has not been extended and the number of passengers is very similar to the old 153 service. It is being replaced by a revised 153 bus service. Further details are awaited. But we have requested that the bus should stop where requested in the village area. I will let you know further detail hopefully next month.
Lost Property
A pair of glasses were found near the Church. Call Marion 376713 and a single key with plastic fob, found on the High Street, call Norman Sear (376408).
All Saints’ Church
Work to repair the South Aisle Roof is scheduled to begin on 6th May and will continue until the end of June. The contractor is CEL. There will be scaffolding/building materials in the churchyard while the work is in progress and people visiting the church/churchyard are asked to exercise special care.
The month of April saw All Saints’ Church lit by Mary Hopperton in memory of her father and the remainder of the month was sponsored by John Darlow.
If you would like to mark a notable date in the same way please get in touch with Gill (376530); the cost is only £10 per week.
Not only will your treasured memory be highlighted but you will be helping with the security at the Church, deterring further thefts or damage.
The Friends have a cake stall at the Dog Show on the 18th May – see Dog Show article on following page for details. CAKES NEEDED
Cricket Club
Don’t forget your tickets for the fundraising Hog Roast/Band at Cherry Orchard Farm on Saturday 24th May, tickets £12.50 from James Hopperton (07879691976).
Fun Dog Show at The Crown in aid of RDR Dog Rescue
Classes for all dogs: best looking male dog, prettiest bitch, best veteran, most appealing eyes, child handler, best rescue dog and others. Rosettes 1st to 5th. Tombola, balloon race, raffle, refreshments. Get your dog microchipped for just £15 and have a go at dog agility. Sunday May 18th opens 11 am and classes start at 12 noon.
There will be a cake stall in aid of All Saints’ Church (run by the Friends). If you can help by donating a cake for sale please deliver it to Mary Hopperton (Wyndham, Spring Hill) on Saturday May 17th or bring one along to the dog show on Sunday. All cakes will be most welcome.
Neighbourhood Watch
Little Staughton has an active scheme, for those of you not aware of who the village co-ordinators are, see below:
Top End: Cherry Protheroe Tel:378806
or e.mail caprotheroe@btinternet.com
Middle Sector: Mary Jordan Tel:376383 or e.mail maryjordan@talktalk.net
Green End: Ginnie Lumley Tel:376825 or e.mail ginnylumley@hotmail.co.uk
We send regular newsletters to members and are available for assistance if
needed; many eyes and ears can always help keep our village safer for us all.
This years Neighbourhood Watch Quiz Night, will take
place on Thursday the 19th of June, from 7.00 PM at Bedfordshire Police Head
Quarters, in Woburn Road, Kempston.
Teams of 4, at £5 per person. The price of the ticket includes a buffet. Join in
and see of you can beat the Mayor. To register a team call (01234) 275165.
Mobile Library
The Mobile Library visits fortnightly on Friday mornings
(9 & 23 May, 6 & 20 June, 4 & 18 July, etc), stopping at:
- High Street (Church Lane end) 10.25-10.40
- Green End 10.45-11.00
- Rectory Farm/Holme Close 11.05-11.15
Friends of Kymbrook Lower School
The Friends of Kymbrook would like to thank everyone who contributed to the
latest ‘blue bag’ collection. Little Staughton and Keysoe raised just over £400,
so thank you all very much. The next collection will be in October, so keep
collecting clothes, shoes, soft toys, curtains and old bedding. If you don’t
have room to store items until October, please call Paul Feneley (376309) who
will collect from you. Again, thank you all very much.
Playing Field
Thank you to all those who are on the litter picking rota. Volunteer Litter Pickers are needed for the Autumn. If you would like to help please call Marion (376713) for a place on the rota.
Diary Dates
April 26th, Saturday: Quiz Night at the Village Hall; tickets £6.00 includes finger buffet. First round 8.00 PM. Tickets from Marion (376713)
May 18th Sunday: Fun Dog Show at The Crown opens 11 am, classes from 12 noon.
May 24th Saturday: Cricket Club Fund Raiser - Hog Roast and Band at Cherry Orchard Farm on Saturday 24th May, tickets £12.50
June 8th, Sunday: Collection of bulky waste, Gray’s Grove, 3.30 to 5.30 PM.
June 14th, Saturday: Pathfinder and World War II Exhibition in the Church with a ‘40s’ tea in the afternoon – come and learn about the village association with heroic events.
July 20th, Sunday: Village Hall Bar-B-Q
September 7th , Sunday: Little Staughton Ashes Cricket Match: Village v Church
September 13th Saturday: Little Staughton 2008 Golf Day. Please contact Paul Feneley (376309) if you wish to play. Please note correction to day.
All copy for the June 2008 issue to Jeanette Atkinson by post (Claydon, Spring Hill), or email (jeanette@claydon02.freeserve.co.uk) by Friday 23rd May, 2008.
Thank you to A I Topham & Son of Rectory Farm
for sponsoring this newsletter