Enjoy the snow scenes - My thanks to Andrea (guess who?) yes Snow
Below is a copy of an e-mail received from Laura Parkinson at Michaelmas Cottage on Monday Feb 23rd. It speaks for itself really, and re-inforces that we must all be careful.
Dear Richard, I was wondering if you know who the neighbourhood watch person is for the village. Someone attempted to break in at just gone 12.30 last night. Luckily the dog heard them and we switched the lights on, but our gate was still ajar this morning. A car came and picked someone up on our corner a few minutes later so I think it was probably quite carefully planned. I think I need to up our security levels a bit! If there is a neighbourhood watch person I can email and hopefully they’ll let everyone know, but if not would you mind forwarding a message to the people on your list? I hope you are well. Many thanks. With best wishes, Laura
Apethorpe
Calendar Project Guidelines
As agreed at the village meeting on
The Calendar Project will enable you (and the children) to pick up your cameras and explore the surrounding countryside, seek the best views, submit your photographs and be involved in supporting your village – good exercise and good fun, all in one!
The final Calendar will be professionally produced towards the end of the year and will be ideal for home and office or for presents for family and friends.
Below are the guidelines for submitting photographs for this project:-
1) It is open to all village residents of any age apart from Maggie Farmer who is to be our judge for at least the first year. You can submit as many photos as you like.
2) For this first calendar, photos will be landscapes taken in and around Apethorpe.
3) No photos of other villages and no surreptitious inclusion of your family or pets. As a rough guide, countryside that can be included should be within 30 minutes walk of the village.
4) It is not a competition. We will be selecting a range of photos so if the nine best photos are, for example, beautiful sunsets or the same view, they will not all be selected as we need variety for the final choice. There is no prize for any selected photos apart from the pride of seeing them in the final article.
5) Photos will be submitted in four groups representing the four seasons. There will be deadlines given for each season (see below)
6) The orientation of photos should be landscape
7) Photos need not be taken this year. They can be old ones that you have taken over the years. If you have some very old ones these would also be very welcome.
8) Following each deadline, a pool of between six and ten will be selected for that season. These will go forward for the final choice.
9) When photos go forward for judging, they will be anonymous as far as the judge is concerned. She / he will make their choice bearing in mind:-
A) Quality of photos
B) Originality of photos
C) The need for a variety of views and weather conditions
D) Their adherence to the appropriate season and to the guidelines.
10) The selected photos will be displayed anonymously in the King’s Head within three weeks of the deadline date. Judges choice is final.
11) Photos must be submitted by the appropriate date (see below) and will not be accepted after that date.
12) You may submit photos at any time during the appropriate season, you don’t have to wait for the deadline.
13) The following methods for submitting digital photos are all acceptable (in order of preference):-
A) The preferred method is as attachments to an email to annmike.johnson@tiscali.co.uk
B) On a USB memory stick or flash memory or similar
C) On a CD or DVD disc
D) Older and film based photos can be scanned, Mike Johnson will help with this if required
B, C and D submitted to Mike Johnson at Lavender Cottage, 5A Manor Farm. They will of course be returned provided names are attached.
14) The selling price will depend on printing costs but the project will be non- profit making
15) Following the final deadline, the final choice of thirteen photos will be selected by the judge from the four pools, one for the cover and one for each month
16) At present we are looking into how to fund the first run of 100 or more calendars
What We
Need From You
1) Submitting lots of photos
2) Buying the final calendar (we are hopefully aiming at around £5). We are aware that for some people there may be conflicting loyalties for calendar purchase but you can still submit photos.
3) Suggestions of designers / printers who will produce a quality product at a reasonable price
Submission
Deadline Dates
Winter –
Spring –
Summer
–
Apethorpe Parish Meeting - Notes
Tuesday, 13th January 2009, 7.30pm, Kings
Head
1. Apologies: Mike & Lois Phillips, David Manger, Ian Groundwater, Richard Parkinson,
Simon Johnson, George Ord, Laura Parkinson.
2. Minutes of last meeting: Accepted as an accurate record
- Matters arising
a) Freedom of information act :
Model Publication Scheme, Statutory obligations, Terms of Reference (MWr)
Described by MWr as “Bureaucracy at its
worst!”
Applies to Parish meetings (under the
auspices of the ‘Model Publication Scheme’) and requires us to provide
information on request:
i.
Who we are and
what we do
ii.
How we raise
and spend money
iii.
Priorities
iv.
How we make
decisions
v.
Policies and
procedures
vi.
Lists and
registers
vii.
Services we
provide
It was proposed (MWr) that we formally
accept the Model Publication Scheme
Seconded: A Forbes
Unanimous vote
Terms of Reference (attached) were
outlined. It was agreed to adopt them in principle and adjust them as
required
Proposed: C Forbes
Seconded: F Porter
Unanimous vote
b)
Community responder scheme
(DM)
This scheme has received funding for half
the cost of a defibrillator from the British Heart Foundation. There is the
possibility of the remaining funds being found locally. Mike Walsh gave a brief
account of how this may occur (details will be expanded at a later
date)
Any volunteers should give their name and
address to DM who will forward them to EMAS allowing a CRB check to occur prior
to formal training
ACTION
DM
c)
Allotments (MWr)
MWr described the suggested scheme; land
behind the tennis courts.
Leader properties own the land and have
indicated that they are happy in principle.
There is a covenant on the land to prevent
building; raised by Yvonne Tomkins, Willowbrook Lodge. The parish will approach
Yvonne to advise of the allotment project and ask for her agreement
ACTION
MWr
Dennis Chamberlain is happy to assist with
the logistics of the project
A short discussion followed about the cost
of water to the site. This will be researched
ACTION
MWr
d)
Polling facilities
(MWr)
The garage of Rick and Sandy Avern
(Willowbrook
House, Manor Farm) has been approved for use as a polling station for the
residents of Apethorpe.
Many
thanks to Rick and Sandy for their generosity in providing this valuable public
space
e)
Public telephone box
(MWr)
The request to retain the box is with the
Secretary of State; the response may take up to 1 year. Feedback will be given
when it is received
f)
Neighbourhood
watch
Guy Porter has agreed to assume the role
of coordinator following Richard Dorling’s note that he might not be available
to assist.
The meeting was grateful for Guy’s offer
of help and also extended their thanks to Richard Dorling for his efforts since
arriving in the village.
This will be a standing item on the
agenda
ACTION
GP
g)
Childrens play
area/scheme
ENDC have recruited Play Rangers to
facilitate play and sports schemes in villages throughout Northamptonshire. They
bring all the equipment and anticipate managing after school clubs and holiday
clubs. ENDC wanted to know if the scheme was of interest and if any outdoor
space could be made available
·
0-7 years
(play)
·
7-13 years (fun
and sport)
·
13+years(sports
coaching)
It was suggested by the meeting that The
Green at Apethorpe Hall maybe a suitable site. MWr to ask EH
ACTION
MWr
The scheme requires a local facilitator.
Rachel Johnson kindly offered; it was suggested that she may gain assistance
form Laura Parkinson
ACTION
RJ
h)
Peacocks/hens (Molly &
Polly!)
George Kelly and Dave Moisey set traps in
Mike Walsh’s garden. They have been moved to Haddon – we were informed they are
happy with the move.
4.
Finance report (M
Walsh)
Attached
MW advised that an audit will be required
31st March 2009 but that this will not attract a fee as we only have
income this year
ACTION
MW
5.
Apethorpe Annual Precept –
2009/2010
Currently this is zero rated for
Apethorpe
If the meeting decides on a precept the
value will be divided between the 93 households in the
village
This was discussed and a proposal was made
to retain the zero precept
Proposed: M
Hindmarch
Seconded: F Porter
Majority vote to carry the proposal
- Highways and planning
issues
a)
Local planning
applications:
Nil to report
b)
Winter driving & Road Salting
Routes
MWr distributed ENDC maps of salted
routes. Please contact Malcolm if you wish to have a copy
ACTION
ALL
c)
Local priorities (e.g. Sign for
Following a recent ‘mail shot’ request
form MWr a list of priorities for the villagers of Apethorpe have been forward
to ENDC
i.
Footpath
maintenance between Apethorpe and Kingscliffe
ii.
Improved
signage and sight lines on the approach to the bridge
iii.
Signage
indicating that
iv.
Highway
maintenance along the road to Nassington
v.
Repair of loose
kerbstones through the village
vi.
Parking around
the pub, particularly on the grass verges
- Village Calendar
Described by MJ who will circulate a full
description throughout the village
Attached
An enthusiastic discussion followed. All
attending thought this was an excellent idea and encouraged Mike to pursue
this ACTION
MJ
- Apethorpe Hall
This property remains
unsold
MWr advised that EH were planning more
tours this year as follows:
·
June-September
09
·
Wednesday and
Saturday
·
10.30, 13.00,
15.30
A Forbes offered his assistance
ACTION
MWr/DM
- Kings Head Update
Julia thanked the village for their
patience over the festive season as increased business had resulted in some
parking difficulties
Julia described
·
Burns night
supper (24th Jan)
·
Valentine’s
supper (13th Feb)
·
Valentine’s
dinner (14th Feb)
- Any other business
In future AOB will be replaced with items
of information as large items of AOB do not allow sufficient consideration to be
given to possibly important items.
Anyone attending the meeting should ensure
that they inform the clerk of items 5 days ahead of the meeting; they can be
provided by email at deborah.manger@btinternet.com or
by post at Reed House
Information given was that there was a
programme about Apethorpe Hall on BBC1, 7.30pm 14/01/09
- Date of next meeting – Tuesday 28th
April 2009
Apethorpe Parish News
Services in February 2009 Sunday 1st February 11am Matins Mrs Ord Sunday 8h February 11am Family Eucharist Rev Michael Whawell Sunday 15th February 11am Family Eucharist Canon M. McAdam Sunday 22nd February 11am Family Eucharist Canon John Beaumont Sunday 1st March 6pm Benefice Evensong Bishop John A LETTER FROM BISHOP JOHN LENT begins in February. The word itself is an Old English word meaning “spring”, but at church it refers to the 40 days and 40 nights running up to Easter. During Lent we prepare ourselves to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and discover how those great events affect our lives as individuals and as a community. Traditionally Lent is a time for “giving up” something as an act of self-discipline. I rather prefer the idea of “taking on something extra”. So you could try attending our Lent Meetings, which are going to happen on Tuesday evenings throughout March when we shall be getting to know each other and looking at the Bible together. Full details will appear in next month’s newsletter. LENT starts on Ash Wednesday, 25th February. There will be special services that day at 9.30am (Nassington) and 7.30pm (Woodnewton). We hope you will join us. With warmest good wishes to you all +JOHN FLACK WE have been busy in the Church over the past few weeks, firstly Pat Kittens has kindly cleaned out the Bell room which was covered in sticks, old nests and dead birds. He has also cleaned out the parapet on the tower that was full of guano from the pigeons, a truly filthy job, well done and thank you Pat. We are putting wire anti pigeon spikes on the parapet to try to stop them using it to court and breed. Roy Rogers and his son are going to insure that the spire and the tower are bird proof in the future. We are also installing security into the church to protect the roof, which will no longer be insured against theft by either of the approved insurance companies. There will also be more security installed for the inside of the building and its contents.
