Lose the Litter a huge success!

JUSTINE and Andrew would like to thank everyone who helped with the recent village litter pick and tidy up.
Thanks to a mammoth effort around fifteen sacks full of rubbish were collected along with an animal skeleton (believed to be a Muntjac deer), a large chunk of rusting car and a large wooden packing crate.
Justine was delighted to report that around half as much rubbish was collected than in the previous year's collection.
Andrew was unable to confirm how much Pigeon feaces he scraped from the roof of St Leonards church but our sources estimate three bags full.
Thanks also to Steve and Julia for providing much needed bacon sandwiches and coffee afterwards.
Here's two pictures I managed to shoot but many more villagers were in attendance, you know who you are.

Apethorpe does Opera!

ST LEONARD'S Church came alive last Saturday night as Soprano Catriona Clark filled the church with her incredible voice.
Around 100 local residents watched in awe as Catriona, one of Scotland's finest young singers, and special guest baritone Daniel Howard, performed a wide array of songs from the operatic and musical theatre stage.
It's fair to say that everyone in attendance was blown away by Catriona's amazing talent.
We spoke to dozens of people who were all in agreement that a small village like Apethorpe is honoured to have had the chance to witness a pair of singers with such an amazing gift.
Many thanks to Catriona, Daniel, Oliver on Piano and Justine and Andrew for making it all happen.
If anyone has any pictures from the evening please send them to me and I'd be happy to post them on the site.

Apethorpe Hall Tours

A HUGE thanks to George, English Heritage, and everyone who helped make Apethorpe residents feel so welcome at the recent Apethorpe Hall tour.
Not only did English Heritage give everyone incredible access but they also laid on posh cakes and tea!
I've posted some of my photos on the left for everyone to take a look at and I hope that we've managed to do this incredible building justice.
English Heritage has already started phase two of the work to bring the Jacobean mansion back to its former glory and if the quality of work is anything like phase one then I can't wait to have another peek next year. For more information go to: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.10929
And if you'd like to buy the house English Heritage would be very keen to hear from you!

Great deals at the Kings Head

TO celebrate what we all hope is the arrival of summer The Kings Head has a host of promotions to suit every kind of customer
As well as the usual high-quality menu there's now a variety of options including a great-tasting range of pizzas, a lighter bite Tapas menu, and Julia and Steve are now offering a barbeque on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, as long as the weather's good.
Nicola and I sampled the pizzas last night and can definitely recommend them, and in a quick straw poll the Tennis club members dropping by for a light snack certainly seemed to enjoy the Tapas selection.
And if that's not enough then all World Cup matches will be shown on a new HD television, starting on June 11. To celebrate there's a special World Cup real ale priced at just £2.50 a pint, and if you watch the match at the Kings Head and guess the score correctly you can win a voucher entitling you to two main meals in the restaurant for free!
Julia and Steve would also like to point out that if the World Cup is not your bag then the lounge bar and restaurant will be a World Cup free zone.

Stop Press! Apethorpe Litter Pick this Saturday

YOU don't need me to tell you just how beautiful our village is. But the best efforts of everyone in the village haven't stopped some unsavoury characters dropping litter and trying to use Apethorpe as an illegal dumping ground.
Which is why this Saturday (April 17). Andrew and Justine have organised the annual Apethorpe 'Stop the Drop' litter pick.
It starts at 10.30am this Saturday outside the Kings Head. Justine and Andrew will divide the routes up and all equipment will be provided.
Julia and Steve have kindly offered tea and coffee for everyone who takes part at the pub afterwards.
Justine says: "Please make a point of coming along and doing your part as we live in such a lovely village and it's upto us to keep it that way, plus it's a really good social event for everyone in Apethorpe."
Please reply to Andy and Justine at Chaff house 479003 andyandjus@aol.com to confirm attendance.