Opera comes to Apethorpe!

ONE of Scotland's most talented opera singers will perform at St Leonard's Church in Apethorpe on Saturday April 24.
Soprano Catriona Clark will team up with special guest baritone Daniel Howard to perform beautiful songs, arias and duets from the operatic and musical theatre stage. It's sure to be a sell-out success so book fast to ensure you don't miss this unique show.
Tickets cost £15 per person and are available by calling: 01780-479003.

Apethorpe Manor House Spring Walk

LORD and Lady Brassey have kindly given permission for a Spring walk in their beautiful garden on Sunday March 28.
The stunning garden will be opened up for villagers and proceeds will support Hospital at Home.
If you would like to participate, the garden will be open from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday March 28. Tickets cost £5.
Music will be played in the Church and teas will also be available.

Last chance to fight radioactive proposal

CHAIRMAN of the village meeting, Malcolm Winder, has alerted us to an urgent meeting concerning the dumping of radioactive waste in King's Cliffe.
The Development Control Committee of Northamptonshire County Council are meeting at 10am on Tuesday March 16th. Unfortunately they have a reccommendation from the Planning Officers to go ahead with the radioactive waste disposal just 2.5 miles from Apethorpe.
Malcolm has made an appointment to address the DCC on behalf of Apethorpe before they make the final decision, though Malcolm believes it is a forlorn hope that any changes can be made against the Government's will for this proposal to proceed.
If you have any views or comments which you would like Malcolm to make to the council please let him have them prior to Tuesday. Malcolm can be emailled at: mrwinder@btinternet.com or call him on: 470472. For more details on the controversial radioactive waste dumping in Kings Cliffe go to: http://www.kingscliffewastewatchers.co.uk/

Send me your email address and we'll keep you posted

WE'VE recieved some great comments about this blog recently, but I'm conscious that I still do not have a full list of emails for everyone in the village so I can keep them posted.

If you would like to be included on the distribution list for the blog so that you will get an email update from me when it has been updated, then please send me your email address and I'll include you on the list. Many thanks for your help, Marc, Dairy Cottage.

Help needed - Conker the Springer is missing

EILEEN and Paul are appealing to anyone who may have seen their beloved English Springer Spaniel, Conker.
The young Springer is brown and white, has green eyes and thin legs and was last seen in the fields West of Apethorpe. She is wearing a thin blue, cream and brown spotted collar with a dog tag.
Eileen and Paul urge everyone to take a look in their sheds or garages to see if she has snuck inside.
If you have any sightings or know where she is, please call Paul or Eileen on: 01780-470992 or mobile: 0785-5412997 or: 07966-154070

Mike Walsh on the mend

Really pleased to hear that Mike Walsh is back at home and recovering well. I'm sure everyone in the village sends their thoughts and best wishes to Mike and Annette. We hope to see you soon Mike.

My Fair Lady hits Kings Cliffe

The Kings Cliffe Players are presenting My Fair Lady at Kings Cliffe Memorial Hall in March.
The play runs between Wednesday March 17 to Saturday March 20, followed by a second week of performances between Wednesday March 24 to Saturday March 27. It starts at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £8 for adults. OAPs and under 16s are £6. Tickets go on sale on Saturday February between 10.30am and 12.30pm at the Memorial Hall Parlour (Church Walk doors). And if you can't manage to make that time then tickets will be on sale afterwards at the Kings Cliffe Post Office.

Burns Night at the Kings Head

APETHORPE made sure that Robbie Burns will never be forgotten with a massive celebration at the Kings Head last weekend.
A local piper made sure the evening went off with a bang, and wee drams at the bar made sure everyone got in to the Highland Spirit.
Rumours suggest the editor of this blog was last seen on the dancefloor in full Highland Swing with Justine and various members of the community, though all reports have been denied.

Fancy being a Special Constable?

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Police has contacted us to see if any Apethorpe villagers are interested in being a Special Constable.
If you've always fancied getting to grips with criminals and doing your bit for the county, then now's your chance, so read on:

Northants Police currently has over 180 Volunteer Police Officers (Special Constables), all of which contribute to keeping your community safe and “making the difference” within it.
Special Constables are involved in a very diverse mixture of police work, a typical shift can involve crewing up with another Special or Regular Officer, and responding to calls from the public when they come in. This could be anything form anti-social behaviour to a serious assault! You may find that a large amount of your time will be spent carrying out proactive high visibility patrols in your area. This is of course very important as it improves public confidence and can deter crime before it happens.
Special Constables are often called upon to support specific operations across the force. This can present you with a number of exciting opportunities as you could be involved in, plain clothes work, intelligence gathering and executing search warrants, to name but a few.
Becoming a Special Constable is ideal for those who want to help their local Police Officers and PCSO’s and put something back in to their community.
It is also an ideal position for those who wish to become full-time Police Officers to gain excellent experience and life skills to aid them in applying.

For more information on the role, to receive an application form, or to view Northants Police upcoming Open Evenings please visit:-www.northants.police.uk/careers or call Lizzi Betts on 03000 111 222 ext 2098, our specials recruitment administrator who will be happy to advise you.

NEWSFLASH: Apethorpe Village meeting

The next Apethorpe Village meeting will take place tomorrow (Wednesday December 9) at the King's Head.
This is a change of date (previously December 8), but rest assured there's plenty to discuss.
Current topics on the agenda include the disposal of radioactive waste in King's Cliffe, the adoption of the telephone kiosk, and the hot topic of access to Manor Farm.
Other items currently on the agenda include the latest on the allotment project, a discussion on bridge and highway improvements, an update on village finance and setting the village precept.
Any topics which you wish to discuss under 'AOB' should be sent to the Clerk of the Meeting, Deborah Manger at deborahmanger@btinternet.com by Saturday December 5. Alternatively, telephone Malcom Winder on: 01780-470472.
For anyone wishing to dine, Julia and Steve will be providing a hot supper so we can all combine dining with the meeting. Apethorpe News will bring you the latest news from the meeting as it breaks.