APETHORPE CHURCH NEWS BY RICHARD PARKINSON

• The Manor House Gardens will be open on Sunday 10^th April in aid of Hospital at Home from 2.30 to 5 pm.  It will also be open on Easter Saturday 23^rd April 2.30 to 5pm, in aid of Fishing for the Forces. Teas will be served in the Church on both occasions and the tickets will cost £5.00 on Easter Saturday and are available from Lady Brassey (470231) or on the gate.

• There is a Bible study evening in the Manor House Shooters Lodge on Tuesday 8^th March at 7.15 pm. Everyone is welcome, bring your own bible.

• The Women’s World Day of Prayer is on Friday 4^th March, in Nassington Church at 2pm.

COMMUNICARE LATEST BY WENDY SPENCER

The next Communicare coffee morning will be on Friday 18^th March in Yarwell Village Hall at 10.00 am.

The programme of summer day trips is now available with the first on Wednesday 13^th April to Market Harborough & Foxton Locks including a pub lunch (£23 per person).

The fee includes collections from all local villages. Future trips are on 22^nd June to North Norfolk (£16) & on August 10 to the Cotswolds (£19).

For info and booking contact Clare 01780-470437.

• The next Communicare meeting will be held on Tuesday 8^th March at the Wansford Surgery commencing at 6.30 pm.

• Communicare are offering holiday packages to York and to Torquay this year.

The York holiday is for 4 nights from Monday May 9^th and costs £255 including travel and insurance for a stay at the Burn Hall Hotel in York.

The Torquay trip is on Monday September 12 for four nights and costs £245 for a twin/double and £285 for a single room.

Both holidays require a £25 deposit per person. Please contact Clare Wagstaffe on 01780-470437.

Apethorpe Christmas Extravaganza

With much hilarity please enjoy some snaps I have just been sent by Mandy Foxwell from the amazing ACE that took place at Christmas. Special thanks to everyone involved in creating what surely must be a new Apethorpe staple event. Enjoy the photos and thanks to everyone for making it such an enjoyable evening by all accounts.

Phone box shapes up for action

News reaches us that Apethorpe’s very own Phone box Library is finally taking shape.

Sources say restoration work has already taken place to transform the humble BT box into the new central Apethorpe library for books and CDs.
Some midnight scouting by our reporters revealed that work appears to be close to completion and rumours abound that a grand public opening complete with special guest is believed to be in the pipeline.

Head of Phone box operations Graham Warren declined to comment. More news as it breaks.

Shiver Me Timbers! Pieces of Eight!

The Kings Cliffe Panto is back – with Denis Chamberlain of Apethorpe as Dame Sally Forth in Treasure Island. 

Tickets go on sale at the Kings Cliffe Village Hall on Saturday 22^nd January at 9.30am (lower entrance). Performances are Thursday to Saturday evenings 17th-19th Feb, plus a matinee on Saturday 19^th, and Wednesday to Saturday evenings 23rd to 26th Feb – HALF TERM.  

After Saturday (22 Jan) tickets will be available at the KC Post Office and from kingscliffeplayers@hotmail.co.uk.

‘Ello, ‘ello, ‘ello…

EVER fancied doing something good for the community and getting to live out your childhood fantasies as a Police Officer? Well now could be your chance.

Northamptonshire Police are looking for volunteers to become Special Constables in the Northamptonshire area.

Special Constables play a vital role in improving the success of Northamptonshire Police and offer valuable free time to help keep our communities safe.

If anyone is interested please go to: www.neenor.co.uk and to learn how to join go to: www.northants.police.co.uk/careers

CHURCH NEWSLETTER BY RICHARD PARKINSON

• Bishop John has been overdoing it and has been advised by his doctor to take a bit of a rest , therefore the service pattern for this month has had to be altered. We pray that he gets better quickly and wish him all the very best.

• Keith Howell’s funeral, led by Bishop John, was very well attended, the Church was packed, standing room only. His daughters both made exceptional eulogies and the music and hymns were very moving. We wish Pat and the family well.

• As we all know, there is a special Royal Wedding this year in April and I think that it would be fun to celebrate the occasion with a “STREET PARTY” or something of that nature. Maybe not on the day of the wedding, as no doubt you we will be watching on the television, but it could be in the evening, a bit cold, or on the following day.

April is not renowned for wonderful weather, but we have the Church tent and I can get another larger tent to make sufficient room for the whole village to attend. We could hold it either in the Estate Yard or in Manor Farm, rather than the Manor House lawn which could well be rather damp. We held the Jubilee party in Manor Farm and that worked very well. We have tables, chairs, bunting galore, drinks can be arranged should anybody feel the need and food? A lamb or pig roast maybe OR everyone contribute something themselves. Whatever it is, it needs to be warm. Any ideas please call Richard on: 470653.

Ironman Matt!

APETHORPE’S very own Matt Snow is aiming to become Ironman Matt when he competes in the UK leg of the Ironman series in July.

The event on July 31 will see Matt complete a range of incredible human feats in just 17 hours, and Matt is asking Apethorpe residents to support him.

Matt, who recently celebrated his 40^th birthday will compete in the event to raise money for Scope.

Matt said: “The event involves a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run.... all within a maximum of 17 hours.... yes I have now truly started my mid life crisis!”
He added: Anyway to add further pressure to my training schedule I have also agreed to raise money for Scope, who support children and adults with cerebral palsy - the most commonly diagnosed physical condition in the UK.
I have a just giving page http://www.justgiving.com/Matt-Snow
It would be really appreciated if you would consider sponsoring me for this worthwhile cause. Thanks in anticipation.”

From all at Apethorpe Village news we wish Mr Snow good luck.

Funeral of Keith Howells

IT is with great sadness to announce the funeral of our dear friend Keith Howells will take place on Tuesday January 11 at 1.15pm in St Leonard's Church, Apethorpe. Pat and her family would like to welcome those who knew and loved Keith to join them at the service and also to join her family in a remembrance walk from Pat's house, Middle Cottage, to the Church, at 1pm. Pat has kindly asked for flowers from the family only at the funeral, but would appreciate any donations to the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice where Keith was cared for in his last week. A collection plate will be passed round in Church or donations can be sent directly to the hospice. Our love and support go out to Pat and her family at this difficult time.

Goodbye to our dear friend Keith

IT is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to our dear friend Keith Howells who passed away on December 29, 2010.
Keith was a great friend, a huge part of the Apethorpe community, loved by everyone and will be missed and remembered every single day that we have without him.
Our thoughts and our love go to Pat and her family at this incredibly tough time.