The new Apethorpe Village website is up and running and you can access it here:

www.apethorpevillage.co.uk

Come visit us soon!

The Editor

Your new editor...

I should begin by introducing myself. My name is Simon Foxwell (Mandy's Foxwell, the deputy chairpersons husband) and while some of you may know me, some of you may not.

Hello.

I have taken over from Marc Potter as the blog editor and reporter of all things that happen or are going to happen in the village of Apethorpe. I can only do this with your help so PLEASE send me details of anything you want to share with the village. If you have something to say, something to offer, something you're doing that you want us all to know then please send me an email:

simon@fruitloopy.com

Apethorpe Village Party

Apethorpe in the 60's

Richard Parkinson kindly sent us this photograph of Apethorpe in the sixties. It shows Manor Farm as just that - a farm! Many thanks to Richard for sending it in.

The King's Head Opens Soon!

APETHORPE'S King's Head pub will be open again soon and Simon Forbes and Charlotte Bussey who are running it would like to send this message out to the village:

Dear Villagers, we are proud to announce that THE KINGS HEAD, Apethorpe, shall be re-opening SOON. Keep posted for our Grand Opening dates and we look forward to seeing you all! Also make sure you keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events! We welcome any ideas, events and questions about the pub, so feel free to pop in and have a chat with us, we would like to make the pub the heart of the village community once again!

Many Thanks, and look forward to meeting soon

Simon Forbes and Charlotte Bussey

We'll keep you posted as we get more news and wish them all the very best with running the pub.

Apethorpe's Event of the Summer!

APETHORPE TENNIS CLUB BARBECUE, SAT AUGUST 13, NON-MEMBERS WELCOME!
ALI and Richard Clarke have kindly offered to host this year's Apethorpe Tennis barbecue and it's set to be the Apethorpe social event of the summer.
Members, non-members, friends and family are all invited to the evening event which starts at 7pm on Saturday August 13. And if you've never been upto Richard and Ali's at Fisher Close Cottage, Lodge Farm, Apethorpe before then you're in for a treat. The scenery is stunning and Ali's food is world class.
Tickets cost £12 per person which includes all food and your first drink which our insiders say will have an Italian twist this year.
If youd like to buy tickets please contact Geoff on: 01780-470880 or Jane on: 01832-226286.

The Kings Head Closed for Business

It is with great sadness that we have to report The Kings Head is closed. Pub owners Steve and Julia sent us this statement. Dear villagers, It is with much sadness that Bern and Marilyn will no longer be running the Kings Head as Lease holders, we are not aware of all of the facts but would like to assure you all that we intend to sell the lease on again or may possibly sell the pub, whatever happens and it is too early to say please be assured that we will not let the pub or the village down and will keep you informed of the situation. Kind Regards Steve and Julia From all at Apethorpe News we wish Bernd and Marilyn, Steve and Julia well.

Nuclear Waste - it's time to have your say

THE future of Apethorpe is in your hands as tomorrow night the local villages come together to vote for or against dumping nuclear waste in Kings Cliffe.
Apethorpe's very own polling station is at Westmoreland House, Manor Farm, Apethorpe and is open from 4pm to 9pm on Thursday April 7th.
The question being raised is:
DO YOU WANT THE PARISH MEETING TO TAKE THE STRONGEST ACTIONS TO OBJECT TO THE DISPOSAL OF LOW LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE AT THE EAST NORTHANTS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FACILITY OR ANY OTHER SITE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA?
Many of you will have seen the advertising campaign locally which needs you to vote YES if you want to OPPOSE the disposal of radioactive waste nearby. Or, of course NO if you feel differently.
Your vote can make the difference, and Malcolm Winder, Chairman of the Apethorpe Village Meeting is appealing for everyone to attend and cast your vote.

Apethorpe votes to hold official referendum

The village of Apethorpe has voted in favour of a referendum against the dumping of nuclear waste at an official meeting chaired by Malcolm Winder.
The meeting at St Leonard's Church this evening was attended by passionate members of the Apethorpe community and also included representatives from surrounding villages including Kings Cliffe.
A majority vote was made in favour of holding an official referendum to be managed by the local authority. Malcolm revealed this could take place as early as April 7.
Further details on the legality of which question to pose will be disclosed over the coming weeks following further legal advice.

A huge thank you from Pat

Pat Howells would like to send her thanks for the support shown during recent months following the passing away of her husband Keith. The lovely Pat said:"I want to thank everyone who both attended Keith’s wonderful send off and who have supported me so kindly through these past months. Friends and neighbours have been amazing but I know they will excuse me if I particularly single out Nick Blackford who tried so hard to help Keith when he needed it most.  This village is such a special place but in times like this it makes you realise how lucky we are to be part of such a great community. Pat added: "I have just received a thank you from the Sue Rider Thorpe Hall Hospice for the tremendous donation of £2517.39 made from Keith’s funeral and also sent directly from friends and family who could not attend. What a wonderful tribute to Keith.  Thank you all so much from us both.  This money will go to help others in need of their amazing care."

Neighbourhood Watch News

Latest advice from Neighbourhood Watch:

With the TV digital switchover happening at the end of March please be aware of bogus callers knocking on your door offering to retune your televisions. These people will deliberately target the elderly and vulnerable who may have concerns about the switchover, and their intention will be to enter the property and steal money, handbags and other small items of value.
There are organisations that will help with the switchover, and their employees will carry identification, please ensure that before you let anyone into your property that you have had a good look at any identification offered, and that you feel comfortable about them being there. The best policy would be to ask a relative or trusted neighbour to help and advise you with the retune, and not let strangers into your house.
If you have any concerns about a caller at your door particularly during this period then please make sure you call the police on 03000 111 222

SAVE OUR VILLAGE FROM RADIOACTIVE WASTE

A meeting to discuss voting against plans to dump radioactive waste in Kings Cliffe will take place on Wednesday March 9.

As many of you will already know Augean PLC have applied numerous times for planning permission to dump tons of radioactive waste just a few miles from Apethorpe. So far this has been declined but the problem is not going away and Augean keep plugging away to get permission.

To have your say and find out the latest on this shocking state of affairs please attend the meeting at St Leonard’s Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday March 9. 

Apethorpe's Chairman of the Village Meeting, Malcolm Winder said: "From the generosity and concern of Apethorpe residents we have raised £600 for the referendum and we only need your vote of support on Wednesday to proceed. 
He continued: "Nearby villages are doing the same so that we generate a united community response to the Government under the proposals of 'The Big Society'."

For now, please read the information supplied by Diane Gifford and the Local Democracy in Action (LDA Group).

Further information can be found at the following websites:

LDA's website http://ldia.org.uk

Twitter:        http://twitter.com/ldaction

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Local-Democracy-In-Action/177754475600827

JOHNNY’S THE PICK OF THE LITTER!

Apethorpe’s very own good guy Johnny Earl is arranging the annual Apethorpe Litter Pick this weekend.

The event kicks off at 3pm this Sunday (March 13) outside the King’s Head pub and all equipment will be provided.

It’s a fantastic chance to get involved with the local community, make our village even more beautiful and bump into a few old faces for a chat while getting your hands dirty.

Any questions please contact Johnny on 470343 or email: johnnyearl@hotmail.com

APETHORPE POSTCARDS ON SALE!

IF you haven’t snapped up a set of the beautiful A5 postcards produced with photographs taken in and around Apethorpe by village residents then now is your chance.

Each of the eight high quality cards has a different photograph taken by residents and is selected from the wonderful photos from the village calendar last year. All profit goes to St Leonards Church.

The cards have kindly been produced in conjunction with Mike and Anne Johnson and Malcolm and Lynn Winder.

They cost £6 for a pack of eight cards with quality envelopes or £10 for two packs.

Mike Johnson said: “You really must see these cards to fully appreciate their quality, similar cards in shops would normally sell for prices starting at £1.50 each.”

To buy a set call Ann and Mike on 470669 or Malcolm and Lynn on 470472.

THE PHONEBOX LIBRARY IS GO!

BOOKS and CDs are required for the new Apethorpe Phonebox Library.

The BT phonebox is now owned by Apethorpe residents and our very own Graham Warren has sweated over creating a library to be proud of.

Now all it needs is your help.

Please put your CDs, DVDs and books in a box at the Kings Head pub if you would like them to be shared around the village.

Rumours that a local dignitary will officially open the Library shortly have been furiously denied. However, watch this space.

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.