April 2016
OgImage:
Cover Picture
What a lovely welcoming spring sight as you enter the village,. These bulbs were brought with money donated to the Gardening Club by the late Ruth Gibson and members planted them last summer in her memory.
Tricia Harbour
Contributions to the Oxhill News
The News is what we make it!
The editors would welcome any pictures, photographs, drawings, poems, puzzles, recipes, announcements or items of local news for possible inclusion in The Oxhill News.
Please emailnews-editor @ oxhill.org.ukor place paper contributions in the box labelled ‘The Oxhill News’ in the Church.
May Issue
The copy deadline will be the 15thof each month, this is necessary due to the external printing of the News.
Please can you ensure all copy is sent to us by midnight on 15thApril 2016 for the next edition –news-editor @ oxhill.org.uk A box labelled ‘The Oxhill News’ has been placed in the Church for any paper based contributions.
Roger & Vanessa
Mobile Library
The library van has books withlarge print, ordinary print, picture books, children's books, paperbacks, non-fiction, novels, sagas, crime, mysteries, adventures, westerns and romance. The van also has talking books, cassettes and CDs.
The library van will continue to visit Oxhill every 3rd Friday, stopping at the Village Hall at 2:30pm and staying there for 30 minutes.
This monththe van will visit us on Friday 15th at 2:30pm.
You can renew books between van visits by calling 01926 851031, or online at www.Warwickshire.gov.uk/wild.
Refuse Collections
Recycling and green waste bins (blue and green bins) will be collected on Tuesdays 5th and 19th.
The grey rubbish bins will be collected on Tuesday 12th and 20th.
At the Peacock
The village coffee morning is on Wednesday 6th April at 10:30am.
Thevillage lunch is on Wednesday 20th April at 12:30pm.
Come Join Us!
Takeaways!
We are delighted to launch our new takeaway menu, starting on April 1st. This will be available during our normal food service hours (Mon-Sat 12-2pm and 6-9pm and Sunday 12-8pm - roasts available on Sundays) Phone your order in, or pop in and have a drink while you wait!
Special Evening! Wed 27th April 6-9pm. Keep an eye on the blackboard outside the pub, to find out what this will be!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Peacock - 01296 688060
Emerging News
From: D"Avril Poisson (mailto:avril@escroc.con.fr)
Sent: 18 March 2016 18.05
To; Oxhill Parish Council
Cc: Leo Foudyo; Belle Perdue; PaulLancaster(SDC)
Subject: Proposed Heliport Oxhill
Dear Sirs
Allow me to introduce myself: I am D'Avril Poisson Head of Development for Aviation Soucoupe Volante FY. We are France's major developer of Private and Military Heliports and in view of the current world situation have been commissioned to seek a site in central England. As a result of extensive investigation we feel Oxhill in Warwickshire would make an ideal base, its position close to Coventry, Birmingham and Brize Norton airfields and good road access, the M40, together with its position directly in line with the military flight path Amberway 7 will fulfil all our needs. We are currently in talks with H.M. Government, The Civil Aviation Authority and Stratford District Council and we would like to consult with the residents of Oxhill at an early stage. Perhaps you can contact me at your earliest convenience on +33-1466086 to arrange some dates. I must assure you at this point that any loss of housing and/or land will, of course, be compensated at current market value plus 25%.
Yours accordingly
Avril Poisson. Head of Development
Aviation Soucoupe Volante FY
Neighbourhood Watch Update
It’s only been a short time since Barbara and I started Oxhill’s own Neighbourhood Watch and we have been surprised at how many people have asked to go on the email list.
Last week we attended a very interesting first Co-ordinator’s meeting at Stratford on Avon Police Station. Information was exchanged between a police Inspector, a police Sargent and a large group of co-ordinators. At the meeting we were offered Garden Shed Alarms at a discounted price of £10.00 and so we are going to try one out on your behalf and we will report back on it later through the emails.
Our past 3 years working for the Police and Crime Commissioner as Ambassadors, has put us in a unique position and we will be able to capitalise on this knowledge in our role as Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators. If you have any concerns that we cannot answer we will probably know someone who can.
Neighbourhood Watch aims to give you knowledge on what is happening in our area and beyond such as cyber crime. We believe that Knowledge is Power. If you would like us to send you this Knowledge, just send an email toshipston@safetyambassadors.co.ukand we will add you to the list.
Mick & Barbara Shepard
Kineton Art Group
Kineton Art Group are holding their Open Art Exhibition and Sale of Paintings
at Kineton Village Hall on Saturday and Sunday, the 7th and 8th May 2016 from 10-00 am until 5-00 pm each day.
Adults, 50p: Children, free.
Please come and enjoy the variety of paintings by our members and other invited artists.
Refreshments including home-made cakes will be available throughout.
We will be sponsoringPAINTING FOR PLEASURE, a not for profit organisation for disabled people and those living with or recovering from illness including respite for carers.
Visit our website - www.kinetonartgroup.co.uk
Village Hall Events
Making a booking - deadlines and booking online
To avoid disappointment, please could you ensure that you let us know you are coming to a village hall event by the Wednesday evening before the event takes place. This helps us to plan for catering and volunteering from the committee, and will hopefully mean we don’t have to turn anyone away!
You will soon be able to book village hall events online at the village websitewww.oxhill.org.uk. We are setting up a booking facility on the Village Hall tab. We won’t be taking money via the website but you can make a reservation and then pay for your tickets at the event. Details to follow; along with instructions on how to book online.
Coming next…
Saturday 16 April - Return of the Village Breakfast
Our first village breakfast was a great success. Around 40 people attended and enjoyed cooked breakfast or continental, with local produce used where possible. It was a great, social opportunity to catch up on news!
We are having another of what will probably be three breakfasts a year, on Saturday 16 April. Breakfasts can be booked at 15 minute intervals between 9am and 11am. Ticket numbers are limited with our maximum attendance set at 48.
Full English: eggs, 2 bacon rashers, 2 sausages, mushrooms or black pudding, beans, tomato and toast (£5 adult, £3.50 children)
Continental: croissant, pain au chocolat, toast and juice (£2.50 adult, £2 children)
Pot of tea £1, coffee cafetiere £2
To book your tickets and time slot please call Jay Roberts on 680030.
Fake Thackery
Tickets are £10 each and are available from Pat Crowther on 680705.
A 7.30pm for 8pm start.
Reminder - Wednesday 27 April - Village Hall AGM
It’s that time of year again when we invite you, over wine, to hear what your village hall committee has achieved for Oxhill over the past 12 months. We elect a new committee and we are always on the lookout for new members to join us.
Committee participation is good fun if you enjoy helping to organise or could contribute to our lively events programme, as part of our friendly team. Plus we are always open to new ideas and ways of working to develop and improve this key village asset.
Come and find out more or just come and hear what we have been doing.
7.30pm with an 8pm start for the AGM.
Fake Thackery
Friday 22nd April 2016
The renowned Jake Thackray tribute act John Watterson as Fake Thackray will be performing at Oxhill Village Hall on 22nd April. It will kick off around 7pm.
John Watterson has performed the songs of Jake Thackray at festivals ( including Cropredy ), concerts, clubs, after dinner venues and – most specially – to members of Jake’s family.
Jake’s songs are exquisitely funny, satirical, incisive, irreverent, witty and gloriously un-PC – and sometimes all of these at the same time. Jake was a one off, his poetry broke the rules yet worked beautifully. He was a true craftsman of the English language, and his legacy of scores of songs continues to delight audiences of all ages today.
John's appreciation and love of Jake Thackray's music is obvious to his audience. John’s performance is a celebration of the man that was Jake Thackray - his work, his genius and his very essence, an essence that the new age of music lovers are in danger of missing out on.
John is a talented guitarist and vocalist and has that engaging quality that makes you want to listen to his performance. When you wrap these ingredients up in the songs of Jake Thackray the result is a highly entertaining, heartfelt tribute to one of the finest songwriters of the 20th century.
Tickets from me, at £10
Pat
Parish Council Elections
At the Parish Council’s next meeting on 10 May we will have the election of officers. Unfortunately one of Councillors is standing down, which will leave a vacancy. We have had a challenging year or two, and with the honourable exception of Stuart Whittaker and our clerk, Lis Stuart, we are an aged committee. Fortunately we have a lot of younger people who have moved into the village and we need some young blood on the Parish Council to take over. This isourvillage andourfuture. No doubt we will have lots more challenges to face, but if you would like to feel you are contributing to the village and perhaps having a say in its future, please contact myself or Lis:
Grenville - 01295 680664
Lis - 01295 768840
Knit & Natter
In April we have meetings on Thursdays, the 7thand 21st, starting at 2.00pm. Any Mums with babies are welcome to join us, even if it’s just for a cup of tea and a change of scenery.
Please feel free to come along for a cup of tea and to ‘Knit & Natter’. Also don’t forget the BOOK EXCHANGE. If you’d like to know more or have some suggestions for the next few months, then call Tricia Harbour on 680676 or just turn up and join in.
Regards, Tricia
Lamb & Curry Lunch
Reminder that this event is looming. See notice for details. Please let us know if you are able to attend so we can plan the food more accurately. It is usually well supported but it does help to know how many would attend.
Thanks
Carol Fox
Leys Field Update
For all the residents of Oxhill who are not in the village email loop, and after our Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 15 March, I thought I would just recap on the Leys Field situation. On 25 February the Planning Application went back to committee to be reviewed. Unfortunately at this meeting the rights of participation for the Parish Council and the public did not apply (apparently this is standard procedure). I had previously had a meeting with our ward member Bart Della Mura, who made representation to the councillors on the committee on our behalf, to see if he could sway their previous decision. The Parish Council also wrote to Robert Weeks (Head of Planning) reiterating the villagers’ concerns about this development. I also spoke to Sarah Luckham, Senior Planner, about the application, and I understand that Mike Collins sent an email of concern to all the district councillors on the committee. I am sad to say that this was all to no avail and the review was just a box-ticking exercise and in my opinion a complete waste of public money. The application was endorsed, as were all the others under review.
Since that meeting I have had another long conversation with Sarah Luckham regarding the 106 Agreement to check it is still in place, and thankfully it is. Basically this ensures that the area behind Whatcote Road and Main Street is kept as a ‘public area’. There is also £26,000.00 set aside to create a ‘play area’ for young children. My hopes are that, if a developer takes on this project, we can make the most of a bad lot and create some pleasant landscaping and perhaps a sensory garden/play area. We must also bear in mind that full planning permission still has to be agreed, so the Parish Council and the village can have another say in the matter regarding style and layout.
I would also like to remind everyone that all Parish Council meetings are open to the public. If you want to know what’s going on within the Parish come to the meetings. You will not be able to speak during the meeting, but informal (un-minuited) conversations can be had afterwards. If you wish to have something brought up in the meeting (when you will be able to speak), contact our clerk to have it put on the Agenda.
I would like to thank my fellow councillors for all their conscientious hard work, helpful observations, telephone conversations, emails, and general input that all goes on behind the scenes.
Grenville Moore
Church Service Times
St. Lawrence Oxhill
All are warmly invited to our services
Sunday 3rd - Easter I
9:30 a.m. Holy Communion (ML)
Sunday 10th - Easter II
9:30 a.m. Morning Worship (JT)
Sunday 20th - Easter III
9:30 a.m. Parish Communion (ML)
Sunday 27th - Easter IV
9:30 a.m. - Family Service (NM)
For details of other services in the Benefice please see the list in Church or telephone the clergy.
Vicarage Notes
Dear friends,
A continuing happy Easter to you all!
As the church year moves onwards, we take our Easter praise into another 40 days, with the churches transformed by the spring flowers and festal colours.
A modern hymn by Brian Wren has this verse:
Christ is alive and comes to bring
Good news to this and every age,
Till earth and sky and ocean ring
With joy, with justice, love and praise.
The Church Annual Meeting Thursday April 7th 7.30pm
As well as the reports and elections, I hope to have the opportunity to look at the Diocesan 8 essential qualities questionnaire, but it will all be in a very informal atmosphere. We will, at the very least, be able to prepare for it.
St.George’s Day Service at Brailes Sat. April 23rd 6.30pm
All are very welcome to this special service – no passports required. Once again we will be welcoming friends from the Ilmington Morris. Wear your red roses and come and enjoy a loyal toast!
God bless,
Nicholas Morgan
01608 685230
braileschurch @ gmail.com
Deanery News
We have celebrated Easter, and the glorious news that Jesus is risen. Now we look ahead to Ascension Day and Pentcost.
Ascension Day, Thursday May 5th.
We will be marking Ascension Day with the Deanery Holy Communion service at 7.30pm: this year we will be at at Sutton-under-Brailes.
Then between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday on May 15ththere is thePilgrimage Walk: Cloud and Firewhich is an invitation to everyone in the diocese to spend time before Pentecost on a physical pilgrimage with their bishops. We aim to make the people of God visible across Coventry and Warwickshire as we walk and talk, pray and read the bible together. (There is now a section of the website dedicated to the Pilgrimage Walk www.dioceseofcoventry.org/pilgrimage)
We will be walking in the company of Bishop David, and our route will be:
Saturday, May 7th 10.00am – 12.30 pm, Long Compton to Cherington
Sunday, May 8th 11.15am – 1.30 pm, Shipston to Halford
Come to Sunday worship at 10.00am, followed by coffee, and then to walk together
Tuesday, May 10th 10.00am – 12.30 pm, Tredington to Ilmington
Wednesday, May 11th 5.00pm – 7.30pm, Ettington to Newbold
Thursday, May 12th 10.00am – 12.30 pm, Alderminster to Clifford Chambers via Preston-on-Stour
Friday, May 13th 10.00am – 12.30 pm, Clifford Chambers to Stratford, Holy Trinity
The Pilgrimage will culminate in a celebration of Pentecost in the Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, 15thMay, at 4.30 pm. Do read all about it on the website, and think about joining us for at least some of the pilgrimage: there will also be a pattern of prayer that can be used either at home or out walking. Further details will be circulated after Easter.
Every blessing, Jill
Jill Tucker. 688193
We had a lovely time at Messy Easter on Saturday, making an Easter Garden and Easter tree for the Church.
Refurbishment of Tysoe Post Office
We will be closed from Wednesday 6th April to 1pm 15th April. This essential for us to update, redecorate and install new counters.
It is only for a short time and it is part of keeping our Post Office.
Jacqueline Franklin
Garden Club
On Thursday 18th February members enjoyed a talk by Sue Burns on our local Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre. She reminded us that, although the colours of the Autumn foliage at the Arboretum were rather special, every season had spectacular showings that were well worth a visit. Members were shown a succession of beautiful slides taken month by month throughout the year that bore this out.
The importance of Batsford lies in the unique horticultural and historical heritage of the gardens developed over the last 110 years. There are 55 acres that the public can enjoy with specialist collections of Magnolias, Oaks, Mountain Ash and Maples. The Arboretum holds the national collection of Japanese Cherries. In the natural course of events there is always a certain mortality rate in an arboretum; to maintain continuity and a varied age structure, new plantings are carried out each year. One of Sue’s jobs has been to label and record the location of any new specimen shrub or tree, but she also takes a keen interest in the wide range of native flora at the Arboretum and its impressive number of bird species.
Batsford Arboretum with its relatively new Visitor Centre and Garden Terrace Café is open every day from 9.00am to 4.45pm. Many of us who hadn’t visited Batsford in the recent past were inspired by Sue’s talk to pay a return visit in the very near future.
At the AGM on Thursday 17th March the undersigned chaired the proceedings and gave a report on the past year’s meetings, visits and highlights. The coming year’s programme of events is well under way with excursions scheduled to Batsford Arboretum and Tyntesfield Gardens near Bristol including a visit to the SS Great Britain. Starting September, it is intended to move the meeting date from the third to the second Thursday in the month so as to avoid an historic clash with Brailes Gardening Club and as part of a drive to attract new members from Tysoe especially.
The Treasurer reported that the Club’s finances are in good shape and neither the £10 annual Membership fee, nor the £1 meeting fee need to be increased. AllBatsford Arboretum, Batsford Park, Moreton in Marsh14 village residents are invited to join the Club at this start of the new gardening year – no experience necessary! A glass of wine (£1) to start the evening, tea / coffee and biscuits (gratis) to finish – sign up now! At the point in the proceedings when it came to elect a new committee it was decided, nem con, that these appointments be made at a special meeting at a later date. The evening finished with a lovely cold buffet and, with the fare at the Summer Garden Party and at the Christmas dinner, three more reasons to join!
The Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale is scheduled for 19th May. Sow seeds, pot on, transplant, take cuttings etc. accordingly – and take the opportunity to pick up a bargain!
With the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations taking place in the village over the weekend of 11th & 12th of June, the Garden Club will be promoting front garden and hanging basket displays in red, white and blue. Hopefully Oxhill residents will support this venture and plan their planting now with this floral colour scheme in mind for mid June.
The next Garden Club meeting is on April the 21st when Diane James of the Warwick University History Department is giving a talk on the Historic Gardens of Warwickshire. All are welcome.
Douglas Nethercleft
Free to a good home
Free to a good home or indeed any home, a shallow Belfast style sink suitable for growing alpines. It would need to be collected.
Gwyn Adams 680286
The Vale Musicians
Perform "The Carpenters and Other Favourites"
Tuesday 21st June 2016
St. Edmunds Church Shipston
Carers 4 Carers
Friday 22ndApril, 10.30 – 12noon: Carers4Carers meeting at Kineton Village Hall. Ashley Trinder, the Independent Living Officer for Stratford DC will offer advice on assistive technology and energy efficiency in the home. We can look after your loved one in our Companionship Group while you attend the meeting. For more details phone 01926 640203
Thank you.
Gillian
Carers4Carers
www.carers4carersonthefosse.org.uk
www.facebook.com/Carers4Carers
01926 640203/07947 893504
Dogs Business
I saw this (cartoon removed for reasons of copyright) and thought of the recent articles in the newsletter. We do see dog mess on the lawns up Whatcote Road as well. We manage to pick up after our three big dogs so don't understand why others can't do the same. (Unfortunately we don't have the same control over what the cats do - sorry neighbours!).
Carol & Chris Fieldhouse
Tysoe Women's Institute
We have been very busy bees, as most of you will be aware! If you would like to join in the fun, come along to our next meeting on 6th April at 7.30.
Our speaker will be Nicky Hill on Zoe's Place, infant hospice in Coventry.
Monthly competition, (open to Non members,) a metre of bunting made from any medium.
Coming up:
All our workshops and trips are open to non members, but they are filling up fast and need to be booked in advance.
Up cycling workshop on Wednesday 30th. March at 7.30 in the village hall. Steph Howles will be teaching us the art of up cycling our old bits of furniture.
Members £15 non members £18. Includes decorating materials and refreshments. Just bring item that you wish to up cycle.
Pamper and Prossecco evening on Thursday April 21st. 7-10, pre booking essential. Jennifer and Sharon will be offering mini treatments. Stalls selling skincare, jewellery, accessories etc. price includes Prossecco,and canapés. Members £15 Non members £18. Shopping and refreshments only (no treatments) Members £5 Non members £7.50
Malvern Flower show Friday 6th. May Members £30 Non members £32. Includes mini bus travel and entry to show.
Blenheim Flower show Friday 17th. June Members £18 Non members £21 includes mini bus travel, entry to show, park and gardens. House entry available at small extra charge.
Day trip to Bournemouth Wednesday August 10th Members £15 Non members £16. Return coach trip.
For more information see our Facebook Page, emailtysoew.i.1917@icloud.com or tel. Jacqui 680051 or Dee 680971
Village Babies
In the last year we have seen a least 6 new additions to the village (I give birth to my son William in January 2016).
With this in mind I thought it might be a good idea to start our own village mother and baby group. So us mums can have a natter about the joys/ sometimes difficulties of motherhood over a coffee and maybe a bit of cake, while the little ones get a chance to interact with each other.
I'm not sure whether we could use the village hall, maybe meet in the pub - rather like the coffee mornings.
If anyone is interested please let me know. As a new mum I would love to meet you all and have a good natter!!
Also if the pub or village hall is a possibility how do we go about organising this?
Kirsty Simpson 07880723113
Summer Grazing Needed
I am looking for spring summer grazing for my mare and foal.
Plenty of grass and sheltered field needed in or around Oxhill.
Many thanks,
Maz Woods
Tel: 07581077258
Carp & Tench Available
We are taking our pond out and need a home for several large carp and tench.
Please phone Caroline Loveridge at Welwyn, Whatcote Road Tel: 01295 680854 if you can assist us.
Thank you
Caroline Loveridge
OWLS Afternoon Teas
Afternoon tea and talk about Barn Owl boxes
Oxhill Village Hall
on April 17that 4.00pm
£2.50 per person (children free)
Come and enjoy tea and cake and hear about our local barn owl boxes.
OWLS - Wildlife Survey
In 2009, the OWLS group carried out a survey of wildlife in gardens of Oxhill. We would like to do another this year to find out if there have been any major changes. The results of the original survey can be seen on
https://www.facebook.com/oxhillowls/?fref=ts
and other details can be seen on the OWLS website www.oxhill-owls.org.uk. We will be sending round a sheet for you to complete over a period of a month in July and will be very interested to see your results.
Also, to help monitor what we have in and around Oxhill, we will be doing a series of short walks to investigate the biodiversity in the churchyard, along hedgerows and field margins and around ponds. Our first will be on May 8th meeting at the church at 3.30pm. Children will be very welcome and we will give them a quiz to do on the way.
If you want further information please contact Grenville (680664)
KADS - Kineton
KADS stages Noel Coward’s sparkling comedy ‘Relative Values’
Noel Coward fans are in for a treat this spring as KADS (Kineton Amateur Dramatic Society) revives the master’s sparkling comedy of manners, ‘Relative Values.’
Hollywood star Miranda Frayle shatters the austerity of post-war Kent as she flies in to marry the Earl of Marshwood. However, she hasn’t counted on her old flame and matinee idol Don Lucas crossing the Atlantic to disrupt the proceedings and reclaim her.
Furious Miranda’s attempts to send Don packing are thwarted by the wily Countess Marshwood who, less than happy at her son’s choice of future wife, spots the ideal opportunity to put a spanner in the works. Inviting Don to stay the night at the family seat, the Countess knows that her faithful maid Moxie keeps an explosive secret which will blow Miranda’s cosy plans to smithereens…
A delightful comedy of manners which sees the old school establishment clash head on with the new world glamour of Hollywood.
Performances on 21st, 22nd& 23rdApril, Kineton Village Hall.
Tickets available from Flower Thyme, Kineton or by calling Yve on 01295 680487.
www.kads.org.uk for further information.
Tysoe Church of England Primary School
End of Term Update
It has been a relatively short but action-packed term at Tysoe School. Many reading events have taken place based around World Book Day. The children and teachers enjoyed dressing up as their favourite book characters and the school held a successful book fair. Class 3/4 were thrilled to have Alex Paterson, a local book illustrator, explain the process of developing illustrations for a book, from pencil sketches to the final print. He demonstrated his talent, including how to draw figures and was very generous with his time.
The creative arts continue to flourish, particularly with many musical opportunities. The recently formed school orchestra gave their first performance and the standard of play for this concert was brilliant. Well done to the children who played saxophone, flute, violin and clarinet. Two further special assemblies featured children performing on drums and guitars. All music lessons continue to be very popular.
Several trips have also taken place this term. Class 1 had an informative day at the Herbert Art Gallery and many children agreed that the highlight of the trip was making a clay sculpture. Class 6 have become experts in class about the Ancient Greeks and enhanced their learning with a memorable visit to the British Museum in London. Having made their own Greek pots in school, they were surprised to view the large orange and black pots decorated with the same clearly recognisable athletic figures.
Several classes have been out and about in Tysoe village. Reception class enjoyed a visit to The Tea Room where they took great delight in ordering a drink and cake, hot chocolate being the most popular. Several children wrote thank you letters after the visit. Class 3/4 were fortune to have lovely spring sunshine when they carried out map work and an environmental survey in the village. Their findings also prompted the writing of letters, so litter-louts beware!
Class 4/5 experienced a Victorian Day with the classroom set out in rows and many activities taught as in Victorian schools. The children dressed up as different characters, including rich workhouse children, and even a chimney sweep. They also played traditional games at playtime to enter into the spirit of the times.
The term ended with a celebration of Easter at St Mary’s Church, led by Reverend Leaton, with all the classes contributing to the service.
There is always the opportunity for any prospective parent to visit and see the school in action. Please contact Mrs Horrocks on 01295-680244 to make an appointment.
Jenny Coates
Head of School
Weekday Walkers
Weekday Walkers usually walks on the 2nd and 4th Friday's of the month.
If you are interested in joining or to find information, pleasecontact Jim Saxton on 01295 680645 or
at admin @ jimsaxton.co.uk
Stour Singers - May Concert
Shipston-on-Stour is fortunate in having two different, yet complementary singing groups – both directed by Richard Emms. The Stour Singers have been together now for over forty years – and continue to go from strength to strength, whilst the “younger” chamber choir Cantamus has a record of nineteen years of unaccompanied singing already!
Stour Singers’ next concert - “Troubles and Reconciliation” – takes place on 7thMay at St. Edmund’s Church at 7.30.p.m. and includes Haydn’s exciting Nelson Mass, Mendelssohn’s peaceful and moving Nunc Dimittis, and a rare opportunity to hear Charpentier’s Filius Prodigus (Prodigal Son). Natalie Montakhab returns to Stour Singers to sing the soprano solos, with Simon Ponsford - counter-tenor, Joseph Cornwell - tenor, and Michael Pearce - bass, all accompanied by the Cherwell Orchestra. Tickets cost £12.50, and there is no charge to children.
The December 2016 concert – Bach’s Christmas Oratorio – so moved two people that they have become anonymous benefactors to the choir – partly in recognition of Richard’s very special skills and impact, and partly to encourage the involvement of young musicians, as the Queen’s Park Sinfonia, based at Birmingham Conservatoire, proved such an excellent orchestra.
After the May concert, rehearsals for our Christmas concert start in September, so new members will be very welcome at that stage. Students in full time education can join at no cost. Additional tenors and basses would be an especial bonus to us!
If you would like to know more, do please get in touch with Yvonne Ridley at 01789 269587.
WOT2Grow - Community Orchard
Spring has sprung at last! The blossom buds are just about to break on the peach trees and a lot of the damsons and plums are just breaking into leaf. Such a good sight after the winter.
Just as the buds are growing so are the bugs which are ready to feast on the new growth so vigilance is important and squishing will soon begin!
We have pruned all the apples and pears, currants and gooseberries and the weeding of the autumn raspberries is under way having cut down last year's fruited canes. The new shoots are beginning to appear so it is important to give then space to grow. We have plans for more soft fruit specifically to replace some of the summer raspberries which have died due to a soil borne disease which has no remedy.
It is a very busy time at the orchard, just as it is in the garden, and we are trying to keep on top of all the tasks. If you fancy helping out do contact us as even ten minutes can make a difference! The coming month will see us weeding and feeding all the plants, garlic and sea weed spraying and applying mulch around the trees. So a lot to do!
Liz Atkinson (680045), Paul Sayer (680451), Sue and Mike Sanderson (688080)