Talkabout autumn 2005

Published Sept 2005 – Issue 40 – Non-Resident Price £2.00
◊ Richard Wray ◊ Editor
[phone number removed] [email address removed]

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SELLS HELMDON

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editor’s Letter
Classified Adverts
Wanted – Articles for Aspects
Post Office & Drop-In-Centre
4
7
Parish Council News
Village of the Year Results
Letter from our MP
Letter from our MEP
Helmdon Parish Plan
Helmdon Presents
Brining you books on wheels
Helmdon Reading Room
Helmdon Primary School
10
10
12
103
14
18
19
20
21
CHURCH NEWS
Astwell Group Mothers’ Union
The Friends of Helmdon Churchyard
The Friends of St. Mary Magalene
A letter from our Rector
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Obituaries
Marriages
Births
PARISH NEWS
23
24
24
25
48
49
49
REFERENCE LIBRARY
Our Local Elected Representatives
Fire Brigade
Voluntary Work
Hospitals & Doctors
Police
Support Groups / Advice Lines
Local Authorities & Services
Sports
Village Contacts
Services
Misc
Direct Numbers for Council Services
Village Information
Bus Timetables
GROUP NEWS
Helmdon Fellowship
Moylan School of Dance
Friends of Helmdon School
Helmdon Events Picture Gallery
Helmdon Bridge Players
The Bell Inn
Helmdon W.I
Neighbourhood Watch
Helmdon Women's club
HAFWEG
1st Helmdon Rainbows
Stop Press !! – Helmdon Girl Guides
Helmdon Acrons Pre-School
The WEA
South Northants Volunteer Bureau
The Helmdon Village Web Site
Helmdon Sports Club
Ckers Youth Club
Helmdon Craft and Produce Show
Stamp Club
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www.helmdon.com your community website
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The views, comments and facts portrayed in this magazine are NOT necessarily those held by the
Parish Council. This magazine is produced for the benefit of the residents of Helmdon Parish and is sponsored by the Parish Council. Its articles and comments however are from the credited individuals and organisations that choose to write to the editor for inclusion in the magazine.
LETTER
D
ear readers,
Welcome again to YOUR village magazine. I do hope you enjoy the content of the magazine and choose to act upon the many and various calls for help and support contained within it.
We continue to get good support from our local organisations and hope that you find the magazine both interesting and a useful reference. If you happen to use a service or buy products from any one of our advertisers, then please mention the magazine advert. This really helps to keep our generous sponsorship going and your magazine in print.
We had a photo competition in the last issue for front cover photos and I’m pleased to say that by magazine standards we had a fantastic response! A single entry submitted by Cec Harold. Cec wins the £10 prize and my thanks.
The second photo on the front cover was taken by myself and one I would like to thank Paul
Hardiman and family for. It is Paul and his family who have planted and maintained the wonderful garden around the Jubilee seat on Church Street. At no cost to the parish Paul and family provided all the planting and then carried water from their house every day to keep them in the fine bloom you see in the photo.
The core advertisers have thankfully continued to support the magazine and keep us in the black.
Along with a continuing stream of new additions brought on by our publisher Wilf Forgham, contactable on [phone number removed], we are able to keep the magazine in print and expand the colour coverage. All this at absolutely no cost to the parish council. This issue has some “Helmdon Event”
photos in the centrefold that we are pleased to be able to print in full colour.
I wanted to highlight again the fact that we have in the last year been fortunate as a small village to have a massive increase in the bus services passing through the village. The SMS 508 in particular visits the village six times a day taking passengers to Banbury, yet still seems to pick up very few
Helmdon villagers. There seems to me a certain inevitability that this will change over time through a necessity that has been most graphically highlighted recently by the events in Louisiana. So why not make your contribution to saving the planets ozone layer, save your petrol money, relax, forget about parking hassle and hop on the bus this week instead of using the car. Full timetables in the reference section.
Now onto one of the main reasons in my mind for the magazine’s existence and that is to inform people of what is going on in their own community and ask them to participate. So in no particular order I have plucked the following from the article submissions.
First we have two NEW organizations in the parish. These early days are often critical to the success of a group so please step up to their aid.
SELLS HELMDON

Helmdon 1st Girl Guides – This group is being started by Michele Rimmer and is looking at this stage to find out how much interest there is.
The other new group is called Helmdon Presents and are looking for committee members and for people to register their interest in the events.
The Parish Plan Monitoring Group are looking for people to pick up and run with the village dog fouling issue, road safety, wine club, Easter egg hunt and pancake race.
The school always need support in the form of people willing to help with clubs, listen to children read or help with art projects, but also have a potential new project of a nursery that needs help this year.
There is a call for new members from the Towcester Table Tennis club. Whilst not in the village it is probably our closest table tennis club and looks like an interesting club to join.
Friends of Helmdon School have lost some of their support recently and need additional parents to step up and help their School.
The WI are calling for new members in this their 85th anniversary year.
And lastly a bit of your time please for the SNVB who have volunteering opportunities ranging from local projects to helping out with the 2012 Olympics.
Finally a thank you again to our team of deliverers who give up their own time to distribute the
400+ copies of the magazine to all the houses in the Parish.
◊ Richard ◊ Editor: Talkabout Magazine
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
http://www.helmdon.com/talkabout – Look here for advertiser’s guide, contributor’s guide, back copies and current issue of the magazine for free download.
– 5 –
www.helmdon.com your community website

SELLS HELMDON

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[phone number removed]
talkabout-
[email address removed]
Please call Kate or John
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Ask any of our advertisers to find out how surprisingly successful these adds are.
Try one out in the next issue !
**********************
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www.helmdon.com your community website
[phone number removed]

Burns, Peter Brookhouse, David
Chairman Vice Chairman
[phone number removed] [phone number removed]
[email address removed]
Bearman, Richard
Councillor
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
Earl, Phil (Curly)
Councillor
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
England, Bill Gittens, Ren
Councillor Councillor
[phone number removed] [phone number removed]
[email address removed] [email address removed]
Moody, Danny Smith, Val
Councillor Councillor
[phone number removed] [phone number removed]
[email address removed] [email address removed]
Spendlove, Jean Smith, Sarah
Councillor Parish Clerk
[phone number removed] [phone number removed]
No email address available parishcouncil@helmdon.com
SELLS HELMDON

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www.helmdon.com your community website

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
I
would like to start this report to the village by extending congratulations and good wishes to our Clerk, Sarah Smith and her family, on the recent addition to their family and also to Councillor Bill England on becoming a grandfather again.
The elections for the posts of Chairman and Vice Chairman were held in
May and the positions continue to be filled by myself and David
Brookhouse.
We continue to be in discussion with the Northamptonshire County Council regarding the use of the school field which will be on the agenda for the next Parish Council meeting. If you have any opinions regarding the use or the value to the village why not come along and make your views known in the Open Forum.
We were once again successful in our efforts in the Village of the Year competition being runners up in the medium size villages section and only losing out to the overall winner. I had the privilege of representing the village at the awards where we also collected the IT award for the website.
Congratulations must be extended to Councillor Moody and his team and good wishes for the later stages of the competition. This competition was changed this year concentrating on the community spirit of the village which was clearly demonstrated by the number of people and organisations who attended a 10 o'clock meeting in the Bell Inn on the morning of the 6th June.
I would also like to thank the businesses who made visits available but due to the lack of time we were not able to incorporate them in the visit of the judges.
We have been notified that some remedial work to our roads is to be carried out in the Autumn which I hope will at last make them fit and safe for use. This has been something the Parish Council has continuously tried to have addressed.
May I remind you that the Parish Council is your elected body and should you wish to express opinions or air grievances concerning the village please do so by attending the Council meetings or by writing to the Clerk or any of the Parish Councillors.
◊ Peter Burns ◊ Chairman: Helmdon Parish Council
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
VILLAGE OF THE YEAR RESULTS
Village Type First Prize Runner Up Highly
Commended
Large Geddington Finedon Crick
Medium Brigstock HELMDON Welford
Small Clipston East Carlton Rushton
IT Award HELMDON Geddington Abthorpe
The overall village of the year winner was Brigstock.
SELLS HELMDON

The Helmdon scorecard is shown below.
Category Max Awarded
Building Community
Life
80 75
Business 10 9
Wide range of businesses as identified on entry form, who sponsor and support the village in many ways.
Young People 20 18
Well looked after by the P .C. and future benefits pinpointed in the Parish Plan. Many interesting activities available for them
Older People 20 14
They are well looked after and integrated in the community and take part in the activities offered
Enviroment 20 15
As a result of the Parish Plan a new environmental group has been formed to further improve environmental issues.
General Impression 25 25
Wow Factor 25 25
200 181 TOTALS
Remarks
Vibrant community with an active PC and comprehensive parish plan with an organization in place to implement the many aspects of the plan.
Activities for young and old covering a wide range of interests.
A very enthusiastic, friendly, welcoming, active, well-
organized and well-kept village with something of interest for every single inhabitant. The "Helmdon
Talkabout" is a big contribution to the population in a varied, interesting and informative way. It felt like a privilege to live in this village of approx. 900
inhabitants.
The Meeting took place in the pub "The Bell", where we were given a professional set-up program for our visit and introduced by the Chairman of the Council to
21 persons, representatives of every club and the church in the village. It was a very impressive performance Thereafter we visited the V.H., where the playgroup and toddlers were present, the sports field and pavilion, a business in the village, the school and sports field + playground area around it, a private ceramics class, the church, with moveable pews to create more space for events, like a fresh produce market. This was a first class presentation from a village with an amazing community spirit and fundraising results.
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www.helmdon.com your community website

LETTER FROM OUR MP
S
ometimes Westminster and its hothouse atmosphere and strange culture can seem a long way away from Helmdon. I hope it helps us understand each other that I have lived and worked at Aynho for almost forty years, and represented you in Parliament for nearly half that time.
In truth, the problems faced by residents of the village are often not too distant from those of people living in any part of Britain. Everywhere, people feel the consequences of petty crime and disorder, and the acute pressure on housing, at least in the South; sadly too many are entangled in administrative nightmares like the Tax Credit system or even the Child Support Agency.
When it comes to identity cards or terrorism, we are all in the same boat.
And if you have a problems of your own, I can take them up for you.
But a significant village in South Northamptonshire like yours faces problems which are distinctive to it. Our biggest ongoing local agenda relates to poor delivery of rural services, particularly the state of the roads. Too often we feel that to those in Northampton the county peters out after
Towcester, when there are still 20 miles to go to the boundary! The new Conservative administration which has taken over in County Hall wants to do something about the sense of remoteness and alienation – and also on green issues – but they will need to be held to their good intentions. There are also a number of specific ongoing local matters, like the threat of Central
Railway (which I oppose), the future of Brackley Cottage Hospital (of which my wife is a trustee, and we are both keen supporters), and the need to maintain excellence at the village school.
However the greatest pressure on the whole area is central Government's plan for major housing development in the South Midlands. While the village lies outside the boundaries of the new West
Northamptonshire Urban Development Corporation, it is bound to be affected indirectly. Even more than the impact on the physical environment, we are entitled on past form to be concerned that supporting infrastructure, including for example schools, health services, transport, water supplies and much beside, is created alongside and not after houses are built and people move into the district. Will they find work locally, or be forced to commute? I think too that the pace of change is just as important as the scale of change itself.
In all these issues I shall continue to engage actively to do my best for you and to respond to local concerns. The experiences of real constituents are an invaluable part of political debate. So please keep the 'feedback' coming to me!
◊ Tim Boswell ◊ Member of Parliament : Daventry – Conservative
[email address removed]
House of Commons, LONDON. SW1A 0AA
House of Commons Phone number: [phone number removed]
House of Commons Fax number: [phone number removed]
Constituency Phone number: [phone number removed]
Constituency Fax number: [phone number removed]
SELLS HELMDON

LETTER FROM OUR MEP
THE EU CONSTITUTION: WHAT IT MEANS FOR HELMDON
P
eople who think that Brussels is getting too big for its boots (and that seems to be most of us these days!) were delighted by the NO votes in the referendums in France and Holland. I was in the Press bar in the Brussels parliament with some euro-sceptic colleagues when the first Dutch exit polls came through on the big screens, and I will never forget the roar of delight.
Of course that should be the end to it. The Constitution should be dead. But in the EU, there is no Plan B. They don’t take NO for an answer. They just keep coming back again and again with Plan A until we finally give in.
The rejection of the Constitution by two founding member-states came as a massive shock to the
Brussels elites. For days they were in denial. Some said that France and Holland would have to vote again until they got the right answer. Some called for minor changes to the text. No one, of course suggested scrapping the Constitution. Brussels doesn’t work like that. Accept the people’s verdict?
That would never do!
Finally, they’ve cracked it. Instead of introducing the Constitution in one piece, they’re going for it a bit at a time, a stealth assault. They may never go for the big bang again. Instead, they’ll get 95%
of it piece-meal.
Already they are talking about changing voting weights and appointing an EU Foreign Minister.
Already they’re setting up a diplomatic service, border guards, a Space Agency, a Defence Agency, and a Human Rights Agency. Without the Constitution they have no legal basis for any of these things – no right to spend our money – but they’ll do it first and ask questions later.
Perhaps the toughest question for a MEP is “What does this mean for Helmdon?” (Or Sulgrave? or
Brackley?). Most of the issues we deal with are national or international. So the question for
Helmdon is the same as the question for the rest of the UK. Do we want Britain to be an independent, self-governing nation? Do we want our laws made in Westminster by our own representatives, like Helmdon’s own excellent MP Tim Boswell?
Or do we agree that our laws should be made in foreign institutions in Brussels, where we have no control or little influence? Your call.
ROGER HELMER MEP
◊ Roger Helmer ◊ Member of the European Parliament : East Midlands – Conservative
[email address removed]
[phone number removed]
www.rogerhelmer.com
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www.helmdon.com your community website

HELMDON PARISH PLAN
W
hen the idea of having a parish plan was first suggested the question was asked, “Why have a parish plan?” One of the first documents the parish plan team published was an answer to that very question, and it read…
By giving everybody in the parish the opportunity to express opinions and ideas, people are better informed about local need.
The work and decisions of the parish council and other local organisations are supported by the outcomes of a parish plan.
Statistical evidence on specific issues backs up views and feelings. The voice of our community is strengthened.
People are more involved in what goes on around them; many of them for the first time.
Community spirit is enhanced.
Statutory authorities can be influenced by the united views and needs of a community.
Individuals and organisations are prepared for questions or issues that arise about changes or threats to local services and activities.
A parish plan should not be an end in itself. It should represent an opportunity for a community to make realistic recommendations, take them forward and follow their progress.
A parish plan should be an action plan for the future.
So, now that a year has passed since the Helmdon Parish Plan was published what has happened, and was it worth doing in the first place?
The final plan consisted of 36 action points, ranging from things that would be very quick and easy to achieve, to things that would take many years and hundreds of thousands of pounds to achieve.
The Parish Plan Monitoring Group (PPMG) monitors the 36 action points and the status of each one is as follows:
1. Publicise bus services & timetables All new services and timetables are published in
Talkabout and on the web site.
2. Inform Bus Service Providers & Copies of the relevant sections of the parish plan
Northants County Council of results were sent to the various public transport stakeholders.
3. Form a Rural Transport Group A key action point but no one has come forward to offer to organise meetings etc.
SELLS HELMDON

4. Provide a community minibus Would be covered by Rural Transport Group
5. Set up Car Share Scheme Ditto
6. Set up Volunteer Lift Service Ditto
7. Form a Road Safety Group The PPMG have been gathering information and a meeting will be called in the next 2 months to start up the group, working closely with the
Parish Highways Representative.
8. General highways improvements Feeds in to Road Safety Group. Road resurfacing and other work included in the council budget plan for current financial year.
9. Welsh Lane Improvements County Council confirm no funds available for roundabout at crossroads. Other improvements to be pursued by Road Safety Group.
10. Form a Parish Paths Group The group has now started and has completed a survey of the parish paths network. Some practical work has been carried out and a list of improvements drawn up for the County Council.
11. Create cycleway to Brackley A long term project for the Parish Paths Group to investigate.
12. Provide new venue for youth and A public meeting will be held in early October youth activities to address the whole issue of public meeting places in the parish.
13. Develop playing field facilities The parish council, school and county council are in negotiations over the playing field, which, when finalised, will allow further developments to be considered.
14. Develop junior football team A possible coach has been found but no further progress made to date.
15. Develop junior cricket team No support for this. Unlikely to progress.
16. Develop junior rugby team Requires a fully qualified coach so unlikely that a team could be sustained. Alternative provision in Brackley and Towcester is thought to be adequate anyway.
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www.helmdon.com your community website

17. Set up youth club for older children No action pending meeting on public meeting
(13+) places in the parish.
18. Get broadband for the village
19. Communicate results of parish plan Copies of the parish plan were sent to all to businesses and providers of businesses from Jeffs Coaches to the mobile fish services in Helmdon van so that they could see how well their business/service was being used in Helmdon.
20. Highlight results of health provision Results of the questionnaires pertaining to questions to relevant authorities health were forwarded to the local Primary Care
Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities. The general response was that, whilst the survey was interesting, far more detail would be required for the information to be of any practical use.
21. Review of dog fouling issues in the No action to report. Looking for someone to parish pick it up and run with it!
22. Organise an annual litter picking Action point to be picked up by HAFWEG (see day below).
23. Provide more and/or larger litter South Northants Council say none of the street bins side bins present a problem currently.
24. Set up a Wildlife & Conservation HAFWEG (see their separate report) was set up
Group in October 04 and is now a very strong and active group working for the benefit of our environment.
25. Promote recycling in the parish The twin bin scheme was introduced in April 05
and has been enthusiastically supported.
26. Publicise crime figures Reported through Talkabout and police invited to Annual Parish Meeting.
27. Provide new venue for village A public meeting will be held in early October groups and activities to address the whole issue of public meeting places in the parish.
28. Upgrade heating system in church
A spirited and very successful campaign resulted in broadband coming to Helmdon in
August 04.
Parish plan helped secure funding for work which was carried out in January 05.
SELLS HELMDON

29. Form A Culture Group inc Film The parish’s newest group “Helmdon Presents”
Club has been formed and their first events are imminent. See their separate report for details and keep an eye on the web site.
30. Form a gardening club The possibility of merging with the Sulgrave club was investigated but that has now closed down. It seems the modern era no longer lends itself to gardening clubs so this action point has been abandoned – unless any enthusiastic volunteers want to come forward!?
31. Form a film club To be picked up by “Helmdon Presents”.
32. Form a wine club Several names have been put forward to organise this but no progress has been made thus far.
33. Establish fireworks/bonfire display Investigations revealed the horrendous, and tradition prohibitive, cost of insurance to put on public displays. Action item archived.
34. Establish Easter Egg Hunt tradition PPMG to approach various groups to see if they would be interesting in organising this.
35. Establish Pancake Race tradition PPMG to approach various groups to see if they would be interesting in organising this.
36. Communicate parish council’s current policy on housing and show that parish plan demonstrates that policy is clearly supported by villagers.
Copies of parish plan sent to District Council,
County Council, and local councillors. Parish
Council planning committee sites evidence in parish plan in responses to planning issues.
So there have been some notable successes (HAFWEG, Parish Paths Group, Broadband, Helmdon
Presents, Recycling) but this is just a start. There are lots of other action points that require volunteers to come forward and get stuck in to make them happen. The PPMG can help get things going, but it needs the interest and enthusiasm of individuals to sustain them and make them a success.
Remember, a parish plan should not be an end in itself. It represents an opportunity for a community to make realistic recommendations, take them forward and follow their progress. The parish plan is a footpath to the future of Helmdon.
Having the parish plan has been, and will continue to be, a real benefit to the community and parish of Helmdon. The Parish Plan Monitoring Group hopes that the early successes will encourage people to get involved and keep Helmdon buzzing for years to come!
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www.helmdon.com your community website

You can make a comment anytime about the parish plan by visiting the village web site at www.helmdon.com/parishplan, e-mailing [email address removed] or by telephoning
◊ Danny Moody ◊ Chairman: Helmdon Parish Plan Monitoring Group
: [phone number removed]
[email address removed]
HELMDON PRESENTS
W
e are an active new group that has grown out of the Parish Plan. Many of you told us that you wanted more culture in the village and we are now setting up a group to enable the provision of cultural events. We are a very small committee at present and have grown mostly by word of mouth. Anyone with ideas or who can help to organise things would be very welcome on board. If there are enough of us, it will spread the load and mean that the group is likely to be more successful with a good stream of events. So please get involved by e-mailing or phoning Morag or Chris. If you just want to attend the events that’s fine – but you must bring along all your friends. We are considering setting up a membership scheme so that people on the list will be notified of forthcoming events. What would be a reasonable charge for membership?
We are currently investigating funding for cinema equipment to see if it’s feasible to set up a film club with monthly showings of popular and art-house films:
We are hoping to organise the following events and it would be useful if we had a list of people who may be interested in attending.
Theatre, opera and concert trips to local theatres and possibly to Stratford :
Contact Morag Underwood at [email address removed] or [phone number removed].
Art and craft exhibitions in the village possibly linking into Oxfordshire art weeks:
If you might be interested in exhibiting contact Chris Bridger at [email address removed] or
[phone number removed].
Also visits to art exhibitions and places of architectural interest.
Our first event has already been booked with a professional touring theatre company coming to
Helmdon to perform : “Talking Heads”, by Alan Bennett on Saturday 26 November (probably in the
Church)
So….put the date in your diary now! Tickets will be on sale soon from Rachael Willson on [phone number removed]
and other committee members.
We are hoping to run some other cultural events such as music or story-telling. Please let us know what you would like to see on the agenda of Helmdon Presents……….and come and help us make it happen.
◊ Morag Underwood ◊ Joint Chairperson: Helmdon Presents
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
◊ Chris Bridger ◊ Joint Chairperson: Helmdon Presents
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
SELLS HELMDON

BRINGING YOU BOOKS ON WHEELS
I
f you can’t get to your local library did you know it can get to you?
Northamptonshire County Councils has 36 libraries in towns and villages across the county but not everybody is able visit one on a regular basis. The Libraries and
Information Service’s mobile libraries provide a highly-
valued, friendly and personal service to those members of the community unable to travel to their local library.
This September a new timetable was introduced after a year-long review of use of the service, including consultation with customers and parish and town councils.
Stops that attracted very few or no regular customers have been removed to allow the service to visit new areas of the county and to extend the time it spends at popular stops and sheltered housing schemes. Although the majority of stops will continue to be in rural communities, the mobiles will also serve outlying areas of our large towns, where they can be found in places as diverse as community centres and pub car parks.
Mobile Facts
•
•
•
Each vehicle weighs about
7.5 tons & is 8m long, 2.3m wide & 3m high – and quite a challenge to drive on some of Northamptonshire’s narrow roads!
To keep the service going there is a rigorous safety & maintenance programme for each vehicle. In addition to annual MOT tests, they have a regular eight-week safety inspection
Each mobile is fitted with a lift for disabled people & there is a programme to fit induction loops for people with hearing impairment.
The vehicles are replaced every 10 years or less (2
new ones in the past 12
months)
Each mobile library carries approx 2,500 items of stock
•
Our 6 mobile libraries between them visit over 600
locations across the county. Each mobile makes regular visits every 2 or 3 weeks offering a range of books for all ages. There are also books in large print, audio books and
•
CDs. It is free and easy to register and even if you use the mobile library you can still use your library ticket at other libraries in any of the towns or villages you visit. Books are borrowed free of charge and items such as audio books and CDs are hired for a small fee.
Concessions apply for those of retirement age and people with a visual impairment or other disability.
From September the mobile libraries will also have access to the library catalogue on board so staff can check the availability of titles from the huge range of stock in other Northamptonshire libraries.
These can be requested for a small fee.
Copies of the new timetable are available from mobile libraries. You can also obtain details of stops near you from main libraries or by contacting Enquire Direct the Libraries and Information
Service’s online and telephone enquiry service. E-mail: enquiredirect@northamptonshire.gov.uk, or telephone [phone number removed] or text: [phone number removed]. The service is also available through the
Northamptonshire County Council Website www.northamptonshire.gov.uk
Your Mobile library stops…
Alternate Tuesdays beginning 6th September
46 Station Road 3.40pm – 3.55pm
The Green 4.00pm – 4.15pm
Church Street/Shortlands Close 4.20pm – 4.35pm
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www.helmdon.com your community website

HELMDON READING ROOM
A
s a relative newcomer to the village (3
years….how much longer to go before I am a true Helmdonite ?), I felt very flattered to be asked to become the new secretary of
The Reading Room. It was also a little scary taking over from Richard Bearman who had worked so hard and achieved so much when he was secretary. I just sort of thought The
Reading Room ran itself. I mean what could be so hard about maintaining a village hall ?
Well….now I know! I don’t mean my own particular small input, I’m talking about the hours of hard work the Reading Room committee spend on making sure Helmdon has a place for all those committee meetings, dances, parties, ceremonies, and general socialising. I was staggered to learn that about fifteen different groups use the hall on a regular basis. Without the Reading Room where would we all go.
Since January this year, we have thankfully had no major crisis in The Reading Room. Apart from a touch of woodworm, which is being dealt with, there have been no huge problems and quite a few improvements. So all in all, apart from the paperwork and form filling —and don’t even get me started on the new licensing act (!), it has been a quiet nine months.
I get the strong feeling that we as a village do appreciate having such a wonderful facility as The
Reading Room and would be lost without it. If you have any good ideas, complaints or general comments please feel free to contact one of the management committee.
The committee would like to thank David Harman for his wonderful gift of a fine electric organ.
This will take the place of the piano, which has given pleasure for many years. So come on you budding musicians, come and give us a good old sing-song one night, and you never know it could be a regular thing.
Finally on behalf of all those involved in running The Reading Room, thank you for your support, the fund raising, and most importantly for actually using the place.
P.S. If Bill England ever asks you to do a “little bit of phoning around and the odd letter” which “
won’t take long” and which is “easy as falling off a log”, think again! The man speaks with forked tongue.
Reading Room Management Committee
Chairman: Bill England [phone number removed]
Vice Chairman: Michael Ayres [phone number removed]
Treasurer/Steward: Harold Seckington [phone number removed]
Secretary: Caroline King [phone number removed]
◊ Caroline King ◊ Secretary: Reading Room Management Committee
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
SELLS HELMDON

HELMDON PRIMARY SCHOOL
T
he past year has been eventful and exciting with many opportunities to celebrate success. Our new staff team have worked extremely hard and we were delighted with our test results once again. Our aim at Helmdon is to provide all children with a happy secure and safe learning environment which develops all skills; academic, creative and social. Our whole school art exhibition entitled Still Life and Sculpture gave all children the opportunity to work with a local artist as well as gaining experience in three dimensional work. The staff team all spent a lot of time in displaying and mounting the work for the public viewing. We even had a film crew from Anglia TV broadcasting the event!
We have established a tradition of holding our Harvest festival in the church and this year we also held our Key Stage 2
Christmas celebrations in the rearranged layout of the church as we organised a
Medieval Christmas. Many parents and members of the community helped us to decorate the church with foliage and candles. The atmosphere was fantastic. The children performed a traditional medieval puppet show and the finale was a farandel dance.
In the autumn term all classrooms will have a data projector and interactive whiteboard.
We have been very fortunate this year as we have benefited from Magdalen college’s
Specialist Schools status. This has provided us with the support from an additional ICT
technician and an ICT teacher. The children in the reception / Year 1 class have benefited from a data projector and interactive whiteboard as a part of an LEA
initiative last September.
We will be welcoming fourteen new reception children in September along with
The Third Ghost additional Teaching Assistants. Kristina Wade will be working with children in Year 1 / 2 and
Year 6 and Fiona Stringer will be working each day in year 1 / 2. We have significantly increased the adult support in all classes over the past few years and value the contribution that this support brings to pupils and teachers.
The feasibility of a nursery unit being built on the school site is a project which will be explored in the new school year. The possibility of building a nursery was raised as a part of the village plan and members of the various organisations will be consulted as we look into the options available. If anyone would like to help us in looking at different possibilities then please get in touch.
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www.helmdon.com your community website

A new venture for the school this year will be our Year 5 / 6 residential to France. This will provide children with the opportunity to explore a different country and to practice their French! All children in Year 6 will receive an hour a week modern foreign language tuition provided by Chenderit secondary school.
Our whole school outing this year was to Wickstead Park in Kettering. The weather was kind and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
As a part of the end of term activities Year 6 performed extracts from the Tempest. The children gave outstanding performances and the evening was a resounding success.
We appreciate all the support that we receive from parents and members of the local community.
Rev Will Adams has already taken assemblies and offered to work with children who are talented mathematicians!
If there are any other people who have some spare time on their hands who would be willing to help with clubs, listen to children read or help with art projects then please do come in to see us. Keen gardeners also welcome!!
We look forward to another exciting year ahead,
◊ Sue Blackburn ◊ Head Teacher : Helmdon Primary School
: [phone number removed]
bursar@helmdon.northants-ecl.gov.uk
ED : See the centrefold colour supplement for more pictures of the still life and sculpture exhibition.
It is simply astounding the effort the children and staff put into these events. Thank you, I really enjoyed it.
SELLS HELMDON

ASTWELL GROUP MOTHERS’ UNION
M
embership of this Christian organization has peaked at 3 million world wide this year.
Our own branch – Astwell Group Branch is thus named because it serves the five Parishes in our benefice (Syresham, Wappenham, Lois Weedon, Whitfield and Helmdon). We are now linked with
Kimwange in Bungoma Uganda.
Membership is open to all those who are baptised into the Christian faith, male or female. Prayer is at the root of all we do and hope to achieve.
Rev. Will Adams, our new Rector, was enrolled in June. He will be presiding at our Ecumenical supper and short communion service on September 28th , 7:30pm at St. Mary Magdalene’s Church,
Helmdon. Christians from Baptist, Catholic, Quaker (or anything else !) are particularly warmly welcomed.
On October 26th David Wiseman will be giving an informed talk on the subject of Fair Trade with the opportunity to buy Fair Trade products at Ann Smith’s house (12a Church St.) at 8pm.
On Nov 23rd at 8pm (also at Ann’s house), we will be having our AGM. All are invited to bring a favourite prayer, reading, song, hymn, picture or book along to share.
On Dec 8th the Deanery Advent Service will be taking place at Farthinghoe at 2pm. Come and enjoy the wonderful singing.
For more details or lifts to any of these events please contact Bee Aczel [phone number removed] or Ann S mith
[phone number removed].
◊ Bee Aczel
[phone number removed]
http://www.themothersunion.org
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www.helmdon.com your community website

THE FRIENDS OF HELMDON CHURCHYARD
O
ver the Summer we have been busy mowing, strimming and tidying the churchyard regularly. We have changed the monthly
“Clean-up” morning to the third Saturday in the month to avoid Bank
Holiday weekends, which mostly come at the end of the month. We are very grateful to our loyal band of workers who come to the clean-
up sessions and also to those who mow and strim in between. Some people can only come occasionally, but it all helps to keep the churchyard looking cared-for. We are always glad to welcome new volunteers who can contact me on the number below or just come to one of the Saturday sessions, which start at 10 a.m.
◊ Judy Cairns ◊ Secretary: The Friends of Helmdon Churchyard
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
THE FRIENDS OF ST MARY MAGDALENE
W
e have had three successful fund raising events in recent weeks. Fiori Musicali performed in the church on June 10th , playing some unusual pieces which were absolutely superb. After the concert they made some very complimentary comments about the superb acoustics, apparently brought about by the installation of new heating and the fact that the walls are now much drier than before. (Amazing, but we were assured it was true!). Also the “in the round” set-up was much appreciated. The event made a profit of £261.80 for the Friends.
On June 26th eleven Helmdon gardens were open to the public and, thanks to the glorious weather, over 60 people visited. Including teas and plant sales, the result was a profit of £362.65. Finally, on
July 17th the Friends made and served teas at the Open Garden event at Peters Farm. Thanks to Sue Wallace and Peter Burns for allowing us to take advantage of this, raising a further £253.66. Thanks also go to the helpers, washing up volunteers and all the garden owners for their generosity in time and effort.
The next Friends event is the Woodgreen Gospel Choir in the church on Saturday September 17th .
They are a long established group and have appeared around the world as well as on TV and we are really looking forward to this. Tickets are already selling fast, so get yours now before it’s too late.
The cost is £10 and they are available from all Friends committee members. After this we have the annual Wine Tasting on November 18th . Unfortunately the proposed Summer Family event will not now be held, because of the difficulty in finding enough volunteers in the holiday period and the fact that we have tried to organise too many things!
Finally, a gentle reminder that subscriptions for 2005/2006 are now due.
◊ Chris Gartside ◊ Chairman: Friends of St. Mary Magdalene Church
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
SELLS HELMDON

LETTER FROM OUR RECTOR
B
y the time you receive this edition of Talkabout the list of services across the Astwell Benefice will have been delivered through your letterboxes. The
Sunday pattern remains unchanged with 8 o’clock Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) on the first Sunday of the month followed later at 10.30
a.m. by Family Service, a special All-Age service in which both young and not so young can participate. By popular demand, the puppets return at the next service to share a message with us all. Do come along. The services for the rest of the month are as usual: Family Communion services at 10.30 a.m. It is always a specially joyous service when we are able to worship with members of the Tove Valley Baptist Church based at Weston and we look forward to being together again on Sunday September 18th in St Mary
Magdalene, Helmdon at 10.30 a.m. at which the Reverend Phil Drage will be preaching.
Following last year’s change in timing for the Harvest Service we again this year will be celebrating
Harvest at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday 2nd October 05 and we have been very fortunate again to secure the speaker, Neil Rowe from the charity, Send a Cow. He may best be remembered for the ‘smelly address’ he gave last time! Tea and auction will follow the service and will be good fun.
This year as part of our worship we have marked the 60th Anniversary of the ending of Second
World War. Remembrance Sunday (13th November 05) will also however be marked as usual across the Astwell Benefice and in Helmdon we shall be holding a short service in the parish church at the earlier time of 10 a.m. to be followed by an Act of Remembrance at the village war memorial starting with a two minute silence at 11 a.m.
Christmas then will be perhaps all-too-quickly upon us and you will be receiving further full details of these services later.
Service Pattern Change
However, there is one change to our service pattern as from 1st September 05. On the third
Wednesday in each month, Helmdon has a Holy Communion service based upon the Book of
Common Prayer (1662) celebrated in the Lady Chapel in the church. This service will now begin at
9 a.m. We are delighted that whilst the Baptist Chapel in Weston is being refurbished, the Mum &
Tots will be using the parish church in Helmdon for their Wednesday sessions and we are pleased to change our monthly service to accommodate them. A number of folk have said that they feel the change in time would better meet their regular routine. It may well be there are others too who had not been able to make the later time and for whom 9 a.m. is more accessible. This quiet reflective and traditional service is one which for many provides reassurance and support. If you are able to come along, we would be delighted to see you.
Few Sundays pass now which have not been attributed to a worthy cause. There are numerous occasions to, when we are invited to give to a wide range of charities be it at the supermarket, the high street or by telephone.
On 11th September 05, it is Racial Justice Sunday. Whether it be in public worship or private prayer it is worth asking perhaps why a Sunday should be dedicated in this way. The following is offered in response to this question.
Jesus broke down the barriers of ethnicity, class, gender, power and wealth. His gospel has the liberating power to bring about spiritual and social change. Christians campaigning for racial justice is intrinsic to our spiritual pilgrimage and discipleship. It is motivated by gospel values. Christians hold the Biblical view that all human beings are created in God’s image and likeness. Our mission is
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www.helmdon.com your community website

set in a multi-ethnic, multicultural society. The rainbow mix of people is a gift from God, and can be as a foretaste of life in a heavenly kingdom (Revelation 7:9-10). Sadly the reality, in many of our churches as in society at large, falls far short of this biblical vision. Racism is sin, and God is against it. What is needed is a repentance that leads to active reconciliation. As Christians, our commitment to strive for racial justice must be more than as observance just on one Sunday but it must be a continuing commitment to work and prayer for dignity, equality, justice and freedom for all. In all our magnificent diversity, we are united by our humanity. We are one race, the human race.
◊ Will Adams ◊ Rector : Astwell Benefice
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
Brookdale, Mill Road, Whitfield, Brackley, Northants. NN13 5TQ
SELLS HELMDON

HELMDON FELLOWSHIP’
T
he Fellowship members have been busy since the last get-together in
April.
In June we held an afternoon tea at the Glebe when we were able to wander around the beautiful gardens. Richard Watson not only hosted the afternoon but also entertained us with a piano recital.
We have held coffee mornings at Cec and Jan Harrold’s, at Trudie and
Barbara Buxton’s and as I write this article we are planning a September event at Judy Cairns’s home. Our thanks to all who are willing to host a morning for us, our members enjoy these occasions and we raise funds for other events.
In July we went on a trip to Liverpool on a “Ferry across the Mersey”, a great day out.
We held our Annual Garden Party in August at Acres End, Field Way and we raised £180-00 for the
Princess Diana Memorial Air Ambulance service which covers Warwickshire and
Northamptonshire.
We are organising a trip to Stratford upon Avon on 21st September when we will once again hope to fill a coach.
Our next meeting is to be held on Friday 21st October – a Fish and Chip Lunch in the Reading Room followed by the AGM and tea. Look forward to seeing you all there. We have a good winter programme organised so come along and join us.
If you are over sixty or a younger retired person we would love to see you.
For further details of Fellowship activities please call me, Carol Brookhouse on [phone number removed] or e-
mail to [email address removed]
◊ Carol Brookhouse ◊ Chairman : Helmdon Fellowship
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
MOYLAN SCHOOL OF DANCE
T
he recent production at Stantonbury Campus Theatre was very successful! We performed to a full house for each show and made enough money to donate £400
to Parasol Project Oxford, which does wonderful work with children with many physical problems but cerebral palsy in particular. A donation of £400 was also made to Banbury Young Homeless. We spent the remainder on more new ballet barres and some very snazzy lighting equipment for our smaller performing events.
Our lighting was put to good use for our Summer Theatre Workshop Production which took place 1st to 5th August. The juniors learned and performed a bouncy
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www.helmdon.com your community website

little number to "Woo Hoo" by the 5678s whilst the senior group took on 3 jazz ballet variations to the music of George Gershwin. This was all learnt, costumed and staged in less than a week and was great fun for all!
We had some fantastic exam results as well this week. 27 pupils took their Royal Academy examinations in July and the results were 22 Distinctions and 5 merits!
Poppy Mills who was accepted by The Royal Ballet School to train with them on Saturdays has not only been taken on for a third year but has been promoted to a higher group which is very exciting for her. She still also dances 2 days a week at Helmdon.
The Autumn term will bring more ballet examinations and also our Choreography Day. I hope my students are busy this summer working on their dances to enter our competition on Sunday 27th
November!
◊ Gabrielle Butler ◊ Principal : Moylan School of Dance
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
FRIENDS OF HELMDON SCHOOL
A
nother busy year for both parents supporting the
Friends of Helmdon School fundraising events and those volunteering parents that give their time to ensure the activities happen.
The School Discos are a great family evening and have again been popular with both school children and pre-
school children. The dance floor and the sweet stall were packed which has ensured successful events and raised over
£670.00 for the fund!
The end of the school year saw the fantastic Art Exhibition throughout the school, and FOHS
organised a BBQ and refreshments allowing visitors to contemplate the work. The sausages and burgers were a triumph, and another £550.00 raised!
Other smaller events, such as Mufti Days, Cake sales, Bags2School (Bags of unwanted clothes are collected and we are paid for our rubbish!) Christmas Raffle and Book Fairs all continue to contribute to our school funds.
All these funds are raised for the school and allocated to projects that will benefit the whole school, such as the seating in the playground. This year FOHS has bought £1900 of musical instruments which has already been well utilised.
The committee has shrunk slightly this year and we are eager to welcome new parents, so please make a note in your diaries for early September to join us!!
◊ Alexia Threfall ◊ Treasurer : Friends of Helmdon School
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
SELLS HELMDON

HELMDON EVENTS PICTURE GALLERY
Helmdon School Art Show : July 2005.
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www.helmdon.com your community website

Helmdon School Art Show : July 2005.
SELLS HELMDON

Above by Jo Ezzy (Winner – National Costume) : Below by Sally Connery (Winner – My Pet)
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www.helmdon.com your community website

Above : Start of the Helmdon
2005 Carnival Procession.
Left : Rosie Griffiths at the
HAFWEG fundraising event held in June 05 at the school.
The snake is one of a few reptiles that Craig De Haan brought along for people to see and hold.
ED: If you have any interesting pictures of the fun events that occur in Helmdon, please send them to me. It adds another dimension to the articles if we can show pictures of what happens in Helmdon.
SELLS HELMDON

HELMDON BRIDGE PLAYERS
A
t our AGM in March I elected to stand down from the position of Chairman – but I thought I
would write my farewell article for Talkabout before Michelle gets into the swing of the job! Yes –
the new Chairman is Michelle Rimmer whose acting fame in the village extends to the part of a nun,
Prince Valiant of Euphoria, and a dumb blonde American secretary. Very versatile! The group will be in good hands.
Our summer play was ‘Trivial Pursuits’ by Frank Vickery and this year was directed by Dave Bridger. Despite his long involvement with the group he has never tried his hand at directing a summer play.
He pulled it off with panache and remained very calm – encouraging the cast with well-deserved praise until it came to ‘books down’…………then he just looked incredulous as the cast stuttered and stumbled its way through the play. The first run through took over 3
hours although the final version was just under 2 hours! Our poor memories might have been due to the fact that, during rehearsals we had to finish the Martini and the Gin in the bottles so that, for the performances, we could fill them with something non-alcoholic.
The cast was somewhat larger than usual as some of the new recruits from last December’s pantomime decided to extend their acting skills to ‘serious’ drama. It was great to have new faces involved. Fun was had by all and (as usual) Peter Fisher painted and constructed a fantastic set.
Photographs from the play and a review can be found on the village website.
Our panto this year has yet to be decided and auditions may be a little later than normal – probably around the 3rd or 4th week in September –
keep looking at the village notice boards and the website to ensure that you don’t miss out.
New talent is always welcomed ……and we are friendly.
The panto will be staged in the school hall in early December and we look forward to seeing you all there. So it’s goodbye from me…………….!
Morag Underwood. Ex-chairman and over to…….
Chairman: Michelle Rimmer T: 01295 7 68603
Email: [email address removed]
◊ Morag Underwood ◊ Chairperson: Bridge
Players
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
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www.helmdon.com your community website

THE BELL INN
W
ould like to welcome you to our little establishment, one of a dying breed, a village pub that is actually still a pub!
Always a good range of quality real ales that include Worthingtons, Youngs, Fullers London Pride,
Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Green King I.P.A. to name just a few. Plus our regular stock of
Carling, Guinness, Scrumpy Jack Creamflow and a new premium larger ‘Coors’.
We have recently started serving Italian style pizzas to eat in or take away which have proved to be really popular. Come in and try one you might be pleasantly surprised. (ask the editor).
We are now two of the longest serving licensees of village pubs in the area (over 15 years) and this year our pub was voted 3rd best out of every pub in the whole of Northamptonshire (over 650 pubs)
so we must be doing something right!
Village pubs countrywide are closing at an alarming rate and it’s a fact that having a pub in your village actually increases the value of your property.
So come in, enjoy yourselves and support your local.
Best wishes. Richard & Sally.
◊ Richard and Sally Phillips ◊ Owners and Licensees : The Bell Inn, Helmdon
[phone number removed]
ED : To answer Richard’s question, yes they are great and I am a regular customer. It’s a great excuse to get a couple of beers in and a chat with friends all in the same trip.
Table Tennis
Towcester and District Table Tennis League are seeking new players for the coming season
Individuals:- Male or female, or why not ask your friends to join you and form a team.
(Minimum 3 players needed)
Age:- Any age welcome. Last season our youngest player was 11 years old and our not so youngest was 76!
Ability:- We currently have three divisions in the league catering for beginners to County players
Season:- We play from October through to April and matches begin at 7.30pm and are usually finished by 10.30pm
Equipment:- You will need your own bat, but the league has 2 new tables which are available to borrow for one season to get you started
Coaching:- Free coaching sessions can be arranged before the beginning of the new season
Enjoy:- It's a fun way to keep fit
Contact:- For further details phone Mrs. Pat Grant on [phone number removed]
SELLS HELMDON

HELMDON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
W
e look back over the lovely summer, the interesting speakers, the enjoyment of meeting other W.I. members and visitors to Helmdon.
Our Calendar of events was as follows:
MARCH, 2005
Jo Ottomar’s talk about pearls and how she set up her jewellery business.
Members enjoyed trying on beautiful pieces of jewellery. After we had closed the meeting we had the opportunity to browse and buy pieces ourselves.
APRIL, 2005
Mrs. Pam Osborne came from The British Red Cross and gave a very interesting talk and demonstration of First Aid. Members had a go at resuscitation on her dummy, “Annie”!
MAY, 2005
Members enjoyed a walk through the conservation area at Ox Hill Farm in Warwickshire.
JUNE, 2005
Margaret Reardon demonstrated cooking with chocolate. Margaret was entertaining and skilfully put recipes together that were mouth-watering.
JULY, 2005
Members enjoyed a summer evening in Louise’s garden, followed by a lovely supper in her home.
Thank you, Louise for your hospitality.
OTHER NEWS
Three members entered a poem for the Denman Cup, entitled “Women”. One of our members’
poems was picked to go forward to the National final.
In June members entered the W.I. Federation Show at Moulton. We had two first, one second and one third prize. All entries were judged to be at National standard. Doreen England came first with her Victoria sandwich, out of 42 entries. She won the Cup outright and it will be presented to her at the Annual Council meeting at Spinney Hill theatre, Northampton in October.
Members enjoyed a pleasant evening walk to Sulgrave followed by a meal at The Star Inn.
We have served teas for 44 members from a Darby and Joan Club from Weston Favell,
Northampton. We will be serving teas in September for 45 members from the Sunny Side Club at
Brigstock in east Northamptonshire.
YOUR W.I. NEEDS YOU!
It is our 85th Anniversary next year. We need new members to help our W.I. to continue. If this report has whetted your appetite and you want to join us, you will be made very welcome.
If you would like to learn more about us, why not join us at our meetings held on the second
Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in the Reading Room.
DO TELEPHONE ME FOR MORE INFORMATION
◊ Jennifer Saunders ◊ Secretary: Helmdon W.I.
[phone number removed]
http://www.womens-institute.org.uk
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www.helmdon.com your community website

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
H
elmdon Neighbourhood Watch has been operating since November
1994, when I became co-ordinator for the village. The scheme has been very successful thanks to the cooperation of all the residents.
How does the scheme work? Helmdon is divided into areas and each area has a contact person, who is listed below. In the case of any activity such as vandalism or crime of any nature you can report it to your nearest contact person or if you cannot obtain them call me, or in the case of serious crime direct to the police [phone number removed] or of course
999.
The police are still bringing to my attention the increase in distraction burglaries in the south of the area. This is where one individual knocks on the front while his accomplice enters at the rear. DO
NOT LET ANYONE IN. Please be vigilant at all times, a crime could be committed next door to you.
Now for some good news for a change, -The Northamptonshire Fire Service will give you a FREE
HOME SAFETY CHECK and will also supply a free smoke alarm for your home. To make an appointment phone 0800 38 999 50 or of course you can call me on [phone number removed].
◊ David Brookhouse ◊ Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Helmdon
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
[address removed]. NN13 5QN
Your Neighbourhood Watch Contacts are :
Ian Drew
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Val Smith
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Ann Harman
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Janet Lipson
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Chris Bridger
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Wilf Forgham
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
HELMDON WOMEN’S CLUB
O
ur year runs from October to October and so our programme for next year is nearly complete.
As we do not have a secretary it has been compiled by committee members. It includes a talk by
Anna Murby from Radio Northampton, presentations by Bodyshop and a homeopathic medicine practitioner and a visit to Plentiful Pots; and Chrissie is bringing her owls to see us next June. In addition we shall have our annual Quiz and Chilli evening, Christmas Party and Silly Sports.
The highlight of this year is our 35th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday October 8th. We hope all our past and present members have received the invitations we have sent out but if anyone has not received one, or you know of someone who has left the village who has been missed out, please contact me. We have had very encouraging attendance at past reunions and we are looking forward to seeing all our friends again at this one.
SELLS HELMDON

Is there anyone out there who would like to be our Secretary? Our committee meetings are very relaxed and enjoyable, as are our monthly meetings at the Reading Room on the third Wednesday of every month. New members and visitors will be warmly welcomed.
◊ Judy Cairns ◊ Chairman: Helmdon Women’s Club
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
HAFWEG
A
t the time the last edition of Talkabout was published HAFWEG was a very new organisation and a decision had only just been made as to what the group should be called. A lot of progress has been made since then and there have been activities of various kinds including:
Enhancing the Environment:
• Clearing / tidying the School Conservation Area
• Clearing / tidying the footpath alongside the allotments to the south of Jenner¹s Piece.
This activity was done in conjunction with the Parish Paths Group
• Clearing the footpath which runs down from the new extension to the churchyard to
Ambleside. This was also done jointly with the Parish Paths Group
Informative / Learning:
• A study of local grasses led by Dr Barry Meatyard of The University of Warwick a talk by
John Clewes of the RSPB.
Fund Raising:
• A Pub Quiz held in the Bell Inn
• A HAFWEG Event held in Helmdon School
All these events have been well supported and our fund-raising has been very successful, providing us with much needed funds for running costs; fees and / or expenses for speakers and the insurance cover, which is essential for all our activities.
HAFWEG events are open to everybody and those interested in any of the activities are most welcome to join the group. Events will be published on the village web site and on the village notice-boards. Our next event will be the AGM, which will be held on 6 October. The venue will be confirmed later and published on the web site and notice boards.
◊ Niki Phillips ◊ Chairman: Helmdon, Astwell and Falcutt Wildlife and Environment Group
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
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PURELY
PLANTS
──────────────────────────────
Countryside Garden Centre
For your Autumn Garden:
™ Chimeneas for those cooler evenings
™ Huge selection of Spring bulbs
™ Now is the best time to plant Trees & Shrubs
™ Winter Flowering Pansies and Violas
A magical Christmas at Purely Plants:
™ Visit our gift showroom for great ideas
™ Pot grown and cut Christmas trees
™ Christmas door wreaths, table decorations and cut foliage
™ Masses of decorations for your home or office
™ Poinsettias, Cyclamen, English Orchids and other seasonal plants
Delivery service available.
"easy parking – easy shopping"
At Middleton Cheney
Open 9.00 – 5.00 Monday to Saturday * 10.00 – 4.00 Sundays
We close at 4.30 in November, January & February
Tel: [phone number removed]
SELLS HELMDON

1
ST
HELMDON RAINBOWS
R
ainbows have fun! They take part in indoor and outdoor activities as part of their programme called the
Rainbow jigsaw.
The Rainbow Jigsaw is the name for the renewed
Rainbow programme, which has been developed for the 21st century Rainbow and is comprised of four areas:
Rainbows Look.
Rainbows Learn.
Rainbows Laugh.
Rainbows Love.
Their meetings are full of games and activities, which provide challenging opportunities for
Rainbows to think for themselves and take an active part in unit decision making. Everything a
Rainbow does helps her to develop.
As a Rainbow your daughter is a member of Girlguiding UK, the largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women in this country. It has about 600,000 members.
Any girl aged five or over can be a Rainbow and when they reach seven they are eligible for
Brownies.
Rainbows make this simple promise that they share with members around the world;
“I promise that I will do my best to love my God and to be kind and helpful.”
We are currently fully subscribed but do operate a waiting list, so please contact our Unit Guider,
Eleanor Shepherd, on [phone number removed] if you think your daughter would benefit now or in the future.
We meet every Friday in term time at Helmdon School.
◊ Marie Wray ◊ Unit Helper : 1st Helmdon Rainbows
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
STOP PRESS!!!
Michelle Rimmer and Sue Stone will be opening a Guides Unit (ages 10 – 14) in Helmdon beginning late September / early October on a Monday evening If you are interested please phone Michelle on [phone number removed] or email to [email address removed]
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HELMDON ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL
S
pring and Summer 2005 has been as hectic as ever for everyone at Acorns and despite the fact that we may be only 2 years 6
months to 4 years old, we really manage to achieve the work/life balance we need.
Our annual outing this year was to Cotswold Wildlife Park and the good news is that not one of us was eaten by any of the many wild animals there. We also held our annual teddy bear’s picnic on the last day of term and as well as enjoying lots of great food, we also combined sports day and a nature trail in the
HELMDON ACORNS PRE SCHOOL same morning as the weather was so good.
Reading Room, Church St. Helmdon.
WE TAKE CHILDREN FROM 2 YRS 6
MONTHS AND OPEN FOUR
SESSIONS A WEEK AS FOLLOWS:-
MONDAY
9.30am – 12.00
WEDNESDAY
9.30am – 12.00
THURSDAY
9.30am – 1.00pm
(INCLUDES LUNCH CLUB)
FRIDAY
9.30am – 1.00pm
(INCLUDES LUNCH CLUB)
CONTACT
RACHAEL BERCK
[phone number removed]
With the summer months has also come lots of flowers and of course the dreaded weeding down at our allotment, but it all seems to be worth the effort. The walk down to the allotment together with the weekly gym sessions have also resulted in all of us being in great shape, which is just as well given most of us will be sunning ourselves somewhere during the summer holidays.
It has not all been just play however as we have had some really fantastic topics to study and are now so much smarter. We know all about what happens under the sea and have spent some time learning new stories and rhymes. We also had our parents visit in order to have conversations with our ‘key workers’ to look in to our development.
This seemed a little redundant to us as we know we are doing great, however our parents seemed to find this extremely beneficial.
With the last day of term approaching it was time for the morning visit to Helmdon School. Many
PLACES AVAILABLE FROM of us will be starting Helmdon School in
SEPTEMBER 2005. September so this is our chance to have a look at our new surroundings, rely heavily on the
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR
friendship and familiarity of each other, and in
INTEREST NOW TO SECURE YOUR
some cases spend the morning looking out for
CHILDS PLACE!
our older brothers and sisters. The visit went very well and every one of us was extremely casual about the whole affair. It seemed that Lisa, Judy, Kerry and Anne were far more stressed about it than we were.
Talking of the staff, they, as ever have been a great inspiration to us throughout the year. We would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to Anne Oakey who said ‘Farewell’ to us on the last day of term in order to pursue pastures new. We would also like to say a big ‘Welcome’ to Natalie Smith who will be joining the team as Anne’s replacement.
SELLS HELMDON

If you wish to come and see what fun we have each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday then please do not hesitate to contact Rachael Berck on [phone number removed]
◊ Helen Russell ◊ Committee Member : Helmdon Acorns
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
THE WEA
T
he Workers' Educational Association (WEA) provides a range of friendly and enjoyable courses using expert tutors. If you wish to enjoy one evening per week learning about a wide range of subjects then give the WEA a try. Courses are run in the autumn and spring and are open to all adults. We also run occasional visits to places of interest.
No qualifications are required to join any course. If you have a disability or extra learning needs then the WEA will try to help –
please contact the WEA before you start the course.
The WEA was founded in 1903 as an adult educational charity with no religious or party political ties. It is supported by funds from the
Learning and Skills Council so that course fees can be kept as low as possible.
Courses for 2005-06
Our autumn 2005 course "Anglo-Saxon and Viking England" starts on 20th September. This illustrated course will be given by Dr Denise Cowley and look at the archaeology of England during the Anglo-Saxon and Viking era (c. AD 400 – 1066). Topics covered will include the archaeological evidence for British resistance under the legendary King Arthur, the famous Sutton Hoo Ship
Burial, and Viking York (Jorvik).
Our spring 2006 course "Be a Better Gardener" will be given by Cathy Allcott. Isham village held this course last year and it was judged to be one of their best. The course start date will be announced later in the year.
Courses consist of 10 sessions, each 1½ hour, held at Helmdon School on Tuesday evenings from
7:30pm. The course fee is £31.50 (concessions £23.25) and payment is due on the second week. No course fee is payable by 16-18 year olds and those on jobseekers allowance or certain other benefits.
Those on low household income may also qualify for help with fees.
Whilst our courses are very well attended, new learners are always welcome. To register for a course just turn up at the school before between 7:00pm and 7:30pm on the first week (or second week at the latest).
Recent Courses and Events
Tutor Joanna Rogers was welcomed back to Helmdon to give the spring 2005 course "The
Suburban".. This course looked at styles of suburban housing, furniture and decorative items from the 1920s to the 1950s. Some smaller items were brought to the classroom each week to complement those displayed on slides. Joanna made this a very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable course.
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To see many items of suburban furniture and decorative items at first-hand, we spent a day at the
Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Here, a vast range of products from all eras are wonderfully displayed. Many other Helmdon residents took the opportunity to join us on the trip.
In June, Will Watson kindly allowed us to use the Old Glebe for a Summer Supper. He then entertained us with a most enjoyable recital of piano music to illustrate the different musical styles of composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Mozart.
Committee and Further Information
Our local organising committee are: Jan Harrold (Chair), Kate Moody (Treasurer), Richard
Farquharson (Course Secretary), Judy Cairns, Cec Harrold and Margaret Reardon.
Details of courses and other WEA events are posted on village notice boards and on our website
(www.helmdon.com). Details of WEA courses throughout the region can be found at local libraries or from the WEA's website (www.wea.org.uk).
◊ Richard Farquharson ◊ Course Secretary : WEA Helmdon Branch
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
http://www.wea.org.uk
WEA is a registered charity no. 314001
SOUTH NORTHANTS VOLUNTEER BUREAU
S
NVB is looking for new volunteers in Helmdon to help with an important project.
Safe ’n Sound is a programme designed to help householders in South
Northamptonshire villages feel safer from the dangers of fire, crime and the cold, as well as live more warmly and healthily in their own homes.
Available free to householders are smoke alarms, door chains, intercom systems and low energy light bulbs. Grants and subsidies are available for other energy saving measures, such as loft and cavity wall insulation and even solar energy!
Partners in the project are members of the South Northamptonshire Local
Strategic Partnership – the police, fire service, SNC and the local Primary Care Trusts and funding is from the Energy Savings Trust.
SNVB manages the project and recruits the local volunteers to help in the village. If you think you know people who might benefit from the services offered and can help within the village in a “good neighbourly way”, please contact me at the Volunteer Centre in Towcester to find out more.
You can also look at the Safe ’n Sound website at www.safensound.org.uk
Our latest volunteering opportunities – including an opportunity to volunteer at the 2012 Olympic
Games(!) – can be seen on www.snvb.org.uk or at www.doit.org.uk
◊ Barron Walton ◊ Co-ordinator: Volunteers in Villages Projects at SNVB
[phone number removed]
http://www.snvb.org.uk/
SELLS HELMDON

THE HELMDON VILLAGE WEB SITE
I
am delighted to record that Helmdon has won the
ICT (Information Communication Technology)
section of the Calor Northamptonshire Village of the
Year competition for 2005. The judges looked at the web site and were impressed by the depth of content, ease of use and clarity of design. Helmdon will now represent Northamptonshire in the regional competition for Central England and, if successful there, would go on to compete in the national finals.
Two residents from Helmdon have been invited to attend an awards dinner with Alan Titchmarsh on 6th
December in London where the results of the regional and national competitions will be announced. A big thank you goes to all the people who have contributed news, photos, stories and reports to the web site this year, all of which has helped the site become a real community resource.
Our autumn celebrations also include the marking of our 5th birthday as the original site was officially launched in November 2000. Now, five years later, there are over 1,500 pages and 1,000
photographs and images.
Our visitor numbers continue to amaze and delight us. Each month we have over 4,500 people visit the site and, because some people come back more than once in the month, we actually record around 8,500 visits, which is approximately 300 visits per day. The web site is popular around the world – either ex-pats having a look to see what’s going on in their old village, or family researchers with ancestors with a Helmdon connection. Knowing that the site is well used encourages the web site team to continue investing the enormous number of hours it takes to keep the site updated and relevant. If you don’t have access to a computer to view the web site on, give me a call on the number below and I’ll pop round and show you the web site on a laptop computer.
Over the summer we have covered all the key goings-on and happenings in the village. There is a report and photo gallery for the Bridge
Players summer production, lots of messages and information on the (failed) Orange™ mobile phone mast planning application, all the news and photos from the recent carnival, coverage of John Roberts’ retirement, details on the Twin Bin recycling scheme and news from all the Parish Plan initiatives, with a new section set up especially for HAFWEG, the environment group. This is only a small selection of the information posted; the site is normally updated several times a week at least.
The Canon Dunn Memorial Bowl for ICT
We are constantly looking at ways of improving the usability of the web site, and the latest addition is a directory of all village groups. The information has always been on
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the site but now for the first time we have pulled it all together on a single page. Thirty three groups are listed, along with contact details and a link to the group’s own section on the web site. If any of the information is incorrect, or you would like to add your group please get in touch with us anytime. The page is directly accessible by typing in www.helmdon.com/villagegroups.
Finally, www.helmdon.com is your web site. If there is anything you would like to add to the site please let us know. We are always interested in news, stories, snippets of history, photographs, group publicity – in fact anything you have that might be of interest to other members of the community. Please send any material to webmaster@helmdon.com.
We hope you continue to enjoy the web site, and we welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions.
The web site is designed and maintained by members of Helmdon WEA, and sponsored by
Helmdon Parish Council and HYHO. Please contact Danny Moody on [phone number removed] or e-mail webmaster@helmdon.com.
◊ Danny Moody ◊ Webmaster: Helmdon.com
[phone number removed]
webmaster@helmdon.com http://www.helmdon.com
HELMDON SPORTS CLUB
C
ongratulations to the Billiards team who won the Ron Jackson trophy and to the Football team who secured a second place in the league and gained promotion for the second year in succession.
The Billiard teams finished a respectable fourth and ? to be improved eighth in their respective divisions. Their season starts at the end of September when matches start on Monday evenings.
The cricket team having gained promotion last year are struggling at the foot of their division but the atmosphere is still second to none and an enjoyable time is had by all. Significantly there are a lot more youngsters turning out for the team this year illustrated by the fact in one game we fielded six players under the age of eighteen.
The club are always keen to have new players in all sports so if you are keen on any of the above sports let me know.
The club is 100% behind the Parish Plan ideas of Sport for the youngsters in the village and would welcome any ideas regarding this. Rugby has already been mentioned, which is fine but there has to be a qualified coach to supervise this. Other sports have been mentioned which as long as there are volunteers to run the sport the facilities will be made available.
◊ Dave Bridger ◊ Secretary: Helmdon Sports Club
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
SELLS HELMDON

www.helmdon.com
| news | events | message board | history |
| picture galleries | groups and organisations |
| parish council | carnival | parish plan |
Just one of over 1,000 images on the web site
Contact Danny Moody: [phone number removed]
webmaster@helmdon.com helmdon.com is designed and maintained by members of Helmdon
Branch WEA and sponsored by Helmdon Parish Council
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CKERS YOUTH CLUB
C
kers is a youth club run jointly by members of St Mary
Magdalene Church and the Baptist Chapel. We meet at Helmdon
Church on Sunday Evenings every other week during school term times from 6.30pm.until around 8pm. We have been running successfully for 5 years and welcome anyone from school year 5 and upwards. We are also very happy to welcome any adults willing to help!
We organise a wide variety of activities including sports, arts and crafts, cookery, musical events and outings. If you are interested please give me a call or come and join us at one of our evenings.
We restart on September 11th 2005
◊ Kathy Quiney ◊ CKers Youth Club
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
CRAFT AND PRODUCE SHOW
W
e enjoyed another successful Craft and Produce Show at this years Carnival with a fantastic number of entries. Thank you to everyone who entered. The competition in the garden section was very close with the award for ‘Best Garden’ and ‘Best Vegetable Plot’ going to Simon Storer, who also managed to win the fruit and vegetable section on the day. Mrs. C Gordon won Best Water
Feature with her fantastic fish filled pond and Paul Hardiman impressed the judge with his hanging basket, winning that category. The Best Patio award went to Caren Whitehouse (we could have made ourselves comfortable and stayed all afternoon) and Best Climbing Display to Simon Harris.
On the morning of the Carnival the entries came in thick and fast and as always we were impressed by the quality of them. There is enormous talent lurking in Helmdon! Ruth Jessett won the cup in the craft and produce section with Ann Wilson winning the Bloomers Trophy in the flower section.
The children in the village as usual produced the best entries with their scary masks, decorated biscuits, fairy cakes and pictures. Lucinda Crosss won the cup in the 7 and under section, Stefano
Capella won the 8 to 12 section and Sam Oakey won the cup in the 13 and over section.
We hope everyone enjoys the Craft and Produce Show. It is a very traditional English event but is also about having fun and brings us together as a community, so we hope even more of you will enter next year. We are also looking for new committee members, if anyone is interested contact Jo
Ezzy on [phone number removed] it only involves a few meetings and helping out on carnival day.
◊ Sarah Stubbs ◊ Secretary: Helmdon Horticultural Society
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
SELLS HELMDON

THE STAMP CLUB
T
he Brackley branch of the Northamptonshire Philatelic Society ( Brackley Stamp Club ) is now based in the Helmdon Reading Room.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of most months.
" In House " evenings such as competitions, quizzes and members evenings are held in members houses and those evenings involving a speaker are held in the Reading Room.
This year we have had visits from Coventry and Harwell societies and we will be giving displays at
Coventry, Stratford-on-Avon and Rusholm.
Individual speaker subjects include Northants Wartime Mail, Pitcairns, Egypt and Portugal.
Everyone is very welcome to attend any meetings and have our coffee and biscuits free of charge.
For further information please give me a call.
◊ Geoff Gulliver ◊ Unknown: Brackley Stamp Club
[phone number removed]
WANTED
A
rticles, or promises of articles, for Aspects of Helmdon no.6.
When the Helmdon branch WEA Local Studies Group published their first booklet in 1997, little did they think that they would be embarking on a series! However, Aspects 6 will not come to fruition unless we obtain contributions.
Historical articles, memoirs, photographs all are welcome. To date we have not included any articles on natural history, but that is because none has been offered. It may be that HAFWEG will come up trumps! What about someone writing a history of their organization ?
If we get enough articles, the booklet will be published in the autumn of 2006. At the moment, an intimation of intent is all that is required.
Please get in touch with me for more information.
◊ Audrey Forgham ◊ Member: Helmdon branch WEA
[phone number removed]
[email address removed]
POST OFFICE & DROP-IN-CENTRE
O
pening times are:
TUESDAYS – 10am to 12 Noon
THURSDAYS – 2pm to 4 pm
Tea / coffee and biscuits served
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OBITUARIES, MARRIAGES & BIRTHS
Obituaries
Baby Austin Euan Mountford
8-10-2004 to 24-03-2005
W
e would like to say a special thank you to all of the village for all their support during Austin’s short time with us, and a thank you to all our friends for helping with Kyle in our time of need. A special thank you to
Reverend John Roberts and the church for the christening and funeral.
The donations were gratefully received by the children’s ward. Austin was a special little boy who really struggled and was definitely a fighter, he was much loved and will always be in our hearts. Sometimes things happen in life and there are no answers, we all have to be grateful for what we have and how precious life is.
We chose this poem to remember Austin by.
God looked around his garden and found an empty place.
Then he looked down upon this earth and saw your tiny face.
He put his arms around you, and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best
He knew that you were suffering.
He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough.
The hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered ‘Peace be thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you.
The day God called you home.
Diane, Stephen and Kyle Mountford
SELLS HELMDON

Marriages
None received.
Births
Dylan Henry William Dean
Born 2nd June 2005
To Gareth and Victoria
Brother for Millie and Alfie
Laraugh Neave Smith
Born 15th August 2005
To Sarah and Neil
Sister for Shannon, Calhoun, Finlay
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REFERENCE LIBRARY
I
n this section we have listed lots of contacts and facts that may be useful to the new or long time resident Helmdon villager. If you can think of any we have missed then please contact us and we would be happy to include them in the next issue. Items in bold are usually your nearest or first number you should try.
Our Local Elected Representatives
Our representative on the South Northants Council is;
Councillor R E Digby: Hill House, Mill Road, Whitfield, Brackley, Northants NN13 5TQ.
Tel: [phone number removed] (home and business)
Email : [email address removed]
Our representative on Northants County Council is;
Councillor A G Grant: 1 Gilbert Scott Court, Towcester, Northants. NN12 6DX.
Tel: [phone number removed]
Our member of parliament is:
MP. T E Boswell, c/o Lloyds Bank Chambers, North St. Daventry, Northants.
Tel: [phone number removed]
Email: [email address removed]
M. E. Ps
Conservative Roger Helmer
Independent Robert Kilroy-Silk
Labour Philip Whitehead
Conservative Chris Heaton-Harris
UK Independence Party Derek Clark
Liberal Democrats Bill Newton Dunn
Addresses and email details are available at http://www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/MembersMain.htm
Fire Brigade
Northampton [phone number removed]
Always call 999 in the event of an emergency!
SELLS HELMDON

Voluntary Work
South Northants Volunteer Bureau, Towcester [phone number removed]
Volunteer Connection, Milton Keynes [phone number removed]
Towcester Area Door to Door [phone number removed]
Hospitals & Doctors
For Accident & Emergencies (A&E) it is often useful to call ahead and find out what the waiting time is. This may affect your choice of hospital. Please note the Brackley Cottage Hospital does
NOT operate an A&E service however they do have a 24hr First Aid room for minor injuries to which local doctors attend.
Always call 999 in the event of an emergency!
Horton General, Banbury [phone number removed]
The John Radcliffe (Oxford) [phone number removed]
Northampton General, Cliftonville [phone number removed]
Milton Keynes General, Standing Way [phone number removed]
Stoke Mandeville, Mandeville Rd, Aylesbury [phone number removed]
Brackley Cottage Hospital, Pebble Lane [phone number removed]
NHS Direct 0845 46 47
Springfield Surgery, Brackley (Appointments) [phone number removed]
Springfield Surgery, Brackley (Enquiries) [phone number removed]
Washington House Surgery [phone number removed]
SNODOC (out of hours GP Service) [phone number removed]
Brackley Health Centre – Doctors [phone number removed]
Brackley Health Centre – Dental Clinic [phone number removed]
Paulerspury Surgery [phone number removed]
Towcester Medical Centre [phone number removed]
Silverstone Surgery [phone number removed]
Police
Daventry [phone number removed]
Banbury [phone number removed]
Oxford [phone number removed]
Northampton [phone number removed]
Police Community Support Officer [phone number removed]
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Community Watch Co-ordinator [phone number removed]
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for Helmdon (David Brookhouse) [phone number removed]
Crime stoppers 0800 555111
Victim Support [phone number removed]
Always call 999 in the event of an emergency!
Neighbourhood Watch Contacts
David Brookhouse – Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Helmdon : [phone number removed]
Ian Drew
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Val Smith
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Ann Harman
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Janet Lipson
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Chris Bridger
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Wilf Forgham
[address removed]
[phone number removed]
Support Groups / Advice Lines
Samaritans [phone number removed]
(Local Rate Service) 08457 909090
Citizens Advice Bureau (Brackley) [phone number removed]
Citizens Advice Bureau (Northampton) [phone number removed]
Citizens Advice Bureau (National) 08450 505162
Help the Aged’s Senior Line 0800 269626
Childline 0800 1111
National Blood Service 0845 7711711
Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 7697555
Cruse Bereavement Care [phone number removed]
DIAL [phone number removed]
The Compassionate Friends (Bereavement) [phone number removed]
RELATE (Support for relationships) 0845 1304010
Missing Persons Helpline [phone number removed]
Time to Talk (Youth Counselling) [phone number removed]
NSPCC [phone number removed]
Home Start [phone number removed]
Elder Abuse Response 0808 808141
Domestic Violence (Womens Aid) [phone number removed]
SELLS HELMDON

Rape & Incest Crisis Centre [phone number removed]
Off the Hook (Drug & alcohol abuse) [phone number removed]
Solve It (Solvent abuse) [phone number removed]
Re-Solv (Solvent abuse) 0808 8002345
CAN (Drug & Alcohol abuse) [phone number removed]
National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600
AL-Anon (support for families of alcoholics) [phone number removed]
Aquarius (Drug & Alcohol abuse) [phone number removed]
Drinkline 0800 9178282
Quitline (smoking) 0800 002200
JiGSAW [phone number removed]
Provides childcare information on topics like, childminders, creches, day nursery schools, holiday playschemes, nannies, out of school clubs, playgroups and toddler groups.
www.childcarelink.gov.uk…or 0800 96 02 96…for the government D of E information
Local Authorities & Services www.southnorthants.gov.uk ……….….For up to date information on local services
South Northants County Council (SNC) [phone number removed]
Northants County Council [phone number removed]
SNC Recycling [phone number removed]
Health Information Line (Now NHS Direct) 0845 4647
Northamptonshire Health Authority [phone number removed]
Northamptonshire South
Community Health Council 01604 27722
Disability Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882200
Brackley Library [phone number removed]
Helmdon Primary School [phone number removed]
Bulky Household Waste removal [phone number removed]
Magdalen College School [phone number removed]
Northamptonshire ACRE [phone number removed]
Social Services (Child & Mental Health) [phone number removed]
Social Services (Adults) [phone number removed]
Housing Advice [phone number removed]
Road Safety [phone number removed]
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The Street Doctor Hotline 0845 601 1113
Abandoned Vehicles [phone number removed]
Trading Standards Advice [phone number removed]
Sports
Brackley Leisure Centre [phone number removed]
Brackley Swimming Pool [phone number removed]
Towcester Leisure Centre [phone number removed]
Helmdon Sports Club (David Bridger) [phone number removed]
Transport
Trains (National Line) 08457 484950
Jeffs Coach Hire [phone number removed]
SMS Executive Travel [phone number removed]
Chiltern Railways 08705 165165
PJ Cars (Brackley) [phone number removed]
Castle Cars (Banbury) [phone number removed]
JASON [phone number removed]
Jeff Amos [phone number removed]
Carters Travel [phone number removed]
CD Cars (Taxi Bus) [phone number removed]
Journeys Around South Northants is a minibus service for Brackley, Towcester and all the villages in South Northants. Operated by the British Red Cross in association with South Northants County
Council it provides a service for anyone who finds it difficult to use the existing bus services.
Registration with the service is required before use : An application form can be obtained from the number above, or by writing to:
JASON Dial a Ride, PO Box 6159, Towcester, Northants. NN12 8YB
Village Contacts
The Bell Inn (Richard & Sally) [phone number removed]
Bungalow Stores [phone number removed]
Wappenham Post Office [phone number removed]
Services
Powergen Customer Service 0800 0564256
Powergen power cuts……………………………………………………… 0800 0568090
SELLS HELMDON

East Midlands Electricity Emergency Service 0800 0568090
Environment Agency General Enquires 0845 9333111
Environmental Agency, Emergency 0800 807060
Misc
Environment Agency Floodline 0845 9881188
Window Cleaners (Tony) [phone number removed]
Direct Phone Numbers for Council Services
Village Information
We are hoping that this section will be particularly helpful to those just moving into the village and trying to find their way about.
Recycling Centre
The village has its own recycling centre located just off Station Rd. Turn left on the corner just before the School as you come into Helmdon. 20 metres and turn left again. The recycle bins are now in front of you and to the side of the Station Rd garage block. They accept paper & glass (clear
& coloured). Please keep the area tidy and try and take your empty boxes away with you!
If you have non-recyclables to dispose of the nearest place to go is Towcester. If you go to the A5 /
A43 roundabout and turn right to go down the A5 towards Towcester you will see a petrol station on
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your right. If you then take the 1st right immediately after the petrol station, you will find the waste centre at the end of this road. It is open weekdays and Saturdays, heavily encourages re-cycling and has a little sort of jumble sale going on there. You are limited to five large DIY waste items per month. e.g. Baths, sinks, beds, kitchen worktop, radiator .. For more information call [phone number removed].
Seckington (Bungalow) Stores
This is the one remaining village shop (there have been numerous shops in the village in the past all closed through lack of business, so let’s try and keep this one).
Bungalow Stores Station Road Helmdon
Stockists of :
General Groceries, Fruit and Veg, Confectionery, Soft Drinks, Frozen Foods, Ice Cream, Pet Food,
Household Goods, Tobacco and Cigarettes, Helmdon Talkabout Magazines , Aspects of Helmdon local history booklets and Agents for Dry Cleaning
Opening Hours :-
Mon, Tues, Thur & Fri – 8am to 6pm
Wed & Sat – 8 am to 2pm
Sunday Closed
This is also the place to book, pick up / drop off the keys for the Reading Room and purchase tokens for its electric meter
The Reading Room
Located half way along Church St. these rooms provide the meeting place for many of the village groups , such as the WI, Women’s Club and the Fellowship. You are welcome to contact Harold
Seckington [phone number removed]) for details of how to book use of the hall. Prices range from £2.50 to
£50 depending on the use. Very useful for children’s parties!
Some groups will use the small meeting room only, some like the Acorns group will use the whole building. The hall is split into two by a wooded curtain divide so you can adjust the room size to fit your requirements. The kitchen is fully fitted out with all the utilities you would expect.
Reading Room Management Committee
Chairman: Bill England [phone number removed]
Vice Chairman: Michael Ayres [phone number removed]
Treasurer/Steward: Harold Seckington [phone number removed]
Secretary: Caroline King [phone number removed]
Allotments
The Parish council maintain a smallholding behind “The Green” where villagers are welcome to maintain allotment plots for the princely sum of £5 per year. Contact the Parish Clerk if you have an interest.
It should be noted that these are not connected with the privately let allotments behind the 3 cottages on Wappenham Road owned by Tony Wilson of Shortlands Close.
SELLS HELMDON

Sports field
The sports club has the use of a large playing field located on the left hand side as you leave the village on Wappenham Road. It is kept in great condition throughout the year by members of the sports club. The field is also used for the Helmdon Carnival held on the August Bank Holiday and on some occasions for wedding receptions. I believe that recently the carnival committee have purchased new marquees that can be rented for such occasions.
Playground
The village playground is maintained by the Parish Council and is located at the top of the school playing field. You can access it from the school car park or from two entrances located on what is known as “gravel path”. This is a path that joins Station Road to Church St. It is kept clean and safe by the kind efforts of those who use it and some dedicated Parish Councillors. Please keep it clean and safe by reporting any equipment failures or concerns to the Parish Clerk immediately. As this play area is part of the school facilities as well, we should only use it outside of school opening hours.
Bus Timetables
Please check with the respective operators before travelling as these times can change. The
Northants County Council re-tender for these routes every Easter. Depending on the response the times and operators may or may not change completely.
The following four firms have had a history of winning these tenders between them and are therefore the most likely operators of our village bus services.
Jeffs Coach Hire [phone number removed]
SMS Executive Travel [phone number removed]
Jeff Amos [phone number removed]
Carters Travel [phone number removed]
CD Cars [phone number removed]
TheTaxi-Bus no longer operates in Helmdon and a new service from SMS will provide a replacement bus service. The best news for many of the bus users is that this is going to be a low floor easy access bus.
Our Parish Clerk will also post any new bus timetables in the village notice boards, so always have a quick check there if you haven’t used the bus for a while.
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www.helmdon.com your community website

BRACKLEY – Greatworth – Helmdon – BANBURY – Service SMS 508
Monday to Saturday (Not Sundays or Public Holidays)
Operator: SMS SMS SMS SMS SMS SMS
Service Number: 508 508 508 508 508 508
Brackley, Tesco Store — [phone number removed] 1605 1715
Brackley, Market Place (Garage) [phone number removed] 1407 1607 1717
Brackley, Halse Road Health Centre [phone number removed] 1409 1609 1719
Halse, Mission Church [phone number removed] 1415 1615 1725
Greatworth, Crossroads Helmdon Road [phone number removed] 1421 1621 1731
Helmdon, Station Road/The Green [phone number removed] 1427 1627 1737
Sulgrave, Magpie Road Church [phone number removed] 1433 1633 1743
Culworth, Lindsays Corner Myrtle Cottage [phone number removed] 1438 1638 1748
Thorpe Mandeville, Bus Shelter [phone number removed] 1443 – 1753
Middleton Cheney, High St opp Red Lion [phone number removed] 1449 – 1759
Banbury, Bus Station [phone number removed] 1458 – 1808
Operator: SMS SMS SMS SMS SMS SMS
Service Number: 508 508 508 508
Banbury, Bus Station [phone number removed] 1512 – 1812
Middleton Cheney, High St Red Lion 0801 1021 1321 1521 – 1821
Thorpe Mandeville, opp Bus Shelter 0807 1027 1327 1527 – 1827
Culworth, Lindsays Corner Myrtle Cottage 0812 1032 1332 1532 1638 1832
Sulgrave, Magpie Road opp Church 0817 1037 1337 1537 1643 1837
Helmdon, Station Road opp The Green 0823 1043 1343 1543 1649 1843
Radstone Turn |
508
|
508
| | 1654 |
Greatworth, Crossroads Chapel Road 0829 1049 1349 1549 | 1849
Halse, opp Mission Church 0835 1055 1355 1555 | 1855
Brackley, Halse Road opp Health Centre 0841 1101 1401 1601 | 1901
Brackley, Market Place (Toilets) 0843 1103 1403 1603 1701 1903
Brackley, Tesco Store 0845 1105 1405 1605 1703
SELLS HELMDON
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Jeffs Coaches – Friday Only Service to Brackley
Leaves Helmdon, Station Rd (bottom of Church St) 09.52
Arrives Brackley, Market Place 10.06
Arrives Brackley, Tesco 10.10
(30 mins to do some food shopping)
Leaves from Brackley, Tesco 10.40
Arrives Brackley, Market Place 10.50
(1hour to do shopping around the town)
Leaves Brackley, Market Place 11.50
Arrives Helmdon, The Green 11.58
Jeffs Coaches – Wednesdays Only Service to Northampton
Leaves Helmdon, The Green 09:15
Arrives Northampton, The Drapery 10:30
Passes through villages, Weston, Weedon Lois, Wappenham, Slapton Turn, Abthorpe, Bradden.
Blakesley, Woodend, Maidford, Farthingstone & Litchborough
Leaves Northampton, The Drapery 13:00
Passes back through the villages dropping off on request.
Carters Travel – Saturdays Only Service to Northampton
Leaves Helmdon, The Green 09:50
Arrives Northampton, The Drapery 11:05
Passes through villages, Weston, Weedon Lois, Wappenham, Slapton Turn, Abthorpe, Bradden.
Blakesley, Woodend, Maidford, Farthingstone & Litchborough
Leaves Northampton, The Drapery
Passes back through the villages dropping off on request.
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www.helmdon.com your community website
13:55

MACINTYERS SELL HOUSES
MACINTYERS SELL HELMDON
For a free valuation, call MACINTYERS today [phone number removed]
email to [email address removed] and browse at www.macintyers.co.uk