Village voice spring 2013

HELMDON VOICE
www.helmdon.com Spring 2013
Clearing the way for the butterflies s We all know that Helmdon is special but how much do you know about the Helmdon Disused Railway Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)? Sites of Special
Scientific Interest are important as they support plants and animals that find it difficult to survive elsewhere in the countryside, and they represent the country’s best wildlife and geological sites. SSSI are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Helmdon Disused Railway was designated a SSSI due to the very interesting plants found on the limestone grassland and six different types of butterfly which were found there. Over time the grassland had become overgrown with scrubby bushes preventing the plants from flourishing. In December huge piles of scrub were removed from the slopes of the embankment from the first two sections of the SSSI. This will open up the grassland and help the small plants to come back. This work has been made possible as the landowner has entered a Higher Level environmental stewardship scheme designed to bring benefits to wildlife. A
representative from Natural England has been invited to the May Parish Council Meeting to give more information on the site.
Date Set for Wind Farm Inquiry
The second inquiry regarding
Broadview’s application to erect
5 wind turbines will commence on Tue.
8th October for up to 12 days. All third party submissions need to be submitted to the Inspectorate by 23rd May: if you would like to write to express your views, or your previously submitted views have changed email:
leanne.palmer@pins.gsi.gov.uk quoting ref
APP/Z2830/A/11/2165035/NWF. HSGWAG will be represented by its own barrister and leading experts on planning, landscape and noise. More money will be needed to cover these costs; further communication will follow in the near future. HSGWAG are also seeking new volunteers:
contact [email address removed]
Health Walks
On 11th April we said a sad farewell to Lesley
Kinghorn, a splendid walk leader who will be remembered for her good humour and inspirational enthusiasm, especially during our muddy, cold
Note:public footpath AP35 runs along the top of the cutting. There were hopes of providing a cycle path to Brackley along the old railway line but as Natural England have objected, this is unlikely to happen.
winter walks. At our post-walk tea we were pleased to present her with a guidebook to walks near her new home in Lincolnshire.
This year our summer evening walks on Monday evenings start on 24th June and end on 5th
August. We meet at the Bell in Church Street just before 7pm and aim to cover at least five miles before dusk and a welcome drink! Contact Roger
Miles: [phone number removed] [email address removed]
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Green Light for Bridge Work
The Parish Council has finally received notification that the works to infill the bridge will commence in May 2013. The road will need to be closed at some point during the works –
details will be posted on www.helmdon.com
Helmdon Presents
Films are shown monthly in the Reading Room at 7:45pm:
10th May “Central Station” a Portuguese film
14th June “Great Expectations”
19th July ”Inception”
On 25th May at 7:30pm we are putting on the Opera Dudes in their new show “Codfathers of Croon”- a superbly professional duo providing a fun night of comedy and song.
Tickets (they are selling quickly!) from Viv Watson on
[phone number removed]/Morag on [phone number removed]. Enquiries: [email address removed]
News from Helmdon W.I.
Helmdon Bridge
Players
On 7th and 8th June we will transform the
Reading Room into a theatre for our summer play “Laying the Ghost” by Simon Williams.
Witty, fun and surprising – you will leave with a smile on your face and plenty of laughter lines!
A great evening out for only £6. Tickets from
Dave Bridger [phone number removed] or Morag Underwood
[phone number removed]. It will be our first airing of the new theatrical lights in the Reading Room.
Members enjoyed a very interesting talk in February by
Simeon Courtie, a writer and broadcaster who travelled around the world with his family in a camper van whilst Bee
Payne demonstrated the art of Thai cooking in March. Future events include Singing for the Deaf (12th June), Celia Terrey’s
Garden (10th July), CPRE talk (11th September) Meetings are the 2nd Wed. of the month at 7:30pm in the Reading Room –
visitors very welcome.
Jenny Saunders, Secretary
Responsible bonfires please!
With warm weather (hopefully) on the way, please ensure that any bonfires you have do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours. Guidelines at www.southnorthants.gov.uk
New recycling methods for your waste
This summer all homes will receive a new blue bin which will replace your recycling black and green boxes. All items capable of being recycled are to be placed in the blue bin which will be collected every fortnight on the same cycle as the green garden waste bins. New food waste containers
(complete with secure lock) will also be introduced – these will be collected every week. Look out for further details from South Northants Council.
Outdoor and indoor food waste containers on display at the
Annual Parish Meeting.
generated by taking the methane produced, and using it to www.helmdon.com power a gas turbine, which generates electricity. Between
1.0 – 1.4 Megawatts will be produced which will flow into the
National Grid, and be enough to power between 2000-3000

Church Events New Reverend Appointed
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of
Rev. Carole Peters to be rector of the Astwell benefice
(churches in Helmdon, Syresham, Wappenham, Radstone,
Lois Weedon and Whitfield). Carole is currently serving as assistant Curate in the Benefice of Aston Clinton with
Buckland and Drayton Beauchamp in the diocese of
Oxford. She will be instituted by Bishop Donald and installed by Archdeacon Christine at 7.30pm on 18th July.
The Church Fete takes place on the afternoon of
22nd June by kind permission of Philippa Lloyd of
Fountain House, Wappenham Road. Lots of stalls, a tombola raffle, teas and Pimms and entertainment from the Porterhouse Jazz Band. Entry will be 50p.
The Church Flower Festival will take place on 1st &
2nd June – refreshments available. On Saturday 1st the Church will be open to the public from 10am –
4:30pm and with a demonstration from Lois
Weedon Flower Club at 7:30pm. Tickets will be £7
including nibbles. On Sunday 2nd there will be a
Songs of Praise Service at 10am after which the church will be open until 5pm. The “Showstoppers”
theme is being supported by many village organisations. If anyone can help serving refreshment, contact Vanessa Vicars on [phone number removed] or
Celia at [email address removed] or [phone number removed].
Music from the Shows
An evening of musical entertainment is set for
Friday 31st May in the Reading Room at 7.30pm to complement the Flower Festival. There will be a selection of popular songs from the Shows, some performed by local people. The compere is David
Marshall with his usual flair and audio visual effects. Refreshments will be available. There will be a small charge for admission; funds raised will go towards the maintenance of the Church.
Carole was a television producer/director and author with over 20 years’ experience making TV documentaries and entertainment series prior to ordination. She enjoys cooking, gardening and walking her two collie dogs.
At the recent church AGM Gerald Holt and Celia Terrey were elected Church Wardens, Ann Smith Lay chair, Philip
Andrews Treasurer and Louise Stothard Secretary.
Churchyard Tidy-Up
The Friends of Helmdon Churchyard will be holding a
"tidy-up" morning from 10 am to noon on Saturday 18th
May and would welcome anyone who would like to help with mowing, strimming and gardening. Please bring your own tools, strimmers and mowers if possible.
Crafts in Action: Sat. 16th November
If you would like to display your work, book a table for the day and/or sit and demonstrate your craft, then please do let me know as space is limited. There will be tea, coffee, cakes and Ploughman's Lunches available throughout the day. Any proceeds will go to charity and we look forward to seeing you on the day
Louise Stothard [email address removed] [phone number removed],
More information from Hugh Walmsley, Chairman of the Friends of the Church, [phone number removed].
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Parish Council Contacts 2012-13: how the PC spent your money
Peter Burns – Chairman Tel: [phone number removed] • Total expenditure was £ 16,628.
Sarah Adhemar Tel: [phone number removed]
Mike Barnes Tel: [phone number removed]
John Coatsworth Tel: [phone number removed]
Paul Duncombe Tel: [phone number removed]
Bill England* Tel: [phone number removed]
Danny Moody Tel: [phone number removed]
• Donations were made to village groups totalling £1600 , including £100 to the Guides, £50 for Helmdon Acorns , £50
to the WI, £250 to the Footpaths Group, £100 to Helmdon
Fellowship , £200 to Friends of Helmdon School, £200 to
Jubilee Party Groups, £ 300 to the Friends of the Churchyard and £350 to the Church. Many of these donations were used to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee
Gemma Simpson Tel: [phone number removed] • New village notice boards were purchased – £3,209.
Eddie Garner Tel: [phone number removed]
Parish Clerk – Liz Hart Tel: [phone number removed]
parishcouncil@helmdon.com
• The mowing programme was extended to include the verge opposite the War Memorial and annual clearance of the top of Jenner’s Piece
* Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, ACRE
Bulk Oil Buying Scheme Co-ordinator and
Village Correspondent for local media
Diary Dates:
• This year the Parish Council will be spending some of the earmarked and general reserves on the construction of a stone wall at the village entrance in Station Road, playground repairs/enhancements and bench repairs.
Wed. 22nd May 7:30pm: AGM & Council Meeting
Wed. 24th July 7:30pm: Council Meeting
£300
Parish Council: Grants available
£3,208
The Parish Council has set aside money in its budget to support the good work of our many groups. Village organisations must return applications to the Parish Clerk by 12th May.
Forms are available on www.helmdon.com or can be obtained directly from the Parish Clerk.
There will be a Horse Racing and Family Fun Day at Whitfield Racecourse on Sunday 19th May.
Pony Racing from 12:30pm, first horse race 2pm.
Dog Agility, Children’s corner, Refreshments.
£1,378
£2,685
£1,051
£1,300
£1,248
£5,457
Lighting Parks and open spaces General Admin
Insurance Grants to organisations Snapshot Project
New noticeboards Burial Grounds
Snow clearers wanted!
It has been suggested that forming organised snow clearance teams to clear paths and roads in the village would enable a speedy return to normality after heavy snowfall. Contrary to popular myth, there is no law stopping you from taking action to clear your local pavements and pathways, providing that you take a careful and common sense approach. If you would like to help, contact Liz Hart, Parish Clerk.
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