The unusual weather this year meant that it hasn’t been the best growing year ever, but there is still cause to celebrate the harvest in time-honoured tradition.

A Harvest Festival service will be held at 11:00 a.m. in St Mary Magdalene church this Sunday, 7 October and all are welcome.

The service will be followed by a Harvest Lunch for which a modest charge of £2.50 applies.

There will also be an auction of fruit, vegetables, produce and flowers.

To book a Ploughman’s Lunch at £2.50 please contact Vanessa Vicars [phone number removed], Celia Terrey [phone number removed] or Niki Phillips 76820.

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Posted 19 September 2012
£100 For Information

This morning, Wednesday 19 September, some time before 8:30 a.m., someone walked their dog along gravel path in the direction of Church Street and allowed it defecate on the path in several places right in the middle of the pedestrian barriers at the Church Street end. The owner did not pick it up or even attempt to move it off the path.

The offending dog mess was discovered by children using that route to walk to school and was cleared up by a parent.

The incident has been reported and a private donation of £100 has been received by the web site for any information leading to the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice against the owner. If you saw the incident or have any information please contact webmaster@helmdon.com or telephone the dog warden service at South Northants Council.

If you are the owner of the dog, please don’t allow this to happen again.

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Posted 15 September 2012
Stamp Of Approval For Parish Council

Helmdon Parish Council has been awarded the prestigious Quality mark by the National Association of Local Councils.

Less than one in ten parish councils achieve the standard so it is a real credit to Helmdon Parish Council, the councillors (past and present) and the Clerk to the Council, Liz Hart.

The Quality Parish Scheme (QPS) is a benchmark scheme for which councils have to submit a portfolio of evidence to a county based Accreditation Panel. Helmdon Parish Council has been working on the portfolio over the past year and the Panel meeting was held on Monday 10 September.

The tests include the qualification level of the Clerk, how many of the councillors were elected at the last election, and the standard of the council’s finances and governance arrangements.

Helmdon Parish Council was commended on its community engagement activities, including the village web site, the Helmdon Voice newsletter, and the public meetings that the council has facilitated in recent times to do with the wind turbines and HS2.

The Accreditation lasts for four years at which time the council has to submit a new portfolio, but for now Helmdon residents can rest assured that they have a Quality parish council representing them and working hard to keep Helmdon being the brilliant place that it is.

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Posted 6 September 2012
Never Too Old

The schools have gone back this week so all the children are busy learning but it’s not just youngsters that benefit from keeping their brains active.

There are plenty of opportunities locally for adult education, including one right here in Helmdon. The Helmdon Branch WEA Autumn Course 2012, which starts on Tuesday 18 September, is titled “The Gift Of The Nile: An Introduction To Ancient Egypt” with course tutor Mark Anderson. If you’ve never tried a WEA course before you’ll be in for a treat. You can attend the first session before deciding whether or not it’s for you, so for full details see the WEA course page.

Weston branch WEA runs afternoon courses and “War & Rebellion In Northamptonshire” with tutor Mike Ingram begins on 19 September. Click here for details.

If you would like to engage in “Active Ageing” then perhaps the Northants 50+ network is for you. The South Northants Area Forum provides various opportunities to get involved in new activities and initiatives aimed at those over fifty. See the South Northants page on the Northants 50+ web site for details or go along to their “Live Life to the Full” event on Thursday 20 September.

And if you would like to go slightly further afield and try your hand at all sorts of new skills and pastimes then look up the Universities of Third Age (U3As) in the county (nearest is Northampton). U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.

So there’s no excuse! Whatever your interest and whatever your preferred learning style there is an adult learning opportunity out there for you. You’re never too old to learn something new!

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Posted 25 August 2012
We’re Talking Rubbish

Recycling seems to work reasonably well in Helmdon, although the change to putting cardboard in the black box instead of the green bin seems to have resulted in a lot more non-containerised rubbish being left out for collection.

However, don’t get too used to the new system because it is all set to change yet again.

From next summer (2013) the two plastic boxes will be replaced by a third wheeled bin which will take all recyclables (glass, paper, cardboard, tins, plastics etc) and each household will get a special caddy for food waste, which will be collected each week.

Collecting food waste separately certainly helps to reduce the volume of waste going to landfill but what do you think about the pros and cons of the system? Do you think we should all be doing our bit, or does the thought of week-old food hanging around fill you with trepidation? Have your say on the Helmdon Message Board.

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Posted 18 August 2012
Time To Get Mo-tivated!

The 3rd Helmdon Hurler is just days away now – so will you take on the Mo Challenge?

Let’s see just how inspired Helmdon residents are by Mo Farah’s heroics at the Olympics and see how many people we can get running the Hurler.

The 4.3 mile run takes place on Monday 27 August 2012 around the Astwell Track and through the village of Helmdon.

The entry fee is just £10 in advance or £12 on the day (Affiliated runners £8 in advance and £10 on the day). Five to seventeen year olds pay just £5 in advance and £7 on the day. Click here for more details and to download an entry form.

Mo would be looking for a time of around 19 minutes for the Hurler, but don’t worry – anything less than 2 hours is perfectly acceptable!

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Posted 7 August 2012
Not Acceptable In Helmdon

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Helmdon Parish Council hires the school field outside school hours for the peaceful enjoyment of all Helmdon residents.

It is particularly galling then that the anti-social behavior of a few mindless idiots risks losing this asset for everyone else.

This afternoon there was rubbish all over the place including four discarded dirty nappies, a broken beer bottle and several bags of dog pooh. The bin had also been pulled from the cage, and was totally filled to the brim.

If anyone has any information regarding this mistreatment of the school field then please contact Bill England, the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. The parish council will consider what action to take depending on the information received.

As a reminder, littering is a criminal offence that carries a fine of up to £2,500 and could leave you with a criminal record.

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Posted 12 July 2012
A Blow For Helmdon

Not worth saving, according to planners.

A decision has been reached to allow the construction of five wind turbines in Helmdon. The decision notice issued by the Planning Inspectorate reads: “The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the erection of five wind turbines plus underground cabling, meteorological mast, access tracks, control building, temporary site compound and ancillary development at Spring Farm Ridge, land to the north of Welsh Lane between Greatworth and Helmdon.”

The news is a blow for residents of Helmdon and the nearby villages of Greatworth and Sulgrave who had campaigned against the wind farm.

The decision does not mean that the wind farm will definitely now be built, but it is a very big step closer. The grant of planning permission comes with extensive conditions aimed at reducing the impact of the construction and operation of the turbines.

The full decision report contains the rationale for the decision but does not make comforting reading because it acknowledges that there will be significant impact; just not enough to arrive at a different decision.

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Posted 11 July 2012
D-Day Approaches

It’s Decision-Day this week in Helmdon with the outcome of the wind farm appeal to be announced on or before 13 July (Friday).

The inquiry, which took place in May, was conducted by Elizabeth Fieldhouse DipTP, DipUD, MRTPI from the Planning Inspectorate. The appeal was lodged by developer Broadview Energy Ltd and it can be upheld or dismissed. If it is upheld then Broadview will have a green light to go ahead with the wind farm. Whatever the decision there is no further right of appeal other than through the High Court.

The announcement will be made on the case page of the Planning Inspectorate web site and full details will appear on this web site as soon as they are known.

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Posted 29 June 2012
End Of Year Report

Annual Report - 31 March 2012 — Annual Report – 31 March 2012

As part of its quest for Quality status Helmdon Parish Council is required to publish an Annual Report that contains a Chairman’s overview of the year, a summary of the council’s finances and details of all the contact details of the current councillors.

The Annual Report to 31 March 2012 is now available for download.

If you have any questions about the report or would like further information on the role of the parish council please contact Liz Hart, Clerk to the Council.

Council meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every other month. The next meeting is on 25 July at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room and members of the public are very welcome.

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Posted 20 June 2012
Get Your Skates On

The Olympics are coming to Helmdon, courtesy of Helmdon Sports Club! Entry is now open for the Kids Olympics events. Download the Kids Olympics Entry Form, open to all children under 13. Entry is just £1 and all children entering will receive a Gold Helmdon Olympics Commemorative Medal. Make sure your entry form is in by Wednesday 25 July (details on form).

To see all the details and to discover how you can get involved see the Sports Club Helmdon 2012 page. Tickets are available now. Book early to avoid disappointment!

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Posted 9 June 2012
Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Helmdon

Previous Summer Balls have been glorious occasions.

The 2012 Helmdon Summer Ball, organised by the Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (HYHO) takes place on Saturday 30 June.

The aim of the night is to raise significant sums of money for local causes. The last Ball in 2010 raised £7,500, which was divided amongst village organisations such as the Primary School, Helmdon Acorns Nursery, the guides, CKERS youth group and many more. The HYHOs are determined to raise even more this year.

The Ball will once again take place on the school field and the organising committee would like to let people living in the vicinity know that a temporary event licence has been obtained for music and entertainment for 250 guests from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The committee hopes that the music and activity does not inconvenience residents too much, especially as it is a bi-annual event and it does raise significant sums of money for local good causes. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Toby Ballantine, HYHO Chairman or Jacqui Johnson, Head teacher, Helmdon Primary School.

The event promises to be a highlight in the village calendar… and apparently the weather on the day will be warm and sunny with a light westerly breeze in the evening! Marvellous!!

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Posted 29 May 2012
It’s Bath Time!

Do you fancy a trip to the splendid city of Bath?

Helmdon Studies Group have arranged a coach trip on 16 June (with Jeff’s Coaches) and have places available.

We welcome all local residents and their guests. However, due to short timescale we need to know ASAP the level of interest. If interested, and before sending us any money, please let Richard Farquharson know by email or leave a message on [phone number removed].

Click here for further details of the trip.

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Posted 28 May 2012
Snapshot Project Revealed

Helmdon Parish Council received on Wednesday night the finished Snapshot photobook from project leader Danny Moody. The project, which saw over 800 photographs taken in the village between 11 and 17 November, has resulted in a photobook, film and web site all recording a Snapshot of this wonderful village.

The parish council is now going to apply for a grant to have ten photobooks produced to give away.

The majority of the Snapshot photographs have been published to Flickr, with captions to describe what the photos are. Why not visit the Flickr pages and leave your own comments for others to view!

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Posted 15 May 2012
Wind Farm Inquiry Gets Underway

A Public Inquiry began today on the appeal of Broadview Energy Ltd against the decision to refuse planning permission to erect five wind turbines in Helmdon.

The Inquiry opened at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber at South Northants Council in Towcester.

The hearing is scheduled to last eight days including a site visit to Helmdon by the inspector on Monday 21 May. The full inquiry timetable is available here.

For those wishing to attend the hearing and co-ordinate their visit with others please contact Sarah Owen for details.

The hearing will close on Friday 25 May but the outcome won’t be announced until mid July.

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Posted 28 April 2012
A Drop Of The Black Stuff

Helmdon Blackpits Recycle Centre has free compost available to Helmdon residents.

There is a big heap of 10mm compost available and residents are invited to visit on Saturday 5 May to collect their own. Residents should visit only between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, and for health and safety reasons should only park near the compost heap and not wander around. If assistance is needed residents may ring the doorbell at the site office.

The compost is loose so bring your own bags/containers.

Any questions should be directed to a member of the Helmdon Blackpits Recycling Centre Monitoring Group.

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Posted 10 April 2012
Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Meeting for Helmdon Parish will take place this year on Wednesday 25 April at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room.

The meeting is organised by the Parish Council but it is not a Council meeting and all residents are warmly welcomed to attend.

This year the format will be slightly different to previous years with a more informal feel. There is no need for village organisations to prepare a written speech but if you have something you would like to publicise, please bring the information along.

The focus will be on catching up with others over a glass of wine and seeing the unveiling of the Snapshot photo project book.

As the meeting takes place just three weeks prior to the Wind Turbine Public Enquiry members of HSGWG will be in attendance to give out the latest information on the appeal. Members of the Parish Council will also be there to respond to any queries and look forward to meeting you all on the 25 April.

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Posted 01 April 2012
Our Future In Her Hands

A Public Inquiry begins on 15 May 2012 to hear the appeal of Broadview Energy Ltd against the decision to refuse planning permission to erect five wind turbines in Helmdon.

The appeal will be heard by Elizabeth Fieldhouse DipTP, DipUD, MRTPI who is appointed by the Secretary of State to hold the Inquiry and determine the appeal. The Inquiry, which will be held in the council chamber at South Northants Council, Springfields, Towcester, is scheduled to last a maximum of eight days. Elizabeth Fieldhouse will announce her decision in mid July. The appeal can either be upheld or dismissed.

The Helmdon, Stuchbury & Greatworth Windfarm Action Group is looking for donations to help towards the cost of fighting the appeal, including money for photo montages, flying blimps during the Inquiry and for consultant’s fees. If you would like to donate please visit www.hsgwag.co.uk for details.

Meanwhile, local government minister Greg Clark MP has indicated that the latest planning reforms should empower communities. In response to a question regarding onshore wind farms he said in the House “The Planning Inspectorate has received the same advice as local authorities: the Government’s commitment to abolish the regional spatial strategies, including the targets for renewable energy, can be taken into account as a material consideration in planning decisions.” “…the Localism Act 2011 abolishes top-down imposition and releases local communities to have their say, and with the new planning framework it will be unambiguously clear that it is local communities that do things their way.“

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Posted 22 March 2012
Time To Get Into Training

Yes, it’s that time of year again when you have to decide whether you will be one of those that takes on the challenge that is the Helmdon Hurler.

The 3rd Helmdon Hurler will be run on Monday 27 August 2012. It is a 4.3 mile run around the Astwell Track and through the village of Helmdon. The time to beat is 24:53, although there are plenty of people coming in after the hour mark too!

The entry fee is just £10 in advance or £12 on the day (Affiliated runners £8 in advance and £10 on the day). Five to seventeen year olds pay just £5 in advance and £7 on the day. Download the entry form here.

Make a family day of it and enjoy the post-race BBQ at the Bell Inn with accompanying jazz band.

All profits go to local good causes. Visit the Helmdon Hurler pages for more details and information on past races.

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Posted 10 March 2012
Delicious Food On Your Doorstep!

This Thursday it’s sausages and mash with delicious onion gravy at the Bell, Church Street… for just a fiver!

The meal will be available from 6:00 p.m. No bookings – just turn up and enjoy!

The Bell also has a new menu of 12” thin and crispy Italian stone baked bases with a good selection of toppings, for example mozzarella and tomato (£5.95), peppers, onions mushrooms and chilli (£6.95) and prawns with anchovies (£7.95). A wide range of choice toppings is available. The pizzas are available every evening except Thursday and Sunday from 6 pm to 9:30 pm to eat at the pub or to take away. Richard will be happy to take orders by telephone on [phone number removed].

Richard prepares and serves a home cooked meal every Thursday evening. The cost is just £5.00 per head and food is available from 6:00 p.m. No bookings – just turn up and enjoy!

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Posted 26 February 2012
Council To Consider New Material

Clouds gathering after fresh turbine appeal

Helmdon Parish Council is holding an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday evening (29 February) to consider new material submitted by Broadview Energy Developments Ltd regarding their appeal against refusal of an application for permission to erect five wind turbines in Helmdon.

Details of the application and the appeal can be found on the Planning Portal.

South Northants Council refused the application in June 2011 giving Broadview six months to lodge an appeal. The appeal was eventually submitted in November and now a Public Inquiry will be held, starting on 15 May 2012.

The new information includes an amended location for the turbines, new photomontages and various environmental impact assessments.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 29 February at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon.

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Posted 21 February 2012
Complete Balls Up

The Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (which also welcomes old, single, disorganised people) has announced that its fund raising over the years has now topped £35,000.

The HYHOs have been organising money-making village events and activities since 1989, including barndances and the now famous Helmdon Summer Ball.

The fundraising total stands at £35,224 and all of it has been ploughed back in to deserving village causes including the school, the sports club, the guides and the Acorns.

The 2012 Summer Ball takes place on Saturday 30 June on the school field from 7:00 p.m. Place your order for tickets soon though because they’re selling like hot cakes!

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Posted 10 February 2012
School Achieves Solid Marks From OFSTED

Helmdon Primary School has been officially graded as a “Good” school by OFSTED.

The inspection, the first for five years, took place on 16 and 17 January 2012.

In 2006 the school was considered to be a “Good” school and so it continues to be today. Only 8% of primary schools achieve the top OFSTED ranking of “Outstanding”, but more than 40% score “Satisfactory” or lower, so Helmdon Primary School’s performance is commendable.

Several strengths were identified including a staff team that is hard working under the good leadership of the headteacher, and pupils who are attentive in lessons and have good attitudes to work.

The only areas for improvement noted by the inspectors were progress in writing and pupils not always being sure how to be really successful in their activities.

Under the current inspection system, Helmdon Primary School will next be inspected in 2016/17.

The full inspection report is available on the OFSTED web site.

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Posted 29 January 2012
Four New Homes For Helmdon

South Northants Homes (SNH), and its parent organisation Grand Union Housing Group, will soon be able to celebrate the completion of four new homes in Helmdon.

The development is on Station Road at the bottom of Grange Lane. These new homes for local people are the first to be completed under SNH’s new Affordable Rent Programme with funding from the Homes and Communities Agency. There are two flats and two houses, which have all been let to local people.

A short opening ceremony will be held on 9 February.

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Posted 10 January 2012
Green Light For HS2

Many residents of South Northants will have been dismayed today to hear that the high speed rail link from London to Birmingham has been given the go ahead.

The route passes through South Northants very close to Radstone and Greatworth.

The route will pass under the Radstone road between Radstone and Brackley. Helmdon residents driving to Brackley in the future will drive on a new piece of road that starts at the Radstone turn and rises above the new railway, reconnecting with the existing road on the Brackley side of the line.

There is likely to be widespread local disruption during construction, which is expected to start in 2016/17.

Trains will be travelling at their top speed of 250 miles per hour through the section passed Brackley, which is equivalent to 1 mile every 14.5 seconds.

There has been mixed reaction to the news. Why not post your views on the message board?

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Posted 1 January 2012
Happy New Year Helmdon!

Happy New Year – and what a year it will be!

The 2012 London Olympics start on 27 July 2012 and will deliver two weeks of sporting celebration – let’s hope Britain can strike gold!

And before the Olympic games get underway Helmdon will join the rest of the country in celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, with a special weekend of celebrations from 2 – 5 June 2012. The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 and is only the second British Monarch to reign for sixty years or more (the other being Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837 to 1901).

Closer to home it will be a seminal year for Helmdon: Sometime in the first quarter of the year the appeal hearing will be held for the Broadview wind farm proposal, which will decide whether or not five 125 metre turbines will be built in the village. Ironically 2012 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All – let’s hope the Planning Inspector agrees that, whilst sustainable energy is a laudable goal, there is a right place and a wrong place for such development – and Helmdon is the wrong place.

Even without the turbines there is likely to be significant building works going on in Helmdon during 2012. The road bridge on Station Road is due to be infilled so that the traffic lights, which were first installed in February 2011, can be removed once and for all. Coincidentally, and for different reasons, the road bridge by Jeff’s coaches is likely to receive similar treatment. 2012 might see the redevelopment of the Baptist Chapel site in the middle of the village but will certainly see the completion of the affordable housing development at the bottom of Grange Lane. Static the village is not.

To find out about all the events, meetings and happenings in Helmdon make sure to check out the Village Diary regularly, and get in touch if you would like to have your own event listed. The Helmdon web site is updated regularly and will keep you informed and up to date with village matters.

Whatever your plans are for 2012 the web site team wishes you a happy and safe year.

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Posted 27 December 2011
Merry Christmas Helmdon!

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all residents of Helmdon – past, present and future!!

The festive weather has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last year we were in the grip of the coldest winter for decades, now we are having the warmest Christmas on record – barmy!

Don’t forget, there’s no bin collection today (Tuesday). Instead there is a collection on Saturday 31 January for the green bin and green box, then on Tuesday 3 January there will be a collection for the black bin and black box. Small Christmas trees can be left beside the green wheelie bins for the 10 January collection.

Whatever you’re doing and where ever you are we hope you have a wonderful New Year and we look forward to seeing you in 2012!

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Posted 04 December 2011
Latest News Is Unappealing

It was almost inevitable, but the news is now confirmed that Broadview Energy Developments Ltd has appealed the decision to refuse planning permission for the erection of five wind turbines in Helmdon.

On 30 June 2011 South Northamptonshire Council voted unanimously to refuse permission for the proposed development but the developer has now appealed to the Secretary of State.

Details of the application and the appeal can be found on the Planning Portal. Members of the public can make comments or modify or withdraw comments made previously during application stage. All representations must be received by 30 January 2012 and must quote the appeal reference (2165035).

The Helmdon, Stuchbury & Greatworth Windfarm Action Group (HSGWAG) will likely organise a public meeting in the next few weeks to answer residents’ questions and to seek financial assistance to help fight the appeal.

No date has yet been set for the inquiry but it is likely to be in Spring 2012.

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Groups and series: Village news ("What's New")
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Researched and written by Helmdon Local History Group volunteers. We do our best, but we can sometimes get things wrong. Corrections and additions are welcome.