The area is actually designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is supposed to be well-grazed calcareous grassland, but recent management has meant that the area was in declining and unfavourable condition.

The clearance works, which have been paid for by Natural England, will help return the site to its intended state. The site was designated because of its rich flora and the fact that it supports a rich butterfly fauna including the nationally scarce wood white Leptidea sinapsis and five nationally declining species. Of particular note is the presence of small blue Cupido minimus at its only Northamptonshire locality. It is not known however whether these butterfly species have remained at the site.

For more information about the Helmdon SSSI please visit the Natural England web site.

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Posted 24 February 2013
What Do We Want? Superfast Broadband!

And when do we want it? Now!

The results of the 2013 Superfast Broadband survey are in and they show that Helmdon is ready, willing and eager to take superfast broadband whenever it becomes available.

Northamptonshire County Council has just appointed BT as the preferred supplier to deliver fibre broadband to the rural areas of the county and the sooner they get to Helmdon, the better.

The survey shows that 86% of respondents would take up superfast broadband if it was available – and would be prepared to pay for it too.

Cottage industry

Behind the quiet facades Helmdon is busy at work. Nearly two thirds of respondents said that they use broadband to work from home and almost one in five are running some sort of business from home. Whether it be working at home for an occasional day, or running a small business having access to reliable, fast broadband is clearly important to the social and economic wellbeing of the village.

A summary report of the survey is available to read and there is more information and the full survey results on the Fast Internet Service for Helmdon (FiSH) page.

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Posted 14 February 2013
The Voice Of (Local) Authority

Have you read your latest copy of Helmdon Voice?

The Winter 2013 edition was delivered round the village early this week and is packed full of all the latest Helmdon news.

There’s an update on the wind farm proposal, the least news (or lack thereof) regarding the Station Road bridge repairs as well as news from several village groups.

Helmdon Voice is published and distributed by Helmdon Parish Council.

Download the latest edition here.

If you have any feedback, comments or observations please contact the Clerk to the Council, Mrs Liz Hart, at parishcouncil@helmdon.com.

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Posted 7 February 2013
They Was Robbed

A Helmdon man has won the coveted title of Times/Canon Young Photographer of the Year.

Rob Stothard, who now lives in London, landed a six-month contract with The Times, camera equipment and a year’s membership to the British Press Photographer’s Association.

Rob went to Magdalen College School in Brackley before he attended Leeds University and McMaster University in Canada where he studied Maths. He subsequently spent a year travelling and taking photographs for his portfolio.

He has spent the last year in Cairo where he has been studying for his MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography via distance learning (London College of Communication) and photographing the troubles there. He followed the Egyptian Presidential elections and had photographs published in a European magazine.

Rob is now busy in London working for The Times as a press photographer. Some of his photographs can be seen on his web site at www.robstothard.co.uk.

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Posted 2 February 2013
Would You Love To Go Faster?

Broadband speeds in Helmdon are a little bit variable to say the least. In Brackley they enjoy speeds of up to 80 Megs but the best that’s available in Helmdon is 2 Megs – and that’s only with the sun out and the wind in the right direction!

Often the broadband speed is less than 1 Meg, which makes watching iPlayer, using Skype, and playing online games almost impossible. Businesses and home workers struggle too, especially those who need to connect to their work to access files.

So the Helmdon Parish Plan Group would like you to spend just a few minutes filling in a survey to say whether you would like Superfast Broadband (minimum 30 Megs). If we can demonstrate as a village that there would be plenty of take up then the broadband providers might give us Superfast Broadband more quickly.

Northamptonshire County Council’s target is that most people will be able to access Superfast Broadband by the end of 2015, but we would like it in Helmdon much, much earlier than that!! So the more people that fill in the survey the better.

Visit the Fast Internet Service for Helmdon (FiSH) project page for more details and FAQs.

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Posted 28 January 2013
Everyone Welcome

The next meeting of Helmdon Parish Council takes place on Wednesday (30 January) in the Reading Room, Church Street starting at 7:30 p.m.

Parish Council meetings are open to members of the public so everyone is welcome to attend.

This week’s meeting is the one where Helmdon Parish Council sets its budget and precept for the year ahead. Why not come along and see what the council has in store for 2013/14?

Also on the agenda is an update on flooding in the village, the latest on the wind farm application and what’s happening with the bridge and traffic lights at the top of Station Road.

It’s your village and your council – so come along. You’ll be made very welcome! See the Parish Council section for further details.

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Posted 22 January 2013
Snow Is Falling Snow On Snow…

More than 6 inches (15cm) of snow has fallen in Helmdon since Thursday night, 17 January.

The snow has brought widespread disruption locally and nationally but also a good deal of fun for children – of all ages.

After a 24 hour respite the snow has returned this evening and is forecast to linger until mid morning tomorrow. With freezing temperatures since mid week last week the snow is just accumulating and becoming deeper and deeper.

Station Road and Wappenham Road are on the County Council’s gritting route but Church Street and all the side roads are not. Some residents have taken matters in to their own hands and cleared stretches of road by hand to ensure that traffic keeps flowing.

Helmdon Primary School was closed yesterday, 21 January, giving grateful pupils a long weekend of sledging and snowman building. The school opened today and staff continue to monitor the situation.

The scheduled green bin/box collection was cancelled today for safety reasons. The green recycling box will be collected next Tuesday but the next scheduled green bin collection (when you can put your Christmas tree out again!) will be on 5 February.

The severe cold weather is forecast to last until Saturday with the weekend seeing temperatures in the balmy 5 – 7 degree range and any precipitation falling as rain. So make the most of the snow – it should be mostly gone by the start of next week.

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Posted 16 January 2013
The Battle Is Won!

A high court judge has ruled that the decision to allow the construction of a wind farm in Helmdon was not lawful.

His Honour Judge David Mackie QC agreed with South Northants Council (SNC) that the Planning Inspector had “failed to attach any or any proper weight to conflicts with Development Plan policy.“

The full decision notice is available to download and further details on the judgment are awaited. Basically it means that this battle is won but the war continues. There are a variety of potential ways forward, including a new public inquiry in to the decision to refuse the planning application. But, as things stand, the wind farm will not go ahead.

Jubilant villagers welcomed the decision. To see people’s reaction and to join in with your own comments please visit the Helmdon Villagers Facebook page.

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Posted 7 January 2013
Love Me Tender

Helmdon Parish Council is seeking tenders for grass cutting in and around the village for the months of April to October 2013 inclusive. Click here for details of the areas to be included in the mowing contract.

The council is also seeking tenders for the construction of two stone wall gates on either side of Station Road, Helmdon to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Click here for full plans and details.

Tenders for either or both contract must be provided in writing to the parish council by Monday 21 January for consideration by the council at its meeting on 23 January.

All tenders must be in a clearly marked sealed envelope.

Any questions should be addressed to the Clerk.

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Posted 1 January 2013
Happy New Year!

Astwell pond, Helmdon. Photo by Charles Binns (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leicamadman/)

Astwell pond, Helmdon. Photo by Charles Binns.
Happy New Year Helmdon! Welcome to 2013 and let’s hope that it is a good one for Helmdon and all those connected with this community.

In early 2013 we will have the high court judge’s decision on the wind turbines (see below), which will probably define the year for the village one way or another. Watch out for fireworks even bigger and louder than those last night if the judge comes up with the right verdict!

In April 2013 the village’s recycling scheme is changing once again and we shall all be recycling food waste in a separate bin. Love it or loathe it? Time will tell.

In May the village will go to the polls once again to elect a new county councillor for the new (and much, much larger) division of Silverstone.

Further afield 2013 promises to be an exciting year for sports lovers. Cricket fans will be in seventh heaven with not just one but two Ashes series to enjoy. The first takes place in England starting on 10 July and the return series is in Australia starting on 21 November. For rugby fans it is the once-every-four-years extravaganza that is the British & Irish Lions Tour, from 1 June to 6 July, this time against the old enemy, Australia.

2013 is also likely to see more major advances in technology, for example a home thermostat that connects with your smartphone, allowing you to control your heating whether you’re at home or not. Over time it learns your schedule and designs a heating programme around it. It can even detect whether or not you’re at home.

Whatever you’re doing in 2013 and wherever you are we hope it is an enjoyable and memorable year.

With very best wishes from the web site team.

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Posted 28 December 2012
Can Anyone Recommend A…

Don’t forget to look at the Helmdon Trades Directory whenever you are looking for a helping hand. Whether it is an architect, electrician, gardener, jewellery maker or plumber you will find a number to call.

Helmdon based companies are displayed first so you can ever help support local business.

If you would like to suggest a tradesman to add to the list, or if you are a business that is listed and would like to update your details please contact the webmaster.

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Posted 21 December 2012
Judgement Day Still Awaited

Latest news from HSGWAG – Awaiting Decision from High Court Judge: “Following the recent hearing at the High Court we are now waiting for the judge to deliver his ruling.

We had thought it would be delivered before Christmas but have now heard that it will be in the New Year. We will communicate any further news as soon as we hear anything”.

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Posted 20 December 2012
How Have You Bin?

Don’t forget to put your green recycling box out ready for collection in the morning.

The waste collection arrangements over the Christmas period are:

Saturday 22 Dec – Green box only

Saturday 29 Dec – Black bin and black box

Tuesday 8 Jan – Black bin and green box

Tuesday 15 Jan – Normal collections resume, starting with black bin and black box

If you have extra recycling items they can be left in a carrier bag next to the correct box. All glass must be contained within the green box.

Small real Christmas trees will be collected on Tuesday 22 January. Place them next to your green bin.

The recycling scheme is changing completely from April 2013… all the details will be on this web site.

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Posted 5 December 2012
Holidays Are Coming, Holidays Are Coming…

Three weeks today we will be turning left-over turkey and ham in to a Boxing Day pie; as if we needed anything more to eat by then!

Yes, Christmas Day is less than three weeks away and it’s time to get in to the festive spirit!

The Church Bazaar on Saturday heralded the start of the celebrations with a guest appearance from a suspiciously familiar-looking Father Christmas. This weekend the Bridge Players will be entertaining us with their Christmas Panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (scroll down for furhther details).

On Sunday 9 December at 5:00 p.m. there is a family Carols & Gifts service in the church and on Wednesday 19 December there is carol singing round the village starting at the top of Station Road at 6:00 p.m.

The popular Words & Music in the Church is on Friday 21 and the Christingle service is at 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Besides the above there are plenty of other events, festivities and fun so you are sure to find something to suit. Check out the Village Diary for all the details.

Wherever you will be this year, whatever you will be doing, and whoever you will be doing it with, the web site team wish you a very warm, safe and happy Christmas.

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Posted 25 November 2012
It Never Rains; It Pours

Once again residents in the centre of the village had to deploy sand bags and flood defences as the waters rose as a result of the very heavy rain this week.

On Wednesday afternoon torrential rain meant that the storm water drains couldn’t cope and water flooded down Grange Lane and Station Road in to the center of the village.

No serious damage was done but residents are becoming increasingly frustrated at having to keep a watch out every time it rains.

Coincidentally Anglian Water and MGWSP (the highways contractor) have been in the village over recent weeks investigating the causes of the previous flood on 4 July. Representatives from both organisations will be attending the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday to give their reports.

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Posted 22 November 2012
Funeral Of Roger Caldwell

The funeral of Rev’d Roger Caldwell, erstwhile rector of this parish, will take place on Saturday 1 December at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary Magdalene Church, Helmdon.

Rev’d Caldwell was rector of Helmdon from 1974 to 1990 and was an intrinsic part of village life throughout.

All welcome.

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Posted 11 November 2012
Happy, Dopey, Sleepy, Grumpy, Sneezy, Bashful & Doc

We know that you’ve been Grumpy since the Bridge Players summer production ended, but now you can be Happy because it’s nearly Christmas Panto time!

Tickets are now available for the 2012 Bridge Players Pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but don’t be Sleepy or Dopey, get yours quick!

The Panto takes place in Helmdon School Hall with performances on Thursday 6 December at 7.30 pm, Friday 7 December at 7.30 pm and Saturday 8 December at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm.

Ticket prices are Adults £7.00 Children under 16 £4.00 Family Ticket (Max 5) £20.00. Available from Morag [phone number removed] or Dave [phone number removed].

Don’t be Bashful – we want to see you there!

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Posted 3 November 2012
What Next For Village Coach Company?

One of the early Jeffs coaches.
[Stop Press] The Banbury Guardian has today, 8 November, reported that Jeffs Coaches has been sold and will continue to operate. Click here for full story.

Posted 3 November 2012
It looks like the end of the road for Helmdon’s highest profile business. Jeffs Coaches was started by Jack Jeffs more than fifty years ago and has operated in the village from the old station yard ever since (see history).

Last week administrators were appointed to Bowen Travel Group, the parent company of Jeffs Coaches, to oversee an orderly closure.

It is a devastating blow to the many employees at Jeffs, which had been a family employer until the sale to the Bowen Group in 2004.

What will happen to the site in Helmdon is uncertain. The administrators will begin the task of seeing whether the business can be recapitalised, sold or broken up. Developments will be reported here as soon as they are known.

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Posted 21 October 2012
Bonfireworks

The 2011 event went with a bang. It’s coming up to that time of year again – ghouls and ghosts, bonfires and fireworks.

Armies of trick and treaters will be roaming the village in ten days’ time on All Hallows’ Eve. And on the Friday of that week the Helmdon Acorns bonfire and firework display will light up the village.

Trick or treat is all about a bit of fun for the kids but for those that would prefer not to take part Northamptonshire Police has designed a poster to keep callers at bay. Print it out and display in your window or on the front gate.

And to anyone thinking of letting off fireworks at home on 5 November, please be considerate and above all be safe.

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Groups and series: Village news ("What's New")
Topics: WEA and village information

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.