In this time of so much conspicuous consumption, tonnes of extra rubbish will be produced across the district, and with Internet shopping there seems to be more packaging around than ever.

All cardboard should go in the green wheelie bin for composting, but please try to remove any plastic, including those annoying little ties that hold toys firmly in the box!

Wrapping paper should go in the green recycling box but, according to SNC Environmental Services Department, “We would prefer wrapping paper in the recycling boxes – however we can’t take any that has got foil, glitter etc on it. The best thing to do is to take as much sticky tape off as possible and flatten it down and put it in the box”.

And if you’re planning to imbibe some festive spirit remember than glass bottles go in the green recycling box and tins and cans go in the black recycling box.

Finally, the collection arrangements are slightly altered over Christmas, starting today when the black wheelie bin goes out with the green box. The full details are available here.

The full collection calendar for 2006 is available here.

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14th December 2005
Rainbows & Guides Deliver!

Helmdon Rainbows and Guides are running a Christmas card delivery for houses in Helmdon and Falcutt.

There are blue collection boxes at the school, drop in post office and Seckington’s bungalow stores. Cards can also be dropped off at [address removed], [address removed], [address removed], and The Cottage, Field way.

All cards should include name and address (street name and house name/no. if possible, with your telephone number). Donations will be greatly received for the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Girl guiding Northants Jubilee Hut Appeal.

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9th December 2005
We Want To Entertain You!

There will be a young people’s fun concert in the Reading Room on Tuesday 27th December at 3:00 p.m.

Come and relax and listen to the wonderful music provided by the children of Helmdon.

We promise great fun, great music and great food. Entry is only 30 pence at the door. Just turn up!

More information and contacts >>>

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6th December 2005
Winners Again!

Webmaster Danny Moody and Web Editor Audrey Forgham with the award.

Helmdon scooped the regional award for ICT at a luncheon held in London today.

The official title is “Calor Village of the Year for Information & Communication Technology for Central England 2005”.

The award was presented to Audrey Forgham and Danny Moody at a glitzy ceremony in a Park Lane hotel hosted by Calor with special guest Alan Titchmarsh.

Helmdon competed against villages from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Staffordshire and Warwickshire to win the award and £500 prize money. more >

More details on the Calor web site >>>

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5th December 2005
Oh Come All Ye Faithful

With less than three weeks left until Christmas Day there is a definite festive spirit in the village already, and it was much in evidence at the school on Monday evening for the traditional “Carols Around the Tree” service.

The tree was once again kindly donated by the Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (HYHO) and was erected and decorated by members of the Friends of Helmdon School.

Traditional favourite hymns were sung by the sixty or so staff, parents and children, accompanied by the school choir and Bee Aczel on the clavinova.

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23rd November 2005
Helmdon Presents… Talking Heads

One of Helmdon’s newest groups is set to stage its inaugural event within the village.

Helmdon Presents… is hosting the Hunt Roberts Theatre with their production of Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads”. Picking two of the six monologues it is hoped that the touring theatre company will play to a packed venue.

The play takes place on Saturday 26th November at 7:30 p.m. in St Mary Magdalene Parish Church and there will be baked potatoes and drinks available in the interval.

The last few tickets are available from [phone number removed] or [phone number removed].

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7th November 2005
Drier Routes To School

Contractors have at last got to the bottom of the water leak that has plagued Station Road for more than six weeks.

Anglian Water’s contractors, Clancy Docwra, arrived on site this morning and discovered a leaking joint on a mains water pipe. The pipe will be shut off in the middle of the night and repaired to avoid any disruption to homeowners or the school.

The leak has been causing a nuisance since the end of September, with water being splashed over the school buildings, and any passing parents and children, every time a car passed by. The wait to have it repaired has frustrated everyone, but it might have been even longer were it not for the tenacity and dogged determination of school bursar Mrs Judith Wait, who has been on the phone constantly to Anglian Water pushing them to do something about it.

Now at last the children will be safe, and dry, on their route to school.

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1st November 2005
We Are Five Today!

Helmdon.com is celebrating a milestone today – five years since our official launch on to the world wide web.

Although many, if not most, villages and towns have an online presence these days, back in the dark ages at the turn of the Millennium it was a different story altogether. The Helmdon web site pioneered the village dot com explosion and set up a shining beacon for others to follow (even if I do say so myself!).

From our humble beginnings half a decade ago, the Helmdon Village Web Site has won various county and national awards, has been featured on the BBC on several occasions as an exemplar village web site, and we are currently in the running for the Calor IT Village of the Year.

So help us celebrate – we’d love to hear your views, comments and suggestions, either by e-mail or via the message board.

Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us, happy birthday dear web site, happy birthday to us!!

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29th October 2005
A Better Butterfly

HAFWEG, Helmdon’s wildlife and environment group are holding a talk on Monday 7th November at 7:00 p.m. in the primary school.

The talk is on Native And World Butterflies with Emma Butt from the Stratford-on-Avon Butterfly Farm.

The Helmdon railway cutting is designated as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) partly due to the presence of the Small Blue butterfly, which particularly likes inland chalk grassland.

Why not come along and find out more. Everyone is welcome and HAFWEG would love to see you there.

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11th October 2005
Running For Your Life

The Helmdon Harriets are going to be scarier than ever when they host their first Halloween Disco in the Reading Rooms on Saturday October 29th.

The party is in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign and tickets are £5 each to include a ploughman’s.

Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Fancy dress is optional (but encouraged) and there is a bar running throughout the evening.

Helmdon Harriets is a running group, which began in March 2003. The group has raised money for various charities, such as breast cancer, autistic society and guide dogs for the blind by running 10k’s and half marathons.

For tickets contact Gill Garner [phone number removed] or Julie Crouch [phone number removed]

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6th October 2005
Supper For The Soul

The fourteenth Astwell Benefice Supper-Meeting takes place on Wednesday 19th October in Weedon Lois Village Hall.

The speaker is Alison White who will talk about “Selling The Soul – Spirituality in the 21st century, what is it?”.

The evening costs £3.50 per person and starts at 7:15 p.m. for 7:30 p.m..

To book a place please call Jean Spendlove on [phone number removed].

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28th September 2005
Feeling Safe ‘n Sound

SNVB (South Northants Volunteer Bureau) 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 Northants 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!

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 Barron Walton at SNVB to find out more.

You can also look at the Safe ‘n Sound website at www.safensound.org.uk.

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27th September 2005
HAFWEG – A Year On

Incredibly HAFWEG (the Helmdon Astwell & Falcutt Wildlife and Environment Group) is one year old, so it’s time for the AGM.

Click here for poster.

The meeting will take place on Thursday 6th October at 7:30 p.m. at Helmdon Primary School.

It is a great opportunity for prospective members to come along and hear what’s been happening during the last 12 months, and what is planned for the next 12 months.

Niki Phillips, who has chaired the group in its first year, would like to see a good turnout. If you’re interested in Helmdon’s wildlife there’ll be something for you at the meeting.

For more information contact a HAFWEG committee member.

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17th September 2005
You Can Bet On It!

Race Night Poster — Sports Club Race Night

The Helmdon Sports Club Race Night is very much a family thing and all are welcome in the Reading Room on Friday 23rd September.

The first race starts at 8.00pm and the races have all been sponsored by local businesses and people.

There are still some horses for sale at £5 which means a large percentage of the winnings if the horse wins.

There are six races and there will also be a jackpot where, if someone predicts the six winners, they will be laughing all the way to the bank.

All are welcome and punters should arrive in time to place their bets on the first race.

If you would like more information please contact any member of the Sports Club committee.

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12th September 2005
England Benefit From Helmdon’s Success

It seems Helmdon’s recent cricketing success has finally rubbed off on the national team.

Helmdon cricket club have been promoted in each of the last 2 seasons in the South Northants League and now play in Division 3. This year is proving a little more tough, with the improving competition, but the team have no shortage of enthusiasm and determination.

The England cricket team, trying to emulate Helmdon’s success, have today won the Ashes for the first time in 18 years, beating Australia 2-1.

If you would like to get involved in cricket in Helmdon please contact any member of the Sports Club committee.

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9th September 2005
Tickets selling fast – it’s gospel!

Tickets for the Woodgreen Gospel Choir in the Church on Saturday 17th September are selling fast. Over 110 have gone already, so if you want to make sure of seeing this fabulous group you would be advised to book now! Tickets are £10 and available from Viv Watson on [phone number removed], Chris Gartside on [phone number removed] or any other committee member of the Friends.

If you decide to take a chance and turn up on the night, the concert starts at 7:30.

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2nd September 2005
Talkabout A Scoop!

Yes, it’s Talkabout time again! The Autumn 2005 issue of Talkabout has been sent to the printers and is expected to be delivered around the village the weekend of 17th/18th September.

In a scoop, the scale of which knocks the pre-release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in to a cocked hat, the web site team have got hold of an electronic copy of Talkabout and have published it here. (The file is quite large, so those without broadband may want to wait for the paper copy to arrive on their doormats).

This issue is the brightest and most colourful ever, with advertising revenue now supporting improved production methods. Advance congratulations go to the Editor, Richard Wray, and his team.

If you enjoy this Talkabout, why not write and let Richard know – feedback (of any type) is always welcome.

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2nd September 2005
New Line For Guides

Girlguiding operates in four age groups. For 5 to 7 year olds there is Rainbows. The next group is Brownies, for 7 to 10 year olds, followed by Guides for 10 – 14 year olds and then Seniors for “girls” aged 14 – 26.

There is a Rainbows group in the village already – the 1st Helmdon Rainbows meet on Fridays at the school – but there is no provision for girls over the age of 7.

Seeing a gap in the market Michele Rimmer and Sue Stone have decided to start a Guide group for girls aged 10 – 14. The first meeting is likely to take place on Monday 26th September, at a venue yet to be decided, starting at 6:45 p.m.

For further information please contact Michele Rimmer on [phone number removed], or send an e-mail.

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26th August 2005
Not Meals On Wheels, But Books

Mobile library van — The mobile library van.

A mobile library has operated in Helmdon for many years but recently the service was under threat. Operators, Northants County Council, were proposing to reduce the number of stops in the village from 4 to just 2. Luckily the parish council were able to lobby NCC and reach a compromise of 3 stops (see here for details).

NCC’s 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.

More information is available here or on the NCC web site.

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26th August 2005
It’s Going To Be A Bright, Bright, Sun Shiny Day!

Unusually for a British bank holiday weekend the weather looks set to be fair throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

With all the carnival activities taking place the sunshine and warmth will be welcome with bank holiday Monday currently forecast to be 23 degrees Celsius and sunny.

Of course things do change so for the very latest 5 day weather forecast for Helmdon please visit the BBC weather page.

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18th August 2005
Countdown To Carnival Weekend

With just over a week to go the carnival committee are in the process of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. This year’s carnival weekend promises to be one of the best ever, and everyone is praying for good weather.

The timetable of events has been published which states that the carnival procession leaves the school at 1:15 p.m. on Monday 29th August. Download the whole timetable here so you can see what’s happening when.

There will be a tug-o war competition at the carnival on Monday 29th August and, as before, Ross Vicars has agreed to provide the rope and will ensure fair play. So come on lads and lasses, mums and dads, kids of all ages, get a team of 6 together and give it a go! Entries will be taken at the sports field on the day or contact any carnival committee member.

All the latest news, and details of all the events and attractions, is available on the Carnival News page.

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8th August 2005
Coffee For Cancer

The coffee morning in support of Cancer Research UK held at the Wren House on July 27th had no chance of being a garden event this year. What an awful wet morning it was!

However, spirits and generosity were not dampened; despite being packed like sardines indoors the event raised £300, which will go to support the crucial research and development programme being undertaken by Cancer Research UK, always looking for new answers and treatments.

Organiser Jenny Overson would like to thank all those who came, contributed and spent well, and kept smiling.

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28th July 2005
Helmdon Snatches Top Spot

Helmdon has won the 2005 ICT (Information Communication Technology) Award in the Northamptonshire Calor Village of the Year competition and also came runner up to Brigstock in the overall standings for 2005.

The county Village of the Year competition is organised by Northamptonshire ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) and the awards were presented to the winning villages on Wednesday 27th July at a special meeting held at ACRE’s Hunsbury Hill Centre in Northampton.

The Canon Dunn Memorial Bowl for ICT was presented to the chair of Helmdon Parish Council, Mr Peter Burns, who said “This is a good day for Helmdon, a lot of effort went in to this year’s competition and the awards are a credit to everyone involved”.

The ICT category examines the use of web sites, e-mail and other electronic media to enhance community life and improve local communications within villages and surrounding areas.

The web site has won previous accolades, most notably UK Village Web Site of the Year in 2003.

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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.