WI Programme For 2017 – posted 08 January 2017

Latest Site Updates

Helmdon News

WI Programme For 2017 – posted 08 January 2017

M&S Or Sainsbury’s Will Take Your Old Christmas Cards – posted 07 January 2017

‘Monte Carlo Or Bust’ At WI On Wednesday 11 January – posted 07 January 2017

Be Alert! Message Re Church Street Car Break-in – posted 06 January 2017

Help Needed For The Brackley Dippers – posted 06 January 2017

Minutes Of The Reading Room General Management Committee Held On 13/12/16 – posted 05 January 2017

Energy Advice Essentials From The Citizens Advice Bureau – posted 04 January 2017

Check Out The New 2017 Village Diary: Have you Any Dates To Add? – posted 03 January 2017

The Comedy Dean Spanley With Peter O’Toole Is Film For Friday 06 January – posted 02 January 2017

Happy New Year … Now Get Fit For Free In January – posted 01 January 2017

MU Programme For 2017 Published – posted 31 December 2016

Silverstone Plans Set To Supercharge South Northants Economy – posted 29 December 2016

Don’t Forget The Waste Collection Arrangements For The Holidays – posted 28 December 2016

Christmas Eve Services: All Welcome – posted 23 December 2016

‘Tuesday Lunches’ Serve Up A Very Enjoyable Christmas Meal – posted 22 December 2016

Boxing Day Brackley Morris Men – posted 21 December 2016

Rotary Young Musician Competition – posted 20 December 2016

Are You A Winner? December 200 Club Draw Results – posted 19 December 2016

From Les Miserables To The Belle Epoque: Title Of WEA Spring Course – posted 18 December 2016

Christmas Volunteers Still Wanted – posted 17 December 2016

Christmas Arrangements For The Village Cafe & Post Office – posted 16 December 2016

New Messages On The Messageboard – posted 15 December 2016

This Coming Weekend: Candlelit Service & Messy Christingle – posted 15 December 2016

Gardening Club Tomorrow: Talk On Madeira Garden of the Atlantic To Go With The Mulled Wine & Mince Pies – posted 14 December 2016

Christmas Drink Drive Campaign – posted 14 December 2016

Still Available In The Village: Christmas Trees, Wreaths & Mistletoe – posted 13 December 2016

Women’s Club Party Tomorrow 14 December – posted 13 December 2016

Bridge Players’ Christmas Panto Report & Photos – posted 12 December 2016

Christmas Novelties Knitted Once Again For The Katherine House Hospice – posted 12 December 2016

Course Members Were “entertained and informed” At The WEA Course The History Behind The Musicals – posted 11 December 2016

Minutes of The Parish Council Meeting Held On 23.11.16 – posted 10 December 2016

Gardening Club Programme For 2017 – posted 10 December 2016

Nativity In The Barn Tomorrow 10 December: All Welcome – posted 09 December 2016

Carol Singing Round Village For The Children’s Society On Monday 12 December: Singers & Collectors Urgently Required – posted 08 December 2016

Helmdon’s Favourite Carols: Your Choice – posted 08 December 2016

The Bell Christmas Opening Times – posted 07 December 2016

Acorns Staff Vacancy – posted 06 December 2016

Put Out Bins In Time This Christmas – posted 06 December 2016

Excellent Results For The Quiz And Christmas Bazaar – posted 05 December 2016

Hurry! Tickets For Dick Whittington Selling Fast: Thursday & Saturday Evening Sold Out – posted 05 December 2016

The Reading Room General Management Committee Meeting Is On Tuesday 13 December – posted 04 December 2016

An Extra Recycling Bin Is Not Just For Christmas – posted 03 December 2016

Just Time To Choose Your Favourite Carols For Sunday 04 December – posted 02 December 2016

Christmas Trees For Sale In The Village From Today – posted 01 December 2016

Check Up On Dates In The December Village Diary – posted 01 December 2016

Father Christmas Will Be At The Christmas Bazaar On Saturday 03 December – posted 30 November 2016

Christmas Shopping Evening At The School On Thursday 01 December – posted 29 November 2016

Are You A Winner? November 200 Club Draw Results – posted 28 November 2016

Take Advantage Of The School Christmas Shopping Evening And The Church Bazaar This Week To Get Toys/Gifts For Bulgarian Children – posted 27 November 2016

WEA Spring Walks Programme Published – posted 25 November 2016

County Connect Buses: Use Them Or Lose Them – posted 24 November 2016

Stay Safe This Black Friday – posted 23 November 2016

Nativity In The Barn: Saturday 10 December – posted 22 November 2016

Hurry To Get Your Tickets: The Saturday Pantomime Performance Is Sold Out – posted 21 November 2016

The School Christmas Shopping Evening Is On Thursday 01 December – posted 20 November 2016

Give The Gift Of Christmas – posted 19 November 2016

Christmas Shopping Event Saturday 26 November – posted 18 November 2016

Agenda For Parish Council Meeting To Be Held On 23.11.16 – posted 17 November 2016

Your Help Needed To Choose Helmdon’s Favourite Carols For Sunday 04 December – posted 17 November 2016

The Bridge Players Are Strutting The Boards Again: Get Your Tickets For Dick Whittington Now – posted 16 November 2016

Belly Dancing At The Women’s Club Tomorrow Wednesday 16 November – posted 15 November 2016

Have Your Say At The Gardening Club AGM On Thursday 17 November – posted 14 November 2016

Ex-Helmdon Villager Clare Nash’s Book Launch This Thursday 17 November – posted 13 November 2016

Mark The Date: Father Christmas Will Be At The Christmas Bazaar On Saturday 03 December – posted 12 November 2016

Celebrated Writer Coming To Production Of Oh Whistle & I’ll Come To You – posted 11 November 2016

“Royal Jewels” At Fellowship Tomorrow 11th November: Over Sixties And Retirees Very Welcome – posted 10 November 2016

Remembrance Day Services On Sunday 13 November: All Welcome – posted 09 November 2016

Hedge Cutting Help Needed Saturday 12 N0vember – posted 08 November 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Finance Committee Meeting To Be Held On 09.11.16 – posted 08 November 2016

Prompt Film Club AGM Friday 11 November At 7:15 p.m. Then Thriller Bridge of Spies at 7:30 p.m.: All Welcome – posted 07 November 2016

Interested In Brushing Up Your Artwork Skills? Weston Monthly Art Studio – posted 06 November 2016

Bench With A View In The Jubilee Wood – posted 05 November 2016

Tax, Care & Toy Boys: All Welcome at WI On Wednesday 09 November – posted 03 November 2016

Remember, Remember … Stay Safe This November – posted 02 November 2016

Check Up On Dates In The November Village Diary – posted 01 November 2016

Preventing Financial Fraud – posted 31 October 2016

What’s Up That Tower? (historical document no:91) – posted 30 October 2016

(Banbury) Guardian Country: The 200 Club (press cutting) – posted 29 October 2016

New Messages On Message Board – posted 28 October 2016

All Souls Service This Sunday 30 October: All Welcome – posted 28 October 2016

Gardening Club Supper Meeting Looked At What Is Happening To Wildlife In the UK – posted 27 October 2016

New Women’s Club Programme For 2016/17 – posted 26 October 2016

Are You A Winner? October 200 Club Draw Results – posted 25 October 2016

Do Join Us For The Walk (A True Story) At Film Club On Friday 28 October – posted 24 October 2016

Full Steam Ahead For The Advent Windows Project – posted 23 October 2016

Weston Art Club 2016 Exhibition (Dedicated To The Memory Of Irene Inness) – posted 22 October 2016

Remember A&E Is For Accidents Only – posted 21 October 2016

Have Some Fun: Join In With The Quiz On Saturday 22 October – posted 20 October 2016

Thursday Winter Walks Continue – posted 19 October 2016

Excellent Result From Cross Lane Coffee Party: Message On Messageboard – posted 18 October 2016

Police & Crime Plan Consultation – posted 18 October 2016

The Old Yew In The Churchyard (historical article no: 90) – posted 17 October 2016

Bell Staff Member Required – posted 16 October 2016

Get Your Tickets Now: Family Fireworks On Saturday 12 November – posted 16 October 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Finance Committee Meeting To Be Held On 19.10.16 – posted 15 October 2016

See What Is In Store: New Fellowship Programme For 2016/17 – posted 15 October 2016

Have You Got Your Tickets For The Gardening Club Supper Lecture on Thursday 20 October? – posted 14 October 2016

Order Your 2017 Helmdon Calendar Now: Message On Messageboard – posted 13 October 2016

Minutes Of The Parish Council Meeting Held On 28.09.16 – posted 12 October 2016

Prizes For Those Who Recycle Food – posted 12 October 2016

WI AGM & Harvest Supper Tomorrow Wednesday 12 October: Visitors Very Welcome – posted 11 October 2016

Eight More Volunteers Still Needed And Very Little Time To Go – posted 10 October 2016

Join The Poppy People – posted 08 October 2016

Get Those Brains In Gear For The Reading Room Quiz On Saturday 22 October – posted 07 October 2016

How Gardeners Can Help Give Birds & Wildlife A Home: Annual Gardening Club Lecture & Supper on 20 October When All Welcome – posted 06 October 2016

Calling All Children: Messy Church This Sunday 09 October – posted 05 October 2016

Deputy Supervisor Post Vacant At Acorns – posted 04 October 2016

Christmas Help Needed (press cutting) – posted 03 October 2016

Clinics To Power Local Businesses In An Hour – posted 02 October 2016

Agenda For Parish Council Planning Committee To Be Held On 5.10.16 – posted 01 October 2016

Thanksgiving Harvest Tomorrow 02 October All Welcome – posted 01 October 2016

Check Up On Dates In The October Village Diary – posted 01 October 2016

Rene Soames, Helmdon BBC Singer (press cutting) – posted 30 September 2016

Tickets For Classic Ghost Story Oh Whistle And I’ll Come To You (November 18) On Sale Now – posted 29 September 2016

WEA Tutors Required – posted 28 September 2016

South Northants Art Trail – posted 27 September 2016

Are You A Winner? September 200 Club Draw Results – posted 26 September 2016

Seeking News Of A Helmdon Singer (Message Board) – posted 25 September 2016

Junior Auditions For This Year’s Pantomime Next Friday 30 September – posted 25 September 2016

Remember The Excellent Show We Had Last Year? Volunteers For Advent Windows Still Needed For This Christmas – posted 24 September 2016

School To Host Coffee Morning For Macmillan Nurses On Friday 30 September – posted 23 September 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Meeting To Be Held On 28.09.16 – posted 22 September 2016

Calling All Children: Catch The Last Pimlico Train For 2016 On Sunday 25 September – posted 22 September 2016

All Welcome At The WI Tea Party On Saturday 24 September – posted 21 September 2016

Funeral Arrangements For Irene Inness – posted 20 September 2016

Music And History Fans: WEA Course “In Tune With The Times” Starts Tomorrow (Tuesday) Evening – posted 19 September 2016

Latest News Regarding Odour Reports In The Village – posted 16 September 2016

The Lovely Coton Manor Gardens Are Subject Of Talk At Gardening Club On Thursday 22 September – posted 16 September 2016

Women’s Club Has Speaker From British Cycling On Wednesday 21 September – posted 16 September 2016

News About “Messy Church” – posted 15 September 2016

Best Village Competition: Report of The Judges – posted 15 September 2016

In Tune With Times WEA Adult Education Course Begins Tuesday 20 September: Sample First Week For Free – posted 14 September 2016

A Chance For The Family To Try Golf – posted 13 September 2016

Brooklyn Is Film For Friday 16 September: Start Of The New Programme & All Welcome As Usual – posted 13 September 2016

Invitation To A WI Tea Party On Saturday 24 September – posted 12 September 2016

Agenda For Parish Council Planning Committee To Be Held On 15.09.16 – posted 11 September 2016

Notice Of Completion Of Audit Of Parish Council Accounts – posted 11 September 2016

Rededication of Church Bells 1951 (historical document No. 46) – posted 11 September 2016

Trek Driving On Three Continents: WI 14 September When All Welcome – posted 10 September 2016

No Meals At The Bell For A Few Weeks – posted 09 September 2016

Are You Making Full Use Of Our Post Office? – posted 09 September 2016

Are you a Winner? Extra 200 Club Lottery Draw – posted 08 September 2016

New Chef At The Bell: Steak Tomorrow 08 September – posted 07 September 2016

World War I: Historian Dan Snow Talk In Towcester – posted 07 September 2016

Staff Vacancy At The Bell – posted 06 September 2016

Tickets Still Available For The Last Night Of The Proms (Helmdon Style) On Saturday 10 September – posted 05 September 2016

Walking Leader (Our Roger) Is Up For National Award (press cutting) – posted 04 September 2016

Ambitions To Tread The Boards? Pantomime Auditions On Wednesday 07 September – posted 03 September 2016

A Helping Hand For Tenants & Landlords – posted 02 September 2016

Notice Of A Casual Vacancy In The Office Of Parish Councillor – posted 02 September 2016

Bell Meal Tonight – posted 01 September 2016

Check Up On Dates In The September Village Diary – posted 01 September 2016

200 Club AGM Tuesday 06 September: All Welcome – posted 31 August 2016

Art Exhibition & Sale In Brackley – posted 30 August 2016

Are You A Winner? August 200 Club Draw Results – posted 29 August 2016

Flower & Produce Show “One Of Most Successful In Recent Years” – posted 29 August 2016

The Railways Of Helmdon: Interesting New Historical Article (No.89) – posted 28 August 2016

Brackley Morris At Sulgrave Manor – posted 26 August 2016

Enjoy The Pimlico Light Railway On Sunday 28 August: Children & Model Train Enthusiasts Very Welcome – posted 25 August 2016

Bell Special Tomorrow – posted 24 August 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Planning Committee Meeting To Be Held On 30.08.16 – posted 23 August 2016

Tomorrow 23 August Is Last Day To Get Your Entries In For The Produce Show This Coming Saturday – posted 22 August 2016

Popular Lecturer At Weston For Their Autumn WEA Course – posted 20 August 2016

Tuesday 23 August Last Date For Bidding For HYHO’s Fund Money – posted 19 August 2016

Last Night Of The Proms (Helmdon Style) On Saturday 10 September – posted 18 August 2016

It’s That Time Of Year Again … Pantomime Auditions On Wednesday 07 September – posted 17 August 2016

Join The Film Club: New Programme Begins In September – posted 16 August 2016

Help Available To Get You Started With Your Computer, Tablet Or Phone – posted 15 August 2016

An Inventory Of The Historical Monuments In The County Of Northamptonshire – Section On Helmdon: Historical Article No: 88 – posted 14 August 2016

In Tune With The Times: WEA Autumn Course – posted 13 August 2016

Courier Advance Fee Fraud – posted 12 August 2016

Blisworth Canal Festival Is This Saturday 12 August – posted 11 August 2016

Closing Statement From HSGWAG – At Last It Is Over – posted 9 August 2016

Catch Up With James Bond: Spectre At Film Club On Friday 12 August – posted 9 August 2016

Fellowship Coffee Morning This Wednesday 10 August: All Welcome – posted 08 August 2016

Could You Be A Garden Buddy? – posted 07 August 2016

WEA Autumn Discovery Walks – posted 06 August 2016

Agenda For Parish Council Planning Committee To Be Held On 09.08.16 – posted 05 August 2016

The Popular Blakesley Show Is Tomorrow 05 August – posted 05 August 2016

HYHO’s Magnificent Fund Raising Share-Out: Apply By 23 August – posted 04 August 2016

Ham, Eggs & Chips Tomorrow At The Bell – posted 04 August 2016

Don’t Forget Your Entry Form For The Helmdon Hurler On Monday 29 August – posted 03 August 2016

Minutes Of The Parish Council Meeting Held On 27.07.16 – posted 02 August 2016

Strawberries & Cream At The Fellowship Garden Party – posted 02 August 2016

Check Up On Dates In The August Village Diary – posted 01 August 2016

WEA East Midlands Autumn Course Brochure Published – posted 31 July 2016

A Lovely Summer Afternoon With Puddings And Pimms – posted 30 July 2016

Railway Users: 9-Day Closure Of Railway Between Leamington Spa & Bicester North – posted 29 July 2016

Fellowship Coffee Morning On Wednesday 10 August: All Welcome – posted 28 July 2016

Thursday Evening Meals At The Bell Again – posted 27 July 2016

Sorry – All Seats Taken for An Audience With Henry VIII – posted 27 July 2016

Advent Windows 2016: It May Seem Early But Volunteers Please – posted 27 July 2016

Are You A Winner? July 200 Club Draw Results – posted 26 July 2016

Billiards Team Report 2015/16 – posted 25 July 2016

Celebrate National Play Day – posted 24 July 2016

All Welcome: Friends Of St Mary Magdalene Annual General Meeting On Wednesday 03 August – posted 23 July 2016

Don’t Forget To Book Your Ticket For The 30 July Northants Touring Arts Production Of An Audience With Henry VIII – posted 22 July 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Meeting To Be Held On 27.07.16 – posted 21 July 2016

Not Booked For A Holiday Yet? Beware Travel Booking Frauds – posted 21 July 2016

Magnificent Coffee Morning Total For Cancer Research – posted 20 July 2016

Fiori Musicali Brings Leading Classical Musicians To South Northamptonshire – posted 19 July 2016

South Northants Tops The Board In Best Village Contest (press cutting) – posted 18 July 2016

SPLAT Summer Holiday Programme – posted 17 July 2016

Smell It? Report It!: Blackpits Update – posted 16 July 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Planning Committee Meeting To Be Held On 20.07.16 – posted 15 July 2016

Minutes Of The Reading Room Annual General Meeting – posted 15 July 2016

New Messages On Message Board – posted 15 July 2016

The Big Summer Reading Challenge – posted 14 July 2016

The Bellringers Win The President’s Cup – posted 13 July 2016

Do Join Us For The Lady In The Van At Film Club On Friday 15 July – posted 12 July 2016

A Full Week: Tomorrow Wednesday 13 July Coffee Morning And WI The Mitford Sisters Talk And On Friday 15 Fellowship Tea Party – posted 12 July 2016

New Date For Fellowship Visit To Hillesden House Gardens – posted 11 July 2016

Wednesday July 20 Is The Date Of The Women’s Club BBQ – posted 10 July 2016

Brackley Skate Park Still On Agenda – posted 09 July 2016

Coffee Morning Next Wednesday 13 July: Help Jenny Exceed Total For Cancer Research UK Yet Again – posted 08 July 2016

In Spite Of The Rain, Fete Result Was Brilliant – posted 08 July 2016

Excellent Lunches For The Retired/Over Sixties: Book Now For Tuesday 19 July – posted 07 July 2016

Volunteers Needed For Fareshare Collection From Tesco – posted 06 July 2016

New Messages On Message Board – posted 05 July 2016

Acorns Need Bank Staff From September – posted 05 July 2016

Join The Friends Of The Church For A Pudding & PImms Party On Saturday 23 July – posted 04 July 2016

Fellowship Tea Party On Friday 15 July: All Welcome – posted 03 July 2016

Bridge Players Summer Production – Report & Gallery – posted 02 July 2016

WI Talk On The Mitfords On Wednesday 13 July – posted 02 July 2016

Check Up On Dates In The July Village Diary – posted 01 July 2016

Join In With Songs Of Praise This Sunday 03 July – posted 30 June 2016

Hillesden House Garden Visit Postponed: Watch This Space For New Date – posted 29 June 2016

Did You Notice Odours From Blackpits Composting Yesterday? (Tuesday 28 June) – posted 29 June 2016

Remember The Church Fete This Saturday 02 July – posted 29 June 2016

Women’s Club Need Your Help For Their Fete Stall – posted 29 June 2016

Agenda For Reading Room AGM This Thursday 30 June: All Welcome – posted 28 June 2016

Are You A Winner? June 200 Club Draw Results – posted 27 June 2016

Are You Race Ready? – posted 26 June 2016

Sign Up Again For July 21 New Date Announced For Rained-Off Visit To Manor Farm Herbs – posted 25 June 2016

New Messages On Message Board – posted 25 June 2016

Wind Farm Sunk In Storm In Over A Teacup (press cutting) – posted 24 June 2016

Helmdon Presents … An Audience With Henry VIII On Saturday 30 July – posted 23 June 2016

Remember To Recycle: Use The Farthinghoe Facility – posted 22 July 2016

Mark Wilkinson, Acclaimed Singer & Songwriter, Returns To Weedon Lois 01 July – posted 21 June 2016

43 Years A Tailor (historical press cutting) – posted 20 June 2016

Will The New Abthorpe Roundabout Improve Traffic Flow? – posted 18 June 2016

New Messages On Message Board – posted 17 June 2016

Annual Coffee Morning For Cancer Research On 13 July: Can You Contribute To The Bring & Buy Stall? – posted 17 June 2016

All The Fun Of The Fete On Saturday 02 July – posted 16 June 2016

Mothers’ Union Coffee Morning On 22 June: All Welcome – posted 15 June 2016

Music At The Bell This Friday 17 June – posted 15 June 2016

All Welcome: Screening Of La Famille Beliers At Film Club Friday 17 June – posted 14 June 2016

Towcester Midsummer Music Festival Saturday 18 June – posted 13 June 2016

Agenda For Parish Council Planning Committee Meeting To Be Held On 16.06.16 – posted 12 June 2016

Notice Of Reading Room AGM on 30 June & Proposed Agenda – posted 12 June 2016

Royal Butler At Women’s Club On Wednesday 15 June: All Welcome – posted 11 June 2016

Result Of Christian Aid Events & A Thank You – posted 09 June 2016

Garden Entries For The Flower & Produce Show Close On Wednesday 15 June – posted 09 June 2016

Remember, Help Needed For The Footpath Clearing On Saturday 11 June – posted 09 June 2016

Picnic Baskets To The Ready For The Royal Village Picnic on Sunday 12 June! – posted 08 June 2016

Service To Celebrate The Queen’s 90th Birthday On Sunday 12 June – posted 07 June 2016

Delving Into Helmdon’s History: Reminiscences of Jim Watson – posted 07 June 2016

Message On The Messageboard – posted 05 June 2016

Did You Miss The Annual Parish Meeting? Full Report Now Published! – posted 05 June 2016

Can’t Find Something On This Website? Help Is At Hand – posted 05 June 2016

Still Tickets Left For Play A Snake In The Grass On 10 and 11 June – posted 04 June 2016

Manor Farm Herbs Tour: Visitors Welcome – posted 03 June 2016

Help Needed: Footpath Clearing On Saturday 11 June – posted 02 June 2016

Voter Registration Deadline Is Looming – posted 01 June 2016

Check Up On Dates In The June Village Diary – posted 01 June 2016

Art At WI Meeting On Wednesday 08 June – posted 31 May 2016

Christian Aid Cake Sale After Village Praise & Prayer Next Sunday 05 June – posted 30 May 2016

Butler Serves Up Victory At His Home Track (press cutting) – posted 29 May 2016

Office Vacancies At Brackley Volunteer Car Service – posted 28 May 2016

Open Farm Day At Westbury On 05 June – posted 27 May 2016

Holding An Event This Summer? – posted 26 May 2016

May Bank Holiday Bin Collecting – posted 26 May 2016

Outing To Hillesden Gardens On 26 June: All Welcome – posted 25 May 2016

Photo Competition – posted 24 May 2016

Are You A Winner? May 200 Club Draw Results – posted 23 May 2016

Fellowship Coffee Morning On Wednesday 01 June – posted 22 May 2016

Youth Ambition Awards – posted 21 May 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Meeting To Be Held On 25.05.16 – posted 20 May 2016

Delving Into Helmdon’s History: Memories of Hazara, Now Leeden Tye, Church Street (historical article no. 48) – posted 20 May 2016

Car Occupants Nearly Hit By Flying Dumbbells In Crash – posted 19 May 2016

Good At Quizzes? Come And Test Yourself: Quiz For Christian Aid Saturday 21 May – posted 19 May 2016

Screening Of Man Up At Film Club Friday 20 May – posted 18 May 2016

All Welcome: School Coffee Morning For Christian Aid This Thursday 19 May – posted 17 May 2016

Ceramics Decorating With The Women’s Club On Wednesday 18 May – posted 16 May 2016

Summer Evening Walks Start Monday 23 May – posted 15 May 2016

Minutes Of WEA AGM Held On 12 April – posted 14 May 2016

Blankets, Pies & Downton – posted 13 May 2016

SPLAT Programme For The May Half-Term Holiday – posted 11 May 2016

The Bridge Players Present A Creepily, Scarily, Really Enjoyable Evening On 10 & 11 June – posted 11 May 2016

Royal Village Picnic On Sunday 12 June – posted 10 May 2016

School Coffee Morning For Christian Aid Thursday 19 May – posted 10 May 2016

Containers Through The Ages: All Welcome At Gardening Talk At WI On Wednesday 11 May – posted 09 May 2016

Agendas For The Planning & Finance Committees Of The Parish Council To Be Held On 11.05.16 – posted 08 May 2016

WEA (Adult Education) Courses Announced For Autumn 2016 And Spring 2017 – posted 05 May 2016

Purchase From, Produce For, The Brackley Country Market – posted 04 May 2016

Churchyard Tidy-Up Session Saturday 07 May: Please Help If You Can – posted 03 May 2016

Pub Quiz For Christian Aid On Saturday 21 May – posted 02 May 2016

Indian Cuisine & Entertainment In Aid Of Air Ambulance on Wednesday 11 May – posted 01 May 2016

Check Up On Dates In The May Village Diary – posted 01 May 2016

Some New Classes At The Helmdon Flower & Produce Show On 27 August – posted 30 April 2016

Act Quickly: Only One Table Left For The Summer Ball – posted 29 April 2016

Support Weston’s May Fair On Bank Holiday Monday – posted 29 April 2016

Fellowship Queen’s Birthday Celebration – posted 28 April 2016

New Brackley Artisan Market On Sunday 01 May – posted 27 April 2016

Thursday’s Bell Special – posted 26 April 2016

Still Some Places Left For The Barnsdale Gardens Outing – posted 26 April 2016

Are You A Winner? April 200 Club Draw Results – posted 25 April 2016

Suspicious Sighting at Duncombe’s: See Message Board – posted 24 April 2016

An Interesting Fellowship Summer programme – posted 24 April 2014

Voluntary & Community Groups Funding Fair On 10 May – posted 23 April 2016

Act Quickly: Only A Few Tables Left For The Summer Ball – posted 22 April 2016

The Pimlico Light Railway Begins Its Summer Programme This Sunday 24 April: All Model Train Enthusiasts Very Welcome – posted 21 April 2016

Minutes Of The Parish Council Meeting Held On 23.03.16 – posted 19 April 2016

Possibility Of Tickets Left For St George’s Day Supper On Saturday 23 April – posted 19 April 2016

Agendas For The Meetings Of The Playground And Planning Committees To Be Held On 20.04.16 – posted 18 April 2016

Plant Sale & Gardening Quiz At Gardening Club On Thursday 21 April – posted 18 April 2016

Quiz At Women’s Club On Wednesday 20 April – posted 17 April 2016

CarKraft Free Driving Skill Lessons: Sign Up Now – posted 15 April 2016

Farming Matters! Rogation Service & Pig Roast 01 May: Names Needed By 20 April – posted 15 April 2016

New Towcester Car Park Opens On Schedule – posted 14 April 2016

Ckers Youth Club Seeks New Leaders – posted 14 April 2016

Last Chance For Fellowship Members to Give In Their Names For The Lunch To Celebrate The Queen’s 90th Birthday (Thursday 21 April) – posted 13 April 2016

Can’t Find Something On This Website? Help Is At Hand – posted 13 April 2016

Acorns Quiz On Saturday 16 April – posted 12 April 1916

Screening Of The Martian At Film Club Friday 15 April (Note New Time) – posted 11 April 2016

Delving Into Helmdon’s History: Agricultural Matters In The C17 and C18 Centuries: Historical Document No: 24 – posted 10 April 2016

WEA AGM On Tuesday 12 April – posted 09 April 2016

Sign Up To Be A Towcester Food Festivalmaker – posted 08 April 2016

WEA Course On Women’s Early Suffrage Movement: All Welcome – posted 07 April 2016

Introducing A New Family Service – posted 07 April 2016

Speed Radar, Blackpits Recycling Centre et al At The Annual Parish Meeting On Wednesday 27 April: All Welcome – posted 06 April 2016

Special At The Bell Tomorrow – posted 06 April 2016

British Hono(u)r Local Men Killed In World WarII Crash (new historic American press cutting) – posted 05 April 2016

Voter Registration Deadline – posted 03 April 2016

Support Our Post Office: It May Do More For You Than You Think – posted 02 April 2016

Check Up On Dates In The April Village Diary – posted 01 April 2016

Special At The Bell Tonight – posted 31 March 2016

Agenda For WEA AGM On Tuesday 12 April – posted 31 March 2016

SPLAT Children’s Easter Activities Week Beginning 04 April – posted 30 March 2016

Are you A Winner? 200 Club Draw Results For March – posted 29 March 2016

Blackpits Monitors Needed – posted 28 March 2016

Today & Tomorrow Last Chance To See The Lambs – posted 27 March 2016

Congratulations, Steve Wheeler, On Groundsman Of The Year Award – posted 27 March 2016

Get Your Tickts Now For The Unmissable, Splendiferous Helmdon Summer Ball On 25 June – posted 26 March 2016

Silverstone Easter Sunday Fun Day – posted 25 March 2016

Job Opportunity On The Message & Adverts Board – posted 25 March 2016

Missing Cat Found – posted 24 March 2016

Bell Entertainment This Saturday 26 March – posted 24 March 2016

Easter Raffle At Cafe Raises Excellent Sum – posted 23 March 2016

Meal Choice At The Bell For Tomorrow – posted 23 March 2016

Sponsors Wanted For Helmdon Flower & Produce Show – posted 22 March 2016

Can’t Find Something On This Website? Help Is At Hand – posted 21 March 2016

Tickets Now Available For The St George’s Day Supper – posted 20 March 2016

Easter Bin Collections – posted 19 March 2016

Helmdon Summer Ball On 25 June: Early Booking Means Cheaper Tickets – posted 18 March 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Meeting To Be Held On 23.03.16 – posted 17 March 2016

Delving Into Helmdon’s History: 1777, A Year When Village Men Stood By To Serve Their Country (Historical Article No: 7) – posted 16 March 2016

News From The Bell Public House: Meal For Thursday 17 March & Free Pizza On Saturday 19 March – posted 16 March 2016

Some Money Found: See New Message On The Message & Adverts Board – posted 15 March 2916

Suffragette Is Being Screened At Film Club Friday 18 March With Visitors Welcome (Note New Time) – posted 15 March 2016

Hill Close Gardens The Theme For Gardening Club On 17 March: All Welcome – posted 14 March 2016

Join In With The Belly Dancing Workshop At The Women’s Club On Wednesday 16 March – posted 13 March 2016

Agendas For The Parish Council Planning and Allotments Committee Meetings To Be Held On 15.03.16 – posted 12 March 2016

Church Safeguarding Policy – posted 12 March 2016

Ckers Youth Club Needs New Leaders: Can You Help? – posted 11 March 2016

Be Vigilant: Fraudsters And Chalk Marks – posted 10 March 2016

News From The Bell Public House: Meal For Thursday 10 March – posted 09 March 2016

Communities To Come Together For The Queen’s Spring Clean – posted 09 March 2016

Acorns Quiz On Saturday 12 March/Postponed Until Saturday 16 April – posted 08 March 2016

Fellowship Easter Coffee Morning On Wednesday 09 March: All Welcome – posted 07 March 2016

Bridge Players’ AGM And Summer Play Auditions On Tuesday 08 March – posted 06 March 2016

‘Where There’s A Quill There’s A Play’ – A Literary Theme At The WI ON Wednesday 09 March: All Welcome – posted 05 March 2016

Wine & Wisdom Quiz “A Lot Of Fun” – posted 04 March 2016

The Tiger’s Bones Presented By Northants Touring Arts At The School Tomorrow Friday 04 March – posted 03 March 2016

Gardening Club May Visit To Barnsdale Gardens: All Welcome – posted 02 March 2016

200 Club Draw Results For February – posted 01 March 2016

Helmdon Walks Leaflet No: 5 Now Available – posted 29 February 2016

Royal Honour For Tireless Volunteer (press cutting) – posted 28 February 2016

WEA Spring Walks Programme – posted 27 February 2016

Lambing Weekends – posted 26 February 2016

Defibrillator Outside School Available For Village Use – posted 25 February 2016

Cricketers Welcomed For The Summer Season – posted 24 February 2016

Calling All Quizzers! Wine & Wisdom On Friday 26 February: All Welcome – posted 23 February 2016

Aisling: Music At The Bell On Saturday 27 February – posted 22 February 2016

Fellowship Coffee Morning At Acres End On Wednesday 09 March – posted 21 February 2016

Bridge Players’ AGM And Summer Play Auditions On Tuesday 08 March – posted 20 February 2016

The Tiger’s Bones (Ted Hughes) At Helmdon School Friday 04 March – posted 19 February 2016

Sign Up To Work At This Year’s Elections – posted 18 February 2016

Reminiscenses Of Elizabeth Monck (nee Kirwan) 1940s – posted 17 February 2016

Judges Wanted For Best Village Competition 2016 – posted 16 February 2016

New Film Club Programme – posted 15 February 2016

Decorate A Cup Cake At The Women’s Club On Wednesday 17 February – posted 14 February 2016

Snowdrops At The Gardening Club on Thursday 18 February – posted 13 February 2016

Murder In Helmdon And Misadventure In Radstone (historical article no: 87) – posted 12 February 2016

Minutes Of The Parish Council Meeting Held On 27.01.16 – posted 11 February 2016

Acorns Pre-School: Places Being Finalised For September – posted 11 February 2016

Dressed To Impress: Change to Subject Of Fellowship Talk On Friday 12 February – posted 10 February 2016

A Celebration Of Marriage On Valentine’s Day – posted 09 February 2016

Ex Machina Is Showing At Film Club Friday 12 February: All Welcome – posted 08 February 2016

Breakfast With The Bible – posted 06 February 2016

Police Set To Anounce Major New Road Safety Initiative – posted 05 February 2016

Missed The Advent Windows? See Them Big Screen At Photography Talk WI Wednesday 10 February: All Welcome – posted 04 February 2016

After School Club Staff Vacancy – posted 03 February 2016

Use It Or You May Lose It! County Connect – posted 02 February 2016

View The February Village Diary – posted 01 February 2016

Conga Keep-fit Helps Get Helmdon Healthy (press cutting) – posted 30 January 2016

February: All Welcome At The Friends Of The Church Wine & Wisdom Evening – posted 29 January 2016

Get Your Bargains At The WI Nearly New Sale This Saturday 30th January – posted 28 January 2016

Splendid Donation From The Village Cafe To The Reading Room – posted 27 January 2016

New Messages On The Message & Adverts Board – posted 26 January 2016

200 Club Draw Results For January – posted 25 January 2016

Now Available: Red Cross Dial-A-Wheelchair – posted 23 January 2016

Delving Back Into Helmdon’s History: Historical Document No. 7: Militia Return For The Year 1777 – posted 22 January 2016

Agenda For The Parish Council Meeting To Be Held On 27.01.16 – posted 21 January 2016

Noah’s Ark Is The Theme For Messy Church On Sunday 24 January – posted 21 January 2016

Magnificent Result From Parkinson’s UK Coffee Morning – posted 20 January 2016

WI Programme For 2016: All Welcome – posted 19 January 2016

Report: Making Northamptonshire The Safest Place In England – posted 19 January 2016

Planning Your Retirement?: ‘Pension Freedoms’ – posted 18 January 2016

Advent Windows Project: 2015 Review & 2016 Thoughts – posted 17 January 2016

No Thursday Post Office For The Next Month – posted 16 January 2016

First Evening Free – Magna Carta & The Barons’ War at WEA (Adult Education) – posted 16 January 2016

Look Out For Bargains! WI Nearly New Sale On Saturday 30 January – posted 15 January 2016

New Family History Researcher – posted 15 January 2016

Bogus Electrical Websites – posted 14 January 2016

Join The Walking Group Tomorrow 14 January – posted 13 January 2016

A Little Chaos Is Showing At Film Club Friday 15 January: All Welcome – posted 12 January 2015

Please Support The Coffee Morning In Aid Of Parkinson’s UK On Wednesday 13 January – posted 10 January 2016

Sign Up As An Emergency Response Volunteer – posted 10 January 2016

Quiz At WI On Wednesday 13 January: All Welcome – posted 09 January 2016

Additions, Corrections, Deletions Asked For On “Local Businesses” (Left Hand Index) – posted 08 January 2016

Agendas For The Parish Council Planning And Finance Committee Meetings To Be Held On 13.01.16 – posted 07 January 2016

Deadline Approaches For Northants Primary School Place Allocations – posted 07 January 2016

Local WEA (Adult Education) Courses Starting In January: All Welcome – posted 06 January 2016

History Of The Parents & Tots (article no: 86) – posted 05 January 2016

Coffee Morning In Aid Of Parkinson’s UK On Wednesday 13 January – posted 04 January 2016

Prince’s Trust And M&S Job Opportunities For Young People – posted 03 January 2016

Minutes Of Reading Room General Management Meeting – posted 02 January 2016

Happy New Year! View The 2016 Village Diary – posted 01 January 2016

Village Brings To Life Christmas Spirit (press cutting) – posted 30 December 2015

Helmdon Presents… “Into The Woods” – This Wednesday At 2:30 p.m. – posted 28 December 2015

200 Club Draw Results For December – posted 27 December 2015

Advent Windows Project Complete – See All The Windows Here! – posted 24 December 2015

Fellowship Gets Into The Spirit Of Christmas – posted 22 December 2015

Breaking News On The Wind Farm Appeal – posted 21 December 2015

Post Office & Cafe Opening Next Two Tuesdays As Normal – posted 20 December 2015

Helmdon War Memorial Listing: Historical Document no: 45 – posted 19 December 2015

Come Out Or Join: Carol Singing Schedule For Tuesday 22 December – posted 18 December 2015

Enjoyable Christmas Party For The Women’s Club – posted 17 December 2015

Schedule Of WEA Spring Walks: First Is Thursday 07 January – posted 16 December 2015

New 2016 Gardening Club Programme – posted 15 December 2015

Enjoyable WI Christmas Party – posted 14 December 2015

Save Time & Trouble: Get Your Christmas Tree In The Village – posted 13 December 2015

End Of Line As Coach Company Goes Into Liquidation (press cutting) – posted 13 December 2015

Women’s Club 45th Anniversary Photo Gallery – posted 12 December 2015

Santa Touring The Village Tonight (Courtesy Of Brackley Round Table) – posted 11 December 2015

Agenda For The Meeting Of The Helmdon Parish Council Planning Committee To Be Held On 15.12.15 – posted 10 December 2015

Health Walks Christmas Break – posted 10 December 2015

Nativity In The Barn On Saturday 12 December At 3 p.m. – posted 10 December 2015

Tesco Local Community Grants – posted 09 December 2015

School Christmas Events (extra details) – posted 09 December 2015

Cafe Christmas Opening Times – posted 08 December 2015

Mr Holmes Is Showing At Film Club Friday 11 December: All Welcome – posted 08 December 2015

Are You Enjoyng The Village Advent Windows As They Open? Click The Advent Windows Icon Under Index On This First Page Every Day To Get The Programme & Photos As They Happen – posted 07 December 2015

Peter’s Topical Gardening Tips For November/December – posted 07 December 2015

Carol Singing Schedule – posted 06 December 2015

Jeffs Coaches (A History): historical article no.37 – posted 05 December 2015

Christmas Trees For Sale In The Village – posted 04 December 2015

Food Caddy Recycling Prize Draw – posted 03 December 2015

Are You Interested In Helping The Sports Club? Committee Members Needed – posted 02 December 2015

Important: Christmas Bin Collections – posted 01 December 2015

Check Out The December Village Diary – posted 01 December 2015

Santa Will Be Coming To Helmdon Again – posted 29 November 2015

Do You Enjoy Driving? Please Consider Volunteering For A Service Regularly Used By Helmdon Villagers – posted 29 November 2015

Christmas Blue Bin Sale – posted 28 November 2015

Don’t Delay: Only A Limited Number Of Tickets Left For The Pantomime (Sorry – All Sold Out now) – posted 27 November 2015

Advent Windows Calendar – posted 26 November 2015

Father Christmas Is Coming To Helmdon! Christmas Bazaar This Saturday 28 November – posted 25 November 2015

Photo Gallery Of The Recent Successful Craft Show – posted 24 November 2015

Have You Won This Month? November 200 Club Results – posted 23 November 2015

Last Christmas Posting Dates – posted 22 November 2015

Could You Open Your Home To A Foster Child? – posted 21 November 2015

New Messages On Message Board – posted 20 November 2015

Invitation To Messy Church This Sunday 22 November – posted 20 November 2015

Book The Date: All Welcome to Film Into The Woods On Wednesday 30 December – posted 20 November 2015

A Dog’s Charity Benefits From Excellent Cafe Raffle – posted 19 November 2015

2016 Mothers’ Union Programme Announced – posted 18 November 2015

New Proposed Abthorpe Roundabout Causes Concerns – posted 17 November 2015

Gardening Club AGM On Thursday 19 November – posted 16 November 2015

Fellowship Christmas Coffee Morning Wednesday 18 November: All Welcome – posted 15 November 2015

Northampton Register Office Is Moving – posted 14 November 2015

Get Ready To Boo, Hiss & Clap Along: Pantomime December 03, 04 and 05 – posted 13 November 2015

Stowe Past & Present At The Fellowship On Friday 13 November: Over 60s and Retirees Very Welcome – posted 12 November 2015

Film Club Friday 13 November: The Good Lie – posted 11 November 2015

Vandalism & Damage At Helmdon Primary School – posted 10 November 2015

Sports Club AGM This Thursday 12 November – posted 10 November 2015

Grass Cutting Tenders Sought – posted 09 November 2015

All Welcome: Author Linda Newbery At The WI On Wednesday 11 November – posted 08 November 2015

Remembrance Sunday Service 10a.m. 08 November – posted 06 November 2015

Pre-Paid Tickets Are Cheaper: Fireworks At Acorns Saturday 07 November – posted 05 November 2015

Craft Fair On Saturday 07 November – posted 04 November 2015

November Advent Window News – posted 03 November 2015

Story Teller At WI Link Meeting – posted 02 November 2015

New Messages On Message Board – posted 02 November 2015

Check Out The November Village Diary – posted 01 November 2015

NAB Sight Centre Visit Wednesday 04 November – posted 31 October 2015

Tanks For the Memories!: Just One Of The Website’s Press Cuttings – posted 31 October 2015

All Souls Service This Saturday 31 October: All Welcome – posted 30 October 2015

New Women’s Club Programme For 2015/16 – posted 29 October 2015

Stay Well This Winter – posted 28 October 2015

All Welcome: Author Linda Newbery At The WI On Wednesday 11 November – posted 27 October 2015

Have You Won This Month? October 200 Club Results – posted 26 October 2015

Enjoyable Reunion At The Women’s Club 45th Anniversary Celebration – posted 25 October 2015

Pizza Making At Ckers On Sunday 25 October – posted 24 October 2015

For Chldren: Please Join Us Messy Church This Sunday 25 October – posted 23 October 2015

Peter’s Topical Gardening Tips For October – posted 22 October 2015

Compost For Helmdon Residents Only This Saturday 24 October: Full details – posted 22 October 2015

Keep The Date Free: Christmas Bazaar Saturday 28 November – posted 21 October 2015

History Of The Baptist Chapel (historical article no.84) – posted 20 October 2015

All Souls Service On Saturday 31 October: All Welcome – posted 19 October 2015

WEA Trip To Ardley Energy Facility On Friday 20 November – posted 18 October 2015

Link For Helmdon Cricket Club Results 2015 – posted 17 October 2015

Last Tickets: Helmdon Presents … “On The Edge” Friday 23 October – posted 17 October 2015

Craft Fair On Saturday 07 November – posted 16 October 2015

Blackpits Compost Collection Open Morning On Saturday 24 October Full Details – posted 15 October 2015

New Fellowship programme 2015/16 – posted 15 October 2015

Notice Of Sports Club Annual General Meeting – posted 14 October 2015

Tax Payer Carryng The Cost Of A Fly Tipping Menace – posted 13 October 2015

Sunday 18 October: New Church Family Service – posted 13 October

Film Club Friday 16 October: The Three Musketeers In HD – posted 12 October 2015

Monday 19 October: Junior Auditions For Pantomime – posted 11 October 2015

SNVB Job Opportunity For Part-Time Driver – posted 10 October 2015

Book ASAP: Few Places Left For Nick Hamilton At The Gardening Club Supper Lecture On 15 October – posted 10 October 2015

Book The Date: Fireworks At Acorns Saturday 07 November – posted 09 October 2015

Authors At The Old Hall Bookshop On Saturday 10 October – posted 08 October 2015

New Messages On Message Board – posted 07 October 2015

Urgent Alert For Reading Room Users: Wanted Unused Electricity Tokens – posted 07 October 2015

WEA Spring Course On Magna Carta Announced – posted 07 October 2015

The Fellowship Begins Winter Session On Friday 09 October: Over 60s and Retirees Very Welcome – posted 06 October 2015

SPLAT Comes To October Half-Term – posted 05 October 2015

Recycling News – posted 04 October 2015

Adult Education Under Threat – Act Now! – posted 03 October 2015

Advent Windows: Just Five More Volunteers Needed – posted 02 October 2015

Harvest Festival & Supper: Sunday 04 October – posted 01 October 2015

Check Out The October Village Diary – posted 01 October 2015

The Billiards Team “Had one Of The Most Successful Seasons For Years” – posted 30 September 2015

Have You Won This Month? September 200 Club Results – posted 29 September 2015

Making Donations To Support Refugees – posted 28 September 2015

School Lunch Time Superviser Required/Good Result For School Coffee Morning – posted 27 September 2015

Fellowship Coffee Morning On Friday 14 October – posted 26 September 2015

New Messages On Message Board – posted 25 September 2015

Possible Trip To Ardley Energy Facility – posted 25 September 2015

Don’t Miss The Last Train Running On The Pimlico Light Railway On Sunday 27 September – posted 24 September 2015

It’s Time To Apply For A School Place – posted 23 September 2015

Reminder: School Macmillan Coffee Morning On Friday 25 September – posted 23 September 2015

100 Jobs To Fill: Go To Brackley Tomorrow 22 September – posted 21 September 2015

Carole Looked Lovely: The Marriage Of The Rev. Carole Peters And Barry King – posted 21 September 2015

Peter’s Topical Gardening Tips For September – posted 20 September 2015

Have Your Say Over Future Parking – posted 19 September 2015

Agendas For Forthcoming Parish Council Meetings – posted 18 September 2015

Helmdon Presents … On Friday 23 October On The Edge!: Tickets Available Now – posted 18 September 2015

Helmdon WI Anniversary Photos – posted 17 September 2015

Thursday Afternoon Health Walks Continue – posted 17 September 2015

WEA Course Shining A Light On The Dark Ages Starts Tuesday 22 September: All Welcome – posted 16 September 2015

Advent Windows “Doing Well But Volunteers Still Needed” – posted 15 September 2015

Mechanical Sweeper To Target Footpaths – posted 14 September 2015

A Week To Go! Submissions For Helmdon Voice Needed By Sunday 20 September – posted 13 September 2015

Barnsdale Gardens After Geoff Subject Of Gardening Club Supper Lecture On 15th October: Tickets Available Now – posted 13 September 2015

Stoke Bruerne Village At War Weekend Tomorrow And Sunday 12 and 13 September – posted 11 September 2015

School Coffee Morning For Cancer Research On Friday 25 September – posted 11 September 2015

Have You Won At Last? Results Of The 200 Club Bonus Draw (For Non Winners) – posted 10 September 2015

New Messages On Message Board – posted 09 September 2015

20 September Is Deadline Day For Helmdon Voice – posted 09 September 2015

On Friday 11 September The Film Club Presents Birdman – posted 08 September 2015

200 Club AGM On Wednesday 09 Sepember: All Welcome – posted 07 September 2015

Monday 14 September: Tread The Boards At The Pantomime Auditions – posted 06 September 2015

Church Bells Will Commemorate Length Of Queen’s Reign On Wednesday 09 September – posted 05 September 2015

Friends Of St Mary Magdalene Chair’s Report For 2014/15 – posted 04 September 2015

Parents & Tots Begins Again Today – posted 03 September 2015

Helmdon Listed Buildings & Tree Preservation Orders (historical document no: 17) – posted 03 September 2015

Can’t Find Something On This Website? Help Is At Hand – posted 02 September 2015

Check Out The September Village Diary – posted 01 September 2015

All The Fun Of Whitfield Fete On Saturday 05 September – posted 31 August 2015

A Gentle Reminder To Send In Your Submissions For The Autumn Issue Of Helmdon Voice – posted 30 August 2015

Collect Your Lost Property From The Reading Room – posted 29 August 2015

Helmdon Faces More Angst Over Turbines (press cutting) – posted 28 August 2015

Charities To Benefit From Flower And Produce Show – posted 27 August 2015

More Pictures In The Fellowship Photo Gallery – posted 26 August 2015

Job Vacancy On Message Board – posted 26 August 2015

How To Avoid Bogus Websites – posted 25 August 2015

Have You Won This Month? August 200 Club Results – posted 24 August 2015

Minutes Of The Reading Room AGM – posted 23 August 2011

Reminder: The Flower & Produce Show At Reading Room Today – posted 22 August 201

New Film Club Programme (with expanded film details) – posted 22 August 2015

Join In With August Family Fun At Sulgrave Manor – posted 21 August 2015

WEA Annual General Meeting Minutes 2015 – posted 20 August 2015

Living Advent Calendar: December! Now? – posted 19 August 2015

Garden Party Raises Excellent Sum For Katherine House Hospice – posted 18 August 2015

Peter’s Topical Gardening Tips For August – posted 17 August 2015

Call For New Great Central Line Instead Of HS2 (press cutting) – posted 16 August 2015

WEA Autumn Discovery Walks Announced: All Welcome – posted 15 August 2015

Agenda For Parish Council Planning Committee Meeting To Be Held On 19.08.15 – posted 14 August 2015

Posted 05 January 2017
Be First For Wellbeing

Have you made a raft of New Year’s resolutions? Are you determined that 2017 will be the year that you really make a difference to your health and fitness?

From stopping smoking or cutting down on alcohol, First for Wellbeing can help.

At this time of year lots of us think about getting healthier and making a few changes to our lifestyles. First for Wellbeing offers a wide range of support to help improve your wellbeing, including quitting smoking, losing weight, drinking less alcohol, managing anxiety and stress and much more.

Get 2017 off to a great start by visiting the First for Wellbeing website and filling in their free online assessment.

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Posted 02 January 2017
Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to Helmdonites past and present. Out with 2016 and in with 2017 and all that she may bring!

It’s going to be a dynamite year in politics, with the inauguration on 20 January 2017 of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, and the likely triggering of Article 50 by the end of March 2017.

It’s another big milestone too for HM The Queen, who on 6 February 2017 celebrates the 65th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

For sports fans it’s going to be another massive year. The 2017 Lions Tour kicks off on 3 June 2017 with a warm up match ahead of the 1st Test on 24 June. And for cricket lovers the majority of next Christmas will be spent watching the 2017-18 Ashes Series, with the 1st Test starting on 23 November at The Gabba, and the 4th Test starting on Boxing Day at the MCG.

In local politics the Reading Room will be your polling station once again when Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) holds all-out elections on 4 May 2017.

Who knows what 2017 has in store for us, but what better place to live through it than in Helmdon!

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Posted 27 December 2016
How Safe Is Bricks n’ Mortar in Helmdon?

House values in Helmdon increased 4.51% in 2016 according to property web site Zoopla.

There were thirteen house sales in the year and the average price paid was £341,996. The current “average” home in Helmdon (all properties) will set you back £487,764.

Estimated house values in a village like Helmdon are always to be taken with a pinch of salt because of the variety of stock, from multi-million pound grand mansions, to terraced cottages for a much more “modest” £250k. In fact, terraced houses in the village increased in value relatively more than detached houses over the past twelve months (11.39% v 3.69%).

The houses that are sold most frequently are on Bell Close, where nearly 60% of houses have been sold at some point in the past five years. The average figure for Helmdon is just under 20%.

With its primary school
that performs in the top 10% of schools in the country and its central location in the heart of England with excellent road links, Helmdon continues to be a “very desirable and sought-after village”, as the estate agents would say!

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Posted 24 December 2016
Wassail!

Here’s wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. The web site team hopes you have a warm and safe Christmas with plenty of festive cheer to keep you going.

Have you seen the Advent Windows? You can see all the windows on the online Advent Calendar. We hope you have enjoyed seeing the windows, whether on your travels around the village or on the web site, and well done to all the window makers who put on a really splendid show this year!

Merry Christmas Helmdon!

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Posted 18 December 2016
Whatever The Weather

The weather for the week ahead doesn’t look particularly seasonal. Today was relatively warm with a great sunset (the picture above was taken looking out over Hinton’s Close) and although it is forecast to get a little colder in the week there’s not even going to be any hard frosts.

Christmas Day is forecast to be dry and 7 degrees, so no white Christmas this year, not even if you’re dreaming of one!

If you would like to remember what Helmdon in the snow looks like, watch this video from 2009. It wasn’t on Christmas Day but the village really did look splendid!

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Posted 17 December 2016
Look At The Advent Windows

The Advent Windows project, now in its second year, is proving popular and successful once again.

Each evening a new window is revealed somewhere around the village. The designs can be religious, festive or just great fun!

There are three ways to follow the project:

1 Download and print off a map showing the location of all the windows. Maybe even get the children to tick them off one by one as you go round!

2 Open the online Advent Calendar and “open” the windows each day, just like you would with a real calendar.

3 Open a list view of all the windows as they are revealed and try to decide which is your favourite!

All the windows so far this year have been splendid, so it is a real treat to walk or drive around the village at the moment. Sixteen down, eight to go!

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Posted 15 December 2016
Love Every Drop?

This morning outside the school there was water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. The water main on Station Road burst – again.

The section of pipe has been dug up many times over the past couple of years, and this leak resulted in several properties, including the school, losing their water.

Anglian Water has closed the road and is working on it and service is expected to be restored some time tonight (not by 4pm as it says currently on the Anglian Water web site).

The water main will be repaired, not replaced, so how long before it goes again is anyone’s guess.

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Posted 12 December 2016
New Project Making A Splash In Brackley

A ground breaking ceremony was held last week to mark the start of construction on Brackley’s new swimming pool and leisure centre.

The new facility will replace the old swimming pool on Manor Road.

The development is a collaboration between South Northants Council (SNC) and Legacy Leisure.

Works are expected to take twelve months and may involve some local disruption at certain times. More details are available at the Brackley Leisure Centre web site.

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Posted 07 December 2016
It’s Going To Be Thigh-Slappingly Good!

It’s almost time! The make up is going on, the rehearsals are almost over, the players are word perfect (OK, maybe that last bit isn’t quite true yet!).

The Bridge Players’ Christmas Panto 2016 starts tommorow with perfromances on Thursday and Friday and two on Saturday.

If you haven’t got your tickets yet you need to hurry. Thursday and Saturday night are completely sold out. There are a very few tickets left for Friday night (7:30 p.m.) and the Saturday matinee (2:30 p.m.). Tickets are available from Becky ([phone number removed]) or Dave ([phone number removed]) and cost just £7 adults, £5 concessions (under 16 or over 65) and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is just £20.

>>> See the report and photos here!! <<<

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Posted 04 December 2016
Flying The Flag For Helmdon

Helmdon Parish Council is looking at the possibility of having a flag pole for the village and is searching for one or more volunteer Flag Masters.

According to the Department for Culture and Media and Sport, there are 17 occasions in the year when the Union Flag is flown for formal occasions. It can also be flown at half mast to mark events such as the death of a monarch.

The parish council will likely purchase a range of flags to mark different occasions, and there may even be an opportunity to design a very special Helmdon flag.

Being first or reserve Flag Master is not intended to be an onerous job. You will look after the flags and flag pole and will operate according to a policy that has been agreed by the parish council. It is an opportunity to do something very visual for the village and maybe even bring a smile to peoples’ faces (who remembers the birthday flags at Leedon Tye?!).

If you are interested in being Helmdon’s first official Flag Master, or you would just like more details, please contact the Clerk to Helmdon Parish Council, Helen du Bois, by e-mail at parishcouncil@helmdon.com.

The council will be discussing the project at its next meeting on 25 January 2017.

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Posted 29 November 2016
Get Ready For Advent Windows

Following the success of the Helmdon Advent Windows last year the team is once again preparing for a big show throughout December. Each evening a new window will be revealed at a location around the village.

The first window will be revealed on Thursday (1 December) at Helmdon Primary School.

Visit the clickable advent calendar to see the locations and photos of all the windows as they are revealed.

You can also download a map and list of all the windows to tick them off as you visit them!

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Posted 24 November 2016
Local Flyposting Only Please

The sight of telegraph poles adorned with flyers is a common one in Helmdon; particularly at this time of year when there’s so much going on!

Helmdon Parish Council discussed the issue at its meeting last night and the consensus was that information from Helmdon people advertising Helmdon events was acceptable but that posters advertising, for example, oriental rug sales in Moreton Pinkney was not.

All flyers should be removed immediately after the event they advertised has past.

Flyers should be fixed securely and should ideally be laminated to stop them getting wet.

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Posted 19 Novemberr 2016
You Didn’t Use It, So You’re Going To Lose It

The BT Phone box near The Green on Station Road is likely to be decommissioned. BT has said that just four calls were made from it in the past twelve months.

Helmdon Parish Council has been consulted on the removal and will decide what response to make at its meeting to be held on Wednesday 23 November 2016.

The removal is part of a country-wide programme by BT to remove unused payphones to reduce maintenance costs.

If you think the payphone in Helmdon should be saved then you need to attend the parish council meeting and make your voice heard. If you don’t moan, you soon won’t be able to phone!

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Posted 16 Novemberr 2016
Lights, Camera, Action!

The Helmdon Bridge Players are busy (oh no they’re not, oh yes they are) getting ready for the Christmas Panto, Dick Whittington.

The dedicated troupe have been rehearsing twice a week for the past six weeks in the school hall and its really beginning to come together (well, for some of them anyway!).

Tickets are now on sale. There are four performances and tickets go quick so don’t delay, get yours today!

The performances are on Thursday 8 December, Friday 9 December and Saturday 10 December 2016, all starting at 7:30 p.m. The fourth performance is a matinee on the Saturday starting at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are available from Becky ([phone number removed]) or Dave ([phone number removed]) and cost just £7 adults, £5 concessions (under 16 or over 65) and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is just £20.

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Posted 14 Novemberr 2016
Souper Moon

This evening the moon will be the closest it’s been for almost seventy years.

The “perigee moon” will be 14% closer and appear 30% brighter than usual. The best time to see it is in the early evening as the moon rises.

The next time it will be as close is in 2034.

Of course, the whole thing is weather dependent, so if it is a drizzly, cloudy evening you may not see much at all!

[Update: As it turned out the British weather did indeed let us down and it was cloudy on Monday and Tuesday. The best time to see the moon was actually very early on Wednesday morning (16 November 2016) where it didn’t look much bigger but it was definitely very, very bright.]

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Posted 12 Novemberr 2016
Never Mind The Weather

Despite the drizzle a small but hearty band of volunteers turned out this morning to clear the footpath through the allotments.

The working party was organised by the Helmdon Parish Paths Group, which exists to improve and promote the footpath network in Helmdon.

If you would like to get involved with the group, or would just like to know when the occasional working parties are just get in touch with any member of the Parish Paths Group.

This morning’s rain is forecast to give way to a drier afternoon and evening; just right for tonight’s fireworks extravaganza at the Acorns.

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Posted 11 Novemberr 2016
Lest we Forget

Once again the village remembers all those who fought during the two World Wars and other conflicts, and those who gave their lives to protect ours.

To commemorate this Remembrance Day the Local History Group has published a new edition of Helmdon’s War Memorial – The Men Behind the Names. The book was first published in November 2014 to mark the centenary of the start of World War I and it has now been refreshed with newly-researched and discovered information. It records the personal details and stories of the servicemen whose names appear on the Helmdon War Memorial and includes details of boys from Helmdon School who fought in the war.

A Remembrance Day Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St Mary Magdalene Church, Helmdon, with a parade to and service at the War Memorial from 10:50 a.m. All members of the public are welcome to attend either or both services.

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Posted 08 Novemberr 2016
Countdown To Fireworks!

Whilst most people had their fireworks fun last weekend, Helmdon’s is still all to look forward to. The 5th Annual Acorns Fireworks takes place on Saturday, 12 November 2016 at the Acorns building on Hinton’s Close.

The bonfire is building up nicely (let’s hope the sheep are out of the way by Saturday!) and the Helmdon Acorns are readying the refreshments and music.

The bonfire is being lit around 5pm. Please note there is no parking at Acorns or in Hinton’s Close.

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Posted 03 Novemberr 2016
Don’t Be A Turnip, Recycle Your Pumpkin!

Helmdon enjoyed another classic Halloween, with hoardes of children rampaging through the village trick or treating! Fun was had by all and many residents entered into the spirit and decorated their houses with pumpkins and spider webs.

Now that Halloween is past you’ll be wanting to get rid of those pumpkins, but please don’t put them in the black wheelie bin! They count as food/garden waste, so you can put them in your food caddy for collection this week, or if they are too big you can put them in your green wheelie bin for collection next week where they will go off for composting.

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Posted 30 October 2016
If I Could Turn Back Time…

The clocks have gone back (you have remembered the one on the oven haven’t you?!) and the nights are consequently darker. Helmdon is a very safe place to live but this time of year is always a time to be extra careful and extra vigilant.

Dog walkers, joggers and children going to school should all stick to the mantra “See and be seen!”. LED lights and modern high viz clothing and backpacks like the ones above mean that no one should be missed in the dark.

The dark nights also provide more opportunity for burglars so keep an extra look out. There is an active Neighbourhood Watch in the village and anything unusual should be reported to the co-ordinator, Steve Wheeler, or to one of the NW contacts or to the police.

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Posted 22 October 2016
Double, Double, Toil And Trouble

It’s that time of year. The school is off for half term having held its annual Halloween disco, the clocks go back on Sunday 30 October (boo!) and it’s almost time for fireworks (Helmdon’s are on Saturday 12 November 2016).

It’s a great time for kids with dressing up, parties and Halloween treasure hunts.

Remember to keep safe, keep warm and enjoy!

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Posted 18 October 2016
What Have We Bin Saying?

Residents in South Northamptonshire said that household recycling and food/garden waste collections are the most important service the council provides, in response to a recent survey, with household waste collection the second priority identified.

During June and July of this year the customer satisfaction survey was sent to a sample of households across the district in order to better understand how satisfied residents are with the services the council provides.

Over 70 per cent of residents are satisfied with SNC’s services overall and 85 per cent were satisfied with their local area as a place to live.

The survey information will be used by SNC alongside budget information when reviewing and agreeing the council’s priorities for the 2017/18 business plan.

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Posted 12 October 2016
Raking It In

Helmdon’s churchyard is a beautiful, tranquil, natural space, but it takes an army of volunteers to keep it all under control. There are several different areas, each with a different management plan.

Clear ups are held at regular intervals, particularly when the grass is growing quickly. This weekend, as autumn approaches, there are two working parties. The first is on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. and the second is on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. New helpers are always welcome to attend. Just turn up on the day or contact Judy Cairns ([phone number removed]) in advance for further information. Tools can be provided or you can bring your own. Rakes (and rakers) would be particularly handy for the Sunday.

The churchyard is a space that all can enjoy, but to keep it that way takes a lot of work. Please consider joining the team, even if you can only spare a few hours a couple of times a year.

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Posted 09 October 2016
The Indian Summer Continues

September 2016 was the equal second hottest since records began. It included the hottest day of the year and the hottest September day since 1911.

And so far the Indian summer has continued into October. This weekend was ideal weather for harvesting vegetables and starting to “put the garden to bed” for the winter.

The warm weather looks set to continue, with day time highs of 13 – 15 degrees for the next ten days. The longer range forecast is for temperatures to return to average towards the end of the month.

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Posted 06 October 2016
Protecting Our Heritage

Residents are being asked for their opinions on a strategy that aims to protect and preserve what is special about South Northamptonshire.

This week South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) launched a public consultation on its Conservation Strategy which sets out the council’s responsibilities and aspirations for the historic environment of the district, and proposes an action plan to ensure heritage assets are properly conserved for this, and future generations.

Cllr Roger Clarke, portfolio holder for planning and environment, said: “The heritage of our district is one of the many things that make South Northants a special place in which to live, work and visit. “It’s in the ground beneath our feet, it’s in the shape of our landscape, and in the placing of our fields, villages, and towns. “As a local authority we have a duty to deliver a sustainable future for our heritage assets and that is what the strategy sets out to do.

The consultation runs until Wednesday 16 November 2016 and the draft strategy is available to download from the consultations page of the SNC web site.

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Posted 30 September 2016
Meet Helmdon’s Newest Councillor

Helmdon Parish Council has co-opted Robert Duncombe to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Sarah Adhemar.

Robert spoke at the council’s meeting held on Wednesday night and said that he could bring a new youthful point of view to proceedings. His joining the council has certainly reduced the average age of councillors somewhat!

Robert joins his father on the council; Paul Duncombe was elected to the council in 2007.

Details of all the parish councillors are available in the parish council section.

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Posted 27 September 2016
All Welcome At The Parish Council Meeting

All meetings of Helmdon Parish Council are open to the public, and the next one is Wednesday 28 September 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room on Church Street.

This month the council will be deciding how to spend the £1,000 Best Village prize money, receiving an update on flooding issues, hearing the latest from the Blackpits Recycling Centre Monitoring Group, and choosing a new councillor to fill the current casual vacancy. Plus much more! You can see the full agenda in the parish council section.

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Posted 21 September 2016
An Opportunity To Join The Parish Council

Due to the resignation of Sarah Adhemar an opportunity has arisen to join Helmdon Parish Council.

There are nine seats on the council, which currently meets every two months with various committees meeting in between. See the minutes page to get an idea of recent activity.

It is an opportunity to have your say and give something back to the community.

Members of the council must be over 18 and be a British citizen or member of the Commonwealth. In addition, they must live in the parish or within three miles of it, or have their main or only place of work in the parish.

Expressions of interest should be submitted to Helen du Bois, Clerk to the Council, at parishcouncil@helmdon.com by 5pm on Monday 26 September 2016. You will be invited to the council’s meeting on Wednesday 28 September where the council will choose from the candidates presented.

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Posted 16 September 2016
Is Your Journey Affected?

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the current roadworks at the McDonald’s roundabout on the A43 then the contractor, BAM Nuttall Ltd, would like to hear from you.

A dedicated project telephone number and email address have been set up so if you have any queries or concerns regarding the work, you can contact the public liaison officer team by calling [phone number removed] or emailing [email address removed].

The contractor is keen to ensure that people and businesses continue to be involved and informed about the scheme and understand what will be happening. A public engagement event will be held on Saturday 24 September 2016 at the Site Offices (Opposite Bell Plantation Garden Centre). This is a good opportunity to speak directly to project team to find out more about the work and how the improvements will be delivered. The event runs from 10am until 3pm.

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Posted 10 September 2016
What A Grand Idea

Helmdon Parish Council will soon be deciding what to do with the £1,000 prize money that goes along with the title of 2016 Northamptonshire Best Village.

Ideas are sought for what you would like to see the money spent on. It might be something costing up to a thousand pounds, or something more expensive that the money could be put towards.

Ideas are invited from all sections of the community, young or not so young but sensible and polite suggestions only please!

Simply send your idea by e-mail to Helen du Bois, Clerk to the Council at parishcouncil@helmdon.com. Ideas must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday 19 September 2016 and all sensible suggestions will be considered at the council’s meeting on 28 September.

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Posted 07 September 2016
Walking The Walk

A group of around thirty villagers walked from Helmdon to Sulgrave via Stuchbury on Saturday 3 September 2016 to commemorate the successful end of a battle that lasted more than six years.

On 15 February 2010 Broadview Energy Ltd announced a proposal to build a wind farm on land known as Spring Farm Ridge between Helmdon and Greatworth. After six years and several appeals and appeals of appeals that proposal is now dead.

The route crossed the very fields where the turbines would have been and took in views of the intimate countryside that would have been so greatly affected.

Helmdon’s Keith Jones, Chairman of the Helmdon, Stuchbury & Greatworth Wind Farm Action Group (HSGWAG), which has now been formally disbanded, said “It has been a roller coaster ride… with everyone’s help we got there“.

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Posted 03 September 2016
Fifty Years Since The Last Whistle

Fifty years ago today, on Saturday 3 September 1966, locomotive No. 44984 pulled the final service on the Great Central Railway from Nottingham Victoria to Marylebone via Helmdon.

The Great Central station in Helmdon had long since closed and the line was only open to semi-fast services but it must have been a sight to see the last train steam through.

The occasion is being remembered with a mini gala over the weekend at the Great Central heritage railway centre in Loughborough.

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Posted 02 September 2016
Celebration Walk

A guided walk will depart from Helmdon School tomorrow, Saturday 3 September 2016, on a celebratory procession to Sulgrave and all are welcome to join in.

The walk is over ground that would have been occupied and overlooked by the wind turbines that will not now be built at Spring Farm Ridge.

The walk departs from the school at 10:30 a.m. and will finish at Sulgrave Farm with refreshments around 1:00 p.m. Transport back from Sulgrave for those that don’t feel like walking back can be arranged. See the walk details and route for further information.

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Posted 30 August 2016
And They’re Off

A record number of runners turned up on bank holiday Monday to compete in the 7th Helmdon Hurler.

The race started and finished at the Bell on a day that was warmer than expected. The 4.2 mile race was won by David Hollidge in a very impressive time of 24mins 28secs.

A full report, with times for all runners is on the Hurler race pages as well as a gallery of official race photos.

Congratulations to the race organisers and to all those that took part. Here’s to next year!

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Posted 29 August 2016
First In Shows

There can hardly be a more traditionally English way of heralding the end of summer than a Flower and Produce Show. And this year’s event at the Reading Room certainly didn’t disappoint.

The show organisers had to deal with a power outage during the show caused by the torrential storm outside that sent the Reading Room into total darkness; another sign of summer drawing to a close!

The talent on display was impressive. From the very serious and rigorously-judged “Six salad tomatoes” category to the more fun “Plate of decorated biscuits” for the under-sevens everyone gave it their best shot.

A fuller report is on the Gardening Club news page. We look forward to something even better in 2017!

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Posted 25 August 2016
It’s Pikachu!

Have you noticed an unusual amount of teenage activity around the church this summer? Sadly it’s not a successful Youth for Christ initiative; it’s all to do with the Pokémon GO craze.

The church is a designated PokéStop, as is the pub and the war memorial. These are places where players can go to obtain game items and hunt Pokémon.

Benefits of the game include getting the kids out of the house into the fresh air, but there are well-documented risks too.

If you’re an adult and you are totally discombobulated by the whole thing you’ll find a parent’s guide here!

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Posted 22 August 2016
The Casting Couch Awaits!

It’s that time of year again… oh no it isn’t… oh yes it is!

Pantomime auditions for this year’s performance of Dick Whittington & His Cat are to be held on Wednesday 7 September at the School Hall at 7.30pm (aged 14+).

If you fancy treading the boards the Bridge Players would love to see you there! They are also after backstage crew, help with makeup/costume and more! If you are interested then please get in touch. For more information or details please contact Robert Duncombe or Becky Leitelmayer.

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Posted 09 August 2016
Runner Beans or Been Running?

The village is gearing up for a bank holiday of fun and friendly competition. Whatever floats your boat you are sure to find a challenge to test you.

On Saturday 27 August 2016 it is the Helmdon Flower & Produce Show where growers, bakers, craftsmen and artists can show off their wares and skills. There is a diverse range of classes, from best garden patio display to heaviest marrow and from best Victoria Sandwich to most unusual vegetable! For all the details and how to enter please visit the Gardening Club news page. Garden entries have already been judged and all other entries have to be in by Tuesday 23 August 2016.

On Monday 29 August 2016 the 7th Helmdon Hurler will whiz through the village. The 4.2 mile race around the Astwell track and through the village starts and finishes at the Bell Public House. The record time is just under 24 minutes, but don’t be intimidated by the professionals because even if you take several hours there will be a warm welcome for you at the Bell afterwards! Pre-registration is encouraged and you’ll find all the details and a registration form on the Helmdon Hurler race page.

Don’t get stuck for hours in bank holiday traffic; all the fun you need will be right here in Helmdon!

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Posted 05 August 2016
And It’s A No From Us

Cautious optimism has spread across Helmdon this week. After a six and a half year battle it looks like the fight against the proposed wind farm development is finally over.

The time for developer Broadview Energy Limited to make a further appeal against the Court of Appeal decision has expired, meaning that the planning application is effectively dead.

The Helmdon Stuchbury & Greatworth Windfarm Action Group (HSGWAG), which led the battle on behalf of the communities that would have been affected, will hold what might be its last meeting over the next few days.

HSGWAG Chairman, Keith Jones, said “We have the result we set out to achieve albeit that it took longer than anyone thought.“

Read the HSGWAG closing statement here.

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Posted 28 July 2016
A Grand Problem

With Helmdon’s title of 2016 Northamptonshire Best Village comes £1,000 in prize money to spend on something for the village.

At its meeting last night Helmdon Parish Council decided to ask residents of Helmdon what they would like to see the money spent on. It might be something costing up to a thousand pounds, or something more expensive that the money could be put towards.

Ideas are invited from all sections of the community, young or not so young but sensible and polite suggestions only please!

Simply send your idea by e-mail to Helen du Bois, Clerk to the Council at parishcouncil@helmdon.com. Ideas must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday 19 September 2016 and all will be considered at the council’s meeting on 28 September.

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Posted 19 July 2016
It’s Play Time!

Now that summer has well and truly arrived (I hope that’s not famous last words), what could be better than whiling away the long summer holiday days at the school field.

Helmdon Parish Council has an agreement with the school for the use of the school field for the general public outside school hours.

Some of the play equipment on the field is provided by the school and some by the parish council, including the newly refurbished monkey bars and climbing apparatus above.

Responsible use of the school field by all over the summer holidays is highly encouraged!

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Posted 12 July 2016
We Are The Champions, We Are The Champions!

Helmdon has been crowned the Best Village in Northamptonshire – again!

The award was handed to the chairman of the parish council, John Coatsworth, at an award ceremony held at the Hunsbury Hill Centre, home of the competition organisers Northants ACRE.

Helmdon has won the prestigious title on six previous occasions, most recently in 2014.

There are three categories in the competition: small villages (under 500 population), medium (500 – 1499) and large (1500- 6000). Helmdon competes in the medium villages category. The overall winner is chosen from the winners of the three categories.

The competition is sponsored by B. Hollowell & Son Funeral Plans and prize money of £1,000 has been awarded to Helmdon to spend on something for the community.

Further details and the full results and judges’ comments will be added to the web site as soon as they are published.

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Posted 07 July 2016
Pooling Resources

Work will begin in the next few months on a brand new swimming complex in Brackley.

Planning permission has been granted to build the new pool at the Leisure Centre on Springfield Way. The new facility will replace the old pool on Manor Road and will include a new 25m, six lane swimming pool, learner pool and wet-changing village, a new reception, café, meeting room, refurbished dry-side changing facilities, a bespoke spinning studio, and a new 100 station health and fitness suite.

It is hoped that the new pool will be completed by October 2017 and the facility will be operated on behalf of South Northants Council by Parkwood Leisure Limited.

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Posted 03 July 2016
On Your Marks

This time next week a new British Grand Prix Champion will have been crowned, but there’s an awful lot to happen before then. The Silverstone Traffic Management Plan is in the process of being made ready, with road closures starting on Friday.

As usual, the A43 will be closed to through traffic from 0700 to 2100 on Friday and Saturday and from 0600 to 2100 on Sunday. There will be one-way systems in place between the Welsh Lane (B4525) and Towcester during these times.

The Helmdon-Wappenham-Abthorpe road is not an official diversion for vehicles but no doubt there will be the usual increase in traffic leading up to and over Grand Prix weekend.

For more information see http://www.silverstone.co.uk.

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Posted 01 July 2016
Great British Traditions

Amongst the best of British traditions are the Church Fete and rain during Wimbledon week. Tomorrow promises to combine the two in quintessential style.

The annual Helmdon Church Fete takes place at the church and opposite at Manor Farm from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday 2 July 2016. And looking at the weather forecast it might be an idea to bring along a brolly.

But never fear, you can duck into the church in between showers and there will be plenty of stalls to shelter under too whilst having a go on the tombola or browsing through the bric-a-brac stall.

Let’s support the church and show that we Brits won’t be put off by the odd shower or two!

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Posted 25 June 2016
South Northants Follows Its MP

The counting is over and the British people have voted to leave the EU.

In South Northamptonshire the turnout was 79.4% with 54.3% (30,771) voting to leave and 45.7% (25,853) voting to remain.

The outcome will please local MP, Andrea Leadsom, who was one of the lead Conservatives for the leave campaign.

The fallout included the resignation yesterday of Prime Minister David Cameron and today the resignation of Lord Hill, the UK’s EU Commissioner.

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Posted 23 June 2016
Another Hurdle Cleared

The latest appeal by wind farm developer Broadview Energy has been dismissed in the Court of Appeal.

So as things stand the Spring Farm Ridge wind farm development will not proceed.

The appeal revolved around a “tea room conversation” between Andrea Leadsom MP and Kris Hopkins MP which, Broadview claimed, had introduced bias in to the decision of the Secretary of State to refuse planning permission.

The judgment published on 22 June 2016 states that “those events are not such as to justify quashing the Secretary of State’s decision“.

What happens next remains to be seen, but this is an important battle won for the Helmdon, Stuchbury & Greatworth Wind Farm Action Group (HSGWAG) and the vast majority of Helmdon residents that are against the proposed development.

Further news and reaction will be posted here in due course.

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Posted 22 June 2016
Sponsorship Opportunity

The Helmdon Hurler is now in its seventh year. All surplus funds go to support village groups and the event has so far been able to donate over £3,000.

Entry fees just about cover the event running costs, so to enable the event to generate funds for donation we need the help of local businesses. If there are any Helmdon businesses that would like to support the event, and in turn the village, please email Bob Lenton or call him on [phone number removed]. Any contribution you could provide would be gratefully appreciated.

The 7th Hurler takes place on Monday 29 August 2016 and is an England Athletics Affiliated Race.

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Posted 19 June 2016
Please Form An Orderly Queue

Any person interested has the right to inspect Helmdon Parish Council’s accounts. If you are entitled and registered to vote in local council elections then you (or your representative) also have the right to ask the appointed auditor questions about the council’s accounts or object to an item of account contained within them.

The period for the Exercise of Public Rights runs for 30 days and began on 17 June 2016. Electors “have the right to inspect the accounting records for 2015/16 and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts and other documents relating to those records or documents”. Click here for the public notice or to read more about your rights see the auditor’s briefing notes.

If you have any questions regarding the inspection of the accounts please contact Helen du Bois, Clerk to Helmdon Parish Council.

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Posted 17 June 2016
Burning Ambitions?

If it stops raining this weekend (and that’s a big if!) then some people might be tempted to rush into the garden and get on top of the triffid-like vegetation. But bear in mind that the vegetation is very damp and any attempt to burn it will result in a lot of smoke.

There is no law against having a bonfire of home produced organic material at home but if it causes a nuisance then it might give rise to a complaint from an affected neighbour.

Smoke from bonfires can damage people’s health; particularly children. the elderly and those with asthma and other breathing problems and bonfires pollute the environment and worsen air quality.

If you would like to look up the rules about having a bonfire, or if you would like to find out how to complain about someone who is having a bonfire then visit the bonfire guidelines page on the South Northants Council web site.

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Posted 15 June 2016
Road Closed

The Wappenham Road, just outside the village will be closed today for up to three days.

The diversion takes inbound traffic over to Syresham and back along the Welsh Lane.

The closure is so that Anglia Water can supply services to the new house that has been built near the sports field.

It is unlikely the road will be closed for the duration – but it could be.

If you require more information about the works please contact Luke Payne at Northamptonshire Highways on [phone number removed].

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Posted 12 June 2016
Happy Birthday Your Highness!

Around one hundred and fifty locals braved the weather to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with a village picnic on the school field on Sunday 12 June 2016.

Despite the thunder that threatened to drown out the singing of “Happy Birthday,” and the rain, which at times was torrential, the crowds kept up their true British spirit.

The Porterhouse Jazz Band made sure there was a good atmosphere and the kids enjoyed having space to play football and other games.

The organisers would have hoped for better weather, but what could be more quintessentially British than singing in the rain!

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Posted 06 June 2016
You’re Invited!

Helmdon Primary School is holding a special assembly on Friday – and you’re invited!

The school is marking The Queen’s 90th Birthday with a special assembly on the school field from 2 – 3pm.

The school says “We would like to invite members of our community to join us in celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday on Friday June 10th from 2 – 3pm. This will be instead of our normal achievement assembly and will be on the school field. You will need to sign in at the office before joining us on the field. We look forward to seeing you there!”

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Posted 01 June 2016
Parish Council Grants Wishes

Each year Helmdon Parish Council allocates approximately 10% of its precept income (around £1,400) to a small grants scheme, which is open to any group or organisation in the village.

The parish council received a good response this year and at its meeting on Wednesday last week considered which grant applications to approve.

In lieu of the council organising anything directly to celebrate The Queen’s birthday a decision was made to use last year’s grant budget underspend to increase the budget slightly and approve all the grants connected with the celebration, including £200 to the PCC towards the village picnic, £260 to the school for the purchase of commemorative coins and £250 to the Fellowship towards their Queen’s birthday buffet lunch.

Other grants approved included £120 to the Jubilee Wood for the purchase of a circular tree bench, £140 to Acorns Pre-School to send a member of staff on a dance and movement training course, £200 to the PCC to update the sound system in the church and £250 to Whistley 2000 Scouts towards repairs to the scout building.

The total awarded, including the grants towards the royal celebrations, was £2,450.

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Posted 28 May 2016
London • New York • Helmdon!

What was it like to serve The Queen aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia? What is Nicole Kidman’s favourite tipple? You can ask these questions and many more if you come to a talk by William French, butler to royalty and the stars.

The talk is being organised by Helmdon Women’s Club and is open to all. It is on Wednesday 15 June 2016 at 7:45 p.m. in the Reading Room, Church Street. Click here to download a poster with full details.

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Posted 26 May 2016
Did You See Anything?

A white Renault Master van (pictured above) was this afternoon stolen from Syresham from a delivery driver whilst he was delivering parcels. The van was found approximately one hour later parked at the bottom of Church Street in Helmdon – minus the parcels.

If you saw any suspicious activity in the area please report it to the police on 101 or call Crime Stoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111 or report it on line.

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Posted 19 May 2016
Ready, Set… Bake!!

Men of Helmdon, it’s time to get off your soggy bottoms and release your inner Hollywood! It’s time to show that men can bake just as well as women!

This year’s Flower & Produce Show will be held in the Reading Room on Saturday 27 August 2016 and one of the classes – for men only – is to bake a toffee apple cake!

Other classes include longest runner bean, heaviest marrow, six plum tomatoes, flower arrangement in an unusual container and a jar of lemon curd. There are also classes for children under 7 and 8 – 12.

See the Gardening Club news page for all the classes explained in the show schedule as well as entry forms and the all-important toffee apple cake recipe.

Have a go – you never know!

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Posted 12 May 2016
A Snake In The Grass

There will be drama, intrigue, evil deeds and double crossing in the Reading Room in June. No, it’s not a meeting of the parish council, it’s the Bridge Players’ summer play!

This year’s production is A Snake in the Grass by Alan Ayckbourn, a tale of lost inheritances, family dispute and maybe even murderous intent.

There are performances on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at £7 adults, £5 concessions from Morag ([phone number removed]) or Becky ([phone number removed]). Tickets normally sell fast, so get in quick!

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Posted 09 May 2016
You Know You Want To!

Anyone can run the Helmdon Hurler. Young or old, fit or couch potato, you can challenge yourself to run a personal best, or you can just aim to complete the course whatever the time.

The 7th Helmdon Hurler will be run on Monday 29 August 2016, starting and finishing at the Bell, Helmdon.

Click here for the entry form, put the date in your diary and start your training today!

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Posted 04 May 2016
Time To Choose

The polls open tomorrow, Thursday 5 May 2016, to elect a new Police & Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire.

Adam Simmonds, who has held the post for four years, is stepping down and will be replaced by one of three candidates: MCKEEVER, Kevin (Labour Party), MOLD, Stephen Graham (Conservative Party Candidate) and WATTS, Sam (UK Independence Party (UKIP)).

More information about each candidate is available here.

The Polling Station is at the Reading Room, Church Street and it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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Posted 29 April 2016
A Bag Of The Black Stuff

The operator of Blackpits Recycling Centre, Material Change, has arranged for some 10mm compost to be available next week ready for a give-away day on Saturday 7th May 2016 between the hours of 08:00 – 12:00.

Compost will be stockpiled on the storage pad to the left of the weighbridge at the Blackpits site. There will also be some “digestate” available to residents, which is the material produced from the anaerobic digestion process on site. This is a nutrient rich product as well, high in nitrogen and very good for gardens.

The site will be operational and vehicles will be coming into site to make deliveries so residents are asked to pull their vehicles clear off the road and onto the pad and not block the access to the weighbridge.

Please also take your own spades and bags/buckets to fill. Quantities will be limited to 5 bags/buckets per household and loading of trailers is not permitted. Please be vigilant about lorries entering the site – you are responsible for your own health and safety whilst on site.

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Posted 28 April 2016
Last Call For Applications

Applications to Helmdon Parish Council’s Small Grants Scheme 2016 opened on 1 April 2016.

Small grants are available to any group or organisation that benefits the community of Helmdon and are typically in the order of £50 – £250 pounds (although there is no set limit).

Applications must be made using the form, which is available to download here in Word or PDF format.

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2016, which is this Saturday! The grants will be awarded at the parish council meeting to be held on 25 May 2016.

If you have any questions about the Small Grants Scheme please contact the Clerk, Helen du Bois.

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Posted 27 April 2016
Fetch the Engines…

A plume of smoke could be seen rising over Helmdon this morning as a fire breaks out at the old top station site.

The fire is in the derelict goods shed near the old weighbridge building.

Fire appliances from Brackley are attending.

UPDATE (18:40): The fire was brought under control and the area made safe by the emergency services. Sadly the goods shed was completely destroyed. The police are treating the incident as arson. If you have any information at all relating to this crime please ring 101 and quote crime number 16000098581.

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Posted 19 April 2016
Your Village – Your Meeting

It’s THE most exciting event of the year. Yes, it’s the 2016 Annual Parish Meeting for Helmdon!!

Well OK, perhaps “most exciting” is a slight exaggeration although this year’s APM on Wednesday 27 April is looking like one of the more interesting ones in recent years.

Guest speakers include Graham Roberts from Sulgrave who will be shedding light on how Sulgrave Parish Council replaced all the street lighting in Sulgrave, so that Helmdon can learn the tricks and potential pitfalls. Then the meeting will hear from Steve Barber from Northants County Council who has speeding in Helmdon on his radar.

Joining the guest speakers will be Helmdon’s representatives at South Northants Council, Cllr Simon Marinker and Northants County Council, Cllr Ian Morris. It’s a great opportunity to hear from them and ask any questions you may have about council services.

Light refreshments will be served from 7:15 p.m. and the meeting gets underway at 7:30. Download the full programme here.

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Posted 18 April 2016
It Could Be A Life Saver!

After a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation reduces someone’s chance of survival by 10 per cent.

That’s why Helmdon Primary School has purchased a public-access defibrillator and mounted it on the front wall of the school on Station Road.

The defibrillator can be used by anyone – dial 999 and the operator will give you the access code then follow the instructions.

Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) are charities that try to prevent avoidable deaths. A defibrillator may not be of any help – then again it might just be a life saver!

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Posted 11 April 2016
This Way Or That Way?

The Cabinet of South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) met this evening to approve a £100,000 budget for investigating the options for forming a future unitary authority.

Currently some services are delivered by SNC (e.g. waste collection, council tax collection, leisure facilities) whilst others are delivered by Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) (e.g. highways, education, adult social care). A “unitary authority” combines these two tiers of local government into one.

SNC is looking to spend £50,000 looking at the possibilities of collaborating with district councils in Oxfordshire and the other £50,000 looking at the possibilities of collaborating with district councils in Northamptonshire.

You can read more about the proposals on the SNC Cabinet pages, or better still come along to the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 27 April 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room, Church Street and hear directly from our district councillor, Cllr Simon Marinker.

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Posted 31 March 2016
Cash For Village Groups

Helmdon Parish Council’s Small Grants Scheme 2016 officially opens its doors tomorrow, 1 April.

Small grants are available to any group or organisation that benefits the community of Helmdon and are typically in the order of £50 – £250 pounds (although there is no set limit).

Applications must be made using the form, which is available to download here in Word or PDF format.

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2016 and the grants will be awarded at the parish council meeting to be held on 25 May 2016.

If you have any questions about the Small Grants Scheme please contact the Clerk, Helen du Bois.

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Posted 22 March 2016
The Good Life

Have you ever wanted your very own slice of the good life but don’t have the space in your garden? Perhaps you want to be able to show the kids where food comes from and how to grow things from scratch?

Well now’s your chance! Allotment plots don’t come up very often in Helmdon but now the Parish Council has two available!

The rent is just £10 per year and this is waived for the first year to recognise that incoming plot holders may have a bit of work on their hands to get the plot just the way they want it. So yes, this is basically FREE LAND!

If you want to take on the challenge, pleasure and rewards of growing your own fruit and vegetables then apply now by e-mail to the Parish Clerk. You’ve got nothing to lose!

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Posted 16 March 2016
A Message From SMS

There’s a new kid on the block as SMS X Trav Ltd moves into the Jeffs site on Station Road.

SMS X Trav run a fleet of executive coaches, taxis and cars. Katrina Malyshenko from SMS says “We have taken over the lease from Jeff’s travel and will be moving to Helmdon in the next week or so“.

“The office, taxi and executive car side of the company will remain at our Towcester site and our coaches and workshop will be based in Helmdon“.

The firm runs a vast array of excursions and day trips and would be pleased to operate a pick up and drop off point in the village should an individual or group wish to book.

The SMS web site is due to be relaunched soon, but you’ll find the current site at http://www.smsxtrav.co.uk.

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Posted 12 March 2016
New Simple Reporting System For Bad Odours

Last summer there were some days when bad smells invaded the village. Rightly or wrongly, the blame was laid at the door of the composting site at Blackpits but while we may have grumbled about it among ourselves, we didn’t always get around to making a complaint.

The new Blackpits Monitoring Group wants to increase the reporting of bad smells to see if it can pin down where they are coming from and what specifically is causing them in order to see if they can be stopped or at least reduced.

A new simple report form can be found on the Monitoring Group’s page. Please use this form whenever you experience a bad smell and fill in as much of the information requested as possible. Copies of the form are sent automatically to the Blackpits operators, to the Environment Agency and to our Monitoring Group so that incidents can be followed up and, hopefully, solutions can be found.

In addition to bad odours you can know also report potholes, other highway issues and broken street lights via the web site. Just go to www.helmdon.com/report and follow the links.

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Posted 05 March 2016
Clean For The Queen

The village entrance signs on the Brackley side of the village have been given a bit of spit n’ polish today as part of the national Clean for the Queen campaign.

Organised by Keep Britain Tidy and other environmental groups Clean for The Queen is a campaign to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June.

Communities all over the country are engaged in litter picks, tidy-ups and spring cleans. The campaign kicks off in earnest this weekend but events can take place any time over the next couple of months.

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Posted 28 February 2016
Work Begins At McDonald’s Roundabout

Works are about to get underway at the Abthorpe roundabout, known locally as the McDonald’s roundabout in Towcester.

For commuters from Helmdon travelling towards Northampton there may be some hold ups during the works, which are set to take more than a year.

The works beginning this week are to move all the services and utilities out of the way. The A43 will be down to a single lane between 9:30 and 15:00 each day, except Fridays when the restrictions will be removed due to the volume of traffic.

The phrase “It’ll be good when it’s finished” may or may not apply. The Tove roundabout at the junction of the A43 and A5 in Towcester, where similar works were completed in 2015 was received with mixed reviews.

To follow progress with the McDonald’s roundabout, and to sign up for e-mail updates, visit the Highways England web site.

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Posted 22 February 2016
Time To Make Your Voice Heard

The debate has begun: Should Britain stay in or leave the European Union? Electors in Helmdon will have an opportunity to give their answer on 23 June 2016 when the Reading Room will be turned into a polling station for the EU Referendum.

Helmdon’s representative in parliament, Andrea Leadsom MP has declared that she will vote to leave the EU. In an open letter to residents she says “This is not a decision that I have made quickly or easily, as I have been a strong advocate for reform within Europe for many years.“

To find out more about the vote visit the BBC’s “The UK’s EU referendum: All you need to know“.

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Posted 15 February 2016
Keep Out!

The public, and especially children, are advised to keep out of the old Jeffs yard on Station Road.

The site is private property and there are hazards including oils, chemicals, sharp objects and steep drops.

No one should be on the site without permission.

In addition to the risks intruders are committing the offence of burglary by entering the building and causing damage.

If you see anyone on the site please call the police on 101.

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Posted 06 February 2016
Bite The Ballot

This week’s National Voter Registration Drive aims to encourage everyone over the age of 18 to register to vote, and for those that are already registered to check that their details are accurate and up to date.

South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) is urging all eligible voters to ensure they have updated the electoral register with any changes including moving house or getting married. Sue Smith, Returning Officer for South Northamptonshire, said: “Anyone who wants to vote must ensure their details are up to date on the electoral register before 18 April – otherwise they could find themselves without a vote on polling day.”

The next opportunity to use your vote in Helmdon will be on Thursday 5 May 2016 for the election of a new Police & Crime Commissioner.

Later in the year there will also be the EU in/out referendum on a date yet to be confirmed.

To register as a voter visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

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Posted 03 February 2016
Foul!

Remember that it is an offence to not clear up after your dog when it fouls in a public place.

The vast majority of dog owners are of course highly responsible but there is an ongoing problem with dog fouling in Helmdon with Church Street and paths off being particularly bad.

In the winter it is a bigger problem because dogs are walked more frequently on pavements instead of heading out into the fields, and sometimes when it is dark an owner can’t see that their dog has fouled.

The solution is simple though. Take a torch with you and have sufficient bags to clear up whatever your dog leaves on the pavement.

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Posted 28 January 2016
The Results Are In!

Helmdon Parish Council says a big thank you to the 118 residents that responded to its survey over Christmas.

The results of the survey were considered at last night’s parish council meeting and the council’s decisions were all in line with the majority view in the survey. So sometimes consultation really is worthwhile!

The parish council decided to discontinue the quarterly publication Helmdon Voice and instead produce flyers or information sheets on an ad hoc basis should important matters require it.

The council decided to leave the war memorial as is (see above) and not replace the post and chain fence that was taken down last year at the end of its useful life.

The third decision was to investigate the purchase of a Speed Indicator Device, one that can be moved between several points in the village. This will be a capital project for the 2016/17 financial year.

Visit the parish council section for details of meetings, agendas, minutes and contacts details.

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Posted 23 January 2016
What’s On The Agenda?

A meeting of Helmdon Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 27 January 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room.

It’s a packed agenda including setting the budget and precept for 2016/17. A modest increase is planned to provide funds for several projects. The meeting will also consider the results of the village survey regarding the War Memorial, Helmdon Voice and speeding. The results of the survey and the parish council’s response will be published after the meeting.

All meetings of Helmdon Parish Council and its committees are open to members of the public. Please do consider coming along and taking part during the public participation session.

Click here for details of meetings and parish council contacts.

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Posted 17 January 2016
Snowy Sunday

The first snow of winter fell overnight and Helmdon woke up to a winter wonderland.

Only an inch or so fell but it was enough to make the village look spectacular. It didn’t last though and the vast majority had melted away by Sunday evening. It certainly wasn’t a patch on the snow in 2009… remember this?

The forecast for the week ahead suggests it will be cold but with no more snow. Perhaps that’s it for this winter? Sorry school kids!

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Posted 09 January 2016
The “Browsing Room”

The Reading Room has become the Browsing Room thanks to Tove Valley Broadband (TVB)!

Free wireless Internet access has been installed so that all users of the Reading Room can access the Internet whenever they are there. Look for a wireless network called HELMDONRR and log on! There is no password because it is intended to be free for users of the Reading Room.

TVB has a policy of providing free Internet access to public buildings in its catchment area, including schools, churches and village halls. Speeds of up to 65Mbps should be obtainable. Enjoy!

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Posted 05 January 2016
Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace

There are just a few days to go until the close of Helmdon Parish Council’s survey of village issues (see news below posted 17 December 2015).

If you would like to register your opinion then please click here to complete a very short survey. It is completely anonymous and will take less than two minutes to fill in. The survey closes on Sunday 10 January 2016. Please contribute and tell your friends and family in the village to share their thoughts too.

Thank you to those that have already filled in the survey; it’s been a surprisingly good response!

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Posted 01 January 2016
Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all our readers, wherever you are in the world!

2016 is a leap year and an Olympic year, so it is doubly special! It doesn’t seem like four years since the London Olympics, but the Games of the XXXI Olympiad take place in Rio from 5 – 21 August 2016.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 90th birthday in 2016 with events from 12 – 15 May, and of course there’s an extra special Trooping of the Colour in June. There are sure to be special events and parties in the village too.

On 5 May 2016 we will go to the Polling Station to elect a new Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC). The current PCC for Northamptonshire, Adam Simmonds, has announced that he is not seeking re-election, so there will definitely be someone new at the helm from May.

And last but not least the saga of the Broadview wind farm appeal continues and the latest hearing will be in the Royal Courts of Justice on either 19 or 20 May 2016. Keep up to date with all the latest news here on the web site.

Whatever 2016 brings it is sure to be a memorable one!

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Posted 29 December 2015
Winter, But Not As We Know It

This day last year there had been a wintry shower and the daytime temperature wasn’t creeping much above zero. But it’s a different story this year!

As we head towards the end of what has been one of the mildest Decembers on record there are spring flowers popping up around the village and daffodils poking above the ground.

The long range forecast suggests the unseasonably mild weather will continue for some time to come but nature has a way of evening things up, so don’t put away your toboggans just yet!

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Posted 27 December 2015
Don’t Forget Your Black Bin For Tomorrow!

The fact that Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall this year on the normal day for bin collection in Helmdon has meant more disruption than usual to the collection calendar.

The blue-bin collection that would normally have been on the Friday of Christmas Day took place instead on Monday 21 December.

The black-bin collection that would normally have taken place on the Friday of New Year’s Day will instead take place tomorrow, Monday 28 December, even though it is an observed bank holiday (because Boxing Day fell on a Saturday).

The collection calendar suggests that black wheelie bins and food caddies should be left out tomorrow, although there didn’t appear to be a food caddy collection on Monday, which there should have been according to the same calendar.

The schedule returns to normal on Friday 8 January 2016 (green and blue wheelie pins plus food caddies), and real Christmas trees can also be left out for this collection. Put your tree next to the green bin and make sure the tree is clear of decorations and cut in half if it is over 6ft.

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Posted 25 December 2015
What Do You Think?

Here’s wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. The web site team hopes you have a very safe and warm Christmas.

The weather outside is definitely not “frightful” but the Christmas spirit is not dampened.

The Advent Windows Project is complete and you can see all the windows on the online Advent Calendar. We hope you have enjoyed seeing the windows, whether on your travels around the village or on the web site.

This morning there is a Communion for Christmas Morning (10:00 a.m.) and on Sunday there is a Benefice Service (11:00 a.m.), both in St Mary Magdalene, Helmdon.

Merry Christmas Helmdon!

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Posted 17 December 2015
What Do You Think?

Helmdon Parish Council would like your views on three things before making decisions at its January meeting.

1. Helmdon Voice is the village newsletter and the parish council would like to know whether or not it is valued and should be continued.

2. The post and chain fence around the war memorial was removed recently, which led some to ask when it would be put back and others to say it looks better without! What’s your view?

3. Speeding is a perennial issue but is it time to do something about it? Do you think it would be worth purchasing one of those Speed Indicator Devices that you may have seen (and caused to flash?!) in other villages?

If you would like to register your opinion then please click here to complete a very short survey. It is completely anonymous and will take less than two minutes to fill in.

The survey is not detailed or particularly scientific, it is simply intended to gauge opinion. The results aren’t binding but the parish council will take them into account when making its decisions.

The survey closes on Sunday 10 January 2016. Please contribute and tell your friends and family in the village to share their thoughts too.

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Posted 13 December 2015
Real Life Advent Calendar

Helmdon has been turned into a real life advent calendar this year, with a new advent window being revealed each night.

The Advent Windows Project has lit up the village and made it full of festive cheer. Each night the next house will light up its window until we arrive at Christmas Day.

The windows are lit between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. and you can also see them on the web site advent calendar as they are unveiled.

Keep an eye out for a window near you. The full list of properties taking part is available here.

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Posted 10 December 2015
Gold Star For Helmdon School

Helmdon Primary School has been ranked the tenth best primary school in the country in the latest league tables published by The Telegraph.

The tables refer to Year 6 SATS results from May 2015, so congratulations to the 19 students who took those exams, all of whom achieved Level 4 and three quarters achieved Level 5.

It is a fantastic result for the school and a real credit to all the staff and children for their very hard work.

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Posted 8 December 2015
Once Upon A Time…

Mayhem and frivolity, custard pies in the face, men in women’s clothes and women in men’s clothes. No, it’s not just an ordinary night at the Adhemars’ – it’s the Bridge Players’ Christmas Panto of course!

The village was right royally entertained over the weekend with performances on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.

Click here for the whole story along with lots of photographic evidence!

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Posted 1 December 2015
Jeffs To Go Into Liquidation

News is breaking this evening that long-established Helmdon coach company Jeffs is to go into liquidation.

The collapse is said to be due to “the loss of contracts and a large bad debt”.

It won’t be a happy Christmas for Jeffs staff and customers, indeed another bus operator Home Counties Buses (‏@homecountiesbus) tweeted “Sad to hear of the cessation of Jeffs Travel, Helmdon. Thoughts go out to staff at this difficult time.“

Jeffs was purchased by the Bowen Travel Group in 2005 but ran into trouble in November 2012. It looked like the company would close its doors then but an investor was found and a rescue package was put together.

Whether this is now the end of the road for Jeffs remains to be seen.

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Posted 28 November 2015
It’s Chriiistmasss!

Today’s Church Bazaar marks the official start of Christmas in Helmdon! Villagers braved the inclement weather to browse bric-a-brac stalls, go on the tombola and make early Christmas present purchases from the arts and craft stalls. Tea and delicious cakes were on hand to warm the cockles whilst children were treated to an audience with Santa in his grotto.

There are lots of Christmas events in the village from now on. Check out the December diary so that you don’t miss a thing! And if you want to see the Panto there are only a few tickets left… oh no there isn’t… oh yes there is!

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Posted 20 November 2015
What’s On The Agenda?

It’s going to be a busy week for Helmdon Parish Council next week with no less than three public meetings!

On Tuesday 24 November the Planning and Finance Committees are meeting starting at 8:00 p.m. in the Reading Room. Included on the agenda is the consideration of the council’s budget for 2016/17 and consequently what the parish council’s portion of the Council Tax will be for next year.

On Wednesday 25 November the full council meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room. The packed agenda includes a proposal to transfer land in Station Road from South Northants Homes to Helmdon Parish Council. There are also items concerning gravel path, a makeover of the pump garden on Church Street, possible public celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday next year and a proposal to purchase a speed radar for the village.

All meetings of the parish council are open to members of the public so please do come along if you have an interest on any of the items on the agendas, or if you just want to see what happens!

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Posted 18 November 2015
We’re Going Underground!

The roadworks that have been ongoing for several months in Helmdon are nearing the end.

Western Power Distribution has been carrying out the works to take electricity supply cables off telegraph poles and put them underground, which should make the supply more reliable in the future.

Graeme Hill from WPD says “The works are scheduled to complete on Friday (20 November). There will be a lot of WPD vehicles on the road on Friday as we will be on site removing the redundant overhead line and poles. Please can we ask that residents keep the road clear of vehicles where possible and please be patient whilst this work is completed.”

Graeme adds “We have also been top soiling and seeding the verges however we have noticed that vehicles have driven over the verges leaving tyre tracks and dispersing the seeds. Once all the works are completed WPD will not be returning to site so please can I ask that people/delivery vehicles refrain from parking on the grass whilst the verges re-establish themselves.”

WPD has also given an undertaking to take away all their equipment and signage and leave the road surface in a good state. If you spot anything untoward please report it to Danny Moody, Parish Highways Warden.

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Posted 15 November 2015
Not Needed Here Thanks

Helmdon is an extremely safe and pleasant place to live, which makes isolated incidents of antisocial behaviour all the more alarming.

Over the past fortnight users of the village Facebook group have noted litter left on gravel path (see photo above) and speeding on Station Road. These things cause distress and are unnecessary. Worst of all the primary school has reported two incidences of vandalism and criminal damage at the school in the past fortnight and the police have been informed.

99.99% of people living in the village are extremely trustworthy and are proud of where they live so perhaps those responsible for recent events are not Helmdonites. If you see any untoward activity at all, particularly at the school outside school times, call 101 (999 in an emergency) or phone Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Posted 07 November 2015
Nobody Does It Better

The Acorns Bonfire Party was bigger and better than ever this year. The bonfire blazed away to keep everyone warm and the fireworks were a real treat.

The children ran round with glow sticks whilst the adults enjoyed burgers and hot dogs and some liquid refreshment.

The only trouble with being bigger and better each year is now we’re already looking forward to 2016!

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Posted 07 November 2015
That’s A Bit Crafty

As predicted below, the warm start to November didn’t last long! Today is windy and wet so if you don’t want to be outside why not head up to St Mary Magdalene Church, Helmdon for Crafts in the Church.

The doors opened at 10:00 a.m. and there is quite a buzz. There are all manner of crafts on display by talented locals: ceramics, knitting, greeting cards, jewellery, woodcrafts, needlework, Christmas gifts, art and photography. There is also a display of the Helmdon war memorial project.

For refreshment there is hot drinks and delicious cake and light lunches are available too.

Entrance is just £1 (children free) and the event is on until 4:00 p.m. today.

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Posted 01 November 2015
Make The Most Of It

Today was the warmest UK November day on record, with a temperature of 22.3C recorded in Trawsgoed, Wales. In Helmdon the temperature was 17C in the early afternoon.

The warm weather looks set to continue for a few more days, but make no mistake, winter is on the way!

But Northamptonshire County Council is reminding residents that cold weather doesn’t have to go hand in hand with illness. The NCC web site says “Find out what you can do to help you and your loved ones stay well this winter. Winter conditions can be seriously bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or over, and people with long-term conditions.

The web site suggests getting a flu jab (flu vaccinations are offered free of charge to people with serious health conditions, adults aged 65 or over, pregnant women and some carers). Children aged two, three, four, plus primary children in years one or two, are also eligible for a free nasal spray to protect them against flu and reduce its spread to other children, including any older brothers and sisters, their parents and grandparents.

If you are worried about keeping well and keeping warm this winter then visit the NCC pages for further tips and information.

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Posted 23 October 2015
Happy Halloween?

It’s a festival that seems to divide opinion. Some people embrace Halloween and go the whole hog with ghoulish decorations and scary costumes whilst others don’t want anything to do with it at all.

Trick or treat night in Helmdon is usually a very fun evening with the roads alive with witches, goblins, demons and zombies from just after dark for a couple of hours of harmless fun. But there are those that don’t consider it much fun at all.

In a normally quiet village the unusual noise can be quite alarming to some residents who perhaps don’t like to answer their door after dark. The unspoken rule is that if a house has no Halloween decorations then the occupants won’t welcome trick or treaters knocking on their door.

It’s a night to stay safe and have fun but to be respectful and understanding too. Happy Halloweeeeen!!!

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Posted 18 October 2015
Find Out More About HS2

In a letter to the Parish Clerk the MP for South Northamptonshire, Andrea Leadsom, has alerted the community to proposed amendments to the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill.

The amendments are available to view on line but the documents are highly technical and run to several hundred pages.

An easier way to find out about the changes, and about the project in general, is to attend a free information event to be held in Brackley Town Hall on Tuesday 3 November 2015 between 1pm and 7pm.

Maps and plans of the project will be on display and experts will be on hand to answer questions. The event is being organised by HS2 Ltd.

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Posted 13 October 2015
Green Shoots Of Recovery

The school field is beginning to recover after the drainage and landscaping works that took place over the late summer.

The newly seeded grass has come through and now needs to knit together and thicken up. The field can’t yet be used but it is getting there!

This week the top playground has been marked out with a tennis court, netball/basketball court and some fun counting & letter designs.

It will be some while yet before it is all ready for use, but it’s already clear that it is going to be a much-improved asset for the school and for the whole village.

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Posted 5 October 2015
Latest HS2 News

HS2 Ltd is gearing up its public affairs activity once more. The company says that it is “committed to working in a fair, respectful and transparent way with the people who are affected by the project. Listening to these individuals and communities will help determine how we can provide the right information for them.“

A series of updates have been produced targeting communities along the line of route, which HS2 Ltd hopes will be the start of renewed conversations.

The Northamptonshire update contains details of the latest progress of the HS2 Bill through parliament and a link to an interactive map showing the latest proposed route.

HS2 Ltd says “We are always looking to improve our communications and would welcome your feedback on the publication, via a short survey“.

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