LAMBFOLD NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2015

2nd January

Frozen Singalong

Blakesley & Woodend Village Hall

7th January

Maidford in the Garden Club - AGM

Maidford Village Hall

10th January

Defibrillator Awareness Session

Blakesley & Woodend Village Hall

14th January

Litchborough Gardening Club Annual Social

The Barn, Upper Stowe

21st January

Blakesley & Woodend WI

The Reading Room, Blakesley

24th January

Vision Day 10am 4pm

Blakesley Primary School

28th January

Film Night Grand Budapest Hotel

Blakesley & Woodend Village Hall

28th January

Life with my father Eric Morecambe

Maidford Village Hall

6th February

Bingo Evening

Maidford Village Hall

11th February

Litchborough Gardening Club Meeting

Litchborough Village Hall

15th February

Reading of Acts of the Apostles

Maidford Church

6th 7th March

Farthingstone Pantomime

Farthingstone Village Hall

16th May

Barn Dance

Rectory Farm, Maidford

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE E-MAIL VERSION OF THIS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE E-MAIL
MAGAZINE@LAMBFOLD.ORG.UK

Mondays

11.45am

Yoga

Farthingstone Village Hall

Mondays

7.30pm

Yoga

Blakesley & Woodend Village Hall

1st Monday

2pm

Crafternoon

Blakesley Reading Room

2nd Monday

2.30pm

Womens Guild

Blakesley Reading Room

2nd Monday

7.30pm

Litchborough 2nd Monday Club

Litchborough Village Hall

Tuesdays

2pm

Blakesley Short Mat Bowls

Blakesley & Woodend Village Hall

1st Wednesday

7.30pm

Maidford in the Garden Club

Maidford Village Hall

Last Wednesday

2.30pm

Maidfordians

Maidford Village Hall

Wednesdays

10am

Tai Chi

Farthingstone Village Hall

Alternate Thursdays

2pm

Whist Drive

Blakesley Reading Room

Last Thursday

Woodend & Blakesley Welcome Club

The Famous Five leave the nest! Five golden-winged warblers had just returned from winter in Colombia in
April 2014. They were wearing tiny devices to trace their migration and were observed returning to their nests
in the Cumberland Mountains of north-eastern Tennessee where they breed in the summer. These tiny
songbirds each weigh about 9 grams and had travelled home to the Appalachian mountains to rest after a
3,100 mile journey. But the rest was short lived. Tornadoes were about to strike Tennessee and the birds
sprang into action! Two days before the storms arrived they were off, travelling a total of 932 miles to the gulf
coast. The closest tornado was still hundreds of miles away and nesting conditions in Tennessee were still
quite ordinary, but the tiny birds flew just south of the tornadoes' path. Remarkably when the devastation was
over, the birds went straight home again. By 2nd May, all five were back in their nests.
The storms had devastating consequences. People died and damage to property was widespread. It seems
that human beings have lost the ability to sense the warning signs, even with all of our sophisticated knowledge.
Why do I tell you this story?
It reminds me that as we leave the season of Christmas behind, we are moving into another season that in its
way is just as remarkable. Epiphany begins with astrologers or Wise men following a star to find Jesus at his
birth. That is a story, easy to miss in its familiarity, telling of another migration, led by the natural world, driven
by the conviction that God had arrived on earth. Epiphany reveals other stories of those who took notice, and
reminds us that the story of our world is still unfolding. Scripture tells us that Jesus who came once, will come
again and it will be joyful and everyone will see it.
With love and prayers,
Carolyn

Congratulations to Bridget Anderson, who not only has passed her Grade 8 Piano
Examination, but has done so with a distinction, the highest level awarded by the Associated
Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Bridget was determined to pass this time, having been unsuccessful as a teenager. Well
done Bridget! And thank you for all you do to bring music to the Benefice.

We will be holding our annual social evening on Wednesday, 14 th January, 7.30pm at the Barn, Upper Stowe.
Non-members are welcome to join us for a meal and an informal, friendly evening. For more information on the
menu as well as pricing and car share to Upper Stowe, please call Diane Shaw on 831312.
Gardening Club and RHS members may have already seen the article by Chris Young in The Garden, entitled
Should GPs prescribe gardening on the NHS? outlining the health benefits associated with interaction with
nature and being outdoors as well as increasing ones physical activity through digging, weeding and so on.
For more information visit: www.rhs.org.uk/science

Anyone who has a pond in their garden or who is thinking about installing a water feature will surely be very
interested in our visitors to the clubs February meeting, on Wednesday 11th February at 7.30pm, when we will
be welcoming water plant experts from Waterside Nursery in Leicestershire.
They have won numerous gold medals at Chelsea, exhibiting there and other shows over many years. They
will be able to answer your questions on topics such as how to keep the water clear, how to grow water lilies
successfully and what to grow in boggy areas of your garden.
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Discover how you can increase the biodiversity of your garden by having a wildlife pond dragonflies, wild
ducks, frogs amongst others will appreciate the environment created, even a small feature will provide food
and cover for a variety of creatures. Our guests will be bringing some stock with them so if you would like to
purchase premium water plants, this is your opportunity. Please look at their website for an idea of the plants,
including oxygenators, they supply: www.watersidenursery.co.uk

A Very Happy New Year to you all. Well, we're kicking off 2015 full of good intentions, by having local lady
Sian Gaskins to come over to talk to us and demonstrate the fascinating art of tai chi.
Tai chi, as probably many of you know, was originally developed in China during the 13th century as a martial
art. Today, it is practiced around the world as a health promoting exercise for people of all ages and often
comes highly recommended by doctors for a variety of reasons. The exercises themselves consist of breathing
deeply to promote relaxation, alongside slow and gently flowing movements. This all sounds just the ticket for
the start of the year and maybe some of us might like to have little go ...
Before I forget, thank you to all who came to our Christmas 'do', weren't the Songbirds fabulous? They had a
great time as well!
Look forward to seeing you on the 12th in Litchborough at 7.30pm. As usual the event is free to members
and 3 to visitors, including refreshments. Any questions, you can get me on 830517
or carolhakin120@btinternet.com

January 11th
January 25th

Nov 22nd
Nov29th
Dec 66th
Dec13th

9am
6pm

Holy Communion
Evensong

Gay Mole No 26
John and Susan Castle/Sue Doust
both No17
Betty Ore No 8
John Hopcraft/Brendan and Katrina Leahy both No36

Farthingstone Amateur Reparatory Theatrical Society have released details of their next production. With a
nod to their sophisticated clientele they are rehearsing for Carry on Up a Christmas Carol. The pantomime
contains a healthy amount of plagiarism from Charles Dickens, Barbara Windsor, Ronnie Barker and the great
Bard himself. There will be a prize for anyone spotting an original joke.
This play, written exclusively for Farthingstone and the surrounding villages will, after fierce audience pressure,
contain a number of bedroom scenes.
Performances are planned for, Friday 6th March at 7.30pm, Sat 7th March at 2.30pm & 7.30 pm. Tickets prices
are Adults 6 Children 3 and are available from Peter Stanton 361621, Howard Pritchett 361330 and Chris
FitzGerald 361646 or email dorothyfit@gmail.com.

It was wonderful as always to see everyone coming together enjoying socialising in the unique atmosphere of
the Cloister on December 6th. A very big thank you from the Joy Mead for the grand total of 692 raised. So
many people helped to make it a success thank you all!
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January 4th
January 11th
January 18th
January 25th
February 1st

Mrs Ward
Mrs Godfrey
Mrs Wiffill
Mrs Bullock
Mrs V Pike

To view the church web site, follow these links:

Home page and internal page
http://www.churchofstpeterandstpaulmaidford.com/#!services/c24jx
http://www.churchofstpeterandstpaulmaidford.com/#!home/mainPage

Friday February 6th Bingo evening in the Village Hall

May 16th 2015 Barn Dance (in the barn at Rectory Farm)
More details to follow for these events in the New Year.

December
100
C Bellamy
15
J Wilcox
10
D. Bullock (Sophie)

Chapel Lane
Longwell
Chapel Lane

Blakesley Pre-School has recently announced that due to popularity it has extended its opening hours to
9am 3pm, five days a week.
A wonderful pre-school in a fantastic country setting, it has a group of highly experienced staff and provides
childer aged from two to four with a great start to their learning.
It also runs Rising Fives sessions to help prepare children for the transition to Blakesley CE Primary
School.
Contact Katherine Harvie at blakesleypreschool@hotmail.co.uk or 07530 433 515
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Maidford Village Hall is the perfect venue for childrens parties (toys available), birthday and anniversary teas
and meetings of all types. There is a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable table seating for up to 42 people.
Morning session
Afternoon session
Evening session
All day session

9:00am to 1:30pm
1:30pm to 6:00pm
6:00pm to 11:45pm
9:00am to 11:45pm

20
20
30
40

There is a 20% reduction for the residents of Maidford.

For more information contact Colin Ward (01327 860165) or Ian Brown (860909)

Under the rules of our licence we are not allowed to publicise performances to the general public but you can
get in on the act by registering your free "membership" at nicwatkinson@yahoo.co.uk and receive regular
information about our monthly forthcoming attraction. Films are shown, without charge, in Maidford Village
Hall, usually on the 3rd Friday of the month. You are invited to bring your own drinks and refreshments. A
raffle is held to defray expenses. All welcome.

A talk entitled "Life with my father ERIC MORECOMBE, by Gail Stuart.

We are sure this talk will generate a lot of interest so please if you intend coming could you ring Virginia Pike
01327 860742 so we know the numbers involved both for catering and seating in the Village Hall. Closing
date for registering your attendance is Friday 23rd January.
Wednesday February 25th at 1.00 pm: Soup and Puds
(prepared by the ladies this time.)
Charge is 3.50 for Maidford residents and 4 for visitors.
Details for all events will be on the monthly posters around the village.
Any queries please contact Virginia Pike (01327) 860742

At the last meeting on Wednesday 3rd December, we had an enjoyable social evening, which commenced
with many people making Christmas garlands/decorations etc.
This was followed by a delicious cold buffet and desserts.
During the evening, the Gardening Club 2015 desk calendars, which contain a selection of photos that were
entered into the Sept Show & Competition, were on sale for 4.50 and there are still a few available, for those
that want them.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 7th January 2015 at 7.00.p.m. for our AGM, followed at 7.30pm by
Bird Calls & Songs when Mark Hope-Urwin from the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) will be giving an
audio demo & talk, which I am sure we will find fascinating.

The first one of the winter series took place on Wed 19th November, with some new members taking
part. Yet again an enjoyable social evening was had at the Kings Arms in Farthingstone. We started
strongly but then tailed off!!!
Hopefully determined to do better in the New Year!

The village web-site at www.maidfordvillage.co.uk has been extensively revised with considerably more
information now on it including a full calendar of all events planned in the village in a "What's On" tab, details
of the Maidfordians, Gardening Club,, Film Club, Intervillage Challenge/Quiz and all Minutes of the Parish
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Council. In addition there is a short history of the village, its church and its famous Church Fete, together with
a list of useful contact numbers.
The Maidford Conservation Area has recently been appraised by the South Northants Conservation Team
and a draft consultation document has been provided to the Parish Council to which we have responded with
our comments. Anyone wishing to see the draft document please contact Trevor Key on 860025.

The District Council have recently prepared a review of the Village Conservation Area, which can be viewed
at on the South Northants web-site at www.southnorthants.gov.uk/688.htm. Anyone wishing to comment on
the contents of the review, which does recommend changes to the current Conservation Area, should write to
Florence Pye, Conservation Officer, at South Northants District Council before February 1st.

The Parish Council has recently been given two documents relating to the history of the village:
- Maidford 1718 - 88 - The effects Of Parliamentary Inclosure on Life in a Northamptonshire Village
- The Manorial Lordship of Maidford Halse
Both of these documents can be borrowed from Trevor Key (860025) if you are interested

It was all going so well. Decorations up, rehearsals perfected the starters pistol about to go off. But oh, what
a difference a day makes. Angel Gabriel had not even taken off before the Ugly Bug hit (or should it be bit?)
for good measure knocking out Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Now it has been known for us to lose the Donkey
in a snowdrift but to have four out of action, unable to be at All Saints where candles flickered and lights
flashed, was not in the plan.
How lucky it was that the Adstone Orchestra had been rehearsing in secret so to the rescue they came! We
were welcomed to the delightful sounds of Were Walking in the Air, the Australian National Anthem, Once in
Royal Davids City and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Joseph Lawson on his cornet, Thomas Lissillour
on his flute and his brother Hugo on the trombone. Thank you boys, fabulous, magical.
They were joined by the Adstone Junior choir of James and Emma Hawkes, Ben Lawson, Oliver and James
Lissillour for a rendition of Frosty The Snowman and Jingle Bells. Really now in the groove, we all joined in.
After a short service, everyone piled out into the wind to be swept around the village singing carols. Stopping
at the shepherds flock Romayne continued to read the story of the Nativity.
Then to the comfort of the bonfire, where the singing was lifted by a few of Blakesleys childrens choir, base,
descants and Lucy Broomfield (now in dire need of a holiday) singing a solo.
Thirsty and hoarse throats were soon soothed by delicious, hot mulled wine served by Jem, Helen and
Bridget Philpott in the warmth of the O.S.H. A perfect night, an over-flowing church, children flying
everywhere, a wonderful start to Christmas.
A huge thank you to everyone.
Those of you who are observant will have noticed the new organ very generously given to us by Meg Pikes
sister, Mary. We were delighted that Mary was with us and hope she thinks we are a good and suitable
home. Also in situation for the first time was our new brightly shining urn which will be put to good use at the
Christmas Morning service. Jem and Helen had worked so hard to clear a space behind the font where it
proudly sits. Thank you both.
Very best wishes for a speedy recovery John, we are missing you.
This is written in a rush as the newsletter has been held back for our inclusion, thank you Kate. Happy
Christmas one and all.
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Thank you
for your continued valued custom.
We have really enjoyed meeting you all over the last few months and look forward to
serving you in our new shop opening hours. Your warm welcome has meant a lot to us
all, and has pushed us to increase our product range and develop the services we
provide. We look to further improving and adding more services to your local shop and
would appreciate your continued support.
The New Post Office format
You may be aware that the new local format has been installed in the shop. This means
we now have a very useful Post Office which is now open all day - 7 days a week! The
biggest increase of usage is the cash point facility at the post office and the fact you can
post your items on the way to and from work no more queuing at lunch time!
Look out for our fantastic New Offers every month
New Bakery
We now stock a range of the brilliant local bakers. To avoid disappointment please come
in and reserve your selection now! Also, we have added a new line of freshly made
sandwiches that are delivered every morning.
The New Shop Opening Hours
Mon - Sat:
6.30am to 9.00pm
Sunday:
7.00am to 7.00pm
The New Post Office Hours
Its open when the shop is!!! All day every day!

I am very pleased to say that this group is flourishing, first Monday of each month from 2 pm onwards at
Blakesley Reading Room. So if you do want help or advice with a craft project, there are people who can sew,
knit and crotchet. We are all very friendly and happy to assist.
Youll receive a very warm welcome, refreshments and good banter are also served. If your New Years
Resolution is to try something different, or clear your cupboards of unfinished projects then do join us.
If enough people show interest to start an evening gathering, then please let me know; Lydia 01327 860719.
Thank you.

The second meeting is on Wednesday 21st January at 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm, held in The Reading Room,
Blakesley.
The speaker is Ali Bolton from The Blossom Shop in Woodford Halse. She is demonstrating How to brighten
your January home on a budget.
Using foliage and budget flowers to maximum effect in different places in the home and using everyday
containers and non-specialist equipment so that arrangements can be easily recreated. Her floral demo piece
will be offered as a raffle prize.
Visitors are also welcome for a small charge of 3.

FROZEN SING ALONG Friday 2nd January 3:30pm for 4:00pm start.
For tickets ring Laura Thomas on 07956 737927
DEFIBRILLATOR AWARENESS SESSION Saturday 10TH January 1.30-3:00pm
Now we are lucky enough to have a defib come and learn about it! All welcome (children included). No need
to book a place just turn up.
FILM NIGHT GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Wednesday 28th January at 8:00pm
Comedy Drama directed by Wes Anderson, starring Saoirse Ronan, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda
Swinton & Jeff Goldblum
For tickets ring Angela on 01327-860594
Bookings
We are very pleased to announce that Charlotte Cockerill has agreed to take on managing the bookings for
the hall. To check availability click Village Hall to see the calendar on the Blakesley website at
www.blakesley-village.co.uk - then ring Charlotte on 07522 832824 to book.

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Ode to a defibrillator
By William Sitwell

The new defibrillator,

situated outside Browns
of Blakesley

Ive opened fairs, Ive opened fetes

Ive turned on lights and tasted cakes
Launched cideries, tried potent brews
DON BROCOe Masterchef and Breakfast News
Ive toured my book across America
But never this: defibrillator
So its a first, this is, for me
Defibrillating virgin, me
Requests came in to open it
So I said yes and then thought sh
[I mean what have I let myself in for but thats a bit long winded and difficult to
rhyme]

Im ignorant about most things

Including one of these machines
The one that rhymes with alligator
Thats right, this ere defibrillator
So Google it, came some advice
Then soon I knew that this device
Treats cardiac dysrhythmias
Especially when its Christmias
And ventricular fibrillation
A crucial piece of information
It is a thing quite magical
When placed below the clavicle
But basically if your heart hurts
It sort of stops it getting worse
You stick electrodes to your chest
You switch it on, hope for the best
You shut your eyes and count to seven
It either works or youre in heaven
But here today we celebrate
For we can now resuscitate
Our friends, our parents we can save
Them from a rather early grave
New breath, new life, new dreams for all
Not an expensive funeral

William Sitwell unveiling the defibrillator

The Blakesley & Woodend defibrillator, the brainchild of Vicky Norman,

would not have been possible without the grant from Northamptonshire
Community Foundation

So when you next have cardiac

Another pesky heart attack
Make haste to Browns do not be ill
Avoid the reading of your will
Defibrillate and CPR
Then back to propping up the bar
So Blakesley friends: the Dads, the Mums
Youve rattled jars, youve raised the funds
And now we have this fine contraption
The question is, who wants some action?
Whose veins are clogged?
Whose breath is short?
Whose sinoatrial nodes are tort?
So gather now, let cry a cheer
Woodend and Blakesley let me hear
Your shouts of joy and wild applause
For this defibrillating cause
Lets switch it on
Lets plug it in
The battle oer death well win
Fate be gone, grave see you later
I hail, unveil, defibrillator

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Fernhill Lodge, Everdon Road, Farthingstone, Northants NN12 8HB

E-mail pauljustice549@btinternet.com

15

What is the Lambfold benefice choir?

THE LAMBFOLD BENEFICE CHOIR IS MADE UP OF SINGERS FROM OUR FIVE PARISHES WITHIN
OUR 'LAMBFOLD' BENEFICE (AND BEYOND).
Our singers are of all ages and experience the common theme that unites us is a love of singing church
music in all its wide and diverse forms; from early music to the present day. We are a robed church choir and
sing at '5th Sunday' Benefice services, weddings and major Christian Festivals in the five churches in the
Benefice. We don't sing every Sunday, but there are busy times especially at Christmas, Harvest and other
religious festivals in the church calendar.
WHO CAN JOIN?
If you enjoy singing, at whatever level or age, you are welcome to come and take part in our Thursday evening
choir practices; which are held from 7 8.30 pm, either in the Reading Room or Church in Blakesley; and see
if you are interested in joining us.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
If you decided to join us, you would be part of a very friendly group of people, with a shared love of singing
church choral music, always aiming to perform at their best for the enjoyment of the choir as a whole. There
are also opportunities, if you are interested, to improve your singing and to take part in the Royal School of
Church Music 'Voice for Life Scheme', working to gain the RSCM 'Voice for Life Medals' through a study of
singing skills and music theory, (although this is by no means compulsory).
Interested? For further information contact Meg Pike on 01327 860186

LOGS & KINDLING

3 per bag
90 per 1.5m3 load
Phone 07729 764 873
or 01327 860198
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Theres a little town in Sweden called Tidaholm. Its in the south, is fairly remote and has about 8,000
inhabitants. And like many places in Sweden and elsewhere it has an aging population. A couple of years
ago this fact was starting to become a real problem because more and more people were becoming confined
to their homes, unable to get out. In years gone by they would walk, or when the snow in winter was
particularly bad, theyd ski. But all that was in the past. They had got to the stage where they needed help
with their mobility.
Now Sweden is a community-minded place and so the council put their heads together and came up with a
solution. They would buy a whole set of very expensive rulators, which are basically mechanical mobility aids
I imagine rather like the scooters we see people trundling around on these days. It would cost the council a
bomb but they felt it was worth it to get their people moving again.
And then a woman called Anika proposed an alternative (and much cheaper) solution. Anika owns a personal
training studio rather like Wellbeing Fitness. Her proposal was this. Rather than buying mechanical walking
aids, the council would buy each person six months-worth of personal training. Theyd do it in small groups
(rather like Wellbeing Fitnesss Small Group Training sessions) and they would concentrate on building up
muscle in other words: weight training. Anika knew that from the age of 30, muscle starts to deteriorate and
the deterioration happens at a faster and faster rate, the older you get. And she realised that that is what had
happened with Tidaholms older people. But she also knew that it is possible to reverse the process, to
restore the muscles that have wasted no matter how old you are. Whats more, its possible not only to
RESTORE the muscles but build and strengthen them so that theyre better than they ever were! It sounds
incredible but its true.
Now here comes the cunning bit: she knew that generally speaking, mature people, once they decide to do
something, are much more focussed and less likely to give up than youngsters.
So the council agreed to give it a go.
They recruited a group of volunteers who were all in a position to need a rulator to help them get about and
signed them up. And to everyones surprise (except Anikas) it worked. And the big thing was that she didnt
baby them. There was no sitting down and lifting a can of beans in HER programme. She treated them
exactly the same as everyone else at her studio.
When they ached a bit (as we always do when we
use muscles that weve not used for years) she
would say: Good. Tomorrow when you do it again,
they will ache less. And she would say something
that I really like: Old age is not for sissies.
And that group were certainly not sissies. At the end
of the six months trial they were strong, active, had
taken up walking and skiing again. And they were
all friends, organising things together, going out on
expeditions: in many ways, leaving the rest of
Tidaholm standing.
The result of course is that the council have now
adopted it as policy. Out with the rulators and in with
the weight training.
So if you ever find yourself in Tidaholm in the
winter, be careful how you cross the street: you
might be run down by an octogenarian on skis!!
Best wishes
Ian
Ian Ryves Wellbeing Fitness, Unit 4, Lucas Bridge Business
Park, Old Greens Norton Rd, Towcester, NN12 8AX. Email: info@wellbeingfitness.co.uk
Tel:01327 351110

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2nd Sunday of
Christmas

Epiphany

2nd Sunday of Epiphany

Conversion of St. Paul

9.15
Matins

NO SERVICE

NO SERVICE

NO SERVICE

10.30
Matins

10.30
Family
Communion

NO SERVICE

10.30
Family Service

NO SERVICE

9am
Holy Communion

NO SERVICE

6pm
Evensong

10.30
Holy Communion

10.30
Family Service

9.30
Covenant Service

10.30
Matins

9am
Holy Communion

6pm
Evensong

NO SERVICE

9am
Holy Communion

Midweek Services of Holy Communion Tuesdays 9.30am

Woodend 6th January
Blakesley 13th, 20th, 27th January

Name

Telephone

E-mail

Kate Nash
Editor

01327 861293

kateanash@gmail.com

Reverend Carolyn Oley

01327 860507

carolyn.oley@btinternet.com

Simon Forster

01327 860376

forster40@btinternet.com

01327 361646

dorothyfit@gmail.com

01327 860909

ianmarybrown@gmail.com

Dorothy Fitzgerald
Farthingstone Entries
Mary Brown
Maidford Entries

Date for last entries into the Lambfold Benefice Newsletter is 12 noon on the 20th of each month.
Contact: magazine@lambfold.org.uk
Advertising Prices:
5 per month quarter page
10 per month half page
20 per month full page

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