SUMMER 2017

GRETTON NEWS Published on behalf of Gretton Parish Council

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Crossword By puzzlechoice .com

Across 1. Seafarer (7) 4. Attain (5) 7. Catlike mammal (5) 9. Type of rock (7) 10. Respire (7) 11. Gaze (5) 12. Resembling a horse (6) 14. Unit of time (6) 18. Pandemonium (5) 20. Melodious (7) 22. Elusive (7) 23. Fibbing (5) 24. Foe (5) 25. Distinguished (7) Down 1. Gruesome (7) 2. Variety show (5) 3. Elevated (6) 4. Parts of a ladder (5) 5. Fruit (7) 6. Precipitance (5) 8. Colossus (5) 13. Unwitting (7) 15. Tripod (5) 16. Joy (7) 17. Hinder (6) 18. Pancake (5) 19. Glossy (5)

21. Percussion instrument (5)

Organisation (alphabetical) Page Art Group 9

Baptist Church 8

Book Club 3/4

Bowling Club 16

British Legion 15

Editor 2

Forthcoming Events 23

Friends of the Recreation Ground 18

Gardening Group 14

Historical 12

Litter Pick 2017 10

Local History Society 4

Lydia’s 23

Mamma Mia 19

Netball Club 7

Paddock Park 10

Parish Council 3

Parish Council- Chairman 2

Police Newsletter 17

Post Office 7

School PSA News 16

Scouts 11

Silver Band 20/21

St. James Church 6

Steam Trains 9

The Travers Foundation 5

Thoughts- all you needed 22

Village Hall 13

Village Hall Entertainment 12

Village Websites 21

WI 19

Wondertours 20

Jokes for the young at heart……

Why don’t oysters give to charity?… Because they’re shellfish

Why did the lobster blush?… Because the sea weed

What does a mermaid wear to maths lessons?… An algae-bra

Where do shellfish go to borrow money?… The prawn broker

Where do little fish go every morning? … To plaice school

Where do crabs and lobsters catch their trains?… Kings Crustacean

What lies at the bottom of the ocean

and twitches?… A nervous wreck

What is the best way to communicate

with a fish?… Drop it a line!

Solution on page …13

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

Being a Parish Councillor is not easy and quite often I ask myself the question “why am I doing this?” The answer is because I genuinely care about the village and I believe that along with the collective help and support of other likeminded people we can make positive changes. Your PC, with support from others has made a tremendous difference with development of facilities at the recreation ground, repairs to roads, maintenance of green spaces, planning matters and many other examples too numerous to mention. The current formation of a steering committee to establish our own Neighbourhood Plan is a significant investment for the future and I would ask you all to read the article in this publication and help and support the committee wherever you can. In the interests of the village and after discussion and debate, the PC are obliged to comment upon and action certain things which may not be universally acceptable to everyone. Such decisions are taken with the best of intentions and certainly not taken lightly. I encourage residents and persons affected, to familiarise themselves with the background and reasoning involved. Minutes of PC meetings are available and all Councillors are happy to provide further details if necessary. Better still, come along to our meetings see what is going on and get involved. You will always be made very welcome. One final very quick note is that as a village we have many fine specimen trees. The PC has the trees on our own land periodically surveyed and we are currently looking at a revised tree management plan. Extremes of weather can lead to damage which could endanger residents so if you see anything which requires attention, please let us know. We will either do something about it or draw it to the attention of the land owner. I hope everyone has a lovely summer. Andrew Royle Chairman Gretton Parish Council

FROM THE EDITOR

Following on from my piece in the previous edition regarding new residents in the village and living in the same home for a long time I had an email from Mary Kerfoot whose husband has lived in the same house in the village for 78 years!. I thought it would be interesting to ask for memories of how village life has changed in those years. Part of this on Gretton shops etc. is included in this edition with more to follow.

Of particular importance in this issue is information on the Neighbourhood Plan and how you can become involved. The next edition of Gretton News will be at end of November. Also see “at a glance” events page 22 Kathleen Brotherton

kab@polygonpartnership.com phone 771749

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GRETTON PARISH COUNCIL

Gretton Parish Council meets in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on the second Monday of

each month. All are welcome to attend the meetings and raise any matters of

concern. Please let the Clerk know in advance if you wish to speak so provision can

be made.

Councillors are pleased to report that the Gretton Neighbourhood Plan Steering

committee is well attended at its monthly meetings. The group is under the able

chairmanship of Jacki Lilley and it can now be reported that a closed Facebook page

is available for information and comments. Please keep in touch with the workings of

this group as it is so important that the views of residents are reflected in the

deliberations.

The old phonebox is now restored to its former glory and thanks are due to Bob

Cunningham for his efforts. Some villagers will be relieved that the white undercoat

did not turn out to be the eventual colour!!

Apologies are due regarding the new bus timetable not yet installed in the new case in

the shelter by the Village Hall. Clerk will attend a site meeting soon with Northants

CC to discuss the route of the 67 bus through the village and certain timetable

adjustments.

Thanks are due to Northants CC Highways for their timely attention in cutting back the

hedge on Station Road. It is so much easier and safer now to walk on the pavement.

Councillors will monitor the situation to ensure hedge growth is trimmed regularly.

Councillors are keen to place on record thanks to our recently retired Northants CC

councillor Stan Heggs who stood down at the Council elections last month. Many

villagers over the years will have cause to be grateful to Stan for his efforts in village

matters. We now welcome our new councillor, Sandra Naden-Horley and wish her

every success in her new role.

The Gretton Funday took place on the Recreation Ground on Sunday 9th July and all

villagers were welcome at this event. All properties were supplied with flyers

explaining the attractions on offer. An excellent day.

Please take time to read all Minutes and Agendas in the various

Notice Boards and websites and feel free to attend any meetings.

John Hindle – Clerk Tel : 770580

Email : john.hindle50@gmail.com. 49, Kirby Road.

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BOOK CLUB The group continues to meet on the third Tuesday of the month in the Bluebell Inn at 8 pm. New members are always welcome. THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN AUGUST OR DECEMBER The dates of our meetings are September 19th, October 17th, November 21st

The book for discussion in September is :- The Living and the Dead in Winsford by Haken Nesser. Further information or to obtain the reading list for 2017 please contact, Liz Watt Tel: 01536 772328 / email: lizwatt263@btinternet.com

GRETTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY From June 19th to 23rd a group of 11 people went on the History Society Annual Trip to Tewkesbury, organised by Elisabeth Jordan. We stayed at the ancient Royal Hop Pole Hotel where we had a tour of the oldest rooms including a medieval hall and wall paintings. We managed to pick the hottest day of the year but we took our time looking round the sites and managed to visit at least twelve in total.

Meetings are held every other month at the Village Hall from 7.30pm. Friday July 21st is one not to be missed as Malcolm Deacon will give a talk on “Mary Queen of Scots” . This talk is sure to include a fresh local angle on the tragic queen as Malcolm has studied this period in depth. He is a very popular speaker so this should be well attended. The final years and sad end of Mary are of course associated with the castle at Fotheringhay, only twelve miles away. On Friday, September 15th there will be a slide show entitled Gretton’s Past created from our extensive archive of photographs of Gretton and its residents in the early 20th Century. Some of them may be familiar but there are a large number of photos fresh to members. The meeting will be followed by the Society’s AGM Finally on Friday November 17th Phil Johnson will talk on “80 Years at Rectory Farm ” This story of farming through the years at Great Easton starts with Phil’s grandfather and continues with his daughters. Included is a short film taken in the Welland Valley during World War II. The farm is wildlife friendly and also sells bird seed. This will be an ideal chance to find out the practicalities of farming in the area with an ecological angle. Contact: Ann Craske 771102

Sunset on the Severn at

Tewkesbury

The Royal

Hop Pole

Hotel

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THE TRAVERS FOUNDATION Languages teacher Andrew Hartley, 51,

and his cycling companion James Firmin, undertook a

mammoth bike ride from Gretton to Paris to raise money

for The Travers Foundation. A large group of spectators

gathered in Gretton on Wednesday 31st May to wish them

well and send them on their way, and Lydia's Coffee Shop

opened early to supply everyone with bacon rolls

and other refreshments. Andrew and James were fully fed and caffeinated before they set off! They cycled approximately 90 miles a day, and although it was a gruelling journey they cycled along some beautiful rural English lanes - and even managed a brief stop-off at Buckingham Palace en-route. The weather over the Channel was not so welcoming, however, and the pair endured gale-force winds and heavy rain which slightly delayed their arrival in Paris. The Jean Genie 70s and 80s Rock Spectacular which took place at Gretton Village

Hall on Sunday 28th May raised over £1000 for The Travers Foundation charity.

The live band - The Andy Warrington Experience - treated the crowd to a masterclass in the best of retro rock, featuring an array of well-known hits from icons such as David Bowie, Eric Clapton, The Jam, The Police, Joy Division and Dire Straits. Also performing was Corby soloist Kara Hamer, who sang her version of Snow Patrol/Leona Lewis's 'Run' and 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' from Grease. Kara, aged 16 and currently taking her GCSEs, is receiving funding from The Travers Foundation for vocal coaching lessons with Mary King. Local ballroom dancing couple Emily Brown and Scott Wilson

headed to Blackpool this Easter and won the British Junior

Champions title for a very impressive third year in a row. Aged

just 15, the pair are receiving funding for coaching expenses

from The Travers Foundation.

The Travers Foundation is a volunteer-led charity which helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts. Terry Forsey 771740 www.travers-foundation.org.uk

Two campers are hiking in the woods when one is bitten on the rear end by a rattlesnake. “I’ll go into town for a doctor,” the other says. He runs ten miles to a small town and finds the only doctor delivering a baby. “I can’t leave,” the doctor says. “But here’s what to do. Take a knife, cut a little X where the bite is, suck out the poison and spit it on the ground.”

The guy runs back to his friend, who is in agony. “What did the doctor say?” the victim cries. “He says you’re gonna die.”

Andrew Hartley (left) and

James Firmin (right) met by

Terry Forsey.

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ST. JAMES CHURCH

Over the weekend of 23rd - 25th June St James held the Flower Festival, an annual

event that has been going now for around 50 years. The weekend was attended by

many from the Village and others far and wide.

Last year a number of young people

developed an interest in flowers and

flower arranging. Flower arranging classes

have been held and the young ones came

up with the idea of this year’s theme –

Musicals from Walt Disney.

The results were spectacular! The flowers

captured films such as Cinderella, The

Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Lion King, Frozen

and many more. Lunches were served in the

Old School House Garden and music was

provided on Sunday afternoon by Gretton

Band. The Church and Village Green were

buzzing with people who over coffee and

cake met up with friends old and new.

A picture of beautiful Joyce Polley who was so involved in supporting the flower

festival and died suddenly last year was in the Lady Chapel, a place she loved, she

would have been so proud of you all.

There are Christian themes in a number of Disney films and these were highlighted in

the Songs of Praise service which rounded off the weekend.

The event was enjoyed by everyone who attended. Thank you to everyone who helped

out. Would you be interested in being part of the Flower Festival next year? Flower

arranging, cake making, washing up, putting up gazebos or serving for an hour or two?

You are very welcome to make contact.

Thank you also to the art group who held their Annual Exhibition in the Village Hall. It

was fabulous to visit and see such different, talented artists who give us a time to

reflect and think about the world around us. It was wonderful and poignant to see

paintings by lovely, thoughtful and greatly missed friend Chris Bromhall who also died

suddenly last year.

St James’ Church continues to hold services on the first, third and fourth Sundays of

the month and each Saturday fortnight, short prayers at 9am. You are always

welcome to come and visit. If you would like to discover more about services or

activities the church has to offer, you can always call Lesley Hindle on 01536 770580

STOP PRESS: THE FLOWER FESTIVAL RAISED THE MAGNIFICANT SUM OF £4,433 (this is

after expenses, which were met by the Coffee Mornings held during the year).

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GRETTON POST OFFICE

Support your wonderful Post Office Great Present Ideas: ‘One 4 All’ gift cards available at the Post Office. They have a purchase value of between £10 and £200. Banking at Gretton PO: Open long hours, including Saturday mornings, with cash machine facilities for withdrawals. Cheques and cash can be deposited and bills over £10 paid using Debit Cards. Newspapers and Magazines: Excellent selection of daily and weekly newspapers and magazines. If we do not have the title you require, we will order it for you. Vehicle Road tax: Renewal of car tax, van tax, scooter and motorbike made easy and convenient in Gretton. No leeway offered by the DVLA and there will be a penalty for non-renewal on time. The vehicle’s V11document will be required. Holiday insurance special offer: 15% discount until15th September Julie, Mike & Sam Powell, tel: 01536 770243

LADIES NETBALL TEAM

Gretton Netball is now in its sixth season and plays purely for recreational purposes, is non-league based and is a fun way to exercise. No prior experience is needed and all women over the age of 18 years are invited to come along. If you’ve recently moved to the village and would like to meet new people then this is a fun way of doing just that. Age, size or level of fitness is no barrier so please do consider coming along. We also appreciate that some people cannot attend every week owing to other commitments, but that’s fine, just play when you can. If you’re worried about coming along on your own, please don’t because we will make you extremely welcome and will look after you too. If you would like to be part of our lively group then please do join us each Monday evening (except Bank Holidays) on the MUGA, Gretton Recreation Ground (weather permitting) between 7.25pm – 8.30pm. The cost per session is just £1.00 – which also means no fuel costs or expensive gym subscriptions and is a great way of meeting new friends too. Please check the play status updates each week at www.grettonnetball.weebly.com; Facebook account - Gretton Netball or follow us on twitter @grettonnetball. Or for further information please email us at grettonnetball@outlook.com. We hope to see some new players this year.

Sue Fox

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GRETTON BAPTIST CHURCH

We are continuing to enjoy life in the Chapel as we genuinely feel God’s presence in

the services. We also felt very blessed by the festival we organised with St.James’

church in May. It was a great weekend with some inspiring speakers and a lively band

to lift our worship.

As we look ahead our services will continue as usual throughout the summer and they

are as follows:

Sunday morning service at 10.45am with groups for young people of all ages

.All age family service on the first Sunday in the month at 10.45am

Evening Communion on the first Sunday in the month at 6pm

Coming up will be our Harvest Festival on 1st October. It is always an enjoyable

service and everyone is always welcome as with any service.

We have begun our Mothers and Babies or Toddlers group “Little Lambs” on a

Monday at 1.30pm. It is very relaxed with one or two activities, some songs and a

short story. Everyone is welcome.

As a church we are interested in hearing from people just what your thoughts and

feelings are regarding spiritual things and church in general so we are planning to put

out a survey on line which anyone is welcome to respond to anonymously. We would

also like to offer people the opportunity to be prayed for at some point if they so wish.

We are always here at any time to offer prayer to anyone but this would be a more

personal opportunity which will be offered in the near future.

If you have never been to a service then do come along.

You will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

Rev Peter Lloyd

01536 772155

Sudoku Solution Page 13

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GRETTON ART GROUP

Our group has now been meeting once a week in the Village Hall for several years. Each year we hold an exhibition of recent work; an eclectic mix of styles and media reflecting the individuality of our members. Local artist Annie Tappenden is our tutor and mentor, encouraging each of us irrespective of experience or technical ability. We were greatly encouraged by the response of visitors to our latest exhibition, and hope that some might consider joining our convivial group which meets between 1-30pm and 4pm on Mondays in the Village Hall. We have plenty of materials available for beginners, so why not give it a try - its only £8 per session and there is no commitment to attend every week. Just turn up and see what’s going on! Andy, Ann, Charlotte and Maureen

Did you know?

That Northampton has the biggest market square in England. The original market, chartered

in 1189, was held around All Saints’ Church there; then in 1235 Henry III took umbrage at

sacred ground being used for commerce and ordered it moved to its present site.

That the first car chase in Britain involving the police occurred in Northampton in 1899?

Sergeant Hector Macleod got his man with screaming tyres – well, maybe tyres that were

grumbling a bit.

STEAM TRAINS

Following details published in the Spring edition of Gretton News many enquiries have been received for the two return shuttle steam trains that are passing through Gretton and over Harringworth Viaduct on Saturday 12th August. Start and finish station is Melton Mowbray with services running to Corby. There will be 4 opportunities to view the trains passing through the village and crossing the viaduct, the longest masonry structure to cross a valley in the UK, on one of the East Midlands most scenic railway routes. Lunch and tea will be available on the trains depending on the service you travel on. A pause on the viaduct is to be made to allow passengers to admire the magnificent views of the Welland Valley. Anyone requiring further information please contact David Fursdon email david.fursdon@hotmail.com or call-text 07790 197220.High numbers of passengers are expected to travel on the trains with crowds lining the route but remember to stay safe PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS ON TO RAILWAY OR PRIVATE PROPERTY. David Fursdon 9 Southfield Road Gretton Northants NN17 3BX Mobile 07790 197220

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GRETTON PADDOCK PARK

This is one of our busiest times of the year

Each year we cut our wildflower meadows to allow

the more desirable species to flourish and to reduce

the vigour of the more rampant ones. Over the years

it is getting better and better. After the cut in early

autumn the hay is raked and cleared and you can see

our volunteers taking a break from it.

Our group of volunteers is getting smaller so please come along to lend a helping

hand on Saturday 7 October, weather permitting. If you are able to help for a couple

of hours just turn up from 9.30 onwards. If the weather is bad we move our work

morning to the following Saturday.

Playing Boules: We have a petanque pitch which gets very little use. If you do like

playing Boules please do use it. For those of you who would like to learn to play we

are usually there on one weekday evening. Please give me a ring to let me know that

you are interested.

Volunteering: Our work mornings take place on the first Saturday of each month any

time between 9.30 and 12.30. If you would like to help but the work mornings are not

convenient please let me know.

We also meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 8.00 pm in the Hatton Arms so

please come along and join us for a drink and a chat.

PS. If you have a keen interest in nature and would like to be involved in monitoring

and surveying our animal and plant life please let me know.

Bob Dobson - Paddock Park Secretary: 770734

GRETTON LITTER PICK October 14th is the date for our autumn community litter clearance, which usually takes only up to a couple of hours. Sadly, though the amounts seem to get less the village is still blighted by litter and general rubbish especially ‘stuff’ thrown from vehicles passing through.; drivers who show no care for the environment or to the appearance of our village. As usual we’ll meet at 09.30 at Gretton Village Hall where thanks to Corby Borough

Council we’ll have litter picking equipment to use as we need. Then, when finished,

there will be refreshments and biscuits in the hall kindly supplied as before by

Suzanne Preston of the Council.

Thanks to villagers of all ages who have helped on previous occasions.

On behalf of Gretton, I hope we might have as much support this time.

Mel Jarvis Tel : 772109 Email : melanorj@gmail.com

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1ST

GRETTON SCOUT GROUP All young people are very welcome to join the village scout group, all sections meet in the Village Hall, and outdoors around the village when the weather is suitable. We’re one of the few village scout groups left in our district and very proud to have been in existence for well over 60 years! Beavers Tues 6pm - 7pm (5 yrs 9 months to 8 years) Cubs Mon 6pm - 7.30pm (8 yrs to 10 yrs 6 months) Scouts Mon 6.30pm - 8pm* (10 yrs 6 months to 14 years) *new time for Scouts – for a trial period Those aged 14 plus are also very welcome to join Explorers – the nearest Unit is in Corby. Beavers sometimes has a waiting list, but space usually soon becomes available. We’re aiming to increase the numbers of scouts if we can. We have a two year rolling programme of badge work, including hikes, camps, crafts, visits and fundraising activities. Recently we’ve participated in the St George’s Day parade at Wicksteed Park, Corby Gang Show, and visited Brownsea Island, the birthplace of scouting. A water activity day is planned for July, plus other camps over the summer. We’ve recently held a competition to design a badge for the group, with the winning entry to be commissioned and sewn onto everyone’s neckerchief. Two former 1st Gretton Scouts, who are now Explorers, are off to Uganda in July to spend three weeks of their summer holidays helping others at Outspan school in Bwaise, Kampala, while having the adventure of a lifetime, mostly camping and finding out what life is like in a completely different country. Our groups are thriving, and we have a parent rota to help us with activities at Beavers and Cubs, but we are always looking for adult help and anyone who would like to train as a leader would be welcomed. The leadership team, under the direction of GSL Hilary, with the support of the executive committee and the all-important parent helpers, are able to support a really varied programme of fun activities. We had a very successful AGM in June with over sixty people attending and recruited several more members to the committee but we are always looking for help, and in particular hope to find a new secretary by next June. In addition to uniformed leaders and committee members, we are always in need of more adult helpers, both occasional and on a more regular basis. If you can help, we will welcome you with open arms, you don’t need to have a child in scouting. The committee and leaders have an annual meal and social event as well as four or five other friendly meetings year, usually on Wednesday evenings. Please get involved – and make a positive difference to the young people of our village. Do feel free to contact the group secretary for further information: Caroline Parkes (770619).

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HISTORICAL GRETTON

Gretton Silver Band celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. The photograph was taken at Uppingham Fete about 80 years ago. The band was formed as a drum and

fife band in 1877, but soon transformed into a Brass Band which was very successful in band competitions. The band has the honour of being one of the oldest

continuously playing bands in the country.

Elisabeth Jordan

VILLAGE HALL ENTERTAINMENTS Further to the last edition of the Village Newsletter we are still in the process of arranging dates for; Brian McNeil’s show “ Back O’the North Wind” and “the Andy Warrington Experience” which will be late summer/autumn time. Brian is currently touring with “Feast of Fiddles” and has also been gigging in Texas. Members of the Andy Warrington Experience also play in very busy bands in the Peterborough area, hence difficulties in arranging a Saturday night slot! Please contact me if there are any shows you would like to see in Gretton, we still have support from Northants Touring Arts, who also have a roster of available music and drama on their website. Thanks for your continuing support, Andy Butterworth……….. 770302

GRETTON NEWS- Next Edition

Provided by Gretton Parish Council and edited on their behalf, the editor reserves the

right on behalf of the PC to select content as required and appropriate. Please contact

the editor if you wish to contribute. Next edition closing date:- Monday 13th Nov 2017

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GRETTON VILLAGE HALL Our wonderful village hall is busy as usual, hosting many regular users with groups

for all ages and interests. We continue to have bookings for a variety of individual

events including drama, music concerts, craft fayres and individual parties.

The plans to replace the floor in the main hall are progressing and applications for funding are underway. The village lunches continue to attract high attendances making them a great community event each month. Our community police officers and our Rural Pride officer, Suzanne Preston continue attending the lunches to give advice and listen to peoples’ problems and concerns in the area. They are now an established part of this event and the team. We provide soup, bread and cheese and a pudding, lots of companionship and a raffle. We will gladly continue to do so for as long as people keep attending. The lunches are held on the first Tuesday of each month, the dates are as follows, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th and December 5th The lunch in December is always a special occasion with extra treats and a glass of wine provided. For further please contact Liz Watt Tel: 01536 772328 /email: lizwatt263@btinternet.com For bookings please contact, Jackie Cunningham, Tel: 07856 224346 / email: jackiecunningham2@btinternet.com There will be a Bridge Drive on Tuesday November 21st starting with coffee and biscuits at 10.30 am. Play will then commence and continue until lunch which will be a two- course meal with several options and wine also available. Tea and coffee are served before play continues during the afternoon. At the end of play prizes are awarded. For further information please contact, Barrie Edwards Tel: 01536 770460 / email: Edwards_gretton@hayoo.co.uk Liz Watt Tel: 01536 772328 / email: lizwatt263@btinternet.com

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GRETTON GARDENING GROUP

July is upon us already and, as we write this,

not only have the summer solstice and Glastonbury

been and gone, but the world renowned St. James’

Flower Festival has also finished. The Gretton Garden

Group were pleased to have played their part again by

manning a plant stall with half the proceeds going to the

Church and the other to our Group funds. Our plant stall

event was made possible by all the help that the Group

members were able to give. A lot of this was from fairly

novice gardeners who were inspired to grow plants with

the knowledge gained from our meetings and the

speakers we heard from.

July is always a pleasant time in the garden, but also one of the busiest as we see so

many wonderful plants in bloom; fruit forming; and vegetables beginning to give us

produce. If you want flowers for a longer time, then now is the time to get ‘savage’.

As soon as flowers start to fade then snip them off, even if it means you haven’t any

blooms for a few days, because plants have usually only one aim in life, and that is to

reproduce, so if you cut off the seed bearing areas then they try hard to make more

blooms. The old saying about being cruel to be kind seems to a good one for us

gardeners.

The recent heat wave has given us many challenges with plants wilting or dying

altogether, but some basic ideas may help prevent too many losses. Watering in the

evening or first thing in the morning gives the water a chance to soak in before the

sun dries it out again. Plants in pots can be moved temporarily to a shadier area,

beds can be hoed, and weeds, which are competing for moisture, should be cleared

way. If you have a greenhouse or tunnel then you will have seen temperatures soar

into the upper thirties and once or twice even higher. You can try applying a shading

solution to the glass but it may be best to have a small fan running, vents extended or

doors fully open. As the months approach many bedding plants for NEXT YEAR, yes

that’s right, can be sown over the next few weeks.

In the veg plot many of us are already thinking of next year’s harvest too. We are

also looking forward to apples and soft fruits ripening, having already had a crop of

rhubarb and possibly gooseberries in a fruit crumble with thick custard! Gooseberry

bushes can have their branches cut back to about five leaves from the main stem to

encourage a bigger crop next year. When you are out and about at the supermarket

or garden centre, have a look at their seeds as some bedding plants and vegetables

can still be sown for this year. So you can see, this gardening lark can keep your

mind and body active.

If you would like to widen your gardening skills or just join us for a friendly evening, we meet every fourth Wednesday evening in the Hatton Arms restaurant area, please contact alanwaterman@uwclub.net for more details

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GRETTON BRITISH LEGION Five members of Gretton Holding Branch have been invited to join the Burton Latimer RBL Women’s Section for lunch on 20th June being held at the Bowls Club Burton Latimer. On 2nd September we shall be attending the Annual Purse Presentation at Burton Latimer recreation centre when branches from around Northamptonshire hand in their purses to support the ongoing work of the RBL, followed afterwards by the County Conference. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY is on 12th November .At 11.00 am a Service of Remembrance will be held at the entrance to the former Spanhoe Airfield at the USAAF Memorial on the Harringworth to Laxton Road. The squadrons of the 315th troop carrier group US Army Air Forces flew from here on airborne missions to Normandy, Arnhem and the Rhine for the liberation of Western Europe during WW2. Gretton Baptist Church holds the annual village Remembrance Day Service this year at 3 pm. Afterwards a parade led by Gretton Silver Band, members of the Royal British Legion, Parish Councillors, village organisations and members of the public will march to the War Memorial on the Village Green for a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the Gretton men who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2 and those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts. In the run up to Remembrance Sunday RBL members and helpers will maintain the traditional door to door Poppy sales in Gretton and Harringworth. Poppies will also be available from venues around the village including Gretton Post Office and Stores. Please Wear Your Poppy With Pride to enable the RBL to continue the caring work for our ex- service men and women. Our motto is SERVICE NOT SELF Please get in touch if you would like to become involved with the RBL or for all general enquiries. Shirley Fursdon. 9 Southfield Drive, Gretton Tel. 770784

Phil Bromhall’s

Hanging Baskets

It must be summer! Gretton Weir this Summer

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GRETTON BOWLING CLUB A popular pass time on a Wednesday evening in Gretton Village Hall is SHORT MAT BOWLING. We start at 7 pm, a pit stop for a cuppa 8 pm, bowl again until 9 pm and then home. On Saturday afternoon in the winter some of us go to Market Harborough and enjoy LONG MAT INDOOR BOWLING, and in the summer months we go on a Saturday pm to Corby to bowl on grass outdoors. You only need take part in some bowling or all, it’ up to you! We have spare bowls for you to use to get you started. Why not come along on a Wednesday evening, bring a pair of flat shoes and give bowling a try. It may not be your thing, but you will never know if you don’t give it a try. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL Marshall Ferguson on 770521 or email: carolandmarsh@btinternet.com

GRETTON PRIMARY ACADEMY PSA NEWS Thank you to everyone that attended the Rose Fair at Gretton Primary Academy. It was lovely to see so many people enjoy an afternoon of country dancing and stalls. The PSA thanks those parents that served lunch to the children, volunteered on the windmill tombola and served refreshments after school. The PSA did not have enough money to complete the outdoor area, so we need to fundraise further. We held a Casino Night on Saturday 10th of June, from 8pm until midnight, at Gretton Village Hall. This included a complimentary drink on arrival, a wood fired pizza and £5 of fun money. There was also a disco by Bob Dent and a bar, along with casino games. Sara Auld

We also had the grand opening of the Outdoor

Classroom. This wonderful area was made possible

as we received grant money from Tesco Bags of

Help and used PSA funds. It has transformed a

mound of dirt to a tiered seating area, with a

moveable storyteller’s chair and covered in artificial

grass, which will enable children to learn in a

creative way.

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POLICE RURAL TEAM UPDATE

POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER LAUNCHES PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO THE GOVERNANCE OF THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE The Office of the Northants Police and Crime Commissioner has recently launched a public consultation regarding proposals for the governance of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to transfer from the Fire Authority which currently sits in Northamptonshire County Council, to the Police and Crime Commissioner, who would therefore become the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. There is a short animated film and leaflet to explain the proposal - both can be viewed by visiting

www.northantsfireproposals.co.uk . . The Commissioner is really keen to hear your views and those of your family and friends on this proposal. To find out more and complete the online survey please visit www.northantsfireproposals.co.uk . The consultation will run until Tuesday 1st August 2017 and is open to all residents of the county. A postal survey or if you require it in easy read please is available by contacting 01604 888113

GRETTON PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Is a Neighbourhood Plan Coming?

We have the chance to affect the future of our village and surrounding area - to make it a great place to live, bring up our children and do business.

By working up a Neighbourhood Plan with you and your family the parish will have much greater influence on decisions affecting it, and without your involvement it can't happen. Finally agreed by a referendum of the whole village, we can consider things that are good and need protecting, those things that are not so good and need changing. These include planning, open spaces, traffic, more homes, conservation and lots more.

Our group are simply a few enthusiastic volunteers just starting out to help the Parish Council bring this about. We will also be asking for help from others in the village who have skills and knowledge that will be needed in the future as we go through the process. This is a great opportunity for to get involved - we can't do this without you.

Over the coming months we will try all sorts of ways to explain more about how this Neighbourhood Plan could impact the village and how you can have your say. So please keep a look out. In the meantime, if you are interested in helping, or want to be involved, please contact us via the Parish Council.

Jacki Lilley

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FRIENDS OF GRETTON RECREATION GROUND

FAMILY FUN DAY Great day held on Sunday July 9th

Many thanks to all. EXERCISE AND ACTIVITIES Come along to one of our established groups Netball – Monday, Tennis – Tuesday Junior Football – Wednesday,Over-30s – Thursday, Touch Rugby - Friday These activities are all run in the evenings for the benefit of the village and for anyone to join. Find us on Facebook at “Gretton Recreation Ground”.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gretton Parish Council, together with the Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground, have worked hard over many years to make the recreation ground an attractive and safe facility for all members of the community to enjoy. This is a public place, however, the Parish Council, together with Corby Borough Council, has a specific responsibility to keep the facility clean, tidy and safe for all to use, there is no toleration of dog fouling, littering, under-age drinking, vandalism or other forms of illegal or anti-social behaviour. Report anything in confidence to: Gretton Parish Council – via contact on www.grettonparishcouncil.co.uk or directly to one of the Councillors Corby Borough Council – e-mail to suzanne.preston@corby.gov.uk or ring 01536 463177 Police – Ring 101 or 999 (if urgent) and ask for our PCSO Joe Devlin or e-mail: joseph.devlin@northants.pnn.police.uk BOOK THE MUGA The MUGA is available to use for a range of sporting activities free of charge at any time not subject to pre-booking. Reserve a playing time (charge £5) by e-mailing or website online booking bookthemuga@gmail.com or visit www.grettonmuga.weebly.com (online booking). Netball, Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Tennis - Some equipment available to borrow; let us know when you want to use the facility or provide feedback The Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground are very active and are committed to improving the facilities for the whole village to enjoy. We meet approximately every two months, usually in the Sports Club, and welcome all members of the community who have any interest in the Recreation Ground and the activities that take place. If anyone would like to know more about the Friends group or would like to help in any way, please contact Tim Fox on 01536 770653 or e-mail tim@fox-world.co.uk

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GRETTON WI

Gretton WI continues to enjoy its 76th year with meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Village Hall. Attendance is good but we are always delighted to welcome new members. Looking back over recent weeks there's been the usual variety of activities. In April our guest speaker gave sound common sense advice for Staying Safe in the Car, reminding us of points we may have forgotten or got out of the habit of noticing. May's speaker shared his interest in traditional stories and instruments, and treated us to three intriguing tales, each "spun with music". June was once again our Summer Party, when members provided another amazing buffet and we were entertained by members of Geddington WI, the Geddington Little Gems, whose amusing and irreverent "Political Issues" rounded off an excellent evening. Members enjoyed visits to the Houses of Parliament and gardens at Burley on the Hill. Still to come this summer is an outing to see ice cream being made and, following the recent good walking tour of Uppingham, a guided walk of Stamford. At July's meeting we will learn how a dog's nose can detect what science fails to find, while in September we have a craft evening and learn the skills of successful gift wrapping. Membership of Gretton WI opens up a broader range of opportunities than just our own. The County Federation has many talks and activities on offer, from water colours outdoors to visiting the British Legion poppy factory. Back in May Gretton members voted that two Resolutions, one on "alleviating loneliness" and a second "to keep micro plastic fibres out of our oceans" should be put to the National AGM. Over 4,000 WI members, including our local delegate, attended the National AGM in June when both Resolutions were debated and carried. Once campaigns are launched members can take part in supporting them. So it seems there is plenty to look forward to in the next few months at Gretton WI. If you would like to share it all with us we should be very happy to see you. Best regards Pat Triffitt

MAMMA MIA The evening trip to see the smash hit musical on Wednesday 24th January next year has received a great deal of interest. At the time of going to print for Gretton News just 6 tickets where available for the night out at The Royal and Derngate Theatre, Northampton with all those favourite ABBA songs named the Ultimate Feel Good Show. The coach will depart from Gretton at around 6.00pm so if you haven’t booked yet, do so now to avoid disappointment. Organiser is Julie Powell at Gretton Post Office and Stores -Telephone 01536 770243. A lovely evening is promised so why not join us.

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WONDERTOURS 45

th Anniversary- 1972-2017

We could not have wished for a better start when our Spring weekend in Scarborough coincided with a mini heatwave at the beginning of April. During the 4 day break visits were made on our coach to Pickering and Whitby with Steam Train Rides on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. To round off a splendid weekend we made a Mystery stop in Nottingham. Our Autumn weekend was revealed with a 4 day break in Illfracombe including an outing to Bideford and Barnstaple and of course a Mystery lunch stop returning home. The sun returned for our first day trip of the year later in April to Shrewsbury followed by a enjoyable visit to Bristol in May. Day trip's continue on 17th June to Cromer and Sheringham for a double destination seaside special followed by Harrogate on 15th July, Lincoln on 12th August and a Wye Valley double destination tour calling at Ross on Wye and Monmouth on 16th September. The Autumn weekend mentioned earlier takes place during October. We round off the year with Christmas in mind with a visit to Gloucester on 18th November and Leeds on 2nd December. Information folders and maps are provided with on-board stewards to ensure all passengers have happy times to remember. All day trips and weekends depart from Gretton Village Hall and Corby Road, Gretton. Due to demand two coaches are laid on and this would not be possible without the continued support of Carole and Mick Browett. Thank you for all your help making Wondertours enjoyable and so very popular. We remain voluntary/ not for profit, maintaining a traditional, reliable, friendly service/good company To book and find out more please contact me on 07790 197220-01536 770784 or email david.williamfursdon@gmail.com Serving the local community for 45 years is a great honour and arrangements are already underway for next year’s programme- so please do join us and …………..

“Carry On Coaching”. Editor-“well done Wondertours”

David Fursdon Organiser.

GRETTON SILVER BAND-established 1877

The summer season is here and the band is in great demand playing at Lyddington, Rothwell, and Northampton, with more engagements booked. For once, the weather was very kind to us at Abington Park, Northampton, where a crowd of several hundred sat in the glorious sunshine to enjoy a lovely Sunday afternoon. After a three hour concert with just a couple of short breaks, the band was very well received and was met afterwards with some really encouraging comments. “The best band so far this year” and “some bands seem to just play for themselves, but this band plays for us” are just two that come to mind. On the 17th June, the band held an 140th Anniversary concert to a packed village hall. This was a free concert to thank the people of Gretton for their continuing support to the band. A display of photographs showing the band from its early years to the Continued…….

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GRETTON SILVER BAND – continued……current date attracted a lot of

interest, and the concert was recorded by a member of the Gretton History Society. Many people stayed behind to enjoy a picnic and to toast the bands success. Amongst the audience was a distant relative of one of the founder members of the band, George Weston. Diane Kazhowski had organised her holiday to England from her home in California especially so that she could attend the concert. It was also good to see several former members of the band enjoying themselves on the day. A collection was held to help the victims of the dreadful fire in London.

The really good news is that the band have appointed a new Musical Director, Elio Andrade. Elio, born in Venezuela, now lives with his wife in Corby. He works as a peripatetic music teacher in a number of schools and also provides private tuition. His background is very much orchestral but he is experienced in all types of music. The band is very grateful to Geoff Risely and to Lloyd Preston for continuing to conduct the band whilst we sought a new M.D. We are also delighted to welcome back to the band Carley Joy, who previously played with the band until commitments compelled her to take a break. Carley has recently been appointed head of music at the Uppingham Community College. We wish her well. The Annual General meeting of the band was held on the 15th July, where the band formally invited Elio to take up the position of Musical Director. Officers of the band remain the same, Chair Peter Weston, Vice Chair Steve Lloyd, Secretary, Frank Smith and Treasurer Clare Coleman. Lloyd Preston remains as Deputy Musical Director and is joined by Sandra Preston as Librarians. Adrian and Stephanie Oram are the parent/band liaison officers, and Clare Coleman continues with the Web site Manager role. The band is very grateful for the support of our non- playing members who help out at the band activities in so many different ways. We are very much indebted to David Fursdon for all his help with publicity. The band will play at the Church Flower Festival at 2.00pm on 25th June, at Caldecott Village fete on July 1st, and at Braybrooke Village Fete on 8th July. We will be playing at the Rockingham Road Park, Kettering on the 3rd September 2.00pm start. Band craft market on Saturday, 18th November on the village hall. Like to book a stall? Contact Glenda Weston on 01536 713234. Peter Weston Chairman, Gretton Silver Band. VILLAGE WEBSITES

A list of all village sites is available by going to www.grettonsites.info, where links can be found to Gretton – A Northamptonshire Village, Gretton Local History Society, Gretton Silver Band, 1st Gretton Scouts Group, the Hatton Arms, the Talbot Inn and the Chirpy Chicks Pre-School Group. The “Gretton – A Northamptonshire Village” site can also be accessed directly at www.gretton.info. In addition to providing information on the village and its people, other pages cover Village Organisations, Parish Council Minutes, Forthcoming Events, a Gallery of Village Photographs, useful information, an E-mail Directory, and the latest edition of Gretton News.

To add your information please contact Maurice Kellner by e-mail at maurice@mkellner.com, or by phone on 01536 771680.

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ALL YOU NEEDED ON THE DOORSTEP! The High Street started with the Fox pub, this was the house with the gable facing the road on the corner of Caister Lane, yes, not Caister Road. The skittle and dart board were housed in this room, the landlord fetching the beer in a jug from the top room; classed as the cellar. In a wooden building next door was a small industry (making corsets?). The newsagents followed, and in later years a hairdresser was opened in the adjoining building – now all Lydia’s Café. Across the yard the butcher’s shop, slaughtered their own animals in the back, serving customers in the shop, with many a boy making home deliveries by bicycle. The house next to the butchers was a general store who weighed the tea into little bags. Going up the High Street brought you to the post office, previously on Station Road. The shop in the High Street boasted an off-licence and general stores. Continuing-next to the Co-op.( now flats), but even then they gave out dividends to their customers, not points on a card as is today but points written into a book against your own unique number. The Co-op was like shop on line – you took your order in on the way to work and picked it up on your return – and you spoke to real people! Opposite the Co-op, the house that is now no. 15 was a fish and chip shop with a belt factory above. The shop changed to green-grocers in later years before closure (the football team changed in the upstairs room). Carrying on up the High Street in the middle of the terrace of houses was a hairdressers and the house next to Barn House was a haberdashers. Barn House housed an Antique Shop.

Where the notice board is situated was a house which was the doctor’s surgery and across the road was a sweet shop, knocked down to make way for the bungalows. The cobblers were housed in a wooden building at the bottom of the factory yard. We had bakers at the bottom of Craxford Lane who delivered Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, bread and cakes that you won’t find bettered anywhere. The villagers took their meat joints there on a Sunday to be cooked, while most of them went for a pint. Milk was delivered to the door everyday by the Co-op and Spendloves. The postmistress walked from the post office and delivered the mail giving a cheery smile and friendly good morning, walking the village every day but Sunday.

The garage was also at the bottom of Craxford Road and in later years had a greengrocers shop. There was a doctor’s surgery held at The Lawns. The house adjoining the Hatton Arms was a butcher’s shop where they killed animals on site, the door to the shop was the one that comes onto the pavement. The factory started as ‘Burleigh’ ware, jackets and blazers for men. This was where many a seamstress was born, going on to make their own clothes, curtains etc. The factory was extended later and was run by Tootal. They made clothes for M & S, catalogues and retail outlets. Young mothers could work school hours and have the holiday off – this was a great advantage.

A hardware van came to the village each Monday, where you could buy your paraffin, brushes, paints etc. An additional shop in Kirby Road sold confectionery and cigarettes. The pubs served as a swap shop for all the keen gardeners, who if they had a glut of something would take them to the pub and swap it for something else. There was always keen competition amongst the gardeners and it was an honour to win at the Chapel Flower Festival. To go shopping in the village could take easily an hour. Everyone stopped to pass the time of day and catch up with the gossip. There were also queues in all the shops. If you had a new baby to show off it took longer. When the news spread that you had your new baby, knitwear and clothing would come from many a well- wisher. So is it moving on to have to get in your car to get your petrol and shopping? Is it moving on when people don’t seem to have time to talk and acknowledge one another? Mary Kerfoot, Arnhill Road

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LYDIA’S As I write the few days of heat wave have given way to the typical English summer-grey, overcast and wet!! However at Lydia's we are celebrating with a range of cakes and drink’s that remind us of summer, in addition to our usual menu. If you have never been to Lydia's and experienced the great atmosphere please come and join us. In August we will be celebrating National Afternoon Tea week from 12th to 19th: please come and join us. So far this summer we have celebrated National Cream Tea day and enjoyed consuming strawberries and cream during the Wimbledon tournament. Like to sample Lydia's excellent afternoon tea at other times? please speak to the duty manager to arrange a date. We also continue to support fair trade products and have an excellent range of bags and other items for sale so please feel free to come in and browse. All proceeds go to the appropriate charities. You may have seen a photo and article in the local paper in which our senior manager Miriam is seen with members of Team Work. This is part of Lydia's continued support for different members of the community to gain work experience in a customer focussed and safe environment. And finally....Lydia's Coffee Shop celebrates 10 years trading later this year. Look out for special events on our Facebook page or on the Gretton Village Facebook page." Barbara Prince

FORTHCOMING EVENTS- at a glance

21ST July – Historical Society -Talk on Mary Queen of Scots 29th July – Gardening Society – Skevington Gardens, Bedfordshire 12th August – Wondertours – Lincoln 23rd August – Gardening Society – Brixworth Vineyard 9th September – St. James Church – Ride and Stride 15th September – Village Litter Pick 16th September – Wondertours – Ross on Wye 19th September – Book Club 1st October – Gretton Baptist Chapel – Harvest Festival 17th October – Book Club 17th November – Historical Society – 80 years at Rectory Farm 18th November – Wondertours – Gloucester 18th November – Silver Band Craft market 21st November – Village Hall – Bridge Drive 21st November – Book Club 2nd December – Wondertours – Leeds Dates to be arranged: Village Hall Entertainment : Brian McNeil (Back O the North Wind) and the Andy Warrington Experience For further details see individual organisations info or visit websites