Parish News Online

This month’s News and Events – July 2012

Starting with…

Barnack & District Horticultural Show & Fete Sun 19th Aug – 12.30pm 
Barnack and District Horticultural Show & Fete is looking forward to its 3rd year at Barnack Cricket Club. With a great family day planned we hope you will rally around, support the event and come and enjoy yourselves.
We are looking for: Unopened bottles of any description for the tombola – call Debra on 740048. Second hand good condition books for the ever popular book stall – call Cynthia on 740418. Anybody willing to help on the day doing some setting up or clearing away – call Clare on 782296

Programmes will be on sale in July at Barnack Post Office and Barnack Country Clothes. Our team of volunteers will also be coming round selling the programmes door to door in the villages. For more information about the Show and this year’s classes you can visit www.barnackshow.co.uk

Barnack & District Royal British Legion
 Wed 13 June – HM the Queen’s visit to Stamford. By kind invitation of the Stamford Branch, our Standard was paraded at the Broad St. War Memorial in Ted’s expert care and he was supported by a select group (detachment?) of Members – and there was some sunshine!
Up-coming events:
Mon 25 Jun – Dedication of new Peterborough War Memorial. 1000 in front of Peterborough Town Hall. The Mayor and Corporation have invited us to parade our Standard. Support by Members and their families very welcome.
Wed 27 Jun – Committee meeting in the White Hart. Please email me if there are any matters you would like raised.
Sat 30 Jun – Armed Forces Day at the Millstone. Branch Members welcome, of course, especially if they bring a serving member of the Armed Forces.
Wed 8 Aug – Summer Party, Hog Roast & Raffle (subject to confirmation) at the White Hart.
Sunday 19 Aug – Barnack Horticultural Show. Our usual reception tent, with some Legion merchandise for sale in aid of RBL funds. New Members always welcome (service or non-service background).
Sept (date tbd) – the Branch outing will be to either the Muckleburgh Collection and Holkham Hall, or to The Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Please email me with your preference.
To answer a question raised by a few Members – a low profile families day (mainly for Station personnel and their children) was held at RAF Wittering last week, but unfortunately the usual event in July will not take place this year because of changes to Wittering’s role and hence the facilities available (air traffic control has been closed, for example).
Max Sawyer, Hon Sec
Tasked with organising the village Cavalcade, Aerobatic and Fireworks displays for the Jubilee celebrations, members were busily engaged over the three day period.
Our 45 vehicle column toured Barnack, Bainton and Ufford comprising a wide variety of vintage/classic cars, agricultural machines, fire engines, motor bikes and the Barnack School float at the head of the procession. On a miserably wet day it was heartwarming for the drivers to be greeted by a large number of appreciative spectators en route – especially those in open cockpits and old fashioned tractors who nobly endured a severe wetting. Congratulations in particular to the impromptu pack of junior cyclists who doggedly tracked the lead vehicle  at 15 mph over the full course.
The Battle of Britain Spitfire came in over the Cricket Ground right on schedule at 3pm on Monday following which Colin Darlow of Ufford in his home built aeroplane put on a superb aerobatic display complete with smoke effects as the weather cleared. Unfortunately, conditions on Sunday precluded our planned Tiger Moth coverage of the Walcot Hall party.
Our veteran ‘mortar team’ fired off a 41 Rocket Salute bang on 10 o’clock in conjunction with the Beacon lighting to conclude a memorable occasion for all concerned. Apologies to the Bowls Club for some of our debris landing on their green in the dark! 

Bainton & Ashton Jubilee Celebrations
A very big thank you to all those residents who turned out in the rain on Sunday to support our Jubilee celebrations.   We had a great time in spite of the weather.
The Queen suggested that her Diamond Jubilee be marked by a Community lunch and that is what we did.     We organised a Hog Roast  and we served over 180 people.     Our Allotment association kindly supplied the healthy salads and the ladies from the Buttercross Club had agreed to make the puddings – Royal and Jubilee and Posh!   We had organised an entertainer for the children, participants to bring their own liquid refreshment to go with the lunch, our Vicar had agreed to lead and accompany some community hymn singing and we had a drink for the loyal toast.
The small committee had decorated the Reading Room in traditional manner the day before so all looked set for a super street party – as you know, the weather decided differently! However, with some swift improvisation and lots of help  the whole event went ahead in splendid fashion.     The hog roast and salads were at the Reading Room under canvas and with the protective help of gazebos some of the hardy residents stayed outside whilst the others retreated inside.        The Buttercross Ladies set up the puddings in the Church and they looked wonderful – lots of red white and blue  – and tasted fantastic.      It was a bit like a moving supper party as we stepped briskly from main course to pudding, Reading Room to Church!    The Entertainer kept children (and adults) enthralled throughout the afternoon.       We had the loyal toast and the Community Hymn singing as well as the puddings in the Church and, although somewhat damp, those who came had a good time.         I believe Bainton and Ashton  marked this special occasion in a memorable way – thank you so much for your support. Zena Coles

Message from Zena
After 30 very happy years of supporting and helping to organise events in Bainton& Ashton the time has come for me to move on and the Jubilee celebrations were my swansong!    In April I stepped down from the Parish Council and being its Chairman.   Thank you to everyone for their support over the years.   The friendships and memories I have I will always treasure and Ashton has a special place in my heart (I lived there longer than I have lived anywhere).     My home is now in Barnack and I look forward to getting involved in village activities there in due course.        ZC

Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning in aid of diabetes in  The  Acres and Little Northfields community hall, Uffington Road. July 3rd at 10.am
There will be raffle prizes, tombola and a cake stall.

British Red Cross
Many thanks to everyone in Pilsgate who contributed to the flag week appeal in May. A superb amount of £87.01 was raised, which will enable the Red Cross to help people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
Ria and Katie Sutcliffe

Dog Walkers using the Acres
Over the last 6 months we have seen a gradual increase of people exercising their dogs on The Acres sheltered scheme and with this there has been an increase of fouling both on The Acres and next to the footpath to Little Northfields. Some dog owners take the lead off and allow their dog to run free which could cause someone with poor mobility to fall if the dog greets people too enthusiastically and some people are frighten of dogs which are not under control. The scheme is not the ideal place to exercise dogs especially  as there are more suitable areas in the locality. The residents would appreciate the help and consideration of those who have been using the scheme in this way. Thank you

The Buttercross Club
The June meeting took the form of a ‘Right Royal’ contribution to Bainton and Ashton Diamond Jubilee Festivities on Sunday, June 3rd.  Many thanks must go to the Buttercross Ladies plus a number of their friends who provided all the delicious home made puddings and cakes.  The royal occasion provided the inspiration for many wonderful creations which reflected Elizabeth’s sixty years as our queen. The weather did not deter the villagers and we all had a really happy time.

Coat Found in Ufford
On grass verge down Ufford/Bainton Road a light blue jacket.  Enquires to: 01780740388

How long has Barnack been famous for its wild flowers?
Barnack Hills and Holes National Nature Reserve is recognised today as one of the most important places in Europe for its wild flowers. The hummocky grassland of this abandoned limestone quarry supports over 300 species of plant, including eight species of orchid. It is especially famous for the Pasque flower, a purple anemone that blooms in large numbers in spring. The site only became a Nature Reserve in 1976, so when did the area first attract notice for its wild flowers? The answer might be further back than you think …
In 1650 a book by William Howe entitled Phytologia Britannica (British Plant Life) was published. Apart from herbals, which described the medicinal and culinary uses of plants, this was probably the first book written in English about plants. It includes three quotes from a Dr. Bowle (or Bowles), who described finding three interesting wild flower species in or near Barnack.
This botanist found a plant that he called “Gnaphalium odoratum flore albo elegans pusilla planta, Sweet-smelling white flowred Cud weed”:
    On a goodly heath by Berneck.
This species is now known as Mountain Everlasting (Antennaria dioica). It is usually found on moors and mountains in the north and west of Britain, but a tiny isolated colony still survives on the Hills and Holes.
He also noted Early Spider Orchid (then named Orchis arachnitis) as:  
A brave (colourful) plant, and flowers betimes (early in the year), I was much taken having never seen it before, it grows upon an old stone-pit ground, which is now green, hard by Walcot a mile from Barneck, as fine a place for variety of rare plants as ever I beheld.
This orchid (now called Ophrys sphegodes) has not been recorded in the Barnack area since 1650. It is now very rare in this country, and is found mainly on the south coast.
Dr. Bowle said of the Pasque Flower (which he called Pusatilla rubra, Red Passe-flower, rather than Pulsatilla vulgaris, as it is now known):
On a Heath towards Barneck, three miles from Stamford, where there are tenne thousand of these plants.
Sadly we know nothing of the life of Dr Bowle, but if he were to return to the Hills and Holes today, the wild flowers would be familiar and he would be pleased to find that Pasque flowers were as numerous as ever – in 2011 there were estimated to be 11,600 plants. Surely he would agree with us that it is still a fine place for its variety of rare plants.
Chris Gardiner Senior Reserve Manager, Hills & Holes

Hills and Holes Summer Warden
For over 30 years Natural England and its predecessor bodies have employed a Summer Warden to liaise with visitors and help manage the Hills and Holes, and this year we have a new arrangement to keep this worthwhile position. For the first time we will be using the services of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire to provide the wardening service, as part of our partnership within ‘John Clare Country’ – the wildlife rich area of countryside between Peterborough and Stamford. The post is being filled by Dan Kerr who you will probably see on his rounds, and I am sure you will continue to give him your support. As always if anyone has any queries, comments or suggestions regarding the Hills and Holes, please get in touch. Chris Gardiner Senior Reserve Manager

Barnack School Report
At Barnack School we have been very busy doing sports day, Jubilee celebrations and the run up to the Olympics.  Even though there was a little drizzle it didn’t stop the children doing their best in sports day.  There was a big crowd with encouraging enthusiasm by all the children’s parents. The events went on for a while but even at the end they still tried their best (and the ice lollies at the end helped too).
Nene and Welland started at the track doing really well in the sprint, relay, throw, sack, obstacle, high jump and many more. The little ones in Mrs Jones’ class had some races just for them including the scooter race, gardening race and ball and spoon race.
The Jubilee celebrations were a great success. The treasure hunt went well and the school dinners were splendid even though they were inside because of the rain.
So all in all Barnack has had a great half term and we hope to have another one.
Jack and Callum for the Parish News.

Jubilee Thanks
We, as villagers, would like to say a very big thank you to David Roxburgh and his team for organising a really splendid programme of events to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.  It was a very comprehensive series of events, with something for everyone, young and old.   A good time was had by all in spite of the weather.   It made us all very proud to be living in Barnack and Pilsgate.

Bainton pub night
The next Bainton pub night will be on Friday 13th July at 4 St Mary’s close, Helpston Road, Bainton. Everyone welcome. Normal Bainton pub rules apply which are bring your own drinks and glasses, and open 7.30-9.30pm. If you would like to host a pub night, ring Rob on 01780 740709

Bainton neighbourhood watch
Bainton operates a neighbourhood watch scheme for all parts of the village which enables you to keep informed of what’s happening around the area in regard to crime, and keeps you better informed on how to protect your property and possessions. For more information contact rob McNeish on 01780 740709

Bainton Speedwatch
Volunteers are required to assist in operating the speedwatch equipment in Bainton once a month. The scheme relies on the willingness of volunteers to enable  us to monitor the speed of traffic going through the village, and is in danger of being lost if additional volunteers are not forthcoming.  
It takes a maximum of 1 to 2 hours commitment per month, which would enable us to do what we can to ensure the village is as safe from speeding traffic as we can make it. Full training is given. Phone rob McNeish on 01780 740709

Village  Ladies’  Group
A fine and sunny day made our visit to Fineshade in May much more enjoyable.  An informative talk, given by Chris Andrews from the RSPB on the red kites and how their numbers were increased, preceded a walk through the woods.  The afternoon was concluded with refreshments in the café.  Thanks to Elaine for making the arrangements.
21st July: The Three Musketeers at Tolethorpe.
Several members already have tickets.  If you would like to join us, please apply to Tolethorpe to reserve your seats.
22nd August – Lunch Party in Joan’s garden at Ufford (weather permitting).
Please make a note in your diary – further details in the July Parish magazine.

Hosepipe ban lifted
The hosepipe ban affecting Anglian Water customers was lifted on Thursday June 14.
We have had exceptionally wet weather since the start of April – a staggering 255% of the usual rainfall.  This has increased the water levels in our rivers and reservoirs hit hard by the two-year-long drought.
Many of our groundwater sources, which supply around 50% of our water, have also recovered from what had been record low levels in some areas. We are very grateful to all of our customers for their help and support over the last two months.  
The hosepipe ban might be over, but we must continue to do everything we can to save water.
At Anglian Water we have continued to do all we can to reduce our leakage.  We have increased our leakage detection team so that we have more people finding and fixing leaks.  We also continue with our Drop 20 campaign, which encourages all of our customers to think about how much water they use and see where they could reduce waste.
The work in our Parish to clean the boreholes on Uffington Road was part of our recent investment in our network. Having not been used for 18 years, water was pumped out at various flows to clear the wells until it met drinking water standards. It now provides 15 litres a second to the local network and in the future to will provide 65-70 litres a second easing the burden on the River Welland and Rutland Water.
There’s bucket loads of useful water saving hints and tips on our website
www.everyone-drop-20.co.uk

Acoustic Café
This is a monthly get together for people in the Benefice at St Botolph’s Barn, Helpston. It’s a night of do it yourself entertainment, when musicians can turn up and sing/play a couple of songs. We supply a keyboard, congas and refreshments. It’s held on the fourth Saturday each month and the next Acoustic Café will be on 28th July at 7.30pm. Turn up to listen or sing. More information ring Rev Dave on 740234.

Benefice Service
As 29th July is a fifth Sunday of the month, there will be no Anglican Church services in Barnack or Bainton on that Sunday, but a united, Benefice Service at Helpston Church. All the congregations from Barnack with Ufford, Bainton, Wittering and Helpston are encouraged to come along.

Summer Services at Barnack
As the Junior Church, Choir and organist take well deserved holidays over the School holidays, the services at Barnack Church will be simpler, all age services with things for children to do as well as the adults. Do come along and join in.

Barnack Methodist Chapel
Your support for our June Coffee Morning and Cake Stall helped us to raise £96 for our funds.  Thank you very much.
The next Coffee Morning will take place on Saturday, 7 July at the usual time of 10 am to 11 am and we look forward to seeing you.  If you’re new to the village do come and see us – all our cakes are freshly baked and very reasonably priced and we also have chutneys, jams and marmalade.

Friends of Barnack Church
The May winners were as follows:
£20    No. 142  Anne Addison
£10    No. 30    Chris Fotheringham
£5      No. 194  Ann Butland

Barnack W.I.
Sue Chowings welcomed members with thanks for their hard work in producing the teas over the Jubilee weekend. We shall be on duty again at the Horticultural Show in August. Many members are looking forward to the visit to Warwick Castle, and also to Tolethorpe later in the summer. Details of the next long and short walks were given together with the venue for the next luncheon. Our speaker for the evening was Mrs. J. Gralka who described a terrifying journey she had made to Poland at the height of the Cold War. The purpose of the visit was to visit her parents in law for the first time. Her husband had also had some extraordinary experiences during the war before settling in England. On this trip they had with them their four year old son and as well as the usual luggage had to take lots of food and petrol for the drive across both West and East Germany before reaching Poland. There were many scary moments, and her talk led to several questions after which she was thanked by Judith Browne. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, July 10th, in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. New members are always welcome. As you will have gathered we do a lot of things and have a lot of fun! Liz Young.

Barnack Baptist Church
During the school summer holidays we will be changing our Sunday meeting place to Barnack Village Hall,  we’ll begin at 9.30am with a continental style breakfast,moving on to an informal all age service, and finishing about 10.30am.  Everyone is really welcome to join us for these special summer services..On the 8th July we have another Afternoon Service in Barnack School Hall at 4 pm, do come and join us forthis very family friendly service followed by a light meal together and then perhaps some games out on the school field if it’s not raining again! We had a great time with our friends from the other churches in village at the joint service for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Men’s Breakfasts
There’ll be another opportunity to enjoy good company and a full English breakfast on Saturday 30th June in Barnack Village Hall at 8.30am.  Sausage, bacon, black pudding etc, the full works!  Just come along on the morning or ring Rob Porter 01780 740663 to find out more.