News from the Parish and Local Area
Towcester Literary Festival
As part of Towcester's (first!) Literary Festival, children's author Julia Jarman will be reading to the kids who come along to the literary festival.
Sunday 10 June at 3:00pm
Northamptonshire ACRE bulk oil buying project
You may remember that last autumn saw the launch of the Northamptonshire ACRE Bulk Oil Buying Project. We're pleased to report that it's fully up and running.
Since we began in October our membership has grown to almost 60.
Click here to view the prices negotiated on behalf of the members and the average member savings.
Northamptonshire Association for the Blind
NAB are pleased to announce a service for blind or partially sighted cricket lovers in Northamptonshire.
During the 2012 cricket season, NAB will be offering a continuous commentary on all 4 days of the LV County Championship games and the CB 40 limited over games, to spectators at the Wantage Road ground. The same commentary will be available to all cricket enthusiasts on the Internet Link that can be accessed via the Northants Cricket Website by logging onto:
www.northantscricket.com/commentary
Blind or partially sighted supporters will be able to gain admission to the ground for just £5.00 per day and the internet service is available to anyone with access to a laptop, PC or the technology to connect to the above web site. The service is totally supported by the Marketing Dept. of the county club and endorsed by the new Chief Executive David Smith.
Can you help NAB? Read more
County Connect Bus Service
Today we can take advantage of computer and mobile communications technology to schedule the bus to take people to their local towns when they need to go, six days per week. Many villages therefore have a daily service for the first time, and because the service is available from 7am-7pm Monday-Friday, as well as on Saturdays, it can meet demand for journeys to work or college, creating opportunities especially for younger people. You can also now easily reach a doctor's appointment, or take advantage of events and clubs, which was not possible when there was only a bus or two each week. Staying late after school for music of sports practice also now need not involve mum's taxi!
The service runs from bus-stop to bus stop. That means that many much more direct routes are available on CountyConnect. You can go directly to medical centres and supermarkets. Rather than change buses or walk a distance from the town centre bus stops as you did with fixed routes. We also have modern low-floor buses with plenty of space and wheelchair/buggy access. They are clearly branded.
CountyConnect is transforming rural accessibility. In fact, at a time when running a car is becoming especially expensive, it really might become possible to live without a second car in many villages. We have designed fares to be competitive with other bus services by distance. with returns and child discounts available to the age of 16. CountyConnect also discounts for regular users: a 12-journey ticket costs £29.50, for any distance trip. For families or groups of up to five people, you can take advantage of a group fare where up to 5 can travel for less than the price for two.
You do have to register to use the service, which is free of charge. Then you book each journey, as you need to, and pay or show your pass as you board. While we encourage people to book ahead to secure their journey, up to a week in advance, if you do need to go to town at up to an hour's notice it may well be that you can be accommodated.
Finally, if you need to travel further, we have a deal with Stagecoach that allows you to connect to most longer-distance buses within Northamptonshire and to some neighbouring counties. In the same way if your journey starts on a Stagecoach bus, show your valid Stagecoach ticket or pass to get the same deal on CountyConnect.
Minibus and driver for hire - new for 2012
SNVB (the South Northants Volunteer Bureau) are pleased to announce that as part of Village Networks, a new Lottery-funded project, we have taken delivery of a brand new 16-seater minibus which is available for hire by community, voluntary and non-profit groups. Read more.
Break in
The pavillion on the playing field, used as a changing facility by the football teams, has been broken into during the Christmas Holiday period. Sadly, considerable damage has been done and the pavillion left in a poor state. The break in has been reported to the Police who are investigating the matter.
If you have any information please contact the Neighbourhood Watch incident number 01604 432436 or Iris on 830829.
The Crime incident number is NP/48248/11
Pattishall Parish Hall Association
Results of Christmas Draw 1st Dec. 2011
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Holy Cross Wildflower Garden
The wildflower garden at Holy Cross is an attractive public amenity and has been managed over recent years on an ad hoc basis. Because of its relatively undisturbed nature it is a sanctuary for wild flora and fauna and in a recent survey was found to contain 82 wildflower species, a number of grass species and 16 trees and shrubs.
The garden was created as a Parish Millennium project because as an ancient burial ground, it had become very overgrown and unmanageable. At present the wildflower garden consists of only part of the existing graveyard but it is proposed that in time, it could be extended to other parts of the south side of the churchyard.
As part of the Parish Plan a small group has produced a provisional management plan for the next twelve months including cutting back of intrusive shrubs and undergrowth and allowing more light into the area by careful removal of some lower branches of trees. This will promote the growth of existing wildflowers and will facilitate any further planting schemes should they arise.
In keeping with the Parish Plan, tasking is on a voluntary basis and the group would welcome those with an interest in the project to contact them with a view to providing assistance as and when required. It is hoped that from this it will be possible to set up a more long term working plan with new ideas and a vision for the future for the wildflower garden.
Contacts:
bob.illingworth@btconnect.com 01327 830829
pippoptaylor@hotmail.co.uk 01327 830996
No luck with the Big Lottery
Pattishall Parish Hall Association
Pattishall Playing Field Association
We have received pledges of £2000 from the Bernard Sunley Charitable Trust and £19,000 from South Northants Council if we reach our target amount for the extension fund. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful with the Big Lottery bid for £50,000. The Edith Murphy Trust has given us £1000.
The walking treasure hunt around Pattishall in September was enjoyed by several families. Along with the afternoon teas the sum of £113 was raised. Many thanks to Hilary Aslett who searched out the challenging questions.
We were very fortunate with the weather this year for Bonfire Night. The firework display was one of the best we have ever had thanks to Andrew and Peter Stratton and assistants Denis and Matthew Townsend. The music was organised by Malcolm Townsend and Peter Barnes and greatly added to the atmosphere. Thanks go to John Woollett and Roger Clark for supervising the bonfire, James Hawtin for the loan of a digger, Richard and Roger Burt for the lighting and Duncan Townsend for the safety barrier. This is an annual parish event which always receives plenty of support from everyone. Thank you for helping to make it a safe event. Barclaycard supported this event and the proceeds will go towards the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch and the refurbishment.
The popular quiz with a fish and chip supper will be held on Friday 24th February 2012 so organise your team and lookout for further details.
Now that the evenings are drawing in the local Police Community Support Officer will be dropping in to the hall occasionally to make sure everything is safe. Please report anything untoward to the local NHW number.
If anyone has a child's high chair in good condition that is no longer needed, we would like to acquire one for the hall. Please contact Iris on 830829.
Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch
The lunch this year will be held at 1.00pm on Saturday 10th December at Pattishall Parish Hall. It is open to residents of the parish who are aged 60 or over. Reservations can be made through the Good Neighbours or directly with Libby Covington on 830501.
Astcote High Street - Roadworks
Astcote High Street road works have now been re-scheduled. The road will be closed commencing Monday 27 February for 5 days to complete the repair work. A diversion will be signed using the A5.
Improving your patch
Pattishall Parish has won the South Northants Area Award of £150 in the Improving Your Patch Competition organised by Northamptonshire Environmental Forum
The basis of the entry was the method and outcome of the Parish Plan and how we had involved the community throughout. Particularly the organisations that now support the community’s needs and our environmental work with the school, allotments, Fosters Booth Road and tree planting.
The money will of course be directed to a worthy village cause.
Garden of Remembrance
The maintenance and general up-keep of the Pattishall Garden of
Remembrance is now in the hands of Michael Fleck. Those that visit the Garden will have noticed what a little care and attention does and many have commented how much better it looks.
We are all grateful for the care and attention that Michael has given to
this area of the Church Yard that is so special to so many in the community.
Roger Clarke, John Woollett
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