Published and funded jointly by Braunston Parish Council and All Saints’ Church
We are grateful for the support of the businesses whose adverts appear on highlighted sections. Payments received from advertisers contribute to the printing costs of the BVN.
The Willow Wren operation at Braunston Bottom Lock in 1967, following its move from Bulls Bridge, bringing with it the crane mentioned in Tim Coghlan’s article in this issue
All Saints’ Church, Braunston
Churchwardens:
Pat Milner
E: warden2@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk
T: 01788 899157
Mariann Holloway
E: warden1@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk
T: 07761 136307
Secretary: Treasurer:
Fergus McCloghry
E: secretary@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk
T: 07495 389077
Peter Hobbs
E: treasurer@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk
CHURCH SERVICES FOR APRIL
Additional Weekly Services:
Wednesdays at 6.30pm Evening Prayer Ashby
Thursdays at 9.30am Morning Prayer Welton
Saturdays at 10am Celtic Morning Prayer Braunston
Also:
Peace at lunchtime
Next Meeting due on Thursday 17th April at 12.30pm in the Parish Room of the Church
Dear Friends
In 1939, when it was certain that war was on its way, the trustees of the National Gallery decided to move the paintings for safety. So the paintings were put into slate mines in Wales. However, two years later the public started to complain. There were daily concerts in the National Gallery, but no paintings. A letter to The Times on 2 January 1942 said, ‘Because London’s face is scarred and bruised these days, we need more than ever to see beautiful things.’ The trustees decided to display one a month. They asked the public what they wanted and were astonished to find that, rather than depictions of resilience or the strength of the human spirit, the picture they wanted most of all was Titian’s painting of the resurrection of Jesus. I find that very moving.
There are no bombs falling in Britain at the moment, thankfully, but we are in a difficult turn of history. There are scars and bruises on many communities and individuals. We need hope now too.
The Easter story is one of scarring, of bruising, of darkness, oppression, loneliness, and emptiness. It is also one of hope. There is hope throughout the story. Jesus receives compassion from some when he’s being humiliated by others; he offers forgiveness to one who asks for it, even when he’s in pain, and throughout there is the overwhelming demonstration of love which shows us what we’re worth to him. And then the tomb bursts open. With it, comes eternal hope that life is ultimately stronger than death, and love stronger than hate. This hope is deeper than optimism. It invites us into a new way of viewing the world, and all that is in it, as worth saving, and that God thinks so too.
I love this cross. The tree combined with the circle and knotwork symbolises the power of life to endure. But it springs out of wood that was dead-wood that held a terrible death. It would mean less without that. This is Christian hope. Hate, suffering, and death are temporary. Love wins and life is eternal.
Every blessing, Kathryn
Church Registers
20th February
22nd February
22nd February
Burial of Ashes
Burial of Ashes
Burial of Ashes
Marion Maskell
Alan Pittam
Glen Howells
Floodlighting 2025
The complete March list
1st - * Happy birthday to Emily Grace
13th - To celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary. Gez and Colin
15th - In celebration of Colin and Gez's Golden Anniversary. Love Ray and Linda
15th - * In memory of Ada Littlemore - boat woman
15th - * Happy Birthday Debbie. Love Martin
27th - * Pat and Alison's Wedding Anniversary
28th - * Remembering Brian on our wedding anniversary, my love always. Jean
The April list so far …
1st - * Janet & John’s Wedding Anniversary
5th - * Love to all the family, from Geoff & Jean
5th - * In loving memory of Brian & Margaret Phillips, love Jane, Tim & pups xx
9th - * Happy Birthday Rosemary 9th April. Always In Our Thoughts xx J & K
12th - Happy 70th Birthday Barbara. Love Richard, Vicky, Rybin, Craig
12th - Remembering Stevie on his birthday with all our love Lizzie & family xxxx
24th - * William Andrews 21st Birthday
26th - * Julie's Birthday
27th - In loving memory of our beloved Great Grandaughter Ava-May on her 15th Birthday. Always in our hearts
* = Friends of All Saints – A huge Thank You
Please take note: - These are all the floodlighting requests received before the BVN Deadline – 18th March 2025
Floodlighting
The current fee to light All Saints’ is £7 per evening, although you can give more, and we ask that you try to keep the length of the dedication for inclusion in the BVN to not more than 12 words. The completed message with the donation can be left at the Post Office, but note that requests are only collected from the Post Office on the 18th of each month. Please mark the envelope “Church Floodlighting”.
Raising the Roof
It's a few years since The Friends of All Saints saved the roof of the church. Now they are planning to raise it again.
Well, not exactly literally. But on Saturday 7 June they have booked the massed voices of Tarantara for a concert in the church which, metaphorically at least, should raise the roof.
You can't put a label on the music Tarantara sing – it covers just about everything. Songs from the shows, classical items, popular songs. So they call themselves “The choir to suit all tastes” and have been wowing audiences from the Highlands of Scotland, down to East Anglia, across to Worcestershire, and to many places beyond for more than 20 years. Now it is Braunston's turn.
The Friends feel privileged that they have agreed to perform in the village, due in part to the appeal of the location and in part to the excellent acoustics in the church.
Forty or more singers will be performing a programme called A day like this! It's described as “Well known toe-tapping tunes and atmospheric choral classics to celebrate the passing of the day from joyous sunrise to magical night.”
More details are on the Tarantara website (https://www.tarantara.org.uk) where tickets can be pre-booked. Tickets are also available from Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk) and will shortly be on sale at the usual outlets in the village.
A Day Like This! promises to be – well, an Evening Like No Other.
John Foster
Secretary, The Friends of All Saints.
Tiny Treasures
Parent /carer and toddler group for preschool children. Tuesday mornings during term time 9.00am to 11.00am. We meet in the Parish Room, All Saints’ Church, Braunston.
The Church door will be open. Just come on in. Come along and enjoy playtime, stories, craft time and singing.
Community larder
This is a valuable resource for the village and visitors. It is on the left as you go into the church at the back.
Donations can be left and those in need are welcome to access it as needed.
Parish Council Information and News
Clerk: Steve Rolt
c/o Braunston Village Hall, The Green, Braunston, NN11 7HW
t: 0800 002 9783 (Freephone)
Chair: David Cary, Vice-Chair: Graham Newman
This list shows which councillor to contact for the area you live in:
Archer Avenue and Cross Lane Alan Mawer 01788 890340
Ashby Road Gordon Kemp 07753 210625
Church Road and Barby Road Pete Morgan 07805 677559
Dark Lane Sue Harrison 07769 589459
Eastfields 0800 002 9783
The Green Graham Newman 07710 290265
Greenway and Closes 0800 002 9783
High St (Old Plough to The Green) Caroline Gibbons 01788 899107
High St (A45 to Old Plough) David Cary 07775 514840
The Wharf, London Rd, Hill Row, Old Rd, Marina John Pomfret 07817 234727
Spinney Hill and Closes Carrie-Ann Biggs 07796 712408
Welton Rd, School Cl, Maple Cl Dave Dawson 07964 703797
Councillors can also be contacted by email. Addresses are councillors’ names separated by a full stop and followed by @braunstonpc.org - for example alan.mawer@braunstonpc.org
Forthcoming Meetings
Members of the public are invited to attend the following meetings at Braunston Village Hall.
7 April Full Council Meeting - 7.30pm
Agendas and minutes are available on the Braunston website at: https://www.braunston.org.uk/org.aspx?n=Braunston-Parish-Council
Braunston Parish Council
During my time as a Parish Councillor in Braunston, I have repeatedly been impressed by the efforts of people to improve the lives, wellbeing and amenities which the village has to offer the residents. Some of these groups include the Jetty Field Volunteers who maintain this park as a space for the whole village to use and who work alongside another of these groups the Braunston Village Gardens Association Friday Gardeners. This group develops and maintains several pockets of gardens around the village including the Garden area of Jetty Field in the north east corner of this pocket park.
The volunteers are planning to develop an efficient composting facility for their use in the southern boundary of the formal gardens. Unfortunately, their ability to construct this facility is being blocked by some residents dumping woody waste in that area. I agree with recycling, composting and creating wildlife habitats but to dump rubbish in areas where you do not have permission is actually flytipping. I therefore kindly ask anyone doing this to stop the practice and allow the volunteers to create the composting facility to recycle the waste from these gardens effectively. There are several ways that the woody waste can be recycled including the recycling facility at Daventry which will be open 7 days a week from 1st April.
David Cary Braunston Parish Council
Village Hall Information and Contacts
Braunston Village Hall provides a facility for use by the inhabitants of the Parish of Braunston and the neighbourhood. As well as accommodating Braunston Preschool, it is used by many village organisations and regular users are listed below .
To hire the hall visit the website: www.braunstonvillagehall.org.uk, email braunstonmemorialhall@gmail.com or call the Bookings Secretary on 07890 072487
Wi-fi is available in the Village Hall. The network name and password are shown on the notice boards in the entrance corridor and the library.
Contacts for Village Hall activities
Please check with contacts listed below for information about holidays
Braunston Preschool - Monday to Friday 01788 891891 braunstonpreschoolcio@gmail.com
Pop Mobility
Lorraine 01788 890846 Tues 2.30-3.30
The Hive Gill 07963 821052 1st Weds 2.15-4
Art Group
Yoga
Alan 01788 890526 Weds 2-4
Sheila 01788 891831 Weds 7-8
Short Mat Bowls Bill 01788 891145 Thurs 2-4
Brownies Clare 07544 936589 Thurs 5.30-7
Pilates Sam 07593 913686 Thurs 7.15-8.15
Friendly Club Jenny 01788 890186 2nd and 4th Mon 2-4
Learn to Crochet Gill 07711 742575 1st and 3rd Tues10-12
History Society
John 07817 234727 3rd Tues 7.30-9 Liz 07890 072487
Climate Action Abigail 07989 421836 1st Weds 7.30-9
Braunston Quilters Laura 01788 890102 4th Thurs 9.45-1
Gardens Association
Gill 07963 821052 2nd Thurs 7.30-9 David 07775 514840
Cinema Club Arthur 01788 890508 Last Sat 7-10
Clubs and Groups
Braunston Friendly Club
We meet in The Gallie Room at the Village Hall, 2pm - 4pm. We are a growing village group and enjoy meeting new friends, so do visit us on any of the dates shown below.
We enjoy tea, cake, fruit and a variety of activities that are organised through the year. Come along and find out more about what we do. We have extra cups, cake, chat and a cheery smile ready for visitors arriving to their first meeting.
Monday 14th April – Musical entertainment - 2pm - 4pm –
Village Hall
David will be providing our music this week. We all enjoy our members sharing their music. Visitors are very welcome.
Monday 28th April – Desert Island Discs! - 2pm - 4pm –
Village Hall
We could call April, David’s month! Come along and enjoy this original idea from David. We will be asking you to say which piece of music/ song, book and luxury item you would take to a desert island. We will play a clip of the music while we listen to the reasons for your choices. It will be interesting to see if there are many shared items. Visitors are very welcome.
Jenny will be collecting your £10 subs for the next 6 months in April.
Please remember that due to Bank Holidays the only Friendly Club activity in May is the visit to the National Memorial Arboretum.
For more information telephone Kate 01788 890340 or email mawerk@hotmail.co.uk
For Jenny telephone 01788 890186.
Coming up for The Hive!
On 2nd April the members are off on the DACT bus to visit a Long Buckby garden to see the spring bulbs and enjoy refreshments.
On 7th May, we are playing skittles in The Wheatsheaf during the afternoon, guests welcome if you fancy learning a new skill! Refreshments available, price to follow. 2 - 4.00pm
On 4th June, we have a talk by John Pomfret on Medical Pioneers in Northamptonshire, guests welcome - £3.00 to include refreshments. Meet in the village hall at 2.15pm.
New members welcome any time, just pop along to any meeting or give me a call!
Gill – 07963 821052
Braunston History Society
7.30pm on Tuesday 15th April in the Village Hall -
John Frearson will give a talk about Brickmakers in Rugby
Following his previous fascinating talk on the History of Rugby Cement Works, John returns to Braunston with a look at another important Rugby industry.
Members free, guests £4
Advance notice
9.30am, Saturday 10th May - Visit to Leicester – Richard III Visitor Centre in the morning and Abbey Pumping Station in the afternoon, where one of the beam engines will be in steam especially for our visit.
10.30am, Saturday 7th June 2025 - Daventry History Trail - meet at Braunston Village Hall to travel to Daventry for a walk around the town trail led by John Pomfret, followed by a visit to Daventry Museum on one of its few Saturday opening dates.
If you are interested in either visit please let the Secretary, Liz Fraser, know. Tel 07890 072487 or email lizfraser1551@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you
Braunston CAN (Climate Action Network)
Making the change to reduce household emissions, cut on-going energy costs and improve air quality around our homes can be daunting. We are planning an event on 14th June starting at 10am at the Village Hall to provide information about retrofitting with lowcarbon technologies. Please get in touch if you would like to help. This will be part of the national event, the Great Big Green Week 2025. We will post more information in the coming editions of the BVN and on the Bugle.
We are a group of Braunston people who are promoting policies and taking local action about climate change. You would be very welcome to join us. Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd April in the Village Hall. Please message 07703 438173 or 07989 421836 or 07554 264742 or use the contact information under climate emergency on the Braunston website.
Jetty Field, Braunston’s Pocket Park
Pocket Parks are local public green spaces which are owned, looked after and cherished by local communities for peaceful enjoyment and the protection of wildlife.
From the early 1980s to 2015 Northamptonshire County Council worked in partnership with other organisations and local authorities to help local volunteer groups create over 70 pocket parks across Northamptonshire, for people to enjoy. There are now 46 pocket parks listed on the West Northamptonshire Council website with a similar number in North Northamptonshire.
Braunston’s Pocket Park was acquired in 2005 and consists of five zones, the garden, allotments, the nature reserve, the spinney and the field.
Please let us know if you can offer help with jobs in Jetty Field and would like to join our group work events which are usually on a Saturday morning once a month. If you can spare an hour or two to help maintain the area it would be appreciated.
Braunston Community Garden Shop
Thank you for your support so far. We are now fully re-stocked after bark chips for mulching and seed compost sold out early in the season. We are now open every Sunday morning until the end of May. Our shed is at the rear of the Village Hall. The volunteers will be there from 11 to 12 to sell compost, canes, fertilisers, bark, twine and liquid garden feeds. Please let us know if this is not convenient as we can make other arrangements. We aim to sell sustainable products at good prices avoiding the need to travel out of the village.
Roger - abrb82@hotmail.co.uk 01788 316891
Alan - a.mawer66@gmail.com 01788 890340
Richard - rmstapley@talk21.com 01788 890475
