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All Saints’ Church, Braunston
Registered charity number 1173187
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
Peter Hobbs
E: treasurer@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk
CHURCH SERVICES FOR MAY
Additional Weekly Services:
Wednesdays at 6.30pm Evening Prayer Ashby
Thursdays at 9.30am Morning Prayer Welton
Saturdays at 10am Celtic Morning Prayer Braunston
Notice: Christmas Extravaganza 15th December 2025 led by Coventry Brass Band in All Saints Church, Braunston. Admission by donation
Dear Neighbours,
Are you struggling? To be human is to have fragilities, and to be vulnerable to what happens around us. Everyone struggles at some point, in some way, even though they may hide it. My letter this month is for those of you who are struggling but aren’t comfortable asking for help. If you’re struggling to pay your bills and put food on your table, help is available to residents of Braunston through the Braunston Village Charity (BVC). But there are reasons why some people might not be comfortable accessing this help.
Sometimes we may feel uncomfortable about the idea of receiving ‘charity’, but the thing is that ‘charity’ simply means ‘love’. Everyone needs to give and receive love, and there are many ways to do this. Love meets the needs of the other person. Perhaps you are doing this in a number of other ways but need to receive love in a way that meets your practical needs.
Sometimes I meet people who don’t think they deserve help – or love for that matter. But love is never something we earn – it is the gift of the giver. Even so, the mistakes we’ve made (and we’ve all made them) don’t rule us out from having our needs met because we are all part of the human family and that is enough to qualify us for love.
Sometimes we hold back because we know that other people have it worse. They might, but that doesn’t mean that your struggles aren’t real or that you shouldn’t have help meeting your needs. The bank balance of the BVC is quite healthy – if you ask for help, it doesn’t take it away from others. There is enough, and this is what it is for. Our job as trustees isn’t to sit on an ever-growing pot while you’re worried about paying your food bill.
We are not a collection of individuals who happen to live in the same village. We are a community – and when one hurts, we all hurt. When we help each other out, the whole community is the better for it. If you’re struggling financially, please go to page 33 in this magazine to find out how you can apply to the BVC for a little love. If you’re struggling in a different way, you can talk to me confidentially at any time. Every blessing, Kathryn
Church Registers
28th March Funeral/Burial
WHAT'S IN A NAME? Okay, you've called yourself “Tarantara”. Why? And secondly – How do you pronounce it, are two questions I have been asked about the visit by “Tarantara” on 7th June.
Taking the second question first, it could be “Tara” from Gone With the Wind –so “TAR 'n' TAR (uh)”. Or it could be like Duran Duran –“t' RAN t' RAH”. Gilbert & Sullivan fans will opt for the second –“When the foeman bears his steel (Tarantara, Tarantara)...” – from The Pirates of Penzance.
As to the first: it turns out that “Tarantara” – the choir – has absolutely nothing to do with Gilbert & Sullivan. In fact, it's almost impossible to pigeonhole them. Their repertoire ranges from Leonard Cohen to Carly Simon, from the rugby fans' favourite World in Union to Louis Armstrong's Wonderful Worldand all sorts in between. In short whatever your taste in music you'll probably find it here. Tarantara's programme might vary but one thing stays the same: there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Hence their concert in Braunston is described as “Well-known Toe Tapping Tunes and atmospheric choral classics”, with a title of “A Day Like This!” Having been applauded wherever they go, Braunston is in for a treat.
Oh – so how DID they get their name? Well, actually, it was because their first musical director was called “Tara”. No idea how she pronounced it.
John Foster, Secretary, The Friends of All Saints', Braunston.
Floodlighting 2025
The complete April list
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 – Remembering Stevie on his birthday with all our love Lizzie & family xxxx
19th - * In memory of Adrian. Beloved husband, father and grandfather on his birthday xx
23rd – To the life of Kathleen Minett
24th - * William Andrews 21st Birthday
25th – Birthday Remembered with much love. Your Walking Netball Family
26th - * Julie's Birthday
27th - In loving memory of our beloved Great Grandaughter Ava-May on her 15th Birthday. Always in our hearts
28th - In loving memory of Laura & Eric Kibblewhite. With lots of love from all the family
The list for May so far …
4th – For John
4th - For Beth, In memory of Buddy
5th - * Rowena & Mark's Wedding Anniversary
5th - * Brian and Marty's Wedding Anniversary
20th – Darling Philip, My Beautiful Partner and Soulmate. Loved & Cherished Eternally. Sandy xxx
* = Friends of All Saints –
A huge Thank You
Please take note: - These are all the floodlighting requests received before the BVN Deadline – 18th April 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”.
The Friends of All Saints
The Friends are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the church building and its contents. We play no part in funding the clergy, staff or religious activities.
Membership costs £2 a month, or £20 a year (minimum). Members are entitled to have the spire floodlit at no extra charge on a chosen date. Please contact the treasurer, Ralph Maltby, at 8 Mill Close, Braunston.
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.
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.
10 May Parish Meeting - 12.30pm (lunchtime)
2 June 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
Annual Parish Meeting 2025
The Parish Community Meeting will take place on Saturday 10th May in the Village Hall from 12.30pm – 2.30pm (latest)
As usual we will produce a booklet of village organisation reports and these will be distributed at the meeting.
Come and find out what various organisations are doing within the village for the village community.
Come and meet the new Braunston Parish Councillors and most importantly come and tell us what we can do to make your life within the village that bit more comfortable and enjoyable.
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.
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 to 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
Short Mat Bowls
Brownies
Pilates
Alan 01788 890526 Weds 2-4
Sheila 01788 891831 Weds 7-8
Bill 01788 891145 Thurs 2-4
Clare 07544 936589 Thurs 5.30-7
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
Braunston Quilters Laura 01788 890102 4th Thurs 9.45-1
Gardens Association
Cinema Club
Gill 07963 821052 2nd Thurs 7.30-9
David 07775 514840
Arthur 01788 890508 Last Sat 7-10
Clubs and Groups
Braunston Heart
We are here for anyone who needs help – all you need to do is ring 0800 002 9066 - leave a message and someone will get back to you.
Contact us when you are unable to collect your shopping, medication, change light bulbs or even to walk your dog. We will try to help with most things and will signpost where we cannot.
The Twinkle Team hearttwinkleteam@gmail.com
Dates for your diaries:
Duck Race held in partnership with the Admiral Nelson at Lock 3 will be on Sunday 6th July.
The Twinkle Party Day with the support of the Braunston Paddox Cricket Team will be on Sunday 3rd August. We currently have The Scutters booked and are looking for another band to join us. Stallholders are welcome.
The Scarecrow weekend will be held 13th -14th September. Friends of Raymond will be helping.
Twinkle on the Green will be Sunday 7th December. Stallholders again welcome.
If anyone has suggestions for any of these events, wants to be a stallholder or take part in any other way, then please make contact via the email above.
Our next meeting will be in the Wheatsheaf on Monday 12th May 7.30pm. We would welcome others to our small group of organisers so please join us and help plan events. New heads often equate to new ideas.
Jo Glover, with Kindness and Compassion
The Hive
The members had a very enjoyable visit to the garden in Long Buckby, using DACT for their mode of transport – we are lucky to have them!
In May, we are having a skittles afternoon on Wednesday 7th, in The Wheatsheaf, 2.00pm, guests welcome at a cost of £5.00 to include cake and refreshments.
Also in May, Wednesday 21st, 10.30am, in the Wheatsheaf, our usual coffee and chat. If you aren’t a member, but would like to know a bit more about us, do come and join us!
June 4th – in the village hall, 2.15pm, a talk by John Pomfret on medical pioneers in Northamptonshire, raffle. All welcome, guests £3.00.
June 18th – coffee and chat in the Wheatsheaf
Remember – on Monday mornings in the church, we run our craft group between 10.00 am and 12.00, £1.00. Non members welcome.
Braunston History Society
We had an interesting talk about the brickmakers of Rugby in April. Our next events are:
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 Twinning Association
Our friends from Quincy Voisins are here for the May Day bank holiday weekend and we will be visiting Warwick Castle on Saturday 3 May. On Sunday 4 May some of us are proposing a trip to Bletchley Park. The evening will include a meal and ceilidh dancing in the village hall before they return to France on the Monday.
Braunston Friendly Club
We usually meet in The Gallie Room at the Village Hall, 2pm to 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. The next meeting in the Village Hall will be on Monday 9th June.
Monday 12th May – Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum –10am to 4.30pm
For those booked on this visit we will be leaving the old bus bay at 10am and returning around 4.30pm. Please see the memo with all the details, or contact Kate.
Monday 26th May – Bank Holiday – no meeting.
For more information telephone Kate 01788 890340 or email mawerk@hotmail.co.uk
Braunston Community Café
A cake, a cake, my kingdom for a cake. One of many quotes as we celebrated Shakespeare’s birthday and St George’s Day on April 23rd. Our themed days are proving very popular with both St David’s and St Patrick’s celebrated in March. We certainly had some of the Irish ‘Craic’ and a great time. It has been a delight to see familiar faces return to the Cafe as the boating transient community passes through Braunston. Always a pleasure to welcome them back.
We were delighted to be able to help with funding towards the purchase of a roller for the cricket pitch and look forward to following the team and wish them every success. A grant was also given to Braunston Singers for additional music software. Singing for Wellbeing is held in the Church on the first Saturday of each month and all are welcome. From bath time baritone to a summer soprano, all are welcome.
Braunston Paddox Club Captain Tony Coburn aboard the new roller purchased with the aid of donations from The Village Café and the Wheatsheaf.
BRAUNSTON CINEMA CLUB
Saturday May 31st 7.30pm inVillageHall
“Where theCrawdads Sing”
2022 Cert15
Contains some domestic abuseandsexual assault.
Daisy Edgar Jones, Taylor JohnSmith
Abandoned by her family in1950’s North Carolina, Kya Clark, otherwise known to thetownspeople of Barkley Cove as the Marsh Girl, is mysterious andwild. She raises herself toadulthood andbecomes a Naturalist in the process. When the townhotshot is found dead, and inexplicably linked toKya, the MarshGirl is the prime suspect in his murder case.
You are welcome tobring your favouritedrink& aglass
Tickets£5.00 members/£7.00 non-members
Please bookin advance or tickets maybe available on the door
Tel:01788890508or: braunstoncinema@gmail.com
Braunston Community Car
The Braunston Community Car is for you! It is a service operated by volunteer drivers for the benefit of any adult resident of Braunston (including in the marina).
Funded purely by donations, it is available for journeys to hospital, doctors and other medical appointments for all residents and to enable the less mobile to attend local clubs, the village hairdressers and to go shopping. Whilst priority is always given to health appointments, trips can be considered for other reasons but please be aware we are not a replacement taxi service.
To enquire or to book call 07984 412921. Pre-booking essential, preferably with 24 hours notice.
As always our grateful thanks to Zak of Vinetree Automotive and also the Braunston Community Café for their continuing support.
Braunston Village Gardens Association
Presents: The Village Show!
As usual, the cogs are turning and the show planning is underway.
Date for your diary is Saturday 6th September in the village hall.
The schedule for this year will be available on the village website, so keep an eye out for that in the next few days but in the meantime here is the detail for the adult photography classes – the usual Out and about in Braunston and Creative fun, the other titles for this class are Cobwebs, Purple, Relaxing, Canalside engineering, Windy day. Happy snapping!
For the handicraft classes likewise, the usual favourites, in addition - an item of clothing from any materials, a collage of a fruit bowl, a cushion from any materials, a hat from any materials. The competition has become very tough in recent years so now is the time to push yourself –we very much look forward to seeing your entries.
Everyone is welcome to enter our show – adults £1.00, children free, so come and have a go, enjoy our superb refreshments, raffle, tombola and auction, and other events in the village that day.
You will receive a paper copy of the schedule through your door during July which has the entry form but you can enter online and pay on the day.
You can contact the show secretary, Gill Astley, via the email contact on the BVGA show pages or by phone – 07963 821052
Braunston Community Garden Shop
We are 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 11am to 12 noon to sell compost, canes, fertilisers, twine and liquid garden feeds. Please let us know if this is not convenient, we can make arrangements. We 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
Braunston
CAN (Climate Action Network)
Soft plastics recycling at Braunston Primary School
Over the last few weeks, pupils and their families at Braunston School have been carefully collecting, rinsing, and bringing into school their soft plastic items which they have used throughout the week. This includes crisp packets, bread bags, cling film and microwaveable rice pouches to name a few.
Most home recycling collections in this area do not accept soft plastics, meaning if they are disposed of at home in the general waste bin they will go to landfill releasing toxic chemicals into the environment, affecting the health of local people, and taking up valuable land. However, they have the potential to be recycled or downcycled into new packaging, drainpipes, or plastic pellets which can be used for a multitude of different things, reducing the amount of new plastic that has to be produced. BCAN now works with Braunston School and their eco-club by gathering the soft plastics they have collected each week, and taking them to a local large supermarket to recycle, and so families don’t have to make individual trips to the supermarket.
Your support in this recycling initiative is greatly appreciated! It has been amazing to see the crates at Braunston School filled with plastic ready to be recycled by BCAN each week.
Making the change to reduce household emissions, cut ongoing 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 low-carbon 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 June edition of the BVN.
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 7th May 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.
Lauren Hughes, B CAN
Braunston Naturefile
Braunston Naturefile / B-CAN was set up at the beginning of 2025 with the aim of recording examples of biodiversity throughout the year, and to share photographs and descriptions of interesting examples of plants and animals using The Bugle Facebook group. These regular postings may help to inform residents of where they can see the featured species locally, and will help to promote a general interest in the local environment; in addition, they can provide an opportunity for members of the Facebook group to contribute to the annual photographic record of Braunston’s wildlife.
Braunston is fortunate to have a wide variety of interesting species of tree, particularly along the edge of the canal towpath, the paths linking the towpath to the village, and in areas of the village such as the churchyard and the Village Hall.
For example, many residents (and boaters!) will know the oak tree that offers a welcome respite from the sun when walking up the path from Butcher’s Bridge to the High Street. This splendid tree (which is capable of supporting up to 2,300 different species!) is one of 23 notable trees that are part of the ‘Braunston Tree Trail’ – a short, circular walk that includes some magnificent local tree specimens.
A digital copy of the Braunston Tree Trail leaflet can be downloaded from www.braunston.org.uk under ‘visitor information/local walks’ or via the QR code. Alternatively, there are paper copies available in the church.
Jetty Field, Braunston’s Pocket Park
Jetty Field continues to develop in sustainable ways, increasing biodiversity and repurposing materials.
Small water creatures such as freshwater shrimps and water slaters could be seen within a short time of water reaching the new pond. We have installed a wildlife monitoring camera to observe any larger creatures that visit the pond.
We are very pleased with the two new benches installed in the garden. They have been made by the Braunston Canal Society volunteers from old canal stop planks.
In the garden area the Friday volunteers have increased the range of plants by adding plants such as primroses that are beneficial for pollinating insects. They have used the prunings from shrubs to make a dead-hedge that provides shelter for small mammals and birds and avoids the need for bonfires.
The field was mown towards the end of March and, apart from the pathways, will be left until about August for the second cut. This will allow native meadow plants to flower and seed attracting a greater range of insects such as grasshoppers and beetles. For many invertebrates, the stems, roots and leaves of meadow grasses and flowers provide food and shelter. The common bird’s-foot trefoil alone is a food plant for 130 different species. The insects are food for small mammals and birds.
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.
jettyfields@braunstonpc.org 07554 264742
Come and join the fun
Relaxed and Informal Atmosphere
Safe, Secure Learning Environment
Childcare Vouchers Accepted
Excellent staff ratio
Mon to Fri 9:00-15.00 term time only
Morning and Afternoon sessions
Only £17 per session. Full day £34
Lunch £3
Come & see for yourself
Tel: 01788 891891 braunstonpreschoolcio@gmail.com
Village Hall, Braunston NN11 7HW www.braunstonpreschool.org.uk
Braunston Paddox Cricket Club
At this time of the year the Cricket club “pitch fairies” are tearing their hair out trying to get the square ready for the first game of the season at the end of April. Normally, their problem is that the ground is still waterlogged as a result of the winter and spring rain. This year it is the opposite as the pitch currently looks like one seen in August with cracks and the odd bare patch where the grass has not yet started to grow due to the lack of rain.
We do have a new roller though. This was bought a month ago thanks to a concerted fundraising effort by club members and two very generous contributions by The Wheatsheaf and the Community Café. Thanks to their support we now have a roller heavy enough to cater for all our needs, both on the square itself and the outfield.
This season will see the Saturday 1st XI play in Division 8 of the Northamptonshire County League, with the 2nds in Division 14. The Wednesday XI will be in Division 2 of the Rugby and District League and there will be a full fixture list for the Sunday friendly XI.
There will be new captains for the Saturday teams. Aston Shingler will lead the 1st XI whilst Rakesh Patel will be in charge of the seconds. James Goodwin will continue as the Midweek captain.
Home fixtures in May
Saturday matches start at 12 noon Wednesdays 6 pm
Sat May 3rd 2nd XI Overston Park
Sat May 10th 1st XI v Olney
Sun May 11th Sunday XI v Badby and Farthingstone
Wed May 14th Midweek XI v Willoughby
Sat May 17th 2nd XI v Kettering
Wed May 21st Midweek XI v Network Rail
Sat May 24th 1st XI v Dunchurch and Bilton
Sat May 31st 2nd XI v Bowden
Adventure Awaits! Join 2nd Braunston Scout Group!
When: Every Wednesday (during term time)
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Scout Den, Cross Lane, Braunston, NN11 7HH
Are you ready to unleash your inner explorer? At 2nd Braunston Scouts, every week brings a brand-new adventure!
What’s in store?
• Fire Lighting & Survival Skills
• Camping Under the Stars
• Water Sports & Raft Building
• Hiking & Orienteering
• Knot Tying & Pioneering Challenges
• Backwoods Cooking & Outdoor Feasts
• Nature Exploration & Wildlife Tracking
• Creative Crafting & Badge Earning
• Problem-Solving Games & Leadership Activities
• Build Friendships, Confidence, & Memories for Life
Why Join Scouts?
Scouting is all about adventure, teamwork, and learning life skills while having a blast in the great outdoors. Whether you’re exploring, making new friends, or tackling exciting challenges, there’s something for everyone!
Come along and give it a try! Your adventure starts here!
For more info, contact: Email: george.annison@braunstonscouts.co.uk
Braunston Walkers
Kislingbury Saturday 26/4/25
This walk was a stroll along the Nene Way (a 114mile footpath all the way from Badby to the Wash in Lincolnshire) tracking the river as it meanders to Northampton. We only did about 6 miles of it starting in the lovely old ironstone village of Kislingbury, passing along the High Street and the attractive old mill. Leaving the village we crossed the benign river via a bridge with very sturdy flood defences for when the river is in a more angry state. This seems to be a regular occurrence. The paths are very well made along the river passing through Upton Hall farmyard and then under shady trees past Upton Mill, a beautiful Northampton ironstone building nestling over the river. Our path took us by the river to a massive iron bridge which swayed slightly as we crossed. It reminded me of Chelsea Bridge in London with its warning not to walk in step!
Over the river and down to the Grand Union canal arm which runs next to the river we went. It is lined with what looked like a type of pampas grass, along to a narrow lock, one boat at a time only. Reaching a bridge we left the canal and walked past a lake with views of the town and then took a path up to Sixfields and the Northampton Town football club stadium. We left the collection of restaurants and fast food places and entered a newish housing estate which has been tastefully laid out with lots of green areas. All the roads here are named after jobs that were in Northampton’s shoe industry. Clickers Drive, Scribers Drive etc. Emerging from the housing estate there is a very attractive wooden community centre and then a huge playing field leading us back to the river’s edge and walk back to the Old Red Lion pub in Kislingbury for a well earned lunch.
A great walk in a little known area.
Saturday 17/5/25 London Extravaganza
Our next walk is a classic! A 6 mile stroll around the beauty of Hampstead Heath in London. It is wild country with woodland and lakes but not manicured like Hyde Park.
Ray Scrivens (
Braunston Village Charity
The Braunston Village Charity was formed in 2015 to bring together a number of smaller charities dedicated to assisting and supporting villagers by making small, one-off grants and gifts.
The Charity is managed by a Board of Trustees representing the Parochial Church Council, and Parish Council and other village organisations and areas of the village.
The Charity has a webpage hosted on the Village Websitehttps://www.braunston.org.uk/org.aspx?n=Braunston-VillageCharity
This gives details on how to apply to the Charity using the Application Form and more details on the type of help that can be given. To be eligible, recipients must live in the village and the grant or gift cannot be to provide something that should be provided by the state.
Village information
Wanted - Used stamps, postcards and old coins
A big thank you everybody who’s donated stamps, coins and postcards. The total raised to date this year is £1018.72 which is donated to various animal charities.
We are continuing to collect into the future. PLEASE keep sending to Val Ward at 51 High Street.
Bin Collections for May
Wednesday 7th Food and Recycling
Wednesday 14th Food and Garden
Wednesday 21st Food, Recycling and Waste
Wednesday 28th Food and Garden
Small electrical items and batteries can be recycled by putting them in a bag and leaving on the lid of the black general waste bin on your normal waste collection day.
Batteries must not be put in any bin.
Braunston Village News
The BVN is published by Braunston Parish Council and All Saints’ Church. There are 11 editions per year from February to December.
BVN Deadline - June 2025 Edition
The next newsletter will be published on 1st June. Please submit material to bvn@braunstonpc.org by noon on 18th May or the Post Office by noon on 17th May.
Delivering the BVN
Please contact Catherine Eastaff if you can help delivering the BVN in the village.
