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Fuel boat in summer at one of Braunston’s historic boat rallies. These boats were out braving the ice to deliver to customers in January 2025
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
T: 07495 389077
Peter Hobbs
E: treasurer@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk
Additional Weekly Services:
Wednesdays at 6.30pm Evening Prayer Ashby
Thursdays at 9.30am Morning Prayer Welton
Saturdays at 10am Celtic Morning Prayer Braunston
Rector’s letter
Dear Friends,
As I write, news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has broken. Pray God it will still be in effect when the BVN is delivered. Watching such conflicts from a distance is difficult; there’s a sense of helplessness and it can be hard to comprehend how people behave with such inhumanity.
Conflict is part of life. We can’t avoid it. Even hermits write about the conflicts they find within themselves. However, we can make choices that can make things better or worse. Dealing well with conflict can even bring people closer together. It’s not easy or comfortable but see what you make of the following ideas to help in the process.
1. Be aware of our prejudices: We are all conditioned by our life experiences, positive or negative. The journey from prejudice to hatred is short but, if we are willing, we can choose to let go of attitudes that lessen our interest in others and our perception of their equal humanity.
2. Listen: If we listen to the experiences and feelings of others, we are better able to address conflict. We may not agree but listening and learning help us understand and address the real issues behind conflict.
3. Choose love and kindness: Fear often drives conflict. What are you afraid of? What are they afraid of? We can be defensive or we can be kind. Love can drive out fear.
4. Admit hypocrisy: None of us is perfect and we all get things wrong. Let’s try not to judge others by standards we can't meet ourselves. Sometimes this reflection can help us to forgive others.
There are limits to this. Some conflict needs intervention, some wounds need help to heal, and some people won’t engage. You always need to be safe physically and emotionally. But as we continue to hope for a greater display of humanity abroad, let’s be people who respect the humanity of those around us. Even when people don’t respect us and won’t work on their attitudes, we still have a choice about our responses. As St Paul wrote to the churches in Rome: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”.
Every blessing, Kathryn
BRAUNSTON REGISTERS
19th December Funeral/burial Margaret Hughes
Floodlighting 2024/2025
The complete December 2024 list
3rd - * In Loving Memory of Our Mum
5th - * Remembering with love my darling wife Thelma on her birthday - Bob
6th – In memory of my wife Judith
7th - In memory of Sheila
9th – Remembering you on your birthday Alan. Miss you every day. Love Jacqueline, Amanda, Phoebe and Matt xx
20th - For Linda & Ray's Silver Wedding Anniversary from Gez & Colin
21st - Linda & Peter Bell – celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary
24th – Carl Grant - Birthday memories. Always in our hearts - Sharon, Kyle, Siann & family
25th - Treasured memories at Christmas of Alan Cope. Love Jacqueline, Amanda, Phoebe and Matt xx
25th - Remembering Averil and John Bartley at Christmas. Love from all the family xx
25th - Remembering Ron Middleton at Christmas time. Always in our thoughts. Carol, Angela and Steve
25th - Happy Birthday Carol Middleton (Mum) on Christmas Day. Love Angela and Steve
27th - * In loving memory of Philip Hutchinson
27th - * Happy Birthday Fran. Love from Mum and Dad
27th – In memory of Laurence Jackson on his Birthday. Father of Laura Taylor, Grandfather of Faith Taylor
The complete January 2025 list
2nd - Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary to Mick and Suzanne Batchelor. Love from all the family xxx
5th – Happy heavenly Birthday Gloria Taylor, love from all the family
6th - Ron Clegg - Birthday memories. Always in our hearts - Audrey, Dave, Jane, Sharon & family
8th - * Lit by Bryan & Janet Stuart, to Commemorate our son Jonathan
8th - Happy heavenly Birthday my biggest brother – Ryan. Love you. Lil' Sis xx
13th
20th
- * In memory of Peter Wenham, friend & ringer
- * Happy Birthday Martin. Love Debbie
23rd - `Remembering Daddy James on his 47th birthday. Autumn and Danny
The February 2025 list so far …
7th & 8th – Remembering Sue Duddington, all our love John, Arwen, Lizzie & Theo xxx
10th - * In memory of Mansel Davies
12th - * Gordon & Helena Lane Anniversary
19th - * In loving memory of my brother Rowan on his birthday. Miss you loads. Duncan x 20th - In loving memory of Chris Rolfe. He loved his visits to Braunston
23rd - * Happy birthday Zoe. Love, Mum
* = Friends of All Saints – A huge Thank You
Please take note: - These are all the floodlighting requests received before the BVN Deadline – 18th January 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”.
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.
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. We were formed when the building’s future was threatened through lack of maintenance. We remain committed to preserving one of the village’s most iconic buildings.
Membership costs £2 a month, or £20 a year (minimum subscription). All members are entitled to have the spire floodlit at no extra charge on a date of their choosing. To subscribe, please contact the treasurer, Ralph Maltby, at 8 Mill Close, Braunston.
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 Newman07710 290265
Greenway and Closes 0800 002 9783
High St (Old Plough to The Green) Caroline Gibbons01788 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 Biggs07796 712408
Welton Rd, School Cl, Maple Cl Dave Dawson
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.
3 February Full Council Meeting - 7.30pm
3 March 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 - Councillor’s report
At the January meeting we co-opted a new councillor, Dave Dawson. A profile of Dave will appear in the next edition of the Braunston Village News. We have 2 vacancies if anyone would like to join us. The current Braunston Parish Council will come up for election in May 2025 and we will need 12 councillors to make up a new Council
What is a Parish Council and why become a Parish Councillor?
A parish council is a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish and has an overall responsibility for the wellbeing of its local community. It is the level of government closest to the community, with the district authority above it in the hierarchy. As it is the authority closest to the people, a parish council is invariably the first place people will go with concerns or ideas. For this reason, they are a vital part of any community.
Its work falls into three main categories: - representing the local community, delivering services to meet local needs and striving to improve quality of life in the parish
Why become a Parish Councillor?
If you’ve never been to a parish council meeting before, you may be forgiven for thinking that parish councillors are a group of people who meet now and then in the village hall. If, however, you live in a community where something ‘big’ has happened, you’ll know that when people in the community need support and guidance, it is sometimes the parish council that is turned to.
By becoming a parish councillor, you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support, a community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people you serve. Seeing your community change for the better, because of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.
What decisions do Parish Councils make?
Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. Probably the most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), crime prevention, helping local groups, managing open spaces and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities.
It’s true to say that on their own, parish councils have limited powers to make decisions. But they do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions (such as the borough or unitary council, health authorities, police etc). In this respect parish councils are extremely powerful. The organisations that make the final decisions know that a parish council gives the best reflection of how a community feels about something, and its views will be taken seriously.
How much time does it take up?
Councils usually meet once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. Meetings may last two or three hours, depending on the agenda set for the meeting to discuss. Some councils have committees to deal with specific subjects, such as environmental issues. In addition to the regular meetings, councillors are required to attend other meetings representing the council, for example acting as a representative on an outside body, community activities or helping develop a new project for the community. Such meetings won’t happen every day, so it’s not going to take over your life.
How long does a parish councillor serve for?
Once elected, parish councillors sit on the council for a maximum of four years. If they then want to stay in the post, they can stand for reelection.
Applicants should note that Councillors are expected to attend regular meetings, and any additional meetings as may be arranged, and to represent the electors of Braunston in raising and discussing those issues of interest and concern on which the Parish Council is empowered to act.
Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?
You must be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights and 18 years of age. Additionally, you must fulfil one of the following requirements:
• be a local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand;
• have during the whole of the previous 12 months occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole period;
• have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole period.
You cannot stand for election if you:
• are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order;
• have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine;
• work for the council you want to become a councillor for (but you can work for other local authorities, including the principal authorities that represent the same area).
You don’t have to be connected to a political party.
If you do become a parish councillor, you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.
What powers do parish councils have?
They have a wide range of powers which are essentially related to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open space, allotments, play areas, street lighting, bus shelters, car parks and much more. The council also has the power to raise money through taxation, the precept. The precept is the parish council’s share of the council tax. The precept demand goes to the billing authority, the district council, which collects the tax for the parish council.
Parish Duties
Braunston Parish Council has 12 Councillors who stand for election every four years. The duties and functions of a parish council are many and varied.
The Council meets monthly and considers planning applications and any other matters referred to it by residents. West Northants Council and by central government. All meetings are open to the public and there is a forum before the start of the meeting at which members of the public can raise concerns and ask questions. There is also an annual meeting which all parishioners are invited to attend. All meetings are advertised on the council notice board and on this website. Residents can bring to the attention of the parish council anything that concerns them, either directly or through the clerk. If matters raised are not the responsibility of the council, the clerk can bring them to the attention of the proper authority.
Don’t take our word for it!
The best way to find out what it’s like to be a parish councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. Come along to a parish council meeting or speak to one of our councillors and find out what they think of the job.
Graham Newman Braunston Parish Councillor
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
Alan 01788 890526 Weds 2-4
Yoga Sheila 01788 891831 Weds 7-8
Short Mat Bowls Bill 01788 891145 Thurs 2-4
Brownies Clare 07544 936589 Thurs 5.30-7
Friendly Club Jenny 01788 890186 2nd and 4th Mon 2-4
Learn to Crochet Gill 07711 742575 1st and 3rd Tues10-12
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
The Hive
Welcome to 2025! The Hive is already planning some great talks and trips for this year and new members are very welcome, so come and join NOW. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, usually in the village hall, and every third Wednesday for coffee in The Wheatsheaf, at 10.30. Membership is £25.00 and can be paid by BACS, thereafter 50p at the meeting to contribute to the refreshments. Contact Gill Astley for more information– gillastley@hotmail.co.uk
Our craft group runs all year, every Monday morning in the church, 1012.00, £1.50 per session, including refreshments, bring anything you are knitting, crocheting, embroidering, quilting etc and put the world to rights! You do not have to be a Hive member to attend.
Looking forward to welcoming more new members.
The Hive raised £500.00 for their chosen charity for 2024. Thank you to everyone that supported our events.
Braunston Friendly Club
We 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.
Monday 3rd February – a reminder to those who have booked with Kate for the Community Café late lunch. The start time is 3pm.
Monday 10th February – Bring and Buy - 2pm-4pm – Village Hall
Bring along your unwanted gifts, useful food items etc for this fundraising meeting, and of course, bring your spending money too! Visitors are very welcome.
Monday 17th February – Extra Meeting – Film – Finding Your Feet–2pm-4.30pm – Village Hall
Braunston Cinema Club are kindly showing this film in the Main Hall. There will be an interval where we will serve tea and cakes. Visitors are very welcome.
Monday 24th February – Fish and Chip late lunch - 2pm-4pm –Village Hall
Fish and Chips plus a pudding served at the Village Hall.
Please book your meal with Kate by Monday 3rd February, with all payments by 17th February. Visitors are very welcome, please book with Kate.
Kate will be collecting payment for the National Memorial Arboretum Visit from today.
Community Café generosity
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Community Café for providing the Late Lunches in recent weeks for Friendly Club members. It was very kind of you to treat us to delicious warming meals. We all appreciated this kind gesture.
For more information telephone Kate 01788 890340 or email mawerk@hotmail.co.uk
For Jenny telephone 01788 890186.
Braunston
Tuesday 18 February at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Rob Kendall will talk about Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Although Charles Rennie Mackintosh is best known for his architecture and interior design work in Scotland, he did undertake one commission in England – a remodelling of 78 Derngate for his client, Northampton model engineer W. J. Bassett-Lowke. Rob will talk about the life of Charles Rennie Mackintosh with particular reference to the house at 78 Derngate, Northampton.
We look forward to seeing you all.
Members free, guests £4
Braunston CAN (Climate Action Network)
Our group is in discussion with the Playing Fields committee regarding a potential replacement for the pavilion. By working together, we hope to move towards achieving a facility that provides what the users of the field need, is fully sustainable and is a building that Braunston can be proud of. Many people in Braunston value the playing field. Please contact us if you could offer help in making this improvement.
We held our AGM in January. The following were elected, Chair –Alan Mawer, Vice Chair – Dave Dawson, Secretary – Liz Barnes, Treasurer – David Cary.
West Northamptonshire Council has commissioned the Canal and River Trust to carry out design work on options for extending the cycling and walking route from Daventry further towards Braunston. A representative from CRT plans to join our next meeting to describe this.
You would be very welcome to join us. Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 5th February in the Village Hall. Please message 07989 421836 or 07554 264742 or use the contact information under climate emergency on the Braunston website.
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. Many thanks for the kind and generous donation by J. Coy.
Jetty Field
Winter work has included preparations for adding a shallow pond in the Wildlife Area. So far a group has cleared brambles from a patch. Thank you to the Community Café for their gift of funds to buy a pipe that will take surplus water from below the collection baths next to the allotments and lead it under the fence into the area. The aim is to increase the range of biodiversity by providing a habitat that has so far been lacking.
For many plants winter is not a season of dormancy. Hellebores planted by the gardening volunteers were flowering before the end of 2024 and are continuing to bloom.
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.
jettyfields@braunstonpc.org 07554 264742
Braunston Twinners
Advance notice:
• next Quiz - 22 March in the Village Hall;
• next Craft Fair - 26 April in the Village Hall.
We will be welcoming our friends from Quincy-Voisins to Braunston between 2-5 May. Anyone interested in participating and/or willing to host please contact Liz Fraser on 07890 072487.
Braunston Village Gardens Association
Save the date!
Although the warmer weather seems a long way away at present, the BVGA are looking forward to Open Gardens 2025 which will take place on Sunday 8th June. There will be more information during the coming months, but if you are thinking about opening your garden for the first time this year and would like to find out more, do please contact Catherine at catherine.eastaff4@hotmail.co.uk
Community shop
We have received the first delivery from our suppliers for the new season. Do let us know if you would like to buy any of the products from the list. If you would like anything before our regular opening which starts on 2nd March we can deliver to you or meet at the Village Hall for you to collect. We will be open from 11am to noon on Sunday mornings during March, April and May.
Compared to 2024 some prices are lower this season so far but we may need to review the prices when we get the second delivery in March. The Melcourt and Sylvagrow composts were very popular last season. The Melcourt compost is endorsed by the RHS and, because our supplier provides it at a good cost, we can sell it at a lower price than most shops and online outlets. See next page for prices. All the compost we stock is peat-free.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Roger abrb82@hotmail.co.uk 01788 316891
Alan a.mawer66@gmail.com 01788 890340
Richard rmstapley@talk21.com 01788 890475
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 Heart
Happy New Year!
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
Twinkle on the Green
Well, we couldn’t have asked for better weather – in fact it was so bright at the time of turning the lights on, that we had to delay the start! It was great to see so many of you attend and with such happy faces.
Thanks go to everyone who helped, gave up their valuable time and made the event a safe and enjoyable place to be. The volunteers on the Twinkle Team do an amazing job all year and give up many hours on the day itself. Everyone, from those who stood on a road closure, Father Christmas’s helpers (of course thanks to the big man himself), helped with road signs, donated raffle prizes, organised the tombola, cooked the BBQ, decorated the tree ,,,, etc etc. It is definitely a community effort. Without everyone pulling together it could not be held.
Thanks to the Parish Council for once again providing a beautiful tree and for installing an electricity point on the Green. I am sure it will be used by several village groups.
Next year’s Twinkle will be held on the 7th December. Please put in your diaries. If you have any suggestions, feedback or would like to join The Twinkle Team, then please make contact via email or our Facebook page.
Jo Glover
Kindness and Compassion
Braunston Walkers
Saturday 21/12/24 Draycote
Over 20 of us met up for our last walk of the year. Very well organised by Helena. We planned to walk around the reservoir and return to the restaurant for a splendid Christmas dinner. After faffing about with the parking meter, cunningly designed with no instructions, we set off along the dam. It was a blustery day and we were walking directly into the wind. A bit of drizzle accompanied the wind finding those places we thought we had covered up. Halfway across we met up with Dawn who had cycled from Rugby to join us. It is a very good path all round the water and ducks, geese and cormorants dived into the water as we passed. It looks very level from here but is actually a series of small hills, a really good work out. Up on top of the hill in front of us was the distinctive mill in the village of Thurlaston. Fortified with Nigel’s sweets we continued on the path to reach the dam at the far end above the village of Draycote. We were now walking in the opposite direction from the first dam but still the wind was in our faces! It was thankfully dry with glimpses of sunshine.
On the return leg we watched kite boarders skimming over the waves and occasionally falling in the cold water but for us it was an easy stroll back past Hensborough Hill to the cozy cafe with fantastic views, food and service. A great day out and a big thanks to Helena for her organisational skills.
Review of 2024
A review of our walks in 2024 starts with a frosty romp to Staverton and the Countryman back in January and then, with signs of an early spring, we went to Kilsby and the splendid Red Lion in February.
In March with real Spring we went from Everdon to Newnham for the Portuguese fare at the Romer Arms and in April it was Dunchurch, a bit of Draycote Water and lunch at the Green Man.
May was a real highlight, a walk in London’s docklands and, after a ferry over the Thames, a chaotic lunch at the Old Salt Quay pub in
Bermondsey. In June it was Brixworth in the rain and lunch at The George Inn. In July it was West Haddon and the Pytchley and August found us in Braunston when we all enjoyed a great lunch at The Wheatsheaf.
September was our walking weekend in Studland, Dorset. A beautiful area by the sea. Weather could have been better but hey ho. A great stay at the Knoll House hotel, a favourite of Enid Blyton, and some spectacular walks.
October it was Badby to Hellidon and back with a great lunch at the Red Lion. Phil organised us in November when we strolled from Frankton to Long Itchington, mostly on disused railway tracks, with lunch taken at the Two Boats and, finally, December was our wander around Draycote with a Xmas lunch at the cafe well organised by Helena. A great walking year with good friends and lots of great memories.
Saturday 18/1/25 Staverton
It was a misty, cold morning as 19 of us, a really good turnout, strolled down Nibbits Lane to the canal. We wandered along the canal to the A45 and then joined the bridleway through Wolfhamcote and on tarmac across to Flecknoe. After Flecknoe we had to join some muddy footpaths over the hills to reach the lovely old stone village of Staverton.
It was, surprisingly, not too muddy but with the climb up to the village it was very tiring, so the Countryman was a welcome sight after 5 miles or so and we were soon enjoying a sit down with a beer. The food in the pub was really good and I felt that we had really earned it.
All too soon we had to pull on our boots and join the bridleway over to Braunston - about 4 miles. This was covered in a layer of slurry, thoughtfully laid down by the farmer. It is also very hilly, so it was good to get back to the village and home.
A great day out with good company as always.
Ray Scrivens rayscrivens@btinternet.com
Braunston Paddox Cricket Club
A record number attended the cricket club’s AGM which was held in the Village Hall in January.
Secretary Tom Sabin reported that both Saturday teams have been promoted in the Northamptonshire County League for next season and the Wednesday team made the final of the Senior Cup plate competition. He also gave details of the number of players who represented the club during the season. Another highlight was the very successful All Stars coaching programme, aimed at 5 to 8 year olds, which the club ran for the first time in 2024. We intend to expand this to also running a similar programme aimed at 9 to 11 year olds in 2025.
Kurt Shingler, as Treasurer, reported that the club was in a better financial position than the corresponding time last year. This was due to a more efficient method of collecting match fees through bank transfer, several successful fundraising events, increased use of Easyfunding and an increase in the number of personal donations.
The following Officers and Captains were elected:
• Chairman - Jordan Shingler
• Vice chairman - Adam O’Connor
• President - Richard Stapley
• Secretary and Financial lead - Tom Sabin
• Treasurer - Kurt Shingler
• Saturday 1st XI Captain - Aston Shingler
• Vice captains - Adam Treen and Adam O’Connor
• Saturday 2nd XI captain - Rakesh Patel (see photo)
• Vice Captains - Ash Day and Terry Isom
• Wednesday CaptainJames Goodwin
• Vice captain - Dhillon Chokshi
• Club CaptainAnthony Coburn
• Groundsman - Terry Isom
• Welfare OfficerAdam Treen
• Social media leadHolly Shingler
Winter practice nets have already started at Parker E-Act Academy, Randolf Building, Ashby Road, Daventry NN11 0QF on Sunday
Braunston Canal Society
During November the Thursday crew of 6 continued with the onside cutting of vegetation between the junction and bridge 98 (Ivy bridge). This time, a large bramble thicket that was encroaching on the towpath and several stumps that have been giving rise to fender growth were cut back
The Saturday crew of 7 completed much of the annual grounds
maintenance at Union Canal Carriers. A bay tree was pruned back. Arisings from cutting the hedges earlier in the week were collected and transported to the UCC paddock along with the vegetation strimmed from the ditch.
To take advantage of the flight closure ad hoc task parties completed the installation of a centre bollard on the onside of lock 2. Several weeks of not being used gave the concrete time to cure fully before being stressed by boats.
For December the team of 9 split into 2 groups. Three went up to the tunnel entrance and cleared part of a tree that had fallen across the horse track along with other overhanging branches. The other 6 set about using Skippy to clear onside and offside vegetation around bridge 91 (A45).
The Society is always keen to welcome new volunteers so if you would like to come along and have some fun you can email us at braunstoncanalsociety@gmail.com or phone/text us on 07817 435911. If you would like to see our previous activities, check out our website at www.braunston.org.uk/bcs.
Isaac Turner of 2nd Braunston Cubs was the 6th Cub to earn the highest award a Cub can earn, the Chief Scout Silver Award just before Christmas
Cub leader David Coleman said it takes a lot to complete the wide range of challenges, skills, activities and personal skills to earn this award, He was really pleased to make the award before Isaac focuses on gymnastics.
David Coleman Akela 2nd Braunston Cub Pack david@braunstonscouts.co.uk
Website: www.braunstonscouts.co.uk
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 Trustees have developed a webpage for the Charity which is 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. Last year we helped to raise over £3342.87 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 February
Wednesday 5th Food, Garden and Waste
Wednesday 12th Food and Recycling
Wednesday 19th Food and Garden
Wednesday 26th Food, Recycling and Waste
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 - March 2025 Edition
The next newsletter will be published on 1st March. Please submit material to bvn@braunstonpc.org by noon on 18th February or the Post Office by noon on 18th February.
Delivering the BVN
Please contact Deb Hope if you would like a little exercise delivering the BVN in the village. There may be a regular round available or you can be a ‘temp’ for when someone is away or ill. deb21low@gmail.com
