Nettleham News - 2014-02 - Summer 2014 by Community Linc Media Ltd

Front cover photograph by Nigel Kingston

The village magazine of Nettleham: Lincolnshire

Summer 2014

THE PLOUGH PUB & RESTAURANT

● ● ●

Selection of traditional Batemans’ ales

Air-conditioned smoke-free atmosphere ●

●

Home-made food 7 days a week

Lunches, evening meals and Sunday lunches

Hemswell Antique Centres Coffee Shop

Take time out from browsing the largest selection of antiques and collectables in Europe and visit our licensed Coffee Shop where, in addition to a range of refreshing cold drinks and hot beverages, you can enjoy a choice of freshly prepared meals and light snacks, using only the very best fresh, locally-sourced produce.

Open 10am - 5pm every day Caenby Corner Estate, Hemswell Cliff, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5TJ

Specialities from the blackboard

FREE PARKING

Special Senior Citizen 2-course Sunday lunches

Telephone 01427 668389

● ●

Open all day 7 days a week

●

Quiz night every Sunday and Wednesday

1 The Green, Nettleham, Lincoln

LF N SE O UR GO YO T EA TR

Bob & Pauline Woolley offer a warm and friendly welcome at

Do you need help looking after your trees? Not sure if your tree is safe? Concerned about Ash die-back disease, or other tree ailments?

For professional and independent advice please contact me ● Over 30 years’ experience of working with trees, gardens and woodlands ● The Arboricultural Surveyor for Lincolnshire County Council ● Public liability and professional indemnity insurance held ● Technician member of the Arboricultural Association

Email: enquiries@hemswell-antiques.com

● Based in Nettleham

H E M S W E L L

Sara Bright TechArborA sarabright141@gmail.com

C E N T R E S

or view online at

01522 750275

People trust Mundys A high quality 21st century marketing service: Worldwide access to your property via the internet Voted Lincolnshire’s top Estate Agent in 2012 Valuation by qualified local valuers (Telephone or email for FREE valuation within 48 hours)

Unique Nettleham village video guide

Late opening

www.hemswell-antiques.com

01522 875939 Mobile 07885 914305

A unique café, shop and online mail order company for the discerning cheese lover Dispatching fabulous tasty farmhouse cheese throughout mainland UK Our cheese selections make the perfect gift for all occasions

NEW

SHOP NOW OPEN Our new shop now enables us to offer an even greater selection of farmhouse and artisan cheeses The café offers local and seasonal produce and is open as usual

29 Silver Street, Lincoln LN2 1AS

Telephone 01522 510044 Email: info@mundy-uk.com

Café: 1 St Martin’s Lane Lincoln LN2 1HY Shop: 28 The Strait Lincoln LN2 1JD

www.mundy-uk.com

Tel: 01522 511003

Specialists in Nettleham properties

Open Mon - Sat 10.00am - 4.30pm

www.thecheesesociety.co.uk

From the Editor

DEADLINES Nettleham News magazine is a quarterly publication and the deadlines for receiving contributions for each of the editions are:

Nigel Kingston 1 High Street Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2PL

NEXT EDITION

Telephone: 01522 753000 Email: nettlehamnews@ntlworld.com

1st 1st 1st 1st

FEBRUARY for the spring edition MAY for the summer edition AUGUST for the autumn edition NOVEMBER for the winter edition

All contributions should be sent to the Editor

Read Nettleham News online at: www.nettleham.info Welcome to Nettleham News A very warm welcome to the summer 2014 edition of your village magazine - I sincerely hope you continue to find it interesting, informative, amusing and perhaps even controversial as well. Nettleham Library Those residents, myself included, who attended the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 19 March in the Old School about the imminent closure of Nettleham Library, were given some hope, albeit slim, that a way forward may be possible if Lincolnshire County Council would grant an extension to the time period allowed for the production of a Business Plan for the future running of this village facility and also remove the break clause in the lease agreement. On both counts our proposals were rejected and so sadly the library, in its present form, will inevitably be closing in the near future (see pages 5 and 49). The Ray Sellars Community Award The Annual Parish Meeting was held on Wednesday 9 April 2014 in the Old School, during which the very first recipient of the new Ray Sellars Community Award, was presented with the award (see page 7). This community award, created in fond memory of Ray Sellars, the well-known and respected village resident and Parish Councillor, West Lindsey District Councillor and Lincolnshire County Councillor who sadly died last year, will be presented annually to the person selected from those nominated for consideration to receive this prestigious award. If there is a resident of the village who you think should be considered for this community award in 2015, then do please send your nomination to the Parish Council by letter or email (contact details page 5) with a brief explanation of the reasons for your nomination. Every nomination will be considered for the next award, which will be presented in 2015

On the Subject of Dogs The last edition included a number of items relating to dogs in the village, as a result of which I received a considerable amount of correspondence from dog owners, all of which (intended for publication) is included in this edition and I trust this will serve to redress the balance in terms of the alternative opinions expressed. If a sensitive and perhaps contentious subject is included in these pages, then it is inevitable that there are going to be widely different opinions, deeply felt and passionately expressed. However, I was surprised by the disproportionate reaction expressed in some of the correspondence, the tone of which was decidedly hostile and intimidating. If this is to be the result of including controversial subjects in the ‘Readers’ Letters’ pages of Nettleham News, then I will have to seriously consider either discontinuing this popular feature or being very selective in the choice of which to publish. This would be a shame, effectively depriving readers of the opportunity to voice their views and concerns on subjects which they feel may be important both to themselves and to the village in general. As far as I am aware, free speech, providing it is not abusive, defamatory, malicious, libellous or an incitement to hatred, is still permissible in this country and readers should be free to express their views and opinions, without fear or favour. I may not agree with some of the views expressed in the magazine (as stated below), but I do include them all and, contrary to what some readers appear to think, I most certainly would not edit, or otherwise manipulate, contributions in order to change their meaning. In conclusion, I have included a number of comments and observations of my own on this subject, which must now be declared closed for the time being.

Volunteer Distributors In past editions of the magazine I have, from time to time, asked for names of people who would be kind enough to put themselves forward for inclusion on the list of reserve distributors for Nettleham News. I recently needed to refer to this list and noticed from my records that most of the people who had very kindly offered their services had actually done so many years ago and that the list was now probably well out of date. May I ask any readers who would be willing and able to distribute a number of magazines in the village kindly to contact me (contact details above) and let me have your own contact details for possible future reference and I will compile a new updated list of reserves. Please include your name, telephone number, postal address and email address. (This personal information will remain confidential and under no circumstances would be passed on to a third party). Do please state your preference (if any) for the delivery area and whether or not you would prefer to deliver regularly, or as a temporary substitute, should a regular distributor become unavailable for any reason. If you contacted me in the past, may I please ask you to confirm that you are still willing to be a Nettleham News distributor. I do endeavour to make arrangements for each individual to deliver in his/her own neighbourhood. Although this isn’t always possible, the more names I have available, the more likely it is that you would be allocated a delivery round near to your home. I may perhaps never call upon your services, but it is comforting to know that there is a list of willing volunteers to which to turn in an emergency! Thank you.

The views and opinions expressed in Nettleham News magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. Where photographs and/or names of children are published in this magazine, it is assumed that prior permission has been gained from parents/school. Nettleham News is designed, edited, originated and published by Nigel Kingston, 1 High Street, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2PL. Design copyright © Nigel Kingston. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under design copyright above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed by F W Cupit Printers Limited, Horncastle.

Directory of Advertisers This magazine is funded solely by the revenue from advertisements and readers are urged to support these businesses whenever possible. Please mention Nettleham News when responding to advertisements. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply any endorsement by Nettleham News and those responding to the advertisements are responsible for confirming the quality and suitability of the products and services offered. It is the advertisers’ responsibility to ensure that their material does not contravene advertising standards or any Act of Parliament.

IFC: inside front cover; IBC: inside back cover; BC: back cover

ACCOMMODATION

HEALTH & FITNESS

ESTATE AGENTS

PRINTING SERVICES

The Old Vicarage

Mundys

IFC

Tai Chi

Hayman’s Ghyll

Harrison

Wellbeing Fitness

ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES S C Warren & Co

ANTIQUES Hemswell Antique Centres

IFC

BEAUTY SALONS 08

The Beauty Rooms

BUILDING SERVICES 04

L&J Construction & Maintenance 22 WEH Property Services

Fairclear Construction

BUILDING SUPPLIES & TIMBER Listers

David Burghardt

Claire Armitage

Secure Homes Limited 18

Louby Lou Wools 20

Paul Dales 30

Page Nelson IFC

FOOTCARE SERVICES 10

JES Footcare

The Old School

Nettleham Village Hall

Lynn Williams

Lincoln MOT Centre

Roy Wilson Auto Services

Castle Garage Doors

Mandy Spring

GARDEN SERVICES

CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICES

Lincs Landscape Co

TL Chimney Sweep Services

P Westman Landscapes

Allan Cotterill

COMPUTER SERVICES The PC Stop (John White)

DANCING CLASSES Susan Gaisford

Danielle Rawlinson

Scothern Nurseries

Nettleham Plastering

Salon Rouge Margaret’s

DRIVING TUITION David Fenton

ELECTRICAL SERVICES Nock Electrical

GUITAR TUITION

Larry Jackson

Lincolnshire Co-operative

IBC

Imp Travel

TREE & HEDGE SERVICES 18

Sara Bright

IFC

Mark Cropper

Alberi Tree Services

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES 26

CRB Installations

Andy Yates

PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES

GOLF CENTRES

HAIR STYLISTS

TRAVEL AGENTS

PICTURE FRAMING SERVICE

ScandiGifts

Paul Booth

Your Cars Private Hire

David Sunderland

STONEMASONRY

TAXI SERVICES

PLASTERING

Neil Bark

Nettleham Tennis Club

Lincolnshire Co-operative

IFC

SPORTS CLUBS

Kirk Stephenson

The Cheese Society

Holmes & Fields

Troika

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SERVICES

PHARMACY SERVICES

GIFTWARE

Welton Manor Golf Centre

DOMESTIC SERVICES Pepperpots Domestic Services

Rudies Roots

SPECIALITY FOODS

Graham Hill

Taylors of Welton

SUPERMARKET & POST OFFICE

PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES

GARDEN CENTRES & NURSERIES

CLEANING SERVICES

PAINTING & DECORATING S J Skepper

SKIP HIRE SERVICES Handy Tip

Robin Taylor

Lincolnshire Co-operative

CHIROPODIST SERVICES

Wilkin Chapman

MOTORING SERVICES

GARAGE DOOR SERVICES

Willan House

St Luke’s Nursing Home

J E Thurlby

Jo Jingles

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES

N B Reid

The Tea Cosy

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Simon J Humphreys

Maxine

PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPTIONS

Wagon House Tea Shop (Goltho) 22

Edward W Crowther Ltd

Dale & Co

The White Hart

ROOFING SERVICES

Jonathan Whiting

Fiona Milnes: Cakes by Design

IFC

The Black Horse

MOBILE HAIRSTYLIST

FURNITURE & SOFT FURNISHINGS

The Plough Inn

FUNERAL SERVICES

CAKE CREATION

PUBLIC HOUSES

JGQC Solicitors

CAFES 56

Sills & Betteridge

MATHS/ENGLISH TUITION

FUNCTION VENUES

PROPERTY LETTING SERVICES

Lincolnshire County Council

LEGAL SERVICES

FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES

Amble Down

LAWNMOWER SERVICES

FLORISTS

Wiltshire Farm Foods

KNITTING WOOLS

FIREWOOD SUPPLIES

Your Home 14

HOME SECURITY

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Flowers by Design

Aspects of Beauty

M J Spencer & Sons

Aubourn Firewood

BATHROOMS Elixir Bathrooms

Clearview Opticians

Thompson & Richardson

AUDIO/VISUAL SERVICES Lincoln Audio/Visual

HEARING AID SERVICES

EYECARE SERVICES

Cupit Print

Trevor Lawrence

D White

Paul Strong Limited

Gas Wise

Glyn Rudd Plumbing

Rowmac Plumbing

J Curtis

HANDYMAN/HOME MAINTENANCE

PRE-SCHOOLS

Helping Hands

Beckside Pre-School

Nettleham Handyman

Stepping Stones

Please remember to mention Nettleham News when responding to advertisements If you run a local business and would like to ensure that readers are aware of your products or services, please contact the Editor about advertising in this magazine (see page 1)

Nettleham Noticeboard If your local group or organisation is staging an event, use these free spaces to let everyone know

Nettleham Art Group

NETTLEHAM GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL SHOW Saturday 6 September 2014 Nettleham Village Hall 2.30pm Flowers, fruit, vegetables, wine-making, baking, art, crafts, photography and children’s classes

ADMISSION 50p (CHILDREN FREE) Tombola, raffle and refreshments Tables cleared at 4.00pm Do stay for the prize giving, raffle and auction of produce All proceeds to the Nettleham Gardeners’ Association

NETTLEHAM INFANT SCHOOL

ANNUAL SUMMER FAIR

2014 Nettleham Carnival Saturday 12 July Put it in your diary now! Nettleham Village Green from 1.00pm Don’t miss this popular annual village event

‘CUPPA TIME’ ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Summer Fair

INGHAM

Friday 11 July 2.00 - 4.00pm & 6.30 - 8.00pm Saturday 12 July 10.00am - 4.30pm Sunday 13 July 11.00am - 3.30pm Proceeds to Nettleham LIVES First Responders

For further information please contact

Ian Straw Telephone 753558 NETTLEHAM INFANT SCHOOL

OPEN GARDENS As part of the Lincolnshire Gardens Trust Open Schools Garden Weekend, we will be opening our school garden for visitors

Come along and enjoy a fun-packed afternoon of games

Fun things to do include: Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Scholastic Book Fair, Ice-Cream Van plus many more

The Old School, Nettleham

Saturday 5 July 2014 10.30am to 12.30pm

Friday 20 June 2014 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Stalls include: Penalty Shootout, Hook a Duck, Teddy Tombola, Water/Wine, Raffle, Hot Dogs, plus many more

10th Annual Art Exhibition & Sale of Paintings

Every Sunday afternoon 3.00 - 4.00pm Come along and enjoy some cake and biscuits and a chat

FREE

Light refreshments will be available and the opportunity to see our Sensory Garden and Vegetable Patch, created and maintained by the children in school

BASSINGHAM OPEN GARDENS AND SCARECROW TRAIL

Organised by Little Acorns

‘Try the Game’ Days

Saturday 21 June from 11.30am

Come and try bowls at

A number of gardens in Bassingham will be open on

Ingham Village Hall, Green & Car Park

Dunholme & District Indoor Bowls Club

Sunday 8 June

Fantastic family afternoon no matter what the weather you’ll have a great time - we’ve got it covered

Honeyholes Lane, Dunholme at

Traditional Stalls, Bouncy Castle, Beat the Keeper, Local Craft Stalls, Tombola, Pony Rides, Local Police, Tractor, Fire Engine, Owls, Ice Cream Van and much more

10.00am

Food & Refreshments on sale

13, 20 and 27 September

For more information call Hazell on

For more information telephone

07956 802239

01673 861863

Registered Charity No 1044210

2.00pm until 6.00pm in aid of the Bassingham Playing Field Charity Entrance programmes, which include a map showing the locations of the gardens, teas, ice creams, scarecrows and the plant stall, will be on sale at Bassingham village hall car park from 1.30pm

£3.00 accompanied children free

TREVOR LAWRENCE PLUMBING AND CENTRAL HEATING GAS SAFE Registered gas installer Central heating installations, boiler change and servicing. Bathroom and shower installations Tiling: wall and floors

KITCHEN INSTALLATIONS & SMALL BUILDING ALTERATIONS Free estimates and advice 2 Orchard Way Nettleham GAS

safe REGISTER

Telephone 01522 750146

UNVENTED HOT WATER

M J SPENCER & SONS (NETTLEHAM) LTD Builders & Contractors 22 BECKSIDE, NETTLEHAM, LINCOLN LN2 2PH FOR A

COMPLETE BUILDING SERVICE TELEPHONE 01522 806919 MOBILE 07887 855921 or 07789 406660

Parish Council News Welcome to the latest update on Parish Council business. A summary of some of the main issues dealt with over the last year is contained in the Chairman’s Annual Report on page 68, which was presented at the Annual Parish Meeting on 9 April 2014. If you have any issues to raise, which are within the Parish Council’s control, it would be greatly appreciated if you would make the Parish Office your first point of call.

Nettleham Parish Council The Old School Mill Hill Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2PE Telephone/fax 01522 750011 Email: parishcouncil@nettleham.info www.nettleham.info

Ray Sellars Community Award At the Annual Parish Meeting, the Chairman, together with Mrs June Sellars and her family, was pleased to present the first recipient of the Ray Sellars Community Award to Mr Phil McGuinness in recognition of his considerable contribution to the village with his work on both the Carnival and Village Hall Committees (see page 7). Phil will keep a replica of the award for his mantelpiece and the original will be inscribed and kept in the cabinet at the Old School (see page 66). Nominations for this year can be submitted to the Parish Office. Royal Visit The Parish Council was delighted to host a visit by HRH The Duke of Kent to the official opening of the Bishop’s Palace site on 11 March 2014. Cllr John Evans talked The Duke through the details of bringing this historic village amenity to fruition and introduced members of the Bishop’s Palace Working Group and sponsors to our royal visitor. The Duke then walked over to the site and planted a commemorative oak tree and cut the ribbon on Prince’s Gateway. A small reception was held at the Old School after his departure to mark our appreciation to all concerned in this project (see pages 33-39). Nettleham Library A full account of the current situation with the library is contained in the

Old School commencing at 7.30pm when the strategy plan for the village to run until 2031 will be discussed. We need feedback from as many people as possible, so on Friday 4 July and Saturday 5 July 2014, between 10.00am and 5.00pm, drop-in sessions will also be held in the Small Hall at the Old School. These sessions will allow residents to discuss face-to-face with committee members any issues they wish to raise following the public consultation event and provide additional time for residents to consider in more detail the planning policies proposed. This is the last phase when it is easy to amend the plan - after this phase we need to finalise the plan and send out final consultation copies prior to external inspection and a referendum.

Parish Office Open Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 12.30pm

Chairman’s Annual Report. We would like to express our appreciation to all the residents who came forward to kindly volunteer their services. The Lincolnshire Co-operative Society is now in talks with Lincolnshire County Council to take on this venture, subject to the outcome of the Judicial Review later this year. Unless we hear otherwise, we will assume those volunteers are willing to have their names passed on to the Co-op. The Parish Council very much hopes the library still has a future in the village. Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Events The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee is now formalising the Neighbourhood Plan and seeking views from residents on the strategy plan proposed. In order to assist in the consultation with residents, a Public Consultation meeting will be held on Wednesday 25 June 2014 in the Large Hall at the 5

Best Kept Village Commemorative Plaque We are in process of producing a plaque to mark Nettleham’s significant achievements in this competition over the last 50 years. Subject to approval by Lincolnshire County Council, we propose to site this at the Washdyke Lane entrance to the village under the Nettleham sign, to replace the existing out-of-date signage. If the cost is not prohibitive and residents would like to see such a plaque at every entrance to the village, this can be considered, so do please contact the Parish Office if you have an opinion on this subject. At the time of going to print, it is assumed Nettleham will again enter the annual competition and your continued contribution to maintaining an attractive and cared-for village will be essential to our success. Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) The new multi-use games area is now installed on the Parish Council tennis courts at Mulsanne Park and is proving popular. continued on page 7

LINCS LANDSCAPE CO

Self-catering Holiday Cottages

Horticultural Contractors ● Contractors for all horticultural advice ● Suppliers of all trees, shrubs, plants & seeds ● All estimates Free

Nettleham, Lincoln

David Storey FRHS

Delightful cottages within easy walking distance of the Village Green. Offering well-equipped accommodation with garden and off-road parking Weekends, weeks and longer-term lets available

CG Certs in Horticulture

Cherry Willingham, Lincoln LN3 4AN

English Tourism Council

Telephone: 751325 Mobile: 07754 778361 Email: storey-david@btconnect.com www.lincs-landscape.co.uk

TROIKA CARDS & GIFTS Greeting cards, Gifts, Jewellery and Toys

The Green, Nettleham

LINCOLN 751164 House Signs

English Tourism Council

For more details contact

Self Catering Accommodation

Susan Downs Telephone 01522 750819 Email: susan@oldvic.net Website: www.oldvic.net

Self Catering Accommodation

A friendly and local firm of solicitors providing: ● ● ●

Conveyancing - at a low cost fixed fee Probate - a sensitive and efficient service Wills - a personal approach with reduced rates for all Nettleham News readers

Victory House, Henley Way, Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3QR Telephone (01522) 687500 Fax (01522) 690296 Free car parking available enquiries@pagenelson.co.uk www.pagenelson.co.uk for appointments

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

The Old School Owned by Nettleham Parish Council Suitable for meetings, parties, receptions, events, exhibitions, etc Competitive Hire Charges

Telephone/fax: 01522 750011 Email: parishcouncil@nettleham.info www.nettleham.info

continued from page 5

Parish Council News This is a much-needed attraction for the youth of our village (although age is apparently not a barrier to its use!) but this area will still need to be shared with the Tennis Club at times. The Parish Council will no longer make a charge to residents wanting to play tennis on the public court. (see Cllr Joseph Siddall’s article on this matter on page 65). Bus Shelters It has been suggested that a new bus stop would be welcomed in the Lodge Lane/Sudbrooke Lane area for the benefit of bus passengers using PC Coaches and/or the surgery. A £3,000 grant is available from Lincolnshire County Council towards a new bus shelter, although this may not be sufficient for a preferred style, eg brick instead of plastic. The siting of bus shelters can also be problematic, as not everyone would be

happy to have a shelter near to their property with possible associated problems of anti-social behaviour. Before taking this further, it would be helpful to have residents’ opinions on whether further bus shelter(s) are necessary and where they could be located in the village (excluding the village green). Lincolnshire County Council would have to give permission to site a bus shelter on the highway verge/public land. Please contact the Parish Office with your feedback on this suggestion. Horse Fouling It has been reported to us that there appears to be more and more horse manure on the roads around the village. As we ask dog owners to clear up their dog’s fouling, it is felt that the same rule should apply to horse owners.

NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS Meetings commence at 7.30pm and all are open to the general public (all at The Old School unless otherwise stated)

Parish Council Meetings Monday 23 June 2014 Tuesday 22 July 2014 Thursday 11 September 2014

Property Committee Monday 14 July 2014 Tuesday 23 September 2014 (at Mulsanne Park)

Mulsanne Park Users’ Committee Monday 2 June 2014 Monday 1 September 2014 (at Mulsanne Park) Dates correct at the time of going to press

Nettleham Parish Council

The Ray Sellars Community Award

Phil McGuiness, the first recipient of the new Ray Sellars Community Award, receives the shield from Ray’s widow on Wednesday 9 April 2014 From left to right: Anita Flower (Ray’s daughter), Phil McGuiness, Mrs June Sellars (Ray’s widow), Mark Sellars (Ray’s son) and Terry Williams (Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council

Simon J Humphreys Specialist in built-up felt roofing 8 Sudbrooke Lane Nettleham

Telephone 01522 751561 Mobile: 07905 092174

P WESTMAN LANDSCAPES Garden Design, Pruning, Turfing, Fencing, Tree Surgery, Patios, Hedging

FREE ESTIMATES GIVEN Telephone Philip Westman Ash Tree House 25 Eastfield Lane Welton Lincoln LN2 3NA

01673 866660

D WHITE PLUMBING SERVICES 30 years experience Bathroom design, supply and installation Level access/wet rooms Showers and shower repairs Wall and floor tiling All types of plumbing repairs No job too small and no call-out charge

01522 690554 55 Meadowlake Crescent Lincoln LN6 0HZ

REGISTERED PLUMBER

S J SKEPPER Interior & Exterior Painter & Decorator 1 Vicarage Lane, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2RH

City & Guilds Holder

01522 754902

For free estimates telephone

WELTON 01673 861443

When you want to look your best, trust us to take care of all your beauty needs

Mobile telephone: 07930 227414 3 Ridge Close, Welton

PEPPERPOT’S

DOMESTIC SERVICES Regular Cleans Laundry & Ironing Service Spring & Builder Cleans Windows & Carpets Cleaned House Moves

Find us on

Facebook

TELEPHONE

01673 857691 Our salon is qualified to specialise in

Mobile: 07947 322023 LANGTON-BY-WRAGBY, MARKET RASEN pepperpotscleaning@btinternet.com

Beckside Pre-School Early Years Unit, All Saints Lane, Nettleham For children 2 to 5 OFSTED Registered

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm Come and see us learning through play

●

Semi-permanent Make-up ● Laser Hair Removal ● Laser Skin Rejuvenation ● Laser Vascular Treatments ● Advanced Cosmetic Procedures ● Electrolysis ● Derma-Roller ● Injectables

●

Guinot Skincare ● Priori ● Aromatherapy Associates ● Bare Minerals ● Hopi Ear Candles ● Jessica Nails ● Jessica Gel Overlays

Call now to book a free consultation or an appointment

Telephone: 07940 873505

Visit our website

Email: becksidenettleham@googlemail.com

aspectsofbeautylincoln.co.uk

Helen Kendall and Jayne Ellis

Letters from Readers More readers’ letters on page 11

Dogs in Nettleham It seems to the many dog owners that a cabal of individuals have the undivided ear of the Nettleham News and can write whatever they wish regardless of how uninformed, misleading or puerile it is. Whilst we usually just shrug these comments off the Spring Edition has stepped so far over the line of impartial reporting in a measured manner it must be responded to. Let us firstly return to the winter edition. A whole page (p9) devoted to complaints 2 to be precise regarding dog faeces. The suggestion is made to ban dogs from the Bishops Palace and fence off areas in other public spaces and banning dogs from the rest. The subject of dogs is then taken up on p9, p17, and p21 in the spring edition. Let me start with the letter from R Goy on p9. I am the only person who walks a Rottweiler nearly every day (or did in the bad weather) on the Bishops Palace. Around Christmas time when the school holidays were on there was a definite increase is dog faeces there always is during the holidays when children are allowed to walk dogs and very often fail to pick up. Somewhat ironic they are one of the main causes of the problem yet the responsible owners are the ones to suffer. To suggest being confronted with piles of dog faeces every other minute is a huge exaggeration clearly designed to attempt to ban dogs. As a responsible owner I pick up not just any deposits left by my own dog but also any I see left by others . This person then goes on to write she was appalled to witness a Rottweiler bounding back and forth. Yes Mrs Goy, under my control my dog is allowed to play off the lead. I have the lead in my pocket at all times plus poo bags. As for gazing nonchalantly at the sky I may well have been doing so I have a serious medical condition that causes my back to be

extremely painful and I do stretch it. I am amazed these facts werent know to someone with such superhuman powers they can judge a dogs temperament from the top of a bus hundreds of yards away Mrs Goy then says if small children had been present (which clearly they were not) the potential danger is obvious. REALLY that suggests I own a dangerous dog, an unfounded allegation I take seriously, and seems based on the irrational, ignorant, and prejudiced view this person has of Rottweilers a breed used across the world as rescue and assistance dogs and in the UK as Pets as Therapy dogs that go into hospices, childrens homes and schools for the severely handicapped. In 2006 the top PAT dog was a Rottweiler. To state childrens welfare is at stake because of a dog playing is farcical. Mrs Goy goes on to say education is paramount it is and perhaps she should obtain hers regarding dogs from something other than the tabloid press. Next on p17 where there is a notice, unsigned, talking of perceptions of dogs posing a danger to youngsters. Whose perceptions and based on what exactly? The notice talks of larger breeds so that covers labradors, retrievers some spaniels etc. yet the dogs one is statistically most likely to be bitten by are all small breeds. The theme continues on P21 Dog Attack in Village! This is the use of inflammatory language of the worst sort. What is described is no such thing if a large boxer and a staffie had actually attacked the small dog and its owners they would have been badly bitten and not just an unpleasant bite to the tail (which would have been like a toy to the dogs on the ground). I hold no brief for the owner of those animals that were clearly not under control but to head a letter in such a way is downright irresponsible and I understand it was not the letter writers work. One has to say owners who pick up small dogs at

the very approach of a larger dog are ignoring the advice of dog trainers it means they are instilling fear in their dogs and the larger dog cannot understand how the smaller one is in the air! Keeping dogs on leads all the time also encourages aggressive behaviour as the dog cannot escape if it feels threatened and they do not get as much exercise! Dog owners have huge responsibilities including being a strong pack leader, being consistent with the animal and setting boundaries of behaviour. It would be nice however if parents taught their children how to approach animals and the importance of asking first before touching. Of course all faeces should be picked up including by children, but isnt it interesting the majority of complaints are regarding footpaths just where dogs on the lead would be. It is also the domain of those with long extender leads some of whom seem to have little idea what their dog is doing yards behind them!! I see dog walkers out with rubbish bags and grabbers collecting the trash that litters the area. No mention of that in the Nettleham News .My husband has picked up beer cans and cigarette packets from the Bishops Palace site my dog is clever but she cant manage ring pulls. No mention anywhere of the constant speeding on Washdyke and Deepdale Lanes or the inconsiderate parking on footpaths strange these are considered less important. We as dog walkers are as entitled as everybody else to use this site. We are the ones who are out in all weathers and keep an eye on things. I note there is the request for money for more trees well I if as a dog walker am not to be allowed on the site I have no intention of parting with money for an area I cannot use. Perhaps other dog owners who have pledged money also feel the same. Sue Turnbull

Editor In the interests of accuracy, this letter is published in the magazine verbatim and entirely unedited. Reference to the wording ‘Dog Attack in Village!’ (added by the Editor to a reader’s letter received for the last edition) is simply a statement of fact. When two unleashed dogs set about another dog (either playfully or aggressively) and draw blood, and one of the the owners of the small dog is also physically injured, then this constitutes, in my opinion, a dog attack and was rightly reported to the police. The owners of the small dog were understandably very distressed and the exclamation mark was added to typographically express their shock, fright and dismay over this incident. Additional points made in the this letter could be addressed and some possibly challenged and refuted, but there is insufficient space in the magazine, so I must leave readers to draw their own conclusions. If you are interested and wish to read more about the process and rationale employed in the production of Nettleham News, please turn to page 27 where some of these are explained in more detail.

Graham Hill Qualiﬁed Painter & Decorator Interior and Exterior Work Small Building and Joinery Repairs Free Estimates 53 Hansard Drive, Wragby

07857 626706 Home: 01673 858177

Direct from the Grower NURSERIES Hardy exotics: Palms, Bamboos, Ferns. Seasonal Hanging Baskets/Planters. Bedding, Perennials, Trees/shrubs. Xmas trees sale or hire. Trees to hire for that special occasion.

ALLAN COTTERILL

A step in the right direction

foot care services

Liz Carling BA (Hons), DipCFHP, DipBMec, MPSPract

NETTLEHAM CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING “YOUR VILLAGE SERVICE”

Foot Health Practitioner 51 Washdyke Lane Nettleham Lincolnshire LN2 2PX

Tel: 07981 980872

FREE quote - visit - advice FREE lemon odour treatment 20 years experience Insured - no VAT MOD Contractor

01522 752490 07889 287163

Lincoln’s largest MOT testing centre We specialise in large motorhomes and RV’s

OPEN DAILY 10am - 4pm

01522 752762/07770 664949 SCOTHERN ROAD, NETTLEHAM, LINCOLN LN2 2TU

www.rudiesroots.co.uk

PAUL STRONG LTD Gas Service Engineer Boilers & Central Heating Installed & Serviced Appliances Installed and Serviced Plumbing All Work Guaranteed Ex British Gas Engineer CORGI Registered Installer

157342

For Free No Obligation Estimates

Telephone 01522 - 595389 Mobile 07974 671079

S C Warren & Co. Accountants

CARS MOTORHOMES & RVs MINIBUSES & VANS

LINCOLN MOT CENTRE

Acting for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Individuals

01522 527342

Services include: Financial Statement production, Tax Return computation, VAT Returns, Payroll and Bookkeeping

Book online at

For further information please contact Sophy on

01673 858703 or 07960 969041 Email: sophy.warren@lineone.net

www.lincolnmotcentre.com Outer Circle Road, Lincoln (behind Lincoln Volkswagen)

Letters from Readers More readers’ letters on page 21

Via email 3 March 2014 I would be grateful if this email could be placed in the ”Letters from Readers” section of the next Nettleham News. Having lived in Nettleham for 35 years I am very concerned at the current “witch hunt” against dog owners in the village, probably from people who have resided in the village for far less time. I have owned and exercised my golden retrievers in and around the village for the last 35 years and consider myself as a “responsible dog owner”, ALWAYS clearing up after my dogs. The opening up of the old Bishop’s Palace to the public and providing this facility/amenity to the village residents is a revelation and I walk my dog there 6-10 times per week off the lead and under control. During that time I very rarely see dog faeces, children or even adults walking without dogs. In fact since I received the latest issue of Nettleham News last week I have seen no faeces whatsoever. A ban on dogs in the Bishop’s Palace would result in the vast majority of the people who currently use this facility not doing so and the facility would rarely be used. Similarly, keeping dogs on leads would not solve the problem. This would not change the habits of the same people who currently do not clean up after their dog. These people are very much a minority and they would still not clean up after their dog, whether it was on a lead or not. Keeping a dog under control is far more sensible. The problem is the same old one in all walks of life. It is the minority who spoil it for the majority and by placing restrictions on the Bishop’s Palace would be using the sledge hammer to crack the nut. Terry Little Please note that for correspondence to appear in the ‘Letters from Readers’ pages, the name and contact details of the writer must be supplied to the Editor. A policy of strict confidentiality is applied and under no circumstances will the personal contact details of the writer be published, if a specific request to withhold this information accompanies the original correspondence. If no such request is included, permission to include the writer’s name is implicit. Anonymous letters will not be published. The opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the Editor.

Via email 7 March 2014

Via email 17 March 2014

The Parish Council’s suggestion of banning dogs from the Bishop’s Palace site is an interesting one as, despite walking our dog there several times per week since it was opened, I have yet to see anyone other than dog walkers using the site.

I am a dog owner myself and felt after all the comments in the last issue of Nettleham News I had to put pen to paper.

Actually I tell a lie, I did see two Parish Council contractors grubbing up the 50 metres of hedgerow that had been home to nesting birds for many years. Banning dogs will result in the site being completely unused. Like most readers, I find dog mess disgusting, fortunately it is rarely seen at the Bishop’s Palace site. Name withheld

Via email 20 March 2014 I would like to comment on your recent magazine content referencing dog owners. Yes, I’m fed up with having to avoid dog mess when walking in the village. Yes, I agree that dangerous dogs need to be kept under control. However, how many times must your magazine keep telling ALL dog owners to do this and ALL dog owners to do that (your capitalisation, not mine)? I never see words in the magazine such as would ALL parents please teach their children some manners, or would ALL people walking along the Beck ALWAYS refrain from dropping litter into it. Why not? Because there is an implicit assumption that most people already do as expected. So I find your repeated instructions targeted to ALL dog-owners to ALWAYS clear up their dogs mess as not just accusatory but also quite condescending. (Although I must add, not quite as condescending as adding a caption under a photograph of some dog walkers, telling me that this is how to be a responsible dog owner.) Perhaps next time it’s mentioned you could instead direct it to those dog-owners who don’t clear up after their dogs, instead of making the suggestion to your readers that I and all dog owners are one and the same. Kind regards, Peter Cheng I don’t mind whether you publish this letter in your magazine or not, but if you do, please do so verbatim, as I would not wish any edits to result in possible misunderstanding of my opinions. Editor May I respectfully suggest you read page 27

There seemed an awful lot of complaints of either fouling in public places, dogs off leads and dog attacks, and I am inclined to agree with them, but also felt that we were all being tarred with the same brush as regards irresponsible owners. I have a dog who is fine with people, but not keen on other four-legged friends. I never let him off his lead, although at times would love to let him have a run and wear himself out! It is very annoying when you go round a corner and are approached by a dog off its lead and the owner several yards behind without a care in the world, and when my dog gets upset I am frowned upon. I have on several occasions offered ‘poo’ bags to people who don’t appear to ‘pick up’ after their dogs. What annoys me more is people who pick up, but then throw the full bags in hedges, trees, etc, rather than carry them to the bins. There are not enough bins in the village, especially on the public footpaths through the fields. I feel sorry for the couple who were attacked on the police station, I too have had my dog on a lead on the police station and seen dogs off leads coming towards me and diverted away from them only to have the dogs come to attack mine, luckily I managed to get mine away without injury. It wasn’t, by the way, the same two dogs that attacked the couple’s dog. Please don’t assume all dog owners are irresponsible, it’s just the handful that give the others a bad name. Sue Hempsall

Via email 11 March 2014 I cannot agree more with people complaining about owners not clearing up behind their dogs in the village. I am a very regular dog walker and have challenged dog owners in the past and will do in the future, when I see them not removing the faeces left by their dogs. The Bishop’s Palace site is one area in the village I use. My question is how many people would use this site, if dogs were to be banned? I hardly see anybody using the site except people with their dogs. Maybe in the summer the site might be used more extensively, but over the winter and now coming into spring, I believe it is very under-utilized. Dinant Hagens

St Luke’s Nursing Home

O NO N LA VA BO T U R

35 Main Street, Scothern, Lincoln LN2 2UJ

For Care, Comfort and Happiness Part P Approved

For all your domestic installations

www.nock.electrical.co.uk With 30 years’ experience Providing a quality service at competitive prices

St Luke’s is a “home from home” where our residents can feel secure in a relaxed and friendly environment. Everyone is treated as an individual with the right to lead as independent and fulfilling life as possible.

Telephone 01522 853060

For more information call us on

01673 862264 or pop in for an informal visit

NEIL BARK DOMESTIC APPLIANCE ENGINEER

Stepping Stones Nettleham

Fast and efficient repairs and service ● WASHERS ● DISHWASHERS ● TUMBLE

DRYERS ● VACUUM CLEANERS ● ELECTRIC COOKERS ● REFRIGERATION TELEPHONE 01522 698884 MOBILE 07771 553496 21 Hykeham Road, Lincoln LN6 8AA

Nettleham Village Hall Brookfield Avenue, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2SS

Pre-School Monday to Friday 8.30am - 3.30pm

07599 546426 steppingstonespreschool1@live.com

Extended Hours - Term Time 7.30am - 8.30am Breakfast bar 3.30pm - 5.30pm After Session

USE THIS SPACE to promote YOUR products or services Nettleham News is the first point of reference for people living in and around the village when they are seeking information about local products and services.

Monday - Friday 7.30am - 6.00pm

It’s the magazine that everyone reads and is the ideal way to maintain a high profile in Nettleham for your business.

07851 858450

Contact the Editor on Lincoln

steppingstonesnettleham@live.com

753000

(we also provide a ‘walking bus’ for local schools)

Holiday Club

For more information visit our website: steppingstonesnettleham.co.uk Ofsted Registered

for information

special

Photographs from a Young Reader

Letter from a Reader The sun is shining, and the sky is blue... I think I’ll play tennis, how about you? Nettleham Tennis Club is a friendly village club with three floodlit courts, available to members all year round. You can find us in Mulsanne Park, at the end of the footpath behind the car park and play area, accessed by road via Greenfields and Field Close. I’m not quite dead - I’m in the red!

From Margaret in Watford I was feeling quite sad when the spring edition of Nettleham News came through my letterbox. The beautiful photograph on the front cover really lifted my spirits. I wonder if it was taken this year, as the daffodils in my garden were only in bud at that time and there was no blossom yet making an appearance on the trees. I have remarked before about some of the cover pictures on the front of Nettleham News and I remembered that some were taken by the Editor, so is this perhaps his handiwork again? Margaret Wagget Editor Firstly, Margaret, my sincere apologies for not including your letter in its usual place in the “Letters from Readers” pages but, with the assistance of your nephew Steven Rainsford-Smith, who lives in Nettleham and sent me the photograph, I just wanted to share this lovely picture of you with other readers and in order to do full justice to the picture, I just had to find space on a colour page! We have all enjoyed your regular letters from ‘down south’ for many years now and I’m sure readers will be interested to ‘put a face to the name’at last! (Readers please note - the caption to the photograph is Margaret’s own - not mine!) Secondly, Margaret, you’ve rumbled me! Yes, the photograph was taken a couple of years ago. With cover photographs for the magazine it is necessary to plan well ahead. You’re quite right, when the spring edition of Nettleham News went to the printers it was still only very early February and the daffodils here were still in tight bud, but by the time it was distributed around the village in early March, they were beginning to burst into bloom! The front cover of this edition is very unusual and quite unique, illustrating the ‘royal visit’ by HRH the Duke of Kent in March to officially open the newly redeveloped Bishop’s Palace site in the village. A full report on his visit appears on pages 36-38 of this edition. Many thanks also Margaret for your kind words about the magazine - I do hope you will continue to send us regular letters giving our readers a glimpse of life in Watford.

The club is run by a committee who meet to ensure the smooth running of the club, as well as to arrange social events for fun and for fundraising, which is vital as costs and maintenance are increasing, whilst member numbers are declining. New members, regardless of ability, will be given a warm welcome. Tuesday afternoon at 2.00pm is ‘open house’ year round. Friday night at 7.00pm is club night, just turn up and play - usually mixed games with playing partners drawn by card selection for a 20-minute session, before changing round.

These two lovely floral photographs were taken and sent in by one of our younger readers, Jordan Watts (age 13) who has recently developed a keen interest in photography.

Junior coaching is also available on Thursday evenings: 1 hour sessions, with times depending on level of play. There are also opportunities to play competitively as we enter Ladies, Men’s and Mixed Teams in the summer league and a Ladies Veterans team in the winter, plus the annual club tournament and other social tournaments during the year. Why don’t you join us, have fun and keep fit? We look forward to seeing you on court. For membership information, please visit our website: www.communigate.co.uk/ ne/nettlehamtennisclub or contact: Chris Chester 01522 824597 or for coaching and general information please email : nettlehamtennisclub@gmail.com

CLEANER REQUIRED Nettleham Parish Council is seeking a self-employed cleaner for the Old School Remuneration and hours of work will be agreed with the Parish Council’s Facilities Manager. The actual hours to be worked may vary each week dependent on the use of the facilities If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact the Parish Office (contact details and times on page 5)

Closing date for applications is

Monday 16 June 2014

Free diagnostic hearing tests and consultation The most discreet models available ● Claire is recommended by the Consultant ENT Surgeons and has over 25 years’ experience ● No GP referral necessary ● Free home visits available ● Free 2-year follow-up service ● Ask about my 2-month product trial ● ●

Nettleham Countryside Walks

From the Scottish Highlands

Our Senior Reader

The Countryside Walks in and around Nettleham brochure, which was published and circulated with Nettleham News in 2008, has now been re-printed, the cost having been met by the Parish Council. Since being published, copies of the brochure have been freely available from the many local business outlets in Nettleham and the Parish Office, together with other outlets further afield, such as the Lincoln Tourist Information Centres and Wildlife Centres in Lincolnshire - these have, no doubt, also brought visitors to our beautiful village. The brochure depicts twelve walks in and around Nettleham and each walk is colour coded to correspond with the relevant fieldpath signs, all of which have had their colour coded band recently replenished, so as to make identification easier. Descriptive text and an illustrative map is provided for each route, so if you haven’t experienced any of the walks yet, pick up a copy and get exploring this summer.

This is Stuart Rose. His family formerly resided in Scothern Road, Nettleham, prior to moving to the Scottish Highlands in 1988. When he was 15 years old Stuart became ill and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He is now 24 years old and has been on medication for 9 years to try and prevent the MS from progressing. So far there is no cure. In 2011 Stuart decided to raise money for people with MS so, despite his poor health, he taught himself to run marathons! So far he has raised over £20,000 for the MS Society. In October last year, he was delighted to receive the title of ‘MS Society Young Person of the Year 2013’. You can read more about him at: www.justgiving.com/stuartrose89 Linda Campbell (Stuart’s mother)

Countryside Walks in and around Nettleham A series of 12 walks along the footpaths, fieldpaths and bridleways in and around the village of Nettleham

This is how the MS Society describe Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis is the most common progressive neurological condition affecting young adults, with diagnosis generally between the ages of 20- 40. MS is the result of damage to the myelin - a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged this interferes with messages from the brain and other parts of the body causing a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, mobility issues and problems with co-ordination. In Scotland, there are around 10,500 people with MS - more people per capita than anywhere else in the world. There is currently no cure for MS. For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission, whilst for others it has a progressive pattern. For everyone, it makes life very unpredictable.

Win Glover (nee Jubb)

I was very pleased and privileged to meet the delightful lady, who must be our most senior reader, when she visited Nettleham on Wednesday 7 May 2014 on one of her regular visits to the village from her home in Oadby, Leicestershire. Now aged 103 and still very sprightly, Win Glover is on our postal subscription list and receives every edition of Nettleham News, which she particularly enjoys reading, because she lived here for many years as a youngster with her family. Her grandfather, who originated from Louth, was a country blacksmith and his son, Win’s father, was the farrier in Nettleham, the forge being on Vicarage Lane adjacent to the Beck where Aspects of Beauty is now located. Win has many fond memories of Nettleham and tells of when she was a small girl and used to fetch eight large buckets of water a day from the hand pump which was located near the ford on Watermill Lane and was paid 2d (less than 1p) for doing this heavy task. She also remembers sometimes baby-sitting for the landlady of the White Hart Inn. It was later, whilst Win was a nurse in a sanatorium at Groby in Leicestershire that she met a patient called John, whom she subequently married in 1934 at age 23. She had two sons, Anthony and Michael and it was the latter, together with wife Angela who now both live at Carlby near Stamford, who brought Win to meet me, following a very enjoyable lunch in The Plough Inn on The Green. Although Win will tell you that Nettleham has changed and grown beyond all recognition from when she was a young girl living here, she says it is still a beautiful village - and I could only wholeheartedly agree with her!

Mandy Spring Podiatrist/Chiropodist MSSCh MBChA HPC registered

Over 25 years experience providing a home visiting service

● NHS and Private tests - NHS eye tests at no cost to the patient and still includes retinal photography free of charge

A comprehensive and thorough footcare treatment for all ages including: ● Assessment, treatment and advice for diabetics ● Removal of corns, calluses and correct nail trimming ● Treatment of onychocryptosis (ingrown toenails) ● Treatment of onychogryphosis (thickened nails) ● Treatment and advice on tineapedia and onychomycosis (fungal infections of foot and nail) ● Advice on plantar fasciitis ● Biomechanic referrals ● Advice on footwear and hosiery

● Free parking ● Contact lens trials and aftercare

Annabelle Magee BSc(Hons) McOptom

169 Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3LW

Telephone: 01522 542121 www.clearviewopticians.co.uk Email: enquiries@clearviewopticians.co.uk

Call 01522 545841 or email:

lincolnsprings@googlemail.com

AND RECYCLING

PROMPT, RELIABLE AND FRIENDLY SERVICE FOR ALL TYPES OF WASTE SMALL DEMOLITION AND SITE CLEARANCES BRICK & CRUSHED RUBBLE FOR SALE

Tel: 01522 704 234 Mobile: 07860 852 374 Saxilby, Lincoln

HELP LIVES

SAVE LIVES

Fundraising and Nettleham Carnival Some would say that we escaped quite lightly during winter 2013 and spring seems to be warming up nicely, although we’ll still need a brolly handy for April showers! Good weather is definitely a boost to our systems, and hopefully will be beneficial for our fundraising and recruitment plans for 2014. As always, the residents of the village seem happy to support our efforts. Nettleham Carnival, our biggest fundraiser of the year, is fast approaching and we are drawing up plans in readiness. This year we will be running our popular Teddy Bear Tombola. There is a lot of hard work that goes on within the group through our Responders and especially our fundraising team. I’d like to say a big thank you in advance to Mavis, Maurice, Shelagh and June for their sterling work. Although there is still more than two months to go to the actual carnival, we’d welcome any soft toys you may have who are looking for a new home, so that we can continue with our preparations. Since Mavis decided to relinquish her jam and chutney making activities, we’ve decided that with the ongoing appeal of jigsaw puzzles over the years that we’ll be trying our hand at selling these too. So, if you have any good quality, complete puzzles available to donate, we’d be very pleased to receive them. On Thursday evenings between 7.45pm and 9.00pm there will be members of the team available, either at the training sessions or meeting nights, to receive your contributions. Forthcoming dates from now until the carnival are: 5 and 19 June, or 3 July 2014.

Although the main aim of the group is to provide support to local residents in emergency situations, our Responders are occasionally asked to provide first aid cover at various events and this year we’ll actually have our Responders providing first aid support at the carnival. Hopefully, accidents will be few, but our presence will help to raise our profile in the village. Recruitment for 2014 In my articles for Nettleham News, there is often a plea to recruit new members to enhance the team. This year is no exception, as we’ve had a number of Responders who’ve recently stepped down from their roles. We are particularly keen to strengthen the number of Responders we have available to cover the rota during weekdays, so that we can regularly provide cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Last spring we held an Open Afternoon/Evening and it is our intention to hold a similar event later this year. Please keep an eye out for our publicity posters around the village and also in Nettleham News.

The Linelands Project (see page 63)

By the time this edition of the magazine is delivered to you, we will already have held a demonstration of the new Public Access Defibrillator (PAD), located outside the Co-op, and also shown local residents Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques. Once individuals realise that with some simple training and support, what a significant difference they can make in an emergency situation, I’m hopeful that we’ll have many more residents stepping forward to volunteer to join our team. Many thanks for your continuing support. For further information about becoming involved with Nettleham LIVES contact: Edward Rouse (Nettleham Co-ordinator)

Telephone: 01522 753033

Gas and heating engineers Contact John Dyer

Telephone

01673 861660

Local Contact:

STEVE STRAW BA (Hons), ACIB,Cert PFS, Cert CII (MP)

Financial Planning with Thompson & Richardson Have you reviewed the past performance of your investments recently? ● Are you taking advantage of any tax breaks you are entitled to? ●

safe

Ambition House 3 Oakwood Road Lincoln LN6 3LH Call 01522 513191 Email info@trfs.co.uk

Gaswise GAS

Are you aware of the types of risk your investments hold? ● Are your plans on track to fulfil your ambitions? ●

Mobile

Local Independent Financial Advice

07970 784698

Pensions, Investments, Life Protection & Mortgages

www.gaswiselincoln.co.uk

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend on your circumstances, but we estimate that it will be £350.

Available to hire for

Parties, Weddings Kids’ Parties and Meetings

Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 6.00pm

Main hall and lounge available to hire separately

Saturday: 9.00am - 12 noon

Competitive rates For bookings telephone

822315 18

Shot at Dawn On a bright, sunny day we visited the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. We stood in front of the ‘Shot at Dawn Memorial’ which is very profound and moving. In 2006 a posthumous pardon was granted to 306 soldiers. Soldiers? Pardons? What does this mean? 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were executed during the First World War, often by their own fellow soldiers under the instruction of officers. The reasons given at the time were often desertion and cowardice. They were killed at dawn. The executions were carried out after hasty courts-martial, some lasting only twenty minutes. Some of the soldiers were in fact under-age. It is recognized now that many of the soldiers who appeared to run away were in fact suffering from shell shock and post combat stress. Sometimes though they were executed for merely falling asleep, from prolonged exhaustion, at their posts; others were also executed for throwing away their guns. One man could not go on because his best friend had been blown up beside him. He was later executed. Widows of these unfortunate men were refused pensions because they were deemed to be ‘the wives of cowards’. The memorial consists of 306 wooden posts, each with the name of an executed soldier on a plaque and the whole site is fronted by a statue of a blindfolded and hand-bound soldier awaiting his end. It is based on the likeness of an actual

seventeen-year old soldier. After lying about his age, he was shot for desertion. I scanned the list of these unfortunate men and found one from the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. His name was Private G E Collins. I wonder what this poor man did to deserve this awful end. Today there must be descendants of these ill-fated men who, down the years, have

PRIVATE PEACEFUL by Michael Morpurgo The site brought to mind a book I own called ‘Private Peaceful’ by Michael Morpurgo, who has the gift of being able to blend fact with fiction to create a beautiful, well-written story. This book is suitable for teenagers upwards. It tells the story of three brothers, Thomas (‘Tommo’), Charlie and Joe who live in a village. I do not want to give the full plot away, but it is a tale of their lives entwined with Molly’s, a beautiful local girl and the devastating end of one of the brothers’ lives. It portrays lost innocence and youth, the horrors of war and the way in which young men enlisted, thinking war was full of glory and heroism. In reality, it was far from glorious; officers were often brutal and treated the recruits mercilessly. After all, the officers had orders to follow from higher up and they had to keep the men fighting, whatever the cost. If that meant executing a soldier to show the others what could happen, that is what they did. During a battle, Charlie disobeys an order and has to face the consequences.

The Shot at Dawn Memorial in Staffordshire

heard about an execution. For years they had to live with the blight of being told that there was a coward in the family. Terrible things happen in the throes of war and no doubt, after the war, there were misgivings about these death sentences.

This book is beautifully crafted and the end is very sad. I think that it gives young people a picture of what war is really like and the love between brothers, the ultimate sacrifice of one of them and the build up of trust between soldiers in the trenches. Phyllis Maiden

A Sincere Thank You As many readers will know, it seems inevitable now that we are to lose the library which has served our village for so many years.

It made going into the village library a real pleasure and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the staff who have served in Nettleham

Although it is not actually the library itself which has served us, but all the ladies who, over the years, have looked after us all so well - overseeing the exchange of books, answering our queries, fulfilling our varied requests, assisting us with photocopying, reading stories and other creative activities for children, and in the later years even giving assistance with the complexities of computing! Perhaps more importantly they also offered other benefits to us - a cheery greeting to brighten a dull day, a warm and welcoming smile to lift the spirits, a sympathetic ear when something was wrong - all part of the everyday service and all offered so willingly, genuinely and spontaneously. 19

library over the many years of its existence, and extend a sincere and heartfelt ‘thank you’ from all the residents of the village. We shall miss you.

SUMMER SPECIAL OFFER Stock up your wood stack now and save up to 15% off next winter’s fuel bill

www.elixir-bathrooms.com

Quality seasoned hardwood logs cut to your individual requirements

ONE DAY SPECTACULAR

9th AUGUST

20% OFF EVERYTHING

Telephone Steve on:

07771 725693 or 01522 788705

DESIGN INSTALL SUPPLY

or visit our website at:

www.aubournfirewood.co.uk

Family business since 1999 Discount off RRP

01522 87 87 86 Elixir Bathrooms, The Pelham Centre, Canwick Road, Lincoln LN5 8HG

SALON

A boutique salon conveniently located in the heart of Nettleham

Highly trained stylists for all your hairdressing needs Now incorporating “Emma’s Nails” for gel manicures and pedicures Salon Rouge Unit 4, 22 The Green, Nettleham (behind David Burghardt the opticians)

Telephone 01522 752746 20

Letters from Readers More readers’ letters on page 23

Let’s celebrate - our village is perfect

Via email 22 March 2014

I feel lucky and proud to live in Nettleham and look forward to receiving my copy of Nettleham News as it celebrates everything that makes our village so special!

Sorry to contact you again moaning, but there seems to be an awful lot of irresponsible parking in the village. As much as I would hate to see yellow lines all over the place, it would seem some drivers don’t have any common sense.

However the latest edition made me feel sad as there were many negative articles. Anybody reading would think Nettleham is full of disgruntled people and our pavements and green areas are covered with dog faeces. This can’t be further from the truth, and it would be sad if people have been dissuaded from visiting such places as the Bishop’s Palace because of these reviews. We must all remember to be tolerant and respectful of each other. But, most importantly, we must be grateful for everything we’ve got and what a wonderful place Nettleham is to live in. With its ‘olde worlde’ charm, amazing services, public open spaces and, of course, the lovely people - it’s perfect! Jenny Benford

Three places spring to mind in particular. The car that is more often than not parked on the blind bend next door to the White Hart. The car with a foreign number plate, that occasionally parks right on the bend at the bottom of Greetwell Lane outside the cottages - not only is it dangerous because you have to go into the middle of the road to get round it not knowing what is coming round the corner from the other way, but it is half on the path facing the wrong way! And thirdly the cars that have recently started parking on the main road side of The Green opposite the bus stop near the memorial. I thought we had a parking warden in the village. Where is he when this is happening? Perhaps if he handed out a few tickets it wouldn’t happen.

Name withheld

Via email 1 April (!) 2014 I was very concerned about the welfare of my fellow human beings when I read the “Bishops Beaten Up in Village” article on page 19 of the spring edition of Nettleham News. In paragraph 3, it was reported that: “some of the ‘whips’ were replaced by members of Nettleham Woodland Trust and a group of enthusiastic guides”. This seems quite barbaric. Where has compassion gone? Who is feeding them and looking after their welfare? Rather than put these good folk through such an ongoing ordeal would it not have been more sensible and humane simply to have planted some more healthy young trees? Yours aye! Paddy Malone Editor I share your concern Paddy, but I understand they are being carefully nurtured and will respond well to the application of a bit of well-rotted manure later in the spring!

More on Dogs The article by Councillor John Evans (Nettleham News, spring 2014 edition) on The Bishop’s Meadow project was an interesting update. I am frequently able to observe the progress as my property borders this area. With regard to the complaint raised about “…dog owners leaving piles of pooh…” may I offer the following observation: I regularly walk my dogs through Bishop’s Meadow and carry ‘pooh-bags-a-plenty’ to pick up after them. I see many other dog walkers with bags already filled, en route to the bins at either end of the site and, when placing my dog’s parcel into the bin, it is very obvious that lots of dog owners take their responsibilities seriously. I, like a couple of others, have picked up dog faeces left by dog owners who, apparently, could not be bothered. Annoying though it is, I think it is a step too far for the council to restrict how reasonable dog owners exercise their animals. How many complaints have been received? Is this just a couple of vociferous voices shouting loudly? Living on the boundary, I see many people walking their dogs through the site, together with their children and grandchildren. Over the last ten days I have walked the field paths specifically looking for dog

mess. I have picked up three parcels in one area - two from a small-sized dog and one from a medium dog - which seemed to have been there for some time. Since then, I have seen none on the walkways. The ‘piles of dog pooh’ comment from one reader’s letter have not re-materialised during the period I checked. Also, the comment from someone passing the Bishop’s Palace Site on the top of a bus about ‘…a Rottweiler running loose with the owner looking up to the sky…,’ and, ‘… what if there were children running about?’ Well, were there children running about? Large dogs are not dangerous simply because of their size! I really feel some perspective needs to be maintained as to what is actually happening on the Bishop’s Palace and Bishop’s Meadow sites. It is discriminatory to penalise the many, careful dog owners with the few who do not value their countryside! I am aware that animal faeces can sometimes cause health problems (*see below), but then so can stumbling in rabbit holes and slipping in mud - even in Nettleham life can be unpredictable! Surely, Health & Safety issues about basic hygiene are taught as part of common sense to children by their parents about hand-washing and the anti-social smell of dog pooh on clothes. 21

People who do not already adhere to the request signs currently in place are unlikely to adhere to any additional instruction. Why would dog owners who do not pick up after their pooches bother to do so when their dog is on a lead? Leads can now be as long as 25 metres. This is an appeal to those who pretend not to notice when their dogs have relieved themselves: “Please re-think”; and to those who are responsible and do pick up, “Please consider and be prepared, if necessary, to pick up another’s mistake if it is obviously in an area of the walkways. Hopefully, we will avoid the council feeling it necessary to create further signs. Charles Boulton *Toxocariasis: The parasite, which may sometimes be identified in dogs’ faecal matter, is Toxocariasis. If a pet is regularly wormed, the likelihood of a human coming into contact with an infected animal is greatly reduced. Toxocariasis is an infestation of the larvae of Toxocara canis, a small threadlike worm that resides in some dogs’ intestines. The small, round worm causes large numbers of worm eggs in the faeces of an infected dog which can then contaminate soil. Children who play with an infested dog or in contaminated soil may, inadvertently, put their fingers in their mouths and can, thereby, swallow some of the worm eggs.

CASTLE GARAGE DOORS HAIR STYLIST Ladies, gents and children

Open Tuesday to Saturday 6 High Street Nettleham

Most makes of garage doors and electric operators supplied, fitted and repaired Conversion to remote control operation No obligation quotes No call-out charge Over 30 years experience

Lincoln 750326

ing Hands HelpSteven Spring Home and Garden Maintenance/Improvements Joinery Repairs, Laminate Flooring, Hanging Doors, Painting & Decorating, Lawn Mowing, Gardening and Fence Repair/Renewal.

ROY WILSON AUTO SERVICES LTD

NORTH STREET GARAGE NETTLEHAM Servicing and repairs to all makes of car and light commercials MOT Testing Tyres Diagnostics Calor Gas Stockist

A local family business

Telephone: 01522 682580

TELEPHONE 01522 750552

Mobile: 07833 596102

www.roywilsonautoservices.co.uk

LINE DANCING CLASSES

YOUR CARS PRIVATE HIRE (est 2009)

NETTLEHAM VILLAGE HALL MONDAYS

LOCAL HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM FOR YOUR WEEKLY SHOPPING TRIPS, HOSPITALS, STATIONS, ETC 6 SEATER AVAILABLE

Improvers: 6.30 - 7.30pm Intermediate/advanced 7.30 - 8.30pm

YOUR COMFORT AND CONSIDERATION ARE OUR PRIORITY

***

NO JOB TOO SMALL!

COME AND JOIN US FOR FUN & FITNESS

CONTACT BRIAN OR MAUREEN

Telephone: 01522 545841 Mobile: 07734 824572

Telephone Susan on 01522 750441

Email: your.cars@yahoo.co.uk

PA U L D A L E S

HOLMES & FIELDS

LAWNMOWERS AND GARDEN MACHINERY SERVICED AND REPAIRED

PAINTING & DECORATING SERVICES

FREE COLLECTION NEW AND USED MOWERS SOLD

01522 569428 LICENCED BY CITY OF LINCOLN COUNCIL

FREE QUOTATIONS 16 Water Hill, Fiskerton, Lincoln LN3 4GE Telephone

01522 595128 Mobile

TEL: WRAGBY 01673 858141

07900 408125 GLYN RUDD

PLUMBING No job too small No call-out fee Inexpensive and reliable Telephone

01522 680780 Mobile

07765 042428 22

Paving ● Patios ● Driveways Walling ● Fencing ● Decking Conservatory bases ● Turfing Water features ● Pergolas Garden maintenance Jacuzzi installation

Letters from Readers More readers’ letters on page 25

Via email 4 March 2014

Via email 11 March 2014

It was with interest and some confusion that I read the article on “Intrusive Aircraft Noise”. I could not find my winter edition to refer back to, so my comments are purely on the article in “Letters from Readers” in the spring 2014 Issue.

Please allow me some space to write an entry in your excellent magazine. I’ve never written to any paper, magazine, etc, before, but thought I must comment on what I read.

I wrote to RAF Wittering last week and today (26 March 2014) this reply arrived:

After reading the ‘Intrusive Aircraft Noise’ letter in the spring edition I feel I must reply. On my only day off of the week I was sat in my back garden at mid-morning on the warmest day of the year so far (Sunday 9 March).

Nettleham is within the Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ) for RAF SCampton. I have forwarded the details of your complaint to RAF Scampton, as it is their responsibility to respond to your query.

I was thinking that to have “super sensitive hearing” is both a blessing and a curse. Imagine being able to hear all of the individual instruments in a band or orchestra, every word of a play, or the dawn chorus. Then of course jarring continual sounds, or people talking speaking about you behind your back. I was born in Navenby in 1942 and I have lived in Nettleham since the late 60’s. My first remembered sounds, when I was about five years old, were the unsettling sounds of Bren Gun carriers rattling through Navenby, between then and the 50’s the peaceful sounds of the countryside around the village. In the 50’s during the Cold War, the reassuring sound of Vulcan bombers doing “Rounds and bumps” over our house, it being in line with the end of the main runway - our house and windows shaking. Now we have AWAC’s and Sentinels doing “Rounds and bumps at Waddington, but coming close to Nettleham, the Red Arrows practising their displays over and near Nettleham, and the intermittent trips of the Medic Helicopter. Lower sounds are the overhead flights of International airlines on their way to and from Europe. For those who have torment I sympathise, but all pilots have to practise their skills (thank goodness) and I for one find the noise reassuring. Ken Fish Editor It seems that many people simply aren’t aware of the noise and consequently find it rather difficult to fully understand the real discomfort of those who are. Thankfully the noise only lasts for a few consecutive days and then ceases until the next series of daily flights commences the interval is uncertain

As I sat back on the garden swing, I could hear the shouts and screams of the local football teams playing at Mulsanne Park. This lasted until lunchtime and was duly replaced by somebody on a quad bike in a nearby field. I then had the continuous sound of motorbikes tearing up and down the A46, local residents’ lawnmowers, a neighbour’s BBQ and the obligatory music, kids playing on the street howling with laughter and the good lady nagging me about doing some gardening. I eventually found peace at 5pm, some 7 hours later when I at last heard the sound of the birds singing. So much for my peaceful and quiet day off. And guess what, I didn’t hear or see one plane all day. We must remember though, these planes have certain fly-zones they can operate in and train, in order to keep us safe for the defence of the realm, to maintain world peace on arduous overseas deployments and above all else, these brave men and women put their lives on the line for our freedom. The Red Arrows on the other hand bring in huge revenue and defence contracts to the government and entertain millions year in year out. I can only say those lucky people who have all week (no doubt retired) to tune their hearing into the odd drone haven’t got it all that bad as I’ve still got another 20 years’ work ahead of me. On the whole, we haven’t got too much to complain about, after all, Nettleham is a beautiful village. Steve Donnelly

Plane Noise

“Thank you for your letter dated 17 March 2014 regarding aircraft activity in the Nettleham area.

A representative from the base will hopefully be in contact with you in the near future.” So now I await something from RAF Scampton! I will let you know what I hear from them. Christine Chew Editor Many thanks Christine, the letter below may throw some light on the rationale for the continuous flying over the village for days on end which we experience from time to time.

Aircraft Noise The aircraft is flying very precise grid patterns over our airfields to calibrate their ground radar systems. This takes many hours of accurate flying. We should all be grateful to the many aircrews who keep the sky safe over our gardens, so we can sit outside and enjoy the birds and bees. Nettleham resident retired after 40-year RAF career Editor Many thanks for this hand-written letter and I trust the official explanation will eventually confirm your knowledgable information. Are these ground radar systems used solely for military air traffic, or are they also used in providing navigational assistance for civil airlines as they pass through the airspace over Nettleham? (Strictly speaking the above letter should not be published as neither name nor contact details were supplied and it therefore should be classified as an ‘anonymous’ letter, but sometimes the rules are there to be bent a little!)

Editor

The row of cottages on page 32 of the spring 2014 edition of Nettleham News were in Cross Street, where the library is now.

Many thanks for the information on the row of cottages John - we can usually rely on you for information on anything concerned with the history of Nettleham!

The front door to the cottage immediately to the left of the water pump was my parent’s first home, following their marriage in Nettleham in 1927, until they moved to Sudbrooke around 1932.

If anyone has any other old photographs of the village, do send them to the Editor for publication.

John Borman 23

NETTLEHAM HANDYMAN All aspects of property maintenance No job too small Insured/Enhanced CRB Disclosure Telephone Martin Brewer on

01522 752897 or mobile:

07990 644389

MARK CROPPER NVQ Forestry 1&2, City & Guilds 1&2: ARB

Professional Tree Surgeon FULLY INSURED All aspects of tree care and hedge trimming undertaken Tree contractor to Nettleham Parish Council

For FREE ESTIMATE

TELEPHONE 01522 544459 8 Manor Close, Lincoln

Letters from Readers Can Anyone Help? Can you please help me - I am trying to locate a lost relative who was orphaned at the age of 5 in 1948 in the village of Aisthorpe. I am led to believe that there were orphanages in both Nettleham and Scothern. Do you know anything about them? I would greatly appreciate any help from your readers. Robert Turl Editor The above appeal was received via email on 24 March 2014. Despite a request for additional contact information to which I have had no response, I only have an email address, which I am unable to publish without the permission of the sender. If any readers should have any information which they think may be of interest to Robert, if it is emailed to me, I will ensure that it is forwarded to him.

Via email 17 April 2014 As a visitor to Nettleham 3-4 times a year, I always enjoy reading Nettleham News. After reading the spring 2014 edition, I am disappointed to see a decline in quality of some of the ‘humourous’ content and the need to resort to jokes of a sexual nature there are three in this edition. I find these somewhat offensive to include in a community magazine of this nature which people of all ages may read. I think they are unnecessary and hope you are able to find more suitable reading matter for future editions. Name withheld by request Editor I do try and select humorous items which are appropriate for the largely adult readership of the magazine, but in the permissive world in which we now live, sensibilities can sometimes wrongly be assumed to have become more diminished than they actually are.

Please note that for correspondence to appear in the ‘Letters from Readers’ pages, the name and contact details of the writer must be supplied to the Editor. A policy of strict confidentiality is applied and under no circumstances will the personal contact details of the writer be published, if a specific request to withhold this information accompanies the original correspondence. If no such request is included, permission to include the writer’s name is implicit. Anonymous letters will not be published. The opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the Editor.

Dog Owners’ Right of Reply I have been a resident of Nettleham for 26 years and for the first time appalled to read so many articles in this month’s magazine vilifying all dog owners in the village. Pages 5, 9, 17, 21, 55 and 59. To suggest that dogs be banned from an area of the village set aside for recreation and pleasure is totally inappropriate and unnecessary. Imposing corporal punishment in schools was abandoned as a practical solution many years ago. Many families have children and dogs who would be offended if such a measure were introduced. I walk Bishop’s Palace almost every day with my dog and can assure everyone that there are no “disgusting piles of dog excrement to be encountered every other minute”. I would unreservedly take my grandchildren to this public amenity area any time. What the lady on the bus observed was a DOG being exercised and having fun in a field. She does not make any reference in her article that suggests there were any other people in that field to take offence. So it is pure conjecture on her part to even suggest that this dog was not under the total control of a responsible adult and would have been restrained as and when necessary. Some people might take offence at seeing children running round and creating mayhem (boisterous behaviour perhaps, but the elderly may well see as threatening), but accept that this is the way they need to play. If I were the owner of the Rottweiler (there is only one in the village) I would be totally affronted by her comments and that I would be expecting a retraction of the allegations made by this lady as they are very much untrue, unconstructive and unhelpful. The whole issue of irresponsible dog owners needs addressing, but in society we have learnt to exercise tolerance and compassion and not punish the majority for the actions of a few. Dog owners are not responsible for instilling fear of animals in others. Here’s hoping for publication as the situation demands it. A responsible dog owner and concerned resident. T Frost

From the Editor In the recent exchange of correspondence over dog faeces and dog control in Nettleham, unsubstantiated allegations and questionable assumptions have been made by both sides. There may indeed only be only one resident Rottweiler in Nettleham, but the person on the Bishop’s Palace site, who was observed from a stationary bus on High Street, may have been simply a casual visitor to the village. Without positive, incontrovertible and corroborated identification of dog breed, date and time, together with full description and gender of the owner, it cannot be determined with complete certainty whether it was indeed a Rottweiler at all, who the owner was and if the dog was, or was not, under control at the time. Whilst the assertion that dog owners are not responsible for instilling fear of animals in others is largely correct, it is however the social responsibility of dog (and any other animal) owners to endeavour to ensure that others’ fear of animals, perceived or real, is respected and that an animal should not be allowed to intimidate or threaten others, whether humans or other animals. In a recent television documentary, it was noted that in the UK in 2013 over 6,000 people were hospitalised and 4 people killed - the injuries attributable to dogs - the victims frequently being the owners themselves. Any mammal, if it is alive and has teeth, is a potential danger and should be treated with caution and respect. Urging ALL dog owners to abide by such simple and common-sense guidelines is not to accuse every dog owner of irresponsible and anti-social behaviour, but, being unable to identify the few who do transgress these unwritten rules, the only practical alternative is a universal plea to ALL owners, in the hope that the message will eventually get through and the aspirational objective be fully achieved. It is no different to asking ALL motorists to park thoughfully and considerately, ALL people in the village not to drop litter, ALL drivers to observe the village speed limits, ALL residents to show consideration for their neighbours, etc, etc. There are always going to be a minority of arrogant, selfish and inconsiderate people who choose to ignore such pleas, and of course they do spoil it for the majority. Should it not be possible for the conscientious majority to simply accept the exhortations in good spirit and demonstrate some tolerance towards, and indeed support, those who endeavour to bring about improvements in the quality, health, safety and welfare of our everyday lives? I make no apologies for this village magazine supporting initiatives which must be considered beneficial to both residents of, and visitors to, our village. I must now declare the matter closed and leave it to individuals to follow their own consciences.

GCSE

% A-Level

its s e R esits

Key Stage 123

Maths Tuition Lynn Williams

Basic Numeracy

Virus removal/prevention Internet and computer speed restored Software and hardware repairs Wired and wireless network support Advice on system upgrade/replacement

(Qualiﬁed Teacher) Telephone 01522 753279 Mobile: 07599 358554

Botox Clinics

Botox administered by experienced local doctor Dr Paul Donnelly MBCHB, DRCOG, FRCS

Dermal Fillers Clinics One call can do it all!

Dermal Fillers by Dr Guinevere Smith BDS AND TEETH WHITENING

●

JOINERY ● BUILDING ● PLUMBING ● PART P ELECTRICAL ● MAINTENANCE ● ALTERATIONS ● RENOVATIONS ● REPAIRS

3 CHURCH STREET, NETTLEHAM, LN2 2PD Telephone Rita: 01522 800069 Mobile: 07941 375494 www.thebeautyroomslincoln.co.uk

NETTLEHAM PLASTERING The Complete Professional Plastering Service

●

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE ● FULLY INSURED Telephone

01522 752090 16 Mill Hill, Nettleham

NP 26

DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL, NEW BUILD AND EXTENSIONS INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN

FREE ESTIMATES

TELEPHONE 01522 595793 MOBILE: 07809 106119 Dave Tollerton

From the Editor - a Personal Viewpoint In the light of certain correspondence received following the publication of the spring edition of Nettleham News, I feel it is necessary for me to dispel a number of clearly held misconceptions about the magazine and my role in its production. As the Editor of Nettleham News, my primary task is to assemble and collate all the material sent in for consideration for publication by residents of the village and other members of the general public. Editors may opt to play an active role in writing articles or adding comments themselves from time to time and if I feel strongly about a specific subject, I may, assuming there is sufficient space, choose to include a piece written from my own viewpoint as a resident. A recent example of this was expressing my dismay at the sad decline of the Linelands site in the village. Other pieces in the past have covered additional topics which, in my opinion, are relevant and significant to the quality of everyday life in the village and the general welfare of its residents - careless or dangerous car parking, exceeding the speed limit, etc. All letters received for publication, unless there is a specific request to withhold their personal contact details, will have the author’s name at the end of the correspondence. It is rather regrettable that a number of people, either through fear of physical retribution, or perhaps being ostracised, should be reluctant to reveal their identities, but nevertheless their wishes must be respected and granted accordingly. I NEVER publish any anonymous letters which may be received and a statement stating that correspondence sent for publication must be accompanied by the author’s contact details is frequently included on one of the “Readers’ Letters” pages (although not always because of limited space). Furthermore, apart from correcting any spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors, I NEVER edit letters from readers under any circumstances - they always appear verbatim as received. I simply would not presume to modify the content, or intended meaning, of any correspondence for any reason whatsoever. This assertion equally applies to any articles sent in for publication. I very rarely find it necessary to make any modifications to the wording sent in, apart from correcting the usual spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors, together with very occasional condensing of the text because of space limitations. A number of readers appear to be labouring under ‘conspiracy theory’ misapprehensions on this point and imply that I may have a ‘hidden agenda’ or a personal ‘axe to grind’ on specific subjects. May I respectfully take this opportunity to reassure these readers that I endeavour to maintain a neutral stance, and that when controversial subjects are included in the magazine, it is because they are important and relevant to the everyday welfare of residents and quality of life in Nettleham. Where there are clearly very different viewpoints on a specific subject, everyone is given an equal opportunity to express their opinions in the effort to maintain a balanced and impartial view. In contrast to what some readers may think, I don’t scratch my head before each edition and think: ‘Now who can we have a go at in this edition?’ It simply isn’t true and I rather take exception to the tone of a number of emails received following the publication of the spring 2014 edition, which imply otherwise. I very rarely omit anything which has been sent in for publication, as I don’t wish to disappoint anyone who

has taken the time and trouble to submit material to be included in the magazine. It is frequently difficult to accommodate everything, but with a determined effort this can usually be achieved satisfactorily. Consequently the spectrum of subjects or ‘theme’ which may emerge in each edition of the magazine is solely determined by what is sent in for publication. I have absolutely no control over this whatsoever and what appears in the pages of the magazine is a direct and proportional reflection of readers’ concerns and interests at that specific moment in time. There is a clear statement at the base of page 1 of every edition (albeit in small type) which states that: ‘The views and opinions expressed in Nettleham News are not necessarily those of the Editor’. I would politely suggest that perhaps certain readers would care to refresh their memories on this point. To imply that the Editor personally, or the magazine in general, is intentionally engaged in manipulating information in order to exert influence and promulgate some form of hidden agenda or propaganda is patently untrue and frankly quite offensive. However, I make no apology for being seen to support initiatives which common sense indicates are of unequivocal importance and benefit to the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of the community, eg picking up after dogs, not discarding litter, parking vehicles considerately, not exceeding the speed limit, driving courteously, etc, etc. I consider Nettleham News to be a medium through which residents are able freely to express their personal views and concerns on issues which are of particular concern and importance to them and about which they may feel passionately. I fully appreciate that certain topics can be emotive and readers understandably may be concerned if they are perceived to be the subject of criticism and associated with a specific problem, but if this popular magazine feature cannot be included for fear of possibly alienating or offending a particular section of the community, then I will be left with no other alternative other than to withdraw ‘Letters from Readers’ from the magazine altogether. This would be a great shame and, rather ironically, could be directly attributable to a relatively small number of individuals - sadly another example of the minority spoiling something for the majority! When I receive anything for publication, a certain level of honesty and integrity on the part of the sender must be assumed. It is simply not practical to confirm the veracity of every single item that is received. The majority of authors are very thoughtful, measured and considerate in their contributions, although when an individual feels passionately about a particularly contentious subject, especially if it comprises a deeply-felt grievance, they are, in accordance with the age of extremes in which we now live, prone to exaggerate in the effort to emphasise their point. Due allowance should then accordingly be exercised when assessing such material and a certain amount of forbearance applied in order to avoid escallating what would otherwise be a frank exchange of views on a particular subject, into a serious conflict of opinion and a reduced chance of compromise or resolution. I would respectfully remind readers that as Editor, it is incumbent upon me to endeavour to maintain a certain distance in the effort to present a neutral stance and not be seen to ‘side’ with a particular section of the community. This has perhaps been

misinterpreted as ‘a condescending manner’ but I make no apologies for appealing to the better nature and common sense of both residents and visitors to the village in the effort to gain their sympathy with, and co-operation in, initiatives which are clearly to the general benefit of everyone. Consequently I make no apologies for continuing to urge ALL dog owners to pick up after their pets, ALL residents to refrain from dropping litter in the village, ALL motorists to park sensibly and not exceed the speed limit, ALL residents to be considerate towards their neighbours, etc, etc. Those who already comply with these perfectly sensible and rational requests can, with personal pride and dignity, ignore the repeated exhortations which remain directed at the small minority of the community who remain complacent and intransigent in their anti-social attitudes and behaviour. Indeed I would have expected the majority, who do abide by the rules and comply with these simple common-sense requests, would be only too pleased to support the ongoing effort to persuade the remaining obstinate minority of the error of their ways. A number of the correspondents relating to clearing up after dogs cite long residence in Nettleham as conferring authority on their views. Having lived here myself for many years, I can well remember a time, not all that long ago, when dog faeces was a fairly common sight on the pavements and footpaths around the village. It was then generally accepted as a fact of life and hence passively tolerated, but the world has moved on, attitudes have changed and now thankfully, it is a relatively uncommon sight. However, this change in social attitude and behaviour has only been achieved through continuous and insistent appeals over a long period of time. Certain themes, notably inconsiderate and dangerous parking, dog faeces, speeding vehicles, dropping litter, inconsiderate neighbours, etc, have been the subject of debate and contention in the village for many years and will probably continue to be for many years to come. People will inevitably have widely differing opinions and ideas on these and other subjects, but by expressing their feelings in a rational and considered manner, it may inspire and persuade others to be more sympathetic and considerate in response. As the focus of concern and interest of residents shifts over the course of time, then the content of the magazine will also change in response to this natural evolution and thus it will hopefully remain interesting, lively, relevant and yes, perhaps controversial and thought-provoking too. If you have any genuine views, concerns or grievances about a particular aspect of everyday life in Nettleham, please don’t hesitate to write to this magazine (contact details on page 1) and express your views for other readers to consider and discuss - Nettleham News provides a forum where different ideas may be put forward and hopefully contribute to the future harmony of our village community. Alternatively, why not attend the regular monthly meetings of the Parish Council - put your views forward and listen to the debates which take place on these and many other matters on your behalf. Very few residents attend these meetings, which is a shame because parish councillors devote a great deal of their time, freely and willingly, to ensure that Nettleham remains a great place in which to live.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO START DANCE LESSONS?

Willan House Residential Care Home Stainfield, Wragby, Lincolnshire LN8 5JL (within easy drivng distance of Nettleham)

Wednesdays at the Old School, Nettleham

Classes in ballet, tap and street jazz taught by fully qualified teachers Willan House is an owner-run care home with experienced, trained staff confident in caring for those with dementias including early onset, Parkinson’s disease, mobility problems or simply old age

Ages 3 - 18 For further information please call:

● 20 beds for long/short term stay ● Day Care or Respite Care (subject to availability) ● Local GP’s: Wragby or Bardney ● Fully registered with LCC and CQC

Danielle: 01522 696100 or visit:

www.dancelincoln.co.uk

‘A care home where care matters’

Other classes held at Coddington, Skellingthorpe, Sturton, Swinderby, Wellingore and Welton

01526 398785 www.willanhouse.com

TL CHIMNEY SWEEP SERVICES Fully Insured and Qualified Member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep and HETAS Registered Stove Installer

NETTLEHAM TENNIS CLUB MULSANNE PARK Nettleham Tennis Club is LTA registered and welcomes everyone, irrespective of gender, age or ability, providing tennis for both social players and league players, seniors and juniors

● Chimney sweeping: open fires, wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves and liners swept and vacuumed using the latest equipment and techniques ● Birds’ nests and blockages: professionally and efficiently removed ● Safety and efficiency advice: provided by a professional chimney sweep ● Insurance Certificate issued for all chimneys or appliances swept ● BIRD GUARDS supplied and fitted ● HETAS approved chimney sweep and registered stove installer

Junior coaching Thursday evenings (see website for details) Membership Secretary: Chris Chester

Telephone

01522 824597 Email: chris.chester@ntlworld.com

Telephone

or visit our website at

01427 787845

www.communigate.co.uk/ ne/nettlehamtennisclub

07971 831966

Mobile

Nettleham Medical Practice

Roll Back the Years

and Cherry Willingham Branch Surgery

“A few weeks ago I ricked my back as I was struggling to open the garage door from the inside and it stuck - so I yanked it. I felt something give, only it wasn’t the door - it was my back! Immediately I was in agony and for the next few days it was as if I’d aged fifty years! I couldn’t straighten up properly, it took a while holding onto a chair before I could sit down, I had great difficulty putting on my trousers and unless someone put my socks on for me, I just had to go barefoot! Luckily, with the help of sports massage and movement and flexibility sessions, I’m now more or less back to normal.

CARE DATA FORMS We continue to accept written requests from patients wishing to opt out of the Care.Data programme - more information and an opt-out form on our website. We ensure that your records are updated to reflect your decision within seven days. Please note that we do not routinely acknowledge when we have updated your records, but should you feel that you would like confirmation, then please call the results line and a member of staff will be able to confirm this for you. PATIENT PARTICIPATION I was nervous on Tuesday 2 April when I caught a train to King’s Cross in London. I had been invited by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to attend a Parliamentary Reception in the Houses of Parliament. The reason for this meeting was to launch an awareness-raising initiative to the Government for greater resources for our Surgeries. The campaign is called: ‘Put Patients First - Back General Practice’. There were several speakers from the RCGP and from the National Association for Patient Participation. The main speaker was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Earl Howe who seemed well-informed about the reduction of GP practice budgets. Earl Howe then opened a question time where one of our own GP’s, Dr Williams, asked how surgeries can be expected to open for longer hours and at weekends when there aren’t enough GPs nationally to staff Monday to Friday effectively. The general feeling I had was one of GP’s wanting to protect the ‘care’ they provide to their patients and improve provision in our surgeries at Nettleham and Cherry Willingham. I did speak with Earl Howe and found that he was very understanding of the difficulties faced

by rural Practices and their patients. Our own MP, Edward Leigh, did attend for a part of the meeting between other engagements. We hope to be able to meet up with him in due course. You can find out more about the campaign, and sign up for updates at: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/campaign On a sad note, I have just been informed by our Voluntary Drivers’ Scheme Co-Ordinator of the very sudden death of Ian Smith, one of our valued drivers. Many patients will remember being transported from their homes to either Nettleham or Cherry Willingham surgeries by Ian, who was a courteous, kind and helpful gentleman and we shall all miss him. We are producing a leaflet about the Patient Participation Group which should be available at both sites very soon please take a copy and have a read. We are also considering introducing a ‘Get Well Corner’ for children - more about this at a later date. We are here for patients, we are patients ourselves, please feel free to contact us if you have specific issues you wish to raise. Pam Henderson Chair: Nettleham & Cherry Willingham Patient Participation Group

MONTHLY EARLY CLOSURES FOR TRAINING In order to enable our doctors and staff to be kept up to date, Nettleham surgery will be closed for training at 1.00pm on the following afternoons. (Emergency help is still available by calling 111)

Tuesday 17 June and Tuesday 15 July CONTACT DETAILS

But the funny thing is that quite quickly after it happened I started to adapt and get used to it. I was still in pain, but I found ways of getting round my immobility and the fact that there were certain things I couldn’t do. And that got me thinking - supposing it had come on very gradually, little by little over a period of, say several years. I’d have had a longer time to get used to it and adapt and the change would be so slow that I would just accept that it was normal. I might occasionally look back and think: ‘I used to be able to do so-and-so years ago, but now I can’t. Oh well, it’s just one of those things - can’t be helped’. And then it struck me: that’s what happens as we get older! The changes are so slow we just get used to them and we think they’re normal. BUT I’M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT’S NOT NORMAL - IT DOESN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN. If you’re young enough, you can stop it from happening and if you’re older, you can reverse the decline. And I have evidence, not just from study after study that’s been conducted by medical teams and researchers from top-rank universities, but also from my own personal experience too. Let me give you just one example. One of our clients who’s in his sixties was celebrating a few months ago after a personal training session because at last he could kneel down and sit back on his heels. I remember looking at him in amazement because surely everyone can do that can’t they? But no, they can’t. He used to be able to years ago, but gradually his legs and knees had got tighter and tighter until he couldn’t do it any more. And before he came to us, he’d just accepted that that was one of the things about getting older. But in just a few short months we’d reversed that decline and he can do something now that he’s not been able to do for fifteen years! Are there physical activities that you used to be able to do that you can do no longer? Come to Wellbeing Fitness - we’ll roll back the years!” Ian Ryves Wellbeing Fitness

Telephone: 01522 751717

Carlton Centre, Outer Circle Road, Lincoln LN2 4FJ

When the surgery is closed please call Freephone 111

Telephone: 01522 525250

WEBSITE www.nettlehammedical.co.uk

Website: www.wellbeingfitness.co.uk Email: info@wellbeingfitnesslincoln.co.uk

PRACTICE MANAGER Helen Lunn

(See the advertisement for Wellbeing Fitness on page 54)

PREMIER DRIVING TUITION

TAYLORS

DRIVING INSTRUCTION/COACHING

Pet and animal feeds and accessories

CONTACT DAVID FENTON

01522 535017 07961 506335

OF WELTON

Small charge for local deliveries

(01522) 804904

Speak to Paul Brewer or a member of his staff for their excellent and unbiased advice

12 Cliff Road, Welton

EVENING/WEEKEND LESSONS AVAILABLE

62 Sudbrooke Lane Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2RR

Trading for 30 years at the Sincil Street Agency

Stockists of most makes of dog foods

SHOP 01673 862996

Cakes by Design

Contact your local

Independent Travel Agency

Suppliers of Allen & Page, Dodson, Horrell, Doggie Feeds, etc Coal gas sticks Logs

15 YEARS EXPERIENCE VERY PATIENT GOOD PASS RATE

Fiona Milnes

Telephone HOME 01673 860215

Flowers by Design FLOWERS FOR ALL YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS EďŹ&#x201A;orist service available Most credit cards accepted

17 Sincil Street, Lincoln

513009 www.imptravel.co.uk

Established 1984

24 Hour Callout Installation, maintenance and service of most makes of domestic and industrial intruder alarms

Tel 01522 530010

19 The Green, Nettleham

Email: info@securehomes.org.uk Website: www.securehomes.org.uk

Telephone 01522 595566

11 Canterbury Road, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln LN4 2TD

www.cakes-by-design.com

Debt Help with CAP Free Debt Help is now on your doorstep, with a new Debt Centre opening in Nettleham. Nettleham Methodist Church has partnered with Christians Against Poverty, a national charity, to provide a free debt counselling service in North Lincoln and the villages around the Lincoln North area. Despite the church being in a fairly affluent area, there are still major debt problems apparent in the area, particularly in the city of Lincoln itself. There is also a lot of ‘unseen’ poverty and debt in rural communities. UK household debt is at its highest since 2009 and is set to rocket, according to the latest Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts, outlined in the 2014 Budget. The OBR estimate for the end of March 2014 currently stands at £1.574 trillion, and is expected to increase at a significantly faster rate than it has over the past five years. I quote from The Money Charity latest statistics: 1. £54,472: average household debt (including mortgages) in February, up from £54,408 in January 2. £6,018: average household debt (excluding mortgages) in February, up from £6,015 in January 3. £162 million of interest was paid every day on personal debt in February 4. £1.498 billion: daily value of all plastic card purchases in January 5. 1,282 people were made redundant every day between November and January

The concept of the Christians Against Poverty model of debt counselling is unique, in that there is always a local church in partnership, who part funds the costs of the head office staff in Bradford where all the creditor negotiation and budget set up is done. A CAP account is set up, where the client pays in an amount that allows sufficient funds for them to live on, and the creditors are paid according to a negotiated payment agreement. There is even a small amount allocated for savings, for unexpected costs or even occasional ‘treats’. The local church debt centre does all the face-to-face coaching of the client in their own home, with the church community continuing to support the client on their journey out of debt. As the journey can be quite long (3 to 5 years at times), the church encourages and supports the client, and actively encourages them to become part of the community themselves, because it is so easy to become lonely and marginalised by getting into unmanageable debt.

6. 828,000 people had been unemployed for over a year, between November and January 7. Every 5 minutes 25 seconds someone was declared bankrupt or insolvent 8. £1.439 trillion was the value of outstanding personal debt at the end of January, up from the same period last year 9. £64.80: the cost to fill a 50 litre tank with unleaded petrol in February 2014 10. 79 properties are repossessed every day From CAP’s own statistics, debt is the reason that 70% of CAP’s clients sacrificed meals, 26% doing so regularly, and over a third have either contemplated or attempted suicide before they ring CAP. We, as the local Methodist Church, can give these people hope. And we have the solution to their debt problems. 31

The model works really well and Martin Lewis of Moneysavingexpert.com says: “CAP are unsurpassed when it comes to the debt help they give people across the country”. 90% of all bill payments and debt repayments are made on time by established clients, so the creditors know that they are more likely to get money back if they co-operate with CAP. 94% of CAP clients decribed our service as ‘life transforming’ or ‘a great help’. A CAP client from Lincoln said “I had so much responsibility and stress on my shoulders before CAP got involved. I was trying to work as well as raise my two children on my own and just felt like I was constantly paying out here, there and everywhere on debts. This left no spare money for me to take or spend any days out with my kids. Now CAP are involved, I pay one monthly payment, less stress and more spare money - great!” There are now 252 CAP Debt Centres open in the UK, Nettleham being one of the latest. The official launch service is on Sunday 11 May. There is already an established CAP debt centre in Lincoln, run by Alive Church (formally New Life Christian Fellowship), and I, as Nettleham centre manager, have been in close co-operation with that centre. To find out more, call Christians Against Poverty’s freephone number 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org Marcus Harborne Nettleham CAP Debt Centre Manager

Let’s Hear It for the Rooks! We have a Parliament in the village. The members are raucous, seem disorganised, chatter incessantly, appear to make a terrible mess and talk about us in very loud voices. No, I am not talking about Members of Parliament, but of rooks. A gathering of rooks is called a ‘Parliament’. Years ago people thought the rooks were talking about humans passing underneath them. I first became interested in rooks one day in spring about five years ago. I met Amy from North Street in Vicar’s word. On her wrist she was holding a young rook that had tumbled out of a tree. It was a beautiful bird and the sun shone on its feathers giving off a midnight blue sheen. Amy told me about the high intelligence of rooks and how she had listened to a book reading about a lady who kept rooks as pets! I was intrigued. I had always loved to hear the rooks in the springtime making their cawing noise and generally flapping high up in the trees by the church. As a young child in my tiny village school opposite a church, we used to sit in the Victorian school room with its high windows (so that we were unable to see out) listening to the rooks making their din on sunny days. Sadly the words ‘bird brain’ are often used in a derogatory way. This is very unfortunate and I am sure many people who walk through Vicar’s Wood are not fully aware of these cheeky birds’ skills. Amy told me that research was ongoing into these clever birds. There have been some astonishing results and scientific papers published by researchers at Cambridge and London Universities. Being a very curious person I decided to look into this further and discovered some very interesting material concerning these somewhat noisy birds, who to my eyes always used to appear to love a squabble and make a mess in Vicar’s Wood. I soon found out that I have judged these birds badly and I now look upon them as highly intelligent creatures.

The four were presented with a vertical clear tube and a number of stones were placed alongside it. The rooks soon learned that if they dropped a stone into the tube, the stone would then open a trap door and food would be released. At one stage the rooks were presented with three different sized stones. Even so, they managed to pick the correct one that would fit exactly into the tube. The team of researchers also found that rooks can create and use tools to obtain food by adapting what was available. They bent a piece of wire and used it to hook out a small container containing food that could not be obtained in the conventional way. Three of the four rooks managed to carry out this task. In another surprising experiment a large test tube was placed in the cage with one of the birds. The tube was about one-third full of water with a piece of food floating on it. The bird could not reach the food. The researcher placed a handful of stones next to the tube and the rook worked out that to reach the food he would have to raise the water level in the tube. This he did by gently placing stones in the water, its level rose and he was able to put his beak down the tube to take the food. I found a film of this experiment on the internet and it is magical to watch. The way they examine the situation they have to resolve is uncanny and they tilt their heads like humans. There is something about the way the rooks walk round the village that makes them seem alert, as if they are watching everyone. They definitely have a jaunty and purposeful step. They always know where to find food and can be scavengers. I was cycling at Riseholme one day last summer. In a stubbly field, there were about twenty rooks with their young.

The young birds stood around while the parents jabbed at the ground with their long beaks selecting food for them. It all seemed so quiet and showed how rooks like to be in a crowd. An old countryside saying is ‘Crows together are rooks; a rook by itself is a crow’. It is easy to tell the difference - the rook has a white beak and a crow a black beak. Crows are also usually smaller than rooks. Rooks usually mate for life and break twigs off trees to make their nests. Their nests always seem to be untidy and dishevelled. However, they do successfully breed year after year. They are unfortunate in that they have a loud cawing noise. This noise, combined with much flying around above the nests tumbling about in the sky, is the preamble to their breeding. I imagine if they had a sweet song like a lark or linnet, they might win more friends! Let’s hear it for the rooks and welcome them every spring into Vicar’s Wood. Phyllis Maiden

Chris Bird (yes, his real name!) and his team carried out some research at London University using four rooks that they had hand-reared. Surprisingly, even though they had not been trained, the birds soon found ways to obtain food by using enough physical intelligence to match that of a chimpanzee. In the wild, rooks don’t have to work out ways to obtain food as it is around them and accessible, but the rooks raised in captivity did work out ways to obtain food.

Woodcut of a Rook Thomas Bewick 1752 - 1828

Bishop’s Palace: The Heritage Orchard

The planting holes for the trees are prepared and the stakes inserted

On the crisp sunny morning of Saturday 1 March 2014, a number of Heritage Orchard trees were planted in the Bishop’s Meadow area of the Bishop’s Palace site in the village. The task was supervised by Chrissie Clayton whose interest in heritage varieties of fruit tree had enabled her to research and source the young trees to create a unique Heritage Orchard on the new amenity site. There are 15 different varieties present which it is hoped will eventually grow and produce a small amount of fruit for future generations to enjoy. Planted in a linear east/west formation, the trees will receive the maximum sunlight needed to hopefully ripen the fruits in future years. I am grateful to Chris Williams, Chairman of Nettleham Woodland Trust, for the three smaller photographs

Job done! The line of heritage fruit trees along the northern boundary of Bishop’s Meadow each with its own individual guard to prevent rabbits from gnawing the bark

The individual trees are planted with great care

Plastic membrane will suppress competitive weeds whilst the young trees become established

Preparing for the ‘Royal Oak’ It was always the intention to plant a special feature tree in the centre of the Bishop’s Meadow and our royal visitor, HRH The Duke of Kent, had graciously agreed to perform a special ceremonial planting of this ‘Royal Oak’ during his visit to Nettleham. In readiness for this important occasion in the history of the village, the location for this unique tree was prepared beforehand by members of Nettleham Woodland Trust. It was decided that a traditional wooden octagonal-shaped fence be erected around the location of the tree. This protective fence would last for several years whilst the young oak sapling becomes established. It is envisaged that when the tree attains sufficient girth, the initial protective fence could be removed and a circular seat installed around the base instead, enabling visitors to rest for a while in the shade of the tree and enjoy the rural peace and tranquility of Bishop’s Meadow. The Bishop’s Palace Steering Group would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of Nettleham Woodland Trust for all their valuable input during the creation of Bishop’s Meadow. This new village amenity, created over the past few years, will now continue to grow and develop into an attractive feature which visitors to the area may enjoy for generations to come. (See pages 36 and 38 for the official planting ceremony and completed fence).

Chris Williams, Chairman of Nettleham Woodland Trust, uses a hand auger to create deep holes in the ground for the fence posts

Rod performs an ancient ritual tree dance to entertain the Red Arrows as they rehearse in the sky overhead

Rod Newborough from Nettleham Woodland Trust ensures that everything is level and square, watched by Chris Williams whilst taking a well-earned rest from the physical exertion required to create the deep post holes with the hand auger

More Preparations for the Royal Visit On Saturday 8 March, The Bishop’s Palace site was the scene for some last-minute preparations in readiness for the visit of HRH The Duke of Kent on Tuesday 11 March 2014. As those readers who walk in this area will know, there are one or two places, such as alongside the Methodist Chapel, where the footpath is quite steep and can be rather muddy and treacherous at times. Although the path was relatively dry at the time, in order to eliminate this potential ‘slip hazard’ for our royal visitor, it was decided to create a pleasant walking surface and secure footing with the use of liberal quantities of fresh wood chips laid along the entire length of the footpath. The wood chip shovelling, barrowing and raking party finally complete the task after several hours

Before

After

It is estimated that around twenty tons of this natural biodegradable material was hand shovelled, barrowed and raked by members of the Bishop’s Palace Steering Group, very kindly assisted by spouses and other willing volunteers. With several deliveries, the entire path was covered in about an inch of wood chips from Bishop’s Gate on High Street, through Prince’s Gate and continuing across Bishop’s Meadow to the new kissing gate adjacent to the burial ground, creating a well-defined and clean path for all the many visitors to the site on the day. The Bishop’s Palace Steering Group would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came and worked so hard to complete this back-breaking task. The wood chips will, over a period of time, decompose and disappear altogether and it is hoped that the section of footpath which lies within Bishop’s Meadow, will eventually be surfaced with a more permanent material to improve all-year-round accessibility for buggies, wheelchairs, etc.

Councillor Terry Williams (left), Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council and Councillor John Evans (right) accompany HRH The Duke of Kent (centre) on the footpath leading down to High Street where his vehicle was waiting to take him on to visit the University of Lincoln

HRH Duke of Kent Officially Following a long series of rather cold, dull and overcast days, the morning of Tuesday 11 March dawned bright, clear and sunny for the visit of HRH The Duke of Kent to Nettleham. Invited to officially open the Bishop’s Palace Site in the village, just after 10.00am the sound of a helicopter was heard in the sky overhead bringing the Duke to land at the Lincolnshire Police HQ grounds in the village. Arriving by car at the Old School around 10.30am, the Duke, accompanied by Mr Tony Worth, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, was met by an official party and welcomed to the village of Nettleham.

HRH The Duke of Kent, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Mr Tony Worth, is officially welcomed to the village of Nettleham by Councillor Mrs Irmgard Parrott (Chairman of West Lindsey District Council) and Mr Len Parrot, Mr Alan Hardwick (Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner) and Councillor Terry Williams (Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council) and Mrs Kathleen Williams

He was then taken inside the building where he was introduced to a number of other persons associated with the project, including members of the Bishop’s Palace Site Steering Group one of whom, Pat Gregory, had returned to Nettleham especially for the occasion from her new home in Bristol. Parish Councillor John Evans, Chairman of the Bishop’s Palace Steering Group, accompanied by Terry Williams, Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council then explained the scope and progress of the project, together with a brief summary of the history and heritage of the village by means of a number of display boards, which had been specially installed in the Large Hall of the Old School in case of inclement weather on the day. The Duke was then led across the road and through All Saints burial ground to the Bishop’s Meadow, where, watched by a large crowd of enthusiastic onlookers and local schoolchildren, he planted a new oak sapling ‘The Royal Oak’ and cut a ribbon at Bishop’s Gate to declare this new village amenity officially open to the general public.

Councillor John Evans, Chairman of the Bishop’s Palace Steering Group, accompanied by Terry Williams, explains to HRH The Duke of Kent the story and progress of the project referring to a series of display panels which had been installed in the Old School as a contingency measure should the weather have been inclement on the day

Having completed the official introduction to the Bishop’s Palace Site project, the Duke was then led across the road and through the All Saints burial ground to the Bishop’s Palace Site

The Duke then walked through the Scheduled Ancient Monument area of the site to Bishop’s Gate located near the Methodist Chapel on High Street, where, after a few final words of farewell from the members of the official party, he departed for Lincoln where, amongst other official engagenments, he was scheduled to visit the University of Lincoln. It was a very pleasant event indeed and one which, due to exceptional planning went without a single problem on the day. Sincere thanks and congratulations must go to everyone who contributed in so many different ways to make this such a successful and enjoyable occasion for everyone.

HRH The Duke of Kent, watched by Councillors John Evans and Terry Williams, plants the special tree ‘The Royal Oak’ in the centre of the newly-created Bishop’s Meadow section of the Bishop’s Palace site, where it will grow into a magnificent central feature for generations to come

Opens the Bishop’s Palace Site

Children from Nettleham CE Junior School waiting on Bishop’s Meadow to greet HRH THe Duke of Kent

The new plaque on Prince’s Gate recording the date of the official opening on 11 March 2014

HRH THe Duke of Kent cuts the ribbon at Prince’s Gate to officially open the Bishop’s Palace Site

Councillor Terry Williams proposes an offical thank you to the Duke for coming to Nettleham to open the BPS

The offical party continues through the SAM section of the site to Bishop’s Gate, followed by a large crowd of residents

Andy Blow records video footage throughout the course of the event from which a DVD was created covering the official visit of HRH The Duke of Kent to Nettleham (see page 39)

Children from Nettleham CE Infant School wait outside the White Hart to wave farewell to the Duke as he departs from the village

The Duke’s visit is concluded at the second entrance to the site: Bishop’s Gate, adjacent to the Methodist Chapel on High Street

The official party thanks the Duke and bids a fond farewell as he returns to his vehicle to travel onwards to the city of Lincoln where, amongst other official engagements, he was scheduled to visit the University of Lincoln

A Day to Remember for Nettleham

Parish Councillor John Evans (right) (Chairman of the Bishop’s Palace Steering Group), accompanied by Terry Williams (Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council) explains to HRH The Duke of Kent some of the history and heritage of the Bishop’s Palace Site and how it has been developed into a valuable community amenity in recent years

HRH The Duke of Kent arriving at Nettleham by helicopter, where he landed in the grounds of the Lincolnshire Police HQ at around 10.15am, having left London at 9.30am!

The new stainless steel ceremonial spade specially engraved for the official planting of the ‘Royal Oak’ by the Duke of Kent on Tuesday 11 March 2014

Following the departure of the royal visitor, Rod Newborough of Nettleham Woodland Trust completes the ‘proper’ planting of the ‘Royal Oak’ in the centre of Bishop’s Meadow, assisted by his granddaughter Molly Hauton

Background photograph His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, accompanied by Nettleham Parish Councillors Terry Williams and John Evans, takes in an overall view of the Bishop’s Palace Site from an elevated vantage point

DVD Follows the Footsteps of History A DVD of HRH the Duke of Kent’s visit to Nettleham on 11 March 2014 has been created by local media company Blow by Blow Productions. The documentary-style film follows the Duke’s progress around the Bishop’s Palace site in the village and tells the history of the location as he walks around the site, conducts the ‘Royal Oak’ planting and performs the official opening. Film-maker Andrew Blow said: “I would describe it as a souvenir DVD video for those who were involved and those interested in this amazing site. All the school children who attended are seen and most of the local people and parish councillors who were involved can be seen somewhere behind, or around, the Duke in the 19 minutes of footage! “I think it was important to have a film record of the event because, as far as we know, the Duke of Kent was the first royal visitor to the site for almost 700 years!

The front and back covers of the DVD produced by Andy Blow

“As a local resident I was really surprised to find out that there had been three visits by mediaeval kings of England and that the first steps towards creating the title of ‘Prince of Wales’ were taken here.

The programme is augmented with explanatory interviews with Cllr John Evans, Chairman of the Bishop’s Palace Site Steering Group, together with Parish Council Chairman Cllr Terry Williams and Pat Gregory, who was closely involved in the project as a founder member of Nettleham Heritage Association.

“I have enjoyed a drink in the White Hart public house many times without realising that I was sitting only yards from such important footsteps of history!”

The Bishop’s Palace DVD is now available at Beckside News and Troika price £10 and also available from Blow by Blow on 01522 754901.

The production costs for this DVD were kindly assisted with small grants from the Bishop’s Palace Heritage Amenity Committee and the Local Councillor Initiative Funds of West Lindsey District Councillors Giles McNeill and Malcolm Leaning. Also from Blow by Blow: Bygone Lincoln DVD 4 (90 minutes) contains old film of Nettleham taken in the 1960s and 70s and this is also available from Beckside News and Troika, price £13.99.

Nettleham Community Choir Nettleham Community Choir have been singing together for over four years, and are keen to welcome new singers from the village and beyond. The choir was originally started through Nettleham Junior School’s Adult Education programme on Thursday evenings, in October 2010. Initially, a small handful of people started to explore songs they loved and that sounded good. Sometimes the singing was a bit wobbly - sometimes we got it right, sometimes wrong, but every time we sang together, we enjoyed ourselves, improved, learnt to be more confident and also have fun.

you read music. We welcome everyone, especially those people who think they shouldn’t or can’t sing! We perform throughout the year - having sung recently in Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln Cathedral, The Engine Shed, on the Poacher Line Music Train and at WI groups and community events across Lincolnshire. Not everyone in the choir performs - it’s absolutely fine to sing just on Thursday evenings. This summer, we will be singing at Epworth Day of Music, Bailgate Busking Festival, Nettleham Carnival and the Labyrinth Festival in Lincoln Cathedral.

Over time, the choir grew and we started to welcome singers from surrounding villages and Lincoln. We now have a regular attendance of 30 - 40 people of all ages and all abilities. Some singers have joined other choirs, started playing musical instruments, or even begun performing as soloists. All of us have learnt that singing doesn’t have to be stressful, scary or indeed something that you can only do if

We sing anything and everything, from Mozart to Snow Patrol; obscure medieval rounds to well-known pop classics. Whether sacred, soulful, sea-strewn, or just plain silly; we sing for the sheer joy of it all. No-one auditions, no-one is judged, no-one competes. Everyone is welcome, everyone is valued and everyone sings. We meet on Thursday evenings, Nettleham Junior School, Mill Hill, 6.30 - 8.00pm. For more information, or to enquire about booking the choir, please telephone Frances Kelly: 01522 560163 or email: frank@minimorris.co.uk

The choir sing in Lincoln cathedral

ScandiGifts The perfect place for Scandinavian home and gift ideas Telephone 07526 675815 Open: Tuesday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday: 9.30am - 2.00pm

For details on classes in: North Hykeham, Welton, Bailgate, Waddington, Saxilby, Gainsborough, Retford and Bawtry

Unit 2, 19 The Green, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2NR

Call Katy on 07736 463605

(Just behind the Co-op)

lincolnjojingles@hotmail.co.uk www.jojingles.com/lincoln

Email: scandigifts@hotmail.co.uk

Listers Timber & Builders Merchants Call us today for special deals on the following and more! Loft insulation, Jablite, Kingspan

Floor joists, roofing timbers & tile battens

Roofing felt and adhesives

Breeze blocks and building materials

T&G timber flooring, chipboard flooring

Andy Yates Plywood, chipboard, MDF, plasterboard, OSB

Internal and external doors and frames

Skirtings, architraves, pine claddings, mouldings

Sheds, workshops and summerhouses

Paints, preservatives, Creoseal & brushes

Concrete & timber fence posts, gravel boards, Metposts

Paving slabs, path edgings, natural stone paving

Fence panels, trellis, close board, post & rail fencing

Block paving and driveway aggregates

UPVC SPECIALIST/JOINER DOORS & WINDOWS CONSERVATORIES MISTY UNIT REPLACEMENT FACIA, SOFFIT & GUTTERING WINDOW & DOOR REPAIRS HINGES, LOCKS, SEALS, ETC

Telephone 01522 537143 Mobile: 07799 375228

Driveway gates, posts and accessories

Cement, Postmix, bottled gas, corrugated PVC roof sheets, nails & screws, power tools, pest control and much, much more

www.listerstimber.co.uk info@listerstimber.co.uk The Timber Yard, High Street, Newton-on-Trent, Lincoln LN1 2JP

Telephone 01522 888784 or 01777 228492 40

Extensions, New Builds, Brickwork, Block Paving, Patios, Concreting and more

16 Sibthorpe Drive Sudbrooke Lincoln LN2 2RQ

Competitive Rates Free Estimates t: 01522 595189 m: 07970 387909 / 07970 387910 w: www.fairclear.co.uk e: enquiries@fairclear.co.uk

Police News Here’s something for younger readers a special WORDSEARCH, on the theme of taking care and being stranger aware - simple things to help keep your child safer. IF YOU’RE OUTSIDE PLAYING… ALWAYS make sure your parent or carer knows where you are - parents worry when you are late home. ALWAYS make sure you go home before it gets dark - being out in the dark can be scary. ALWAYS tell your parent or carer if someone talks to you or frightens you - we can let other children know.

ALWAYS shout loudly if someone tries to grab you, or take you away - YELL and make a fuss.

See how clever you are and find the words listed below hidden in the letters above

NEVER change your usual route you could get lost.

SHOUT

PILLS

TELL

LOST

DARK

TALK

DANGER

SCARY

HOME

GOOD

NEVER take a ride in ANYONE’S car even if you know them a bit.

SWEETS

BAD

YELL

SAFE

RUN

NEVER take sweets from ANYONE that you do not know - they could be bad pills which could harm you. NEVER go inside ANYONE’S house, tell your parent or carer first. If you want to keep up with all the latest Police news in your area please join us on Twitter and Facebook. We also have an email address if you want to contact us. All these contact details are listed on this page.

LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE twitter.com@npt-nettleham

facebook.com/nptnettleham

nettleham.npt@lincs.pnn.police.uk

Nettleham Neighbourhood Policing Team Police Station Scothern Lane Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2TU

Vexing Questions! How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated, instead of just murdered? When you’re in heaven, do you wear the clothes you were buried in for eternity? Why does a round pizza come in a square box? What disease did cured ham actually have? If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are nearly dead?

How do all those dead insects get into sealed light fittings?

Why do people keep running over a thread a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that’s falling off the table, you always manage to knock something else over?

Why do people return to the fridge time and time again in the hopes that something new to eat will have materialised? How come you never hear jokes about fathers-in-law? 41

If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from? Why is it that people say they “slept like a baby” when babies wake every two hours or so?

N B REID ROOFING 35 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

FLAT ROOFING SPECIALIST also

Tiling Slating Guttering Chimneys, etc Garage roofs from £290 Extensions from £250 Roof repairs from £20 FREE QUOTATIONS AND NO-OBLIGATION ADVICE SPECIAL OAP DISCOUNT 27 Greetwell Lane, Nettleham

TELEPHONE 838363 Mobile: 07885 580988

Guitar Tuition in

Jonathan Whiting MBIFD DipFD

Rock, Pop, Jazz or Blues Styles “Music from the Heart” One to one tuition Graded exam courses or just learn to play Contemporary Rock & Pop songs Creative rhythm & lead playing Chords & scales General musicianship, Ear training Beginners to advanced All ages

Some home visits £14 per half hour

Kirk Stephenson CRB certificated & RGT Registered Tutor

01427 788207 Text: 07969 308975

Independent Funeral Director ● 24 hour availability ● Private Chapels of Rest ● Home visit service ● Family owned and run ● Funeral Plans ● Ample car park

01522 589942 1-5 Queen Street Lincoln (opposite Dixon Street)

Nettleham Gardeners’ Association Annual Show 2014 Top Vase 2014

Top Tray 2014

Sponsored by Nettleham News

COMPETITION RULES

1 The Nettleham News Top Vase class is for a vase of mixed flowering stems containing a total of between five and ten stems, taken from a minimum of two different kinds of plants. (Please note that it is two different KINDS of plants. Two varieties of the same plant are NOT two kinds).

1 The Nettleham News Top Tray class is for a collection

2 The display will be judged out of a total of 35 points, split into: 25 points for the colour, form, condition, quality and freshness of the flowers on display, and 10 marks for the overall presentation and effect of the flowers in the vase. The vase will be viewed from all directions. Judging of the flowers should be to the normal rules used for other classes.

Each type of vegetable will be judged out of a total of

3 Stems used in the display must be showing flowers only - no seed-heads or berries will be allowed. 4 The vase can be any shape, size and material, but must be in proportion to the display. No marks are awarded for the vase itself. 5 No accessories whatsoever, such as bows and additional foliage, will be allowed. Foliage which is growing naturally from the flowering stem, and still attached to that stem, is allowed. Packing material including Oasis - to keep the stems in place, is allowed. 6 The winner of the Nettleham News Top Vase class will receive the Top Vase Gold Award (+£5). The runner-up will receive the Silver Award (+£3) and the third place will receive the Bronze Award (+£2). NOTES FOR EXHIBITORS AND JUDGES Flowering stems can be taken from ANY flowering plant. The different kinds of plants need to be taken from different genera. For instance, pinks, carnations and sweet william (which are all dianthus) would not be classed as different kinds. Only fresh, home-grown flowers can be used in the vase. No dried or silk flowers are allowed. A vase, by definition, is any vessel that can be used to hold cut flowers and which is taller than it is wide at its widest point. The Nettleham News Top Vase class is open for anyone to enter and is not intended purely for growers who regularly display single species classes at shows. Judges should use their discretion when judging the Top Vase class, bearing in mind that the entries may come from inexperienced exhibitors. Judges and exhibitors should note that the display has to be viewed all round. The points awarded should be clearly marked by the judges on the exhibitors’ cards. Any queries that may arise, regarding anything other than the above rules, should be referred to, and decided by, the show officials. Failure to abide by any of these rules will lead to disqualification

of three types of vegetables taken from the following list of eight (the quantity of each vegetable required for the collection is given in brackets): Carrots (3), Cauliflowers (2), Onions (3), Parsnips (3), Peas (6 pods), Potatoes (3), Runner Beans (6 pods), Tomatoes (6). 20 points. This is split into three sections as follows: 7 points for size, shape and colour; 7 points for condition; 6 points for uniformity. The overall mark will therefore be out of a total of 60. 2 All vegetables are to be displayed for effect. The

Exhibiting Hints

vegetables must be displayed within an area measuring

Good presentation is essential with any exhibit and the Judges will mark down any item that is marked or soiled.

them. No part of any exhibit may exceed the size of the

Plant pots should be clean and free from cracks, etc. Any dead or wilting leaves should be removed and attention paid to presenting the exhibit in the best possible manner. Home Produce, ie cakes and sponges, should be displayed on paper plates with doilies, and with your entry number stuck on the plate UNDER the doily. Flower exhibits should have the entry number stuck on the rear of the vase.

45cm x 60cm (18” x 24”), without bending any part of tray. A tray or board measuring 45cm x 60cm (18” x 24”) can be used to display the vegetables, or the area can simply be marked on the staging. Where a tray has a lip or edge, it is the internal measurements that must not exceed 45cm x 60cm (18” x 24”). 3 A black cloth is permitted and the tray may be painted. Parsley is allowed for garnishing, but no other foliage or accessories, such as plates, sand, rings, etc, will be allowed. Onion tops may be tied, or whipped using raffia or string. 4 The winner of the Nettleham News Top Tray class will receive the Gold Award (+£5). The runner-up will receive the Silver Award (+£3) and the third place will receive the Bronze Award (+£2). NOTES FOR EXHIBITORS AND JUDGES

Wine bottles should be clean and shiny with sparkling clear wine that is in the correct class. (See special rules for Group 12). All exhibit numbers must be placed on rear of item. PLEASE NOTE All flowers, vegetables, fruit, produce and wine left on the tables will be auctioned for Association funds. Please support the raffles and tombola in aid of Association funds.

Carrots and parsnips must have foliage trimmed back to 7.5cm (3”). Peas and beans must be displayed with some stalk attached. Tomatoes must be displayed with calyces still attached (the green flower-bud case). Judges may handle exhibits, open pods, etc, to check for quality. The tray, board or staging must not be cut or mutilated in any way at all - such as cutting holes for standing onions in. Judges should use their discretion when judging the Top Tray class, remembering that entries may come from inexperienced exhibitors.

For further information about the show and a complete Show Schedule please contact the Show Secretary: Sally Bradley on

754145

The points awarded should be clearly marked by the judges on the exhibitors’ cards. Any queries that may arise, regarding anything other than the above rules, should be referred to, and decided by, the show officials. Failure to abide by any of these rules will lead to disqualification

The Nettleham Gardeners’ Association CHOOSE WHAT TO ENTER FROM THE FOLLOWING CLASSES FLOWER CLASSES GROUP 1 NETTLEHAM CUP 1 3 Chrysanthemums 2 1 Specimen Gladiolus 3 Cut flowers (one variety only) 4 3 Dahlias (decorative) 5 3 Dahlias (cactus) 6 5 Dahlias (poms) GROUP 2 ASSOCIATION ROSE BOWL 7 3 Rose Blooms 8 1 Specimen Rose 9 1 Specimen Rose (judged on scent) 10 1 Stem of Floribunda type Rose 11 Vase of Annuals (mixed)* 12 Vase of Perennials (mixed)* 13 Artist palette (displaying 7 individual flowers) A palette must be reserved from the Show Secretary prior to entry

14 15 16 17

33 5 Small Fruited/Cherry Tomatoes

65 6 Cup Cakes (Commonwealth Theme) (judged on decoration only)

(exhibited with stalks)

34 3 Beef Tomatoes (exhibited with stalks) 35 5 Tomatoes (exhibited with stalks) 36 5 Runner Beans

66 6 Pastries (Tarts: any sweet filling, short crust pastry)

67 Victoria Sandwich Cake (Raspberry jam filling, topped with caster sugar, max 6oz [150gm] mixture)

37 1 Runner Bean (judged for length) 38 1 Cucumber

68 Chocolate Sandwich Cake (Chocolate filling, topped with caster sugar, max 6oz [150gm] mixture)

39 1 Cabbage 40 3 Courgettes (maximum 7” [18cm] inc stalk) 41 Pair of Marrows 42 1 Marrow (judged on weight) 43 1 Marrow (judged for quality: max 9“ [23cm]) 44 1 Freak Vegetable 45 Nettleham News Top Tray (Please refer to separate Rules for this class)

GROUP 5b VEGETABLE CLASSES A E POTTER CUP 46 3 Onions (globe) 47 3 Onions (flat) 48 1 Onion (judged on weight)

(Please refer to separate Rules for this class)

GROUP 6 VEGETABLES - ROOT CLASSES 85 CUP

49 9 Shallots (1” [2.5cm] maximum: pickling) 50 9 Shallots (exhibition) NOTE: Base plinths will be provided for classes 46/47/48

69 70 71 72 73

1 Fruit Loaf A Savoury Quiche (max 8” [20cm] diameter) 6 Fruit Scones (max 2.5” [6cm] diameter) 6 Cheese Scones (max 2.5” [6cm] diameter) Apple Flan (max 10” [25cm] diameter, sweet pastry base)

74 6 Biscuits (any variety) 75 6 Home-made Sweets (one variety: eg toffees)

76 77 78 79 80

Jar of Jelly (any variety)* Jar of Home-made Lemon Curd* Jar of Home-made Jam* Jar of Home-made Marmalade* Jar of Home-made Chutney* *NOTE: Classes 76-80: jars must have wax covering with screw top or cellophane. Cakes and pastries will be covered in cellophane during the show

52 4 Potatoes

GROUP 9 CHILDREN’S CLASSES PRINCESS DIANA CUP (best exhibit in the group) THE HIPGRAVE SHIELD (most points in the group)

All green foliage (fruit and vegetables can be included)

53 1 Potato

Age up to 7 years

Red Arrows Local Inns (My Local) Recycling A Nursery Rhyme

54 3 Carrots

Classes above maximum 14” [40cm] width and depth

56 2 Leeks (pot)

GROUP 3 FLORAL ART ASSOCIATION JUBILEE CUP 18 Shades of Green

23 A Wrist Corsage All arrangements are allowed accessories and there are no height restrictions

GROUP 4 POT CLASSES DALBY CUP 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

GROUP 8 HOME-MADE PRODUCE CLASSES ASSOCIATION FRUIT BOWL

1 Flower and 1 Fruit 1 Flower and 1 Vegetable Herbs: 3 different (one sample of each in a vase) Nettleham News Top Vase * For which no special class is provided

19 20 21 22

GROUP 5a VEGETABLE CLASSES CORONATION CUP

Flowering Begonia Pot Plant with Flowers Pot Plant with Foliage Specimen Cactus/Succulent Pot Geranium Pot Fuschia (maximum 9” [23cm] pot) Pot of Annuals (maximum 9” [23cm] pot) Orchid (in ownership for at least 6 months) Exotic Plant

51 3 Beetroots (3” [7.5cm] tops)

(judged on weight)

81 Any Form of Transport (made out of fruit or vegetables)

(3” [7.5cm] tops)

82 A Potato Print Picture (A4 size maximum))

55 2 Parsnips

83 A Drawing of a Treasure Map

(3” [7.5cm] tops)

84 4 Iced Biscuits

(maximum 7” [17.5cm] blanch to button)

Age 8 to 12 years

85 Flowers

57 2 Leeks

(arranged in a box - accessories may be used)

(blanched)

58 Any other vegetable (Groups 5 & 6 inclusive)

GROUP 7 FRUIT CLASSES ASSOCIATION FRUIT SHIELD 59 3 Eating Apples

86 A Poem (written by you in your own handwriting maximum A4 sheet)

87 A Photograph of Wildlife Unmounted max: 7” x 5” [17.5cm x 12.5cm]

88 4 Cup Cakes - any theme (judged on decoration only)

60 3 Cooking Apples (including Bramleys)

Age 13 to 15 years

61 3 Pears

89 A Poster (generated by you on a computer advertising the Gardening Show - A4 size)

62 6 Plums 63 20 Blackberries (cultivated)

90 Any Handicraft (made by you - this can be made at school)

64 Any other fruit All fruit to be exhibited with stalks and not polished

Young people are welcome to enter in the adult classes

Annual Show - Saturday 6 September 2014 (maximum 7” x 5” [18cm x 12cm] unmounted)

92 A Painting (any subject, any medium, no size restrictions)

93 A Drawing (any subject, any medium, no size restrictions)

GROUP 11 HANDICRAFTS CLASSES THE PALMER CUP 94 A Hand-made Wooden Article 95 A Hand-knitted or Crocheted Article 96 A Soft Toy 97 Cross Stitch or Tapestry 98 Hand-embroidered Item 99 Hand- or Machine-sewn Item 100 Hand-made ‘Congratulations’ Card 101 Any Other Hand-made Article (including jewellery)

GROUP 12 HOME MADE WINE CLASSES ASSOCIATION WINE SHIELD 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109

Dry White Table Wine Dry Red Table Wine Social White Wine Social Red Wine Medium Rosé Fruit, Grain or Flower Wine (non-kit: white) Fruit or Grain Wine (non-kit wine: red) Liqueur (sloe gin, etc - any bottle may be used) Rules for Wine Classes

(a) Colourless wine bottles of Sauterne type (b) Flange stoppers (white plastic-topped corks may be used) (c) Plain label 1” x 1.5” [2.5cm x 4cm] with the class number (d) Entry number to be affixed to base of bottle (e) Classes 107/108: please indicate: sweet, medium or dry (f) Bottles to be filled leaving approx 0.5” [1.2cm] air space Failure to abide by these rules will lead to disqualification

All classes are open to members and non-members of Nettleham Gardeners’ Association

RULES

will be awarded to the best exhibit in the show

THE BROOK CUP will be awarded for the most points gained in the show

ENTRY FORM 2014 YOUR COPY TO KEEP

Name: Address:

1 Exhibitors are allowed up to 2 exhibits per class. Items must not have been previously exhibited in Groups 10-12. 2 All entries must have been grown or produced by the exhibitor, with the exception of Classes 21 to 26 inclusive. The Committee reserves the right to inspect entrants’ gardens. 3 An entrance fee of 25p per exhibit will be charged. Children’s classes free. A fee of £2 permits entry in as many classes as desired.

Telephone: Please state the number of entries you are making in each class (either 1 or 2) and insert the number in the relevant box 1

5 Points will be awarded in each Class as follows: 1st Prize: 3 points 2nd Prize: 2 points 3rd Prize: 1 point In the event of a tie, one extra point will be awarded to the winner of Best in Group.

6 Awards will be made to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each Class.The Judges’ decision is final. Highly Commended Cards will be awarded at the Judges’ discretion.

7 No cash prizes will be awarded except: Top Vase: (Class 17): Sponsored by 1st: £5; 2nd: £3; 3rd £2 Nettleham News Top Tray: (Class 50): 1st: £5; 2nd: £3; 3rd: £2

8 A trophy will be awarded by the Committee to the exhibitor gaining the most points in each Group, subject to that exhibitor having gained a first prize in that Group, or a total of at least four points.

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

4 Entries to be accepted on Friday from 7.00pm - 8.00pm and the Saturday morning of the Show, with fees. Exhibits must be staged between 9.00am and 11.15am PROMPT. Judging to commence at 11.30am.

9 All trophies to be returned to the NGA Show Secretary not later than 31 August. THE NETTLEHAM NEWS TROPHY

✂

GROUP 10 ART CLASSES THE GEOFF CLARKE MEMORIAL CUP 91 Photograph of Clouds

1 0 No exhibits may be removed from the show before 4.00pm. All exhibits remaining on the show tables after 5.00pm will be auctioned to the general public, the proceeds going to Nettleham Gardeners’ Association funds.

I agree to abide by the rules and the judges’ decisions. I enclose the appropriate entry fee.

Total number of entries: Amount enclosed £:

Nettleham Cricket Club Winter nets were well attended by both senior and junior players, in preparation for the coming season. Junior coaching was supervised by both the club’s ECB level 2 coaches Russ Binnington and Phil Brown, with more than 50 junior players attending over the age group session. They were ably assisted by Level 1 coaches Jade Baker and this season’s overseas player from South Africa, Rhett Bridgens.

impressive average of 13.63. He is now playing in Cape Town for the strong Durbanville Cricket Club, where last season (2012/13) he enjoyed a successful maiden season. This is the same cricket club from where last year’s Nettleham overseas player Kudakwashe Samunderu came, and who recommended Nettleham to Rhett. Bridgens played a combination of 2nd and 3rd XI cricket (35 wickets at 13.49 and 200 runs at 33.33); in a club boasting a host of first-class players whose first team won the WPCA 1A/1B title. After completing his studies, Bridgens ventured north to Scotland and played his maiden season’s league cricket for St Michael’s in the Western District Cricket Union in 2012, where he enjoyed a productive season, despite the poor weather. He once again returned to English shores last summer, this time for Sussex League side Crawley. Despite missing the first three matches of the summer, Bridgens finished with 29 wickets at 18.81 and weighed in with 240 runs at 30 for the Division 3 side.

Overseas player Rhett Bridgens

Rhett Bridgens (20) is a seam bowling all-rounder who represented his province (Mpumalanga) through the age-groups (U15 to U17). In 10 outings in the 50-over format, the talented youngster averaged 26.80 and 18.36 with bat and ball respectively, showing his all-round ability at representative level. Bridgens would have been a guaranteed selection for the U18 squad, had he not been in the middle of his Matric exams. He is a cricketer who comes highly recommended by his peers, both in terms of his ability and dedication towards the game for which he shows great passion. At school level, he starred for Uplands College during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He was without doubt, the team’s most valuable player, playing a pivotal role in the team’s run to the final of the provincial Super League. Uplands narrowly lost to Hoerskool Nelspruit, who were ranked as one of the top cricketing schools in the country. During his three-year stint with the Uplands 1st XI, he hit 729 runs at 29.16 and took 43 wickets at 16.86 in 31 games. In his final year of school (2011), he won ‘Player of the Season’ and was the only player to receive school ‘honours’ for cricket. He has also spent several seasons playing club cricket for Lowveld in the team’s 1st XI. He scored his maiden century (112*) for the club and in 6 matches hit 207 runs at 51.75 to compliment 8 wickets with an

He has his Level 1 coaching certificate and will be helping out at Friday night junior coaching, as well as with senior coaching. Senior signing-on night and the first outdoor training night was on Thursday 17 April and was a chance to test out the refurbished nets and repaired Astroturf, thanks to a grant obtained through Councillor Giles McNeil. Afterwards, there was the chance for players, members and guests to socialise at the first Quiz Night of the season. Junior signing-on night was on Friday 25 April at Mulsanne Park and was a chance for the junior players and parents to meet their coaches for this year who are:

U9’s Managers Nigel West/ Paul Tomlinson/ Will Morton U10’s Coach: Danny McCardell U11’s Coach: Colin Hopkirk U13’s Coach: Phil Brown U15’s Manager: James Marshall It was also an opportunity to obtain club kit, register for the club and learn about the administration of the club, Child Protection Policy and forthcoming fixtures. No training was possible due to the wet conditions, but they were able to see the newly refurnished nets and Astroturf. Afterwards there was a chance to socialise with a ‘Race Night’ and to help raise much needed club funds for junior equipment. John Dingley and Dave Ranshaw report that the mild winter has enabled the cricket pitch preparation to be completed, although the mild conditions has resulted in small amounts of moss growing. Also, the Astroturf next to the square used by the juniors has started to sink in places, and whilst they can make running repairs this season to make the area safe, more funding will be needed to resettle the Astroturf. However, generally the pitch is in excellent condition for cricket, thanks to both their hard work. This was seen from the opening match played on it over the Easter weekend when the Saturday 1stXI, playing in the Lincolnshire Premier League, faced Haxey. Nettleham won the toss and put Haxey in to bat and they were all bowled out for 149 in the 43rd over, pick of the bowlers was Matt Smith who took 6 for 18 in 6.4 overs of spin. After losing 2 early wickets, opener Matt Smith had partnerships of 47 with Dave Manby [30] and 60 with Captain Jack Curtis [49] to see Nettleham win by 4 wickets in the 34th over.

Councillor Giles McNeill with junior players and coaches at the first training session of the new season

Nettleham Cricket Club Saturday 2ndXI Back Row left to right: Ash Graham, James White, Chris Dobbs [captain], Chris Smith, Phil Brown, Dave Hutchinson Front row left to right: Lewis Bromfield, Deklan Binnington, Simon Behan, Alex Bendy, Colin Woolfson

The winning ways continued with the Saturday 2ndXI playing away at Market Rasen in Division 3 of the Lincolnshire League. Market Rasen won the toss and elected to bat making 156 all out in 42.2 of their allocated overs. Main wicket-takers for Nettleham were Dave Hutchinson with 3 for 67, Deklan Binnington with 3 for 11, and captain Chris Dobbs with 2 for 13. Nettleham welcomed back both Simon Behan, ex 1stXI captain out of retirement, and Phil Brown from 2 years of illness, who shared an opening partnership of 93 before Behan was out for 38. Brown finished on 68no, as Nettleham amassed 157 for 2 in the 38th over, to win the match by 8 wickets. A close game for Nettleham Sunday 1stXI playing in the Lincoln & District League Division 1 saw them also win by just 9 runs against Boston. Boston won the toss and put Nettleham into bat and thanks to 81 from Rhett Bridgens they reached 137 for 7 in their allocated 40 overs. Boston were bowled out for 128 in 30 overs, thanks to 5 for 12 in 7 overs from Alex Willerton and 3 for 20 in 5 overs from Rhett Bridgens. The final game of the weekend saw the Sunday 2ndXI playing in the Lincoln and District League Division 4 win their game as Carholme conceded the match, so an excellent opening weekend of fixtures for the club.

The last weekend in April saw the Saturday 1stXI complete a second win in a close encounter at Scunthorpe. Put into bat, Scunthorpe made 195 for 5 in their 50 overs, wickets shared between the Nettleham bowlers of Tom Dalton, Matt Smith, Rhett Bridgens and Jack Bayliss. Nettlehamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reply was built around 66 from opener Matt Smith, supported by Jack Curtis [30] and Rhett Bridgens [52no] to see them reach their total of 196 for 8 with 2 balls remaining.

Put into bat, Nettleham openers Alex Howes and Dan Hopkirk both compulsorily retired on 20no each as Nettleham finished on 83 for 3 off their 16 overs.

The Saturday 2ndXI could not quite continue their form of the first game, against Cleethorpes 3rdXI at Mulsanne. Put into bat, Cleethorpes were restricted to 113 all out in the 40th over, 3 wickets for James White and 2 each for Alex Bendy, Deklan Binnington and Lewis Bromfield.

Dates for your diary include

Despite a combative 29 from opener Simon Behan, Nettleham were bowled out for 73, losing the match by 40 runs. The Sunday 1st XI suffered a similar fate when put into bat against Scothern they were bowled out for 64. In reply Scothern made 65 for 3 to win by 7 wickets.

In reply Collingham were restricted to 55 for 3, wicket-takers for Nettleham were Guy Hinchcliffe with 2 for 6 runs and Harry Atfield with 1 for 7 runs. Nettleham won the match by 28 runs.

Nettleham Cricket Club 28 - 31July Junior Cricket Week at Mulsanne Friday 1 August Open Junior Tournament at Mulsanne Thursday 13 November Annual General Meeting Plus regular fund-raising and social events throughout the season. If you would like more information about Nettleham Cricket Club, the club can be reached by email at:

The Sunday 2ndXI did not have a fixture.

cricket@nettlehamcc.co.uk

Monday 28 April saw the opening junior fixture of the season when Nettleham U11â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s played Collingham & District CC in the Lincoln Youth Cricket U11 League at Mulsanne.

Additional information about the club can be found on the website:

www.nettlehamcc.co.uk

What is a Grandparent?

A grandfather is a man and a grandmother is a lady! Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run. It’s good if they drive us to the shops and give us money. When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. They show us and talk to us about the colours of the flowers and also why we shouldn’t step on ‘cracks’. They don’t say, ‘Hurry up’. Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums out. When they read to us, they don’t miss bits out and they don’t mind if we ask for the same story again. Everybody should try to have a grandmother, because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us. They know we should have a snack time before bedtime, and they say prayers with us and kiss us, even when we’ve behaved badly.

From the Parish Registers We welcome into the Family of God’s Church through Holy Baptism:

2 February Grace Hall 23 February Malakai Carter 23 March George West Harry West We share in the joy of those being married in the Church:

1 March Oliver Rogers and Laura Handsley 29 March Richard Hornsby and Claire Vernon We share in the sadness of those who mourn the death of a loved one, remembering those whose funeral has taken place, or cremated remains have been laid to rest:

4 February 12 February 18 February 18 February

Emma Massie Leslie Lawrence John Carr Roy Bright (cremated remains)

28 February 13 March 20 March 14 April 23 April

Geoffrey Berry Bryan Barnes Madge Lill Mavis Watson Audrey Westwood

RB Camera Club

(Taken from notes written by a class of 8-year-olds) Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.

Programme July - December 2014 July 2014 04 July LPA Battle between RBCC, Deepings and Trusthorpe 11 July Mini POTY (photographer of the year) Competition (Prints and Digital Images) (Three on a theme) Judge Steve Roper CPAGB

18 July John Bagshaw Digital AV presentation on British Trains

October 2014 03 October Colin Lusby CPAGB “Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea” Club member Colin shows more of his excellent images

10 October Auction Night It’s that time of the year de-clutter and re-clutter at the same time! All those old Canon and Nikon cameras with last year’s capabilities can go!

17 October Projected Image of the Year Competition (Digital) Judge John Reed ARPS DPAGB

25 July LPA folio

24 October Paul Bingham from Derby “New Zealand, from the Anchor to the Fish’s Tail”

August 2014

A scenic and wildlife journey through the length of New Zealand

01 August Derek Doar “Passion for Printing 4”

31 October AGM Democracy Rules

Derek returns with more stunning images and tips on producing great prints

Members’ chance to change the world, well maybe not, but you can change the club and its rules (again!)

08 August Chris Ward “Digital Wildlife and Landscape Photography” Chris travels from Milton Keynes to give tips and techniques for better images

15 August Competition: “Lincolnshire” (Prints M&C) Judge Bob Dowlman

22 August Steve Myall EFIAP BPE4* “Models” Steve’s exhibition and competition winning prints 29 August Ray Brammell ARPS, DPAGB “Raindrops on Roses: mono and colour” Ray returns not as a judge, but as a speaker

September 2014 05 September “Out and about” Tonight we will be…the title says it all

12 September Chris Stone “Matlock and its Cable Car” Chris travels from Ripley to show us a different view of Matlock!

19 September Mike Lane from Solihull “Nature Photography” Full-time nature photographer specialising in birds and mammals a night not to be missed!

26 September Print of the Year Competition (Prints) Judge Ian Pinn

November 2014 07 November Martine Hamilton-Knight “Outstanding Architecture Images” Professional photographer from Nottingham

14 November Barry Payling Professional landscape photographer Images that have had no manipulation, filters, light meter, auto-focus or zoom lenses. How does he do it? Tonight we find out!

21 November President’s Night Our President Robin Symons ARPS has a surprise Guest Speaker and free food

28 November To be confirmed

December 2014 01 December RB Members are the speakers at Retford Photographic Society’s Meeting 05 December Chairman’s Night “With a Little Help from his Friends" John will as usual pull something out the bag, he just doesn’t know what it is yet!

12 December Us v Them or Them v Us A light-hearted print competition Club members, drawn at random from the audience, fight it out for the photographic “Ashes” (well the trophy is the same size!) Judge: you’ll have to wait and see!

19 December Awards Night An evening of quizzes and winning images plus the awards for the competition winners

Nettleham Public Library On Wednesday 19 March 2014, Nettleham Parish Council held an Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting in the Old School to debate the future of Nettleham Public Library and discuss possible alternatives. This impassioned verbal appeal on the night by Mr Ronald V Edwards of Wold View, Nettleham and subsequently supplemented especially for publication in Nettleham News, calls for Lincolnshire County Council to urgently reconsider and reverse the decision for the imminent closure of this valuable village facility The village of Nettleham is unique, not in Lincolnshire alone, but in Great Britain; not just for its beauty: there are other beautiful villages; not just for the friendliness of its residents, though that is one of its outstanding features; not because it has qualified on repeated occasions as ‘The Best Kept village’, though that is most commendable. Besides being a most pleasant, peaceful village, which many visit for its sheer attractiveness, Nettleham has special and specific historical honours. This lovely village retains a history unique in Britain: having been the site of the original manor house of “Edith of Wessex, wife of Edward the Confessor and later Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England, before passing into the possession of the Bishops of Lincoln... one of the country’s most important sees.” And because, in addition, in “1301 King Edward I of England was staying in the Bishop’s Palace [Nettleham] when he created his son Edward (later Edward II of England) as the first Prince of Wales*.” No other place in Britain can boast that. Nettleham also was the fountainhead of fresh, clear spring water: the source of water, through the Roman aqueduct, for the city of Lincoln. Nettleham is the present location of Lincolnshire County Police Headquarters; as well, more recently, of Lincoln Rugby Club. So though small, it is not insignificant. Shall such a village, with its unparalleled history, be deprived of its Library: very centre of its cultural heritage? We are thankful to those responsible, that its closure has been deferred for one year, with diminished opening hours (from May). This seems a very sensible path, as well as more far-sighted. If things are hard at present, they will not always be so. To keep the Library open, at least ‘ticking over’, say one or two days a week, until times improve, would seem the soundest way forward. To close the Library, then to open it again when the economy improves, would be catastrophic economy; and a challenge, in all probability, too great ever to be surmounted: which would be an irrevocable loss to the community. We need to think our long-term strategy through clearly. Also, what if the beautiful and commodious buildings meanwhile were to be sold? That indeed would be the end of that fine and valuable social institution! Does not this present situation bring to memory Dr Beeching, who, during a

previous period of depression, ‘axed’ the railways of so many minor lines: which now could have been very advantageous; but through one man’s shortsightedness are no more? A library van is NO replacement for the facilities of a community Library like Nettleham: which is a vibrant, well-used institution. From its moment of opening, till the minute it closes, it is never vacant or idle, but constantly in use. It is the throbbing, beating heart, or brain, of Nettleham; it is the soul of the community. Indeed it is the greatest social asset Nettleham has, for both an emerging and an ageing population. This is the Library for a whole district, community and town. Nettleham village stands to be deprived of two major facilities: one already a fait accompli; the other in the offing. Two institutions lost to Nettleham, or pending loss. It has already been deprived of its fine Old People’s Home, ‘Linelands’: which stands empty, unused and boarded up: beautiful and extensive buildings in a most delightful setting. Now Nettleham is threatened with forfeiture of its Public Library: a good, modern, commodious building in constant use, central to the community; in use by parents with their children; also a large and increasing proportion of Nettleham residents are retirees. So it provides services for both ends of the age spectrum, as well as all between. Possible Measures to Reduce Costs A public service like a library - or any other - should be totally exempt from Rates. It is NOT a profit-making business: that should be enough. It need not be a ‘charity’, to qualify as ‘non-profit-making’. This is a principle that should apply universally, if it does not already. With no disrespect to them, fulfilling a wonderful mission, why should ‘Charities’ have every advantage; and a public service, like libraries, have none? ‘Charities’ benefit their respective worthy causes: which benefit is limited to those helped. Public services are available to all. Public services, as a matter of principle, must surely take precedence. On that principle, libraries should be totally exempt from Rates. Librarianship is a trained, qualified and experienced profession. Lacking such essential foundation, volunteers, with the best will in the world, cannot adequately fulfil its responsibilities. Assistants can be volunteers, under the oversight of a professional Librarian. Therefore maintain the services of one paid, professional 49

Librarian (minimum), though on a part-time basis. It should not be impossible to find a qualified Librarian, willing to stand in, in order to retain Nettleham Library. During this depression, until things improve, maintain minimum opening hours: say, two half-days a week. Evaluate the entire spectrum of responsibilities: there seems no shortage of concerned and eager volunteers - 80 or more. What responsibilities could be so delegated? Such simple, sensible and useful measures taken, could then be incorporated permanently into the future operation of the Library, once the depression is past. Above all else, we would fail sadly of our due obligation, were we to forget the human element that has made our Library what it has been throughout the years since it was established - the ever-warm and courteous welcome of the staff and ever-prevailing atmosphere of cheerfulness and service, noticeable the moment one steps inside the building: nothing too small, or too big, for their considerate help. The long years of service devoted by many, through decades. And not least of all, the immaculate condition in which the Library unfailingly is kept: which contributes not a little and makes it such a pleasure for all who use its services, from day to day, week to week and year to year. The most enduring appreciation must be put on record to all who so effectively have contributed, and are doing so, to its enduring success. In conclusion, it may be suggested, in this time of austerity, the real question to consider is this: would we be better served by less paid politicians and more public libraries? Is not this the question that really should be addressed in such a time when costs apparently are paramount? It has been truly said that the best defence against deception, propaganda and imposture is an educated people. *History The now-demolished Bishop’s Manor House at Nettleham was the property Edith of Wessex, wife of Edward the Confessor and later Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England, before passing into the Possession of the Bishops of Lincoln, who enlarged it to create a Bishop’s Palace appropriate to one of the country’s most important Sees. On 7 February 1301 King Edward l of England was staying in the Bishop’s Palace when he created his son Edward (later Edward II of England) as the first Prince of Wales.

Councillor Report Back It has been a busy couple of months for me. The Council set its budget for this year in March and as a member of the committee which appoints senior staff for West Lindsey District Council, I have been busy with a greater number of meetings than normal, in pursuit of appointing two directors to fill two vacancies. Nevertheless, as I write, the Council will hopefully have announced the two director-level appointments that have been made to fill the vacancies in the posts of Director of Resources and Commercial Director. I was also extremely pleased to attend the opening of the Bishop’s Palace site by HRH the Duke of Kent. I think the whole village can take real pride in the way in which that day was organised and the culmination of so many volunteers’ hard work.

“I know that in Nettleham, the Village Hall Committee are eager to access the benefits that this scheme should provide. Giving local residents high speed internet at a key community venue, like the Village Hall, can be an important step to ensure that our community is digitally inclusive.”

More Communities Offered Access to Super-fast Broadband

The fund allows each District Councillor to put forward proposals for expenditure in our ward to fund projects and initiatives which benefit the local community.

As more of West Lindsey District Council’s services are being accessed online, such as paying for services and reporting issues improving access to the internet is important. The rural nature of the district means internet provision is sometimes patchy and limits residents’ access. Last year, the Council teamed up with Quickline Communications to install wireless internet in thirty community buildings, known as hubs. Following the successful take-up of the scheme, a new deal has been signed with the company to extend provision. Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Mrs Anne Welburn said: “Accessing services online is becoming more and more part of our everyday expectations. A lot of us already do internet banking and pay our bills online. Now we as a council want to put customers at the heart of our services and give access online for those customers that want to use it. Extending the wi-fi provision will reduce the number of ‘notspots’ and open up online services to more people.” Mrs Manjeet Gill, Chief Executive of the Council commented: “We have been working to improve communications for our residents and I am delighted that the second phase of the scheme can now get underway. To compliment this we are also making improvements to our website, including new electronic forms to make it quicker and easier for residents to access services online.” Mr Steve Jagger, Managing Director of Quickline said: “Village halls provide a community hub of activity for rural communities and it is fantastic the council has invested additional funds to improve communications. I am delighted that we are able to offer wireless broadband which can reach locations that traditional telecoms are unable to reach.” District Councillor for the Nettleham Ward, Cllr Giles McNeill welcomed the news saying:

Other initiatives are being explored and local businesses are urged to contact Steve Bolan on 01427 676551 for more information. For further information on Quickline, call: 01482 247365 or visit: www.quickline.co.uk

impact and allowing the council to freeze council tax. The Council continues to generate more income to avoid tax increases and are working hard to support communities and regenerate the district. A number of new areas of spending were identified: ●

£250,000 grant funding available to invest in communities, providing finance in a way that helps people to help themselves

●

An additional £37,000 to support the Councillor Initiative Fund, which has already helped thousands of projects across the district, increasing the funding for each councillor from £4,000 to £5,000.

●

£300,000 to develop a solution to rural transport connectivity

●

£1.1m investment to return empty homes back into use

●

£640,000 business relocation fund and commercial grant schemes to provide an attractive incentive to encourage business growth

Councillors’ Initative Fund Deadline Both Cllr Leaning and I have a Councillors’ Initiative Fund available to us to spend on local projects. The total value of the fund for each of us is £5,000 over two years.

I have supported a number of items in the ward: ● HD projection equipment at Lincoln Rugby Club ● Repairs to the cricket nets at Mulsanne Park ● Lessons in British Sign Language ● Planters, compost and plants for Greetwell and ‘litter pick in progress’ signs ● Funding toward the conversion of the old boules court at Mulsanne Park to a micro skate park facility. The current scheme, operating from April 2013 - March 2015, has a deadline for applications of 31 August 2014, so if you have a scheme or project that needs support then please get in touch. Cllr Leaning and myself still have several thousand pounds available for allocation. Application forms and details of the scheme can be obtained online at http://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/yourcouncil/your-councillors/local-councillorinitiative-fund/ All applications submitted are considered and assessed against how they contribute towards the Themes, Priorities and Outcomes in the Corporate Plan. WLDC Council Budget Set West Lindsey District Council has announced it will not increase its share of the Council Tax for 2014/15. The freeze was announced in the council’s budget report, submitted to Full Council on Monday 3 March, which also included plans for more than £2 million investment towards major projects. Leader of the council, Cllr Jeff Summers said: “We know times are hard for many people so we are delighted to be able to freeze Council Tax protecting residents from increased bills.” The council’s entrepreneurial approach is being used to counter the continuing reductions in government grant with income generation and cost reduction offsetting the

The Council has also pledged its support to a new flooding relief scheme. It will offer 100% Council Tax exemption for up to one year, to support residents affected by flooding. The Council managed to find £1million of savings at a time when the budget allocation from central government is drastically reducing each year. However, the Council is not complacent as it still needs to find £2million over the next two years to balance the budget. Cllr Summers added: “We recognise it is a testing time for public services generally, but we are focusing on getting the job done. This means doing more of what local people value and protecting frontline services as we said we would. “This budget is about growth and investment at a time when others around us are looking at reducing, cutting and stopping, but we recognise this is key to our future. We will continue to drive forward efficiency plans and streamline services to deliver what our customers value.” E-Newsletter I do a monthly e-newsletter which anyone can sign up for and is full of the latest, most up-to-date information on what I have been up to as your district councillor. You can sign up for it by visiting http://eepurl.com/syLaD. And finally… I am really disappointed that Lincolnshire County Council have been unable to be more flexible in the terms they were offering to Nettleham Parish Council to run a community-led library. It is absurd that Nettleham’s library will now almost certainly close, despite Nettleham Parish Council and over ninety local volunteers having come forward to continue to operate a local library. Nettleham Parish Council requested a slight extension in order to put together the

business plan. Given the delays on the part of the County Council, this seemed a reasonable request. The business plan is important because it gives the County Council assurance the community-led library will be successfully delivered; a request was also made to reconsider part of the agreement between the parties related to surety of tenure. Nettleham Parish Council has had no option but to withdraw from the process, leaving local residents with an uncertain future for the library in the village. Sir Edward Leigh MP has supported our local community’s case, stating that: “Nettleham Parish Council are being perfectly reasonable in their demands, and they deserve a much more favourable reaction from the County Council.” If you have a problem or issue related to our community, or the council, please do get in touch. I am here to help. Cllr Giles McNeill

West Lindsey District Councillor Malcolm Leaning 11 Highfields, Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2ST Telephone 01522 873175

From Your County Councillor One of the best things about being a councillor is the opportunity I’m given to get to know people I would never otherwise meet. Most of us interact with family and friends, or we join groups such as clubs and societies in order to meet people with whom we have shared interests, but my council work allows me to talk to people from an incredibly wide variety of backgrounds. Who would imagine that I can learn about someone’s childhood in Africa, or about a holiday in Norfolk, simply because someone has stopped to talk to me while I’ve been reporting yet another pothole, or when I’m phoning Highways to complain about the terrible state of the tarmac on High Street in Nettleham? These chance conversations help me in my work more than you might think, because people will often tell me about issues which I may not know about. I can then report them and can also ask residents to get back to me if the situation doesn’t improve. Think about Linelands, for example. The Parish Council and I are currently trying to get some movement on this and are engaging with Councillor Bradwell to try to steer potential development in a direction which will be good for older residents in the village.

As you know, there is considerable strength of feeling in Nettleham about the fact that Linelands remains closed and the letters I’ve received in recent months have been hugely helpful in getting the problem brought to the attention of Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive. An empty and unused building doesn’t necessarily create any feelings at all, but this particular building represents possible security for some of our more elderly residents and is located in the heart of the community. We do need to have it as one of our main priorities and although we may not always win, that doesn’t mean we should stop fighting. Being a county councillor also allows me to work with a number of Parish Councils and Nettleham has one of the best Parish Councils I’ve ever come across. I’d urge more people to come along to a meeting and see how you can be involved in supporting the village. I’d love to see some younger people there, especially teenagers who could come along and learn how local democracy works. Local government has a considerable effect on people’s day-to-day lives, so thank you to those who have helped so much in allowing me to do my work as well as I can.

Jackie Brockway County Councillor for the Nettleham & Saxilby Division

Email Malcolm.leaning@ntlworld.com

To contact Jackie: Telephone: 07881 935447 Email: jackiebrockway@gmail.com

Perks of heading towards 70! (and there aren’t many!)

West Lindsey District Councillor Giles McNeill 3 The Chestnuts, Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2NH Telephone 07896 730737 Email Cllr.G.McNeill@west-lindsey.gov.uk

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you 02. In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first 03. No one expects you to run - anywhere 04. People call at 9.00pm and ask, “Did I wake you?” 05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac 06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way 07. Things you buy now won’t wear out 08. You can eat supper at 5.00pm 09. You can live without sex, but not your glasses 10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans 11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge 12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room 13. You sing along with elevator music 14. Your eyes won’t get much worse 15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off 16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service 17. Your secrets are safe with your friends, because they can’t remember them either 18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size

Well Done Georgia! wanted in exchange for a donation. He raised £50.87 which he passed on to me to put towards my total. Thank you Mick!

Well... I did it! In the spring edition of Nettleham News I wrote of my plan to run the Lincoln 10k Road Race to raise some much-needed money to help the local branch of the RSPCA.

At the time of writing, my total was £325 plus £77.50 gift aid - to think my original target was £100! There is still time to donate to my JustGiving page if you would like to. The link is: www.justgiving.com/A-FAULKNER and it will stay open until Wednesday 6 August 2014.

Me and my mum (Allison Faulkner) both volunteer as dog walkers for them and so I see how much they need the money for, not only the dogs and cats we see each week, but also the other animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and mice that they rescue and rehome.

A triumphant Georgia proudly wears her medal

The day of the Lincoln 10k was rather blustery, and it sometimes took my breath away as I ran, but I kept going and managed to finish in 1.04.47 hours, which I was very pleased with. I would like to say ‘thank you’ to my lovely friend Rosie Butler who attends William Farr School with me she ran alongside and gave me lots of encouragement all the way round.

Georgia with Mick Handsley of All Saints Lane

RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid and Lincoln is a charity that is run separately from the National RSPCA and local volunteers run the group. They receive no government funding and so must raise all the money that is needed to fund the care of the 500 plus animals that they look after each year. One case that made the press last year was that of Flo the lurcher who was found paralysed after being dumped in Lincoln. Her vets’ fees came to several thousands of pounds, but the RSPCA branch never gave up on her. She made a great recovery and has now been rehomed where she is cared for and loved as she should be. For more information on how to volunteer, donate or adopt, please either visit their facebook page (search RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid and Lincoln) or email on: lincoln.rspca@live.co.uk

Georgia nears the finish line after running for over an hour in the 2014 Lincoln 10k Road race

Thank you to everyone who has donated I’ve had several donations from readers of Nettleham News. One such reader is Mick Handsley, who put a bucket of apples out behind his house on All Saints Lane last year, inviting passers by to take what they 53

Georgia returns to walking dogs for the RSPCA here with Bubble and Squeak

Thank you once again to everyone who has supported me through the last few weeks, I really do appreciate it. Georgia Willerton Age 15 years

Editor I’m sure all the readers of Nettleham News would join me in congratulating you Georgia, on this special achievement and we wish you well for the future

The Lazy Gardener (or when to mow the meadow) I hate mowing the front lawn. It seems a particularly pointless exercise. You spend all afternoon cutting the grass and it just grows back again. With extra weeds! When the mower broke I saw it as a sign. I would stop cutting. Nature would take over and find its own balance. It would be a haven for bees, insects and various small, ecologically desirable creatures. It would be the Serengeti of Nettleham. The grass grew and grew. Non-Gardening Husband wasn’t sure. He thought it made the house look abandoned. He worried we’d be burgled. “But it’s good for the environment”, I pointed out. “Think of the little creatures; think of the all the petrol we’re saving”. Soon it became impossible to get the wheelie bin across the lawn to the kerbside. So, for purely practical reasons, a second-hand mower was bought and a path cut across the veldt. By midsummer, the grass on either side was three foot high. The cat was ecstatic, but the anticipated wildflower haven just didn’t arrive. Eldest Child refused to bring his new girlfriend home. Youngest Child

started referring to the bungalow as ‘The Hobo Shack’. Point taken. That autumn, out came the strimmer. At Christmas I was thoughtfully given a book by Non-Gardening Husband: ‘Making Wildflower Meadows’ by Pam Lewis. I discovered the problem was the grass itself, crowding out the wildflowers. It had to go; all of it! Next spring, a turf-stripping machine was hired. My Professional Gardening Friend sent me some yellow rattle seeds, a native wildflower she assured me was ‘parasitic on grass’. Should be a doddle now, get the old grass off, let loose the cannibal flowers. Removing the turf was like chipping concrete with a plastic spoon. By the time half the lawn was cleared a truce was brokered. The rest of the lawn would stay and be mowed, for now anyway. After all, I need somewhere to put the deckchair. So the seeds were sown, along with a few more packets from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. And then the miracle happened; just like that the wildflowers grew. The yellow rattle was joined by ox-eye daisies, red campion, fox gloves and poppies.

Now, fifteen minutes out there with a cup of tea is like a mini-safari. Bees and butterflies visit. After a quick look through the cat flap, Harry the Hedgehog trundles past most evenings to dine out on the slugs and snails. The ant hill provides rich pickings for the birds feeding their chicks. Even the rest of the lawn is now being silently eroded. Every so often I cut out 30cm square turfs and put in some seeds or a plug plant. Slowly it’s all coming together. And the best bit? I only have to cut it twice a year. Result. ‘Making Wildflower Meadows’ by Pam Lewis, (2003), published by Francis Lincoln Ltd, London. Growing Wild seeds: Lincolnshire Wildflowers grown and sourced in Lincolnshire, various mixes available from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Don’t fancy digging up the lawn just yet? Sign up for the Wildflower Count at www.plantlife.org.uk and help preserve our native species.

Wildflowers are their own reward, but tea in the garden is an extra incentive

Lynne McEwan

●

Knitting Wools

●

Patterns & Buttons

●

Needles & Accessories

●

Kits for Scarves, Cushions & Bags

●

Range of Hand-Knitted Garments

●

Knitting-Up Service

●

Monthly Knitting Club

8 Lodge Lane, Nettleham

Welcome to

(near the surgery)

Opening Times Friday: 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday: 9.00am - 5.00pm

THE WHITE HART

Other times by arrangement

NETTLEHAM

Telephone

01522 752854 or 07794 946830 Email

info@loubylouwools.co.uk

www.loubylouwools.co.uk

USE THIS SPACE to promote YOUR products or services Nettleham News

●

Introducing NEW chef - Mark West

●

Cask ales

is the first point of reference for people living in and around the village when they are seeking information about local products and services.

●

NEW lunchtime menu

●

Parties and functions catered for

●

NEW evening menu

●

Function room available

●

Weekly specials board

●

Senior lunchtime specials

Themed nights - see noticeboard outside for details

●

EARLY BIRD menu served 5.30 to 7.00pm Wed to Sat 2 meals for £12.00

●

Food served 5 days a week

●

NEW comfortable seating area in the lounge

●

Sunday Roast specials

●

All menus with fresh local produce

The White Hart Food Challenge coming soon!

●

Children’s menu available

●

Beer garden

It’s the magazine that everyone reads and is the ideal way to maintain a high profile in Nettleham for your business. Contact the Editor on Lincoln

753000 for information

Come and relax by our open fire

01522 751976 56

Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service (LEBBS) We need your support! LEBBS (Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service) is about saving lives. Established in 2012, it went live in April 2013 and provides a free courier service transporting essential medical items, including blood, plasma, platelets, biological samples, x-rays, medical notes and breast milk between hospitals and healthcare facilities within Lincolnshire and they need your support.

Registered Charity Number 1148402

LEBBS have had a terrific response from the Lincolnshire community, whose financial support has enabled them to establish this service in 2013, but this is an on-going challenge, their need for additional bikes growing as they extend their services to cover more hospitals. Like every charity, more funding is needed and if additional sponsors could be found, together with further regular donations, it would be a tremendous advantage.

Currently there are 22 Blood Bike groups in the UK, reaching more than 85% of the country’s population. Planned expansion will extend coverage to over 54 million people. The aims of this charity are: to save lives; to save money for the National Health Service; to promote a positive image of motorcyclists to the public. The Treasurer for LEBBS is Martin Wright and here he explains how he got involved and how LEBBS helps the local community by assisting the hospitals in Lincolnshire. “I retired from the Royal Air Force about three years ago after some 39 years and wanted to fill my time doing something worthwhile. I have had motorcycles since I was 16, so there was a strong appeal with LEBBS, which I joined in late 2012.” LEBBS takes its lead from the NHS Trust. We work during the ‘silent’ hours, that is from 7.00pm on a Friday to 7.00am on the following Monday morning. At present, the NHS covers the working week, but we have been approached to assist here too. We started in April 2013, taking on Boston and Grantham Hospitals, followed in June by Lincoln County Hospital, which means our delivery service now also includes, but is not limited to, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Sheffield Hospitals. Each volunteer states his/her availability for a period of one month ahead, to enable a rota for the

LEBBS is a registered charity and relies on sponsors, donations and fund-raising; their volunteers, at present, even pay for their own fuel used during their duty. LEBBS are out most weekends fundraising and if you visit their website (see below) you can find out exactly where they will be during the course of the year.

Martin Wright with his ‘Blood Bike’

work schedule to be created accordingly. Currently we have just over 60 riders some are a little too far outside the limits as we have notified the hospitals that we can be with them within the hour, but these volunteers may be involved in the future as we extend our cover. Our fleet comprises 6 motorcycles and 2 cars. The cars are mainly for use in extreme weather conditions, one being a four-wheel drive vehicle. Essentially the hospital places a call with the duty controller and he, or she, then calls the nearest duty rider to make the delivery. Once delivery is completed the rider contacts the controller to let them know they are back safe, and available for another run. The bike remains with rider for the duration of the duty period, after which he or she then forwards it on to the next duty rider.

Some of the members of the Blood Bike Service

As well as financial assistance, they still need volunteers and you don’t need to be a motorcyclist to help. At present, they have a need for more controllers, who are the first point of contact for the hospitals requiring assistance and all you need is a willingness to help and a telephone. Additionally, they need support at the fund raising events, just a few hours smiling on their stand would make such a difference. LEBBS is an amazing organisation and richly deserves to gain further support from the community. Do visit their website where there is much more information about their activities together with contact details for those who would like to help. Alternatively, Martin can be contacted at: Email: treasurer@lebbs.org or give him a call on his mobile:

07899 938192 Telephone: 07899 938192 Website: www.lebbs.org

Nettleham Twinning Association This year it was the turn of the Nettleham Association members to visit Mulsanne for a five-night stay with their French friends. As usual we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed greatly the programme arranged for us by our hosts. The main visit was to the town of La Flèche, some forty kilometres south west of Mulsanne. The town is twinned with Chippenham, has about 16,000 inhabitants and is a busy commercial and industrial centre, with a long history. We visited three contrasting venues, beginning with the Bruere watermill, which is still milling flour, generating electricity and, uniquely, blocks of ice for refrigeration. It is the last mill in France to do so. (Interestingly emergency back-up power was provided by a Lincoln-produced Ruston and Hornsby oil engine from the 1920s.) We then went to the Little Theatre, a gem of early nineteenth century theatre design built in 1838 on the first floor of the town’s Corn Exchange. Beautifully restored to its original condition and decoration, it is in regular use for a wide range of productions. Lunch was at the local Zoo’s restaurant and very good too.

their classes! The list of distinguished alumni is long, including René Descartes, Rochefoucauld and many others.

The Prytanée evidently has long been a training ground for the great and good of France. Pupils are civilians, but wear a sort of military uniform and perform formal parade duties. We visited the college on Saturday afternoon and were impressed to be told that the reason we couldn’t see many students was because they were at

The La Flèche visit was for all members French and English. In addition, many of our hosts had organised other attractions and outings. Some of us were taken to watch the ‘5 Litre’ circuit of the city of Le Mans. (No, this wasn’t any kind of 24-hour race! That comes later in the year.) A circuit of streets had been closed off round which a parade of various classes of cars and motorcycles circulated until they came close to the end of the 5 litres of fuel in an auxiliary tank strapped onto their vehicle, (only 2 litres for motorcycles.) A fine assortment of veteran and vintage machinery, with some of the drivers and passengers in period costume. A bit like the London to Brighton run, but with cars passing continuously for a couple of hours; pleasant and interesting to watch from a roadside café. Our visit ended with a dinner with, as usual, music and dancing. An enjoyable week had come to an end.

The afternoon was taken up by a visit to the Prytanée National Militaire. The original building was a chateau presented to the Jesuits by France’s King Henri IV and it served as a Jesuit college for a century and a half before becoming a military cadet school for the sons of the aristocracy. In 1808 it became a military school under Napoleon. The Prytanée now takes students from the age of sixteen and prepares them for the entrance examinations to military colleges, the Ecole Speciale Militaire de St Cyr, the Ecole de L’Air, the Ecole Navale and for other Grandes Ecoles such as the Ecole Polytechnique. The whole week had, however, been overshadowed by an accident to our Treasurer Dave Lintin, who had had a bad fall during his first night in Mulsanne, sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed to hospital and every day we waited for news of his progress. It was only on the morning of our departure that we heard that sadly he had died the previous night. Tragic. Editor May I take this opportunity to send sincere condolences on behalf of all our readers to the family and friends for the sad death of Dave Lintin under such tragic circumstances

Stepping Stones Pre-School We always love the summer term at Stepping Stones, there is so much to do in our lovely garden and the children have planted lots already. These include potatoes, strawberry plants, sunflowers and nasturtiums and, after reading ‘The Enormous Turnip’, the children thought they would like to have a go at growing their very own ‘normous’ turnip, so Julia Goodman (Early Years Practitioner and Head Gardener) bought a packet of seeds and the children sowed them in one of the vegetable beds. They are lovingly watering and tending them, although I’m not convinced they are going to be as big as the turnip in the book!

The mud kitchen and large sand pit are both as popular as ever and we are currently in the process of buying a new climbing frame for the children. We are constantly thinking of ways to improve the garden, mainly following cues from the children’s interests. We are in the process of creating a magical fairytale world using an old tree stump covered in dead ivy tendrils that Elaine Jenkinson (Early Years Practitioner) rescued from being thrown away. By the time you read this it will be installed and hopefully giving the children lots of opportunities for imaginative play. Julia also brought in some tadpoles for the children to watch develop into frogs before we release them into our wildlife area in the garden.

The Oak Tree Room (these children will be going to ‘big’ school in September) made some very creative collages depicting the life-cycle of a frog and also looked at books and did jigsaw puzzles to help them really understand the process. The children also collected some worms, so that we could make a worm farm, and, after a couple of weeks observing how the worms mixed up the soil, sand and leaves in the jar, we released them into the compost bin in the garden! The Acorn Room (our 2 - 3 year olds) have had great fun pegging colourful flannels onto the fence, and simply clipping pegs onto a tray also proved very popular - lots of fine motor skills being improved ready for the next steps in their development. The younger children also enjoy musical instruments and we practice making loud and quiet noises and fast and slow noises. Blowing bubbles is always a popular activity outside - causing much excitement and lots of giggles! Of course one vitally important aspect of this term is our Oak Tree childrens’ transition to their respective schools in September. We aim to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone concerned, parents and carers, the schools and of course the children, and we work very closely with the schools and Reception teachers to ensure this happens. For example, schools stress how important it is for the children to be as independent as possible when they start, and from the children’s earliest days with us they are encouraged to ‘have a go’, whether that be putting their coat or shoes on and off, eating their lunch as independently as possible, or being able to take themselves to the toilet and wash their hands. Of course we are always on hand ready to support if necessary, but it’s amazing how quickly even 2 year olds can learn to safely cut their own fruit, pour their drink into a beaker and butter their own toast for snack time. Stepping Stones Pre-school is an inclusive setting and we take children from 2 years to school age from Nettleham and the surrounding area. We are registered to offer funded places for eligible 2 year olds 59

and 3 and 4 year olds, offering up to 15 hours per week for each child. We are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Stepping Stones also offer a Breakfast Club from 7.30am and an After School Club, collecting children from Nettleham Infants and Junior schools. The Holiday Club also operates during school holidays, should you need it. If you would like to come and have a look around, or to put your child’s name on the waiting list, please get in touch either by telephone or email. The contact details are: Stepping Stones Pre-school Telephone: 07599 546426 or Email: steppingstones1@live.com

Stepping Stones Extended & Holiday Club Telephone: 07521 858450 Email: steppingstonesnettleham@live.com

Alternatively you could visit our website: steppingstonesnettleham.co.uk Allison Faulkner Partner

JC URTIS CURTIS

GAS

PPLUMBING LUMBING & HHEATING EATING

safe REGISTER

206407

ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING AND HEATING WORK UNDERTAKEN General plumbing maintenance and repairs Boiler servicing and repairs Boiler replacements Central heating installation and repairs Bathroom installations Gas Safety Certificates Free quotes BASED IN NETTLEHAM For a professional and competitive service call:

01522 800058 Mobile: 07795 164317 Email: j.curtis@rocketmail.com 5 Eastway, Nettleham LN2 2RU

FUNDRAISING FOR SIGHT SAVERS Thank you all so much for your generous response to the EGGSTRA SPECIAL COFFEE MORNING, sales of Easter chicks and bunnies, and other donations in so many ways, in aid of Sight Savers. I am so sorry the date had to be changed, but Colin and I would have been unable to help had the date remained the same. As it was, it was fortunate that we were able to have the use of the large hall in the Old School on 5 April. The Eggstra Special Coffee Morning was great fun, although there was plenty of room for more of you to come. The knitted chicks and bunnies from Doris Colman were so popular and thank you Doris for all your help. By the end of the morning, we had raised £162.75. A special thank you to all ladies (and a very special gent) who ran all the various stalls. Glynis had kindly agreed that chicks and bunnies could be on sale once again for Sight Savers. At the time of writing, I have not collected the money from the salon, as there are still ten days to go before Easter. I will collect the money on my return to the village and, once again, must thank Glynis for allowing the sales. On behalf of all those folk who will now be protected from river blindness (just 30p per family per year) or those who can now receive a sight-restoring cataract operation (cost £17.00), I can only say a most sincere THANK YOU. I have sent the cheque for £162.75 to Sight Savers and thank you all so much for your generosity. To continue our fundraising we will hold a stall at Nettleham Cares on Saturday 18 October in the Village Hall. If you wish to support the stall, but are unable to come, please feel free to leave your gifts with me at 14 Sudbrooke Lane (telephone: 856818). Thank you all once again. Joyce E Lewis

FUNDRAISING FOR LINK TO HOPE What a gloriously sunny morning we had on Friday 28 March for our Coffee Morning. It was so kind of the Scheme Manager at Church View to allow us the use of the lounge once again, making it easy for ladies who lived there to join us. Although the Coffee Morning was slow to start, by 11.00am the place was buzzing and we all enjoyed a most delightful time of fun and fellowship. It was so good to share the photos of the 2013 Shoebox delivery, see the smiles that our boxes had generated and also to learn that 34,000 shoeboxes had been safely delivered! It was also a great opportunity to discuss the contents of the boxes, particularly the gifts which had been sent to the elderly. The event raised £244.00, which is now safely in the bank. The coins and even notes placed in the jar amounted to £52.20, but further donations have increased that total to £70.00 which has been sent to Worthing, so that new bed linen can be bought for a lady in desperate need. Thank you all for such generosity. It has been mentioned to me that the Shoebox Appeal has been discontinued. This may be true as far as other charities are concerned, but Link to Hope still intends to deliver shoeboxes to Eastern Europe at Christmas time. We hope to launch the 2014 Shoebox Appeal at a Coffee Morning in September. No details have been arranged as yet, but there will be posters around the village giving you all the information. A stall has also been booked at Nettleham Cares to be held on Saturday 18 October in the Village Hall. Thank you again for all your help - we look forward to seeing you again later in the year, Cora, Mary, Janet and Joyce

Do you support a charity? Are you staging a fund-raising event in the village? What’s the best way to let everyone know what’s going on? The ‘Nettleham Noticeboard’ feature on page 3 of the magazine is specially included to enable registered charities and other non-profit-making organisations to promote activities and events and it costs nothing to include information on this and other pages in the magazine. Send the details to the Editor for possible publication, but please note the deadlines for each edition (given on page 1) and that Nettleham News is only a quarterly publication, so you may need to plan well ahead to take account of date-sensitive information. The magazine is usually delivered in the first week of the month following each of the four deadline dates. 61

Volunteers Sought for New Lincolnshire Volunteer Force Programme A new programme designed to train and recruit sport volunteers has launched in Lincolnshire. Following on from the success of the Games Makers at the London 2012 Olympics and the national programme Sport Makers, Lincolnshire Sport has launched the brand new local initiative called Lincolnshire Volunteer Force to increase physical activity and sport throughout communities in Lincolnshire. The role of a Lincolnshire Volunteer Force team member is to work with Lincolnshire Sport to assist and deliver events such as the Lincolnshire Sports Awards and the Market Rasen 10K, be a community focal point for physical activity events and be part of a team of volunteers that helps get the county active. It will also include recruiting, retaining and rewarding other volunteers in Lincolnshire, as well as supporting individual volunteers. Volunteers will benefit from free specific training, free volunteering uniforms as well as the opportunity to gain skill qualifications. Tom Armstrong, Workforce Development Manager at Lincolnshire Sport, said: “The programme inspires people to rejuvenate their communities through volunteering in sport and by encouraging more people to be active with local and community wide events. If you are passionate about sport in the county and understand the benefits of increasing physical activity and sporting opportunities in your community, then this programme is exactly for you. “A county-wide integrated volunteer network can help unlock a new generation of volunteers, thereby raising participation levels across all communities, ages and backgrounds. Working in partnership with all districts is the key to this. I would encourage anyone who is wishing to volunteer in sport, improve their CV’s and take up a new hobby to register.” For more information, or to request an application form, visit: www.lincolnshiresport.com or contact Tom Armstrong on: 01522 585580 or email: tom.armstrong@lincolnshiresport.com

Lincolnshire Leaving Care Supported “Home is where the heart is”… “Home Sweet Home”… “Home from Home” - it’s clear that home is more than simply a place to lay your head. It should be a sanctuary, a place of safety, comfort and relaxation, a place where you can just be. Imagine, though, that you have nowhere to call home. You are on your own in the world, without a loving family or friends to support you. And you’re just 16. Unfortunately for some care leavers, they don’t have to imagine this scenario. It is very real. A small percentage have been in and out of care, some will have been subjected to a chaotic family life and others will only have the support of their Leaving Care workers and/or Social Worker and that’s where Barnardo’s, in partnership with the local authority, comes in. Lincolnshire Barnardo’s Leaving Care service has a dedicated team to support young 16 to 21 year olds (25 if in full-time education) leaving the care system find a caring and supportive home that will ease their journey through to adulthood. The Supported Lodgings Scheme is not just about finding young people a roof over their head. It’s about providing a “family home environment” with the guidance and supportive extra care that goes with it, in which young care leavers can flourish. Barnardo’s has recruited “supported lodging providers” - ordinary people who open up their homes and their lives to provide extraordinary support and mentoring that many of us may take for granted. Although the young people are approaching adulthood and don’t need formal parenting, they will benefit from having a positive adult role model looking out for them. It might be something as simple as looking forward to a nutritious home-cooked meal at the end of the day, or having someone to give help and advice about applying for a training course, or college place. And it’s working - the Lincolnshire team cite numerous examples of how young people - often struggling and in urgent need of accommodation and support have turned their lives around with that little extra support behind them.

Case Study 1 Take 17 year old Ralph. He has lived in a number of different places since leaving foster care at the age of 16. For many young people supported accommodation can provide that stepping stone to independence, but for Ralph it was too much of a big step and not the right option. He struggled with previous placements and got in with the wrong crowd of older teens and started drifting into trouble. Things might have spiralled downwards into more serious crime, but before that happened he was introduced to a supported lodging provider. Barnardo’s has around 25 ‘supported lodgings providers’ across the county who are currently opening up their homes to up to 34 young care leavers. The providers are different ages and from different backgrounds, some are single, others married, some with children, others not. But all have one thing in common they have a spare bedroom to offer a young person leaving care, and compassion to help turn around a teenager’s life and support them to develop the skills they will need to live in a less supported environment.

Once providers are approved by an independent panel they are then ‘matched’ to a suitable young person. Meetings and weekend overnight stays are arranged before a young person moves in. Ralph is now a very different young person to the one that the provider first met. He’s happier, healthier - having lost four stone in weight thanks to the nutritious family meals served at the family home - and is currently in education and actively looking for work. Most telling of all is that there is no sign of the challenging behaviour that was evident before he moved in. Case Study 2 Jack became an accommodation provider four years ago. Father of two, Jack found himself living alone in the former five bedroom family home in Skegness. It was through a work colleague that community-based health practitioner Jack found out about the supported lodgings scheme run by Barnardo’s. “It’s about giving young people a home in a safe family environment with someone who cares and who will encourage and promote education or employment and empower them to develop the skills needed to go on to lead an independent and positive life,” he said.

One supported lodgings provider had experience of working with young people and then considered becoming a foster carer. After undergoing foster care training she decided it was not quite right for her, but then heard about Barnardo’s supported lodgings scheme and decided to find out more.

“Every youngster is different and each one will have slightly different needs, but it is also important to set clear boundaries and give young people, some of whom may have had chaotic lives, social skills such as how to cook a nutritious meal, how to budget, how to look after themselves and their home.

She has a 19 year old daughter and couldn’t imagine someone at the tender age of 16 going it alone in the world.

In my experience there is a ‘honeymoon period’ when a young person first moves in, which can be followed by a more challenging period whilst they settle in and adjust to their new environment. Barnardo’s is always there offering support if and when it’s needed - as a provider you never feel you’re on your own.

She met with Barnardo’s supported lodging worker in Lincolnshire, Sally Robinson, who set up the scheme four years ago. Sally was joined by Paula Burgess last September and together the pair’s role is to recruit, train, support and manage the accommodation providers who offer supported lodgings for care leavers. This lodgings provider said: “The whole process from my initial enquiry through training and assessment to the point I was approved as a provider, was very positive. Obviously they have to ask personal questions, but I felt Sally was sympathetic and really understood me. It was a very honest and comfortable process.”

“I feel very privileged that I can support these youngsters at an age when they are entering adulthood.” Jack is currently supporting three young care leavers - and still keeps in touch with young people he has helped mentor and support in the past. He has not only seen how young people have grown and gained skills and independence by being on the scheme, he also believes it has benefited his own teenage children who have been given an insight and awareness they might not otherwise have had.

Lodgings Scheme Case Study 3 Phil and Janet have six children of their own ranging from six years to 26. They first heard about the scheme when Janet enrolled on a training course to become a Barnardo’s volunteer. The pair and their children attended an awards ceremony, celebrating the achievements of care leavers in Lincolnshire where they found out more about the scheme. They decided to go ahead with the necessary assessments - which involved discussions with their own children - and after completing the training, were introduced to 17 year old Duncan. Duncan has become a regular member of the family including sitting down for meals, going away on holidays, spending weekends with grandparents. “We treat Duncan exactly as one of our own, and it has been a really positive experience for the whole family. We tell all our friends about the scheme and spread the word as widely as we can, so more people come forward as providers.” Phil and Janet also offer temporary respite to other care leavers covering for other accommodation providers during holidays. Case Study 4 Julie and Andy live out in the countryside in an idyllic country farmhouse, complete with the usual dogs, chickens, pigs and a burgeoning vegetable patch. With twin daughters at university and a sixteen year old son at home, the couple decided the time was right to ‘put something back’ and help other young people less fortunate than their own. Julie has spent her entire career dealing with people confronting difficult issues, whether they relate to homelessness, poverty, drugs or alcohol abuse. A former police officer and magistrate, Julie spent the last 10 years studying law and started to look for opportunities to combine a part-time legal career with work based from the family home. It was when Julie bought a copy of the Lincolnshire Echo that she spotted an article about Barnardo’s supported lodgings scheme. “This scheme really appealed to me,” she said, “and it was something I could combine with my part-time work as a lawyer.

“We had lots of conversations with our children in advance and we made it clear that any young person that came would be treated exactly the same.” Julie currently provides a home to a Jake, a 16 year old boy and Annie a 17 year old girl. She said: “It’s not all been plain sailing it’s a massive thing bringing a stranger into your home - the whole dynamic of the family can change. “But challenges can be overcome and the little triumphs and progress you see in the young people make it all worthwhile. Doing this has given me so much personal satisfaction. “I really think it has given our children a better understanding of the social issues that exist in the world today. “I would urge anyone thinking of doing this to contact Sally and Paula and ask all the questions you might have. And if after that, you are still keen - go for it - you won’t be sorry.” Case Study 5 After completing their training in March 2013, the couple were soon introduced to Adam who moved in just in time to celebrate his 18th birthday with a special meal out with the whole family. Not only did Adam gain a home, he was also able to take up an apprenticeship through the Care Leavers Apprenticeship Scheme delivered by Barnardo’s and has since found employment as an assistant cook at a local company. Adam now is enjoying life, and particularly looks forward to the monthly family gatherings, including children and grandchildren, which give him additional opportunities to practise his culinary skills. “He’s one of the family now. It’s been a brilliant experience for us all. I would recommend anyone who might be thinking of doing this to get in touch with Barnardo’s. There is lots of support every step of the way and I can’t praise the staff highly enough.” If you would like to find out more about becoming a Supported Lodging Provider in Lincolnshire, please contact: Lincolnshire Leaving Care service on 01522 575955 or Sally Robinson on 07834 006487 or Paula Burgess on 07899 066674

Linelands: A Projection of Village Life? Readers may remember that on page 66 of the last edition of Nettleham News, I put forward the idea of a potential art project that I would like to carry out on the ever increasingly dilapidated site of Linelands, and I just wanted to quickly update everyone! Admittedly, recent work on the idea has been stalled somewhat by the fact that I have been busy at work with arts festivals for young people and also my own art exhibition in Nottingham, however I have made some progress. It seems that the article in the spring edition was acknowledged around the village and I received offers of assistance in running the art event - which I would love to take up, once I have more plans in place. Neighbours also offered additional information and knowledge about material that I could use, including someone who studies Lincolnshire dialect and even some footage of the historic love affair that once occurred between a Poplar Farm turkey and Percy the resident village peacock! I would like to make the art projection a multi-disciplinary event, so would welcome any poets, Lincolnshire/village enthusiasts, speakers, dancers, performers, etc, to have a part in the event that takes place. I have contacted and spoken to some local artists, called ‘The Collaborators’, with whom I have been collaborating on a visual arts commission at my place of work (www.thecollaborators.org.uk) These artists have access to a very large projector and, after telling them about the idea for Nettleham, have said that they would be willing to be a part of the event. They suggested that the projection would work best in the winter months, so I may try and aim to do it in the friendly, festive season of December. They also suggested that I try and apply for Heritage Lottery Funding in order to get the event off the ground, with which my experienced Manager is willing to help. I would welcome any suggestions on this projection idea, as well as any individuals or groups who may wish to be involved. My email is theodoraflorence90@gmail.com and my telephone number is: 07704 103578 Thank you and I will hopefully be able to inform you of progress soon. Alice White

Hitch-Hikers Coincidence A short story by T M Lewis He turned the car radio down a little and tapped his long slender fingers in time to the music on the black steering wheel. He started to whistle, peering through the misty car window. He sighed, not long now before he was home and dry. He swore and swerved as suddenly a dark figure loomed up at the side of the road, his headlights had picked the form out. “Hell!”. He braked hard, still swearing and wound down the side window, the dampness mixed with the cold night air made him shiver. The warmth inside the car spilled out into the dark night.

“My mother was seriously ill at the time and my father had a breakdown, but decided to keep the younger son. I was sent with relations who were emigrating to America, where they eventually adopted me. I was expected to return to my father, but my mother died and father became very ill. He eventually remarried and I suppose things stayed as they were. I never knew all of this until my adoptive parents died, so I decided to return to England to find my lost brother. Come to think of it, I think his name was John”.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?! I nearly ran you over - why aren’t you wearing something white or fluorescent at this time of night?”, he angrily spat the words at the figure.

“Really, how strange that’s my name too. I live in Alston and both my parents are dead”. John stopped the car and lifted his hand to the car’s interior light switch. The light lit up the stranger’s face, his long, pale, handsome face stared back at John’s quizzical glance.

“Sorry! I’ve just been dropped off here by a lorry driver who kindly gave me a lift, I’m trying to find my way to Alston”.

They gazed at each other enquiringly - they both had dark brown eyes.

“Well the way you are going you’ll be in a coffin heading for Alston”, he spoke sarcastically. Then regretting his words, he said “Okay jump in, I’m going to Alston myself”. He leaned over and opened the side door of the car.

“I don’t believe this”, choked John, “You look similar to myself, you could be my brother, only I thought he was dead”.

The figure hesitated, then slid sideways into the car, throwing his large rucksack onto the back seat, “Thanks” he murmured. “My! It’s a cold night. I’m very grateful’. His voice had a slight accent. The driver grunted in reply and started up the engine which whirred into life. Closing the side window, he turned the radio off, which had been playing its merry tunes, all the time he had been in conversation with this stranger.

“Here have a cigarette”. John pulled a packet from his woollen jacket and handed it to Dean, who pulled a cigarette from the half-empty packet. He lit their cigarettes with the car lighter. Replacing the lighter thoughtfully, they both stayed silent digesting the information they had received about each other.

“Have you relations in Alston?”, he asked, not really interested, but by way of conversation. “You are not English are you?” “I was brought up in America. I’ve only just found out I’ve got relations in Alston - even a brother I never knew I had, amazing isn’t it?” My name is Dean”, the stranger proffered his name, smiling at John. “Hello! Mine’s John”. Typical, thought John, everyone in America seems to copy film stars’ names. You don’t have a very strong accent”. “That’s because I was born in Alston and taken to America when I was eight years old. My adopted parents are English” “Oh you’re really English then?” Alarm bells were ringing in his head, a sense of dread overtook him as he remembered that he had a brother, vanished when he was young. He was told he had died, he himself was only five years old at the time. “Why do you think you have a brother?” he asked him, now he really was interested in this stranger named Dean. “Surely he would have been adopted with you?”.

Uncomprehending, amazed and also slightly embarrassed, they stared at each other

Turning to Dean, John said ”I suppose you want to know about your inheritance, you being the older brother - though that has to be proved”. He pressed his thin lips hard on the cigarette. “Well! I have my birth certificate with me”. Dean nodded towards his rucksack “My parents’ names are on it”. That’s how I found out who my real parents were”. John cursed himself - why did this have to happen to him, if only he hadn’t stopped to pick him up! But then someone else might have - this was really a godsend right into his hands. Dean glanced at his companion’s grim-set face,”I don’t want to cause any trouble, I only want to find my relations and if you are my brother, perhaps we can get better aquainted?”. He gazed anxciously at John. “I see” replied John. He thought of the large house he had inherited, the stocks and shares, the family business - now this stranger was ready to take it all. His hand touched the penknife in his pocket, it felt cool to his touch. His mind seemed to hover above reality - it was now or never! He suddenly plunged the sharp penknife into the neck of the unsuspecting Dean, twisting the knife. 64

John watched Dean’s face change, the eyes looked questioningly at him before they glazed over. He turned away and listened to the gurgling sounds, Dean’s slim hands desperately trying to prise the knife from his neck. He thought he would have to explain to the dying Dean why he stabbed him. “Look I have nothing against you personally, I’m only concerned with my family’s interest - their welfare, you do understand? Only I couldn’t allow a complete stranger to come and take away my inheritance. He glanced at the slumped form of Dean, blood poured from the neck wound. He was still mumbling something. “Please be quick“ he whispered to himself, “let him die soon”. As if in answer to his plea, Dean sighed - his last breath finally leaving his body. John waited a few moments more before he opened the side door of car and pushed Dean’s limp body onto the wet ground, the moon’s rays shining on the small puddles. He shut the door and drove off without a backward glance - he knew the police would never connect him with the murder, why should they? He suddenly braked hard - he had remembered the passport and the birth certificate! Leaning over the car seat, he grabbed the rucksack and delved into its secrets, finding the passport and a brown manilla envelope. He scrutinised them both and to his horror he found the parents’ names were not the same as his own on the birth certificate he had killed a perfect stranger ! He bent his head on his slender hands and wept. Fate, or coincidence, had turned him into a murderer. Reaching his well-lit house shrouded in mist, he drove into the double garage. He noticed his wife’s car parked silent and disapproving - his fancies were already getting the better of him. He quickly hid the rucksack - he would burn everything later. Entering his warm house, kissing his pretty wife, his children were already in bed, he poured himself a stiff brandy. His wife gave him a strange look,“My you’re late? Did the traffic hold you up?” As they turned the lights off before retiring for the night, he tried to erase the murder from his mind, as one would a computer he reasoned; but like the computer it was stored away in his memory cells - he would never be the same man again. As the months passed, he became listless and morose. His vitality drowned with the memories of Dean’s death and blood seeped into his dreams. He sometimes wished he had never been born...

MUGA @ Mulsanne Park As you may recall, Nettleham Parish Council previously looked at a project to build a Skate Park at Mulsanne Park. This project did not proceed for a number of different reasons, but mainly high cost and the lack of a suitable location. However, it was still felt that the village’s recreational facilities would benefit from the addition of some non-traditional equipment. With this in mind, the Parish Council sanctioned a project to provide a Multi-Use Games Area, (the MUGA of this page title). You may have noticed this new facility, which is installed on the site of the two public tennis courts at Mulsanne Park. It consists of a slightly longer than full-size basketball court and a Street Snooker gameboard. The basketball is self-explanatory and the playing area is overlaid onto one of the tennis courts. Basketball will be the default game on this court, with the exception of those times when Nettleham Tennis Club (NTC) may wish to use it for tournament practice, as per the existing agreement between NTC and the Parish Council. The Street Snooker set-up is truly non-traditional in nature and consists of the actual gameboard, plus the associated rules/scoreboard and ground markings. Street Snooker can be played using almost any kind of ball, bean bag or even, at a pinch, an old soft toy as the projectile. This may be thrown, kicked, or hit with a bat or racquet. Whilst the official rules of play are detailed on the board, we know that alternative methods of play are limited only by imagination.

The photographs, kindly supplied by Joe Siddall, show the new MUGA area at Mulsanne Park

the Street Snooker installation. This court could then be used for recreational tennis or, indeed, short tennis for youngsters. The majority of the funding for the MUGA came from a grant by iGas, to whom we are most grateful. Please do visit the area and have a play. Access is free to all on a ‘First come - first served’ basis, so please be patient if your chosen area of play is already in use and if you are already playing, please be aware of those who may be waiting their turn.

Both Street Snooker and basketball are playable, in some form, by individuals, loose groups, or teams in the age range of 5 to 95... or thereabouts. They are also fully usable by both the able-bodied and those less able, including wheelchair users. With this in mind the Parish Council will be improving the path to the area to allow easier access for wheelchairs. This will provide the village with a truly accessible Multi-Use Games Area, (which was the original intended use for this area when it was first laid down). At present there are no tennis nets on the area. However we are looking at providing a new net for the tennis court adjacent to 65

Our next recreation project is to provide a Mini Skate Park on the, now disused, Boule Court adjacent to the Mulsanne Park car park. We are now in the process of specifying equipment and fundraising, actively assisted in the latter by the efforts of Cheryl Tate and family and a £1,000 donation from WLDC Councillor Giles McNeill. More news in due course.

Joseph Siddall Parish Councillor

Nettleham Parish Council

Nettleham Heritage Association: Over the years, a number of items have been very kindly donated to Nettleham Heritage Association by people who desire these artefacts to be preserved for the village in perpetuity. Until quite recently, there was nowhere to display these artefacts of historical interest to the village until a glass-fronted display and storage unit was donated in memory of village resident Mr Arthur L Bird (1915 2003). Individually designed and made by Crowther & Sons Limited of Sudbrooke Lane in 2005, this large and attractive display cabinet, with a store cupboard beneath, is located in the Large Hall at the Old School. This now contains a number of items of local interest, together with a small library of books and other publications relating to Nettleham and the surrounding district. There are several different items relating to the twinning agreement which exists between Nettleham and Mulsanne in France and which began with the signing of the official Twinning Charter in 1978. The Nettleham Twinning Association is still active today and exchange visits continue to be organised every year (see page 58).

The magnificent cabinet in the Large Hall of the Old School containing items donated to the village

An interesting item in the collection is a ceramic mug (together with a glass stirrer) passed down by Florence Baker (author of: ‘Nettleham - A Short History of the Village’ published in 1938) and said to be from the local inn ‘The Great Tom’ which is believed to have drawn its last pints somewhere around 1872/3. Does anyone perhaps know where this inn was located? Another item is an envelope, created by the then vicar of Nettleham, Rev George Herrington, with a first day cover marking the investiture of Prince Charles to Prince of Wales in 1969 and also commemorating the creation of the title of first Prince of Wales in Nettleham in February 1301. It is not known for certain how many of these first day covers were produced, but they can still be found for sale from time to time on the internet (Ebay). A small collection of books of local significance and interest forms the start of what is hoped will be a larger library of books and other printed material relating to the village. If anyone has anything of significance to the history and heritage of the village, Nettleham Heritage Association would be delighted to hear from you and ensure that your item (duly acknowledged) is added to the collection - an opportunity to leave a tangible legacy to the village.

The branding iron used by local farmer and landowner W. BAILEY (Bill Bailey who bequeathed the eponymous playing field on Scothern Road)

The mug believed to have come from the Great Tom Inn but where was this local inn located and why did it close in around 1872/3

If you take an interest in local history and heritage, particularly relating to Lincolnshire and our village, do consider joining the

Nettleham Heritage Association which produces a regular newsletter, stages a number of talks during the winter months and also arranges occasional visits further afield during the summer. It is one of the most popular of the special-interest groups in the village and new members are always most welcome to join. Please contact Pearl Wheatley for details Telephone: 01522 595114 Email: pearl.wheatley@btinternet.com

The traditional ceramic Apothecary Jar presented by Mulsanne to Nettleham to celebrate the signing of the Twinning Charter in 1978. It was made at the Malicorne factory in Sarthe, being the Departement for Mulsanne and was originally displayed in the village chemist shop

The Village Collection

The first day cover envelope showing carrying the pre-decimalisation stamps with ÂŁ.s.d denominations (5d = around 2.5p; 9d = around 4p; 1/- = 5p)

A bible produced by the British and Foreign Bible Society Two shillings and sixpence (or half a crown)

The handwritten dedication on the fly-leaf reads: William Newton Presented by the Committee and Teachers of the Wesleyan Sunday School, Nettleham July 1878

The collection of memorabilia produced to mark new millennium celebrations of the year 2000

A hardback version of the first history book about Nettleham published in 1957 by Florence Baker

The Baker family grave in the churchyard on High Street opposite All Saints parish church

NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman’s Annual Report 1 April 2103 - 31 March 2014 left with no alternative other than to withdraw its Expression of Interest.

As Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council, I submit to the Parish Meeting for consideration my Annual Report for the period 1 April 2013 - 31 March 2014, being another exceptionally busy one for the Parish Council. I set out below a summary of the Council’s main areas of activity during that period. Nettleham Library The Council was notified in late June 2013 of Lincolnshire County Council’s (LCC) proposed changes to library provision in Lincolnshire. According to LCC, due to reduced resources, the library service is required to deliver savings of £2 million pa. If the proposals were implemented then the impact of this on Nettleham would have meant either opting for a fortnightly visit of four hours duration by a mobile library, or expressing an interest in a community-run facility operated by volunteers with some degree of professional and financial support from LCC. The Parish Council received this news with considerable dismay as the library is a valuable asset to our community. Several Parish Councillors attended consultation events and we gained as much information as was possible prior to a Special Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 11 September 2013. Public attendance was less than expected, but those that came along gave eloquent and passionate contributions to the discussion. It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to LCC expressing our strong objections to the proposals. It was also agreed, however, that we had to have a fall-back position in the event that those proposals were implemented and the Parish Council therefore lodged an “expression of interest” in establishing a Parish Council led community library (to be run by volunteers). This was considered preferable to a fortnightly mobile library service. Two working groups were accordingly set up - one to explore the contractual obligations required by LCC and one to engage with residents interested in volunteering to run a library service. The Council’s Expression of Interest was successful and a leaflet drop to the community resulted in some 90 residents volunteering to assistant in a Community Library. A further Special Parish Council meeting was held on 19 March 2014 to decide

The Parish Council believes that it has made every effort to bring about the establishing of a Community Library in the village, but sadly we were thwarted by the intransigence of LCC. Finally, we would like to place on record our appreciation of the very considerable efforts that were made in relation to this matter by our County Council Representative Cllr Mrs Jackie Brockway. Councillor Terry Williams Chairman: Nettleham Parish Council

whether to proceed with a Parish Council led Community Library. There was a good attendance at this meeting with some 60 residents coming along. The resolution of the Parish Council was that: (1) the submitting of a Business Plan was conditional upon Lincolnshire County Council agreeing to an extension to 30 April 2014, which was required due to there having been delays beyond our control, which meant that we were unable to consider this matter any earlier (in particular, we did not receive details of LCC’s Grant Hub Application Pack until the 2 January 2014 and only received LCC’s final responses to our various points on the LCC’s Proposals until 17 March) and (2) the amendment of the break clause (para 2.2) in the LCC’s Model Heads of Terms for a Lease Agreement, so that the Landlord would only be permitted to break the lease either on the 5th anniversary of the lease, or at any time on two months prior written notice if the Tenant is in substantial breach of its obligations in running a community library. In sharp contrast, the original break clause would have allowed LCC to break the lease at any time on notice. If, however LCC were not in agreement with these two conditions then the Parish Council would withdraw its Expression of Interest and take no further action in the matter. On the 26 March 2014 the Parish Council received notification from LCC that they were not prepared to alter its standard Heads of Terms, or alter its timelines for submission of Business Plans. Following consultation with Parish Councillors, a response was sent to LCC informing them of the Council’s extreme disappointment with their response, but in the circumstances the Parish Council had been 68

Bishops Palace Site This project continues to provide various amenities including a tree planting event which was held on the rather wet Saturday morning on 16 March 2013. A number of volunteers turned up from the age of a nearly new-born baby to octogenarians and planted approximately 350 trees and shrubs and I thank all the volunteers for their hard work. The rebuilding of part (approximately 30 metres) of the dry-stone wall has been undertaken and funding for the remaining 50 metres has now been secured and will take place during 2014. This is a wonderful area to walk over, giving a totally different visual aspect of the village, but it has become necessary to formulate a policy regarding dogs on the site, as concerns have been raised regarding dog fouling and dogs off lead. The Parish Council is reluctant to take a heavy-handed approach immediately and agreed at its January 2014 Parish Council meeting to appeal to those people exercising dogs at Bishop’s Palace to keep them on a lead and clear up after them. Additional signage will be put in place and there are already bins at both entrances. If there is no improvement, then we will have no alternative but to ban dogs from the site altogether. On a happier note, HRH the Duke of Kent KG officially opened the Bishop’s Palace on Tuesday 11 March 2014. The Duke planted a ‘Royal Oak’ and cut a ribbon to the Prince’s Gateway on the site. The visit went extremely well and the weather was sunny and warm. A letter of thanks received from the Duke of Kent’s Private Secretary stated that the Duke “was most interested to hear about and visit the Bishop’s Palace Project, which will be such a pleasant new facility for the village. Clearly it has taken a lot of work by many people to bring to fruition and The Duke sends you all his good wishes for its successful completion.”

Neighbourhood Plan The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee had organised a number of consultation events including an event on 8 and 9 March 2013 with approximately 70 people attend over the two days. The Committee also distributed a questionnaire to households in Nettleham and received approximately 200 responses. The Parish Council also manned a stand at the 2013 Nettleham Carnival to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to see progress so far in our consultations on how you see the village developing over the next 20 years. The Council have also been involved in discussions with several landowners who have put areas of land in the village forward for consideration as part of Central Lincolnshire Strategic Joint Planning Unit’s Core Strategy, which will ultimately decide where new housing/employment development will be situated. Traffic Management in the Village Centre During the Neighbourhood Plan consultation a high percentage of the feedback from residents stated that traffic and parking in the village centre continued to be a problem. The Council held a meeting with the businesses and residents of Church Street, The Green and Vicarage Lane on Monday 29 July 2013. The outcomes of the residents’ meeting on 29 July 2013 and proposals to alleviate parking congestion in the centre of the village were discussed at the 19 September Parish Council meeting. Finding a solution to the problem will not please everybody, but it was agreed action must now be taken. Plans to introduce restricted waiting times and more double yellow lines have been forwarded to LCC Highways Department, who would implement the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders after a statutory consultation period. This commenced on 4 March 2014 with a deadline for responses of 31 March 2014. Any new restrictions will be enforced by the Civil Parking Enforcement Wardens. It is disappointing to have to alter the appearance of this part of the village and undoubtedly parking problems will be moved to other areas, but the situation could not continue. We want to see shops and businesses continue to thrive and pedestrians kept safe in this area. Skate Park Provision As a suitable site and costs were beyond the Council’s means, this resulted in plans for a full skate park being abandoned. However investigations on a possible scaled-down facility for early/pre-teen children of both sexes were undertaken.

We are looking to provide limited types of skate-park equipment (such as grind rails, quarter pipe, table top) which can be used for skateboarding, skating, push scooters and BMX bikes. This would be sited on the old boules court at Mulsanne Park which would have to be appropriately resurfaced. Whilst this option is cheaper, we still have to find ways to fund it, but are hopeful of providing a much-needed village recreation facility for this age group. The Ray Sellars Community Award Following the sudden death of Cllr Ray Sellars in 2012, the Parish Council wished to celebrate and acknowledge all his hard work for Nettleham. It was agreed that a Ray Sellars Community Award be created. This prestigious award is for people who have contributed to the community and nominations are requested from residents. The nominations will be considered and the winner will be awarded with a shield at the Annual Parish meeting on Wednesday 9 April 2014. Planning At the time of the preparation of this Report, 32 planning applications had been received during the year (April 2013 March 2014) relating to all aspects of development in the village, but primarily extensions and improvements. During that period there was 1 refusal of planning permission by WLDC. The development of the former Nettleham Garage site comprising 10 dwellings is well under way and due to be completed in Spring 2014. Meetings of the Council The Council met on 14 occasions during the past year; its Committees, namely the Property Committee, met on 9 occasions plus 2 Village Inspections and the Fieldpaths Advisory Committee met on 2 occasions. In addition, 3 Council Members attended meetings of the Mulsanne Park Users Committee (MPUC), which met 5 times. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee meets at regular intervals. The Planning Committee, which meets as and when required, continues to monitor all planning applications on behalf of the Village. Attached at Appendix A is a schedule showing the attendance of Parish Councillors at all relevant Council and Committee meetings. The Old School The demand for hiring of the Old School increases, with several new organisations now using it on a regular basis. The continuing maintenance of this Grade II Listed building is of considerable importance to the Parish Council and over the last 12 months this had included the 69

refurbishment of the three cowls to the Large Hall roof and damp-proofing works to one of the store rooms. The Parish Council has agreed that the rates for hire of the Halls at the Old School and the Mulsanne Park Pavilion would be increased in line with inflation and be introduced from 1 April 2014 (the previous increase was in 2012). Mulsanne Park The sports field continues to be extensively used by the football, tennis and cricket clubs and is maintained to a high standard. The Sports Pavilion is also used regularly for Art Classes. New windows and a door were in installed at the Sports Pavilion during 2013. The Parish Council had agreed to provide a multi-use games area to the public tennis courts at Mulsanne Park. The games area now included the provision of a ‘Games Board’ and score board mounted on an existing fence, plus two basketball hoops and markings for a basketball area. The area can also still be used for tennis. Bill Baileys Memorial Playing Field The playing field continues to be extensively used and the Council seeks to maintain this facility to a high standard. The Council undertook maintenance works to the ‘Fort’ play equipment. Nettleham Cemetery The cemetery fees were increased from 1 April 2014. A 5% increase had been made in order to meet the associated maintenance costs. Extended Burial Area As many residents will be aware, the Council owns a piece of land beyond the existing Parish Council Cemetery, which is earmarked for future burials when the current one is full. The land is adjacent to the Bishop’s Palace site and is presently an open area, with tree planting around the edge. It can be accessed either through the existing Burial Ground or from the Bishop’s Palace site and can be used by residents for the purposes of quiet enjoyment until such time as it is required as a cemetery. Following a request made in Nettleham News for a suitable name for this piece of land, a number of suggestions were received and it was decided to call this area ‘The Swathe’. Annual Audit Return 2012/13 The Parish Council’s External Audit of the Annual Return for 2012/13 has been completed. A copy of the Accounting Statement is attached at Appendix B. Parish Precept 2014/15 At the December Parish Council meeting,

NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman’s Annual Report (continued from page 69) the Parish Precept for 2014/15 was set at £119,351. This is an increase of £2,715, or approximately 2.4% which is in line with the current inflation rate. Donations The Council agreed to set up a Grant Application Scheme for the award of funding from the Council’s Section 137 monies. Over the past year, grants have been given to various charitable and local organisations. Those include Nettleham LIVES (£175) towards the costs of meetings and training sessions, Lincoln & Lindsey Blind Society (£100), a Toddler Group (£100), Dial-a-Ride (£100) and Beckside WI (£100). A donation has also been made towards the production of a DVD of the Duke of Kent’s official opening of the Bishop’s Palace site in the village on 11 March 2014. Application forms for the 2014/15 grant scheme are available from the Parish Office. Village Facilities (i) Best Kept Village Competition The 2013 Competition We are delighted to let you know that Nettleham has again won the Best Kept Village (BKV) Competition this year. This is the first year with CPRE taking over as organiser. Many thanks to all the pubs, shops and businesses for their wonderful flower displays, residents for their tidy gardens and the Parish Council staff for their considerable efforts in keeping the village a litter-free and attractive environment. We are also grateful to a member of Nettleham Art Group for re-painting the BKV tree plaques. Thank you for your contribution - a labour of love considering just how many we have acquired over the years! (ii) Best Kept Village Competition 50th Anniversary Commemorative Bench A commemorative bench was awarded to Nettleham as joint first place winners in ‘the most successful communities from the past 50 years’ category. A commission ceremony took place Tuesday 9 April 2013 with Richard Pennell (Pennell’s Garden Centres donated the bench and are a long-time sponsor of the competition) and Teresa Palmer (Community Lincs, the BKV competition organisers) officially ‘opening’ the bench.

(iii) Tree Maintenance The Parish Council’s annual tree maintenance programme has included the regular maintenance of all the sites under the Parish Council’s ownership. Concerns over thorny shrubs and trees growing in the eastern boundary, adjacent to the main football pitch at Mulsanne Park, had been raised by Nettleham Football Club and the Parish Council had undertaken the clearing of necessary thorny bushes and the pruning back of lower branches to thorny trees. (iv) Flower Tub Sponsorship The Parish Council is very grateful for the continued sponsorship of the tubs on the Church Street Bridge by Rudies Roots. We are also very pleased to have several offers of sponsorship for the flower tubs in Vicarage Lane. Thank you very much to Dr Elwood, Nettleham Bowls Club and other anonymous donors for their generosity. Maintenance of Highways and Traffic Matters (i) Roads and Paths The Council is very conscious of the poor state of many of the roads and pavements in the village. Some repair work has taken place including the top dressing to areas of Church Street and short lengths of pavement have been resurfaced. The Council continues to press LCC Highways on these matters and regular reports are made at Parish Council meetings by our County Councillor, Mrs Jackie Brockway. Fieldpaths Advisory Committee The Fieldpaths Committee (Chair: Sara Bright), is an advisory committee of the Parish Council and meets twice a year in February/March and September. The Committee discuss fieldpath and bridleways within the parish and also organise village walk(s) and continues to monitor all aspects of the various fieldpaths/bridleways around the village. Parish Council Staff (i) The Clerk, Julia Finn, continues to do a first class job as our Clerk; she is very hard working, committed and professional. It has been another exceptionally busy year for the Office. (ii) Mrs Sue Aikman took over the role of Facilities Manager in October 2012 and has fitted into the role extremely well. 70

(iii) The Council wishes to formally thank Mr Peter Malone (Facilities Assistant), Mr John Hardcastle (Village Handyman), Mrs Carol Espin/Mrs Tracey Sawyer and Mrs Margaret Curley/Mrs Debbie Goodwin (Cleaners at Mulsanne Park and the Old School) and Mrs Louise Bromfield (Accounts Clerk) for their continuing work on the Council’s behalf. Acknowledgements (i) I should like to record the Council’s appreciation for the valuable advice that it received during the year from Mr Roger Buttery, our Hon Finance Advisor. I should also like to record the Council’s appreciation to Mrs Frances Buckle and Ms M Odell for their undertaking role of Flood Wardens and Mr Bill Ball and his team of volunteers for all their hard work in maintaining and improving Vicar’s Wood. (ii) As Chairman of the Parish Council, I should like to thank my fellow Councillors for their varying contributions to the business of the Council, especially to those who work so hard between our monthly meetings (see Appendix A). In particular, the under-mentioned in the roles specified: Cllr Janice Clayton: Vice Chair of the Council Flood Warden/Snow Warden Cllr John Downs: Chair of the Property Committee Cllr John Evans: Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, Planning Committee and Bishop’s Palace Working Group Cllr Susan Harland: Chair of the Mulsanne Park Users’ Committee Cllr Joe Siddall: Chair of the Skate Park Working Group Cllr John Hill: Hon Tree Advisor to the Council Cllr Mike Spencer: Hon Buildings Advisor to the Council Cllr Allan Bonney: Snow Warden (iii) Finally, I should like to again record my thanks to my wife, Kathleen, for all her assistance to me in relation to the ever increasing paperwork that is associated with being Chairman. Cllr Terry Williams Chairman: Nettleham Parish Council

9 April 2014

APPENDIX A

ATTENDANCE OF COUNCILLORS AT PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEES FOR PERIOD 1 APRIL 2013 TO 31 MARCH 2014 Councillor

Full Council

Property Committee

Mulsanne Park Users’ Committee

T Williams Chairman

13/14

7/9 (1)

2/5 (3)

N/A

22/28

Mrs J Clayton Vice Chair(4) & (7)

14/14

9/9 (1)

N/A

2/2

8/9

33/34

J Hill (2)

14/14

6/9

N/A

20/23

(2)

Fieldpaths Committee

Neighbourhood Plan Committee

Total

10/14

9/9

4/5

N/A

23/28

G McNeill (2)

10/14

6/9

1/3

N/A

17/26

M Spencer (2)

11/14

8/9

N/A

19/23

M Leaning

9/14

N/A

5/9

14/23

12/14

N/A

9/9

21/23

14/14

N/A

8/9

22/23

J Downs

J Evans

(2)

J Siddall (4)

(6) (7)

A Bonney

9/14

5/9

1/2

N/A

5/9

20/34

Mrs S Harland (4) & (5)

11/14

N/A

4/5

2/2

6/6

23/27

A Frith

13/14

6/8

4/5

N/A

23/27

(1)

Cllr T Williams as Chairman and Cllr Mrs J Clayton as Vice Chairman of the Council are ex officio to the Property Committee

(2)

Members of the Planning Committee which meets on an ad hoc basis

(3)

Cllr T Williams is ex officio to the Mulsanne Park Users’ Committee

(4)

Cllrs Mrs J Clayton, J Siddall & Mrs S Harland are Parish Council representatives on the Village Hall Committee

(5)

Cllr Mrs S Harland is a deputy member of the Planning Committee

(6)

Cllr A Bonney is a deputy member of the Property Committee

(7)

Cllrs J Clayton & A Bonny are Flood & Snow Wardens APPENDIX B

NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL Annual Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2013 The Parish Council’s annual audit has now been completed and an auditor’s certificate of satisfaction to that effect has been issued. Year ending 31 March 2012

Year ending 31 March 2013

Balance brought forward

£120,100

£130,841

Total balances and reserves at the beginning of the year as recorded in the financial records. Value must agree to Box 7 of the previous year.

(+) Annual precept

£111,886

£114,886

Total amount of precept received in the year.

(+) Total other receipts

£131,750

£57,346

Total income or receipts as recorded in the cashbook less the precept received (line 2). Include any grants received here.

(-) Staff Costs

£55,908

£57,321

Total expenditure or payments made to and on behalf of all Council employees. Include salaries and wages, PAYE and NI (employees and employers), pension contributions and employment expenses.

(-) Loan interest/ capital repayments

£13,824

£15,793

Total expenditure or payments of capital and interest made during the year on the Council’s borrowings (if any).

(-) Total other payments

£163,163

£86,030

Total expenditure or payments as recorded in the cashbook less staff costs (line 4) and loan interest/capital repayments (line 5).

(=) Balances carried forward

£130,841

£143,929

Total balances and reserves at the end of the year. Must equal (1+2+3) – (4+5+6).

Total cash and investments

£130,698

£147,539

The sum of all current and deposit bank accounts, cash holdings and short-term investments held as at 31 March to agree with bank reconciliation.

Total fixed assets and

£927,181

The recorded book value at 31 March of all fixed assets long term assets owned by the Council and any other long-term assets, eg loans to third parties and any long-term investments.

£180,200

£173,250

The outstanding capital balance as at 31 March of all loans from third parties (including PWLB).

10 Total borrowings

The Poetry Page An English Summer’s Day This English Summer’s day is mine, as still the Blue Blue sky is all, Poppies mid meadows brightly Red. With Foxgloves pale and tall. Dappled golden on branches glow, songbirds flit and stray, to stretch their wings in the sun, as happy children in gardens play. Touch the cool river by, as Swans do gracefully long neck pass, small boats with paddles high do dip the river that gleams like glass. This English Summer’s day is mine, time has floated away, away. I wait for teatime, close my eyes, while cool Lemonade on tables lay. Sighs and words do break the silence, deckchairs scrape the neat lawns by. I sit and watch this Summer’s day. While the sun, slowly rounds its way.

A Poem A narrow Fellow in the Grass Occasionally rides You may have met Him - did you not His notice sudden is The Grass divides as with a Comb A spotted shaft is seen And then it closes at your feet And opens further on -

Several of Nature’s People I know, and they know me I feel for them a transport Of cordiality But never met this Fellow Attended, or alone Without a tighter breathing And Zero at the Bone -

This English Summer’s day is mine, chimes the bells of Churches might. Creeps the time as dusk falls slow. Shadows wait for morning light.

Emily Dickinson

T M Lewis

BIRTH The Angel blew a long cold breath on this Icy Cloud I was born The Angels breathed me into Woman I became Human, so this is earth. Now my body encumbers It. A Golden light works its magic Open new born Eyes, wonderment. What is this strange face hovering. My Angel Whispered, Earth mother. I feel soft arms, soft kisses. Where has my Angel gone, Strange. I cry my lungs sound loud, Mystery. They come from me, Gently rocked Sleep enfolds its wings around me. Into depths of darkness, I await the light. T M Lewis

It fascinates me - the human race The things they worship or revere. Whirling around on an unstable earth, Divided with religion, when they cannot see The Sun reigns and gives life to you and me. Without it nothing would exist at all. No warmth, no food, no growth, no light, Just endless night. Elaine King

He likes a Boggy Acre A Floor too cool for Corn Yet when a Boy, and Barefoot I more than once at Noon Have passed, I thought, a Whip lash Unbraiding in the Sun When stooping to secure it It wrinkled, and was gone -

Roses open their nectar arms, and tempt the curious flying Bees, above their heads float hazy clouds, that hide and play, the Sun to tease.

I close my eyes on this Summer’s day, Sweet dreams, Sweet England, go well the day.

The Sun

The Rooks The rooks are building on the trees; They build there every spring: ‘Caw, caw,’ is all they say, For none of them can sing. They’re up before the break of day, And up till late at night; For they must labour busily As long as it is light. And many a crooked stick they bring, And many a slender twig, And many a tuft of moss, until Their nests are round and big. ‘Caw, caw.’ Oh, what a noise They make in rainy weather! Good children always speak by turns, But rooks all talk together. AUNT EFFIE

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

(JANE EUPHEMIA BROWNE) 1811 - 1898

(A Husband’s Opinion) The missus bought a paperback, down Shepton Mallett way I had a look inside her bag - ‘twas “50 Shades of Grey”. Well I just left her to it and at ten I went to bed An hour later she appeared - the sight filled me with dread! In her left she held a rope and in her right a whip, She threw them down upon the floor and then began to strip. Well fifty years or so ago, I might have had a peek But Mabel hasn’t weathered well - she’s 84 next week. Watching Mabel bump and grind could not have been much grimmer And things just went from bad to worse when she toppled off her zimmer! She struggled back upon her feet a couple of minutes later She put her teeth back in and said: “I am a dominator”. Now if you knew our Mabel, you’d see just why I spluttered “I’ve spent two months in traction for the last complaint” I uttered. She stood there nude and naked - bent forward just a bit I went to hold her sensual-like and stood on her left t*t. Mabel screamed - her teeth shot out, My God what had I done!? She moaned and groaned, then shouted out: “Step on the other one”. Well I can’t tell any more about what occurred that day Suffice to say my jet-black hair turned fifty shades of grey! Poem kindly sent in by a reader 72

THE FALCONER

HAYMANS GHYLL

at Welton Manor Golf Centre

BED & BREAKFAST For a simply wonderful dining experience Contact Lenses

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

● Serving the Falconer Bistro Menu, Light Bites Menu and KIDS MENU Monday to Thursday 11am - 3.00pm and 5.30pm - 9.00pm ● Serving food all day Friday & Saturday 11.00am - 9.15pm ● 2 Main Course Meals for £10.00 Monday - Sunday (Selected Menu) ● Traditional Sunday Lunch 12 - 5.00pm 2 courses: £10.00 ● Serving food all day Sunday & Bank Holidays 11am - 8pm

Enjoy a roaring log ﬁre in winter or a swim in summer in this beautiful 300 year old cottage Chris & Alan Dawkins Haymans Ghyll 9 Church Street Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2PD

Tel/fax 01522 751812 Email: dawkins_net@talk21.com

● Weddings, christenings, party bookings, private functions

The new contact lenses designed to keep your eyes feeling moist and fresh The Cottage Church Street Nettleham INVESTOR IN PEOPLE Lincoln LN2 2PD Telephone 01522 754821 Email info@davidburghardt.co.uk www.davidburghardt.co.uk

● BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Enjoy your birthday with us - free main course on your birthday (with proof of ID) for party of four or more (Booking required)

● LICENSED PATIO AREA ● LICENSED FOR CIVIL WEDDINGS ● 18 Hole golf course ● Floodlit driving range ● Golf tuition

01673 861888 01673 862827

2 for 1 ON PAY & PLAY on presentation of this advertisement Hackthorn Road, Welton, Lincoln (Six miles north of Lincoln) Email: enquiries@weltonmanorgolfcentre.co.uk www.weltonmanorgolfcentre.co.uk