Easton on the Hill News & Views – March/April 2020

News & Views March/April 2020

Issue 118

Hello Spring!

NEXT ISSUE May/June 2020 Get in touch eothnewsandviews@gmail.com Read it online with updates and extras http://bit.ly/37mEj42

RESIDENTIAL & BUSINESS

plumbing & central heating specialist

SIMON FORD LOCAL FRIENDLY SERVICE 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE

CONTACT t: 01733 248 958 m: 07881 905741 e: simonfordpandh@btinternet.com fb:www.facebook.com/simonfordpandh

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Bespoke framing for all sorts of things Contact: Felicity Thistlethwaite m: 07943 127979 t: 01780 470275 e: fthistlethwaite@rocketmail.com w: www.efflejay.co.uk Member of the Fine Art Trade Guild

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eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

Welcome to

Welcome

News & Views MARCH & APRIL 2020 ISSUE 118

March already?

Locally grown and produced

Unique

Ruby Apple Juice pple juices a t s e b e th f o e n O te you will ever tas

for sale in Easton on the Hill from the middle of December

sold as

12 small bottles or 6 large bottles

Contact Leonie on 07745 068570 or email malusrvj@sky.com

What a strange winter we’ve had? Much as Easton looks so adorable in the snow, we’ve been blessed with the lack of it this year. Of course, we could be tempting fate as it’s only mid-February as we write... as Storm Ciara starts to calm down – she certainly wreaked some havoc in the village! Hopefully everyone has reclaimed anything that flew away, and getting on with any necessary repairs (sounds like fence panel sales will be booming!).

Storms aside, Spring is often the time of year we find ourselves with renewed vigour to ‘get things done’ (well – the days are longer so we’re running out of excuses) particularly around the house. So, we’ve included a Tried & Tested feature in this issue – just to give you a little nudge!

Not the busiest seasons of year for Easton, but still plenty of regular events – so do check the diary at the back.

Happy Spring!!!

Paula and Debbie

View online http://bit.ly/37mEj42

Published by Paula Jenkins & Debra Asher eigcreativemedia.co.uk eothnewsandviews@gmail.com Delivery Glenis Woodman This magazine is published in the good faith that information supplied will be correct, accepts no responsibility for anything that isn’t and apologises if so.

Get in touch eothnewsandviews@gmail.com Next Issue - March & April 2020 Deadline for submissions - April 5

March & April 2020

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Nextdoor.com 5-Star Services

Tried & Tested Does your world need a bit of TLC? Finding the right people to get a great job done is always tricky and here in conjunction with Nextdoor, the community social media platform, we have the recommendations or local trades and services that have stood out for Nextdoor members Checking out a trade or service with Nextdoor Nextdoor users regularly post asking for recommendations and the same businesses and tradespeople regularly crop up. Nothing is fool proof however so take a bit of time and do some research. Paste the name of the trade or type of service you need and see how many recommendations there are and who pops up time and again.

We asked the Nextdoor community to tell who they thought offered a 5-star service and this is what they told us...

FREE ESTIMATES WITH ALL WORK REGULATED AND GUARANTEED

Rutland Roofing and Building

The family-run specialist in all your affordable building needs Roofing and repairs, new and old l l Fascias, soffits and guttering l l Driveways patios – new and refurbishments l l Walls and fencing l l All aspects of general building l l

w: rutlandroofingandbuilding.co.uk t: 07903 738795 e: rutlandroofingandbuilding@gmail.com

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Building Services Rutland Roofing & Building Ltd e: rutlandroofingandbuilding@gmail.com t: 07903 738795 Jason Musgrove Collyweston Slate Specialist t: 07952 687988

Car Services MOT, Tyres & Servicing Airtek Auto Centre - Stamford 01780 480666 w: airtekuk.com/ Casworth Motors - Wittering t: 01780 784898

Chimney Sweeping Alfred Poppins t: 01780 753979 e: alfredpoppins@gmail.com w: alfredpoppins.co.uk eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

KEN RAWSON

Garden Design Services Complete new design or part re-design Planting ideas for all situations and seasons l Solutions for better use of your space l Pruning advice or practical demonstrations l l

01780 481624 for details www.kenrawsongardendesigns.co.uk

Established in 1986. Based in Easton on the Hill

Are your carpets and upholstery in need of a freshen up?

Call Colin Smith on 01780 471015 or 07919857311

Cliffe Road, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3NP t: 01780 763943 e: enquiries@millviewmotors.co.uk

M.O.T testing for cars and vans (up to Class 7) Online M.O.T booking available at www.millviewmotors.co.uk n SERVICING n TYRES n REPAIRS n EXHAUSTS n DIAGNOSTICS n BATTERIES

March & April 2020

ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES

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Nextdoor.com 5-Star Services Cleaning Services

Handyman Services

Aurora Services - Domestic Cleaning, Home Maintenance & Pet holidays t: 07588856365 fb: www.facebook.com/ AuroraServicesLincolnshire/ Maid to Shine Cleaning & Ironing Services 07835 507128 e: maidtoshineandiron@yahoo.com

Theos Home Improvements 07796 768948 e: theosimprovements@hotmail.co.uk w: theoshomeimprovements.co.uk

Computer Services and IT Support

Pet Services

Rutland Computer Repairs t: 01572 495040 e: help@rutlandcomputerrepairs.co.uk w: rutlandcomputerrepairs.co.uk

Electrical Services

Take the Lead - Stamford t: 07871 843320 We go walkies 4 U - Easton on the Hill t: 07951 237125 Waggies Day Care - Ketton t: 07725 535515

Matthew Hitchman t: 07564 672 294

Plumbing Services

Flooring Services

Storm Bathrooms, Tiles & Heating t: 01780 752411

Insideout Flooring t: 07894 450076 w: insideoutflooring.co.uk/

Gardening Services Cottage Row Gardening Solutions 07803 405688 e: cottagerowgs@outlook.com The Grass Cutter Stamford t: 07894 852 120 w: thegrasscutterstamford.co.uk

Locksmiths A L Locksmiths t: 01780 764918

TV Aerial Services Clearvision Aerials Ltd t: 01778 343692

And don't forget Easton has a number of local businesses that are well known to residents and some of them already advertise with us. Take a look at what they offer – and please to tell them where you saw their ad.

Why Nextdoor?

It’s a valuable local online noticeboard that puts messages out quickly and efficiently. Postings range from crime reports, or strange activities, to missing pets to items for sale; services on offer – and recommendations.

Join the 237 Easton members already signed up

Sign up at nextdoor.co.uk, tell them where you live and then choose what notifications you want to receive: just those from your immediate neighbourhood, or opt to include those from the wider area around Stamford.

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Headline

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Nature on the Hill Jeff Davies shares Easton's nature highlights of 2019

I

t's about time I gave you an update about the wildlife I’ve observed around the village, churchyard and locally during 2019.

Forget me not The Churchyard conservation scheme is going well. The warm weather last summer, indispersed with showery

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periods ensured a good growing season. The spring flora was exceptional, helped by asking Russ to do a late cut in the previous autumn which kept the grass shorter so the smaller flowers were not drowned by rampant cultivated grasses. It also helped the leaf raking too! The new summer meadow patches in the

north east corner (they are staked out) eventually began to show the results of two years overseeding and plug planting. New grasses have appeared and new flora included Scabious, Kidney vetch, Salad burnet, Yellow Rattle, Yarrow, Narrow leaved plantain and Knapweed amongst many more. I noticed a marked increase in meadow butterflies this year which Brown Argus for the first time, Common blue, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Speckled Woods. All good indicators of a natural sward. Once the newly sown natural grasses and flowers outgrow the amenity turf the species diversity will slowly increase. I wonder if you noticed the invasion eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

In the village of Painted Lady’s and Red Admirals last year?

Thousands migrated across from Europe from June through to September.

Painted Lady on Knapweed Three of the nest boxes were used in 2019 by Great and Blue Tits. Treecreepers nested in the tree belt near the bowling green. Sadly the Spotted Flycatchers didn’t nest although the male returned and was singing in late May and early June and then disappeared.

Hopefully he’ll bring back a partner next year. The Swift tape in the tower attracted a few inquisitive birds later in the summer but patience is needed with this project.

On a good note, the Swifts in the village seemed to do well with some spectacular family partied swooping and screaming over the village in July. This contrary to reports that I have heard form other parts of country emphasising how valuable and delicate this species has become. Sadly our Swallows didn’t fare so well as breeding habitat is fast disappearing due to their preferred barn nesting places gradually being shut down due building developments and conversions. If you have an eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

old barn or garage and it’s safe to leave open please do so. You never know you might even get a Barn owl!.

Poor weather on migration didn’t help either as major storms in the Sahara and Southern Europe held migration back! When I first arrived here in 2006 there was well over twenty pairs in the village, we now have three of four. It'll be a sad day when, after a long grey cold winter, we fail see and hear these beautiful birds twittering on the telephone wires in early April. Both Woodpeckers nested in the village with at least two pairs of Green Woodpeckers raising young, a bird that relies on meadow for ants and old trees. Listen out for their Hyena like laugh or yaffle.

Buzzards, Kites, Kestrel and Sparrowhawks all nested in or around the village and even a pair of beautiful Hobbies raised two young close by in the Welland valley. Yellowhammers,

Linnets and Skylarks all showing declines especially in the winter although it was good to hear a couple of the latter singing over the house in the summer.

The good news from the Osprey project at Rutland was that 10 pairs nested raising 23 young. Two pairs including Maya and 33 at Manton bays raised four young instead of the usual two average. I had several sightings over the village this summer so keep an eye out.

Thank you again for all your help on the church work parties and also for the donations of wildflowers, seeds and nest boxes. If anyone wishes to help out or contribute further please let me know.

I’m happy to guide some small groups to visit the Churchyard, the Rutland Ospreys, Barnack hills and Holes, Fermyn woods, the Deeps etc during 2020, so if you can get four to six people together please email me. Please also send me any interesting wildlife sightings.

Before I forget…I think we all appreciate the lovely show of wildflowers on the tank road, thank you to the Mitchell's for providing a great nectar and seed source.

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Timely Pruning

Don’t lose out on flowers Top tips for maximising blooms from Ken Rawson

S

omeone in Easton has not enjoyed the spicy scent of one of their shrubs this winter. The reason is one of the basic pruning mistakes – bad timing.

The shrub is Viburnum bodnantense. It was pruned back in October. No doubt the reason was that it was too high.

The problem with pruning it then and the reason it has not flowered is that, along with the stems, off came all the flower buds that would have opened up during winter.

This illustrates the importance of timely pruning perfectly. Knowing when to prune is closely linked to knowing when a shrub flowers. The two are connected.

Sadly, many professional gardeners and landscapers make the same mistake.

They believe they are doing right for their employees by ‘doing the autumn cut-back’.

When’s the right time then?

Admittedly, the subject of pruning can be daunting. Even after reading instructions, out you go with secateurs, primed for action and...ahh! The real thing isn’t neat and tidy like the line drawings in the magazine!

A little like those Haynes Motor Manuals. Luckily, pruning is simpler than motor mechanics. And, get it wrong and you only lose flowers!

There is a basic rule of thumb lesson – prune after 10

flowering. Not just before it’s going to flower.

This applies to all winter, spring and many summer-flowering shrubs. They would have done all their growing and hence flower bud production during summer. So, prune in autumn and you have done away with all the flower buds. If you prune in autumn they are not going to replace them during winter.

Examples of shrubs that commonly get a premature haircut are the aforementioned Viburnum (in fact, most viburnums), forsythia, kerria, mahonias, lilacs and berberis. I see these often in spring with no flowers at all and the owners saying that they never flower.

The cause is usually found out to be that annual cut-back.

Some easy rules?

Many pruning books make the subject complicated without meaning to. Few give all the reasons why we prune, except for in the ‘Introduction’, which is rarely read. I’m concentrating here on pruning to produce flowers, surely the most common reason for growing shrubs. So the best bit of advice (hopefully without making it too complicated), is … prune after flowering. That means, for the above examples, late spring or early summer.

It can wind your mind up in a knot but think of a shrub’s growth cycle.

1. They grow new shoots.

2. From these they grow flower buds. eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

Horticultural and Craft Society 3. Then they flower.

4. Flowers die. Then you prune.

If you prune winter, spring and early summer shrubs in autumn they are not going to replace those flower buds during winter.

Are there exceptions?

Of course there are, just to make life complicated. Some shrubs flower on new wood. PAUSE. You’re thinking … how would I know which they are! An easy answer is those shrubs that flower in the late months of summer. They have been growing during spring and mid summer and

AGM Round-up

Thanks to everyone who turned out on a very wintry January evening for our AGM. During this, Joy explained that, as no-one has taken the plunge to take over as Chairman, there will be a slightly different programme of events this year.

One of the first changes is the Plant Fayre, we will only be selling vegetable plants at the Gala Fete on the Monday of the great Easton extravaganza. There will be Rose Day in June, and a Coach Trip in June or July. The Annual Show (101st...) will take place on Sunday 9th August.

The Big Squeeze will take place in conjunction with the Blue Bell and other volunteers around the end of September/ beginning October.

For our Junior Horties, there will be craft-based events at Easter and (most likely) November. Look out for posters around the village, WoTH and the Easton on the Hill Facebook page.

Our final event will be the membersonly Christmas meal at the Blue Bell.

March & April 2020

producing their flower buds for flowering in late summer. Examples are fuchsias, caryopteris, ceratostigmas and buddlieas.

So prune these in early spring.

Shrubs grown for foliage, formal structure or groundcover deserve an article of their own and anyway, I’m coming to the end of the page. I’ve not even touched on how to prune, which brings me back to that Viburnum bodnantense at the beginning. That shrub’s natural shape is tall and upright. Don’t be afraid of heights!

The natural shape of a shrub should be considered before pruning...I’m stopping now before I complicate things!

Many of these dates are yet to be finalised and members automatically receive notification of up-coming events, so if you would like to join (£2.50 per annum for adults, £1.00 for Juniors), or haven’t paid your renewal please contact Christine Lawson on 767917 or email teen.lawson@ gmail.com Already done this year is the Cider Tasting – with a shock result for Alex (Blue Bell) going from winner last year to recipient of the Apple of Shame! The Golden Apple of Glory went to Ian Blackbourn of Ketton.

Thank you to all who braved the tasting.

The Big Squeeze takes place end of September/beginning October, try your luck and have a go at brewing for next year’s Tasting on the Hill!

If any one does have an idea for an event that they would like to lead on, please contact Joy Forster on 07718 900007 or roundtheworldjoy@yahoo.co.uk We look forward to welcoming you to at least one of our wonderful events.

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Horticultural and Crafts Society

Junior Horties

Easter Eggtravaganza The Junior Hortie section of Easton on the Hill's Horticultural and Crafts Society are very proud to announce their second Annual Easter Eggtravaganza!

A

nother chance for Junior Crafters to get their hands covered in paint, glue and glitter.

There will be two sessions. 10.30am to 12.30 and 1.00 till 3.00pm. Booking is essential. Text or email Meledy on 07976672045/richard.meledy@sky.com But there's MORE...we are also opening the village hall to a Choctastic CafĂŠ, open

Sunday

29 M

arch

10.30 til 3pm offering a great selection of homemade cakes and drinks.

Oh come on Village.. we want you ALL Young and 'old' and everything in between... crafters...cake eaters...tea drinkers.

And if there's anyone who would like help out on the day and join the team?

Text or email Meledy as before.

Jobs for your flower garden from Thompson & Morgan l Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with a slow-release fertiliser. l Feed roses with special rose feed. l Prune roses to encourage new growth. l Prune clematis. l Finish cutting back cornus and salix Cut them right back to their bases. l Cut out the top rosette of leaves from mahonia shrubs after they have flowered. l Finish cutting back dead foliage from perennials and ornamental grasses. l Prune overwintered fuchsias back to one or two buds on each shoot. l Prune winter-flowering jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) after flowering.

Cut back the previous year’s growth to 5cm from the old wood. l Trim winter-flowering heathers as the flowers disappear, to prevent the plants becoming leggy. l Keep an eye out for slugs.

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l Cut the old leaves off hellebores. l Continue to deadhead winter pansies to stop them setting seed. l Deadhead daffodils as the flowers finish and let the foliage die back naturally. l Deadhead hydrangeas before new growth appears. Cut to about one third of last season's growth.

Building a library Classic books Subject: Using colour

Colour for Adventurous Gardeners By Christopher Lloyd Forget the stories of Christopher Lloyd clashing colours just to shock: he did it to experiment, to excite, to inspire. He could also harmonise colours and he did it his way. Just in time for your summer colour planning. Break the rules! eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

From the Parish Priest

Who are We Praying To?

People photo created by jcomp - www.freepik.com

By Reverend Canon Philip Davies 'Who are We Praying To?' is the title of a series of 4 sessions which I hope will give a focus for thinking about faith and belief in God and the questions we might have about this.

The sessions will run in Kings Cliffe Church on Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th March and Thursday 2nd April.

Hot drinks will be available from 7.30pm for a 7.45 start with the sessions ending at 9pm.

The course has been put together

by Professor David Wilkinson who has a particular interest in science and religion

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and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4`s 'Thought for the Day'.

Each session has a twenty minute introduction and then there is time for conversation and discussion.

In April the month will begin with two special services in our Church. Palm Sunday Communion at 10.30am on Sunday 5th April with a distribution of palm crosses.

On Easter Day, Sunday 12th April 10.30am we will welcome Gordon Steele, Archdeacon of Oakham to lead the service.

All are welcome.

Philip Davies, philip.davies1605@gmail.com

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13

Parish Council News

get in touch by email - clerk@eastononthehill-pc.gov.uk

T

here's been a lot happening in the Parish Council recently.

There was a Village Open event with the Village Plan and other stands at the end of January which was very well attended and very successful. The council had comments such as "The event was excellent.", "Very informative and very well attended. "Great idea".

Thank you to all who came along to make it the event that it was. If you left feedback and offers of help, thank you. This has all been looked at and will be used as appropriate and when the various groups are set up to progress the ideas.

Watch this space!

Upcoming elections The Elections for Parish Councillors are to be held on 7th May 2020. The current term is up and a new term is about to start. The council has been gearing up for this and we had some interest in positions at the village event above, which is great. Please, if you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, do get in touch with a current Councillor or me, Jenny Rice the clerk, as we will definitely be recruiting new Councillors. If you want to make a difference, now is the time to get involved and become a Councillor!! There are 11 positions and if there are more than 11 nominations, then there is a full, (contested) election process. This would be a great position to be in, for the opportunity for residents to vote for who they want to be a Parish Councillor. Some of the existing Councillors have said they will definitely be restanding and will be part of the election process should there be more than 11 nominations. Nomination papers need to be taken in by hand to ENDC at Thrapston (or given to the Clerk by 6th April) by 8th April at 4pm latest.

Papers will be available from the beginning of March from the East Northamptonshire Council website (where you can find more information too) or by contacting the clerk.

Government re-organisation You may have seen news of changes to the structure of the Northamptonshire Councils planned for April 2021. Subject to the parliamentary legislation being approved, Northamptonshire's current 8 councils will cease to exist and 2 new unitary councils (North and West) will be created. Easton will come under the North Northamptonshire Unitary Authority providing all of the local government services currently being provided by the Borough and County councils. It is designed to develop and improve services and provide good value for money. There are no immediate plans to change bin collections and schools are not affected. Council tax payments will eventually be standardised but few details are available yet. You can get updates and information at https://www.futurenorthantsnorth.org/ however there is only outline information available at present.

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Roads Following on from the Village Plan meeting, quite a few questions came up concerning the state of the roads in the village and surrounding area.

Can I ask that anyone who has a problem to please report it directly to fixmystreet.northamptoshire.gov. uk as the more people who report a problem the more likely it is to be fixed.

Also raised was a question concerning electric vehicle charging points. There is do definitive answer for the village but there is a link to an interesting article for Northamptonshre at www.surveymonkey.com/r/nccvpach

Parish Councillor Resignation Will Davis, has recently resigned. The council would like to thank Will for all of his contributions and wish him well with his thriving business and family life.

March & April 2020

V

S.O.S

E

IPL TR E SA

If you came to the recent Village Open event, you may have seen the information about the council finances and proposed budget from April. It will result in the precept (amount received from the district council that residents share payment of) having a greater increase for the first time in a few years - despite expenditure increasing and surpassing income. Some highlights worth noting, however, are that the village has new LED street lights bringing savings in electricity, new church gates, a new website for renewed transparency, policies and procedures, the repayment in full of the loan due to finish being paid off with interest in 2028 and councillors have undertaken a full governace review with additional training and completed its final report with most actions complete or ongoing. The title application to prove ownership of the playing fields is also being resubmitted and, if successful, will bring new opportunities to apply for grants to refurbish the area - a process well on its way. That's an expensive list! If the council was to have any money left as reserves and to spend on further improvements, the precept had only one way to go, up!

C

Precept/budget

EO A UR SP

The Triple B Club (nee The Bowls Club) is in the process of attempting to put the green back into use after the seriously bad damage done by invading badgers.

Last year we were able to allow various games such as Boules, Pole Frisby and Lawn Darts as well as ‘3D Bowls’.

It was great fun, especially for those spectating on the sidelines.

We are at the moment gathering costs for ‘badgerproof’ fencing and re-seeding the green.

On initial estimates we may not be able to afford it but until we get costs we won’t know.

If not, we will carry on as last year in a relaxed manner as a social club with games and share the space with the badgers.

In many ways, the club has become much more relaxed with more varied activities and games that can be enjoyed either as players or just enjoying a sociable Sunday afternoon with barbeque, booze and banter.

That’s the Triple B Club.

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Community

Are you signed up to Neighbourhood Watch?

W hilst we do like to think of Easton as a very safe village, and one with a very active community, many of you will be aware that we are not immune to ‘incidents’ (those of you signed up to nextdoor.co.uk may see some of the warnings posted).

So, it’s a good time to get signed up to Neighbourhood Watch.

Started in 1982, its aims are to promote crime prevention, improve local communication, increase security and reduce the fear of crime The scheme was relaunched at the Village Drop-in evening and attracted a lot of interest.

How does it work?

You register your details with the NW scheme, and choose what type of alerts and reports you want to receive – these are sent by email and text message.

It’s easy to sign up:

l Go online at www. northantsnhw.co.uk l Enter your postcode l Select the EOTH Village Scheme (E0043) – scroll down and click on Sign Up l Next page – click on Register Now To Receive Updates l Complete the form and click Sign Up Now l Add a few more details on the next page (address, mobile, password) – and here you get to choose who you want to receive alerts from. Note this is where you are opting in to receive alerts. l Click on the final box to Complete Registration lY ou’ll receive an email with a further link to confirm your account set up.

You will be able access information online, via your account, but the important thing is that you will be alerted of any issues directly.

Our Village Scheme Coordinator is Helen Gibbons. Her role is to keep members informed of any issues in the village, and to be the point of contact for any matters arising. She will be supported by Jenny Rice

(Parish Council Clerk) as her Deputy.

If you find yourself the victim of any form of crime, or are a witness to anything suspicious – once you have telephoned the police on 999 (crime in progress or life in danger) or 101 or do it online at: www.northants. police.uk, please inform Helen. She will issue an alert to members.

CONTACT - Helen Gibbons at XXXXXXXXXXX or email Jenny Rice at If you don’t have online access please contact Helen for an information pack STOP PRESS: xxx villagers have signed up so far. Let’s get that number up!!

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Travel Eco-holidays With global warming and environmental degradation becoming more and more of a hot topic, many people are now choosing to opt for more sustainable choices when it comes to planning their travels. Around the world, there are eco-friendly resorts who work tirelessly to ensure that their impact on the environment is minimal.

Wellness breaks

Travel trends taking over 2020 Travel trends come and go and with every new year, we get a new batch of exciting travel styles to try out, here are our travel expert Nickola Coupe's predictions for 2020’s travel trends

In modern life, we’re constantly bombarded with digital inputs and stresses from work, so it does a world of good to take a step back once in a while and get away from all the noise to soothe your senses and focus on your wellness.

time to travel on your own with small group tours available and hotels catering specifically to solo travellers.

Solo travel adventures

Sporting getaways

Gone are the days when we used to think that we needed companions to travel. People are now taking it upon themselves to step out and venture around the world on their own, ticking off bucket list destinations as they go and refusing to compromise on their travel adventure. There’s never been an easier

2020 brings another big year of sport to the table with all the usual Formula 1 events, as well as the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix to be held in Hanoi; the Olympic games will get underway

March & April 2020

in Japan; and UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament which will be taking place across Europe, giving fans the chance to get a taste of many different host cultures (depending on how well their team progresses).

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Get in touch – call or text Nickola on 07739 044707 e: nickolacoupe@travelcounsellors.com w: www.travelcounsellors.com/nickola.coupe fb: Sign up to her Facebook page for offers and travel info & news: @NickolacoupeTC 17

Headline

The Priest’s House

Easton is home to the the smallest National Trust building in the UK. Open during the summer months it is tucked away up on West Street and well worth a weekend visit. Here is the latest from exiting custodian, Paul Way. My Resignation

Summer Exhibition

I have been the National Trust’s custodian of the Priest’s House and Chairman of the management committee for over thirty years, and it is time to hand over the reins.

I am delighted to say that the National Trust have appointed Helen Tomblin as my replacement. Helen is already a keyholder and lives in close by Orchard Way. Since moving to Easton seven years ago she has involved herself in many aspects of village life and will be known to many of you. She will take over by 1 June.

As usual we plan to hold an exhibition in the Priest’s House over the summer months. Last year Collyweston held a weekend to promote the medieval Royal Palace of Collyweston and its most prestigious and powerful occupant, Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry VII and grandmother of Henry VIII. An exhibition in Collyweston Church included information on the on-going excavations of the Palace, which was similar in size to Hampton Court. Part of this exhibition will be replicated in the Priest’s House.

Request for volunteers I hope that the volunteers who have generously acted as stewards on the Sunday afternoons in June, July and August while the exhibitions have been on show in the past will be prepared to do so again. Nevertheless we will need some new people to help this year. Anyone interested please get in touch with me. Additionally anyone who would like to assist in putting the exhibition together or helping in the running of the Priest’s House in any way please e-mail me as well.

Visit to Grantham & Belton House Grantham House is a little-known National Trust property which is currently being extensively refurbished.

The Trust have agreed that all the Priest’s House volunteers may visit the building and also nearby Belton House for free on May 5.

Any existing members of the National Trust may join the group on a first come, first served basis. People will, however, have to make their own travel arrangements.

Anyone wishing to attend please e-mail me.

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In closing I would like to thank most sincerely all those who have assisted me with the running of the Priest’s House in the past, especially the indefatigable keyholders. paulway@homecall.co.uk eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

Harmony & Hormones

Get singing!

ill Harmony on the H

have taken the step towards singing properly in that we engaged a teacher on a trial basis who is prepared to help us improve. This group is for MEN of the village who like to sing and have a drink or two afterwards. No auditions, if you can already sing you are probably overqualified. Weekly meetings 7pm at Easton Garford school, New Road. For more info call Gerry Rawlinson on 07906 927652.

Calling all ladies who love singing!

ill Hormones on the H (not to be confused with Harmony on the Hill - unless you have a very deep voice) would welcome any ladies who would like to join a fun singing group. We usually meet up the second Tuesday in the month in the village hall at 7pm for an hour, with more rehearsals if leading up to a performance.

Hormones did a spot at Easton's Got Talent in May last year and we also sang at the Church Carol Service in December. We intend to take part in the Gala again this year, but understand that some aren’t keen to sing in public, so this is not obligatory.

For more information call Marilyn Webley on 07879414405 or email marilynwebley@btinternet.com

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EASTON VILLAGE STORES AND POST OFFICE Shop locally for convenience and a friendly service

Newspapers & Magazines (delivering to Easton, Collyweston, Duddington & Tixover)

Groceries & Vegetables Off Licence Stationery National Lottery OPEN Monday – Friday 7am – 7pm Saturday 7.30am – 7pm (CLOSED 1pm – 2pm) Sunday 7.30am – 1pm

3 WESTFIELDS, EASTON ON THE HILL PE9 3LY t: 01780 752234 (opening hours only please) March & April 2020

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Gala Weekend

S

o far, and with thanks to Alex, we’ve got the basics planned - beer festival, marquees, and the programme, which will broadly follow the usual format. We’re hoping to have a Grand Quiz on the Thursday 21st May, then Alex has booked the Motor City Vipers for a Motown Evening on Friday 22nd.

Saturday 23rd features the Cricket Club 20/20 (in 2020) match with BBQ and bar, followed by 'Easton’s Got Talent' in the Evening.

EGT will be a spoof awards evening, the 'DAFTAs', with hopefully lots of locals and groups entertaining the audience with take-offs of film TV, and stage shows, plus some sketches and no doubt

2020

GALA bank holiday WEEKEND 21 – 25 may st

th

The Gala Planning is rolling ahead, with monthly meetings in the Blue Bell to pull things together. If you’d like to join us, feel free, just drop Tim Nicol a line and he'll let you know when the next meeting is and how you might help. some singing. Sunday’s Music Festival already has 7 bands lined up and plenty of beer to keep you dancing. Monday’s Fete will start with the popular Pet Show at 12.00 and then all the usual stalls, kids entertainment, games, and some daft events in the arena, like a Tug O’War and something along the lines of… The Easton Rodeo.

Wait and see how that goes! The whole event supports all participating village groups and they benefit from the funds raised, which mainly come from the Grand Raffle, so if one of our happy helpers knocks on your door selling tickets soon, don’t hold back, someone’s got to win the £250 prize! In the meantime if anyone can offer sponsorship, raffle prizes, or help in any way, please drop me a line or contact any of the village groups taking part.

Tim Nicol Gala Co-Ordinator tim@mihcentre.co.uk

Pull your weight!!

This year’s Gala invites the village (and the surroundings) to engage in a Tug-o-War on Monday 25 May 2020 at the Village Fete.

This might be considered a ropey event but it could be a lot of laughs. What we are looking for are entrants - as individuals either singly, with or without assistant(s), or teams selected in advance or even on the day. We would like to see kids v kids, women vs women, men vs men, free style and any other combination. Get thinking, get together and pull for for the village and more importantly a small donation to a charity event.

To assist the Gala planners please register your interest in participating with the Tug Master at Samcraft72@yahoo.co.uk as soon as your muscles are ready!

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eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

Easton Celebrations Plans to commemorate this important anniversary are progressing. We’re planning a mass participation Street Party for the whole village, to take place in New Road, which will be closed for a few hours around lunchtime. If wet we will decamp to the village hall. The idea is that the organising committee will sort out tables, chairs, tablecloths, decorations etc, and then everyone brings their own food and drink, much as street parties would have been organised 75 years ago. We will have some suggestions

March & April 2020

VE Day 75

Another war-time anniversary is being celebrated this early May bank holiday on Friday 8th writes Tim Nicol on period dishes to keep things authentic, and will also provide some entertainment and appropriate background music and maybe video.

After the lunchtime street party, it’s over to the Blue Bell to join in the 'Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2' at 3.00pm. We will have some appropriate entertainment and then at 7.00pm we will join in the

National 'Cry for Peace' with our very own Town Crier, followed by Bell Ringing and Beacon Lighting. Please put the date in your diaries now and if you’d like to lend a hand with anything from bunting to baking, let me, or Butch Baker, Richard Briers, or Ian Lawson know.

We are still seeking a bugler for Friday and Sunday.

Please get in touch if anyone can help

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What's On

History meetings

Special requests

l Do you have any information on the Polish The History Group's monthly meetings have paratroopers that were a growing audience. Held in Easton's village hall based in Easton during WW2 - and/or on those and with everyone welcome it's a great excuse who returned to the village to join up and get a free seat! after the war? l Does anyone have a pantomime horse? Yes that is a big ask, but we believe there may be lots of strange objects lurking in this village (my loft is a great example!) - or, less ambitious - any stetsonMonday 6 April, 7-9pm Monday 2 March, 7-9pm type hats? All in the name The real story of D Day History of Oakham Castle of the village gala.... (says it Speaker: Colin Lukacs-Winn Speaker: James Bolton all ?). lE ntry fee £4 for visitors; free to members - who pay l And finally... there are some £5 for their (excellent value!) annual membership village calendars left!!! l Everyone is welcome – so please bring visitors and guests If you can help, please email l Free refreshments always provided ian.lawson90@gmail.com.

Ding Dong!!

The village is desperately short of bell ringers so if the sound of church bells on a Sunday is something you like to hear then we need people to step up and learn the ropes, every pun intended.

Regular practice in the church 8pm Wednesdays.

Contact the Tower Captain, Sue Smith at susansmith10949@icloud.com

World Day of Prayer Service A service from the Christian Women of Zimbabwe

Friday March 6

12.00pm Followed by a light lunch Kings Cliffe Church

Everyone Welcome

A gentle reminder from the PCC

Could all Christmas Wreaths be removed by March ready for the Spring Clean Up 22

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Village Calendar

Church Services

Details subject to change - please check noticeboards Sun 1 March 10.30 Church service Benefice Communion King’s Cliffe church

Sun 29 March 10.30 Church service Holy Communion All Saints EOTH

Mon 2 March 19.00 History Group The History of Oakham Castle (James Bolton) All welcome Visitors £4; members free (£5 fee for the year) Village Hall

Sun 29 March 10.30am to 12.30 and 1.00 till 3.00pm Junior Hortis Craft Day and Choctastic Café Village Hall

Sun 8 March 11.00 Church service Holy Communion All Saints EOTH Mon 9 March 19.00 Parish Council Monthly meeting All welcome Village Hall Sun 15 March 10.30 Church service Holy Communion All Saints EOTH Mon 16 March 19.00 Gala Planning Meeting All Welcome The Blue Bell Sun 22 March 9.00 Church service Holy Communion (BCP) All Saints EOTH

Tues 31 March Think & Drink All welcome Venue tbc. Contact Pat Firth in advance for details and topics patfirth99@gmail.com Sun 5 April 10.30 Church service Holy Communion for Palm Sunday All Saints EOTH Mon 6 April 19.00 History Group The real story of D Day (Colin Lukas-Winn) All welcome Visitors £4; members free (£5 fee for the year) Village Hall Fri 10 April 14.00 Church service

Quiz at The Blue night

2nd Wednesday of the month 11 March & 8 April.

7 for 7.30pm. £5 p/p inc supper.

Teams of up to 4. With prizes and a donation to the winners chosen charity

Good Friday The Final Hour Bulwick Church Sun 12 April 10.30 Church service Holy Communion for Easter Sunday All Saints EOTH Mon 13 April 19.00 Parish Council Monthly meeting All welcome Village Hall Sun 19 April 10.30 Church service Holy Communion

All Saints EOTH Mon 20 April 19.00 Gala Planning Meeting All Welcome The Blue Bell Sun 26 April 9.00 Church service Holy Communion (BCP) All Saints EOTH Tues 28 April Think & Drink All welcome Venue tbc. Contact Pat Firth in advance for details and topics patfirth99@gmail.com

Wednesday Coffee Morning at THE BLUE BELL very week at 11.30 Catch up. Share.

See you there!

Get Involved...Join EATS!!!!

Easton on the Hill Amateur Theatrical Society (EATS) would love to have a few more members (young or old, men or women) to take part in a sketch or two at this year’s Easton's Got Talent show on Saturday 23 May. There would just be a few rehearsals beforehand at a time to suit the cast. If anyone is interested please phone Marilyn Webley on 07879 414405 or email marilynwebley@btinternet.com March & April 2020

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Get in touch: eothnewsandviews@gmail.com

Stoves and Chimney Sweeping

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Dentistry with a difference

It’s almost a year since the Priestgate Dental Clinic opened, and we’re delighted by the fantastically positive responses we’ve received.

Come and experience a different style of dentistry, with a focus on minimally invasive general dentistry and consultant expertise in Orthodontics & Oral Surgery.

Patient-focused general & specialist dentistry

Friendly and relaxed environment

If you would like to book an appointment, please call

01733 865000

www.priestgateclinic.co.uk

State of the art 3D imaging facilities

Accepting Denplan and private patients

Second opinions seen, with and without a dentist referral

26 Priestgate Peterborough PE1 1WG reception@priestgateclinic.co.uk

Read it online with updates and extras http://bit.ly/37mEj42