Newsletter December 2011 & January 2012

DECEMBER 2011 & JANUARY 2012

ROTHERSTHORPE NEWSLETTER The Newsletter for the Community of Rothersthorpe

www.rothersthorpe.info

CHURCH CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 Saturday

3rd December

11.00am to 3pm

Christmas Market in Church

Sunday

4th December

9.30am 6.00pm

Holy Communion Christmas Sunday at 6 Bugbrooke

Saturday

10th December

7.30pm

Your Kingdom Come a musical treat at Bugbrooke

Sunday

11th December

9.30am

Morning Worship

Sunday

18th December

9.30am 4.30pm

Holy Communion Carols by Candlelight

Friday

23rd December

4.00pm 7.30pm

Living Nativity at Kislingbury Beer and Carols at the Chequers

Saturday

24th December

4.00pm 11.30pm

Crib Service Holy Communion

Sunday

25th December

8.00am

B.C.P. Communion

JANUARY 2012 Sunday

1st January

10.30am Benefice Holy Communion at Harpole

Sunday

8th January

9.30am

Morning Worship

Sunday

15th January

9.30am

Holy Communion

Sunday

22nd January

8.00am 9.30am

B.C.P Communion followed by breakfast Morning Worship

10.30a m

Benefice Holy Communion at Rothersthorpe

Sunday

29th January

Where Has it Gone!

I know some people start their Christmas shopping in the January Sales and then systematically buy their gifts throughout the year. Some people start as the shops start to fill their shelves with Christmas goodies in September while the vast majority of people, even with the rise in internet shopping, seem to spend the last week or two before Christmas to think of and then buy their Christmas gifts.

I for one fall into the later category, leaving my purchases until the last week and have even been known to still be on the hunt for presents on Christmas Eve. Last Christmas was no exception, finally getting around to buying my presents the Monday morning before Christmas. With four hours of parking fee paid on the car and before hitting the shops, I too treated myself to a cup of coffee in ‘Costa Coffee’ or was it ‘Costa a Bomb!’ As I sat down with my large very strong and large coffee without milk and a very tasty looking chocolate muffin I was drawn to undertake a little bit of people watching. There were Moms and Dads and little ones in pushchairs, there were Grannies and Granddads treating their grandchildren, young couples dressed to impress alongside the Salvation Army playing ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ while a man on his guitar was providing a more secular offering of ‘I wish it could be Christmas every day’! A scene that if photographed could find it’s way onto the lid of a tin of toffees as an antidote to all the Victorian pictures of Christmas we are bombarded with.

However, apart from the smiles on the children’s faces in anticipation of Christmas morning, the faces of the adults were far from happy. In fact, the overriding view outside of the coffee shop was one of despondency, drudgery and depression! Where was the Christmas spirit we keep hearing about especially in a family of six where there was a ten foot exclusion zone, as the Father gave a verbal onslaught to the Mother reducing her to tears. If this is what Christmas reduces us to why do we bother with Christmas at all!

One reason is I feel; we just want it all to be like those pictures on the front of the toffee tin, we want to have a season of goodwill where we can look forward to the future with optimism and eager anticipation rather than fear and uncertainty.

Jesus came into the world to bring us out of the ordinary into the extraordinary, to make it possible to have optimism in this life. Why not take time out over Christmas to give as we sing in one of our Christmas Carols, ‘Glory to God in the Highest’ and not ‘Glory to God in the High Street!

God’s grace and his peace to all this Christmas 2011.

Rev. Stephen French

Church Cleaning December 4th Lindsay & Christy December 18th June & Jane January 2012 January 8th Mike & Sue January 29th Lindsay & Christy

Village Survey The Parish Plan Group are reviewing a draft survey with the intention of delivering them to every household early in the New Year.

The survey will be used to develop the village plan which will help shape the future of our village. This may affect every person in the village going forward and therefore it is important that we gather the right sort of information from as many of you as possible. Please take the time to complete the survey and encourage others to do so. With your involvement and help we can make the village an even better place to live.

Many thanks, Steve McCarthy, Parish Planning Group

If you have any suggestions either drop them through the door at the Pig Yard on Church Street or email me: steve@pigyard.com

Thruppsters Thursday 8th. December at 2.45 (please note time and date) We will be meeting at the home of Janet Eliot for our Christmas Tea. (Members only).

Monday 9th. January at 2.30 ( please note the date) we will be meeting in the Committee room of the Village Hall. The programme is still to be arranged. All welcome.

Peter Doran

Women’s Institute No meeting as such this month as we

are all going for our Christmas Dinner at the Walnut Tree on Monday 5th December, 7 for 7.30. This year the competition is a Christmas Hat and as usual we will all bring a present for £1 or less and 1 Christmas Card.

We kick off the New Year with a talk by Linda Maud from Milton Keynes Theatre and her subject will be "Behind the Curtain". As usual, all are welcome. Unfortunately, to keep in line with W.I. membership fees, the cost to visitors will increase to £3 which includes magnificent refreshments. The meeting will be on Monday 16th January at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Jenny Dellar

Edy's Cakes Do you need a delicious home-made cake for your special day?

Cakes for every occasion: birthdays anniversaries hen parties weddings first communions christenings, etc Call me or visit my website 07894 805343 or 01604 451917

IS A Vision of a group of community members playing the harmonica together and creating a performing band.

Open to all ages from 7 to 107 (many people have harmonicas long-forgotten tucked away somewhere!).

An opportunity to learn how to play the harmonica—the most popular instrument in the world.

Does not require any previous experience of playing a musical instrument.

Cheap—just £10 initial payment to cover the cost of your instrument and tuitional material, plus £2 per session per head.

Convenient—held in the Games Room of The Chequers, Rothersthorpe, outside licensing hours.

Taught by the author of many harmonica books and former international player and session musician (our very own Steve Jennings), alongside, on occasion, other well-known and expert harmonica players.

A chance for all to learn and to assist each other in an enjoyable community activity Supported by Rothersthorpe PCC for CRB and insurance purposes.

Currently held on Saturday mornings at 10.a.m.—this is flexible and sessions at other times can happen depending on demand and circumstances.

Call Steve on 0795 779 4867 for further details.

News from Rothersthorpe School

Our busiest time of the school year is once again upon us – the children are getting excited and preparing for the Christmas activities in school!

Our choir is taking part in the Cluster schools

Carol Service at Bugbrooke Church on 5 th December

All the children are practising for our Christmas talent show, (the X-mas Factor!) which they will be performing for parents and visitors on Tuesday 13th December at 1.30pm and Wednesday 14 th December at 6.00pm

The term ends on a high note, with our wonderful Christingle and Nativity service in church on Friday 16th December. After the service, everyone is invited back to the hall for tea and mince pies, while members of the Church draw their Christmas Raffle.

School re-opens to pupils on Wednesday 4th January 2012

Can I remind parents that Steve McCarthy very kindly uploads copies of all school newsletters onto the Village website, so everyone can keep up with all our news – even if you have lost the original letter!

We are also hoping to put some photos of school activities onto the site in the new year. A huge ‘Thank You’ to Steve for all his hard work with the website

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year From everyone at Rothersthorpe School!

Kathy Sindall BSc (Hons) MChS

CHIROPODIST/PODIATRIST Registered with the Health Professions Council 



Nail, callus and corn management  Diabetic Foot Management Gait analysis and insole/orthotic prescription  Foot care advice Available every Friday 9am to 6pm at Parkslope Surgery, 32 Stoke Road, BLISWORTH Telephone 01604 878000 for appointment Fee £18 per consultation LOST YOUR KEYS??

A bunch of 6 keys were found on the Berry on Friday 25th November If you have lost yours Julia may have them.

Give her a ring on 07887 535112

FED UP WITH IRONING? NO TIME TO IRON?…OR…JUST NEED HELP CATCHING UP?

If so then Please Give me a call on 07914814362 or email p.ashleigh@yahoo.com I am friendly and honest - Charge £10 per hour Smoke & pet free home

Christmas policing activity underway to tackle alcohol related disorder As part of Operation Nightsafe, Northamptonshire Police has kicked off its Christmas operational activity to deal with alcohol related issues in the run up to the festive period.

In line with the county alcohol harm reduction strategy, one of the aims is to prevent young people from becoming involved in alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.

Working with the Northampton Community Safety Partnership, operations are in place to deal with young people drinking alcohol in public places and on licensed premises.

Officers were patrolling hot spot areas over the weekend (21 st - 23rd October) where young people are known to gather. Nobody under the age of 18 was found to be in possession of alcohol.

Licensing and Nightsafe Sergeant Mark Worthington said: “This was a pleasing result, however, local Safer Community Team officers will continue to target known hotspots with this type of proactive enforcement.”

A number of community public houses were also visited and, again, there were no incidents of underage drinking but one young person was dealt with for being in possession of fraudulent ID. Officers were also engaged in Test Purchase activity to see if young people would be served alcohol in off licenses and pubs.

Out of the 14 premises visited, four establishments sold alcohol to the 15 year old test purchasers; two of those premises sold alcohol in a similar operation three weeks ago.

Police will be investigating the more serious offence of persistently selling alcohol to children, and the license will be subject to a review by the Northampton Borough Council licensing committee.

Sergeant Worthington commented: “It is extremely disappointing that there have been repeat sales to children on licensed premises.

“We will use all the powers we have available to deal with these premises that are ignoring their responsibilities in relation to the sale of alcohol. Prosecutions and license reviews will be sought.

“We impress upon the trade that they must challenge all young people for ID. If they are unable to present ID, then the sale should simply be refused. Most young people expect to get asked for ID so there is no stigma in making these requests.

“We will continue with this type of enforcement activity over the coming weeks and months.”

Christmas pictures for the

e younger members of our Village

Rothersthorpe Art Group On a rather bleak foggy November weekend Rothersthorpe Art Group held its first Exhibition in the Village Hall. The atmosphere inside the hall was anything but bleak, as there was an exciting buzz of visitors trickling in throughout Saturday and Sunday. As well as enjoying a free cuppa while looking at our work, our visitors had a tempting array of cakes to choose from, all baked by our members. Cake sales were brisk!

All of our group had worked very hard and we had over one hundred paintings on display, covering all our interests from landscapes, portraiture, floral and wildlife art, so something we hoped, for everyone to enjoy.

To compliment the exhibition we invited Nita Pearson (Fabric boxes) and Marcus Buck (wood turner) to join us for the weekend.

A small exhibition of cross stitch and embroidery was also displayed by Sylvia Davies, wife of one of our members.

Rothersthorpe Art Group was created around three years ago but our founder member left for America about a year ago. A hard act to follow but the existing members rallied together after she left and decided to carry on with the classes.

Rather than one person taking over all the responsibilities we formed a committee and since that time the group has flourished.

We were lucky enough to secure a grant from Northamptonshire Community Foundation which has enabled us to hire professional artists to help our members. Consequently the standard of painting has improved remarkably and our membership is full at the present time.

Rothersthorpe Art Group would like to thank everyone who came along to look at our exhibition and for all their encouraging words of praise. We hope to see you all next year!

Any further information please do not hesitate to contact Judy Hamilton on 01604 859786

Parish Council Meeting The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday January 16th at 7.30pm in the Committee Room at the Village Hall.

Anyone is welcome to attend and address the Parish Council in the public open session at the beginning of the meeting.

Please come along and participate in your local community decision making process.

Sarah Murphy

Neighbourhood Watch STREET BRIEFINGS A meeting was held at the cross roads on Wednesday 9th November, with our Police Community Support Officer Jen Harrison and two of her colleagues, this was an opportunity for residents of the village to discuss any specific issues they had about their part of the village.

Our PCSO’s are working hard to support the village and lessen crime, although we are fortunate that crime in our village is not a significant problem, and along with our PCSO’s and NHW we hope this will continue.

We have the crime figures for the period 1st April 2011 to 31st October 2011 THESE FIGURES ALSO INCLUDE INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THE ROTHERSTHORPE SERVICE AREA ON THE MOTORWAY

Total crimes 46

Jen Harrison and colleagues with some 1 Burglary Dwelling village residents at the street briefing 1 Burglary other 3 criminal damage 21 Deception/fraud 1 drug offences 5 theft from motor vehicles 5 theft/handling 1 theft of motor vehicle

4 vehicle interference 4 violence offences (generally relate to domestic verbal disagreements involving persons living in the same household)

Antisocial behaviour incidents 1st April – 31st October Total report 16 Antisocial behaviour type incidents can include nuisance behaviour, neighbour disputes, graffiti, vehicle nuisance, noise issues etc.

You may wonder why there is not a MURDER listed, according to the police, this did not happen in the village (ie the crime was not committed here) hence it is not included in the figures for the area We have asked if it would be possible to separate the figures for the services, but unfortunately this is not possible.

Christmas is now fast approaching us, please be alert and safe

KEEP YOUR FRONT AND BACK DOOR LOCKED – EVEN WHEN YOU ARE AT HOME REMEMBER THEY ARE NOT CALLED LOCKS FOR NOTHING. Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your property, and to check your home if you are to be away for a length of time.

We wish you a all a safe and happy Christmas.

Also a merry Christmas and a happy new year to Richard, our much missed postman, we don’t think the village is as safe without you.

Christy and Margaret 01604 831020

Rothersthorpe Day Nursery

*Save £50 from your first invoice, when you start at the nursery before the end of January 2012* Rothersthorpe Day Nursery Open 8am -6pm 52 weeks of the year excluding bank holidays Excellent pre-school facilities 11 hours of Early funding for 52 weeks per year available for children at the start of a new term following their 3 rd birthday A breakfast club, after school club and Holiday club is available from age 4-11 years Employers vouchers - savings on childcare costs

Ring on 01604 831263 or email rothersthorpenursery@yahoo.co.uk to arrange a visit, we’d love to hear from you!

www.rothersthorpedaynursery.co.uk Why not come along to our Christmas Fayre on Sunday 4th December in the village hall between 10am – 12pm, everyone welcome.

Free parking for Christmas The Mayorhold car park is free on the following Saturdays: 3rd December 10th December 17th December 24th December

Christmas Crime Prevention Residents are reminded, ensure that side gates are locked

and to take in bins after collection. If possible, don’t keep your bins out the front of the property or near a fence.

Please remember to lock all doors and windows before leaving your home, and to ensure that valuable items are safely put away and not left on display. If you have a house alarm, remember to set it every time you leave your house empty. A range of inexpensive property marking systems are available.

Report all suspicious circumstances to the police on 101, or in the event of an emergency, always call 999.

If you would like to speak to your local Safer Community

Team officers to discuss any local concerns you may have, please call 101 or email us at: SCT-SouthNorthantsTowcester@northants.pnn.police.uk You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to anonymously provide information about crime and criminals in your area.

Jen Harrison

COMBINED FLEET MAINTENANCE LTD YOUR LOCAL GARAGE MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR YOU! MOT TEST CENTRE Class 4 - Cars & vans up to 3000 Class 5 Light - Minibuses up to 3500 (16 seats) Class 7 - Vans/Light Commercial up to 3500

10% Off your first invoice Free Collection and Delivery Service for Local Area Customer Loyalty Scheme Servicing Recovery Service All Repairs and Welding Diagnostics and Electrical Work (Latest Diagnostics Equipment)

All Makes and Models Catered For Senior Citizen Discount

TRY US FOR TYRES AND BE SURPRISED

ALL MAJOR BRANDS OF TYRES SUPPLIED AND FITTED LASER 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AS WELL! BLACK CIRCLE APPROVED FITTING CENTRE

Call us on 01604 859701

UNIT 7 JBJ Business Park, Blisworth Northants NN7 3DW

24 seven 192307 CORGI Registered

Heating & Plumbing Solutions

EVEN OVER CHRISTMAS!

E-MAIL:GEORGE.MADDISON1@ntlWORLD.COM WWW.GRMADDISON.CO.UK TEL/ FAX 01604 451902 Mobile 07725 842294

DON’T FORGET US OVER CHRISTMAS WE ARE STILL ON CALL FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY *

CALL US NOW FOR A FAST RELIABLE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ALL PLUMBING AND HEATING BATHROOMS DESIGNED & FITTED BOILERS UPGRADED/ REPLACED RADIATORS / PUMPS / VALVES BOILERS SERVICED INC OIL SYSTEM POWERFLUSHING WE ARE THE CLEANEST FITTERS IN THIS TOWN AS TOLD BY OUR CUSTOMERS. SO GIVE US A CALL & EXPECT A VISIT PS CALL THE MOBILE FIRST ALWAYS ANSWERED

Saturday, 3rd December, 2011

Christmas Market 11a.m. – 3p.m. in Rothersthorpe Church Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and mince pies

Home-made Soup (served from 12)

Preserves

Fab ric box es

Gift and craft stalls

ry

J

ll e e w e

Corsages

Cards

Char ions t a ity st r o Wood -turning alls Dec & more...

Proceeds to Church funds

Free entry.

This newsletter is produced and distributed by members of the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Rothersthorpe, which also meets any cost involved. Items for possible inclusion in the February 2012 edition should be submitted to Jane McCarthy at The Pigyard, 35 Church Street, or by email to jane@pigyard.com, by phone 830321 or 07779 832354 or on a CD by 26th January at the very latest, articles received after this date will not be included.

Items will not be printed unless the name of the contributor is supplied.

Advertising costs : Full page £10 Half Page £5 Quarter page £2.50 Payment for advertising should be paid in advance.