Helpringham Village Newsletter November 2014

    Produced monthly, the newsletter is a round up of events and activities. Past Newsletters can be found here (Click)

  • General News

  • Memorial Hall

  • Church News

  • Parish Council

  • Club News

The De-Fib Fund
All together now!
Give yourselves a pat on the back!
We are delighted to announce that we have reached our target for the
purchase of a Defibrillator. However, we still need to keep some
money in hand for repairs and replacements.
So PLEASE don’t stop giving.
We are SO proud to be part of such a great community!
Training will be organised in due course.
Watch this space!!!

De-Fib Fund Committee

The winners of the 49 Club
from weeks 20th September through to 11th October were as follows each winner received £25.
All proceeds go to The Memorial Hall 
20th September   W Else
27th September   B Davies
  4th  October       V Harris
11th  October       B Dolan

There is a number Vacant if anyone would like to apply please ring Roma Parry on 421312

PARISH COUNCIL GRANTS

At their December 10th meeting the Parish Council will be setting their budget for 2015/16. Any registered charitable organisation associated with the village that wishes to apply for a grant should do so to the Clerk Mrs P Ireland, Heath Farm, North Rauceby, SLEAFORD, NG34 8QR by 30th November enclosing a copy of their latest audited accounts and the reasons why they are applying.

FIBRE BROADBAND

Whilst many areas of the country and county are being wired (or should it be fibred?) our local exchange which services Helpringham and Swaton is not. If you visit   http://www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/where-and-when/  you can express your interest in having super fast broadband. If enough people do this maybe BT and LCC might speed things up for us.

 

ROADS AND PAVEMENTS
Every year the Parish Council has a walk about with LCC Highways, so can you please let us know of pot holes etc. which need sorting out. Email on pjasoc@soil.freeserve.co.uk or put a note through the door at 25 High Street.

 

THE VILLAGE LUNCH CLUB............
takes place at 12.30 on the first and third Thursday of the month in the Memorial Hall. Do come along and join this sociable gathering. Three courses and tea or coffee for £3.50. Last week’s menu was leek and potato soup, savoury mince with mash, roast veg and peas, followed by treacle sponge and custard. That’s terrific value. Drinks can be bought at the bar.
See you there!


MOBILE LIBRARY
The mobile library comes to Helpringham on the 4th Friday of the month at 11.45 till 12.15. USE IT OR LOSE IT.

HECKINGTON AREA VOLUNTARY CAR SCHEME

HAVCS are looking for drivers to take patients to hospital and doctor’s surgeries. Do you have a few hours to spare a week to do this worthwhile job? 45p per mile is paid. Contact Richard Higgs on 460027. The voluntary car scheme is for patients who do not have access to a car of their own or are unable to drive due to illness. The telephone, 460809, is operated from 8.30 am to 10 am Monday to Friday and there is an answer phone service after 10 am. Do not ring the drivers.

What is CallConnect Bus Service?                                                    

CallConnect is a unique bus service whose timetable is not fixed but responds to passenger requests. This means its routes are different each day depending on the bookings made by passengers.  Journey requests can be made by telephone, online or by SMS text message. The service is designed to improve transport opportunities in rural communities and some market towns where there is an infrequent conventional bus services.                                                                                                 

 Who can use CallConnect?                                                              
Everyone! All are welcome to use the service regardless of age or status. You can use the service as frequently as required for anything from shopping or travelling to work or school to a social event or medical appointment. Even if you are on holiday in Lincolnshire and need a bus, contact our booking office and find out how we can help you.                        

How do I book a journey?                                                                      
You can book a CallConnect journey by calling our booking team on 0845 234 3344. When requesting a bus journey, have your membership number and journey details ready. You can also submit your travel requests online or via SMS text messages. You can make a booking up to seven days in advance. You can also request same-day journeys but please give a minimum of one hour’s notice. All bookings are subject to availability.    

Fares                                                                                                        
The amount you pay to travel depends on your journey. Each service area is divided into zones – the further you travel, the more you pay. Booking office staff can tell you the cost of your journey so that you can have the correct fare ready. Children aged under 5 travel free with an accompanying adult. If you hold a valid concessionary bus pass due to age or disability, you can use it on CallConnect buses. Passes issued outside Lincolnshire are accepted during off-peak travel (after 9.30am).                

Opening and Operating Times                                                      
CallConnect operates 7am-7pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-6pm on Saturdays. Details of any local variations are available from the booking office. The booking office is open from 8.30am-7pm, Monday-Friday; 8.30am-5pm on Saturday; and closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.          

Need a little help?                                                                                   
Our vehicles are fitted with low-floor steps and tail-lifts to ensure they are as easy as possible for everyone to use. Wheelchair users must inform us of the make and model to ensure it meets our safety standard of being impact-tested. Travel in a wheelchair is subject to availability and approval.

Lincolnshire Energy

The Lincolnshire Energy Switch scheme is back – so now you could also stand a chance of saving up to £300 on your annual gas and electricity bill.

That’s how much some already stand to save having made the switch first time round. You could join the 1,000 households in Lincolnshire who look set to save an average of £167 on their energy bill. For more detailed information Click Here

Memorial Hall News

Wrap up warm and stay healthy now that the weather has well and truly changed and we get ready for that busy time of the year with all the festivals and events to cheer us in the winter gloom.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
9th NOVEMBER
10.00am. TO 2.00pm.
EXHIBITION BY HELPRINGHAM HISTORY SOCIETY
HONOURING THE FALLEN OF WORLD WAR ONE.
With Café and Licensed Bar.

CHRISTMAS FAIR
SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2014
10.00am. to 3.00pm.
Over 20 stalls, Crafts, Gifts, Tombola, Raffle and much more.
Café and Santa’s Grotto with Santa visiting at 1.00pm.
Admission 20p.

Do come along and support these events and enjoy your |Memorial Hall as there is always a warm welcome for everyone.
All our regular clubs are running and they would welcome new members. Don’t forget to check the notice board at the front of the Hall for details of these and for contact numbers.
For all your family occasions, bookings can be made with Mick on 421853 or Laraine on 421110.

 

November 2014 HALL DIARY

Mon. 3rd

Vitality

1.30. p.m.

Tues. 4th    

Arts and Crafts
Sequence Dancing Beginners

1.30. p.m.
7.00. p.m.

Wed. 5th

PRIVATE BOOKING
South Lincs Shadows Music Club

9.30-7p.m.
7.30. p.m.

Fri. 7th   

Kung Fu

7.00. p.m.

Sun. 9th

REMEMBRANCE DAY EXHIBITION

10.00-2.p.m.

Mon. 10th    

Vitality

1.30. p.m.

Tues. 11th
  

Arts and Crafts
Sequence Dancing Beginners

1.30. p.m.
7.00. p.m.

Wed. 12th

Petticoat Club
Parish Council

7.30. p.m.
7.30. p.m.

Thurs. 13th

Lunch Club

12.30p.m.

Fri. 14th

Kung Fu

7.00. p.m.

Mon. 17th   

Vitality

1.30. p.m.

Tues. 18th
 

Arts and Crafts
Sequence Dancing Beginners

1.30. p.m.
7.00. p.m.

Thurs. 20th    

History Society

7.30. p.m.

Fri. 21st  

Kung Fu

7.00. p.m.

Sat. 22nd

CHRISTMAS FAIR & SANTA’ GROTTO

10.oo a.m.-3.00.p.m

Mon. 24th

Vitality

1.30. p.m.

Tues. 25th

Arts and Crafts
Sequence Dancing Improvers

1.30. p.m.
7.00. p.m.

Wed.26th

Gardening Club

7.30. p.m.

Thurs. 27th

Lunch Club

12.30p.m.

Fri. 28th

Kung Fu

7.30. p.m.

 

To Hire the Hall for all your functions, weekday rates are £7.00 per hour for clubs and £12.00 per hour for fund raising and weekends, plus £10.00 for use of kitchen and £10.00 for use of Bar.
Hire of the Conference Room £6.00 per hour.
Daily Hire of complete Hall £140.00 (Refundable deposit of £50 may be required)
These prices include heating or air conditioning. For Bookings please telephone Mick on 421853 or Laraine on 421110.


Enquiries re Baptism, weddings etc. should be made to The Reverend Chris Harrington on 01529 460904.
For other Church queries in Helpringham please contact John West on 421871

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

Harvest Festival
The school’s Harvest Service started the festivities on 3rd October with the children bringing their gifts to the church.  A large number of parents attended the service and enjoyed the children's contributions of poems, songs and a recorder recital.
The Family Harvest Service was celebrated later in the day and the church looked splendid with the floral displays and the children's gifts arranged in front of the altar.  At the end of the service Rev. Chris presented a cheque on behalf of the Church to the Petticoat Club committee members who have headed up the appeal for the village defibrillator.   We would like to thank the children for their gifts and the ladies for the floral displays.

Saturday saw the traditional Harvest Supper in the Memorial Hall but for the first time in living memory the meal was Lincolnshire sausages, mashed potatoes and vegetables with apple pie or crumble to follow.  Afterwards an auction of the fresh produce given by the children was held.  It had been decided to donate the tinned and dried gifts to the Community Larder in Sleaford and we were able to take nine carrier bags of food to them to distribute to those less fortunate.  The donations were gratefully received by the Larder.  The evening was enjoyed by all with many people going home with enough vegetables to last them until the end of the month!
Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped to make the Harvest Festival a very enjoyable and successful weekend.
Open Church
As many of you will have noticed the church is open every day for peace and contemplation.  In view of the shortening daylight hours the church will be locked each day about 3.30pm. 

Marian and Vince Stocking
Churchwardens


November at St Andrew’s Helpringham
In the changing seasons of the Church, November is the month we remember to give thanks. Not for harvest but for people, especially those who we see no longer but who are dear to our hearts and memory.

Memorial Service to remember our loved ones on 2nd Nov
Each year we hold a memorial service to read out the names of loved ones who have died and to light a candle in their memory. This year there will be memorial services on Sunday 2nd November here at St Andrew’s Helpringham at 4pm and at St Andrew’s Heckington at 6pm. The service comprises of well-known hymns, readings, prayers and the lighting of candles. If you would like the name of your loved ones read out there will be a list at the back of church before the service to which you can add names. All are welcome to come to either of these very moving services. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Remembrance Service to honour those who died in the two world wars
On Sunday 9th November, Remembrance Sunday, we will be holding services of Remembrance for those who died in the two world wars and whose names are inscribed on the village war memorials. It being 100 years since the start of WW1 there will be an added emphasis on the terrible cost of lives lost. At both Helpringham and Heckington there will an act of remembrance at the village green war memorials at 10.45am followed by services in the respective parish churches. This year John West will be leading the services here in Helpringham and I will be at Heckington.  

Dr Dance comes to Heckington on Nov 8th
Dancing is good for your health, your hormones and the way we solve problems according to Dr Dance who will be leading us through a series of simple routines at Heckington Village Hall on Saturday evening 8th November at 7.30pm. The son of one of our congregation, Dr Dance has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, the Alan Titchmarsh Show and Women’s Hour, so do book your ticket £7.50 inc buffet supper. Contact Chris Cullen 460272 for tickets and more details.
Giving thanks for St Andrew and the churches named after him
With five churches in our group of parishes named after St Andrew, a fisherman and one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, we take the opportunity to give thanks for him and is ministry at one of the churches each year on 30th November. This year we will be at St Andrew’s at Asgarby at 2pm. There will also be a special Songs of Praise here at Helpringham on Sunday 30th at 11am led by John West.
Giving gifts
The day before, Saturday 29th Nov, we will be holding our annual gift day from 10am until 2pm during which time local children are welcome to come and help decorate our church Christmas tree and refreshments will be served in church.
Preparing for God’s gift to us all
With the dark nights now drawing in, may you know the love and warmth of the Light of Christ filling your life and home as you begin to prepare for the celebration of his birth.  Rev Chris

Services in November & December at St Andrew’s Helpringham
2nd November
4pm Memorial Service led by Rev Chris 
9th November – Remembrance Sunday
10.45am Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial followed by a service in church led by John West
23rd November
11am Holy Communion led by Rev Chris
30th November – St Andrew’s Day & Advent Sunday
11am Songs of Praise led by John West
14th December
11am Holy Communion led by Rev Chris
24th December – Christmas Eve
6pm Carol and Crib Service led by Rev Chris & John West
28th December
11am Christmas Praise led by John West
www.heckingtonandhelpringhamgroup.org.uk
Rector - Rev Chris Harrington (01529) 460904

****NOTE***** These are contemporaneous notes, subject to scrutiny and ammendment, to be adopted as minutes at the next meeting.

CLERK’S NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER AT 7.30PM AT HELPRINGHAM MEMORIAL HALL

Present:  Cllr G Hotchkin (Chairman), Cllr A Bourne, Cllr P Johnson, Cllr M Robinson,  Cllr W Watts and Cllrs S Ogden and S Tarry (District Council, both left after item 7),  and the Clerk, Mrs P Ireland

Public Speaking Time – Reports of an old ammunition dump being found on School Lane development site. Noted

  • Apologies – Cllr Frizzell (on holiday)

 

  • Declarations of Interest – None
  • Signing of minutes:

Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2014 were accepted as a true record of that meeting. 

  • County/District/Police Matters:
      • School Lane Development – The situation regarding parking charges had been clarified and the residents informed.   

 

  • Planning applications:

Plans received:

        • An amendment, which had already been approved, had been received to plans for land at rear of 17 High Street.

       Plans approved:

  • Intended works to a willow tree at the rear of 17 High Street.
  • Chairman / Vice Chairman’s report:
      • The Chairman had attended the public consultation of the Local Plan at The Source in Sleaford. 
      • It was noted that the safety barrier was not yet in place on School Lane.  Cllr Ogden informed the Council that this was in hand.
      • Light on War Memorial – repaired but timing clock / sensitivity needs adjusting
      • Some patching of pot holes had taken place on High Street

 

  • Station Road Footpath:

               A reply had been received from Lincolnshire Highways, apologising for the delay and
agreeing to chase the matter up.

Cllrs Ogden and Tarry left the meeting.

  • Register of Electors:

               Cllrs completed the request form.

  •  Local Plan:

                The explanatory note regarding Threshold Test for locally supported growth in  
villages had been circulated to all councillors.  It was noted that the curtilage will be
relaxed to allow development to take place.
10)   Cemetery Matters:                        

      • The gates now repaired
      • The double gates had been damaged
      • Risk assessment – Cllrs Johnson and Robinson to complete this task
      • Cllr Bourne and the Clerk to liaise about updating regulations

   
11)   Correspondence:

      • Letter of thanks received from HACVS
      •  CAB – AGM to take place.
  •   Clerk’s report and outstanding matters:
      • Report from HACVS AGM – Cllr Bourne
  • Swaton Road Bridge – overhanging bush – Ongoing
  • Tree works  - Completed according to schedule
  • 4 George Street – Added to the Highways list of works
  • Noticeboard – Installation imminent
  • Laurel Hedge on Ladbroke Close – The Parish Council had no knowledge of why this had been cut back.  The Clerk to inform the house owner of this.

 

  •    To receive requests for funding from village organisations:

        The Clerk had already received several requests.  To be considered at the next meeting.

  •     To consider the draft budget for 2015/16:
      • Reviewed. 
      • Request for a dog bin by the footpath on East Street – After consideration, it was agreed that the expense of another dog bin could not be justified at this time.

 

  •      Finance:
      • Financial report – Already circulated.  All in agreement that it be signed.
      • Cheques for signing / expenditure approval and bank statement – All approved according to the table below:

Cheque No

Amount

Payee

Relating to

1536

£57.98

P Ireland

Computer cartridges and computer use

1537

£210.75

P Ireland

October salary

1539

£37.80

J E Severs

Repairs to village bench

1540

£17.00

Royal British Legion

Wreath

1541

£1101.60

Simpson Arboriculture

Tree Works

1542

£91.55

Photostatic

Copies

 

16. Discussion of Matters from Public Speaking – None

17. Matters of Urgency:
None

  • Date of next meeting and items for inclusion on the December agenda:
  • Wednesday 10 December, 2014

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

Helpringham Vitality CLASS Needs YOU!

Vitality is a Lincolnshire based programme of exercise and movement to music classes for the over 60’s, subsidised by Lincolnshire County Council and approved by the NHS.

The classes focus on having fun with gentle seated and standing exercises set to music that aim to increase flexibility and strength whilst also improving posture and coordination.

Vitality is for men and women who want to exercise in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere at low cost. Whatever your ability, our experienced, qualified instructor will make sure you exercise safely and have fun.

Helpringham Vitality takes place on Mondays between 1.30pm – 2.30pm at the Memorial Hall. 

There’s no need to book, just come along.  Your first class is FREE, then costs just £3.00 per class or £9.00 per month. Refreshments are provided after class.

It’s a great way to exercise and you’ll receive a warm welcome as well as feeling full of vitality afterwards. So come along and join us!

For more information call Vitality on 01529 411194 or see our website www.vitalitylincs.co.uk.

 

SOUTH LINCS SHADOWS MUSIC CLUB

October 2014 Meeting.
A slightly disappointing turnout for this, our 1st birthday meeting, but it did not spoil the enjoyment for those of us who were there.
Dave Jessop brought along his new Fender Expo PA system for us to play through. This has only been available in the UK for a few months and everyone was impressed with the effortless way it coped with the backing tracks and guitars all going through it. I think this just might be going on my Christmas list !!
Most of “Echoes of the Past” were there and we spent a little time looking at some photos and reliving the buzz of the sixties night.
Everyone played 9 numbers each and, as it was the first birthday of the club, I had decided to give everyone free entry for the evening as a surprise. What with the ample supply of refreshments (thanks again Pauline!) and the music it was another great night.
Meetings are held at the Memorial Hall on the first Wednesday of the month from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Light refreshments are provided.
Entry is just £3 for players and £2 for non players.
Next meeting is Wednesday 5th November, no fireworks I’m afraid but why not come along and help the evening go with a bang !

Dave Moore

PETTICOAT CLUB NEWS

At our October meeting Gill Grace our chairman began by thanking everyone who supported the coffee morning in September which raised £235 for LIVES who kindly donated it to our De-Fib fund. This fund has now risen to almost enough to buy Helpringham’s own Defibrillator [even better see elsewhere in the newsletter].
The speaker for the evening was Nick Brown, a solicitor from Tattershall who gave us a very informative guide to making a will. Only 30% of the adult population of England and Wales have wills. When someone dies intestate (i.e. without making a will) the rules about who inherits changed on the first of October 2014 and the only way to ensure that your estate goes where you want is to make a will. Nick went on to explain the role of executors and the necessity of reviewing wills regularly, and to consider Lasting Power of Attorney for our partners in these days of longer lives with the prospect of being unable to administer our own affairs as we get older.
Members were given the chance to ask questions and Nick graciously answered them all.
Our thanks go to him for his talk and generously giving his fee to our De-fib fund.
 
Our next meeting will be on WEDNESDAY 12th NOVEMBER at 7.30pm.
Doreen Davies will be demonstrating how to wrap awkward presents.

Everyone is welcome. Do come along and join us.

HELPRINGHAM AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

Poor Attendance at Annual General Meeting

                                Last year’s A.G.M. was so well attended that the Committee was expecting a coup! This year only a third of the membership turned up to express their satisfaction with the programme, their great pleasure in the Trip to Gressenhall, and their general approval of the Committee who were re-elected  en bloc. As there were so few present, it was agreed that, after tea and cake, we would dispense with the quizzes etc. and ‘have an early night’ i.e.  go home and watch
“Our Zoo.”

                Next month we welcome Lorraine Bellis who will talk about growing Old Varieties of Garden plants.
               
Meetings are held in the Memorial Hall at 7.30.pm on the third Wednesday of each month.
                New members are always welcome

                Tea and coffee always provided.

HELPRINGHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2014
Every year the History Society puts on an exhibition in the Memorial Hall on Remembrance Sunday, to honour those who made such a contribution to this country even with their lives, in the two world wars.
This year, as you are well aware, is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and our exhibition will be focussing on this war and those who served and fell.
Almost every family in the country has a connection with this event, and some family member who was involved.
If you would like to remember and honour any member of your family at our exhibition we would be pleased to have your photographs or memorabilia to display. We will of course take great care of them. They do not have to be connected to Helpringham but you as a resident are and so are part of our history now.
If you would like to take part please contact either Laraine on 421110 or Julie on 421265 or any other member of the Society.
We look forward to seeing you all on Remembrance Sunday 9th November.