Save Money When Purchasing Your Heating Oil

Are you interested in saving money on your domestic heating oil?  If the answer is YES you might be interested to know about a scheme that is operating across Lincolnshire helping its members to do just that!

Community Lincs have run their Community Oil buying Scheme for the last 3 years, saving its members on average around 5p per litre on their heating oil.  The scheme is open to anyone in the county who uses heating oil to heat their homes and premises. The scheme works by bringing together oil buyers from around county and purchasing the oil collectively, with around 40,000 litres of oil being ordered each month.

The scheme is only £20 per year to join and includes advice on how to keep your tank safe from thieves and the benefit of their Oil Theft Alert System. Community Lincs also work alongside the Lincolnshire Credit Union, or Lincup, who have devised an Oil Savers Scheme to allow members to put aside money each month for their oil purchases.

If you are interested to know more about the scheme you can visit the Community Lincs website at http://communitylincs.com/community-oil-buying-scheme/ or by giving them a call on 01529 301980. 

 

The De-Fib Fund

Steven Hyde from LIVES was thrilled to see 75 members of the village
in the Hall to see him demonstrate our new defibrillator.  And more
than half of those present stayed to do the 'hands-on' bit as well !

Many. many thanks to you all for raising  the funds,
supporting the effort, and coming to listen.

And don't stop now.!  We shall keep the boxes for maintenance and
replacements.

WELL DONE  Everyone  !!

 

WILL WE GET FASTER BROADBAND IN 2015?

The news comes from OnLincolnshire.
This is what they said about a High Street location ‘Based on your address your connection is fed from cabinet 1 on the Swaton exchange; this cabinet is due for deployment in phase 6 of the rollout (April-September 2015). The cabinet is physically located in Helpringham so there should be a significant uplift in speeds. Once the cabinet is live you will need to contact your internet service provider to discuss which packages are available to you.’

And this for Ladbroke Close ‘You are fed from Cabinet 1 in Helpringham which is off Swaton Exchange and on that basis, you will see improvements when the work is completed. We are also aware of the Exchange Only lines in both Helpringham and Swaton and are planning to deploy 2 x new cabinets to pick these up.’

Save Our Nags Click here

 

49 CLUB
The winners of the 49 Club from weeks 17th January through to 14th February were as follows each winner received £25 all proceeds go to The Memorial Hall 
17th January M Hartley
24th January Free Number - allocated to Memorial Hall 
31st January B Davies  
7th February M Stewart
14th February M Stewart
There are 2 numbers available, if anyone would like to join the 49 Club please ring Roma Parry on 421312

Social Events at St Andrews, Helpringham 2015

The following social events are being held this year in the church and we hope that you will be able to join us.

Saturday 11th April – Lincolnshire Folk Evening with Tom Lane.

Saturday 4th July – Stars, Stripes and Strawberry Concert with local talent

Feast Weekend 7th to 9th August – Vintage Brass Concert on Friday 7th August. Church open Saturday and Sunday.

Friday 4th September – Concert by Nigel Creasey.

Saturday 3rd October – Harvest Supper in the Memorial Hall.

Further details will be given nearer the dates keep your eyes open for posters and notices around the village.

HECKINGTON AREA VOLUNTARY CAR SERVICE is urgently in need of drivers, are you a car owner with time on your hands, why not help out and make a difference to peoples’ lives. Can you spare a few hours a week driving patients to doctors or hospital appointments. 45p per mile allowance is paid. - Contact Mike  01529 461160.

SLEAFORD MEDICAL CENTRE, BOSTON ROAD, SLEAFORD. URGENT CARE CENTRE. Open weekdays 6.30.p.m to 8 p.m.  Saturdays and Sundays 8.a.m. to 8.p.m.
For patients of Millview Medical Centre, Heckington. It's a walk in centre no need for appointment.

49 CLUB

The winners of the 49 Club from weeks 22nd November 2014 through to 10th January 2015 were as follows each winner received £25 all proceeds go to The Memorial Hall 
22nd November   Alan Powell
29th  November  Margaret Hyde 
  6th  December   Gill Grace
13th  December  Carol Larkins
20th December   John West
27th December  Nancy Oliver
31st December   Ian Parry
3rd January         Laraine Wright
10th January       Fred Jervis

MOBILE LIBRARY
The mobile library comes to Helpringham on the

Village Green	19 Dec 2014	10:00	10:30
	16 Jan 2015
	13 Feb 2015

 

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.

Memorial Hall News

This month sees the first Memorial Hall event of 2015.
Our Spring Craft Fair on SATURDAY MARCH 28TH.
Do come along and support us. Open from 10am. to 3pm. there will be many stalls and the café and as always a warm welcome to all. (A few stalls are remaining call Laraine to book one)
All of our regular clubs are running and would welcome any new members.
For all your family occasions, Bookings can be made with Mick on 421853 or Laraine on 421110.

Mon. 2nd	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 3rd	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed.  4th	South Lincs Shadows Music Club	7.30. p.m.
Thurs. 5th	Lunch Club	12.30p.m.
Fri. 6th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Sun.8th	Private Children’s Party
Mon. 9th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 10th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 11th	Petticoat Club Parish Council	7.30. p.m. 7.30. p.m.
Fri. 13th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Mon. 16th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 17th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Thurs.19th	Lunch Club	12.30p.m.
Fri. 20th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Mon. 23rd	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 24th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Improvers	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 25th	Gardening Club	7.30. p.m.
Thurs.26th	History Society	7.30. p.m.
Fri. 27th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Sat. 28th	SPRING FAIR Private Party	10-3.00p.m. 5-7p.m.
Mon. 30th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 31st	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. 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 Marian and Vince Stocking on 01529-421395

standrew.helpringham@gmail.com

St Andrew's Church, Helpringham.
LINCOLNSHIRE FOLK EVENING
Featuring- Nigel Creasey, Terri Clarke and MALT
Saturday 11th April 7.00 for 7.30
Tickets £8 including, Lincolnshire Supper
Available from Vince or Marian Stocking (01529-421395)
or email - standrew.helpringham@gmail.com

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

CAPTAIN’S LOG
I can hardly believe that it’s now been three years since I was licensed at St Andrew’s Church in Helpringham to be the new vicar of the Heckington and Helpringham Group of Parishes. It has been a busy three years but an enjoyable time and we look forward to many more happy years – God willing. I have very much enjoyed working with the local school and Penny the head teacher, so was saddened to hear she is retiring in the summer (surely far too young!). All of us at St Andrew’s Church wish her well in her retirement and hope the happy relationship we have enjoyed with the school will continue with the new head when they are appointed. We pray for the governors, for great wisdom and discernment in selecting the right person for the job, (not an easy task) and that they will build on the good foundations Penny has helped to lay since her time as head. We welcome the school into church for their Easter assembly on Friday 27th March at 10am. Parents are welcome to join us.    
Easter Day Service
If you wish to contribute towards the cost of lilies for the Easter Day service which is to be held at 11am on Easter Sunday, please pass these to  Irene Foster or any member of the PCC.
St David’s Day
On 1st March at the 11am service of Holy Communion at Heckington five new Lay ministers will be authorised to help with the ministry around the eight churches in our group of parishes and to become part of our growing ministry team, without whom many of the services couldn’t take place. It was never intended that the vicar should do all the work and in our group of parishes we try to model a collaborative approach to ministry, where others have the opportunity in sharing creatively in the worship of Christ.
World Day of Prayer
On Friday 6th March St Andrew’s Heckington is hosting a service for the Women’s World Day of Prayer. Despite the name, it is open to both men and women and begins at 2pm and you are most welcome to come.
Daffodil Tea at Great Hale Church
St John the Baptist Great Hale, another of the eight churches in our group of parishes is holding a ‘Daffodil Tea’ on Saturday 14th March from 3pm to 5pm in the church. Don’t worry it’s not a variation on the carrot cake recipe, but a traditional afternoon tea in a lovely setting.
Mothering Sunday at Helpringham
On Sunday 15th March we are celebrating Mothering Sunday here at St Andrews at 11am. The service will be informal and led by John West. During the service flowers will be distributed to the children to give to their mothers. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Smuggler Jack at Scredington
A year ago Smuggler Jack was formed and we started playing a few gigs to raise money for local churches including Helpringham.  By kind invitation we are back at Scredington Community Centre on 21st March at 7pm. It should be a good night with a mixture of original songs and pop rock covers. Tickets are £7.50 inc. buffet supper and are available from Chris Pywell (414269). The bar will be open too.
St Andrews, Helpringham AGM on Thursday 26th March
St Andrew’s Helpringham is holding its AGM or Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the church on 26th March at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend but only those on the church electoral roll are allowed to vote. Any person living in the parish is entitled to be on the church electoral roll as long as they are a (confirmed) member of the Church of England, or a church in communion with the CofE (which is most of the churches in this country). Electoral roll forms can be obtained from our church wardens Marian & Vince Stocking – 10 Ladbroke Close, Helpringham. We are looking for a new PCC (Parochial Church Council) Secretary to take over from Ros Prior who is standing down at the APCM after four and half years.
Services in March
  8th – 11am Holy Communium.  Rev Chris
15th – 11am  Mothering Sunday Family Service.  John West
22nd – 11am Morning Praise.  John West
29th – 11am Songs of Praise. John West, request forms for hymns are in the church

Every blessing
Rev ‘Captain’ Chris

All the services across the group of parishes can be found on our website.
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.

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING DATES 2015
ALL MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT 7.30PM (UNLESS SHOWN OTHERWISE) IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE MEMORIAL HALL.  OTHER THAN THE PARISH OPEN MEETING, THERE WILL BE TEN MINUTES PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME AT 7.30PM
IF YOU WISH TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA, THIS SHOULD BE IN WRITING AND SENT TO THE CLERK
JANUARY 14, FEBRUARY 10, MARCH 11, APRIL 8

JUNE 10, JULY 8, AUGUST 12, SEPTEMBER  9, OCTOBER 14, NOVEMBER 11, DECEMBER 9

Clerk to the Parish Council                                                   helpringhampc1@gmail.com                                                             

Paula Ireland, Heath Farm
North Rauceby
NG34 8QR 01529 488409

CLERK’S NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, 11 MARCH 2015 AT 7.30PM AT HELPRINGHAM MEMORIAL HALL

Present:  Cllr G Hotchkin (Chairman), Cllr A Bourne, Cllr J Frizzell, Cllr P Johnson, Cllr R Spencer, Cllr M Robinson and Cllr S Ogden (District) (left after item 6),  and the Clerk, Mrs P Ireland. 

Public Speaking Time was made available
Comment was made about the white lines that had been applied to the South Fen Bridge.

• Apologies – Cllr S Tarry (District)

• Declarations of Interest – Cllr Johnson – Item 5, Cllrs Watts, Frizzell and Hitchkin – Item 9.

• Signing of minutes:

It was proposed and seconded that the minutes be signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.  All in favour.

• County/District/Police Matters:
• Planning Notifications on telegraph poles – Following up on  query that had been raised, Cllr Ogden confirmed that NKDC had no policy in place to remove these notices once out of date.  It was down to the general public.

• Planning applications:

Plans received:  Since the agenda had been circulated, a notice to fell a conifer at 5 George Street had been received.  There were no objections.

Plans refused: Proposed alterations and extension to existing building
14/1674/LDPRO Land Adjacent to Knott Hall 25 Station Road, Helpringham Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 0RB
The Clerk informed the meeting that the Parish Council had not been informed of the alterations to the plans for the above property, as the particular amendment was so minor that the Parish Council had not been on the list of consultees on that occasion.

• Chairman / Vice Chairman’s report:
• Tree at the end of Chapel Lane – removed
• SID machine – had been in use
• Oak on the Village Green had been replaced – The Clerk to write and thank the donor.
• War Memorial – Clock altered

Cllr Ogden left the meeting.

• Station Road Footpaths:

       A belated reply had been received from Lincolnshire Highways.  The footpath will be

     cleared by the end of the financial year and the path outside numbers 11-13 will be sprayed
and cleansed early in the new financial year.
Cllr Frizzell requested that the exact method of clearance be clarified, as the appointed
contractor had indicated that he had been instructed to pile the surplus debris up on the
verge.

• Public Speaking Time Guidelines:

Circulated to councillors.  No changes to be made to the current procedure. 

• Billingborough to Great Hale New 33kV Electricity Circuit:

No comments to be made.

• Election 2015 Update:

All councillors had received their nomination papers.  These to be returned to the District Council, by hand, between the 23 March and the 9 April. 

•  Swaton Road Bridge:
• Reply received from the Lincs Road Saftey Partnership  -  Suggestion that the Parish Council approach Network Rail and offer to have the bush removed at their own expense.
• Communication from Network Rail – Work will go ahead in the next two weeks.  NR had not been aware that the piece of ground in question belonged to them.

•  Annual Clock Service Update:
• Service details read out by the Clerk.

• Tree Survey:
• It was agreed that the Clerk should organise a safety survey (as previously agreed with NKDC) of the 47 trees in the parish.

•  Police Rural Community Forum:
•  The Clerk reported that this still existed but had not met for 18 months.  Mr J West is the new Helpringham representative.

•  Cemetery Matters:
• Cllr Bourne reported that a damaged headstone (previously toppled) had been repaired and the moss had been swept off the path.
• A risk assessment had been completed by the Clerk and Cllr Johnson.

•  Correspondence:
• Verge mowing by parishes – A copy given to Cllr Frizzell
• Road Closure Notification – Cllr Johnson to include this in the newsletter, for noting by the School Lane residents.
• Insurance Details – Clarification needed about the church wall and the Pinfold
• Fields In Trust – Details circulated
• Community Clear Up  Day – No action to be taken

• Update on Outstanding Matters:
• ‘Save Our Nags’ – Minutes of meetings held had been received and circulated.  A questionnaire had been distributed around Helpringham.

• Grounds Maintenance Contract – Accepted by Mr R Webster
• Removal of noticeboard – Cllr Robinson
• Thorpe Latimer Sign – A replacement sign on order.  The damaged one had been made safe.

•  Finance:
• Financial Report  - Circulated.  All Cllrs in agreement that it be accepted.            
• Cheques for signing / approval:         

Cheque No	Amount	Payee	Relating to
1555	£210.75	P Ireland	February salary
1556	£15.00	P Ireland	Computer use
1557	£7.00	LALC	Lunch at Audit Course
1558	£14.46	Anglian Water	Dec 14 – March 15
1559	£58.88	Photostatic	Feb 2015
1560	£928.60	Smiths of Derby	Servicing for 5 years

15. Discussion of Matters from Public Speaking – None

16. Matters of Urgency - None

• Date of next meeting and items for inclusion on the April agenda:
• Wednesday 8 April 2015

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.21pm.

 

PETTICOAT CLUB NEWS

At our meeting in February Valerie Oliver brought along her extensive photograph collection of the Tour of Mont Blanc and talked us through this interesting trek that she underwent at the end of August.
The trail took her around the mountain, through France Italy and Switzerland, with a group of fifteen from America, Holland, and Australia. Over ten days they covered 105 miles. The trip was arranged by “Exodus” and they were provided with an expert guide and chef who ensured that they ate well at the end of each days walking. The pop up tents they used caused merriment as they collapsed to the size of a hula hoop, once you knew how to do it. Valerie showed us an array of villages and a fine display of flowers even at the end of the summer. At the end of the talk we were all exhausted and all we had done was follow the trail in our imaginations, not walked it. We enjoyed this very enjoyable talk and thanks go to Valerie for this.
Our next meeting is WEDNESDAY 11thMARCH at 7.30pm. OUR AGM when we shall receive reports and learn of the year’s forthcoming attractions. We would welcome any of your comments or ideas on the club. New members will of course be very welcome.

SOUTH LINCS SHADOWS MUSIC CLUB

February 2015 Meeting.

It was nice to see some returning members at this meeting together with the regulars and another new member.
Pete is a member who is learning to play and brought along his American Fender Stratocaster, and a nice guitar it is too ! I had the privilege of playing the first tune on it for him so he could hear what it sounded like.
Gerry, from our village, made a welcome return and played at the club for the first time – a very creditable rendition of “Dance On.” We were all fascinated by his folding guitar, which collapses to a size that fits into a small flight bag. Amazing.
Don’t forget you don’t have to be a player - you can just come and listen, have a chat, swap a few memories. Entry is just £2 for non players.
Entry is £3 for guitar players and you just need to bring your guitar. Everything else is provided, backing tracks, echo machines, PA system. Or, if you have your own backing tracks they, can be accommodated on CD, minidisc, USB stick, mp3 player, smartphone or iPad etc.
Meetings are held at the Memorial Hall from 7:30pm to 10:30pm on the first Wednesday of every month.
Light refreshments are included.
Next meeting is Wednesday 4th March. 
Dave Moore

HELPRINGHAM AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

Enjoy meeting with a friendly group on the 4th. Wednesday of each month
Venue: The Helpringham Memorial Hall   at   7.30 pm .
We welcome anyone who loves gardens
(Experts, amateurs and those just interested)
Annual Subs:  £12.50                                    Visitors:  £2.00 per session      
March 25th :      Plot to Pot :    Gail Summerfield

HELPRINGHAM HISTORY SOCIETY