PRESCRIPTIONS TO POST OFFICE IN MARCH

Due to Post Office refurbishment there will not be a delivery of prescriptions on WEDNESDAY MARCH 16TH.

Due to Easter at the end of March there will not be a delivery of prescriptions on WEDNESDAY 30th MARCH

Out of Hours Medical Centre at Sleaford Medical Group, Boston Road, Sleaford is now open to all patients Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.pm. Week-Ends and Bank Holidays 8.a.m to 6.p m. You do not need an appointment, just walk-in.

MILITARY WIVES CHOIR CONCERT

Please note that the date for the above concert has had to be changed to Saturday 7th May.  This is one week earlier than previously advertised.  We hope that the date change will not affect anyone's intention of coming along but the change was beyond our control.  If you have already expressed an interest in tickets we will be contacting you at the end of January when we have the tickets printed and available.

Marian and Vince
Churchwardens

THIS SHOULD HAVE GONE IN LAST MONTH BUT THE EDITOR FORGOT ABOUT IT!

It was really nice to see so many people attend the 1st Carols on the Green. 63 of you turned out to support Rev. Capt. Chris and John West. The weather was kind to us, dry and pleasantly mild.  
With so many terrible things happening around the world, to see so many of our little community, of all ages, enjoy a winters evening on our beloved village green, as a precursor to the most important Christian festival of the year, was truly fabulous.
Our wonderful children from the village, all lit up with glow sticks were superbly behaved as always and a huge thank you to the older ones, who, without even being asked, carried out a litter pick to ensure the village green finished up as clean and tidy as when we all arrived. 
With the exception of feast weekend, I doubt the pub has been so busy for many a year and Barry, Dave and Jan, our new landlords in the Brass Windmill, again showed their commitment to our village and  mulled wine, mince pies and bowls of hot chips. Thank you. 
As most of you know the Carol service on the green was the first step towards hopefully, gaining permission to have a lit Christmas tree on the green for the festive period.  So many of you have aired your support and some have promised, if required, to provide the finance and carry out all the necessary work. There is still research and discussions to be carried out with our Parish Council, who too, we thank for allowing this Carol service to have taken place. For those who enjoyed the singing, why not attend the children's crib service in St. Andrews at 6pm on Christmas Eve, we are sure Chris and John West will only be too happy to have our church bursting at the seams (and it was!). 
It's was your Carol service, on your village green. Well done for making it a great evening.  
Sarah and John. 

 

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. 

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.

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.

The year is already speeding ahead as we are now officially coming into Spring and we are all looking forward to getting out and about.

Last month John Mallindine and his dog Poppy visited the hall to collect your used stamps, for the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and was extremely grateful for all your support, so we shall continue to collect your old stamps to help this good cause.

Those of you who have visited the Memorial Hall recently will have noticed that more improvements are being made. The Foyer and toilet floor areas are being renewed with new non-slip tiles which will update and improve the whole area. Thanks go to our Vice Chairman who has undertaken this work and is doing such a good job.
The Committee members continue to maintain and improve the hall and should be thanked for all their efforts.

All our regular clubs are also in full operation and would welcome any new comers.
Please remember that 2016 is our Diamond Jubilee year and if you were around in 1956 we would love to hear from you and your memories of the building and opening of the Hall. Please telephone Laraine on 421110 if you can help. We shall be celebrating this event on September 17th and 18th.
Another date for your diary is Saturday 3rd December when we shall be holding our Christmas Fair; if you would like to book a stall please contact Laraine.
We look forward to seeing you at the Memorial Hall.

THE 59 CLUB.

The winners of the 59 Club from 23rd January through to 20th February were as follows, each winner received £30. All proceeds go to The Memorial Hall.

23rd January         (24) Laraine Wright
30th January         (42) Doreen Davies
6th   February       (50) Lindsay Cousland
13th February       (36) Carol Larkins
20th February       (42) Doreen Davies

There is another spare number at present if you wish to register for this please phone Laraine on 421110.

 

 

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

WORSHIP AT HELPRINGHAM PARISH CHURCH DURING MARCH 2016
Sunday 6th March 11.00am Mothering Sunday : Songs of Praise
John West. Please see advert elsewhere in this newsletter.
Sunday 13th March 11.00am            Holy Communion Lent 5 Passion Sunday : Revd Chris           
Sunday 27th March 11.00am            Easter Day Morning Praise John West

Donations for the Easter Lilies please will be gratefully received
by Irene Foster

FOR YOUR DIARY HELPRINGHAM EVENTS
Thursday 24th March - 2pm School Assembly in the church.
Thursday 7th April - 7pm PCC Annual General Meeting in the church
We now have tickets for sale for what promises to be an outstanding concert by the Cranwell Military Wives Choir.  Please see the advert elsewhere in the newsletter.  The choir has a big following and we are advertising far and wide so get your tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment.  Tickets from Churchwardens, John West 421872 and the Post Office
A Strawberry Choral Concert - Sat 9 July Helpringham Church performed by Helpringham Voices.  More details later.

THE HOLY WEEK
20th March 10.30                   Donkey Procession from Heckington School to Heckington Church
Monday 21st March 7.00pm   Film “The Miracle Maker” Wesleyan Chapel
Tuesday 22nd March 11.00   Chrism Eucharist (Blessing Holy Oils + Renewal of Vows) Lincoln Cathedral.  All are welcome arrive by 10.45 if you are planning to attend
Tuesday 22nd March 7.00pm            Film “The Last Temptation of Christ“ Wesleyan Chapel
Wed 23rd March                    Film “The Passion of Christ” Mel Gibson Wesleyan Chapel. 

Maundy Thursday 24th March 7.00pm
“Passover Meal” with teaching about the origins of our Communion Service.  Upper room Council Chambers St Andrew’s Street Heckington: Cost £5.00
Good Friday 25th March 9.30am Great Hale Church
“Stations of the Cross” A service of prayer and meditation on Jesus’s journey from arrest to Crucifixion
25th   March 10.30am Walk of Witness with the Cross from Great Hale Church to Heckington Village Green             
25th Good Friday 11.15am   
Open Air service on Heckington Village Green as the story of the passion story of Jesus is retold
25th Good Friday 7.30pm Requiem Mass
St Andrew’s Heckington. A service of Holy Communion with extra choral anthems by the choir and music by John Lyon
27th March Easter Sunday

• 6.00am Dawn Eucharist Heckington Church. Once again we welcome the light of the risen Christ into the church.  Followed by a cooked breakfast
• 9.30am Easter Communion Service at Swaton Church
• 10.00am Messy Church informal communion at Great Hale Church.
• 11.00am Easter Sunday Services at Heckington & Helpringham
• 6.00pm Easter Communion at Scredington Church
  
  Enquiries re baptism, weddings Funerals etc. should be made to Reverend Chris Harrington Tel 01529 460904     c.r.harrington@btinternet.com

Very Best wishes and every blessing from the Parochial Church Council of St Andrew’s Church HELPRINGHAM
All the services across the group of parishes can be found on our website.
www.heckingtonandhelpringhamgroup.org.uk
Rector - Rev Chris Harrington (01529) 460904

PETTICOAT CLUB NEWS

In February our meeting was treated to a talk by Brenda Park from the Linus Project. Brenda gave a very interesting talk on the origins of this charity and its work in Britain today. Named after Linus in the Charlie Brown cartoons, this charity started in 1995 in the United States, when Karen Lock came up with the idea that quilters could do something to provide a hug for children in need of one. In 2000 this came to Britain and quilters all over the country make quilts for babies and children in hospitals, homes or difficult situations. The materials are mostly donated and many quilters freely give of their time. Local Baby units at Boston and Lincoln have benefited as have many individual children who are in need of a hug and comfort in our area.
Members were shown a variety of quilts that have been made and were suitably impressed with the fine quality of these lovely items.

Our next meeting is WEDNESDAY 9th MARCH at 7.30pm.
This will be the AGM of the club and it is very important that members attend if they can.

New members will be very welcome.

SOUTH LINCS SHADOWS MUSIC CLUB

February 2016 Meeting.

The meetings seem to have settled into a routine now with a dozen or more people usually attending and enough players to play at least 4 tunes each.

It seems hard to imagine that the next meeting will be the 30th one!

After that many meetings it become increasingly difficult to think of something a bit different to write each month, so I thought from now on I would include a snippet about The Shadows, or their music, that people may not know and will hopefully find interesting.

I wonder how many people know that the characteristic sound of the Shadows was partly created by accident. In the early days of Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Cliff decided Hank Marvin needed a better guitar than the one he was currently using in The Shadows. They had heard that the American guitarist James Burton was using a Fender guitar so they ordered the most expensive one from the Fender catalogue. In those days they could only be ordered direct from the American factory and imported, they were not in the music shops over here.

Eventually a Fender Stratocaster arrived, complete with a tremolo arm which gives that “wobbly” shimmering sound so evident on Shadows records. Little did they know that James Burton played a Fender Telecaster, which has no tremolo, sounds quite different to a Stratocaster and is more suited to country music!

As it turned out that was probably the luckiest mistake in their careers, and as they say “The rest is history!”

Back to our normal business - meetings are held at the Memorial Hall from 7:30pm to 10:30pm on the first Wednesday of every month. Next meeting is Wednesday 2nd March

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.

You don’t need to play - you can just come and listen, have a chat, swap a few memories. Entry is just £2 for non players and light refreshments are included.

Dave Moore

HELPRINGHAM AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club started 2016 with a fun Social.  
The members enjoyed an evening of fun
with poems, games and some spontaneous  music
Of course refreshments and a good natter did help!

The Year's programme begins in earnest on 24th. February
Gail Summerfield will be giving a talk on Micro Gardens.
(this includes Pots, Hanging Baskets & Small Gardens.)
Gail has spoken to us on several occasions over the years
and always delivers a very informative and interesting  evening.

For the coming year we have a varied programme with talks ranging from Victorian Gardens
Hellibores
Bulbs  (Not Just For Spring)
A Wildlife Friendly Garden
A Gardener's Favourites  (Lincolnshire Plants & Gardens)
A tree growing Clinic with Trevor Rogers
(An opportunity to share our problems & success stories with an expert.)

We have two evening visits arranged and one day Coach trip.
In April we travel to Butters Group
who specialise in the growth & distribution of herbs
In June we visit a local Garden in Little Hale
Late summer sees us on a day coach trip to a venue to be arranged.

We always welcome visitors to our meetings.
Visitors fee is £2.00 per session / Annual Membership is £12.50

We meet in The Helpringham Memorial Hall
on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm
(unless previously arranged )

You do not have to be an expert to join
(very few of us are!!!)
Just have an interest

HELPRINGHAM HISTORY SOCIETY