Join the May Fair Celebrations to mark the completion of the Restoration Project.

Licensed Bar, Barbecue, Children’s Historical Treasure Hunt, Build Your Own Nest Box, Morris Dancers, Period Actors, Jazz Band, Teas, Stalls, Bouncy Castle, Wildlife Exhibition and more…..

Further details from time to time on this website and in the Village Newsletter.

Jan Prior will retire from her role as Volunteer Co-ordinator as from 1^st June 2010.  She will continue as a volunteer.  I am sure we would all like to express our heartfelt thanks for nearly six years of dedicated and efficient service.

We now need someone to take over this important function.  Thanks to Jan we have an excellent rota system and a cohort of over 50 volunteers to call upon – more would always be welcome.

If you would like to find out more please talk to Jan  or David Bolton at the shop.

Neil Johnston

Chairman – Management Committee

Sulgrave Village Shop

Read more about Sulgrave Village Shop

Of all British songbirds, the song thrush is probably the most loved. Its loud clear song, delivered most often from the very top of a tree, may be heard in the early part of the year, even in the most wintry of weather, and as spring approaches the period of singing gets longer and longer until one sometimes gets the impression that there’s no end to it.

It is one of the most easily identifiable of songs consisting of a large number – as many as a hundred – of musical phrases, each one repeated several times. As the poet Robert Browning put it:

That’s the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over
Lest you think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!

In fact, this bird is the poet’s favourite: Thomas Hardy, Edward Thomas and Ted Hughes are among those who have described it, in their various ways.

In appearance, the song thrush may be confused with its cousin the mistle thrush (which is larger and greyer, with larger spots) or even with a young or a female blackbird, which may be heavily mottled. A popular name for the song thrush is throstle, and in Scotland in may be called the mavis. It usually nests in hedges or thickets. The well-built nest, of grass, roots or moss, lined with earth, rotten wood or dung moistened with saliva, may contain from three to six blue eggs, spotted with black. The thrush’s diet consists of worms, slugs and snails, sometimes insects or berries.

Once common throughout the countryside, it is now a cause for serious concern; overall its numbers have declined by two-thirds or more. The bird’s stronghold is the private garden, but even here the song is under threat. Perhaps the main reason is the widespread use of slug pellets and other pesticides; the thrush may consume the resultant corpses if they are not quickly gathered up and disposed of.

Hear the song of a Song Thrush.

Photos: John Sheppard. Text: George Metcalfe.

See Bird Archive for other birds in this series

Turbines of the height proposed at Spring Farm

Parish Council Chairman Graham Roberts explained that a letter had been received on 18^th January from Broadview Energy Limited giving details of their proposals for a six turbine windfarm between the villages of Helmdon and Greatworth. This is to be known as the “Spring Farm Ridge Renewable Energy Project” on a site belonging to four local landowners. The turbines would be 125 metres (410 feet) high to the tip of a blade in an upright position

A map was shown indicating the proposed location of the six turbines in relation to the nine already proposed by Enertrag Limited between Sulgrave and Weston which would be of a similar height.

Broadview have submitted a scoping request to South Northamptonsire Council, the local planning authority, dealing with the matters to be investigated as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment which applicants are required to carry out for developments of this type. An application has also been made for permission to erect a 60 metre high meteorological mast with the aim of assessing average wind strengths and directions.

The company had also held a meeting to present the proposals to the representatives of the affected Parish Councils, namely: Greatworth, Helmdon, Marston-St-Lawrence and Sulgrave. At this meeting it was suggested that the company would be in a position to submit a planning application by June of this year.

Having thus given details of the proposal the Chairman opened the meeting up for a general discussion between councillors and members of the public. One of the latter explained that his initial assessment of the Broadview scheme suggested that all six turbines would be seen from various points in the village at distances between 2 and 2.5 kilometres from the nearest house. The horizon as seen to the south of the village comprised the top of a broad ridge running east to west which formed the parish boundary. It had been calculated that the top two thirds of the turbines would be seen above this horizon i.e. the whole of the rotating blades.

From a viewpoint on the path northwards from the village the fifteen turbines now proposed would dominate the setting of the village, its conservation area, Manor, Church and Ancient Monument in a band between 850 metres and 2500 metres, in an arc pretty well from east to south.

The possibility of noise problems was discussed at some length. The Chairman explained that government guidance currently allowed developers to locate even the largest turbines very close to houses. For example, one of the turbines in the scheme would be located no more than 650 metres from a farmhouse in Greatworth parish. A growing body of opinion was suggesting that the current standard was long overdue for review. From the floor it was suggested that an exclusion distance of two kilometres would be more prudent. See here for a map showing the extent of the area within two kilometres of at least one turbine if all fifteen were erected.

The local representative of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England said that Broadview Energy Limited had been given information by a pilot using Turweston Airfield that their proposed windfarm site lay directly below the downwind approach to the airfield circuit for the westerly runway. At this point aircraft are legally entitled to fly at 500 feet and in difficult visibility or bad weather a wind farm in that area would constitute a very serious risk to the air traffic operating at Turweston.

The chairman thanked the members of the public for their contributions, received without prejudice to the council’s deliberations when consulted on the actual planning application. He went on to say that Broadview Energy Limited planned to hold a “drop-in” session from 4 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday March 2^nd in Marston-St-Lawrence Village Hall where members of the public can learn more about the project and wind power in general, as well as meet and question members of the Broadview team. A press release from the company advertising this event can be seen here.

Report on Sulgrave Public Meeting to discuss the Enertrag Proposal

Link to Sulgrave and Weston Windfarm Action Group Website

The above watercolour, painted by Warwick Goble in 1910 and entitled “Old Cottages at Sulgrave” shows the group of terraced houses formerly known as “Spring Gardens” in Manor Road on the opposite side of the road from the Star Inn. Only the left hand end of the terrace remains, the greater part of the building having been demolished in the early 1930s. The painting was discovered at a Bloomsbury art gallery last year (2009), acquired at auction and restored to the village.

The discovery was made when I received the following email:

I saw your interesting web site and thought ‘Sulgrave folk’ might be interested to know of an old painting of cottages at Sulgrave which is being auctioned (lot 143) at Bloomsbury on Sept 3

Best wishes

R W Smith

I viewed the painting via the link to the gallery provided by Bill Smith and was astonished to see that it was of the cottage in which my mother was born and where she lived until it was demolished. I emailed back as follows:

My name is Colin Wootton and I look after the Sulgrave Village Website. I’m 71 years old and have lived in the village pretty well all of my life. Both my parents’ families have been established in the village for several hundreds of years.

My mother was born in the cottage shown in the picture (known as “Spring Gardens”) and lived there with her 11 brothers and sisters until the early thirties, when it was pulled down (a small part remains).

If you go to the village website and click on “Sulgrave – 130 years in photographs” the cottage is on the right in the sepia toned introductory picture. I can’t thank you enough for drawing my attention to this picture by Warwick Goble. I would very much like to purchase it……

From a picture postcard of Manor Road, possibly in 1910 when Warwick Goble painted his picture.

Bill replied as follows:

I am delighted to have re-connected the painting with its past – and I very much hope that you will be able to acquire it and take it ‘home’. Perhaps some old relatives of yours may even be present in the picture!

Whilst the figures in the picture are probably from Warwick Goble’s imagination rather than “sitters” at the time, it is conceivable that some of them may represent my relatives. Could this be “Granny Branson” bringing the milk home with one of my mother’s elder sisters?

Here is a picture of Spring Gardens taken in the late 1920s or early 1930s, with my  Uncle Cyril Branson astride his motor-cycle in the foreground (Granny Branson is indeed present in this picture, in the doorway).

…and here is a recent photograph of what remains of the original Spring Gardens terrace. The gate in the wall on the right of the photo leads up to the houses which are currently known as Spring Gardens.

Having never bought a picture at auction before I attended the sale after a thorough briefing by Bill Smith and, following a brisk round of bidding, acquired the picture at a little more than my “reserve” price! It now hangs in my hallway.

So, who was Warwick Goble?

“Warwick Goble isn’t exactly a household name. He was born in 1862. He was raised in London, went to The City of London School and attended the Westminster School School of Art. He worked for a printer that did chromolithography and contributed to the Pall Mall Gazette and the Westminster Gazette, illustrated papers of the day. His watercolors were the perfect vehicle for the new illustrated books of the early 20th century. He was exhibiting at the Royal Academy as early as 1893, so this appears to have been his focus.”

This extract is from a fascinating website containing a biography of Warwick Goble and many examples of his pictures.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the picture between 1910 and 2009 I would love to hear about it. Just email: colin.wootton@virgin.net.

I’m truly indebted to Bill Smith for drawing my attention to the sale of the picture which I now have the pleasure of viewing many times each day.

Villagers are cordially invited to pay a visit and view the painting at first hand.

Colin Wootton

Access to this is via the “planning information” link on the right hand side of the home page. Details provided include:

• Instant access to each current planning application in the village with the opportunity to view its status and see plans and photographs where available.
• Current district council planning policy for the village.
• Map showing the extent of the village conservation area and the district council’s conservation area policy.
• Map showing the location of listed buildings in the village and details of the district council’s policy in this respect.
• Information on Tree Preservation Orders
• Details of the councillor currently representing the village at the district council.
• Details of Parish Council involvement in the planning process and how to contact the Chairman and Clerk

In addition dog fouling has been seen in the Pocket Park, where dogs are banned because children play in this area.

The litter bins outside The Star, by the bus shelter and in the pocket park should not be used to deposit waste in bags, please be considerate and take the waste home to put in your black bin.

The Parish Council are discussing the provision of Dog Waste Bins and this matter will be further discussed at the next meeting of the Parish Council.

Your comments on this matter are welcome, if you wish to comment, please do so by writing to or emailing the Parish Clerk, or leave your comments in the space below this item.

Sulgrave Parish Council

As with all such good ideas it all began in the pub the night before!

The conversation had turned to the snow and what we all did as kids whenever we had the periodic 10 year dump of snow. With each successive round of drinks the voices became louder and reminisces became more extravagant. Then it was inevitable that questions were asked,  ”Well, who has still has a sledge?”, which quickly developed into “I bet my sledge is quicker than yours!” The testosterone levels were rising!

Then the conversation was more about putting it all to the test and what the criteria should be. Dispute resolution procedures in now in full swing.

So the terms were agreed. The time and place was set. (11.00am at the “Blue Freezer Box” on the Gated Road). Seconds and scrutineers were appointed. Independent spectators invited. Food and drink laid on. Transport for towing the competitors back to the start was arranged.  A beautiful, bright, cloudless, sunny day was selected from the five day weather forecast with the ideal temperature of  -1 deg C.

The stage was set for an exciting challenge.

Editor’s note: The following additional pictures were supplied by David and Crissy Kellet on 23.01.10:

The competitors:-

• Matt & Lisa from Spinners with their F 1 modified surfing g body board. Matt had wrapped his boogie board with “Teflon” tape to reduce friction and improve straight-line speed.
• Bob & Libbie with their classical, 50 year old, made in school carpentry lessons, sledge. Bob had secretly spent most the night polishing and waxing his runners. He says that he couldn’t fine his spiked cricket boots.
• Julian, Toffee, Dillon and Pier arrived with an inflatable “snow surfer”, which looked more like a bouncy water ski, but turned out to be very quick, if not exactly in a straight line.
• Graham from “Towrise”, provided the quad bike powered towing mechanism and a spare sledge he’d made for his grandchildren the last time we had snow.

The spectators slid up to the start point trying desperately to avoid  practice runs hurtling down towards them.

Jules Wood transported Libbie’s flasks of hot mulled wine and hot sausage rolls in the ex-WD “Landy” up to the “Blue Box”.

David and Chrissie Kellett were the official press photographers. Sean from Little Street had a very slow start but quickly got into the swing of things – once he lost his hangover from the night before!

Julie arrived with her three JR’s, who she discovered, were most efficient at towing, (downhill) a sledge.

Mine Host and Hostess from the Star failed to respond to our reminders and entreaties from the car park, claiming prior engagements – something about needing to open the pub at 12.00!!

As for the challenge? No more was said. The mulled wine was drunk and the hot sausage rolls devoured. It was such a beautiful bright winters day. We were all, regardless of age, acting as if this was the first time we had seen snow and thoroughly enjoying ourselves sledging down the hill. In many ways the best part was the high-speed return trips courtesy of Graham on his quad bike. Many of the “competitors” remarked that they seemed to return back up the hill quicker than they had descended unaided!

Matt & Lisa tried a new technique by filling “poly bags” with snow and using these as a means of trying to keep up the more conventional sledges. These were abandoned after a five metre trial.

Sean put Graham’s sledge into a poly bag in an attempt to improve its slidabilty. This too was rejected after five metres.

Perhaps the most spectacular runs were those by Sean and Matt on the “boogie board”, all the way down the steep field to the east of the Gated Road, on virgin snow.

And so to … The Star for more mulled wine and a warm in front of the fire.

A great day was had by all!! Boys and girls will be boys when it snows – once every ten years or so.

Bob Foster

…..and bringing the children (and some parents and grandparents) out for the traditional sledging on Castle Hill…

Pause for much needed warm drinks

The new path across Castle Green is well used

Traditionally known as "Dark Lane" but very bright today....

....as can be seen

More parents arrive to beseige Castle Hill...

....defences are constructed.....

.... the enemy identified....

....and battle commences.

An attack....

....a counter-attack....

....and the enemy is put to flight

The boys press home their advantage

Other means of travel make their appearance

....and a Norwegian baggage "pulk" is pressed into service

With temperatures remaining well below zero, the evenly distributed snow is ideal for cross country skiing

After a few days tracks ranged far into adjoining parishes

Minor roads are untreated and make perfect highways for skis

Passing through Weedon Lois

The hungry sheep are less than pleased with the conditions......

....and approach the skier hoping for additional fodder.

Gated roads and tracks can be linked to give good cross country ski circuits (Photo: Andrew Waite)

Approaching Astwell Castle (Photo: Andrew Waite)

Photo: Andrew Waite

Returning home as the sun sets

The first three of these were taken by Peter Mackness:

Peter says: “We awoke on the 23rd to a beautiful sunny morning to a light covering with the most sparkling, hard, Hoare frost”  The first two photos were taken at 9.30 am.

Peter took  the next photo in his back garden at 2.45 pm on the same day:

At about the same time in December, Alison Lewis took these photos during a walk up the Moreton Road and back via  Barrow Hill:

The following three photographs were taken by Andrew Waite, also just before Christmas:

Sulgrave Manor from the East

The Green Lane to Weston

The Thatched House from Madam's Close