Photo: Anthony Wallis
House martins have chosen Peter and Clare Pollak’s house in Magpie Road to bring up their families. Clare writes: “ We have 3 nests on our house, and feel very honoured that they have chosen to lodge with us!”
House Martins make a home at Kirkleys
June 18th, 2011Let the Government have your views on the HIGH SPEED RAIL LINE proposed to pass within 1400 metres of SULGRAVE
May 28th, 2011
The Government is seeking views on the proposed national high speed rail strategy……and on the recommended line of the route for an initial London-West Midlands line. This line is known as “HS2” and the company concerned are HS2 Ltd. You are asked “whether or not you agree with its proposals and why, [and if there is] any additional evidence that you feel it should consider in reaching its final decisions”. You will need to fill out a questionnaire in paper form or on-line; this should be received by HS2 Ltd by 29th July 2011. The paper version can be obtained by requesting one from HS2 Ltd Enquiries on 020 7944 4908. The on-line form and information can be found at: http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/
A May Wedding in Sulgrave
May 23rd, 2011
Another gloriously sunny day for a May wedding in the Church of St James the Less. Camilla Mason, granddaughter of Kenneth and Janet Tattersall, married George Spence and the ceremony was followed by a reception at the nearby family home, Corner House, Sulgrave.
Sulgrave boys play cricket for Culworth
May 21st, 2011
Henry practices in the nets
On a cold, blustery May evening, four Sulgrave boys played cricket for Culworth Under 13s against Charlton Chargers. In this 20 over game, Charlton batted first and made 82. Culworth completed the 20 overs but fell short at 54 for 9.
Former villager drops in for lunch
May 7th, 2011
Photo: John Sheppard
Les Clark, a Sulgrave resident for over twenty years before leaving in the 1990s, flew into Hinton-in-the-Hedges to have lunch with old friends and former villagers Martin Sirot-Smith and John Sheppard. Les’ retirement ambitions had been to gain his pilot’s licence and to build his own aeroplane and this event was a demonstration of his success in both ventures.
A Sulgrave Wedding
May 2nd, 2011
On Saturday 30th April, beautifully sunny spring weather blessed the wedding of Angharad Lloyd and Russell Downing at the Church of St James the Less, Sulgrave.
Aunt Sally players wanted at The Star
April 29th, 2011
The Star Inn has a team of Aunt Sally players who compete in a local league with teams from other pubs in the Oxfordshire area. There are eight members in a team and the Star Inn team are seeking to build up a squad to enable a rotation of players on a regular basis. No qualifications or previous experience necessary! These are enjoyable midweek summer evening events to which all are welcome. Refreshments are provided. If you are interested in having a go, just let Will or Mandy know at the Star.
See here for photos of an evening Aunt Sally match at the Star.
John Down (John the Postman)
April 17th, 2011
The village learned with great sadness of the death of John Down, for more than twenty years our community postman.
It was a fitting tribute to John and his family that so many people gathered at St. Mary’s Church, Banbury on a lovely day on April 13th to pay their respects to a well loved man.
Sulgrave was well represented and I am sure the family will take comfort from everyone’s support.
The coffin was carried by John’s sons John and Paul and colleagues.
John served Sulgrave very well for many years and as we all know, if waiting for him to call! always went an extra mile to help anyone, always had time for a friendly word. Postman, yes, but also a friend and confident……you name it, he was it.
He was also a wonderful family man which was obvious at the funeral and they did him proud.
He led a very full life and was very well respected in many circles.
We send our sincere condolences to Pat his wife, John, Paul and all the family.
There was a collection after the service in memory of John for the Katherine House Hospice and anyone who could not attend can still donate if they wish to, c/o J & M Humphris, Albert Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5DG
Bird for April – Siskin
April 7th, 2011
SISKIN (Carduelis spinus)
The siskin is the smallest of our native British finches, roughly comparable in size to the blue tit. The plumage is predominantly greenish-yellow, with a yellow stripe on the dark wing. The lower flanks are streaked. The male bird has a black crown and yellow “eyebrows”, breast and rump.
The siskin is essentially a bird of coniferous or mixed woodland, mainly in northern or western parts of Britain, although it has bred in some sites in the south. Like all finches, it is a seed-eater, feeding largely on tree-seeds, especially those of the birch or alder. In winter, it tends to migrate southwards. It is gregarious and is often seen in mixed flocks with redpolls. In recent years, it has increased in numbers, largely because it has discovered the food put out in gardens for other birds. In this area, it seems to be mainly from mid-winter onwards that it can be seen swinging acrobatically, sometimes upside down, from the nut-feeders. It has also taken a fancy to nyjer seed put out for the goldfinches.
Its pretty twittering song led in the past to its trapping, to spend the rest of its life in a cage. Fortunately, this undesirable custom is now illegal.
Text by George Metcalfe
Picture by John Sheppard.
Sulgrave Pocket Park Action Group Working Party Weekend
March 30th, 2011
From Jane Osborne:
Of course, living in quintessential England, we awoke on our organised day to find it was raining!!! Frantic telephone calls between committee members commenced with the cry of “shall we go ahead?” Eventually at 9.30 am, having trawled the internet for weather forecasts, we decided to put our faith in the promise of “fine by lunch”.
However, at the agreed starting time, ready for the Health and Safety briefing, there was still just us! So we decided we were clothed for the showers, ready for the work and forged ahead ourselves. Like the nursery rhyme “Incy Wincy Spider”, the rain stopped, the people came out in force and day one began.