South from the Barrow Hill footpath on a bright Spring day
A series of images from 2012 can be seen on the following page, many of which have not previously been published on this website
Lily Branson, the then oldest surviving former resident of the village, on her 104th birthday in January. Lily passed away in June. See here for photographs of her 100th birthday party.
February saw the installation of a new wood burning stove in the Star Inn, adding to the already warm welcome.
Elsewhere in the village, fires are re-kindled in a long disused fireplace, to the delight of a resident and visitor (Dipper’s Cottage).
First signs of Spring in Dipper’s garden.
April – sale of home made cakes outside the village shop.
Time for the annual village litter pick.
Volunteers receive their equipment from then Parish Council Chairman, Graham Roberts.
More signs of Spring in Dipper’s garden…..
….including beautiful blossom on a hawthorn tree. A few weeks later the tree appeared to have died without producing a single berry. Very dry conditions followed by very wet conditions? Please add a comment to this web page if you have any suggestions.
In April, Andrew Waite became Chairman of the Parish Council. Seen here with wife Sue on holiday in France (with the ever present sketch book) Andrew is an architect with Nick Cox Architects at Upper Heyford. When professional duties, parish affairs and family matters permit, Andrew is a keen violin player with Banbury Symphony Orchestra. He is seen in the centre of the next photo, at rehearsal:
During May, residents from the village, together with those from Helmdon, Greatworth and Stuchbury, appeared at the public inquiry into the decision of the South Northants Council to refuse planning permission for the proposed Spring Farm Ridge Windfarm. See here for evidence given to the Inquiry on behalf of Sulgrave Parish Council.
The Inspector agreed with the Parish Council, stating that: “…..from this particular view the proposed turbines would become a key feature at odds with the scale of the settlement and the prominence of the church tower”. In respect of Stuchbury Hall Farm she said: “The proposed development would be unpleasantly imposing and pervasive to the occupiers of Stuchbury Hall Farm who work the adjoining land”
These are but two examples of the many disadvantages of the proposal which the Inspector identified and listed. Nevertheless, she decided to allow the appeal on the basis that these disadvantages would be outweighed by the wider environmental benefits of the scheme. No attempt is made to quantify these benefits in terms of a contribution to the reduction of carbon emission. That the insignificance of this contribution is acknowledged in the developer’s own literature is of little consolation to affected residents. See here for full details of the decision.
On the 4th June, the village celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, firstly in the Pocket Park…..
….and later at Sulgrave Manor. More pictures of the Jubilee celebrations.
The following pictures were taken on 13th June during a dinner at the Star Inn to celebrate the memory of John Down – still affectionately known as “John the Postman”. See photos from John’s 60th birthday party at Sulgrave Manor.
July. United States Independence Day celebrated at Sulgrave Manor…….
…….with “Aunty Sammy”. More pictures of U.S. Independence Day celebrations at the Manor.
Andrea Leadsom MP visits Sulgrave Village Shop. More pictures.
July. The “Sulgrave Rose” in full bloom.
During the year, the Sulgrave Castle Archaeological Group continued the work of cataloguing and photographing the various artefacts found during the 1961/1976 excavations of Castle Hill. These items are over 1000 years old, being from the late Saxon occupation of the site. The following photographs illustrate just some of the finds:
Small glazed beads, probably from a necklace.
Coin of King Ethelred (968 – 1016)
Comb carved from a piece of bone.
Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Brooch, moulded from a rare penny coin issued by Ethelred in 1009.
Small iron shears, possibly for trimming hair. More details of the Sulgrave Castle Archaeological Project.
September. The Annual Sulgrave Produce Show, held in the Church Hall….
….with prize giving and refreshments outside……
……much appreciated by the youngsters! More pictures of the Produce Show.
Late September. Harvest Supper in the Church Hall. More pictures of the Harvest Supper.
The following photographs were taken during a “clean-up day” at the Pocket Park in early October:
Work continues on the aerial ropeway.
During the year the village shop went from strength to strength. New marketing ideas included the sale of fresh flowers on a daily basis…..
…….and the shop’s Wine Team continue to provide quality wines at reasonable prices:
The following pictures feature volunteers and customers outside the shop during a sale of home made cakes in October:
An enormous amount of voluntary work is necessary to keep the shop running smoothly and efficiently. Here, the schedule of volunteers working hours is updated. Further volunteers are always welcome.
The future of the shop is kept constantly under review and here in December we see a meeting of volunteers in the Star Inn:
The Annual General Meeting of Sulgrave History Society took place at the Star Inn in December, combined with a dinner to celebrate the successful outcome of the County Heritage Day held at Sulgrave Manor in October:
In a break with recent practice, the village carol singers did not parade the village but gathered on Castle Hill to raise their voices amidst the lanterns, candles and torches. Mulled wine, mince pies and soup were provided.
Click on this picture to hear one of the carols:
Below are two of former villager John Sheppard’s wonderful bird pictures. It is intended that this feature will be resumed on a regular basis in 2013.
Short Eared Owl
Blue Tit
Finally, on a very wet August evening, Brackley Morris Men came to dance at the Star but the weather drove them inside for a memorable evening of traditional song and dance tunes:
Click on the picture below for a film clip of two of the traditional dance tunes:
Star Inn hostess Mandy Hay can be seen clapping to the music at the end of this film clip. Sadly, she and husband Will are leaving to take a pub in Dorset in March. We thank them for keeping such a good, warm, and friendly establishment during their time in Sulgrave and wish them well in their new venture. Let’s hope that the next tenants keep up the good work…..