Families take part in a history day treasure hunt on Castle Hill.

From time immemorial, the grassy earthwork immediately to the west of the church has been known to villagers as “Castle Hill”. Despite the obvious inference that a castle must once have stood there, the origins of this fortification were lost in the mists of time. This all changed in 1960 when archaeologist Brian Davison chose the site for investigation during the final year of his archaeological degree at Belfast University. Weeks of patient excavation and recording, followed by more intensive work through to 1976, revealed that there had indeed been stone buildings and fortifications on the site dating from early Norman times. More importantly, one of the largest Saxon wooden manor houses yet excavated was found under the later works, close to the boundary of the site with the church. The site history revealed by these investigations is detailed at the end of this entry.

This important site, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is about to be purchased for the village by the Parish Council, funded by contributions from a number of parish organisations together with public subscriptions. Together with the adjoining Castle Green, purchased in 2004, it will form a valuable public open space in the centre of the village, under the management of the Castle Green Sub-Committee of the Parish Council.

More details on the next page (Click on “….Read the rest of this entry”)

(more…)

Graham Roberts writes:

The recently formed Sulgrave Camera Club went “On Location” during  June at the canal side in Banbury. Photographers were given free reign to identify opportunities for photographs reflecting the canal architecture, surroundings and leisure activities.

From the numerous photographs taken each photographer was asked to select six which were then were put together in a slide show for the members to view and comment on during the July meeting.  Once more The Star offered us accommodation and hospitality, an  impromptu theatre was set up in the snug and an entertaining evening followed looking at the results of our “On location” trip to Castle Quay.

Some 60 photographs were viewed and one from each photographer was selected to produce 10 Best Images, these are shown on the next page in alphabetical order (click on “read the rest of this entry”)

(more…)

Birthday greetings are delivered to the Corner House

On Friday 20th July 2018 Janet Tattersall of the Corner House, Sulgrave, became “an English Lady of a certain age”! On a glorious summer’s afternoon on the Saturday following, a party was held in the house gardens to celebrate this notable event. Pictures on the next page (click on “read the rest of this entry”)

(more…)

Sunday 30th June was just one of the many hot, sunny days of the wonderful 2018 summer, perfect for the re-opening of the Star Inn under new “landlords” Niki and Steve. The extensive gardens were colourfully decorated with numerous stalls, a barbecue and many play opportunities for the children. As always at such events in Sulgrave there was also a dog show!

More pictures on the next page (Click on “read the rest of this entry”)

(more…)

On a gloriously hot summer’s afternoon, villagers and visitors were entertained by Gospel Bell, described by group member Troy Daniels (of Helmdon Road and the Parish Council) as “an ensemble of musicians and singers based in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, playing gospel blues and country music”. Everyone was in good voice and those of “a certain age” hardly needed reminding of the words on the printed sheets. Refreshments were provided by volunteers and proceeds from the event will go to the Church of St James the less.

More photographs and a short video of one of the songs on the next page. (Click on “read the rest of this entry”)

(more…)

South Northamptonshire Council Area

There are currently eight local authorities providing council services across Northamptonshire in a ‘two-tier’ structure, in which services are divided between the county council and seven borough or district councils. In the case of Sulgrave Parish, these services are provided by Northamptonshire County Council and South Northamptonshire Council.

Unfortunately, the County Council has over-spent its budget in previous years and faces significant on-going budget deficits, as a result of which the government has taken the unusual step of appointing external Commissioners to take over many of the County Council’s functions. Furthermore, the government has now written to all eight councils inviting them urgently to co-operate in putting forward proposals by the end of August to restructure local government in Northamptonshire.

The eight local authorities are: Northamptonshire County Council, Corby Borough Council, Daventry District Council, East Northamptonshire Council, Kettering Borough Council, Northampton Borough Council, South Northamptonshire Council and the Borough Council of Wellingborough.

In formulating their proposals, the authorities are required to undertake a public consultation exercise and to this end a private company, Opinion Research Services (ORS) has been appointed to oversee the consultation and co-ordinate the responses. The consultation period runs from Monday 18^th June to Sunday 22^nd June.

Details of the consultation together with an online questionnaire can be seen at

www.futurenorthants.co.uk

Paper copies of the questionnaire will be available at council offices, libraries, leisure centres etc.,with freepost return address, from 25^th June 2018.

The recently formed Sulgrave Camera Club enjoyed a first class outing to the Oxford Canal at Banbury on Tuesday 12th June. Perfect summer weather and the still waters of the canal provided ideal photographic opportunities. It was agreed that each member should submit his or her six favourite images for projection at the next meeting of the Club at the Star on Tuesday 10th July. More pictures of the members at work on the next page. (Click “read the rest of this entry”).

(more…)