Photo: Chris Behan

The Manor House and Gardens were looking at their very best in bright sunshine for the annual USA Independence Day celebrations. A large crowd of visitors were entertained by a Living History Camp and Battle re-enactment of a skirmish between French and English Army Units in the Ohio Valley in 1754, the latter being commanded by Lt Col George Washington, whose ancestors lived at Sulgrave Manor in Tudor times. Music from the classic era of swing was provided by the Great Central Big Band and the Brackley Wind Ensemble played favourite melodies from the Great War. In addition to the Washington Family History exhibition always on display at the Manor, colourful Native American artefacts of all kinds were to be seen in the Buttery. Representatives of American and British Scout Troops were present throughout the day. Visitors enjoyed a variety of traditional refreshments from both sides of the Atlantic. The celebrations concluded with the ceremonial lowering of the flags of the two nations by the Honour Guard from USAF 501 Com Wing at nearby Croughton, as can be seen in the above picture. More pictures of this ceremony and the other events, with videos, can be seen on the next page.

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No need for the sun shade on a gloomy June afternoon

For once during this miserable summer the rain held off long enough to allow the Village Fête to take place in the lovely setting of the Sulgrave Manor Gardens, with the much enjoyed dog show, various stalls, teas, croquet on the lawn and the ferret racing without which no Sulgrave summer event would be complete. Inevitably, the rain began during the late afternoon but by then most people were indoors for their pig roast dinners. During the evening music aimed mainly at the “golden oldies” was provided by Donna and the Delleretts.

More photos and a video of the evening entertainment on the next page.

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How the five turbines would have appeared from the Barrow Hill footpath

In a judgment handed down on 22nd June 2016, three Appeal Court Judges dismissed Broadview Energy Limited’s claim that the Secretary of State had acted unfairly when determining their appeal against the refusal of planning permission for five 125 metre high wind turbines in area of countryside between Helmdon, Stuchbury and Greatworth. Their lordships found nothing in the claim which would merit the quashing of the Secretary of State’s decision to dismiss the appeal. The company now have until July 22nd to decide whether to seek leave to take this claim to the supreme court. See here for the Appeal Court Judgment document.

On Saturday 4th June the weather finally relented to give a perfect afternoon and evening for the wedding of Deborah Thomas and Orlando Gomes, at the Church of St James the Less, Sulgrave.

More pictures on the next page.

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Further information on the Mobile Library Service can be found on the website.

www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries

0300 126 5500 Customer Services.

First for Wellbeing CIC Limited Registered Number 09857257

Mill Hollow Barn Garden

On Sunday June 19th, the Watermill and Mill Hollow Barn gardens, Stockwell Lane, Sulgrave, will be open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme, from 2 pm to 6 pm. See here for location map.

Admission: £4 (children free).

The Watermill is a contemporary garden set around a C16 watermill. The adjoining fields feature woodland, pathways and wildflower meadows around ponds. The garden was designed by James Alexander Sinclair.

Mill Hollow Barn has a seven acre garden with different levels and aspects, including lakes and streams, displaying a wide range of plants. The arboretum has many rare and interesting trees.

See here for pictures of a previous Sulgrave Gardens Open Day, including The Watermill and Mill Hollow Barn.

The May Queen is crowned by the Mayor of Brackley. Despite very mixed weather, with some heavy showers and a cold wind, a good crowd turned up to see the May Queen, enjoy the Dog Show, Morris Dancing, Maypole Dancing and listen to live music in the courtyard by Pete Watkins and in the Great Hall by Donna and the Delleretts.

More pictures on the next page.

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The current Local Plan for South Northamptonshire was adopted by South Northamptonshire Council in 1997. The Council is preparing a replacement plan for the period up to 2029 which will establish a Rural Settlement Hierarchy for settlements within the District; consider amendments to the existing town and village confines; identify areas of important green space within the settlements and address local development needs. This replacement Local Plan has now reached the stage of “Options Consultation”. Documents have been published which set out the options for determining the scale of development, settlement heirarchy and local green space that, once agreed, will influence the scale and location of growth in particular parishes. The Council is inviting responses to these documents which must be received before 12 noon on 10th June 2016. Details of the documents, with particular reference to Sulgrave Parish, can be seen on the following pages. Printed copies can be seen in the main libraries across the District.

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