More news from the shop on the next page.

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SNVB (the South Northants Volunteer Bureau) are pleased to announce that as part of Village Networks, a new Lottery-funded project, we have taken delivery of a brand new 16-seater minibus which is available for hire by community, voluntary and non-profit groups.

“So often local groups tell us transport is a real problem”, says Nick King, Project Coordinator. “Now we have a solution: a new minibus and trained drivers”.

The minibus and driver is operated and insured by SNVB with a section 19 permit. Community groups can apply for membership and once approved can hire the minibus for trips, excursions and events. Terms & conditions apply.

Details can be found at www.snvb.org.uk – click on the Minibus.

Or for further information, please contact Nick King on 01327 353321 / 358264 or email [email protected]

A fun filled family afternoon picnic with games followed by evening frivolities at the Manor is being planned for the village to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Why not design a Card for the Queen?

To mark the Diamond Jubilee Sulgrave will be sending the Queen a card from the residents of the village. For anyone who would like to have a go at designing the cover of the card, a box will be put in the shop for all entries so get those painbrushes, pencils and felt tips out!

The competition is open to all, adults and children, and the deadline for entries will be the 23rd of April.

Do you have a couple of hours free once a fortnight to become a HomeVisitor/Befriender for Northamptonshire Association for the Blind? The Association has blind and partially sighted people in the area who  urgently need support to overcome isolation and regain their confidence. Volunteer roles vary to suit individual skills and preferences. Volunteers can help with tasks such as:

Assistance with reading mail or newspapers

Occasional shopping trips

Accompanying clients on short walks, shopping trips or visits to the doctor

By giving up a little of your time to become a volunteer you can make a huge difference to someone’s life.

To volunteer or find out more, contact Rachel Cave Volunteer Co-ordinator:

nab Helpline: 01604 719193 Mobile: 07889 411274

Email: [email protected] Visit: www.nab.org.uk

SHORT EARED OWL (ASIO FLAMMEUS)

We usually think of owls as hunters of the night, and this is certainly true of most members of the family. However, there are exceptions and the short-eared owl is one. It prefers to hunt its prey – predominantly voles, but also other small mammals – in daylight.

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410 feet high wind turbine of the type proposed for the Helmdon Stuchbury Greatworth scheme

A government planning inspector has been appointed to consider the appeal by Broadview Energy Limited against South Northants Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection of five 125m (410 feet) high wind turbines between Helmdon and Greatworth and very close to houses at Stuchbury. The inquiry will commence on Tuesday 15^th May at a venue yet to be announced and is expected to last for at least 8 days.

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BLUE TIT (Parus caeruleus)

The blue tit is one of the best loved of our garden birds. It is also one of the commonest – the RSPB’s annual Garden Birdwatch records its presence in almost 100% of our gardens; the countryside population is estimated at almost 3.5 million pairs. It can easily be distinguished from the other members of the family by its bright blue crown – the great tit and the coal tit, for example, have black crowns. All three, as well as the unrelated long-tailed tit, are regular frequenters of our bird-food stations. The blue tit’s usual preferred food is insects, caterpillars and so on, but during the winter months it relies on seeds and the peanuts and other items which we offer.

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After a day of torrential rain, almost thirty carol singers turned out to perform traditional carols in many places around the village, whilst the children knocked on doors to wish residents a happy Christmas and make collections for charity.

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As always in the week before Christmas, a dedicated band of villagers has been preparing and erecting the traditional Christmas decorations in strategic points around the village. See here for the story behind these decorations.

See the next page for more pictures of the work in progress.

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The idea of a Christingle service came originally from the Moravian Church in 1747 as a symbol of Christ’s light and love. The Children’s Society introduced it to the Church of England in 1968, and it has since become a popular service for all ages. This was the twenty-second service in the Church of St James the Less, Sulgrave. All money collected goes to the good work of the Children’s Society with the least fortunate of today’s young people. See more photographs of the children performing their nativity play and receiving their oranges with lighted candles….

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