The new display board is unveiled by (left to right) Clare Pollak (project co-ordinator), Joan Bray (Member of the Grants Panel of the Heritage Lottery Fund), Mike Pearson (former Director of Leisure and Heritage, South Northants Council), Martin Sirot-Smith (Chairman, Castle Green Management Committee)

Parish Councillor Clare Pollak, Castle Green Project Co-ordinator, presented to the April Parish Council Meeting the annual report of Martin Sirot-Smith, Chairman of the Castle Green Management Committee.  The report gave details of the work carried out during the year, including the erection of the information board, the Autumn Fair, the preparation of a leaflet distributed to all households and the virtual completion of the boundary wall restoration. The  project has won an accolade from the Heritage Lottery Fund, who judged the restoration to be a model project of its kind. The Chairman thanked everyone who had contributed to the project and concluded: “The village now has a lovely amenity, superbly situated in a unique historical setting.  Lets all enjoy it, use it and ensure that it continues to be looked after so that future generations may do the same.”

See here for a full copy of the report.

See here for a photo gallery of the Autumn Fair.

See here for more details of the Castle Green Restoration Project.

JAY (Garrulus glandarius)

Certainly the most colourful member of the crow family, the jay is mainly pinkish-brown, but has a black moustache and prominent black with white patches on wings and tail. The wing coverts (the “bend” of the wing) are strikingly chequered blue and black. Easily identified, but it is a shy bird.

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On a truly beautiful summer Saturday (2nd July), Sulgrave’s Pocket Park in Towrise re-opened after extensive improvements, including sturdy new play equipment, a substantial shelter, a dipping platform for the pond and new seating for those simply relaxing or supervising children at play. Large numbers of excited children and hardly less excited adults attended the opening ceremony and remained to enjoy themselves all day in christening the new facilities, taking part in many organised games and quizzes with refreshments provided by the Pocket Park team and the Star Inn.

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Two of the five turbines would be very close to Stuchbury Hall Farm

At the meeting on Thursday 30th June, South Northants Council’s Development Control Committee resolved unanimously to refuse planning permission for five 125 metre high wind turbines between Helmdon, Greatworth and Sulgrave. The hamlet of Stuchbury would be in the middle of this triangle, right alongside the proposed site with turbines very close indeed to properties such as Stuchbury Hall Farm.

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Sweet Peas at Sunnymead

On Sunday 19th June seven Sulgrave gardens were open to the public in aid of charity, under the National Gardens Scheme. Nationally, this scheme raises more than £2.5 million each year for nursing, caring and gardening charities and more than £25 million has been donated in the last 15 years. The gardens open to visitors were: The Herb Society Garden at Sulgrave Manor,  Church Cottage, Mill Hollow Barn, Rectory Farm, Sunnymead, Threeways, The Watermill and last but not least, the Allotment Gardens at Towrise.

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Photo: John Sheppard

Christopher and Gabriella Magnay report the successful hatching of a clutch of five cygnets by the swans established on their pond at Sulgrave Farm.

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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!”

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.

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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.

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