On a glorious autumn Sunday the mellifluous tones of the commentator could once more be heard amongst the pastures to the north of the village, announcing winners, losers and “dnfs” taking part in the annual Grafton Team Chase event. On a day of excellent going, villagers and those from further afield were well entertained by riders of all classes, with plenty of opportunities for refreshment. The ever present ambulance crews were fortunately not needed but the travelling blacksmith plied a busy trade. As can be seen in many of the pictures on the next page, dogs of all shapes and sizes were also everywhere to be seen.

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This photograph is just one of a number of images of the village and its residents taken by Chris Behan during the last year or so. Those who were present in the Church Hall for Chris’ talk “Exploring Midsomer – A Publishing Adventure” will be aware of his achievements as a writer, photographer and speaker. Chris is also no stranger to this website. His contributions “The sound of steam in the Sulgrave Landscape“, “Sulgrave Embankment – A Victorian High Speed Train Route” and “Where have all the Sulgrave butterflies gone?” attracted widespread attention. Chris is often to be seen in the village with his camera and he has kindly agreed to provide occasional photographs for a regular page entitled “Village Views“. This can be seen on the right hand side of the website Home Page, just under the Weather Report and the monthly diary of events.

Note: Villagers are reminded that the website is theirs and all contributions and photographs will be gratefully received. 

Colin Wootton

Sulgrave Parish Council in Association with Sulgrave Women’s Activities Group.

What should we be putting in our bins, where does it go, how do they sort it and what happens to it?

Come and find out at Sulgrave Church Hall on Tuesday 22nd November at 7.30 pm.

The Annual Sulgrave Harvest Fayre took place at the Manor on Sunday 25th September in beautiful early autumn/late summer weather. More photos on the next page.

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On Sunday 25th September 2016 at Dial House Farm, Sulgrave, early rain was eventually replaced by bright sunshine for a vintage ploughing match. Tractors and ploughs, some more than 80 years old, were seen and heard to be  running perfectly and still able to plough a straight furrow in the hands of their experienced owners.

Pictures and videos on the following page.

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Common Blue Butterfly (female)
Photo: Chris Behan

Chris Behan writes:

I have always appreciated butterflies in the garden. Margaret and I once had a garden with a large buddleia shrub, which in summer was covered with a blanket of colour. Butterflies.

I think I could recognise a red admiral and a cabbage white (was it a small one or a large one?) and that was it. Then, about three years ago, Martin (a friend for the past 30 years and a butterfly expert amongst other things) decided that he would introduce me to butterflies on our walks through “Midsomer”. Thanks to Martin I can now recognise a common blue, both male and female.

Since coming to live in Sulgrave I have walked the local footpaths and bridleways and in summer photographed the views, the flowers, the bees and the butterflies. But this year there has been an absence of butterflies. I’ve only seen two red admirals, one common blue (male) and one meadow brown in our garden. Strangely though, there are a considerable number of whites, great and small, this year.

Can anyone explain? Is this another example of climate change or the wet winters we have had in recent years?

Hopefully they will be back next summer but, in the meantime, here is a photographic record, taken over the past two years, of what we may have missed this summer.

See next page for the photographs.

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Photo:Chris Behan

Sulgrave’s second annual Car Show took place at Sulgrave Manor on Sunday 4th September 2016. A huge range of cars, vans, motor cycles and tractors attracted the attention of the many visitors. The event was held in aid of the Church of St James the Less and Sulgrave Manor.

More pictures on the next page.

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For the first time in several years the annual village Produce Show did not take place in the best of weather. However, those attending enjoyed their time in the Church Hall, viewing the entries, congratulating the winners, taking part in the raffle and sampling the delicious cakes and teas. Many thanks are due to organisers Janet Smith and Maureen Jeffries. See photos of all prize winning entries on the next page.

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