You should by now have received a leaflet through your door giving details of the ‘Community Shops Fortnight’.  Between 23^rd June & 7^th July you will be able to take advantage of daily discounts on many of the popular items that we have in store (even if these run out, we will still honour the discount … David will simply raise a special order and let you know when your goods have been delivered).  Likewise we are running a marketing slogan competition for both the adults and our younger customers to create a slogan  ‘I love Sulgrave Village Shop because …’.  The winners will receive a prize (£20 hamper for the adults & £10 for the juniors to spend on goodies from the Shop) and the winning slogans will be used as part of our increasingly pro-active marketing drive.  Angela Leadsom MP has kindly agreed to present the prizes and join in the celebrations for our community shop.  So if you’d like to meet her then please join us at 3.30 pm at the shop on 6th July.  (NB : The winners of the competition will be informed in advance).

Click here for latest update on the Village Shop.

For more information about Community Shops Fortnight and to find out what is happening across the country, visit www.communityshops.coop

By great good fortune or foresight, the organisers of the Sulgrave Diamond Jubilee celebrations chose to stage the village events on Bank Holiday Monday, following a day of drenching rain on Sunday. Although rain threatened in the afternoon, the day was dry and bright and the evening still and sunlit, even if a bit cold for an outdoor party. From noon until late afternoon, the Pocket Park was the setting for fun and games, especially for the children, some traditional and some new. Many families chose to picnic, either in the park or deep in the woods….  At seven o’clock it seemed as if the whole village flocked to the Manor, firstly to see the eldest resident, Alec Cave aged 91, plant a ceremonial tree, and then to enjoy food cooked in the open air with sumptuous sweets to follow. The evening closed with dancing for young and old in the Manor Courtyard Hall. See next page for images of these events:

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Matthew Stuart's winning entry in the village "Card for the Queen" competition

Village celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee commence with a special “Diamond Jubilee” Mattins service at Sulgrave Church at 10.00 am on Sunday 3rd June. On Bank Holiday Monday 4th June from 12 noon until 4.00 pm there will be a picnic in the Pocket Park with plenty to keep everyone entertained. Bring a picnic and a blanket and join in the fun. Click here for more details.  After the daytime festivities a fantastic evening is planned at Sulgrave Manor, with a hog roast (vegetarian option) and a live band. Completely optional but the adventurous are invited to appear either in nineteen-fifties or red, white and blue themed dress (or perhaps both!) Click here for more details. Those old enough to remember the Queen’s coronation are invited to a free cup of tea and slice of cake at the Pocket Park between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.

As previously reported on this website, a public inquiry into South Northants Council’s refusal of planning permission for five 125 metre high wind turbines between the villages of Sulgrave, Helmdon and Greatworth, will be held at the Council’s offices in Towcester, commencing on Tuesday May 15^th. See here for further details of this proposal. The main parties at the Inquiry will be South Northants Council, whose expert witnesses will be defending the decision to refuse planning permission and Broadview Energy Limited whose expert witnesses will be attempting to demonstrate that permission should have been granted. A number of “third parties” from the local communities have also requested permission to be heard. The Inspector, Elizabeth Fieldhouse, will hear the evidence and issue her decision as to whether the appeal should be allowed or dismissed on or about July 13^th. (more…)

During April and may, you will be able to save money when you eat at The Star Inn as a thank you for spending at your Village Shop. How? For every £50 that you spend at the Shop during April, you will be given a voucher worth £5 to redeem as a part payment against your food bill (note: drinks are not included). Simply keep the receipts for your cash or reverse credit account payments at the Shop and when they total £50 (or multiples thereof), hand them to David or one of the volunteers and they will present you with your voucher(s). Then when you eat at the Star during April or May, hand your voucher(s) over with your food bill and it will be reduced accordingly.

See here for details of the excellent and varied menus available at the Star Inn.

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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