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-first 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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How the five turbines could appear from the foopath towards Barrow Hill. M = location of Sulgrave Manor. X = top of already erected meteorological mast.

At the special meeting on 2^nd December, Sulgrave Parish Council voted unanimously to oppose the construction of five 125 metre high turbines at the Spring Farm Ridge site between the villages of Helmdon, Sulgrave and Greatworth.

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How the five 410 feet high turbines may appear from the bridleway to Culworth. Point "A" marks the top of the already erected meteorological mast which can be seen from this point.

Broadview Energy Limited has now made a planning application to South Northants Council for permission to erect five 410 feet high wind turbines between the villages of Sulgrave, Helmdon and Greatworth. Sulgrave Parish Council has been consulted on this proposal and will be debating the matter at the meeting in the Church Hall at 7.45 pm on Thursday 2nd December. Copies of the documents accompanying the planning application will be displayed in the Church Hall between 10.30 am and 4.00 pm on Saturday 27th November and Sunday 28th November.

Silver coin of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), about the size of a modern one penny piece, found at Stuchbury

On Saturday 23^rd October, at the third time of asking, twelve stalwart members of Sulgrave History Society met up at Stuchbury Hall Farm to field walk the lost village of Stoteberie. With the kind permission of Joan and Michael Tims we were to discover first hand (or should it be foot) the explanation of all the humps and bumps surrounding their lovely farmhouse.

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Save yourself last minute worries and travel costs by ordering your Christmas requirements at the village shop. You can download order forms here as follows:

Dairy, Chilled Products and Bread.

Vegetables, Salads and Fruits.

Sulgrave Church War Memorial

With our service men and women being killed or injured in Afghanistan and Iraq on an almost daily basis the work of the British Legion continues to be crucial to them and their families. Please give as generously as you can when you buy your poppies from the village shop. The annual Remembrance Sunday Service will be held in Sulgrave Church at 6.00 pm on Sunday November 14^th. Eighteen young men and women who lost their lives in the two world wars are commemorated on the memorial in the church. Read their stories…..

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A beautifully sunny autumn day attracted many spectators and some of the country’s top teams to the Annual Grafton Team Chase in the fields to the north of the village. More pictures……

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Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

There are four species of woodpecker, including the rare wryneck. Of these, the great spotted is the one most commonly seen and most likely to be seen feeding on nuts, suet or seeds at your bird-table. Roughly the size of a blackbird, it is easily identified by its black and white plumage and the bold splash of red on the rump and, in the case of male, a small red patch on the back of the head (as seen in the above picture), which is lacking in the female. Confusingly, juvenile birds of both sexes have a red crown.

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How the footpath to Weston could have looked.....

As reported elsewhere on this website, the proposal to erect nine 125 metres high wind turbines in the countryside between Sulgrave and Weston has been abandoned. Villagers and supporters of the campaign to prevent this wind farm met outside the shop for a “celebratory walk” across the fields to Weston, through what might have become “turbine alley”.

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A canopy of apples over the Manor gardens

October “Apple Day” weekend at Sulgrave Manor was blessed with fine weather, somewhat grey on Saturday but brilliantly sunny on Sunday afternoon when these photographs were taken. An appreciative crowd enjoyed apples in many disguises – cider, apple juice, toffee apples, jam, preserves and even just plain apples! Entertainments included the Moulton Morris Men, more music by the Green Man (alias Windybagge), ferret racing, Punch and Judy, the Siberian huskies, Owls Galore, numerous children’s games and a variety of refreshments, liquid and otherwise. The gardens hosted a number of traditional craft stands, more delicate exhibits were sheltered by tents and the Manor itself, whilst those who brought their own apples were able to get them identified by experts.

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