In weather more reminiscent of summer than early spring, six plastic bags of litter were removed from the streets, leaving the village spick and span ready for the imminent burst of colour from garden blossoms. The event was registered as part of the national Big Tidy Up campaign and the village contribution will be included in the overall target for South Northamptonshire. Parish Council Chairman Graham Roberts sends his thanks to all who took part.
High Speed Rail Locomotive
The Government has published proposals for high speed rail in Britain, with a detailed recommended route option for the first part between London and Birmingham.
High Speed Rail, published 11 March 2010 gives details of the recommended route option and outlines next steps.
There is to be a full public consultation in Autumn 2010 on the recommended route option and on high speed rail beyond the West Midlands to the north of England and Scotland. Subject to this consultation, the timeline from there could look like the one below.
March 2010 – Government published proposals for high speed rail and issued Exceptional Hardship Scheme consultation
Before Autumn 2010 – further engagement work and consultation preparation
Autumn 2010 – formal public consultation
2011 – Government decides whether to proceed and proposed route for London to Birmingham
2011-2013 – further detailed design and assessment of the route
2013 – further public consultation
2014 – Hybrid Bill laid in House of Commons
2019 – construction could start
2026 – line between London and Birmingham could open
As presently proposed, the new rail line would pass between Sulgrave and Thorpe Mandeville as shown on the following map:
SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)
Of all British songbirds, the song thrush is probably the most loved. Its loud clear song, delivered most often from the very top of a tree, may be heard in the early part of the year, even in the most wintry of weather, and as spring approaches the period of singing gets longer and longer until one sometimes gets the impression that there’s no end to it.
Turbines of the height proposed at Spring Farm
Parish Council Chairman Graham Roberts explained that a letter had been received on 18th January from Broadview Energy Limited giving details of their proposals for a six turbine windfarm between the villages of Helmdon and Greatworth. This is to be known as the “Spring Farm Ridge Renewable Energy Project” on a site belonging to four local landowners. The turbines would be 125 metres (410 feet) high to the tip of a blade in an upright position
A map was shown indicating the proposed location of the six turbines in relation to the nine already proposed by Enertrag Limited between Sulgrave and Weston which would be of a similar height.
The above watercolour, painted by Warwick Goble in 1910 and entitled “Old Cottages at Sulgrave” shows the group of terraced houses formerly known as “Spring Gardens” in Manor Road on the opposite side of the road from the Star Inn. Only the left hand end of the terrace remains, the greater part of the building having been demolished in the early 1930s. The painting was discovered at a Bloomsbury art gallery last year (2009), acquired at auction and restored to the village.
Planning information in respect of the village has been completely updated and simplified.
Sulgrave Parish Council has recently had a number of reports that dog walkers have not cleared away after their dogs. Certain areas such as on the verges in Manor Road and Little Street and also Castle Green have been particularly affected.
In addition dog fouling has been seen in the Pocket Park, where dogs are banned because children play in this area.
The litter bins outside The Star, by the bus shelter and in the pocket park should not be used to deposit waste in bags, please be considerate and take the waste home to put in your black bin.
Bob Foster reports on an exciting event held at the top of the Moreton Road on Saturday 9th January (Photos by a variety of competitors):
As with all such good ideas it all began in the pub the night before!
The conversation had turned to the snow and what we all did as kids whenever we had the periodic 10 year dump of snow. With each successive round of drinks the voices became louder and reminisces became more extravagant. Then it was inevitable that questions were asked, “Well, who has still has a sledge?”, which quickly developed into “I bet my sledge is quicker than yours!” The testosterone levels were rising!
Wednesday morning 6th January brought a fresh snowfall, giving Peter Mackness further photographic opportunities for the following four lovely images….
This is the first in a series of posts featuring photographs taken when the village was visited by winter weather before and after Christmas. Further photographs and descriptions of this kind will be welcomed.
The first three of these were taken by Peter Mackness:
