Village news
WHIST. The Monday night Whist Drive’s continue to be well supported with twenty two players attending on Monday 28th August.
Whist winners were; Keith Hopewell 174, Pat Perry 171, Shelia Stafford 170, Bill Kyle 170, Trevor Popay 168 and Mike Grout 166.
Highest Half winners were Dorothy Winfield, 88 and Brenda Stainsby, 90.
The Consolation prize, a jar of Apricot Jam, was won by Tony Howse who scored 137.
However things improved for Tony, as in the Raffle, his ticket was the first to be drawn, followed by, Dorothy Winfield, Bill Kyle, Doreen Wright and Janet Goddard.
The “13 Kitty” had one very near miss and lived on to reach £14. It is there to be won at our next Whist Drive which will be held on Monday 11th September starting at 7.30pm as usual.
SUTTON BONINGTON SHOW. Cattle, music, cookery, sheaf tossing, Birds of Prey, vintage vehicles, sheep, terrier racing, clay pigeon shooting, dogs, poultry and rabbits and even ducks were on the entertainment bill at Sutton Bonington’s 31st show on Sunday -- and while it was somewhat hit and miss with the weather hundreds of people turned out to support the annual event.
From the outset of show day activities, the all-important weather looked a little doubtful, and it was certainly much colder than it had been of late, but there was no serious rain during the morning or early afternoon when most of the visitors were arriving and there was a good steady stream of arrivals to the village playing fields showground until mid-afternoon.
Several thousand people were there in all and members of the Loughborough Sea Cadets were kept active all day in ensuring car parking went smoothly.
The actual show activities on Sunday got under way with regular the feature of the United Family and Parade Service held in the Horticultural Marquee. And taking part in that was
Children’s entertainer Michael Burt, known as Mickey Clownn, was there to share with those attending the United Service. A Christian children’s entertainer who is well known for his skills with puppets, clowning, Punch and Judy, balloons, tricks and illusions, he proved popular using his experience of entertaining both young and old alike. And show visitors were able to meet him again on the showground after the service.
The service was led by the new Methodist Minister, the Rev John Simms who was taking his firsts service in the village since his appointment to Sutton Bonington.
A new and very entertaining attraction was the Sheep Show in the form of a 30-minute spectacle involving nine different breeds of sheep that have appeared at over 120 outdoor shows throughout the country from the Orkney Isles to the Royal Cornwall, and now Sutton Bonington. Scores of people gathered to watch each of the four performances which were staged.
Presented in humorous kiwi style, there was a story on each of the breeds which was told as they were welcomed on to the stage by their own theme tune, “Lenny the Lincoln Long wool” arrives to a great Bob Marley tune --very apt for a sheep that has natural dread locks. A very informative shearing display was included in the performance as well as the chance to learn more about wool. And to close the hugely successful performance the sheep closed it by do their own special Sheep Show Shuffle -- yes dancing sheep!
And sheep were not the only ones to give show visitors a good laugh.
Sheepdog displays are regularly seen at shows, with sheep. But at Sutton Bonington on Sunday the dogs were put through their paces with ducks! Farmer Meirion Owen who has appeared many times on TV with his sheepdogs and his sheep and who has been around border collies all his life, is now the third generation of his family to be involved in the art of training, competing and demonstrating with dogs all over the country.
Meirion has been on three series of the very popular BBC programme `One Man and His Dog.’ And has featured on many TV programmes including the BBC `Countryfile’, ` The One Show’, SKY1 `Pet Nation’ and recently filmed for ITV new series `Britain’s Top 100 Favourite Dogs’ which will be shown sometime this year. Meirion’s sheep dog and duck demonstrations, designed to showcase the amazing talents of border collies and the communication between handler and dog, were tremendously popular and his demonstrations were informative, educational and highly entertaining, even though the nine Indian Runner ducks could be un-cooperative at time as they went around their course that included tunnels, slides and pens.
And there was no shortage of takers when his performance gave the opportunity for hands-on participation. And the performances were made all the better as Meirion provided his own humorous commentary on it.
Well known chef Rachel Green gave a number of top class demonstrations and scores of people sat in her special marquee to watch each of them. The popular chef has made a name for herself by her passionate and committed championing of British produce and she emphasised that feeling at the show on Sunday.
Over the years she has become very well-known and has made dozens of appearances on television with a number of actual series under her belt - from ITV Yorkshire’s “Flying Cook” and “World on a Plate”, to “Kill It Cook It! Eat! on BBC3 and “Farm of Fussy Eaters” on UK TV Style.
The flower and horticultural show as usual attracted over 500 entries -- and hundreds of visitors on Sunday itself to its well-stocked and impressive displays in the show marquee --and the standard was remarkably high. The now well-established class of potatoes from seeds in a bucket was again extremely well supported by children from the village school with over 40 buckets being filled. They had each been given potato seeds and asked to grow them and then show the resulting produce at the show. The award for the highest total weight of potatoes from the single seed went to Imogen Wilson, while Lizzie Collie took the award for the heaviest single potato. Alexander Winson had the largest number of potatoes from the single seed.
Trophy awards for the show were: The Society Cup: S. Smith; The Society Salver: D Howse; The Poachers Arms Trophy: S Smith; The Herrington Trophy: P Gibb; The Helga Taylor Trophy: A Lloyd; The Children’s Trophy: S Parker; The W.I. Trophy: P Gibb; The Kings Head Salver: B Dyson; The Ted Buxton Trophy: K Allan; Rock Cake Trophy: M Symonds; The Anchor Trophy: A. Lloyd; The Best Vegetable: A. Dupont; The Best Fruit: J Burgess; The Best Flowers: D Howse. (full show results in next week’s village news page)
The Leicestershire Dexter Society Show drew a lot of interest, especially with youngsters who were excited to see what are the smallest British breed of cattle and which are established as a dual-purpose breed with the average weight of a cow being some 350Kgs and standing approximately 36” to 42” at the shoulder. Twentytwo-year-old Megan Flintham of Newark had a remarkably successful day, taking both the Junior breed championship and the breed championship as well as four first prizes in the classes.
Full results Dexter Cattle classes:
Heifer or Bull calf one year or under on day of show and Brambleweed Trophy: M Flintham, Newark; Wet Cow: M. Flintham. Heifer over 12 months but under 24 months on day of show: L Horton. Heifer over 24 months in calf or calf at foot on day of show and Sutton Bonington Rose Bowl.: S Peberdy; Bull – any age: M. Flintham; Cow and calf or Heifer and calf and Mary Kay cup: M Flintham. Junior breed championship: M Flintham. Breed championship: M. Flintham.
Fur and Feather Show results:
Pure bred Bantam Hen Class: 1 B Fern, 2 (equal) Mrs A Dupont and C Green. Pure bred Bantam Cockerel Class: 1`m Mrs A Du Pont, 2 C Green.
Pure bred Hen Class: 1 a Spicer, 2, F Cattell. Pure bred Cockerel: 1 A Spicer, 2 F Cattell. Cross bred Hen: 1 F Cattell, 2 E Shipman. Any sex young stock (this year’s hatch): 1` J Pollard, 2 F Cattell; Any age or sex Rabbit: 1 I Potton, 2(equal) K Gold and A Gold. Trophy for best Hen@: B Fern; Best Cockerel: J Pollard. Best Rabbit in show. I Potton.
As usual Terrier Racing was another highlight, of the day’s events. Anyone was welcome to enter their Terrier into either flat racing or the hurdles. Qualifying took place throughout the afternoon with the finals being run at the end of the day. Another regular was the Sheaf tossing challenge which has appeared at every Sutton Bonington show and was well supported with competitors of all ages doing their best to get as high up the bar heights as possible.
The Melstrum Ukulele Orchestra were another first for the show, and made a very popular debut. The Orchestra first got together about eight years ago, when six of the members were inspired to take up the instrument after going to a concert by the world-famous Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. The move wasn’t too massive because all were already involved with singing in local choirs, but taking up the ukulele as an accompaniment opened the opportunity to sing a wide variety of songs in their own fun and inclusive style. From the original six, the orchestra has now grown to a maximum membership of eighteen. The Orchestra thrilled the show crowd with a top-class performance which featured numbers ranging from pop, skiffle, country and folk.
The JRCS Falconry Team were again a popular attraction, having been a regular visitor at the show for many years during which they have built up contact with many of the regular show visitors. They offered a wonderfully spectacular close up flying demonstration with a chance for the public to get involved, close up to these magnificent birds. And they had their usual large display of birds at their stand were from the beautiful barn owl to the hunting hawk to the feisty falcon and canny kestrel, there was bound to be a bird for everyone.
One of the hands-on attractions for visitors was a new attraction in the form of the Labyrinth Cave which presented a highly challenging environment for those taking part and who had to tackle the tight turns and squeeze areas, having to crawl through parts in commando style, and for those small enough, they were able to do it on their hands and knees. Right from the start those having a go were plunged into a world of total darkness to seek the single exit point. But they were assured they needn’t worry because there were a number of quick release `blanks’ that acted as emergency exits if needed. The Cave staff assured everyone the attraction was suitable for all ages and abilities, and by the look of those going in and coming out that was a true claim.
Over the years the show has built up an excellent reputation for trade stands and the picture was no different this year. With almost 50 stalls covering a very wide range of goods – Nursery firms, cheeses, garden tools, children’s books, architectural antiques and old garden tools, fudge, embroidered items, Fishing tackle, jewellery, willow weaving, hats, wood carvers and country clothing – to name just a few. In addition, there were over 30 craft exhibitors showing their skills on fashion leisure wear, wood turning, handmade jewellery, decorated confectionary, art, fabrics, leatherwork, and floral art in silk and needlecrafts.
For the very young there were the traditional Punch and Judy performances and there was an exhibition stall by the Leicestershire and Rutland Beekeepers Association -- founded in April 1882 -- that drew, it seemed, more youngsters than adults to see the craft of beekeeping and learning about the benefit of bees in the environment.
Vintage Vehicles and cars were popular and were viewed by both young and old show visitors, as were accepted as circulated and signed by the chairman number of items of farm machinery shown by local owners.
The Mark IV Zephyr and Zodiac Owners Club presented an interesting display of cars of their members. The club was established in 1983 by a few keen owners with the purpose of keeping Mark IV’s on the road when parts became a problem. For over 25 years the club has attended the Sutton Bonington show for its E.G..
MEET THE STAFF. `Meet the staff’ dates have been announced for Sutton Bonington Primary School parents.
Headmaster Mark Brumwell says they will again start the year with introductory meetings for Years 1 – 6. Each teacher will continue to send home termly letters and outlines of the main areas of learning for each child, but the meeting is an opportunity to meet the class staff, hear a little more about what goes on in each year group and to ask questions that anyone may have.
“These will take place straight after school as we feel that it will be the easiest time for the majority of you to attend,” said the headmaster. “There will be a very small number of you who have children in two classes holding meetings at the same time. However, teachers will still be available when the meetings end soon after 4pm so you could pop along to your second child’s class for a quick word then --though not a full rerun as I’m sure you’d appreciate!
Mr Brumwell says that at each meeting, a booklet summarising the key objectives in Maths, Reading and Writing for that year group will be provided and for those who can’t attend, this will be sent home with the child the following day instead. The meetings will take place in the relevant classrooms, starting as soon as possible after 3.30pm once the rooms are clear.
Dates are as follows: Monday 11th September: Classes 3 and 4 Tuesday 12th September: Classes 5 and 6 Wednesday 13th September: Classes 1 and 2 For parents of children who will have just started in Reception. “We find it is more beneficial to organise a similar after school session a few weeks into the term --at which point you’re likely to be full of questions!
WILLOW WEAVING. Willow Weaving Days are being staged at Sutton Bonington primary school next week. The school will be hosting Peter Wood, of Greenwood Days, for two visits.
Headmaster Mark Brumwell says their visitor is not a stranger to the school, having run similar workshops several years ago with all children taking part in willow weaving projects.
The sessions for the new term will take place on Monday next week, September 11 and then two days later, Wednesday the 13th.
The sessions are being funded by the PTA and they will provide a good opportunity early in the year for learning a new skill, as well as having the chance to collaborate on something within classes but also retaining a whole school focus.
MINERALS PLAN. Notts County Council officers are carrying out an immediate review of the methodology which has been used to assess the need for aggregates in the County, parish councillors at Sutton Bonington have been told.
The Draft Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan, which had been submitted to the Secretary of State for examination, had been withdrawn.
Officers at County Hall have been asked to consider the most up to date data available and are to prepare for the submission of a revised draft
Mountsorrel
SEPTEMBER FAYRE. A September fayre will be held on Saturday, September 9, at Christ Church from 11am - 4pm.
There will be a variety of stalls including Bric-a-Brac, White Elephant, Books, Face Painting, Children’s Activity plus BBQ and Refreshments. Entry is free and proceeds are for charities. We look forward to welcoming friends old and new plus walkers and cyclists taking part in Ride and Stride Day.
ALPHA COURSE. We are delighted to be able to offer another Alpha Course at Christ Church, Mountsorrel.
This inspiring course is made up of twelve sessions held on Friday evenings, beginning September 15, from 7pm - 9pm, plus one full Saturday.
We begin with a simple meal together followed by video footage which explores life’s questions in a modern, upbeat way, ending with Discussion.
This is a valuable opportunity as courses are not freely available in the area.
Alpha is an easy pathway to Jesus. Your need might have always been there, could have been brought on by a personal crisis or both. . Alpha will guide you through the obstacles in an uncomplicated way. It can help you find the peace you seek. Just give it a try. There will be others on the journey with you and the welcome is warm and comfortable. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. Many have returned to do the course for a second time.
Come alone or bring a friend, no charge is made.
For more information or to register a place please contact Christine Butcher on 07708 4438 70 or 01162 376122. E-mail chrissie.butcher@yahoo.co.uk
You can learn more about Alpha on http://www.uk. alpha.org
WARM WELCOME. Mountsorrel Anglican Churches extend a warm welcome to Revd. Darren Walker who is newly ordained and joined our benefice as Assistant Curate to our Priest in Charge, Revd. Colin Resch.
ST PETER’S PARISH CHURCH. All are warmly invited on the morning of Sunday 10 September ( The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity) to the Parish Church of St Peter (Market Place) Mountsorrel for a traditional celebration of Parish Communion (with Hymns) at 10am.
The Celebrant will be the Parish Priest and the preacher our new assistant curate, the Rev’d Darren Walker.
Fresh coffee / tea will follow the Eucharist in the Antill Vestry.