Notton Newsletter

November 2004

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Editorial

The Christmas Carol Concert will be held in the village hall on Tuesday the 21^st of December 2004 at 7.30 pm. Sherry and mince pies will be served.  This is a great chance for the children of the village to take part. We need their help and yours to make this a success.  To take part please ring June Ivory of Notton Players, who are organising this event for the VHMC on 01226 724284.

VILLAGE HALL – There would appear to be quite a few items of cutlery (including about 30 dessert spoons) missing from the kitchen.  If anyone has borrowed them and perhaps forgotten to return them can you please contact June Clark on 722346.

The WI Xmas Fayre is on Tuesday, 16^th November 10.00 am to 12 noon.  Admission £1 which includes coffee and mince pies.  Pay at the door.  ALL WELCOME

Christine Archbell (722537)

Notton Gala 2005

Unfortunately we are without a Chairman at present.  Basically this means we need someone to direct the meetings and keep them on track.  We do, however, have a nearly complete committee on whom most of the hard work rests.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 16^th November at 7.30 in the Village Hall.  If you can help in any way or have any fresh ideas to revitalise the event please come and join us.  We still need funds to support the Hall and other facilities after the expense of the alterations.

Please could you all save baskets from Christmas and other items, for our usual basket stall which is always very successful on the day.

Jill Bird

Notton Village Shop

Since last writing to you, the shop has continued to trade in a reasonable manner, although perhaps not quite as well as in the previous year.  The good news is that the flat is once again occupied, and revenues are flowing from this source.

At the risk of repeating myself, I will, once again, ask you all to think hard about volunteering for work in the shop, and making yourselves available for positions on the Board.  At the time of taking on the shop, (almost three years ago), there was unbelievable euphoria at wanting to maintain this facility in the Village and colossal numbers of people who said that they were prepared to be involved.  Whilst I take nothing away from those who have given a great deal over the last three years, and indeed I thank them, I must stress that we do need more volunteers and we do need new blood on the Board.  Without wishing to place a sour note in my message to you, I will tell you that if this does not materialise then we will find ourselves in the same position as we were three years ago, when the then owners of the shop were considering disposal of the asset.

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Finally, on behalf of all of the staff, all the volunteers, the Board and myself, I would like to thank you for continuing to support the shop and, at the same time, wish all of you the very best for the Festive Season.

Frank Carter

I reiterate what Frank has said above.  We are in the process of employing another part time employee but this still does not provide the cover that is needed and it will of course erode the profits, which affects the shareholders.

Surely many villagers can spare an hour or so each month bearing in mind that part of the basis for the original decision to buy the Shop and PO was that 38 people said that they would assist (I still have their written confirmation!)  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Alan Gale

Notton Players

Following the success of this year's panto, the intention is to perform Babes in the Wood, which is a pantomime we have never done.  This year's performance will be early March, which will avoid school half term and allow adults and children who are normally away to be either involved or attend one of the performances.  Anyone interested in becoming involved will be made very welcome.  We are always looking for budding actors, stage hands, odd job men/women and seamstresses. Our new Chairman is Jo Booth from Manor Close and she or any other member of Notton Players will be delighted to hear from you.

This year's Carol Concert will be held on Tuesday 20 December. We would love to hear from any children wishing to be involved. Please give me a call if your child would like to take part.

June Ivory - Chairman (724284)

Fund Raising

We would like to thank everyone who supported us at the different functions over the year.  The next events are:-

4^th December                                        Ball

22^nd January                                        Boxed Supper Auction

26^th February                                       Race Night

Tickets are on sale at the PO

200 Club – Anyone wishing to join the Club can contact me on 728428.  NEW MEMBERS ARE NEEDED.  ALSO A COLLECTOR FOR MANOR CLOSE.

Pat Carter (728428)

Cricket

 Last season we were promoted to Division 1 of the Leeds & West Riding Cricket League. Unfortunately this season, despite a promising start, we were relegated.  Indoor nets commence after Xmas and all are welcome, particularly new players, young and old.

To find out more contact:  Tony Spencer -  01226 728860 or Bob Moorhouse –  01226 725242 

Bob Moorhouse

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Womens Institute

During the past year we have had Speakers on a variety of subjects from “Clarice Cliff”, “History of the Music Hall” to “The Eden Project”.  We held an afternoon tea at Mrs Welton’s home in August.  The proceeds from this were donated to the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The National AGM this year was held at Sheffield Arena and three of our members attended.  We have had 2 outings this year – one to “The China Barn” and one to Oswaldtwistle Mills.

Our Xmas Fayre this year is on Tuesday, 16^th November 10.00 am to 12 noon.  Admission £1 which includes coffee and mince pies.  Pay at the door.

Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.  Visitors and new members are always welcome at any of our meetings.

Ruth Baldwin

Notton Tennis Club

In common, it seems, with other clubs in the league, it is getting more difficult to field teams, perhaps because younger people are not coming along.  This year we ended up with only 1 team who had a successful season.  Our Club Tournament, for a variety of reasons, attracted fewer entrants but nevertheless we had a very good Finals Day under the Directorship of Chris Niven.

We have over 100 members but even so the courts are not particularly well used with exception of the days when 16/20 members play social tennis and it is this section which has been attracting new members.

Finally, after many years of service, Christine Archbell is handing over the position of treasurer to John Pratt and the Club’s thanks go to Christine for all her hard work and dedication which has certainly gone beyond the role of treasurer.

Alan Gale - Chairman

Village Hall

Annual Bonfire Report - On Saturday 6^th November we had the Notton Bonfire and Fireworks extravaganza.   Once again this was an outstanding success. We are indebted to Alan Shand for the professional way in which he organised the event and to his team of willing helpers for their support and hard work.  Also many thanks to Farmer John and Farmer Richard and all involved in the setup of the bonfire and firework displays.   Once again Alan and Margaret’s family, together with close neighbours and friends, worked tirelessly from 9.00 am on Saturday to ensure that everybody would be fed.  We must also thank Pat Carter, her family, Janet Lilley and Maureen Buckley who organised and manned the bars. Thanks to all who took part in making this a super evening and a hugely financial success.

Village Hall update - The Village Hall is looking really good with the nice new washrooms and it is very noticeable that it is warm and pleasant when people arrive (not hours later).  We again have had a record breaking year for fundraising events.  Many, many thanks to everyone concerned.

As you know the hall is available for private functions. We still have dates available for bookings in 2004/5. If you are interested in booking the hall for that very special birthday or party event, please contact June Clark on 01226 722346.

June Drysdale - Chairman

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Notton Flower and Vegetable Show

As usual this was a lovely village event and a great success with more entries than last year.  The 2004 overall winner was Denis Gillibrand who was presented with the Rose Bowl.  The Committee would like to thank those who sponsored the sections and donated prizes and also the many helpers and supporters who came in the afternoon to view.

This show is not a fund raiser but we do endeavour to cover our expenses.

June Clark

Gardening Club

The last meeting of the summer was in June when we visited the Gardens of Brodsworth Hall which are being restored to their former glory.

Our autumn programme started with an open meeting in September with a talk by Ken Dunn entitled “Wind, Solar and Pupil Power”.  Ken gave a presentation on his successful Communication & Conservation Project in Lesotho in 2003 with pupils from Royston School.  He has plans for future trips with pupils from Royston and Sheffield.

In October, Colin Wood, a beekeeper for many years gave us an interesting and amusing talk on Honey Bees.  We were able to taste some if his different honeys too.

This month we were given a talk with slides on the gardens of Perthshire by Anne Taylor.

Our Christmas party is on Wednesday, 1^st December.

June Clark

Notton Neighbourhood Watch

During the long dark nights please be extra vigilant.  Please keep doors, windows, garages and sheds locked at all times.  Do not leave cash or car keys where they can be seen from outside your property.  Use a timer to set internal lights and use external lighting at the back and front of your property.

Joan Booth - 722398

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Parish Council

In my last Newsletter, I questioned the representation for Ward 5 which moved Notton into the boundary of Crofton, Ryhill and Walton.  Most of you will be aware that 3 Councillors now represent us at WMDC namely; Maureen Cummings (1 yr), Graham Isherwood (2 yrs) and Albert Manifield (3 yrs).

The Parish Council is not political.  As far as I am concerned as Chairman of the PC I am prepared to work alongside the DCs as long as they attend the Parish Meetings on a regular basis (which has been the case since the election).  Any controversial issues raised are taken to the appropriate Officers/Department within the WMDC.

Clerk to the Parish Council – Stephen Loach has been appointed on the departure of Mike Starford.  With his knowledge of Council workings and his efforts so far he will prove to be an asset to the members.  You will receive more information about Stephen when you read the next Mail Shot regarding “Vital Villages”.

Since the last Newsletter the following has happened in the Parish Meetings

• Unfortunately, all the long and detailed discussion regarding the Housing Development in Bleakley did not come to fruition and work will commence in the near future
• The Crossroads at the Oliver Twist have been monitored and sign work has taken place with the promise that ‘rumble strips’ and red slamit will be laid before the year end – do not blame me I am only the messenger
• The Public Meeting held in the Village Hall in May was very well attended and items raised were noted with the result that there is to be another ‘Drop In’ meeting to be held on Saturday, 27^th November between 0900 and 1600, but more about the day will be published via the Mail Drop
• There are still some areas of concern about the indiscriminate cutting down of well-established trees to allow speculative building to take place.  The laws governing Rural Planning are fraught with conjecture and interpretation that the PC has asked for a training course on ‘How to Interpret the Areas of Objection’.
• At last after many requests and letter writing the footpaths in the village have been re-surfaced.  (Until the Gas/Telephone/Electricity man arrives)
• Can I invite you, as residents of the area, to attend some of the PC meetings which are held on the first Thursday of the month.  The Parish Councillors at their last meeting agreed that the first item of their meeting would be a 30 minute open session to take questions from the public sent either by e-mail, letter or asked from the floor.  It is YOUR PC and you are always welcome to attend the meetings.  Why not go along to one of the meetings if you have an issue you wish to raise, or if you just want to find out what happens during the meetings.
• Finally, can I through this Newsletter, thank all the people who have supported the Parish Councillors over the past 6 months and remind you that we are only as effective as you wish us to be.

Terry Hall - Chairman

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