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 Posted - 29/12/2008 : 13:54:51
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Thank you Father Christmas
A big thank you to Father Christmas who came to our November Fayre in the Village Hall on Saturday 15 November. Although it is a busy time for Santa at this time of year, we were delighted to see him and his helper to make this year’s Fayre one of the best. The Victorian theme was a great success, with everyone joining in. There was tea and cakes in the Tea Shoppe and games and gifts to buy at the various stalls. Congratulations to Jacqui Clarke for winning best costume, and The Good Neighbours Group led by June Griffin for the best stall. Looking forward to next year!
The deadline for articles, village events and adverts for the Spring 2009 edition of Village Views is 9 March. Please see contact
details below.
If you know of someone who is not getting their copy of Village Views please contact one of the editorial team.
Advertising in Village Views
We regret that due to increased production costs and circulation, advertising costs for Village Views will be increased to £6 per quarter page for new adverts from January. If you have already paid in advance for next year you will not be affected at this time. However, should you have any queries please contact Ken on 473465.
Little Paxton Village Hall Management Committee
Little Paxton Scarecrow Festival
16 May 2009
Put it in your diary now!
There will also be a Craft Fayre on
the day as well as many other
exciting events
There are still pitches available
so, crafters don't be disappointed,
book your space now!
Contact Jacqui 01480 219132 mobile 07718505084
Conservation Grazing at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
We use cattle to graze the hay meadow from September to Christmas. In recent years we have had trouble finding a grazier to provide the cattle, and this reflects the move away from livestock among local farmers. However, this year we have 14 cattle on the meadow and they have done an excellent job. It's time for them to go now, so we are building a corral to help us get them into the truck. This herd of Simmentals, and Devon/Angus cross calves came to us from the Ouse Washes. They will spend the winter in a yard before going out to grass again in the spring.
Elsewhere on the reserve we have wet grassland where we don't normally take a hay crop. In these areas we like to have grazing all summer, but at a relatively low density to allow ground nesting birds a chance to breed. This summer we had a beautiful herd of English Long-horns and 15 Highland Cattle from Southoe which made their home in the Great Meadow. These hardy beef cattle are able to stay out all winter, but our problem is that our meadows are prone to flooding. Last week the Highlanders went to the Great Fen project, but we still have to go and check on them. We even expect a couple of calves around Christmas, so spare a thought for Ranger Matt Johnson, who has the job of looking after them.
In the long term we will have more grassland to look after, not just at Paxton, and we are therefore likely to increase our herd and the amount of staff time spent on livestock matters. So what do we get in return?
Grassland becomes scrub if it is not grazed. Grazing and hay making both strip nutrients, encouraging grasses and herbs but not coarser plants like thistles, nettles and docks. They also spread the seeds around to create a more varied sward. However, cattle do something extra. They go for their favourite plants first and will heavily graze some areas while ignoring others until they get hungry enough to tackle the less tasty bits. This creates a matrix of varied micro habitats. They also refuse to eat around their own dung so they make some interesting "meadow-muffin" habitats for beetles, flies and even fungi. Then they also create habitats with their feet. Cowslips grow in the notches created in the grassland by hooves. These places are often where pipits and plovers nest. A little bit of "poaching" can be a good thing because new plants can get a toe-hold. This is especially true along the ditches where cattle trample the banks and create a berm that plants can take hold on. The ditch in the Great Meadow is already starting to produce some interesting plants, and will, one day, be as rich as the ones in St Neots Common.
As we expand northwards you can expect to see more cattle, all year round. Who knows, you may even end up buying your beef from us.
Local History Group
A weekend in October saw our St James’ Church full of interesting exhibits connected to various aspects of our village history. These exhibits included the bones of mammoths found at Paxton Pits, various items from the County Archives, information on the old Mill site, research into those from the village who lost the their lives in the Great War, transcriptions from the Parish Registers and early census returns, memorabilia and lots more.
Several visitors showed an interest in starting some sort of Local History Society and a number of us are willing to try and get something under way. Currently we think such a group could study the history of the Little Paxton area and assist members study their family history. So whatever you are interested in with regards to local history, whether it is pre-history, Victorian period, your own family history or social history in general please contact one of the people named below. Provided we get enough expressions of interest we will organise a meeting sometime early next year.
Peter Hagger (477978)
Leslie Tennant (212601)
Dennis Flavell (405511)
St James’ Church – News from the pews
A busy year for Rev Annette Reed and St James Church
A resumé to give you some idea of what has been happening.
This year in your church we have had 11 weddings, 24 baptisms, and six funerals (Annette officiated at 22 funerals in total).
In February, sixty people came for a “Celebration of Marriage” which enabled couples to hear a selection of hymns, ask questions, and to get a feel of the church in preparation for their wedding day. We shall be doing this again on 15 February 2009.
The Children’s Workshop on Good Friday was very popular so watch out for the next one and book a place early.
Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, and Rainbows came to celebrate Christmas, Harvest and the Remembrance Day services.
Children from the school visited the church as part of the curriculum as well as for the Festivals. This all plays a part in them understanding what a community is all about.
In looking beyond our village we continued to give support to Jimmy’s Night Shelter at Cambridge via our harvest collection.
Also we have been able to provide financial support to Father Jacob Tshingwana, a priest in Zimbabwe, and his people. A big thank you to all who gave very generously in support of these, and other, causes.
As well as Vicar of Little Paxton, Great Paxton and Diddington, Annette is also the Rural Dean of the St Neots Deanery. This brings some responsibility towards about another 13 parishes. While all this was going on, Annette functioned under very difficult conditions as the vicarage underwent major building alterations lasting over 4 months. What was essentially a four bedroom family home now has proper office space and a meeting room. This was funded by the Diocese without cost to Little Paxton.
In looking to the future we have started the planning stage of our ’CHURCH FOR TOMORROW’ project. This aims to provide a new heating system, replace the fixed pews with stackable bench pews, and to get the bells ringing again. Apart from a few test swings recently these haven’t been rung since about 1912.
As you can see we have had a busy year but there is still more to come…….
For details of Services through December and into the New Year please refer to the leaflet delivered to your home or see the Church notice board.
Or you could visit our web site www.littlepaxtonchurch.org.uk
Open Gardens Weekend
Plans are proceeding for our Open Gardens Event in 2009 and we already have a number of gardens that will be opened, but we still need more. The event will be on Sunday, 21 June and we are now looking for gardens that would be opened at sometime between 11.00am and 5.00pm on that day.
We need all sorts of gardens – large or small – they do not have to be pristine, most gardens have something to interest others. If you think you might like to open your garden in aid of our Church for Tomorrow Project, to provide improvements to our lovely village church and re-hang the bells, please contact me.
I have already received a number of offers but still need more gardens to make it a really successful day. I have organised these events previously and without fail all the people who have opened their gardens told me afterwards how much they enjoyed the experience.
Peter Hagger (477978)
Parish Council Meeting dates for next three months
The Full Council will next meet on 4 December, 8 January, 5 February and then monthly on the first Thursday thereafter. All Full Council meetings start at 7.30pm.
The Planning Committee will meet on 18 December, 22 January, 12 February and then monthly on the third Thursday each month. Planning meetings start at 7.30pm. The Amenities Committee will meet on same dates as the Planning meetings but will start at 8.00pm.
All meetings are held in the back room of the Village Hall. All Council meetings have a 15 minute Public Forum at the beginning each meeting when members of the public are invited to raise issues with Councillors.
For all Parish Council enquiries, please contact Clerk of the Council, Mrs J Gellatly, 11 Hayling Avenue, Little Paxton 01480 470193. Office hours 9am-2.30pm.
Email : littlepaxton@hotmail.com www.littlepaxton.org.uk
MICK'S SHORTS
It is estimated that one billion Christmas cards (17 each for every man, woman and child) could end up in bins across the UK this year. It takes one tree to make about 3,000 cards.
More than 8,000 tons of wrapping paper is used at Christmas, which is enough to wrap the whole island of Guernsey.
We also consume far more bottles, cans and paper at Christmas than any other time of year, with more than 3 million extra tons of waste. Our bins overflow with an extra 750 million bottles and 500 million drink cans, and about 80,000 tons of old clothes also get thrown out at this time.
And finally, about £1.2 billion-worth of unwanted presents change hands at Christmas, I wonder how many of these end up in the charity shops in January?
After two years hard work, Little Paxton Parish Council has been awarded
‘Quality Council Status’.
In order to achieve the ‘Quality Status’, a Council has to meet a range of nationally agreed standards. Little Paxton Parish Council had to provide a portfolio of evidence which is submitted to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Quality Panel before accreditation is awarded. The Chairman of the Quality Panel has acknowledged that the submission from Little Paxton was one of the most impressive and detailed portfolios presented to the Panel.
Chairman of the Council Cllr Alan Denison said, “A tremendous amount of work has gone into achieving this Award and I am delighted that we are now a Quality Council. The Council has demonstrated that it works closely with the community and listens to the needs of the village. A benefit of being a Quality Status Council is it allows the Council to apply for grants and other funding which is only available to Quality Councils.”
Parish Clerk Jenny Gellatly said, “It has taken two years to attain the accreditation and the Council has significantly improved the way it communicates with the residents of the village – through newsletters, press releases, public notices, setting up a website, producing a Welcome Newsletter for new residents and working with village groups and organisations. ‘Quality’ doesn’t stop here- it continues”.
The Parish Council will be reassessed in four years time.
Little Paxton Cemetery Improvements
The Council has agreed not to lock the cemetery gates or change the car park layout. In order to prevent damage and possible criminal activity, the Council has agreed to reduce the height of the hedge (which is parallel to the road) to ensure the cemetery is highly visible to passing vehicles.
At the request of a resident, the Council will be planting a rose bed in the Cemetery. Relatives will be able to buy and plant a rose in memory of a loved one. Permission will be required prior to planting. The finer details of the type of roses has yet to be agreed.
Golf on the Playing Field
The Parish Council has in recent weeks been aware that there have been several young people with golf clubs on the playing field.
Golf and archery are not permitted on the playing field for health and safety reasons. The signage, which leads up to the village hall area, has also been vandalised recently and the word ‘No’ has been removed from the ‘No Golf & Archery is allowed’ sign.
The people concerned have been approached to highlight the dangers but advice has fallen on deaf ears and is ignored or, when we leave the playing field area, the golf club swinging/golf practice returns.
The Council’s insurance does not cover any accidents as a result of golf clubs/balls or archery. Our Insurers have advised us that if there is an accident and someone is hurt and/or property is damaged, it is the person with the golf club who is personally liable.
The Council does not wish to stop young people having fun but are increasingly concerned that there is going to be an accident before too long
Consultation on Mill Lane Community Hall
A report is now available on the Community Hall Consultation which took place in June and July. The Report is on the front page of the website and if anyone wishes a paper copy, please contact the Clerk.
A total of 115 response forms were returned and this represents a return rate of 12.08%.
64% supported the use of the name ‘Trimmings’ as part of the name of the community hall. There were 29 other names suggested. The Council agreed at its October meeting to call the new community building ‘The Willows’.
This name was suggested in the response forms and the Council would like to thank the people who suggested it.
The most popular uses of the hall are as follows: Badminton (61 responses), Table Tennis (29), Football (25), Bowls (19), Exercise classes (19), Tennis (18). A total of 34 different sports were mentioned.
The most popular other activities to take place in the building are Community/Social activities (16), Dancing (12), Keep fit classes (11), Youth Club (9) Drama/music events (5) and Martial Arts (5). A total of 39 other activities were mentioned.
Five people expressed an interest in helping organising activities and twelve people were prepared to join a management committee.
Fourteen clubs and organisations were mentioned as being possibly interested in using the hall.
With regard to bar facilities - 44 requested non alcoholic bar, 34 requested an alcoholic bar and seven people suggested Special Events Licenses.
There were 19 different miscellaneous comments including -ensuring business was not taken away from the village hall, excess traffic on Mill Lane, anti social behaviour, Ample parking and cycle racks, consideration given to for facilities for disabled sport facilities, good opportunity to develop area for social and sport for teenagers and get them involved, more facilities for old age pensioners.
Building on the Mill Lane has slowed down due to the current economic climate however, the Community building will be built but at a later date than originally expected.
Little Paxton News by Email
Do you live or work in Little Paxton? Are you on email?
Many of the works, activities, events and issues in Little Paxton pass through Little Paxton Parish Council, which is the most local tier of government. The council communicates through the parish noticeboards, its website and Council meetings, and will continue to do so.
Email offers a no-cost way to reach more people more easily, and can deliver information directly to you. The Parish Council is therefore starting a ‘News Service’ by email. The email updates will briefly notify you about, for example, works planned in the village, events, police updates, and notable future activities.
Why bother? When roadworks are scheduled we can alert you (if we’ve been warned!). When a public meeting is being held on a major planning decision, we can let you know. When a village event is happening, we can remind you about it.
If you use email and are interested in signing up for Little Paxton email updates then simply send an email to:
littlepaxton@hotmail.com
Bus Time Table Display Cases
As part of a Quality imitative, the Parish Council is liaising with County Council to take on the maintenance of the village bus stop display cases. Most need a good clean and the Parish Council feels this is better achieved at local level.
Christmas Lights
This year the Parish Council is working with St. James’ Church to put Christmas lights outside the Church. The lights will be very subtle and help make the Church a village focal point.
Fairhaven Trophy
The winner of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Village of the Year 2008 is Elton. The Fairhaven Trophy has been removed from Little Paxton and installed in the village of Elton. The Parish Council would like to congratulate Elton on its success.
LITTLE PAXTON CRICKET CLUB LATEST NEWS
Little Paxton Cricket Club would like to invite you to join them at the Inaugural Meeting to be held on the 11 December 2008 at 8.00pm in the Committee Room at the rear of the Village Hall.
If you are unable to make the meeting but would like further information on how to become a member of the club please contact us on littlepaxtoncc@gmail.com
Look out for details of an exciting evening of fun and entertainment to be held in January.
Keep up with all the latest news and developments of the Little Paxton Cricket Club by logging onto the website at littlepaxton.play-cricket.com
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Village Views December 2008
