ECCLESHALL NEWS

Copy for the edition published on Thursday 24^th July 2008

FORMER PUPIL RETIRES: A former pupil of the Bishop Lonsdale School in Eccleshall retired on Tuesday July 15 along with another colleague who also hung up her chalk.

Nothing unusual it was the time of year when many teachers pass into the world of retirement after a career in teaching, but Lynne Hall was slightly different she was a pupil at the school in her youth and returned to teach there. Eccleshall lady Lynne was a teacher for over 33 years, 20 of them at Bishop Lonsdale. Joan Cook also taught for over 30 years with the last 8 at Bishop Lonsdale. The school arranged a special retirement party with former colleagues and friends at the school on the afternoon. Presents were exchanged and a short biography of each of the teachers was given by the head teacher Sue Holland. The ladies also had an opportunity to reminisce with the gathering as they recalled happy memories of this and other schools that they had taught at.

Group photo: Sue Holland in the middle on the left Lynne Hall on the right Joan Cook.

left to right Wendy Hardman, Lynne Hall, Pat Milner and Jan Firth former colleagues.

FESTIVAL’S FUTURE: A review of the 2008 Eccleshall Festival and a discussion on its future will be held at a meeting tomorrow Friday July 25 when the organisers meet. General opinion seems to be that despite the poor weather for the Victorian Street Market takings were good and crowds did attend. The nineteen different events which went to make up the fifteen days of the festival seemed to have been well attended.

BIBLICAL WOMEN: At its Sunday services the Holy Trinity Church has been celebrating the lives of the less well know characters in the bible, of which there are many and some of them playing pivotal roles. So far they have dealt with Miriam and Deborah, and future services will deal with Francis of Assisi, Gideon, Thomas Aquinas and Ruth. There are three services each Sunday starting at 8am. 10am and 6.30pm.

RESPONDERS AGM: The annual general meeting of the Eccleshall Community First Responders took place at the George Hotel on Thursday July 17. The officers who were elected were Chairman David Jacques, vice chair Jenny Bowen, Treasurer Jan Watson and secretary Gill Douce. Committee members were Niki Battle, Jason Keeling, Mary Dodkins and Peter Jones. The meeting started with a review of the year by Robert Carruthers supported by other members of the responder’s team. It had been a busy year and looked like getting busier with training courses planned to keep the team at peak effectiveness. There is to be a meeting of the fund raising committee at the George on Thursday July 31 starting at 7pm.

SINGERS AT HOUGHTON: The Eccleshall Singers performed their last summer concert at the village hall Houghton on Saturday with a varied programme of light classics and popular songs from Schubert to Handel, Roger Jones to Gilbert and Sullivan. The concert included a recitation from Joyce Adnitt and solos from Jo Lovatt, Ron Burgess and Andrew Iliffe. Musical director Rodney Bellamy and the Singers take a break now until early September when they start rehearsals for the Christmas season. People interesting in joining them should contact secretary Helen Morrey on 01543 424102 or email her at h.morrey@sky.com. The Singers draw there membership from a fairly wide area and providing interested folk can attend the weekly rehearsals held in Eccleshall, location is not a problem. The group have been producing concerts for over thirty years and the range of ages of the members is quite lengthy. There is place with the Singers for anyone who enjoys singing.

JUNIOR CRICKET: Under 15’s, Hem Heath scored 86 for 5 from their 20 overs with B Warrender scoring 19 NO, Matt Buttery had figures of 2 wickets for 11 runs, Dan Lakin 2 for 14 and Nathan Lightfoot 1 for 10. The batting order was mixed up to give everyone a chance and unfortunately this decision back-fired as Eccleshall proceeded to be restricted to 77 for 9 wickets with Jake Bartlett scoring 25

The Under 13’s match was abandoned.

Under 11’s Swynnerton scored 76 for 6 wickets, net score 246, with Sam Buttery taking 2 wickets for 5 runs, Jack Dale 2 for 15, F Tubbs scoring 15 NO and J Meakin 12 NO. In reply, 3 run outs in the first 4 overs meant Eccleshall were always going to struggle to hit their target and they finished on 51 for 9 wickets, net score 206, Joe Chambers scoring 10, N Langley taking 3 wickets for 13 runs.

The Under 9’s did not have a game.

SHOW SCHEDULES: Copies of the schedules for Eccleshall Show being held on Saturday August 30 are now available. Copies can be picked up from Stars News in Stafford Street or from the secretary Mary Cartmail on 07702 240511. They can also be obtained online from the show website.

The organisers are pleased to announce that the Midland Championship Final Retraining of Racehorses comes to the Eccleshall Show, further information can be obtained from the website at www.eccleshallshow.co.uk and the organiser Fiona Fraser on 01785 284371.

Applications for both undercover and outside trade pitches closes on August 1.

NO SHEEP AT SHOW: After enjoying considerable success over the past sixteen years, the organisers are sad to report that the Sheep Section of Eccleshall Show has been withdrawn from the 2008 show schedule.

There are several reasons why the Show Society has reached this decision after careful consideration of all the circumstances but the two principal factors are that the organiser no longer has the available time to deal with the considerable workload of the section both before and during the event.

In addition the ongoing animal health regulations, requirements and uncertainties are daunting for small one day events and in future years it may not be possible to guarantee that the show field has been clear of grazing animals for the required period prior to the event.

In the overall scheme of things it is therefore not feasible for the section to continue.

On behalf of the Society the organisers would like to thank all exhibitors and sponsors for past support and for the part which all have played in making the sheep section at Eccleshall Show such a friendly and special event for keepers of primitive sheep.

CLAY PIGEON SHOOT: Eccleshall Young farmers have arranged a charity clay pigeon shoot at The Laurels, Tunstall, Woodseaves on Wednesday July 30 starting at 7pm for 7.30pm. To enter and book your place telephone Steve on 07868 779372 or David on 07791 290113. Competitor’s entry fee is £8 which includes a burger and a glass of Pimms – trust the EYF to do things in style! All ages and non members are welcome to take part. Competitors will require a gun licence or the licence holder guardian must be present, fibre wad cartridges only to be used. Prizes to 3^rd place.

PARISH COUNCIL: The meeting held in the Broughton parish room on Wednesday July 16 was attended by twelve parish councillor, Councillor Henry Butter who gave a short report on his activities on behalf of the Parish and several members of the public. Ted Ranson asked a procedural question during the public session. An Enhancement Committee report from a meeting held on July 2 was presented and discussed. Since it was the first meeting of the committee in the new Parish Council year the positions of chairman and vice chairmen were decided. Councillor Dale was returned as Chairman and Councillor Baskerville as vice chairman.

The condition of benches in the parish was reviewed and recommendations for the replacement or refurbishment of them were agreed. An application to the local members Initiative scheme had been made for £1850 for a metal seat to replace the ones at the crossroads in the town centre, of a similar type of material to the Rotary one in the Stone Road.

There is no full council meeting during the month of August the next meeting will be held on Wednesday September 17 starting at 7.30pm in the community centre followed by a meeting of the planning committee.

FARMERS MARKET: The Eccleshall Farmers Market is on this Saturday July 26 from 9am until 1pm on the car park at the rear of the Kings Arms in Stafford Street. The Reynolds fruit stand will also be open for this and every Saturday at the front of the Kings.

There is no formal meeting of the Women’s Institute during August the next meeting will take place on Thursday September 11 in the parish room starting at 7.30 when the subject will be ‘Staying alive’.

NO SHEDS PLEASE: The council agreed to accept the recommendation of the Enhancements committee that a policy of no sheds on the allotments is permitted. The committee considered that sheds and other structures would be detrimental to the amenity of the site and may attract theft and vandalism. Any such buildings would require planning permission and could result in problems when allotment holders change. Reporting on a meeting of the Allotments Association one of the council’s representatives Councillor Baskerville reported that the possibility of toilets at the Shaws Lane allotment site was discussed.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Watchers next meet in the Royal Oak on Monday August 11 starting at 7.30pm.

LIGHTING UP TIME: A request had been received from the Business Focus Group for the switching on of the Christmas tree lights to take place on a Friday or Saturday instead of the usual Monday early evening. A meeting between the Eccleshall in Bloom people and the council was to be arranged followed by another between Councillor Delanchy from the council and representatives of the Focus Group.

It was stated at the meeting that the event was intended for the local young children and not to attract visitors to town.

RAFTING DANGERS: A home made raft of oil drums and wood was discovered at Elford Heath and the committee asked for it to be removed and disposed of since it presented a health and safety hazard to the users.

OVER 60’S CLUB: Martin Watson, one of the First Responders team is the guest speaker at the meeting of the Offley Hay Over 60’s Club on Tuesday July 29 at the village hall starting at 2pm.

TRANSITION & SUSTAINABILITY: Councillor Holl presented a report on the subject to the meeting and the members agreed that more information should be obtained particularly what the Borough and County Councils are doing on the subject. Readers may find out more from the website www.transitionnetwork.org for general background.

NO POLICE: There was police presence at the Parish Council meeting and no report was presented.

NICKS CONCERT: The concert held at the Holy Trinity Church on Saturday July 19 was attended by around 90 people who enjoyed an evening of wonderful singing and raised funds towards the expenses of the recently seriously injured Nick Trafford.

DOG KENNEL APPROVED: During the meeting of the planning committee held on Wednesday July 16 an application for planning permission was put in front of the council and raised a smile because the plans included a dog kennel, perhaps the first of its kind to be considered by the committee.

The latest on the Local Development Framework were given by Councillor Pimble, this involves the building of possibly several hundred dwellings in the parish as part of the governments ten year plan to increase the number of homes available in the country.

GARDEN GUILD: Saturday August 9 has been set for the annual show of the Croxton and Broughton Garden Guild. It is being held at the Broughton parish room Wetwood and promises to be the biggest show ever with hundreds of local entries.

Apart from the pleasure of seeing the various entries visitors could well drop on a bargain or two at the auction after the judging. Admission is free and the doors open at 3pm with the auction and raffle at 4pm. For further details contact Di Webberley on 01630 620384.

NEW BENEFICE: The reverend Jonathan Eades from Wolstanton has been appointed priest to the new benefice of Ashley, Broughton, Croxton and Mucclestone. He is looking forward to becoming involved once again in the rural life of country parishes as this is where he started his ministry. He will be licensed at Ashley Church on August 5 at 7.30pm.

LONGER OPENING HOURS: The doctors at the Crown Surgery are pleased to inform their patients that they are now offering early morning and late evening surgeries. The early morning surgeries start at 6.30am and 7.30am respectively and the later evening surgeries star at 6.30pm.

Patients should note that these surgeries are strictly by appointment only and have been introduced for patients whose work commitments make it impossible for them to attend between 8.30am and 6pm. As such the doctors would be grateful if patients who are able to attend during normal surgery hours continue to do so. Please note that practice nurses will not be present so it would not be appropriate to book for one of these surgeries if you would like a chaperone present.

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